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Brent Deck

(2 posts)
18. Climate change has been politicized by both the right and left.
Sun Nov 4, 2012, 03:04 PM
Nov 2012

Liberals and conservatives alike have staked out untenable positions, unhindered by the burden of rational thought. Right wingers refuse to acknowledge that global warming exists, or that humans are the cause. Left wingers are certain that global warming threatens our existence and that human activity is the cause, and that the only solution is to curtail human activity.

Neither faction is willing to address the fact that the cause of climate change is immaterial to the task of finding a solution.

Those on both the far right and the far left seem to be taking the position that if global warming is caused by nature, it does not require intervention, even if the result holds disastrous consequences for the human race.

During the debates leading up to the 2008 Presidential election, Joe Biden chastened Sarah Palin that, if you don't know what causes global warming, you can't do anything to fix it. Biden’s comment, while crowd-pleasingly reasonable on its face, was scientifically unsupportable.

By that logic, a person who wakes up to find himself behind the wheel of a car hurdling at high speed in the wrong lane of a highway cannot use his brakes or steering wheel to avoid collision with oncoming traffic, simply because he cannot remember how he got into this predicament. For many problems, global warming likely among them, the solution has no connection to the cause of the problem.

An analogy more appropriate for those who believe they "know" the cause of climate change would be that of a driver heading at high speed toward a curve bounded by a steep cliff. According to current political thought, the only option open to that driver to save himself from peril is to take his foot off of the accelerator and hope the car slows down soon enough on its own. The brake pedal is not even an option.

If climate change poses a true threat to humanity, and I am persuaded that it does, then it should be addressed on that basis alone, without regard to its cause. We should be seeking the most effective and cost-effective means of applying “brakes” to prevent a climate induced catastrophe.

No rational human being, and certainly no climate scientist, can reasonably argue that any proposed reduction in combustion of fossil fuels will produce any meaningful benefit in our lifetimes.

Addressing the challenges of climate manipulation will require a difficult discussion of tough issues. Sadly, until things get much worse, it seems unlikely that either Republicans or Democrats will be ready for that discussion.

Brent Deck

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exactly.. i cant stand it when people say it is. DCBob Nov 2012 #1
You are right Dyedinthewoolliberal Nov 2012 #2
And yet I'm hopeful that this may finally move the gears jsmirman Nov 2012 #3
And of course, how much it will cost NOT to address the issue... Amonester Nov 2012 #14
I did just hear Bloomberg say he doesn't believe in dykes and sea gates and the like jsmirman Nov 2012 #17
Excellent. Thank you! K&R n/t OneGrassRoot Nov 2012 #4
Thanks - it was a late night screed written during storm-related sleeplessness jsmirman Nov 2012 #7
Well said malaise Nov 2012 #5
Thanks, malaise jsmirman Nov 2012 #9
I disagree. Speck Tater Nov 2012 #6
I think you're missing my point jsmirman Nov 2012 #8
I agree with you: "their propaganda needs to be tossed in the dustbin" Speck Tater Nov 2012 #10
And the success of that political process can only happen when their nonsense jsmirman Nov 2012 #11
The human species is on death watch because of global warming. MoonRiver Nov 2012 #12
That nails it - are we going to stand for a "Pro Human Extinction" party any longer? Enough! jsmirman Nov 2012 #15
Thanks, J.S. This is indeed the truth, no doubt about it. AverageJoe90 Nov 2012 #13
I just hope the message is starting to come through jsmirman Nov 2012 #16
Climate change has been politicized by both the right and left. Brent Deck Nov 2012 #18
Not quite right. If you are hurtling down the road because your foot is on the accelerator, it would uppityperson Nov 2012 #20
What are your suggestions? pinto Nov 2012 #21
So let me see if I understand your position... bluesbassman Nov 2012 #22
Not an expert Brent Deck Nov 2012 #23
What spelling did I correct? Did you even bother to read my post? Figuring out causes and solutions uppityperson Nov 2012 #27
You used the correct "hurtling" in your subject line, he used "hurdling". bluesbassman Nov 2012 #28
Huh, teach me to be anal about my spelllling uppityperson Nov 2012 #31
Hear, hear. Glad to see this point arising from Sandy's floodwaters. DirkGently Nov 2012 #19
I think that all that can be done is people try to prepare to adapt. Kaleva Nov 2012 #24
tell that to the republican party spanone Nov 2012 #25
too late to stop it, we have to focus on mitigation now 0rganism Nov 2012 #26
Sorry, I'm not "putting down my sword". Zoeisright Nov 2012 #29
Not a put down my sword type. Post is a suggestion to cut off their heads. jsmirman Nov 2012 #33
And the above is my meaning regarding putting down the swords. jsmirman Nov 2012 #34
In principle I agree. However, the only solutions are political. joshcryer Nov 2012 #30
It is time for people to wake up and smell the coffee on this. Lady Freedom Returns Nov 2012 #32
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