It seemed like a good idea at the time.
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Monthly Archives: May 2012
Dave Murphy: 20 Years of GMO Policy That Keeps Americans in the Dark About Their Food
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Dave Murphy: 20 Years of GMO Policy That Keeps Americans in the Dark About Their Food
Derek Beres: Global Beat Fusion: Arabic Dub, Moon People & Futurist Capoeria
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Derek Beres: Global Beat Fusion: Arabic Dub, Moon People & Futurist Capoeria
Prometheus
He refused to show us an Alien in the sensational trailers (‘Aaaaah! Aaaaah!’), he wouldn’t even use the word ‘Alien’ in the title, but Ridley Scott gives us one almost immediately in Prometheus ’ opening scene. Not the kind you’re expecting, mind. Breathtaking stereoscopic shots swoop across a gorgeous landscape. Black mountains wreathed in volcanic steam, glassy lakes and, at the top of a ...
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Bob Dylan – Presidential Medal of Freedom – Video
29-05-2012 17:42 President Barack Obama bestows the Presidential Medal of Freedom upon Bob Dylan, the famous singer/songwriter.
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President Obama Honors the 2011 Medal of Freedom Recipients – Video
29-05-2012 19:46 President Obama awards the 2011 Medals of Freedom, the highest civilian honor the United States can bestow. May 29, 2012.
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President Obama Honors the 2011 Medal of Freedom Recipients - Video
Freedom of Information requests up by 8% in 2011
The report shows that there were 12,581 requests for personal information in 2011 - an increase of 17% on 2010.
Requests from journalists fell to 11% from 14% in 2010.
Requests to the Department of Education rose 47% over 2010 and requests to the Department of Social Protection rose by 29%.
The report also shows the largest number of FoI requests in 2011 were to the Health Service Executive at 6,141, up from 5,479 in 2010.
Speaking at the launch of her annual report, Ms O'Reilly said a blanket veto on the National Asset Management Agency coming under the FoI Act is not the appropriate thing to do.
She said there has been push back from NAMA Chairman Frank Daly against that body being covered under the Act.
She said Mr Daly may have his reasons for resisting FoI cover, but if he believes FoI will harm NAMA that should be debated and the possible harms identified.
The Information Commissioner said the Programme for Government includes a commitment to extend FoI cover to all public bodies, such as NAMA, the Central Bank, An Garda Sochna and VECs, and she understands that legislation is being prepared.
She said she had no information at this stage that NAMA's exclusion from FoI has been accepted by the Department of Public Expenditure.
Ms O'Reilly also said she does not think the Government is aware that a "major roadblock" has been put in place preventing adopted people accessing information relating to their origins following a Supreme Court ruling last year.
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RBS says CEO needs "freedom" to carry out turnaround
EDINBURGH (Reuters) - Royal Bank of Scotland's chief executive needs to be given the freedom to complete his five-year turnaround plan without excessive interference, the part-nationalized UK bank's chairman said. "There are ... still risks on the horizon and the task of rebuilding RBS has some way to go," Philip Hampton said on Wednesday at the bank's annual shareholder meeting. "It is ...
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Bob Dylan awarded Medal of Freedom. What does that say about US?
Why did Bob Dylan look so strained during the Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House Tuesday? Perhaps because his musical insurgency was being memorialized.
President Obama awarded Bob Dylan the coveted Presidential Medal of Freedom of Tuesday. Twelve other deserving Americans got the medals, too as we wrote yesterday, US presidents can give them to anyone they want. But were focusing on Dylan today because he seems to have attracted the most attention of the awardees and because theres something about his prize we believe has been overlooked.
No, its not the sunglasses he wore to the ceremony. Lots of folks have commented on those. Nor is it his overall demeanor. Well agree he seemed uncomfortable, like a boy forced to wear a suit and stand up in front of strangers, if that boy were over 70 years old and had written more immortal songs than anyone alive in the US today.
Its this: Bob Dylan is the first rock and roll star to win the Medal of Freedom. Ever. As far as we can tell.
We admit were creating some arbitrary definitions here so that we can make this statement. First, is Mr. Dylan a rocker, per se? He started as a folkie, went electric, and now has settled into a kind of bard-like phrase, where he reinterprets old blues tunes and Confederate poems and things like that. What he really is, is a musical magpie.
There is not a bigger giant in the history of American music, said Mr. Obama, when hanging the medal around Dylans neck.
Anyway, Rolling Stone magazine called Dylan a rock and roll pioneer in their story on the award. Thats good enough for us. Even if its a publication whose name came from a Dylan song.
