Then: October 2, 2001
Two pages of the N Y Times
Were filled with images of men and women who tried
Bravely to rescue others; and many did so
Before as did all those they could not rescue,they died.
It would be a good thing if the USPS
Developed postage-stamps honoring rescuers individually
But short of that, stamps honoring their respective occupations
A good idea would seem to be.
We take for granted the services of folks
Whose job it is to protect us from harm,
And give little attention to the cop on the beat
Or little heed to a distant fire alarm.
“Our God and soldiers we alike adore
E'vn at the brink of danger, not before;
And after deliverance both alike requited:
Our God, forgotten, and our soldiers, slighted.”
Nor do we think very long
About the folks who voluntarily fight in our name--
Anywhere, any time—when a wanton entity
Breaks basic rules of the international game.
10.06.2001
An otherwise uneventful Sunday morning
Was marked by news that folks fighting in our name
Were delivering a load of destruction on wanton entities
Who’ve broken the rules of that game.
We, here at home in New Jersey,
Saw no change in our daily routine
But imagined some change in and around, say, Kabul
When cruise missiles arrived rained on the scene.
The taped spiel from O. bin Laden and his lieutenant
Was sufficient to once more make it clear
That he thinks along paranoid lines
And hates folks in the western hemisphere.
Were it not so deadly serious
It would ludicrous that we need to use such might
To counteract the actions of a benighted man
Who’s on the human race a blight.
Nineteen of his henchmen, with primitive weapons
And no (direct) expenditures for delivery systems at all
Have slaughtered thousands and shaken the world,
But in replying we upon complex systems we must call.
It is scary to realize what could ensue
If other Muslims with bin Laden’s view
Should come to entertain
The notion that a commercial plane
As a guided missile will equally well do.
It is equally scary to have to recognize
That many Muslims appear to see us through “bin Laden” eyes
Thus tend not to see
What we know the U.S. to be
Hence would seem to relish prospect of our demise.
So at 7:29P, after a vegetable soup main course
We ponder the question raised frequently before
As to why some cultures have been associated with advancement
While others seem no more advanced in this century than they were the century before.
A brief look at Compton’s “Islam” entry
Serves to refresh memory as to how frequently Muslim’s pray,
And acknowledging the temporariness of memory, albeit refreshed,
What was read, to repeat, was that it was five times a day.
We must agree that a culture engaged in mandating such frequent pauses for prayer
For encouraging intensive entrepreneurial enterprise would have little flair
And adherents would not, e.g., take a shine
To work on an assembly line,
Which after all is a non-stop productive affair.
Special K must, again, acknowledge that he’s had a dim view
Of what he’s seen of the Arab/Muslim way of life
Which appears to be characterized mainly
By backwardness, lack of progress, and a penchant for strife.
However, that only illustratively serves to show
That to obtain a balanced view Special K's got a way yet to go
(And very likely will find
No real change of mind
Is in the offing, and he has none in escrow!)
And now, nine years later, only one current illustration of continuity….
in uncivilized attitudes and behaviors involving Muslims, and Special K's (parenthesized) self-assessment
Faisal Shahzad: 'War With Muslims Has Just Begun' (sic) emphasis added
Times Square Bomber Says 'Allahu Akbar' After Being Sentenced To Life In Prison
20 comments
By AARON KATERSKY and RICHARD ESPOSITO
Oct. 5, 2010
Faisal Shahzad, who attempted to detonate a car bomb in New York's Times Square on a crowded Saturday night, was sentenced to life in federal prison today.
Shahzad said "Allahu Akbar" after hearing the sentence, and said he would "sacrifice a thousand lives for Allah."
"War with Muslims has just begun," said Shahzad, who then predicted that "the defeat of the US is imminent, god willing."
Shahzad also said he was happy with "the deal" God had given him. "We have laws made by Allah. We don't need laws made by humans."
