George Soros gave Ivanka's husband's business a $250 million credit line in 2015 per WSJ. Soros is also an investor in Jared's business.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

Scientists thought they'd found long sought origins of Big Bang, held news conference, but conclusions didn't hold up. Lead scientist said, 'We're not exactly thrilled, but we are scientists and our job is to try and uncover the truth'-NY Times

1/30/15, "Speck of Interstellar Dust Obscures Glimpse of Big Bang," NY Times, Dennis Overbye

"Scientists will have to wait a while longer to find out what kicked off the Big Bang.

Last spring, a team of astronomers who go by the name of Bicep announced that they had detected ripples in space-time, or gravitational waves, reverberating from the first trillionth of a trillionth of a trillionth of a second of time — long-sought evidence that the expansion of the universe had started out with a giant whoosh called inflation.

The discovery was heralded as potentially the greatest of the new century, but after months of spirited debate, the group conceded that the result could have been caused by interstellar dust, a notion buttressed by subsequent measurements by the European Space Agency’s Planck satellite that the part of the sky Bicep examined was in fact dusty.

Now a new analysis, undertaken jointly by the Bicep group and the Planck group, has confirmed that the Bicep signal was mostly, if not all, stardust, and that there is no convincing evidence of the gravitational waves. No evidence of inflation.

“This analysis shows that the amount of gravitational waves can probably be no more than about half the observed signal,” Clem Pryke of the University of Minnesota said Friday in an interview.

“We can’t say with any certainty whether any gravity wave signals remain,” Dr. Pryke added. 

Obviously, we’re not exactly thrilled, but we are scientists and our job is to try and uncover the truth. In the scientific process, the truth will emerge.”

When the galactic dust is correctly subtracted, the scientists said, there was indeed a small excess signal — a glimmer of hope for inflation fans? — but it was too small to tell if it was because of gravitational waves or just experimental noise.

The Bicep/Planck analysis was led by Dr. Pryke, one of the four Bicep principal investigators. 

Brendan Crill, of the California Institute of Technology and a member of Planck, acted as a liaison between the groups. They had planned to post their paper Monday, but the data was posted early, apparently by accident. It was soon taken down, but not before it set off an outburst of Twitter messages and hasty news releases.

A paper is to be posted to the Bicep website and has been submitted to the journal Physical Review Letters.

But it will be far from the final word. A flotilla of experiments devoted to the cause are underway, studying a thin haze of microwaves, known as cosmic background radiation, left from the Big Bang, when the cosmos was about 380,000 years old. Among them is a sister experiment to Bicep called Spider, led by Bill Jones of Princeton and involving a balloon-borne telescope that just completed a trip around Antarctica, as well as Bicep’s own Keck Array and the recently installed Bicep3.

At stake is an idea that has galvanized cosmologists since Alan Guth of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology invented it in 1979. Inflation theory holds that the universe had a violent and brief surge of expansion in the earliest moments, driven by a mysterious force field that exerted negative gravity. 

It would explain such things as why the universe looks so uniform and where galaxies come from — quantum dents in the inflating cosmos.
Such an explosion would have left faint corkscrew swirls, known technically as B-modes, in the pattern of polarization of the microwaves. So, however, does interstellar dust.

The Bicep group — its name is an acronym for Background Imaging of Cosmic Extragalactic Polarization — is led by John M. Kovac of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics; Jamie Bock of Caltech; Dr. Pryke; and Chao-Lin Kuo of Stanford. They have deployed a series of radio telescopes at the South Pole in search of the swirl pattern.

Their second scope, Bicep2, detected a signal whose strength was in the sweet spot for some of the most popular models of inflation, leading to a sensational news conference attended by Dr. Guth and Andrei Linde, two of the founding fathers of inflation.

But that was before critics raised the dust question. Moreover, that result was contrary to a previous limit on the strength of gravitational waves obtained by the Planck satellite, which has scanned the entire microwave sky in search of the Big Bang’s secrets.

Planck observed the microwaves in nine frequencies, making it easy to distinguish dust. Bicep2 had only one frequency and lacked access to Planck’s data until last fall, when the two groups agreed to work together.
Dr. Bock of Caltech, in an interview at the end of what he called a long, stressful day, characterized the result as “no detectable signal.”

“I’m not discouraged,” he went on. “We’re going to have to have better data to get a definitive answer.”

In an email, Paul J. Steinhardt, a Princeton cosmologist who was a founder of inflation but turned against it in favor of his own theory of a cyclic bouncing universe, said the new results left cosmologists back where they were before Bicep.

But Dr. Linde noted that there was evidence in the new analysis for a gravitational wave signal, albeit at a level significantly lower than Bicep had reported. “This is what all of us realized almost a year ago, and it did not change,” he said in an email.

The earlier Planck result limiting gravitational waves, he said, had inspired a firestorm of theorizing, in which he and others produced a whole new class of theories relating not just to inflation, but to dark energy as well.

