Bush: He Thaid "Global Climate Change"

If you don't get my "thaid" reference, I will refer you to the late 1990s cartoon series "Beavis & Butt-head."

Frequently the show's two slacker teen characters were shown watching mindless tv, or listening to a lecture from a teacher. And when those observed characters uttered something lame, Butt-head would cast scorn on that pronouncement by uttering... "he thaid...(rather than said).

That was my first reaction when to my mild amusement, I heard oilman-turned-President George W. Bush say the words "climate change" in last night's SOTU.

For the record, Bush said:

"America's on the verge of technological breakthroughs that will enable us to live our lives less dependent on oil. And these technologies will help us be better stewards of the environment, and they will help us to confront the serious challenge of global climate change."

Hmm, must have taken him great pains to utter these words.

Although he didn't say "global warming." Too much to expect there.

Maybe its a start- like saying "I am an alcoholic." Bush may have uttered those words back when he was younger.

Now that he's taken that first step in terms of admitting that global climate change is a "challenge," then I have a couple of challenges for you, Mr. President.

How about endorsing caps on carbon dioxide from electrical power plants, which are said to contribute 40 percent of global warming- OK, "climate changing" greenhouse emissions.

What about signing the Kyoto Protocol?

Think of it this way, Mr. President. If we combat "global climate change" now, all those precious stem cells that will grow up to be children (and won't be left behind, in the educational sense) will thank you for the clean air.

Not only that, but the Republican-leaning private-equity financiers that seem to be seizing an economic hold on this nation will still have snow around which to build ski resorts.