The World's Gone Mad: 7/29/13

I: Melting Ice

I don't normally want to spend time discussing the weather, but reactions lately are beginning to drive me nuts.  Even though global warming is having an effect on things like, oh, the North Pole melting, it apparently won't be a problem for most people as everyone has seemed to have already adjusted judging by all the complaining.  Since when did 60 degrees become cold?  Particularly in Minnesota.  Minnesotans have now become some kind of Californian wimps (although the temperatures are milder there).  Even Paul Douglas, who is usually quite level headed about the weather has joined in.  Although he predicted a cooler summer and has noted the extended one last year, he quips about Minnesota's two-week summer and claims that he can't recall when St Cloud last saw a low of 43 in July.  Well, I can tell you Mr Weather Expert - it was July 19th, 2009.  In fact, 2007, 2008, and 2009 all saw lows in the 40s during July and August 2009 saw a low of 40 degrees.  Apparently the hot summers of the last three years have melted everyone's short memories.  A two-week Summer?  We saw 98 degrees on May 14th, and although the end of May and the beginning of June were nice (cool), we have had five weeks of summer weather after that, with much more to come. Given that 2012 saw 78 degrees on March 17th through 96 degrees in September, I don't think we are in danger of short summers.  With all of the floods, droughts, heat waves and cool downs going on, I am now officially proclaiming my rejection of the term "global warming."  From now on I will use the more accurate term "climate amplification."

II: Melting Brains

Speaking of confused and damaged thinking, my hope for a conservative reaction against NSA domestic spying has been brought back to reality.  First there was last week's vote in which Republicans brought down the amendment to end the domestic program.  Although Obama is the one bringing about a "socialist dictatorship", when the Republicans are quite clearly shown to be the ones backing such activities there is silence from the right.   Now, the local Village Idiot, as leading conservative speaker for the area claimed that since Michele Bachmann supports the NSA program and is a "credible source," then it must be fine.  The brainwashing, idol-worshiping basis of conservativism is apparent.  Anything, no matter what it is, is a godless, communist, socialist, anti-christian, death-camp inducing, society-is-going-to-end plot if a liberal does it.  But when done by a conservative, it is simply great.  Perhaps the greatest thing since the coming of the all-American hero and savior George Zimmerman.  So much for the libertarian-talking right wing actually supporting individual rights.