Oliver Stone Calls Hurricane Sandy 'Punishment' For Not Addressing Global Warming

In a visit to the Huffington Post headquarters to discuss his latest book and documentary series, “The Untold History of the United States,” filmmaker Oliver Stone called Hurricane Sandy a “punishment” for America’s failure to address climate change.

When Stone was asked his opinion on the titanic storm that ravaged much of the East Coast, he took an opportunity to criticize both Barack Obama and Mitt Romney for not addressing climate change at their debates.

"I was a little disappointed at the third debate when neither of them talked about climate control and the nature of the situation on Earth," Stone said. "I think there's kind of a weird statement coming right after ... this is a punishment ... Mother Nature cannot be ignored. That's all I thought about."

“The storm will pass, the campaign will pass, but unfortunately the nature of our present situation will not pass,” Stone added.

Of course, Stone is no stranger to criticizing the government and has been an outspoken proponent of liberal causes. On press tours for his summer blockbuster “Savages,” Stone repeatedly championed another: marijuana legalization.

At the same interview as his Hurricane Sandy statements, Stone also argued against the idea of American exceptionalism, arguing that the country does not “deserve” to be in charge of the world.

“There's this attitude that we deserve to be in charge," Stone said. "I don't believe in that ... We act as if we have this right of kingship -- we act as tyrants."

While Stone criticized Obama for his lack of commitment to addressing global warming, at the same interview Stone stated that he had already cast an advance ballot for him. Stone praised the president’s level head and ability to talk through issues at the debates.

Watch Stone’s statements on Hurricane Sandy, global warming, and President Obama below.