Rebane's Ruminations
August 2017
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[Well, that last sandbox sure got smelly in the end.  My bad for letting it linger.  Perhaps we can try to raise the level of discourse on this one.  Would love to see some dialogue on 'Trump divorces GOP Congress' and its implications for legislation and 2018. gjr]

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309 responses to “Sandbox – 25aug17”

  1. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Scenes @ 4:14 pm.
    Good video. I refrained from posting this from the Cajun Navy this morning because it just seemed so wrong. Hearing reports of lines of pickup trucks and vans towing boats and carrying supplies miles long INTO Houston from multiple directions warmed my heart. I did not want to be a downer. After reading Drudge and other news sources from Houston, it might be true. Sad, in a time where so many people are going through upheaval and displacement, and so many people are coming together to lend a hand, looters are on the prowl
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1593527394054979&set=p.1593527394054979&type=3&theater
    Don’t mess with Texas: this ain’t New Orleans.
    http://abc13.com/houston-police-catch-armed-robbers-and-looters/2354955/

    Like

  2. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    No Todd
    Car Accidents On The Rise In Legal States – But Marijuana Isn’t The Culprit
    “Car accidents are on the rise in legal states, and some data crunchers are pointing their fingers at recreational marijuana. But legalization does not lead to more car crashes or to more fatal road collisions, according to a new study published in the American Journal of Public Health by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin.
    The study compared the rate of fatal car crashes in Colorado and Washington before and following legalization in 2012. After delving through years of data, researchers concluded that there is no evidence to suggest that marijuana has made roads unsafe.
    “We found no significant association between recreational marijuana legalization in Washington and Colorado and subsequent changes in motor vehicle fatality rates in the first three years after recreational marijuana legalization,” the authors wrote.
    And there’s no evidence to suggest that these states are seeing more car accidents due to cannabis. “[W]e also found no association between recreational marijuana legalization and total crash rates when analyzing available state-reported nonfatal crash statistics.”
    https://www.civilized.life/articles/car-accidents-legal-marijuana/

    Like

  3. Michael R. Kesti Avatar
    Michael R. Kesti

    Paul Emery 29 August 2017 at 03:39 PM
    Perhaps you will feel better knowing that she deplaned in sneakers. In any event, the whole non-issue reminds me of an important legal question: SO WHAT?

    Like

  4. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Just an interesting observation about human character Michael

    Like

  5. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    More politization of a natural disaster.
    http://thefederalist.com/2017/08/28/fake-news-border-patrol-checkpoints-hurricane-harvey-americans-hate-media/#.WaR-xzLxRBE.twitter
    Climate Alarmists say that the last two days in Texas is what Climate Change looks like. What about the last 12 years without a hurricane? It that what Climate looks like also?
    Oh, Todd and Don, pay no heed to the fashion critics and their critiques of Melania’s choice of footwear or handbag. That is for the style ladies and girly men to get their thongs twisted up in a knot over, not real news folk or normal people.

    Like

  6. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    No not at all interesting ya po’ ol’ fakenewsman @516, it was a party parrot squawk with no point. SO pray tell what does it say about the high fashion models character that she wore her normal shoe to the airport? It is another example of left wing TURDS and nothing more. Shame on you fakenewsman. 😉

    Like

  7. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    from Paul – one of his most honest comments: “Just an interesting observation about human character Michael”
    That would be your character, Paul. Carrying that much hate around in your head can only damage you. You need to let it go.
    We are supposed to seriously believe that because the pres wife boarded AF1 in heels that proves some sort of ill will or lack of compassion or what?
    Do you have photos of M Obama in the mud, Paul?

    Like

  8. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Yes MJ is the cause of a 40% rise in =fatal car accidents deaths in Colorado These are derived from the bloodwork on the dead people. Alcohol only up 17%. So try again with your propaganda. These are Colorado studies so go complain to them. I am simply the messenger.

