At least it was the worst season ever for the Global Warming ideologues. For the second year in a row, the Chicken Littles of the world were wrong in their forecasts. This year was going to be one of the worst hurricane seasons ever. Global warming was churning up the seas of destruction. Whole coastal cities would be wiped of the map. But it didn't happen.
Apparently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) can't accurately predict the weather just a few weeks or months away. So why does Al Gore think they can predict 100 years from now????
Monday, October 29, 2007
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Atlas Shrugged
I'm currently reading the novel Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. I'm only about 1/4 of the way thru it right now (it's 1000+ pages), but I can't help but be impressed by Ms Rand's prognostic ability. For those of you who have never heard of the book, I will begin with a very brief, and probably very bad, summary of the book.
It's about a world in which "moochers" and "looters" rule over everybody with an iron fist. Private property is routinely taken by the government in the name of public good. The productive members of society have had enough, and go on strike, thus bringing the world to it's knees.
It was published back in 1957. This year is the 50th anniversary of the book. What amazes me is how many of Ms Rand's ideas have come true. The socialists of the day are constantly calling themselves and their ideas "progressive." They pass laws making it illegal to be "too successful." They try to regulate the oil industry with taxes and legislation, leading to nation-wide fuel shortages. And they frequently use guilt as a means to destroy the productive. They are advocates of taking from the successful and giving to the needy because the needy are unable to earn for themselves.
Ms Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, has a lot I don't agree with, but the majority of it's precepts seem spot on to me.
It's about a world in which "moochers" and "looters" rule over everybody with an iron fist. Private property is routinely taken by the government in the name of public good. The productive members of society have had enough, and go on strike, thus bringing the world to it's knees.
It was published back in 1957. This year is the 50th anniversary of the book. What amazes me is how many of Ms Rand's ideas have come true. The socialists of the day are constantly calling themselves and their ideas "progressive." They pass laws making it illegal to be "too successful." They try to regulate the oil industry with taxes and legislation, leading to nation-wide fuel shortages. And they frequently use guilt as a means to destroy the productive. They are advocates of taking from the successful and giving to the needy because the needy are unable to earn for themselves.
Ms Rand's philosophy, Objectivism, has a lot I don't agree with, but the majority of it's precepts seem spot on to me.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
R.I.P. Robert Jordan
After struggling with a disease called Amyloidosis, author Robert Jordan (real name James Oliver Rigney, Jr) died on September 16th, 2007. He was (and still is) one of my favorite writers. I loved his Wheel of Time series. The series was about a young man, Rand, who suddenly found himself at the center of the ultimate battle between Good and Evil. Ever the reluctant hero, Rand and his friends grew with each installment, with the penultimate book being the last one Mr Jordan was able to write.
He will be greatly missed. His influence in the world of Fantasy fiction will be felt for generations to come.
(The above picture was found at the website Dragonmount.com.)
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Andy McKee
If you like the sound of a guitar, this guy is awesome. I don't know what you call his playing style, but it's incredible to listen to.
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