Obama gets it right on EU airline tax
For those of you who say I never write anything complimentary about President Obama: He done good this time. From The Hill:
President Obama has signed into law a bill that requires U.S. airlines be excluded from European carbon emissions fees.
Environmentalists had framed the bill as the first test of the president’s commitment to fighting climate change in his second term and urged him to veto it. Obama quietly signed it Tuesday over their objections.
The European Union has been trying since I was living in Brussels to tax any airline, regardless of where it’s based, for the entirety of any flight that enters EU airspace, regardless of how little time the flight actually spends in EU airspace. So, a flight from Los Angeles to London would be taxed for the entire length of the trip, even though only a fraction of it was spent in EU skies.
I don’t think it diminishes what Obama did here to add: He really had no choice. Allowing another government to tax our businesses in this way would open the door to all kinds of mischief — such as taxing a U.S. manufacturer for all its carbon emissions anywhere, not just at its European operations. The U.S. simply can’t cede sovereignty to another government in that way. We fought a war over a similar concept, as you might recall.
As a side note, this issue brings to mind one of my favorite interviews I’ve ever done, with Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary back in 2007. Ryanair is Europe’s leading low-cost air carrier, and O’Leary is one of the most colorful personalities in business, anywhere. The entire interview was fun, but this is the section that’s relevant here:
Airlines have become an enormous target for global-warming doomsayers. Last month, campaigners staged a nine-day protest outside London’s Heathrow airport, hoping to discourage summer vacationers from flying. Mr. O’Leary points out that air transport accounts for only 2% of carbon dioxide emissions world-wide — “It’s less than marine transport, and yet I don’t see anyone [saying], you know, ‘Let’s tax the [bleep] out of the ferries.’”
(”Bleep” was one of the most-used words in my write-up of the interview, as there really was no other way to quote O’Leary at length in a family publication.)
As for Obama: Well done. But if he follows through with that idea of pushing for a global tax on all flights, I’ll be right back to criticizing him …
– By Kyle Wingfield
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199 comments Add your comment
md
November 28th, 2012
4:56 pm
“Regarding better candidates, anyone who aspires to make their career in politics, is kinda flawed to begin with.”
I’m beginning to believe they are the ones that have it right…..working age to grave on cadillac gov’t assistance of which they are the ones that determine their own salaries and benefits………it’s like being your own board of directors……
Sunny
November 28th, 2012
4:57 pm
yes, Tiberius does come across as one funny dude.
Thanks for laughs, little guy.
CC
November 28th, 2012
5:00 pm
“Guess you missed the newsflash…EVERY bit of their drivel to-date has been debunked. There is no coverup.”
Yes, and Sasquatch is alive, well and living in the suburbs known as Lost Mountain.
CC
November 28th, 2012
5:02 pm
“I’m beginning to think that John Q, Sunny and Black Label are one in the same poster.”
I’m beginning to believe you are correct as to there being one poster using those three names!
md
November 28th, 2012
5:09 pm
As for GW, the latest has the scientific community in a panic:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2217286/Global-warming-stopped-16-years-ago-reveals-Met-Office-report-quietly-released–chart-prove-it.html
“Like Prof Curry, Prof Jones also admitted that the climate models were imperfect: ‘We don’t fully understand how to input things like changes in the oceans, and because we don’t fully understand it you could say that natural variability is now working to suppress the warming. We don’t know what natural variability is doing.’”
Have to love the “we don’t know” part of that equation……..yet the media has been telling us for years that it is all but certain……
MrLiberty
November 28th, 2012
5:11 pm
Of course he wants the EU hands off our airlines. He is planning on screwing them himself and doesn’t appreciate “sloppy seconds.” I mean there is only so much you can do to destroy and industry and still have it alive to give a bit of milk. The TSA (and their molestations, porno scanners, rampant theft, abuse of power, etc.), the restrictions on carryon items (just plain stupid and generally unsupported by either science or common sense), the 9-11 security fees (that have driven ticket prices through the roof), and so on. Obama deserves NO praise. If he really cared about the airlines, air travel, and the citizen he is supposed to represent, he would immediate shut down the TSA, return ALL responsibility for airplane safety to the marketplace/airlines, and attempt to restore a free market in airplane travel.
md
November 28th, 2012
5:12 pm
I guess I’ll bring this upstairs since JDW seems to think he is right about control:
“No more than requiring car insurance is socializing driving or requiring hunting licenses is socializing hunting or requiring a business license is socializing business. All we are talking about here is setting standards which is what government does. If you can’t see that you need to open your eyes.”