So .... it appears that despite all that has ensued
in the nine years represented by the foregoing
nothing really has changed --
and if it ever will, there's, today, no way of knowing.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
From: Kenneth Wilson
To: Tom Teepen
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 1:22 PM
Subject: The more things change
Good morning:
I unearthed an item filed more than two years ago that included
commentary by you and others on the relationship between then
primary candidate Obama and the Rev. Wright. You may not
have revisited the theme recently. Perhaps one of these days
you may wish to do another column on "Taking racial high ground"
in light of current faltering efforts to avoid its "sinking sand".
Best wishes,
Ken Wilson
Lawrenceville, NJ
P.S. Mr. Malone, now Editor-Publisher, no longer entertains
my informative emails.
kw
File copy...
To: Tom Teepen
cc: bjmalone@njtimes.com,
letters@charleskrauthammer.com
Good morning:
Tom Teepen, Taking racial high ground
The Times of Trenton, Saturday, March 22, 2008, A11
“ . . .Obama firmly and convincingly disavowed Wright’s excesses but, . . ., just as firmly refused to disavow him personally . . ..”
Charles Krauthammer, No it’s not enough, ibid.
“ . . But Obama was supposed to be new . . . transcending the anger of the past as represented by his beloved pastor. . . .
Then answer this senator: If Wright is a man of the past, why would you expose your children to his vitriolic divisiveness? . . ..”
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved
Obama Defends Rev. Wright, Blasts Imus
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 8:47 AM
“ . . .Obama told ABC in the interview he would never appear again on Imus’ show after Imus set off a firestorm of outrage
when he called members of the women’s basketball team at Rutgers University “nappy-headed ‘hoes’” on his popular morning talk show.
‘He didn’t just cross the line,’ Obama raged then. ‘He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are
having to deal with today in America’ . . ...”
Obama seems unable, today, to decide--
In promising to bridge the racial divide--
To be consistent
In being insistent
On the principle of not favoring either side.
He quickly distanced himself from Imus
And said he’d never again appear on his show,
But to distance himself from membership in J. Wright’s congregation
Barack has been exceeding slow[1].
It does appear that Barack H. Obama
Does not appreciate unsavory rhetoric aimed at blacks,
But tends to think it alright for his pastor (of 20 years), J. Wright,
To take at white folks non-benevolent cracks.
And for those who now think Obama
Is the greatest thing to come down the pike
Since the invention of the internal combustion engine,
Here’s an analogy that they may not like:
From a note archived on February 4, 2005
In a scene from the movie, “Paleface”,
Bob Hope was kissing, fervently, Jane Russell—
For her, Bob was only a “husband of convenience”,
But on their wedding night he was simply hot to hustle.
Being annoyed at his untimely (for her) advances, she used a gun butt
And knocked him out (from behind), surcease from romance to seize;
When he awoke next morning, while still rubbing his head he thanked her “for a most lovely evening”;
She then shook her head wonderingly unbelievingly, and said: “You sure are easy to please!”
This seems to apply to Obama’s admirers
Who are always ready any opportunity to seize
To characterize his perceived attributes in superlatives--
They, too, “sure are easy to please”.
Of course, it can’t be gainsaid
That admirers of Hillary also similarly seize
Opportunities to sing the praises of her Clintonesque qualities
That only confused or bemused folks might please.
But, generally speaking, in politics (and elsewhere)
What is admired or what is abhorred
Seems to hinge less on the inherent nature of the object involved,
Than on whose particular ox is being gored.[2]
Still, were it not such a serious matter
We wouldn't ask Senator Obama to justify
Distancing himself from poor Imus (in the morning)
While embracing J. Wright as a spiritual ally.
Best wishes
Ken Wilson
27 Royal Oak Rd
Lawrenceville (soon perhaps to get its own ZIP code), NJ
(but still) 08648-3239
P.S. I hope you and yours suffered no ill effects
Due to the tornado that struck Atlanta, downtown;
And that things are back to normal on Peachtree St.--
A street of universal renown.
