This is the part where I get to give my opinion.

If the world is serious about nuclear non-proliferation than it needs to show it. Great Britain and France have a good start on the problem and make no mistake it is a problem. The world is getting smaller and smaller everyday. In the year 2025 it is estimated there will be 7,936,741 people (click here) people on Earth. The USA will have the largest First World population (think global economic clout to all the local economies) only to be preceded in sheer number by India and China.

How civilized will the supposedly more civilized country, the USA, in the world appear in the year 2025? How Pro-Life is the Political Christian Right Wing if it can't even balance child birth with human longevity, quality of life and the peace needed to insure it?

What will this hideous global paradigm be called in the 22nd Century or the year 3000, should human beings survive their greed for power and money over the value of the sunrise, clean oceans, happy children, their futures and healthy food?

How can any program between Russia and the USA to reduce the nuclear stockpiles mean anything if it doesn't reach a number that is inconsequential to nuclear annihilation?

The demonstration by Russia today was serious. It was also correct for several reasons. 

How is a country such as Syria suppose to believe it does not need nuclear capacity if Russia pretends to be a pacifist rather than demonstrative in their capacity to defend them in an alliance? Why should Mideast nations entertain being non-nuclear if their allies can't demonstrate they mean what they say. Because in the chasms of the minds of diplomats now exists a Russia bold enough to be understood at the diplomatic tables.

Russia drew a line today. It is an important line. It needs to be clear and understood while it is willing to pick up after the ill laid plans of the USA nuclear program for Iran and to sign treaties reducing weapons and limiting destruction, it is still one of the most powerful nations on Earth with capacity not to be toyed with.

Additionally, we have a real Right Wing war advocate running for the USA presidency. No, it isn't President Obama. Romney has sincerely disturbing ties to the Neocons of Israel, especially one linked to Las Vegas and its wealth. Mr. Romney has taken dangerous positions on his foreign nightmare of a trip earlier in his campaign. He wasn't even subtle about his affiliations, extremism of them and him or his loyalty to those extremes. 

Russia and the rest of the world tolerated George W. Bush and Richard Cheney, they will not do the same with Romney or the Neocons he seeks to line his Defense Department. Russia will not back down from defending its borders or the new nations it now defends that were once a part of Georgia. They will not see thousands killed while the world watches and does nothing.

As of today, Russia is posed and China is absent from the dialogue of non-proliferation. We know where France and Great Britain stands in their encouraging move toward weapons reduction. Those reductions in nuclear arms, by the way, will have an effect on the attitudes of Russia and China. It will take on the definition of a new paradigm of cooperation.

But, the USA is lagging. It is all too labile in its political underpinnings regarding peace, the future of their children and how the world exists in the face of such hideous ideologues still within the scope of power of its nuclear capacity. In some ways, one has to realize the USA, in the wrong hands, is more dangerous than Pakistan in the hands of the Taliban. The Republican Party has morphed into something dangerous beyond what should ever be intended. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." "Trust, but, verify." Where has that gone? Reagan got results without firing a shot, Bush only instilled fear and escalation.

Nuclear weapons are not necessary. They are more damning a weapons system than any on Earth. They need to be removed from their potential.

Global greed instead of peace is a terrible thing. It is just not worth fighting for. 

"We don't belong in Iraq. We never did."

Vladimir, is that really you?

October 21 2012

...Putin (click here) has of course exhibited an almost supernatural hold over the state of Russia for the last fifteen years, able to manipulate and control the nation to his will for much of that time. The times, though, they are a changing and Putin has started to change with them, becoming more aggressive and obstinate rather than inclusive.

At this stage, that shift seems to be working. There have been troubles for Putin, no doubt, but no full out rebellion. How long that stability holds is of course up for debate but for now Putin still exerts an incredible degree of control over his country, power he is using to play with nuclear weapons again in presumably an effort to show the world what a tough guy he is, still is.

“Exercises of the strategic nuclear forces were conducted on such a scale for the first time in the modern history of Russia,” said the Kremlin in statement. “Vladimir Putin gave a high evaluation to the combat units and crews and the work of the Armed Forces General Staff, which fulfilled the tasks before them and affirmed the reliability and effectiveness of Russia's nuclear forces.”

It’s not clear what the tests actually involved or the actual reason was for doing them but they happened....

