text:
Emissions outsourced to China return to US as air pollution
Twenty percent of China's air pollution can be attributed to goods exported to America, with some of those emissions drifting back to the Western United States, finds a study published this week in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The research, conducted by an international team of researchers, estimates that Los Angeles sees at least one extra day of severe air pollution due to nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide emitted by Chinese factories making products for export. On some days as much as a quarter of sulfate pollution on the California coastline can be attributed to Chinese export production.
"We've outsourced our manufacturing and much of our pollution, but some of it is blowing back across the Pacific to haunt us," said University of California at Irvine scientist Steve Davis, one of the study's co-authors, in a statement. "Given the complaints about how Chinese pollution is corrupting other countries' air, this paper shows that there may be plenty of blame to go around."
"When you buy a product at Wal-Mart, it has to be manufactured somewhere. The product doesn't contain the pollution, but creating it caused the pollution."
The findings suggest that outsourcing emissions to China isn't ultimately an effective means to reduce pollution. The researchers therefore argue for greater international cooperation in reducing "transboundary" air pollution and addressing who is responsible for emissions from production and consumption.
They note that bringing Chinese air quality regulations up to U.S. standards and implementing energy efficiency programs could cut China's emissions up to 60 percent.
Continue reading at ENN affiliate, MONGABAY.COM.
Flag image via Shutterstock.


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Southern Asia Pollution
Cold winter weather and burgeoning industrial economies have made for difficult breathing in Asia and the Middle East this January 2013. Pollution is epidemic. News reports from Ankara, Tehran, Beijing, and other cities have described hazy skies with very low visibility; restrictions on driving, factory operations, and outdoor activity; and hospitals full of people with lung ailments. The map with this story shows the concentration of nitrogen dioxide (NO2 or NOx) in the atmosphere above southwestern Asia from January 1–8, 2013. Shades of orange reflect the relative abundance of NO2, while grays show areas without usable data (cloud cover, for instance). The data were acquired by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on NASA's Aura satellite. OMI measures the visible and ultraviolet light scattered and absorbed by Earth's atmosphere and surface. The presence of NO2 causes certain wavelengths of light to be absorbed.
The "hot spots" are Tehran in Iran, Northern India (indeed all India is sprinkled with NO2), the Persian Gulf, Istanbul Turkey, and the eastern Mediterranean coast.
NOx reacts with ammonia, moisture, and other compounds to form nitric acid vapor and related particles. Small particles can penetrate deeply into sensitive lung tissue and damage it, causing premature death in extreme cases. Inhalation of such particles may cause or worsen respiratory diseases, such as emphysema or bronchitis, or may also aggravate existing heart disease.
Reports from Tehran and other cities note that the air is also full of particulate matter, which is easier to spot from the ground but harder to measure from space. Desert landscapes, snow cover, and clouds all make airborne particles difficult to measure with nearly all current satellite instruments. Given that aerosols and NO2 usually arise from the same fuel-burning emissions, the presence of one usually indicates the presence of the other.
The large increase in natural gas prices and the distribution of free coal by municipalities prior to local elections has led to an enormous jump in pollution levels in Ankara, reaching as high as 9,350 micrograms of particulate per cubic meter. The US EPA air quality standard for a 24 hour exposure is only 150. According to the World Health Organization, 1,000 micrograms of pollution is an alarming level and 2,000 micrograms might cause death.
In winter, several trends can combine to significantly increase harm to air quality. When the weather is cold, people burn more fuel to keep warm. In many developing economies, the most widely available fuel is coal, which can produce more particulates and smog-producing compounds than other forms of energy.
At the same time, the weather is conspiring to keep these emissions close to the ground. In most times of year, the air higher in the atmosphere is cooler than the air near the ground, allowing warm air to rise and carry pollution up and away from its source. But in the winter, temperature inversions can form, where the air near the ground is cooler than the air at higher altitudes. Polluted surface air rises a bit, but then runs into warmer air masses above and stays trapped near the surface.
Winter also can bring strong high pressure systems, which generate less wind and more stable atmospheric conditions that also hold surface air in place. Even geography can concentrate the air pollution. If a city is surrounded by mountains (such as Tehran), cold air may continually sink down into the basin and the hills may temper or redirect the winds that can clear the air.
For further information see Asia Pollution.
Map image via NASA.

