Manmade Global Warming+Salem Witch Trials=Mass Hysteria!

Manmade Global Warming and the Salem Witch Trials… Both Episodes of Mass Hysteria!


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The other day I noted a quote from Galileo. I’d like to use it to lead off this article today:

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use."

Do you see the complete sense in what Galileo said? Read it again. Let it sink in. Because I am going to try to peel back a few layers and allow some of you to see the ongoing assault on all three in a moment!

Ever heard of Mass Hysteria? It’s defined as the sociopsychological phenomenon of the manifestation of the same, or similar, hysterical symptoms by more than one person.


For Mass Hysteria to actually take hold channels of communication must be available for frightening reports to spread. "…. And the it is well known by psychologists that social and economic stress, as well as a lack of faith in the authorities, predispose people to embrace unconventional interpretations."


“Many factors contribute to the formation and spread of collective delusions and hysterical illness: the mass media; rumors; extraordinary anxiety or excitement; cultural beliefs and stereotypes; the social and political context; and reinforcing actions by authorities such as politicians, or institutions of social control such as the police or military. Episodes are also distinguishable by the redefinition of mundane objects, events, and circumstances and reflect a rapidly spreading folk belief, which contributes to an emerging definition of the situation.
Collective delusions are typified as the spontaneous, rapid spread of false or exaggerated beliefs within a population at large….” (From: "Mass Delusions and Hysterias" by Robert E. Bartholomew and Erich Goode at:

http://www.csicop.org/si/2000-05/delusions.html )


In my opinion, those who believe in Manmade Global Warming are suffering from a form of Mass Hysteria… and need treatment.


I am reminded of the 1938 broadcast of Orson Wells “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells. There was undeniable mass hysteria that night, all across the United States, as frightened Americans, convinced the planet earth was under attack by men from Mars, packed up and fled their homes while others took to the streets and highways with loaded shotguns searching for Martians! (I have a copy of the original program, which I played for a college class I was teaching a few years ago. They students were amazed at the reality of the broadcast, and the genius of Orson Wells.)


The point is, a world wide Mass Hysteria can be created, and sustained, by a talented leader. It was Orson Wells with his “War of the Worlds” broadcast in 1938 on the Mercury Theatre, and today, well, I REALLY don’t want to use his name on my site.
Listen to Peter C. Glover, English writer, journalist and site director for “Global Warming Hysteria.com”:

"The claim that global warming is the result of human activity and not an entirely natural, cyclical phenomenon is the greatest deception of the 21st century so far - and a direct consequence of the politicization of modern science, environmentalism and the mainstream media."

And then there is Michael Crichton, Science writer and author 'State of Fear'. Crichton says this:

"The greatest challenge facing mankind is the challenge of distinguishing reality from fantasy, truth from propaganda. Perceiving the truth has always been a challenge to mankind, but in the information age (or as I think of it, the disinformation age) it takes on a special urgency and importance."

OK, so that's not enough to convince you??? Well, allow me to direct you to an article written by John Coleman the Founder of The Weather Channel. The articlwe was posted yesterday (Wednesday 11-07-07) at the site titled "Icecap". You have to read the article to understand the depth of Mr. Coleman's feelings about the Global Warming Scam. You'll find the artilce here:

http://icecap.us/index.php/go/joes-blog/comments_about_global_warming/

Now, be it understood, that I am no weatherman, no meterorolists, and I have no degree in studying the weather. The closest I have come to the "big boys" is reporting precipitation records to CoCoRaHS at Colorado State University. I do that daily. But, I am a country boy, who learned to read the weather as a child and base decisions for how my life was conducted, on a day to day basis, as a result of the conclusions I reached. All farmers know exactly what I am referring to. They do it as a part of their everyday survival.

Why do I bring the fact that I am a country boy up now? Well, I refer you back to the beginning paragraphs of this tome. Read again what Galileo had to say. Once you have read it… think about the Manmade Global Warming Movement. Do you see how what Galileo said and what the leaders of the Manmade Global Warming Movement are saying clash?

Fact: the planet is warming up… some.

Fact: It always does at the end of an ice age.

Fact: The last mini-ice age ended in 1850. The earth has been warming slightly ever since.

Fact: We are nearing the end of the warmig cycle and will , before long, begin the next cooling cycle.

Fact: No computer models told me this. Experience and past records of earth’s climate did.

Now, before you write me off as a COMPLETE idiot…. Consider this: This is not the first time mass hysteria has struck in America! Oh, no! Remember The Salem Witch Trials??? Here’s more on that… also from: “Mass Delusions and Hysterias” by Robert E. Bartholomew and Erich Goode at:



http://www.csicop.org/si/2000-05/delusions.html )


Salem, Massachusetts, 1691-1693


In 1692, Salem Village (now Danvers, Massachusetts) was the scene of a moral panic that spread throughout the region and involved witchcraft accusations, which led to trials, torture, imprisonment, and executions. Others died in jail or during torture. At least twenty residents lost their lives. Social paranoia was such that two dogs were even accused and executed! All convictions were based on ambiguous evidence. The witch mania began in December 1691, when eight girls living in the vicinity of Salem exhibited strange behaviors including disordered speech, convulsive movements, and bizarre conduct. Explanations for the "fits" range from outright fakery to hysteria to ergot poisoning of the food supply. By February 1692, the affected girls had accused two elderly women and a servant from Barbados named Tibula of being witches, and they were arrested. Soon hundreds of residents were accused of witchcraft, and trials were held. In May 1693, the episode ended when Governor Phips ordered that all suspects be released (Nevins 1916; Caporael 1976; Karlsen 1989).

“Oh”, you say, “we are so much more educated and sophisticated than the people of Salem in 1691”. But… I ask you… are we? Mass Hysteria is Mass Hysteria whether it is high or low tech! Plus, the one standard of knowledge among con men is the fact that they all know the people who think they are the smartest, and most well educated, and most sophisticated, are the easiest marks to con. In many ways, modern Americans and western Europeans are the easiest people on the planet to con, to fool, to bamboozle. I believe it is caused primarily by the guilt westerners feel for their superior standard of living as compared to most of the remainder of the world. Guilty people, at least those who feel guilty, are easily manipulated. If you don’t believe me, ask those on the political left. They’ve been using guilt to get what they want since 1917! And they continue to use it to this day.

In the centuries ahead when scholars look back on this era and laugh at the mass hysteria, which swept the planet over a non-existent Manmade Global Warming, do you seriously believe they will see any difference between it and the Salem Witch Trials? Unless you are educated beyond your ability, you already know the answer.

Longstreet



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