[ RadSafe ] Nnuclear energy and climate change(?)

[GELSG at aol.com]

John:
 
In summary, then, we have two "groups".
 
In the unambiguous group, we have Crichton (a very good novelist), Gray (a  
very mediocre climatic scientist), and Inhofe (a political hack with a  
pro-industry agenda and a long history of anti-environment efforts such as the  "Data 
Quality Act").
 
In the more ambiguous group, we have Professors Benedick, Sandalow and  
Roberts, each with pretty impressive credentials.
 
Both groups were discussing our future climate and how we should make  policy 
to best respond to any changes.  I don't even have to look any  deeper to 
know that I am very distrustful of people in the "unambiguous"  group.  People 
who don't know that they are not knowledgeable are the type  who scare me the 
most.  And when they have an agenda (look at Inhofe's  record), they can be 
downright dangerous.  I don't know whether the recent  hurricanes represent the 
beginning of a climate change, but I am very fearful of  people who are 
"certain" of their views in either direction.
 
My question to you, John, is which group do you trust?  Or, are you  just 
trying to "stir the pot?"  (Also, I like your last sentence: "If you  do not feel 
this is inappropriate, I apologize.")
 
Jerry Gels
 
In a message dated 10/3/2005 2:13:05 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
crispy_bird at yahoo.com writes:

Chairman  James M. Inhofe's (R-OK) position on this
topic is unambiguous, as he has  previously described
the threat of catastrophic global warming as  the
"greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American
people."  The  hearing did not reveal any change in the
chairman's thinking.

The  lead witness, author Michael Crichton, attracted
the most interest from the  senators.  Crichton's
novel, "State of Fear," takes issue with the  theory
that human activity is causing global climate warming.
Also  testifying was Professor William Gray of
Colorado State University, best  known as a hurricane
forecaster, who has serious doubts about the  ability
of scientists to forecast global climate change. 
Witnesses  taking a different approach were Richard
Benedick of the National Council  for Science and the
Environment and David Sandalow of The  Brookings
Institution. Testifying about the DDT ban and its
effect on  malaria outbreaks was Donald Roberts of the
University of the Health  Services.