Wrong, wrong and wrong……..we don’t have to drive a car, or go hunting or have a business…..all choices that we still have.
Not so with obamacare, the choice has been totally removed…..the TAX will be paid.
Control JDW is when one has no choices available to them…….with Obamacare, we have the choice of 2 different taxes, one that comes with insurance, and one that does not……we DO NOT have the choice any longer to not participate…….the ultimate definition of “control”.
MarkV
November 28th, 2012
5:15 pm
“Have to love the “we don’t know” part of that equation……..yet the media has been telling us for years that it is all but certain……”
Which is what is wrong with the arguments of the deniers – in addition to their scientific ignorance. They go by what the media are telling, instead of what the earth and science are telling.
md
November 28th, 2012
5:33 pm
“before they arrived at the consensus that the earth is warming, that carbon dioxide plays a major role in the warming, and that the mankind activity is responsible for the warming trend.”
Might want to tune in to the latest findings…..the consensus is far from being a consensus.
Here’s another chart you can look at Mark and tell us all why co2 doesn’t have the direct relationship to temp that we’ve been told it did for so many years:
http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/
You have to go to my first link for temps. Common sense dictates that if co2 is the direct cause of global warming, as co2 goes up then temp goes up accordingly. So please explain to us simpletons why the temp has remained steady for the past 16 years while co2 has risen.
teaching taxpayer
November 28th, 2012
5:37 pm
Since I called Kyle a “boot licker” for Nathan Deal during the charter amendment battle, I should compliment him on praising Obama for a proper action. Thank you, Kyle, for being willing to withstand the criticism from your own side because you didn’t castigate our President no matter what.
Linda
November 28th, 2012
5:40 pm
John Q@4:36, Liar. You specifically said, “You’re living in a fantasy land.”
Unless you are also a peeping Tom, you have no way of knowing if I even own a TV or have cable capable of airing that “truly, truly lame media company” OR the children’s news channel (MSNBC).
I may be a sucker for a sale on shoes, but I will put my common sense up against that of any liberal.
There was not a single point I made in my last comment that ventured from reality. That’s why you attacked me, the messenger, rather than my message. I have no idea what world you live in, but I can’t be intimidated to even consider trading the real one I live in.
Stephenson Billings
November 28th, 2012
5:47 pm
Atlas shrugging in UK?
Two-thirds of millionaires left Britain to avoid 50p tax rate
“Almost two-thirds of the country’s million-pound earners disappeared from Britain after the introduction of the 50p top rate of tax, figures have disclosed.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9707029/Two-thirds-of-millionaires-left-Britain-to-avoid-50p-tax-rate.html
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 28th, 2012
5:54 pm
JDW, telling part of the truth once again. I have looked at the charts, and you are right about what you posted regarding who voted for Barry, however, you left out some details.
College Graduates by a large majority voted for Romney, yes the people with advanced degrees did vote for Barry. Hanging around the college campus too long results in a skewed version of America.
Also the people who had less than a HS degree voted for Obama by a huge margin. People with only a high school degree also voted by a large margin for Barry. I guess that is the illiterate crowd that Pravda said elected Barry.
Romney did not score well with the under educated crowd, he doesn’t do Al Green or Gangnam.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 28th, 2012
5:55 pm
President Obama has signed into law a bill that requires U.S. airlines be excluded from European carbon emissions fees.
——————
ROFLMGDAO!!
B-b-b-b-but what about the sea levels?
MarkV
November 28th, 2012
5:56 pm
md @ 5:33 pm
Read my post @ 4:49 pm again.
But if you want an answer for simpletons to your question: There is no such thing as a “steady temperature for the past 16 years.” The temperature always fluctuates, because the natural variability is superimposed on the steady warming trend caused by greenhouse gases.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 28th, 2012
5:58 pm
MarkV: [Deniers] go by what the media are telling, instead of what the earth and science are telling.
——————-
I wonder what Obozo is going by. I guess he’s “anti-science” eh?
