Third in a series.
Re: “Idle Words of Trump Worry Wolkowitz”
Climate change is a serious factor in the life of former Culver City Mayor Ed Wolkowitz.
He is a model for doubters or deniers to observe and emulate.
“I started doing something about climate change 12 years ago,” said the Century City attorney.
“We put in solar. My house is a solar house.
“We have eliminated all of our (former) lighting. It is now LED lighting.
“We have eliminated our front yard – which is partly because of climate change and partly the drought.
“Our front yard,” said Mr. Wolkowitz, “is now drought resistant, drought tolerant. We no longer have grass in our front yard.”
Even he, however, has limits.
“Climate change notwithstanding, I am not giving up my Porsche.”
No Prius? “Not for me,” Mr. Wolkowitz said. “If (my wife) Marla (a former School Board member) wants a Prius, that is her prerogative. But I am not driving a Prius.”
A dedicated progressive, the former Hizzoner earlier expressed concern about the incoming administration of President-elect Trump.
A little more than a month before the Trump inauguration, is he more curious or worried about the next four Trump years?
Wrinkling his brow, Mr. Wolkowitz said “worried is the wrong word. I am very concerned. I believe all of the commentaries describing our President-elect as a loose cannon. The problem is while his base can say ‘he doesn’t mean what he says,’ I am not sure the rest of the world feels that way.
“When we were in Japan recently, the mood there is one of extreme concern. People from all other countries we have spoken with feel the same.
“Last summer when we were in Europe, people wondered how someone like Mr. Trump could be running in a country like ours.”
Still, the Trump dilemma is not unique, Mr. Wolkowitz said.
“We are talking about populist, right-wing movements. Look at Italy, the Philippines, in France where a party has gotten a lot more traction, and in Germany it’s really scary, the Netherlands.
“There are a lot of Trump-like characteristics all over the world.
“A lot of the problem is immigrants. But,” said Mr. Wolkowitz, “you don’t solve a problem by turning your back on it. There should not be any kind of ban on Muslims – just on people who mean to do us harm.”
