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SAVE THE ELVES

A Canadian actress considers global warming, and asks the obvious question:

What would Thumbelina be doing in this kind of situation?

Tim Flannery is to blame, of course. Speaking of Flannery, the great water-shortage alarmist is currently “recovering from the flu after a particularly cold, damp July.”

UPDATE. Headline of the month: “Rural climate change sceptics shock kayaker.”

Posted by Tim B. on 08/09/2007 at 02:28 PM
  1. I’m ordering my “WWTD?” teeshirt right now.

    Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2007 08 09 at 02:36 PM • permalink

  2. There is a quote from Gord Rand, made in reference to elves and brownies, but at least as applicable to the global warm-mongers whose cause he has taken up: “They were always interfering with people, but they were from the woods or under a rock.”

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 02:41 PM • permalink

  3. Too bad Canadian law doesn’t prohibit complete idiocy, else “The Trial of Thumbelina” would result in a verdict of guilty.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 08 09 at 02:46 PM • permalink

  4. Ha! I knew it! An ethanol connection! From the wikipedia entry on the fairytale, Thumbelina: “Once, a woman grew a barleycorn in her garden, so beautiful that when she kissed the petals of the bloom, it burst into a flower and a tiny but beautiful girl emerged.”

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 02:48 PM • permalink

  5. “Rural climate change sceptics shock kayaker.”

    And we would have gotten away with it too were it not for those darn kids…

    Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2007 08 09 at 02:52 PM • permalink

  6. Ah! The individual is foolish, but the species is wise.

    “‘I’ve been astounded by the actual lack of belief on this trip,’ he said.” It’s an occupational hazard among missionaries, Brother Posselt; get used to it.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 03:00 PM • permalink

  7. I told you we needed to place the electrodes differently to shock the kayaker, paco, but nooo you said Uncle KKKarl had taught you and that you knew the right way to do it.

    Well look at the mess.

    Posted by Mr. Bingley on 2007 08 09 at 03:07 PM • permalink

  8. No, mate its just a cycle

    Shocka!  The Earth goes through cycles.  Pardon me while I write this down…..

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2007 08 09 at 03:14 PM • permalink

  9. He’s out of his gourd.
    Sounds like more brainwashing child abuse…

    Do people still read Flannery’s books? I loved Future Eaters (his thesis). Everything after that has been crap.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 03:19 PM • permalink

  10. As for the kayaker, he should wait until there’s more water in the river - or put wheels on his kayak. The cow cockies’d know about weather cycles, they’re quite familiar with them, unlike young city folk. I don’t know what the excuse is for people of Garrett’s vintage and others’ belief in AGW.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 03:23 PM • permalink

  11. As someone who makes and paddles canoes ...  I was completely astounded to learn that I am also an expert on climate change or global warming or global cooling or…. Man, this expertise gig is pretty confusing. Maybe if I switched to kayaks it would all make sense. Must be the double bladed paddle that makes one an expert on all things eco.

    Posted by greene on 2007 08 09 at 03:36 PM • permalink

  12. #9: Do people still read Flannery’s books?

    Flannery O’Connor’s books? Yes. Tim Flannery’s? Well, I don’t, but apparently theatrical types and kayakers do.

    #7 Bingley: Much better to let Brother Posselt be shocked by reality than by mere electrodes. The latter only smarts; the former really hurts.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 03:43 PM • permalink

  13. I think it is time Tim went to Bonneville. His theatrical experiences are hurting my eyes.

    Posted by Pa Feral on 2007 08 09 at 03:51 PM • permalink

  14. “I’ve been astounded by the actual lack of belief on this trip,” he said.

    Most rural people do believe in things that seem real to them.

    Like God.

    Posted by rinardman on 2007 08 09 at 04:07 PM • permalink

  15. #9 Kae

    Do people still read Flannery’s books?


    In rapidly declining numbers, it would seem.
    And just because a book is sold, that does not mean that it has been read. I have a pristine copy (unwanted Christmas gift) on my bookshelves that will never be read.
    Even the ABC seems to have dropped him from its list of “expert scientists” and did not include him in the GGWS “debate”.

