Now, it's pretty much common knowledge around these parts that the American right isn't exactly the most empirical of organizations. From the mythologizing of Saint Ronald to the deluded belief that as tax rates approach zero, tax revenue approaches infinity, the American right has consistently refused to consider reality for what it is -- reality.
Now, there might be a number of reasons for this -- dominionist theology first and foremost, but that's another diary for another day. The broader effect is the establishment of an entire class of individuals who view fact with contempt, who deny the very concept of objectivity, who view any data stemming from the scientific community as suspect by virtue of its origin. Think about that -- the scientific community is suspect because they're secret leftists. A rational person would guffaw at that very notion.
These are not rational people, nor should they be treated as such.
All of which brings me to the issue of climate change. If the record-setting heat that just scorched the Midwest and is now doing the same farther East weren't evidence enough, how about drought? I know this community cares about climate change because we all live in a world where facts matter, but in the faith-based community, this heat wave is evidence of an angry God's wrath. I shit you not -- I had this conversation with my evangelical mother the other day. They believe that anything wrong that happens happens because a god dictated it. That's our opposition.
And to refute the notion that humans have any effect on the climate, they cite a blizzard as sufficient evidence that climate change is impossible. Because we get snow, you see, the earth can't be subject to global warming. A leads to B in the insane logic prevalent among those who deny climate change.
It all leads to a legislative impasse -- an impasse that allows the planet to heat up degree by degree while the crazies rant and the legislators fiddle. We all know what comes next.