The band name is a hockey penalty, the album name from a conversation with Victor Davis Hanson, the singer is a math nerd.

Five for Fighting, Two Lights

And John Ondrasik is on this week's Glenn and Helen Show.

I've been a big fan of 5fF for a long time, the Puppyblender, not so much, but it's a good interview, and interesting enough to listen to the entire thing.

Here's some Five For Fighting for your Thursday listening pleasure:
First, my favorite one, 100 years

And of course, the song that made the band big, Superman

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:56 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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1 How could I know you were a 5fF fan? I saw them at the Bumbershoot Festival a couple of years ago -- fantastic!

Posted by: Kj at February 15, 2007 01:45 PM (gHJSu)

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So I am off to try to get some sleep, or else finish watching the Poirot movie I fell asleep to...

But I want to leave you with this:

Happy VD everybody!

h/t Sparkle via email.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:45 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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If the timestamp on this thing posts even remotely correctly, you'll see that it's well after 1am here on the left coast.  Although the insomnia is a constant presence, I was holding it at bay pretty well over the last few weeks courtesy of some sleepytime allergy meds that were helping me get to sleep.  Then this sinus thing came along, with Phinneas Gage pain.  Literally.  I've thought about bashing in the left side of my face more than once in the last week.  It has to be less painful than what has been keeping me up at night.

And really, that's why I went to the damn doctor at all.  I hate fucking doctors, really.  They always want to tell me that they know more than I do about what's wrong with me.  Really, ego man?  Living in my body doesn't give me any clues?  Not to mention that I have TAUGHT doctors before.  Nervous system of the head and neck.  Just happens to be my specialty.

Either that or they want to shit on me for being fat.  Guess what?  That's an easy answer, but it's wrong.  WRONG.  My heart's good, my BP is good, my load-bearing joints are healthy, and frankly, none of that has ANYTHING to do with why my fucking face hurts, thank you very much.

So it's taken me a while to actually go in and see someone.  In fact, I hadn't even been to a primary care doc since before I left NC.  I've been seeing my EXCELLENT, KICK-ASS rheumo like clockwork for a year, and I've been for my annual girly parts checkup, but I've never had a reason to see anyone else.  So I put it off until I couldn't put it off any more.

I actually liked the doc.  I liked that she sat and talked to me for a few minutes, that she seemed interested in making sure the RA was getting taken care of, and that she didn't seem to be in a rush to put me out on the street again.

But I digress.  Evidently the little troll in my ear decided it doesn't like broad spectrum antibiotic therapy.  It is currently throwing a tantrum in my left ear that feels like my teeth are turning to molten lava and my jaw is about to follow suit, and then everything is going to drain out my ear canal.  So I'm propped up on the couch, trying to drink warm chai tea and relax enough to do some meditative breathing in addition to the pain pills I took earlier.  Hopefully that will put the monster off.  It worked this afternoon, but the pain wasn't so intense.

I really don't know how people handled shit like this before good damn drugs.

On the other hand, I think I now know why Van Gogh cut off his ear.

/vent

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:26 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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This is why.

This is the SECOND rotavirus vaccine to cause these problems in young children and infants.  In 1999, the Rotashield vaccine caused the same problems.

Until we know FOR SURE that the Gardasil vaccine is safe, it is entirely irresponsible to mandate it for every female child.

Furthermore, Rachel makes a good point here:

"We (the collective) do not want the government to pass laws about our right to murder our unborn children, but we're not up in arms about the government forcing us to inject foreign matter into our little girls' bodies?"

Posted by: caltechgirl at 06:16 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I give you the Geek Test.

I am 51.47929% Super Geek

Even without programming mastery and extreme Star Trek lore.

h/t Ken and the aptly named Physics Geek

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Sorry for the lack of posting, but now I know for sure why I have been feeling like poo: I have an ear infection. Courtesy of someone else's child.

As the doctor said today, one of the crappier things about being treated for RA is that you catch EVERYTHING that comes along because the drugs suppress your immune system.  In my case allergies = vulnerable sinuses -> sinus infection -> ear infection.