“So yes, we are very excited, and no, the theory did not become more contrived,” he said.

Max Tegmark, an M.I.T. expert on the cosmic microwaves, said, “It’s important to remember that inflation is still alive and well, and that many of the simplest models predict signals just below this new limit.” The next few years will be interesting, he said.

Michael Turner, a cosmologist at the University of Chicago, said he could appreciate the frustration of his colleagues, who have been wandering in the wilderness for nearly four decades looking for clues to the Beginning.

“Inflation is the most important idea in cosmology since the hot Big Bang,” he said. It is our Helen of Troy, launching a thousand experiments.”"




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Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Great Lakes desperate for another icebreaker, deeply grateful to US and Canada Coast Guard assistance, but can't keep shipping lanes open with only one icebreaker, $700 million and 4000 jobs lost in 2014 due to lack of needed icebreaking. In 2009 congress declined request for second Great Lakes icebreaker, said not needed-Ohio Standard

1/26/15, "Great Lakes carrier association asks US Congress for additional ice-breaker," ohiostandard.com, Great Lakes. Michigan

"A brutal winter that slowed the 2014 shipping season on the Great Lakes in Michigan has prompted one organisation to ask Congress for another heavy icebreaker.

The Lake Carriers' Association said a second vessel needs to be built to keep shipping lanes open on the lakes during harsh winter conditions
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The association has requested another ice breaker similar to the Marinette Marine Corp.-built US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw.

"I want to stress that Lake Carriers' Association and our members' customers deeply appreciate the efforts of the US and Canadian Coast Guards this past ice season," James H.I. Weakley, president of the association, said in a news release. 

However, he said that ice conditions made it clear that the abilities of both fleets needed to be re-assessed.

Thick ice that lasted into the late winter last year slowed commerce on the lakes and cost about US $700-million in lost business revenue and almost 4,000 jobs, according to the association. 

Another heavy icebreaker could help keep shipping lanes open, it says, but a Coast Guard spokesman said last year was an anomaly for ice on the lakes.

Lieutenant Davey Connor, a public affairs officer based in Cleveland, said that most winters the Coast Guard has what it needs to get the job done.

"With the combination of our fleet and the Canadian Coast Guard, who we work seamlessly with...we're confident we're resourced for 95% of winter-weather years," he told the media. "Last year was a 30-year exception, and we still kept the shipping lanes open as needed."

The US Coast Guard operates nine ice-capable ships on the lakes. Eight will operate this winter as one of the vessels is undergoing a refit as part of a mutliyear program to extend the service life of six 140-foot icebreaking tugs.

Mackinaw was delivered to the US Coast Guard in 2006, replacing a 1940s-vintage cutter that fulfilled the same duties and carried the same name.

Legislation seeking US $153-million for a second Great Lakes icebreaker was introduced in 2009, but didn't materialise due to concerns that the vessel would surplus to requirements." image above from Ohio Standard

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1/27/15, "Global Warming so Bad Great Lakes need another Icebreaker," IBD Analysis, Kerry Jackson

"We haven't forgotten that in the beginning it was all about excessive heat, melting ice and rising sea levels. That's why we can't pass up this story about carriers asking for an additional icebreaker in the Great Lakes. Seems they want "to keep shipping lanes open on the lakes during harsh winter conditions."

This wasn't how it was predicted. The National Wildlife Federation warned that "potential global warming impacts" on the Great Lakes "include reduced water levels (due in particular to decreased winter ice cover allowing more evaporation)," and two years ago Climate Progress fretted that "last year, only 5% of the lakes froze over — compared to 1979 when ice coverage was as much as 94%.""...



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Diane Farrell joins board of Indian solar company Azure after steering millions in taxpayer financing to them as an Export Import Bank Board member. Democrat Farrell was a 2007 George W. Bush appointee-Free Beacon

1/27/15, "Ex-Im Official Secures Millions for Indian Solar Company, Then Joins Its Board," Washington Free Beacon, Lachlan Markay

"As U.S. preps more subsidies for Indian solar companies, one such company is beefing up ties to the Export-Import Bank."
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"As a controversial federal agency prepares extensive taxpayer support for green energy companies in India, one such company has hired a former top official at the agency who has helped it secure millions in taxpayer-backed financing.

Diane Farrell, who served on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Export-Import Bank and was a Democratic congressional candidate in Connecticut, will join the board of Indian solar company Azure Power, according to a Thursday press release.

The move came days before the Obama administration announced plans to expand U.S. support for India’s solar industry, which will include extensive U.S. taxpayer backing for companies such as Azure.

“Diane’s appointment will strengthen company’s policy making and advocacy expertise,” Azure said in its statement. Chief executive Inderpreet Wadhwa cited Farrell’s “illustrious career [in] strategic policy making.”

