I haven't seen it mentioned on my local news, but the storm blowing across America is just the sort of thing scientists have been telling us would happen more often due to global climate change. It's no coincidence that so many unusual, once-in-a-generation storms have happened in the last few years.
McCaskill and five other Democratic Senators obviously can't take a hint because they're re-introducing a bill to prevent the EPA from regulating pollutants that cause climate change. They want to stop new EPA regulation from going into effect for two years while Senate Republicans (and a few cowardly coal Democrats) obstruct a meaningful bill from passing Congress, just like they did for the last two years. If they really believe it's better for Congress to act first, as they claim, then all they have to do is pass a clean energy bill right now.
Climate change is one of those problems that has deadly consequences for delaying action. Waiting means that future climate disasters will be more frequent and more severe. We can expect more catastrophic blizzards, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, food shortages, flooding, disease epidemics, and other problems that threaten human life.
But hey, they're in swing states. They have to get re-elected, right? I guess they're supposed to get a pass for making the future of our nation the cost of their political ambition.
While I'm on the topic, I'll point out that Senator Lamar Alexander wants downtown Nashville to flood again, James Inhofe wants even worse tornadoes in Oklahoma, Kit Bond is eager for major destruction along the Mississippi, and John Shimkus wants harvesting and planting seasons interrupted by unpredictable heavy rains. At least, that's what they're telling us by their refusal to support meaningful efforts to slow climate change.
For all the politicians whose loyalty to the fossil fuel industry is greater than their concern for the well being of future generations, I would like to present my favorite picture of Johnny Cash.
Right now is a good time to call your favorite coal or oil politician and thank them for the nice weather we're having!