** Controversial movie director Rob Reiner, late of the California Children and Families Commission, attacked controversial movie star/director Mel Gibson. Saying that Gibson needs to acknowledge the anti-Semitic underpinnings of his film work, especially The Passion of the Christ, Reiner noted that redemption takes a long time. Which reminds me that I have another Rob Reiner story. I’m getting so forgetful.
** Iran is defying international wishes that it drop its nuclear program, moving forward with an enrichment program that can yield the Mideastern great power nuclear weapons. Just days ahead of a UN session on this, some Iranian leaders warn that there should be no further pressure on Iran to drop its nuclear program, else the people will take to the streets to demand that the Iranian government develop nuclear weapons.
** Senator Barbara Boxer split yesterday with Senator Dianne Feinstein, declining to support the global warming bill proposed by California’s senior Democratic senator. Feinstein wants a cap-and-trade approach on greenhouse gas emissions like that being pushed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Boxer finds that too moderate, preferring command-and-control regulation.
** Track global and national energy futures prices in near real time via Bloomberg. Crude oil prices are hovering a couple dollars over $70 a barrel.
** Continuous coverage of the new global insecurity on Pajamas Media (PJM).
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Journos at work reminds me of watching the grass grow…not a spectator sport.
It is very, very glamorous.
Mr. Bradley,
The big story of the day is that folks are starting to call for drug testing in golf. Shocked that NWN isn’t all over it. Shocked and almost stunned into silence!!!
Who is the chic-looking short-haired blonde babe who keeps turning up in the videos?
The blond woman is Julie Soderlund, Schwarzenegger’s campaign press secretary.
While quietly attractive, she has an overbearing personality and intimidating approach, perhaps reflecting her directives from the Bush high command to neuter the California political press corps …
I don’t how see how the state can do command and control regulation across one of the world’s largest and most complicated economies. Sen. Boxer has never been one much for realism.
Nobody even bit at the “staffing changes” note from yesterdat. Hmmm.
Finally read all the posts at Cal Majority early this morning. My friend GS was much softer there then when he posts to NWN.
Does that mean he believes this is an “edgier” audience?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Of course this is an edgier audience thatn the California Plurality Report. We’re not currying favor with employers and future employers.
Never let it be said that I am not discreet, Eric. Is there anything you would care to elaborate on?
Re California Majority Report
No more Javascript message! Whatever you did ..It worked! Thank you.
Incidentally, I trust readers know I’m being facetious about the overbearing Julie Soderlun business.
RE: Command and Control V Cap(cut) and Trade
Mr. Curtis Moore yesterday (see previous main post comments Global Warming) referenced Sweden’s feebate approach as a command and control program with the “flexibility” that the economists argue is reguired in any approach to a Global Warming bill. I spent a great deal of last night reading about this program ..it is of interest and shows that “command and control” may be for flexible than we understand it to be…Sweden’s approach has shown:”Economic instruments can be effective environmental instruments that need not damage, and can even stimulate, the economy. Earmarking revenues accrued in a polluter-pays system can help increase support from industry and the public. This system, deemed efficient and fair, could be a model to other nations. “
Sen. Feinstein has the right idea, trading systems can work and have worked. Barbara, I fear, is again attracted by the romance, this time of Mr. Moore’s article.
Reiner’s sanctimony never ends, does it?
Hemlock:”Sen. Feinstein has the right idea, trading systems can work and have worked. Barbara, I fear, is again attracted by the romance, this time of Mr. Moore’s article”
The “Romance”???’…well, guilty as charged …I am a bit of a romantic soul…and capable of being very passionate about causes and people I revere and/ or believe in…but I am also capable of being highly analytical, very judicious and discerning in both thought and deed. I am deeply appreciative of this little world that Mr. Bradley has created here at NWN, in part, because someone of the caliber of Curtis Moore can visit us and open up a whole new way of looking at something….I ordered his
book “Green Gold” today via Amazon. From reviews of his book it is my understanding that he makes a case that environmental regulation can benefit the economy by stimulating technological innovation and improving the efficiency of firms and industries. I believe that is significant information…to both consider and digest…an argument that deserves some serious thought …an argument that the business community should be open to hearing…If Susan Kennedy does not find Moore, perhaps Steven Maviglio will try…I think Mr. Moore is on to something…and that is NOT my “romantic side” talking…
Rob Reiner will let us know when Gibson’s redemption is complete.
Bill Bradley -
What is your other Rob Reiner story?
Mel first needs to apologize for Lethal 4.
Curtis Moore is right, regulation has frequently played a forcing function in technological innovation. Remember, though that what Schwarzenegger is talking about is regulation, a version which has a market orientation to allow for flexibility. Clearly if we go that way, there will need to be very strong monitoring and compilation of the resulting information to ensure that targets are being met.
Marcia, too soon for the Reiner story I’ve been sitting on.
Lethal Weapon 4? You mean the one where the old guys get their butts kicked by the young guys and Mel has a baby with Rene Russo? Well, it had its moments …
Why does Arnold insist that AB 32 be overseen by his personally appointed Climate Action Committee instead of the Air Resources Board which has a proven record? I hope Arnold is sincere. He already vetoed mandatory enforcement of pesticide drift laws. There are continuous violations of those regulations and minimal fines when they are broken.
Well, “sdbrian” — whose handle and email address are completely unrelated — I would advise you to read my long column on this very subject before posting your spin in the form of a comment.
If you had bothered to do so, you would know that your point is wrong.
Schwarzenegger insists on nothing of the sort.
Go back and read the facts.
That was his initial intention anyway. It’s nice to see that they’ve compromised on that.
Anyway, here is the pesticide drift law that he vetoed and some articles about it:
http://info.sen.ca.gov/pub/bill/sen/sb_0451-0500/sb_455_cfa_20050908_172953_sen_floor.html
http://montereycountyweekly.com/issues/Issue.09-22-2005/news/article.news1/print
http://www.coalitionforcleanair.org/SB455pesticidereform.html