By Robert Bradley Jr.
“Get off the high horse, we are all 'climate pros', you just have a different perspective on how to achieve it.” Mr Bradley interacts with anyone who questions his statements. As for your accusation that he's “making a point”? He does that every day. Catching up…” Mark Rohrbacher to Thomas Ortman (below)
Social media exchanges between free market advocates and the government on energy/climate are a great way to understand the arguments, politics, and motivations of everyone involved. Don't give up on culture, let the best ideas win. Here is a LinkedIn exchange in which I (and others) rebut a well-known ad hominem. In this case, a certain Thomas Ortman simply…disappeared.
The exchange took place with a contribution from Gavin Mooney, who describes himself as an “energy transition optimist”. “Batteries took a big leap forward in California this spring, soaking up solar energy during the day and releasing it when it’s needed in the evening,” he wrote. I have responded:
Sure, but at what cost, economically and ecologically? Resources are scarce… The government creates nothing but redistributes them from the many to the political elite.
A discussion ensued from both sides (167 comments in the last week), including this ad hominem.
Geoffrey Lakings: What needs to be understood regarding IER and its biases can be summed up in this one statement: “The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a non-profit 'partner' organization of the American Energy Alliance that is a 501(c )(4) Grassroots organization designed to communicate IER policies to voters. The groups are led by Tom Pyle, a former lobbyist for Koch Industries.”
Mark Rohrbacher: All non-profit organizations have their benefactors, Greenpeace, Tides Foundation, Rockefeller, etc. Is it really necessary for us to pit Soros and Co. against the “Koch Brothers”?
I am so tired of “green advocates” portraying their opposition as “evil” or posting with an ulterior motive just because of the organization they belong to. It is repeated over and over again on LinkedIn and reduces the level of discourse.
Rob Bradley: Geoffrey S. Lakings Classic liberal in education and politics. Pro consumer, taxpayer, freedom and environment. What's your beef? Our several thousand supporters want to know.
The idea that wind, solar, and batteries are green and that the government should override consenting adults in its energy decisions puts the burden of proof on you.
Thomas Ortman: Thank you, Geoffrey S. Lakings. That makes perfect sense considering how Rob Bradley has been throwing hand grenades into every clean energy/clean technology discussion for years. It was clear there was a huge bias, but I didn't know the backstory.
Rob, we all have biases. My work is heavily climate pro-climate and I am not paid to promote what I believe to be true and ethical. The difference is that you are obviously well informed on the issue and yet you frequently spread misinformation/disinformation, which I find very disingenuous. It seems you enjoy throwing out an ounce of discontent and eliciting five pounds of reaction. I suppose since your position is a paid one, it would be reasonable to ask you to state your position and speak out for *something* (as opposed to your constant bushfires without offering anything constructive).
If your bias/employer is to support oil and gas – well, you must have enough integrity to say so. Then we can have an honest discussion about all the critical areas where the O&G sector can make crucial and beneficial contributions.
Mark Rohrbacher: “If your/employer bias is to support oil and gas…you must have sufficient integrity to say so.” He's not hiding anything. Get off your high horse, we are all “climate pros”, you just have a different perspective on how to achieve it. Mr. Bradley interacts with anyone who questions his statements. As for your accusation that he's “making a point”? He does that every day. Catching up…
Rob Bradley: Thomas Ortmann Incorrect. You have reversed causality. Faith first, funding last. And no, I'm not carrying the water for any company or industry, but for consumers, taxpayers, freedom and… the environment against wind, sun and batteries.
I have been a classical liberal since high school, and throughout my entrepreneurial career I challenged my bosses at Enron who promoted climate alarmism and promoted government subsidies for their wind and solar investments.
Read the emails here and see for yourself.
Rob Bradley: Thomas Ortman Their company profile includes “aim to expand this base into related areas of…clean energy products including; Solar, solid-state lighting, power, energy storage and clean technologies led to a merger with Voltabox of Texas, Inc.”
So please note that I am not taking ad hominem action against you for your bread-and-butter accusation. In fact, I never do, except in certain cases, such as the conflict of interest with Chris Tomlinson, business editor at the Houston Chronicle.
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And Thomas Ortman disappeared….
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