Warmists Continue Pushing Notion That Juno Was Proof Of “Climate Change”

If it is, I blame the Warmists for refusing to give up their own use of fossil fuels, hairdryers, ice makers, hair spray, refusing to unplug every appliance not in use, refusing to live in a tiny house, refusing to grow their own food, walk or bike to work, and only buy local

Here’s How We Know Global Warming Made the Blizzard Worse

Manhattan may have gotten the wimpy end of Juno, but the storm chin-checked New England. Boston is buried in snow. Hurricane-force winds buffeted Nantucket. The storm surge may have permanently altered shorelines from New Haven, Connecticut, to Portsmouth, Maine. Storms have always happened in winter, but the excessively violent ones? They’re getting more common, and that’s due to climate change.

“It’s winter, and we have storms, so that part is entirely natural,” says Kevin Trenberth, a senior scientist at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, the federal government’s center for understanding weather and climate. “The global warming aspect relates to the fact that the oceans are warmer, and the air above them is more moist.”

So, does this mean that the oceans were super-duper warm during the Little Ice Age, the Dark Ages, and, heck, the last glacial age and Snowball Earth?

Also, weren’t we told that the heat was hiding in the deep oceans?

Trenberth’s expertise puts him in the potentially uncomfortable position of trying to use scientific data to answer what has become a politicized question. But he says that doesn’t bother him because the numbers speak for themselves. Climate models—heavy-lifting computation that simulates the fluid dynamics of the whole planet—show that oceans are like batteries, charging up with extra warmth as atmospheric carbon continues to warm the planet. But that energy storage isn’t free. What goes in must come out, feeding bigger, badder storms. In the case of Winter Storm Juno, extra warmth in the ocean possibly lowered air pressure by a few bars. That means more wind and bigger storm surges.

So this is all based on computer models? Good grief.

Not to be outdone, VICE News goes with

Climate Change Is Bringing More Extreme Precipitation Events to the Northeast

And Full Time Whistle

Blizzard of Nor’Easters No Surprise, Thanks to Climate Change

The contents of the fables pretty much mirror the excerpted one, the same as many, many other articles, so, it looks like Warmists received their marching orders. Then there’s the New Republic

It’s Time to Remind Climate Change Deniers That Weather and Climate Are Different

This myth is routinely debunked, but one more time doesn’t hurt: Weather is not climate. The weather is immediate conditions—rain, snow, sunshine, etc.—while the climate is long-term trends.

Perhaps they should be telling Warmists this, since they now blame every weather event on “climate change”.

A blizzard or a cold snap doesn’t disprove climate change. It doesn’t cancel the fact that ten of the hottest years on record have occured since 2000, with 2014 as the the warmest yet.

So, they set the condition that nothing can disprove their pet cult. And, they apparently haven’t gotten the info that 2014 is not necessarily the warmest yet. But, really, even if it was the warmest, even if they were right on snow being caused by heat, that in no way proves anthropogenic causation.

Weather forecasts are also not the same as climate projections, because weather predictions are short-term by nature. And despite improved forecasting over the last few decades, weather forecasts are only as accurate as meteorologists’ initial data, like atmospheric conditions, ocean surface temperatures, and how well real-world physics is represented in their models. Imperfect knowledge of those conditions makes weather predictions highly variable.

Climate models, on the other hand, can’t predict the weather on a specific day, but they do show trends and averages. They deal with different data, including conditions of the deep ocean, vegetation, and the sun, and how greenhouse gasses impact the system. “The ability (or not) of predicting a single storm on a given day in a specific portion of the U.S. has little relevance to skill in predicting long-term climate associated with long-lived greenhouse gases,” Norman Loeb, an atmospheric scientist with NASA, said in an email.

Which is interesting, because “climate models” have consistently failed. Remember when we were told that snow would be a thing of the past? Remember when we were told that the 2005 hurricane season would be “the new normal”? Then landfalling hurricanes dropped off. We were told that Superstorm Sandy would be the new normal. Nope.

Climate deniers upset that Tuesday’s blizzard skipped New York City can take comfort that the city will face more historic storms in the future.

