Divergence

We have just hit a bifurcation point in dealing with oil depletion. While the wingnuts have jumped the shark and started talking crazy (e.g. Pat Robertson), the progressive faction have assumed measured tones and remained focused on awareness. It boils down to confronting the issues through innovative ideas versus engaging in pure confrontational politics. The latter approach leads to a zero-sum game whereby you lash out a perceived enemy, vanquish him, and then go on to the next villain in line. The Robertson's of the world have to face their own personally customized Dominion when their last adversaries disappear. I have started to equate extractionism with Dominionism, since at some point in this trajectory the 'minions have to pick a fight with an enemy they cannot defeat -- the Earth's limited resources.

On today's DemocracyNow! radio show, Amy Goodman laid out the landscape perfectly. The first half of the show presented the agenda of the Pat Robertson right, while the second half included, to put it bluntly, downright non-insane ideas.

1. The Cannon of Christianity: Pat Robertson Calls for the Assassination of Hugo Chavez
2. Hybrid Cars: How Alternative Technologies Are Shaping the Future of Car Travel

Read the transcripts or download the podcast.