ABC News: Fulfilling one of the campaign promises of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the House voted to create special committee "devoted solely to addressing the issue of global warming. Legislation creating the new ‘Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming’ passed 269 to 150, with 44 Republicans voting in favor of its creation."
While Democrats caucus to determine who will chair the new panel, the GOP has already named their leadership team. Let's meet the ranking Republican member:
Rep. James Sensenbrenner (R-WI).
Sensenbrenner is one of the loudest anti-gay, anti-immigrant and anti-global warming right-wing voices in Congress. (You remember this guy, he threw a hissy fit during the Patriot Act hearings and shut off all the microphones.) Think Progress documents Sensenbrenner's hostility toward the scientific community around global warming, including his famous questioning about placing "catalytic converters on the backs of cows" to decrease methane gases. A long history of similar colorful remarks has earned the congressman the nickname "Senselessbrenner" around Milwaukee.
According to a recent poll, only 13 percent of congressional Republicans say they believe that human activity has caused global warming, compared to 79 percent of all Americans.
House Conservatives Appoint Chief Climate Skeptic To Lead New Global Warming Panel [Think Progress]
Greenhouse of Representatives [ABC News]
Some Background ....
Only 13 Percent of GOP Believe Warming [R20] Cheney on Global Warming [R20] News: Polar Bears, John Edwards [R20] Environment: Pharrell Concert, Exxon [R20] Warming "Very Likely" Caused By Humans [R20] Gore Nominated for Nobel Prize [R20] White House Pressures Scientists [R20]
Even though I have never voted for this man, this idiot sadly is my representation in Congress.
(Blame the demographics.)
On behalf of everyone in his district, we apologize.
There are some smart people in his district, they just tend not to stay around.
Posted by: Hikaru | 09 March 2007 at 17:55
The Nero playing the fiddle approach helps no one.
Personally, I think the solution is out there and we are on the right track if people can look beyond the right now.
Posted by: Hikaru | 10 March 2007 at 00:59
The previous comment was deleted because that person is, simply put, argumentative and trollish. Disagreement is fine, but personal attacks are unnecessary. If you dislike this site so much, stop visiting and leaving bitchy comments overnight.
There is no "right" to comment here or at any other blog. Especially by anonymous, wanna-be cyber thugs. Get your own blog.
Posted by: Rod McCullom | 10 March 2007 at 01:15
LOL @ global warming troll.
I really don't see why any conservative, anti-environmentalist type would come here. They know your politics. And, you have a blog, write articles, columns and tv ... they expect you to debate them from their anonymous keyboard?
I think they come from the pictures and get upset that you're black and gay and can think and write. They just want to see picture sof hot black men.
Posted by: ca | 10 March 2007 at 02:09
Sensenbrenner was on 'Lou Dobbs' tonight, talking about his other pet peeve, immigration.
Posted by: R | 10 March 2007 at 21:39
Is the "global warming troll" that guy who invents arguments and attacks Rod in every global warming and political post? One word. HATER.
Posted by: ATL Kid | 11 March 2007 at 09:21
I've seen several instances of that in global warming and political posts. Even in casual posts, there was one about Thierry Henry or soccer or something, a few people get hateful out of nowhere. It's very sad because the hostility seems...displaced.
It's obvious when someone is "trolling" and trying to start some bs. I might not agree with everything that Rod says, but he's very consistent and very well-respected and (apparently) tries to create a welcome space. When it's that much hateration, go ahead, delete and ban them. Your name and face and here. They are anonymous and hiding in the dark. Hence, "troll."
Posted by: Samuel I | 11 March 2007 at 13:03