Rep. John Shimkus: God decides when the "earth will end"

I don't know what the rest of you think, but having an elected, policy making official saying things like this scares me.
Skeevesays...

The bible contains no science, why should it even have a mention in a discourse about the environment and climate change?
We are, unfortunately, seeing a similar problem in Canada at the moment. Our Science Minster is a young earth creationist and does not believe in evolution. If one is confusing scientific facts with religious beliefs there is a problem. When someone thinks that "believing in evolution" is a scientific question, they do not know enough about science to fill such an important role.

cosmovitellisays...

Not to disparage the bible as a powerful historical document of humanity's search for meaning and a way to live,
but if it is God's word. "infallible, unchanging and perfect" how can you deadpan seque into "the age of the dinosaurs"??

I wonder what this guy could justify doing in God's name... scary.

gwiz665says...

Heard a joke once:
Man goes to doctor. Says he's depressed. Says life seems harsh and cruel. Says he feels all alone in a threatening world where what lies ahead is vague and uncertain.
Doctor says "Treatment is simple. Find religion. Get personal savior, Jesus Christ. That should pick you up."
Man bursts into tears. Says "But, doctor...I am Jesus Christ."
Good joke.
Everybody laugh.
Roll on snare drum.
Curtains.

jiyanibisays...

Haha...at :25 it looks like the blonde in the back gives a look like "Is this guy seriously reading from the bible?"

Seriously, this is all kinds of fucked up. Passages from genesis and clergy men should have NO place in a scientific/political discussion. I would love to see the entirety of this discussion, to hope that at least one person follows with something along the lines of "Shminkus, you and your robed buddies can take a hike...kthxbye."

ObsidianStormsays...

I think the guy is kind of providing a service in quoting the bible at the beginning of his time - kind of saying 'now is a good time to go to the bathroom, grab a snack, catch up on some reading, whatever, until the next guy, who has something substantive to contribute, starts.'

Psychologicsays...

God will decide when it is my time to die, so no human can possibly kill me!

These people are deciding what laws to pass?



Btw, I loved the expression on that girl's face when he mentioned Genesis.

ravermansays...

Just in Summary:

1) The ice caps that ARE melting: aren't - God promised they wouldn't.

2) There was more carbon in the atmosphere in the time of the dinosaurs.
* the dinosaurs which didn't exist because of the creationist age of the earth
* the ice caps - that didn't exist at that time because they were melted.
* coastal city's are built on coastlines that were underwater in the time of dinosaurs.

3) Coal miners lost their jobs because they work in a polluting industry.
* Miners today can be building turbines or farming biofuel tomorrow.
* A thousand Miners jobs compared to millions of people's homes, food, and lives. It's a small price.

chilaxesays...

Not to disparage the Bible as a collection of fairy tales from the Bronze Age, but doesn't trying to use your holy book as the basis of public policy kind of negate your claim that supernaturalists should get a free pass from criticism?

quantumushroomsays...

Man-made global warming is the biggest hoax--and crime--ever perpetrated on the human race. It's the same wealth and freedom-destroying socialist horsesh;t only wrapped in green tinfoil.

It wouldn't have gotten this far without egotistical half-wits like Al Snore given a spotlight, but more so from legions of Gaia-worshipping rabid enviro-mental-cases, who want to see all human life destroyed to "save Mother Earth".

"Bible-Man" may be delusional but he doesn't think he's God or feels qualified to rule others without question.

Unlike the statists.

ForgedRealitysays...

HAHAH what the fucking shit?! Notice the when he says "Genesis 8," the chick behind him smirks and gets this look like, "haha what the fuck? ..oh.. you're serious.. >_>"

How can he talk about the age of dinosaurs when he believes the Bible? The Earth is only 6000 years old in his beliefs.

RELIGION IS A DISEASE.

silvercordsays...

If there is any one group of people who ought to be as interested as anyone, if not more interested than anyone in the care of the earth's resources and creatures, it's Christians. The Bible extols the wonders of the earth, the parabolic vastness of the universe, and the complexity and diversity of the creatures. Yet, for all the good theology which speaks to this creation revealing the sublimity of the Creator, so-called "christians" have repeatedly found ways to condone and justify the numbingly senseless rape of the planet.

The rest of the 'christians' stand by with cow-like complacency and believe that the 'Jesus-coming-back-soon' meme abrogates their responsibility to be good stewards of the people, animals and limited natural resources at our disposal. I don't get it. Just because it is eventually going away doesn't mean we have license to treat the place like it's worthless. Hell, we're all going away - we're all temporary - that doesn't make any one of us less worthwhile. Why not extrapolate that to the rest of the living room?

jonnysays...

>> ^silvercord:
If there is any one group of people who ought to be as interested as anyone, if not more interested than anyone in the care of the earth's resources and creatures, it's Christians.


Some of them are - "Christians For The Mountains is a network of persons committed to advocating that Christians and their churches recognize their God-given responsibility to live compatably and sustainably upon this earth God has created."

Mazesays...

