GOP and Climate Change

Climate change is happening and we are steadily going to reach the peak production possible for oil, these are facts but they are facts which many, most common among those on the right (this does not exclude everyone on the left nor does it apply to everyone on the right), try to deny, see here. This is why I was glad to see this story late last night in which outgoing Republican Rep. Bob Inglis (SC), a member of the House Science and Technology Committee, chided his colleagues and incoming chair of the committee, Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), for denying climate change.

There are people who make a lot of money on talk radio and talk TV saying a lot of things. They slept at a Holiday Inn Express last night, and they’re experts on climate change. They substitute their judgment for people who have Ph.D.s and work tirelessly.

I am glad that Rep. Inglis is supporting science but it is unfortunate that this support of actual science was probably one of the things that did not get him reelected, he lost his primary to a Tea Party candidate. It is sad what many people think about education in this country. The G.I. bill, which allowed vets from WWII to get a college education, is one of the reasons that we became a great country but now it has come to this:



Sometimes I worry about our future.

Theology and Science = Oil and Water

I typically try to avoid posting about topics dealing with politics, unfortunately this isn't always possible sometimes science and politics mix. As seen in this video and posted about here and here a GOP leader, Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.), basically says that we don't have to worry about climate change because God promised Noah that he wouldn't flood the world again.



Now I have no problem with people believing what they want as far as religion is concerned but when you put these people in positions of power I feel that I must say something. What makes this worse is that Rep. Shimkus is trying to head up the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This is the committee that will be in charge of climate policy and his influence could set back support for alternative energy policy by years.