German Reporter to Inhofe: 'You're Ridiculous'

German Reporter to Inhofe: ‘You’re Ridiculous’

EnvironmentDecember 2009 • Views: 2,929

Dominionist Senator and hardcore climate change denier James Inhofe went to the Copenhagen climate summit to subvert the Obama administration’s policies, but nobody was interested.

COPENHAGEN — Sen. Jim Inhofe flew across the Atlantic and — on little sleep — braved the snow, the cold and the dark to deliver his skeptical message at the international climate conference.

What he found when he got here: a few aides and a single reporter. “I think he’s going to be a little disappointed,” one of his aides remarked. …

But Inhofe’s aides eventually rustled up a group of reporters, and the Oklahoman — wearing black snakeskin cowboy boots — held forth from the top of a flight of stairs in the conference media center. …

A reporter asked: “If there’s a hoax, then who’s putting on this hoax, and what’s the motive?”

“It started in the United Nations,” Inhofe said, “and the ones in the United States who really grab ahold of this is the Hollywood elite.”

One reporter asked Inhofe if he was referring to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Another reporter — this one from Der Spiegel — told the senator: “You’re ridiculous.”

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174 comments

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:09:01am

Tim Jones, a spokesman for the World Development Movement to Obama...

The president said he came to act, but showed little evidence of doing so. He showed no awareness of the inequality and injustice of climate change.

Racer X Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:09:08am

Your tax dollars at work.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:10:17am

re: #1 Walter L. Newton

Tim Jones, a spokesman for the World Development Movement to Obama...

The president said he came to act, but showed little evidence of doing so. He showed no awareness of the inequality and injustice of climate change.

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com...]

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:10:29am

Doesn't this speak rather worse of the reporter than of Inhofe?

jaunte Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:11:19am

“I don’t want to breathe — I want to get something done,” he said.

Other than getting the name Jim Inhofe (or is it Inhoffe?) in the news for one more day, what was he getting done?

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:11:25am

re: #4 aristopheles

Doesn't this speak rather worse of the reporter than of Inhofe?

Actually, no. Inhofe is ridiculous.

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:12:33am

Let's grant that for the sake of argument; surely pointing this out is the job of editorialists as opposed to reporters?

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:13:01am

How was this trip in service of his constituents, at all?

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:13:10am

Unfortunately it takes a foreign reporter to tell the man to his face what he thinks of him. Everyone here is afraid of losing access.

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:13:18am

It's not a hoax or a conspiracy. It didn't start in the UN, but with one man, over one hundred years ago:

In 1896 a Swedish scientist published a new idea. As humanity burned fossil fuels such as coal, which added carbon dioxide gas to the Earth's atmosphere, we would raise the planet's average temperature. This "greenhouse effect" was only one of many speculations about climate, and not the most plausible. Scientists found good reason to believe that our emissions could not change the climate. Anyway major change seemed impossible except over tens of thousands of years.

In the 1930s, people realized that the United States and North Atlantic region had warmed significantly during the previous half-century. Scientists supposed this was just a phase of some mild natural cycle, with unknown causes. Only one lone voice, the amateur G.S. Callendar, insisted that greenhouse warming was on the way. Whatever the cause of warming, everyone thought that if it happened to continue for the next few centuries, so much the better.

In the 1950s, Callendar's claims provoked a few scientists to look into the question with improved techniques and calculations. What made that possible was a sharp increase of government funding, especially from military agencies with Cold War concerns about the weather and the seas. The new studies showed that, contrary to earlier crude estimates, carbon dioxide could indeed build up in the atmosphere and should bring warming. Painstaking measurements drove home the point in 1961 by showing that the level of the gas was in fact rising, year by year.

A Hyperlinked History of Climate Change Science

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:13:23am

re: #7 aristopheles

Let's grant that for the sake of argument; surely pointing this out is the job of editorialists as opposed to reporters?

Pointing that out is the job of humans.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:15:05am

re: #8 Obdicut

How was this trip in service of his constituents, at all?

About as helpful as Obama's trip to Copenhagen. Ha!

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:15:55am

re: #11 Obdicut

Well, look, that's a little sweeping. Let's say somebody ridiculous is in court. Perhaps the judge, as a human, might want to refrain from calling this ridiculous person ridiculous, because it's the jury's job to decide this proposition. Similarly, reporters are kind of in the business of letting us - the jury - decide what is and is not ridiculous. If Inhofe is ridiculous, merely reporting his conduct ought to allow a reasonable person to reach that conclusion. The reporter is not the story.

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:16:59am

re: #13 aristopheles

You get that this article was not written by the reporter that called him ridiculous, right?

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:17:42am

re: #12 Walter L. Newton

About as helpful as Obama's trip to Copenhagen. Ha!

As a matter of fact, Obama reached a tentative agreement yesterday, which is more than most people expected from this summit. The US and China agreed to a method for checking emissions limits. That's not a small thing.

There's a lot more to be done, but it's a start.

srjh Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:17:46am

Hollywood elite?

I thought it was the Freemasons. You never can be too certain these days.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:18:37am

re: #13 aristopheles

Well, look, that's a little sweeping. Let's say somebody ridiculous is in court. Perhaps the judge, as a human, might want to refrain from calling this ridiculous person ridiculous, because it's the jury's job to decide this proposition. Similarly, reporters are kind of in the business of letting us - the jury - decide what is and is not ridiculous. If Inhofe is ridiculous, merely reporting his conduct ought to allow a reasonable person to reach that conclusion. The reporter is not the story.

You are assuming that reporters still report now a days. You are assuming that reporters are fair and balanced. You are assuming that reporters actually are not using their position of public trust to advance their own personal agendas.

Damn, you assume too much.

recusancy Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:18:54am

re: #5 jaunte

Other than getting the name Jim Inhofe (or is it Inhoffe?) in the news for one more day, what was he getting done?

I learned yesterday that his middle name is Mountain. haha

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:19:25am

re: #14 Obdicut

Of course. It's just that there's a difference between reportorial questioning, even hostile questioning, and heckling. I think that a crowd of heckling reporters - even one heckling reporter - is a disgrace.

Walter, in #17, makes a good point.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:20:20am

re: #15 Charles

As a matter of fact, Obama reached a tentative agreement yesterday, which is more than most people expected from this summit. The US and China agreed to a method for checking emissions limits. That's not a small thing.

There's a lot more to be done, but it's a start.

I know what was reached. Watered-down political agreement to save a little face back home, on the part of all the attendees. Settled Science certainly doesn't mean poop to these people who have been whining over the Settled Science for so long.

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:20:21am

re: #19 aristopheles

And if they don't ask hard questions, they're accused of being soft.

/Just sayin'.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:20:36am

re: #13 aristopheles

Well, look, that's a little sweeping. Let's say somebody ridiculous is in court. Perhaps the judge, as a human, might want to refrain from calling this ridiculous person ridiculous, because it's the jury's job to decide this proposition. Similarly, reporters are kind of in the business of letting us - the jury - decide what is and is not ridiculous. If Inhofe is ridiculous, merely reporting his conduct ought to allow a reasonable person to reach that conclusion. The reporter is not the story.

Do you understand that this was a comment from a reporter directly to Inhofe, not an article he/she wrote?

If more people would call out poseurs and fanatics like Inhofe instead of treating them as if they deserved respect on issues about which they're completely insane, the world would be a better place.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:21:43am

re: #22 Charles

Do you understand that this was a comment from a reporter directly to Inhofe, not an article he/she wrote?

