Bush's Chat with Novelist Alarms Environmentalists

Bush invited fiction writer Michael Crichton to the White House last year to chat about his book "State of Fear," which dismisses global warming as a conspiracy by environmentalists. Bush read the book "avidly" according to a reporter, and agreed with everything in it.

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Intensified Development Raises Catastrophic Flood Risk around US

Concentrated development in flood-prone parts of Missouri, California and other states has significantly raised the risk of New Orleans-style flooding as people snap up new homes even in areas recently deluged, researchers said.

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White House won't say whether they consider novelist global warming expert

RAW STORYPublished: February 20, 2006

White House press secretary Scott McClellan ducked a question from a reporter Monday at a briefing aboard Air Force One over whether President Bush believes best-selling author Michael Crichton is an expert on global warming. Crichton, made famous by books like Jurassic Park, was the subject of a New York Times article that alleged Bush took Crichton's criticisms of global warming at a private meeting seriously. Cricton's 2004 book, State of Fear, sought to debunk global warming, which has been roundly endorsed by scientists around the world.
In the transcript, the reporter asks:

Q But Michael Crichton as an expert or a novelist the President enjoys reading?

MR. MCCLELLAN: The President read his book, and he was glad to have the opportunity to visit with him.

Q -- believes as expert opinion?

MR. MCCLELLAN: I think you should look at what we outlined, Jessica. If you want to ask the President about it, you are -- you're welcome to do that at some point. But I'm not going to get into talking about private meetings that he has.
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The transcript in context. Al Hubbard is the President's National Economic Adviser.

Q There was a report on television last night about the -- about global warming and demands contribution to the atmosphere, and so on, was -- is the U.S. government -- does the U.S. care that the polar ice caps are melting? And this whole sort of energy reform that you're putting forth, does the environment play any part in it?

MR. HUBBARD: I'll let Scott take that one.

MR. MCCLELLAN: What was your question.

Q It was a story on "60 Minutes" last night about global warming and -- what's the administration's position on any of this energy reform, or whether it's --

MR. MCCLELLAN: The United States is leading the way in investing in the kind of technologies to help us address greenhouse gas emissions. That's something we -- remember, we're on track to meet the President's goal of reducing greenhouse gas intensity that he outlined. And we also have joined in partnerships around the world to invest in research and development when it comes to climate change. It's an issue that the President takes seriously, and we announced the Asia Pacific Partnership, remember, and that is an initiative to help lead the way to address some of these issues associated with climate change.

Q Do you take Michael Crichton on the issue seriously?

MR. MCCLELLAN: What's your question?

Q There's a story --

MR. MCCLELLAN: I think what I can point to -- I'm not going to get into talking about private meetings he's had, but look at the initiatives we've outlined, look at the leadership the President is providing to address the challenges of climate change. It is an issue that we take seriously, and that's why we've been investing billions in research and development to better understand the science of climate change. That's why we've initiated partnerships, like the Asia Pacific Partnership, to address these issues, as well.

Q But Michael Crichton as an expert or a novelist the President enjoys reading?

MR. MCCLELLAN: The President read his book, and he was glad to have the opportunity to visit with him.

Q -- believes as expert opinion?

MR. MCCLELLAN: I think you should look at what we outlined, Jessica. If you want to ask the President about it, you are -- you're welcome to do that at some point. But I'm not going to get into talking about private meetings that he has.

Thanks.

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