iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-14--The 11 gaslighting characteristics of the climate debate

This was originally from Psychology Today by Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. but I immediately recognized how this is wholly applicable to the climate debate .
h/t to Joe Bast .
Gaslighting is a manipulation tactic used to gain power .
And it works too well .
You know it ’ s an outright lie .
Yet they are telling you this lie with a straight face .
Why are they so blatant ?
Because they ’ re setting up a precedent .
Once they tell you a huge lie , you ’ re not sure if anything they say is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the goal .
2 .
They deny they ever said something , even though you have proof .
You know they said they would do something ; you know you heard it .
But they out and out deny it .
It makes you start questioning your reality—maybe they never said that thing .
And the more they do this , the more you question your reality and start accepting theirs .
3 .
They use what is near and dear to you as ammunition .
They know how important your kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how important your identity is to you .
So those may be one of the first things they attack .
If you have kids , they tell you that you should not have had those children .
They will tell you ’ d be a worthy person if only you didn ’ t have a long list of negative traits .
They attack the foundation of your being .
4 .
They wear you down over time .
This is one of the insidious things about gaslighting—it is done gradually , over time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , a snide comment every so often…and then it starts ramping up .
Even the brightest , most self-aware people can be sucked into gaslighting—it is that effective .
It ’ s the “ frog in the frying pan ” analogy : The heat is turned up slowly , so the frog never realizes what ’ s happening to it .
5 .
Their actions do not match their words .
When dealing with a person or entity that gaslights , look at what they are doing rather than what they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nothing ; it is just talk .
What they are doing is the issue .
6 .
They throw in positive reinforcement to confuse you .
This person or entity that is cutting you down , telling you that you don ’ t have value , is now praising you for something you did .
This adds an additional sense of uneasiness .
You think , “ Well maybe they aren ’ t so bad.
” Yes , they are .
This is a calculated attempt to keep you off-kilter—and again , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what you were praised for ; it is probably something that served the gaslighter .
article continues after advertisement Gaslighters know that people like having a sense of stability and normalcy .
Their goal is to uproot this and make you constantly question everything .
And humans ’ natural tendency is to look to the person or entity that will help you feel more stable—and that happens to be the gaslighter .
They are a drug user or a cheater , yet they are constantly accusing you of that .
This is done @ @ @ @ @ @ @ defend yourself , and are distracted from the gaslighter ’ s own behavior .
9 .
They try to align people against you .
Gaslighters are masters at manipulating and finding the people they know will stand by them no matter what—and they use these people against you .
They will make comments such as , “ This person knows that you ’ re not right , ” or “ This person knows you ’ re useless too.
” Keep in mind it does not mean that these people actually said these things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
When the gaslighter uses this tactic it makes you feel like you don ’ t know who to trust or turn to—and that leads you right back to the gaslighter .
And that ’ s exactly what they want : Isolation gives them more control .
10 .
They tell you or others that you are crazy .
This is one of the most effective tools of the gaslighter , because it ’ s dismissive .
The gaslighter knows if they question your sanity , people will not believe you when you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out-of-control .
It ’ s a master technique .
11 .
They tell you everyone else is a liar .
By telling you that everyone else ( your family , the media ) is a liar , it again makes you question your reality .
You ’ ve never known someone with the audacity to do this , so they must be telling the truth , right ?
No .
It ’ s a manipulation technique .
It makes people turn to the gaslighter for the “ correct ” information—which isn ’ t @ @ @ @

This was originally from Psychology Today by Stephanie A. Sarkis Ph.D. but I immediately recognized how this is wholly applicable to the climate debate. h/t to Joe Bast.
11 Warning Signs of Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a manipulation tactic used to gain power. And it works too well.
1. They tell blatant lies.
You know it’s an outright lie. Yet they are telling you this lie with a straight face. Why are they so blatant? Because they’re setting up a precedent. Once they tell you a huge lie, you’re not sure if anything they say is true. Keeping you unsteady and off-kilter is the goal.
2. They deny they ever said something, even though you have proof.
You know they said they would do something; you know you heard it. But they out and out deny it. It makes you start questioning your reality—maybe they never said that thing. And the more they do this, the more you question your reality and start accepting theirs.
3. They use what is near and dear to you as ammunition.
They know how important your kids are to you, and they know how important your identity is to you. So those may be one of the first things they attack. If you have kids, they tell you that you should not have had those children. They will tell you’d be a worthy person if only you didn’t have a long list of negative traits. They attack the foundation of your being.
4. They wear you down over time.
This is one of the insidious things about gaslighting—it is done gradually, over time. A lie here, a lie there, a snide comment every so often…and then it starts ramping up. Even the brightest, most self-aware people can be sucked into gaslighting—it is that effective. It’s the “frog in the frying pan” analogy: The heat is turned up slowly, so the frog never realizes what’s happening to it.
5. Their actions do not match their words.
When dealing with a person or entity that gaslights, look at what they are doing rather than what they are saying. What they are saying means nothing; it is just talk. What they are doing is the issue.
6. They throw in positive reinforcement to confuse you.
This person or entity that is cutting you down, telling you that you don’t have value, is now praising you for something you did. This adds an additional sense of uneasiness. You think, “Well maybe they aren’t so bad.” Yes, they are. This is a calculated attempt to keep you off-kilter—and again, to question your reality. Also look at what you were praised for; it is probably something that served the gaslighter. article continues after advertisement
7. They know confusion weakens people.
Gaslighters know that people like having a sense of stability and normalcy. Their goal is to uproot this and make you constantly question everything. And humans’ natural tendency is to look to the person or entity that will help you feel more stable—and that happens to be the gaslighter.
8. They project.
They are a drug user or a cheater, yet they are constantly accusing you of that. This is done so often that you start trying to defend yourself, and are distracted from the gaslighter’s own behavior.
9. They try to align people against you.
Gaslighters are masters at manipulating and finding the people they know will stand by them no matter what—and they use these people against you. They will make comments such as, “This person knows that you’re not right,” or “This person knows you’re useless too.” Keep in mind it does not mean that these people actually said these things. A gaslighter is a constant liar. When the gaslighter uses this tactic it makes you feel like you don’t know who to trust or turn to—and that leads you right back to the gaslighter. And that’s exactly what they want: Isolation gives them more control.
10. They tell you or others that you are crazy.
This is one of the most effective tools of the gaslighter, because it’s dismissive. The gaslighter knows if they question your sanity, people will not believe you when you tell them the gaslighter is abusive or out-of-control. It’s a master technique.
11. They tell you everyone else is a liar.
By telling you that everyone else (your family, the media) is a liar, it again makes you question your reality. You’ve never known someone with the audacity to do this, so they must be telling the truth, right? No. It’s a manipulation technique. It makes people turn to the gaslighter for the “correct” information—which isn’t correct information at all


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--Science takes time, even in a lab moving 17,500 miles per hour