    Posted by Skeeter on 2007 08 09 at 04:42 PM • permalink

  16. Thumbelina, kicked up a notch.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 04:45 PM • permalink

  17. Personally, I think this kayaker hit a boulder, with his helmet off.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 04:50 PM • permalink

  18. So I thought: what can I, just a stupid actor/wannabe writer, do about it?

    Here’s a thought:  don’t have any more babies to be raised by stupid actor/wannabe writers to wonder what Thumbelina (for God’s sake) would do in any given situation.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 08 09 at 04:59 PM • permalink

  19. Jeanie Calleja looks just right as the fairy-tale figure, nervously recounting stories and delivering vaudeville shtick for her survival.

    Is that what we’ll have to do after Algore takes over?
    I am so screwed.

    Posted by Merlin on 2007 08 09 at 05:06 PM • permalink

  20. Gore: Polluters Manipulate Climate Info

    SINGAPORE —  Research aimed at disputing the scientific consensus on global warming is part of a huge public misinformation campaign funded by some of the world’s largest carbon polluters, former Vice President Al Gore said Tuesday.

    Money quote:

    They’re trying to manipulate opinion and they are taking us for fools,” he said.

    BUT AL, it’s so easy, you putz.

    Fox

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 05:07 PM • permalink

  21. “City-Mouse shocked by Country-Mouse’s lack of knowledge, as it pertains to the country”.

    It looks like Re-Education time for Country-Mouse.

    Posted by Thomas on 2007 08 09 at 05:09 PM • permalink

  22. A great cockchafer came flying past; he caught sight of Thumbelina, and in a moment had put his arms round her slender waist, and had flown off with her to a tree. The green leaf floated away down the stream, and the butterfly with it, for he was fastened to the leaf and could not get loose from it. Oh, dear! how terrified poor little Thumbelina was when the cockchafer flew off with her to the tree! But she was especially distressed on the beautiful white butterfly’s account, as she had tied him fast, so that if he could not get away he must starve to death. But the cockchafer did not trouble himself about that; he sat down with her on a large green leaf, gave her the honey out of the flowers to eat, and told her that she was very pretty, although she wasn’t in the least like a cockchafer. Later on, all the other cockchafers who lived in the same tree came to pay calls;


    Hmmm,  Something tells me that unlike the thumbelina of the fairy tale that the Canadian Thumbelina is indeed a cockchafer.

    Posted by joe bagadonuts on 2007 08 09 at 05:22 PM • permalink

  23. Skeets:

    I have a pristine copy (unwanted Christmas gift) on my bookshelves that will never be read.

    Everything by him on my bookshelf floor near the bookshelf - I’m sorting the books - not The Future Eaters has been gifted to me… I must admit I did ask for one. That was a mistake.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 05:23 PM • permalink

  24. #14

    “I’ve been astounded by the actual lack of belief on this trip,” he said.

    Yes, he’s tripping.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 05:26 PM • permalink

  25. Btw, we’re still waiting for pics of Midwestern antics.  I trust there will be nudity.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2007 08 09 at 05:28 PM • permalink

  26. Common sense amongst rural folks.How can this be? Next thing ya know someone will be saying the sun rises in the east.

    Posted by greene on 2007 08 09 at 05:40 PM • permalink

  27. Sorry Off Topic, but have a bit of a bo-peep at one of those mighty Chinese made cars that apparently are so much better than US made cars.

    Crap Chinese car

    Posted by tmck on 2007 08 09 at 05:52 PM • permalink

  28. I trust there will be nudity.

    Ummmm, Rebecca dear, should there not be a question mark, at the end of that OR do you know, there is…:).

    OH, if there is “nudity”, would you please post it?

    So, I’m a lech…lol.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 05:56 PM • permalink

  29. Thumbelina’s got a nasty head tilt.

    Posted by Dminor on 2007 08 09 at 06:02 PM • permalink

  30. #27

    That’s a shocker.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 06:05 PM • permalink

  31. #11 greene;

    Must be the double bladed paddle that makes one an expert on all things eco.

    Nope, it’s the spray skirt, but only the neoprene variety, that confers expertise on you, not the paddle.

    It’s a common misconception.

    And collapsible wheels for your kayak are really handy, even if you’re not trying to paddle down a dry riverbed.

    Posted by steveH on 2007 08 09 at 06:06 PM • permalink

  32. #27: Ow.  I think their crumple zones did a little more than just crumple—looks like they might have wound up in the back seat.  Would not like to be first-on-scene working that front-ender—I’ll bet even the crash-test dummies were a write-off.

