Beam me to Planet Gore !
Posted on 2/9/2008, 1:46:33 AM by CedarDave
Because of politics in Salem, Oregon State University has been put in an embarrassing position. It has to create a new climate research center wanted by the legislature and hire someone to run it without appearing to muzzle George Taylor, the longtime state climatologist whose views on climate change are not exactly politically correct.
The university tried to wiggle out of the dilemma by praising Taylor’s work for Oregon farmers, ranchers and others but then declaring that he and the new director will “share the duties usually assumed by the state climatologist, although neither will formally hold that title ... . The institute director will lead the research function of a state climatologist and represent Oregon at relevant conferences; Taylor will provide the supporting mapping and data services.”
This might have been the best that OSU could do in the face of House Bill 3543, which establishes the climate research center. But it still sounds like an unkind and undeserved way to treat a man who has done outstanding and reliable work for Oregon for nearly two decades.
As it turns out, the “title” of state climatologist may not be for the state to bestow or remove unilaterally. It was created in a memorandum of understanding between Oregon and the National Weather Service, and it devolves on whoever heads the Oregon Climate Service, which Taylor manages.
You can blame the legislature for this muddle. The governor and other Democrats wanted to sideline Taylor for not wholeheartedly going along with the prevailing theory of man-caused global warming, but evidently they didn’t want to be seen doing so. Their bill created a new research center on climate change, but it did not repeal or amend the 1991 law that put the Oregon Climate Center at OSU in state law and tasked it with essentially the same functions now also assigned to the new center.
So our elected leaders stuck OSU with the job of hiring someone’s replacement without getting rid of the incumbent, an awkward job indeed.
BUMP!
Global warming PIMG!
Think of an intelligence analysts that has interpreted the available facts differently than the chain of command does. Also consider the difficulties of the analysts getting his message up the chain even though his interpretation is correct and the chain's is incorrect.
Hoist on their own petards.
We don't have concentration camps --- yet. But it might not be long.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.