Dec 25th 2010 09:41 am Holiday special
Early holiday deadlines got in my way the middle of this week, and then it was Christmas Eve, and, well, you know how it goes. I just wouldn’t have felt right, however, if I didn’t come back here and thank you all for your support and your interest in what I do. Merry Christmas, each and every one of you!
Posted by jimmyjohnson / Vintage A&J
164 Responses to “Holiday special”
Mary from MT on 25 Dec 2010 at 9:47 am #
Merry Christmas everyone!
Steve in the Isle of Wight on 25 Dec 2010 at 9:57 am #
Merry Christmas to you and yours, Jimmy!
debbie on 25 Dec 2010 at 10:05 am #
Thanks, JJ. MerryChristmas and God Bless!
John in LA late of PNS on 25 Dec 2010 at 10:08 am #
Feliz Navidad, Merry Christmas, Froehliche Weihnachten, Joyeux Noel, Buon Natale, Joyful Yule.
And JimmyJ. Today’s comic with Ludwig. Another one of the best of your very best. Truly touching–how can you see it and not get heart strings plucked or maybe a bit misty eyed? Sorry but it really got to me.
Only other comic today that really touched me today was Lalo Alcaraz’s La Cucuracha–http://www.gocomics.com/comic_page/explore/836635?page=1
But don’t get me wrong. Ludwig in your comic today–PRIMO. Thanks again.
Tony in Ontario, Canada on 25 Dec 2010 at 10:44 am #
Merry Christmas!
Thanks for doing what you do!
Bob in Orland Park on 25 Dec 2010 at 11:08 am #
Merry Christmas to all….and JJ, you’ve been peeking again.
Mark from Maine on 25 Dec 2010 at 11:18 am #
Joyeux Noel to all!
billinbossier on 25 Dec 2010 at 11:40 am #
Today’s strip…proof to the old legend that animals can talk on Christmas. Everyone have a great holiday.
YooperBill on 25 Dec 2010 at 12:07 pm #
Merry Christmas to all from the Upper Penninsula.
Tom (somewhere in Georgia) on 25 Dec 2010 at 12:23 pm #
Thanks JJ. Merry Christmas one and all! As children we would dream about futuristic travel in the 2000′s. We decided that helicopters would be the idea mode of transportation. Alas and at last- I am the proud owner of a brand new “AirHog.”
Jean From Dahlonega GA aka Trapper Jean on 25 Dec 2010 at 12:28 pm #
Merry Christmas to all, and may your day be truly joyous and bright!
Jimmy, thank you so much for sharing your talents with us every day on the current strip and this blog. It’s a lovely way to start each day.
SusiQ on 25 Dec 2010 at 1:07 pm #
I lost my husband last January and I have to thank you for for helping through the year with a daily smile, giggle, or laugh out loud moment. A Merry Christmas to you and wishing you a very healthy, Happy New Year!!
Jerry in Fl on 25 Dec 2010 at 1:55 pm #
I am also continuing what seems to be becoming a tradition with me-posting in the wrong thread. Rather than repeat, I’ll just say that I’m not the only one so you may want to go back and read today’s messages in Think Pink. May your day be merry and bright.
Pam in Nashville on 25 Dec 2010 at 2:09 pm #
Merry White Christmas from Tennessee! The first one in 17 years and the first one ever for my daughter. Jimmy – thanks for another great year of laughs.
PS – Maybe next year I can give your book as a Christmas present……..
wendy in Hawaii on 25 Dec 2010 at 3:15 pm #
MELE KALIKIMAKA!!!!
curmudgeonly ex-professor on 25 Dec 2010 at 3:25 pm #
Success! I just gave my good wife the (framed) originals to the Fe 11/03 and Ap 20/09 strips and she did seem to enjoy the thought!! ‘Twas worth every penny raised for the Katrina victims….
Steve from Royal Oak, MI on 25 Dec 2010 at 5:35 pm #
To All:
Merry Christmas. Peace on Earth, Goodwill toward Men. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.
SusiQ:
As I read your post, I instantly said a prayer for you. You have my sincere sympathies. I know that it must be hard on you today. But laughter is great medicine for those who grieve. Jimmy has done that for me on several occasions. His strip has provided a laugh on a day that otherwise might not have had one. Keep the faith.
Redman in the "Big O" on 25 Dec 2010 at 6:07 pm #
Merry Christmas to all of you here ! And a safe and prosperous Happy New Year !
John in Richmond Texas on 25 Dec 2010 at 8:45 pm #
And I want to thank everyone for posting all the eclectic stuff here. I’m dull and boring compared to most people here, but I like to learn a little about a lot of things (like the Beau Hunks, that I got some of for Christmas). I read like 99% of everything here and often labor over posting something. I’ll actually make notes, try to make it real concise, type it out, reread it and then say nah and forget it. But I do hope to meet everyone someday at our little confab at War Memorial Park In Pass Christian, is that going to be just sort of a picnic pot luck thing?
Also, you know Arlo seems to have a problem with the quality of television today – well, apparently he’s never seen the series “I’m Pregnant and …” episodes include in prison, morbidly obese and a nudist. This is the kind of quality stuff Edward R Murrow did.
Thank You JJ for this website, I’ve always thought it a kick to have this extra side of my favorite comic strip ( and obviously, of course, my favorie comic strip artist)
Den in MN on 25 Dec 2010 at 9:08 pm #
Thank *you*, Jimmy! Wishing you the best for this holiday season.
Robin in GA on 25 Dec 2010 at 10:46 pm #
SusiQ
Hugs to you. and Merry Christmas to everyone.
Robin
Nancy in Bucks County on 25 Dec 2010 at 11:27 pm #
Right back at you, J.J. Peace be with you…
Jerry in Fl on 25 Dec 2010 at 11:58 pm #
That’s the first that I’ve heard of a meeting, but sounds good to me. Weather radar shows snow in northern Okaloosa county, if you know where that is. I must have been a good boy this year. Santa surprised me with a bicycle. I would love to ride it in snow tomorrow.
SusiQ on 26 Dec 2010 at 6:00 am #
Steve & Robin: Thank you! A&J fans are the best… J.J. touches us all at the heart.
Anonymous on 26 Dec 2010 at 7:58 am #
Thanks JJ, enjoy Boxing Day.
Ghost Rider 6 on 26 Dec 2010 at 8:05 am #
Jerry: Now that would truly be something to see.
Happy Boxing Day to all, if you can figure out when it falls this year in a country that recognizes it. Makes calculating the date of Mardi Gras seem easy. As a friend of mine used to say, it’s harder than Chinese arithmetic. (Wait, she may have been talking about something else.) In any case, Happy Boxing Day; it will get here eventually.
[Fran]Cisco on 26 Dec 2010 at 10:41 am #
And as All of the Above have already said, Merry Christmas to you, Jimmy!!!
Also, Merry Christmas and/or Happy Holidays to All of the Above!!
Boise Ed on 26 Dec 2010 at 12:53 pm #
Here’s hoping everyone here is having a good one — especially JJ. Me, I’m trying to figure out whether (in the Sunday A&J) Old Man 2010 was looking for a a little undisturbed rest on the sofa, or to take the worn-out sofa with him into the oblivion of memory.
sideburns on 26 Dec 2010 at 2:05 pm #
One of the many reasons I live in Southern California is so that I will never in my life have a White Christmas. I dislike cold weather and have no desire to suffer through it year in and year out.
TruckerRon on 26 Dec 2010 at 2:47 pm #
‘Tis a bit late, but, Kurisumasu Omedeto Gozaimasu!
Bob, near Mark on 26 Dec 2010 at 4:47 pm #
Boise Ed,
I think Old Man 2010 was taking a break to see what was on Arlo’s TV. Whatever was on, it seemed to make him smile.
