Because The US Won't Join Kyoto?

Pollution in Tehran is toxic enough that 1600 people Iranians recently were treated for smog-related illnesses, an over 5000 die there annually.

More than 1,600 people have been taken to hospitals in Tehran as pollution in the Iranian capital reaches critical levels, health officials have said.

Hospitals have reported increased cases of heart attacks and breathing problems, while many residents are complaining of fatigue and headaches.

Public offices and schools have been closed in an attempt to reduce traffic, and clear the city's blanket of smog.

Authorities have warned of thousands of casualties if pollution levels persist.

[...]

Authorities have blamed the severe smog on emissions from the capital's three million cars, many of which lack modern exhaust filters.

At the Montreal Conference,

Jennifer Morgan, climate-change expert for environmental group WWF, said US negotiator Harlan Watson's decision to leave the talks overnight showed "just how willing the US administration is to walk away from a healthy planet and its responsibilities".

She added "It's obvious America's to blame.  These deaths would be preventable if only they'd agree to crush their economy.  All the other nations are chipping in and dramatically reducing emissions.  Oh, and if GM would give Iran 3 million modern cars."

Former President Bill Clinton echoed, calling Bush "flat wrong" for worrying about injuring the American economy and exclusion of China and India from the treaty.  "I don't care if the Senate voted 95-0 against Kyoto while I was President, and with 3 years left in my term I did nothing to push for it. I've since done my own research in my spare time, while personally aiding millions of tsunami victims, and

"there is no longer any serious doubt that climate change is real, accelerating and caused by human activities.

Besides, I can undermine the sitting Republican President on foreign soil, so this is a two-fer for me."

12/10/05 1500: Linked to Wizbang's COTT XXXXI.  Wizbang's Kevin Aylward is the founder of the Weblog Awards, where you could, you know, go vote for one of the finalists, if you like.

12/10/05 1610: Stop The ACLU is also up for a Weblog Award, and mentioned favorably here.

12/10/05 1900: This story covered at Newsbusters, somewhat more seriously, where they point out the part of the story left out when CBS reported it, a part that Fox News did add.

As recounted by Jim Angle during Friday night's "Grapevine" segment on FNC's Special Report with Brit Hume, in July of 1997, "the Senate voted 95-0 against even considering the treaty and warned President Clinton not to even send it up to them, saying the United States shouldn't sign anything that would, quote, 'result in serious harm to the economy of the United States.'" Angle added, "As a result, President Clinton never submitted the Kyoto treaty for ratification."

Comments

[Anna]

Once again it is all Bush's fault. This mantra is growing ever more irritating.