July 15, 2005. The F 2 Water Spout at Punta Gorda, Florida that made the television news. It's scary when you live there.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Saturday, July 16, 2005
A Date was not noted on this climbing guide so the pictures aren't accurate but the logistics are.
Mount Kilimanjaro and it's mostly evaporated ice fields.
The African Diaspora
SLAVERY.
The Slave Trade took millions of people out of Africa to the American southern colonies but also to places like Cuba, Brazil, the Carribean Islands including Haiti and Trinidad. They found themselves in trade to masters in Mexico, Central America, Northern South America and Ecuador. Some escaped and liberated slaves were able to find a life in places like Jamaica.
My point is that for as estranged as the Diaspora has become from it's heritage it is wrong and they should be given the opportunity to identify with their roots realizing the countries and communities of Africa are in need of advocacy for those that can and will.
If we are to look at Africa in detailed ways to solve it's problems and sustainability we need to look to the whole of Africa and that dictates those that were taken out of Africa against their will.
The Slave Trade took millions of people out of Africa to the American southern colonies but also to places like Cuba, Brazil, the Carribean Islands including Haiti and Trinidad. They found themselves in trade to masters in Mexico, Central America, Northern South America and Ecuador. Some escaped and liberated slaves were able to find a life in places like Jamaica.
My point is that for as estranged as the Diaspora has become from it's heritage it is wrong and they should be given the opportunity to identify with their roots realizing the countries and communities of Africa are in need of advocacy for those that can and will.
If we are to look at Africa in detailed ways to solve it's problems and sustainability we need to look to the whole of Africa and that dictates those that were taken out of Africa against their will.
What are hurdles that remain undefined in Africa?
Are they insignificant?
Or are we overlooking simple things that could be not so simple but when realized change a picture of Africa that might heal some of it's ills.
Let's take a look at language.
Africa has 10% of the total world population but 20% of the total land mass. Realizing there are two regions of Africa in that Subsahara Africa is seen as unique in it's needs, there is still a growth rate on this continent of approximately 3% per year with the concentration primarily increasing in ages below 15 years old. That speaks to several social issues including the devastation of HIV/AIDS leaving large populations of orphans and also the Arabian culture has issues of martyrdom and self sacrifice of their own lives causing the average age in those nations to fall to about age 16 or 17. Either way Africa has serious concerns regarding the competency of it's populations, educational levels, government stability and their brain trusts for leadership, business and research as well as a work force including farming. Many areas of Africa farming when not a drought is a high percentage of the occupation of the populous.
The geography of languages in Africa is remarkably complex. If people aren't able to communicate will they remain tolerant of each other? Many of the 'violent conflicts' occurring in Africa is related to the control of natural resources. The violence usually falls between ethnicities rather than nations. If violence existed between sovereign countries it would be easier to control by bringing parties before The United Nations Security Council to settle disputes. But the violence in Africa goes beyond the definition of sovereign state.
There are currently 800 living languages in Africa. 40 are spoken by more than one million people. The dominant indigenous languages spoken by 10 million people or more are Hausa (the Sahel), Lingala (Central Africa), Swahili (East Africa) and Tswana-Sotho and Zulu (Southern Africa. Hausa and Swahili are spoken by many as a second language for Trade. Complicated by all this is the fact recent colonial control has brought in English, French and Portugese. Arabic is most common in Northern Africa which also has a strong influence in Swahili.
The indigenous languages of Africa can be grouped into 'families' if you will. Afro-Asiatic of Northern Africa to include Somalia, Amharic and Tuareg. There is the Nilo-Saharan languages of Dinka, Turkana and Nuer of East Africa. The Niger-Congo group is the largest including Hausa, Yoruba, Zulu, Swahili and Kikuyu. A much smaller family of languages are spoken by the Bushmen of Southern Africa. It's distinguishing characteristic is a "click" when vocalized.
Currently I believe there are about 55 countries and 11 provinces in Africa. There is no dominant indigenous language in most African countries and while efficent to some degree sadly they have established Eurpoean languages for trade, school and government. Mind you this is for those that live in conditions that allow trade, school and government. There are three countries that have enough dominant overlap to allow an ethnic language to be the majority language and those are Somalia with the Somalia language, Botswana with the Tswana language and Ethiopia with Amharic as their dominant language.
To understand this better I'll look at the way the populations arrange themselves on this continent with vast deavastation of human life. Next discussion in a minute.
Or are we overlooking simple things that could be not so simple but when realized change a picture of Africa that might heal some of it's ills.
Let's take a look at language.
Africa has 10% of the total world population but 20% of the total land mass. Realizing there are two regions of Africa in that Subsahara Africa is seen as unique in it's needs, there is still a growth rate on this continent of approximately 3% per year with the concentration primarily increasing in ages below 15 years old. That speaks to several social issues including the devastation of HIV/AIDS leaving large populations of orphans and also the Arabian culture has issues of martyrdom and self sacrifice of their own lives causing the average age in those nations to fall to about age 16 or 17. Either way Africa has serious concerns regarding the competency of it's populations, educational levels, government stability and their brain trusts for leadership, business and research as well as a work force including farming. Many areas of Africa farming when not a drought is a high percentage of the occupation of the populous.
The geography of languages in Africa is remarkably complex. If people aren't able to communicate will they remain tolerant of each other? Many of the 'violent conflicts' occurring in Africa is related to the control of natural resources. The violence usually falls between ethnicities rather than nations. If violence existed between sovereign countries it would be easier to control by bringing parties before The United Nations Security Council to settle disputes. But the violence in Africa goes beyond the definition of sovereign state.
There are currently 800 living languages in Africa. 40 are spoken by more than one million people. The dominant indigenous languages spoken by 10 million people or more are Hausa (the Sahel), Lingala (Central Africa), Swahili (East Africa) and Tswana-Sotho and Zulu (Southern Africa. Hausa and Swahili are spoken by many as a second language for Trade. Complicated by all this is the fact recent colonial control has brought in English, French and Portugese. Arabic is most common in Northern Africa which also has a strong influence in Swahili.
The indigenous languages of Africa can be grouped into 'families' if you will. Afro-Asiatic of Northern Africa to include Somalia, Amharic and Tuareg. There is the Nilo-Saharan languages of Dinka, Turkana and Nuer of East Africa. The Niger-Congo group is the largest including Hausa, Yoruba, Zulu, Swahili and Kikuyu. A much smaller family of languages are spoken by the Bushmen of Southern Africa. It's distinguishing characteristic is a "click" when vocalized.
Currently I believe there are about 55 countries and 11 provinces in Africa. There is no dominant indigenous language in most African countries and while efficent to some degree sadly they have established Eurpoean languages for trade, school and government. Mind you this is for those that live in conditions that allow trade, school and government. There are three countries that have enough dominant overlap to allow an ethnic language to be the majority language and those are Somalia with the Somalia language, Botswana with the Tswana language and Ethiopia with Amharic as their dominant language.
To understand this better I'll look at the way the populations arrange themselves on this continent with vast deavastation of human life. Next discussion in a minute.
Interethnic relationships? Is that possible?
The multiplicity of language and DIALECTS outline a large number of distinct cultural and ethnic groups. These groups have an artifical boundary in their languages. These groups are often led by chiefs and some are monarchies of kings and queens.
I want to look at where these people 'congregate' in communities. I am going to do it by vegetation types. Five to be exact.
The largest group of people live in forests with medium to high rainfall. Oddly or maybe not so oddly this is where the diversity of ethnicity and language reside in it's greatest number.
The major language divisions are Western Bantoid, Central Bantoid, Eastern Bantoid, Indo-European, Central and Eastern Sudanese, Mande and in smaller degree Bantu. To be more specific we can look at smaller groups of language within these same demographics and those number at least 24 with one million people speaking those languages. Mind you now of all the five vegetation regions in square miles it is the smallest.
Maybe some of the problems here are related to population density stress complicated by language barriers. The countries of this region are Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'ivooire (The Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea including Malabo, Gabon, Congo, with protions of Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The next vegetative area which is the largest in square miles receiving moderate to low rainfall is the Savannah. It ranks second in population density. Here the major languages are a bit less but then this is third in population density. There is Bantu, Nilotic, Semitic-Hemitc, a degree of Kanuri, Lingala, Amhara and Hausa. Oddly the number of minor languages seem to be about 41. This because there is less populous for a larger area, hence creating unique situations for language.
The third vegetation area is desert which exists in large area in Northern Africa and a smaller degree in Southern Africa. In the north rainfall is very low but in the south the rainfall is very low to low. Here is language distribution is far more simple. Majorly Khosian, Bantu, Swahili, Lingala, Amhara and Semitic-Hamitic. The lesser languages of people numbering in populations of greater than 1 million is about 30. Especially in the north a strong history of nomadic tribes existed for a long time and that caused a great deal of language speciality.
