I’ve been patient. I’ve actually physically bit my tongue in public to avoid starting something. I am a firecracker with just a few layers of protective shielding to keep those around me intact if there is a bit of a spark, but with flames all around right now, I can’t save you from my opinion any longer.

I’ll start it out as plainly as I can muster: people who believe that global warming is purely caused by man’s activities, humans are like a cancer on the planet, and that there is no other reason why temperatures are rising (debatable) are crackpot whackos that need to be sedated and educated before their own stupidity causes their demise.

Now that I’ve got that out of my system, let’s get down to the facts of the matter, and start with public opinion on the whole global warming issue. I subscribe to Wired magazine and my jaw hit the floor as I read these poll reports from Wired readers. 80% of those polled are somewhat to very concerned about global warming and a full 43% believe that global warming has played a major role in recent extreme weather. For pure facts, reports, scientific data, and op-ed pieces by major players in the scientific community who do not subscribe to the global warming scare, the best compendium of links I know of is Todd Schnitt’s Global Warming page at Schnitt’s Global Warming Files from the Tampa radio station, 970 WFLA, also heard on XM.

That is a scary indicator of the intelligence of the general public, but this next item is typically self-centered, and a major reason why this whole issue has become a hotbed controversy. Fifty-eight percent of those polled say they have done their fair share to reduce global warming, but feel that 85% of the rest of people have not done their fair share. Me, me, me. I, I, I. You suck. You don’t know it, but you do. You bonehead. If 85% of you think you’ve done enough, then there is only 15% left to pick on, so back off! Call off the dogs, the press, the blogs, the legislation, and all of the other crap going on to inconvenience everyone.

The press and activists are taking this to a religious level, persecuting those who have a different view of the planet. Just because Al Gore says something doesn’t make him right. He invented the Internet, remember? Have you stopped to consider that nearly everyone pushing “green” solutions to everything have a monetary interest in the success of those programs? It’s their JOB to be successful in getting you to believe whatever it is they say. Look behind the bills, “green” solutions like the carbon footprint buyouts, and fundraising companies. I’m sure they are all pure in their motives. Every last one of them. What they are doing is gaining enough momentum to swing popular belief their direction and make their wild claims valid by popularity alone.

It’s not going to work on me, and it shouldn’t work on you.

I’m getting sick of the public service announcements on my local radio stations about the “click it or ticket” law in Florida. Today I read that former Senator, now Governor Corzine from New Jersey has an ad out about buckling up. Has common sense left us all?

Who has not seen the crash test dummies going through windshields? Everyone over the age of 12 knows when a car set in motion suddenly stops, the contents of the car continue forward at the same speed prior to the sudden stop. I sure don’t want to hit the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield at 60, let along 91mph!!

What he needs to say in his commercial is: “I’m Governor Corzine and I’m a flipping idiot for letting my driver drive 91mph and didn’t buckle up. In fact, I usually don’t buckle up, despite being educated and worth over $100 million.”

No amount of legislation is going to deter stupid people from doing stupid things. Florida got rid of the motorcycle helmet law a few years ago. Despite my mom’s and my concerns about riding a bike in Tampa, 2 years ago my dad bought a Kawasaki Concours. He’s ridden for years, so it wasn’t his driving we were concerned about. It is the other guy. Two months ago, he was involved in an accident on his bike while riding with others, and because he was wearing full body armor and a helmet, he got away with a broken wrist, torn thumb ligament, and a skin burn on his elbow from his jacket’s elbow pad. Had he not been wearing a helmet, he’d be dead. Had he not been wearing armor, he’d be a human raspberry.

Every day, I see joy riders around riding without shirts, helmets, wearing shorts, jeans, and windbreakers. The biggest idiots, though, are the ones with the helmet on the helmet lock on the back seat riding with the wind in their hair.

What laws or movements are going on where you live that are driving you bonkers?