Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "Joe Theismann
'Nobody in the game of football should be called a genius. A genius is somebody like Norman Einstein.'"
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Barbara Bush: Things Working Out 'Very Well' for Poor Evacuees from New Orleans
Barbara Bush: Things Working Out 'Very Well' for Poor Evacuees from New Orleans: "Barbara Bush: Things Working Out 'Very Well' for Poor Evacuees from New Orleans
By E&P Staff
Published: September 05, 2005 7:25 PM ET updated 8:00 PM
NEW YORK Accompanying her husband, former President George
H.W.Bush, on a tour of hurricane relief centers in
Houston, Barbara Bush said today, referring to the
poor who had lost everything back home and evacuated, 'This is working very well for them.'
"
By E&P Staff
Published: September 05, 2005 7:25 PM ET updated 8:00 PM
NEW YORK Accompanying her husband, former President George
H.W.Bush, on a tour of hurricane relief centers in
Houston, Barbara Bush said today, referring to the
poor who had lost everything back home and evacuated, 'This is working very well for them.'
"
The Interdictor
The Interdictor: "Tuesday, September 6th, 2005
12:16 pm
Full Update
We have been busy.
* There are Chinook helicopters dropping water on a massive fire several blocks South of Lee Circle. Not sure what building it is, but they're making no progress. Hopefully it's being contained.
* There's a massive police staging area on Canal Street right by the Casino. This looks to be the City's main HQ.
* Sig and Crystal and I drove around taking pictures. It's insane. The Convention Center is an utter disaster. The trash and filth looks like a monument to the god of garbage. I've never seen anything like it. And the stench is horrendous.
* Now that we've got our operation pretty much normalized, we're really starting to stabalize other companies' operations. I'm going to pull a server for the Pan American Life building (across the street from us) in a little bit and get them back on line. We've already secured computers and servers for several other businesses that operate in the area. We're glad to help, since we're already here. We don't need any more of a dent in the economy, and when you see the pics Sig is gonna put up tomorrow, you will see just how crazy things are in this city.
* The 82nd Airborne is here in force. They're patrolling the city and guarding all the sites where there has been fire or looting. There's a massive military staging area near the Convention Center by the I-10.
* Sig has some pics from yesterday up: http://sigmund.biz/0906/
"
12:16 pm
Full Update
We have been busy.
* There are Chinook helicopters dropping water on a massive fire several blocks South of Lee Circle. Not sure what building it is, but they're making no progress. Hopefully it's being contained.
* There's a massive police staging area on Canal Street right by the Casino. This looks to be the City's main HQ.
* Sig and Crystal and I drove around taking pictures. It's insane. The Convention Center is an utter disaster. The trash and filth looks like a monument to the god of garbage. I've never seen anything like it. And the stench is horrendous.
* Now that we've got our operation pretty much normalized, we're really starting to stabalize other companies' operations. I'm going to pull a server for the Pan American Life building (across the street from us) in a little bit and get them back on line. We've already secured computers and servers for several other businesses that operate in the area. We're glad to help, since we're already here. We don't need any more of a dent in the economy, and when you see the pics Sig is gonna put up tomorrow, you will see just how crazy things are in this city.
* The 82nd Airborne is here in force. They're patrolling the city and guarding all the sites where there has been fire or looting. There's a massive military staging area near the Convention Center by the I-10.
* Sig has some pics from yesterday up: http://sigmund.biz/0906/
"
BBC NEWS | Americas | Viewpoint: Has Katrina saved US media?
This summary is not available. Please
click here to view the post.
Reuters AlertNet - Budget cuts delayed New Orleans flood control work
Reuters AlertNet - Budget cuts delayed New Orleans flood control work: "Budget cuts delayed New Orleans flood control work
01 Sep 2005 23:19:07 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Andy Sullivan
WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Bush administration funding cuts forced federal engineers to delay improvements on the levees, floodgates and pumping stations that failed to protect New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters, agency documents showed on Thursday.
The former head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that handles the infrastructure of the nation's waterways, said the damage in New Orleans probably would have been much less extensive had flood-control efforts been fully funded over the years."
01 Sep 2005 23:19:07 GMT
Source: Reuters
By Andy Sullivan
WASHINGTON, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Bush administration funding cuts forced federal engineers to delay improvements on the levees, floodgates and pumping stations that failed to protect New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina's floodwaters, agency documents showed on Thursday.
The former head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the agency that handles the infrastructure of the nation's waterways, said the damage in New Orleans probably would have been much less extensive had flood-control efforts been fully funded over the years."
Metroblogging New Orleans: Future Shock
Metroblogging New Orleans: Future Shock: "Future Shock
So now that water is finally moving into Lake Pontchartrain and the evacuation phase is winding down and some residents are even being allowed to return to their homes, maybe it's time to ask a couple of questions about New Orleans' future.
Here's what I mean: New Orleans is a town built on tourism, right? Service industry is king. And, of course, service industry workers--the people who toil in hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs--get paid practically nothing. Ergo, it should come as no surprise to the rest of the country that New Orleans has such a high percentage of poverty-level families because the city's major employer pays crapola. It's these families we've seen on TV for the past week, families who couldn't afford to leave, families who lived in flood-prone neighborhoods, families who have now lost everything."
So now that water is finally moving into Lake Pontchartrain and the evacuation phase is winding down and some residents are even being allowed to return to their homes, maybe it's time to ask a couple of questions about New Orleans' future.
Here's what I mean: New Orleans is a town built on tourism, right? Service industry is king. And, of course, service industry workers--the people who toil in hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs--get paid practically nothing. Ergo, it should come as no surprise to the rest of the country that New Orleans has such a high percentage of poverty-level families because the city's major employer pays crapola. It's these families we've seen on TV for the past week, families who couldn't afford to leave, families who lived in flood-prone neighborhoods, families who have now lost everything."
WWLTV.com | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Top Stories
WWLTV.com | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Top Stories: "Battle for gas in Mississippi reminds writer of Mad Max films
05:42 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Associated Press
BILOXI, Miss. (AP) -- It's like something out of the movie 'The Road Warrior.'
In the 1982 Mel Gibson film, mohawked gangs with guns roamed a post-apocalyptic world battling for oil.
Mel Gibson's leather-clad Mad Max character helps innocent settlers fight brutes who will do anything for the last precious commodity.
Things haven't gotten that bad on the northern Gulf coast, but people are going to incredible lengths for a gallon of gas.
Tanker trucks have police escorts, and it's nothing to see a line of cars following one down the road waiting for it to pull into a station. Gas lines form shortly after six a-m, when the curfew is lifted, and last until it begins at six p-m. And people are protecting their gas like gold once they get it."
05:42 AM CDT on Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Associated Press
BILOXI, Miss. (AP) -- It's like something out of the movie 'The Road Warrior.'
In the 1982 Mel Gibson film, mohawked gangs with guns roamed a post-apocalyptic world battling for oil.
Mel Gibson's leather-clad Mad Max character helps innocent settlers fight brutes who will do anything for the last precious commodity.
Things haven't gotten that bad on the northern Gulf coast, but people are going to incredible lengths for a gallon of gas.
Tanker trucks have police escorts, and it's nothing to see a line of cars following one down the road waiting for it to pull into a station. Gas lines form shortly after six a-m, when the curfew is lifted, and last until it begins at six p-m. And people are protecting their gas like gold once they get it."
Monday, September 05, 2005
Lending a Hand
Lending a Hand...
In a conversation with Donna Talarski....
Donna has found a semi truck driver willing to deliver supplies from our community of Newport to the 1000 refugees due to arrive in Portland in the next few weeks. They will be staying at a moth balled high school there. (see this link for the story). She has a request into Larry Henson to use the clubhouse as a collection point for what she envisions as clothing items.
She wants to call on folks to help in her drive. We will keep the communications on the needs and progress of her effort here on the website. Many of us have expertise that can add more dimensions to this effort. It all starts with somebody and Donna has made herself it. If you can do something to help her set up this organization.. Give her a call. Maybe you could man a phone? Make calls? Pick up stuff? Write news? Donate? Maybe you have had experience with an aid agency and have advice? Maybe you are in the know with someone of influence? Maybe you are a mule like me and can help with the physical work?
Give Donna a call and volunteer. The more that step up.. the easier the task.
In a conversation with Donna Talarski....
Donna has found a semi truck driver willing to deliver supplies from our community of Newport to the 1000 refugees due to arrive in Portland in the next few weeks. They will be staying at a moth balled high school there. (see this link for the story). She has a request into Larry Henson to use the clubhouse as a collection point for what she envisions as clothing items.
She wants to call on folks to help in her drive. We will keep the communications on the needs and progress of her effort here on the website. Many of us have expertise that can add more dimensions to this effort. It all starts with somebody and Donna has made herself it. If you can do something to help her set up this organization.. Give her a call. Maybe you could man a phone? Make calls? Pick up stuff? Write news? Donate? Maybe you have had experience with an aid agency and have advice? Maybe you are in the know with someone of influence? Maybe you are a mule like me and can help with the physical work?
Give Donna a call and volunteer. The more that step up.. the easier the task.
BBC NEWS | UK | Britons describe hurricane ordeal
BBC NEWS | UK | Britons describe hurricane ordeal: "Britons describe hurricane ordeal
Briton Jane Wheeldon
Survivor Jane Wheeldon said UK officials gave 'minimum' help
Britons returning from New Orleans have described the horrifying conditions in the city.
Many were among the thousands of people who took refuge in the Superdome stadium from the floods that engulfed the US city following Hurricane Katrina."
Briton Jane Wheeldon
Survivor Jane Wheeldon said UK officials gave 'minimum' help
Britons returning from New Orleans have described the horrifying conditions in the city.
Many were among the thousands of people who took refuge in the Superdome stadium from the floods that engulfed the US city following Hurricane Katrina."
