Maldives wants poor nations to make [bogus] carbon pledge

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Developing nations should set an example for the world ahead of an international conference on climate change by pledging to become carbon neutral, the president of the Maldives said Monday.

President Mohomad Nasheed said if developing countries made such commitments "those opposed to change (would) have nowhere left to hide."

"If those with the least start doing the most, what excuse can the rich have for continuing inaction?" he said.

Well, for starters, there's this: Even if other people do buy into a massive hoax, there's no reason that you have to buy into it as well.

Groups ask Saudi Arabia to rethink climate change position

The protesters, who included members of the Young People Initiatives, Talk Village International and Pioneer for Change Nigeria, carried a banner with the inscription: "Poor People Can't Drink Oil".

Twitter / Andrew Storm

Ok, I'm honestly not being a humbug, but if global warming IS such an issue, shouldn't we NOT be doing Xmas lights?

FuturePundit: Chevy Volt Batteries In Cold Weather

Well, a 15% loss off of 10.4 kwh would still leave the volt above 8 kwh. at -10 C (14 F) the Volt would lose another 10% and might be slightly below 40 mile range. Though I wonder how much heater power would be needed to stay warm with an outside air temperature that cold.

Jerry E. Pournelle

I would have thought that the Obama administration is at least as responsible for the US response to the Swine Flu problem as the Bush administration ever was for the New Orleans response to Katrina, but the media are not reporting it that way. I wonder how those who stood in long lines for hours only to find that there is no vaccine feel about the government's coming takeover of the entire health care system? Will the new health care system work more smoothly than does, say, FEMA? Is there any reason to think so?