In addition to the fair and balanced presentation of the news and the insightful commentary, there is another reason that Fox is my favorite news channel.
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Saturday, December 7, 2013
The Girls of Fox News
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The passing of Nelson Mandela and the shameful response of some American Conservatives
From Gingrinch productions:
Yesterday I issued a heartfelt and personal statement
about the passing of President Nelson Mandela. I said that his family
and his country would be in my prayers and Callista’s prayers.
I was surprised by the hostility and vehemence of some of the people
who reacted to me saying a kind word about a unique historic figure.
So let me say to those conservatives who don’t want to honor Nelson Mandela, what would you have done?
Mandela was faced with a vicious apartheid regime that eliminated all
rights for blacks and gave them no hope for the future. This was a
regime which used secret police, prisons and military force to crush all
efforts at seeking freedom by blacks.
What would you have done faced with that crushing government?
What would you do here in America if you had that kind of oppression?
Some of the people who are most opposed to oppression from Washington
attack Mandela when he was opposed to oppression in his own country.
After years of preaching non-violence, using the political system,
making his case as a defendant in court, Mandela resorted to violence
against a government that was ruthless and violent in its suppression of
free speech.
As Americans we celebrate the farmers at Lexington and Concord who
used force to oppose British tyranny. We praise George Washington for
spending eight years in the field fighting the British Army’s
dictatorial assault on our freedom.
Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death.”
Thomas Jefferson wrote and the Continental Congress adopted that “all
men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with
certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness.”
Doesn’t this apply to Nelson Mandela and his people?
Some conservatives say, ah, but he was a communist.
Actually Mandela was raised in a Methodist school, was a devout
Christian, turned to communism in desperation only after South Africa
was taken over by an extraordinarily racist government determined to
eliminate all rights for blacks.
I would ask of his critics: where were some of these conservatives as
allies against tyranny? Where were the masses of conservatives opposing
Apartheid? In a desperate struggle against an overpowering government,
you accept the allies you have just as Washington was grateful for a
French monarchy helping him defeat the British.
Finally, if you had been imprisoned for 27 years, 18 of them in a
cell eight foot by seven foot, how do you think you would have emerged?
Would you have been angry? Would you have been bitter?
Nelson Mandela emerged from 27 years in prison as an astonishingly wise, patient, and compassionate person.
He called for reconciliation among the races. He invited his prison
guard to sit in the front row at his inauguration as President. In
effect he said to the entire country, “If I can forgive the man who
imprisoned me, surely you can forgive your neighbors.”
Far from behaving like a communist, President Mandela reassured
businesses that they could invest in South Africa and grow in South
Africa. He had learned that jobs come from job creators.
I was very privileged to be able to meet with President Mandela and
present the Congressional Medal of Freedom. As much as any person in our
lifetime he had earned our respect and our recognition.
Before you criticize him, ask yourself, what would you have done in his circumstances?
Here is my statement from yesterday on President Nelson Mandela:
President Nelson Mandela was one of the greatest leaders of our lifetime. He emerged from 27 long years in prison with a wisdom, a compassion, and a commitment to help other people that was astonishing. His life was a triumph of the human spirit.
When he visited the Congress I was deeply impressed with the charisma and the calmness with which he could dominate a room. It was as if the rest of us grew smaller and he grew stronger and more dominant the longer the meeting continued.
His thoughtful disciplined but friendly and warm personality made him a leader who could define the right policies and the right behaviors.
Nelson Mandela was truly the father of an integrated, democratic South Africa.
He will be an inspiration for generations to come and an historic leader worth studying for as long as people want to learn about greatness in serving others.
Callista and I extend our condolences and our prayers to the Mandela family and to the people of South Africa.
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What happens when fast food workers make $15 an hour.
Remember when there were young men who would push your grocery cart to your car for you and put the groceries in the trunk? Remember when you went to a service station and someone pumped the gas and checked the air in your tires and washed your windshield? Those were good starter jobs for students and young people. They didn't pay enough to raise a family on, but they were good first jobs. When the minimum wage becomes greater than the value of the job, the job goes away.