Jerry in Fl on 26 Dec 2010 at 6:39 pm #
Whether we realize it or not, time is passing. That’s all that I could come up with.
Bob, near Mark on 27 Dec 2010 at 1:11 pm #
December 27th. 17 inches of snow, and no newspaper. I had to read today’s newspaper A&J online. I like to read it in the paper first, and then visit here. No luck today. At least we didn’t lose power in our neighborhood. I know that about 55,000 people in MA did lose theirs. Temps will be in the 40s in a couple of days. White stuff is going to melt.
Mike in Missouri on 27 Dec 2010 at 2:14 pm #
Bob,
I do not for one minute want to change places with you. I was at Fort Devens, Mass., in January 1969, when it snowed for three days straight. The snow reached waist-high depth in most places, with drifts leading up onto the roofs of one-story buildings.
The Army, always concerned for our well-being, sought to entertain us by allowing us to shovel all the sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots on the post. And our commanding officer, not to be outdone by any other unit, explained to us in his cheerful, courteous way that he wished to see the edges of the snow sculpted into nice, square corners and walls, or else we would do it over again. And to make sure we really enjoyed a sense of the season, he also permitted us the pleasure of pulling guard duty during many subsequent cold, windy, snowy nights that winter. Some of that snow was still on the ground in April, when I departed for warmer regions.
The mere mention of Massachusetts in winter time brings back to mind that delightful stinging pain in my fingers and toes. Not to mention my aching back. Ah, to be young again!
Go for it, Bob. Your paper is out there somewhere; just dig around.
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 3:40 pm #
okay, I’ve been doing a lot of HARD thinking about the movie ‘Arlo and Janis’ I think I would choose Bill Paxton for Arlo, he has such a very large range and Sarah Burns for Janis….I mean between these two, I think a great movie would happen, comedy, drama and a wide range of emotion would come across. I haven’t settled on who would play Ludwig (this would be the hardest to cast) as he is so versatile.
Bob, near Mark on 27 Dec 2010 at 3:42 pm #
Mike in Missouri,
No, no paper. The papergirls live right next door to me. The bundle of papers wasn’t delivered to their house this morning. The papergirls and their mother didn’t come home last night, staying at a friend’s house. The mother called me to make sure the boys didn’t have a party, and asked me to be sure her front door was locked.
If you were at Devens then, I had to shovel out from the same storm that you did. That might have been the same storm that kept me from getting to work in Burlington. (It was around that time.) I couldn’t get onto Rt 128. The on-ramps were blocked.
Bob, near Mark on 27 Dec 2010 at 3:43 pm #
debbie, I could play Gus!
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 3:45 pm #
Bob, near Mark: Really? You will have to develop a grouchy manner…you hardly seem grouchy enough.
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 3:46 pm #
but you work on that!
curmudgeonly ex-professor on 27 Dec 2010 at 6:30 pm #
debbie: Notice my sign-in title! Maybe Gus is as curmudgeonly as am I. Failing that, I might try out for the part of Ludwig, as I am unsurpassed in ability to sleep & eat, and I can even move my ears w/o using my hands!! The tail lack may be insurmountable, though….
Bob, near Mark on 27 Dec 2010 at 6:37 pm #
debbie,
I used to post many years ago in the antiquated Prodigy services creative writing group as The Electric Curmudgeon. I must admit that I have been out of practice for a while. :>)
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 7:06 pm #
I am not the director, but I have seen Bill Paxton in a couple of movies and he did convince me he was a jerk/creep/major stupid person.
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 7:08 pm #
or should that read: Majorly stupid person?
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 7:15 pm #
of course, michael weatherly would be good (yes, I did substitute the last word for another
ladies? your vote?
Jim in SE Mississippi on 27 Dec 2010 at 8:32 pm #
Mike in Missouri:
The highlight of my basic training was the June afternoon I was pulling barracks guard while our TI had our training flight out marching around Lackland AFB doing military stuff. Our squadron orderly room called and told me to inform our TI that the base was under a class two weather alert. It soon became obvious that a class two weather alert was a severe thunderstorm warning, because that’s what moved right over us. About twenty minutes later the flight marched up, sans raincoats and all looking like drowned olive green-colored rats, including the TI. “Sir, the orderly room advises we are under a class two weather alert,” I reported smartly to the TI as he entered the barrack, dripping. I could tell from the look he gave me that he would have happily ripped off my head and spit down my neck, but he couldn’t because I had done my duty. See, weather can be your friend. (Maybe that’s why I applied for, and got, an assignment to weather school and ended up with what I considered one of the best and most interesting jobs in the Air Force.)
Arlo: Ref today’s cartoon, from those of us who would continue to keep the mantle of old fogeyness wrapped around ourselves if we had the choice, thank you for that observation.
debbie: I was about to decide you had missed my question of the 16th, but I see you came through in your usual fine style with two good suggestions. Paxton in particular could probably do the character of Arlo justice. Maybe JJ will have creative control of the movie, and he can follow your advice for the leads. But wasn’t it revealed in a previous strip that Ludwig in the cartoon is actually portrayed by a dog?
And on the subject of “weather,” who is this Michael Weatherly of whom you speak?
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 8:51 pm #
I was watching to see if anyone agreed with me: Weatherly is ‘DiNozzo’ on NCIS my very favorite series. I still believe Paxton could handle this role with flair.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 27 Dec 2010 at 10:13 pm #
Aha, should have known. Sorry, but as I’ve mentioned before, I gave up on series television several years ago, when I kept getting invested in new shows that would be cancelled early, sometimes before the end of the first season. (See EZ Streets, Brooklyn South, etc.) Remember, I had to google Leroy Jethro Gibbs to see who he was after you mentioned him once.
I take it Mr. Weatherly is pretty. Was that what you meant by “good”?
They’re not big on sexy character names on that series, though, are they?
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 10:40 pm #
well, yes, Mr. Weatherly is ahh, hmmm, very pretty indeed but that was not the actual word I used….
I still think (even though Weatherly is, mmm, pretty) Paxton would be my choice for the role of Arlo…I believe he could bring comedy laced with drama and a smidgen (maybe a couple of smidgens) of craziness to the part and of course, I could be wrong. Arlo reveals quite a good deal of off-the-wall humor in his daily appearance every now and then such as when he was dancing to the muzac…or when he was using the american bird guide, identifying and discussing how to cook them with Ludwig.
as far as sexy character names on NCIS, they don’t need ‘em……although I do like the name Jethro.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 27 Dec 2010 at 11:21 pm #
Nothing wrong with the name “Jethro.” It’s just that when I hear Leroy and Jethro together, I can’t help thinking of a bluegrass band.
So, I’m still trying to decide what “the word” was. Could it possibly end with “-able”?
Ghost Rider 6 on 27 Dec 2010 at 11:38 pm #
I could play Susan’s dad in the movie. As I recall, both Bryan, Gene’s buddy with whom he crashed Susan’s pajama party, and Arlo seemed to think Susan’s mom was quite a dish.
Maybe Jessica Simpson would be available to play the part of Susan’s mom. She could have a 13-year-old, right?
debbie: “Sponge-worthy”? Naw, I’m sure you don’t think in such terms. Do you?
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 11:45 pm #
Dear Lord,
Hot. The word was hot…..
debbie on 27 Dec 2010 at 11:57 pm #
I’m gonna go and watch some Doris Day movies to cleanse my mind.
Ghost Rider 6 on 28 Dec 2010 at 12:13 am #
I understand. My thoughts aren’t exactly pure at the moment, and I’m just watching The Weather Channel. (“Samantha Mohr – Classy Sex Appeal Embodied”)
Jim in SE Mississippi on 28 Dec 2010 at 12:35 am #
Speaking of old fogeys…and I believe I was before debbie distracted me with her lurid thoughts…this cartoon from 1996 seems to indicate the subject of Old Fogeyness has been on JJ’s mind for a while.
http://comics.com/arlo&janis/1996-01-09
Actually, I think I qualified for Old Fogeyhood by about age 28. Not that there’s anything worng with that!