China's nuclear arsenal is not a surprise to anyone, yet there exists no treaty between China and the USA. A friendship pact exists between China and Russia since the year 2000, but, China might want to remind its neighbor to the north about it and renew the bond.

The article in The Washington Times is inflammatory, but, there is a nuclear arsenal that increased in size after Bush made that huge payment to Pakistan for air space.

...National security columnist Bill Gertz (click here)  has just finished a series of reports about what the Pentagon will not tell the American people: China has just completed a series of intercontinental missile tests that mark the start of a new era for China’s nuclear forces, one in which they deploy missiles with multiple warheads and penetration aids (MIRVs). Two apparently successful tests of the JL-2 submarine-launched ballistic missile signal that the two new operational Type-94 (Jin class) nuclear missile submarines (of a fleet of five) may soon start strategic patrols. On land, China’s new DF-41 mobile ICBMs are soon expected to demonstrate MIRV capabilities and are estimated by some to be able to carry up to 10 warheads....

Is the Washington Times still twenty-five cents on the newsstand? That speaks to me for some reason.

Are we safe yet?

October 19, 2012
By Steven Pifer and Michael O'Hanlon

...With the New START (click here) arms deal now in force, the strategic nuclear balance between the U.S. and Russia is stable. But we shouldn't settle for that. The nuclear arsenals of Russia and other countries still hold thousands of weapons that could be turned against us or our allies. And, over the last 15 years, the number of nuclear-armed states has increased by three, with Iran perhaps on the verge....

The USA Senate overwhelmingly ratified the START Treaty in a vote 71 to 46. It was a victory for President Obama.

President Barack Obama signs the instrument of ratification of the New START Treaty in the Oval Office, Feb. 2, 2011. Participants include, from left: Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen; Energy Secretary Steven Chu; Defense Secretary Robert Gates; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.; Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind.; Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss.; Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H.; and Vice President Joe Biden. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

When Germany states it needs a nuclear shield from Iranian threats...

...it is all politics and aggression. The fact of the matter is there is known globally of NATO nuclear weapons sharing states (Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey).

It is Europe's dirty secret (click here) that the list of nuclear-capable countries extends beyond those that have built their own weapons — Britain, France and Russia. The truth is that Belgium, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands store nuclear bombs on their air-force bases and have planes capable of delivering them. There are an estimated 200 B-61 thermonuclear-gravity bombs scattered across these four countries. Under a NATO agreement struck during the Cold War, the bombs, which are owned by the U.S., can be transferred to the control of a host nation's air force in time of conflict. Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Dutch, Belgian, Italian and German pilots remain ready to engage in nuclear war.


Basically, the United States of America has theromonuclear weapons parked all over Europe, just waiting for the word to load them onto planes for delivery. So when Russia states they don't want Star War Satellites parked at its border, it has every right to assert that while Germany lies about its need for a missile shield. 

Iran has every bit of worry of retaliation from Europe as the USA.

Pakistan has two heads.

Currently, the Pakistan Propagandists, which are the country's militias, are beginning their 'threat dialogue' regarding the education of girls and women. This is a problem within Pakistan and as long as there is a militia called Taliban, as long as Pakistan has a nuclear program, there will be the two headed snake of Pakistan roaming the country seeking to always remind the citizens that their government is not the most powerful entity in their lives.

Two Publics, Differing Opinions (click here)

Pakistan’s military high command fears the Pentagon’s contingency plans to seize its nukes. Following the clandestine strike by US SEALs that killed Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in May 2011, it loaded elements of its nuclear arsenal onto trucks, which rumbled around the country to frustrate any possible American attempt to grab its most prized possessions. When Senator John Kerry arrived in Islamabad to calm frayed nerves following Bin Laden’s assassination, high Pakistani officials insisted on a written US promise not to raid their nuclear arsenal. He snubbed the demand.

Since then mutual distrust between the two nominal allies—a relationship encapsulated by some in the term “AmPak”—has only intensified. Last month, for instance, Pakistan became the sole Muslim country to officially call on the Obama administration to ban the fourteen-minute anti-Islamic video clip “The Innocence of Muslims,” which depicts the Prophet Muhammad as a womanizer, religious fraud and pedophile.

While offering a bounty of $100,000 for the killing of Nakoula Basseley Nakoula, an Egyptian-American Christian producer of the movie, Pakistan’s Railways Minister Ghulam Ahmad Bilour called on Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban to be “partners in this noble deed.” Prime Minister Raja Ashraf distanced his government from Bilour’s incitement to murder, a criminal offense under Pakistani law, but did not dismiss him from the cabinet. The US State Department strongly condemned Bilour’s move....

