Thursday, October 25, 2007

In the year 2007-2008 a home is not just a home anymore...


It is common for the American home to be a work place as well. For people hit with devastating tragedy such as the Southern California wildfires, they see more than a home gone and treasured memories and belongings devastated; their entire ability to sustain their economic well being is gone.

Considering the state of the housing market and the credit connected to it, the devastation of the 'at home work place' economy contributes to a sustained declination of economic growth. The fires of Southern California are more than a personal tragedy, it impacts the economy both in California and the larger picture of economic recovery for the USA.

Southern California has to achieve water independence through desaliation so there is no day when drought dictates NOT TO WATER THE LAWN. There has to be a return of biotic stability sustainable through artificial measures with water delivery to even wilderness areas if necessary. Without any return of water vapor to the region enough to rehydrate the biotic nature of terra firma, the USA is destined for sustained disaster.
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Governor Schwarzenegger has a large populous with significant trauma this time


Rachel Whittemore, 17, right, and her mother, Winsome, at Malibu Presbyterian Nursery School.


It was reported the evacuee venues were festive. That is the best venue to emotional recovery from such trauma. There are larger populations involved this time and there will be depression and emotional disorientation to the directions lives will take. Treating these folks as having diminished fiscal resources in support by government to relocate, even if temporary, will provide a smooth transition back to 'normalcy' while they figure out where all this goes from here. A return to a 'sustainable' life will springboard success instead of people left in disarray to depress their own economy and dismantle their return to happiness. I would think a healthy balance between a 'normal' life and recovery of property would diminish the trauma and provide hope.



It is a lot for a Governor and State Legislature to consider. I wish them all well. I don't believe the federal government is much help. Katrina still lingers in New Orleans. The States have to be able to respond to these emergencies nearly autonomously while supporting each other reginally, as the federal domestic authorities are failed and continue to fail the needs of the nation under this administration. Maintaining economies after this level of trauma will be an interesting community dynamics that will bring them out of this tragedy quicker than if they are left to cope alone.





A CDF firefighter is dwarfed by flames along East Grade Road on Palomar Mountain.


The firefighters were dedicated by at the same time had fire dynamics that more than likely took an emotional toll on their ability to protect the public. Many may have lost homes as well. There is potential for changing the technology and the methodology of fighting these infernos. As difficult as this may seem, it may be in realizing there are areas of Southern California prone to this disaster and while living there is a wonderful quality of life, it may not be a sustainable financial dynamic for many families.


At some point, a hard look at the 'realistic' future outcomes has to ensue and 'rebuilding' may be more foolish than prudent. A similar assessment to FEMA hurricane standards and flooding has to apply to areas prone to this tragedy. It is my estimation this could happen year after year as the continued trend in drought provides fuel to such events.


The trend is to drier and drier dynamics and not a return to sustainable biotic conditions. The 'idea' of recovery conservation should be considered in this instance for sustainable movement toward lush biota with desaliation plants and continuous hydration of the topsoil and plant nourishment as a buffer to housing and potential chronic drought. It's expensive.

The migrating air mass from the location of the tropical storm helped calm the winds in Southern California (12 hour loop - click here)


October 25, 2007
0815z
UNISYS Water Vapor satellite of the north and west hemisphere (12 hour loop click here, thank you)

The hemispheric satellite shows a very slow and meandering system of depleted water vapor throughout with revitalization of a continental vortex currently Mississippi. The east coast of the USA where the densest CO2 accumulates has water vapor migrating out of the Carribean Sea where a anti-cyclonic vortex is loosely organized. This dynamic also helped contribute to a more stable tropospheric air mass over southern California. These two vortices, one in the Pacific and one in the Atlantic have manifested together previously in more intense air mass instability. Another 'loose and large' vortex was seen a few days ago near Mexico where it delivered some intense storms. These systems are taking a long time to develope starved for water vapor to generate their heat transfer ability.



October 25, 2007

1815z

UNISYS Water Vapor GOES West Satellite


The air mass was jet propelled further west into the Pacific where it found water vapor off the Equator. With that it was able to organize and begin to concentrate heat and energy into a low pressure system that would reduce the winds over Southern California. No rain, there isn't going to be, but, a change in the dynamics of the tropospheric air mass allowed enough of a reduction in wind to allow CONVENTIONAL fire fighting techniques and mechanisms the ability to stop the progression of the 'drought tinderbox' fires.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

This is the sad reality of Southern California. It's a national disgrace. The USA has NO policy of the prevention of Human Induced Global Warming.

The link at the title above is a review of an interview with the retired founder of CNN, Ted Turner. The staff and crew of CNN should read the words of their 'former boss' and realize how every "W"rong they are in their focus. The rest of the media organizations should follow suit and realize the problems they cause in Western Media with their political bias and pandering.

