Kenji got this in his inbox today (donation links redacted):
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UCS supporter—
It’s bad enough that climate deniers get elected to Congress.
But it gets much worse: some purveyors of disinformation sit on the House Science Committee.
Rep. Lamar Smith, who chairs the committee, wrote a recent Washington Post op-ed replete with misleading information about the science of global warming.1 Rep. Jim Bridenstine believes atmospheric temperatures have more to do with solar activity than human activity. AND he is about to introduce a bill to defund climate change research. Oh, and he wants President Obama to apologize for funding it.2
I wish I were making it up, but I’m not. We need your help today so we can continue our work mobilizing prominent scientists, armed with facts, to testify on Capitol Hill, meet with lawmakers, and speak out in the press. What we do works—but it doesn’t happen without support and resources from people like you.
Before MIDNIGHT TONIGHT all gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $125,000. Give now—time is running out!
Thank you for fighting for science.
—Kathy
P.S. Need more reasons to donate before midnight? Check out our previous message below.
1. http://www.ucsusa.org/news/press_release/policymakers-climate-science-0383.html
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So much for the Democratic process. I wonder how UCS will use money sent today to somehow make a change to the list of people testifying on Thursday? The previous message they reference is also pretty funny. They claim Shaun Marcott was abused by ‘hate mail’ and “bloggers twisted his research” but provide no proof of it, simply linking to his FAQs on RealClimate and a USA today story about James Hansen as a reference. Pretty lame.
Here’s the previous pitch for money:
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Dear UCS supporter,
When Dr. Shaun Marcott published a groundbreaking paper showing the world is warmer today than it has been for thousands of years, climate deniers went ballistic.1 They sent him hate mail, and bloggers twisted his research.
When Dr. Joseph Skorupa’s research showed that phosphate mines were polluting waterways and poisoning trout, his supervisors at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service told him not to go on The Daily Show to publicize the findings, saying: “the leadership doesn’t want you to go on and they will make your life hell,” according to Skorupa. “Part of the threat was that my colleagues would also be punished.”2 Skorupa felt he had no choice but to decline to go on the show.
The truth can’t always protect itself. When researchers get targeted, sound science can lose out to ideology and corporate agendas. The Union of Concerned Scientists helps researchers like Dr. Marcott and Dr. Skorupa, providing technical, moral, and media support.
Today, you can help even more scientists brave enough to stand up for the facts: There are only two days left to help us reach our goal. What we’re able to raise before Wednesday will have major implications for the work we can do in the months ahead.
Help scientists in jeopardy, and your online donation will be MATCHED dollar-for-dollar, up to $125,000.
When you make a tax-deductible gift to the Union of Concerned Scientists, you make a difference for science. Here are just some of the reasons why:
- You’re empowering scientists. We helped Dr. Marcott focus the media on his findings—not the false controversies dreamed up by talking heads. “I never expected this to happen,” said Dr. Marcott. “I’m glad there’s a group like UCS that can be there for scientists when they’re attacked for their work.”
- You’re helping stand up for the facts. UCS teaches scientists how to clearly communicate their research to the public and respond to attacks. And our Science Network gives 20,000 scientists and technical experts opportunities to connect with policy makers, directly impacting laws that protect our families and our planet.
- You’re protecting scientists who speak the truth. UCS members were instrumental in passing groundbreaking whistleblower protections—in part by showing lawmakers over 400 federal experts who are uncomfortable with their agency’s timid approach to censorship of publicizing the results of their science.
Will you be there for scientists who need you? The next round of attacks could happen any day—for Dr. Skorupa, Dr. Marcott, or another courageous scientist. When you give now, you’ll help them face down the insults, misinformation, and intimidation.
Don’t miss your chance. Give now to have your contribution MATCHED dollar-for-dollar, up to $125,000.
Our opponents aren’t resting—and we can’t either. Together, we’ll make sure the truth wins out. We have to—the world is depending on scientists and concerned citizens like you and me to create a healthy, sustainable future.
On behalf of all the scientists we work with, thank you for your support.
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Sincerely,
Kathleen Rest, PhD, MPA Executive Director |
1. http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2013/03/response-by-marcott-et-al/
2. http://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/columnist/vergano/2013/04/06/hansen-federal-scientists-communication/2053077/
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It seems Kevin Knobloch is out and Kathleen Rest is in as president. Given the ever present drumbeat for money, perhaps the “Union of Concerned Shysters” might be a better name?
IMHO, you’d either have to be stupid or a dog to belong to this organization.
Anthony
What does Professor Kenji think of the ‘paws’ in global warming?
tonyb
mr Green Genes
Latest word tells me that solar parks are going to be severely curtained in the UK with new planning guidance directing them to roof tops and brown field sites
tonyb
If I got a letter from the Union of Confused Scientists on this, I would reply to them that in addition to a few courageous and informed representatives, there are more than 31,000 scientists and engineers that call “baloney” on the anthropogenic global warming scare. http://www.petitionproject.org/. Then, I would ask them if it is warmer now than it has been for thousands of years, how do they explain the 12th century Viking farms that archaeologists have found in Greenland?
I know I shouldn’t have, but I showed Bailey this article .Being a Burmese Munchkin(cat),she is now really jealous of Kenji. She also is a member of the UCS, and would like to know how a “one-sided senate” or any other one-sided thing can produce any tangible results?
(disclaimer….my bank is fully aware of who and what Bailey is, but the card does have a limit. Wonder if I could get one for a pet rock?)
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You redacted the donation link!!!!!!!!!
Ah, Mann!
I was looking forward to supporting Kenji’s favorite charity case.