    Like

  9. Walt Avatar

    WOW! Socialism just ain’t paying like it used to.
    https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-29/denmark-targets-deep-cuts-to-reduce-world-s-biggest-tax-burden
    ““With this proposal, we’re tackling a number of concrete challenges,” Finance Minister Kristian Jensen said in the statement. “We’re increasing the gains associated with working, we’re making it more attractive to work more and we’re ensuring that it’s more worthwhile to save up toward retirement.”
    A fast-growing economy has pushed down the jobless rate to just 3.5 percent, prompting concern about potential labor shortages. An aging population is also weighing on the state’s coffers.”
    Looks like the OPM coffers are running dry.

    Like

  10. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    Here is just one link for the lazy people who don’t know how to google car fatalities and MJ.
    http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2014/02/04/study-fatal-car-crashes-involving-marijuana-have-tripled/

    Like

  11. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Todd unlike alcohol marijuana stays in the system long after it’s effects wear off. , you are pretending to be an expert so you should know that

    Like

  12. Michael R. Kesti Avatar
    Michael R. Kesti

    Paul Emery 29 August 2017 at 05:16 PM
    The First Lady’s fashion statement is in no way about human character. The only relevant observation about human character that I see concerns that of those making such a fuss about her footwear.

    Like

  13. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    Well gosh that’s some creative punctuation there ya po’ ol’ pollhead @ 621. Stop trying to change the subject, you are getting blown up on the party parrot shoe crap. 😉

    Like

  14. Walt Avatar

    Now how in Hell would you know Paul? You of ALL people should keep your yap shut about the things you don’t know about.
    Just what have you been saying all this time? ” I never smoked weed”. That’s what you have said here many a time. With that said,,,, yes, it does stay in your system for a while. A LONG while.
    So when the coroner skins the dead guy/gal/it out on the table after digging it out of a crash, and the test results come back positive,, well score one more in the “used weed” column.
    Got any stats on car crash deaths while smoking cigs? Road slobinzknobin?

    Like

  15. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Mr. Michael R. Kesti @ 6:23 PM
    Good to see you post. Many a time I have missed your presence here, and not just for help with sentence structure or grammar. Whether you are here for just a an afternoon or staying for the duration, welcome back.
    https://www.facebook.com/PatriotPost/photos/a.82108390913.80726.51560645913/10155014970085914/?type=3&theater
    Lighter side:
    https://www.facebook.com/RowdyConservatives/photos/a.217983685002343.55586.217926015008110/1156692174464818/?type=3&theater

    Like

  16. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    PE 521
    Just the messenger so I already said if you have a complaint go to the source. You are wrong about most things you post, same with this one.

    Like

  17. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    From our Liar in Chief.
    “business had no relationship to Russia whatsoever.”
    “Four months into his campaign for president of the United States, Donald Trump signed a letter of intent to pursue a Trump Tower–style building development in Moscow, according to a statement from the Trump Organization’s then–chief counsel, Michael Cohen.
    The proposal would have involved construction of the world’s tallest building in Moscow, according to developers of the project.
    The involvement of then-candidate Trump in a proposed Russian skyscraper deal contradicts repeated statements Trump made during the campaign, including telling ABC’s George Stephanopoulos that his business had “no relationship to Russia whatsoever.”
    http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-knew-moscow-tower-proposal-campaign-lawyer/story?id=49472342

    Like

  18. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: Paul Emery | 29 August 2017 at 07:06 PM
    ……thanks Chatbot. We appreciate and acknowledge your data delivery functionality.

    Like

  19. ScenesFromTheApocalypse Avatar
    ScenesFromTheApocalypse

    Pelosi bends the knee.
    http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/aug/29/nancy-pelosi-finally-condemns-antifa-berkeley-viol/
    But……why did she wait so long??? Is she really a Stalinist?? She should have said this earlier, huh?

    Like

  20. Don Bessee Avatar
    Don Bessee

    The po’ ol’ pathetic fakenewsman proves he can not read a calendar @ 706. Keep on with your sad party parroting it just makes our point. 😉

    Like

  21. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    Paul continues his single minded pursuit of being quite single minded.
    He brings up one subject and fails completely, but then rebounds to bring up another subject without responding to his previous subject..
    I’ve noticed squirrels on the road act like that.
    “The proposal would have involved construction of the world’s tallest building in Moscow, according to developers of the project.”
    Paul is unable to notice the tense of the sentence structure due to his inability to understand that in the English language sentences have a certain value involving time.
    In this case (see his damning quote above) Paul is unable to grasp the idea that this was only a proposal and that business dealings never occurred. There is no actual structure. It was only a proposal.
    Still waiting for Paul’s pictures of M Obama as FLOTUS in the mud as he opined that first ladies should do.
    I certainly won’t hold my breath.