Ted Turner has been a strong proponent to peace and environmental stability. He has contributed large amounts of funds to the United Nations, especially in the years when Republican administrations in DC wouldn't pay the USA's dues to the United Nations. Not only that but he has been the sponsor of ideas such as 'micro-credit' whereby impoverished citizens of third world countries are able to obtain loans to better their lives.

Ted Turner is not about politics. He is about issues and in this instance I could not agree with him more. The media in recent years turned away from the facts and the brevity of those facts and due to pressure and politics at the FCC have been required to 'administer' justice to the Chrisitan Right without court hearings or regard to other religions in the country. All the media was forced into principles of extremist "Fundamental" agendas for their outlets to cater to war and conservative preferences. It has been "W"rong, it continues to be "W"rong and it needs to stop.

Human Induced Global Warming is not a political issue, it's a matter of survival. It is the most pressing issue facing the USA and as a result 'the world of nations.' The USA has done nothing to prepare for these outcomes, including water source issues and now we have entire metropolitan areas facing the greatest challenge they have ever faced. They are alone in their plight facing only help from their state governments. NOTHING has been done to avert these tragedies including these wildfires in Southern California by stopping the trend of Human Induced Global Warming and reversing that trend. Instead, every available measure to increase the emission of these gases has been given opportunity by the Bush White House and Republican Majority extending back to 1994. It's a national disgrace and it takes on a political tilt because of the cronism of Republicans. The nation can't get anything done to stop this trend because every time it tries there is political partisanism catering to Republican cronies and agenda.

Human Induced Global Warming is not a political issue. It's a matter of Republican corruption and that is all it is.

Iran is not a political issue either. As with Human Induced Global Warming, there is a right path and a "W"rong path. The Republicans insist on choosing the "W"rong path all the time. They are incompetent. They 'sell themselves' to their electorate based on Christian priorities and they are returned to the legislature to wheeled power over the USA treasury and regulatory powers of the federal government. It's "W"rong, it's immoral and it's totally ineffective government.

"Freedom of the Press" has come to be the Fourth Estate of the USA government. The place where citizens get information, help educate each other and affect change in their government. That has been destroyed. Now, the press is partisan and influence peddlers for the Christian Right. It is biased, prejudice, bigoted and now poses real dangers to citizens of the USA and other countries because of the NEGLIGENCE of issues, while allowing the Republicans to spend monies they never had, causing undue burdens on future generations.

The USA has lost it's way. It is due to the corruption of the Republican Party and it's unwillingness to accept facts that relate to real issues the USA federal legislature and Executive Branch had to tackle. Now, we are involved with the unrelenting heating of Earth and STILL nothing is being done in hopes nothing will be done while power pander to electing still another unqualified, biased and incompetent Republican.

I appreciate Ted Turner for riding the white horse again. It's an important position and he among all in the media business has been the mover and shaker to so much including advocating "The Shield Law" for journalists. The media better find it's stride on these issues and if it means condemning Bush and Cheney and the Executive Branch along with the Republicans then I suggest they get on it. NOW !


October 23, 2007
Valley Center, California
Photographer states :: This pic was taked 10/23/07 in Harras Casino in valley center the fire is very close to the big and luxor casino!

The cause for these extensive and unrelenting fires is due to extreme drought and extremely dry conditions as well as high winds. These are extreme conditions. They are not 'normal' even by the longest stretch of the imagination for Southern California. The drought is profound and caused from lack of water vapor in the troposphere.


October 24, 2007
Econdido, California
Photographer states :: This pic was taked 10/24/07 close to Lake Hodges!

Cultural Bias in the Media in reporting the California Wildfires


You know, Old Hallows Eve is on the way and the devil is coming to town so he annouced the fact by burning down California. It is that simplistic thinking and pandering that provides a venue for incompetent government and 'explaining' away much needed policy to prevent such tragedy again. It's unfortunate every news event is an opportunity for policial influence peddling when the reality is Americans die for very real reasons. Spiritual death is another topic and one that should be made by preachers. This is simply outrageous to think the media is this overwhelmed with pandering to a religious minority in order to please the FCC. It's idiocy. At least in this picture there is actually frost on the pumpkin which won't happen in many places across the southern USA this year.


CULT-ural bias and bigotry in the media intended for INFLUENCE PEDDLING ! This is a well established 'cult'ural icon of the Christian Right. Just that simple.


CULT-ural Bias and Bigotry in the media intended to be INFLUENCE PEDDLING !





Do we really need it? There are more than Christian Conservatives that are supposed to have access to UNBIASED reports of such tragedy.

This is the title to the New York Times. CNN is just as bad if not worse.

