Brigstocke or Laughing Stock?

[singlepic=5,320,240,,right] Let’s get this out of the way first – I like Marcus Brigstocke; he’s funny, witty, inventive, responds in an original and disarmingly honest manner to challenges, and contributes well to shows such as Have I Got News for You.

I first saw him on We Are History back in the UK Play era, and I’ve been keeping an eye on him ever since.  I even agree with his politics – up to a point.

CND and Campaign Against the Arms Trade are worthy causes.

Promoting developed nation government “green” taxes is not a worthy cause.  It makes him an establishment stooge.

Global warming is evidently taking place.  Scientists at NASA predicted it during the 1990s as an effect of massive solar storms which are still affecting us.

To blame 250 years of industry on this change is short sighted; the various data is too small to come to any conclusion. 

Brigstocke has been talking to anyone who will listen recently about his trip to the Arctic, in which he witnessed first hand scientific studies into climate change.  Yet even he, a man with quite a brain, doesn’t seem to be able to grasp the difference between the concepts of man made climate change and global warming.

He also seems to be faltering on the issue of taxing people for no proven reason.

I’ll repeat that – man’s contribution to global warming has not been proven.  It would take many more years to do so.

As for the effect of punishing the tax payer for taking part in society (which “green” taxes effectively do – and how much of an effect does admistering these so called green taxes have on the environment?)

Those polar bears weren’t coming to kill you, Marcus – they were coming to explain that its a bit more complicated than “let’s tax people to keep global warming under control”.  And to explain that raising taxes on beer doesn’t stop people drinking, and it won’t stop people using cars and central heating.)

It would be better for all concerned if Brigstocke took a step back.  He’s put himself in a position that very possibly will make him look very silly and misguided in just a few years.