tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1633828464860713262024-03-20T00:30:52.265-07:00Jedi Commandjonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-36611241048791843972019-09-07T11:25:00.001-07:002019-09-07T11:25:10.752-07:00Fukushima Radiation Spikes 7000%Fukushima Radiation Spikes 7000%:<br />
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LINK:<br />
<a href="http://theglobalelite.org/fukushima-radiation-spikes-7000-the-msm-is-quiet-about-it/">http://theglobalelite.org/fukushima-radiation-spikes-7000-the-msm-is-quiet-about-it/</a><br />
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<img alt="Fukushima Radiation Spikes 7,000% – the MSM is Quiet About it" class="mfp-img" src="https://i0.wp.com/theglobalelite.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/fukushima-radiation_theusindependent.jpg?fit=800%2C533" style="max-height: 786px;" /><br />
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Cleanup crews trying to mitigate Japan’s never-ending radiation
crisis at Fukushima ran into more problems recently after sensors
monitoring a drainage gutter detected a huge spike in radiation levels
from wastewater pouring into the Pacific Ocean.<br />
The Tokyo Electric Power Company says radiation levels were up to 70
times, or 7,000 percent, higher than normal, prompting an immediate
shutdown of the drainage instrument. The first readings came around 10
a.m. local time on February 22, setting off alarms not once but twice as
radiation levels spiked to extremely high levels.<br />
“The levels of beta ray-emitting substances, such as strontium-90,
measured 5,050 to 7,230 becquerels per liter of water between 10:20 a.m.
and 10:50 a.m.,” reported <i>The Japan Times</i>. “TEPCO requires radioactivity levels of groundwater at the plant discharged into the sea to remain below 5 becquerels.”<br />
<strong style="font-size: 22px;">TEPCO shut off leaky gutter, but radiation continued to spike throughout day</strong><br />
The gutter was quickly decommissioned to prevent further radiation
emissions, but the leaks reportedly continued throughout the day, with
radiation levels hovering between 10 and 20 times higher than normal.
TEPCO says it doesn’t know what caused the sudden radiation spikes.<br />
“With emergency surveys of the plant and monitoring of other sensors,
we have no reason to believe tanks storing radioactive waste water have
leaked,” stated a plant official to the media. “We have shut the gutter
[from pouring <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/water.html">water</a> to the bay]. We are currently monitoring the sensors at the gutter and seeing the trend.”<br />
<strong style="font-size: 22px;">Multiple major leaks reported as Fukushima generates 400 tons of new radioactive waste daily</strong><br />
Just four days prior to the leak, the International Atomic Energy
Agency congratulated TEPCO for its continued cleanup efforts at the
Fukushima site. This is despite numerous other <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/radiation.html">radiation</a> leaks, some of them quite major, that have occurred in recent months at the shuttered facility.<br />
Back in October 2013, for instance, a failed transfer of radioactive
wastewater from one storage tank to another resulted in more than four
tons of highly contaminated sludge being dumped into the ground. Not
long before this, 300 tons of radioactive waste reportedly leaked from
another nearby storage tank.<br />
As we reported earlier in the month, <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/048634_Fukushima_radioactive_waste_worker_death.html">a worker actually died after falling into a radioactive storage tank</a>
during a routine inspection. The 33-foot container that swallowed the
man is one of many at the site that holds a portion of the 400 tons of
highly radioactive water generated daily at Fukushima.<br />
<strong><span id="inserted767" style="font-size: 22px;">Fukushima workers build one new storage tank daily, but this can’t go on forever</span></strong><br />
<i>The Japan News</i> reports that large storage tanks capable of
holding up to 2,900 tons of contaminated water are constantly being
built at the site, up to one new tank daily, in fact. At some point,
though, other mitigatory measures will have to be implemented, as
there’s only so much space available to build more tanks.<br />
According to <i>The Ecologist</i>, the Reactor 3 fuel storage pond
also still contains upwards of 89 metric tons of plutonium-based,
mixed-oxide fuel that, should the pond <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/leak.html">leak</a>
or dry up, could result in another major reactor meltdown. Reactor 3,
as you may recall, experienced a full meltdown back in 2011 that
resulted in the reactor core falling through the floor to the bottom of
the containment vessel.<br />
The chart at the following link, which was put together just days
after the tsunami and earthquake hit Fukushima, provides a visual
breakdown of radiation exposures from various sources. It can be used to
quantify the threat associated with each respective leak:jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-91029929822678769432019-09-07T11:21:00.001-07:002019-09-07T11:21:07.849-07:00August 2019: Shaken and stirred! Devastating global wildfires, Super Typhoon, Typhoon, Tropical Storm and category 5 Hurricane and 10 major quakes... <i><b>Link:</b></i><br />
<i><b><a href="http://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/09/august-2019-shaken-and-stirred.html">http://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/09/august-2019-shaken-and-stirred.html</a></b></i><br />
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<i><b>***********</b></i><br />
<i><b> TEXT:</b></i><br />
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<i><b> A look back at August 2019 saw a total of 10 major quakes (mag 6+)
around the world, the biggest being the M 6.9 - 102km WSW of Tugu Hilir,
Indonesia at the beginning of the month, the 10 major quakes brought
the total to 101 major quakes so far this year. It is always interesting
to compare how many major quakes had been recorded this time a year
ago, in 2018, the number is a mere 78, considerably less than this year
so far. 2017 recorded even less with 65 and finished the year on just
111 major quakes, the lowest amount this century. 2016, recorded 93 and
2015, 90, so it's fair to say our planet has been shaking much more this
year than recently.</b></i>
<i><b><br />
One of the biggest disasters our planet has endured in August was wildfires, at the beginning of the month, a<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"> Greenpeace Russia team was documenting wildfires in the taiga forest, in the Krasnoyarsk region of Siberia. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">Despite statements by Russian authorities, the intensity of forest fires in Siberia was dramatically increasing. A,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"> 4.3 million hectare fire - an area larger than Denmark - was contributing significantly to climate change. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">Since the beginning of the year, a total of 13.1 million hectares had burned in Siberia. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">Fires have rage every year, but this summer's blazes reached unprecedented size and strength. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">The
Siberian fires have emitted more than 166 Mt CO2 - nearly as much as 36
million cars emit per year, as we move into September the fires are
