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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGoogle Disavows ALEC: They Are 'Literally Lying' About Climate Change
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/google-alec-lying-about-climate-changeGoogle plans to officially cut ties with the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, the company's chairman announced Monday, declaring that the group is "literally lying about climate change" and so Google can no longer be associated with it.
The Internet giant would be the second major technology to part ways with ALEC in the last two months. Microsoft announced in August that it would end its relationship with ALEC, and that decision was linked to Microsoft's support for renewable energy projects.
"The facts of climate change are not in question anymore. Everyone understands climate change is occurring, and the people who oppose it are really hurting our children and our grandchildren and making the world a much worse place," Google Chairman Eric Schmidt told NPR's Diane Rehm in explaining the decision. "And so we should not be aligned with such people -- they're just, they're just literally lying."
He would not specify when Google would formally disconnect from ALEC. Microsoft and Google had been members of the group's communications and technology task force, according to CNET.
Cha
(297,799 posts)what this "tea party" was about.
thanks eridani this is HUGE!
glowing
(12,233 posts)horrific SYG laws; especially on the heals of Sandy Hook school shootings. ALEC is implemental in creating the relaxed gun laws that we have today. I would think they would have thought about leaving the group back then.
Also, their policies of creating local, state, and Federal economic policies that support limiting take home pay for workers and huge tax breaks for the wealthiest would eventually take down the likes of technology companies who roll out new and expensive toys all the time. If you don't have money, you are not going to go out and buy the latest gizmo product that they are offering. They would be better off encouraging middle class economic growth since that is the market that will buy the most of their products and bring in more profits for them in the long run. Especially for the likes of Microsoft who is normally introducing a new gizmo or product or a whole knew line of "must haves" every year or so. If you want people to buy that latest tablet and program, don't you want to be able to compete on the product; not worry about a limited segment of the population that can afford the tablet? (When you are limited to middle to upper middle class working people, you are now having to compete with Apple and people who can afford Apple product lines for their kiddos and selves all around).
hatrack
(59,594 posts)Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)Man from Pickens
(1,713 posts)That organization basically exists to let corporations buy legislation that specifically favors them. If you're not familiar with ALEC, become so - it is the poisoned chalice that has put democracy on its deathbed.
immoderate
(20,885 posts)--imm
Thor_MN
(11,843 posts)Google is not just their friend, they freaking ARE Google...
Jack Rabbit
(45,984 posts)Are you telling that the Koch brothers don't really believe that climate science is a hoax?
SomethingFishy
(4,876 posts)Cheaper for them to destroy than to build
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Uncle Joe
(58,458 posts)Thanks for the thread, eridani.
sammy750
(165 posts)ALEC is a non profit, tax exempt organization that creates far right, extreme bills for states to pass. Many of ALEC bills are against voter rights, healthcare, stand your ground bills. The people should let those organizations that take our money and then create bills to destroy us should be made public. I am amazed that any organization supports ALEC. ALEC is a huge supporter of the NRA, passing the most radical gun rights bills.
Readers let both Google and Microsoft understand your thinking on there support of ALEC. Many corporations dropped ALEC over the extreme gun bills there where urging states to pass. More corporations need to find out just who and why they are donating millions to destroy the states and the people. ALEC message is no central govt.
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)I recently flew over the Southwest, over Kansas , Texas, New Mexico and much of Arizona.
The sun is unrelenting for miles and miles. The wind sweeps across. The land is barely inhabited. Where are the solar panels? Where are the windmills?
The potential for energy just in that region, seems to me, would be enough to supply the US, Canada and parts of Central America and Mexico day and with some technological investment night.
Why aren't we already using these resources?
What is wrong with us?
I would like to see a million people out marching for a national grid across which energy can be shared and which is flexible and safe and then the alternative energy investment to make that grid zap.
Next time, let's march for something very specific and concrete, a goal that we can visualize and achieve -- a new grid with alternative energy from the Southwest supplying 75% of the energy it transmits.
Dont call me Shirley
(10,998 posts)Good for Google for quitting the "alec-crack"
sammy750
(165 posts)ALEC is a tax exempt organization created to make bills for states to pass. These bills are on climate change, women rights, voting rights, gun rights. All these bills take away the freedom of the people.
ALEC was created to allow big corporation to control this nation using the Republicans and Tea Party.
I am concerned that the world is using Microsoft and Google, 2 organizations that are working to destroy the earth and people. Allowing anyone to be shot, by the Stand Your Ground laws, Hundreds are now being killed using that as the excuse, Even gang members are using that, as they did in FL. Stand Your Ground is a law that give an open invitation to kill and never face justice.
Our big concern should be the KOCH brothers, who are gaining more and more with each elections of Republicans and Tea Party candidates. They will be the demise of this nation, just so they can make billion more in profits.
WHEN CRABS ROAR
(3,813 posts)yes, climate change is happening but it's not human caused.