The fourth vegetation region is called Intrazonal and it lies at the margins of the Savannah both in the north and south and along the rivers with very small square mileage devoted to this designation yet for as small a region as it still has twice the populous. I won't get into specifics here although there are ethnic differences but most of the languages were included in the list for the Savannah.
The last vegetation region is The Evergreen Forest which is at opposite extremes of the African continent both north and south with low amounts of rainfall. The region in the north is primarily Semitic-Hamitic with about five minor languages. The area is coastal Mediterranian. In the south there is some Bantu, Zulu, Tswanna-Sotho and Indo-Eruopean. There are about three minor languages.
These are all rough estimates of language.
The worrisome issue with language is that a tribe could literally wipe itself out because it has a barrier to information regarding HIV/AIDS or be isolated to have a larger tribe commit genocide.
This may be nothing but I do believe it is a major hurdle to solving Africa's problems and as we proceed in resolve to accomplish the task of 'Righting the Wrongs' of Africa this observation might bring to light an issue that once overcome will allow resolve of simple vaccinations or medication distribution go quicker with a far better resolve.
I want to look at where these people 'congregate' in communities. I am going to do it by vegetation types. Five to be exact.
The largest group of people live in forests with medium to high rainfall. Oddly or maybe not so oddly this is where the diversity of ethnicity and language reside in it's greatest number.
The major language divisions are Western Bantoid, Central Bantoid, Eastern Bantoid, Indo-European, Central and Eastern Sudanese, Mande and in smaller degree Bantu. To be more specific we can look at smaller groups of language within these same demographics and those number at least 24 with one million people speaking those languages. Mind you now of all the five vegetation regions in square miles it is the smallest.
Maybe some of the problems here are related to population density stress complicated by language barriers. The countries of this region are Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote D'ivooire (The Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea including Malabo, Gabon, Congo, with protions of Central African Republic and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The next vegetative area which is the largest in square miles receiving moderate to low rainfall is the Savannah. It ranks second in population density. Here the major languages are a bit less but then this is third in population density. There is Bantu, Nilotic, Semitic-Hemitc, a degree of Kanuri, Lingala, Amhara and Hausa. Oddly the number of minor languages seem to be about 41. This because there is less populous for a larger area, hence creating unique situations for language.
The third vegetation area is desert which exists in large area in Northern Africa and a smaller degree in Southern Africa. In the north rainfall is very low but in the south the rainfall is very low to low. Here is language distribution is far more simple. Majorly Khosian, Bantu, Swahili, Lingala, Amhara and Semitic-Hamitic. The lesser languages of people numbering in populations of greater than 1 million is about 30. Especially in the north a strong history of nomadic tribes existed for a long time and that caused a great deal of language speciality.
The fourth vegetation region is called Intrazonal and it lies at the margins of the Savannah both in the north and south and along the rivers with very small square mileage devoted to this designation yet for as small a region as it still has twice the populous. I won't get into specifics here although there are ethnic differences but most of the languages were included in the list for the Savannah.
The last vegetation region is The Evergreen Forest which is at opposite extremes of the African continent both north and south with low amounts of rainfall. The region in the north is primarily Semitic-Hamitic with about five minor languages. The area is coastal Mediterranian. In the south there is some Bantu, Zulu, Tswanna-Sotho and Indo-Eruopean. There are about three minor languages.
These are all rough estimates of language.
The worrisome issue with language is that a tribe could literally wipe itself out because it has a barrier to information regarding HIV/AIDS or be isolated to have a larger tribe commit genocide.
This may be nothing but I do believe it is a major hurdle to solving Africa's problems and as we proceed in resolve to accomplish the task of 'Righting the Wrongs' of Africa this observation might bring to light an issue that once overcome will allow resolve of simple vaccinations or medication distribution go quicker with a far better resolve.
Africa by Toto
I hear the drums echoing tonight.
She hears only whispers of some
quiet conversation.
She is coming in twelve thirty flight.
Moonlit wings reflect the stars
that guide me towards salvation.
I stopped an old man along the way
hoping to find some long forgotten words
or ancient melodies.
He turned to me as if to say,
"Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you."
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you.
There's nothing that a hundred men
or more could ever do.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
Gonna take some time to do
the things we never had.
Wild dogs cry out in the night
as they grow restless longing
for some solitary company.
I know that I must do what's right
sure as Kilimanjaro rises
like Olympus above the Serengeti.
I seem to cure what's deep inside,
frightened of this thing that I've become.
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you.
There's nothing that a hundred men
or more could ever do.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
Gonna take some time to do
the things we never had.
"Hurry boy, she is waiting there for you."
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you.
There's nothing that a hundred men
or more could ever do.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
Gonna take some time to do
the things we never had.
She hears only whispers of some
quiet conversation.
She is coming in twelve thirty flight.
Moonlit wings reflect the stars
that guide me towards salvation.
I stopped an old man along the way
hoping to find some long forgotten words
or ancient melodies.
He turned to me as if to say,
"Hurry boy, it's waiting there for you."
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you.
There's nothing that a hundred men
or more could ever do.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
Gonna take some time to do
the things we never had.
Wild dogs cry out in the night
as they grow restless longing
for some solitary company.
I know that I must do what's right
sure as Kilimanjaro rises
like Olympus above the Serengeti.
I seem to cure what's deep inside,
frightened of this thing that I've become.
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you.
There's nothing that a hundred men
or more could ever do.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
Gonna take some time to do
the things we never had.
"Hurry boy, she is waiting there for you."
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you.
There's nothing that a hundred men
or more could ever do.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
I bless the rains down in Africa.
Gonna take some time to do
the things we never had.
Friday, July 15, 2005
In the News:
Best comprehensive sites:
BBC which also has News in Video
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/default.stm
The New Zealand Herald, International Page
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2
For weather at Scott Base, Antarctica set your pointer here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/tools/weather/international.cfm?intlareaID=10
Today the weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is:
Scott Base Clear -30.0°
Updated Friday 15 Jul 8:59PM
The Seattle Post Intelligencer.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/
For editorial content there is nothing like the New York Times editorial page:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html
..........................................................
Of course the obvious is revealed. Not only a chemistry PhD but a biochemistry PhD. Biochemistry is understanding how the human body's carbon interacts with chemicals and biologicals to cause death.
Hunted chemistry expert arrested
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4686089.stm
Mr al-Nashar completed a chemistry PhD at Leeds University An Egyptian chemistry expert sought by police over last week's London bombings has been arrested in Cairo, Egypt.
Magdi Mahmoud al-Nashar, 33, had not been seen by colleagues in Leeds since early July.
.........................................................
The ever increasing civil war that has been evident now in Palestine continues. The issues of these people have nothing to do with Iraq. This is a struggle now between the PA and Hamas. Hamas see a Palestine that will destroy Israel returning all the area to their control. They have won many local elections and serve as a destablilzing element within the new Palestinian nation.
Palestinian in-fighting in Gaza
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4685095.stm
Hamas supporters set fire to a Palestinian police armoured vehicle Clashes in Gaza between Palestinian Authority security forces and members of the Hamas militant organisation have killed two bystanders and injured 20. The fighting in Gaza City started on Thursday and continued into Friday morning before appearing to die down.
...........................................................
ROVE NEEDS TO RESIGN'
CIA agent's spouse says Bush aide must go
15.07.05 1.00pm
WASHINGTON - The husband of a CIA agent whose identity was exposed during the fierce debate over the Iraq war accused the White House on Thursday of being involved in a giant "cover-up" involving top aide Karl Rove.
Federal investigators are looking into who leaked the identity of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame, whose name appeared in a newspaper column exactly two years ago, on July 14, 2003. Rove, who orchestrated Bush's presidential campaigns, has emerged as a source for at least one other media report on the case.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335944
...............................................................
I WISH NASA well in attempting to fix and control a finicky space ship. I believe the shuttle program needs to take a back seat to real space missions that are less troublesome and accomplish more. NASA today could bring the Apollo spacecraft out of moth balls and fly astronauts without a second thought into space on a regualr basis while they mull over an orbiter if they see that as important. I don't. I think the day of The Shuttle is over and gratefully so. Two separate vehicles, one for the astronauts that are loved dearly by this society and one for cargo that can transport far more on a regular basis than The Shuttle ever could. I really recommend NASA 'GET BACK IN THE GAME' and start up an updated and computerized model of Apollo ASAP.
NASA Studies Fuel Gauge for Malfunction
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/15/AR2005071500253.html
By MARCIA DUNNThe Associated PressFriday, July 15, 2005; 7:56 AM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Hoping to make another launch attempt Sunday, hundreds of NASA engineers scrambled to figure out why a fuel gauge on space shuttle Discovery failed just before its scheduled liftoff.
Deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said any repairs would have to be fast and simple, though, to have Discovery ready by Sunday. Most likely, NASA's first mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster will require more complicated repairs and be delayed into next week or even September, depending on the extent of work needed.
................................................................
The USA Supreme Court. Judge Rhenquist is staying to fulfill his duties and I congratualte him.
It's not unusual at all for recovering cancer patients to have a set back and run high fevers as their body tackles the cancer. If his job, and what a job it is, keeps him going then he needs to remain vital. I find the political theater over all this reprehensible and I am confident it stresses Chief Justice Rhenquist. Stress causes immune suppression and it could have been the reason the Chief Justice ran a fever as well. He needs to tune out the rude and crude press knowing he has our loyalty to do his job well. Live long and prosper Justice Rhenquist.
It should do Justice O'Connor proud to know her leaving is finding resistance by lady Senators who would dearly love to see a female Chief Justice. Justice O'Connor should reconsider for the right reasons as she is a valuable opinion no one wants to see retire.
Rehnquist: I'm staying on the jobJustice wants to end `unfounded' rumors
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0507150143jul15,1,278196.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed
By Jan Crawford GreenburgWashington BureauPublished July 15, 2005
WASHINGTON -- An ailing but resolute Chief Justice William Rehnquist, attempting to put to rest the "unfounded" rumors of his imminent retiremen
BBC which also has News in Video
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/default.stm
The New Zealand Herald, International Page
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2
For weather at Scott Base, Antarctica set your pointer here:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/tools/weather/international.cfm?intlareaID=10
Today the weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is:
Scott Base Clear -30.0°
Updated Friday 15 Jul 8:59PM
The Seattle Post Intelligencer.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/
For editorial content there is nothing like the New York Times editorial page:
http://www.nytimes.com/pages/opinion/index.html
..........................................................
Of course the obvious is revealed. Not only a chemistry PhD but a biochemistry PhD. Biochemistry is understanding how the human body's carbon interacts with chemicals and biologicals to cause death.
Hunted chemistry expert arrested
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4686089.stm
Mr al-Nashar completed a chemistry PhD at Leeds University An Egyptian chemistry expert sought by police over last week's London bombings has been arrested in Cairo, Egypt.
Magdi Mahmoud al-Nashar, 33, had not been seen by colleagues in Leeds since early July.
.........................................................
The ever increasing civil war that has been evident now in Palestine continues. The issues of these people have nothing to do with Iraq. This is a struggle now between the PA and Hamas. Hamas see a Palestine that will destroy Israel returning all the area to their control. They have won many local elections and serve as a destablilzing element within the new Palestinian nation.
Palestinian in-fighting in Gaza
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/4685095.stm
Hamas supporters set fire to a Palestinian police armoured vehicle Clashes in Gaza between Palestinian Authority security forces and members of the Hamas militant organisation have killed two bystanders and injured 20. The fighting in Gaza City started on Thursday and continued into Friday morning before appearing to die down.
...........................................................
ROVE NEEDS TO RESIGN'
CIA agent's spouse says Bush aide must go
15.07.05 1.00pm
WASHINGTON - The husband of a CIA agent whose identity was exposed during the fierce debate over the Iraq war accused the White House on Thursday of being involved in a giant "cover-up" involving top aide Karl Rove.
Federal investigators are looking into who leaked the identity of covert CIA agent Valerie Plame, whose name appeared in a newspaper column exactly two years ago, on July 14, 2003. Rove, who orchestrated Bush's presidential campaigns, has emerged as a source for at least one other media report on the case.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335944
...............................................................
I WISH NASA well in attempting to fix and control a finicky space ship. I believe the shuttle program needs to take a back seat to real space missions that are less troublesome and accomplish more. NASA today could bring the Apollo spacecraft out of moth balls and fly astronauts without a second thought into space on a regualr basis while they mull over an orbiter if they see that as important. I don't. I think the day of The Shuttle is over and gratefully so. Two separate vehicles, one for the astronauts that are loved dearly by this society and one for cargo that can transport far more on a regular basis than The Shuttle ever could. I really recommend NASA 'GET BACK IN THE GAME' and start up an updated and computerized model of Apollo ASAP.
NASA Studies Fuel Gauge for Malfunction
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/15/AR2005071500253.html
By MARCIA DUNNThe Associated PressFriday, July 15, 2005; 7:56 AM
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Hoping to make another launch attempt Sunday, hundreds of NASA engineers scrambled to figure out why a fuel gauge on space shuttle Discovery failed just before its scheduled liftoff.
Deputy shuttle program manager Wayne Hale said any repairs would have to be fast and simple, though, to have Discovery ready by Sunday. Most likely, NASA's first mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster will require more complicated repairs and be delayed into next week or even September, depending on the extent of work needed.
................................................................
The USA Supreme Court. Judge Rhenquist is staying to fulfill his duties and I congratualte him.
It's not unusual at all for recovering cancer patients to have a set back and run high fevers as their body tackles the cancer. If his job, and what a job it is, keeps him going then he needs to remain vital. I find the political theater over all this reprehensible and I am confident it stresses Chief Justice Rhenquist. Stress causes immune suppression and it could have been the reason the Chief Justice ran a fever as well. He needs to tune out the rude and crude press knowing he has our loyalty to do his job well. Live long and prosper Justice Rhenquist.
It should do Justice O'Connor proud to know her leaving is finding resistance by lady Senators who would dearly love to see a female Chief Justice. Justice O'Connor should reconsider for the right reasons as she is a valuable opinion no one wants to see retire.
Rehnquist: I'm staying on the jobJustice wants to end `unfounded' rumors
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-0507150143jul15,1,278196.story?coll=chi-newsnationworld-hed
By Jan Crawford GreenburgWashington BureauPublished July 15, 2005
WASHINGTON -- An ailing but resolute Chief Justice William Rehnquist, attempting to put to rest the "unfounded" rumors of his imminent retiremen
The Hurricane Season to Date
It's very obvious this season is taking on a more traditional season how that "Dennis" has done most of the handiwork of transferring heat to the oceans. Which is not a good idea to the extent it is happening there have already been diminished algal blooms in the oceans during the last six months noted on most currents.
This satellite:
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_ir_enh_hem.html
shows clearly the carbon dioxide concentration on the east coast of the USA.
You might want to see it in motion:
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_ir_enh_hem_loop-12.html
Noted a storm over the midwest of the USA resulted as an eddy to a arctic circle vortex.
Also in hurricane ally "Emily" is coming our way with now Cat 4 capasity. I am convinced more than ever it will take the path of Ivan 2004 due to the obvious air mass noted in this satellite.
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_wv_hem_loop-12.html
The big sweeping water vapor trail from the Gulf to the Arctic Circle tells the tale of "Emily". I remind 24 hours ago I stated it would take the path of Ivan 2004 and all the weather services were stating it was headed for the Yukitan Peninsula to cross land there and enter the Gulf south of Texas. Not so. These systems are water loving and seek the path of least resistance to their ever growing dynamics. Kindly note in the composite an earlier hurricane below, Hurricane Andrew of 1992 it's path changed radically to follow a north leading air flow noted in the two left pictures of the composite.
Also noted in both the Infrared Satellite and Water Vapor Satellite there is also two other storms brewing. One at a higher latitude bearing the mark of "Andrew of 1992" and the other looking more like "Emily" only starting at a greater distance from the Gulf of Mexico and could this be our first viewing of Cat 6 storms. Only guestimates at this point.
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_wv_hem.html
This water vapor satellite shows that potential clearly.
In the Pacific, coastal Asia is having it's problems as well with "Typhoon Haitang" and once again China needs to get on board the G8 Climate Change agenda.
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/satelliteworld/eastasiasatellite_large.html
Here is UNISYS current run down of the Western Pacific.
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/w_pacific/2005/index.html
Currently they have seen five major storm and one super typhoon. This is an active season as well.
NOT FUN !!
This satellite:
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_ir_enh_hem.html
shows clearly the carbon dioxide concentration on the east coast of the USA.
You might want to see it in motion:
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_ir_enh_hem_loop-12.html
Noted a storm over the midwest of the USA resulted as an eddy to a arctic circle vortex.
Also in hurricane ally "Emily" is coming our way with now Cat 4 capasity. I am convinced more than ever it will take the path of Ivan 2004 due to the obvious air mass noted in this satellite.
