The content on this webpage contains paid/affiliate links. When you click on any of our affiliate link, we/I may get a small compensation at no cost to you. See our affiliate disclosure for more info -----------------------
Last updated on August 6th, 2017 at 06:46 am
Sir Nicholas Stern repeated his absurd Chinese automotive standards claim during a speech Wednesday at the National Press Club(no transcript available).
The room was filled with journalists. Not one of them challenged Stern on this.
(Although, to be fair, they didn’t have much chance. An attendee emails: “Unfortunately the entire freaking Press Club address was hijacked by left-wing wankers pandering to Stern and I missed out on asking a question.”)
Meanwhile, Lee at RightThinking emails: “As someone who has actually lived in China I know firsthand how completely full of shit the lefties quoted in your article are, and I’ve got the photos to prove it.”
- But this idiot knows he can repeat this lie again and again, and a certain segment of the population is going to believe it. Marxism at its most proactive.Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 03 29 at 02:41 PM • permalink
- Don’t worry, North Korea is pulling more than its fair share in the fight against goebbels warmening by basically returning to a ninth century economy. Plus, they will periodically cull ten percent of the population via starvation! The al-Gorons should proudly hold up NoKo as an example for the rest of us to aspire to.
Imagine putting your face between Michael Moore’s asscheeks after he’s eaten a lunch of cabbage and sardine burritos and you’ll begin to get an idea of what it’s {Chinese air pollution} like.
God, I’m glad I ate lunch before reading this. My appetite will be days returning to normal. LOL!
Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 03 29 at 04:31 PM • permalink
- So, is the myth of the “strict Chinese emissions standards” going to be the next Plastic Turkey?Posted by Spiny Norman on 2007 03 29 at 05:16 PM • permalink
- It’s amazing the number of GW believers who think Chinese urban smog is caused by CO2 emissions.
Note that this is due to the latest Greenie dissembling tactic of referring to ‘carbon emissions’ blurring the distinction between colourless odourless CO2 and carbon particulate emissions which are a primary cause of smog.
- To be fair, sand and dust storms contribute enormously to the poor visibility in central Beijing. (Perhaps there’s other Chinese mismanagement of the environment behind it – I don’t have the facts).
I was there last year and there were sand drifts on the 14th floor balcony of the office building I was in.
I make no claim that pollutants don’t contribute though.Posted by ooh honey honey on 2007 03 29 at 07:05 PM • permalink
- The carbon tax scenario has elevated economists like Stern as the vanguard to bring Gaia into ‘balance’ via the balance sheets, using punitive economic measures: all power to the economists – in league with Lefties, who’d have thunk?
Economists triumph where Science has failed … what’s that Python scene with bankers piloting skyscrapers?
- The Chinese are actually contributing to Global Dimming. They are doing us a favour!Posted by The Big Fish on 2007 03 29 at 07:24 PM • permalink
Sir Nicholas Stern’s .. speech Wednesday at the National Press Club (no transcript available).
A pity about that. I watched a little of his speech and a few of the questions. I’ll say one thing, he’s a smooth performer.
But to a couple of questions and answers. The first question was lengthy. After a summary of the state of play with renewable energy sources in Australia, and the long lead times to develop and prove clean technolgy (for power generation) or build nuclear power stations and in the context of China increasing its electricity output each year by the equivalent of the entire Australian grid, mostly with coal power stations, the question was, “What could Australia do now?” Stern’s answer was to set a target! Brilliant.
Actually the question I did like was from the man who linked greenhouse emissions to population growth. The questioner noted that Stern had not commented on this obvious fact in his book and seemed to suggest that population control should be on the table for climate change management (my summation). The questioner didn’t quite get to a suggestion for a population cull so I was disappointed that perhaps he was a tad taciturn.
And Stern’s comments. Oh what crap – he avoided the issue and launched into a treatise about public health and the responsibilities of governments etc etc … and at that moment the off switch got the better of me.
So much for the bullshit dressed up as informed commentary.
- No mention from Stern about Methane? According GW theory “Methane is 21 times more powerful a greenhouse gas than CO2.” Earthsave Perhaps Nick will be proposing a Fart Tax in the next round of Kyoto initiatives? I personally am all for fart trading (waft of hands) suck this one in Nick..Posted by Viril Brun on 2007 03 29 at 08:00 PM • permalink
The natural culture of journalism is kind of vaguely soft-Left inquiry sceptical of authority. I mean, that’s just the world out of which journalists come. If they don’t come out of that world, they really can’t be reporters. I mean, if you’re not sceptical of authority, find another job. You know, just find another job. And that is kind of a soft-leftie kind of culture.