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A teacher asked her 6th grade class how many of them were Obama fans.
A teacher asked her 6th grade class how many of them were Obama fans.
Not really knowing what an Obama fan is, but wanting to be liked by the
teacher, all the kids raised their hands except for Little Johnny.
The
teacher asked Little Johnny why he has decided to be different... again,
Little Johnny said, "Because I'm not an Obama fan." The teacher asked,
"Why aren't you a fan of Obama?" Johnny said, "Because I'm a Republican.
The teacher asked him why he's a Republican.
Little Johnny answered, "Well, my Mom's a Republican and my Dad's a
Republican, so I'm a Republican."
Annoyed by this answer, the teacher
asked, "If your mom were a moron and your dad were an idiot, What would
that make you?"
With a big smile, Little Johnny replied, "That would
make me an Obama fan.."
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Thursday, December 5, 2013
The Nashville Scene's Steve Cavendish Explains Why the New Ball Park is a Bad Deal
I am bullish on Nashville. I think Nashville has a bright future. I am not one to oppose everything. When I was in the Metro Council, I voted to support the building of the Nashville Convention Center and I think it was the right thing to do and has served the city well. If I would have been in the Council when the decision was made to build the new Music City Center, I would have supported it. I would like to support the new Sounds Sulfur Dell Ball Park, but I just can't. If the Tygard amendment would have passed, I would be for it. As it is, I think this development is too risky for the tax payers.
Steve Cavendish of the Nashville Scene explains why the Sounds deal is a bad deal for the city. See the link below:
On The Sounds Deal, The Council Will Swing At Anything
And let's be clear about another thing — it's not a very good deal. In the absolute best case scenario, the city is spending at least three times the total value of the baseball club on a new park and banking on tax money from adjacent developments to limit the city's losses to just a few hundred thousand dollars per year. Would we spend $3 billion on a Titans stadium with the franchise only worth $1B?
...... But if the Mayor can't make it revenue neutral, then the least the council can do is insure that our losses are limited to only the $345,000 annual defect on the deal for the next 30 years.
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Council Meeting of 12/3/13 with commentary and time stamp notation. The Ball Park Meeting.
This meeting is two hours and 39 minutes long. For my previous post with my analysis of the agenda and a link to the agenda, follow this link.
I am only reporting on what I think are the high points of the meetings, so there may be things that interest some people, especially zoning issues, that I do not report on.
Public hearing:
BILL NO. BL2013-588 charges from R6 to SP zoning for properties located within the Woodland-in-Waverly Historic Preservation District at 2107, 2111, and 2115 White Avenue. This is the neighborhood in which I live and that is why this interest me. This rezoning would permit replacing of three duplexes with their six units, with eight units of single family cottage cluster development. The duplexes are "non-contributing" to the historic character of our neighborhood. Former Councilman Roy Dale is the developer of this project and speaks in favor. Four neighbors speak in opposition including Pete and Betty Horton. Pete is the most active member of our community and is the previous chairman of the neighborhood organization. He is a great guy but I disagree with him on this issue. Council member Moore defers the bill for two meetings. (See 0:22:50-038:00)
BILL NO. BL2013-595 is an amendment to the Phillips-Jackson Street Redevelopment plan and is part of the Sounds baseball park proposal. A lot of people speak in support and only three in opposition. Those in support include the influential and powerful and lots of average folks. I sampled this hearing but did not watch it all. Sharon Hurt, President of the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnerships; Debbie Dale Mason of the Chamber of Commerce; Mark Wright, President of the Historic Buena Vista; and attorney Gregory Ramos are among those who speaks in favor.
