Birther Duo Teams Up To Attack Witness About Global Warming "Voodoo Science"

Frustrated with the proceedings of a mid-February hearing of the House Energy and Environment Committee, a citizen who testified briefly sent a frustrated email to the full membership of the committee.  He was frustrated with the way Chair Walt Bivens allocated time for different points of view. 

In response, Representatives Casey Guernsey (R-Bethany) and Tim Jones (R-Eureka) -- a pair of Republicans who collaborated last year in propagating birther conspiracy theories -- unleashed angry responses. The offending citizen letter and emails from Guernsey and Jones can be read below the break.  I've redacted the name of the individual who sent the letter -- his testimony is part of public committee documents, so I'll leave it to others if they want to criticize him by name. 

Guernsey's email:

-----Original Message-----
From: Casey Guernsey
Sent: Sun 2/21/2010 10:48 PM
To: [John Q. Public]; Walt Bivens
Cc: Sue Allen; Casey Guernsey; Jason Holsman; Tim Jones; Jeanette Oxford; Jeanie Riddle; Martin Rucker; Rodney Schad; Shane Schoeller; Tom Shively; Rachel Storch
Subject: Re: HCR 46

Dear Sir,

You need a lesson on House Rules. I for one don't care what you had to say. I further believe Chairman Bivens was more than generous during the hearing. You clearly have a very high opinion of your experience. I would submit to you that some things are simply bigger than your pride.

Casey Guernsey

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

And Jones' full email:

-----Original Message-----

From: Tim Jones
Sent: Mon 2/22/2010 11:11 AM
To: [John Q. Public]; Walt Bivens
Cc: Sue Allen; Casey Guernsey; Jason Holsman; Jeanette Oxford; Jeanie Riddle; Martin Rucker; Rodney Schad; Shane Schoeller; Tom Shively; Rachel Storch
Subject: RE: HCR 46

Mr. [John Q. Public],

The constraints of time are largely beyond our control.  If you knew anything about the legislative process, you would know that.  We have 75 legislative days to consider over 1500 bills.

However, I personally feel that, given the FACTS that have come out in recent weeks about the voodoo science you and your ilk have attempted to hoist upon the international community, you were given more than your fair share of time.

I wish I had had the time to engage you regarding what is the truth and we could have had a full and fair debate on the myth and fantasy that have been perpetuated this issue.

But I will simply leave you with this quote from one of your more honest, objective and learned peers, DR. ROY W. SPENCER, PRINCIPAL RESEARCH SCIENTIST AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT HUNTSVILLE, AND A PHD IN CLIMATOLOGY.

"Belief in catastrophic global warming has little scientific basis, and perpetuates the bad habit that scientists have of predicting environmental doom."

This quote is from his excellent book "Climate Confusion:  How Global Warming Hysteria Leads to Bad Science, Pandering Politicians and Misguided Policies that Hurt the Poor (2008)."

However, I do understand your extreme anxiety and recent agitation given the fact that your entire house of cards is coming down around you but to insult our very hard working Chairman in a cowardly email is beyond the pale.

I wish you all the best as the truth contains to emerge on this issue.  (By the way, did you see the story today wherein climate scientists have now WITHDRAWN their claim that the oceans are rising?  One by one, the cards continue to fall.)

Representative Timothy W. Jones
District 89
Missouri House of Representatives
State Capitol, Room 114A
Jefferson City, Missouri  65101-6806

There's not much use trying to engage a legislator who says, "I for one don't care what you had to say," or a legislator who accuses a witness he doesn't know of attempting to "hoist" "voodoo science" with other members of his "ilk." 

And finally, this is apparently outrageous citizen email that left Guernsey and Jones no choice but to attack via email:

From: [John Q. Public]
Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:35:18 EST
To: Walt Bivens
Cc: Sue Allen; Casey Guernsey; Jason Holsman; Jeanette Oxford; Jeanie Riddle; Martin Rucker; Rodney Schad; Shane Schueller; Tom Shively; Rachel Storch
Subject: HCR 46

Dear Representative Bivens:

I wish to comment on my brief comments before the Energy and Environment Committee last Monday.  I was the person who spoke briefly before Dr. Davies.

I wanted to send this message before this date, but I  have been traveling since last Monday and have not had access to a computer.

I have had close to 40 years as a professional Environmental Scientist.  During my career I have had many opportunities to give testimony before Congressional Subcommittees, the Corps of Engineers Board of Rivers and Harbors, and before state and federal officials.  The brief remarks that I made were certainly out of character but not out of context.

Fact is, I was insulted that you had not managed the Committee's time more wisely so as to allow adequate time for all views on this important matter.  The conduct of the hearing convinced me the House has made up its collective majority mind  and the Public Hearing was but a Straw dog.  In all my years of Public Service, I have never witnessed such a proceeding.

The Internet reminds me that our State of Missouri Constitution (Article I, Sections 1, 2 and 3 ) basically sets all citizens on an equal footing concerning their rights before and over government and that the government is the work"solely for the good of the whole".

I had planned to speak to the historic facts of this issue as I experienced them as a professional, but after observing the proceedings, I could see that, even if the time had been allocated, it would have likely been time wasted.  For the good of the country and for my grandchildren, I wish I was wrong.

Sincerely,
John Q. Public

Keep it classy, fellas.