Two of the happiest people in Afghanistan. A run off election will be exciting. Click title to entry for video.

Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and President Hamid Karzai

...Partial preliminary results won't be made public before Tuesday, as Afghanistan and the dozens of countries with troops and aid organizations in the country wait to see who will lead the troubled nation for the next five years. The next president faces an agenda filled with crises: rising insurgent violence, rampant corruption and a huge narcotics trade.
Both sides said their candidate was ahead in the count. Officials with the country's Independent Election Commission said it was too early for any campaign to claim itself the winner. Counting at individual polling sites has been completed, but ballots are now being sent to Kabul, election officials said....

NASA's first images of "Bill," "Ana," and "Claudette. August 17, 2009. Click title to entry, thank you.

"Bill" is losing contact with the water vapor of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. In losing contact with its water vapor source the velocity is slowing. I remain somewhat skeptical of the continued northern vs. western movement of "Bill." If there is a slowing in the velocity there may not be enough speed to propel the storm north so much as a meander to the west and into South Carolina. It will be interesting to watch the progression. But, here again, the further north the storm moves the less velocity it has. If "Bill" were to become a 'near shore' storm it could have the chance of increasing its velocity and decreasing its central pressure again.


August 21, 2009
1630z
UNISYS Infrared GOES East Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)

...On August 17, 2009, at 1:31 p.m. EST, the latest NASA/NOAA geostationary weather satellite, called GOES-14, returned its first full-disk thermal infrared (IR) image, showing radiation with a wavelength of 10.7 micrometers emanating from Earth. Infrared images are useful because they provide information about temperatures. A wavelength of 10.7 micrometers is 15 times longer than the longest wavelength of light (red) that people can see, but scientists can turn the data into a picture by having a computer display cold temperatures as bright white and hot temperatures as black. The hottest (blackest) features in the scene are land surfaces; the coldest (whitest) features in the scene are clouds....

Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi needs to apologize for the exuberance shown by the family and friends of a dying man.

Libya has come a long way since the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. It has become transparent for the sake of fostering peace. Right now The West would like to demonize all that is transpiring in Libya with the return of the only convicted man responsible for this heinous act.

It would be far better if Libya's al-Gaddafi would come forward during Ramadan to purge the sins of such people that plot evil acts against other human beings of other faiths.

Ramadan is a time of accounting. It is time Libya made an example of one of her own in an accounting of a former terrorist state.


Muammar Abu Minyar al-Gaddafi

...Al-Megrahi (click title to entry), believed to have less than three months to live, was released on the order of Scotland’s justice minister despite strong opposition from the United States, which had campaigned to keep him in prison.
Pan Am Flight 103 was carrying 189 Americans when it left London for New York on Dec. 21, 1988. In all, 259 people on board and 11 on the ground were killed in the bombing.
“He is a dying man, he is terminally ill,” Scottish Justice Minister Kenny MacAskill told reporters in explanation. “My decision is that he returns home to die.”
In a statement issued by his lawyer after his departure from Glasgow Airport, Al-Megrahi said that he was innocent and had been wrongly jailed, but also thanked the people of Scotland for setting him free.
“To those victims’ relatives who can bear to hear me say this: they continue to have my sincere sympathy for the unimaginable loss that they have suffered,” he said. “Those who bear me ill will, I do not return that to you.
“This horrible ordeal is not ended by my return to Libya. It may never end for me until I die. Perhaps the only liberation for me will be death.”...


Ramadan begins on SaturdayArab News (click here)
JEDDAH: The holy month of Ramadan will start on Saturday, according to a Royal Court statement on Thursday.
“As no crescent sighting was reported on Thursday evening, Friday will be the 30th day of Shaaban and Saturday, the 22nd of August, will be the first day of the holy month of Ramadan,” the Royal Court quoted a statement of the Supreme Court as saying.
The Supreme Court met at its summer headquarters in Taif on Thursday, the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Saudi Arabia arrests 44 suspected militants (click here)
APPublished: August 19, 2009, 17:05
Riyadh: The Saudi Interior Ministry says authorities have arrested 44 suspected militants who sought to recruit youths and finance their "deviant activities" through charitable donations.
In a statement carried Wednesday by the official Saudi Press Agency, the ministry says the 44 were arrested in a campaign that began July 9 and ended August 2.
It says some of those arrested have received training on the use of light and heavy weapons in the kingdom and abroad. It says all but one are Saudi.
Saudi Arabia has pursued an aggressive campaign against militants since May 2003, when they first began attacks in the kingdom. The country is the birthplace of Al Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and home to 15 of the 19th September 11 hijackers.

