I do a weekly hit on WIBC’s “Garrison” show — his “Grumpy Old Men Wednesday” cabinet stocked with the likes of me, Michael Ledeen, Jed Babbin, David Horowitz . . . grumps one and all. Greg, you might be interested to know, took over for the old Mike Pence Show.

And we are vexed with almost equal regularity by the congressional (particularly the Senate) representation of his state, which gets as much or more of its electricity from coal than any other state — about 95 percent — and which, according to a Heritage Foundation analysis, would boast eight of the top 20 House districts in terms of job loss from any cap-and-trade rationing.

So after today’s show I was pleased to see the following constituent response from Sen. Evan Bayh forwarded by a listener — Bayh having sworn in the past that he would never do anything to harm his constituents on this front, while out of the other side of his mouth justifying his position on such anti-Hoosier legislation by claiming that he’s simply “following the lead of Indiana’s senior Senator” (Richard Lugar — a Kyotophile if ever there was one). Um, does that dodge apply to every issue and, if not, why just here?

Dear Mr. [Hoosier]:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the impacts of global climate change. I appreciate your thoughts and concerns on this issue.
I am deeply concerned about the threat posed by global climate change. The scientific consensus on this issue is unequivocal. Global warming is real and greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are causing it. Scientists and others warn that climate change threatens our nation’s security, and may imperil future generations’ opportunity for safe, healthy, and prosperous lives.
However, any carbon-constraining mechanism must protect Hoosier ratepayers, workers and businesses from increased costs. Additionally, other nations of the world must be included in this effort, because if they are not, our action will be for naught.
Please rest assured, should legislation regarding global climate change be introduced in the 111th Congress, I will keep your views in mind.
Again, thank you for contacting me. I hope the information I have provided is helpful. My website, http://bayh.senate.gov, can provide additional details about legislation and state projects, and you can also sign up to receive my monthly e-newsletter, The Bayh Bulletin, by clicking on the link at the top of my homepage. I value your input and hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues important to you.
Office of Senator Evan Bayh
(202) 224-5623
Russell 131
Washington, D.C. 20510

So here we see that — although Sen. Bayh naturally didn’t write this letter, which was queued up by the herd of Legislative Correspondents populating the back rooms of all such offices — he and his colleagues ought to have it glued to them wherever and whenever they utter comment on the issue, as the best way to make sure they really do keep such concerns in mind.

This isn’t just an exercise in saying a lot without saying anything, of having something both ways. No doubt, real, serious threat . . . but, uh, one that we’ll only address if it’s free.

Here’s a contest: is it the first half, the last half, or both halves of that utterly inane formulation that he doesn’t actually believe? (Plus, really, how long do we let politicians get away with vowing that, e.g., measures designed and intended to increase energy prices will, at all cost, not increase your energy prices? Folks, you only continue to be treated as children as long as you allow it.)

Note that Sen. Bayh does let slip one key acknowledgement: that any legislation that the U.S. passes, unless in implementation of an international deal that also requires actual reductions by India, China, Mexico, et al., will be for naught. All pain, no gain.

Thank you, Junior Senator, for taking the time to admit this — which, yes, will prove helpful. And please rest assured that we look forward to repeating this early and often, should the House ever risk repeating the BTU debacle and sending a similar bill over to the Senate for burial.