Leo,
I appreciate your commentary. Mayor White's position on demonstrators has a lot to do with power and authority. Politicians use power to make changes and desire that the public give them authority in return. The tribute of authority results in allegiance, money, and hopefully, votes. Some demonstrations effectively shift power in new directions. When this happens, the people distribute little or no authority to politicians but share it among themselves. Bill White is obviously happy with the recent partial victory against antiquated coal plants. In this case, his motives legitimately match the motives of demonstrators. I like Bill White but his lack of respect for citizens of direct action strikes me as a little greedy. In these times, greed can quickly lead to power shortages.

Keith,

Your comments are insightful and helps further my thinking on the issue. The mayor must feel he's walking a political tightrope on environmental issues, and maybe he is. He has to meet the increasing demands of an energized left, and he has to move at a pace that he thinks is acceptable to business. He therefore spends his time with both contituencies "softening them up." My own message on the air was itself political: don't think liberal progressives are going to lay down their demands. Not that the mayor either listened or cares what I said.

Leo