Many of you may have heard about the Rep. Joe Barton's punitive inquisition of three climate scientists from his position as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. (You can find information on his questions and the scientist's answers at
http://www.realclimate.org).
Well in responding to a Seattle Post Intelligencer editorial criticizing Joe Barton, the other day, one of the staff, Larry Neal, for the committee made an interesting statement. He said
"Just now, the three scientists' research is driving global policy. If they're right, they're right and we'll need to do something about it."
{http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/234798_ltrs2.html}
This looks like an admission that climate change might actually need a legislative response.
Larry Neal made this comment as part of an extended bit of chip on the shoulder sarcasm in response to the P-I calling Joe Barton a yahoo. Neal's full letter is here:
Regarding your Wednesday editorial, stop me if you've heard this one.
Guy goes into the Post-Intelligencer editorial page, says, "Gimme some hot licks on science." "Hey," the P-I says, "I got your science right here, pal, at the University of Washington. And get this, some Texas Republican yahoo wants to know about global warming. Those red-state clods are always good for a yuk, heh-heh." They both hoot.
Well, the P-I's fun with UW must continue to be a mystery to us Texans, but here's a little bit more about that Texas Republican and global warming. A few weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Joe Barton wrote a letter to three exquisitely non-yahoo East Coast scientists and asked for the facts contained in the data that support their global warming theories.
Few think it isn't warming -- ever been to Dallas in August? -- and the three scientists say their facts finger our cars and our homes and our jobs. Other researchers say those computations are flawed and the conclusions are exaggerated. Who cares? If the theories are accurate, the fix could consume billions of dollars in federal spending.
Just now, the three scientists' research is driving global policy. If they're right, they're right and we'll need to do something about it. If it's "oops," the laugh will be on the taxpayers. No kidding.
Larry Neal
Deputy staff director
House Energy and Commerce Committee
The P-I editorial itself is a bit of a muddle as it begins by critizing Joe Barton, and then immediately segues to other concerns about the UW having problems getting a science lab built.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/opinion/234058_scienced.asp
By admitting that if the scientists are correct then something should be done, Larry Neal seems to allow that the science, not the politics, should be the focus. Could it be possible, through letters, phone calls, solicitation of other members to press the committee for a full fair discussion of the overwhelming scientific evidence for human influenced global warming? The Energy Committee hasn't had a hearing on the topic for 11 years.
Or perhaps the Democrats should have their own unofficial hearing, as was done re the Plame scandal.
I called and left a message for Larry Neal but have not heard back. Does the Committee plan to follow up on their inquiry?
Or is this hopelessly naive?
(The phone number for the House Energy Committee, by the way, is (202) 225-2927)