When asked recently whether global warming was a hoax, without missing a beat, Republican Senator James Inhofe of Oklahoma told Mother Jones: “Yes!”
When asked who was responsible for the elaborate hoax, Inhofe replied: “Hollywood liberals and extreme environmentalists!”
According to the 80-year-old senator, Hollywood liberals have been cooking up false narratives about climate change in an effort to “advance their radical environmental agenda” for years, and he wants to put an end to it.
When pressed on exactly who in Hollywood was responsible, Inhofe was quick to lay a charge.
“Barbra Streisand!” he cried.
Oh, hell no. Miss Streisand may be a lot of things. She’s a #1 recording artist. An actress. A director. A two-time Academy Award winner. An eight-time Grammy Award winner. A five-time Emmy Award winner. A Tony Award winner. A mother. An activist. A Taurus. A dog lover. But a hoaxer? We think not.
Inhofe begs to differ. He’s blamed Babs for global warming hysteria for years. In his The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future, published in 2012, Inhofe lists Streisand, along with “Hollywood elites” Leonardo DiCaprio and John Travolta, as a dangerous force whose environmental “alarmism” must be stopped.
But Streisand isn’t having any of it. Shortly after Inhofe made his comments, she released the following statement on Twitter:
This would be hilarious if it weren’t so frightening. I thank Senator Inhofe for singling me out as a voice against the perils of climate change! But I’m just a small part of millions of voices, who are informed and alarmed, including 97% of all climate scientists! God help us! This man is going to head the Committee on the Environment in the United States Senate. It’s like giving a fox the keys to the chicken coop.
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Barbra Streisand: What’s The Biggest Regret Of Her Career?
Graham Gremore is a columnist and contributor for Queerty and Life of the Law. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter.
dvlaries
He is so not a waste of carbon and oxygen. This is what you elect to represent you nationally, Oklahoma? What the hell are you guys smoking down there…?
Ladbrook
I love Babs, and Inhofe is a complete idiot, but that 97% figure is technically not accurate. I preach green, but I tend to avoid the whole 97% thing. It’s a bit of a myth.
That being said… Sing on, Babs! And if you want to slap the guy if you ever meet him, I’ll defend you.
jason smeds
Climate change does occur naturally. However, man-made climate change is not assured. Barbra Streisand is not qualified to speak out on this in an assured way.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
The real culprit of global warming is all the hot air spewed out of the blow holes of the Repugnaticans…………
OzJosh
@Ladbrook: Actually, that figure is pretty accurate if you’re talking CLIMATE scientists. There is pretty much total agreement, with only a few attention-seeking standouts (most of them funded by companies with vested interests). Where climate change deniers try to muddy the waters they talk about a lower percentage of all scientists, which could include practically anyone with a science degree and zero knowledge of climate science – and therefore not in any way meaningful.
BJ McFrisky
Climate change is no hoax—it happens all the time, naturally, without assistance from eeevil white western civilizations (hissss!). The “climate change” movement (formerly the “global warming” movement until the globe stopped warming and disproved their “science” so they had to take on an ambiguous title), however, is a liberal fantasy machine. Want proof? The Ice Age melted. Anyone who thinks that was caused by man-made toxins isn’t just drinking the Kool Aid, they’re swimming in it.
Desert Boy
Repugs are dumber than dog shit.
Drayper
Politicians have always thought Hollywood needs to stay out of politics but they are Americans and have every right to call out what they see as wrong. Sure they have a more visible platform to speak from than the rest of us but they are still entitled to their opinions. As a longtime Streisand fan she has always been political. It’s not a surprise. Republicans HATE Streisand and think that is hilarious. If they pick a fight with her they better be prepared because Barbra does not and will not back down from a fight.
SteveDenver
Inbred Inhofe is willfully ignorant and proud to be angry. He’s a sputtering spitter when he talks, and one can practically see his halitosis pollute the air when he speaks. His constituents are even stupider for repeatedly elevating him.
scotshot
@Ladbrook: @jason smeds: @BJ McFrisky:
Ladbrook: Where’s your proof that fewer than 97% of scientists agree with the facts of climate change (if the percentage is actually 96.5% I’ll apologize /s). Fiction.