Farrell’s public sector experience, and her subsequent position at a division of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce that seeks to increase business ties with India, could give Azure a leg up in securing some of the $1 billion in Ex-Im loans for Indian companies purchasing U.S.-made solar power technology.
.
Farrell’s work has already benefitted the company. At Ex-Im, she steered nearly $16 million in taxpayer-backed financing to Azure for the purchase of solar panels manufactured by Arizona-based First Solar.

First Solar, a politically connected beneficiary of other Obama administration energy policies, is expected to be one of the main beneficiaries of Ex-Im loans to Indian solar companies.

Farrell, a Democrat, ran unsuccessfully for a House of Representatives seat in Connecticut in 2004 and 2006. President George W. Bush appointed her to Ex-Im’s Board of Directors in 2007.

In that capacity, agency records show, Farrell voted to approve a $15,776,702 loan to Azure for the purchase of photovoltaic solar panels from First Solar and a California-based subsidiary of German company SMA Solar.

At the same meeting, Ex-Im’s board voted to approve financing for a Singaporean company’s purchase of equipment from aerospace giant Boeing. Farrell, whose husband is a Boeing executive, recused herself, a frequent beneficiary of Ex-Im support. from that vote and others that benefitted the company.

Ex-Im’s charter forbids agency officials from “participat[ing] in the deliberation upon or the determination of any question affecting such individual’s personal interests.”

However, the “revolving door” between Ex-Im and the companies and trade associations that benefit from the goodies the agency provides remains a common practice that critics say raises ethical questions.

Only in Washington is it considered acceptable for someone to use their taxpayer-funded position to funnel more than $15 million to a corporation and then join that corporation’s board to seek even more taxpayer money,” said Dan Holler, a spokesman for Heritage Action for America and a frequent Ex-Im critic.

“This reeks of favoritism and is yet another reason why Congress must allow Ex-Im to expire this year,” Holler said in an email.

Heritage Action and other Ex-Im detractors are also frequent critics of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which they say promotes policies, including Ex-Im loans, that allow large corporations to extract favors from federal lawmakers and regulators.

Farrell’s move feeds that criticism. After four years at Ex-Im, she was appointed to the U.S.-India Business Council, an advocacy group linked to the Chamber that promotes greater business ties between the two countries.

Both groups are staunch supporters of the Ex-Im Bank, and represent numerous companies that benefit from its taxpayer-backed financing.

Ex-Im recently beefed up its ties to the green energy industry. It appointed an executive of a prominent solar firm to lead structured finance at the agency, and tapped the head of a wind energy trade association and a former senior Environmental Protection Agency official for positions on its advisory board.

Companies such as First Solar are expected to benefit from its increasing focus on green energy. 

Their ability to secure taxpayer-backed financing could revive complaints that the industry is too reliant on federal support.

According to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, First Solar has “gained a unique advantage relative to its peers by mastering its relationship with government.”"







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Tuesday, January 27, 2015

US State Department wants to use Disney characters to sell global warming to innocent children

1/27/15, "Global Warming News in Dead of Winter," Rush Limbaugh



"The State Department now wants to use Disney's frozen series to teach kids about global warming. It's a hoax! Man-made global warming is a fraud. There isn't any."...image from RushLimbaugh.com

"Rush Limbaugh Related Links:"
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1/23/15, "State Department Official Wants Disney's 'Frozen' to Teach Kids About Climate Change," National Journal, Clare Foran

"A high-ranking State Department official wants to enlist Princess Elsa and a talking snowman to teach the American public about the Arctic.

Adm. Robert Papp, the U.S. special representative for the Arctic, told an audience at the Arctic Frontiers conference in Norway this week that he met with a Disney executive to discuss raising awareness about the polar region using characters from the wildly popular movie Frozen.

You can't be in this business and not see Frozen, Papp said, adding that he has watched the movie at least 20 times thanks to his two young granddaughters. A staffer from his office came up with the idea for Disney to create public service announcements focused on the Arctic starring the movie's main characters: Elsa, a princess with powers over ice and snow; her younger sister, Anna; a reindeer named Sven; and Olaf, a talking snowman who loves summer.

"I said, you've taught an entire generation about the Arctic," Papp said, describing his exchange with the Disney executive. "Unfortunately, the Arctic that you've taught them about is a fantasy kingdom in Norway where everything is nice. What we really need to do is educate the American youth about the plight of the polar bear, about the thawing tundra, about Alaskan villages that run the risk of falling into the sea because of the lack of sea ice protecting their shores."

But Papp said the pitch didn't go over so well because Disney prefers happier tales. "As I continued to talk, I could see the executive getting more and more perplexed, and he said: 'Admiral, you might not understand: Here at Disney it's in our culture to tell stories that project optimism and have happy endings.' "

Papp was appointed envoy to the Arctic last summer. The admiral has said that addressing climate change will be a top priority for the U.S. when it takes the helm of the Arctic Council, an international forum, this spring.

