Yesterday, in a little read post because I didn't have time to do the BlogMad or BlogExplosion thingee, I said that the Earth had been hotter in human history.

Don't let anyone tell you that serendipity doesn't exist.

CNN published this story.

"...recent warmth is unprecedented for at least the last 400 years and potentially the last several millennia," the study said. Well, of course. There was a little ice age 400 years ago.

I'm going to leave that argument, and return to another pet peeve of mine: the myth of journalistic impartiality. The headline for the story reads: "Study: Earth 'likely' hottest in 2,000 years". The quotes around "likely" implies that CNN doesn't believe in Global Warming.

Then, about three quarters through the article, there is a sentence that stopped me cold: "Watch as lawmakers argue saving the planet could ruin our economy". That single sentence, a link to a video, shows that CNN not only believes Global Warming, but that there is a definite left-leaning slant to the story. To be fair, the link was added after the story was written, no doubt by a web master who buys into Global Warming. That it escaped the editorial process shows that the headline writers and the editors disagree.

Journalists are human. They can no more be objective, despite all their protestations, than I can. Or you can, for that matter.

Hey, all you Global warmers who point out that hurricanes keep causing more damage! Read this article at Slate.com. The reason hurricanes are causing more damage each year? There's more to damage each year.

In 1947, a hurricane struck Florida causing $775 million in damage. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew caused $20 billion in damages. In 1947, there were 600,000 detached family homes in Florida worth about $20 billion. In 1992, there were 3 million detatched family homes worth $500 billion. Today, Florida has 3.8 detached family homes worth almost $1 trillion. Want to bet that the damages in the next hurricane will be more than ever! And, no, Mr. Gore, it ain't because of Global Warming.

This is one of Mr. Gore's little "exaggerations" to save the planet. It is also proof that you can prove anything with statistics.

Now for some statistics fun! Using the numbers about in 1947, the median value of a home in Florida was $30,000. In 1993, it was $165,000, or about 5 times as much as 1947. If you figure the damage per house ($1291 in 1947, and $6666 in 1992) increase, it comes to about a 5 times increase. Therefore, hurricanes are causing the same amount of damage.

Something else to note: the 1947 Hurricane had maximum winds of 155 mph. Andrew had maximum winds of 164 mph.

I am not suggesting we should all go out and buy SUVs. I am suggesting that you should think about some of the claims anyone makes before you react. Evaluate their statements. Find someone with an opposing view and listen to their interpretation of the data.

And remember, in the 15th century, the world was warmer than it is today. England was a wine making nation whose product was as good as France. A mini ice age came along and made the world colder. Now grapes don't grow in England. Grain does. That's why they make beer.

Rejoice, brethren! Rejoice!

The forces of The Lord have triumphed once again over the forces of Satan and Secular Humanism. In classes across the country, Satan's minions tried to teach lies. Brethren, they tried to put anti-God lessons into the curriculum, and, Yea!, they have been thwarted.

And on this day, Beloved, the Lord hath won a victory in the eternal struggle with Satan. For our comrades in arms against the beast, our friends in India have had removed all mention of beef eating by ancient Hindus. Rejoice, Brothers and Sisters, for if the Heathen in the Call Centers can defeat their democracy, so too can we. Be strong in Jebus! For all democracies shall fall before The Lord!

Praise Jebus and pas the White Out!

Fortress Amerika! - Day Thirty-Three

Federal troops have been called in to help keep control of New Orleans. The police, whose ranks have been thinned by Hurricane Katrina evacuations (But, it is worth pointing out, not from disciplining any officer caught on film looting a Wal-Mart) is down about 500 officers. The city populations is down about 250,000. Over the weekend, there was a bloody shootout, which prompted Ray "Leave the buses in the yards and get out of town" Nagin asked for help.

The National Guard will patrol the damaged areas where no one lives, the State Troopers also sent in will patrol the French Quarter, and the New Orleans police will respond to hotspots.

Now that we're sending the troops somewhere more dangerous than Baghdad, word is that Cindy Sheehan has cut short her visit to Canada, and will fly to New Orleans to demand Bush immediately withdraw the troops and let them go home, just as she did in the aftermath of Katrina.

Last weekend, I bought a DVD burner for Ol' Sparky, my computer. I really don't know why, I didn't need it. But now I have it! After spending another $30 to buy the DVD plugin for Nero, I burned the Star Trek: New Voyages episode "In Harm's Way" onto DVD. It only took 2 hours to do it, but Now I can watch on a bigger screen.

Yes, I know. I'm a geek.