Thursday, March 08, 2007

(Willie's Choice) "A Hand In Everything!" A mix tape by Chip Kinney



I finally got to watch the premiere of the new NBC show The Black Donnelly’s. I must say this… The show WILL not last long on network television. Why do I say this?

Because it’s so damn good!

I will try to remain positive that this season’s disenchanted American Idol viewers will fire up their brains and watch something smart, intense, and better than any drama that I’ve currently seen on network television.

Weeks before its maiden voyage on NBC, Netflix kept offering the DVD of the pilot for The Black Donnelly’s. I think Brad K. got it, but I won’t swear to it, dammit. Christine constantly reminded me about it and repeatedly told me how much she looked forward to seeing the show.

Monday nights are fairly busy for moi… I’m taping Monday Night Raw at home for over 2 hours. And at work I’m taping 24 and now The Black Donnelly’s. While all this VHS taping is going on (yes, I’m still in the stone age without a DVR), I’m watching Two And A Half Men. My Monday evenings are booked solid.

If you haven’t seen it, make time for The Black Donnelly’s. I’m pretty sure you can check out full episodes on NBC’s website.

Last night, I heard some disturbing news on Fox 8’s Ten O’clock News… The bee population in North Carolina has decreased 30 to 40 percent!

Do you realize what this means?

Bees are very necessary when it comes to plant reproduction, or in other words, food. If you Google "bee deaths" you’ll find all kinds of frightening information. One site even gave the figure that 90% of the feral bee population in the US have decided to call it quits and have walked off the job (died). Bees are nearly extinct in England.

I don’t know about you, but I’m a little frightened by this. When you have the frogs (nature’s once plentiful hamburger) disappearing and bees dying off in great numbers, we have a problem.

No one knows for certain why colonies of bees are dying. It has happened in the past, but never to the extent that’s occurring now.

I recall a time in Mrs. Daniels 7th grade Biology class at Northwest Junior High when I heard Albert Einstein's thought on the importance of bees. I remember it as something like this... "If the bee were to disappear off the face of the Earth, man could be gone in 4 years." I'll never forget it and I simplified his quote like this... “When the bees are gone… We’re dead.”

It bothers me to think that a man of science, Rock 92’s very own Weather Dave Aiken, dismisses Global Warming like a non-alcoholic beer. And it bothers me to think that most of our Rock 92 listeners call in during the 2GNC show and voice their support with Weather Dave.

How much proof do we need? When are we going to take action?

Even if what’s happening isn’t Global Warming, perhaps it’s the theory that we’re closing in on another Ice Age, we should do something to find out. Instead of hand wringing and talking about it, we should pool our resources and find out “WTF” is going on. We need the naysayer’s opinions as much as the doom and gloom types like Al Gore. Balance and checks are important, but those who generally dismiss Global Warming simply say “nay” and walk away leaving nothing to help figure out the problem.

I’ll be honest with you… The disappearance of frogs had me worried. The mysterious bee deaths or Colony Collapse Disorder has me scared. I wonder how much gas is in the tank.

20 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:59 AM

    I have no knowledge of The Black Donnelly’s, other than the show airs on NBC.

    I also have no knowledge of why the bees are disappearing. I mean, I hear rumors of better opportunities for producing pollen elsewhere, but I'm not privy to the details.

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  2. I'm sorry... I thought you put it on your Netflix queue.

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  3. Anonymous2:48 PM

    I can't concur just yet on the failure of the Black Donnellys yet, because it is so damn great. And for good reason. It has Oz appeal, and we know how great Oz turned out. Now if we can only get the greatest Irish character in TV history to show up, it will be superb. ( Kim knows who I speak of. ) This show has surpassed Prison Break as my Monday show to watch.

    As far as two and a half men go, you're watching the wrong CBS Monday comedy. That spot is reserved for How I Met Your Mother. The is no smoother character than the might Barney, played the one and only Doggie Howser. Yes I said it, smooth. deal with it.