"Bill" and 12 hour loop - click here, thank you.

The storm couldn't hold together, so the diameter became wider and the central pressure dropped somewhat to maintain the 'eye.' Wow. It is about the fourth the diameter of the Atlantic Ocean. It will lose that width, but, maintain the velocity with a smaller 'eye.' It is still pulling water vapor off the tropics. It just that its 'eye' is getting further away from its water vapor source. It's interesting.

August 21, 2009

0330z

UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite

Day After Tomorrow. Today the trees, tomorrow, hm??????

August 19, 2009, 12:14 pm
Updated: 5:05 pm
By Sewell Chan AND Sarah Maslin Nir
Storm Toppled Scores of Trees in Central Park (click title to entry - thank you)
...“Central Park has been devastated,” Adrian Benepe, the city parks commissioner, said in an interview on Wednesday morning. “It created more damage than I’ve seen in 30 years of working in the parks.”
Mr. Benepe added: “Some areas have had an almost total loss of trees. The Great Hill, the area around West 106th Street, has very large American elm trees. In that one area, several dozen trees went down.”...

It's that time again. Time to read more of the House Bill for Health Insurance Reform. What amazing wonders will I find this time?

Ya gotta love Barney Frank. He was beautiful. "So what planet do you spend most of your time?" Loved it ! Go get 'em Barney ! How can anyone believe a person that demands to be recognized as someone that refers to the President of the USA as a Nazi? She can't be taken serious. She lost her legitimacy as she turned her statements into hate mongering. It can't be tolerated.


...Under this scenario (click title to entry - thank you), one bill would include the new regulations on insurance companies, such as requiring them not to reject people with preexisting conditions. As conservative opposition to reform has grown at so-called town hall protests this month, President Obama and others have been pushing these regulations as the key lynchpins to reform that would help those with and those without insurance. It is thought these measures could get the more than 60 votes in the Senate needed to survive through any filibuster threat....



Under the House Health Insurance Reform Bill there will enrollments procedures (starting on page 97). They basically look like any other enrollment procedure one would find with an employer. There are special considerations, no different than the private sector, for special circumstances including birth of a child, adoption, marriage with some extra provisions by the bill such as a move outside the service area for a provider, significant change of income and the like. It goes on to say there will be automatic enrollment in one plan or another for people ineligible for Medicaid with 'affordibility' credits upon application for them and acceptance into a program. The bill also states, all plans will be paid directly to the provider and not through the government.

All these provisions are regarding Exchange Eligible people. There is a lot of willingness to have contact with people in need and there will be a website set up to help them in their choices and enrollment, a toll free number, etc. Basically, the bill is making every effort to enroll Americans in a health insurance option that will be appropriate for their eligibility.

I had wondered how this bill would impact SCHIP. There are children in the country with coverage as members of low income families, with parents that cannot afford health insurance. There is a section on page 100 that begins to discuss the provisions of SCHIP. This section also makes it completely clear the health insurance plans are for those born IN the USA.

Page 100, lines 20 through 25 and Page 101, lines 1 through 13.

SPECIAL DUTIES RELATED TO MEDICAID AND CHIP.—
COVERAGE FOR CERTAIN NEWBORNS.—
IN GENERAL.—In the case of a child born in the United States who at the time of birth is not otherwise covered under acceptable coverage, for the period of time beginning on the date of birth and ending on the date the child otherwise is covered under acceptable coverage (or, if earlier, the end of the month in which the 60-day period, beginning on the date of birth, ends), the child shall be deemed— (i) to be a non-traditional Medicaid eligible individual (as defined in subsection (e)(5)) for purposes of this division and Medicaid; and (ii) to have elected to enroll in Medicaid through the application of paragraph 13 (3).