Scientists warn that the Arctic is warming at a rate that is twice as fast as the rest of the world and is highly susceptible to the effects of climate change.

The State Department reached out to Disney about raising Arctic awareness, but it was informational only and no collaboration is planned at this time, a spokesperson for the department said. Disney did not immediately return a request for comment.

As for Papp, he won't Let It Go. "There's more yet to come there," he promised."



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Catholic Church officials advanced Obama political agenda by holding 'educational events' at Church institutions in 5 states. Catholic groups have met at EPA offices. US gov. has requested meeting with Vatican to discuss binding US to a UN treaty-National Catholic Reporter

EPA chief Gina McCarthy: It’s important to have Pope Francis continue to speak as clearly as he can."...
 
1/27/15, "EPA chief headed to Vatican to talk climate change," National Catholic Reporter, Brian Roewe


"The head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is scheduled to make a brief Vatican visit at the end of the week on the topic of addressing climate change.
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will meet there Friday with senior officials, among them Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. She is also slated to meet with Catholic journalists Friday morning and business leaders in Rome that afternoon.
The (EPA) agency initiated the meeting through U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Ken Hackett, viewing it as a unique opportunity to directly engage the Vatican.
Speaking to NCR ahead of her trip, McCarthy, an Irish Catholic from Massachusetts, described the Vatican stop as “the most important” on a five-day trip that will also have her visiting Geneva (Thursday), Rome (Friday) and Florence (Monday). She said the meetings will focus on discussing President Barack Obama’s climate action plan and EPA’s role in addressing the effects of climate change both domestically and internationally.
“Clearly, climate change is an issue that is impactful in terms of how we’re not just going to protect the most vulnerable but also take responsibility for protecting God’s natural resources,” McCarthy said.
“I think that the president and myself agree that climate change is indeed a moral issue,” she said. “It is about protecting those most vulnerable, and EPA’s job, as focusing on public health and environmental protection, always tasked ourselves to look at those most vulnerable and to ensure that when we’re taking action we’re addressing their needs most effectively.”
Discussions also expect to touch on Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on the environment. In August, Turkson delivered a first draft of the teaching document to Francis, who has indicated the encyclical will publish in June or July -- in time for it to “make a contribution” to international climate negotiations in Paris in December....
In the summer, McCarthy called Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski, chair of the Domestic Justice and Human Development committee of the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops, to thank him for his May letter supporting EPA’s proposed Clean Power Plan....
During the Clean Power Plan’s commenting period, which closed Dec. 1, EPA received more than 2 million comments. The U.S. bishops’ conference and its affiliate groups encouraged Catholics to participate, with the Catholic Climate Covenant holding eight educational events at Catholic colleges and institutions in five states.
Since the summer, EPA has held meetings with USCCB officials, including an October gathering where McCarthy, Wenski and several Catholic groups -- among them Catholic Climate Covenant and Catholic Relief Services -- met at EPA headquarters to discuss the Clean Power Plan....
“Let’s keep in mind that environment isn’t just a natural resource issue or a safety problem. It is a fundamental threat to the economies across the world,” McCarthy said. 
She continued: “And that’s why it’s important to have Pope Francis continue to speak as clearly as he can because there are millions if not billions of people at risk here who the Catholic church and other faiths have been focused on for many, many years. And it’s those individuals that we need to speak for, and to help.”" via Free Rep.




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Obama tells India US taxpayers will give them free money to deal with excess CO2-Times of India

1/27/15, "Can’t win climate fight without India: Obama," Times of India, New Delhi


"The US could not get a climate deal with India, but President Barack Obama on Tuesday made a strong pitch for emission cuts and said the world does not "stand a chance against climate change" unless developing countries like India cut their carbon emissions by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

"I know the argument made by some, that it's unfair for countries like the United States to ask developing nations and emerging economies like India to reduce your dependence on the same fossil fuels that helped power our growth for more than a century,"
said Obama in his Town Hall address.

"But here's the truth: even if countries like the United States curb our emissions, if growing countries like India — with soaring energy needs — don't also embrace cleaner fuels, we don't stand a chance against climate change,"
he said in his last public speech before leaving the country.

Though India does not deny the importance of mitigation (emission cuts), the country lays greater emphasis on fighting climate change through massive adaptation
measures and by moving on renewable energy (solar, wind and bio-fuels) path if it gets economically viable technology and investment.
India took this stand at all platforms and meetings ahead of Obama's visit. As a result, both the countries agreed for cooperation in renewable energy sector but did not go for the climate agreement that may factor in India's emission cut targets.

Obama, in fact, welcomed India's "ambitious targets" for generating more clean energy and promised to help the country to achieve this. He said, "We will continue to help you deal with impacts of climate change because you shouldn't have to bear that burden alone."

He also said with the breakthrough achieved during this visit, the two countries can finally move to fully implementing the civil nuclear agreement
which would mean more reliable electricity for Indians and cleaner energy that helps fight climate change."



