Change in Regulating Carbon Emissions from Power Plants Calls To Mind the Words of Frederick Douglass

I had a short but interesting conversation with a friend earlier today about gay rights and the remarkable progress that the gay community has made in eroding the stigma attached to homosexuality and gaining social parity with heterosexuals in such a short period of time.  “I don’t object to the outcome for gays here,” my friend said, “but I do resent their being so aggressive and ‘in-your-face” about the demands they make.”

I understand my friend’s concerns, but I asked her to keep in mind that an aggressive attack is the only thing that got them the results they were looking for.   Let’s not forget the words of Frederick Douglass, American author, abolitionist and slave:

“Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will. Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them, and these will continue till they are resisted with either words or blows, or both. The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress.”

Today is a particularly appropriate time to reflect on this fantastically important concept, as U.S. President Obama has issued his new proposals for regulating carbon emissions from power plants. IMO, it’s a very good start, and we must realize that the only reason it happened was a crescendo of voices from people like you and me.

We have more power than we know.

Keep at it.