Although it seems like just yesterday, Monday marks the 20th anniversary of the day James Hansen, the head of NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies, told members of Congress the world was doomed if the burning of fossil fuels didn't immediately cease.
To commemorate this inauspicious occasion, Hansen is going back to Capitol Hill to call for oil company executives to be put on trial for crimes against humanity and nature.
Can you imagine the media firestorm this is going to create?
Critical update: Audio of Hansen discussing this with NPR's Diane Rehm available here (h/t Anthony Watts).
While you ponder, the following was reported by England's Guardian Monday (emphasis added):
James Hansen, one of the world's leading climate scientists, will today call for the chief executives of large fossil fuel companies to be put on trial for high crimes against humanity and nature, accusing them of actively spreading doubt about global warming in the same way that tobacco companies blurred the links between smoking and cancer. [...]
Speaking before Congress again, he will accuse the chief executive officers of companies such as ExxonMobil and Peabody Energy of being fully aware of the disinformation about climate change they are spreading.
In an interview with the Guardian he said: "When you are in that kind of position, as the CEO of one the primary players who have been putting out misinformation even via organisations that affect what gets into school textbooks, then I think that's a crime."
He is also considering personally targeting members of Congress who have a poor track record on climate change in the coming November elections. He will campaign to have several of them unseated. Hansen's speech to Congress on June 23 1988 is seen as a seminal moment in bringing the threat of global warming to the public's attention. At a time when most scientists were still hesitant to speak out, he said the evidence of the greenhouse gas effect was 99% certain, adding "it is time to stop waffling".
Waffling. Isn't that a great term coming from one of Nobel Laureate Al Gore's devotees?
Regardless, it is going to be very interesting to see what kind of attention this gets from global warming obsessed media, especially coming just weeks after the embarrassing failure of Senate Democrats to get a carbon cap-and-trade bill off the ground.
Also, will press outlets that cover Hansen's testimony address any of the criticism directed at the GISS chief concerning errors in how his organization measures and determines average global temperatures? Might there be any reference to a June 5 article in the British Guardian accusing NASA of literally cooking the books on this matter?
Or how about former Director of Meteorology at the Weather Channel Joseph D'Aleo's response to Hansen posted at ICECAP Sunday:
Instead of suing big oil, I think the American people ought to seriously consider going after Hansen and Gore who are as much responsible for the energy and food crises by turning a minor largely natural, cyclical change into an earth-threatening, man-made disaster by manipulating both science and data. Environmental groups and some politicians share the blame and if we can't sue them, we can stop donating to their causes and/or kick the bums out of office. Maybe we can put Boxer's picture on Unleaded, Gore on high test and Hansen on Deisel pumps to remind folks where the blame really lies. In this Washington Post story, Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.) said the bill's failure was proof that Hansen's message had not caught on. "Hansen, Gore, and the media have been trumpeting man-made climate doom since the 1980s. But Americans are not buying it," Inhofe said. "It's back to the drawing board for Hansen and company as the alleged ‘consensus' over man-made climate fears continues to wane and more and more scientists declare their dissent."
Hear, hear!
Readers are strongly advised to review all of the articles NewsBusters has published concerning the junk science being advanced by Hansen the last two decades.
*****Update: Please don't miss fabulous posts concerning this matter by CEI's Chris Horner published at NRO's Planet Gore such as this, this, and this. In particular, don't miss Horner exposing Hansen for staging his June 1988 Congressional appearance by timing it for the hottest day of the year, and having the air conditioning turned off in the hearing room to make it especially toasty. Also, D'Aleo has more here.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
NASA - is anyone listening
June 23, 2008 - 09:50 ET by robertjacobFor anyone at NASA to say anything about any issue is a laugh.
NASA should just hide their heads and continue to haul the groceries and toilets to the great Space Station.
NASA (in total) has become a bearucratic joke.
Over the Top
June 23, 2008 - 09:55 ET by allanfHansen is an official of the United States government. That statement is over the top for a government official. He shoud be asked to resign.
Just in time to defend
June 23, 2008 - 10:25 ET by ApacheJust in time to defend liberal positions on oil drilling. He's a good little Soros boy.
I disagree. Not asked to
June 23, 2008 - 10:34 ET by danboI disagree. Not asked to resign. Fired.
"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
If this lunatic gets fired,
June 23, 2008 - 10:47 ET by KillgraveIf this lunatic gets fired, then all it would do is make him a martyr. And God knows the MSM would milk it for years to come, and this clown would make millions on the book tours, and continue in his mission to break the machine of capitalism.