subset: commoncrawl


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The Web
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January 31, 2006
How to prevent, control diabetes
The incidence of diabetics in urban India has increased 20 times In the last 20 years!
January 30, 2006
Nepalese king faces tough choice
A year after his takeover, Gyanendra is under tremendous pressure to restore democracy.
Andhra Pradesh: Jihad's new hotspot
The merchants of strife are picking up young recruits from the state's villages.
January 27, 2006
At home with the President
His endearing humility never ceases to surprise.
Hamas win puts Delhi in a bind
India once again has to balance its relations with the Arab and the Western worlds.
January 26, 2006
It is a brand new Kutch
Sheela Bhatt travels through the New Kutch five years after the Gujarat earthquake.
January 25, 2006
Just who took on Buta Singh?
The apex court's judgement has rocked the ruling United Progressive Alliance government.
Revealed: The agenda for the Bush Visit
The government is pulling out all stops to ensure that the visit to New Delhi, Hyderabad and Punjab is historic.
'The challenge suited her personality'
Usha Bhagat
, who worked closely with Indira Gandhi, recalls those heady days 40 years ago when she became India's third prime minister
'We are soldiers'
This unique band of sisters will command men into battle one day and inspire a generation of young women after them.
January 24, 2006
The day Indira Gandhi became prime minister
We mark that occasion 40 years ago with a special series.
January 23, 2006
Were Al Qaeda terrorists killed in Pakistan?
Did the US attack kill innocent women and children?
The Man Who Knew Netaji
'He was convinced Netaji died in the air crash. If he had survived, he would have contacted Nairsan.'
January 20, 2006
'Never trust a paper that's never wrong'
'The credibility of a newspaper increases when it admits an error, and not otherwise.'
January 19, 2006
Man who could become Karnataka's CM
Kumaraswamy's act reminds one of Deve Gowda's tactics in pulling down the Ramakrishna Hegde govt two decades ago.
How to manage anger
Ask yourself: 'Is my anger necessary enough and is the issue worth it?'
Are newspapers going extinct?
The Guardian
Alan Rusbridger
says the newspaper's battle for survival will soon reach India.
January 18, 2006
Why Balochistan is burning
Balochistan comprises 43 percent of Pakistan's area but has only five percent of Pakistan's population. It also has immense natural resources and most of Pakistan's energy resources.
January 17, 2006
Just who is Ottavio Quattrocchi?
And why is the Italian businessman in the news?
Temple in upheaval over Sri Lankan First Lady's faith
Is Shiranthi Rajakapse Buddhist or Christian, the famed Guruvayoor temple in Kerala wants to know.
January 16, 2006
Jayalalithaa puts money where her mouth is
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has until mid-March to distribute largesse to voters. That's exactly what she is doing, at considerable cost to the exchequer.
January 13, 2006
Memories of Til Ladoos
Makar Sankranti is a harvest festival associated with the winter solstice, abundance, friendship and solidarity.
January 12, 2006
A to Z of stress management
Some easy ways to tackle the killer problem.
January 11, 2006
Images: The path to faith
Since early December, 1.5 million Muslims from across the world have descended on Mecca by flight, car, bus, ship, on foot and by camel
When Morarji snubbed the Soviets
Brezhnev may not have met an Indian with less reverence for the Soviet Union than then prime minister Morarji Desai.
With love, from India to Pakistan
A gigantic letter from Indian schoolchildren, to their friends across the border in Pakistan.
January 10, 2006
'What we thought about Pakistan was wrong'
L Balaji
on the last Pakistan tour
January 06, 2006
A Bulldozer to the end
Ariel Sharon was a war-monger whose ironic legacy is peace.
January 05, 2006
Swami Ramdev: Yoga does it
Meet the yogi, currently in the eye of a storm.
How to marry an NRI, safely
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has drawn up guidelines for people who want their daughters married abroad.
A date with the Taj
The Taj Mahal, Agra receives three million visitors every year. A few of these vistors are very distinguished...
January 04, 2006
Meet India's Republic Day chief guest
The move is seen as an extension of New Delhi's oil diplomacy.
Survivor's Guide: What my heart attack taught me
Keeping one's morale high is the secret for a quick recovery.
At famous temple: Buddhists OK, other faiths no
The Guruvayoor temple permits Buddhists and Jains to worship, because they are treated as part of Hinduism.
January 03, 2006
The politics of reservation in education
The political mileage resulting from the move, which directly benefits more than 70 per cent of voters, is so huge that of the 381 members present in the Lok Sabha, 379 voted in favour of it.
My Father L K Advani
'There is a song that fits my father. It is from the Dev Anand film
Hum Dono
Main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya
.... '
January 02, 2006
You and your lucky stars
What your stars say for 2006.
Is Hyderabad the next terror target?
Days after the Bangalore attack, the police have discovered a four-year-old central warning.
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'Two minutes with ...' series shifts to Johnson
By Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com
SARASOTA, Fla. -- The "Two Minutes with ..." spring series continues with Orioles right-hander Steve Johnson. Johnson has spent time in the bullpen and rotation and is competing for a roster spot. The 26-year-old Maryland native went 1-1 in nine games for Baltimore last season (including one start), posting a 7.47 ERA. He went 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA in 12 games (four starts) in his rookie season in 2012.
Favorite food: Crab cakes. I like Box Hill in Abingdon, it's probably my favorite to go to, but I also make some good ones myself. Crab cakes or steamed crabs, any day.
Favorite movie: There's so many. I enjoy A Few Good Men. It's one of my favorites.
Hidden talent: I make up words to songs in the car that have nothing to do with the actual song lyric. My girlfriend gets mad at me, but I would say I'm pretty good at it. I can't do it on the spot [sans music], but if you got a song playing in here right now, I probably could.
If I wasn't a baseball player I'd be ...: Honestly, I liked playing football a lot. I would have worked out a lot differently to get stronger, but I would have loved to play that and see where that took me. I have big hands, so being a receiver would have been interesting. I'd like to think I would have been pretty good.
Favorite offseason place: I'm very boring, so I wouldn't mind going home [in White Marsh, Md.] and staying there. I don't have a specific place that I go to, but I wouldn't mind going someplace different every year. I want to travel more.
Prized possession: My dad [former Orioles pitcher Dave Johnson] and my baseballs for our first win, which are on the same day. I'd like to think that would be one that I'd try to keep, because that doesn't happen very often.
Schoop shines in O's intrasquad games
SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles played their second intrasquad game on Thursday in preparation for Friday's opener, and the game ended on a fun touch, with video coordinator Mike Silverman behind the plate.
"He got a little cold-footed in the meeting this morning. I didn't think he was going to pull the trigger," manager Buck Showalter said of Silverman, who served as umpire for the final half-inning in the top of the fifth and called out infielder Jonathan Schoop. "Now all the pitchers want him. We've got somebody who will call strike three.
"It's a lot easier for Jonathan to take if he's hit a home run that day and had a good day. He's playing with house money."
Schoop, who went down looking to end the game, has homered twice in two days, and Showalter has praised the organization's top position-player prospect for growing into his body and seeming more comfortable this spring.
"Jon's in a good place," Showalter said. "I think he's had some very good role models. And as I've said before with Jonathan, it's a matter of when, not if. That's what we'll try to judge here. He's off to a pretty good start here. That's for sure."
Jemile Weeks, who is also competing for the second base job, singled and walked in the game and Showalter hailed Weeks -- who took second on a fly ball -- for being a plus runner.
Wei-Yin Chen -- who started for the visiting team -- won a 12-pitch battle with Delmon Young in the first inning, throwing a nasty changeup that had a little cut action to it, while closer candidate Tommy Hunter was clocked at 95 mph.
T.J. McFarland retired Nelson Cruz, who grounded out in his lone at-bat, and got three ground balls in a 1-2-3 frame.
Potential DH Cruz wants experience in outfield
SARASOTA, Fla. -- New Oriole Nelson Cruz wants to play the outfield as much as possible this spring.
The veteran outfielder grounded out in his only at-bat in the team's intrasquad game on Thursday, and Cruz -- who figures to be the team's designated hitter -- said he told manager Buck Showalter during their talk Wednesday that he wants to get a lot of reps in the field.
"I told [Showalter] I want to play most of my games in the outfield, especially during Spring Training, so I get everything done," said Cruz, who is expected to make his Grapefruit League debut in the team's home opener Saturday.
"It depends on how you feel; sometimes in Spring Training in your first at-bat, you feel great. It's about feeling good. Sometimes you can get hits and you don't feel like it should be hits, but it happens. Let's see how it feels Saturday and how many at-bats I take."
Cruz hit ninth Thursday, which he said he probably hadn't done since his days starting out in the Dominican Republic, but he said that it doesn't matter to him where he is in the lineup. Showalter made the lineups out in reverse alphabetical order, the opposite of Wednesday, and Cruz is expected to slot into the middle of the lineup for actual games.
As for his new uniform, Cruz -- who will wear No. 23 with No. 17 already taken -- quipped: "I wanted to take the number from [Wayne] Kirby."
Cruz and Kirby, the Orioles first-base coach, go back to their days in the Texas organization together. Kirby sported No. 99 for Thursday's intrasquad game, but he will wear 24 when the season starts.
"I thought nobody wore Number 23," Cruz said. "They asked me, do you want to wear 23? I guess I'm going to have to buy something for [Kirby]."
Brittany Ghiroli is a reporter for MLB.com. Read her blog, Britt's Bird Watch, and follow her on Twitter @britt_ghiroli. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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| Life
on the Quads
A Centennial View of
the Student Experience at the
University of Chicago
|page 1 of 6| « previous | next »
The Social Scene
Harper had little regard for what he believed to be essentially non-academic, secret societies; but, since few members of the faculty and administration were eager to terminate fraternities altogether, the University chose instead to sanction them under the auspices of the housing office.
The number of fraternities rose in the following years as they gained autonomy from the University housing system. By 1928 the Greek system had reached its peak with 751 members and thirty-three chapters dotting the campus surroundings. The fraternities' strength in numbers and their access to important social positions made them a leading influence in campus social life.
Since Greek organizations were by their very nature selective and exclusive, not all students benefited from this development. Jewish students, for instance, had difficulty gaining membership info any fraternity other than the predominantly Jewish houses. African-American students, who encountered similar difficulties, formed the all-black Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, only to be barred from the Interfraternity Council on the dubious grounds that they did not have their own house.
|page 1 of 6| « previous | next »


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U.S. retailers are growing impatient with a lack of sales of eco-friendly products, according to a recent survey, and are focusing instead on their own sustainability efforts. This was the conclusion of "Lean and Green: How Sustainable Practices Are Changing Retail, Benchmark 2010," a report put out by RSR Research in partnership with the National Retail Federation.
The survey, which involved 95 retailers, was conducted in the fall of 2010.
"When it comes to consumer demand, we definitely saw a certain amount of impatience," said Nikki Baird, a managing partner at RSR Research and co-author of the report. "Winning retailers -- those that outperform their peers in year over year sales -- are particularly challenged by a lack of consumer demand for greener products."
The report found an increased willingness among retailers to invest in store-based green initiatives, such as increasing energy efficiency and reducing waste in stores.
"We saw a real opportunity for retailers to do more to educate consumers about the things they're doing in other areas of the business -- things that ultimately benefit consumers in their own neighborhoods," Baird said.
Based in Miami, RSR Research is an analyst firm providing market intelligence on retail technology trends.


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Fans of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch
Good Day,
How is everything with you, I picked interest on you after going through your short profile and deemed it necessary to write you immediately. I have something very vital to disclose to you, but I found it difficult to express myself here, since it's a public site.Could you please get back to me on:( email@example.com ) for the full details.
Have a nice day
Thanks God bless.
© 2018 Created by Morgan Howard. Powered by


text:
Good Lord Almighty: Jesus Thwarts An Armed Robbery
When a Florida cellphone store clerk was approached by an armed robber, she turned to Jesus for help: "I'm just going to talk to you about Jesus, my God, before you leave." He left, and later robbed a Payless ShoeSource.
The attempted robbery took place on July 23 in Pompano Beach, Florida, at a Metro PCS cellphone store. The clerk, 20-year-old Nayara Goncalves, talked the armed man out of robbing her store by spreading the word of Jesus and telling him that she would have to cover the stolen money. After a conversation the man left empty handed. He revealed that he was carrying only a BB gun and that he too loved Jesus. A few hours later he robbed a shoe store.
The Broward County Sheriff's Office has charged 37-year-old Israel Camacho with the crimes.


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Tweet With all of the stupid wars going on, I am wondering "what about the countries that need to be forced into our values?". The fact is that Iran is very unstable. They continue to snatch our innocent citizens who most likely were close to their border, but not actually within it, and we sit […]
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GridIron Flow review
When was the last time you bought a piece of software that changed the way you work? GridIron Flow is a rare example of a groundbreaking technology that fulfils a genuine need within the creative community.
When was the last time you bought a piece of software that changed the way you work? GridIron Flow is a rare example of a groundbreaking technology that fulfils a genuine need within the creative community.
Brush Pilot, by Jay Hilgert, is a simple Mac-only application which allows you to preview, install and delete brushes anywhere on your hard drive.
For makers of documentaries, commercials, and corporate videos, Final Draft AV 2.5 takes over time-consuming formatting duties so that filmmakers can focus on content.
Final Draft 8 is a solid sequel to what has become the industry-standard screenwriting tool, offering an updated interface, feature enhancements, and a new file format.
The Olympus E-P1 digital camera looks like a classic rangefinder model from the film era, but has much in common with a modern digital SLR, including interchangeable lenses.
Adobe's Acrobat.com isn't a design tool, but being from the creative app giant and offering office-type tools that most creatives will need for the (boring) business part of their jobs, we knew you'd be interested.
We take a look at the brand-new Apple 15-inch MacBook Pro, the heart of the Mac-maker's line of laptops for designers, illustrators, artists and animators.
Flash Catalyst aims to make building a Web application as easy as it is to design one in Illustrator and Photoshop, allowing non-techie designers to take part.
Following their announcement a few weeks ago, we get our hands on Apple's new 13-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros, and put them through their paces.
AutoDesSys' Bonzai3d is a brand-new 3D sketching tool aimed illustrators and digital artists who want to mock up scenes in 3D, as well as 3D artists.
The newest Apple Xserve is very likely the fastest, most energy-efficient, and most cost-effective dual-socket 1U rack server on the market.
Graphic Designer Toolbox is a Mac-only program targeted at design professionals, giving them tools to create buttons, textures, and other image components.
The Canon Legria HF S10 is a flash memory–based 'Full HD' camcorder equipped with 32GB of inbuilt storage, replacing the HF11 as the company's flagship model.
Creatives who want to make the move from a compact camera to a digital SLR but are worried about the learning curve and the bulkier size of SLRs should check out the Olympus E-620.
Director, Adobe's tool for creating interactive content, for both online and standalone applications, gains several key features with version 11.5.
The Samsung WB500 is a 10.2-megapixel compact digital camera aimed at photographers with a penchant for panoramas, with a wide-angle 10x zoom lens.
Tiffen, one of the leading manufacturers of lens filters, has released a package of plug-in filters that simulate the effects of their real-world products.
Digieffects latest plug-in, Freeform AE, aims to bolster After Effect's 3D toolset, allowing you to warp layers in 3D in a way that's just not possible using the core application.
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A digital sketchbook is on every illustrator, artist or 3D modeller's wishlist. We'd all like a combination of graphics tablet and laptop that we can sketch with in meetings or the park.


