A little something for fun because someone's been too lazy to post new material lately

"We are cutting the science and warning systems that protect us from this kind of disaster."

This quote on CNN’s earthquake/tsunami coverage tonight from Jeffrey Sachs, an economist,  director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people:

“The Republicans are cutting the science and the warning systems that protect us from this kind of disaster … they’re making terrible decisions, this should be a wakup call to Congress to stop being so anti-scientific, to stop neglecting these powerful forces of nature.”

Make no mistake, the same type of shortsighted nonsense is brewing in Michigan’s legislature, fueled by the anti-government wing of same political party that once was home to proud conservation heroes like Teddy Roosevelt and Bill Milliken.

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Michigan scientists have message for Washington, Upton: Don't make Congress a science-free zone

Upton: For climate action before he was against it

More than 160 Michigan scientists have signed a letter urging Congress to “reject any measure that would block or delay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from protecting the people of Michigan from air pollution and human caused climate change, both of which put public health, agriculture, the environment and our economy at risk.”

The scientists’ appeal comes as Congress, led by Michigan Congressman Fred Upton, considers whether to pass legislation prohibiting the Environmental Protection Agency from regulating greenhouse gas pollution. Upton, chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, was for addressing climate change before he was against it.

Our friends as Climate Crock point out here that Congress is poised to become a science-free zone. And, that it could be worse. A bill in the Montana legislature would declare that climate change isn’t manmade, and if it is that it is “beneficial to the welfare and business climate of Montana.”

 

Good God. Don’t give the dimmest bulbs in Michigan’s legislature any ideas.

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