Daily Photos Can Be Seen Here
Earth Science Picture of the Day for July 31, 2006
If you're interested in studying volcanism, Indonesia should be on your "to visit" list. The island of Java has more volcanoes than any other island in the world. At last count, 128 were active and 65 considered dangerous. The photo above, taken on May 31, 2003, shows 2 of these active volcanos. Mt. Semeru, in the background, at 12,066 foot (3,678 m) is the tallest volcano on Java, and Mt. Bromo, in the foreground, is the center piece of a beautiful national park.
ALASKA REFUSES TO RELEASE 2004 ELECTION DATA!
The State of Alaska website shows 16 of 40 house districts with more than 200% voter turnout, Also, if you add up the vote totals from each district they come to more than 100,000 votes for state wide candidates than the summary reports show.
Police spies chosen to lead war protest
Two Oakland police officers working undercover at an anti-war protest in May 2003 got themselves elected to leadership positions in an effort to influence the demonstration, documents released Thursday show.
The department assigned the officers to join activists protesting the U.S. war in Iraq and the tactics that police had used at a demonstration a month earlier, a police official said last year in a sworn deposition.
The department assigned the officers to join activists protesting the U.S. war in Iraq and the tactics that police had used at a demonstration a month earlier, a police official said last year in a sworn deposition.
Charles Barkley for Governor of Alabama!
Did you see Barkley on Pardon the Interruption talking politics? He was great. Saying things like, you see two rich guys debating things on TV for one hour and they confuse the poor people, distracting them from more important things. One rich guy is a democrat or republican or a liberal or a conservative, but they're both rich and they dont do anything for the poor people. Somehow, he says, the gov't is able to come up with all this money for a war but not to help the poor people in places like a Alabama. He made some very solid points. And you know Barkley would get much of the black vote in 'Bama. He recently switched from being a republican to a democrat because the Republicans, "lost their minds." Go Charles!
Norht Korea slams 'imbecile' Rice
The North's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Monday accused Rice -- who called North Korea a "completely irresponsible" and "dangerous" state for launching the missiles -- of distorting the facts.
"Obviously, Rice made such an outcry in a bid to justify the US hostile policy to pressurize the DPRK with the ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum at hand and draw regional countries into its pressure campaign," KCNA said in a commentary.
It said the North was under threat of attack from "the worst gangsters in the world" after the Bush administration listed it as part of an "axis of evil."
"It was none other than Rice who let loose a spate of such piffle over the launch of a few missiles as part of military training to cope with the US reckless moves for aggression and war," KCNA said.
"This cannot be construed otherwise than an outburst made by a political imbecile."
"Obviously, Rice made such an outcry in a bid to justify the US hostile policy to pressurize the DPRK with the ministerial meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum at hand and draw regional countries into its pressure campaign," KCNA said in a commentary.
It said the North was under threat of attack from "the worst gangsters in the world" after the Bush administration listed it as part of an "axis of evil."
"It was none other than Rice who let loose a spate of such piffle over the launch of a few missiles as part of military training to cope with the US reckless moves for aggression and war," KCNA said.
"This cannot be construed otherwise than an outburst made by a political imbecile."
Eddy Merckx cashes in!
"Here is a funny story," he wrote on his website www.robbiehunter.net. "Eddy Merckx has spent a bit of time with us over the past weeks because of his attachment to the team. Today we found out that last night after Floyd lost the jersey and 8 minutes to the leader, he [Eddy] went to the bookies in Belgium and bet 100 euro that Floyd would win the Tour anyways. The odds were 75 to 1 and he is laughing so hard, now that the possibility is really there. The way Floyd raced today [Thursday's 17th stage] was like the way Eddy used to race in the old days; he said it was the best race he has seen!"
Landis goes for it in the time trial tomorrow!
This is a photo from the Stage 7 ITT. Follow it live at the link above. Go Floyd!
Bush administration sells off public forests to energy companies
Working with the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Bush administration is moving ahead with plans to sell public national forest land to big oil and gas companies, as well as private timber firms. The White House plans to sell over 300,000 acres of publicly owned land, generating $800 million.
The states hardest hit will be California (85,500 acres), Idaho (26,200 acres), Colorado (21,500 acres) and Missouri (21,500 acres).
