global catastrophe

This reminds me of a story I heard as a kid. It concerned a farmer trying to get his mule to move, and a city-slicker who was watching the drama. After some coaxing, pushing and shoving, the farmer picked up a piece of 2x4 lumber and smacked the stoic mule between the eyes. The mule moved, and the city guy was outraged, asking the farmer why he did that to an animal. The farmer replied, "To get his attention", and moved off with the mule. Anyone with a 2x4 for the Bush Administration?