Basically, the health insurance reform bill sides with coverage first and placement of future benefits later. If the parents already have insurance then this section would not apply, but, for those parents (I am thinking primarily new parents.) that do not have health insurance in place when the child is born, then the child will be covered until the time the family can address a plan for coverage.

In regard to SCHIP, it is my estimation that once 'families' are covered there will be children coming off SCHIP to be covered under their family's plan. In receiving coverage as a family, that will relieve the States of some of their programs that cover children as well and assist State budgets to balance without additional burden's of health care for children. That is my understanding to some of this.

There is also a provision within this bill for children currently enrolled through Social Security. A child with such benefits will become automatically 'Exchange eligible' unless the child is already eligible for Medicaid, there would be no further need to qualify. See, there is going to be some shifting of government liability depending on the enrollment status of those served on other government programs.

The bill goes on to say, that the enrollment in Medicaid or in a health insurance on The Exchange remains fluid should eligibility change over time. In other words, if a child is receiving benefits under Medicaid, but, becomes eligible for the Exchange as their parents now have that option, the child can move into a family plan unless the income of the parents dictate the child to be enrolled in Medicaid. Should circumstances change and let's say the parent(s) become unemployed or disabled, the child will always be covered by one method or another. I think what we will see with The Exchange is that parents working in lower paying jobs will qualify for insurance of one kind or another and will be able to include their children on their own insurance plans. Today, the care of children falls to the States or SCHIP without the benefit of parent(s) being covered. I believe that will change.

There will be a Special Inspector General as defined on Page 107, starting with line 18:

DUTIES.—The Special Inspector General shall — conduct, supervise, and coordinate au21
dits, evaluations and investigations of the Health Insurance Exchange to protect the integrity of the Health Insurance Exchange, as well as the health and welfare of participants in the Exchange;

The really interesting aspect to this bill, which can't be appreciated unless one is reading the entire bill personally, are the number of 'past' legislations (existing law) that comes into play in one method of another in this bill. It is as though we, as a nation, have been inching up to this for some time now and this consolidates all the aspects of health care to date in a clear venue of inclusiveness. I sincerely believe this bill consolidates all the past legislative efforts into one clear concise venue. In doing that, there will be a lot of 'duplicity' that will stop with the passage of the bill. This bill isn't nearly as expensive as it seems right now. This bill appears to be very careful to include all citizens at all levels of need or interest without exception, but, I believe in time will trim spending in other areas and absorb much of the other laws it cites. The House was very thorough in their inclusion of all relevant, existing laws.

Page 109, lines 4 through 6: TERMINATION.—The Office of the Special Inspector General shall terminate five years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Excellant and exactly what I thought this provision was about. See, this bill is so 'careful' in the inclusion of every American citizen it provides a Special Inspector General of oversee the 'start up' of the program. Imagine being a legislator in DC and writing a historical bill such as this is and then find out because of some stupid loophole or lack of wording someone dies when they should have been included under the new law. Imagine how that weighs on the people of the House that wrote these provisions? By providing 'extra help' for the start up of this new law, there will be no losses or misunderstandings. Concise deployment of the law and accounting for the cost and use allowed under the law will be handled by an exclusive office that has oversight while providing oversight. The new law is really intended to streamline health insurance and its cost at every turn. I like it.

Page 109, lines 16 through 21.

PAYMENTS FROM TRUST FUND.—The Commissioner shall pay from time to time from the Trust Fund such amounts as the Commissioner determines are necessary to make payments to operate the Health Insurance Exchange, including payments under subtitle C (relating to affordability credits).

The new law provides for a separate trust fund to be used for expenses exclusive to The Exchange and the operations of the administration of the new law. This trust fund will receive all the taxes and fines from those people that do not abide by the law by subscribing to a health insurance company. Those taxes and fines will be for individuals and companies that are not in complicance with the law. The law doesn't seem to rely on any punitive measures such as prison to reach compliance. If individuals or companies choose to pay the excise tax rather than being in compliance that is their option. There are specific sections of the IRS Tax Code stated in relation to the Trust Fund where monies would be applied and enforced.

Like I said, they were very thorough in their writing of this bill.

