RightWave

The Christian Science Monitor yesterday reported that, according to claims by the Humane Society and others, global warming is causing an increase in kittens.  Yep, you read that right, the radical left has deputized the Humane Society (along with their cuddly little friends) into their “regulate now” argument to curb global warming.

“Each year it seems to get worse and worse,” said Christina Gin, an animal shelter volunteer in Hayward, Calif., to the Hayward Daily Review earlier this month.

She was talking about the shelter’s surplus of kittens, a problem that animal shelters across the country face every summer. But lately, it seems that there have been more and more of the furry carnivores.

Ms. Gin blames global warming for the feline glut, and she’s not alone. The Humane Society has observed that kitten season, which usually starts in March and April, has been starting earlier and lasting longer.

Now, let’s get something straight.  Do they want MORE cute things or FEWER cute things?  I mean, first we’re bemoaning the supposed decrease in the (cute) polar bear population.  Now, we’re upset in the increase in the cat population?  (Now, personally I understand this because I hate cats, but still.  They’re awful cute when they’re kittens.)

Next, we’ll apparently be talking about the Canadian red squirrel:

No definitive link has been established, but climate change has been shown to change the breeding patterns of at least some mammals. In 2003, for example, researchers at the University of Alberta discovered that Canadian red squirrels are giving birth an average of 18 days earlier than their great-grandparents, a shift that they attributed to rising temperatures.

But, let’s go get serious for a minute.  If we really care about domestic animals, as the Humane Society certainly does, let’s address the real issues.  First and foremost, I’d spend more time and resources pushing folks to get their cats spayed and neutered.  That’s a surefire way to prevent feline procreation.

We also need to consider the very real impact rising fuel and energy prices have on the average family’s budget.  Will there be room with $5, $6, or even $8 per gallon gas to keep Fido and Whiskers in the family.  Make no mistake, American families love their pets, but when it’s a choice between gasoline and food and pet care, I think we know the answer.  Animal shelter populations increase, and family pets suffer.   Not to mention the fact that contributions to animal shelters decrease during economic downturns, further imperiling the lives of animals.

The real message here: protect our economy.  It’s good for everyone, including pets!  If we choose higher taxes, increased regulation, and restricted freedom, we’ll not only NOT “fix” the problem we intend to solve (presumably, global warming) but we’ll also hurt our country in the long term by killing an already slowing economy.  I don’t think anyone wants that.

Then again…maybe they do.

3:50 p.m. UPDATE: You have absolutely got to see this website.  Also, US News & World Reports is on the case as well.

Yeah, I know.  Long time no write.  But, I just had to share this video with you from Ed Frank at Americans for Prosperity.  The AFP team staked out the esteemed former Vice President’s “major address” on climate change, and below are the results:

While you’re at it, check out this update with pictures of the Gore motorcade.

Let’s be clear, by the way, it doesn’t bother me that the Gore folks ride in style.  He’s made a lot of money and he’s earned the right to live in luxury.  But, let’s not lecture others about the need to change their lifestyles in between trips to the Exxon station to fill up the SUVs.

…haven’t you always wanted to do this?

Which reminds me to remind you to check out Americans for Prosperity’s Hot Air Tour website, CostofHotAir.com and follow the Hot Air Balloon around the country.  They’re telling the truth about the REAL cost of global warming alarmism. 

Make sure you keep on top of the Americans for Prosperity blog over the next few days.  What with all the shenanigans in Nashville on Friday, there are sure to be some good developments.

In the meantime, you can see pictures of the AFP Hot Air Tour hot air balloon and our former Vice President’s home.  Also, be sure to check out CostofHotAir.com in the next few days for pictures of the entire tour last week from Spartanburg, SC to Cincinnati, OH as well as the schedule for the next leg, which launches after the Independence Day holiday.  It might be coming to YOUR town!

From “Yeas and Nays:”

 McCain planning climate change tour

Guys, we’ve got to stop this.  Any suggestions how?

He’s supposed to be the REPUBLICAN candidate, right?  What ever happened to limited government, less reguation, lower taxes, etc.  Why can’t he be as good on all these other issues as he is on spending and pork-barrel earmarks? 

Grr.

Annie Patnaude over at the AFP Blog has a great post on the more than 200 jobs Gov. Terminator wants to add to the government payroll to act as the enforcers of his green policies.

 Can’t you just imagine their uniforms?

Thanks to the folks over at the Business and Media Institute at the Media Research Center for this stunning story:

Time editor tells MSNBC ‘there needs to be a real effort along the lines of World War II to combat global warming and climate change.’

Shame on the people at Time Magazine for this truly shamelessful Al Gore-esque attempt at thrusting their extreme global warming agenda on the good American taxpayers.

