Wash. Post: ‘Morano is, arguably, the star of ‘Merchants of Doubt’ – ‘Morano makes for a jocular — and weirdly unapologetic — advocate for what can only be called ignorance’
“I’m not a scientist,” Morano jokes, flashing a huge, telegenic grin, “but I play one on TV.”
'Merchants of Doubt' director Kenner, 65, does admire people such as Marc Morano, a professional climate-change denier and founder of the Climate Depot Web site who is, arguably, the star of Kenner’s film. After a stint in the 1990s reporting for Rush Limbaugh, Morano worked briefly as a flack for Sen. James M. Inhofe (R-Okla.), who famously called global warming a “hoax.” These days, Morano most often pops up on TV shows arguing against the science of climate change. In front of Kenner’s camera, Morano makes for a jocular — and weirdly unapologetic — advocate for what can only be called ignorance.
'Kenner blames the Marc Moranos of the world, who are paid to sow not just doubt but fear.'
He also plays dirty. In “Doubt,” Morano recounts with glee how he has published the e-mail addresses of climate scientists, subjecting them to intimidation and flaming attacks from anonymous critics. (Several of the abusive e-mails are read aloud in the film by their recipients, in an evocation of Jimmy Kimmel’s “Celebrities Read Mean Tweets” segments.) It makes for a semi-serious tone that masks Kenner’s more sobering message: We’re routinely being lied to, by people who are darn good at it.