Among those who speak in opposition is Bruce McNeilly. He makes an impressive argument in opposition giving examples of failed similar projects in other cities (1:11:17). There is a machine vote on the bills and the vote is 32 yes, 2 no, 1 abstention and 5 not voting. The two "no" votes are councilmen Glover and Tenpenny. Councilman Tygard recorded himself as abstaining. Those who did not vote include Stites, Evans, and Weiner. To view the public hearing and Council vote on this issue see time stamps 0:41:05 through 1:22:10.
The Consent agenda passes without anything being pulled.
RESOLUTION NO. RS2013-920 is not on the consent agenda. This is part of the Sounds baseball park deal and required 27 votes to pass. The vote is 30 "yes", 2 "no", 4 "abstentions" and 4 not voting.
Bills on Second Reading:
BILL NO. BL2013-593 is part of the Sounds ballpark deal. It authorizes Public Improvement Revenue Bonds by the Sports Authority.
BILL NO. BL2013-594 is also part of the Sounds ballpark deal. It approves an agreement for the acquisition of property.
There is an amendment proposed to 593 by Councilman Tygard that would have made the deal considerably better. It would require that if the accompanying proposed mixed use private development did not get built, the sounds would pay the lost tax revenue the development would have provided. Councilman Dominy does a great job explaining that if the project is built as proposed, this amendment would have no impact but the amendment protects the tax payers if the accompanying development does not occur. The vote on 593 is 28 to 7 with 1 abstention and 4 not voting. The seven "no" votes include Tygard, Grover, Standly, Claiborne, Tenpenny, Dominy and Mitchell.
To see the discussion on these two bills see time stamp 1:28:30 through 2:29:10
I have thought long and hard about the issue of the ball park and have closely followed the issue and would like to support this project. I think it is a good project, but if it is not a risky project for the tax payers, then why would the proponents oppose Tygard's amendment? Without that amendment, I could not support it, but it would be one of those difficult decision. If the proponents could make a strong argument why this is a good deal even without the amendment or why the amendment would endanger the deal, I could still be persuaded that this is a deal worth supporting. As of now however, I would have had to vote "no," if I had a vote.
Here is the Tennessean's summary of the meeting: Sounds ballpark project 'moves one step closer to reality'
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Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Kicking the Can Down the Road on Metro's Pension Liability
by Councilman Charlie Tygard
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| Charlie Tygard |
As a point of information, actuarial studies estimate Metro’s current pension shortfall at nearly $400 million, but also estimates Metro is around 90% funded. A pension fund over 80% funded is considered sound. It is also interesting to note that the City of Detroit, currently bankrupt, was deemed solvent and viable as late as 2011.
The overlooked point in this argument is potential risk, ie gamble, for taxpayers. As long as the economy and stock market is strong and growing, no problem. But the problem arises in times of economic crisis, such as 2008. It is in the tough times where the argument for this type arrangement falls short. Several cities in California gambled on this method and are now in bankruptcy.
I would ask the question – Would you borrow money to take to Las Vegas and gamble on a high return? Any prudent, financially savvy individual wouldn’t even hesitate in answering “no way.” Since there was no 100% guarantee that Metro would come out ahead on the deal, the Administration, at the urging of the Metro Council, did the right thing to pull the plug on this issue quickly.
But unfortunately, the issue didn’t end there. Based on the red flags raised by the Finance Director concerning the pension fund shortfall, I filed legislation to transfer $10 M from our Unappropriated Fund Balance (Metro’s savings account, commonly called the “rainy day fund”) to the Pension account. Such a transfer would have still left Metro comfortably above the mandated level of 5%.But such a transfer would have been a powerful message from the Metro Council that shoring up our pension account was a top priority.
Eventually though, based on strong opposition from the Administration which cited such a move a “ill-advised and not financially prudent,” the resolution was soundly defeated. In my viewpoint, the Metro Council essentially did what Congress does – kick the can down the road for another day.
Charlie Tygard is a Metro Councilman-at-Large having served in that position since 2007 and now serving his last term. He previously served in the Council representing District 35 from 1989 to 1995 and again from 2002 to 2007. He is an accountant and owns Accurate Tax and Bookkeeping Service.