- Forbes.com
- Forbes.com: "And Aaron Broussard, the president of Jefferson Parish, just west of New Orleans, cried on NBC's 'Meet the Press' as he told the following story:
'The guy who runs this building I'm in, emergency management, he's responsible for everything. His mother was trapped in St. Bernard nursing home, and every day she called him and said, 'Are you coming, son? Is somebody coming?'And he said, 'And yeah, Momma, somebody's coming to get you. Somebody's coming to get you on Tuesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Wednesday. Somebody's coming to get you Thursday. Somebody's coming to get you on Friday'. And she drowned Friday night. She drowned on Friday night.'"
'The guy who runs this building I'm in, emergency management, he's responsible for everything. His mother was trapped in St. Bernard nursing home, and every day she called him and said, 'Are you coming, son? Is somebody coming?'And he said, 'And yeah, Momma, somebody's coming to get you. Somebody's coming to get you on Tuesday. Somebody's coming to get you on Wednesday. Somebody's coming to get you Thursday. Somebody's coming to get you on Friday'. And she drowned Friday night. She drowned on Friday night.'"
- Forbes.com
- Forbes.com: "Meanwhile, help for the living was an uphill battle in some places.
A convoy of 100 surgeons and paramedics in a state-of-the-art mobile hospital was marooned in rural Mississippi as of Sunday, AP reported, because Louisiana officials would not let them into the New Orleans area.
'We have tried so hard to do the right thing. It took us 30 hours to get here,' said one of the frustrated surgeons, Dr. Preston 'Chip' Rich of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That government officials can't straighten out the mess and get them assigned to a relief effort now that they're just a few miles away 'is just mind-boggling,' he told AP."
A convoy of 100 surgeons and paramedics in a state-of-the-art mobile hospital was marooned in rural Mississippi as of Sunday, AP reported, because Louisiana officials would not let them into the New Orleans area.
'We have tried so hard to do the right thing. It took us 30 hours to get here,' said one of the frustrated surgeons, Dr. Preston 'Chip' Rich of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. That government officials can't straighten out the mess and get them assigned to a relief effort now that they're just a few miles away 'is just mind-boggling,' he told AP."
Sunday, September 04, 2005
BIRTHDAYS...
If you would like to have your birthday show up on the website and the LVH Calendar every year... Just give us a call or send an email along and we will get you on.
If you would like to have your birthday show up on the website and the LVH Calendar every year... Just give us a call or send an email along and we will get you on.
A blogger writes from directly on the scene..
Via telephone conversation between Diane Doyle and Jacky Thomas....
Diane says the link below is to a fascinating blog writen by a New Orleans resident who has been there from the begining and has chronicled what he has seen. This is an everyday person like you and me.
Click below..
The MGNO Blog
Via telephone conversation between Diane Doyle and Jacky Thomas....
Diane says the link below is to a fascinating blog writen by a New Orleans resident who has been there from the begining and has chronicled what he has seen. This is an everyday person like you and me.
Click below..
The MGNO Blog
The Truth about Cell PhonesAnd the National Do Not Call Registry
Editors comment:
A lot of folks are forwarding email such as mentioned below... It is another Urban Legend.. Read the full article if you need an explanation ... RT
The Truth about Cell PhonesAnd the National Do Not Call Registry: "For Release: April 15, 2005
The Truth about Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry
If you’ve received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database, rest assured that this is not the case. Telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal in most cases and will continue to be so. In response to recent e-mail campaigns urging consumers to place their cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission issue this advisory to give consumers the facts.
One e-mail making the rounds says:
“JUST A REMINDER...In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS... To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888/382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS...”
Another version claims:
“The Federal Trade Commission has set up a 'do not call' list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the 'do not call' list, you must call from the number you wish to register.”
Here’s what you need to know about the National Do Not Call Registry program:"
A lot of folks are forwarding email such as mentioned below... It is another Urban Legend.. Read the full article if you need an explanation ... RT
The Truth about Cell PhonesAnd the National Do Not Call Registry: "For Release: April 15, 2005
The Truth about Cell Phones and the National Do Not Call Registry
If you’ve received an e-mail telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database, rest assured that this is not the case. Telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal in most cases and will continue to be so. In response to recent e-mail campaigns urging consumers to place their cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry, the Federal Trade Commission and Federal Communications Commission issue this advisory to give consumers the facts.
One e-mail making the rounds says:
“JUST A REMINDER...In a few weeks, cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies and you will start to receive sale calls. YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS... To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888/382-1222. It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. PASS THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS...”
Another version claims:
“The Federal Trade Commission has set up a 'do not call' list. It is called a cell phone registry. To be included on the 'do not call' list, you must call from the number you wish to register.”
Here’s what you need to know about the National Do Not Call Registry program:"
Oregon National Guard forces arrive to help restore order
Oregon National Guard forces arrive to help restore order:
Oregon National Guard forces arrive to help restore order
Fifty Army and Air Guard troops reach the New Orleans area to set up camp for 1,500 Oregon soldiers
Sunday, September 04, 2005
HARRY ESTEVE
NEW ORLEANS NAVAL AIR STATION, La. -- Oregon National Guard forces continued to roll into the hurricane-stricken South on Saturday, bringing reinforcements for what is expected to be a long and dangerous chore of restoring order and maintaining security.
About 50 Army and Air Guard troops flew from Portland in a military transport jet borrowed from Washington, landing amid a blur of noise and activity at a Navy airfield about 15 miles south of New Orleans."
Oregon National Guard forces arrive to help restore order
Fifty Army and Air Guard troops reach the New Orleans area to set up camp for 1,500 Oregon soldiers
Sunday, September 04, 2005
HARRY ESTEVE
NEW ORLEANS NAVAL AIR STATION, La. -- Oregon National Guard forces continued to roll into the hurricane-stricken South on Saturday, bringing reinforcements for what is expected to be a long and dangerous chore of restoring order and maintaining security.
About 50 Army and Air Guard troops flew from Portland in a military transport jet borrowed from Washington, landing amid a blur of noise and activity at a Navy airfield about 15 miles south of New Orleans."
Oregon gears up to take in 1,000 Katrina evacuees
Oregon gears up to take in 1,000 Katrina evacuees: "
Oregon gears up to take in 1,000 Katrina evacuees
Red Cross says giving money helps the most By: KRISTI TURNQUIST and AMY HSUAN
Sunday, September 04, 2005
As many as 1,000 victims left homeless by Hurricane Katrina could start arriving in Oregon as soon as today, but probably later in the week as the state answers a federal call to provide shelter for storm evacuees in need of food, water and shelter.
About 60 volunteers worked frantically Saturday to set up cots in the gymnasium at the former Washington-Monroe High School for as many as 500 evacuees.
'We're pulling together for our brothers and sisters,' Jeff Wilson said as he scrambled to unpack boxes of supplies at the former high school. 'There's a lot of concerned Portlanders here.'"
Oregon gears up to take in 1,000 Katrina evacuees
Red Cross says giving money helps the most By: KRISTI TURNQUIST and AMY HSUAN
Sunday, September 04, 2005
As many as 1,000 victims left homeless by Hurricane Katrina could start arriving in Oregon as soon as today, but probably later in the week as the state answers a federal call to provide shelter for storm evacuees in need of food, water and shelter.
About 60 volunteers worked frantically Saturday to set up cots in the gymnasium at the former Washington-Monroe High School for as many as 500 evacuees.
'We're pulling together for our brothers and sisters,' Jeff Wilson said as he scrambled to unpack boxes of supplies at the former high school. 'There's a lot of concerned Portlanders here.'"
CNN.com - The big disconnect on New Orleans - Sep 2, 2005
CNN.com - The big disconnect on New Orleans - Sep 2, 2005: "The big disconnect on New Orleans
The official version; then there's the in-the-trenches version
Friday, September 2, 2005; Posted: 5:17 p.m. EDT (21:17 GMT)
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Diverging views of a crumbling New Orleans emerged Thursday, with statements by some federal officials in contradiction with grittier, more desperate views from the streets. By late Friday response to those stranded in the city was more visible."
The official version; then there's the in-the-trenches version
Friday, September 2, 2005; Posted: 5:17 p.m. EDT (21:17 GMT)
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (CNN) -- Diverging views of a crumbling New Orleans emerged Thursday, with statements by some federal officials in contradiction with grittier, more desperate views from the streets. By late Friday response to those stranded in the city was more visible."
New York Daily News - Home - Team Bush spins the crisis
New York Daily News - Home - Team Bush spins the crisis: "The Navy announced yesterday that Vice President Cheney's former company, Halliburton, which has handled much of the repair work as well as support services for the U.S. military in Iraq, was hired to restore power and rebuild three naval facilities in Mississippi that were wrecked by Katrina. "
Saturday, September 03, 2005
Web Edition - NewsGator Online
Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "Barry LePatner
'Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.'"
'Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.'"
Editor:
The below article should be read ... and then when you get to the part where the government (FED) can't do anything unless a formal request is put in and you think that this was a bureaucratic screw up go to this link and see that the govenor of LA did submit a request for help...
Link to govenor's letter
The below article should be read ... and then when you get to the part where the government (FED) can't do anything unless a formal request is put in and you think that this was a bureaucratic screw up go to this link and see that the govenor of LA did submit a request for help...
Link to govenor's letter
CNN.com - Mayor to feds: 'Get off your asses' - Sep 2, 2005: "Mayor to feds: 'Get off your asses'
Transcript of radio interview with New Orleans' Nagin
Friday, September 2, 2005; Posted: 2:59 p.m. EDT (18:59 GMT)
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin speaks Saturday, before Hurricane Katrina's devastation.
(CNN) -- New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin blasted the slow pace of federal and state relief efforts in an expletive-laced interview with local radio station WWL-AM.
The following is a transcript of WWL correspondent Garland Robinette's interview with Nagin on Thursday night. Robinette asked the mayor about his conversation with President Bush:"
Friday, September 02, 2005
Corpses lie abandoned in street medians. Medical helicopters and law officers come under fire. Survivors battle for seats on the buses that would carr
Corpses lie abandoned in street medians. Medical helicopters and law officers come under fire. Survivors battle for seats on the buses that would carry them away from the nightmare. The tired, hungry and desperate seethe, saying they have been forsaken.
