The Competitive Enterprise Institute Daily Update
Issues in the News<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office” />
1. TECHNOLOGY
Researchers at the University of California–Irvine classify discarded cell phones as “hazardous waste.”
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Adjunct Analyst Dana Joel Gattuso on what kind of threat is posed by discarded electronics and computer parts: <?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = U1 />
“Widespread panic among lawmakers is based on misinformation spread largely by powerful eco-activist groups who believe the growing amount of electronic waste reflects the ills of a “throw-away” society and that recycling e-waste is our moral obligation to achieve “zero waste tolerance.” Among the myths bandied about are that e-waste is growing at an uncontrollable, “exponential” rate; and that heavy metals contained in computers are leaking out of the landfills, poisoning our ground soil.”
2. CULTURE
Radio talk show host Don Imus continues to garner criticism for insulting comments made on the air.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Center for Entrepreneurship Director John Berlau contrasts the Imus scandal to the litany of racist comments made over the years by environmental activists:
“Don Imus has taken a lot of grief for his inappropriate remarks, but the media have yet to hold environmentalists like these individuals accountable for their pattern of vicious and bigoted comments. The worst part is that unlike Imus, the ill will of many environmentalists toward minorities and humans in general has been allowed to influence destructive public policy decisions, such as the DDT ban and the lack of flood protection for <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = “urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags” />New Orleans.”
3. POLITICS
Penguin Press prepares to publish a new book by Al Gore, titled “The Assault on Reason.”
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Adjunct Scholar Fran Smith speculates on the motive behind the book’s release:
“According to its description, Al’s book will go far beyond the theme of global warming and provide – ‘A visionary analysis of how the politics of fear, secrecy, cronyism, and blind faith has combined with the degration [sic] of the public sphere to create an environment dangerously hostile to reason.’ Sounds like it will be harder to do a PowerPoint presentation for this one and win an Academy Award. Maybe he’s aiming his sights instead at the National Book Awards, the Pulitzer Prize . . . or the Presidency?”
Blog feature: For more news and analysis, updated throughout the day, visit CEI’s blog, Open Market.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To contact a CEI expert for comment or interviews, please call the CEI communications department at 202-332-2273 or email to [email protected].