Let's assume an asteroid has been detected which could wipe out half of life on Earth and cause major disruptions in the other half, taking them back to the Iron Age. It'll hit in 20, 30 or 50 years.

About three times as many "experts" claim that it will hit Earth as claim it will miss. 3 to 1 in favor of a hit. Among those three there are differing ideas as to how much damage it will do, but at a minimum it would be catastrophic.

I would imagine that US Conservatives would claim that Mankind can't take the chance of it hitting, that there must be enormous funds spent. They would not insist that the ROW contribute even though they would benefit. Too much of a danger to wait.

However, if it's global warming, with over three times as many experts claiming it will be catastrophic, well, let the ROW take care of it. We don't want to mess with our standard of living, we need the money for Iraq and Afghanistan. After all, someone might kill an American if we don't take care of business.

Tell 'em that it doesn't matter if it's normal, or manmade, or a combination, Florida will flood, it will be a disaster. Any contribution should be minimized. Bosh, they will say. Florida hasn't flooded like that in living memory. And in this day and age, anyone who matters can afford their own Ark, one helluva an Ark. (Read "gated communities".)

Arf