 I normally don't blog about the Global Warming, check that, Climate Change controversy because there is plenty mixed information out there that can be cherry picked to support just about any argument, pro or con. Over the past two weeks however, the climate alarmists have ramped up their rhetoric, claiming that recent East coast storms are proof positive of adverse change to the climate of the world. I don't know about climate data models and graphed information, legitimate or not, but I do know one thing for sure: We have verifiable evidence of past storms that suggest they are not new, unusual phenomenon, but common sporadic weather events. It is rather short sighted to pursue a political path harmful to our economy and citizens, under the guise of counteracting a natural atmospheric variation that has been in force for millions of years.
Cold weather and deep snow has been a sporadic event in the United States for some time. As an example, the National Snow and Ice Data Center, lists a few :
February and March 1717
"The Great Snow of 1717" blanketed New England in a series of four storms, leaving nearly four feet on the ground and drifts up to 25 feet high.
January 1772
"The Washington and Jefferson Snowstorm" is so named because it trapped both men at their homes with snow up to three feet deep throughout Maryland and Virginia.
December 1778
Named after the Revolutionary War troops stationed in Rhode Island, drifts were reported to be 15 feet high after this storm.
November 1798
"The Long Storm" went down in history as the snowiest on record for that month. Stretching from Maryland to Maine, up to a foot-and-a-half of snow coated the region.
December 1811
A powerful storm buffeted New York City, Long Island, and southern New England, accompanied by gale-force winds and destructive tides that severely damaged many ships and harbors.
January 1857
"The Cold Storm" produced severe blizzard conditions along much of the eastern seaboard. Temperatures fell below 9 below zero Fahrenheit, and snowfalls were between one and two feet deep.
March 1888
The "Blizzard of '88" produced temperatures plummeting well below zero degrees Fahrenheit, ravaging gusts of wind and deep snow drifts that stranded several cities, leaving them without transportation or communication. New York City suffered the most damage, particularly to its harbor areas.
Now, before you get all excited and say "See, I told you the climate is getting warmer!", let me assure you there are plenty documented incidents of high temperature and drought throughout this County's history as well. According to the National Climate Data Center, some examples of U.S. high temperatures are: 118 degrees on July 11, 1888 in Bennet CO 117 degrees on July 5, 1895 in Saint George UT 119 degrees on August 10, 1898 in Pendleton OR 105 degrees on July 10, 1911 in North Bridgton ME 100 degrees on June 27, 1915 in Fort Yukon AK We know with certainty, from the geologic record that the north-central area of the U.S. has been covered alternately by a deep sheet of ice and tropical sea, all without man's cause or intervention.
No matter how often Al Gore declares that red is blue or black is white, the American people luckily are showing that they are smarter than the average politician believes. Because of that, Cap and Trade legislation is withering on the vine in DC, the IPCC Climate Chairman Rajendra Pachauri is under fire and responding with the usual "denier" insults, and climate alarmist wackos around the world are retreating to their "think tanks" to hatch another plan for redistribution of wealth.
Am I being too cynical to imply that monetary gain may be behind this irrational “science”? Perhaps we should ask the countries that demanded billions of dollars at the Copenhagen climate conference last year.
As for the two pointmen on this issue, it appears that Pachuari may not now make a killing on the green energy foundation he started, and Gore may have to rely on his Vice Presidential pension rather than the carbon credit trading company he is involved with. Never fear though, it appears both Nobel laureates have back up sources of income, although considering the popularity of his latest book, Gore may have to switch to racy novels like the one Pachauri wrote. Just the kind of thing you need for those long, cold winter nights brought about by "Climate Change".
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