The Environment and Public Works Committee has been gathering testimony from a wide range of witnesses (industry experts, military official, and faith leaders) to discuss the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan.
Because the Senators obviously wanted listed to many different perspectives, those invited to offer input included Alex Epstein, author of A Moral Case for Fossil Fuels and President of Center for Industrial Progress, as well as Father Robert Sirico (a Catholic priest and President of the free-market supporting Acton Institute).
When, during the hearing, Epstein noted that the lack of affordable fuel-based electricity contributes to infant deaths in the third-world country of Gambia, California’s Senator Boxer slammed him for not having the proper scientific credentials:
“Are you a scientist?” Epstein responds, “No. Philosopher… To teach you how to think more clearly.” Boxer: “Well, you don’t have to teach me how to think more clearly… I’m telling you that all you have to know is you’re a philosopher and not a scientist, and I don’t appreciate getting lectured by a philosopher about science.”
I invite Senator Boxer to talk to any number of scientists who oppose the climate change theories promoted by this administration: Will Happer, Martin Fricke, Roger Cohen, Lorraine Yapps Cohen, who I have interviewed over the years in an effort to actually offer a counter to the “consensus” inanity promulgated by progressives. There are also many others who would be able to argue that the models that form the basis of climate change theories are flawed, and that policies significantly impacting the global economic climate shouldn’t be based on quack theories.
After covering herself in shame with her nasty questioning of Epstein, she proceeded to lecture Sirico on Catholicism:
….“When the pope says things that have to do with science, he does not speak from the magisterial authority of the church. When he speaks on moral issues, such as abortion and contraception and the like, then he speaks on magisterial authority,” Sirico responded before again being interrupted.“So who’s cherry-picking?” Boxer said. “You’re saying that when the planet is facing all these problems, it’s not a moral issue.”“I never said that,” Sirico said. “Where did I say that? Could you give me that quotation, senator?”“You just said it, sir,” she said. “Sir, you receive money form the Koch brothers, from Exxon, you disagree with the pope… I think you ought to have a talk with Reverend Nelson.”
The good Father then succinctly pointed out her hypocrisy on suggesting a chat with the Reverand: “Who is by the way, not a scientist,” Sirico responded.
I am so looking forward to the day when Boxer is NOT a Senator…the one good result in the November election that I can count on.
For those of you who are interested, the highlight from the day’s testimony is below:
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