Grassley on Global Warming

[Otm Shank]

Replying to a letter my spouse wrote to protest his weak stance on global warming, Sen. Grassley included this bit in his form letter:

I recognize that various predictions of global climate change have been a cause of concern for many and I certainly share your view that this is an issue which bears consideration. However, I have always said that any environmental issue should be evaluated on the principles of sound science, not political science. While many scientists believe that the data that has been collected points toward significant human-induced climate change, the science on this issue is by no mean settled.

:wtf:

I'd really like to see the "scientific" studies he's referring to that say, nah--no biggie!

FYI, just in case you want to do like I did and send 'ol Chuck an email to let him know how you feel about this.

His email is [e-mail]

[SaveElmer]

1. Not the sharpest tool in the shed...

From what I hear!!!

[Otm Shank]

2. Yeah, but he sure can mow that lawn, can't he?

BTW, the letter also contains this gem:

Some scientists believe that human pollution will cause dramatic temperature increases while others doubt the extent of human-induced climate change.

I can see the reasoning behind this: "Yeah, ya see, my pal Bill Frist is a doctor, and that makes him a kind of scientist, and he says that global warming is just a myth made up by the liberals!"

[SaveElmer]

3. It's like a smoker in denial!!!

Well I smoke...haven't got lung cancer yet...so smoking must be ok!!!

[Otm Shank]

4. Funny you should mention that...

This was part of my email to him:

With all due respect, Senator, it is you and not any recipient of this form letter who is putting political science before sound science. There is no conclusive proof that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, and yet there is legislation to prevent tobacco companies from marketing to minors. Why, if there is no conclusive proof of the damage smoking causes? Is the government simply trying to protect young Americans from the deleterious effects of smooth tobacco flavor? No. Our government is acting on *sufficient* evidence to do what is right, even though it creates a temporary hardship for a profitable industry.

:smoke:

[lynettebro440]

5. I received a letter yesterday in the mail

It was Grassley's stupid excuses for the war in Iraq (I sent him an email in regards to the war, I guess he uses snail mail because he doesn't know how to write an email back). I was shocked that someone could still feel the way his letter reflected, it was a two page letter basically of the same shit that Bush is blowing up our hind ends. This guy really is a moron, and he is a favorite here in Iowa. I'm amazed, just simply amazed.

[Otm Shank]

6. He's got selective intelligence

To his credit, he spearheaded a campaign to get the FDA to stop kowtowing to the pharmaceutical companies and resume working in the interests of consumers by protecting them instead of rushing ill-tested drugs to market to suit the industry. Also, he's a big proponent of government transparency--i.e., he's conservative, not some neocon.

Which is why it pains me that he can be so sensible in areas like these but so hardheaded in others like global warming.

When he bucks the party line he's generally successful. I just wish he bucked the system more often than he does.


edited for grammar

[rurallib]

7. I wouldn't say he stopped the FDA from kowtowing

Grassley only wants to add another EXPENSIVE bureaucracy on the top of the FDA. The FDA can continue to do what it does so badly now and we gotta hope this new monstrosity can keep new Vioxxes off the market. Fat chance that. This makes it look like Grassley cares when so far nothing has happened and nothing probably will.
Chuckles used to be a mild embarassment to Iowa, now he is a major freaking embarassment.
Selective intelligence? I'd say little intelligence but a lot of loyalty to that pResident! Like a well bred pup.

[Otm Shank]

8. I never said he succeeded...

...only that he tried.

There was a nice feature on NOW about how the FDA was leaving the pharmaceutical industry fox to guard the henhouse a while back, and I had to admit I was shocked to hear Grassley's name among those eager to put a stop to it.

Cheers.

[ISUGRADIA]

9. Saw Al Gore in St Paul about two weeks ago

Forget exact figure but number of peer reviewed scientific journal articles supporting the idea of global climate change going on now:

638

Number of articles disputing the idea of global climate change going on now:

ZERO

Sounds like settled science to me...

[Otm Shank]

10. I wanted to ask him

if he could kindly cite the "scientific" studies to which he was referring that cast doubt on global warming. I took the softer, and I hope more persuasive approach instead.