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Texas Hammers EPA on Science of Global Warming
In legal briefs, attorney general says science is unreliable.
Essentially putting global warming science on trial, Texas officials on Thursday expanded their arguments in a lawsuit meant to prevent the federal regulation of greenhouse gases.
In motions submitted Thursday to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott accused the federal Environmental Protection Agency of relying on faulty science for its proposals to regulate greenhouse gases.
The briefs build on a federal suit filed in February by Texas and other states against the EPA, which in December issued an endangerment finding that carbon dioxide emissions threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations.
The endangerment finding, which opens the way to further regulations, spun out of a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the EPA had the authority to regulate greenhouse gases.
The EPA said its scientific conclusions were based on work by three groups: the U.S. Global Climate Research Program, the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the National Research Council, which synthesize thousands of studies to convey a consensus on what scientific literature shows about climate, according to the agency.
In February, Abbott, who is seeking re-election this year, said that in relying on the U.N. panel's data, the EPA "outsourced the scientific basis for its greenhouse gas regulation to a scandal-plagued international organization that cannot be considered objective or trustworthy."
The American-Statesman's PolitiFact Texas team deemed "Barely True" Abbott's statement, which drew attention to claims that scientists for the U.N. panel from at least two universities had suppressed data that could undermine global warming work.
Since the February claim, independent reviews of work by climate scientists at East Anglia University in England and Penn State University found no evidence that they had actively suppressed or falsified data.
"By delegating its judgment on climate science to the (U.N. group) and others, EPA exposed its conclusions to the errors and biases of unaccountable volunteer scientists, and undermined the validity of the endangerment finding," reads a brief filed by the Texas attorney general's office.
The state is challenging proposals to limit emissions of greenhouse gases from light-duty-vehicle tailpipes and large industrial facilities.
Abbott and Gov. Rick Perry have said greenhouse gas rules could cripple the Texas economy.
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58 Comments so far
Show AllThis lawsuit was filed by the same scientific experts who think that virgins can actually have babies.
Thank you for making me laugh this early in the morning while I am at work!
Actually I think they can, but just not through the mechanism they're thinking about.Immaculate conception doesn't seem to have much scientific support either.
Texass,it's a whole other country, avoid it if you can.I expect to see the day when graduates of Texass high schools are required to take a minimum knowledge and skills test to qualify for admittance to colleges outside of Texass.Between this and the textbook thing which has gotten more sordid and off-the-wall it makes one wonder if there are any pockets of sanity there outside of Austin.
"Texas, it's a whole other country, avoid it if you can." DITTO!
"...it makes one wonder if there are any pockets of sanity there outside of Austin." Also DITTO!
General comment - I have found myself having a very hard time explaining "Texas" to an email pen pal in Australia. She also is inclined to presume that is how the USA is, en mass - a point I laboriously refuted.
They have no idea how utterly idiotic they look to the rest of the world.
SIGH.
Interesting, because I remember taking a pre-med course about 20 years ago. Either anatomy or microbiology, I forget which. The professor mentioned the fact that parthenogenesis had been induced many times in female rabbits (by applications of hot and cold to the rabbit's belly, I believe), this being of interest only because, of all mammals, the rabbit's reproductive system is most like (virtually identical, in fact, to) that of the human's.
Of course, parthenogenesis produces an offspring identical in every way to the mother, which means that it is always female. But I suppose one could posit a way to square that circle in the case of Jesus.
According to my birth mother, my birth father had a problem with premature ejaculation. He didn't get in, but I did...
Have no idea if her claim is even possible, kinda like the idea of catching something off of a toilet seat. Shudder.
Caleb Abell, and who also believe the world is only 6000 years old.
they can put it on trial, but it won't stop it............(gw that is)
Too bad that Texas is not a physically isolated entity so that Texans could suffer the consequences of their idiocy without hurting the rest of our planet's inhabitants.
If they would succeed from the Union like their Governor threatened to do....!!!
_secede_
To succeed is to have success. To achieve your goals... Something that is very unlikely to happen in Texas, especially if they keep electing boobs.
Scopes, Round 2!!!
Funny how unreason always seems to make its way into what used to be the ultimate realm of reason. I'll be rooting for the monkeys as usual.
The burden of proof is on the "disbelievers," a major concept that all too many seem to miss.
