September 6, 2017
0130.20z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of north and east hemisphere (click here for 12-hour loop - thank you)

This is very bad. The "invisible' storm is exactly what caused Harvey to cause such incredible damage and death.

Get the people out of there!

There are actually three circulation centers. One in the west Carribean Sea, one that is the Tropical Depression 13 and still another southwest of Floridda.

Havana, Cuba weather show extended exposure to rain over the next week and beyond. These have the potential to stagnant systems dumping enormous amounts of water over the Gulf and west Carribean Sea.

I suggest the USA Congress pass a temporary measure for the DACA/Dreamers. The stand alone legislation may take longer than six months to write considering the cooperation needed from the agencies of the President's Cabinet in extending and/or issuing VISAs or PERMANENT RESIDENT cards.

The USA Congress can extend DACA as it stands past the six month deadline and pass permanent immigration legislation next year. 

It can be done and it should be done.

Three storms in the Atlantic. A tropical depression is near Mexico. A tropical storm is nearer to Africa.

This is Irma to the left. 

September 5, 2017
By Andrea Thompson

Hurricane Irma gained Category 5 status on Sept. 5. An instrument aboard the Suomi NPP satellite flew over Irma when it was classified as a Category 3 hurricane on Sept. 4, 2017, at 12:32 a.m. EDT.

Hurricane Irma (click here) has become one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes in recorded history; the Category 5 storm's monstrous winds are currently whipping at 185 mph (298 km/h) near its core as it barrels toward the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico and possibly Florida....

Since midnight (12:01 AM) today the central pressure of Irma dropped 17 millibars and the winds velocity increased 40 knots per hour.

16.80 -53.30 09/04/12Z 105 944 HURRICANE-3
16.70 -54.40 09/04/18Z 115 944 HURRICANE-4
16.70 -55.60 09/05/00Z 120 943 HURRICANE-4
16.60 -57.00 09/05/06Z 130 937 HURRICANE-4
16.70 -57.70 09/05/06Z 150 929 HURRICANE-5
16.80 -58.40 09/05/12Z 155 931 HURRICANE-5
17.10 -59.80 09/05/18Z 160 926 HURRICANE-5

Below is the current infrared satellite of the Texas - Louisiana shoreline. The bands from the Tropical Depression are already reaching north and moving fast.


The next reading of the central pressures is published at 12 midnight. If Tropical Depression 13 has a falling central pressure the Texas Governor needs to consider suspending all operations on the coast.


September 6, 2017
0037.23z
UNISYS Infrared Satellite of the southern plains. (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)

Tropical Depression 13

22.40 -96.70 09/05/18Z 30 1008

There have been tens of thousands of people rescued from the Texas coast after the arrival of Harvey. It is and was a magnificent effort. Heroes were every place. It is completely obvious people are magnificent. They cannot do the impossible. The waters have not had enough time to recede and people need to realize they have the next stage of the evacuation to face and move further inland.

The people of the flooded land due to dam relief by the US Army Corp are filing lawsuits regarding the flooding by the dam release. Well. The US Army Corp is going to be releasing more water and people have been told to evacuate. With additional rain from Tropical Depression 13, the dams will have to release even more water and quite possibly more than just two dams.

I know people are upset and they have every right to file a lawsuit for their own relief, however, lack of infrastructure is not going to change reality today. No one should be taking chances. The Texas coast is saturated. There is no place for the water to go and there is now a potential for more sustained winds which brings more deterioration and danger. Please don't wait for the last minute.

FEMA and the NGOs need to consider their next staging area has a higher elevation above sea level.


September 6, 2017
0030.19z
UNISYS Water Vapor GOES East Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)

These storms accelerate quickly. The decisions about the citizen safety has to take place early. Forget the idea of efficiency that will provide for saving monies and allowing people their own decision making. Get them out of there. The American people might boo lost wages, but, they will be angry over loss of life. The priorities of human life have to be realigned to provide a GREATER MARGIN of safety. There is no allowance anymore for waiting to realize the sincere path or the strength of the storm. ACT ON ANY SIGN OF DANGER. That is especially true of the Gulf Coast. I am sorry the Governors along those states are so burdened, but, it is their reality and they have to place a far higher value on human life over what might be some lost wages.

The climate crisis storm is upon us. There is no waiting anymore.