The International Space Station , a microgravity laboratory orbiting Earth at 17,500 miles per hour , has hosted a variety of scientific research for nearly 20 years .
Some of that research continues for months and even years .
A prime example is the ongoing Fluid Shifts investigation .
When astronauts began spending months at a time on station , they experienced a number of physical changes , including changes in their vision .
Scientists suspect fluids shifting from the lower to the upper body in microgravity may increase pressure inside the head , changing the shape of the eye @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The investigation began in 2015 and has measured the extent of body fluid shifts in multiple astronauts since then .
Five years may seem like a long time , but scientific research follows a lengthy step-by-step process .
Medical research , for example , takes an average of 17 years from lab to clinical practice .
Looking at each step makes it easy to see why .
First , researchers must come up with a question and a possible answer , or hypothesis .
For Fluid Shifts , for example , the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
One hypothesis is that increased fluid pressure in the head is the cause .
Scientists then design an experiment to test the hypothesis , which involves determining what data to collect and the resources needed to do so .
For research aboard the space station , scientists submit a research proposal , which goes through review to evaluate its relevance to NASA ’ s goals as well as its scientific merit .
Selected investigations are assigned to a mission and the crew for that mission briefed .
Individual crew members can volunteer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
NASA works with investigators to meet their science requirements , obtain approvals , schedule crew training , develop flight procedures , launch hardware and supplies to the space station and collect any preflight data needed .
Once the crew launches , in-flight data collection begins .
Finally , the scientists can analyze all the data .
In addition , researchers must determine whether their data are significant .
“ Just because something is different in space doesn ’ t mean it is scientifically meaningful or a sign of a problem , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ research results coordinator at NASA .
“ You also have to look at what the results mean .
Is this something we don ’ t already know or does the change make a difference either to what is happening or how it affects the process or organism ?
Is this is a helpful response to spaceflight ?
” The next step is writing a paper about the results and submitting it to a scientific journal .
It may take an investigator a year or more to evaluate the data from the research and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks or months for a journal to respond , and its editors may request additional analysis and revisions .
Journals also have the paper reviewed by other scientists in the same field , a process known as peer review .
According to one analysis , this review takes an average of 100 days .
For space station investigations , from date received to date published often takes up to a year and a half , according to Tate-Brown .
Several unique aspects of research on the space station add more time to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the more test subjects , the better .
Although clinical human research usually needs 100 to 1,000 subjects to find a statistically significant result , Tate-Brown says , the space station typically houses at most six people at a time .
Some clinical research that measures a specific change in the body may only require eight to 12 subjects to determine whether the change is real .
Most human research studies on the space station have only one to three subjects at a time .
New crew members currently arrive only every six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years of continuous human presence on the station , only 239 people have visited , and only three of those have been long-duration crew members staying more than six months .
The Lighting Effects investigation illustrates how the need for enough subjects adds time to a study .
The space station ’ s speed means it orbits Earth 16 times a day , exposing crew members to atypical periods of dark and light that can affect the body ’ s daily clock and crew health and performance .
While the crew members live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waking hours and darkness during sleep , they experience the circadian challenge of working with two mission controls , one in Houston and one in Moscow , with an eight-hour time difference between them .
Lighting Effects examines whether light-emitting diodes ( LEDs ) with adjustable intensity and color can improve crew circadian rhythms .
To collect data from enough crew members , this investigation began in 2016 and has continued into 2020 .
Other lengthy studies about how humans adapt to life in space include research on cardiac atrophy ( decrease in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flight , testing a wearable device to analyze sleep-wake and activity patterns , and a suite of long-term studies on food and nutrition , including producing fresh food in space .
NASA began growing plants aboard the space station in 2001 .
Current plant research includes Veg-04B , focusing on how light quality and fertilizer affect growth .
The space station also has hosted a number of long-running experiments to study protein crystal growth ( PCG ) .
Microgravity produces larger , higher quality protein crystals that can reveal new structural details and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development , a lengthy process on its own .
The JAXA PCG investigation is one example .
A 2002 study revealed a specific protein expressed in Duchenne ’ s muscular dystrophy ( DMD ) patients , opening up the possibility of targeted therapeutic agents .
JAXA PCG led to a considerably more effective disease inhibitor than those under investigation at that time .
Subsequent tests showed it was effective .
A 2015 study verified its safety for use in humans , and in 2017 the inhibitor completed a clinical trial in human patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could finally end up in the hands of patients .
The PCG-5 investigation by Merck Research Laboratories began in 2016 and published results in 2019 , reporting production of an existing drug , Keytruda® , in crystalline suspension form .
This new form may enable administration of the drug by injection rather than intravenously , a lengthy process done at a hospital .
Receiving an injection at the doctor ’ s office greatly improves quality of life for patients and saves them time and money .
Paul Reichert , the principal investigator at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to publish results largely reflects the sheer amount of data researchers had to analyze .
But a proposed follow up investigation could move more quickly : new capabilities on the space station enable real-time analysis of crystalline suspensions as they are produced in microgravity .
“ Astronauts now can pipette , aspirate and handle liquids rather easily on the station .
That means we can do multiple rounds and adjust and continue the experiment without having to bring samples back to the ground and send up new ones , ” Reichert says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ allowing us to do research in microgravity the same way we do it on Earth.
” Physical science investigations already can send plenty of samples to the space station and complete data collection more quickly than human studies .
But sometimes , the more we learn , the more questions we have , creating the need for additional research .
Studies of fire in space are one example .
From 2011 to 2013 , Burning and Suppression of Solids ( BASS ) examined the burning and extinction characteristics of a wide variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through 2017 .
The Saffire series of fire safety demonstrations on Northrop Grumman ’ s Cygnus cargo spacecraft began in 2016 and continued into 2020 .
Researchers have answered many questions with all of this work , but still have much to learn about preventing , detecting and extinguishing fires in space .
The timeline for science , especially in microgravity , can run long .
But results can be well worth the wait .
For daily updates , follow @ ISS_Research , Space Station Research and Technology News or our Facebook .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ on its sponsored investigations .
For opportunities to see the space station pass over your town , check out Spot the Station .

From NASA
March 13, 2020
The International Space Station, a microgravity laboratory orbiting Earth at 17,500 miles per hour, has hosted a variety of scientific research for nearly 20 years. Some of that research continues for months and even years.
A prime example is the ongoing Fluid Shifts investigation. When astronauts began spending months at a time on station, they experienced a number of physical changes, including changes in their vision. Scientists suspect fluids shifting from the lower to the upper body in microgravity may increase pressure inside the head, changing the shape of the eye and affecting vision in some astronauts. The investigation began in 2015 and has measured the extent of body fluid shifts in multiple astronauts since then.
Five years may seem like a long time, but scientific research follows a lengthy step-by-step process. Medical research, for example, takes an average of 17 years from lab to clinical practice.
Looking at each step makes it easy to see why. First, researchers must come up with a question and a possible answer, or hypothesis. For Fluid Shifts, for example, the question is: what is causing vision changes? One hypothesis is that increased fluid pressure in the head is the cause. Scientists then design an experiment to test the hypothesis, which involves determining what data to collect and the resources needed to do so.
For research aboard the space station, scientists submit a research proposal, which goes through review to evaluate its relevance to NASA’s goals as well as its scientific merit. Selected investigations are assigned to a mission and the crew for that mission briefed. Individual crew members can volunteer to participate in research requiring human subjects. NASA works with investigators to meet their science requirements, obtain approvals, schedule crew training, develop flight procedures, launch hardware and supplies to the space station and collect any preflight data needed. Once the crew launches, in-flight data collection begins. Finally, the scientists can analyze all the data.
In addition, researchers must determine whether their data are significant. “Just because something is different in space doesn’t mean it is scientifically meaningful or a sign of a problem,” says Judy Tate-Brown, International Space Station research results coordinator at NASA. “You also have to look at what the results mean. Is this something we don’t already know or does the change make a difference either to what is happening or how it affects the process or organism? Is this is a helpful response to spaceflight?”
The next step is writing a paper about the results and submitting it to a scientific journal. It may take an investigator a year or more to evaluate the data from the research and write the paper. It can take weeks or months for a journal to respond, and its editors may request additional analysis and revisions. Journals also have the paper reviewed by other scientists in the same field, a process known as peer review. According to one analysis, this review takes an average of 100 days. For space station investigations, from date received to date published often takes up to a year and a half, according to Tate-Brown.
Several unique aspects of research on the space station add more time to the process. A truism of science is the more test subjects, the better. Although clinical human research usually needs 100 to 1,000 subjects to find a statistically significant result, Tate-Brown says, the space station typically houses at most six people at a time. Some clinical research that measures a specific change in the body may only require eight to 12 subjects to determine whether the change is real. Most human research studies on the space station have only one to three subjects at a time. New crew members currently arrive only every six months or so. In nearly 20 years of continuous human presence on the station, only 239 people have visited, and only three of those have been long-duration crew members staying more than six months.
The Lighting Effects investigation illustrates how the need for enough subjects adds time to a study. The space station’s speed means it orbits Earth 16 times a day, exposing crew members to atypical periods of dark and light that can affect the body’s daily clock and crew health and performance. While the crew members live and work indoors and maintain light during waking hours and darkness during sleep, they experience the circadian challenge of working with two mission controls, one in Houston and one in Moscow, with an eight-hour time difference between them. Lighting Effects examines whether light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with adjustable intensity and color can improve crew circadian rhythms. To collect data from enough crew members, this investigation began in 2016 and has continued into 2020.
Other lengthy studies about how humans adapt to life in space include research on cardiac atrophy (decrease in heart muscle) associated with long-duration space flight, testing a wearable device to analyze sleep-wake and activity patterns, and a suite of long-term studies on food and nutrition, including producing fresh food in space. NASA began growing plants aboard the space station in 2001. Current plant research includes Veg-04B, focusing on how light quality and fertilizer affect growth.
The space station also has hosted a number of long-running experiments to study protein crystal growth (PCG). Microgravity produces larger, higher quality protein crystals that can reveal new structural details and PCG research holds particular promise for pharmaceutical development, a lengthy process on its own.
The JAXA PCG investigation is one example. A 2002 study revealed a specific protein expressed in Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients, opening up the possibility of targeted therapeutic agents. JAXA PCG led to a considerably more effective disease inhibitor than those under investigation at that time. Subsequent tests showed it was effective. A 2015 study verified its safety for use in humans, and in 2017 the inhibitor completed a clinical trial in human patients. After additional trials, this treatment could finally end up in the hands of patients.
The PCG-5 investigation by Merck Research Laboratories began in 2016 and published results in 2019, reporting production of an existing drug, Keytruda®, in crystalline suspension form. This new form may enable administration of the drug by injection rather than intravenously, a lengthy process done at a hospital. Receiving an injection at the doctor’s office greatly improves quality of life for patients and saves them time and money. Paul Reichert, the principal investigator at Merck, says the time it took to publish results largely reflects the sheer amount of data researchers had to analyze. But a proposed follow up investigation could move more quickly: new capabilities on the space station enable real-time analysis of crystalline suspensions as they are produced in microgravity.
“Astronauts now can pipette, aspirate and handle liquids rather easily on the station. That means we can do multiple rounds and adjust and continue the experiment without having to bring samples back to the ground and send up new ones,” Reichert says. “This is a tremendous improvement, allowing us to do research in microgravity the same way we do it on Earth.”
Physical science investigations already can send plenty of samples to the space station and complete data collection more quickly than human studies. But sometimes, the more we learn, the more questions we have, creating the need for additional research. Studies of fire in space are one example. From 2011 to 2013, Burning and Suppression of Solids (BASS) examined the burning and extinction characteristics of a wide variety of fuel samples and BASS-II continued that work through 2017. The Saffire series of fire safety demonstrations on Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft began in 2016 and continued into 2020. Researchers have answered many questions with all of this work, but still have much to learn about preventing, detecting and extinguishing fires in space.
The timeline for science, especially in microgravity, can run long. But results can be well worth the wait.
For daily updates, follow @ISS_Research, Space Station Research and Technology News or our Facebook. Follow the ISS National Lab for information on its sponsored investigations. For opportunities to see the space station pass over your town, check out Spot the Station.
Melissa Gaskill
International Space Station Program Science Office
Johnson Space Center
Last Updated: March 13, 2020
Editor: Michael


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--Don’t Just Run the Country – Do Something!

