At Least 91 People Reported Dead After Monstrous Oklahoma Tornado…120+ Injured…Many Children Among Dead…Some Children Drowned…Heartbreaking Pictures…Reporter Struggles to Share Terrible News…

Watch Live: Continuing Coverage of Oklahoma Tornado Aftermath

Science

MSNBC Guest’s Bizarre Claim: Climate Change ‘Driving’ Chicago’s Gun Violence

Jan. 30, 2013 5:10pm Madeleine Morgenstern

MSNBC

The Center for American Progress’ Christie Hefner on Wednesday said climate change is partially responsible for Chicago’s spike in gun murders.

Hefner, the former chairman and CEO of Playboy Enterprises, said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” that Chicago had a record number of gun murders last year and was already outpacing those numbers in 2013.

“Now there are contributing factors that are not under anybody’s control and may seem odd, but it is factually true. One of them is actually the weather — there is a dramatic increase in gun violence when it is warmer and we are having this climate change effect that is driving that,” she said.

Co-host Joe Scarborough jumped in to mock-thank Hefner on behalf of “conservative bloggers across America.”

“Can I just say conservative bloggers across America thank you for saying that climate change is responsible for the rising murder rates in America,” Scarborough said. “You’ve just made a lot of people in the basements of their mother’s homes very happy.”

Hefner noted that she said there were a “number of contributing factors” and that there was only a “high correlation” — as opposed to a direct cause — between heat waves and gun violence.

Wired magazine last year took a look at some of the literature about the correlation between warm weather and violence. One study, conducted by psychologists at Florida State University, concluded that violence did indeed go up with the temperature — but only to a point, around 80 degrees Fahrenheit, before starting to fall.

An Iowa State University psychologist contested those findings, saying they didn’t account for the time of day, and instead produced a linear relationship between heat and violence that had assault rates peaking at the hottest temperatures.

In CONTROL, Glenn Beck presents a passionate, fact-based case for guns that reveals why gun control isn’t really about controlling guns at all; it’s about controlling us. Find out more HERE.

Back to The Blaze »

Comments (132)

nesmond
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:45pm
She looks like her old man. Just stick a pipe in her mouth or whatever is handy.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- redfish52
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:51pm
  This girl will never get a gun permit. She wouldn’t be able to answer the “have you ever been treated for mental illness” box with a no…
  
  Report this comment
- tonypro
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:58pm
  The level of accepted stupidity amazes me to no end.
  
  The next nimrod will claim guns cause cancer, and should be labeled accordingly.
  
  These people need to be corralled, and kept under observation, or maybe just study them at a University to see if there is something in their DNA that has them stuck on stupid.
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:06pm
  Speaking of people in the mother’s basement, when is Joe S going to come out of the closet?
  
  Report this comment
- NewMedia
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 7:08pm
  Of course, because as we all know, so called climate change is only affecting Chicago. These people are such idiots! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABfZi7PPFSU
  
  Report this comment
- 83plus
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 8:21pm
  Thanks for the laugh MSNBC.
  
  Report this comment
- Hiswill
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:29pm
  Is it only hot in Chicago?? Is this an isolated phenomenon in this one city? Next time a shooter goes to court in Chicago, he can say I was so hot I needed to shoot someone. Libber media makes me laugh.
  
  Report this comment
- dwilco77
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:48pm
  How could anyone with an IQ > 10 fall for the propaganda that spews out of the mouths of the Mainstream media, or even MSNBC which seems to have carved it’s own niche which defies a logical description.
  
  Report this comment
- jkjk
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 9:12am
  Oh boy. All those ice caps melting, and the polar bears dwindling population in lake Michigan is causing havoc in loser gang bangers heads.
  
  Report this comment
- Dismayed Veteran
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 11:16am
  Folks in Chicago are safe today. It is currently 17 degrees (F) with a high of 15 projected for Friday. Crime will skyrocket next week as the city warms to a overbearing 44 degrees on nex Friday.
  
  Report this comment
- Yeah_Buddy
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:21pm
  Maybe they could offer a gun buy-back program in Chicago…and give them air conditioners in return.
  
  Report this comment
- bonesiii
  Posted on February 18, 2013 at 8:38am
  Using her own logic, violence in Chicago must be getting very rare, since global temperatures have been going down…
  
  Report this comment
gyro
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:44pm
Christie Hefner is correct
heat makes me crazy
hotdogs make me crazy
a hotdog on a hot day and I go NUTS
I love Christie Hefner
:)
shes hot

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Eastinfection
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:15pm
  She is trying to distract us away from the obvious statistical correlation between the rise of gun violence in America and the reduction of pubic **** in Playboy.
  
  Report this comment
- Thundergod
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:27pm
  I miss Bush
  
  Report this comment
- 13th Imam
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 7:07pm
  She’s Hot?
  My gosh man.. Get a grip. You must think Helen Thomas is centerfold material.
  
