garbage info from a long-out-of-it non-climatologist
The guys a meteorologist, not a climatologist, and typical of the few remaining denialist scientists, he has not convinced any younger experts that he's right.
Basic info on absorption is here:
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php?p=220
If his figures on the first 30' have any relation to reality, which is doubtful, it's just playing games with the high near-surface water vapor content. What percentage of the atmosphere is in the first 30'? Do you think that absorbed IR goes away after it's absorbed?
By the way, gbaike, I finally found someone to bet me over global warming since you wouldn't:
http://backseatdriving.blogspot.com/2007/04/new-global-warming-bet-for-7-10.html
Let me know if you ever change your mind.
-Brian (pwokenyaw)