7.30 last night the French prime minister went on TV to urge citizens to “ show some discipline and get their act together ” – by staying at home .
He announced that all cafés bars restaurants and other “ non-essential commercial outlets ” were to close at midnight until further notice .
The government will compensate them and their employees in various ways , promising that workers subject to “ partial unemployment ” will not lose pay , and that all essential services will continue .
Churches will remain open , though all gatherings of more than fifty people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and today ’ s local elections will go ahead , the reasoning being that you don ’ t have to get up close when voting .
The telly shows us scenes of election officials marking off the floors of primary schools with duct tape at one metre intervals so you don ’ t get within spitting distance of your fellow citizens .
Sounds reasonable , but you have to see how a French election works .
Piles of ballot papers for the different candidates ( often a dozen or more ) are laid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pick the ballot paper of the person you ’ re voting for , go into the booth , stick it in an envelope , put the envelope in the ballot box and sign the voting roll .
So that no-one knows who you vote for , you typically pick up the ballot papers for all the candidates and throw the unwanted ones away after having voted .
Now , I challenge you to pick a dozen sheets of paper from a dozen piles without once licking your fingers .
Or to do it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ second round of the election is next week , by which time the number of infections will have quadrupled and there ’ ll be no more duct tape to be had to keep us all one metre apart , because all the DIY shops will be closed .
“ Essential services ” will be maintained , except for plumbers , electricians , builders and a thousand other specialists who can ’ t get the stuff they need .
Kids will be educated at home on-line , except for the ones without computers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t be repaired because… and so on .
But of course , the people who keep our hospitals , water , electricity , gas , sewage , transport , post , delivery services , and supermarkets running will still be risking their lives providing us essential services , working overtime because their colleagues are sick , while their neighbours who are teachers , barmen and shopkeepers are sitting at home on full pay .
They just won ’ t have anywhere to eat at lunchtime , and the number of buses and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be cut back , because of “ lack of demand.
” And the TV this morning is showing interviews with boozy Saturday night sheep enjoying a last glass and agreeing that it ’ s a good idea to effectively shut down half the country ’ s economy so that a few thousand people will get ill in April instead of March .
In times like this one needs government by a Committee of Public Safety , consisting of people practised in questioning the competence of experts and the sanity of our elected leaders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quietly using our Big Oil finance to sow doubt in the media and otherwise subvert science and the popular will .
It ’ s time to rise up and seize the reins of power .
And don ’ t forget to bring a guillotine .
( The stationer ’ s is closed , but you can buy one on-line . )

7.30 last night the French prime minister went on TV to urge citizens to “show some discipline and get their act together” – by staying at home. He announced that all cafés bars restaurants and other “non-essential commercial outlets” were to close at midnight until further notice. The government will compensate them and their employees in various ways, promising that workers subject to “partial unemployment” will not lose pay, and that all essential services will continue. Churches will remain open, though all gatherings of more than fifty people are banned (no problem there) and today’s local elections will go ahead, the reasoning being that you don’t have to get up close when voting. The telly shows us scenes of election officials marking off the floors of primary schools with duct tape at one metre intervals so you don’t get within spitting distance of your fellow citizens. Sounds reasonable, but you have to see how a French election works.
Piles of ballot papers for the different candidates (often a dozen or more) are laid out on a table, and you pick the ballot paper of the person you’re voting for, go into the booth, stick it in an envelope, put the envelope in the ballot box and sign the voting roll. So that no-one knows who you vote for, you typically pick up the ballot papers for all the candidates and throw the unwanted ones away after having voted. Now, I challenge you to pick a dozen sheets of paper from a dozen piles without once licking your fingers. Or to do it with gloves on.
Insane. The second round of the election is next week, by which time the number of infections will have quadrupled and there’ll be no more duct tape to be had to keep us all one metre apart, because all the DIY shops will be closed. “Essential services” will be maintained, except for plumbers, electricians, builders and a thousand other specialists who can’t get the stuff they need. Kids will be educated at home on-line, except for the ones without computers, or whose computers are broken and can’t be repaired because… and so on.
But of course, the people who keep our hospitals, water, electricity, gas, sewage, transport, post, delivery services, and supermarkets running will still be risking their lives providing us essential services, working overtime because their colleagues are sick, while their neighbours who are teachers, barmen and shopkeepers are sitting at home on full pay. They just won’t have anywhere to eat at lunchtime, and the number of buses and trains to take them to work will be cut back, because of “lack of demand.” And the TV this morning is showing interviews with boozy Saturday night sheep enjoying a last glass and agreeing that it’s a good idea to effectively shut down half the country’s economy so that a few thousand people will get ill in April instead of March.
In times like this one needs government by a Committee of Public Safety, consisting of people practised in questioning the competence of experts and the sanity of our elected leaders. Stand up Sceptics. Enough of quietly using our Big Oil finance to sow doubt in the media and otherwise subvert science and the popular will. It’s time to rise up and seize the reins of power.
And don’t forget to bring a guillotine. (The stationer’s is closed, but you can buy one on-line.)


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--It’s Time: Fixing Australia’s Power Pricing & Supply Calamity Starts By Removing Ban on Nuclear Powe

It’s Time: Fixing Australia’s Power Pricing & Supply Calamity Starts By Removing Ban on Nuclear Power

In the midst of a RE-driven power pricing and supply calamity , the only thing worse than talking about nuclear @ @ @ @ @ about nuclear energy .
Australia has never had a nuclear power plant , and in @ @ @ @ @ on nuclear power generation .
Which seems a trifle odd , given Australia is the @ @ @ @ @ ]

In the midst of a RE-driven power pricing and supply calamity, the only thing worse than talking about nuclear energy, is not talking about nuclear energy. Australia has never had a nuclear power plant, and in 1998 placed an outright ban on nuclear power generation. Which seems a trifle odd, given Australia is the world’s […]
via STOP THESE THINGS
https://ift.tt/2x0mpqZ
March 15, 2020 at 01:31AM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--Changing Climate, Changing Minds

Changing Climate, Changing Minds

How do we measure success in helping people understand the climate issue ?
I don ’ t think we can measure it by unique visits to WUWT or various videos that many of us know well .
But they simply attract the same audience over and over .
I think the only way to measure success is by somehow measuring minds changed .
This is a quick announcement of a new video I recently released , my philosophy on how to change minds , and a request from the community to help me with some data science .
My name @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I wrote a book explaining how the greenhouse effect worked and how we have to cut back on CO2 emissions or suffer dire consequences .
Then , in about 2014 , a partner at a green fund told me “ the science is settled.
” That prompted me to revisit the subject , and I was surprised to find that the data didn ’ t support the “ common wisdom ” that I had believed for so long .
So I started reading papers , blogs , and web sites like WUWT .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ called Climate Curious , which , thanks to WUWT readers , has now had about 300,000 views .
Last year , I published Global Warming for Dummies .
My goal is to change minds .
I don ’ t think preaching to the choir is useful .
I don ’ t think being smug and using sarcasm helps anyone .
In my Open letter to the Heartland Institute , I said they are probably causing liberals to raise even more money , because they look down on “ liberals ” and make fun @ @ @ @ @ @ @ victory , only to see another billionaire double-down on his commitment to reducing CO2 emissions .
How old are you ?
Very few young people discuss or debate about climate change .
They simply believe what they are told .
They don ’ t want to learn anything from 60-year-olds .
When presented with the facts , their reply is “ Okay Boomer.
” Investors are now looking at “ sustainability scorecards ” that force CEOs to publish their carbon-neutral plans for the future .
I ’ ve been speaking with people in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they actually believe that they have to put themselves out of business for the sake of the planet .
I don ’ t think Bill Gates , Barack Obama , Mike Bloomberg , Hans Rosling , Steven Pinker , Tyler Cowen , Richard Branson , Jeff Skoll , Jeff Bezos , Elon Musk , and other prominent thinkers are idiots .
I respect these people .
I don ’ t think we should make fun of them .
That just causes them to dig in deeper and raise more money .
How can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who believe what we don ’ t ?
I want to see a world where the scientific method comes first .
I don ’ t think our science should change when a new president is elected .
I don ’ t support liberals , conservatives , libertarians , or religious groups , because I think their platform comes first , before science .
Can there not be any liberals who are skeptical of climate alarmist claims ?
Should we take religious skeptics seriously ?
I would like to see a world where people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the available evidence , not on what everyone else believes .
I recently released a video showing just the data on climate claims .
I tried to put it into a format digestible for young people , and I ’ ve heard from a few young people that it opened their minds .
I hope you ’ ll watch and share it : I have a request .
In my video , I say it would be great if we had a graph of average US historical temperature using only the uncontaminated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Watts ’ Surfacesations.org project going back to 1900 .
Does anyone know if that graph exists ?
I can ’ t find it .
If not , does anyone want to work on creating it with me ?
If I could reach one person , it would be Bill Gates , who is writing a book on climate right now .
I would ask him to support a public effort of adversarial collaboration to bring alarmists and skeptics together to debate and find solutions together , and to hold journalists accountable for reporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one at a time , usually after they turn 60 , while alarmists enroll millions each year through text books , television , scary images , scientific journals , and massive public-relations campaigns .
I think the only way for us to measure success is how many minds we change .
We can ’ t do it forcefully or by calling names .
If we truly want to change minds , we should be willing to start with our own .

