Is anyone minding the store?
In a stunning display of virtue-signaling, President Biden has brought no less than 11 of the administration’s top officials to Glasgow to listen to endless speeches about the climate at the COP26 conference. That’s in addition to climate advisers John Kerry and Gina McCarthy, who could have gone alone and sent back a report. Or, you know, an email.
Set aside the carbon footprint of having such a large contingent hop the Atlantic, what about the all the other problems on the administration’s plate?
While you were in Scotland, your office called and . . .
* Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, there’s still a supply-chain crisis, ships are idling off the coast of California and there aren’t enough truck drivers. Plus, aren’t you suppose to be on paternity leave?
* Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, inflation is raging, the government wants to pour more cash on the fire, and why does Treasury at a climate crisis anyway? Considering Biden’s answer to everything is “more money!” are you there to quickly sign a check?
* And USAID Administrator Samantha Power, does that mean you’re there to help negotiate who gets the checks, as developing nations ask for money in exchange for agreeing to climate goals? And isn’t a more important priority getting poor countries the COVID vaccine?
* Secretary of State Antony Blinken, pretty sure there are still Americans trapped in Afghanistan. How’s that going?
* Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the average gas price currently sits at $3.40 a gallon, $1.27 more than a year ago. Are you discussing realistic solutions that won’t bankrupt Americans or just posturing?
* Similarly, National Economic Council Director Brian Deese, you encourage “sustainable” investments. How about finding some green companies that are sustainable without government subsidies — before you lecture the rest of the world?
* Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, it’s right there in the title: Interior.
* Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, grocery prices are going up, there’s labor unrest in the Midwest — got a plan?
* NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Eric Lander, EPA Administrator Michael Regan, yes your specialties are climate science, but couldn’t you have just sent a PowerPoint?
Expect all these officials to gush about what a positive experience COP26, when all they’re really doing is providing stimulus to Scottish hotels. But at least they got a selfie with Greta Thunberg, so they can show progressives they really, really care about the environment.
Here’s a thought, Mr. President: Next time just schedule a Zoom call. It’ll give you more time to handle the problems here, and cut down on the amount of hot air your administration is producing.