KY GOVERNOR

New U of L trustee doesn't hold back on Twitter

The appointee has denied climate change science on his Twitter feed, along with attacking U of L sports and criticized LGBT fairness policies.

James Bruggers, and Phillip M. Bailey
The Courier-Journal
Doug Cobb in 2002.

One of Gov. Matt Bevin's new University of Louisville trustees regularly takes to Twitter to deny mainstream climate science and say that being gay isn't compatible with Christianity, while also taking aim at U of L sports.

Douglas Cobb, of Prospect, has shared a tweet that science educator Bill Nye is "a total fraud," while also suggesting that U of L President James Ramsey, Hall of Fame basketball coach Rick Pitino and Athletic Director Tom Jurich should all resign because of an ongoing basketball program scandal.

Douglas Cobb Twitter post.

U of L Athletic Director Tom Jurich was on vacation Wednesday, and the athletic department was not commenting on Bevin's selections Wednesday. Cobb did not return email and voicemail requests for comment, but late Wednesday afternoon he took to Twitter to address some of the messages surrounding the athletics program.

"To all my new twitter friends: you don't need to worry about is my love for UL and UL Sports. Like any fan elated by wins and devoted (sic) by losses," he said. "My sincere apologies for hot-headed tweets following the later(sic)!"

Bevin appointed Cobb, a former president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., for a term expiring June 29, 2019.

On Twitter, Cobb has not been shy. His account attacks presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump while also railing against Democratic presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton and her primary challenger, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Cobb's Twitter postings also put him at odds with scientists' belief that humans are contributing significantly to climate changes that many say are already contributing to rising seas and extreme weather.

And as a member of the board of trustees, he will be overseeing a university that's ramped up its environmental sustainability programs in recent years with an aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions blamed for causing global warming. U of L also has scientists studying climate change, including biology professor Margaret Carreiro, who expressed alarm when told of Cobb's climate views.

"He obviously needs to be more informed," she said. "Maybe he should take one of my classes on global climate change."

Douglas Cobb Twitter post.

Just this week, 31 science organizations representing millions of scientists sent a letter to a divided Congress urging prompt action to tackle climate change, saying it's happening and needs fast action.

The Associated Press notes that those signing the letter include the world's largest scientific society, American Chemical Society, and groups that represent meteorologists, public health experts, biologists, Earth scientists, oceanographers, geologists, crop researchers, bug, fish and reptile experts, as well as mathematicians and statisticians.

Twitter post from Douglas Cobb.

Cobb, who is an elder at Louisville’s Southeast Christian Church, has also devoted attention on Twitter to issues involving Islam and terrorism, and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues, questioning fairness policies and quoting Bible verses.

In a tweet two years ago, Cobb said that when Nigerian-based terrorist group Boko Haram kidnapped as many as 200 school girls it was practicing a version of Islam that "is orthodox Islam." In another 2014 tweet, Cobb cited a biblical verse to say that being gay and Christian were “incompatible terms of identity.”

He also has taken to social media questioning transgender people's identity and to rail against cities that allow transgender residents to use the restroom of their choice. In an April 21 posting, he said: “If I am skinny but think I’m fat, I have an illness. But if I’m a man and think I am a woman, I’m a woman? Just trying to understand.”

Chris Hartman, director of the Fairness Campaign, said Cobb’s comments appear to show a lack of understanding of the LGBT community.

“Students, I’m afraid, might think twice about calling the University of Louisville their home if this is the type of leadership the governor chooses to appoint,” he said.

Hartman said U of L has a national reputation as one of the most inclusive places for LGBT students but that Cobb’s appointment puts that at risk.

As of 7:30 p.m. Wednesday evening, Cobb's Twitter account was deleted.

Reach reporter James Bruggers at (502) 582-4645 and at jbruggers@courier-journal.com. Reach Phillip M. Bailey at (502) 582-4775 or pbailey@courier-journal.com.

MORE ON U OF L BOARD APPOINTMENTS

Bevin's U of L shakeup: Where things stand

Meet the 10 new U of L trustees

New U of L trustee doesn't hold back on Twitter

U of L trustees: Timeline of events