             

Historic Blizzard Bust: First time in history entire NY City subway system closed due to snow-but blizzard never happened. Only a few inches in Manhattan. NY Gov. Cuomo said blizzard was proof of global warming. Lack of blizzard also reported to be proof of global warming

1/27/15, "City at Standstill as Blizzard Strikes," NY1 News, Time Warner, 2:08AM EST

Chelsea, NYC, 2:08AM, NY1



"New York City is without public transportation this morning and non-emergency vehicles are banned from the roads in an unprecedented response to what's quickly become known as the Blizzard of 2015. By midnight the storm had dumped almost half a foot of snow on Central Park, with more than six inches accumulating at La Guardia Airport.

NY1 meteorologist John Davitt says he expects the storm to drop 12 to 18 inches or more on the city by morning, with the National Weather Service calling for up to 30 inches of accumulation....
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority shut down all transit operations to the public at 11 p.m., and non-emergency vehicles are currently banned from city roads as a result of the storm.
.

Included in the shutdown are all subways, buses, Metro-North trains, Long Island Rail Road trains and PATH trains, making this the first time that the entire subway system has been closed to the public due to snow although many trains are continuing to run empty to keep the tracks clear.
.

Officials say it's unlikely subway service will be restored in time for the morning commute.
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"Let's see when the storm stops, and we'll start cleaning up the system," said MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast. "And we'll work as fast as we can to be able to restore the service, but right now, we're telling people don't count on us for that time period."
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The system was previously shut down during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 

On the streets, the vehicular traffic ban has left roads deserted except for plows and official vehicles. Authorities say non-emergency vehicles caught out on the roads will be issued a summons and given a fine of up to $300.
.

The bulk of the snow is expected to arrive before 10 a.m. Tuesday, although the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning through Tuesday at midnight.
.

Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia says crews will face 2 to 4 inches of snow per hour at times.
.

Public schools will be closed Tuesday, all canceled regents exams have been rescheduled for Thursday. Those regents include Global History and Geography, Integrated Algebra, Comprehensive Testing in Writing and Mathematics for special education students.
.

The Archdiocese of New York says its schools in the boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island will also be closed on Tuesday.
.

All CUNY schools will be closed Tuesday, though essential employees are expected to go to work.
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The city has deployed 15 homeless outreach teams and is encouraging homeless New Yorkers to go to shelters during the storm. The shelters will be open to anyone who might be left stranded in the snow. 
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New Yorkers are urged to call 311 for help, and 911 only in the case of life threatening emergencies.
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The Visiting Nurse Service of New York is checking in on the homebound to make sure they have enough medication, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food for a few days. 
.

They say that seniors are at epecially high-risk for dehydration when the heat is turned on high. 
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Those in need of assistance can contact the Visiting Nurse Service at 1-800-675-0391 or at vsny.org.

Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for all New York City counties ahead of the storm, National Guardsman were stationed throughout the city and Long Island.  
.

The governor urged New Yorkers to put their safety first and avoid traveling on city roads and highways, adding that it is "not an evening or night to be out."
.

All Port Authority bridges closed at 11 p.m. Monday and will remain so until further notice.
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Both the governor and mayor warned everyone not to underestimate the power of the storm.
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The city Office of Emergency Management says all agencies have increased their staffing for the blizzard conditions, including 311 and 911 operators.  OEM says they are not expecting any flooding immediately after the storm since the temperatures will be in the 20s when it stops. 
.

They also advise construction companies to stop their work until the storm passes for safety precautions. 
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He says the storm is unpredictable but he urges people to stay off the roads because of conditions he says will be "treacherous."
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The city closed all city parks as of 6 p.m.
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Courts will be closed Tuesday in New York City and on Long Island, as well as in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties. 
 
Alternate side parking is suspended through Wednesday.  Garbage and recycling collections will also be suspended.
.

Anyone with a heat or hot water problem should call 311.
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At area airports, more than 4,000 flights were canceled on Monday.  All flights at LaGuardia are canceled Tuesday, and there will be only limited service at JFK.
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Nearly every major airline in the U.S. and Canada is waiving change fees for customers flying to the Northeast.  The details vary by airline, with most allowing passengers flying to or through the Northeast to make one itinerary change without paying the standard change fee.
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Air travelers should check with their individual carrier before heading to the airport.
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Amtrak is warning riders about possible service disruptions.  To check on your reservation and any service changes, call 800-872-7245 or go online to www.amtrak.com.
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The snow postponed both the Knicks game at Madison Square Garden and the Nets game at Barclays Center on Monday.  The Knicks game has been rescheduled for March 3, while the Nets game is rescheduled for April 6.