There are provisions for States to set up their own health insurance exchanges if State legislators care to engage the issue. The States can even regionalize their exchange if they feel they can provide better than the federal government. However, the State Exchanges have to pass an approval process to be sure they are offering equivalent options at comparable costs or less.

continued below...

continued from above...

If I am reading this correctly, when it comes to the State Exchange, it would have to allow for portability of insurance over State boundaries IF the State Exchange was indeed regionalized and operating under one authority. The law does limit 'One Exchange" per State and it cannot add expenses to the federal government in operation or creation of any State Health Insurance Exchange. There cannot be any degradation of services under a State or Regional Exchange. If the Exchange were found to provide less benefits or fail its citizens in any manner; all or part of the Exchange could be stopped and returned to the Federal Authority.

Here again, the bill serves the people of the country and not any fiscal entity that would benefit from the new law it creates. At the forefront of any of this legislation is the citizen and their needs in health insurance reform. The House should be proud of their dedication to the 'best outcome' for Americans outlined in this bill. It is carefully stated to keep 'the people/person' the focus of the law. The Federal Government gives up no authority to retain any of the provisions for its authority regardless of a State or Regional Exchange. That is how it will maintain its oversight to such programs until they are found to be sound and citizens are protected with viability. It's a good thing.

Page 116, Lines 1 through 17, sets up The Public Option for health insurance. This is the beginning paragraph:

Subtitle B—Public Health Insurance Option
SEC. 221. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF A PUBLIC HEALTH INSURANCE OPTION AS AN EXCHANGE-QUALIFIED HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN.
ESTABLISHMENT.—For years beginning with Y1, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this subtitle referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall provide for the offering of an Exchange-participating health benefits plan (in this division referred to as the ‘‘public health insurance option’’) that ensures choice, competition, and stability of affordable, high quality coverage throughout the United States in accordance with this subtitle. In designing the option, the Secretary’s primary responsibility is to create a low-cost plan without comprimising quality or access to care.

It provides for all the same options within any other insurance offered at The Exchange. This option is to be marketed at The Exchange. It provides for data collection to set rates and prices. This is the paragraph on Page 118, lines 4 through 9:

DATA COLLECTION.—The Secretary shall collect such data as may be required to establish premiums and payment rates for the public health insurance option and for other purposes under this subtitle, including to improve quality and to reduce racial, ethnic, and other disparities in health and health care.

This data will become an information bank for all health insurance companies. If insurance companies want to sincerely compete in the market place they will have to take into consideration the statistics that will come out of the public option in health insurance. If the companies are to compete for the business of the people taking the public option they will have to come to understand who and why they fall under this provision of the law. Once they understand the 'populous' that subscribes to the public option they can begin to taylor more of their own products to meet the needs of those accepting the public option.

This provision is especially interesting. It provides for access to federal courts to assure Medicare participants they will not lose rights under this new law. Page 118, lines 14 through 22:

ACCESS TO FEDERAL COURTS.—The provisions of Medicare (and related provisions of title II of the Social Security Act) relating to access of Medicare beneficiaries to Federal courts for the enforcement of rights under Medicare, including with respect to amounts in controversy, shall apply to the public health insurance option and individuals enrolled under such option under this title in the same manner as such provisions apply to Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries.

I see this provision as a means for 'interest groups' such as AARP to litigate any complaints their members might have. Of course, individuals can always bring suit if necessary, but, more than likely if there is something about the law that impinges on the rights of Medicare recipients it will happen in larger numbers than an individual. So this provision would be of particular interest to 'interest groups' as a method to protect their members.

The section regarding The Public Option goes on for quite a few pages. It discusses the particulars of how the option will provide for people. Of most concern so far is the establishment of a provider network that will accept payments under this option. It is based in the rates Medicare pays, however, the Secretary has the authority to increase said payments to providers if there are too few providers for any geographic area. The idea is to have established by Y 4 payments that will support a provider network for this option. That is upto page 124.

There are going to be two levels of physicians. There is to be no compromise in the quality of care or the quality of physicans. But, the two levels are delineation in relation to payment. Page 127, lines 1 through 16. These are levels of physicans for the Public Option.