>> ^quantumushroom:
Man-made global warming is the biggest hoax--and crime--ever perpetrated on the human race. It's the same wealth and freedom-destroying socialist horsesh;t only wrapped in green tinfoil.
It wouldn't have gotten this far without egotistical half-wits like Al Snore given a spotlight, but more so from legions of Gaia-worshipping rabid enviro-mental-cases, who want to see all human life destroyed to "save Mother Earth".
"Bible-Man" may be delusional but he doesn't think he's God or feels qualified to rule others without question.
Unlike the statists.


Instead of being so angry about it, why not educate yourself? Global warming wouldn't have gotten this far without people muddying the waters and ignoring the science.

honkeytonk73says...

>> ^Maze:
>> ^quantumushroom:
Man-made global warming is the biggest hoax--and crime--ever perpetrated on the human race. It's the same wealth and freedom-destroying socialist horsesh;t only wrapped in green tinfoil.
It wouldn't have gotten this far without egotistical half-wits like Al Snore given a spotlight, but more so from legions of Gaia-worshipping rabid enviro-mental-cases, who want to see all human life destroyed to "save Mother Earth".
"Bible-Man" may be delusional but he doesn't think he's God or feels qualified to rule others without question.
Unlike the statists.

Instead of being so angry about it, why not educate yourself? Global warming wouldn't have gotten this far without people muddying the waters and ignoring the science.


Unfortunately ... far too many do not 'believe' in what science states, and as a result, in their minds,it isn't true. The logic? I believe in Leprechauns.. thus they are real.

Having a brain is not a prerequisite to being a living entity. This fact is often reinforced by the blindly religious.

Quboidsays...

This guy doesn't scare me, he annoys me. What scares me is that he appears to be in an elected office, meaning a significant number of people actually want him in a position of power.


@jiyanibi - good spot, the girl at :25 is great.

ravermansays...

I'm truly amazed when i hear people say they don't "believe" in global warming.

You can SEE million year old ice melting in greenland.
You can SEE unpresedented 10-15 year doughts in Australia & Africa

Around the world 95% of scientists are BEGGING us to avoid disaster.

Whats not to believe? Scientists because they discredit religion?
or just 'in principle' because of a right wing prejudice against environmentalists? It's just so damn petty and closed minded.

quantumushroomsays...

Right-wing prejudice against greenies? Get real. A full THIRD of all federal regulations are environmental regs. We're not talking about a few recycling bins here but the systematic destruction of the free market, which has protected resources through private property ownership way better than some bureaucrat deciding you can't cut down a tree on your own property.

When green fanatics announce that "all GW debate is over", compare their opponents to "Holocaust deniers" and rush to pass still more wealth and freedom-destroying legislation before it can be debated, what else can "man-made" GW be but a hoax?...a hoax perpetrated by government force. TIME IS RUNNING OUT is the mantra of the used car salesman.

It's embarrassing that so many otherwise 'rational' people would suddenly link millions of years of natural global warming and cooling cycles to a few centuries of industry, as if THE SUN plays no role in earth not being a ball of ice. (measuring by the cycles we're LONG overdue for another ice age).

Now greenvangelicals are trying to declare water vapor and carbon dioxide TOXIC and in need of regulation. There's no end to these power grabs and no limits to the human lust for power and other emotional defects from which the atheist naively declares immunity.

"The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money is ever present and is gravely to be regarded.

Yet, in holding scientific research and discovery in respect, as we should, we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific technological elite."

-- Dwight Eisenhower speech, 1961

http://www.globalwarminghoax.com/news.php

tsquire1says...

So...an elected official. Did you all see the crazy eyes? I did. I have seen the same ones from the crazy mamma-jamma's in Woodruff park who claim homosexuality is a sin. The very same one that I praise Satan to when we cross paths.

After watching this, and understanding that Rep. Shimkus is not alone, when can we start the revolution? Because we are running out of time.

Let's take back the planet, because it is not only needed so humanity may come together, but so humanity can continue to exist. This is our test ladies and gents. I don't want to fail it...

StukaFoxsays...

>> ^quantumushroom:
Man-made global warming is the biggest hoax--and crime--ever perpetrated on the human race. It's the same wealth and freedom-destroying socialist horsesh;t only wrapped in green tinfoil.


Just as a nota bene, "Pig-Fucking Ignorant" isn't a compliment.

jwraysays...

What kind of uneducated morons elected this fool?


OTOH, Global warming isn't so bad if you're willing to evacuate every coastal city in the world as the glaciers melt on top of the rocky continent of Antarctica. A pretty big percentage of the world's population lives less than 150 feet above sea level.

Lolthiensays...

>> ^quantumushroom:
Man-made global warming is the biggest hoax--and crime--ever perpetrated on the human race. It's the same wealth and freedom-destroying socialist horsesh;t only wrapped in green tinfoil.
It wouldn't have gotten this far without egotistical half-wits like Al Snore given a spotlight, but more so from legions of Gaia-worshipping rabid enviro-mental-cases, who want to see all human life destroyed to "save Mother Earth".
"Bible-Man" may be delusional but he doesn't think he's God or feels qualified to rule others without question.
Unlike the statists.



