Michael Bloomberg rescues American dignity. Georgina Bloomberg rides at Devon.

Sunday, June 4, 2017


Yesterday the Washington Post (among others) reported that Michael Bloomberg flew to Paris to assure the United Nations that, in the absence of U.S. presidential leadership, Americans would keep their commitment to our planet.

From the story:

Former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg has promised to provide up to $15 million in funding that he says the United Nations will lose because of President Trump’s decision to pull out from the landmark Paris climate deal.

The billionaire’s charitable organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies, on Thursday pledged to shoulder the United States’ share in the operating costs of the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, the organization’s climate negotiating body in charge of helping developing countries fulfill environmental requirements under the 2015 pact.

“Americans are not walking away from the Paris Climate Agreement. Just the opposite — we are forging ahead,” Bloomberg said in a statement. “Mayors, governors, and business leaders from both political parties are signing onto a statement of support that we will submit to the UN — and together, we will reach the emission reduction goals that the U.S. made in Paris in 2015.”

Bloomberg was speaking on behalf of all of those Americans, the great majority of Americans, who recognize that we can't put up walls and live fiefdoms. We share this world, this air, this water. Climate change is real.

Downcast by so much of the news, Bill and I went to the Devon Horse Show last night, where Georgina Bloomberg, the former mayor's daughter, has been a frequent guest. In a field of 37 horses, she earned jump-off round status and a yellow ribbon, one of which she gave to a child in the crowd. Rooting for her, I was also rooting for her father, and for all of those who are standing up and saying, No. America can still be great because American citizens are.

This is Georgina, above. I was lucky to have a standing spot right at the gate.

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