PHYSICIANS.—The Secretary shall provide for the annual participation of physicians under the public health insurance option, for which payment may be made for services furnished during the year, in one of 2 classes:
PREFERRED PHYSICIANS.—Those physicians who agree to accept the payment rate established under section 223 (without regard to cost-sharing) as the payment in full.
PARTICIPATING, NON-PREFERRED PHYSICIANS.—Those physicians who agree not to impose charges (in relation to the payment rate described in section 223 for such physicians) that exceed the ratio permitted under section 1848(g)(2)(C) of the Social Security Act.

The cost for the Public Option will be based on "Affordability Credit." The Affordability Credit will be applied for by persons unable to pay for the entire premium they fall under or their family falls under. The funds to make up the difference will come from the Trust Fund. The Trust Fund must maintain a 90 day balance of funds in the Exchange for anticipated expenditures. Those funds can be appropriated from the General Treasury initially, but, constituted from payments from individuals or companies. That brings us to page 130 of the bill.

During Y1 and Y2 the Affordibility Credit can only be used on the Basic Option. After Y3 the credits can be expanded to other levels of care, however, the difference between the credit and the price of the policy has to be paid by the insured. At no point in time will an Affordibility Credit be transacted into a rebate or refund for cash. They are strickly for the use of purchasing health insurance. The Affordibility Credit is applied to families with incomes 400 percent of the Federal poverty level (or if my math is correct approximately $68,000). The term family may exclude divorced or separated couples depending on their income while raising the family alone. And the term 'income' is to Adjusted Gross Income. There is a formula to apply for calculating the amount a family would pay over a one year plan. Those payments will be broken down into 1/12th of the total to be paid monthly. Not all plans may survive the implementation of the law. If there is limited enrollment of any of the plans, those plans may be dropped from the funding.

Page 137, lines 1 through 3 provides for the scale of premiums for people receiveing Affordibility Credits. The table is on Page 137, to transfer the table here doesn't turn out well enough to make sense of it. The bill goes on to enforce integrity of the provisions, what constitutes income and how it is reported and what constitutes a change in income, etc.

Page 143, line 16 begins to speak to Employer Responsibility in offering health insurance. It goes on to explain the relationship between emloyee and employer, family coverage, percentage of benefit paid, the timeliness of the payment of the benefit, the percentage a company has to pay for its employees. Generally, the employer contribution is 72.5% for individual and 65% for a family. It provides the definition of full time employee, autoenrollment of employees. It addresses the cost of 'Exchange Coverage.' The law allows the Commissioner to set percentages an employer needs to pay for less than full time employees. It also states, a percentage discount on a policy for employees does not constitute payment of the premium. There is also the election by an employee to 'Opt-Out' of any insurance coverage. That action by the employee has to occur in 30 days of the first option for automatic enrollment.

On page 150 the bill starts to explain the law in relation to small businesses and it is here I will stop for this evening.

Death Threats Against President Up 400 Percent, Week of August 13 - 19, 2009. Click title to entry for article - Thank you

"Insults, Rumors, Lies: Why is White Right Attacking First Black President?, Week of August 13 - 19, 2009 (click here for article)

The politics of waging war in Afghanistan. Is it killing our soldiers?

International forces under the banner of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization are continuing to fight Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan. But NATO field commanders are hindered by certain restrictions placed on troops by European governments.

NATO has more than 60,000 troops in Afghanistan as part of a United Nations mandated contingent known as the "International Security Assistance Force" - or ISAF.

ISAF troops are located in most parts of the country. One of their most difficult missions is to fight insurgents in southern Afghanistan - home of the Taliban, ousted from power by a U.S.-led coalition in 2001.

"Caveats"

Analysts say NATO is hindered in its fight against the Taliban by so-called "caveats" - restrictions placed by various NATO countries on what their forces can or cannot do.

Tomas Valasek, at the London-based Center for European Reform, describes some of those restrictions.

"What's happening is that whenever a call for troops comes in for a particular operation, the different contingents come back, or get back to the NATO commanders saying, well we'd love to take part but under the national 'caveat' we are not allowed to operate in this particular area, or we're not allowed to operate this far away from the base, or we are not allowed to operate at night," he said.

Valasek says NATO commanders in the field are finding it difficult to put together a workable strategy....