Hasn't the world exploited his genius enough?

Einstein as he spoke in opposition to nuclear weapons.

Albert Einstein, the full measure of whose prophetic stature still has not been taken, wrote in a telegram to President Roosevelt in 1946: “The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything save our modes of thinking, and we thus drift toward unparalleled catastrophe.”

Einstein was implying that we need a new mode of thinking where we see clearly that a security program based in the possession of nuclear weapons leads nowhere.

The physicist Albert Einstein (click here) did not directly participate in the invention of the atomic bomb. But as we shall see, he was instrumental in facilitating its development.
In 1905, as part of his Special Theory of Relativity, he made the intriguing point that a large amount of energy could be released from a small amount of matter. This was expressed by the equation E=mc2 (energy = mass times the speed of light squared). The atomic bomb would clearly illustrate this principle.
But bombs were not what Einstein had in mind when he published this equation. Indeed, he considered himself to be a pacifist. In 1929, he publicly declared that if a war broke out he would "unconditionally refuse to do war service, direct or indirect... regardless of how the cause of the war should be judged." (Ronald Clark, "Einstein: The Life and Times", pg. 428). His position would change in 1933, as the result of Adolf Hitler's ascent to power in Germany. While still promoting peace, Einstein no longer fit his previous self-description of being an "absolute pacifist"....

October 17, 1962 After another U-2 flight on the night of the 17th, the military discoveres intermediate range (IRBMs) SS-5 nuclear missiles.

In this Sept. 20, 1960 photo, Cuba's leader Fidel Castro, center, speaks with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, right, as his Foreign Minister Raul Roa, left, looks on at the Hotel Theresa during the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The world stood at the brink of Armageddon for 13 days in October 1962 when President John F. Kennedy drew a symbolic line in the Atlantic and warned of dire consequences if Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev dared to cross it. On the eve of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban missile crisis, historians now say it was behind-the-scenes compromise rather than a high-stakes game of chicken that resolved the faceoff, that both Washington and Moscow wound up winners and that the crisis lasted far longer than 13 days.

The Cuban Missile Crisis is 40 years behind us this month. Isn't time to realize how completely dangerous these weapons are and secure from them?

Fidel Castro assumes power after the Cuban Revolution on January 1, 1959 (click here)

I was 21 during the Cuban Missile Crisis, (click here) in the Navy and stationed at NAS Jacksonville in a photo reconnaissance squadron. I believe it was the weekend of around Oct. 14, 1962. The Squadron Duty Officer came tearing into the office demanding to know if I could work on the Crusader camera gear! I told him I could. … I saw the Russian missiles on the ground in Cuba!

My duty officer then ordered me to take the film to the on base photo lab to be processed. After the prints were made from the original negatives, I found out what was going on. I later found out that our XO delivered those prints, showing the Russian missiles in Cuba, directly to President Kennedy!

Howard S. Palmer, 71, Mandarin

The Cuban Missile Crisis was a lesson for every man and woman on Earth. Hasn't the nuclear timeline extended enough? 

Existence of nuclear weapons and human fallibility make repeat of Cuban missile crisis an ever-present threat. (click here)

5:30 AM Monday Oct 22, 2012
By Gwynne Dyer

This month is the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 16-28, 1962), so we're going to hear a great deal about the weeks when the world almost died. But the past is a foreign country, a place where everything was in black-and-white and men still wore hats, so it's just scary stories about a long-gone time.

Or so it seems.

The outlines of the tale are well known. It was 17 years since the United States had used nuclear weapons on Japan, and the Soviet Union now had them, too. Lots of them: the American and Soviet arsenals included some 30,000 nuclear weapons, and not all of them were carried by bombers any more. Some were mounted on rockets that could reach their targets in the other country in half an hour....

Nuclear Non-Proliferation is alive and well.

The U.N. General Assembly in session on Wednesday.

I doubt seriously France and Great Britain need nuclear capacity. A power sharing agreement within the EU regarding a nuclear scale back would be a remarkable landmark for nuclear non-proliferation.

