Monday, November 24, 2003
"Framing" Anyone?
E.g., framing an issue on your terms. How's this strike you?
Why does George W. Bush hate the clean air you breath, the clear rivers you fish in, the American wilderness you love to visit, or at least love to imagine visiting?
Why does he hate the sun that warms this planet and is the source of all energy on earth so much that he refuses to take even a baby step toward the implementation of the idea of harnessing it, and other forms of renewable energy right now, so that we can become truly energy independent, in say, ten years, and create good jobs into the bargain, jobs that won't be easily exportable?
Okay, I don't actually think Bush hates the enviornment, anymore than I think anyone who criticizes his Iraq policy hates America. But surely there is something weird about the thoroughness with which his policies are trashing the bi-partisan enviornmental policies that have produced decades of progress. I think like so many other contructs, for Dubya, the environment stays an idea, a rather abstract idea.
As for instance, when, on the British comedy, "Yes, Minister," a developer of a huge office complex in a neighborhood near the Thames is asked by the interior minister, "what about the enviornment?", and the developer replies, "What about it? Surely there'll be one. There's always an enviornment."
The enviornment is just one of those things that's there, and will always be there.
RFK, Jr. has a go at Bush and the enviornment in the LATimes, and doesn't mince words.
I'm not sure if his approach is what is meant by "framing," but his indictment is clear, vivid, and undeniable. It's the most passionate enumeration of campaign talking points I've ever read.
The article is free for now, but registration is required, and if I can put in a plug for my hometown rag, these days the LATimes is worth it.
Why does George W. Bush hate the clean air you breath, the clear rivers you fish in, the American wilderness you love to visit, or at least love to imagine visiting?
Why does he hate the sun that warms this planet and is the source of all energy on earth so much that he refuses to take even a baby step toward the implementation of the idea of harnessing it, and other forms of renewable energy right now, so that we can become truly energy independent, in say, ten years, and create good jobs into the bargain, jobs that won't be easily exportable?
Okay, I don't actually think Bush hates the enviornment, anymore than I think anyone who criticizes his Iraq policy hates America. But surely there is something weird about the thoroughness with which his policies are trashing the bi-partisan enviornmental policies that have produced decades of progress. I think like so many other contructs, for Dubya, the environment stays an idea, a rather abstract idea.
As for instance, when, on the British comedy, "Yes, Minister," a developer of a huge office complex in a neighborhood near the Thames is asked by the interior minister, "what about the enviornment?", and the developer replies, "What about it? Surely there'll be one. There's always an enviornment."
The enviornment is just one of those things that's there, and will always be there.
RFK, Jr. has a go at Bush and the enviornment in the LATimes, and doesn't mince words.
I'm not sure if his approach is what is meant by "framing," but his indictment is clear, vivid, and undeniable. It's the most passionate enumeration of campaign talking points I've ever read.
The article is free for now, but registration is required, and if I can put in a plug for my hometown rag, these days the LATimes is worth it.
