Friday, January 18, 2008

Global warming protest frosted with snow

"A heavy snowfall blanketed a global warming protest outside the State House in Annapolis this morning, but it did not dampen the shouts of about 400 activists who urged lawmakers to pass the nation's toughest greenhouse gas control law."

Which word would be the more appropriate one for these folks to tattoo on their foreheads, "Naive" or "Moron" ?!?

5 comments:

ProudGulfWarVet65 said...

How about 'naif'? Thanks for sharing that link at MLF.

a/k/a DrWhoFan65

johnschochet said...

Oh, be fair... Just because it happens to snow and be cold one day in one part of the world has nothing to do with the reality of climate change. Yes, a photo op would have been better in the summer, but their point is no less legitimate because of the day's weather.

Robert W. said...

John,

Point taken about timing of the photo. But I still found it hilarious!

As to your bigger point, let's talk in 10 years when this whole Global Warming Swindle is revealed. Make no mistake, the earth *may* be warming up but I'm convinced it has little to do with mankind.

Furthermore, it's the rampant hypocrisy of those doing the preaching that annoys me so.

Before you or anyone else condemn me, consider one important fact: Who has the smallest carbon footprint of anyone you know? Before you search your Rolodex too deeply, I'm quite sure it is me. I don't own a car, by choice. I don't live in a house but just a small apartment. I take transit, bicycle, and walk everywhere. And I could go on. But you know what, John, I'd be the last one to condemn you or your girlfriend or any member of your family for ... wait for it ... actually having the audacity to drive or fly on an airplane or any other number of things that we, as people of 2007, choose to do.

In your case, I know your heart is in the right place, but the movement at large is being lead down the wrong path.

johnschochet said...

I agree that the picture is funny and that you of all people are can dispute global warming with a clear conscience because you have a small carbon footprint. That said, two points: (1) Every serious scientist who takes the majority view that global warming is man-made and is actually happening will tell you that cold days and snow still happen, and (2) I think we need to approach climate change by applying market forces, meaning a cap-and-trade carbon regulation system that allows individuals and businesses to decide for themselves how important carbon emissions are and how much should be invested in greater efficiency to reduce emissions. No reason to ban flying, but we should build more efficient planes and perhaps replace some short-haul routes with high-speed rail.

Robert W. said...

John,

I'm with you on letting market forces control things. And this will likely happen in B.C. and California in the years ahead.

Let's face it though, this will effectively be a tax on businesses in these jurisdictions. With their operating costs higher, how will they compete against products coming in from places like China where no such carbon trading will take place anytime soon?

The answer, of course, would be to impose a HUGE tariff on any states/provinces/countries that are trying to sell us products. But do our politicians have the guts to do so? I wonder.