Maybe it’s a case of sarcasm going over MY head (it happens sometimes), but apparently Joe Albero didn’t get my argument on the fallacy of global warming a couple posts ago – much ado about nothing from the Maryland General Assembly. I know he’s a semi-retired businessman and “reporter” (in quotes because he states right up top that his site is “opinionated only”) while I graduated from college having taken a course or two in writing, so let me see if I can boil it down to three sentences.
- A group of scientists theorize through careful observation and reviewing historical data that the earth is cooling because of lower solar activity – with this winter’s weather globally bearing the theory out in the short term.
- Al Gore, who is not a scientist, and another group of “experts”, only some of whom are scientists, posit that the earth is warming due to increased CO2 caused solely by manmade activity, but climatological evidence gathered over the last few years shows little change – even a slight decrease – in global temperatures.
- Even with evidence pointing toward the opposite direction, as a solution to “global warming” the Maryland General Assembly still wants to plunge the state into drastic measures that would curtail commerce and create soaring electrical rates.
Is that a little easier to understand, Joe? I made it in 123 words, which is a little less than I’m asked to do on occasion for other outlets.
To me, good commentary is that which uses examples to buttress the main argument being made. In the literary world, this can take the form of a book as in one of my favorite volumes, Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged. Or it can be a shorter essay or column, such as those written on a regular basis by Ann Coulter, Mark Steyn, or Michelle Malkin. (Each of these writers have full-length books to their credit as well.) I can’t say I yet have the ability to write as well as those three, but I look at this outlet as practice, practice, practice. It may not get me to Carnegie Hall but hopefully it can provide me with a way to work toward a longer-form setting of some type. It’s also why I do a variety of post types – some with pictures, some as reporting, some as observations on what others wrote.
And I attempt to add a little humor once in awhile. Obviously I saw Joe today at the Andy Harris event I broke on Monday. (Had he come to our WCRC meeting that night, he would’ve gotten the flyer too. Frankly, I was surprised he hadn’t, but I found out from another that Joe was a bit perturbed about being scooped!) So I had to ask him why he only ranked monoblogue as “the most boring blog in Maryland.” It would’ve brought me much more notoriety to call mine the most boring blog in America! Might as well go all the way. Besides, you can call me boring, but at least I spell practically everything correctly including my last name.
All because I didn’t link to him someplace along the line. Well, I just did above so be happy that I pumped up your BlogNetNews rating.
Oh, and the comments to his post were priceless, especially the ones about internet porn and being boring and obnoxious. Yep, anonymous comments that were all placed in about 10 minutes. Someone had too much time on his hands. While I’ve learned in my life that I definitely march to a different drummer than most, if I came across to you as boring and obnoxious Mr. anonymous, it might be because I found you to be an arrogant prick. My kid loves me and that’s what really matters.
On the other hand, thanks to Elbert for the kind words. He figured it out. I can’t write more slowly, so I suppose the rest of you will have to do your homework and catch up like he did.
Just ignore him. Michael.. like so many others of us do. You’re doing fine.
(BTW-Thanks for the complimentary mention a while back.. )
I really didn’t understand why he wrote that post. I was surprised that he allowed my comment through, because I was, to a degree, being critical but at least more polite than most of his readers. I honestly considered writing something about this on my blog but I have some other things I’m working on, plus you defend yourself quite well without my input.
Michael,
Great post! I think the green headed monster may have been rearing its ugly head. By the way, we missed you today. I know you had a previous committment, so we’ll excuse you this time.
I think I hear the sound of sabres rattling.
Step children don’t count Michael. While I appreciated your sense of humor yesterday AND the link today, I see now why you had refused to pass off a link to my Site in the past as it may increase my ratings with Blognetnews. Look at this week’s results, thanks.
Shooter, thanks for exposing that Michael is in fact “one of you” as an Anti Albero Blogger. It’s always good to know who you should watch your back with and it again proves I was right about Michael.
For what it’s worth Michael, we live on the Eastern Shore, not LA. We don’t even have emission stations for Maryland vehicles on the Eastern Shore, yet you have to admit most of your readers are locals and Global Warming just isn’t a major concern here locally.
Is Michael the next Louise Smith of the Republican Party? If Kratovil gives him ANY attention, my guess is, YES.
If Mark McIver is reading this, stock up on burgers. Other wise, you might have about 20 converters out there if my guess is right hit wise on this Site. LOL
I should add, Michael, IF you knew how many comments popped up on that post about you that I didn’t allow through, you’d thank me to no end. Your physical appearance doesn’t belong as part of the debate, therefore I deleted MANY comments thrown out there. Right Shooter?
Hey, thanks for coming by Joe.
First of all, step children do too count, especially when she calls ME Dad and not her biological father or the man her mother married after we divorced. Maybe you consider the little one you have living with you as just a step-grandchild, but Dani is my kid and always will be.
