Guardian (UK): Greens are the enemies of liberty — Environmentalists want to curb our freedom far more than the government’s anti-terrorist laws ever will by Brendan O’Neill

[G]reen thinking — with its shrill intolerance of dissenting views, its deep distaste for free movement and free choice, and its view of individuals, not as history-makers, but as filthy polluters — poses a more profound threat to liberty even than the government’s paranoid anti-terrorist agenda.

Environmentalists are innately hostile to freedom of speech. Last month James Hansen, one of the world’s leading climate change scientists, said the CEOs of oil companies should be tried for crimes against humanity and nature. They have been “putting out misinformation”, he said, and “I think that’s a crime”. This follows green writer Mark Lynas’s insistence that there should be “international criminal tribunals” for climate change deniers, who will be “partially but directly responsible for millions of deaths”. They will “have to answer for their crimes”, he says. The American eco-magazine Grist recently published an article on deniers that called for “war crimes trials for these bastards… some sort of climate Nuremberg.”

It is the mark of shrieking authoritarianism to look upon dissenting views not simply as wrong or foolish, but as criminal. Throughout history inquisitors and censors have sought to silence sections of society by labelling their words as “dangerous” and a threat to safety and stability; now environmentalists are doing the same. Their demonisation of sceptics as “deniers” has had a chilling effect on public debate. .

[...]

But perhaps the main way that environmentalism undermines the culture of freedom is by its ceaseless promotion of guilt. In the environmentalist era, we are no longer really free citizens, so much as potential polluters. We are continually told — by government, by commentators, by radical activists – that everything we do, from wearing disposable nappies to using deodorant to allowing ourselves to be cremated, is harmful to our surroundings.

Liberty –- true liberty -– requires that people see themselves as self-respecting, self-determining subjects, capable of making free choices and pursuing the “good life” as they see fit. Today, by contrast, we are warned that we are toxic, loaded, dangerous specimens, who must always restrain our instincts and aspire to austerity. This is not conducive to a culture of liberty; indeed, it represents a dangerous historic shift. . .

[emphasis added]

~ Sisyphus, cross-posted at The Sisyphus Files.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the all purpose and ever-flexible cause: global warming! It can easily fit into any problem, tragedy, nuisance, catastrophe or disaster. Simply apply the term “global warming” to any negative event or issue you wish and you too can over hype the importance of global warming!

The Guardian (UK): Surge in fatal shark attacks blamed on global warming by Richard Luscombe

~ Sisyphus, cross-posted at The Sisyphus Files.

Under the guise of global warming, a bill has been introduced in Sacramento that would enable Los Angeles County transit officials to increase taxes on motorists.

Remember what I said the other day, if any bill going through legislature has the word GREEN in it, prepare to open your wallet. And have a look at what this new tax, tribute, rate, duty, support and contribution bill is called:

A “climate change mitigation and adaptation fee,”.

I nearly lol’d there for a second.

This new bill is being introduced because

“the people of the Los Angeles region have just had it when it comes to traffic and air quality,” claimed Assemblyman Mike Feuer, a Los Angeles Democrat and author of Assembly Bill 2558.”

And how much will be raised through his “climate change mitigation and adaptation fee?”

$400 million

A small price for better air quality.

And what does that mean to the average Los Angeles shmuck car driver?

“the measure would cost motorists either an additional 3 percent motor fuel tax, or up to a $90 annual flat fee, based on vehicle emissions.

Peanuts. Especially when you consider that there is only one earth and we are the guardians of it.

I support this tax and now I feel better. I feel as if I did my part, now it’s up to the citizens of Los Angeles to do theirs.

I do have one small question though: What exactly is this new toolbox of extra revenues going to fix? As in, what the fuck are they going to do with this money?

Inquiring minds and all…

**I urge you to read the article, the writer of said article does a masterful job putting the councilman in his place.

Seattle City Council is proposing a *green tax* on paper and plastic bags, that if implemented, will be the harshest and most expensive bag tax any American city has ever seen:

Seattle would impose a 20-cent-per-bag “green fee” and outlaw foam food containers next year under a proposal announced Wednesday.