If more people would call out poseurs and fanatics like Inhofe instead of treating them as if they deserved respect on issues about which they're completely insane, the world would be a better place.

And then in my opinion, Obama wouldn't get 10 column inches of press ever again.

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:22:01am

re: #19 aristopheles

Of course. It's just that there's a difference between reportorial questioning, even hostile questioning, and heckling. I think that a crowd of heckling reporters - even one heckling reporter - is a disgrace.

Walter, in #17, makes a good point.

Since the reporters had to be "rustled up", maybe this one wasn't in such a great mood.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:22:39am

re: #20 Walter L. Newton

I know what was reached. Watered-down political agreement to save a little face back home, on the part of all the attendees. Settled Science certainly doesn't mean poop to these people who have been whining over the Settled Science for so long.

I get that you're sarcastically mocking the scientific evidence for global warming. But all you're doing is revealing your own ignorance.

The science is settled as much as any science can be. It's not 100% certain, because scientists don't deal in 100% certainties. But mocking the term "settled science" is pretty silly.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:22:44am

re: #23 Walter L. Newton

You're obviously not getting the point.

Daniel Ballard Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:22:52am

re: #13 aristopheles

The reporter has a BS filter alarm. He had left it on the loud setting
re: #12 Walter L. Newton
. re: #15 Charles
The Early Clean Air and Water acts were a small start. Then Catalytic converters. Then the Ozone fix. Now carbon and carbon dioxide. Seems the natural progression to me. All this stuff starts small and evolves. Better that than foolishly rushing through fail after fail. Much of it started in California. Small but ultimately effective.

SixDegrees Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:24:04am

re: #7 aristopheles

Let's grant that for the sake of argument; surely pointing this out is the job of editorialists as opposed to reporters?

There isn't such a distinction in the European press, or much of anywhere other than the US. Even in the US, the image of an impartial, even-handed press is only of recent vintage, and is much more of a myth than a fact. And even the myth is under fire, as Advocacy Journalism gains ground in journalism schools and it's adherents fill the ranks of the media.

Back in the Good Ol' Days, before people started pretending that the media was unbiased, one of the papers in Atlanta (the Constitution?) used to proudly fire a cannon from it's roof when one of their candidates won.

At least, in those times, the media was upfront and honest about their biases. Frankly, I'd prefer such openness over the facade of impartiality the American press attempts to drape itself in.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:25:15am

I applaud the man's self control.
If I was faced with a batshit crazy bigot like Inhofe I would have said worse.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:25:24am

re: #25 Charles

I get that you're sarcastically mocking the scientific evidence for global warming. But all you're doing is revealing your own ignorance.

The science is settled as much as any science can be. It's not 100% certain, because scientists don't deal in 100% certainties. But mocking the term "settled science" is pretty silly.

My comment was about the attendees, my comment was about the governments and the lack of THIER real belief in the scientific evidence. That was where my sarcasm was aimed.

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:25:47am

re: #22 Charles

Yes, I understand. The point is this - you agree with the reporter's position. Fair. You are also saying you agree with their method. Well, the method may be summarized: if I have a low opinion of you, I'm free to heckle you. Conceding the validity of this method, you have to concede that it is applicable to all reporters, not just the ones you agree with. The other day, you had a hard time over the "arsehole" exchange on television. Substantively, the conduct you objected to by the skeptic was the same as the conduct of the reporter whose behavior you approve of here. Either everyone gets to do it, or no one does.

For my part, I think it were best if reporters kept their opinions out of it. I understand SixDegrees's position in #28, but I think the press ought to do better, and we ought approve only of better.

Lidane Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:26:06am

re: #4 aristopheles

Doesn't this speak rather worse of the reporter than of Inhofe?

If anything, it speaks worse for American reporters, since none of them seem willing to call Inhofe out on his nonsense. It took a German reporter to finally be blunt and call him an idiot.

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:26:38am

re: #19 aristopheles

Well, I think you're clutching your pearls. Inhore is ridiculous. What he did was ridiculous. His accusations were ridiculous. I'd rather a reporter honestly reported that Inhofe was ridiculous, instead of adhering to some PC version of events.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:27:24am

re: #30 Walter L. Newton

My comment was about the attendees, my comment was about the governments and the lack of THIER real belief in the scientific evidence. That was where my sarcasm was aimed.

It's pretty simplistic to say that because politics played a big part in these discussions, that means these people don't accept the scientific evidence for AGW.

Not only simplistic -- false. The countries who attended this meeting obviously DO accept the scientific evidence or they wouldn't have been there.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:27:45am

re: #32 Lidane

Exactly.
Why should ANYONE have to pretend to give an ear to somebody who is clearly insane?
It's not "getting the other sides fair view", it's talking to an antideluvian moron.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:28:07am

re: #34 Charles

It's pretty simplistic to say that because politics played a big part in these discussions, that means these people don't accept the scientific evidence for AGW.

Not only simplistic -- false. The countries who attended this meeting obviously DO accept the scientific evidence or they wouldn't have been there.

Then they would have done something about it.

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:28:38am

re: #34 Charles

Many of their arguments for why they deserve what amounts to reparations, for example, are entirely based in the science-- the total contribution over time of CO2 by the Western nations.

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:28:48am

re: #33 Obdicut

Let's agree to disagree then. If the operating principle is, "I approve of gross professional misconduct - as long as I agree with the motivating position," there's really no common ground.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:29:21am

re: #36 Walter L. Newton

Then they would have done something about it.

They did do something about it. I just pointed out what was achieved, and it wasn't a small thing.

Daniel Ballard Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:29:57am

re: #30 Walter L. Newton
Do you recall the screaming and bitching when we started to force pollution controls on cars makers? I was one of the screamers. I have lives in the LA air basin all my life and I can attest to the improvements from the successes of pollution control. I was wrong. I can show you a list of millions of good reasons to cut emissions. Hundreds of millions.
Each is individually listed in it's local white pages phone book.

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:30:14am

re: #37 Obdicut

Many of their arguments for why they deserve what amounts to reparations, for example, are entirely based in the science-- the total contribution over time of CO2 by the Western nations.

Evidently the West didn't agree... this was a major fail. I expected to actually see some solid gains made, all I saw was politics.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:31:08am

re: #31 aristopheles

The other day, you had a hard time over the "arsehole" exchange on television. Substantively, the conduct you objected to by the skeptic was the same as the conduct of the reporter whose behavior you approve of here.

I had a "hard time" over that? I don't know what you were reading, but it wasn't what I wrote. I approved of Prof. Andrew Watson calling Marc Morano an "arsehole," because he IS an arsehole. And I approve of anyone calling James Inhofe "ridiculous," because he IS ridiculous.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:31:47am

re: #41 Walter L. Newton

Evidently the West didn't agree... this was a major fail. I expected to actually see some solid gains made, all I saw was politics.

There were solid gains made. It was not a "major fail."

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:32:21am

re: #35 erraticsphinx

Exactly.
Why should ANYONE have to pretend to give an ear to somebody who is clearly insane?
It's not "getting the other sides fair view", it's talking to an antideluvian moron.

Exactly- this is the same point that comes up with the media's treatment of intelligent design. There are not always two sides of a story, and science is one of them. This would be no different than these reporters being at a Discovery Institute press conference. Would we expect them to treat the DI as though they had any legitimacy? And when the press does give science deniers respect- isn't that part of the problem?