Of course it will. That’s the way nature works. Of course, in Warmist World, they seem to forget that “weather is not climate.”

Read: Warmists Continue Pushing Notion That Juno Was Proof Of “Climate Change” »

Bergdahl To Possibly Be Charged With Desertion

Good thing we exchanged him for 5 hardcore Taliban members, eh?

(NBC News) Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl, who was held captive by enemy forces in Afghanistan for five years, will likely be charged with desertion, senior defense officials tell NBC News.

The officials point out that Bergdahl will likely face a lesser charge of desertion described in the Uniform Code of Military Justice as leaving a post to avoid duty or shirk an important assignment, based on his actions when he left a remote outpost in June 2009.

Those charges carry a maximum sentence of 5 years in prison upon conviction, but sources tell NBC News the Army is considering crediting Bergdahl for the 5 years he spent in captivity and be given the opportunity to avoid prosecution by leaving the Army with a “less than honorable discharge.”

If accepted, Bergdahl could be denied as much as $300,000 in back pay and benefits and be reduced in rank from Sergeant to Private First Class or lower.

It does seem that the charges are being lowered, most likely for political reasons, ie, in order to minimize the damage to Obama. An Air Force commander told the Army Times that no decision has been made as of yet, but, I think we can all see the writing on the wall.

Let’s also not forget that the prisoner swap was deemed illegal by the GAO.

Read: Bergdahl To Possibly Be Charged With Desertion »

Good For Her: Michelle Obama Refuses To Wear Head Wrap

Regardless of how you may feel about Michelle Obama, such as with her Nanny State school food controls, this was brave and and an excellent demonstration

(AP) For first lady Michelle Obama, just a few hours in Saudi Arabia were enough to illustrate the stark limitations under which Saudi women live.

Joining President Barack Obama for a condolence visit after the death of the King Abdullah, Mrs. Obama stepped off of Air Force One wearing long pants and a long, brightly colored jacket — but no headscarf.

Under the kingdom’s strict dress code for women, Saudi females are required to wear a headscarf and loose, black robes in public. Most women in Saudi Arabia cover their hair and face with a veil known as the niqab. But covering one’s head is not required for foreigners, and some Western women choose to forego the headscarf while in Saudi Arabia.

As a delegation of dozens of Saudi officials — all men — greeted the Obamas in Riyadh, some shook hands with Mrs. Obama. Others avoided a handshake but acknowledged the first lady with a nod as they passed by.

Almost none shook hands with Michelle Obama.

(Politico) First lady Michelle Obama faced backlash from Twitter users in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for not wearing a head covering during her brief visit there with the president.

Obama wore loose-fitting clothes including a long blue jacket and dark pants while accompanying President Barack Obama during their four hours on the ground in Riyadh to offer condolences on the death of King Abdullah and for the president to meet with new King Salman.

On Twitter, Saudis used a hashtag that translates to “#Michelle_Obama_Immodest” or “#Michelle_Obama_NotVeiled” to chastise the first lady for being disrespectful to Saudi traditions.

Some Saudis were upset that she had worn a head covering on a recent trip to Indonesia. However, many foreign females were also not wearing any sort of head covering, as noted in the Washington Post article. Michelle’s arms were fully covered, though that might have been more of a “dress kinda properly for a State funeral visit” thing.

Mrs. Obama’s office has refused to address the issue, so we do not know why she did not wear a head covering. Regardless, good for her.

Crossed at Right Wing News.

Read: Good For Her: Michelle Obama Refuses To Wear Head Wrap »

India PM Modi Says “Nope!” To Matching China’s “Climate Change” Pledge

Of course, China’s “climate change” pledge is more of a pledge to think about doing something starting in 2030

https://twitter.com/AmPowerBlog/status/559955361784807424

As Donald notes “Modi was barred from traveling to the U.S. before he became prime minister. Those slights are not easily overcome.”