Perhaps you know whether there was any damage
In the vicinity of 3095 Towerview Dr., NE,
Where, between 1958 and 1965, inclusive,
Our primary residence happened to be.
kw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Jimmy C., even as candidate for the presidency, still member of a segregated church,
Was asked "Why?"; and with a dismissive quip and a scoff
Answered the reporter’s seemingly meaningful question thus:
What would you have me do? Stop the world and get off?
[2] Association! It’s being said that the current nomination impasse--
That all Democratic operatives deplore--
May be broken by the introduction
Of overtures for the nomination by Algore!
To: Tom Teepen
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 1:22 PM
Subject: The more things change
Good morning:
I unearthed an item filed more than two years ago that included
commentary by you and others on the relationship between then
primary candidate Obama and the Rev. Wright. You may not
have revisited the theme recently. Perhaps one of these days
you may wish to do another column on "Taking racial high ground"
in light of current faltering efforts to avoid its "sinking sand".
Best wishes,
Ken Wilson
Lawrenceville, NJ
P.S. Mr. Malone, now Editor-Publisher, no longer entertains
my informative emails.
kw
File copy...
To: Tom Teepen
cc: bjmalone@njtimes.com,
letters@charleskrauthammer.com
Good morning:
Tom Teepen, Taking racial high ground
The Times of Trenton, Saturday, March 22, 2008, A11
“ . . .Obama firmly and convincingly disavowed Wright’s excesses but, . . ., just as firmly refused to disavow him personally . . ..”
Charles Krauthammer, No it’s not enough, ibid.
“ . . But Obama was supposed to be new . . . transcending the anger of the past as represented by his beloved pastor. . . .
Then answer this senator: If Wright is a man of the past, why would you expose your children to his vitriolic divisiveness? . . ..”
© 2008 Newsmax. All rights reserved
Obama Defends Rev. Wright, Blasts Imus
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 8:47 AM
“ . . .Obama told ABC in the interview he would never appear again on Imus’ show after Imus set off a firestorm of outrage
when he called members of the women’s basketball team at Rutgers University “nappy-headed ‘hoes’” on his popular morning talk show.
‘He didn’t just cross the line,’ Obama raged then. ‘He fed into some of the worst stereotypes that my two young daughters are
having to deal with today in America’ . . ...”
Obama seems unable, today, to decide--
In promising to bridge the racial divide--
To be consistent
In being insistent
On the principle of not favoring either side.
He quickly distanced himself from Imus
And said he’d never again appear on his show,
But to distance himself from membership in J. Wright’s congregation
Barack has been exceeding slow[1].
It does appear that Barack H. Obama
Does not appreciate unsavory rhetoric aimed at blacks,
But tends to think it alright for his pastor (of 20 years), J. Wright,
To take at white folks non-benevolent cracks.
And for those who now think Obama
Is the greatest thing to come down the pike
Since the invention of the internal combustion engine,
Here’s an analogy that they may not like:
From a note archived on February 4, 2005
In a scene from the movie, “Paleface”,
Bob Hope was kissing, fervently, Jane Russell—
For her, Bob was only a “husband of convenience”,
But on their wedding night he was simply hot to hustle.
Being annoyed at his untimely (for her) advances, she used a gun butt
And knocked him out (from behind), surcease from romance to seize;
When he awoke next morning, while still rubbing his head he thanked her “for a most lovely evening”;
She then shook her head wonderingly unbelievingly, and said: “You sure are easy to please!”
This seems to apply to Obama’s admirers
Who are always ready any opportunity to seize
To characterize his perceived attributes in superlatives--
They, too, “sure are easy to please”.
Of course, it can’t be gainsaid
That admirers of Hillary also similarly seize
Opportunities to sing the praises of her Clintonesque qualities
That only confused or bemused folks might please.
But, generally speaking, in politics (and elsewhere)
What is admired or what is abhorred
Seems to hinge less on the inherent nature of the object involved,
Than on whose particular ox is being gored.[2]
Still, were it not such a serious matter
We wouldn't ask Senator Obama to justify
Distancing himself from poor Imus (in the morning)
While embracing J. Wright as a spiritual ally.
