Saturday’s Good Morning America kept up the applause for Al Gore’s Nobel Peace Prize award, featuring a completely one-sided report from correspondent Bill Blakemore -- who said that scientists were “joyous” over the award to Gore because “scientists have been far more worried than anyone about global warming, finding it's far more dangerous, coming much quicker, than they expected” -- followed by an equally slanted interview with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who lectured an admiring Bill Weir that the media have failed to suppress any disagreement with his liberal views “because of a massive propaganda campaign by the Exxon corporation.”
Kennedy claimed: “In the scientific community, there was literally zero dissent. But at the same time, in the United States press, over 60% of the newspaper stories and, particularly, the television stories published, expressed some doubt about this issue. Why is that? The reason is because of a massive propaganda campaign by the Exxon corporation and by others -- but largely funded by Exxon -- that has been very, very successful at persuading the media not to cover this issue seriously and reporters simply don't go read the science.”
The claim that the media are bending over backwards to reject the liberal view of global warming is preposterous; network TV coverage has been nearly 100% invested in the Al Gore alarmist view of the issue for years (see here and here and here and here).
And as for the idea that there is “literally zero dissent” among scientists, that’s another phony argument. Top hurricane specialist William Gray, at Colorado State University, told Discover magazine a couple of years ago that while the temperature has risen, “it is not human induced” and that “nearly all of my colleagues who have been around 40 or 50 years are skeptical as hell about this whole global-warming thing. But no one asks us.”
Obviously ABC News hasn’t knocked on their door recently, preferring to broadcast the talking points of celebrity politicians like Gore and RFK, Jr.
***UPDATE, October 17: Iain Murray corrects more of RFK's phony facts here.
Here’s how the October 13 Good Morning America celebrated Gore’s award and again promoted the activist view of global warming without any dissent, followed by more of how an actual scientist sees the issue:
Bill Weir: “We turn now to Al Gore and the Nobel Peace Prize. The former Vice President shares that honor with thousands of climatologists around the world. The latest award here evidence to many that the movement to fight man-made climate change has finally come of age and it has been a long time coming. ABC’s Bill Blakemore now takes a look at the man, and his movement.”
Bill Blakemore: “This award has eminent scientists everywhere excited. We caught up with climatologist Robert Corell in a Massachusetts diner.”
Robert Corell: “When Nancy called me and screamed in the telephone the message, that Al and IPCC, I mean it was really hard for me not to pull over to the side of the road and just get out and yell, ‘Yay!’ Probably 10 or 15,000 scientists who have been involved in IPCC will be just joyous.”
Blakemore: “Joyous, because scientists have been far more worried than anyone about global warming, finding it's far more dangerous, coming much quicker, than they expected. Many scientists sharing the prize have complained that the only thing now missing was leadership. Some say there's symbolism in being linked by the Nobel to the world's most visible leader on the issue.”
Clip of Al Gore: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. We have to go far quickly.”
Climatologist Michael Oppenheimer: “Al Gore's absolutely unique. He's unique among political leaders having focused on this problem for almost 30 years.”
Blakemore: “In that time, the movement to fight global warming has evolved with Al Gore.”
Jerry Seinfeld at the Oscar Awards: “And the Oscar goes to ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’”
Blakemore: “From what seemed a fringe liberal cause, to a cause celebe around him.”
Carell: “It was a voice that was often seen as a political voice. But when you talk to him personally this is visceral. This is inside his being.”
Blakemore: “His persistence as much as anything has won him a devoted following, as humanity now struggles with what Al Gore calls ‘An Inconvenient Truth.’ For Good Morning America, Bill Blakemore, ABC News, New York.”
Weir: “And joining us live now from Minneapolis is another man who has made protecting the environment a lifelong cause, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., President of the Waterkeeper Alliance. Good morning.”
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.: “Morning.”
Weir: “Your father ran for president, convinced that was the best way to tackle big problems, but forty years later it seems Al Gore is content to act as a citizen activist. Do you agree with that decision? Do you think he would do more good to the grand cause as a candidate?”
Kennedy: “Well, I think that's a personal decision for him. He said he doesn't want to run so -- you know, he did win once before. [Weir laughs] But I think -- at this point, he's saying that he's not going to run. So I think we have to look for leadership someplace else.”
Weir: “Well, let me follow that up then-”
Kennedy: “That kind of leadership.”
