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December 07, 2009 04:45 PM UTC

Monday Open Thread

  • 75 Comments
  • by: Colorado Pols

“What concerns me is not the way things are, but rather the way people think things are.”

–Epictetus

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75 thoughts on “Monday Open Thread”

    1. Why it’s clearly labeled measured temperatures and indirect measuremeants and color-coded them separately! Clearly they’re trying to trick you. Tricksy climatologists! They’re trying to takes it from us!

    2. The world’s policymakers had heard enough about global warming science (from scientists — real deniers hadn’t been invented yet) to decide that we need to act on the risk.  You know what has changed in the science since 1992 Lib?  It has only gotten stronger, the signs have gotten more obvious, the billions we have poured into global change research have only increased our understanding of how big the risk is.

      You know who is still questioning the basic science?  Nobody.  Not even the guys at climateaudit.

      Why can’t you just admit that this isn’t a science question for you, it’s a policy preferences question?  Your preferred policy outcome is no change.  That’s fine, that’s a valid choice.  But questioning the science because and only because you question a policy outcome that some people want to take based on the science is absurdly shortsighted.  

      This isn’t a question on science anymore, it’s a question of risk management.  If you don’t want to do anything about the risk because you don’t think it’s big enough, fine.  But to pin it on the science?  Moronic.

      1. A relatively nominal increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) over the past half century has boosted Aspen tree growth rates in the Midwest by a remarkable 50 percent, according to a new study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Minnesota at Morris.

        The new study is the first to show that aspen in their native forest environments are already growing at accelerated rates due to rising ambient levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, according to EurekAlert.

        Also, while the researchers found that aspen grow much faster in response to elevated carbon dioxide, similar effects have not been observed in other trees species, notably oak and pine, which is interesting.

        http://www.accuweather.com

        2. the benefits to aspens outweigh the detriments to tropical glaciers, ocean circulation, ocean acidification, surface water peak flows, permafrost melting effects on infrastructure, species diversity on biome edges, etc. etc. etc. etc.?  

            1. and you won’t get cancer until 20 years later, so it’s totally safe.

              (here come all the comments about how DDT bans lead to malaria in 3rd world countries…..)

      1. Sulfates, which come primarily from the burning of coal and oil, scatter incoming solar radiation and have a net cooling effect on climate. Over the past three decades, the United States and European countries have passed a series of laws that have reduced sulfate emissions by 50 percent. While improving air quality and aiding public health, the result has been less atmospheric cooling from sulfates.

            2. Fifty-nine percent (59%) of Americans say it’s at least somewhat likely that some scientists have falsified research data to support their own theories and beliefs about global warming. Thirty-five percent (35%) say it’s Very Likely. Just 26% say it’s not very or not at all likely that some scientists falsified data.

              This skepticism does not appear to be the result of the recent disclosure of e-mails confirming such data falsification as part of the so-called “Climategate” scandal. Just 20% of Americans say they’ve followed news reports about those e-mails Very Closely, while another 29% have followed them Somewhat Closely.

              Rassmussen

              1. How would have “The Heavens: Geo-centric v Helio-centric” polled in the Middle Ages?

                So what is your point?

                (I know, with Libby that really is a rhetorical question).  

              2. Shocker.

                And of course some scientists have falsified data. I’d answer yes to that question, since there are scientists working for Exxon-Mobil whose jobs it is to deny global warming.

  2. Udall, Bennet and other freshmen Senators preparing a raft of health care amendments. Udall’s and Bennet’s quotes are right on though neither really seem to realize that what we really must have is Medire for all. Many sourcs of funding available. Take the payroll tax for FICA and Medicare all the way to the top for instance.

    1. I’m just waiting for the healthcare thievery to focus in on allowing any non-profit to offer healthcare insurance (aka health financing).

      This will be the tell tale handout to the union bosses.

      1. 1:  The Rural Electric Associations [not-for-profit] that sprung up when the Edison’s of the world wouldn’t provide service to a community they deemed “unprofitable”?  2:  Cooperative telephone services [not for profit] that serve the vast geography of rural America because MaBell couldn’t see a profit potential?  3: Farm Coops [not for profit] that fill the void in rural America where Exxon sees no profit potential?  4:  Our local ACE Hardware [another nasty cooperative] that serves the rural needs because Home Depot sees no revenue opportunity?  

        Please tell me why not-for-profits filling a market void is a bad thing for health care?

        1. the thousands of nonprofits around the country that work everyday to help the less than fortunate.