Best wishes
Ken Wilson
27 Royal Oak Rd
Lawrenceville (soon perhaps to get its own ZIP code), NJ
(but still) 08648-3239
P.S. I hope you and yours suffered no ill effects
Due to the tornado that struck Atlanta, downtown;
And that things are back to normal on Peachtree St.--
A street of universal renown.
Perhaps you know whether there was any damage
In the vicinity of 3095 Towerview Dr., NE,
Where, between 1958 and 1965, inclusive,
Our primary residence happened to be.
kw
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[1] Jimmy C., even as candidate for the presidency, still member of a segregated church,
Was asked "Why?"; and with a dismissive quip and a scoff
Answered the reporter’s seemingly meaningful question thus:
What would you have me do? Stop the world and get off?
[2] Association! It’s being said that the current nomination impasse--
That all Democratic operatives deplore--
May be broken by the introduction
Of overtures for the nomination by Algore!
Thursday, April 22, 2010
From the archives: April 22, 2009
Wednesday has turned out to be a day
Marked, weather-wise, by coolness and drizzle,
And lack of any tennis activity--
Efforts to arrange some have been a fizzle.
For most of the day, thus far,
Ken has been engaged in “news” commentary
Concerned with making clear that the New York Times
Of telling it like it is, tends to be chary.
Preferring almost always to tell it
Like they wish it to be
Without regard to the facts
Or to their position’s legit- or illegitimacy.
The result for today….
To: Op-ed@nytimes.com
Eyes always on the prize
By Special K
Disassociated Press
April 22, 2009
Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 -- 10:15 PM ET
U.S. Adopted Harsh Interrogations Without Examining Their Past Use
An examination by The New York Times shows that an
extraordinary consensus in 2002 by cabinet members and
lawmakers embracing brutal interrogation methods was possible
largely because no one involved investigated the gruesome
origins of the techniques.(all emphasis added)
Read More (if the foregoing isn't enough!)
http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na
Act in haste, repent at leisure.
Look before you leap.
Stop, look and listen,
Before you cross the street
Use your eyes and use your ears
Before you use your feet.
Generally good advice, especially so for many of those same lawmakers
Who now strongly embrace "hasty legislation",
And, e.g., without any informed thought or debate
Pass trillion dollar bailouts quite unhealthy for the nation.
But when the country’s fate was on the line
Those favoring firm interrogation
Might be excused at not having conducted basic etiological research
As to the firm-interrogation techniques' origination.
For news gathering organizations such as, e.g., the N Y Times,
That seek still another Pulitzer prize
(Especially one for keeping score on water-boarding competition at Gitmo)***
Some show of impartiality (theoretically at least) would be wise.
However, articles such as the one referenced above
Suggest lack of impartiality
By intimating that organizers of that competition
In doing so acted hastily, peremptorily, and probably sadistically.
Some objective (dispassionate, uninvolved) but naïve observers
Will by Times’ reporting surely be led to believe
That merely agreeing to hold such a competition is something
Of which only uninformed, ignorant (possibly even sadistic) organizers could conceive.
However, objective and realistic observers (none of whom edits and/or reports for the Times)
Recognize that the legitimacy of water-boarding at Gitmo is akin to that of capital punishment:
Governmentally sanctioned for particularly heinous behavior--and, still contested as “brutal” by some--
But something that others (the majority) accept as meet and proper as well as legal, hence view with no outward show of discontent.
That lawmakers who today legislate boondoggles without thought (or research)
Had enough “instinctive” understanding of “imminent peril” back then
To collectively endorse un-researched, but appropriate preventive action
Should be a source of national satisfaction--
But, after all, in water-boarding competition, the Times roots for the dunkees to win;
And is giving aid and comfort to many of the same lawmakers--
Who are seeking political cover, now that the punishment has thwarted the crime,
And wish to distance themselves from their, then, wise behavior--
By saying they did something “wrong” because they weren’t properly briefed at the time.
Editor’s note.
