#141 “Reflections”

IN DEFENSE OF COMMON SENSE
By Hetty Gray

# 141

“Reflections”

February 20, 2013
POSTED TWO MONTHS LATE DUE TO ILLNESS – SORRY, READERS!

Winter has a rhythm all its own. Days seem to drag or fly, depending on your activity level; yet, even in degrees, mood seems to run our lives.

Many in the Midwest flee to the southern states to spend the winter, seeking solace on the beaches, across the golf courses, or rocking gently on inland lakes. Still more strive to hone sailing skills or to catch that really big fish.

Thankfully, not everyone ends up in the same location. If they were, congestion would be the least of their problems.

For us, and others of same mind, winter landscapes beckon. Snow covered trails host snowmobilers of all ages and cross-country ski venues tug at the heartstrings of those who grew up with Nordic heritage. Another popular vacation treat is a ride on a sleek dogsled.

Whether you dip your toes in the sand or slip them into sturdy, cold-resistant boots, a winter break from the daily grind may be just what the proverbial doctor ordered.

Recently, welcome snows fell on the northern Michigan landscape and not any too soon for beleaguered resort or restaurant owners. For the people who rely on about 10-12 weeks activity for the bulk of their annual receipts, a low snowfall can spend doom or bankruptcy.

For all the talk about climate change, one must look at the larger picture. Had there NOT been a warming period, the Great Lakes would not exist and the mountains of Michigan’s scenic Upper Peninsula would soar higher than the West’s Rockies! Since we have, in those great bodies of water, 20% of the world’s fresh water supply, a warming period can be a good thing.

Man has only at his command his intelligence and ingenuity. Mother Nature has far more in her war chest. Consider for a moment that one major volcanic eruption could change the world climate in a heartbeat and you may come to doubt the movement launched upon us by some in leadership.

Recall, please, that those pushing the global warming dangers are the same group pushing global cooling in the 1970s. Other than being a great moneymaker for a few at the top, the movement has produced more than a few dissenters. Sadly, for them, the media focus on the pro-warming crowd crushes the thousands of scientists that challenge the alleged danger.

I don’t know about you, but my teachers gave me a bit of wisdom that holds pretty steady in an uncertain world. It harkens back to Shakespeare and a well-known quote, “Me thinks she doth protest too much.” When you have a weak point, you do not welcome opposing views.

The jet stream affects North American weather in all seasons, and it is interesting that it has swung south this season bringing surprising snows to places such as El Paso, Texas. I doubt if the global warmers can blame man for that. Oh, for a moment I forgot. They blame man for everything. I wonder if that mindset bothers them when they use all the modern conveniences resulting from man’s innovation. I doubt it.

The very people criticizing the use of fossil fuels fly around in private jets with consumption that outstrips an entire contingent of private vehicles. Oh, another lapse… The rules only hold for us, not them.

As you bask in the climate of choice this winter, take a moment to reflect. Every change in climate is a form of weather. Weather changes from season to season and is cyclical. Winter fades into spring. For some of you, that wait can’t be short enough.

It would be nice to reflect back on times when common sense ruled. Perhaps — when the sputtering flame of global warming has extinguished its spark and the populace has wearied of funding inane enterprises in the name of saving the planet — someone will begin to see our world for what it is: an amazing landscapes and virtual miracles of creation that offer man opportunities only limited by his imagination. Until then, those of us who yearn for more cogent thought processes at the top of the leadership chain must suffer through the interim.

Comments are closed.