Global Fluctuations?

In my previous blog about global warming, I wrote about how I was introduced to the idea of global warming through my personal experiences and realizations. I didn't even mention greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, or any other of the many details that are resulting from our consumption and habitation here on planet Earth. Just a simple explanation as to why it makes sense to me from a basic logical and practical perspective.

On the other side of the coin though, Drudge recently linked to an article from a Canadian climatologist, who stated that global warming is a big hoax and gave a lengthy explanation to back up his claim. Neal Boortz (a favorite talk show host of mine - his daily news page is in my link list) has also been saying that global warming is a lie from the onset of the fervor for it, and on 2/2/07 he posted a long list of reasons as to why he believes this.

There are many other recent and convincing links that oppose the idea of man-made global warming as well, including the following:

• This petition, signed by over 17,000 people in various scientific fields, all opposing the concept of man's actions having a significant negative impact on our climate.
  
• This article on 2/10/07 about the cosmic rays of the Sun causing more harm than all of man's efforts.
• This article on 2/12/07 by MSNBC's George Will, that outlines some of the general climate fluctuations over an extended period of history and also condemns the Kyoto treaty.
• Thomas Sowell (one of my favorite commentators) wrote an informative three piece article, linked here (part I), here (part II), and here (part III).
  

So, while I can grasp and agree with the concepts of global warming, I can also understand and have a difficult time disagreeing with the many convincing opinions on the dissenting end of the subject, and more importantly the facts that accompany them. And I definitely disagree with the panic and doomsday scenarios being painted by the advocates of the global warming movement.

So if I can comprehend and agree with both sides of the issue, then am I somehow sitting on both sides of the fence? Either man is causing irreparable harm to the planet and we're all doomed, or it's a big fat farce. So which is it? Well, I think I will actually have to write a part 3 on the topic, which will arrive at the compelling (hopefully, but not likely) conclusion of what my final opinion actually is. Stay tuned!