Rough weekend, huh?

The storm that brought such severe weather to the southern USA and east coast started as an Arctic Blast as the frigid air was displaced by a heat transfer off the Equator. The storm was trouble before it left Alaska as the cold air was rapidly displaced off the north pole.

I can't imagine being in this house when 94 mile per hour winds started to hit. In areas as remote as this, there is no place to run or no place to hide. Self sufficiency is deeply shaken when the roof of a house is taken off and shingles start to disappear. Exposure alone could kill a person and there aren't many neighbors to come help. The picture is from The Weather Underground. Thanks.


March 2, 2009
St. George Island, Alaska
Photographer states :: last week wednseday storms clock up to 94 mph


The Alabama tornado looks remarkably similar to the Wall Cloud in Kansas. It would make sense the 'system' would pick up more velocity as it reached further south and higher 'temperatures/calories of heat' in order to manifest 'near tornadoes' into a maximum of an F2.

Rotating Wall Cloud crosses road north of Rush Center, KS. Impressive, but no tornado touchdown. Resubmitted for tornado week (It is Tornado Week at The Weather Channel. Tornado Week is the way The Weather Channel 'primes' the public for a busy season of which this promises to be. 3 down...).

Photo taken by Photo Gallery member, Klipsi.
Taken in Rush Center, KS by Brittanyu
uploaded Feb 26, 2009

SALEM, Ala. (AP) Authorities report three Tornadoes (click here - one tornado was an F2) have cut a swath through east central Alabama. One church has been destroyed and another damaged. Ten homes and a school were also torn up. The National Weather Service says the storm system snapped or ripped hundreds of trees from the ground. Several minor injuries have been reported.

BREAKING NEWS: Boat found, one rescued - 2 NFL players not found (click here)
March 2, 2009 - 10:13 AM
AP
The Coast Guard says a man who went missing during a fishing trip has been found clinging to an overturned boat that belongs to Oakland Raiders linebacker Marquis Cooper. The Coast Guard says former University of South Florida player Nick Schuyler was rescued Monday afternoon off the Florida coast. Authorities say Cooper, Detroit Lions free agent Corey Smith and former South Florida player, William Bleakley, remain missing.Coast Guard Capt. Timothy M. Close says Schuyler told rescuers that the 21-foot boat was anchored when it flipped Saturday evening...

Storms Could Put Some Towns in the Red (click here)
by Adrienne Bennett

Mar 02nd 2009

Heavy snow is spreading across Maine, closing schools, businesses and state government and making for tough going for motorists during and after the morning commute.Road crews have had plows out in full force trying to keep up with the storm that's expected to dump accumulations of between 6 and 12 inches in most areas. This is the eighteenth storm of the season. Last year at this time there had been twenty-four snowstorms.The cities of Waterville and Augusta have public works budgets of $850,000 in winter funds, most of which has already been spent on storm clean-up, equipment repairs, salt, and sand. While there isn't a salt shortage like last year, Waterville public works director, Mark Turner says money may be the problem this year. He says, one or two more storms could put them in the red. If the budget is used up Turner says, the money will have to be found in other areas where there is a surplus. If a surplus isn't found, parks and recreation, solid waste, and recycling programs could be cut to find the needed funds.

Who leaked the information regarding the Prez's helicopter to Iran? My guess, a man by the name of Giorgio Zappa.

It is more than obvious that the security mechanism protecting President Obama has been tampered with and needs to be revamped ASAP. Why Georgio Zappa? For the same reason it was Marvin Bush. The UAE, that's why.

The United Arab Emirates Government selects Finmeccanica for 48 M-346 advanced lead-in fighter trainer aircraft (click here)
The United Arab Emirates Government today announced at IDEX 2009 (International Defence Exhibition & Conference) in Abu Dhabi that it had begun negotiations for the acquisition of 48 M-346 advanced lead-in fighter trainer aircraft manufactured by Alenia Aermacchi, a Finmeccanica company. The agreement, which also includes the creation of a joint venture in the UAE between Alenia Aermacchi and the Mubadala Development Company (Mubadala) to establish a final assembly line for the M-346, is the result of close collaboration between the Italian Government and the defence industry, which have worked together to capitalise on Italian excellence in the aeronautics high-tech sector....

