The following appeared on another list serv.
 
Wally Taylor
 
 
We have to frame our issues in ways that are inclusive rather than exactly  
fitting a specific problem.

Global warming is a good example.  I  wrote an essay last year directed at 
Sierra Club leaders titled The Coming Train  Wreck about energy that discussed 
the coming energy debacle and how I thought we  were asleep at the wheel.  I 
never mentioned global warming or climate  change but instead pointed out the 
following in response to someone's  comments:

=======================
I crafted my message specifically to  suggest a way around mentioning 
"climate change," "global warming," or any of  these buzz words.  I would hope we 
could consider  stressing:
-energy  independence
-energy  conservation
-job  creation
-patriotism (thru energy  conservation)
-national  security
-wildlands  protection
-entrepreneurialism
-clean air
Now it just so  happens that the above items more than likely result in 
reducing climate  change.  Imagine that!
=======================

They said that it  was impossible to make an energy campaign that did NOT 
mention global warming  because, get this, "there are Club activists who won't 
work on such a campaign  if it isn't called "global warming.' "  Even though the 
term "global  warming" turns some people off and pushes the hot buttons of 
others like  Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe who claims there's no such thing as 
global  warming, Club activists didn't seem to understand that we MUST frame 
our issues  in order to get the most traction.

I wrote a letter to the editor about  energy, published a week ago Friday.  
An acquaintance who I know is a  Republican and voted for Bush, and he knows 
I'm an environmentalist, said it was  a great letter and he AGREED with it.  The 
letter is below and I think it's  an example of how we need to be framing our 
issues in order to get more people  on board.

Drusha

=====================================
LTE  Published 5/6/05 in Bozeman Daily Chronicle:
_http://www.bozemanchronicle.com/articles/2005/05/06/opinions/mayhueenergy.txt

_ (http://www.bozemanchronicle.com/articles/2005/05/06/opin
ions/mayhueenergy.txt) Friday,  May 06, 2005
We need an energy bill that is not business as  usual

We need an energy bill that is truly visionary and farsighted.  The current 
energy bill, approved by the House of Representatives, maintains  business as 
usual -- 12 billion taxpayer dollars in tax breaks, handouts, and  subsidies to 
energy companies.

We're poised at the top of the downside of  the bell curve of oil supply. 
Developing countries such as China and India, with  2.4 billion people between 
them, aspire to the same oil-dependent lifestyle as  Europe and North America. 
The United States alone with 5 percent of the world's  population uses 25 
percent of the world's resources. There simply isn't enough  oil and gas for 
everyone to live as Americans and Europeans do. We need to lead  the rest of the 
world in setting an example by conserving more and guzzling less  gas.
We cannot continue to drill ourselves to energy independence and  national 
security by maintaining the status quo in a world of increased demand  and 
shrinking supply of oil and gas. Tax breaks and subsidies for energy  companies and 
electric utilities that rely on the same old technologies will  fail us.

Rather than subsidize the status quo, let's insist that our tax  dollars help 
fund research and development in renewable energy rather than tax  breaks 
that reward energy companies for resisting change, that Americans are  employed 
in good-paying jobs in the energy field, that fuel economy standards  are 
increased for each new car built to get more miles per gallon, that our air  gets 
cleaner, that our last best places remain unspoiled, and that American  
entrepreneurialism is fostered. Energy independence ensures our national  security. 
Now that's patriotic!

Make sure our senators know what you  think about the energy bill coming to 
the Senate this  year.


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