Extremes

Boy, have we had some heavy rainstorms here.  There were considerable segments of major expressways closed down because the water was too deep to pass through.  Much damage to homes, business, and belongings.  There had been nothing similar, it was said for at least 50 or 100 years.

Up around the Wisconsin line, apparently, there were quite a few tornados.

Back east, in Virginia, where we were a couple weeks ago, there was extremely hot weather (I imagine the rain will pass through in a couple days).  On our road trip we experienced a high of 104°.  Today, it got up to 105°, a record.

NASA has indicated that this is on track to be the hottest summer for as long as there have been reliable records, which is back to 1880.

I hope some members of Congress were around the Capitol area to take note.  It is amazing that quite a few "responsible" officials are totally indifferent to a threat to themselves, their constituents, their children, and grandchildren.

I can understand the desire to "deny."  For example, I would like to deny that I am getting weak and sicker as I get old; that I have conditions which are potentially fatal, and that for sure my isn't likely to last more than a few years more.  There are the possibility of great discomforts and indignities; there is the possibility of being lonely, broke, inept and forgotten.

But--that is what is in the cards.  For me, and ultimately at least one day for you, too.  (Sorry to bring that up).  

Republicans seem very adept at believing things that aren't true, and at dreaming up things for others to believe that aren't true.  Ideas like cutting taxes increases federal revenues and balances the budget, and that members of Congress were writing legislation providing for "death circles" to save expenditures on the health care of the elderly.  That Obama wasn't born in the U.S. and that our "mission was accomplished" in Iraq quite a few years ago.  The list goes on and one.

I haven't yet determined if they post different temperature readings on Fox News than on all the other channels.  Lower ones.  Less dire.

But I look around, pay attention, try to understand what the experts think, and then make up my own mind (temporarily, provisionally).   That's because I was once a journalist, once an official policy analysis, once a college teacher, and am a Democrat.

Comments

[Emjay]

Goodness it has been a hot summer here in DC so far -  I would love some of that rain.  

[DoctorD42]

Emjay, this rain you wouldn't want.  Not right here where we live, but a few suburbs south, there was serious flooding and damage.  To the north there were significant winds and even tornados, apparently.

Given my complaints about the weather, though, I feel it necessary to report that today has offered a really nice morning, with temps in the high 60s and then low to mid-seventies so far.  We took a walk in a nearby park, one of the first times that has seemed like a good idea.

It this "proof" that "global warming" is over?  ;)  Whatever, but I am thankful for it right now.

Hope some of this cooler air gets to you and our friends and relatives in the DC area.

[Lauri]

It hurts my heart that more "progress" has not been made in the 54 years of my life so far. Progress in human rights, and in caring for our planet. Things feel to me as if they have taken a turn for the worse.
Even President Obama is having trouble making any headway against this stuff.

SO depressing and discouraging.

And I do so understand what you mean about getting sicker and weaker. It's discouraging to see family members and friends going through this. And my best friends' daughter...who has lymphoma and is only 20 years old. But she is a fighter.
Sometimes I just want to give up....but this is our life. We must do the best with it that we can.
So I do believe I should get to de-cluttering and dusting this house!

Hugs, DrD!!!

[DoctorD42]

Lauri, I am sorry about your friend's daughter!  Only 20!!  T-cell lymphoma is what took my wife Barbara at 60, which I thought was way too soon.

There hasn't been enough "progress."  And there seem to be so many people who don't want to see any.  It is discouraging.

[Lauri]

60 was way too soon. I am sorry to hear about Barbara, too.

Rachel has diffuse giant B cell lymphoma...if I remember all the terms correctly. She is currently preparing for a bone marrow transplant!

Sometimes I have to put my blinders on so I can function within my life and not worry too much about the state of humanity in general. The Universe will have to take charge of all that! ;)