text:
FDA Approves HPV Test That Could Be Used Instead of Pap Smear
Roche's DNA Test for HPV Could Be Used Alone As First-Line Screening Tool
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first DNA test for human papillomavirus, or HPV, that could be used instead of the Pap test in a cervical-cancer screening program.
But the test isn't widely expected to take the place of the Pap—the standard screening for cervical cancer—anytime soon. That is partly because the leading physicians group on the topic, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,...


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I find this site very useful foridentifying bird skulls
I cannot recall any british duck with quite such a short beak, except some of the ornimental races such as the Call Duck.
I have looked at that site, and many other ones..
I have checked jake's blog. ( http://www.jakes-bones.com/ )
but undortunatelly none of the sites I can find are for north american species.
The location of the find does make a big difference. It strikes me that the shape of the skull leading down onto the beak is quite straight where as on most ducks this is curved. I wonder if it may be a small goose, the snow goose has a skull only 8cm long which is the same as this skull, another possible line of enquiry?
unfortunately I don't think it could be any kind of goose...
when I found it, it was a full head. the feathers where irredescent green like a mallard..
so it has to be something with a green head. unless something can cause feathers to turn irredescent green...
and would it be possible that a duck's skull in canada and a duck in uk would have a difference of 4cm? (40mm)
could it be a hybrid?
also the skull is very thin and much more.. 'fragile' then a goose skull
Goldeneye also has a green head, lives in Canada and has a skull the same size as this skull. Many of the featrures are closer to a Goldeneye than a Mallard, but as I suggested in my first post I would lean towards an ornimental race of duck. I learn't a long time ago to photograph everything before I prepare the skull and despite this I still have skulls which I am uncertain of the correct identity.
ornamental duck? you mean like a wood duck?
Ornimental ducks are specially bred for captivity and are often smaller than the sild ducks that they originated from, here is a link to the Call Duck
Wood ducks are kept in captivity but they are also in the wild, when I use the term ornimental duck I refer to captively bred ducks which have no wild equivalent (unless they escape).


