Gothic Angel for melinda March 17, 2009
http://www.cuti.com.my/community/phorum/pic/cutizen3482_gothicAngel.jpg
Causing Trouble March 7, 2009
This week, as weeks go, went well. On Monday however I annoyed the Hell outta a bunch of people with a cartoon I made criticizing the new move to introduce police into the school. (I will post it ASAP) I handed a copy to the principal himself , it featured him of course. At first he seemed to handle it fine, but then as he was walking away he screwed it up and threw it into the nearest bin. Many teachers later congratulated me for being so bold and students called for an encore. My biggest fans asked for it to be a weekly or fortnightly thing, to have them coming out regularly. I was absolutely overwhelmed and overjoyed by the outcome and uproar. Only two admin seemed to have been upset by the almost rebellious act and a student who is on the Board of Trustees. I’m unsure about how the rest of the Board has reacted. I have not gotten into any trouble to my immense surprise. A few harsh words which I was expecting and easily fought off. Its my right, freedom of speech. I can do this and legally nobody can stop me.
Global Warming, Don’t believe everything you see on TV February 27, 2009
One man’s struggle for the truth;
Timothy Ball – The Canadian Free Press February 5, 2007
Global Warming, as we think we know it, doesn’t exist. And I am not the only one trying to make people open up their eyes and see the truth. But few listen, despite the fact that I was one of the first Canadian Ph.Ds. in Climatology and I have an extensive background in climatology, especially the reconstruction of past climates and the impact of climate change on human history and the human condition. Few listen, even though I have a Ph.D, (Doctor of Science) from the University of London, England and was a climatology professor at the University of Winnipeg. For some reason (actually for many), the World is not listening. Here is why.
What would happen if tomorrow we were told that, after all, the Earth is flat? It would probably be the most important piece of news in the media and would generate a lot of debate. So why is it that when scientists who have studied the Global Warming phenomenon for years say that humans are not the cause nobody listens? Why does no one acknowledge that the Emperor has no clothes on?
Believe it or not, Global Warming is not due to human contribution of Carbon Dioxide (CO2). This in fact is the greatest deception in the history of science. We are wasting time, energy and trillions of dollars while creating unnecessary fear and consternation over an issue with no scientific justification. For example, Environment Canada brags about spending $3.7 billion in the last five years dealing with climate change almost all on propaganda trying to defend an indefensible scientific position while at the same time closing weather stations and failing to meet legislated pollution targets.
No sensible person seeks conflict, especially with governments, but if we don’t pursue the truth, we are lost as individuals and as a society. That is why I insist on saying that there is no evidence that we are, or could ever cause global climate change. And, recently, Yuri A. Izrael, Vice President of the United Nations sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) confirmed this statement. So how has the world come to believe that something is wrong?
Maybe for the same reason we believed, 30 years ago, that global cooling was the biggest threat: a matter of faith. “It is a cold fact: the Global Cooling presents humankind with the most important social, political, and adaptive challenge we have had to deal with for ten thousand years. Your stake in the decisions we make concerning it is of ultimate importance; the survival of ourselves, our children, our species,” wrote Lowell Ponte in 1976.
I was as opposed to the threats of impending doom global cooling engendered as I am to the threats made about Global Warming. Let me stress I am not denying the phenomenon has occurred. The world has warmed since 1680, the nadir of a cool period called the Little Ice Age (LIA) that has generally continued to the present. These climate changes are well within natural variability and explained quite easily by changes in the sun. But there is nothing unusual going on.
Since I obtained my doctorate in climatology from the University of London, Queen Mary College, England my career has spanned two climate cycles. Temperatures declined from 1940 to 1980 and in the early 1970’s global cooling became the consensus. This proves that consensus is not a scientific fact. By the 1990’s temperatures appeared to have reversed and Global Warming became the consensus. It appears I’ll witness another cycle before retiring, as the major mechanisms and the global temperature trends now indicate a cooling.