40 Candidates including two women. Voting for a President in Afghanistan.

An Afghan woman's ink-dipped finger after showing her identity card to vote in Herat, western Afghanistan. Photograph: Rahed Homavandi/Reuters

Afghan poll hailed as a 'success' (click here for video and article)

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his Western allies have pronounced the country's election a success, after voting passed off largely peacefully.
Mr Karzai hailed Afghans for braving Taliban "bombs and intimidations". His praise was echoed by the US and Nato.
There were some attacks by insurgents, but the UN says the vast majority of polling stations were able to function.
President Karzai is facing challenges from about 30 rivals. Official results are not expected for two weeks.
"The Afghan people dared rockets, bombs and intimidations," he told reporters as polls closed following a one-hour extension.
Mr Karzai praised the citizens who turned out to vote
"We'll see what the turnout was. But they came out to vote. That's great."
In Washington, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said: "Lots of people have defied threats of violence and terror to express their thoughts about the next government for the people of Afghanistan."...

US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,332

...The figure includes nine military civilians killed in action. At least 3,465 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers....

Iraqi PM orders security review (click here for video at article)
Page last updated at 21:50 GMT, Wednesday, 19 August 2009 22:50 UK
...He said Iraqi security forces were "very capable of confronting terrorists", but acknowledged that a security review was necessary.
"The criminal operations that happened today no doubt call for a re-evaluation of our plans and our security methods to face the terrorist challenges," he said in a statement.
The prime minister also said insurgents had taken advantage of government efforts to restore normalcy by removing concrete blast walls from main roads in Baghdad.
"These attacks represent a reaction to the opening of streets and bridges and the lifting of barriers inside the residential areas," he said.
An Iraqi army spokesman said two al-Qaeda members had been arrested in Baghdad in connection with the attacks.
There have so far been no claims of responsibility for the bombings....

Beach poison hit dogs two months ago (New Zealand)

...The Herald understands a council officer and a public health officer checked the beach where the dogs became ill but found nothing.
They cleared seaweed from the beach as a precaution, but, when they did not receive any further reports, concluded that the danger had passed - perhaps after a deliberate poisoning.
Dogs were purposely poisoned last year when sausages laced with a blue substance were left in Auckland parks.
But authorities believe a natural toxin is more likely to be behind the latest illnesses.
Stomach contents of a beagle that died after walking on Narrow Neck beach in early July were sent to MAF for testing. But it was not until a second dog died three weeks later on Monday after walking on the same beach that a public warning was issued.
Dog owners were angry they were not warned sooner, with reports of dogs becoming ill at Waiheke Island, Browns Bay and Karaka Beach in the Eastern suburbs....

The weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is cold:

The Antarctica Challenge: (click title to entry - thank you) A Global Warning to screen in Copenhagen during the United Nations Climate Change Conference
Toronto, 18 August 2009 - The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is partnering with Canada's Polar Cap Production's, Inc. to present Mark Terry's new climate change documentary The Antarctica Challenge: A Global Warning in Copenhagen during this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference, December 7 to 18, 2009....


The winds are moderate with exceptions at the north end and south east end of Antarctica. What is unusual about this 12 Noon image is the directions are opposite of the other images in the 24 hour loop. It could be a change in wind direction due to reappearance of sunlight to the continent. Spring will beginning soon.

August 20, 2009
12 PM UTC
Antarctica Wind Satellite Image (click here for 24 hour loop - 12 AM, 6AM, 12PM, 6PM)

The heat transfer systems off the Equator are noted here and in the image at the bottom of entry. There has definately been a return of frigid air over the continent this winter.