Corpses lie abandoned in street medians. Medical helicopters and law officers come under fire. Survivors battle for seats on the buses that would carry them away from the nightmare. The tired, hungry and desperate seethe, saying they have been forsaken.
Friday, September 02, 2005
JACK DOUGLAS JR.,
SCOTT DODD and MARTIN MERZER
NEW ORLEANS -- Some of Hurricane Katrina's most desperate victims abandoned a dying city Thursday as food and drinking water disappeared and anarchy flared. People armed with shotguns guarded their homes and stores. Rescue crews came under fire from hijackers.
For thousands upon thousands of people, time was running out. A Knight Ridder reporter saw three bodies in and around the Superdome. Criticism of the federal response to the most sweeping natural disaster in American history rose to a fever pitch -- and not just in New Orleans."
Corpses lie abandoned in street medians. Medical helicopters and law officers come under fire. Survivors battle for seats on the buses that would carry them away from the nightmare. The tired, hungry and desperate seethe, saying they have been forsaken.
Friday, September 02, 2005
JACK DOUGLAS JR.,
SCOTT DODD and MARTIN MERZER
NEW ORLEANS -- Some of Hurricane Katrina's most desperate victims abandoned a dying city Thursday as food and drinking water disappeared and anarchy flared. People armed with shotguns guarded their homes and stores. Rescue crews came under fire from hijackers.
For thousands upon thousands of people, time was running out. A Knight Ridder reporter saw three bodies in and around the Superdome. Criticism of the federal response to the most sweeping natural disaster in American history rose to a fever pitch -- and not just in New Orleans."
USATODAY.com - World reaction ranges from scolding to sympathy
USATODAY.com - World reaction ranges from scolding to sympathy: "World reaction ranges from scolding to sympathy
By James Cox, USA TODAY
A top German official said the United States had itself to blame for Hurricane Katrina. Canada's prime minister waited days to issue condolences.
On the positive side, Iran offered its sympathies. Cuba's Fidel Castro led a moment of silence for victims of the storm.
Foreign reaction to tragic events along the Gulf Coast produced surprises from:"
By James Cox, USA TODAY
A top German official said the United States had itself to blame for Hurricane Katrina. Canada's prime minister waited days to issue condolences.
On the positive side, Iran offered its sympathies. Cuba's Fidel Castro led a moment of silence for victims of the storm.
Foreign reaction to tragic events along the Gulf Coast produced surprises from:"
Web Edition - NewsGator Online
Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "James Thorpe
'Household tasks are easier and quicker when they are done by somebody else.'"
'Household tasks are easier and quicker when they are done by somebody else.'"
A Can't-Do Government - New York Times
A Can't-Do Government - New York Times: "A Can't-Do Government
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: September 2, 2005
Before 9/11 the Federal Emergency Management Agency listed the three most likely catastrophic disasters facing America: a terrorist attack on New York, a major earthquake in San Francisco and a hurricane strike on New Orleans. 'The New Orleans hurricane scenario,' The Houston Chronicle wrote in December 2001, 'may be the deadliest of all.' It described a potential catastrophe very much like the one now happening.
So why were New Orleans and the nation so unprepared? After 9/11, hard questions were deferred in the name of national unity, then buried under a thick coat of whitewash. This time, we need accountability."
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: September 2, 2005
Before 9/11 the Federal Emergency Management Agency listed the three most likely catastrophic disasters facing America: a terrorist attack on New York, a major earthquake in San Francisco and a hurricane strike on New Orleans. 'The New Orleans hurricane scenario,' The Houston Chronicle wrote in December 2001, 'may be the deadliest of all.' It described a potential catastrophe very much like the one now happening.
So why were New Orleans and the nation so unprepared? After 9/11, hard questions were deferred in the name of national unity, then buried under a thick coat of whitewash. This time, we need accountability."
Thursday, September 01, 2005
WWLTV.com | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Local News
WWLTV.com | News for New Orleans, Louisiana | Local News: "12:38 P.M. - (AP): Two French Quarter hotels says federal officials have foiled their plans to hire buses to ferry guests to higher ground.
The general manager of the Astor Hotel at Astor Crowne Plaza says the hotels teamed to hire ten buses to carry some 500 guests.
But Peter Ambros says federal officials commandeered the buses, and told the guests to join thousands of other evacuees at the New Orleans convention center.
One man says he and others had paid $45 a seat for the buses, and that they were 'totally stunned' when the buses never arrived. Another woman said the crowd had waited 14 hours for the buses. She says the idea of walking to the convention center scared her because of reports of looting.
The woman says it appears Louisiana officials have forgotten about tourists, and are just intent on getting their own residents out.
12:30 P.M. - WWL-TV: Charity Hospital is almost finished evacuating all their patients. Minimal food and water remains.
12:28 P.M. - (AP): Dozens of post offices were closed and mail service was suspended in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. But officials said they are working to get mail to people"
The general manager of the Astor Hotel at Astor Crowne Plaza says the hotels teamed to hire ten buses to carry some 500 guests.
But Peter Ambros says federal officials commandeered the buses, and told the guests to join thousands of other evacuees at the New Orleans convention center.
One man says he and others had paid $45 a seat for the buses, and that they were 'totally stunned' when the buses never arrived. Another woman said the crowd had waited 14 hours for the buses. She says the idea of walking to the convention center scared her because of reports of looting.
The woman says it appears Louisiana officials have forgotten about tourists, and are just intent on getting their own residents out.
12:30 P.M. - WWL-TV: Charity Hospital is almost finished evacuating all their patients. Minimal food and water remains.
12:28 P.M. - (AP): Dozens of post offices were closed and mail service was suspended in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. But officials said they are working to get mail to people"
Extraordinary Problems, Difficult Solutions
Extraordinary Problems, Difficult Solutions: "Extraordinary Problems, Difficult Solutions
Massive Floods, Pollution Make for 'Worst Case'
By Guy Gugliotta and Peter Whoriskey
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, September 1, 2005; Page A10
First they have to pump the flooded city dry, and that will take a minimum of 30 days. Then they will have to flush the drinking water system, making sure they don't recycle the contaminants. Figure another month for that.
The electricians will have to watch out for snakes in the water, wild animals and feral dogs. It will be a good idea to wear hip boots and take care of cuts and scrapes before the toxic slush turns them into festering sores. The power grid might be up in a few weeks, but many months will elapse before everybody's lights come back on."
Massive Floods, Pollution Make for 'Worst Case'
By Guy Gugliotta and Peter Whoriskey
Washington Post Staff Writers
Thursday, September 1, 2005; Page A10
First they have to pump the flooded city dry, and that will take a minimum of 30 days. Then they will have to flush the drinking water system, making sure they don't recycle the contaminants. Figure another month for that.
The electricians will have to watch out for snakes in the water, wild animals and feral dogs. It will be a good idea to wear hip boots and take care of cuts and scrapes before the toxic slush turns them into festering sores. The power grid might be up in a few weeks, but many months will elapse before everybody's lights come back on."
Gasoline Supplies Tighten, Prices Rise
Gasoline Supplies Tighten, Prices Rise: "Gasoline Supplies Tighten, Prices Rise
By BRAD FOSS, AP Business Writer
Thursday, September 1, 2005
(09-01) 08:55 PDT , (AP) --
Gasoline supplies tightened Thursday in markets that depend on shipments from Gulf Coast refiners and pipelines, and motorists increasingly faced pump prices well in excess of $3 a gallon.
Industry officials said a small-but-growing number of independent gasoline retailers in the Southeast and Midwest may simply turn off their pumps in the days ahead, either because of shortages or because wholesale prices climbed so high so quickly that they cannot compete without selling fuel at a loss."
By BRAD FOSS, AP Business Writer
Thursday, September 1, 2005
(09-01) 08:55 PDT , (AP) --
Gasoline supplies tightened Thursday in markets that depend on shipments from Gulf Coast refiners and pipelines, and motorists increasingly faced pump prices well in excess of $3 a gallon.
Industry officials said a small-but-growing number of independent gasoline retailers in the Southeast and Midwest may simply turn off their pumps in the days ahead, either because of shortages or because wholesale prices climbed so high so quickly that they cannot compete without selling fuel at a loss."
Stock Market News and Investment Information | Reuters.com
Stock Market News and Investment Information | Reuters.com: "UPDATE 4-New Orleans evacuation slows as shooting, chaos erupt
Thu Sep 1, 2005 11:26 AM ET
By Jason Reed
NEW ORLEANS, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Chaos and lawlessness hampered the evacuation of New Orleans on Thursday and a U.S. senator said thousands may have died in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast.
In New Orleans, shell-shocked officials tried to regain control of the historic jazz city reduced to a swampy ruin by Monday's storm. Bodies floated in the flooded city and authorities still could only guess how many people had died."
Thu Sep 1, 2005 11:26 AM ET
By Jason Reed
NEW ORLEANS, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Chaos and lawlessness hampered the evacuation of New Orleans on Thursday and a U.S. senator said thousands may have died in Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina devastated the U.S. Gulf Coast.
In New Orleans, shell-shocked officials tried to regain control of the historic jazz city reduced to a swampy ruin by Monday's storm. Bodies floated in the flooded city and authorities still could only guess how many people had died."
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
THE BELOW LINK TAKES YOU USA TODAY'S PICTURE COVERAGE OF THE FLOOD
If you experience flashing while it is loading just click on pictures on its menu bar and everything will then work. Use all the features on the menu bar and turn up your speakers... Audio, video, annimations..etc.
63 pictures not seen on TV.
PICTURES CLICK HERE
If you experience flashing while it is loading just click on pictures on its menu bar and everything will then work. Use all the features on the menu bar and turn up your speakers... Audio, video, annimations..etc.
63 pictures not seen on TV.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Law would better fat
Law would better fate of mobile home owners
sent via email from Wayne Hill
By Peter Ferrissent via email from Wayne Hill
Published: Monday, August 29, 2005
In the 18th century, the English cleared peasants from the highlands of Scotland. Those affected felt emotional distress from the collapse of their communities, increased poverty and homelessness. For the power elites: large estates, increased earnings and population control.