Guest post by David Siegel
How do we measure success in helping people understand the climate issue? I don’t think we can measure it by unique visits to WUWT or various videos that many of us know well. But they simply attract the same audience over and over. I think the only way to measure success is by somehow measuring minds changed. This is a quick announcement of a new video I recently released, my philosophy on how to change minds, and a request from the community to help me with some data science.
My name is David Siegel. In 1991, I wrote a book explaining how the greenhouse effect worked and how we have to cut back on CO2 emissions or suffer dire consequences. Then, in about 2014, a partner at a green fund told me “the science is settled.” That prompted me to revisit the subject, and I was surprised to find that the data didn’t support the “common wisdom” that I had believed for so long. So I started reading papers, blogs, and web sites like WUWT.
In 2016, I published an essay called Climate Curious, which, thanks to WUWT readers, has now had about 300,000 views. Last year, I published Global Warming for Dummies.
My goal is to change minds. I don’t think preaching to the choir is useful. I don’t think being smug and using sarcasm helps anyone. In my Open letter to the Heartland Institute, I said they are probably causing liberals to raise even more money, because they look down on “liberals” and make fun of “alarmists.” They keep declaring victory, only to see another billionaire double-down on his commitment to reducing CO2 emissions.
How old are you? Very few young people discuss or debate about climate change. They simply believe what they are told. They don’t want to learn anything from 60-year-olds. When presented with the facts, their reply is “Okay Boomer.” Investors are now looking at “sustainability scorecards” that force CEOs to publish their carbon-neutral plans for the future. I’ve been speaking with people in the oil and airline industries, and they actually believe that they have to put themselves out of business for the sake of the planet.
I don’t think Bill Gates, Barack Obama, Mike Bloomberg, Hans Rosling, Steven Pinker, Tyler Cowen, Richard Branson, Jeff Skoll, Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk, and other prominent thinkers are idiots. I respect these people. I don’t think we should make fun of them. That just causes them to dig in deeper and raise more money. How can we have a reasonable conversation with people who believe what we don’t?
I want to see a world where the scientific method comes first. I don’t think our science should change when a new president is elected. I don’t support liberals, conservatives, libertarians, or religious groups, because I think their platform comes first, before science. Can there not be any liberals who are skeptical of climate alarmist claims? Should we take religious skeptics seriously? I would like to see a world where people consider each subject simply on the merits of the available evidence, not on what everyone else believes.
I recently released a video showing just the data on climate claims. I tried to put it into a format digestible for young people, and I’ve heard from a few young people that it opened their minds. I hope you’ll watch and share it:
I have a request. In my video, I say it would be great if we had a graph of average US historical temperature using only the uncontaminated level 1 and 2 stations from Anthony Watts’ Surfacesations.org project going back to 1900. Does anyone know if that graph exists? I can’t find it. If not, does anyone want to work on creating it with me?
If I could reach one person, it would be Bill Gates, who is writing a book on climate right now. I would ask him to support a public effort of adversarial collaboration to bring alarmists and skeptics together to debate and find solutions together, and to hold journalists accountable for reporting the results accurately.
We convert skeptics one at a time, usually after they turn 60, while alarmists enroll millions each year through text books, television, scary images, scientific journals, and massive public-relations campaigns.
I think the only way for us to measure success is how many minds we change. We can’t do it forcefully or by calling names. If we truly want to change minds, we should be willing to start with our own.
http://www.climatecurious.com


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--More proof that viruses don’t have wings — UPDATE: SlowMo moves!

BREAKING NEWS : Since writing this Scott Morrison has finally moved to quarantine all arrivals including planes and ships .
He ’ s still two weeks behind the virus , and playing catch up with Jacinta Ardern , the real leader .
But finally the bleeding obvious has dawned .
He won ’ t close schools , and perhaps , suddenly that will now be a viable option , though Sydney still need short sharp major action to save lives .
Could they bear doing no sport or social events for two weeks ?
The big risk to most states @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NSW aim for the “ slow bleed ” eking out infections over months , hoping none accidentally go wild , or will it aim to wipe this out in three weeks so life gets back to normal , and Australia can play sport again against New Zealand , asap ?
With this news , just in the nick of time , the future is now looking better .
Watch as leaders all round the world pick this up .
Good boost for sovereign borders .
All eyes on the EU now where the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Spain ( 6,300 ) , Germany ( 4500 ) and France ( 4,500 ) are where Italy was on 7th March , just over one [ … ]

BREAKING NEWS: Since writing this Scott Morrison has finally moved to quarantine all arrivals including planes and ships. He’s still two weeks behind the virus, and playing catch up with Jacinta Ardern, the real leader. But finally the bleeding obvious has dawned. He won’t close schools, and perhaps, suddenly that will now be a viable option, though Sydney still need short sharp major action to save lives. Could they bear doing no sport or social events for two weeks? The big risk to most states are now flights from Sydney. Will NSW aim for the “slow bleed” eking out infections over months, hoping none accidentally go wild, or will it aim to wipe this out in three weeks so life gets back to normal, and Australia can play sport again against New Zealand, asap?
With this news, just in the nick of time, the future is now looking better. Watch as leaders all round the world pick this up. Good boost for sovereign borders. All eyes on the EU now where the open border policy has been disastrous — Spain (6,300), Germany (4500) and France (4,500) are where Italy was on 7th March, just over one […]
Rating: 10.0/10 (6 votes cast)
via JoNova
https://ift.tt/2TTmW7s
March 14, 2020 at 11:43PM


Begging For Totalitarianism

Over the course of just a few days , the American people have ceded control of their schools , their @ @ @ @ @ travel , their concerts , their meetings , their ability to purchase essential goods at @ @ @ @ @ other aspect of their lives – all the while imagining that this somehow makes them @ @ @ @ @ , a precedent has been set for every future virus .
It was so easy @ @ @ @ @ to get Americans to voluntarily give up their rights – permanently .

“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
Over the course of just a few days, the American people have ceded control of their schools, their sports, their freedom to travel, their concerts, their meetings, their ability to purchase essential goods at the store, and every other aspect of their lives – all the while imagining that this somehow makes them safer. And even worse, a precedent has been set for every future virus.
It was so easy for the powers that be to get Americans to voluntarily give up their rights – permanently.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--Google Virus Spreads Panic

Google Virus Spreads Panic

Google and the fake news media supported by it by cash and undisclosed promotional placement continue spreading panic .
Note @ @ @ @ @ thumb image : Chaos at American Airports .
This is what enemy propaganda looks like @ @ @ @ @ link on the very top does not point to any location , but proposes to @ @ @ @ @ i.e .
self-propagates like a virus .

Google and the fake news media supported by it by cash and undisclosed promotional placement continue spreading panic. Note the words in the first thumb image: Chaos at American Airports. This is what enemy propaganda looks like.
Also note that the link on the very top does not point to any location, but proposes to share the original search, i.e. self-propagates like a virus.
via Science Defies Politics
https://ift.tt/2x2nv5y
March 15, 2020 at 04:40PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--The ‘Climate Emergency’ -Running with the crowds?

