| November 17 '07 |
 |
| Volume 598 |
Global
Warming Fact, Fiction & Political Endgame
In the seventies, the scientific community
was concerned that the climate of our world was moving toward another ice
age. Now, many feel our survival is threatened by a global warming.
Much of what the general public hears of global warming is a highly filtered
version of what the national media deems worthy and particularly what the
media feels will best advance the politics of the Left.
Al Gore, whose scientific background pales in comparison to that of even
this writer, has, with the help of a liberal media, elevated himself to a
leading expert on climate change, particularly global warming. But, as with
Gore’s laughable claim of having invented the Internet, there are plenty
of reasons to regard his pseudoscientific claims with suspicion.
Mark Alexander, the accomplished and respected essayist and publisher of
the Patriot Post, penned an excellent article on Global Warming last February.
That which follows is the bulk of Mark’s lengthy but informative essay.
Global Warming: Fact, Fiction and Political Endgame
Nobel Peace Prize nominee, Albert Arnold Gore, was the toast of Hollywood
at the self-congratulatory soiree known as the 2007 Academy Awards.
Gore, whose failure to carry his "home" state of Tennessee cost him the 2000
presidential election, has recast himself as the populist pope of eco-theology
and the titular head of the green movement's developmentally arrested legions.
Now the darling of Leftcoast glitterati, predictably, Gore received two Oscars
for a junk-science production called "An Inconvenient Truth,'' a
pseudo-documentary follow-up from the eco-disaster fiction, "The Day After
Tomorrow.'' Gore's "Truth," however, is about 10 percent substance and 90
percent fragrance.
"The Academy Awards have gone green," said Gore, after collecting his Oscars
-- maybe a thin coat of green over a thick base of red. The awards for Gore's
climate diatribe coincide, not coincidentally, with the much-ballyhooed release
of a media summary of a report on global warming by the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate
Change. These two events are a launch pad for the coming cavalcade of dire
ecological predictions by Gore and his ilk. Their goal will be to saturate
the all-too-sympathetic media outlets with apocalyptic hysterics about a
man-made global disaster. Perhaps, too, if all goes according to plan, we'll
see another Gore presidential run.
All the "Live Earth'' road-show talking points will play up an alarming assertion
from Bill Clinton's former veep: "Never before has all of civilization been
threatened. We have everything we need to save it, with the possible exception
of political will. But political will is a renewable resource.''
To be sure, there is "no controlling legal authority'' for this, the biggest
political and economic power grab ever attempted. The Left's desire to hamstring
the U.S. economy and force worldwide Kyoto Treaty compliance will, according
to one United Nations estimate, cost the world economy $553 trillion
this century.
Al Gore may be a comical dupe when it comes to climatology (in college, he
collected a C+ and a D in his two natural-sciences courses), but the
global-warming debate and the consequences of that debate are serious. To
participate meaningfully, one must distinguish between fact and fiction -
in addition to understanding the underlying political agendas.
In the inimitable words of the late Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY),
"Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.'' To that
end, Al Gore's "facts'' are deserving of rigorous
scrutiny.
Separating fact from fiction
First, let's be clear that the current debate about climate focuses on "global
warming,'' which is not synonymous with the debate about the environmental
consequences of the "greenhouse effect.'' The latter issue concerns what,
if any, relationship exists between man-made CO2 in the atmosphere and global
temperatures.
For the record, most reputable scientists agree that we are in a period of
gradual global warming (about 0.7 degrees Celsius in the last century), and
that the greenhouse effect prevents our climate from becoming a deep freeze.
Most also agree that the level of CO2 in the atmosphere has increased in
the last century, and there is a growing consensus that global warming is
due, in part, to the greenhouse effect.
However, there is no scientifically established correlation between
global-warming trends and acceleration of the greenhouse effect due to human
production of CO2—only broad speculation.
Nigel Calder, former editor of New Scientist, notes, "When politicians
and journalists declare that the science of global warming is settled, they
show a regrettable ignorance about how science works.''
