Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Bush in Iraq - The ONLY promise to the Republican Party is to extend the war. Right. Or. "W"rong.


American officers training Iraqi police recruits in Anbar Province, Iraq, in April. Part of American strategy in Iraq has been to train the police and army to take over the roles now played by United States forces.

The "Gates Strategy" alienates more than half of Iraq as the USA lends exclusive support to the Sunni Arabs of An Albar. The Shi'ites of the entire region will only become more radicalized as their preceive threat of the misguided USA 'surge.'

U.S. Troops Clash With Shiite Fighters (click here)
By KIM GAMEL
Friday, Jul 27, 2007 - 03:43:27 pm CDT
BAGHDAD - A fierce gunbattle broke out after a joint U.S.-Iraqi force arrested a rogue Shiite militia leader in Karbala on Friday, leading to an airstrike and the deaths of some 17 militants, the military said.U.S. troops also captured four militants suspected of links to networks that smuggle weapons and fighters from Iran, which Washington accuses of fueling the violence in Iraq with its support of Shiite militias.The U.S. military has promised to crack down on Shiite militias, which have been blamed for thousands of execution-style killings and roadside bombings, as well as on Sunni extremists usually blamed for suicide attacks and other bombings.



THE NOVEL DEBATE: Everyone whom had internet access and wanted to submit a 'loop' for consideration of presenting in a debate was welcome to do so. I think all the nation that was 'able' to see the debate considering it is limited to cable customers saw very bright, intelligent and talented Americans participating in the purest form of democracy. They went one and one with the candidates for President of the United States of America. The questions were wonderful. I understand the need for editorializing and 'choosing' videos that candidates wanted to address and eliminating those that were 'more victimizing and rude.' However, I take issue with some of the 'personal/corporate' agenda of Anderson Cooper and CNN. Where do they get the nerve? I didn't see any of Andy's questions pulled off of 'You Tube.'

The Democrats: They were all great last night. I have no favorite. I want what is best for the United States of America. Not for the corporations now occupying it, but, for the people. I have my opinion of each candidate, but, the closer we get to the primaries the more I'll address each one of them. Only one has asked for a military contingency plan in case the USA military is needed elsewhere. There are times when "The National Guard" might be needed on American soil more than any place else in the world. That is important. The Guard has been abused by Bush.

Each candidate has an important part in any debate. They all have strengths and weaknesses. The question that lingers after the follied elections of 2000 and 2004 is, can Americans of any party 'balance' candidate characteristics to make 'the best' choice. To 'balance' what might seem a preference for one lady candidate at this point, I will say this, I thought Senator Obama was 'best' at cutting to the core of an issue. He is able to articulate 'the core' purpose of a comment or question to the public unafraid of any retribution against himself because he is always ready to address the issue with complete honesty. I admire that of him. The others have long histories of excellant political careers that nearly speak for themselves. So, to the particulars of each candidate, I'll have to postpone that because as time goes on they are revealed to us more and more and I want the nation to have a 'perfect' President 'on balance.'


THE OTHER CANDIDATE, the Republican: The 'rhetoric review' today was to make a pledge to all the Neocons that Bush will persist in his illegal war until they win the elections of 2008 and return both legislative houses to their party. After all, the Republican profound belief is that they lost 2006 as a punishment for Abramoff. There ya go, Rudy, hang your hat on it, honey. Of course, Rudy could always 'do a Ford' and demand redeployment of all the troops out of Iraq NOW. It doesn't take a year to remove troops unless one is willing to lose more of them.


Iraq currently has ALL the power assets of the USA. It's military and that budget. And the fiscal strength that exists or should I say, what is left of fiscal strength of the USA. It's time to retake the country AWAY from those that don't deserve it. We have a country and an infrastructure to rebuild ourselves. Just as a 'huge example' - has anyone been to the site of the Former Trade Towers? I mean if we aren't going to put a skyscraper there then put a memorial ONLY there, but, it's been nearly six years. Hello?

