Peter Veals, identified as a 2007 Durango High School graduate and PhD candidate in atmospheric science, attacked J. Paul Brown as “an ill-informed and irresponsible representative” (Herald, Aug. 3) because of J. Paul’s skeptical view of so-called man- driven global climate change.

I remember when the dissemblers called it global warming.

I am sure that Mr. Veals’ eyes are all aglow at the thought of gaining his share of the billions of dollars in grant money that is wasted annually in the study of global warming. I read his letter thoughtfully, granting him due consideration until I got to the statement: “97 percent of climate scientists agree that humans are causing climate change.” After reading that totally debunked statement alone, I grant Mr. Veals no more credence.

That 97 percent claim comes from an analysis of studies, papers, monographs and journal articles (Cook et al) that has been totally debunked on methodology, analysis and conclusions. Look it up; I did. The 97 percent is a fantasy and, to me, anyone who quotes it has no credibility.

There are so many things wrong with Mr. Veals’ letter, but let’s just consider one: “The vast majority of Earth’s glaciers are shrinking ...” This is a basically true statement, but the question must be asked: Shrinking from what?

Oetzi, the iceman, is a 5,300-year-old mummy discovered only when glaciers shrank. For him to be discovered, glaciers today would have had to cover no more than the area covered 5,300 years ago. Villages, farms and mines have been found only when the ice has retreated.

Mr. Veals would have us believe that the extent of glaciers in the near-term is the norm and that the retreat is somehow abnormal. Unprecedented.An anomaly. If that’s the case, please explain to us how Oetzi, the farms, villages and mines got there.

J. Paul Brown is a thoughtful, considerate and conscientious representative who abhors the waste of not just our tax dollars, but the money we spend in higher energy costs to battle a non-existent foe. I’m glad he’s in the House, representing me.

George Thompson

Durango