Who's To Blame, Senorita?

Trying to never let a serious crisis to go to waste, Iowa Senator Rob Boss Hogg got the Ragister to print his opinion piece

The era of climate disasters has begun

Hogg cites floodwaters along the Mississippi River and the tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri as a new era of human history -- an era of climate disasters, where human fingerprints are found on disasters previously called "natural."

Naturally not everyone agrees and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Hogg's hometown newspaper, the Cedar Rapids Gazette, quotes State Climatologist Harry Hillaker -- The nation’s stormy spring is typical for a waning La Nina. The La Nina weather pattern is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific.

La Nina's have been documented in 1904.

Then there are those who state, “global warming is reducing the threat from tornadoes.”

Global warming causes tornadoes? Oops. Not exactly

If Boss Hogg needs to see the human fingerprints of disaster, he only needs to look in the mirror.




















That may be a little harsh, I'm sure Boss Hogg is just trying to be a conscientious liver, like this young lady.

North Iowan biking to raise climate change awareness

There's no hope for me or my liver.

Hysteria

As I look out my window and witness a winter that will not die, I wonder if we're in a year without summer.

I will fear not, because I will take into consideration  the words, earlier this week, of Rob "Boss" Hogg -- Don’t buy into the hysteria

Albeit they weren't on this topic, but "Boss" Hogg should heed his own advice and the scientific community is united in that fact.

You see "Boss" Hogg has bought into the "hysteria" of the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change.

"Boss" Hogg believes it is responsible for the drought Iowa recently experienced, even though a federal study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Drought Task Force places the blame on natural variations in weather.

Don't buy into the hysteria, "Boss".

"Boss" Hogg believes it's not a hoax and not just nature.

However, a leading climatologist, MIT’s Dr. Richard Lindzen, wrote, “The notion of a static, unchanging climate is foreign to the history of the earth or any other planet with a fluid envelope. The fact that the developed world went into hysterics over changes in (a) global mean temperature anomaly of a few tenths of a degree will astound future generations.”

“Such hysteria,” warned Dr. Lindzen, “simply represents the scientific illiteracy of much of the public, the susceptibility of the public to the substitution of repetition for truth, and the exploitation of these weaknesses by politicians, environmental promoters, and, after 20 years of media drum beating, many others as well. Climate is always changing.”

Don't buy into the hysteria, "Boss".

New science indicates that the threat posed by human-caused climate change is substantially less than previously thought and that climate projections have been exaggerated on the high side.

Increasingly, both Mother Nature and the science of her behavior are telling us that climate change and its impacts will be moderate, making global "lukewarming" the more apt description. Adaptation is a more preferable course than mitigation.

New science is telling us that the old science was unjustifiable and overly extreme.

Don't buy into the hysteria...Period.

Pen & Paper

How many trees died for State Senator Rob "Boss" Hogg's new 120 page book?

Iowa Sen. Hogg pens book warning of climate change dangers

According to Boss Hogg --  ”America’s scientists have concluded that climate change is real, is primarily caused by human activity, and poses real dangers for our future. It is time for Americans to move out beyond slogans to understand why this issue is so challenging and what we need to do about it. We need to unite to make 2013 the year of climate action.”

Hey Mr. Lawyer, the jury is still out on the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

With each passing year, it is becoming increasingly clear that global warming is not a scientific theory subject to empirical falsification, but a political ideology that has to be fiercely defended against any challenge

The Ragister noted the book is selling on Amazon for $10.95, but we've found it's already been reduced to $9.66.

It's a bestsell-err.

The Liter trusts that Boss Hogg will be utilizing environmentally friendly transportation as he travels the state for his book tour.

Sandy

The Iowa chapter, led by Rob "Boss" Hogg, of the First Church of the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change is commemorating the one year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy with a series of events in the eastern half of the state today through Tuesday.

Boss Hogg claims, We are seeing more of these disasters with greater severity and that climate change is “settled” science.

All praise Al Gore, who's been spouting the science is settled routine for six years.

As for Sandy, NOAA meteorologist Martin Hoerling attributes Sandy to "little more than the coincidental alignment of a tropical storm with an extratropical storm"

Boss Hogg then goes on to lecture, Even if you are an Iowan who for whatever reaason just doesn’t believe that climate change is real…that doesn’t take away your obligation to remember the victims, to support the survivors or to commit to prevent future disasters. They are happening.

Of course natural disasters are going to happen, now that's settled science and the scientific community is united in that fact.

As for our obligation, we've already committed to a $50 billion recovery package for states hit by Hurricane Sandy and the President has requested $2.7 billion for climate change for 2014.