Then there are a lot domestic issues that have been shelved as 'unworthy' of attention; the economy, the education of our children, the huge contribution the USA plays to Human Induced Global Warming and the reduction of that footprint, our nation's populous health (which was grossly neglected at the U-Tube Debate. If the 'concentration' of viewers were seeking answers regarding the nation's health care system then that should have been reflected as same in the number of questions asked RATHER than the Republican focus of Iraq. Democrats are leaving Iraq. Iraq needs to take that seriously.)

We have generations of Americans that need a future and not JUST an empty promise of one. No Republican gives a darn about the people of this country, the economy, the nation's health care system, the education of our children. They ONLY seek to exploit some Godly sense of morality to control the vast 'assets' of the USA and the wholesomeness of it's populous in wanting to improve the quality of life of all people globally, while they represent openly and without regret the dissolution of the USA Constitution.

Democrats sincerely love the United States of America and the Consitution. They never once in any of their answers thought to demise it.

All in all, the debate went well for all the Democrats because they are profoundly FIRST candidates of the people and not of corporations.

We don't belong in Iraq.

We never did.

Oppose the draft.

Bring the troops home now.

Stop Human Induced Global Warming.

24 hour loop. Sorta The loop consists of three satellite views; 6AM,12 PM, 9PM




July 24, 2007
1307 gmt
South Pole Satellite

For those that follow this mess, these satellites should be fairly obvious. The direct light of Sol is moving into the Southern Hemisphere. The sunlight is at an angle but returning just the same. The jet stream is meandering without much interference at the high atitudes, while the turbulence of returning sunlight, causing rising and falling air, is obvious on the Surface Winds Satellite. The other 'obvious' feature to be noted with the South Pole Satellite above. The vortexes are still present as they have been, but, are at much lower latitudes than previous. As a matter of fact they are beginning to land on Antarctica, but, with diminished vorticity because the ICE continent is still very, very cold and able to 'blunt' the dynamics of those systems.





July 24, 2007
3:00 PM
Antarctica Surface Wind Satellite (click here)


July 24, 2007
6:00 AM
Antarctica Jet Stream Satellite


July 24, 2007
6:00 AM
Antarctica Temperature Satellite

The warmest reporting stations.

Base Jubany, Antarctica

12:00 PM GMT

Elevation :: 13 ft / 4 m

Temperature :: 30 °F / -1 °C

Conditions :: Light Snow

Humidity :: 99%

Dew Point :: 30 °F / -1 °C

Wind :: 23 mph / 37 km/h / from the North

Wind Gust :: -

Pressure :: 28.95 in / 980 hPa (Falling)

Visibility :: 3.0 miles / 5.0 kilometers

UV :: 0 out of 16

Clouds:
Overcast 689 ft / 210 m
(Above Ground Level)

Aviation
Flight Rule :: IFR ()

Wind Speed :: 23 mph / 37 km/h /

Wind Dir :: 0° (North)

Ceiling :: 700 ft / 210 m





Base Orcadas, Antarctica



1:00 PM GST

Elevation :: 20 ft / 6 m

Temperature :: 24 °F / -4 °C

Conditions :: Mist/Partly Cloudy

Humidity :: 97%

Dew Point :: 24 °F / -5 °C

Wind :: 23 mph / 37 km/h / from the North

Wind Gust :: -

Pressure :: 29.47 in / 998 hPa (Falling)

Visibility :: 6.0 miles / 10.0 kilometers

UV :: 0 out of 16

Clouds:
Few 394 ft / 120 m
Scattered Clouds 1476 ft / 450 m
(Above Ground Level)

Aviation
Flight Rule :: VFR ()

Wind Speed :: 23 mph / 37 km/h /

Wind Dir :: 0° (North)