Walter L. Newton Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:32:32am

re: #43 Charles

There were solid gains made. It was not a "major fail."

I understand you position, we don't agree. I hope to see more in the future.

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:32:44am

re: #38 aristopheles

Let's agree to disagree then. If the operating principle is, "I approve of gross professional misconduct - as long as I agree with the motivating position," there's really no common ground.

That is not my operating principle, and it's dishonest of you to state it for me.

I like it when reporters can see bullshit and call it what it is. It's this weird thing I have. I do not think people spouting crazy conspiracy theories need to be treated in any respectful manner. I think they can, and should, be called ridiculous.

And you should read judicial decisions sometimes-- like the ones handed down to Taitz. They get pretty personal.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:33:43am

re: #45 Walter L. Newton

I understand you position, we don't agree. I hope to see more in the future.

You're simply wrong. When the US and China reach an agreement about methods to monitor emissions, that's not a "major fail," it's an accomplishment.

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:33:53am

re: #42 Charles

No, no, what I meant was that you disapproved of Morano's heckling prior to the arsehole bit. It's Morano's heckling I'm comparing with that of this clown from Der Spiegel. They both get to - or neither should. The context was different; a debate versus a press conference. But the standards of civility ought to hold. I wouldn't even approve of a reporter heckling Stalin if the reporter had signed up to interview him. Let Stalin talk, and talking, hang himself.

avanti Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:35:52am

re: #30 Walter L. Newton

My comment was about the attendees, my comment was about the governments and the lack of THIER real belief in the scientific evidence. That was where my sarcasm was aimed.

Many believe, but can't on a solution, or don't have the will to try. The poor third world countries will be the least able to adjust to climate change caused by the richer countries and want more help than many are willing to give.
Just because a 100 counties agree there is a problem, that does not mean all will agree on a fix.

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:36:06am

re: #48 aristopheles

Bringing up Stalin is asinine.

Now saying "You're ridiculous" is 'heckling'?

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:36:44am

re: #48 aristopheles

No, no, what I meant was that you disapproved of Morano's heckling prior to the arsehole bit. It's Morano's heckling I'm comparing with that of this clown from Der Spiegel. They both get to - or neither should. The context was different; a debate versus a press conference. But the standards of civility ought to hold. I wouldn't even approve of a reporter heckling Stalin if the reporter had signed up to interview him. Let Stalin talk, and talking, hang himself.

So what you're saying is that a reporter, faced with someone telling lies, is obligated to simply report those lies, and can not call this person on their lies?

recusancy Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:36:44am

re: #48 aristopheles

He didn't sign up to interview him. He was 'rustled up' to come listen to a guy he probably knew nothing about and didn't really have any interest in. Basically Inhofe was a vagrant protester like the ones outside on the streets who happened have credentials to get in the building.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:37:29am

The media in Europe should have asked him about his social views.
That would've been very interesting, maybe it would have caused some balls to grow over here too and the whole nation will know Inhofe for the dangerous, hypocritical bastard he is.

SixDegrees Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:37:41am

re: #34 Charles

It's pretty simplistic to say that because politics played a big part in these discussions, that means these people don't accept the scientific evidence for AGW.

Not only simplistic -- false. The countries who attended this meeting obviously DO accept the scientific evidence or they wouldn't have been there.

I don't know if I'd go that far. The Palestinians and Hugo Chavez didn't strike me as being particularly aware of what the conference was even about, let alone agreeing or disagreeing with it.

Lidane Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:37:42am

re: #44 Sharmuta

There are not always two sides of a story, and science is one of them.

The idea that a reporter always has to show both sides drives me nuts. Like you said, not everything has two sides to begin with.

I'm glad someone finally called out Inhofe. It's just a damn shame that it had to be a German reporter instead of an American one doing it. I'd love to see more of that bluntness here, but as long as access trumps speaking truth to power, that's not going to happen.

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:39:53am

re: #46 Obdicut

Obdicut, if you like reporters who agree with you calling bullshit, fine. I think for the sake of fairness, though, you ought to say that any reporter who sees anything as bullshit ought to call it that - anything at all. Not just things you think are bullshit.

Judicial decisions are not the same as prejudicial comments in the courtroom.

I brought up Stalin to, in effect, lampoon the logical conclusion of my own position, not yours. So if you want to call me for scoring against myself, go ahead.

Yes, it was heckling.

Girth, I'm saying if the reporter shows up to a news event, they ought to collect the news. They're welcome to raise countervailing facts in the write-up.

Recusancy, he showed. Once he committed to showing, he ought to have done his job.

Lidane Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:40:53am

re: #46 Obdicut

And you should read judicial decisions sometimes-- like the ones handed down to Taitz.

I love those. When I need a good laugh, I re-read some judge calling her out and telling her how ridiculous she is. Few things are funnier than a judge calling someone out on their idiocy, complete with legal jargon and case citations. Heh.

FYI-- rulings filed against Jack Thompson are also good for a chuckle.

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:41:23am

re: #46 Obdicut

That is not my operating principle, and it's dishonest of you to state it for me.

Well said.

recusancy Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:42:54am

re: #56 aristopheles

You're ridiculous.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:43:15am

Just a reminder:

Inhofe said that global warming is the second largest hoax perpetrated on the American people, after the seperation of church and state.

Calling this man out should be a public duty, he has no place in civilized company.

Obdicut Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:43:44am

re: #56 aristopheles

Obdicut, if you like reporters who agree with you calling bullshit, fine. I think for the sake of fairness, though, you ought to say that any reporter who sees anything as bullshit ought to call it that - anything at all. Not just things you think are bullshit.

Of course reporters should call bullshit without checking what my opinion is first. What are you talking about?

Judicial decisions are not the same as prejudicial comments in the courtroom.

If a witness started spouting conspiracy theories in court, the judge would have something to say about it.

Locker Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:44:55am

re: #47 Charles

You're simply wrong. When the US and China reach an agreement about methods to monitor emissions, that's not a "major fail," it's an accomplishment.

I completely agree with this statement. There is no "all or nothing" in the real world. Cooperation and progress are complicated enough with just a few people let alone a whole country or a collection of countries. The words repeated to my daughter most often are these:

"Respect comes from effort, not perfection."

Everything counts. If we move the marker ahead, it's a win.

Killgore Trout Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:44:57am

OT:CBO: Health bill spends $871B, reduces deficit by $132B

According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the latest version of the legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) would require $871 billion over 10 years in new federal spending, most of which would take the form of health insurance subsidies for low- and middle-income people and expansions of Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
....
Those costs are more than offset during the 10-year budget period by $483 billion worth of spending reductions in Medicare and $614 billion generated from an excise tax on high-cost health insurance plans, taxes on healthcare companies, penalty fees paid by employers who fail to offer insurance coverage and individuals who fail to purchase it and other tax effects of the bill.

SanFranciscoZionist Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:47:29am

re: #54 SixDegrees

I don't know if I'd go that far. The Palestinians and Hugo Chavez didn't strike me as being particularly aware of what the conference was even about, let alone agreeing or disagreeing with it.

The Palestinians attend UN conferences for one reason only, to promote their own agenda, at the cost of any poor suckers who may be there for non-Palestinian reasons.

I think Chavez is the same deal.

Kewalo Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:48:02am

re: #55 Lidane

It would be wonderful if American reporters felt free enough to give an opinion like the German reporter did. But can you imagine the fall out from it? He would be crucified. IMO it would take a lot of nerve for any American reporter to be that honest about someone on the right.