Thanks for the reference, OK S. My Mom grew up in the depression (and thus must have heard the Guthrie song), but when she heard the popsicle truck melody, it was “Redwing” she also remembered. Actually, I wonder if you can hear in both Kerry Mills’ tune and Woody Guthrie’s adaptation another origin – in the 19th century.
That would be Robert Schumann’s composition for piano “The Happy Farmer, Returning From Work”, from his 1848 work Album for the Young, Opus 68 – absent the chorus, of course,
Who knows where Schumann came up with it?
Ultimately, I don’t think Kenji gives a woof.
John West
Can you please name any of these evolutionists who are also creationists? I am interested in how what you say is anything other than an oxymoron.
…I know I shouldn’t have, but I showed Bailey this article .Being a Burmese Munchkin(cat),she is now really jealous of Kenji. She also is a member of the UCS, and would like to know how a “one-sided senate” or any other one-sided thing can produce any tangible results?…
I tried to get my cat to join. But she wouldn’t….
Give it a Rest, Kathleen.
I object, that is the almost exact wording I used in my appeal for:
The Alternative to Climate Science Grant Addiction – Tell the Truth.
Apropos of nothing.
http://www.eureferendum.com/images/000a%20social_media%20001.jpg
Kathleen Rest doesnt look very concerned though. Her picture was probably taken while laughing all the way to the bank.
Kenji on the other hand… I hope he doesn’t let it all get under his skin. I praise him for all his efforts to expose these fraudsters. This last success is worth an extra cookie or two, imho.
One would think that word would have gotten back to the UCS by now that Kenji is an impostor… and that he also takes far too many naps to be an effective advocate for “The Cause”. I guess they’d rather receive his yearly membership dues rather than (metaphorically) putting him outside to chase squirrels.
I haven’t read the above comments, but is kenji barking mad at the maddness?
Margaret Hardman says:
July 17, 2013 at 2:17 pm
John West
Can you please name any of these evolutionists who are also creationists? I am interested in how what you say is anything other than an oxymoron.
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Here’s a start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theistic_evolution
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creation%E2%80%93evolution_controversy
Please have a look at this video as it provides a well balanced view of what is going on in the world and what is at stake if we don’t address it. The USA is the last bastion that can stop the ongoing process: http://newparadigm.schillerinstitute.com/
The climate change debate in the US Senate is just a small part of the struggle that’s upon us.
It’s a struggle for life and death short term.
They should be re-named the Union of Unconcerned Scientists, as long as they get money. Did I mention that the world famous climate campaigner Al Gore taking tobacco cash while his sister was dying on her hospital bed? Maybe I should leave that for another day.
In 2007 the Union of Concerned Scientists issued a report called “ExxonMobil’s Tobacco-like Disinformation Campaign on Global Warming Science”.
The Union of Concerned Scientists has in the past received funding from the Grantham Foundation, which is bankrolled by hedge-fund manager Jeremy Grantham. At the time of the funding the foundation had holdings in tobacco giant Philip Morris. In August of 2011 his fund owned millions of shares in fossil fuel companies such as Exxon Mobil.
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One of the founders of the wildlife and climate campaigning WWF is Dr. Anton Rupert. The now deceased Dr. Rupert made his fortune from the cigarette manufacturing company called Voorbrand, re-named Rembrandt, now consolidated into Rothmans.
Ref: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1508360/Anton-Rupert.html
Reference:
http://nofrakkingconsensus.com/tag/tobacco/
Abnormal lows tonight from Texas to Oklahoma.
How does Kenji know this stuff?
(Must be just weather, not climate, lmao….)
In the old days, a good tactic to mess up these kind of people was to have thousands of people send in a check for 1 cent. They would be so overwhelmed by these that their bigger donations would get lost in the shuffle. I guess the internet has killed that.
Anyway, asking for donations is usually just a front for laundering huge input from special interests (Soros, et. al.)
You would think that the Union of Concerned Scientists would have a scientist leading it, no?
Dr. Rest earned her doctorate in health policy from Boston University and her master’s degree in public administration, with a focus on health services, from the University of Arizona.
Yes, not a scientist, as in never having done any science. Her qualifications would suggest that any conversation about the physics of climate science above very general terms would be beyond her.
I don’t mean to demean her qualifications or experience, which seems excellent if you want an administrator. I merely point out that she has no more science than Lamar Smith. Given he was a pilot, I would be Jim Bridenstine has a lot more physics.
@ur momisugly Margaret Hardman
Like Chris B said the Wikipedia articles are a start, but remember it’s Wikipedia.
I can name one easily: John West.
In a nutshell: creation by evolution.
Just consider language as an analogy for life for a second. So, was human language created or did it evolve? Obviously, the answer is both, the processes aren’t actually mutually exclusive according to the available evidence therefore one can easily be an evolutionist and a creationist.
With any luck we in Australia may soon (when we finally get an election) have a group of high profile alarmists out of a job. Mabe they would be prepared to consider reduced rates, given that their industry seems to be in terminal decline?
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As eyesonu said, he “barking mad”.
This is a false equivalence. Someone with the same stance about climate would be someone worried about the next great flood. To such a person things like the greenhouse effect, carbon or the solar cycle would be irrelevant. Instead they would probably regard tornadoes, hurricanes droughts and floods as resulting from gay marriage, abortion, p0rn0graphy and low church attendance.
(MODS, you may want to delete this if you think it would encourage unethical actions. I just think it’s funny but ….)
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I knew a guy who kept getting unsolicited mail from a group for retired people asking him to join. It included a postage-paid envelope. He asked to be taken off the mailing list but to no avail. Finally he resorted to putting bits of metal in the envelopes with his request to be taken off their mailing list. Since the envelopes were postage-paid, the group paid the extra postage for the metal weighted mail. He soon stopped receiving membership request.