Romm's lament

25 percent -- say global warming is the biggest environmental problem (down 8 points from 2007. First, how could this number be going down? And how could it be so ridiculously low, period? )
80 percent -- say global warming is occurring (down 5 points from 2006 -- how could this too possibly be going down? Maybe see here.)
50 percent -- reduction in global warming news stories in month prior to poll, from same period in 2007. (Shocking, right?)
47 percent -- trust scientists' statements regarding climate
49 percent -- don't trust scientists' statements regarding climate

(I believe in always retaining a healthy skepticism but these numbers are ridiculous.)

I think these last numbers are a testament to the power of FoxNews, Rush Limbaugh and the Right Wing Noise Machine and their campaign, well-coordinated with the GOP, to confuse, disinform, and generally, as Stephen Colbert so deftly reveals, celebrate ignorance. They've cowed members of the Fourth Estate into not fulfilling their civic responsibility to inform our citizens. All around it is shameful.