    Like

  22. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Scenes: Berkeley Mayor.
    Whatever the good mayor’s motives may be and for how long they may last, at least it is a small gesture in the right direction. A drop of rain on a swollen tongue in a parched desert is always appreciated. Perplexing that he is saying one thing, and had been doing the opposite. Strike that. Not perplexing considering his ilk. Let’s just say it is unusual to break from the herd and point to destruction caused by non-Nazis. Seeing two sides carries substantial political risk, albeit he is likely quite secure with his base…..or Antifa just does not have the numbers or support, not even in Berkeley.
    https://www.facebook.com/RowdyConservatives/photos/a.217983685002343.55586.217
    926015008110/1156688961131806/?type=3&theater
    Facing his first test since dissing the masked hooligans, The Mayor said he had no comment, save to say the aUC campus should cancel the Uncancelled Tour. Who knows where that horrid provocateur will pop up next?
    https://www.spin.com/2017/08/milo-yiannopoulos-mtv-vmas-2017-statement/

    Like

  23. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    PE has TDS.

    Like

  24. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    Sure Scott Trump had no contact with Russia right? The Great Orange Hope-Liar in Chief.

    Like

  25. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Scenes @ 7:11 pm.
    Disregard my 7:51 pm. I just read your post. Need to hit the reset button more often.
    Hmm, the Mayor of Berkeley and Nancy Queen of Botox speaking from the same script? They ain’t no dummies. They have internal polls that say “backlash”. Same polls that said tone down the Russian narrative and impeachment talk. It ain’t registering in Peoria. Not surprisingly, the fakesnews media afflicted with Trump Degrangement Syndrome is the to know.
    Bet they will keep pounding the drums that a vote for a Republican is a vote for racism. Makes them think they have some kind of smug moral superiority, no matter how fallacious that mantra may be. They just don’t have any dry powder in stock.

    Like

  26. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Me: Correction of 8:12, pm, omitted a word.
    “Same polls that said tone down the Russian narrative and impeachment talk. It ain’t registering in Peoria. Not surprisingly, the fakesnews media afflicted with Trump Degrangement Syndrome is the LAST to know.”

    Like

  27. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    ScoyyO, I believe you have it right. No contracts. Only the Miss U one nine years ago.

    Like

  28. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    So why is Trump dying in ALL national polls Bill. Are they all bogus?

    Like

  29. ScenesFromTheApocalypse Avatar
    ScenesFromTheApocalypse

    An observation about the Green Libertarian press.
    https://i.imgur.com/RDi9oEh.jpg

    Like

  30. ScenesFromTheApocalypse Avatar
    ScenesFromTheApocalypse

    Life In These United Statues.
    https://i.imgur.com/M4h1kXV.jpg

    Like

  31. fish Avatar
    fish

    Posted by: Paul Emery | 29 August 2017 at 08:10 PM
    First rate rebuttal to Scotts comment…..you’ve completely brought me around on the whole Russia matter.

    Like

  32. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    from Paul – “no contact with Russia right?”
    Earlier – “From our Liar in Chief. “business had no relationship to Russia whatsoever.”
    So Paul answers his own question and still can’t figure it out. Go back and read your own words about this subject, Paul. We’re all noticing that every time you bring up the subject, you have a different word or phrase to ‘prove’ Trump is a liar.
    Pretty soon you’ll point out that Trump said the word ‘Russia’ and that will prove he is lying.
    I do admire Paul’s ability to move the goal posts at a fairly good clip.
    Still waiting for those photos of Michelle Obama in the mud. If you need more time finding them Paul, just let me know.

