Clearing the PR Pollution that Clouds Climate Science

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Bush Press Secretary Dana Perino demands apology from Barbara Boxer

Earlier this week it was revealed that Vice President Dick Cheney's office deleted portions of Senate testimony to be given by Centers for Disease Control Director Julie Gerberding, on the public health impacts of climate change.

Today, Bush Press Secretary Dana Perino is demanding an apology from Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) over comments she directed at Perino in regards to the climate censorship scandal.

The spat arose over comments Senator Boxer made at a press conference yesterday:

"As I understand it, she [Perino] said, the draft information did not comport with that, the science that was in the IPCC report. This was a lie. And we proved it before. We had in the last press conference we did on this."

In reaction, Perino told the press today that: "I have never said such a thing about a fellow public servant, and I wouldn’t if I didn’t have all the facts. I think I deserve an apology."

But as Satyam Khanna at Think Progress points out, Perino did not tell the truth at the time when the climate censorship was first uncovered:

In reality, however, Boxer is right that the White House did not tell the truth about the evisceration of Gerberding’s testimony. Initially, Perino denied accusations that the testimony was edited, claiming it was not “watered down” — a blatant distortion given Burnett’s revelations. As Boxer noted, in October 2007, Perino claimed:

PERINO: But when you take a very complicated issue, like climate change science, and you have the International Panel on Climate Change, which reported last spring — this is a study that the United States largely funded, and that we embraced in its conclusions — as I understand it, in the draft there was broad characterizations about climate change science that didn’t align with the IPCC.

You can go here to read the back-story where you will also find a full version of the massive edits made to the Centers for Disease Control climate change report.
What's next?

RE: public servant?

CHAD WROTE: What I am surprised about is that she characterized herself as a public servant when its clearly obvious that the Bush Administration doesn't hire public servants, but rather servants to George the 'boy-king' and his evil Dick.

Chad,

What's even more hilarious is that she had never even heard of the Cuban Missle Crisis. This is what she said, "I was panicked a bit because I really don't know about . . . the Cuban Missile Crisis," and then added, "It had to do with Cuba and missiles, I'm pretty sure." But for shear hilarity she consulted hubby, "I came home and I asked my husband," she recalled. "I said, 'Wasn't that like the Bay of Pigs thing?' And he said, 'Oh, Dana.'" I'd like to go back further in history to see if she remembers the blowing up of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor but she woud probably confuse that with Pearl Harbor of December 7, 1941.

Just goes to show that the dumber they are the more promise for promotion they have in the Bush administration.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2007/12/10/dana-perino-and-cuban-mis_n_76129.html

Try A Better Deflection Strategy

"I have never said such a thing about a fellow public servant, and I wouldn’t if I didn’t have all the facts. I think I deserve an apology." Dana Perino

After hearing that lame attempt at deflecting her obvious LIE I think I deserve a margarita. Oh, by the way, Dana, I prefer it shaken, not stirred.

public servant?

You mean somebody in the Bush Administration actually told a lie? I'm shocked!

Seriously though, I'm not even surprised that Perino would be dumb enough to get caught in an easy lie like this... she really isn't that bright. Seems that after McClellan, they decided to go with someone who was too dumb to know the difference between the truth and, well, everything else. What I am surprised about is that she characterized herself as a public servant when its clearly obvious that the Bush Administration doesn't hire public servants, but rather servants to George the 'boy-king' and his evil Dick.

About the climate cover-up

About the climate cover-up

Democracy is utterly dependant upon an electorate that is accurately informed. In promoting climate change denial (and often denying their responsibility for doing so) industry has done more than endanger the environment. It has undermined democracy.

There is a vast difference between putting forth a point of view, honestly held, and intentionally sowing the seeds of confusion. Free speech does not include the right to deceive. Deception is not a point of view. And the right to disagree does not include a right to intentionally subvert the public awareness.

Although all public relations professionals are bound by a duty to not knowingly mislead the public, some have executed comprehensive campaigns of misinformation on behalf of industry clients on issues ranging from tobacco and asbestos to seat belts.

Lately, these fringe players have turned their efforts to creating confusion about climate change. This PR campaign could not be accomplished without the compliance of media as well as the assent and participation of leaders in government and business.

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