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Green Jobs Czar Van Jones not sure what green jobs are

 

Van Jones, the self-described former communist turned Obama "Green Jobs Czar," was interviewed by Newsweek’s Daniel Stone for a July 28, 2009 web-only story.

The article begins:

Washington is spending $60 billion to create the careers of the future, but not a single green job yet exists. Obama’s ‘green czar’ explains.

Except Jones doesn’t really “explain” anything at all. Instead, Jones tells Newsweek that the real problem is that no one in authority can agree about just what a “green job” actually is:

Well, we still don’t have a unified definition, and that’s not unusual in a democracy. It takes a while for all the states and the federal government to come to some agreement. But the Department of Labor is working on it very diligently. Fundamentally, it’s getting there, but we haven’t crossed the finish line yet.

Since Jones literally wrote the book on “green jobs” (2008’s The Green Collar Economy), this revelation doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Indeed, continues the reporter:

Several environmental advocates polled by Newsweek defined green jobs the way Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart famously defined obscenity: I’ll know it when I see it.

Good to know “experts” like that are responsible for spending billions in taxpayer money.

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Conservative Politics Examiner

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Comments

  • Happy Indep 2 years ago
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    A far left radical of the Communist bent is no different than the far left Communists of the GREEN MOVEMENT.

  • Michael Dayan (greencollar.org) 2 years ago
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    I read the Newsweek article and paid close attention to the comment about the definition of greencollar jobs being determined by the DOL. Any such definition will carry heavy policy implications and therefore needs to be made with great consideration. This does not mean that Van Jones is without his own understanding of what a green, or greencollar job, entails. If you read his book, *The Green Collar Economy,* you'll find a very clear definition included just before the foreword. If you're looking for a different definition of these jobs please feel free to check out greencollar.org for a clear definition as well as a comprehensive career center and the industry's largest niche and job board.

  • Tracy Crawford 2 years ago
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    I agree with Michael 100%. If you take the time to read Jones's book before you write a commentary on his abilities and knowledge, you would know that he is very capable and has a strong grasp on what green jobs are and what they should do for our economy and more.

    You have misquoted or misunderstood his statements while immediately showing this disparity with your direct quotes in this piece.

  • Hussein 2 years ago
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    Jones is a SELF CONFESSED COMMUNIST! He is a far left radical and has no place in this government.

  • Cecil Moon 2 years ago
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    What's this "we" crap? "We still don't have a unified definition---" Jones is the czar. Implicit in that word should be the ability to have "green jobs" be whatever he says they are. Jones, you're the boss. If the boss says "it's green" then it's green. Even if it's red.

  • Chris 2 years ago
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    Maybe this Czar person and the other guy took
    the light at the end of the tunnel.Now that sounds like a Green Job. Would someone please put the light back!!!!
    Maybe they have a Green one. Most likely it"s RED.

  • Texas 2 years ago
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    My family has had a person in every war this nation has fought in the last 90 years. Freedom was the only reason they fought. Now we have a communists in the mix. Its a disgrace,and I will fight to get Obama out of office and get a Pres. that reflects the views of the American people.

  • Robert Moon 2 years ago
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    Robert Moon is spamming The Activity Pit again: twi.cc/lAlq

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