Watermelon politics explained

Thursday May 29, 2008

Environmental alarmism is another name for government control

MANKIND should not foul its nest. The biblical charge to be stewards of the earth is a very serious responsibility and undertaking.

Unfortunately, there are those who seek to exploit for their own purposes this instinctive concern for the environment. The ulterior motives of some people in the green movement led to the phrase "watermelon environmentalist" for someone who is green on the outside but red - socialist - on the inside.

Governmental restrictions on human activity in the name of saving the earth are a serious matter that, unfortunately, is being pushed too quickly and too cavalierly by some people, most notably former Vice President Al Gore.

But the science is not decided and the public policy debate should be open and honest.

None other than Czech President Vaclav Klaus, an economist, has stood up to challenge Gore's assertions. Klaus would love to debate him about what Klaus called "global warming alarmism."

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The main point is that the debate on climate change, and the extent of government control needed to deal with it, has only begun.

Using fears about global warming to place more of the economy - and therefore, prosperity - in the hands of government is disingenuous as well as dangerous.

Americans need to keep their powder dry on global warming, because the stakes involve not just the globe, but also their livelihoods and their freedom.

http://www.dailymail.com/Opinion/Editorials/200805290172