Zoos
Near-Escapes Plague SF Zoo
Posted Jan 12, 08 10:11 AM CST in
(newser) – Two animals have nearly escaped from enclosures at the San Francisco Zoo since a fatal mauling Dec. 25, the Chronicle reports. A 600-pound polar bear—whose movements are so unpredictable it's kept away from the zoo's other polar bears—tried to scale an enclosure wall Jan. 3; a 100-pound snow leopard got a paw and part of its head out of a mesh cage yesterday.
Two zoo employees told the Chronicle they feared for their own safety and that of visitors following the new incidents. A teenager was killed Christmas Day when a Siberian tiger leapt from its enclosure; two companions were injured before police shot the animal to death. The zoo was closed at the time of the polar bear incident, open during the snow leopard's attempt.
http://www.newser.com/story/16195.html?rss=y
Lawyers say city, zoo on shaky legal ground if tiger victims sue
Bob Egelko, Chronicle Staff Writer
Sunday, January 13, 2008
In the eyes of the law, keeping a caged tiger is like hauling dynamite or storing uranium - an activity so dangerous that even the most careful proprietor is responsible for any injuries to bystanders.
That's the general rule that will apply to any lawsuits over the Christmas Day attack at the San Francisco Zoo, in which a tiger escaped from its outdoor grotto, killed a 17-year-old visitor from San Jose and injured two of his friends. But, as usual in these situations, there's an asterisk, and it dates back to 1952, when a state appeals court ruled on a suit by a man who was attacked by a polar bear at the same zoo.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/13/BAKDUD50Q.DTL
Sanctuary given to retired, rescued tigers
By PATRICK MAY
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS
last updated: January 13, 2008 02:58:11 AM
SAN ANDREAS -- After years of mugging for photos at backyard zoos and feline freak shows, the arthritic performers now live out their lives in hushed obscurity. The daily ritual consists of gentle calisthenics, five-pound rabbits for breakfast and the occasional scoop of Jelly Belly beans.
For the 33 tigers rescued from America's love affair with beasts behind bars, life at the Ark 2000 wildlife sanctuary, part of the Performing Animal Welfare Society, is a mixed bag. Their 10-acre world is kept under lock and key. Yet the bucolic Gold Country retreat also features bathing pools and straw beds. Sometimes the keepers even spritz cheap perfume, which the cats find stimulating, around the paddocks.
http://www.modbee.com/local/story/178724.html
Polar bear cub is a website hit
23 hours ago
The German city of Nuremberg launched a web page dedicated to the country's latest celebrity polar bear and visitors have already inundated the site's operators with name suggestions for the four-week-old cub.
The site - www.eisbaer.nuernberg.de - provides details on the cub's health and has a photo gallery.
"We're getting 15 emails with name suggestions every minute," city spokesman Robert Hackner said.
He did not give examples. But for now, the zoo's keepers have dubbed the cub, thought to be female, Flocke - German for flake, as in snow flake - because of its brilliantly white and fluffy fur.
Flocke was taken from its mother, Vera, on Tuesday amid concerns she could harm or even kill the newborn, and will not be returned to her.
The decision was made after keepers saw Vera carrying the cub around in her jaws and tossing it around her enclosure.
The cub is the first in Germany to be hand-raised by its keepers since Knut, who became a celebrity after being rescued in late 2006 when his mother rejected him.
http://ukpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5hizQ8iXFcX8QS9_or2ale-xZ1e3A
St. Paul Como Zoo: Baby orangutan leaves zoo staff speechless
BY RICHARD CHIN
Pioneer Press
What’s the hardest thing about holding a newborn baby orangutan? Not talking to it.
That’s what zookeepers at Como Zoo learned when Markisa, one of the zoo’s orangutans, gave birth Dec. 13 via Caesarean section, the first primate C-section at the zoo and one of only a handful of orangutan C-sections worldwide.
The yet-to-be-named baby, reunited with his mother, made his public debut Thursday. He is on exhibit on a limited basis.
http://redapes.org/news-updates/st-paul-como-zoo-baby-orangutan-leaves-zoo-staff-speechless/
Rare Lions Born at the Belfast Zoo
Staff at Belfast Zoo are celebrating the birth of two endangered Barbary lions
http://content5.clipmarks.com/content/127FC2B3-B31A-448A-A129-23C6AF9C9595/
Nation
San Francisco Zoo officials detail two animal security incidents since Christmas tiger attack
The Associated Press
Tucson, Arizona Published: 01.12.2008
SAN FRANCISCO — Since a tiger escaped its pen and killed a person, a snow leopard has ripped a small opening in its wire cage and workers have had to dart a polar bear to goad it into its night enclosure, San Francisco Zoo officials said Friday.
A nearly 100-pound snow leopard managed to rip a 4-inch hole in its wire mesh cage Thursday afternoon and got part of its head and paw out, zoo officials said. The zookeeper could have been harmed if she had not secured the cage, but visitors were never threatened because the cage was in a larger, secured enclosure, zoo spokesman Sam Singer said.
"Even if (the leopard) had escaped, he would have been in another cage so he would never have come in contact with the public," Singer said.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85631/220207.php
Columbus Zoo pays $35,000 to keep big snake
Published on Saturday Jan 12, 2008
A 24-foot python at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, billed as the largest snake in captivity, is staying put.
The zoo paid $35,000 to the snake's breeder in Oklahoma to keep the snake on permanent display. While on loan last year, the python helped draw 1.53 million visitors, just under the zoo's attendance record of 1.56 million set in 2006, said zoo Associate Director Pete Fingerhut.
The reticulated python, named Fluffy, is about as long as a moving van and thick as a telephone pole.
Bob Clark, the breeder from Oklahoma City who raised the python from a hatchling, initially resisted the zoo's purchase offer but said he's happy with the outcome.
"I really love that snake; I think it's a special animal," he said. "It's so big and tame and wonderful. But I have to deal with the realities of life like everyone else. I like to have the money, and I know she's got a great place to live there."
The Columbus Zoo doesn't buy animals very often, said Executive Director Jerry Borin. Its animals generally come as exchanges from other zoos or through breeding loans or donations, he said.
http://www.ohio.com/news/ap?articleID=336492&c=y
Meerkat at the Zoo - PAD #1009
By Drew January 12, 2008
Today Allison and I took Eva over to the Capron Park Zoo. I also got to use a real camera again so I was able to get some decent photos at the zoo. I love photographing the animals at the zoo. I also met a zoo volunteer who does many of the photos for the zoo and promotional materials.
I wonder if he would like any of these photos that I took.
I am very happy to be back home and to have access to my cameras again. I had a great time using my macro lens around the zoo. My favorite animals to photograph are the lions. The zoo is working on getting a White Lion cub. I can’t wait to see it and photograph it.
Next month Allison and I are headed to Florida for a vacation and we will be down near Miami, I saw a TV show today where the people on the show were talking about many locations in Florida and the Miami area specifically where families can go to see animals. I didn’t know that there was a zoo there and I hope that we can go. I want to go to Butterfly world again as it was an amazing place to go and take photos. Some of my favorite photos of 2007 were from there. This time I am going to get even more of them.
http://www.benspark.com/meerkat-at-the-zoo-pad-1009.html
Pasig zoo faces closure
THE Arc Avilon zoo in Ortigas Center, Pasig City faces closure after Mayor Robert Eusebio threatened to revoke its permit to operate for not following safety guidelines to protect its patrons.
Eusebio issued the statement after learning that a child was bitten by an Albino King snake during a visit at the zoo last January 5.
The zoo, which is located at Frontera Verde in Pasig City, started its operation on Nov. 30, 2007.
The child’s father, Jerry Liao, circulated a “hate e-mail” against the Arc Avilon zoo after the incident.
Liao said there was no doctor available at the zoo.
He said he brought his daughter to a hospital just to make sure that the snake is non-venomous.
“Thank God that the king snake was a non-venomous one. But the doctors wanted to be sure so they gave my daughter an anti-tetanus drug and asked her to take anti-biotics,” Liao said.
He identified the owners of the zoo as Jake and Tina Gaw.
People’s Journal tried to contact the owners of the zoo to get their comment but to no avail.
Alvin Murcia
http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-01-13&sec=5&aid=45661
What happened to ... The polar bear cubs
Anushka Asthana
Sunday January 13, 2008
The Observer
The Observer reported last week on the fate of a tiny polar bear that was being left to starve to death in Germany's Nuremberg zoo after its mother neglected it.
Zoo workers had taken the controversial decision not to rear the cub by hand, even though the new mother, Vera, was ignoring the hungry cries of her babies. Meanwhile, another mother bear, Vilma, was showing signs of treating her two cubs well.
The story was similar to that of Knut, a polar bear cub who shot to fame a year ago after being abandoned by his mother. The decision by keepers at Berlin zoo to save the male cub led to a media frenzy branded 'Knutmania'.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2239915,00.html
San Francisco Zoo in new animal escape alert: reports
Fri Jan 11, 5:36 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO (AFP) - A leopard and a polar bear came close to escaping from enclosures at San Francisco Zoo, reports said Friday, less than three weeks after a visitor was mauled to death by a tiger at the facility.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on its website that zookeepers told the paper a female polar bear climbed the wall of its enclosure on January 3 while a snow leopard chewed through a temporary enclosure on Thursday.
The incidents come after the Christmas Day escape of a Siberian Tiger from its enclosure at the zoo. The tiger killed a teenager and mauled two men before being shot dead by police.
Zoo officials initially said they were baffled at how the tiger managed to escape from its enclosure, which was ringed by a moat and a wall.
