Birthday Wishes to my Niece Sam

Happy Birthday wishes go out to my niece Sam. Congratulations on your big day ! You have a bright, wonderful, exciting, and successful future ahead. Your Dad and Mom have much to be proud about with you. Enjoy your day, eat some tasty cake and ice cream, and smile lots !

College Football Season Ends

The BCS championship game tonight wraps up the 2007 college football season.

Results for the Bowl Season:

Straight Up: 22-9, .710

A-T-S: 24-7, .774

On the Upsets: 4-5, .444

Results for the Season:

Straight Up: 438-204, .682

A-T-S: 419-223, .653

On the Upsets: 34-83, .291
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Just think, only 7 months and 21 days (234 days) until the 2008 season kicks off...

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The Disappearing Glacier of New Guinea

Few people know there even are glaciers in New Guinea, near the Equator, and even fewer know much about them. This is a fascinating scientific mission to be embarked on in 2009. Much will be able to learned from the findings made on this expedition.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080107/ap_on_re_au_an/glacier_quest_1;_ylt=AlELBaO16O7QidOCf3PIfT8E1vAI

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A Very Honest and Funny Look at the GOP Candidates

These observations were made by a nine-year old, and they are dead-on. I laughed when I read this. It is a great honest look at these guys who are desparate to become President at virtually any cost for the most part.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/6/25723/26527/751/431492

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Direct US Military Role Nears for Pakistan

Reports indicate a direct expansion of the "War on Terrorism" or World War IV is about to happen as the Bush Administration will likely authorize US troops to be stationed in an active military role within Pakistan. This decision could occur within the next several weeks, or sooner, depending on events within Pakistan itself.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/06/6205/

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=40693

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"Time Keeps On Slippin', Slippin' -- Into the Future!"

What awaits us in 2008 for extreme climatological and meteorological phenomena and events will be shocking to observe. By the way, all that snow that fell in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and Rocky Mountain ranges this week -- look for huge destructive flooding in March and April in the surrounding low country adjacent to those mountains. A late winter and early spring heat wave across the West will be costly and deadly for many.

These are some of the actions that will need to be taken within the next decade. Even then, it will be too late. (source)

1) Relatively dry countries and regions that rely on irrigation to grow exotic (and profitable) crops must immediately start on a serious and urgent buy back of all irrigation licenses and undertake schemes to help both farmers and communities adjust. In the post-War(ming) world it isn't going to be possible to find enough water to make deserts bloom, and the water will be needed for other purposes.

2) Immediately halt wood-chipping and logging in old growth forests, and the clearing of vegetation in farming areas. But simultaneously encourage a plantation timber industry based on already cleared unviable farm lands.

3) Immediately pressure state and local governments to put an end to any new coastal developments, and investigate relocation of individuals and businesses already on coasts.

4) Put an end to all fishing activity on coral reefs, ban commercial shipping through waters above them, and seriously review tourism in those areas.

5) Massively invest in research and development of new farm enterprises, new crops, new livestock breeds, and put serious money into providing income to farmers protecting natural ecosystems on their farms. A massive campaign of buying back farming properties suitable for conservation activities would also commence. And it would extend the National Park systems (land and marine) and provide adequate funding for them.

6) Seriously invest in rail infrastructure, and plan for transport needs in a way that fully integrates rail, road, sea and air transport, in order to massively reduce energy needs in the sector.

7) Reinstate public ownership of water, energy and transport companies in order to effectively respond to community needs without the distorting effect of the profit motive in those essential services. And encourage individuals and companies to generate their own energy from renewable sources and feed back into the grid, and aim at making every community self sufficient in water by recycling.

8) Facilitate the production of basic food necessities on a local and regional basis, to reduce transport costs of food.

9) Look at the needs of the work force were in terms of the new war economy, and properly encourage tertiary education and retraining to again have a local manufacturing industry, specializing in renewable energy technology, fuel efficient cars, transport industries, and IT.

10) Review Free Trade Agreements and introduce measures to prevent takeovers of local companies by overseas corporations, and the outsourcing of jobs.

11) Put an end to any programs of prescribed burning (or 'thinning') of forests, realising that the dual impacts of climate change and burning on forests is going to cause massive loss of biodiversity, permanent damage to forest ecosystems, and ultimately the loss of the forests themselves.

12) Review and reduce the mining and sale of coal.

13) Review and reduce airline activity.

Can you think of others?

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/01/07/6222/

http://blisteredorb.blogspot.com/

http://www.blognow.com.au/mrpickwick/Climate_change

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Construction to Resume on New Bridge over Colorado River Below Hoover Dam

Delays due to failures of constuction equipment that are unique to this project and the complexity and enormity of constructing a highway bridge across this chasm have resulted in the project being completed two years than originally planned. I would guess the Mike O'Callaghan -Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge and connecting roads will not open until sometime in 2011 due to additional unforeseen complications. Once completed, the new bridge and highway will save about 15 minutes to one-half hour on a trip to or from Las Vegas south and east to I-40 outside of Kingman. Eventually I-215 will connect from near McCarren Airport to this bridge and the highway into NW Arizona.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/13495692.html

http://www.hooverdambypass.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoover_Dam_Bypass

http://www.tfhrc.gov/pubrds/julaug99/hoover.htm

http://www.azdot.gov/CCPartnerships/Partnering/PDF/PAC/Hoover_Dam_Bypass.pdf

http://www.desertpropertyonline.com/hoover_(boulder)_dam_bypass.htm

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Iranian Incident With US Naval Vessels

I was rather alarmed to hear of this news. I hope it is an isolated incident, but it would not be surprising to hear of repeat incidents of similar nature. We all remember it was an incident like this in April 1965 that led to the full escalation of the Vietnam War. The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was later proved to be staged and largely a hoax. Could another repeat of history occur ?

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20080107/D8U1AS1G5.html

http://manifestojoestexasblues.blogspot.com/2008/01/strait-of-hormuz-incident-this-time.html

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Starbucks Now Basically Inside McDonalds

This development was inevitable. Interiors of McDonalds have grown stale and blase with their childproof, low maintenance plastic benches and tables. The new McDonalds will have sofas (!) televisions, new age music playing, and softer lights. Rather than be a pit stop, the new goal will be for people to come hang out and stay for longer durations, reading newspapers and magazines and surfing the 'net while enjoying a more upscale menu. This sounds like a huge makeover that will also include the very customers themselves. No more geezers, screaming and out of control kids, and blue collar slobs like what you see there now.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119967000012871311.html?mod=rss_whats_news_us

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Population on Cape Cod

This sounds to be a serious problem in, say 15-20 years. But it will not be unique to Cape Cod. Many places will see their average age of their citizenry rise as children will not be as common in areas where there are well-educated individuals, the environmentally conscious, and where pursuits and pastimes do fit well with children.

http://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_7897277

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Solar Power Systems on Sale at Home Depot

This is great news to read about. Hopefully consumers will become further aware of the increased availability and the great cost savings present, among numerous other benefits.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-01-05-solarpower_N.htm

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