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Does Danielle Smith Believe In Flat Earth? Scientist Muses On Alberta Wildrose Leader's Views

Posted: 04/17/2012 1:04 pm Updated: 04/20/2012 10:57 am

Remarks by Alberta Wildrose party Leader Danielle Smith on climate change have at least one top scientist wondering if she believes in a flat Earth as well.

Smith said Monday that the science around climate change is not settled.

University of Alberta biologist David Schindler says he wonders if Smith thinks the flat Earth debate is still going on.

He says scientists may debate how quickly greenhouse gases will warm the Earth, but the basic theory is no longer challenged.

Schindler says Smith's statement _ which is longtime Wildrose policy _ betrays ignorance about what's really going on in science.

Calgary political scientist Duane Bratt suggests Smith is probably doing the bidding of her party's backers in the energy industry.

A published American study looked at more than 1,300 research papers on climate and found that 97 per cent of them supported the standard theory of climate change.

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  • Highlights Of The Alberta Election

    Here's a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the campaign.

  • Wildrose Anti-Gay Blog Revealed

    A blog post saying that gays were destined to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/15/wildrose-anti-gay-blog-alberta_n_1427008.html" target="_hplink">burn in a "lake of fire" for eternity was brought to light on April 16.</a> Allan Hunsperger, a pastor who's running as a Wildrose candidate in Edmonton South, also referenced Lady Gaga's 'Born This Way': "You see, you can live the way you were born, and if you die the way you were born then you will suffer the rest of eternity in the lake of fire, hell, a place of eternal suffering." Wildrose leader Danielle Smith said she was aware of Hunsperger's religious views.

  • Smith Booed, Mocked

    Wildrose leader Danielle Smith found herself <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/20/danielle-smith-booed-climate-change-alberta-election-debate_n_1439858.html" target="_hplink">on the receiving end of booing and mockery at a debate on April 19 for questioning climate change .</a> "There is still a debate in the scientific community," said Smith before being drowned out by a chorus of boos and catcalls. PC leader Alison Redford said Smith leading the province would be an embarrassment.

  • Candidate Makes 'White Advantage' Comment

    Wildrose candidate Ron Leech <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/17/ron-leech-wildrose-candidate_n_1432653.html" target="_hplink">made some controversial remarks about race on a South Asian radio show.</a> "I think as a Caucasian I have an advantage. When different community leaders such as a Sikh leader or a Muslim leader speaks, they really speak to their own people in many ways. As a Caucasian, I believe that I can speak to all the community," said Leech. He apologized for his remarks on April 24, saying that his comments did not come out the way he intended.

  • Redford Under Seige

    During the April 12 debate, the candidates for the Wildrose, Liberal and NDP took the opportunity to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/12/alberta-election-debate_n_1419850.html" target="_hplink">gang up on Progressive Conservative leader Alison Redford</a>. It was an unsurprising tactic given that the Tories have held power in Alberta for 11 consecutive majority governments, although polls reveal the Wildrose may have a fighting chance.

  • Bus Cleavage

    When the Wildrose first rolled out their campaign bus, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03/23/alberta-wildrose-campaign_n_1375998.html" target="_hplink">there was something distinctly odd about the wheel placement </a>in relation to Smith's image. Late night host Jay Leno even poked fun at the busty bus before a new, less suggestive design rolled out.

  • Closing The Gap

    An April 10 poll showed that Danielle Smith's Wildrose party was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/11/alberta-election-2012-poll_n_1417267.html" target="_hplink">neck and neck with the Progressive Conservatives</a>. The Leger Marketing poll showed the Wildrose has the support of 36 per cent of Albertans, compared to 34 per cent for the governing Tories.

  • 22 Minutes Pokes Fun At Candidates

    This Hour Has 22 Minutes gave their own take on the Alberta election by poking fun at the similarities between Alison Redford and Danielle Smith. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/03/alberta-election-2012-22-minutes_n_1400747.html" target="_hplink">CLICK TO WATCH</a>

  • PC Staffer Gets Personal

    Progressive Conservative staffer<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03/31/pc-staffer-resigns-danielle-smith-wildrose-tweet_n_1393807.html" target="_hplink"> Amanda Wilkie "resigned" on March 31 after tweeting</a> "If @ElectDanielle likes young and growing families so much, why doesn't she have children of her own? #wrp family pack = insincere." Backlash came swiftly from the PC, the Wildrose and Twitter users alike. Alison Redford herself issues an apology, but not before Smith revealed that she didn't have children due to fertility issues.

  • Awkward!

    In a moment of levity, but mostly embarrassment for Danielle Smith, the Wildrose leader's <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/03/31/danielle-smith-dogs-wildrose-alberta_n_1394069.html" target="_hplink">dogs got frisky during a photo op in Calgary</a>.

  • The Other Guys

    In a province where conservative values dominate politics, Brian Mason's NDP and Raj Sherman's Liberals are left to <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/06/alberta-election-liberals-ndp-edmonton_n_1408884.html" target="_hplink">duke it out in left-leaning pockets such as Edmonton</a>.

