Fund my grant or die

Garbage in, garbage out, was my reaction on reading the environmental love song by one Richard Anthes in the Denver Post, Mar. 29. Inadvertently to be sure, Anthes confirmed for readers exactly what the global warming scare is all about: research money for his and other related organizations. He is president of something called the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. The garbage in is his introductory statement, claiming it is “clear” that the “major cause” of planet warming “at an unprecedented rate” is human beings. The garbage out is his case for more and faster computers for more exotic models.

Many in the lucrative climate research community have long been censoring, or bullying into silence, scientists who differ from their well-funded (and possibly ruinous) orthodoxy. Critics are finally coming forward. Nearly every day, what Anthes claims as clear becomes less clear – some argue false, even fraudulent.

Anthes proceeds from his controversial opening to a clarion call for more research funds. From the federal government, of course.

The obligatory call to urgency isn’t missing, either. “If climate change is ... the preeminent threat facing our planet ... then it seems imperative that we invest ...”

That’s a huge “If.” Those whose backs remain sore from shoveling snow recently must be excused for skepticism vis-à-vis what Anthes is shoveling.

"Eat an environmentalist"

So goes the joke: If you're freezing and starving in the dark because the green movement made energy and food ever more expensive, eat an environmentalist. But the thing about the left is, you can't lampoon them because their actual behavior is ludicrous in itself. The latest example is "Earth Hour" at 8pm this Saturday, when the World Wildlife Fund wants everyone's lights off to signal alarm about global warming -- and Mayor John Hickenlooper is of course genuflecting to the "Go dark" ritual on Denver's behalf.

If you thought technology, progress, and the advance of civilization were leading to a brighter future for all of us, rich and poor alike -- especially the poor, ahem, Mr. Mayor -- the joke's on you. A darker, chillier, hungrier future is in store if the gloomy greenies get their way, which they seem to be doing.

"Darkness was cheap, and Scrooge liked it," Dickens tells us. The same Hick who tried to steal Christmas off the facade of city hall a couple of Decembers ago is now leading the lights-out brigade for the Mile High City, just in time for April Fool's. No shining city on a hill for him.

Here's how the World Wildlife Fund explains the Earth Hour stunt: "Cities around the world will join together in literally turning off the lights for one hour to offer leadership and symbolize their commitment to finding climate change solutions. Lights will be turned off at iconic buildings and national landmarks from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Local businesses and restaurants will also be asked to turn off their lights. People at home can take advantage of the hour by replacing their standard light bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs."

Doing the latter by candlelight, we presume; no flashlights allowed either.

Cross-posted on the Gang of Four blog at PoliticsWest.com