The administration is justifying these sales by claiming that they will generate funds to continue the Secure Rural Schools program, which is scheduled to run out of money in September. In reality, the Bush administration is plundering publicly owned lands on behalf of big business and the land sales will do nothing to seriously alleviate the mounting economic hardships faced by rural America.
Feeding homeless outlawed in Vegas
WTF?
So the only people who get to eat are those who have enough money? Those who get (government) assistance can't eat at your picnic?" asked ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein. "I've heard of some rather strange and extreme measures from other cities. I've never heard of something like this. It's mind-boggling."
So the only people who get to eat are those who have enough money? Those who get (government) assistance can't eat at your picnic?" asked ACLU attorney Allen Lichtenstein. "I've heard of some rather strange and extreme measures from other cities. I've never heard of something like this. It's mind-boggling."
FLOYD!
Without a shadow of a doubt, today will go down as one of the finest stages in modern Tour de France history. Today, a 28 year-old American by the name of Floyd Landis, written off by most after his collapse of yesterday, staged a comeback that defied logic. And in one fell swoop, he finds himself back in contention to win the 2006 Tour de France.
Some Bad Ass Surf Photography
There's audio if you want it but you can just scroll thru the photos after clicking "Next Photo". Enjoy!
Landis Remarkable Maiden Stage Victory...!
Floyd Landis may have crumbled in stage 16 but today he proved that he is a true fighter. He attacked at the base of the first of five climbs and raced onward to Morzine to claim a fine victory in one of the most exciting stages in year. He began the day in 11th place overall, and ended it in third just 30 seconds behind Oscar Pereiro.
Landis bounces back with dominant Alpine performance
Floyd was the freaking MAN today. Damn, what a great ride. Only 30 secs behind yellow and Floyd should be able to make up that time in the ITT on Saturday.
When asked afterwards if he was happy with the stage win, Landis showed his focus and source of motivation. "I don't care," he said, smiling. "I came here to win the Tour, and that is what I am trying to do."
Psychedelic mushrooms earn serious 2nd look from science
In a paper published last week, scientists at Johns Hopkins University say that a single dose of psilocybin routinely brings about positive psychological changes that can last for months. This lasting effect is surprising and mysterious, the scientists said, but seems to be the result of what they call powerful drug-induced ``mystical experiences" that include a feeling of the sacredness and oneness of the universe. More than two-thirds of the volunteers described their session with the drug -- several hours in a laboratory, under close monitoring -- as one of the most meaningful and spiritually significant events in their life, on a par with the birth of a child or the death of a parent...
Twenty-two of 36 participants described the psilocybin experience in terms that meet the criteria of a ``full mystical experience," according to a standard psychological scale. This includes a sense of the unity and interconnectedness of the universe, a feeling of being in the presence of overwhelming love or grace, a sense that space and time have collapsed, and an inability to describe the experience in words. Afterward, many participants also said they still felt that their drug-induced perceptions were ``more real" than ordinary reality, another refrain of mystics throughout the ages.
The Tourmalet!
More details of LeTour can be found here:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2006/tour06/06index.php
OUCH!
Here is the photo of Italy's De Rossi elbowing Brian McBride, a move that lead to a straight red for De Rossi. He was subsequently suspended for 4 matches and then, somehow, the fecker was allowed to play in the biggest match on planet Earth. What kind of punishment is that? Freaking BS if you ask me. By the way, there should have been some more suspensions like C. Ronaldo for his horrendous diving. FIFA had better clamp down on the theatrics or soccer/futbol will become the laughing stock of the world. Fortunately, they have plans to "discuss" it. We shall see. Thanks to duNord for the link for the photo.
JAKE AND DANA!
Last night at Joe's Pub, I saw Dana Leong open up for Jake Shimabukuro. Both guys were amazing. Dana Leong alternated between electric cello with a computer console for effects and a trombone. He had a drummer and keyboard/programmer for accompaniment. At times contemplative, others like the Jimi Hendrix of the cello. Damn, he was impressive.
And then Jake came out and played solo Ukelele and he freaking rocked out. Viruoso finger picking, he played a number of originals and some notable covers including Ave Maria by some dude named Schubert and finishing up with the Star Spangled Banner. Jake told many stories interacting with the crowd as he entertained us with his Hawaiian warmth and humor.
