Thankfully, the resolution failed. In the process we were able to see which Senators place the short-term interests of the fossil fuel industry over the health and safety of American citizens. These are the Senators more interested in having the approval of Massey Coal, BP, and the rest of the fossil fuel industry.
The list of fossil fuel lackeys includes EVERY Republican in the US Senate. They all voted for it.
Some of them said in debate that the climate crisis should be dealt with by Congressional action rather than through EPA regulation. It's impossible to take these arguments seriously since most of them oppose any meaningful climate change bill.
I sometimes point out to conservative or libertarian friends that Republicans leaders represent the interests of large corporations over the average person and small business owners. They often respond that it's not so clear cut because some Democrats also represent corporate special interests first.
The Murkowski resolution is a perfect example. Six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting Murkowski's sloppy wet kiss on the lips of those companies most responsible for the climate change crisis. These are the Democrats who compromise the message and effectiveness of the entire party.
Evan Bayh - Indiana
Mary Landrieu - Louisiana
Blanche Lincoln - Arkansas
Ben Nelson - Nebraska
Mark Pryor - Arkansas
Jay Rockefeller - West Virginia
It's particularly sad to see Mary Landrieu accept the risk of another Katrina rather than stand up to the oil industry that's so powerful in her state. It's pathetic that Jay Rockefeller would rather keep his vote and his state's economy subservient to the declining coal industry instead of embracing a new energy future.
These kind of Democrats are why having a 59 vote majority isn't enough. This is a vote that makes me deeply disappointed to see conservative Democrat Blanche Lincoln win her primary. When she's replaced by a Republican it probably won't make much difference on the difficult votes that really matter. Thanks for nothing, Bill Clinton.
On a side note, wasn't it bizarre for Lincoln to complain about "outside interests" supporting her opponent after all the money she took from the US Chamber of Commerce, the fossil fuel industry and other outside corporate special interests she serves over Arkansas citizens? And why didn't more media outlets mention her hypocritical contradiction? Why should unions with members in the state be the only ones who count as "outsiders."
But getting back to the topic, the negative side of this victory is that media pundits are using it to to predict that climate change legislation won't pass the Senate this year. These are largely the same pundits who made identical predictions about health care and continually suggested Obama would give up.
There are many important issues facing the country right now. But, for no issue is the price of delay so enormous.
Every year we stall will result in more severe climate disasters experienced by today's youth and future generations who will suffer the consequences of inaction by the US Senate gerontocracy. It's a generational injustice being committed against everyone under 40.
Obama's campaign platform focused on health care, climate change, getting out of Iraq, and government intervention to stop the economic decline. There's only one item left. The time for change is now.