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Inhibiting an Oil and Gas Boom
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A Further Perspective
Lyin' for Climate Indoctrination
Recruiting our nation's children into the climate change brigades.
Last fall I alerted Spectator readers to the start-up nonprofit Alliance for Climate Education, which spreads the global warming alarmism gospel to students one school assembly at a time.
It turns out that the slick ACE lecturers are more than just preachers; they are recruiters too. After they dazzle teens with hip talk, animation and jokes, they work to sign them up for their anti-consumption (Americans are to blame) cause, often collecting cell phone numbers and email addresses without parents' knowledge.
Earlier this month ACE visited Northampton (Mass.) High School, where a teacher persuaded colleagues to let students skip final period classes in order to attend their assembly. One student reported on the presentation by ACE's Julian Rodriguez-Drix:
He dealt with issues of climate change in a positive and non-judgmental way by raising students' awareness of the problem at hand and the methods by which they are actively polluting and contributing to global warming. The presentation explained how climate change has been caused and continued by social influence and our culture of consumption. Students learned how their seemingly minimal consumption is connected to huge companies, large usage of fossil fuels, and incredible amounts of waste. Julian clearly summarized his message in his statement, "We're all wrapped up in [an] economic cycle that just leads to garbage." He also discussed "super-sized" American living, excessive use of non-renewable resources, and the results of pollution in an urgent, but humorous, manner.
It all makes for one entertaining guilt trip -- for students to lay on others. The Left is so clever in not offending their recruits: "It's not your ‘minimal consumption' that's causing the problem -- it's those large corporations and fat Americans that are the problem!" And then they continue living their own privileged lives.
Of course, they pretend otherwise. ACE trainers like Rodriguez-Drix belch greenhouse gases driving across several state lines to give their talks, when a simple Webcast would deliver the message and serve as a good example of energy efficiency. But when asked how he would "Do One Thing" (an ACE campaign) to fight climate change, he came up with the innovative idea to turn off his lights (video). Wish I'd thought of that one.
Then came the recruitment at Northampton High:
Afterward, Julian roused the audience and urged them to take a stand. He ended the assembly by encouraging students to text ACE to make their own commitment to change, creating both an energetic frenzy to pull out cell phones and an overwhelming explosion of chatter in response to his presentation.
Both high schoolers and sixth graders exited the auditorium full of hope and anticipation to act against climate change. Many high school students attended the question and answer session with Julian Rodriguez-Drix and the Environmental Club, while others provided their email addresses to be contacted with additional information about ACE.
Once in the fold, students are then trained (video) as leaders for ACE. The science they espouse is drawn from the discredited (thanks to Climategate and its children) Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Global Climate Change (IPCC). Works on behalf of ACE include signature collection for their "Declaration of Independence from Fossil Fuels" (to be delivered to Congress and President Obama); learning how to "transform your school;" and "starting an action team."
How'd you like this guerrilla army (video) of eco-Nazis patrolling your schools, your neighborhood, or even your home? A few parents have contacted me after their children were subjected to this indoctrination effort by ACE, including a father in Connecticut who summarized it well:
So, what's wrong with this? At one level, it is frustrating to see instruction time spent this way. With constrained budgets, available instruction time could be better spent. Our school's curriculum barely made time in the first eight years of instruction to educate our children on the history of the United States and its unique form of government, grounded in the principle of limiting centralized power.
At another level, one wonders what the policy is to allow outside groups to come to the school and actively enjoin students to take political action. Can I invite the NRA to a mandatory assembly urging political action in support of the Second Amendment? That would at least have the advantage of actually being in support of our rights as U.S. citizens as enumerated in the Constitution.
The chosen venue of a mandatory school assembly grants it an imprimatur, the legitimacy of authority, under the banner of education. This is at best a thin veneer of "science" over top of a thick wedge of political advocacy, presented as one-sided propaganda. This isn't education so much as it's a political pep rally.</blockquote>
In less than two years, ACE has aggressively built a nationwide organization to capture the next generation to promote global warming alarmism. Wind energy entrepreneur Michael Haas reportedly launched ACE with his own seed money (looks like it was more than $2 million, according to tax returns on Guidestar), and also added a family member and a business associate at BP Alternative Energy (which he does not disclose) to its board. The organization now has nine teams in major cities across the country, covering every region.
