6Andrew

Well all I have to say is that makes me feel bad..... But first I have an issue to address. Such a "calculator" is HIGHLY inaccurate. I know it is supposed to give us a ballpark estimate but things change. During the majority of the year, my family does nothing. But we make up for it in the summer by driving to swim meets and back and forth to Okoboji. Also, since we live in the country, our electric bill is going to be higher, and its not like we over-use anything. Just so you know... I am in the dark as I am typing this.

As for my results, I am kind of questioning whether I really know how to read them, so I will give you what I think it is. I am going to skip the first part due to the fact that the results are way off, and I don't know why. It is like 2,000.  The next one is gas heating. We don't use gas. We have geothermal. So that is zero. The next one is rather extravagant. Our electric consumption produces around 69,000 gallons of CO2. I think that is off as well. Then we emit just under 20,000 gallons of carbon dioxide in our cars. My total says NaN. Whatever that means. As for recycling, we recycle everything we can.

After getting the information I needed to fill in the boxes, my mother and I talked about what we could do. We are generally good about unplugging things, and only having on the necessities, and the computers. But we could probably turn off the computers during the day. Energy suckers those lil buggers are. :). My mother is also considering changing some bulbs to CFL's. Later when I talked to my father, he  said that with rising gas prices, we could get some more fuel efficient cars. 

Well that was probably the last blog and the end of the year is approaching!

Anyways, See y'all later

Andrew 

Φ Ok..... WOW. I know I say that a lot, but here it is especially needed. Ugh. Ok, now this man, at least in my opinion, is a massive hypocrite. Before I give you my opinion, I shall summarize Mr. Inhofe's speech.

Θ First of all, Mr. Inhofe describes the history of climate predictions and climate alarmism. He talks about in the last hundred years of climatology, and how there has been the reverse alarmism of impending ice age, global warming, and back again. It has changed four times.

Δ The following section revolves around the hockey stick concept. It was a graph that showed stable temperatures until around the 20th Century when they spiked... creating a hockey stick like shape. This theory was eventually debunked and new evidence found other warming and cooling trends.

Ω The next prominent section critcizes the Kyoto protocal. It says that the difference the protocal will make is so insignificant that the hurt it will cause our economy will far outweigh the benefits.

Γ Next, the media is criticized for enlarging the panic and alarmism. They have followed all the changes in predictions that have been made throughout the last hundred years, and are continual supporters of global climate change.

Ξ The next section really slams on Al Gore's "An Inconvienient Truth." He presents several reasons the film is innaccturate. And how all the reviews made were by scientists who hadn't seen the movie, just seen the facts.

Σ Another point was the the agreement or concensus, between was engineered rather than completey honest.

Ψ Lastly, the senator debunks the polar bear extintion theory. And one of the reports that said that they found polar bears exhausted/dying actually stated they only "looked" that way.

ξ Here is whereI get to present my honest opinion... And I think Sen. Inhofe is a hypocritical skepticist. He, just as Al Gore did, presented a faulty assemblage of random facts, entirely vacant of hard evidence. Neither politician presents a credible argument. There were no specific scientists quoted, nor were scientist invovled in the developing of such presentations. And the fact that they are politician in itself presents a threat to both men's credibility. A common misconception about Global Warming is that the warming is that part thats bad, which is entirely incorrect. It is the acceleration in the warming thats causing the problem. It is not yet clear whether Global Warming is an actual problem or not, that is besides the point. It is becoming increasingly obvious that we are damaging the environment, warming trend or not, and we need to step up to the plate and try to take care of the world around us. I am very disappointed in Sen. Inhofe for suggesting people not do the things in the Kyoto protocal or even those on Mr. Gore's movie. They may not reduce gas emissions but they do help reduce waste and do help the environment. We as people, and especially as Americans, need to start doing something, because frankly, we are the worst on our planet. For now its all I have to say... So see y'all tomorrow!

Andrew

    Okay. Well, basically the article spoke of how a small Georgian county is taking drastic, and almost melodramatic, measures to provide better learning by going to single sex classrooms. They are attempting to diminish teen pregnancy, misbehavior, and lack of participation in class by separating sexes. It then speaks of the pros and cons of such a situation, as well as the opinions of those effected by the change.

    I begin by saying wow. I am a very much a realist, and I am starting to get sick of people saying how everything is "offensive" or "appalling" or even "disgusting." People need to just get over themselves. Now I know that's it's not exactly the nicest thing to say, but honestly, they need to quit being so emotional about everything. Now I d to have admit that both sides are being very over-dramatic. Kids don't get pregnant in school, therefore, these same sex class-rooms are not helping. It's not like they will be able to keep boys and girls away from each other. Secondly, you are revamping an entire structure. I personally think a systematic advance would have been the way to go. Lastly, it's not that big of a deal. It's true that kids may perform better without the distraction of the opposite sex, but thats in middle/high school students. I don't understand why they are doing to the elementary kids. But still, boys don't misbehave just because of girls, and many girls are afraid to show how smart they are. This was obviously written by someone who knew little of the topic. Another problem I had was the communities reaction. The school is doing what they feel is best for your children, and you are the one who put them in your care. So suck it up. Now so far I have only complained, and I am supposed to have given my opinion. Basically it is this: "This is a choice made by a staff who is appointed to help the school, who is filled with kids who are sent there by their parents. There is nothing wrong with it. It's not sexist. It's not "offensive" or "appalling." So its fine. The on problem I have is the fact the is is being implemented so quickly. I would have taken it slowly. But there is nothing wrong with it." So there you have it!

Andrew 

Just an update. I took the test. Yikes!!! I did well, 88 left, but some of those countries I have never even heard of! For example, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Probably an island nation in the Caribbean but I have never even heard of that. Well class is over so I will write my eval. eighth hour hopefully.

Andrew

Well I am back. That test has been bugging me all day. Its really weird to think that there are countries that I didn't know existed! I did much better than I expected myself to do. I have determined that if I had 88 left, I named one hundred and four countries. I was naming ones that I wasn't even sure existed, for example, Eritrea. I don't even know where that is, though I have a feeling it's in Africa. I didn't realize there were so many countries in the world (U.N. recognized ones that is). I actually enjoyed the test and it was probably very funny to watch me take it. I took it seriously --a very intense ten minutes. :) Well, I guess there is not much more to say about it. And I am getting yelled at by Turkey at the moment, so see y'all in class!!!

Andrew