Samantha Pierce

Christmas eve edition! Today I am thankful for/that: The new hoopty handles real nice in the snow. What are you thankful for?

I know lots of you are packing up the kids and heading over the river and through the woods to grandma's. When you get there or while you're on the way take a listen to this. Grandmas and grandpas out there it would be a good idea for you lot to take a listen too. Here's to a harmonious family Christmas. "What Do You Want from Me?" Surviving the In-Laws Psychologist Has Answers Love. Compatibility. Money. Attraction. These are what lovers consider when they decide to tie the knot. In-laws are usually the last thing on their minds. Yet, dealing with your significant other's family can be an everlasting quest…and it can be a factor that helps determine the duration of the marriage. British psychologist Terri Apter has found herself scrambling to deal with some of the very situations she counsels others about. She talks with host Mike Cuthbert about how she maintains a healthy relationship with her in-laws, and what she suggests to others. She’s conducted a study...

Better late than never. This week I am thankful for/that: My warm new leak free winter boots. My super warm duvet, don't even need any blankets with that bad boy. That lovely furnace that keeps churning out all of that warm air (we or course going to ignore the heating bill for the moment). Ethan's conversations with Santa as relayed by his spec ed teacher today. Apparently Santa has his cell phone number (no he doesn't really have a phone) and has promised him a special surprise for the invaluable service that Ethan has rendered to him. The Christmas surprise that Sophia made for me that I'm not allowed to see yet but she couldn't resist informing me of its existence. A good night's sleep. Friends to laugh/cry with as necessary. Second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh chances etc. What are you thankful for?

Hilarious commentary (to me anyway) from Tim Blair on the race politics of climategate: Robert James Taylor of the National Black News Journal : Blacks should not join the global warming battle or accept new taxes or restrictions on their lives until the truth about global warming is actually known. I dream of a day when this freedom is also granted to whites. More from the Taylor article: The CRU is the Climate Research Unit at the University of East Anglia near Norwich, England. The CRU is populated by British and American scientists who more than any other group in the world has been responsible for the computer models and measurements upon which the bulk of global warming predictions are based. Indeed, President Obama was in Copenhagen this week pushing an anti-global warming agenda based largely on CRU data. There is just one problem: Global warming has actually stopped. Yes, the planet’s mean temperature did rise for at least 30 consecutive years but somewhere around the ...

Today I am thankful for/that: Yesterday was Wednesday and today is Thursday and I did not forget to go to dance class as I thought when I woke up at 1:20AM this morning. The gleeful squeals of children making tracks in the snow. Central heating. No cavities for the kids during their latest dentist appointments. Friends. Freedom. Baby Pierce version 5.0 due out in June 2010. Plus so little morning sickness that I was tempted to ask doc if he hadn't been mistaken. What are you thankful for?

Today I am thankful for/that: The joy of the children over Christmas. Reminders from the children about the true meaning of Christmas. It's nice to know that they've been paying attention. Bedtime quiet. Laughter. Friendship. What are you thankful for?

I'm starting to feel like one of those gawkers who turn out to see how bad the three car pile up is. Anyway, Pajamas Media has put together a climategate database for you to peruse and comment on at your leisure. Here are a couple of interesting reads, Global warming consensus: garbage in, garbage out and Climategate and Scientific Journal Chicanery Reading the comments section of just about any article on global warming climate change policy is particularly amusing these days since the articles almost universally ignore the unfolding climategate scandal but it keeps cropping up in the comments sections of these articles. This story amusingly tries to make the argument that CRU scientists and their contacts trying to keep papers that have differing conclusions from their own from being published was actually an attempt to protect the public from "junk" science, Stolen E-Mails Raise Questions On Climate Research . In this case "junk" science being anything tha...