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[Page 1]
Translated by Renee Miller
Among the mourners of Israel who cry for their million sons and daughters, who were annihilated by the Nazi scoundrels makh shemoy [may their names be blotted out!], we here in America also cry for those who are from our home city, Sandz, our dear brothers and sisters. On the fifth yortsayt of the May-Action on the Sandzer cemetery in the year 1942, which was the first act of the umberakhmonsdik [ruthless] annihilation of the Sandzer kehile [Jewish community], the Sandzer community (Sandzer Society) here in America, decided to publish this Memorial Journal. All these kedoshim [victims], blood of our blood and flesh of our flesh, whom we knew by name, we, in this journal, remember with deep sorrow and sadness. These heroes of Jewish Sandz, Pethahiah Mahler, Retzl Goldberg-Shpira and Dr. Emanuel Ringelblum, whose names, together with their gvure [valor], are written down in the book of the heroism of our people, for everlasting generations to remember; we give them the place of honor on this tragic memorial list. May their great maysim [actions] shine like a ner tamid [an eternal light] over the memory of the martyred Sandzer brothers and sisters. Not one of our murdered martyrs were zoykhe geven [deemed worthy of the honor] even of a matseve-shteyn [gravestone] that would remain as a memorial over their altogether destroyed lives. Allow this unassuming Memorial Journal to take the place of a monumental matseve, honoring the memory of all the thousands of Sandzer victims together with the hundreds whose names are recorded here.
We Sandzer in America do not consider ourselves completely absolved with this memorial publication, of the holy duty concerning our worthy victims . In the name of the Sandzer Society we make a solemn vow to help the sheyres-hapleyte [the survivors, especially of the German extermination campaign] from Jewish Sandz. As we are now doing, we will send brotherly support to all Sandzer brothers and sisters, who are scattered about in various places in Poland, or languish in prisons in Germany, Austria and Italy. We will not rest until we take care of all the needs of our dear survivors. We, together with all the Jewish people, will fight to get the gates of Eretz Israel opened for the unfortunate am isroyl [people of Israel] so that the Sandzer remnants shall, together with the hundreds of thousands of the Jews from Europe, shall return to their heritage in their own land.
[Pages 2-4]
Born in Neisandz January 18, 1912
Fell in Battle with the Nazis August 20, 1943
By Rafael Mahler
Translated by Renee Miller
Pethahiah, the youngest son of Yitzhok Asher Mahler and Rukhl Mahler, resembled his grandfather on his mother's side, rebbe Pethahiah Shiper, whose name he carried. Like his grandfather, Rebbe Pethahiah, shokhet [ritual slaughter] in Rudnik and later in Sandz, the stately, beautiful Jew, a talmud khokhim, inherited the proud tall figure, the classic Jewish countenance, the coal-black velvet eyes that burned with Hasidic ardor while at the same time, expressing unlimited goodness and deep love of people. His life as an unflinching fighter and his dignified, heroic death, showed that not only had herited his outward beauty but also the best of both his grandfather and great-grandfather. His spirit of devotion to the longed-for ideal of eretz isroel caused his great-grandfather, the rov Efraim Shiper, in his old age, to tear himself from the comfort and warmth of his home town Sokolov, and settle in Jerusalem. The same exaltation and mesires nefesh [devotion] to an idea filled the being of Pethahiah, the modern Jewish revolutionary.
Not by way of cold syllogisms and empty speculation did Pethahiah Mahler come to the decision to join with the working class and the freedom movement.
Pethahiah Mahler did not have the requirements to take the regular course at the gymnasie [European equivalent to high school and junior college]; however, he had too much of the artistic and militant temperament to remain sitting in school for long. According to his artistic accomplishments and nature, he needed a special artistic school. In his situation, in 1926, when, at the age of 14 he had completed the fourth class in gymnasium in Krakow, this was unattainable: his mother had died.
[Page 3]
Pethahiah returned to Sandz and entered an apprenticeship as a locksmith. Sincerity, good-hardheartedness and spirited enthusiasm shown on his magnificent face. Thanks to his extraordinary charm, he created love and affection within every group with which he came in contact. His deep love of people prompted the 14-year old Pethahiah to join the lines of the workers' movement.
Within two years he was active in the youth organization of the leftist poyle-tsion and after that he joined the Communist Party, to which he remained true until yetsies-neshome [his last breath].
He was especially fit for his activities among the Polish workers, not only thanks to his complete mastery of the Polish language, but also because he also was brought up in a Polish workers' neighborhood. He, the son of a Jewish weaver who was out of place in a colony of railroad workers, undertook to help build a bridge of brotherhood between the Jewish and Polish people, breaking down the wall of hundreds of years of hatred of Jews, and reciprocal religious and chauvinistic bias. He was destined to defend the building of that bridge much later in bizarre times, in the gehenem-fire [hellish fire] of the Nazi occupation, and the mabl [downpour, torrent] of sam [the Devil] of Hitler propaganda among the Poles.
In 1929, at the age of 17, Pethahiah left for Paris, where he hoped to dedicate himself to the study of art. Instead, because of need, he was forced to do avoydes-perekh [back-breaking labor] in a metal factory. There, away from home, he also devoted his free time to the worker movement
In 1930, Pethahiah returned to Poland. After a short time spent in Kenigs-Hite with his sister Blume Luftig, he arrived in Nowy Sacy, where he again plunged into politic work. There the secret police, the Defensive, which had had an eye on him for a long time, imprisoned him.
[Page 4]
The severe winter out in the fields, seriously undermined Pethahiah's health; he also received wounds in his hands. According to the orders of the organization (?), he came back to the Bialystoker ghetto. Sick as he was, he worked in the ghetto in the arrangements for the uprising. He participated in clearing out destructive, harmful, prejudicial people: the Jewish gestapo people, the brothers Udkowski and Tsviklitch.
August 16, 1943, the uprising broke out in the Bialystoker ghetto. Just as earlier in Warsaw, the uprising was an answer to the surrounding of the ghetto by the Germans, who were determined to deport the rest of the Bialystoker Jews to the gas chambers. The battle by the Jewish heroes was carried out with superhuman effort, but the superior forces of the German soyne [enemy] was too great. 300 fighters, under the unforgettable leadership of[1] Mordechai Tenenbaum of the[2] Hashomer Hatzair took a stand against a khil [army] of three thousand S.S. men, armed with [mitrolyesn ?] while sheltered behind tanks. Pethahiah Mahler is everywhere with his automatic weapon in his hands. Pethahiah, with Chaim Leptchinsky continue with a group of partisans on Tchieple Street. Wounded as he was, Pethahiah did not let his gun out of his hand. Pethahiah fell in the fight with the rutskhim murderers. The last 71 fighters barricaded themselves in a brunem-bunker well bunker?. However, they were discovered by the Germans and taken away to be shot by machine-gun fire: long live the Red Army! Long live a democratic Poland! The Jewish people will not become extinct! Our day of nekume [revenge] will come!
Pethahiah Mahler, a son of Jewish Sandz, the fighter of the Bialystoker uprising, is in the gallery of the immortals of the Jewish people, a worthy yoyresh [heir] to the Maccabee and zealot Bar-Kokhba, fighter and martyr oyf kidush hashem [sanctification of the Name].
Translator's Footnotes
[Page 5]
by Baruch Shpiro
Translated by Renee Miller
In the terrible msise [agony of death] of the Sandzer Jewish Community under the Nazi occupation, there were several shining moments of passive resistance. Unfortunately, there was no active fight because our city was one of the first communities in Poland that was totally exterminated.
One of the acts of heroism is connected to the illustrious image of Reyzl Goldberg.
At the outbreak of the war, there were approximately 12,000 Jews souls, from which a large number were immediately sent east. In their place, however, all Sandzer Jews who lived in various cities in Poland were centralized in the city of Sandz. In addition to these, a significant number of Jews from other Polish cities, among them Polish Jews from XXXXXXX (?) camps in Germany were included.
In their fiendish plan to kill the Jews, the Germans concentrated on the surrounding towns and villages, such as Grubow, Limenev, alt-Sandz, Pivnitchne, Muline, Kranitz, Labowe, Tschoyve, Amshane (Mshane-Dolne). In this way, at the end, there were approximately 20,000 Jewish souls in Sandz according to all those who were saved after the great hurbn [destruction].
As in all cities in Poland, the Germans also imprisoned the Jews in a ghetto, that usually consisted of two ghettos. One - for the working, productive element on the left side of the pieklo up to the hospital and the cemetery. In the second one in the Jewish section and the surrounding Jewish lanes- for those not working.
Both ghettos were walled, and absolutely no contact whatsoever was to take place between them. Those imprisoned in the ghetto for the not-working, in general, were never supposed to go out. However, the Jews from the workers ghetto were able to leave temporarily only for work outside the ghetto. -
[Page 6]
- then they were escorted by a S.S. Guard and someone from the Jewish police, which was organized by the Jewish council. The Jewish police - as in other cities also excelled here in the shameful active assistance they gave to those contemptible Germans in killing our brothers and sisters. As soon as the two ghettos were established, families were torn apart, the elderly and the children, physically incapable of working, were confined to the Jewish neighborhood, while those family members who could work were chosen for the other ghetto on the pieklo.
In other parts of the city, Jews were not allowed to live or even to appear there. You understand that here in Niesandz, as in other cities in Poland, Jews had to wear the Jewish armband with the Mogen Dovid on it.
In the ghetto, people continued to work in communal activities in spite of the minimal resources. In the same way, a Jewish help committee was active (independent of the Jewish council), distributing help to the needy, among the starving masses. The Jewish intellectuals were occupied with feeding the children in orphan asylums at the Jewish Hospital. The Jewish doctors were remarkable in the way they reorganized the Jewish hospital literally under the eyes of the Nazis. In the Talmud Toyre [religious training school for boys] in the Yidisher gas [Jewish neighborhood], a covert Jewish school under the leadership of Hinde Bachner, a graduate of the Jewish Teachers Seminar in Vilna [an important teachers' school of the time] was created.
Until the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union, life in the ghetto flowed normally, under normal Nazi gezeyres [evil decrees]. The akhzoyres [cruelty] of the Nazis was horrendous and murder by shooting or drowning individuals in the Dunajec River, a daily occurrence. And to this normalcy, our community had already became accustomed.
At the end of April 1942, the first great action against the Jews of Sandz took place known under the name the May Action.
[Page 7]
The mass shooting of approximately 400 young, active men and women, the most beautiful blooms of Sandzer Jews made the entire community dejected and shocked. They all felt that this was a warning of total annihilation. Barely three months later, in August 1942, the liquidation and total destruction of the ghetto really occurred: the entire Jewish population was sent to Belsec [death camp]. From the so-called May Action grew an act of gaystiker gvure [spiritual power] that we want to record here ledoyres [for the Ages].
In the starostve [city community hall], the gestapo found a list put together by the ardent Polish Home Police. There, were noted those who belonged to Linke Paoley Tsien [left-wing Zionist organization] and organizations close to it like Givyazde Shtern sport club of Jewish workers, Folks Universitet A.M. Of Max Rosenfeld [1]. On the basis of this list, the Gestapo, through the Jewish police, arrested about 400 young women and men. Although many they sought were not found in Sandz, the Jewish police furnished others with the same names, or other family members that never had any connection with these organizations or with the people. The arrest took place on April 28, 1942 and by the morning of the 29th, after having been completely done in by their time in jail they were taken to the cemetery and all were killed. There, those to be killed had to dig their own graves, take off all their clothes, and standing there naked, they were shot down by machine guns.
When everything was ready for the horrible execution, an extraordinary episode took place: one of the victims, Ratzke Goldberg-Shpiro, - looking death in the eye collected her remaining strength and with unbelievable courage, spoke to the Nazi murderers under the eyes of the Jewish police, she warned the Nazis that they shouldn't think that because they murder and bleed those that not guilty, that they will win this war - in any case, they have already lost - but those Jews who live through this war will take revenge on the Germans.
[Page 8]
The Nazis, amazed at the boldness of a Jewish woman, were tkhiles mevulbl [at first perplexed], but it didn't take long before Reyzl Goldberg's speech was cut short by bullets for her khutspah [impertinence] against the superior race.
Ratzke Goldberg-Shpiro, was a tokhter fun bal(e)batish-khsidishe elterin [a daughter of well-to-do parents who were khasidim], Abraham and Toybe Goldberg. In her younger years she was already close to the poor and Jewish working masses who were collected around the linke poaley tsiein partey [Labor Zionists] in our city.
In private, she thirsted for learning since her parents did not permit her to go to school on Shabos she studied in high school and then studied in Vienna at the university.
She gave, as a gift to those who did not have the opportunity to go to school, all her learning .
When she was fifteen in 1918 she joined the Borochov Circle [Affiliated with Poaley Tsien, one of many schools known as Borokhov schools, which taught both Zionism and Yiddish culture] of young students in the Party and until her last breath, she sought out those who were abused by fate. In meshekh fun [in the period] of her 24 years, she served the party of the Jewish workers, Poaley Tsien as well as the Jewish children and the people.
The Jewish Folkshuls were established right after the First World War. The special evening school for young workers was established by the Community Evening Courses for Jewish Workers by many of our landsman [compatriots] Dr. Raphal Mahler was one of the founders and leaders. It was a holiday for the working Jewish youth when he would give scholarly lectures on various themes. Ratzke was certainly the darling of the working Jewish young people in our city. In her friendly way, she took care of them and they reciprocated for it with love and derkherets [respect].
[Page 9]
Ratzke was also outstanding in the field of the dramatic arts. For over 20 years, she was the leading star in all the performances given by our dramatic group of the folksuniversitet [People's School?] under the name of Dr. Max Rosenfeld: Folks Universitet A.M. Of Max Rosenfeld (see above).
A subtle, perceptive soul, she had the dramatic ability of which even a serious theater would not have to be ashamed. With great love, she performed in the best Yiddish and national repertory dramas. In that manner, from the stage, using the Yiddish language, she carried the creative word to those whose lives she wanted to enrich. She also achieved this goal by helping build a library in the same folks universitet. This same library with some thousand books in Yiddish and Polish, elevated the level of culture for the young and the working people in Sandz. In addition, she did not ignore the political domain. She took an active role in all Poaley Tsioe actions taken for the rights of the Jewish people. Not only in the tribune, at meetings or sessions, through her artistic word, but also through personal contact, she had an effect; and how great was her joy over each successful political action or demonstration for the rights of the Jewish people.
It's not a surprise, actually, that Ratzke Goldberg took upon herself, a mission of such heroic proportion made by holy martyrs, to shout out a protest against Nazism and Fascism
Eternal shame for the murders! And eternal glory for our heroic sons and daughters, for our Ratzke!
Ratzke lived beautifully and died alkidesh hashem [martyred]!
Our landslayt [countrymen] who have returned either from Russia or other lands and hiding places have her Ratzke - together with all those killed along with her, erected a matseyve denkmol [a memorial gravestone] in the cemetery in Sandz.
May Ratzke Goldberg's illustrious memory live forever!
Translator's Footnote
JewishGen, Inc. makes no representations regarding the accuracy of
the translation. The reader may wish to refer to the original material
for verification.
JewishGen is not responsible for inaccuracies or omissions in the original work and cannot rewrite or edit the text to correct inaccuracies and/or omissions.
Our mission is to produce a translation of the original work and we cannot verify the accuracy of statements or alter facts cited.
Nowy Sacz (Poland) Yizkor Book Project JewishGen Home Page
Copyright © 1999-2018 by JewishGen, Inc.
Updated 22 Aug 2012 by MGH


