NBC's Brian Williams allocated a few seconds Thursday night to how a new Pew Research Center for the People & the Press survey discovered the percent of Americans who, in his words, “believe there's solid evidence of global warming...has dropped off significantly” while “the number of people who say they don't believe in climate change at all has doubled in that time.” (If it's a scientific issue, what does “belief” have to do with it?)
But instead of crediting Americans for recognizing the media-fueled case global warming is a threat has been undermined by reality since global temperatures have not risen an iota since 1998, Williams attributed the change to how “in a down economy, people are less sensitive to the environment.”
Or at least less sensitive to NBC's hysteria. Just a month ago, on the September 20 Nightly News, Lester Holt set up a typically panicked story on how “a new study warns rapidly melting ice in Greenland could result in a colossal rise in ocean levels.” Reporter Anne Thompson ominously warned: “For thousands of years...the Earth's climate has endured changes, but slowly enough to allow humans to adapt. Now, change is picking up speed.”
Really? As BBC weather presenter and climate correspondent Paul Hudson wrote on October 9, “the warmest year recorded globally was not in 2008 or 2007, but in 1998.” Indeed, “for the last 11 years we have not observed any increase in global temperatures.”
And, in an anecdote that certainly would have been blown into a big mainstream media story if the temperature had been a record high, this past Saturday's Washington Post reported:
Something happened in Washington on Friday that had not occurred in 138 years of weather history: For the first time since the National Weather Service began compiling daily data here, the high temperature for Oct. 16 was below 50 degrees.
The short item from Williams on the Thursday, October 22 NBC Nightly News:
Evidence tonight that a major opinion poll has picked up on a major change on a big issue. For the past three years, over 70 percent of Americans have told pollsters from the Pew Research organization they believe there's solid evidence of global warming. This year, however, that number has dropped off significantly. Now just 57 percent say they believe it. The number of people who say they don't believe in climate change at all has doubled in that time. One theory offered today: in a down economy, people are less sensitive to the environment.
The Pew poll, “Fewer Americans See Solid Evidence of Global Warming,” determined:
There has been a sharp decline over the past year in the percentage of Americans who say there is solid evidence that global temperatures are rising. And fewer also see global warming as a very serious problem – 35% say that today, down from 44% in April 2008.The latest national survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press, conducted Sept. 30-Oct. 4 among 1,500 adults reached on cell phones and landlines, finds that 57% think there is solid evidence that the average temperature on earth has been getting warmer over the past few decades. In April 2008, 71% said there was solid evidence of rising global temperatures.
Over the same period, there has been a comparable decline in the proportion of Americans who say global temperatures are rising as a result of human activity, such as burning fossil fuels. Just 36% say that currently, down from 47% last year.
“No solid evidence” of global warming has jumped from 17 percent in 2006 to 33 percent this year, while “not a problem” has increased from 9 to 17 percent.
—Brent Baker is Vice President for Research and Publications at the Media Research Center
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The frog experiment
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:29 ET by CO2MakerAn old joke about a dumb biology experimenter. He's measuring how a frog responds to trauma and commands. He writes in his log:
Day 1: Commanded frog to jump. Frog jumped 2 feet.
Day 2: Amputated one foreleg. On voice command, frog jumped 18 inches.
Day 3: Amputated other foreleg. On voice command, frog jumped 12 inches.
Day 4: Amputated one rear leg. On voice command, frog jumped 6 inches.
Day 5: Amputated second rear leg. On voice command, frog goes deaf.
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After years of reading dissenting reports from credentialed climate scientists, the public goes insensitive.
Have to disagree, I don’t
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:50 ET by ReaverHave to disagree, I don’t think its reading dissenting reports. After years of feeling temperatures getting colder its hard to take somebody seriously when they say the earth has a fever and we’re all going to die!
