Now that Al Gore's movie is starting to do well and get more attention in the traditional media, be on the lookout for wingnut columns on global warming. The construction is pretty easy:
1. Note the existence of the movie. If you can spin the numbers to make it sound like the movie is failing, so much the better. Take a cheap shot at Al Gore and/or the movie, preferably without having seen either.
Go below the fold for the rest of the recipe...
2. Include 1-3 misconceptions about global warming. For example, mention that recent article about a warm Arctic millions of years ago or mention that climate changes naturally which by implication means that if we are causing climate change, we're just part of the ecosystem.
3. Quote a prominent global warming skeptic, preferably Richard Lindzen because he's from MIT and that sounds smart (ever wonder why he and Fred Singer are the only scientists ever quoted by the fossil fuel industry?).
4. Quote a mainstream scientist out of context so that it makes it sound like he or she is also doubtful about global warming even though he/she is only accurately summarizing the uncertainty (i.e. "in one scenario, the temps actually drop by a fraction of a degree 50 years from now").
5. Relate this to some old homily to frame it in the usual "pox on both houses" box. For example, tell a story about how two know-it-all's can't agree on anything and so the simpleton must have it right by not listening to all those fancy-learnin' people.
6. A parting shot at Al Gore, and you're on your way to getting your column published by the "liberal" media! Great job!