Smeds: I’ll stand with the 97% of scientists who agree this is happening. I’ll be happy to see things differently if you can actually produce your data and convince that same 97% of scientists that you’re correct.
McFrisky: As always you’re full of sh*t. Tell me though, what’s it like to be a D-list Troll using a 2 year old talking points script for $10./nour?
BJ McFrisky
@scotshot: If I’m so full of shit, then prove me wrong. Show me how man-made carbon footprints ended the Ice Age. Or, why did they change the name from “global warming” to “climate change” if not for the fact that the globe stopped warming (which it did 18 years ago)?
Or is name-calling the only weapon you have in your arsenal of “science”?
Milk
This guy is better use as fertilizer. That will be one last good he will do for the planet earth. Just need to hurry up the process.
scotshot
@BJ McFrisky: The burden of proof is on you pal. I stand with the 97% of reputable scientists who put their reputations on the line to state this is occurring. Stating you’re a Troll is an accurate description of you and your actions on this website, as such it’s not name calling. D-list? Only the accurate description of your popularity on Queerty.
Oh yeah, I believe I may be confusing your sh*t for your poor attempts of deflection.
Go now little one.
Will L
He makes me so proud to be from Oklahoma. The Republicans have run this state for many years. We are just packed with uneducated rednecks who are more than willing to buy into their bullsh*t. This man has had a few screws loose for as long as he has been in office – which is way too long.
NoCagada
@jason smeds: And republican men have NO business legislating abortion or women’s bodies…esp if they are not physicians and MOST of them are not.
So, how many GOP galas have you and GoProud been invited to lately???
Sansacro
Inhofe looks like he’s already melted
jwtraveler
To quote George Takei: “Science is not a liberal conspiracy.”
If we’re not careful, Republicans and their like will destroy the world with their godly delusions.
Saint Law
97% of internet trolls say man-made climate change is a myth.
IvanPH
@BJ McFrisky: fourteen of the fifteen hottest years in recorded history happened in the 21st century. Isn’t that proof enough that the planet is warning? How about the record high sea temperatures? Record high sea levels because of melting ice caps? Photographic evidence of melting ice caps particularly in the arctic? Do you think it’s just a coincidence that the world’s temperature is on record high while there is record high amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
If climate change is not real then why would an overwhelming percentage of scientists lie about it? What is their agenda?
Cam
@BJ McFrisky: said… “Climate change is no hoax—it happens all the time, naturally, without assistance from eeevil white western civilizations (hissss!).”
____________________
And once again ANY time there is a republican or a right winger to defend, BJ will be here to defend them.
See, if this had been a few years ago, you would have parroted the GOP party line that there was no climate change. Now that the science is SO proven, you are parroting the new GOP party line of “Well it happens but it has nothing to do with people”.
Glad to see you’re up to date on their latest talking points.
onthemark
@BJ McFrisky: May I ask where you heard the factoid that the earth stopped warming 18 years ago? I’ve never heard that one before.
Note that I’m not demanding “proof” from you, just for WHO you heard it from (if you happen to recall which radio or Fox News host made it up).
BJ McFrisky
Global warming has become a religion, complete with saints, sinners, retribution, and all the dogma of the Cathlicks.
@onthemark: Dr. John Christy, professor of atmospheric sciences and director of the Earth System Science Center (ESSC): “The earth’s climate has plateaued over the past 18 years.” Google it. He’s not the only one.
@IvanPH: Since the globe is warming naturally, these scientists aren’t lying, per se, they just manipulate facts in order to get funding, because there’s no money in science—only glory. That’s their agenda, plain and simple: grants.
@scotshot: I see you keep throwing around the insults but avoid answering the questions. People like you who think they know everything truly annoy those of us who actually do.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
And once again BJ makes statements without fact. You say that the Earth is warming naturally. Funny because a few years ago the right wing was claiming it wasn’t warming at all.