The New York Times needs to get rid of it's biased staff in their newsrooom. They are chronically overshadowing reality with religious bias and bigotry when they can get away with it. If a person cannot work for a media organization without bigoting their facts then that is nothing but a propaganda campaign against those that see the world differently. Someone should file a class action suit to stop this hideous practice by all media. Pandering to a particular religious 'sect' is hardly American or the practice of freedom !

California Wildfires Have Burned 666 Square Miles

At what point in time were there 666 square miles burnt. I am assuming by that statement it's over now, because if it's not then that is CULTURAL BIAS intended to entertain the thought a spiritual devil at work and it's offending. 666 is stupid and childish and insulting. I am not Christian Conservative and NEVER will be. It's outrageous.

If I appraise the circumstances in California RIGHT NOW there is no determining accurately the description of the FACTS of the fire in square miles because every moment that goes by the area increases, so the reporting is grossly inaccurate.

Last night CNN embarked on the same BIASED CULTURAL RANT. Instead of stating the forests were dry due to drought and Human Induced Global Warming, they used the term "...there is a lot of fuel...' on the ground. That is a 'clue' to the audience that California is mismanaging it's forests and therefore there was more 'wood' on the ground that caused this tragedy. That is hogwash.

Then they emphasied "The Witch Fire" as if there was no other fire at work in Southern California.

It's all propaganda and this an outrageous bias in reporting by The New York Times. Honestly.


Tuesday, October 23, 2007

The weather in Antarctica (Crystal Ice Chime) is cold. Not real cold, but, cold.


Not all at Scott Base is snow. This is a seal that lives under and on the ice. Click the title to entry to view other animals that visit the scientists at Scott Base.




Location of Lake Chatuge. It spans two states. It is huge. There is a lot "W"rong here. A lot of water evaporated. A lot.


Lake Chatuge before drought (click here)


October 23, 2007
Hiawassee, Georgia
Same location of photo below





October 23, 2007



Hiawassee, Georgia



Photographer states :: North Georgia is experiencing a major drought. These first couple are of Lake Chatuge in Hiawassee. The water levels are below the reach of most floating docks....It has been raining in the North Georgia Mountains for 36 hours, however, it is light and will not help much in the long term...

No relief yet, but, interesting dynamics are taking shape. (click here for 12 hour loop)


October 23, 2007
2330z
UNISYS Water Vapor GOES West

There is a continental vortex forming. Better seen in the loop to the hemispheric water vapor.


The tropical storm is dissipated for the most part, except there is a migrating air mass traveling to the west from the tropical storm. It doesn't seem like much right now, but, it could become a larger storm if it can establish a water vapor source to support it.

What good will that do?

It could establish a heat transfer storm. It won't have direct effect in the way of delivering rain, but, a heat transfer would slow the winds to the coastal area of Southern California.


Under these intense Human Induced Global Warming dynamics I have never known a continental vortex to dissipate. Once it forms it continues to build as they are ionic upper tropospheric storms. There is hope for rain if that vortex enlarges it's dynamics and possibly delivers some relief to the area now in flames in Southern California.
Other than those two dynamics, I don't see anything I would call relief for the area on fire.

Did George Walker Bush say the word "DROUGHT" when he came out of his DC 'chambers' to speak of Emergency Measures? I didn't think he did.


Larger image of one below




1:55 PM U.S. Pacific Daylight Time

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, wildfires ignited in the paper-dry, drought-stricken vegetation of Southern California over the weekend of October 20, 2007, and exploded into massive infernos that forced hundreds of thousands of people to evacuate their communities. Driven by Santa Ana winds, fires grew thousands of acres in just one to two days. The fires sped down from the mountains into the outskirts of coastal cities, including San Diego. Dozens of homes have burned to the ground, and at least one person has died, according to local news reports. Several of the fires were burning completely out of control as of October 22.

Does Turkey want a war or what? You know the circumstance in Northern Iraq isn't simple.


While most Kurds are Sunni Muslims, the guerrillas reject Islamic fundamentalism. Instead, they trace their roots to a Marxist past and still espouse what they call "scientific socialism" and promote women's rights.

In Iraq, Conflict Simmers on a 2nd Kurdish Front (click here)

...Yet out of the public eye, a chillingly similar battle has been under way on the Iraqi border with Iran. Kurdish guerrillas ambush and kill Iranian forces and retreat to their hide-outs in Iraq. The Americans offer Iran little sympathy. Tehran even says Washington aids the Iranian guerrillas, a charge the United States denies. True or not, that conflict, like the Turkish one, has explosive potential....


WHILE ON THE Eastern border of Northern Iraq the Kurds are viewed as a threat to Turkey, AT THE VERY SAME TIME, they are viewed as insurgents in Iran to the western border. Can the USA make up it's mind? No. Because Bush turned loose Pandora's Box and what do we know about this type of leadership? They are incompetent. They want money out of the deal so they literally allow anarchy otherwise. Bush was never interested in the people of Iraq. That IS his excuse now no different than protection of the American people were an excuse in March of 2003.