Weir: “Yeah. Well, if he's not in, who do you like as the most qualified candidate on environmental issues?”
Kennedy: “You know, I think all of the Democratic candidates have said the right thing about global warming. We've yet to see concrete plans from anybody. John McCain on the Republican side has some genuine bona fides -- although I think he's being pulled now by the gravities of the Republican primary voters to reverse some of those -- that initial good work that he's done on the issue. All the Democrats have been good on this issue. Hillary Clinton. Johnny Edwards. Obama. Bill Richardson. Chris Dodd. They've all been wonderful on this issue.”
Weir: “But no endorsement this morning?”
Kennedy: “I think -- I'm going to be supporting Hillary Clinton in the race. I think she has the strongest record on the environment of any of the candidates and-”
Weir: “Well, let me ask you just about the fight at large. The last poll we did at ABC was in the spring, and 56% of the people still says, said, there's a debate among scientists as to whether or not climate change is manmade. Where's the tipping point? And, does the message have to change in any way to get more people on board before any grand action can be-”
Kennedy: "Well, it's not the message, it's really the media that I think is at fault here. If -- you know, the National Academy of Sciences did a study an inventory, three years ago, of all of the scientific documents that had -- the peer reviewed, refereed scientific documents that had been published in the previous decade, over 10,000 documents, 10,000 scientific studies. All of them agreed on the basics: that global warming exists; that human beings are causing it; that it's upon us now; and that its impacts are going to be catastrophic. In the scientific community, there was literally zero dissent. But at the same time, in the United States press, over 60% of the newspaper stories and, particularly, the television stories published, expressed some doubt about this issue. Why is that? The reason is because of a massive propaganda campaign by the Exxon corporation and by others -- but largely funded by Exxon -- that has been very, very successful at persuading the media not to cover this issue seriously and reporters simply don't go read the science. They say, ‘Oh, well, there's somebody out there, you know, Exxon is saying-”
Weir: “Looking for the other side.”
Kennedy: “-Exxon's lackeys are saying this. And it's irresponsible of the media ultimately. People think -- journalists now think if they achieve balance they've done their job. But that's not the job of journalism. A true journalist, their job is to go out, to discern the truth, and then to convey the truth to the American people. And that has not happened in this case. They've simply said, well, we've done our job if we've done balance, and it's simply -- they've given a really, really, really wrong impression to the American public and they've let down American democracy.”
Weir: “Robert Kennedy, we appreciate your thoughts this morning. Thanks for being with us.”
Now, more of Gray’s interview from the September 2005 “Dialogue” in Discover Magazine:
Discover Magazine: You don’t believe global warming is causing climate change?
Dr. William Gray: “No. If it is, it is causing such a small part that it is negligible. I’m not disputing that there has been global warming. There was a lot of global warming in the 1930s and ’40s, and then there was a slight global cooling from the middle ’40s to the early ’70s. And there has been warming since the middle ’70s, especially in the last 10 years. But this is natural, due to ocean circulation changes and other factors. It is not human induced.
Discover: That must be a controversial position among hurricane researchers.
Gray: Nearly all of my colleagues who have been around 40 or 50 years are skeptical as hell about this whole global-warming thing. But no one asks us. If you don’t know anything about how the atmosphere functions, you will of course say, “Look, greenhouse gases are going up, the globe is warming, they must be related.” Well, just because there are two associations, changing with the same sign, doesn’t mean that one is causing the other.





Blakemore: “Joyous, because scientists have been far more worried than anyone about global warming, finding it's far more dangerous, coming much quicker, than they expected. Many scientists sharing the prize have complained that the only thing now missing was leadership. Some say there's symbolism in being linked by the Nobel to the world's most visible leader on the issue.”
Kennedy: "Well, it's not the message, it's really the media that I think is at fault here. If -- you know, the National Academy of Sciences did a study an inventory, three years ago, of all of the scientific documents that had -- the peer reviewed, refereed scientific documents that had been published in the previous decade, over 10,000 documents, 10,000 scientific studies. All of them agreed on the basics: that global warming exists; that human beings are causing it; that it's upon us now; and that its impacts are going to be catastrophic. In the scientific community, there was literally zero dissent. But at the same time, in the United States press, over 60% of the newspaper stories and, particularly, the television stories published, expressed some doubt about this issue. Why is that? The reason is because of a massive propaganda campaign by the Exxon corporation and by others -- but largely funded by Exxon -- that has been very, very successful at persuading the media not to cover this issue seriously and reporters simply don't go read the science. They say, ‘Oh, well, there's somebody out there, you know, Exxon is saying-”









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“In the scientific
October 13, 2007 - 14:50 ET by danbo“In the scientific community, there was literally zero dissent. But at the same time, in the United States press, over 60% of the newspaper stories and, particularly, the television stories published, expressed some doubt about this issue."