We witness the same phenomenon today as developers clear out the most vulnerable in our society - the aged, the poor, the disabled - from mobile home parks. This, of course, comes with the consent of the park owners, who find it irresistible to cash in on the millions offered.
Last spring, rumors were flying about the possible closure of the mobile home park where I used to live. Briarwood, with 250 spaces in west Eugene, was built in 1976. After a California corporation purchased it in the early 1990s, it became a senior park.
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The managers of the park can be best described as doing the bare minimum. I was an assistant manager for the weekends, and got to know their style well. They low-ball their on-site employees Wal-Mart style, generally ignore maintenance and stonewall tenants when contentious issues come up.
A few of us speculated that land-hungry developers had begun to court the owner. Since deferred maintenance had become a liability in the 30-year-old park, we reasoned he might want to sell all or part of it. We felt it was no coincidence that homes starting at $200,000 were being built on two adjacent parcels of land. When called by one of the park residents, the son of the owner adamantly denied the rumors.
Under state law, owners enjoy quite a bit of flexibility when closing or converting a park. Their only significant obligation involves a six-month notice, which requires them to reimburse tenants up to $3,500 for moving their homes, a figure that has been on the books since 1987.
Owners could, however, easily avoid such payment by giving a year's notice, which would require tenants to pay the full cost. (Relocating a mobile home can run from $7,000 to $15,000.)
During the past legislative session, as the Oregon real estate market heated up, a statewide coalition tried to come to some agreement about revisiting these statutes. However, the effort reportedly failed because of a small group of owners who insisted they wanted no changes - not surprising, since the law clearly favors them.
But late this spring, the residents of Thunderbird Mobile Club in Wilsonville and Willamette Cove in West Linn began calling lawmakers to protest. When the tenants of Willamette Cove offered their owner $5.2 million to purchase the park, Sequoia Custom Homes of Clackamas upped the ante to $9.8 million.
Then things got really hot. Residents of both parks began picketing the potential buyer. A confab of legislators, city councilors and aides to the governor and U.S. Rep. Darlene Hooley met with the seniors to sympathize, but said that little could be done to prevent the sale of private property. One senior complained that the elderly had become expendable in "our throw-away society."
Enter Rep. Jerry Krummel of Wilsonville, a former mobile home resident. He drafted House Bill 2389, which offers incentives to owners to sell to tenant associations, nonprofit groups or community development corporations.
In addition, it grants tenants who meet federal poverty guidelines (approximately $18,000 per household) up to $10,000 in refundable tax credits, to be applied against moving costs. Those with incomes of more than $18,000 and less than $60,000 would get a nonrefundable tax credit.
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Another provision prohibits municipalities from restricting the number of older mobile homes in newer parks (although owners still may). The bill also creates a statewide database of vacancies, to be maintained by the Housing and Community Services Department.
Under HB 2389, owners gain a waiver of the state capital gains tax when they sell to the "right" groups. It's debatable, however, whether it will encourage the transfer of property rights to tenants, especially if owners get the kind of offers as the one in West Linn did. In addition, many of those eligible for the refundable tax credit might not be able to secure a loan before getting reimbursed by the state. The bill, which becomes law in January if signed by the governor, is estimated to cost the state $250,000 in tax revenue for the 2005-07 budget period.
In the end, perhaps the real strength of mobile home tenants will be their willingness to organize and speak out. The developer of the West Linn park rescinded the purchase offer, and rumor was that bad publicity was the reason. And maybe it might dawn on some developers that building affordable housing is part of their responsibility as good citizens.
But until then, perhaps maintaining affordable housing should trump the rights of private property, Measure 37 notwithstanding.
Peter Ferris (bumpy73@yahoo.com) is a writer and tradesman who now lives in Waldport.
COMMENTS and FIREFOX
RT
Cache.... FireFox saves memory in a cache. When the cache is full it stops showing the count on the comments that have been written. You may see the number zero where the comments are but there could be a great number of them.
What needs to be done is for you to periodicaly clear the cache. Here is the step by step (this won't harm your computer).
RT
Cache.... FireFox saves memory in a cache. When the cache is full it stops showing the count on the comments that have been written. You may see the number zero where the comments are but there could be a great number of them.
What needs to be done is for you to periodicaly clear the cache. Here is the step by step (this won't harm your computer).
- On the top menu bar click TOOLS.
- Click OPTIONS.
- A window appears..
- In the left column click PRIVACY (icon of a lock).
- On the right is the menu for Privacy and a list of options.. Click CACHE.
- In the now hi-lited box.. Click CLEAR.
- Last step... Click "OK" at the bottom of the menu.
- THAT'S IT!
USATODAY.com - Humanoid robot to go on sale in Japan
USATODAY.com - Humanoid robot to go on sale in Japan: "Humanoid robot to go on sale in Japan
TOKYO (AP) — A 3-foot-tall humanoid robot that can recognize about 10,000 words and work as a house sitter will go on sale in Japan in September, its manufacturer said Monday.
Wakamaru can recognize about 10,000 words and work as house sitter. It will go on sale in Japan in September.
By Katsumi Kasahara, AP file
The 'Wakamaru' robot can recognize the faces of up to 10 people and talk to them. When linked to cell phones, it can also monitor situations at home, such as a burglary or someone falling ill, according to Mitsubishi-Heavy Industries Ltd."
TOKYO (AP) — A 3-foot-tall humanoid robot that can recognize about 10,000 words and work as a house sitter will go on sale in Japan in September, its manufacturer said Monday.
Wakamaru can recognize about 10,000 words and work as house sitter. It will go on sale in Japan in September.
By Katsumi Kasahara, AP file
The 'Wakamaru' robot can recognize the faces of up to 10 people and talk to them. When linked to cell phones, it can also monitor situations at home, such as a burglary or someone falling ill, according to Mitsubishi-Heavy Industries Ltd."
USATODAY.com - Online dating shows some gray
USATODAY.com - Online dating shows some gray: "Online dating shows some gray
By John Johnston, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Marge Roberts looks forward to dinner and flowers every Tuesday from the fellow she affectionately refers to as Yahoo! Boy.
Marge Roberts, 57, met Dennis Barton, 62, online at Yahoo! Personals and the two have been dating for nearly a year.
By Tony Jones, Cincinnati Enquirer via GNS
'And I open the car door for her, too,' says Dennis Barton, sitting in her condominium.
He's 63 and retired. She's 58 and a technical writer."
By John Johnston, The Cincinnati Enquirer
Marge Roberts looks forward to dinner and flowers every Tuesday from the fellow she affectionately refers to as Yahoo! Boy.
Marge Roberts, 57, met Dennis Barton, 62, online at Yahoo! Personals and the two have been dating for nearly a year.
By Tony Jones, Cincinnati Enquirer via GNS
'And I open the car door for her, too,' says Dennis Barton, sitting in her condominium.
He's 63 and retired. She's 58 and a technical writer."
USATODAY.com - Bush boosts drug benefit for seniors
USATODAY.com - Bush boosts drug benefit for seniors: "Bush boosts drug benefit for seniors
By Richard Benedetto, USA TODAY
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — President Bush flew to Arizona and California on Monday to urge wary seniors to take advantage of the new Medicare prescription-drug benefit that takes effect next year."
By Richard Benedetto, USA TODAY
RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. — President Bush flew to Arizona and California on Monday to urge wary seniors to take advantage of the new Medicare prescription-drug benefit that takes effect next year."
Web Edition - NewsGator Online
Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "Fran Lebowitz
'My favorite animal is steak.'"
'My favorite animal is steak.'"
Monday, August 29, 2005
National Public Radio.. This I beleive
This i Beleive...
Here is a link to a great website from National Public Radio. The site gives essays from average and normal, everyday folks about life as they see it. We think you may like to bookmark it and return often when your spirit needs to be nourished...
NPR
Here is a link to a great website from National Public Radio. The site gives essays from average and normal, everyday folks about life as they see it. We think you may like to bookmark it and return often when your spirit needs to be nourished...
NPR
USATODAY.com - Asteroid's path could put Earth in its sights
USATODAY.com - Asteroid's path could put Earth in its sights: "Asteroid's path could put Earth in its sights
By Dan Vergano, USA TODAY
Astronomers are debating what to do about Earth's close encounter with an asteroid in 2029 and again in 2036 — passages that might be too close for comfort."
By Dan Vergano, USA TODAY
Astronomers are debating what to do about Earth's close encounter with an asteroid in 2029 and again in 2036 — passages that might be too close for comfort."
USATODAY.com - 8 years in a Louisiana jail, but he never went to trial
USATODAY.com - 8 years in a Louisiana jail, but he never went to trial: "8 years in a Louisiana jail, but he never went to trial
By Laura Parker, USA TODAY
When he was charged with murder in 1996, James Thomas, an impoverished day laborer in Baton Rouge, became like many other criminal defendants: With no money to hire a lawyer, he had to rely on the government to provide him with one.
He then spent the next 8½ years in jail, waiting for his case to go to trial. It never did."
By Laura Parker, USA TODAY
When he was charged with murder in 1996, James Thomas, an impoverished day laborer in Baton Rouge, became like many other criminal defendants: With no money to hire a lawyer, he had to rely on the government to provide him with one.
He then spent the next 8½ years in jail, waiting for his case to go to trial. It never did."
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Micheal Yon war correspondent
Micheal Yon
We have been reading the web log (BLOG) of Micheal Yon an imbeded reporter in Iraq. The perspective he delivers on the war is from the young warriors doing the fighting. He goes on the missions with the troops and writes about what he sees and he takes his own videos and still pictures.
He gives a completely detailed and different story than you are used to seeing on the nightly news. As far as I can see he is spin free and just reports what is going on.
We first saw one of his posts this week and since have gone back to read his previously archived dispatches. This is a highly recommended read. Want to see what and IED (explosive device) going off as you are driving on patrol looks like? He has video and audio of it as it is happening while he was on patrol with a group of soldiers he calls the Deuce 4.