This article about the ‘ Climate emergency ’ was written several weeks ago , before the Corona virus ( Covid 19 ) really hit the headlines .
Just today , President Trump banned travel from the European mainland to the U.S. , the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled , Tom Hanks and his wife are in quarantine in that country and the virus has just been labelled a pandemic .
Stock markets have plunged .
All perhaps illustrating that we never quite know what is just around the corner , and how one panic can quickly supplant another .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ‘ Climate Emergency ’ in mind , has therefore taken on a different dimension , as for the first time we have some of those sceptical over the science of the ‘ Climate Emergency ’ accepting the science behind the consequences of the Covid 19 outbreak .
Consequently , perhaps those alarmed about Covid 19 but not the climate , can , for the first time , understand the depths of concern and alarm of those who feel that a Climate Armageddon is upon us .
Climate activists demanding immediate action fervently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up and take drastic steps to recover a situation that they think is out of control and therefore is every bit as urgent as tackling Covid 19 .
They have climate related concerns so real that it has affected the mental health of a whole generation and created a situation whereby even small children are being encouraged by schools to worry obsessively and take action .
So when reading the article , perhaps readers would bear this additional background in mind and step into the shoes of those believing in a ‘ Climate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a par with Covid 19 and comment accordingly .
Do you understand their concerns and sometimes radical and disruptive actions better ?
Do you believe the science about one crisis but remain sceptical about the science of the other ?
Do you remain unconcerned by both issues ?
James Thurber ’ s 1913 story ‘ The Day the Dam broke ’ is an account of human irrationality enabling us to draw lessons on how things can quickly spiral out of control when false information is knowingly , or innocently , spread .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the case of climate , a rapid escalation to the apocalyptic sounding ‘ Climate Emergency ’ .
This is an extreme climate condition which some find difficult to discern , but is fervently believed in by many others , especially when current events such as bushfires , storms and flooding are heavily promoted in the media , with limited historical context .
With far more people around compared to the past to observe or experience great weather extremes of the modern era and project pictures of them instantly round the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Dusty historical accounts of extreme weather-statistically likely to be only a fraction of those that occurred then observed , recorded , preserved and recovered – can not compete with vivid pictures of tragedies as they happen .
This lack of context will only reinforce the notion that such modern events are without precedent , or more frequent .
As L P Hartley said ; ‘ The past is a Foreign country-they do things differently there ’ and young people in particular –often the most concerned over perceived radical climate change- tend to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their concerns and invariably look to the future , rather than the past .
The initial panic Thurber describes in ‘ The Day the Dam broke ’ was based on fear and concern over a genuine incident , the great Easter flood of 1913 “ when a monumental storm system , tornadoes and floods covered much of the US , creating devastation from Nebraska to the Atlantic seaboard and down to the Mississippi , ” claimed to be that country ’ s most widespread natural disaster , linked here .
1 ) Thurber @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Like a flash , business on High street was paralyzed , the whole city was thrown into a panic , rescue work in the flood district was hurriedly abandoned , the river ’ s east brink for a mile was cleared of humanity , when , at 4:30 Wednesday afternoon , someone shouted : “ The storage dam has burst….Never before in the history of Columbus was there such a scene of panic , even consternation .
Through alleys , down street , down stairways , out of windows , people hurried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fought each other in their almost mad rush .
.
.
.
” 2 ) Thurber ’ s story is based on his life as a young boy living near the Ohio river , and relates the experiences of his Aunt Edith Taylor and his own youthful recollection about the “ Great Run ” of the afternoon in Columbus city , which illustrates the mob mentality very well .
The following is my own summary of the relevant parts of the tale , with some small snippets from the story itself ; “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) on March 12 , 1913 a rumour spread that the River Ohio was in flood and the water would rush towards the city as the dam had broken .
Thurber describes someone running , probably because they were late .
One or two others joined the runner for their own reasons .
Other people heard the noise and came out on to the High Street to see what was happening .
Perhaps already aware of the rumour , upon seeing the runner , yet more townsfolk started running towards the East for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yet more followed , and shouts of ‘ the Dam has broken ” ’ could be heard .
In the market place people heard the commotion and joined them , and soon , upwards of two thousand citizens were running , to save their lives from the flood .
Thurber ’ s Aunt Edith Taylor was attending a movie theatre and joined the mob ; “ When I reached Grant Avenue , I was so spent that Dr. H.P Mallory passed me , there was a boy behind him on roller-skates and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skates for the sound of rushing water .
He eventually reached the Columbus School for Girls where he collapsed.
” Food was left on the hob and front doors left open , as the people ran to escape the rushing waters of the Dam they were sure had collapsed , a notion reinforced by thousands of others of a like mind .
The militia drove through the city announcing the news was false , but still the mob ran up to 12 miles in order to save their lives .
Eventually when it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pursuing them , the mob mentality began to ease .
Slowly people returned to their homes realising that even the most sober and moderate of citizens had lost their heads over an unsubstantiated rumour , reinforced by the actions of a runner unconnected with the matter .
Thurber no doubt embellished the story somewhat for comic effect ; ‘ Still , as Harrison Kinney relates in his biography , there was enough truth about mass hysteria in Thurber ’ s account of the Afternoon of the Great Run of 1913 to impress at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ M. Hoge , who experienced the ill effects of rumour and panic during the Battle of the Bulge , read “ The Day the Dam Broke ” shortly afterward and “ required every member of his staff to do the same , ” as is related in link 2 ) That this herd mentality is not new can be seen in writings over the centuries ; “ Stuffing the ear with false report….Rumour is a pipe Blown by surmises , jealousies , conjectures , ’ Henry iv Part 4- William Shakespeare “ ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evils that have never happened.
” This comes from Thomas Jefferson , former U.S. President .
Many more ‘ running with the crowd ’ quotes in reference 3 ) Human phycology is richly observed in Thurber ’ s story , in as much that men and women can lose all sense of proportion and common sense when a panic starts .
The various quotes illustrate that this human weakness to believe exaggerated tales , whether likely or not , has occurred throughout history , and this human failing has been acutely observed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has taken up the theme in his 2019 book ‘ The Madness of Crowds .
Gender , Race and Identity , ’ setting out numerous modern day examples 4 ) .
This in turn is echoing ‘ Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds ’ an early study of crowd psychology by Scottish journalist Charles Mackay , first published in 1841 .
In this he initially discusses economic bubbles , including the South Sea bubble and Tulip Mania and European fervour for causes such as the Medieval Crusades .
Modern commentators have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as examples of this mass hysteria 5 ) Two quotes stand out from Mackay ’ s book ; ‘ Men , it has been well said , think in herds ; it will be seen that they go mad in herds , while they only recover their senses slowly , and one by one.
” ‘ We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object , and go mad in its pursuit ; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion , and run after it , till @ @ @ @ @ @ @ folly more captivating than the first.
” Very many people believe ‘ The Dam has Broken ’ as regards the climate , with relentless media attention serving to reinforce this belief , with dire warnings of imminent apocalypse .
It is a theme taken up by green activists and politicians , who for genuine environmental reasons , or for political purposes , want the story to be true and fashion their narrative accordingly .
The “ Climate Emergency ” bears a close relationship to many panics of the past , real or imagined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that due to modern means of communication the messages of doom are spread rapidly internationally .
In a modern democracy , governments feel obliged to accept the verdict of the vociferous leaders amongst the voting crowds and enact their own officially sanctioned responses in response .
This departure from rational thought can be seen by anyone in the UK listening to the recent announcements by the UK govt .
that , within a decade or so , we can substitute tens of millions of gas boilers with something as yet not spelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tens of millions of electric cars with charging points , and somehow magic up vast amounts of reliable electricity from other than current means , in order to power the Brave new world .
“ Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is described as a ‘ dystopian novel by English author Aldous Huxley , written in 1931 and published in 1932 .
Largely set in a futuristic World State , inhabited by genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy , the novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology , sleep-learning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 6 ) This particular Brave New World , where the “ Climate Emergency ” is a central feature , has consequences .
The depth of the upheaval to modern civilisation in order to achieve the aims they claim to desire appears to have passed by those swept up in the panic , if not by those actually manipulating it .
Many older readers will remember their relatively deprived childhoods around the 1950 ’ s and 60 ’ s and be surprised at University and school strikes apparently intended to voluntarily take us back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times , or even much earlier , depending on how quickly zero emissions are demanded and implemented .
In retrospect , we can recognise that our childhoods in those decades were low energy , with no computers and smart phones , internet or social media , limited amounts of consumer goods , hot baths were often rationed , but unwelcome anyway in often freezing houses .
Central heating -if installed-was often kept turned down .
We generally walked to school , would not expect to be transported everywhere by parents , had one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one modest holiday a year , usually in our own country and had limited access to imported exotic food , or food out of season .
As striking Students are not yet integrated into the economy , they perhaps do not fully appreciate the consequences of their stated objectives , whose effects will permanently derail their comfortable , modern , warm and energy guzzling lifestyles .
It is estimated that we need 50 % more energy by 2050 .
It is reasonable to ask that , in the absence of fossil fuels , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modern 24/7 interconnected society is coming from ?
Whilst many believe renewable energy will come to the rescue , renewables , primarily wind turbines and solar panels ( and also devices such as smartphones/computers ) often utilise minerals requiring environmentally damaging mining , processing and shipping and physically challenging and often morally dubious working conditions .
Estimates show there are not enough of the required materials in the world to meet projected demand from a rapidly rising global population demanding the latest modern comforts , fashioned by impeccably ‘ green ’ methods .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UK ’ s Department of Energy and Climate Change , said trying to power the UK economy with weather dependent renewable Energy was “ an appalling delusion ” which only takes trivial “ back of the envelope ” calculations to prove .
The David Mackay book updated 2015 can be downloaded here , with the calculations 7 ) Likely sacrifices that will need to be taken by all in order to avoid the perceived ‘ Climate Emergency ’ might encompass the following lifestyle changes ; Assuming journeys are necessary in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cycling , walking or train .
No parents taxi service .
No flying except in an emergency .
No spring water in plastic bottles , No imported food or food out of season when there is a local alternative .
Little meat , dairy or fish , no hot daily showers , an embargo on throw away fashion clothes , no cotton .
Infrequent washing of clothes in tepid water and no artificial drying .
Drastic reductions of energy guzzling internet and social media , with smart phones and computers rationed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and used infrequently , and a considerable reduction in purchases of consumer goods , especially those that are non-essential .
Curtailment of new entertainment , such as films , documentaries and TV , where extensive travel was necessary in their making .
Minimal home and work place heating .
Expect regular power cuts .
Curtail vegan foods which have achieved mythical status on their ability to save the planet .
Many vegan ingredients come from all over the world , often by air and have huge carbon footprints .
Only weekly cups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ home deliveries of everything from fast food to shoes .
No attendance at festivals or sporting events , especially overseas , or those that need to use floodlights and aren ’ t near public transport .
These measures are ‘ low hanging fruit ’ .
Other changes in lifestyle will become apparent , but students ( and adults ) endorsing the ‘ Climate Emergency ’ will need to make considerable sacrifices and adopt more frugal lifestyles and not just during school years when passions and certainties burn brightest .
As can be seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ currently taken for granted almost as a ‘ human right , ’ that might need to be scaled back or discarded entirely , are substantial .
In short , if you believe in the need to take drastic action to avert a ‘ Climate Emergency ’ then the simple answer is to stop living your modern lifestyle and revert to that of your grandparents much more frugal lifestyles or , if you really want to don hair shirts and get to zero emissions almost immediately , that of your many times great grandparents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ pre industrial ’ times .
The IPCC uses this date from which to measure man ’ s effect on the climate , when lives were often brutal , short , poor and un-healthy .
Several books are listed under ref 8 ) that illustrate that the depths of the hardships of those living in the pre industrial past are beyond modern imagining in the West , but still all too familiar to undeveloped countries seeking to raise their lifestyles by using fossil fuels .
Are people willing to make these individual sacrifices @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much as they are , perhaps recycling a bit more or cutting back a little on overseas holidays , in the belief that some means will be found to supply unlimited cheap and clean energy ?
This ‘ no consequences ’ belief that one way of life can be effortlessly and seamlessly exchanged for another , without huge costs and disruption , does not stand close scrutiny .
But when you are running in panic to escape the broken Dam , reality has already gone out of the window .
Humanity is fickle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else .
There are many very worthy causes that warrant man ’ s attention and interest and consequently perhaps something else perceived to be even more terrible than a ‘ Climate Emergency ’ will take centre stage .
* ( *See the note at the head of this article concerning Covid 19-corona basis The way we treat our environment is a different issue and should be separated from the climate change hysteria , and whether or not fossil fuels will continue to be the best solution man can devise for our energy needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 21st century , is another discussion .
A discussion much better held when those pressing for alternative solutions are not in a panic .
8 ) Books that illustrate the harsh lifestyles of ordinary people in earlier centuries .
a ) The fictional ‘ Shardlake ’ series by C J Sansom set around the 1540 ’ s b ) ‘ The Third Horseman ’ William Rosen set in the 14th century c ) ‘ The Time Travellers guide to Medieval England ’ by Ian Mortimer also set in the 14th century d ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chaucer , also set in the 14th Century