The biggest snowfall ever recorded in New York City was 26.9 inches on February 11, 2006."...
================
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"Andrew Cuomo says frequency of extreme weather, such as hurricane Sandy and current blizzard sweeping across north-east, ‘is a pattern never seen before’"

"Massive snowstorms such as the one sweeping into the US north-east on Monday are “part of the changing climate”,
New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, declared at a press conference announcing a state of emergency. 

Cuomo said on Monday that “there is a pattern of extreme weather that we’ve never seen before” – reiterating his comments in the wake of hurricane Sandy, when he said that “anyone who says there’s not a dramatic change in weather patterns is probably denying reality.”

“We have to find ways to build this city back stronger and better than every before,” the governor said in 2012.

Despite the protestations of climate change deniers that extreme cold weather must mean global warming is not real, a single storm cannot be taken as evidence of anything with regard to climate: weather is not the climate

.

But Cuomo was referring to how increasingly intense storms fit “a pattern of extreme weather” – and that pattern evinces the reality of climate change. As the globe continues to heat up over the long term – 2014 was the hottest year on earth since human beings started keeping records – more and more energy enters the atmosphere, charging it for extreme events.

The atmosphere’s qualities vary hugely around the world – depending on geography, weather events like El Niño and the interaction of other factors. So the outcome of what all that charged energy actually does can vary from year to year, too. But one of the most likely consequences of this buildup of energy is a pattern of extreme weather events: not necessarily more storms, hurricanes, droughts and blizzards, but a pattern of increasingly dangerous and intense weather events.

Climate change could actually lead to more blizzards and less snow, since a warm atmosphere – full of energy and moisture soaked up by all that charged air – dumps more snow in brief, severe bursts. 

So while overall accumulation of snow may decrease, the frequency of intense storms may increase. This looks especially likely to happen as areas where snow should fall, in places like the Arctic, Andes glaciers and mountains around the world, rapidly lose snow due to global warming; and then that same snow deluges another part of the world as a brutal rain or snowstorm.

Like a broken pendulum swinging from one extreme to another, faster each year and increasingly threatening to break off on the hot side of the continuum, climate change could produce increasingly severe weather events every year: not just hurricanes and droughts but unstable polar wind systems let loose on the east coast by heat, cold “bomb cyclones” striking Texas, and torrential rain in the south-east while California dries out completely.

Extreme precipitation – a weather event – is hard to link directly to climate change, but Cuomo has a viable point: cold weather records decrease every year, even as evidence quickly mounts that the heat in the atmosphere is making storms more intense and making both the climate and the weather more chaotic." via Climate Dep
ot


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Blizzard or no blizzard, both prove global warming:


1/26/15, "Repeating News Story: Global Warming To Make Blizzards Worse," cato.org, Paul C. "Chip" Knappenberger and Patrick J. Michaels


"Over the next couple of days, as the Nor’easter honing in on the New England coast matures and eventually unleashes its winter storm fury, you are going to be subject to a lot of global warming hype.

After all, the climate change alarmist credo is: let no extreme weather event pass without pointing out that it is “consistent with” climate change caused by human industrial society.

The push has already begun.

But this time around, the pushback is also well-prepared.


While the “curator” of the Washington Post’s newly-minted online “Energy and Environment” section Chris Mooney tells us in his article that global warming may make blizzards worse by increasing the temperature of the western Atlantic ocean and thereby increasing the moisture feed into the developing storm, meteorologist Ryan Maue is quick to point out that just the opposite is likely the result—that the elevated sea surface temperatures actually act to make such storms tamer.

Maue goes on to add that it is easy to make case that global warming weakened this blizzard significantly due to warmer [sea surface temperatures].”


While Ryan is probably being a bit optimistic here, the reality is that this blizzard (in fact pretty much all storm events) are the result of a very complex system of physical interactions—the precise behavior of each one of which is not completely understood, much less perfectly predictable. This makes ascertaining the influence of human-caused climate change virtually (if not entirely) impossible.

Blizzards affecting New York City are perfect examples of this.


A couple years back, during another New York City blizzard, we looked at some of the confounding factors at play in determining how much it snows in Central Park. Our conclusion after reviewing the cases for both more and less snowfall there?

 Which leaves natural variability as the primary driver of just how white New York City’s winters are.
Figure 1 will give you some idea of what we were talking about. It shows the winter snowfall history from New York’s Central Park since the late 1800s.
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Figure 1. Winter snowfall totals from New York City’s Central Park.

Kudos to you if you can pick out the patterns formed by global warming. And if you can, please write them up for scientific publication somewhere. The world awaits the definitive answer.

In the meantime, don’t believe the hype." Chart via Cato from NCDC AccuWeather data.
via Climate Depot

=========================

Comment: I have a clear view up First Avenue in the 80's in Manhattan. As of 5:21AM there are only 3-4 inches of snow. 

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Added: Google removed text from this post that I'd copied and pasted from articles. As I was re-doing the post, my internet connection went dead. The post is still barely legible but links may still work for those interested. Google isn't happy about this post. Susan.





