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Google Will Stop Supporting Climate Change Science Deniers, Calls Them Liars

posted by n1 on Tuesday September 23 2014, @08:56PM   
from the trying-not-to-be-evil? dept.

AnonTechie writes:

Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt today said it was a “mistake” to support the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a group that has said human-created climate change could be “beneficial” and opposes environmental regulations. Schmidt said groups trying to cast doubt on climate change science are "just literally lying."

Google’s membership in ALEC has been criticized because of the group’s stance on climate change and its opposition to network neutrality rules and municipal broadband. Earlier this month, Google refused to comment after 50 advocacy groups called on the company to end its affiliation with ALEC.

• where's the analysis? (Score: 3, Interesting) by SlimmPickens on Tuesday September 23 2014, @10:18PM

  by SlimmPickens (1056) on Tuesday September 23 2014, @10:18PM (#97367)

  Schmidt:

  “we funded them as part of a political campaign for something unrelated. I think the consensus within the company was that was sort of a mistake, and so we’re trying to not do that in the future.”

  -Why were Googs funding this group in the first place?
  -What was known of their nutcrackery at the time?
  -When did the funding stop?

  This group has existed since 1973, has contributed to thousands of bills and based on my skim of Wikipedia seem to only have been publicly scrutinized as nutty since 2011.

  I don't think it's automatically evil for Googs to be funding them (by the minimum amount possible) if that's what it takes to get a voice with their leadership and influence them. It's potentially a good thing, despite outward appearances. Not saying it is good, just that there's not enough information.

  Starting Score:	1		point
  Moderation		+1
  Interesting=1, Total=1
  Extra 'Interesting' Modifier		0
  Karma-Bonus Modifier		+1
  Total Score:		3