The Letting Off Steam Thread

[benji]

I wasn't quoting Hansen as support of any alternative theory for "climate change" or anything I was stating in the first part of that post. Instead, I was quoting him as an example of someone declaring the "debate over" and who is refusing to listen to anyone who finds errors in his work.

He's testified before Congress, the media paints him as a "leading expert" on such things. When the Y2K error was found in the NASA data (by a "climate change movement" supporter nonetheless) he didn't sit down and reanalyze his work or anything. He instead posts a screed on his university webpage about how Fox News, Oil companies and Jews are trying to silence him. Then calls anyone who disagrees with his theory "court jesters" and declares anyone who is finding issues with or contending his theory to be ignored as they are just getting in the way of "saving Creation".

[TheMC5]

Oh, my bad. I misjudged the context of your quoting. It seemed as though you via his quote were painting global warming believers as the contrarians and court jesters.

NOTE: I only broke my solemn vow to clear up the misunderstanding. It resumes effect immediately.

[TheMC5]

People who type in incredibly small font that's impossible to read. What am I supposed to do, find a friggin' magnifying glass? If you've got something to say, just say it. Don't use the internet equivalent of muttering bullshit under your breath. That's just lame sauce.

[Gundy]

I totally agree. I hate when people do that. NOT!! I love typing in really tiny font. It's like I can say whatever I want and not care what people think about it. Global warming is such a farce!!!

[BigKaboom2]

Solution: Copy-paste into the address bar.

Rationale: Certain people don't read posts, and reply to them anyway (something you did a few times in the last two pages) - the incredibly small font is meant for the people who actually read the posts carefully, and yes, it is very elitist but often very amusing when the people who skim over posts reply.

[TheMC5]

I totally agree. I hate when people do that. NOT!! I love typing in really tiny font. It's like I can say whatever I want and not care what people think about it. Global warming is such a farce!!!

I knew that was coming. In fact, I wrote it down and mailed it to myself.

BigKaboom - I only did that once, but I'm not going to discuss it any further, or I will be again breaking my solemn vow.

[BigKaboom2]

BigKaboom - I only did that once

If you're interested in picking it apart, it was twice.

[TheMC5]

BigKaboom - I only did that once

If you're interested in picking it apart, it was twice.

Fuck. Now I am interested in picking it apart. So tell me, Mr. Psychic, what other post did I not read aside from the one that I openly stated I did not read?

[BigKaboom2]

I'm not a psychic - I merely decided to read the thread.

First:

Everyone whines "but it's science!" Science isn't fact, it is our understanding of reality at the current time.

You have a really poor understanding of science and the scientific method ... Science, rather scientific observations and conclusions, are constantly shifting and changing as we acquire more and more knowledge about the world and the way things operate.

You attacked his understanding of science, then backed it up by repeating exactly what he said. It made no sense at the time and turned the rest of the discussion into a mess because no one could tell what postition you were defending.

Second:

Or when reacting to critics who find errors in data that throw a wrench into your claims...

if we, in effect, destroy Creation, passing on to our children, grandchildren, and the unborn a situation out of their control, the contrarians who work to deny and confuse will not be the principal culprits. The contrarians will be remembered as court jesters. There is no point to joust with court jesters. They will always be present. They will continue to entertain even if the Titanic begins to take on water. Their role and consequence is only as a diversion from what is important.

I'm sorry. I said I was done, but I just had to.

James Hansen

Not the greatest guy for you to quote on this subject, benji.

There's zero chance you read the quote before posting that because it's rather detrimental to your argument and to that of the conspiracists.

I despise arguing with people who don't read what I write; I view it as a lack of respect that I have done nothing to deserve.

[TheMC5]

You know, I suggest you buy a dictionary. There is a difference between "misunderstanding" and "not reading."

Holy crap. This is so insane. I don't think I've ever been involved in something this ridiculous before.

[BigKaboom2]

How would me buying a dictionary remedy the situation? My grammar, spelling, and word usage is all perfectly fine. I never said there wasn't a difference between "misunderstanding" and "not reading," nor did you ever mention that you misunderstood anything.

If you folks still believe that global warming/climate change awareness is not the product of a political agenda, I'd be curious to know why.

[TheMC5]

Wow. Just wow.

Oh, my bad. I misjudged the context of your quoting. It seemed as though you via his quote were painting global warming believers as the contrarians and court jesters.

I'm done with you, too. Bait me all you want, we're through here.

[BigKaboom2]

I find that post a bit conciliatory and I'm not sure if you intended it that way. I'm not trying to "bait" you - I derive no pleasure from arguing - it just bothers me when I see people using what I deem to be propaganda to address important talking points on forums.

I see a lot of people who know little about science or politics making outrageous declarations based on a few CNN articles they ran across, which doesn't help the situation at all - global warming is a steaming pile of FUD.

[ixcuincle]

Ok , we all know Global Warming is going on...the issue is , what do we do about it?