So excuse me while I suck my thumb and tug on my left ear until the antibiotics kick in.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 04:51 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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The latest BNL video is out, and it pays homage to all of your favorite YouTube vids, from Diet Coke and Mentos to the Numa Numa guy!

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:20 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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RSM hit me with this one. Took me a while, but who cares:

THE RULES: Each player of this game starts with the 6 weird things about you. People who get tagged need to write a blog of their own 6 weird things as well as state this rule clearly. In the end, you need to choose 6 people to be tagged and list their names. DonÂ’t forget to leave a comment that says you are taggedÂ’ in their comments and tell them to read your blog.

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Tar Heels took it to the dookies in Cameron!

79-73

Love Those Heels!

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Stolen from the lovely Phoenix.....

1. Is your second toe longer than your first? yes
2. Do you have a favorite type of pen? Yep.  The PhD pens with the thick grip.  Otherwise, free pens are always nice.
3. Look at your planner for March 14, what are you doing? Sending out cards for Pi(e) Day!
4. What color are your toenails usually? Red. In honor of this dude.
5. What was the last thing you highlighted? The text above, to make it a linky.
6. What color are your bedroom curtains? White nasty vertical blinds, actually
7. What color are the seats in your car? grey leather
8. Have you ever had a black and white cat? Nope.  No cats.
9. What is the last thing you put a stamp on? Some papers I sent my Mom.
10. Do you know anyone who lives in Wyoming? I must... I know Hubby does.
11. Why did you withdraw cash from the ATM the last time? What is this ATM of which you speak?.
12. Who is the last baby that you held? OMG, I can't remember.  It's been a while!
13. Do you know of any twins with rhyming names? No. Most of them have the same initials, though (Laura and Lisa, Matt and Mark...).
14. Do you like Cinnamon toothpaste? No, but I love cinnamon ice cream.
15. What kind of car were you driving 2 years ago? The same one I'm driving now: my Silver Escape.
16. Pick one: Miami Hurricanes or Florida Gators. Neither.  Go Tar Heels!
17. Last time you went to Six Flags? Freshman year in college.
18. Do you have any wallpaper in your house? No.  Thank Jeebus.
19. Closest thing to you that is yellow? My Winnie Pooh and Schoolbus key chains.
20. Last person to give you a business card? My colleague who just got new ones.
21. Who is the last person you wrote a check to? My landlord.
22. Closest framed picture to you? Hubby and Princess.
23. Last time you had someone cook for you? Darlin, sweet hubby made Cream of Broccoli soup on Monday night.
24. Have you ever applied for welfare? No.
25. How many emails do you have? too many.  Do you really expect me to count?  I can't even tell you the number of addresses I have!
26. Last time you received flowers? Whenever Hubby found a dandelion on the lawn last :-)
27.Do you think the sanctity of marriage is meant for only a man &
woman? Huh?  What left field did this come out of?  Pac Bell Park?
29. Do you play air guitar? If the occasion warrants. And what happened to question #28?
30. Do you take anything in your coffee? 2 creams, 2 pink packets.
32. What is your high school's rival mascot? Depends on which rival... Indians, Cougars, Roughriders, Golden Eagles, Patriots, Bears.... and What happened to #31?
33. Last person you spoke to from high school? Hubby!
34. Last time you used hand sanitizer? I make it a policy not to in most cases.  Contributes to antibiotic resistant super bugs.
35. Would you like to learn to play the drums? Hells YEAH.
36. What color are the blinds in your living room? White Vertical blinds.
37. What is in your inbox at work? In my email inbox is a presentation I must give this afternoon.
38. Last thing you read in the newspaper? What newspaper?  Are you kidding?
39. What was the last pageant you attended? Does the Rose Parade count?.
40. What is the last place you bought pizza from? Pizza Slut.
41. Have you ever worn a crown? Of course.  See the Tiara Media button, top left!
42. What is the last thing you stapled? Paperwork for a student.
43. Did you ever drink Clear Pepsi? Yes.  It was weird.
44. Are you ticklish? EXTREMELY.
45.Last time you saw fireworks? last 4th of July I think.
