BUSH'S STATE OF THE UNION / SPIN AND FACTS

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By Allen L Roland (about the author) Page 3 of 4 page(s)

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What Bush said: President Bush discussed climate change in his State of the Union address for the first time, but remains opposed to mandatory caps on global warming pollution. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said, "If you're talking about enforceable carbon caps, in terms of industry wide and nationwide, we knocked that down. That's not something we're talking about."

What you need to know: Any comprehensive solution to the climate crisis must involve enforceable caps on global warming pollution.

BUSH'S VOLUNTARY APPROACH HAS FAILED TO CURB EMISSIONS: Carbon dioxide emissions in the U.S. have increased by 354 million metric tons since 2001. The Energy Department's latest analysis projects America's carbon dioxide emissions will increase by one third from 2005 to 2030.

BUSH STILL DENIES FUNDAMENTAL CLIMATE SCIENCE: Last February, President Bush claimed there is still "a debate over whether [global warming] is man-made or naturally caused." There is no real scientific debate over this question. Most recently, the National Academy of Sciences has unequivocally stated that natural causes cannot explain the unprecedented warmth over the last 400 years. Rather, "human activities are responsible for much of the recent warming," the report states.

Energy -- Oil Independence

What Bush said: "I fully recognize oil and gas ... will be necessary as we transition to new ways ... to power our automobiles. But we have an opportunity now to really set new standards ... I'm just going to talk about a bold initiative that really encourages America to become less dependent on oil." [1/21/07]

What you need to know: President Bush has repeatedly pledged to work towards energy independence while pursuing policies that make the problem worse.

BUSH HAS PROMISED ENERGY INDEPENDENCE BEFORE, EVEN AS DEPENDENCE INCREASED: President Bush has pledged to reduce our energy dependence in every State of the Union he has delivered since taking office. At the same time, the United States has become increasingly dependent on foreign oil, from 58 percent of oil consumed in the U.S. in 2000 to 70 percent in September 2006. U.S. dependence on OPEC nations for oil imports "has risen to its highest level in 15 years." By focusing on expanding domestic exploration, he perpetuates our dependence on oil.

Energy -- New Technology

What Bush said: "There's no question, however, the new technologies I'll be outlining will help us deal with the issue of greenhouse gases. In other words, the way to solve the problem is to promote new technology." [1/21/07]

What you need to know: President Bush has consistently used the promise of technology of avoid taking immediate, meaningful action on climate change.

BUSH PROMISED TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES LAST YEAR, DIDN'T DELIVER: At last year's State of the Union, President Bush said the "best way to break this addiction [to oil] is through technology." Yet his 2007 budget actually proposed to spend less on energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy resources in inflation-adjusted dollars than was appropriated in fiscal year 2001 -- $1.176 billion in nominal dollars in both 2001 and 2007.

EMPHASIS ON TECHNOLOGY IS STANDARD RIGHT-WING TALKING POINT: Influential conservative political consultant and wordsmith Frank Luntz has advised politicians to point to the promise of technology in order to delay implementation of mandatory cuts in global warming pollution. "We need to emphasize how voluntary innovation and experimentation are preferable to bureaucratic or international intervention and regulation," Luntz advises.

Iraq

What Bush said: "President George W. Bush will try to rally Americans behind his new Iraq plan on Tuesday in a State of the Union speech." White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove said Bush will challenge Congress to put up its own plan if it does not like his "new way forward."

What you need to know: President Bush's strategy of escalation was tried this summer in Baghdad and failed. His recycled plan isolates him from Congress, the American public, top military leaders, and key international allies.

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Allen L Roland is a practicing psychotherapist, author and lecturer who also shares a daily political and social commentary on his weblog and website more...)

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