No doubt passive acceptance yields less stress, fewer personal attacks and makes career progress easier. What I have experienced in my personal life during the last years makes me understand why most people choose not to speak out; job security and fear of reprisals. Even in University, where free speech and challenge to prevailing wisdoms are supposedly encouraged, academics remain silent.
I once received a three page letter that my lawyer defined as libellous, from an academic colleague, saying I had no right to say what I was saying, especially in public lectures. Sadly, my experience is that universities are the most dogmatic and oppressive places in our society. This becomes progressively worse as they receive more and more funding from governments that demand a particular viewpoint.
In another instance, I was accused by Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki of being paid by oil companies. That is a lie. Apparently he thinks if the fossil fuel companies pay you have an agenda. So if Greenpeace, Sierra Club or governments pay there is no agenda and only truth and enlightenment?
Personal attacks are difficult and shouldn’t occur in a debate in a civilized society. I can only consider them from what they imply. They usually indicate a person or group is losing the debate. In this case, they also indicate how political the entire Global Warming debate has become. Both underline the lack of or even contradictory nature of the evidence.
I am not alone in this journey against the prevalent myth. Several well-known names have also raised their voices. Michael Crichton, the scientist, writer and filmmaker is one of them. In his latest book, “State of Fear” he takes time to explain, often in surprising detail, the flawed science behind Global Warming and other imagined environmental crises.
Another cry in the wilderness is Richard Lindzen’s. He is an atmospheric physicist and a professor of meteorology at MIT, renowned for his research in dynamic meteorology - especially atmospheric waves. He is also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and has held positions at the University of Chicago, Harvard University and MIT. Linzen frequently speaks out against the notion that significant Global Warming is caused by humans. Yet nobody seems to listen.
I think it may be because most people don’t understand the scientific method which Thomas Kuhn so skilfully and briefly set out in his book “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions.” A scientist makes certain assumptions and then produces a theory which is only as valid as the assumptions. The theory of Global Warming assumes that CO2 is an atmospheric greenhouse gas and as it increases temperatures rise. It was then theorized that since humans were producing more CO2 than before, the temperature would inevitably rise. The theory was accepted before testing had started, and effectively became a law.
As Lindzen said many years ago: “the consensus was reached before the research had even begun.” Now, any scientist who dares to question the prevailing wisdom is marginalized and called a sceptic, when in fact they are simply being good scientists. This has reached frightening levels with these scientists now being called climate change denier with all the holocaust connotations of that word. The normal scientific method is effectively being thwarted.
Meanwhile, politicians are being listened to, even though most of them have no knowledge or understanding of science, especially the science of climate and climate change. Hence, they are in no position to question a policy on climate change when it threatens the entire planet. Moreover, using fear and creating hysteria makes it very difficult to make calm rational decisions about issues needing attention.
Until you have challenged the prevailing wisdom you have no idea how nasty people can be. Until you have re-examined any issue in an attempt to find out all the information, you cannot know how much misinformation exists in the supposed age of information.
I was greatly influenced several years ago by Aaron Wildavsky’s book “Yes, but is it true?” The author taught political science at a New York University and realized how science was being influenced by and apparently misused by politics. He gave his graduate students an assignment to pursue the science behind a policy generated by a highly publicised environmental concern. To his and their surprise they found there was little scientific evidence, consensus and justification for the policy. You only realize the extent to which Wildavsky’s findings occur when you ask the question he posed. Wildavsky’s students did it in the safety of academia and with the excuse that it was an assignment. I have learned it is a difficult question to ask in the real world, however I firmly believe it is the most important question to ask if we are to advance in the right direction.
http://www.thetruthseeker.co.uk/article.asp?ID=6042
For more Go to:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-557374/The-REAL-inconvenient-truth-Zealotry-global-warming-damage-Earth-far-climate-change.html
http://www.junkscience.com/Greenhouse/ (there is a lot to read in these)
My opinion is that the Earth goes through temperature cycles, it gets warm then it gets cold then it get warm again and so on. Population of carbon making things will increase in moderately warm temperatures, the atmosphere and ecosystem will react and get warmer. Weather changes, things die. Less things will mean less carbon and things will cool. Thing will die in the cold even more so. So there’s no need to worry.