Jim in SE Mississippi on 28 Dec 2010 at 12:39 am #
“Worng”? I would claim to have invented a new word, but Jerry made me do it.
James Pollock on 28 Dec 2010 at 6:10 am #
If you’re casting Arlo, you need an average-looking character actor who can do a good job of playing whimsy. Playing whimsy is harder than it sounds, because if it is done poorly, it becomes obvious. For example, I think Nathan Fillion does a good job of it in “Castle”, especially when playing off Molly Quinn (who plays the teenage daughter). But you probably want a younger actor, for the part of the movie where Gene is six or so, because it’s easier to make a young actor look older than vice versa. But get Harrison Ford to play Arlo’s dad.
Mike in Missouri on 28 Dec 2010 at 8:11 am #
You guys make me feel like an old fogey. Of all the actors and actresses mentioned above, the only one I recognize is Bill Paxton. And that’s because of his role in Twisters, which is required viewing around here.
Paxton as Arlo? I dunno; maybe. But I’d just as soon see A&J as an animated movie. I’d like for them to remain apart from the real world. It’s that degree of separation that makes them special.
Jean From Dahlonega GA aka Trapper Jean on 28 Dec 2010 at 8:27 am #
debbie-I seem to be coming into the discussion a bit late, but yes, I do agree with you that Michael Weatherly is both good and hot. After watching him in Dark Angel and NCIS I think he might be able to do justice to the role of Arlo.
Speaking of Nathan Fillion, his Firefly co-star Alan Tudyk might make a good Arlo, though as Mike in Missouri says, maybe an animated movie would be best. That would also make the job of casting Luddie much easier.
Oh a,d debbie? Don’t feel lonely-every time I think of Jethro Gibbs I have to go cool off for a while.
Jean From Dahlonega GA aka Trapper Jean on 28 Dec 2010 at 8:28 am #
Sorry about the typo in the last line there, folks. Should be “and”. I saw it as soon as I clicked submit, but by then it was too late.
John in Richmond Texas on 28 Dec 2010 at 9:00 am #
I just see animation also, keep them as we know them, at least at first to introduce a vast new public to A&J. Maybe just animating some past Sunday strips, fill them out a little to last less than a minute and sprinkle them in some already exisiting talk, variety or sketch comedy show, maybe as a segue to a topic. Turning them over to someone else to make a full length TV show or movie needing a flowing narrative could really change them
Bob, near Mark on 28 Dec 2010 at 9:54 am #
Ah, “One, two ,three, red light!” Do Arlo and Ludwig ever play “Mother, may I?”
Steve from Royal Oak, MI on 28 Dec 2010 at 10:02 am #
Jim in SE Mississippi:
When you mentioned “Jethro”, it reminded me that I was sometimes called that as my Dad’s name was Homer. He and I could play the fiddle, but we were far from playing bluegrass. I know that I mentioned it here before, but his middle name was Austin, which we associated with the capital of Texas. We wondered how his parents could have named their first son Homer and Austin.
Now Austin is a very popular name.
anne0091 on 28 Dec 2010 at 1:43 pm #
got stuck at work for 32 hours sun- mon finally home and catching up on A&J now love this retro strip
debbie on 28 Dec 2010 at 1:52 pm #
oh anne0091, I am so sorry….this type of thing is very high on my list for unhappiness…..
Mary in Ohio on 28 Dec 2010 at 5:30 pm #
Oh, anne, not only am I sorry for YOU but you made ME feel better about my own work schedule. Heavens!
We are forecasted a thaw (which probably means flooding in some places). Hope all of you are safe after the weather the country has experienced in the last week!
Jim in SE Mississippi on 28 Dec 2010 at 7:46 pm #
Portland ME called SE Mississippi this morning and wanted their temperature back…it was 19 degrees F in both places at 6:00 AM. Definitely something wrong with that picture.
Jerry, you OK? I’m beginning to wonder if your ride in the snow on your bicycle had a bad outcome.
anne:
Wow. I like my job, but it would certainly take a natural disaster of some sort to keep me there for an uninterrupted 32 hours.
debbie:
Did you take the day off like your boss said?
debbie on 28 Dec 2010 at 8:52 pm #
yeah, I took the day off and boss said I had to take another one too!
Jim in SE Mississippi on 28 Dec 2010 at 10:13 pm #
Yeah, danged bosses make you take off in the middle of the week and then work on the holidays. Who do they think they are? Wait a minute, I are one, too.
CIDU Bill on 29 Dec 2010 at 2:23 am #
And a Happy Chanukah to you, Jimmy.
Jerry in Fl on 29 Dec 2010 at 7:25 am #
Thanks for noticing, but I’m ok. Actually I did have a little health scare, but this time it didn’t turn out to be the worst possible thing and I hope to be on that bicycle by next week. As for the movie, since I am often mistaken for Mark Harmon, I would consider playing Arlo as long as I have final approval on who plays Janis. Resumes can be submitted through this medium and photos will not be necessary at this point as personality will be the major consideration.
Jerry in Fl on 29 Dec 2010 at 6:28 pm #
Ok. It wasn’t funny. Everyone can come back now.
Bob, near Mark on 29 Dec 2010 at 6:43 pm #
Jerry in Fl,
Eleven hours between your posts, and nobody chimed in.
Wha’ happened??
Jerry in Fl on 29 Dec 2010 at 6:58 pm #
You got me. I was getting paranoid and thinking that JJ had thrown me into the Twilight Zone for solicitation or something.
Jerry in Fl on 29 Dec 2010 at 7:07 pm #
Or maybe this site crashed from the weight of all the applications to play Janis in the movie.
TruckerRon on 29 Dec 2010 at 7:40 pm #
Who’ll get to play the smiling neighbor who saw them through his window?
Bob, near Mark on 29 Dec 2010 at 7:41 pm #
But just think of the lucky guy who gets to play Arlo.
Bob, near Mark on 29 Dec 2010 at 7:46 pm #
TruckerRon,
You just reminded me of another smiling neighbor in the window – the one who was Holly Hunter’s next-door neighbor in her TV series, “Saving Grace.”
Ghost Rider 6 on 29 Dec 2010 at 8:14 pm #
Jerry in Fl: You look like Mark Harmon? No kidding? Somehow I had you pictured more as the Humphrey Bogart type.
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, she walks into mine.”
debbie: What did you do today, hon? No, wait, don’t tell me…you went to the library. And did the Doris Day movies help?
debbie on 30 Dec 2010 at 1:17 am #
Library. court house. groceries. that kind of thing, ya know?
Ghost Rider 6 on 30 Dec 2010 at 1:32 am #
Court house? That doesn’t sound good.
debbie on 30 Dec 2010 at 1:47 am #
taxes and the need for registration to be faxed out….a car key disappeared and I think I know where it went, but they would not make me a new key without the title unless the court house faxed it to them. Oh, so much fun.
Ghost Rider 6 on 30 Dec 2010 at 3:12 am #
Bureaucracy at its finest. Your tax dollars at work.
debbie on 30 Dec 2010 at 3:15 am #
Hey, what can I say….that’s all I got
Jerry in Fl on 30 Dec 2010 at 5:55 am #
Good morning Debbie. Cats get you up early too?
