Loosey-Goosey Science

But, it's science with a purpose. (mp3)

The IPCC released it's latest report. Mandated conclusions. After all, it is a political document. We're asked to ignore the method the report's conclusions used to get there. Even Dr. Neilson remarks that before anything could be included in this document, it had to pass review of the politicians. Somehow that's supposed to be a good thing?

Participants:

Dr. Ron Neilson, Bio-climatologist with the USDA Forest Service and IPCC contributing scientist;
Dr. Eban Goodstein, Professor of Economics at Lewis and Clark College, and Focus the Nation Director;
Dave Riley, President and Chief Operating Officer at Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort;
Dr. Gregory Jones, Department of Geography at Southern Oregon University; and
Erin Anderson, Oregon Representative for the National Environmental Trust will moderate the call.

Here's the set-up: "Are we prepared, as large-scale ecosystem managers, to manage rapidly changing ecosystems for change, per se, rather than continue managing them with the status quo as if they are not changing?” (USDA Forest Service bio-climatologist and IPCC contributing scientist Dr. Ron Neilson)



He's right you know. This change is so rapid, that an economist from Lewis & Clark College is concerned. This is the school that taught that all employees needed to be paid the same amount as any other employee. Because only this method of determining wages was fair. I think the old-schoolers referred to this as communism. But maybe you have another name?



And don't forget the wine industry. The temperature change is so rapid that land prices are jumping on the foothills of the Rocky Mountain range. And is the reason why grapes are no longer grown in California.



This Oregon experience is unique. Only in Oregon do we confuse weather with climate.



If you're not following what the Left is doing on climate, and doing to you, take a look. It's not science. It's "Credible Science". Credible science. Not quite sci-fi? Not provable, but important? What is the phrase I'm looking for...something like "accurate but fake"?

If none of what you listen to rises to a level that concerns you, don't be surprised. It just had to sound like science. Unfortunately, it really didn't rise to that level. Not one dissenting voice. Just like real science, er, credible science.

A Note to "Republican" Bloggers

Please consider an alternative to going blood feud anytime abortion is brought up.

As an articulate and educated commentor, I'm sure you're aware of when abortion was legalized in this state, and who the governor was, and who controlled the legislature.

Prior to the questionable decision of "Roe v. Wade" abortion was legal. It was a private decision. It was limited. It was a last resort. But it wasn't the basis upon which was based the motive of either the democrat or Republican parties.

Even were "Roe v. Wade" to be overturned, are you aware of whether or not abortion would be legal in Oregon? Being a Republican does not mean you have a superior right to decide matters which should and must remain private.

Why is so much money spent on political campaigns?

Because everyone in politics wants one thing: power. Republicans need to be competitive because it is the only party that sees the value in giving more power to the individual than it gives the state. Whether it is your living, your job, your kid's school, your neighborhood, what kind of car you drive, what kind of lightbulb you use, choices are best made when we make those choices for ourselves.

Democrats want to take that power and give it to the state. From Hillary's wanting to take profits from oil companies to Oregon legislators requiring you to put helmets on your kid's head when you drive to the store in your car, Democrats believe they make better choices than you.

What man running for President wants to see you with more individual power? That should be the choice. But likewise, if the limits on power are to shift in our favor, the mechanism of change will be law. And as onerous or egregious current abortion law is it is the responsibility of our chief executive to administer the law fairly.

If we, as Republicans, can resist the urge to knee-jerk ourselves into trying to control other peoples' lives "when we have to!" I think we can outgrow the mind-set of the single issue voter/Republican and retrace our steps back to the fundamentals of our political beliefs.
I believe that there are many who are described as being a part of the "religious right" would actually be more comfortable as Democrats.

I do not believe that a deep and abiding faith is counter to Republican principles. But when you invoke religious belief as a reason for seeking control, through law, over another person's actions, you are no different than any Lefty, Democrat or control freak who wants to substitute his opinion for my freedom to choose.

I've been reading with certain distaste, reactions to Mayor Guiliani's comments about the Hyde Amendment. Since I usually associate myself with the views expressed by this, and other, blogs I was dissapointed by the reaction Mr. Guiliani's comments elicited. It is boorish at best. Unthinking at worst. It kinda boils down to this:

"You may have your freedom as long as your religious views are the same as mine. And where your views are different than mine, I will proscribe your ability to differ by passing laws to limit your choices. "

Hooey. You might as well start talking about Gaiea and Global Warming. Because there is no bright line between those on the Left who legislate for our own good and those who describe themselves as the Religious Right who legislate for our own good. And at the end of the day it makes these two groups indistinguishable from each other.

Red Shirt Friday

Sometimes we forget how many of us are out there.

There are actually quite a lot of us. Not anti-goverment, just anti-big government. Not into control, into freedom. Not into telling others what they should believe. Just having the strength of character to have beliefs. Not just having respect for ourselves, but for ourselves as Americans. Not making it okay for any tinpot dictator to rule over his people as long as they don't bother us. But caring for the intrinsic value of every human being. Not hiding from the bullies so that they don't turn their gaze on us. But standing up to bullies because every life is precious.

There are a lot of us. So take a look at this feller's idea. "Red Fridays".

Yep, I Hate the Lottery

Here's a snippet from the latest press release from your Oregon Department of Human Services.

"On any given day approximately 1,300 Oregonians are in treatment for gambling disorders, some of the estimated 75,000 of our neighbors who are believed to have a current serious problem with gambling."

75-thousand Oregonians.

I keep asking, why can't we fund state operations without resorting to Mafia tactics? Is the Mafia mindset so strong in Oregon that we pay the vig, and pay, and pay?

75-thousand Oregonians with serious gambling problems. Paid for, and advertised by, the State of Oregon.

Do I gamble? You bet! But if I was running a scheme that guaranteed me millions of dollars from your losses how long could I continue without a visit from state and federal law enforcement? But your governor, your legislature does it every day.

And, don't forget. The Governor wants to raise your taxes, too. Sometimes, at least in Oregon, the cards are stacked against you. 75-thousand Oregonians with serious gambling problems. But remember to play, okay? It's fun!

Thank you, Penn & Teller!

This is not safe for work. It isn't safe for little kids. Turn down your monitor or plug in your headset.

But it isn't safe for Lefties, either. Lefties do stuff like this. And this. And this.

But people who want government out of their lives, out of their bedrooms, out of their business and back to doing common sense things with their time and our money want to do this. Look at the men and women of the Left who want to tell you how to run your life. Where to shop. What to buy.

Because Lefties know better than you.

Right. You're too dumb to know what's good for you. The first premise of a Lefty. And the first rule of dictatorship. If the people were smarter they wouldn't need us to tell them what to do.

Common Sense Solution to Health Care Costs

If Oregon had adult leaders, someone would mention this in the halls of the capital building. But, in Oregon, it's poseurs and Lefties. The Gov asks for millions in new revenue to get Kids healthcare. But lowering the cost of health care means turning your back on ambulance chasing hacks...the law lobby.

I'm still waiting to read the "carbon dioxide" decision. And you've probably already heard about the movement to make lightbulbs contraband. The degree of Leftie craziness just in the past week has been staggering. The Speaker of the House in Syria?

If you're a proud Democrat, God Bless You! Just, please, remember, as the widening gyre increases, the center will fail to hold.

Great Feedback

Here's the beauty of posting.

It's only been a few months, but people with whom I'd thought conversation impossible are coming up to me and saying untoward things.

I'm blushing.

Thanks.

And I am working on that long-term project. I really do love my state. And my country.

And, yes, that means the people who live there, too!