The Slings and Arrows of outrageous Fortune,Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles…”
Cassi Creek: The year 2011 CE has been a year of
weather extremes. Ocean temperature
fluctuations, current shifts, polar ice caps melting nearly rapidly enough to
measure visually. Global warming has
diminished the Arctic ice pack by about 44% compared to only decades
previously. The long sought for
Northwest Passage is there if the vessels are powerful enough, heavily armored
enough to withstand compression of ice without popping seams; and if there are
sufficient and powerful enough icebreakers.
The U.S. Navy has no icebreakers available for active
duty. The U.S. Coast Guard has one on
active duty. Most other nations
bordering the Arctic Ocean have multiple icebreakers or are building them as rapidly
as possible.
The United States Navy typically becomes rapidly
underfunded, under-equipped, and is forced to catch up at the onset of any
demand for increased naval services. Given
the plans to develop Arctic resources by Arctic nations, we may well be facing
a “sea of troubles.”
This afternoon was spent doing maintenance on my weather
station. It should be all right for the
next 6 months now.
Dinner last night was Larb, a Thai salad/entrée featuring
chopped meat, lime juice, cilantro, mint, and shallots, served in lettuce
leaves. It was a common menu item when I
was in VietNam. We served it along with
grilled shrimp and satay sauce. Tonight
will be much simpler fare, hotdogs and beans.
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