Smart Diplomacy!

The WaPo questions Obama's handling of the Snowden debacle:

Obama’s hands-off approach to extraditing Snowden draws criticism

By Philip Rucker, Published: June 24

It was bright and sunny in Washington on Saturday as President Obama stepped out of the White House in flip-flops and khaki shorts to hit the golf course with his buddies.

At the same time, officials throughout his administration were scrambling to keep one of America’s most-wanted fugitives from evading extradition in Hong Kong.

And that went poorly. On the other hand:

But some foreign policy experts were more sympathetic to the administration, saying that inserting Obama directly into the negotiations would be folly. It is embarrassing enough that Snowden is on the run, they said; the president’s personal involvement would only further risk the United States’ credibility abroad.

Better for Obama to risk a bogey on the links than a birdy from the Chinese. Well judged! Hard to imagine this happening if Hillary were still in charge. No its not.

Comments

[bgates]

It was bright and sunny in Washington on Saturday as President Obama stepped out of the White House in flip-flops and khaki shorts to hit the golf course with his buddies.

I read that and thought, "could any statement possibly be more universally applicable to the past five years?"

And then I see this:

the president’s personal involvement would only further risk the United States’ credibility abroad

[Cecil Turner]

Oh, that went well:

China's state newspaper praises Edward Snowden for 'tearing off Washington's sanctimonious mask'
State-run People's Daily says whistleblower has exposed US hypocrisy after Washington blamed Beijing for his escape

And now he's gone missing, last seen in either China or Russia.

[narciso]

Well that was 'unexpected'

[Danube on iPad]

Our president has become an international laughingstock.

[matt]

Barack E. Neumann

[Cecil Turner]

By far the most important graf in the story:

“Nobody’s afraid of this guy,” said former George W. Bush administration adviser Eliot A. Cohen, who argues that Obama should have personally stood up to Chinese and Russian officials. “Nobody’s saying there are any real consequences that would come from crossing him — and that’s an awful position for the president of the United States to be in.”

Oderint dum metuant may not be the be-all in superpower diplomacy, but total lack of respect obviously isn't the answer. Cue our new SecState with unilateral appeasement:

Secretary of State John Kerry says the United States is not looking for a confrontation with Russia, where admitted NSA leaker Edward Snowden is believed to be hiding.

[at 2:15] "Is that your power? Buttkissery?"

[Threadkiller]

Don't know if this has been noted yet:

Ranked #103 "justoneminute.typepad.com"

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-top-150-conservative-websites-june.html

Congratulations TM and the many commenters that keep things exciting around here!

[Captain Hate]

Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act found unconstitutional.

[jimmyk]

Ranked #103 "justoneminute.typepad.com"

If they separated out blogs from others (like foxnews.com) it would rank very high. Odd list though. Althouse is conservative? It's not even clear that foxnews.com is either. What happened to "fair and balanced"?

[jimmyk]

Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act found unconstitutional.

It's about time. 5-4, with the usual suspects dissenting.

http://legalinsurrection.com/2013/06/supreme-court-voting-rights-act-decision/

[narciso]

Wouldn't Section 5, be even more ripe for reconsideration;

http://bigstory.ap.org/article/high-court-voids-key-part-voting-rights-act

[jimmyk]

Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act found unconstitutional.

About time. 5-4, with the usual suspects dissenting.

I had linked to legal insurrection, but my post disappeared.

[jimmyk]

Oops, it reappeared. Who can know the mysterious ways of Typepad.

[Clarice]

Very impt decision--nips the odious OCR in the butt.

[Ignatz]

The sad thing is we're a laughingstock not mainly through incompetence but through deliberate planning and strategy.

They actually see the world as a better place when we are relatively weaker.

Snowden broke a law; Barry is doing his best to break the America he has never liked.
We will ever be able to fix what this anti American traitor [if someone has a more accurate word I'll gladly substitute it] has done?

[Captain Hate]

Stedman can't be happy with this. He may screw up and wipe off his dirty Sanchez.

[narciso]

The AP link, has a sidebar of 'Reporting for Duty' talking to the crocodiles, Saudis, with a hand full of possum.

[Ignatz]

Is it safe to say that for now the fate of the nation rests on four middle aged and older white guys and one old black guy not dying in the next three and a half years?