    Posted by Celaeno on 2007 08 09 at 06:07 PM • permalink

  33. steve mcintyre at climate audit reports on a significant change in the “hottest year” in USA, from 1998 to, wait for it, 1934.

    In fact most of the hottest years were not in the last decade, as previously shouted from the rooftops.

    Note this is USA only change, and is said not to impact on the global figures, which still say 1998 was the hottest.

    I’d link you the article, but his site is down at the moment.

    thumbelina hey - I knew this crackpot theory was more fantasy than fact.

    canoeist surprised - I’m surprised he wasn’t whacked around the head to knock some sense into him - must be those country values kicking in.

    friday is here! - yeah - just struggling along here, nose to the grindstone, wishing to be on holiday ...

    Posted by peter m on 2007 08 09 at 06:09 PM • permalink

  34. #31 Steve H…Aaahh the spray skirt. Now I understand. Thanks, knew it had to be some kayakcentric gear.

    Posted by greene on 2007 08 09 at 06:21 PM • permalink

  35. #6
    Ah! The individual is foolish, but the species is wise.

    We’ll have none of that high-level ruminatin’ around here, ya hear?!

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 06:23 PM • permalink

  36. #31: A lot of the kayakers I used to know had a singularly (in my opinion) misplaced enthusiasm for their own Authoritas in any number of areas; personally, I believe it stems from their practice of the Eskimo Roll.  They accomplish the 180º roll-down with ease, the kayak thus equipping itself with a new, 4-foot-long keel, the bottom of which is the kayaker’s head ... the trick is then to make it back up through the other 180º of arc before either advanced hypoxia causes an over-conspicuous loss of brain cells (actually not a high risk in boating circles, I grant you, at least not the ones I frequented) or a river-bottom rock or two deprives the boater of part or all of his cranium and/or its contents.  Many have trouble with one or the other, and I believe this trends them toward their misperceptions of personal greatness.

    Posted by Celaeno on 2007 08 09 at 06:26 PM • permalink

  37. #36
    or a river-bottom rock or two deprives the boater of part or all of his cranium and/or its contents.

    Or their head is snagged and they slowly drown ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 06:30 PM • permalink

  38. Another one from the Do As I Say, Not As I Do file: some greenie group has a billboard in Canberra with “Howard’s Asleep on Climate Change” and a still shot from that stupid TV commercial.  One problem though, Canberra’s planning laws prohibit fixed billboards, so the billboard is on the back of a big diesel truck.  The truck drives all around Canberra, racking up hundreds of kilometres a day and belching diesel fumes everywhere.

    Posted by craigo on 2007 08 09 at 06:40 PM • permalink

  39. #33
    Caught it at Bolta’s.
    Any correlation between the hottest years and the best vintages?* :)

    *Must be uni research, no industry data is acceptable, apparently ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 06:43 PM • permalink

  40. Tim Flannery is to blame, of course.

    He’s just such a brilliant scapegoat, because the guy just looks like he’s responsible for all the world’s crackpot theories!

    Now, I’m going to increase my carbon footprint by flying up to Brisbane. Y’all be good, and I’ll see yas on Monday, ok?

    Posted by Ash_ on 2007 08 09 at 06:47 PM • permalink

  41. Saw a story on that Kayaking idiot a few weeks ago on 730 report.

    The fundamental difficulty he had in respect of his noble quest of kayaking from Brisbane to Adelaide is the unfortunate location of the Great Dividing Range. Water doesn’t run up it, not over it. He was always going to have to cart the thing, that’s probably why he attached wheels to it.

    He was sitting in a pub talking to the locals about how little water there was in the river.

    “There’s a drought, you shoulda given us a ring before you started” one bloke told him.

    Outback rednecks. What would they know.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 08 09 at 06:55 PM • permalink

  42. #6

    Ah! The individual is foolish, but the species is wise.

    So, idiot is a new species? Interesting.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 06:55 PM • permalink

  43. #40
    Y’all be good

    OK, Ma.

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 06:55 PM • permalink

  44. Steve McKintyre’s forcing (pun intended) of the revision to the NASA USA temperature record is a major achievement, and note the deafening silence from the media.

    As for the rest of the world (temperatures), IMO its almost certain that the temperature record is more contaminated than the USA record. And there are now allegations of outright fraud in the China temperature record.