The best way to deal with lunatics is to ignore them and let them implode in their self-importance, destined to fade away in obscurity and irrelevance. They don't have facts and logic to fuel their movement... only hype. And hype doesn't burn that long.
I agree and that's why he
June 23, 2008 - 11:13 ET by ApacheI agree and that's why he hasn't been fired already. He always runs to friendly media when he starts to feel heat. Its sad what they are doing to the reputation of science. However the implosion will create more skepticism and critical thinking which, until Gore and Hansen turned it upside down, was a key component of science.
Fired
June 23, 2008 - 11:21 ET by allanfLet's say a Director of a Federal department, in an interview in the UK Guardian called for Al Gore to be tried for Crimes Against Humanity because he is responsible for a shortage of ethanol and people are starving in Third World Countries.
Would there be a cry for her to be fired?
I wouldn't doubt it. But if
June 23, 2008 - 12:14 ET by ApacheI wouldn't doubt it. But if the media was fair then this site wouldn't be here. In a perfect world, hansen would have been fired a long time ago and everyone would have all the facts as to why. If hansen is fired, the media will use it to promote junk science and pound the blame bush drums. But with Hansen, treat him how Churchill said "Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide."
Sure they'll make him a
June 23, 2008 - 11:28 ET by danboSure they'll make him a martyr. There're doing that anyway. But it will be taking a stand. And you could put real scientist into NASA.
"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
It's one thing to talk
June 23, 2008 - 17:52 ET by liberal_bug_zapperIt's one thing to talk about Global Warming from a pseudo science position from his official position in the government. It's an entirely different thing for him to be calling for private citizens of this great nation to be hauled up before a court for crimes on equal with Nazi war crimes (which is what crimes against humanity are). Freedom of speech is one thing, but this goes beyond the pale.
I've already written a letter to the whitehouse with the subject line reading: "Fire James Hansen!"
I suggest you also write the Whitehouse and demand him being fired.
____________________________________________________
"We can only reason from what is; we can reason on actualities, but not on possibilities." ~ Thomas Paine
Hansen should be fired for incompetence and lobbying.
June 23, 2008 - 09:55 ET by c5thenClimate change is a political issue, not a scientific one. Hansen has violated the ethics for Government employees by using his Government position to engage in lobbying activities and partisan politics.
With idiots like him at the helm, it's no wonder that NASA is floundering around aimlessly and occasionally can't coordinate between meters and feet in it's probes.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
Climate = Science....but who cares? Right?
June 23, 2008 - 11:34 ET by jquam"Climate change is a political issue, not a scientific one." Does anyone else want to point out how pathetically ignorant this comment is? Seriously now...let us piece this together as best we can. Climate + change = politics? Wow...I may not have any stance on this article...but I certainly take issue with this. JHTFWy'all
Climate + the facade of
June 23, 2008 - 11:58 ET by danboClimate + the facade of change = politics.
"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
Truth struck a nerve, did
June 23, 2008 - 16:09 ET by ckc1227Truth struck a nerve, did it?
Nope
June 24, 2008 - 08:42 ET by jquamWhat can I say...agree to disagree...you like big business...otherwise the issue of climate change might seem scientific to you...if you believe it's a facade, and it's your ignorant right to do so :), go ahead...I'll stand on my soapbox...while I watch the flood waters run by...
And we'll be living while
June 24, 2008 - 10:51 ET by danboAnd we'll be living while you're waiting for the end of the world that likely won't be in our lifetimes. And if the end does come it won't be caused by AGW.
Real science is open. Hansen isn't.
"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
mm hmm...
June 24, 2008 - 12:19 ET by jquamI'm not saying the end of the world is nigh...and Hansen is not involved in this...I have nothing to say about the article...I dislike most media outlets in the country, but for very different reasons than you I bet. Anyway...the end of the world is not near, but there is a goddamn lot that major corporations could be doing to improve their waste and destruction of the environment. Oh well...I'm not going to change anyone's mind on this...didn't expect to...and trust me you can have the last word if you wish :)
Don't forget the
June 24, 2008 - 13:53 ET by danboDon't forget the environmentalist. It's the whining enviromentalist that are doing so much to damage the world. They're trying to prevent progress that has given hope to much of the world that wants to escape poverty. It's the environmentalist that have already killed millions through their pseudo science with DDT. It's the environmentalist who are causing a food shortage and causing the rape of the forest and lost of habitat so they can grow energy.
Evil corporations create jobs. They provide food. They provide fuel to heat homes. They give people what they want. Not what elitist think people should have.
"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
He should be asked hard questions.
June 23, 2008 - 10:10 ET by expatriotHanson should be hammered with tough questions but the MSM will never do it. He is their poster child and they need to keep him pristine.
