Arrogance: Climate Science vs Biblical Belief (Rep Shimkus)

Arrogance: having or revealing an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities (Dictionary Version 2.1.3 (80.4)) 

The only arrogance I can see is with Rep. Jim Shimkus (Dumb). Surely, faith, when it obfuscates and denies truth it must be the epitome of arrogance. When faith is a champion of ignorance it should be clear that truth is the competition. Gaining control of the House Energy and Commerce Committee would be a major coup for deniers and carpetbaggers.

Who does Shimkus think he is to claim that his particular Christian faith is infallible. Let his Bible stand up to scrutiny, to irrefutable evidence. The proof is in belief and that is the problem. Truth that relies on faith is bound to be politically motivated. I'm not sure I trust one faith over another, and I think the best thing is to keep faiths out of the political process as much as possible.

Am I alone in thinking this guy is mad? His gall and contempt for humanity I can not fathom. What he stands for is dangerous and immoral. To do nothing is to assure that millions of people will die and millions more suffer.

I think the goal with global warming is to minimise as much as possible humanities contributions to warming, and to prepare ourselves for inevitable change. Let's be clear - Shimkus's God is the US greenback. And that's the only green he defends is the kind that handsomely lines his and his friends's pockets.

Also not appearing to be interested in truth, the other candidate for the Energy and Commerce Committee job, Rep. Barton (Dumber), is another who treats us like fools. On behalf of sanity I do apologise for this man.

Close your eyes and slowly count to ten. Maybe it will all go away.

TPM: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/11/new_house_climate_czar.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Talking-Points-Memo+%28Talking+Points+Memo%3A+by+Joshua+Micah+Marshall%29

Climate-gate: Under Exposed Hoax

I really don't know where to begin. Finally after a four month investigation Pennsylvania State University has given Michael Mann, one of the adjudged conspirators of data manipulation, the all clear on research misconduct.

While this announcement is most welcome for some reason it does not feel like a victory. Unforgivably, I can not erase the smug looks I imagine are still frozen to the faces of the climate denier's. Their malicious aim was to muddy Copenhagen. Derailment. Loss of ground, indeed, but it is better to be absolved of wrongdoing than be held to the firing wall. Not that deniers will be satisfied with this finding, they are unable to accept evidence unless it is exclusively theirs.

The fact is we should feel more secure about science, especially when it is scrutinised by peers.

I think it is fair to say the news coverage was hot when it first leaked. And milder when the all clear was given. I still believe the real story rests with the mainstream media. The bias is palpable. Whatever it is that bends them they are not giving it away.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/02/michael-mann-cleared
Pennsylvania State University noted Mann's "outstanding" work was widely recognised in science circles - discounting accusations of misconduct.

Lutz Retires from GM

Mr Lutz, Mr Lutz let bygones be bygones, eh? Do us a favour, please. In the interim between your next reincarnation and this fasten some metachlorian scruples and re-energise to the light side. Go with the force, Lutz Sciencebalker.

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-business/gms-bob-lutz-to-retire-20100304-pjia.html

It's the Solar Flares, Stupid

Lutz be careful not to say anything stupid.

According to the man himself cars do not contribute to CO2 global warming as much as solar flares do. Yes, the majority of respected scientists have made a serious error in attributing the scale of human activities to global warming.

Amazingly, Lutz, GM's CEO, knows a thing or two about how to interpret scientific data, Thanks to his superior knowledge about how the earth works we can drive our cars with utter contempt for the 'crock of shit' 'ers who have taken us down the proverbial garden path.

Well done, Lutz. I feel a whole lot better now knowing the sun is the culprit. Someone call up Bruce Willis. It's time we nuked the sun and stopped this charade. Long live the SUV!

I wonder why.

http://smh.drive.com.au/motor-news/global-warming-dont-blame-the-car-20100121-mmry.html

Bruce Newton: "I am not going to give a speech on this because everytime I do I get in trouble," Lutz said, then immediately began explaining his views."

Bob Lutz takes the first foilist award for 2010. Congrats!

Beck on Global Warming

Just blow up the sun?

Glenn Beck and NewsBusters Expose Global Warming Bullies

In a nutshell Glenn Beck (a nut himself who is paranoid of acorns) exposes the global warming hoax. Be warned, this clown is not all there, nor are the millions of Americans who regularly tune into his show.

Beck is adroit at positing misinformation and peddling fear. Therefore he certainly deserves to be on the foilist list. Welcome Glenn Beck.

