Despite the anti-environmental rants typically emanating from the right wing’s favorite media darlings Beck and Limbaugh, the new ad campaign launched by Republicans for Environmental Protection (REP) seeks to remind conservatives that stewardship, including action to address climate change, is consistent with true conservative values.
The ads feature a Reagan quote that few Republicans would likely recognize as coming from the mouth of the Gipper: “If we've learned any lessons during the past few decades, perhaps the most important is that preservation of our environment is not a partisan challenge; it's common sense. Our physical health, our social happiness, and our economic well-being will be sustained only by all of us working in partnership as thoughtful, effective stewards of our natural resources.” - Ronald Reagan, July 11, 1984
The ads started running in New Hampshire last week and will run in other states in the coming weeks as REP takes the issue straight into the lion’s den by targeting the audiences of the two well-recognized mouthpieces of the Right in the U.S.
The mass amounts of hot air spewed forth daily by self righteous right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh are probably a significant contribution to the warming of our planet. Someone should do a study to confirm this.
What's less doubtful is the effect Limbaugh's blustering babble has had on Republican lawmakers who continue to ignore the mountains of scientific evidence telling us that we need to deal with the issue of global warming.
Here's a typical Limbaugh global warming quote:
"Despite the hysterics of a few pseudo-scientists, there is no reason to believe in global warming."
Many on the right in Washington regard Limbaugh as a hero. In fact, the rumor on Capitol Hill is that Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) has a Limbaugh poster stapled to the ceiling over his bed, so he can wake up to his "glorious leader" every morning. But that' just a rumor.
The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) has launched a campaign today urging Republican leaders to stop parroting Limbaugh and start listening to their reasonable colleagues like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Florida Governor Charlie Crist, who are both taking action in their respective States.
So take a moment, sign the petition here and enjoy the short video the LCV has produced to go along with their campaign:
For the past week, the breathless buzz on the global warming denier blogs and radio programs has been about a certain BBC News article regarding the temporary cooling effect of El Niña this year.
Anyone who's ever surfed the AM radio airwaves has doubtless stumbled upon Rush Limbaugh, who is arguably the most well-known right wing talk show host out there.
Over the years, he has been a convenient megaphone for the climate change denier crowd. He has interviewed them, reinforced their rhetoric, been suckered by fake research, and even given his own interpretation of the facts (polar bears stranded on ice floes are "just playing").
Predictably, one of his latest targets has been Al Gore.
Editor's Note: this is the first post of our newest DeSmog writer, Page van der Linden. Welcome to the team Page!
Democracy is utterly dependent 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.