Hurricane Matthew may set some new records for damage. Millions are at risk. High winds, storm surge, rains, flooding — and the words missing from the news: Climate Change
Amid Media Blackout Over Climate Change Links to Hurricane Matthew, Top Scientist Speaks Out (Video)
Scientists say climate change has intensified Hurricane Matthew because warmer ocean waters help create stronger hurricanes.
October 6, 2016
As the storm approaches the United States, states under governments that deny climate change are the ones that are going to feel the brunt of the storm.
Rick Scott of Florida.
Georgia politicians.
Nikki Haley in South Carolina.
North Carolina outlawed climate change.
By denying that the climate is changing, these politicians have blocked actions that would have left their states in better shape to cope with the consequences of the storm and the storms to come. They’ve pursued policies that put people at risk, leave infrastructure vulnerable, make America weaker, jeopardize our future.
Matt Shuman at Talking Points Memo has picked up on “Conservative Hurricane Truthers.”
...conservative aggregator Matt Drudge, who has a house in Florida, tweeted that “The deplorables are starting to wonder if govt has been lying to them about Hurricane Matthew intensity to make exaggerated point on climate,” and “Hurricane Center has monopoly on data. No way of verifying claims. Nassau ground observations DID NOT match statements! 165mph gusts? WHERE?”
...On Wednesday, Rush Limbaugh expressed a similar sentiment on his radio show, saying that government scientists might be “playing games” with storm data in order to “sell” the role climate change has played in making hurricanes stronger.
But it’s still Obama’s fault.
“SHAMELESS: Obama Refuses to Act as Hurricane Matthew Heads Straight for Trump’s Estate in Mar-A-Lago,” the Heatstreet headline blared.
Shuman has also dug up Donald Trump’s history on hurricanes. At the moment the Trump campaign has been subdued, wishing the people of Florida well. In the past?
Hurricane is good luck for Obama again- he will buy the election by handing out billions of dollars.
I'm concerned about the hurricane & that people will vote for Obama because he's "bravely standing in water" -- (cont) tl.gd/...
There’s more at the TPM link. In the past Trump’s had no compunctions about politicizing hurricanes, and taking advantage of relief aid, despite some questions about how much he actually needed it.
Charles P. Pierce notes that NASA may be taking a major hit from the storm, which is aimed right at the Space Coast. The damage could cripple our space efforts for months and years depending on how bad it is. Will Congress make funds available for rebuilding?
Pierce also notes that Zika could expand greatly as mosquitoes breed in all the water that will be left on the landscape — and rescue workers will probably take Zika back with them as they return to their home states after clean up. The Republican Congress delayed action on Zika for months — what will they do now?
Pierce’s writing partner Robert Bateman reports that even as the U.S. braces for impact, U.S. Navy ships will be skirting the storm to bring relief to Haiti, already battered by the storm.
Some, sadly, do not understand this aspect of our identity. They do not understand why we don't first ask, "If we come to your aid, will you pay us back?" They do not get it—how soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines can willingly put their heads down and plow forward, into the very real maelstrom of a Category 4 Hurricane, without an assurance of financial reward for the nation. Those who think like this, these types who only know bottom lines, depreciation, and remuneration, expect business rules to take precedence over the rules of common humanity.
The people who think like this do not understand the meaning of service, and by extension, why we are called servicemen and servicewomen. They do not comprehend what it means to dedicate your life to doing something for others, domestically or abroad.
Apply this as you see fit.
Republicans have made denial of climate change an article of faith for a number of reasons. To please the fossil fuel energy. To deny the role of government in meeting the biggest challenge facing the world. To piss off liberals. To ignore things that conflict with their world view- like science. To double down on ideology over reality. Take your pick.
Once the skies clear, the GOP will be shameless in demanding federal aid, complaining about the ineptitude of the government, demanding that no one ‘politicize’ the storm even as they seek to manipulate events around it - but they will not admit climate change had any role in what is about to unfold.
Will it become a point of contention in the election? It’s hard to see how it can be avoided — or why it should. Only one party has anything like a sane policy on this. Will America notice? Will the media break their silence?
Reality is knocking on the East Coast tonight. Best wishes for everyone in the path of the storm — and after.