I wouldn't recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they've always worked for me. - Hunter S. Thompson
That too
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:53 ET by CO2MakerDrudge is touting a "developing" story: Labels listing "carbon dioxide emissions." I'm guessing it's related to this web site, or at least to the info on it:
Lunch over IP: The "emission labels" and other carbon footprint news
with a red-hot earth in
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 02:13 ET by notonmywatchwith a red-hot earth in background picture.
1st degree propaganda.
___________________________________________________________
Graphical conservative commentary - animations & pictures for posting on forums: http://ubama.org/chucks-pix/
You know, I think the
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:37 ET by Scuba DudeYou know, I think the reason there is no global warming is due to people like Brian Williams does not expend any energy in thinking. When one thinks one burns calories, when one burns calories one is creating heat. Since they don't think they do not burn calories so they do not generate heat therefore no global warming.
Brian, keep up the good work in keeping the planet cool.
The Obama Administration: THE most fiscally irresponsible Administration EVER
Wonder how "green" these
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:40 ET by RR GOPWonder how "green" these talking heads' lifestyles are? And, no, driving a hybrid SUV/luxury car doesn't count for anything.
One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 86% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory.
The US Navy is aboard
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:05 ET by CO2MakerTake a look at the Navy's newest ship, a gas-electric hybrid (IKYN) carrier called the USS Makin Island.
Navy Unveils 'Hybrid' Warship - FOXNews.com - Slide 1 of 7
unbelievable
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:12 ET by jon_torlinMy first reaction when I saw that on the news this afternoon: You have GOT to be kidding me, that can't be for real.
Sure enough, it was. This is like using a golf cart to go against a semi. Are they really going to use this??
-Jon
It's an amphibious assault ship
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:46 ET by CO2MakerWith helicopters and VTOL planes. It doesn't need catapults or a high-speed recovery deck with two flight lanes.
MAKIN-ISLAND
USS Makin Island (LHD-8) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
oh I knew that
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 22:20 ET by jon_torlinI was talking about its hybrid engine or whatever it is they are using. I hear the word "hybrid" and I think of the cars on the road which I don't like. At least that's the way it was sorted touted on the news today, kept talking about "green" technology which makes me uncomfortable, it sounds kinda inferior, ya know?
Not to mention that there's been introductions of "green" things that end up being bad anyway, like the external fuel tank for the space shuttle, it was made in such a way that it was "friendly" to the environment, but it increases the chances and incidences of pieces falling off and damaging the shuttle during launch. Not the best track record around so touting the Makin Island as "green" makes me think the ship might fall apart.
God knows I don't want that to happen.
-Jon
It looks like a bleeding
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:29 ET by MikeBIt looks like a bleeding Essex class carrier. If you need to project power, you use a carrier like the USS Ronald Reagan, or one of the other Nimitz class carriers.
"A communist is someone who reads Marx. An anti-communist is someone who understands Marx." Ronald Reagan
How can it be cheaper
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:30 ET by general companyand Greener then the USS Ronald Reagan?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
USS John F Kennedy,the last of the oil fired boilers It's SCRAP
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 22:30 ET by upcountrywaterIt started as a Nuk powered ship, however....
"Kennedy was ordered as a nuclear carrier, using the A3W reactor, but converted to conventional propulsion after construction had begun. The island is somewhat different from the Kitty Hawk class, with angled funnels to direct smoke and gases away from the flight deck. Kennedy is also 17 feet (5.2 m) shorter than the Kitty Hawk class."
"...combined with the facts that the Kennedy was the most costly carrier in the fleet to maintain..."
Soon sails will reappear...
The Navy is Calling it Green for PR
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 22:32 ET by richb313The Makin uses Gas Turbines for Main Propulsion. These engines develope enough shaft horse power to push the ship through the water at a respectable rate of speed (Classified). When the ship goes into a loiter mode it can shut down the Mains, something that Steam Ships and Even Large Marine diesels cannot do because of the long startup times. They use Electric Propusion, nothing even remotely new, for lower speeds while not having the large gas guzzler turbines even running. These turbines can be started almost instantly. There is no loss of performance or capability but the ability of the ship to remain operational before refueling has been increased. It was a smart move to use this type of combined propusion systems. It gives this particular ship a tactical advantage over older ships of the same type. It is the "Hybrid/Green" label that upsets most here when it is just an efficient use of existing technology to get the most bang for the buck. Fuel Costs are the BIGGEST operating expense for these ships. These costs dwarf the construction costs in just a few years.
richb VS One fill up per 25 years of crusing at full throttle.
