As far-right groups go, the Heartland Institute hasn't quite reached household-name status yet, but it's working on it. The group's strange new billboards, at a minimum, will probably help push the group's notoriety.
The Heartland Institute is "a tax-exempt organization which promotes conspiracy theories about climate scientists, distorts climate science, and attacks regulation of air and water pollution." Despite support from corporate allies, the group has become so extreme that high-profile supporters, including GM and AT&T, no longer want anything to do with the outfit.
Instead of moderating its views and aiming for the mainstream, the Heartland Institute is buying billboards along highways in Chicago. Joe Romm reported today:
The Heartland Institute has launched one of the most offensive billboard campaigns in U.S. history. The Chicago-based anti-science think tank is comparing all those who accept climate science -- and the journalists who report on it accurately -- to Charles Manson, the Unabomber, and Osama Bin Laden.
The Guardian described this as "possibly one of the most ill-judged poster campaigns in the history of ill-judged poster campaigns."
Of course, the Heartland Institute doesn't quite see it that way. In its defense of the group's propaganda, the Heartland Institute says it's eager to convince people that "believing in global warming" is not "sophisticated," and to do so, it's noting that "murderers and madmen" agree with those who accept climate science.
Perhaps the group can use some of its remaining funds to buy a textbook on Logical Fallacies 101?
Andrew Sullivan added, "In some ways, this is an almost perfect illustration of what has happened to the 'right.' A refusal to acknowledge scientific reality; and a brutalist style of public propaganda that focuses entirely on guilt by the most extreme association."
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I'm envisioning a complimentary campaign, with billboards featuring those notorious characters and the caption"I still believe in gravity. Do you?"
Makes about as much sense.
Given the wingnut rubber/glue strategy, I now expect James Inhofe to start claiming Democrats deny facts, evidence, logic, reason, and science. Then, while Fox cheers him on he will go on to claim tobacco doesn't cause cancer, there is no such thing as acid rain, the ozone layer isn't depleted, and global warming is a hoax.
Scientists or Right Wing Nut jobs....I think I will go with the scientists on this one! Scientists at least have facts on their side!!
Here's one that actually makes more sense: Put up a mugshot of Timothy McVeigh: "I wanted a smaller government. Do you?"
Alternatively, "I still have a penis. Do you?" Would that lead to a rash of self-castrations in the target audience for these posters?
Sharing a trait with a despicable human being doesn't confer despicability on that trait. Logical error. Of course, I would expect nothing more rational from the anti-science brigade.
For Pete's sake! [heaves huge dramatic sigh]
If there were ever a perfect illustration of why we REALLY need single-payer healthcare in this country...that's it! These kooks need their meds! And maybe some institutionalization...for sure they do NOT need to be running around in public spouting off about issues of which they know nothing!
.Osama Bin Laden-"I still believe the earth revolves around the sun. Do you?"...DUH!
Gotta give it to 'em. I didn't think the wingnuts could come up with something that would surprise me. I was wrong.
Just when you think they've touched bottom, they find a way to sink even lower.
I am so glad you posted this article Rachel because the more we know about insane groups who promote ignorance the more we can all turn away from them. The Right-Wing of American politics and society is dying out and groups like the Heartland Institute are why. By choosing hate and ignorance they move themselves out of relevance because the majority of people select against their vile, bitter, ignorant rhetoric. Here is the Wikipedia definition that fits them exactly :
Obsolete refers to something that is already disused or discarded, or antiquated.[1] Typically, obsolescence is preceded by a gradual decline in popularity.
RIP Right=Wing, Radical, Racist, Homophobic, Misogynistic, Religious-Fanatic, Ignorant, Vulture Capitalistic, Social Engineers.
STEVE FREAKING BENEN!
Ahem. Sorry for screaming in your face.
You can tell which is Steve and which is Rachel by which one has the more hideous reproductive accessories. Or by looking at the byline. Whatever trips your trigger.
I meant to type that I am so glad this article was posted on Rachel's blog and did not mean to slight anyone. Thank you for the correction though, however dramatic it may be, and thank you for taking the time to discuss the point of my comments were actually about. Oh, wait. You did not do that.
(dashes over to Wikipedia)
If Wikipedia's right, the main target of his ire was "Leftism."
So how 'bout "I'm still against the Left. Are you?"
I am for a level playing field that everyone can enter and make of their own lives what they will no matter what political, social or cultural labels anyone chooses to live by or that are involuntarily placed on them.
This goes further than ideology.. One group equates science with murders and are thereby insane and the others use the rigors of science. Apparently I've forgotten where I parked my time machine but I really need to get back to the 21st century!
"...the Heartland Institute says it's eager to convince people that "believing in global warming" is not "sophisticated," and to do so..." they create the most unsophisticated ad campaign in history? That's gonna work. With morans like these for enemies...
I loved the other evening when Rachel started the show about women earning less by starting in with all the data, pausing for a second collecting herself and simply concluding..."women get paid less than men....WOMEN GET PAID LESS THAN MEN(PERIOD)" exasperated by the seemingly self evident facts and data.
The same tact is appropriate here...
CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL, AND HUMANS ARE THE CAUSE...
CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL, AND HUMANS ARE THE CAUSE...!!!
Now what are we going to do about it?
Little known fact: the Heartland Institute was founded by Sigmund Freud's nephew Eddie Bernays, with the original intention of putting out false news reports concerning communism in south and central America. His first specific goal was to get the centrist-socialist regime in Guatemala deposed in favor of a right-wing, "pro-America" regime.
