James Fallows sums up a recent — bipartisan! — bill that harnesses no-nothing jingoism to kill off joint research into clean carbon technology with China:
So, the Democrat makes sure the U.S. doesn’t do clean energy research with the one partner that matters most. And the Republican makes sure we don’t do it anywhere else, except with Israel.
In fairness to Rep. Sherman, his comments on the floor make clear that he was offering his “don’t deal with China” amendment as a “moderate” alternative to Harris’s “don’t deal with anyone (except Israel).” This is the state of bipartisan debate: the alternative to complete, destructive flat-Earthism (the Harris amendment) is targeted, specific, “moderate” flat-Earthism (the Sherman amendment). Rather than choose, the House embraces them both.
Yay Congress! Yet another legislative moment for us all to be proud of.
