STAFF EDIT: Kerry's criticism refreshing

While most recent political discussion centers around Iraq, the United Nations, North Korea, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, Sen. John Kerry provided an important breath of fresh air by focusing his speech at the JFK Library last night on the environment. While President Bush gained some respect by addressing the environment in his State of the Union, Kerry rightly called him out on not matching his rhetoric with action.

Whether to go to war with Iraq is clearly an important issue right now, but it should not consume all political debate, as much as that would benefit Bush. The environment is certainly as important as current relations with other countries; ensuring clean air, water and land will immensely benefit the entire world long after the current crisis. At the same time, sound environmental policy will vastly improve foreign relations and gain some respect for the United States.

Kerry praised Bush for prominently bringing up the issue, and Bush did make an attempt to seem environmentally-conscious. However, pleasing phrases will not make up for two years of poor policies, just as empty promises cannot substitute for action in his two remaining years.

One of Kerry’s main points called on Bush to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign energy, and the current crisis with Iraq only magnifies how true this is. But drilling in Alaska or merely throwing money at car companies to research hydrogen power are not effective ways to accomplish this.

Bush’s “Freedom Car” proposal has received much attention, but it fails to ensure hydrogen cars will ever hit the streets. Tax incentives and subsidies for hybrid developments are the type of concrete measures needed to actually motivate companies and consumers to harness hydrogen power. Kerry also pointed out that the United States could reduce much of the pollution coming out of the gas-guzzling cars we will continue to drive until alternative fuels become reality.

Kerry also criticized Bush’s planned Clean Air and Healthy Forest initiatives and existing Superfund policies. More Americans need to realize that Bush is shifting the bills for cleaning up pollution to taxpayers so businesses are not directly responsible for remedying their own messes.

Additionally, Kerry mentioned Bush’s dismissal of the Kyoto Protocol. While the agreement may have had some problems, Bush’s refusal to find a pact the United States could agree to sends the wrong signal to the rest of the world. The United States should lead the rest of the world in caring for the environment, especially since being serious on this issue will help other countries take him seriously on other issues.

According to The Boston Globe, Bush has said he does not intend to debate with Democratic challengers to his office until one nominee is named. Even if Kerry is a leading candidate, he did not thoughtlessly bash Bush, and he brought up an important rebuttal to initiatives the president brought up first. Kerry is an important senator, and Bush needs to respond to the criticism and further explain his environmental policies.