Lepers

Paul Krugman's long piece on climate change action is worth more in the thoughts it inspires than its sensible recommendations and straight-on description of the future.

He argues that the risk of catastrophe is profound enough to act, despite the lack of certainty about the science or the consequences. The agreement on the science is comprehensive; the agreement on best practices is consensual. Neither though will be decisively known until too late.

I worry that the world has heard this argument before, granted with less universal agreement. Should the US decide to act on this, would our allies refuse to go along because of the flimflam hoisted by President Bush? Would the false conjecture - dire threats about the looming catastrophe of a mushroom would be proof too late - from the Iraqi war doom our efforts at joint, partnership action?

It would cruel indeed for the prevarication and criminal deceit of the Bush administration to poison the world to our supposed good intentions.

Never vote for a Republican in its current form.