I don't care of a Kurd calls themselves PKK or not. This is a nation of people under seige for most of their lives. The best break they ever had was "The Norhtern No Fly Zone' where they established a democracy, admired the values of the USA and it's freedom and organized a government. The Kurds are ready to be their own nation. The issue is not that they can't defend their borders, they can. Easily, to the tune of being called terrorists. The problem is they want to unite ALL KURDS into a nation that would include parts of Turkey and Iran.

That's the issue. This is NOT about terrorism. It's about sovereignty and the right of Kurds to be united and be a nation. That is what is at the heart of these conflicts. The reason they are given such a rough time to achieve that is because it would cause issues with sovereignty of Iran and Turkey. So, why not make the northern Province of Iraq into a Kurdistan province and leave them alone? Why? Because Turkey would love to have the national assets in that territory under their control and destroy any right to the people there to have their own soveriegn authority.

Turkey is wrong on all counts in this issue except for it's sovereign right to protect it's borders. End of discussion.

I'll tell you how stupid this mess has gotten...in an article in RIA Novosti last week the Russian President, in an attempt to contain the Bush potential to expand the Iraq war into surrounding nations, criticized the fact there are now three provinces allowed in the Iraq Constitution. That provision has been there for well over two years now. The provinces are taking up their own border controls, building walls and all sorts of preparedness including accepting their militias as an opportunity to stability.


President Putin is right in that the more division there is within a country the more opportunity for civil war. That is classic textbook theory. He's right. Under normal circumstances a nation divided is going to be incredibly unstable. That is not the case in Iraq. Iraq is the 'hub' of Islamic fundamentalism. There are too many 'powers' (not spiritual either) at play in Iraq to consider a single sovereign government a potential to stability. Too many factions, too many fears, too many human rights abuses and they are all pointing fingers at each other as a threat to SURVIVAL.

The civil war in Iraq is not about economics or power struggles for politics. We would love a political solution for them, but, it isn't going to happen.

Iraq is about fear. It's about losing religion. It is about how strong the Shia can be as a nation of 'people' and NOT laws to protect their very existance on Earth. The Shia are granted the 'right' to fear because of the damage of their religious lineage over decades of Western pandering to Sunni leaders to the sake of oil.

Iraq needs to have autonomy in their provinces so the people feel safe. It's got to happen. There is no way for the Central Governing Authority within Iraq to be established so long as there is overwhelming fear of them. In listening to Iraqi leadership in Baghdad speak today, they have finally come to grips with that fear and are listening and attempting to instill a 'quiet' among their people. All their people. We have to allow the people of Iraq to be separate while sharing national assets. There is only one way to do that and that is to provide them separate provinces and a central authority. Trying now to reverse that won't work, not under the best of 'textbook' conditions.

The people of the USA aren't going to allow Bush to expand his war. The USA troops have to come out of Iraq. There is no way they can stay there and provide a peace for that nation. There is too much 'fire power' within a country the size of Texas to think there will ever be a calm. No way. The munitions have to come out of that country and it should happen as soon as possible. So long as the USA is in Iraq, there will be cooperation by Iran with Shi'ites in the way of arms and humanitarian needs to prevent a spill over into their nation from Iraq.

Do you realize the size of the refugee movement there would be into Iran if it weren't actively involved in Iraq? Do you know how much more destabilizing it would be. The USA has to leave Iraq in order to stop the war. It's never going to stop otherwise. Believe it or not, the politics of Bush and Cheney and Rice about Iran harness the fear of the nuclear reactor. Iran is doing the right thing in Iraq otherwise they would be fighting the American war within their country as well.

The nuclear reactor won't be consented to be dismantled as with North Korea until Iran feels it doesn't now have the same threat facing it. South Korea doesn't have a nuclear weapon. Neither does Japan. However, Israel does and Olmert already stated it. The entire dynamics in the Middle East is so screwed up, it's unbelievable. Israel can't give up it's nuclear potential because of nations such as Pakistan. It's a mess and the ONLY way to a lasting peace is to engage the nations of the region in summits leading to peace and ultimately disarmament. Bush and the Republicans aren't capable of that. Their electorate only sees destruction of Islam the viable solution to American National Security. It's hideous. Islam is not the enemy, Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda are and the USA isn't even in Afghanistan anymore.

No, Vladimir Putin is NOT right in demanding ONLY a 'one government' strategy in Iraq no matter the textbook correctness of it all. It won't work, except to keep the killing and destructive USA depleted within Iraq. To THAT end it is a solution, but, to a stable region WITHOUT genocide of the Shia it is not a solution.

