Heat Waves, UAW Arrogance and the Costs of Obesity
Locations across the nation see record-cold summer temperatures, confounding global warming predictions.
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) chastises United Auto Workers chief Ron Gettelfinger for refusing to testify before the White House auto task force.
A new study estimates the costs of treating obesity-related health conditions.
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1. ENVIRONMENT
Locations across the nation see record-cold summer temperatures, confounding global warming predictions.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Senior Fellow Marlo Lewis on why we shouldn’t fear future heat waves – even if temperatures do rise:
“Information, technology, and wealth all facilitate public and private innovation (adaptation) to improve people’s safety, health, and comfort. If global warming makes more U.S. cities more like Phoenix or Tampa, we can reasonably anticipate that more cities will have heat-mortality rates like Phoenix and Tampa–practically zero!…Air conditioning is one of the great health-enhancing, life-saving technologies of the modern world. Air conditioners run on electricity. What we really have to worry about, especially in a warming world, is that politicians will adopt energy policies – actually, anti-energy policies – that force low-income households to turn off their air conditioners in hot weather.”
2. BUSINESS
Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) chastises United Auto Workers chief Ron Gettelfinger for refusing to testify before the White House auto task force.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Editorial Director Ivan Osorio reacts to the conflict:
“Considering the enormous amounts of cash that the federal government has hurled at the auto industry since the start of the financial crisis, recipients of government largess in Detroit should at least have the common courtesy of telling taxpayers what they’re doing with their money. Unfortunately, United Auto Workers boss Ron Gettelfinger doesn’t seem to think that applies to him or his union…It’s beyond outrageous; it’s disgraceful — especially in light of the preferential treatment the union has gotten from the government vis-à-vis other bondholders.”
3. HEALTH
A new study estimates the costs of treating obesity-related health conditions.
CEI Expert Available to Comment: Adjunct Analyst Steve Milloy on the science of obesity:
“First, there is little evidence to support the notion that otherwise healthy adults have shorter lifespans simply because they may be overweight. In fact, the new CDC study reported that adults who are merely ‘overweight’ actually live longer on average than adults who are of ‘normal weight.’ Next, there is absolutely no evidence to support the notion that, for otherwise healthy children, childhood weight determines or impacts longevity. Perhaps worse than any weight problem that may or may not be occurring, is the problem of the obesity scare industry, consisting of government regulators, the media, politicians, and various nonprofit groups.”
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