[Rob Crawford]

the president’s personal involvement would only further risk the United States’ credibility abroad.

Good news, everyone! President Obama still has credibility overseas!

[narciso]

'facts not in evidences' Rob,

[narciso]

That adoption decision, might have been handy 13 years ago.

[MarkO]

I think the better opening paragraph might have been:

"It was a dark and stormy night. A shot rang out. Suddenly, a pirate ship appeared on the horizon."

[Clarice]

Yes, Iggy--

[narciso]

Bulwere Lyrron, no i'd say Leonard Pinth Garnell is more their muse.

[narciso]

Sorry Bulwer Lytton, there is a Grimm's fairy tale if not Voltaire to much of this commentary.

[MarkO]

Just for you, narc, just for you.

[jimmyk]

Is it safe to say that for now the fate of the nation rests on four middle aged and older white guys and one old black guy not dying in the next three and a half years?

As long as we still have "Clarice's Pieces" and JOM there is hope.

[Danube of Thought]

Yes, Iggy.

[Marlene]

Remember the awkward Obama/Putin photo op at the G8 summit last week? Did Putin know that Snowden would be going to Russia? How did he keep himself from laughing in Obama's face?

[Sandy Daze]

"This is my last election ... After my election I have more flexibility," Obama said, expressing confidence that he would win a second term.

"I will transmit this information to Vladimir," said Medvedev, Putin's protégé and long considered number two in Moscow's power structure.

The Putin said--Obama's aides said is so much horsefeathers... Keeping the focus on Snowden keeps the focus off, you pick 'em:
the NSA
the IRS
the AP, Rosen, Fox News, Sharyl Attkisson
the Benghazi
the Fast & Furious
the Solyndras, Fiskers, et al
the new climate change
the tsars
the email accounts
the lawlessness
the corruption
and,
we care about Snowden?

It is all performance art. He said-she said.

What we need are more Pikes, Pitchforks, Pistolas and BOMBS AWAY !

[Sandy Daze]

"This is my last election ... After my election I have more flexibility," Obama said, expressing confidence that he would win a second term.

"I will transmit this information to Vladimir," said Medvedev, Putin's protégé and long considered number two in Moscow's power structure.

The Putin said--Obama's aides said is so much horsefeathers... Keeping the focus on Snowden keeps the focus off, you pick 'em:
the NSA
the IRS
the AP, Rosen, Fox News, Sharyl Attkisson
the Benghazi
the Fast & Furious
the Solyndras, Fiskers, et al
the new climate change
the tsars
the email accounts
the lawlessness
the corruption
and,
we care about Snowden?

It is all performance art. He said-she said.

What we need are more Pikes, Pitchforks, Pistolas and BOMBS AWAY !

[matt]

"Barack, that's a nice ring you have there. Can I see it?"

V. Putin

[Sandy Daze]

"This is my last election ... After my election I have more flexibility," Obama said, expressing confidence that he would win a second term.

"I will transmit this information to Vladimir," said Medvedev, Putin's protégé and long considered number two in Moscow's power structure.

The Putin said--Obama's aides said is so much horsefeathers... Keeping the focus on Snowden keeps the focus off, you pick 'em:
the NSA
the IRS
the AP, Rosen, Fox News, Sharyl Attkisson
the Benghazi
the Fast & Furious
the Solyndras, Fiskers, et al
the new climate change
the tsars
the email accounts
the lawlessness
the corruption
and,
we care about Snowden?

It is all performance art. He said-she said.

What we need are more Pikes, Pitchforks, Pistolas and BOMBS AWAY !

[Sandy Daze]

the ways of the typepad are inscruitable...

[Annoying Old Guy]

Sandy Daze;

I did notice on my Typepad dashboard a new, prominent notice - "Missing comments? Check the spam filter in the drop down menu at Comments > Spam Comments to see if they were mis-routed."

[Annoying Old Guy]

Is it possible that, after months (years?) of being backhanded by Putin, Obama and Lurch are finally noticing? Is it time for me to enjoy a little schadenfruede? This is really what has bothered me about this situation, how unaware those two were of Putin's abuse.

[DublinDave]

Wow nelly, the S.C just struck down the voting rights act. Jeese. That means that the South is free to prevent black folk from voting again. Damn. That's cold.