If adopted by the council, the fee would apply to disposable bags distributed at grocery, convenience and drug stores. The polystyrene foam ban would force restaurants and stores to find alternative egg cartons, meat trays, plates, “clamshells” and cups.

“It’s a big symbolic step, but it’s also a very concerted step in the right direction,” Conlin said.

It’s a *symbolic* step. That word generally has two meanings when bandied about by socialists. Symbolic is usually another term for bullshit, but that doesn’t sell. No council-person in the world would say, ‘It’s a bullshit step”. Secondly, and most importantly though, symbolic, when used by bottom feeders like these thieves, means, *the first of many steps*. And of course, steps=taxes.

What The Mayor of Leningrad Seattle really means is–”This is the first tax of many. Every tax from here on in will be accepted because we will have the word GREEN before the words fee, tax, tribute, rate, duty, support and contribution. And if you don’t agree, then you are five million times worse than Hitler…who was a vegetarian BTW.”

What will Seattle do with this monetary contribution from Joe Q Public?

The grocery bag fees would generate about $10 million a year, according to Seattle Public Utilities. The money would be used to administer and enforce the rules, to buy and promote reusable bags, and to expand recycling, environmental education and waste prevention programs.

In other words, they are going to take your money and hire teachers, administrators, assistants, trainers, inspectors, managers, superintendents, candlestick makers, you name it, as long as they are union and as long as they are sucking like a Hoover on the gov’t teat.

What a mess this whole green scam is. Everyone with a pulse knows that plastic bags are one of the few things that get re-used more than any other product. I thought one of the 10 commandments 3 R’s of environmentalism is re-use? Isn’t that part of the mighty green tenets? Now we’re told that a product that continually gets re-used is choking momma earth? If plastic bags are choking momma earth, then maybe momma earth needs to cowboy the fuck up a bit then.

Let’s recycle the recyclers

A lot of the discussion about Earth Hour participation has focussed on directly using more energy. This is indeed a very important effort. But please, everyone, don’t forget to waste food too! Remember, you can always buy more food than you need, and put the extra stuff straight into the trash.

In our affluent capitalist society, we often like to forget that food has its own carbon footprint. And, unlike an unnecessary hour-long empty-dishwasher session, it takes up space in a landfill if you just go ahead and trash fresh food without eating a bite. You can make a difference that will be felt for millennia. Simultaneously turning on your air conditioning and your space heaters may feel good now, but you can change the world forever with a few simple gestures like this.

If you are worried about your contribution just rotting away and not making a difference, then the easy solution is to make sure you store it in imperishable containers and throw the entire package into the garbage. For example, Big Mac-style styrofoam or microwave-safe plastic lunch containers will ensure that space is forever taken up in landfill sites. Remember, it takes energy to make those containers too! The rule of thumb for preventing hungry dumpster-divers from interdicting your contribution is to fill the remaining space in the plastic container with laundry detergent.

And don’t forget to throw out the food’s original packaging! Why not use an extra plastic container to keep it safe on its journey into the garbage?

This earth hour, think inside the box.

What will you be doing to participate in Earth Hour?

I, for one, will be LIGHTING UP as much as possible. I know, I know. Earth Hour is supposed to bring attention to the impact of greenhouse gases and spur millions around the globe to participate in an, albeit symbolic, act to combat global warming.

But we here at A Dog Named Kyoto know better, much better. We know that climate change is natural and that human activities, including carbon emissions, really have little or no impact on global warming (or cooling).

We know that there has been no warming of our climate since 1998 – no warming for the past 10 years! We know that this global warming alarmism is possibly the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on the human race.

We know that this Earth Hour is all just a bunch of foolishness and that most sensible people will be ignoring it. But that’s just wrong. We can’t ignore this nonsense! Therefore, I’m encouraging all thinking people, like you readers of this blog, (you know who you are – both of you!) to participate in Earth Hour 2008 in your own special way.

Here’s a few suggestions:

• Light up as much as possible, preferably with good old fashioned and environmentally friendly incandescent bulbs – none of those new fangled mercury filled compact flourescent lamps (CFLs) allowed. They’re too dim anyway!
• Heck, I still haven’t taken the Christmas lights down yet, gonna plug them babies back in again!
• Fire up the Hummer, the 4×4 or SUV. Let ‘er idle for the full 60 minutes!