    I never have been one to appreciate bees due to the massive stingings I used to recieve as a child. One such stinging in particular resulted in me falling out of a tree in a most painful manner.

    Those who do not believe in global warming need to merely look at the fact that it was just 70 degrees in the middle of January. And they should also go to Al's house and check out his Oscar.

    Although you didn't bring it up, I hate the fact that the ACC tournament is not in the state of North Carolina, where it rightfully belongs.

    Man, that was a long rant. Never again. Too much damn typing.

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  4. Anonymous2:54 PM

    Eugene:

    Where have you been? They have been talking about the bees for months now. We will all be paying more money for fruits and veggies over the next while as well. Bees all over the world are dying and no one seems to really know the cause. I guess it goes back to the saying...You don't miss what you got until it's gone. Well, The bees are about gone and when that happens we will pay dearly in many ways.

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  5. Charles,

    I wasn't that impressed with How I Met Your Mother when it originally came out. But after several viewings since, I have come around to the show. I don't make time for it because it seems serialized, so I'll have to start from the beginning.

    What I really like is... Whenever the show reaches its final episodes, the ending has been part of the show's title all along. Pure genius.

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  6. Also Charles... I don't give a damn about anything ACC. I don't care for college football and I certainly don't like basketball of any type.

    Go ahead and enjoy the ACC Tournament from wherever it's taking place.

    With my hatred of college sports, it surprises me how no ladies have snagged me in their web of matrimony.

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  7. Anonymous,

    I can't possibly tell you where I've been. I don't eat many fruits or veggies. And I don't stand around in groups discussing anything about agriculture or playing hackey-sack. Last night was the first that I've heard about bees.

    I don't know who "They" are that have been discussing this, but they failed to invite me. Sorry.

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  8. Anonymous5:02 PM

    You still tape wrestling? Even I gave up on that.. and I don't miss it one bit! Monday nights are all about Prison Break (though the second season pales in comparison to the greatest of season 1), I Love New York (that's right, I watch it) and The Black Donnellys. (also, my Monday CBS sitcom of choice: The New Adventures of Old Christine)

    I don't even remember any BD hype until about 2 weeks before it aired, but I figured I'd give it a shot, and I'm glad I did. The first ep started of slow, but man did it pick up at the end. The only thing missing is my all-time favorite Black Irish gangster, Ryan O'Reily. If there is an show with Irish people he must be there! His scumbag dad made an appearance this past episode, so I shall keep hope alive!

    In fact, I will take the Donnellys over The Departed as Best Irish gang entertainment of 2007.

    I just heard of this bee disappearance a few days ago on one of the news/comedy hybrid shows I get my information from. I can't say much about them.. except that as long as they refrain from building nests in my windows and stinging me as I lie sleeping in my own bed (that was the worst), I'm good.

    I do know that it has not really snowed since I was like 10, so I am all for "global warming exists." I have a friend who still denies it, giving me some mess about "ice ages" and "this is normal." But I call 70-degree Februaries ab-normal, at best.

    Also, the ACC tournament in Florida not so much like school on a Saturday, but it does still suck.

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  9. Anonymous6:52 PM

    Scoot over on the global-warming-is-real couch. My reason for believing in it is the same as Kim's - snow, or a lack therof.

    When I was a kid, I could count on one kick-ass snowfall per year. By kick-ass I mean a snow deep enough to sled in (which we did, all day long) which stayed on the ground long enough to keep us out of school at least 2 days. I can't even remember the last time we got enough snow to sled in - it's probably going on close to 10 years. And even the minor little snowfalls - which always used to be good for 3 or 4 single snow days from school - have dwindled down to 1 or 2 per winter. I believe it was last year, or maybe the year before, that my daughter didn't have a single snow day.

    So yeah, I believe in global warming. Our winters have all but disappeared.

