Faith groups weigh in on health care - The President is dedicated to bring quallity care to all Americans.

As I continue to read through the tentative House Bill regarding health care reform, I really don't find any untoward provisions, protections or guarantees. There is no intrusive government. The bill is well thought out, including vital aspects of goverance that will make it a success.

According to the House Bill on page 56, lines starting with 7 through 17, there is a clear procedure for an insurance company to drop coverage on anyone. There are no laws currently that provide for such protections.

‘‘SEC. 2746. OPPORTUNITY FOR INDEPENDENT, EXTERNAL
THIRD PARTY REVIEW IN CASES OF RESCISSION.
‘‘(a) NOTICE AND REVIEW RIGHT.—If a health insurance issuer determines to rescind health insurance coverage for an individual in the individual market, before such rescission may take effect the issuer shall provide the individual with notice of such proposed rescission and an opportunity for a review of such determination by an independent, external third party under procedures specified by the Secretary under section 2742(f).

It is good law. It protects citizens of the USA against unfair business practices.

The bill goes to great detail to define all the words used to implement the law. Many of the pages aren't about law at all so much as clearly defining the meaning of words so they cannot be misconstrued later when the law is implemented. To say this legislation is detailed is an understatement. But, where it does discuss the law and changes to implementing health care reform, it is all beneficial to the citizens of the USA. It speaks to an excellant initiative to take away the 'victim' aspect of citizens while returning the role of health insurance companies to provide 'service.'

I like the bill. I am impressed by the dedication of the legislators that took the time to do it right. Maybe a better of putting the 'detail' of this law is that is makes considerable effort to close any loopholes so citizens won't be victimized.

The bill "Grandfather's" in existing coverage and provides for appeal processes.

The mainstay of the bill is on page 72, starting with line 1.

TITLE II—HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE AND RELATED PROVISIONS
Subtitle A—Health Insurance Exchange
SEC. 201. ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGE; OUTLINE OF DUTIES; DEFINITIONS.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established within the Health Choices Administration and under the direction of the Commissioner a Health Insurance Exchange in order to facilitate access of individuals and employers, through a transparent process, to a variety of choices of affordable, quality health insurance coverage, including a public health insurance option.

The Public Option has to exist, but, I believe the reason the President and pundits for the bill state it needs to exist is the least of the reasons for its capacity. The favorite reason stated for the Public Option is to add competition to the market place. It might do that, but, its real value is in its reality to insure the uninsurable.

The bill clearly states their is a fluid relationship between health insurance companies and its members. It is obvious the bill does not want companies removing members from its roles and provides for mitigation and grievance processes to maintain insurance coverage by members. The bill perfers that a health insurance company continue its capacity with new understandings of coverage that would bring fairness to costs, including subscription fees, deductibles and copays.

Where the Public Option has its real value is not in replacing insurance companies or providing competition, but, by providing insurance when no other option is available. The Public Option picks up the slack to the citizens of the USA. Literally. I can imagine a health insurance company denying a claim for services due to expense and while the member might have access to an appeal process to reinstate their coverage and receive services from the insurance company; time marches on and illness waits for no one.

That is the ultimate purpose of any health insurance bill, to be sure coverage is available when a person needs it. That is primarily the complaint of so many when it comes to reform. For those that can get covereage, the 'presence' of insurance at the time of need is somewhat tenative all the time. There is little reassurance to any health insurance subscriber that their needs will be covered. With every admission to an emergency room or hospital room for a scheduled procedure, members have to wait in anticipation of receiving coverage and then left with horrible realities when an insurance company decides adversely.

The Public Option is more than simply another 'player' in the market place, it is actual insurance for all needs of any citizen of the USA. It provides coverage when others don't want to. It provides a place for people to turn when their needs are rejected by conventional, private coverage. It has a place beyond adding competition. In my opinion, the competition it supplies to the market place is the least of its value. Its paramount value is that it will cover citizens when no other entity will. And that is why a Public Option is required in any legislation for health care.

If the private sector is to remain autonomous while adhering to the laws of this bill, then a Public Option has to exist when the private sector fails to commit to the needs of its members. That is the primary purpose for The Public Option. It's there. It will provide. Citizens are safe and are no longer at the mercy of profiteers that seek profits over services.

The bill is thoughtful enough to conduct studies regarding the cost of health insurance and employers and individuals. The bill does not simply set rules regarding employer related health care without seeking to understand the viability of the business or individual related to the costs of that health care. On page 83, lines 1 through 11 the bill asks the question, "How is everyone doing?"

IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner shall conduct a study of access to the Health Insurance Exchange for individuals and for employers, including individuals and employers who are not eligible and enrolled in Exchange-participating health benefits plans. The goal of the study is to determine if there are significant groups and types of individuals and employers who are not Exchange eligible individuals or employers, but who would have improved benefits and affordability if made eligible for coverage in the Exchange.

There is nothing wrong and everything right with performing 'follow up' to legislation as vital as national health insurance reform. The bill provides for review of the options for individuals and employers in relation to opening up options for them as needs require. The bill makes no assumptions of complete knowledge of the need of Americans and their employers. What it does do is provide for transparency to allow changes in the law to include or exclude participants as presented over time. There is a lot correct in that focus.