Ceiling :: 100000 ft / 100000 m


The coldest reporting stations





Vostok, Antarctica

6:00 PM VOST

Elevation :: 11220 ft / 3420 m

Temperatures :: -85 °F / -65 °C

Conditions :: Clear

Humidity :: 50%

Dew Point :: -90 °F / -68 °C

Wind :: 7 mph / 11 km/h / from the WSW

Wind Gust :: -

Pressure :: in / hPa (Falling)

Visibility :: 12.0 miles / 20.0 kilometers

Aviation
Flight Rule :: VFR ()

Wind Speed :: 7 mph / 11 km/h /

Wind Dir :: 250° (WSW)

Ceiling :: 100000 ft / 100000 m

Clean Air, Antarctica

Temperature :: -54 °F / -48 °C

Humidity :: N/A%

Pressure :: 29.25 in / 990 hPa

Conditions :: Ice Crystals Blowing Snow

Winds :: NE at 18 mph / 30 km/h / 8.2 m/s

Time :: 11:50 PM NZST

Length Of Visible Light :: 0h 00m

Length of Day :: 0h 00m

Tomorrow will be 0m 0s shorter.

Most reporting bases are different. This website illustrates the differences with Australian bases


There should be arrival of 'direct' sunlight this week in Antarctica at the higher latitudes. When examing the dynamics this week in Antarctica it seems obvious where the heat is concentrating and increasing. Clean Air reporting station is not receiving direct sunlight yet, according to their website, but, there could be by next week.



Idaho fire (click here)

Forest Fires

Australia Plans Satellite System to Protect World's Forests
By Phil Mercer
Sydney
23 July 2007
Australian officials are calling for global support for a satellite monitoring system to combat illegal logging and the destruction of forests in Asia and the Pacific. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.
FAO says most countries in Europe and North America have reversed centuries of deforestation
The Australian government hopes an international meeting this week in Sydney will generate support for its plan to reduce deforestation and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Canberra has pledged $175 million for a World Bank-backed fund to reduce forest destruction and illegal logging in the Asia-Pacific region.
Australian officials say that almost 4.5 million trees are destroyed around the world every day.
The government argues that if deforestation is halved, trees could absorb three billion more tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year, or 10 percent of total emissions. Many scientists say the emissions, generally created by burning fuels such as oil and coal, contribute to global warming and climate change.

http://voanews.com/english/2007-07-23-voa24.cfm



Australia to push global satellite forest fire tracking system
Australia said Monday it planned to lead the development of a global satellite system to monitor forest fires in a bid to help stop deforestation.
The plan involves a network of satellite receiving stations to monitor forest fires in the Asia-Pacific region and extending that network's capacity to other parts of the world, the government said.
"The ability to measure and monitor changes in forest cover is critical to international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing global deforestation and supporting sustainable forest management," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said.
"Australia is inviting partner countries to work with us to link national, regional, and international systems to create a truly global system to monitor forest cover and carbon levels."
The so-called Global Carbon Monitoring System would be supported by remote sensing satellite monitoring technology and "carbon accounting activities" on the ground, he said.

http://www.france24.com/france24Public/en/administration/afp-news.html?id=070723162418.ffjczzjx&cat=null



Heat wave leads more forest fires in Italy
Posted: 2007/07/24
ROME, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Current heat wave in Italy caused more forest and brush fires, Italian civil protection authorities said here on Monday.
The southeast region of Puglia is one of the hardest hit by the fires, two more of which broke out during the night between Sunday and Monday, according to the local media reports.
Civil Protection officials said Puglia remained at high risk of fire because of the continuing drought there.
In Calabria fire-fighters brought under control a fire near theA3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria motorway which had been shut down on Sunday, the reports said.

