The GOP is now a party of know-nothing flat-earthers
One of the greatest crises of our time is climate change, which threatens to create food shortages (as the Russians learned this summer), change geography, eradicate entire eco-systems and even wipe out cities and towns in coastal areas. (NOTE: If you are an anti-science know-nothing, don’t bother to comment. The clear scientific consensus indicates a warming climate caused by human activity.)
But we’ve reached the odd and depressing point in American politics where not a single Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate supports aggressive action to mitigate climate change. The last science literate, Delaware Congressman Mike Castle, was defeated by tea party favorite Christine O’Donnell.
The blog Think Progress did a survey of GOP Senate candidates, and it found that even those who had previously supported policies that would curb carbon emissions have backed away, fearing a backlash from their know-nothing constituents.
Many others have simply chosen to be ignorant anti-science flat-earthers. Alaska’s Joe Miller, who defeated incumbent Lisa Murkowski in the GOP primary, is an example of the latter category. He told an Alaska newspaper,
“We haven’t heard there’s man-made global warming.” [Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, 8/23/10]
Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson is in the more sophisticated category, too smart to deny the science outright but unwilling to buck a tide of flat-earth voters and selfish businesses that don’t want to change their ways. This was Isakson’s response, according to Think Progress:
Science has shown us that there has been a gradual warming of the earth over the last 50 years. What is not as clear is whether the cause for this warming is man-made emissions, a cyclical warming of the planet, or a combination of both. Given the uncertainty in the science behind climate change, I believe that we should take proactive steps, both personally and as a nation, to reduce our emissions. footprint.
Interestingly, though, Isakson doesn’t support any “proactive measures” to combat climate change.
The current GOP represents a step backward from the Bush administration, which acknowledged the threat of climate change. In 2007, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the US was “a major emitter” and was not “above the international community on the issue.” She also said that “all nations should tackle” the “growing problem” of climate change. (h/t The New Civil Rights Movement)
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679 comments Add your comment
The Nerve
September 16th, 2010
12:35 pm
Mike K….unfortunately no matter how you put it out there, if you don’t agree with the liberals on this blog, you are a racist bigot hate filled moron. Period.
And Granny G will no doubt find a website somewhere that will prove that.
It’s sad actually. The liberals preach tolerance. They preach fairness. They preach togetherness. Right up unti lthe moment you disagree with them.
Cynthia Is Sexy!!
September 16th, 2010
12:35 pm
Zoinks
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:35 pm
and psychic as well.
I guess I’d have to be since the tea baggers both refuse to provide the evidence of the basis of their beliefs, and then refuse even to debate their beliefs. I guess the bible suffices.
everyday American
September 16th, 2010
12:36 pm
JM, are you saying all conservatives are stupid??
name calling, that’s always the right way…
JM
September 16th, 2010
12:36 pm
All right, JM, you’re not going to respond to the question of why a filibuster-proof Democrat Senate …
GONG!!!
Failed again.
Billybob
September 16th, 2010
12:36 pm
So now I’m irrational because I have a belief different from your. That’s the difference between conservatives and libs…..I accept whatever you want to believe in, but you(lib) can not do the same. It’s so easy……intolerant much……
JM
September 16th, 2010
12:37 pm
JM, are you saying all conservatives are stupid??
Absolutely not. But all the stupids I know are conservatives.
granny godzilla
September 16th, 2010
12:37 pm
And you preach about the evils of Spam. Well listen up buster, Spam is nutritious, delicious and should be feed to our school children once a week.
Mr Godzilla loves a fried Spam and Mayo sammy.
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:38 pm
Mike K….unfortunately no matter how you put it out there, if you don’t agree with the liberals on this blog, you are a racist bigot hate filled moron.
The liberal here refuse to agree with your beliefs, because you decline to provide evidence of your beliefs, you refuse to debate them, and they are contrary to all of the evidence.
And you insist you want a fourth strike at the ball.
everyday American
September 16th, 2010
12:38 pm
tea baggers, stupid conservatives etc..,,wow, i know my party left me along time ago, but i didn’t realize how ‘mature’ they had become too…
JM
September 16th, 2010
12:38 pm
That’s the difference between conservatives and libs…..I accept whatever you want to believe in
This isn’t about belief. If you disagree with the science because of what you believe, then you are irrational by definition.
Belief is not an entitlement to be stupid.
everyday American
September 16th, 2010
12:39 pm
how ironic…
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:39 pm
So now I’m irrational because I have a belief different from your.
No, I consider you to be irrational because your beliefs are based upon a 2000 year old book, are contrary to all of the physical evidence, have no basis in reality, and you refuse to debate.
Lil' Bush Bailout
September 16th, 2010
12:39 pm
I love exposing lib’s who trade on intolerance-
And this is coming from the party of No Mosque….isn’t that pretty intolerant
Lil’ Barry Bailout-
If Bush cared so much about the economy, why didn’t he make the tax cuts permanent…He had a republican majority and I’m sure some democrats would have jumped on board…
Dave
September 16th, 2010
12:40 pm
And the survey says!