46. Last time you had a Krispy Kreme doughnut? It was in North Carolina, so over a year and a half ago...
47. Who is the last person that left you a message & you actually returned their call? My IT director.
48. Last time you parked under a carport? Couple of years ago.
49. Do you have a black dog? Yep!
50.Do you have any pickles in your fridge? Yes. Claussen sandwich stackers, kosher dill or Garlic, not sure which flavor
51. Are you an aunt or uncle? An aunt to 2 nieces and 1 nephew.
52.Who has the prettiest eyes that you know of? Hubby.
53. Last time you saw a semi truck? On the way to work.
54. Do you remember Ugly Kidd Jo? yes.
55. Do you have a little black dress? Yep.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:41 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 1. Is your second toe longer than your first? ~ who comes up with this shit? 2. Do you have a favorite type of pen? ~ not really 3. Look at your planner for March 14, what are you doing? ~ I don't have a planner, but I plan to get one... 4. What color are your toenails usually? ~ whatever color I was born with 5. What was the last thing you highlighted? ~ this list of stuff 6. What color are your bedroom curtains? ~ I don't have curtains, I have blinds 7. What color are the seats in your car? ~ grey 8. Have you ever had a black and white cat? ~ both 9. What is the last thing you put a stamp on? ~ an envelope 10. Do you know anyone who lives in Wyoming? ~ no 11. Why did you withdraw cash from the ATM the last time? ~ I haven't used an ATM since 2001 or 2002 12. Who is the last baby that you held? ~ I can't remember 13. Do you know of any twins with rhyming names? ~ Kareem and Tyheem, no shit 14. Do you like Cinnamon toothpaste? ~ who cares? 15. What kind of car were you driving 2 years ago? ~ none 16. Pick one: Miami Hurricanes or Florida Gators. ~ who cares? sports suck ass 17. Last time you went to Six Flags? ~ early 1990's 18. Do you have any wallpaper in your house? ~ no 19. Closest thing to you that is yellow? ~ the foot on the bottom of my birdy spring pen.... 20. Last person to give you a business card? ~ who the hell keeps up with that crap? 21. Who is the last person you wrote a check to? ~ I haven't had a checking account in years, so I don't remember 22. Closest framed picture to you? ~ my kids 23. Last time you had someone cook for you? ~ right now, so I'm going to eat when I'm done with this 24. Have you ever applied for welfare? ~ no 25. How many emails do you have? ~ unread, inbox, etc? be more specific... 26. Last time you received flowers? ~ ha! that never happens to me... 27. Do you think the sanctity of marriage is meant for only a man & woman? ~ marriage is just evil, period! 28. What left field did this come out of? ~ que? 29. Do you play air guitar? ~ never on purpose... 30. Do you take anything in your coffee? ~ 20% or so of the cup is sugar, at least 25% is cream... 31. Are you really reading these questions? ~ yeah, kinda 32. What is your high school's rival mascot? ~ a bird of some sort 33. Last person you spoke to from high school? ~ my best friend... 34. Last time you used hand sanitizer? ~ I don't use that shit 35. Would you like to learn to play the drums? ~ no 36. What color are the blinds in your living room? ~ almond or ivory, I can't tell, nor do I care... 37. What is in your inbox at work? ~ we don't have email accounts at my job... 38. Last thing you read in the newspaper? ~ I don't read the newspaper 39. What was the last pageant you attended? ~ never happened 40. What is the last place you bought pizza from? ~ does a pizza buffet count? 41. Have you ever worn a crown? ~ does the one from Burger King count? 42. What is the last thing you stapled? ~ a receipt to a money order stub 43. Did you ever drink Clear Pepsi? ~ yes, but only once.. Crystal Pepsi, by the way... 44. Are you ticklish? ~ no 45.Last time you saw fireworks? ~ when I plugged a cord into the wrong outlet... 46. Last time you had a Krispy Kreme doughnut? ~ last weekend 47. Who is the last person that left you a message & you actually returned their call? ~ this afternoon, but I actually called them before they finished the message... 48. Last time you parked under a carport? ~ a what? 49. Do you have a black dog? ~ no 50. Do you have any pickles in your fridge? ~ maybe, I don't open the refrigerator... 51. Are you an aunt or uncle? ~ an uncle, I think... 52. Who has the prettiest eyes that you know of? ~ mine 53. Last time you saw a semi truck? ~ this morning, on my way to work... 54. Do you remember Ugly Kidd Jo? ~ no 55. Do you have a little black dress? ~ no