          There are thousands because government shouldn’t and can’t solve every problem and nonprofits are able to address small little things like:

          – support groups for parents who lost children to brain cancer

          – fundraising for services the government can’t afford or won’t provide

          – religious organizations that help their members overcome silly things like drug addiction or marital troubles.

          Damn nonprofits, always sticking their noses in where they don’t belong…

          1. He’s a product of the home school network –  even they use non-profits as a provider of books, content, etc. I guess it’s all a matter of perspective…and spin.

          2. Help us acquire a fleet of new helicopters for our men in Afghanistan. Come buy a delicious banana-creme pie from the Fort Carson Bake Sale for December; 1900 hrs, Quartermaster’s HQ. We’ll also have delicious Christmas cookies. All proceeds to Volunteers Munitions Supply Fund.

            Another wonderful volunteer fundraising effort to find money available for needed services that government can’t afford.

            Don’t forget to pray for success.

            1. We could sell advertising on the side of Blackhawk & Apache helicopters, and maybe on the side of Stryker, Bradley and LVTP-7 Armored Personnel Carriers.

              “This deliberate assault brought to you by Viagra!”

              1. But I recommend there be very clear specs so the ads don’t clash with or detract from the cool camouflage designs on the various pieces of equipment. Wouldn’t want our fundraising efforts to put our brave men and women in any more danger than they are already in. Safety first!

            2. “Blackwater, Inc.: the New U.S. Military Force.” Paid for by granting advertising rights to the videos of their actions distributed by Simpleton News at Six.

              Hell, why even bother with the subcontracting? Just stand out of the way!

              Let government take care of that silly humanitarian shit; CAPITALISM can take care of the wars!  

  3. Just by a hair, and due mainly to the overwhelming support from the Romanian diaspora. Exit polls had suggested incumbent President Basescu was losing yesterday.

    In other news, the number of boys taking up boxing lessons in Romania has skyrocketed.

    2. and all the choices for President were so bad ( all the same cronies or allies of these cronies since ’89, again) that Basescu squeaked by.  It dosen’t matter who it is if they are from the same old club – they just siphon off the graft and sit around without doing anything.

      The worldwide recession has crippled Romania and they show no signs of rebound whatsoever.    

      Teachers, police, government workers, etc. are either receiving pay cuts or in the teacher’s case no pay at all.  Meanwhile the cost of power, heat and food continue to skyrocket due to bottlenecks in supply and corruption.

      Romania is a worldwide case study in bad governace.  Its’ pretty damn miserable there.  Basescu slapping that poor child is just par for the course.

        1. My impression is that the Ceaucescu’s are still very unpopular. In fact a lot of the pro-Basescu vote yesterday was actually an anti-Geoana vote. And the main reason people were anti-Geoana is because they were anti-Iliescu, and the main reason they were anti-Iliescu is because they were anti-Ceaucescu. A lot of Romanians (rightly or wrongly) think the country is in danger of going back to Communism, and they’ll vote for pretty much anyone to prevent that.

          There’s nothing to disagree with in Fidel’s post though. Romania had a great educational system (it’s amazing how many brilliant mathematicians of the last few years came from there), but everything seems thoroughly corrupt all the time, and I’d hate to be there as a foreigner without a native to help me through it. It’s actually kind of sad: before the revolution, everyone cheated the government; now, everyone cheats everyone else. Wish I knew a solution.

          1. I just know through doing business there, and through my wife, who managed to get out years ago.  

            I have driven all over the country, alone at times, and have had some pretty damn interesting experiences.  I have seen cops beat people until they crumble to the ground, and everybody just stands around, unless they would like a beating as well.

            I have a lot friends from the Romanian diaspora and they all have excellent educations as well – the best and brightest usually leave.  Classic case of brain drain.

            Not a lot of hope there IMHO.

  4. There was some chatter a couple of weeks ago about the next Pols meet-up….. where and when?  It’s got to be soon for me, my wife is about to pop v.3 out any day now.


  6. Any US dollar government deficit exactly EQUALS the total net increase in the holdings US dollar financial assets of the rest of us – businesses and households, residents and non residents – what’s called the ‘non government’ sector. In other words, government deficits = increased ‘monetary savings’ for the rest of us. It doesn’t matter if the financial assets are owned by American citizens or by Chinese manufacturers. The government spends money by electronically crediting bank accounts and those funds show up in the bank accounts held by the rest of us – the non-government sector.

    This is accounting fact, not theory or philosophy. There is no dispute. It is basic national income accounting.