France and Great Britain will never be enemies of each other. The entire concept is bizarre to entertain, so if the rest of the world needs an example of nuclear disarmament, then be sure it is ceremonial.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2012, 9:05 AM

LONDON — There were reports (click here) on Thursday of stirrings within the British military about the need to scale back the country’s nuclear deterrent in order to spend the money on confronting more conventional threats.

It is part of a continuing debate in Britain and France — Europe’s two nuclear weapons powers — about the cost to their overburdened budgets of maintaining nuclear independence.

In the post-Cold War world, does it make sense to have nuclear capacities that were designed to deter the Soviet Union?

From a diplomatic viewpoint, nuclear weapons are seen as money well spent, allowing both countries to punch above their weight in the international arena. However, economic factors mean the two countries would now like to keep the weapons but cut costs in a process that has been described as “deterrent lite.”...

This is the way our children imagine sustaining peace, huh?

Really? 

The protesters are not without valid complaints

Rajeev Deshpande, TNN
 Oct 21, 2012, 02.21AM 

NEW DELHI: India (click here) is set to cross a major hump in its nuclear power programme with the Kudankulam plant expected to begin generating power within a month after it goes critical in the next 10 days, marking, an end to prolonged delays due to local protests and anti-nuclear activism. 

The first unit of the Russian-built nuclear plant is close to a landmark moment after post-Fukushima public unease over atomic power and a powerful alliance of church groups and activists threatened to thwart India's ambitious plans to build 20 plants in the 12th Plan....

CHENNAI: The protest fast (click here) against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) continued for the 14th day Monday in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, an activist said.

"Around 400 people from Thomaiarpuram, Idinthakarai and Kudankulam participated in the fast," S. Sivasubramanian, coordinator of the People's Rights Movement, an organisation fighting for the plant's closure, told IANS.

India's nuclear power plant operator NPCIL is building two 1,000 MW nuclear power reactors with Russian technology and equipment in Koodankulam, around 650 km from here. The first unit is expected to go on stream in December. The project is estimated to cost around Rs.13,000 crore....

The power plant is at the southern tip of India. It isn't as though it is exempt from flood waters. The protesters are not hysterical, they are correct. This was one lousy place to put a nuclear power plant.

Effects of the December 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami on the Indian Mainland (click here) 

The 26 December 2004 tsunami significantly affected the coastal regions
of southern peninsular India. About 8,835 human lives were lost in the tsunami
in mainland India, with 86 persons reported missing. Two reconnaissance
teams traveled by road to survey the damage across mainland India.
Geographic and topological features affecting tsunami behavior on the
mainland were observed. The housing stock along the coast, as well as bridges
and roads, suffered extensive damage. Structures were damaged by direct
pressure from tsunami waves, and scouring damage was induced by the
receding waves. Many of the affected structures consisted of nonengineered,
poorly constructed houses belonging to the fishing community....

The candidates running for office in any race should measure their statements.

I doubt if the political Right Wing of the USA is capable of measured statements, but, it would be good if they try. When it comes to international relations Americans aren't really interested in rhetoric or inflammatory speech as was delivered in "The Axis of Evil" speech. Seriously. I hope Romney isn't going to be that stupid and put the worst face to the USA all over again. Debates matter to those listening outside of our borders, including our troops.

In this file photo Iranian President Ahmadinejad (R) is escorted by technicians during a tour of Tehran’s research reactor center in Tehran. Iran has denied a report that it had plans for direct talks with the US over its nuclear program. AP photo

The door to finding a diplomatic solution to Iran’s disputed nuclear program is still open despite denials from Washington and Tehran (click here)

...Third debate today

“It’s not true that the United States and Iran have agreed to one-on-one talks or any meeting after the American elections,” he said. “We continue to work with the P5+1 on a diplomatic solution and have said from the outset that we would be prepared to meet bilaterally.”

Iran similarly denied the report. “We don’t have any discussions or negotiations with America,” Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said yesterday. “The (nuclear) talks are ongoing with the P5+1 group of nations. Other than that, we have no discussions with the United States.” The report came on the eve of the last presidential debate between Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, which will focus on foreign policy, meaning Iran’s nuclear ambitions will likely be a topic.

Obama and Romney both took a break from the campaign trail this weekend to prepare for today’s debate...

Aren't USA presidential elections fun?

I hate to break the news to everyone in South Korea but they aren't that far from North Korea, so democracy there isn't quite the same as in the good ole' USA. Why don't Koran Americans carry out demonstrations without releasing balloons, okay?