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Music City Center over budget by $13 million
Thirteen million dollars is a lot of money. However it is only 2% of the the overall budget, which is not that bad. The construction actually came in under budget but the city used eminent domain to acquire the land and a land owner contested the price the city paid him and won in court costing the city an extra $20 million dollars. I am always glad to see a citizen when in court when the government takes his land. Here is the Tennessean story: Music City Center busts its budget by $13 million.
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Doctor Senator Steve Dickerson went to the Philippines to help with typhoon relief
WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports
NASHVILLE,
Tenn. - It started with an email chain he received from fellow doctors last month.
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Shelby County Schools missing $48.4 million in equipment; more than 54,000 items gone, including cars
This is unreal! How do you lose $48 million in equipment? Cars missing? 23% of all equipment of the Memphis City Schools is missing! 54,270 pieces! That is a massive failure. I would think it had to be organized theft and terrible mismanagement.
I wonder if Nashville has a similar problem. I would suspect it is not nearly as bad here as in Memphis, but I don't know that. Nashville has always been a much better managed city than Memphis, Still, I wish an investigative reporter or citizen activist with time to do so would investigate and see if Davidson County Schools have a problem with missing equipment. I wonder how charter schools and private schools compare to regular public schools in missing equipment.
Shelby County Schools missing $48.4 million in equipment; more than 54,000 items gone, including cars
MEMPHIS — A “staggering” $48.4 million in school equipment is missing from Shelby County Schools, according to an outside audit ordered by the school board.
Maryland-based ProBar was unable to account for more than 54,270 pieces of equipment — laptops, hard drives, tools, even driver training cars. The equipment had been accounted for on June 30 by the district’s internal auditing department, according to school board member David Pickler.
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Metro Council meeting of 12/03/2013,
If you will wait, I will watch it for you and time stamp notate the important parts and summarize the meeting. If you want to watch it unassisted, have at it. Below is the Tennessean's summary.
Sounds ballpark project 'moves one step closer to reality'
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Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Jim Gotto seeks to regain District 60 seat
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| Jim Gotto |
Since being out of office, Gotto has stayed active in politics. He chaired last year's Davidson County Republican caucus and convention and he briefly served on the Davidson County Election Commission. He resigned that seat in protest of the firing of, and the despicable manner in which Commission Chairman Ron Buchanan treated, Administrator of Elections Albert Tieche.
Gotto also is very active in his community. He is an elder at his church, he volunteers with Meals On Wheels and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children). He is active with the Donelson-Hermitage Chamber, Donelson-Hermitage Exchange Club; and serves as Chairman of the Board for the Pregnancy Center of Tennessee.
In making his announcement, Gotto said:
I am running because I believe the citizens of Donelson, Hermitage and Old Hickory need conservative leadership that will remain focused on creating an environment for economic growth and further maintain fiscal sanity in state government. I am eager to once again partner with Speaker Harwell and Governor Haslam on the progress that has already been made.
It was an honor to serve previously in the state legislature and metro council, but I know we still have a lot to accomplish. I appreciate the outpouring of support and encouragement to return to public service. I’m ready to get back to work; and to talk about how we can get our community working again as well.Republicans have a real chance to retake this seat and Gotto is a good candidate. He is solidly conservative and a man of integrity and principles. He is the type of man I would trust with my wife or my daughter or my wallet. Republicans need to rally around Jim Gotto and retake this seat!
There will be a fund raiser for Jim Gotto on Tuesday December 17th, 2013. Details are below:
Sponsors: Speaker of the Huse of Representatives GBeth Harwell, Senator Steve Dickerson, Senator Ferrel Haile, Reprenstative Gerald McCormick, and Representative GlenCasada.If $500 is a little steep, please send a contribution of any amount to "Friends of Jim Gotto, 5108 John Hobbs Rd, Hermitage, TN 37076." Jim will also need door knockers and poll workers and people to put up signs and make phone calls and stuff envelopes and help in numerours ways. Get involved and help Jim Gotto retake this seat!