In addition, the world invested almost a billion dollars a day in limiting global warming last year.

So, Back Off Boogaloo!

Tried By Twelve

The Iowa “Draw the line” Keystone XL pipeline protest, organized by State Senator Rob "Boss" Hogg, received coverage from the Capitol Square Crapper even though it drew only about a dozen protesters.

That's a pathetic turnout for these self professed progressives worried about the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change.

Even more pathetic is the Ragister's decision to give it publicity and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Searches of the online Cedar Rapids Gazette, Boss Hogg's hometown paper, and Quad City Times showed no coverage of the actual event, even though there were activities in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha and Davenport.

The Quad City Times printed a Letter to the Editor from Boss Hogg, where he blamed the civil war in Syria on climate-related disasters.

Back to the Ragister

Protesters in Des Moines, across U.S. rail at Keystone pipeline plan

Their headline is apropos, as even without the pipeline, the number of train cars carrying Canadian oil is up 20%.

That means -- The oil is coming, the only question is how much new investment there will be in U.S. energy infrastructure.

Time For Action?

Speaking in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union at Iowa State University, State Senator Rob "Boss" Hogg promoted his book on the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change.

State senator calls for climate control action

"Boss" Hogg droned on for an hour, contributing to the higher levels of carbon dioxide by expelling copious amounts of CO₂ and the scientific community is united in that fact.

It's a good thing for "Boss" Hogg that there isn’t the slightest evidence that more carbon dioxide has caused more extreme weather.

As for extreme weather, caused by global warming, it is not supported by science.

“General statements about extremes are almost nowhere to be found in the literature but seem to abound in the popular media,” climate scientist Gavin Smith of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies said last month. “It’s this popular perception that global warming means all extremes have to increase all the time, even though if anyone thinks about that for 10 seconds they realize that’s nonsense.”

It turns out that the overall effect of climate change will be positive for humankind and the planet.

Like Tornadoes in Iowa, with this year seeing the fewest such storms since comprehensive tracking began 33 years ago. The National Weather Service said that's one less than the previous low of 16 set in 2012.

Hello Cold World

State Senator Rob "Boss" Hogg will transport himself, via non environmentally friendly means and the scientific community is united in that fact, from Cedar Rapids to Ames today to talk about the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change.

The Capitol Square Crapper claims it's a part of a statewide tour of colleges and universities that includes presentations at the University of Iowa, Grinnell College, St. Ambrose University, Upper Iowa University, Maharishi University of Management, and Luther College.

The Ragister also reports "Boss" Hogg expects to schedule additional appearances at Iowa colleges and universities this fall.

Wonder how much time he'll spend on the coming global cooling?

A cooling that will not end until the middle of this century.

Couldn't "Boss" Hogg just use the Iowa Communications Network?

Or Skype?

That's what all the cool kids are using.

Never mind.

Easy Money

It's only Tuesday, but Iowa Dummycrat Senator Rob Boss Hogg (pictured) makes his second appearance this week on our blog.

Boss Hogg is proposing a “Branstad Rule” for Iowa's Tax System because Governor Branstad had a $52 state income tax bill for 2011.

The $52 state income tax was an anomaly, the governor’s staff said. Branstad paid $62,831 in federal income taxes in 2010 and that amount is deductible on his 2011 state tax return. Since his 2011 income is much lower, the deduction substantially reduced his state tax liability, they said.

In an effort to score political points, and hurt one person, Hogg is talking about ending the state tax break that lets Iowans deduct what they paid in federal taxes before calculating their Iowa income tax liability.

The name ROB is apropos and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Iowa Dummycrats tried ending Federal Deductibility in 2009, but individuals (even middle and lower income taxpayers)would have seen their taxes increase.

Hey Lawyerman, release your tax returns so we can see what you pay.

Don't?

Late last month the Iowa Senate defeated a bill to give landowners new protection against liability lawsuits that was taken away by the Iowa Supreme Court.

Opposing the bill was Rob "Boss" Hogg.

The Cedar Rapids lawyer told the body --  Don’t buy into the hysteria about this decision

Hogg continued -- the kind of “absolute immunity” from lawsuits outlined in the proposal was “nonsense” and We do not have to immunize anything any farmer, any landowner anywhere in the state ever does.

Last night the Iowa Senate, 48 to 0, voted to fix farm liability issue and voting with the majority was "Boss" Hogg.

Not that's hysterical and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Draw The Line?

Five rallies, all with different starting times(?), will be held around the state today, against the proposed Keystone XL pipeline.

Or as the online Ragister referred to it, the propoosed  Keystone XL pipeline.

