"The GOP 10 Commandments on Climate Change", first printed here, is making its way around the web and finding a wide audience.
One by one, I'm commenting on each of the commandments (and so are some of our readers).
The second commandment of the GOP on climate change: "We are the top predator. Others must adapt to us or die."
This commandment has a literal example in Florida: the establishment of Ave Maria University by then Governor Jeb Bush right in the middle of habitat of the state's iconic endangered species: the Florida panther.
In 2007, we wrote: "After years of effort in 2006, environmental groups succeeded in litigation that stopped Scripps from the far western site called Mecca Farms, where it would have anchored massive new growth stretching toward sugar lands. But one place that Jeb succeeded was the insertion of a faith-based community and educational institution at the edge of the Everglades in Collier County."
Ave Maria was permitted by Jeb Bush's environmental agencies in prime Florida panther habitat. The faith-based educational institution skipped past environmental law when federal agencies refused to put up a fight. In sum, the sprawl that emerged around Ave Maria is a bold statement to dissenters: "We are the top predator. Others must adapt to us or die."
After all, it is in the Bible. There is no passage that better illustrates the Republican claim to legitimacy on blocking climate change regulations than the GOP interpretation of Genesis 1:26-28. It might as well be in the Republican presidential climate-change platform for 2016:
"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth...'"
One by one, I'm commenting on each of the commandments (and so are some of our readers).
The second commandment of the GOP on climate change: "We are the top predator. Others must adapt to us or die."
This commandment has a literal example in Florida: the establishment of Ave Maria University by then Governor Jeb Bush right in the middle of habitat of the state's iconic endangered species: the Florida panther.
In 2007, we wrote: "After years of effort in 2006, environmental groups succeeded in litigation that stopped Scripps from the far western site called Mecca Farms, where it would have anchored massive new growth stretching toward sugar lands. But one place that Jeb succeeded was the insertion of a faith-based community and educational institution at the edge of the Everglades in Collier County."
Ave Maria was permitted by Jeb Bush's environmental agencies in prime Florida panther habitat. The faith-based educational institution skipped past environmental law when federal agencies refused to put up a fight. In sum, the sprawl that emerged around Ave Maria is a bold statement to dissenters: "We are the top predator. Others must adapt to us or die."
After all, it is in the Bible. There is no passage that better illustrates the Republican claim to legitimacy on blocking climate change regulations than the GOP interpretation of Genesis 1:26-28. It might as well be in the Republican presidential climate-change platform for 2016:
"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.' God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth...'"
8 comments:
You are totally right in your analysis of the Republican's attitude toward the environment, but you are totally wrong to base it on a twisted misinterpretation of the Bible. Feel free to attack the sins of the Republicans, but leave the Bible alone.
Alan, you've crossed the line!
Anons above, you are so correct. The Bible should not be brought into their misguided actions.
Please leave the Bible out of your misguided and evil commentary!
Bible thumpers unite! These evil climate change people, what can you do? I suppose not reading their writing would help.
Oooooh, so defensive. You know you are wrong on this one. Just admit it.
Alan -- The scriptural quote is spot on, but to clarify, "rule" is about stewardship. The Hebrew Bible authors were very centered about care for the land and responsible use of nature. The book of Deuteronomy also lays out really creative and practical care of the land and natural resources. Bible thumpers and literalist have used this bible passage to justify their Rick Scott like judgments and stupidities.
I don't believe in the fantasy of man-made climate change. I am also an atheist. So how does your silly analysis look now?
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