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  10. Anonymous7:49 PM

    I'm with Kim and Christine on the "why I believe in global warming" thing. I really miss the couple of really good snows that we used to get annually here in the Triad. The bees dying just adds to the proof for me.

    I too am disappointed that Weather Dave can't see past his hatred of Al Gore to admit that Global Warming is real. Take Al out of the picture, do a little research, and it doesn't take a weather dude to conclude that there's some truth to the global warming trend. I have lost all respect that I had for old Dave.

    I haven't seen the Black Donnellys because I just don't have any more dedicated TV time to spare. Of course, Studio 60 will probably be cancelled, so I'll allegedly have an hour of my life back. Perhaps I'll check out the online episodes and DVR it from now on to see what I've been missing.

    Take it from me, Eugene... you've GOT TO get a DVR. We bought an HDTV a few weeks ago, got the HD cable package and a DVR and BEBO IS IN LOVE. TimeWarner should totally market those things to mothers. Pausing/rewinding live TV is best thing since dark chocolate.

    I totally dig Doogie on How I Met Your Mother. He's the best part of the show. In fact, Ted needs to go ahead and ditch Robin and get married to the kids' mother and move to the 'burbs already so the show can become How Barney Bagged Bunches of Busty Broads.

    Finally, I've figured out why we never hooked up and had hot monkey sex all those years and years ago, Eugene. It's because you like NASCAR and I love ACC Basketball. BOO HISS on the ACC Tourney in any venue except for the Greensboro Coliseum (and Go To Hell Tarholes wherever they may play).

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  11. Anonymous2:46 AM

    And I am with Bebo in that the Tarholes suck, as does the half-empty Tallahassee Arena! My team is done, so now I will devote my effort to furiously rooting for good ol' A.B.C. Go 'Noles!

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  12. Wait a minute, Bebo... We could have had hot monkey sex???

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  13. Anonymous2:44 PM

    Hahahahaha.

    It was not out of the realm of possibility back then. But you had a girlfriend, I was with The King of the Assholes and Pathological Liars and your mom apparently told you that I was a "nice" girl.

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  14. Excuse me, bebo... There was a time where I didn't have said girlfriend. I think Mom could smell the possibilities in the air, hmmmm?

    Oh believe me... I asked.

    As for the "nice" girl, I don't remember Mom attaching that word to you. I think she was under the impression that you were WILD! And quite possibly free...

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  15. Anonymous9:28 PM

    Oh, so perhaps she knew that I would corrupt her sweet baby boy.

    :)

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  16. Well Bebo... I do recall her talking about your drinking habits. She knew about mine, but generally kept a deaf ear when it concerned my drinking.

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  17. Anonymous6:03 PM

    Well, it's not like me to "chime in" on blogs or websites, but I have great respect for Little Genie Sims and feel the need to guard my position. By the way, if I was a chick, I'd have hot monkey sex with Eugene until he couldn't evolve any further.
    That being said, please understand that I am not against the environment or opposed to researching climate change or weather phenomena. I am for this kind of study and believe more funding should be given to ALL researchers. When Eugene says we (“we” being those dismissing global warming) are “…walk(ing) away leaving nothing to help figure out the problem”; I believe that there is no problem to figure out. Climate and weather are cyclical. No big snowstorms in the past 2 to 3 winters is not a result of the earth warming, it’s just a short term weather scenario due to lack of gulf moisture shooting towards the Carolina’s, contained into a couple of winter seasons. It has to do with lack of moisture…not over heating. If you don’t buy that argument, go up to New York state and talk to those folks about global warming while you help them shovel out 115 inches of snow, like in the Oswego County town of Parish, about 25 miles northeast of Syracuse.
    I do believe that the clear cutting of trees and blacktopping of endless acres of land leads to urban heat islands and occasionally lead to more thunderstorm activity with rising parcels of warm air, but this is on a micro-climate scale…not global. We should focus our thoughts more on over population of our planet, being good stewards of this Earth (less air pollution, more parks) and less about subjects that are either non-existent or beyond our control.
    Below is an article from William Gray, world renowned hurricane expert and an acquaintance of mine. He is one of a many scientists who would agree that this global warming is a farce. The article is a little “sciencey” and “nerd-like"…but it reinforces my position. Sorry about my length here (not the first time I’ve said that!) Let’s all drink! --Weather Dave