These “Draw the line” activities are being stirred up by the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change crowd and that means State Senator Rob "Boss" Hogg, who said --

“Most Iowans know that the Keystone pipeline would make climate change worse and would threaten our natural resources”

If most Iowans did, you wouldn't be demonstrating and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Draw the line?

Is that another blurry red line?

What difference at this point does it make?

We've only got 1.75 billion years and perhaps as much as 3.5 billion years left, based on the rate of rising temperatures of the Sun.

Back to Boss Hogg --

Opposition to the pipeline is growing even more, however, as Iowans realize that TransCanada wants to condemn American farms and ranches to build the pipeline to Port Arthur, Texas, to export tar sands on the global market.

But Boss, to satisfy environmental concerns, Keystone XL builder TransCanada, rerouted the pipeline around environmentally-sensitive parts of Nebraska and Construction of the final section of the pipeline “will disturb less land than the pipeline that has already been built.”

The Warmth?

Iowans worried about Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change made the Ragister and the Cedar Rapids Gazette in the last couple of days.

In the Capitol of the People's Republic, Iowa City, 100 Grannies are working to ban plastic bags, but their campaign has stalled.

If you can't get something banned in Iowa City, how bad could it be?

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

A co-founder of the group says -- “Many, many cities worldwide have banned single-use plastic bags. The entire country of Rwanda has banned plastic bags.”

It's a sad state of affairs if we're following Rwanda, should we implement genocide too?  

The other group founder says -- “Carbon dioxide levels have passed 390 parts per million in our atmosphere — this is the highest level in human history.”

It's not the highest it has ever been on the planet -- Levels were 3,000 ppm, or more, until the Paleogene period (beginning about 65 million years ago).

Contrary to what some would have us believe, increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere will benefit the increasing population on the planet by increasing agricultural productivity.

Lastly, we learn that 100 Grannies don't number 100 as only 75 women have joined the Grannies.

Plus, if you look at the picture that accompanies the article, at least one man is identified as a member.

Ed Fallon and his Great March for Climate Action, reminds us of Mao's Long March, received more Ragister publicity for unveiling their route.

Fallon claims to have raised $60,000 so far to help bankroll the effort.

Will Ed be paying himself from those funds too (Here We Go Again)?

Also backing Fallon are MiniCommie CONgressman Bruce Braley and Rob "Boss" Hogg, with the Hogg saying -- In the past, you would have an occasional flood. Now we just have one flood after another.

Unless you count last year's drought.

Tornado

A recent video released from NASA’s Solar Dynamic Observatory shows a speeded-up version of a 38-hour tornadic incident on the sun.

You know some Warm-Monger like Al Gore, James Hansen or Rob "Boss" Hogg are thinking the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change is to blame.

And the scientific community is united in that fact.

Grounds For Divorce

Family man/Tiny Tot Tyler Olson announced a separation and pending divorce from his wife, Sarah.

This month old statement should have been a clue and the scientific community is united in that fact.

“Somebody asked if I was prepared for the chaos of a statewide campaign and I said my life gets quieter when I leave the house...” 

One can't help but wonder what the problem is after only 5 months into a campaign.

Is it another woman?

Is he gay?

It's okay if he comes out of the closet, but most of his clothes should stay in.

Boss Hogg helped bring them together, did he or the Greenhouse Effect, err Global Warming, err Climate Change, help put asunder?

One thing appears certain, he has commitment issues.

He served less than 6 months as Chair of the Iowa Democratic Party.

4 terms in the Iowa House.

7 years of marriage.

Other questions left hanging, include what becomes of the 55 women in his “Women for Olson Steering Committee"?

Does Sarah stay on as a member?

Change?

Boss Hogg and the Iowa Climate Advocates are bringing their climate act to the metro tonight.

Energy/pollution reduction meeting Wednesday in Windsor Heights

The group is billed as Iowans working to educate the public about the dangers of climate change and who advocate for change.

Maybe it's my education, and the scientific community is united in that fact, but how do I know the change they advocate is not a danger?

I Quit! I Quit! I Quit!

Two big departures from the arena yesterday, one expected and the other not.

Family man Tyler Olson ended his race for Governor.

Things are going so well for State Senator Jack ASS...err, Hatch that he is donating $200,000 to his own campaign.

Bob Krause says, I’ve been more successful than people realize.

In politics, if the people don't realize it, you aren't successful and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Krause continued -- One thing is to determine whether there is an upper limit to what I’ve been doing.

Short answer -- YES, and this is it.

I'm looking for Dummycrats Rob "Boss" Hogg or Des Moines Mayor Frank Clownie...err Cownie to give Hatch a run for his $200,000.