Eddy Bernays was the inventor of public relations, who used his uncle's ideas about the unconscious and subconscious desires of humans to, for instance, lift the taboo on women smoking, to link the ideas of democracy to capitalism (see: the first World's Fair), and to create a docile and consumerist populace that was placated by consumer goods and a never-ending desire for new crap.
Of course, they'd prefer that people didn't know those things.
That's what snorting coke off your secretary's tummy will do for your end of the gene pool.
These businesses would be wise to distance themselves from the political extremists. The voters are paying attention. The consumers and donors are paying attention and running the other way. Take a look at Komen, the "philanthropic" organization that put politics onto their agenda.
It is too wacko to take the political anti-global warming stance and insist upon continuing to take such stances that kick at science in order to pollute at will.
When organizations start to make some extreme political statements or actions, the business associates will suffer the backlash. Isn't that why so many large businesses overcame their opposition to LGBT equality to celibrate diversity, and included non Christian Happy Holidays? They stopped fighting and recognized their inclusion of language and diverse ethnic customer base in order to keep turning profit.
So, see? The attempt to pander to extremists and expect the consumers to look the other way would hurt business. That might be the up side when we think about the close alliances between government and big business. The government officials need to please voters and the businesses need to please consumers. So the eventual realization that low wages and high unemployment harms economy and reduced revenue to government should be seriously considered by business owners.
Ted Kacynski --I bet he likes apple pie and beer, too.
And puppies.
He's also a Ph.D mathematician.
Charles Manson believes in Jesus.....do you?
HI WE ARE IGNORANT and obviously proud of it!
That sign reminds me of the fellow I ran into downtown. He had one of those silly t-shirts that says I'm with stupid. When I told him I had no idea there was a tea-party rally in town he got mad. Go figure.
HATE land.
HATE land
How about a billboard campaign with pictures of a bunch of CEO's associated with denialism such as the Kochs, Tillotson at EXXON, and others with the statement "I don't want you to believe in global warming." Make sure the individuals are clearly identified and use pictures that make them as snobby as possible.
I am Adolf Hitler and I still believe that the Earth is round like a ball.
Well I guess the folks at the Heartland Institute failed to read the MIT analysis of the worlds limited resources leading to the next great depression by 2030. Even if global warming was a myth and was not directly linked to the amount of pollution we keep pouring into the atmosphere, land, and water, with the current rate of population growth combined with the rapidly increasing consumption rate per capita, the earth will soon be tapped out, and we all will be wishing we had converted to cleaner, more sustainable forms of energy production like wind and solar. Clearly it is those who cry "Drill baby drill" that will turn out to be the true serial killers as millions die from lack of resources.
Here's the link to the article.
http://www.clubofrome.org/?p=326
Yes, the statement of "we must leave oil before it leaves us" regarding peak oil is one I can definitely support. The trouble is, we have to convince people we want to ramp down fossil fuel and ramp up renewable clean energy, not take away their beloved classic cars and SUVs that they cherish so dearly.
When I point out my Dad died from emphysema, that is one more reason to set goals to that end, health… the oil folks would be wiser to invest their h u g e profits into renewable energies and actually be seen as the heroes they portray themselves to be in these ads we are seeing. Great, invest in education, maybe a few will succeed, again, great… but also invest in renewable and clean energy (and that education/career path) to have an even larger impact! Also, enrich yourselves.
Not everyone covets the golf course and swimming pool studded real estate, as Romney so eloquently conveyed. While taking a swipe at Americans, demogoging Democrats that would say it was terrible (or something). We have different goals than you do, Mr. Romney… some folks want to live modest, yet equally happy lives. Their happiness is not based in the amount of money and possessions. Some folks might care about their children and grandchildren getting to breathe clean air, having good jobs and a house, too.
Sandy Thank you for posting the statement "we must leave oil before it leaves us." I have not seen that one before and it makes perfect sense. Now how do we convince the ignorant that all the easy oil is gone and that is why they are drilling in thousands of feet of water for oil. Ignorance is not bliss, it's perilous.
I got that from Jim's link, btw. I agree, it is a good one. I think we are caught up in the "all or nothing" too much. Which is why I try to say ramp up the cleaner renewables and ramp down the dirtier finite sources. We can't deny that we need oil for many things, but we just cannot pretend there is no end of it and that it is not causing problems with so many things, unneccessarily.
Ted Kaczynski was an abstract mathematician with no expertise in climate science. His 2010 book, Technological Slavery, makes only a few passing references to climate change, which he apparently just assumes is real since it is consistent with his anarchist/ neo-Luddite philosophy. I think the Left should join the Right in mocking this triple murderer.
With global warming will come famine. With famine will come the inevitable cannibalism. The horrors of cannibalism will be forced on the living all over the world, especially the fat cats. The fat cats will include "global warming deniers" especially right-wing Rebublicans.
Global warming deniers may well become the worlds best source of edible meat protein and other nutrients. They are either with us or against us. Apparently they are against us. So, why not just ENJOY!
Man-made global warming is nonsense. I've lived near the sea for 20 years and it hasn't risen at all in that time. Face it - it's a load of horse puckey.
Most global warming deniers live far from the nearest WALMART or TARGET. Face it, when the weather turns crazy bad, and the oil runs short: they will be trapped in their vast suburban homes with no pick-up, no mobility scooter, no electricity and no food, in subzero conditions. And they will freeze or starve to death.