ARCTIC ICE MELTS TO LOWEST LEVEL EVER

The Survival Of The Polar Bear May Be In Peril

Updated (Sep. 23, 2012): Scary forecasts come true.

NASA and the National Snow and Ice Data Center announced today that a new record has been set this summer in the Arctic: The sea ice in the Arctic Ocean has shrunk to the smallest size ever observed by humans on August 26th, at about 4.09 million square kilometers (1.58 million square miles). According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center, this phenomenon is considered a strong signal of long-term climate warming.

Updated (Sep. 3, 2015): World looks like this if all ice melted.

This summer, about 38,000 square miles of ice have been melting per day since June. And it is expected that the Arctic will lose an additional 60,000 square miles of sea ice every summer – that's about the size of the State of Georgia. Some scientists believe that by 2020, all the ice in the Arctic will be gone in the summer time. This shows that the "alarmists" among the scientific community in the past were totally correct.

~ Will all the ice melt away by 2020?

As less and less white snow and ice exist to reflect the Sun's rays, and at the same time as more and more dark water exists to absorb the sunlight, global warming may become accelerated. This in turn may cause global sea levels to rise as the snow and ice on land also melt and flow into the ocean. But lest we forget that humans are indeed the main cause of Climate Change. According to world-renowned geologist Richard Alley, the direct inverse relationship between the rise of carbon dioxide and the decline of oxygen in our atmosphere is proof that Global Warming is caused by the burning of fossil fuels.

(Click on image to enlarge.) ~ Atmospheric CO2 concentration from 400,000 years ago to now.

~ It's us, humans, who are causing Global Warming.

The World Wildlife Fund points out that this situation in the Arctic has dire consequences for wildlife from shrimps to walruses to polar bears. Polar bears may become stranded in the ocean, unable to find ice to climb onto in order to reach land; and walruses are losing their habitat. In addition, as shipping and exploration become more and more accessible for humans, their presence in the Arctic may cause irreparable damage to a fragile environment that a whole slew of land and marine species rely on to survive.

~ Starving polar bear finally finds ice.

[Updated Insert - May 16, 2013: Study: 97% Agreement On Man-made Global Warming, click here.]

~ Koch brothers funded research proving Global Warming!!


* * *
UPDATE: Arctic Ice Drops To New Record Low

(September 25, 2012) Just twenty-one days since the last record was made on August 26, a new record was reach on September 16, 2012. The Arctic sea ice dropped to a historic low of 3.42 million square kilometers or 1.32 million square miles, click here.

~ September 16th the worst day ever.

UPDATE: 2012 Hottest Year Ever In The U.S.

(Jan 10, 2013) On November 29th, 2012, scientists reported that both polar ice caps are melting three times faster than they had thought. And in a report a few days ago, 2012 was the hottest year in the United States on record – and the second most tumultuous in history.

~ Global sea levels will rise.

~ 2012 was the hottest year ever in the U.S.

UPDATE: Polar Bears Are Starving To Death

(August 7, 2013) Due to Climate Change, many polar bears are dying of starvation. This is because polar bears hunt for seals and other prey by waiting on floating sea ice; they would dive into the water from the ice after they spotted their prey beneath the surface. As there are now less and less pieces of floating sea ice, many polar bears are trapped on land, starving to death. And when they do find sea ice on which to hunt from, they might find themselves far adrift from both land and other sea ice; and when they try to go ashore by swimming from sea ice to sea ice, they might find none and become stranded in the ocean and drown. News item: "Polar Bear Starves To Death From Climate Change, Scientists Say," click here.

~ No ice = no food.

Because polar bears are at the top of the food chain, their drop in numbers may have profound effects on the ecosystems of the Arctic. Without the sufficient culling of seals, sea lions, and other marine mammals by polar bears, their populations may explode and their over-consumption of fish, crustaceans, and other lifeforms may destroy the bio-diversity of Arctic waters.

UPDATE: "Global Warming A Total Fraud": GOP Rep.

(August 13, 2013) Read the latest update on the shenanigans in Washington in regard to Global Warming, click here.

UPDATE: Robert Redford Attacks Keystone XL Pipeline

(September 18, 2013) Read the latest update on the Keystone XL pipeline, click here.

UPDATE: Arctic Ice Grew By 30% – Global Cooling?

(September 21, 2013) Read the latest article on the Global Warming debate, click here.

UPDATE: U.N. Climate Report Spells Disaster

(October 6, 2013) Read our article on the 2013 report from the United Nation's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (I.P.C.C.), click here.

UPDATE: U.N.'s Health Arm Links Pollution To Cancer

(October 18, 2013) Read our latest update about the World Health Organization's new report, click here.

UPDATE: Obama Likely To Approve Keystone XL

(April 14, 2014) Did you know America is poised to be the world's biggest carbon-based fuel producer by 2015? Read our latest article on the Keystone XL pipeline and the Canadian tar sands, click here.

UPDATE: Gov't Report: Climate Change Has Arrived

(May 6, 2014) Read our latest update about the Obama Administration's Third National Climate Assessment. Climate Change is here, click here.

UPDATE: Antarctic Glaciers Irreversibly Melting Away

(May 13, 2014) Read our latest update on how the melting of Antarctica may raise sea levels by 13 feet! Click here.

UPDATE: U.S. To Cut CO2 Emissions By 1/3 In 15 Yrs.

(June 4, 2014) Read our latest article on how the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) will crack down on coal in the U.S. Also, learn about what the People's Republic of China is doing to the world’s environment! Click here.

UPDATE: Oil Crash Could End Fracking & Oil Sands

(December 19, 2014) Read our article on how the drop in oil prices can destroy shale and tar sands oil, click here.

UPDATE: Mini Ice Age Coming In 2030: Scientists

(July 19, 2015) Read our article on how solar activity changes the Earth's climate, click here.

