I don’t think that the rest of us had Michael Mann’s model of scientific inquiry in mind when we trusted scientists to do the right thing:
(With) the release of the Climategate emails, the Climatic Research Unit, Michael Mann, Phil Jones and Tom Wigley have dramatically weakened the case for emissions reductions. The EPA claimed to rely solely upon compendia of the refereed literature such as the IPCC reports, in order to make its finding of endangerment from carbon dioxide. Now that we know that literature was biased by the heavy-handed tactics of the East Anglia mob, the EPA has lost the basis for its finding.
The worst possible case is that the theory is more or less accurate, and action was derailed by the ego of scientists that couldn’t be bothered to debate with those in their field who interpreted the data differently.
Through their actions, they’ve made it difficult to believe that this is the most likely case however.
Apparently the Obama administration didn’t get the memo, as they pledge gazillions to help foreigners fight global warming.
The ultimate irony will be discovering around 2050 that the next ice age is around the corner.
Was that before or after Obama declared about China, that if they didn’t we wouldn’t?
If John Lennon were alive today, he would be writing a new lyric “Power to the gubmint! Power to the gubmint. Right On!”
Oh yeah, Flat, I’m lovin’ the logic of that: Borrow billions from the PRC just so we can turn around and give it back to them as “reparations” for our CO2 “sins.” I’m sittin’ here eatin’ that s**t with a spoon….
The notion of “man-made” global warming is very appealing to our baser instincts. We can actually influence the earth itself, God’s creation!
Foolishness, indeed.
Of COURSE, Dave. egotistic secular humanism DEMANDS that it’s all about ME/US! Only WE superior humans could POSSIBLY influence things, right? It’s all about us. Our “Kingdom Come” will come right here on Earth in the here and now, right? Brought about by our own superior intellect and effort. Looked at it this way, we therefore HAVE to have caused it all, right?
Somehow, the idea has gained currency that science is mainly about peer review…that if enough certified experts agree with something, why then it must be true.
This is, of course, false. Science is about *independent replication*…if you don’t believe what Galileo & Copernicus are saying about the motion of the planets, get your own telescope and look for yourself. Similarly, if you don’t like the climate analysis from East Anglia, get the raw data and apply your own statistical methods…Oh, wait…can’t do that without the raw data…
Dave … I think you’ve put your finger on the enduring appeal of the manmade global warming scam. Everybody wants to think of themselves as important enough to change the world into which they were born. They don’t want to think of themselves as puny little latecomers to the planetary party. Ohh no… They’re much too important for that. So, strong written evidence to the contrary, such as exists about the Medieval Warming Period, when grapes and other crops flourished in normally icy Greenland, but the human population was much less prevalent and factories belching smoke were non-existent, is simply ignored. It doesn’t fit the meme they’ve developed.
Marianne
Everybody wants to think of themselves as important enough to change the world into which they were born.
In years gone by young men took shop classes, were taught how to properly wield a screwdriver, hammer, drill, shovel, and other tools invented for changing at least one small part of the world to our liking.
I suppose this is what happens when people fail to build anything but their educations and reputations.
– Max
The worst possible case is that the theory is more or less accurate, and action was derailed by the ego of scientists that couldn’t be bothered to debate with those in their field who interpreted the data differently.
Very true.
I find it interesting that countries that have not made any significant contribution to the community of nations for centuries, if not millenia, seem to think that if they are showered with billions, all will be right.
We have already seen the outcome in America, where the down trodden were given more and more and more, yet there are still about the same percentage that grace the welfare rolls.
Taking it to an international level will only deplete the last money we may have, while gaining us little besides demands for more…and more…and more.
You’re right about that, xformed. The inevitable result of efforts to ensure “equality” of result for all will see everyone all equally miserable in a race to the bottom. It is virtually impossible for all in this world to live the life-style of Bill Gates–there is not enough productive wealth. It IS possible, however, for government to insure that we all live like street people–except, of course, for the Nomenklutera–our administrators of misery–those with Thomas Sowell’s “Vision of the Anointed.” No THOSE people will be quite satisfied to sit in the crow’s nest high & dry eating canapes, caviar and drinking veuve cloque while the ship of state slowly founders. (Already we have just seen the latest statistics released this past week indicating the avg wage of a Govt worker is 71K/ + bennies while that of a worker in the pvt sector [you know, the guys/peons that actually make the grubby "materialistic" "stuff" that creates the profits that generate the taxes that pay the govt workers] makes but 40k/yr with far, far fewer–if any–bennies. We are already well on our way to Socialist/neo Marxist/Communist–call it what you will–Nirvana. We’ve seen this movie before in the Old Soviet Union. Why do we want to sit thru the re-run?
xformed:
It wraps back into the liberation theology of the 60′s and 70′s and how the 3rd world is poor/backward directly owing to the rapacious nature of the industrialized world. Ultimately its all about redistribution of wealth and liberal guilt.
- SJS
xformed–just replied to you but am being “moderated” by the algorithmic troll that Les uses to guard this site. Check back ltr.
I personally think that God is amused and a bit peeved about our AGW hubris, seeings how every time they have a conference to talk this foolishness, He buries DC in snow
Hubris? ….A coin with arrogance on one side and stupidity on the other.
There’s a lot of that kind of “funny money” in Washington.
And the whole piggy bank is in DC today, putting the final touches on the pudding called healthcare.
Byron … And let’s hope God *reely* buries D.C. for a few days. Lived there for two years or so back in the late ’60s, and when the city had even the slightest dusting of that nasty white stuff, it ground to an almost complete halt. For a girl from the upper Midwest of our great country, it was truly comic. If we could handle this on a regular basis, why couldn’t these folks handle it?
Marianne
Marianne,
I felt the same way when I first moved to Maryland; later it was explained to me. DC sits on the freezing line; when the Midwest gets hit it stays snow until it gets warm long enough to melt everything, which makes getting around easier. On the freezing line it will warm up just enough to start thawing, and then get below freezing again. Since this happens on a daily basis the roads get iced more thoroughly than when the weather stays below freezing.
Sitting here in Occupied Territory with 14″ of snow on the ground and another 6-10″ to come before nightfall, I must confess to being less than positively inclined towards the arguments of the global warmers…where are they when there’s (real) shoveling to be done?
- SJS
Now that Harry Reid thinks he has the healthcare bill nailed down, he might have a few extra hours to spare; (202) 224-3542. I know for a fact that he’s in town…
There’s 8″ of white global warming sitting in my front yard here in Waynesville, NC. Church will probably be canceled because of the people that live at the higher elevations will have a very hard and unsafe time getting in.
Real shoveling, indeed, SJS!
If you don’t believe in God “who holds all things together” then I’d understand the panic that would follow in logically thinking that it’s all up to us.
Hubris generally tends to have a bad outcome.