Polls may show that most Americans today are skeptical about the dangers of global warming, and it's taken its hits due to Climategate. But Haas and friends are doing their best to protect their vested interests, to make sure this movement has a better future.
About the Author
Paul Chesser is executive director for the American Tradition Institute and a senior fellow for the Commonwealth Foundation for Public Policy Alternatives. The views he expresses do not necessarily reflect the views of these organizations.
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Yosemeti Sam| 4.13.10 @ 6:49AM
If ever there were a reason for parental control -
it's to protect children from ClimoZazis propaganda!
These outfits - ACE lecturers - trying to cultivate
little brown shirt enviroStasi.
Eric Cartman| 4.13.10 @ 10:02AM
I don't know, Sam. There may be some positive aspects to this. Consider how much fuel is wasted on busing the fat kids of America to schools? I say, get rid of the buses - make 'em walk! See how they like the way it was in the 1950s - and no video games!
Then look at Detroit. It's just a waste of everyone's time and money even having schools there. Close 'em up and save all the energy in busing, AC, heating and feeding America's future Crack Hos and Pimp Daddies, not to mention hiring the worthless teachers and administrators to not teach anything of value.
This could be taken further if we put some thought into it. For example, why have homeless shelters in the cold states? These people don't have anything to do - that sounds mean. Lets just say they have a lot of time on their hands. So what's a little bus ride to a guy talking to an imaginary friend? I say we save all the resources that go into taking care of these deadbeats and bus them to California, specifically, San Fransisco and Malibu.
So lets not poo-poo the idea so fast! Lets come up with energy saving innovations that will surly piss off the Left. Anyone else have an idea? Let's brainstorm here, people!
Purpleguy| 4.14.10 @ 1:04AM
What paranoia! Go take a chill pill ... no one is "indoctrinating" children - these are high school students - since when do they listen to adults. Peddle your hysteria elsewhere...
purpleguy'senemy| 4.15.10 @ 9:41PM
pshhh...... is that total ingnorance I hear? Or is it the far left trying to give excuses for their own bad behavior again? @Purpleguy, I seriously question your knowledge on the subject, if any. No offense, of course, but you will call it oppression anyway. Don't waste my time.
Pingback| 4.13.10 @ 7:16AM
Must Know Headlines 4.13.2010 — ExposeTheMedia.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Melvin| 4.13.10 @ 7:40AM
I did a cut a paste from the Guardian UK as reported by them by information that was left on a hotel computer by mistake and given to the Guardian Staff.
A confidential U.S. government document obtained by the London Guardian highlights the ongoing agenda to create a structure of global governance in the name of combating climate change.
Confidential document reveals Obama's hardline US climate talk strategy
Document outlines key messages the Obama administration wants to convey in the run-up to UN climate talks in Mexico in November
Strategic communications objectives
1) Reinforce the perception that the US is constructively engaged in UN negotiations in an effort to produce a global regime to combat climate change. This includes support for a symmetrical and legally binding treaty.
2) Manage expectations for Cancun – Without owning the message, advance the narrative that while a symmetrical legally binding treaty in Mexico is unlikely, solid progress can be made on the six or so main elements.
3) Create a clear understanding of the CA's standing and the importance of operationalising ALL elements.
4) Build and maintain outside support for the administration's commitment to meeting the climate and clean energy challenge despite an increasingly difficult political environment to pass legislation.
5) Deepen support and understanding from the developing world that advanced developing countries must be part of any meaningful solution to climate change including taking responsibilities under a legally binding treaty.
Media outreach
• Continue to conduct interviews with print, TV and radio outlets driving the climate change story.
• Increase use of off-the-record conversations.
• Strengthen presence in international media markets during trips abroad. Focus efforts on radio and television markets.
