With his tongue planted firmly in his cheek, the author of the blog Balkinization comments on a report that the idea of interfering with sunlight should be included in the summary for policymakers in the upcoming report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (No, I am not making this up: Read the Sydney Morning Herald Article "US urges scientists to block out sun" to hear the Bush Administration's take on this.)Read the full commentary here.
Friends Bob and Brian have also reminded me that the Bush Administration didn't originate this idea: It appeared on The Simpsons episode "Who Shot Mr. Burns?" as revealed in this excerpt of the episode transcript:
Smithers: Well, Sir, you've certainly vanquished all your enemies: the Elementary School, the local tavern, the old age home...you must be very proud.
Burns: [stuffing money into his wallet] No, not while my greatest nemesis still provides our customers with free light, heat and energy. I call this enemy...the sun. [throws a switch; a control panel appears at his desk] [another button slides the floor off a model of Springfield] Since the beginning of time man has yearned to destroy the sun. I will do the next best thing...block it out! [another button raises a shield over the model town]
Smithers: Good God!--
Burns: Imagine it, Smithers: electrical lights and heaters running all day long!
Smithers: But Sir! Every plant and tree will die, owls will deafen us with incessant hooting...the town's sundial will be useless. I don't want any part of this project, it's unconscionably fiendish.
Burns: I will not suffer your insubordination. There has been a shocking decline in the quality and quantity of your toadying, Waylon. And you will fall into line, now!
Smithers: [pained] No...no, Monty, I won't. Not until you step back from the brink of insanity.
Burns: I'll do no such thing. You're fired!
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