However they later admitted the protective wall was only 12.5 feet high -- four feet lower than the 16.4 feet recommended as standard for a tiger exhibit by the US Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
San Francisco Zoo officials were not immediately available for comment on the reports Friday.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080111/ts_alt_afp/usanimals_080111223659
In Defense of Animals (IDA) Announces the "Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2007"
List demonstrates AZA-accredited zoos are failing elephants nationwide
San Rafael, Calif.— Zoos are increasingly under the microscope following the San Francisco Zoo tiger tragedy and a continuing nationwide debate about the welfare of elephants in zoos. Amidst the heightened controversy, In Defense of Animals (IDA) today released its fourth annual list of the Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2007.
Compiled for the first time with public input through Internet voting, the 2007 list reflects a year that zoos would prefer to forget. Of seven elephants who died at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)-accredited zoos in 2007, at least four suffered from arthritis and chronic foot disorders, caused by lack of space and inadequate, unnatural zoo exhibits. Among the worst cases: Clara at the St. Louis Zoo and Carol at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Both elephants were euthanized after becoming crippled and debilitated by excruciating foot and joint disease. A deadly infectious disease that is spreading through the U.S. zoo population claimed the lives of two more young elephants in zoos in 2007. The deaths of Hansa (age 6) at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle and Nisha (age 16 months) at the Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri prompted IDA to demand that zoos stop breeding Asian elephants and adopt strict limits on transfers between zoos.
2007 also saw the transfer of three elephants from archaic and inadequate zoo exhibits to natural habitat sanctuaries: Ruby from the Los Angeles Zoo, Dulary from the Philadelphia Zoo, and Maggie from the Alaska Zoo. The latter two zoos are shuttering their elephant displays, bringing to 17 the number of zoos that have closed or plan to close their elephant exhibits.
"The Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants listdraws attention to the fact that elephants are needlessly suffering and dying prematurely from inadequate and inhumane zoo conditions," said IDA president Elliot M. Katz, DVM. "The problems such as aberrant behaviors, lethal joint and foot disorders, and premature death chronicled in this list speak loudly to the mammoth changes that are needed to improve the lives of elephants in zoos."
Top Ten Worst Zoos for Elephants in 2007
1. Six Flags Discovery Kingdom (Vallejo, Calif.) - Discovering the cruelty. For the fourth consecutive year, Six Flags lands on the list thanks to its history of terrible elephant care and disregard for the health and well-being of seven elephants forced to live in the shadow of roller coaster rides, amidst noisy, rowdy crowds. Nine elephants have died at the amusement park since 1995, including five elephants who were euthanized as a direct result of the same foot and joint disorders that afflict at least two elephants currently, painful ailments caused by the elephants' cramped and barren exhibit. An IDA investigation revealed that elephants with diseased feet and joints are forced to stack 600-pound logs and perform in shows for the public, despite their afflictions. To force the elephants to perform and give rides, Six Flags coercively controls elephants through force and physical punishment with a bullhook, a device similar to a fireplace poker that keepers use to poke, prod and stab the elephants into compliance.
http://www.idausa.org/news/currentnews/nr_080109.html
Talk Back: Woe for Captive Wildlife
Readers responded to the recent escape of Tatiana, a Siberian tiger who attacked three men at the San Francisco Zoo, and shared their concerns about the treatment of captive wildlife by zoos, circuses and private owners. Among the comments we received:
There have been reports that Tatiana might have been teased by the men that she attacked. Aren’t there people overseeing such things at the zoos? Why should animals have to live in such conditions! Also, why didn’t they "dart" Tatiana? Why was she killed? Where were Tatiana’s keepers? It wasn’t her fault that she got out if the wall wasn’t high enough! And if she had been teased or rocks thrown at her why didn’t anyone stop it! If zoos don’t want to spend money on adequate habitats and protection for the animals they shouldn’t be allowed to put animals on display. Animals should not be for our entertainment! —Deborah
http://hsus.typepad.com/wayne/2008/01/zoo-wildlife.html
Zoos count their animals in annual audit
2 days ago
LONDON (AFP) — Zookeepers across the country are Friday carrying out the challenging task of counting all their animals in a stock-taking exercise that will list every aardvark to zebra in their collection.
The annual head count of animals in Britain's zoos and aquariums, which falls under the Zoo Licensing Act, helps keepers update their records.
The updated inventories are then kept on a database through which zoos can run scientifically based breeding programmes.
British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (Biaza) director Miranda Stevenson told the BBC: "This annual stock-take, although time-consuming and sometimes quite difficult, is just one of the many ways which zoos and aquariums in this country demonstrate their professionalism and attention to detail."
Although it is simple for zookeepers to keep track of the number of gorillas or giraffes in their collection, it's somewhat trickier trying to account for every single insect or tiny fish.
To make this easier, keepers use clicker counters, they count the animals in their collection several times, and some insects are counted as a single colony rather than individuals.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5glbtoPOXTY-sWpO3_EBel99vD3ig
As zoo post stays open, speculation emerges
By Greg Latshaw
Staff Writer
SALISBURY -- The Salisbury Zoo offers a salary higher than the industry average, but still can't fill its top vacancy eight months into the search process.
Two candidates declined offers. A third, Lisa Tate, 43, of Zoo Boise in Idaho, accepted a $66,640 yearly salary, but resigned Tuesday, weeks before her start date, because of health problems.
Following Tate's unexpected resignation -- just five days after her hire -- speculation surfaced that either low salary offers or a Web log critical of the zoo has warded off candidates.
http://www.dailytimesonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080111/NEWS01/801110303/1002
Zoo, arboretumin get state grants
Jan 11, 2008 @ 12:26 PM
Observer-Dispatch
The Hamilton College Arboretumin in Clinton and the Utica Zoological Society will receive grants from the state’s Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums Program.
The arboretumin will receive $5,000 while the zoological society will get $40,775. The grants are among the $8 million to be distributed.
The ZBGA funding is administered by the state Office of Parks Recreation and Historic Preservation. It is available to public or nonprofit organizations that own, care and interpret for the public living or preserved collections of biological specimens.
The organizations, referred to as Natural Heritage Institutions, include zoos, botanical gardens, arboretums, aquariums, bird sanctuaries, natural habitat preserves and sciences museums, and nature and environmental centers.
Under the agency’s program, ZBGA provides a minimum award of $5,000 and no more than 30 percent of the organization’s operating budget.
http://www.uticaod.com/homepage/x1925660864
Bongo born at Louisville Zoo
Business First of Louisville
The Louisville Zoo experienced its first birth of the year on Jan. 6.
Mahdi, a bongo, was born to Kaya and Forest. It was Kaya's second calf and Forest's first offspring.
Bongos are the largest of the forest antelopes. They have deep chestnut coats with white stripes on their sides.
Mahdi's birth was planned and is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, according to a news release. The plan works to improve the genetic diversity of managed animal populations.
There currently are five bongos at the zoo -- four females and one male. The last bongo birth was last year, on Jan. 11, when Kaya had her first calf, Nailah.
Mahdi will be on exhibit daily depending on weather and other circumstances, the release said.
http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories/2008/01/07/daily30.html
Chattanooga Zoo Celebrates Year Of Frog At 2 February Events
posted January 11, 2008
The Chattanooga Zoo will host Cocktails for Conservation - Kiss a Frog Day on Friday, Feb. 15, from 6-8 p.m.
The ticket price is $20 per person and may be purchased by calling 697-1339. Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend.
Zoos around the world are uniting to raise money for Amphibian Ark, a non-profit organization working to keep threatened amphibian species afloat.
Then on Leap Day, Friday, Feb. 29, from 3-7 p.m. visitors to the Chattanooga Zoo will enjoy froggy fun activities and light refreshments and learn what it means to be a friend to frogs. The Chattanooga Zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums - zoos from around the world, will be joining to learn about saving amphibians from extinction.
For Leap Day admission is $6 adults, $3 for children (ages 3-15).
For more information on either event call 697-1339.
The Chattanooga Zoo is a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is working with more than 200 other zoos and aquariums to raise awareness about the global amphibian crisis.
http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_119924.asp
State announces $8 million grants for zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums
Associated Press - January 12, 2008 3:15 AM ET
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - State officials yesterday announced $$8 million in grants awarded under the Zoos, Botanical Gardens and Aquariums Program.
State Parks Commissioner Carol Ash says the grants support development of educational, cultural and recreational programs based on New York's heritage.
The funding is available to public or not-for-profit organizations which own, care for and maintain for the public collections of living or preserved biological specimens.
Recipients of the largest grants include the Bronx Zoo, the New York Aquarium, The New York Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and the New York Botanical Gardens.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?S=7614461&nav=menu183_15_14_8
Des Moines zoo develops technique to grow jellyfish
By MELISSA WALKER, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
DES MOINES — What does a zoo do when it runs short of jellyfish?
It grows its own.
Officials at Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines have developed a method for restocking their supply of jellyfish for a 2,500-gallon exhibit and providing replacements for other U.S. zoos in the process.
It involves a bathtub and a little patience.
The zoo’s exhibit, which opened in 2002, had dwindled in January to 13 moon jellyfish, senior aquarist Kirk Embree said.
The jellyfish were able to release fertilized eggs, called planulae. But the baby jellyfish, called ephyra, were too often sucked into the tank’s filter before they could mature.
‘‘We couldn’t get any more jellies’’ from other zoos, Embree said. ‘‘There was a real shortage.’’
Embree, who earlier worked at Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, was convinced that a system could be created to safely collect the fertilized eggs. The problem was Blank’s limited budget. Everything had to be built from scratch. A fiberglass tub would cost $600, which was more than zoo officials wanted to spend.
