Right-wingers who think global warming is a lefty plot
- Thread starter RedRalph
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Narz
keeping it real
Yeah, you should see some of the nutty right-wing conspiracy theories out there about how the government is making up global warming & the fact that we need to take care of the environment so they can seize land, relocate everyone and kill off "80% of the population".
I think it gives some folks some weird comfort to believe that all-powerful humans are ruining their lives rather than taking responsibility for being part of the problem.
It also feeds into people's sense of entitlement (like Dick Cheney said "the American way of life is non-negotiable") and climate change is probably the scariest looming uncertainty of our times. So it's natural people would deny it, making up conspiracies if necessary.
Climate change also smacks right-wing ideology into the "failed human enterprises" bin. Humans, en masse, in a consumer driven society, are clearly not acting in their own best interests (in the long term), this is now undeniable. Unless you biodiversity is plummeting (on land & at sea), the climate is changing, etc.
Really, it makes perfect sense hard-righters & scared young libertarian fanboys would be terrified to admit that human consumer decisions, en masse, might devastate the planet (and by "the planet" I mean the planet's ability to support human existence). Even without global warming evidence suggests that your average human is fairly poor at making wise, long-term decisions (especially in our current society that encourages us to live for the moment & "treat ourselves"). The massive amount of consumer debt we face (not throwing stones, I owe a bit myself) is evidence alone of this (plus people who bought houses they couldn't afford, the obesity epidemic, etc. etc.).
It's time to stop pretending that any one man can be an island & that you're no more responsible for your community or the Earth itself than you are to the rocks on Mars. Libertarianism is, at it's core, a hands off, "not my problem", "que sera sera", philosophy. Mainstream right-wingism (as it exists today in America) is... well, I don't even know, the worst of libertarianism, the worst of corporate socialism (which I commend libertarians for not supporting, if a libertarian became prez & eliminated meat & dairy subsidies, that alone would massive decrease American carbon emissions drastically), and the worst of religiosity* (and arbitrary & foolish moral absolutes imposed on their fellows - no woman's right to have sovereignty over her body, gays can't marry, or even have sex [sodomy] with each other in some states, teaching Creationism in science class, etc.). Also, fundamentalists Christians (including Bush supposedly) believe in end times anyway, so why would global warming matter. According to them Yahweh, not Gaia, decides who gets to live or die & they see respect for (God forbid worship of) the Earth as almost as bad as Golden Calf worship. "He who loves his life loses it; and he who hates his life in this world shall keep it to life eternal." (John 12:25) WIth an attitude like that why would any self-respecting (er, self-hating?) Christian care about the environment? Life in heaven is what matters. Screw the Earth & Al Gore's phony ploys to get us to trade in our SUV (I wonder if one of those could fit thru the eye of a needle
), the Lord said dominate the Earth by golly & that's what I'm going to do, it's all going to end when Christ returns anyway!* Keep in mind I said "the worst of religiosity", not that religious sentiment is, in & of itself, bad. So please don't take that as a flame.
Wealth redistribution. C'mon, paying people to not pollute. That's gotta be leftist.
Ancient Grudge
Its all in this life
Correct me if i'm wrong, but aren't we technically still in an ice-age?
The cause for my assumption is that there is still ice around the poles.....
The cause for my assumption is that there is still ice around the poles.....
Mon Mauler
Warlord
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I blame a lot on the left, but I don't think even I could characterize Global Warming as a lefty "plot." The idea of anthropogenic Global Warming is just bad science. The idea, though, has been adopted, and is mainly supported, by the left because it fits with their worldview.
I'm just not sure calling it a "plot" is the right terminology.
I'm just not sure calling it a "plot" is the right terminology.
MobBoss
Off-Topic Overlord
Who here fits your OP profile?
RedRalph
Deity
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Please explain the bold part. I simply dont see how believing in scientific fact can be a percieved as an idological stance.
