>I have just finished reviewing the last few posts on the IPCC document. Before
>I read the excellent rebuttal to Seitz and discovered his connection to the
>fossil fuels industry I was already suspicious. The following line from
>Seitz is a red flag to me:
>"If they lead to carbon taxes and restraints on economic growth, they will
>have a major and almost certainly destructive impact on the economies of the
>world.
>
>I have discovered that the minute someone starts talking about environmental
>science findings and their negative impact upon economic growth and the global
>economy, they show their true colors as front people for business and industry
>and not particularly given to truth. I don't recall if I quoted the following
>old German proverb here or not, but it bears repeating: "Who's bread you eat,
>his song you sing." [or with the correct grammar: "Whose bread you eat, his
>song you sing"]
>
>Dean Ohlman
>Cornerstone College
----------------------
I'm inclined to agree with Dean here, that political biases and motives seem to
count more than data when it comes to political or economic issues. This is
even true among groups of (presumably) informed and devout persons. If so, it
means that scientific research is futile. It means that discussion is futile.
If there is no objectivity, all discussion of such topics is a waste of time.
I will therefore offer only one plea: that everyone try to examine the evidence
objectively with no regard for political or economic implications. Draw
conclusions based only on standard statistical tests with 95% confidence limits,
as is standard practice in research. Let the chips fall where they may.
Paul Arveson, Research Physicist
Code 724, NSWC, Bethesda, MD 20084
73367.1236@compuserve.com arveson@oasys.dt.navy.mil
(301) 227-3831 (W) (301) 227-1914 (FAX) (301) 816-9459 (H)