Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [POLITICS] Fox News and global warming

[Stephen Montgomery-Smith <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Mike Miller wrote:
> It is interesting that one network is playing such a strong role in 
> promoting distortions of science:
>
> http://foxattacks.com/
>
> I have been especially disappointed by John Stossel recently because 
> he used to seem so good to me:  A genuine skeptic and critical 
> thinker, or so it seemed.  But when it comes to global warming, 
> gasoline prices and a few other issues, he seems to have a blind 
> spot.  I have to wonder if he's getting paid.
>
> Most of the people shown in the Fox News clips are being paid by oil 
> companies either directly or indirectly (via "think tanks").

While I think that global warming is an issue that we should be taking 
seriously, and while this is one of those issues where I would agree 
with you that Fox News (or at least their commentators) are disgracing 
themselves, I don't think it is fair to label everyone who thinks global 
warming is "junk science" as a paid whore of the oil companies.  There 
is sufficient disinformation (and also sufficient exaggeration from the 
pro-global side) that if one doesn't have a science background, and if 
one doesn't spend some time looking at the evidence, then one could be 
deceived.  The little I know of John Stossel also tells me that he is a 
critical thinker, and I suspect that if he is wrong on this particular 
issue, it is with genuine and not dishonest motives.

I should add that I know of at least one case where the accusation of 
"paid whore of oil companies" made of a scientist is totally scurrilous, 
and I think it hurts the pro-global warming cause to make these 
accusations without having strong evidence to back it up.

Stephen


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