Nature has done a reasonably decent job getting us here, over a few billion years, along with all living things we might happen to notice. (One glaring failure was the sparsity of brain cells allotted to these loonies--or perhaps the motivation to use the ones that they were born with).
What other state produces so many lunatics? The reason must be due to inbreeding.
Florida, California, Arizona, Illinois...Alaska could be right up there if you use a
per capita standard...I'm sure I'm slighting others.
Humans, such silly people.
Go ahead try to put reality on trail. It's not going to stop it I'm afraid. I wonder if they will keep having trials in like 30 years when we are underwater???
This kind of stuff is not only happening in Texas.
The Virginia attourney general is currently trying to sue a climate scientist (forgot his name) formerly of UVA, now at Penn State, of defrauding the Commonwealth by using a government research grant to promote the "climate change hoax". They are insisting that he turn over every shred of paper in his State College, PA office for discovery.
If elections in Pennsylvania turn out the way I think they will, then Pennsylvania will join in doing these kind of loony actions too.
I believe they are going to turn out exactly as you think.
By the way, should I insult your state because you had a state KGB? Just kidding! :)
(No, You aren't one insulting my state)
I assume that the VA attorney general is running for re-election. Reason would suggest that he would have to prove to the court that global warming is really a hoax before he can ask the court to let him look for evidence that the deception was willful.
But who knows what sort of Neanderthals are on the court he is petitioning? There are so many Reagan-Bush appointees in the federal court system, he may find one to go along with this stupid suit.
That my state and TX has such kooks is because Democrats can't get it right on any issue. Laugh at our two states on death penalty and anti-global warming but every state has its set of nuts.
Your theory doesn't explain everything. Not that long ago, Texas did have some reasonable-kind of democrats running the state - Gov. Ann Richards and people like Ag. Commissioner Jim Hightower.
We never had anything close to that in my state. At best, it was all "moderate".
Let's try to outlaw global warming. That should solve it.
LOL! Ouch, that hurts - it's SO funny! Good one! :)
Reminds me of the failed 1897 Indianna legislation. Had it passed, pi would have been legally equal to 3.
The Texas state government is vying for the "Stupidest U.S. Government" Award.
Given its recent school board decisions about U.S. history, Texas is clearly in the lead, way ahead of the other 49 states.
This lawsuit, which essentially challenges the science of anthropogenic climate change, should clinch the award for Texas.
Texas "Stupidest U.S. Government" Award.?
Conservative state:
"Texas watches spending despite $11 billion budget surplus"
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/texassouthwest/stories/112408dntextxbudget.34b53a7.html
Liberal state:
"2010-11 Budget Proposal: Solving California’s $20 Billion Deficit"
http://gov.ca.gov/index.php?/fact-sheet/14147/
Um, actually, Texas is facing a $20 billion deficit too. Only the guv won't admit it. When a state senator asked for updated budget info, Guv Goodhair referred to the request as "bizarre." Here's more info from burntorangereport...
The press has reported the problem over and over again. Members of the moderate wing of Rick Perry's own party admit there is a problem. The legislative budget board, admits there is a problem. Republican comptroller, Susan Combs, admits there is a problem. Economists across the country admit there is a problem. To date, only Mark Miner and Rick Perry refuse to accept or acknowledge there is at least a $20.6 billion budget shortfall. And that problem seems to be growing ever day.
Guess that means Texas is back in the running for Stupidest U.S. Government Award.
No, no, no. Not right at all.
"Stupidest Government on the PLANET" - YES!!! ;)
The burden of proof is on the "disbelievers," a major concept that all too many seem to miss"
The burden of proof is exactly where its always been, on those who are claiming something can be accomplished by doing somethiong or claiming there is an event.
The "denier" crap is hurting the whole argument. And insulting people that disagree with you is counterproductive. Asserting the argument is over has gotten the AGW movement to exactly where it is now. On the garbage heap.
Perhaps its time to consider a new approach and new manners.
P.S. As to the idiotic comments about Texas, simply proves my point.
The "denier" crap is just an example of branding, which the right wing (to which most of the deniers belong) has perfected. "What goes around, comes around."
Let's start a grass roots campaign to encourage Texas to secede.
They'd be happier and we'd be freed from that bizarre culture of aggressive ignorance.
And, Texas is free to do so. Hint, hint.
