19 December 2007

I'm baaaack..

Well, since Global warming is all the rage at this point, I have some emails from friends concerning this.

Look this over if you like and add any relevant comments.

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Subject: FW: 2007 The Year of Global Cooling - MAKE SENSE???

I’ve been proactive and aggressively eco-sensitive since the 70s, when recycling meant making a special trip to one of the few recycling centers. But I consider this popular ‘Global Warming’ hysteria a trumped-up, politically-correct opportunity for more irrelevant and most often counter-productive, artificial constraints and restrictions, and continued cultural self-flagellation.

Do you really want to lessen the negative impact of humans on the earth? Have fewer children. Most of you reading this, already are. On to something more productive...

If it's printed in black'n'white, you can be certain of only one thing: It's printed in black'n'white.
Read, listen, observe critically.


Another great article on the contradictions of "Global Warming".

As I've pointed out before, how do we know the current changes in climate aren't part of the same natural climate cycling that led to the last great ice age melting off? Before we endorse the government's TAKING money from the taxpayers to address climate changes that some associate with human population growth, maybe we should take a closer look over a wider period of time to determine if the current climate changes (warming, cooling or whatever) really are occurring, and whether man's increasing population is really the reason for it, or whether it is just a normal, natural variation of weather.

If human population growth is the issue, perhaps we should address that issue specifically, rather than trying effect change by selling the people on an emotional issue that can't be substantiated by meteorological or geological facts, and that will lead to greater government control over our personal lives.

2007 The Year of Global Cooling
By David Deming
December 19, 2007

Full unedited text at http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071219/COMMENTARY/10575140

Al Gore says global warming is a planetary emergency. It is difficult to see how this can be so when record low temperatures are being set all over the world. In 2007, hundreds of people died, not from global warming, but from cold weather hazards.

Since the mid-19th century, the mean global temperature has increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius. This slight warming is not unusual, and lies well within the range of natural variation. Carbon dioxide continues to build in the atmosphere, but the mean planetary temperature hasn't increased significantly for nearly nine years. Antarctica is getting colder. Neither the intensity nor the frequency of hurricanes has increased. The 2007 season was the third-quietest since 1966. In 2006 not a single hurricane made landfall in the U.S.

South America this year experienced one of its coldest winters in decades.
  • In Buenos Aires, snow fell for the first time since the year 1918. Dozens of homeless people died from exposure.
  • In Peru, 200 people died from the cold and thousands more became infected with respiratory diseases. Crops failed, livestock perished, and the Peruvian government declared a state of emergency.
Unexpected bitter cold swept the entire Southern Hemisphere in 2007.
  • Johannesburg, South Africa, had the first significant snowfall in 26 years.
  • Australia experienced the coldest June ever. In northeastern Australia, the city of Townsville underwent the longest period of continuously cold weather since 1941.
  • In New Zealand, the weather turned so cold that vineyards were endangered.
Last January, $1.42 billion worth of California produce was lost to a devastating five-day freeze.
  • At the supermarket, citrus prices soared.
  • In the wake of the freeze, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger asked President Bush to issue a disaster declaration for affected counties.
  • A few months earlier, Mr. Schwarzenegger had enthusiastically signed the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, a law designed to cool the climate. California Sen. Barbara Boxer continues to push for similar legislation in the U.S. Senate.
In April, a killing freeze destroyed 95 percent of South Carolina's peach crop, and 90 percent of North Carolina's apple harvest.
  • At Charlotte, N.C., a record low temperature of 21 degrees Fahrenheit on April 8 was the coldest ever recorded for April, breaking a record set in 1923.
  • On June 8, Denver recorded a new low of 31 degrees Fahrenheit. Denver's temperature records extend back to 1872.
Recent weeks have seen the return of unusually cold conditions to the Northern Hemisphere.
  • On Dec. 7, St. Cloud, Minn., set a new record low of minus 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • On the same date, record low temperatures were also recorded in Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Extreme cold weather is occurring worldwide.
  • On Dec. 4, in Seoul, Korea, the temperature was a record minus 5 degrees Celsius.
  • Nov. 24, in Meacham, Ore., the minimum temperature was 12 degrees Fahrenheit colder than the previous record low set in 1952.
  • The Canadian government warns that this winter is likely to be the coldest in 15 years
  • Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri are just emerging from a destructive ice storm that left at least 36 people dead and a million without electric power.
If you think the preceding facts can falsify global warming, you're hopelessly naive. In 2005, a Canadian Greenpeace representative explained “global warming can mean colder, it can mean drier, it can mean wetter.” In other words, all weather variations are evidence for global warming. I can't make this stuff up.

Global warming has long since passed from scientific hypothesis to the realm of pseudo-scientific mumbo-jumbo.

David Deming is a geophysicist, an adjunct scholar with the National Center for Policy Analysis, and associate professor of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma.


