The Kerrys Speak Out On Environment
by Mark Ontkush, Boston, Massachusetts, USA on 04.23.07
Teresa Heinz Kerry and (hubby) Senator John Kerry came to Cambridge, Massachusetts last Saturday to speak out on the current environmental situation, and to encourage people to take action. The convocation was part of a tour for their new book This Moment on Earth. Treehugger was invited to cover the event.
The Kerrys were very impressive; both speaking without notes to the large audience, they demonstrated a firm grasp on a wide variety of environmental issues including climate change, fisheries, the bees, breast cancer, and cosmetics. Not surprisingly, the politically strong-suited Senator tended to focus more on affirmative democracy, activism, and populist efforts; the Ms. was more scientific and concentrated on health issues, particularly ones related to women and children. Working together, they wove a compelling narrative on the urgency of the current environmental problems. Questions from the audience were answered directly and specifically, without the usual rhetorical device of acknowledging the presenter, then changing the topic to something they really knew something about. Oh, and they were also signing books too.
Senator Kerry stressed the importance of continuing the 37 year old tradition of Earth Day, and emphasized using the event as a springboard for change (essentially agreeing with TH Lloyd). Being comprehensive without rambling, the Senator cited many regulations (The Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, etc.) and organizations (the EPA) that arose from the environmental activism in the 1970s and encouraged more of the same.
Ms. Heinz Kerry had an impressive array of facts at her disposal, so much so that it would be dangerous to wrangle them up here in a few short sentences. She stressed the importance to having cosmetics and cleaning products tested in the US, citing that 250 of these products have been banned in Europe; the US, only 5. She also knew that cell phone radiation penetrates 2 inches into your head, and that newborn babies have dozens of chemicals in their system before they are born. She finished with "If you can't use your democratic rights to protect your unborn baby's life, what can you use them for?" That was the money quote for me; get out there, and do something.
I'm just curious if anyone knows how many houses John Kerry and Theresa Heinz Kerry own?
My last count was 4, but I lost track.
People with 4 houses should not throw advice around on carbon footprints.
why not be grateful for the work they are doing instead of undermining it? waiting for the "perfect" treehugger to speak on these issues will mean much less gets done, much more slowly.
Could someone tell me: who is the greenist candidate running for President?
>>People with 4 houses should not throw advice around on carbon footprints.
We tend to focus on solving environmental problems, not ones related to income inequality; these are different issues. The story is focused on what the Kerrys are doing in the environmental arena, not their wealth.
OK ...
Let's examine "what the Kerry's are doing" to the environment.
They actually own, and heat, 5 houses ... even though they can only be in 2 of them at any one time.
John Kerry's boat, the Scaramouche, gets 1 mile per gallon.
Theresa Heinz Kerry, his wife, toodles to and fro in a Gulfstream IV jet, pumping toxic fumes into the atmosphere lecturing the country on how we need to replace our light bulbs.
These are the least "green" people on the planet.
Holding them up as examples of how Americans should live is laughable, and worse, makes those in the green movement appear to be sheep who can't spot a charleton in their midst trying to make money and capitalize on a movement they really could care nothing about.
They aren't trying to be shining examples of virtue, they are trying to speak clearly on an issue far too many politicians refuse to do anything but ignore or obfuscate. And we should encourage that, because if we don't no good policy will ever be made here in the states. I wonder if he'd be so honest if he were president. I wonder the same thing about Gore, sometimes. Could he have taken up the cause of global warming if he was the political leader of this country?