Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Environmental Protection Agency v. EME Homer City Generation: The interstate air emissions standards ruling is in.

Monday's ruling has implications for climate mitigation too, since it essentially legitimates the "cap" theory part of cap and trade. It also re-legitimated the old liberal arts "great books" notion that classic English-language literature, from Chaucer through Shakespeare to Twain and Steinberg, remains a fundamental font of modern culture. It simply goes to show, you can know everything there is to know about math or technical subjects like climate change or solar power, all my bread and butter stuff, but you need to know where our language comes from too.

I'm re-reading Bryson's Shakespeare, The World as Stage, and was reminded of just how many everyday phases we use came from such literature, especially Shakespeare himself.

In this case, Justice Ginsberg ruled directly from the King James Bible, “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth.”

http://www.scotusblog.com/2014/04/opinion-analysis-paying-for-blocking-ill-winds/

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/apr/29/us-supreme-court-air-pollution-ruling-obama

I liked Mr. Art Lien's courtroom sketch of Justice Ginsberg delivering her apparently biblical ruling in this case so much, I though you should see it. I could almost hear the words coming out of her mouth.

But only a thumbprint. Go to the original post to see the real thing.


Justice Ginsburg announces the opinion of the Court. (Art Lien) 


(Henry V, Act III, chorus) 

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