Old Runners Tales

I ran again in Rock Creek Park this morning.  I felt that an easy run would help shorten the duration of this cold.  I have read this idea in running literature and discussed it with other runners, that running, by raising the body temperature in imitation of a fever, assists in the body's defenses.  Just an easy run, to raise the temperature but not push one into exhaustion.  One of several old runners tales, I suppose. 

I think even a walk in the cool moist air helps clear and sooth the irritated sinus surfaces.  I hope I can avoid ear pressure problems on tonight's flight.

Most members of the USA Senate Foreign Relations Committee did not take a personal interest yesterday in The Global Implications of a Warming Arctic.  But the Chair, Sen. Kerry did, as did the two Senators from Alaska.  And so did many people, perhaps support staff for other committees or personal staff for Senators or Representatives, who filled the room.  I counted more than 60 and could not see those seated behind me.

Rather than having the Senators arrayed in their high formal seats surrounding and overlooking the 'witnesses', we utilized a central table, three or four seats on a side, everyone at the same level, for a discussion.  Senator Kerry used the format particularly well, to ask questions and stimulate discussion.

I thought we, the 'experts', made a weak and dissolute impression.  Two of us, Lawson (the Arctic Marine Shipping Assessment 2009 Report, just endorsed) and I (IPY), had fresh product.  We presented and distributed short written summaries of highlights and urgencies.  To my ear, our material sounded un-surprising, more of the same, although my points about sea level rise from the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and about methane release from permafrost provoked questions and discussion.  The other three experts worked from hasty notes, referring to previous reports or to documents they had already written.  They basically worked through a familiar (to them and the Senators, I suppose) list of requests - compliance with such and such treaty or previous Senate resolution, funding for this or that program, icebreakers - things they had suggested or advocated before.  

As a group, I thought we failed to bring forward a clear or cohesive message.  We raised a list of issues, some of them with fresh and troubling information, but failed to match those urgencies with a consensus on steps forward.  I think the Chair sensed the lack of direction.  He proposed to hold the 'record' of the meeting open for a week, to allow us to present some concise recommendations.  I will propose that we prepare one set, together.  I doubt that I will find much cooperation.