text:
Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Old's Cool' started by Pablo83, Sep 4, 2012.
1983 Suzuki GR650 Tempter. $400 from the local pawn shop; non-running condition.
I have this build posted on a couple other sites. The most extensive build thread for this bike is on Flattrack.com. I thought I would show it off here too for those of you who don't like to leave home (ADV).
I cut off some of the rear subframe
I cut out some frame tubes that were in the way. I welded in a piece of rebar real quick to make sure I could still get the engine in and out then I replaced it with a new tube that matched the frame
What's the ultimate goal for the bike?
I'm building a Street Tracker (street legal flat track bike).
Looks like he's going to fix the appearance of the back half of the GR like you mentioned in the other GR650 thread!
(And then some!)
i thought the rebar was pretty badass
that's what i want to do but with a ducati if i could find one...
i will be following thread......atta boy
To expand more on Radian's question, I really like the look of dirt track bikes; they just look like they would be a blast to ride. My favorite all time dirt tracker is the Honda RS750:
I set out to build a replica a little while back, but I was nervous about the build because I really wanted to get everything right. Then I found the GR and I thought it would be a great bike to learn on so I started cutting it up.
Assume you've seen this thread, post #9
Yup. That's probably the best looking GR out there. I found another website out there with more pics of that build, but there was very little written info on it.
Some serious metal working skills, Pablo. Nice work.
I got a bunch of pipe bends from Summit Racing (I think that's where they came from).
And I already happened to have the perfect mufflers laying around.
Now I just need to do a bunch of fitting and welding
i love the tank. What did you use to cut it, and did you have to take precautions against an explosion from old gas fumes and sparks? I have an old tank i want to cut up (and put back together).


text:
Summit Entertainment; Warner Bros.
Summit Entertainment; Warner Bros.
Emma Watson has spoken out in Kristen Stewart's defense.
In particular, the way the media treated the Twilight highlight in the wake of that whole cheating scandal last summer.
"Those who criticized her are the same people that think that being rich and famous is like being covered in some kind of magic powder that makes life perfect: Nothing can go wrong in your wonderful world," the Perks of Being a Wallflower star told Vanity Fair Italy. "For these people, Kristen deserves all the bad things that have been thrown at her because she had an amazing life and she ruined it."
Watson added, "I thought that the media picked on her in a very horrible way. Kristen is human, just like everybody else, and she's so young."
The 22-year-old actress went on to explain that "everyone makes mistakes, everyone. It's not fair to consider them matters of public interest. On one hand, I can understand why it happened: people felt really involved in her relationship with Robert Pattinson. But it's also true that they both have done everything in their power to keep their relationship as far from the public eye as possible."
So, do you agree with Watson? Sound off in the comments!


text:
We want to publicly thank all our valued members who recently gave us such useful feedback on our user surveys. We thank you and hope that you continue to know how much we value your own use of EnglishCentral and efforts to learn English.
We have drawn a winner of the $100 Amazon gift certificate from those who completed the survey and will announce this person and all winners shortly! (those who gave us a skype interview will get $25 certificate).
Once again, thank you and stay tuned for the final announcement.
The EnglishCentral Team


text:
The text message — the technology that spawned a new language of punctuation signs and shortcut spellings — is 20 years old.
It was Dec. 3, 1992, when Neil Papworth, a text engineer in London, first texted "Merry Christmas" to Vodafone employee Richard Jarvis, who was at a Christmas party across town.
It was possible because the new generation of digital mobile phones incorporated letters on the number pad so that customers could put names of contacts into the phone book on their phones.
One year later Nokia introduced the first mobile phone that allowed customers to send text messages to others within the same network. Then in 1999, text messages could cross networks for the time. A new fever was born.
College kids and students embraced the new inexpensive technology, despite the fiddly operation of clicking though numbers to reach the desired letter of the alphabet. Growth in the service was dramatic. In 2002, mobile subscribers around the world sent more than 250 billion SMSs, according to research firm Informa Telecoms and Media.
"The characteristics that made SMS an essential mobile communications service [were] that it was inexpensive, universally available on devices and from mobile operators, and interoperable," said Pamela Clark-Dickson, senior analyst for Informa.
The early messages were limited to 160 characters, necessitating short cuts. BCNU (be seeing you), 10Q (thank you), QQ (crying eyes) and LOL (laugh out loud) started to seep into the vernacular.
Politicians soon waded onto the scene. In 2004, then U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair took part in a live text chat. In 2008, then Sen. Barack Obama sent a text message to his supporters to announce his vice-presidential running mate.
"When texting was first conceived, many saw it as nothing more than a niche service," said James Thickett, director of research at U.K. regulator Ofcom. "But texts have now surpassed traditional phone calls and meeting face-to-face, and [are] the most frequent way of keeping in touch for U.K. adults – revolutionizing the way we socialize, work and network."
Today, with smartphone penetration increasing in the developed world, the humble SMS is being out-glamored by Internet-based services such as WhatsApp, Apple's iMessage, Viber, KakaoTalk and Facebook Messenger. These come with enhanced user experiences and handy extra features.
In parts of the world including China, South Korea, Spain and Netherlands, traffic and revenues from text messaging are in decline.
According to the Swedish telecom regulator, the number of text messages sent in Sweden dropped for the first time in the first half of this year, to 8.1 billion from 9.2 billion in the same period a year earlier. In the U.K., the first half of 2012 saw quarterly declines in the volumes of SMS messages to 38.5 billion in the second quarter, from 39.1 billion the first quarter and from 39.7 billion in the last quarter of 2011.
But reports of the death of the text message are premature, says Srini Goplan, consumer director at Vodafone U.K.
"SMS has adapted over the years and remained a key part of the way that people communicate," he said. "Texting has become so ubiquitous that it is now challenging the phone call as the simplest way for a wide variety of organizations and companies to keep in touch with people."
Text messages are now sent to remind customers of dental appointments and notify them of grocery deliveries, he notes.
These days, you can send a text message to pay for car parking, to contact TV and radio shows and even make charity donations.
In the developing world, where smartphone penetration is low, SMS remains a key technology, enabling mobile money transfers, the sending of alerts on weather and planting advice for farmers, and distribution of health information for consumers.
Globally, SMS traffic is continuing to grow and stood at 7.4 trillion messages in 2011, up 44% from the year before, according to Informa.
"Overall the future remains bright for SMS, if only because it will be some years before [Internet-based] OTT messaging applications can achieve the same level of penetration as SMS," said Informa's Ms. Clark-Dickson.
"SMS remains the single most highly penetrated and truly interoperable mobile-messaging service, " she said, "to the extent that Apple, for example, has enabled SMS termination for iMessage, and Informa understands that other OTT providers are endeavoring to do the same."


text:
ZA Free 9.1.007.002 -- Windows 7 64-bit
I have a server program I run, and my friends run the client. Since upgrading the server machine to Windows 7, and the latest ZA for Windows 7, the server no longer gets the requests from the client. They are blocked by the rule ExtBlockAll2, according to the log. Sometimes my server will establish the TCP connection after a reboot, but then subsequent connections are blocked. I'm not sure whether to consider the successful first connection to be a bug in the bug that blocks the remaining connections, or just how I should think about it.
I wrote both client and server programs, and they work fine in the trusted zone, but not the internet zone, in spite of allowing access when I got the popups.
So the internet zone security is high, and trusted is medium. But that's how it was on XP, and it worked there.
Is there a solution?


text:
Teen hikers found safe after cold, wet nights in Ore. wilderness
MOLALLA, Ore. - Two teens who spent a couple of unplanned nights in the wilderness east of Salem were found safe Monday afternoon.
Jackson Chandler, 17, and Bradley Nelson, 16, left to go for a day hike in the Table Rock Wilderness area Saturday afternoon and did not return. About 50 people searched for them on Monday, aided by an Oregon Army National Guard helicopter.
"We planned on just going up past a logging road past where we parked, and then just popping up to the ridge real quick and coming back real quick, but we got up to the top of the ridge, and when we tried to come back we ended up going the wrong direction," Chandler said.
"I was definitely concerned. I didn't want to be spending the night out there."
A Clackamas County Sheriff's spokesperson said the pair did not need medical attention after they were found at about 2 p.m.
"It was hard, and we were cold, but we managed not to get hurt and just kept walking," said Nelson.
The boys said they found a tree that was keeping the ground relatively dry and slept under it Saturday night.
They were found about an hour from the search command post. Both boys said they were thankful for everyone involved in the search effort.
"Thank you to everyone who put all the effort in to find us," Nelson said. "It's good to be home."
A private citizen found the two teens and picked them up in his car.
Both Chandler and Nelson attend West Linn High School.
Both boys are Life Scout rank in the Boy Scouts, have multiple outdoor and survival skill merit badges and are working on becoming Eagle Scouts, a family spokesperson said. It was their first hike into the Table Rock area, a remote, rugged wilderness area east of Salem.
Hunters found the boys' truck Sunday afternoon along the side of the road near the Lost Creek Meadow area about five miles east of the Table Rock Wilderness area.
The boys were found north of Bagby Hot Springs, approximately 7 miles from the truck's location.
They had a compass, knives and a stove. Nelson said they used the stove to try to stay warm in the cold.
The boys did not have any food with them but said they drank plenty of water.
"We just had to keep telling ourselves to put one foot in front of the other," Chandler said. "Taco Bell isn't going to come to us."
KATU's Erica Nochlin contributed to this story.