The Disassociated Press seldom endorses reporters’ opinions,
But given the direction in which “news” is being spun in the nation, today,
Readers could do much worse than pay close and careful attention
To the sage observations and opinions proffered here by Special K.
___________
***
The Times Wins 5 Pulitzer Prizes
By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA
The five prizes for The New York Times were the second most in its history.
The Las Vegas Sun won the public service prize.
And next year it seems certain
That the N Y Times will add one Pulitzer more
For its series on waterboarding competition at Gitmo
And the two guys who chalked up“266” (dunkings) each, for a record indoor (tie) score.
Wednesday has turned out to be a day
Marked, weather-wise, by coolness and drizzle,
And lack of any tennis activity--
Efforts to arrange some have been a fizzle.
For most of the day, thus far,
Ken has been engaged in “news” commentary
Concerned with making clear that the New York Times
Of telling it like it is, tends to be chary.
Preferring almost always to tell it
Like they wish it to be
Without regard to the facts
Or to their position’s legit- or illegitimacy.
The result for today….
To: Op-ed@nytimes.com
Eyes always on the prize
By Special K
Disassociated Press
April 22, 2009
Breaking News Alert
The New York Times
Tuesday, April 21, 2009 -- 10:15 PM ET
U.S. Adopted Harsh Interrogations Without Examining Their Past Use
An examination by The New York Times shows that an
extraordinary consensus in 2002 by cabinet members and
lawmakers embracing brutal interrogation methods was possible
largely because no one involved investigated the gruesome
origins of the techniques.(all emphasis added)
Read More (if the foregoing isn't enough!)
http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na
Act in haste, repent at leisure.
Look before you leap.
Stop, look and listen,
Before you cross the street
Use your eyes and use your ears
Before you use your feet.
Generally good advice, especially so for many of those same lawmakers
Who now strongly embrace "hasty legislation",
And, e.g., without any informed thought or debate
Pass trillion dollar bailouts quite unhealthy for the nation.
But when the country’s fate was on the line
Those favoring firm interrogation
Might be excused at not having conducted basic etiological research
As to the firm-interrogation techniques' origination.
For news gathering organizations such as, e.g., the N Y Times,
That seek still another Pulitzer prize
(Especially one for keeping score on water-boarding competition at Gitmo)***
Some show of impartiality (theoretically at least) would be wise.
However, articles such as the one referenced above
Suggest lack of impartiality
By intimating that organizers of that competition
In doing so acted hastily, peremptorily, and probably sadistically.
Some objective (dispassionate, uninvolved) but naïve observers
Will by Times’ reporting surely be led to believe
That merely agreeing to hold such a competition is something
Of which only uninformed, ignorant (possibly even sadistic) organizers could conceive.
However, objective and realistic observers (none of whom edits and/or reports for the Times)
Recognize that the legitimacy of water-boarding at Gitmo is akin to that of capital punishment:
Governmentally sanctioned for particularly heinous behavior--and, still contested as “brutal” by some--
But something that others (the majority) accept as meet and proper as well as legal, hence view with no outward show of discontent.
That lawmakers who today legislate boondoggles without thought (or research)
Had enough “instinctive” understanding of “imminent peril” back then
To collectively endorse un-researched, but appropriate preventive action
Should be a source of national satisfaction--
But, after all, in water-boarding competition, the Times roots for the dunkees to win;
And is giving aid and comfort to many of the same lawmakers--
Who are seeking political cover, now that the punishment has thwarted the crime,
And wish to distance themselves from their, then, wise behavior--
By saying they did something “wrong” because they weren’t properly briefed at the time.
Editor’s note.
The Disassociated Press seldom endorses reporters’ opinions,
But given the direction in which “news” is being spun in the nation, today,
Readers could do much worse than pay close and careful attention
To the sage observations and opinions proffered here by Special K.
___________
***
The Times Wins 5 Pulitzer Prizes
By RICHARD PÉREZ-PEÑA
The five prizes for The New York Times were the second most in its history.
The Las Vegas Sun won the public service prize.