Guest post by Tony Brown
Addendum: March 12th 2020
This article about the ‘Climate emergency’ was written several weeks ago, before the Corona virus (Covid 19) really hit the headlines. Just today, President Trump banned travel from the European mainland to the U.S., the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled, Tom Hanks and his wife are in quarantine in that country and the virus has just been labelled a pandemic. Stock markets have plunged. All perhaps illustrating that we never quite know what is just around the corner, and how one panic can quickly supplant another.
The article originally written with the concerns over the ‘Climate Emergency’ in mind, has therefore taken on a different dimension, as for the first time we have some of those sceptical over the science of the ‘Climate Emergency’ accepting the science behind the consequences of the Covid 19 outbreak. Consequently, perhaps those alarmed about Covid 19 but not the climate, can, for the first time, understand the depths of concern and alarm of those who feel that a Climate Armageddon is upon us.
Climate activists demanding immediate action fervently believe that the world needs to wake up and take drastic steps to recover a situation that they think is out of control and therefore is every bit as urgent as tackling Covid 19. They have climate related concerns so real that it has affected the mental health of a whole generation and created a situation whereby even small children are being encouraged by schools to worry obsessively and take action.
So when reading the article, perhaps readers would bear this additional background in mind and step into the shoes of those believing in a ‘Climate emergency’ and who place it on a par with Covid 19 and comment accordingly. Do you understand their concerns and sometimes radical and disruptive actions better? Do you believe the science about one crisis but remain sceptical about the science of the other? Do you remain unconcerned by both issues?
James Thurber’s 1913 story ‘The Day the Dam broke’ is an account of human irrationality enabling us to draw lessons on how things can quickly spiral out of control when false information is knowingly, or innocently, spread.
This can quickly lead to panic or, in the case of climate, a rapid escalation to the apocalyptic sounding ‘Climate Emergency’. This is an extreme climate condition which some find difficult to discern, but is fervently believed in by many others, especially when current events such as bushfires, storms and flooding are heavily promoted in the media, with limited historical context. With far more people around compared to the past to observe or experience great weather extremes of the modern era and project pictures of them instantly round the world, this lack of context is unsurprising. Dusty historical accounts of extreme weather-statistically likely to be only a fraction of those that occurred then observed, recorded, preserved and recovered – cannot compete with vivid pictures of tragedies as they happen. This lack of context will only reinforce the notion that such modern events are without precedent, or more frequent. As L P Hartley said; ‘The past is a Foreign country-they do things differently there ’ and young people in particular –often the most concerned over perceived radical climate change- tend to have limited historical references on which to test their concerns and invariably look to the future, rather than the past.
The initial panic Thurber describes in ‘The Day the Dam broke’ was based on fear and concern over a genuine incident, the great Easter flood of 1913 “when a monumental storm system, tornadoes and floods covered much of the US, creating devastation from Nebraska to the Atlantic seaboard and down to the Mississippi,” claimed to be that country’s most widespread natural disaster, linked here. 1)
Thurber’s actual incident is described; ‘Like a flash, business on High street was paralyzed, the whole city was thrown into a panic, rescue work in the flood district was hurriedly abandoned, the river’s east brink for a mile was cleared of humanity, when, at 4:30 Wednesday afternoon, someone shouted: “The storage dam has burst….Never before in the history of Columbus was there such a scene of panic, even consternation. Through alleys, down street, down stairways, out of windows, people hurried, tumbled ran, shouted and fairly fought each other in their almost mad rush. . . .” 2)
Thurber’s story is based on his life as a young boy living near the Ohio river, and relates the experiences of his Aunt Edith Taylor and his own youthful recollection about the “Great Run” of the afternoon in Columbus city, which illustrates the mob mentality very well. The following is my own summary of the relevant parts of the tale, with some small snippets from the story itself;
“After very heavy rain (see 1) on March 12, 1913 a rumour spread that the River Ohio was in flood and the water would rush towards the city as the dam had broken. Thurber describes someone running, probably because they were late. One or two others joined the runner for their own reasons. Other people heard the noise and came out on to the High Street to see what was happening. Perhaps already aware of the rumour, upon seeing the runner, yet more townsfolk started running towards the East for safety. As more people did so, yet more followed, and shouts of ‘the Dam has broken”’ could be heard. In the market place people heard the commotion and joined them, and soon, upwards of two thousand citizens were running, to save their lives from the flood.
Thurber’s Aunt Edith Taylor was attending a movie theatre and joined the mob;
“When I reached Grant Avenue, I was so spent that Dr. H.P Mallory passed me, there was a boy behind him on roller-skates and Dr. Mallory mistook the swishing of the skates for the sound of rushing water. He eventually reached the Columbus School for Girls where he collapsed.”
Food was left on the hob and front doors left open, as the people ran to escape the rushing waters of the Dam they were sure had collapsed, a notion reinforced by thousands of others of a like mind.
The militia drove through the city announcing the news was false, but still the mob ran up to 12 miles in order to save their lives. Eventually when it became clear that flood water was not pursuing them, the mob mentality began to ease. Slowly people returned to their homes realising that even the most sober and moderate of citizens had lost their heads over an unsubstantiated rumour, reinforced by the actions of a runner unconnected with the matter.
Thurber no doubt embellished the story somewhat for comic effect; ‘Still, as Harrison Kinney relates in his biography, there was enough truth about mass hysteria in Thurber’s account of the Afternoon of the Great Run of 1913 to impress at least one important reader. General William M. Hoge, who experienced the ill effects of rumour and panic during the Battle of the Bulge, read “The Day the Dam Broke” shortly afterward and “required every member of his staff to do the same,” as is related in link 2)
That this herd mentality is not new can be seen in writings over the centuries;
“Stuffing the ear with false report….Rumour is a pipe Blown by surmises, jealousies, conjectures,’ Henry iv Part 4- William Shakespeare
“’ How much pain have cost us the evils that have never happened.” This comes from Thomas Jefferson, former U.S. President. Many more ‘running with the crowd’ quotes in reference 3)
Human phycology is richly observed in Thurber’s story, in as much that men and women can lose all sense of proportion and common sense when a panic starts. The various quotes illustrate that this human weakness to believe exaggerated tales, whether likely or not, has occurred throughout history, and this human failing has been acutely observed by many.
More recently author Douglas Murray has taken up the theme in his 2019 book ‘The Madness of Crowds. Gender, Race and Identity,’ setting out numerous modern day examples 4). This in turn is echoing ‘Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds’ an early study of crowd psychology by Scottish journalist Charles Mackay, first published in 1841. In this he initially discusses economic bubbles, including the South Sea bubble and Tulip Mania and European fervour for causes such as the Medieval Crusades. Modern commentators have included the Chinese stock bubble of 2007 as examples of this mass hysteria 5)
Two quotes stand out from Mackay’s book;
‘Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one.”
‘We find that whole communities suddenly fix their minds upon one object, and go mad in its pursuit; that millions of people become simultaneously impressed with one delusion, and run after it, till their attention is caught by some new folly more captivating than the first.”