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:48:53am

re: #59 recusancy

I'm sorry, Recusancy, I hadn't considered that before. But it's a good point, and in light of it, I withdraw my critique.

SixDegrees Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:49:03am

re: #64 SanFranciscoZionist

The Palestinians attend UN conferences for one reason only, to promote their own agenda, at the cost of any poor suckers who may be there for non-Palestinian reasons.

I think Chavez is the same deal.

Yup. Pretty much my point.

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:49:07am

re: #56 aristopheles

Girth, I'm saying if the reporter shows up to a news event, they ought to collect the news. They're welcome to raise countervailing facts in the write-up.

So you're ok with a liar being called a liar, it's just a matter of timing for you.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:49:26am

I see Patterico is not getting it about Robert Stacy McCain, bending over backward to make excuses for his racist statements and ignoring his connections to neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

He's wasting his time, of course, since McCain wrote on his blog: "Fuck you, sir!"

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:50:29am

re: #68 Girth

Absolutely. If somebody spouts nonsense, cite a couple stats in the article if you want to point that out. Or cite them to his face and ask him what he has to say. This is different from heckling.

Interesting Times Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:53:38am

re: #65 Kewalo

It would be wonderful if American reporters felt free enough to give an opinion like the German reporter did. But can you imagine the fall out from it? He would be crucified. IMO it would take a lot of nerve for any American reporter to be that honest about someone on the right.

No kidding :/ I applaud this German reporter for voicing a completely appropriate "the Emperor has no clothes"-style insult. In today's American MSM, if some troglodyte were prancing around announcing the Earth was in fact flat, CNN, Fox, etc. would pronounce them a "Round-Earth Skeptic" and give them equal air time.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:53:40am

re: #70 aristopheles

Wasn't Inhofe asked a simple question of "If it's a hoax, who's behind it and why?"

And since his answer was ranting about globalist conspiracy theories, he deserved being called ridiculous.

It's almost as ridiculous of an answer as saying you are against homesexuality because nobody in your family has been divorced or turned out gay. Oh wait. Inhofe does that too.

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:54:11am

Well, putting myself in this reporter's shoes, being brought to a quick press conference with a nutjob U.S. Senator wearing cowboy boots, I think I would have much the same reaction. Actually, he was probably restraining himself quite a bit.

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:56:23am

re: #71 publicityStunted

No kidding :/ I applaud this German reporter for voicing a completely appropriate "the Emperor has no clothes"-style insult. In today's American MSM, if some troglodyte were prancing around announcing the Earth was in fact flat, CNN, Fox, etc. would pronounce them a "Round-Earth Skeptic" and give them equal air time.

Next up on Hannity, why do elite liberal scientists who think the Earth is round hate America?

aristopheles Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:58:36am

I've got to run, and I can see that those of you replying aren't moving on this point, but let me leave you with this: Charles posted this as a "score one for the good guys" kind of article. It's not. It makes the good guys look like jerks. Which write-up do you think does Inhofe more harm?

He went to Copenhagen and the media shouted insults.

He went to Copenhagen and the media asked him questions he couldn't answer.

It may be music to the ears around here. But it's preaching to the choir.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 11:59:39am

re: #75 aristopheles

Your concern trolling isn't fooling me. He did NOT shout insults. He simply said what needed to be said when faced with overwhelming idiocy.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:00:03pm

re: #75 aristopheles

I've got to run, and I can see that those of you replying aren't moving on this point, but let me leave you with this: Charles posted this as a "score one for the good guys" kind of article. It's not. It makes the good guys look like jerks. Which write-up do you think does Inhofe more harm?

He went to Copenhagen and the media shouted insults.

or

He went to Copenhagen and the media asked him questions he couldn't answer.

It may be music to the ears around here. But it's preaching to the choir.

What a bunch of crap.

Stanghazi Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:02:13pm

re: #77 Charles

What a bunch of crap.

Someone always has to argue.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:02:45pm

re: #76 erraticsphinx

Your concern trolling isn't fooling me. He did NOT shout insults. He simply said what needed to be said when faced with overwhelming idiocy.

"Aristopheles" has been misrepresenting everything about this incident, starting with the stupid claim that I "posted this as a 'score one for the good guys' kind of article." The post simply reports what happened. And nobody "heckled" or "shouted." That's all just complete fantasy.

This is a person who is not interested in facts.

Irenicum Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:03:06pm

Who is that reporter? Because I want to buy him a beer!

Lidane Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:07:02pm

re: #65 Kewalo

It would be wonderful if American reporters felt free enough to give an opinion like the German reporter did. But can you imagine the fall out from it? He would be crucified. IMO it would take a lot of nerve for any American reporter to be that honest about someone on the right.

On the right or left. Both sides have their idiots who deserve to be called out when they open their pie holes and say something dumb. I wish it happened more often, quite frankly.

It's why I'm grateful for Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. Thank goodness someone is holding people accountable and pointing out dishonesty. It's just a damned shame that it has to be done under the guise of a pair of comedy shows. It would be nice if reporters here would bluntly tell someone they're being stupid or lying when they are.

Irenicum Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:08:03pm

re: #16 srjh

If you peel back the words "Hollywood elite" you'll find "the Jews" right underneath it 99% of the time. I've seen it too many times to believe otherwise. Typical conspiratorial thinking.

blueraven Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:12:36pm

I think many that would call out this reporter for having an opinion are the same people that would defend Joe Wilson for shouting "You lie" during a joint congressional speech by President Obama.

This, of course, is just my opinion and I believe I have a right to it.

sagehen Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:13:24pm

re: #74 Girth

Next up on Hannity, why do elite liberal scientists who think the Earth is round hate America?

This is a Kos diary from 4 years ago:

Tonight on Hardball. . . Planet Earth: Round or Flat?

Killgore Trout Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:14:36pm

For those who are claiming that nothing was accomplished in Copenhagen.....
EXCLUSIVE – British Peer: Copenhagen Summit Has Established A World Government (via google)

....Lord Christopher Monckton, reporting from the summit, has stated that the only goal of the conference was to implement the framework and the funding for a world government – which he asserts has been achieved.
“That is the one thing that they are definitely going to succeed in doing here and they will announce that as a victory in itself, and they will be right because that is the one and only single aim of this entire global warming conference, to establish the mechanism, the structure, and above all the funding for a world government.” the British politician, business consultant, policy adviser exclusively told the Alex Jones show yesterday.
....
Following president Obama’s announcement that he would attempt to circumvent the legislative process and bypass Congress to implement a cap and trade system on carbon emissions, Lord Monckton noted “If he tries to do that he will be impeached.”

“He had better tread very carefully indeed or he will be out of office and in prison before he knows it. There are constitutional constraints which, thank god, may yet save not only America but the rest of the world from what you rightly describe as a tyranny.”

Video here...
[Link: www.youtube.com...]

Shiplord Kirel Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:15:29pm

So, Senator, did the UN and the Hollywood elite also gin up evolution?

Fun facts about Sen. Inhofe:

-He is now 75 years old
-His middle name is "Mountain."
-He was president of the Quaker Life Insurance Company, which went into receivership during his tenure.
- He holds a commercial pilot's license (ATP) but has never worked as such.

erraticsphinx Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:16:09pm

re: #85 Killgore Trout

Crazypants.

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:16:27pm

re: #84 sagehen

LOL.

CRANIUM: Chris, I have a PhD in astrophysics. I've worked for 20 years in this field. I consult at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory here in Pasadena. I can speak on this issue with some authority. May I ask what Mr. Mehlman's scientific credentials are?