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Historic Blizzard Bust: First time in history entire NY City subway system closed due to snow-but blizzard never happened. Only a few inches in Manhattan. NY Gov. Cuomo said blizzard was proof of global warming. Lack of blizzard also reported to be proof of global warming

Slightly less mangled version of this post.
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1/27/15, "City at Standstill as Blizzard Strikes," NY1 News, Time Warner, 2:08AM EST

Chelsea, NYC, 2:08AM, NY1


"New York City is without public transportation this morning and non-emergency vehicles are banned from the roads in an unprecedented response to what's quickly become known as the Blizzard of 2015.

By midnight the storm had dumped almost half a foot of snow on Central Park, with more than six inches accumulating at La Guardia Airport. NY1 meteorologist John Davitt says he expects the storm to drop 12 to 18 inches or more on the city by morning, with the National Weather Service calling for up to 30 inches of accumulation. 



The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and Port Authority shut down all transit operations to the public at 11 p.m., and non-emergency vehicles are currently banned from city roads as a result of the storm.

Included in the shutdown are all subways, buses, Metro-North trains, Long Island Rail Road trains and PATH trains, making this the first time that the entire subway system has been closed to the public due to snow – although many trains are continuing to run empty to keep the tracks clear.


Officials say it's unlikely subway service will be restored in time for the morning commute.


"Let's see when the storm stops, and we'll start cleaning up the system," said MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast. "And we'll work as fast as we can to be able to restore the service, but right now, we're telling people don't count on us for that time period."

The system was previously shut down during Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 

On the streets, the vehicular traffic ban has left roads deserted except for plows and official vehicles. Authorities say non-emergency vehicles caught out on the roads will be issued a summons and given a fine of up to $300.


The bulk of the snow is expected to arrive before 10 a.m. Tuesday, although the National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning through Tuesday at midnight.

Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia says crews will face 2 to 4 inches of snow per hour at times.


Public schools will be closed Tuesday, all canceled regents exams have been rescheduled for Thursday. Those regents include Global History and Geography, Integrated Algebra, Comprehensive Testing in Writing and Mathematics for special education students.


The Archdiocese of New York says its schools in the boroughs of Manhattan, Bronx and Staten Island will also be closed on Tuesday.

All CUNY schools will be closed Tuesday, though essential employees are expected to go to work.


The city has deployed 15 homeless outreach teams and is encouraging homeless New Yorkers to go to shelters during the storm. The shelters will be open to anyone who might be left stranded in the snow. 

New Yorkers are urged to call 311 for help, and 911 only in the case of life threatening emergencies.


The Visiting Nurse Service of New York is checking in on the homebound to make sure they have enough medication, water, blankets, batteries, and non-perishable food for a few days. 


They say that seniors are at epecially high-risk for dehydration when the heat is turned on high. 


Those in need of assistance can contact the Visiting Nurse Service at 1-800-675-0391 or at vsny.org.


Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a state of emergency for all New York City counties ahead of the storm, National Guardsman were stationed throughout the city and Long Island.  


The governor urged New Yorkers to put their safety first and avoid traveling on city roads and highways, adding that it is "not an evening or night to be out."

All Port Authority bridges closed at 11 p.m. Monday and will remain so until further notice.


Both the governor and mayor warned everyone not to underestimate the power of the storm.

The city Office of Emergency Management says all agencies have increased their staffing for the blizzard conditions, including 311 and 911 operators.  OEM says they are not expecting any flooding immediately after the storm since the temperatures will be in the 20s when it stops. 

They also advise construction companies to stop their work until the storm passes for safety precautions. 




He says the storm is unpredictable but he urges people to stay off the roads because of conditions he says will be "treacherous."

The city closed all city parks as of 6 p.m.


Courts will be closed Tuesday in New York City and on Long Island, as well as in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.

Alternate side parking is suspended through Wednesday.  Garbage and recycling collections will also be suspended.

Anyone with a heat or hot water problem should call 311.


At area airports, more than 4,000 flights were canceled on Monday. All flights at LaGuardia are canceled Tuesday, and there will be only limited service at JFK.


Nearly every major airline in the U.S. and Canada is waiving change fees for customers flying to the Northeast.  The details vary by airline, with most allowing passengers flying to or through the Northeast to make one itinerary change without paying the standard change fee.


Air travelers should check with their individual carrier before heading to the airport.


Amtrak is warning riders about possible service disruptions. To check on your reservation and any service changes, call 800-872-7245 or go online to www.amtrak.com.




The snow postponed both the Knicks game at Madison Square Garden and the Nets game at Barclays Center on Monday.  The Knicks game has been rescheduled for March 3, while the Nets game is rescheduled for April 6.


