Bush on Global Leadership

UPDATE: Here is the media with a story on topic: Global Emissions Goals

WASHINGTON - President Bush, seeking to blunt international criticism of the U.S. record on climate change, on Thursday urged 15 major nations to agree by the end of next year on a global target for reducing greenhouse gases.

The United States has refused to ratify the landmark 1997 Kyoto Protocol requiring industrialized countries to reduce greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2012. Developing countries, including China and India, were exempted from that first round of cuts. Bush rejected the Kyoto approach, as well as the latest German proposal for what happens after 2012.

Today, the president and first lady made an appearance at the Ronald Reagan building this morning, the following is a transcript with commentary and a combination of paraphrase and quotations to make it flow properly.

Global Leadership Campaign

First Lady introduction:

Next week there will be an important gathering in Germany to advance the mutual goals of many nations: economic empowerment, education, and good health.

She introduced President Bush

President Bush on Global Leadership and International Development

We must ensure that the United States leads the world in spreading hope and opportunity. Alleviating suffering requires bold action from America, it requires America’s leadership and the action of developed nations as well. At the meeting I will discuss our common responsibility to help struggling nations grow strong and improve the lives of their citizens. We should help developing nations provide a better future for people.

Discussing ‘free’ trade, our economy and helping lift people out of poverty

It wouldn’t be a Bush speech if he didn’t start off with a bit of double-speak,.. so some Iraq overtones are noticeable.

When bad things happen, Bush says:

The people expect the government to respond. I believe we have a special responsibility to help those who are not as blessed. Its a call to share prosperity with others and reach out with Brothers and sisters in need. Our conscience demands it, helping struggling natures succeed, its in our interest! When we help other markets succeed its in our interest! When Americans remove chaos and suffering we make this country safer, because it makes us better, its in our interest!

Helping to develop nations around the world helps make us a better country, it helps lifts our soul and improves our spirit. We’re increasing assistance to the poor, we’re increasing assistance to the poor around the world. Trade is the best way to help poor countries improve their economy and improve the lives of the people.

Trade will improve poverty faster than government aid can

President gets an ADD attack, momentarily!

It doesn’t take a PhD in economics to say if you take off too much money in interest, you have difficulty getting out of debt. I made a promise to Africa that we would double our assistance by 2010. We’re not just going to spend money, we have goals, we expect results. Its one thing to be compassionate and one thing to be accountable for the money! To succeed in the global economy nations need fair legal markets.

Thats enough, its more of the same stuff… additional topics are helping with global warming initiatives, fighting Malaria, fuel, etc.

Truth? not sure about this:

In 2000, the United States budget allowed 10 billion to help development around the world. In 2006 we’ve dedicated 23 billion for development! We doubled our development efforts around the world!

My only negative comment is I can’t help but wonder if this additional money is including money used for redevelopment efforts in Iraq.

I called on congress to double our commitment to Africa, to help with aids and support treatment for nearly 2.5 million people and prevent 12 million new infections that will help with orphans and vulnerable children.

We’re the worlds leaders when it comes to clean energies, wind and coal technologies will help the world. Spending a lot of money on clean and safe Nuclear power, transform the way we fuel and use our trucks. Spending a lot of your money to figure out how to produce ethanol on products other than corn. Woodchips, switch grash, agricultural waste!

Classic quotes:

Its safe to import from our own agricultural resources instead of turning to parts of the world where they don’t like us too much!

Nation needs to get rid of barriers by eliminating terrorists from their countries! They need to get rid of those terrorists so we can help them!

Closing

We feel responsible to taking care of the interests of the people. Shows the good character and decency of the American people. I’m proud to be a part of such a great nation, and we are a good people. Thank you.

MORE UPDATES

Environmental groups were quick to criticize Bush’s plan

Friends of the Earth president Brent Blackwelder called the proposal “a complete charade. It is an attempt to make the Bush administration look like it takes global warming seriously without actually doing anything to curb emissions.”

National Environmental Trust president Philip Clapp said,

“This is a transparent effort to divert attention from the president’s refusal to accept any emissions reductions proposals at next week’s G-8 summit. After sitting out talks on global warming for years, the Bush administration doesn’t have very much credibility with other governments on the issue. ”

And, Daniel J. Weiss, climate strategy director for the liberal Center for American Progress, said the Bush administration has a “do-nothing” policy on global warming despite U.S. allies’ best efforts to spur U.S. reductions.

Tony Blair disagreed

“For the first time America’s saying it wants to be part of a global deal,” Blair said in Johannesburg, South Africa, speaking to Sky News. “For the first time it’s setting its own domestic targets. For the first time it’s saying it wants a global target for the reduction of emissions, and therefore for the first time I think the opportunity for a proper global deal.”

Along with his call for a global emissions goal, Bush urged other nations to eliminate tariffs on clean energy technologies.

Fred Soto is an Attorney and Entrepreneur from the Silicon Valley.
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