Apparently, U.S. lawmakers intent on stifling free speech are drawing attention from across the pond:
WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 /PRNewswire/—Lord Monckton, Viscount of Brenchley, has sent an open letter to Senators Rockefeller (D-WV) and Snowe (R-Maine) in response to their recent open letter telling the CEO of ExxonMobil to cease funding climate-skeptic scientists. (http://ff.org/centers/csspp/pdf/20061212_monckton.pdf).
………
Concludes Lord Monckton, “I challenge you to withdraw or resign because your letter is the latest in what appears to be an internationally-coordinated series of maladroit and malevolent attempts to silence the voices of scientists and others who have sound grounds, rooted firmly in the peer- reviewed scientific literature, to question what you would have us believe is the unanimous agreement of scientists worldwide that global warming will lead to what you excitedly but unjustifiably call ‘disastrous’ and ‘calamitous’ consequences.”
I don’t know why, but I find this funny.
Maybe because, while he makes a good point, Lord Monckton forgets that the ability of British nobility to direct American political activity ceased, effectively, some 230 years or so ago.
Well, there’s that.
Also, what the hey with the time stamp?
The Moncktons are among the more intelligent recent elevations.
Maybe he is a shareholder in Exxon Mobil, in which case he may resent the political interference of Senators Rockefeller and Snowe in his business affairs?
Being in favor of free speech, it is a refreshing change from the usual unsolicited advice from Europe.
There is a new equation that has taken hold in the Environmental debates:
Settled Science = Scientific Propaganda
This equation goes hand in hand with the Arlen Spector fueled Roe v Wade = Super Duper Precedent argument brought forth during the Roberts hearings.
Politically Correct = Hate Speech = Settled Science = Super Duper Precedent = Internet Abuse Control = Tyranny?
The formula gets more and more complex every day.
Whats funny to me is that two US Senators, attempting to influence the British govt to use its power to stifle speech would never have sent such a letter to US State govt or company. The Senators know that in the UK free speech isn’t absolute and that they would never get away with trying to do that at home. But these two have no problem trying to export totalitarian tactics overseas.
Wait, thats not very funny is it?
SGT Ted,
I guess what I find funny is the fact that FOR ONCE these bullies are called on their actions–not by another American, mind you, but by a member of a foreign government.
Please see my comments on Monckton’s letter:
http://provocateurjim.blogspot.com/
The good Lord states in his letter that he is “wholly unconnected with and unpaid by the corporation that is the victim of your lamentable letter.”
But half the family work for John Scarlett’s mob….