And next year it seems certain
That the N Y Times will add one Pulitzer more
For its series on waterboarding competition at Gitmo
And the two guys who chalked up“266” (dunkings) each, for a record indoor (tie) score.
Monday, April 5, 2010
A weekend-news sampler
By Special K
Disassociated Press
September 14, 2009
Nothing of great moment or pith
Occurred over the just completed weekend,
And this reporter accordingly has elected
Use of “pithiness” as an index of “newsworthiness” to suspend.
So readers are hereby informed
Not to expect anything smacking of either moment or pith
(And if any such thing should be perceived herein
This reporter should be notified forthwith).
New 'hockey stick' graph on climate change under fire
Written by Christopher Booker, Telegraph
Saturday, September 12 2009 13:11
A number of readers wrote in to express surprise at the recent letter from the US scientist
Dr Michael Mann claiming that his famous "hockey stick" graph, showing temperatures
having suddenly soared at the end of the 20th century to unprecedented levels, had been
endorsed by the US National Academy of Sciences. Neither of the two Congressional
inquiries involving the NAS did anything of the kind. Both found that the computer
model used to create Dr Mann's "hockey stick", completely rewriting climate history,
was fundamentally flawed.
"Hockey" is an old southern U.S. expression for "dung"
That may be apt, thusly used,
When referring to Professor Mann's "hockey stick"
That with a climate-change trend, instead, was confused.
And it would be helpful to all concerned
If the average global temperature of "yesterday"
Could be reported for easy comparison
With the average global temperature of "today".
Along with the corresponding distributions of local observations;
Also appropriate regional summaries of a similar nature
Designed to permit assessment of regional differences
By all concerned including those in each national legislature.
Until we are apprised of what "average world temperature" means,
What its “current” value is and what it was "yesterday",
And the degree of stability in the rank-ordering of corresponding "local" values, for example,
We won't be able properly to evaluate what folks like Prof. Mann say.
***
The Church Mouse Blog: Climate change campaigns
By The Church Mouse
Much talk over the past few days of the various climate change campaigns.
Christian Aid have been getting in the news with their 'Mass Visual
Trespass' and other activities encouraging Gordon Brown to go to
Copenhagen. ... Mouse has noted, however, that there is not yet a single unifying
campaign in the run up to Copenhagen. There are lots of things going on, but not
a single message which all the campaigning can unite behind. This is odd, since
the message is really quite simple - world leaders must agree on a plan to make
significant cuts in CO2 emissions (emphasis added).
1 comments:
Special K said...
Cutting CO2 emissions, per se, is a reasonable goal
To the extent that such emissions pollute--
Never mind as a means to stop "climate change",
A quixotic goal, not one for thinkers astute.
The globe may or may not be getting "warmer"--
Average global temperature (however it may be taken)
Is not now reported daily
To permit assessment of changes (if any) breathtaking.
Until someone brings clarity to its discussion,
“Climate change" will surely remain
A phenomenon which much has been made of
That no one has (as yet) managed to explain.
13 September 2009 18:39
***
Resilience and Arctic Climate Change at Resilience Science
By Garry Peterson
coping with ecological suprise in a human dominated world.
An important consideration for conservation and management in the Arctic, for example, is whether alteration of species composition of plant and animal communities due to climate change will lead to alternate ecosystem states or persistent instability (60) (Fig. 4B),
or whether system states can rebound from abiotic perturbations due to species resilience
(emphasis added).
One has to admit that the Arctic
Is a pretty well isolated ecosystem;
Changes can come and go willy nilly
Before most folks in the world will have missed 'em.
Someone like Al Gore can come along
And elicit belief in an ephemeral cause retrograde
Because it's made out to be "world-saving",
But of "reality" is largely a charade.
And will remain so until, mirabile dictu,
What "climate change" is--with clearly linked causes and manifestations--
Becomes widely known and clearly understood
Through normal processes of familiarization.
In the meantime, we can't expect anything approaching “consensus”
On sundry approaches designed to “stop ‘climate change’"--
A phrase that implies doing something about "something" undefined
Hence the very notion of getting agreement on how to do it would seem to be a bit strange.