Tropical Storm Jose

12.30 -39.10 09/05/12Z 35 1008 TROPICAL STORM
12.50 -40.60 09/05/18Z 40 1006 TROPICAL STORM

Tropical Storm Jose nearer to Africa also has a falling central pressure and increasing wind speeds.

Can AI be taught to value peace over war?

The world just needs a really good virus that teaches other AI to react to THREATS of war. It should be easy to teach in a "Base 2" platform.

When the options for thought, either natural or artificial, are simple such as "yes" or "no" the attraction is inevitable. There is nothing to say AI is ambitious. If AI has no ambitions and can use simple yes or no for the basis of it's ability, it is self-limiting. It will discern the confusion of outcomes and shut down the complexity.

Where is Snowden when you need him?

September 5, 2017
By Brett Molina

A race toward "superiority" (click here) between countries over artificial intelligence will be the most likely cause of World War III, warns entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX has been outspoken about his fears of AI, urging countries to consider regulations now before the technology becomes more widely used.

The comments were sparked by comments from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who said the country leading the way in AI "will become ruler of the world," reports news site RT.

"It begins," said Musk in an earlier tweet ahead of his warning about the potential risks.

"China, Russia, soon all countries w strong computer science," Musk wrote in a tweet posted Monday. "Competition for AI superiority at national level most likely cause of WW3 imo."...           

This is asinine.

I have been waiting for this to raise it's head this year. There is absolutely no solid reason for Americans to look too nuclear weapons for any reason. NONE!

150 million degrees Fahrenheit

That is the heat at the center of a nuclear explosion. If anyone thought Harvey was a ridiculous storm, just set off a nuck at the center of a hurricane and watch a storm that is hideous and ridiculous. Nuclear explosions don't happen above ground for a reason.

October 29, 2012

By Rachel Kaufman

To save lives and reduce costs, (click here) there would be tremendous advantage if science had a way to stop a devastating hurricane like Sandy. And scientists have thought of it before.

One idea that rears its head almost every hurricane season recently is the notion of bombing a hurricane into submission. The theory goes that the energy released by a nuclear bomb detonated just above and ahead of the eye of a storm would heat the cooler air there, disrupting the storm's convection current.

Unfortunately, this idea, which has been around in some form since the 1960s, wouldn't work....

The United States of America has prided itself on being "A Melting Pot." For that reason, many people have looked to the USA as a beacon of hope and truth.

There are many nations of people in the USA. The most recent nation of people that achieved recognition and rights were the LGBT community. That was achieved through a decision by the USA Supreme Court. Granted it was regarding natural born citizens, but, that does not mean such methods are closed to the Undocumented. Don't the Undocumented look toward the courts for a fair hearing?

This may be humorous to some, but, kindly remember Christopher Columbus was an illegal immigrant. Think about it. The Revolutionary War wasn't won by colonists only. The USA military has a real appreciation for the Undocumented. THAT ISN'T FEDERAL POLICY? Why soldiers and not others? Women's rights, children's rights, and protected populations are important to the USA. At least they were until recent political idiots elected to office. White Men Only allowed to apply. Discrimination. Racism. Bigotry is all very real paradigms with this administration. The hostile political environment exists within the recent past elections. It is all signs of a very dangerous paradigm, the ridicule of the Undocumented is a part of a political paradigm that is harming the USA. It needs to stop and PERMANENT civil rights have to take the forefront as the domestic agenda.

This is a very real path that demands attention.

"The Rule of Law" has been the EXCUSE of legislative lethargy for decades in regard to Immigration law!

Governance is about balance and NOT using innocent people as a political weapon. The Undocumented has been used as a political weapon since the Tea Party discovered the southern border. 

The idea "The Rule of Law" is in jeopardy is NOT an issue. Every one of the Undocumented are submitted to the same domestic laws as all other citizens. 

The idea the Undocumented are stealing jobs is nonsense. The current unemployment rate is exceptionally low, HOWEVER, as of last month, it ticked up. As the Undocumented are forced out of their homes there will be an economic impact. There have been millions of the Undocumented deported in recent years, including those years under President Obama.

The states may examine the potential of protecting the Undocumented, including those that know no other life. I would strongly suggest the Dreamers find a path with employers and/or universities and/or their professional peers. Don't wait for the government to solve the problem. There is the idea a Class Action lawsuit can be filed against the US Government based in the cultural reality of the Dreamers.