Are you that blind? Or, are you a liar? Which is it?
"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
Welcome to the Liberal Media
October 13, 2007 - 19:31 ET by jonathananderson"There is a clear attempt to establish truth not by scientific methods but by perpetual repetition."
BINGO.
What's insulting is this
October 13, 2007 - 20:22 ET by danboWhat's insulting is this idiot of the Kennedy Klan thinking we're stupid enough to believe his prarie hockey pucks.
"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
Proof
October 13, 2007 - 14:51 ET by Army Bratthat the Nobel Peace Prize has lost all meaning and relevance. It is now crystalline clear that it is nothing more than a political tool...(as if more proof was really necessary after Arafat and that sorry sack of demented crap, Carter won it.) What a joke...just not funny.
Happy Trails...
RFK is unbelievable
October 13, 2007 - 14:53 ET by SeptemberYou're right, Rich, the claim that the media is rejecting the AGW line is preposterous.
RFK: "... and reporters simply don't go read the science."
He's right about the that. And apparently RFK doesn't go read the science either.
RFK: "Oh, well, there's somebody out there, you know, Exxon is saying-”
When the H-E-double-toothpicks has anyone ever reported "Exxon is saying.." ? It may have happened but it sure ain't common.
RFK: People think -- journalists now think if they achieve balance they've
done their job. But that's not the job of journalism.
His core belief. Forget balance people, let bias have it's way.
RFK: A true
journalist, their job is to go out, to discern the truth, and then to
convey the truth to the American people.
That is, RFK's "truth".
RFK: And that has not happened in
this case. They've simply said, well, we've done our job if we've done
balance, and it's simply -- they've given a really, really, really
wrong impression to the American public and they've let down American
democracy.”
Bull hockey. Hasn't he been listening to the Gorebull brainwashing? AGW skeptics are still a minority. This man will not take any contradictory opinions. He's right, that settles it! Could it be he senses he's losing some AGW alarmist ground of late?
RFK: All of them agreed on the basics: that global warming exists; that
human beings are causing it; that it's upon us now; and that its
impacts are going to be catastrophic.
People never all agree on everything, even scientists. He just flat out lies, this one to suit his ego. He's a bad joke.
Bobby Kennedy literally
October 13, 2007 - 15:09 ET by Gat New YorkBobby Kennedy literally sits in his little Pace University office and looks for conspiracies or just invents them. He's not up on his current events because it's called ExxonMobil now and they have far more important ways of spending their money than trying to play with pseudo-scientists of global warming hysteria. To claim that 100% of scientists agree with him he is referring only to the ones he chooses to speak to. The guy is a former heroin addict and this could be a sympton of its long term effects
kennedy is actually right
October 13, 2007 - 21:15 ET by crsheddkennedy is actually right about journalists. their job is not to find and present balance. their job is to find the truth.
having said that, i can't think of a single major journalist that does his/her job correctly.
Real Job
October 13, 2007 - 15:32 ET by Jerry MackDo any members of the Kennedy clan have a real job? Seems to me that they all find a trough funded by someone elses money to feed on.
YES HE DOES...
October 13, 2007 - 17:13 ET by danybhoyRFKjr does have a job, he is one of the hosts for a weekend radio show called "Ring of Fire". It's on ErrorAmerikkka, & it deals with politics & the envirenment. I try to tune in at some point every weekend on XM-167. It is one of funniest things I listen to, & their not trying to be funny. RFKjr really is not the best person to be out there pushing the sort of things he pushes, because he IS out there, he seems unstable. But since he's part of the Kennedy clan, he gets he chance every weekend to speak his mind...what's left of it anyway. I laugh AT them, NOT with them.
So he does have a job, but he's not the only Kennedy with a real job. Douglas Kennedy, who works for FoxNewsChannel & works on "The Big Story with John Gibson & Heather Naurert"(nice to see her again). He does some very good reporting for the show. He too is part of the Kennedy clan. As for Teddy, he's never worked in the private sector, he should give that a try sometime.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
Err America : Busybody "Work" ...