A student intern provided the answer. Why not use a bathtub?
http://www.timesrepublican.com/page/content.detail/id/501535.html
continued...
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Pasture land can be dry without production for grazing, hence owners find supplementing expensive
The responsiblities of a representative, democratic government IS to protect the populous and not serve their cronies or private enterprise that only has it's own interest at it's center. The issue of carbon dioxide emissions of the USA was never taken seriously. As a result people are now suffering at the lack of esteem they were held in all these issues resulting from Human Induced Global Warming.
The housing market may very well become more and more worthless in the face of adverse climate regardless any attempts by The Fed to bring about recovery. The issues of Human Induced Global Warming has become less contained and exponential because of the lack of policy of the USA. As a result, the spiral of a USA recession may very well end in a profound depression with all lost to government incompetence.
Human Induced Global Warming is an economic issue and one that might be ignored, but, never goes away.
The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning in Plymouth until Tuesday and the water could reach record levels. No mandatory evacuations are underway yet, but city officials are urging some people along the Yellow River to leave their homes. (WSBT photo)
NWS extends area flood warnings
SBT24/7 News Report
Story Updated: Jan 12, 2008 at 11:34 PM EST
The National Weather Service extended flood warnings Saturday for area rivers, including the Yellow River at Plymouth and Knox in Indiana, the Elkhart River at Goshen and the St. Joseph River in affected Michigan and Indiana counties.
For the St. Joseph River at South Bend, the flood warning continues until next Saturday. The NWS does not expect the river to fall below its 5.5-foot flood stage until Friday morning, and it remained at 8.6 feet and steady Saturday.
For other area rivers:
The flood warning is extended for the St. Joseph River in Niles until Friday morning. Early Saturday, the river was at 13.2 feet and not expected to fall below flood stage of 11.0 feet until Thursday morning.
The Yellow River at Knox carries a flood warning until Tuesday evening. On Saturday the river was at 12.1 feet and is not expected to fall below flood stage of 10.0 feet until late Monday night.
The St. Joseph River at Elkhart is expected to stay in flood stage until it falls below its flood stage of 24.0 feet Wednesday evening.
The Yellow River at Plymouth is expected to drop below its flood stage of 13.0 feet Sunday morning at 1 a.m. It remained at 14.0 feet before noon on Saturday. Flood warnings also continue for the Tippecanoe River above Winamac, the Elkhart River at Goshen and the Kankakee River.For further updates on weather and travel conditions, check with SBT24/7 News at southbendtribune.com or with our newsgathering partners at WSBT-TV and WSBT Radio News.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/13739612.html
People along Yellow River leaving their homes
by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)
Story Updated: Jan 10, 2008 at 12:16 AM EST
PLYMOUTH — The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning in Plymouth until Tuesday and the water could reach record levels.
Some homes are under feet of water, and not even sandbags seem to be helping.
Police and city officials decided to take steps to keep anyone from getting hurt. NIPSCO has shut off gas and electric to people living along the Yellow River.
No mandatory evacuations are underway yet, but NIPSCO has been shutting off utilities as a precaution. As a result, city officials went to homes several times today urging people to leave.
"From 9 o'clock to now, it just started coming real fast," said Michelle Weldon, whose home was surrounded by water.
Within hours, River Street owned up to its name.
"It's really stressful," said Weldon.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/13586782.html
Janaury 12, 2008
Knox, Indiana
Photographer states :: Kankakee Game Preserve, 10 Mile Road: The Yellow River crested this morning at 12.14' at the US35 bridge at 11:45AM. This was 2.14' over flood stage. The record is 15.3 Jan 1, 1991.
The majority of the country is experiencing some degree of drought. The exceptions are the areas hit by chronically displaced arctic air masses, that of the northwest as well as the chronic vaporizing of the Gulf of Mexico waters causing severe floods in the central corridor of those storm in 'mid-continent' leading to the northeast USA. That is about the pattern that will continue since the lower troposphere is to hot to sustain rain clouds anymore.
And you might ask yourselves, what exactly is the federal government doing to stem the progression of Human Induced Global Warming to prevent tragedy into my life that demises my lifestyle and the economy I participate?
The answer? About the same as they do the domestic economy, nothing ! There is no policy to stop or reverse the trend of Human Induced Global Warming and the USA is showing the economic signs of profound negligence by their government ! If pasture land for horses are becoming this much of an issue, imagine what's going to happen to the price of food for people before too much longer.
The housing market may very well become more and more worthless in the face of adverse climate regardless any attempts by The Fed to bring about recovery. The issues of Human Induced Global Warming has become less contained and exponential because of the lack of policy of the USA. As a result, the spiral of a USA recession may very well end in a profound depression with all lost to government incompetence.
Human Induced Global Warming is an economic issue and one that might be ignored, but, never goes away.
The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning in Plymouth until Tuesday and the water could reach record levels. No mandatory evacuations are underway yet, but city officials are urging some people along the Yellow River to leave their homes. (WSBT photo)
NWS extends area flood warnings
SBT24/7 News Report
Story Updated: Jan 12, 2008 at 11:34 PM EST
The National Weather Service extended flood warnings Saturday for area rivers, including the Yellow River at Plymouth and Knox in Indiana, the Elkhart River at Goshen and the St. Joseph River in affected Michigan and Indiana counties.
For the St. Joseph River at South Bend, the flood warning continues until next Saturday. The NWS does not expect the river to fall below its 5.5-foot flood stage until Friday morning, and it remained at 8.6 feet and steady Saturday.
For other area rivers:
The flood warning is extended for the St. Joseph River in Niles until Friday morning. Early Saturday, the river was at 13.2 feet and not expected to fall below flood stage of 11.0 feet until Thursday morning.
The Yellow River at Knox carries a flood warning until Tuesday evening. On Saturday the river was at 12.1 feet and is not expected to fall below flood stage of 10.0 feet until late Monday night.
The St. Joseph River at Elkhart is expected to stay in flood stage until it falls below its flood stage of 24.0 feet Wednesday evening.
The Yellow River at Plymouth is expected to drop below its flood stage of 13.0 feet Sunday morning at 1 a.m. It remained at 14.0 feet before noon on Saturday. Flood warnings also continue for the Tippecanoe River above Winamac, the Elkhart River at Goshen and the Kankakee River.For further updates on weather and travel conditions, check with SBT24/7 News at southbendtribune.com or with our newsgathering partners at WSBT-TV and WSBT Radio News.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/13739612.html
People along Yellow River leaving their homes
by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)
Story Updated: Jan 10, 2008 at 12:16 AM EST
PLYMOUTH — The National Weather Service has extended the flood warning in Plymouth until Tuesday and the water could reach record levels.
Some homes are under feet of water, and not even sandbags seem to be helping.
Police and city officials decided to take steps to keep anyone from getting hurt. NIPSCO has shut off gas and electric to people living along the Yellow River.
No mandatory evacuations are underway yet, but NIPSCO has been shutting off utilities as a precaution. As a result, city officials went to homes several times today urging people to leave.
"From 9 o'clock to now, it just started coming real fast," said Michelle Weldon, whose home was surrounded by water.
Within hours, River Street owned up to its name.
"It's really stressful," said Weldon.
http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/13586782.html
Janaury 12, 2008
Knox, Indiana
Photographer states :: Kankakee Game Preserve, 10 Mile Road: The Yellow River crested this morning at 12.14' at the US35 bridge at 11:45AM. This was 2.14' over flood stage. The record is 15.3 Jan 1, 1991.
The majority of the country is experiencing some degree of drought. The exceptions are the areas hit by chronically displaced arctic air masses, that of the northwest as well as the chronic vaporizing of the Gulf of Mexico waters causing severe floods in the central corridor of those storm in 'mid-continent' leading to the northeast USA. That is about the pattern that will continue since the lower troposphere is to hot to sustain rain clouds anymore.
And you might ask yourselves, what exactly is the federal government doing to stem the progression of Human Induced Global Warming to prevent tragedy into my life that demises my lifestyle and the economy I participate?
The answer? About the same as they do the domestic economy, nothing ! There is no policy to stop or reverse the trend of Human Induced Global Warming and the USA is showing the economic signs of profound negligence by their government ! If pasture land for horses are becoming this much of an issue, imagine what's going to happen to the price of food for people before too much longer.
The latest double talk of the FCC is the use of 'economic down turn' or 'economic slow down' when in fact the USA economy has lost it's ability to produce and is in a recession. The definition of 'economic recession' anywhere one looks is : a period of reduced economic activity.
Recreational horseback riding is a huge industry in the USA. People can't afford it anymore and have to dump their favorite steed in order to try to save their homes. This is simply outrageous and where is Bush today? Grandstanding in the Middle East of Iran.
The Arab nations are doing their level best to stop destabilization of their region after his illegal and immoral invasion into Iraq and he is lecturing Arabs on democracy and invading Iran, while citizens of the USA can't even keep their homes. This is simply outrageous already. All the Neocons ever speak to is war and it's potential for wealth because if they ever addressed 'the real world' they would be ridiculed at every turn. The ONLY venue of esteem this Washington administration has is 'the potential for war' as the wars they have all proved to be complete failures that endanger world stability and enhance the growth of terrorism.
Horses to the slaughter house is Bush's idea of an economy. Amazing.
A THINNING HERD: Amid punishing drought, owners are struggling to feed their horses. The lucky animals stay at rescue centers like this one in Carlisle, Ky.; others are left to die on back roads or slaughtered.
(Jim Winn / For The Times)
...In many parts of the United States, horse owners are struggling to feed their animals after a severe drought doubled -- even tripled -- the cost of hay. The drought has exacerbated a glut in the low end of the horse market, brought on by years of over-breeding and the recent economic downturn.