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 5, 2008
February 5, 2008
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (click title to entry - thank you)
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL
SECURITY AFFAIRS
SUBJECT: Security Clearances
...I have determined that the significant opportunities to improve theseprocesses, and the expected benefits of doing so, argue for aggressiveefforts to achieve meaningful and lasting reform. Without altering thedistinct lines of authority for establishing policies and proceduresrelating to security clearance, Federal employment suitability, andrelated determinations, such reform should ensure that the executivebranch executes these authorities within a framework that maximizesefficiency and effectiveness while protecting the information collectedfrom unauthorized use or disclosure. Embedding that framework in policies,practices, and infrastructure will ensure that the reform effort andits benefits will continue into the future.
Efforts toward achieving this integration are already underway, sponsoredby the Director of National Intelligence, Secretary of Defense, Directorof the Office of Personnel Management, and the Assistant to the Presidentfor National Security Affairs, and coordinated by the Director of theOffice of Management and Budget....

The USA partner for the VH-71 is of all companies, Bell Helicopter. Now, where did I hear that name before? Hm?

Bell Helicopter Gets Pentagon Go-Ahead on Rebuilding Vietnam-Era Helicopters (click here)
Publication: Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Date: Friday, October 24 2003
By Dave Montgomery,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Texas Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News
Oct. 24--WASHINGTON--In a major boost for Bell Helicopter Textron, the Pentagon on Thursday endorsed the Fort Worth ( in case you didn't know - Fort Worth is in Texas) company's $5.6 billion program to transform 280 aging helicopters into a 21st Century fleet that will serve the Marine Corps for more than two decades....

There already is one prototype.


VH-71 undergoing testing near the Lockheed facility in Owego, NY




VH-71 Kestrel / Marine One is produced by Agustawestland. (click here)

President Barack Obama says he has ordered a review of plans to replace the fleet of decades-old presidential helicopters at a cost of about $11 billion. Mr. Obama made the announcement aftern his one-time presidential rival, Arizona Senator John McCain, questioned the need for the costly program when the government is trying to curb spending. The president responded that he thinks his current helicopter seems "perfectly adequate," and he said the costly military program is "an example of the procurement process gone amok."
The total acquisition costs for the VH–71 Presidential Helicopter replacement program are projected to increase from $6.5 billion to $11.2 billion. The FY2009 budget request included $1,047.8 million in PE 64273N for continued development of the executive helicopter, VH-71A. The VH-71A program is intended to provide the replacement helicopter for transportation of the President and Vice President of the United States, heads of state, and other dignitaries. The FY2009 House report (H. Rept. 110-652) observed that the reported cost increases in the program were sufficient to exceed the 25 percent unit cost increase that would invoke the certification requirements levied by section 2433 (e)(2)(A) of title 10, United States Code, commonly referred to as a “Nunn-McCurdy Breach.” The House report directed the Secretary of Defense to submit an analysis of potential advantages and disadvantages of conducting a re-competition of the program when the Secretary submits that certification....

So how does an Italian company 'fit into the picture' regarding the President's new helicopter?

AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica's company, is a provider of total capability solutions in the vertical lift markets. (click here)

Recently the news has not been good for Boeing. And the global financial crisis has the EU and the Euro at a disadvantage.

Boeing confirms Dreamliner order cancellations (click here)
By Christopher Hinton, MarketWatch
Last update: 3:02 p.m. EST Feb. 5, 2009
NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Boeing Co. on Thursday confirmed reports that two of its customers have dropped orders for 31 of the company's Dreamliner commercial aircraft....
...During a post-earnings call with analysts Jan. 28, Boeing Chairman and Chief Executive Jim NcNerney said he expected an increase in aircraft cancellations and deferments this year, but he reminded investors that the company's backlog represented more than five years of steady work....

It is a very ambitious company involved with the European Airbus and the Dreamliner (click here). The work this company does is supposed to make planes lighter and hence cut down on fuel usage. But, there is no 'exclusivity' to the use of their technologies to Boeing and the price of jet fuel to airlines is a bit staggering. So, in order to 'satisfy' the 'conscience' of the airline consumer these days that wants to 'feel' as though their chosen method of travel is the least offensive to Earth, this company offers interesting alternatives.

Finmeccanica looks for a slice of the A350 (click here)
...Giorgio Zappa, Finmeccanica's chief operating officer, told the Guardian that its aerospace unit, Alenia, a self-styled global leader in composite technology, could build between 6% and 8% of the new plane's fuselage. The firm's Alenia plant in Puglia already makes two parts of the all-composite fuselage for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, the A350's rival and the fastest-selling plane in the world....