text:
"We don't care, we don't have to"
I honestly thought that the total was in pesos.
I opened my gas bill and was astonished to see that the
cost for a month of natural gas had doubled. Now, I realize that it was awfully
chilly in the last month for the Eastern Shore. Heck, it even snowed a little
bit, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that in the winter,
the gas bill is going be higher. This I get. However, the amount of gas that my
household had used was just slightly higher than the month before. It's not
like we filled my living room with sand, booked DJ Batman, and had our own
private Lunasea party.
I, like most reasonably organized people, know
approximately what the bills are going to be per month, but after opening my
most recent bill, I spit my coffee all over the kitchen counter like I had just
heard one of Dubya's most recent destructions of the English language, or had
been hit on the back with a hockey stick.
So, I called the company, and was informed that there was
a 9-percent price hike on the product that they provide, and that hike, coupled
with the chilly temperatures below the Mason Dixon line brought my bill to it's
astronomical price point.
Now, I don't expect much from the utilities companies, or
the people that answer the phones. I'm sure that handling the phones at any
utility company is about as appealing as spreading manure for a living or
mopping up vomit from a boardwalk bathroom. Honestly, have you ever met any kid
that aspires to work at a utility company?
The point is this: the woman on the other line, briefly
described the situation and verbally wiped her hands clean as if to say, "sucks
to be you, the consumer, but you need the gas, so pay your fare."
I hung up the phone, wiped up my coffee, and recalled an
old SNL skit with Lily Tomlin as a rather snide phone company worker. Her
tagline was, "We don't care, we don't have to, we're the phone company."
It made me realize that there are certain products that
companies (usually large corporations) provide that are essential to our
American lifestyle. They've got us by the proverbial short hairs and we can't
do anything other than write the check. Because we need what they have, and
there is nothing we can do about it.
Obviously, the phone, gas, electric and water providers
are in this category. Usually, in an area this size, there are no more than two
providers. In most cases, however, it is one company depending on your
With the explosion of cell phone usage, the phone company
isn't as much to blame on the surface, but they still contribute in subtle
ways. For example, you sign a two-year agreement for a phone that dies in a
year. Then when you try to replace the phone, the model is no longer available.
Tell me that is a coincidence and I'll call you a buffoon.
Vehicles stick it to you in similar ways. You pay for a
warranty, and of course, a few thousand miles after said warranty runs out,
things start to break. It makes you wonder if a study has been done to see how
long things will last, and warranties are set accordingly.
Then there are the body shops.
Body shops are not the most ethical of businesses,
especially in an area populated by tourists a large majority of the year. I've
heard many of horror stories about people that had car troubles while on
vacation and paid through the nose just to get home. It is a service that is
essential, and you must pay accordingly, but in the off-season, the practice
gets stuck to the locals often times on the basis of "company policy."
Here's the problem with "company policy": With the
franchising of large corporations that have replaced the mom and pop shops of
old, comes an almost chilling indifference to the customer when customer
relations is really needed. Wal-mart is the greatest example of this. If
Wal-mart isn't next to the definition of the word "monopoly" in the dictionary
I don't know what is.
Call a corporation sometime and clock how long it takes
you to actually talk to a person.
The information that we get is fed to us by media
conglomerates backed by huge corporations (All of the big three networks) or
channels used as propaganda vehicles for particular political parties (um…Fox
If America is so full of free choice, why are some of the
most essential needs that we need as humans provided to us at a "take it or
leave it" way of doing business?
I recently watched a movie with an interesting monologue
from an actor about small town America. He asked his sister who still lived in
their small town if she liked living there. She said, "yeah, there's more to do
now than when we were kids."
He replied "sure, there's four chain restaurants and two
new strip malls, if eating and shopping is the only thrill that you seek."
When I hear the recent scandals of the administration,
watch small businesses shut down to make room for an Applebees, and write the
check out to my local gas company, I realize that though we have more choices
and freedoms than most countries, some of the ones that we have are often times
chosen for us.
I guess that's why the phrase "stick it to the man when
you can" has stayed popular over the years.
"The man" always seems to get all your hard earned pesos.
It just sucks when you know he's getting more than he
me at firstname.lastname@example.com


text:
Darvish named Rangers Player of the Month
By T.R. Sullivan / MLB.com
ARLINGTON -- Pitcher Yu Darvish was named the Rangers Player of the Month for April by the local media. The American League Player and Pitcher of the Month will be announced in the next few days.
Darvish was 5-1 with a 2.33 ERA in six starts while striking out 58. It's the most strikeouts in April by a Major League pitcher since Montreal's Javier Vazquez struck out 58 in 2003. The last Rangers pitcher to strike out 58 batters in any month was Nolan Ryan in September of 1989.
The 58 strikeouts are also tied for the third most by an American League pitcher through the end of April. Roger Clemens struck out 60 for the Red Sox in 1988 and Ryan had 59 through April while with the Angels in 1978. Vida Blue also had 58 for the Athletics in April of 1971.
Darvish is the sixth Rangers pitcher to record five wins in April. The last to do so were Rick Helling and Aaron Sele in 1998.
Second surgery pushes back Harrison's return
ARLINGTON -- Rangers pitcher Matt Harrison underwent a second operation on Wednesday to address a herniated disc in his lower back, pushing back the timetable for his return to the mound. The Rangers still expect Harrison to pitch again this season, but it's not going to be until August or later.
Harrison underwent surgery on April 23 to repair the bulging disc and was doing fine for the first week afterward. But he started feeling more discomfort on Tuesday and underwent an MRI on Wednesday morning. The results showed more herniation in the disc, requiring a second surgery. Harrison told the Rangers on Wednesday he "felt great" after the surgery.
"Obviously the last time, he felt great for eight days," general manager Jon Daniels said. "Time will tell. Our expectations are the same as last time, but now it's seven or eight days later. I don't think [a second surgery] is that uncommon, but you would like for it to not happen."
Harrison is expected to be out for at least three months so his return will likely be some time in August at the earliest. Daniels said the Rangers are operating under the assumption that Harrison will pitch again this season.
"I'm hopeful," Daniels said. "We'll just have to play it by ear. That's his expectation. We've got to get him healthy. Once his back is healthy, we can start ramping him up and see what happens."
Right now, the Rangers are going with a rotation of Yu Darvish, Derek Holland, Alexi Ogando, Nick Tepesch and Justin Grimm. The Rangers are also hopeful to get Colby Lewis back within the next 30-40 days.
Lewis, who had flexor tendon surgery on his right elbow on July 27, will make his second extended spring start on Saturday. He is scheduled to pitch two innings. After that, the Rangers will decide if Lewis needs to make another start in extended camp or is ready to go out on a 30-day rehabilitation assignment in the Minor Leagues.
Moreland having better results against lefties
ARLINGTON -- Mitch Moreland was in the Rangers' lineup on Wednesday with left-hander Chris Sale on the mound for the White Sox. The move was logical as Moreland has been hot lately against left-handed pitching.
Moreland achieved a career "milestone" when he had three hits against left-handers in the Rangers' 10-6 victory on Tuesday. It's the first time in his career Moreland had three hits in one game against left-handers.
Moreland has had just eight games in his career with two or more hits against left-handed pitchers. Three came in the last week of April, including a two-hit game against the Angels in Anaheim and another on Saturday in Minnesota.
"He's starting to have better swings against them, no doubt about it," Rangers manager Ron Washington said. "There are still some left-handed pitchers that will throw it and he'll miss by a mile. But he'll see some pitches from right-handers that he'll miss by a mile. I just want to see him up there and swing the bat."
Moreland's hot streak put him in the lineup over David Murphy. Jeff Baker started in left field for the second straight game, giving Washington an extra right-handed hitter against Sale. Washington said he expects Murphy to start on Thursday against White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy.
Moreland went 0-for-2 against Sale in the 5-2 loss. He walked and scored in the second inning.
Berkman may be close to playing first base
ARLINGTON -- Designated hitter Lance Berkman could be close to playing first base if needed. Berkman has been used exclusively at DH because he is still recovering from two operations on his right knee last year. But with more playing time and warmer weather getting closer, Berkman could soon become an option if needed at first base.
"It's feeling pretty good," Berkman said. "I won't know until I get out there but at this point, you can say I'm almost to the point where I have my legs under me. From playing a lot of games and running the bases, that's the next logical step."
With Mitch Moreland, the Rangers don't need Berkman to play regularly at first base. But he would give them another option, especially when they play in National League cities and there is no designated hitter. The Rangers have one game against the Cubs on Monday in Chicago and then a two-game series against the Brewers in Milwaukee.
Berkman made a couple of appearances at first base in Spring Training but hasn't had much work there since the season started. Cold weather hasn't helped matters much.
"You'd like for him to get some repetitions," Washington said. "But you could put a patch over one of his eyes and he could still play first base."
Berkman has played 761 games at first base and 997 in the outfield during his 15-year career.
Worth noting
• Catcher A.J. Pierzynski reported some improvement with a strained oblique muscle in his right rib cage but was out of the lineup for a second straight game. Pierzynski said he is hoping to be back in the lineup Thursday and play at least one game against his former team.
"I'm going to continue to get treatment all day," Pierzynski said. "It's better than yesterday. The color has gone down, which is good. I went through a full workout. We decided one more day is not going to kill anybody. There's nothing I can do. I'm obviously disappointed, I was hoping to get out there."
Geovany Soto was behind the plate for a second straight game, giving the Rangers another right-handed bat against left-hander Chris Sale.
Pierzynski pinch-hit with two outs in the ninth of Wednesday's 5-2 loss and was hit by a pitch.
• Jeff Baker has started two straight games in left field but is still dealing with a bruised right knee. That's why manager Ron Washington used David Murphy as a defensive replacement in Tuesday's 10-6 win.
• The Rangers are still waiting on the result of infielder Mike Olt's eye examination. He remains sidelined at Triple-A Round Rock after reporting some vision problems.
• The Rangers have placed outfielder Joey Butler and pitcher Collin Balestar on the disabled list at Round Rock. To reinforce the Express, the Rangers promoted pitcher Jake Brigham and Ryan Feierabend and infielder Alex Buchholz from Double-A Frisco.
• Pitchers Arlett Mavare and Phil Klein were promoted from Class A Myrtle Beach to Frisco. Pitchers Francisco Mendoza and Paul Schwendel were added to the Myrtle Beach roster from extended spring camp.
• Wednesday marked the 22nd anniversary of Nolan Ryan's seventh career no-hitter, pitched against the Blue Jays on May 1, 1991, at Arlington Stadium.
T.R. Sullivan is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Postcards from Elysian Fields, and follow him on Twitter @Sullivan_Ranger. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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So this Willow Smith may be one of the cuter kids to roam the earth in quite some time. Poise, looks, moxie– this tiny dynamo has it all. Not to mention a pedigree which, while it certainly doesn't account for her raw talent, may have put her in the right place to display it. Like on TV. And radio. Like everywhere on the internet right now with the catchy Whip My Hair. I saw it. I was intrigued. I watched …and I watched her debut it live on Ellen. Where she demonstrated a nearly alarming amount of maturity and ease.This might be par for the course when you're the child of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, known in Hollywood as the kind of parents who have chosen to play an active role in their (extremely talented) kids' development. Willow is on her way with a definitive message that bears hearing. The song itself is all about empowerment, with Go Girl lyrics that are already topping the charts:
"Don't let haters keep me off my grind, keep my head up I know I'll be fine, keep fighting until I get there, when I'm down and I feel like giving up I think again, I whip my hair back and forth."
It's fantastic. Even if I did have to look up "off my grind". Willow's already a role model and if all goes as planned (by a legion of skilled handlers) she'll continue to be a role model of the best sort, encouraging young ladies to tap into their inner potential via a simple gesture. An abrupt aerobic follicle cyclone to remind everyone that confidence is present. Or at least imminent. The only thing I wondered about was the interview afterwards with Ellen (who really handles guests more kindly and deftly than anyone in the talk-show business). I was a little surprised by Willow's response when Ellen asked what the phrase "Whip My Hair" actually means. The nine-year-old-with-a-record-deal-from-Jay-Z answered thus: "Basically… it's the new I'm me. Because I'm me and I'm doing what I wanna do." Um. Well of course she is. Although I have to wonder (since I am no longer nine) whether moms everywhere heard this and groaned just a teensy bit. How many mothers do you know who don't encounter the combination of words "I" and "want" uttered by spawn on an hourly basis? I guess the whole "I'm doing what I wanna do" part gave me pause because in some families there can be a fine line between empowerment and defiance, and sometimes " what I wanna do" can get you sent to your room, but quick. If the song had come out when I was a kid, I suspect any number of parents would have viewed the phrase "Whip My Hair" as a very close cousin to the phrase "Stomp My Foot" which usually gets you some Quiet Time. Or that's what stuff like that got you in the 1970's. I too am walking a fine line here, because I want to applaud this kid for her performance; it's tough to watch her and not be entirely captivated. On the other hand I don't ever want to be one of those people who says silly things like "kids today" but the truth is, there is a brave new set of rules for how they behave, and along with that behavior come the role models who will inevitably set the pace. It seems this young lady's got the chops to inspire an entire generation. Then again, maybe nothing's really changed at all, and this astonishing child is just the latest (whipped) hair apparent in a long line of girls with locks we love. I wonder what Dorothy Hamill thinks.
Today's poll: Voice your choice and tell us which of these kid stars is your favorite:
1) Justin Bieber
2) Willow Smith
3) Jaden Smith
4) Selena Gomez
For the latest pop culture news and voting, make sure to sign up for the People's Choice newsletter!