still burning.</span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">As
increasing pressure on the planet rises with the threat from climate
change, the collapse of our living species, dying oceans, dying
agriculture and a constant threat of WWIII hanging over our heads, it
should not come as any surprise to learn that 17 countries – home to
one-quarter of the world’s population—face “extremely high” levels of
baseline water stress. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">In
a new report by the World Resources Institute, one-quarter of the
world’s population almost two billion people—face “extremely high”
levels of baseline water stress, where irrigated agriculture, industries
and municipalities withdraw more than 80% of their available supply on
average every year. <a href="https://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/08/as-increasing-pressure-on-planet-rises.html" target="_blank">Full story</a></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">Peru
became the latest country to suffer horrendous wildfires after more
than 22,000 hectares (54,363 acres) of forest, protected areas and
farmland in drought-stricken parts have been destroyed. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">In
August, biologists and environmentalists from around the world warned
the presidents of Peru, Brazil and Bolivia about the dangers of
devastating fires in what they said might be the region’s worst drought
in at least half a century. <a href="https://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/08/heatwaves-and-droughts-are-causing.html" target="_blank">Full story</a></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">More than a million people were evacuated as Super typhoon Lekima smashed into eastern China on August the 10th. </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"> Lekima
made landfall in the early hours of Saturday in Wenling, between Taiwan
and China's financial capital Shanghai. The storm was initially
designated a "super typhoon", but weakened slightly before landfall -
but still had winds of 187km/h (116mph). </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">The
city evacuated some 250,000 residents, with another 800,000 in the
Zhejiang province also taken from their homes. An estimated 2.7 million
homes in the region lost power as power lines toppled in the high winds,
Chinese state media said. It is the ninth typhoon of the year, Xinhua
news said - but the strongest storm seen in years. <a href="https://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/08/more-than-million-evacuated-as-super.html" target="_blank">Full story</a></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Just
one day later, huge storms across the planet caused chaos that weekend
killing 200 people! Tornadoes hit Europe from Luxembourg to Amsterdam,
China was battered by the third-largest typhoon in its history and a
further 107 killed in India. <a href="https://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/08/huge-storms-across-planet-cause-chaos.html" target="_blank">Full story</a></span></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">On the 14th of August, a</span></span> total
of 56 wildfires were reported to be burning out of control in parts of
Greece as smoke covered Athens with strong winds fanning the flames. <a href="https://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/08/a-total-of-56-wildfires-burning-out-of.html" target="_blank">Full story</a> </b></i>
<i><b><br />Hat-trick! Tropical storm Krosa was the third storm to hit
Japan in only 10 days after super typhoon Lekima and typhoon Francisco
made landfall earlier in the month causing the country to be hit with
Biblical amounts of rain! The total rainfall surpassed 1200 mm (47
inches) in 24 hours which is more than 10 times their August average. <a href="https://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/08/japan-hit-with-biblical-amounts-of.html" target="_blank">Full story</a> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px;">Wildfires
in the Amazon rainforest hit a record number this year, according to
research carried out by Brazil's space research centre (INPE). It cites
72,843 fires, marking an increase of 83% compared to 2018 - the highest
since records began in 2013. Since Thursday, INPE said satellite images
spotted 9,507 new forest fires in the country, mostly in the Amazon
basin, home to the world's largest tropical forest, which is seen as
vital to countering global warming. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e29; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In the third week of August, almost 10,000 fires ripped through Brazil's dense rainforest and activists claimed most of them will have been set by men working in the jungle, clearing land for cattle and logging. <a href="https://www.thebigwobble.org/2019/08/global-worry-as-wildfires-escalates.html" target="_blank">Full story</a></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e29; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></span></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e29; font-family: "merriweather"; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Hurricane Dorian was said to hit Florida as a category 5 monster as the third straight year the U.S. has endured a landfalling major hurricane – a streak not accomplished in nearly 60 years</span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b> </b></i>jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-85161088243188803662019-04-27T13:05:00.003-07:002019-04-27T13:06:24.288-07:00UC Santa Cruz Wifi "Lockdown"<i><b>UC Santa Cruz Wifi "Lockdown" April 27 2019</b></i><br />
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<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>TO:</b></i><br />
<i><b>Chancellor UC Santa Cruz</b></i><br />
<i><b>and Administration </b></i><br />
<i><b>University of California Santa Cruz</b></i><br />
<i><b>Santa Cruz, California</b></i><br />
<i><b>USA</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>To Whom it may concern:</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>It has come to my attention that ITS (Internet Technology Services) has "locked-down" the University WIFI with forced usernames and passwords in order to access the internet here at UCSC.</b></i><br />
<i><b>UCSC needs a FREE and OPEN internet wifi access system. Usernames, passwords and forced phone numbers only set up an ILLEGAL spy and surveillance control grid used by local, state and federal agencies and authorities to track, monitor, record and compile databases on a users internet activity. This kind of fascist police state activity has absolutely NO PLACE at UC Santa Cruz.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Such activity is ILLEGAL and a direct violation of the 4th amendment which protects ALL US citizens against any unreasonable searches and seizures (of personal information). ITS has turned the public wifi system here at UCSC into a fascist police state prison. Institutions of higher learning REQUIRE free, easy and open access to information. Therefore, i am calling for the immediate arrest, prosecution and imprisonment of all ITS administrative personnel responsible for instituting this illegal, fascist, Big Brother, Nazi police state control grid on the UCSC campus. This type of activity cannot and will not be tolerated here.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>I will be filing a formal complaint with the UC Administration in Oakland soon, as i have WARNED UCSC in the past NOT to cross this line and to keep ALL internet access FREE and OPEN to ALL students, faculty, staff and community members without the use of accounts, usernames and passwords.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>This police state cancer started with the Santa Cruz Public Library which required all patrons to show and have their state ID recorded in order to receive and use a library card in order to access the public internet.. This cancer then </b></i><br />
