Good Ed, Bad Ed
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March 24, 2011
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AMID THE ongoing nuclear worries in Japan, Representative Ed Markey was bracingly outspoken. He sounded a wise note of caution about domestic nuclear power, pressuring both President Obama and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to force nuclear power plant operators to adhere to the highest standards. Markey’s statements have been a vital counterweight to the increasingly common — and dangerously naive — sentiment that the situation in Japan can be pinned on a once-in-a-lifetime confluence of factors rather than the inherent danger of under-regulated nuclear power.
Alas, Markey has also been bracingly frank on Libya — and may end up fueling conspiracy theories the size of SUVs. During a Monday appearance on MSNBC, he said that while he supports the United State joining the multinational effort to protect Libyan civilians and oust Colonel Moammar Khadafy, “[W]e’re in Libya because of oil.’’ This could feed cynicism about American foreign policy, and it’s at odds with the facts: The strongest voices in favor of intervention — and the ones Obama clearly listened to — were warning of humanitarian disaster, not higher oil prices.
Markey also cited the humanitarian justification for the intervention, and endorsed the aspirations of the Libyan people. But it’s important that the Arab world understand that the United States is acting to save Arab lives, not to covet Arab resources. Markey needs to be crystal-clear on that point.
Markey should be praised for speaking his mind, of course. As dean of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, he’s one of the state’s best advocates in Washington. He’s also a visionary leader in energy policy. But not every policy decision comes down to energy.
© Copyright 2011 Globe Newspaper Company.