The bill also goes through great trouble to delineate 'Smallest Employers' from 'Small Employers' to 'Large Employers.' While there isn't exact explanations at this point to their difference in definition, it looks as though the delineation is important and probably allows for certain participation with costs scaled to the viability of the business itself. I really believe there is a lot here for small business owners.

Page 83, lines 12 through 21.

ITEMS INCLUDED IN STUDY.—Such study also shall examine—
the terms, conditions, and affordability of group health coverage offered by employers and QHBP offering entities outside of the Exchange compared to Exchange-participating health benefits plans; and the affordability-test standard for access of certain employed individuals to coverage in the Health Insurance Exchange.

The complaining by citizens and small business owners just doesn't match what the bill states. Page 86 provides for explanations of 'tiered' plans and needs. What more do people want?

(A) IN GENERAL.—A basic plan shall offer the essential benefits package required under title I for a qualified health benefits plan.
B) TIERED COST-SHARING FOR AFFORDABLE CREDIT ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS.—In the case of an affordable credit eligible individual (as defined in section 242(a)(1)) enrolled in an Exchange-participating health benefits plan, the benefits under a basic plan are modified to provide for the reduced cost-sharing for the income tier applicable to the individual under section 244(c).
ENHANCED PLAN.—A enhanced plan shall offer, in addition to the level of benefits under the basic plan, a lower level of cost-sharing as provided under title I consistent with section 123(b)(5)(A).
PREMIUM PLAN.—A premium plan shall offer, in addition to the level of benefits under the basic plan, a lower level of cost-sharing as provided under title I consistent with section 123(b)(5)(B).
PREMIUM-PLUS PLAN.—A premium-plus plan is a premium plan that also provides additional benefits, such as adult oral health and vision care, approved by the Commissioner. The portion of the premium that is attributable to such additional benefits shall be separately specified.

Not everyone will have a premium plan available to them if they need cost sharing. Why does that sound fair and equitable?

Page 91, line 4 through 7

CULTURALLY AND LINGUISTICALLY APPROPRIATE SERVICES AND COMMUNICATIONS.—The entity shall provide for culturally and linguistically appropriate communication and health services.

I am still waiting to find the terrible parts.

Page 95, lines 8 through 18, stands in definance of anyone stating handicapped persons/children would be victimized by the bill. Why does the bill go through so much trouble in finding people who may qualify under the provisions of the bill if it were going to eliminate such 'needy' people from insurance services? The entire 'idea' that the USA would harm any handicapped or challenged person or child is simply outrageous.

OUTREACH.—The Commissioner shall conduct outreach activities consistent with subsection (c), including through use of appropriate entities as described in paragraph (4) of such subsection, to inform and educate individuals and employers about the Health Insurance Exchange and Exchange-participating health benefits plan options. Such outreach shall include outreach specific to vulnerable populations, such as children, individuals with disabilities, individuals with mental illness, and individuals with other cognitive impairments.

Why go through the trouble of outreach at all if the bill were seeking to victimize them and harm them? The entire allogation that the people of the USA would do harm to any of its citizens is completely abhorrent to our values as a nation.

Page 96, lines 4 through 9

IN GENERAL.—The Commissioner shall establish a process consistent with this title for enrollments in Exchange-participating health benefits plans. Such process shall provide for enrollment through means such as the mail, by telephone, electronically, and in person.

I'll end with page 99 today and begin with page 100 tomorrow with expectations of completing upto page 199. Those that seek political power due to health insurance reform are barking up the wrong tree. There is nothing here to fear to to shy away from. This bill is written by decent people with good intentions with detail I didn't expect.

It seems to me the attacks in Baghdad are to keep the American occupation away from the Kurdish areas. The attacks are the fault of the occupation.

Smoke rises near the Iraqi Foreign Ministry after a massive bomb attack in Baghdad, Iraq, on Wednesday. (Khalid Mohammed/Associated Press)

There have been many attacks in Iraq since January 1, 2009 when the new security pact took effecf. There is a Canadian article that cites them all with link at title to entry. One group or another had a reason. They didn't miss one month. This bombing is more of the same.

"We close at 5pm." - Judge faces censur or termination of office.

Sharon Keller was too busy to receive final papers from the attorneys for Michael Wayne Richard. She was attending to a repariman at her home and refused to read 'final stay' papers on a death row inmate soon to be executed. She replied at one point, "We close at 5PM." The execution occurred at 8:30 PM by lethal injection.

Beaumont tornado causes fear and panic, no fatalities

Dave Ryan Beaumont Enterprise
Employees of the Beaumont Wal-mart store hug one another as they view the damaged overturned cars that were sitting in the parking lot after a tornado touched down.

By MIKE D SMITH Beaumont Enterprise
Aug. 18, 2009, 11:17PM

...Ten people were treated at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital for cuts and abrasions caused by storm debris, a spokeswoman said. .
Tim Ocnashek, emergency man­agement coordinator for Beaumont, praised residents and first responders for their quick thinking and actions.
“We were real fortunate that so few people were hurt,” Ocnashek said. “It seems like everyone worked together real well and everybody — even the public — complied.”...