Nothing.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 01331.html

Even the fantasy would be a stretch. In the United States, it would take massive regulations, higher energy taxes or both. Democracies don't easily adopt painful measures in the present to avert possible future problems. Examples abound. Since the 1973 Arab oil embargo, we've been on notice to limit dependence on insecure foreign oil. We've done little. In 1973, imports were 35 percent of U.S. oil use; in 2006, they were 60 percent. For decades we've known of the huge retirement costs of baby boomers. Little has been done.

One way or another, our assaults against global warming are likely to be symbolic, ineffective or both. But if we succeed in cutting emissions substantially, savings would probably be offset by gains in China and elsewhere. The McKinsey Global Institute projects that from 2003 to 2020, the number of vehicles in China will rise from 26 million to 120 million, average residential floor space will increase 50 percent and energy demand will grow 4.4 percent annually. Even with "best practices" energy efficiency, demand would still grow 2.8 percent a year, McKinsey estimates.

And Benji and his original "Nanny state" post got me thinking about another prominent individual who also battles against the "Nanny State".

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/ ... es_2653020

Berman claims that we are quickly becoming a "nanny state," an overregulated society with ever-declining freedom of choice from how much we earn, to when we may drive, to what we eat.

He has particular contempt for so-called "food cops" who claim to know what’s best for us.

"They create this Chicken Little mentality that the sky is falling over everything," Berman says. "You know, the latest study says this, the latest study says that. And they drive the government to satisfy that artificial public need."

Berman blames activist, safety and watchdog groups—“do-gooders run amok” he calls them—for trying to scare America into submission. He points to those endless reports, often contradictory, which offer us a dizzying array of fearful news about everyday food and drink that might just kill you: like tuna fish, chicken, diet soda, salt, and that demon, trans-fats.

"I don't think that the other side should be allowed to talk and the response be intimidated into submission or silence. And so I'm the other side," Berman says.

[shadowgrin]

everyday food and drink that might just kill you: like tuna fish, chicken, diet soda, salt, and that demon, trans-fats.

No man can prevent me from enjoying my fish and chicken.
They can all go to hell.

[Fenix]

Commercial fishermen capture tuna and swordfish at sea, far from any source of industrial pollution. The mercury in their system must come from natural sources. For years, we have probably eaten tuna and swordfish with mercury levels above FDA's limit without harmful effects. Analysis of museum specimens of tuna caught from 1879 to 1909 reveal that they contain levels of mercury as high as those in fish being caught today. Scientists therefore conclude that mercury levels in tuna, and probably swordfish, have not changed in the past 100 years.

[url]http://www-seafood.ucdavis.edu/pubs/mercury.htm[/quote]

So fuck Mercury!

In other news, I'm officially a college junior. I feel like I was in HS just last year. I hate aging.

[Dramacydal]

It's over after struggling for about a month.

R.I.P. to the most beautiful relationship ever (8/25/05 - 9/12/07).

Can't really say that this is the right thread for this post because I feel like half of it should be in the good news thread but I also couldn't be bothered looking for a perfectly appropriate thread or even create a new one.

I feel like laughing and crying at the same time but also I'm definitely feeling relieved. 2 years and a couple of weeks seems like such a mighty long time and it's hard to believe that it's over now when 2 months ago we were like the happiest couple in the world. I still love her to death but at the same time I can't no longer be with her.

Good thing though is that it has been obvious for a couple of weeks now so I'm not shocked and lost and all that. I already got plans for the weekend and I'll just try to look forward. I'll try to get to know other girls but I'm definitely not in the mood for another relationship in the near future. I can finally just follow my old ways of hit&run when it comes to dealing with girls.

Nevertheless it's tough shit dealing with the fact that the person with whom I spent more than 2 years in a row is no longer a major part of my life.

[Jackal]

Good for you man. Good for you. Those women...

Sometimes I wish my right hand had a vagina, I'd never have to deal with them.

[Dramacydal]

Thanks. Those were probably the kindest words I've ever heard from you.

[Jackal]

Oh pish posh, I got mad love for you. In non homo way.

[Dramacydal]

Haha, yeah right.

Even when things are all serious you still manage to post something relevant and hilarious at the same time. Guess that's why I started to like reading your posts a couple years ago.

[Indy]

Haha, yeah right.

Even when things are all serious you still manage to post something relevant and hilarious at the same time. Guess that's why I started to like reading your posts a couple years ago.

Why don't you just hop on his dick?

Please don't, I'd be jealous

[Dramacydal]

I'm not ready for that yet. You know, I'm just through with a long relationship and need some time for myself at the moment. So for now I'm only looking for a strong shoulder to lean on.

[Drex]

I'm strong Lol, this thread turned very gay

[shadowgrin]

Shite them technicians.
Modem got fried by lightning so it was brought to the internet provider for repairs. No hope for the old modem so a new one needs to be bought. Then they say that the warranty doesn't cover lightning.
WTF? Lightning is a natural occurrence, why isn't covered by the warranty?
Screw buying a new one, I'll settle with a second-hand modem that's cheaper.