Posted by: Thomas Warlock at February 07, 2007 03:41 PM (oy+Za)

2 I thought question 10 was weird, until I remembered how few of us Wyoming people there are. We're a rare breed, and must be honored properly.

Posted by: PaleoMedic at February 08, 2007 06:46 AM (xirX/)

3 You can sit by me PaleoMedic - I grew up in Wyoming and my folks still live there. ;-) I'm stealing this, CTG. Too fun! :-)

Posted by: Richmond at February 08, 2007 10:14 AM (e8QFP)

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I've been on record for years saying that I'd cross party lines to vote for him for President, but the left seems to be too stupid to realize that UNITING this country means appealing to all facets of the political spectrum, something Joe seems to do almost universally.  Sure, the wingnuts hate him because he's a socially liberal demotard, and the moonbats hate him because he's a hawk and anti-abortion.

But his is the only consistent voice of conscience on the Hill, and for that, I respect him.  For this statement made to the Senate on Feb. 5, I respect him even more:

It is altogether proper that we debate our policy in Iraq. It should be a debate that is as serious as the situation in Iraq and that reflects the powers the Constitution gives to Congress in matters of war.

But that, sadly, is not the debate that the Warner-Levin resolution invites us to have. I am going to speak strongly against this resolution because I feel strongly about it. I do so with respect for my colleagues who have offered it, but I believe its passage would so compromise America's security, present and future, that I will say so in the clearest terms I can.

...

What we say here is being heard in Baghdad by Iraqi moderates, trying to decide whether the Americans will stand with them. We are being heard by our men and women in uniform, who will be interested to know whether we support the plan they have begun to carry out. We are being heard by the leaders of the thuggish regimes in Iran and Syria, and by Al Qaeda terrorists, eager for evidence that America's will is breaking. And we are being heard across America by our constituents, who are wondering if their Congress is capable of serious action, not just hollow posturing.

This resolution is not about Congress taking responsibility. It is the opposite. It is a resolution of irresolution.

For the Senate to take up a symbolic vote of no confidence on the eve of a decisive battle is unprecedented, but it is not inconsequential. It is an act which, I fear, will discourage our troops, hearten our enemies, and showcase our disunity. And that is why I will vote against cloture.

If you believe that General Petraeus and his new strategy have a reasonable chance of success in Iraq, then you should resolve to support him and his troops through the difficult days ahead. On the other hand, if you believe that this new strategy is flawed or that our cause is hopeless in Iraq, then you should vote to stop it. Vote to cut off funds. Vote for a binding timeline for American withdrawal. If that is where your convictions lie, then have the courage of your convictions to accept the consequences of your convictions. That would be a resolution.

...

We cannot have it both ways. We cannot vote full confidence in General Petraeus, but no confidence in his strategy. We cannot say that the troops have our full support, but disavow their mission on the eve of battle. This is what happens when you try to wage war by committee. That is why the Constitution gave that authority to the President as Commander in Chief.

Cynics may say this kind of thing happens all of the time in Congress. In this case, however, they are wrong. If it passed, this resolution would be unique in American legislative history. I contacted the Library of Congress on this question last week and was told that, never before, when American soldiers have been in harm's way, fighting and dying in a conflict that Congress had voted to authorize, has Congress turned around and passed a resolution like this, disapproving of a particular battlefield strategy.

