blog crack

Evil Incarnate or Pawn of Satan? 

This morning I woke to the following headline: "Michael Crichton, Novelist, Becomes Senate Witness" in the New York Times and almost fell out of my chair.

I think the reporter as well as the copywriter were equally confused, as is evident from the way in which the headline was worded. They could as easily have written "Novelist Michael Crichton Becomes Senate Witness" But no, they didn't.

And about what he did testify? --That global warming is one big scam. (tell that to all the people who suffered from flooding in excessively stormy weather this year). The reason, a mere writer, is qualified to offer a testimonial on a complex scientific subject? He wrote a (fictional) book: State of Fear, "an environmental thriller that casts doubt on the widely held notion that human activities contribute to global warming."

And, "Senator James M. Inhofe, a plainspoken Oklahoma Republican who has unabashedly pronounced global warming 'the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people'" asked Crichton to speak on the subject.

The Times writes, "'I'm excited about this hearing," Mr. Inhofe said, nodding toward Mr. Crichton as the proceedings began. 'I think I've read most of his books; I think I've read them all. I enjoyed most 'State of Fear' and made it required reading for this committee.'"

A lousy action-movie actor is the Governor of California and a bad novelist is helping to shape environmental policy.

Sigh.