• Take greater advantage of new media opportunities such as podcasts to advance US position in the field bypassing traditional media outlets.
• Consider a series of policy speeches/public forums during trips abroad to make our case directly to the developing world.
Key outreach efforts
• Comprehensive and early outreach to policy makers, key stakeholders and validators is critical to broadening support for our positions in the coming year.
• Prior to the 9-11 April meeting in Bonn it would be good for Todd to meet with leading NGOs. This should come in the form of 1:1s and small group sessions.
• Larger group sessions, similar to the one held at CAP prior to Copenhagen, will be useful down the line, but more intimate meetings in the spring are essential to building the foundation of support. Or at the very least, disarming some of the harsher critics.
ferengi | 4.14.10 @ 2:56PM
Melvin, do you have links to this information? VERY interesting - I would like to look this up. THX
David Watkins| 4.14.10 @ 7:49PM
They are going to Cancun in November? Will this be the like the love fest they had in Copenhagen where nothing was done but the carbon footprint of thousands of additional people flying there and living it up will never be reduced? Kind of like the eco warriors who tell us to live green BUT live in really big houses that are 4 or 5 or more times larger than what I can afford to live in.
Paul Ashley| 4.13.10 @ 7:41AM
Another reason to get the feds out the re-education business. If they get total control, "courses" like this will be mandated to be in the curriculum and it will be beaten into the kids every day, not just for one hour.
Donserge| 4.13.10 @ 8:34AM
"IF they get total control"? ? Government has had total control over the country's children for decades! Children are dumbed down, indoctrinated into socialism, taught 'self-esteem' over basic learning, have gay-awareness days...I could go on and on. When Marxists have children in their control for 35-40 hours per week and a parent has them one on one for maybe an hour....government schools will win most of the time.
Purpleguy| 4.14.10 @ 1:08AM
An hour for one on one with your children per week? What kind of parent is that? Not one interested in their child... stop the hysteria, kids aren't that dumb-especially teenagers. Good Lord, grow up and be a good parent ... this whole thing is one big paranoia rant - another thing the right wing wants you to be afraid of. How stupid.
DAC| 4.13.10 @ 8:57AM
Reasons # 975 - 979 why we homeschool our boys. At the unionized indoctrination factories, they wouldn't learn to recognize and define an "eco-communist," nor learn that "global warming" is a fraud and pretext for unlimited government control over our lives.
I might add that things have changed radically just in my short lifetime; in the late 1980s when I was in high school, there were occasional bubblings of this kind of political indoctrination, and of course fashionable leftist causes worn on t-shirts by concerned students. But overall, even at a public high school in northern California, there wasn't this relentless socialist theme permeating all aspects of student life and dominating faculty focus. We were--sounds so quaint--relatively free to learn and form our own judgments. I simply can't and won't count on that with today's schools, public or private.
So build your kids' moral and intellectual foundation early and often, so that if and when they do go to school outside the home--which they will--they are prepared to do battle.
Eddie| 4.13.10 @ 9:26AM
Mr. Chesser is correct in stating that other groups such as the NRA for instance should be allowed to enter our schools and tout their good points. The problem is, with this regime in place in Washington, only those organizations that pass muster with the liberals will be allowed to brainwash our kids. A dangerous and sad situation!
Purpleguy| 4.14.10 @ 1:09AM
Schools are run by the States - remember them? Get off the "Washington is out to get us" mantra - it's getting old.
Purpleguy'senemy| 4.15.10 @ 9:44PM
There's this thing called the department of education, fool. Ugh. quit making excuses, we see right through your greenie mentality.
Marc Jeric| 4.13.10 @ 9:58AM
Given time every union will fall into Mafia or communist hands - it is a law of nature; then the union will destroy the industry it dominates. except for government employee unions - they last forever, no matter how much destruction they caused (Post Office, Amtrak, schools). Three whole generations of illiterate nincompoops are now voting with eco-nazis and communists, basing their votes on "social justice" and "economic exploitation". As for the global cooling hoax of the 1970's, followed by the global warming scam of the 1990's, followed by the climate change flimflam in the 2000's, and now with the cap & trade power grab - it is still the same conspiracy invented by government-paid drones (mainly rejects of private enterprise) designed to nationalize all energy industries, introduce global taxing system, under a UN-sponsored world socialist/communist government.