Updated: 6/16/17

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 4-4 split decision on June 23, 2016,(click here) effectively blocked President Obama’s executive actions on immigration that expanded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and created Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA).

Then, on June 16, 2017, the Trump administration completely eliminated the DAPA program. DHS Secretary John Kelly signed a memorandum that rescinds Deferred Action for Parents of Americans. If it could have been implemented, DAPA could have helped an estimated 3.7 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. obtain temporary employment authorization and protection from deportation.

There’s still reason for undocumented immigrants to remain optimistic. Immigration advocates and organizations are pushing hard for legislative change that will provide relief to undocumented immigrants already in the United States and positively contributing to the U.S. economy.          

The Undocumented of the USA exist for one reason only, poverty.

When the Undocumented came to the USA decades ago to work for minimal income, they were seeking to live and to leave poverty. It is impossible for many immigrants to navigate the immigration process for the cost alone. 

Why did and does the poverty exist? Mexico is immediately south of the USA border. Why was there poverty at all?

I defy anyone to say the USA is not at fault in it's foreign policy with Mexico. This issue goes back decades if not a century. When was the Mexican - American war? There hasn't been an improvement with foreign policy with Mexico since.

Poverty is a strategy as well. It is a military strategy. It is a long term military strategy. It is really difficult to justify the impoverishment and the lack of sovereign authority of the Mexican government of it's own country. The drug cartels run rampant. The drug cartels have more power than the government and the corruption within the government is still being witnessed with the slaughter of college students.

The answer by the USA for Mexico was to allow the Undocumented to cross the border and find work. "The Wetback." That was foreign policy. All of a sudden, since September 11, 2001 and the allowance of fear as a political voice the Undocumented are a threat as they never, ever have been before.

In recent years there were children that traveled alone to the USA to find a safe haven. These children are the promise to their countries, yet, to have them survive the day, parents set them on a path that would never serve the future of their countries.

The Undocumented came to the USA because that was the only path forward. What brought the Undocumented to the USA so very long ago is STILL the reason today. That is pure negligence of the USA policy to Mexico, Central and South America. It is easier to point a finger at communism or socialism or some other excuse rather than have a policy that helps the western hemisphere to be sophisticated, educated, STABLE and profitable. It is hideous to realize the USA turned to China and India for cheap labor when there is an entire continent to the south of the USA with people completely as competent a worker as those in the east if not more so.

So, don't bother trying to find a dialogue about the moral content of deportation, it does not exist. The Undocumented that came to the USA did so to be productive and successful no matter the poverty they faced. Poverty in the USA is very different than the poverty south of the USA border. IN EVIDENCE of the desire to be a productive member of the USA is the existence of at least two decades of their children. Children that know no other life. They are more American than most of the rest of the population. They should be embraced and valued and allowed their future path. That path was laid for them a century ago.

Immigration application fees (click here) increased dramatically—some by over 60 percent—in December 2016. The fee for US Citizenship went up to $725.  

That’s just one more reason to apply for citizenship now. Historically immigration fees are always on the rise. But once you’re a citizen, none of that matters because you’ll never pay an immigration fee again.

The current application fee for naturalization (US citizenship) is $640 plus the $85 biometrics fee, totaling $725. While it is one of the most expensive immigration fees, in the long term, investing in citizenship will save you $1,000’s.

There are only two options if you want to live and work in the US permanently: citizenship and permanent residency. Permanent residents have to pay $455 every ten years to renew their green cards. Over the course of a lifetime, that’s nearly $3,000 and potentially much more as immigration rates will likely keep increasing....

The inductees of UNESCO for 2017. Fantastic.

September 1, 2017
By Elaine Glusac

View of the coastal plain with Igaliku/ Garðar (click here) (Greenland)

UNESCO 2017 (click here)

Unesco annually expands its list (click here) of World Heritage Sites, and this year’s class of inductees, announced in July, offers both stimulation for travelers, with a rich and varied group of intriguing sites, and a reminder, especially with its remote and more vulnerable picks, that the list itself is not about tourism.

The World Heritage program aims to identify and protect cultural and natural sites around the world that demonstrate “outstanding value to humanity,” according to its website.

Those spots sometimes constitute the most sought-after destinations for global travel: the Great Wall of China, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru. Others, though, are more obscure or hard to reach or both, including three members of the class of 2017: Okinoshima, a sacred island in Japan; Dauria, a wild landscape shared by Mongolia and Russia; and Asmara, the capital of Eritrea in East Africa.