Here’s a few more ideas previously posted by the always wise Lisa:

The London Fog, Dust My Broom, Mitchieville and Lisa’s Kitchen invite you to hasten Spring. Burn as much hydro as you can during this hour. Turn on every light and lamp, fire up the space heaters, bake some bread, cook some soup, do some laundry, print some recipes and be sure to flush. Do your part to combat global cooling.

Or how about a couple of videos to spark the imagination?

That 2nd video clearly shows that lighting up is a lot more exciting than sitting in the dark for an hour.

It all happens between 8:00 and 9:00 pm Saturday! We’re sure you can think of other interesting ways to celebrate Earth Hour. Let us know in the comments.

I, a Dog Named Kyoto, wrote this.

Update: Unearthed Hour by Andrew Bolt.

“Earth Hour is a great collaborative effort to heighten awareness of the world’s quickly-changing environment and the need to address our tremendous impact on it,” says Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best. “By turning off our lights for an hour on March 29, Londoners can join together and do their part to help save our environment for future generations.”

Excerpted from a press release from the Corporation of The City of London, Ontario.

On Saturday, March 29th of this year, municipal leaders around the world are asking everyone to refrain from burning “non-essential” lighting between the hours of 8 and 9 PM. Inserts in our hydro bills, public awareness campaigns, complete with billboards, posters and pamphlets and LED light displays, are reminding us to conserve for that precious hour of symbolic allegiance to a vacuous ideal. The carbon I save from sitting in the dark for one hour will promptly be spent between the hours of 9 and 10 PM.

During a typical evening, Mapmaster and I run our respective computers, employ the light of one small lamp and turn on the bathroom light if it’s particularly dark to ensure we pee in the correct repository. This upcoming Saturday, between the hours of 8 and 9 PM, my abode will be the most energized on the block. Why waste electricity that’s going to be generated besides? Take advantage of those smart meters.

The London Fog, Dust My Broom, Mitchieville and Lisa’s Kitchen invite you to hasten Spring. Burn as much hydro as you can during this hour. Turn on every light and lamp, fire up the space heaters, bake some bread, cook some soup, do some laundry, print some recipes and be sure to flush. Do your part to combat global cooling.

I, Lisa, the people’s choice, wrote this.

Please phrase your answer in the form of loud, hurtful laughter:

So here I am, calling out questions and watching the scores increase as these incredibly smart young women rally to get into the semis. They cleared the board and waited eagerly as the categories for Double Jeopardy were announced. While I can only remember one in retrospect (and you’ll see why it’s the impetus for this article), the line-up featured the typical topics, and the announcing went something like this: Potpourri, Famous Americans, Starts With ‘S’, Balls, Abbreviations… Wait, what? Balls? Yes, Balls. Balls. Balls was one of the categories in Double Jeopardy for a panel of three female contestants during the 2008 Teen Tournament.

As many feminists, anti-racists, and other –ists may tell you, our Western world is one in which outrageous situations/comments/behaviours/etc. can and do get our backs up around every corner. For this reason, it’s always beneficial to pause, take a breath, and then ask, Did that really happen? Is this as upsetting as I think it is? At least that’s something I do to try and keep from flying off the handle for only the must justifiable of reasons. In this case, I paused, took a breath, and thought, Wtf? Yes, this is that upsetting.

This London IndyMedia post said “Mitchieville” in so many ways. Read the whole thing and resolve never to give one more inch to a bluenose feminist when it comes to entertaining such hysterical fantasies.

Some 3,000 scientific robots that measure ocean temperature, have sent a message back to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory: the oceans are not heating up–and smoking is actually good for you, Okay, scrap that last part about the smoking:

This is puzzling in part because here on the surface of the Earth, the years since 2003 have been some of the hottest on record. But Josh Willis at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory says the oceans are what really matter when it comes to global warming.

In fact, 80 percent to 90 percent of global warming involves heating up ocean waters. They hold much more heat than the atmosphere can.

Since the system was fully deployed in 2003, it has recorded no warming of the global oceans.

“There has been a very slight cooling, but not anything really significant,” Willis says.

No wonder I can’t give away these carbon credits on Seventh Avenue.

