The New York Times: Two Papers in One!!

Landsat image of Nebraska flooding

Today, March 19, 2019, the New York Times publishes:

"This is science after all, and science is constantly evolving."

New York Times, December 31, 2018, published:

"The science is settled."

Evidently, every science evolves except global warming.

In some ways, this may not be the contradiction it seems to be. Increasingly, climate studies are not "science." By definition, science must have a falsifiable hypothesis. If global warming is responsible for:

• Flooding
• More polar ice
• Less polar ice
• Drought
• Warmer weather
• Colder weather
• High winds
• Calmer winds
• Changes in hurricanes (not just worsening hurricanes)...

it cannot possibly be falsified. If every change in the weather is due to global warming then climate study is not science because it is not falsifiable. Why?

• The weather constantly changes and always has.
• Climate constantly changes and always has. 

In fact, those who study climate cannot tell us (based on their chosen metric of surface temperatures) the ideal temperature for earth and its human residents. 

Volcanic eruption currently in progress; via Twitter

Do human beings affect the weather? Of course! But, it isn't nearly as simple as changes in CO2. Humans affect the climates through greenhouse gases, land use changes, particulates, aerosols and in other ways. Climate also changes through volcanic and solar influences. The bottom line:

Even if we took atmospheric concentrations of CO2 back to 350ppm, it is highly unlikely the climate would be the same as the last time it was 350ppm. 

It is a shame that global warming has corrupted atmospheric science. I doubt that issue will resolve itself in my lifetime. 

Attention: Washington and Oregon

This deserves your full attention.

Tragically, our nation doesn't tackle the deficit, EMP's, solar storms, or giant earthquakes. Just wait until the eventual hurricane hits Southern California.

That is what we should be focused on, not political correctness. We should be ignoring the SJW's and focusing on the real issues.

How Severe Was Last Week's Blizzard?

There's a car under there! Really.

And, there it is!

The region is still recovering. The losses to farmers and ranchers are "staggering."

Comments On The Incredible Nebraska Flooding

The U.S. Air Force's single most important base and home of the Strategic Air Command is 30% underwater. Even the HQ building at Offutt AFB, south of Obama, is flooded.

Journal-Star photo

The photo below shows the main runway underwater yesterday with U.S. 75 in the background.

Omaha World-Herald photo

The damage may be understated in that a number of critical facilities are underground. For example, this command bunker (depicted with President Bush on September 11, 2001) is underground.

The nearest flood gage to Offutt is at Plattsmouth, Nebraska. The crest was yesterday and the water has begun to fall. Arrow indicates the latest reading.

This entire event has received far less attention in the mainstream media than it should.

CNN home page this morning. The flood is not mentioned.

The lack of coverage hasn't stopped the global warming nonsense.

While this is the greatest flood of record at Plattmouth, it is not the worst flood ever. That was in 1844 before flood gages existed. World temperatures were then still at Little Ice Age values at that time.

Addition: Satellite image of the Offutt flood.

click to enlarge

Essential Wisdom About College

From Peggy Noonan, here.

Sunday Fun: Lessons From Dave Barry...and, Lucy

A nice, open-access, story by Dave Barry available here.

In spite of what he writes in this latest essay, Dave is a delight to meet and speak with. If you have a chance to attend one of his appearances, do so. Highly recommended.

Aftermath of the Spencer, Nebraska, Dam Collapse

The Airlines Have No Accountability - That MUST Change

While Jim Hall and I don't agree on everything (we had an 'interesting' conversation the morning of a hearing into the crash of an airliner and on other occasions), he is right on the money with this piece pertaining to the FAA's botching of the grounding of the 737-8MAX. I appreciate President Trump taking matters into his own hands and grounding the plane.

In fact, he doesn't go far enough.

The airlines can literally beat up an innocent passenger, cancel flights for economic reasons (only), sue you for saving them money (see below), forbid a customer to board with an approved (by the airline, TSA and FAA) medical device, etc., etc., and you have no genuine recourse.

There is no accountability because Congress and the FAA have been essentially captured by the airline industry. This needs to stop but I am not hopeful.

Catastrophic Flooding -- And, It Is Getting Worse

Via Twitter within the hour

Here is a summary of flood gage status. A number of river stage records have already been set. Purple = major or record flooding.

Here is why I am concerned things will get worse before they get better. All of the applicable computer models show moderate to heavy rains over the affected areas. And, there is still a lot of snow on the ground. That, combined with frozen ground, will amplify the effects of the rain.

While not especially heavy, the rain Monday through Wednesday night will be falling on the already flooding Missouri River and nearby tributaries.

Things look dicer farther out. 

This map shows 6 to 9 inches of water (pinks) locked up in the snow cover over the northern Great Plains and Upper Midwest.

Here is the 2-week forecast from the model I believe will be the most accurate in this situation.

These rains are likely to prolong or initiate flooding, especially as temperatures warm and the snowpack melts.

In addition to people losing their homes and the considerable disruption to transportation, there is little doubt corn planting is going to be delayed in a number of areas. 

Why The U.S. Catholic Church Needs a National Board Pertaining to the Sexual Abuse Crisis

The Catholic Church's intolerable behavior in the wake of the sexual abuse scandals continues to puzzle. Rather than actually reform the Church with ironclad measures, members of the hierarchy continue to dribble out half-measures.

This latest proposal, to put Archbishops in charge of Bishops, falls into this category. Catholic and UCLA professor of law, Stephen Bainbridge, explains here. As Steve argues, there is no solution that does not involve a significant role for the laity and further accusations must be handled on a national, rather than local, level. 

I recommend Steve's piece at the red link.