It always seemed odd to me that many Americans are highly skeptical of the "science" behind climate change/global warming, even though those that deny it, or deny that humans could be responsible for it, are the very ones that stand to benefit the most from doing away with tighter environmental regulations and, by their own admission, are not scientists. Time and time again over the last year or so, we hear that certain prominent politicians in the pay of climate change denier sources, such as the Koch brothers, claim not to be scientists.
Yet, they impede the work of actual scientists who are claiming that the evidence suggests that this is, indeed, something real that we are going to have to deal with at some point or the other.
As far as deniers for, we just have to keep in kicking the can down the street, and not deal with it just yet, if ever.
Frankly, listening to them, you would think that humans would have a minimal impact on the environment, even though our activities have completely altered the landscape for so much of the world, and there are traces of our activities, and the impact that these have, everywhere.
What is ironic in this whole thing is that many of these people would also be the first to tell you that human beings are different, are unique, are special, and thus are not limited by the same laws that apply to the rest of life and what we refer to as "nature" in this world. Many of them are religious, and believe that God gave Man a mandate to rule over the world as he sees fit.
Still, they want to minimize the detrimental effects of their activities the world over and suggest to everyone that human beings are too small and too insignificant to actually cause something so huge as global warming/climate change, despite this apparent empowerment over the entire world. We as a human species were apparently given a mandate to do whatever the hell we please with the world, to rule it as we see fit, with no limitations. But when there is evidence that those actions amount to ruthlessly exploiting natural resources around the globe, begin to have an actual detrimental impact on life on this planet, they fall back to a superficially humble state, but only when it comes to possibly impacting their dollars, and limiting their otherwise limitless profits, as they seek to take their peace of pie in ruling over the entire world.
Now, that's a cynical way of doing business and, quite frankly, a shameful way of seeing and doing things. The world be damned, I'm going to take my slice of the pie, so that I can get a bigger swimming pool, a nicer car, perhaps even a stretch limo. Maybe a yacht or, as the demigod for all neocons everywhere, President Reagan once suggested, why not two yachts? If you are one of the truly few people in this country that is among the top 400 or so richest people that owns a disproportionate amount of wealth, even that is not satisfying enough. No, you have to fund political action committees to lobby the government, so that you can have even more control, so that you can have still more profits. Damn those scientists, and pesky environmental regulations meant to curb our culture's clear tendency towards extremes and self-destruction! There are profits to be made! Damn the reality of torpedoes directed at us, full speed ahead!
Yes, now that is real cynicism. In fact, I might even call it something else. I am not an expert on religion or morality by any means, although I will say this much: profiting from the failing health of a living organism fits my definition of evil. That is the case with our ridiculous excuse for a healthcare system, much as it is the case, in fact, for the entire planet.
If that does not represent what we commonly understand as evil, then I do not know what does!
Here is the link to an article that I wrote for the Guardian Liberty Voice about another cynical politician who is a staunch denier of climate change, even though he readily admits to not being a scientist. It always perplexed me, that new argument that neocons fall back on, saying that they are not scientists. They are essentially telling us that they are not experts, and using that as a basis to reject the research and work of actual experts in the field. Does that make any sense? No, of course not. But what about our system of governance makes sense these days? I wrote this story because it really illustrates the shocking levels that some of these corrupt officials will go to denying climate change. Here, Florida Governor Rick Scott went so far as to effectively ban the terms "climate change", "global warming", and in some cases, "sea-level rise". Think about that for one moment: a man who admits to not being a scientist (in fact, he relies heavily on the counterproductive argument) went so far as to ban the terms used to describe a phenomenon that the vast majority of scientists believe to be true based on research! Really, truly, outrageous! Here is the link to the story that I recently wrote in the Guardian Liberty Voice:
Climate Change & Global Warming Banned by Florida Governor Scott:
And here are some fascinating links as well regarding climate change and, of course, climate change denial, with a little bit of how American exceptionalism fits in with all of this:
The twisted morality of climate denial: How religion and American exceptionalism are undermining our future Despite overwhelming scientific consensus, Americans remain split on climate change. Here's why Edward L. Rubin, March 8, 2015:
'Climate change' and 'global warming' reportedly banned under Florida governor Department of Environmental Protection officials told to avoid terms By Rich McCormick on March 9, 2015
Yet, they impede the work of actual scientists who are claiming that the evidence suggests that this is, indeed, something real that we are going to have to deal with at some point or the other.