Very many people believe ‘The Dam has Broken’ as regards the climate, with relentless media attention serving to reinforce this belief, with dire warnings of imminent apocalypse. It is a theme taken up by green activists and politicians, who for genuine environmental reasons, or for political purposes, want the story to be true and fashion their narrative accordingly. The “Climate Emergency” bears a close relationship to many panics of the past, real or imagined, but what is different this time is that due to modern means of communication the messages of doom are spread rapidly internationally. In a modern democracy, governments feel obliged to accept the verdict of the vociferous leaders amongst the voting crowds and enact their own officially sanctioned responses in response.
This departure from rational thought can be seen by anyone in the UK listening to the recent announcements by the UK govt. that, within a decade or so, we can substitute tens of millions of gas boilers with something as yet not spelt out or priced, can suddenly build tens of millions of electric cars with charging points, and somehow magic up vast amounts of reliable electricity from other than current means, in order to power the Brave new world. “Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is described as a ‘dystopian novel by English author Aldous Huxley, written in 1931 and published in 1932. Largely set in a futuristic World State, inhabited by genetically modified citizens and an intelligence-based social hierarchy, the novel anticipates huge scientific advancements in reproductive technology, sleep-learning, psychological manipulation and classical conditioning. “ 6)
This particular Brave New World, where the “Climate Emergency” is a central feature, has consequences. The depth of the upheaval to modern civilisation in order to achieve the aims they claim to desire appears to have passed by those swept up in the panic, if not by those actually manipulating it.
Many older readers will remember their relatively deprived childhoods around the 1950’s and 60’s and be surprised at University and school strikes apparently intended to voluntarily take us back to the lower living standards of those times, or even much earlier, depending on how quickly zero emissions are demanded and implemented.
In retrospect, we can recognise that our childhoods in those decades were low energy, with no computers and smart phones, internet or social media, limited amounts of consumer goods, hot baths were often rationed, but unwelcome anyway in often freezing houses. Central heating -if installed-was often kept turned down. We generally walked to school, would not expect to be transported everywhere by parents, had one small black and white TV, took one modest holiday a year, usually in our own country and had limited access to imported exotic food, or food out of season.
As striking Students are not yet integrated into the economy, they perhaps do not fully appreciate the consequences of their stated objectives, whose effects will permanently derail their comfortable, modern, warm and energy guzzling lifestyles.
It is estimated that we need 50% more energy by 2050. It is reasonable to ask that, in the absence of fossil fuels, where the constant base power for a modern 24/7 interconnected society is coming from? Whilst many believe renewable energy will come to the rescue, renewables, primarily wind turbines and solar panels (and also devices such as smartphones/computers) often utilise minerals requiring environmentally damaging mining, processing and shipping and physically challenging and often morally dubious working conditions. Estimates show there are not enough of the required materials in the world to meet projected demand from a rapidly rising global population demanding the latest modern comforts, fashioned by impeccably ‘green’ methods.
The late Professor Mackay, Chief Scientist of the UK’s Department of Energy and Climate Change, said trying to power the UK economy with weather dependent renewable Energy was “an appalling delusion” which only takes trivial “back of the envelope” calculations to prove. The David Mackay book updated 2015 can be downloaded here, with the calculations 7)
Likely sacrifices that will need to be taken by all in order to avoid the perceived ‘Climate Emergency’ might encompass the following lifestyle changes;
Assuming journeys are necessary in the first place, travel only by bus, cycling, walking or train. No parents taxi service. No flying except in an emergency. No spring water in plastic bottles, No imported food or food out of season when there is a local alternative. Little meat, dairy or fish, no hot daily showers, an embargo on throw away fashion clothes, no cotton. Infrequent washing of clothes in tepid water and no artificial drying. Drastic reductions of energy guzzling internet and social media, with smart phones and computers rationed to one a household and kept for years, and used infrequently, and a considerable reduction in purchases of consumer goods, especially those that are non-essential. Curtailment of new entertainment, such as films, documentaries and TV, where extensive travel was necessary in their making. Minimal home and work place heating. Expect regular power cuts. Curtail vegan foods which have achieved mythical status on their ability to save the planet. Many vegan ingredients come from all over the world, often by air and have huge carbon footprints.
Only weekly cups of habitat destroying coffee and foregoing endless home deliveries of everything from fast food to shoes. No attendance at festivals or sporting events, especially overseas, or those that need to use floodlights and aren’t near public transport.
These measures are ‘low hanging fruit’. Other changes in lifestyle will become apparent, but students (and adults) endorsing the ‘Climate Emergency’ will need to make considerable sacrifices and adopt more frugal lifestyles and not just during school years when passions and certainties burn brightest.
As can be seen, the list of modern comforts, currently taken for granted almost as a ‘human right,’ that might need to be scaled back or discarded entirely, are substantial.
In short, if you believe in the need to take drastic action to avert a ‘Climate Emergency’ then the simple answer is to stop living your modern lifestyle and revert to that of your grandparents much more frugal lifestyles or, if you really want to don hair shirts and get to zero emissions almost immediately, that of your many times great grandparents in order to revert to pre 1750 ‘pre industrial’ times. The IPCC uses this date from which to measure man’s effect on the climate, when lives were often brutal, short, poor and un-healthy. Several books are listed under ref 8) that illustrate that the depths of the hardships of those living in the pre industrial past are beyond modern imagining in the West, but still all too familiar to undeveloped countries seeking to raise their lifestyles by using fossil fuels.
Are people willing to make these individual sacrifices or do they expect to carry on much as they are, perhaps recycling a bit more or cutting back a little on overseas holidays, in the belief that some means will be found to supply unlimited cheap and clean energy? This ‘no consequences’ belief that one way of life can be effortlessly and seamlessly exchanged for another, without huge costs and disruption, does not stand close scrutiny. But when you are running in panic to escape the broken Dam, reality has already gone out of the window.
Humanity is fickle. Interest passes and fixates on something else. There are many very worthy causes that warrant man’s attention and interest and consequently perhaps something else perceived to be even more terrible than a ‘Climate Emergency’ will take centre stage.*
(*See the note at the head of this article concerning Covid 19-corona basis
The way we treat our environment is a different issue and should be separated from the climate change hysteria, and whether or not fossil fuels will continue to be the best solution man can devise for our energy needs, as we proceed further into the 21st century, is another discussion. A discussion much better held when those pressing for alternative solutions are not in a panic.
Tony Brown February 2020
References;
1) https://nationalcalamityeaster1913flood.blogspot.com/2015/10/the-day-dam-broke.html
2) http://storyoftheweek.loa.org/2019/12/the-day-dam-broke.html
3) https://www.bartleby.com/348/904.html
4) https://www.amazon.com/Madness-Crowds-Gender-Race-Identity/dp/1635579988
5) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extraordinary_Popular_Delusions_and_the_Madness_of_Crowds
6)https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5129.Brave_New_World
7) https://www.withouthotair.com/download.htmlurrently
8) Books that illustrate the harsh lifestyles of ordinary people in earlier centuries.
a) The fictional ‘Shardlake’ series by C J Sansom set around the 1540’s b) ‘The Third Horseman’ William Rosen set in the 14th century c) ‘The Time Travellers guide to Medieval England’ by Ian Mortimer
also set in the 14th century d) “The Canterbury Tales” by Geoffrey Chaucer, also set in the 14th Century