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After three years of droughts, Cape Town, South Africa, has set Day Zero—the day the town runs out of water—for April 21, 2018. Cape...
P>The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded a $4,553,900 grant to help control pollution from storm water runoff throughout Virginia.
The EPA grant, which goes to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, will be combined with $3 million in state funds to support Virginias non-point source water pollution control program.
"EPA is pleased to continue supporting Virginias efforts to clean up waterways that have been polluted by storm water related runoff. This funding supports vital projects to protect and improve water quality for drinking water and recreational activities and to preserve the natural habitat, " said Donald S. Welsh, administrator for EPAs mid-Atlantic region.
Non-point source pollution is caused by rainfall or snowmelt moving over or through the ground and carrying natural and human-made pollutants into lakes, streams, rivers and other water bodies. In Virginia, the major source of non-point source pollution is from agricultural activities. Some of the projects supported with the funding include:
* Implementing agricultural best management practices to reduce animal waste entering nearby water bodies.
* Planning and implementing specific watershed-based plans known as total maximum daily loads or TMDLs that are designed to control the discharge of specific pollutants into specific waterways.
* Developing comprehensive storm water plans that municipalities can use to control storm water runoff in their communities
* Funding nutrient management program personnel to help control nutrients.
Providing technical assistance for the ground water protection program by addressing non-point source pollution issues.


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Carlton: Unfinished business keeps defensive coordinator Manny Diaz at Texas
Head coaching candidate stays to fix struggling defense
SAN ANTONIO — After he interviewed for the Florida International head coaching job this month, Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz found two reasons to stay.
"Well, you don't leave the University of Texas for any position unless it's a perfect situation," Diaz said Thursday as Texas continued preparation for Oregon State in the Valero Alamo Bowl.
Professionally, that made sense. Personally, Diaz had something to prove.
"The second side of the equation is you have some pride about yourself," Diaz said. "There's something we started last year, and we had a setback this year."
That's a tactful way of phrasing it.
Since an epic three-game meltdown against West Virginia, Oklahoma and Baylor — when Texas allowed 161 points and 1,744 yards — the defense has been on pace for the worst statistical season in school history, allowing 412.3 yards per game.
"I think there are 99 reasons we didn't play the way we wanted," Diaz said. "But we're responsible for all of them."
Most of those reasons were discussed and dissected one more time at a bowl news conference.
From shoddy tackling ("It was so dramatic," Diaz said of the drop-off) to inexperience (just two senior starters) to supercharged Big 12 offenses, they all played a part.
From Diaz's view, everything changed when junior linebacker Jordan Hicks suffered a season-ending groin injury against Ole Miss.
"It didn't hurt us at one spot," Diaz said. "I thought it hurt us at three or four spots, because with him being out that affected some of the inexperienced guys that were around him."
Diaz tried to address the problems during a bye week.
Then Oklahoma State ran for 275 yards against his defense. Diaz simplified the run defense, and the Cowboys ran it down Texas' throat.
At that point, the second-year coordinator knew his defense had a problem.
Things got so bad that head coach Mack Brown started attending defense meetings, making suggestions.
Now, Diaz says he appreciated the attention and Brown's attempt to understand his staff and their problems. Then, it seemed like a sign of Texas' desperation to turn things around.
Quietly, the Longhorns have, in their final five games.
If Texas can hold a potent Oregon State offense to 260 or fewer yards, it can keep the 1993 defense in the record book and have a springboard to 2013.
Texas will return nine starters plus Hicks and dominant defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, recovering from a torn pectoral muscle. Diaz knows that isn't enough.
"Fixing this defense will occur from Jan. 15 to July 30," Diaz said.
Diaz said the defense has to get stronger and fitter. He loves the way freshman linebacker Peter Jinkens of Skyline has brought "bravado" to the lineup.
"I'm proud of the guys being resilient," Diaz said. "But I'm tired of being resilient now. It's time to be something else."
Players said they were happy and relieved Dec.19 when Diaz told them he was staying.
"We want him back," said cornerback Quandre Diggs, who may switch to safety next season. "All the harsh criticism he got this year, he doesn't deserve."
Diaz admits he probably could have been successful at Florida International, especially in his hometown of Miami.
He would have always wondered about what he left behind — and what he could have accomplished.
Not now.
"I want to be at Texas," Diaz said. "I want to coach great defense at Texas."


