Peak Oil is You
Donate Bitcoins ;-) or Paypal :-)
Page added on November 5, 2015
With Exxon Mobil Under Investigation, Is Climate Change Debate Becoming Criminalized?
Just to summarize, N.Y. Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is reportedly investigating Exxon Mobil XOM -1.19% for deceiving the public about climate change, and leading environmental groups are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to do the same. Because, it seems, ExxonMobil has funded a wide variety of scientific research, most of which confirmed “liberal” views of global warming, but has also given some money to people who questioned some or all of the claimed consensus, and, shocking, funded possibly dubious research. The implication is that this equates to tobacco companies who knew about the health effects of cigarette smoking but denied it publicly.
Wow. What an excellent example of the way ideologues become blinded to the consequence of their actions. Aside from the fact that it would seem to completely violate the First Amendment, these groups and their fellows could easily be hoist on their own petard. And this tactic would certainly explode in their faces, just as a petard would if you were hoist on it at the wrong time.
It’s bad enough that we have politicians jumping into the science with both feet, from Senator Inhofe insisting that global warming is a hoax, to hearings on “Climategate” (almost certainly denounced by many of the people now suggesting investigation of ExxonMobil) and the Virginia Attorney General’s pursuit of Michael Mann under the Fraud Against Taxpayers Act. Again, environmentalists (and academics) certainly denounced such action as “chilling”—and rightly so. They would, however, seem to be irony-impaired (to be politically correct).
This is hardly the first time environmental groups have tried end-arounds to cope with resistance to their policy proposals. Several decades ago, some environmental activists suggested that utilities that spent money on coal fired power plants could be charged with “imprudence” when carbon taxes were imposed, and forced to pass the subsequent losses onto their shareholders. Anyone who sold their utility stocks expecting such penalties would apparently have grounds for a case.
And then there are the global warming activists who warned of a possible Ice Age back during the brief cold spell of the 1970s. Should anyone who bought, say, timber holdings expecting to profit from rising demand for fire wood be able to sue? Every neo-Malthusian demographer or economist could be the target of investors and even the public for their foolishness. The peak oil crowd could be targeted as well—they told us oil prices would go to $200 to $300 a barrel in 2008. (Or resource optimists predicting a return to $30—no names.)
Ironically, a number of peak oil advocates called for legal action against the U.S. Geological Survey for supposed dishonesty in its resource estimates, a laughable charge which apparently resulted from misinterpretation of what they reported, which was then repeated ad nauseum by peak oilers without double checking its validity.
And if the claim is that ExxonMobil was dishonest and should be penalized for that, where do I start? How about Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth,” which was found to have numerous errors. Maybe global warming activists should sue Al Gore for discrediting them? And frankly, while an effort to criminalize ExxonMobil’s activities will sound really good to the “core” audience, but more likely Americans will view it with distaste. Especially since it seems so hypocritical that it should feature on the Daily Show on Comedy Central (just to show they’re unbiased!).
14 Comments on "With Exxon Mobil Under Investigation, Is Climate Change Debate Becoming Criminalized?"
GregT on Thu, 5th Nov 2015 10:06 pm
Say you’re with Hillary.
Paid for by Hillary Victory Fund, a joint fundraising committee authorized by Hillary for America, the Democratic National Committee and the State Democratic Parties in these states: AK, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NV, NH, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WV, WI, and WY.
Monica sucks, Hillary doesn’t.
In the middle on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 1:38 am
Monica sucks Hillary doesn’t
Really? Only Bill would know for sure and maybe a few college boyfriends, and perhaps a dog or two. But clearly she wasn’t enough for Bill. He needed more and Monica was there. Hillary doesn’t think enough of herself to dispose of her own excrement, Bill, so she more than likely participated as well. She sucks too.
adamc18 on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 3:30 am
If it was a balanced debate an article like this would be fair enough. It was ok for innocent ‘flat-earthers’ to promote their theories, but this is deadly serious.
This is absolutely not a debate between conflicting scientific hypotheses, but an attack on very clear science, the catastrophic early effects of which can already be seen in many places around the world – and those who are lying to the public.
The reasons for the lies are pretty obvious – those promoting them stand to lose $trillions. They are just like the monkey with his hand in the cookie jar – they don’t want to let go of their $trillions, even though their stubborn stupidity will destroy everyone. Occasionally they are worth listening to, but in general monkeys should be ignored as stupid sub-humans.
onlooker on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 3:39 am
Adam thanks you really told it like it is. Notice the source Forbes. Enough said.
Davy on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 4:27 am
This is a lie and one perpetrated by those with a private profit motive. This is against society and nature as a whole. Lies at this level are clearly criminal. If one looks at this in the spiritual context it would be evil by any religious tradition except capitalism. Capitalism is a religion in its most extreme manifestation as we see in this case. In this regard this lie is extreme.
It is not true we can’t do anything any longer. Claiming innocence on the grounds of lack of culpability for something so widespread and inclusive is not valid. The lie has prevented actions that could have made resources available earlier to adjust and mitigate AGW climate change. Poor decisions with investments that have no future could have been avoided.
I believe and many scientist have said there is no avoiding the damage. Perhaps we can avoid or slow the worst. I am even not sure about that either. I see a runaway series of climate tipping points and convergences. The real danger is the effects on a fragile food chain that connect everyone globally. This is true of the subsistence farmers who will be overwhelmed by desperate people in search of food.
We may have a short time where society has some ability to change, adapt, and mitigate the worst of climate change but not long. We have peak oil and economic difficulties that will combine with climate change in the tirade of doom.
