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Schmitt picked to head energy and natural resources
Harrison “Jack” Schmitt
Gov. Susana Martinez today nominated former U.S. Sen. and astronaut Harrison “Jack” Schmitt to head the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
Schmitt, a former NASA geologist, has a doctorate from Harvard University. He landed on the moon on Dec. 11, 1972. The Republican was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976 and served one term.
“Senator Schmitt’s diverse background gives him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be helpful in guiding the responsible development and protection of New Mexico’s diverse natural resources,” Martinez said in a news release. “Harnessing and developing energy sources right here in New Mexico is critical to reviving our economy and creating jobs.”
Schmitt said he is “proud to continue my career of public service as secretary of the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department under Governor Martinez.”
“I look forward to working with the governor to enhance New Mexico’s potential to be a leader in energy and natural resource development,” he said.
Update, 3 p.m.
This from the Democratic Party of New Mexico:
“In a clear sign that polluters in New Mexico will have free reign under her administration, Gov. Susana Martinez today nominated global warming denier and former astronaut Harrison ‘Jack’ Schmitt to head the state’s Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department.
“On many occasions, Schmitt has scoffed at decades of sound scientific evidence and a mountain of research that validated the human causes of global climate change.
“In one instance he told Fox News that the ‘CO2 scare is a red herring,’ that the ‘global warming scare is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision-making.’
“‘Martinez promised bold change and she’s bringing it in the form of an appointee at odds with the basic tenets of science and reason,’ said DPNM Executive Director Scott Forrester. ‘This appointment is a clear signal to Martinez’s big-oil backers that the days of basic protections for New Mexicans’ air and drinking water are over.’”
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Dr. J:
We have been going after the science… over and over and over again for forty years. Hemmingway may have made an assertion about Dr. Linzen’s potential conflicts-of-interest (with documentation, I might add), but several others (including yourself) have made equivalent (and undocumented) blanket charges about all scientists who believe in man-made climate change and you let it slide. Why is it that you seem to think that disagreements by people on the left are automatically the same thing as personal attacks, but personal attacks by people on the right are legitimate contributions to the debate?
Spiro:
Thank you. You’ll hear from me in a day or two.
Typical liberal ploy, if you can’t argue the science then personally attack the scientist and try to paint them as an oil industry stooge. Richard is not, by any means.
IcarusPhoenix:
I’d be glad to answer any questions that you may have – contact me directly at 505-247-2810 or spiro@vassilopoulos.com.
Regards,
Spiro
wantanhonestman:
Those “real” scientists you refer to are in other fields and always seem to have trouble citing any evidence that has anything to do with the science of climatology. Think of it this way; if you need open-heart surgery and have your choice of doctors, are you going to go out and pick a knee surgeon to do the job? No, which is why on issues that are equally complex (say, climate change?) I’m going to ask a climatologist, rather than, say, a mineralogist or geologist – fields, by the way, in which there are still a fair number of scientists who are going to tell you that man-made climate change is demonstrably real.
As for Senator Kerry, what made him a multi-millionaire was marrying one. It had absolutely nothing to do with climate change science, and I find it fascinating that your evidence against the science is so flimsy that you have to change history to attempt to prove your case.
To Spiro, I would like to say: My issue with Jack Schmitt really doesn’t have much to do with his poor grasp on a specific science that is decidedly outside his own field (particularly when, as I’ve stated, much of what his office does is cross-jurisdictional with the Land Office), nor is my concern in any way related to some of his more bizarre political views (as those are tangential to the job he’s being hired to do). My concern is simple; his office already has geologists (not to mention mineralogists, physicists, etc.), but what are his qualifications as an administrator, and were any of the other candidates (including yourself) better qualified in this area?
Jerry Mahlman, director of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, did not accept Lindzen’s assessment of tglobal warming , and said that Lindzen had “sacrificed his luminosity by taking a stand that most of us feel is scientifically unsound.” Basically Dr. Lindzen is a nice guy but he sold out to the oil industry – pure and simple.