    Like

  33. Paul Emery Avatar
    Paul Emery

    What a difference between Trumps drop in in Texas with the First Lady obviously not dressed to get her hands dirty and LBJ’s visit. Here’s a recollection of of Sept. 9, 1965, Hurricane Betsy:
    “Approaching New Orleans, the 707 made a low pass over the city. On board, the delegation included Senator Long and Representative Hale Boggs, who described the damage over the aircraft’s public address system. After landing, with a 25 m.p.h. wind still blowing and no power for the loudspeakers that had been set up, Johnson was forced to shout his arrival statement. His words nonetheless bordered on the poetic: “I am here because I wanted to see with my own eyes what the unhappy alliance of wind and water have done to this land and its people.”
    The presidential motorcade drove down Canal Street, broken store windows lining both sides, and made several stops. Johnson spoke with bystanders and toured a shelter packed with storm victims. An aide wrote, “Most of the people inside and outside of the building were Negro the people all about were bedraggled and homeless thirsty and hungry.”
    At one point, a woman rushed up to the president to tell him that both of her sons had drowned. The next day’s New York Times reported, “according to Bill D. Moyers, the presidential press secretary, Mr. Johnson was ‘almost overcome.”‘ He watched the stream of evacuees who had been rescued by boat from the rooftops of their houses and were now on foot, carrying whatever possessions were left.
    When another woman asked the president for drinking water, Johnson dispatched a Secret Service agent to make sure it was delivered. An entry in the White House travel diary paints a grim picture: “Calls of ‘water — water — water’ were resounded over and over again in terribly emotional wails from voices of all ages.” The president suggested that local soft drink bottlers (in an era before bottled water was an American staple) make their inventory available. Seventy-five people died in the storm, most of them in the city. Hurricane Betsy caused $1.4 billion in damage.”

    Like

  34. Scott Obermuller Avatar

    “The next day’s New York Times reported, “according to Bill D. Moyers, the presidential press secretary, Mr. Johnson was ‘almost overcome.”
    Paul – who’s ‘recollections’ are these?
    It’s pretty sad when a so-called news director actually believes a single word of this BS.
    So Paul – you have pictures of Lady Bird in the mud?
    ‘Almost overcome’ – I think that’s called a hangover.
    What was that certain cute little word that LBJ had for dark skinned Americans?
    C’mon Paul – he’s your hero, now – you know the word!

    Like

  35. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    I guess the point Punchy is making is there some politicians that do things better. Am I getting warmer, am I Wally?
    BTW, I have never ever heard of a press secretary or any one in any Administration in any age or era call the President by “Mr” Unheard off. Must be fake. Has to be fake.
    “according to Bill D. Moyers, the presidential press secretary, Mr. Johnson was ‘almost overcome.”
    Mr. Johnson? Mr Johnson? Who is that?

    Like

  36. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Grasping at straws. Punchy, your pettiness is embarrassing yourself. You can do much better. Come on, the First Ladies shoes? Surely, it has not come to this, has it? Try the Russian collusion thing again. The investigation is still going on and they might catch an associate of Trump or lobbyist or someone. Or, how about this: When all else fails, call us a bunch of racists. Thevold standby hadn’t ever letbyou down, now has it? Works like a charm, everytime.
    There is always the strategy of having Pence declare Trump mentally unfit for office. Thec15th or 25th Amendment or something. But shoes? Unless, unless, unless … this is Bush’s Katrina!! Aha, you sly devil, you are one to something big. Huge.
    Forget what I said. By all means, knock yourself out. Go get ’em, You got him now.
    Meanwhile, out in Peoria……

    Like

  37. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Let’s beat a dead horse!
    Punchy @ 9:43 pm.
    ” What a difference between Trumps drop in in Texas with the First Lady obviously not dressed to get HER hands dirty and LBJ’s visit.”
    Nice story. I have seemed to miss that part of what Ladybird was doing this whole time. Where was Ladybird Johnson? What was she wearing? Was she passing out hugs with jugs of water to parched tongues? Why is she omitted from this story that pulls on me ole heartstrings? That story got me right in the soft spot. But, I got to got to got know. What was on Ladybird’s feet? What color? How was she clad? How was she shod? Was she even there????
    “What a difference between Trumps drop in in Texas with the First Lady obviously not dressed to get HER hands dirty and LBJ’s visit.”
    Yes, I see the difference. LBJ left his Southern Belle back home at the ranch.