I ask each of my colleagues to stop for a moment and consider this history carefully. Even during Vietnam, even after the Tet Offensive, even after the invasion of Cambodia, Congress did not take up a resolution like this one.

Past Congresses certainly debated wars. They argued heatedly about them. And they clashed directly with the Executive Branch over their execution. But in doing so they accepted the consequences of their convictions.

This resolution does no such thing. It is simply an expression of opinion. It does not pretend to have any substantive effect on policy on the ground in Iraq.

But again, I ask you: what will this resolution say to our soldiers? What will it say to our allies? And what will it say to our enemies?

We heard from General Petraeus during his confirmation hearing that war is a battle of wills. Our enemies believe that they are winning in Iraq today. They believe that they can outlast us; that, sooner or later, we will tire of this grinding conflict and go home. That is the lesson that Osama bin Laden took from our retreats from Lebanon and Somalia in the 1980s and 1990s. It is a belief at the core of the insurgency in Iraq, and at the core of radical Islam worldwide. And this resolution "by codifying our disunity, by disavowing the mission our troops are about to undertake" confirms our enemies' belief in American weakness.

This resolution also sends a terrible message to our allies. I agree that we must hold the Iraqi government to account. That is exactly what the resolution Senator McCain and I have offered would do. But I ask you: Imagine for a moment that you are a Sunni or Shia politician in Baghdad who wants the violence to end, and ask yourself how the Warner-Levin resolution will affect your thinking, your calculations of risk, your willingness to stand against the forces of extremism. Every day, you are threatened by enemies who want nothing but to inflict the most brutal imaginable horrors on you and your loved ones. Will this resolution empower you, or will it undermine you? Will it make you feel safer, or will it make you feel you should hedge your bets, or go over to the extremists, or leave the country?

And finally, what is the message this resolution sends to our soldiers? I know that everyone here supports our troops, but actions have consequences, often unintended. When we send a message of irresolution, it does not support our troops. When we renounce their mission, it does not support our troops.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 01:08 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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The UNC Tar Heels take on the dookies tonight at Cameron Indoor H.S. Gymnasium.  It looks to be a good game, as dook always plays up against UNC and at home.  The Tar Heels are coming off a lackluster loss to NC State, and from the look on Ol' Roy's face after the game, I suspect we'll see a different team tonight.

In honor of my Boys, our alma mater:

Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices
Ringing clear and True
Singing Carolina's praises
Shouting N.C.U.

Hail to the brightest Star of all
Clear its radiance shine
Carolina priceless gem,
Receive all praises thine.

I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred
And when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead.
So it's RAH, RAH, Car'lina 'lina
RAH, RAH, Car'lina 'lina
RAH, RAH, Car'lina
RAH! RAH! RAH! (Go to Hell State!)

I'm a Tar Heel born, I'm a Tar Heel bred
And when I die I'm a Tar Heel dead.
So it's RAH, RAH, Car'lina 'lina
RAH, RAH, Car'lina 'lina
RAH, RAH, Car'lina
RAH! RAH! RAH! (Go to Hell dook!)

'Neath the oaks the sons true hearted
Homage pay to thee
Time worn walls give back their echo
Hail to U.N.C.

Though the storms of life assail us
Still our hearts beat true
Naught can break the friendships formed at
Dear old N.C.U.

A family of dook basketball supporters headed out one Saturday to shop for the youngest boy's birthday.  While in the sports
shop the son picks up a UNC jersey and says to his older sister, "I've decided to become a Tar Heel fan and I would like this UNC jersey for my birthday.  His big sister is outraged by this and  promptly whacks him in the head and says, "Go talk to mother.  Off goes the little lad with the jersey in hand and finds his mother. "Mom?"
"Yes son?"
"I've decided I'm going to be a UNC fan and I would like this jersey for my birthday."  The mother is outraged at this, promptly whacks him around the head and says, "Go talk to your father!"  Off he goes with the UNC jersey in hand and finds his father. "Dad?"
"Yes son?"
"I've decided I'm going to be a 'Heels fan and I would like this jersey for my birthday."  The father is outraged and promptly whacks his son around the head and says, "No son of mine is ever going to be seen in THAT!"  About half an hour later they're all back in the car and heading towards home. The father turns to his son and says, "Son, I hope you've learned something today."  The son says, "Yes, Dad, I have."
"Good son, what is it?"