Police presence in our humble school
Ever since this high school has come under new management its been a wreck. The year nines run wild causing trouble and mayhem (or chaos). I don’t know what the conditions are like this year, we’ve only been in a few weeks, but last year the female teachers were afraid to go out of the staff room because of the little turds (and some others eg wannabe gangsters in general). Something makes me feel however that things have not improved as the principal recently annouced that police were going to be patrolling the school. Apparently four other schools in Hamilton done this. Hamilton where the strike was going down because the principal was awful at her job. (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4853123a11.html) This will be most likely an interesting and eventful year. If there are any protests (that I agree with in any case) I will be right there with them. This whole situation is ridiculous.
On the topic of year nines, I must state that I was once one of them and its hard going for the good kids. So I adopted one and a quarter (Brianna had been claimed by atleast 3 other people), Anny(i/ie) and I gave her some chocolate. I also said I’d do anything she needed me to. She sort of reminds me of myself when I was her age, only better in most every way.
Taumarunui High School
is a
Train Wreck
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa February 21, 2009
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. A. A. A. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, aaaaaaaaaaaaaa? A a a a a a! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA… Aaaaaaaaaa. A a a a a a a a a a aa a a a a a a a. A a a a a a a aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a a a, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa a a a a a a a a a aa a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a aa a. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAa! AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA?
Big Brother is watching you (SIS and your rights) February 13, 2009
SIS reveals secret files
By MARTIN VAN BEYNEN - The Press | Wednesday, 28 January 2009
The release of Security Intelligence Service (SIS) files on individuals has revealed for the first time how far the shadowy service reached into the lives of activist and non-activist New Zealanders.
In response to the SIS relaxing its approach to redundant files, the word has got out.
A flood of files is reaching the people spied on, with most of the clandestine reporting referring to legitimate protest and political activity.
In November, Murray Horton, a former railway worker, applied for the file on the Campaign Against Foreign Control of Aotearoa (Cafca), an organisation he helped found.
He received 400 documents, including a cover letter from SIS head Dr Wayne Tucker. It said the spying had stopped.
The file presented a “fascinating and disturbing pattern of systematic covert state surveillance of many, many organisations and many hundreds, if not thousands, of people over decades”, Horton said.
He had seen other files. One showed the SIS had started monitoring an activist when she was 10.
An SIS spokesman said the service had adopted an archives policy in 2003 to aid “the proactive declassification of historical records”.
“A key element of the archives policy is that the SIS will deal impartially with information, regardless of whether it reflects unfavourably on the service or shows the service in a good light,” he said.
“Subsequent publicity has led to an increase in requests for access to personal information … The service has made every endeavour to be forthcoming.”
The greater openness had been well-received, with 26 people being sent their personal files last year.
“Recipients of declassified SIS reports have generally viewed them in their historical context and realised that the service’s methods and information-collection priorities have altered over the years as the nature and perceptions of threats to security have changed.”
The identity of agents and sources of information was deleted from the files, the spokesman said.
So much for democracy, Horton said.
“Our own little country has been proven to behave towards its dissidents in much the same way as the Communist police states that it used to rail against,” he said.
The worst of it was that the Cafca file and others released indiscreet and personally damaging material about named third parties who were not the subject of the surveillance but simply caught up in its net, he said.
“A lot of it is salacious gossip, with analyses of named people’s marriage problems, drinking habits, etc, etc,” Horton said.
“Some of it is laughable, like a report dedicated to the likely impact of feminism and different gender views on abortion on the marriages of named couples.”
One report contained this reference to Horton: “He likes the sound of his own voice and keeps interrupting the other speakers.”