    Posted by phil_b on 2007 08 09 at 07:00 PM • permalink

  45. #44

    Contamination and allegations of fraud ?

    The people making these allegations must be in the pay of big something.

    I just won’t hear of it.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 08 09 at 07:08 PM • permalink

  46. When I heard he was kayaking from Brisbane to Adelaide, I assumed he was going around the coast. It now appears he is going overland. What a stupid twat.

    Besides, if he wanted a real challenge he should kayak from Brisbane to Perth. I hear water levels are good on the Nullabor.

    I used to be an avid canoeist. Most are sensible people, although some with a liking for certain recreational drugs.

    Posted by phil_b on 2007 08 09 at 07:10 PM • permalink

  47. Given that 1998 is no longer the hottest year on record, as revealed by Steve McIntyre, this headline is possibly the most percipient, or ironic, that has ever been written.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 09 at 07:12 PM • permalink

  48. “recovering from the flu after a particularly cold, damp July.”

    Well, it is winter, what do you eexpect?

    This piece of news certainly warms the cockels of my heart.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 09 at 07:13 PM • permalink

  49. The Murray River is the lifeblood of Australia’s farming country, a legendary river that thundered 1,500 miles from the Snowy Mountains to the Indian Ocean

    Who wrote this shit ?

    I’m not a flawless geographer, but when I were a kid, the Murray rain into the Southern Ocean, near Adelaide which is roughly 1500km from the Indian Ocean.

    I didn’t realise things were so crook.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 08 09 at 07:14 PM • permalink

  50. #49
    As soons as you spot lifeblood, prepare for the truthy/cluebat filter ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 07:23 PM • permalink

  51. #15, Skeeter, a good metric I find for the real popularity of books purchased is how rapidly they turn up in trashy used-book stores, you know, the ones which have all those recipe and self-help books.

    A really good used book store rarely has anything “new” in it; all books are very definately used.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 09 at 07:23 PM • permalink

  52. #49 Pickles,

    Don’t you understand? ... Global warming diverted it.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 09 at 07:25 PM • permalink

  53. Had you been on a trapeze before?

    Said the bishop to the Canadian actress.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 09 at 07:26 PM • permalink

  54. What this guy needs is the caryak, from Paco Outdoors Products, Inc. A true all-terrain, amphibious vehicle, equipped with a 4-cylinder engine to carry you over those drought-ravaged spots, and retractable wheels for the occasional river, which permit you to enjoy the thrills of the traditional kayaking experience (i.e., swooshing downstream in a boat, upside down, with icy water shooting into your lungs and your head banging against the rocky river-bottom).

    Paco Outdoors Products: Get Out There!

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 07:29 PM • permalink

  55. A lack of “belief” amongst rural types? Nothing new I fear.

    After all, the origin of the word ‘pagan’ is merely the Latin for peasant or hick!

    Backward rural types have always been resisting new beliefs foisted upon them by smarter, more sophisticated types from the big smoke.

    Posted by Local oaf on 2007 08 09 at 07:34 PM • permalink

  56. many rural people do not believe in climate change

    This is one of the reasons I love your outback.

    Posted by Wimpy Canadian on 2007 08 09 at 07:36 PM • permalink

  57. #52 Wimpy

    The ghosts of dead explorers who endured privations and worse a century and a half ago, rode horses down rivers, paddled longboats and sailed junks across the dusty plains to determine where the rivers actually went would be turning in their graves if they were, in fact, dead.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 08 09 at 07:39 PM • permalink

  58. #55
    Backward rural types ...
    And what of the brighter ones?
    Them Latins didn’t have the interweb thingy in the bush ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 07:40 PM • permalink

  59. #54: Paco, we used to have those out in western Oklahoma and West Texas all the time in flash flood weather—only back then we just usually called them “cars.”  Favorite whitewater (er, brownwater) sport for idiots, seemingly, was trying to drive across any intersection you couldn’t see the bottom of.  Somehow, it usually ended in tears.  Or worse.

    Posted by Celaeno on 2007 08 09 at 07:48 PM • permalink

  60. #59 Celaeno: Used to see the same thing in Arizona. Some intrepid idiot would try to drive over a road caught in a flash flood, and the next thing you know, you’ve got the Fire/Rescue people out there trying to fish ‘em out.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 07:53 PM • permalink

  61. #51: A really good used book store rarely has anything “new” in it; all books are very definately used.

    How true!