RedRalph
Deity
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Actually no one, specifically that I can think of, but I have heard this view from the right. Its more of a request for an explanation of this viewpoint than a request for specific OT posters to defend it.
where you been lately? Post more please, the board is a less colourful place without you
Bast
Protector of Cats
I asked this question a few years ago, in fact, on this board as well I'm sure.
I actually think that this isn't so necessary anymore. Anyone doubting even human-made global warming is pretty much on the fringe now.
I find it remarkable how opinions have changed so much within a few years. But then I'm not because the evidence is there if you want to look.
I've actually moved on from convincing the naysayers to funding and government policy, the green economy. Let them catch up in a few years time.
Ancient Grudge
Its all in this life
edit: wrong window
Narz
keeping it real
BasketCase for one.
nivi
Call me Ishmael
Money, it's all about the money, it's always about the money, Al Gore is making a fortune from the lies he's spreading.
Sarcastic, but I bet it's not far from what someone might think
Sarcastic, but I bet it's not far from what someone might think
Ayatollah So
the spoof'll set you free
I guess only a lefty could believe in radical notions like the absorption of photons by CO2 molecules, or the Clausius-Clayperon equation, or crazy stuff like that.
Mon Mauler
Warlord
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RRW: It seems I may have misspoke slightly:
You asked me to explain why I believe the idea of anthropogenic Global Warming fits the worldview of leftists.
To clarify: I don't necessarily think that the idea of anthropogenic Global Warming fits the worldview of leftists. I think the purported solutions for anthropogenic Global Warming fit the worldview of leftists.
To wit, the solutions proposed by the left to combat anthropogenic Global Warming include levying taxes on nations, large corporations, and even individuals, based on their respective "carbon footprint." It involves strict regulation by national, or even better, international, cabals.
In short, the idea of anthropogenic Global Warming is being used as a tool by the left to engage in their hallmark activities of increasing taxes and regulation and ultimately redistributing wealth.
Moreover, it is based on the quaint idea that if we all just work together we can overcome what looks to be a natural phenomenon.
Narz
keeping it real
Ahhh, God forbid you have to work
together with anyone.You seem to have some quaint idea that the state of humanity doesn't effect you & that everyone working disconnectedly is more efficient & effective than people actually joining forces for a worthy cause.
Imagine if your body's cells had that philosophy. "F*** the gallbladder" says the liver, "I want more oxygen rich blood for me. Teamwork, smeamwork.". You'd be dead within seconds.
Yeah, and the moon "looks" like it's made of cheese.
Stile
Emperor
I doubt plot is the right word. Right-wingers (that I know) don't think it's a lie where its proponents are nefarious schemers. Instead they think it is a problem that has been blown out of proportion. As an analogy I don't think the Mormons who stop by my door are deceivers; I think they have been willfully deceived. Much the same way, it doesn't take much imagination to figure why someone would allow themselves to be deceived. You could just watch any eco-horror movie out there, like The Day After Tomorrow. People have an innate desire to be part of a story greater than they are, to meet an impossible challenge and overcome it. We want to be the voice of reason pleading from the wilderness, the justified yet crucified savior of mankind.
The proper question would be why are right-wingers immune to this malady. I propose the Christians already feel they are a part of a grander story and the rest love their money so much to be skeptical of anything that would take it.
The proper question would be why are right-wingers immune to this malady. I propose the Christians already feel they are a part of a grander story and the rest love their money so much to be skeptical of anything that would take it.
We are in the in-between short period between the end of one ice age era, and the beginning of another. How short this short period is, we don't know.
MobBoss
Off-Topic Overlord
If no one here feels that way how are we to explain it?
@Narz. I thought basketcase' issue was more with the exaggeration/overhype of the event...not of its actual existance.....or that the reasons for it happening were totally different than those given. Hopefully, he will post a reply to clarify.
RedRalph
Deity
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Because you may know the POV of people who do believe it. and I dont know if anyone here does believe that, they might.