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 22:59 ET by upcountrywaterAfter nearly 25 years of continuous service, an aircraft carrier undergoes
a three year maintenance period to refuel its nuclear reactors, upgrade
and modernize combat and communication systems and overhaul the ship's
hull, mechanical and electrical systems. Upon redelivery, the carrier
will be ready for another 25 years of service.
How many THOUDSANDS of times will this "green carrier" be refilled with oil from other countries?
Arg,mate, drop the main sail, set the wind blades, pitch the solar panels..yee ha,, we are underway at 6 knots....
An Aircrafts role is to LAUNCH aircraft, the vessel needs to propel its self INTO the wind at 30 knots or more...for days on end if need be.
This is a Gator not a CV,
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 23:18 ET by Dan DiegoThis is a Gator not a CV, you don't need 30 knots to launch helos and VSTOL birds.
Dan Diego, My point was steaming at 30 knots for 25 years...
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 00:07 ET by upcountrywaterOnly one fill up...
And that the USS JFK was the most expensive operational aircraft ever....
You are right no wind is best for VSTOL, and helos.
helos and wind bad, bad combo..
State controlled health care is Tort Reform.
No argument with your main
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 00:26 ET by Dan DiegoNo argument with your main point (conventional vs nuke), but if congress won't build the nuke boats this electric drive system should save fuel costs.
Nuke vs Conventional Power
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 05:57 ET by richb313I served aboard Fast Attacks in the Navy. I am probably more aware of the issues surrounding the conventioal vs Nuke issues than the majority of posters here. While it is true that modern Nuclear Plants, using current Fuel Rod Technology that the Navy uses, can get 20 years out of that plant before re-fueling it does have some drawbacks. Nuclear waste from the Primary Loop have to be held in Retention Tanks until proper disposal can be arranged. The use of Nuclear Power has been tried in smaller surface ships but the true economics have proven that larger ships such as CV or Attack Carriers are the only surface ships that currently make sense using Nukes. Subs have special operational considersations such as keeping submerged and undetected. Nukes help fill this requirement while no conventional power plant can.
The Makin being a helicopter Carrier really only had three choices Steam, Diesel, or Gas Turbine. Steam Power is well known but takes a large amount of space and maintenace. Diesels are less expensive but then there are two basic types of Marine Diesel propulsion. Diesel Direct or Reduction has a mechanical connection between the Diesel and the propellor shaft. This requires large Marine Diesels manufacured primarilly in Europe and Asia. Diesel Electric uses more smaller diesel engines turning generators that supply power to Electric Main Propulsion. Gas Turbines take up hardly any space at all, burn any combustible fuel, start up instantly (Nukes require at least 12 hours to start) and provide massive amounts of power but are only effecient in narrow power bands.
Do not let the Green Label or Branding fool you. The Makin is a well desigined and thought out weapons platfrom. The tactical requirements dictated that the propulsion system used made the most sense.
rich, Thanks for your input
Sat, 10/24/2009 - 04:19 ET by upcountrywaterGood to know the Makin is a well designed ship.
State controlled health care is Tort Reform. Update! music video.
As I recall: the Elk Hills
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 05:56 ET by danboAs I recall: the Elk Hills reserves were set aside for the Navy. And had remained so for a long time.
But under Al Gore's Reinventing Government program they were sold to Occidental Pet. (Guess who owns lots of stock in Oxy Pet)
Al Gore the other oil man.
