A couple of notable events coming up locally on the global warming front.
First up, is this Friday's Cooling the Panic Over Warming Event sponsored by Senate District 42. The evening will feature former U.S. Senator Rudy Boschwitz, Jason Lewis, and Dennis Avery. Avery is the co-author of Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years and we interviewed him on the NARN last March. Tickets are still available.
Last Spring, the City of St. Louis Park showed Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" at the City's Westwood Hills Nature Center. You may remember that this raised my dander a might and I lobbied city leaders to offer an alternative point of view on the matter.
Now, the efforts have finally paid off. Next Saturday, October 13th Westwood Hills Nature will present:
Movie: The Great Global Warming Swindle
Ages 12 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult)
Westwood Hills Nature Center will continue its conversation with the community about global warming this fall by presenting the film, "The Great Global Warming Swindle." The film shows an alternate viewpoint to the one presented in the showing of "An Inconvenient Truth" earlier this year. The city hopes the films will foster a balanced community dialogue on the topic of global warming. This documentary was produced by Martin Durkin and argues against the scientific opinion that human activity is the main cause of global warming. The movie is 90 minutes long with a discussion to follow the movie.
Saturday, Oct. 13, 3 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave.
Free
Activity # 3731
Registration deadline: when programs is filled
I'd strongly encourage people to turn out for the showing even if you have seen the movie before. Reports said that the turnout for the showing of "An Inconvenient Truth" was quite modest and it would be great to have a decent sized crowd on hand to see an alternative viewpoint presented. They say politics is all about showing up and the debate over global warming has a huge political component to it. Show up if you can.
Showing posts with label st. louis park global warming film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label st. louis park global warming film. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Who Says You Can't Fight City Hall?
St. Louis Park Activities:
Movie: The Great Global Warming Swindle - 3731
Description:
Westwood Hills Nature Center will continue its conversation with the community about global warming this fall by presenting the film, "The Great Global Warming Swindle." The film shows an alternate viewpoint to the one presented in the showing of "An Inconvenient Truth" earlier this year. The city hopes the films will foster a balanced community dialogue on the topic of global warming. This documentary was produced by Martin Durkin and argues against the scientific opinion that human activity is the main cause of global warming. The movie is 90 minutes long with a discussion to follow the movie.
Ages: 12 Yrs. and over
It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. Crackpots everywhere are smiling in their basements.
By the way, Chad Doughty is now officially "cool" (once again). Should I call Tim Sherno for an update?
Movie: The Great Global Warming Swindle - 3731
Description:
Westwood Hills Nature Center will continue its conversation with the community about global warming this fall by presenting the film, "The Great Global Warming Swindle." The film shows an alternate viewpoint to the one presented in the showing of "An Inconvenient Truth" earlier this year. The city hopes the films will foster a balanced community dialogue on the topic of global warming. This documentary was produced by Martin Durkin and argues against the scientific opinion that human activity is the main cause of global warming. The movie is 90 minutes long with a discussion to follow the movie.
Ages: 12 Yrs. and over
It's a small victory, but a victory none the less. Crackpots everywhere are smiling in their basements.
By the way, Chad Doughty is now officially "cool" (once again). Should I call Tim Sherno for an update?
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Suppose They Showed A Movie...
...and nobody came. This past Saturday marked the second (and hopefully last) government sponsored showing of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth" at the Westwood Hills nature Center in the city of St. Louis Park.
While I was not able to attend the event, Jerry from St. Paul--who has put together his own slide show presenting an alternative viewpoint on climate change--was and he reports that there are reasons for optimism:
I attended the showing last Saturday and participated in the discussion afterwards. There wasn't time for the slide show, but I think I made my points and one person asked for a copy of the slide show. The program coordinator said they will show "The Great Global Warming Swindle" in the Fall. They will advertise it in their bulletin first. There were only about 18 people there so this would be slow work changing minds.
#1 I'm pleased to hear that the City still plans on showing "The Great Global Warming Swindle" in the Fall. Although it would have been nice to have it presented closer to the showings of "An Inconvenient Truth," the fact that the City is willing to provide an alternative viewpoint is encouraging. However, it will be a while before the leaves start changing colors and we'll need to keep a close eye on this so that it doesn't conveniently happen to fall off the event calendar.
#2 A whopping eighteen people showed up to watch "An Inconvenient Truth" on the same weekend as Earth Day? Not exactly an overwhelming turnout. Maybe people have had enough hectoring for a while.
