What are the chances of an asteroid striking the earth? Well, according to Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R-Huntington Beach), they're the same as getting a royal flush in Las Vegas (which he says he has). So last year he introduced House Resolution 4917, a bill calling for the creation of a comprehensive program to "eliminate and mitigate the serious and credible threats to humankind posed by potentially hazardous near-Earth asteroids and comets."
Now I'm not about to dispute the odds Mr. Rohrabacher cites, though my gut tells me there's a little bit of statistical trickery there. I see that the odds of a royal flush are 1 in 649,740. And depending on your source, the chances of a good sized asteroid hitting the earth in the next year are 1 in 100,000. Still, I think I'll try my luck in Vegas before digging my bomb shelter.
No, actually I'm happy that there's someone out there considering the possibilities, no matter how remote. But it blows my mind that someone who can cite science and probability in this case can be so dismissive when it comes to the idea of man-made global climate change and the many qualified scientists who are studying it. Maybe it's because you can't blow up climate change with a cool rocket? Or because we can't hire Blackwater to take care of it?
So Mr. Rohrabacher, what are the chances that humans have cause global climate change? Scientists say 2 in 3. The EPA has said that the chances of sea levels rising 1 meter in the next 100 years are 1 in 100. And the chances of tropical diseases spreading to new areas are virtually guaranteed. I'm sorry Mr. Rohrabacher - but those odds suggest it might be just as wise to focus on these issues that threaten us in our lifetimes. I think they count as "serious and credible threats to humankind."
But what are the chances of getting a real representative to represent CA-46 instead of Mr. Rohrabacher? Actually, they are the best they've been in years. And the great part? You can help increase those odds. Huntington Beach Mayor Debbie Cook understands the immediate issues our planet faces due to our dependence on fossil fuels. Rather than denying them, she favors working with scientists and leaders on solutions. And that's her approach whether it's global warming, health care, or the state of our US economy.
You can help send her to congress by contributing to her campaign. Unless you've got an asteroid blaster, this might be your best chance to beat the odds.