Thursday, October 23, 2008

A N.J. Quiz for U.S. Senatorial Candidates

Gannett's holding a live faceoff in New Jersey as I type: Zimmer and Lautenberg are meeting in person -- and they're taking questions from New Jersey daily newspapers and the chain's wire service live and via teleconference. The whole shebang is available live and on demand via the Internet.

The mechanism for offering up reader questions to their editorial board session was not clear to me upon clicking through at the start of the candidates' forum, but one question occurred to me last night that I'd like to hear both candidates address. I'm curious to hear whether they each accept the premise that the climate is trending toward global warming and, if they do, what they feel must be done in America's coastal communities to prepare for it.

Candid answers from both U.S. senatorial candidates, incumbent Frank Lautenberg and former Central Jersey Congressman Dick Zimmer, would shed light on their philosophy and, perhaps, coming practicalities. Zimmer has a reputation for being a person who would like to discredit "bad science." He was proactive on the dangers presented by radon in New Jersey buildings. At this moment, people in coastal communities, New Jersey's included, are dealing with federal efforts to remap the flood plains. New flood maps will certainly hit homeowners in the pocket book when new flood insurance is required. If the maps are accurate, they may describe the potential for coming natural disasters and weather crises.

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