Posted by
Bullfrog on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 7:29:01 AM
KGW.com reports that the Oregon "state climatologist" George Taylor doesn't toe the line with state policy about the cause of global warming. Taylor's job is actually at Oregon State University, despite the title's implication that it is a state appointed position. “Most of the climate changes we have seen up until now have been a result of natural variations,” Taylor asserts.
The governor of Oregon therefore wants to take away Taylor's job, and create a state job with that title, so that he can appoint someone who will not contradict state policy.
His opinions conflict not only with many other scientists, but with the state of Oregon's policies.
So the governor wants to take that title from Taylor and make it a position that he would appoint.
In an exclusive
interview with KGW-TV, Governor Ted Kulongoski confirmed he wants to
take that title from Taylor. The governor said Taylor's contradictions
interfere with the state's stated goals to reduce greenhouse gases, the
accepted cause of global warming in the eyes of a vast majority of
scientists.
Two things stand out here. First, I'm not sure the reporter fully understands that political policy rules, not hard science, despite the wording of the article. This article certainly didn't delve into any hard facts. Second, the reporter seems to accept the state's assertion that global warming is indeed man-made, and that we can just shut it off if only we spend enough. This is simply not true.
The argument that spending enough to cut greenhouse gases, primarily carbon emissions, will stop global warming is prima facie erroneous. There's still the issue of water vapor being a greenhouse gas. I might suggest the windbags be the first to stop breathing. Given free rein, people like Al Gore and the governor of Oregon would inevitably cripple the economy of the free world, and essentially accomplish nothing to actually stop the phenomenon.
Most scientists do not argue that global warming doesn't exist. The "dissenters," as if that's a dirty word, merely argue that it's going to happen no matter what, and there's little we can do to stop it. I do not see George Taylor arguing anything but that. Yet, to the governor, he's a pariah, because he holds an opinion that doesn't jibe with state policy.
Politicians seldom let facts stand in the way of their agenda. This case really highlights it.