Okinoshima, for example, is off limits to women, per ancient practice. But it is the inclusion of Asmara, cited by Unesco for its modernist architecture dating to its era as an Italian colony, that is perhaps the most controversial choice. Eritrea is the subject of a U.S. State Department travel warning noting that the government restricts travel of foreigners to Asmara. The United Nations has accused Eritrea’s government of crimes against humanity, including enslavement and murder....

"The Undiscovered Country" of President Donald Trump. The Gays.

I might point out, the Ambassador is still a white man.

September 2, 2017

By Lisa Keen

 In this Dec. 12, 2016, file photo, Richard Grenell, left, arrives at Trump Tower in New York. Grenell, who served as the spokesman for the U.S. at the United Nations under former President George W. Bush, is considered a top choice to be nominated as the United States' ambassador to Germany.

President Trump on Friday evening(click here) announced he has nominated Richard Grenell, an openly gay Republican activist from California, to be the U.S. ambassador to Germany. The nomination marks the first time President Trump has appointed an openly gay person to a position in his administration.

Grenell’s appointment has been expected since late July when major media outlets reported that sources said President Trump had offered the position to Grenell. The reports did not identify any sources. Grenell did not respond to queries.

The nomination, if confirmed by the Senate, will make Grenell one of only 10 openly gay people to serve as ambassadors; all have been men. Grenell’s post represents the country with the largest population thus far: 82 million.

President Obama appointed seven openly gay men for ambassadorial posts– to Spain, Denmark, New Zealand, the Dominican Republican, Australia, Vietnam, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. President Clinton was the first president to nominate an openly gay person to be an ambassador: Jim Hormel to Luxembourg. President George W. Bush was the first Republican president to name an openly gay ambassador: Michael Guest to Romania....

Remember the "White Roof" movement to safe energy? That idea was taken one step further.

This is the American method of growing product integrity and ultimately efficiency. It was why President Obama decided to push the technology sector to engage new ideas and concepts.

It is the way American invention works. The ideas take shape in the rough and as time goes by and more and more is learned, the technology becomes perfected. It is at the stage of 'learning' that investment is most helpful and proves to be profitable. A wise investor sees the potential and encourages it's development and perfection to make the world a better place.

The improvement in the quality of life by modern day technology can't be understated. This is the next step in WHOLESOMENESS to the moral American. Unfortunately, greed has become an American standard that is rarely identified. There is a vast difference between wholesome moral values and that of greed.

September 4, 2017

By Robert F. Service

Most of us have heard of solar water heaters. (click here) Now there’s a solar water cooler, and the technology may sharply lower the cost of industrial-scale air conditioning and refrigeration.

The new water coolers are panels that sit atop a roof, and they’re made of three components. The first is a plastic layer topped with a silver coating that reflects nearly all incoming sunlight, keeping the panel from heating up in the summer sun. The plastic layer sits atop the second component, a snaking copper tube. Water is piped through the tube, where it sheds heat to the plastic. That heat is then radiated out by the plastic at a wavelength in the middle region of the infrared (IR) spectrum, which is not absorbed by the atmosphere and instead travels all the way to outer space. Finally, the whole panel is encased in a thermally insulating plastic housing that ensures nearly all the heat radiated away comes from the circulating water and not the surrounding air.

Researchers at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California....                  

Hurricane Irma and it's shadow storm.

This is the second time a major storm has been accompanied by another storm on a parallel course. Harvey had a shadow storm the entire time it was in the Gulf. It was near Florida and permanent the entire time Harvey was in the Gulf of Mexico. 

September 4, 2017
1430.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere

The shadow storm shows up best in this satellite picture just north and west of Irma. It started quite differently. It can be seen in the image below as a shadow in the same location (north-west of Irma), but, more diffuse.

September 3, 2017
1330.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere







September 4, 2017
0815.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere

The top image (September 4, 1430)  followed the satellite image above. It was in the image below (September 4, 2330) when Irma's velocity east over took the shadow storm and it is viewed directly north of Iram.


September 4, 2017
2330.19z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere

In the image below of September 5, 0530.19z the shadow storm has consolidated north of Irma and gained water vapor content.

September 5, 2017
0530.19z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere

In the next image of September 5, 1130.18z the shadow storm is more diffuse, but, still evident. I believe these shadow storms draw in necessary water vapor to assist the larger storm. The shadow storm has not completely gone. It may very well reorganize with more water vapor yet again.