MATTHEWS: Fair question. Ken?

MEHLMAN: I built a mini-volcano out of clay, baking soda and vinegar when I was a sophomore in high school.

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:16:32pm

Just had a conversation (leaning on snow shovels) with my super lib neighbor. We spoke of a few things and he said, "Damn, Hugh. You're getting more liberal than I am."

Oh, shit.

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:17:36pm

re: #85 Killgore Trout

For those who are claiming that nothing was accomplished in Copenhagen...
EXCLUSIVE – British Peer: Copenhagen Summit Has Established A World Government (via google)

Video here...
[Link: www.youtube.com...]

And Pajamas Media publishes articles by this raving kook.

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:18:11pm

re: #89 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I didn't stop there. Now he realizes. Just had to get a bit of "who said only liberals own this issue" on him.

jaunte Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:18:35pm

re: #69 Charles

He's wasting his time, of course, since McCain wrote on his blog: "Fuck you, sir!"

RSMcCain is doing his damnedest to turn "Sir" into a verbal tic with no more meaning than 'um.'

Killgore Trout Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:18:37pm

Birch Society News network.....

Fox News - Mass Drugging Of Society With Lithium

Youtube Video

Killgore Trout Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:19:01pm

re: #90 Charles

He's also a favorite of Fox News and Glenn Beck.

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:19:02pm

re: #69 Charles

I see Patterico is not getting it about Robert Stacy McCain, bending over backward to make excuses for his racist statements and ignoring his connections to neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

He's wasting his time, of course, since McCain wrote on his blog: "Fuck you, sir!"

It's the same kind of thinking that can turn a blind eye to the mountain of evidence for evolution, or climate change. There is a mountain of evidence that Stacy is a racist, but they spend their time obfuscating instead of looking at facts.

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:19:09pm

re: #73 Girth

Well, putting myself in this reporter's shoes, being brought to a quick press conference with a nutjob U.S. Senator wearing cowboy boots, I think I would have much the same reaction. Actually, he was probably restraining himself quite a bit.

You're not a cowboy bootist, are you? That's normal attire in some parts, even if you have no cows.

rahmanager Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:19:55pm

Hurry up global warming, it's dumping snow like crazy! Al Gore was in town last month, and of course we have been having lows teps since. It's the funniest thing how snow storms seem to follow global warming conferences whether it's in Copenhagen or DC.

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:20:38pm

re: #96 wrenchwench

You're not a cowboy bootist, are you? That's normal attire in some parts, even if you have no cows.

Not at all. But I would imagine they'd look pretty funny to your average German reporter.

jaunte Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:20:53pm

re: #96 wrenchwench

In my experience they're easier to take off and put on through airport security than shoes with laces.

100

Summer Seale Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:22:06pm

After Inhofe left, some reporters were still a bit confused about what had happened and who he was.
“His name is Inhofe,” a German journalist told a Japanese reporter, “but I don’t know if it’s one or two f’s.”

That line just made me giggle so hard. =)

101

_RememberTonyC Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:22:49pm

re: #65 Kewalo

It would be wonderful if American reporters felt free enough to give an opinion like the German reporter did. But can you imagine the fall out from it? He would be crucified. IMO it would take a lot of nerve for any American reporter to be that honest about someone on the right.

golly gee .... nothing like that EVER happened to Bush 43 when he was POTUS. or maybe helen thomas was simply a figment of my imagination.

102

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:22:53pm

re: #97 rahmanager

Hurry up global warming, it's dumping snow like crazy! Al Gore was in town last month, and of course we have been having lows teps since. It's the funniest thing how snow storms seem to follow global warming conferences whether it's in Copenhagen or DC.

I know, right? Who ever heard of snow in winter?

103

austin_blue Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:23:08pm

re: #63 Killgore Trout

But....but....Fox says.....

104

Four More Tears Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:23:38pm

re: #93 Killgore Trout

Birch Society News network...

Fox News - Mass Drugging Of Society With Lithium

[Video]

I've seen Batman stop plots like this...

105

Shiplord Kirel Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:23:50pm

Inhofe has called Global Warming "the second-largest hoax ever played on the American people, after the separation of church and state."

In a nutshell......

106

Killgore Trout Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:24:24pm

re: #103 austin_blue

I still find Fox News amazing. I really think we haven't seen anything quite like it in modern history.

107

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:24:55pm

re: #93 Killgore Trout

Birch Society News network...

Fox News - Mass Drugging Of Society With Lithium

[Video]

Oh, man. I thought "third hand smoke" was going to be a joke.

108

Neutral President Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:25:49pm

re: #106 Killgore Trout

I still find Fox News amazing. I really think we haven't seen anything quite like it in modern history.

What about Hearst papers in the 1890s?

109

Darth Vader Gargoyle Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:26:00pm

FBV,

We were supposed to drive up to the Noke tomorrow. We are delaying until at least Monday. Yikes!

110

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:27:03pm

re: #98 Girth

Not at all. But I would imagine they'd look pretty funny to your average German reporter.

From what I hear, Germans are gaga for anything with a Western US theme, especially Native American stuff. They might see it on the level of a theme park or something, though.

111

avanti Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:27:14pm

re: #97 rahmanager

Hurry up global warming, it's dumping snow like crazy! Al Gore was in town last month, and of course we have been having lows teps since. It's the funniest thing how snow storms seem to follow global warming conferences whether it's in Copenhagen or DC.

One of the effects of climate change predicted was more rain and snow in many area's, drought in others. That's why the name was changed to climate change, it's not just temperatures rises, but the effect.

112

freetoken Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:28:11pm

re: #85 Killgore Trout

They're still lying by implying that Monckton is somehow a part of the House of Lords. Also, they love the word "peer" because it sounds like "peer reviewed science."

113

JeffFX Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:29:25pm

Sure Inhofe is nuts, but he's one of the few senators fighting against government overreach destroying the snake business / hobby.

The Senate Committee on the Environment & Public Works (EPW) has passed S. 373 aka 'The Python Ban'. The committee held a mark up session on S. 373, to amend title 18, United States Code, to add constrictor snakes of the species Python genera to the Injurious Wildlife list of the Lacey Act. Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) (Ranking Member) expressed concerns about the bill. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) offered an amendment to limit the scope of the bill to only the 9 snakes addressed in the USGS report on large constrictors. Senator Cardin further agreed to work with Senator Inhofe to improve the bill prior to a vote on the Senate floor. The amendment was passed by voice vote. S373 was then voted out of Committee by voice vote with Senator Inhofe registering a NO vote.

S373 has now passed out of committee. It cannot become law until it is voted on and passed by the full Senate and House of Representatives. There is still much work to be done prior to the Python Ban becoming law. S373 in its current form is unacceptable to USARK and the Reptile Nation. We will continue to work with Senator Inhofe, Senator Cardin and the EPW Committee Staff to shape the future of this bill. Please make an appointment to visit with your Senator and express your concerns with S373. Everyone needs to step up and make contact with your Senator. Let USARK know about your meeting. It is time to step up our game and show Washington we are serious about this. Continue the good fight. The Reptile Nation thanks Senator Inhofe for his even handed treatment of our industry.

It is extremely important for everyone in the Reptile Nation to take direct action to STOP S. 373. If you don't take massive action now you may never get another chance to effect this legislation. We have come too far to give up now. We can win if we all pull together and take massive action. DO IT NOW!