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 07:54 PM • permalink

  62. Problem was, after about the twentieth time the vehicle got rolled around on the riverbottom, it got compacted down around the driver so sufficiently it was just about impossible to separate the two for last rites.  Heard several fairly macabre tales of interments out in the Panhandle that were not, shall we say, exactly standard?

    Posted by Celaeno on 2007 08 09 at 08:02 PM • permalink

  63. FYI: David Marr currently on Radio National: free screech, ‘course ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 08:12 PM • permalink

  64. NASA says… Ooops, we’re dead already…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2007 08 09 at 08:16 PM • permalink

  65. Steve Posselt, who is pulling his kayak along the Darling River

    It’s so hard to keep up with the slang the kids are using these days. I remember when a kayak was an enclosed canoe.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 09 at 08:19 PM • permalink

  66. Bolta:

    Robyn (100m) Williams has a page in Cosmos (of which he is on the editorial board) about his discourse with Bolta on sea level rise.

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 08:39 PM • permalink

  67. Celaeno

    When I worked in Kingfisher, OK…that wasn’t to bad. Of course it was dead of winter…that rig I was on, was mighty damn cold, though.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 08:54 PM • permalink

  68. If you’re too butch for lolcats…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2007 08 09 at 09:01 PM • permalink

  69. He says he did not expect so many people to doubt what the majority of climate scientists agree on.

    “I’ve been astounded by the actual lack of belief on this trip,” he said.

    “Many people want to argue the issue about whether there is such a thing as global warming.

    “You can talk to blokes in the pub and they say yep winters aren’t what they used to be, they’re a lot shorter.

    “And you say, ‘well do you believe in climate change? No, mate its just a cycle’.”

    I want to know how come the “blokes at the pub” have worked it out and yet the very intelligent scientists havent worked out that maybe ‘recorded history’ doesnt stretch back far enough to make conclusive determinations!

    Keep draging your canoe if for nothing else its funny as to watch

    Posted by Killaette on 2007 08 09 at 09:13 PM • permalink

  70. #65

    Some would say this is a better outcome than guiding his craft between the Snowy Mountains or pushing his kayak up the mighty Franklin River with Senator Brown, but I am open-mind on this subject.

    Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 08 09 at 09:16 PM • permalink


  71. #70

    pushing his kayak up the mighty Franklin River with Senator Brown

    Interesting euphemism.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 09:25 PM • permalink

  72. paco:

    Sorry to break it to you, but they’ve one-uped you in the powered kayak department. Meet the Jet Powered Kayak.

    ‘Course I’ve got a 10ft sit on top that is one hell of a lot of fun to chase redfish around the flats with. Hook into a decent sized one and they’ll tow you all over the place.

    Posted by brett_l on 2007 08 09 at 09:25 PM • permalink

  73. Did Andrew Bolt actually say that a prediction was a fact or have I just read that wrong?????

    Posted by Killaette on 2007 08 09 at 09:27 PM • permalink

  74. #70.  “pushing his kayak up the mighty           Franklin River with Senator Brown”

    Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

    Ahem.

    Posted by Olrence on 2007 08 09 at 09:27 PM • permalink

  75. #72

    Oh, I get it. He did a risk assessment and voila! Canoe where there’s no water and you will be safe from drowning.

    However, not safe from derision and ridicule.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 09:27 PM • permalink

  76. Bob Brown’s first foray into environmentalism came after witnessing the horrors of ringbarking in his beloved Styx Valley.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 09 at 09:28 PM • permalink

  77. #77

    Is that a euphemism for brazilian waxing?

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 09:30 PM • permalink

  78. 69 Killaette

    I want to know how come the “blokes at the pub” have worked it out and yet the very intelligent scientists havent worked out that maybe ‘recorded history’ doesnt stretch back far enough to make conclusive determinations!

    Do-no…but I don’t think it can be alcohol, on the “blokes or “the very intelligent scientists” part.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 09:31 PM • permalink

  79. kae

    brazilian waxing?

    You little devil, you.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 09:35 PM • permalink

  80. Who could blame Bob for his attachment to the mighty old growths - some which require several men holding hands to entirely encircle.

    Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 08 09 at 09:36 PM • permalink

  81. #79 I love scientist cause they seem to have adopted my make stuff up and believe it model.

