Common Sense Says Global Warming Threats Are Politically Motivated

OK, I take a break from my “What I Have Learned” series to focus on some subjects that just won’t let go of my head. The first one is global warming.

Wait – before you click away – this is not another “gloom and doom” article; nor is this a “there’s nothing to worry about” article. For in times like these I refer to one of my major foundational points to understanding the world: More often than not, the answer lies somewhere in the middle of the argument. This is true in any case where two sides debate a subject. And man, is there plenty of debate about global warming – at least from where I can observe. But there is no way I will be able to sway anyone reading this blog that their point of view may be faulty; so I will not even try.

I simply am waiting, still, for proof that the Earth is warming; and if so, that it’s anything other than a natural cycle. I haven’t seen the proof; I don’t know anyone personally that has seen it. If by “seeing it” you mean you saw “An Inconvenient Truth,” then maybe we should part company right now. I saw that movie more than once, and that movie proves nothing except that Al Gore is a freak and a pretty good propagandist. (In case you don’t know, there are serious problems with Gore’s charts.) If by “seeing it” you mean that it’s what they say all the time on television, then maybe we should part now as well. Television news is the biggest waste of time I have ever witnessed. I usually watch just to point out all of the journalistic mistakes included in each broadcast. That includes the Weather Channel. Television news is merely regurgitating what they see coming over the wire services. They are in the business of creating conflict so they can report on it. I know, I’ve been there.

Oh, I know, everybody says it’s true, but where is the proof? I don’t want to know how many scientists signed on to a global warming document; nor do I wish to hear about the scientists that didn’t sign on to it. That’s a game that scientists play with politicians, interest groups and universities. I don’t trust any of them. As a teacher I know that if someone understands an issue, they can explain it to someone else in their own words. No scientist, politician or news service has ever even tried to explain it to me so I can understand it. Therefore, they don’t know what they’re talking about. My local weather man can explain the weather so I can understand. Of course, my local weather man has no idea what’s going to happen next Thursday, let alone in a 30-year climate cycle. I know, it’s different science; but then again, it’s all based on computer models.

I’ve also heard outrageous claims by those who discount the effects of global warming. It’s not just one side that exaggerates; but frankly the side claiming the world is coming to an end should be burdened with a greater level of proof. Either way I submit the truth lies somewhere between these two extremes.

Here’s what I do know: When I was married on February 22, 1992, the temperature in Granite City, IL was 75 degrees. Seventeen years later, last Sunday, the temperature was 35 degrees. That’s a half of a 30-year cycle and the temperature dropped 40 degrees. I don’t see a warming climate here.

Now I know that was a ridiculous analogy, but it’s not any more ridiculous then the plethora of news stories one sees in January when the temperature happens to hit 70 degrees or something. There’s an ulterior motive; an agenda driving these news services and politicians. Until they can present their argument in a logical, reasoned manner that makes sense I will continue to reject it as folly.

The fact is it was a pretty cold winter this year, and it’s not over yet, as much as I want it to be. The last few winters were warmer it seemed, but the summers haven’t been as hot lately. I don’t know what is going on, maybe it’s just the weather.

Is the Earth warming? I don’t know, but I contend you don’t either. Is man causing this warming? I doubt it, but give me some real evidence and I’ll get on the bandwagon. Does it mean the end of the world? I seriously doubt that, unless that is what God has planned … I’m sorry, I just reverted to the religious angle, and I’ve lost many of you. How can I preach logic and reason and then play the God card? So where do you place your faith, in the government? Man? Science? These entities let me down all the time. God has never let me down.

There are two more things that I will add to my list of fundamental points to understanding the world. God is in control, and already knows how this whole thing turns out. I’ll trust in Him. Secondly, there is a real chance that man could screw this thing up. That’s why we must be good stewards while we are here on Earth. It’s important that we take care of the environment and try to save energy and resources. That’s not liberal or conservative, it just makes sense. We must make good choices and leave the rest to God. So I look to Him, and no one else. Do we need alternate sources of energy? Yes, I think it’s vital that we shift our technology as soon as possible. The lives of our children and grandchildren may be in danger. But it’s not going to be rising oceans or melting ice caps that will do it. It’s crazy, power-hungry elites who don’t care a bit about what happens to me or my family. Give me something I can understand, will you? Your empty predictions about what could happen just don’t hold water to me. Show me the money. Where’s the beef? Tell me something that helps me understand the issue, or that shows me you know what you’re talking about. The rest just doesn’t make sense to me. Give me a clue or shut up.

What I Have Learned, Part 1

My next couple of posts will detail things I have learned since I became a Christian; or, “How The Obvious Became Clear To Me After I Got Rid Of The Cobwebs.”

Let me tell you a story that I keep thinking about all the time:

When I was attending our local community college several years ago, I was in an American History class I believe, and our instructor was talking to us during the first day of class. I have no idea how he got on the subject, but he was talking about religion.

He told us that he once attended church, etc., but he eventually came to the realization that it was ridiculous to think that someone could lead a horrible life, i.e. killing someone, or stealing, or selling drugs, and then five minutes before he or she died that person could just tell God “I’m sorry” and everything would be forgiven. He laughed. How absurd that thought was. Being a new Christian at the time, I just kind of sat there and contemplated what I had heard. Why is this guy talking about this stuff in a history class; and why don’t I know what to say to teach this guy why he’s wrong?

