Kansas University Helps Predict Climate Change

Bravo to the University of Kansas! Until now, attempts to gauge and measure the Greenland Ice Sheet have been unsuccessful, because glaciers are not only are big, but move quickly when they break away from ice sheets, and temperature differences between the surface and the core of a glacier create difficulty for radar to penetrate. On January 16, the Journal of Geophysical Research published that data and equipment developed by the University of Kansas and the Center for the Remote Sensing of Ice Sheets (CReSIS) had finally created the first comprehensive map of the Greenland Ice Sheet. Now we can determine how quickly ice melted during other eras of the earth's history and better understand and predict the role of disappearing glaciers in climate change. This data is expected to help us during the next fifty to one hundred years, as sea levels rise.

Stuff That Gets Downplayed In The News

Did anyone know that signaling other drivers by flashing one's headlights to warn of cops hiding with radar guns is protected speech, covered by the first amendment? In November of 2012, Michael Elli of Missouri decided to fight a ticket in court for doing just that, instead of paying the $1000.00 fine. When the local court realized he was going to fight the ticket, arguing first amendment rights and freedom of speech, the case was dropped. But Elli had already filed suit, and the ACLU had already gotten behind him, so the lawsuit went forward. On February 3, a federal judge ruled in favor of Elli. This means that any police officer who tickets a person for flashing car headlights to warn other drivers of a speed trap is interfering with constitutional rights.

While this does not seem monumental, it has huge impact on the entire nation, because this case sets a precedent. It is a very important statement, and a decisive victory for speech and freedom of expression protected by the first amendment. A federal court has, in effect, just told the entire nation's police departments to back off and leave the people alone. Isn't it interesting that none of the local or national media have spoken more on the subject? Why might that be?

The case is styled Elli v. Ellisville, and can be perused, copied, and quoted. Personally, I can't wait to see more people stand up for their rights. Anyone who does not stand up for his or her rights is also failing to stand up for the Constitution. Reporting on the outcomes of cases such as this should not be a problem for the media, either.