This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
So, Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, says that climate change is "a farce" ("3rd District candidates clash," Oct. 8), thereby repeating the tired and worn out mantra of the Republican Party, whose collective heads seem to be buried in the sand, or some other dark place. Even so, I would like to ask Mr. Chaffetz, as a GOP representative, this question: Why are we still having this conversation? Can you so easily dismiss the 97 percent of the world's scientists who agree that climate change is very real and is destined to wreak havoc on Planet Earth if we do not recognize and deal with the problems fueling it (no pun intended)?
As for the upcoming election, kudos to the low-profile Mr. Brian Wonnacott for taking on the Sisyphean task of confronting the excitable and sound-bite-addicted Mr. Chaffetz — and for recognizing the problem of climate change. But the reality is Mr.Wonnacott is unknown and untested, and Mr. Chaffetz is destined to win re-election in the conservative 3rd District, in spite of his denial of scientific (and other) facts.
I don't live the 3rd district, but if I did, I would rather cast my vote for Donald Duck, who knows a lot about rising waters.
Linda Marion
Salt Lake City