Horses that once cost $500 are selling for $50. On Equine .com, a website for horse classified ads, hundreds of horses -- some malnourished, but many well-fed -- are offered for free.
Local officials are seizing large numbers of horses, and rescue organizations are taking in more than ever, according to Keith Dane, director of Equine Protection for the Humane Society of the United States....
Recreational horseback riding is a huge industry in the USA. People can't afford it anymore and have to dump their favorite steed in order to try to save their homes. This is simply outrageous and where is Bush today? Grandstanding in the Middle East of Iran.
The Arab nations are doing their level best to stop destabilization of their region after his illegal and immoral invasion into Iraq and he is lecturing Arabs on democracy and invading Iran, while citizens of the USA can't even keep their homes. This is simply outrageous already. All the Neocons ever speak to is war and it's potential for wealth because if they ever addressed 'the real world' they would be ridiculed at every turn. The ONLY venue of esteem this Washington administration has is 'the potential for war' as the wars they have all proved to be complete failures that endanger world stability and enhance the growth of terrorism.
Horses to the slaughter house is Bush's idea of an economy. Amazing.
A THINNING HERD: Amid punishing drought, owners are struggling to feed their horses. The lucky animals stay at rescue centers like this one in Carlisle, Ky.; others are left to die on back roads or slaughtered.
(Jim Winn / For The Times)
...In many parts of the United States, horse owners are struggling to feed their animals after a severe drought doubled -- even tripled -- the cost of hay. The drought has exacerbated a glut in the low end of the horse market, brought on by years of over-breeding and the recent economic downturn.
Horses that once cost $500 are selling for $50. On Equine .com, a website for horse classified ads, hundreds of horses -- some malnourished, but many well-fed -- are offered for free.
Local officials are seizing large numbers of horses, and rescue organizations are taking in more than ever, according to Keith Dane, director of Equine Protection for the Humane Society of the United States....
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Sir Ed's wish: Sea calls the mountain man (+photos and video)
Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to climb Mount Everest, makes a speech during the 50th Anniversary celebration at Scott Base in Antarctica in this January 20, 2007 photo. Hillary, who along with Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first to conquer Mount Everest, has died, Prime Minister Helen Clark said on Friday. REUTERS/Wayne Drought/Pool/Files
Everest conqueror Edmund Hillary dies (click here)
..."He was a colossus. He was an heroic figure who not only knocked off Everest but lived a life of determination, humility, and generosity," said Clark.
Born in Auckland on July 20, 1919, Hillary led an uneventful life until he achieved his Everest triumph at the age of 33.
Then a beekeeper from near Auckland, the strapping six foot (1.83 meter) Hillary was chosen by British expedition leader John Hunt to make the final assault on Everest because of his experience in the Himalayas and immense energy and strength.
Sherpa Tenzing was chosen as his climbing partner.
Hillary and Tenzing set off on a cloudless morning after spending a night at high altitude on the south peak of the infamous South Col.
Encumbered by clothing and oxygen equipment that modern climbers would deem museum pieces, they inched ahead until they reached the most formidable problem on the final ridge, a 40 foot (13 meter) rock now known as the Hillary Step.
Hillary "jammed" his way up a narrow crack running vertically up the rock using all his strength and determination and then hauled Tenzing up and they moved on with little to impede them.
At 11.30 a.m. they became the first to step onto the summit of the highest mountain on earth. For years neither would say who stepped foot on the summit first, but after Tenzing's death in 1986, Hillary revealed it was him.
By late afternoon they were back at the South Col camp and on June 2 word of the conquest was broken by the London Times....
Antarctica Wind Chime
The Melting of Antarctica is the destruction of a major 'biological' structure. It astounding to watch human beings 'taking it on the chin' as if allowed to actually be a part of discovery allowed by nature. This is a danger climate Earth is facing and dismissing Human Induced Global Warming as a transition to a 'different' "Earth State" is about as fool-hearty as it comes.
Antarctica is well above normal for even the warmest summer. The 24 hour loop is of 12A, 6A, 12P, 3P, 6P
January 12, 2008
0900 utc
Antarctica Surface Wind Satellite (24 hour loop click here)
January 12, 2008
0600 gmt
Antarctica Jet Stream
The Frigid Cold isn't coming back. There is no indication there is any shift back to a colder climate over Antarcitca yet.
January 12, 2008
1902 gmt
Antarctica
January 12, 2008
0600 PM
Antarctica
January 12, 2008
The Coldest Reporting Stations
1 PM EST
Vostok, Antarctica
Elevation :: 11220 ft / 3420 m
-24 °F / -31 °C
Conditions :: Snow
Humidity :: 49%
Dew Point :: -32 °F / -36 °C
Wind :: 7 mph / 11 km/h from the East
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: in / hPa (Falling)
Visibility :: 6.0 miles / 10.0 kilometers
UV :: 0 out of 16
4 PM EST
University Wi Id 8904, Antarctica
Elevation ::10761 ft / 3280 m
Temperature :: -21 °F / -30 °C
Wind :: 8 mph / 13 km/h from the ESE
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: in / hPa
4 PM EST
Amundsen-Scott, AA
Elevation :: 9285 ft / 2830 m
Temperature :: -13 °F / -25 °C
Conditons :: Overcast
Wind :: 14 mph / 22 km/h / 6.2 m/s from the NNE
Pressure :: 28.75 in / 974 hPa (Falling)
Windchill :: -35 °F / -37 °C
Visibility :: 6.2 miles / 10.0 kilometers
UV :: 1 out of 16
Clouds :: Overcast 1400 ft / 426 m
(Above Ground Level)
The Warmest Reporting Stations
4:00 PM EST
Palmer Station, Antarctica
Elevation :: 26 ft / 8 m
Temperature :: 39 °F / 4 °C
Humidity :: 53%
Dew Point :: 28 °F / -2 °C
Wind :: 2 mph / 4 km/h from the East
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: 29.01 in / 982 hPa (Rising)
Visibility :: 10.0 miles / 16.0 kilometers
4 PM EST
Vernadsky, Antarctica
Elevation :: 36 ft / 11 m
Temperature :: 38 °F / 3 °C
Humidity :: 63%
Dew Point :: 30 °F / -1 °C
Wind :: 2 mph / 4 km/h from the SW
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: 29.02 in / 983 hPa (Rising)
Visibility :: 31.0 miles / 50.0 kilometers
January 11, 2008
7:00 AM
The Warmest Reporting Stations
Base Esperanza, Antarctica
Elevation :: 43 ft / 13 m
Temperature :: 37 °F / 3 °C
Conditions :: Partly Cloudy
Humidity :: 72%
Dew Point :: 31 °F / 0 °C
Wind :: 12 mph / 18 km/h from the West
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: 29.11 in / 986 hPa (Falling)
Visibility :: 6.0 miles / 10.0 kilometers
Clouds:
Few 492 ft / 150 m
Scattered Clouds 1476 ft / 450 m
(Above Ground Level)
Aviation
Flight Rule :: VFR ()
Wind Speed :: 12 mph / 18 km/h /
Wind Dir :: 270° (West)
Ceiling :: 100000 ft / 100000 m
Base Orcadas, Antarctica
Elevation :: 20 ft / 6 m
Temperature :: 36 °F / 2 °C
Conditions :: Overcast
Humidity :: 53%
Dew Point :: 25 °F / -4 °C
Wind :: 12 mph / 18 km/h from the South
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: 29.23 in / 990 hPa (Falling)
Visibility :: 6.0 miles / 10.0 kilometers
UV :: 2 out of 16
Clouds :: Mostly Cloudy 591 ft / 180 m
(Above Ground Level)
Aviation
Flight Rule :: IFR ()
Wind Speed :: 12 mph / 18 km/h /
Wind Dir :: 180° (South)
Ceiling :: 600 ft / 180 m
The Coldest Reporting Stations
7:50 AM
Amundsen-Scott, AA
Elevation :: 9285 ft / 2830 m
Temperature :: -20 °F / -29 °C
Conditions :: Low Drifting Snow Mist
Wind :: 10 mph / 17 km/h / 4.6 m/s from the NE
Pressure :: 28.80 in / 975 hPa (Rising)
Windchill :: -41 °F / -41 °C
Visibility :: -
UV :: 1 out of 16
Clouds:
Overcast 600 ft / 182 m
(Above Ground Level)
Aviation
Flight Rule :: IFR (NZSP)
Wind Speed :: 10 mph / 17 km/h / 4.6 m/s
Wind Dir :: 40° (NE)
Ceiling :: 600 ft / 182 m
7:00 AM
Vostok, Antarctica
Elevation :: 11220 ft / 3420 m
Temperature :: -15 °F / -26 °C
Conditions :: Partly Cloudy
Humidity :: 49%
Dew Point :: -24 °F / -31 °C
Wind :: 9 mph / 15 km/h from the ESE
Wind Gust :: -
Pressure :: in / hPa (Steady)
Visibility :: 12.0 miles / 20.0 kilometers
Aviation
Flight Rule :: VFR ()
Wind Speed :: 9 mph / 15 km/h /
Wind Dir : 110° (ESE)
Ceiling :: 100000 ft / 100000 m
Dangerous Indifference - Tornadoes are the new Thunderstorms - But, will you survive it?
Tornadoes are never puny. This F1 damage is proof of the extensive nature of any tornado and while a warmer troposphere seems like a matter of simply installing better air conditioner, it is far more than simply 'comfort' measures on a hotter Earth. Just like the issue of Sea Level Rise appears to be whether or not folks can have homes at the beach or where exactly the beach will be redefined and therefore a 'real estate opportunity;' it carries far more brevity than simply presenting as a consumer issue.