The son replies, "I've only been a Carolina fan for an hour and I already hate you dook bastards."

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:31 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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A crappy quiz....

Your Dominant Thinking Style: Modifying

Super logical and rational, you consider every fact available to you. You don't make rash decisions and are rarely moved by emotion. You prefer what's known and proven - to the new and untested. You tend to ground those around you and add stability.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 03:34 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 I liked this quiz! Your Dominant Thinking Style: Experimenting You're all about looking at the facts, and you could always use more of them. You see life as your lab - and you're always trying out new things, people, and ideas. The master of mix and match, you're always coming up with unique combinations. You are good at getting a group to reach consensus.

Posted by: Theresa at February 06, 2007 05:12 PM (NGC/g)

2 Modifying... What's the deal with these pop-up windows on the links (Powered by SNAP)? They're extremely annoying.

Posted by: Thomas Warlock at February 06, 2007 09:09 PM (HSETr)

3 Your Dominant Thinking Style: Experimenting You're all about looking at the facts, and you could always use more of them. You see life as your lab - and you're always trying out new things, people, and ideas. The master of mix and match, you're always coming up with unique combinations. You are good at getting a group to reach consensus.

Posted by: wRitErsbLock at February 07, 2007 06:43 AM (+MvHD)

4 Heh. Cool... Modifying Super logical and rational, you consider every fact available to you. You don't make rash decisions and are rarely moved by emotion. You prefer what's known and proven - to the new and untested. You tend to ground those around you and add stability.

Posted by: Richmond at February 07, 2007 09:37 AM (e8QFP)

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The words of a REAL CLIMATOLOGIST, which has nothing to do with inventing the internet.....

What would happen if tomorrow we were told that, after all, the Earth is flat? It would probably be the most important piece of news in the media and would generate a lot of debate. So why is it that when scientists who have studied the Global Warming phenomenon for years say that humans are not the cause nobody listens? Why does no one acknowledge that the Emperor has no clothes on?

Believe it or not, Global Warming is not due to human contribution of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This in fact is the greatest deception in the history of science. We are wasting time, energy and trillions of dollars while creating unnecessary fear and consternation over an issue with no scientific justification. For example, Environment Canada brags about spending $3.7 billion in the last five years dealing with climate change almost all on propaganda trying to defend an indefensible scientific position while at the same time closing weather stations and failing to meet legislated pollution targets.

No sensible person seeks conflict, especially with governments, but if we don't pursue the truth, we are lost as individuals and as a society. That is why I insist on saying that there is no evidence that we are, or could ever cause global climate change. And, recently, Yuri A. Izrael, Vice President of the United Nations sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed this statement. So how has the world come to believe that something is wrong?

Maybe for the same reason we believed, 30 years ago, that global cooling was the biggest threat: a matter of faith. "It is a cold fact: the Global Cooling presents humankind with the most important social, political, and adaptive challenge we have had to deal with for ten thousand years. Your stake in the decisions we make concerning it is of ultimate importance; the survival of ourselves, our children, our species," wrote Lowell Ponte in 1976.

I was as opposed to the threats of impending doom global cooling engendered as I am to the threats made about Global Warming. Let me stress I am not denying the phenomenon has occurred. The world has warmed since 1680, the nadir of a cool period called the Little Ice Age (LIA) that has generally continued to the present. These climate changes are well within natural variability and explained quite easily by changes in the sun. But there is nothing unusual going on.