Ok…everyody put their guns back in their holsters – New Mexico with it’s ~2 million people is not going to be the key variable in the the global warming equation.
So, for the record, I plead nolo on the GHG issue.
Myself and, I believe, 5 others asked to be considered for Secretary of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. Was I dissapointed for not getting the post? Yes, of course.
However, in the final analysis, Jack Schmitt was the best choice.
Dr. Lindzen “charges oil and coal interests $2,500 a day for his consulting services” He represents the oil industry. See the attached
http://www.exxonsecrets.org/html/personfactsheet.php?id=17
It’s past time that our elected leaders recognize that the human species is as valuable as every other species. Lately, all we see appointed are people who want to drive us to our demise as quickly as possible. Global warming is a ploy that made Kerry a multi-millionaire (convenient, huh)! Read statements from REAL scientists who have told everyone that would listen that it didn’t exist. Thank you, Governor Martinez for a common sense selection.
Dr. Lindzen is an even more distinguished climate prof at MIT (and one I am personally familiar with) and he would strongly disagree with Kerry on most everything Kerry claims, Kerry is what is known in MIT circles as a “political” scientist. He is no conservative, that’s a laugh. Here is a good paper by Lindzen on the antics of the Kerry’s of the world:
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0809/0809.3762.pdf
and of course his breakthrough hypothesis is detailed here, where water vapor is the by far most dominant GHG, with CO2 but a minor player:
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/Iris/
You really don’t want to get me started on this, I have a long, PowerPoint lecture I give on this subject.
The anti-science posture of some conservatives is reflected in our declining educational system. We are ranked a poor 14th in Reading, Math and Science. A great country is depended on an educated public. Here are the rankings:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/dec/07/world-education-rankings-maths-science-reading#data
Real Conservative scientists are repelled by anti-Global Warming radicals. Kerry Emanuel is a highly regarded professor of atmospheric science at MIT and a political conservative. He said it best: “I’ve always rebelled against the thinking that ideology can trump fact. The people who call themselves conservative these days aren’t conservative by my definition. I think they’re quite radical. I am a rare example of a Republican scientist. The best way to elevate the number of Republican scientists is to get Republican politicians to stop beating up on science and scientists.” The Republican Party has become anti-science. Read the whole article ————-
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2013866921_climate07.html
Not to be pedantic, Spiro, but what you actually wrote was that we’d have a chance to vote for a new governor in 2018; strictly speaking, we’ll next have that chance in 2014. That doesn’t mean we’ll necessarily win, mind you, though I am less willing than some to assume our incumbent governor will be automatically reelected after she’s based upon her job performance in less than a week; Dr. J is, as always, so irrational that he can’t see such an assumption to be equally hopeful on the part of either party.
Meanwhile, ksparks has decided that agreement is the same as intellect. Apparently, the only “serious scientists” are the small minority who agree with your increasingly untenable beliefs. Most scientists who deny man-made climate change are in the fields of geology and physics, and unsurprisingly, most of them are dependent on oil and coal money – rather than being dependent on “government grants”, a charge that can’t be leveled at most scientists who believe in man-made climate change with a great deal of accuracy, since an overwhelming majority of all scientists are in this category (and government grants hardly accounts for the majority of scientific research money); among climatologists, that number is nearly unanimous. If you’re going to make an aspersion about money leading viewpoints, ksparks, you should first make sure that it is a) accurate, b) that the same charge can’t be made against your side, and c) that you actually understand the viewpoint you’re disagreeing with.
Not only is your statement that the science “CANNOT” be proven demonstrably false, it actually has been demonstrated accurate, which is why we are the only country in the industrialized world where we’re still seriously having this ludicrous discussion. Everywhere else, man-made climate change is acknowledged as a part of official policy, and the willfully blind deniers like yourselves have been returned to the rear echelons of the tin-foil hat brigade where they belong.
This is a great pick. Schmitt is a very good man and smart to boot. I’m surprised he wants to do the job.