    I think I did it! Such a putz I am. This blockquoting business was so easy. The quote, BTW, is from on of my favorite economics websites

    http://theautomaticearth.blogs…

  7. I’m still poking and prodding over my support for the escalation of troop in AFPAK, but I found this article very insightful into the process.

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12…

    I had guessed that 44’s trip to Dover was completely spontaneous, and what he experienced that night weighed heavily on his decision.

    This article, coupled with what little I’ve  managed to piece together, makes me start to lean on supporting the Afghan Surge.

    But I’m not at 100% yet…

  8. DENVER – University of Colorado economists expect the state to add jobs in the second half of next year, but they still predict the state will lose 3,200 jobs overall in 2010.

    Nevertheless, CU economist Richard Wobbekind says it’s a sign the Colorado economy will settle down next year after losing about 100,000 jobs in 2009.

    “We still have some serious kinks to work through, but we see 2010 as a stabilizing year that will put the state economy in a position for more sustained growth in 2011 and 2012,” Wobbekind said in a written statement.

    In a forecast released Monday, CU-Boulder’s Leeds School of Business economists predicted the state unemployment rate would rise from 7.3 percent at the end of 2009 to 8.1 percent for 2010. That’s about even with what the governor’s budgeting office said in September, when it predicted an 8 percent unemployment rate for next year.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/…

  10. http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpo…

    Rasmussen: Tea Party outpolls Republicans

    The notion that the Tea Party movement is a vocal minority in the Republican Party may have been put to rest today. A new three-way generic ballot from Rasmussen Reports finds that a Tea Party candidate would fare better than a Republican candidate, 23% to 18%, with the Democratic candidate coming out on top at 36%. [Emphasis Twitty] The poll also found 22% remained undecided.

    There is even better news for a Tea Party candidate when it comes to independents. They chose the Tea Party candidate (33%) over both the Democratic (25%) and Republican (12%) candidates. Nearly a third of independents were undecided at 30%.

    The last generic congressional ballot poll from Rasmussen Reports on December 1 found Republicans edging in front of Democrats 44% to 37%.

    For now, the leaders of the Tea Party Patriots want to remain a movement, not a third party. That’s what Jenny Beth Martin, a national coordinator for the Tea Party Patriots, told us last week.

     

          1. But they oversample republicans.  In head-to-head polling, there’s a bias you can correct.  But for generics or anything other than head-to-head election polling, they’re consistently an outlier.

      1. The fact that a plurality of unaffiliated voters support the non-existent tea party is great? I mean, hoping for a 3rd party candidate to divide the opposition is one thing, but to have a large segment of the population — particularly the voters that are most heavily courted in contested elections — actually buying what the tea baggers are selling? (Hint, it’s not sex)

        That’s terrifying to me.

  11. The #2 item on reddit/programming today (my post) was a giant discussion about… An interview question. With all the typical comments “everyone who’s not an idiot knows…” and all kinds of statements (most wrong) about what the correct answer is.

    Over 11,000 page views so far today and counting. And this was a post that I thought maybe 10 or 20 people would find interesting.

    1. C++ was still new, and I was trying to write a program to describe some multi-dimensional array. The problem was that I wanted the array size to be user-specified. And I couldn’t figure out how to do this in C++. I was told to use malloc. I did, but I ended up mixing C++ and C code. To this day, I’ve wondered if that was the right decision.

  12. Man misses Palin nails Cop

    A man was arrested for allegedly throwing two tomatoes at Sarah Palin from the second floor balcony during a book signing event at the Mall of America in Minnesota, MyFoxTwinCities.com. reported.

    Neither tomato came close hitting the former 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee, but did hit a police officer in the face, the station reported.

    The unidentified man may face charges for assaulting a police officer, according to the station.

    Die-hard supporters treated the event like another Black Friday, lining up outside in freezing weather before the mall doors opened at 5 a.m.

    Meanwhile, in Grand Junction, people began lining up at 2 a.m. for the …opening of a Hooters.  My guess is its the wings.

    Anticipated Hooters opening is today

    Blake Ayo, left, and Justin Brown huddle inside their tent while waiting for the opening of Hooters in Grand Junction this morning. The two Grand Junction residents were first in line and arrived at 2 a.m. overnight.

      1. I’ll consider front paging it.  I mean lining up at 2 a.m. for Hooters?  

        I know things get a little slow on the West Slope from time to time, but I always heard the food was average (at best).  What else could it be?  Are the good Republicans in the Happy Valley that repressed?

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