On Ted’s Montana-size carbon footprint . . . and mouth

Ed Driscoll has a nice, succinct take-down of Ted Turner’s recent rants about everyone adopting a one-child policy in light of our “life and death” fight against climate change:

If it’s life and death, then act that way, Ted. Time to retire the private jet. Since self-described climate experts have claimed that “meat [is] making global warming worse,” time to close the giant bison ranch and restaurants. There’s a stadium in Atlanta with your name on it. Demand that they disable their lights. Although you no longer own the TV networks you built, your word still likely carries some sway there as their founder. Demand that they go off the air and close down their Websites to eliminate their carbon footprint.

And it’s some footprint.

Here are seven more things I’d like to see, to prove that you’re serious about this “life and death” issue.

Because, to paraphrase the Professor, I’ll believe that global warming is a matter of life and death when the people who tell me that it’s a matter of life and death start to act that way themselves. (links original)

Now, you could apply that take-down to lots of limousine liberals. But this one is for Ted alone:

“Now the father of five, who has often publicly regretted having so many children, [Turner] wants to extend China’s policy to the rest of us.”

I wonder if the Ted’s kids — or his ex-wives — ever ask him which child he regrets the most?

– By Kyle Wingfield

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129 comments Add your comment

kevin

December 8th, 2010
1:28 pm

The Anti-Gnostic,

I am fine with minority transferring money to the majority.
Seems to me that conservatives think that all of the money on your paycheck, taxed money included, is somehow “your money” and the government steals it and redistributes it (and occaisionally builds unnecessary things like public transit, roads, schools, etc). However, they fail to realize that they do not make money in a vacuum, but in a system–a system born of the laws and rules of this country. The level of success one achieves is directly proportional to the extent to which he/ she is able to use the system to his/ her advantage. The more you reap, the more you should pay for the system you benefit from, and ultimately, those who benefit far less.

Ditto

December 8th, 2010
1:32 pm

What Lt. Dan said at 12:25pm…

The Anti-Wooten

December 8th, 2010
1:32 pm

Kevin,

You’re attempting to explain something that sane people believe to those that inhabit the asylum, conservatives.

Hank Reardon

December 8th, 2010
1:33 pm

Bub
thank you for your rationality at 1:12

AG
why massive heat increase? all it takes to melt ice is temperatures above freezing…a difference of tenths of degrees in many areas… and it’s a (no pun intended) snowball effect from there…more icemelt water, more ice melts. the data that my professors used is based on chemical principles that are accepted by scientific communities globally.
i believe this passes the smell test.

Ed,
have you seen the graphic correlations between rising temps and the industrial revolution vs. time? have you studied atmospheric chemistry? what does it say about the relationship between CO2, Ozone, NOx, and temp? Science is in the business of getting to the truth. Just because it was wrong in the past, will you ignore new evidence and choose ignorance?

kevin

December 8th, 2010
1:34 pm

Anti-Wooten,

Haha. Thanks!

kevin

December 8th, 2010
1:35 pm

Hank Reardon,

Many of these folks also deny evolution…

Bubba

December 8th, 2010
1:41 pm

Actually, very few people deny evolution. What they deny is that one species can evolve into another.

Hank Reardon

December 8th, 2010
1:47 pm

dang, Bubba
you had me and then you lost me

thanks kevin for reminding me to check my premise

dbm

December 8th, 2010
1:47 pm

kevin

December 8th, 2010
1:13 pm

Please define “system”.

kevin

December 8th, 2010
1:48 pm

So, they deny half of evolution?! Either way, it’s moronic.

Native Atlantan

December 8th, 2010
1:51 pm

I’m a rare species in this town. I’m a native son of the Big A for 45 years (with a brief stopover in Athens). I once admired The Mouth of the South with his creation of CNN. At the time I was too politically naive when it came to liberal vs. conservative politics. None the less, CNN was a big deal. Unfortunately, Ted has gone the way of his former network – insignificant and far left. However, I do enjoy the bison at Ted’s Montana Grill. I guess we conservatives can still support capitalism even if the owner is a whack job.

