enviro-fundies

In the most recent issue of World, Cal Thomas makes the proper and increasingly popular observation that "fundamentalists" (as the word is typically used) come in all stripes-- and that a prevalent group of fundies today are those with an environmental flavor.

...Scientists, theologians, historians, archaeologists, and others who pursue facts and objective truths are rooted in reality and constantly adjusting their conclusions, theories, and hypotheses when new information comes to light. Those who ignore facts and cling to outdated information, or outright falsehoods, can quickly embrace fanaticism. So it is with "global warming," the secular religion of our day...

There are at least two characteristics all fundamentalists share. One is the exclusion and sometimes suppression of any and all information that challenges or contradicts the belief one wishes to impose on all. The other is the use of the state in pursuit of their objectives.

It's difficult to argue with that. From there, Thomas discusses some info on NASA and supposed evidence about global warming. I hadn't heard about this previously:

Many global warming fanatics have pointed to NASA as proof that their concerns about a warming planet are justified. They have repeatedly cited the Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS), whose director, James Hansen, has asserted that nine of the 10 warmest years in history have occurred since 1995, with 1998 the warmest. When NASA was confronted with evidence provided by Climate Audit, a blog run by Stephen McIntyre devoted to auditing the statistical methods and data used in historical reconstructions of past climate data, it reversed itself. Without the fanfare used to hype the global warming fanaticism it had earlier supported, NASA now says four of the top 10 years of high temperatures are from the 1930s. Several previously selected "warm" years—2000, 2002, 2003, and 2004—fell behind 1900. GISS now says its previous claim that 1998 was the warmest year in American history is no longer valid. The warmest year was 1934.

I wasn't aware of the NASA data or their use in the debate. In any case, Thomas' big finale on fundamentalism vs. "science":

Has any of this new information changed the minds of the global warming fundamentalists? Nope. Neither has much of it seen the light of day in the mainstream media...