(LA Times) The United States and India sought to put a contentious history behind them Sunday by declaring a new partnership on climate change, security and economic issues, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi rejected calls for India to match China’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As President Obama opened a three-day visit to New Delhi aimed at underscoring the two democracies’ shared ideals, Modi’s blunt dismissal of a sweeping climate agreement reflected the limits of Washington’s assiduous courtship of the popular new prime minister.

Even as Obama announced “a breakthrough understanding” that could clear the way for U.S. companies to build nuclear power plants in India — potentially reducing India’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels — Modi said he felt “no pressure” from any other country to curtail the South Asian nation’s carbon emissions.

Instead, the U.S. said it would cooperate with India in clean-energy initiatives such as expanding solar power, reducing the most toxic greenhouse gases and making air-conditioners more efficient — without demanding that it slow the rapid growth of its coal industry.

“India is a sovereign country,” Modi said during a joint news conference with Obama. “There is no pressure on us from any country or any person, but there is pressure when we think about the future generations and what kind of world we want to give them.”

Whether Modi is a Believer in Hotcoldwetdry or not, he refuses to mortgage India’s future for the sake of of this silly issue, much as the entire US Senate (including hyper-Warmist John Kerry) voted in 1998 to refuse to join the Kyoto Protocol because it would damage the U.S. economy.

Meanwhile, Obama gave a rambling, finger-wagging speech in India about religious tolerance and stuff, yammering on about himself, of course.

Read: India PM Modi Says “Nope!” To Matching China’s “Climate Change” Pledge »

If All You See…

…is warmth created snow, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is Maggie’s Farm, with a post laughing at the “blizzard of the century”, plus Tuesday links.

Read: If All You See… »

Awesome: Hotcoldwetdry To Turn Chicago Into Texas Or Something

Yet another insane prognostication from the Cult Of Warming

Climate Change Could Turn Chicago into Texas, Report Claims

Last year was the hottest on record, and if climate change persists, it could get a lot worse, a new report claims, warning Chicago’s climate could mirror that of modern-day Texas by the end of the century.

The report, part of a study examining climate change called the Risky Business Project, was funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Paulson Institute and TomKat Charitable Trust, and examined how climate change may affect the Midwest, its cities, communities agriculture and businesses.

“The average Chicago resident is expected to experience more days over 95°F each year by century’s end than the average Texan does today,” the report said.

Uh huh.

Other consequences, the reported predicted, include rising energy costs, an increase in violent crime and economic losses to due agriculture being harmed.

I’d worry more about liberal policies regarding crime than Hotcoldwetdry. Same with rising energy costs. And straight up economic losses.

Read: Awesome: Hotcoldwetdry To Turn Chicago Into Texas Or Something »

Crazy Warmists Continue To Blame Blizzard On “Climate Change”

I mentioned several Warmists yesterday blaming “Juno” on Hotcoldwetdry. Here are more of the unhinged

There are plenty of nutty tweets. Then there’s NY gov Andrew Cuomo

Massive snowstorms such as the one sweeping into the US north-east on Monday are “part of the changing climate”, New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, declared at a press conference announcing a state of emergency.

Cuomo said on Monday that “there is a pattern of extreme weather that we’ve never seen before” – reiterating his comments in the wake of hurricane Sandy, when he said that “anyone who says there’s not a dramatic change in weather patterns is probably denying reality.”

Of course, Bill Nye came unglued

After noting that he “just wants to introduce the idea,” Nye conceded, “Now, proving any one storm is connected, especially cold-weather events is quite difficult.” He added, “But I just want to present that.”

According to Nye, “the very strong winds that will be associated with this storm in the next couple of days, these could be connected to climate change.” Considering that this is a snowstorm in winter, Nye was careful to avoid the term “global warming.” Cycle co-host Toure cheered, “I love you for bringing that in.”

And more lunacy

While the “curator” of the Washington Post’s newly-minted online “Energy and Environment” section Chris Mooney tells us in his article that global warming may make blizzards worse by increasing the temperature of the western Atlantic ocean and thereby increasing the moisture feed into the developing storm, meteorologist Ryan Maue is quick to point out that just the opposite is likely the result—that the elevated sea surface temperatures actually act to make such storms tamer.