Want to see what the real Iraqi attitude is?
Learn who the terrorists are and why and how they operate from a man on the ground... This you haven't seen on the news...
We are very impressed with this writer and have put a new link to his blog on the left side of the page. We hope you will give him a read soon.
Cindy Sheehan's protest
Cindy Sheehan's protest: "More | Subscribe | 14-Day Archives (Free) | Long-Term Archives (Paid)
Cindy Sheehan's protest
A pertinent question emerges from the rhetoric, the politics and the stylized ideological circus in Crawford, Texas
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Cindy Sheehan, the now-famous anti-war protester, says she just wants to know why her soldier son had to die in the war in Iraq.
Partly because of the means by which she asks the question -- a highly publicized, highly politicized and highly stylized protest outside the President's Crawford, Texas, ranch -- no useful answer is likely to be forthcoming. In talk-radio America, it may be that Sheehan could not raise the question in any better forum than the one she chose. Or it may simply be that something so emotional cannot ever come up in public without the biliousness that has characterized the discussion so far."
Cindy Sheehan's protest
A pertinent question emerges from the rhetoric, the politics and the stylized ideological circus in Crawford, Texas
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Cindy Sheehan, the now-famous anti-war protester, says she just wants to know why her soldier son had to die in the war in Iraq.
Partly because of the means by which she asks the question -- a highly publicized, highly politicized and highly stylized protest outside the President's Crawford, Texas, ranch -- no useful answer is likely to be forthcoming. In talk-radio America, it may be that Sheehan could not raise the question in any better forum than the one she chose. Or it may simply be that something so emotional cannot ever come up in public without the biliousness that has characterized the discussion so far."
A. H. Weiler Quotes - The Quotations Page
A. H. Weiler Quotes - The Quotations Page: "Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself.
A. H. Weiler"
A. H. Weiler"
Daniel Webster Quotes - The Quotations Page
Daniel Webster Quotes - The Quotations Page: "The world is governed more by appearances than realities, so that it is fully as necessary to seem to know something as to know it.
Daniel Webster"
Daniel Webster"
Daniel Webster Quotes - The Quotations Page
Daniel Webster Quotes - The Quotations Page: "A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures.
Daniel Webster"
Daniel Webster"
Xinhua - English
Xinhua - English: "Greenspan says US housing market will eventually cool down
www.chinaview.cn 2005-08-28 06:04:47
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Saturday that the red-hot housing market will eventually cool down, making some Americans feel less wealthy.
Speaking at the end of a two-day economic conference in JacksonHole, Wyoming, he said that the US housing boom 'will inevitably simmer down.' 'As part of that process, house turnover will decline from currently historic levels, while home price increaseswill slow and prices could even decrease,' he said.
As a consequence, people taking cash out of the"
www.chinaview.cn 2005-08-28 06:04:47
WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- US Federal Reserve (Fed) Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Saturday that the red-hot housing market will eventually cool down, making some Americans feel less wealthy.
Speaking at the end of a two-day economic conference in JacksonHole, Wyoming, he said that the US housing boom 'will inevitably simmer down.' 'As part of that process, house turnover will decline from currently historic levels, while home price increaseswill slow and prices could even decrease,' he said.
As a consequence, people taking cash out of the"
Google News
Google News: "
Top Stories
Malaysia Star
New Orleans Ordered to Evacuate as Katrina Approaches (Update1)
Bloomberg - 37 minutes ago
Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- New Orleans residents were ordered to evacuate the city today as Hurricane Katrina, one of the most powerful and potentially deadly storms ever to threaten the US Gulf Coast, approached land with its 160 mph winds. ... "
Top Stories
Malaysia Star
New Orleans Ordered to Evacuate as Katrina Approaches (Update1)
Bloomberg - 37 minutes ago
Aug. 28 (Bloomberg) -- New Orleans residents were ordered to evacuate the city today as Hurricane Katrina, one of the most powerful and potentially deadly storms ever to threaten the US Gulf Coast, approached land with its 160 mph winds. ... "
Saturday, August 27, 2005
THUMBS UP....
rt
I played with icons last night and found one I liked to show off our "you rate it" page on the left side of the page where the links are.
I played with icons last night and found one I liked to show off our "you rate it" page on the left side of the page where the links are.
Trip Gas Price
Trip Gas Price: "AAA Fuel Cost Calculator
Calculate The Estimated Fuel Cost Of Your Trip"
Calculate The Estimated Fuel Cost Of Your Trip"
MSN Hotmail - Message
"HERE'S A QUESTION--HOW CLEAN IS YOUR CITY? Readers Digest has compiled a listing of the 50 largest metropolitan areas in the country. Then, using several criteria, it ranked them for relative cleanliness. Leading the list is Portland, OR. Bringing up the rear is the Chicago area. (I don't know about that; I think Chicago is really nice.) Among other things, the magazine looked at water and air quality; pollution; and sanitation. After Portland, the top five is rounded out by San Jose, CA; Buffalo, NY; Columbus, OH; and San Francisco. Scraping along with Chicago are Birmingham, AL; St. Louis; Pittsburgh; and New York. Here's the list: http://www.rd.com/content/openContent.do?contentId=15115"
Web Edition - NewsGator Online
Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "Doug Larson
'Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties.'"
'Accomplishing the impossible means only that the boss will add it to your regular duties.'"
Friday, August 26, 2005
I am in awe!!!
rt
Looking at the visits to the web page on the lower left side of the website .... I can hardly beleive the number of folks who have returned here to read this site. It looks to me like sometime in September the little counter will tick over the 60,000th visitor.... Who wooda thunk it? I will be here with a funny hat and a horn to issue that event in.
rt
Looking at the visits to the web page on the lower left side of the website .... I can hardly beleive the number of folks who have returned here to read this site. It looks to me like sometime in September the little counter will tick over the 60,000th visitor.... Who wooda thunk it? I will be here with a funny hat and a horn to issue that event in.
USATODAY.com - Scientists try to harness wave energy
USATODAY.com - Scientists try to harness wave energy: "Scientists try to harness wave energy
GARDINER, Ore. (AP) — As the price of a barrel of oil continues to surge, scientists are turning to the ocean as a possible source of alternative energy.
The potential for harnessing the power of waves has drawn serious study by Oregon State University, federal and state agencies, and communities along the Oregon Coast.
'There's a real good chance that Oregon could turn into kind of the focal point in the United States for wave energy development and I think that would be a boon to the economy,' said Gary Cockrum, spokesman for the Central Lincoln People's Utility District."
GARDINER, Ore. (AP) — As the price of a barrel of oil continues to surge, scientists are turning to the ocean as a possible source of alternative energy.
The potential for harnessing the power of waves has drawn serious study by Oregon State University, federal and state agencies, and communities along the Oregon Coast.
'There's a real good chance that Oregon could turn into kind of the focal point in the United States for wave energy development and I think that would be a boon to the economy,' said Gary Cockrum, spokesman for the Central Lincoln People's Utility District."
Web Edition - NewsGator Online
Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "Alec Bourne
'It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated.'"
'It is possible to store the mind with a million facts and still be entirely uneducated.'"
Michael Yon : Online Magazine: Gates of Fire
This is the best blog of the Iraq war I have seen... Spell binding... read the whole thing ... look at the pictures... Incredible read..we are not kidding! RT
Michael Yon : Online Magazine: Gates of Fire: "Thursday, August 25, 2005
Gates of Fire
Mosul, Iraq
Combat comes unexpectedly, even in war.
On Monday, while conducting operations in west Mosul, a voice came over the radio saying troops from our brother unit, the 3-21, were fighting with"........
Michael Yon : Online Magazine: Gates of Fire: "Thursday, August 25, 2005
Gates of Fire
Mosul, Iraq
Combat comes unexpectedly, even in war.
On Monday, while conducting operations in west Mosul, a voice came over the radio saying troops from our brother unit, the 3-21, were fighting with"........
The Memphis Flyer :: the mid-south's news weekly: Cover Stories: Cover Stories: A Crawford Diary:: "A Crawford Diary:
Keeping vigil with Cindy Sheehan at Camp Casey.
BY CHERI DELBROCCO | AUGUST 26, 2005
Editor's Note: Memphian Cheri DelBrocco, who writes the 'Mad as Hell' column for the Flyer's Web site, spent several days last week at Camp Casey, the site adjoining President Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch, where a vigil is being kept by Cindy Sheehan, mother of one of the almost 2,000 Americans killed so far in Iraq. Joined by increasing numbers of sympathizers and members of the media, Sheehan continues her quest for a conversation with the president and for an answer to a question which reduces to a simple premise: Why are we in Iraq?
What follows is a distillation of DelBrocco's notes on her journey, a somewhat different, raw version of which can be found elsewhere on the Flyer Web site, at Mad as Hell Blog.
Day One:
August 16th - As my friend and sidekick Deborah Brackstone and I roll down I-35 into Waco, Texas, in our rented Chevy Malibu, we pass the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Museum and wonder about the Texas sense of humor. A huge purple skull holding a sickle sticks out of a double-wide trailer. Deborah, who's from Cordova, is coming to Crawford, Texas, seeking the truth about the war in Iraq, this administration, and Cindy Sheehan, the grieving mother of a dead soldier, who wants to meet with President Bush. And so am I."
Keeping vigil with Cindy Sheehan at Camp Casey.
BY CHERI DELBROCCO | AUGUST 26, 2005
Editor's Note: Memphian Cheri DelBrocco, who writes the 'Mad as Hell' column for the Flyer's Web site, spent several days last week at Camp Casey, the site adjoining President Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch, where a vigil is being kept by Cindy Sheehan, mother of one of the almost 2,000 Americans killed so far in Iraq. Joined by increasing numbers of sympathizers and members of the media, Sheehan continues her quest for a conversation with the president and for an answer to a question which reduces to a simple premise: Why are we in Iraq?
