John Stossel: Global warming "may be a good thing"

On the February 23 broadcast of Premiere Radio Networks' The Glenn Beck Program, John Stossel claimed that "you can't deny that the globe has warmed" but added that global warming "may be a good thing." Stossel, who is co-anchor of ABC's 20/20, then asked: "And is it a catastrophe, where we have to wreck the lives of poor people and turn our freedom over to [former Vice President] Al Gore and he'll tell us what we can drive and whether we can air-condition our house? And even if he does that, it's not going to make any difference."

From the February 23 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Glenn Beck Program:

GLENN BECK (host): Tell me about global warming. I'm fascinated, John, by the fact that you cannot have a differing opinion in this country now -- and really, planetwide, almost -- and not be called a fascist. RFK Junior called me a fascist for questioning global warming. What kind of society are we living in?

STOSSEL: Well, he's an imbecile in many ways, and we have him on TV tonight on another subject. But, you know, I guess you can't deny that the globe has warmed. Climate changes. It's warmed a little. The issue is, is it a bad thing? It may be a good thing. And is it a catastrophe, where we have to wreck the lives of poor people and turn our freedom over to Al Gore and he'll tell us what we can drive and whether we can air-condition our house? And even if he does that, it's not going to make any difference. So there are seven issues, and the only one where there's clear truth is that, yes, the globe has warmed and probably will keep warming. And, most likely, man is playing a part. But to then say, "Al Gore is right," what does that mean? What are we going to do?

—B.A.