This just isn't a good idea. What adds to the suspense of what North Korea might do, is the missing status of its First Lady. 

I believe the balloon demonstrators are a bad idea right now.

By Sangwon Yoon on October 21, 2012

South Korea Prepares to Evacuate DMZ Citizens as North Threatens (click here)

South Korea is preparing to evacuate more than 800 residents along the demilitarized zone after North Korea threatened to fire on activists planning to send balloons across the border carrying leaflets critical of the communist regime.

Citizens residing within the civilian control line will be evacuated if any North Korean movements for a possible attack are spotted, Park Kwang Hae, an official at Paju City Council, said by phone late yesterday. No evacuation orders are in place currently, he said.

A group of South Korean organizations plans to send 200,000 leaflets by balloons near the demilitarized zone at 11 a.m. today, according to Park Sang Hak, leader of the Fighters for Free North Korea, one of the event’s hosts. The threat of an attack against activists is the first since North Korean leader Kim Jong Un succeeded his father Kim Jong Il in December. The activists sent balloons carrying leaflets on five occasions since the younger Kim’s ascension, Park said Oct. 19....

North Korea leader Kim Jong-un's wife 'Missing' (click here)

Oct 18, 2012 17:53 Moscow Time

With North Korea's silence on the matter only fuelling speculation. Chinese news agencies are reporting that Ri Sol-Ju is pregnant with her second child. North Koreans began speculating about her pregnancy when they saw footage of her with slightly protruding belly on state TV in September. Their first child was born in 2010.

However darker rumours suggest that Kim Jong-un's wife has fallen foul of North Korea's strict regime. Her modern hairstyle and Western dress have been the subject of much commentary since she first appeared at Kim's side earlier this year....

She might be at an underground fashion show or possibly secluded due to pregnancy or perhaps in a fallout shelter considering her husband may get carried away with his anger with South Korean demonstrators. 

It is anyone's guess at this point. However, a reasonable President of North Korea would see what a beautiful asset his lovely wife is and allow her to be an inspiration for the North Korean economy, North Korean fashion designers and the potential to have a North Korean line of clothes approved of by the First Lade of North Korea. She is a pretty woman and North Korea should be proud of her. She has the potential to bridge chasms of international understanding. If given a chance she can open doors to peace talks and better lives for all the people of the Korean peninsula.

Ri Sol-ju's appearance in smart trouser suit comes just weeks after she was pictured with what looked like a luxury Dior hand bag (click here)

By REBECCA SEALES and DAMIEN GAYLE
PUBLISHED: 03:58 EST, 4 September 2012
UPDATED: 03:58 EST, 4 September 2012

The First Lady of North Korea has caused another stir among watchers of the Stalinist regime by eschewing convention to step out in a stylish trouser suit.

Former pop star Ri Sol-ju, wife of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, wore the stylish black trouser suit during a visit to the Taedonggang tile factory in Pyongyang.

Most residents of the city, the country's capital, only ever wear drab coloured Mao-style suits and North Korean women generally dress only in conservative skirts.

Ms Ri's appearance in the unconventional outfit comes just weeks after she was pictured at an event with what looked like a luxurious Dior evening pouch.

The appearance of Ms Ri, who is thought to be in her 20s, was enough of a fashion statement to incite comment over the border in South Korea, the Daily Telegraph reported....

It's Sunday Night

Alicia Keys ft. The Hunger Games - Girl On Fire (click title to entry - thank you)

She's just a girl, and she's on fire
Hotter than a fantasy, longer like a highway
She's living in a world, and it's on fire
Feeling the catastrophe, but she knows she can fly away

Oh, she got both feet on the ground
And she's burning it down
Oh, she got her head in the clouds
And she's not backing down

This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire

Looks like a girl, but she's a flame
So bright, she can burn your eyes
Better look the other way
You can try but you'll never forget her name
She's on top of the world
Hottest of the hottest girls say

Oh, we got our feet on the ground
And we're burning it down
Oh, got our head in the clouds
And we're not coming down

This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire

Everybody stands, as she goes by
Cause they can see the flame that's in her eyes
Watch her when she's lighting up the night
Nobody knows that she's a lonely girl
And it's a lonely world
But she gon' let it burn, baby, burn, baby

This girl is on fire
This girl is on fire
She's walking on fire
This girl is on fire

Oh, oh, oh...

