Is it a township or a zoo?

...But is this form of tourism really helping the underprivileged people we're going to gawk at, or is it just like a trip to the zoo?...

...For the tourists, it assuages a bit of middle-class guilt, as we feel that we're "helping" in some form by pouring some money into the local economy, and leaves us with a conviction that, now that we've seen how the other side lives, we're going to change the world for the better ... just as soon as we get home and save up a bit more money....

...I guess this dilemma crosses over into the whole "voluntourism" business as well, where people spend part of their holiday, say, building houses for locals or helping out in schools. It's great that there seems to be this growing need amongst people to really help and to make a difference when they're travelling, rather than to just go along for the ride - but I still have the suspicion that we do it as much for the glow of self-satisfaction as for actually helping people.
But therein lies the dilemma. Is it better to do that than nothing at all?
Are tours of shanty towns really helping locals? Or is it like visiting a zoo? Have you done one? What was it like?...

I frequently ask myself why "Hank" Paulson would come out of his 'wealth closet' at Goldman/Sachs to be at US Treasury.

Today it would seem the plans he and Wolfowitz and Bush were making regarding the IMF and World Bank are falling apart. See, Wolfowitz broke the rules because he could and not that he should. When people are wealthy, they like more of it. When they hold power to continue to be wealthy they feel they can do what they want in the face of any propriety.

Shall we?

Paulson wants IMF to step up monitoring of exchange rates (click here)

By Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - The International Monetary Fund needs to step up monitoring of currency exchange rates, the Bush administration said Saturday, a demand reflecting U.S. frustration with China's slow pace of financial reform.While seeking new ways to pressure Beijing, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson also advocated "bold action" to overhaul the IMF. The organization founded 62 years ago to foster economic stability "no longer looks like the economic world in which we live," he said.Paulson conveyed the U.S. positions in remarks at the spring meetings of the IMF and World Bank, which were overshadowed by controversy surrounding the bank's president, Paul Wolfowitz and his involvement in a huge pay raise awarded to a close female friend.Bank employees planned a demonstration later Saturday calling for his resignation. Wolfowitz is a former deputy defense secretary and one of the architects of the administration's Iraq war strategy.The board of the 185-nation bank, whose mission is to fight poverty and improve living standards for the poor, is looking into the matter. The White House says President Bush has confidence in Wolfowitz and Paulson has called him a dedicated public servant.Some African officials attending the meetings also expressed support, saying Wolfowitz has made the continent a greater priority at the bank."We have seen visionary leadership, steadfast progress under Mr. Wolfowitz," said Liberia's finance minister, Antoinette Sayeh....

If one will recall, in recent history, the Republicans have little regard for ethics. Abramoff. Libby. DeLay. Why do you suppose? Now in complete disregard except for creature comforts and greed, the same reigns true with Wolfowitz at of all places, The World Bank. As far as I am concerned The World Bank is lucky they caught him disrupting rules and by-laws early on and in such a 'seemingly' benign way. If I were a member of the committee to dismiss Mr. Wolfowitz I would be calling for a full investigation and audit of all his influences with the bank as I believe this is just the tip of the iceberg. It would seem where there are Republicans there is corruption and to date no one can dispute that reality. It would seem "Hank" Paulson has no regard for ethics rules either. Hm. Curious.

Wolfowitz Is Rebuked by World Bank Panel as Paulson Backs Him (click here)
By William McQuillen and Christopher Swann
May 15 (Bloomberg) -- A World Bank panel rebuked President Paul Wolfowitz for arranging a pay raise for his companion and suggested the agency's directors consider firing him.
In response, U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson argued that his mistakes aren't grounds for dismissal. Paulson, who lobbied fellow finance ministers on Wolfowitz's behalf, said the circumstances were ``unique'' and blamed the furor partly on a communications breakdown.
The panel's report, released yesterday in Washington, found that Wolfowitz violated the terms of his contract and urged the board to decide whether Wolfowitz ``will be able to provide the leadership needed to ensure that the bank continues to operate to the fullest extent possible in achieving its mandate.''

My, my, it would seem good, ole' "Hank" did his old firm a turn for the good.

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) (click here)

Contact Information

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.