And, if you want a little peek into the other side’s agenda, check out Time’s 51 Things We Can Do  to Save the Environment.  But, be ready to hold your nose…

I don’t mean to be flippant, but it seems as though we’ve dodged a bullet on the global warming front today.  Not forward progress, but at least it seems we haven’t lost ground.

To be honest, I was nervous about the President’s speech today on the White House initiative on Climate Change.  The scuttlebutt was that the President might endorse disastrous cap and trade legislation or other economy-killing measure to “solve” global warming, but it seems we’ve avoided that…at least for now.

But, I’m not so sure it was a good thing either.

What this address seems to have accomplished is to give fodder to the Left to bring the issue even more to the forefront and criticize the Right on inaction.  It also legitimizes the alarmist claims of the other side about the “onslaught” of global warming as well as the fact that government should, in fact, act.  For example:

These objectives are backed by a combination of new market-based regulations, new government incentives, and new funding for technology research.  We’ve provided billions of dollars for next generation nuclear energy technologies. Along with the private sector, we’ve invested billions more to research, develop and commercially deploy renewable fuels, hydrogen fuel cells, advanced batteries, and other technologies to enable a new generation of vehicles and more reliable renewable power systems.

While I’m not sure what “market-based regulations” are (isn’t that an oxymoron?), it seems that he did, for the most part, address the fact that over-regulation and higher taxes have the potential to grind this economy to a screeching halt.

Without question, this is a vitally important debate - and will continue to be throughout the Presidential campaign - and free-market advocates need to be aggressive in educating taxpayers on the real costs of the Left’s proposed “fixes” to global warming.  Let’s hope the President’s speech did more good than harm, but I’m not convinced.

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By the way - not to over-promote - but, sign up today for Americans for Prosperity’s Hot Air Tour launch on Monday, April 21.  Now, it’s even more important than ever that we turn out massive numbers of grassroots troops to this event and all of these events around the country to show to elected officials, the media, and, frankly, the other side that taxpayers care about this issue and oppose any new big-government schemes to “solve” the global warming “crisis.”    Check out the newly-launched (and quite snazzy) website here.

UPDATE - Just saw the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s press release on the speech.  I think they got it about right. 

Bush prepares global warming initiative

The administration also is trying to head off what it sees as a regulatory disaster. Environmentalists say greenhouse gases can be regulated under existing rules under the Clean Air Act, the Endangered Species Act or the National Environmental Policy Act, and have filed lawsuits to try to force action. The Bush administration and others want to avoid a web of rules and regulations for businesses.

“The embedded regulatory trajectory that we’re on is a train wreck,” Mrs. Perino said. “For those who want reasonable and responsible action, it is worthwhile to have a constructive conversation as we work to keep the developing nations in this process in a way that will work to solve the problem without harming the economy.”

Oh, good.  So let’s create a new regulatory and economic disaster.  Good plan.  We’ve got President Bush reversing course and (presumably) calling for new regulations and proposing schemes to “solve” global warming - not to mention Senators McCain, Obama and Clinton (and numerous others)!  What happened to supporters of FREE ENTERPRISE!?!

At least there are some reasonable voices in this debate:

One person familiar with the meeting said several members, including Republican Reps. John Shimkus of Illinois and F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. of Wisconsin, told the White House it was making a mistake if it called for congressional action.

Supposedly, we’ll find out more about the President’s plan tomorrow, so stay tuned. 

In the meantime, sign up today to take a stand against the “ballooning” costs of global warming alarmism.  We need to get the biggest crowd possible to come out for this Americans for Prosperity event on Monday, April 21 to kick off the AFP Hot Air Tour across the country.  Plus, it’s a free lunch and a good time with hundreds of other AFP activists.  See my previous post on this or visit the AFP website for more information.  Sign Up Today!!

Come help Americans for Prosperity launch our nationwide hot air balloon tour, which will expose the unaffordable costs of global warming alarmism for average Americans. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE. CLICK HERE FOR A FLYER.
 
The Hot Air Tour will kick off in Washington, DC, on April 21, just one day before Earth Day. We need your help to make sure this rally sends a powerful message to Capitol Hill — the climate change shakedown must stop!

What: Rally against unaffordable climate change schemes

Where: Upper Senate Park/Union Station Plaza

When: 11:30 AM; Monday, April 21

Popcorn. T-shirts. Lunch. Ice Cream. It’s all on us! Don’t miss out on this important event!

If the extremists have their way, American families and businesses will be on the hook to pay for feel-good regulations that do almost nothing. You’ll be forced to choose between heating your home or a family vacation. Between a full tank of gas or saving for your children’s education.