Claudette wasn't a minor storm. (click title to entry - thank you)

August 18, 2009
Birmingham, Alabama
No comment by photographer

Claudette loses steam
By Leesha Faulkner
Selma Times-Journal
Published Monday, August 17, 2009
The first named tropical storm of the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season hit land in Florida, then fizzled.
Tropical Storm Claudette formed as a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida and Alabama with seemingly no warning late Saturday.
She gained enough strength by Sunday to become a tropical storm and rumbled toward land.
The National Weather Service in Birmingham issued several watches, including a tropical storm high wind watch for Dallas and other counties as Claudette slowly moved toward landfall.
“We thought she would move more in our direction,” said Rhonda Abbott, interim director of the Dallas County Emergency Management Agency. “But she shifted more toward the west and Mississippi....

Tornado Touches Down In South Park (click title to entry - thank you)

August 18, 2009

Denver, Colorado

Photographer states :: Was happy to get a shot of the daytime lightning - the hail started almost immediately after this,should have paid more attention to the green in the sky

DENVER -- A tornado touched down in South Park, Colo., Tuesday afternoon as a band of thunderstorms quickly moved across the state.
The tornado touched down at 1:20 p.m., near 11 Mile State Park. South Park is at 9,500 feet and it is rare to have a tornado hit at such a high elevation. However, it's just a testament to how strange this summer has been. No injuries were reported.
There was only minor damage at the state park, park rangers said....

Tracking a few degrees to the northwest, "Bill" is now a Cat 4 with central pressures of 948 and falling.

There are still significant remnants of "Ana" and "Claudette" to cause rains in the region.

Ana remnants may regain strength in Gulf of Mexico (click here)
Wed Aug 19, 2009 8:28am EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - As the remnants of Ana drift into the warm waters of the eastern Gulf of Mexico later Wednesday, there is a small chance it could regenerate into a tropical depression as it moves northwest toward the eastern Gulf Coast, weather forecasters predicted.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the system, which was producing showers over the northwestern Bahamas, South Florida and the northwestern Caribbean Sea, had a low chance - less than 30 percent - of becoming a tropical cyclone again during the next 48 hours....

August 19, 2009
1349 gmt
Gulf of Mexico Satellite

The 'eye' is a considerable distance from land, but, the outer bands aren't. The diameter of this storm places heavy rains over the islands. The storm is moving very quickly.


For 12 hour loop click title to entry - thank you.

The Justice Department has a victory.

One has to wonder if the Madoff empire has monies there. According to estimates reported in the International Herald Tribune (click here) the accounts hold upwards of $18 billion.
.
...Switzerland's largest bank (click title to entry - thank you), UBS AG, is set to give the U.S. government information on 4,450 accounts suspected of hiding money from the IRS. In June, the U.S. and Swiss governments came to an information-sharing agreement after a six month battle over how much the bank would divulge. The Swiss government says it will fulfill a request for the information within a year....

Saving our nation's health care from greed and demise.

The Republicans won't be joining us, with the exception of one or two in the Senate, in 'cleaning up' the health care industry in the USA. I think there are recommendations from one Republican Senator that have studied the subject and set a goal for reform before President Obama was even a candidate. That would be Senator Baucus. Unless the winds have shifted with him since this article in USA Today.

...Senator Baucus (click here): "Well, we are going to cut spending and that's the basic way we're able to come up with a way not to add to the national debt. People think it adds to the debt. But the dollars spent on health care will not add one thin dime to our national debt."...

...Senator Baucus: "Nothing is certain. But I think that this is a lot different than when President Clinton attempted health care reform. This time around costs are so high and second the major groups are on board."...

The President tried to reach out in bi-partisanship, but, for that effort there are Republicans such as Grassley that rather try to make a fool of Presient Obama for his trust placed with Senator Grassley. It is why I stated, Senator Grassley is incompetent. I defy any member of the Senate or Congress to come forward 'in good faith' to be an advocate and participant in bipartisanship only to laugh behind our President's back for acting in good faith in return. That isn't even politics. That is playing with the future of our nation. Grassley is incompetent. He might be a joker too, but, more than that he is a joke.

It's time for Obama to stop handwringing and put on the boxing gloves (click title to entry - thank you)

...It's beyond ironic that those rallying in rage at town hall meetings portray Obama as some malevo.lent tyrant driving a steamroller over them and their concerns. In fact, though, he's cripplingly starry-eyed about bipartisanship, dialogue and compromise when it's quite clear that his opponents see this as a weakness they can exploit....

Kyl is the Senate Minority Whip. It doesn't take any more words from the GOP to know they have every intention of ending a health care debate.

Secretary Sebelius mentioned the 'idea' of Health Care Insurance Co-ops as an alternative to a Government Option that was being proposed by the Senate. Well, she put faith in the "W"rong people. The Senators that were proposing such a 'competitive' option aren't going to anymore. They have withdrawn from any participation and are completely opposed to health care reform in the USA.

