Image courtesy of Flickr user "SarahDeer", used under Creative Commons
Straight from the horse’s mouth, emphasis Spencer’s:
[Washington Post reporter Juliet Eilperin] provided several paragraphs alluding to why scientists on the [mainstream] side of the issue speak out, but nowhere could I find reasons why WE [i.e. the contrarian minority] speak out.
I had told her that ill-conceived energy policies that hurt economic growth kill poor people. Was that not a sufficiently interesting thing to report on?
I guess after a while, even ostensibly serious “skeptics” like Spencer forget that they’re supposed to pretend they’re arguing science instead of a whacked out, far right wing, “economic” ideology.
Although probably unnecessary, it might be worth pointing out that actual economists think that delaying action on climate change will hurt more than using “cheap” fossil energy will help.
“I view my job a little like a legislator,
supported by the taxpayer, to protect the
interests of the taxpayer and to minimize
the role of government.”
– Roy Spencer
No, Roy. You are paid to do science, period.
Roy Spencer is on the board of directors of the George C. Marshall Institute, a decidedly anti environmental group of hard right ideologues.
Best contrary arguments I’ve come across, suitable for giving to that crazy uncle or inlaw or the guy down the way:
http://davidbrin.blogspot.com/2012/01/is-libertarianism-fundamentally-about.html
http://www.ginandtacos.com/2008/08/31/atheistsfoxholes-libertariansairplanes/
Everyone is entitled to opinions and likewise to ignore opinions.
Opinions about free market economics I prefer to ignore:
1) People, like Spencer’s (or Seitz, et al) whose careers were primarily built on government research funds.
2) People whose careers have mostly been spent in thinktanks, especially those who’ve gotten long funding from tobacco companies.
Most of these have never been remotely involved in any real competitive free market.
[Feel free to post comments that don't compare me to a mass murdering regime. Until then, cheerfully sod off. ~TB]