UPDATE: Nuclear Power Is Best For Climate Change

(August 20, 2015) Read our article on why nuclear power is the only realistic way to cut out all carbon, click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- Nuclear Power Is Best For Climate Change Click here.
- Mini Ice Age Coming In 2030: Scientists Click here.
- Oil Crash Could End Fracking & Oil Sands Click here.
- U.S. To Cut CO2 Emissions By 1/3 In 15 Yrs. Click here.
- Obama Likely To Approve Keystone XL Click here.
- U.N. Climate Report Spells Disaster Click here.
- Arctic Ice Grew By 30% – Global Cooling? Click here.
- Keystone Pipeline Would Be A Disaster Click here.
- Rick Perry Calls Global Warming A Hoax Click here.
- Climate-Change Deniers Gain In Congress Click here.
- Palin Blames "Greenies" For BP Oil Spill Click here.

CNN CALLS SPCA INTERNATIONAL A SCAM

Don't Let Scammers Exploit Your Generosity!

There is nothing lower than a bunch of douche-bags exploiting the suffering of helpless animals to scam kindhearted people out of their hard-earned money. But according to CNN reporter Drew Griffin, that’s exactly what SPCA International is doing.

~ At the center of it all is fundraiser Quadriga Art Inc.

As far as we can gather at FrogBook.com, this type of racket involves flogging very sympathetic causes, such as suffering animals or disabled veterans (or a combination of the two in the case of SPCA International’s "Baghdad Pups" program). With emotional images and pathetic stories that tug at your heartstrings, millions of dollars in donations would be raised; but instead of going to the entities they are supposed to help, the money is almost entirely pocketed by the people who operate the “charity” involved and by a fundraising/direct-mail company called Quadriga Art Inc. And according to the U.S. Supreme Court, this is all legal!

~ Not just puppies, but veterans are also pawns in an evil scheme.

There is perhaps a crowding-out effect operating here. After SPCA International took in the $26 million in donations from animal-lovers, these same people will now have less money for other legitimate animal charities that really need it. But worst of all, this scandal may have compromised the reputations of – and future funding for – real charities with similar sounding names and abbreviations. One such charity is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelly to Animals (ASPCA); for many years, this and other animal welfare organizations have faithfully served countless communities throughout the United States and around the world (other examples include the SPCA of Texas and the Canadian SPCA, just to name a few). In fact, perhaps all charities in general have more or less been irreparably damaged by this abomination as people become more cynical.

~ Animals still need your donations, but be diligent.

However, we must not let a group of low-lives cheat our money or scare us away from acts of philanthropy. Before you ever give a penny, always be cognizant of the EXACT name of the charity in question (and don't be fooled by copycat logos) and check it out by going to a website like CharityNavigator.org. And if you ever get cold-calls or mailings asking you for money, always inquire if they have anything to do with Quadriga Art Inc. If the answer is yes, hang up.


* * *
UPDATE: CNN Report: "Cancer Charity Rip-Off"

(June 15, 2013) According to CNN's Drew Griffin, not only are animals and veterans being used as bait to solicit money from kindhearted but uninformed people. Now, even cancer is on the table as a trick to tug at your heartstrings.

As consumers, we must not give questionable charities a penny. The longer we keep them in business (and that's not just a figure of speech), the more their scandals will inflict harm on ALL legitimate charities that really need your money as people become wary. Rule-of-thumb: always be suspicious of direct-mail and phone solicitation. Always deal with long-established and reputable charities. Always check out the background of charities you are not familiar with. The Internet is a great place to do your research. Always visit the websites of charity watchdogs, such as CharityNavigator.org and others.

Also, see CNN's report on "The 50 Worst Charities," click here.

~ Making big $$$ off of the misery of cancer.

UPDATE: Making Big $$$ Off Of Sick & Dying Kids

(August 27, 2013) Puppies, veterans, cancer sufferers, and now sick and dying children – all used to make millions of dollars by unethical charities. And Kids Wish Network is considered America's absolute worst charity by CNN and the Tampa Bay Times. Only 3% of the money they raised went to sick and dying kids. The founder of this charity is also the person who controls or owns some of the fund-raising companies that work for Kids Wish Network.

~ Worst charity in America. Scum of the earth.

All the millions of dollars that go to these so-called "charities" are the money that are not going to real charities that really help animals and people. Email reports such as those by CNN to everyone you know; use Facebook, Twitter, blogs, and other social media to combat these selfish operators. Lawmakers should force all charities to publish on all their literature the percentage of the money raised that actually goes to the cause involved. This would create competition among all charities to become more efficient.

UPDATE: Pat Robertson's Charity & "Blood Diamonds"

www.missioncongo.com
(September 19, 2013) Just when you thought you have hit rock bottom, then you discover another fifty feet of crap underneath that! The new documentary Mission Congo exposes the greed of televangelist Pat Robertson. In 1994, he raised millions of dollars in donations through The 700 Club on his Christian Broadcasting Network to help refugees in Zaire (now the Republic of Congo) who had fled the Rwandan genocide; his campaign was called Operation Blessing. But it is alleged that Robertson made fraudulent claims about Operation Blessing and used it as a front for his own private diamond mining operation in Zaire. Click here.

~ Pat Robertson's 700 Carat Club.

UPDATE: Quadriga Art To Pay $24.6M Settlement

(June 30, 2014) Finally, the marketing firm behind all the controversial charities involving veterans, puppies, and others has been handed out punishment by the State of New York. But in our opinion, it should have been put out of business, click here.

~ "Despicable."

UPDATE: Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China

(September 11, 2014) Read our article about how a media campaign succeeded in reducing the killing of sharks. Also read about why ethical issues such as honesty, integrity, and transparency are very important for activism in the 21st Century, click here.