    On one side you have the “alcohol destroys your brain” scientists and on the other side you have these scientists

    I wonder which one is more likely to be passed on by the wider community

    Posted by Killaette on 2007 08 09 at 09:38 PM • permalink

  82. #79

    Yes. It’s got me beat how the hicks on the land who’ve seen it all before have worked it out. No models for them.

    I wonder if kayak-boy has ever had anything to do with anyone off the land with a few years weather cycles under their belt.

    I also note that some of the photos have been taken by a bilious camel.


    Oh, that last para was oafish and infantile.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 09:40 PM • permalink

  83. #80
    Not mine, El Cid, Bob Browns…

    shudder

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 09:40 PM • permalink

  84. Kayak. It’s not just a palindrome.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 09 at 09:43 PM • permalink

  85. Headline of the month: “Rural climate change sceptics shock kayaker.”

    It may be a great headline, but even a great headline can be improved:

    “Rural climate change sceptics shot kayaker.”

    There, that’s better.

    Posted by Big Jim on 2007 08 09 at 09:43 PM • permalink

  86. 84

    Not mine, El Cid, Bob Browns

    Ahh, ok. Christ that would hurt…what do they do…knock one out, or use the simplified duct tape method, to quiet or muffle the screams?

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 09:48 PM • permalink

  87. Floating Arctic Ice Shrinking at Record Rate

    The cause is probably a mix of natural fluctuations, like unusually sunny conditions in June and July, and long-term warming from heat-trapping greenhouse gases and sooty particles accumulating in the air, according to several scientists.

    My ice shrinking it caused by the alcohol, I put in the glass.

    “The melting rate during June and July this year was simply incredible,” Mr. Chapman said. “And then you’ve got this exposed black ocean soaking up sunlight and you wonder what, if anything, could cause it to reverse course.”

    Paint it white, maybe?

    NYT

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 10:03 PM • permalink

  88. #73: ‘Course I’ve got a 10ft sit on top that is one hell of a lot of fun to chase redfish around the flats with. Hook into a decent sized one and they’ll tow you all over the place.

    Now you’re singin’ my song!

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 10:25 PM • permalink

  89. O/T (What? already?). This has got to be one of the best (among many great) stories of the War on Terrorism.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 10:37 PM • permalink

  90. Bob Brown: Racist and Illegal land grab.

    (to protect the women and kids in remote aboriginal communities)

    Hmm.

    Can someone please tell me what use, exactly, this land is put to?

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 10:38 PM • permalink

  91. #90: And I should have added: come for the great banner, stay for the great posts.

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 10:38 PM • permalink

  92. #90 - That night we extracted a profound revenge on lesser men…

    The war on terror summed up in 10 words. Beautiful.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 09 at 10:53 PM • permalink

  93. #55
    If he’s on the coastal side, he’s prolly literally up shit creek ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 10:57 PM • permalink

  94. #90, paco,

    that was very uplifting and heartening.

    Thanks very much for the story and the link.

    Posted by Pogria on 2007 08 09 at 10:57 PM • permalink

  95. Also, don’t miss this: the consequences of George Bush’s liberal immigration policy. What’s under your fedora?

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 10:59 PM • permalink

  96. A Call For Help

    Please help a blogger in distress.

    To be ordered to divorce in order to get a passport is monstrous. Bizarre.

    Posted by Zoe Brain on 2007 08 09 at 11:05 PM • permalink

  97. #96 - Better a minkey than a beaum on board.

    Posted by Infidel Tiger on 2007 08 09 at 11:07 PM • permalink

  98. Hi Zoe
    The petition link is busted at your site.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 09 at 11:09 PM • permalink

  99. On lesser men, indeed

    Posted this late last evening. In my opinion, it deserved to be posted, again.

    This little Iraqi girl’s entire family was executed. They intended to execute her also and shot her in the head, but they failed to kill her.

    She was cared for by John Gebhardt’s hospital and is healing, but has been crying and moaning The nurses said John is the only one she seems to calm down with, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both sleep in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

    Theo Spark

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 11:14 PM • permalink

  100. #97
    Hey Zoe, how come the ‘A.E.’ still ... is it a legal thingy, too?

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 11:16 PM • permalink

  101. The petition link is busted at your site.

    Took the words right off my fingertips, kae

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 09 at 11:18 PM • permalink

  102. #91
    Audio grab of Brown on the radio: ‘Good on’ the Govt for intervening in abo communities; ‘bad on’* them for how they went about it.