They don't care. It is better that the President, his staff, his cabinet and leadership in the House and Senate come to terms with the fact the only interest Republicans have in health care reform is to stall it as long as possible in hopes of defeating it.

I suggest the President ask Commerce and Treasury to convince any Democratic Senators and House members of the soundness of this measure while they linger in doubt today.

I'll tell you something, this House Bill is really 'dry' reading. From page 30 forward it spells out all the particulars in deployment of the bill after it is passed and how the administrative components will manifest. Sadly to some there is no additional salary to the members of any board. Traveling expenses, but, no additional salary to the one they already receive. In other words, the Surgeon General has to add this to his job description.

The bill requires 'plain language' by any insurance entities, it requires fairness in advertising and this is a good one, it demands timely payment of claims. There will definitively be data collection for the purpose of finding further efficiencies:

Page 43, Lines 19 through 24:

DATA COLLECTION.—The Commissioner shall collect data for purposes of carrying out the Commissioner’s duties, including for purposes of promoting quality and value, protecting consumers, and addressing disparities in health and health care and may share such data with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Don't fool yourself to believe your insurance companies aren't already doing this for internal purposes such as finding greater profits. In addition, this is like the CIA and FBI sharing information. I don't know if that is a great analogy, but, at least the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the CDC won't be duplicating work. That is a savings all by itself. And the best part is that the data will be real and truthful, not derived statistically by a study group.

The bill provides for clear and concise language to be used that already exists within the USA health care industry. There is no trickery or anything up anyone's sleeve. The language in all documents between the government and any private entity or citizens themselves will reflect words already defined and used by the industry. The 'additional' definitions of the bill that does not exist in the industry today is due to the 'new' entity of that this bill produces.

The bill leaves open the ability of the Commission to consultation with any other entity, including attorneys general, NAIC (National Association of Insurance Commissioners, regulators, appropriate state agencies, etc. The new Commission will be fluid and blend with existing authority without undermining any other authority that already exists. The new entity for our health care reform will consult with any state or federal agency to apply the new standards without misinterpretation.

There will be the creation by appointment of a Qualified Health Benefits Plan Ombudsman. This basically is a consumer advocate that receives complaints and administrates them. Most every state has at least one, especially when it comes to dealing with issues of the elderly. This is just a different level of government that will do basically the same thing to be sure there is equity in the administration of the policy set forward by the bill. As a rule, Ombudsman are blind to government when it comes to advocacy for citizens. The Ombudsman will receive complaints from individuals and not the industry alone. The Ombudsman will answer directly to Congress in oversight by annual reports. That removes any conflict of interest in administering any health care insurance or care.

The way I see the Ombudsman is as a critical component in the first year or two of the new law until everyone gets used to it. The volume of its work will probably diminish as time goes by and there is better understanding of the law.

The House bill goes on to state this new law will not interfer with any previous government health insurance already existing. There is also a provision that laws regarding state laws and their application to any circumstance when providing a greater benefit. I have to mention here that it is my opinion, the passage of this bill help relieve some state budgets of their current health insurance initiatives. There is a good chance that 'charity care' or whatever other verbiage one wants to call it may very well be something of the past if people currently uninsured now find themselves insurable and a member of a plan. That will assist many states with budget issues they are facing today.

There are provisions that prevent discrimination. That is something never addressed by any entity anywhere in the government, except, at some state agencies that administer their own plans. But, that is a vital part of this bill. It will be the first time Americans cannot be discriminated against for any reason in applying for and using the health care industry in this country. It will literally be a brave new world when this bill is passed. Nice. I think that is very appropriate for the USA. Absolutely. It is a matter of civil rights.

There is also protection for Whistleblowers, too. That is always a good thing. No misbehaving by anyone.

This may be one of the big reasons Republicans simply cannot get their minds around reform:

Page 53, Lines 9 through 14

SEC. 154. CONSTRUCTION REGARDING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.
Nothing in this division shall be construed to alter of supercede any statutory or other obligation to engage in collective bargaining over the terms and conditions of mployment related to health care.

See, if anyone can get Kyl to say 'Collective Bargaining' without fainting. If you do, get it on tape, it will be a once in a lifetime chance.

Page 53, Lines 21 and 22 start talking about 'Ensuring Value and Lower Premiums.' Wow.

Subtitle G—Early Investments
SEC. 161. ENSURING VALUE AND LOWER PREMIUMS.

Ready for this one. Sit down you won't believe this one. Seriously, sit down for this one. Ready? We get money back. This that flyin' amazing or what?

‘‘SEC. 2714. ENSURING VALUE AND LOWER PREMIUMS.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Each health insurance issuer that offers health insurance coverage in the small or large group market shall provide that for any plan year in which the coverage has a medical loss ratio below a level specified by the Secretary, the issuer shall provide in a manner specified by the Secretary for rebates to enrollees of payment sufficient to meet such loss ratio.

Why don't I end there on a good note. I don't care how long it takes to get through this bill. It has its upside in actually reading this and writing about it. I think it is a historically great document. In sincerely do.