Comment from friend A:
Well, uh, a couple points of interest:
the birthrate in the world hasn't changed much ... it's the death-rate that's changed dramatically: too many people living a WAY lot longer than folks used to ... uh, so maybe gov't should just start mandating an age by which people Have to die?

Okay, if that doesn't amuse you, nothing will. So I'll just make one other point to be irritating: with regard to the cited cold events, there IS irrefutable proof that global warming IS occurring, and at an alarmingly accelerated rate all the time. Photos are graphic in addition to survey measurements of glaciers and sea and polar ice all around the world. People may argue that it is not melting due to human activity all they want ... but the fact that the ice IS melting is not arguable — it's graphic.

As for human activity being the cause, that's pretty measurable too.

cheers :) We're all going to hell in a handbasket!


Comment from friend B:

You don't have to sell me on Gorebul Warming being BS... I've known the author of this piece for almost 20 years... Deming taught in my college at Oklahoma (and still does).

The other skeptic name you hear sometimes is David Legates. He is (or was, I think the PC governor yanked his title) the state climatologist in Deleware. I had him for two different classes when he was at Oklahoma, and when I ran the student computer labs he'd come down and a bunch of us would play Doom against each other on the networks. I still keep in touch with
him.

I have a good friend whose only fault is she's a liberal. Once I got her to sit down, examine the real data, and throw out on the anectdotal evidence (which Deming uses in the opposite direction below), it was easy to convert her on this AND the ozone hole (a myth - it's always been there, CFC's are heavier than air and thus can't reach the middle stratosphere, and what causes the hole - a lack of sunlight in the southern hemisphere winter, means that I am exposed to more UV radiation in 15 minutes on a summer day in Denver than someone stark naked for a week at the South Pole).

Need a good link for all this stuff? JunkScience.com

20 November 2007

POLITICOS!!!! & the DO NOT CALL LIST!!

POLITICOS!!!! & the DO NOT CALL (again) LIST!!

One of my favorite pet peeves...

The do not call list

The do not call list has been a God-send to many of US who like to eat dinner without being hounded by the 'gimme' crowd.

The lawmakers however in their 'finite' wisdom, neglected to include themselves and 'charities' in this legislation. Always strings attached. I have finally noticed a decrease in pleas from the 'We need your help' groups. Now however, they seem to be spawning a legion of 'surveys' who have a cure for something. Sure... they are not a 'sales' organization, but just willing to assist you in a problem you were unaware you had... yup! again...

Now, with the election looming close on the horizon...
instead of the old fashioned phone canvassing, I now have someone's old cast off '386' computer calling with a canned 'vote for me' message. Worse than spam or junkmail

I had the dubious pleasure of no less than 5 calls from the same candidate in 2 days. Actually 2 of them were from other agencies supporting this person. Of course when I called their campaign HQ, they said they had no control over the supporting agencies and couldn't understand why their own office called more than once! I was asked to be sure and let them know if it continued.

Bad enough to have the politicians calling me, but when they are too damned lazy to have a person call, I am done. This entire scenario is so typical of the government's inability to have any true regard for the voters.

18 November 2007

I give up... quit.... surrender...

Thursday I was invited to a VETS Day program at a local school. Actually 2 different schools.

As a Vietnam Vet, I am used to being somewhat of an also-ran. However, my experience here was of the most insulting nature. I have been defiled in a variety of manners, but this was in my estimation slightly worse than being spit on.

At the first school, we had a sit down with the Principal. He seemed like a nice sort, but was deathly afraid of allowing the children to ask questions. Seems they might ask about death. Sure wouldn't want them exposed to that.

The next school was a bit vexing. I felt a bit odd when we entered the auditorium and saw all of the flags on the wall. There were flags from many African countries and most Asian countries, PLUS MEXICO. Nowhere did I see the flags of any of our allies or other Western Nations;

England, Spain, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and too many to mention.

Things became a bit more clear when the choir came out to sing. They were introduced and did a GREAT rendition of the National Anthem. This is a difficult piece for any vocalist, let alone a youth choir to do it A Capella. GREAT job… now if the moron with the mic had gotten it right… seems he thinks God Bless America is The Star Spangled Banner…

Next he presented his slick little PowerPoint presentation. Good for him.

He started out with many pix of WWI Vets and battlefields and graveyards of the WWI era. He flashed through several photos of WWII Vets and went directly a whole series of 911 firefighters. The rest of us who died and bled after WWII I guess have no place in his history. Perhaps I will write more on this some other time. Right now, I am unable to continue.

I think I will turn my ID as a member of the race... it is just not worth it as times

11 November 2007

JOB!!! The care & feeding of same and how handy they are to have around.


I have had an interesting collection of work experiences since I left Romac in the Spring.
On a whim, I went to work for the YWCA maintaining their homeless women's shelters. The job was a good one, but the staff wasn't particularly thrilled to have another man on board. Especially one who was not completely sympathetic and a flag waver for the 'alternate lifestyle' way of thinking. I guess 'live & let live' is no longer acceptable in the land of PC.