    Like

  38. Ben Emery Avatar
    Ben Emery

    It’s a fact: climate change made Hurricane Harvey more deadly
    Michael E Mann
    We can’t say that Hurricane Harvey was caused by climate change. But it was certainly worsened by it
    Excerpt
    Sea level rise attributable to climate change – some of which is due to coastal subsidence caused by human disturbance such as oil drilling – is more than half a foot (15cm) over the past few decades (see here for a decent discussion). That means the storm surge was half a foot higher than it would have been just decades ago, meaning far more flooding and destruction.
    In addition to that, sea surface temperatures in the region have risen about 0.5C (close to 1F) over the past few decades from roughly 30C (86F) to 30.5C (87F), which contributed to the very warm sea surface temperatures (30.5-31C, or 87-88F).
    There is a simple thermodynamic relationship known as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation that tells us there is a roughly 3% increase in average atmospheric moisture content for each 0.5C of warming. Sea surface temperatures in the area where Harvey intensified were 0.5-1C warmer than current-day average temperatures, which translates to 1-1.5C warmer than “average” temperatures a few decades ago. That means 3-5% more moisture in the atmosphere.

    Like

  39. Ben Emery Avatar
    Ben Emery

    Link to post above
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/28/climate-change-hurricane-harvey-more-deadly
    Dr. Michael E. Mann is Distinguished Professor of Atmospheric Science at Penn State, with joint appointments in the Department of Geosciences and the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute (EESI). He is also director of the Penn State Earth System Science Center (ESSC).
    http://michaelmann.net/

    Like

  40. George Rebane Avatar

    The latest histrionics over the First Lady’s Texas visit outfit, especially in the lamestream media, is at first glance unbelievable. But upon reflection it does nothing more than corroborate and widen the chasm that already divides the nation, for over half of America thought well of the First Couple’s visit to the hurricane stricken state.
    A codicil reflecting on another illustration of liberal logic (a never-ending subject here of their ability to think critically), the Left now considers any criticism of what issues from journalists and the press and an attack on First Amendment rights. They have no cognitive means of separating criticism of content from its censorship, thereby calling in question their understanding of what it means to censor. And this ignorance (perfidy?) they pass on in their schools, preparing for a day when they return to power and can pass laws that actually do prevent criticism of the media, thereby actually abrogating the First Amendment in the name of preserving it – truly Orwellian.

    Like

  41. George Rebane Avatar

    BenE 757am – That conclusion can only be even approached rationally through a demonstration that the current hurricane’s moisture content was statistically abnormal enough to indicate that the underlying decades-long synoptic process has changed. No such evidence exists, and any above/below average reading from a stochastic process (such as weather) does not support such a conclusion. However, Dr Mann has distinguished himself in these matters by having long since surrendered his science to politics.

    Like

  42. Todd Juvinall Avatar
    Todd Juvinall

    I really appreciated the old Spanish Main accounts of those hurricanes back in the 1500-1700’s. Seems they were more of them, a lot bigger and more damaging and sure dropped a lot of water. But Michael Mann never uses those facts for that infamous “hockey stick” BS he spews.

    Like

  43. ScenesFromTheApocalypse Avatar
    ScenesFromTheApocalypse
  44. fish Avatar
    fish

    The eternal question….

    For years, engineers have warned that Houston was a flood disaster in the making. Why didn’t somebody do something?

    Answered by fish:
    Because fixing Houston would have cost the government money…..constantly pearl clutching over nonexistent “global warming” was always about making oh so much much more by tapping into the last available “big bore” revenue stream!
    Carbon…..

    Like

  45. ScenesFromTheApocalypse Avatar
    ScenesFromTheApocalypse

    Ben Emery sez:
    “There is a simple thermodynamic relationship known as the Clausius-Clapeyron equation that tells us there is a roughly 3% increase in average atmospheric moisture content for each 0.5C of warming. ”
    Well, good. Someone to explain this all to me.
    So Ben, I found this:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clausius%E2%80%93Clapeyron_relation
    and there’s a section on climatology. Perhaps you could explain this in more detail and how it alters flood patterns during a storm.
    Thanks.
    as a side note, you would think that ground water subsidence would be the one that actually matters. Perhaps we should quit using water.

