Pump You Up

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who put the sizzle back in beefsteak, says environmentalism is where bodybuilding once was -- that is, stuck with an image problem. Before Pumping Iron, says the California Governor and former Mr. Universe, bodybuilding had a "sketchy image." As for environmentalists, Schwarzenegger says, they're "like prohibitionists at a fraternity party. We have to make it mainstream, we have to make it sexy, we have to make it attractive so everyone wants to participate." Well, just the other day, I was asked to come up with some lively Earth Day slogans. They may never see the light of day, but the Governor would probably approve. One was: Earth: Great excuse for a party! Another was simply: Come to Mama! And, my personal favorite: Forget Spring Break, girls. Go wild on Earth Day!

What do you think? Sexy, no?

The governor, who currently graces the cover of both Newsweek and Outside's green issues, is pushing some muscular messaging at the moment. He of the four Hummers says that climate change deniers are "fanatics" who are committing political suicide: "Your political base will melt away as surely as the polar ice caps," he said. "You will become a political penguin on a smaller and smaller ice floe that is drifting out to sea. Goodbye, my little friend!" Talking to you, Senator Inhofe. Hasta la vista, baby.