The ‘Green New Deal’ may not have gained any traction on the hill, but it has in Albany – and boy might we wind up paying for it. New York City Democrats and Governor Hochul, emboldened by their majority, and post redistricting advantage, are looking to box up New York City’s green policies and ship them to the rest of the state. Right now, they are taking aim at natural gas and home heating oil.
Hochul’s budget provision, which would mandate an end to new fossil fuel hookups by 2027, is exactly in the mold of ‘The Green New Deal.” It disregards reality and promises only good with no bad. In fact, an Earlier statement this year by Hochul in January on the matter garnered praise by AOC – the spokeswoman for the ‘Green New Deal.’
An even more radical proposal by a group of New York City Senators would look to phase out fossil fuel heating in New Constructions by 2024. This second proposal would be even more disastrous for development and wintertime well-being for our most vulnerable residents.
The policies are similar to a New York City law which promises to do the same by 2027.
Under both these policies, New Yorkers would lose access to a cheap way to heat their homes. Not only that, but New Yorkers would also be at the mercy of electricity providers, such as National Grid, without any alternative. Such a quick transition, without ample time to ramp up electricity production, will lead to skyrocketing electricity costs and decimate the energy sector of the state.
There is a green dimension to natural gas that is completely ignored by Democrats in the state. Natural gas represents the fastest way to decrease emissions without decreasing prices. Natural gas burns 50%-60% cleaner than coal and 30% cleaner than oil. Natural gas can serve a major transitionary power source in a green future. By turning our backs on natural gas, we stand to place ourselves solely at the mercy of the wind in sun in the midst of winter storms.
Hochul’s proposal is made without any respect to the geography or climate of her state, one where 84% of residents rely on fossil fuels to either cook or heat their homes.
The proposal is also set to distort the market price for older buildings with preexisting natural gas hookups or oil burners. In 2027, if the budget passes with this language, natural gas will be much cheaper than electricity to heat homes and run appliances. Therefore, homes made with less environmentally efficient materials and likely with older techniques will garner more interest and investment than new constructions built by new green standards.
The proposal merely trades one green standard for another as it distorts housing markets and undermines preexisting legislation designed to create more efficient buildings.
Remove this shameful provision from the state budget.
That is the message. This is The Messenger.
And That Even the Nobles Get Properly Handled…
The Oscars featured an impromptu ‘slap heard around the world’ as it has been dubbed by the media. Whether you believe it was a stunt designed to bolster floundering rating or a crime committed in the heat of passion, or at least passion’s cruel aftermath, there is no doubt a double standard is in play. The double standard is especially true if it wasn’t staged.
For most people assaulting another person in front of a room full of people would have you brought up on charges and quickly dealt with by the legal system. Plain and simple. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
There would be nothing you could do with so many witnesses and cameras all attesting to the same thing. You don’t need to be a prosecutor to see that.
However, Will Smith is no ordinary man, and the reactions have been anything but. Some actors and T.V. personalities have even come to his defense, including Academy member Whoopi Goldberg. These supporters of Smith argue that comedy was to blame; that somehow Chris Rock was out of line by telling jokes as a comedian – a precedent many comedians found disturbing.
If this is the new standard for comedy, next year’s Oscars might just feature a mime to avoid offending anyone.
And if this is the new standard for assault, that only the lower classes are liable for the crime, then we have truly entered a frightening world. When Bob Dylan wrote “The Lonesome Death of Hattie Carroll” based on real-life events, he wrote about something just as true then as today, as proven by the ‘slap heard around the world:’ our justice system favors the elite, whoever they may be.
In this case, it is a Hollywood elite being shielded by coastal peers with high office relations in the politics of Hollywood.
Then, according to new information released by the Academy, it turns out that Smith was asked to leave the event. He refused. Yet another action that most regular folks, and probably most of the attendees, would not have been able to make. Certainly, the nominees of lesser-known categories would not have been able to put up such a fight and then be permitted to stay after being asked to leave. Surely, the Oscar winner for Best Documentary, whose award was upstaged, would probably have been dragged out for committing such an act.
While the Academy may sanction him in some way, it is far from justice for Chris Rock.
Let the ladder of the law have no top and no bottom.
That is the message. This is The Messenger.