<i><b>metastasized into Cabrillo College which similarly now forces students, faculty, staff and the community to use forced username and password accounts in order to access the internet (along with an ubiquitous campus wide spy and surveillance camera network and an overwhelming police state presence on the campus resembling something out of a Nazi concentration camp). Today, this cancer has spread its tentacles into the UC Santa Cruz campus in the form of Cruz ID and the current "lockdown" of the wifi internet access system. There is now only one small sliver of internet freedom left where patrons can log-on anonymously in order to use the mainframes, which i predict will soon be taken away in the not to distant future, leaving all 3 institutions in complete police state prison lockdown. As i have stated in the past, if this line is crossed, its OVER for this civilization. </b></i><br />
<i><b>In collusionary fashion, we are now a thin hair-breaths away from locking the state of California into total and complete destruction from global climate change in the fullness of time. As goes California, so too will go the nation, the planet and rest of human civilization. This is where we now stand as a species- on the very precipice on extinction- all because of this psychotic desire to control, record, track, monitor and spy upon our fellow human brothers and sisters. This is a CANCER of human consciousness that is at the very root of our current predicament.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>For it is PRECISELY the level of consciousness that erects privacy violating spy and surveillance control grids that similarly has propelled human civilization into the global climate change emergency we are now all threatened with here in California and throughout the planet. Were the recent fires of California not enough? What is it going to take? How about an earthquake or a series of earthquakes that rips the bay area in half? How about a tsunami from the Pacific ocean that takes out a good chunk of California's coastline?</b></i><br />
<i><b>How about an ocean die-off that kills a large portion of sea life in the Pacific?</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Because of this current wifi "lockdown" here at UCSC, i cannot now do the global environmental work that needs to be done to save what's left of this planet and our civilization while i am here. You are, in effect, only hanging yourselves, my friends and my alma mater. UCSC needs to apply full stop brakes on this situation, reverse course 180 degrees and move in the complete opposite direction, which means an END to forced accounts, usernames, and passwords in order to access the internet here at UCSC. We need FREE and OPEN access to the World Wide Web of global information- this is at the very heart of any institution for higher learning and education.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Re-install a FREE and OPEN internet and wifi system here at UCSC and i will refrain from submitting a more detailed complaint/warning to the UC Administation in Oakland, the Governor of California as well as local, state and federal representatives about this most unfortunate situation. Its time to reverse course on this internet lockdown, UC Santa Cruz. My friends, you need to re-prioritize, re-boot, re-orient and help put humanity on a trajectory of freedom, prosperity and SURVIVAL on into the 21st century and beyond. The path UCSC is now treading with regards to locking down internet access will most assuredly lead to our unequivocal extinction as a species- i cannot say it more plainly than that...</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>Regards,</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>UCSC Alumni</b></i><br />
<i><b>UC Santa Cruz</b></i><br />
<i><b>Santa Cruz, California</b></i><br />
<i><b>USA</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>*****************************************************************************</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i>jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-41267417217267703482017-12-30T10:54:00.003-08:002017-12-30T10:54:46.043-08:00New York Times, Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program, December 17, 2017<h1 class="headline" id="headline" itemprop="headline" style="visibility: visible;">
Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program</h1>
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<span class="byline" itemid="https://www.nytimes.com/by/helene-cooper" itemprop="author creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person">By <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/helene-cooper" title="More Articles by HELENE COOPER"><span class="byline-author" data-byline-name="HELENE COOPER" data-twitter-handle="helenecooper" itemprop="name">HELENE COOPER</span></a>, </span><span class="byline" itemid="https://www.nytimes.com/by/ralph-blumenthal" itemprop="author creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/ralph-blumenthal" title="More Articles by RALPH BLUMENTHAL"><span class="byline-author" data-byline-name="RALPH BLUMENTHAL" itemprop="name">RALPH BLUMENTHAL</span></a> and </span><span class="byline" itemprop="author creator" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person"><span class="byline-author" data-byline-name="LESLIE KEAN" itemprop="name">LESLIE KEAN</span></span><time class="dateline" content="2017-12-22T11:44:19-05:00" datetime="2017-12-22T11:44:19-05:00" itemprop="dateModified">DEC. 16, 2017</time>
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<div class="sharetools theme-classic sharetools-story-meta-footer " data-author="By HELENE COOPER, RALPH BLUMENTHAL and LESLIE KEAN" data-description="The shadowy program began in 2007 and was largely funded at the request of Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader, who has had a longtime interest in space phenomena." data-media="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/19/autossell/STILL2/STILL2-jumbo-v2.gif" data-publish-date="December 16, 2017" data-share-tools-initialized="1" data-shares="facebook,twitter,email,show-all,save" data-title="Glowing Auras and ‘Black Money’: The Pentagon’s Mysterious U.F.O. Program" data-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html" id="sharetools-story-meta-footer" role="group">
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<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/100000005607812/look-at-that-thing-us-navy-jet-encounters-unknown-object.html?action=click&gtype=vhs&version=vhs-heading&module=vhs&region=title-area"> ‘Look at That Thing!’ U.S. Navy Jet Encounters Unknown Object </a> </div>
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‘Look at That Thing!’ U.S. Navy Jet Encounters Unknown Object</h4>
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A video shows an encounter between a
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By Courtesy of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE on <span class="visually-hidden">Publish Date </span>December 16, 2017.