114

Summer Seale Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:29:28pm

It's just nice to see reporters calling out insane people and liars and not "giving them their side of the story".

Honestly, that's partly what is wrong with the press today: giving freaks and idiots "their equal say" - and then treating it as if it were a valid opinion from the other side.

I'm not against free speech, but I also don't think we should treat all speech as equal either. Holocaust deniers get ridiculed because we all know that history and documents and witnesses and facts trump anything they say on the subject, and we don't tell people "well, the two sides are just opinions". We just don't do that.

We shouldn't do that with Creationists or Climate Deniers either, or a whole lot of other crap that people "believe" in because it's 1) convenient or 2) comfortable.

So yes, a reporter calling Inhofe "ridiculous" is points in my book. He is ridiculous. He's as ridiculous as anyone else who wants to deny reality - birthers, creationists, climate change deniers, 9/11 "truthers". They're all just ridiculous people.

115

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:30:27pm

re: #110 wrenchwench

From what I hear, Germans are gaga for anything with a Western US theme, especially Native American stuff. They might see it on the level of a theme park or something, though.

It just goes to further prove Norm MacDonald's theory that Germans love David Hasselhoff.

116

BenghaziHoops Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:31:36pm

re: #111 avanti

One of the effects of climate change predicted was more rain and snow in many area's, drought in others. That's why the name was changed to climate change, it's not just temperatures rises, but the effect.

I saw something on the science channel that was interesting...The period called snowball earth was caused by global warming...what happened was the poles all melted and the fresh water entered the oceans and messed up the natural flow of the currents and caused the earth to cool until the whole earth was covered with ice and snow...Thus snowball earth..It's a geological fact

117

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:31:40pm

re: #113 JeffFX

Sure Inhofe is nuts, but he's one of the few senators fighting against government overreach destroying the snake business / hobby.

How does he feel about lizards?

118

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:33:10pm

For those of you following the Tea Parties, you might want to look at a spinoff I just put up about Alan Quist- a member of a number of far-right religious organizations, and how he's trying to moderate to a more Tea Party stance. Could be another indication of the religious right trying to undermine the paulians.

119

austin_blue Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:33:42pm

re: #101 _RememberTonyC

golly gee ... nothing like that EVER happened to Bush 43 when he was POTUS. or maybe helen thomas was simply a figment of my imagination.

Actually, it was Bush and Cheney who referred to the NYT reporter as a "major league asshole" during the campaign against Gore. The only insult I can recall sent directly to Bush during his tenure was a shoe.

120

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:34:19pm

re: #109 rwdflynavy

FBV,

We were supposed to drive up to the Noke tomorrow. We are delaying until at least Monday. Yikes!

Dude... At least Monday is right. Haven't seen a snow plow yet.

121

JeffFX Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:34:32pm

re: #117 wrenchwench

How does he feel about lizards?

LOL! I think he'd like the pro-freedom views of lizards, but would not like that the people here are reality based and call out his nonsense.

122

_RememberTonyC Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:35:48pm

looks like the iron fists of iran are still clenched as the govt admits beating to death democratic protesters:

[Link: www.jpost.com...]

the silence from the civilized world is very depressing ...

123

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:37:55pm

re: #122 _RememberTonyC

But not surprising....

124

Kewalo Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:38:27pm

re: #101 _RememberTonyC

I think that Helen Thomas is a good example of what happens when a reporter speaks up. Helen had her seat taken away for a while one she'd had for decades. And some of the commentary about her was just awful, like calling her the wicked witch of the east. Luckily for her she doesn't have to worry about her job or career. I seriously doubt that she would have been so outspoken if she was 40 rather then 80.

125

freetoken Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:38:28pm

The Copenhagen Accord is insufficient to combat AGW, however the alternative (no agreement at all) would have meant that there would have been no movement at all on the part of the major emitters in addressing this issue.

For the first time, the large developing countries have agreed that they have to account for their emissions in a manner that will make their pollution trackable to the international community.

Remember, that these countries are not part of the OECD, thus they are not part of the IEA or another international agency, by which someday to monitor emissions reductions. These countries are not obliged under the Kyoto Protocol to reduce their emissions. However, now, with the Copenhagen Accord, it appears as if there is a path to bring all major emitters into a process to reduce emissions.

It's understandable that the right-o-sphere wishes to downplay anything President Obama tries. If there was a strong agreement, they would have been yammering about world government (like Monckton.) If nothing happened, the right-o-sphere would have loved to have shouted "FAIL".

126

_RememberTonyC Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:38:30pm

re: #119 austin_blue

Actually, it was Bush and Cheney who referred to the NYT reporter as a "major league asshole" during the campaign against Gore. The only insult I can recall sent directly to Bush during his tenure was a shoe.

I'll see if I can find a link to helen thomas and her remarks ... and I'd add that mika brzezenski, a news anchor on msnbc regularly made snide remarks about Bush 43. and I won't even mention keith olbermann.

127

Killgore Trout Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:40:02pm

re: #118 Sharmuta

Interesting. He'll be one to keep any eye on. I'm also watching Traficant's return to politics....
JIM TRAFICANT: CAN HE UNIFY THIRD PARTIES? (via google)

Although the idiots at Hot Air are thrilled about his return because he is/was an embarrassing Democrat it looks like he's going to return as a Tea Party candidate. He's pretty popular with neoNazis and Paulians.

128

SanFranciscoZionist Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:40:04pm

re: #110 wrenchwench

From what I hear, Germans are gaga for anything with a Western US theme, especially Native American stuff. They might see it on the level of a theme park or something, though.

Apparently both Russians and Germans are active in groups that recreate Native American life.

For some reason, this makes my head go "Whaaah?"

However, Inhofe can put anything he wants on his feet. It's what comes out of his mouth that disturbs me.

129

austin_blue Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:40:38pm

re: #126 _RememberTonyC

I'll see if I can find a link to helen thomas and her remarks ... and I'd add that mika brzezenski, a news anchor on msnbc regularly made snide remarks about Bush 43. and I won't even mention keith olbermann.

Note that I was talking about *to his face*, not in commentary.

130

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:41:25pm

re: #127 Killgore Trout

You should read that whole thing- he's in with Dobson's people, and the Tea Partiers would be wise to keep their distance. But then- I don't mind the infighting either.

131

Neutral President Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:41:28pm

re: #116 HoosierHoops

I saw something on the science channel that was interesting...The period called snowball earth was caused by global warming...what happened was the poles all melted and the fresh water entered the oceans and messed up the natural flow of the currents and caused the earth to cool until the whole earth was covered with ice and snow...Thus snowball earth..It's a geological fact

I remember seeing that awhile ago. I don't think they claimed that happened with ~100% certainty but it's definitely possible and there is a lot we don't know about between the period where the Earth cooled and about 1 bya. There were plenty of times in last billion years where there was 0% glacial and ice cover (global average temp was about 25°C / 77°F at those times) that did not result in that happening though.

132

Fat Bastard Vegetarian Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:41:49pm

re: #127 Killgore Trout

I heard that he is testing the waters...

Holy cow! The people of Youngstown deserve better.

133

Killgore Trout Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:42:35pm

re: #127 Killgore Trout

But Traficant is unique in many important other ways. Traficant actually talks about the Constitution and what it means and why it’s being ignored.

He says the IRS needs to be eliminated and that a new tax system can supply all the revenue America needs to function without raping the taxpayers every April 15. Traficant also says that the Federal Reserve System isn’t federal—that it’s the creation of and controlled by international banks and financial institutions that have no loyalty to America or the American people—and that the Fed needs to be abolished.

