Maybe the finest example of Global Warming Derangement Syndrome to date is the claim by an Australian mammologist and paleontologist that climate change has reduced circumcision rates in Africa.
I kid you not.
Aside from his other lofty credentials, Tim Flannery is also a global warming activist, or did you guess that from the introduction?
Regardless, in his new book, "An Explorer's Notebook," Flannery, according to the excerpt published by Australia's The Age, should be rushed to the nearest sanitarium for emergency GWDS treatment (emphasis added for your entertainment pleasure):
I left Europe to return home via Africa. A mate had started an ecotourism venture in Kenya and had asked me to come along on a 14-day safari. I agreed, both because I wanted to help him with his conservation effort and because I was keen to talk to the people living in northern Kenya, a land afflicted by drought. We saw lion, giraffe, elephant and rarer creatures such as Grevy's zebra, which I was particularly taken with. It is the largest and most elegantly striped of all zebras, and is a kind of living fossil whose lineage goes back about 3 million years. A few years ago there were about 5000, but today only 2000 survive, in part because of east Africa's chronic low rainfall - a result of climate change.
At the remote camp of Sarara, north of Nairobi, I asked village elders about the drought. This is the homeland of the Samburu people, traditional cattle grazers who have developed an intricate system of subsistence. There was an air of despair about these dignified old men as they explained that the weather patterns and signs of rain are now so altered that their long experience is no longer useful in advising the youth where to lead the cattle. Apparently American food aid is all that's keeping many in the region from starvation.
That evening I learnt of a most remarkable consequence of the drought. The Samburu circumcise their youths in grand ceremonies, which are held every seven years or so, when enough cattle and other foods have accumulated to support such celebrations. Circumcision represents a transition to manhood, and until a youth has passed it he can't marry. But it's been 14 years since a circumcision ceremony has been held here. There are now 40,000 uncircumcised young men, some in their late 20s, waiting their turn. All of the eligible young women, tired of waiting, have married older men (multiple wives are allowed), so there are no wives for the new initiates.
I could never have imagined that climate change would have such an effect on an entire society.
Honestly, folks, there's no way you can make this stuff up!
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Follow him at Facebook and Twitter.
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Comments Policy
It gets worse Noel..
November 2, 2007 - 20:24 ET by Gary HallIt gets worse Noel..
With this nutsy theory** floating around that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV/Aids being transmitted..
You know where this is going, don't ya? (;~>
Yep - I'd suspect by next week, we'll be hearing that global warming will cause HIV/Aids rates to rise in Africa, because of the decrease in the number of circumcisions.
And since George Bush is responsible for global warming, in spite of the fact that even the UN (Unicef) is crediting Bush's immense effort with finally helping turn the corner in fight to stop the pandemic in Africa, he'll get blamed for increasing Aids in Africa.
All together now - "Cause he don't like blacks."
** The little study which suggested this was almost immediately questioned, as it was limited to a region where the predominatly Muslim community encouraged males to thoroughly cleanse themselves prior to engaging in sex, and married partners was the rule. Just the same, the media picked it up, and it's made the rounds.
Gary
November 2, 2007 - 20:38 ET by Noel SheppardGary,
Nice extrapolation. Liberals would be concerned about a possible hernia.
However, your analysis is spot on! Global Warming Derangement Syndrome is running amok in this country, and it shouldn't surprise us if AIDS and STDs end up tied to this nonexistent malady.
It's a cowardly new world, Gary, and the warm-mongers are ahead of the pack!!! ns
Geez Laweez!
November 3, 2007 - 04:38 ET by heldmywWhat is it about today? First the Nina Burleigh "I want Bill Clinton to Ravish Me", story and now "Global Warming and Dong Nipping".
It must be 'sweeps'.
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November 2, 2007 - 21:27 ET by dahliatraversWith this nutsy theory** floating around that circumcision reduces the risk of HIV/Aids being transmitted..
It is crazy. As is choosing a man on the basis of whether he is circumsized.
Back to the topic: global warming is the new boogie monster.
I believe there is some
November 2, 2007 - 21:29 ET by alamojbI believe there is some belief that circumcision does cut down on the transmission of HPV, the virus linked to cervical cancer.
ALSO
November 3, 2007 - 09:13 ET by heldmywHIV/AIDS
http://news.bbc.co.u...
50% reduction in the initial studies...
Line forms to the right. No pushing.
Fortunatley , they put me in
November 3, 2007 - 16:35 ET by alamojbFortunatley , they put me in that line when I was a baby- so I do not remember it.
-
November 3, 2007 - 18:16 ET by dahliatraversThat is not a good enough reason. Use protection or abstain.