In fact, there remains substantial doubt that the production of CO2 by human
enterprise, which contributes only about three percent of CO2 to the natural
carbon cycle has any real impact on global temperature.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Mauna Loa Observatory
in Hawaii has maintained the world's longest continuous worldwide record
of atmospheric carbon-dioxide levels—those cited by global-warming
alarmists. In 2002 and 2003, NOAA recorded increases in atmospheric CO2 of
2.43 and 2.30 ppm respectively—a 55 percent increase over the annual
average of 1.5 ppm for previous years. In 2004, however, this increase fell
back to 1.5 ppm per year.
NOAA concluded that the fluctuation was caused by the natural processes
that contribute and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Al Gore would be
hard-pressed to explain NOAA's findings within the context of his apocalyptic
thesis, and he would be hard-pressed to convince any serious scientists that
his Orwellian solutions could correct such fluctuations. This is because
his thesis is based largely on convenient half-truths. For instance, Gore
insists that the increased incidence of hurricanes, tornadoes, drought and
other weather phenomena is the direct result of global warming.
Renowned meteorologist Dr. William Gray takes exception: "The degree to which
you believe global warming is causing major hurricanes,'' he says, "is inversely
proportional to your knowledge about these storms.''
In a recent issue of Discover Magazine, Gray, described by Discover's
editors as one of "the world's most famous hurricane experts,'' wrote,
"This human-induced global-warming thing... is grossly exaggerated... I'm
not disputing there has been global warming. There was a lot of global warming
in the 1930s and ‘40s, and then there was global cooling in the middle
‘40s to the early ‘70s. Nearly all of my colleagues who have been
around 40 or 50 years are skeptical...about this global-warming thing. But
no one asks us.''
Gore preaches about the two percent of Antarctica that is warming without
noting that temperature readings over the rest of Antarctica indicate the
continent has cooled over the previous 35 years, or that the UN's climate
panel estimates net snow mass increases in Antarctica this century.
Gore notes the increasing temperatures and shrinking ice caps in the Northern
Hemisphere but does not note the decreasing temperatures and increased sea
ice in the Southern Hemisphere.
Perhaps worse still is Gore's intellectual cowardice. During his visit to
Europe in January, Gore agreed to an interview with Denmark's largest national
newspaper, Jyllands-Posten. Then, when he learned that Bjorn Lomborg,
one of the world's leading critics of eco-theological dogma, was also going
to be interviewed, Gore abruptly canceled.
Lomborg, a statistician, has delved deep into the data to expose the
environmental movement's selective and oft-misleading use of evidence. His
book, "The Skeptical Environmentalist'' was hailed by Washington Post
Book World as "a magnificent achievement'' and "the most significant
work on the environment since the appearance of its polar opposite, Rachel
Carson's Silent Spring, in 1962.''
Perhaps a thoughtful debate is what scares Al Gore most of all. Dr. Roy Spencer,
former senior scientist for climate studies at NASA's Marshall Space Flight
Center, has some additional "Questions for Al Gore'' based on what he calls
"Gore's Inconvenient Truth.'' We are still awaiting Gore's reply...
Editor’s note: The complete essay is found at
http://archive.patriotpost.us/pub/07-08_Digest/
Gray Hairs
Making A Difference
Persons who look for subtle changes in the appearance of others will no doubt
remark there’s something different looking about this writer. I can
assure the reader I’ve not lost weight, shaved my moustache, bought
new glasses, purchased designer clothes, or taken to drinking. Though, I
will admit to having bought new shoes, a pair of leather-soled loafers.
My everyday shoes, a pair of Rockport Dressports, needed replacing, but it
seems the manufacturer doesn’t make the style I prefer, anymore, and
cordovan is a shoe color whose popularity is fading.
On realizing how hard it is to find comfortable footwear in cordovan, I remarked
to Cecil Fauver and a salesclerk at Pontotoc’s Progressive Shoe
Store, "I’m a cordovan man in a brown and black world."
