Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) has announced to National Review that he will be personally leading a "truth squad" to the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference, where he will make it clear to international leaders not to believe that the United States will pass legislation to deal with the issue.
"Now, I want to make sure that those attending the Copenhagen conference know what is really happening in the United States Senate," said Inhofe. "Some people, like Senator Barbara Boxer, will tell the conference, with Waxman-Markey having passed in the House, that they can anticipate that some kind of bill will pass EPW."
It's nice to see how seriously foreign policy is taken these days -- when a member of the political minority will send his own delegation to an international conference, in order to undermine the government and tell other countries that they can't work with the United States.
Inhofe is, of course, the top global warming denier in Congress. "With all of the hysteria, all of the fear, all of the phony science, could it be that man-made global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people?" he famously declared in 2003. "It sure sounds like it." And he's kept it up ever since -- in 2006, he compared people who believe in global warming to "the Third Reich, the big lie," and in 2009 he has said: "If global warming really exists, tell that to the people of Oklahoma. We had the largest snowstorm in the history of Marches, three days ago."

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CT Voter
September 23, 2009 11:49 AM
More campaign fodder for Democrats in 2010. "Republicans hate the country so much that they're willing to undermine the U.S. at every possible turn. Why do Republicans hate Americans?"
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Chris
September 23, 2009 2:04 PM in reply to CT Voter
Oh I remember the Pelosi trip to Syria well. Check this out.
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A Missouri voter
September 23, 2009 2:11 PM in reply to CT Voter
Don't you wish some Democrat would actually take this line? Strangely, it never happens. No matter how deleterious Republican policies might be to the commonweal of our Republic, Democrats never manage to play the "why do they hate America" game that Republicans play as naturally as they breathe.
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Obama1st
September 23, 2009 11:52 AM
I sure wish the people of OK could throw this asshole back to a more primitive time like him being the caveman he truly is...
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hollywood
September 23, 2009 2:13 PM in reply to Obama1st
Well I think the problem is that Oklahoma is a land of assholes and cavemen and they like him just the way he is. I think the gloves should come off on this one and the educated people of America should call out these redneck ignorant swamps for all to see and hear. The other Senator from Jesusland had his chief of staff telling Values Voters that looking at pictures of naked women makes you gay ........ Are these the two most fucking stupid Senators from the most stupid fucking state ever? You decide!
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DavisDem
September 24, 2009 1:32 AM in reply to hollywood
Apparently Hollywood also has a thriving population of assholes.
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Walter Mitty
September 23, 2009 11:57 AM
You have to choose one - Where would you rather live - South Carolina or Oklahoma?
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Msinformed
September 23, 2009 2:43 PM in reply to Walter Mitty
South Carolina...it has an ocean!
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slb
September 23, 2009 3:59 PM in reply to Msinformed
Very good point!
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dswx
September 23, 2009 12:05 PM
Republicans: Liars and darn proud to flaunt their gross scientific ignorance.
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Schmed
September 23, 2009 12:50 PM
If this guy is heading a truth squad, then the truth better run for its life.
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mans_best_friend
September 23, 2009 1:01 PM
Imagine, just for a moment, the hysteria that would have ensued if a Democrat had done something similar when GWB was president.
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BluGrass
September 23, 2009 1:05 PM
Sounds like SOMEBODY just wants an excuse for a junket to Scandinavia! Send a TPM camera squad to follow his every move.
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lcdrrek
September 23, 2009 1:06 PM
"Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) has announced to National Review that he will be personally leading a "truth squad" to the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference"
That is if he is able to find the airport.
Remember, he is from a state where every single county voted for McCain. I'm sure when Texas secedes that the Okies won't be far behind.
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jeffgee
September 23, 2009 1:15 PM in reply to lcdrrek
Buh-bye Okies!
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Shrubbit
September 23, 2009 1:08 PM
He is indeed the poster child for big oil profiteering. Who better to explain to the world why the U.S. Congress is failing to join the 21st century. I agree with CT that this is could be a political gem for the Dems. Imho we need to start laying the groundwork now for a resuscitation of cap/trade and prepare for the coming onslaught of typical GOP-framed garbage (socialism, hurts biz, etc etc). They said that about seat belts and social security too.
The other meme which is crucial imho: ONLY by passing cap/trade can we exert leverage on China and India to play ball on emissions and global trade.
Obama is taking on China. Why does Senate GOP refuse to take on China? Etc.