Angst to Action

When banks turns the screws tighter the expected response from the serfs is to take it stoically by stuffing a rag in the mouth and biting down hard. There is little recourse but to submit to the inflicted pain. Extrication is not one of the options. When you're screwed you're really screwed.

In following the Westpac saga it is with some incredulity we find angst moving toward action, albeit more a ripple than a wave. Nonetheless we shall admire it for what it is worth.

Statement:

At Westpac sustainability means 'doing the right thing'. It's our short-hand for what is complex, values-based agenda focused on doing the right thing for our customers, our employees, our shareholders, our communities and our business.

The Westpac bank utilises community dialogue to determine how they deal with 'material issues,' for their stakeholders (shareholders). I am not sure what 'material issues' mean. It is code for something.

A number of agencies make up Westpac's Community Consultative Council. This council provides community feedback so that Westpac can determine its priorities for its stakeholders. The Council is an integral element of their Stakeholder Engagement Framework.

In response to the latest furor over doubling the interest rates Sydney Morning Herald reported that the Finance Sector Union and Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) resigned from Westpac's Community Consultative Council. I checked Westpac's list and did not see these agencies posted there. I presume they have already been removed from the web page.

Further, Graeme Samuel, the head for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, announced that he is considering withdrawing support for Westpac's takeover of St. George Bank.

The sabers clash. Who's to say if any serious action will come from this. What is significant though is that community outrage is being taken one step further than being simply expressed .

http://www.smh.com.au/business/walkouts-over-westpac-rate-rises-20091206-kcuy.html

"Westpac is disappointed," said a spokesman, David Lording. "But we respect that sometimes opinions diverge."

So how does Westpac Respond?

Spin, baby spin. Its all the global financial crisis's fault! Wow! how convenient. It's the universal answer guaranteed to be indefensible. It works too. How many times have I heard Wayne Swan use it? As a defence it has lost credibility.

"Westpac tries a new twist on rate rise"

http://www.smh.com.au/business/property/westpac-tries-new-twist-on-rate-rise-20091207-kfbs.html

Adele Fergusen: Are we living in a parallel universe?

Also, check out the comments section. There are plenty of satisfied bank sympathisers registering their support for Westpac. So what's the problem with the rest of us?

Gail Kelly, CEO of Westpac

U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman

Joe Lieberman is a dubious character in U.S. politics. Purportedly, he sides as a Democrat. However, much of his allegiance appears to allied with the Republican party. Without going into specifics the man is arguably a spoiler and plays for both teams. How the Democrat party puts up with his antics is a mystery.

In my opinion his stance on Health Care Reform is duly obstructionist and he is in opposition to well... who really knows? He seems actively determined to scuttle (filibuster) the reform legislation currently being debated in the U.S. Senate. I am convinced he is in the pockets of the health insurance companies. When pressed to explain his reasoning he answers in ambiguities. This man is master of foil, an agent of distraction.

Find below some links which highlight some of my concerns.

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2006/09/01/hadassah_lieberman/index.html

Joe Conason: Hadassah Lieberman worked for a powerhouse lobbying firm. Were her clients' special interests being served by her husband?

http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2009/10/29/joe_lieberman/index.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/11/08/lieberman-pledges-to-fili_n_349981.html

Joe Lieberman: "If the public option plan is there, as a matter of conscience, I will not allow this bill to come to a final vote."

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/29/opinion/29kristof.html

Nicholas D. Kristof: "for those members of Congress who are wavering on health reform, listen to John's story." (more...)

New Label - Foilists

Enter the foilist, the proverbial spanner thrown into works whose foremost intent is to subvert, obfuscate, derail, scupper, thwart, baffle, and basically defeat and outwit an opponent. My particular frustration with foilists lies with those who zealously work for crooks.

They are usually lobbyists or representatives of lobbyists such as the self promoting politician whose prime objective is to ensure that dark secretive commercial interests succeeds at the expense of what's best for society as a whole. Unfortunately, immoral actions procured for lucre have many takers.

We often hear words used to foster these lickspittles as being individuals of 'principle' and 'probity.' Indeed much public relations goes into manufacturing them and securing their positions in which they can effectively maintain influence.

Throughout the course of my life I have witnessed many such mercenaries. To me they are traitors to humanity, the vilest among us who have sold out to greed. Their selfish actions are reprehensible. They are the deceiver puppets.