Purpleguy| 4.14.10 @ 1:11AM
That's ridiculous ... how is it that Union membership is down in this country over the last 30 years, if they are all so powerful and taking over... That is complete bunk scare tactics again. Do you right wingers know anything but fear ?
Nick| 4.14.10 @ 7:56AM
Pay no attention to PurpleJackass folks.
He doesn't even know that Virginia governors don't run for re-election because they can only serve one term, then have to wait 4 years to run again.
He also likes to berate others for spelling "hypocrisy" wrong, and in the same post he wrote "hypocrit", like a moron.
He is not worthy of debate with grown-ups.
Riggers| 4.15.10 @ 5:49PM
Do you left wingers know anything at all??
Petronius| 4.15.10 @ 12:59PM
Marc is right for the wrong reasons. The postal service is viable to the extent that the NALC members carrying the mail prevent management from sabotaging our work with Dickensian horseshit work rules. If we were allowed to case and carry our routes without having to juggle 3 different bundles, we would be more efficient and COST LESS.
The NEA and National Federation of Teachers are fellow travelers in the ecology movement.
As to manufacturing going overseas, the motives for exporting this capital are in descending order:
1, product liability law and litigation; 2, costs of environmental compliance; 3, affirmative action and all other social engineering which promotes and subsidizes incompetence in our private sector. Unionization and labor costs are a poor 4th.
The union leadership believes that they can turn the calendar back 50 years, but that will never happen as the developing countries have a viable industrial base. And heavy industry will not return until labor, government, and ecologists face reality. Fat chance. These factions will not accept risk or responsibility. They would also be forced to admit that they are Wrong.
Danny Mujica| 4.13.10 @ 9:58AM
Thank you for your article, it was very informative. This is just one of the reasons we homeschool our 4 kiddos. No, I do NOT want my children exposed to a political pep-rally based on junk science where they're promoting EcoNazi-ism. Guilt trip is right. Forget them, we're going to continue to life our "privileged" lives and continue to thank God for America. Thank you again for your article, it appears these Leftists will continue to attack freedom from all angles.
chi| 4.13.10 @ 10:15AM
only those organizations that pass muster with the liberals will be allowed to brainwash our kids. A dangerous and sad situation!
Given time every union will fall into Mafia or communist hands - it is a law of nature; then the union will destroy the industry it dominates. except for government employee unions - they last forever, no matter how much destruction they caused (Post Office, Amtrak, schools).
Matt Morehouse| 4.13.10 @ 10:26AM
Well, the Wackos are very successful with the recycling and organic fantasies. This is just the next step to total mind control.
Citizen Jerry| 4.13.10 @ 11:06AM
Remember folks, it's your own tax dollars that are going to indoctrinate your children into a socialist worldview in every area of life. For the sake of our nation, pull ... your children ... out!
mejamom| 4.13.10 @ 11:25AM
So there are scientists who have evidence that there is global warming, right? And scientists that have evidence there isn't. Seems to me when a group wants to promote a cause, they will find "facts" to back themselves up. In this issue, the conservative right sees the left as wanting to control the rest of us. The liberal left sees the right as being too stupid to know what's good for the earth and it's people.
Teachers are people and therefore biased towards a particular convention. I can't afford to stay home and school my kids, but I do pay attention to what they're exposed to. We tell them, whenever an issue isn't absolute (2+2=4) examine both sides and find out which side has more to gain.
By the way, Mr. Chesser, good point about the NRA assembly.
Pingback| 4.13.10 @ 11:55AM
Global Climate Scam » Lyin’ for Climate Indoctrination links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
MMD| 4.13.10 @ 3:07PM
Mefamom,
You make the statement:
"We tell them, whenever an issue isn't absolute (2+2=4) examine both sides and find out which side has more to gain."
