Morning Compilation - Doing my part to derail the politization of Science

Doing my part to derail the politization of Science

Shame on Governor Kaine of Virginia. He appears to be going down the path of promoting Global Warming and reprehensibly pursuing punishing regulations and, perhaps, taxpayer-based funding (i.e. taxes) so that the great state of Virginia can be on the bandwagon when it comes to detering MMGW (Man-Made Global Warming). This has all the appearance of contemptible pandering to those that know little about science but a lot about political extremism. When you see politicians embracing science issues you'd better hold onto your wallets!

The Governor's blue ribbon commission states that they are asking for input. Well, I made my thoughts known after the Governor's Secretary for Natural Resources, L. Preston Bryant, published a letter in our paper recently.

Here is Mr. Bryant's bio. He is an accomplished politician with an English major background. He is certainly eloquent, but it does appear he is somewhat light on the sciences. That is not going to help him if he has to explain how unimportant things like error factors are in weather measurements directly related to the climatological statistical models used to prognosticate the potential calamities associated global warming.

Here is my response to Mr. Bryant's article:

On climate change, let's not rush into things, Gov. Kaine

Date published: 3/7/2008

On climate change, let's not rush into things, Gov. Kaine

Gov. Kaine's study to determine how Virginia can address climate change is admirable, but L. Preston Bryant Jr.'s Feb. 27 op-ed does not address key issues ["A common-'wealth' of global solutions?"].

Is climate change occurring? Always, if you believe the historical record. Information suggests that our current climate is neither the warmest nor the coldest during written history.

Are greenhouse gases bad? Greenhouse gases are naturally occurring (water vapor, carbon dioxide, and methane). Without the greenhouse effect, scientists hypothesize that the Earth would be a far colder and inhospitable place.

Is man the cause of climate change? The governor's administration would have us believe that the debate on the man-made impact on the climate is over, and all scientists are in agreement.

There are many strong scientific voices that dispute the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the international body that is at the heart of the global climate-crisis call to arms. Much of the fear-mongering is based on computer models that are reported to be inaccurate when compared with current weather trends.

Are the governor's advisers well-balanced? Besides the host of business and government personages, there is one scientist of note who is strongly associated with the IPCC.

But no scientists are listed who have opposing opinions. How can the governor make informed policy decisions for all Virginians if he does not consider contrary views?

What if man-made climate change is not an issue? It would be unwise to rush headlong into enacting laws and raising taxes that would affect our financial well-being, when the impacts of such laws on the environment are minuscule, unmeasurable, and not needed.

Hal Hayes

Spotsylvania

3/10/2008 2:10:16 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00) | | Climate | Global Warming