Jake's web site: http://www.jakeshimabukuro.com/
Video of Jake playing While My Guitar Gently Weeps: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=829401773913198414
Dana Leong's website: http://www.danaleong.com/home.htm
Update from the Copa Mundial 2006
Here is the second article about the World Cup that I wrote for Natural Selections, "A Newsletter of the Rockefeller University Community". Photo is of me at the Sweden v. Paraguay match at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin.
I was fortunate enough to have been able to attend three matches in Germany. The Sweden v. Paraguay match in Berlin’s renovated Olympic Stadium was a sight to behold with upwards of 60,000 yellow-clad and partying Swedes who rejoiced into the wee hours following Ljungberg’s injury time winner. The Paraguayans were buoyed by their enthusiastic though severely outnumbered supporters.
Next up, it was USA v. Italy at the Fritz Walter Stadium in Kaiserslautern where the atmosphere was electric. K-town, as Kaiserslautern is known to US military personnel, and its surroundings are populated by more than 30,000 Americans as the massive Ramstein Air Base is nearby. As such, the American presence was strong at the match and helped the US earn a valuable point while playing with sheer grit and determination against a tentative Italian side. That said, heart alone is not enough if you want success on the soccer pitch, and the US lads will have to, as we say over here, raise their game if they want to compete for a trophy in future World Cups.
Finally, on to Nürnberg where sentimental favorites Ghana received generous support from the locals in their 2-1 victory against the US. Unlike the US v. Italy match where I was seated amongst thousands of Americans, in Nürnberg, I found myself in a “neutral” section made up of mostly Germans who opted to support Ghana.
Mexico Presidential Election Ballots Found in Dump
Although official tallies indicated a victory for Calderón of 0.3%, the Mexican newspaper El Universal reported that 10 ballot boxes and a polling station report were found in a garbage dump in a poor neighbourhood in Mexico City, according to Reuters. The ballots came from three precincts in the city of Nezahuacoyotl, a López Obrador stronghold according to the website Narco News.
In another indication of electoral fraud, ballots were also found in a second garbage dump in the city of Xalapa, the capital of the Mexican State of Veracruz.
Klinsmann creates new form of fitness for football
The statistic says it all: Germany have won 56 per cent of their tackles, more than any other team at the World Cup, writes Simon Kuper. Top of the rankings is a 21-year-old centre-back from Hanover named Per Mertesacker, triumphant in 83.3 per cent of his tackles.
What sets Germany apart is fitness. Too much has been made of their team spirit. Of course it’s good. That’s what happens when you win all your matches. But they won thanks to physical training imported from California. It may be the only footballing innovation of this World Cup...
Jens Lehmann, Germany’s keeper, says: “The work with the American specialists has taken me forward.”...
Müller-Wohlfahrt says he will recommend Klinsmann’s methods to his club, Bayern Munich. Fitness will improve in Germany’s Bundesliga and even beyond. Perhaps at the next World Cup England’s manager won’t need to whinge about the heat.
GROSSO!
I'll be the first to admit that I have not been pulling for the Italians after their first round match against the US. As an American fan, they were disgraceful, diving and the like and the Americans were unlucky to have not won the match. Nevertheless, now, its Fabio Grosso who gets the winner for the Azzuri. My mother's paternal side is Italian and her maiden name is........wait for it.......GROSSO! She must be so excited. The Italians earned this one, getting the better chances and twice being denied by the woodwork in extra time.
Getting Busted for Wearing a Peace T-Shirt
Yesterday afternoon, drinking a cup of coffee while sitting in the Jesse Brown V.A. Medical Center on Chicago's south side, a Veterans Administration cop walked up to me and said, "OK, you've had your 15 minutes, it's time to go."
"Huh?", I asked intelligently, not quite sure what he was talking about.
"You can't be in here protesting," Officer Adkins said, pointing to my Veterans For Peace shirt.
"Well, I'm not protesting, I'm having a cup of coffee," I returned, thinking that logic would convince Adkins to go back to his earlier duties of guarding against serious terrorists.
Flipping his badge open, he said, "No, not with that shirt. You're protesting and you have to go."
"Huh?", I asked intelligently, not quite sure what he was talking about.
"You can't be in here protesting," Officer Adkins said, pointing to my Veterans For Peace shirt.
"Well, I'm not protesting, I'm having a cup of coffee," I returned, thinking that logic would convince Adkins to go back to his earlier duties of guarding against serious terrorists.
Flipping his badge open, he said, "No, not with that shirt. You're protesting and you have to go."
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