At Heartland's law firm: "Carbon Matters"

Thu, 2012-02-23 13:56Richard Littlemore
Richard Littlemore's picture

At Heartland's law firm: "Carbon Matters"

Levenfeld Pearlstein, the law firm that has stepped up to pass on complaints about the publication of leaked Heartland Institute documents, appears to be one of the greenest in Chicago. For example, James Brusslan, head of the Environmental Services Group at Levenfeld Pearlstein, says companies should act now to prevent climate change because:

The IPCC has determined with virtual certainty that humans are the cause of significant global warming due to increased emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG), including carbon dioxide and methane. Many scientists believe if we do not take action quickly, the impact could be catastrophic.

It would be interesting to know how Brussland gets along with Michael Padden, son of the Heartland Institute's founder David Padden and author of the most recent letter asking the DeSmogBlog to take down the document that describes, accurately and succinctly, Heartland's Climate Strategy for 2012.

Tags: 
Heartland Institute
Joe Bast
David Padden
Michael Padden
James Brussland

Comments

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:05 — AnOilMan

... the sultans of Spin.

Thu, 2012-02-23 14:38 — rumleyfips

Mr. Oil Man:

 

I liked Dire Straits but now...

Thu, 2012-02-23 17:23 — Alsadius

Lawyers have a legal obligation to defend the legal interests of their clients, even if those clients are rapists, murderers, or war criminals. The judge and(if applicable) jury will hear both arguments and determine which one's more reasonable, and the truth will generally win the day, but the system can't function unless someone is there to defend both sides. This is pretty basic as legal ethics goes. 

Thu, 2012-02-23 18:19 — Considerata

What the Heartland Institute did was similar to a rapist hiring a ultra-feminist laywer.

It's just too weird... as if the rapist is out of arguments and wants to buy the ultra-feminist laywer's reputation to advance their case.

Is Heartland out of arguments?

Thu, 2012-02-23 20:41 — Alsadius

Maybe Heartland just thought they were a good law firm? Maybe they've had past dealings, from some of Heartland's non-climate activities. 

(I mean, your version's more likely, think tanks aren't exactly known for being shy about their PR. But it's not necessarily true.)

Thu, 2012-02-23 23:10 — logicman

Why would a loving, caring humanitarian like Bast need a lawyer?

Thu, 2012-02-23 23:30 — David B. Benson

:-)

Thu, 2012-02-23 23:45 — Hank_

"FakeGate" has made the tv news at KUSI in San Diego. Desmog even gets a small mention.

http://www.kusi.com/video?clipId=6777499&autostart=true

Unfortunately, nowhere do they mention the words "whistleblower" or "hero during the news clip. But they did talk about "Ethics" and also about someone's career being ruined.

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