NewsBusters has on numerous occasions reported how media are trying to frighten Americans into radically altering their lives or else suffer irreparable harm at the hands of the liberal bogeyman global warming.
At times in the past couple of years, the scare tactics have been akin to a 1950s horror movie, including somewhat hysterically a film being released wherein oil workers in Alaska were actually killed by Mother Nature supposedly rising up to defend herself from climate change.
On Wednesday, USA Today added giant snakes to the equation, using the frightening imagery of Burmese pythons -- which can grow in size to 20 feet and 250 pounds -- roaming America if citizens don't immediately change their wicked carbon dioxide emitting ways (emphasis added, h/t NBer Brau):
As climate change warms the nation, giant Burmese pythons could colonize one-third of the USA, from San Francisco across the Southwest, Texas and the South and up north along the Virginia coast, according to U.S. Geological Survey maps released Wednesday.
[...]
Two federal agencies - the USGS and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - are investigating the range of nine invasive snakes in Florida, concerned about the danger they now pose to endangered species. The agencies are collecting data to aid in the control of these populations.
They examined Burmese pythons first and, based on where they live in Asia, estimated where they might live here. One map shows where the pythons could live today, an area that expands when scientists use global warming models for 2100.
"We were surprised by the map. It was bigger than we thought it was going to be," says Gordon Rodda, zoologist and lead project researcher. "They are moving northward, there's no question."
Of course, late in the article we find that the problem isn't actually global warming. It's that people are buying these snakes as pets, and then abandoning them:
If federal officials had to worry only about Florida, it would be "decades" before the pythons move into other states, Rodda says. But people keep dumping pythons they don't want into the wild. "We just learned about some that had been released in Arkansas," he says.
Hmmm. So, maybe officials ought to do more to prevent these snakes from being brought into the country, and stop using them as a political tool to advance climate alarmism:
In Florida, they eat bobcats, deer, alligators, raccoons, cats, rats, rabbits, muskrats, possum, mice, ducks, egrets, herons and song birds. They grab with their mouth to anchor the prey, then coil around the animal and crush it to death before eating it whole.
If you see one, don't attempt to engage it. Leave the area, note the location and notify the authorities.
Anyone question why so many people feel those that advance the global warming myth should be called climate alarmists?
Somewhat comically, within hours of this article being published, as Rush Limbaugh discussed the New York Times hit piece on John McCain, he referred to people in the drive-by media as snakes.
As such, Americans indeed should be very afraid, not of pythons roaming the planet, but of irresponsible journalists that know absolutely nothing about science advancing this myth by using such disgraceful scare tactis.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Oh, WOW!
February 24, 2008 - 11:55 ET by drillanwrNow I'm REALLY scared!
Cripes ... Does this madness know no end?
(Remember, my sarc button is always on auto-pilot)
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
Cool
February 24, 2008 - 12:01 ET by well99The other white meat.I will start looking for recipes.
Pythons?
February 24, 2008 - 12:04 ET by iveseenitallThat movie has already been made a few times. Scheeze, get a little more creative, will ya'!
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
Good watch dogs/snake
February 24, 2008 - 12:11 ET by well99Just put it in your yard and no need to worry about someone breaking in.
→ Better watchdogs
February 24, 2008 - 12:19 ET by Cool ArrowJust put a cat in the yard and the snake won't last long.
♣ a seal
And remember: they taste
February 24, 2008 - 12:18 ET by MikeBAnd remember: they taste just like chicken.
Coming soon to your town - Colonel Sanders' Kentucky Fried Python.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
; )
February 24, 2008 - 12:23 ET by botgON A STICK
No Poofdas
;) back at 'ya
February 24, 2008 - 12:56 ET by FastEdCould this be his brother?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
si
February 24, 2008 - 13:10 ET by botgsi senor
on a stick
No Poofdas
Cool
February 24, 2008 - 14:10 ET by well99That is a good thing!Wow the benefits of GW.As long as it is white meat it is a win win situation.
MikeB,
February 25, 2008 - 17:22 ET by R D HelmJust like chicken? Cool. Should be really good skewered up and grilled with a little teriyaki. Bet some jerk would work, too.
Proud member of the "Rough Republican Attack Machine."
Colonize ? Snakes are Colonists ?
February 24, 2008 - 12:05 ET by JayTeeI guess if you swallom the Global warming pills, you can swallow "Snakes on the Plains" pills.
Once again the Border States like Texas, Arizona, Califonia (nobody invades New Mexico) will be under assault and will be the First line of defense for the Snake Invasion from the South.