Until tomorrow.

Chevy Volt - The Future is Here. I am more happy than measurable. I am even more happy it is Chevy. Nice. Very nice.

230 miles per gallon.

Nice job !!!

It's over.

The struggle for the future is over.

Chevy gave it to us.

We now have sane transportation with no tropospheric insult.

What would have happened to the Volt if we didn't save GMC? Americans have every reason to be proud of their leadership in saving the American Auto Manufacturer. Look, we all knew it wasn't going to be cheap taking the country back from decades of corruption. This is the future of our children. I think it is worth it. Very worth it.

I don't want to hear about the $40,000 sticker price either. The vehicle will pay for itself in one year or less, on fuel savings alone.

Now, if we could just stop those stacks from emitting !

The USA needs to stay out of the civil wars of Iraq. This is not sectarian violence. The Autonomous Kurdish Area will secede from Iraq.

Further war was completely destroy any economy that still exists in the Autonomous Kurdish Region.

A general view of Dukan Resort, where three American hikers were last seen, near Sulaimaniyah, 260 kilometers (160 miles) northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Monday, Aug. 3, 2009. Iranian authorities have given no word on three Americans detained after reportedly wandering across the border with Iraq last week during a hike in the Iraqi Kurdish region. (AP Photo/Hadi Mizban)

There are free elections being conducted in the region. It explains much of the violence there.

Kurdish Candidates in Iraq Campaign in Final Hours before Election (click here)
By Edward Yeranian Cairo
24 July 2009
...A number of independent parties are also competing in the election to determine the composition of Kurdistan's 111-seat parliament, and its next president. Challengers to the two main parties stand to gain seats, but appear unlikely to gain a majority....

The USA has no right to interfer. The USA will only propagate violence. Troops home now!

Iraq May Hold Vote On U.S. Withdrawal (click title to entry - thank you)
As American Focus Turns to North, Troops Could Be Forced to Leave Early
BAGHDAD, Aug. 17 -- U.S. troops could be forced by Iraqi voters to withdraw a year ahead of schedule under a referendum the Iraqi government backed Monday, creating a potential complication for American commanders concerned about rising violence in the country's north....
... The Maliki government's announcement came on the day that the top U.S. general in Iraq proposed a plan to deploy troops to disputed areas in the restive north, a clear indication that the military sees a continuing need for U.S. forces even if Iraqis no longer want them here....


U.S. troops may be sent to Iraq's Arab-Kurdish 'trigger line' (click here)
...Their goal, he said, would be to build trust between Iraqi security forces representing the Baghdad government and Kurdish militia answerable to the Kurdish regional government at a time when an increase in bombings attributed to the militant group Al Qaeda in Iraq has sent tensions between the two administrations soaring....

Pentagon 'very nervous' about Arab-Kurdish feud (click here)
By Adam EntousWASHINGTON, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Tuesday it was "very nervous" about ethnic tensions in Iraq between Arabs and Kurds despite initial talks between their leaders, and a top U.S. commander warned the feud over land and oil could still turn violent.
While the sectarian fighting that nearly ripped Iraq apart has died down, the row between northern Iraq's largely autonomous Kurdistan region and its Shi'ite Arab-led government in Baghdad is seen by Washington as one of the greatest threats to the country's fragile stability....

Iraq's Kurdish Government Negotiating Cabinet Posts; Kurdish Forces Accused of Torture (click here)

...Asayeesh Reported to Torture Prisoners
Chawder newspaper reported that according to a report published by the Ministry of Human Rights for April, May, and June 2009, the Kurdish secret police, Asayeesh, in Bardarash Sub-district used torture against four prisoners. In related news, Rozhnama newspaper reported that one prisoner was beaten by four police officers at the Sulaimanyah Police Station. Also Rudaw newspaper reported that the Youth Empowerment Organization published a report, in which it said that police and Asayeesh are still using torture against prisoners in many forms from assault to rape. The report added that human trafficking is present in Kurdistan Region....

These are local crimes. This has nothing to do with war. The local authorities have to solve their own problems. It would appear as though the Iraqis have many 'rights' organizations policing their government and prisons.

Regional tensions are not new.

Turkey marks 25 years of Kurd rebellion (click here)
By CHRISTOPHER TORCHIA (AP) – 3 days ago
ISTANBUL — Turkey marked 25 years Saturday since the first Kurdish rebel attacks, with political leaders calling for reconciliation, though the government has yet to offer a new plan for ending the conflict.
Fighting has died down since the 1990s, but the Kurdish conflict remains a drag on Turkey's drive to modernity and an obstacle to the country's joining the European Union.
The fighting began on Aug. 15, 1984, when separatist rebels attacked police and military units in the southeastern towns of Eruh and Semdinli before fleeing to bases in northern Iraq.
Since then, some 40,000 people have died as the rebels seek autonomy for Kurds concentrated in Turkey's southeast.
Kurdish activists held a festival Saturday in Eruh, where extra security forces were deployed.
Speakers appealed for peace, and crowds listened to traditional music at an open-air concert.
Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin called for reconciliation with the country's Kurdish minority.
"I see a great advantage in putting aside all prejudice," he said on Turkish television, dismissing nationalist claims that allowing Kurds to have more rights would "divide Turkey."...