John in Richmond Texas on 30 Dec 2010 at 9:10 am #
Ah yes, tax dollars at work. I’m in charge of my Mother’s finances, I was opening a new account (at a bank I’m already at); she has plenty of ID, but her driver’s license has lapsed a few months (she hasn’t driven for years) and because of the Patriot Act, I can’t do anything until I spend all day getting her a new license (or in Texas, when you can’t or don’t drive, you get what is called a state ID Card)
debbie on 30 Dec 2010 at 10:10 am #
Jerry in Fl: No, an elk! I got home a little late from work and this sounds so contrived, but I really can’t help it: I was on second shift yesterday. Because of going to the courthouse and being tied up there, I got to work on time, but not in time to go donate blood as originally planned, so I went on my lunch 1/2 hour (with permission from the boss) and they were running late, so I got back from lunch 1/2 hour late and had to make that up…..so I left work 1/2 hour late. (It gets a little more odd) On the way home, just a few minutes ahead of me, an elk got in the way of a big pickup…..because of the circumstances, when I pulled up in the middle of the road, the guy understood enough to stay back from the car (dead of night and no traffic)….he was pretty shook up, but he seemed okay. The elk was dead as near as we could determine without actually going up on the animal (it was big.) The pickup had significant damage with one flasher working and no lights. He was just up from his little town and no cell. He looked as though he had just come from the mines. So, he followed me down to his little town with one flasher working and my car as his guide with my flashers and bright lights….got him to his little town and I got home kinda of late. then, I had to call police/etc to report the elk. Now, to me, there are two significant thoughts with those being 1) it could have been me and I would be either dead or significantly hurt as I drive a small car and that pickup was in really bad shape and 2) I got to help someone. This morning, on further thought, the boy probably had no insurance and I feel for him.
debbie on 30 Dec 2010 at 10:13 am #
and yes, I had been to the courthouse 2 days in a row, once for taxes and registration and the next day to take the fax number of the car sales place. end of the year is not fun.
Jerry in Fl on 30 Dec 2010 at 12:57 pm #
Debbie-There have been times when I was rescued by strangers and I always try to help when the need is obvious. I’m sure that the guy will never forget you and he will try to help someone else as he thinks of you. I hope that many wonderful things will come to you in 2011.
debbie on 30 Dec 2010 at 1:10 pm #
Thanks for the thought Jerry in Fl. I wish that I could do something for him as he was a young man who looked to me as though he was trying hard….I consider myself highly blessed and I pray that eveyone, everywhere has a wonderful 2011. May Our God on High bless and keep you and yours.
Mary in Ohio on 30 Dec 2010 at 4:04 pm #
Debbie et al – there have been times when all of us have been rescued by strangers, whether we realized it or not. Hopefully we are able to be the rescuers ourselves at some point in time. Happy Jan 1 to all.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 30 Dec 2010 at 4:08 pm #
debbie:
An elk? Really?
See, I told you once before you are a sweet person. Not many people would have stopped on a dark road to help a perfect stranger, and to be honest, I’m not sure I would have recommended you do it. But I trust you used good judgment when you decided to stop. (And, yes, I’m glad it wasn’t you who had the accident.)
Since I offered an Irish blessing for Christmas, I’ll send out another one for you and all our A&J friends for the coming new year…
May you always have work for your hands to do.
May your pockets hold always a coin or two.
May the sun shine bright on your windowpane.
May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
Anonymous on 30 Dec 2010 at 8:10 pm #
Jim in SE Mississippi: Thanks for the Irish blessing. Here’s one for anyone who needs to come up with a succinct toast on New Year’s Eve:
“May you live as long as you want, and never want as long as you live!”
Blessings on you, everyone, Irish or not.
spot on 31 Dec 2010 at 3:45 am #
HAP-PY NEW YEAR! Hope the coming year is a brilliant one and hope everyone, wherever they are, are having a fantastic, fabulous, very merry time!
) not too merry though – think of husbands, wives etc who wont understand! .
)
.
…just sayin’!
Ghost Rider 6 on 31 Dec 2010 at 6:50 am #
The 12/31/10 cartoon wraps up the year in fine style. It’s definitely not a stinker, even if the wrong character is doing the underwear show. Brilliant…although it may strike some of us as a little too true-life.
Happy New Year to all, whether you stay up to celebrate its arrival, get up to celebrate its arrival, or neither.
Carole in Wesley Chapel on 31 Dec 2010 at 7:52 am #
Today’s strip was great. It is exactly our life – again. Thank you, JJ, for a wonderful year of A&J, and may there be many more. Happy New Year to everyone!
Bob, near Mark on 31 Dec 2010 at 9:43 am #
I thought that A&J would have found something much more enjoyable to do with those two hours other than get some sleep.
Phil in Sugar Land, TX on 31 Dec 2010 at 10:18 am #
I think it was Ronald Reagan who remarked that “Middle Age” is when you choose the vice that gets you home by 10 pm.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 31 Dec 2010 at 11:41 am #
Bob, near Mark:
My first thought was that was why they were setting the clock for midnight. But if you look at the 1/1/10 cartoon…
Oh well, I guess it’s not when you celebrate that counts, but the fact that you do celebrate.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 31 Dec 2010 at 11:44 am #
Bob, near Mark:
My first thought was that was why they were setting the clock for midnight. But if you look back at the 1/1/10 cartoon…
Oh well, I guess it’s not when you celebrate that counts, but the fact that you do celebrate.
hc on 31 Dec 2010 at 12:06 pm #
Happy New Year to one and all!
Jerry in Fl on 31 Dec 2010 at 1:50 pm #
Keep an eye on your local weather situation folks. There are some bad storms from Louisiana over to Florida and up to Illinois. Missouri and Arkansas especially have been hit today by tornados and I understand that there has been serious damage and fatalities. If you are at work I suggest that you turn on a radio if possible or call your local radio or tv station to check for any warnings or alerts.
sideburns on 31 Dec 2010 at 1:53 pm #
And yet, Jerry, there are AGW people trying to make us believe that 2010 was the hottest year in recent times.
Jerry in Fl on 31 Dec 2010 at 2:07 pm #
Once again, especially if you are in Illinois, the NWS states that there is a line of storms from Beaver Creek to Bloomsdale, moving NE at 50 mph. These storms are believed to contain multiple tornados. If you are in this area you are advised to TAKE COVER NOW! Do not wait until you think that a tornado is near.
TruckerRon on 31 Dec 2010 at 2:11 pm #
I’ll make the AGW people happy and agree that the summer of 2010 affected me worse than any other summer in my life! OTOH, I’m recovering from a Sudden Cardiac Arrest brought on by idiopathic dilated ventricular cardiomyopathy. And, it was an unusually cool summer here in Utah according to the thermometer, but what does it know?
Bill in Paducah on 31 Dec 2010 at 3:19 pm #
Let’s see if I can make this comment No. 100:
The best New Year’s wish I ever read:
May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. – Neil Gaiman
Mike in Missouri on 31 Dec 2010 at 3:34 pm #
This is way off topic, but I wanted to tell someone. We have two sons in the Army. Both have served combat tours in either Iraq or Afghanistan.
Our son Steve recently returned from Afghanistan. He was in an engineer unit. Their job was to locate and destroy roadside bombs. Sometimes they found the bombs the hard way.
Twice during his tour, Steve was in a vehicle that was blown up by IEDs. One of the incidents was captured on tape. You can see it at
http://shock.military.com/Shock/videos.do?displayContent=223375&page=1
The explosion is 05:19 into the tape.
Steve suffered a concussion in both incidents, but he is okay. Where these young fellows get the courage to face this stuff day after day, I’ll never know. We are very proud of our sons, and our daughter who is also an Army veteran. We are so glad they are safe.
curmudgeonly ex-professor on 31 Dec 2010 at 4:04 pm #
Mike/MO: Relay my appreciation to your sons for their work….