David Marr
Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 03 29 at 08:16 PM • permalink
The room was filled with journalists. Not one of them challenged Stern on this.
Standing up and saying “with all due respect ….” would have been the last words the journalist would have uttered. The heretic would have been dragged out the door, tried to the back of a Prius and dragged, very slowly, to his death. His remains would have then been composted and used to grow native trees and his skull would made into a nesting box for endangered wildlife.
- Regarding the media handling of Sir N, Tony Jones on Lateline adopted a most respectful attitude when interviewing him, not asking a single critical or probing question. But he can go in hard on the detail when it’s a politician as last night with Turnbull, quoting from reports, getting very specific. Even though he did have to admit he made a factual mistake subsequently.
- #21 – Sir Nicholas tells us you are lying.Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 03 29 at 08:36 PM • permalink
- My sister and brother-in-law went on a one month vacation to China 6 9 months ago. They did the whole country tourist bit. They couldn’t believe the polution. Same photos. But, hey, they’re only from London.Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 03 29 at 08:50 PM • permalink
- Tim,, I see your error:
Stern says:
“You can’t export an American car to China: it does not satisfy the emissions standards.”These are obviously minimum emission standards that Stern is refering to; which US cars do not meet.
Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 03 29 at 08:53 PM • permalink
- Typical, rope a ‘Sir’ and a former member of the World Bank into the equation, throw in an ex VP, and a fawning, groveling media and bingo, you have propaganda with a veneer (via the above) of credibility, and the inside full of bullshit, for all the ideological cripples of the left to believe in. Unfortunately, these people can make our lives miserable when their fantasies are put into practice via the ballot box.
- #19 Up here, we’d strap them to a Caribou and make polar bear mating calls.Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 03 29 at 08:59 PM • permalink
- OT But hurrah for the might UN!
That will be the last time anyone messes with British sailors
Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 03 29 at 09:29 PM • permalink
- Sort of o/t and probably most of you have seen it but thisvideo is one of the best explanations of the left mindset. It goes for 45 minutes but if you have the time you will not regret viewing. Since I saw it I attended my daughter’s school ‘carbon footprint’ ceremony and it was just spooky to realise that it all happens in kindergarten.
- Like all fundamentalists, Stern refused to even observe there might by a contrary view to his dogma. But I wouldn’t worry too much about him picking up many converts, even though Bob Brown appeared as enraptured as a tongue-talking hillbilly at the feet of the Rev Billy Joe Bob. Stern does go on. In fact he could bore for the UK in the Olympics.
- #30
This is serious. I was expecting “deeply concerned”, but “grave concern” shows they mean business. I understand a committee is being formed with the view to establishing a focus group in order to ascertain the viability of a delegation vis a vis doing sweet fuck all.
Of course the blue hats are clambouring for some action. As they understand it, Iranian goats and kids are rather, er, tender.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 03 29 at 09:46 PM • permalink
- Look, Sir Nicholas might be the point man for a cunning VRWC operation to cripple China by turning it into a toxic wasteland. The car thing is his end of the gig. Bob Brown did his bit to knock over their steel and cement production after somebody flashed the queen of diamonds.
On the other hand, Stern could be a gibbering narrow focus zealot.
- Apart from the Globula Worming hucksters, the UN would have to be the biggest con job on the world. A complete waste of prime real estate, and a haven for corrupt, craven and despotic regimes to gain legitimacy. Under Federal Labor, Australia would not pass wind, without first getting permission from these employers ‘of the practitioners of suspect animal husbandry’. That is how much, Australian sovereignty, Labor signed over when it was in office such a long long time ago.
- I followed a link over here from Instapundit. Interesting blog, but the commenters are a little strange.Posted by Kyda Sylvester on 2007 03 29 at 10:37 PM • permalink
- What bullshit. The pollution problem in HK is spiraling out of control, coming partly from China’s smokestacks.
China has some 20 million cars (which is possibly less than California), half of which are in Guangdong province. If they have so few cars, why is the air in China so polluted? Stern is failing to address REAL issues in a truthful manner.
- Strange? Some of these fruitloops seem to have no interest in my lint collection whatsoever.Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 03 29 at 11:05 PM • permalink
- Sorry chaps, do continue…Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 03 29 at 11:17 PM • permalink
- Lint collecting is more of a calling for Margos.
Personally I like to read Tim’s blog. It’s tiresome, dreary and totally inane, but it keeps me from masturbating. Well, sort of.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 03 29 at 11:42 PM • permalink
- #45, IT, good luck with that:Posted by Art Vandelay on 2007 03 30 at 12:01 AM • permalink
- Man, this will be the mother of all atroposifications.Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 03 30 at 12:01 AM • permalink
- Infidel Tiger
So that “had sex once, saving up to do it again” aint working out too well then?Posted by thefrollickingmole on 2007 03 30 at 12:02 AM • permalink
- #46 – Hey, you owe me a new keyboard I don’t know art, but I know high quality T & A.