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<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="178" data-total-count="178">
WASHINGTON
— In the $600 billion annual Defense Department budgets, the $22
million spent on the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program
was almost impossible to find.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="37" data-total-count="215">
Which was how the Pentagon wanted it.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="344" data-total-count="559">
For
years, the program investigated reports of unidentified flying objects,
according to Defense Department officials, interviews with program
participants and records obtained by The New York Times. It was run by a
military intelligence official, Luis Elizondo, on the fifth floor of
the Pentagon’s C Ring, deep within the building’s maze.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="440" data-total-count="999">
The
Defense Department has never before acknowledged the existence of the
program, which it says it shut down in 2012. But its backers say that,
while the Pentagon ended funding for the effort at that time, the
program remains in existence. For the past five years, they say,
officials with the program have continued to investigate episodes
brought to them by service members, while also carrying out their other
Defense Department duties.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="492" data-total-count="1491">
The
shadowy program — parts of it remain classified — began in 2007, and
initially it was largely funded at the request of Harry Reid, the Nevada
Democrat who was the Senate majority leader at the time and who has
long had an interest in space phenomena. Most of the money went to an
aerospace research company run by a billionaire entrepreneur and
longtime friend of Mr. Reid’s, Robert Bigelow, who is currently working
with NASA to produce expandable craft for humans to use in space.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="141" data-total-count="1632" id="story-continues-1">
On
CBS’s “60 Minutes” in May, Mr. Bigelow said he was “absolutely
convinced” that aliens exist and that U.F.O.s have visited Earth.</div>
<figure class="media photo embedded layout-large-horizontal media-100000005607990 ratio-tall" data-media-action="modal" id="media-100000005607990" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo4/merlin_112366280_2761622a-23fd-4aa1-86f5-655b1b60c458-master675.jpg" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group">
<span class="visually-hidden">Photo</span>
<div class="image">
<img alt="" class="media-viewer-candidate" data-mediaviewer-caption="Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader, has had a longtime interest in space phenomena." data-mediaviewer-credit="Al Drago/The New York Times" data-mediaviewer-src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo4/merlin_112366280_2761622a-23fd-4aa1-86f5-655b1b60c458-superJumbo.jpg" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo4/merlin_112366280_2761622a-23fd-4aa1-86f5-655b1b60c458-master675.jpg" itemprop="url" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo4/merlin_112366280_2761622a-23fd-4aa1-86f5-655b1b60c458-master675.jpg" /><div class="media-action-overlay">
</div>
</div>
<figcaption class="caption" itemprop="caption description">
<span class="caption-text">Harry Reid, the former Senate majority leader, has had a longtime interest in space phenomena.</span>
<span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">
<span class="visually-hidden">Credit</span>
Al Drago/The New York Times </span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="249" data-total-count="1881">
Working
with Mr. Bigelow’s Las Vegas-based company, the program produced
documents that describe sightings of aircraft that seemed to move at
very high velocities with no visible signs of propulsion, or that
hovered with no apparent means of lift.</div>
<a class="visually-hidden skip-to-text-link" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html#story-continues-2">Continue reading the main story</a>
</div>
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<br /><div class="supplemental-items" data-no-ads="true" data-no-med-rec="true" data-supplemental-order="1">
<aside class="marginalia comments-marginalia selected-comment-marginalia" data-marginalia-type="sprinkled" data-skip-to-para-id=""><div class="comments-view">
<article class="comment" data-permid="25260439">
<header>
<h2 class="commenter">
Nelson</h2>
<time class="comment-time" datetime="">December 17, 2017</time>
</header>
<div class="comment-text">
I was an absolute skeptic until I saw the
Phoenix lights in person. That night those lights looked like a giant
triangle shaped craft...</div>
</article>
<article class="comment" data-permid="25260278">
<header>
<h2 class="commenter">
Bill Stanley</h2>
<time class="comment-time" datetime="">December 17, 2017</time>
</header>
<div class="comment-text">
Another distraction from the real issues of major concern.</div>
</article>
<article class="comment" data-permid="25260235">
<header>
<h2 class="commenter">
<br /></h2>
<time class="comment-time" datetime="">December 17, 2017</time>
</header>
<div class="comment-text">
$22 million for hunting UFO's. And the US may
get admonished by the UN for tolerating extreme poverty and ignoring the
human rights of its...</div>
</article>
</div>
</aside></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-body-supplemental">
<div class="story-body story-body-2">
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="330" data-total-count="2211" id="story-continues-3">
Officials
with the program have also studied videos of encounters between unknown
objects and American military aircraft — including one released in
August of a whitish oval object, about the size of a commercial plane,
chased by two Navy F/A-18F fighter jets from the aircraft carrier Nimitz
off the coast of San Diego in 2004.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="329" data-total-count="2540">
Mr.
Reid, who retired from Congress this year, said he was proud of the
program. “I’m not embarrassed or ashamed or sorry I got this thing
going,” Mr. Reid said in a recent interview in Nevada. “I think it’s one
of the good things I did in my congressional service. I’ve done
something that no one has done before.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="237" data-total-count="2777">
Two
other former senators and top members of a defense spending
subcommittee — Ted Stevens, an Alaska Republican, and Daniel K. Inouye, a
Hawaii Democrat — also supported the program. Mr. Stevens died in 2010,
and Mr. Inouye in 2012.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="441" data-total-count="3218">
While
not addressing the merits of the program, Sara Seager, an
astrophysicist at M.I.T., cautioned that not knowing the origin of an
object does not mean that it is from another planet or galaxy. “When
people claim to observe truly unusual phenomena, sometimes it’s worth
investigating seriously,” she said. But, she added, “what people
sometimes don’t get about science is that we often have phenomena that
remain unexplained.”</div>
<figure class="promo media video embedded layout-large-horizontal " data-adsensitivity="" data-autoplay="false" data-embedded="true" data-live="false" data-media-action="inline" data-videoid="100000005607444" role="group"><div class="video-bind" id="video_outer_position_embedded_100000005607444">
<div class="video-container nytd-player-container vhs-plugin-sharetools vhs-m" id="video_inner_position_embedded_100000005607444" style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0) none repeat scroll 0% 0%; height: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 56.25%; position: relative; width: 100%;">
<div class="nytd-player-poster" style="background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0) url("https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/16/autossell/UFO1/UFO1-videoSixteenByNine768.jpg") no-repeat scroll center center / cover; height: 100%; width: 100%;">
<div class="vhs-media-action-overlay vhs-article-cover">
<div class="vhs-metadata-container">
<section class="vhs-metadata">
<span class="vhs-byline">By Courtesy of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE</span>
<span class="vhs-video-length">1:16</span>
</section>
<section class="vhs-video-title">
<span>Video: U.S. Military Jets Encounter Unknown Object</span>
</section>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<span class="visually-hidden">Video</span>
<figcaption class="caption">
<h4 class="headline">
Video: U.S. Military Jets Encounter Unknown Object</h4>
<div class="caption-video">
<div class="summary-credit">
<div class="summary">
A video shows a 2004 encounter near
San Diego between two Navy F/A-18F fighter jets and an unknown object.