September 5, 2017
1130.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere

This is the current image below and just an hour later Irma's shadow storm is looking as though it is gaining water vapor content.

September 5, 2017
1230.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)

It is an oscillation system that has a push me - pull you relationship to increase water vapor content as the physics of heat demands it. There is that other system behind Irma in the water vapor trail. That system is nearer Africa and could develop into an independent storm as well. I do not think the shadow storm will become an independent system at this point. 

The climate is complicated these days.

The injustice of American capitalism continues to plague the country.

This is Labor Day Weekend and short of necessary infrastructure for emergencies and rescues; people should be at rest.

The country should stage a national walk out tomorrow.

September 3, 2017

By Richard Trumka

Labor Day. (click here) For some Americans, it’s a time for friends, family and fellowship. The end of summer. The beginning of the school year. The start of the football season. An American tradition.

That’s not all. Labor Day is an important opportunity to recognize and honor the achievements of working people. It was meant to be a day of leisure, especially for workers and working families; it was also meant to be a day to remember the power and purpose of working people united in unions.

The tension between work and time off has always been a concern of the American labor movement. Work may be one of our core values, but it has a purpose, which is to allow us to live good lives, provide for ourselves and our families and, yes, to earn some time off to enjoy the fruits of our labor....

Newt Gingrich PERMANENT working poor. The USA IF based in freedom and liberty is for all, not simply the wealthy.

...The poorer you are, the less time you have. The Economic Policy Institute found this August that only 41% of workers who earn wages in the bottom 10th percentile have paid time off and paid vacations, compared to over 92% of workers with wages in the top 10th percentile.

Across the board, union and non-union workers alike work more than ever: 54% of everyone surveyed reported working more holidays, 63% reported taking fewer vacation days and 43% bring work home at least one night a week.

Americans are among the hardest working people in the world, yet pay has flatlined for decades as the richest take away all the added wealth created by our rising productivity. Only 14% of workers have access to paid family leave. More than 37 million workers don't get paid sick days, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. America is the only advanced nation that does not require employers to provide paid vacation. And erratic and inflexible scheduling practices have made it harder for workers to plan for the little time off we do have....

I apologize to US Seantor John McCain.

At a time when a Senior Senator should be an easy authority while enjoying his life long dedication to this country, US Senator John McCain rises to demand respect for the authority of the legislature.

US Senator John McCain is a national treasure and a national hero. No one can say otherwise no matter how they try. His sacrifices in his service to the United States are legendary. There are Americans alive today that owe their safe return home to him.

Well, Senator McCain, our favorite Maverick, you are called again sir to protect the country and assert the special place the USA legislature has in history. Once again hero comes to mind.

I don't deny the political differences and the void I find myself from time to time for some of your views, but, I have to trust you at a very difficult time in this country. Don't forget me, Senator McCain. Don't forget the country's great natural resources and the ungodly storm we have all faced in disbelief and with bravery Americans can find deep in their hearts full of compassion for each other.

I trust you, sir. I trust you to lead the USA in unsteady waters and apologize this has fallen on a hero's shoulders at a difficult time for him as well. Who would have guessed this would be your responsibility? 

I trust you, Senator McCain. I believe in you. Take care of us, sir. I am sincerely worried about this country. I trust you when I can't seem to trust others.

September 1, 2017
By Amber Phillips

"We must respect his authority (click here) and constitutional responsibilities. We must, where we can, cooperate with him. But we are not his subordinates. We don't answer to him. We answer to the American people."

And with that, mark Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., down as the second Republican senator to call on his colleagues to be a bulwark against President Donald Trump. (The second being his Arizona colleague Sen. Jeff Flake.)

On Friday, McCain published an op-ed in The Washington Post (click here) contrasting Trump's tepid response to white supremacists in Charlottesville with his own ("There is nothing in their hate-driven racism that can match the strength of a nation conceived in liberty"), justifying his surprise "no" vote on Republicans' attempt to repeal Obamacare, calling on congressional leaders to compromise with Democrats and vice-versa, and basically advising all of Congress to prioritize its own relationships over its standing with Trump:

"[W]e have to respect each other or at least respect the fact that we need each other. That has never been truer than today, when Congress must govern with a president who has no experience of public office, is poorly informed and can be impulsive in his speech and conduct."...