PRINCE WILLIAM ATTACKS RHINO POACHERS

He Calls Rhino Horn Traffickers Ignorant And Selfish

~ Black rhinos are near extinction. 245 were shot in 2012 alone.

On June 18th, Prince William came forward and lent his celebrity to shine light on the plight of the rhinos, which along with the elephants, are the most poached animals on the planet. Calling poachers and traffickers "extremely ignorant, selfish, and utterly wrong," Prince William demanded an end to an illegal trade that can yield as much as $60,000 per kilo of rhino horn.

Photo taken by Simon Taylor.
The Duke of Cambridge hits it right on the nose (no pun intended). Stupidity and greed are at the heart of this tragedy. On the demand side, this dirty trade is driven by some morons in Asia who think powdered rhino horn has healing powers. On the supply side, ruthless butchers in Africa are willing to kill rhinos to the point of extinction for money. The prince points to education as a solution.

~ 10 Essential Facts About Rhinos.

The use of powdered rhino horn as medicine goes all the way back to 300 BC in China (from the Asian rhino). It was, and still is, believed by some ignorant people that rhino horn is an aphrodisiac and can also treat headaches and fever as well as cure heart disease and some cancers. All utter hogwash. Rhino horn is made of keratin, the protein found in our hair and fingernails. Most likely, any claims of relief from the users are due to the placebo effect – and the more money that gullible fools pay for this "cure," the more they are likely to believe that it works.

~ Custom officials at Hong Kong seize rhino parts.

The vast majority of Asians have no inclination to ingest rhino horn even if they could afford it. And rhino horn trafficking is illegal in a number of Asian countries, such as Vietnam, Singapore, and China (however, enforcement is lax in many of them). But with the rapid economic growth rate of Asia (particularly of China), more and more rich idiots clinging to an ancient and destructive superstition are willing to pay under the table for this bogus medicine, pushing the survival of the rhino closer and closer to the precipice.

~ Poachers & traffickers are "ignorant, selfish, and utterly wrong..."

Updated (Feb 9, 2014): Father and son against poaching.


* * *
UPDATE: Polar Bears Are Starving To Death

(August 7, 2013) Read our latest polar bear update, click here.

UPDATE: Rhino Poacher Gets 30 Years In Jail

(September 5, 2013) A few days ago, Chumlong Lemtongthai was sentenced to 30 years in jail for rhino poaching in South Africa. The Thai national was actually sentenced to 40 years in November of 2012, but an appeal was expected by everybody since even the prosecution thought the judge's sentence was too harsh. Now, a quarter of his sentence has been reduced. The sentence is probably justified since Mr. Lemtongthai is considered a "leading figure" in international rhino poaching. More countries need to be tougher on poachers if they want to put a dent in this rising illegal trade.

~ A harsh sentence for a douchebag.

UPDATE: Prince William To Head New Wildlife Group

(September 12, 2013) After seven years in the armed forces, Prince William will now focus his efforts on his young family, his royal duties, and the conservation movement, click here. Under his Royal Foundation, the Duke of Cambridge will be the president of United For Wildlife, a consortium of seven of the world's most influential conservation groups: Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, International Union for Conservation of Nature, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society, World Wildlife Fund, and the Zoological Society of London. The initial task for the group is to curb the illegal wildlife trade, such as in the trafficking of rhino horns and ivory. www.UnitedForWildlife.com

~ United For Wildlife is comprised of 7 conservation organizations.

UPDATE: Lion/Tiger Hybrid Breaks Guinness Record

(September 18, 2013) Read our latest update about animals that break world records, click here.

UPDATE: "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert

(November 4, 2013) Read our latest article on endangered species, click here.

UPDATE: Western Black Rhino Declared Extinct

(November 6, 2013) The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially declared the extinction of the Western black rhino. The Western black rhino was one of four subspecies of black rhinoceros. Currently, there are only 4,000 black rhinos left in the world. Click here.

UPDATE: Corey Knowlton Pays $$$ To Kill Black Rhino

(January 17, 2014) Corey Knowlton paid $350,000 to the Dallas Sierra Club for a Namibian permit to kill a black rhino. His argument for killing an endangered species has been used by hunters for decades: the weak has to be rooted out. But he failed to mention that man has destroyed the eco-systems of Africa, where natural predators have disappeared because of Climate Change, poaching, and habitat destruction. It is a bad idea to send such a callous and mixed message to the public that would trivialize and undermined conservation efforts that took decades to build.

National Geographic: Black Rhino Hunt Auction Won’t Help Conservation, click here.

~ This hunter is being hunted himself.

UPDATE: Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China

(September 11, 2014) Read our article about the plight of sharks and the shark fin trade, click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China Click here.
- Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate! Click here.
- "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert Click here.
- Escaped Python Kills Two Boys Click here.
- Film: Blackfish Exposes SeaWorld Cruelty Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million! Click here.
- Justin Bieber Attacked Over His Monkey Click here.
- Moron Lets Infant Play With A Gorilla Click here.
- Exotic Animals To Return To Zanesville! Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For A Record $736,000 Click here.
- 50 Exotic/Rare Animals Killed In Ohio Click here.

EXOTIC ANIMALS TO RETURN TO ZANESVILLE!

Wife Of Man Who Released Wild Animals Wins Custody


On October 18th of 2011, in Zanesville, Ohio, Terry Thompson deliberately released 56 of his exotic animals from his compound into the community – including lions, tigers, and bears – before he committed suicide. 48 of the escaped animals had to be shot by local authorities while two were eaten by the bigger animals. However, six animals were not killed and were taken to the Columbus Zoo. Almost immediately, Thompson’s widow hired a lawyer to get her animals back and has now won legal control of the survivors and will take them back to the very same hellish compound from which they came. For the Frog Blog's detailed coverage of this horrific tragedy in October, click here.

