Republicans have become increasingly dominant in the cultural and political "war of ideas" that they constantly claim to be losing because of the "liberal media" and "liberal academia". Particularly in terms of science. The counter every scientific report about global warming by declaring "It's just a theory!" Yes, it is just a theory, which is backed up with empirical evidence and supported by a large portion of the scientific community. But somehow Republicans have managed to make the idea that global warming played a hand in Katrina's strength no more credible (or just as credible) as the idea that Katrina was a manifestation of God's wrath over America's sinful culture.

From NY Times: WASHINGTON, Sept. 15 (AP) - Storms with the power of Hurricane Katrina are becoming more common, in part because of global warming, according to a report from a team of researchers that will be published Friday.

The number of storms in the two most powerful categories, 4 and 5, rose to an average of 18 a year worldwide since 1990, up from 11 in the 1970's, according to the report, which will be published in the journal Science.

I have racked my brain and I just cannot come up with any logical reason why the scientific community would fabricate the idea of global warming. It would not benefit them in the least (well, maybe a few people would land some book deals). But as for why Republicans would oppose the idea, it is so mind-numbingly obvious that it makes you want to pull your hair out. Like Halliburton landing no-bid contracts or the 2000 election.

It's Oil. And this isn't exactly a reactionary conspiracy theory like claiming the war in Iraq if for nothing but oil. The theory of global warming essentially paints oil companies as bad guys, and we can't have that.

This isn't the first global warming warning scientists have issued. But Bush says, "We still don't know enough" about global warming, the same thing he said when he campaigned in 2000. Surely this administration could have learned a litle about the issue in five years.

More:
- Artic ice melting, global warming past 'point of no return'
- Majikthise weighs in
- Think Progress comments on the politics of Katrina