(Cross-posted at Fraters Libertas)
While I was not able to attend the event, Jerry from St. Paul--who has put together his own slide show presenting an alternative viewpoint on climate change--was and he reports that there are reasons for optimism:
I attended the showing last Saturday and participated in the discussion afterwards. There wasn't time for the slide show, but I think I made my points and one person asked for a copy of the slide show. The program coordinator said they will show "The Great Global Warming Swindle" in the Fall. They will advertise it in their bulletin first. There were only about 18 people there so this would be slow work changing minds.
#1 I'm pleased to hear that the City still plans on showing "The Great Global Warming Swindle" in the Fall. Although it would have been nice to have it presented closer to the showings of "An Inconvenient Truth," the fact that the City is willing to provide an alternative viewpoint is encouraging. However, it will be a while before the leaves start changing colors and we'll need to keep a close eye on this so that it doesn't conveniently happen to fall off the event calendar.
#2 A whopping eighteen people showed up to watch "An Inconvenient Truth" on the same weekend as Earth Day? Not exactly an overwhelming turnout. Maybe people have had enough hectoring for a while.
(Cross-posted at Fraters Libertas)
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Anyone Want to Hear the Other Side? No? Good.
As you know, the Nature Center of the City of St. Louis Park has used taxpayer funds to promote and present former VP Al Gore's film, An Inconvenient Truth.
After protests from Chad and others, the city council made assurances that an opposing viewpoint would be offered. What does that mean? Well, having a person stand up and give rebuttal on the day of the film "because it would make it too long and it wasn't advertised in the brochure." Instead, they will ask the attendees if they would also like to see The Great Global Warming Swindle. If they get a positive response, they will schedule the second film for another time in April.
This is an interesting strategy. Schedule and promote a one-sided presentation, and then ask those who choose to attend the same whether they want some balance. Is this a fair cross section of the residents of St. Louis Park?
I don't support making the attendees into a captive audience, but this seems like a setup to demonstrate that no one was interested in an opposing view. Concerned citizens need to demand equal treatment -- promotion, brochures, etc. -- for the "rebuttal" film, whatever and whenever that happens to be.
After protests from Chad and others, the city council made assurances that an opposing viewpoint would be offered. What does that mean? Well, having a person stand up and give rebuttal on the day of the film "because it would make it too long and it wasn't advertised in the brochure." Instead, they will ask the attendees if they would also like to see The Great Global Warming Swindle. If they get a positive response, they will schedule the second film for another time in April.
This is an interesting strategy. Schedule and promote a one-sided presentation, and then ask those who choose to attend the same whether they want some balance. Is this a fair cross section of the residents of St. Louis Park?
I don't support making the attendees into a captive audience, but this seems like a setup to demonstrate that no one was interested in an opposing view. Concerned citizens need to demand equal treatment -- promotion, brochures, etc. -- for the "rebuttal" film, whatever and whenever that happens to be.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The Dispute Formerly Known As...
OK. Chad has an update (scroll down) on the controversy over showing former VP Al Gore's film on the taxpayer dime.
We need your help. Chad calls it "Saturday in the Park." I approve of the Chicago reference. I have a number of nicknames for it, including:
Scuffle in the Suburbs
Thriller near Aquila
Gore vs. 44
Gore Will Take a Dive Near County Road 5
I thought of a new one: "Basement Tapes" (because Chad is the guy in his basement and they are showing the movies on tape)
Please help us name this dispute.
We need your help. Chad calls it "Saturday in the Park." I approve of the Chicago reference. I have a number of nicknames for it, including:
Scuffle in the Suburbs
Thriller near Aquila
Gore vs. 44
Gore Will Take a Dive Near County Road 5
I thought of a new one: "Basement Tapes" (because Chad is the guy in his basement and they are showing the movies on tape)
Please help us name this dispute.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
Scuffle in the Suburbs *Update*
Here is an update to the controversy St. Louis Park over the showing of former VP Al Gore's global warming movie.
1. After I sent a news release with the text of our convention resolution, SLP City Councilman Paul Omodt complained that I had not corrected the record to say that SLP had, in fact, agreed to show an opposing view. I responded that there had been no clear commitment on the part of the city, as far as I had seen/read. I specifically asked for a date, time, and title of the showing of the film with an opposing viewpoint. Moreover, I stated that it was necessary to hold politicians to their promises. Councilman Omodt responded as follows:
We appreciate the response from Mr. Omodt and will continue to follow up on this.
