Franke James » Denialist Quiz: Grist

Republican Senator James Inhofe is the author of ‘The Greatest Hoax: How the Global Warming Conspiracy Threatens Your Future'

Question #1:

Watch 13 seconds of James Inhofe on Fox News... What pops into your head?

Now I get it. Global warming is a hoax to steal money from taxpayers and big oil companies. I gotta buy Inhofe’s book.

Dang! 97% of climate scientists are wrong and Inhofe is right!

Did the $1,335,350 in political contributions Inhofe accepted from the coal and oil industry since 1999 influence his opinion on global warming?

Aaack! Inhofe’s oil-soaked vitriol is making me nauseous! Turn it off!!

Question #2:

How would you defend yourself against a vicious Denialist attack?

I’d bury my head in my hands.

I’d plug my ears so I didn’t hear their puerile attacks

I'd give'em the hockey stick facts! (There’s a team of hockey sticks now which confirm Michael Mann’s findings that the Earth has warmed over the last 1,000 years.)

Graph from the Copenhagen Diagnosis 2009 http://www.copenhagendiagnosis.com

Question #3:

How high can you kick?

As high as the projected sea level rise this century! (0.5 to 1.3 meters or so, depending on emissions)

Don’t know. I’ve never measured it.

Maybe I don’t need to kick very high? Denialists take low blows.

Question #4:

Are you an expert at Judo?

Hell Yeah! I can flip Denialists attacks against them. They’ll be sorry…

I've had some training.

Question #5:

Do you have any experience fighting snakes, slime or swarms of pissed-off wasps?

Yes — and I have the welts to prove it.

No.

I’m willing to learn.

Question #6:

Can you withstand having your credibility attacked?

On second thought, maybe I don’t want to aggravate those Denialists…

Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.

My lawyer is on speed-dial and will sue on any hint of slander or defamation

I would shine a bright light on their lies by calling the New York Times, CNN and other media because sunshine is the best disinfectant.

Question #7:

Denialists have exploited ‘The Serengeti Strategy’ to identify individual scientists who are then separated from the herd, and attacked. If you are/were a climate scientist, what’s the best defense?

Keep your head down so you don’t stand out.

Let a big organization do all the talking.

Rally the herd to turn on the Denialists en masse and help you defend yourself.

Question #8:

If Denialists sent you a threatening letter, how would you react?

I’d panic!

I'd yawn. More hot air from greedy Denialists.

I’d chew it up and spit the mealy mush out FAST!

More fuel for my fight! I’d throw it up on the Internet and make it an international news story.

Question #9:

OK, in real life, would you be prepared to email, call, or write your elected leaders and tell them that you want them to act on global warming?

Heck yes, our leaders are supposed to represent us. I want them to take action - for me, for future generations, and the planet!

Nah. I don't feel comfortable contacting my government. I'll just let the fossil fuel industry take care of that.

Question #10:

Bonus Question! If you answered "yes" to question 9, who else would you encourage to follow suit? (Check all that apply)

Family

Friends

Neighbors

Coworkers

Facebook friends

Twitter followers

People in my faith community

The gang down at the dog park

My running/gym/yoga buddies

How many climate denialists could you take on?

Results: How many could you fight off?