Second, as for BlogNetNews, you brought up the issue with rankings when you had your little snit about Brian Griffiths at the end of last year because you didn’t think yours was high enough. Personally I think I should be number one each week but I’m sure we all do – I just didn’t whine to BNN. Besides, didn’t you say you were dropping that link anyway?
Next, I believe there’s more misplaced concern about global warming here on the Shore than you think. Something tells me that when the Wicomico Neighborhood Congress meets next regarding the environment, combatting global warming is going to come up. And laws that are adopted statewide concern us all, Joe, whether they have to do with “global warming”, health care, or some other issue. Okay, you’re excepted because you live in Delaware, but when industry flees the state because of the restrictions in HB712/SB309 we’d better hope they move to southern Delaware because otherwise those jobs are gone from our region. However, the thirst for tax money exhibited by Annapolis will not change and that money has to come from someplace.
To your last comment – I may be on the heavy side, but having lost a good portion of what I had over the last couple years it makes me believe that someday that won’t be as much of an issue. And while Mark did have good cheeseburgers, two was plenty.
Stick to those things you do well, Joe, like playing on-the-scene reporter and taking unflattering pictures of those you don’t like. I’ll take care of the political discussion of statewide and national issues.
Michael:
I can’t tell you how amusing I find Joe’s attacks on you.
You two deserve each other.
Reminds me of Truman Capote and his In Cold Blood lover.
Being such a street smart tough from New Yawk, one would think that Albero would have leared to not bring a knife to a gunfight. He’s so far outclassed intellectually it’s shameful. Crawl back under your rock Joe and don’t come out until you learn how to walk in an upright position.
Michael, MONOBLOGUE #1 on a regular basis? PLEASE! Look man, you’re a great writer and you’re very intelligent, that’s a given. However Michael, there’s a very good reason I now average 50,000 hits a day. People can relate to me because I think and write like them. Perhaps one day you’ll come to realize that?
You’re book smart but too stupid to realize the Anti Albero Bloggers are driven by Barrie Tilghman herself. Think about it, it shouldn’t take you that long to realize one of them is a full time cop for the SPD and one of them is Doug Church. Oh, then there’s that a$$hole Joe Perdue from the Salisbury Fire Department. I’m sure Robinson is in that mold somewhere along the way but to participate in their rage, well, my better half is very disappointed in you Michael and that’s the truth.
Actually, if you had that pissy attitude you had the time before she wouldn’t have spoken to you at all. However, this time you were more of a gentleman therefore she agreed to speak with you.
The most interesting part about your response is how you said NOTHING about the Louise Smith connection and your loyalty towards Andy Harris.
Unlike you Michael, I’m a life long partner with my Wife and although he’s our Grandson, he’s our son now. I have never used the step thing, ever. I spend every waking hour with this child, not a weekend, once a year, if you know what I mean. Being a parent doesn’t entail part time anything. Be VERY careful where you go there Michael because I’m not only more of a man than you, I’m a better man that you and what I just stated easily proves that.
Going Green I know is important in your business, hence to code you site. However, where were you when they were building the new Fire Station Michael and stood up in front of the Council, (like I did) strongly suggesting Solar Power on that building? You see, you talk the big BS talk Michael but you do NOTHING about it. You take notes for the Republican Club, yet you do not deny you could be a similar threat like Louise is and was.
Now, as for your weight, like I said, I’ve always protected you on that. If there’s a picture you’d rather I use, like perhaps the one you probably use for on line dating, I’d be happy to use it instead. However, if it’s 5 year old or older I’ll refuse to do so. That’s what most guys do on line. At our age, weight becomes a struggle and quite honestly I worry for you. I love my peanut M&M’s and cigars, as you probably know and exercise just isn’t in my daily routine any more as well. It sucks to get old!
Anyhow, if you’d like to get into a contest between the two of us to see who could lose more in a month, I’m game, seriously. Anything to help better our physical conditions would be a great challenge?
Oh, Blognetnews. The rating thing sucks, we all know that. However, I joined your game and won and I just enjoy throwing it back in your faces. Do tell me when you were #1 two weeks in a row? I believe that’s happened to me a few times now. 😉
*sigh* All right Joe, point by point:
If I didn’t sit here and wish to create the best website possible, I may as well hang it up. You’re first for the week, enjoy it. I’ll take being 7th as a sign for me to work harder at this. Just don’t rest on your laurels because you never know when the ratings may change. As they say, pride goeth before a fall. Like I said when I achieved the number one rank the first time, the trick is not to get there but to stay there. And I’ll keep trying to get back to the top of the heap, quite honestly I think you’d be disappointed if I didn’t. My loyal readers certainly would be.
Secondly, I doubt that Barrie Tilghman is smart enough or really gives a damn about orchestrating a bunch of bloggers whose sites you keep claiming you don’t visit anyway. Yes I read them, and I read yours too. And if Jen’s disappointed with me, she could have told me herself yesterday and I’d have said to her pretty much what I just did to you. She had ample opportunity; however she and I had a pleasant conversation insofar as I could tell.