2. Brian Lambert has devoted a lot of virtual ink (here, here, and here) to this controversy. Is it just a bit a) factually inaccurate, and b) ironic for a new blogger like Brian Lambert to dismiss Chad as a "wingnut" who writes out of his "basement"? Such condescension might have been plausible when Lambert was the media critic for a local daily newspaper or when he was a talk radio host, but not now. The guy in the basement is the one with the radio show and the one who gets more than 1000 hits per day on his weblog. I point this out not as a show of SD44 solidarity or as schadenfreude. It just struck me as odd that Lambert would "go there."
Also, it is interesting to see how many spelling and grammatical errors crop up when a former newspaper columnist no longer has the help of an editor. It is one thing to write in the breezy and informal style of blogging. It is quite another to consistently write error-filled blog posts.
1. After I sent a news release with the text of our convention resolution, SLP City Councilman Paul Omodt complained that I had not corrected the record to say that SLP had, in fact, agreed to show an opposing view. I responded that there had been no clear commitment on the part of the city, as far as I had seen/read. I specifically asked for a date, time, and title of the showing of the film with an opposing viewpoint. Moreover, I stated that it was necessary to hold politicians to their promises. Councilman Omodt responded as follows:
Peter,
I know the Nature Center staff is working on the logistics on this. I will make sure you get the info once the dates/times/place is set.
Best regards,
Paul
We appreciate the response from Mr. Omodt and will continue to follow up on this.
2. Brian Lambert has devoted a lot of virtual ink (here, here, and here) to this controversy. Is it just a bit a) factually inaccurate, and b) ironic for a new blogger like Brian Lambert to dismiss Chad as a "wingnut" who writes out of his "basement"? Such condescension might have been plausible when Lambert was the media critic for a local daily newspaper or when he was a talk radio host, but not now. The guy in the basement is the one with the radio show and the one who gets more than 1000 hits per day on his weblog. I point this out not as a show of SD44 solidarity or as schadenfreude. It just struck me as odd that Lambert would "go there."
Also, it is interesting to see how many spelling and grammatical errors crop up when a former newspaper columnist no longer has the help of an editor. It is one thing to write in the breezy and informal style of blogging. It is quite another to consistently write error-filled blog posts.
Friday, March 23, 2007
"He is one guy in a basement vs. City Hall"...
...at least according to Brian Lambert , formerly of The Pioneer Press and KTLK, now writing for the free monthly The Rake and working the late shift at the McDonald's drive through.
But last night at our Senate District 44 BPOU Convention, a resolution was unanimously passed demanding that if the City of St. Louis Park insists on showing An Inconvenient Truth, it also show a film offering an opposing point of view on global climate change such as The Great Global Warming Swindle. This resolution will be sent to the full City Council and a press release on the resolution will be issued to the local community newspaper. The one guy in his basement suddenly has some company. And I'm very grateful for it.
Other business transacted at last night's convention was:
- The election of BPOU vice chairs, secretary, and treasurer.
- The election of alternates and delegates to the State Central Committee.
- The election of alternatives and delegates to the 3rd and 5th District Congressional Committees.
- The passage of a resolution asking the Minnesota GOP Party Platform be simplified and consolidated, so that it presents a straightforward, easy to understand message on where the party stands on critical issues.
The convention also marked a passing of the baton from Mike Held, who has worked tirelessly as SD44 chair for the past fifteen years, to new SD44 co-chairs Peter Swanson and Glydewell Burdick. Congratulations to Peter and Glyde on their new positions and a heartfelt thanks to Mike for all he's done for SD44 over the years.
But last night at our Senate District 44 BPOU Convention, a resolution was unanimously passed demanding that if the City of St. Louis Park insists on showing An Inconvenient Truth, it also show a film offering an opposing point of view on global climate change such as The Great Global Warming Swindle. This resolution will be sent to the full City Council and a press release on the resolution will be issued to the local community newspaper. The one guy in his basement suddenly has some company. And I'm very grateful for it.
Other business transacted at last night's convention was:
- The election of BPOU vice chairs, secretary, and treasurer.
- The election of alternates and delegates to the State Central Committee.
- The election of alternatives and delegates to the 3rd and 5th District Congressional Committees.
- The passage of a resolution asking the Minnesota GOP Party Platform be simplified and consolidated, so that it presents a straightforward, easy to understand message on where the party stands on critical issues.
