Soon as the media pandered to the false equivalency game on climate change the floodgates opened

[Tom Rinaldo]

The forces of know nothingism were home free, and not just on global warming but on anything that is objective fact based. As long as differing opinions can be produced on a topic (sometimes purchased and delivered) any assertion of fact is is now called "a side" in "a controversy". Scientific facts are increasingly deemed disputed "theories". And when science isn't honored anymore education itself becomes suspect. And when education becomes suspect false populists run against it, calling it nothing but an elitist agenda dictated by the state, and so on. Truth is now a commodity for sale on the "free market", a product of market research packaged and peddled, with bold bald assertions carrying the same weight as anything that emerges from a rigorous application of scientific method. And this now dominates our politics.

[libdem4life]

1. After Senator Whitehouse's priceless "woodshed moment" with Senator Snowball...R-Batty...I saw

bit of hope. Changing the meme from Global Warming to Climate Change has been an important shift for the movement. Senator Snowball didn't get that email. I know for my conversations, it has been much more effective.

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. I agree, the term Climate Change is much more effective against Snowball's type of stupidity

People get a light bulb turning on experience hearing that: more EXTREME weather changes - including localized arctic blasts.

But the right/science deniers have already introduced their updated position. Maybe there is a little climate change but it isn't effected by humans don't ya know, it's just one of Mother Nature's periodic "hot flashes". WE didn't break the cookie jar!

[libdem4life]

4. I don't know how many non-DU type folks get clips like that which was a brilliant teaching

tactic of comparing the ridiculous to the sublime and repetition until the crowd can "fill in the blank" with the answer at least mentally. And to coin a nickname...Senator Snowball...just priceless.

If I were a climate denier public figure in that room, I might at least think a couple of times about softening my response and listening a bit more to at least the scientists, let along the capitalist examples of Climate Sanity.

One can hope.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. You are right, it was masterfully done

There is nothing stopping more Democratic leaders from confronting this choreographed stupidity serving powerful vested interest agendas this strongly, except whatever it is that is stopping more Democratic leaders from doing so.

[libdem4life]

8. I think that is one of the biggest contributions of Warren. She is kind of leading the way. Now

she's got Elijah Cummings signed on. I do think she empowers her less committed peers to follow her lead. She speaks confidently with commitment and integrity.

Senator Snowball ... LOL ... hoisted on his own petard!!!

[LiberalElite]

9. That repetition reminded me of Gore's acceptance speech in 1992

and the line "It's time for them to go"

http://www.c-span.org/video/?27161-1/gore-acceptance-speech

[global1]

2. Seems To Me We Are Re-entering The Dark Ages.....nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. It seems like scratch the surface hard enough and it is always there

Pat Robertson says it's a waste of time and money to search for any other life forms in the universe because God wouldn't allow them. That type of thinking is always waiting in the wings, waiting for an opening to leap back onto center stage.

[pansypoo53219]

5. so, join the GOP suicide pact w/ the lock brothers. for oil!

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. This: New Mexico Museum scuttles "Darwin Day" 'cause creationists want their views represented too

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/02/new-mexico-museum-scuttles-darwin-events-after-creationists-demand-intelligent-design-coverage/

Thanks to Katashi_itto for posting the thread about this at DU.