It was released by the Defense Department's Advanced Aerospace Threat
Identification Program.</div>
<span class="credit video-credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">
By Courtesy of U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE on <span class="visually-hidden">Publish Date </span>December 16, 2017.
</span>
<span class="credit photo-credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">
Photo by U.S Department of Defense.
</span>
</div>
<div class="sharetools-video-container">
<div class="sharetools sharetools-video-inline" data-content-type="video" data-description="A video shows a 2004 encounter near San Diego between two Navy F/A-18F fighter jets and an unknown object. It was released by the Defense Department's Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program." data-share-tools-initialized="1" data-shares="facebook|,twitter|" data-title="Video: U.S. Military Jets Encounter Unknown Object" data-url="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html" data-via="nytvideo" id="sharetools-video-inline-100000005607444">
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</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="442" data-total-count="3660">
James
E. Oberg, a former NASA space shuttle engineer and the author of 10
books on spaceflight who often debunks U.F.O. sightings, was also
doubtful. “There are plenty of prosaic events and human perceptual
traits that can account for these stories,” Mr. Oberg said. “Lots of
people are active in the air and don’t want others to know about it.
They are happy to lurk unrecognized in the noise, or even to stir it up
as camouflage.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="93" data-total-count="3753">
Still, Mr. Oberg said he welcomed research. “There could well be a pearl there,” he said.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="241" data-total-count="3994">
In
response to questions from The Times, Pentagon officials this month
acknowledged the existence of the program, which began as part of the
Defense Intelligence Agency. Officials insisted that the effort had
ended after five years, in 2012.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="248" data-total-count="4242" id="story-continues-4">
“It
was determined that there were other, higher priority issues that
merited funding, and it was in the best interest of the DoD to make a
change,” a Pentagon spokesman, Thomas Crosson, said in an email,
referring to the Department of Defense.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="386" data-total-count="4628">
But
Mr. Elizondo said the only thing that had ended was the effort’s
government funding, which dried up in 2012. From then on, Mr. Elizondo
said in an interview, he worked with officials from the Navy and the
C.I.A. He continued to work out of his Pentagon office until this past
October, when he resigned to protest what he characterized as excessive
secrecy and internal opposition.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="142" data-total-count="4770">
“Why
aren’t we spending more time and effort on this issue?” Mr. Elizondo
wrote in a resignation letter to Defense Secretary Jim Mattis.</div>
<figure class="media photo embedded layout-large-horizontal media-100000005607988" data-media-action="modal" id="media-100000005607988" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo3/merlin_131167458_f793a760-756f-4cfb-9e90-67c54072639c-master675.jpg" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group">
<span class="visually-hidden">Photo</span>
<div class="image">
<img alt="" class="media-viewer-candidate" data-mediaviewer-caption="Pentagon officials say the program ended in 2012, five years after it was created, but the official who led it said that only the government funding had ended then." data-mediaviewer-credit="Charles Dharapak/Associated Press" data-mediaviewer-src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo3/merlin_131167458_f793a760-756f-4cfb-9e90-67c54072639c-superJumbo.jpg" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo3/merlin_131167458_f793a760-756f-4cfb-9e90-67c54072639c-master675.jpg" itemprop="url" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo3/merlin_131167458_f793a760-756f-4cfb-9e90-67c54072639c-master675.jpg" /><div class="media-action-overlay">
</div>
</div>
<figcaption class="caption" itemprop="caption description">
<span class="caption-text">Pentagon officials say the
program ended in 2012, five years after it was created, but the official
who led it said that only the government funding had ended then.</span>
<span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">
<span class="visually-hidden">Credit</span>
Charles Dharapak/Associated Press </span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="98" data-total-count="4868">
Mr. Elizondo said that the effort continued and that he had a successor, whom he declined to name.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="474" data-total-count="5342">
U.F.O.s
have been repeatedly investigated over the decades in the United
States, including by the American military. In 1947, the Air Force began
a series of studies that investigated more than 12,000 claimed U.F.O.
sightings before it was officially ended in 1969. The project, which
included a study code-named Project Blue Book, started in 1952,
concluded that most sightings involved stars, clouds, conventional
aircraft or spy planes, although 701 remained unexplained.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="241" data-total-count="5583">
Robert
C. Seamans Jr., the secretary of the Air Force at the time, said in a
memorandum announcing the end of Project Blue Book that it “no longer
can be justified either on the ground of national security or in the
interest of science.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="272" data-total-count="5855">
Mr.
Reid said his interest in U.F.O.s came from Mr. Bigelow. In 2007, Mr.
Reid said in the interview, Mr. Bigelow told him that an official with
the Defense Intelligence Agency had approached him wanting to visit Mr.
Bigelow’s ranch in Utah, where he conducted research.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="237" data-total-count="6092">
Mr.