Arrest of US hikers mars Iraqi Kurd tourism boom (click here)
By YAHYA BARZANJI and ERIC TALMADGE (AP) – Aug 4, 2009
SULAIMANIYAH, Iraq — In Iraq's Kurdish region where three American hikers fell into Iranian custody, the attractions for intrepid hikers and travelers are many. Visitors shop for crystal glasses and enjoy long walks in lush mountain resorts renowned for their pistachio groves.
Safety is a big selling point — tourism promoters boast not a single foreigner has been killed or kidnapped since 2003.
Still, in a region without a well-marked border, going off the beaten path in Kurdistan is very risky — as the three Americans discovered after they apparently wandered down the wrong side of a mountain last week and were taken into custody by Iranian border guards. Other than a frantic call to one of their friends, they haven't been heard from since.
The three — Shane Bauer, Sarah Shourd and Joshua Fattal — were under arrest in Iran on Tuesday for illegally entering the country, and an Iranian lawmaker said that authorities were deciding whether to accuse them of spying. The U.S. State Department rejected the allegation, and relatives and Kurdish officials said they were merely hikers who got lost. The case is the latest source of friction with Washington at a time of political crisis in Iran.
Kurdish tourism officials are trying to keep the incident from drying up a budding business with the West....

Attacks on the people of Afghanistan for the sake of attacks.

The upcoming Presidential elections favor four candidates, the incumbent Hamid Karzi, the former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah, the former Finance Minister Ashraf Ghani and a populous favorite Ramazan Bashardorf. None of these candidates are pro-Taliban. The disruption of the elections serve only one purpose and that is to undermine any attempts at democracy for the Afghan people.

"The Christian Science Monitor" makes this observation:

High voter turnout this spring (click title to entry - thank you)
Mr. Hamidzada pointed out that large numbers of Afghans this spring defied the dangers and showed up to register for the elections.
"We have every reason to believe they will show up on election day and will not be deterred," he said. He added that he sees a positive side to the challenges: "This will give us an opportunity to demonstrate our resolve."
Like the car bombing Saturday at the ISAF headquarters, Tuesday's car bomb appeared to be quite large, knocking out windows in a 1,000-foot radius. The bomb struck within hundreds of feet of a British military compound, and also near the Independent Election Commission, the United Nations, and a US military base.
Eyewitnesses described a Toyota Corolla ramming into a convoy of foreign troops.
"I fell unconscious for a moment. When I woke up ... I saw people lying in the road and I tried to help," says Mohammad Ullah. "Later ISAF arrived there and surrounded the area and wouldn't allow anybody inside."
An hour after the blast, ISAF continued to keep out even Afghan Army and police units. At the scene of Saturday's blast, ISAF forces turned away the Kabul police chief in charge of security for elections....

The Monitor points to the fact there were similar dangers in other elections and the people of Afghanistan came to vote regardless the dangers they faced. Basically, the tactics of The Taliban don't work. They have to know they don't work, so why persist? I makes no sense.

Afghanistan has known nothing but war for a very long time. The people of that nation have been visited by every international criminal that is still alive to hide in the mountains and plot against civilization. They have hosted warlords of Poppy cultures, so another turbulent election cycle is nothing for them. Unfortunately, it is nothing for them. I admire these people. I always have. They live their lives in contentment of serving tea to passing guests and bringing to their family new children to love and hold in their arms until tragedy takes them away.

Nothing will deter the vote tomorrow.

And tomorrow services to be a historic Presidential election. For the first time since the inception of the new republic there may very well be a viable challenge to the current President Karzai. All four candidates are worthy, all are concerned for the people of Afghanistan, but, as in any multi-candidate election there will more than likely be a split vote propelling the top two candidates to a final vote later this year.

This may be the year President Karzai will not achieve more than 50% of the vote and that is the sincere challenge of the Afghan people tomorrow. Will they elect a steadfast figure for another five years, or will they elect the two most admired candidates in the country to a run off and still yet another democratically free election in Afghanistan?

I look forward to the results once again of the 'people of conscience' of Afghanistan. It will prove to be an exciting day with promise of more elections or a return to steadfastness of leadership. I wish them all good luck in achieving yet another democratic election with peril so few other democracies have to face. I admire them beyond their knowledge. I look forward to the outcome.

Since the USA has returned to the battlefield in Afghanistan there has been increasing stability of the region, including Pakistan.

"Circle of Blue" is an international journalist organization to follow climate and policy. (please title to entry - thank you)

There are some fascinating documentaries within the talents of this organization. There is a very good video on Australia and the West Bank.

In a Drying Land, a Constant Struggle for Water
PHOTOGRAPHS BY STEFANO SERRA
Story by Sarah Haughn
Circle of Blue Reports
Perched between the sea and the desert, Israel and Palestine are facing more than five years of drought-like conditions. The summer of 2008 was particularly harsh, as drought engulfed much of the Middle East in one of the driest years on record.
Italian photographer Stefano Serra spent October of that year documenting the drought. Traveling through the West Bank, he photographed its effects on the region and its people.

