November 30

Sunny so far this morning but not expected to stay that way. We got a surprise looking at our calendar--we don't have any appointments between now and January 4 when I have to see my dentist for a cleaning. That is very unusual. And it is the last day of November. Tomorrow starts meteorological winter. Astronomical winter starts with the Winter Solstice around the 20 or 21 of December.

So the news last night reported the death of Henry Kissinger at 100 and what an eventful century it has been. The reporters noted that he was one third of a very influential trio: Kissinger, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Madeleine Albright. Interesting that they came from the same "neighborhood:" Albright from East Germany; Brzezinski from Poland, and Kissinger from pre-WWII Germany.

The New York Times reports this morning that the Biden Administration will propose new standards for lead levels that will require the removal of lead water pipes nation wide. After the problems with lead in water in various places in the country over the last few years that would be welcome. But I can see a couple of problems. First, only about $15billion would be available through the Infrastructure Act. The rest of the $20-30billion would have to be on the utility companies which probably means the rate payers. I can hear the howls of pain already. Second, the regulations will come through the EPA. But there is a case before the Supreme Court that could upend any agency's power to set and enforce such standards.

Erin Brockovich boils down the Fifth National Climate Assessment Report. It isn't pretty and it is expensive.