We already pay farmers not to farm. Why can’t we pay legislators not to legislate? PJTV
Williams attributes drop in
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:44 ET by anonymous621Williams attributes drop in NBC ratings to 'People Less Believing in BS'. Film at eleven.
-Eric D.
LOL
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:58 ET by srqvetNow that's funny right there!
Believing Less BS
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 07:05 ET by NorthCoasterThat must be the reason the MSM is loosing readership too.
LOL Funny
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 20:44 ET by Edhenryinsensitive? actually more sensitive to the "debate" of scientific facts that truly exist and the $$$ going to those who seek to end any debate.
$13,000,000,000,000.00 debt isn't going to pay for itself
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:07 ET by Ten7sWho listens to opinion polls? Politicians, even moreso as election time approaches
Reports like this aren't concerned with reality. Its meant to falsely rationalize away changes in public sentiment for politicians to maintain congressional support for CAP and TAX Legislation. Afterall, the $1,400,000,000,000.00 (and growing) deficit much less the $13,000,000,000,000.00 debt isn't going to pay for itself.
Saw this earlier
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:19 ET by general companyExperts Say Cost of Obama Health Care Plan Could Top $1.5 Trillion
*
More than WW ll
*
More than Korea
*
More than Viet Nam
*
More than the Apollo mission to the Moon
*
More than the Cold War
*
More than the Gulf wars
*
More than Iraq
*
More than Afghanistan
*
COMBINED
*
Our unfunded liability for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid is close to $100 trillion. Is there any way to pay for these programs without bankrupting America?
*
We are in so much debt, why spend more borrowed money on cap-and-trade and healthcare programs before we stop the flow of red-ink?
*
The total cost? Your freedom. HG
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Um, fewer people are
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:38 ET by HockeyKidUm, fewer people are believing the SRM? Works for me.
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Who are you going to believe?
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 21:57 ET by richb313Who are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes? That is what Brian Williams is basically saying right now. No one knows how long this current cooling trend we have been in for the last 10 years is going to last just like no one knew how long the warming trend was going to last. Russian Scientists are warning of an impending Little Ice Age like in the Middle Ages. Western Scientists think the current cooling trend will end in 1,5,10 years depending on who is doing the predicting.
Given that there is real disagreements and little real evidence of the Positive Forcings beyond the demonstrated .3 to .7 degree celcius temperature increase that can be directly attributed to the increased Carbon Dioxide Levels any massive program to try and modify the climate is foolish at best and folly at worst.
I have read several studies, papers, and other published articles either supporting or confronting the Hypothesis of AWG or Man Made Global Warming. The real differences boil down to one thing. Supporters of AWG believe that the increased Carbon Dioxide warms more than Physics can directly attribute to the increase because AWG supporters say that the small increased warming will allow more water vapor to be carried in the air. Water Vapor is a very efficint Green House Gas. Skeptics say that the positive forcings caused by increased water vapor do not take into account the normal negative forcings of clouds that keep the temperatures somewhat regulated between extremes to begin with. The Computer Models do not accurately model clouds and other mechanisms that have negative forcings.
Consider this, in prehistoric times there is fossil evidence of massive global forrest fires. Ice Core evidence from this same time period has Carbon Dioxide levels that are on orders of magnitude greater than today. How is it that the Earth and Life Survived this calamity in the first place?
GIGO
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 23:48 ET by mbuelIt's amazing that computer models are considered factual evidence. A couple of years back when the Giants were playing the Patriots, the announcers ran it through Madden Football to "determine the winner". The result was that the Patriots won.
Too bad reality never wants to cooperate with our computer games.
1) The fact is CO2 is NOT a greenhouse gas.
2) It only makes up 400 Parts per MILLION, of the total atmosphere.
3) The models don't compute alot of the factors that ACTUALLY matter:
A) The intensity of the current Solar Cycle
B) The level and thickness of the cloud layer
C) The thermal conductivity and radiance of the oceans. For the last 10 years the oceans have been cooling, as have the Earth's temperature's overall....
http://clearthehaze.blogspot.com
AGW is not hip and trendy anymore.