Since I obtained my doctorate in climatology from the University of London, Queen Mary College, England my career has spanned two climate cycles. Temperatures declined from 1940 to 1980 and in the early 1970's global cooling became the consensus. This proves that consensus is not a scientific fact. By the 1990's temperatures appeared to have reversed and Global Warming became the consensus. It appears I'll witness another cycle before retiring, as the major mechanisms and the global temperature trends now indicate a cooling.

-- Thirty years ago many of the same scientists raising a ruckus today were DEAD SURE we were headed for a man-made ice age FROM THE SAME CAUSES (greenhouse gasses, etc.)

--Consensus is different from fact: 95% of 4 year olds believe in Santa, but this doesn't make him REAL, does it?  So why should we believe something just because a majority of pinheads with PhDs do?

And yes, for the record I too have a PhD.  So what?  But I'm not a pinhead.  Doesn't make me a sheep, either.

Please read all of Dr. Bell's article (yes, there is more. A lot more.),  It is a fascinating look at how popular politics colors even the most rigorous of disciplines.

h/t Q and O via RWV

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:19 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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1 Excellent post.

Posted by: Ith at February 05, 2007 12:24 PM (1ZrPC)

2 wait... what do you mean Santa isn't real?

Posted by: wRitErsbLock at February 05, 2007 12:42 PM (+MvHD)

3 You take that back, Santa is real. I've writen him a letter each year for the past 27 years. He hasn't responded yet because he's very busy keeping those elves in line, trying to keep things warm at the north pole. It's hard to relax with a lemonade when they drink freezes immediately.

Posted by: Bill at February 05, 2007 02:43 PM (bpbQx)

4 Exactly... I remember the global cooling (they called it "nuclear winter") phase very well. It was as idiotic then as this is now. As to the "why do these people all jump on the bandwagon without tangible facts?" well, that's easy... always follow the money. There's money in the global warming scare - lots and lots of lovely cash. Facts be damned - it's who gets the paid the most and has the most money to lose... they fight the hardest for their position.

Posted by: Teresa at February 05, 2007 04:10 PM (gsbs5)

5 good one CTG

Posted by: Jane at February 06, 2007 05:25 AM (YadGF)

6 LOL at Beth!! This is a great article. "As Lindzen said many years ago: "the consensus was reached before the research had even begun." Now, any scientist who dares to question the prevailing wisdom is marginalized and called a sceptic, when in fact they are simply being good scientists. This has reached frightening levels with these scientists now being called climate change denier with all the holocaust connotations of that word. The normal scientific method is effectively being thwarted. Meanwhile, politicians are being listened to, even though most of them have no knowledge or understanding of science, especially the science of climate and climate change. Hence, they are in no position to question a policy on climate change when it threatens the entire planet. Moreover, using fear and creating hysteria makes it very difficult to make calm rational decisions about issues needing attention. Until you have challenged the prevailing wisdom you have no idea how nasty people can be. Until you have re-examined any issue in an attempt to find out all the information, you cannot know how much misinformation exists in the supposed age of information." True scientists must be appalled by what's going on. From what I understand, the sun's temperature has increased too (not that you'd know it in the northeast right now). I'm no scientist, but who are we to think that our tiny little speck in the galaxy is experiencing climate change thanks to us? Aren't there at least a gazillion other variables to consider? Why does that idea seem to be rocket science? (Snarky aside: Oh, and did you see the IMDB rating on Gore's film? 8.2/10 Ooooh. Peace-prize worthy, huh?)

Posted by: Marie at February 06, 2007 07:06 AM (keaCm)

7 I don't know, that global cooling sure would explain about the local temps of late.

Posted by: Contagion at February 06, 2007 03:38 PM (72Ov0)

8 Thanks for the "ammo" for my debates.

Posted by: Crassus at February 07, 2007 05:40 AM (8RyYg)

9 When you pull your collective heads out of the sand, you'll be baked at just the right temperature. You're all idiots.

Posted by: googoodolly at February 09, 2007 10:44 PM (B4coE)

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I haven't played in 6 months, but what the hell:

1. Plaster ::

2. Cabbage ::

3. Jazz ::

4. Darts ::

5. Poke ::

6. Bribe ::

7. Whale ::

8. Receipt ::

9. Answer ::

10. Dentist ::

As always, my answers in the extended. Thanks Jenna for reminding me! more...