~ Zanesville residents worry about the return of wild animals.

It's clear the widow, Marian Thompson, is a hardheaded wingnut who should not get the animals back. But there are much darker and sadder reasons why the surviving exotic animals should stay at the Columbus Zoo. One important issue is that the wild animals on Thompson's farm were often not securely housed and were prone to escaping, posing a severe threat to the local residents of Zanesville and Muskingum County as a whole. In fact, Terry Thompson was cited nine times for letting animals run loose on his farm and his compound was visited by police 30 times since 2004. In 2005, he was convicted of animal cruelty.

~ Terry Thompson was a troubled, negligent man.

The conditions his animals had to endure were unspeakable. Wild animals that needed wide open spaces to roam were forced to be cooped up in small cages, full of feces and filth. Some of the primates were kept in bird cages. Some of the tigers were forced to live in cages that were only 6 feet tall, 8 feet wide, and 15 feet deep. And one of his bears was housed in a large parrot cage. In fact, that same bear survived and has gained 60 pounds since first being brought to the Columbus Zoo. Marian Thompson had full knowledge of the deplorable conditions at her husband's farm and therefore is unfit to care for the surviving animals.

Marian Thompson is planning to bring the five surviving animals (one died at the Columbus Zoo) back to the same house of horrors from which they came; and it has been reported that she has repeatedly denied animal welfare experts from inspecting the farm to see if the conditions there are safe for the animals and that the cages are secure enough to be no threat to the community.

~ Ohio's cruel trade in exotic/rare pets.

But out of this despicable mess may be a silver lining. Due to the Zanesville tragedy, Ohio legislators have significantly curbed the trade in exotic animals. And soon, humane standards will have to be followed before qualified people are allowed keep wild animals, hopefully protecting helpless creatures from abuse and neglect at the hands of callous idiots – people not unlike the Thompsons.

[Updated Insert – May 5, 2012: Yesterday, Marian Thompson transported the five surviving exotic animals by trailers from the Columbus Zoo back to the very same farm where the terrifying massacre took place on October 18, 2011. It has been reported that Marian Thompson has rejected requests from an inspector, a humane officer, and the sheriff to inspect the facilities on her farm. But Muskingum County Sheriff Matt Lutz said that at the first complaint, they will surely check into the matter. What, like last time, when neighbors called the police in horror over lions, tigers, leopards, bears, and wolves running amuck? Maybe phones should be installed in the cages so the animals could dial 911 and file a complaint if they were abused!]

~ Concerns and questions about conditions on the farm-from-hell.


* * *
UPDATE: Film: Blackfish Exposes SeaWorld Cruelty

(August 1, 2013) Read our latest article on killer whales, click here.

UPDATE: Escaped Python Kills Two Boys

(August 12, 2013) Read our latest animal-attack article, click here.

UPDATE: Rhino Poacher Gets 30 Years In Jail

(September 5, 2013) Read our latest update on species going extinct, click here.

UPDATE: Prince William To Head New Wildlife Group

(September 12, 2013) Read the latest update on Prince William, click here.

UPDATE: Owner Loses Custody Of IKEA Monkey

(September 13, 2013) Read our latest update on Darwin the IKEA monkey, click here.

UPDATE: Lion/Tiger Hybrid Breaks Guinness Record

(September 18, 2013) Read our latest update about animals that break world records, click here.

UPDATE: 850 Snakes Found In Home!

(September 21, 2013) Read our latest exotic pets update, click here.

UPDATE: "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert

(November 4, 2013) Read our latest article on endangered species, click here.

UPDATE: Corey Knowlton Pays $$$ To Kill Black Rhino

(January 17, 2014) Read our latest update on rhino hunting, click here.

UPDATE: Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate!

(March 14, 2014) Has the Asian carp broken into the Great Lakes? Read our latest article on this environmental disaster, click here.

UPDATE: Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China

(September 11, 2014) Read our article about the plight of sharks and the shark fin trade, click here.

UPDATE: Feral Cat Colony Found At Disneyland

(November 23, 2014) Learn about feral cats and dogs and how they impact wildlife, click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- Feral Cat Colony Found At Disneyland Click here.
- Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China Click here.
- Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate! Click here.
- "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert Click here.
- Escaped Python Kills Two Boys Click here.
- Film: Blackfish Exposes SeaWorld Cruelty Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million! Click here.
- Justin Bieber Attacked Over His Monkey Click here.
- Moron Lets Infant Play With A Gorilla Click here.
- Prince William Attacks Rhino Poachers Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For A Record $736,000 Click here.
- 50 Exotic/Rare Animals Killed In Ohio Click here.

THE 2ND "SCOPES MONKEY TRIAL" IS COMING!

Criticism Of Evolution Allowed In Tennessee Schools

The American Civil Liberties Union, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute for Biological Sciences, and other groups all strenuously lobbied the governor of Tennessee to veto Senate Bill 893/House Bill 368 – also known as the “Monkey Bill” by its detractors. This bill would allow teachers to criticize and raise doubts about the Theory of Evolution, Climate Change, and other well-established scientific theories that may be “socially controversial” (but not at all scientifically controversial). Now, it has become law in Tennessee after Republican Governor Bill Haslam refused to use his veto on April 9th.


~ Monkey Bill not vetoed by Governor Bill Haslam.

[Updated Insert - January 26, 2014: Map Of Publicly-Funded Schools That Are Allowed To Teach Creationism, click here.]

This law has been widely criticized as a deceptive scheme to bypass the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment by allowing teachers to sneak in the teachings of Creationism or Intelligent Design as a topic of obfuscating discussions and debates to address the supposed weaknesses of certain scientific theories (there are none – at least not at the public school level). Legal challenges are likely to come if certain teachers try to disguise theology as science, not necessarily because it would violate the concept of the Separation of Church and State, but simply because it would be an outright lie.


~ Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 in Tennessee.

If state legislators are bent on using children as an ideological battlefield, then their pro-science adversaries would relish fighting this war in the great State of Tennessee. You see, Tennessee is the home of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925. It was a landmark event that made Tennessee a laughingstock all over the world, leaving an indelible mark on American history and culture. Through sheer symbolism, any legal challenges undertaken here over the latest education bill would likely draw media attention from around the globe. And America's rivals that have made strides in their math and science curriculums (like China) would be delighted to point to Tennessee's fiasco as a flaw in American democracy. From ABC News: "China Debuts At Top Of International Education Rankings," click here.

[Updated Insert – December 9, 2013: Read our latest article on the deterioration of American education, "Far East Tops O.E.C.D. Education Rankings," click here.]


In 1925, science teacher John Scopes was found guilty in a Tennessee court of law for teaching the Theory of Evolution in a state-funded school – in violation of a ban on Evolution called the Butler Act. His defense attorney was the renowned lawyer Clarence Darrow, while former presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan argued for the prosecution. John Scopes was fined $100 but a moral victory was achieved when Bryan was willing to be questioned on the witness stand – a highly unusual move for a prosecutor – and it was a big mistake on his part. Darrow made a fool of Bryan by asking questions such as whether Bryan believed that Eve was created from Adam’s rib, or whether he knew how Cain got his wife. Bryan's reputation never recovered from the court of public opinion after newspapers from around the world exposed the trial for what it really was, a sham. While John Scopes won his appeal in 1927 on a technicality, Evolution could not be taught in Tennessee schools until 1967, when the Butler Act was repealed. In 1968, in a lawsuit filed against the State of Arkansas, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that all bans on Evolution were unconstitutional because the prime motive of such laws was religion.


~ Spencer Tracy in the semi-biopic, Inherit The Wind (1960).


* * *
UPDATE: GOP Rep. Calls Evolution & Big Bang Lies

(October 14, 2012) Read our latest article on politics and religion, click here.

UPDATE: Teaching Creationism Is Child Abuse

(February 14, 2013) Read our latest article on science vs. religion, click here.

UPDATE: Film: The Unbelievers Attacks Religion

(May 1, 2013) Read our latest article on science vs. religion, click here.

UPDATE: Fanatics Denied Medicine To Kids; 2 Died

(August 8, 2013) Read our latest update on science vs. religion, click here.

UPDATE: "Cyrus Prostituted Herself": Creationist

(September 1, 2013) Read our latest article on Creationism, click here.

UPDATE: Bill Nye Debates Creationist Ken Ham

(February 10, 2014) Read our latest article on how Creationists push their political agenda, click here.

UPDATE: Creation Theme Park Sues For Tax Credit

(March 16, 2015) Read our article on the latest shenanigans of Creationist Ken Ham and his Noah's Ark park, click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- Creation Theme Park Sues For Tax Credit Click here.
- World's 1st Atheist TV Channel Launches Click here.
- Unvaccinated Kids Banned In NYC Schools Click here.
- Bill Nye Debates Creationist Ken Ham Click here.
- Far East Tops O.E.C.D. Education Rankings Click here.
- "Cyrus Prostituted Herself": Creationist Click here.
- Film: The Unbelievers Attacks Religion! Click here.
- Teaching Creationism Is Child Abuse Click here.
- GOP Rep. Calls Evolution & Big Bang Lies Click here.
- Tax-Break For Kentucky Creationist Park Click here.
- Bachmann Wants Creationism In Schools Click here.
- Doomsday Prophets Are Idiots! Click here.
- "Evolution A Myth": Christine O’Donnell Click here.
- Creation Vs. Evolution: Darwin Defamed! Click here.

THERE ARE BILLIONS OF HABITABLE PLANETS!

Alien Life Likely To Exist Elsewhere In Our Galaxy

~ Earth-like planets are plentiful.

Astronomers say there are tens of billions of habitable planets in the Milky Way Galaxy alone. A group of European scientists announced on March 28th that there are about 160 billion red dwarf stars in our galaxy, and over 40% of them have a “super-Earth” planet orbiting in the Habitable or Goldilocks Zone – the distance between a planet and its sun that would permit the planet to have water flowing on its surface, possibly supporting life. These planets are likely to have 1 to 10 times the mass of our Earth.


~ 41% of red dwarf stars have planets in the Habitable Zone.

Red dwarfs are not as bright as our Sun, but they comprise of about 80% of all the stars in the Milky Way Galaxy. So, if 41% of them have at least one habitable planet, then there must be at least 65 to 100 billion Earth-like planets in our galaxy alone. However, because these red dwarf stars are cooler and fainter than our Sun, these bigger "super-Earth" planets that may contain water would have to be orbiting closer to their suns than our planet is to our Sun, and that means they would be exposed to more harmful X-ray and ultraviolet radiation. However, this does not necessarily preclude the possibility of life living on these planets.


~ There are billions of galaxies in the universe, says Carl Sagan.

The big question is, how many habitable planets are in the universe? According to scientists, there are likely hundreds of billions of galaxies in our universe. Therefore, it’s possible there are many trillions of habitable planets in existence. This means the chance of other life forms existing in the universe, including intelligent aliens, is extremely high. This is not just pure theory; scientists have observed concrete examples of planets that are similar to our own.


~ Looking for alien life on Earth-like planets by scientists.

[Updated Insert – April 17, 2015: Read our latest article about NASA's surprising announcement, “NASA Says We'll Find Alien Life In A Decade," click here.]

Updated (July 23, 2015): Has NASA found Earth's twin?


* * *
UPDATE: UFO Spotted Over Denver!

