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WARMENING HUNTED, CAPTURED
Latest column right here.
UPDATE. Sydney Alternative Media fires in a mighty riposte.
UPDATE II. Heretical thoughts from physics professor Freeman Dyson:
Here I am opposing the holy brotherhood of climate model experts and the crowd of deluded citizens who believe the numbers predicted by the computer models. Of course, they say, I have no degree in meteorology and I am therefore not qualified to speak. But I have studied the climate models and I know what they can do. The models solve the equations of fluid dynamics, and they do a very good job of describing the fluid motions of the atmosphere and the oceans. They do a very poor job of describing the clouds, the dust, the chemistry and the biology of fields and farms and forests. They do not begin to describe the real world that we live in. The real world is muddy and messy and full of things that we do not yet understand. It is much easier for a scientist to sit in an air-conditioned building and run computer models, than to put on winter clothes and measure what is really happening outside in the swamps and the clouds. That is why the climate model experts end up believing their own models.
UPDATE III. Consensus trouble:
A major ocean-circulation pattern that plays a crucial role in global warming might not have been slowing down over the past few decades as scientists believed, according to a study released this week.
In a single year of measurements, scientists found enough normal variation in the pattern’s flow to suggest that previous studies were premature in asserting a long-term trend.
UPDATE IV. Robert J. Samuelson:
The global-warming debate’s great unmentionable is this: We lack the technology to get from here to there. Just because Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to cut emissions 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 doesn’t mean it can happen. At best, we might curb growth of emissions ...
We simply don’t have a solution for this problem. As we debate it, journalists should resist the temptation to portray global warming as a morality tale - as Newsweek did - in which anyone who questions its gravity or proposed solutions may be ridiculed as a fool, a crank or an industry stooge. Dissent is, or should be, the lifeblood of a free society.
UPDATE V. NASA warmenaut James Hansen on that 1934/1998 record change:
The change does nothing to our understanding of how the global climate is changing and is being used by critics to muddy the debate.
To which Carter Wood replies:
Bosh. The original figures were used to hype the threat. The critics are now bringing a little clarity.
UPDATE VI. The National Post’s Lorne Gunter:
In his enviro-propaganda flick, An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore claims nine of the 10 hottest years on record have occurred in the last decade. That’s been a common refrain for environmentalists, too, and one of the centrepieces of global warming hysteria: It’s been really hot lately—abnormally hot—so we all need to be afraid, very afraid. The trouble is, it’s no longer true.
Some claims in Al’s film never were.
UPDATE VII. Hold your sides, lest they be split by laughter.
UPDATE VIII. Further consensus trouble:
New research from Stephen Schwartz of Brookhaven National Lab concludes that the Earth’s climate is only about one-third as sensitive to carbon dioxide as the IPCC assumes ...
If Schwartz’s results are correct, that alone would be enough to overturn in one fell swoop the IPCC’s scientific “consensus”, the environmentalists’ climate hysteria, and the political pretext for the energy-restriction policies that have become so popular with the world’s environmental regulators, elected officials, and corporations. The question is, will anyone in the mainstream media notice?
(Via Forbes T.)
We just had our huge ficus tree cut down (with gas powered chains saws) so I feel we’re doing our part.
Oh, it was dead because it froze to death last winter.
Global warming is sure expensive.
Posted by tabitharuth on 2007 08 17 at 11:51 AM • permalinkJackpot!!!!!!! You have finally seen the error of your ways and found gerbil warmongering.
BTW the pictures of the salt flats at Iowahawks were very interesting, I’ve never been there….
Mr. Bingley, a great big ol’ motorcoach for one would have really uped his carbon footprint!
Posted by Old Tanker on 2007 08 17 at 12:01 PM • permalinkIn urgent need of a carbon boost, I dashed to the Chicago home of my fuel-eating friend Dave Burge. That isn’t his real name. Dave - read about him at iowahawk.typepad.com - is an important businessman, so I must conceal his true, terrible identity.
Important businessman? *Snort* He’s probably the Midwest Regional Manager for PACO Products. It’s not as if PACO is keeply a low profile.
But yes, I suppose one must follow VRWC regulations. Good show Tim.