Please, leave it alone.
Porky's
November 2, 2007 - 21:01 ET by P.J. GladnickFor some reason I am picturing a certain scene in the principal's office in the movie, "Porky's." One of the FUnniest scenes in cinematic history!
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Liberals have got to be
November 2, 2007 - 21:23 ET by GregELiberals have got to be beside themselves with glee. I mean think about it, has their ever been a topic out there where, if you take a certain viewpoint on it, you can basically use it as the reason for anything and everything happening or not happening in the world, and regardless of what it's causing or not causing, you must either be of the same view or you're an obvious moron?
Awww yea!!! Liberals have got to be pinching themselves every single day to have somehow discovered this utopia of a topic. And getting industries, organizations, governments, etc etc to side with them on it, creating laws, rules, collecting taxes, collecting money to offset something it's causing, creating guilt, suppressing advancement, and demonizing anyone who doesn't have that viewpoint, I swear if I was a liberal I don't think I could fathom how great this really is and how far we can actually take this thing. The sky is the LIMIT! To the moon Alice!!!!!
The Real Question
November 2, 2007 - 21:27 ET by PopularTechAre circumcisions natural or man-made?
The Anti "Man-Made" Global Warming Resource
-
November 2, 2007 - 21:32 ET by dahliatraversUnlike global warming, they are man-made.
So, according to this
November 2, 2007 - 21:28 ET by SMGalbraithSo, according to this thesis, because Bush has caused global warming (or not stopped it), climate change in Africa has led to, let us say, less exposure of penises.
Ironically meanwhile, in America, the opposite has happened. Bush's presidency has led to an increase in the number of penises, er, popping up everywhere.
Speaking of which: Anybody watch Olbermann and "Countdown" this evening?
SMG
I didn't watch it but there
November 2, 2007 - 22:01 ET by GrammyI didn't watch it but there is a video of his backhanded apology @
http://www.olbermann...
A real prince, of the darkside that is.
LOL:
November 2, 2007 - 21:40 ET by September"Are circumcisions natural or man-made?"--PT
GWDS is the Winchester Mystery House of ideologies. Just keep adding on the weird rooms, stairs and doors that go nowhere and keep the evil spirits away!
Flannery's a hoot.
So circumcision caused the ice age
November 2, 2007 - 21:52 ET by Lame CherryIn knowing the wretch that most of central Africa has become since the colonial rule turned things over to the communists, Mr. Flannery uses wacko liberalism..........like stars come out after sunset so stars cause darkness..........to associate what is not with what is.
Kenya is a plains nation like the American plains and is subject to droughts, but it is more subject since hunting was shut down to poachers as when animals have no value to but the privileged few.......there is no reasoning for farmers and rancher to keep said Zebra around and they are eliminated by poaching or simple slaughter in competing for grass.
Flannery never does explain why a nag which can eat just about anything to survive is dying when the giraffe which is specific to acacia forests.......which elephants bust down in droughts ruining all habitat are surviving.
What Flannery and his foreskin heaters do not want to explore is socialism is what is killing and murdering Africans and Afrikans. Kenya has water which could be available for irragation to feed all of Africa.......if they would simply stop being nomads like the American Indians and develop the nation as white people did in America.
Every malady Africa has can be traced to the day the Soviets convinced "presidents" that in communism they could be presidents for life...and that is what gave the world Mandela and Mugabe.
That includes the aids infection, with lack of foreskin removal which harbors disease and is why God advocated in the Bible that rite. Someday someone with intelligence is going to ask why is it British, American and northwest Europeans all worshipped that Hebrew God and culturally always followed the removal of the foreskin. As the Scots declared in the Declaration of Arbaroath which was the forerunner of the Declaration of Independence that they are one of the lost 10 tribes of Israel.
Do you think the founding fathers of America knew something of who Americans are and has of late been covered up. I digress.
Theodore Roosevelt in his book on Africa explained that it would take generations to transform the sons of Ham into a group of modern people. The colonial powers left too soon and communism and cartels plundered that rich continent and brought the ruin of the majority of African states.
People like Flannery slumming about the continent only add to the myriad of problems people like Bono prattle on about.
Want to end malaria? Spray Africa with DDT. DDT does far more good than it ever did harm and with modern applications it would not harm the environment. It cleaned up America from lice and bed bugs which are now infesting us once again. Spray Africa and malaria will disappear cheaply and effectively.
As far as the non breeding young males of Africa........it is their gift as currently in Africa the "doctor of thought" is that if an aids infected male has sex with a virgin girl of any age he will be cured. The end of sex is not going to harm anyone there and stop the spread of aids better than condoms.
