[Update – August 25, 2010: Exclusive Release of Emails Refute James Cameron’s Reason for Cancelling Global Warming Debate]
[Note from Marc Morano: “Cameron is now claiming he cancelled the climate debate at the last minute because I am not worthy to debate him. Cameron claims I have not achieved a ‘stature in our society’ that is ‘similar to his. Looks like I may have a long wait to rise to Cameron’s level of environmental consciousness! See photo of Cameron’s house here.”]
[Reprint from E&E Greenwire – August 23, 2010]
Key Article Excerpts:
Morano: “Cameron let his friends in the environmental community spook him out of this debate,” Morano said. “When he was warned that he was probably going to lose and lose badly, he ran like a scared mouse.”
Cameron Spokesman: “Morano is not at James Cameron’s level to debate, and that’s why that didn’t happen,” Comins said. “Cameron should be debating someone who is similar to his stature in our society.”
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Full E&E Article: Global warming debate is scuttled and barbs fly (08/23/2010) (subscription required)
By Robin Bravender, E&E reporter
Director James Cameron blasted global warming deniers yesterday after a prominent climate change skeptic accused the filmmaker of backing out of a public debate on climate science.
“I think they’re swine,” Cameron said yesterday of climate skeptics before an audience in Aspen, Colo., the Aspen Times reported. Cameron, whose blockbuster science-fiction film “Avatar” won acclaim from environmentalists, was a featured speaker at the American Renewable Energy Day summit.
Cameron had been scheduled to debate climate change skeptics yesterday, but the event was canceled at the last minute, according to Marc Morano, director of the skeptic website “Climate Depot” and a former spokesman for Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.).
Morano said he and two other skeptics — conservative blogger Andrew Breitbart and filmmaker Ann McElhinney — were planning to debate Cameron last night, but the director pulled the plug after environmentalists warned him against participating in the forum. Morano said the cancellation was made while he was on his flight to Aspen.
“He let his friends in the environmental community spook him out of this debate,” Morano said. “When he was warned that he was probably going to lose and lose badly, he ran like a scared mouse.”
But Chip Comins, founder and executive producer of the event, said the details of the debate had never been confirmed and accused Morano of distorting the truth.
Organizers had considered holding a climate debate pitting Cameron against high-profile foes like former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R), conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh, and FOX News hosts Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity, Comins said.
“Morano is not at James Cameron’s level to debate, and that’s why that didn’t happen,” Comins said. “Cameron should be debating someone who is similar to his stature in our society.”
“Marc Morano is interested in getting his name in newspapers as much as humanly possible,” Comins added. “He distorts information to get people like you to write about him.”
Morano was given a platform to speak in Aspen — a 90-minute event with a question-and-answer session, which he called his “consolation prize” and “an absolute joke.” Comins said Morano’s presentation was not an official summit event.
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Related Links:
Update – August 25, 2010: Exclusive Release of Emails Refute James Cameron’s Reason for Cancelling Global Warming Debate
James Cameron—’King of Hypocrites’
After ducking debate, James Cameron boldly slams global warming skeptics: ‘I think they’re swine’
James Cameron’s key climate quotes:
Director James Cameron: Climate Deniers Using ‘Talk-Show Host Puppets’ for ‘Disinformation Campaign’
James Cameron: Climate Change ‘As Great As The Threat’ U.S. Faced in World War II
Shock Flashback: James Cameron: ‘I believe in ecoterrorism’