Cartoons misinterpret facts of climate change

To the editor: I would like to kindly ask that you please refrain from any more political cartoons on the subject of global warming. Why? Because it is clear that 1) you have absolutely, no understanding of the concept, not one ounce and 2) the cartoons that you are choosing are not just promoting misunderstanding, they are spreading completely wrong ideas about this important issue.

How can the editor of an award-winning, regional newspaper such as the Foster's Daily Democrat, a person who is responsible for the dissemination of information and news in a fair and responsible way, be so incredibly ill-informed about this regional, national and global crisis. It is beyond me, honestly, you should be ashamed of yourself.

Political cartoons are supposed to incite controversy and discussion, they often portray a caricature of a person or an issue for the purpose of making an important point. Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're bad, sometimes I laugh, sometimes I get mad, sometimes I just turn the page. That is their purpose. But lately I have noticed that the cartoons you are printing on this and other topics seem to be selected solely to spread misinformation and create misunderstanding, especially the ones about global warming.

I have been a loyal Fosters subscriber for over a decade, but the cartoon with Al Gore holding his breath was so incredibly offensive, because it was so completely off the mark, that I almost canceled my subscription. But I like reading the Fosters. So I've decided to ask that you please, please, please become more informed on this issue and stop spreading untruths.

You know those extreme storms and floods we have been experiencing over the last few years? You know those big swings in temperature and the wacky behavior of the jet stream that we've seen this summer? These events are what climate models and climate experts have been predicting in response to increased global temperatures. Climate change is not just a maybe, somewhere in the future, it is real and it is now. The consequences are not just an unpleasant nuisance, they are dire and they are imminent. We have 10 years to act, 10 years to reduce our carbon emissions, 10 years people! After that, our impacts will be irreversible. You need to start disseminating truth so that people can act responsibly and avert the disaster that will affect us and our children. Please go to www.climatechoices.org and get yourself and your readers informed!

Ellen M. Douglas
Portsmouth, NH

YOU read this week by host Arnie Arnesen