Second, were labeling B.B. King a blues guitarist. Bill Clinton awarded Mr. King a Medal of Freedom in 2006.
Yes, King is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But his nickname is King of the Blues, so thats what were going with. Mr. Clinton also gave Aretha Franklin the award, in 2005, but we feel safe in saying shes not rocker either.
After them, the popular musicians who have won the Presidential Medal of Freedom are mostly from eras past. They are singers such as Frank Sinatra (1985) and bandleaders such as Count Basie (1985). Presidents have also bestowed the award on many classical musicians, such as Pablo Casals (1963) and Van Cliburn (2003).
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Bob Dylan awarded Medal of Freedom. What does that say about US?
Bob Dylan getting Medal of Freedom today
WASHINGTON (AP) Sketching impressive contributions to society in intensely personal terms, President Barack Obama presented the Medal of Freedom to more than a dozen political and cultural greats Tuesday, including rocker Bob Dylan, astronaut John Glenn and novelist Toni Morrison.
In awarding the nation's highest civilian honor to 13 recipients, living and dead, the president took note of the overflow crowd in the East Room and said it was "a testament to how cool this group is. Everybody wanted to check 'em out."
Obama then spoke of his personal connection to a number of this year's recipients, calling them "my heroes individually."
"I know how they impacted my life," the president said. He recalled reading Morrison's "Song of Solomon" in his youth and "not just trying to figure out how to write, but also how to be and how to think."
In college days, Obama said, he listened to Dylan and recalled "my world opening up, because he captured something about this country that was so vital." Dylan's appearance drew the biggest whoops from the crowd, and he dressed for the event sunglasses, bow tie and black suit embellished with shiny buckles and buttons.
Obama also recalled reading about union pathbreaker Dolores Huerta when he was starting out as a community organizer.
"Everybody on this stage has marked my life in profound ways," he said.
Obama added that Pat Summitt, who led the University of Tennessee women's basketball team to more NCAA Final Four appearances than any other team, had helped pave the way for his two daughters, "who are tall and gifted."
"They're standing up straight and diving after loose balls and feeling confident and strong," he said. "I understand that the impact that these people have had extends beyond me. It will continue for generations to come."
The Medal of Freedom is presented to people who have made meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, to world peace or to other significant endeavors.
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Universal Lubricants Partners with Top Eco-Responsible Auto Center
WICHITA, Kan., May 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Universal Lubricants, a provider of premier motor oil that turns used oil feedstock into re-refined base oil, announced today that its ECO ULTRA line is now the product suite of choice for Colorado-based Green Garage. The comprehensive auto care and repair center prides itself on offering individuals, corporations and fleets better "smileage" with advanced maintenance products and services that use less oil and create less waste. In addition to relying on re-refined antifreeze, dual stage oil filters that decrease oil usage by up to 70 percent and silicone windshield wiper blades, rather than petroleum-based rubber alternatives, Green Garage relies on ECO ULTRA for its motor oil change services and other environmentally-friendly solutions. Like its counterpart performance-driven, eco-responsible products Green Garage recommends, ECO ULTRA complements the center's focus on helping customers save time, money and the planet with eco-friendly auto services.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110314/NY64482LOGO)
ECO ULTRA is an American Petroleum Institute (API) licensed line of automotive and industrial lubricants that rely on used oil as feedstock to its re-refinery that produces top quality sustainable base oil. ECO ULTRA meets all Original Equipment Manufacturers' (OEM) specifications and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) requirements. Now, it's the motor oil of choice for Green Garage technicians.
"We're a business that finds strategic value striving to be part of the zero waste community," said Steve Kirchner, President of Green Garage. "Used motor oil is one of those valuable resources that can be kept in productive use rather than labeled as waste. In fact, motor oil that takes used oil as feedstock actually offers enhanced performance precisely because it begins with a feedstock that's cleaner than crude. That's why we chose ECO ULTRA for our green oil changes. Not only is it a performance product that helps our business soften the auto industry's environmental impact, but ECO ULTRA is part of Universal Lubricants' Closed Loop Process that turns petroleum into a true renewable resource."
"ECO ULTRA is another product that reinforces our brand promise," said Ryan Ferrero, founder, chief executive officer and 'chief carhugger' of Green Garage. "Based on our research, this oil is the best choice to complement our suite of eco-friendly parts and services."