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Cheryl44
September 23, 2009 1:32 PM
Please tell me he's going either right before or during the IOC meeting to declare the city that gets the 2016 Olympics--it'll be Rio then for sure and not Chicago. Woot!
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CT Voter
September 23, 2009 2:50 PM in reply to Cheryl44
The conference is in December.
The IOC meets the first week in October.
Your glee is pretty obnoxious and you're pretty uninformed.
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rbeats
September 23, 2009 1:32 PM
This is a guy who is part of the C-Street gang who believes Osama Bin Laden, and Hitler are examples of greatness that are to be idolized. (You can't make shit like that up)
I am sorry but people like Inhofe should be relegated to a street corner selling pencils from a cup.
Hey is anyone investigating his illegal trips to Africa spreading the word of Jesus on behalf the United States?
Thats a serious question.
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Orlando
September 23, 2009 1:49 PM
Looks like the experts are right. Global warming really is moving the placement of the water's edge.
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Peter Principle
September 23, 2009 2:06 PM
In other words, Inhofe is going to try to undercut the President of the United States in sensitive international negotiations -- on foreign soil.
The Republicans used to have a name for conduct like that. Let's see, what was that word? Began with a t.
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jah627
September 23, 2009 2:12 PM
"where he will make it clear to international leaders not to believe that the United States will pass legislation to deal with the issue"
Inhofe can go anywhere he wants, and say whatever he wants. But if is proposing to speak for the US Senate, or some sort of alternate shadow government, then he is crossing the line between dissent and treason, and he should, at least, be censured. Enought is enough.
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traitorjoe
September 23, 2009 2:26 PM
Inhofe's Truth Squad:
Dick Cheney
Rosie Ruiz
Clifford Irving
Ahmed Chalabi
Oliver North
Scott Peterson
Karl Rove
Alberto Gonzalez
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Msinformed
September 23, 2009 2:47 PM in reply to traitorjoe
Can they take Orly Taits for legal consults?
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merlot
September 23, 2009 2:30 PM
Oklahoma sure seems to produce a lot of delusional idiots.
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GTFOOH
September 23, 2009 2:37 PM in reply to merlot
Yeah, in my whack State poll, they beat out So Carolina by a smidge, who beat out Minnisota by a smidge, more!
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hollywood
September 23, 2009 4:56 PM in reply to GTFOOH
Hey Minnesota is a progressive well educated state with two liberal Democratic Senators. The district that sends Bachman to congress is the suburban/rural backwater of the TwinCities much the same as in all metro areas. The Senators from Oklahoma and South Carolina are neanderthals and represent some of the dumbest of the dumb.
Not even close!l
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fitley
September 23, 2009 3:37 PM
Reading quotes from Inhofe is always entertaining but to truly appreciate what a moron he is you have to hear him speak. He is really special as in special Olympics(no offense to participants in special Olympics). He is a one man trainwreck. Oklahoma reprazent.
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Dabb
September 23, 2009 3:46 PM
I feel there are way too many Republicans undermining the US by speaking against the US in other countries. Is this not treason? Since when has this beomce acceptable? Why do they hold any high position in a country they want to destroy?
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
September 23, 2009 4:44 PM in reply to Dabb
No, it's not treason. U.S. Constitution, Article III, Sec. 3. Look it up.
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sunnysteve
September 23, 2009 4:03 PM
Gather all of the climate change skeptics together on the Artic ice floe in June. Wait.
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MrSmith1
September 23, 2009 4:17 PM
Why would Copenhagen give him any official notice, since he does not represent the actual delegation from the U.S.? They are under no obligation to treat him in any official way are they?
I have no problem with him and his "truth squad" standing in the street outside the building where the conference is being held, just like any other group that wants to protest the conference.
Anything more than that, I would have a problem with.
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we r all husseins
September 23, 2009 5:01 PM in reply to MrSmith1
I agree. Let this pawn of the oil industry stand outside with all the other weirdos and crazies. He'll fit right in.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
September 23, 2009 4:46 PM
No one in the MSM will call him out on doing exactly the kind of thing that makes Republicans foam at the mouth and cry "Treason!" when Democrats do it. IOIYR. Even if you're the most batshit insane, agressively ignorant R in the Senate.
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manyamile
September 23, 2009 10:36 PM
is he doing this at taxpayers expense?
if so, this seems entirely out of bounds
if not, is he acting as a private citizen?
how can he be acting as a private citizen on issues which involve him as a us senator?
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nielsbot
October 2, 2009 4:27 PM
I guess he won't be buying any carbon offset credits for his flight then.
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