Maue goes on to add that it is “easy to make case that global warming weakened this blizzard significantly due to warmer [sea surface temperatures].”

So, one says “climate change” will make snow storms worse, the other says “climate change” reduced the impact. Refer back to facepalm above.

Professor Roger Pielke, Jr., is less than impressed with the pronouncements, noting that no one has been able to attribute any trends in winter storms to a human fingerprint. Of course, that won’t stop warmists. Nothing will. They live in a different world.

Read: Crazy Warmists Continue To Blame Blizzard On “Climate Change” »

Pelosi Slaps Obama, Says A Hillary Clinton Win Would Give House Back To Dems

In the years Barack Obama has been President, he has more of a hindrance for elected Democrats than a help. They’ve lost House twice, with historic losses in 2010 and 2014. They’ve hemorrhaged Senate seats, leading to the complete loss of the Senate in 2014. In State government

As Amy Walter notes for the Cook Political Report, Democrats lost big at all levels of government, including the states. “Today,” she writes, “about 55 percent of all state legislative seats in the country are held by Republicans. That’s the largest share of GOP state legislators since the 1920s.” What’s more, “just 11 states have an all Democratic-controlled legislature,” and Democrats hold single-party control in just seven states. By contrast, “Republicans have a legislative majority in 30 states, including the battleground states of Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina,” and single-party control in most of the South.

The GOP now is also in control of a majority of governor’s mansions in the States. So, how to read this from Nancy Pelosi?

(The Hill) Rep. Nancy Pelosi says Democrats can recapture control of the House in 2016 by riding Hillary Clinton’s coattails.

“Yes, we can win the House,” the California Democrat said during a sit-down interview in her Capitol office.

“If she runs, she will win the nomination. And if she’s our nominee, she clearly — I mean, the campaign, the joint effort — would be one that could not only take her into office but would [pull Democrats to victory],” Pelosi said.

“There’s opportunity, all kinds of statistics now about if the Democrats have a presidential candidate who … wins by 52 percent — that’s over 20 [House] seats,” Pelosi added. “And so 53 [percent] is a victory [for House Democrats].”

In 2012, Democrats only gained back 8 seats, though, to be fair, Obama only got to 51.1% of the popular vote. And, of course, Pelosi claimed in 2010 that Dems would keep the House, and in 2012 and 2014 claimed they would retake the House. Hey, she has to say that. But, she has never said anything about riding Obama’s coattails while he’s been president, because Obama is in it for Obama. He hasn’t care much for electing other Democrats.

Crossed at Right Wing News.

Read: Pelosi Slaps Obama, Says A Hillary Clinton Win Would Give House Back To Dems »

Smart Power: Semi-Retired President Can’t Help Chewing Gum

Mailing it in

(Times Of India) In an ungainly sight, cameras caught US President Brack Obama chewing gum during the Republic Day parade on Monday.

In the picture captured by cameras and posted on Twitter by some users, Obama was spotted removing his chewing gum while PM Modi was seen trying to explain something to the US president.

Allahpundit wonders if he was chewing nicotine gum. He also points out that Bush was quite a bit more popular in India than Obama. Really, though, Bush was typically more popular than Obama with leaders in nations around the world. Not necessarily his policies, but his ability to reach out to leaders, to talk to them, to include them, to treat them as equals and partners, to listen to them. To create international relationships as POTUS. Obama barely talks to the elected officials in his own Party, and has barely spent any time creating international relationships, other than a few ill-timed selfies. Obama just doesn’t seem to want to put the work in. Nothing surprising in the least.

And, yeah, quite a few India citizens were very unhappy with the gum chewing.

Apparently, King Abdullah hated Obama’s guts, too. Not too sure that’s a bad thing, but, Saudi, for good or bad, is an important regional ally.

Read: Smart Power: Semi-Retired President Can’t Help Chewing Gum »

If All You See…

…is heat created snow, you might just be a Warmist

The blog of the day is The Lonely Conservative, with a post on Cuba walking out of negotiations.

Read: If All You See… »

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