Original F-scale:F1 Tornado Damage ((click here)
This wood-frame house was pushed bodily off its concrete block foundation by the Spencer SD tornado of 30 May 1998 (a tornado which later did marginal F4 damage in the town of Spencer). Here, the house had no bottom anchoring at all. It was simply resting on its foundation by gravity alone; so it was easy for relatively weak winds near the edge of the tornado to slide the house aside with minor structural damage. It experienced partial roof removal, only on the windward (near) side; therefore, this damage site was rated F1.
While this F1 Tornado-Reflectivity scan is a bit dated, the point is while there is a higher tornadic event occurring, it isn't unusal for an F1 to be a part of a larger parent system.
Description (click here): There are several things to note from the F1 Tornado-Reflectivity scan. At the time of the scan, the Dozier tornado was in progress and was associatied with the high-based mesocyclone #451. The surface-based mesocyclone #278 would seem a more likely tornado candidate in the classic sense, but it produced only a brief tornado. The Dozier tornado persisted for six minutes.
Also of note is mesocyclone #299. This is what remained of the Kellerville tornado which lifted at 0032 UTC. The development of the Dozier storm disrupted the southwesterly inflow into the Kellerville tornado. Had this not taken place, the Kellerville tornado may very well have maintained itself. As it stood, the Kellerville tornado tracked 9 miles over 46 minutes.
Example of F1 Tornado :: Waterspout on the Miles River near Saint Michael's, Maryland. It later made landfall as an F1 tornado, downing trees and flipping a boat. NWS
The appearance of an F1 Tornado can at times be deceptive, in that it can look more like a 'Dust Devil' while it's core is definately a severe storm.
January 11, 2008
Vancouver, Washington
High Winds Cause Damage in Ala., Miss. (click here)
By JAY REEVES – 1 day ago
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Powerful thunderstorms packing heavy rain and high winds pushed across Alabama and Mississippi on Thursday, causing scattered property damage and at least two traffic deaths.
Several tornado watches or warnings were issued Thursday in both states, but no touchdowns were immediately confirmed.
In Mississippi, a motorist was killed after colliding with a Lamar County deputy head-on during the height of the storm, while a single-vehicle accident in Jones County claimed another life.
Authorities there said the vehicles involved in both crashes may have hydroplaned during downpours, though investigations are continuing.
In Alabama's Lamar County near the Mississippi line, at least two houses were destroyed in Sulligent, the National Weather Service said.
In nearby Vernon, rescuers freed a woman who was pinned in her vehicle after a tree fell on it, said Don Dollar, an administrative assistant with the city. She was taken to a hospital, but her condition was not available Thursday afternoon.
Just across the state line, buildings and buses were damaged at a school in Caledonia, Miss., said Lea Stokes, a spokeswoman for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency....
January 11, 2008
Vancouver, Washington
Photographer states :: Damage from an EF-1 tornado in Vancouver, Washington.
Tornado touches down in Vancouver neighborhood
By SARAH SKIDMORE
By SARAH SKIDMORE
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER
VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A tornado downed power lines, uprooted trees, sent shopping carts flying into cars and demolished a rowing club Thursday in Vancouver.
There were no reports of injuries as the tornado cut through four miles from Vancouver Lake at the west edge of the town through the Hazel Dell area.
"It looks like we came through this pretty good," said Jim Flaherty, spokesman for the Vancouver Fire Department.
Utility officials said about 800 people lost power.
"I saw it coming and thought, 'Whatever that is, it's scary,'" said Kym Calder, 47, who ran into a nearby church for shelter when she saw the funnel cloud ahead of her....
VANCOUVER, Wash. -- A tornado downed power lines, uprooted trees, sent shopping carts flying into cars and demolished a rowing club Thursday in Vancouver.
There were no reports of injuries as the tornado cut through four miles from Vancouver Lake at the west edge of the town through the Hazel Dell area.
"It looks like we came through this pretty good," said Jim Flaherty, spokesman for the Vancouver Fire Department.
Utility officials said about 800 people lost power.
"I saw it coming and thought, 'Whatever that is, it's scary,'" said Kym Calder, 47, who ran into a nearby church for shelter when she saw the funnel cloud ahead of her....
Where in the world is Osama bin Laden? There needs to be a humanitarian supply drop including video capacity cell phones !
January 10, 2008
Shahi Mosque, Chitral, Pakistan
I'm serous about that concept by the way. I believe there needs to be a policy by the UN that provides cell phone technology along with humanitarian air drops to places with extreme violence. There needs to be satellites that can be available to pick up those messages, end the violence and root out terrorists. It's hideous it hasn't been accomplished already.
Shahi Mosque is one of the popular mosques of Pakistan. Pakistan Shahi mosque is something different in architecture. Shahi Mosque is located in the Chaniot town of Pakistan. The location is just on the hilly areas resembling a picturous atmosphere. The buildings in and around the Chaniot are something exquisite on its own. This was possible due to the expertise ness of the local architect. The apartments of Chaniot town are well decorated with rooms are well furnished.
ABBOTABAD, 11 January 2008 (IRIN) - Speaking over a crackly phone line from the village of Nambli in Pakistan’s Himalayan foothills, and an hour's drive from the city of Abbottabad, Muhammad Qayyum describes his plight:
"For two days, my family and I, including three children under 10, have lived on potatoes and the milk our goat provides,” the 35-year-old said. “We have run out of all other stocks and the snow makes it impossible to acquire them,” he said, explaining that blocked roads meant even local markets were not being supplied.
Exceptionally heavy snow and torrential rains over the past week have paralysed much of northern Pakistan, resulting in acute hardship for people across the mountainous region.
Major roads have hitherto been routinely cleared of snow but prevailing weather conditions in much of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and Pakistani-administered Kashmir make the task all but impossible at present.“
People are trapped in their homes by snow and the very heavy snowfall makes it impossible to send relief to them," Abdul Manan, a social worker in Abbottabad, 100km north of the capital, Islamabad, told IRIN....
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Post assassination, Pakistan's escalating violence prior to elections. Could it be an anarchy which is leading to nuclear concerns.
Lahore bomb carnage described - click at title to entry
People who witnessed the blast in Lahore give their accounts of what they experienced.
"I was on my way from Canal Road, when there was a massive sound and my car shook," said Tariq, a motorist who witnessed the blast in the Pakistani city of Lahore.
"I stopped the car immediately, and got out, close to GPO Chowk."
GPO (General Post Office) Chowk is an intersection in central Lahore.
It is adjacent to the Lahore high court building where Thursday's massive bombing took place.
"The first thing I recall afterwards is the smoke... it was everywhere," Tariq told the BBC...
If this isn't tragic enough the American Neocons need to be reined in before there is too much more speculation. Let's first remember the Brits are in Pakistan investigating Bhutto's assassination. I can't imagine the escalating violence is very new to Pakistan either. However, there is a report by the UN that is troubling and it needs to be noted by those sincerely interested in security of the region.
However, there is a report by Neocon Joe Lieberman, now Republican pundit and McCain Vice Presidential hopeful that is full of exaggerated 'clauses' without foundation of proof.
There is a lot of internal struggle for control insuring sovereignty and all too often facts are clouded by rhetorical gossip, especially in Pakistan where 'the word' is frequently a vehicle to assign emotion to what should be cool headed logic. Much of Islam operates on words rather than facts, which insures the violence over stability of government. Musharraf in recent dealings over Bhutto's death was noted to use 'that strategy' hoping emotional tensions would provide an allowance of an alternate reality, rather than the fact finding mission of experts.
To put it plainly, the word is greater than the sword in Pakistan, even if the words are lies. That is all too often the case with Neocons that jump to conclusion, such as Lieberman, when escalating fear will serve their political purpose. That is what occurred in the lead up to the illegal and immoral invasion into Iraq and that is what Neocons like Lieberman and the Murdock media services, including his newspapers are again attempting.
That stated, the article below spells out a fact about the existing administration in Pakistan. They are trying to hold onto control. Not necessarily of the country, but, of the propaganda that 'might' insure them to continue to control their power, even in the reality that to date they have done nothing to insure a lead up to peaceful elections such as insuring the protection of the very lives of the candidates. It would be helpful if the date for the election were set and candidates were insured security to allow a progression to those elections without further interruption. That just might quell the violence. Lies by Musharraf will only escalate it and manipulation by opportunists like Lieberman can only insure more media exploitation rather than facts.
A senior Pakistani security official elaborated for Asia Times Online (click here), "We have actually been thrown into a deep quagmire where we are not left with many options. The CIA's presence in Pakistan has made it impossible for Pakistan to handle the Taliban problem independently and through dialogue. On the other hand, there is no military solution on the horizon against the Taliban and another [Pakistani army] operation against militants would cause more than serious repercussions.
" The official, speaking on condition of anonymity as his job does not allow him to speak on the record, continued, "Now we are at a crossroad and we feel threatened that if this problem escalates it may give Western powers and their regional allies a chance to justify an attack on Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Therefore, we are walking a tightrope where, on the one hand our strategic ties with the West are at risk if we don't adhere to their demands, but on the other hand our own internal security is at risk.
The IAEA is more than correct to be concerned regarding the instability in Pakistan and a Paksitan government in denial of it's own reality is more dangerous than one that can ask for support to return stability and reduce the opportunity to extremists.