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_wv_hem_loop-12.html
The big sweeping water vapor trail from the Gulf to the Arctic Circle tells the tale of "Emily". I remind 24 hours ago I stated it would take the path of Ivan 2004 and all the weather services were stating it was headed for the Yukitan Peninsula to cross land there and enter the Gulf south of Texas. Not so. These systems are water loving and seek the path of least resistance to their ever growing dynamics. Kindly note in the composite an earlier hurricane below, Hurricane Andrew of 1992 it's path changed radically to follow a north leading air flow noted in the two left pictures of the composite.
Also noted in both the Infrared Satellite and Water Vapor Satellite there is also two other storms brewing. One at a higher latitude bearing the mark of "Andrew of 1992" and the other looking more like "Emily" only starting at a greater distance from the Gulf of Mexico and could this be our first viewing of Cat 6 storms. Only guestimates at this point.
http://weather.unisys.com/satellite/sat_wv_hem.html
This water vapor satellite shows that potential clearly.
In the Pacific, coastal Asia is having it's problems as well with "Typhoon Haitang" and once again China needs to get on board the G8 Climate Change agenda.
http://www.weather.com/maps/maptype/satelliteworld/eastasiasatellite_large.html
Here is UNISYS current run down of the Western Pacific.
http://weather.unisys.com/hurricane/w_pacific/2005/index.html
Currently they have seen five major storm and one super typhoon. This is an active season as well.
NOT FUN !!
The London Bombings
The fifth terrorist in Cairo is being detained for questioning. The agencies in Britain have discovered an International Terrorist Network and we only can guess where this is leading. The bathtub of high explosives opens up the possiblity of tracking down a good many more than just five terrorists especailly if the type of explosives came from the unguarded stores in the Iraqi desert.
Regardless, Euope is taking on global security unlike ever before and the terrorist element will be dealt with this time. It's about time Europe took the lead and the initiative to really solve these crimes. I feel better with them taking the lead here as When it comes to fighting the War on Terror(ists) the USA has settled on creating havoc in Iraq to protect it's crony interests and only when issues exacerbate with the troops do we see any movement to end this hideous element in our global society.
Australia's Howard is more motivated than Bush and I congratulate him and wish sincerely he would take leadership in Afghanistan to end the entire mess there. He would find the Afghanistan people are more interested in their government stability than anyone else and to that end they are a sincere ally to the cause. Cautiously they can be trusted but time and time again since the earliest of invasion following the attacks on the USA in 2001 the Afghan People have demonstrated extreme willingness to take back their country with only a loyalty to that end. The Afghan military have very adept men who are better suited for the harsh environment in the mountains and are a great asset to any military who stands at their side.
I believe there is a profound Taliban strong hold in the mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan to say the least and even Presidents Karzai and Musharraf cannot deny that although they both are outspoken about Osama bin Laden being gone from the area.
That last time 'bin' appeared on the net was during the 2004 elections and he was so comfortable and appearing well healed and well dressed, if not in Afghanistan than perhaps at a Bush/Rove country estate. The international community needs to get serious about his whereabouts as I strongly feel the entire terrorist network structure will quickly disintegrate with his demise.
The Bush Administration is currently embattled domestically as their 'ego driven' decision makers are starting to show their true colors.
Regardless, Euope is taking on global security unlike ever before and the terrorist element will be dealt with this time. It's about time Europe took the lead and the initiative to really solve these crimes. I feel better with them taking the lead here as When it comes to fighting the War on Terror(ists) the USA has settled on creating havoc in Iraq to protect it's crony interests and only when issues exacerbate with the troops do we see any movement to end this hideous element in our global society.
Australia's Howard is more motivated than Bush and I congratulate him and wish sincerely he would take leadership in Afghanistan to end the entire mess there. He would find the Afghanistan people are more interested in their government stability than anyone else and to that end they are a sincere ally to the cause. Cautiously they can be trusted but time and time again since the earliest of invasion following the attacks on the USA in 2001 the Afghan People have demonstrated extreme willingness to take back their country with only a loyalty to that end. The Afghan military have very adept men who are better suited for the harsh environment in the mountains and are a great asset to any military who stands at their side.
I believe there is a profound Taliban strong hold in the mountains between Pakistan and Afghanistan to say the least and even Presidents Karzai and Musharraf cannot deny that although they both are outspoken about Osama bin Laden being gone from the area.
That last time 'bin' appeared on the net was during the 2004 elections and he was so comfortable and appearing well healed and well dressed, if not in Afghanistan than perhaps at a Bush/Rove country estate. The international community needs to get serious about his whereabouts as I strongly feel the entire terrorist network structure will quickly disintegrate with his demise.
The Bush Administration is currently embattled domestically as their 'ego driven' decision makers are starting to show their true colors.
Thursday, July 14, 2005
The Definition of Safety
The two entries below illustrate one of the worst if not the worst hurricane in modern times. Hurricane Andrew of 1992. I haven't investigated the possiblity of "Andrew" being fueled by a North Atlantic Oscillation but considering there is an 'aire flow' of the two left images of the satellite view leading to the north it cannot be ruled out without further investigation. The storms we are experiencing today is directly related to Global Warming so they are different to some extent to their predictable paths. But the actual dynamics of these storms are reasonably the same, especially in their behavior when crossing the ocean then land then the Gulf.
Kindly note, Hurricane Andrew was a long time at sea, crossed the tip of Florida and then entered the Gulf of Mexico. The 'impact' of "Andrew" of Florida was devastating. At the time in 1992 when "Andrew" crossed Florida it was stated to be a Cat 4. Further examination of the wreckage clearly exhibited a Cat 5. What has never been said is that did "Andrew" actually and potentially could have gone to a Cat 6.
That said, there are two points I think these pictures make very clear.
1. I have stated the longer a storm is out at sea and the longer the travel in nautical miles the more powerful the storm is when it impacts on civilization. The illustration below of the path of Hurricane Andrew is a very clear example of a storm very long at sea, water loving and headed straight for the hotter waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
2. I have stated these storms are somewhat whimpy when crossing land. It is a common 'error' for climatologists to underestimate these storms in paths such as "Emily" has now where they cross over land masses frequently. When these storms do this they frequently look as though they are diminishing and people in the path of these stroms feel hope this is good news. Those that serve leadership in government are people too. All too frequently people delay their decision making announcements to the people they are supposed to protect to leave areas estimated to be in the path of these storms for this 'oscillation' reason alone. That should never effect any warning system to civilization in the path of these storms. These storms are dangerous and should never be seen as diminishing. The reason is why I stated Number 1. The longer they are at sea, the more nautical miles they cover, the stronger they get.
3. To understand the point I am making here we will number "Andrew" images 1 thru 4 with number 1 at the right and number 4 to the left of the picture. The composite of "Andrew" clearly show a storm that was questionably stronger while over the cooler waters of the Atlantic Ocean; to most viewing progress of these dynamics in picture number one. As "Andrew" traveled closer to Florida in picture number two it was very organized and very strong. In picture number three "Andrew" having crossed land, looks diminished however once reaching the Gulf of Mexico which has hotter waters than the Atlantic in picture number four "Andrew" again picks up strength and becomes more organized than in picture number two.
The point to this enter is that a history of looking at storms over decades clearly reveals these are not just hurricanes that will hopefully go away. They have heat budgets that are CONSTANT and although 'oscillation' exists both the path and vorticity can be estimated and counted on in a way that saves peoples lives without causing doubt.
It is my concern that these storms under the influence of a Global Warming will indeed follow estimates of the last decade of scientists and exceed Cat 5 into Cat 6, if not this year than in the near future with the storms starting early and increasing in velocity as the season goes on.
WE NEED TO BE SERIOUS and not wish these dangers away. That won't happen. I want people to be smart about their safety and put it first above all else and leave when told to leave an area without a second thought that the storm may fizzile away.
NO MORE TAKING CHANCES.
Americans.
You gotta convince them, ya know?
Kindly note, Hurricane Andrew was a long time at sea, crossed the tip of Florida and then entered the Gulf of Mexico. The 'impact' of "Andrew" of Florida was devastating. At the time in 1992 when "Andrew" crossed Florida it was stated to be a Cat 4. Further examination of the wreckage clearly exhibited a Cat 5. What has never been said is that did "Andrew" actually and potentially could have gone to a Cat 6.
That said, there are two points I think these pictures make very clear.
1. I have stated the longer a storm is out at sea and the longer the travel in nautical miles the more powerful the storm is when it impacts on civilization. The illustration below of the path of Hurricane Andrew is a very clear example of a storm very long at sea, water loving and headed straight for the hotter waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
2. I have stated these storms are somewhat whimpy when crossing land. It is a common 'error' for climatologists to underestimate these storms in paths such as "Emily" has now where they cross over land masses frequently. When these storms do this they frequently look as though they are diminishing and people in the path of these stroms feel hope this is good news. Those that serve leadership in government are people too. All too frequently people delay their decision making announcements to the people they are supposed to protect to leave areas estimated to be in the path of these storms for this 'oscillation' reason alone. That should never effect any warning system to civilization in the path of these storms. These storms are dangerous and should never be seen as diminishing. The reason is why I stated Number 1. The longer they are at sea, the more nautical miles they cover, the stronger they get.