Bill Rosenberg, 57, who is a member of Cafca, told the Press he had received his personal file, some of the file kept on his late father, Canterbury University economist Wolfgang Rosenberg, a refugee from Nazi Germany, and also the file on his mother.
The deputy director of the centre for teaching and learning at Canterbury University said he had never been a member of a political party but had been in several anti-war protest groups since his youth.
His father’s file showed he had been followed when he went around the country giving talks to groups. His mother was also monitored because of her membership of the New Zealand Communist Party in her youth and her involvement in organisations such as the Housewives Union.
His father’s application for a professorship at Victoria University was noted, and he wondered if the SIS had intervened to ensure it failed.
The files reflected the paranoia of the McCarthy era but also the particular views of SIS staff, Rosenberg said. “The release of the files marks a significant change in that degree of paranoia and that view of the world.”
His file contained mainly comments about him by Socialist Unity Party and Communist Party members at private meetings. Most disturbing was the car registration numbers taken when people visited his house after he had returned from overseas.
The picture emerging from the files was a “huge mixture of time-serving stuff” and reports about innocuous events, Rosenberg said.
The lack of sophistication was startling and little analysis was done on why activities were suspicious.
The vast majority of reporting was about “perfectly legitimate political activity by people who had a different view to the status quo”, Rosenberg said.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4831111a11.html
Access to records
Until a few years ago the NZSIS was very reluctant to release information either under the Privacy Act or the Official Information Act. However it has now adopted a much more open policy and individuals who apply for their files will be given extensive information, with only certain sensitive details (such as details of sources or information provided by overseas agencies) removed. In certain respects the SIS still fails to meet its obligations under the Privacy Act but in these cases there is a right of appeal to the Privacy Commissioner. The Privacy Act does not cover dead people but their files are available under the Official Information Act. The service is also required to release other information such as files on organisations but the service is reluctant to do so, citing the extensive research it allegedly has to carry out in order to provide this information. A simple letter to the Director is all that is required in order to obtain information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_Security_Intelligence_Service
Here Comes The Rain
I have changed the settings so you can comment without approval from myself, unless you have a link in your comment.
Good news, its been raining since I last posted. On Monday the first day of school, it was as grey as concrete, the air was moist and everything was dripping. Its been raining on and off since then. Its as if the weather heard that school was starting and couldn’t let go of such a fantastic opportunity to pour down on all the tired and unhappy students. It was extraordinarily humid, and now the river is brown and very full. But I guess there’s no need to worry about a drought.
End of Holidays February 8, 2009
Here am I, at the end of the Holidays, in my last year of school. I thought I should make a list of the things I have done these holidays:
Got stood on by a horse
Got smacked in the face with a paddle
Bought a crossbow
Nearly burnt down a forest
Walked alot
Walked some more
HALF LIFE! (Gmod is ROFL)
Made a blog
Wrote part of several stories
Painted a large portrait of my family
Drew many pictures
Learnt some CSS and re-learnt HTML
Learnt how to hack
Went to a Medieval Festival
Watched Frost/Nixon
Made a Molotov Cocktail
Tried to make an RPG
Worked on a short animated film
Went swimming alot
And I didn’t get sunburnt, not once.
I noticed today while I was traveling out to Turangi, how yellow the land was. I can see the drought spreading its deadly tenticles across the land, licking up the moisture from the ground and destroying the plant life on the hills. The parching sun is taking its toll. There were no clouds in the sky, a rare sight. There are fire restrictions of course. Caution will be necessary from here on out, unless we all want to die a fiery death.
Here’s a picture I made on GIMP;
- Make Your Own Luck
Khronic January 25, 2009
The hedgehog mentioned before has been released into an old graveyard. No he isn’t dead, but that’s where he lives now. Quiet and sheltered, free of predators and full of bugs and places to sleep. Mum says he shall do fine. I’ll have to take her word for it.
Here’s a Metallica song with THE MOST epic ending I have ever heard. It’s about Nuclear war.