IAEA chief, el Baradei, voices concern over safety of Pakistani nukes news
10 January 2008
Beirut: The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN atomic watchdog, Mohamed el Baradei, has added his voice to mounting concerns over the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. In an interview to Arabic daily Al-Hayat on Tuesday, Baradei expressed his fear that it could fall into extremist hands.
"I fear that chaos... or an extremist regime could take root in that country which has 30 to 40 warheads," el Baradei was quoted as telling the pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat .
He stressed that he was "worried that nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of an extremist group in Pakistan or in Afghanistan."
Concerns about the safety of the Pakistani nuclear arsenal mounted ever since president Musharraf imposed a state of emergency in the troubled country in November last year.
http://www.domain-b.com/defence/general/20080110_nukes.html
Perez Musharraf finally admits he perfers providing a haven for terrorists than allow allies into eliminate them.
Pakistan Warns US Not to Enter Northwest (click here)
1 hour ago
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — President Pervez Musharraf warned that U.S. troops would be regarded as invaders if they crossed into Pakistan's border region with Afghanistan in the hunt for al-Qaida or Taliban militants, according to an interview published Friday.
Musharraf, whose popularity has plummeted amid a surge in extremist attacks in recent months, also told Singapore's The Straits Times that he would resign if opposition parties tried to impeach him following next month's parliamentary elections.
Pakistan is under growing U.S. pressure to crack down on militants in its tribal regions close to the Afghan border.
The rugged area has long been considered a likely hiding place for al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and his top deputy Ayman al-Zawahri, as well as an operating ground for Taliban militants planning attacks on coalition forces in Afghanistan.
The New York Times reported last week that Washington was considering expanding the authority of the Central Intelligence Agency and the military to peruse aggressive covert operations within the tribal regions.
Musharraf told the Straits Times that U.S. troops would "certainly" be considered invaders if they set foot in the tribal regions.
"If they come without our permission, that's against the sovereignty of Pakistan. I challenge anybody coming into our mountains," he said in the interview in the garrison city of Rawalpindi. "They would regret that day."
Musharraf, who seized power in a military coup eight years ago, is also under growing domestic pressure.
The party of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto and the other main opposition grouping are predicted to make gains in the Feb. 18 polls. They have vowed to oust Musharraf if they emerge as winners. Musharraf is seen as vulnerable to impeachment over his decision to fire Supreme Court judges and suspend the constitution last year.
"If that (impeachment) happens, let me assure that I'd be leaving office before they would do anything. If they won with this kind of majority and they formed a government that had the intention of doing this, I wouldn't like to stick around," he said. "I would like to quit the scene."
Same 'ole, same 'ole. The Quagmire Returns, AKA "Get out to save face" or fight a 100 year war with no USA Treasury
Patraeus to An Albar, "Okay, okay we'll do it your way, but, can the numbers look better before Osama makes another video tape !"
The Iraq War is already a victory for the extremists. The USA under Petraeus surrendered to the will of the Sunnis in order to stabilize An Albar. When the region became quasi-stabilized there was a cohesive initiative to the remaining Sunni Sheiks. That was 'coined' by the USA as a 'winning strategy.' It was, in fact, neither innovative or winning. The players never changed. What did change were the colors of the USA flag, it went from red, white and blue to white overnight when Petraeus was harnessed to correct a failing Bush/Cheney crony war.
In December 2007, Osama bin Laden aired a video to refocus al Qaeda back to defeat of the Sunni Sheiks allied to carry out a strategy that would provide autonomy to them in Iraq.
New Bin Laden tape warns Sunnis against working with US (click here)
Ed Pilkington in New York
Monday December 31, 2007
The Guardian
Osama bin Laden has directed the fury of al-Qaida against a new target: Sunni Arab leaders in Iraq who have turned against insurgents backed by the terror group and are working with US forces to end violence in key areas of the country.
In his fifth recorded message this year, Bin Laden released an audiotape on Saturday which warned Sunni Arabs who had joined local US-led security initiatives that they had "betrayed the nation and brought disgrace and shame to their people. They will suffer in life and the afterlife."
The al-Qaida chief's concentration on Sunni tribal leaders who dared to break ranks with the insurgency underlined the changing picture inside Iraq in recent weeks. The transformation is most defined in Anbar province in the west of the country where coalitions of Iraqis, supported with US money and expertise and now numbering up to 70,000 fighters, have sharply reduced violence in the area....
The move by Sunni Arabs in An Albar is viewed as a victory to the Republican Regime in the USA. When it fact it is neither a victory or an alliance. While the Sunnis are seeking autonomy in relation to the violent influence of al Qaeda, it is not forming a cooperative central government. As a matter of fact, the three 'provincial' authorities that comprise Iraq are further from any common goal than ever. THEREFORE, the "Benchmarks" aren't being met and therefore the USA withdrawal from Iraq insured. The Bush/Cheney strategy is still political, calling 'the surge' a victory when in fact it has caused a build up of arms and 'the armed' that are in opposition to each other; while distracting from the fact the 'Unity Government' of Iraq is in complete failure. All this while tensions continue to flair between Turkey, a supposed ally of the USA and Northern Iraq.
...Focusing on training and arming all sides in the conflict has been counterproductive (click here) in achieving the main goal of the "surge" - providing the space for political reconciliation. Provincial elections and the referendum on the status of Kirkuk were postponed in 2007. The Iraqi Parliament was stalemated for most of the year and when it was functioning much of its activities were in opposition to that of the Iraqi cabinet. And the period for amending the constitution in a fast-track manner, which was the carrot for the Sunnis to help pass the constitution, has been extended for the fourth time. Politically, 2008 appears to be the most difficult to date.
These political tensions will come to a head as Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki move forward in signing a formal agreement for the future US troop presence. This agreement, scheduled for completion by July 31, will likely coincide with the completion of the US Embassy. Both of these events will signal what Iraqis feared when the US invaded - that the occupation will become permanent, giving the US a dominant position with military bases, preferential access to oil and open access to Iraqi markets. With opponents in the parliament, the militias, the insurgency, and Maliki being in an extremely weak position, completion of this agreement could easily send the country into chaos....
Now the upside to all this, is that Iraq is ready to take care of itself. Only it isn't because it will remain a cohesive country but one that will divide into autonomous areas of self rule. The International Community that hold contracts and debt will state that is the worse thing that can happen to Iraq, but, the reality is 'the walls' are being built that separate Sunni from Shia and the forces are being trained and armed with the appearance of being a growing Iraqi miliary and police, when in fact they are 'sectored' into Sunni and Shia 'protectorates.' The 'surge' has little to do with providing stability for Iraq as a single country, but, it provided enough Americans to hold the violence in An Albar to a dull roar while a united Sunni force could be formed to defend itself.
Petraeus Says Iraqis Are Ready To Step Up (click here)
As The Surge Progresses, The Army Strives To Place Power In The Hands Of The Iraqi People
BAGHDAD, Jan. 5, 2008
(CBS) For David Petraeus, it's the beginning of year number two in the top job - and it's a year with one big question: what happens when the surge is over? By this July, the number of troops in Iraq, which peaked at 180,000, will shrink to 130,000. Defense Secretary Gates has said he'd like it to reach 100,000 by the end of 2008. CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor met with Petraeus before a briefing in Yousifiyah - a poor, rural region near Baghdad that used to be a hot spot for insurgents. "Al Qaeda has been pushed away and pushed around and killed, captured and so forth," said General Petraeus. "And that's what we have to continue to do." The challenge is doing that with a lot fewer troops....
If there is to be a Civil War in Iraq it will be to define the final borders of the three provincial authorities while Baghdad is abandoned as the country's capital and financial center. Baghdad will fall to the Shia. In time after the dust has settled, the land will once again be the holy lands of the Muslims and cooperation will build in economic cooperation to facilitate 'the commerce of the pilgrams.'
BAGHDAD, Jan. 5, 2008
In December 2007, Osama bin Laden aired a video to refocus al Qaeda back to defeat of the Sunni Sheiks allied to carry out a strategy that would provide autonomy to them in Iraq.
New Bin Laden tape warns Sunnis against working with US (click here)
Ed Pilkington in New York
Monday December 31, 2007
The Guardian
Osama bin Laden has directed the fury of al-Qaida against a new target: Sunni Arab leaders in Iraq who have turned against insurgents backed by the terror group and are working with US forces to end violence in key areas of the country.
In his fifth recorded message this year, Bin Laden released an audiotape on Saturday which warned Sunni Arabs who had joined local US-led security initiatives that they had "betrayed the nation and brought disgrace and shame to their people. They will suffer in life and the afterlife."
The al-Qaida chief's concentration on Sunni tribal leaders who dared to break ranks with the insurgency underlined the changing picture inside Iraq in recent weeks. The transformation is most defined in Anbar province in the west of the country where coalitions of Iraqis, supported with US money and expertise and now numbering up to 70,000 fighters, have sharply reduced violence in the area....
The move by Sunni Arabs in An Albar is viewed as a victory to the Republican Regime in the USA. When it fact it is neither a victory or an alliance. While the Sunnis are seeking autonomy in relation to the violent influence of al Qaeda, it is not forming a cooperative central government. As a matter of fact, the three 'provincial' authorities that comprise Iraq are further from any common goal than ever. THEREFORE, the "Benchmarks" aren't being met and therefore the USA withdrawal from Iraq insured. The Bush/Cheney strategy is still political, calling 'the surge' a victory when in fact it has caused a build up of arms and 'the armed' that are in opposition to each other; while distracting from the fact the 'Unity Government' of Iraq is in complete failure. All this while tensions continue to flair between Turkey, a supposed ally of the USA and Northern Iraq.
