The Republican War On Science Explained By A Republican

The War on Science is a very real thing Republicans are engaging in. Oh don’t get me wrong, the left also has a problem with science denial when it comes to issues like biotechnology and medicine, or believing in some loopy conspiracy stuff. However, you aren’t likely to see liberal politicians come out and openly deny scientific consensus in the way Ted Cruz and others have when it comes to climate change or other environmental issues.

The media also does a fine job of denying science. For example, Fox News likes to pretend that since it’s cold where they are, climate change doesn’t exist and it’s all a liberal hoax designed to force people to drive hybrids and destroy the economy. Other media sources just skip over the denialism and goes straight to mostly ignoring it – and MSNBC has been guilty of this as well.

However, in the wake of the 2014 mid-term elections, Republicans now control both the House and the Senate and this means the Republican War on Science is about to get even uglier. Don’t believe me? Just take a look at the committee chairs the Republican Steering Committee recommended for the 114th Congress. Notice all of the diversity that represents the changing demographics of the United States and the scientific knowledge they brought to tackle the tough issues facing our country? Oh wait, almost every single recommendation is a middle-aged white male, with little to no expertise in the area they’re supposed to be overseeing – unless you count Paul Ryan’s experience in writing unworkable budgets.

Jon Stewart Crushes the Stupidity of Republicans on Science Committee: ‘Are You F**king Kidding Me?!?!’

When it comes to pointing out the absolute stupidity often shown by Republicans, few do it better than Jon Stewart. Then again, when you’re dealing with a joke of a political party, what better place to mock that idiocy than on Comedy Central?

Take for instance Stewart’s absolutely thrashing of three Republicans on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology; Representatives Larry Buschon (R-IN), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) and Steve Stockman (R-TX), who all happen to be climate change deniers.

Stewart seemed especially annoyed at Buschon for dismissing the facts about climate change, with his reasoning being that the science is backed by “climatologists whose career depends on the climate changing. I could read that, but I don’t believe it.”

Let that sink in for a moment. Buschon’s “defense” for not trusting climate scientists is because their job security relies on climate change being real. That, quite possibly, might be the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard uttered from the mouth of another human being (considering his position and the context) - ever. 

But then Stewart absolutely crushed Buschon, saying, “Since we’re talking about the influence money might have on climate change opinion, it turns out Representative Buschon’s three biggest campaign donors are Murray Energy, Koch Enterprises, and Peabody Energy. And trust me, those three well-funded companies would love to disprove climate change to the satisfaction of the scientific community at large. So if scientists could be bought, these motherf**kers would’ve already made it rain in nerdtown.”

Amazing coincidence, isn’t it? Someone who refuses to believe in climate change being largely funded by three companies that profit heavily by destroying our planet.

Climate Truths

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Al Roker Humiliates Rush Limbaugh’s Ridiculous Polar Vortex “Liberal Conspiracy” Theory

It goes without saying that anyone who takes Rush Limbaugh seriously should have their head examined.  While he might have been relevant long ago in some draconian time in American politics, Limbaugh is now nothing more than a caricature for liberal writers such as myself to mock publicly.

So when he made his asinine comments about a real meteorological term (and phenomenon) being some kind of leftist liberal conspiracy to perpetuate the overwhelmingly scientifically-backed climate change – you knew it would be a field day.

First it was a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather who dismantled Limbaugh’s pathetic attempt to discredit the science behind climate change, and now it’s someone a little more famous.

NBC’s Today Show weatherman Al Roker decided to weigh in on Limbaugh’s comments.

Roker Tweeted:

Rush Limbaugh claims the Polar Vortex is a creation of a left-wing, liberal media conspiracy. It’s Meteorology 101. No political agenda

But he didn’t stop there.  He then posted pictures from the American Meteorological Society, dated 1959, highlighting the part of the book which defines the term “polar vortex”:

GOP: OK, climate change is real. But so what?

By this stage, Republican climate change denialism has almost lost its power to shock. Almost.

Gov. Tom Corbett of Pennsylvania—also known as the nation’s least popular governor—recently nominated Chris Abruzzo to run the state’s Department of Environmental Protection. Just to avoid any confusion, that means Abruzzo would be the guy in charge of protecting Pennsylvania’s environment (he’s already the acting secretary) .

At a state Senate hearing Thursday morning, Abruzzo was asked about his views on climate change. Here’s what he said:

I’ve not read any scientific studies that would lead me to conclude there are adverse impacts to human beings, animals, or plant life at this small level of climate change.

State Sen. Daylin Leach, a Democrat, called the comment “mind-blowing.”

But it’s reflective of a growing trend in denialism. As the evidence that it’s happening becomes indisputable, more and more deniers are adopting the Abruzzo view: OK, it’s happening, but it’s nothing to worry about.

Here’s what Maine’s Republican governor, Paul LePage said Thursday:

Everybody looks at the negative effects of global warming, but with the ice melting, the Northern Passage [a sea route in the Arctice Circle connecting the Atlantic and Pacific] has opened up. So maybe, instead of being at the end of the pipeline, we’re now at the beginning of a new pipeline.

Yeah, why is everyone always focusing on the negative?

Bill Nye, science guy on climate change and science denialism

In recent years, Bill Nye has emerged as a fearless voice against climate change deniers. The Science Guy has gone from taking on science lessons for children to taking on pundits on cable television on climate change, evolution and science in general.

Campaign Proposes Naming Hurricanes After Climate Change Deniers

Since 1954, the World Meteorological Organization has been naming extreme storms after people. But we propose a new naming system. One that names extreme storms caused by climate change, after the policy makers who deny climate change and obstruct climate policy.

EEEEEEK!!!: Updated