This NYT article is scary, because it comes with data. Hard facts, not opinions. And the global warming trends it shows are…not good. Headed in a direction that will change the world, not in 100 years but in less than a decade. If the trends continue even a few years, everyone on Earth will be affected. The article doesn’t dwell on why it’s happening, and that question is the political one. The article focuses on the data that says “this is happening, right now, right before our eyes”.

If I expected to be around for another 50 years, this would be a good purpose – to do what can be done about preparing society for the changes that are happening. But that will be for others.

I have some hope that Earth, as a meta-stable, ancient, and gigantic system, will self-correct in a way we don’t yet see. Earth will abide. But will it abide us?

***

Republicans have now decided that the disheveled, crude, rape-enabler from Ohio is to be their Speaker. Heather Cox Richardson sums it up nicely:

It remains astonishing that the Republicans would consider making Jordan speaker. The hallmarks of that position are an ability to negotiate and to shepherd legislation through Congress (think of all former speaker Nancy Pelosi got done with the same slim majority the Republicans have). Jordan has none of those qualities; he is a flamethrower who, in 16 years in the House, has not managed to get a single bill through the House, let alone into law. Jordan’s elevation would reflect that for many years now, Republicans have elevated those who disdain government and whose goal is to stop it from working.

Jordan is also a key Trump ally who worked to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Former representative Liz Cheney (R-WY) has been clear she opposes Jordan’s elevation to House speaker. Today she wrote:

“Jim Jordan was involved in Trump’s conspiracy to steal the election and seize power; he urged that [former vice president Mike] Pence refuse to count lawful electoral votes. If R[epublican]s nominate Jordan to be Speaker, they will be abandoning the Constitution. They’ll lose the House majority and they’ll deserve to.”

In 16 years, he has not sponsored a single bill through the House. Nice job representing your citizens, Jimbo.

***

I would love to see the annular eclipse later today, but it’s gonna be cloudy here and only a 40% coverage of the sun’s disc. Enjoy the show, Nevada.

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Emily and I talked yesterday about the Israel/Gaza conflict. We imagined her, Greg and the boys needing to gather all their things and walk 25 miles to safety as fast as they can. Along with every other human being in Louisville – all walking the same path, the same day, trying to get to safety with guns and bombs chasing them. It’s a biblical scene, to use an unfortunate adjective. But that’s what’s happening in Gaza. The human tragedy will be is massive.

Hamas left Israel, Gaza and the world with no real choice – all out war is now in progress. That must have been their goal. I think that dog has caught the bus.

***

I watched Almost Famous again last night. Just love that movie. Cameron Crowe at his finest. Crowe and I are the same age (close, he’s one year younger), and he had an extraordinary in-person experience with rock culture at the same time that I was just a fan/listener bumbling through college. His story is more compelling.

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It’s 5am. Time to try and sleep again.