Considering Zimmerman's "the hunter and killer of black children" eventual release and Paula Dean wants to revert back to the days of slavery, I'd say that institutional racism is alive and well in this country.

[DublinDave]

Se you in 2014 and again in 2016.

[matt]

And the CBC will vote for the immigration bill despite the fact that it is African Americans who have been most affected by the costs of illegal immigration.

Jesse & Al; keeping them down on the plantation since 1968.

[Rob Crawford]

From a quick view of CNN and MSNBC on the monitors at work -- did someone desecrate MLK, Jr's grave last night? Or is the left going full-out to push the idea that the Supremes saying, "Jim Crow has been over for 50 years; time to start acting like it" is Yet Another Affront To All That Is Decent?

[Ignatz]

--Considering Zimmerman's "the hunter and killer of black children" eventual release...--

WeeDavey's prison rape fantasies taking it on the chin.
He's sad.

[NK]

Putin bitch slappin' Obummer/Kerry. What a sorry spectacle. Vlad the Impaler could die today a happy man -- he's publicly humiliated the USA (plus he's got billions in the Bank-- in Dollars, of course,no Rubles or Euros for Vlad!)

The Immigration Kabuki in DC is a perfect example of everything wrong about DC.

[DublinDave]

"WeeDavey's prison rape fantasies taking it on the chin."

I'm sorta of happy for you,Ignatz, your parties judicial activists have made it harder for negroes to vote......that essentially is the beating heart of Modern Conservtism right there. Now if you can prevent the immigration bill from becoming law we can call 2013 the GOP's "White Year".

Having said that..I think it's safe to say that Republican efforts to reach out to minorities didn't go so well.

[MikeHggns]

Well, of course, naturally, Paula Dean speaks for all of us.

[NK]

So DD openly admits that the gangster organization that is the Dem party is made up of tribes of skin colors, all run by the White Libs in charge. Kind of like when Carlo Gambino brought in black gangsters to run numbers in Harlem and Bed-Stuy, and then Jamaican gangbangers to push back against the Columbians in the 80s coke trade. Fine group to associate yourself with. BTW-- of course Voting Act is no longer necessary, the Dem party's been in the minority in the South for decades. Jim Crow was the Dem Party, the Dem Party was Jim Crow, that's over so no reason to single out the South. The Dems have ALWAYS been about using racial tribes for political power. Always.

[Stephanie]

Paula Dean is an Obama supporter. Voted for him and has had Queen Moo on her cooking show. Of course she speaks for liberals. Damon it sux when a lib shows their true colors.

[maryrose]

NK;
Your posts have been spot on.Bammy is the true Manchurian candidate. All foreign leaders have his number now{Zero} and know they can jerk him and Kerry around at will. Have we ever in our history had such weak SOS's as Hil and Kerry? When you think of the statesmen that have occupied that role in the past, it makes you want to weep for the absolute inadequacy of these two poseurs.
Issa has subpoened the next tier of state department officials. Here's hoping it all blows up in Hil's face prior to 2014 with enough firepower to send her running from the 2016 race. She'll be lucky if she isn't sued in civil court.
Corzine will be sued in civil court for the 1 billion stolen from his customers. Hopefully justice at last. He a former senator and governor. Disgraceful.

[maryrose]

Remember when Kerry said he didn't need the South to win election in 2004? Howard Dean dissed pick-up trucks with flags on them.The dems trashing the South and supporting slavery like they now support illegals and paying them low slave wages is an ongoing tradition.
I am reminded of taking a School Law course in 1990 at Cleveland State University where I was informed that indeed there still existed racism though the persons in my class were pursuing graduate and postgraduate degrees. I remember thinking," hey we both seem equal in this class."

[maryrose]

Deen is about to learn how fast "Libs" can turn on you.Kinda like that gal in Palm Beach ,Florida who invented the"butterfly ballot".

[NK]

Issa should be 100% about Benghazi and IRS -- both of those events expose the criminal abuse of power and incompetence of Obummer and his minions. Benghazi will show that Hildabeast was too stupid or arrogant to understand the risks in Benghazi-- or worse she understood, and callously put those people in harms way with no plan to protect them. IRS proves that Obummer did everything to win, including corruting the IRS to keep the Tea Party from organizing for 2012. Subpoena the right people, threaten the liars who perjuredd themselves so far with referrals to the DOJ, expose the truth. Oh, and then come 2014 elections.