What follows is a distillation of DelBrocco's notes on her journey, a somewhat different, raw version of which can be found elsewhere on the Flyer Web site, at Mad as Hell Blog.
Day One:
August 16th - As my friend and sidekick Deborah Brackstone and I roll down I-35 into Waco, Texas, in our rented Chevy Malibu, we pass the Texas Chainsaw Massacre Museum and wonder about the Texas sense of humor. A huge purple skull holding a sickle sticks out of a double-wide trailer. Deborah, who's from Cordova, is coming to Crawford, Texas, seeking the truth about the war in Iraq, this administration, and Cindy Sheehan, the grieving mother of a dead soldier, who wants to meet with President Bush. And so am I."
Life-Lengthening Hormone Found in Mouse Research: "Life-Lengthening Hormone Found in Mouse Research
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 26, 2005; Page A01
Scientists have identified a hormone that significantly extends the life span of mice, a discovery that could mark a crucial step toward developing drugs that boost longevity in people."
By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, August 26, 2005; Page A01
Scientists have identified a hormone that significantly extends the life span of mice, a discovery that could mark a crucial step toward developing drugs that boost longevity in people."
New Scientist Technology - Scale buildings in a single bound: "Scale buildings in a single bound
* 26 August 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* David Cohen
SPIDERMAN does it, so does James Bond. Now a gadget has been developed to allow US marines to zip up the sides of buildings or ships with virtually no effort.
All you do is fire a rope to the top of the structure using a harpoon gun or grappling hook, and then fit the rope into the device, called PowerQuick, which attaches to your climbing harness. Then just sit back and squeeze a lever.
PowerQuick has been developed by Quoin International based in Carson City, Nevada, and can lift a load of 145 kilograms at a rate of 1 metre per second. A battery-powered motor turns a series of wheels and cogs to pull the rope through the device. One battery charge is enough to scale the Statue of Liberty five times, or 250 metres in total. If you let go of the device it automatically stops and holds its position, and it can also be used for a slow controlled descent."
* 26 August 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* David Cohen
SPIDERMAN does it, so does James Bond. Now a gadget has been developed to allow US marines to zip up the sides of buildings or ships with virtually no effort.
All you do is fire a rope to the top of the structure using a harpoon gun or grappling hook, and then fit the rope into the device, called PowerQuick, which attaches to your climbing harness. Then just sit back and squeeze a lever.
PowerQuick has been developed by Quoin International based in Carson City, Nevada, and can lift a load of 145 kilograms at a rate of 1 metre per second. A battery-powered motor turns a series of wheels and cogs to pull the rope through the device. One battery charge is enough to scale the Statue of Liberty five times, or 250 metres in total. If you let go of the device it automatically stops and holds its position, and it can also be used for a slow controlled descent."
New Scientist Breaking News - Indian Ocean tsunami's puzzling waves explained
New Scientist Breaking News - Indian Ocean tsunami's puzzling waves explained: "Indian Ocean tsunami's puzzling waves explained
* 19:00 25 August 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* Kate Ravilious
The tsunami that ricocheted around the world following the Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004 left a puzzling pattern of waves in its wake.
Beaches in Peru and Mexico, nearly 20,000 kilometres from the earthquake, received waves that were three times larger than those hitting the shores of the Cocos Islands, just 1700 km away. Now it turns out that the waves were funnelled along underwater structures, such as mid-ocean ridges and continental shelves.
Vasily Titov, from the US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration in Seattle, and colleagues used numerical model simulations together with tide gauge and satellite data to study the way the wave propagated around the world.
They found that there were two main factors affecting the manner in which the tsunami wave spread – focusing from the source, and guidance from the topography of the sea floor. Close to the epicentre the waves were controlled mostly by the shape of the earthquake fault and the long-thin rectangle of water it violently displaced.
Reflected energy
“Cocos Island lies to one side, so it didn’t receive much direct energy,” explains Titov. Meanwhile, waves further afield were shaped more by sea floor topography. “The energy shot along mid-ocean ridges and continental shelves, to reach far-field locations like Peru and Mexico,” says Titov.
The simulation also explains why some ne"
* 19:00 25 August 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* Kate Ravilious
The tsunami that ricocheted around the world following the Indian Ocean earthquake on 26 December 2004 left a puzzling pattern of waves in its wake.
Beaches in Peru and Mexico, nearly 20,000 kilometres from the earthquake, received waves that were three times larger than those hitting the shores of the Cocos Islands, just 1700 km away. Now it turns out that the waves were funnelled along underwater structures, such as mid-ocean ridges and continental shelves.
Vasily Titov, from the US National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration in Seattle, and colleagues used numerical model simulations together with tide gauge and satellite data to study the way the wave propagated around the world.
They found that there were two main factors affecting the manner in which the tsunami wave spread – focusing from the source, and guidance from the topography of the sea floor. Close to the epicentre the waves were controlled mostly by the shape of the earthquake fault and the long-thin rectangle of water it violently displaced.
Reflected energy
“Cocos Island lies to one side, so it didn’t receive much direct energy,” explains Titov. Meanwhile, waves further afield were shaped more by sea floor topography. “The energy shot along mid-ocean ridges and continental shelves, to reach far-field locations like Peru and Mexico,” says Titov.
The simulation also explains why some ne"
Thursday, August 25, 2005
USATODAY.com - Poll shows more backing for prescription drug benefit
USATODAY.com - Poll shows more backing for prescription drug benefit: "Poll shows more backing for prescription drug benefit
WASHINGTON (AP) — Elderly patients are warming up to the prescription drug benefit that begins next year for Medicare recipients, a survey shows.
Even so, the number of people who plan on not enrolling in a drug plan exceeds the number who say they will enroll, according to a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation."
WASHINGTON (AP) — Elderly patients are warming up to the prescription drug benefit that begins next year for Medicare recipients, a survey shows.
Even so, the number of people who plan on not enrolling in a drug plan exceeds the number who say they will enroll, according to a survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation."
Pakistan Now Says Scientist Did Send Koreans Nuclear Gear - New York Times
Pakistan Now Says Scientist Did Send Koreans Nuclear Gear - New York Times: "Pakistan Now Says Scientist Did Send Koreans Nuclear Gear
By SALMAN MASOOD and DAVID ROHDE
Published: August 25, 2005
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 24 - Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, confirmed Tuesday for the first time that a Pakistani nuclear scientist had provided North Korea with centrifuge machines that could be used to make fuel for an atomic bomb, a Japanese news agency reported.
In an interview here with the agency, Kyodo News, General Musharraf said the former head of his country's nuclear program, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, had sent 'centrifuges - parts and complete' to North Korea. The Pakistani leader did not divulge the number of centrifuges that arrived in North Korea, saying, 'I do not exactly remember the number.'"
By SALMAN MASOOD and DAVID ROHDE
Published: August 25, 2005
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Aug. 24 - Pakistan's president, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, confirmed Tuesday for the first time that a Pakistani nuclear scientist had provided North Korea with centrifuge machines that could be used to make fuel for an atomic bomb, a Japanese news agency reported.
In an interview here with the agency, Kyodo News, General Musharraf said the former head of his country's nuclear program, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, had sent 'centrifuges - parts and complete' to North Korea. The Pakistani leader did not divulge the number of centrifuges that arrived in North Korea, saying, 'I do not exactly remember the number.'"
Download Squad
Download Squad: "Google Talk Review
* Date: Aug 23, 2005, 6:59 PM ET
* Author: Jordan Running
Google Talk: buddy listGoogle Talk, Google's long-expected entry into the IM and VoIP market, has arrived. As predicted, Google Talk is a full-fledged IM client based on the open Jabber protocol with VoIP thrown in for good measure.
Update: The Google Talk web site has gone live and you can now download Google Talk for Windows.
Here's a quick run-down of what Google Talk has to offer: Basic IM capabilities, high-quality and easy to use VoIP, complete integration with Gmail, and a simple, ads-free interface. Read on for our preliminary review and a glimpse into Google Talk's future.
The download is tiny (about 900k) and the install is so quick and easy you don't even realize it's finished yet. You sign in with your Gmail account and are immediately presented with your (momentarily empty) buddy list. There's an Add Friend button, a 'Search all contacts' field which searches both your Google Talk and Gmail contacts, and a drop-down under your name that lets you set your available/unavailable status and messages. There's also an Inbox button which takes you to Gmail, plus Help and Settings."
* Date: Aug 23, 2005, 6:59 PM ET
* Author: Jordan Running
Google Talk: buddy listGoogle Talk, Google's long-expected entry into the IM and VoIP market, has arrived. As predicted, Google Talk is a full-fledged IM client based on the open Jabber protocol with VoIP thrown in for good measure.
Update: The Google Talk web site has gone live and you can now download Google Talk for Windows.
Here's a quick run-down of what Google Talk has to offer: Basic IM capabilities, high-quality and easy to use VoIP, complete integration with Gmail, and a simple, ads-free interface. Read on for our preliminary review and a glimpse into Google Talk's future.
The download is tiny (about 900k) and the install is so quick and easy you don't even realize it's finished yet. You sign in with your Gmail account and are immediately presented with your (momentarily empty) buddy list. There's an Add Friend button, a 'Search all contacts' field which searches both your Google Talk and Gmail contacts, and a drop-down under your name that lets you set your available/unavailable status and messages. There's also an Inbox button which takes you to Gmail, plus Help and Settings."
New Scientist Technology - US on course for shrink-to-fit laser
New Scientist Technology - US on course for shrink-to-fit laser: "US on course for shrink-to-fit laser
* 25 August 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* David Cohen
* Helen Knight
A HIGH-powered, lightweight laser weapon that can be fitted to fighter aircraft to destroy missiles tens of kilometres away has been designed by DARPA, the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency in the US.
Until now, lasers powerful enough to blow up missiles have been so big they can only be carried by large aircraft such as jumbo jets. For example, the Airborne Laser being developed by the US's Missile Defense Agency is designed to fit onto a Boeing 747 freighter aircraft to track and destroy ballistic missiles during their boost phase, although the weapon has yet to undergo flight tests.