When: Tuesday December 17th, 4PM to 6PM
Where: The Cumberland, 555 Chruch St., Nashville
Minimum Contribution: $500
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Is it just me, or does this seem a little spooky?
Is it just me, or does this seem a little spooky? The President's permanent campaign organization is asking people to report to them on what happened when you talked to your family about Obamacare at the Thanksgiving dinner table. Does this come close to being reminiscent of communist-era East German police state tactics where children were encouraged to report family conversation to the authorities? I don't think we are close to being a police state, but some of the same concepts of having greater loyalty to the political leader than one's family seems to be present in this regime. Encouraging people to report their dinner conversation to the President's political organization does not seem healthy for a democracy. Rod
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Friend -- Take a minute and fill out this quick report back. These conversations matter -- when people hear from their loved ones about what the Affordable Care Act means for them, it helps remove all the politics around this issue and gets straight to the heart of what really matters. Your feedback is so important: Thanks again, |
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New cab alternative, Lyft, launching in Nashville. Will Nashville permit it?
From The Tennessean:
The pink carstaches could soon be coming to Nashville roadways.
Lyft, an on-demand ride sharing company based in San Francisco, is launching in Nashville on Friday, according to company spokeswoman Paige Thelen. The company has been cultivating a fleet of drivers in recent weeks, generating interest through social media outlets, word of mouth and placing ads on Facebook.
A proposed bill, up for first reading Tuesday, would reduce the $45 minimum fee for vehicles for hire to a rate that is three times the cab rate, reducing the minimum to $9.75, and would allow for certain kinds of technology to be used to hire a car service, according to Metro Council Member Ronnie Steine. The bill will then go before a committee meeting and a second reading, during which changes to the proposal can be made. (link)Watch this. It should be interesting. The current $45 minimum was put in place a few years ago to protect the large luxury limo companies from competition when "Black sedans" made there appearance in Nashville. Black Sedans are luxury cars, such as Lincoln Town Cars, that are clean, no markings to indicate they are a vehicle for hire, with courteous, uniformed drivers. They are usually black but do not have to be. Black sedans were only charging a $25 fee for a typical ride and were undercutting the luxury limo services. The black sedans were much nicer than a taxi cab, but were not as ostentatious as a stretch limousine. The limo companies went all out to put this new form of transportation out of business. They got the Metro Council to pass a new law forcing the black sedans to charge a minimum fee of $45 and imposed various other restriction on them, to force them to operate like a limo company. The city also engaged in a program of harassment and intimidation of Black Sedan drivers.
Nashville has also had a history of restricting new cab companies from entering the market and it was only after a lengthy battle that a new cab company was allowed to do so. This cab company was owned by the actual cab drivers, which was a departure from the typical Nashville cab company model. The existing cab companies fought this new company. Nashville has a terrible, embarrassing record of prohibiting competition, stifling transportation innovation, and protecting existing companies from competition. Now, with the massive new convention center up and running, city business leaders in the tourism industry realize Nashville needs new kinds of transportation services and more pubic transportation. Still, the established transportation providers are resisting.
I would prefer that the city have no minimum fare for a provider of transportation services but a ten dollar minimum is a great improvement over a $45 minimum. I doubt anyone would provide a black sedan ride or a "lyft" for less than $10 anyway, so a $10 minimum would have very little impact on restricting these new services. While I still need to know more, this looks like a very positive move. I expect there to be a lot of arm twisting and debate on this issue. I see few principled opponents of price-fixing in the Metro Council and very little support for the concept of a free market economy, so this will be determined by who has the most influence with the Council.
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Monday, December 2, 2013
Caffeinated Conservatives to discuss the State House Education Committee issues.