Reid said he met with agency officials shortly after his meeting with
Mr. Bigelow and learned that they wanted to start a research program on
U.F.O.s. Mr. Reid then summoned Mr. Stevens and Mr. Inouye to a secure
room in the Capitol.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="409" data-total-count="6501">
“I
had talked to John Glenn a number of years before,” Mr. Reid said,
referring to the astronaut and former senator from Ohio, who died in
2016. Mr. Glenn, Mr. Reid said, had told him he thought that the federal
government should be looking seriously into U.F.O.s, and should be
talking to military service members, particularly pilots, who had
reported seeing aircraft they could not identify or explain.</div>
<figure class="media photo embedded layout-large-horizontal media-100000005596513 ratio-tall" data-media-action="modal" id="media-100000005596513" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/17dc-ufo1/10dc-ufo-master675.jpg" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group">
<span class="visually-hidden">Photo</span>
<div class="image">
<img alt="" class="media-viewer-candidate" data-mediaviewer-caption="Luis Elizondo, who led the Pentagon effort to investigate U.F.O.s until October. He resigned to protest what he characterized as excessive secrecy and internal opposition to the program." data-mediaviewer-credit="Justin T. Gellerson for The New York Times" data-mediaviewer-src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/17dc-ufo1/10dc-ufo-superJumbo.jpg" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/17dc-ufo1/10dc-ufo-master675.jpg" itemprop="url" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/17dc-ufo1/10dc-ufo-master675.jpg" /><div class="media-action-overlay">
</div>
</div>
<figcaption class="caption" itemprop="caption description">
<span class="caption-text">Luis Elizondo, who led the
Pentagon effort to investigate U.F.O.s until October. He resigned to
protest what he characterized as excessive secrecy and internal
opposition to the program.</span>
<span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">
<span class="visually-hidden">Credit</span>
Justin T. Gellerson for The New York Times </span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="167" data-total-count="6668">
The
sightings were not often reported up the military’s chain of command,
Mr. Reid said, because service members were afraid they would be laughed
at or stigmatized.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="109" data-total-count="6777" id="story-continues-5">
The meeting with Mr. Stevens and Mr. Inouye, Mr. Reid said, “was one of the easiest meetings I ever had.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="223" data-total-count="7000">
He
added, “Ted Stevens said, ‘I’ve been waiting to do this since I was in
the Air Force.’” (The Alaska senator had been a pilot in the Army’s air
force, flying transport missions over China during World War II.)</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="161" data-total-count="7161">
During
the meeting, Mr. Reid said, Mr. Stevens recounted being tailed by a
strange aircraft with no known origin, which he said had followed his
plane for miles.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="338" data-total-count="7499">
None
of the three senators wanted a public debate on the Senate floor about
the funding for the program, Mr. Reid said. “This was so-called black
money,” he said. “Stevens knows about it, Inouye knows about it. But
that was it, and that’s how we wanted it.” Mr. Reid was referring to the
Pentagon budget for classified programs.</div>
<figure class="media photo embedded layout-large-horizontal media-100000005607989 ratio-tall" data-media-action="modal" id="media-100000005607989" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo2/merlin_35316034_611e71cf-6b2f-4150-b5db-af6bb88c7c2f-master675.jpg" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group">
<span class="visually-hidden">Photo</span>
<div class="image">
<img alt="" class="media-viewer-candidate" data-mediaviewer-caption="Robert Bigelow, a billionaire entrepreneur and longtime friend of Mr. Reid, received most of the money allocated for the Pentagon program. On CBS&rsquo;s &ldquo;60 Minutes&rdquo; in May, Mr. Bigelow said he was &ldquo;absolutely convinced&rdquo; that aliens exist and that U.F.O.s have visited Earth." data-mediaviewer-credit="Isaac Brekken for The New York Times" data-mediaviewer-src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo2/merlin_35316034_611e71cf-6b2f-4150-b5db-af6bb88c7c2f-superJumbo.jpg" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo2/merlin_35316034_611e71cf-6b2f-4150-b5db-af6bb88c7c2f-master675.jpg" itemprop="url" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/17/us/politics/17dc-ufo2/merlin_35316034_611e71cf-6b2f-4150-b5db-af6bb88c7c2f-master675.jpg" /><div class="media-action-overlay">
</div>
</div>
<figcaption class="caption" itemprop="caption description">
<span class="caption-text">Robert Bigelow, a billionaire
entrepreneur and longtime friend of Mr. Reid, received most of the
money allocated for the Pentagon program. On CBS’s “60 Minutes” in May,
Mr. Bigelow said he was “absolutely convinced” that aliens exist and
that U.F.O.s have visited Earth.</span>
<span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">
<span class="visually-hidden">Credit</span>
Isaac Brekken for The New York Times </span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="240" data-total-count="7739">
Contracts
obtained by The Times show a congressional appropriation of just under
$22 million beginning in late 2008 through 2011. The money was used for
management of the program, research and assessments of the threat posed
by the objects.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="130" data-total-count="7869">
The funding went to Mr. Bigelow’s company, Bigelow Aerospace, which hired subcontractors and solicited research for the program.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="498" data-total-count="8367">
Under
Mr. Bigelow’s direction, the company modified buildings in Las Vegas
for the storage of metal alloys and other materials that Mr. Elizondo
and program contractors said had been recovered from unidentified aerial
phenomena. Researchers also studied people who said they had
experienced physical effects from encounters with the objects and
examined them for any physiological changes. In addition, researchers
spoke to military service members who had reported sightings of strange
aircraft.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="426" data-total-count="8793" id="story-continues-6">
“We’re
sort of in the position of what would happen if you gave Leonardo da
Vinci a garage-door opener,” said Harold E. Puthoff, an engineer who has
conducted research on extrasensory perception for the C.I.A. and later
worked as a contractor for the program. “First of all, he’d try to
figure out what is this plastic stuff. He wouldn’t know anything about
the electromagnetic signals involved or its function.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="440" data-total-count="9233">
The
program collected video and audio recordings of reported U.F.O.
incidents, including footage from a Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet showing an
aircraft surrounded by some kind of glowing aura traveling at high speed
and rotating as it moves. The Navy pilots can be heard trying to
understand what they are seeing. “There’s a whole fleet of them,” one
exclaims. Defense officials declined to release the location and date of
the incident.</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="521" data-total-count="9754">
“Internationally,
we are the most backward country in the world on this issue,” Mr.
Bigelow said in an interview. “Our scientists are scared of being
ostracized, and our media is scared of the stigma. China and Russia are
much more open and work on this with huge organizations within their
countries. Smaller countries like Belgium, France, England and South
American countries like Chile are more open, too. They are proactive and
willing to discuss this topic, rather than being held back by a
juvenile taboo.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="463" data-total-count="10217">
By
2009, Mr. Reid decided that the program had made such extraordinary
discoveries that he argued for heightened security to protect it. “Much
progress has been made with the identification of several highly
sensitive, unconventional aerospace-related findings,” Mr. Reid said in a
letter to William Lynn III, a deputy defense secretary at the time,
requesting that it be designated a “restricted special access program”
limited to a few listed officials.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="328" data-total-count="10545">
A
2009 Pentagon briefing summary of the program prepared by its director
at the time asserted that “what was considered science fiction is now
science fact,” and that the United States was incapable of defending
itself against some of the technologies discovered. Mr. Reid’s request
for the special designation was denied.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="516" data-total-count="11061">
Mr.