Jerry in Fl on 31 Dec 2010 at 4:16 pm #
Mike, I hope that they are not at Fort Leonard Wood at the moment. I just watched video of the base being hit by a tornado today. The storms crossing Illinois appear to be weakening a little, but the strongest storms at the moment are in northern Louisiana, moving northeast and this could be a repeat of the storms from earlier today. The broad area of concern rmains from Louisiana east to Pensacola, Fl and north through Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois and Indiana. Some of the storms may be in Ohio later. The Weather Channel reports 5 fatalities in Arkansas and Missouri
Jerry in Fl on 31 Dec 2010 at 4:23 pm #
Now reporting 6. Occasional strong wind gusts and heavy rain here for the last 2 hours.
Mike in Missouri on 31 Dec 2010 at 4:23 pm #
Jerry in FL–No, they are not at FLW. I was there several wars ago–my summer in the Ozarks, courtesy of Uncle Sam!
The line of thunderstorms passed us just before dawn today.
curmudgeonly ex-professor–I will, thanks.
curmudgeonly ex-professor on 31 Dec 2010 at 4:34 pm #
Mike/MO: I didn’t mean to omit your daughter; sorry to have done so.
Jerry/FL: I am also watching the storm reports (from northern IL); so far, all’s OK around here, for which I give thanks.
Mike in Missouri on 31 Dec 2010 at 5:29 pm #
curmudgeonly ex-professor: Our daughter has been out of the Army for several years now. She teaches English at a college in Bangladesh. Prior to that she was teaching in Cambodia. We haven’t seen her in nearly three years, but she wrote that she’s coming home for a visit next July. We’re pretty excited. Our other soldier son might be able to make it home then, too. If so, it would be the first time since 2007 that we’ve had all 7 kids home at the same time.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 31 Dec 2010 at 7:01 pm #
The severe weather is still west of us, and it’s almost 70 degrees and very humid at 6:00 PM on New Year’s Eve. I could use some AC, but I refuse to turn it on on general principles. Ceiling fans are on, though. Dangerous weather.
Mike in Missouri:
Tell your sons and your daughter that another old veteran says “Thanks for your service.”
Mary in MT on 31 Dec 2010 at 7:02 pm #
Mike/MO: I too have sons in the military, so I understand what you as a parent deals with when they are deployed. I do hope all of your children make it home next July, and my wish for you is…enough. Enough hugs, and laughs, and memories during the time you are together so you can make it through the time you are apart.
Mike in Missouri on 31 Dec 2010 at 7:30 pm #
Jim and Mary: My wife and I appreciate your kind words, and we will pass them on.
Jim, when the storms come, watch out for that third lightning bolt on the left–that’s the one that almost nailed us this morning.
Well, here it is: New Year’s Eve evening. I betcha you’re having more fun than I am. I’m at work. And I gotta be back at work tomorrow morning. I’m not complaining, mind you. But I am whining.
Our newspaper doesn’t publish on Mondays, so the A&J strip is published one day late through the rest of the week. Even though it’s Friday, I won’t know what happened today to our guys until tomorrow. And I don’t dare peak at the online strip for today, because that would ruin tomorrow. And tomorrow is Saturday. Our paper publishes the Friday and Saturday strips on Saturday. A two-fer day. It’s the highlight of my week, even if I am at work.
I don’t know if JJ has the time to read these postings, but if he does I wish him well. I have no idea how he comes up with a new strip everyday. And like so many of you, I feel as though he’s been peeking at us for ideas. A&J really hits home. May it continue so.
Happy New Year.
Mike
Just Jay on 31 Dec 2010 at 8:53 pm #
2010 was an eventful year for me. Although, in the end, most events turned into happy outcomes, the process was difficult and painful, and I’m not unhappy to bid the year farewell. My wish for all of you for 2011 is that you have patience to accept the things you cannot change, courage to face the things you can change, and wisdom to know the difference.
Happy New Year to All!
Jay
Jerry in Fl on 31 Dec 2010 at 9:26 pm #
The only tornado warning in effect is for south central Mississippi. That storm is moving to the NE and you should be ok Jim. There is also a line of storms in northern Mississippi which is also moving NE.
James Pollock on 31 Dec 2010 at 10:32 pm #
Just a reminder that one of the predicted results of global warming is more severe winter storms. Yes, it is odd that the result of the atmosphere being warmer overall is that it actually gets colder… but this is what the scientists predicted would happen if the atmosphere is warming.
Now, whether humans are the chief contributor to global warming, or even a factor, I don’t think is known. Certainly not whether or not there’s anything to be done about it (except to be ready to pay more for insurance.)
Global warming would also tend to produce more powerful hurricanes during hurricane season, more tornadoes during tornado season, and more frequent thunderstorms (meaning more wildfires in the west, particularly in California.) Energy in the atmosphere is the source of all these weather phenomena, and increased energy means more extreme weather.
Ruth Anne in Winter Park on 31 Dec 2010 at 11:12 pm #
Regardless of cause, the phrases “record low” and “record high” are fast becoming among my least favorite.
On the other hand, there are 6 Florida schools in bowl games this year. Five games have been played and resulted in 4 wins for my home state, including both my alma maters (FSU and USF) and our home team (UCF). No wonder the neighborhood kids are making so much noise!
Peace, love, and happiness to all in the new year.
Jerry in Fl on 01 Jan 2011 at 12:01 am #
Welcome to 1/1/11. And in 10 days it will happen again. Truly a time for new beginnings. I’m beginning the new year by being glad that I’m not in Times Square.
TruckerRon on 01 Jan 2011 at 4:01 am #
James Pollock: “Just a reminder that one of the predicted results of global warming is more severe winter storms.”
My big problem with AGW theory is that ALL changes in the climate (more/fewer hurricanes, more/fewer record highs, more/fewer record lows, etc., etc.) are evidence FOR it. If all data is accepted as evidence for it, how can it ever be disproved? It’s absurd!
Ted on 01 Jan 2011 at 4:32 am #
Jerry in Fl: Welcome to 1/1/11
Hey yea, my birfday this year is 1-11-11. cool.
Ted on 01 Jan 2011 at 4:32 am #
birfday? WTH? sorry, birthday.
Bob, near Mark on 01 Jan 2011 at 4:47 am #
For all of you “1″ aficionados, wait ’til November eleventh!
Next year, towards the middle of December, we can dance the two-step. “One-two, one-two, one-two.”
Ghost Rider 6 on 01 Jan 2011 at 8:20 am #
debbie, you’d be proud of me if you knew what I didn’t just post about a date 15,181 days ago.
Happy New Year, y’all.
Jerry in Fl on 01 Jan 2011 at 9:50 am #
Good morning and happy new year to you all. Our area seems to be the target this morning with thunder and brief periods of heavy rain.
Jean From Dahlonega GA aka Trapper Jean on 01 Jan 2011 at 10:07 am #
Happy New Year, all!
We woke up to rain this morning, but at least we woke up. Not in bed quite as early as Arlo and Janis. We were watching Doctor Who and toasting the new year with Martinelli’s Sparkling Apple Cider.
To Mike in Missouri, and anyone else with family in the military-please add my thanks.
John in LA late of PNS on 01 Jan 2011 at 10:22 am #
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Feliz y próspero año nuevo! Ein glückliches neues Jahr! Bonne année! Felice Anno Nuovo!
Jim in SE Mississippi on 01 Jan 2011 at 12:48 pm #
The weather wasn’t too bad when it went through here early this morning, as is often the case when we are on the south end of the line of storms.
Now if you will excuse me, I need to go check on Ms. Chicken. She’s in the sauna with some of her friends…Ms. Sweet-Onion, Ms. Carrot, Ms. Celery and Ms. Thyme…getting ready for a luncheon date. Others are fixing the black-eyed peas with hog jowl, the cabbage, and the cornbread. (You don’t “prepare” that kind of food, you “fix” it. Anyone who knows what hog jowl is will understand.)
May all of you have a very happy and most prosperous New Year.