Now that they can’t deny it they are grudgingly agreeing that it IS warming, but the new talking point is that it isn’t from any human causes.
Again, nice to see that you so predictably parrot the GOP talking points memos. For those on here who don’t watch Fox and Friends it’s nice of you to repeat what they have been told to say.
As for your use of Dr. John Christy, you may want to use somebody else since he SPECIFICALLY points to human activity as having an effect on Climate. Two of his statements.
“it is scientifically inconceivable that after changing forests into cities, turning millions of acres into irrigated farmland, putting massive quantities of soot and dust into the air, and putting extra greenhouse gases into the air, that the natural course of climate has not changed in some way.”
And
In a 2009 interview with Fortune Magazine about signing the 2003 American Geophysical Union (AGU) statement, he said: “As far as the AGU, I thought that was a fine statement because it did not put forth a magnitude of the warming. We just said that human effects have a warming influence, and that’s certainly true. There was nothing about disaster or catastrophe.
erikwm
@BJ McFrisky: You say the “globe is warming naturally.” OK, lets go with that. Give us a cause. What natural cause is making the globe warm?
IvanPH
@BJ McFrisky: So you think it’s just a coincidence that the world’s temperature is on record high while there is record high amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere?
IvanPH
@Cam: Unlike politicians, CEOs and other corporate executives, scientists do NOT sacrifice their integrity for MONEY!
IvanPH
@BJ McFrisky: Unlike politicians, CEOs and other corporate executives, scientists do NOT sacrifice their integrity for MONEY!
IvanPH
@Cam: Oops. That message was for BJ McFool.
BJ McFrisky
@erikwm: The same phenomenon that caused the globe to warm that melted the Ice Age. ALL scientists will tell you that it’s a natural phenomenon. It’s simple, at least to those of us who aren’t determined to place the blame for all the world’s ills at the feet of western civilization.
@IvanPH: Tell you what, Ivan. When you start living your life without the benefits of oil, gasoline, or coal-powered electricity, then you can come back and lecture the rest of us on their evils. Until then, your opinions exist only to make you feel better about yourself.
ps – If you really think science isn’t about obtaining as much cash as they can for their studies, then you know nothing about science.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky: said..”@erikwm: The same phenomenon that caused the globe to warm that melted the Ice Age. ALL scientists will tell you that it’s a natural phenomenon.”
______________________
Oh, funny how you aren’t mentioning the Climate Scientist you tried to use earlier in this post. Maybe it’s because I posted comments from him stating that humans WERE responsible for a global change in climate.
It’s funny to watch BJ come in here, make a non-verified claim, and then respond to fewer and fewer people as people keep posting information that points out his lies.
As for the Scientists obtaining cash. The climate change deniers tend to work for organizations funded by the Fossil fuel industry or Americans for Prosperity. They are paid by companies that stand to lose if Climate Change is proven. THEY are the ones making money for their views.
But nice try on continuing THAT talking point memo from the RNC.
BJ McFrisky
@Cam: Tell you what, Cammy. When you start living your life without the benefits of oil, gasoline, or coal-powered electricity, then you can come back and lecture the rest of us on their evils. Until then, your opinions exist only to make you feel better about yourself.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
I’m sorry BJ, but did your comment in any way change the fact that you brought up Dr. John Christy to try to back up your claims about Climate Change and I then posted two comments by him showing he believes that humans DO cause climate change?
Hmmm, your comment doesn’t seem to do anything to change that fact. So then are you admitting that you lied simply because you think we shouldn’t stop using fossil fuels?
Because your comment didn’t reference ANYTHING pointed out in the past comments. So I HAVE to assume that by doing that you are admitting you were making false claims.
Sorry you get upset, but you know, if you stop making things up, you won’t have to worry about getting busted for it on here.
onthemark
Declarations of the Almighty BJ:
– In order to discuss greenhouse gases at all, ever, we need to live our lives completely, entirely without the benefits of oil, gasoline or coal-powered electricity! I guess that would conveniently rule out BJ’s having to tolerate ANY discussion via computer about the subject, even if we were to go to Public Library Hell to do it.