    *<strike>Good Christian boy</strike> for wishing bad upon them, or an illiterate?

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 09 at 11:29 PM • permalink

  103. So, a stranger comes into town <i> pulling a boat down the road >i< and offers to give instruction to the locals, and they doubt his credentials?

    How stupid do you have to be to be surprised at your reception?

    Posted by Harry Eagar on 2007 08 09 at 11:40 PM • permalink

  104. #100: Classic pic, El Cid (and classic story to go with it).

    In re: the GWOT story I linked, I wish there was an audio grab somewhere of those cave-dwelling rats when this started happening: “Once in our Intel spaces I was told that during our mission that Osama’s thugs were crying on their radios, declaring that the world was coming to an end and asking for divine assistance from Allah.” Hey, boys, you asked for your 72 virgins and you got ‘em! What were you cryin’ about?

    Posted by paco on 2007 08 09 at 11:42 PM • permalink

  105. Link Fixed. Thanks so much for the correction.

    And as for the name A.E.Brain - that’s my son’s initials.

    Posted by Zoe Brain on 2007 08 10 at 12:03 AM • permalink

  106. #70
    Apparently, Bob offered to push his stool in at the pub, but he declined ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 10 at 12:07 AM • permalink

  107. #98 IT

    But their kids are cute when they’re little.

    Posted by Pickles on 2007 08 10 at 12:18 AM • permalink

  108. So, El Cid, engineering, rig hand, mud crew, what?  Kingfisher’s getting right close to home (OKC), but my job covered a lot of the state plus parts of Texas (Borger, God save the mark) and Kansas… you’re right, winters were COLD.  There’s nothing between Oklahoma and the North Pole but two barb wire fences and a cow or two, and one cow moves the wind gets purely mean.

    Posted by Celaeno on 2007 08 10 at 12:21 AM • permalink

  109. #11 - you think you’ve got problems!!  I ride a bike and people think I must be concerned about burning fossile fuels etc etc.  Bugger that I just do it so I can drink more alcohol and eat chips without turning into a complete ball of fat.

    Posted by Razor on 2007 08 10 at 12:33 AM • permalink

  110. #66
    As does Bolta, suspect Williams is Auntie’s high priest of Science and was the instigator of the mass debate of ‘swindle’.

    And, as per the comments, other than his B Sc., has no scientific experience, and suspect lil’ aptitude* ... should’ve followed his thespian interests ... looked like he thought he had great stage presence at the debate.
    Per Bolta, here’s hoping the ole fraud retires/gets the sack.

    *Science Show discussion about aircraft (re)routing for greater fuel efficiency in light of alleged AGW, re advocated use of the jet stream: ‘That doesn’t make the plane feel unstable or anything, does it, hurtling around like that?’ ... f*cktard ...

    Akin to Auntie’s Dr Alan Saunders thinking that wind erosion would affect urban housing masonry structures, small womder he hosts food and architecture programs: those who can, do, those who can’t find something else to do ...

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 10 at 12:41 AM • permalink

  111. Robyn 100m Williams as thespian: Papageno in The Magic Flute

    Posted by egg_ on 2007 08 10 at 01:32 AM • permalink

  112. From here comes this quote:

    “And I wanted science to be something that people would be sceptical about. In other words, that they wouldn’t simply listen to stuff handed down from on-high, as the true tablets of stuff but something that they would say, “Hang on, that doesn’t quite add up.”

    Williams must be enjoying his discussion with Bolta.

    Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 08 10 at 01:59 AM • permalink

  113. Williams also makes a blip on my Sounds Like Bullshit-ometer with his claims to have made guest appearances on the Goodies and Monty Python’s Flying Circus.

    Posted by Margos Maid on 2007 08 10 at 02:17 AM • permalink

  114. I considered sub prime loans and wondered, “What would Spiderman do?” Forget it. That’s stupid.

    Posted by dean martin on 2007 08 10 at 06:56 AM • permalink

  115. Many years ago there was a cartoon in Punch magazine of a man lost in the desert. The hapless soul was clutching the sun-bleached horns on the skull of a long-dead long-horn as if they were the handlebars of a motorbike. The caption said “Brmm, brmmm, brrrrrrrrrrr”

    Is that any less sad than a man dragging a kayak along the dried out bed of river?

