Republican Wisdom on Climate Change

I just finished reading Elizabeth Kolbert's 'Uncomfortable Climate' piece in the 22 November 2010  issue of The New Yorker, pp. 53-54. The article illustrated some of  the climate change beliefs of several House members who are about to ascend to  leadership positions.

I thought I'd pass on some wisdom on climate change from a few Republicans who are about to assume control of the House and project a greater presence in the Senate. 

"The idea that carbon dioxide is a carcinogen, that is harmful to our environment, is almost comical." -- Rep. John Boehner (R-OH), soon to be Speaker of the House, in a 2009 interview with George Stephanopolous.

At least Rep. Boehner won't have to work as hard to maintain his tan.

"We're going to want to have a do-over." -- Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), likely chair of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee, commenting on the three previous 'Climategate' investigations that found no evidence of data manipulation.

"When it rains, we find shelter. When it's hot, we get shade. When it's cold, we find a warm place to stay." -- Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), commenting on adapting to climate change.

Rep. Barton is the one who apologized to former BP Chair Tony Hayward for the White House 'shakedown' of BP.

"I believe that's the infallible word of God, and that's the way it's going to be for His creation." -- Rep. John Shimkus (R-IL), dismissing concern over climate change by quoting Genesis 8:22 

Read more on the climate change wisdom of Rep. Shimkus. Both he and Rep. Barton are vying to become chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

These quotes are comical in a frightening sort of way.

You can also read about Oklahoma's dynamic duo, Sen. Tom Coburn and Sen James Inhofe, in the 8 November 2010 issue of the High Country News (you may need to subscribe to read all the stories). You'll no doubt find some good quotes there, such as the following.

"They've been cooking that science since 1998." -- Sen. James Inhofe, referring to EPA's evidence for climate change (aforementioned HCN, p. 17)

"It comes back to a lot of falsee claims of climate change. You notice that they don't call it global warming anymore because they can't back that up with the science." -- Sen. Tom Coburn (aforementioned HCN, p. 18)

"If God had wanted us to vote, he would have given us candidates." -- Jay Leno

Comments

[Malcolm Wilson]

The last time the Thames at London froze over was in 1814; the coldest point was probably in 1709 when even the Rhone in France froze. Since then, which was well before the carbon polution kick off date of 1850, the world has been warming. This kind of thing needs explaining by people who promote the idea of human induced climate change. The sad part is that billions are spent uselessly on subsidies for solar power leaving pensioners and other poor people so much worse off.

[Micharl]

Hi, Brad.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. It is much appreciated, although be warned it is from someone who has 'not really worked for a living'. I am unsure what relevance your comment about working has in this instance.

For a minute, foregt this is about climate change or that the people are Republicans. What we have here are some soon-to-be-leaders of our government and this is what we get:

Boehner - doesn't even seem to understand what anthropogenic global warming is about. CO2 a carcinogen? Huh?

Shimkus - apparently believes we do not have to worry about CC because God will not allow bad things to happen to Earth. This has nothing to do with his being a Christian evangelical; I don't think he's even interpreting Genesis correctly - see my extended post on him:

http://aquadoc.typepad.com/waterwired/2010/11/will-god-save-us-from.html#tp

So, Rep. Shimkus, should we disband our military because God will protect us from our enemies? Discard environmental laws because God will prevent degradation?

Issa - main agenda seems to be retribution.

Barton - marginalizes a serious issue; equates CC adaptation to coming in from the rain, finding a shady spot, etc.

These guys are not backbenchers whose opinions don't count for much; they are guys who will be in leadership positions.

Is this the kind of 'know-nothing' leadership we need? I don't think so.

You are right - we need better. These guys are not the answer.

[Brad Belford]

I'm not a political person. My life has been a non-stop process of processing data, and I simply do not understand why either side of this debate thinks they know anything. We have the solar cycle, which is 11-12 years in length. At every cycle low, the proponents of "Earth Freezes Over" claims a victory, and as we go through this year's cycle high, the "Burn in Hell" proponents trot out their carbon cycle, voo-doo pseudo-science.

Yeah, we get it. People that have made a lifetime out of not really working for a living (i.e. calluses) are attempting to justify their partaking of the collective share, with propaganda. If that works for you, that's great...for you.

Meanwhile, in the real world, where the planet is harnessed for the benefit of Homo Erectus, some "Erecti" wonder...why this post was post-worthy...

You can do better. We need better.