...Focusing on training and arming all sides in the conflict has been counterproductive (click here) in achieving the main goal of the "surge" - providing the space for political reconciliation. Provincial elections and the referendum on the status of Kirkuk were postponed in 2007. The Iraqi Parliament was stalemated for most of the year and when it was functioning much of its activities were in opposition to that of the Iraqi cabinet. And the period for amending the constitution in a fast-track manner, which was the carrot for the Sunnis to help pass the constitution, has been extended for the fourth time. Politically, 2008 appears to be the most difficult to date.
These political tensions will come to a head as Bush and Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki move forward in signing a formal agreement for the future US troop presence. This agreement, scheduled for completion by July 31, will likely coincide with the completion of the US Embassy. Both of these events will signal what Iraqis feared when the US invaded - that the occupation will become permanent, giving the US a dominant position with military bases, preferential access to oil and open access to Iraqi markets. With opponents in the parliament, the militias, the insurgency, and Maliki being in an extremely weak position, completion of this agreement could easily send the country into chaos....
Now the upside to all this, is that Iraq is ready to take care of itself. Only it isn't because it will remain a cohesive country but one that will divide into autonomous areas of self rule. The International Community that hold contracts and debt will state that is the worse thing that can happen to Iraq, but, the reality is 'the walls' are being built that separate Sunni from Shia and the forces are being trained and armed with the appearance of being a growing Iraqi miliary and police, when in fact they are 'sectored' into Sunni and Shia 'protectorates.' The 'surge' has little to do with providing stability for Iraq as a single country, but, it provided enough Americans to hold the violence in An Albar to a dull roar while a united Sunni force could be formed to defend itself.
Petraeus Says Iraqis Are Ready To Step Up (click here)
As The Surge Progresses, The Army Strives To Place Power In The Hands Of The Iraqi People
BAGHDAD, Jan. 5, 2008
(CBS) For David Petraeus, it's the beginning of year number two in the top job - and it's a year with one big question: what happens when the surge is over? By this July, the number of troops in Iraq, which peaked at 180,000, will shrink to 130,000. Defense Secretary Gates has said he'd like it to reach 100,000 by the end of 2008. CBS News correspondent Jeff Glor met with Petraeus before a briefing in Yousifiyah - a poor, rural region near Baghdad that used to be a hot spot for insurgents. "Al Qaeda has been pushed away and pushed around and killed, captured and so forth," said General Petraeus. "And that's what we have to continue to do." The challenge is doing that with a lot fewer troops....
If there is to be a Civil War in Iraq it will be to define the final borders of the three provincial authorities while Baghdad is abandoned as the country's capital and financial center. Baghdad will fall to the Shia. In time after the dust has settled, the land will once again be the holy lands of the Muslims and cooperation will build in economic cooperation to facilitate 'the commerce of the pilgrams.'
BAGHDAD, Jan. 5, 2008
January 9th, 2008 4:45 pm
9 US soldiers killed in Iraq in 2 days
Associated Press
BAGHDAD - Nine American soldiers were killed in the first two days of a new American drive to kill al-Qaida in Iraq fighters holed up in districts north of the capital, the U.S. military said Wednesday.
Six soldiers were killed and four were wounded Wednesday in a booby-trapped house in Diyala province, where joint U.S.-Iraqi forces were driving through a difficult web of lush palm and citrus groves, farmland and fertile river bottoms.
The military also announced that three U.S. soldiers were killed and two were wounded Tuesday in an attack in Salahuddin province. The operation began Tuesday.
Associated Press
BAGHDAD - Nine American soldiers were killed in the first two days of a new American drive to kill al-Qaida in Iraq fighters holed up in districts north of the capital, the U.S. military said Wednesday.
Six soldiers were killed and four were wounded Wednesday in a booby-trapped house in Diyala province, where joint U.S.-Iraqi forces were driving through a difficult web of lush palm and citrus groves, farmland and fertile river bottoms.
The military also announced that three U.S. soldiers were killed and two were wounded Tuesday in an attack in Salahuddin province. The operation began Tuesday.
We don't belong in Iraq !
We never did !
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
The Iranians did very well. The faux attack was well deployed. Look, it worked against the USS Cole.
This image released by the US Navy Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2008, and shot Sunday, Jan. 6 from the bridge of the destroyer USS Hopper, shows a small blue boat, alleged to be Iranian, purportedly racing near the wake of U.S. Navy ships in the Persian Gulf. The incident, which President George W. Bush denounced Tuesday as a "provocative act," was videotaped by a crew member on the bridge of the destroyer USS Hopper, one of the three ships that faced down five Iranian boats in a flare-up early Sunday. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
The propaganda to cover up a major USA vulnerability is interesting, isn't it? The USA Navy didn't 'face down' anything. The USA Navy blew their horn and made movies.
To begin, the small 'speed' boats obviously knew the USA Navy ships were there. That's not the issue, so blowing the horn was simply a matter of protocol that gave every appearance of 'being stupid.' It's a stupid protocol. There were five boats all headed in the one direction and you mean to tell me that blowing the horn on a USA warship was to make them aware of something they already knew existed? That is absolutely stupid.
Given the episode of the USS Cole, the first response by any USA warship 'should be' to fire on the approaching boats. Not necessarily fire exactly on them, but, fire to their perimeters with every increasing smaller radii until the boats are finally dead center and receiving fire directly. That can be accomplished with 'on board' guns. There is no need for missiles or explosives. It isn't that kind of episodic problem, unless, the boats continue to approach out of control of a driver and then a surface to surface, minor explosive would have to destroy the boat. But, those Iranian vessels came within 300 feet of a USA warship, that is simply unacceptable. The approach against the attack speed boats should have engaged long before the boats got that close.
The personnel of the USA Navy boats were unable to formulate a good response. Those small speed boats were not identified as military components because they were covert. They looked like a bunch of guys on a days outing. That is the way they were supposed to appear. There is obviously no control of pleasure boats in the Straits of Hormuz. As a result to 'avert' any International Incident with sincere civilian boats the USA needs to stay out of the strait.
This is where USA diplomacy has failed royally under this administration and is still another reason to impeach. The diplomatic corp of the USA should have established protocols of conduct of USA warships entering the Strait long before the ship personnel are supposed to call on their training to remain safe and fend off any attack. In other words, it should be plainly understood by all governments, even Iran, that when a USA warship enters the Strait of Hormuz it will defend itself and therefore the sovereign foreign governments need to 'handle' their civilian traffic in proximal distance to USA warships accordingly.
The Iranians were able to carry out war games successfully and gave the USA Navy a 'taste' of it's prowess.
The USA Navy needs to stay in the Gulf of Oman and away from provoking the defenses, no matter the method of Iran. This was a covert mission that had good intelligence, which they obtained from 'somewhere,' either their own observations of approaching ships from The Gulf of Oman or from other allied sources. My guess is that this was a 'self contained' Iranian maneuver and it was done very well. The personnel on board of the speed boats knew exactly how to handle those boats although there was one time when nearly two of them collided. And believe me, if they did collide and there were casualities it would have been coined as an act of war by the USA against Iran. Iran would have claimed the boats were fired on, caused an explosion and therefore begun the first battle of a war. It would have come down that way from Iran and all the more reason the USA needs to contain it's fuel needs and refitting of supplies to the Gulf of Oman. The potential for inflamming International relationships with Iran and its allies is too easily orchestrated to even risk the potential.
In all honesty, considering the location of such warships which carry significant weapons that could destroy a nuclear reactor, the Iranians acted appropriately in their intensions and the USA Navy provided a 'real time' opportunity for Iran to practice it's own protocols. This is what happens when the USA has a Neocon in the White House. There are 'brush burn' incidents that if go "W"rong are viewed as reasons to war by Bush and Cheney. There is insufficient diplomacy between Iran and the USA, as a result there are tensions to a tinder box ALL THE TIME.
THAT...
...is called incompetency and requires impeachment. For that reason alone, the UN needs to put the USA in its place and demand diplomatic relations be conducted between the USA and Iran in order to facilitate any further sanctions against Iran as we already know Iran is not capable of producing nuclear weapons.
Where does a country, that is supposed to be promoting peace such as the USA, simply sit outside of any diplomatic relations with any sovereign country while passing judgement stating it has a right to attack same country? Where? The reason diplomatic relations exist is to sort through details of such matters and seek the best solutions.
The morality of the USA is compromised without diplomacy and therefore it's legitimate right to attack other sovereign powers. End of discussion.
The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Ice Chime) is:
The corrupt administration of George Walker Bush and Richard Cheney continues to allow exploitation of the natural resources that belong to the people of the USA, while the nation's biotic nature deteriorates causing greater and faster climate change.
The moral issue is, how long does a people continue to allow corrupt government to exert it's power inappropriately while the USA's reputation internationally grows in greater and greater distain?
Let's face it folks, once the damage is done and the profits taken the only avenue of 'justice' are fines and jail terms, but, even in the case of Abramoff there is such minimal sentences that the 'elite' just don't care. When companies can afford their crimes they will commit them anyway and then complain that government needs to provide better 'tort' reform to prevent them from being disaffected at all.
The moral issue is, how long does a people continue to allow corrupt government to exert it's power inappropriately while the USA's reputation internationally grows in greater and greater distain?