.........and as a factual note, those women marrying the geezers will in 10 years be widows, wealthy widows and be able to marry these now mature males free of aids and the entire unions will be benefit those African peoples by enriching the marriages literally.
It was common in certain African cultures that the young married the old male and female as it allowed for a transfer of wealth.
Of course, Flannery in pimping about in Africa from the outback is clueless of the people he writes.........just like even in a drought a watered garden of potatoes, squash, green beans, cabbage and turnips feeds oodles of people.
That is how America was built.......just read of the hardships Americans went through and they prospered by adapting.
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Greenhouse Gasses Stop Booty Calls.
November 2, 2007 - 22:07 ET by OIFveteranGTFO
<insert something clever>
Is it possible---
November 2, 2007 - 22:27 ET by misterbill"There are now 40,000 uncircumcised young men, some in their late 20s, waiting their turn. All of the eligible young women, tired of waiting, have married older men (multiple wives are allowed), so there are no wives for the new initiates.'
Can we do that here????????????
Can we do that here????????????
November 3, 2007 - 01:39 ET by MightyMouthWhich part mrbill?
"There are two types of people in this country; those who provide freedom and those who enjoy it." MM says...
This story is a perfect
November 3, 2007 - 00:41 ET by ckc1227This story is a perfect example of why some countries/people will never escape the confines of poverty.
thank you Noel for naming Global Warming Derangement Syndrome
November 3, 2007 - 09:16 ET by lunaticcringeradiowe could name it sheppards syndrome. but is it a good thing or a bad thing to have a psychological condition named after you. i guess since you discovered it and are not the patient of it it's ok.
there is no finer term than to refer to this hysterical fantasy as a psychological syndrome. other than calling it a socialist spook story, the poor victims such as the children, whose fears are played upon(replay tape please) by the likes of al gore and his myrmidons, are the victims of this Global Warming Derangement Syndrome. i wonder how long it will take for them to suggest that phoenix, where i live is hot, because of global warming.
the fun game that we like to play is coming up with complete bs kooky causes of global warming. like the endangered northwest spotted owl, did you know that with every flap of it's wings there is an enzyme in it's feathers that converts oyxgen into co2 at a rate 5 times higher that a deisel tractor trailers exhaust. it's all a matter of how well you sell the story.
hybrid cars have found to contribute to co2 emmisions equal to their gas guzzling counterparts this is because they don't burn gas in the low range and due to their electrical battery polarization along it's aerodynamic surface design sets an electrical charge over the skin of the vehicle and as it passes through the air through electrolisis combines oxygen and carbon atoms to manufacture a wake of co2 behind it.
you would be suprised as to how many emotionally reactive people would be gullible enough to be suckered by a tall tale, because liberal make decisions based on emotion and not reason. but it's fun as hell to yank their chain.
basically the game revolves around anything that liberals love, we come up with a fanciful way to tell a story about how it is a horrible contributor to global warming. it pits them in an idealogical battle to protect the world, or protect the kangaroo mouse habitat for example. eventually they break down in dispair and confusion trying to come up with a solution to save everything and melt down like robbie the robot. it's a sick and humorous way that we are testing the kneejerk reactionary emotionally based way that liberals make decisions. i think if i can distract them long enough it'll knock em out of commision to vote i hope.
penn & tellers BS show on showtime basically did something of that nature when they were on the street with some pseudo college student protestors asking for the public to sign their petition against H2O. it was hilarious because they gave this big speel about h2o is contributing to global warming and these idiot just jumped on the save the planet bandwagon without and thought.
lunaticcringeradio
Just Another...
November 3, 2007 - 12:38 ET by Wildcatter1980example of scientific fraud.
Just my $0.02
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November 3, 2007 - 18:30 ET by dahliatravers[By the way, how does the author know that this drought is caused by AGW and is not just a climate cycle?]
Slightly off topic, circumcision is the ceremony that "permits" a Samburu male to marry. It is not a prerequisite to sowing wild oats.
The moran, or warriors, are the most striking members of Samburu society and are inevitably attractive to young girls. They enjoy a convivial and relatively undemanding life with permissive sex for roughly 14 years. Most of them will at one time or another have many lovers who demonstrate affection with lavish gifts of beads.
And this is the Samburu society's philosophy about marriage.
Over the years the moran will heap beads upon his lover or bead girl as a symbol of his love and whilst the girls may feel passionately about a certain man, they are taught from an early age that these feelings are irrelevant, for they will never be able to wed someone of their own choosing. Girls are taught that the marriage bond is not based on physical attraction or emotion, but instead that it is a long term sound investment forged by her family.
http://www.robertcarrhartleyphotography.com/samburu.html