Jail the Skeptics

Last September, 20 scientists petitioned US President Barack Obama to use the RICO Act, a law addressing organized crime, to investigate “corporations and other organizations that have knowingly deceived the American people about the risks of climate change.”

What leads to such passion? In part, fear of disaster and belief that mankind, through the government, is responsible for salvation. They say, “We are now at high risk of seriously destabilizing the Earth’s climate and irreparably harming people around the world.” And they finish by exhorting America and the world to “[find] effective ways to restabilize the Earth’s climate, before even more lasting damage is done.”

But why are they certain that climate change is so dangerous? After all, it is a very complex issue, so you would expect them to want to hear from all scientists, including those who disagree, to help further our understanding. They are convinced that their opponents are criminal deceivers, who “must be stopped as soon as possible.” Such prejudice does not allow them to consider opposing arguments objectively.