Bubba

December 8th, 2010
1:51 pm

We’ve certainly evolved from cro-magnon, or neanderthal, if you believe they were of the same species. I don’t think anybody would deny that. But did apes become humans? Different question.

Hank Reardon

December 8th, 2010
1:53 pm

both different species bub

Bubba

December 8th, 2010
1:56 pm

No, cro-magnon was our species. Adios, amigos.

Rafe Hollister

December 8th, 2010
2:00 pm

Hank, check out the water vapor levels in the atmosphere. I read some research yesterday that vapor levels were unnaturally high during the last decade. Since water vapor has more of a greenhouse effect than CO2, it is causing some of the “warming”, although this research reported that the “warming” has unexpectedly stalled. Guess we all need to quit showering and slow that water vapor build up.

You can’t win this GW debate as the advocates, the ones making huge sums of money have dictated the rules of the debate. Way ahead of anyone else noticing, they are dismissing evidence that works against them. I saw recently where one GW advocate said to expect more periods of severe cold, which is caused by GW. How can you debate something, when whatever evidence you provide is discounted by saying that evidence was the result of GW. Idiocy!

kevin

December 8th, 2010
2:02 pm

Well, evolutionary theory certainly claims that humans came from apes and respected scientist in the world would deny this So, to deny this is to deny evolution.
Also, there are plenty of people who believe the story of creation in Genesis. And, many of those morons infiltrated Cobb county schools and demanded “evolution is only a theory” stickers be placed on science books and advocated teahing creationism as an option in lieu of evolution.

kevin

December 8th, 2010
2:03 pm

that should have read, “…and no respected scientist would deny this”

jconservative

December 8th, 2010
2:07 pm

This entire column can be described as follows:

It’s my ball and if you do not play by my rules I will take my ball and go home.

Juvenile at best.

glenn

December 8th, 2010
2:09 pm

In this economy I think a decline in children in this country will happen naturally . No need go all China on everyone .

wondering

December 8th, 2010
2:13 pm

It comes down to what do you believe ENOUGH to act upon it. Ted and Jimmy both talk a good game, and both put their money were their mouth goes. Check on their activities and who funds them. I’ll take them over the talkers who complain about everything and do nothing about anything any day.

A Hearty Cheese Sauce

December 8th, 2010
2:18 pm

Ted Turner is Bat Shyt crazy and probably should be commited. Smart man but crazy as a rat in a tin shythouse.

carlosgvv

December 8th, 2010
2:30 pm

Almost all of the world’s leading climatologists agree global warming is real and man-made. But, hey, we all know the big corporations know more than them, right? And, even though it would cost Big Business a great deal of money to clean up the air, we know money has nothing to do with this, right?

Joe the Plutocrat (the artist formerly known as paleo-neo-Carinist)

December 8th, 2010
2:30 pm

Turner is known for speaking his mind. It’s a free country, right? Oh, and one more thing about meat. Cattle ranching is an environmental nightmare. Bison are indigenous to North America (like deer). It is not “meat” per se that destroys the environment (and the economy). I could be wrong, but I doubt Turner is the beneficiary of sweetheart grazing deals (on federal land), farm subsidies, etc. either way, he specifically noted “5,000 years” so why worry? but don’t paint him as a chicken-little claimate change loon. at least he is offering solutions.

Sid Farcas

December 8th, 2010
2:32 pm

Anti-Wooten, still believing made up data eh? Will good for you son, keep it up and be sure to track Santa on his journey from the North Pole next Friday evening.

Sid Farcas

December 8th, 2010
2:34 pm

Taking jimmy and ted for their word is like taking Mo and Curly for their opinions. Get real, both are extreme left socialist pigs. One is nuts and one is senile. Take your pick which is which.

A Hearty Cheese Sauce

December 8th, 2010
2:36 pm

carlosgvv

December 8th, 2010
2:30 pm

“Almost all of the world’s leading climatologists agree global warming is real and man-made.” Uhhh, NO, they dont.