She's just a girl, and she's on fire

Words of wisdom from our local Rabbi this week.

This week we read the story of Noah and the Ark from the Torah. The following comments are from the Bay Area Jewish Healing Center. I place it here for your consideration.
Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark...

1. Don't miss the boat.

2. Remember that we are all in the same boat.

3. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.

4. Stay fit. When you're 600 years old (the age of Noah), someone may
ask you to do something really big.

5. Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.

6. Build your future on high ground.

7. For safety's sake, travel in pairs.

8. Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the
cheetahs.

9. When you're stressed, float a while.

10. Remember, the Ark was build by amateurs; the Titanic by
professionals.

11. No matter the storm, there's always a rainbow waiting.

Big Tex, gone but not forgotten.

By DANNY ROBBINS Associated Press
Published: 10/19/2012  11:04 AM
Last Modified: 10/19/2012  2:42 PM

DALLAS — Big Tex, (click here) the metal cowboy whose slow drawl of "Howdy, folks!" made him an icon of the State Fair of Texas for 60 years, was destroyed Friday when flames engulfed his 52-foot-tall frame.

Some material that made up Big Tex's hands and sleeves could still be seen as firefighters gathered around the scorched area. This year's fair, which closes Sunday and had been celebrating the towering structure's birthday, went on despite the fire — just as Big Tex would want it. 

"Big Tex is a symbol of everything the state fair stands for," fair spokeswoman Sue Gooding said. "Big Tex is where my parents told me, 'If you get lost, meet at Big Tex.'"...

Just another day in the life in Texas. I wonder if Big Tex perished from spontaneous combustion and sunlight. You know the metal getting hot, etc.

By Associated Press 
Published: 10/19/2012  12:19 PM 
Last Modified: 10/19/2012  12:19 PM

COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas A&M University (click here) officials said they have received a campus-wide bomb threat and are evacuating all students, faculty and staff.

The evacuation order was posted on the university's website Friday as a "Code Maroon" warning. It directs those on campus to evacuate by foot immediately and to not use a vehicle. 

Texas A&M spokesman Lane Stephenson said the the school received a call about the bomb threat at about 11:30 a.m. He didn't immediately have any other information about the threat. 

The school said all classes were canceled and the evacuation will remain in effect until further notice....

Probation? Does he know this judge? Hee-haw cowboy. The upside is there can be recognition of corruption in Texas. Whether it makes a lasting impression on the accused is anyone's guess.


By Associated Press 
Published: 10/19/2012  3:22 PM 
Last Modified: 10/19/2012  3:22 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY — The former leader of the Oklahoma Senate (click here) wants a federal judge to sentence him to probation on a bribery conviction.

Former Senate President Pro Tem Mike Morgan made the request Friday in a pre-sentence memorandum filed in U.S. District Court in Oklahoma City. 

Morgan was convicted of bribery by a 12-member jury in March. Federal prosecutors alleged payments — disguised as legal fees — were made to Morgan by a business that owned assisted-living centers in exchange for favorable treatment in the Legislature...

If I were the Democratic competition I'd make the most out of this one. It is almost as though Big Texas is a real omen. Drought, fire, combustible Big Tex. Sounds like the state needs a change to me, prayer alone ain't working. 

There are 12 seats up for grabs (click here)  in the Senate and 34 in the House of Representatives. Oklahoman Republicans hope to maintain their position and even gain a few seats.

By MEGAN ROLLAND NewsOK.com 
Published: 10/19/2012  2:54 PM 
Last Modified: 10/19/2012  2:54 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY - Two weeks out from the general election, Oklahoma Republican Party Chairman Matt Pinnell says the GOP should maintain a majority in the Republican-controlled Legislature.

He said it's possible Republicans could pick up a few historically Democratic seats. 

“We can't take anything for granted,” Pinnell said. “Just because (President Barack) Obama is very unpopular does not mean we're going to win all these races. Because of that we need to work hard and finish strong.”...

What choice to farmers have? It isn't as though they can do anything else but plant and how enough moisture exists in the morning dew to make it through the heat of the day. It is why the FARM BILL is so important. First there are no crops, then there are no farmers. I hate to clue everyone in, but, farmers are simply pulled out of thin air.

By KEN MILLER Associated Press 
Published: 10/19/2012  2:58 PM 
Last Modified: 10/19/2012  2:58 PM

OKLAHOMA CITY — Despite ongoing drought conditions (click here) — Oklahoma wheat farmers are busy planting their winter crop with what one agreed is cautious optimism.