http://mathaba.net/news/?x=558543



Jul 22 2007 9:47AM
Russian Il-76 water bomber battling forest fires in Bulgaria
MOSCOW. July 22 (Interfax) - A Russian Ilyushin Il-76 TD water- bomber, urgently dispatched to Bulgaria's Staraya Zagora, began a fire- fighting mission at 8 a.m. on Sunday, Emergency Situations Ministry spokesman Viktor Beltsov told Interfax.
"At the request of the Bulgarian government, the ministry has sent an Il-76 water bomber capable of carrying 42 tonnes of water to Bulgaria," Beltsov said.
Forest fires raging near Staraya Zagora are threatening to spread to populated areas, he said.
The ministry will dispatch helicopter water bombers to Greece on July 24 and 25 to battle forest fires outside Athens, Beltsov said. sd

http://www.interfax.ru/e/B/politics/28.html?id_issue=11795239



Wet weather soaks forest fires throughout Interior
Pilots Andy Streichsbier (l) and Tom Schneider (r) stand beside their trusty Sikorsky S-61 helicopter at the Clearwater stock car track. The chopper crew has been working on the Coldscaur Lake fire for the last week transporting crew, hauling camp supplies and dumping water on the blaze. Originally designed to work on offshore oil rigs, the S-61 is powered by twin 1500 horsepower engines that combined suck back a whopping 700 litres of fuel per hour. Thanks to all rain last week, the helicopter is no longer needed and the crew will be heading to Prince Rupert to heli-log next week.
By ROBERT MANGELSDORF
Jul 23 2007
Mother nature was doing her part to keep B.C.’s forests from burning last week as drenching rains doused dozens of fires across the region. More than 20 millimetres of water had fallen by Friday putting a damper on a number of potentially dangerous blazes and reducing the fire danger rating from extreme to low.
“The recent weather has really helped fire suppression efforts, mother nature is really helping us out,” said Kamloops Fire Centre Spokesperson Karlie Shaughnessy. “We’re expecting cooler temperatures with more precipitation, so that should help things.”
Early last week, the smell of smoke hung heavy in the air as a fire in a remote area near Coldscaur Lake burned 25 kilometres west of Clearwater.

http://www.clearwatertimes.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=7&cat=23&id=1030970&more=0



Greek health officials on alert as heatwave grips country
Athens - Hospital staff across Greece were placed on alert Monday as a heatwave, with temperatures expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius, will grip the country until the end of the weekGreece's health ministry said all 132 hospitals will be fully staffed to assist the public through the heatwave.
Officials said dozens of people, either suffering from sunstroke or breathing problems, were rushed to hospital on Monday across the country.
The country's public power corporation said it expected possible power shortages as air conditioning systems were working overtime.
Meanwhile, firefighters continued their battle to extinguish dozens of forest fires across Greece amid strong winds and rising temperatures. Authorities said most of the fires had been contained or brought partially under control.

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/85752.html




Europe sizzles as summer heat soars
Jul 24 2007
icWales
A HEATWAVE sweeping central and south-eastern Europe killed at least 25 people, with soaring temperatures sparking forest fires, damaging crops and prompting calls to ban horse-drawn tourist carriages.
In Romania, where temperatures reached 104 degrees the Health Ministry said at least 19 people had died due to heat.
In Austria, where highs had hovered around 95 degrees for days, the Health Ministry said three deaths were likely heat-related. Austrian media said at least five people had died from the heat, including an elderly woman who collapsed on a Vienna street.
A 56-year-old woman collapsed and died in Zagreb, Croatia, of what doctors believed was a heat-related heart attack. Temperatures in the Balkan country reached about 104.
Elsewhere, authorities in Slovakia and Hungary distributed free water in some cities. In the eastern Hungarian town of Kiskunhalas, temperatures reached a record 107.4, according to the national weather centre.
Greece’s Fire Service reported 115 fires, and firefighters had struggled to contain a blaze at an old army base near Athens, where temperatures reached 105.8. France, not affected by the heatwave, sent some firefighting planes to Greece to help out.

http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0700world/tm_headline=europe-sizzles-as-summer-heat-soars&method=full&objectid=19508908&siteid=50082-name_page.html