These lies by capitalist and the political elites are crimes against nature and humanity. They should be punished but won’t be. One thing is clear they will not be able to hide from a destroyed climate. They will suffer hunger just as the masses. Many here want to claim the elites will avoid the worst of the collapse of modern man but I doubt it. A limited few will get lucky perhaps for a time but most will suffer a worse fate because they will fall the farthest and fastest. In the beginning it will be the poor of Asia and Africa who will descend into chaos but the rest will follow within a relatively short time.
onlooker on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 5:13 am
Yes Davy, I have had some arguments on the main forum about this. Some there like to say that we consumers are more to blame then anyone. I try and tell them that first of all because we have been lied too and deceived, consumers have not even had a choice about deciding for alternatives of any kind. Second, the whole fossil fuel infrastructure does not allow much room for flexibility on the part of consumers especially before recent times. Finally and most pertinent this is a question of LYING, Exxon and others did just that and for some to wish to let it pass or downplay it is unconscionable.
Davy on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 5:53 am
Onlooker, agreed, at this point right here right now it is all about lies on multiple levels and these lies are there to maintain the status quo which is confidence in a system based social, political, and economic narrative of growth and development. We have been habituated to this condition.
Most of us do not have the luxury to call this narrative into question. Most have to concentrate on the day ahead. Many are not even capable of going there because it requires critical thinking and research. They instead choose any of a number of religions, spiritualties, and pseudo cults for meaning. Consumerism is the most popular way for us to find meaning. Buy shit and you feel fulfilled. You don’t even have to think about it you just need to try to balance the check book.
It is the leadership that should be doing this thinking and steering. The ship should be steered away from bad attitudes, lifestyles, and investment decisions that are poor choices for a collapsing future. To be fair to the powers-that-be I am not sure the GP sheeples can handle the truth. The truth would end the status quo. The end of the status quo will shorten billions of lives.
The problem is there is no avoiding a die off. This is physics at its most basic level. You cannot avoid the unavoidable. Buying time and kicking the can down the road to avoid pain and suffering is typical of the ape brain that finds its greatest value short term. The ape brain will choose food now instead of discomfort now for the possible security of food later. This is of course a generalization of the ape mentality. In the micro there are many exceptions but as a whole at the level of self-organization of ape brains at a global macro level we are locked in to an irreversible event and we are choosing the short term instead of pain and suffering now that may lessen pain and suffering latter. It is as simple as that without sugar and cream.
onlooker on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 6:31 am
“we are choosing the short term instead of pain and suffering now that may lessen pain and suffering latter. It is as simple as that without sugar and cream.”
This to me is a key point. We have been since the industrial age and even before choosing the short term. I agree that it has something to do with our makeup as humans. So that now when we face on the horizon daunting and catastrophic consequences we still are unable to adapt to a longer term view to avoid the worse fallout from business as usual. We are in that sense so much like an addict unable to stop doing what he/she does even though they know it is bad for them.
onlooker on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 9:21 am
Thought I would quote a member on the main forum “But these far left are just as crazy too except it’s Mother Earth religion instead of 7th day adventism but make no mistake these far left are Al Gore book-thumping fundamentalists on a righteous mission and setting up inquisitions — and this is an entirely IDEOLOGICAL inquisition that has no connection with law nor logic, whatsoever.” This is what we are talking about lack of critical thinking and just making every issue out to be ideological-emotional-partisan. Truly it makes me sick to hear comments like this. At this late state for even supposedly smart people on this site to voice such inane bull is pathetic.
Kenz300 on Fri, 6th Nov 2015 10:59 am
Climate Change is real….. we will all be impacted by it……
Exxon’s Climate Change Cover-Up Is ‘Unparalleled Evil,’ Says Activist
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/exxon-evil-bill-mckibben_561e7362e4b028dd7ea5f45f?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=Green§ion=green
———–
Oil and Gas Companies Make Statement in Support of U.N. Climate Goals – The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/business/energy-environment/oil-companies-climate-change-un.html?&moduleDetail=section-news-2&action=click&contentCollection=International%20Business®ion=Footer&module=MoreInSection&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&pgtype=article
Mike616 on Sat, 7th Nov 2015 9:39 am
Forbes hiring the Senile now.
Well, everyone needs a check.
But the issue, is Exxon knew. Today you, your home and nearly your state can be buried by the studies showing global warming effects on the environment.
But the issue is the BOARD of Exxon Knew and DECEIVED Shareholders as POLICY.
By the way, there isn’t any scientific debate globally, like there’s no scientific debate about gravity. There’s only corporate funded political propaganda.
Mike616 on Sat, 7th Nov 2015 9:42 am
Projection: Where you unconsciously describe yourself in your description of your “enemy”:
BEAUTIFUL:
“book-thumping fundamentalists on a righteous mission and setting up inquisitions — and this is an entirely IDEOLOGICAL inquisition that has no connection with law nor logic, whatsoever.”
LOL. Just like Bengazi.
Unbelievable.
Psychology: Projection Works!
Kenz300 on Sat, 7th Nov 2015 10:03 am
Pope Francis’s edict on climate change will anger deniers and US churches | World news | The Guardian
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/27/pope-francis-edict-climate-change-us-rightwing
————-
Head Of The Episcopal Church Says It’s ‘Sinful’ To Ignore Climate Change
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/26/katherine-jefferts-schori-climate-change_n_6949532.html?utm_hp_ref=green&ir=Green
Dredd on Sat, 7th Nov 2015 1:24 pm
Oil-Qaeda has always behaved criminally.
The issue now is not crime, it is whether those crimes will face justice or not (Oil-Qaeda & MOMCOM Conspire To Commit Depraved-Heart Murder- 3).
There is not statute of limitations on depraved heart murder.