The difference between having a 6 year old child and a 24 year old adult child should be obvious. And I’m glad Jen and you get along well, may you have many more happy days.
Louise Smith – obviously I know her because she’s a fellow Republican. I certainly disagree with her stance on raising city taxes and from all accounts the poor performance she’s had in running City Council meetings. It doesn’t mean that if she says hello to me I won’t speak with her. And seeing that I endorsed Andy Harris early on, I don’t think my loyalty to his cause can be questioned. Predicting a Gilchrest win doesn’t mean I wasn’t hoping Andy Harris would, I just read the tea leaves incorrectly. Most polls had Gilchrest leading. And what would I be a threat to become? I’m trying to be a threat to the Democrats maintaining the lack of common sense found in Maryland politics.
You may not know this, but the firm I work for was in the running for the SFD building, the city decided to choose someone else. Personally, I’d rather see the designer use more energy-efficient materials and systems rather than depend on solar power in this area, particularly for an energy-intensive building like a fire station. I’m not sure the payback period on solar panels is short enough to be worth the additional cost.
Final point. Despite the show on TV, losing weight shouldn’t really be a contest. If you want to get in better shape, go for it. Don’t do it on my account. I’m trying to drop pounds at a reasonable rate, about 4-6 pounds a month. So far so good.
Michael,
I feel I own you an apology for my comment. You did not say at the time your reasons for not wanting to attend, just that you had a previous committment. I realize now that that was probably a polite way of telling me you did not want to get involved. I certainly understand your position. I respect you and you blog, and did not wish for you to be considered an “anti” even though any bonehead can see that this is not one of those blogs. I have offered an open apology on my blog as well for anyone who wishes to read it. Again, I am sorry.
First of all, IF you knew Jennifer well enough, you’d know she doesn’t like to be called Jen. Secondly, she’s a class act Michael and only a good woman with class would treat you with respect while you never knew something was wrong.
Michael, I don’t know how to do it but I’m confident you do. Why don’t you go back into the history of Blognetnews and see just how many times I’ve been #1 verses Monoblogue? I’m sure you already did and weren’t too happy with educating your readers with those results.
Look, I know the rating thing is flawed. However, how you could think with your 75 hits a day could be considered the most influential blog is beyond me Michael. I am NOT stating that as an attack, honestly.
As I would never expect you to treat Louise Smith poorly, I would personally tell her to her face just how disappointed I was in her, as should the entire Republican Club. Perhaps that’s why the meetings are so small? Do tell us all how many times Louise Smith has been back since elected? I’ve not seen her once in the times I’ve happened to visit. I do know there are times she’s in a Monday night Council Meeting while you’re meeting as well.
As for weight. I just though a small challenge might help encourage change. It was a friendly offer Michael, nothing else.
As for Andy Harris and your support, I don’t believe it. You remind me of the type that supports whomever is winning in the 4th quarter but is always prepared to change his mind in case there’s an upset in the end. Hence your remarks about Wayne before Andy actually won. What you gave was not support Michael. What you suggested was that Wayne was going to win, even though you supported Andy. PLEASE!
Straight Shooter: apology accepted. I do enjoy your site though, sometimes the questions you ask need to be asked. I’d encourage you to do the same for me as well.
Joe: You’re correct, I should have referred to her as Jennifer. I work with a Jennifer who goes by Jen so it’s my shorthand. Extend my apology to her for that.
Rest assured I’ll be voting for and working for Andy Harris where needed. But if Frank Kratovil or the other candidates have something to say I’ll give them the forum, reserving the right to comment as I see fit.
Hopefully the air is all clear now, since we all have better things to write about.
I have noting serious to say.
The only reason I am posting is that the “Anti Spam” word is “eat”.
Micheal does the software you use have a sense of humor, or shuold I just go out and buy a powerball ticket?
It would have been SO much more appropriate had the letters been added to it.
Christ Michael. The next one is: sugar
Your software is toying with me, right?
I have NO idea how that works, probably because I don’t see the screen when I leave comments! I guess it just picks random words and you got lucky.
Or maybe it’s subliminal advertising. Yes, another conspiracy on monoblogue.
It’s pretty well documented that Louise Smith is a diehard supporter of Andy Harris — so Louise and Joe have one commonality!
Good gawd. Y’all are like the Al Franken and Ann Coulter of the Delmarva!
PS – to clarify, that is not meant as a compliment to either of you. Love both your blogs though!
Michael,
Sorry it took so long for me to get back here and read your response. I’ll mose certainly mention it to Jennifer. She takes no offense to it. I just know it bothers her when people call her Jen. I personally don’t get it. I’d hate to be called Joseph all the time. I have always known you go by Michael, so I call you Michael. Oh, there are times when I want to rib you and I call you Mike but that’s better than Mikey. LOL
Nevertheless, no harm done. Have a great weekend and Michael, you know you’re #1 in my book. 😉