Well, now I know. I know if you really understand how the family works, it helps you understand much of what goes on in the world.

Here’s what I would say to this instructor if I could talk to him now:

Do you have any children? If so, do you love them? Of course you do. Well, let’s say that at the age of, maybe 15, your son or daughter – we’ll go with son for the sake of keeping things simple – ran away from home. You tried to get him to come back. Maybe you even called him on his phone a couple of times, but he would not return. In fact, when you tried to talk to him, he pushed you away; he cursed you, yelled at you and swore he would never have anything to do with you again.

You were devastated, but you didn’t want to give up on your child. You tried to keep tabs on him as he grew into adulthood. You found out he abused drugs, cheated on his wife, abused her and the kids. He finally left them and committed all kinds of heinous crimes. Maybe he even committed murder. So he goes to jail, is convicted and sentenced to death.

You hear about this, and ask to attend the execution. After all, you haven’t seen your son in years, and you would just like to get one more glance before he dies. So there you are at the execution, and fifteen minutes before your son is scheduled to die, he calls for you. You don’t hesitate: you’ve been trying to talk to your son for years. You go to him. He turns to you. He looks you in the eye and says, “I’m sorry I did what I did. I’m sorry I haven’t talked to you for so long. I’m sorry I lived this wicked life.” You look in his eyes and you know he means it. You can see that he really is sorry for what he has done.

What do you do? Do you reject him? As a parent, do you turn your back on your son? No. You reach over and give him the biggest hug you have even given a person. You love on him the best you can in the time you have together. You take him back, no questions asked.

Is he still executed? Yes, probably. The laws of society and government must be observed and followed. There are consequences for our actions. But that’s not the point here. The point is when you are given a chance to renew your relationship or reject your son, a loving parent will not hesitate to bring his son or daughter back into his life. Well guess what: God’s love is a thousand times greater than the love of a human parent. This is what God does: He waits, He longs, He accepts, without hesitation. Because He loves us and wants a relationship with us. We all are sinners, and have done terrible things. But if we turn to God – even in the last moment – he will not reject us.

I know this for a fact. Although I was never sentenced to be executed, I ran away from God as fast as I could for a long time, about 25 years. I cursed God, rejected God and swore I’d never go back to God. But when I decided I needed God, I turned toward Him and He was right there, waiting for me. He had been chasing me the whole time. Amazing.

Michael, Oh Michael

There’s this big cultural controversy going around about Michael Phelps.

It’s not about swimming, and it’s not about Olympics, and it’s not about his Speedos. It’s about getting high and using a bong. And Mr. Bush thinks his legacy will suffer.

OK, here’s Michael, hanging out with some friends, and all of sudden one of them breaks out some weed and a bong, and oops, it jumps up to Michael’s face and somebody snaps a picture because they’re so amazed at what they’ve just seen. No, no way. This isn’t like Bill Clinton saying he smoked a joint one time but “didn’t inhale” – no, it’s a big step up from that to woofing on a bong. Trust me, I know.

Only serious dope smokers take the time, effort and expense to buy a bong. In fact, where do you even buy those anymore, since all the head shops closed? My point is that Phelps has smoked it before, and will smoke it again. This is not just something that happened. It’s not an isolated incident.

What has me really thinking today (I fortunately have a few brain cells left) is what it must be like to smoke dope with Michael Phelps (OK, maybe not that many left). Think back to what Michael Phelps looks like – and if you watched the Olympics there isn’t much left to the imagination – and remember his slender build. What really stood out was the size of his chest. Think about it: He’s been training his entire life to be able to take in as much air as possible, then extend himself to the limit before taking another breath. So what is the amount of smoke that Phelps can take in at one time? I mean, can he inhale an entire joint at one time? No wonder he needs a bong. Can you imagine this guy filling his lungs with dope smoke? One toke is all he would need!

Sorry if I sounded like a drug head there. That’s the point, I am a former drug head, and smoked pot virtually everyday for about 25 years. We used to buy bongs, tubes, superchargers, pipes, clips, hemostats, papers, water pipes – you name it. What I’m saying is I’ve known a hundred guys like Phelps, and this is no passing fancy for him.

So back to the controversy. Phelps has apologized, sort of, so the question in the media is, what now? Do we forgive Phelps? Do we pass it off as a college-aged prank, something that happens thousands of times every weekend across America? Or do we hold his feet to the fire, because we need people to remind us that there is right and wrong; and this kind of thing shouldn’t happen at all? Haven’t we forgiven too many athletes already for thinking that they are above the law?

Unlike professional athletes, Phelps has no National Swimming League that he can join and make millions. This also means there are no league rules by which he must abide. Therefore, he must earn his living through endorsements, and follow corporate rules. Some of his endorsements will remain, I assume, while others might be lost. Either way, I say let the market make the adjustment for Phelps. What he has done is wrong, but human. I know I made the same mistake a thousand times; and I make more mistakes on a daily basis. As casual fans, we neither need to forgive him nor condemn him. I choose to support him and pray for him. He has time to work through things and make amends. But honestly, it’s none of our business what happens next to Michael Phelps. There are forces larger than us that make these kinds of decisions.