The U.S. produces approximately 1.1 billion gallons of used motor oil every year, of which approximately 800 million gallons is collected for re-use. However, less than 20 percent of that 800 million gallons collected is re-refined. Most of the collected oil is burned as an industrial fuel, reducing supplies of limited petroleum reserves and perpetuating the need to import foreign oil. What's more, an estimated 200 million gallons of used motor oil is disposed of improperly, damaging the environment. Universal Lubricants is dedicated to reversing this trend with its Closed Loop Process by completely controlling every aspect of the proprietary system. The company collects, re-refines, blends, packages and redistributes its own oil, including the ECO ULTRA line without ever losing guardianship within the chain in an infinitely repeatable, sustainable cycle.
"The auto and trucking industries are reaching a tipping point when it comes to aftercare best practices," said John Wesley, Universal Lubricants' chief executive officer. "Increasing numbers of service centers and fleet operators, including Green Garage, are finding real value by factoring environmental considerations into their business models. Products that hinge on repurposing and recycling lead to streamlined processes, greater efficiency, and measurably longer product lives, all of which generate financial savings without sacrificing quality or performance."
Added Wesley: "Products like ECO ULTRA blend and bolster environmental and economic benefits for businesses and bottom-lines don't lie."
For more information about Universal Lubricants' ECO ULTRA products, visit http://www.ecoultraoil.com.
About Universal Lubricants
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Universal Lubricants Partners with Top Eco-Responsible Auto Center
Report: Hull’s Nantasket Beach Is Greater Boston’s Cleanest
Nantasket Beach in Hull scored 100 percent for overall beach safety in the Save the Harbor/Save the Bay rankings. (Timothy Valentine/Flickr)
Some of Greater Bostons beaches rank among the cleanest urban beaches in the nation, but others continue to have pollution problems, according to a new report.
The environmental advocacy group Save the Harbor/Save the Bays first-ever beach report card, which ranked 18 Department of Conservation and Recreation beaches based on the percentage of time it was safe to swim in the water and on the accuracy of the flag system notifying swimmers of safe conditions, has high marks for a handful of local beaches.
Some of the regions beaches, including Nantasket Beach in Hull and the South Boston beaches, are safe for swimming nearly every day and rank among the cleanest urban beaches in the nation, Bruce Berman, the groups communications director, said in a release.
Nantasket Beach scored 100 percent for overall beach safety, followed by four South Boston beaches, all with scores above 94 percent.
However, Berman continued in the release, there continue to be pollution problems at some of the regions public beaches, including most of Wollaston Beach in Quincy, at Tenean Beach in Dorchester and at Kings Beach in Lynn. We need to address them
Of the 18 ranked by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Kings Beach in Lynn came in last, with 73 percent overall beach safety.
Speaking to our Newscast unit, Berman credited recent projects to remove garbage and human waste from Boston waters for the citys high beach rankings.
Before we began the project, the beaches in South Boston were closed for swimming as often as one out of five days, he said. And like I said, last year they were clean more than 98 percent of the time.
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay did find fault, however, with the warning flag system in South Boston and elsewhere.
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Texas Beaches Will Remain Open and Accessible
Note:This article originally appeared atThe Texas Tribune
The recent Texas Supreme Court decision inSeverance v. Pattersonhas some worried that the millions of Texans who visit the Texas coast each year will lose access to the states public beaches.
Despite such predictions of doom, Texas beaches will remain open and accessible. All the Court did is ensure that private property rights are not trampled by the public on their way to the beach.
After Hurricane Rita slammed into the Texas coast in 2005 and dramatically altered the vegetation line near the shore, Carol Severance found her house suddenly sitting on the beach.
She wasnt surprised by that because she knew the risk she was taking when she bought property near the beach. She was surprised, however, that the state of Texas intended to claim that her house now sat on thepublicbeach and was potentially subject to uncompensated demolition.
There is no dispute that prior to Rita a public easement allowed access to the beach seaward of Severances property. With the former beach under several feet of water, however, the question became whether that easement suddenly rolled landward after the hurricane to make Severances land the new public beach. A federal court hearing her dispute with the statewhich had sought to enforce an easement on her propertyasked the Texas Supreme Court for guidance on that question.
One of us, Bill Peacock, was in 2003-04 the primary official under the land commissioner responsible for the General Land Offices oversight of Texas beaches.
After touring the beaches numerous times and seeing the effects of both years of continuous erosion and recent stormsincluding houses on the beach and in the Gulf, it became obvious to him that the idea of public access to the beach suddenly being imposed onto private property after a storm presented major challenges to anyone interested in protecting private property rights.
Fortunately, Mr Peacock wasnt required to suspend his support of property rights to properly enforce the law.
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UHH astronomy professor dies in rollover Jeep crash
By JOHN BURNETT
Tribune-Herald staff writer
Richard Crowe, co-founder of the University of Hawaii at Hilos astronomy program and astronomer-in-residence at Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, was killed Sunday in a bizarre Jeep accident near Chinle, Ariz. He was 60.
