So goes the joke: If you're freezing and starving in the dark because the green movement made energy and food ever more expensive, eat an environmentalist. But the thing about the left is, you can't lampoon them because their actual behavior is ludicrous in itself. The latest example is "Earth Hour" at 8pm this Saturday, when the World Wildlife Fund wants everyone's lights off to signal alarm about global warming -- and Mayor John Hickenlooper is of course genuflecting to the "Go dark" ritual on Denver's behalf.
If you thought technology, progress, and the advance of civilization were leading to a brighter future for all of us, rich and poor alike -- especially the poor, ahem, Mr. Mayor -- the joke's on you. A darker, chillier, hungrier future is in store if the gloomy greenies get their way, which they seem to be doing.
"Darkness was cheap, and Scrooge liked it," Dickens tells us. The same Hick who tried to steal Christmas off the facade of city hall a couple of Decembers ago is now leading the lights-out brigade for the Mile High City, just in time for April Fool's. No shining city on a hill for him.
Here's how the World Wildlife Fund explains the Earth Hour stunt: "Cities around the world will join together in literally turning off the lights for one hour to offer leadership and symbolize their commitment to finding climate change solutions. Lights will be turned off at iconic buildings and national landmarks from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Local businesses and restaurants will also be asked to turn off their lights. People at home can take advantage of the hour by replacing their standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs."
Doing the latter by candlelight, we presume; no flashlights allowed either.
Cross-posted on the Gang of Four blog at PoliticsWest.com