Image from WUWT reader “Boudu”
This QOTW is from Congressman Henry Waxman, who is pushing (or maybe bribing) the carbon cap and trade bill through congress. The statement made by Waxman can be corrected by a third grader; it is that bad.
From an interview on NPR as relayed by Tavis Smiley:
“We’re seeing the reality of a lot of the North Pole starting to evaporate, and we could get to a tipping point. Because if it evaporates to a certain point – they have lanes now where ships can go that couldn’t ever sail through before. And if it gets to a point where it evaporates too much, there’s a lot of tundra that’s being held down by that ice cap..”
That’s probably the scariest statement on “science” ever uttered by a Congressman.
Let me go on record by saying Waxman is stunningly and stupidly misinformed and intellectually inadequate for the tasks at hand that bears his name: The Waxman-Markey bill
This is what Waxman works on in Congress:
Committee on Energy and Commerce (Chairman)
* Subcommittee on Health
* Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality
* Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations
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In related news,
The Catlin Survey Group has just announced that as they get closer and closer to the North Pole, the tundra is shallower and shallower. “Sometimes, we barely get started drilling when we hit the tundra. I have my friends standing by with nets to capture any tundra that I inadvertantly release. It would be irresponsible to let the tundra fly free.”
The Catlin Science Team is anxious to meet with Congressman Waxman to confirm his recent comments, and to apply for grants to further the avancement of Science.
Tundra held down by an ice cap floating on water? The combination of ice and water must create a special gravitational field that is keeping the nearby land from flying into space.
And people actually VOTE for these people? I think there should be an exam for politicians before they are allowed to stand for office. And another one for voters before they are allowed to vote.
We can contemplate Waxman’s competency, but what does it say about the qualification of his “soul-mate” Markey?
————————————————————-
A few words from Sud Africa.
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Climate Change: A View from the Other Side of the Equator
http://personals.galaxyinternet.net/tunga/Alexander.pdf
The Sun’s Role in Natural Climate Change
ttp://personals.galaxyinternet.net/tunga/
Upcoming Solar Cycles
http://personals.galaxyinternet.net/tunga/SolarCycle.html
Waxman is getting lessons from Gore, facts have no place in this debate:
Gore referencing Madoff and a massive fraud, the irony is so thick…
Also, OT but here is another interesting editorial on solar activity from across the pond. http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/felipe-fernandezarmesto-its-been-a-long-cold-lonely-winter-but-here-comes-the-sun-and-yes-its-all-right-1674263.html
It is reasonably factual until the “denier bashing” kicked in, “Fanatics who wish to deny global warming are invoking the Sun to talk up the prospect of global cooling. Loony augurs see a new ice age coming, or threaten us with prophecies of apocalypse in 2012 – the Doomsday year selected by ancient Mayan soothsayers.”
I don’t understand why the British press seem to have drunk so much of the AGW Kool-aid…
Makes note to self for future use as witty comeback!
A agree completely — Perhaps we need a Political Moron of the Month club award, to in a single place, immortalize the incompetent ravings of our politicians from all nations. I am sure it will make for amusing reading, and at the same time give reason for some sober thought about the block heads we vote into office.
Would it be illegal to walk up to Waxman and give him a “V8 moment” over this? (slap his forehead out take from an American TV commercial for V8 Juice)
Larry
if it gets to a point where it evaporates too much, there’s a lot of tundra that’s being held down by that ice cap..”
OMG…..Not Tundra……Quick wake up Godzilla!
This is what’s really happening with Arctic ice—rapid growing trend :
IARC—JAXA (IJIS)
http://www.ijis.iarc.uaf.edu/en/home/seaice_extent.htm
DMi—OSISAF
http://ocean.dmi.dk/arctic/icecover.uk.php
“normal” range for the last 30 years
http://eva.nersc.no/vhost/arctic-roos.org/doc/observations/images/ssmi1_ice_area.png
I tried to get NSIDC but it wouldn’t connect.
Waxman wear a “Party Hat”, what else do we need to know?
If you simply watched the videos and turned off the volume, the experience would not change.
John Edmondson (11:14:39) :
This man is a genius compared to our “primeminister” the one eyed scottish idiot.
Gordon Brown is far from perfect, and his government has got it wrong on many key issues, but I don’t see what him having only one eye or being Scottish has got to do with his abiliity or intellegence (or lack of). I am surprised that this comment (which I am sure many will find offensive) passed through un-moderated.
“Steven Goddard (11:18:24) : Way OT – the last “swine flu epidemic” occurred when Jimmy Carter was president.”
Way OT too–and they wanted to give shots for it–why do they want to put needles in you? There must be some political reason.
My one and ONLY OT here.
The President has asked for input. Ok.
Let’s put the Waxman stuff into context.
Obama still holds to Iraq being a dumb idea.
Fine.
If he wants to avoid Economic-Scientific Iraqs, then he had better gather together the leading physicists of the world, and not leave driving of the Bus to the world’s foremost Science illiterates. Now, the latter is a really dumb idea.
Stunningly stupid or not, just remember, Waxman has been waiting 30 years to destroy the energy business in this country. As long as John Dingell was chair of the Committee (or the Republicans were in the leadership), Waxman was kept in check. All I can say is “be afraid–be very afraid”.