  Report this comment
NHwinter
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:44pm
A requirement for being a guest on MSNBC is you have to be as crazy as the host.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- changedone
  Posted on January 31, 2013 at 6:46am
  Exactly. So, everywhere else in the nation, it’s guns that have a mind of their own that are responsible for firearm violence. But in Chicago, it’s the weather.
  
  Report this comment
Chuck7884
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:40pm
hot weather equals hot tempers. so yes hot weather means more violence, cold nights mean less violence

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:51pm
  Violent people = violence…Non violent people = No violence.
  
  Report this comment
- Thundergod
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:09pm
  Hot weather does make people more agitated, dehydration being a contributing factor.
  Cold weather makes people want to stay home in bed with a woman and keep warm.
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:28pm
  Take away their EBT cards and there will be many more getting hot under the collar.
  
  Report this comment
- truthnstuff
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 7:05pm
  Chucky, have you been able to notice that these shootings have almost all been in cold, at least NOT hot weather. Hmmmmm. What’s worse than being stupid is agreeing with it.
  
  Report this comment
ABRAXUS
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:39pm
Hugh should have bred for brains instead of boobies.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- TashaTchin
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:01pm
  Boobies can be bought, but, brains cannot…
  
  Report this comment
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:43pm
  Most of the time the bought ones look better….
  
  Report this comment
blackfeather
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:38pm
this is gobbldegook coming from the mouth of an idiot.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
The-Monk
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:31pm
Being a white American male, that doesn’t live in a big city, I’m so relieved to know that CAP has proved that climate change has no effect on my actions but does for only those of inner city dwelling murderers.

(end sarcasm)

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- jcldwl
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:43pm
  Come on folks it is just a new twist to go after our guns. They are being debunked by all the evidence of the prescription meds the mass murderers were on and the fact Chicago has the strictest gun laws yet the highest murder rate. So now they are moving to blame it on climate change therefore we must take away weapons. People just can’t help themselves because the climate is changing and making them violent.
  
  Report this comment
- IWISHIWASINTEXAS
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:43pm
  I have noticed that I am particularly more prone to violent behavior when the thermometer breaches the 78 degree mark. Good thing I can always plead “not guilty” for reason of “Global Warming” :)
  
  Report this comment
- I_AM_HARRISON_BERGERON
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:46pm
  So… If we all drive huge gas guzzling trucks they will all kill each other off ??? Should be a banner year for truck dealers this year. :)
  
  Report this comment
- gyro
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:47pm
  Monk = You have no chance at all of dating Christie Hefner with that attitude
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:54pm
  Oh yeah IWISH! When the mercury tops the ninety degree mark around here, I start looking for Polar Bears to murder!
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:58pm
  Hi Gyro,
  
  It’s a good thing that Monks don’t date…..
  
  I won’t have to go through Christie Hefner withdrawals for being rejected.
  
  Report this comment
- 00100111
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:05pm
  You bring up a good idea, IWISH. If I ever go on a spree because of “gun control” I’ll just claim temporary insanity due to “Cliiiiimate Chaaaaange”.
  
  Report this comment
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:11pm
  I hear that when it hits 100 degrees people can go nuts….
  
  That really sucks for me…
  
  I’m always about 98.6 so I’m just 4 degrees away from being a killer.
  
  Report this comment
- IWISHIWASINTEXAS
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:42pm
  Careful MONK! You better buy yourself an AC quick! Either that or restrain yourself inside your home whenever the temperature is threatening 100!
  
  Report this comment
shoulda coulda woulda
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:31pm
If climate change is partially to blame then the rich not paying their fair share and the anti-abortion campaign must be the balance. I know this ALSO doesn’t make sense.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
civilwarcometh
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:31pm
The global warming crap is Agenda 21. Remove man’s footprint from Earth drivel. What happened to the story on Israel attacking Syria???

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
TX_45_ACP
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:30pm
Coming from someone associated with the Center for American Progress, I am not surprised. Just another day in the neighborhood.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- civilwarcometh
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:42pm
  Can you say George Soros and John Podesta???
  
  Report this comment
- henryKnox
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:46pm
  The sad note is that there are actually kool-aide drinkers out there that will run with that explanation. I’m sure Martin Bashir will take it as proven fact. Enlightened people laugh this kind of nonsense off and don’t think it matters. Unfortunately, as we found out in the last election, there are too many uninformed people that will believe anything they are told.
  
  Report this comment
joey g
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:30pm
yes we are have gone nuts……hahahahhahahah

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Zipit
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:30pm
OH MY GOD! They’re killing each because of the weather….. RUN!!!!!

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Zipit
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:38pm
  See! I was so scared, I forgot the word “other”!
  
  Report this comment
SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:29pm
.
I think she has looked at to many Naked Women……

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- The-Monk
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:37pm
  Hi Spank,
  
  Nudie pictures of Debbie Washermouthout-Schultz have been known to do that….
  