Crowe and his wife, Debra, were on the mainland for the recent wedding of their older daughter, Ginger Albrecht, in Albuquerque, N.M., their younger daughter, Jasmine Miranda Anderson, said Monday.
We were all together at my sisters wedding in Albuquerque, and he and my mother went to Sedona (Ariz.) on a road trip. They were there for about a week, Anderson said.
While in Sedona, Richard and Debra Crowe took a commercial Jeep tour to Canyon de Chelly. On the return trip, the Jeep went off the edge of a narrow road and rolled end over end down a hillside. Richard Crowe jumped from the Jeep and was struck by the vehicle.
Debra Crowe was treated for minor injuries and released at a nearby hospital.
She didnt really understand how badly he was injured, Anderson said. It took three hours for the helicopter to come and take them (to the hospital), I think.
Crowes condition worsened and others on the tour initiated CPR while waiting for the medevac chopper to arrive. Medics attempted defibrillation, but he died at the scene. Anderson said the family is in shock.
Its really hard, she said. Its just totally unexpected and out of the blue. Were all just pretty shaken up about it and really devastated.
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New Dean of Science has high hopes for his faculty
Selena Phillips-Boyle
CHECKMATE The man who solved checkers is setting his sights on the Faculty of Science
Artificial intelligence has been the focus of Jonathan Schaeffers research during his past 28 years at the University of Alberta, but his new role as Dean of Science will rely solely on his own intelligence.
The Board of Governors appointed Schaeffer to the position last week, which will commence July 1 for a five-year term.
Schaeffer succeeds Gregory Taylor, who had held the position since 2003. The incoming dean has been heavily involved in the Department of Computing Science, where he has served as both professor and chair of the department. For the past four years, he has also held the positions of Vice-Provost and Associate Vice-President (Information Technology) at the U of A.
Schaeffer said he developed a strong appreciation for the Faculty of Science as a whole during his term as the Chair of Computing Science in 2005. When he became a part of the annual faculty evaluation process, he was able to see more of the work being done by a variety of scientists, ranging from physicists to psychologists.
You just started reading their annual reports and went, Wow, look what this guy is doing, and My god, this guy if he does that, he could change the world, Schaeffer said.
It was all just really exciting and it made me appreciate what a fabulous faculty we have here in sciences.
His own research in the area of computer science has earned him international recognition, as well as numerous awards.
One accomplishment that broke the Guinness Book of World Records was Chinook: first computer to win a game of checkers in a human world championship.
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Aerospace summit to take flight next week in Norman
NORMAN Oklahomas aerospace workforce will gather in Norman to listen, learn, share, and celebrate the industry that is responsible for tens of thousands of jobs in Oklahoma.
The Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Summit and Expo will be Tuesday at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Norman. This years mission is to connect hundreds of aerospace companies to the states five military installations and the Oklahoma Air National Guard.
The expo will encompass a wide variety of categories within the industry, including commercial and military aerospace, unmanned aerial systems, space exploration and transport, general and business aviation, and a host of suppliers that exist to support the Oklahoma aerospace industry.
The Oklahoma Aerospace & Defense Alliance (OADA) is proud to focus our attention on the opportunities that exist because of the presence of some of our nations finest military bases, said Jim Rice, Pro-Fab CEO and incoming OADA Chair. Our industry is stronger because of the business that is done with five military bases and our own Oklahoma National Guard.
Keynote speaker will be Frank Kendall, under secretary of defense for acquisition, technology and logistics.
This will be the11th annual Oklahoma Aerospace summit and the first time it will be presented by the OADA and held in Norman.
Previous summits being held in Oklahoma City or Tulsa. Although those cities house the largest clusters of aerospace/aviation related businesses, aerospace business is sprinkled all over the state, due in large part to Oklahomas five military bases.
Organizers and participants hope the summit will shine a spotlight on these smaller entities and help reinforce Oklahoma as a strong market for the industry.
Defense is a big deal in Oklahoma! said Paul Berry, ARINC and chairman of the summit planning team this year. My company, like so many in Oklahoma, does business with private sector aerospace companies, and often with the Department of Defense. It is important that Oklahoma companies and companies outside of Oklahoma know that we have a real strength in our defense related sector.
A panel representing all five military bases and the Oklahoma National Guard will be led by Oklahoma Secretary of Military and Veterans Affairs, Major Gen. Rita Aragon.
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Veracity Technology Solutions Names New President
OKLAHOMA CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
AGC Aerospace & Defense is pleased to announce the promotion of Kevin McKinley to President of Veracity Technology Solutions effective June 1st, 2012.