Posted by wronwright on 2007 08 17 at 12:03 PM • permalinkKeeply? How in hell did I write “keeply”? It should be “keeping”.
Posted by wronwright on 2007 08 17 at 12:04 PM • permalinkLIKE Bigfoot, the Loch Ness monster and Democrat senators, global warming is a difficult critter to locate.
I’m not sure Democratic Senators belong in that analogy. Ever heard of Chuck Schumer? It’s very difficult not to find him. He is one of the most flagrant camera hogs in a town that is almost religiously devoted to self-promotion. He crops up with greater frequency than those silly Burt the Muppet images photo-shopped into pictures of Hitler, Bin Laden, et al (with greater frequency, but not with geater relevance) It’s a fact (look it up!) that more Americans are killed every year getting between Schumer and a camera than die on the country’s highways.
In regard to the disconnect between the notion of global warming and actual, you know, “warmth”, I can safely predict that the next polemical mutation will give us “climate chaos”, or, for those who want to put on scientific airs, “climate disequilibrium”.
Schumer is, unfortunately, one of my senators (the other being Hillary!) and it is true, the most dangerous place in America is between Schumer and a camera.
It is absolutely sickening to listen to nightly news in NY. Schumer has a press release or statement on EVERYthing that happens (“Senator Chuck Schumer today issued a statement approving of the new garbage truck purchased by the City of Yonkers…”).Latino
It is absolutely sickening to listen to nightly news in NY. Schumer has a press release or statement on EVERYthing that happens (“Senator Chuck Schumer today issued a statement approving of the new garbage truck purchased by the City of Yonkers…”).
Take it for a spin. “Chuck” some garbage in and don’t let go.
#3 we found it was awfully difficult to rent a winnebago on a sunday afternoon in NJ. that would have been the way to go.
Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2007 08 17 at 12:35 PM • permalinkIt’s a scientific fact that global warming causes volcanic eruptions. Google “volcanic eruptions daily kos” and you’ll see what I mean. The real problem, however, is that we are unable to bring these eruptions to a halt due to a lack of virgins. In the olden days, a virgin would be tossed into the volcano, and that would be it. Ah– the good old days.
Posted by Mystery Meat on 2007 08 17 at 12:58 PM • permalink#8 Latino: You have my deepest sympathies.
Other important Schumer press releases:
“Senator Schumer insists that the New York Times is even softer than Charmin.”
“Schumer declares chanterelle state mushroom.”
“After ‘much soul searching’, Senator Schumer decides that he prefers ‘extra-pulp’ orange juice to ‘pulp-free’”
“Schumer demands senate inquiry into dangers of children’s toys: cites ‘Wooly Willie” as ‘ticking time-bomb of toddler terror’”.
17 mojo, I liked Tim’s line about 11 gallons to the mile. Hell, I drove a tank that got better mileage…....4 gallons to the mile..
Posted by Old Tanker on 2007 08 17 at 01:24 PM • permalinkO/T: some interesting comments from Giuliani on the war on terrorism.
Fantastic column Tim. One of your best.
Posted by Hank Reardon on 2007 08 17 at 01:36 PM • permalinkpaco
GIVEN GIULIANI’S RECORD OF SUPPORT for Israel, most prominently with his ejection of Yasser Arafat from a Lincoln Center UN concert in 1995, there was no doubt that he would be a friend to Israel as presidential candidate, but until now, it wasn’t quite obvious how pro-Israel he would be.
Even President Bush, who has consistently sided with Israel throughout his presidency, has supported working toward a two-state solution, but Giuliani explicitly rejects pursuing the establishment of a Palestinian state, and he puts the ball firmly in the Palestinians’ court. “It is not in the interest of the United States, at a time when it is being threatened by Islamist terrorists, to assist the creation of another state that will support terrorism,” he writes. “Palestinian statehood will have to be earned through sustained good governance, a clear commitment to fighting terrorism, and a willingness to live in peace with Israel.”
THAT, is not going to sit well, with Rachael Corrie.
Oh wait…
El Cid:
THAT, is not going to sit well, with Rachael Corrie.
Oh wait…
I’m sure the news will be crushing to her.