Fire fighters extinguish forest fires over night
Budapest, July 23 (MTI) - Several forest fires broke out during the weekend, which saw a continuation of temperatures hovering around 40 degree Celsius, said disaster management officials on Monday.
A forest fire in Vas County in western Hungary was eventually put out by fire fighters in the small hours of Monday while the fire service was called out to five different places during the night.
The fire in Porpac, Vas County, affected woodland coving 40 hectares. The cause of the fire has not yet been established.
Meanwhile fires also broke out in various storehouses in the same county, destroying 1,500 straw bales and farm equipment.
Other smaller fires in woodland associated with the unusually hot weather were reported in Pest County, C Hungary, according to national disaster management spokesman Tibor Dobson.

http://english.mti.hu/default.asp?menu=1&theme=2&cat=25&newsid=243329




Fires across Serbia under control

23 July 2007
Il-76 waterbomber is also working in Bulgaria and has been rejected by the west over a 12 year period. Look up the history in Google or any reputable search engine. We shall be grateful for reporting IL-76 waterbomber firefighting successes from Serbia .(JohnA, 24. July 2007 05:38)

http://www.b92.net/eng/news/comments.php?nav_id=42587



Pilot dies in crash near Happy Camp
His craft went down while he was fighting the Elk lightning fire
By
Mark Freeman
Mail Tribune
July 24, 2007
HAPPY CAMP, Calif. — An unidentified pilot died Monday when his helicopter crashed on a ridge while fighting the Elk fire, one of many lightning fires burning into their 14th day near Happy Camp, authorities said.
The U.S. Forest Service on Monday withheld any identifying information about the pilot — a firefighter under contract with the agency — or his employer until family members could be informed of the man's death, fire spokesman Mel Cagle said.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Department will determine the cause of death and notify the family, and the department expects to identify the pilot publicly today, said Susan Gravenkamp, the sheriff's department spokeswoman.
The helicopter was helping support the Elk fire, one of 30 lightning-caused blazes burning within the Elk Complex near Happy Camp, a small outpost on Highway 96 along the Klamath River near the Oregon/California border.
Cagle identified the helicopter only as "a small, type II" aircraft that the pilot was using to deliver a container of water that was to refill firefighters' water backpacks, Cagle said.

http://www.mailtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070724/NEWS/707240317



Storms may be a mixed blessing
By Judy Fahys
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 07/23/2007 10:34:57 AM MDT
Storms made their way into Utah on Sunday, promising to make way for cooler temperatures, less pollution and possibly some fire-dousing rain over the next few days.
"It could help the fires," said National Weather Service meteorologist Chris Young. "It could hurt the fires."
That's because the lightning accompanying the thunderstorms could spark more fire before any substantial rain comes. At least six of 10 fires in the state started from a lightning strike.
State air-quality officials on Sunday issued a "yellow air action alert," urging Wasatch Front residents to do what they can to reduce air pollution, including driving less and operating
lawn mowers very early or very late in the day through Tuesday. Smoke from the fires and the high daytime temperatures have kept ozone pollution high in the afternoons.

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_6440949

Advocate Lost

Lonely Planet author's body found
July 24, 2007 - 4:07PM
The body of a Melbourne man missing in China for almost three months has been found on a mountain in the country's remote south-west.
Clem Lindenmayer, 47, disappeared while hiking near Minya Konka mountain, also known as Gongga Shan in Sichuan province.
China's official Xinhua news agency said villagers found his body on July 19.
Mr Lindenmayer's family said they last heard from him on May 2 when he contacted his wife by email to tell her he was preparing for a hike around the mountain range, which lies in a rugged region that was once part of Tibet.
His mother said today she had learned of the discovery of her son's body last weekend.
Mr Lindenmayer's brother Peter and his nephew Tim Lindenmayer left Australia early last month to search for him after fears grew for his safety.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/lonely-planet-authors-body-found/2007/07/24/1185043099620.html

Lonely Planet - The incredible aspect of such a focus for travel is reality based. The 'tourist' is no longer isolated from the land and it's people to a world of entertainment thrill seeking. The 'tourist' in the year 2007 are interested in enjoyment but as an enhancement to that enjoyment of discovery of new lands and their beauty is the discovery of the people, lifestyles and how that interprets to their government. Of course in the middle of all this is 'where we go' as a nation of people that can facilitate changes for others in a way that is peaceful and economically based. Due to their desire to sustain environments and climates as a focus to 'activism tourism' is very interesting to me. They are talented folks. Sorry to hear of this loss.

