Hallo Alfie
Banned
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2009
- Messages
- 10,691
I raise this partly in respone to my own (poor) behaviour in another thread and as an offer of explanation of some attitudes.
Leaving aside that behaviour for the moment, I have so far been accused of being ignorant on certain matters (true perhaps), unable to grasp scientific concepts (in all probability also true) and therefore my opinion is irrelevant.
Those that make the accustions assume I am some sort of denier (and perhaps I am) however they have no actual knowledge of that save for their own paranoia. My position on AWG, the political spectrum (left or right) or any other matter frankly are largely irrelevant. The fact is that any leanings on most issues are only just to the left, or just right depending on the topic.
Now here's the rub.
Those that fall into the extreme end of any debate are the one's with whom I have genuine concern -history is littered with the tragedies brought about by these so called well meaning zealots. "The pathway to hell is paved with good intentions". Those who think they kow better than I (and the population in general) and force their beliefs and ideologies onto others often violently and single mindedly.
Hitler was one - extreme right.
Stalin another - extreme left.
Both extremist, zealots and alarmsts and both responible for the deaths of millions and millions.
Both very sick, extremely paranoid and "right".
One fellow forum member (and self proclaimed activist) who is pro AWG has suggested he is in the 1% of humanity that undertstands the science and does the work. Should we therefore assume that we should all bow to this superior being and allow him steer the course of humanity. Of course not. Nor should we allow the person at the other end of the spectrum who is equally certain he is right lead the way either. They are both dangerous.
Those in the GW (AGW) debate that alarm me (pun intended) are those on the extremes of the spectrum (same in politics, religion and any other emotive issue). They use anger, violence, threats, sneer, personal attacks, smear, innuendo etc etc against any and all who don't follow their way of thinking (including those that do in fact lean their way but not far enough). Both ends are responsible for misinformation and outright lies and avoidance in defence of their position and the whole debate then becomes clouded with same. Many defend their action privately as "any means to a justifable end" or "they did it so we should/can do it".
Both ends claim they are "right" and nothing and no one elses opinions matter -presumably they have the ultimate in an extreme answer also, just as Hitler and Stalin (and others) had to theirs. The trouble is, a lot of the time we don't know what these solutions are.
These self appointed protectors of humanity and rightiousness for mine are the real dangers to humanity - more dangerous perhaps than any GW threat.
Now before you start throwing a barrage of technical information at me for my edification; I am not the one who needs convincing that AWG is real, threatenening or the ramifications imminent. There are plenty of experts that dispute these claims and while there is debate among the professionals in their various field I will continue to listen to both sides until there is some sort of concurrence. To me that seems a fairly reasonable stand point and to rush willy-nilly into a solution that may do more harm than good seems reckless.
I claim as my right as an intelligent, articulate and caring human being; parent, husband, tax payer and resident; a member of the global community to make my own decision. My opinion is as relevant as eveyone elses. I choose to make my decions, in my own time, without the aggressive and self-rightious ravings of those on the extreme.
Leaving aside that behaviour for the moment, I have so far been accused of being ignorant on certain matters (true perhaps), unable to grasp scientific concepts (in all probability also true) and therefore my opinion is irrelevant.
Those that make the accustions assume I am some sort of denier (and perhaps I am) however they have no actual knowledge of that save for their own paranoia. My position on AWG, the political spectrum (left or right) or any other matter frankly are largely irrelevant. The fact is that any leanings on most issues are only just to the left, or just right depending on the topic.
Now here's the rub.
Those that fall into the extreme end of any debate are the one's with whom I have genuine concern -history is littered with the tragedies brought about by these so called well meaning zealots. "The pathway to hell is paved with good intentions". Those who think they kow better than I (and the population in general) and force their beliefs and ideologies onto others often violently and single mindedly.
Hitler was one - extreme right.
Stalin another - extreme left.
Both extremist, zealots and alarmsts and both responible for the deaths of millions and millions.
Both very sick, extremely paranoid and "right".
One fellow forum member (and self proclaimed activist) who is pro AWG has suggested he is in the 1% of humanity that undertstands the science and does the work. Should we therefore assume that we should all bow to this superior being and allow him steer the course of humanity. Of course not. Nor should we allow the person at the other end of the spectrum who is equally certain he is right lead the way either. They are both dangerous.
Those in the GW (AGW) debate that alarm me (pun intended) are those on the extremes of the spectrum (same in politics, religion and any other emotive issue). They use anger, violence, threats, sneer, personal attacks, smear, innuendo etc etc against any and all who don't follow their way of thinking (including those that do in fact lean their way but not far enough). Both ends are responsible for misinformation and outright lies and avoidance in defence of their position and the whole debate then becomes clouded with same. Many defend their action privately as "any means to a justifable end" or "they did it so we should/can do it".
Both ends claim they are "right" and nothing and no one elses opinions matter -presumably they have the ultimate in an extreme answer also, just as Hitler and Stalin (and others) had to theirs. The trouble is, a lot of the time we don't know what these solutions are.
These self appointed protectors of humanity and rightiousness for mine are the real dangers to humanity - more dangerous perhaps than any GW threat.
Now before you start throwing a barrage of technical information at me for my edification; I am not the one who needs convincing that AWG is real, threatenening or the ramifications imminent. There are plenty of experts that dispute these claims and while there is debate among the professionals in their various field I will continue to listen to both sides until there is some sort of concurrence. To me that seems a fairly reasonable stand point and to rush willy-nilly into a solution that may do more harm than good seems reckless.
I claim as my right as an intelligent, articulate and caring human being; parent, husband, tax payer and resident; a member of the global community to make my own decision. My opinion is as relevant as eveyone elses. I choose to make my decions, in my own time, without the aggressive and self-rightious ravings of those on the extreme.
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