Let’s hope Susana doesn’t scare him away with her ignorance on issues. If she and her unimpressive staff allows him to do his job, we’ll be fine.
I am sure it’s not just me and my business associates, but it just seems that on anything other than law enforcement matters, Susana comes unconvincing and rehearsed like she’s packaged by her political operation. Her lack of knowledge is so obvious to the business community here in Albuquerque. It’s actually embarrassing.
Dr. J & Spiro, seems like we, along with stever and gm,are the ONLY intelligent life on this post. Hemingway is already headed to the New York Public Library to be snowed in with Jake Gyllenhaul “Day After Tomorrow.” I knew the environmental nuts would come out of the woodwork to oppose Senator Schmidt. Global warming CANNOT be proven and has absolutely NO credibility among serious scientists who are not beholden to federal grant money for their livelihood and their careers.
Let Gary King run for Governor in 2014. By then Gov. Martinez will have proved that she is the best answer for New Mexico and send him into the political graveyard, like she did with Diane Denish and Brian Colon.
Absolutely correct in all your assessments Spiro. Hope springs eternal in the left wing mind however, to the point of irrationality in fact.
Good morning IcarusPhoenix:
No, Governor Martinez is not cancelling the 2014 election….she’ll work hard for the next 4 years for NM and she will be rewarded for another 4 years.
Spiro:
Was Governor Martinez planning on cancelling the 2014 election?
As for gm’s assertion that we’ll have oil for “several more generations”, let’s ignore for the moment the obvious deleterious effect oil use and extraction have on our environment and just concentrate on the meat of the statement: What bizarre calculation are you basing that little gem on? The most optimistic projections of 2-3 generations hardly qualifies as “several”. I shall wisely ignore Dr. J’s strange belief that science is only science if he agrees with it. Dr. Schmitt is an excellent scientist and has been an excellent public servant… and is absolutely the wrong choice for this particular job. Thankfully, the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources secretary is very limited in the scope of their power. He may be answerable to Governor Martinez, but almost everything he does is monitored by Commissioner Powell and the Land Office.
One thing you have to know about Dr, Schmitt. He is an UFO enthusiast. Here is an article that speaks of Dr. Schmitt and UFO activities as a Senator. Here is a quote from the article:
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iZq2iweBtsEJ:www.presidentialufo.com/ronald-reagan/99-reagan-ufo-story+dissertation+%22Harrison+Jack+Schmitt%22&cd=7&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
http://books.google.com/books?id=HWYvNErLKHsC&pg=PA140&lpg=PA140&dq=schmitt+%22Paul+Bennewitz%22&source=bl&ots=KM-8LF9vmt&sig=FSGjBCS9lTrqW1BIhWh7j4KNdFs&hl=en&ei=To8mTeWZG9Wqngfu67DAAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=schmitt%20%22Paul%20Bennewitz%22&f=false
http://www.projectcamelot.org/bennewitz.html
“Schmitt’s actions spoke very strongly towards his interest in solving the UFO mystery. In 1979 during the peek wave of cattle mutilations Schmitt gathered together 200 policemen, cattlemen, investigators, FBI agents, and media men from 11 western states in Albuquerque for the only official investigation into the cattle mutilation phenomena. No solution to the problem was reached by the gathering, but only a few days later the justice Department offered money for an investigation.
Even more spectacular was Senator Schmitt’s involvement a year later in the case of Paul Bennewitz, an Albuquerque businessman who had contacted Kirkland Air Force base, USAF intelligence, and President Reagan about his claim that he was monitoring a base of aliens operating in the center of the Jicarilla Reservation in Northern New Mexico. On November 10 Bennewitz was invited to the Kirkland Air Force base to present his findings to a small group of officers and scientists. A week later, agent Richard Doty Bennewitz that the Air Force Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI) had decided against further consideration of the matter.
At this point Senator Schmitt involved himself in the case asking Doty asking what AFOSI was planning to do about Bennewitz’s allegations. When informed that no investigation was planned, Schmitt spoke with Brig. Gen. William Brooksher of base security.”