You Obozo receptacles are such idiotic suckers. You’ll swallow anything, as long as it’s delivered after election day. Chumps.
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 28th, 2012
5:59 pm
what the earth and science are telling.
Ok, Mark, what did the earth tell you today? I spoke with the moon, but I didn’t expect an answer.
Sunny
November 28th, 2012
6:01 pm
Lil Barry
You seem to be perturbed from the election results. Be a man and grow up. Election was 3 weeks ago.
You are a funny little tike, yes you are.
carlosgvv
November 28th, 2012
6:01 pm
Tiberius
Neither I nor any other liberal here refer to Obama as our “Messiah”.
And yet, you keep refering to him as “our Messiah”.
I wonder why that is?
Also, I’m really worried about your education. Spending so much time posting here reduces your homeschool study time and makes it problematic that you’ll ever get that high school diploma. Son, even a rich mommie and daddy can’t give you a very good life if your eighth grade education is as good as it gets.
md
November 28th, 2012
6:05 pm
From that link:
“Far from raising funds, it actually cost the UK £7 billion in lost tax revenue. ”
I’d wager that the folks doing the projections never factor that stuff into their narrative. It’s time to understand that technology has made the world a very small place and there are plenty of favorable places for the ones with money to reside. People with money didn’t get it by giving it away……….
MarkV
November 28th, 2012
6:12 pm
Why bother to answer products of idiotic minds, like those @5:58 pm and @5:59?
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 28th, 2012
6:15 pm
John Q: Tib usually calls him “Idiot Messiah”
————————–
I do believe you’re confused, or lying. It’s hard to tell with Obozobots.
“Idiot Messiah” was my appellation for your Big-Eared Retard Prince–I’m not aware of Tiberius having used it at all.
While the name certainly captures the essence of Obozo, it is just slightly ambiguous regarding the object of the “Idiot” modifier…the messiah himself, or his moocher, parasite acolytes.
md
November 28th, 2012
6:16 pm
When we are talking billions of years Mark, steady means not much fluctuation. You can use average if it makes you feel better, but the underlying point remains the same…..the temp isn’t going up or down for the most part…..it’s holding “steady” year over year.
Stephenson Billings
November 28th, 2012
6:17 pm
md @ 6:05:
Well those of us who pay attention to such things predicted something like that would happen. It’s happening in France too with their new 75% tax rate. To quote Warren Buffett “Tax Hikes On Rich Would “Raise Morale Of The Middle Class” “…. and that’s probably all it would raise.
CC
November 28th, 2012
6:20 pm
MarkV:
“They go by what the media are telling, instead of what the earth and science are telling.”
I assume that the earth and the scientists speak directly to you? Yessiree, no media between you, the earth and scientists! I am surprised that you alight from your lofty perch to even converse with mere scientists!
Sunny
November 28th, 2012
6:21 pm
Lil Barry
No longer has to sit in a high chair. It is booster seats and step stools from here on out…..
He is raring to go. Don’t get too excited and fall off that step stool.
Barry will huff and puff and do nothing…………… wa wa wa
Sunny
November 28th, 2012
6:24 pm
CC
And I assume you have your opinions on the issue from talking directly to scientists?
Thought so
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 28th, 2012
6:29 pm
Well, John Q, at least we do stick to one name each.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 28th, 2012
6:30 pm
Sunny, isn’t it about time for a new sockpuppet?
MarkV
November 28th, 2012
6:38 pm
md @6:16 pm
“When we are talking billions of years Mark, steady means not much fluctuation. You can use average if it makes you feel better, but the underlying point remains the same…..the temp isn’t going up or down for the most part…..it’s holding “steady” year over year.”
Wrong.
http://climate.nasa.gov/keyIndicators/
MarkV
November 28th, 2012
6:39 pm
CC @ 6:20 pm
Join those I mentioned @6:12 pm.
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 28th, 2012
6:41 pm
John Q has seen an uptick, do you see leprechauns and unicorns as well? The only uptick is in our insurance premiums and the price of gasoline.
Pat Robertson
November 28th, 2012
6:42 pm
md
At least you are talking millions of years and not the 6000 years that some evangelicals love to tell the world about.
Good for you.
