Does the Left Hand Know what the Right Hand is Doing?

You knowpolitical leaders are idiots when they act schizophrenically...

On one hand the Canadian government is telling us that we are all doomed by Global Warming. This issue is so important that they have formally committed to the Kyoto Protocol to reduce emissions to 6% below 1990 levels during the 2008-2012 commitment period. All the major parties in Canada have policies to reduce greenhouse gases. The Federal Liberals have a carbon tax. Provincially, in British Columbia, the Liberals have put in place a cap-and-trade scheme which is effect a tax on consumers. On July 1st I will have to pay a dime more per gallon because of provicial carbon tax. So... you would think there is a really deep commitment to "solve" the Global Warming problem.

But...

Here is a news report that the Canadian government won't allow electric cars in Canada. This is a bit surprising given that these cars are being manufactured here and are currently sold in the United States. The federal government -- while claiming that Global Warming is an impending doom on us all -- has decided that the "safety issue" is too much for Canadians so the cars are banned here. Banned here, but manufactured and shipped the US where apparantly that government there thinks they are safe enough for their citizens.

Hmm... Do I smell hypocrisy? Can Global Warming be the evil doom that it is portrayed to be if in fact the Canadian government isn't willing to allow non-polluting cars to be sold to its own citizens? I know the auto industry has "bought" a lot of politicians. But surely these politicians have children and grandchildren, so they must have some concern for the future. So if Global Warming is the cruel, dark destiny painted for us, what depth of evil it must take to shout "the end is near!" out of one side of your mouth while saying "but you can't buy that product to save yourself!" out of the other side of your mouth.

The whole thing is just too juicy, just too funny. Do they really think we take them seriously when they play these kind of patent games with us?

Don't believe me? Here's a snippet from the news report:

Despite increasing local demand for zero-emissions cars and trucks and robust exports of electric vehicles, Canada will not allow them on its roads, lament manufacturers.

"It's a daily embarrassment," said Ian Clifford, president of Zenn Motor Company, which builds "zero emissions no noise" vehicles in Canada for export primarily to the United States.

"Even my employees can't drive to work in a Zenn. It's absurd," he said of federal and provincial rules that forbid electric cars from being driven on most Canadian roads.

Clifford's frustration is aggravated by the view that Canadians are increasingly concerned about the environment and are said to be eager to drive electric vehicles in this warming climate.

"We build the car in St. Jerome (Quebec) and ship them all south of the border," where 44 states allow them, and some 45,000 electric cars are in use today, he said.

But Transport Canada says the vehicles made of lightweight metals and plastics are not safe to drive on Canada's open roads, and would not stand up in a collision.