Suspicious of the feds, a Montana lawmaker wants to declare global warming good for business

[one...two...tree 2,762]

This week, global warming is getting some love from Montana State Rep. Joe Read, a Republican, who has introduced legislation claiming that "global warming is beneficial to the welfare and business climate" of his state. Yes, that's the same state where Glacier National Park is currently melting. Scientists predict that the park's glaciers could disappear by 2030 or even sooner.

Read, who believes that global warming is natural and not caused by humans, did not immediately return a call requesting comment. He did, however, speak with Think Progress's Brad Johnson and expressed par-for-the-course GOP skepticism about the science behind climate change:

The science is driven by grant money. It's all on the side for writing studies that global warming is happening. There's nothing on the side that says I wish to write a paper that global warming is not an issue. Money has been flowing into the grant purse.

He also told Johnson that he's opposed to "pushing the agenda of global warming," which is "about directing levies and fees for carbon credits so the federal government gets an income source" and "potentially could destroy the economy of Montana and the United States."

State Rep. Mike Phillips, a Democrat and vice chairman of the Fish, Wildlife and Parks committee, told Mother Jones that "the whole notion that we will somehow benefit from climate change is absolutely ludicrous and this bill is a waste of the Legislature's time."

http://motherjones.c...ng-good-economy

[Ban Hammer 12,835]

"the whole notion that we will somehow benefit from climate change is absolutely ludicrous and this bill is a waste of the Legislature's time."

al gore sure has.

[mawilson 2,133]

The warmer, the better.

[james&olya 1,121]

The warmer, the better.

If some of the religious RWN's here are right, you may have a very happy future someday!!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The warmer, the better.

That's a New Yorker speaking in the winter. I'd tell you that summer is approaching and I don't want to see it getting any warmer than it usually does.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It was 56 degrees and sunny in Vermont today! Some of this stuff is melting finally. It was good for business. I drove through downtown coming home tonight and HOLY #######! it was busy.

Just 3 days ago it was -5 and extremely windy. I was on a job site that day and thought my face would just freeze and crack

Edited February 19, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

It was 56 degrees and sunny in Vermont today!

56 degrees? Brutal. I'd have to break out the coat. We've been scratching 80 today.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

56 degrees? Brutal. I'd have to break out the coat. We've been scratching 80 today.

We scrape 80 in July. To die for, I promise you. I had exactly NO more room for ANY more snow. Glad to see it melting a bit, but tonight...back to the deep freeze!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

We scrape 80 in July. To die for, I promise you.

Yeah, well, I will envy you in July when we get up into the mid 90's and humidity hits 98% or so. Late winter until mid spring and fall through early winter is what's to die for down here. June through September is a bit of a hassle temperature-wise down here. But I guess when you have 8+ out 12 months of the year with great weather, there isn't much to complain about.