Yes, let them secede. Then declare them a terrorist state, bomb them back into the stone age destroying all the infrastructure and steal the oil.
However, should Texas convince New Mexico also to secede, then that state would be the third most powerful nuclear state, after the US and Russia. They would also have 10 Air Force Bases (spanning all AF operations roles), another 18 active military bases (Army, Navy, Marines, CG), a communications network without peer, and their own power generation that contributes more to the national grid than they consume.
Now, do you really want to try all that stuff?
Bring it on, Texas. You will also need to look for a new AG to replace the incompetent Greg Abbot.
"Abbott and Gov. Rick Perry have said greenhouse gas rules could cripple the Texas economy."
And, after all, the economy is far, FAR more important than the destruction of the earth's ecosystem. Money and profit - THAT is what truly matters, everything else, including the Earth, be damned.
That one quote could basically sum up the U.S.'s position on just about everything. "Rules could cripple the economy." No rules, except the United States' one honored Golden Rule Above All Others: profit Profit PROFIT at the expense of everything else.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross."
"And, after all, the economy is far, FAR more important than the destruction of the earth's ecosystem. Money and profit - THAT is what truly matters, everything else, including the Earth, be damned."
That is what it is all about.....We humans are strange animals....The earth will do just fine when we are gone.....It will heal....
They have rebranded "Global Warming" twice......
The sun is most responsible for any global variations in climate.
To show you all a little something, here is a result of the suns influence on seimic activity. Activity usually starts just before sunrise and peaks about noon then decreases after sunset.
The following link is a seismometer located at Yellowstone.
You can see clearly what I am referring to by looking back at the dates listed on this site.
http://www.seis.utah.edu/helicorder/ymr_webi_5d.htm
Well, Holy Schmoly ... who'da known. When the sun comes up ... why ... it gets warmer. All the studies prove it!
We're saved! All we have to do is give Ray-Ban a 100 billion or so to develop some badass shades for the earth and shoot 'em up there in the stratosphere.
Not only would global climate change be fixed, we'd look really cool and the aliens would think twice before laughing themselves silly over this idiot species.
Since you mention it.......
http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/technovel_sunshade_061111.html
what you see on the seismic record is mostly insignificant noise from "cultural" activity as the geophysicists say. Traffic on roads, quarry and mine blasting (always done on the day shift, especially around lunchtime and quitting time), and wind (which, if you notice, is stronger during the day most places). In the case of this station (YMR) it sits right next to the park highway into West Yellowstone. You won't see this noise at other stations - such as at station YHB - there you only see the mine blasting, mixed in with "real" very small seismic events.
Well said. Microseismic noise is always lowest at night. Human activity and wind contribute most to the microseismic background.
Ambient noise, once the bane of seismologists, is turning into a "one man's noise is another's signal" is today being used not only to image the internal structure of the Earth, but is also being used to demonstrate that oceanic wave and storm activity has been increasing in recent years, and also that glacial movement has also increased substantially (warming contributes to glacial melting, which increases the water flow beneath a glacier. which lubricates the glacier's downhill movement, which is recorded as an increase in microseismic noise). In the polar regions, it has also been shown that the annual increase in seismic noise during spring when the ice pack breaks up and becomes icebergs has increased dramatically, presumed due to the increase in bumping and grinding between icebergs as they make their way to the open sea.
Wind picks up when the sun rises, and decreases at sunset. Wind blows trees around, which couples into the ground, increasing microseismic activity. Add this to the cultural noise dynamics explained below.
This is no secret, and has been known for several decades. But of course, GW-deniers are usually oblivious to reality.
The last line says it all.
"Abbott and Gov. Rick Perry have said greenhouse gas rules could cripple the Texas economy."
That's because Texas' economy depends totally on dirty energy and Perry and Abbott have done nothing to change that.
houston, we have a problem...
The oil gushing from Texas can only go so far. Now where are those greeners in TX trying to repair the state's name?
I don't know what they have against empiricism. Next thing ya know the global warming denialist community will be protesting the laws of physics.
Ah, Texas. Isn't that where the Bush-Family textbooks originate?
Texas should secede. The state brings the average IQ of the nation down.
There are two types of scum that don't believe in global warming, the inbred bigots who make 90% of the population of states like Texas, and the people they elect, whose greed keeps the oil, coal and gas industries destroying the Earth.