Two news stories last week take opposite positions on climate change, observed Grumpy Editor.
One details how global warming from burning of coal, oil and gas is hurting each region of the U.S. and how it impacts different sectors of the economy, including energy and agriculture.
“Climate change is transforming where and how we live and presents growing challenges to human health and quality of life, the economy and the natural systems that support us,” said the report, which garnered coverage on most Sunday morning shows.
It added that worsening air pollution was causing lung and heart problems, more diseases from insects, the potential for an increase in deaths during heat waves and more allergies.
David Easterling, director of the Technical Support Unit at the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, emphasized climate change the Earth is experiencing is unlike any other, mentioning, “the global average temperature is much higher and is rising more rapidly than anything modern civilization has experienced, and this warming trend can only be explained by human activities.”
On the other hand, Investor’s Business Daily pointed out “NASA data show that global temperatures dropped sharply over the past two years. Not that you'd know it, since that wasn't deemed news.”
The publication cited an expert who noticed something surprising with the official NASA global temperature data: From February, 2016 to February, 2018 "global average temperatures dropped by 0.56 degree Celsius --- the biggest two-year drop in the past century.”
“Isn't this just the sort of man-bites-dog story that the mainstream media always says is newsworthy?” asked Investor’s Business Daily, adding “in this case, it didn't warrant any news coverage.”
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE...
SEVERANCE PAY SPOTLIGHTED. Much coverage was given to White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Communications Bill Shine receiving $8.4 million in severance pay from 21st Century Fox after he left the organization in May, 2017 — with more payments upcoming. Nothing sinister about that. Meanwhile, news outlets were not as stirred up over word that Megyn Kelly will walk away from NBC News with a reported more than $30 million, the value left on her three-year $69 million contract.
CHARLIE BROWN CALLED RACIST. Despite smooth sailing over the years, turns out cartoon character Charlie Brown is a racist, said critics. In a repeat of the classic last week on ABC, “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” brought growls for seating its only black character, Franklin, alone on one side of the holiday table while Charlie Brown and his white friends, including Peppermint Patty, Sally and Snoopy, were seated across from him. The special debuted Nov. 20, 1973.
TEENAGERS STEAL PLANE, FLY 15 MILES. Two Utah boys, 14 and 15, were arrested, accused of stealing a fixed-wing, single engine light sport aircraft and flying it 15 miles before safely landing at a local airport in Uintah County.
DOG STEERS TRUCK INTO FARMER. An inquest Friday determined that a British dairy farmer was crushed to death when his Jack Russell dog pushed a lever inside a forklift truck, causing it to drive into him. The farmer left the vehicle in neutral and didn't set the handbrake when he got off to open a gate.
ARMY UNIFORMS TO TURN GREEN. The Army is finalizing green throwback uniforms inspired by soldiers’ World War II attire, but only recruiters should expect to don the new duds for the time being. Official title of the new garb: Army greens. About 200 prototypes will be fielded primarily by recruiters.
TROOP COST NOT QUESTIONED. No reporter or editor questioned the announced $72 million cost of using 5,900 active duty troops at the Southwest border. That figure was conveyed to Congress by the Pentagon. Apparently the Pentagon, which should know about such things, was unaware that with those on active duty --- whether on a base, in a recruiting office or in Washington --- their monthly pay in the U.S. is the same.
DOG BIDS FAREWELL TO STAGE. Archie, a 19-year-old Yorkshire Terrier is retiring from show business after more than 125 performaces in “The Nutcracker” in Providence, R.I. The ballet will be holding auditions Dec. 2 for other canine performers, looking for “a pup with an elegant prance, regal coat of fur and charming smile."