Survey Says: Liberals Stingier, Stupider Than Conservatives
“In a survey released October 14, 2009 the liberal-leaning Pew Research Center ran a “News IQ Quiz.”
It probably didn’t surprise the Pew staff to learn that a “partisan knowledge gap” existed between Democrats and Republicans.
But it surely horrified them to realize that the gap favored… Republicans.
On fully ten of twelve “News IQ Quiz” questions asked, Republicans demonstrated deeper basic knowledge than Democrats, with respondents tied on one question and Democrats leading on only one of the twelve.
In other words, the hard survey data confirms what anyone familiar with socio-economic issues already suspected: if anyone earns the label “elite,” it is actually more conservative Americans.
[snip]
In May 2008, a Gallup poll of 1,200 Americans confirmed once again that those who self-identify as “conservative” or “very conservative” contributed 56% of total charitable donations, despite constituting only 42% of the population. Those who self-identified as “liberal” or “very liberal,” in contrast, constituted 29% of the population but made only 7% of donations. Notably, these results were independent of income level and religious affiliation, as those placing themselves on the right of the political spectrum donated a higher percentage of their income than those on the left.
Distorted stereotypes die hard, but the word is getting out: conservatives are more informed and more charitable. “
Billybob
September 16th, 2010
12:41 pm
Keep talking Thomas…..I love when libs expose themselves for who they REALLY ARE, instead of who they say they are(we are for the minorities, the downtrodden, the poor, the illegals)….truth is you perpetuate those things instead of lifting up those individuals
Rick Sultana
September 16th, 2010
12:41 pm
Ah, Ms. Tucker,
What we see here is the fruit of your polemic rhetoric. Minds will not be changed, no good will come from your fulminations. But this is your playpen you’ve created for all thirty or so that read your commentary. Please remove your shoes before jumping around.
paleo-neo-Carlinist
September 16th, 2010
12:42 pm
Issue Federal Response Outcome
Racism/Poverty Great Society/Civil Rights Act Racism remains
Poverty increasing
Terrorism Patriot Act, DHS, 2 wars quess?
Recreational Drugs War on drugs/$50 billion DEA “got weed?”
Climate Change Cap and Trade undetermined
Not optimistic we’re good at anything by declaring war, and strange as it seems, we’re really good at waging (expensive) wars, but we haven’t won many since 1945 (and I’m not talking about military wars alone).
everyday American
September 16th, 2010
12:43 pm
i’ve been wondering for some time, exactly who are the Democrats working for? middle class? not, gay/lesbian? not, minorities? not, environmentalist? maybe.. just not sure.. and that’s not saying the GOP is working for those people, just saying that the Dems aren’t..
Lil' Bush Bailout
September 16th, 2010
12:43 pm
Dave-
Wouldn’t there charitable part make sense though. If the poverty level is at 14%, and they all vote democrat, then they probably wont be able to donate to charity.
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:44 pm
And the survey says!
And surveys are right up there with the bible when it comes to physical evidence and the methods of science!
Billybob
September 16th, 2010
12:44 pm
JM,
Now I am irrational and stupid. We are back to day 3 of LIBERALISM 101……name calling and attacking your opponent. This is Fun Fun Fun
paleo-neo-Carlinist
September 16th, 2010
12:45 pm
everyday, the Democrats are working for the same folks the Repubs are; special interests.
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:45 pm
I love when libs expose themselves for who they REALLY ARE
You do that, and I’ll continue to expose the workings of the universe with physical evidence and scientific methods. Time will tell who gets better real world practical results,
everyday American
September 16th, 2010
12:46 pm
nobody, absolutely nobody, wants to compromise. it’s their way, or the highway..kinda reminds me of my 6 yr old twins.. both sides are the ‘just say no’ party…there’s no denying that…
granny godzilla
September 16th, 2010
12:47 pm
i am a typical democratic hack
Billybob
September 16th, 2010
12:47 pm
Rick….you are correct sir, but I just can’t help exposing these libs…..good times.
godless heathen
September 16th, 2010
12:47 pm
Still waiting on the source for the statement that current climate change is an order of magnitude faster than ever before.
barking frog
September 16th, 2010
12:48 pm
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:39 pm
No, I consider you to be irrational because your beliefs are based upon a 2000 year old book,
—————————————————————————-
How old is the book your beliefs are based on?
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:48 pm
nobody, absolutely nobody, wants to compromise.
Just as soon as you can find a way to compromise with the laws of physics and the reality of nature, get right back to us, ok? In the meantime, I’m sticking with science, because it works.
