To the Editor:
Re “Senate Vote Puts Climate Action in Reach” (front page, Aug. 8):
All the attention and pressure were once again placed on two Democratic senators, Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, while not one Republican senator supported the legislation that will help curb climate change, reduce Medicare prescription costs for seniors, extend health care subsidies for those in need and force corporations to pay a little more in taxes.
Aren’t Kentucky’s Republican senators, Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul, concerned about the flooding from increased storms caused by climate change ravaging their state and killing Kentuckians? Aren’t Texas’ Republican senators, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, concerned about the stronger hurricanes and heat waves killing Texans?
Aren’t any Republicans concerned about the high cost of drugs for seniors, or the inequity in our tax codes or extending health care to the most vulnerable in their state?
The time for Republicans merely standing aside and doing nothing but taking shots at President Biden and Democrats should be over. The time for their trying to tear down the country with their election denial lies should be over.
Come on, Republicans, pitch in and help save this country. You live here too, and you represent real people who are in need.
John E. Colbert
Arroyo Seco, N.M.
To the Editor:
Re “A Pipeline Project Seemed Doomed, Until Manchin Stepped In” (front page, Aug. 8):
Is there something I’m missing? How is the climate bill a political win for Democrats when, in order to help the environment, they bargain away the environment? How is it a win when the man who has been the main impediment to President Biden’s agenda is given a huge concession that allows him to keep getting his dirty money, thereby becoming further entrenched in his ability to frustrate Democratic priorities?
This may be “just politics,” but it is not winning politics. It is the type of appeasement politics that Democrats have been engaged in, and losing at, for 40 years.
American voters can distinguish between commitment to core Democratic principles and self-protective political expediency. The Democrats’ go-to strategy of accepting whatever crumbs the Republicans — and now Joe Manchin — are willing to leave them will not be sufficient to arouse voter support in the midterms.
At this point, the Democrats’ only hope to avoid a complete November disaster is that the fear and anger aroused by the Republican insurgency will overcome voter apathy engendered by the lack of leadership that President Biden and Senate Democratic leaders continue to show on virtually every issue that matters.
Russ Skiba
Bloomington, Ind.
To the Editor:
Re “How the New Climate Bill Would Reduce Emissions” (interactive, nytimes.com, Aug. 2):
You report that analyses have concluded that the climate and energy package “would put the United States much closer to its goal of cutting global warming pollution in half by 2030.”
It is encouraging to read that calculations from environmental experts judge that despite the provisions for fossil fuels, the bill will be net positive for carbon. This means that the United States is taking a step in the right direction in practical terms, but also in terms of symbolism. Indeed, the U.S. could see itself reinstated as a leading environmentally conscious nation.
There are now two possible scenarios. The bill may set a precedent for more ambitious bills in the future and a greater understanding of sustainable growth and development. On the other hand, it might become an example of diminished ambition: too much deal making behind closed doors, and watered down commitments. Only time will tell which one of the two worlds will come to be.
Ioannis Ioannou
London
The writer is an associate professor of strategy and entrepreneurship at the London Business School.
To the Editor:
Re “G.O.P. Treasurers Work to Thwart Climate Actions” (front page, Aug. 6):
This article about Republican state treasurers working to punish financial institutions for cutting back on fossil fuel investments made my blood boil. That action is certainly cruel while massive floods are devastating Kentucky and fires are ravaging California. Climate change is real.
I suggest we contact our financial institutions in support of their actions to cut back on fossil fuel investments. They need to hear from customers. I just did!
Helen Morik
Bronx
To the Editor:
By portraying choices grounded in sound science and good governance as matters of partisan power, these Republican state treasurers are waging a de facto war against the future life, liberty and happiness of their grandchildren, and ours.
To the Editor:
Re “A New Axis?,” by David Leonhardt (The Morning newsletter, Aug. 2):
Mr. Leonhardt stopped short of asserting that Russia, China and Iran are cooperating against the U.S. I wish he hadn’t. A new axis of evil is indeed in play, and its success depends on our willingness to mince words.
These governments have spent decades encroaching on Western interests without firing a shot. For their weapons Moscow chose energy, Beijing chose critical supply chains and Tehran lured the West into a farcical attempt at nuclear diplomacy.
This entanglement is no less dangerous than a bomb specifically because so many proclaimed “experts” have waved it off as the natural result of global competition. Vladimir Putin and the rest may have finally embraced the trappings of diplomacy, but their rival interests have meshed far too cleanly for us to accept the coincidence.
The “coordinated campaign of aggression” began long ago (indeed, my references to this new axis of evil stretch back to 2018) and reflects not only shared interests, but also a willingness to align from afar.
Handshakes are redundant when the goal is the destruction of democratic norms. An understanding is all these dangerous men require.
Marsha Blackburn
Washington
The writer is a Republican senator from Tennessee.
Danger at Nuclear Reactors, Not Just in Ukraine
To the Editor:
Re “Forces Trade Blame After Rockets Strike Near Nuclear Power Plant” (news article, Aug. 8):
The Russians’ horrifying use of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant site in Ukraine as a shield from which to fire artillery into a civilian area should give pause to all advocates of nuclear power. The consequences of a mishap at this six-reactor site could far outstrip what happened at Chernobyl.
Sadly, this could happen at any atomic plant anywhere, including our own 92 reactors, all of which are vulnerable to terror attack. The time to shut them all is now.
Harvey Wasserman
Los Angeles
A Housing Crisis in an Idaho Resort Town
To the Editor:
Re “Housing Costs Turn Into Crisis in Resort Town” (front page, Aug. 1):
How infuriating to read that the wealthy folks of Hailey, Idaho, can’t be bothered to provide even the most basic housing for the people who feed, serve and clean up after them.
I can’t say I’m surprised, but I’m certainly disappointed. Tax the rich, anyone?
Robin Kleven Dishon
San Diego