Around and About on the ETS
The reactions to John Key on the matter of the ETS have been somewhat predictable both from politicians, the MSM, at least one NGO/quango, bloggers – in which category of predictable response Adam includes himself – and in the responses to blog posts.
All the usual suspects have been fully rehearsed on both sides of the argument. Adam fully expects the Exclusive Brethren to emerge as part of the issue shortly, to be followed by Nicky Hager and the Hollow Men.
In a number of instances regard for the facts has not come into the equation for example comments by Minister David Parker and Prime Minister Helen Clark. Accusing National of upping the cost by wishing to delay is nonsense given the actions Clark took last week to delay the matter. Further, given the EU took 5 years to put their regime in place and are still working on it, what is so bloody important that we in NZ have to rush an ETS into place now?
Oh, Adam knows, an election.
Some pieces worth reading are here:-
Keeping Stock – has 2 pieces one on the Key announcement and the second on what bribes Labour might offer the minnows.
The Hive has some excellent comment as per normal, viz:-
A question over the Business Council for Sustainable Development, now given that Peter Neilsen of the NZBCSD has been under fire several times for making statements which many of his members do not concur with, it would have been more sensible for him to keep quiet. Indeed, one wonders how much longer the membership will tolerate this man as CEO.
A comment on David Parker and what perhaps might charitably be described as a very economical view of the truth. The same comment suggested that Morning Report on National Radio might adopt a suitably challenging view when examining this question in future.
They draw attention also to Audrey Young’s article in the NZ Herald today and to a Dominion Post editorial. The Herald article sums up the problem, titled Clark Digs In. The Dominion Post editorial is here.
NZ Right Wing Leftie has this earlier piece on the ETS resemblance to a lemon.
David Farrar has a good post on the regime’s spin push to discredit Key’s announcement and one on the Peter Neilsen pronouncement
As might be expected Just Left parrots the Labour spin and assumes that as the NZ ETS ‘is world leading’ it must be good. Nor does Just left seem to think the rushed legislative process is a problem. Many commentators not just in NZ have queried why we wish to do this.
Indeed, Adam still does not see why NZ with such a small proportion of greenhouse gases wishes to do what it is doing. Moral example be dammed. Russia, China and India amongst others will not care one iota what we do.
Many other countries are having second thoughts about their approach.
No Right Turn thunders away about what National and Key have said here and here. It is perhaps unfortunate that rather like David Parker his assessment of where the blame for the costs lies is perhaps misplaced. Adam does admire the moral consistency and the passion though.
Adam enjoyed this comment from frog. Wryly amusing and clear and concise.
The Standard have a piece here written as appropriate from their viewpoint.
SO as they say-’you pays your money and takes your choice’
