“Scientists agree that CO2 emissions around the world could lead to rising temperatures with serious long-term environmental consequences. But that is not a reason to enact a U.S. cap-and-trade system until there is a global agreement on CO2 reduction,” wrote Harvard University economist Martin Feldstein. “The proposed legislation would have a trivially small effect on global warming while imposing substantial costs on all American households.”
As President Obama noted, “change cannot happen overnight.” But his speech Thursday at Cairo University helped improve perceptions of the United States among many Muslims, which is a good start. Obama offered a balanced, respectful assessment of the past and current challenges, including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. And he called for a “a new beginning” based upon “mutual interest and mutual respect.” Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of Iran proclaimed before the speech began that the people of the Muslim world “hate America from the bottom of their heart.” But the reaction of much of the public who actually heard the speech was positive and offered hope that a new beginning might be possible.
“If Sonia Sotomayor is a radical activist eager to push the law leftward or to rule according to personal whims rather than constitutional commands, she’s done an impressive job of hiding it all these years,” columnist Ruth Marcus wrote. “The amazing thing about the case against Sotomayor is how thin it is. . . . This is a woman with more years on the bench than any Supreme Court nominee in the past 100 years. During that time, you’d think even the most middle-of-the-road judge would have provided some unintentional ammunition for critics — maybe freeing an especially unsavory criminal on a supposed technicality. If Sotomayor is the judicial radical of conservative imaginings, certainly there ought to be something more in her paper trail.”
Sedgwick County commissioners were wise to broaden their search for land for an industrial park. Commissioners had considered a proposal to purchase and improve land in Bel Aire but decided this week to request proposals for other property. The Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition has argued persuasively that the Wichita area needs a large tract of land that is shovel-ready and has access to rail and highways. The Bel Aire land fits those requirements and would be a good choice, but it makes sense to consider other options.
“I want to congratulate General Motors’ newest CEO, us.” — Jimmy Fallon
“The taxpayers are going to be lending bankrupt General Motors $30 billion. Taxpayers’ money. Exactly, right. I mean, GM has become America’s brother-in-law.” — David Letterman
“You can say what you like about President Obama, but he’s not afraid of tough challenges. Last week, the president rescued GM. This week, he’s off to the Middle East. Next week, the toughest challenge yet: trying to save ‘Jon & Kate Plus 8.’” — Craig Ferguson
“President Obama showed (NBC’s) Brian Williams what tricks his new puppy, Bo, could do. Isn’t that cool? Yeah, in fact, Bo has already learned to sit up and beg for federal bailout money.” — Conan O’Brien