The other big departure was my Congressman, Tom Latham.

My first thought was that it makes Dummycrat Staci Appel-sauce for brains suddenly a viable candidate, but then it passed...like a fart.

I'm wondering if Leonard BOZO-well might want to give it another go, but that could just be faulty, misleading misinformation.

I expect State Senator Matt McCoy to jump in, after all he dropped his CONgressional bid when BOZO-well moved to Des Moines.

Green And Dumb

The Green Party is holding their national convention, beginning today, in Iowa City.

The Capitol of the People's Republic is the perfect place to party, as long as you're 21, and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Will their 2008 nominee Cynthia McKinney attend?

Jill Stein, the party’s presidential candidate in 2012 and, perhaps, again in 2014, will participate in the convention.

I guess the Greens aren't smart enough to realize the next Presidential election is in 2016, not 2014.

Surely Libris Fidelis will be there.

The Greenies will offer strategic planning as well as an emphasis on encouraging and recruiting local level candidates and showing people that being Green is “not just running for president every four years and not winning.

Its not easy being Green

The Greens will bring in some major party officials. Rep. Mary Mascher, D-Iowa City, Sen. Rob "Boss" Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, Des Moines Mayor Frank Clownie...err Cownie , Francis Thicke, a former Democratic candidate for state ag secretary

Looks like the Greenies are just an offshoot of the Goonies.

I Want Candy

That has to be on the mind of these kids who were co-opted by Iowa Senate Dummycrats for future campaign material.

The nearly identical pictures with Matt McCoy (top) and Amanda Ragan (bottom) ran in their hometown papers, the Ragister and Globe Gazette.

Boss Hogg and Squirmin' Herman Quirmbach were not so lucky, yet, with the Cedar Rapids Gazette or Ames Tribune.

I wonder how long these kids were made to sweat it out under the hot lights?

All for products that aren't available here or sold to minors and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Looks like somebody needs to tweak the child labor laws next.

I Just Want To Celebrate

The news is full of Earth Day activities, most of which don't take place on this day.

Friday Central Iowa held a Trash Bash and it was a good thing that the sun was shining on that day because rain would delay it 3 days.

There's some commitment to Mother Earth for you and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Valley Junction is holding Earth Day in the Junction 5K Run Walk, be sure to click for driving directions.


Eastern Iowa chose to kick off their Earth Week Fair yesterday, with three special workshops appropriate for adults, children, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

That's an interesting breakdown.

One of the workshops is called “Get Geocaching!” and geocaching expert John Morgan gave the basics of the treasure-hunting game that’s played using GPS devices.

It looks like cars are required as simple caches are often called "drive-bys," or "park 'n grabs".

Another workshop was “What on Earth? Climate Change & Severe Weather Safety”.

This premise is completely wrong as “There is medium evidence and high agreement that long-term trends in normalized [property] losses have not been attributed to natural or anthropogenic climate change.” 

The Big Lug Nut was brought back into the news with a story on one of his pet projects, the Iowa Power Fund.

The BLN  called the program to support renewable energy research and development a resounding success by pointing to an algae production plant.

Algae? Isn't that President Obama's fuel of the future?

According to the BLN, the $4 million from the fund will grow substitutes for fish oil and proteins for feedstock.

Where's the power come into being?

Other Power Fund highlights(?) include, One company accidentally wasted most of its $1 million grant ordering equipment from an out-of-state supplier that went bankrupt and $2.8 million was spent studying a proposal to store wind energy that was later determined not to be feasible.

Don't forget the $19,000 given to Consumer Energy to study a plug-in hybrid electric car owned by Consumer Energy.

Results of the nearly two years of study found the plug-in battery used in the vehicle does not work well in the cold.

At the Statehouse two state senators got into a heated discussion about climate change, with Dummycrat Rob Boss Hogg playing the part of Al Gore -- “‘Scientists, including those representing 28 Iowa colleges and universities who recently released a statement, have warned us that changes in global climate patterns are brining more extreme weather events to Iowa, the United States and our world.’”

To which Republican Senator David Johnson responded -- “I’m on the side of the scientists I served with in Antartica and Greenland and I’m the only member of this body that has done that. And there is no agreement in the scientific community, no consensus that things have really changed because change happens.”

Johnson schooled the lawyer, who earned a master's degree in energy policy from the Hubert Horatio Hornblower...Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs.

Speaking of schooling, second grade students at Sunset Heights Elementary School in Webster City, and their teacher, will be on a Shower Strike this week.

They're promising to not take a shower or a bath until we’ve raised a thousand dollars to help build a well for a school in Kenya.

Here's hoping the winds blow out of the South until then.