Turkey needs to stay in Turkey. End of Discussion !!!! The Kurds need a homeland in northern Iraq and the Shia need to stop being killed. Iran needs to dismantle it's nuclear reactor and the stronger the sanctions so the people of Iran feel it everyday in their lives the sooner they will return to moderate and reasonable leadership.


LOADED UP: Turkish troops in Cizre head toward the Iraqi border. Turkey threatened to launch an offensive after 12 of its soldiers were killed by Kurdish separatists over the weekend.
PKK says it will stop cross-border attacks from northern Iraq if Ankara drops threats of an offensive there.

250,000 Evacuated - GOOD ! Thank you. The Governor is doing the right thing. National Guard Deployment ! Outstanding !


October 22, 2007
Fall Creek State Park, Tennessee
Photographer states :: 2007 drought in the southeastern U.S. has seriously lowered water levels in streams and lakes. Forests are extremely dry. Fall colors are greatly reduced.

This is from The Atlanta Journal Consitution:
Feds must help us to weather drought (click here)
By SAM OLENSPublished on: 10/23/07
Someone has pulled the stopper from the bathtub and all the water is draining out!
Metro Atlanta and North Georgia, as well as most of the Southeast, is in the grip of what may prove to be the worst drought on record. At the same time, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is releasing extreme amounts of water from Lake Lanier — our region's key water supply source — to enhance the habitat of two species of mussels and to keep a small coal-fired power plant in operation....

Everyone knows about the drought in Atlanta? No joke. People are going to have tankers of water trucked in before too much longer. No one in the federal government gives a hoot. NO ONE. They should have been building desaliation plants a decade ago. Are they yet? It's not going to get better. Did you understand those words? It's NOT going to get better. The USA is profoundly dry under a thick blanket of CO2 and it's only increasing. That drought is not stopping. Ten hurricanes at this point won't stop it and there is no water vapor to support those hurricanes to happen anyway. Wake up. I have to say it? Really?




October 22, 2007
Irvine, California
Photographer states :: A fire east of Irvine produced major air polution

Smoke kills, okay? Ever hear of smoke inhalation? It's not a matter of a 'Bad Fog Day.' I mean I have to be this insulting? You can't protect your house, you can protect your lives.

I'll tell you something, this is more than just a news item. These are people's lives disaffected by government negligence for decades of allowing an oil greedy upper class to dominate the discussion on energy and transportation. These are NOT, I repeat NOT normal Santa Anna winds. No way. The troposphere over the USA is dry and continues to increase in drought conditions.

Politicians that don't care will come to a scene after the tragedy occurs seeking photo ops with residents as if to say, "I am here now." So what! Where were they THEN? Responding to emergencies of a nation is a Republican Specialty. They wean the American people off a supportive government structure, send their National Guard into combat and then show up when the going gets tough to sympathize. Who needs it? There is such a thing as quality of life. THAT is what Americans need to get used to again and not the Bushs and Giulianis of the world ! Time to come home America. You haven't had enough of government abuse yet?





...According to reports the wildfires which are near the Santa Ana desert continue to put thousands of homes at risk of being destroyed....(click here)

Condition of the Nation - Neglected - Deregulation - No Consumer Protections - I'm tired of this Republican Mess - NOT MADE IN CHINA


A retailer tried to distance itself from the Topps Meat scare over the summer that resulted in nearly 22 million pounds of beef being recalled.

They don't care about people ! The federal legislation has the best health insurance on Earth and they don't care whether there are deaths in this nation or not. We are a smart bunch. Smart enough to know when one citizens goes down you raise voices in opposition and make manufacturers dance on the head of a pin.

When is the USA going BACK to consumer protection and PREVENTING tragedy? This is hideous. I have never seen this country in this poor a condition.

It's a darn shame. There was a reason for the regulations in the first place. I am tired of hearing how Democrats make it impossible to make money. I guess so, especially when it saves lives, property, aesthetics of living, provides health and education thats envied by the world and an environmentally safe world including federal budgets that exceed expectations.

It's time to kick 'em out. People are literally sick of corporations taking advantage of them and allowing suffering on all fronts of American lives. Food supplies, water supplies, toys for children, bankruptcy, a melting world and wars.

Get me out of this mad house ! The country doesn't make sense anymore. All the USA is about is "Every man for himself." Greed at any cost and in any manner.

Monday, October 22, 2007

What are these people still doing in their homes? The cars are in driveways and a photographer is taking pictures. Like, ah, what?


October 22, 2007
Ramona, California
Photographer states :: Taked in Ramona

You know, I think the insurance company will believe you, okay? Whatever is going through the minds of people, they need to stop being silly. Why would taking pictures of fire and burning ARTIFACTS ever overshadow anyone's safety. This is not a smart thing to do. I know whoever took this picture was feeling the heat from that fire.


