Even the Pontiff is being reasonable about climate change

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

To those conservatives, both Catholic and protestant, who get really worked up when their rigid boundaries are moved a fraction of an inch to the left or the right, consider just how "radical" the Pope has really been. All these "left-wing" organizations and individuals endorse action on climate change:

- The US Department of Defense.
- Every science academy and scientific professional society in the world (197 of them).
- NASA.
- NOAA.
- All major universities.
- Practically all peer-reviewed research papers.
- 97% of climate scientists actively engaged in research.
- Republicans George P Shultz, Hank Paulson, Lindsey Graham, Bob Inglis (President of Energy and Enterprise Org), Eli Lehrer (President of Free Enterprise R Street Org), Jerry Taylor (President of the Niskanen Institute)...
- Steve LaTourette, Mike Castle, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, Olympia Snow, Sherwood Boehlert, Chris Collins, Mike Kirk, Bob Corker, Mike Bloomberg...
- According to a Yale Study, 52% of Republicans nationwide.
- ConservAmerica.org.
- CitizensClimateLobby.Org.
- The US Episcopal Church.
- The Catholic Church (obviously).
- Katharine Hayhoe (evangelical Christian and climate scientist).
- Republicen.Org.
- The US administration.
- Nearly all world leaders.

And to the uncommitted 48% of Republicans: What say you? Want to remain at the wrong side of history on yet another important issue? The Pope is Catholic, therefore he's irrelevant, HUH? Is that it?

Comments

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

I don't understand the notion of being against environmentally friendly actions on principle. Is it really so bad if we make the world a better place, whatever the reason?

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

It's not about environment. That's just a convenient distraction.

It's about wealth redistribution, and whether or not we should let Malthus determine policy.

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Yeah sure, it's all about stealing your money. Everyone and everything is after your money.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

IT'S A CONSPIRACY!!!

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

Its humanity.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Trite banality: check.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Nah, we should just let humanity determine policy, as opposed to Mammon. Isn't that what Jesus would have wanted?

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

When the "Mine is mine" principle speaks, Jesus suddenly becomes moot. Even to the most pious of types.

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

In my experience, it's exactly the most pious of types that are the most rotten on the inside.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

Glory to Gaia the one true God and Al Gore as Her prophet (http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304510004575186343555831322).

:P

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

Wait, I thought Al Gore was the Devil, and all evils come from him!? You've greatly confus'd me, Sir.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

The more time passes and I witness how their mind operates, the more I'm convinced that if libertarians had it entirely their way, the planet Earth would have become a barren wasteland by now.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

render unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

You missed my point. I'm talking about environmentally friendly actions no matter the reason. I'm literally just repeating my last post here. If we stop dumping sludge into a river because of this, what is the harm exactly?

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

That's not what the fight is about though.

The argument is not clean rivers vs. dirty rivers. It's whether a ~5% reduction in CO2 emissions is worth a ~20% hike in food or gas prices. Or whether regulatory agents should be bound by their own regulations.

If you're going to build a political platform around the evils of fossil fuels or industrial agriculture you need to remember that the coal-miners and farmers also get a vote.

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

Are you really defending coal dependence right now?

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

Hardly, I'm pointing out why your "dumping sludge into a river" analogy is a red herring.

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

Actually, you just dodged my question like 3 times. I'm not asking for your salient analysis on what you think is happening, I am asking about objective improvements to the environment as a result of it. It's undeniable that environmental efforts have reduced air pollution in places like LA monumentally, and I don't think it was part of some elaborate conspiracy.

[sandwichwarrior.livejournal.com]

I am not dodging the question, I am rejecting your assumption about lack of reason.

[kylinrouge.livejournal.com]

Is it really so hard to understand what I'm saying? Let me break this down for you:

Anti-pollution laws that have lead to noticeable levels of pollution decrease. Worth it?