[maryrose]

NK;
Bingo! Best comment of the day!

[Ignatz]

I'm sorta of happy for you,Ignatz, your parties judicial activists have made it harder for negroes to vote......twice, or posthumously.
Bad news for Dems.

[James D.]

Stephanie, the sad thing is that Deen, like most libs who get attacked by their own, or find themselves in trouble thanks to some policy they support, probably won't make the connection.

She won't understand that the very things and people she support inevitably lead to exactly the treatment she's receiving.

It's like one of the recent grade-school suspensions for a kid carrying a toy gun. The parent is all up in arms...but the parent is a teacher in the school system, and went along with all the zero-tolerance madness, and fell in line behind the officials who are now coming down on her kid.

Just like all those party members who ended up in Stalin's gulags, thinking "if only Stalin knew, this wouldn't be happening to me" right up until the day they're killed.

Idiots. I have very little sympathy, UNLESS they recognize their error, and speak out, and APOLOGIZE to the rest of us for helping to foist this madness on us as well as on them.

[Frau Weg damit!]

maryrose, IIRC the butterfly ballot had been used in Chicago and, to insure an easy Dem victory, was recommended for use in FL.

[Frau Weg damit!]

Paula Dean speaks for me when it comes to butter.

[boatbuilder]

"Walk daintily and carry a 9-iron."

[NJJan]

MaryRose

It's good that civil law suit is being brought against Corzine, but it is my understanding that it is being brought because there isn't enough to bring criminal charges which is bs. Also more about incompetence and lack of oversight than corruption. It's better than nothing. Also, for lawyer commenters, does the fact that no criminal charges will be brought hurt civil case?

[Captain Hate]

Just like all those party members who ended up in Stalin's gulags, thinking "if only Stalin knew, this wouldn't be happening to me" right up until the day they're kil

Have you ever seen the movie "Burnt by the Sun"?

[Captain Hate]

Sheila Jackass Lee must be getting her talking points from dumbassdave.

[DublinDave]

I can't believe we've actually reignited the civil rights movement in America all over again.

This is awesome. Republican party V's Women, African-Americans and Latinos.

For every ten actual voter suppression/attack on women's rights/racist stories, we're gonna make up fifty. All we need is a scintilla of truth to spread some of the most disgusting and disturbing lies about what White Republican America is doing to Negroes, women and brown people in this country.

[NK]

Q. ...does the fact that no criminal charges will be brought hurt civil case?
A. NO

In fact parallel criminal and civil actions for regulatory violations complicate both cases for the government prosecutors. I wrote a paper about that for law scho0l in 1982. The prof basically plagerized the paper for an article he wrote for the Uof Texas Law Review -- I learned about the review Article researching a brief I wrote in 1984-- true story.

[narciso]

There was a piece's in the Horde's roundup where
Dean's real sin, 'cooking with butter' didn't chek the tinyurl to see if it was satire or not,
probably not.

[Captain Hate]

Can you imagine the sinking feeling in Paula Deen's ample stomach when she realizes that people like the JEF and dumbassdave have turned on her?

[NJJan]

Thank you, NK

[Captain Hate]

McRINO has come to the JEF's defense regarding Putin. Does anybody doubt that McQueeg would have been a miserably bad President? I'm listening to him being interviewed when he's lying prodigiously about the shamnesty bill.

[Frau Weg damit!]

"The hottest years in history!"
My husband muses that one of Obama's girls wrote the speech TOTUS he is delivering on global warming.
Remember when critics said GWB was living in a bubble?

[NK]

Thank God McQueeg wasn't elected in 2008.

[narciso]

Facepalm with a Cthluthu.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Filed under "20th Century Problems: I Thought Everyone Learned Not To Do This Back in 1999" --OR-- "Reply To All Ignorance Is Not Dead"

Someone inadvertently sent an email to a distribution list with over 3,000 names this morning -- and hilarity ensued. Without the headers, here is a sampling. First the offending email (a number of the emailers are from other countries, and English is not their first language):

Hello,

Could you please help me urgently, orders keep in my desk to enter, and impossible to work;O((

And off we went...individual responses separated by ellipses.