He openly challenges the influence of the Israeli lobby—and other well-heeled lobbies and interests—in official Washington. (Really, how many other politicians can you name who dare to challenge the Israeli lobby?)

Traficant thinks it’s time that America brings its troops home from policing the world and engaging in fruitless and unnecessary foreign wars and put them to work protecting America’s borders and sovereignty from waves of illegal immigrants and potential enemies.

He's positioning himself as a Tea Party candidate. No doubt about it.

134

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:43:18pm

re: #97 rahmanager

Hurry up global warming, it's dumping snow like crazy! Al Gore was in town last month, and of course we have been having lows teps since. It's the funniest thing how snow storms seem to follow global warming conferences whether it's in Copenhagen or DC.

Have you recovered from your case of Nirtherism yet?

27 rahmanager8/03/2009 9:47:19 am PDT * -8
Charles,

The first two pages of National Review's story on the matter today explains the reason this issue won't go away [Link: article.nationalreview.com...]

The above link goes into detail why a "certification of live birth" is different than a "birth certificate". I thought you would like to read it as I see you post "certification of live birth" often, but that's not really the issue.

135

SanFranciscoZionist Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:43:51pm

re: #133 Killgore Trout

He's positioning himself as a Tea Party candidate. No doubt about it.

Anyone catch the Daily Show episode about the lady who split from her Tea Party group to create a new one?

/Gawd, I still can't get over being able to talk about the Daily Show on LGF without assuming I will be murdered on the spot.

136

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:44:19pm

re: #121 JeffFX

LOL! I think he'd like the pro-freedom views of lizards, but would not like that the people here are reality based and call out his nonsense.

Welcome, hatchling.

137

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:44:52pm

re: #132 Fat Bastard Vegetarian

I heard that he is testing the waters...

Holy cow! The people of Youngstown deserve better.

The only good thing about Youngstown, OH is that you can jump right across the border to Sharon, PA and go to one of the greatest wing joints in the world, The Quaker Steak and Lube.

138

sagehen Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:45:25pm

re: #126 _RememberTonyC

I'll see if I can find a link to helen thomas and her remarks ... and I'd add that mika brzezenski, a news anchor on msnbc regularly made snide remarks about Bush 43. and I won't even mention keith olbermann.

Has Keith Olbermann ever been in the same room as Bush 43? I seriously doubt he ever had a chance to express his views directly to the man's face. I also wouldn't call Mika a news anchor -- she's on an interview/commentary show. The only straight news she ever does is reading that morning's headlines to introduce a segment.

Helen Thomas... okay, you have me there. She certainly did express herself very directly, in the White House press room. And she lost her chair for it.

139

_RememberTonyC Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:47:05pm

re: #129 austin_blue

Note that I was talking about *to his face*, not in commentary.

it is rare that people would insult someone "to their face," as most people tend to be a bit more polite. i did find the article about helen thomas, but she made her remarks about Bush 43 after she stopped being a "reporter" and became a "columnist." So my comment about her is withdrawn.

But since I brought her up, here's the link if anyone wants to have a look.

[Link: web.mit.edu...]

140

Charles Johnson Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:49:26pm

Michelle Malkin's commenters are calling for Sen. Ben Nelson to be murdered.

On December 19th, 2009 at 12:09 pm, southdakotaboy said:

What needs to be done is the people of Nebraska need to meet Nelson at his home in Nebraska at Christmas time. They need to bring rocks, torches, and signs. They then need to tell him that if he votes to break the next fillabuster for any reason he won’t have a home to come back to and that if he does come back they will use the rope to decorate a tree with him.

We need to get blunt with these traitors. They need to be put if free of their lives to remind them that they work for us or we reserve not only the right to vote them out but the right to kill them.

141

Surabaya Stew Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:50:24pm

Thank you very much Charles for making the insanity of James Inhofe a thread topic. The man is simply wrong about a number of large number of things and scarily enough, seems to lack a moral compass. For the third time, I present a Q&A session with the man:

[Link: www.nytimes.com...]

How a man like this gets elected by the good people of Oklahoma is a mystery.

142

Neutral President Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:51:03pm

re: #140 Charles

That guy needs to be having a little chat with law enforcement, the USSS, or perhaps a psychiatrist.

143

BenghaziHoops Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:51:06pm

re: #140 Charles

Disgusting...Doesn't MM moderate her site?

144

freetoken Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:51:21pm

The challenge now, and this will be even more difficult, will be to turn the Copenhagen Accord into a legally binding treaty. Such a treaty will be difficult to negotiate and I'm sure Inhofe will do his best to block it (and he will have help.)

Inhofe is one of those who is keeping the LOTS treaty from being accepted by the US. Any international agreement which has the US working as part of (and not dominating over) an international organization has now become anathema to the Inhofe crowd.

145

Girth Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:51:32pm

re: #140 Charles

That person needs help before he hurts someone. Seriously.

146

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:51:40pm

re: #140 Charles

"the right to kill them"?!?!?

Wow.

147

austin_blue Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:51:45pm

re: #140 Charles

Michelle Malkin's commenters are calling for Sen. Ben Nelson to be murdered.

Wheeeee!!

Teh crazy is strong with that one.......

148

wrenchwench Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:52:13pm

re: #143 HoosierHoops

Disgusting...Doesn't MM moderate her site?

Yes. Throws out the dirty RINOs.

149

tradewind Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:53:34pm

re: #98 Girth
Your average German reporter 's dress might appear a little funny to the average Oklahoman.///
Black snakeskin boots? Coolio.

150

Sharmuta Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:53:53pm

re: #140 Charles

The koslings are taking it as an opportunity to call Lieberman a nazi collaborator.

151

tradewind Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:55:09pm

re: #144 freetoken
It ought'a be a snap to get China to go along.///
Any country that sends us carcinogenic drywall and melamine laced petfood is probably dying to go green.

152

Neutral President Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:55:34pm

re: #150 Sharmuta

The koslings are taking it as an opportunity to call Lieberman a nazi collaborator.

It's hard to suppress the inner moonbat 24/7 for 4-8 years.

153

tradewind Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:55:42pm

re: #150 Sharmuta
Given his orthodoxy, that's particularly oxymoronic.

154

austin_blue Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:56:00pm

re: #144 freetoken

The challenge now, and this will be even more difficult, will be to turn the Copenhagen Accord into a legally binding treaty. Such a treaty will be difficult to negotiate and I'm sure Inhofe will do his best to block it (and he will have help.)

Inhofe is one of those who is keeping the LOTS treaty from being accepted by the US. Any international agreement which has the US working as part of (and not dominating over) an international organization has now become anathema to the Inhofe crowd.

Good point. Also correct, I fear. Listening to Rush opine on the subject yesterday was sobering. He just sat behind the Golden Microphone and lied has ass off. If people get their info only from Rush, it's no wonder that so many sound like mouth-breathing fools.

155

JeffFX Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:57:06pm

re: #136 wrenchwench

Welcome, hatchling.

Thanks! I've been lurking for a long time. LGF is one of the four blogs I read daily.

156

recusancy Sat, Dec 19, 2009 12:57:57pm

re: #150 Sharmuta

The koslings are taking it as an opportunity to call Lieberman a nazi collaborator.

Where?

157

freetoken Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:02:39pm

re: #154 austin_blue

Listening to Rush opine on the subject yesterday was sobering.

And people thought I was a glutton for punishment for watching the Copenhagen streaming video!