– “Plateaued” means the same thing as “stopped.” (See Humpty Dumpty in “Through the Looking Glass”: “When I use a word it means just what I choose it to mean…”.) This would be like a financial analyst in 1982 declaring: obviously the Dow since the ’60s has plateaued under 1,000; therefore that proves it will NEVER get to 2,000, let alone 17,000… that’s just crazy talk.
– Scientists have malign motives because they don’t make much money, personally, so they’re always out for glory and grant money! As opposed to the rest of us normal people (and the Kardashians) who work for actual personal money and have the usual mundane motives.
BJ McFrisky
@Cam: Tell you what, Cammy. When you start living your life without the benefits of oil, gasoline, or coal-powered electricity, then you can come back and lecture the rest of us on their evils. Until then, your opinions exist only to make you feel better about yourself.
@onthemark: Tell you what, Marky. When you start living your life without the benefits of oil, gasoline, or coal-powered electricity, then you can come back and lecture the rest of us on their evils. Until then, your opinions exist only to make you feel better about yourself.
onthemark
@BJ McFrisky: Yeah yeah yeah, I already made fun of your ludicrous *reductio ad absurdum.*
I haven’t owned a car since the ’90s, have very rarely rented one, and have rarely flown, which is probably more than literally anyone else here can say. So I think I can lecture the fvck away, dude!
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
Since you’re just cutting and pasting your previous comment, I’ll cut and paste my previous reply.
@BJ McFrisky:
I’m sorry BJ, but did your comment in any way change the fact that you brought up Dr. John Christy to try to back up your claims about Climate Change and I then posted two comments by him showing he believes that humans DO cause climate change?
Hmmm, your comment doesn’t seem to do anything to change that fact. So then are you admitting that you lied simply because you think we shouldn’t stop using fossil fuels?
Because your comment didn’t reference ANYTHING pointed out in the past comments. So I HAVE to assume that by doing that you are admitting you were making false claims.
Sorry you get upset, but you know, if you stop making things up, you won’t have to worry about getting busted for it on here.
onthemark
@BJ McFrisky: In the real world, they talk of a rather modest reduction in greenhouse gases over time. Somehow you conflate this into a return to 1875 technology?
In the same spirit, BJ, I unilaterally demand that you live 24/7 in a fume-filled garage, in West Virginia with a water supply polluted by coal strip-mining. Until then, your opinions exist only to make you feel better about yourself.
BJ McFrisky
@onthemark: No car? Good for you. Good for Marky. Now stop using electricity and I’ll listen to your propaganda. Until then, you and Cam are hypocritical cowards trying to sway the public from using the same luxuries you enjoy, talking the talk but not walking the walk.
onthemark
@BJ McFrisky: Using your same *reductio ad absurdum*, you go live in a fume-filled garage 24/7 and drink polluted water from a strip-mined coal area. Until then, you are a hypocritical coward trying to sway the public with phony “facts,” talking the talk but not walking the walk.
BJ McFrisky
@onthemark: Your statements are so impressively original. How could anyone NOT be swayed by your convincing argument? You’ve absolutely made a believer out of me. Now, like a good liberal, I’m going to hop on a jet while preaching to the masses that jet-flying is going to raise the world’s sea levels and kill everyone. In other words, do as I say, not as I do.
Got it.
onthemark
@BJ McFrisky: Like I said already, I hardly ever fly. But take Malaysia Airlines, BJ, I hear that’s a good one.
BJ McFrisky
@onthemark: Exploiting a tragedy to wish death on someone who disagrees with you politically? Congrats—now you’re a good liberal.
Cam
@BJ McFrisky:
Funny how none of your comments address the fact that you can’t speak to all of your facts being disproved and your being busted on each lie you attempted to tell.
Oh, sorry, did I bring this back to that topic? And you were putting so much effort into trying to deflect from that topic.