#48 – Everytime I come up with the cash, I’m tantalised with a long term investment by my Nigerian associates. As soon as the money rolls in from them, watch out ladies!
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 03 30 at 12:12 AM • permalink
- At the risk of making people sick thisvideo of Rosie O’Donnell illustrates the downside of freedom of speech. On the one hand we have intelligent, thoughtful people and on the other: Rosie. I don’t know what the dispute with Donald Trump was about but the abuse he threw at her is mild to what I felt like giving when watching this. It is pornography of the mind so please feel free to ignore it.
- #12
Nick Stern and the Crimson Permanent Assurance ahoy! [Large corporate boardroom filled with suited executives] Exec #1: Which brings us once again to the urgent realization if how much there is still left to Own. Item six on the agenda: “The Meaning of Life” Now uh, Harry, you’ve had some thoughts on this.
Exec #2: Yeah, I’ve had a team working on this over the past few weeks, and what we’ve come up with can be reduced to two fundamental concepts. One: People aren’t wearing enough hats. Two: Matter is energy. In the universe there are many energy fields which we cannot normally perceive. Some energies have a spiritual source which act upon a person’s soul. However, this “soul” does not exist ab initio as orthodox Christianity teaches; it has to be brought into existence by a process of guided self-observation. However, this is rarely achieved owing to man’s unique ability to be distracted from spiritual matters by everyday trivia.
Exec #3: What was that about hats again?
Exec #2: Oh, Uh… people aren’t wearing enough.
Exec #1: Is this true?
Exec #4: Certainly. Hat sales have increased but not pari passu, as our research…
Exec #3: [Interrupting] “Not wearing enough”? Enough for what purpose?
Exec #5: Can I just ask, with reference to your second point, when you say souls don’t develop because people become distracted… has anyone noticed that building there before?!
[all of the board members are worried] Chairman: Good Lord!
[It’s the return of The Crimson Permanent Assurance! A pirate goes out of it and crashes through the window.] Chairman: Good Lord! The Crimson Permanent Assurance!
Offscreen Projectionist: We interrupt this film to apologise for this unwarranted attack by the supporting feature. Luckily, we have been prepared for this eventuality, and are now taking steps to remedy it. [another skyscraper falls down on the Crimson Permanent Assurance building] Thank you.
- #18
LNL:
English journalist Nick Cohen has a written a very provocative book about the moral and philosophical failings of the Left in the West. He argues that since the End of the Cold War, people on the liberal-Left have been willing to excuse or explain away totalitarian movements of the ultra Right, including Islamic extremism.Cohen says the old virtues of the Left have been debased – especially the idea of solidarity with oppressed people. Instead, today’s Left prefers to ally itself with any regime that opposes America.
- The thing most of all that pisses me off with the Australian propaganda media is the description of Nick Stern as a “climate change economist”. Stern is a economist whose speciality is producing reports to meet the political needs of his master, in this case the British Government. But he went too far, producing a report that is so flawed it will serve no useful purpose. No serious government decisions could be made using the report because the outcomes will be just as off target. If only Blair had explained to Stern what he wanted a little more clearly. Then again, maybe Stern’s understanding was faulty. That’s plausible.
- #50 I watched Rosie dribble on with my mouth literally hanging open. I had to keep reminding myself to close it.
How the fark does she manage to breathe and walk at the same time? The idiocy in there is mindboggling.
Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2007 03 30 at 09:02 AM • permalink
- #16 Kaboom;
I seem to recall that the primary culprits in photochemical smog were oxides of nitrogen, rather than carbon particulates.
Exactly right. I grew up in the L.A. basin during the early ‘50s and 60s.
My father hired on as an industrial inspector with L.A. County’s Air Pollution Control District about the time it was formed around 1954-55, and spent 35 years working in it.
He told us about cadging rides in an APCD helicopter on a morning after heavy rains, and within a couple hours of the rain stopping, seeing the county’s freeway system clearly outlined in brown. The color being caused by nitrogen oxides generated mostly by motor vehicle exhaust.
After a while, the network appeared to spread out until the basin was covered by a solid gray-brown haze.
Turns out that 1966-68 were the worst years for smog and eye irritation; air quality has gotten better continuously since then.
It won’t ever go away, since the smog predated the Spanish arriving in the 1700s. The basin is just that, a low area surrounded by mountains, with an inversion layer trapping any smoke from grassfires. Which fires the local indians set to drive game or clear land for farming, if lightning didn’t do it first.
Page 1 of 1 pages