But now DARPA says it has managed to shrink all the hardware for such a weapon so that it can fit under the wing of a fighter jet or piggyback on a vehicle to zap anything from ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles to rocket-propelled grenades."
* 25 August 2005
* NewScientist.com news service
* David Cohen
* Helen Knight
A HIGH-powered, lightweight laser weapon that can be fitted to fighter aircraft to destroy missiles tens of kilometres away has been designed by DARPA, the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency in the US.
Until now, lasers powerful enough to blow up missiles have been so big they can only be carried by large aircraft such as jumbo jets. For example, the Airborne Laser being developed by the US's Missile Defense Agency is designed to fit onto a Boeing 747 freighter aircraft to track and destroy ballistic missiles during their boost phase, although the weapon has yet to undergo flight tests.
But now DARPA says it has managed to shrink all the hardware for such a weapon so that it can fit under the wing of a fighter jet or piggyback on a vehicle to zap anything from ground-to-air and air-to-air missiles to rocket-propelled grenades."
Irish Times Article - Google breaks new ground with free phone call service
Irish Times Article - Google breaks new ground with free phone call service: "Google breaks new ground with free phone call service
Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor
Google, the world's most popular internet search engine, may soon become the world's most popular telephone service.
The web giant has launched a new service called Google Talk, which allows users to make free telephone calls to anywhere in the world via the internet.
In effect it would mean overseas and long-distance calls could be made free, provided you have an internet connection. This should slash telephone costs to near zero, leaving only the internet service costs."
Dick Ahlstrom, Science Editor
Google, the world's most popular internet search engine, may soon become the world's most popular telephone service.
The web giant has launched a new service called Google Talk, which allows users to make free telephone calls to anywhere in the world via the internet.
In effect it would mean overseas and long-distance calls could be made free, provided you have an internet connection. This should slash telephone costs to near zero, leaving only the internet service costs."
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
breakfast
BREAKFAST ..... SATURDAY... COME ON DOWN
Potluck breakfast from 9:00 to 10:00 am ...at the Clubhouse this Saturday. Sign up on the bulletin board.
Rose position report
Rosey update....The Rose's are in Ontario, Or. at about 6:00pm Wednesday, August 24th
Sue Wilson
Get Well Soon .....
According to Jean Hart Sue Wilson is in the hospital and recovering well from an operation. Send good thoughts her way.
Doug Wilson Passed Away
Doug Wilson passed away today...
Jean Hart reported that Doug passed today. He was a neighbor of Jim and Bonnie Rose on Deer Lane. The husband of Helen Smith-Wilson. The whole community joins in expressing sorrow at the loss of one of our own....
Rita Rudner Quotes - The Quotations Page
Rita Rudner Quotes - The Quotations Page: "When I meet a man I ask myself, 'Is this the man I want my children to spend their weekends with?'
Rita Rudner"
Rita Rudner"
Rita Rudner Quotes - The Quotations Page
Rita Rudner Quotes - The Quotations Page: "I was a vegetarian until I started leaning toward the sunlight.
Rita Rudner"
Rita Rudner"
Rita Rudner Quotes - The Quotations Page
Rita Rudner Quotes - The Quotations Page: "I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.
Rita Rudner"
Rita Rudner"
Benjamin Franklin Quotes - The Quotations Page
Benjamin Franklin Quotes - The Quotations Page: "All would live long, but none would be old.
Benjamin Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin Quotes - The Quotations Page
Benjamin Franklin Quotes - The Quotations Page: "A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
Benjamin Franklin"
Benjamin Franklin"
Dan Quayle Quotes - The Quotations Page
Dan Quayle Quotes - The Quotations Page: "If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure.
[info][add][mail]
Dan Quayle"
[info][add][mail]
Dan Quayle"
Stem Cell Breakthrough: No More Need to Destroy Embryos?
Stem Cell Breakthrough: No More Need to Destroy Embryos?: "Stem Cell Breakthrough: No More Need to Destroy Embryos?
John Roach
for National Geographic News
August 23, 2005
Scientists have turned an ordinary skin cell into what appears to be an embryonic stem cell. The process may eventually eliminate the controversial step of destroying human embryos for stem cell research.
The new technique involves fusing a skin cell with an existing, laboratory-grown embryonic stem cell. The fused, or hybrid, cell is 'reprogrammed' to its embryonic state, Harvard University scientists report in the journal Science."
John Roach
for National Geographic News
August 23, 2005
Scientists have turned an ordinary skin cell into what appears to be an embryonic stem cell. The process may eventually eliminate the controversial step of destroying human embryos for stem cell research.
The new technique involves fusing a skin cell with an existing, laboratory-grown embryonic stem cell. The fused, or hybrid, cell is 'reprogrammed' to its embryonic state, Harvard University scientists report in the journal Science."
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Robert Benchley Quotes - The Quotations Page
Robert Benchley Quotes - The Quotations Page: "There are two kinds of people in the world, those who believe there are two kinds of people in the world and those who don't.
Robert Benchley, Benchley's Law of Distinction"
Robert Benchley, Benchley's Law of Distinction"
Robert Benchley Quotes - The Quotations Page
Robert Benchley Quotes - The Quotations Page: "Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing.
Robert Benchley Quotes - The Quotations Page
Robert Benchley Quotes - The Quotations Page: "A boy can learn a lot from a dog: obedience, loyalty, and the importance of turning around three times before lying down.
Robert Benchley"
Robert Benchley"
Stanislaw Lem Quotes - The Quotations Page
Stanislaw Lem Quotes - The Quotations Page: "Cannibals prefer those who have no spines.
Stanislaw Lem, 'Holiday', 1963"
Stanislaw Lem, 'Holiday', 1963"
Grasping the Depth of Time as a First Step in Understanding Evolution - New York Times
Grasping the Depth of Time as a First Step in Understanding Evolution - New York Times: "Editorial Observer
Grasping the Depth of Time as a First Step in Understanding Evolution
By VERLYN KLINKENBORG
Published: August 23, 2005
Last month a team of paleontologists announced that it had found several fossilized dinosaur embryos that were 190 million years old - some 90 million years older than any dinosaur embryos found so far. Those kinds of numbers are always a little daunting. Ever since I was a boy in a public elementary school in Iowa, I've been learning to face the eons and eons that are embedded in the universe around us.
Skip to next paragraph
Readers
Forum: Today's Editorials
I know the numbers as they stand at present, and I know what they mean, in a roughly comparative way. The universe is perhaps 14 billion years old. Earth is some 4.5 billion years old. The oldest hominid fossils are between 6 million and 7 million years old. The oldest distinctly modern human fossils are about 160,000 years old.
The truth of these numbers has the same effect on me as watching the night sky in the high desert. It fills me with a sense of nonspecific immensity. I don't think I'm alone in this."
Grasping the Depth of Time as a First Step in Understanding Evolution
By VERLYN KLINKENBORG
Published: August 23, 2005
Last month a team of paleontologists announced that it had found several fossilized dinosaur embryos that were 190 million years old - some 90 million years older than any dinosaur embryos found so far. Those kinds of numbers are always a little daunting. Ever since I was a boy in a public elementary school in Iowa, I've been learning to face the eons and eons that are embedded in the universe around us.
Skip to next paragraph
Readers
Forum: Today's Editorials
I know the numbers as they stand at present, and I know what they mean, in a roughly comparative way. The universe is perhaps 14 billion years old. Earth is some 4.5 billion years old. The oldest hominid fossils are between 6 million and 7 million years old. The oldest distinctly modern human fossils are about 160,000 years old.
The truth of these numbers has the same effect on me as watching the night sky in the high desert. It fills me with a sense of nonspecific immensity. I don't think I'm alone in this."
BBC NEWS | Europe | Canada sends navy to Arctic north
BBC NEWS | Europe | Canada sends navy to Arctic north: "Canada sends navy to Arctic north
By Lee Carter
BBC News, Toronto
HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Shawinigan
The two boats are marking a 30-year first
Canada is sending its navy back to the far northern Arctic port of Churchill after a 30-year absence.
The visit by two warships to the area is the latest move to challenge rival claims in the Arctic triggered by the threat of melting ice.
The move follows a spat between Canada and Denmark, over an uninhabited rock called Hans Island in the eastern Arctic region.
A visit there by Canada's defence minister last month angered the Danes."
By Lee Carter
BBC News, Toronto
HMCS Glace Bay and HMCS Shawinigan
The two boats are marking a 30-year first
Canada is sending its navy back to the far northern Arctic port of Churchill after a 30-year absence.
The visit by two warships to the area is the latest move to challenge rival claims in the Arctic triggered by the threat of melting ice.
The move follows a spat between Canada and Denmark, over an uninhabited rock called Hans Island in the eastern Arctic region.
A visit there by Canada's defence minister last month angered the Danes."
BBC NEWS | Technology | ID theft spyware scam uncovered
BBC NEWS | Technology | ID theft spyware scam uncovered: "
Last Updated: Tuesday, 23 August 2005, 07:54 GMT 08:54 UK
ID theft spyware scam uncovered
By Mark Ward
Technology Correspondent, BBC News website
Online banking login screen, BBC
Accounts at 50 banks are in danger of being plundered
Thousands of computer users have been caught out by a huge ID theft ring.
Security firm Sunbelt Software said it stumbled across a US-based server storing megabytes of data stolen from compromised computers while researching spyware infections.
The server held passwords for online accounts from 50 banks, Ebay and Paypal logins, hundreds of credit card numbers and reams of personal data.
The FBI has reportedly now started investigating the ring of ID thieves."
Last Updated: Tuesday, 23 August 2005, 07:54 GMT 08:54 UK
ID theft spyware scam uncovered
By Mark Ward
Technology Correspondent, BBC News website
Online banking login screen, BBC
Accounts at 50 banks are in danger of being plundered
Thousands of computer users have been caught out by a huge ID theft ring.
Security firm Sunbelt Software said it stumbled across a US-based server storing megabytes of data stolen from compromised computers while researching spyware infections.
