Discusses global warming, Iraq

MOSES LAKE - Congressman Doc Hastings, R-4th District, during his Thursday visit to the Columbia Basin Herald, took time to discuss comments made by 4th district Democratic candidate George Fearing.

When Fearing declared his candidacy last week, he said Hastings does not believe in global warming.

Hastings told the Columbia Basin Herald he understands global warming exists. He said the cause of global warming is the concern. Hastings said he is not convinced people and their actions are the cause of global warming and questions if it is a natural process because the earth has warmed and cooled many times throughout history.

Hastings said if a proposal is brought forth to solve global warming, government must evaluate the effects of the measure and the effects it might have on the economy.

He said there is currently no new legislation concerning global warming.

Fearing said Hastings was called a corrupt member of congress by the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics.

Hastings said although he has not officially announced his run for candidacy he will continue to run his campaign as he has in the past. He said because he was elected seven times in a row, he is serving his citizenry and doing what he pledged to do.

Fearing said Hastings failed to acknowledge the war in Iraq properly.

Hastings said he believes the United States should be involved in the war on terror.

He said the United States became a target by radicals and he supports U.S. troops being stationed in Iraq. Hastings said it is better to engage them on Iraqi soil rather than bring the war to the U.S.

He said since the Sept. 11 attack there has not been another attack in the U.S. Hastings said the success is partly due to increased intelligence.

He said the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows for agents to listen to conversations overseas such as al Qaida conversations. He said Democrat leaders have caused surveillance under the act to halt. Hastings said agents would be forced to go through a court system to be able to listen to conversations between terrorists.

He said in the months following the Sept. 11 attack, government worried another attack could happen and result in negative effects on the economy. Hastings said due to the access to certain classified intelligence, it may have prevented something from happening.