[JSDSKI]

Could someone post a link or articles with pre 1800's high temp data? I've read that about prehistoric temps but don't remember reading anything about temps in the 17th century being unusual.

Regarding the point about Mt St Helen's (or Krakatoa for that matter) most of that material is water vapor and dust which settles relatively rapidly out of the atmosphere (rapidly meaning 2-4 years) thus reducing potential impact. OTOH most current concern is about the long term effect industrial chemicals have on the molecular chains of atmospheric gases. Chemical reactions tend to be cumulative and less predictible when dealing with unknown quantities and unintended combinations.

It's in mans long term economic and biologic health to change paths.

In the free market place of ideas various factions and interests will push and shove for rules, regulations, favors, legislation, and reports that favor themselves. We usually call this "politics". This is not necessarily conspiratorial - it is just pursuing self-interest. We should not fear the free market place we just need to compete in it. A free market is not necessarily a "fair" market - and I'm sure there are instances where the US gained advantage in marketplaces for various reasons - justifiable or not.

Some believe the Kyoto Accords are designed to hobble the US - as if that were really possible considering the size and scope of our economy and intellectual capital. Perhaps we could use a Kyoto Accord as a "market" incentive to reindustrialize our economy, score some goodwill points, maybe help the environment - and move on.