WAIT, WAIT, YOU MEAN THERE WAS GLOBAL WARMING BEFORE? - AT 7:13 P.M. ET:  Yes, Virginia, there was global warming earlier.  And it's one of the reasons why the "global warming community" owes us a far more respectful, detailed examination of the issue today, rather than the "we know best" attitude that has antagonized so many Americans.  From AFP:

A surge in sunshine more than 60 years ago helped Swiss mountain glaciers melt faster than today, even though warmer average temperatures are being recorded now, Swiss researchers said Monday.

Their study into the impact of solar radiation on Alpine glaciers made the "surprising discovery" that in the 1940s, and especially summer 1947, the ice floes lost the most ice since measurements begin 95 years ago, according to Zurich's Federal Institute of Technology (ETHZ).

Yet, average temperatures have been rising in the past two decades and scientists have said glacier melt is accelerating at unprecedented levels under the impact of climate change.

"The surprising thing is that this paradox can be explained relatively easily with radiation," said one the ETHZ researchers, Matthias Huss, in the university's online review.

And...

A phase of less sunshine -- global dimming -- from the 1950s to 1980s also corresponded with the advance in the snout of glaciers.

COMMENT:  Look, there is climate change.  There's always been climate change.  Yes, there's been some warming, and human actions may play a role.  But many thoughtful people, including leading scientists, are far from convinced that human factors are the main cause, or that changes in human behavior can have that much effect.  These are the issues that must be sorted out by good science, not political science.

The global warming crowd has pretty much blown it with arrogance and sanctimony.  The majority of Americans have turned into skeptics.  They're being asked to pay a huge price for what many see as a set of unproved theories.

The global warming advocates should be challenged, not pampered.  It can begin with some tough challenges from the mainstream media.

December 14,  2009