3. To understand the point I am making here we will number "Andrew" images 1 thru 4 with number 1 at the right and number 4 to the left of the picture. The composite of "Andrew" clearly show a storm that was questionably stronger while over the cooler waters of the Atlantic Ocean; to most viewing progress of these dynamics in picture number one. As "Andrew" traveled closer to Florida in picture number two it was very organized and very strong. In picture number three "Andrew" having crossed land, looks diminished however once reaching the Gulf of Mexico which has hotter waters than the Atlantic in picture number four "Andrew" again picks up strength and becomes more organized than in picture number two.
The point to this enter is that a history of looking at storms over decades clearly reveals these are not just hurricanes that will hopefully go away. They have heat budgets that are CONSTANT and although 'oscillation' exists both the path and vorticity can be estimated and counted on in a way that saves peoples lives without causing doubt.
It is my concern that these storms under the influence of a Global Warming will indeed follow estimates of the last decade of scientists and exceed Cat 5 into Cat 6, if not this year than in the near future with the storms starting early and increasing in velocity as the season goes on.
WE NEED TO BE SERIOUS and not wish these dangers away. That won't happen. I want people to be smart about their safety and put it first above all else and leave when told to leave an area without a second thought that the storm may fizzile away.
NO MORE TAKING CHANCES.
Americans.
You gotta convince them, ya know?
My Morning Papers - continued . . .
Miami Herald
Man died on boat due to Dennis
BY JENNIFER BABSON
jbabson@herald.com
KEY WEST - Hurricane Dennis has claimed at least one life in the Florida Keys, a man discovered dead in his sunken sailboat after he tried to ride out the storm moored near a seawall in Stock Island, just north of Key West.
Divers from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office discovered the man, Ludolph ''Jerry'' Wilson Jr., 58, late Monday after neighbors called police to report they had not seen him since Dennis grazed the Keys last week.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12123170.htm
Transit hub chief reassigned in probe
A veteran Florida Department of Transportation engineer is on the verge of losing his job after twin inquiries into his management of the construction of a transportation center.
BY LARRY LEBOWITZ
llebowitz@herald.com
Miami Intermodel Center
A state official in charge of one of Miami's biggest transportation projects will be fired today if he refuses to resign amid conflict-of-interest allegations and a stinging report detailing widespread mismanagement of a contract that cost taxpayers more than $5 million, his supervisor said late Wednesday.
An ultimatum letter to Kouroche Mohandes, 44, project manager for the $1.4 billion Miami Intermodal Center at Miami International Airport, came after two investigations by the Florida Department of Transportation that said:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12127311.htm
Straight to the point
• IMAGES TO LIVE BY
Linda Solomon, a photojournalist, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Miami-Dade should be commended for their work to encourage underprivileged children to artistically express their goals and wishes. The program, in which 30 children were given disposable cameras to take pictures of what they wish for in life, should not only be continued, but expanded.
Providing children an outlet for creativity in artwork creates opportunities for them to be proud of something they have made. This added sense of pride can translate into higher self-esteem and success later in life.
Of course, capturing their wishes through a lens doesn't make them come true. But the pictures will give children a concrete image as a reference point when they stumble or feel as though their wishes are out of reach.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12127299.htm
Find missing persons
OUR OPINION: DNA PROGRAM SHOULD BE TEMPERED BY PRIVACY SAFEGUARDS
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is making an important first step in solving missing-persons cases by expanding the Missing Persons DNA database in Florida. While continuing to enlarge the database is necessary to identify the remains of missing persons, those donating DNA must be assured that their personal information will be used only for the designated purpose and not for other criminal investigations.
Time-consuming process
The expansion has been made possible by $8.7 million in grants designated by the Justice Department. The state database will be part of an already-established national database. It is good news for families anxiously awaiting the identification or return of missing loved ones. Since the process is time consuming, however, the possibility of closure for these families is still a long way away.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12127305.htm
New wrinkle in the anti-terror fight
OUR OPINION: LONDON BOMBINGS ALERT BRITAIN, U.S. TO ADJUST TACTICS
British police investigators are developing a disturbing theory about the people behind the transit attacks in London -- that the terrorists may be home-grown suicide bombers. If the clues prove true, it would be the first such attack in Britain. Worse, it could be a harbinger of the kind of insidious attacks preferred by terror merchants in Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and other Middle East trouble spots.
Sacrificing own lives
If Scotland Yard is correct, Britain, the United States and their allies will need to adjust their anti-terror campaigns to take into account this new wrinkle in the terror threat. The United States already has experienced the devastating effects of attackers so committed to their cause that they sacrifice their own lives. The 9/11 attacks were authored by 19 suicide attackers who commandeered airplanes to destroy the World Trade Center and other targets, including the Pentagon. But those well-coordinated attacks required the kind of planning, training and resources that are the signature of al Qaeda's network.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12127301.htm
The New Zealand Herald
Tsunami quake caused 1000km seafloor rupture
14.07.05 12.20pm
LONDON - The earthquake that triggered December's devastating Indian Ocean tsunami caused a 1000km rupture in the sea floor say scientists.
Using data from 60 Global Positioning System monitoring sites in southeast Asia, scientists at ENS/CNRS research institute in Paris calculated the unprecedented scale of the quake.
"We show that the rupture plane for this earthquake must have been at least 1000 kilometres long," said Christophe Vigny who headed the research team.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335790
British police in new terror raid, no arrests
14.07.05 9.40am
LONDON - Police hunting those behind last week's London bomb blasts today raided a residential address in the town of Aylesbury, about 64km northwest of the British capital.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Service, which is coordinating the hunt, denied a report by Sky News television that they had made a fresh arrest during in the raid.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335761
Bath full of explosives found at 'operational base'
A policeman walks past a bomb disposal robot outside a house in Leeds yesterday. Picture / Reuters
14.07.05
By Terry Kirby and Jason Bennetto
A bath filled with explosives was found at a house in Leeds that was the "operational base" for the London suicide bombers. The discovery of a such a large amount of high explosives has shocked detectives and has raised fears of further attacks.
The substantial quantity of high-grade explosives has reinforced suspicions the men were linked to a wider network, capable of obtaining such material, and anti-terrorist officers and the security services were seeking to establish the source - possibly of military origin.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335785
Profile of the London bombers: A fatal association
The South Leeds Fisheries fish and chip shop which is run by the father of Shehzad Tanweer. Picture / Reuters
14.07.05 1.00pm
Today, as London prepares to stage a two-minute silence in memory of the victims, the story of how the group of friends from Leeds abandoned their lives of anonymity to become Britain's most notorious terrorists is coming to light.
Four young British men of Pakistani origin travelled from Yorkshire to London and calmly carried out the first suicide attacks in Britain. In rucksacks they carried a deadly cargo - explosives which brought terror to London and claimed more than 50 lives.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335798
'Pakistan helped prevent attack on Britain before election'
14.07.05 1.00pm
By Justin Huggler
LAHORE - Pakistan helped to prevent a planned militant attack in Britain before May's general elections, the country's interior minister said yesterday.
Aftab Khan Sherpao made the claim at a press conference as he defended Pakistan's record on combating groups linked to al Qaeda.
Shahzad Tanweer, one of the suspected suicide bombers who struck in London, had visited Pakistan for two months last year.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335778
New body scanner could detect suicide bombers
14.07.05 1.00pm
By Michael Harrison
LONDON - A revolutionary new body scanner which could enable police and security forces to detect suicide bombers entering rail and subway stations has been developed by a British company.
The equipment, known as the millimetre wave camera, is already in production for a number of overseas security agencies and could be deployed in the UK if the threat to the travelling public increases.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335755
Migrants have a paler look
14.07.05
By Ruth Berry
The proportion of British immigrants coming to New Zealand continues to rise, and they now account for almost a third of new residents.
Of all approvals for permanent residence in the last financial year, 30.8 per cent - 15,045 people - came from Britain.
That is up from 20.9 per cent of all immigrants the previous year, when 8165 people were granted residency from Britain.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335735
THE LONDON INVESTIGATION IS MOVING RIGHT ALONG. I AM IMPRESSED.
At home in New Zealand, and loving it
14.07.05
By Errol Kiong
A British family who won a new life for themselves in Hawkes Bay say they are better off here than in England.
The Pearse family arrived in January last year after beating 2700 families in the Napier City Council's Win a Life competition.