The convention also marked a passing of the baton from Mike Held, who has worked tirelessly as SD44 chair for the past fifteen years, to new SD44 co-chairs Peter Swanson and Glydewell Burdick. Congratulations to Peter and Glyde on their new positions and a heartfelt thanks to Mike for all he's done for SD44 over the years.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Act Locally
Here's a copy of the e-mail that I sent to my city council member, the at-large council members, and the mayor of St. Louis Park. Feel free to borrow any parts or portions thereof that you wish.
Last week, as I leafed through the Spring 2007 Parks Recreation & Westwood Hill Nature Center brochure, I was surprised to see the following event listing:
How can the City of St. Louis Park use its resources (read our tax dollars) to promote a documentary with such a blatant political agenda? Al Gore ran for President as a Democrat as recently as 2000 and has been talked about as a possible candidate in 2008. He is nothing if not partisan.
To show Gore's film alone, as if it were the only viewpoint on climate change, would suggest that the City endorses his opinion on the subject and easily could be read as an endorsement of the political agenda that goes along with it. I find it hard to believe that it is appropriate that the City should be taking such a position.
My wife and I have lived in St. Louis Park for almost eight years and are generally very satisfied with the services provided by the City. However, we regard this as a disturbing development and a violation of our trust in local government. The City should attempt to be as objective as possible when it comes to political matters and showing "An Inconvenient Truth" would fail any measure of true objectivity.
If you believe that a discussion of climate change is warranted, than the least you can do is present the alternatives. Might I suggest the British documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle:
Or showing an interview on climate change with author Michael Crichton? Or any number of books that offer an opposing viewpoint?
If the City truly wants to have a discussion on climate change, it would be appropriate to allow both sides to be presented. Otherwise it should avoid supporting only one position.
No responses yet.
Last week, as I leafed through the Spring 2007 Parks Recreation & Westwood Hill Nature Center brochure, I was surprised to see the following event listing:
Movie: An Inconvenient Truth
Ages 12 and up
Join us to view the movie "An Inconvenient Truth." This documentary is directed by Davis Guggenheim who elo-quently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. "An Inconvenient Truth" is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share. "It is now clear that we face a deepen-ing global climate crisis that requires us to act boldly, quickly, and wisely," said Gore. The movie is one hour and 40 minutes, with a discussion to follow the movie. It is rated PG but is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave.
Saturday, April 14, 2:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Activity # 3467
OR
Saturday, April 21, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Activity # 3468
Free Registration deadline: when program is filled
How can the City of St. Louis Park use its resources (read our tax dollars) to promote a documentary with such a blatant political agenda? Al Gore ran for President as a Democrat as recently as 2000 and has been talked about as a possible candidate in 2008. He is nothing if not partisan.
To show Gore's film alone, as if it were the only viewpoint on climate change, would suggest that the City endorses his opinion on the subject and easily could be read as an endorsement of the political agenda that goes along with it. I find it hard to believe that it is appropriate that the City should be taking such a position.
My wife and I have lived in St. Louis Park for almost eight years and are generally very satisfied with the services provided by the City. However, we regard this as a disturbing development and a violation of our trust in local government. The City should attempt to be as objective as possible when it comes to political matters and showing "An Inconvenient Truth" would fail any measure of true objectivity.
If you believe that a discussion of climate change is warranted, than the least you can do is present the alternatives. Might I suggest the British documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle:
The film brings together the arguments of leading scientists who disagree with the prevailing consensus that carbon dioxide released by human industrial activity is the cause of rising global temperatures today.
That Earth's climate is changing and always has done is not disputed by anyone. That it is warming now is also not disputed by anyone. But some people think that the warming is our fault, whilst others believe we have nothing to do with it.
The film argues that rises in atmospheric carbon dioxide have nothing to do with climate change. Further, the present single-minded focus on reducing carbon emissions may have the unintended consequence of stifling development in the third world, prolonging endemic poverty and disease.
Or showing an interview on climate change with author Michael Crichton? Or any number of books that offer an opposing viewpoint?
If the City truly wants to have a discussion on climate change, it would be appropriate to allow both sides to be presented. Otherwise it should avoid supporting only one position.
No responses yet.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Gored In The Park?
If you live in St. Louis Park, this is a matter that should concern you.
