We've repeatedly documented Rep. John Shimkus' ridiculous positions on climate change. During a House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment hearing earlier this week, the downstate Republican was in rare form. Speaking to British global warming denier Lord Christopher Monckton, Shimkus made a novel argument that because plants need carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, limiting our man-made carbon dioxide emissions would actually kill the world's plants. Watch the exchange here:
SHIMKUS: It's plant food ... So if we decrease the use of carbon dioxide, are we not taking away plant food from the atmosphere? ... So all our good intentions could be for naught. In fact, we could be doing just the opposite of what the people who want to save the world are saying.
The National Wildlife Fund quickly dispatched with this looney theory:
Do Shimkus and Monckton think plants only came along after humans learned how to start burning fossil fuels? In reality, it's quite the opposite -- since we started getting really good at burning carbon-based fossil fuels, forests have started getting really good at catching fire.
And to back up all this nonsense about global warming pollution being great for plants, they cite the Cambrian period? A time when there were no land plants?
But what about Shimkus' random declaration at the end of the above clip that "the earth will not be destroyed by a flood"? To understand that one you've got to go back to his opening statement, during which he read various Bible verses, before concluding: "The earth will end only when God declares its time to be over. Man will not destroy this earth. This earth will not be destroyed by a flood." Watch:
Shimkus might just edge out Rep. Don Manzullo (R-IL) for the "most embarassing congressional hearing performance of the week" award.
(H/T Grist)
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Comments
fedup dem (not verified) on Fri, 03/27/2009 - 21:52
The worst thing about this is that our tax dollars paid for the college education of this moronic member of Congress, since Shimkus is a graduate of West Point!
Of course, if Shimkus could remember his Honor Code from his West Point days, he would have resigned from Congress a long time ago, like when he broke his self-imposed term limits pledge!
Mike Haubrich, FCD (not verified) on Sun, 03/29/2009 - 08:14
Hah! In Minnesota we have the humble representative Michele Bachmann. There is a whole carnival dedicated to her, and the new edition is my link!
Philosophe Forum on Tue, 03/31/2009 - 06:47
I checked into the 03/17 Congressional Record. Every time that man opens his mouth it's a disaster. He didn't learn one thing during his 4 yrs at West Point.
I don't care who runs against him next year. Anyone is better qualified for Congress than this laughingstock.
ALISON, MPA
Philosophe Forum
RockYou (not verified) on Tue, 03/31/2009 - 15:27
The most troubling point is that a group of people elected him into office because of his "qualifications" and "viewpoints"...so that means there are a lot more of these morons and they have power.
Saskboy (not verified) on Wed, 04/01/2009 - 21:23
It's startling that people so crazy could have so much political power... but it's happened so many times in human history. We're really bad at picking mostly smart, and kind leaders.
prduyck (not verified) on Fri, 04/03/2009 - 08:42
I find this scary that someone can be given power that so heavily supports something like this. He believes in a book, an object without life with words that anyone can put meaning to. He manipulates the word to make him right in anything that he is speaking about. Well chairmen, let me tell you that you do not know everything because of one book, you should listen to research and everything that is pointing to help for the environment to make the world we live in a better place. Isn't that the reason that you were elected in the first place. Stop showing your insecurity in your belief and simply do you job, listen to EVERYONE and make this world a better place.
Dash RIPROCK III (not verified) on Thu, 04/09/2009 - 12:54
It's startling that people so crazy could have so much political power...
Yes I feel the same way whenever I see Al Gore on television telling lies about Global Warming.
bdelsol (not verified) on Mon, 04/20/2009 - 14:06
Saying CO2 is plant food is as ludicrous as saying it's a pollutant. CO2 is a gas that is naturally exhaled by humans and is used by plants during photosynthesis to make sugars. Maybe the EPA and members of Congress should take a sixth grade science class.
Preston L. Bannister (not verified) on Mon, 04/27/2009 - 14:51
Since plants are made largely of carbon compounds, and plants consume CO2 from the air to obtain all that carbon, then - yes - it is quite reasonable to call CO2 a plant food.
What it might be reasonable to call this member of Congress is a different question. :)
Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 07:29
Ok, so Shimkus believes adamantly in the bible, and seems to take statements in Genesis as the literal word of his God. Yet he also uses claims about CO2 levels being higher in the Cambrian period. How can a creationist and someone who believes in the literalism of Genesis admit to there having been life on this planet at least 500 million years ago?
Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/26/2009 - 21:19
Completely unbelievable! Who are these dimwits?
Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/22/2009 - 22:18
The only thing I am confused about is that there seems to be more people talking about saving the Earth than there are riding bicycles to work. Doesn't seem to add up. As a matter of fact most of the bumper stickers I see about how we should "save the planet" and such are on the backs of CARS !!! Talk about irony or is it just plan stupidity?
fastenseatb (not verified) on Wed, 07/08/2009 - 07:15
SHIMKUS: It's plant food ... So if we decrease the use of carbon dioxide, are we not taking away plant food from the atmosphere?
Scott VanPala (not verified) on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 15:49
Re: comment about bicycles:
Life cycle analysis studies show it to be 'Greener' to drive 4 people around in a Hummer than to have them bicycling.
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/02/2009 - 13:55
I personally like the videos. I thought they did a fine job.
wow leveling guide (not verified) on Fri, 11/13/2009 - 08:32
Re: comment about bicycles:
Life cycle analysis studies show it to be 'Greener' to drive 4 people around in a Hummer than to have them bicycling.
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