I wonder why he never addresses the wild fires that are burning almost continuously in the US. Every time you turn on the news there is a new fire raging. I cannot believe that he and the goracle aren't trying to bring the governments of those states to trial for allowing the CO2 emmited by the burning of trees, grasses and whatever else goes up. What kind of footprint will they have?
And this surprises whom? As
June 23, 2008 - 10:11 ET by Pete WilsonAnd this surprises whom?
As Forrest Gump said, "Stupid is as stupid does."
Where the H is my duct tape!!!
June 23, 2008 - 10:12 ET by motherbeltWhere the H is my duct tape!!!
Let's see...letting your kid eat at McDonalds is "child abuse"...criticism of anyone of color is a "hate crime"...requiring ID to vote is "voter suppression"....slow-moving government aid is "genocide"...and now speaking against the "concensus" is a "crime against humanity"!!
This is just jaw-dropping!
They have inflated things so much that there is no perspective any more.
What are we supposed to call REAL abuses and crimes when they do occur???
PS Site still having problems?
Shoot 'em all; let God sort 'em out! - Marge Simpson
Hansen
June 23, 2008 - 10:18 ET by Dr_LibertyWasn't Hansen the guy complaining (in a couple hundred public interviews) that his "free speech" was being suppressed by the Bush Administration?
And wasn't he part of that annoying "tween" band a decade ago? "Tween" bands are a crime against humanity. I say we prosecute the Naked Brothers.
<insert witty signature here>
Political?
June 23, 2008 - 10:15 ET by owr084Where's the Hatch Act when you need it? Oh that's right, it was gutted a long time ago...
How much longer will Hansen be around...
June 23, 2008 - 10:16 ET by ThalpyHow much longer will Hansen be around to weaken NASA? He appears to be part of Soros' systematic ruination of the United States.
Noel... I read the
June 23, 2008 - 10:17 ET by Clear thinkerNoel...
I read the Guardian article and was immediately hit by this statement "James Hansen, one of the world's leading climate scientists" and was wondering... who, or what organization gave him that status?
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
he's leading alright
June 23, 2008 - 12:52 ET by wizardjrHe's the lead Lemming and he's aimed squarely at the edge.
Poor old "muzzled" Hansen.
June 23, 2008 - 10:19 ET by dboPoor old "muzzled" Hansen. Testifying before congress again. As the world starts cooling he's getting even more desperate to propagate his CO2 scam. Ironically, the world is colder now than it was when he last testified 20 years ago.
http://planetgore.na...
If AlSnore is the Pope of
June 23, 2008 - 10:31 ET by KillgraveIf AlSnore is the Pope of the AGW movement, then this guy is his Grand Inquisitor.
So he wants to shut down the Oil industry. This is the first goal of Marxists for their Revolution - to break the the back of Industry... then they can build it back up in their communist utopia.
Marxists and AGW adherents are almost always one and the same. And this is merely a coincidence?
Killgrave... Your post
June 23, 2008 - 10:37 ET by Clear thinkerKillgrave...
Your post would be fuuny if it wasn't true.
How much you wanna bet that immediately after shutting down big oil they would start drilling in places that were off limits? Even a communist utopia is gonna have to use oil.
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
I don't know. These people
June 23, 2008 - 10:56 ET by KillgraveI don't know. These people are pretty stupid. They think that wind farms, solar panels, and strict rationing would easily address any energy shortfalls when "Big Oil" is finally brought down.
Hansen exposed for the Socialist that he is
June 23, 2008 - 19:42 ET by PopularTechI've been telling people for some time now to ask those who vehemently believe in the doomsday if they support Socialism or Capitalism you should not be surprised to learn that environmentalists are overwhelmingly Socialists.
These people are insane and have known for some time that the one way to take down Capitalism is to attack it's energy supply. How long have you heard the propaganda that "Big Oil" is evil yet NEVER are you presented with any facts as to why. Last I checked my car drives and my house is heated thanks to "Big Oil" practically every part of the economy and our lifestyle is thanks to "Big Oil". Yet environmentalists have been crusading against something that has given us such a great standard of living.
These people are propagandists who have successfully used emotional arguments to deter people from looking at or hearing the facts.
Killgrave, you have it correct, if they can take down our energy supplies then they can call on government (Socialism) to save us.
This whole problem is going to get worse no matter who is elected in November. The only solution is to educate the American people on what they are not being told - we have 6 months to go.
The Anti 'Man-Made' Global Warming Resource
Hansen should be tried for
June 23, 2008 - 10:38 ET by mattmHansen should be tried for malfeasance in taking grant money and a government paycheck to engage in psuedo-scientific propaganda, lying to the public and using his government-paid position to further a one-sided political cause.
