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I have a funny story about physcist Bill Happer, the retrograde pick for a White House climate role.
He is truly "the usual suspect"
It was in 2000, I was writing a story about a group of scientists coming out in favor of Al Gore for president...
(1/2)
He is truly "the usual suspect"
It was in 2000, I was writing a story about a group of scientists coming out in favor of Al Gore for president...
(1/2)
(2) Crotchety editor at WSJ (where I worked then) says "can't you find a PhD who supports Bush?"
ok, i said. well that proved pretty difficult!
I called the Bush campaign. Do you have any scientists who support you?
They couldn't name one.
ok, i said. well that proved pretty difficult!
I called the Bush campaign. Do you have any scientists who support you?
They couldn't name one.
(3) actually, my request proved esoteric for the Bush people.
they came back at me with the names of a couple of software entrepreneurs. I think Larry Ellison
I was like, ok, but I need a *scientist*. With a PhD. In a hard science.
Bush folk didn't have any of those.
they came back at me with the names of a couple of software entrepreneurs. I think Larry Ellison
I was like, ok, but I need a *scientist*. With a PhD. In a hard science.
Bush folk didn't have any of those.
(4) eventually, after quite a lot of reporting, I found one.
One!
Will Happer at Princeton.
He is a prominent physicist and a long time Republican activist.
One!
Will Happer at Princeton.
He is a prominent physicist and a long time Republican activist.
(5)the guy does know some physics! He was among those who didnt believe in "cold fusion" a cockamamie fake discovery from the 1990s. He's got some credentials as a skeptic.
(6) what's annoying is that Happer's only qualification for the climate job is his politics.
I mean, the guy is now 80 years old, ok.
also very annoying that climate question is entirely partisan. /end
I mean, the guy is now 80 years old, ok.
also very annoying that climate question is entirely partisan. /end
