Marcus did some marketing:
“Every Australian parliamentarian should be provided with a copy.”
Anthony agreed:
“And States and Councils and every student should have it on compulsory reading lists immediately.”
Shane surmised:
“How many of the deep greens will just want to burn the book instead of thinking about the real science behind the issues. I would like to read this book with an open mind and hope others will do the same.”
Murray worried:
“This book is likely to banned or burned. It needs to be cancelled.”
PaulBKal applauded:
“Patrick Moore, founder of Greenpeace has been saying this for years. Michael Moore, filmmaker of progressive causes cast great doubts on the environmental movement’s claims in his latest film, Planet of the Humans. Now Shellenberger, a lifelong green activist and Time Magazine Hero of the Environment and president of Environmental Progress, an independent research and policy organisation.
“Surely the mainstream press has to take note now. These are not mere aberrations in the groupthink. These are very serious contributors trashing the narrative.”
Sophie said:
“The conclusions are not new. Those who have objectively understood the limitations of the evidence behind climate alarmism already held the same view as the author. What is new is the honesty. Its is hard for people to step away from being followers of a cult. I hope this book gives them courage.”
Prophet of Boom predicted:
“The science proving that CO2 is not the ‘temperature knob for the globe’ is actually all out there, but the Greens & the Left and those who have a vested interest in renewables are desperate to hide it.
“So we have Murry Salby, Roger Peilke Jnr, Willie Soon, Patrick Moore, Peter Ridd and a host of others who put forward science contrary to the ‘diktat’ of global warming being destroyed academically, and personally.
“We have The Conversation banning ‘deniers’ when they are actually the science deniers incapable of allowing evidence which may wreck their delusions to be seen. And Twitter removing followers from those they have identified as ‘deniers’ for no reason. Other social media companies acting similarly.
“And in unis we have a river of money going into often very poor quality research desperate to try to prove ‘climate change’, yet any researcher keen to look at evidence contrary is starved of grants, or worse, hounded out. Time for a wake up call on this junk science and good to see Michael bravely stepping forward here.”
Paul pointed out:
“Another conversion needing headlines is this story reported 5 days ago in the UK: Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Zion Lights quits green movement to become lobbyist for nuclear power saying: ‘I changed my mind’.”
Grant quoted Charles Mackay:
“Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen they go mad in herds, while they recover their senses slowly, one by one.”
Rob70 reckoned:
“Now that’s a book you won’t hear about on the ABC’s book club.”
Disco Stu marched to the beat of a different drum:
“One of the hardest things to do is admit you were wrong. Well done Mr Shellenberger — I wonder how many more are willing to look at the facts instead of following the herd.”
JC was jaded:
“Refreshing honesty. Unfortunately not a chance of making a dent in the individuals and corporations hugely invested in the climate change industry. Anyone who has built their livelihood and wealth on climate alarmism will resist to the end. Think on the many thousands of doctorates built on a climate change base and the indoctrination embedded in the education system. Will they admit they were victims of a cult? Not a chance.”
PR predicted:
“Brave man. He will be banned from the social media giants. Google will make it difficult to find his writing. His life will be threatened. At the least, no one will employ him again after he loses all tenure.”
Kirree was concerned:
“Thank you Michael Shellenberger I will definitely be buying your book to help my five grandchildren understand that there are other well informed and educated points of view to the appalling alarmism that the worldwide press has forced on upon us all in recent years.
“Each of my grandchildren in turn, with ages ranging from 9 to 17 years, has wanted to discuss this and appeared to desperately need some positivity and reassurance about the state of our planet.”
–
Business owners across the nation revealed they were struggling to recruit staff because too many people are earning more to stay home and collect the temporary doubling of the dole inspired by the pandemic. Linda’s lesson:
“This proves socialism breeds laziness. Generous taxpayer-funded handouts create an incentive in people not to look for work. Why? They receive more money while able to sleep in every morning and dawdle around the rest of the day. It’s outrageous.”
Robyn reckoned:
“This result was a no-brainer. It’s cold out there, why would anyone give up $550 per week to go out into the miserable weather, fight their way through traffic, or travel public transport and risk catching the virus for less money? Nah, roll over, go back to sleep the money will still roll in.”
Ian agreed:
“Myself and 3 other businesses nearby, in different industries, are having trouble getting employees because they don’t have to do anything and are perfectly happy with the current jobless handout.”
Chris was confused:
“I could never understand why the dole was doubled. If it was deemed as sufficient before the crisis, then surely it is sufficient during the crisis. There has been no increase in prices during the crisis — in fact the cost of living for many has reduced due to not having to travel to job interviews and rent relief schemes. Time to restore the dole back to its proper level. It is should be an incentive to work not an alternative to it.”
