Global Warming

Richard Muller writes a persuasive editorial in Sunday's NY Times, claiming that his studies show a powerful correlation between the increase in carbon dioxide and the rise in temperatures over the last 250 years, a crucial link in showing global warming is caused by man's activity.  By his account, he had controlled for other factors, e.g. sun-spot activity.  Two comments about this: 1) he's simply describing his conclusions.  But he's published his work, so others can find flaws in his reasoning if there are any.  And that's the way science should work;  2)  as a good scientist he doesn't confuse correlation with cause.  But  if his correlation is strong, then, as he rightly points out, any competing theory must account for this correlation. 

Apologies

Awhile back in a public conversation, I asserted that Milla Jovovich had not been in any good movies (besides The Fifth Element).   My judgment was mistaken.  If you get a chance, watch  Dummy with Adrien Brody.  It's an offbeat movie and Milla displays her theatrical chops. 

RIP

Neil Reed, former IU basketball player, dies at age 36 from heart complications.  I confess that at the time of his controversial run-in with Bobby Knight, I was in Knight's camp.  Looking back, I realize that it was Neil who did the right thing. 

You Didn't Build That

Lost in the kerfuffle over Pres. Obama's remark is I think recognition that the U.S. owes its freedom and success to two sources: a) the providence of our creator and b) the long history of respect for human rights--to life, liberty and property--that we've inherited from our cultural ancestors. 

I take the first only to be controversial for the nontheist.  I take the second to be an assumption for liberals of all stripes, from Romney to Obama.  If so, the question we should be asking is how to best preserve these rights. 

Quote of the Day

QOTD: "One man with courage makes a majority."  Anonymous!  (attributed to Andrew Jackson incorrectly)

Excitement!

I just received my copy of the 2012-13 NCAA Division I Manual!  It comes in at 315 pages, quite a reduction from the 426 pages of the 2011-12 Manual. I'm so excited I could cry.

Dengue Fever

It's possible that there will be a vaccine for Dengue Fever, a mosquito-borne disease that has a mortality rate of 1-5%.     Prior to 1981, there were no cases of Dengue Fever in the western hemisphere.  That has changed; incidents include an outbreak in Brownsville TX in 2005. 

The vaccine will be "live" attenuated, which will increase resistance to taking it. And even if many end up taking it, we'll end up with the free rider problem!  But still, anything is better than nothing.