To the Editor:At the November 20 Democratic debate, Senator Sanders said: “What the scientists are telling us, if we don’t get our act together within the next eight or nine years, …
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To the Editor:
At the November 20 Democratic debate, Senator Sanders said: “What the scientists are telling us, if we don’t get our act together within the next eight or nine years, we’re talking about cities all over the world, major cities going underwater, we’re talking about increased drought, talking about increased extreme weather disturbances…
What we have got to do tonight, and I will do as president, is to tell the fossil fuel industry that their short-term profits are not more important than the future of this planet. And by the way, the fossil fuel industry is probably criminally liable, because they have lied and lied and lied when they had the evidence that their carbon products were destroying the planet, and maybe we should think about prosecuting them, as well.”
The classic fable, Chicken Little, has become reality!
It is not surprising that Senator Sanders made this comment because in 1988, he went to the USSR, the worker’s paradise, for a 10-day honeymoon; the leopard has not changed his spots. What is surprising is that there were nine other candidates at that debate and not one of them rebuked Sanders for his indictment of an entire industry. Not one had the fiber to tell him to “get lost,” “take a hike,” “get out of here” or “don’t include me in that indictment,” not Joe who was standing right next to Bernie, not Liz, not any of them. So then, they must be in agreement!
Here we have a major candidate from one of the two major parties and he is declaring plainly that he will criminalize the coal, oil and gas producers and drive them out of business by fines, fees, lawsuits and jail, and that means the end of tens of thousands of jobs such as miners, drillers, suppliers, truckers, railway men, mechanics, engineers, geologists on down the supply line to the local oil companies that deliver oil to our homes and businesses. It means the end of the plastics and synthetics industries which produce clothing, building materials, computers, electrical equipment, medical machines, food wrappers; the list is endless and it means there is a real possibility that the idea of going to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving on the highways, railways and airways will be gone forever. And as for cooking the turkey, forget it because the oven will be just a hunk of metal – useless! And how is Grandma going to heat her home? Sorry Grandma, even your wood stove and boiler create a carbon product, so you will just have to go without heat.
If the reader thinks that all the above is alarmist and contentious, think again. The Democratic Party here in Rhode Island is committed to the Sanders agenda. Senator Whitehouse has given at least 250 speeches in the US Senate on this same subject, demonizing the fossil fuel industry, and his Democratic colleagues, Reed, Cicilline & Langevin have said nothing in opposition, just like the other candidates in the last debate; they are little chickens in agreement. The original Chicken Little fable was delightful, but this Bernie version is a nightmare.
Thanks Grandma, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Erik Thorp
Warwick
3 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
Justanidiot
grandma wont have to worry about heating her house, global warming will have done that for her free of charge. now bailing out her basement, that is a different matter
Tuesday, November 26, 2019 Report this
Cat2222
If you think that Sanders has inflated the potential for global warming, you in turn inflated the potential for the sky to fall on the fossil fuel industry. There is no denying exaggerations on both sides of the debate. However, as is with all things in life, compromise can bring about great changes for the good of all. What is not exaggerated is the colossal amount of money being spent by the fossil fuel industry to ensure their livelihood is not altered one iota by funneling their funds into politics. It is the timeless story of David vs. Goliath. We all can help to reduce our waste and preserve the environment. It isn't that difficult. That way both sides can exist in harmony.
Wednesday, November 27, 2019 Report this
davebarry109
Ah yes. The 'fossil fuel industry'. Those evil people who give us gasoline, jetfuel, natural gas. Without which we could not drive, fly or heat/eat. How does one denigrate an industry which made modern society? Prior to gasoline/kerosene, we lived by horse drawn carriages and most folks never traveled more than a few miles from home. Petroleum has literally fueled the world. Should we look for cleaner energy? Yes. Does that mean denigrating the people who gave us modern society? No. No. No. Sanders is a socialist nutcase and hypocrite. Who criticizes the 'fossil fuel' folks while maintaining three homes? The millionair Sanders. That's who.
Tuesday, December 3, 2019 Report this