  • Controversial Issues

    On April 10, for the second time, Wildrose leader Danielle Smith was called out for her<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/10/danielle-smith-pro-choice-gay-marriage_n_1416319.html" target="_hplink"> supposed opposing stance on abortion and gay marriage</a>. Smith however snuffed out the controversy: "When our members elected me they knew they were electing a candidate that was pro-choice and pro-gay marriage." The issues came up earlier in the election when <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/07/alberta-election-abortion-social-issues_n_1409963.html" target="_hplink">Smith was less forthcoming</a> on the subjects.

  • Tory Candidate Assaulted

    Alberta's education minister Thomas Lukaszuk claimed he was <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/04/07/thomas-lukaszuk-assault_n_1410308.html" target="_hplink">assaulted while canvassing in an Edmonton neighbourhood</a>. He said he knocked on the door of a residence with a Wildrose support sign and, once recognized, was punched by the resident within. The resident, Al Michalchuk, says he merely nudged Lukaszuk when he refused to leave.

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Remarks by Alberta Wildrose party Leader Danielle Smith on climate change have at least one top scientist wondering if she believes in a flat Earth as well. Smith said Monday that the science aroun...
Remarks by Alberta Wildrose party Leader Danielle Smith on climate change have at least one top scientist wondering if she believes in a flat Earth as well. Smith said Monday that the science aroun...
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Liban CZ
329 Fans
09:48 AM on 04/20/2012
There is no need for science, most women know world is FLAT.
U asked why? cause it is run by m..........!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Mr e MaN
Political Atheist
267 Fans
02:05 PM on 04/18/2012
Even the 'Harper' government recognizes there is warming as the efforts to establish Canadas control over the arctic. Warming will allow for freighter traffic as the sea ice melts. We want to keep control of our territory.
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Mllefuchs
44 Fans
12:02 PM on 04/18/2012
Next stop: burning scientists and environmentalists at the stake.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Doogs62
To see by faith is to shut the eye of reason
142 Fans
12:11 PM on 04/18/2012
Burning at the stake would be good for environmentalists, You'd get the double whammy of killing trees and Co2 emissions. Now Scientists? I was thinking Crucifiction but that's too Pagan. Any suggestions?
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Mllefuchs
44 Fans
05:42 PM on 04/18/2012
Wrong again Doogie.
Crucifixtion has long represented Christ's death on the cross for Christians.
Not Pagan.
Grade C-

Bullies use threats and fear -
tactics from the Dark Ages -
All you are doing here is making public
your great ignorance and fear.
We have much better ways
to solve problems now.

Welcome to the twenty first century, Dooogie.
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freeSpeakr
I stand on the shoulders of giants
572 Fans
09:39 AM on 04/20/2012
When Jesus comes back d'ya think he ever wants to see another cross?

Bill Hicks roasts Xtian Fundys http://goo.gl/z7VR8

Bill Hicks on Religion http://goo.gl/mTlJ

Bill Hicks on Angry Christians http://goo.gl/4TLgy

Bill Hicks Evolution http://goo.gl/rYsSZ

Bill Hick's the fake economy http://goo.gl/nieaA

Bill Hicks: The Irony of Hatred http://goo.gl/TQRa8

Bill Hicks It's Just a Ride http://goo.gl/3j4W
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jonjinglhiemerschmitt
4 Fans
05:19 PM on 04/21/2012
Umm, Christians didn't crucify Christ, it was pagans, so not sure what you point is. The first Christian emperor of Rome abolished the practice.
Grade D-

The more you know!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Capital Ottawa
45 Fans
10:52 AM on 04/18/2012
"Schindler and his team of researchers from the University of Alberta and elsewhere found that oilsands development is contaminating the Athabasca River watershed, by both airborne and waterborne pathways."

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2010/10/15/f-david-schindler.html

Not sure what "facts" Danielle is using to support her statement or if she's just blindly backing the Alberta oil industry?
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freeSpeakr
I stand on the shoulders of giants
572 Fans
09:43 AM on 04/20/2012
Take the second option.
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annwil
2 Fans
10:19 AM on 04/18/2012
I find it a great irony that on climate change these right wing extremists are skeptical but yet on religion they simply accept everything blindly. Sounds to me like selective skeptism based on no reason or logic.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Doogs62
To see by faith is to shut the eye of reason
142 Fans
12:05 PM on 04/18/2012
Maybe we should start calling Scientists; Priests, Mullahs and Rabbi's so the Right-wingers can "Believe" the hard facts.
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zeotrope
per ardua
81 Fans
12:55 PM on 04/19/2012
Well said. Fanned. I like the term "selective skepticism"; it applies.
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youhavetobekiddingme
523 Fans
 