For six months, Simon and Chrissie Pearse and their sons, Zac, 11, and Wes, 8, had a home and car supplied as they tried life in the southern hemisphere.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335734
Children blown up while getting sweets
A woman grieves at the funeral for one of the 27 victims of a suicide car bomb attack in Baghdad. Picture / Reuters
14.07.05 7.45am
By Patrick Cockburn
BAGHDAD - A suicide car bomber killed 27 and wounded 67 people, mostly children, when he blew himself up beside a US patrol in east Baghdad. The children were crowding around an American vehicle to receive lollies from soldiers when they were caught by the blast.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335747
ICC says tour can only be pulled if made illegal
14.07.05 10.20am
The New Zealand Government would have to make the Black Caps tour of Zimbabwe illegal for New Zealand Cricket to be freed from penalties.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today clarified its position on the tour after a statement it released yesterday raised the possibility of an alternative way of stopping the tour.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335767
Government will not make Zimbabwe tour illegal
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga, right, met Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff at Parliament today. Picture / Fotopress
14.07.05 1.00pm
The Government has said it will not legislate to make the Black Caps cricket tour of Zimbabwe illegal.
This morning, the International Cricket Council said New Zealand Cricket would face large financial penalties unless the Government acted to outlaw the tour.
However, the Government - which yesterday indicated it would issue a directive if that was enough to have the tour cancelled - has decided against making the tour illegal and it will go ahead.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335801
Auckland acts alone on timber ban
14.07.05
By Anne Gibson
Doubts have been raised over the long-term reliability of kiln-dried framing timber treated with a surface spray and known as T1.2.
The manufacturer says the timber is perfectly acceptable and calls Auckland City Council's move to reject consents specifying the framing as overkill.
According to National MP Nick Smith, as many as 10,000 homes have been framed with T1.2 wood.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335694
Muslims fear further acts of revenge as backlash
14.07.05
By Robert Verkaik
Muslim leaders are bracing themselves for more acts of "revenge" after revelations that the London bombings were suicide attacks carried out by British citizens.
Mosques were targeted in racist incidents over the weekend, including two fire-bombings of Islamic buildings in Leeds and Bradford.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335699
US report cites 'degrading' Guantanamo treatment
14.07.05 11.20am
WASHINGTON - US Guantanamo Bay interrogators degraded and abused a key prisoner but did not torture him when they told him he was gay, forced him to dance with another man and made him wear a bra and perform dog tricks, military investigators said on Wednesday.
The general who heads US Southern Command, responsible for the jail for foreign terrorism suspects at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, also said he declined to heed his investigators' recommendation to punish a former commander of the prison camp.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335768
Israel declares Gaza closed military zone
14.07.05 1.00pm
By Donald Macintyre
GAZA CITY - The Israeli government has declared Gaza a closed military zone partly to prevent pro-settler extremists from entering the main Jewish settlement block before the planned removal of 8500 Jewish settlers next month.
The move, which infuriated settlers' leaders, came as the Army also sealed Gaza and the West Bank to prevent Palestinians entering and leaving in response to the Islamic Jihad suicide bomb attack which killed four people in Netanya on Tuesday night. A Palestinian policeman was killed as Israeli troops moved into Tulkarem and made at least five arrests.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335751
Zoos
Zoos to host parks and wildlife meetings across Texas
AUSTIN Some zoos will be gathering spots for Texans to offer input on a proposed wildlife conservation plan.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's new plan is tied to (M) millions of federal dollars to conserve wildlife and habitat in the state.
The department must submit a final plan to the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service by October first in order to continue to receive funds from the State Wildlife Grants program.
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3590782
New Childrens Zoo to be place of learning, discovery
By Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND — A young boy in a green shirt wraps his fingers around the chain-link fence surrounding the entrance of the Oakland Zoos new Valley Childrens Zoo and presses his mouth into one of the holes.
I want to come in! he squeals to marketing assistant Michele Strider, who is sitting on the back of a gigantic concrete snake. She assures him he will be let into the Childrens Zoo soon — on Saturday, to be exact.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_2853589
New tapir on display at John Ball Zoo
Courtesy: John Ball Zoo
(Grand Rapids, July 13, 2005, 7:27 p.m.) There is a new animal at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.
The zoo is introducing its new endangered, 400-pound Tapir named Sledge.
Tapirs have a short flexible trunk, almost like a hand in the middle of their face, to pull food into their mouths.
They are agile climbers and swimmers.
Sledge is not on exhibit full-time, but lucky guests might get a sneak peek at certain times in the South American exhibit.
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3591835&nav=0Rcec74U
Suzanne Vega, Marc Cohn Perform At Oregon Zoo
Portland, Oregon - Suzanne Vega and Marc Cohn will bring their highly literate and personally poignant music to the Oregon Zoo on Friday, July 22 as part of the Wells Fargo
http://www.medfordnews.com/articles/index.cfm?artOID=305860&cp=10997
Valley Children's Zoo offers new place for kids to go wild
Opening of Oakland facility to mark end of two-year project
By Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND — A young boy in a green shirt wraps his fingers around the chain-link fence surrounding the entrance of the Oakland Zoo's new Valley Children's Zoo and presses his mouth into one of the holes.
"I want to come in!" he squeals to marketing assistant Michele Strider, who is sitting on the back of a gigantic concrete snake. She assures him he will be let into the Children's Zoo soon — Saturday to be exact.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_2855287
World's oldest captive panda dies at China zoo
13 Jul 2005 05:30:34 GMT
Source: Reuters
BEIJING, July 13 (Reuters) - Chinese animal lovers lined up at a southwestern zoo on Wednesday to pay their last respects to the world's oldest panda raised in captivity who has died at the grand old age of 36.
Visitors placed flowers next to Mei Mei at the zoo in the picturesque city of Guilin where she had lived for 20 years, Xinhua news agency said a day after announcing the birth of two pairs of rare panda twin cubs this month.
"The normal life span of the giant panda is 25 years, so Mei Mei was the equivalent of over 100 in human years," Xinhua said.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK267793.htm
Second day of play is a zoo at Swope
By DAMON SMITH The Kansas City Star
While waiting to see whether she would survive the second-day cut Tuesday at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, Rachel Meikle figured she’d take advantage of her surroundings.
To clear her head, Meikle and her family checked out what the Kansas City Zoo had to offer.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/golf/12118247.htm
Audit clears zoo of negligence
file:home1
July 11, 2005
BY TARA BURGHART Associated Press
An outside audit of the Lincoln Park Zoo recommended several changes, but found no gross negligence on the part of the zoo staff in the deaths of a dozen animals since October.
The zoo released a 15-page report Monday by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, which accredits U.S. zoos. The zoo requested the audit because of the deaths that started with the death of the elephant Tatima in October, followed by the deaths of a camel, cow, marmoset, lion cub, two gorillas, three langur monkeys and the zoo's two remaining African elephants.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/zoo11.html
New exhibit at zoo lets visitors get up close to cougars
7/11/05
How would you like to go nose to nose with a cougar? The experience awaits you at the Seneca Park Zoo now that a new cougar exhibit is open. The exhibit, which houses two cougars from a zoo in Utah, includes a viewing tunnel where visitors can stand in a protected dome to watch the cougars up close. “So I encourage everyone to visit the zoo we're so proud of it. From our seven week old tigers to the visiting black bears to now the cougar exhibit, there's so much to see and now there's even more,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.
The cougar exhibit cost a quarter of a million dollars. The money was leftover from the animal hospital and education complex that was finished last year.
http://www.10nbc.com/news.asp?template=item&story_id=15498
Panda-monium at National Zoo
July 11, 2005 - 8:56AM
CYBERSPACE (AP) - There's been pandemonium at the National Zoo -- because of what its giant pandas have been up to. For the first time in 16 years, the zoo is welcoming a cub.
The cub was born over the weekend and zoo officials are hoping it will do better than the five previous ones born since 1983. All died within days. The public can't see the pandas in person yet. But you can check them out online.
The zoo has a web cam trained on the mother and cub in their enclosure.
http://wwmt.com/engine.pl?station=wwmt&id=17798&template=breakout_surfing.html
PANDA CAM AT THIS SITE
July 13: Cub Continues to Thrive
At five days of age, our panda cub continues to thrive and Mei is being a very attentive mother. She is licking the cub, holding it in the perfect position for nursing—close to her chest, and instantly responding to the cub’s loud squeals demanding attention.
While staff and volunteer watchers easily hear the cub’s squeals, seeing the tiny pink cub is another matter—they only get a glimpse when Mei changes position. On the day of its birth, the cub was squealing a lot—every time Mei moved. Now, it is squealing only very infrequently.