Chris P Bacon complained:
“The next argument will be that the shortage of willing workers necessitates in increases in migrant intake. Wake up. There is no such thing as a free lunch.”
Barbara bit back:
“Unless you’ve been in the awful position of not finding work — for over a year! — you have no idea just how untrue your words are. Anyone who is on the allowance must look for work — it is by no means a free ride.
“There will always be the unemployable but it’s very difficult, nowadays, to be a 1970s style ‘dole bludger’. In some states jobs are scarce, especially if you’re over 60. The dole may have initially been put in place as short-term assistance, but in this day and age — for many — those time frames don’t apply. The Newstart allowance and program was an abomination and for many a fastbtrack to near destitution.”
–
China has hit out at Scott Morrison’s offer of safe haven to Hong Kong nationals fleeing the mainland’s security crackdown, warning Australia not to go down the “wrong path.” Act now, said Niels:
“Having lived in HK, I’m all in favour of receiving as many HK people as necessary. However, our security services need to be extra vigilant to prevent the PRC inserting thousands of their agents or sympathisers in these new arrivals. That they will try to so is a certainty.”
Affirmative from Anna:
“Australia needs more citizens that value and appreciate democracy and the amazing freedoms we have here. These people are so brave to protest against the CCP, risking long imprisonments or worse. We should welcome them with open arms. They would be a great addition to our country.”
Andy agreed:
“Welcome them all. Wonderful people who are lifters not leaners. Australia will only benefit.”
Mark mentioned:
“I’m all for helping these very brave people and agree with the government’s actions.
I think its also time however, to reflect on when our reactions to these type of events seem inconsistent.
“When South African’s white farmers and families were being murdered by black raiders there was much hostility to so called “preferential “ treatment for whites. This is still going on SA.
It’s time to respond the same and start issuing visas there as well. (PS. And I’m not South African).”
TIM B lamented:
“When I lived in Hong Kong in the nineties, the Royal Hong Kong Police Force was a highly-trained and professional law enforcement body that took its duty of care to the people very seriously indeed. This successor ‘police’ force, with its violent, unsympathetic and abusive behaviour is a travesty and simply a tool of oppression, manipulated by its masters in Beijing.”
J. M. B wasn’t keen:
“Oh yeah, great idea, thousands of people from one culture (who are essentially Chinese, not British), to a country vastly different from their own (but, they are cashed up and will live in all the now empty high-rises), to compete with the tens of thousands of Australians that have just lost their jobs – and that will really stick it to the Chinese government.”
Rodney reckoned:
“The success of Australia’s immigration programme has always been that we don’t have a large minority from one country or race. If that changes, and the present trend of more and more people from China or Hong Kong continues, we are jeopardising the social cohesion that has been carefully created over 70 years.”
Lucifer’s_dawn was dark:
“We are in the middle of a plague, the consequences of which are disastrous labour market conditions with much hardship thrust upon many Australians. With the exception of supermarkets, no section of the economy is in good shape. The last thing we need is tens — even hundreds – of thousands of people from Hong Kong flooding into our country during this difficult time.”
Stephen was sceptical:
“How do those that want to leave, leave? Travel is near impossible right now — the HK airline is almost closed — will BA and QF fly in empty aircraft to take out those that want out? Of course not.
“Will the CCP even allow people to leave? Will they even allow people in HK to apply for whatever visas are required? Will they even let people into the relevant embassies to do so? And of course the i/net in China is heavily censored and controlled — so if they do the same in HK even “remote” visa applications will be impossible.”
Last work to Graham:
“Britain’s move prompted threats of retaliation by China, which accused it of reneging on a promise ahead of the 1997 handover not to grant full citizenship rights to Hongkongers. 20th Century Eastern Europe built a wall to prevent its citizens leaving and now China is trying to prevent the Hongkongers from leaving. What is it about communist countries that none of its citizens actually want to live in one?”
–
Each Friday the cream of your views on the news rises and we honour the voices that made the debate great. To boost your chances of being featured, please be pertinent, pithy and preferably make a point. Solid arguments, original ideas, sparkling prose, rapier wit and rhetorical flourishes may count in your favour. Civility is essential. Comments may be edited for length.
They couldn’t, could they? Labor’s audacious Tassie power grab
A party with just 10 seats out of 35 cobbling together a patchwork government? Is it a progressive pact – or a plain potty plot?
What media’s coverage misses in Australia’s US-China strategy
Anthony Albanese needs the China trade relationship because of our coal and iron ore exports but he must not kowtow to a country which imposed unconscionable trade sanctions.
Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Former climate change warrior Michael Shellenberger did an about face this week, apologising on behalf of environmentalists “for the climate scare we created” as he launched his new denier’s bible, Apocalypse Never.