SaveOurRepublic

December 8th, 2010
2:37 pm

Turner is “crazy”, but(like most of the Globalist Elite) is an ardent eugenicist bend on not only population “control” but reduction thereof. This is facilitated through a litany of means including toxic (mercury laden) vaccines, “frankenfoods”, etc.

SaveOurRepublic

December 8th, 2010
2:38 pm

correction above ^^^ “is NOT crazy”

shaggy

December 8th, 2010
2:39 pm

Enter your comments here

Linda

December 8th, 2010
2:42 pm

Kevin @ 2:02, You think that people who believe in the story of creation in Genesis are morons? Does that include the Founding Fathers? Have you rescinded your inalienable rights since you do not believe in the source of their endowment?

shaggy

December 8th, 2010
2:47 pm

oops, I meant to say:
Yes Ted is a hypocrite, and yes, Ted is right…to a degree.

Nah, scrap that…. we need for people to have as many kids as they can, so countries will have plenty of soldiers for the wars over resources that ARE coming. It will be very bloody, but the survivors of a blasted earth will be glad to be alive and able to harvest cockroaches to make a soup.

StJ

December 8th, 2010
2:53 pm

:rofl: I believe this is probably the funniest thing I’ve read in a long time! Yeah I wonder which kid King Ted would “spare”. Judging by the family lineage, I’d say they all have a screw loose somewhere.

Bubba 12:11 > So true.

kevin

December 8th, 2010
2:55 pm

Linda,

The founding fathers were, for the most part, not Christians. Many were diests and many thought religion was bunk. That said, at the time, science could not explain the world as it can now. Back then, there was an excuse for perhaps believing some nonsense about a day by day creation story involving creating a woman out of a man’s rib. However, to still accept that story in light of overwhelming scientific evidence is moronic at best, and insane at worst. Do you also believe the world is only 6000 years old and that we lived with dinosaurs?

Linda

December 8th, 2010
2:56 pm

carlosgvv@2:30, “…to clean up the air…” What are you talking about? The global warming debate is not about cleaning up the air. It’s to change the air. It’s not about pollution (carbon monoxide, etc.). It’s about reducing the amount of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide. Air is .039% carbon dioxide & is essential to photosynthesis. Without it & without enough of it, we all die.

Bill

December 8th, 2010
2:56 pm

Heard Turner say on TV this morning he was for increasing taxes. The he said he don’t pay any taxes, because he does not make much money anymore. So, who believes he is still worth a few billion, owns a lot of restaurants, yet claims he does not make any money to speak of.

People like Ted Turner, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffett paid about 15% dividend taxes on all the money they made, then they gave it away to charities and now speak up the we need to pay higher taxes. They all still have plenty of money, why don’t they put their money where their big mouths are and whip out a check and pay more taxes.

Evidently the U S Government is their favorite charity, but they tried their best to avoid paying taxes themselves. They still do. The hypocricy.

Joe the Plutocrat (the artist formerly known as paleo-neo-Carlinist)

December 8th, 2010
3:07 pm

and another thing; somebody tell Driscoll that Turner is not longer the Braves owner (they’re owned by Liberty Media). the fact the Braves named the stadium after Turner does not make him liable for “the Ted’s” carbon footprint (and even if it does, they recycle, so it’s a “push”).

randy

December 8th, 2010
3:08 pm

conservative christians are the devil in drag…

kevin

December 8th, 2010
3:11 pm

Nice one, Randy.

Linda

December 8th, 2010
3:16 pm

Kevin @ 2:55, The progressives have been instrumental in changing our history books but not our history. Our Founding Fathers were profoundly Christians. The Declaration of Independence proves it. We were endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights. You avoided my question. Have you rescinded yours?
Over 650 Biblical prophecies have been fulfilled. None have been proven false.
I have a science degree & believe that the universe & my particular world is too intricate to have been an accident or evolved from something less complicated.

randy

December 8th, 2010
3:21 pm

christianity is the root of all evil

Hank Reardon

December 8th, 2010
3:23 pm

linda,
the religious zealots have also been instrumental in changing our history books (including scriptures)…that explains all your fulfilled prophecies.
also, how did jefferson feel about christianity?

