# Is the demonization of carbon dioxide just like the demonization of the poor Jews under Hitler? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 25, 2019, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166 "2019-02-25T06:50:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/1 "2019-02-25T06:50:31Z")
(I wanted to post this in GD, with the following preface, but didn’t want to “push my luck.”) If some crackpot like Anderson Cooper or Oprah Winfrey had done the following, IMHO or BBQ Pit would be the proper forum for this query. But Donald J. Trump is the President of the United States so it seems right to show him a little respect and solicit honest debate. Is his pick to lead an important Committee on Climate Change appropriate? > [@](#): > > White House staff are preparing an executive order for President Donald Trump’s signature that would establish a Presidential Committee on Climate Security to be chaired by a notorious climate change denier. > > That man, NSC senior director William Happer, argued on CNBC in 2014 that “the demonization of carbon dioxide is just like the demonization of the poor Jews under Hitler.” ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/2 "2019-02-25T06:52:17Z")
No, it is not. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/3 "2019-02-25T06:53:43Z")
:rolleyes: Because a gaseous chemical has _exactly_ the same moral weight as millions of people. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/4 "2019-02-25T06:59:57Z")
Note that Happer was already in his mid-70s when he made that notorious remark, and is now nearly 80. Not trying to downplay his competence or accomplishments in his own branch of physics, but when it comes to climate science he is not a more reputable authority than any other elderly retired scientist with no training in climate science. ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/5 "2019-02-25T07:20:03Z")
Soooo … a _senile_ notorious climate change denier ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 8:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/6 "2019-02-25T08:25:09Z")
Anyone dumb enough to think such a thing would probably fall for the dihydrogen monoxide hoax. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/7 "2019-02-25T08:57:06Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > But Donald J. Trump is the President of the United States so it seems right to show him a little respect and solicit honest debate. Why? I mean, sure, he’s PotUS but if the PotUS does/says something stupid he should be called on it just like anyone else. > [@](#): > > Is his pick to lead an important Committee on Climate Change appropriate? No, it’s stupid. Frankly, I find the of Jews and carbon dioxide offensive. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/8 "2019-02-25T09:04:22Z")
I’m reasonably sure that CO2 cannot be scared, have its livelihood destroyed or be killed. Also, the appointment in question is about as appropriate as making me Emperor of Japan. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 12:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/9 "2019-02-25T12:21:23Z")
Wow came in here to say WT ever living F? Glad to see it’s not precisely what I thought based on the thread title. Now, WT the ever living F? Can someone actually be that stupid? And a supposedly educated person at that, would equate the holocaust to a frikkin gas? ---
**Author:** ![Two\_Many\_Cats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Two\_Many\_Cats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Two_Many_Cats)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/10 "2019-02-25T13:13:21Z")
Can Trump have found someone even dumber than he is? ---
**Author:** ![Tatterdemalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/43a26b/32.png) [@Tatterdemalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tatterdemalion)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/11 "2019-02-25T13:18:35Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I’m reasonably sure that CO2 cannot be scared, have its livelihood destroyed or be killed. Also, the appointment in question is about as appropriate as making me Emperor of Japan. I am pleased that you could grace us with your divine presence your majesty. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/12 "2019-02-25T13:22:10Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > I’m reasonably sure that CO2 cannot be scared, have its livelihood destroyed or be killed. But both have been sequestered by government regulation. Therefore: exactly the same! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/13 "2019-02-25T13:33:51Z")
I am tired of the demonization of CN-. It’s an innocent chemical that’s gotten a bad rap. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/14 "2019-02-25T14:02:38Z")
You gotta admit CN- is quite negative, though. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/15 "2019-02-25T15:19:27Z")
> [@septimus](#): > > But Donald J. Trump is the President of the United States so it seems right to show him a little respect… Don’t make me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/16 "2019-02-25T15:53:20Z")
Obviously not. What is similar to what was done with the Jews is what Trump and fox news do to illegal immigrants. When one commits a crime, they constantly advertise it to justify forcing them, as a class, out of society. The nazis did that too. Any wrongdoing by any jew anywhere was used to justify oppression and exclusion of the entire group. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/17 "2019-02-25T15:53:40Z")
How in the everloving F\*CK does a diaper-on-the-head kook like this get within a thousand miles of a government policy job? (He’s not the only one, alas!) He should be in a home somewhere. I’m going to start running around molesting pigeons in central park while wearing a sandwich board reading “bug organ cheese stinkY” and a picture of Tom Brady on it. I should be a cabinet secretary in no time! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/18 "2019-02-25T16:05:43Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > I’m going to start running around molesting pigeons in central park while wearing a sandwich board reading “bug organ cheese stinkY” and a picture of Tom Brady on it. I find your views strangely compelling and would like to subscribe to your newsletter. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/19 "2019-02-25T16:18:50Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Anyone dumb enough to think such a thing would probably fall for the dihydrogen monoxide hoax. It’s true, it’s not a hoax; stop trying to water down that story! :mad: > [@Two\_Many\_Cats](#): > > Can Trump have found someone even dumber than he is? He’s president; you know how many millions voted for him? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166/20 "2019-02-25T16:20:27Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > He’s president; you know how many millions voted for him? :rolleyes: Who is more dumb: the dumbass or the dumbasses who follow him? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-the-demonization-of-carbon-dioxide-just-like-the-demonization-of-the-poor-jews-under-hitler/830166.md?page=2)