Doing THAT again & r.m.bies

[David Ziglin <davidz@domain.elided>]

Richard

Don't get me started !!!!!!!!!

I am in fact - not metaphorically - actively involved in several hard
science based skeptical organizations; and so, I cannot but feel more
secure in the presence of anyone who rejects irrational or nonscientific
thinking, bad science, and especially the all pervasive pseudoscience.
However, for example, to *conclude* that global warming is a myth is as
irrational and transparently political a belief as I have ever encountered
and contrarily makes me feel insecure at best.  To remain open, without
final conclusion, to the strong possibility that global warming is real, is
an entirely different attitude that is much more in keeping with the true
Skeptic.  This suspect plea for Skeptisism or scientific rationality by the
self serving is as phoney and as plastic as the right's accusations of
"political correctness" when that accusation self serves as well.

Your use of the expression "tree hugger" is as offensive a term as "gun
nut."  It mocks a legitimate and inherently ancient respect and need for
our natural world in the same way as "gun nut" mocks those who are not
darky obsessed with killing machines but rather are nobley obsessed with
what they see as principles of freedom.  Pointing fingers at Paul Erlich as
an example of "leftist irrationality" doesn't change the fact - the fact -
that population growth and "free" enterprise continues to have devastating
effects on our planet.  The consequences of the "green revolution" have had
astounding negative effects on our planet as well even though it provided
more food for even more people and more "free" consumption.

I find it endlessly fascinating that so many on the right tend to reject
any and all ideas that might cause some personal inconvenience.   Starkly
contrary to the propagandistic and dead wrong claims of the Right that
Liberals are people who believe in "doing it if it feels good", this
philosophy is obviously more accurately that of the Right whose "do your
own thing" attitude has established a long long history of degradation of
all kinds.

Recall that it was the ever so well respected by the right president and
champion of "rationality" who claimed that DDT did no harm and that trees
were the greatest polluters on the planet.  Please, spare me the
"skeptisism" of the right; it is generally no more rational than that of
new agers, creationists, and other paranormalist pseudoskeptics.


David


>>>>>What assumption?  There is enough endorsement of "tree hugger" dogma to
indicate no assumption that such is absent.  One might hope there is a
cadre who have retained enough skepticism to wonder....to also defeat the
assumption that everyone is going along, unquestioning, as good solid
citizens.    r.m,bies <<<<<<

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