Get Out the Fur coats, Global Cooling is Coming!

Hubbard Glacier, the largest calving glacier on the North American Continent (25 percent larger than Rhode Island), advanced across the entrance to 35-mile-long Russell Fiord during June 2002, temporarily turning it into a lake. Hubbard Glacier has been advancing for more than 100 years and has twice closed the entrance to Russell Fiord during the last 16 years by squeezing and pushing submarine glacial sediments across the mouth of the fiord. Water flowing into the cutoff fiord from mountain streams and glacier melt causes the level of Russell Lake to rise.

The glacier is located in Alaska and is 25% larger than Rhode Island. It is defying the global paradigm of valley or mountain glacier shrinkage and retreat in response to global climate warming. Hubbard Glacier is the largest of eight calving glaciers in Alaska that are currently increasing in total mass and advancing. All of these glaciers calve into the sea, are at the heads of long fiords, and have undergone retreats during the last 1,000 years. The large calving glaciers that are currently advancing have not been in sync with climate-driven glacier changes (for example glaciers on Mt. Kilimanjaro) for a very long time. The glaciers that are currently growing and advancing in the face of global warming were retreating throughout the Little Ice Age (AD1350 or 1450 to AD1900) when most glaciers were growing.

The idea that man is so all-powerful that we can modify the natural course of fluctuations in the Earth's geo-mechanisms is not science; it could even be considered a form of religion. The idea that earth should remain as it was in some past paradise, and that we mortals can somehow keep it as such, is just not reasonable.

Why was there a little ice age in AD1350 or 1450 to AD1900? Were people causing the global cooling the a few decades back the ‘environmentalists’ were warning us about? There are natural climatic fluctuations that cause warmer temperatures. A certain percentage of recent global warming is due to long-term natural fluctuations, including effects of the sun. Volcanoes can also cause short-term cooling, but a lack of volcanism can result in warmer temperatures. From about 1400 to 1880, the Little Ice Age occurred when practically all the glaciers in the world advanced, whereas now they are receding. At times people could ice skate on the Thames River in London, whereas that is unthinkable today. The Little Ice Age was likely caused by the combination of slightly less energy from the sun and more volcanism, both of which allow the surface of the earth to cool.

The mechanisms driving natural climate variations are too poorly understood to be included accurately in computer climate models. Hence, the models risk overstating human influences.

Further evidence that natural fluctuations are significant is that during the early and mid-1970s, a cooling trend increased the amount of sea ice. This happened at a time when the buildup of carbon dioxide should have caused global warming. Has the next ice age already begun?

Get out the fur coats, global cooling is coming!

A "Sleeping Giant"

December 7, 1941 began as a serene morning at the U.S. Naval base on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. The warships of America's Pacific Fleet rested at anchor. Many sailors were preparing for church or relaxing, and all was quiet at Pearl Harbor.

At about 7:35 AM a buzz from the sky broke the calm as a dive-bomber bearing the red symbol of the Rising Sun of Japan dropped out of the clouds. Seconds later a swarm of Japanese warplanes followed. Sirens wailed as explosions sounded across the harbor and black smoke poured into the sky. Despite the heroism of men fighting for their ships, their fellow sailors, and their lives 2,400 died, 1,200 were wounded and 18 ships of the U.S. Navy and 300 planes were destroyed or damaged.

A remark attributed to Japanese admiral Yamamoto, who planned the attack, was, "I fear we have awakened a sleeping giant and instilled in him a terrible resolve."

On this day let us reflect on our American "resolve" to protect and defend the freedoms that so many in our military have fought and died for. Thank you all for your service.

An Open Letter to Chris Matthews of Entertainment Show Called Hardball

This letter was sent to Mr. Matthews:

How could you possibly feel that the young men and women of West Point, an institution that has graduated some of the bravest men and women in the history of our country, is an "enemy camp" to the President of the United States or to any citizen of this country?

Shame on you. My husband and I have a son in the Marines and he is training and fighting to protect you and others in this country. Who are you going to call on to save you if enemies gather at the gates?

You owe the military an apology. People that serve and protect do so for very little pay or recognition.

We won't be watching NBC shows any more, and a copy of this note is going to the new owners of NBC, whoever they may be. Perhaps they will keep stupid people like you from making stupid comments - oh, just a minute, the military has fought for your right to say what you want in countless wars around the world.

Proud Military Parents Susan and Robert Fedelchak

They Did What?

The mis-steps are coming fast and furiously from the White House and the Democrats in Congress. I am going to try to keep track of them all:

It seems that George Bush "The Hated by the Dems" had Bin Laden captured in December of 2001 and chose to let him go, according to the Dems on the senate foreign relations committee. Where does the Senate get their information for this report? Perhaps e-mails from the climate change 'experts.'

Every time the Dems create junk news like this the majority of people know its junk because we are not stupid folks, and their poll numbers drop. Keep up the good work and the centrists and conservatives will not even have to campaign to win the next election.

And a final thought, those on the FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE - perhaps you should be more concerned with looking ahead and not trying to find something on the Bush administration. How about those French selling big boats to the Russians? Pirates? Afghanistan and Iraq? Oh, and let us not forget about Dubai...

Liberty!

Every day in the Wall Street Journal and other publications I am reading about President Obama's losing the hearts and minds of the American people who supported him. The articles use big words to describe Obama such as obsequious and comments about the maturity level of Mr. Obama as well as his support staff when confronted with major crisis such as the economy and Afghanistan and minor issues such as negativity from Fox News. And how does he deal with the Legislature in this country? Obama's phrase "We won and we can do what we want," is still ringing in the ears of those Independents that voted for him as they see mistakes one after another being made by a White House that is either on purpose or accidently trying to weaken the freedoms and rights of individual citizens in this country in the name of bigger government. Personally I think it is on purpose but not to worry, I don't think the current administration has the collective brains to do it. They underestimated the people of this country.

