Naomi Klein: The Copenhagen Process is Out of Control....

[katty]

more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/15/naomi-klein-the-copenhage_n_392962.html

EXCERPT: (Katherine Goldstein Q & A)

KG: What are you expecting about the protest? are you concerned about protesters' safety?

NK: I'm not concerned about people's safety, but I do think its a possibility that there will be mass arrests. I think its a powerful message that people care enough to get arrested.

KG: What's the reality you are seeing that is getting lost?

NK: It's our job as journalists and activists to get the truth out there. And the truth is that there's no deal that being discussed in there speaks to the reality of the science, or speaks to a more just world. This has become a moral issue. The amount of money that is being discussed isn't nearly enough, and everyone knows that. The UN process is out of control.

There is also a huge problem with messaging of NGO's and activists, which is "seal the deal" in Copenhagen, or that we MUST have a deal at any cost. They need to change this message, fast. What's on the table will NOT save the world. We should not fight for just any deal, or at the cost of deal that in future that would actually mean something.

KG: Heads of state are beginning to arrive and so is the US delegation: Senator Kerry and others will be arrive Wednesday. Do you see anything positive about American politicians showing up?

NK: The US negotiators have squandered a tremendous amount of goodwill. Tremendous. I know readers of The Huffington Post might not want to hear this, but the Democrats have squandered so much opportunity. We've see these huge outpourings of support of the US -- we saw it after 9/11 and we saw it when Obama was elected. So many were so happy about the US re-engaging in the climate process. But I think it has done way more harm than good. It's given countries the opportunities to weaken the targets they are putting on the table, like Japan. The US has lowered the bar and set goals so low, it's been destructive. I think it would be better if the US had continued to stay out of it. I don't see any point in US politicians coming here.

When chief negotiator Jonathan Pershing offers for the US to pay $1.5 Billion to help with climate change, and says "the US only has so much largess" Americans have no idea US emits so much and has caused this problem. This is NOT about charity. This is about moral responsibility.

[mike_c]

1. "This is NOT about charity. This is about moral responsibility."

That one line says it all, IMO. I don't think I can take one more piece of crappy news today.

[katty]

2. yeah, could say the same about Wall St, The Fed, Health Care

reform, it's all about caring, sharing the 'pie' and showing some humanity to each other. The only message coming out of our government is 'greed is good' and 'war is necessary and thus endless'?!

[MasonJar]

3. It is good to see a real journalist zpeak the truth.to power. No one with power will listen

They are too full of themselves and their greed.

[bertman]

4. Naomi doesn't mind telling it like it is. Good for her. The "American position" is making me sick.

Rec.

[Tutankhamun]

5. K&R