October 13, 2007 - 19:25 ET by jonathananderson... in its highest form.
2 Thessalonians 3:10-11
(10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not [do GENUINE, BENEFICIAL] work, neither should he eat.
(11) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
1 Timothy 5:13
And withal they learn to be idle [physically lazy and profitless in their work], wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers [praters ... loudmouths] also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
1 Timothy 4:1-2
(1) Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
(2) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Algae is now in charge of the "Planetary Crisis"
October 13, 2007 - 15:39 ET by JayTeeSo Gore has Surpassed the mere mortal position of President of the USA, he's now above the Fray, He is in charge of the Planetary Crisis, here on Earth, as such, Gore is the Earthling in Charge...
The Planetary Crisis that only Al G. has the vision to see.
What good is a Free Press, if it is a False Press ? David Foote GoE
Just wondering...
October 13, 2007 - 16:38 ET by Clearly CalifornianWhat is wrong with RFK's voice? Did he have throat cancer or something? I have always wondered this, anyone here know?
"There are two kinds of people in this world, those who like Neil Diamond, and those who don't....." Bill Murray in What About Bob
I believe it is a side
October 13, 2007 - 16:59 ET by Gat New YorkI believe it is a side effect from his drug abuse when he was younger (heroin). Something to do with its affect on the nervous system.
What I find incredible is
October 13, 2007 - 16:45 ET by jdhawkWhat I find incredible is that people like RFK make a statement that Exxon is to blame for "spreading propaganda" and "funding anti-AGW" and that is never questioned.
The fact that it just goes by the boards shows the "journalist" view of big corporations - they are always to blame, always suspect, and always bad.
Yet, this "journalist" on his way home from his RFK interview will without question whatsoever fill up his car's tank with gas dutiful delivered at a great price and always available from Exxon or one of the other integrated oil companies. If he lives in the northeast, he will have delievered to his home heating oil at a great price and always available from Exxon or one of the other integrated oil companies. And, RFK, will fill up his private jet to wing back where ever he came from with Avgas. Again, without question and delievered at a great price and always available from Exxon or one of the other integrated oil companies.
Robert F. Kennedy Is a Hypocrite and an Antichrist
October 13, 2007 - 19:07 ET by jonathanandersonWhat else is a Caiphas and a Doeg like him going to do?
1 Timothy 4:2
Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1 John 2:18
Little children, it is the last time [eschatos hora - the lowest, or trying hour ... the hour of adversity] : and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there MANY antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time [eschatos hora - the lowest, or trying hour ... the hour of adversity].
1 Samuel 22:18-23
(18) And the king said to Doeg, "Turn thou, and fall upon the priests." And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon [murdered] the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
(19) And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword.
(20) And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
(21) And Abiathar showed David that Saul had slain the Lord's priests.
(22) And David said unto Abiathar, "I knew it that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul: I have occasioned the death of all the persons of thy father's house.
(23) Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard."
He probably fills up with Chavez gasoline (Citgo)
October 13, 2007 - 18:05 ET by ahusserHe probably fills up with Chavez gasoline (Citgo). To paraphrase the old Texaco jingle. "You can trust your car to the man who wears the red star."
Embarassment
October 13, 2007 - 20:08 ET by allanfThe word lightweight comes to mind when thinking of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. His father was a ruthless gutter fighter who instilled terror in his opponents. Ferocious to the end, he was a nouveau liberal in 1968. Yet he had been counsel to the McCarthy committee. I'm sure Jr's father would be embarrassed by Jr's lack of accomplishment and silly ranting.
What News is Bobby Kennedy Watching?
October 14, 2007 - 00:46 ET by pbthinkerHow many times have we heard this from the AGW crowd? To them, any story they don't agree with is just a falsehood designed to delay their ultimate victory.
It's apparent that we're going to have to depend on the foreign press to defeat this bunch. Their rhetoric is designed to kowtow the press into towing their line only, to the exclusion of all others. Most of us feel that, to some extent, it's working. The more they repeat their lie the less we'll hear from our media.
Democrats: Specializing in "high tech lynching" since 1987.
Typical Al.
October 15, 2007 - 10:36 ET by Dave in Texas“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. We have to go far quickly.”
This statement from Al sums him up perfectly for me. On the surface, it sounds profound and deep, but ultimately it means nothing.