-----------------------------

Hi ,

Is there a reason why I was sent this message?
...
Also I believe I received by mistake.
...
So have I.
...
Same here.
...
Take me off. Thanks.
...
Please remove me from this list.
...
Take me off too
...
Please remove me from this list too!!!
...
PLEASE TAKE ME OFF ALSO.
...
[and another 100 similar emails before the next wave of take-charge-action ensued]
...
Please STOP to answer to everybody copied
...
THIS WILL STOP IF YOU STOP ASKING TO BE REMOVED
...
PLEASE EVERYONE – If everyone stops asking to be removed the emails will stop. The last 150 emails have been people asking to be removed.
...
DO NOT REPLY TO ALL.
...
PLEASE STOP Hey Everyone STOP - DO not reply all to this email! Your only making it worst! The sender Gets it!! Please Stop
...
C'mon! Stop replying everybody please!!
...
PLEASE READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,
KINDLY REFRAIN FROM RESPONDING AND REQUESTING TO BE REMOVED FROM THIS EMAIL. AS ALL OF US CC’D TO THIS EMAIL HAS COME TO REALIZE THE ONLY FOLKS KEEPING THIS EMAIL GOING ARE THOSE REQUESTING TO BE REMOVED. LET IT GO AWAY. STOP REPLYING TO BE REMOVED.

-----------------------------

I could keep going (and going, and going and going) with the quotes. And here on JOM you don't get to enjoy the variety of font sizes and colors and emoticons. We're well over 300 emails . . . so far! I'm much, much more amused than annoyed. Here's my response:

"Please don't EVER take me off of THIS LIST!!! Best email thread EVAH! I haven't had this much fun at work in weeks. If you have any questions, please REPLY TO ALL.
Thanks E V E R Y O N E!"

(that I didn't actually send)

[Captain Hate]

Thank God McQueeg wasn't elected in 2008.

Up until November I used to think that because with "my friends" in office there would have probably not have been any Tea Party and 2010 and 2012 would've been like replays of 2006. But with the JEF being re-elected and the Tea Party seemingly being marginalized by the GOP along with the IRS, I'm not so sure.

[daddy]

Watching Obama discuss his Climate change ideas. Now he is talking about how it is bad for the folks who own ski resorts because of not enough snow, and then how the folks down in the valley's below the ski resorts are worried because of all the water from the melting snow.

Complete lunacy.

With his stated intention to implement all sorts of nutty and damaging edicts, regardless of Congress, we are approaching a situation akin to that famous old Twilight Zone episode, "The Monster", wherein an immature 6 year old possesses unlimited power yet lacks decency and common sense, or any concern over the consequences of his selfish, juvenile actions:

Meet "The MOnster"

[centralcal]

Hit, that is hysterical! I still can't stop laughing.

[narciso]

The Canadian Menace, must be warded off with torches;

[Frau Klimawechsel]

Achtung, Barry!
Spiegel interview with meteorologist Hans von Storch:

SPIEGEL: Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, outside Berlin, is currently Chancellor Angela Merkel's climate adviser. Why does she need one?

Storch: I've never been chancellor myself. But I do think it would be unwise of Merkel to listen to just a single scientist. Climate research is made up of far too many different voices for that. Personally, though, I don't believe the chancellor has delved deeply into the subject. If she had, she would know that there are other perspectives besides those held by her environmental policy administrators.

[NK]

Daddy-- fab analogy to that Twilight Zone episode. Obummer is deluded,that or he has zero interest in facts and/or objective truth.

[narciso]

So it's an email version of a chain letter?

[NK]

... or an endless loop in Fortran.

[Rob Crawford]

Now he is talking about how it is bad for the folks who own ski resorts because of not enough snow, and then how the folks down in the valley's below the ski resorts are worried because of all the water from the melting snow.

You wonder if he'll ever realize there's a contradiction there...

Daddy -- that's a mean comparison. You're being entirely too cruel to Bill Mumy.

[Jeff Dobbs]

the folks down in the valley's below the ski resorts are worried because of all the water from the melting snow.

I love Obama's less snow=more spring melt so much it hurts.

[Rob Crawford]

hit -- back in college there were a few... events... like that. One was the legendary (in our minds) "pop" vs. "soda" debate -- in Peoria, which is right on the border between the two terms. Ran to hundreds of pages of comments. A couple of friends crashed a couple of the university's machines by emailing copies of that debate back and forth.