If you are searching for UFO’s, Dr. Schmitt is your MAN!
I’ve known Jack for 30 yr……Excellent choice by the Guv and i’m really glad he accepted…..This war against oil companies and corporations by Dems is incomprehensible……Global warming or no, New Mexico can do absolutely nothing to have any effect…..China goes online with a coal-fired plant every 10 days or so and we are going to save the planet by limiting CO2 emissions?…..crazy……People have to understand that we will need oil for several more generations……
There are givers and takers in NM and Jack is a giver obviously……He needs the job like he needs a CO2 injection…..
Sugar and Hemingway- too old eh? Wow that’s just a dumb reason.
Geologist Schmitt is an excellent choice for Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources. For those of you that disagree with the appointment, take heart – you will have a chance to vote for a new governor in November of 2018.
Hem –
Funny thing – the other day I was asking “what on earth has Jeff Bingaman done for us?”
He is one of the most ineffective Senators with such a long tenure.
University of Arizona paleoclimatologist Connie Woodhouse would disagree with Dr. Schmitt and his shaky ocean theory. Read this fascinating article.
http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2010/12/14/14climatewire-scientists-see-the-southwest-as-first-major-78170.html
Dr. Schmitt said: “The scientific rationale behind the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed massive intrusion into American life in the name of fighting climate change has no scientific or constitutional justification. This hard left excursion into socialism, fully supported by the Congressional Leadership and the President, has no basis in observational science, as has been discussed previously relative to climate history, temperature, and carbon dioxide.”
Absolutely correct and based on the best science and constitutional grounds. This paleoclimatologist agrees with his science, he is spot-on and this is clearly proven in the geologic data record and science of the earth’s climate history.
When Dr. Schmitt’s ran for reelection as Senator from New Mexico in 1982 his opponent’s slogan was “What on earth has Jack Schmitt done for us?” The question today is: what on earth will Jack Schmitt will do to us?
Here are more dubious remarks from arch conservative Dr. Schmitt:
“The scientific rationale behind the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed massive intrusion into American life in the name of fighting climate change has no scientific or constitutional justification. This hard left excursion into socialism, fully supported by the Congressional Leadership and the President, has no basis in observational science, as has been discussed previously relative to climate history, temperature, and carbon dioxide.”
Dr. Schmitt is wedded to big oil – He was the Chairman and President of the Annapolis Center For Science-Based Public Policy between 1994 and 1998, and remains “Chairman Emeritus”. Tthe Annapolis Center has received more than $860,000 in funding from ExxonMobil for their so-called independent studies since 1998.
“The Annapolis Center actively argues against the idea that global warming is the result of burning fossil fuels. They also advocate increased logging for better forest health and question rising mercury levels among other things. The Annapolis Center is funded primarily by the National Association of Manufacturers. The Center’s founder and COO, Richard Seibert was a former National Association of Manufacturers Vice President.”
See quote in following:
http://www.exxonsecrets.org/html/orgfactsheet.php?id=13%22%20\l%20%22src12
I am glad that Ray Powell is the new Land Commissioner. I think that Schimitt is wrong about global warming and that he is too old. A poor pick by our new governor!!!!
This former astronaut and moon-walker, who is 75, and a doctorate scientist doesn’t buy the idea that humans are causing global warming. Dr. Schmitt has come to the conclusion that “[t]he CO2 scare is a red herring and the global warming scare is being used as a political tool to increase government control over American lives, incomes and decision-making!” Science has been turned upside down, and science has become politicized – poor appointment.
Absolutely agreed ksparks. I was holding out hope for Harrison for Environment Department, since his scientific views and facts of anthropogenic global warming are so accurate and scientifically valid, but Energy is also good. An incredibly astute and outstanding pick Guv. He would make an even better U.S. Sec. of Energy or Interior, he is head and shoulder above Stevie Chu and Kenny Salazar, but that may have to wait for 2012.
Absolute, top notch selection, Governor!!!