GOP obstructionism and collapsing ice shelves
Today, GOP obstructionists in the Senate filibustered a bill which would have provided tax incentives to build out renewable energy sources and which would have extended tax credits for individuals to purchase plug-in hybrid automobiles. The bill would have cost $17 billion over ten years, which is roughly the same amount the Pentagon wastes on the Iraq quagmire in 1.5 months.
Just like their recent obstruction of the carbon reduction bill, today's actions show that the GOP have no intention of doing anything meaningful about our most pressing environmental and energy issues. Alternative energy cannot be successful until it reaches large enough scales to realize significant economies; without a publicly funded boost, alternative energy will remain relegated to the fringes of our economy, which is precisely where the coal and oil lobbies want those technologies to stay. The coal and oil lobbyists' handmaidens in the GOP are doing precisely the job they're being paid to do.
Meanwhile, the Wilkins ice shelf is collapsing at an alarming rate. Today marks the first time the Antarctic ice sheet has been observed melting during the Antarctic winter. No matter, though; we should all rest secure in the knowledge that Senate Republicans are being so incredibly diligent about following the orders of their corporate masters.