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 22:04 ET by ahusserIt has peaked awaiting for the next hip and trendy environmental onslaught from the left. It has gone the way of Acid Rain, The Amazon rainforest, Ozone layer, Alar in apples. These 'causes' never are wholesaled into the culture just little spots here and there. The fanatics have to grab onto something new.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
You forgot the big killer
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 05:41 ET by danboYou forgot the big killer of the environmentalist. DDT. How many millions died becase the eviromentalist banned DDT. How many will starve because enviromentalist put food in their gas tank instead of into stomachs.
We already pay farmers not to farm. Why can’t we pay legislators not to legislate? PJTV
I think Global Warming is a conspiracy
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 22:26 ET by ahusserfor China to give us all their bicycles and we give them all our cars.
"Somehow, I told you so, just doesn't quite say it." Will Smith in 'I, Robot.'
ahusser, I was part owner in a bicycle shop, I was in my 20's
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 00:23 ET by upcountrywaterAnd I'd joke about that.. Looks like fact is stranger than fiction.
State controlled health care is Tort Reform.
So many contradictions...
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 22:29 ET by Slyrr1) I keep hearing reports/etc from environmentalists who say the 'best thing for the world' would be if millions of humans were suddenly wiped out. (enviro-math: humans=bad things for beloved mother gaea. Therefore world-humans=good!)
2) Some enviromentalists say population control and/or a phased extermination of humans would be good for beloved mother gaea.
3) Therefore, the more dead humans, the better the environazis would like it.
4) Global warming will 'wipe out' humanity (i.e., there will be millions of dead humans - just like the enviro-nazis want.)
Shouldn't Williams and his other brain-dead cohorts be GLAD of global warming? After all, it's pushing us to mass extinction, right? They want humans to die, right? Dead humans will 'save' beloved mother gaea, no?
These guys are total losers...
I say again - you eggheads - you 'scientists' who are roaring at politicans for money and taxes to 'fight global warming' - where are your brains?
You want to invent something that will replace the internal combustion engine? Then do so - but do it without taxpayer money.
All your fancy degrees, and the best you could come up with is scare tactics to bully people and politicians into giving you money that you didn't earn and don't deserve? How is any of THAT saving the world?
Invent, you idiots. Make that widget that will replace gasoline, and be economical and sustainable. But do it in your own time and with your own money - surely your 'brilliant' brains can come up with something that you can PROVE works without needing gazillions of taxpayer dollars. Where are is your inventing spirit, your ingenuity and your guts? Surely you don't need to wait to steal taxpayer money in order to THINK.
Invent, you idiots. If you can really come up with those inventions and ideas, and prove they can work, then funding will follow. The world will beat a path to your door.
But until you can come up with those ideas, widgets and prototypes, shut the hell up - stay OUT of lawmakers' offices, and OUT of our dang wallets!
Looks like NASA is feeling the chill too.
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 23:07 ET by upcountrywaterCool NASA
” Still, something like the Dalton Minimum — two solar cycles in the
early 1800s that peaked at about an average of 50 sunspots — lies in
the realm of the possible.”
State controlled health care is Tort Reform.
I couldn't possibly be
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 23:24 ET by mattmI couldn't possibly be because it friggin fridgid out, could it?
I'd rather listen to this guy
Thu, 10/22/2009 - 23:52 ET by mbuelhttp://michellemalkin.com/2009/10/19/lord-moncktons-warning-to-america/
"They call themselves green...
Because they are too yellow....
To admit they are red."
http://clearthehaze.blogspot.com
Us is Blessed
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 01:36 ET by Jeff in Miami BeachNo matter where in the world you live, do for a living, or study, you quickly realize that the United States has been blessed with all but 4 of the most important minerals man needs to continue to evolve and these 4 minerals are found relatively inexpensively in several locations. But instead of using our own minerals from oil to natural gas we continue to demonize these minerals and import them from foreign sources.
