Tom & Joe, Unplugged

One of my sources in the National Security Agency tipped me off to a call NSA intercepted earlier today between NYT columnist Thomas Friedman and the well-known climate blogger Joe Romm. Here's the transcript: Tom: Hello? Joe: Tom, it's me, Joe Romm. Am I catching you at a bad time? Tom: Oh, hey Joe. No, it's cool, I'm just getting off the plane in Shanghai. Did you see my column today? Joe: Yeah, loved that small town letter by the Pentagon guy, saying we all need to do our part. Tom: It's true! The guy is right, we all "need to pony up: bike to work, plant a garden, do something." That's why I've recently instructed our housekeepers to stop using the washer and dryer. One of our eight bathtubs will now be used just for washing clothes and I'm installing a maze of clotheslines in the backyard of the guesthouse. Now those bastards that like to make fun of me will see that I'm walking the talk. Joe: Excellent. If you saw my post today on your departing public editor, you know I'm doing my part. Tom: Speaking truth to power, brother. As always. And I like how you're keeping the pressure on Revkin, even though he's ancient history. Joe: He still has Dot Earth, though. That's a powerful brand. I've got to break his hold on that last segment of influentials who listen to him more than me. Tom: I hear you, brother. That's why I've never quoted him. I know you're the man on climate. Joe: I appreciate that. But it's been, like three months since you plugged me. It's getting to be about that time, isn't it? And why won't any of those "dreadful" NYT reporters call me up for an interview? Tom: Well, you are hitting them pretty hard. Joe: Oh, please, they need to grow some spine. Besides, it's like one of my fans said in a tweet last month, I'm just working the refs. Tom: I know, I know. Listen, I'll be here in Shanghai for a day, attending this green tech conference with my minder. I'm telling you, it's like I said before, if only we could be more like China, we'd be able to kick our carbon habit once and for all. Joe: And you can go back to using your washer and dryer. Tom: (laughing). That's a good one. Listen, I'll be back in time for Obama's big BP speech on Tuesday. Let's talk right after that and I'll squeeze you into the next column. Joe: You're the best. Tom: Anything for America's fiercest climate change blogger.