Look at this. The embers are practically falling on the head of this photographer and they haven't left yet !


October 21, 2007
Saugus, CA
Photographer states :: As the smoke got thicker and the sun started to set the smoke started to turn different colors


October 21, 2007
Saugus, California
Photographer states :: Aqua Dulce fire - Massive smoke plume.


Agua Dulce Fire Explodes From 500 to 12,500 Acres (click title to entry please)
Mandatory Evacuations Ordered
AGUA DULCE, Oct. 21, 2007 (CNS) - A 12,500-acre brush fire that started near Agua Dulce and forced hundreds of people to flee their homes Sunday night in the Canyon Country area was not expected to be contained for at least five days, Sheriff Lee Baca said.

Four people were reported injured, including a firefighter, authorities said.
No less than seven wildfires were burning in Southern California Sunday night, including near Malibu and Castaic in Los Angeles County and one burning in Irvine in Orange County, prompting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to proclaim a state of emergency in Los Angeles, Orange and five other counties.
The proclamation allows the state Office of Emergency Services to deploy personnel and equipment to assist in fire fights in the region.
In the Agua Dulce area, some 25 structures have been lost in the wind-driven fire, which is 10 percent contained, a fire official said.
About 900 homes in the Santa Clarita area were without power, but Southern California Edison crews were working through the night to restore electricity, Baca said....

Southwest Alabama dodges severe weather


That is a very unstable system. There is column of air rapidly rising. It can be easily discerned. It's the center of that cloud that already touched down. The clouds are all pointing up. There was a severe and sudden updraft. Alabama was lucky. Buoy.

October 28, 2007
Mobile, Alabama
Photographer states :: I took this photo last Thursday as storms were coming in.


Friday, October 19, 2007 (at title to entry)
Staff Report
Sirens sounded across central Mobile County on Thursday morning after weather officials issued a tornado warning shortly after 6:45 a.m. for a severe storm moving northeastward out of Mississippi and into Alabama.
No tornadoes were reported with the storm in Mobile, according to weather officials.
There were no reports of significant damage in southwest Alabama through early evening, according to weather officials. More storms were expected later in the evening and into early this morning. A cold front should move through the area this morning.

Thursday's storms brought rain to southwest Alabama, but not in any drought-busting amounts.
Doppler radar estimates indicated that most areas saw 1.5 inches or less, though parts of Washington, Clarke, Monroe and southeast Baldwin counties received up to 3 inches through late afternoon.
The Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile received less than 1 inch Thursday through 5 p.m. while the Pensacola Regional Airport received 7 inches -- a record for that date, according to weather data.
Inland counties suffered no reported damage during the day Thursday, officials said, but several said they would be monitoring the weather throughout the evening.
Chuck Murph, EMA Director for Monroe County, said the area saw much-needed rainfall but no weather damage.
"The rain is a welcome sight," Murph said. "We need more of it."
According to a U.S. Drought Monitor report issued last week, Mobile and Baldwin counties, along with most of southwest Alabama, are experiencing moderate to severe drought, with a few areas classified in extreme drought.
(Staff Reporters Kim Lanier and Connie Baggett contributed to this report)

Two Dozen Tornadoes Touch Down in 24 Hours


October 18, 2007
Cheboygan, Michigan
Same event, same photographer as below.


October 18, 2007
Cheboygan, Michigan
Photographer states :: Tornado over Black Lake, Michigan, during the October 18, 2007 tornado outbreak. This tornado was rated EF1 with winds up to 94 mph. Damage consisted of a barn destroyed just north of M-68. The sporadic damage path up through Black Lake was 1/8 mile wide and around 10 miles long. Some tree damage was seen around Black Lake. The photo taken by Nathan Krinsky from the back deck of his home on Black Lake in northern Michigan, 15 miles southeast of Cheboygan. The sun was setting at 5:25 pm EDT when this photo was taken, and if you look closely, you can see a rainbow, thanks to the spray kicked up by the tornado.


Oct. 19, 2007 (link at title)
The United States has been hit with three days of tornadoes, with two dozen new tornadoes touching down in the last 24 hours — an incredibly rare outbreak for October.
It's all part of a powerful storm front that has blasted across the country's midsection and is now headed to the East Coast....

October 18, 2007
Lawton, Michigan
Photographer states :: Something wicked this way comes.

George W. Bush's Job Approval Rating Drops to 25% - October 22, 2007


George W. Bush's overall job approval rating has dropped to 25% as nearly seven in ten Americans say the national economy is getting worse according to the latest survey from the American Research Group. This matches the lowest approval rating for Bush recorded by the American Research Group.
Among all Americans, 25% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 67% disapprove. When it comes to Bush's handling of the economy, 23% approve and 67% disapprove.
Among Americans registered to vote, 26% approve of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 67% disapprove. When it comes to the way Bush is handling the economy, 25% of registered voters approve of the way Bush is handling the economy and 67% disapprove.
Approval among Republicans has dropped back to 67%. In September, 80% of Republicans approved of the way Bush was handling his job. In August, 66% of Republicans approved of the way Bush was handling his job....