Interesting and damning evidence, but maybe there is more to this than meets the eye:

One possibility is that the sea has, in fact, warmed and expanded — and scientists are somehow misinterpreting the data from the diving buoys.

I’m sure it wouldn’t be the first time that 3000 highly calibrated NASA temperature robots lied. I’m sure it happens all the time.

What else?

It’s also possible that some of the heat has gone even deeper into the ocean, he says.

Or it’s possible that scientists need to correct for some other feature of the planet they don’t know about.

It’s also possible that billions of heat emitting zombies that comb the ocean floor decided to leave and go back to their planet, thus cooling the ocean, if only for a brief time.

It’s also possible that global warming is the biggest farce since Bre-X, or disco, or the Muppets Invade Manhattan movie. But as I say, I still believe in it, after all, I have like 50 trillion carbon credits waiting to be sold.

Fentris, get the telemarketers ready, we have carbon credits to sell!

The respected US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have concluded that concerns over the levels of melted sea ice may have been premature:

Ice levels which had shrunk from 13million sq km in January 2007 to just four million in October, are almost back to their original levels.

Figures show that there is nearly a third more ice in Antarctica than is usual for the time of year.

They add that snow cover across the area is at its greatest since 1966.

That’s great news, I knew that using less plastic bags would stop global warming. Good for me, good for you, but most of all, good for the children.

However, all this great news may not be such great news after all:

However, vast swathes of the world have suffered chaos because of some of the heaviest snowfalls in decades.

Really? You know, I’ve been hunkered down in my solar powered bunker for so long that I really didn’t notice. Hold on a second and let me have a peak outside my thermal, triple paned window–Holy crap, there does seem to be a sprinkling of some white substance on my lawn. Fenris told me that it was ashes from Lake Winnipeg. You mean to say that’s snow? Let me measure how deep this snow-like substance is. Wow, four and a half foot of snow. That’s a lot of fucking snow.

Thank goodness I quit drinking bottled water and reduced my greenhouse gasses by not farting.

Thank you, global warming. You’re the best friend a guy could have.

Next–What happened to Kate Moss’ face?

Phil Woolas, an environment minister in the once great country of England, has called on government officials to start a campaign to demonize bottled water drinkers:

“We have to make people think that it’s unfashionable just as we have with smoking. We need a similar campaign to convince people that this is wrong,” said Tim Lang, the Government’s natural resources commissioner.

Phil Woolas, the environment minister, added that the amount of money spent on mineral water “borders on being morally unacceptable”.

Not according to my morals. Besides, I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that the environment minister enjoys a bottle of wine every now and then. And if that wine is made anywhere outside of his living room, then that wine had to be transported hundreds, if not thousands of miles, by evil trucks that mutilate mommy earth by contributing heavy greenhouse gas emissions. And that’s just wine…

I suppose what I’m saying is that people that talk nonsense like the douchebag environment minister, are nothing more than lying, hypercritical fools, that know nothing of economics, preach morals but have none, and most likely sport very small penis’, and are compensating for their lack of manliness by saying stupid things like, “the amount of money spent on mineral water borders on being morally unacceptable”.

Sorry small dicked man, I like bottled water and I’m going to drink it until I vomit or drown.

Climatologists, weather experts and meteorologists are completely perplexed why snow is still falling in Colorado and the Southwest, considering they all called for a dry to normal winter:

The state’s mountains are piled so thick with snow that state reservoirs could fill and floods could be widespread this spring.

“The polar jet stream has been on steroids. We don’t understand this. It’s pushing our limits, and it’s humbling,” said Klaus Wolter, a meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Then there must be only one possible explanation for this:

Some forecasters blame climate change.

But of course.

I’m not a climatologist or any type of weather expert, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night, and I think I may have solved the reason why it is snowing in Colorado, cold in northern Ontario, and why the good folks in Montreal have to scrape ice from their car every morning: It’s winter.

You see, as possible as it may be that the experts are correct and we are indeed experiencing global climate change, for me to accept that I would actually have to see some form of change. Seeing the snow fall and the temperature dip below zero every single night for the last 73 nights makes me believe that the citizens of earth are actually experiencing global climate constancy. GCC.

Besides, global warming is so 2006 Bring on the next lie.