The pay was not really up to par, but it was enough to expect from a public service Org. Being able to help was worth the extra $$$. 98% of the clients were real jewels. The other 2% were real unpleasant crones who had the 'hand' out at all times and couldn't see past the tip of their own middle finger.

My boss "M" (who shall remain nameless) was / is a really great woman whom I miss. I miss also the office manager "D" who sort of 'baby-sat' me and helped me through the labyrinth of 'No-No's' that are scattered about like land mines. I also miss my compadre, whom I will call..."J". He was awarded the job of Super for Maintenance. I honestly didn't feel he was up to the task. Well, I must now eat those words. He is doing well as I hear and I wish him all the best.
I had the foolish notion that the 'golden "BOY" ' in the HR Dept was a real HR person and would take care of matters. After a multitude of phone calls and e-mails went unanswered, I faxed him (without instructions from him) some info on my Rx Ins he wanted. Seems I was NOT allowed to be irritated. Next day I had an attorney and a letter from Golden Boy outlining the 'you're fired' part. (must have caught him on a bad day or something… perhaps he broke a nail?? Or possibly a heel???) Oh well... been fired by far better people than him and the person? They sent to carry the axe...

I tried to retreat and lick my wounds from this experience, but couldn’t really find anything that hurt badly enough to require attention. Oh well, back to the grind. :(

I next hooked up with a guy who is a general contractor and has leases on several commercial buildings locally. He needed someone to keep a an eye on two of these. Best he could do was about 20 hrs. a week. He had equipment to work on, but the building was not suitable…. Too bad as he is a good guy and I could have been happy there…

Good ‘ol Volt called and had a job at Hostess Bakeries. Wasn’t too bad, but it was about 3 hrs a day on the bus. Oh also, there was a Super whose sole ability was to shout into other people’s faces and belittle them. Choice was, go to jail on assault charges…. Or leave. I suppose I could have sued, but why bother?

Next was a possible promising spot in a marine repair business working on ‘yachts’ and pleasure vessels.
Now, I don’t know about you, but the words ‘yacht’ and ‘vessel’ conjure up visions of seaworthy blue water boats. His idea was 20 ft plastic boats about 8 feet wide with a one lunger diesel shoehorned behind the ladder. This fat old man just wasn’t up to the challenge. Add to this, an owner who chews Oxycontin like candy for pain….. The day I was there, he complained continuously about all of his previous employees and the guy who was working then. I could hardly wait to hear what he would have to say about me. The next morning I was so sore, I was almost unable to get out of bed and could not tie my shoes… Damn… should have not let my membership with 24 hr fitness lapse. LOL :-)

Well, this coming week starting on Tuesday (Monday is Vets Day Observed) I have interviews. Note to self… wish self luck.

02 October 2007

So I started this here blog.....


So I started this here blog..... I figgerd I could do somethin’ useful with all the time I was wasting on the net.

SO, I started this blog with the intention of chronicling my boredom. Surprise! You guessed’er Chester... On Friday afternoon a fellow calls and asks if I am still seeking gainful employment. I assumed my best bored demeanor and said ‘when do I start?’ So much for playing hard to get. He owns two commercial buildings in the Lynnwood / Mountlake Terrace area and is a general contractor. So in addition to the buildings, he has several pieces of equipment needing service & repair.

Perhaps this could be a very good situation for both of us. I haven’t had to paint anything yet, but I did manage to lose the pass key on my first day and have spent a LOT of time unplugging toilets. Is there some Karma at work here? LOL

I have gotten letters from two women who seem to be really nice. This is a switch. I hope I can at least find a pal if not a girlfriend... sure gets lonesome here at times.

27 September 2007

Chin up, shoulders back...


Well, not a lot of success in the job interview market. All feels well until about the closing minutes. Then the old sick familiar feeling sets in. I cannot say how much not getting an education hurt me.

The woman market is not a lot better. It is amazing, almost 100% of the women I 'speak' with are very defensive online. Small wonder. I guess most guys online are looking for a hit & run. They find it difficult to believe anyone can be a a bit different.

My latest laugh was a woman who was looking for 'complete honesty' and tells me she is suffering from a bad back and will be 'unavailable' until her back gets better. I notice though, her online activity hasn't decreased any. Why not just say... "I don't see a match here"?

Finally managed to get off of my dead butt and get up on the roof to give it a fall cleaning. Great shape! Chimney needs a bit of help though.

The real challenge is still the garage. BOOOOO

25 September 2007

Humble? Beginnings...


I have often considered a blog, but in all honesty, never tipped over as what I have to say; I do not feel would be of interest to anyone save me. However, since I spend so much time here at this 'puter I figure I might as well do something with my wasted time.



I have spent the last several weeks looking into several available jobs AND reviewing the various public service activities I have considered rejoining.