85 Broad St.New York, NY 10004

NY --> -->Tel. 212-902-1000Fax 212-902-3000
Type: Public

On the web: http://www.goldmansachs.com

Employees: 31,005

Employee growth: 41.4%
Goldman Sachs has traditionally possessed the Midas touch in the investment banking world. A global leader in mergers and acquisitions advice and securities underwriting, Goldman offers a gamut of investment banking and asset management services to corporate and government clients, as well as institutional and individual investors. It owns Spear, Leeds & Kellogg Specialists, one of the largest market makers on the NYSE, and is also a leading market maker for fixed income products, currencies, and commodities. Among its other business units are Goldman Sachs Execution & Clearing and private equity firm GS Capital Partners.
Key numbers for fiscal year ending November, 2006:

Sale: $69,353.0M

One year growth: 59.8%

Net income: $9,537.0M

Income growth: 69.5%

Not bad, "Hank," not bad at all. I want an investigation ! I am sure they just can't help themselves.

The Antarctica Ice Chime

Hundreds of Birds Falling from the Skies Above Florida

One of hundreds of birds that have fallen out of the sky after being disoriented by the smoke from Florida wildfires. (ABC News)

By PATRICIA MARTELL

May 13, 2007
As if the massive wildfires raging across Florida weren't enough for residents to worry about, many are now looking to the skies, and facing another problem.
The clouds of smoke produced by the fire are causing hundreds of birds in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to drop out of the sky or crash into the windows of buildings. Wildlife officials say hundreds of yellow warblers have died.
"The smoke disorients the birds and impairs their vision," said Stefan Harsch of the Wildlife Care Center in Ft. Lauderdale. Harsch says he has been treating more birds than people.
"The birds are coming in with concussions," he said. "We treat them with painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs like an ibuprofen."
"This is out of control," said Wendy Fox, executive director of Miami's Pelican Harbor Seabird Station. "There are hundreds of them."
The Wildlife Care Center says that many of the injured birds will recover from their injuries if they are treated. They recommend that people bring injured warblers to their local vet or pick up injured birds and put them in a safe place like a box with breathing holes.
"They're vulnerable if they stay outside," said Harsch. "Sometimes being in a safe place is enough."

Winds expected to fan Ga.-Fla. fires

May 11, 2007

Orlando, Florida

Photographer states :: Smoke From the Wildfires in Floirda

LAKE CITY — Hope in the form of rain turned into fear that stronger winds were on the way early today as firefighters faced another hard day battling a massive wildfire along the Georgia-Florida line.The wildfire that raced through the Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia and into Florida was started by lightning more than a week ago. By early today, it had burned 102,500 acres in Florida and was 30 percent contained.Winds in the area of the Florida fires were expected to be 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph today. That was up from winds of 6-8 mph, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Nina Barrow. Scattered rain showers hit the area of the fire on Sunday, but the extent of the rain's effect was not clear....

12 hour loop

May 14, 2007
1730z
Water Vapor GOES East by UNISYS

That water vapor 'trail' over Louisiana, the Gulf, Florida and out to the Atlantic just doesn't leave, does it? Noted increased water vapor west of the Great Lakes just north of the Canadian/American border. Not easily noted in this view, a Pacific vortex at a favorite location south of Alaska. Interesting intensity of water vapor south of Cuba as well.

Recent article from NASA - January 3, 2007

Townshend had just returned from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, where remote-sensing ecologist Compton Tucker had developed a new scale, or index, of global vegetation based on satellite data. Made from data collected by the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer sensors flying on a series of NOAA meteorological satellites, the index could show how much photosynthesis was happening in every 8-by-8-kilometer patch of ground. Displayed as a map, the index revealed the productivity of the grazing land over a broad area over successive 15-day periods. Townshend showed Prince a print-out of the vegetation index of Africa. “It blew me away that we could see a complete continent at frequent time intervals,” Prince says. “It was a career-changing moment.” Realizing the vegetation index’s potential, Prince moved to Goddard Space Flight Center to join Tucker and others in studying the world’s vegetation from space. Today, he is a Professor in the Geography Department at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Compares nearly exactly with the humidity noted below. Africa does something right. They are people that love their land, their traditions within the land. Incredible people. Got to have humidity to have rain. Got to have humidity to cool Earth. Can't do it without it.

May 14, 2007
1523 gmt
Africa - Europe Satellite

Lots of humidity over Africa. Hm. Wondering. Drought conditions exist, but, I don't recall anyone reporting the jungles drying up. Hm. We might see the start of a hurricane or two off West Africa this season, but, the humidity is a little more south than 'normal.'

There is significant discussion on the net about Brazil's Amazon and drought-like conditions, the relationship between the Amazon and African Dust Storms, which also spawn algal blooms.