There is a fair amount of activity in the Gulf of Mexico today.

I'll take the conservative approach and continue to estimate that "Bill" will follow a path along the islands. It is very near the Lesser Antilles already. If "Bill" starts to swing north it will lose its velocity. Central Presssures are at 963 and falling. I don't know, I think we still have a chance to see a repeat of the late season of 2007 with this storm.

August 18, 2009
1415z
UNISYS water vapor GOES East satellite (click title to entry for 12 hour loop)

Add "Bill" to the mix with a still burgeoning tropical system again seemingly consolidating off the African coast and there is a very active troposphere trying to rid itself of heat into its oceans.

August 18, 2009

1217gmt

Tropical Atlantic Ocean Satellite

"Ana" is still a diffuse storm system now over Cuba. And htere is a clock-wise circulation system over the Gulf which is assisting in an accumulation of between Mexico and the Yucatan Peninsula. I don't believe any of these storms can be completely discounted as minor.

August 18, 2009
1443 gmt
Gulf of Mexico Satellite

It would seem as though the Russians have turned up. Curious about the freight.

..."At 1:00 p.m. Moscow time [09:00 GMT], it was found 300 miles off Cape Verde islands. The crew is alive. They were taken to the Ladny frigate," Anatoly Serdyukov said....

Hm? Odd.

August 15, 2009
Santa Rosa Sound, Florida
Photographer states :: ...in passing...


August 15, 2009 - Saturday
Destin, Florida
Photographer states :: Storm coming ashore over the Destin Beach Saturday evening.

Texas drought produces long, busy fire season

Updated 8/17/2009 12:14AM
...They check in daily to the Forest Service's (click title to entry - thank you) command center in this north-central Texas town, no days off, waiting for the call that puts them into the teeth of another galloping, 1,500-degree wildfire. A typical summer wildfire season begins in June. This year, they've been fighting fires since early February....

A worker points to a map of Texas with locations for fire staging areas at the Fire Operations Center. The Texas Forest Service, which set up a command center in this Texas town, about 75 miles west of Dallas, has brought in 229 firefighting personnel from around the country, from Oregon to Arizona and Florida, to help fight the fires.


The charred remains of a car which started a 20-acre grass fire sits alone in Steele Creek, Texas. Gov. Rick Perry has issued disaster proclamations for 167 counties due to wildfires and issued burn bans on 152 counties. Gov. Rick Perry has issued disaster proclamations for 167 counties due to wildfires and issued burn bans on 152 counties.


Property owner Ray Fahnders walks aside a smoky ravine on his ranch in Steele Creek, Texas. A drought that started in late 2007 and has broiled central and southern Texas has been the main impetus for the wildfires, said John Nielsen-Gammon,. the state climatologist. Record-breaking, triple-digit heat combined with low humidity and very little rainfall has created the tinderbox conditions, he said.

A piece of construction equipment that was used in preparing fire breaks ultimately fell victim to the grass fire in Steele Creek. "Texas has the perfect storm lined up for fires," says Stewart Turner, a fire behavior analyst working with the Texas Forest Service. "We're looking at extreme fire conditions."

If one recalls there were deadly fires of February in Australia. It would seem the drought continues and the fire response report is expected.

One hundred and seventy-three people died in the Australian fires in February. Facing continued drought, the report about the inadequate fire response is due today. There is no doubt the fires were fueled by extreme drought of which the Australian people have yet to see any relief.


Australia's fire system 'flawed' (click title to entry - thank you)
By Nick Bryant BBC News, Sydney
An official investigation into Australia's wildfires earlier this year has called for sweeping changes to the warning system and evacuation policy.
The fires, which swept through a number of towns in Victoria state, killed 173 people. Many died trying to defend their homes from the flames.
The report urges a rethink of the stay-and-defend approach and identifies failings in the emergency response....


Evacuate children from fire zones (click here)
Darren GrayAugust 18, 2009
CHILDREN should not be involved or present during the defence of a property under attack from a bushfire, the Bushfires Royal Commission has recommended.
In recommendations concerning the controversial ''stay or go'' policy, the commission's interim report said that ''families with young children, older people, and disabled people'' should plan to relocate to safety early.
During the hearings the commissioners were clearly saddened by the number of children who were killed in the fires. Royal commissioner Bernard Teague told a hearing in June that more than 20 children had been killed. A further 17 children under 18 lost one or both of their parents in the blazes.
To help protect the safety of school children during future bushfires, the royal commission has urged the Department of Education to review all refuges in schools located in areas that are at risk of bushfires.
This was one of three important recommendations made in the interim report concerning schools, kindergartens, childcare centres, preschools and early learning centres....


