Happening in Antarctica : McCain for President of Antarctica?

I voted for John McCain as an Independent, and I decried the way the two party system discriminated against a third party candidate. In his case, in retrospect, I guess I am glad they did! His views on Science are postively toxic.

The message is getting out. Our economy depends on innovation, and hence we rely on a technocratic system that rewards innovation. Some candidates are responding to this. Not John McCain. He has shown some concern about global warming and has travelled extensively as part of a congressional group tasked with trying to discern what is going on with the climate. He has travelled to McMurdo and the South Pole (2006-2007), and doubtlessly he is part of the delegational group that went there because of the adventure of the trip, more than there being an actually serious attempt to accomplish something. He got a handful of "Dog and Pony" shows, surely. I have endured many of these VIP fiascos. I recall being angry that the science projects were interrupted or terminated, but that is me.

Having talked with many Antarctic researchers, they express several things to me. One is, "Honesty is poverty". You have to lie now and then to get ahead. Another is : "No one really cares what you say about Antarctica anyway", and "No one can verify anything we do because we control access and few actually care to come down here in any case." These dispirited people are happy enough taking their government money and spending it in New Zealand and Hawaii on their return. If you wanted to bolster up a fledgling positivism about Science in Antarctica, you could not depend on the likes of John McCain to help you out.

What did Senator McCain learn from his travels? This evening in the Republican debate for President, candidate McCain said he is concerned about global warming. He does not believe we should cut our emissions unless the Hindus and Chinese do likewise. We should think "nuclear". "If there is no global warming", he says, "We are nothing out conserving oil".

He is saying in other words, I do not know if the scientists know what they are talking about, if they are being honest or not. We can form a policy regardless. So he has learned really nothing from his travels. He has doubts about the scientists, possibly grave doubts. If they are lieing, we can form a policy and there is no harm done.

So polar scientists there you have it from the horses mouth. It makes no difference if you are BS'ing or not: you may still enjoy yourself if you come down, by beach-combing and hiking. Whatever the case do not be upset with Senator McCain. Above all else, he wants to be liked.