    Posted by Contrail on 2007 08 10 at 07:01 AM • permalink

  116. Just as sad….and funny!

    Posted by dean martin on 2007 08 10 at 07:35 AM • permalink

  117. #115 What would Brian Boitano do?

    Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 08 10 at 07:50 AM • permalink

  118. “he is disappointed with the sceptical nature of outback Australians”

    Did this guy invent bigotry or do you think he had outside help?

    Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 08 10 at 08:01 AM • permalink

  119. Rural climate change sceptics shock kayaker

    when I saw that headline I immediately heard dueling banjos

    Posted by paulris on 2007 08 10 at 09:12 AM • permalink

  120. #120 Squeal like a PIG, boy…

    Posted by ThinAndBritish on 2007 08 10 at 09:13 AM • permalink

  121. 109 Celaeno

    Should you come back and read this…

    engineering, rig hand, mud crew, what?

    I’ll take ‘em one at a time.

    engineering

    Never did see a train go by..

    rig hand

    Getting close, but never lost one..

    mud crew

    Always covered with it..

    what?

    Well, roughneck. Handled the tongs, grabbed the pipe as she was hoisted, wrapped the chains and then resumed my duties of cleaning the platform off, only to start the same all over again, when it was time…Kinda’ worked my UP, from A WORM. Although to this day, some still call me A WORM…:).

    Never will forget the Red Wing Store in ‘downtown’ Kingfisher and the “shoe” salesman.

    Walked in he said..“whatcha need”. I said “steel toe boots”...He said… “Nawww, whatcha need is hard toes”...I said..“OH?”...He said… “yep, ya see when somethin’ heavy falls on your feet, with hard toes all it’ll do is crush them toes, with steel toes, hell, it’ll cut them toes right off”...I said… “Hmmmm, I think I’d rather have them steel toes and have them toes cut slap off, besides that’s what the Boss, ordered me to get”...He said “OK, its your feet”.

    I never will forget my days on Wildcat Rig #39, Bogart Oil…Kingfisher, OK. working the graveyard shift. Had a room right above one of the local bars, even got some sleep too, once the fightin’ stopped…LOL.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 10 at 09:14 AM • permalink

  122. I know of someone named O’Connor, an Aussie, who was a drill-bit fisher in the states.
    Lives in Texas now.

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 10 at 09:38 AM • permalink

  123. #122, Cid, were you around for the bumper stickers, “Please, God,  please let there be another oil boom: I PROMISE I won’t p—- it all away this time”...?  I was a Company man ... -er, woman, myself, and mostly an office rat, so a lot of the wilder stuff sort of slid right on by, but I had good friends in the middle of it for years.  Interesting times.

    Posted by Celaeno on 2007 08 10 at 03:23 PM • permalink

  124. Celaeno

    Nope, never did see those stickers. I was there 1977-78. Course I wasn’t really looking for bumper stickers.

    All I ever looked for was my check…Oh and counted my toes, every time I took them there boots off…:).

    Interesting times, for damn sure.

    Posted by El Cid on 2007 08 10 at 05:26 PM • permalink

  125. Bolt news, he’s the sexiest journalist of all time.

    Read his news today.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2007 08 11 at 03:35 AM • permalink

  126. Andrew Bolt !

    Posted by 1.618 on 2007 08 11 at 03:40 AM • permalink

  127. Woo who Andrew bolt.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2007 08 11 at 03:54 AM • permalink

  128. I would love to have an affair with the one and only Boltster babe.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2007 08 11 at 03:59 AM • permalink

  129. 123, Kae—bit-fishing, now there’s an occupation.  Not exactly the steadiest of work, but I expect it pays well on recovery since those little dudes are a pricey item.  Drilling’s slowed in Oklahoma, but it’s still more than a pastime, and Texas is still active, so your friend likely has ongoing opportunities if he’s still in that line of work.

    Posted by Celaeno on 2007 08 11 at 09:30 PM • permalink

  130. #130
    This drill-bit-fisher seemed to always be in work and on a very good wicket. I got the impression that he’s quite well off. And quite good at his job. (I knocked around with his brother for a few years.)

    Posted by kae on 2007 08 11 at 09:47 PM • permalink



  131. Sorry I’m posting this page here so I don’t lose it.

    Posted by 1.618 on 2007 08 15 at 01:50 AM • permalink

  132. Page 1 of 1 pages

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