Rep. John Shimkus is wasting no energy fighting the House cap-and-trade bill. In just the past week, the Republican misled Salem residents on the utility price hike they would face if the law is passed, reiterated the goofy and revisionist claim that the world could benefit from more carbon, and joined the Illinois Coal Association in suggesting that rural America would “get hurt the most” by capping pollution.

But when it comes to the crucial topic of climate change, does Shimkus accurately reflect the views of his constituents? Apparently not all of them. Next Tuesday, Springfield's environmentalist community will be out in full force at the monthly meet-up of the Liberty Brew & View film club.  From blogger Will Reynolds' email announcing the event:

I invited John Shimkus to attend the movie and hear from his constituents on this issue.  He might not listen, but the rest of the nation should know that Shimkus doesn't speak for everyone in his district and that Congressmen who take such extremist, anti-science views will be held publicly accountable.

The film of choice is "Burning the Future: Coal in America," a documentary about the dangers of mountaintop removal and longwall coal mining in West Virginia. After the viewing, attendees will sign an open letter to Shimkus asking him to protect the environment by bringing green energy jobs to Illinois, instead of fighting for the carbon-intensive coal industry.

The doors open Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. For more information, check out Reynolds' post here.