Today, the solitary inventor, tinkering in his shop, has been overshadowed by task forces of scientists in laboratories and testing fields. In the same fashion, the free university, historically the fountainhead of free ideas and scientific discovery, has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity. For every old blackboard there are now hundreds of new electronic computers. The prospect of domination of the nation’s scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded. Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific technological elite. It is the task of statesmanship to mold, to balance, and to integrate these and other forces, new and old, within the principles of our democratic system — ever aiming toward the supreme goals of our free society.

Military-Industrial Complex Speech, Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961

“”What if a small group of world leaders were to conclude that the principal risk to the Earth comes from the actions of rich countries? And if the world is to survive, those rich countries would have to sign an agreement reducing their impact on the environment. Will they do it? The group’s conclusion is “no.” The rich countries won’t do it. They won’t change. So, in order to save the planet, the group decides: Isn’t the only hope for the planet that the industrialized civilizations collapse? Isn’t it our responsibility to bring that about? This group of world leaders form a secret society to bring about an economic collapse. ” — Maurice Strong, secretary general, 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development “

Rio+20 2012 lather rinse repeat

Calderon this week pleaded with the other leaders not to let what he called “the urgency” of the eurozone crisis “distract our attention from more important details or the most important problems for humanity.”

Yeh, because when you’re the president of a third world country – things like the imminent collapse of Europe and the ensuing sh!t storm – just don’t seem to matter.

And let me guess… these “important details or the most important problems for humanity” involves massive amounts of money coming out of our economy and going into yours. Am I right?

So, when “voluntary action” doesn’t work (voluntary on the part of individuals and/or countries), what, then would would, Ms. Johnsen?

oakland on June 17, 2012 at 5:05 PM

oakland, are you finally ready to admit that the earth will not catastrophically warm without positive feedback?

Do you ever understand that question?

I believe what the data shows

oakland on June 17, 2012 at 9:24 PM

Tell us what the data show.

…what I experience…

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! By all means, tell us what you experience. This should be good.

…and that the great majority of climate scientists are competent.

Excellent. It sounds as though you’re finally willing to admit that Michael Mann is completely incompetent and that his hockey stick has been thoroughly debunked.

Now, you should admit that climate “scientists” have been circle-jer*ing each other’s terrible papers and calling it “science.” This isn’t going to work much longer. How long will you continue to be a cult member.

And finally, you NEVER tell me why you hate science.

How can you doubt our flawless track record?

Oddly aggressive little religion.

John the Libertarian on June 17, 2012 at 9:58 PM

The “East Anglian” sect is my favorite.

great majority of climate scientists are competent.

LOL!

Too bad the evidence isn’t on your side

Solaratov on June 17, 2012 at 9:18 PM

My “side”? What is this, a sports event?

I believe what the data shows, what I experience, and that the great majority of climate scientists are competent.

You may not, but that’s your choice.

oakland on June 17, 2012 at 5:05 PM
oakland on June 17, 2012 at 5:31 PM

I suppose, then, that we can count you among the hold-out cultists who still believe in the scam that is “global warming”.
Too bad the evidence isn’t on your side.

For those interested, here it is.

Flange on June 17, 2012 at 2:57 PM

Thanks. I didn’t know where the ‘ManBearPig’ thing came from although it describes algore perfectly without knowing.

Because they went to public schools and didn’t pay attention.

boardy9 on June 17, 2012 at 4:22 PM

lol…I find that not paying attention to what I learned in public schools to oft-times be quite helpful actually…..but whatever makes ya feel good sparky!

The aim is create political momentum for a green economy around the world — an economy that does not destroy the environment, but also alleviates poverty and inequality.

Smoking hopium again. A green economy will make the rich richer and the poor poorer.

Manbearpig still on the loose!

BTW if anyone has never seen that episode of South Park, go watch it. One of the most brilliant pieces of political satire ever. Al Gore was never the same after being skewered by Matt and Trey

1984 in real life on June 17, 2012 at 2:53 PM

Excelsior!

An earlier Pew poll showed only 19% of Republicans believed in man-made global warming.

Maybe we can just poll it away, or vote it away. It sure would be nice if nature were subject to our democratic whims. Unfortunately, nature is the ultimate dictatorship.