Hillary Heckled At Enviro Forum As Dems Vow A Greener America

LOS ANGELES - Hillary Clinton was peppered by anti-war hecklers at a presidential forum on climate change and energy policy, leading to the forceful expulsion of one protester from the audience.

"How can you say you're for the environment when you are always voting for war?" local activist Tyghe Berry shouted out as he stood up from his seat in the audience and interrupted the front-running Democratic candidate as she vowed to make America green if elected President.

"Were you invited to speak here this afternoon?" responded a visibly perturbed Senator Clinton. Berry was then immediately grabbed by security agents and rushed to a waiting police car by a phalanx of LAPD and federal officers. When Senator Clinton was introduced earlier to the forum she was met with both loud cheers and scattered boos from the predominantly Democratic and liberal audience of approximately 1,000.

The momentary disruption was the emotional high point of an otherwise sedate Saturday afternoon forum that lacked any of the drama or vigor that marked the Democratic debate two nights ago in Las Vegas.

Only candidates Clinton, John Edwards and Dennis Kucinich appeared at the forum on Global Warming & America's Energy future organized by Grist magazine and Public Radio International's Living on Earth and endorsed by a coalition of environmental organizations.

All three participating candidates offered similar promises to push green policies, move America away from reliance on foreign oil, and to reduce greenhouse gases. But the format of the debate allowed no interaction or exchanges between the candidates nor any questions from the public. The panel of three selected questioners asked no challenging questions, allowing the candidates a relatively unobstructed opportunity to promote their respective environmental campaigns.

All presidential contenders of both parties were invited to participate in the debate. No Republicans accepted. Clinton, Edwards and Kucinich were the only declared Democratic candidates that participated in the forum, staged at the Wadsworth Theater on the grounds of the Veterans Administration in West Los Angeles.

Before she was interrupted by the heckling, Clinton, referring to the latest U.N. report on the threat of global warming told the crowd that "we can't afford to fiddle as the world warms." She denounced President George W. Bush as having led an administration that has "dodged, denied and dissembled on the most important global issue."

Relying on what has now become standard Democratic campaign boilerplate, Clinton vowed to take away tax subsidies from oil companies, raise fuel efficiency standards, and promised to "put 5 million Americans to work making America green."

Clinton stressed her three major environmental goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80% from 1990 levels by 2050, cutting foreign oil imports by two-thirds by 2030 and by accelerating a shift away from a carbon-based economy. Prior to today's forum, the Clinton campaign released a painstakingly detailed, statistic-laden twelve-page paper outlining her climate change and energy policy.

But a plan is "just words on the page" and requires strong leadership to implement, Clinton said, repeating a theme of her own touted experience she first floated earlier this year during a Democratic debate on health care. "If you're ready for change, I'm ready to lead," she said.

"What's the magic you bring?" debate moderator and public radio host Steve Curwood asked Clinton, referring to earlier and unfilled presidential promises to better the environment, including those of her husband.

Clinton responded by saying the population's heightened interest in the issue will now make fulfilling those promises much easier. Increasing global cooperation, Clinton said, should also raise optimism.

Edwards, who has recently escalated his criticism of Clinton, didn't use his time on stage today to directly confront his opponent but, nevertheless, made several less-than-subtle suggestions that his approach sharply differed from that of hers. Edwards made several references to a lobbyist-ridden and "corrupt" government, echoing earlier campaign themes that Clinton was too complicit with such special interests. He also suggested that Clinton and others in the Democratic field were pandering to sympathetic constituencies by not admitting the real level of sacrifice that a transition to a greener economy would demand.

"The American people are ready for a president who calls them to sacrifice and asks them to be patriotic about something other than war," Edwards. "'The big change we need is not going to be easy... and will take the efforts of a generation to achieve." Edwards also denounced the war in Iraq, vowed to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, and said it was embarrassing that America was now debating whether or not torture should be official U.S. policy.