While checking out the St. Louis Park nature center community event offering, I found this disturbing entry:
Movie: An Inconvenient Truth
Ages 12 and up
Join us to view the movie "An Inconvenient Truth." This documentary is directed by Davis Guggenheim who elo-quently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. "An Inconvenient Truth" is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share. "It is now clear that we face a deepen-ing global climate crisis that requires us to act boldly, quickly, and wisely," said Gore. The movie is one hour and 40 minutes, with a discussion to follow the movie. It is rated PG but is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave.
Saturday, April 14, 2:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Activity # 3467
OR
Saturday, April 21, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Activity # 3468
Free Registration deadline: when program is filled
This is unbelievable. The City of St. Louis Park using our tax dollars to promote a film with such an obvious political agenda? Unacceptable.
Join with me in calling on our local elected officials to curtail this one-sided nonsense. If they insist on showing Gore's garbage, then we should demand equal time to offer an opposing viewpoint. Perhaps a showing of The Great Global Warming Swindle:
The film brings together the arguments of leading scientists who disagree with the prevailing consensus that carbon dioxide released by human industrial activity is the cause of rising global temperatures today.
That Earth's climate is changing and always has done is not disputed by anyone. That it is warming now is also not disputed by anyone. But some people think that the warming is our fault, whilst others believe we have nothing to do with it.
The film argues that rises in atmospheric carbon dioxide have nothing to do with climate change. Further, the present single-minded focus on reducing carbon emissions may have the unintended consequence of stifling development in the third world, prolonging endemic poverty and disease.
Or maybe a video with Michael Crichton? How about a discussion of this book Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years
by Fred Singer and Dennis Avery?
This is an issue that we can't afford to ignore. The climate change scaremongers are trying to stifle debate on this matter and want to have the public exposed to only one side of the argument. And our CITY and tax dollars are helping them.
You can contact St. Louis Park Mayor Jeff Jacobs at this e-mail address:
jjacobs@wilkersonhegna.com
You can look up the contact info for your city council person here. Tell them that you are appalled that the city would support such partisan propaganda and demand that they either pull "An Inconvenient Truth" or allow equal time for the other side of the story.
While checking out the St. Louis Park nature center community event offering, I found this disturbing entry:
Movie: An Inconvenient Truth
Ages 12 and up
Join us to view the movie "An Inconvenient Truth." This documentary is directed by Davis Guggenheim who elo-quently weaves the science of global warming with Al Gore's personal history and lifelong commitment to reversing the effects of global climate change. "An Inconvenient Truth" is not a story of despair but rather a rallying cry to protect the one earth we all share. "It is now clear that we face a deepen-ing global climate crisis that requires us to act boldly, quickly, and wisely," said Gore. The movie is one hour and 40 minutes, with a discussion to follow the movie. It is rated PG but is recommended for ages 12 and up.
Westwood Hills Nature Center, 8300 W. Franklin Ave.
Saturday, April 14, 2:45 to 4:45 p.m.
Activity # 3467
OR
Saturday, April 21, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Activity # 3468
Free Registration deadline: when program is filled
This is unbelievable. The City of St. Louis Park using our tax dollars to promote a film with such an obvious political agenda? Unacceptable.
Join with me in calling on our local elected officials to curtail this one-sided nonsense. If they insist on showing Gore's garbage, then we should demand equal time to offer an opposing viewpoint. Perhaps a showing of The Great Global Warming Swindle:
The film brings together the arguments of leading scientists who disagree with the prevailing consensus that carbon dioxide released by human industrial activity is the cause of rising global temperatures today.
That Earth's climate is changing and always has done is not disputed by anyone. That it is warming now is also not disputed by anyone. But some people think that the warming is our fault, whilst others believe we have nothing to do with it.
The film argues that rises in atmospheric carbon dioxide have nothing to do with climate change. Further, the present single-minded focus on reducing carbon emissions may have the unintended consequence of stifling development in the third world, prolonging endemic poverty and disease.
Or maybe a video with Michael Crichton? How about a discussion of this book Unstoppable Global Warming: Every 1,500 Years
by Fred Singer and Dennis Avery? This is an issue that we can't afford to ignore. The climate change scaremongers are trying to stifle debate on this matter and want to have the public exposed to only one side of the argument. And our CITY and tax dollars are helping them.
You can contact St. Louis Park Mayor Jeff Jacobs at this e-mail address:
jjacobs@wilkersonhegna.com
You can look up the contact info for your city council person here. Tell them that you are appalled that the city would support such partisan propaganda and demand that they either pull "An Inconvenient Truth" or allow equal time for the other side of the story.
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