Misc Winter Babble

     It has not been as cold here as in the midwest, but the temperature will not be going above 32F until January 8th, which  will have been about two weeks. Some people of course confuse weather with climate and so try to debunk the global changes that are being measured by scientists, but weather extremes are part of their predictions and so here we are. These are some pics from recent walks I have taken, the lower two at Allegany State Park just across the border in New York. When the wind blows at 15F or less it is difficult to do more than a couple miles, but at 20 degrees and

sunshine the winter becomes a beautiful memory from childhood.
   My only political comment this blog is about the governments (..and I use that term to describe the Bush, the Obama and Trump administrations) intimidation of journalists. It has become common practice for the justice department to threaten and sue journalists in order to learn their sources, or as they call them their "leaks", but to me a free press is the foundation of our democracy. So to see people in power try to shut other people up for exposing the truth is just plain dangerous. I really don't why truth is held in such low regard
by some people but that seems to be the case, and generally such people hide behind lies and deceit in order to conceal what is unethical or immoral behavior. That is why I prefer scientists who at least Try to discover truth, and even when trying their best find Truth elusive.