That's fine and well but, when only ONE side of the "story" is being told, which one to you think the kids will buy? The one that makes us parents out to be the bad guy, that's for sure!
You can check up on what your kids are hearing and give them both sides but, as I said, when only one side of the "story" is being told to them, guess what these kids will accept? The one most popular with the REST of the kids. After all, being popular and part of the gang is more important than anything being actually correct, right?
MMD| 4.13.10 @ 3:09PM
Sorry, the above was supposed to be
meJamom!!
fundamentalist| 4.13.10 @ 3:38PM
Young people are naturally anti-authoritarian and skeptical of having propaganda pushed down their throats. Of course some will always go along with the authorities, but my kids could usually see through the propaganda. They and their friends were always suspicious of anything the school promoted too enthusiastically and without any balance.
I'm encouraged by the response of the younger generation to abortion. My generation fought and debated the issue for decades. Our children's generation has turned against abortion. They saw through the spin and propaganda easily: a "fetus" is just an unborn child, so why isn't it a child before it is born? A child is a child; passing through the canal doesn't change anything.
If the current generation of adults doesn't screw things up too much, the next generation will cut through the smoke and see the hysteria over climate change for what it is.
Purpleguy| 4.14.10 @ 9:22AM
Pregnancy termination, while hopefully rare, is a medical procedure that should be open to those families or mothers who need it. For hundreds of years, the back-alley abortions proved that it will happen, legal or otherwise. It is safer for those looking for a pregnancy termination. Very seldom is the life of the child considered when it is put up for adoption, or worse, with no family, or brought into a family unready or unwilling to have the child only sows the seeds of a troubled life. Without the love and acceptance of a family around a child, what kind of life are you bringing into the world? It is certainly better not to get pregnant in the first place (condoms anyone?), but who wants to grow up as a mistake?
fundamentalist| 4.13.10 @ 3:41PM
PS, when the school takes a one-sided view of anything, most students become curious about what the opposition says and why the school is so adamant and afraid of allowing the other side to be heard. It's sort of like telling a kid not to touch a hot stove. The kid is going to be curious about how hot the stove is and how close he can get.
Margie| 4.13.10 @ 9:07PM
Excellent and encouraging post(s).
Children don't play games with the truth, especially when it comes to abortion. It's a shame the adults do in order to try and justify it.
"And calling to Him a child, He put him in the midst of them, and said, "Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven." Mt. 18:2 & 3.
Purpleguy| 4.14.10 @ 9:14AM
Exactly, teenagers are not the naive little easily lead empty heads that the article tries to portray. We don't need to be paranoid that the children are being indoctrinated - when was the last time your teenager just listened to you or anyone without challenging?
Nick| 4.14.10 @ 10:00AM
Pay no attention to PurpleJackass folks.
He doesn't even know that Virginia governors don't run for re-election because they can only serve one term, then have to wait 4 years to run again.
He also likes to berate others for spelling "hypocrisy" wrong, and in the same post he wrote "hypocrit", like a moron.
He is not worthy of debate with grown-ups.
Margie| 4.14.10 @ 1:03PM
Teenagers ARE empty headed skulls full of mush. That's why they need Right-minded Parents who will teach them the truth. The point is, they can sense when someone's gaming them.
Need to be paranoid? Not paranoid, just aware and sure to intervene so that you Progressive liars lose out with your indoctrinating fantasies.
c.j. acworth| 4.13.10 @ 4:10PM
I seem to remember a TV show from a few years back called "1900 House" or something like that. A family of 4 lived the life of their great-grandparents, with none of the modern devices that so befoul The Earth, and make our lives Hell, ( as we would all realize if we hadn't been brainwashed by Big Oil or something.) Does anyone else remember that show? Watching it with your newly-recruited Green Teen and pointing out how much fun it was to live without hot running water or ipods might get them thinking. (I especially liked watching Dad try to shave with a straight razor!) Maybe the show is available on disc from someplace.
Nick| 4.13.10 @ 7:17PM
c.j. acworth,
Yes, I remember this show. All watermelons (green on the outside, red on the inside) should be made to watch it.
