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When the temperature on Earth and Mars was exactly the same...

Earlier this month, Republican Kentucky State Senator Brandon Smith, whom is the owner of a coal company, had this to say to Louisville NPR affiliate WFPL:

"I don't want to get into the debate about climate change. But I'll simply point out that I think in academia we all agree that the temperature on Mars is exactly as it is here. Nobody will dispute that. Yet there are no coal mines on Mars. There's no factories on Mars that I'm aware of."

Yeah, I'm not sure which "academia" Mr. Smith is talking about, but I have a hunch it's made up of one person and his name happens to be Brandon Smith.

According to NASA, the average temperature on Earth is 57 degrees Fahrenheit. So, according to State Senator Smith, Mars should be around that same number, correct? Okay, so Smith may be just a little off with his estimation. The average temperature on Mars is -81 degrees Fahrenheit - a difference of 138 degrees. My, those numbers are close. Maybe Smith has a point...

So, with these kinds of numbers and Smith's inability to read them, he'll probably get into the following discussion at some point in the future:

Setting: Smith's home during winter

 Smith's wife: "My, oh my, honey... Did you hear the news?"

Smith: "What news?"

Smith's wife: "About the weather?"

Smith: "No. What about it?"

Smith's wife: "It's supposed to get down to 0 degrees today. Can you believe it?"

Smith: "Wow - is that a record high for this time of year or something?"

Smith's wife: "Did you hear what I said? Zero..."

Smith: "Yeah, I know. Wow... I can't believe it's going to be 138 degrees in the middle of January. I'm going to go grab a t-shirt and shorts. Thanks for the update, babe. I love you."

Smith's wife: "Wait a minute... Honey? Where are you...? Oh dear..."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/08/brandon-smith-mars-climate-change_n_5568058.html
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