Global...Cooling?

It's been interesting to see that the major news media and staunch global warming advocates (zealots) have recently been using the term "climate change" vs. the more 'controversial' "Global Warming." I wondered why, and now I think I know.

Surely you've heard about the incredible snows that all the ski locations have been enjoying this winter. Many are experiencing record snows, in some cases the best ever on record. That, obviously, doesn't sound like a warming issue...

Well, then there's this (quoted from a Brit Hume column on FoxNews.com):

Now there is word that all four major global temperature tracking outlets have released data showing that temperatures have dropped significantly over the last year. California meteorologist Anthony Watts says the amount of cooling ranges from 65-hundredths of a degree Centigrade to 75-hundreds of a degree.
That is said to be a value large enough to erase nearly all the global warming recorded over the past 100 years. It is reportedly the single fastest temperature change ever recorded — up or down.
Some scientists contend the cooling is the result of reduced solar activity — which they say is a larger driver of climate change than man-made greenhouse gases.

This news, for some reason, isn't being widely reported... well, I think I know the reason. I don't know how they'll keep this quiet until November -- any repudiation of the dogma of the Global Warming religion will likely not bode well for a Democrat running for President. Both Clinton and Obama have both jumped on the Global Warmi...err, "climate change" bandwagon and are calling for draconian measures to mitigate what they claim is man-caused change.

I'm sure that once a Democrat is safely ensconced in office (I shudder just typing that), it will be a "happy revelation" that perhaps "we were a bit too aggressive" in the call for massive oppression of industry to pay reparations to Gaia.

Climate change is cyclical. Always has been, always will be. I think it's a good idea to curb emissions, look for viable alternatives to "fossil fuels", conserve our resources, etc. But listening to the likes of Al Gore and shackling American business while the rest of the world pollutes away, well, I call that foolishness.

Random Political Thoughts

If we're at nearly full employment, and we "must" have illegals here to "do the jobs Americans will not do", why is Barack Obama talking about creating programs to create up to 7 million more jobs? Who's gonna do them?

In 2000, Hillary Clinton decried our electoral college method of electing a president, saying that the winner of the popular vote should be the president. Now, she's carefully calculating how to win more delegates (and "Super Delegates" - what an evil moronic concept!) even if Barack Obama wins more actual primary/caucus votes. Ah, Clintonian hypocrisy. I'd almost forgotten how underhanded these people are.

Congress continues to hold hearings about steroid use in baseball. We're about to reach 4,000 dead in the War on Terror. Priorities, anyone?

Hillary is being held up as some sort of feminist role model, claiming she's been working for 35 years to empower and fight for women... except, of course, for the ones who had "liaisons" with her husband. Ah, Clintonian hyp... wait, I am repeating myself.

I don't look forward to casting a vote this upcoming election. The choice truly will be the lesser of two evils. How McCain went from an also-ran to front-runner on the Republican side baffles (and worries) me. And either of the two Democratic possibilities scares me to death. Marxist-Stalinists both, they'll be doing everything they can to rush us towards Socialism, which has failed 100% anywhere it's been tried.

I think the real, deep-down, reason so many people hate George W. Bush is his inability to orate. Conversely, Obama's speech-giving prowess is the reason so many have been mesmerized into thinking he's something special.

Barack Obama claims that he is "no longer a Muslim". Islam dictates that apostasy be dealt with by death. So, do we want a president who will be under a Fatwah? It will be the "duty" of some "good Muslim" to assassinate him. And from what I've seen, the Islamists take that sort of thing seriously. They've cut heads off for less.

Grammys: Almost Great!

I haven't enjoyed the Grammys for a long, long time. However, tonight's show (which I didn't even realize was on - accidentally turned it on) was a standout in many ways.
The performances were a little more understated with a focus on the actual talent and not pure bombast.
Even though I'm no fan of Kanye West, I appreciated his heartfelt song to his mom.
My favorite moment was when Vince Gill got his award for best country record (I think), it was handed to him by presenter Ringo Starr. Vince said "I just got handed a Grammy by a Beatle... Kayne, has that happened to you yet?" Classic. One might recall that Vince Gill was part of a Beatles tribute several years back on a Grammy show, which made the whole moment a little sweeter.
I thought that Alicia Keyes performing "No One" started out great, then her voice took a little turn for the worse... but then it was all redeemed when John Mayer came out to lay down a tasty guitar solo for the end. Alicia has always had good live performances on these shows, flamenco dancing, doing wildly different arrangements of her hits, etc. A true talent.
Whoever had the idea of the "Passing of the torch" performance with Tina Turner and Beyonce is a genius. Beyonce really does personify the drive, energy, and talent of Tina for a new generation. I'm awfully proud of our Houston girl! She's got a lifetime of potential left, and I'll be watching and listening. Go girl!
Two things shocked me (in a good way!) this year: They actually had a long performance of "Rhapsody in Blue" by George Gershwin done by Herbie Hancock and a Chinese pianist who's name escapes me at the moment (sorry!). That piece, even though the airline commercials nearly ruined it for me, holds a special place in my heart. My mom has always been a huge opera/classical music fan, particularly of Beverly Sills. My dad rarely talks about music, what he does or does not like, I don't know him to have ever purchased a record or CD... but he has always told us that "Rhapsody in Blue" is his favorite piece of music. So, it can't help but be special to all of his kids.
The second shocker was an extended and respectful Gospel Medley! Even Chris "Ludacris" Bridges was respectful in his intro. Good to see Israel Houghton up there, representing Houston (via Lakewood Church). Aretha Franklin, I don't know how old she is, still has more range than a piano. Unbelievable! Still making it look easy!
The Foo Fighters doing "The Pretender" outside with a full orchestra (arranged/conducted by John Paul Jones!) were just incredible. That is SUCH a good band. They need to be the Superbowl halftime act next year.
As I'm typing this, Will-I-Am is doing a crazy rap/song with backing tracks like "Theme from A Summer Place", "Strangers In the Night", "Beat It", and "It's a Beautiful Day" -- That's creative, gotta hand it to him.
Amy Winehouse, the poster child for life imitating art, won for Record of the Year with "Rehab" (I told people that when it came out! Still got the touch! Ha). She seemed totally and completely stunned by the win, and that's always nice to see.
OH wow. Herbie Hancock just won Album of the Year for "River: The Joni Letters" -- do I detect some integrity in the academy?
My only complaint, and I don't know who's responsible, is that the audio SUCKED. Not the mix, but there was a continual wowing, sounding like a bad cassette that had spent too many days on the dashboard of someone's Nissan Sentra. NO excuse for fouling up the sound on THE GRAMMYS!!! UGH.
Other than that, I gotta give 'em high marks for a pretty well-done show. I hope the Oscars follow suit and don't do anything stupid. Maybe the writer's strike (possibly OVER) will force them to keep it short & sweet without too many badly-delivered jokes. We'll see...
Ack! One more small gripe -- they cut the show and jammed the credits into a small frame during other promos... at very high speed. I HATE that. A show like that takes dozens, if not hundreds, of people to pull off. I've got friends in the industry and if they are involved I know I want to see them credited! So I have to assume others would like to see themselves or their friends/family members as well... eh? Is that too much to ask?