What's there to say except a Bush with or without a Cheney can't manage their own family dynasty without the use of the USA Treasury. Does the USA need another one? NO !

The weather at Glacier Bay National Park (Crystal Wind Chime) is:


I believe this picture is from 1982. This is the 'Clear Day' photo. I see a plane in the background. So much for dry ground.


This is the southeast view. Clicking on the title to this entry will bring a view of this scene or an undated edition. This is where it gets interesting though. Looking to the background, ON THE GROUND, there is a lake at the end of the road. When clicking 'Clear Day' at this link one realizes there was once NO LAKE. It's safe to say there has been chronic rainfalls enough to cause the ground to becomes saturated and flooded. Not many people live there so there are no complaints regarding the flooding and whatever wildlife thrived without the lake is no longer there. I'll place a copy of "Clear Day" above this picture.

Elevation :: 33 ft / 10 m

Temperature :: 43 °F / 6 °C

Conditions :: Mostly Cloudy

Humidity :: 81%

Dew Pointt :: 37 °F / 3 °C

Wind :: 10 mph / 17 km/h / 4.6 m/s from the SE

Pressure :: 29.98 in / 1015 hPa (Rising)

Windchill :: 37 °F / 3 °C

Visibility :: 10.0 miles / 16.1 kilometers

UV :: 1 out of 16

Clouds:
Few 3800 ft / 1158 m
Scattered Clouds 4800 ft / 1463 m
Mostly Cloudy 5500 ft / 1676 m
(Above Ground Level)



Norway won't plant flag at Arctic (click here)
By Billy Youngson
Filed from Aberdeen
10/22/2007 1:56:17 PM GMT
NORWAY: Norway will not follow in the footsteps of the Russians by planting a flag at the bottom of the Arctic Ocean, Norwegian Foreign Minister Johan Gahr Støre said today. Despite Norway having planted a flag at the South Pole in 1911, Støre said, "We now live in a century when that method can't be employed.
"This issue must be determined with the aid of geological facts in the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) and we have strongly urged the countries around the Arctic to think responsibly. We'll be playing an active role in encouraging greater dialogue.
"The impression which could be left by the flag-planting is that the rule of law doesn't apply in this area, and first-comers can take what they please. That's completely wrong. A rich body of law of the sea applies to the Arctic Ocean, and this is the channel which must be followed."
Asked about the Canadian statement of intent on building two military bases in the Arctic, he said it was the kind of gesture that invites people to talk about a race for resources, adding, "It's quite unnecessary to think in military terms here."
The minister denied that Norway has given up trying to agree a boundary line in the Barents Sea, although the talk today is mostly about cooperation with Russia rather than negotiation....



Senate approves resolution for managing Arctic Ocean fisheries (click here)
By the Journal of Commerce
The U.S. Senate has approved a resolution by Sens. Ted Stevens and Lisa Murkowski, both R-Alaska, directing the federal government to negotiate an international agreement for managing fish stocks in the Arctic Ocean.
Commercial fishing in the Arctic Ocean is currently limited by the distribution of fish habitat and short fishing seasons. Due to impacts of climate change, ocean temperatures may shift, causing fish to enter new habitats and creating more favorable fishing conditions, the senators said.
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council, recognizing the importance of properly managing these emerging fisheries, proposed at its June meeting that the U.S. close all federal waters in the Arctic Ocean until a management regime is put in place. Senate Joint Resolution 17, authored by Stevens and Murkowski, is consistent with that effort.
The resolution also addresses the problem of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. It calls upon the federal governor to help prevent fishing on the high seas of the Arctic until an international fisheries management plan is developed, which would contain measures to combat unreported and unregulated fishing that continues to undermine fisheries worldwide.
Stevens said he felt that eliminating these illegal fishing practices is a key to maintaining the health of Alaska's fisheries.



U.S. Coast Guard seeks base in Arctic (click here)
By Matthew L. Wald and Andrew C. Revkin
Published: October 19, 2007
WASHINGTON: For much of human history, the Arctic Ocean has been an ice-locked frontier. But now, in one of the most concrete signs of the effect of a warming climate on government operations, the U.S. Coast Guard wants to establish its first operating base there to deal with the cruise ships and tankers that are already beginning to ply Arctic waters.
With increasingly long seasons of open water in the region, the Coast Guard has also opened discussions with the Russians about controlling anticipated ship traffic through the Bering Strait, a waterway that until now has been crossed mainly by ice-breaking research vessels and native seal and walrus hunters.
The Coast Guard says its base, which possibly would be in the northernmost U.S. town, Barrow, Alaska, on the North Slope coast, would speed responses to oil spills from tankers, which the guard maintains could eventually carry shipments from Scandinavia to Asia through the Bering Strait.
This long imagined "Northern Sea Route" would cut off around 5,000 miles, or 8,000 kilometers, compared with going through the Panama or Suez canals....

