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Updated Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:42 AM
Global warming, economy and the new President
I heard someone say, one day last week when it was very, very cold, “where’s your global warming now?” As if to say, I (the media?) are putting people on about global warming or climate change or whatever it’s called. It could just be denial on some people’s part. That’s fine, I guess. I can definitely sense something is not right, and I’m no scientist. And the very cold is not what concerns me (or offers the lack of concern in that case), it’s the very warm temperatures. It was 80 degrees the day after Christmas. That’s just weird. And we’re seeing more warm winter days, instead of the bitter cold days, which is the way I figure weird winter weather should go. I’m not nearly as surprised when it gets close to 0 degrees in January as I am when it’s warm enough to go swimming. For me, climate change/global warming is not a conspiracy. It’s not political. It just is. So I’ve embraced it, and accepted it. Now what do I do about it? That’s where the rub comes in. Good luck to all in charge of taking this on. I’ll do my part, whatever that may be. For now, I’m just going to wear shorts.
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The hardest adjustment during this economic crisis, for me, is watching the deterioration of our communities’ retail infrastructure. Of course, tightening the purse strings is tough and going without is always a pain, but watching your town or county or region suffer through layoffs and empty buildings just makes it hit home much harder. Drive from Denison to Sherman down Texoma Parkway. Spend an afternoon at the mall. Watch construction projects get put on hold right in front of your eyes. A local economy is a living, breathing thing and needs life support from the people that live there, as well as those passing through. I’m sure there are things we can do to help our local businesses along, but in truth, in an economic crunch like this, people have to turn to the Internet or major metropolitan areas for cheaper prices. It’s basic supply and demand. I certainly have no answers for the decline of our local economy. I eat out here, I shop here, I do what I can, and usually pick mom and pop businesses first when I can. But like most of you, I’m afraid, I drive up Breezy Hill and into Sherman on the parkway and see empty buildings, shuttered factories, vacant construction lots and such, and just shake my head. I hope we don’t get to the point when we’re telling our kids “I remember when the mall was there, and our favorite restaurant was over there.”
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Why is the fact that the incoming president is in good shape an issue? Why is anybody other than Michelle Obama taking Barack’s abs into account. Yes, I think it’s great the President is fit. I’m also very happy to hear if my child’s teacher is fit and well-spoken. It’s not like the White House has been occupied with Jabba the Hut or some bon-bon eating, Cheetoh-crunching couch potatoes. I’ve seen headlines of late about “President Beefcake” and such, and I just end up wondering, who the heck says beefcake? Might as well scream in your best 1920s voice, “Why he’s the bee’s knees toots!” Give it a rest with the presidential soap opera, 24-hour news channels and tabloid magazines. Most of us have real issues to think about.
 Comments ... 4 found!
Global brain washing : 11/11/2009
Al Gore started this global warming junk because he lost the presidency, and had to come up with something after he INVENTED the internet,to stay in the news, and there are people who are simple minded enough to fall for it.So.Gary keep you shorts handy, and in about 1 billion years you might need them.Uh Paul in....
Bill
Global Warming : 2/28/2009
There's a very good and well made documentary called "The Great Global Warming Swindle". It was made by scientists, not politicians. It explains why the world is warming and the effects it will have on the planet, 90% of which are positive effects. This planet has been going through temperature fluctuations for millions of years. It's only been in the past 2 centuries that we have been able to accurately measure temperature and that simply is not enough data to predict what the world may be like in the next 500 years. Meteorologists can't even accurately tell us what the weather will do tomorrow, much less 500 years from now. It might interest folks that a single volcanic eruptions emits more carbon monoxide into our atmosphere than the entire amount of the industrial boom after WW2 and up until about 1975. To think that we are responsible for global warming or that we can actually change it is absolutely absurd. There is much more factual evidence revealed in the documentary mentioned above. I suggest it as a 'must see' for those concerned.
JR Mitchell
Agree...sort of... : 1/7/2009
I agree that there are periods where the global temperature increases, hence global warming. However, there is growing skepticism from real scientists concerning the effect man has on this phenomenon. Personally, I think man-made global warming is hogwash - I don't think we have that kind of power. I agree with you on the obsession with all things Obama. Of course, he is "The One" or, as a couple of bloggers I read call him, President-elect Hopenchange. What is really telling is how the media covered George W. Bush's exercise routine. It was looked at as an obsession that was down right scary. Now, when it is Obama, it's cool and a great thing.
You can tell who...
Global warming, economy and the new President : 1/2/2009
Nice post Gary. Most of what I hear repeated daily is politically motivated spins from one side of the coin or the other, taken out of context from one of the many 24 & 7 media outlets spouting what ever the sound bite of the day is. We have major global problems, and we need to work together to solve them. In America, that means the Democrats and the Republicans. I don't really care if Oprah has a gained weight, if Mr. Cruise is planning on adopting 15 kids and is turning to Madonna for advice, or if Brittany is have a breakdown again cause she can't decide what to wear to the mall. I do care if my friends and neighbors will still have a roof over their heads & food on the tables after we get out of this mess of epic proportions that we are now facing. What can we do? Listen to all sides, do our own homework, and make educated personal decisions based on independent research. Then go rake the leaves, and clean out the gutters or something, while pondering what we would do if we were kings. Happy New Year.
No body important
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