Ok, you got me, I laughed out loud, literally, and my co-workers looked at me funny. You get +1 internets for the day! Well done!

Lolthiensays...

QM, you realize that quote from Eisenhower that you mentioned was specifically AGAINST the military-industrial-congressional complex from which so many of your talking points are created and passed out to the conservative talking heads?

You are no longer allowed to quote that speech unless you agree that the U.S. spends entirely too much money and effort keeping up a military that is inefficient and used to protect industrial (as compared to national) interests.

Then you are allowed to quote that speech.

imstellar28says...

The argument is not about whether the climate is changing. the question is, did mankind (and specifically C02 emissions) cause it?

consensus has nothing to do with fact, so it really doesn't matter even if 100% of scientists believe something.

To put carbon emissions in perspective, the average human breathes approximately 15 times a minute, over the course of the day this adds up to approximately 0.9 kg of C02, so in a year each human produces 328.5 kg of C02 just in the act of breathing alone. There are just over six and a half billion humans living on earth, so by simply being alive humans produce 328.5 * 6.6 / 1000 = 2.168 billion tonnes of C02 per year.

Here are some other numbers for comparison:

Global industrial C02 emissions: 24.16 billion tonnes per year
Consumption of vegetation by animals & microbes: 220 billion tonnes per year
The ocean as part of the carbon cycle: 330 billion tonnes tonnes per year

total human impact is 2.2168 + 24.16 = 26.3768 billion tonnes, or 26.3768 / (220 + 330) = 4.7957% of total C02 emission

total animal/bacterial impact is 220 / (330 + 24.16) = 62.11% of total C02 emission

Seeing ice melt, or droughts occur may say something about climate change but it says nothing of the cause of such a change. The cause of the change is what is causing controversy, not the change itself.

<embed src="http://i40.tinypic.com/sv786u.jpg">

>> ^raverman:
I'm truly amazed when i hear people say they don't "believe" in global warming.
You can SEE million year old ice melting in greenland.
You can SEE unpresedented 10-15 year doughts in Australia & Africa
Around the world 95% of scientists are BEGGING us to avoid disaster.
Whats not to believe? Scientists because they discredit religion?
or just 'in principle' because of a right wing prejudice against environmentalists? It's just so damn petty and closed minded.

quantumushroomsays...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2

In a closed, self-sustaining environment, scientists couldn't even keep the oxygen levels up. But they can control the entire earth's climate.

Where's all this mighty religious skepticism when the green-weenies come a-calling? Christians aren't trying to destroy the world's economies with scams like crap-and-trade and carbon credits.

You leftists think you're so attuned to who seeks power versus who will rule benevolently (you, for instance)?

I DEFY YOU.

ReverendTedsays...

>> ^imstellar28:
consensus has nothing to do with fact, so it really doesn't matter even if 100% of scientists believe something.
If my position disagrees with "100% of scientists," then I'm probably going to recheck my data.

Though I think Clarke stated it best: "For every expert there is an equal and opposite expert."
This is particularly true in the climate-change debate.

imstellar28says...

Unless you are Einstein...or Newton...or Galileo...or any scientist who has ever created a new hypothesis

>> ^ReverendTed:
>> ^imstellar28:
consensus has nothing to do with fact, so it really doesn't matter even if 100% of scientists believe something.
If my position disagrees with "100% of scientists," then I'm probably going to recheck my data.

ponceleonsays...

>> ^quantumushroom:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biosphere_2
In a closed, self-sustaining environment, scientists couldn't even keep the oxygen levels up. But they can control the entire earth's climate.
Where's all this mighty religious skepticism when the green-weenies come a-calling? Christians aren't trying to destroy the world's economies with scams like crap-and-trade and carbon credits.
You leftists think you're so attuned to who seeks power versus who will rule benevolently (you, for instance)?
I DEFY YOU.


Sorry quantum, but your analogy is bunk. There is a very big difference between trying to create a life-sustaining environment from scratch and trying to stop people from continuing to do things which theoretically could be contributing to global warming.

That said, the problem with your little mind is that you lump all "leftists" together as if we all go to one meeting and like bees think alike. The funny thing is that I don't quite believe that the measures the "green" folks are recommending will make much of a difference. I've been to the alps and seen the glaciers now compared to what they were 50 years ago and I feel that this process may be natural to a certain extent.

Mind you: You only have to look at the smog in LA to know that humans HAVE an effect on their environment. Be it the trash you see everywhere, the smog, the fewer fish in the sea as we over-fish, etc. it IS an effect of our being here and we can only benefit from trying to think responsibly about the way we consume.

Unfortunately, there are many in the right wing, as you appear to be, who seem to think that an old white guy in the sky is just going to magically provide for us when the shit hits the fan.

As for your jibes at the democrats who have the white-house for less than a year, funny, you'd think after 8 glorious years of Republican rule the would have handed over a perfect nation!

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