Monday, July 20, 2009

Geography Major - Not so useless after all


FILE - In this July 1969 file photo, most of Africa and portions of Europe and Asia can be seen in this photograph taken from the Apollo 11 spacecraft during its translunar coast toward the moon, during the month of July, 1969. Apollo 11 was already about 98,000 nautical miles from earth when this picture was made.

(AP-Photo/NASA, file)

I found this photo with this caption on Yahoo! News. Notice anything wrong with this picture (or with this caption, to be literal)? It's not Africa, it's South America. It's not Europe, it's North America. It's not Asia, it's Africa. My only question is: Are they currently hiring geniuses at the Associated Press, at NASA, or at Yahoo? (in unison) Or all three?

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The Most Insidious

I'm not exactly sure how long it's been around, but as long as it has, I've been totally opposed to it. I'm talking about the most insidious suggestion that, first of all, significant climate change is occurring, and more importantly, that mankind is causing it and can reverse it. Did I miss something? How, after six thousand years of human life on this planet, did the idea shift from the acceptance of mankind's nothingness when compared to "Mother Nature" to the notion that "Mother Nature" is beholden to the actions of men. What arrogance, what pride, what stupidity! If there is any climate change occurring, it is far from being measurable and even farther from being significant. Micro-cyclical weather patterns should not be used as evidence of destructive global climate change.

This is the most insidious new notion because of what it has given rise to: An incessant call to conserve energy that is forcing unnecessary sacrifices and disrupting the joys of life. Conserve energy? That's impossible! The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can be transformed but that it can neither be created nor destroyed. How do you conserve something that can neither be created nor destroyed, and what does energy have to do with climate change? The purveyors of this theory would have you believe that using energy releases "greenhouse gases" that trap heat in our atmosphere. One volcanic eruption emits more "greenhouse gases" than anything man can do. I think the earth can handle us. Why should we have to limit our air conditioning? Why should we have to limit our modes of transportation? Why should we have to limit anything that uses "purchased" energy such as electricity or fuel? We shouldn't. The only limiting factor in these matters should be one's ability to pay for it.

I love this planet. I love to keep it clean and beautiful. I don't litter, and I don't smoke. I suggest that the focus be shifted from the illusionary to the corporeal. Why don't we persuade people to stop littering and stop smoking? Why? Because there is no money to be made in that. Meanwhile, I am being forced to "conserve" energy. I went to Wal-mart the other day looking for a 100 watt light bulb. I could only find the new "energy saver" 90 watt bulb. I think my head might explode. By the way, what's the carbon footprint of a head exploding?

The Beginning

Alright, here I go. This blog is aptly titled, as in it I will be tearing down the establishment and shamelessly declaring the ignorance and/or stupidity of the world. Let the reader beware: At some point (or perhaps always), you WILL either disagree with my opinions or totally resent them. Welcome to my world.