Climate change fuels forest fires: Greenpeace (click here)
August 14, 2009
Greenpeace has warned of an imminent "global emergency" as climate change fuels forest fires that have already destroyed tens of thousands of hectares in southern Europe this year.
"Climate change is driving a new generation of fires with unknown social and economic consequences," said Miguel Soto, Greenpeace Spain forests campaigner.
Spain, Italy, France, Greece and Portugal have been among the countries worst hit by wildfires that swept across southern Europe in July amid sizzling temperatures and fierce winds.
Europe as a whole has lost some 200,000 hectares of forest to fires so far this summer, far more than the whole of 2008, when 158,621 hectares were destroyed, the EU said on Monday.
In Spain, fires have ravaged about 75,000 hectares of land this year, almost double the number for the whole of 2008, the Government in Madrid said.
"Forest fires are becoming more intense and out of control in Spain and across southern Europe, as well as in other semi-arid regions such as California and Australia," Soto told reporters on Thursday at the launch of their report on the issue....



Scientists: Australian Aboriginal Knowledge Could Curb Carbon Emissions (click here)
By Phil Mercer Sydney12 August 2009
...Since the European settlement of Australia the aboriginal fire management practices have faded.
But Scott Heckbert, an environmental economist at Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO, thinks that aboriginal knowledge can help reduce carbon pollution.
"Being able to go out in the early dry season when fires that are lit don't turn into massive infernos, they can create a mosaic of patchiness in the fuel that exists on the ground. In the late dry season, large wild fires that will inevitably start do not carry for thousands of kilometers across the landscape, as would happen in a completely unmanaged situation," he said.
Heckbert notes that wildfires account for about three percent of Australia's carbon emissions. Scientists have estimated that the widespread use of traditional fire management methods could cut the country's greenhouse gas emissions by up to five million tons.
Offsetting these reductions under a proposed carbon trading system could generate millions of dollars for indigenous communities, which are some of Australia's most disadvantaged.
Some aboriginal groups are considering renting out their woodlands and plains to store carbon as part of giant sequestration programs. Those plans aim to harness the ability of trees and soil to soak up carbon dioxide....

Looks like "Bill" is going to stablize and carry the ball for now.

Oddly enough the article and picture below is from The New Zealand Herald.


Bonny Doon residents watch as smoke billows over a field in Santa Cruz County, California. Photo/ AP, Noah Berger (click here)

In addition to the tropical storms in this late season, Des Moines, Lincoln and Topeka are getting some significant weather today. There is also a significant low pressure system that has formed in the last 12 hours in the Gulf of California. Maybe there will be relief from those western fires after all.

"Ana" is taking a path along the islands without a well defined 'eye.' Both these storms will bring the Gulf Coast of the USA considerable flooding. Bill is skirting a bit north, but, unless it finds a better source of water vapor, the eye will not contract enough to sustain a strong storm. The 'eye' is wobbling a bit, but, that has become standard for these storms. They struggle to maintain their velocity due to sparcity of water vapor.


August 17, 2009
1430z
UNISYS water vapor GOES East satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)
PENSACOLA BEACH, Fla. — Hurricane Bill picked up strength (click title to entry - thank you) in the open Atlantic as it churned on a path toward Bermuda, while what was left of Claudette brought rain to the southern U.S....

August 17, 2009
1217 gmt
Tropical Atlantic Map

Right Wing Republicans love to hate. They always want to kill somebody.

...It's an epic brawl between the heaviest of heavyweights (click title to entry - thank you). As in 1945, when Harry S. Truman first proposed a national health-care system, the battle is on between a Democratic White House that wants changes, and conservatives and health-care industries that oppose them....


A lot of the anger expressed by right wing voters is cultural. A man isn't a man unless he's out to kill off the opposition. No lie.

On a right wing radio station they are now playing this as their theme, "...I hope this sparks a revolution...."

Today, going down the road was a black pick-up truck with North Carolina license plate CN1761, with a slogan written on the rear cab window of the truck stating, "When the revolution begins you better remove the Obama bumper sticker from your Subaru."

The issues surrounding the loud mouths at the town halls have to do with culture and not politics. It is why no one can ever 'reach' these people while expecting any American to be reasonable. They are 'locked into' a culture they want and will live within that culture forever. It is about masculinity and femininity and the roles they play in their own lives.

No sense to try. Nothing will move them and they will be a ball and chain on the USA forever. The people that are the movers and shakers in this country that want health care reform, climate policy and are brave enough to stand up for change will have to overcome the 'old culture' of the Republican mind speak. They will never change. They love to hate and they love to think about killing other people that aren't rubber stamped out of the same mold. I would not under sell their ability to actually kill others either. I believe some of these bubbas and that's what I wrote, bubbas are so 'invested' into their cultural roles and identity they would be forced into carrying out their threats, form militias and seek to demonize the government.

Yep.

They are cowards, hide behind an identity rather than living a real life and are too scared to allow change to enter their lives. These same jokers will bankrupt a country in order to save their sorry hides for the greed they sought under a 'user friendly' president.

Real 'jerks' that wouldn't know compassion or logic if it big them in the behind actually still do live and thrive in the year 2009 in the USA. Morons. Basically. They are easily swayed and follow any populous moment they can identify while stereotyping everyone along the way. Amazing this is the year 2009 and we still have Americans that can't get out of their own way to find progress to the future. Absolutely amazing.