(November 18, 2012) Read our article about alien life, click here.

UPDATE: "Area 51 Is Real": C.I.A.

(August 17, 2013) Read our latest update about UFOs, click here.

UPDATE: Did Life On Earth Come From Mars?

(September 1, 2013) Read our latest update on how life might have began on Earth, click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- NASA Says We'll Find Alien Life In A Decade Click here.
- Solar Flares To Peak In 2013 – Disaster? Click here.
- UFO Spotted Over Denver! Click here.

TAX BREAK FOR KENTUCKY CREATIONIST PARK

But The Governor Wants A $50 Million Cut In Education


~ $43 million tax break for Noah's Ark.

Kentucky's 2012-2013 proposed budget promises to be one of the most austere in history. Democratic Governor Steve Beshear wants a 2.2% cut in the State Police force and a whopping 6.4% cut from post-secondary education, amounting to over $50 million. In the current economic environment, this should not be surprising. But it is wholly inappropriate when the governor also supports a $43 million tax break for a Creationist theme park named Ark Encounter. This amusement park is sponsored by Answers In Genesis, an anti-Evolutionist organization that promotes the literal interpretation of the Book of Genesis. In addition, the governor’s budget includes an $11 million improvement to a highway interchange near the proposed Christian amusement park.


~ 800-acre amusement park.

Sitting on 800 acres, the $172 million park's main attraction will be a replica of Noah's Ark that is three stories high and two football fields long. This and other Christian-theme attractions will definitely make an indelible impression on young minds. And we at the Frog Blog are not against using myths and fables as a tool to relay certain allegorical messages and morals to a young audience. And perhaps Governor Beshear has not technically violated the First Amendment by trying to give a subsidy to a Bible theme park. After all, there were likely tax breaks given by governments to other amusement parks that feature wizards, witches, and other symbols of paganism. But to penalize funding for legitimate education in favor of a project sponsored by an evangelical group bent on undermining established scientific truths sends the message that the State of Kentucky supports the ideas of Creationism.


~ The Creation "Museum" in Kentucky.

But the biggest concern for FrogBook.com is whether Bible stories will be taught to children as FACT at Ark Encounter. Based on the stated goals and former actions of the non-profit Answers In Genesis, this is a likely scenario.

Case in point, Answers In Genesis' Creation Museum, also in Kentucky, should be a good indicator of what we can expect from Ark Encounter after it is contructed. This ludicrous "Twilight Zone" has displays that show dinosaurs walking with humans 6,000 years ago – and it is taught as fact. Now, that's just about the most ignorant and hardheaded thing we've ever seen at the Frog Blog. Just think of the scope and magnitude of misinformation that will eventually be taught to thousands of children by the state-subsidized Ark Encounter.

[Updated Insert – March 16, 2015: Read our latest article about Ark Encounter: "Creation Theme Park Sues For Tax Credit," click here.]

Photo taken by Patrick Ross. ~ This display at the Creation Museum is an abomination.

Photo taken by Patrick Ross. ~ Creation Museum display. They just make nonsense up.


* * *
UPDATE: Teaching Creationism Is Child Abuse

(February 14, 2013) Read our latest article on science vs. religion, click here.

UPDATE: Film: The Unbelievers Attacks Religion

(May 1, 2013) Read our latest article on science vs. religion, click here.

UPDATE: Fanatics Denied Medicine To Kids; 2 Died

(August 8, 2013) Read our latest update on science vs. religion, click here.

UPDATE: "Cyrus Prostituted Herself": Creationist

(September 1, 2013) Read our latest article on Creationism, click here.

UPDATE: Far East Tops O.E.C.D. Education Rankings

(December 9, 2013) Read our latest article on the deterioration of American education, click here.

UPDATE: Bill Nye Debates Creationist Ken Ham

(February 10, 2014) Read our latest article on how Creationists push their political agenda, click here.

UPDATE: World's 1st Atheist TV Channel Launches

(August 4, 2014) Read our latest article on atheism. Is the Internet the graveyard of religion? Click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- Creation Theme Park Sues For Tax Credit Click here.
- World's 1st Atheist TV Channel Launches Click here.
- Unvaccinated Kids Banned In NYC Schools Click here.
- Bill Nye Debates Creationist Ken Ham Click here.
- Far East Tops O.E.C.D. Education Rankings Click here.
- "Cyrus Prostituted Herself": Creationist Click here.
- Film: The Unbelievers Attacks Religion! Click here.
- Teaching Creationism Is Child Abuse Click here.
- GOP Rep. Calls Evolution & Big Bang Lies Click here.
- The 2nd "Scopes Monkey Trial" Is Coming! Click here.
- Bachmann Wants Creationism In Schools Click here.
- Doomsday Prophets Are Idiots! Click here.
- "Evolution A Myth": Christine O’Donnell Click here.
- Creation Vs. Evolution: Darwin Defamed! Click here.

BLUEFIN TUNA SOLD FOR A RECORD $736,000

But This Publicity Stunt May Hurt Dwindling Stocks


~ A festive event for Japan after the Tsunami of 2011.

On Jan 5th, a 593 lb. bluefin tuna was auctioned at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market for a record $736,000. But at $1,240 a pound, there is no way the buyer, Kiyomura Co., can make a profit. In fact, even though the fish is indeed of the highest quality, it is estimated that the company’s sushi chain (Sushi-Zanmai) will incur a lost of about $600,000. (Last year’s record price was $416,000 for a tuna sold to a Hong Kong restaurateur.) This year, the Kiyomura Co. wanted the best bluefin tuna to remain in Japan to boost the morale of the Japanese people after last year’s string of disasters hit their nation (but 80% of the world’s bluefins are already consumed by Japan).


~ Bluefin tuna's sustainability is at risk.