When asked by The Huffington Post after the forum what most distinguishes his environmental policies from those of Senator Clinton, Edwards said "we're more emphatic in the need to reduce the corrupting powers in Washington that keep these things from getting done."

Today's debate couldn't be more timely, coming exactly one day after the U.N.'s Nobel Prize-winning panel on climate change released its fourth and final report on global warming, warning that even the most strenuous efforts at reducing greenhouse gas levels would be coming too late and that the world now has little choice but to prepare for and accept "abrupt and irreversible" climate changes.

"We need the magnitude of the political response to match the magnitude of the problem," said activist Laurie David, one of the organizers of the debate.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who introduced the forum, took the opportunity to denounce the policies of the Bush Administration, which he accused of downplaying the threat of global warming.

"It's about time we had someone in the White House who actually believes in science," he said to a cheering crowd.

Back-of-the-pack candidate Dennis Kucinich led off his onstage remarks linking the environmental issue to his trademark anti-war policy. "The U.S. must lead the way in abolishing all nuclear weapons," Kucinich said. And he called the current Pentagon refitting of B-2 bombers allegedly ready to bomb suspected nuclear facilities in Iran as a "war-crime in motion," said the veteran Ohio congressman.

Kucinich offered few details of an environmental program but instead proposed a "Green Works" administration that would demand that all of its agencies and departments be dedicated to a sustainable environment.

"It's time to make government an engine of sustainability," he said.

Kucinich boasted of his outsider status, asking how it would be to "imagine a President of the United States not tied to any of these interest groups," he said referring to politically powerful energy, utility and extraction lobbies.

The Democratic candidates differ less on environmental issues than on most any other major policy area. But there are some notable exceptions. Among the top tier candidates, only Edwards has ruled out further development and extension of nuclear power while Obama and Clinton have said they would support more nuclear plants but only attached to a series of broader environmental incentives. The pro-environmental Friends of the Earth recently endorsed Edwards because of his anti-nuke position.

Taking place literally next door to the campus of UCLA, the debate attracted very few students as the middle-aged and elderly seemed to dominate the audience.

Among the many organizations con-sponsoring the forum was the League of Conservation voters, whose endorsement is usually considered a prized catch for any presidential campaign.

The Saturday morning debate lacked nearly all of the pyrotechnics that marked the televised confrontation Thursday among the Democratic candidates who converged on Las Vegas for a CNN-sponsored forum. More than 4 million viewers watched a virtual slugfest in which Hillary Clinton responded to criticism from rivals Barack Obama and John Edwards by accusing them of "throwing mud...right out of the Republican playbook."

Today's environmental forum, however, generated little media attention and went mostly un-noticed by the general public. Several reporters covering the presidential race seemed unaware of the event until the last moment and later criticized its organizers for poor outreach and promotion. The debate started almost an hour behind schedule.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and former Vice President Al Gore are meanwhile trying to organize their own bipartisan presidential debate on energy and climate change for next month in New Hampshire. Reports say they want the event to take place before the first-in-the-nation Iowa caucuses scheduled for January 3. With two such high-profiles organizing the December debate in a key battleground states, it's likely that, in contrast to today's event, most if not all the major candidates will agree to attend.

Comments

[thatvisionthing]

If Senator Gravel wasn't invited, I'm glad somebody stood up and asked Hillary a real question, which you will note she did not answer. And I question the word "heckled."

A shout out to the chompie below: "I was in the audience. When the man stood up and spoke out I felt like I was at a republican meeting. It was astonishing how fast he was taken out. Those sitting next to him must have been trampled. Hillary went right on talking, but I felt so sick." Bump.

[LeftCoastOracle]

I'm disappointed that Marc didn't recognize the Forum for itself, instead insisting on calling it a debate and then bitching because there wasn't one. This is an example of very poor reporting.

I'm fed up with news organizations focusing on political analysis instead of policy analysis and urge HuffPo to get their act together.

Anyone who wants to learn what the candidates said could probably get video form their websites; I know John Edwards' whole appearance is up on his.