Evacuate NOW !

One dead, 14 injured as California braces for more firey days ahead (click here)
Historic Malibu landmark burned to the ground
Story by ABC News
9:52 a.m. Monday, October 22, 2007


Video (click here)

Fire is insideous. It hides under floors and in roofs and what seems like a spark that can be doused with a garden house becomes a blazing inferno in a matter of minutes and someone whom thought they could safe their home is caught in the blaze itself. Get out of the way of these fires. Any modifications to homes to save them, such as slate roofs, should have been done long before now. There is no chance a house can be saved, 'sparks' fly through the wind and nestle on anything dry enough to kindle it. Don't think you can make a difference, you can't. You can make a difference to those you love and get to a safe haven.


October 22, 2007
1530z
UNISYS Enhanced Infrared Satellite of the north and west hemisphers (click for 12 hour loop)

The air mass is far to the north of California. It's might be easier to conceptualize it with this image.


October 22, 2007
1530z
UNISYS Water Vapor GOES West Satellite (click here for loop)

There is ONLY ONE difference in the two satellites that spell a possible relief for southern California. There is a tropical storm "KIKO" of the coast of southern Baja Peninsula. If it sustains for a day or so it could shift the current air pattern. But, there is absolutely no water vapor coming near California. What exists in any significant amount is far to the north over Canada. Evacuate and continue to make plans to do so. The planes and helicopters can't get off the ground for sustained intervention. It's a mess, get out of the way !


October 21, 2007
1630z
UNISYS Water Vapor GOES West Satellite.

There is no relief in sight from the winds. It's getting worse and rain is not forthcoming ! GET OUT !





The Agua Dulce fire reached the edge of Santa Clarita Valley late Sunday evening. The blaze destroyed several homes, including this one on Camp Plenty Road.




There are at least 12 blazes across seven counties. The Malibu fire is only 10% contained. San Diego braces for the worst.

I conclude this in this way...

...there is more than ample reason to impeach George Walker Bush and Richard Cheney. The list is endless. The human rights against the American people alone is reason enough and to realize the Republicans in the House are obstructing the passage of impeachment is to realize their 'involvement' to defeat the well being of Americans.

Add to that, Democrats won't even try to BEGIN such a measure, which could pick up momentum with the start of the proceedings, is simply more of an atrocity of the trust of the American people whom voted in majority to end a war and stop a runaway Executive Branch. There hasn't even been a modification in the USA Budget to fund the war and reduce and eliminate any occupation in Iraq. Instead, Bush and Rice are at the UN to promote attacks into Iran and expanding the war while continuing to destabilize the region.

For Immediate Release
Office of the Vice President
October 21, 2007
Vice President's Remarks to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy Lansdowne, Virginia (click here)
11:22 A.M. EDT

This is a period of great consequence for the Middle East,...

In his speech, Cheney addresses extraordinary numbers of reasons to consider The Middle East a 'gigantic' enemy of the people of the USA, covering all bases and AGAIN creating a climate of fear as a lead up to a greater war. My first reaction to those words above is, "Who caused '...the great consequence...' in the first place? Dick Cheney did as well as the entire Bush Exectutive Branch as they wound their Culture of Fear into the minds of Americans. Why did anyone ever believe Iraq under Saddam could ever pose a threat of monumental proportion? It was disarmed. It was amazing to watch. I never believed it for a minute.

It's a disgrace to watch a majority of Democrats relinquish the one power granted them that could end all the suffering the USA experiences under this presidency. Not just the suffering of the USA, but, that of the Shia and the Middle East. Iran today is seeking nuclear armament because Bush and Cheney continue this hideous war mongering. There is no reason for it.

The people of the USA have and continue to suffer under this leadership. Only, the shame of it all is that it isn't just Republicans causing it anymore. The simple vote to the Impeachment of Richard Cheney and George Walker Bush would be enough impetus to bring more brevity to that opinion. It would give House debate an opportunity to voice the pains of Americans in regard to this war, the suffering of the Iraqi people as well as a review to the condition of the USA and it's people.

There is more than enough reason to impeach both these men, the American people don't necessarily realize the overwhelming reason for it. Illegal wiretapping, rendition flights, torture, deaths of Americans to Human Induced Global Warming and rising victimization due to higher crime rates including gunmen in our schools. A lot of reasons and these tonight are just a few.

Good Night.