However, this seemingly innocuous publicity campaign is considered by environmentalists as a reckless stunt that can endanger already depleted bluefin stocks (currently at about 20% of what it used to be). This advertisement for "gold with fins" and overpriced sushi in general send the wrong signal to fishermen, encouraging further over-fishing. And fishermen from Japan and around the world may now switch from catching other fish to catching the bluefin. Many fishermen are also expected to violate quotas to try to make their fortunes. In addition, in their mad dash to catch the bluefin, fishermen may employ unethical and damaging fishing practices (such as drift netting and longline fishing) that can harm other marine life such as turtles, sharks, and dolphins.


~ Bluefin quotas ignored.

[Updated Insert – June 20, 2013: Read our latest article on the embattled bluefin, "Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million!" Click here.]


* * *
UPDATE: Rhino Poacher Gets 30 Years In Jail

(September 5, 2013) Read our latest update on species going extinct, click here.

UPDATE: Prince William To Head New Wildlife Group

(September 12, 2013) Read the latest update on Prince William, click here.

UPDATE: Lion/Tiger Hybrid Breaks Guinness Record

(September 18, 2013) Read our latest update about animals that break world records, click here.

UPDATE: "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert

(November 4, 2013) Read our latest article on endangered species, click here.

UPDATE: Corey Knowlton Pays $$$ To Kill Black Rhino

(January 17, 2014) Read our latest update on rhino hunting, click here.

UPDATE: Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate!

(March 14, 2014) Has the Asian carp broken into the Great Lakes? Read our latest article on this environmental disaster, click here.

UPDATE: Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China

(September 11, 2014) Read our article about the plight of sharks and the shark fin trade, click here.

UPDATE: New Vegan Video Causes Controversy

(October 22, 2014) Read our article about veganism and the vegetarian diet, click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- New Vegan Video Causes Controversy Click here.
- Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China Click here.
- Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate! Click here.
- "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert Click here.
- Escaped Python Kills Two Boys Click here.
- Film: Blackfish Exposes SeaWorld Cruelty Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million! Click here.
- Justin Bieber Attacked Over His Monkey Click here.
- Moron Lets Infant Play With A Gorilla Click here.
- Prince William Attacks Rhino Poachers Click here.
- Exotic Animals To Return To Zanesville! Click here.
- 50 Exotic/Rare Animals Killed In Ohio Click here.

NEW WORLD RECORD FOR SMALLEST WOMAN

Are Humans The Result Of A Genetic Mutation?

On December 16th, Jyoti Amge celebrated her 18th birthday and made it into the Guinness World Records as the shortest living woman. She is just 62.8 cm or 24.7 in tall. From Nagpur, India, Jyoti beat out American Bridgette Jordan who stands at 69 cm (27.2 in). But the shortest living human is a man, Junrey Balawing of the Philippines, who is 59.9 cm (23.6 in) tall. And the shortest verified human who ever lived was Gul Mohammed of India (1957 – 1997), who stood at only 57 cm (22.4 in).


~ Guinness World Records

Jyoti Amge has a condition called Achondroplasia. It is a sporadic mutation (in 85% of the cases), but it can also be inherited. According to the Theory of Evolution, genetic variation is the building block of natural selection, which gives our world a variety of life forms. It is created when there is a mutation – a change in the chemical composition of the genes. Mild variations occur most of the time and dramatic variations occur infrequently – but statistically, they must occur to somebody. While dramatic mutations tend to be detrimental to the health of the person affected, sometimes it can be beneficial to the subject or to society.


~ World's oldest stockbroker.

One happy example is the world's oldest stockbroker, Irving Kahn, who turned 106 years old on December 19th. He is in great shape mentally and physically and still goes to work everyday to his high-stress job. Apparently, Irving and his siblings (who are also centenarians) possess a mutation in a gene that increases their good cholesterol (HDL) while decreasing their bad cholesterol (LDL); this and other genetic factors help to protect them from heart disease, Alzheimer's, and other age-related illnesses. Irving is involved in a study at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine's Institute for Aging Research. However, Irving is still a kid in the world of longevity. The oldest living human is Besse Cooper of the U.S. at 115 years old. And the oldest verified human who ever lived was Jeanne Calment of France at 122 years of age (1875 – 1997). Still, research into Mr. Kahn's mutation may shine some light on the Fountain of Youth to benefit mankind.


~ The Fountain of Youth? (taped in 2009)

But the most interesting is the curious case of Brooke Greenberg. She will be 19 years old on January 8th, 2012. But she hasn’t changed since she was a toddler. To this day, she is approximately 76 cm (30 in) tall and weighs around 16 pounds. Also, she has the mental capacity of a toddler. However, unlike in the case of Jyoti Amge, Brooke does not have Achondroplasia and her doctors couldn't find anything wrong with her. Her condition is called Syndrome X. One fascinating question which boggles the Frog Blog is that if Brooke's condition persists, does that mean she will never die?

Are Humans Mutants?

Regardless, genetic mutation might have given rise to the human species. The MYH16 gene encodes the protein myosin, which regulates the powerful jaw muscles in non-human primates such as chimpanzees and gorillas. But a mutation of the MYH16 gene in early humans had caused the myosin protein to not function properly, giving early humans weak jaw muscles.


~ The relationship between mutation, jaw size, and brain size.

A controversial theory claims that because of the reduced pressure from the weaker jaw muscles of humans, the plates in our skulls are not forced to firm up as quickly as for other primates after birth, thereby allowing our brains to grow for a longer period – increasing in size. Also, did these weak jaw muscles force early humans to use certain tools, such as fire with which to cook their food, and stones and clubs with which to kill their prey and competitors? Click here.

By Christopher Walsh, Harvard Medical School ~ There is an inverse relationship between brain and jaw size.