TruckerRon on 01 Jan 2011 at 12:57 pm #
Jean From Dahlonega GA aka Trapper Jean — Which Doctor were you watching? He’s a splendid chap, all of them!
debbie on 01 Jan 2011 at 1:12 pm #
Jim in SEm: Only if you’re Southern…and you’re gonna have quite a crowd for lunch. I was just having black-eyed peas and cabbage. (I might throw a piece of bacon in the peas. Maybe.)
GR6: I’m afraid to ask and did not have time to figure out what we are talking about, one of the bosses needs help…..but thanks for refraining from making sorry comments. (If you’re Southern, you will understand the meaning of the word sorry in this sentence.)
but, hey, a phrase mentioned in the office this week and some of the younger ones did not know what it meant: ‘Sent to the house.’ Back up in the holler, it means ‘you’re fired.’
Mike in Missouri/military parents: Thank you.
sideburns on 01 Jan 2011 at 2:08 pm #
Happy New Year, everybody!
James, if you’ll check the record you’ll see that AGW didn’t start predicting colder winters until AFTER the fact. Not only that, but the only way they can keep claiming that each year is the hottest in recent times is by using a different set of reporting stations every year, which is just like comparing apples and oranges. Those numbers they report are completely useless, scientifically and are only good for propaganda.
Meanwhile, here I am in Southern California at about 11 AM. My weather applet reports that its about 56, on the way up to a high of 55. I don’t know about you folks, but I’m amused.
Mark in Boston on 01 Jan 2011 at 3:14 pm #
The Boston Globe reports today that when the numbers come in, 2010 probably will be the warmest year in Boston history, averaging 51 degrees.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 01 Jan 2011 at 7:55 pm #
debbie:
That’s what “sent to the house” meant when I was growing up in Middle Tennessee. And if you said someone was a sorry person, you didn’t mean they were apologetic. Of course, now you may have some of our friends here scratching their heads over the meaning of “holler.”
I hope you threw in the bacon. I eat black-eyed peas every New Year’s Day for the sake of tradition, but they are actually my least favorite pea or bean…too bland for my taste, especially if they are not well seasoned. And again, in the South, “seasoning” doesn’t mean just salt and pepper.
Ghost Rider 6 on 01 Jan 2011 at 9:21 pm #
debbie: Yes, my dear, be afraid; be very afraid.
No, just some of my usual silliness, and since you told me to “knock it off” a couple of times previously, I wanted you to know that I try to apply the “debbie test” to everything before I post it.
I am a Southerner, and I do understand “sorry” in that context. And, as I understand it, “go to the house” is completely different from “sent to the house,” as it means going voluntarily (i.e. quit or retired). Also, Abraham Lincoln said, “God must love the common man, he made so many of them,” but I wouldn’t recommend telling a Southerner he or she is “common.”
Ruth Anne in Winter Park on 01 Jan 2011 at 10:23 pm #
Jim in SE Miss. – Yes, black-eyed peas can be pretty dull. Liven them up by turning them into “Texas caviar”. There are various recipes to be found; the one I use has canned peas, onion, celery, garlic, oil and vinegar but no tomato. Works as a salad or a dip and keeps well.
My grandmother wasn’t a southerner but she must have picked up some phrases from my Alabama-born grandfather. Whenever she heard me and the other neighborhood kids making noise, she told us we were acting “loud and common”.
quemegosum on 01 Jan 2011 at 11:58 pm #
We wish you a Joyful and Happy New Year.
Jim in SE Mississippi on 02 Jan 2011 at 12:20 am #
Thanks, Ruth Anne. I wasn’t familiar with Texas Caviar, but I pulled up a couple of recipes on-line, and it appears it would make a pretty good dip. I’ll give it a try.
Telling a Southerner he is “common” is like telling a Russian he is ‘“nyet kulturni.”
James Pollock on 02 Jan 2011 at 6:09 am #
Ron, at the risk of arguing in a circle, yes, all evidence of changes in climate would qualify as an argument in favor of climate change.
“Global warming” doesn’t mean that the entire globe gets “warm”. It means that there’s more energy in the atmosphere, which triggers changes (both warmer and colder) in the weather. It takes only a couple of degrees of change in the temperature in the Pacific to trigger El Nino/La Nina, which can mean drought or flooding in the PNW.
Now, the way science works is that some scientist guy looks at some observed phenomena, comes up with an explanation for why the things that are observed are observed, and publishes. Then, they make predictions. If the predictions turn out as expected, then the theory is probably “correct”; if not, then it’s back to the drawing board.
The test for science is not whether you believe it is true or not, it’s whether or not it can be used to make predictions that are later borne out. There’s no conspiracy powerful enough to keep a theory that produces incorect predictions (The Church tried to stamp out heliocentrism, for example, before admitting that maybe it was ok if scientists told people the Earth goes around the sun and not the other way around.)
Now, it is possible that the entire scientific community is infected with groupthink, and is reaching for evidence that is simply not there… but the climate change issue has been out there for an awful long time, and groupthink is usually a temporary condition.
Of course, you CAN *BUY* science that obfuscates… this was seen clearly, as tobacco companies continued to fund studies that showed no definite link between smoking and cancer up into the 1980′s, long after everyone knew. If I were a bettin’ man, I’d put money down that at least some of the scientists who find no evidence for global warming get funding in some form or another from petroleum companies. I mean, if they’re willing to cough up $250 mil to get Dick Cheney off the hook for bribing government officials, (in Africa, before he became VPUSA), then they could probably come up with a few bucks to cloud the issue of climate change. I find this a much more likely scenario than scientists all conspiring to push climate change for political reasons, particularly as the U.S. government was in Republican hands from 2000-2006.
So, just out of curiosity, is acid rain real? DDT toxicity through the food chain? (i.e., the silent spring as described by environmentalist Rachel L Carson in her book of the same name.)
James Pollock on 02 Jan 2011 at 6:13 am #
In other news, the winner of the BCS championship game will NOT be the only undefeated team this season, with TCU having won a close Rose Bowl against the previously 10-1 Big Ten champions.
Jean From Dahlonega GA aka Trapper Jean on 02 Jan 2011 at 9:21 am #
TruckerRon-We were watching the BBCAmerica’s marathon of David Tennant episodes.
We spent New Year’s Day with my husband’s family at their mother’s house, stuffing ourselves on her very good cooking. Black eyed peas, collard greens, sweet potatoes, baked chicken, and cornbread, washed down with glasses of sweet iced tea. Wonderful way to start the new year.
emeritus Minnesota biologist on 02 Jan 2011 at 9:35 am #
James Pollock:
Per post # 133, thank you. emb
Redman in the "Big O" on 02 Jan 2011 at 10:46 am #
OK JJ….the vacation is over now. I’m sure that you are stuffed with all the Turkey and Ham that the season offers…..not to mention tired of all the trivial so called “bowl games”. So it’s back to the old drawing board and blogging. We all miss you and yearn for a New Year’s post.
Any resolutions for this year? WDE
Phil in Sugar Land, TX on 02 Jan 2011 at 1:02 pm #
My brother and I were discussing the increase in the number of conspirisy theories and people willing to believe in all sorts of patently silly ideas that all involve “The Government”. His opinion was that the conspirisy theorists arose as a reaction to The Government’s need to keep secrets from “Them”
A secret can be kept by one person, and possibly by two, but after that…forget it. I’m still debating whether WikiLeaks was a good thing or not. In any event, mark my words, we saw the world turn a corner there, not less in magnitude than the event on 9/11. The fallout from WikiLeaks has not yet begun to affect us in the ways that it will soon, I think.
Mark in Boston on 02 Jan 2011 at 1:19 pm #
Whether we caused climate change or not, it’s a mistake to think that we can stop it. Putting an end to war is totally within our control (i.e. nothing else but humans start human wars to begin with) and we can’t even do that.