Ron de Haan (10:28:30) :
“What Waxman should read in order to look less stupid:
http://www.drroyspencer.com/2009/04/some-global-warming-qa-to-consider-in-light-of-the-epa-ruling/”
I read Dr. Spencer’s statements, and with all due respect to the good Doctor, unfortunately he is wrong on at least one point. Dr. Spencer stated: “Because the Clean Air Act is exempt from cost/benefit analysis, it does not matter if regulations end up causing ten times more harm than good. “
This is just not true. The section of the Clean Air Act in question, Section 202(a), does require that EPA consider the costs of compliance. In fact, the word “cost” or “costs” is used 5 times in Section 202(a), and 15 times in the entire Section 202.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode42/usc_sec_42_00007521—-000-.html
I think the time has arrived to set general standards for politicians and make them preform a test before they officially can take up their job.
It’s dangerous to have people like Waxman deal with policies that are so important for the USA and the world.
Waxman by the way is not the only one.
What to think of Nancy Pelosi stating that we can not afford anymore to burn fossil fuels. Instead we have to burn “Natural Gas”.
Natural gas, as we all know is not a fossil fuel. Not?
Clearly unqualified to hold his position. Waxman should be stripwaxed out of government after making such erm hairy statements.
Oh dear Watts, I’ve long since ceased to be amazed by the ignorance and stupidity shown by politicians. No wonder they are enthralled by the “technological and scientific elite” – how could it be otherwise? They’re nmostly thick as pig-poo and those that aren’t can see the advantages of playing the public like this. Let’s face it, a lot of the public aren’t any smarter.
Waxman’s partner Markey to the Wall Street Journal… Typical political obfuscation.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123725734065151111.html
Stunning – not for what he said but simply that this will have no impact on Waxman’s career. If he had said that Darwin Evolution is nonsense and the world is only 4000 years old it would be just the same – no effect.
Nobody expects leadership to actually get anything right or even remotely accurate anymore – except, of course, on really important aspects. Like, for example, if he got caught in an extra-marital sex scandal then that would be really really BIG news and probably the end of this lawyers career.
“Andrew P (11:44:53) :
John Edmondson (11:14:39) :
This man is a genius compared to our “primeminister” the one eyed scottish idiot.
Gordon Brown is far from perfect, and his government has got it wrong on many key issues, but I don’t see what him having only one eye or being Scottish has got to do with his abiliity or intellegence (or lack of). I am surprised that this comment (which I am sure many will find offensive) passed through un-moderated.”
Aren’t those words only descriptives? Do you think either of those descriptions are expletives? I don’t…
I tried to watch the Gore ‘speech’ to the Congessional Committee, I really did. But only thirty seconds of Gore’s blether made me want to throw up. His sactimonius delivery, his absolute refusal to meet someone like Lord Monckton who would destroy each and every pompously made ‘point’ and his very tone of voice made my stomach churn.
It must be patently obvious to anyone who has any knowledge whatsoever of his intricate ties to businesses involved in the ‘cap-and-trade’ revenue raising scam that he, Gore, is going to double or treble his already obscene fortune.
Just look at what has happened in the last week here in the UK.
Our country is on the verge of bankruptcy, the number of jobless people rises ominously quickly, deflation has begun. Our government’s solution? To spend half a million pounds on freaking windmills!
Our energy prices are set to go through the roof, with the poorest sectors of our population being the hardest hit.
People of the USA, look across the pond at what awaits you. Socialist inspired central control does NOT work, but that is what is being imposed on us all. And it is all in the baseless assertion that the destructive policies being enacted are to save the planet from mankind.
Here in the UK a citizen’s voice is no longer heard, although his every e-mail, web-site visited and mobile phone call is now to be recorded.
You in the USA are our only hope for some sort of sane reaction to halting this mad march to totalitarian control of everything that everyone does.
Please help!!
Roger Sowell–
You are right on Section 202. But it only deals with vehicle emissions. That is thanks to John Dingell (of the auto manufacturing state of Michigan). Dr. Spencer is also correct that other parts of the Clean Air Act do not allow cost to be considered.
I can’t cite the specific sections off the top of my head, but they have to do with major sources and non-attainment areas. Under those sections, the EPA has required maximum achievable control technology (MACT). Under other less stringent sections, EPA requires BACT (best available control technology), a designation which has a cost component.
Un-ethical is the word, he is not stupid. The plan is to lead the stupid of which this country is full of now. Materialism led morons waiting in line for handouts.
Just in the interest of fairness and perspective, we should remember there’s “stunning” stupidity” on more than one side of this issue, and, of course, on both sides of the aisle:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdHjhJTf6RE
(Rep John Shimkus R-IL)
King Arthur: I am your king.
Woman: Well I didn’t vote for you.
King Arthur: You don’t vote for kings.
Woman: Well how’d you become king then?
King Arthur: The Lady of the Lake, her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water, signifying by divine providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur. THAT is why I am your king.
Dennis: Listen, strange women lyin’ in ponds distributin’ swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
Dennis: Oh, but you can’t expect to wield supreme executive power just because some watery tart threw a sword at you.