Surprisingly, in California common sense wins out over blatant politics. After being approved by two state Senate committees, the Senate rejected a proposed state law that would make it illegal to disagree with the prevailing ideas on “global climate change.”

Once upon a time in science, when a theory was offered, it was assumed that other scientists would evaluate and test the theory.

Over time, if the theory withstood the tests, it was assumed to be correct. However, over time, often new facts required that the original theory needed modification. Scientists expected follow-up research. If not, would our forefathers have continued to believe that the world was flat?

With the issue of global climate change or its former title “global warming” (no one has yet explained why the name change), that isn’t what is happening. In fact, to quote the president, “The science is settled and the debate is over.”

His reason for this declaration was that some ridiculously high number of scientists and signed statements supported the theory. Nevermind that most of those were not knowledgeable of the issue but rather had expertise in other realms of the scientific world.

Not being a climatologist, I have no idea if the science is settled or not. I am willing to read the reports from both sides, but I am not willing to cut off debate from either side.

How does this relate to Virginia?

While the reversal of the California Senate is a step in the right direction, here in Virginia, Attorney General Mark Herring was going the other direction. He signed on with 15 of his peers from other states, as well as U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch, with plans to investigate climate skeptics who dare to release studies that differ from their view.

So far, the only attorney generals to yet take the next step are from New York and the Virgin Islands, who have requested hordes of information from Exxon.

Their position is that mankind is primarily responsible for the temperature of our planet. It appears that these attorney generals want total control over our lives.

They are convinced that all climate changes are controllable by American businesses. Not likely considering that China and India are polluting far, far more than those in America.

I encourage folks to read the research of Dr. John Christy, a well-respected climatologist at the University of Alabama. Do not let his research convince you of facts, but rather understand there is more than one side to the issue.

Frank Ruff, a Republican, represents Lunenburg County in the Virginia State Senate. His email address is Sen.Ruff@verizon.net.