Then there was a discussion thread that lasted for a couple years. Just before it was scheduled to be closed, someone would add a comment...

Yes, we were geeks.

[peter]

That episode was called, "It's a good life." That child actor, Bill Mumy later went on to play Will Robinson in Lost in Space. One of the more chilling episodes of the Twilight zone and definitely an apt analogy. Except Bill Mumy was smarter. Obama's not that smart.

[narciso]

More like the kid in the Twilight Zone film, but the irony is crunchy.

[James D.]

Watching Obama discuss his Climate change ideas. Now he is talking about how it is bad for the folks who own ski resorts because of not enough snow, and then how the folks down in the valley's below the ski resorts are worried because of all the water from the melting snow.

Seriously? The President of the United States said that?

I...no, I give up. This is beyond snark or mockery. It's just an embarrassment to our country to have this man as President, that's all I can say.

[NK]

RobC-- is the Mississippi still the border between 'pop' and 'soda'?

[narciso]

Jeremy Licht, the youngest kid in the Hogan family, reprised the role in the movie.

[matt]

So he has declared war on Keystone XL.

[Gus]

JamesD, I agree, up until this stupid comment by Obama, I was perfectly happy with the effing Commie dimbulb. To quote Dennis Greene, "he is , who we thought he was".
Obama is attempting to control the economy via government.

[Captain Hate]

Jesse Jackson has weighed in on the Supreme Court with "Thjmph erphsng wllmct zwlth mrmnnm" which I think means he's not pleased with it until a translation is available.

[Jeff Dobbs]

Rob:
Then there was a discussion thread that lasted for a couple years. Just before it was scheduled to be closed, someone would add a comment...

If TM hadn't designated threads to close to comments after one week, this one would have ended up just like that.

On advice of my attorney, I am contractually obligated to say, "Jane Won".

[Jeff Dobbs]

CH:
Jesse Jackson has weighed in

And Rev Al is promising to much resist the ruling as well, I'm sure.

[matt]

Obama's green scam. LUN.

[Marlene]

When seasonal options include winter and mud, global warming is awesome! I wonder if Obama knows that ski resorts make snow when Mother Nature doesn't. I wonder if Obama knows that the towns in the valley below the ski resort don't worry too much about snow melt. Not if it means that the pubs and restaurants and hotels and ski rental shops are busy with people. Just wondering.

[maryrose]

James D.
As an avid skier I am stunned at his ignorance. Most ski resorts manufacture snow for a firm base and rejoice when the natural snow provides good powder. It doesn't matter if it melts. I'm starting to think preezy is approaching the certifiable stage. I am speechless that he could speak these words and not realize how incredibly moronic he sounds.

[rich@gmu]

James D-

***I...no, I give up. This is beyond snark or mockery.***

bgates would be hard-pressed to top that.

[maryrose]

marlene: You took the words right out of my mouth. Sorry I didn't see your post first.
When Bammy opens his mouth we all know a fool resides within.Who are his speech writers? They deserve to be fired as much as Holder.

[rich@gmu]

***I wonder if Obama knows that ski resorts make snow when Mother Nature doesn't.***

Ah a new source of wickedness to minister too. Don't give him any ideas.

[Jeff Dobbs]

When Michelle Obama returned from her ski trip in 2012, she kicked Barack in the nuts.

The president simpered, "I wasn't asking how's your ass been."

She kicked him again, just because.

[maryrose]

matt:'
I thought I read that the Keystone decision was being postponed again? Has he said something new about it?

[narciso]

Well the last inference came from the Puffington Host, which is in tune with their thinking.

[Captain Hate]

Here's from AoS, maryrose:

President Barack Obama will ask the State Department not to approve the construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline unless it can first determine that it will not lead to a net increase in greenhouse gas emissions, a senior administration official told The Huffington Post. …

The new Obama policy somewhat splits the difference — not killing the project outright, but ensuring that it meets a basic environmental standard. …

No, that is killing the project outright. Any action that makes it more efficient, more economical to use fossil fuels will, by necessity, cause more of them to be burned, and this in turn will cause more carbon emissions. The whole point of the pipeline is to bring Canadian oil to American markets.

Rather than announcing this decision himself, he pawns it off to a third party who can take the heat while he once again pretends to have nothing to do with his own government.

Cowardly, as usual.