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 28th, 2012
6:44 pm
Oh, I forgot John, the unemployment rate is really up, since your guy assumed command. Now, I understand the uptick you speak of unemployment, gasoline prices, and insurance premiums. Now he wants to uptick everyones taxes.
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 28th, 2012
6:48 pm
Who owned the thermometer and where did they record the temperature in 1492? Does anyone know?
Alter Ego
November 28th, 2012
6:48 pm
Kyle,
You’re correct, he had no choice, but I doubt the question of sovereignty really came into mind.
Besides the obvious negative economic impact, it would also raise the specter of a retaliatory tariff-neither of these is appealing options. At least the end justifies the means for a change.
getalife
November 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
Did that hurt you Kyle?
Our President is competent and quietly leaving a good legacy.
We should all be thanking him.
CC
November 28th, 2012
6:53 pm
MarkV:
I’ll be proud to join those esteemed individuals! You’re really a funny little guy! Your posts always bring a smile to my face! I’ve always kind of assumed that you’re jesting about 99% of the time. Keep up the humorous stuff ’cause we all need some comic relief!
CC
November 28th, 2012
6:57 pm
Uh, oh! Bookman’s village is missing another of its biggest idiots!
Black Label
November 28th, 2012
7:06 pm
“Uh, oh! Bookman’s village is missing another of its biggest idiots!”
No CC, you are not being missed.
Kamchak - You cons said Elmer Fudd could defeat Obama, so why didn't you nominate him?
November 28th, 2012
7:07 pm
No CC, you are not being missed.
Probably one of the banned ones.
Elections Have Consequences
November 28th, 2012
7:31 pm
“Our President is competent and quietly leaving a good legacy. We should all be thanking him.”
Utterly absurd. If the man had displayed any competence, the country/world wouldn’t be stressing over the pending so-called ‘fiscal cliff’.
Lil' Barry Bailout - OBAMAPHONE!!!
November 28th, 2012
7:34 pm
John Q: [Rafe] lays bare the true extent of his complete and utter ingorance: “the unemployment rate is really up, since your guy assumed command”.
————————–
Well, Rafe is correct.
Don’t fear facts.
Kamchak - You cons said Elmer Fudd could defeat Obama, so why didn't you nominate him?
November 28th, 2012
7:37 pm
…the country/world wouldn’t be stressing over the pending so-called ‘fiscal cliff’.
A manufactured poutrage that you obviously fell for.
Have you responded to the email from the Nigerian prince yet?
Do you have Prince Albert in the can?
Is your refrigerator running?
Too funny!
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 28th, 2012
7:40 pm
John Q you were saying?
The highest unemployment rates under each of the last few presidents were:
Bush I –7.8%, Clinton — 7.1%, Bush II — 7.8% , Obama — 10%.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20120707060912AAhSpwT
That is OK, the Koolaid was good anyway, right? But, remember what you mother always said … if you do not know the correct answer, don’t answer, because if you open your keyboard, you will remove all doubt, or something to that effect.
CC
November 28th, 2012
7:42 pm
“Have you responded to the email from the Nigerian prince yet?”
No, your posts more than adequately fill that void.
md
November 28th, 2012
7:43 pm
“At least you are talking millions of years and not the 6000 years that some evangelicals love to tell the world about.”
Agnostics tend to be open to all possibilities………hence the definition.
If one wanted to play that game and were open minded, one would understand that if there is an all powerful single god, he can create any illusion he wants to……so the 6000 number would be back in play as the 4 billion year old earth would be that way by design……..
Tiberius - pulling the tail of the left AND right
November 28th, 2012
7:43 pm
I wonder if John Q / Sunny / Black label will have the stones to apologize to me for claiming I ever used the term Idiot Messiah in a post.
Not holding my breath waiting. . .
Rafe Hollister, dreading the eventual decline caused by Obamanism
November 28th, 2012
7:44 pm
CC, you are always a good read, just wondering about the capitalization, you used to be cc now CC. Did you get a promotion?
Kamchak - You cons said Elmer Fudd could defeat Obama, so why didn't you nominate him?
November 28th, 2012
7:46 pm
…just wondering about the capitalization, you used to be cc now CC.
A classic case of not paying attention when signing back in after doing the sock-puppet thingie.