Wyle Kingfield

December 8th, 2010
3:25 pm

Believe what you want Linda and leave the rest of us alone.

The Anti-Wooten

December 8th, 2010
3:27 pm

Linda, my creators were my mother and father. As far as your “science degree” let me just speculate that if you took your current atitude into a college classroom today you’d lose your HOPE the very first year. Invisible Sky Fairies and the weak minded that follow them are the cause of many of the problems we have in this world.

randy

December 8th, 2010
3:29 pm

clapton is god

kevin

December 8th, 2010
3:32 pm

Nice point, Hank. In the beginning of Christianity, gnostics (who viewed Jesus as an elightenment figure like Siddhartha Buddha) were the most popular Christian sect. However, in the end they were systematically wiped out. After over 100 gospels and other texts were ignored by the council of nicea, who determined the modern day bible, you have your book.

Also, how do you reconcile the fact that your all knowing, all good, all powerful God created a world wrought with evil. He allows for grave injustice, homocide, babies with cancer, genocide, etc. If your God exists, he sure is hell is not the all good, all knowing all powerful God you have in mind. At best, he’s an ego-maniacal jerk.

BS Aplenty

December 8th, 2010
3:36 pm

Ted Turner was a superb businessman and visionary on media matters and a guy without a clue on many others.

Wyle Kingfield

December 8th, 2010
3:41 pm

You are right on point BS. Ted states as much in his book. It’s a good read, especially if you have lived in Atlanta for a while.

MTinMO

December 8th, 2010
3:43 pm

Jimmy Carter has done so much good since leaving office and has done so quietly, following his heart and religious conviction. He is a man that to this day, at his age, can be found in a hard hat swinging a hammer- helping to built another Habitat for Humanity home. He is a respected voice overseas, where he continues to work for the good of people. You don’t have to agree with him but he is someone who has earned respect due to his actions.

I believe Ted Turner is speaking about this time in our life- not about history. At the time he was fathering children, the world was not concerned about global warming nor carbon footprints. I believe too, that the bison that Turner raises are less of a footprint than cattle, therefore are more than likely to have less of an effect on the planet. After all, bison were here before all the people other than the Native Americans and are therefore more native to the land than cattle were. Bison are generally not fed the cattle feed that cows get, making them less of a threat. Their meat is healthier than beef as it is leaner and better for you.

I was listening to Ted Turner on an interview the other day and he was speaking of us humans going forward, as in we need to look at how to better manage. The Chinese government mandated the one child limit, which is not what Turner was suggesting at all. It is more like responsible people need to understand that for each child you give birth to you increase your families footprint. Those who are doing “quiver-fulls” are only interested in having enough children of their religion to be able to outnumber the rest of us one day in the future. Responsible people look at the affordability of having children and your ability to take care of them. Of course with so many children that are already here and need homes there is no reason people can’t open their hearts and homes to hold not only their birth child(ren) but to adopted children as well.

I think Ted Turner and Jimmy Carter are both telling people to think about their consequences with what they do to this world. I would love to be able to use alternative energy like sun and wind to provide my heat and cooling rather than paying for energy of any other kind. I am surprised so many people react so venomously to what they have said. They both have been successful men and done what they set out to do and are trying to help make a difference now. I don’t know what is to hate about that.

Hillbilly Deluxe

December 8th, 2010
3:44 pm

I always find it humorous to be lectured about my “carbon footprint” by someone whose “footprint” is many times greater than mine.

If you visit the area where Ted’s ranch is, you’ll find the locals have a pretty low opinion of him. Something about taking off a mountaintop to get a better view, among other things.

The Anti-Wooten

December 8th, 2010
3:46 pm

Hillbilly,

Why all of the wealth and class envy?