  Report this comment
- Micmac
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:44pm
  Nude pictures of DWS makes the temp drop in my home
  
  Report this comment
Lord_Frostwind
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:29pm
Climate change, is there anything you can’t do in the mind of Liberals?

“Arabs and Israeli’s go to war, climate change suspected,” “Drug Cartels murder 200 civilians in Mexico and how Climate Change is related,” “The relationship of World War 2 and climate change.” You know that you’re off you’re rocker when you start to make the “are the aliens/ghost/devil” responsible for events in history shows that occupy the History Channel, look reasonable by comparison.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Thundergod
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:28pm
Wow they had to do a study to figure out that hot weather makes people mean and nasty? These people wouldnt waste so much money on frivolous studies if they had actually ever worked a job outside academics.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
GuruMeditation
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:25pm
Hahahaha. Man, how can you not laugh at these fools? Hehe.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
booger71
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:24pm
I conclude that the excess friction caused by men reading playboy has contributed to global warming.

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
OldSurfRat
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:23pm
ManBearPig has a gun!!!!!

What a dumb B****

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:31pm
  “I’m super super cereal you guys!”
  
  Whenever I hear these fools talk, I hear the voice of South Park’s Al Gore. It makes the pain of realizing these people are considered the intellectual elite of our society slightly easier to bear.
  
  Report this comment
- TashaTchin
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:59pm
  Love the SP reference. The actual problem isn’t the heat, it’s the pheromones in close quarter living — like in overcrowded inner cities. They did tests on rats decades ago and found that as the population rose, the rats started fighting uncontrollably and cannibalizing their own. The pheromone part of the equation was discovered to be the cause of most all the soccer match fighting by the fans in the stands. So, the solution would be more showers and fewer “immigrants” living in Chicago, but that won’t happen because the Democrats prefer the Latinos to the blacks and are quickly replacing them through immigration, invasion, amnesties (there have been 7 so far) and easy citizenship. In a few more decades, the Democrats will have finally achieved their Klansman’s dream and there will be no more Americans of African descent living in America.
  
  Report this comment
cleverphraseillustratingmyallegiance
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:23pm
on topic? how can truth live here if TONS of comments that suck and are not on topic survive? and removing comments is childish, untruthful and pretty much communist, which is HILARIOUS to me, so keep up that comedic edge. ugh, you probably think the obama jar is funny. $20 per mention? oooooh, big whoop, are we supposed to believe the 4 dorks couldnt skip 4th 5th and 6th meal and make it $1000 per mention. so yeah i just laugh at you NERDS and get douche chills at the same time, which is exhausting, good luck, make it 3 big macs after your shift tonight, you earned it Tasty

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- IWISHIWASINTEXAS
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:45pm
  The truth is in the articles and not in the commenter’s personal opinions and perspectives. Perhaps you should lay off the big macs my friend, they don’t seem to be doing you any good ;)
  
  Report this comment
- barber2
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 9:01pm
  ” Clever”: No, you are not. Just the typical arrogant, angry Lefty.
  
  Report this comment
- Lord_Frostwind
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 10:58pm
  Okay buddy, I think you’ve had a bit too much internet tonight. We have to be careful about how much we take in, otherwise we’ll start sounding like angry star wars fans on youtube.
  
  Report this comment
Exidor
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:21pm
Not the sharpest tool in the shed, is she?

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- chips1
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:47pm
  It’s hard to believe that MSNBC had to go to the local bar at closing time to find a liberal guest.
  
  Report this comment
devan95
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:18pm
So then, there should be fewer gun deaths in winter than summer right, oh spawn of the high priest of nundies?

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
barber2
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:17pm
Maybe they need to re-visit the Watts Riots. During the hot months . Happened quite a while ago. Before ” Climate Change” became a Democrat Rallying Cry and their excuse for blaming everything not attributable to George Bush , the Tea Party, or racism.

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- gyro
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:49pm
  Air conditioning
  
  Report this comment
soybomb315
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:15pm
can we all start asking theblaze to stop running MSNBC articles and stick to talking about ideas and solutions?

Where is that submit idea button? i dont see it

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply
Cavallo
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:14pm
HAHAHAHAHA… what worthless cult drivel. Make sure you bow down towards Al Gore’s mansion. These religious nut jobs are far more dangerous than most (save for those that strap C-4 to their crotch).

Report this comment
Log in to ReplyReply
- barber2
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:19pm
  Please do NOT mention Al Jazeera Gore …
  
  Report this comment
- sligresda
  Posted on January 30, 2013 at 6:10pm
  al gorzeera
  
  Report this comment
cleverphraseillustratingmyallegiance
Posted on January 30, 2013 at 5:13pm
Oh thank the good lord and all our forefathers! my comment wont be buried ! uhhhh, I forgot what to comment…ha, so embarrassed

Report this comment
Log in to Reply Reply

It appears that you have Javascript Disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser preferences for a better user experience on TheBlaze. You can not comment without Javascript enabled.