There were many things I learned watching this show. Like how many, many children were burned on cast-iron stoves. And, how women were scalded just doing the laundry.
But, the most important thing I learned was how the family couldn't grow their own food in a backyard garden. Why? Because in a big city like London, everybody heated and cooked with COAL!
The show explained how the air was so polluted, that black clouds hung over big cities, cutting out the sunlight needed to grow food. When it would rain, a black soot would fall on the plants, futrther deterring growth.
When my dad saw this, he told us a story from his childhood. His parents were originally from outside of Pittsburg, in coal-mining country. On a trip back, in about '49 or '50, he was dressed up in a white button-up shirt. He wanted to go outside to play, and my grandma warned him, "Be careful and do not get dirty."
After being outside for about 15-20 minutes, his (once white) shirt now had black dust all over it. Since everyone in town used coal, it was in the air.
Pingback| 4.13.10 @ 6:37PM
Transition Towns and the Thick Spin « Life & Landscape Visual Imagery links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Stephanie| 4.13.10 @ 8:31PM
I knew if I read this I would be sick at my stomach. Wretched all the way.
HOME SCHOOL YOUR KIDS OR GIVE UP YOUR FLAT SCREEN, CABLE AND SUV AND SEND THEM TO A PRIVATE ONE
Pingback| 4.13.10 @ 8:39PM
Lyin’ for Climate Indoctrination – or lobbying for climate money with your kids : US links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 4.14.10 @ 3:03AM
Rebellion News links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 4.14.10 @ 8:28AM
On the Eve of Tax Day links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Osamas Pajamas| 4.15.10 @ 2:08AM
Burn ecofreaks and enviromaniacs as fuel, and as they are always blowing out methane, exhaust that energy source first.
Jones| 4.15.10 @ 7:05AM
What does this mean: Genesis 2:15 `And the Lord God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and keep it´- if not that we should protect the Earth?
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POLARBEAR72| 4.16.10 @ 8:33PM
If this was a Christian Group that was in the classroom preaching Creationism as fact...the left would be screaming to high heaven. But the PRIEST S of the GREEN ARMAGEDDON can come in with their quasi-religion and PREACH and the Left doesn't bat an eye. The FACT that the American Radical left is anti-family, anti-straight, anti-free speech, anti-hunting, and anti-fishing, anti-logging and anti-rural does not preclude them from claiming to be the only objective arbiters of reality. When in fact they are more partisan that any other group I have ever dealt with-primarily because (I think) their politics is their religion->so you are not just expressing a differing opinion you are denying an article of faith to them.
A neutral classroom with a focus on education rather than an indoctrination program is not too much to ask for and if any reasonable person reversed this story they would see, instatntly what the problem is.
We are 18th in the world in Math and lower in Science. Instead of preaching green lets teach algebra, trigonometry, calculus, statistics, biology, geology, chemistry and even home economics (still one of the best courses I ever had, our teacher subtitled the course “The Art of Frugality”).
Real curriculum with real outcomes.
Pingback| 4.28.10 @ 10:58AM
Cooler Heads Digest 16 April 2010 | GlobalWarming.org links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 5.10.10 @ 3:48PM
Cooler Heads Digest 16 April 2010 | GlobalWarming.org links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Upset Parent| 6.9.10 @ 3:24PM
This is sick. As a parent I have been very mad at
not only the false IPCC4 reports they "go by" as fact (man made global warming), but they also have POLITICAL LINKS through "consequence 09" link on their blog. They ask the teens to email their legislaors and give a script. It looks like consequence 09 is funded by the Wilderness Society if I found it right... How it be shown in public schools AND lead to political one sided sites and be legal (tax free/educational/donation etc). They say they go over the other side but only for like 10 seconds. They were agast my child didn't believe. Sad day- and who would have guessed the founder/initial funder works for BP alt energy. If they can't get oil $, they will just get cap and tax added so they are covered.
The workers don't even know... To be young and believe in something so much- you don't see the underlying agenda ($,cap and tax,politics)
EDUCATED your KIDS!
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