[afml]

It's disappointing to see that the headline of the article was Hillary heckled, rather than the substance of the afternoon (not morning) which was a discussion and conversation among candidates and a panel in the environmental movement. The majority of the audience yelled at the heckler to sit down and shut up - and many also cautioned the guards not to hurt him as he was dragged out - but people were definitely there to listen. I thought the questions good and the candidates' answers considered, refreshing to hear complete sentences that go on for a few minutes rather than 30 second sound bites. When it comes to real problems, I prefer intelligent talk to shouted drama. And Hillary Clinton did not look perturbed at all to me, she handled the heckler well. She had her viewpoint of what she thought could realistically be passed and talked about the bill Barbara Boxer is currently working on. Edwards definitely has a more optimistic view of what he thinks he could get the congress to pass and of the American people's willingness to support environmental change. Clinton said there are parts of the country where she mentions global warming and the crowd goes silent. Kucinech proposed a guaranteed living wage for every US citizen, expanding upon the question what are you going to do about the coal miners who are going to lose their livelyhood, if you don't crush the union the way Margaret Thatcher did in the UK. I don't think a universal wage is going to happen - I'd be happy for movement on universal health care. As for no Republicans present - do they even believe there is a climate crisis? Wouldn't anything that comes out of the UN be suspect to them?

[marcialosangeles]

I attended the environmental forum in LA last Saturday and was very annoyed at the heckler--and surprised that you even mentioned him by name! We are fortunate that all the Dem candidates have the environment and energy on their agendas. If the heckler, who had on a CODE PINK t-shirt under his outer shirt wants to express his views about the war, then he should do so outside, or, better yet, to the Republican candidates. Personally, I found him offensive.

[chompie]

In an ideal world, Dennis Kucinich would be the nominee for the liberals in the audience at the Nov. 17 forum. It looks like Edwards has a chance of getting elected and he can inspire change. I was in the audience. When the man stood up and spoke out I felt like I was at a republican meeting. It was astonishing how fast he was taken out. Those sitting next to him must have been trampled. Hillary went right on talking, but I felt so sick. I still haven't ocmpletely made up my mind about who to vote for, but I am strongly leaning towards Edwards. I think Joe Biden had a great idea - have debates on one topic - like the environment, Iraq, health care, etc., and let people explain their positions. Then we can make an informed decision on who we feel best represents us. One more thing - it was mentioned that most of the audience was elderly or middle-aged. While waiting in line, I saw many different ages. What I noticed was a group of people who are committed to the environment and actually take action on things that matter to them - protesting cutting down old oak trees in Santa Monica, placing crosses on the beach to commemorate the dead in Iraq, etc. It was also wonderful to be around people who share your views.

[LeeFromVA]

Hillary likes all her audience members to be invited. She also likes to feed them questions. Sounds like one of Bush's Town Hall meetings.

[thatvisionthing]

"Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who introduced the forum" --

VILLARAIGOSA!! The guy who sold out LA's South Central Farmers after campaiging there and promising to support them? The guy who let LA's only 14 acres of green crops worked by and supporting 300 families go back to the guy who wanted to pave it and stick a Wal-Mart warehouse on it? Gee, that's NICE.

[thatvisionthing]

Was Senator Gravel asked to come?

[Antonio518]

If Hillary were a Democrat, she would invite the heckler up on the stage and have him express his point of view. That's democracy, something she has no inkling of. Continuing to talk over him and ignoring him shows a real weakness, a fear of dialog, and a lack of firm convictions. Would that we had a president that was willing (and able) to engage someone who disgreed with him/her!

[calibpatriot]

All of the Republican and Democratic candidates were invited to appear at the forum on cliomate change and energy in L.A. It's really incredible that of all of the candidates only three Democrats and no Republicans appeared. Those issues of climate change and energy are, along with ending the U.S. occupation of Iraq and stopping Cheney's march to war with Iran, the most important issues facing our country now.

[James47]

So Senator Clinton, whats your game plan? Tossing Hecklers out into the waiting hands of the New Gestapo is a Bushista tactic.