Lil' Bush Bailout
September 16th, 2010
12:49 pm
Dave-
I just took that quiz. There is no way a majority of people would know that stuff…
Tony
September 16th, 2010
12:49 pm
thanks thomas lee- you and others that resort to childish name calling are in fact over compensating for your own physical components and you are in fact a puss.
granny godzilla
September 16th, 2010
12:50 pm
I am the Spin Doctor.
granny godzilla
September 16th, 2010
12:50 pm
well thank you name jacker for again showing everybody how much I intimidate you.
poor wittle lamb….so afraid of granny he can’t post under his own name
pathetic, pitiful, cowardly, and probably not much for hygiene either!
everyday American
September 16th, 2010
12:50 pm
you’re right paleo, question now is, do the tea-partiers, or tea-baggers, have any special interests? and if so, who and what are they?? i haven’t seen any. i’m kinda figuring that’s the reason their making some noise. everybody’s tired of the same ol’ same ol’..we made a changer two years ago, and that hasn’t panned out the way we thought, so, let’s make another…
Mark
September 16th, 2010
12:51 pm
This unfortunately is the approach I see more and more, of the left and the right: This is just HOW IT IS and if you can’t see that, we will dismiss everything you have to say. There is no debate. There is no other point of view or possibility, despite whatever alternate scientific theories may exist. CT cites a “scientific consensus” where there is none, and dismisses every other point of view before they are even voiced.
JM
September 16th, 2010
12:51 pm
On fully ten of twelve “News IQ Quiz” questions asked, Republicans demonstrated deeper basic knowledge than Democrats, with respondents tied on one question and Democrats leading on only one of the twelve.
Quick! Change the subject from science to current events!
But Dave’s cut-and-paste self pwnage only works if you don’t know what MoE means. Take a look at their current one, for instance.
36% of Republicans, 35% of independents and 34% of Democrats know that the government bailout of banks and financial institutions was signed into law by former President Bush. Democrats (46%) are just as likely as Republicans (50%) or independents (44%) to incorrectly say the legislation was enacted after Obama became president.
You could say that Republicans “won” each of those … but Pew doesn’t, because they’re not ignorant of how statistics work.
Once again, Dave digs up a quote, only to show he’s too stupid to know what it means.
Oh, and for the charitable donations, might want to look at the income disparity behind it. Makes more sense that way.
Rob
September 16th, 2010
12:51 pm
CT has got to be one of the most predictable columnists on the AJC
GOP BAD
WHITE PEOPLE BAD
REPEAT
JM
September 16th, 2010
12:51 pm
CT cites a “scientific consensus” where there is none
See what I mean about ignorant?
granny godzilla
September 16th, 2010
12:52 pm
Dave
You can play the game too?
Game?
Maybe for you. And in fact, that explains a lot about you.
We don’t need more gamers, we need serious, thoughtful, learned
folks and you just don’t fit that profile.
Game indeed.
Billybob
September 16th, 2010
12:52 pm
“You do that, and I’ll continue to expose the workings of the universe with physical evidence and scientific methods”
Hey Professor,
Why don’t you go get Gilligan to help you with that and I’ll go get Mary Ann and Ginger and go have some fun. Let me know how the theoretical world works out for you…
Cynthis Is Sexy!!
September 16th, 2010
12:52 pm
Obama slogan should have been Dope & Change…keep the populace doped up on stimulus, Hcare and change everything behind their backs.
Obama the brainless wonder. LMAO…that dude is cirling the toilet and soon to go under the ever so stinky waters of the ALMIGHTY TOILET!!
everyday American
September 16th, 2010
12:52 pm
i’m sticking with science too…from what i’ve learned, the earth cools, then warms..whose to say it doesn’t start cooling again in the near future..nobody knows. and if they say they do, they’re not telling the truth..
anti-science know-nothing
September 16th, 2010
12:53 pm
All the more reason to beef up immigration laws. All those illegals on our soil are wasting our resources. Maybe we can put up a great wall in front of the Rio Grande to keep their carbon dioxide from killing our stuff.
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:53 pm
How old is the book your beliefs are based on?
I don’t base my beliefs on books, I base them on my observations, which includes multiplying my observations by including the observations of many other people, both alive and dead, and then I make my own conclusions, which in terms of cutting edge science, change daily. Just because general relativity found some fundamental misunderstandings in classical mechanics, that doesn’t mean that I abandon classical engineering best practices.
I find a useful book to be the Los Alamos Arxiv, published nightly.
JM
September 16th, 2010
12:53 pm
JM,
Now I am irrational and stupid.
You just admitted it. You can either grow up and deal with it or you can remain a conservative.
Billybob
September 16th, 2010
12:54 pm
Granny, 12:50……good one!
Thomas Lee Elifritz
September 16th, 2010
12:54 pm
Hey JimmyJoeBillyBob, do you think entertaining the tea baggers with nonsense will solve your problems?
Beelzebubba - Demon of the South
September 16th, 2010
12:54 pm
C.T., I’m not convinced the entire GOP community is 100% sure that global warming is a myth. You may recall Sarah Palin stating you were unable to see Russia from Alaska before global warming.
G.R.L. Cowan
September 16th, 2010
12:55 pm
One of the stories you often hear is that global warming was not already being predicted in the 1970s. It was, of course, and there is an interesting article at http://ams.confex.com/ams/pdfpapers/131047.pdf#page=9 detailing this.