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CROSSLANDS December 14, 2004 Fiction Gets More Ink in U.S. Than UN's Climate Meeting American newspapers contain all the hokum that is fit to print on global warming. Michael Crichton, best-selling author of gigantic hits of fiction like "The Andromeda Strain" and "Jurassic Park," got more attention in major newspapers in the USA for his newest book that debunks global warming than the meeting that the world's governments held in Buenos Aires to deal with climate change. "State of Fear," his latest novel published by HarperCollins, is based on the premise that global warming is a fraud perpetrated by one of the most prominent environmental organizations in the US, the Natural Resources Defense Council - oops, no. Crichton thinly disguises the organization as the National Environmental Resource Fund. Editorially, the right-wing Wall Street Journal loved the book. The paper published a favorable review, not so much of the plot but of the beliefs it espouses, by a science commentator from the ultra-conservative Reason Foundation. The Los Angeles Times did the same. The editors of the left coast paper printed a commentary that claims there are two sides to climate change science, and both "have substantial data that support their points of view." The LA Times piece even managed to throw mud at Rachael Carson, blaming her for the death of millions from malaria since spraying DDT on mosquitoes was banned. (The allegation is false.) The Wall Street Journal's left of center competitor in Manhattan, the New York Times, reported that Crichton suggested the US is a nation of worrywarts. The Times quotes him as saying, "There are many groups in contemporary society who find it in their interest to promote fears." The papers' coverage of the Conference of Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change in Buenos Aires, where the nations of the world wrestled with ways to deal with global warming, was slim to negligible. For example, in the week while the UN met every day on global warming, the NY Times published three by-lined articles about Crichton's novel but just one from the conference in Buenos Aires. The LA Times devoted 719 words to Crichton's fantasy environmental conspiracy. The actual event taking place on climate change got 233 more words - fewer than in this article. _________________________ Peter Anderson, President RECYCLEWORLDS CONSULTING 4513 Vernon Blvd. Suite 15 Madison, WI 53705-4964 Ph: (608) 231-1100 Fax: (608) 233-0011 Cell: (608) 698-1314 eMail: anderson@no.address web: www.recycleworlds.net |
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