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There are a lot of questions to ask a landscaping company, and keep in mind that you'll be interviewing a few of them. Because of this, it's a good idea to have a pen and paper handy when the landscaper comes over so that you can remember their answers when you're comparing companies later on. Here are some questions that will give you a great start. Of course, you can always expand on this list if you have your own questions you'd like to ask.
How long has the company been in business?
You shouldn't disqualify a company just for being young but, landscaping is one area where experience usually means a more qualified contractor. If you're considering a young company, don't be deterred just because they only opened their doors last year. Just make sure that they have a comprehensive list of properties you can visit, and that you see a lot of their work before you commit to anything with them.
What scope of service does the landscaper cover?
Ask the contractor who will be responsible for things such as irrigation, design, installation, the lawn, the lighting, permits, disposal, utility staking, and anything else that might be required for your project. Sometimes the landscaping company leaves certain things, such as permits, as your responsibility whereas other contractors will take care of it for you. Make sure that if you need a permit and the landscaper obtains it, that you physically see it for yourself! Otherwise, you could end up in big trouble with the city over your landscaping project, and you may even have to tear some of it down, which is a huge waste of money!
Other times, the landscaper may be responsible for everything, yet still outsource some of the work, such as paving and excavation, to sub-contractors. While this is a fine practice, you need to know about it. If this is how the landscaping company that you're dealing with work, make sure that you have every name of every sub-contractor, and their phone numbers.
Who will be my main contact should I have any questions or concerns?
Even if sub-contractors are being used, there should be one contractor assigned by the landscaping company to oversee the entire project, especially if it's a very large one. And again, it's extremely important that you know who this person is and that you know how to get a hold of them.
How big is the average-sized job the company handles?
It's important to know what type of projects the company usually handles. If your project requires a complete gutting of your yard and re-installation of everything, you're going to want a company that's experienced with more than just cutting lawns. But, beware of companies that only take on huge projects such as at malls; you don't want yours getting lost in the mix. Trying to find a company that handles projects of your size regularly will likely be the best fit.
How are plants chosen for the site?
The different plants that are chosen for your yard should be selected in a few different ways. Firstly, they should be chosen according to your soil type, the climate in your region, and the amount of shade and light in your yard (as this will affect what types of plants are chosen for those areas.) It's also extremely important that whatever the process is, that your input is also taken into consideration. The landscaping company should be able to give you a few different options that would work in your yard, and allow you to choose your favorites from those.
What are the care instructions for the plants, shrubs, and any other vegetation after they are installed?
It really does you no good to have a landscaping company come over and give you a beautiful yard, only to have it all die just a few days or weeks later. A landscaping company should be able to tell you how to care for the plants immediately after they have been planted, as well as how to care for them for the years to come afterward (as they're likely to have different care instructions.)
What will the cost of the project be?
This should not be the first question you ask, but don't let the contractor leave without getting at least an estimate from them. You can have them draw up an actual contract later (don't start any work without signing a contract) but providing you with one at that time may not be possible; but at least try to get an estimate from them and if possible, in writing.
Are consultations free?
This should be an absolute "Yes!"
What forms of payment do you accept?
Again, this question is not really a big deal but it is something you will want to know. Most landscaping companies accept either cash, credit card, or check.
How will I be billed?
This is an area that can get tricky, as there are many different ways you can be billed for landscaping services. Some landscaping companies will ask you to pay a deposit before any work begins with the final balance being due upon completion. This is the preferable way to go, as it gives you a guarantee that you won't have to pay for shoddy workmanship.
Information provided by: Mulch & More


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Back to Previous Page | All News Items
Fort Campbell Courier
Fort Campbell, KY | March 7, 2013
On Monday, sixth, seventh and eighth graders at Mahaffey Middle were taught a new way of learning, VIP style. The traveling Mobile Ed Productions Inc. stopped by to visit the students for a 90-minute assembly.
Mobile Ed is used by schools seeking alternatives for field trips. The goal of the production is to help students overcome certain learning obstacles, by making learning fun.
Students came to the assembly with their pen and notebooks eager to take notes.
"I'm real big on what we can do for the kids at school, so it's nice when we don't have to have that added part of taking the bus and going somewhere and coordinating and worrying about the weather…," Principal Hugh McKinnon said.
Mobile Ed is unlike a normal classroom setting. They help students understand different learning concepts through various entertaining programs.


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Liquid Violet Hires Peppermint P
London, UK, 10th December 2012. Liquid Violet, the London-based specialist in video game voice production, has announced that it has retained PR agency Peppermint P. Liquid Violet is looking to expand its scope and grow throughout 2013, having completed recording work for projects such as Dark Souls, and providing its specialised pre-and-post services for Borderlands 2 and XCom: Enemy Unknown, among others.
Liquid Violet is based at Goldcrest Post London and has full access to its world-leading recording facilities. Liquid Violet sets itself apart from other voice and dialogue service providers by offering expertise in talent selection, talent management, localisation co-ordination and asset management logistics, as well as providing voice and dialogue recording of the highest quality.
Adam Chapman, director, Liquid Violet comments: "We've been running under the radar for far too long and it's time to raise our visibility." He continues, "Voice recording for games is such a specialised field that we needed a specialist PR agency that understands the depth of the work involved and the scope of the supporting disciplines that we've developed to streamline and enrich the entire dialogue recording and localisation process."
For more information and interview access, please contact:
Tony Coles, Peppermint P
+44 (0) 207 240 2645
Notes for Editors:
Liquid Violet was formed in 2011 as a highly specialised studio for voice recording in videogames with an emphasis on quality across the entire spectrum of disciplines involved. Ranging from dialogue recording to asset management and including casting consultancy and invaluable localisation assistance in terms of coordinating work across a range of regional partner studios, Liquid Violet's prime aims are to unify voice recording and voice localisation logistics to take the stress out of the overall process while bringing interesting, new talent to video games dialogue. For more information, visit: www.liquidviolet.co.uk
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Councilman wants local support for federal law
Aug. 20, 2013 at 3:20 a.m.
Updated Aug. 21, 2013 at 3:21 a.m.
A Victoria elected official is drumming up support for a proposed federal law that he says would level the economic playing field for retailers.
However, others on the City Council worry the proposal, which is supported largely by big-box retailers such as Target, Wal-Mart and Best Buy, will do little to save Texas jobs or help mom and pop stores.
Under the suggestion of Councilman David Hagan, the Victoria City Council will vote Tuesday whether to support the Marketplace Fairness Act.
He believes it would save Texas jobs by putting pressure on online retail competition.
Hagan said the only local mom and pop business he knows supporting the act is Victoria All Sports.
"Folks come in, use his shop to touch the goods, then buy online," Hagan said.
According to Manta, an online business directory, Victoria All Sports has between 5 and 9 employees and has been in business more than 40 years.
The act, if passed as law, "would plug the hole" on eBay and other online retailers that do not collect sales tax, Hagan said. Amazon complies with state sales tax rules.
"It's a tax that's already owed," Hagan said; therefore, it is not an added burden to consumers. "All businesses should be required to collect sales tax, or none should."
Mayor Paul Polasek, who has previously questioned whether the local governing body should spend time on federal issues, saw the situation differently.
"Sometimes, it might be best if we not weigh-in on certain issues," he said. "That's just food for thought."
He used an example of driving to another state, purchasing something and paying sales tax at that state.
When he returns to Victoria, he won't be stopped at the Texas border and asked to pay the tax again.
Polasek said if a business has no physical structure in Texas, and no impact on Texas, "there is no reason for them to pay a tax."
Councilman Tom Halepaska said he is concerned about the proposed law's donors.
"There's too many bad boys on the wrong side," he said.
The act is aimed at businesses that take in more than $1 million annually.
"That's a mid-sized business," Halepaska said. "You'll end up stifling your own growth to keep it under $1 million."


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UK Government Panel weighs in on fracking risks
Government health chiefs have admitted there is a risk to public health from exposure to emissions from shale gas extraction under the current monitoring framework.
And scientists at Public Health England (PHE) admit that in the absence of regulations in the UK, drilling operators could potentially use a "wide range of chemical, many of which are classified as highly toxic and/or carcinogenic".
It confirms that the risks from small-scale drilling for exploratory purposes are "clearly different from the risks from commercial scale operations".
The Government's own body, which is part of the Department of Health, admits there will remain a low risk to health even if operations are properly run and regulated but described "potentially significant"pollution impacts to air, land and water.
The draft report was published this week and reviewed the potential health impacts of shale gas extraction. Its study of the scientific literature focuses on the potential impact of chemicals and radioactive material from all stages of the process, including the fracturing (fracking) of shale.
As there is no commercial shale gas extraction in the UK, the draft report looks at information from countries where it is taking place.
Drilling derrick image via Shutterstock.
Read more at ENN Affiliate, ClickGreen.


text: "In her first novel, Ghostwalk, which was set in 17th-century Cambridge and involved Sir Isaac Newton, Rebecca Stott established herself as a subtle writer who wears her scholarship lightly. (A professor of English literature at the University of East Anglia, Stott also wrote the biography Darwin and the Barnacle.) Thanks to Stott's deftness and sly humor, Ghostwalk was as sprightly as it was enlightening. The same can be said of her latest novel, The Coral Thief, although here the plot accelerates at a faster rate (this is the 19th century), and the skullduggery is more colorful (this is Paris).... With consummate skill and compassion, Stott plunges Daniel the innocent into a serpentine plot that involves spies, philosophers, revolutionaries and scientists. Treasure may be at the heart of Stott's mystery, but fossils and corals are equally precious in this hybrid novel of action and ideas. Like Daniel, the reader emerges from The Coral Thief having had an adventure and an education."Washington Post