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/journeys/feature/ts2/article/tibetfaq_0707

continued...

July 23, 2007
Considering we are in a Climate Crisis I don't believe that rating is reflective of the entire reality of our forest 'fire prevention' and 'fire fighting' needs. Not at all.
Idaho: West's busiest wildfire state (click here)
By JOHN MILLERASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
BOISE, Idaho -- An 887-square-mile wildfire that has burned near several communities on the Idaho-Nevada border continues to scorch a combination of grass, sagebrush and scrubby juniper trees in rugged terrain.
The Murphy Complex was keeping about 560 firefighters busy, including a Type 1 team that manages large, complicated fires.
It's just one of 14 blazes burning from the northern Idaho Panhandle to the state's southeastern corner. Idaho was the West's busiest fire state on Monday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. Wildfires were burning across about 1,300 square miles of the state - about twice the area burning in Nevada, the next-busiest state.
So far, no Idaho homes have burned in this round of fires, officials said.


July 16, 2007
Battle Mountain, Nevada
Photographer states :: Sparked by Lightning Storm on July 16
This is a view of the same fire line from above. Light of day is starting to be noted.



July 16, 2007
Battle Mountain, Nevada
Photographer states :: East of Battle Mountain, this fire closed I-80 for serveral hours over a period of three day.

Where is all the rain coming from in the UK? Animated Loop of Europe, primarily the UK.


July 24, 2007
0300z
Mediterranean Sea Satellite

This is a very interesting satellite to me. I don't know if everyone will be able to relate to this, but, it's worth the 'intellectual stretch.'

This is a legitimate view of the air mass including that of the equator. The equatorial air over Africa is grossly dry. When I view this satellite, most any satellite, I see the curve of Earth. I don't know if that will be helpful, but, the reason I bring that up, is to realize the air mass at the equator is 'non'-communicating with the air mass over the Arctic Circle.

So, to put this simply, where are the supercells getting all 'their humidity' to deliver rain to the UK?

Not to intimidate but do you 'get it?' Formulate your answer. Let's go. This is an easy one. What would Al Gore say?

You got it right ?

The 'humidity' fueling the supercells/vortexes causing all that rain to the UK is due to the melting of the Arctic Ocean. The humidity doesn't come from anywhere else. The heat transfer systems melt all that ice, the ice is delivered into ocean water but also sublime into humidity. The humidity continues to 'deal with' the heat and hence when mixed with particles from the troposphere produces storms that deliver rain. This is Human Induced Global Warming. This is not a friendly Earth. This is not a biodiverse Earth. This is a dangerous Earth.

Entertain this: What happens when there isn't anymore ice at the Arctic Circle to melt? What happens to the troposphere as the humans living at Earth's surface continues to deliver carbon dioxide to the gaseous layer of Earth? The heat 'is being handled' by Earth, although it doesn't feel like it with temperatures sustaining near or well over 100 F, when these mechanisms are eliminated as assuredly they will, what do you think will happen? Do we have a Climate Crisis? In my opinion we do.




July 24, 2007
0722 gmt
North Pole Satellite

This is the only satellite that visualizes the entire supercell/vortex over the North Atlantic.


July 24, 2007
0600
Europe satellite.

There are supercells being delivered in a regular basis to Europe. The UK is surrounded by OCEAN water. They have some large rivers that flood and saturate the land as the water runs toward the ocean.