Posted by Patrick Chester on 2007 08 17 at 02:34 PM • permalinkEl Cid
There is a video over at Blackfive as well as an audio interview that Uncle Jimbo did with SSgt Dean. Interview audio not great, sounded like the SSgt was on a speakerphone.
Posted by Old Tanker on 2007 08 17 at 02:47 PM • permalink#30 - what’s the problem, Cid? Caught dozing?
Posted by Steve Skubinna on 2007 08 17 at 03:19 PM • permalinkWhat the hell? No, seriously, What. The. Hell? Is this some kind of twisted, cyber-Stockholm Syndrome thing? I mean, it’s one thing to avoid taking cheap shots at the guy; it’s quite another to practically genuflect (or salaam).
#33
Funny, I’ve not had any trouble at Theo’s today. Looking for your Totty fix?? Worth the wait Sir…..good ones today.
Posted by Old Tanker on 2007 08 17 at 03:31 PM • permalink#35 Missred: You know, having worked in both government and private sector, I never fail to be astonished at how it’s the latter that really carries this work-day, PC nonsense to its most absurd conclusions. Whether it’s “diversity” or “global warming” or some other folie d’jour, for some reason, I’ve always run into more pressure to “be involved” in the private sector than I ever have been in government. Of course, this may very well be because my background before joining the government was in banking - one of the most highly-regulated, bureaucratic areas in the private sector. It may also be because the proportion of lunatics in the government generates more interesting, unorthodox and unanticipated responses to this sort of thing, so managers know not to insist on full participation.
#44: I considered that possibility, but rejected it because I never found that level of subtlety to be among K-Lo’s gifts; however, I suppose you could be right, and I’d rather assume she was being sarcastic than that she actually was being sincere in delivering that nauseating encomium. “Fascinating honesty”? Puh-lease
Paco
Well, you know, I think I’ll just write and ask her flat out.
My good virtual friend and Boss, Head Dude, Kahuna, Dear Leader…well you get the idea…of PACO Worldwide Industries and Enterprises, Inc. (and great writer of Detective Paco stories) I’m afraid you may not like the answer, should you get one.
Great column, Tim.
I have been trying to help out with my new 6 litre V8 carbon burner but — despite my best efforts — it keeps returning just under 12 litres/km on a tank-full.
After reading your column this morning I made a determined effort to be more effective at warming and managed to achieve this burning rate.
Admittedly, it was a very short run and I’m not sure I will be able to sustain that rate for very long, but every little bit helps.12 litres/100 km? Huh? WTF? What’s that in real numbers? No more of your metric silliness, like megafleems per centigronks. I want it in gills and furlongs.
Posted by Steve Skubinna on 2007 08 17 at 06:29 PM • permalink#39 Paco
as the EA to the VP of HR, I feel it is my duty to point out to her that we are not in the business of promoting politics. Since we have written ‘rules’ banning religious and political ‘art’ in our workstations (gracious I hate that word - horse stalls is a better label) as to not to offend anyone, I will merely point out that this film is politically charged and offensive to some of our staff. By showing the film, it gives the impression that we are promoting a certain type of politics.
that’ll tell her! ;DFour nyuks from me for the Fitzsimons reference.
Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 08 17 at 08:32 PM • permalink#14 I believe you were going for this, the song that murdered music about trucking.
Posted by dean martin on 2007 08 17 at 09:47 PM • permalinkWell, I suppose that column was mildly amusing, but when I really want a good time, I put on a John Denver album and read Traceeeeeeee Hutchison.
You won’t see Blair summoning up prose like this:
“That there really is a higher power — be it God, Buddha, Allah or the Rainbow Serpent — watching over the madness we’re creating here on Earth and reminding us how stupid and shallow we are.”
It’s a unique style.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 17 at 09:56 PM • permalinkBetsy shines another spotlight on the hypocrisy of John Edwards . Although a spotlight is really superfluous; the dishonesty shines from within.
IM IN UR SHOWR
UZIN UR PANTENE.
Didn’t mean to leave you hanging out as The Thread Killer, El Cid, but I figured you could handle it and I had a dinner date at a place in Locust Point that is known for their single malts and lamb ravioli. In my defense I did mention that summer Friday afternoon mellowness.
So St. Andy of The Heart-Ache is getting married? I’m sure you’ll understand if I’m busy that day watching paint dry!
