Local right-wing nutjob (and "scientist") continues his near-weekly global warming denial LTTEs.

This idiot has a letter in the paper almost weekly, denying global warming. Do a search for his name, and I'm sure you'll find a seemingly endless series of letters. He seems far more concerned about the economic impact of trying to save the planet. He also seems fearful that trying to stop global warming will lead to totalitarianism. This week's installment:

Please stop environmental tyranny

The one thing that frightens me more than Al Gore’s doomsday fantasy is that so many people appear to believe in it.

Reading Richard Whiteford’s guest column calling for a “global warming Manhattan project” (DLN, Dec. 21) sent shivers down my spine, not because I believe we will all die in 33 years if we do nothing about CO2 emissions, but because of what well-intended people might do if they believe this hoax.

Mr. Whiteford dutifully repeated Al Gore’s talking point, like a true believer quoting his master. Like the zealot of yore standing on his soap box, he told us that the end is near and that we must repent now. But unlike yesterday, we can’t just walk away anymore. He’s in our living rooms, our cars, our schools and our legislatures. Today he is pleading for us to repent, tomorrow he will be ordering us to.

Since Rachel Carson wrote her novel 45 years ago, this country has been subjected to an explosion of environmental regulations and bureaucracies to write and enforce them. The costs have been staggering. The results meager. The direct costs to the taxpayer to support these bureaucrats over the years is in the trillions and growing. The indirect costs to our economy, jobs, the price of our food, energy, gasoline, too large to calculate. The zealots like to argue that these regulations create wealth and stimulate the economy.

Nonsense! If this were true, why would they need to impose them through regulation and subsidize them with our money?

You are witnessing the coming of age of environmental totalitarianism. You must convert to their religion. Independent thoughts and dissent are not allowed. You will reduce your carbon footprint, or else. They will tell you what car to drive, then which bus to take, and finally which job to take.

It’s not too late to stay free, but we must not give in to fear. That’s what they are counting on.

Dan Pourreau

have no problem whatsoever with the bogus 'wars' on 'drugs' and 'terror'. Nope. You hear nary a word from these guys about the REAL fascists knocking on the door, and looting the treasury. Not one peep. And yet they go overboard attacking something far more real -- and critical.

The mind boggles. :crazy:

His language does not denote scientific training. Too much editorializing through adjectives.

No scientist I know would write in this manner while donning their "scientist hat". My guess is that he is a local businessman who call himself a scientist to bolster his subjective opinion.

Likely a radical Libertarian, who thinks he lives in a little bubble he calls "FREEDOM" where anything he choses to do is the right choice with positive results. A follower of Swine Rand unless I miss my guess.

None are apparent.

Rachel Carson wrote Silent Spring in the 60's. Dan Porreau is griping about it, because of the environmental regulations.

Mr. Porreau, have you ever seen a bald eagle?

Do you know the liklihood of seeing a bald eagle today, had Carson not written that book?

The effect of DDT in the ecosystem is PROVEN. It isn't a case of zealotry. THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION HAPPENED. And bald eagles are no longer on the Endangered Species List due to the efforts you disparage, hardly a meager result.

Mr. Pourreau, don't talk about things you don't understand.

In the 80's and early 90's, I was concerned about Global Warming deniers as their arguments were still more hypothetical than factual. Even abroad, the discussion was more an academic one and those who denied it could use the "who really knows" argument to affect. This was especially the case if this argument sounded reasonable or came from a pulpit. It stained many minds that sadly has ruined past opportunities to actually do something about global warming and other environmental issues.

Thanks to Al Gore and the on going work of scientists and environmentalists worldwide, the "who really knows" question has been answered. We know, we can see it, we can show predictions and history...those who continue to deny do so only to avoid admitting their wrong. Most have a financial agenda as well but their fortunes can't buy bullshit science and the tide has turned.

I predict that if a Democrat is elected President, we'll see a lot of action in moving toward reducing Green House gases and a new focus on both energy use and reliance. A byproduct of the high oil prices have been to make alternative sources more affordable and attractive.

We'll always have the Dan Pourreaus...just like there are those who still believe the Earth is flat. But no longer do they take a center stage, but just a little corner of the public discourse.