Afghanistan isn't improving.

...It still isn’t entirely clear (click here) whether the man arrested for fatally shooting the four French fighters and injuring 16 other people in eastern Afghanistan Friday was an Afghan army soldier, or instead a Taliban infiltrator. In some ways, however, that may be academic. The killing of Western forces by assailants in Afghan army uniform has become an increasingly frequent occurrence–one that earlier claimed the lives of two French Legionnaires less than a month ago. Yet something has clearly changed between those two attacks. While Sarkozy’s response to the French deaths blamed on Afghan soldiers in December was low key, his reaction Friday was both swift and dramatic. He announced an immediate suspension of French involvement in the training and joint patrols with Afghan army forces, and dispatched Foreign Affairs Minister Alain Juppé and Defense Minister Gérard Longuet to Afghanistan to review the situation—a deployment of cabinet heavyweights designed to highlight the gravity of Paris’ diplomatic state of mind....

By NBC News and news services

Updated at 3:33 a.m. ET: A helicopter crash (click title to entry - thank you) in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan killed six U.S. Marines, the NATO military command in Kabul told NBC News early Friday.

Officials said there were no signs of enemy activity in the area at time of the crash.

The Marines have a substantial presence in Helmand province....

Posted Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Bombings in southern Afghanistan leave 20 dead (click here)

 

BY ALI SAFI

MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

KABUL, Afghanistan -- At least 20 people have been killed in suicide attacks in southern Afghanistan, authorities said Thursday, including seven civilians who died when a bomber blew himself up near an airport used by the U.S.-led coalition.

The attack near the entrance to the airfield in Kandahar - Afghanistan's second-largest city and the traditional heartland of the Taliban insurgency - occurred Thursday afternoon when a suicide bomber detonated a white Toyota Corolla, said Zalmai Ayubi, a spokesman for the provincial governor. Two children were among the dead, authorities said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on its website. The insurgents said the target was a convoy of foreign nationals who were leaving the airfield, which is one of the largest bases used by the NATO coalition. Many civilians use the busy entrance as well, however....

Does this need an explanation?

Senator Reid makes statement on Washoe Fire (click here)

Published: 1/19 4:19 pm

Updated: 1/19 4:24 pm

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) - Senator Harry Reid made the following statement in regards to the Washoe Fire:

"My thoughts are with those affected by the wildfires in Northern Nevada. I especially express my sympathies to those who have lost their home as a result. My appreciation goes to the first responders and firefighters who are on the scene and working very hard to keep residents safe. I will continue to monitor the situation as information becomes available. "

Moist ground will stop fires.  But, moist ground does not necessarily yield crops or satisfy the thrist of livestock.

2011 Wildfire Season Worst in Texas History (click title to entry - thank you)

Friday, January 20th, 2012
Posted by Chace MurphyLast year’s wildfire season was the worst in Texas history.

The Texas Forest Service says wildfires destroyed nearly 4 million acres and 4,000 homes and other structures. Ten people died.

The agency recently declared Oct. 31 as the end of the 2011 season after going back to study fire activity and weather. The season started in mid-November 2010.

Two months ago officials said the season could drag on until spring, because large blazes could ignite anywhere across the drought-stricken state. But Thursday state fire officials said November rainfall turned out to be more widespread than expected.

The state’s longest wildfire season was from April 2005 through September 2006, when blazes charred about 2 million acres and left 12 people dead.

The 2012 Texas wildfire season hasn’t started yet.

Snow, rain, ice and a mess the northwest is struggling to survive.

Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air Operating Limited Schedules in Seattle (click title to entry - thank you)
By Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Last modified: 2012-01-20T03:29:44Z
Published: Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012 - 7:29 pm
SEATTLE, Jan. 19, 2012 -- /PRNewswire/ -- Freezing rain and snow continue to affect Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air operations, which forced the carriers to cancel 310 flights to and from Seattle by early evening, affecting 29,000 passengers. Only 15 of Alaska's 114 daily flights and one Horizon flight had departed Seattle by that time as the region was hit by an extraordinary ice storm.

"We are doing our best to operate as many flights as possible to get people where they need to go as we cope with severe ice accumulation on our planes," Alaska Airlines' President Brad Tilden said. "We appreciate customers' patience and understanding as we contend with the freezing rain that has disrupted travel throughout the region. Our operational decisions will continue to be guided by our commitment to safety."

January 20, 2012
1330z
UNISYS Goes West Water Vapor Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop)

As first glance the reason for such turbulence and vascillation of 'weather' is due to the Arctic Oscillation.  But, that isn't it alone and this is a prime example why the verbiage of current weather/climate labels doesn't address the Climate Crisis.

Normally, the Arctic Oscillation is a big deal all by itself, but, this disasterous weather is also combined with a heat transfer system from across the Pacific.  The heat transfer system mixing with the Arctic Oscillation has delivered varying weather, but, a lot of water in the form of rain and flooding.  This is definately a weather pattern to pay attention to and is not in any imagination NORMAL.  Also noted is another very wet air pattern that may deliver more moisture to Texas, but, again the drought of the land is so profound the likelihood there will be improvement in the climate is remote, very remote.


Governor Christine Gregoire of Washington state declared a state of emergency on Thursday authorizing the use of National Guard troops in the aftermath of snowmaggedon now turned icemaggedon that has paralyzed much of the state with downed trees and tens of thousands without electricity.

Authorities say that over 2,300 car wrecks have taken place so far, according to KCPQ News.
Up to 230,000 customers are without electricity according to Andy Wappler from Puget Sound Energy, according to KOMO 4 News. Some will be without power for up to five days.

First came a historic snow storm, then that snow turned to ice which put weight on trees causing some to fall or large branches to break off on to roadways and over power lines, now the concern is the next couple of days bringing a warm front that likely will cause flooding....

Tacoma, WA chain link fence

State of Emergency in WA after storm: 3 dead (click here)

Jan 19, 2012 at 5:08 PM PST

By Stephanie Ealy