In a lather over global warming
Re “Why the GOP goes nuclear over global warming,” Opinion, March 25
I have a message for House Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio and others who are denying seats on the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to members who refuse to deny that humans have contributed to global warming, which flies in the face of reputable science: You’re over. We are sick of this kind of censorship. We are fed up with stonewalling on major issues that greatly concern the American people, such as Iraq, the minimum wage, immigration and the environment. The American people, the scientific community and now even energy industry leaders are attempting to respond responsibly to the obvious crisis of global warming. My message to Boehner and friends: Get out of our way.
WENDY BLAIS
North Hills
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It seems that conservatives are skeptical about the causes of global warming, mindlessly repeating the party line of hard-core ideologues. Well, I’m an unapologetic skeptic. I’m skeptical because this science has become politicized, because we’re told that a hypothesis can’t be questioned and that scientists who hold different beliefs are “renegade.” I’m skeptical when I hear that university hiring, tenure and allocation of grants may depend on the “correctness” of a scientist’s views on global warming. The fact is there are thousands of reputable scientists who question the theory that warming is man-made. Some point to melting polar caps on Mars and dare to speculate that perhaps the sun might have much to do with our own warming climate.
I feel as if I’m living in some modern-day version of the 16th century, when Galileo could face persecution for having an idea that differed from the “Al Gores” of that age.
THOMAS W. ECKER
Los Angeles
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In this column, Jonathan Chait states, “In reality, nuclear plants may be a small part of the answer, but you couldn’t build enough to make a major dent.” Eighty percent of the electricity in France is produced by nuclear power. I’d call that a pretty big dent.
FRED GENTILE
Huntington Beach
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I can’t understand why global warming has become a political issue. Even if the science were proved to be wrong, why would some Republicans continue to fight efforts to clean the environment? Maybe they weren’t taught as children to clean their rooms.
PABLO PRIETTO
Los Angeles