There have even been questions about whether the White House is attempting to turn this country far left and socialist on purpose. Of course they are. They gave a huge share in failing car companies to union members, they want 'universal' health care, giving the government huge amounts of power over our lives, they even have children in schools reporting to their teachers (strong union supporters of Obama) if their parents are overweight. And this little gem - teachers in an Illinois Junior High School are asking students to sign a confidentiality agreement that they won't tell their parents about a homosexualtiy lecture series that they are required to attend. I ain't making this up folks.

So here we had the federal government, who work for us supposedly, attempting to push the population towards socialism. But then something started happening, something that the socialists in the White House didn't expect: The country started pushing back. The ever-quiet Republicans found their collective voice and even Olympia Snow began voting Republican. Democrats that were centrist found their voices as it looked like they would be having a tough time with their re-election bids, especially after the major elections in New Jersey and Virginia gave political power to Republicans. People started throwing tea bags into Boston Harbor's arround the country, and the silent majority were beginning to roar.

Every day the administration does new stupid things, things that make even the ardent Obama supporters shake their heads - well maybe not the most ardent. The economy and Afghanistan and Iraq top the list of priorities of the people, but the lack of decisive leadership in any of these areas is hurting the administration, as well it should. Mr. President, tax and spend has never worked, and taking your time to make the right decision about war just makes you look weak in the eyes of our enemies, the people in this country and in the world.

And what about all this bowing and scraping, Mr. President?

On being introduced to the Queen of England in the 1800's a line of people were bowing respectfully and an American reached out and shook the Queen's gloved hand. Gasps of horror were heard around the room and the American said, "Your Majesty, my country fought two wars against yours so that I would have the liberty to shake your hand, and with all respect I do so." Obama has travelled the world bowing and scraping, ignoring friends and making friendships with, in some cases, some really bad guys. He has ignored all of the wars fought by this country in the name of liberty. Every time he bows to kiss a ring a few more of his supporters cringe and move beck toward the center politically. Thank you, Mr. President, for reminding the people of this country that our fathers and their fathers fought so that our leaders would stand strong with their friends and against their enemies.

Keynes v. Hayek: Will Obama Leave a Legacy of Stagflation?

At some point in time President Obama is going to have a conference on jobs (or lack thereof) in this country. His supporters point to the importance of John Maynard Keynes to Obama’s job creation plans. I happen to believe in the Austrian School of economic theory, the theories espoused by Friedrich Hayek and his friends.

Just who is Keynes and why does his name pop up when the government wants to have a theory that points to how important big government is in our lives? And what don’t these folks understand about Keynesian economics? Let’s have a look.

Keynesian economics advocates a mixed economy - predominantly private sector, but with a large role of government and the public sector. It served as the economic model during the latter part of the Great Depression, World War II, and the post-war Golden Age of capitalism, 1945–1973, but lost a great deal of its luster, and some thought led to the stagflation of the 1970s. As a middle way between laissez-faire capitalism and socialism, it has been and continues to be attacked from both the right and the left. Keynesian economics has provided the basis for the plans of PresidentObama, Prime Minister Brown and other global leaders to rescue the world economy.

So what is wrong with Keynesian economics? Probably nothing if it is followed to the letter. The key to the theory is to curb government spending. CURB GOVERNMENT SPENDING! It is also important to prevent government from becoming too large a force in the lives of those in the private sector. BIG GOVERNMENT IS BAD!

I happen to believe in the Austrian School of economic theory, the theories of Friedrich Hakek and others. Austrian economist Friedrich Hayek criticized Keynesian economic policies for what he called their fundamentally collectivist approach, arguing that such theories require centralized planning, which leads to totalitarian abuses. Hayek also argued that Keynes' study of the aggregate relations* in an economy is misleading, as recessions are caused by micro-economic factors. Hayek claimed that what starts as temporary governmental fixes usually become permanent and expanding government programs, which stifle the private sector and civil society.

* Agregate Relations – The relationship between supply and demand in the marketplace, looking at what comprises what is considered ‘supply’ and what is considered ‘demand.’ For example, the supply consists of the price level and real production, and demand would include consumption expenditures by the household sector, investment sector, government purchases by the government sector and net exports by the foreign sector. In other words prople buy stuff and make stuff and sell it, and when governments get involved it mucks up the works.

To Promote the General Welfare?

In a recent interview the Democrat Senator from Hawaii was asked:

“Is there any specific area of the Constitution that would give Congress the authority to be able to mandate individuals to have to purchase health insurance?”

Akaka: “Not in particular with health insurance. It’s not covered in that respect. But in ways to help citizens in our country to live a good life, let me say it that way, is what we’re trying to do, and in this case, we’re trying to help them with their health.”

Huh? Just what doesn’t the Senator know about limitations on power, especially for the federal government. If a health ‘care’ bill is passed will it stand up to Supreme Court scrutiny? I don’t think so.

Just what powers are given to Congress in the Constitution? The powers to legislate come from four sources: Enumerated and implied powers, amendment enforcing powers, inherent powers and treaty powers. Congress is not authorized to act just because their intentions are good.

Some might point to the Constitution and the government’s job to “promote the general welfare,” and pursue other vital objectives, but those lines are included in the Preamble to the Constitution and are considered to “walk before” the law of our land, the Constitution. Undefined legislative authority is explained in the Constitution, though, but it gives those rights to the States not the Federal Government.