Kids. Not funny.

August 31, 2017

By Oona Goodin-Smith

Vandalism pictures (click here)

Flint, MI - The perpetrators (click here) behind the vandalism of Flint's historic Sit-Down Strike memorial have been caught and will be punished accordingly with a lunchtime history lesson, says Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell.

After finding a kitchen chair and a can of paint not far from the scene of the Sit-Downers Memorial Park in Flint, investigators caught up with the culprits - three cousins, ages 9, 10, and 11, who police aren't identifying - on Monday, Aug. 28, Pickell said.

Knocking on doors, an investigator from the sheriff's office was able to identify the suspects after he was invited into an apartment not far from the scene of the crime at the UAW office off Atherton Road, when he noticed the kitchen chair he was sitting in matched the one found near the scene.

"The kids are not criminal, they made a bad mistake," said Pickell, who said the three children smashed windows and painted the memorial "because it was there."...                        

Public university minority students are under attack in North Carolina. It is far more than a controversy.

The state's legislature has a White Supremacist agenda. There are still many bad eggs in the NC Legislature. 

CLEAN HOUSE at the Board of Governors! This is a direct assault on UNC minority students.

August 31, 2017
By Chris Williams

Chapel Hill, N.C. -- A rally was held at UNC-Chapel Hill (click here) Thursday to save the UNC Center for Civil Rights.

Next week, the full UNC Board of Governors will vote on a key measure, which could essentially shut down the legal center.

The center takes on many pro-bono cases representing clients in civil rights lawsuits against state and local governments.

Earlier this month, a UNC Board of Governors’ committee voted that the center could no longer sue state and local governments, saying that's not the purpose of the center. Instead, it should be geared more to academic research.

Many say stopping the center from engaging in lawsuits could effectively shut the center down, leaving many low income families without legal representation. 

The full board of governors will vote on the issue next week. At that time, they could also discuss alternatives for the center.

Supporters of the center have a week of events planned for next week. They include reaching out to officials, a march on campus, plus a protest when the full Board of Governors meets on Sept. 8.

A better focus to criticize Texas government is the outrageous explosions of a chemical plant. They just let it happen as if it was best for the world.

They are insanely stupid people. It is incredible the lack of leadership that actually exists. Lots and lots of god driven compassion, but, completely stupid leadership. The Texas government cares more about shuttering abortion clinics than protecting the lives of citizens from chemical leaks, explosions or any type of pollution. It is hideously stupid priorities.

The lax government laws and rules are the reason companies like Arkema build in Texas. Government leadership, such as former Governor Perry, like to brag about all the new companies and new jobs coming to Texas. Really? It isn't safe to live in Texas. Besides these disasters that happen on a regular basis killing folks, there is an increase in maternal deaths since the abortion clinics were shuttered. It is a state radically in need of decent leadership. 

The flooded Arkema plant in Crosby, Tex., where explosions early Thursday sent emergency responders to hospitals.

...The blasts at the plant, (click here) owned by the French chemical company Arkema, came after its main electrical system and backups failed, cutting off refrigeration systems that kept volatile chemicals stable. While nearby residents had been evacuated, 15 public safety officers were treated at a hospital after inhaling smoke from chemical fires that followed the explosions.

The Arkema plant has been identified as one of the most hazardous in the state. Its failure followed releases of contaminants from several other area petrochemical plants and systemic breakdowns of water and sewer systems in Houston and elsewhere in the storm-struck region.

The explosions — more are expected, the company said — will bring fresh scrutiny on whether these plants are adequately regulated and monitored by state and federal safety officials....

There are no safeguards in place. There is no back up anything. Considering the plant's dangerous chemicals, it should have had a plan to remove the chemicals to a safer location where they could be safely stored incase of a hurricane. There should have been better PLANNING. But, planning and back up systems require the expenditure of money. Why be safe and protect the air and water when stockholders are demanding better outcomes from it's CEO? Makes no sense to REGULATE in Texas. People simply aren't that important and that is the take away message from Harvey. TEXAS doesn't care if the world comes to an end so long as it has plenty of money when it does.

So, what is Texas' plan when disaster strikes? LET THE DAMN THING EXPLODE, it is easier than being prepared.

This is a western culture. Money is always king. The world wants to emulate this? You've got to be joking!

There are presidents that have come from Texas because it serves Wall Street. At least LBJ believed in civil rights.