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"Andrew Cuomo says frequency of extreme weather, such as hurricane Sandy and current blizzard sweeping across north-east, ‘is a pattern never seen before’"
.. 
"Massive snowstorms such as the one sweeping into the US north-east on Monday are “part of the changing climate”,
New York’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, declared at a press conference announcing a state of emergency.


Cuomo said on Monday that “there is a pattern of extreme weather that we’ve never seen before” – reiterating his comments in the wake of hurricane Sandy, when he said that “anyone who says there’s not a dramatic change in weather patterns is probably denying reality.”
“We have to find ways to build this city back stronger and better than every before,” the governor said in 2012.
Despite the protestations of climate change deniers that extreme cold weather must mean global warming is not real, a single storm cannot be taken as evidence of anything with regard to climate: weather is not the climate
But Cuomo was referring to how increasingly intense storms fit “a pattern of extreme weather” – and that pattern evinces the reality of climate change. As the globe continues to heat up over the long term – 2014 was the hottest year on earth since human beings started keeping records – more and more energy enters the atmosphere, charging it for extreme events. 
The atmosphere’s qualities vary hugely around the world – depending on geography, weather events like El Niño and the interaction of other factors. So the outcome of what all that charged energy actually does can vary from year to year, too. But one of the most likely consequences of this buildup of energy is a pattern of extreme weather events: not necessarily more storms, hurricanes, droughts and blizzards, but a pattern of increasingly dangerous and intense weather events.
Climate change could actually lead to more blizzards and less snow, since a warm atmosphere – full of energy and moisture soaked up by all that charged air – dumps more snow in brief, severe bursts. 
So while overall accumulation of snow may decrease, the frequency of intense storms may increase. This looks especially likely to happen as areas where snow should fall, in places like the Arctic, Andes glaciers and mountains around the world, rapidly lose snow due to global warming; and then that same snow deluges another part of the world as a brutal rain or snowstorm. 
Like a broken pendulum swinging from one extreme to another, faster each year and increasingly threatening to break off on the hot side of the continuum, climate change could produce increasingly severe weather events every year: not just hurricanes and droughts but unstable polar wind systems let loose on the east coast by heat, cold “bomb cyclones” striking Texas, and torrential rain in the south-east while California dries out completely.
Extreme precipitation – a weather event – is hard to link directly to climate change, but Cuomo has a viable point: cold weather records decrease every year, even as evidence quickly mounts that the heat in the atmosphere is making storms more intense and making both the climate and the weather more chaotic." via Climate Depot

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Blizzard or no blizzard both prove no global warming.



1/26/15, "Repeating News Story: Global Warming To Make Blizzards Worse," cato.org, Paul C. "Chip" Knappenberger and Patrick J. Michaels


"Over the next couple of days, as the Nor’easter honing in on the New England coast matures and eventually unleashes its winter storm fury, you are going to be subject to a lot of global warming hype.

After all, the climate change alarmist credo is: let no extreme weather event pass without pointing out that it is “consistent with” climate change caused by human industrial society.

The push has already begun.

But this time around, the pushback is also well-prepared.

While the “curator” of the Washington Post’s newly-minted online “Energy and Environment” section Chris Mooney tells us in his article that global warming may make blizzards worse by increasing the temperature of the western Atlantic ocean and thereby increasing the moisture feed into the developing storm, meteorologist Ryan Maue is quick to point out that just the opposite is likely the result—that the elevated sea surface temperatures actually act to make such storms tamer.

Maue goes on to add that it is easy to make case that global warming weakened this blizzard significantly due to warmer [sea surface temperatures].”

While Ryan is probably being a bit optimistic here, the reality is that this blizzard (in fact pretty much all storm events) are the result of a very complex system of physical interactions—the precise behavior of each one of which is not completely understood, much less perfectly predictable. This makes ascertaining the influence of human-caused climate change virtually (if not entirely) impossible.

Blizzards affecting New York City are perfect examples of this.

A couple years back, during another New York City blizzard, we looked at some of the confounding factors at play in determining how much it snows in Central Park. Our conclusion after reviewing the cases for both more and less snowfall there?

 Which leaves natural variability as the primary driver of just how white New York City’s winters are.
Figure 1 will give you some idea of what we were talking about. It shows the winter snowfall history from New York’s Central Park since the late 1800s.





Figure 1. Winter snowfall totals from New York City’s Central Park.

Kudos to you if you can pick out the patterns formed by global warming. And if you can, please write them up for scientific publication somewhere. The world awaits the definitive answer.

In the meantime, don’t believe the hype." Chart via Cato from NCDC AccuWeather data. via Climate Depot

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Comment: I have a clear view up First Avenue in the 80's in Manhattan. As of 5:21AM there are only 3-4 inches of snow. 



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Added: Text I originally copied and pasted from articles was removed by google. This has been happening for many years. As I was trying to re-do the post, my internet connection went dead. I have similar experiences when posting on wordpress.






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I'm the daughter of a World War II Air Force pilot and outdoorsman who settled in New Jersey.