What gives lady? You don't seem all that far off from Bush and Cheney Lady. To bad President Bill is not around to put you in your place. Guess you have successfully emasculated him somehow. To bad to as I would vote for Bill Clinton for a third term in a Heartbeat.

BUT NOT YOU! Senator your a GOP politician in Democratic clothing. Not much left of the original Hillary Clinton in this version. "Don't like it, nope don't like it at all..." Horse in Ren and Stimpy Cartoon after test driving a litter box of new, IMPROVED kitty litter!

[dalelegan]

Getting Rid of Federal Oversight of Hemp is the biggest Enviormental thing that any President can do. States that have Industrial Hemp Laws can't get liscences from the DEA to grow it.

Hemp is 4 times more efficient that corn in making ethanol and requires little pesticides and fertilzers. Farming is the biggest polluter in the US in case you didn't know. Hemp is a great rotation crop with corn and enriches the soil. The soil will need much less fertilizer. It fights soil errosion and compaction. The eliminatoin of ferral hemp from places like banglidesh have caused terrible soil errosion and much suffering.

The elimination of Hemp in 1913 (coincidence the fed was set up then??) really hurt the American Farmer for many years and was a factor in the dust bowl.

Hemp has thousands of industrial uses that can replace petro-chemicals. Bio-degradable plastics, fuels, paints... It burns very hot and can replace coal for power plants. 1 acre of hemp replaces 20 acres of trees for pulp.

Hemp will cut down on CO2 tremendously, more than any other plant. Because of its unique properties the entire process of growing, making ethanol and burning it removes Co2 from the air.

Ron PAul on the record / Global Warming
http://grist.org/feature/2007/10/16/paul/

The "war on drugs" =Foreing Policy and Pakistan. The when the new govt was set up many farmers were excited that there was discussion of liscening them for medical distribution of morphine / buying there production. Both hemp and opium are a very big part of their culture. G.W. turned the local farmers against us when he chose to extend the war on drugs to Afghanistan rather than helping meet the world wide shortage of morphine in poor countries by certifying Afghanistan as a medical supplier, HE Alienated the Tribal Chiefs.

Hemp can replace PetroChemical for thousands of industrial uses. Go to Abovetheig­norance.or­g and find the real reason hemp was outlawed. RonPaul2008.com
Green without empowering a socailist facist state like all other candidates.

[gardenbookie]

We're all ready for a "fresh face" and "new ideas". Most of us are sick to death of the "family regimes" that have occupied the White House for....how many years?
The ONLY non-candidate candiate that will take immediate and obvious action on our global climate issues is Al Gore.

[Truthortradition]

I'm proud of Hillary for taking care of the heckler in a professional manner. Like Bill Maher, she too knows what the word "audience" means. Look it up in the dictionary and you will discover for yourself that asking a person in the audience to shut up, is in NO WAY, stifling free speech. Remember what Maher did when hecklers tried to interrupt his show? He got downright nasty, as he should have, in order to regain order in the room. Hillary did the same thing, only in a more professional manner, without using four letter words. Go Hillary.

[Kontessa]

So much for Democracy in action. What will these sheltered politicians who are totally responsible for the murder and mayhem in the Middle East do if this nation gets off its collective, passive derierre and really begins to speak out and against all of them, their agitprop, and their failed policies.

At least the questioner didn't get dragged out by his hair as was done at a Bush rally during the 2004 pres. election.
I wonder if Dems will be forced to sign loyalty agreements like the Republicans were, before being allowed to enter a totally staged campaign event?
Why bother to go, I ask?

Hillary voted not only for the illegal invasion of Iraq but for everything Bush has wanted since.
Does anyone think she is going to tear down those illegal mega bases or that 'biggest embassy in the world' in Iraq?
Hillary is good at one thing; lecturing and avoiding answering questions, she and Bush have more in common than we might like to think.

And still. even after all these years, I can't help wondering what Rep. Nita Lowey, who got shoved aside for Hillary, must be thinking now?