Punxsutawney Phil

Recent blizzards and cold temperatures have raised questions surrounding the claims of Punxsutawney Phil. On February 2 of this year, Phil claimed for the first time since 1999 that winter was over:

El Nino has caused high winds, heavy snow, ice and freezing temperatures in the west.
Here in the East with much mild winter weather we have been blessed.

Global warming has caused a great debate.
This mild winter makes it seem just great.

On this Groundhog Day we think of one thing.
Will we have winter or will we have spring?

On Gobbler's Knob I see no shadow today.
I predict that early spring is on the way.

The news was celebrated in the 20° air, 4° below normal. No more winter, Hurray! But it was too good to be true. The following day, residents of Punxsutawney experienced a 12° drop, followed by further 6° drop the next day, with lower temperatures in the days following. The next time the residents would have a temperature at or above normal wouldn't come for another 2 1/2 weeks.

With the average temperature of February 10° lower than January, and more snow forecast for the weekend, it is apparent Phil goofed. This is not unexpected, according to Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY). Three years ago, Schumer wrote Mayor James Wehrle of Punxsutawney and suggested that the groundhog from Pennsylvania yield to a fellow forecaster—the Staten Island Chuck. Schumer claimed the "Chuck" has an accuracy rating nearing 90%, while Phil struggles with 30%. He further stated "This isn't about whether Punxsutawney Phil sees his own shadow anymore, it's about whether he should be overshadowed by Staten Island's clearly superior groundhog."

Superior? Maybe. When asked for the yeas and nays this year, both Chuck and Phil voted against six more weeks of winter, and with many others, celebrated their victory; but Mother Nature insisted on staying the course. This proved a great embarrassment to the Staten Island Chuck, who, like Senator Schumer, found his home under nearly a foot of snow just 10 days later. Many predict that after this event, any future groundhog debate between the two will be restricted to "How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?"

Regardless of his shortcomings, it appears the 121 year old groundhog from Punxsutawney will continue to enjoy the privileges of seniority. He might even get redemption from his constituents, given that even two-star General Beau Lee, Ph.D. voted for America's withdrawal from winter. Still, only time will tell. But many questions have arisen among the doubters: Is this politics as usual? Is Phil protesting not having a sleep number bed? Is General Lee fatigued from the war front. Others suggest we are doing the right thing, but interpreting wrong, suggesting Phil is running back to his hole to do some spring cleaning. Whatever the case may be, I am still shoveling the driveway, it's still snowing, and I'll see if my pet rock will do a better job of telling me when it's spring.