But nothing that may be said or done in the future
Can surpass in sheer “unfathomability”
“(A)biotic perturbations due to species resilience”,
To understand which would require atypical (out of range) verbal facility.
13 September 2009
IntLawGrrls: Patent law & climate change
By noreply@blogger.com (Estelle Derclaye)
Many thanks to IntLawGrrls for this giving me this opportunity to appear as a guest blogger
especially on a topic that is close to my heart – finding solutions to global warming.
I am an intellectual property lawyer, and in the course of my research I wondered whether
intellectual property law can do something to alleviate the global warming problem.
. . . Very few would also now deny that humans are the cause of this greenhouse
effect and the correlated climate change....(emphasis added).
Perhaps no more would deny it
Than would express belief in its existence,
Going along with the media flow,
Taking the path of least resistance
But Ms. Derclaye may be on to something
In proposing that intellectual property law
Can help deal with the global warming problem,
Being, as it is, largely free of (perceptible) fault or flaw.
Given the chameleonesque quality of “climate change”
Almost every discipline potentially has a role
In slowing, stopping, or preventing “it” altogether--
Or ameliorating ill effects as “climate change” takes “its” inevitable toll.
There can be little doubt that it’s a widely used term
That passes trippingly on many a tongue
Variously eliciting expressions of either shock and dismay or utter disbelief
On the part of ordinary folk, be they aged, aging, mature, maturing or young.
But like Omar, as the story goes,
After hearing about “it” arguments galore
They’ll conclude “it” remains a great mystery
Whose meaning is no clearer than it was before..
***
Putting cattle on a diet to curb climate change
CNN International
A rare good news story when it comes to climate change. While there is no
magic bullet, and no one solution that will work for all animals, we are
getting ...(emphasis added).
Developing a diet for bovines
To curb climate change,
Though quite an eye-catching header,
Is conceptually exceedingly strange.
Far more reasonable, or so it would seem to be,
To develop filters or pads for what they ordinarily pass--
Both up front and behind--
That gives rise to methane, a recognized greenhouse gas.
By Special K
Disassociated Press
September 14, 2009
Nothing of great moment or pith
Occurred over the just completed weekend,
And this reporter accordingly has elected
Use of “pithiness” as an index of “newsworthiness” to suspend.
So readers are hereby informed
Not to expect anything smacking of either moment or pith
(And if any such thing should be perceived herein
This reporter should be notified forthwith).
New 'hockey stick' graph on climate change under fire
Written by Christopher Booker, Telegraph
Saturday, September 12 2009 13:11
A number of readers wrote in to express surprise at the recent letter from the US scientist
Dr Michael Mann claiming that his famous "hockey stick" graph, showing temperatures
having suddenly soared at the end of the 20th century to unprecedented levels, had been
endorsed by the US National Academy of Sciences. Neither of the two Congressional
inquiries involving the NAS did anything of the kind. Both found that the computer
model used to create Dr Mann's "hockey stick", completely rewriting climate history,
was fundamentally flawed.
"Hockey" is an old southern U.S. expression for "dung"
That may be apt, thusly used,
When referring to Professor Mann's "hockey stick"
That with a climate-change trend, instead, was confused.
And it would be helpful to all concerned
If the average global temperature of "yesterday"
Could be reported for easy comparison
With the average global temperature of "today".
Along with the corresponding distributions of local observations;
Also appropriate regional summaries of a similar nature
Designed to permit assessment of regional differences
By all concerned including those in each national legislature.
Until we are apprised of what "average world temperature" means,
What its “current” value is and what it was "yesterday",
And the degree of stability in the rank-ordering of corresponding "local" values, for example,
We won't be able properly to evaluate what folks like Prof. Mann say.
***
The Church Mouse Blog: Climate change campaigns
By The Church Mouse
Much talk over the past few days of the various climate change campaigns.