    Like

  46. Michael R. Kesti Avatar
    Michael R. Kesti

    I find the practice of the president (ANY president!) visiting disaster areas to be ludicrous in the extreme. It does no good whatsoever while wasting large amounts of money that could be put to much better use. It’s nothing but show biz nonsense.

    Like

  47. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    I am still kicking around Nancy and the Mayor of Berkeley’s Monday statements concerning violence. Taking a step away from The Anti-fascists is a seismic shift. Why now? After all the statements and theatrics denouncing hate, violence, and racism, after all shouting at the top of their lungs that Nazis are really really bad (duh), and after all the consternation that Trump gave a green light to White Supremistics by denouncing violence on both sides, why did the media, pundits, and 99% of the town cryers suddenly lost their vocal chords after last weekend’s rally in Berkeley? Where is the righteous indignation, the denouncing of the event organizers (few as they may be)….where? Why the glaring absence of issued statements?
    I believe
    1) that the Left just got caught in their own snare…or karma….or, the ole “point one finger out, you have 3 pointing back”. No one can justify what the Antifas did to the peaceful demonstrators, counter-demonstrators, police, and even the handful of peaceful Trump supporters last Sunday in Berkeley. Now, instead of codifying in the public’s mind that Trump, the Republicans, or anyone who voted for Trump is synonymous with being a full blown racist/White Supremacist, the public’ perception of the Left is beginning to codify the Antifas as synomous with the Democrat Party.
    2) American really do not like violence in general, or as a way to settle differences of opinion in particular. Makes them queasy. Sure, many (most) quietly smiled within themselves during Charlottesville, thinking “Good, those skinhead Nazi wannabes got what they deserved. They need to have their noggins cracked. Serves them right. About time.” But, Berkeley exposed something different. They attacked old peacenik hippies as well. Everybody who was not “us”. They are using violence to settle differences. Americans have a better way to protest and voice opinions. It’s the right to peacefully assemble that is being threatened, the right to voice displeasure without the tangible threat of violence to silence opposition. A very real and present danger. “That just ain’t right”, says Johan Q. Public. Those Democrats are in bed with the masked agitators. “That ain’t right.” Right or wrong, that’s the perception the Dems find themselves stuck with. You lie down with dogs, you are going to get fleas.

    Like

  48. Bill Tozer Avatar
    Bill Tozer

    Me: Opps. Links to 9:47 am, if desired.
    http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-far-left-violence-20170829-story.html
    https://patriotpost.us/articles/50981
    “All my life, I have known this rule about people: Those who don’t fight the greatest evils will fight lesser evils or make-believe evils. This happens to be the morally defining characteristic of the Left.” —Dennis Prager

    Like

  49. Russ Avatar

    BenE@07:50
    Texas Major Hurricane Intensity Not Related to Gulf Water Temperatures
    August 29th, 2017

    As the Houston flood disaster is unfolding, there is considerable debate about whether Hurricane Harvey was influenced by “global warming”. While such an issue matters little to the people of Houston, it does matter for our future infrastructure planning and energy policy.
    Let’s review the two basic reasons why the Houston area is experiencing what now looks like a new record amount of total rainfall, at least for a 2-3 day period over an area of tens of thousands of square miles.
    1) A strong tropical cyclone, with access to abundant moisture evaporated off the Gulf of Mexico, and
    2) Little movement by the cyclone.
    These two factors have conspired to create the current flooding catastrophe in Houston. Now let’s look at them in the context of global warming theory.
    1. Are Texas major hurricanes dependent on an unusually warm Gulf?
    I examined all of the major hurricane (Cat 3+) strikes in Texas since 1870 and plotted them as red dots on the time series of sea surface temperature variations over the western Gulf of Mexico. As can be seen, major hurricanes don’t really care whether the Gulf is above average or below average in temperature:

    Graphic and rest of post is here:http://www.drroyspencer.com
    Not unprecedented, not really:
    In December of 1935 a massive flood occurred in the downtown area as the water level height measured at Buffalo Bayou in Houston topped out at 54.4 feet.
    Ooop that was before anthropogenic global warming. Ben, can you please explain?

    Like