* * *
UPDATE: Diet And Exercise Keep You Young!

(July 22, 2013) While the Fountain of Youth may be due to genetics and mutations, that does not mean it is out of reach for the rest of us. Science seems to be showing us that diet and exercise (especially resistance training) might help us all turn back the aging clock. Learn about the amazing story of 60-year-old Wendy Ida and 70-year-old Anette Larkins.


~ Wendy Ida on the Jeff Probst Show (Sept. 2012).


~ Ageless woman Anette Larkins.

UPDATE: Lion/Tiger Hybrid Breaks Guinness Record

(September 18, 2013) Read our latest update about animals that break world records, click here.

UPDATE: Bigfoot Caught On Tape; DNA Collected

(October 3, 2013) Read out latest update on Bigfoot, click here.

UPDATE: There Is No Gay Gene!

(January 4, 2014) Read our latest article on the science of homosexuality, click here.

UPDATE: Irving Kahn Dies At 109

(February 26, 2015) R.I.P. Irving Kahn (December 19, 1905 – February 24, 2015) click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- There Is No Gay Gene! Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million! Click here.
- World's Oldest Man Breaks Records Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For A Record $736,000 Click here.

50 EXOTIC/RARE ANIMALS KILLED IN OHIO

Exotic Animals Should Be Banned As Pets!

Death Count:
18 Bengal tigers (shot)
9 male lions (shot)
8 lionesses (shot)
6 black bears (shot)
3 mountain lions (shot)
2 grizzly bears (shot)
2 wolves (shot)
1 baboon (eaten)
1 monkey (eaten)

Survivors:
3 leopards
2 monkeys
1 grizzly bear


~ 56 wild animals released by a disturbed owner.

On October 18th in Zanesville, Ohio, some nut set free 56 of his wild animals from his menagerie to run amuck before he killed himself. The sheriff's deputies had no choice but to shoot almost all of the animals dead, as they did not have any tranquilizer guns. In any case, it would have taken too long for the tranquilizers to take affect and sundown was approaching. If the animals were not killed, it's possible they might disperse over a wide area and kill people and livestock overnight and in the days to come.


~ Ohio's lax animal laws.

The Humane Society of the United States believe that exotic animals should be banned as pets. Incidentally, the owner of the 56 released animals, Terry Thompson, was convicted of animal cruelty in the past. People like Thompson often claim that they love animals. But to keep wild animals that need wide open spaces in cages and pens is nothing but cruel and callous. These people are using these creatures to meet their own selfish and vain desires and care nothing about the animals they keep in distress and pain throughout their lives. It's about time the trade in wild animals be outlawed.

[Updated Insert – October 28, 2011: Terry Thompson's wife, Marian Thompson, is currently trying to reclaim the six surviving animals from the Columbus Zoo and to take them back with her to an alternate home in Ohio (the original farm from which the animals were freed had cramped and unclean conditions). She has hired a lawyer. This move might seem really odd to normal people, but this betrays the incredibly selfish, insensitive, and self-centered attitude of the Thompsons – unfit to take care of any animal. When morons have control over animals, it is the animals that suffer. Click here.


~ Widow tries to get back her "children." A loon and her beasts ...

STOP Marian Thompson from taking the surviving animals! Sign the petition!


* * *
UPDATE: Exotic Animals To Return To Zanesville!

(May 4, 2012) Marian Thompson's selfish and stubborn fight to get her animals back bears fruit. For our latest article dealing with this tragic story, click here.


~ InZanesville! The poor animals' nightmare continues...

UPDATE: Film: Blackfish Exposes SeaWorld Cruelty

(August 1, 2013) Read our latest article on killer whales, click here.

UPDATE: Escaped Python Kills Two Boys

(August 12, 2013) Read our latest animal-attack article, click here.

UPDATE: Rhino Poacher Gets 30 Years In Jail

(September 5, 2013) Read our latest update on species going extinct, click here.

UPDATE: Prince William To Head New Wildlife Group

(September 12, 2013) Read the latest update on Prince William, click here.

UPDATE: Owner Loses Custody Of IKEA Monkey

(September 13, 2013) Read our latest update on Darwin the IKEA monkey, click here.

UPDATE: Lion/Tiger Hybrid Breaks Guinness Record

(September 18, 2013) Read our latest update about animals that break world records, click here.

UPDATE: 850 Snakes Found In Home!

(September 21, 2013) Read our latest exotic pets update, click here.

UPDATE: "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert

(November 4, 2013) Read our latest article on endangered species, click here.

UPDATE: Corey Knowlton Pays $$$ To Kill Black Rhino

(January 17, 2014) Read our latest update on rhino hunting, click here.

UPDATE: Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate!

(March 14, 2014) Has the Asian carp broken into the Great Lakes? Read our latest article on this environmental disaster, click here.

UPDATE: Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China

(September 11, 2014) Read our article about the plight of sharks and the shark fin trade, click here.

UPDATE: Feral Cat Colony Found At Disneyland

(November 23, 2014) Learn about feral cats and dogs and how they impact wildlife, click here.

For related articles in the Frog Blog:
- Feral Cat Colony Found At Disneyland Click here.
- Shark Fin Sales Drop Up To 70% In China Click here.
- Asian Carps: Barbarians At The Gate! Click here.
- "Let The Panda Die Out": Wildlife Expert Click here.
- Escaped Python Kills Two Boys Click here.
- Film: Blackfish Exposes SeaWorld Cruelty Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For $1.7 Million! Click here.
- Justin Bieber Attacked Over His Monkey Click here.
- Moron Lets Infant Play With A Gorilla Click here.
- Prince William Attacks Rhino Poachers Click here.
- Exotic Animals To Return To Zanesville! Click here.
- Bluefin Tuna Sold For A Record $736,000 Click here.