Oklahoma Wheat Commission Executive Director Mike Schulte said Friday that 75 percent of the 2012 crop is estimated to have been planted. 

Farmer Joe Kelly in Altus said the moisture level of the topsoil remains low — but with wheat priced currently at about $8.50 per bushel he's decided to plant 1,500 acres this year in hopes that rains will come....

This was last year. Democrats need to change this paradigm. That ain't no joke.

Bloomberg reports:
Texas, the biggest U.S. cattle producer and second-largest winter-wheat grower, (click here) got just 4.7 inches (12 centimeters) of rain on average in the five months through February, the least for the period since 1967, State Climatologist John Nielsen- Gammon said. More than half the wheat fields and pastures were rated in poor or very poor condition on March 20....

Wishing and hoping isn't going to make it happen. Winter Wheat is often a cover crop to protect the soil and it is an additional cash crop to the farm. However, if the wheat fails due to drought, it does little to nothing to protect the soil because the root structure is not mature enough to do the work. 

Again, I have to emphasis there needs to be a change in states having these issues to convert to perennial rather than annual crops with mature root systems all year long. Root systems that are longer and stronger and produce beyond what annuals can do in a profound drought. Irrigating perennials is far easier and prevents soil erosion all year long. Over time perennials will help create their own climate and will require less irrigation to maintain. It isn't business as usual these days.

Also, small trials at Ag Research Centers should be conducted to establish whether or not grazing on perennials after harvest will return a livestock benefit. 

Do American farmers want guarantees or diving rods?

United States (8 percent of world production) (click here)

Winter Wheat:
Planting: Winter wheat is planted from mid-August through October.
Harvest: Winter wheat is harvested from mid-May to mid-July.

Spring Wheat:
Planting: Spring wheat is planted from April through May.
Harvest: Spring wheat is harvested from mid-August to mid-September.

Local economy invention. A $20 bicycle.

Israeli inventor and his cardboard bicycle.

What do we know about economies? They increase when there is movement of consumers. Genius. Now, work is not as far away either.

October 15, 2012 2:31 PM

...An Israeli inventor (click here) has come up with a way to make a bicycle almost entirely out of cardboard — and so inexpensively that he thinks retailers would only need to charge about $20 for one.

The inventor, Izhar Gafni, believes the bike could be a boon to the world's most traffic-congested cities and help people in remote parts of the Third World get from place to place. He's reached a deal to start mass production in a few months, Gafni tells Reuters....

I loved the video (click here).

This was a shallow quake. That is NOT a fault moving.

October 21, 2012 |  1:21 am

A shallow magnitude 3.7 earthquake (click here) was reported Sunday morning 12 miles from New Idria, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The temblor occurred at 12:37 a.m. Pacific time at a depth of 5.6 miles.

According to the USGS, the epicenter was 16 miles from San Lucas, 17 miles from King City and 91 miles from San Jose City Hall.

In the past 10 days, there have been three earthquakes magnitude 3.0 and greater centered nearby.

Read more about California earthquakes on L.A. Now.

— Ken Schwencke

M 5.3 - 26km ENE of King City, California (click here)2012-10-21 06:55:09 UTC

Long Neck - Just felt a second tremor today. The whole house shook. I lived San Diego, and it's definitely nothing like what I'm used to, but this is weird. I grew up in Delaware and don't remember anything like this!

Seaville, NJ - Heard a rumble and felt light shaking in house with rattling of doors and windows.

Merced, ca - Sitting in living room at 11:49 pm. Large window started rattling and then I felt a stronger shaking and moving.

Tulare, CA - outside watching foxnews on my laptop and for a second I thought somebody was messing with my chair, yet i'm out back alone. My room mates came running out back and asked me, confirming what I had thought.

Seaside, California - Felt a quick jolt followed by a second jolt 8 seconds later

Visalia, CA - 11:58 pm October 20 felt floor shaking. Windows, ceiling and walls were moving and you could hear the movement. Only lasted about 5 seconds

San Luis Obispo - short perod of time

Fresno, CA - sitting at computer, and felt brief movement

Fresno, Californing - happened on Saturday, 10-20-2012 at 11:59 PM. I'm at my computer and the monitor started shaking then the desk and chair...trying to figure our if it's from up north or from down south. Georgette Bersani

Fresno - Felt my bed rocking and then windows cracking.