At least the canadian Border will be a Snake free Invasion Zone.
A horror screenplay in the making.
February 24, 2008 - 12:19 ET by BacchusHas the science community reached a consensus? Is the debate over? Can this be blamed on Iraq and George Bush? [NYTimes Editor: Print it]
Pest Control: A job Americans won't do.
As climate change warms the
February 24, 2008 - 12:23 ET by MidAmericaAs climate change warms the nation,
uhhh... which nation? It's colder and snowyer where I'm at in the Midwest than it's been for a few years.
The last two snakes I ran
February 24, 2008 - 12:31 ET by USA4freedomThe last two snakes I ran into did not do too well. A cotton mouth ran into my 12ga. The next cotton mouth ran into my weed eater/snake eater. Moral to the story: when a predator takes on technology, technology usually wins. But what the hell maybe they will open a season on them. Cant wait..
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party, the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
If I bag one I will post the
February 24, 2008 - 12:33 ET by USA4freedomIf I bag one I will post the picture, maybe next to Hogzilla. Lol.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Don't forget that China had
February 24, 2008 - 12:34 ET by MikeBDon't forget that China had its coldest winter in a hundred years, that it snowed in Bagdhad, Tel Aviv, and Riyadh (if I remember correctly), that solar activity continues at a minimum for longer than average, which some theorize means we may be in for some much cooler weather for a while. But, all this cold, wet, snowy, icy weather all over the world is because of global warming, don't you know.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
you know the glob warms are going to take credit for the cold
February 24, 2008 - 12:52 ET by lunaticcringeradiothey are going to say that the cold temps are due to their efforts.
lunaticcringeradio
do you know how expensive boas are?
February 24, 2008 - 12:51 ET by lunaticcringeradiothe last time i checked petco red tailed boas are over $150 now. so i hope they spread across the country so i can pick one up for free. they're great pets. i would have thought they would have infested the warmer phoenix area first but i haven't seen boa one out here. found plenty of rattlesnakes curled up under the tires on helicopters and airplanes but never a boa.
how many times can these crazy glob warm predictions fall through and be proven false time after time before people realize this is a socialist scam.
lunaticcringeradio
Shotgun resistant
February 24, 2008 - 12:51 ET by ScrapironThat would apply to Algorabe also.
Living in Joisey
February 24, 2008 - 13:10 ET by FastEdI thought we were already over-run by these belly crawlers, lawyers, demolibs and the such.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
good one fast.. your right,
February 24, 2008 - 13:56 ET by USA4freedomgood one fast..
your right, when I owned a bar I was sued more then 10 times.
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
that was in Hoboken
February 24, 2008 - 13:57 ET by USA4freedomthat was in Hoboken NJ......
Ronald Reagan, 1962: I did not leave the Democratic party,the party left me.
Insert: your name, 2008, and the Republican party.
Giant snakes?
February 24, 2008 - 13:14 ET by goldenthroatIsn't that just another name for the MSM?
"Yeah! That's the ticket!" - Tommy Flanagan
Python-the other white meat
February 24, 2008 - 13:15 ET by RackieJust more meat for the freezer...or python jerky...or burgers...or smoked snake...or kosher snake...even the Muslims might consider snake okeedokee. It's your next meal that comes looking for you. It's a win-win situation. Oh, don't you just (heart) global warming?
Another endangered species?
February 24, 2008 - 13:28 ET by CobraManI wonder how long it will be until PETA lobbies to add the "Americanized Burmese Python" (aka the AmBur Python) to the endangered species list?
NS
February 24, 2008 - 13:33 ET by BlondeIn Florida, they eat bobcats, deer, alligators, raccoons, cats, rats, rabbits, muskrats, possum, mice, ducks, egrets, herons and song birds. They grab with their mouth to anchor the prey, then coil around the animal and crush it to death before eating it whole.
Tis true...here's a lovely photo of an overambitious Burmese Python...who tried to eat a 6' American Alligator a few years ago.
We occasionally have problems with these gone-native snakes eating dogs, etc. But seriously, being overrun by monster snakes due to AGW is kind of the result of fever-swamp brain activity, yes? Oops, sorry, I forgot, it's the MsM. Never mind.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Blonde
February 24, 2008 - 13:38 ET by Noel SheppardB,
Great picture! I love it! Yummy! :-) ns
Yummy wildlife
February 24, 2008 - 13:49 ET by BlondeMore yummy wildlife pics on the way...check your e-mail. Unfortunately, I don't have a web link for that monster.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
The Simpsonise Python
February 24, 2008 - 13:47 ET by CobraManMmmmmm, 72 inches of American Alligator!