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--Another icebreaker stuck in “unexpectedly thick” Arctic ice – Video

What ?
!
?
!
That ice is supposed to be all gone .
How are they getting stuck ?
@ @ @ @ @ ” asks David Dubyne .
“ The third year in a row that we ’ @ @ @ @ @ from vessels in both the southern and northern hemispheres due to ice too thick ?
@ @ @ @ @ supposed to be all gone , ” says Dubyne .
“ How are they getting @ @ @ @ @ here we are .
Another icebreaker stuck in unexpectedly thick Arctic ice .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ of the climate process in the central Arctic from winter , explains the research expedition @ @ @ @ @ Thanks to Winston Smith for this video The post Another icebreaker stuck in “ unexpectedly @ @ @ @ @ Video appeared first on Ice Age Now .

What?!?! That ice is supposed to be all gone. How are they getting stuck?
“What is this?” asks David Dubyne. “The third year in a row that we’ve seen climate-change scientists rescued from vessels in both the southern and northern hemispheres due to ice too thick?”
“That ice is supposed to be all gone,” says Dubyne. “How are they getting stuck? And yet, here we are. Another icebreaker stuck in unexpectedly thick Arctic ice.
“We lack even the basic observation of the climate process in the central Arctic from winter, explains the research expedition leader, Markus Rex.
“What?!?!” exclaims Dubyne. “I thought the science was settled.”
Thanks to Winston Smith for this video
The post Another icebreaker stuck in “unexpectedly thick” Arctic ice – Video appeared first on Ice Age Now.
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March 15, 2020 at 01:05PM


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--Bill Gates Steps Down from Microsoft, to Focus Full Time on Climate Change and Philanthropy

Bill Gates has announced that he is resigning from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway , to focus full @ @ @ @ @ Philanthropy .
I have made the decision to step down from both of the public @ @ @ @ @ – Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway – to dedicate more time to philanthropic priorities including global @ @ @ @ @ , and my increasing engagement in tackling climate change .
The leadership at the Berkshire @ @ @ @ @ been stronger , so the time is right to take this step .
Bill has @ @ @ @ @ time with his climate activism .
In 2015 Bill Gates announced a green tech fund @ @ @ @ @ , though by 2018 his enthusiasm for renewables had waned a little .
In 2015 @ @ @ @ @ as a “ problem ” , because voters frequently select politicians who do not believe @ @ @ @ @ issue .
Bill Gates , for all his faults , is a remarkable individual , @ @ @ @ @ easily .
But stubbornness can sometimes be a trap .

UK International Development Secretary Justine Greening meeting with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation during his visit to London earlier today. Picture: Russell Watkins/DFID, source Wikimedia
Guest essay by Eric Worrall
Bill Gates has announced that he is resigning from the boards of Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway, to focus full time on Climate Change and Philanthropy.
Focusing My Time Published on March 14, 2020 Bill Gates Influencer
Co-chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation I have made the decision to step down from both of the public boards on which I serve – Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway – to dedicate more time to philanthropic priorities including global health and development, education, and my increasing engagement in tackling climate change. The leadership at the Berkshire companies and Microsoft has never been stronger, so the time is right to take this step. … Read more: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/focusing-my-time-bill-gates/
Bill has been having a very tough time with his climate activism.
In 2015 Bill Gates announced a green tech fund to make renewable energy viable, though by 2018 his enthusiasm for renewables had waned a little.
In 2015 Bill Gates described representative democracy as a “problem”, because voters frequently select politicians who do not believe climate change is an urgent issue.
Bill Gates, for all his faults, is a remarkable individual, not someone who gives up easily. But stubbornness can sometimes be a trap.


iowaclimatescienceeducation--2020-03-15--Obama Administration Left USA Unprepared

The book Three Seconds Until Midnight by Dr. Steven Hatfill , Robert Coullahan , and Dr. John Walsh , published in November 2019 , explains that we must be constantly prepared to pandemics caused by RNA viruses , which might be many times more lethal than COVID-19 .
It also shows the state of ( un- ) preparedness , in which the US was in 2014-2017 .
The name of Dr. Steven Hatfill might be familiar .
He was the victim of Mueller ’ s investigation methods following the 2001 anthrax letters .
Dr. Steven Hatfill was cleared in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the following quotes , the emphasis is added .
Former Obama administration officials attack Trump for his handling of the COVID-19 epidemics , instead of confessing that they left the country unprepared .
Lisa Monaco was the homeland security adviser to President Barack Obama and member of the Homeland Security Council .
Now she is a national security analyst for CNN .
She bears more responsibility for deficiencies in the preparedness than most other members of the Obama administration .
She also opens her beak bigger than others .
The City Journal on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2014 :

The book Three Seconds Until Midnight by Dr. Steven Hatfill, Robert Coullahan, and Dr. John Walsh, published in November 2019, explains that we must be constantly prepared to pandemics caused by RNA viruses, which might be many times more lethal than COVID-19. It also shows the state of (un-)preparedness, in which the US was in 2014-2017.
The name of Dr. Steven Hatfill might be familiar. He was the victim of Mueller’s investigation methods following the 2001 anthrax letters. Dr. Steven Hatfill was cleared in the court, and received compensation. In the following quotes, the emphasis is added.
The conclusion is that none of the current approaches is funded or up to the needs of today. The sources of this problem are multiple. One is the involvement of non-medical planners such as politicians or DHS.
From 1996 until 2014 the United States has spent a conservative $79 billion towards a National Biological Defense. Yet in 2014, the Government demonstrated that it could not properly implement a simple syndromic surveillance system at five U.S. airports to screen for possible Ebola cases from West Africa. This event prompted us to examine 18-years of recorded GAO (Government Accountability Office) reports and testimony to determine the current state of U.S. preparedness for another lethal 1918-type Influenza pandemic. What we found was billions of wasted dollars, the purchase of defective equipment, out-of-date pandemic supplies, conflicting national guidelines, and the massive stockpiling of poorly chosen antiviral drugs with a questionable effectiveness in a pandemic. These stockpiled drugs remain a major feature of the US Government’s 2015 (updated 2017) Influenza Pandemic Response Plan. … the federal plan unrealistically shifts the most severe problems of a pandemic response to the local authorities of our towns and cities.
Our study determined that the U.S. does not currently have a public health workforce sufficient to manage this type of event [pandemics]. Our hospitals do not have the “surge” medical personnel necessary to take care of overwhelming mass casualties and no significant dedicated national pandemic training programs are underway. In August 2014, an independent DHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) reviewed the ability of DHS to perform its essential pandemic functions and its report was scathing [selected points]: - A stockpile of 200,000 respirators were past their 5-year shelf-life. This stock will be maintained for “employee comfort.” - DHS failed to properly manage its stockpile of antiviral drugs for DHS use (81% expired). - Drugs were missing from the stockpile along with many of other items. - No contractor performance oversight mechanism was in place. - Improper storage resulted in $5-million dollars of antibiotics with now questionable effectiveness. Managing stockpiles and inventory is a basic procedure for even a small business, notwithstanding that the DHS stockpile is critical for the life and safety of its employees during a pandemic. DHS did not develop and implement stockpile replenishment plans, conduct proper inventory controls to monitor stockpiles, or provide adequate oversight for outside contracts.
A few months later, this incompetence reached a National level during the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak when the DHS proved that it could not implement even a simple syndromic surveillance system at 5 International U.S. airports. It failed to implement any coordination between DHHS and the CDC while spending $4-million dollars for outside contractors to take the temperature of select arriving passengers. In addition, not all the screeners wore the required Personal Protective Equipment. To top it off, roughly 12% of Ebola-infected individuals never even run a temperature (Chapter 20). In January 2016, the DHS Office of the Inspector General released an audit report regarding the department’s response to Ebola. Rather than being in control of a potentially major pandemic incident, the DHS was a major impediment and distraction for any type of successful, organized, U.S. Ebola Response. According to the Office of the Inspector General, the DHS Office of Health Affairs then impeded the OIG investigation. In October 2016, DHS OIG released a report, entitled “DHS Pandemic Planning Needs Better Oversight, Training, and Execution,” (OIG-17-02). The report identified some progress made from its audit 2-years previously but stated that DHS cannot be assured that its preparedness plans can be executed effectively during a pandemic event. The 2016 DHS OIG report identified seven recommendations to improve oversight, readiness, timeframes, training, and exercises. The full implementation of these recommendations by DHS has not yet been reported.
Former Obama administration officials attack Trump for his handling of the COVID-19 epidemics, instead of confessing that they left the country unprepared. Lisa Monaco was the homeland security adviser to President Barack Obama and member of the Homeland Security Council. Now she is a national security analyst for CNN. She bears more responsibility for deficiencies in the preparedness than most other members of the Obama administration. She also opens her beak bigger than others.
The City Journal on Obama’s handling of Ebola, 2014:
President Obama has appointed an “Ebola czar” to coordinate the government’s response: Ron Klain, a lawyer and political operative with zero experience in infectious diseases.
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March 15, 2020 at 11:39AM