Shouldn’t we just let things go? Which is worse, a crash now, killing 8 billion people, or propping things up for a century or two so that 80 billion people can die a horrible death?
James Pollock on 02 Jan 2011 at 2:11 pm #
War is one of the symptoms of human overpopulation. When the number of people exceeds the carrying capacity of the ecosystem they’re in, the ecosystem corrects the imbalance in one of three ways… war, famine, or pestilence. Eventually, the population corrects. This isn’t the only source of war, of course (humans are creative thinkers.)
Whether or not climate change is due to human effects, and whether or not there’s anything we can do about it (either in terms of technology or in terms of popular will) are certainly open questions. The first step in solving the problem is understanding the problem, which we haven’t entirely done.
CIDU Bill on 02 Jan 2011 at 2:43 pm #
TruckerRon, since all the changes you list are essentially “increases in extreme conditions,” it is valid to see them as evidence of an overall change.
TruckerRon on 02 Jan 2011 at 4:06 pm #
James, while I agree that conspiracies to delay real do eventually collapse and the truth will be revealed, it’s amazing how long a group of scientists can keep a bogus proposition alive as long as they do have official government support. Lysenko’s ideas were endorsed by Stalin, those who questioned it were suppressed by the government, and Soviet science was held back for over 20 years.
Today there is reason to question AGW because many of the predictions have failed… at one time we’re promised an increase in hurricanes, but their failure to materialize is then heralded a few years later as proof that AGW is real?
What I believe (which I haven’t stated in this thread until now) is that the Earth’s climate is constantly changing in response to forces we have no control over. We are NOT gods. Global warming and cooling happen no matter what we may want to happen or may imagine we are causing. Drop the A from AGW and we’ll have something to discuss and laugh about in 20 years, because by then it’s probable that the hucksters will be talking about AGC.
In the meantime, I’m doing all I can to confront real threats by cleaning up after myself and teaching my kids to make wise choices in their own lives.
TruckerRon on 02 Jan 2011 at 4:09 pm #
OK, make that “conspiracies to delay real science do eventually collapse…”
I wish Jimmy had things set up so we could go back and edit ourselves!
sideburns on 02 Jan 2011 at 4:11 pm #
Actually, the AGW people did something very clever when they renamed their unchanged theory to refer to climate change. Why? Because the climate is always changing. It rarely changes quickly, so most people think that it doesn’t change at all, but it does; sometimes it’s getting hotter, sometimes colder and the same goes, of course, for such things as wetter and drier.
What I’d like to know is how they decide which reporting stations to use each year to determine the Earth’s average temperature (whatever that is). Alas, they refuse to explain. I have a friend with, among other things, a Masters in Statistical Inference, and even he can’t get a straight answer out of them. They just insist that it’s too complex and he doesn’t know enough to understand. He’s even asked for an undergraduate-level explanation that an informed layperson could follow, without response. There are inferences to be drawn from their actions, but I’m going to leave them as an exercise for the reader because I don’t want to start the new year by also starting a holy war here. And, for the same reason, I won’t argue either for or against AGW (or whatever it’s called today) both because this isn’t the proper place and because I don’t know enough to have an informed opinion.
TruckerRon on 02 Jan 2011 at 4:17 pm #
James, I find it interesting that you cite war as a response by the ecosystem to a human problem… when it’s clearly humanity that sees war as an answer to the problem. Of course, if we were wise, we’d eliminate the politicians that see war as the answer instead of free trade among free people who then find peaceful alternatives. But, as a species, we tend to try for shortcuts (let’s go take THEIR stuff) instead of rational choices that involve hard work (let’s grow our own stuff).
Steve from Royal Oak, MI on 02 Jan 2011 at 4:50 pm #
I guess we are trying to understand how God made our universe and I hope that we never stop trying, but I don’t believe that we will ever figure it totally out.
I try to look at things statistically (that is why I do not believe that you can have a football playoff, but that is another argument all together). In saying that the earth has been warming, how much data do we have? We have been measuring and recording temperature and in some cases precipitation for maybe 100 or 150 years. How old is the earth? 4.5 BILLION years? That means that we have collected about .000002 % of all possible data. Even if you could show 1000 years of data, it would still not be enough data for me.
I believe that we need to be better stewards of the earth, recycling can be economically beneficial. But I also recognize that weather is very cyclical and difficult to predict. I will keep an open mind, but I have not seen enough evidence to determine how much a factor humankind is.
James Pollock on 02 Jan 2011 at 5:22 pm #
Ron, humans are not the only animals that go to war with each other over resources when resources are scarce. People are part of larger systems, and the systems have corrective measures in place to keep the systems running. Humans are no different than other life in this regard. Humans have more control over their environment than most other life… but we are not separate from the others. (God may have told Adam that he was to have dominion over the creatures of the field, but He put in backup systems, too.)
As I said, we are endlessly creative in finding reasons to go to war (Hey! Those guys worship the same God that we do, but they do it funny! Let’s get ‘em!)
If there are too many of a species for the ecosystem to support, by definition some of them will have to die off. They can either starve, get sick, or kill each other fighting over whatever’s available. When the population is supportable, the pressures ease. The last couple of millenia have largely involved humans manipulating the environment to allow a greater number of human beings on the planet, starting with the invention of agriculture. This has come at some impact, of course… depletion of fossil fuels, loss of habitat for other species, decimation of predator species that might compete with (or threaten) humans… the system is complex enough that we don’t know for sure what the fallout might be down the road from all the things we do.
BTW, “global warming” was a poor choice of terms, which is why scientists now prefer “climate change”… it’s what they now wish they’d called it in the first place, because it’s more accurate and less prone to misinterpretation. (I think a lot of people heard “global warming” and expected to see palm trees in Canada, which there aren’t.)
TruckerRon on 02 Jan 2011 at 6:44 pm #
First, unlike the animals, we humans do have the ability to choose whether to go to war over resources or to seek alternatives. We have agency, the ability to pick our own paths and destinations.
Second, my big complaint about AGW is that no matter what happens, no matter whether the predicted events happen or their diametric opposites occur, we’re told that it somehow still proves AGW is correct. That cannot be science according to your own words:
Now, the way science works is that some scientist guy looks at some observed phenomena, comes up with an explanation for why the things that are observed are observed, and publishes. Then, they make predictions. If the predictions turn out as expected, then the theory is probably “correct”; if not, then it’s back to the drawing board…
Whatever the AGW crowd may be doing, they aren’t following your template very well since failed predictions are hailed as further proof that they’re somehow right.
James Pollock on 02 Jan 2011 at 7:28 pm #
Ron, you’re assuming that there is only one group of scientists who all believe the same thing and are all working on the same theory. What’s really happening is that there are multiple theories and models on what is happening in climate and they don’t all have the same predictions. Your stated position is similar to arguing that because some football experts think Oregon will win the BCS game, and other football experts think that Auburn will win, that there’s no such thing as football. Obviously, some of the experts are wrong… but to extrapolate from that fact that ALL experts are wrong is sloppy reasoning.
Generally speaking, the scientists who study this sort of thing agree that something is happening; they disagree (sometimes a little, sometimes a lot) over exactly what is happening and why. Eventually (it does take time) a model/theory will emerge that both describes past events and accurately predicts future events. The biggest problem is the incredibly large scope of the problem (modeling the entire world’s weather patterns) combined with a lack of comprehensive data to work with, combined with the challenge of weeding out one-time events (volcanic eruptions change weather, but don’t happen regularly… so it’s extra hard to model).
My guess (not scientific) is that it will show that human activities had an effect, but that other things also had an effect. Meanwhile, looking for alternative energy sources and conserving energy NOW is just good planning… the sooner we don’t depend on oil for our (American) industry, the sooner we can tell the people who run governments that are hostile to the United States that we really don’t care what they think or do. We can’t do that now.