Sanger, CA - Felt the floor shake at about 11:55 pm.

UNITED STATES - long

Pismo beach, ca - Laying bed and whole bed was shaking!!!

Fresno, Ca - I was sitting on my couch felt like something was pushing on my back from behind. The water in my fish tank was going crazy.

Santa Maria, CA - Couple of light shakes and the lamp was swinging

UNITED STATES - rumbled, rolled, rocked rolled away.

los banos,ca - layin here on computer felt some shaking

Arroyo Grande, California - Windows rattled and hanging items swung but nothing fell.

Hanford - Bed shook a little but could definitely tell it was a quake.

Santa Cruz - At around midnight, felt a long rolling earthquake.

UNITED STATES - house swayed a bit and lamp shook on the night stand.

Lemoore - Around 1200AM, sitting in my ottoman playing ps3, then flatscreen shaking, and felt it too.

coalinga ca - was looking stuff up on laptop....then I felt my chair vibrating looked up and window coverings were shaking too

San Jose - sitting in bed, light rolling, walls creaked

Madera - Laying in bed reading, bed started to move and jewelry hanging in my room was swaying, freaked me out, got a little queasy but not sure from motion or scared someone was in my house! Never felt earthquake before

Arroyo Grande, California - shook the chair I was in and made the fireplace tools sway on their holder..floor lamp was swaying.

Fresno, CA - Felt the quake for about 10 seconds. Shook the bed and some of the things suspended on the wall, but not too bad

Clovis CA - Watching TV..two big jerking quick movements

Nipomo - watching TV...couch shook a little, saw curtains swaying. About 11:55pm

Atascadero, CA - Lasted about 10 seconds - house shook, chair rocked

FRESNO, CA - Was sitting in front of my computer and I felt my computer chair moving just slightly for a few seconds, and I asked my husband who's lying on the bed, he said he felt it too.

santa margarita, ca - In bed and awoke to mild shaking a few minutes ago...no damage but chimes were still swinging with no wind...we are approximately 100 miles from Monterey

Visalia CA - Rolled over in bed and it kept shaking in the opposite direction

Grover Beach, Ca - I was getting ready to turn in for the night, and the bed started shaking, windows rattling, stood up to get into doorway and the floor was rolling slightly. Heavy light fixture above dining room table swinging. Nerves on edge. lasted maybe 25 seconds

Fresno, Tower - Watching t.v. felt my chair move, heard dishes rattle, lamp swayed. I'm upstairs old two story Spanish style duplex.

Madera, CA - watching tv in bed. felt bed move and saw the water in the bottle on nightstand shake.

vandenberg afb - sittin on couch felt like i was swayin the a medal of mine started tapping on glass

Hanford, CA - I thought my husband was shaking the whole bed with his foot again! 11:55pm

UNITED STATES - at 11:56 pm, the house swayed quite strong

Hanford, CA - I was checking out youtube vids when I felt the shaking and chandelier on top of me was left swaying after the quake.

95033 (Loma Preta area of Santa Cruz Mou - Very weak rolling, as if epicenter was not nearby. It felt like the floor was gently sliding around/side to side for about 3-4 seconds. Felt like it might be a much stronger quake occurring many miles away on the same fault line (San Andreas Fault), and we were feeling just the distant edges of the shock wave.

santa cruz - house shook for about 10 seconds. was not a slow roll like earthquakes can sometimes be.

dinuba - felt window shakin at 11 57 oct 20th

paso robles - was sleeping on couch and the couch started moving and it woke me up

lemoore, CA - I'm on my computer and coincidentally when my father just shut the door, everything start to wobble a bit, and later I begin to notice that we're having an earthquake. From the felt of it, I start to notice it's a bit stronger and closer compare to 5 months ago.

(northeast) Fresno, CA - It felt as though some sort of giant grabbed the house and shook it back and forth a few times.

Hwy 68 Salinas/Monterey - I felt shaking jumped out of bed the dogs were barking. Lasted for about 10 seconds

Marina CA - Lying in bed....rolling sensation and window shaking and sounded like some slight wall cracking

Monterey, CA - I was sitting in a hotel room and felt growing shakes for about 10 secs just before midnight. I could see TV shaking as well. I immediately thought it was an earthquake even though I have never felt anything like this before....