BOOM!
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) recently deflected questions about climate change by saying, "I'm not a scientist."
Now Democratic gubernatorial candidate Charlie Crist has offered a response. He said, according to SaintPetersBlog: "I'm not a scientist either but I can use my brain and I can talk to one."
On Friday, Crist reportedly attended a 25-minute presentation by Jeff Chanton, a professor at Florida State University who specializes in chemical oceanography and has offered to meet with Scott. Chanton discussed rising sea levels as a consequence of climate change, which scientists say threatens Florida's infrastructure and real estate near the coastline. - TPM, 7/26/14
Here's some more info:
http://www.saintpetersblog.com/...
A consequence of global warming, which Chanton said correlates with an increase in the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon and methane starting with the industrial revolution, is rising sea levels.
Billions of dollars of Florida real estate and roads are at risk as the sea moves inland. Much of the coastline is only a few feet above the current sea level, parts of Miami Beach is just two feet. Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties have formed the Southeast Regional Climate Change Compact to address the loss of fresh water wells and flooded storm water systems among other issues.
Chanton’s power point presentation illustrated historical climatic trends and the effect of a substantial increase in greenhouse gases dated to the industrial revolution.
He said during the 20th century the sea level was increasing at a rate of eight inches per 100 years. The current rate is 12 inches and the projection is it will be 17 inches per 100 years by 2100.
“I think 17 is the least we can expect,” said Chanton.
In 2008 Crist hosted a Climate Changed Summit and during his term signed three executive orders designed to reduce carbon emissions, increase energy efficiency and develop renewable energy sources. He said Friday was about continuing a “dialogue” on the issue.
Scott’s campaign on Friday didn’t directly answer questions about whether the governor believes climate change exists and whether humans are causing or contributing to it.
“Charlie Crist may have perfected the art of publicity stunts, but his record on the environment is one of empty promises,” Matt Moon, the Scott campaign communication director said in an email. “While Rick Scott has kept his commitments to restoring the Everglades, safeguarding our springs and protecting the Florida Keys, Charlie Crist was more committed to advancing his own political career.”
After Crist’s separated from the Republican Party in 2010, a newly-elected Republican supermajority in the legislature reversed many of his policy initiatives on renewable energy and carbon emission reductions.
Now, as he seeks his old job, Crist has the potential to call a double reversal and reinstate his environmental policies. - Saint Peters Blog, 7/26/14
And unlike Scott, Crist actually met with Chanton:
http://www.naplesnews.com/...
Democrat Charlie Crist met with a Florida State University oceanography professor Friday for a brief presentation on climate change, but said he hadn’t yet developed an environmental platform he would push if he wins the governor’s race.
Echoing past statements, Crist said he’s a believer that manmade climate change is negatively affecting the planet, but said he still was undecided on specific policy issues such as a carbon tax. He said he would be open to signing executive orders related to the environment if elected, but provided no specifics.
Crist said he’d like to talk more to Jeff Chanton, the FSU climate scientist who gave the presentation.
“This is just the beginning of the dialogue,” Crist said. - Naples Daily News, 7/25/14
Scott has been running one aggressive campaign against Scott and I am loving it. In face, Crist's campaign decided to remind voters about Scott's shady past:
It’s Rick Scott’s anniversary this weekend.
Seventeen years ago today, Rick Scott resigned in disgrace as chairman and CEO of Columbia/HCA, and within a week, this happened:
3 Executives of Hospital Chain Charged With Medicare Fraud
As part of a widening criminal investigation of the Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corporation, a Federal grand jury has indicted three executives who have been top officers in the company's giant Florida market on charges of defrauding the Government, according to papers unsealed yesterday.
The three executives were charged with conspiring for more than a decade to overstate expenses at one hospital, illegally increasing its compensation from Federal programs like Medicare. As a result, the hospital -- one of almost 350 in the Columbia network -- defrauded Medicare and other Federal programs of more than $1.7 million, the indictment says.
The indictment touches at the heart of one of the most important areas of Columbia's business, by charging that some of the officers responsible for obtaining Federal reimbursement in Florida did so in part by fraud. And its unsealing comes less than a week after the unfolding criminal investigation led to the resignation of the company's two top officers, including Richard L. Scott, its former chairman and chief executive.
http://www.nytimes.com/...
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Rick Scott escaped with a golden parachute. But that’s not the only anniversary.
Fourteen years ago tomorrow, Rick Scott was deposed for his involvement in this fraud -- the largest Medicare fraud the country had seen.
He pled the Fifth Amendment 75 times to avoid incriminating himself. (This may have been where he got his start reciting talking points.)
Q: Do you have any facts or knowledge indicating why Columbia/HCA breached its contract with Florida Software by failing to assist Florida Software in installing its claims processing system in various Columbia hospitals?
RICK SCOTT: Upon advice of counsel I respectfully decline to answer the question by asserting my rights and privileges under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Q: Do you have any facts or knowledge indicating why Columbia/HCA breached its contract with Florida Software by failing to allow Florida Software to process and transmit claims from various Columbia hospitals.
RICK SCOTT: Upon advice of counsel I respectfully decline to answer the question by asserting my rights and privileges under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
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You get the idea.
Rick Scott wasn’t answering questions then, and he’s not answering them now.
It's time for him to go. Chip in $10 or more to make Florida Scott-Free:
http://action.charliecrist.com/...
Thanks,
Scott Free Florida
P.S. -- All week long, we've been been sharing headlines and videos from Scott's big scandals. Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter to see what you're missing.
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Please do share the New York Times story on social media, do keep up to date with all the scandals Scott is facing and please do contribute to Crist's campaign so he can defeat Scott in November:
http://action.charliecrist.com/...