Has anyone noticed the recent trend of backlash directed at those fighting global warming politically, but not in their actions?

Both before and after the Oscars, Al Gore was criticized for his documentary An Inconvenient Truth—not merely for content, but for the way he raced around the globe in his jet in what can only be classified as environmentally unsustainable.

Similarly, during the elections last year, California Gov. Schwarzenegger was criticized for driving a Hummer while simultaneously supporting anti-emissions policies.

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On Sunday John Edwards came to Berkeley to give a campaign speech. The audience—a mixture of students and community members—packed the auditorium in the YWCA across the street from campus, and hundreds more listened to his speech on loudspeakers outside. Organizers estimated that 1000 (!) people were in attendance. Cal Dems president Michelle Wasserman introduced Edwards, identifying Cal as the perfect venue thanks to its tradition of political activism and committment to civil rights.

What Edwards talked about, in brief:

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Ann Coulter calls John Edwards a “faggot” at CPAC.

“I was going to have a few comments on the other Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards, but it turns out you have to go into rehab if you use the word ‘faggot,’ so I — so kind of an impasse, can’t really talk about Edwards.”

We already know she’s deranged, but her outstanding record of labeling Democrats as “fags” and “faggots” goes too far. I don’t know what’s worse: that her words are so violent and therefore are so denigrating the public discourse, or that Republicans and CPAC attendees are eating this shit up and loving it.

More here.

Since we’ve spent the last month discussing the problems existing in the American healthcare system as well as possible reforms, I thought it might be useful to consider the highly successful Japanese healthcare system as a model. While Japan spends 5.4% less of its GDP per year on healthcare than the Unites States, unlike the US, Japan provides universal coverage to Japanese citizens. The Japanese system requires all citizens to purchase health insurance. Insurance companies pay privately owned service providers directly at rates set by the government. All employees in Japan are provided health insurance by the Social Insurance System (SIS). Employers shoulder between 50-80% of the cost of insurance, while the remainder is covered by premiums paid by employees based on their financial ability. The average worker’s premium is 4% of their salary. Citizens who are not employed are covered by National Health Insurance (NHI). A third insurance agency caters specifically to the healthcare needs of the elderly. Patients are allowed to choose their own doctors and preferred facilities. This system seems to integrate private healthcare providers with government subsidy quite effectively in a way that might appeal to insured American voters preoccupied with maintaining the freedom of choice they have with private insurance companies. While the Japanese system is highly successful on a whole, primary problems include long waits to see doctors and a shortage of doctors and medical facilities in rural as compared to urban areas.

• Tonight’s debate, Cal Dems vs. Berkeley College Republicans! The topics are immigration and healthcare. 7pm, 2060 VLSB.
• Former Senator, vice presidential nominee and ‘08 presidential hopeful John Edwards is visiting Cal this Sunday! He’ll be speaking to students at 2:30pm at the YWCA on Bancroft. For more info see the Facebook event.