Let's not forget sued for
June 23, 2008 - 10:44 ET by danboLet's not forget sued for slander.
"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
Misinformation into school
June 23, 2008 - 10:43 ET by SnappyMisinformation into school textbooks is correct. However the misinformation I have seen is all from Hansen and crew regarding the "We are all going to die" nonsense. Thankfully my 2nd and 3rd grader still regard me as the ultimate authority on everything and I still have a chance to show them there are two sides to every cause.
He's not even original!
June 23, 2008 - 10:50 ET by Joe C.He's just parroting the recent call on global
warming hoax websites for Al Gore (and himself) to be brought up on
fraud and racketeering charges; and that the other enviroeconomic
terrorists to be charged with crimes against humanity for their
policies that have killed so many poor in the 3rd world.
"A man who won't believe in God will believe in anything."
G.K. Chesterton
For Hansen to call for
June 23, 2008 - 10:50 ET by Free ThinkerFor Hansen to call for criminal trials for people who don't support his views on the much debated "man made" global warming issue tells me he knows he is losing the argument and can longer rely on science and facts. I think someone else pointed it out, but yes he is the same guy who was complaining about his speech being "suppressed" by the Bush administration.
If Obama wins in November,
June 23, 2008 - 10:54 ET by Clear thinkerIf Obama wins in November, I expect him to put Hansen on his cabinet. A commie will always surround himself with more commies.
45 Communist Goals for America http://www.nationmakers.com/com_goals.htm
Free, Hansen has never used
June 23, 2008 - 10:56 ET by bassndudeFree, Hansen has never used science and facts. He has used fiction for science and figures pulled from the air for his facts.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
I say DO IT!
June 23, 2008 - 11:06 ET by IgnatzJFahrquarGo ahead. Have a trial. They can bring their "evidence" and it can be picked apart by scientific data that will show that there is no AGW finally exposing these schlocks.
"All generalizations are false, including this one.” Mark Twain
Hansen is the Wile E.
June 23, 2008 - 11:06 ET by marvlHansen is the Wile E. Coyote of Climate Science. I wonder if he realizes what a half-baked fool he is. Personally, I think he is suffering from global warming of the cranium.
I think Richard Lindzen is far better qualified than Hansen on this issue, and he takes the opposite view. Hansen is little more than a bureaucrat.
deleted....duplicate
June 23, 2008 - 11:33 ET by stormy67deleted....duplicate
I love this guy!
June 23, 2008 - 11:32 ET by stormy67He serves as a great source of entertainment.
Why stop with CEO's of Big Oil? Why not begin with him - the guy proven to falsify data, and who is funded by Soros and Heinze-Kerry (that we KNOW of). Why? NASA pays his research expenses.
I find the hypocrisy and irony amusing.
Boil Them In Big Oil? Let’s Start With You!
CEOs on trial
June 23, 2008 - 11:35 ET by RayRioOk, Hansen wants to put CEO's on trial why doesn't he also put all the Arab shieks on trial? Oh yea he doesn't want any fatwa's placed on his head or should I say neck. He can go after the CEOs because they are spineless. Just look at them everytime they go before congress.
Ray
Show trials. Stalinist
June 23, 2008 - 12:43 ET by Jack BauerShow trials. Stalinist threats. Blacklist. McCarthyite. Guilt by Hansen diktat.
When did NASA turn into the USSR? And why is this man living off the public teat?
desperation of the Left
June 23, 2008 - 12:59 ET by wizardjrHansen threw his career into this baloney and he sees it unraveling along with his ride to riches and fame. It's all over the place for a year now that unbelievers had to be exterminated or threatened with economic ruin so as to shut them up. A true tell-tale sign of desperation. The emperor has no clothes and the public is catching on.
And yet... they continue to find useful idiots. How else do you explain the Polar Bear fiasco?
Put Global Warming on Trial
June 23, 2008 - 13:02 ET by dcbatlleHansen wants to put Global Warming on trial? Yes! I'm all for it.
Having already gone over the
June 23, 2008 - 13:03 ET by Chris NormanHaving already gone over the edge with Global Warming, Hansen plunges into the chasm of insanity...
Hansen's warming since 1988
June 23, 2008 - 13:42 ET by danboHere.
We're right back where you were in 1988. Or is it cooler?
And that's using GISS "adjusted" data.
It can't be the theory that's wrong. It has to be the data.
James needs to do some more adjusting.