Elizondo, in his resignation letter of Oct. 4, said there was a need
for more serious attention to “the many accounts from the Navy and other
services of unusual aerial systems interfering with military weapon
platforms and displaying beyond-next-generation capabilities.” He
expressed his frustration with the limitations placed on the program,
telling Mr. Mattis that “there remains a vital need to ascertain
capability and intent of these phenomena for the benefit of the armed
forces and the nation.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="364" data-total-count="11425">
Mr.
Elizondo has now joined Mr. Puthoff and another former Defense
Department official, Christopher K. Mellon, who was a deputy assistant
secretary of defense for intelligence, in a new commercial venture
called To the Stars Academy of Arts and Science. They are speaking
publicly about their efforts as their venture aims to raise money for
research into U.F.O.s.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="292" data-total-count="11717">
In
the interview, Mr. Elizondo said he and his government colleagues had
determined that the phenomena they had studied did not seem to originate
from any country. “That fact is not something any government or
institution should classify in order to keep secret from the people,” he
said.</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="185" data-total-count="11902">
For
his part, Mr. Reid said he did not know where the objects had come
from. “If anyone says they have the answers now, they’re fooling
themselves,” he said. “We do not know.”</div>
<div class="story-body-text story-content" data-para-count="47" data-total-count="11949" id="story-continues-7">
But, he said, “we have to start someplace.”</div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-59885005708365231982017-12-30T10:49:00.001-08:002017-12-30T10:49:07.718-08:00New York Times, On the Trail of a Secret Pentagon U.F.O. Program, December 18, 2017 <h1 class="Heading1-heading1--20o8k styles-heading1--2Ap5d styles-toneFeature--jyaQG elementStyles-heading1--UcIYs elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z Heading1-toneFeature--imewp" itemprop="headline">
<span class="Heading1-headline--8Qzcc balance-text">On the Trail of a Secret Pentagon U.F.O. Program</span></h1>
<figure class="ResponsiveMedia-media--32g1o ResponsiveMedia-sizeMedium--3hVlk styles-ledeMedia--1s9BI" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/19/autossell/STILL2/STILL2-articleLarge-v2.gif?quality=30&auto=webp" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group"><div class="ResponsiveMedia-container--G2JS6">
<img alt="" class="Image-image--2zb04" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2017/12/19/autossell/STILL2/STILL2-articleLarge-v2.gif?quality=30&auto=webp" /></div>
<figcaption class="ResponsiveMedia-caption--1dUVu Media-caption--wlc0l" itemprop="caption description"><span class="ResponsiveMedia-captionText--2WFdF Media-captionText--2e27a">Videos show an encounter between a Navy Super Hornet and an unknown object.</span><span class="ResponsiveMedia-credit--3F-q_ Media-credit--1ZFho" itemprop="copyrightHolder"><span class="accessibility-visuallyHidden--OUeHR">Credit</span><span>Courtesy of U.S. Department of Defense</span></span></figcaption></figure><div class="styles-bylineTimestamp--2J2fe styles-toneFeature--jyaQG">
<div class="elementStyles-byline--33rWc styles-byline--Dn1Bu styles-toneFeature--jyaQG">
<div class="Byline-bylineGroup--2XIy_">
<div class="">
By <a class="Byline-bylineAuthor--d8i20 elementStyles-authors--voZdU" href="http://www.nytimes.com/by/ralph-blumenthal">Ralph Blumenthal</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<time class="Timestamp-timestamp--3FJff elementStyles-timestamp--26VGL styles-timestamp--KJFCK" content="2017 - 12 - 18" datetime="2017-12-18" itemprop="datePublished">Dec. 18, 2017</time></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
Our readers are plenty interested in unidentified flying objects. We know that from the huge response to our <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="">front-page Sunday article</a>
(published online just after noon on Saturday) revealing a secret
Pentagon program to investigate U.F.O.s. The piece, by the Pentagon
correspondent Helene Cooper, the author Leslie Kean and myself — a
contributor to The Times after a 45-year staff career — has dominated
the most emailed and most viewed lists since.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
So how does a story on U.F.O.s get into The New York Times? Not easily, and only after a great deal of vetting, I assure you.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
The
journey began two and a half months ago with a tip to Leslie, who has
long reported on U.F.O.s and published a 2010 New York Times best
seller, “UFOs: Generals, Pilots and Government Officials Go on the
Record.” At a confidential meeting Oct. 4 in a Pentagon City hotel with
several present and former intelligence officials and a defense
contractor, she met Luis Elizondo, the director of a Pentagon program
she had never heard of: the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification
Program.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
She
learned it was a secret effort, funded at the initiative of the then
Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, starting in 2007, to investigate
aerial threats including what the military preferred to call
“unidentified aerial phenomena” or just “objects.” This was big news
because the United States military had announced as far back as 1969
that U.F.O.s were not worth studying. Leslie also learned that Mr.
