jasons2k wrote: ↑Fri Jul 28, 2023 9:50 am
DoctorMu wrote: ↑Fri Jul 28, 2023 12:07 am
Disclosure: I used to be a Republican, but am now a political ideological atheist and pragmatist. In the end, the problem solving should drive public policy.
Same for me. I don’t need to go into details but in the last 4-6 years the grand old party has jumped the shark. Reason and critical thinking has vacated the premises.
I heard an interesting speech by Andrew Yang at a conference in June. He is a fascinating guy. I don’t endorse a lot of his ideas but the main point of his presentation is that neither party works for us. We are a uniparty system behind closed doors. Neither party or “side” wants to actually solve problems. They would rather perpetuate problems to stoke emotions for one purpose: to raise campaign funds and get re-elected. It’s the only system in the world where the approval ratings are in the teens but the Congressional re-election rate is 96%
Why? They stoke anger, cater to their base on camera to raise money to get re-elected. That’s all they care about. They are completely different people on camera versus how they wheel and deal with their colleagues in private.
It also helps that as you get older and wiser and more confident in yourself, you realize that you disagree with about half the platform on both sides. Anyone who supports one party 100% on every single issue has been brainwashed and should read more. Be pragmatic. Think. Most of the crap on TV and talk radio is pure propaganda crap to get you emotionally invested, so that you keep coming back for more. Don’t fall for it. Be wiser. Read peer-reviewed articles instead of some yahoo online pushing supplements or Armageddon supplies for your bunker in the hills.
Hammer, meet nail. This is exactly it. Politics is today a machine for raising $$, not solving problems and ergo the fear of making themselves "obsolete." It's kabuki theater. I heard there are a couple of countries in Europe that pay their pols by the economic and other markers of national performance. Actual accountability.
Neither party or “side” wants to actually solve problems. They would rather perpetuate problems to stoke emotions for one purpose: to raise campaign funds and get re-elected. It’s the only system in the world where the approval ratings are in the teens but the Congressional re-election rate is 96%
Back to the weather. We remain on the NE edge of the ridge with the greatest weakness about August 8. 20-40% chance or rain in the long-term forecast around that time.
Saharan dust has squashed recent rain chances north of Houston as the sea breeze fizzled out around Hempstead.
We're probably headed to Minnesota about August 10th until football and the fall semester begin. 20°F cooler per the long range forecast. I can go for that!
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Houston/Galveston TX
1207 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023
...New AVIATION...
.SHORT TERM...
(Today through Saturday Night)
Issued at 350 AM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023
An inverted upper level trough will move over the SW Gulf into
Northern Mexico, and will nudge the ridge that dominated the
synoptic pattern further west. This will allow 500mb heights to
lower, resulting in slightly cooler temperatures. Additionally,
shortwaves will move across the region during the short-term period;
however, the Saharan Dust plume will continue to limit cloud
development as the mid-upper levels remain fairly dry. Though,
Southeast TX will generally remain on the drier side today and
tomorrow, pockets of higher PWAT values (1.5-1.8") coupled with the
shortwaves and the afternoon sea/bay breeze will lead to isolated
showers and thunderstorms. Highest chances, again, remain generally
over the Gulf waters and the islands in the morning and south of I-
10 during the afternoon hours.
Temperatures during the day will be in the upper 80s to near 100.
Nighttime will feature warm and humid conditions, with temperatures
in the upper 70s to low 80s.
Adams
&&
.LONG TERM...
(Sunday through Thursday)
Issued at 350 AM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023
Broad mid/upper ridging situated over the Southern Plains will help
to keep hot and humid conditions in place over SE TX during the be-
ginning of the week. And there may not be much change with the over
all forecast heading into the week as this system settles in/around
the ArKLATX region through much of next week. So, per this prevail-
ing subsident pattern, widespread highs in/near triple digits are a
decent bet. Additionally, when paired with slowly increasing moist-
ure levels, this should add up to increasing elevated heat indicies
through this package. Based on these progs, Heat Advisories will be
possible as early as Sun, but most likely starting on Mon.
As for rain chances, will keep the best POPs for the coastal waters
and counties around mid week as elevated PWs (~2") move in from the
east. Long-range models are hinting that the strong ridge aloft may
start weakening by the end of the week, but given the trends so far
this summer, not exactly counting on it at this time. 41
&&
.AVIATION...
(18Z TAF Issuance)
Issued at 1203 PM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023
Isolated showers with a few storms will continue for terminals
from IAH coastward through late this afternoon. South to southeast
winds around 10 to 15 knots will be possible through sunset. Then,
light and variable winds can be expected through mid Saturday
morning. Otherwise, VFR conditions are expected through the
period.
JM
&&
.MARINE...
Issued at 350 AM CDT Fri Jul 28 2023
Will keep with the generally quiet forecast through the weekend and
into next week as light to occasionally moderate onshore winds pre-
vail. Seas will remain in the 1-3 ft range. Showers/isolated storms
will be possible in the bays and Gulf waters during the morning and
early afternoon hours but rain chances should trending down heading
into next week as an high pressure builds into the area. 41
&&
.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
College Station (CLL) 99 77 100 78 / 0 0 0 0
Houston (IAH) 97 77 99 79 / 20 0 10 0
Galveston (GLS) 90 82 90 81 / 20 20 20 0
&&