Since the days of Calvin and Hobbes, the “global warming” mania has largely gone without critical examination, at least in the outlets most people watch and read. This presidential election cycle, it has become an issue of some importance.
According to this report:
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=35009
the Republican presidential ticket is split on the matter of human-caused global warming. Palin thinks global temperature changes are not caused by human activity, McCain thinks it is the case and that we should get on with doing something about it. According to the CNS News report, McCain, in a May 12 speech, had this to say:
“The facts of global warming demand our urgent attention, especially in Washington. Instead of idly debating the precise extent of global warming, or the precise time-line of global warming, we need to deal with the central facts of rising temperatures, rising waters, and all the endless troubles that global warming will bring. We stand warned by serious and credible scientists across the world that time is short and the dangers are great. The most relevant question now is whether our own government is equal to the challenge."
As detestable as his Democratic opponents are, this point alone makes me shudder at the prospects of a McCain presidency. Part of the problem is the possible lack of homework on the part of the McCain campaign.
First, take a look at this report
http://wegetit.cmail3.com/l/46946/9l1d68t/j
where you can find this chart:
By all the normal measures, the earth has been cooling since 2001. Of course, in the history of the earth, this is not a trend. But in our “news culture” where it would normally be seen as a trend, not a word about it has been mentioned. But when you look at the longer trends, the whole debate becomes at least silly, and at worst sinister. In this article from NOVA
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ice/chill.html
you can learn enough (and its not about the global warming debate) to see that the temperature of the earth has been up and down many times, most of it long, long before humans could have had any effect. That the world is warming right now, overall, should surprise no one who has examined earth’s temperature history. That those who love large and powerful governments pervert this into an excuse for more government is not surprising either. What is surprising is that Republicans - people we might expect to be somewhat conservative - should willingly acquiesce to this perversion.
Also, have a look at this collection of scientists:
http://www.oism.org/pproject/
31,000 plus of whom will not only dispute McCain’s claim, but will also point out many beneficial results of global warming, should we get some more soon.
Again I say that claims of man-made, harmful global warming is the perfect political football for those who would like to dramatically increase the size and scope of government. These days, this is a given for Democrats. A couple of decades ago, when some Republicans thought “government is the problem, not the solution” you would not have expected this from the GOP.
Most people don’t realize how draconian and devastating to our economy the usually proposed “solutions” to the “problem” of global warming would be. It can be summed up like this: if you are poor, prepare to starve. If you are middle-class, prepare to become poor. If you are rich, prepare to spend a lot of your wealth buying your way around the “solutions” the rest of us will have to suffer.
When the alternative is Barry & Joe, those concerned about this matter might turn to John & Sarah. Even here, we have to wonder about John. If they are elected, perhaps Sarah will convince John - perhaps. Otherwise, prepare for poverty.
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