President Obama made some remarks from the Rose garden on June 25, 2009 supporting the proposed Cap and trade legislation.  In part, he said “There is no longer a debate whether dangerous carbon pollution is placing our planet in jeopardy.  It’s happening.”  The tendency to speak in absolutes is very pronounced in some demographic groups.  It occurs disproportionately among politicians and married men.

The implication to be drawn from “There is no longer….” suggests that a debate has occurred and evidence has determined an outcome.  Contrary to the President’s assertion, even a casual trip around the Internet can find serious credentialed people debating his basic assumption.  There are others who accept the warming scenario but propose that it is both cyclical and predictable or that changes in the sun are responsible and have far greater effect than carbon emissions.  There is serious disagreement about what effect, if any, the proposed legislation would have in mitigating the problem.

“There is no longer….” is decidedly different than there is no debate necessary or there is a debate but we choose not to participate.  When politicians start speaking in absolutes, ask yourself “What do they really know? Why should we believe them?”

The appeal of absolute certainty is so intoxicating that politicians rarely express doubt, even on the record.  Barney Frank and Maxine Waters were sure about the financial stability of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.  It’s instructive to look back.  Politicians are often wrong in their certainty but they never get over speaking in absolutes.  Watch Inconvenient truth and then view The great global warming swindle.  Is the debate over?  Did it ever happen?