After seeing the pic
February 24, 2008 - 19:28 ET by FastEdI was wonder what kind of boots could be made - waterproof, self wrapping on leg, allisnake. Or snakeagator. Would you want to have a gatorsnake for a mascot??
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad V
Another Reptile & "AGW" Story
February 24, 2008 - 13:57 ET by BlondeUm, this one kinda runs contrary to USA Today. Gee, do you think this might have affected USA Today's monster snakes as well?
Iguanas fall from trees during cold snap.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Shaken the Tree
February 24, 2008 - 14:17 ET by CobraManWhat do you mean it's contrary? It fits in perfectly with global warming and the pythons! The poor iguanas wouldn’t have been in the trees to begin with if it weren’t for global warming dependent Americanized Burmese Pythons that chase them up there!
It works like this: Global warming increases the number of AmBur pythons in America. The pythons chase the iguanas into the trees. The iguanas are sensitive to the temperature difference that exists between the ground and the canopy. They get too cold and they drop out of the trees. The pythons EAT the poor iguanas that fell. The final result? Iguanas are becoming an endangered species and it’s all America’s fault for causing global warming! It’s so simple, even a NEOCON should understand! Bush hates Iguanas!
Well, Cobra
February 24, 2008 - 14:21 ET by BlondeI shall defer to your overwhelming knowledge of reptilian behaviour, vis-a-vis AGW, in light of your SN (even though I know it refers to your MOS).
Silly me, how could I have been so wrong-headed? You're right, I should have understood the implications. D'Oh....Bush hates iguanas!
Poor iguanas.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
See the Light!
February 24, 2008 - 14:45 ET by CobraManAt last, someone sees the Light!
I ask all of you to join me in supporting the Save the Iguana - Kill the Python! Campaign. We’re recruiting volunteers from all across the Gulf Coast States. Al Gore will be at our 'Clean Up the Swamp' drive in New Orleans where His Eminence will be discussing the dangers of global warming, it’s effects on invasive species, and the need for human-assisted species eradication. Dick Cheney, who will also be giving classes in the safe handling of shotguns, will organize the hunt that follows Saint Al's appearance.
(on edit: opps, Cheney, not Chaney)
Uhh. We don't have
February 24, 2008 - 19:58 ET by danboUhh. We don't have Iguanas in this part of the gulf coast. Louisiana got rid of the snake in Baton Rouge. Though there are still a lot of snakes in New Orleans.
I'm still hoping pythons love nutria, and formosan termites.
"There is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."
- Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor of Meteorology, MIT
What??
February 24, 2008 - 14:01 ET by celator"Global Warming Will Cause Giant Snakes To Take Over America!"
WHAT??? You mean man-made global warming produces more Democrats!?!? I'm getting my bug-out bag and heading for the hills!
Liberal's Basic Rule For Discourse: I don't care if you agree with my premises, but I demand that you agree with my conclusions.
All the more reason for more
February 24, 2008 - 14:07 ET by ConservativeRexAll the more reason for more guns.
Or Clubs
February 24, 2008 - 18:09 ET by RiharIsn't Whacking Day coming up? Did you get your tree yet?
When a liberal speaks, the truth is busy elsewhere.
I agree with the giant snakes
February 24, 2008 - 14:11 ET by Lame CherryI just didn't think the media would start referring to Al Gore, Barak Obama, George Soros, Keith Olberman as giant snakes.
Warren Buffet, gathers money, coils around it, constricts those resources in a monopoly which then his group swallows whole for profit.
Soros does it on a worldwide scale as much as the Rockefellers in America, Warburgs in Germany and the Rothschilds in France and England.
It was their global warming scare which was designed to do all of the above to concentrate power. The SAME debate is going on now that was going on in the 1950's over the UN and other now accepted "normal" things which are destroying America.....people do not believe America is to be absorbed in a North American Union..........got news a Republican Congressman was holding hearings not on that, but North America joining United Europe as one sphere.
Wonderful day the day a Mexican, Kosovan Muslim and a Belarus are voting on whether an American is paying enough taxes and if you are using too much gasoline.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Don't worry about the snakes
February 24, 2008 - 14:51 ET by ironchefofmunchiesIt is a little known fact that KILLER BEES are a natural predator against Burmese Pythons.
So all those KILLER BEES that we heard about taking over the southwestern United States a few years back will protect us from the evil snake invasion of 2008.
