A cool book on a warm topic

Tom Bethell, a media fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution, has an interesting book out called The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science. Among the other things he deals with in this book is global warming/climate change.

The author blames many gullible reporters for passing along scientific fraud and doubtful theories. He believes the media treat doctors and scientists as all-knowing, making it easier for alarmists to make outlandish claims about the environment.

What intrigued me was what he found when he examined statements of global-warming fans. For example, he mentions a Stanford climatologist, Stephen Schneider, who said, "We have to offer up scary scenarios, make simplified, dramatic statements, and make little of any doubts we might have. This ‘ double ethical bind’ we frequently find ourselves in cannot be solved by any formula. Each of us has to decide what the right balance is between being effective and being honest. I hope that means being both." Now that is a revealing statement -- the American public only pays attention to scare stories.

Bethell also has a quotation from Christine Steward, who was former Canadian Minister of the Environment. Here's a woman in a governmental position saying the following: "No matter if the science is all phony, there are collateral environmental benefits... Climate change [provides] the greatest chance to bring about justice and equality in the world." So apparently the end justifies the means -- as long as we have good intentions, it's OK for us to lie to you.