tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044318737317983833.post3532207991270616734..comments2023-06-08T04:15:43.908-05:00Comments on The Lost Albatross: Who gave this guy a column?Emilyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11393762115493350763noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044318737317983833.post-36154225770545809702008-08-09T16:57:00.000-05:002008-08-09T16:57:00.000-05:00JF - Hah, indeed. As to a name for unpaid operativ...JF - Hah, indeed. As to a name for unpaid operatives, I won't hazard my guess out loud. I'm trying to maintain some civility here.<BR/><BR/>OS - I always like to hear that. I try to keep my criticisms away from personal attacks precisely because I realize that a lot of people with whom I disagree concerning politics, etc., especially online, can be perfectly lovely in person. I don't always succeed, but I try.<BR/><BR/>D29 - Y'know, there are thousands of other research projects and papers out there that back up the fundamental findings of the IPCC's report. In the future, I'll be sure to diversify my references, just so you no longer have an excuse to shoot down everything I posit in one fell swoop without bothering to address the core arguments and findings.<BR/><BR/>I agree that many positive steps must be taken willingly, without legislation, and that some of that will happen with increased energy costs, etc. That's good. The problem is that a lot of folks have a hard time making the really crucial changes in their lives that are necessary to really and truly combat the larger problems--unless they're given the means to do so by an outside force (ie: big bad government). Sometimes legislation is necessary, but we should absolutely combine it with good community activism and personal responsibility, too.Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11393762115493350763noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044318737317983833.post-4050173636138749512008-08-09T16:06:00.000-05:002008-08-09T16:06:00.000-05:00The IPCC study is, as you know, quite controversia...The IPCC study is, as you know, quite controversial. It does not represent the views of all scientists on the matter, and (in fact) has been attacked as 'irrelevant' by the world's pioneer climatologist--a UW-Madison professor.<BR/><BR/>Adding even more 'costly' trains to already-'costly' highways does not portend well for the State's continuous deficit position, does it?<BR/><BR/>Nor, might I add, to the position of those who pay taxes.<BR/><BR/>As to re-writing laws to force "walkable environments," that's completely un-necessary. If your thesis is true, that the cost of energy will continue to rise, that relocation will happen all by itself.<BR/><BR/>Then, of course, I can purchase that 6BR/5Bath/8-car garage hovel on 6,000 acres for only 20% of its original price. With that sort of spread, who needs movies or parks?<BR/><BR/>Finally, the people who produced the report--which was outlined by a notoriously "green" "consulting" firm--may or may not be elitist.<BR/><BR/>But their tendency to legislate solutions makes them at least suspect for Fascist--a far greater worry.Dad29https://www.blogger.com/profile/08554276286736923821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044318737317983833.post-35185267392176111782008-08-09T12:21:00.000-05:002008-08-09T12:21:00.000-05:00James is actually quite a nice guy, as is his wife...James is actually quite a nice guy, as is his wife Doreen and family. We've become friends over the past two years.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately, he still doesn't get it regarding the environment and takes to repeating thoroughly debunked info, mixing it with snide commenting a bit too often. I'm not sure if he writes this just to get guffaws from the more ignorant righties, or he really means it.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, well done Emily.Other Sidehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06475658453374184885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5044318737317983833.post-31382188817697424162008-08-09T12:11:00.000-05:002008-08-09T12:11:00.000-05:00Politics is so much easier if you can just pick an...Politics is so much easier if you can just pick and choose which scientific studies you'd like to turn into public policy. Science doesn't work that way. <BR/><BR/>In politics, unlike science, you can just select the evidence that fits your theory du jour, and presto! Editorials and subsidies flow.<BR/><BR/>This observation seems foundational to me because it can certainly be applied to both parties, e.g., Doyle's poorly-conceived subsidies for ethanol. What we should applaud are politicians who havean appreciation for science, period.<BR/><BR/>Wiggie may be a known <A HREF="http://www.rethinkingschools.org/archive/14_04/vou144.shtml" REL="nofollow">Republican operative</A>, but at least he has <BR/><A HREF="http://wigdersonlibrarypub.blogspot.com/2007/10/i-love-this-website.html" REL="nofollow">great taste in blogs.</A> <BR/><BR/>Wait. Operatives are usually paid, right? What do you call it when you give it away for free?Display Namehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15842340986220388709noreply@blogger.com