African Dust Winds Bring 56% of Brazil Amazon Jungle's Minerals (click here)

But, little discussion about Africa's jungles and their viable health. Odd.

May 14, 2007
1527 gmt
Western Hemisphere

Very 'weird' air pattern over southern South America - Chile - Argentina and into near coastal Southern Antarctica.
Some activity in Western Africa with June 1st approaching for the 'official' Atlantic Hurricane season starting.
Central North America is experiencing more storms as noted yesterday. Some are severe.
Last week's turbulent weather is now over the North Atlantic and not doubt moving to the Arctic Circle.
The equatorial air is everywhere. It has no clear 'zero' degree latitude in this hemisphere. There isn't enough humidity to support the equatorial air mass without it wandering hither and nill.

May 14, 2007
1707 gmt
Western Pacific Satellite.

Lots and lots of heat. It's distributing into both north and south hemispheres. My estimation at this point is that 'significant amounts of humidity' is here and that is the PRIMARY area of Earth that can supply water vapor to the heat transfer systems. I sincerely believe this phenomena, which is new this year, will sustain through at least autumn and quite possibly winter. Noted in the center of the satellite picture, a vortex with circular formation. Hm. There was a typhoon recently just west of that location : Typhoon KONG_REY (click here) Possibly some remaining heat and turbulence that is reorganizing/dissipating. It won't be heading to Antarctica at any rate.

May 14, 2007
1534 gmt
Pacific Global Satellite

There it is the WAIS vortex as 6 o'clock in this satellite. The vortices are coming off the equator. This one is from the Western Pacific Islands again. It seems no matter how much the sunlight proceeds north this is a chronic event now in the Southern Hemisphere.

May 14, 2007
1307 gmt
Southern hemisphere.

Noted at 5 o'clock a vortex landing in East Antarctica. Should cause some increased temperatures noted by tomorrow or late tonight. There is also another at 9 o'clock approaching WAIS.

Photographer states :: Photo of a 2x4 impaled into the side of a house after an EF-5 tornado struck Greensburg, Kasas.

Some of Mike's pictures are heartbreaking.

Photographer states :: Photo of a sign lying in tornado debris that says "I Love You Mom".

Greensburg, Kansas - The grain elevator is still standing. At least that landmark is a reference point.

May 10, 2007

Photographer states :: Photos of a destroyed home with one small room still standing.

Penguin Cam Today. Lots more snow and darkness along with autumn and winter approaching.

24 hour loop. The warmest time of day is 6PM and 12 PM and 3 PM are missing.

Monday, May 14, 2007
9:00 AM
Antarctica

The overall continent is below zero but the peninsula is a lot warmer. It started that marginal movement last week with all those vortices landing over WAIS.


The warmest place is on the Peninsula:


Palmer Station, Antarctica (8AM CLT)
Elevation :: 26 ft / 8 m
Temperature :: 37 °F / 3 °C
Conditons :: Light Rain
Humidity :: 73%
Dew Point :: 31 °F / 0 °C
Wind :: 4 mph / 7 km/h / from the SE

Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: 29.21 in / 989 hPa (Rising)
Visibility :: 10.0 miles / 16.0 kilometers

Aviation
Flight Rule :: VFR ()
Wind Speed :: 4 mph / 7 km/h /
Wind Dir :: 130° (SE)
Ceiling :: 100000 ft / 100000 m

The coldest place in Antarctica (No Surprise here - the above 10,000 feet elevation - Top of the Blue Ice, youuuuu guessed it....)



Vostok, Antarctica (6PM Vost)
Elevation :: 11220 ft / 3420 m
Temperature :: -84 °F / -64 °C
Humidity :: 64%
Dew Point :: -87 °F / -66 °C
Wind :: 9 mph / 15 km/h / from the SSW
Conditions not stated
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: in / hPa (Rising)
Visibility :: 12.0 miles / 20.0 kilometers

Aviation
Flight Rule :: VFR ()
Wind Speed :: 9 mph / 15 km/h /
Wind Dir :: 200° (SSW)
Ceiling :: 100000 ft / 100000 m

Current Scott Base Webcam Picture

Well done, Scott Base.

The weather at Scott Base, Ross Island, Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is freezing :

May 12, 2007

Girdwood, Alaska

Photographer states :: Here is the view of turnagain arm from the top of Mount Aleyeska. In the distance you can see the Chugach mountains, Kenai Penninsula, and the sun shining on the sea.