Rep. Barton (TX): You can't regulate God.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

CO2 isn't a pollutant and is a natural by-product of life.

The key to understanding CO2 is that how much of it matters. It's not a binary argument between CO2 or no CO2. It's a question of how much. CO2 certainly is harmful when present in excess.

I suggest you pick up a book.

But here's a little bit of actual science to whet the appetite

Carbon dioxide, when dissolved in sea water, is deadly to shell-building microorganisms that form an important part of the food chain in some cold ocean regions. The extra CO2 lowers the pH and make the water too acidic for these organisms to build their shells. As I reported in my blog on Acidifying the Oceans, the observed increase in acidity of 0.1 pH units during the past century due to fossil fuel burning, and expected continued acidification in the coming decades, could cause a massive die off of marine life and collapse of the food chain in these ocean areas.

...

One need only look at our sister planet, Venus ... There, an atmosphere of 96% carbon dioxide has created a hellish greenhouse effect. The temperatures of 860 F at the surface are hot enough to melt lead. There's not too much life there!

http://www.wunderground.com/education/cei.asp

[Peikko 1,575]

Is this another 50/50 question?

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Mention God and people start acting like the speaker is an idiot. No open minds on that side I see. What he said is absolutly spot on. CO2 isn't a pollutant and is a natural by-product of life.

Yeah right.........Methane is a natural by-product of life and trust me it is a pollutant. Did you ever go to Chemistry classes when you were in school? CO2 is acidic in the air and when it is dissolved in water. Water is essential to life, Excess amounts of CO2 = BAD.

Randomizer beat me to it

Oh Cleo about the 50/50 comment

Edited May 20, 2009 by JimandChristy

[Peikko 1,575]

Excess water can kill you too, as happened during a competition to see who could drink the most water to win a car, tragic.

However, perhaps the 'yeah right' was a bit ott?

Regardless, whether or not any politician has a handle on the science is one thing, but to pull god out of the hat is silly. It's got nothing to do with spirituality and everything to do with what kind of planetary 'housekeepers' or wardens we as a species are. Human's do have the ability to change the planet's surface structure, with deforestation, urbanization, industry etc. Some of our contamination will be naturally dispersed, others not so easily or quickly. To dismiss all attempts to regulate and control the spread of humanity as 'arrogant' is, I am afraid, at best Ostrich like, and at worst cynical maneuvering.

[JimandChristy 1,689]

Excess water can kill you too, as happened during a competition to see who could drink the most water to win a car, tragic.

However, perhaps the 'yeah right' was a bit ott?

Regardless, whether or not any politician has a handle on the science is one thing, but to pull god out of the hat is silly. It's got nothing to do with spirituality and everything to do with what kind of planetary 'housekeepers' or wardens we as a species are. Human's do have the ability to change the planet's surface structure, with deforestation, urbanization, industry etc. Some of our contamination will be naturally dispersed, others not so easily or quickly. To dismiss all attempts to regulate and control the spread of humanity as 'arrogant' is, I am afraid, at best Ostrich like, and at worst cynical maneuvering.

I retract that, it was a little over the top, apologies to GaryC.

[Peikko 1,575]

Steven and AJ have both become obsessed with TX for some odd reason. As if CA and NJ don't have enough problems of their own. As Big Dog has stated: At least TX isn't sucking on the federal teet. Can you say the same for CA & NJ?

So what if Barton is talking sh*t? At least it ain't on your dime.

Barton is trying to piss you off just cuz he can. He baits the hook, throws it in the river, and the fish (fools) suck it all in hook, line, and sinker.

What's the point of doing that? He's a politician, he should not be indulging in petty points scoring on party lines, he should be spending his energy looking after ALL his constituents, those who vote for him and the rest.

[peejay 327]

Barton is talking sh*t

Barton even knows he is talking sh*t. He does it to piss off liberals. Specifically. To make a point.

Of course it is convenient to pass this guy off as a clueless East TX hillbilly **. That is part of his point. To piss you off. Because he is an Energy and Commerce Committee ranking member of the US House of Representatives ((R-TX).

And there is nada you can do about it because he doesn't represent your congressional district. In fact, he doesn't represent my congressional district either even though I live in TX. But I'm laughing just the same. I get the joke.

[Peikko 1,575]

You think that's the job of a politician, to only look after those people who vote for you? Strange indeed.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Barton ... is ... a clueless East TX hillbilly ** ... he is [a] joke.

[peejay 327]

Barton ... is ... a clueless East TX hillbilly ** ... he is [a] joke.

But he pisses you off. Why? Come clean. The truth will set you free.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Barton ... is ... a clueless East TX hillbilly ** ... he is [a] joke.

But he pisses you off. Why? Come clean. The truth will set you free.

He is not worthy of hate, just contempt.

[almaty 19]

brother peejay is spot on

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

brother peejay is spot on

brother peejay is wise

[endoftheroad 1]

At least TX isn't sucking on the federal teet.

[GaryC 7]

Mention God and people start acting like the speaker is an idiot. No open minds on that side I see. What he said is absolutly spot on. CO2 isn't a pollutant and is a natural by-product of life.

Yeah right.........Methane is a natural by-product of life and trust me it is a pollutant. Did you ever go to Chemistry classes when you were in school? CO2 is acidic in the air and when it is dissolved in water. Water is essential to life, Excess amounts of CO2 = BAD.

Randomizer beat me to it

Oh Cleo about the 50/50 comment

CO2 is a minor componant of our atmosphere and is known as a minor green house gas. You know what a major green house gas is? Water vapor. Clouds cause more warming of the atmosphere than CO2 ever did. So what is next, outlaw or regulate clouds? The idea that man made CO2 changing the climate is just silly.