Clearing the PR Pollution that Clouds Climate Science

Desmog Video

You need Flash player 8+ and JavaScript enabled to view this video.


 



Senator John McCain the Oil and Gas Presidential Pick

The Washington Post has a story out today on the dramatic spike in campaign contributions to John McCain right after the Senator reversed his opposition to the federal ban on offshore drilling.

The Post reports:

"Oil and gas industry executives and employees donated $1.1 million to McCain last month -- three-quarters of which came after his June 16 speech calling for an end to the ban -- compared with $116,000 in March, $283,000 in April and $208,000 in May."

Overall McCain has received close to three times more in campaign donations from the oil and gas sector than Barack Obama. Here's a graph of oil and gas donations made to the presidential hopefuls from the Center for Responsive Politics:

 

 

David Donnelly has a further breakdown of the oil and gas donation gush to McCain on the Huffington Post.

 

 

What's next?

Old Man McCain and Sarah Palin

How can a man educated in the 1950's possibly lead the most powerful nation on earth into the technology oriented 21st century? He still listens for dial tones, wears Frank Sinatra shoes, communicates by AM radio, can't understand the net, and puts heroism ahead of tech know-how. If the enemy pushes a button on a modern age weapon, it simply doesn't make sense to stand and take a beating - it makes more sense to cut and run, to fight another day, not chivalrous, but wiser! Even bugs bunny knows that! We are doomed to a 1950's style leadership by a man from the vacuum tube era in the new and sophisticated, computer driven world. At age 72, he will spend more time going to the washroom to pee than governing, and as for his menopausal running mate, remember, we are only a very old heart beat from having a total newby ready to push 'The Button' - gimme Biden over her anytime but especially at that time! McCain is a great and likable old man but Obamas got schooling, and that counts big in the computer era!

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.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Like what you read here? Get our top five stories in your inbox every week. » here's a preview
Enter your email and subscribe now!

Desmogblog monthly
book give-away

Enter now to win this month’s book Anthony Barnosky's Heatstroke: Nature in an age of global warming

CHECK IT OUT

Join One of DeSmog's Facebook Groups Today!

Join One of DeSmog's Facebook Groups Today!
Did you know DeSmog has some very active Facebook Groups? Check them out:

Friends of DeSmogBlog

The Arctic Front

The Environment is My Voting Issue in Canada

Expedition Earth

Member of the Progressive Bloggers Network

MEMBER OF THE PROGRESSIVE BLOGGERS NETWORK

Progressive Bloggers