09:45 AM on 04/18/2012
my sister has lived in Alberta for the past 20 years she is in the minority as she is a liberal supporter. She volunteers at the local school and last week spent the day off and on debating with 5 opposing parents throughout the day. These people were blaming Michael Ignatieff for things that had happened after the election (like the national postal strike) The Christian conservatives have taken over huge sections of her community. She is very politically informed and just kept throwing facts out all day which seemed to be met with confusion on their part. Apparently negative ads have hit their target, Misinformation is just accepted.
Wonder how long it will be before people wake up and realize that their best interests are not being looked after by politiicans the politicians are looking after the best interests of corporations.
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sadowjo
0 Fans
08:34 PM on 04/18/2012
Blind-followers who are ignorant of the issues are not unique to the right-wing. The 99% movement proved that in spades. There are hoards of well-informed, well-educated conservative libertarians in Alberta. This is why I often go seeking for intelligent people of left-wing ideologies for intelligent debate. Uninformed supporters are always going to be there. I don't hate or ridicule them. I may encourage them to continue to research the things and people they support. Some people are simply going to want to "hitch their wagon" to someone they admire and support them for only that reason. It has been like that, and will remain like that in democracies like ours.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
greysells2
grey cells matter
918 Fans
07:09 AM on 04/18/2012
Aren't Wild Roses considered a weed?
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sadowjo
0 Fans
12:15 AM on 04/18/2012
Science is all about asking questions and challenging assumptions. Truth is not determined by majority. To declare that an issue as complex as the earth's ever-changing climate is "settled" is profoundly unscientific. If the scientific community can still produce regular papers saying that they are unsure if even the speed of light is actually constant, then why is it deserving-of-ridicule to say we should continue to monitor the state of climate research?

"Most institutions demand unqualified faith; but the institution of science makes SKEPTICISM a virtue."
Robert K. Merton, Social Theory

So is the theory of man-made global warming a science - welcoming skepticism - or a religion - demanding faith in it's priesthood and excommunicating any who dare doubt?
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Finn1970
19 Fans
02:13 AM on 04/18/2012
Obviously you have no idea what the scientific method or peer review research papers represent. Skepticism is great in the absence of proof or data. Skepticism for the sake of being obstructionist is dangerous and mostly political. Is your motive honest truth or obfuscation?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
RudyHaugeneder
395 Fans
 
10:58 PM on 04/17/2012
Only 50 comments. Apparently she must be correct. Why else would there be so few comments?
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north of 60
Quando Omni Flunkus Moritati
150 Fans
09:22 PM on 04/17/2012
It's going to be hugely amusing to watch all you watermelons go apoplectic when she wins.
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Exexecution
387 Fans
10:39 PM on 04/17/2012
I truly feel sorry for you.
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SiameseTrainer
...we are Sia..mese if you don't please..
874 Fans
11:15 PM on 04/17/2012
He!!, I don't care if she wins, I think she is a really really bad choice, but those who vote for her will deserve what they get, that is what democracy is all about. I don't live in Alberta, I wouldn't live in Alberta, I don't even like visiting Alberta, but that doesn't mean I won't feel sorry for Albertans if she wins. If people really cannot stand to live in Albaggerstan they will leave, and that is Alberta's loss.
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Finn1970
19 Fans
02:17 AM on 04/18/2012
I believe we all need to care. The dangers of anti-intelligent, biased, corporate funded political parties affect us all. The pollution oil mining and fracking causes is not limited to only those who vote for these types of politicians. It takes way too long to repair the damage. Plus, an ignorant populace voting should concern us that our education system is failing.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Transitteer
and another thing . . .
109 Fans
 
09:21 PM on 04/17/2012
I'm a born Albertan, and lived here all my life. It's an unfolding tragedy to see what happened to Alberta in the last 20 years - the greed, the neo-right-wing rhetoric, the religious right-wing-nuts espousing hate toward others while preaching "christianity" (so called). The only God in Alberta is Money - there is no other, and no other reason why people here treat each other so badly. It isn't what it was, nor will be again. I'm planning my retirement in B.C., where there's some decency left and a fair amount of Nature left that hasn't been bulldozed or paved over. Alberta is heading headlong into a horror movie and I don't want to be here to witness it.
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Finn1970
19 Fans
02:18 AM on 04/18/2012
When natural resources are found, the first casualty is the local inhabitants.
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TSOCANUCK
150 Fans
 
08:22 PM on 04/17/2012
loonies voting in loonies.. what else is new in alberta
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freeSpeakr
I stand on the shoulders of giants
572 Fans
07:35 PM on 04/17/2012
Anybody got a link to the study mentioned at the end of the article above? Would be good to know the source.
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Jim Cohoon
159 Fans
07:29 PM on 04/17/2012
What we are witnessing in the rise of the New Right/Neocons in the last two decades or so is not simply a focused attack on climate science, but a general attack on science itself, and thus also a general attack on the principle of reason over belief as the basis for deciding 'objectively' verifiable issues. Primitive ways of thinking based in belief and superstition are making a comeback, and it is time the scientific community came out of their cloistered bunkers and labs and started defending themselves in the war that is being launched from the far right against them, and the principles of science.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
typeterson
353 Fans
07:03 PM on 04/17/2012
tea party north? no thank you.
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