As far as deniers for, we just have to keep in kicking the can down the street, and not deal with it just yet, if ever.
Frankly, listening to them, you would think that humans would have a minimal impact on the environment, even though our activities have completely altered the landscape for so much of the world, and there are traces of our activities, and the impact that these have, everywhere.
What is ironic in this whole thing is that many of these people would also be the first to tell you that human beings are different, are unique, are special, and thus are not limited by the same laws that apply to the rest of life and what we refer to as "nature" in this world. Many of them are religious, and believe that God gave Man a mandate to rule over the world as he sees fit.
Still, they want to minimize the detrimental effects of their activities the world over and suggest to everyone that human beings are too small and too insignificant to actually cause something so huge as global warming/climate change, despite this apparent empowerment over the entire world. We as a human species were apparently given a mandate to do whatever the hell we please with the world, to rule it as we see fit, with no limitations. But when there is evidence that those actions amount to ruthlessly exploiting natural resources around the globe, begin to have an actual detrimental impact on life on this planet, they fall back to a superficially humble state, but only when it comes to possibly impacting their dollars, and limiting their otherwise limitless profits, as they seek to take their peace of pie in ruling over the entire world.
Now, that's a cynical way of doing business and, quite frankly, a shameful way of seeing and doing things. The world be damned, I'm going to take my slice of the pie, so that I can get a bigger swimming pool, a nicer car, perhaps even a stretch limo. Maybe a yacht or, as the demigod for all neocons everywhere, President Reagan once suggested, why not two yachts? If you are one of the truly few people in this country that is among the top 400 or so richest people that owns a disproportionate amount of wealth, even that is not satisfying enough. No, you have to fund political action committees to lobby the government, so that you can have even more control, so that you can have still more profits. Damn those scientists, and pesky environmental regulations meant to curb our culture's clear tendency towards extremes and self-destruction! There are profits to be made! Damn the reality of torpedoes directed at us, full speed ahead!
Yes, now that is real cynicism. In fact, I might even call it something else. I am not an expert on religion or morality by any means, although I will say this much: profiting from the failing health of a living organism fits my definition of evil. That is the case with our ridiculous excuse for a healthcare system, much as it is the case, in fact, for the entire planet.
If that does not represent what we commonly understand as evil, then I do not know what does!
Here is the link to an article that I wrote for the Guardian Liberty Voice about another cynical politician who is a staunch denier of climate change, even though he readily admits to not being a scientist. It always perplexed me, that new argument that neocons fall back on, saying that they are not scientists. They are essentially telling us that they are not experts, and using that as a basis to reject the research and work of actual experts in the field. Does that make any sense? No, of course not. But what about our system of governance makes sense these days? I wrote this story because it really illustrates the shocking levels that some of these corrupt officials will go to denying climate change. Here, Florida Governor Rick Scott went so far as to effectively ban the terms "climate change", "global warming", and in some cases, "sea-level rise". Think about that for one moment: a man who admits to not being a scientist (in fact, he relies heavily on the counterproductive argument) went so far as to ban the terms used to describe a phenomenon that the vast majority of scientists believe to be true based on research! Really, truly, outrageous! Here is the link to the story that I recently wrote in the Guardian Liberty Voice:
Climate Change & Global Warming Banned by Florida Governor Scott:
And here are some fascinating links as well regarding climate change and, of course, climate change denial, with a little bit of how American exceptionalism fits in with all of this:
The twisted morality of climate denial: How religion and American exceptionalism are undermining our future Despite overwhelming scientific consensus, Americans remain split on climate change. Here's why Edward L. Rubin, March 8, 2015:
'Climate change' and 'global warming' reportedly banned under Florida governor Department of Environmental Protection officials told to avoid terms By Rich McCormick on March 9, 2015
http://www.theverge.com/2015/3/9/8174139/climate-change-global-warming-banned-florida
Off The Grid: Worst Senator...Ever? by Jessie Ventura, Mar 07 '15:
A Shameful Climate Witch Hunt By RICH LOWRY February 25, 2015 Off The Grid: Worst Senator...Ever? by Jessie Ventura, Mar 07 '15:
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/02/opinion-rich-lowry-climate-change-115518.html
Get ready for a 'historically unprecedented' temperature spike by John Upton for Climate Central 2015-03-03:
Get ready for a 'historically unprecedented' temperature spike by John Upton for Climate Central 2015-03-03:
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