Georgio Zappa is the COO (Chief Operating Officer) of Finmeccanica (click here). If he is not directly involved than he oversees the operations of the company and in particular its technical development.


The three parties ( Gov. Rick Perry, Vought Aircraft CEO Tom Risley and Alenia Aeronautica, S.p.A Chairman and CEO Giorgio Zappa) agreed to meet again in early April in Texas to develop a plan to be presented to The Boeing Co. to expand Vought and Alenia's work scope on the Boeing 7E7 Dreamliner airplane and other military aircraft opportunities. Alenia currently has an established relationship with Lockheed Martin in Texas on the F-35 and C27J programs.
March 17, 2004

Gov. Perry, Vought Aircraft and Alenia Aeronautica Meet in Italy To Discuss Job Growth Opportunities in Texas (click here)

Patrick plays den mother at bear survey

I applaud Governor Patrick for his involvement with the Massachusetts bear repopulation and tracking project. It is one of the best managed programs of its kind.

It is quite a statement for the Governor to be involved and offer high profile to such a worthwhile project. Frequently, others would classify this 'type' of Conservation Project as 'pork' but it is in fact a vital aspect of Wildlife Management.



...While they worked yesterday, a political contingent along for the adventure played den mother to the bear's three cubs.

"I know, I know," Governor Deval Patrick cooed to a trembling, yawping cub, while Ian Bowles, the state's energy and environmental affairs secretary, stuffed a second cub into his jacket to keep it warm.

The bear reconnaissance mission, which found three cubs and their massive mother in an earthy den, was part of the state's annual black bear survey. Each year, researchers check in on 15 female bears wearing radio collars, to determine whether they are alive and healthy, and whether they've had cubs. This year, 10 of the 15 bears are expected to have newborns....

The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Dick Cheney's Paper Shredder - click here) is:

Hard aground

(Photo by U.S. Coast Guard / February 26, 2009)
This photo provided by the Coast Guard shows the fishing vessel Icy Mist sitting next to the shore of Akutan Island, in Alaska. Four crew members of the grounded fishing boat used a crab pot to lower themselves off their vessel Wednesday to get to higher ground, where they were hoisted to safety by a rescue helicopter.Hurricane-force winds kept the Coast Guard from lifting crewmen directly from the 58-foot-long ship.

Local Time: 5:49 AM AKST (GMT -09)

Lat/Lon :: 58.8° N 137.0° W

Elevation :: 33 F

Temperature :: High 36 F

Low 10 F

Conditions :: Overcast

Windchill: 18 °F

Humidity: 86%

Dew Point: 25 °F

Wind: 14 mph from the NW

Wind Gust: 21 mph

Pressure: 29.53 in (Falling)

Visibility: 2.0 miles

UV: 0 out of 16

Clouds: Overcast 1500 ft (Above Ground Level)

Why California hasn't decided well on 'infrastructure' changes. Schwarzenegger is trying shock and ah !

The index above shows the 'averages' of snow and precipitation for California since 1995. The 'runoff' is the indication of how much water goes into the reservoirs. If one looks at the solid horizontal line across the graph there is a 'consistent' average that indicates 'regardless' of the amount of precipitation and/or snowpack the 'available' water supply has been consistent in the reservoirs 'on average.' The key word there being reservoirs.

In looking at that solid blue line there are also 'arrows' to indicate whether or not the 'storage' in the reservoirs are up or down. Consistently in this set of graphs the reservoirs are down, even in an exceptionally HIGHER 'runoff' year as IN 1997. It is this 'consistent' blue line and the fact that even in higher years the reservoirs are always low that lead Governor Schwarzenegger to the conclusion that the water resources are sufficient in California, but, the problem lies in the 'concrete' infrastructure such as dams to hold the runoff, therefore, build more dams.

Note that the graph (this is an Official Current California graphs) stop in the year 2006. There are later reports to be graphed, yet, when looking at the graph entitled "Official Year Classifications based on May 1 Runoff Forecasts" at the bottom of the page on this California Water Analysis (click here) what enters into the picture is a far different dynamic.

Building dams in California, and I am sorry if this doesn't 'fit' into the Governor's plans for infrastructure work, is the "W"rong methodology when the state also openly acknowledges in a lawsuit to the EPA that the trend in Climate Change is due to Human Induction and the high emissions of carbon dioxide.