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:10 AM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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From Troy, MI:

Troy, a high-income city of just 80,000 people and home to [Michigan's] only Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue department stores, now has another distinction. It is the only non-resort city of its size to have two Hooters.

"You come directly off the interstate and that's the first thing you come to," said Wade Fleming, a councilman who voted in June to reject the transfer of a liquor licence to the new Hooters restaurant from a rundown tavern that once operated at the same location. "That starts to define Troy, I think, and that's not how we'd like to define Troy."

Hooters executives want just one restaurant in Troy but the company won't close the old one until it's allowed to serve alcohol at the new restaurant, which opened Monday on a larger, more visible site.

Critics are concerned that the restaurants' scantily clad servers don't fit the image the city seeks to project in its Big Beaver commercial district." (emphasis mine- Ed.)

Posted by: caltechgirl at 11:05 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Anybody even suspect that this week won't be another disappointment?  I was talking to a friend last night, and we agreed that 24 jumped the shark with that drug season (3 I think.... they all blur....) and redeemed itself with Season 5, but that this season is riding Fonzie's motorcycle on a collision course with the shark tank.

Whatta YOU think?

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:35 AM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Ugh.

Happy for the Colts, but man what a crappy game. The score was close for a while, but the Colts ran up and down the field on the Bears.

And the commercials pretty much sucked. 24 hours out here's what I remember: Carlos Mencia was funny. I liked the Dalmation ad. And the two animated Coke Ads were pretty sweet.

In the "funny once, but I don't care if I ever see them again" category: Bud Light: No Fist Bump, Sprint's Connectile Dysfunction, and the Garmin Mapasaurus.

DH liked the Tundra ad with the cliff stop. A lot.

In the "vomitaceous" category we have Dave and Oprah in "Honey", Dave and Dr. Phil (all), that Blockbuster ad with the poor little mouse, and especially the Snickers commercial.

Boy that was a BRIGHT idea, Snickers people.  Sell a SNACK FOOD with a commercial that makes people barf. BRILLIANT.

And what kind of rock is this guy under?

No commercial that appeared last night during Super Bowl XLI directly addressed Iraq, unlike a patriotic spot for Budweiser beer that ran during the game two years ago. But the ongoing war seemed to linger just below the surface of many of this year's commercials.

More than a dozen spots celebrated violence in an exaggerated, cartoonlike vein that was intended to be humorous, but often came across as cruel or callous.
...
It was as if Madison Avenue were channeling Doc in "West Side Story," the gentle owner of the candy store in the neighborhood that the two street gangs, the Jets and Sharks, fight over. "Why do you kids live like there's a war on?" Doc asks plaintively. (Well, Doc, this time, there is.)

In case you haven't seen them, most of the commercials can be found at CBS SportsLine.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 10:29 AM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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ESPN has bowling, a Dog Show, and Figure Skating today.

TNT has a marathon of "The Closer," which I hear is very good

SciFi has a Ghost Hunters marathon

USA has a Monk marathon

Or you can always watch football on CBS.....

Posted by: caltechgirl at 12:28 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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It's been one of those days.  I had a report due on a task force for a major initiative that I am the team leader for.  Then we had a department meeting from 3 to 5.

I got home around 6:30.  I left here at 8 am.  Usually I leave here at 9, and get home by 3 to avoid traffic and do a few hours of business at home.

It's no wonder I went straight up to the shower while DH went out for some tasty El Pollo Loco. Nothing like moderately healthy fast food (flame grilled chicken, for the uninitiated among you)....

Oh, and FTFO already to L.A. Drivers. I swear they come out of the woodwork on Friday afternoons.... at least they all take the freeway, leaving the surface streets mostly open for the rest of us.

Posted by: caltechgirl at 08:27 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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