Kevin has demonstrated exceptional leadership and strong technical capability since joining the company, stated Veracity CEO Jeff Davis. I am confident that Kevin will be an outstanding steward of our company as we look ahead to an exciting future.
McKinley has been with Veracity since 2007 serving first as Director of Power Generation, served as VP of Operations & Development since 2010 and has extensive industry experience in the nondestructive inspection industry as a development engineer.
I am both humbled and excited to be named president and look forward to the opportunities ahead for Veracity as we move through this exciting growth stage and into the future, added McKinley.
McKinley is a 20-year veteran of the United States Air Force receiving an honorable discharge after serving as the Course Supervisor for the Army and Air Force Nondestructive Inspection Schools located at Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL.
He replaces Gary Hensley, who will remain with the company to lead its business development and sales effort as the VP of Business Development and Co-Founder.
Gary Hensley has been tremendous as the companys first president, co-founder and unwavering leader, said Davis. His new role will allow him to focus on building the companys presence in the power generation and aerospace markets.
Veracity Technology Solutions develops customized nondestructive inspection solutions for aerospace and defense systems. Veracitys technicians use proven, proprietary technology to check for defects or potential problems on applications such as, wings, rotor blades, and landing gear. The methodology and technology help customers extend the service life of high-value assets, lower inspection costs, and eliminate hazardous processes.
AGC Aerospace & Defense is a global supplier of technologies, systems and services that support key commercial and military programs. Capabilities within the AGC Aerospace & Defense portfolio include: financing, engineering, integration services, manufacturing, logistics and aircraft modifications.
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Aerospace Businesses Increase Presence Near MacArthur Airport
Southwest Airlines planes are seen at MacArthur Airport Ronkonkoma, NY Nov 9, 2010 Photo: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images
ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -There are signs of new life for Long Islands once booming aerospace industry, WCBS880 Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported.
WCBS880 Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs On The Story
Weve seen recently within the town of Islip certain contractors, certain aerospace manufacturers actually expanding their space, Islip Town Supervisor Tom Crocitold Xirinachs.
Croci cited CPIs expansion at the Heartland Industrial Complex.
He held an aerospace summit at Long Island MacArthur Airport on Wednesday, where he organized CEOs in the industry and encouraged them to grow there.
Americans will take risk. You just got to help them create the favorable conditions to make risk, Crocisaid. Business wants to expand. Lets encourage that. Lets not get in the way.
He said Long Island leaders are doing all they can to strengthen the islands once strong aerospace industry.
What do you think Long Island leaders should be doing to encourage the aerospace industry to expand? Sound off in the comments section below.
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Aerospace Businesses Increase Presence Near MacArthur Airport
The Nerve Health Institute – Quantum Neurology – Your Nervous System – Brain
29-05-2012 02:02 Dr. Chris Cormier, DC explains Quantum Neurology and the how your nervous system is like an electrical breaker box for your body. This educational video is an ADVERTISEMENT for Dr. Chris Cormier, DC and not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. For more information visit Dr. Cormier's website at http://www.nervehealthinstitute.com.
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The Nerve Health Institute - Quantum Neurology - Your Nervous System - Brain
‘Brain’ beats ‘neurology’ at fundraisers
Thats why the American Academy of Neurology became the American Brain Institute
Roger Ressmeyer/Corbis
The big news out of the recent American Academy of Neurologys 64th annual meeting in New Orleans had nothing to do with the latest wonder drug or a research breakthrough: it was the American Academy of Neurology Foundations decision to change its name to the American Brain Institute. The simplerand easier to remembermoniker is part of a larger rebranding exercise by the 20-year-old organization, wrote John Mazziotta, the chair of the foundations board of trustees.
By adopting a broader label, the institute hopes to make itself the worlds leader in raising money for research to cure brain diseasesa list that includes Alzheimers disease, stroke, Parkinsons disease, autism and epilepsy. Hence the American Brain Institutes smart new image, location (its offices moved to Saint Paul from Minneapolis, Minn.), and advertising campaign to educate neurologists, patients, caregivers and the public about the need to donate money to research to cure brain disease.
One gambit to increase coffers is selling virtual brains in honour of donors friends and relatives for as little as US$5. In replacing neurology, a term coined in 1681 by British neuroanatomist Thomas Willis, with brain, the institute is slow to the semantic trend; the NeuroScience Canada Foundation folded into Brain Canada last year. Whether neurologists will demand to be known as brainologists next remains to be seen.
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‘Brain’ beats ‘neurology’ at fundraisers