    By Professor William M Gray of Colorado State University

    As a boy, I remember seeing articles about the large global warming that had taken place between 1900 and 1945. No one understood or knew if this warming would continue. Then the warming abated and I heard little about such warming through the late 1940s and into the 1970s.

    In fact, surface measurements showed a small global cooling between the mid-1940s and the early 1970s. During the 1970s, there was speculation concerning an increase in this cooling. Some speculated that a new ice age may not be far off.

    Then in the 1980s, it all changed again. The current global warming bandwagon that US-European governments have been alarming us with is still in full swing.

    Not our fault

    Are we, the fossil-fuel-burning public, partially responsible for this recent warming trend? Almost assuredly not.

    These small global temperature increases of the last 25 years and over the last century are likely natural changes that the globe has seen many times in the past.

    Human kind has little or nothing to do with the recent temperature changes

    William M. Gray
    Colorado State University
    This small warming is likely a result of the natural alterations in global ocean currents which are driven by ocean salinity variations. Ocean circulation variations are as yet little understood.

    Human kind has little or nothing to do with the recent temperature changes. We are not that influential.

    There is a negative or complementary nature to human-induced greenhouse gas increases in comparison with the dominant natural greenhouse gas of water vapour and its cloud derivatives.

    It has been assumed by the human-induced global warming advocates that as anthropogenic greenhouse gases increase that water vapour and upper-level cloudiness will also rise and lead to accelerated warming - a positive feedback loop.

    It is not the human-induced greenhouse gases themselves which cause significant warming but the assumed extra water vapour and cloudiness that some scientists hypothesise.

    Negative feedback

    The global general circulation models which simulate significant amounts of human-induced warming are incorrectly structured to give this positive feedback loop.

    Their internal model assumptions are thus not realistic.


    Mainstream opinion believes that pollution contributes to climate change

    As human-induced greenhouse gases rise, global-averaged upper-level atmospheric water vapour and thin cirrus should be expected to decrease not increase.

    Water vapour and cirrus cloudiness should be thought of as a negative rather than a positive feedback to human-induced - or anthropogenic greenhouse gas increases.

    No significant human-induced greenhouse gas warming can occur with such a negative feedback loop.

    Climate debate has 'life of its own'

    Our global climate's temperature has always fluctuated back and forth and it will continue to do so, irrespective of how much or how little greenhouse gases we put into the atmosphere.

    Although initially generated by honest scientific questions of how human-produced greenhouse gases might affect global climate, this topic has now taken on a life of its own.

    It has been extended and grossly exaggerated and misused by those wishing to make gain from the exploitation of ignorance on this subject.

    This includes the governments of developed countries, the media and scientists who are willing to bend their objectivity to obtain government grants for research on this topic.

    I have closely followed the carbon dioxide warming arguments. From what I have learned of how the atmosphere ticks over 40 years of study, I have been unable to convince myself that a doubling of human-induced greenhouse gases can lead to anything but quite small and insignificant amounts of global warming.

    The author is a professor of atmospheric science at Colorado where he is an expert in tropical meteorology.

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  18. Anonymous10:22 PM

    For the love of God and all things holy, will y'all please stop putting "Eugene" and "hot monkey sex" together in the same sentence?

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  19. YEAH!

    Unless of course that we actually have "hot monkey sex".

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  20. Anonymous8:55 PM

    Hey, I was just talking in theory about something that never happened damn near 20 years ago.

    But I do suppose it was my fault for bringing it up.

    ATTN: Would someone please approach Eugene and offer him some H-T M-NK-Y S-X? But don't post it here.

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