Local news update: We're sinking, and the sea level is rising.
Fun on a bun!

"While the nation debates the cost of climate change -- whether the price of electricity and gasoline should increase because of their greenhouse gas emissions -- the problem already has a price tag on the Chesapeake Bay.

Sea levels are rising almost twice as fast in the Chesapeake region as in most of the world, and waterside communities are spending millions to keep the water from eroding yards, marshes and sandy beaches."

*******

And our politicians fiddle while Rome burns....

The Obama administration proposes a cap-and-trade system for carbon emissions, which is a good start. This type of system worked well for reducing acid-rain causing emissions for much less cost than was expected. However, given the threat this poses to the fossil fuel lobby, the opposition to any legislation (no matter how watered down) will be enormous.

I am in serious doubt about the President's ability to pass significant legislation in this arena - even if the economy was prosperous, this would be a task that requires a level of political capital that neither party has ever possessed, or been willing to spend without regard to servicing their corporate donors.