Oh, and I think his BDS isn’t so latent.
You might get accused, Tim, of misrepresenting that data, which mainly applies to US temperature records only. Hansen & Co are reassuring us that the error only reduces total global warming by 0.01 degrees, a figure I’ll believe once Steve McIntyre’s had more time to analyse it. Whilst it may be true that Hansen’s inconvenient measurement mistake predominantly affects the U.S, I’ll bet my firstborn that 0.01 degrees is a serious underestimate.
One thing is for sure: the process of collecting the raw evidence for GW is shrouded in secrecy (Hansen doesn’t allow other scientists access to his algorithms (or should that be Al-Gorithms?), misrepresentation and outright error. What more is there yet to uncover? The way it’s going, probably a lot.
We should place bets now on the percentage of inappropriately maintained and positioned temperature stations.
#76: Hilarious! What a wonderful opportunity this would have been for counter-protestors! With the protestors’ hands affixed to the building, it would have been a piece of cake to pull their pants down, stencil a picture of Al Gore on their cheeks in india ink, and stick zinnia stalks in their butt cracks. SAVE FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
#76 - Not to stereotype Global Warmenists, but it’s a minor miracle that their hands didn’t end up superglued to their genitals before they could stick them to the wall.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 17 at 11:42 PM • permalink#80 - As an expert in the field, let me offer you the following advice:
1. Most hangovers can be avoided by avoiding sobriety. This is expensive and somewhat difficult if you’re a pilot. Keep safe.
2. If you wake up, you really don’t have much to complain about. Check for tattoos, credit card receipts and strange discharges.
3. Do not make life changing decisions when hungover. Sobriety and nausea will cloud a man’s judgment more than a beautiful woman with a gun.
Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 17 at 11:53 PM • permalink#55 Sorry Steve, I know how you feel.
Oz converted to metric 41 years ago and I still have trouble with my weight in kgs and my height in cms.
You will need to borrow the Tardis to find a gills/furlong converter but I have worked out that 12L/100km = 19.6 miles per US gallon. This calculation has taken me since comment #55 to complete and is subject to audit.#74 Why all the fuss?
Well, twice now this has happened. First time was the Hockey stick (remember that?). Which means twice the IPCC has accepted, without question, false data and promulgated it around the world. Twice, it has taken independent researchers to uncover the mistakes and both times they’ve had to fight a level of secrecy and obfuscation rivalling anything out of the Da Vinci Code.
This is supposedly the most pivotal issue of our age, in which the science is clear and settled. Why, then, is it that leading figures in the Global warming fraternity hide their methods, and why aren’t they being checked by the international scientific and political body set up specifically to guide us on this issue?
I don’t think anyone smelling a rat here needs to check their sense of smell; it’s working perfectly.
#75 Comes with a year’s supply of diapers and a truly marvellous menagerie of fluffy toys.
Oh, and one more thing: US temperature records are frequently bandied about, not because they are any more significant than temperatures elsewhere, but because a) they perhaps influence Americans themselves a bit more and b) Gaia’s prophets like to create the illusion of America suffering directly for its very own crimes. This sort of argument is now being used in our own upcoming federal election, ie: that Australia ‘must’ act now to avoid the repercussions of climate change. It’s all a sick joke. As I’ve said before, even if all this GW stuff were real, Gaia couldn’t care less what little ol’ Australia does.
#60 MM
Four nyuks from me for the Fitzsimons reference.
Can’t stand the adolescent thugby aggression still evident in the hasbeen’s Oz (social, FFS) history grabs on the <strike>Jurassic</strike> History Channel#61 #62 Dean
Great car porn, as usual.
Re #62: WTF are the disks @1:42 mark? No signage?#63 IT
And all tracks sound the same, somewhat like a ‘broken record’ ... and Denver is much the same.#93 skeeter
VW Golf TDI club?
I juz googled on the parameters and verified your results via their online spreadsheet (was too lazy to open Excel :)Conversion factors:
litres/(ers)/100km MPG (GB): ... 282.5/ l/100km
litres/(ers)/100km MPG (USA): .. 235.2/ l/100km#91 egg, Possibly a ferris wheel hauled by these guys? A wild guess on my part, I see them up and down the roads every summer.