Mei is devoting all of her time to taking care of her cub and resting or sleeping. She has not moved out of her den or taken the time to eat or drink, and may not for up to a few weeks. This is perfectly normal behavior for a new giant panda mother.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/
A new place for kids to go wild
Oakland Zoo to open its children's park Saturday
Event will mark end of two-year project, finish of zoo renovations
By Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND — A young boy in a green shirt wraps his fingers around the chain-link fence surrounding the entrance of the Oakland Zoo's new Valley Children's Zoo and presses his mouth into one of the holes.
"I want to come in!" he squeals to marketing assistant Michele Strider, who is sitting on the back of a gigantic concrete snake. She assures him he will be let into the Children's Zoo soon — Saturday to be exact.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_2851225
continued . . .
Man died on boat due to Dennis
BY JENNIFER BABSON
jbabson@herald.com
KEY WEST - Hurricane Dennis has claimed at least one life in the Florida Keys, a man discovered dead in his sunken sailboat after he tried to ride out the storm moored near a seawall in Stock Island, just north of Key West.
Divers from the Monroe County Sheriff's Office discovered the man, Ludolph ''Jerry'' Wilson Jr., 58, late Monday after neighbors called police to report they had not seen him since Dennis grazed the Keys last week.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12123170.htm
Transit hub chief reassigned in probe
A veteran Florida Department of Transportation engineer is on the verge of losing his job after twin inquiries into his management of the construction of a transportation center.
BY LARRY LEBOWITZ
llebowitz@herald.com
Miami Intermodel Center
A state official in charge of one of Miami's biggest transportation projects will be fired today if he refuses to resign amid conflict-of-interest allegations and a stinging report detailing widespread mismanagement of a contract that cost taxpayers more than $5 million, his supervisor said late Wednesday.
An ultimatum letter to Kouroche Mohandes, 44, project manager for the $1.4 billion Miami Intermodal Center at Miami International Airport, came after two investigations by the Florida Department of Transportation that said:
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12127311.htm
Straight to the point
• IMAGES TO LIVE BY
Linda Solomon, a photojournalist, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Miami-Dade should be commended for their work to encourage underprivileged children to artistically express their goals and wishes. The program, in which 30 children were given disposable cameras to take pictures of what they wish for in life, should not only be continued, but expanded.
Providing children an outlet for creativity in artwork creates opportunities for them to be proud of something they have made. This added sense of pride can translate into higher self-esteem and success later in life.
Of course, capturing their wishes through a lens doesn't make them come true. But the pictures will give children a concrete image as a reference point when they stumble or feel as though their wishes are out of reach.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12127299.htm
Find missing persons
OUR OPINION: DNA PROGRAM SHOULD BE TEMPERED BY PRIVACY SAFEGUARDS
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is making an important first step in solving missing-persons cases by expanding the Missing Persons DNA database in Florida. While continuing to enlarge the database is necessary to identify the remains of missing persons, those donating DNA must be assured that their personal information will be used only for the designated purpose and not for other criminal investigations.
Time-consuming process
The expansion has been made possible by $8.7 million in grants designated by the Justice Department. The state database will be part of an already-established national database. It is good news for families anxiously awaiting the identification or return of missing loved ones. Since the process is time consuming, however, the possibility of closure for these families is still a long way away.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12127305.htm
New wrinkle in the anti-terror fight
OUR OPINION: LONDON BOMBINGS ALERT BRITAIN, U.S. TO ADJUST TACTICS
British police investigators are developing a disturbing theory about the people behind the transit attacks in London -- that the terrorists may be home-grown suicide bombers. If the clues prove true, it would be the first such attack in Britain. Worse, it could be a harbinger of the kind of insidious attacks preferred by terror merchants in Iraq, Israel, Lebanon and other Middle East trouble spots.
Sacrificing own lives
If Scotland Yard is correct, Britain, the United States and their allies will need to adjust their anti-terror campaigns to take into account this new wrinkle in the terror threat. The United States already has experienced the devastating effects of attackers so committed to their cause that they sacrifice their own lives. The 9/11 attacks were authored by 19 suicide attackers who commandeered airplanes to destroy the World Trade Center and other targets, including the Pentagon. But those well-coordinated attacks required the kind of planning, training and resources that are the signature of al Qaeda's network.
http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/opinion/12127301.htm
The New Zealand Herald
Tsunami quake caused 1000km seafloor rupture
14.07.05 12.20pm
LONDON - The earthquake that triggered December's devastating Indian Ocean tsunami caused a 1000km rupture in the sea floor say scientists.
Using data from 60 Global Positioning System monitoring sites in southeast Asia, scientists at ENS/CNRS research institute in Paris calculated the unprecedented scale of the quake.
"We show that the rupture plane for this earthquake must have been at least 1000 kilometres long," said Christophe Vigny who headed the research team.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335790
British police in new terror raid, no arrests
14.07.05 9.40am
LONDON - Police hunting those behind last week's London bomb blasts today raided a residential address in the town of Aylesbury, about 64km northwest of the British capital.
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police Service, which is coordinating the hunt, denied a report by Sky News television that they had made a fresh arrest during in the raid.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335761
Bath full of explosives found at 'operational base'
A policeman walks past a bomb disposal robot outside a house in Leeds yesterday. Picture / Reuters
14.07.05
By Terry Kirby and Jason Bennetto
A bath filled with explosives was found at a house in Leeds that was the "operational base" for the London suicide bombers. The discovery of a such a large amount of high explosives has shocked detectives and has raised fears of further attacks.
The substantial quantity of high-grade explosives has reinforced suspicions the men were linked to a wider network, capable of obtaining such material, and anti-terrorist officers and the security services were seeking to establish the source - possibly of military origin.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335785
Profile of the London bombers: A fatal association
The South Leeds Fisheries fish and chip shop which is run by the father of Shehzad Tanweer. Picture / Reuters
14.07.05 1.00pm
Today, as London prepares to stage a two-minute silence in memory of the victims, the story of how the group of friends from Leeds abandoned their lives of anonymity to become Britain's most notorious terrorists is coming to light.
Four young British men of Pakistani origin travelled from Yorkshire to London and calmly carried out the first suicide attacks in Britain. In rucksacks they carried a deadly cargo - explosives which brought terror to London and claimed more than 50 lives.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335798
'Pakistan helped prevent attack on Britain before election'
14.07.05 1.00pm
By Justin Huggler
LAHORE - Pakistan helped to prevent a planned militant attack in Britain before May's general elections, the country's interior minister said yesterday.
Aftab Khan Sherpao made the claim at a press conference as he defended Pakistan's record on combating groups linked to al Qaeda.
Shahzad Tanweer, one of the suspected suicide bombers who struck in London, had visited Pakistan for two months last year.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335778
New body scanner could detect suicide bombers
14.07.05 1.00pm
By Michael Harrison
LONDON - A revolutionary new body scanner which could enable police and security forces to detect suicide bombers entering rail and subway stations has been developed by a British company.
The equipment, known as the millimetre wave camera, is already in production for a number of overseas security agencies and could be deployed in the UK if the threat to the travelling public increases.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335755
Migrants have a paler look
14.07.05
By Ruth Berry
The proportion of British immigrants coming to New Zealand continues to rise, and they now account for almost a third of new residents.
Of all approvals for permanent residence in the last financial year, 30.8 per cent - 15,045 people - came from Britain.
That is up from 20.9 per cent of all immigrants the previous year, when 8165 people were granted residency from Britain.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335735
THE LONDON INVESTIGATION IS MOVING RIGHT ALONG. I AM IMPRESSED.
At home in New Zealand, and loving it
14.07.05
By Errol Kiong
A British family who won a new life for themselves in Hawkes Bay say they are better off here than in England.
The Pearse family arrived in January last year after beating 2700 families in the Napier City Council's Win a Life competition.
For six months, Simon and Chrissie Pearse and their sons, Zac, 11, and Wes, 8, had a home and car supplied as they tried life in the southern hemisphere.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335734
Children blown up while getting sweets
A woman grieves at the funeral for one of the 27 victims of a suicide car bomb attack in Baghdad. Picture / Reuters
14.07.05 7.45am
By Patrick Cockburn
BAGHDAD - A suicide car bomber killed 27 and wounded 67 people, mostly children, when he blew himself up beside a US patrol in east Baghdad. The children were crowding around an American vehicle to receive lollies from soldiers when they were caught by the blast.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335747
ICC says tour can only be pulled if made illegal
14.07.05 10.20am
The New Zealand Government would have to make the Black Caps tour of Zimbabwe illegal for New Zealand Cricket to be freed from penalties.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today clarified its position on the tour after a statement it released yesterday raised the possibility of an alternative way of stopping the tour.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335767
Government will not make Zimbabwe tour illegal
Former Zimbabwe cricketer Henry Olonga, right, met Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff at Parliament today. Picture / Fotopress
14.07.05 1.00pm
The Government has said it will not legislate to make the Black Caps cricket tour of Zimbabwe illegal.