Oh, cordovan is still available, but as a sense of style, across all age
groups, is rapidly being replaced with an ever-degenerating casual look,
cordovan is on the wane.
If the present rate of casual wear degradation continues, I suggest that
it won’t be long until one will be unable to distinguish a business
executive from a clerk, a minister from a parishioner, a teacher from a student,
or a male from a female by ones mode of dress.
But, it’s not shoes, nor the prevalence of casual attire that prompted
this article. Instead, it’s hair, and hair color. And, it’s not
just anyone’s hair and hair color; it’s mine.
The hair of most men, who are lucky enough to retain theirs upon aging, gradually
turns gray. I’ve long held the opinion that "gray hair is better than
no hair," though lovers of baldness might disagree with my contention.
If the color of my moustache is representative of the color of my facial
hair, then my beard must be gray. However, while my temple-areas have grayed
significantly over the past few years, my eyebrows and the hair on the back
of my head are largely free of the color gray.
I don’t mind my hair slowly turning gray any more than I minded losing
my hair twenty-five years ago. My solution for hair loss was to purchase
a hairpiece, which is a temporary solution that will require many replacements
during my lifetime. The biggest issue with hairpieces and graying hair is
striking the proper balance between the two. It’s a lot easier to create
a gray hairpiece to match the color of ones growing hair if that
individual’s hair is completely gray.
It takes two months from the time hair samples are snipped and taped to an
order form by a trained service provider until the new hairpiece is ready
to be "cut in."
"Will your new hairpiece have gray in it?" Barbara quizzed, as we prepared
to leave home to drive to Memphis.
"It’s supposed to have more than my old one," I responded.
Travis Johnson, owner of Studio II, and I had discussed how much gray was
needed when samples were taken, but I wasn’t prepared for my first look
at the new unit.
"That’s mine? Wow, that’s a lot of gray," I shared when Travis
revealed it to me.
However, as the "cut in" began, I soon realized the length had contributed
to the illusion of more gray than was actually present. Watching him snipping
away on my new hairpiece, I asked Travis how he knew when to stop trimming.
"Do you sort of visualize the end product, like a sculptor looking at a block
of granite?"
"Yeah, I guess I do," Travis responded. "Each piece is different and has
its own form waiting to be revealed. The trick is to know when to stop cutting."
Since I had liked the look of the hair of the customer who was leaving as
I arrived, I asked Travis about the style. We agreed that the cut of my new
hair could be a little shorter, especially in front, than that of the old
piece.
"If you’re okay with it, I’ll trim the front of yours so that it
falls down some."
I didn’t want to look like one of the Beatles and was a bit apprehensive
until I saw the final result, with which I should add, I was well pleased.
On our way back to Pontotoc, Barbara commented that with a "different look"
folks would be less likely to think I was a preacher.
"Hon, it’s not the hair that throws them off, I just exude spiritualism."
I grinned.
"No, I think it’s your halo," she replied.
So, to the local readers of RRN, if you’ve asked yourself what’s
different about your favorite editor, now you know…he looks a little
older than he did before, and to hear him tell it, he turned gray overnight.
Mending
Hearts Bob And Mitzi Jackson
I first met Bob Jackson in 1963, the year I stayed out of college to work.
Bob was the market manager for the Sunflower Food Store in Tupelo and I worked
for him. I like to believe we became friends apart from the fact that I knew
his brother Bill Jackson of Pontotoc, but certainly my knowing Bill didn’t
hurt the situation.
Bob retired several years ago, and he and his darling wife Mitzi have moved
around the country following their son, Rob and his family. Presently,
Bob’s family resides in Colorado Springs.
Bob’s daughter-in-law, Renee, shared the following memo via an email
to me this week, and I asked her permission to print it. Many readers of
RRN know the Jackson family.