August 20, 2009
1800 GMT
Antarctica Jet Stream/Vortex (click here for 54 hour loop)



August 20, 2009
12 PM UTC
Antarctica temperature image (click here for 24 hour loop - 4 times reporting 12A, 6A, 12P, 6P)


August 21, 2009
0720 AM
Antarctica, Ross Island, Scott Base




August 20, 2009
1327 gmt

Antarctica Satellite


Flights to Antarctica resume (click here)
7:20AM
Thursday Aug 20, 2009
The first flight to Antarctica for six months will depart from Christchurch today.
Following three months of darkness and half a year in isolation, the arrival of spring means the flights can resume to the icy continent.
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster is being used for the mission.
Scott Base Winter Leader Nathan Cross says the plane will deliver fresh fruit and vegetables, mail and new staff to the New Zealand and US Antarctic stations.
Twenty-six New Zealanders have been stationed at Scott Base for the winter to research the formation of sea ice.
- NEWSTALK ZB

The Warmest Reporting Station

Base Esperanza, Antarctica

8:14 PM GMT

Lat/Lon :: 63.4 South and 57 West

Temperature :: 33 F

Conditions :: Partly Cloudy

Humidity :: 99%

Dew Point :: 33 F

Wind :: 34 mph from the West

Wind Gust :: -

Pressure :: 29.97 inches (Rising)

Visibility :: 6.0 miles

Clouds :: Scattered Clouds 9843 ft
Mostly Cloudy 19685 ft
(Above Ground)

Elevation :: 43 ft

The Coldest Reporting Station

Vostok, Antarctica

Local Time :: 2:15 AM VOST on August 21, 2009 (GMT + 06)

Lat/Lon :: 78.4 South and 106.9 East

Temperature :: -107 F

Humidity :: 26%

Dew Point :: -114 F

Wind :: 9 mph from the WNW

Wind Gust :: -

Pressure :: in (Rising)

Visibility :: 12.0. miles

Elevation :: 11220 ft

The weather at Glacier Bay National Park has been (Crystal Wind Chime) melting.

August 18, 2009
Soldotna, Alaska


August 18, 2009
Soldotna, Alaska

It would appear the owner of the building below knew things were coming to this. For Sale sign and phone number intact.

August 18, 2009
Soldotna, Alaska
Photographer states :: A release from a glacial lake in Skilak Glacier caused minor flooding in low lying areas along the Kenai River.

...The water level peaked at 15.06 feet at the Soldotna Bridge. (click title to entry - thank you) At 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, that level reduced to 14.2 feet, said John Mohorcich, Kenai River Center manager.
The normal water level for this time of year at the bridge is anything below 12.7 feet, usually between 11 and 12 feet. When the Skilak Lake glacial dam breaks, it's no surprise that the water level rises 1 1/2 to 2 feet, Mohorcich said.
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the Kenai River from Skilak Lake to the city of Kenai on Sunday. That warning remained in place until 4 p.m. Tuesday....

Local Time :: 10:13 AM AKDT (GMT -08)

Lat/Lon :: 58.8° N 137.0° W

Temperature :: 54 F

Conditions :: Mostly Cloudy

Humidity :: 94%

Dew Point :: 52 F

Wind :: 4 MPH from the SE

Pressure :: 29.78 inches (falling)

Visibility :: 10.0 miles

UV :: 2 out of 16

Clouds :: Few 1000 ft
Scattered Clouds 2800 ft
Mostly Cloudy 7000 ft
(Above Ground Level)

Will California get rain?

The absense of the vortex west of the California coast in the water vapor satellite below is a little unusual. It could be due to higher level water vapor in the troposphere that causes and absense on the radar. At any rate, there my be relief coming to California in the way of rain. It might be torrential in its manifestation and that could cause mudslides, but, it might help with the fires. Let's hope there is relief on the way.


August 20, 2009
1630z
UNISYS Visible Satellite Image (click title of entry for 12 hour loop - thank you)




August 20, 2009
1630z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite

Two 'interesting' aspects to this satellite image. The first is Bill nearing the USA coastline and in closer proximity of the air masses of "Claudette" and that over Arkansas. The second is the black hole off shore of California. It really isn't absent of water vapor though. If one looks at a 'visual' satellite image it is quite dense with clouds.


August 20, 2009
1517 gmt
Tropical Atlantic Ocean Satellite

"Bill" is tracking more north than west. After it left latitude 20.70 with a central pressure of 945, the hurricane started to slow with a centeral pressures rising and currently is 951. I said it would and it has. The reason is the lack of water vapor once leaving the area of the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

"Claudette" still remains a diffuse air mass over the Gulf States. It is meeting with a cold air mass currently over Okalhoma, Arkansas and Missouri creating turbulent and wet weather.

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....