Posted by dean martin on 2007 08 18 at 05:39 AM • permalinkRegarding the Update: Dyson makes a very valid, but somewhat neglected point, that whilst certain popular figures such as Gore and Hansen appear to deliberately mislead us, many climate modellers have innocently fallen into the trap of taking their own theories too much for granted. In this case, they become more and more convinced of the validity of their computer models. They are certainly not alone in this. My own profession has a long and chequered history of unwarranted faith in its knowledge and techniques. Arrogance, laziness, jealousy and/or selfishness are all capable of miring even the most well-intentioned and credible expert in a quagmire of blinkered delusions (my laborious way of saying that they think they know it all).
Climate Science itself cobbles together elements from many related sciences - meteorology, physics, geology and so on. So it’s ridiculous for Climate Scientists to belittle the opinion of those in other fields. Indeed, I’ve read the complaints of some of these others, particularly geologists, bemoaning the lack of understanding climate scientists demonstrate for that particular area. The dubious assumptions/conclusions are then fed into their computer models, which more often then not magnify the effect (unproven positive feedback mechanisms being the norm), which is why it’s so easy to tweak the model to give you any result desired. Most of the time such ambiguity is conceded, in which case they say “Yes, but we can’t afford to risk the consequences if it does prove correct.”
I’ll never deny Climate Change should proper, credible evidence come to light. But the more they hyperventilate, speculate and self-flagellate over this issue, the more convincing I’m going to need.
#77 Aaron_
I arrived in Detroit from Melbourne, Oz on Thursday night, so I went to the Woodward Dream Cruise on Friday arvo. So many Gaia-rapers on display! There are even drag cars fluffing up and down the street, and the sound of superchargers and lakes pipes warms the cockles of my heart - along with the climate! Some weird ones seen so far - a Bricklin, and a DeLorean without professorial modifications. Heaps of rods, too - where is IowaHawk?a gill is 1/4 pint, five fluid ounces or 0.142 litre, and it was traditionally used in selling alcohol. Can’t believe nobody pointed that out, but I suppose tun, hogshead and magnum would be the units of alcohol measure seen mostly around here….
1 furlong = 220 yards = 201.169 meters
Um,does that make it 10 perches? (rods, chains or poles?)
Anyway, armed with that information maybe someone can work it out, MarkL
#77 aaron,
When I shut off the computer last night I thought this thread was dead. I’m heading to Woodward right now. I’m not sure where I’ll park, I’m driving a minivan so I don’t want MY car too close ;-) Just so I don’t have to walk too far.
#103 SezaGeoff
So glad you approve!! If Iowahawk does live in Chicago he’s only about a 4 hour drive away, I wouldn’t be surprised if he isn’t lurking around. 40,000 cars and Americas finest muscle is there. I hope you enjoy the smell of burning rubber….....
Posted by Old Tanker on 2007 08 18 at 10:37 AM • permalinkSeveral years ago, Freeman Dyson came and talked at my school. It was the greatest lecture I’ve ever attended. He talked about biology. He started off by saying, “There are only about twelve people who really understand what it is I do. I’m not really one of them. So today, I’m going to talk about biology.” Everything I’ve read of his just makes me like the man more.
Posted by MikeTheLibrarian on 2007 08 18 at 07:45 PM • permalink#115 Mike
Sounds like something my quantum mechanics prof said once…..
If this makes any sense to you, then you don’t get it….
Posted by Old Tanker on 2007 08 18 at 08:16 PM • permalink*Sigh* Yet another example of why I don’t really fit in at the library or in the English department. I’m too much of a science geek. Of course, it means I understand more of the world than the “accountancy majors have no souls” crowd…
Posted by MikeTheLibrarian on 2007 08 18 at 10:47 PM • permalinkAssuming the world noticed one way or the other.
Posted by dean martin on 2007 08 19 at 05:38 AM • permalink117 aaron,
awesome, to bad if you went Sunday with all of the rain.Posted by Old Tanker on 2007 08 19 at 08:23 PM • permalink
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Pity we couldn’t have gotten you a big honking SUV-type thing to rent for the drive to Chicago; I’m sure that would have been the straw that would have broken this Gorebal Warmening thing wide open.