Since they probably won't toot their
own horn, I thought I would let you know what's been going on in Bob and
Mitzi's life lately. This past Friday, Mitzi, Rob, the kids, and I were blessed
to attend a ceremony in which Bob was named one of the Educators of the Year
at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. His coworkers had secretly nominated
him for the work he's been doing in their cardiac unit, and he was one of
twelve winners.
Because this award is usually presented to full-time hospital staff, including
physicians and nurses, it was a special honor for Bob to receive it as a
volunteer layperson. Three times a week, he visits patients in different
areas of the hospital, ranging from before surgery, through their recovery
and hospital stay, and afterward during rehab.
Since you know Bob, you probably won't be surprised to learn that the patients
often request another visit from him and are disappointed to learn he is
only a part-time volunteer. Doctors whom Bob hasn't even met are even assuring
their patients to expect a visit from him!
He and Mitzi have worked since February to start the first Mended Hearts
group in Colorado Springs, to support the patients and families throughout
the adjustment to their new lifestyle. He provides a great example as he
puts in 45 minutes on the treadmill himself every day, despite presently
having four 100% blockages in three different arteries.
We are especially thankful to God when we reflect on the story that He has
unfolded over the last thirty-three years. When Bob was sent to Jackson,
MS for bypass surgery at only 36 years old, Mitzi says it felt as if life
as they knew it had ended. Bob recalls praying that he would just be allowed
to live long enough to see Rob, 15 at the time, graduate from high school.
When I looked around the room yesterday and saw not only his grown son, but
also his two grandchildren (13 and 10 this spring), I felt the cloud of heavenly
witnesses cheering, too.
In the twenty years that I've been Bob's daughter-in-law, I have only seen
part of the journey, but I can tell you that it was accomplished with faith.
Through two surgeries, three stent procedures, two blood clots in his heart,
numerous hospitalizations, and a heart attack, he has consistently placed
his hope in Christ. That's why it was especially beautiful yesterday to witness
this ongoing journey come full-circle.
I hope you'll help us thank God for this amazing portrait of His faithfulness
to Bob, Mitzi, and our whole family.
Bodock Beau
Angels Explained By Children
Theologians, heretofore, have overlooked a valuable resource to help explain
the purpose of angels. Linda Thomas was kind enough to share the following
insights:
I only know the names of two angels. Hark and Harold. --Gregory, 5
Everybody's got it all wrong. Angels don't wear halos anymore. I forget why,
but scientists are working on it. --Olive, 9
It's not easy to become an angel! First, you die. Then you go to heaven,
and then there's still the flight training to go through. And then you got
to agree to wear those angel clothes. --Matthew, 9
Angels work for God and watch over kids when God has to go do something else.
--Mitchell, 7
My guardian angel helps me with math, but he's not much good for science.
--Henry, 8
Angels don't eat, but they drink milk from Holy Cows! --Jack, 6
Angels talk all the way while they're flying you up to heaven. The main subject
is where you went wrong before you got dead. --Daniel, 9
When an angel gets mad, he takes a deep breath and counts to ten. And when
he lets out his breath, somewhere there's a tornado. --Reagan, 10
Angels have a lot to do and they keep very busy. If you lose a tooth, an
angel comes in through your window and leaves money under your pillow.
Then when it gets cold, angels go north for the winter. --Sara, 6
Angels live in cloud houses made by God and his son, who's a very good carpenter.
--Jared, 8
All angels are girls because they gotta wear dresses and boys didn't go for
it. --Antonio, 9
My angel is my grandma who died last year. She got a big head start on helping
me while she was still down here on earth. --Katelynn, 9
Some of the angels are in charge of helping heal sick animals and pets. And
if they don't make the animals get better, they help the child get over it.
--Vicki, 8
What I don't get about angels is why, when someone is in love, they shoot
arrows at them. --Sarah, 7
Former Window Washer
There was a gentleman in the hospital bed next to me. He was covered with
bandages from head to toe.
I said to him, "What do you do for a living?"
He said, "Well, I used to be a window washer."
I asked, "When did you give it up?"
He replied, "Halfway down."
Contributed by Carl Wayne Hardeman
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