From Stephen Clements, organizer of Caffeinated Conservatives:
My fellow Caffeinators,
Did you know that of the 15 members of the TN
State House Education Committee, only ONE member is from Davidson
County? The Memphis area has SEVEN members on the committee. Knox County
has three. Nashville, the state capital, has ONE seat on arguably the
most important committee in the State House.
On Saturday December
21st from 12 - 2 PM at Bagelface Bakery in East Nashville (700 Main
Street), Representative Harold Love, Jr., that lone member from Davidson
County, will be joining us! Whatever education or state government
issue is hot on your mind, this is your time to get answers. With the
legislative session starting in January, let your voice be heard before
the voting starts.
So bring a friend and come join us for good coffee, great conversation, and good company! All opinions welcome!
Stephen Clements
Caffeinated Conservatives
On Facebook? Come Like us and get news stories I don't want to spam your Inbox with!
https://www.facebook.com/CaffeinatedConservatives
For directions and more information about the AWESOME Bagelface Bakery we hang out at, click the link below:
http://www.bagelfacebakery.com/
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11/26/13 MNPS Board Work Session on teacher compensation and charter schools
This Board work session is almost two and half hours long. Here is the agenda:
5:00 I. CONVENEI have not watched this myself yet, and don't know when I will have the opportunity, so go ahead and watch it without me, if you are interested. The Nashville Scene has summarized the meeting. To read that concise summary published by the Scene, follow this link.
5:00 II. ANNOUNCEMENTS
5:10 III. DISCUSSION
A. Strategic Compensation
B. Charter RFP Process
7:30 IV. ADJOURNMENT
As reported by the Scene, the district proposes that teachers teaching in those areas without adequate student data to judge their performance on student achievement would have their evaluation based on observation. Also, the District will continue to reward teachers for obtaining advanced degrees. On the topic of the Charter RFP process, the district wants in the charter RFP's, the policy recently adopted that restricts new charters to areas with overcrowded schools and failing schools.
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Last chance to get your child into a better public school for next year.
While choice is limited, there is some choice. Your child does not have to stay in a failing school. There are some great public schools in Nashville. Tomorrow (Tuesday 12/3) is the deadline for MNPS "Optional Schools" applications for the 2014-15 school year. You can find more information online at www.mnps.org, or call 615-259-4636 to speak with an academic counselor.
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First Tuesday, December 3rd
From Tim Skow:
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS CONFIRMED !
A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT IS CONFIRMED !
If you have not already made plans to join us for lunch tomorrow... it is
not too late...
AND....
tomorrow brings a special announcement you are going to want to hear
1st hand and participate in !!! This one matters !!
Details for the lunch event follow this ALERT .... Please post and pass along to those you know.
Secure yourself a seat by visiting the 1ST
TUESDAY website at http://www.1sttuesdaynashvill.com/ and then click on the Shopping Cart !
Hope to see you tomorrow !
Tim
1ST TUESDAY members and friends
While
there is some joy in looking at the past 12 months... it is clear the
next 12 will be even more fascinating as they unfold. For the next 6
months, all eyes will focus on the TN Legislature.
Want to hear about the next series of HOT TOPICS ?
Want to know
what to watch for ?
Want to get some insights in the behind-the-scenes maneuvering ?
Want to get a heads up on whose budget may get expanded ? OR CUT ?
Want to know the legislation that could impact TN politics at the ballot box in 2014?
If so... then you will want to be at 1ST TUESDAY... on Tuesday, DEC 3rd ! [yes, I know some of you are wondering... and it is on the 1st Tuesday this month.... LOL ! ]
Multiple
members from both the TN State Senate and TN State House are
attending to share their views and insights. [Previous] House Majority
Whip Barrett Rich
will let us know what to expect from the State House. And the Lt. Governor's "go to guy", our own Jack Johnson will provide us the "from-behind-the-scenes" insights from the State Senate side.
Expect
other members from both Chambers to join us as well. Therefore, if you
have a question about most any topic or possible piece of legislation..
expect someone there who will have 1st-hand knowledge and insights !
