Much has been made in recent weeks of Sen. James Inhofe's increasingly unhinged statements on global warming. He's hired a long-time movement hack, Marc Morano, to attack journalists and scientists that attempt to tell the truth about global warming (without falsehoods as "balance"). Now Inhofe's out calling Al Gore "full of crap," claiming the IPCC was based on "one scientist," and saying recent science has shown global warming to be a "hoax."
Why would a prominent U.S. Senator be out telling such flagrant lies -- lies even the White House and most far-right commentators have distanced themselves from?
Is he just a loon?
No, Inhofe's affliction is much more pedestrian. Here's all you need to know about why he says what he says:
The top industries supporting James M. Inhofe are:
1 Oil & Gas $311,208 2 Electric Utilities $180,907 3 Retired $145,771 4 General Contractors $116,611 5 Leadership PACs $100,347 6 Lobbyists $99,741 7 Lawyers/Law Firms $95,372 8 Commercial Banks $79,925 9 Health Professionals $77,550 10 Building Materials & Equipment $75,267 11 Air Transport $75,069 12 Insurance $72,171 13 Automotive $63,250 14 Misc Finance $61,500 15 Defense Aerospace $60,500 16 Real Estate $58,555 17 Business Services $53,766 18 Mining $52,600 19 Pro-Israel $49,300 20 Chemical & Related Manufacturing $47,010
Inhofe’s plan: Stall climate action until the next president
EPA’s climate finding ticks off industry, energizes enviros and congressional leaders
Key Democrats deal opening hand in climate debate
Comments View as Flat
william okeefe Posted 1:41 am
27 Jul 2006
why is inhofe so virulent on global warming
Mr. Roberts article is filled with inaccuracies and half truths. The implication of the article is that his statements are a reflection of the groups that have provided contributions and not convictions based on facts. Senator Inhofe has made several floor statements on the Senate floor that have been based on solid science and make a convincing case for his position. Unless Mr. Roberts can refute that science he should not cavalierly question the Senator's motives.
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Chris Schults Posted 2:13 am
27 Jul 2006
Late to the party
William,
Welcome to Gristmill. Being new and all, you've missed out on all the fun discussions about Inhofe, where Dave and others have refuted Inhofe's claims.
Look out! It's a media shower!
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