The 'idea' that building more dams in California or anywhere else when facing Climage Change is a poor choice. There needs to be, and this is even a more unpopular choice, desaliation plants for areas of the country with continuing drought. In any United Nations document and that of the USA Defense Department it is widely known that there will be drought conditions that are destablizing throughout the world that are 'climate' oriented and not 'population' oriented.

When linking the information in the graph above with the information in the chart at the link an entirely different picture emerges and one that is based in 'Climate Emergency' and not 'Drought Emergency.'

When looking at the 'CONDITIONS' of the Climate that reflect water runoff the year 1997 is a 'Wet Year Type.' In the case of the Sacramento Valley Index that is consistently true for all the years UNTIL 2001 when the Climate Patterns severely shifted and the 'runoff' fell of significantly to the point where there was only ONE 'Wet Year Type' in 2006 and all the other years since 2001 have been far less generous in their delivery of rain to the point where 2008 is a "Critical Year Type.'

Looking at the San Joaquin Valley Index there is 'basically' a very smiliar Climate Pattern except more dramatic in many ways. The decline in 'runoff' started to fail two years earlier in 1999 and the 'Critical Year Type' started in 2007.

No matter how one tries there is no way to 'create' rain or snowpack on a warming planet. There just isn't. The drop in snowpack in 2008 was significant and can't be ignored. Earth is becoming far drier than it was and the circumstances in California is no different. Granted when there are more people that 'draw' on reservoir supplies there will be a greater demand and a far higher decrease in reservoir levels and the argument can be made to build more dams, but, not in this case. If this were the year 1998 the 'answer' to build more dams in California would be correct, but, this is 2009 and the answer is 'the source' of water and NOT the 'source of the depletion ALONE.'

Granted there are more people in the 'system' so to speak, but, there are also Climate Patterns at work that are NOT 'short time' in duration and will not reverse quickly in the near future. Therefore, AND ESPECIALLY, with severe economic considerations, the 'choices' to build dams 'in hopes' of securing a new water source for Californians is wrong.

The state of California needs new water 'sources' as their 'runoff' is severely trending down and there is no relief for Human Induced Climate Change in the near future. Therefore, AND WITHOUT RESERVATION, it is my opinion all the states of the USA need to look to desaliation plants as a solution for their water shortages. Earth will not be returning its generosity in the near future to abundant water falls and especially not to higher snowpack. It just won't happen.

Quite literally, California can spend all kinds of monies in building new dams and aquaducts and create new jobs, however, at the end of the day they will still be faced with critical runoff issues and it might be that with increased and increasing demands ALL the reservoirs will be 'dry' and not just depleted. This choice is important and the 'rush' to build dams is a poor idea and one that is simplistic in its design.

The 'idea' that the Governor can simply 'pull the plug' on California agriculture is outrageous and not just a 'bad idea.' California is the sixth largest economy in the world, back in the day when economies were healthy. The export of California agricultural commodies is a significant part of the state's and country's GDP. To simply cut off the water to agriculture during this critical period is 'economic ruin' not to mention the 'sequelae' of environmental issues that will follow a California without vigorous crops growing.

A drop in crop production in California would cause an increase in carbon dioxide levels, it would begin a process of soil erosion and degradation and farmers would be challenged to pay their taxes, yet alone support their families and/or employees. There cannot be a 'fall off' of California agricultural production, as it would decrease the 'perishable' food supply both domestically and abroad and raise the price of consumer goods. The 'concept' of irrigation to farms is NOT the same as 'sprinklers' to a lawn.

The agricultural sector in California should be the last choice for water conservation. What needs to occur is to recognize the 'consumer' need of California's water supply and suppliment it with supplies from other nearby areas, such as the Rio Grande in Southern California (click here for a New Mexico study), and delivered by truck if necessary as if it were an 'emergency' that would be handled by FEMA / Homeland Security.

The 'use' of the words 'drought emergency' by the California Governor can't go unaddressed. The need is immediate and Governor Schwarzenegger is not alone responsible for this emergency, but, there needs to be put in place short term measures to answer the issue of 'water supply' to the general public until further measures can be taken. To simply stop the water supply to California's agriculture in this climate is not the answer. I promise you that. In one month from now if that were to occur, we would be looking at a far worsening picture and one on its way to being irreversible in its etiology. Water supply to California agriculture is that critical. The 'short' term view of water source to California in March is little changed, if not worse, than February 2009.