No sympathy from "Charlie Hebdo."

September 1, 2017
By Amanda Erickson

...The art (click here) on the Charlie Hebdo cover shows swastika flags and hands raised in what looks like Nazi salutes poking out above floodwaters. The text reads: "God exists! He drowned all the neo-Nazis of Texas." The illustration is an apparent reference to Texans' support of Donald Trump, who won 52.6 per cent of the state's vote in the presidential election....

The White Supremacists of Texas don't live along the coast. The people that live along the coast are poor and work for the White Supremacists. There were 47.4 percent that didn't vote for Trump. That is an all time high.

Many of the people being rescued are African Americans and their children. 

If God was talking it was in answer to Pope Francis. I guess there is something in it for everyone.

It is important not to lose sight of the terrible nature of the administration in DC. While trying to bask in the glory of heroes in Texas, Trump is still carrying out some really awful policies. 

Australia is seeking diplomacy with China being the major player to rein in North Korea.

September 1, 2017
By Mark Kenny

...Despite some preposterous raving (click here) from China's The Global Times newspaper, Turnbull's diplomacy here is about avoiding military misadventure on the Korean Peninsula. It is actually calibrated to be less about blame, and more about animating China's strategic self-interest through its economic "leverage" over Pyongyang.

Turnbull's oil reference has ruffled feathers in Beijing but it aims to remind China that its long-term strategic security will be better served by retaining a functioning buffer-state between its south-eastern border and a US-aligned South Korea.

And it's a coded message to Trump too that ultimately, this is China's problem to fix despite Washington's bizarre like-for-like bellicosity.

So, what's next? Move right into Superstorm season from Hurricane Season?

September 1, 2017
0930.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor Satellite of the north and west hemisphere (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)

Every one of the storms, including Harvey, are building in velocity.

The vortex street is intact, of which Harvey is the second storm, Lidia is the most southern. All the vortexes have tapped into a water vapor source. Water brings the capacity to hold more heat and with heat comes velocity. In case it is not easy to discern, the most northern of the vortex street is near Iceland. I can imagine what is occurring over the Greenland ice sheet right now. It's meander has probably increased dramatically. The Greenland ice sheet is monitored for a meander in case it becomes unstable and slides into the Atlantic. Such an event would cause a coastal tsunami of some height all the way to Antarctica.

Tropical Storm Harvey

31.70 -92.30 08/31/00Z 30 998 TROPICAL DEPRESSION
32.30 -92.00 08/31/09Z 25 998 TROPICAL DEPRESSION
32.50 -91.40 08/31/15Z 15 1002 TROPICAL DEPRESSION
33.80 -90.50 08/31/21Z 15 1000 TROPICAL DEPRESSION
34.30 -89.00 09/01/03Z 25 1000 TROPICAL DEPRESSION

Irma is in the east Atlantic and taking a slightly northwest track.

Hurricane-3 IRMA

16.40 -30.30 08/30/12Z 45 1004 TROPICAL STORM
16.40 -31.20 08/30/18Z 50 1001 TROPICAL STORM
16.40 -32.20 08/31/00Z 55 999 TROPICAL STORM
16.50 -32.90 08/31/06Z 60 997 TROPICAL STORM
16.90 -33.80 08/31/12Z 85 979 HURRICANE-2
17.30 -34.80 08/31/18Z 100 967 HURRICANE-3
17.80 -35.60 09/01/00Z 100 967 HURRICANE-3
18.20 -36.50 09/01/06Z 100 967 HURRICANE-3

September 1, 2017
0600
Intellicast map of US Current Temperatures (click here)





This is the path of Lidia. The Baja is going to be underwater now.


Tropical Storm LIDIA

20.70 -109.20 08/31/00Z 35 1001 TROPICAL STORM
21.30 -109.40 08/31/06Z 40 997 TROPICAL STORM
22.30 -109.70 08/31/12Z 45 994 TROPICAL STORM
22.70 -110.10 08/31/18Z 55 991 TROPICAL STORM
23.30 -110.40 09/01/00Z 55 991 TROPICAL STORM
23.80 -111.00 09/01/06Z 55 987 TROPICAL STORM

Large incident fires on map to the right, in the northwest where conditions are abnormally dry according to the US Drought Monitor above.

Hopefully, Lidia will continue moving north along the coast to extinguish some significant fires.

There is one fire, the Pier Fire, in central California.