GOP leaders have a reputation for shunning science in favor of politics: on stem-cell research, evolution, and of course, climate change. As the global-warming battle heats up, so has their often-nonsensical rhetoric. Consider these recent developments:* In mid April, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed at long last that it would regulate greenhouse gases that, it said, "endanger public health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act." Oklahoma senator JAMES INHOFE, top-ranking Republican on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, denounced the decision, and called for legislation "that stops the EPA in its tracks." Inhofe, who once called global warming "the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people," recently insisted that the planet is actually cooling.
* Two weeks ago, to coincide with Earth Day, Democrats on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce held a series of hearings on a major energy and environment bill co-authored by Massachusetts congressman Edward Markey. The ranking Republican on that committee, Texas's "SMOKEY JOE" BARTON, complained that he was not allowed to invite outright warming-deniers to testify. Barton recently said that, if the global climate really is warming, it's no big deal: "When it rains, we find shelter. When it's hot, we get shade. When it's cold, we find a warm place to stay."
* During the hearings on that energy and environment bill, which calls for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, Republican congressman JOHN SHIMKUS of Illinois called the proposed legislation "the largest assault on democracy and freedom in this country that I've ever experienced," adding that "I've lived through an impeachment, two wars, terrorist attacks . . . I fear this more than any of the above activities."
* House Republican Leader JOHN BOEHNER of Ohio, appearing on This Week with George Stephanopoulos just before Earth Day, called it "almost comical" to suggest that carbon dioxide is harmful, because "every time we exhale, we exhale carbon dioxide." Actual scientists went berserk explaining why Boehner's remarks were comical — but other Republicans began parroting the line.
Related:
Brown Bagging, Elephant in the Room, New and improved Romney, More 
- Brown Bagging
If you are finding it hard to get enthused about the seemingly preordained drubbing that Democratic Attorney General Martha Coakley will give to the GOP nominee, State Senator Scott Brown, in the special election for US Senate, you are not alone.
- Elephant in the Room
Platoons of state Republicans, energized by Scott Brown's stunning victory over Democrat Martha Coakley last week, are setting their sights on November.
- New and improved Romney
Scott Brown's unexpected victory in last month's special US Senate election captured the attention of the country — and particularly of core Republican voters, who huddled eagerly before their TV screens to watch their hero du jour give his acceptance speech. But even in the midst of his moment in the sun, Brown made sure to thank the other handsome, well-coifed man on the stage, Mitt Romney.
- Might as well jump
Last Thursday, Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island — the last of his legendary clan in Congress — announced that he will not run for re-election.
- Workin' man blues
Election years are always times of high anxiety for politicians. That may explain why they say and do so many stupid things.
- 'Tea' is for terrorism
A year ago, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) produced a memo outlining the growing threat posed to this country from right-wing extremists. It compared the situation to that of the early 1990s — which culminated in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168.
- Same Old Faces
If you're wondering who the geniuses are behind the political campaigns in Massachusetts this year — the strategists, media firms, ad teams, and fundraisers — well, it's a lot of the same folks who have been behind Massachusetts campaigns for a long time. Candidates may win or lose, but consultants are forever.
- Tea Party Progressives?
When Democrat Peter Smulowitz celebrated his victory in the special-election primary for State Senate earlier this month in the back room of Masala Art restaurant in Needham, no bigwigs from his party were in attendance.
- Instead of cuts: guts
Let’s assume, reader, that you’re concerned about economic and social justice. For those in real need — people who are poor, sick, old, mentally ill, addicted, disabled — you want decent care. You’re concerned, too, about proper funding of schools, community colleges, and university campuses.
- Mean everything to nothing
My favorite movie-advertising phrase is "based on a true story." Translated into English, it means: "more or less, a big fat lie."
- The next Scott Brown?
Republican Scott Brown's victory last month in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat has every two-bit GOP hopeful in the Northeast claiming the mantle of the pick-up truck populist.
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Talking Politics
, Politics, Politics, Stem Cell Research, More
, Politics, Politics, Stem Cell Research, Creationism, global warming, environment, George Stephanopoulos, John Boehner, green, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Less