Christian Aid have been getting in the news with their 'Mass Visual
Trespass' and other activities encouraging Gordon Brown to go to
Copenhagen. ... Mouse has noted, however, that there is not yet a single unifying
campaign in the run up to Copenhagen. There are lots of things going on, but not
a single message which all the campaigning can unite behind. This is odd, since
the message is really quite simple - world leaders must agree on a plan to make
significant cuts in CO2 emissions (emphasis added).
1 comments:
Special K said...
Cutting CO2 emissions, per se, is a reasonable goal
To the extent that such emissions pollute--
Never mind as a means to stop "climate change",
A quixotic goal, not one for thinkers astute.
The globe may or may not be getting "warmer"--
Average global temperature (however it may be taken)
Is not now reported daily
To permit assessment of changes (if any) breathtaking.
Until someone brings clarity to its discussion,
“Climate change" will surely remain
A phenomenon which much has been made of
That no one has (as yet) managed to explain.
13 September 2009 18:39
***
Resilience and Arctic Climate Change at Resilience Science
By Garry Peterson
coping with ecological suprise in a human dominated world.
An important consideration for conservation and management in the Arctic, for example, is whether alteration of species composition of plant and animal communities due to climate change will lead to alternate ecosystem states or persistent instability (60) (Fig. 4B),
or whether system states can rebound from abiotic perturbations due to species resilience
(emphasis added).
One has to admit that the Arctic
Is a pretty well isolated ecosystem;
Changes can come and go willy nilly
Before most folks in the world will have missed 'em.
Someone like Al Gore can come along
And elicit belief in an ephemeral cause retrograde
Because it's made out to be "world-saving",
But of "reality" is largely a charade.
And will remain so until, mirabile dictu,
What "climate change" is--with clearly linked causes and manifestations--
Becomes widely known and clearly understood
Through normal processes of familiarization.
In the meantime, we can't expect anything approaching “consensus”
On sundry approaches designed to “stop ‘climate change’"--
A phrase that implies doing something about "something" undefined
Hence the very notion of getting agreement on how to do it would seem to be a bit strange.
But nothing that may be said or done in the future
Can surpass in sheer “unfathomability”
“(A)biotic perturbations due to species resilience”,
To understand which would require atypical (out of range) verbal facility.
13 September 2009
IntLawGrrls: Patent law & climate change
By noreply@blogger.com (Estelle Derclaye)
Many thanks to IntLawGrrls for this giving me this opportunity to appear as a guest blogger
especially on a topic that is close to my heart – finding solutions to global warming.
I am an intellectual property lawyer, and in the course of my research I wondered whether
intellectual property law can do something to alleviate the global warming problem.
. . . Very few would also now deny that humans are the cause of this greenhouse
effect and the correlated climate change....(emphasis added).
Perhaps no more would deny it
Than would express belief in its existence,
Going along with the media flow,
Taking the path of least resistance
But Ms. Derclaye may be on to something
In proposing that intellectual property law
Can help deal with the global warming problem,
Being, as it is, largely free of (perceptible) fault or flaw.
Given the chameleonesque quality of “climate change”
Almost every discipline potentially has a role
In slowing, stopping, or preventing “it” altogether--
Or ameliorating ill effects as “climate change” takes “its” inevitable toll.
There can be little doubt that it’s a widely used term
That passes trippingly on many a tongue
Variously eliciting expressions of either shock and dismay or utter disbelief
On the part of ordinary folk, be they aged, aging, mature, maturing or young.
But like Omar, as the story goes,
After hearing about “it” arguments galore
They’ll conclude “it” remains a great mystery
Whose meaning is no clearer than it was before..
***
Putting cattle on a diet to curb climate change
CNN International
A rare good news story when it comes to climate change. While there is no
magic bullet, and no one solution that will work for all animals, we are
getting ...(emphasis added).
Developing a diet for bovines
To curb climate change,
Though quite an eye-catching header,
Is conceptually exceedingly strange.
Far more reasonable, or so it would seem to be,
To develop filters or pads for what they ordinarily pass--
Both up front and behind--
That gives rise to methane, a recognized greenhouse gas.
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