This morning, the International Cricket Council said New Zealand Cricket would face large financial penalties unless the Government acted to outlaw the tour.
However, the Government - which yesterday indicated it would issue a directive if that was enough to have the tour cancelled - has decided against making the tour illegal and it will go ahead.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335801
Auckland acts alone on timber ban
14.07.05
By Anne Gibson
Doubts have been raised over the long-term reliability of kiln-dried framing timber treated with a surface spray and known as T1.2.
The manufacturer says the timber is perfectly acceptable and calls Auckland City Council's move to reject consents specifying the framing as overkill.
According to National MP Nick Smith, as many as 10,000 homes have been framed with T1.2 wood.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=10335694
Muslims fear further acts of revenge as backlash
14.07.05
By Robert Verkaik
Muslim leaders are bracing themselves for more acts of "revenge" after revelations that the London bombings were suicide attacks carried out by British citizens.
Mosques were targeted in racist incidents over the weekend, including two fire-bombings of Islamic buildings in Leeds and Bradford.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335699
US report cites 'degrading' Guantanamo treatment
14.07.05 11.20am
WASHINGTON - US Guantanamo Bay interrogators degraded and abused a key prisoner but did not torture him when they told him he was gay, forced him to dance with another man and made him wear a bra and perform dog tricks, military investigators said on Wednesday.
The general who heads US Southern Command, responsible for the jail for foreign terrorism suspects at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, also said he declined to heed his investigators' recommendation to punish a former commander of the prison camp.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335768
Israel declares Gaza closed military zone
14.07.05 1.00pm
By Donald Macintyre
GAZA CITY - The Israeli government has declared Gaza a closed military zone partly to prevent pro-settler extremists from entering the main Jewish settlement block before the planned removal of 8500 Jewish settlers next month.
The move, which infuriated settlers' leaders, came as the Army also sealed Gaza and the West Bank to prevent Palestinians entering and leaving in response to the Islamic Jihad suicide bomb attack which killed four people in Netanya on Tuesday night. A Palestinian policeman was killed as Israeli troops moved into Tulkarem and made at least five arrests.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=2&ObjectID=10335751
Zoos
Zoos to host parks and wildlife meetings across Texas
AUSTIN Some zoos will be gathering spots for Texans to offer input on a proposed wildlife conservation plan.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department's new plan is tied to (M) millions of federal dollars to conserve wildlife and habitat in the state.
The department must submit a final plan to the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service by October first in order to continue to receive funds from the State Wildlife Grants program.
http://www.kltv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3590782
New Childrens Zoo to be place of learning, discovery
By Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND — A young boy in a green shirt wraps his fingers around the chain-link fence surrounding the entrance of the Oakland Zoos new Valley Childrens Zoo and presses his mouth into one of the holes.
I want to come in! he squeals to marketing assistant Michele Strider, who is sitting on the back of a gigantic concrete snake. She assures him he will be let into the Childrens Zoo soon — on Saturday, to be exact.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/trivalleyherald/localnews/ci_2853589
New tapir on display at John Ball Zoo
Courtesy: John Ball Zoo
(Grand Rapids, July 13, 2005, 7:27 p.m.) There is a new animal at the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids.
The zoo is introducing its new endangered, 400-pound Tapir named Sledge.
Tapirs have a short flexible trunk, almost like a hand in the middle of their face, to pull food into their mouths.
They are agile climbers and swimmers.
Sledge is not on exhibit full-time, but lucky guests might get a sneak peek at certain times in the South American exhibit.
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3591835&nav=0Rcec74U
Suzanne Vega, Marc Cohn Perform At Oregon Zoo
Portland, Oregon - Suzanne Vega and Marc Cohn will bring their highly literate and personally poignant music to the Oregon Zoo on Friday, July 22 as part of the Wells Fargo
http://www.medfordnews.com/articles/index.cfm?artOID=305860&cp=10997
Valley Children's Zoo offers new place for kids to go wild
Opening of Oakland facility to mark end of two-year project
By Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND — A young boy in a green shirt wraps his fingers around the chain-link fence surrounding the entrance of the Oakland Zoo's new Valley Children's Zoo and presses his mouth into one of the holes.
"I want to come in!" he squeals to marketing assistant Michele Strider, who is sitting on the back of a gigantic concrete snake. She assures him he will be let into the Children's Zoo soon — Saturday to be exact.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/dailyreview/localnews/ci_2855287
World's oldest captive panda dies at China zoo
13 Jul 2005 05:30:34 GMT
Source: Reuters
BEIJING, July 13 (Reuters) - Chinese animal lovers lined up at a southwestern zoo on Wednesday to pay their last respects to the world's oldest panda raised in captivity who has died at the grand old age of 36.
Visitors placed flowers next to Mei Mei at the zoo in the picturesque city of Guilin where she had lived for 20 years, Xinhua news agency said a day after announcing the birth of two pairs of rare panda twin cubs this month.
"The normal life span of the giant panda is 25 years, so Mei Mei was the equivalent of over 100 in human years," Xinhua said.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PEK267793.htm
Second day of play is a zoo at Swope
By DAMON SMITH The Kansas City Star
While waiting to see whether she would survive the second-day cut Tuesday at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links, Rachel Meikle figured she’d take advantage of her surroundings.
To clear her head, Meikle and her family checked out what the Kansas City Zoo had to offer.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/golf/12118247.htm
Audit clears zoo of negligence
file:home1
July 11, 2005
BY TARA BURGHART Associated Press
An outside audit of the Lincoln Park Zoo recommended several changes, but found no gross negligence on the part of the zoo staff in the deaths of a dozen animals since October.
The zoo released a 15-page report Monday by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, which accredits U.S. zoos. The zoo requested the audit because of the deaths that started with the death of the elephant Tatima in October, followed by the deaths of a camel, cow, marmoset, lion cub, two gorillas, three langur monkeys and the zoo's two remaining African elephants.
http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/zoo11.html
New exhibit at zoo lets visitors get up close to cougars
7/11/05
How would you like to go nose to nose with a cougar? The experience awaits you at the Seneca Park Zoo now that a new cougar exhibit is open. The exhibit, which houses two cougars from a zoo in Utah, includes a viewing tunnel where visitors can stand in a protected dome to watch the cougars up close. “So I encourage everyone to visit the zoo we're so proud of it. From our seven week old tigers to the visiting black bears to now the cougar exhibit, there's so much to see and now there's even more,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks.
The cougar exhibit cost a quarter of a million dollars. The money was leftover from the animal hospital and education complex that was finished last year.
http://www.10nbc.com/news.asp?template=item&story_id=15498
Panda-monium at National Zoo
July 11, 2005 - 8:56AM
CYBERSPACE (AP) - There's been pandemonium at the National Zoo -- because of what its giant pandas have been up to. For the first time in 16 years, the zoo is welcoming a cub.
The cub was born over the weekend and zoo officials are hoping it will do better than the five previous ones born since 1983. All died within days. The public can't see the pandas in person yet. But you can check them out online.
The zoo has a web cam trained on the mother and cub in their enclosure.
http://wwmt.com/engine.pl?station=wwmt&id=17798&template=breakout_surfing.html
PANDA CAM AT THIS SITE
July 13: Cub Continues to Thrive
At five days of age, our panda cub continues to thrive and Mei is being a very attentive mother. She is licking the cub, holding it in the perfect position for nursing—close to her chest, and instantly responding to the cub’s loud squeals demanding attention.
While staff and volunteer watchers easily hear the cub’s squeals, seeing the tiny pink cub is another matter—they only get a glimpse when Mei changes position. On the day of its birth, the cub was squealing a lot—every time Mei moved. Now, it is squealing only very infrequently.
Mei is devoting all of her time to taking care of her cub and resting or sleeping. She has not moved out of her den or taken the time to eat or drink, and may not for up to a few weeks. This is perfectly normal behavior for a new giant panda mother.
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/GiantPandas/
A new place for kids to go wild
Oakland Zoo to open its children's park Saturday
Event will mark end of two-year project, finish of zoo renovations
By Laura Casey, STAFF WRITER
OAKLAND — A young boy in a green shirt wraps his fingers around the chain-link fence surrounding the entrance of the Oakland Zoo's new Valley Children's Zoo and presses his mouth into one of the holes.
"I want to come in!" he squeals to marketing assistant Michele Strider, who is sitting on the back of a gigantic concrete snake. She assures him he will be let into the Children's Zoo soon — Saturday to be exact.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/localnews/ci_2851225
continued . . .
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