It's almost enough to make one believe that a higher power is looking out for us. Unless of course, you worship at the altar of global warming instead of a chuch/mosque/synagogue.
If pythons eat formosan
February 24, 2008 - 19:53 ET by danboIf pythons eat formosan termites and nutria. I'm all for them.
"There is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."
- Richard S. Lindzen, Ph.D. Professor of Meteorology, MIT
What "Taking Over" looks like
February 24, 2008 - 15:44 ET by TocanoThis is what I thought was amazing. Here are the projections about the sustainable land that global warming would cause:
Current: http://www.usgs.gov/...
Projected (2100): http://www.usgs.gov/...
To me, there's barely a difference in actually sustainable land. The only real change is where they state that MAYBE pythons could live there.
I'd love someone with a math background to perform a differential on this to show exactly how much difference this is. I would wager it's around a 5% increase in the green area. Either way, hardly "taking over" or "colonizing" as some are stating it.
And they wonder why we call stories like this alarmism.
Source: http://www.usgs.gov/...
The scientific community
February 24, 2008 - 17:34 ET by JerryThe scientific community speaks out on the dangers of man made global warming:
"Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies. Rivers and seas boiling." - Dr. Ray Stantz
"Forty years of darkness. Earthquakes, volcanoes..." - Dr. Egon Spengler
"Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria." - Dr. Peter Venkman
"Giant snakes conquer America" - USA Today
And comment on a world ruled by giant snakes:
"What part would that be?" - Coach Klein
"That would be the knee." - Mama Boucher
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
Good Eatin'!
February 24, 2008 - 17:55 ET by heldmywPython!
You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it.
There’s python kabobs, python creole, python gumbo, panfried python, deep fried python,
stir fried python.
There's pineapple python, lemon python, coconut python, pepper
python, python soup, python stew, python salad, python and potatoes, python burger,
python sandwich, python croustilles aus crevettes avec champignons, python and eggs,
python jerky,python fritters with sawmill gravy, python nuggets with honey-mustard dipping sauce,
and don't forget...
...Full-length python-stuffed-python (with all the trimmings) on a sesame seed bun!
Snakerrrific snackin' by the foot!
-(I will be trademarking a 0 trans-fat, low calorie python cutlet under the trade name "PyThins".)
Python! The squeezy, succulent tubesteak of the forest! How soon 'til it gets here?
Can't wait!
So you are saying...
February 24, 2008 - 18:30 ET by on-the-rocksthat the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is branching out into python products now?
When will their line of python products reach our store shelves?
Do they have any plans for other invasive species' products, e.g., zebra mussels or nutria?
I love snakes, so this is
February 24, 2008 - 18:01 ET by Clear thinkerI love snakes, so this is fine with me. Bring on global climate change!
Question for liberals.... Did we have climate change between the periods of 4.5 billion years ago up to about 100 years ago? Just wondering.
As long as they aren't on
February 24, 2008 - 20:33 ET by taterAs long as they aren't on airplanes we'll be fine.
...and even if they are, Samuel L. Jackson will take care of them.
Do you realize how much it costs to run for office? More than any honest man could afford. -Montgomery Burns
http://www.guardian.co.uk/en
February 24, 2008 - 21:58 ET by M J Bhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2004/feb/22/usnews.theobserver
This is scarier still!!
Those left wing Pentagon types are at it again.
The pentagon performs
February 24, 2008 - 22:47 ET by JerryThe pentagon performs thousands of studies dealing with worst case scenarios, how it would affect us, and how we would respond. It's their job. I'm sure a global warming catastrophe is one of these scenarios, and some left wing bat leaked it to the press, and the MSM is reporting it like a factual study instead of a worst case scenario.
I bet the pentagon has a worst case scenario for ufo attacks also, but that does not mean they think a ufo attack is imminent.
The GW movement is truly full of alarmists.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
These Commies change
February 25, 2008 - 12:46 ET by ConservativeRexThese Commies change tactics quicker than anything. We all know what started out as "global warming" is now "climate change" to cover all their bases.
Make no mistake about it, these people are the new and future face of the Communist Party. They will have no debate on the subject, no matter how serious or reasoned. Now, if you deny global warming you are compared to a holocaust denier. We must find a way to fight back against these people, even governments are involved.
This will be the fight of our children's life, very much like the Cold War was for us. The Green's will try to put so many Draconian measures on the USA we will have a tough time succeeding. They want India and China to catch up to the rest of the world, and if it takes us and other country's to make changes to help them they will force us to do it. With caps and restrictions on our vehicles and businesses. we are in for a long fight.