158

SanFranciscoZionist Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:06:15pm

re: #146 wrenchwench

"the right to kill them"?!?!?

Wow.

I've been checking and checking my copy of the Constitution, and I just can't find the part where we have the right to kill our elected officials.

Little help here?

159

Basho Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:06:22pm

re: #144 freetoken

Inhofe is one of those who is keeping the LOTS treaty from being accepted by the US. Any international agreement which has the US working as part of (and not dominating over) an international organization has now become anathema to the Inhofe crowd.

He believes in a nation's right to self-determination, such as Uganda's right to execute homosexuals.

160

Pythagoras Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:32:58pm

re: #143 HoosierHoops

Disgusting...Doesn't MM moderate her site?

No.

161

Mark Winter Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:46:33pm

Greetings from Germany! Happy to join your site!
You might be interested to read what the German reporter actually wrote about the Inhofe press conference which must have been quite bizarre.

The Google Translate link to the German Spiegel article is

[Link: www.spiegel.de...]

For those who read German it's

[Link: www.spiegel.de...]

162

SixDegrees Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:49:04pm

re: #108 ArchangelMichael

What about Hearst papers in the 1890s?

It wasn't unique to Hearst. Pulitzer was every bit as bad.

163

Surabaya Stew Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:52:17pm

re: #161 Mark Winter

Welcome aboard, hatchling!

164

Mark Winter Sat, Dec 19, 2009 1:54:31pm

Thank You Surabaya Stew! Expect full Teutonic furor cracking down on denialist nonsense. Unfortunately it's on the rise here, too.

165

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:08:47pm

re: #97 rahmanager

Hurry up global warming, it's dumping snow like crazy! Al Gore was in town last month, and of course we have been having lows teps since. It's the funniest thing how snow storms seem to follow global warming conferences whether it's in Copenhagen or DC.

I know, right? This strange 'coincidence' has been bothering me as well, so I put a crack team of researchers on the case. In their studies, they have observed a very strange phenomenon occurring in the northern hemispheres right now, as we speak.

This bizarre occurrence is so widespread within the northern hemispheres that my researchers are giving this phenomenon an official title.

166

Surabaya Stew Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:13:49pm

re: #164 Mark Winter

Thank You Surabaya Stew! Expect full Teutonic furor cracking down on denialist nonsense. Unfortunately it's on the rise here, too.

Ah, well then you'll be in good company here; most Lizards (and Charles of course) are pushing back against the anti-AGW madness. Sad to hear about Germany buying into teh stupid; I always understood that Science was greatly respected over in the world's largest exporter.

167

Mark Winter Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:14:15pm

@Slumbering Behemoth

Once again, snowfall in December! I knew there HAD to be an explanation for this!

168

Slumbering Behemoth Stinks Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:21:37pm

re: #167 Mark Winter

Snow in December = Marxist plot of the Hollywood Elite to take over the world.

Need proof? Let me ask you this: is it snowing in Hollywood right now? I thought not.
/

169

Mark Winter Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:24:07pm

@Surabaya Stew

It's certainly not as bad as in the U.S.
For once we have a lot less of creationist crackpots (although they have been on the rise lately, too).

The denialist crowd isn't yet as well organized in Germany as it seems to be in the U.S. The political parties pretty much agree on the fact that AGW is a problem.

The most articulate denialists right now seem to be over the top liberals (The German "liberal" is more of a libertarian). It is also safe to assume that money from big corporations (oil, coal, gas) changes hands although in Germany the "Green Industry" is gaining influence. Many see the fight against AGW not as a calamity that will cost a lot of money but as a chance for a substantial change in the ways we use energy. Solar energy is promoted, wind farms multiply.

We have a long way to go but we do have an edge in green technology in Germany.

But it's true that AGW denialists are out there and feeding on "Climategate" (without ever getting a clue what it was about)

170

Surabaya Stew Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:36:20pm

re: #169 Mark Winter

@Surabaya Stew

It's certainly not as bad as in the U.S.
For once we have a lot less of creationist crackpots (although they have been on the rise lately, too).

The denialist crowd isn't yet as well organized in Germany as it seems to be in the U.S. The political parties pretty much agree on the fact that AGW is a problem.

The most articulate denialists right now seem to be over the top liberals (The German "liberal" is more of a libertarian). It is also safe to assume that money from big corporations (oil, coal, gas) changes hands although in Germany the "Green Industry" is gaining influence. Many see the fight against AGW not as a calamity that will cost a lot of money but as a chance for a substantial change in the ways we use energy. Solar energy is promoted, wind farms multiply.

We have a long way to go but we do have an edge in green technology in Germany.

But it's true that AGW denialists are out there and feeding on "Climategate" (without ever getting a clue what it was about)

Thanks for your insights on German politics; over here, the Libertarians are generally cozy with the conservatives and not the liberals. And of course, Germany has a long tradition of working with the sun; the ancient vineyards of the Mosel valley are carefully arranged and the earth terraced to extract every last drop of light in a climate that normally shouldn't be growing a sun-loving fruit. A jump to solar panels on all new construction therefore isn't a big leap!

171

Mark Winter Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:48:08pm

over here, the Libertarians are generally cozy with the conservatives and not the liberals.

Yes, here too. The German word "Liberale" would mislead an American. I think you call them "classical liberals".

Indeed solar energy is advancing here, mainly because it was heavily subsidized. People who produced more energy with their solar panels on the roofs of their houses could resell it at fixed prices.

Unfortunately the current coalition wants to phase this out. We also have strong coal lobby.

Re wine: Well the Romans did already grow wine in the Mosel valley so we have a bit of experience :-)

172

Surabaya Stew Sat, Dec 19, 2009 2:54:58pm

re: #171 Mark Winter

Yes, here too. The German word "Liberale" would mislead an American. I think you call them "classical liberals".

Indeed solar energy is advancing here, mainly because it was heavily subsidized. People who produced more energy with their solar panels on the roofs of their houses could resell it at fixed prices.

Unfortunately the current coalition wants to phase this out. We also have strong coal lobby.

Re wine: Well the Romans did already grow wine in the Mosel valley so we have a bit of experience :-)

Yes, as with many things, we Americans have our own spin on definitions of classical terms! I knew about the solar subsidizes, but was unaware the coal industry was making a comeback; I thought the new underwater gas pipeline (Schroeder's and Putin's baby) would have dealt them a fatal blow.

Re wine: The Romans got to it first? Should have guessed that one....

I'm outta here now, great to have you on LGF!

173

Mark Winter Sat, Dec 19, 2009 3:13:57pm

One thing about the "hoax". In Germany the "greenhouse effect" was already taught in schools back in the 1980s. The UN or Hollywood were certainly not involved back then.

One of the major lies denialists spout is that AGW is somewhat a recently discovered "conspiracy". In fact this phenomenon has been researched for decades, without political interference. The consensus wasn't forced upon anyone and it has been reached over many years.

It's really sad that we lost the whole decade due to Republican obstructionism. We MUST not lose another year.

174

dugmartsch Sat, Dec 19, 2009 3:25:48pm

re: #7 aristopheles

Let's grant that for the sake of argument; surely pointing this out is the job of editorialists as opposed to reporters?

No. If you say ridiculous things no one has an obligation to treat you reasonably. If reporters here had more backbone and less slavish to the idea of "objective neutrality" (which is just code for lazy he-said, she-said reporting) in this country we might not have people like inhofe in positions of power in the first place.

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