Elevation :: 33 ft / 10 m
Temperature :: 30 °F / -1 °C
Conditons :: Overcast
Humidity :: 86%
Dew Point :: 27 °F / -3 °C
Wind :: 4 mph / 6 km/h / 1.5 m/s from the NNW
Pressure :: 29.36 in / 994 hPa (Rising)
Windchill :: 27 °F / -3 °C
Visibility :: 8.0 miles / 12.9 kilometers
UV :: 0 out of 16
Clouds:
Mostly Cloudy 1000 ft / 304 m
Mostly Cloudy 2000 ft / 609 m
Overcast 6000 ft / 1828 m
(Above Ground Level)
The example of 'Bad and Evasive Government' is evident with the listing of Polar Bears to the Endangered Species List. This is more proof of the incompetency of the US Fish and Wildlife Service under this administration. This is a series of blunders 'allowed' by this administration to facilitate corruption in providing 'service' in favor of Big Oil. It's just that simple. This is without a doubt corrupt government at it's worse.
The Polar Bear classification has gone through standard process and still today there is no decision making. The administration in The White House needs to be impeached and this is STILL another reason why. They allow incompetency to disaffect 'The Public Trust' and provide vehicles of exploitive corruption.
Temperature :: 30 °F / -1 °C
Conditons :: Overcast
Humidity :: 86%
Dew Point :: 27 °F / -3 °C
Wind :: 4 mph / 6 km/h / 1.5 m/s from the NNW
Pressure :: 29.36 in / 994 hPa (Rising)
Windchill :: 27 °F / -3 °C
Visibility :: 8.0 miles / 12.9 kilometers
UV :: 0 out of 16
Clouds:
Mostly Cloudy 1000 ft / 304 m
Mostly Cloudy 2000 ft / 609 m
Overcast 6000 ft / 1828 m
(Above Ground Level)
The example of 'Bad and Evasive Government' is evident with the listing of Polar Bears to the Endangered Species List. This is more proof of the incompetency of the US Fish and Wildlife Service under this administration. This is a series of blunders 'allowed' by this administration to facilitate corruption in providing 'service' in favor of Big Oil. It's just that simple. This is without a doubt corrupt government at it's worse.
The Polar Bear classification has gone through standard process and still today there is no decision making. The administration in The White House needs to be impeached and this is STILL another reason why. They allow incompetency to disaffect 'The Public Trust' and provide vehicles of exploitive corruption.
Bush and Cheney are guilty of incompetent government under their administration and no one can deny it, although they'll try.
Oh, they'll definately try.
And while the public through activist groups such as these environmental organizations fight back against the 'pre-meditated incompetency;' the cronies of this administration are provided a window to exploit natural resources and cause greater damage to the environment and species.
Let's face it folks, once the damage is done and the profits taken the only avenue of 'justice' are fines and jail terms, but, even in the case of Abramoff there is such minimal sentences that the 'elite' just don't care. When companies can afford their crimes they will commit them anyway and then complain that government needs to provide better 'tort' reform to prevent them from being disaffected at all.
That is what the USA has in the White House. Slick politicians that do not lead but provide venues of exploitation for their cronies. Just that simple.
Conservationists condemn plans for Alaskan Arctic Ocean petroleum leases (click here)
6 days ago
ANCHORAGE, Alaska - The federal Minerals Management Service gave final approval Wednesday for oil and natural gas development off Alaska's northwest shore, drawing condemnation from environmental groups worried about the area's wildlife, including polar bears.
The MMS said it would hold a lease sale Feb. 6 in Anchorage for bidding on almost 120,000 square kilometres of outer continental shelf lands in the Chukchi Sea, the part of the Arctic Ocean that begins north of the Bering Strait and stretches between northwest Alaska and the northern coast of the Russian Far East.
It would be the first federal OCS oil and gas lease sale in the Chukchi Sea since 1991. MMS Alaska spokeswoman Robin Cacy said the area contains an estimated 15 billion barrels of conventionally recoverable oil and 2.18 trillion cubic metres of conventionally recoverable natural gas.
The Chukchi Sea is home to one of two U.S. polar bear populations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is days away from deciding whether polar bears should be declared threatened because of global warming and its effect on the animal's primary habitat, sea ice.
"The polar bear's existence is increasingly threatened by the impact of climate change-induced loss of sea ice," said Margaret Williams, managing director of World Wildlife Fund's Kamchatka and Bering Sea Program. "The chances for the continued survival of this icon of the Arctic will be greatly diminished if its last remaining critical habitat is turned into a vast oil and gas field."
Polar bears spend most of their lives on sea ice. They use sea ice for to hunt their primary prey, ringed seals. In Alaska, females use sea ice to den or to reach denning areas on land....
Fish and Wildlife Service postpones polar bear listing decision
DAN JOLING
Associated Press Writer
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced Monday it will delay making a decision on listing polar bears as a threatened species under the federal Endangered Species Act.
The deadline is Wednesday and the agency announced that it hopes to provide a recommendation to Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne for a decision within the next month.
Environmental groups that petitioned to protect polar bears said they would go court to ensure a timely decision.
"We certainly hope that the polar bear will be listed within the next month," said Kassie Siegel, an attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity and lead author of the listing petition.
She said environmental groups will begin legal action Wednesday with a formal notice to sue as required by the Endangered Species Act.
A petition filed by the Center for Biological Diversity, Greenpeace and the Natural Resources Defense Council more than two years ago claimed the polar bear's primary habitat, sea ice, is threatened because of global warming.
The summer of 2007 set a record low for sea ice in the Arctic with just 1.65 million square miles, according to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado, nearly 40 percent less ice than the long-term average between 1979 and 2000.
http://ap.juneauempire.com/pstories/state/ak/20080107/232313131.shtml
Let's not exaggerate - Clinton Narrowly Leads Obama in NH
...Also according to exit polls, only half as many New Hampshire voters under 30 turned out as in Iowa, depriving Obama of crucial support.
The under thirty vote has issues.
The War...
...a potential draft...
...what happens to their futures and SSI...
...Human Induced Global Warming...
...Climate Change...
...the Housing Market...
...the Job Market...
It's not over until it's over !!!!
Bush knew how important the young vote was because in 2004 he promised to never institute a draft.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Unseasonably high Human Induced Global Warming temperatures have caused deaths by tornado in the USA - Video report
Tornado Damage
Waking Up To Tornado Damage In Far NW Suburbs, SE Wis. (click here)
CHICAGO (CBS 2) ― The people of the Upper Midwest are usually concerned with snowstorms and frostbite at this time of year, but the weather this week that was more befitting of the month of May came with a price – a devastating round of tornadoes.
As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, the weather has turned the terminals at O'Hare International Airport into dormitories, with many travelers stranded due to flight cancellations.
But relatively speaking, they were lucky compared to many residents of north central Illinois and southern Wisconsin.
A number of damaging tornadoes touched down Monday evening in the tiny town of Poplar Grove, in Boone County, Ill.,; in Harvard, in McHenry County; and across the state line in Kenosha County, Wis.
"The lady told me the sirens were not a test – there were actually a sighting," said Wisconsin resident Scott Clanton.
In Kenosha County, one tornado took out much of a subdivision, making that area off-limits as crews worked to make sure everyone was safe.
"I've never seen devastation like that here in Kenosha County," said Kenosha County Sheriff David Beth. "I've never seen homes that have been destroyed like this, and not just one or two. I've seen at least 10 or 12 homes in one area that are just leveled. And we have several pockets, several subdivisions where homes are seriously damaged or destroyed....
Tornado in southwest Missouri leaves at least two dead (click here)
The Associated Press
MARSHFIELD, Mo. At least two people were killed Monday night by tornadoes that swept across southwest Missouri, bringing with them wave after wave of driving rain, heavy wind and hail.
An elderly woman was killed near Strafford in Greene County, officials confirmed, and a 53-year-old woman was killed in a rural area north of Marshfield in Webster County.
Jaci McReynolds, a Greene County Health Department spokeswoman who was helping with emergency operations in Webster County, said the woman killed near Marshfield was found by rescuers in a wooded area near her trailer, which was destroyed.
Marshfield Fire Chief Michael Taylor said several homes were damaged or destroyed and at least five mobile homes were wiped out along a line covering about seven miles west and north of Marshfield.
Emergency crews were out checking homes and assessing damage, he said.
While it appeared Webster County had received the most damage, tornado warnings were active in several counties as the storms moved northeastward.
Violent storms began sweeping through central Missouri on Monday afternoon, with several tornado warnings in effect as early as 4:15 p.m. They intensified throughout the evening, cutting a diagonal swath from the state’s southwest corner on a line through Springfield and toward St. Louis.
“It’s very unseasonable for this time of year,” said meteorologist Benjamin Sipprell at the National Weather Service office in St. Louis. “The atmosphere is just right.”
The Associated Press
MARSHFIELD, Mo. At least two people were killed Monday night by tornadoes that swept across southwest Missouri, bringing with them wave after wave of driving rain, heavy wind and hail.
An elderly woman was killed near Strafford in Greene County, officials confirmed, and a 53-year-old woman was killed in a rural area north of Marshfield in Webster County.
Jaci McReynolds, a Greene County Health Department spokeswoman who was helping with emergency operations in Webster County, said the woman killed near Marshfield was found by rescuers in a wooded area near her trailer, which was destroyed.
Marshfield Fire Chief Michael Taylor said several homes were damaged or destroyed and at least five mobile homes were wiped out along a line covering about seven miles west and north of Marshfield.
Emergency crews were out checking homes and assessing damage, he said.
While it appeared Webster County had received the most damage, tornado warnings were active in several counties as the storms moved northeastward.
Violent storms began sweeping through central Missouri on Monday afternoon, with several tornado warnings in effect as early as 4:15 p.m. They intensified throughout the evening, cutting a diagonal swath from the state’s southwest corner on a line through Springfield and toward St. Louis.
“It’s very unseasonable for this time of year,” said meteorologist Benjamin Sipprell at the National Weather Service office in St. Louis. “The atmosphere is just right.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)