In any case… so, Elie… what are you calling for – U.S. hegemony perhaps? A “real” American Empire where Washington dictates to the world?

I ask this because absent U.S. *control* over the industrial and environmental policies of Russia, China, Indonesia, India…

Well, you get the idea.

Anyway… I don’t want to start a back and forth on global warming, what causes it, what contributes to it, is it good or bad overall… blah, blah, blah. The web is full of such discussions. My point is simply that focusing on the U.S. and what we do or don’t do sidesteps the 21st century reality of a world where even as the developed West focuses more and more upon dealing with environmental problems, developing command economies are creating more and more environmental damage and will continue to do so as they further develop.

Hey… don’t let me stop you from going out and buying a new hybred! Go nuclear – that’s what I say! Biodiesil… by all means – it beats ethanol hands down! Give a hoot – don’t pollute! (*GRIN*) Clean water makes for clean beer and scotch! (Hmm… fine bumpersticker, no?) Just remember… the U.S. can only “lead” so far as other nations are willing to be led.

BILL