As usual, WALLER LAW will be our host [ 511 Union Street -27th floor]. Doors will open at 11AM for Coffee and Social time. Its
still $20 for 2013 members.. and $25 for guests... and lunch from
Alexander's Catering will be ready at 11:30. Program starts promptly at
Noon with Q&A
ending at 1:00PM sharp. [several
Legislators are flying out to Washington DC that afternoon, so expect
some to be able to stay well after 1pm in case you have more questions]
I
apologize this invite coming out a little late.... but will have some
news on Tuesday providing some further insights about why.... and some
additional news about 2014 !
This
will be a great meeting to bring a guest ..[or 2]....and remember... to
bring something for the Nashville Republican Women's toy drive for
children of our TN National Guard members... Just a reminder.. a $50
contribution will get your 2014 dues waived !
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving .. and I hope to see a room full of you on Tuesday
with a toy.. and a check !!
Thanks,
Tim Skow
Host of 1ST TUESDAY
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What to think about, "Antarctic sea ice hit 35-year record high Saturday."
I accepted the majority scientific opinion about global warming some time ago. I would like not to believe it; it is inconvenient, but I have been persuaded by the evidence. Also, the consensus is overwhelming, and I am influenced by that. While I know scientist, like anyone else, can chase grant dollars and be influenced by the source of the funding, I cannot accept that global warming is all a scam and almost the whole world scientific community has been bought off. That just seems unbelievable. Also, those who accept global warming theory include all former Republican EPA chiefs and many Republican elder statement. While the bombastic talk show host disavow global warming, more reasonable Republican leaders and elder Republican statement accept it.
So, I "believe" global warming is real. I know many people and certainly most pundits are so certain of their position on issues, they never have any doubt. If they believe something, they believe it 100%. They might as well say, "my mind is made up; don't confuse me with facts." I am not so certain about a lot of things. While I think there is "black" and "white," I also think there are a lot of shades of gray. If I do not believe something to be true, it may be that I am only 49% persuaded. If I do believe something is true, it may be that I am 51% persuaded.
On global warming, sometime along about the year 2006, my position on global warming reached the 51% mark, having gradually climbed from about a 15% acceptance when I first learned of the theory. Somewhere along the way, I reached about an 85 to 90% acceptance. Accepting the science of global warming however did not make me fail to recognized that there were global warming alarmist. According to many celebrity and pop icons, we were supposed to all be dead from global warming by now. Also, accepting the reality of global warming did not lead me to embrace solutions that were "pie in the sky," "feel-good" measures that would do nothing to address the problem. I always thought we needed to use market-based solutions and cost-benefit analysis in addressing the issue. It seemed to me that the most effective global warming skeptic was no more a friend of global warming than those liberal true-believers who advocated income redistribution, abandoning national sovereignty, a massively more powerful government, windmills, and solar energy as a way of addressing the issue, while opposing natural gas and nuclear energy.
A couple years ago, along came the climategate scandal. We learned how the opinion of responsible scientist who were skeptical of global warming theory were marginalized and their views censored and we learned about, "hide the decline." My believe tumbled for for a while, maybe briefly falling back below the 50% mark. Since then, it has climbed back, but not to my previous high point. The fact that temperatures have not risen in the last seventeen years is one reason to increase my skepticism. Also, some respectable scientist are now saying the models may have overestimated the climates sensitivity to CO2 by as much as 30%.
Now comes a new revelation to make my global warming acceptance meter drop even more:
Antarctic sea ice hit 35-year record high Saturday.
To put that in perspective however, Arctic sea ice has been shrinking for several years while the Antarctic ice has been growing. There was a reversal of the trend this year however and Arctic ice actually grew but not sufficient to make up for many years of a shrinking ice cap. There are theories that explain why all of this is happening. Nevertheless, this was not supposed to happen.
To view my previous post on the topic of global warming, follow this link.
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