There are measures that can be embarked on and should. The aquaducts in California have a high evaporation rate. In other words, the water delivery via aquaduct is grossly inefficient and while putting in 'underground water pipes' would have been a far better idea, the answer now will have to address the evaporation to exposed water aquaducts. In other words, put a 'lid on the aquaducts.' In Australia which has 'basically' the same 'latitude' in the Southern Hemisphere as California in the Northern Hemisphere, they use many different venues to 'gather' water including 'capturing the morning dew.' The point is that simply 'tarps' can be laid over the aquaducts to 'capture' the evaporation and allow it to condense and fall back into the water supply of the aquaduct rather than entering the tropospheric air as humidity. The idea of tarps is not a gigantic expense to the state and can be temporary until there are better solutions, however, there needs to be conservation both by 'preserving' liquid water as well as its use.

Follow?

It would be a simple task for the Army Corp of Engineers to 'tarp' the California Aquaducts than to build another dam or secure a water source in cooperation with New Mexico from the Rio Grande.

The answer to California's water SHORTAGE is not to simply build more dams. It won't work, the population won't 'level off' to accommodate the water supply and it is an idea that is a bit 'antiquated' given the solidly witnessed trend in a warming planet. I firmly believe, as I stated in regard to Lake Lanier's drought (click here), there is nothing wrong with building desalination plants when the 'idea' that growing populations along with a warming Earth will equal grossly inconsistent rainfall patterns. Just because one year 'seems' like a good rainfall year doesn't mean that will continue. It doesn't have to be a 'trend' in water sources, but, it certainly can be a 'back up' source. It is all in 'the design' of the plants and their 'end result' use and its environmental 'contributions' to stabilizing water supplies and climate.

The problems that the USA, especially California, is facing today is because of profound 'denial' of Climate Change as related to Human Induction from high Carbon Dioxide levels. That denial is over and the solutions to stop the emissions is on the way, but, what we do in the 'meantime' until CO2 levels actually reverse is just as important as the changes to our energy and transportation infrastructure. Any 'investment' in conserving water resources and insuring their source in the future is not wasted monies, so much as prudent decisions that will always 'be there' to close the 'gap' of 'climate' issues on Earth. A desalination plant's 'on and off' switch is just as important as its agreement to be built.

Secret start to Japan's whaling season

Losing the edge against Japanese whaling (click here)
February 21, 2009
Ben Cubby talks to the political conservative who flew the anti-whaling flag inside the Howard government....
...In January Campbell joined the board of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, a group sometimes avoided even by Greenpeace. Over the summer Watson's vessel engaged in cat-and-mouse interference with Japan's Southern Ocean whaling fleet, employing stunts that included hurling rancid butter on to the deck of a Japanese whaler. But the whale kill was severely disrupted.
Campbell says he admires this sort of direct action, provided it can be done safely, but he never needed a conversion to the cause. His passion for whales goes back to 1970 when a 16-year-old Campbell discovered a tape of whale songs in the Brisbane Grammar library.
"It was quite captivating … It's something that's been close to my heart all my life."
The next year he had his first sighting of a humpback off the Western Australia coast while sailing with his father. He was hooked, and became determined to see that whales were not....

This is a photo from 2004. Supposedly, the stranding took place because of seimic testing for gas and oil. There are mass strandings every year in Australia and New Zealand during the summer months when the whales and dolphins are feeding in the plankton rich arctic waters. (click here). There is no reason for Japan to continue its annual hunt while there are so many of these mammals driven out of the water by drilling companies and the whalers themselves ! It would seem there needs to be a moritorium on drilling exploration as well as whaling until the issues that beset these mammals are more fully known. Just one season without trama and interruption for these mammals will reveal these strandings as a natural phenomena or one caused by human activity. If scientists are unclear to the reason of these strandings, the IWC should be demanding a complete investigation before there are any more hunts or seimic testing while they are seasonally feeding.




...Bob Brown, leader of Australia's Greens party, said earlier on Tuesday that ocean seismic tests for oil and gas should be stopped until the whale migration season ends.... (click here)

The Japanese hung dolphins all the time.

Nearly 200 whales, some dolphins stranded on Tasmanian beach (click here)
By Associated Press
4:05 PM CST, March 1, 2009
SYDNEY (AP) — Nearly 200 whales and several dolphins are stranded on a beach in the southern Australian island state of Tasmania, the latest in a string of beachings in recent months....
...Strandings happen periodically in Tasmania as whales go by during their migration to and from Antarctic waters. However, Arthur said it was unusual for whales and dolphins to get stranded together....