"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
Pass the Rolaids
June 23, 2008 - 13:53 ET by dboI'm afraid we need a barf alert on that audio. Hansen really is the whole nine yards. Amongst other things, he said
"There really is no scientific debate"
"Global warming enhances both extremes in the hydrologic cycle" (translation: global warming equals global cooling)
"Al Gore understands global warming issues better than any politician I have met"
btw, how did Diane Rehm get her job?
Listening to Rehm is
June 23, 2008 - 14:42 ET by danboListening to Rehm is painfull. About as much fun as watching paint dry. I'm listening to it right now.
"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
Thank Christ for Infoe
June 23, 2008 - 15:15 ET by dboTalk about role reversal. The politician is talking facts and the scientist is talking rhetoric.
http://epw.senate.go...
DEFFRAB I, SEY
June 23, 2008 - 16:07 ET by BacchusNow I can understand how old folks get talked out of their life savings.
Special moment: When Hansen blurted out, "I'm a moderate conservative," ...well...I nearly fell off of my ergonomic stool.
More audio? Dennis Miller interviewed Joe Bastardi from AccuWeather.com today (23 minutes). (iTunes Podcast)
I can't hear anything --
June 23, 2008 - 14:11 ET by lnthompI can't hear anything -- after all, Hansen's freedom to speak has been suppressed.
Lee T.
"Democrats, there is one reason Obama is your party's nominee, and it's not because he's black -- it's because he's not Hilary Clinton." -- Rush Limbaugh, 6/2/08
The sad part about this
June 23, 2008 - 15:06 ET by NL207The sad part about this behavior by Hansen is it will have no effect on his credibility as a scientist. He has finally come out of the closet as a commie pinko with a monstrous agenda, but the media won't give this a glance. They probably will quote him personally less, but he has so many flunkies working for him at NASA and through realclimate.org that he doesn't heed to speak himself anymore.
" working for him at NASA
June 23, 2008 - 15:11 ET by danbo" working for him at NASA and through realclimate.org ". You mean Hansen's poodle?
"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
We knew with the way this
June 23, 2008 - 16:07 ET by Chris NormanWe knew with the way this was escalating, that it was only a matter of time before something crazed like this was proposed. Hansen has a full blown case of Global Warming Derangement Syndrome. Under an Obama Administration, something close to this insanity may become official policy. This is like something out of the Chinese Cultural Revolution.
Hansen NOT censored!!!
June 23, 2008 - 16:17 ET by NorthCoasterHere is an interesting chart from Icecap on Hansen's access to the media over the years.
http://icecap.us/images/uploads/HansenNews.JPG
juvenile mentality of the left
June 23, 2008 - 16:40 ET by wizardjrI've said for years that bunny huggers, neo-Malthusians, and neo-Luddites are that way because they refuse to grow up and become adults. Rather than accepting the chaotic world/universe for what it is and adapting, they have the childish notion that they 'just have to change it'.
Today I caught a Sunday cartoon that really says it all. It's the Sunday 'The Buckets' cartoon. http://www.comics.com/comics/buckets/archive/buckets-20080622.html
Can we sue them all?
June 23, 2008 - 19:38 ET by pbthinkerCan we sue Hansen, Gore and the Heidi babe from the Weather Channel. All of them want to censor news about global warming. Hansen wants to sue executives, because they don't agree with his take on Global Warming. Gore wants the media to stop printing stories that don't agree with his take and the Heidi babe wants to take away the credentials of meteorologists that don't agree with her take on global warming. So, I ask again, can we take them to court and force them to prove they're correct. Can we call our witnesses and they call theirs and see who wins.
It's obvious, they can't win a debate on the subject, because the facts don't support what they're saying. Gore lied so bad he can't even get people that believe in global warming to support his facts. So where does that leave us. To me, we have to force this issue and make them prove their lies, since we know they can't.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Noel, are you aware there is a "we" ad running in the...
June 23, 2008 - 20:30 ET by R D Helm...center of your article, complete with a pic of Al Gore himself?
ROFL!
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Hansen's shrewd, just what
June 23, 2008 - 22:55 ET by Kenny BunkportHansen's shrewd, just what you'd expect from a charletan. It started to look like show and tell for the climate frauds. So he postured himself as the victim against the Evil Bushitler, knowing that the media would jump on his side.
Still playing the victim, he runs NASA and the GISS like a spoiled rich girl. If anyone contradicts him, he cries to the media about how he's "muzzled". No one at NASA is brave enough to cross him. He's got all the cards because the media lets him have them.
My hope is that he steps on another egomaniac's toes and the two have a duel to the death. That's the only way his heavyhand and manipulation will ever be completely exposed.
He reminds me of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Too damn big for his britches and needs a good dressing down. Where is Harry Truman when you need him?