Anonymous on 02 Jan 2011 at 9:00 pm #
For James Pollack: Blessings on a man of measured speech! Some of the rebuttals are interesting as well.
For eMb: You are in my thoughts. Grateful for all your intelligent commentary here and elsewhere in 2010.
TruckerRon on 02 Jan 2011 at 11:36 pm #
James, the upshot of what you just said is that the game is rigged against those who dare to question the “experts” when their predictions don’t bear fruit. Because there are different groups with computer models that can’t reconcile the past with current trends and make lousy predictions we must accept that one or more of them are necessarily right? What’s wrong with questioning the basic shared tenet — that whatever is happening is OUR fault?
Doing what we can to access more resources makes sense. Doing what we can to minimize our use of foreign supplies makes sense. Accepting the AGW theorists despite their lousy track record and their refusal to admit they might be wrong makes no sense at all at this time.
BTW, I deliberately and accurately used the word “tenet” above because they act and speak like cultists, denying the integrity of any who question them, stating that “deniers” should be prosecuted and punished.
James Pollock on 03 Jan 2011 at 12:03 am #
There’s no need to “deny” anything. If a theory doesn’t work, scientists will discard it (without anyone’s help) because, well, it doesn’t work. It’s not like scientists can just say stuff and have it accepted (particularly by other scientists)… science, by its nature, doesn’t take anything at all on faith. Other scientists review the work, the experiment, the results, and will attempt to poke holes in the theory, the experimental design, and the interpretation of the results.
Suggested reading for this topic: Asimov’s “The relativity of wrong” essay. Even theories that are “wrong” can still be useful. The Newtonian understanding of physics has been replaced by more thorough understanding of the laws of the Universe, but were still adequate to predict the discovery of the planets Neptune and Pluto*
Theories get advanced because they seem to explain observed phenomena. Then, experiments are designed to test the theory (usually by people OTHER than the proponents of the original theory, BTW.) They use the theory to predict what they will see, then conduct the experiment, then compare the results they expected to what they actually observed. Sometimes experiments become important for what they DON’T see (i.e., Michelson-Morley).
The point is that scientists, in acting like scientists, will tend to debunk bad science all by themselves. Yes, it does sometimes take a while to flush out bad science… Sometimes because the theory’s proponents have influence in the community, sometimes because experiments are difficult to design or to carry out, or because a failed experimental design seems to show something and isn’t explored sufficiently. But you can’t fake results and expect them to hold up to scientific scrutiny, not for long, anyway.
Earlier, you mentioned Lysenko… but Lysenko’s work was discredited early on. The problem in that equation wasn’t Lysenko, it was Stalin.
* assuming Pluto is still a “planet”, which is a different matter entirely.
TruckerRon on 03 Jan 2011 at 12:41 am #
“The problem in that equation wasn’t Lysenko, it was Stalin.” True. And today there are wealthy interests, politicians, and more, who are behind AGW. Enough of all that!
Shinnen Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!!! The Japanese do a much better job of celebrating the new year than we do… they just about shut down the country for a week beginning on December 28 and running through January 6, and have traditional meals, parties, etc.
TruckerRon on 03 Jan 2011 at 12:42 am #
Sheesh! I wish you a happy new year in Japanese and end up in moderation! So, putting it into English, I wrote:
“The problem in that equation wasn’t Lysenko, it was Stalin.” True. And today there are wealthy interests, politicians, and more, who are behind AGW. Enough of all that!
Happy New Year (in Japanese)!!! The Japanese do a much better job of celebrating the new year than we do… they just about shut down the country for a week beginning on December 28 and running through January 6, and have traditional meals, parties, etc.
James Pollock on 03 Jan 2011 at 3:19 am #
You see “wealthy interests” behind global warming scientists, but I see “wealthy interests” (oil companies, specifically) behind the anti-global warming scientists. (The exact same oil companies that paid out a quarter-billion dollars to end a government-corruption probe involving former VP Cheney.)
I suppose it’s possible that we’re BOTH right, and different moneyed interests are pushing both sides… but scientific process can only be impeded for so long. If we simplify it to a single question… is the atmosphere warming by detectable levels or not… a question with only two possible answers… then simplify again to say that one side of this argument is noble and true and pure, while the other seeks merely to obfuscate the truth and delay, as long as possible, the dissemination and acceptance of the truth… then we can either wait for the truth to out, or pick a side based on what seems reasonable and/or likely. If it’s scientists looking for government grants by telling politicians what they want to hear on the one side, and oil companies wanting to protect their profits on the other (again, simplifying) that doesn’t really tell us. The oil companies could be trying to protect their fair and honestly earned profits from charlatans who push inefficient “green energy” (hello, ADM and corn subsidies!), or they could be trying to protect their profits from attempts to move ecological costs which they are currently passing onto others back onto them. Ditto, scientists could be trying to report truly and accurately what they are observing and hush up the people who want to mislead, or it could be scientists reporting falsified or misinterpreted data and trying to slience critics who might be competitor for limited government grants to study the situation.
Every once in a while, I like to play conspiracy theorist as an intellectual exercise… can I build an imaginary conspiracy that shows the evidence it does and yet remains internally consistent? (Usually, I find holes in my own efforts… someplace where my imaginary conspiracy would have given itself away.)
But a conspiracy that includes thousands of scientists AND politicians worldwide, yet somehow doesn’t leak AND manages to successfully suppress evidence, from any source anywhere in the world? (I suppose the media are in on it, too, and are helping in the coverup.) That strains my credibility. I mean, the U.S. kept the secret of the atomic bomb, surely a most closely guarded secret, for only four years, but has managed to keep this global warming conspiracy secret for 25 years or more? Despite both the Congress and White House changing hands a couple of times?
Ron, I doubt I’ve changed your (or anyone else’s) mind, as the strong opinions on the subject tend to devolve to faith, which is well-known to be resistant to reason or evidence. I guess I just have more faith in scientists (collectively) than in oil company executives (collectively).
I don’t (usually) try to convert those of other faiths but I do, whenever I can, take potshots at the “It’s snowing and/or it’s really, really cold… so much for global warming” jokes. “Global warming” does not, and never has, meant that it can’t snow and/or get really cold in the wintertime.
Jerry in Fl on 03 Jan 2011 at 6:20 am #
When I said that 1/1/11 was a good time for a new beginning I had no idea that this group was capable of doing what no other group that I’m aware of could do. I am referring to an educated, reasonable discussion of politics, religion and scientific issues without name calling or other signs that any of you want to bury your head in the sand like the old cartoons used to show. One of you even dared suggest that one of the bumper sticker fellows (DON’T BLAME ME. I’M TOO POWERFUL.) may have motives that are less than honorable. Let’s stick with weather for awhile and see where that takes us. Let’s say that, hypothetically of course, you had the ability to influence the course of a hurricane. Where would you send it? Would you use that ability to prompt a regime change in a country that opposes US policies? Would you use it as a warning to another government that you expect action to be taken against certain factions that are not inclined to play ball according to your rules? Finally, if your answer to the above is definitely not, then what do you suggest? Would you put your military forces in harm’s way just to avoid possible danger to foreign citizens that don’t like us anyway? Here’s another alternative-keep your opinion to yourself. Just don’t think that you don’t believe in conspiracies. Remember the old WWII story that ends-then they came for me and there was no one left to object.
John in Richmond Texas on 03 Jan 2011 at 9:37 am #
All very interesting, but what energy and/or green companies do I invest my money in ?
I got deja vu on the argument about what side scientists are on. Years ago, it was assumed you were for or against SDI depending if you were working on it and/or got grants for it. When I first saw “AGW” I thought anti G W Bush ??
John in Richmond Texas on 03 Jan 2011 at 9:38 am #
I do agree on getting energy independent from people who hate us