If the US wakes up out of voodoo religion/science and gets busy, we can turn our dollar around, and once again be the productive leader we should always be. But that does assume that someone in government can think past their current term!
If you think medical care is expensive now wait until it is free!
TED BAXTER ALERT!!
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 03:45 ET by Sgthulka"Brian Williams reporting...."
MARE!
No no no no.... you cats are
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 06:37 ET by Blix AmericaNo no no no.... you cats are so square. Don't you see? Here's what happened. We elected the "King of Cool" B.H. Obama to be President and now the world is just.... cool... problem solved. How else can you explain it? There has been a 20% jump in CO2 emissions in the U.S. since 1990 yet we are setting record cold temperatures for 10 years now. And I know CO2 causes global warming because when I breathe on my hand all that carbon dioxide makes my hand feel warmer.
Obama.... what a cool cat..
http://blixamerica.blogspot.com/
So "Insensitive"
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 06:55 ET by ScottyKUtahThat's right, MSN we're so "insensitive" to the "threat" of global warming. It's hard to take seriously the notion of global warming with the summer here in Oklahoma was cooler than normal. We also turned on the fireplace already, something we normally don't do until November.
Yes, global warming.
Brian
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 06:59 ET by NorthCoasterBrian, the Climate was going through a warmer period leading into 1998 and is now in a cooling period. Raw temperature data that is unadjusted, reflects this observation. Climate models were designed that didn't take into account the full value of the Sun's effect on Climate and overvalued the effects of CO2. The lack of sunspots over the past year is a visible indication of lower overall activity of the Sun, which has resulted in lower recorded temperatures. The increase in atmospheric levels of CO2, that diverges from the recorded temperatures since 1998, disproves the theory that CO2 was driving the recorded temperature increases during the period ending in 1998.
Brian, total energy output of the Sun, affects the Climate of the Earth and other planets. If you review the observations of the Climate of Mars over the last few years, it mirrors the Climate changes occuring on Earth without any human interference.
People have observed local weather phenomena that relate to the cooling period. Take note of all of the earliest snow records and lowest temperature records this fall and you will see an indication in current weather, of the cooling period we are now experiencing.
I really believe that more
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 07:26 ET by ricklailI really believe that more people will be calling BS now. Fox and Friends had report where is was told that pets are a major cause of GW. In many families the pets are just like the kids. They are saying the family is to blame. I called BS on this stuff when Owl Gore his book first came out.
Semper suprene nitens
OBAMACARE: If it ain't good enough for my Congressman then it ain't good enough for me.
Gee Whiz, GE!
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 10:22 ET by YankeeBubba"Without promotion, something terrible happens...nothing." P. T. Barnum.
NBC has pushed the Alarmist agenda to the best of it's abilities. Recall last year's Today Show's Globull Whining Week? They sent an ill-prepared Ann Curry up Mt. Kilimanjaro where she endured HACE (High Altitude Cerebral Edema) a potentially lethal condition.
Williams seemed genuinely concerned that AGW is losing traction. If GE's ability to cash in on energy rationing/regulation is mitigated, his bonus will suffer.
H1N1 flu has officially killed more people than AGW; that is, more than none.
Snows of Kilimanjaro
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 13:43 ET by NorthCoasterThe producers of that show had no clue about the cause of the loss of snow and ice atop Kilimanjaro, which to a large extent is caused by humans. Enyone studying the geography of the area will find that deforestation of the area surrounding the mountain has occured. This has lead to an decrease in available moisture in the atmosphere upwind and at the top of the mountain. The snow and ice sublimate into the atmosphere without actually melting, when the cold dry breezes blow. The recorded temperatures on the mountain, have remained fairly level over recent years.
Drudge links to NTY story about 'CO2 emissions' in food
Fri, 10/23/2009 - 10:45 ET by CO2MakerBy Degrees - To Cut Global Warming, Swedes Study Their Plates - NYTimes.com
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot [I bought carbon offsets for the whiskey]