The server held passwords for online accounts from 50 banks, Ebay and Paypal logins, hundreds of credit card numbers and reams of personal data.
The FBI has reportedly now started investigating the ring of ID thieves."
BBC NEWS | Health | Step towards making human lungs
BBC NEWS | Health | Step towards making human lungs: "Step towards making human lungs
There is a shortage of donors for lung transplants
Scientists say they have made a significant step towards making human lungs for transplantation.
The UK team at Imperial College London took human embryonic stem cells and encouraged them to grow into cells found in adult lungs.
These lung cells are the type needed to allow oxygen to cross into the blood.
Eventually, it may be possible to make them from other stem cell sources such as bone marrow, the team told Tissue Engineering."
There is a shortage of donors for lung transplants
Scientists say they have made a significant step towards making human lungs for transplantation.
The UK team at Imperial College London took human embryonic stem cells and encouraged them to grow into cells found in adult lungs.
These lung cells are the type needed to allow oxygen to cross into the blood.
Eventually, it may be possible to make them from other stem cell sources such as bone marrow, the team told Tissue Engineering."
Monday, August 22, 2005
Sometimes
Sometimes..
RT
It is hard to say goodbye in a meaningful way. Here is one for you to have a look at. We think it’s pretty cool.
Remembering
RT
It is hard to say goodbye in a meaningful way. Here is one for you to have a look at. We think it’s pretty cool.
Remembering
Web Edition - NewsGator Online
Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "Unknown
'Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.'"
'Everyone is entitled to be stupid, but some abuse the privilege.'"
The Tail That Wags the Blog
The Tail That Wags the Blog: "The Tail That Wags the Blog
They behave like fun-loving slackers, but they're secretly staging a coup
By Joel Achenbach
Sunday, August 21, 2005; Page W13
I constantly tell myself: Ignore the blog. Do your work. You are an enormous literary figure and cultural icon, not a mere 'blogger.' You must produce high-end journalism with grand themes and huge groaning multi-syllabic words like 'eschatological,' and you can't be dribbling away all your ideas on the blog. Be strong! Resist the blog!
And then . . . I hear it yowling.
Rough Draft
(Richard Thompson)
The blog is hungry. The blog will not be ignored. It is an insatiable little beast, a creature still unclassified by science -- hairy, warty, slobbering, with its own fiendish agenda. I often fantasize about killing the blog, but I worry that it will respond just like the crazed computer in '2001: A Space Odyssey': It will try to kill me first.
The blog originated in January as a catch basin for mental detritus, for the kind of stuff not good enough for print, but too good to waste on casual conversation or, worse, mere thinking. But this spring I began allowing 'comments,' and the blog suddenly mutated. America, it turns out, is full of smart, clever, creative people who happen to have no interest in working and whose employers have unwisely given them Internet access. Thus every day, on my blog, these strangers show up, just to shoot the breeze, flirt, kvetch, veer off topic and, most of all, pay zero attention to what I have written.
Let's cut to the chase: The blog ignores me.
I am constantly having to post something new just to make the blog interested in me again. My contribution to the blog is what I call the 'Kit.' The commenters' part is called the 'Kaboodle.' Some of the everyday Kaboodlers make references to 'our blog,' as though they're co-proprietors. It's obvious at this point that the Kaboodle is trying to take o"
This is a real hoot... follow the link below to finish the story!!
They behave like fun-loving slackers, but they're secretly staging a coup
By Joel Achenbach
Sunday, August 21, 2005; Page W13
I constantly tell myself: Ignore the blog. Do your work. You are an enormous literary figure and cultural icon, not a mere 'blogger.' You must produce high-end journalism with grand themes and huge groaning multi-syllabic words like 'eschatological,' and you can't be dribbling away all your ideas on the blog. Be strong! Resist the blog!
And then . . . I hear it yowling.
Rough Draft
(Richard Thompson)
The blog is hungry. The blog will not be ignored. It is an insatiable little beast, a creature still unclassified by science -- hairy, warty, slobbering, with its own fiendish agenda. I often fantasize about killing the blog, but I worry that it will respond just like the crazed computer in '2001: A Space Odyssey': It will try to kill me first.
The blog originated in January as a catch basin for mental detritus, for the kind of stuff not good enough for print, but too good to waste on casual conversation or, worse, mere thinking. But this spring I began allowing 'comments,' and the blog suddenly mutated. America, it turns out, is full of smart, clever, creative people who happen to have no interest in working and whose employers have unwisely given them Internet access. Thus every day, on my blog, these strangers show up, just to shoot the breeze, flirt, kvetch, veer off topic and, most of all, pay zero attention to what I have written.
Let's cut to the chase: The blog ignores me.
I am constantly having to post something new just to make the blog interested in me again. My contribution to the blog is what I call the 'Kit.' The commenters' part is called the 'Kaboodle.' Some of the everyday Kaboodlers make references to 'our blog,' as though they're co-proprietors. It's obvious at this point that the Kaboodle is trying to take o"
This is a real hoot... follow the link below to finish the story!!
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Two Roses are on the
Two Roses are on their way to Newport!
Bonnie and Jim left Kentucky today enroute to Newport via Branson, Mo.
Bonnie and Jim left Kentucky today enroute to Newport via Branson, Mo.
RED LIGHT NEWS
RED LIGHT NEWS
Ron Thomas...
There have been about 10 problems with the emergency red light system over the past 3 years. We have been able to fix most of them and two were removed at the request of their owners. One because they were nervous about being able to always make it work during the setup process. The other because the residents were afraid that if it went off accidentally when they were not home the police would break down their door.
The other problems have been taken care of as far as we know of. This sometimes requires the reprogramming or even replacement of a component. We handle the calls on the problems as best we can at no charge as volunteers. This practice will continue for as long as we can do it. However, in the case of component replacement, there is a cost that we no longer can furnish for free. When we were installing large orders the company we were dealing with sold to us at wholesale prices on large lots. Now they still wholesale to us but due to smaller orders the savings are not as great.
If we have to replace a component part from now on you will have to pay for it. We just can’t afford to do it any longer for free.
If you do have a problem and call either Jim Rose or myself, Ron Thomas.. WE will address it as soon as we can but we are volunteers and do have commitments like everyone else so be patient.
One large problem is with the new folks moving into the neighborhood... They just do not understand the equipment. So if you speak to a new person with a light ask them to give us a call for a free walk through of the system.
Two problems exist that we can give you a temporary fix for.
Ron Thomas...
There have been about 10 problems with the emergency red light system over the past 3 years. We have been able to fix most of them and two were removed at the request of their owners. One because they were nervous about being able to always make it work during the setup process. The other because the residents were afraid that if it went off accidentally when they were not home the police would break down their door.
The other problems have been taken care of as far as we know of. This sometimes requires the reprogramming or even replacement of a component. We handle the calls on the problems as best we can at no charge as volunteers. This practice will continue for as long as we can do it. However, in the case of component replacement, there is a cost that we no longer can furnish for free. When we were installing large orders the company we were dealing with sold to us at wholesale prices on large lots. Now they still wholesale to us but due to smaller orders the savings are not as great.
If we have to replace a component part from now on you will have to pay for it. We just can’t afford to do it any longer for free.
If you do have a problem and call either Jim Rose or myself, Ron Thomas.. WE will address it as soon as we can but we are volunteers and do have commitments like everyone else so be patient.
One large problem is with the new folks moving into the neighborhood... They just do not understand the equipment. So if you speak to a new person with a light ask them to give us a call for a free walk through of the system.
Two problems exist that we can give you a temporary fix for.
- If the light comes on and won’t shut off and we can’t get there right away.. Put a large garbage sack over it. That will let your neighbors know there is no problem.
- Shirley Parsons had a malfunction over two or three days recently that caused her light to come on every so often. It also affected her neighbor across the street. We replace one component and reprogrammed both to new frequencies. BUT Shirley notes a bigger problem.... her light was on for hours and no one responded to it... Remember the light is only as good as our neighbors. We need to look after one another. Maybe we need to set up a system of drills?
Web Edition - NewsGator Online
Web Edition - NewsGator Online: "G. K. Chesterton
'The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.'"
'The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.'"
G. K. Chesterton Quotes - The Quotations Page
G. K. Chesterton Quotes - The Quotations Page: "The thing I hate about an argument is that it always interrupts a discussion.
G. K. Chesterton"
G. K. Chesterton"
New Scientist Breaking News - Stored summer heat de-ices winter roads
New Scientist Breaking News - Stored summer heat de-ices winter roads: "Stored summer heat de-ices winter roads
The blazing heat of the summer sun can be used to prevent roads from icing up in winter.
In a trial of the idea, a network of polyethylene water pipes 25 millimetres in diameter has been buried below a section of private road in the UK. The pipes are laid in rows about 15 centimetres apart and at a depth of 12 centimetres, where the ground temperature is normally about 12 ?C on average. In the summer this can rise to 25 ?C.
The sun warms the asphalt at the surface, which absorbs heat and in turn warms the water in the pipes. This is then pumped for storage to a second array of pipes at the side of the road, which are insulated by a 1-metre-thick layer of polystyrene.
Then in winter, when sensors detect that the temperature of the road surface has fallen to 2 ?C, the warm water is pumped back to the pipes under the road where it warms the ground and prevents ice from forming on the road surface."
The blazing heat of the summer sun can be used to prevent roads from icing up in winter.
In a trial of the idea, a network of polyethylene water pipes 25 millimetres in diameter has been buried below a section of private road in the UK. The pipes are laid in rows about 15 centimetres apart and at a depth of 12 centimetres, where the ground temperature is normally about 12 ?C on average. In the summer this can rise to 25 ?C.
The sun warms the asphalt at the surface, which absorbs heat and in turn warms the water in the pipes. This is then pumped for storage to a second array of pipes at the side of the road, which are insulated by a 1-metre-thick layer of polystyrene.
Then in winter, when sensors detect that the temperature of the road surface has fallen to 2 ?C, the warm water is pumped back to the pipes under the road where it warms the ground and prevents ice from forming on the road surface."
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