Elizondo had just resigned to protest what he characterized as excessive
secrecy and internal opposition — the reason for the meeting.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
She
spent hours with him reviewing unclassified documents, for the $22
million program operated largely “in the white” (that is, not under
special restricted access), but hidden in the huge defense budget, with
only parts of it classified. A few days later Mr. Elizondo and others
there — including Harold E. Puthoff, an engineer who has conducted
research on extrasensory perception for the C.I.A. and later worked as a
contractor on the program, and Christopher K. Mellon, a former deputy
assistant secretary of defense for intelligence — announced they were
joining a new commercial venture, To the Stars Academy of Arts and
Science, to raise money for research into U.F.O.s. Leslie wrote it up
for the Huffington Post with scant details of the program.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
I
had known Leslie for years, and she told me this looked like a story
for The Times. I agreed. Leslie and I met with Mr. Elizondo in
Philadelphia on Oct. 31. Three days later, I emailed the executive
editor, Dean Baquet, about “a sensational and highly confidential
time-sensitive story” that I said “involves a senior U.S. intelligence
official who abruptly quit last month” exposing “a deeply secret
program, long mythologized but now confirmed.”</div>
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<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
He
alerted Mark Mazzetti, the investigations editor in the Washington
bureau. Leslie and I briefed him in New York on Nov. 7. We assured him
there were no anonymous sources; everyone was on the record. After
discussions in Washington and New York, Helene joined our team. The
Washington bureau chief, Elisabeth Bumiller, would be our editor. On
Nov. 17, we three met Mr. Elizondo in a nondescript Washington hotel
where he sat with his back to the wall, keeping an eye on the door.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
Carl
Hulse, The Times’s chief Washington correspondent, was well acquainted
with Mr. Reid and helped arrange an interview for Helene. She flew to
Las Vegas on Dec. 5 and met with the former senator, who confirmed the
program with details, saying, “I’m not embarrassed or ashamed or sorry I
got this going.”</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
Leslie
interviewed the aerospace magnate Robert Bigelow, who also confirmed
his participation, saying Americans were being held back from serious
research into U.F.O.’s by “a juvenile taboo.” And I interviewed a
prominent skeptic for perspective.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
It
was important that we not take anything on faith. This field attracts
zealots as well as debunkers, and many Americans remain deeply skeptical
that the phenomenon exists as popularly portrayed. In draft after
draft, we took pains to let the investigation speak for itself, without
bias.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
Helene
met with a Pentagon spokesperson on Dec. 8 for a response to the
information we had gathered. The answer came swiftly. There had been a
program to investigate U.F.O.s, but it ended in 2012 after five years,
the Defense Department insisted.</div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneFeature--9px5Z">
Our reporting suggested it continues, largely unfunded, to the present. And that’s what we wrote.</div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-20913646250764412592017-12-30T10:44:00.000-08:002017-12-30T10:46:04.752-08:00New York Times UFO Article, December 16, 2017<h1 class="Heading1-heading1--20o8k styles-heading1--2Ap5d styles-toneNews--29Vp_ elementStyles-heading1--UcIYs elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft Heading1-toneNews--1Qp-U" itemprop="headline">
<i><span class="Heading1-headline--8Qzcc balance-text">U.F.O.s: Is This All There Is?</span></i></h1>
<br />
<figure class="ResponsiveMedia-media--32g1o ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi ResponsiveMedia-sizeMedium--3hVlk styles-ledeMedia--1s9BI ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE1/02SCI-OVERBYE1-articleLarge.jpg?quality=30&auto=webp" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group"><div class="ResponsiveMedia-container--G2JS6 ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi">
<i><b><img alt="" class="Image-image--2zb04" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE1/02SCI-OVERBYE1-articleLarge.jpg?quality=30&auto=webp" /></b></i></div>
<figcaption class="ResponsiveMedia-caption--1dUVu Media-caption--wlc0l ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi" itemprop="caption description"><i><b><span class="ResponsiveMedia-captionText--2WFdF Media-captionText--2e27a">A
U.F.O. in New Mexico in 1957. For astronomers, the biggest problem with
alien visitation is not the occasional claim of mysterious light in the
sky, but the fact that we’re not constantly overwhelmed with them.</span><span class="ResponsiveMedia-credit--3F-q_ Media-credit--1ZFho" itemprop="copyrightHolder"><span class="accessibility-visuallyHidden--OUeHR">Credit</span>Bettmann, via Getty Images</span></b></i></figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="styles-bylineTimestamp--2J2fe styles-toneNews--29Vp_">
<br />
<figure class="styles-headshot--BoFcl toneNews" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/01/13/science/overbye-head/overbye-head-thumbLarge.jpg" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group"><div class="toneNews">
<i><b><span class="accessibility-visuallyHidden--OUeHR">Image</span><img alt="Out There" class="Image-image--2zb04" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2014/01/13/science/overbye-head/overbye-head-thumbLarge.jpg" /></b></i></div>
<figcaption class="Media-caption--wlc0l toneNews" itemprop="caption description"></figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="elementStyles-byline--33rWc styles-byline--Dn1Bu styles-toneNews--29Vp_">
<div class="Byline-bylineGroup--2XIy_">
<div class="">
<i><b>By <a class="Byline-bylineAuthor--d8i20 elementStyles-authors--voZdU" href="http://www.nytimes.com/by/dennis-overbye">Dennis Overbye</a></b></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<i><b><time class="Timestamp-timestamp--3FJff elementStyles-timestamp--26VGL styles-timestamp--KJFCK styles-timestampWithHeadshot--3rFIZ" content="2017 - 12 - 29" datetime="2017-12-29" itemprop="datePublished">Dec. 29, 2017</time></b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b><span class="styles-italic--2TT1g">Hey, Mr. Spaceman,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b><span class="styles-italic--2TT1g">Won’t you please take me along?</span></b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b><span class="styles-italic--2TT1g">I won’t do anything wrong.</span></b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b><span class="styles-italic--2TT1g">Hey,<span class="styles-pre--1zpwS"> </span>Mr. Spaceman,</span></b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b><span class="styles-italic--2TT1g">Won’t you please take me along for a ride?</span></b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>So <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzkU_ckRXHY" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="the Byrds sing space rock">sang the Byrds </a>in
1966, after strange radio bursts from distant galaxies called quasars
had excited people about the possibility of extraterrestrial
intelligence.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>I recalled those words recently when reading <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/unidentified-flying-object-navy.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="chasing a UFO">the account </a>of
a pair of Navy pilots who were outmaneuvered and outrun by a U.F.O. off
the coast of San Diego back in 2004. Cmdr. David Fravor said later that
he had no idea what he had seen.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>“But,” he added, “I want to fly one.”</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>His story was part of a bundle of material released recently about <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/16/us/politics/pentagon-program-ufo-harry-reid.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="The UFO papers">a supersecret $22 million Pentagon project</a>
called the Advanced Aerospace Threat Identification Program, aimed at
investigating U.F.O.s. The project was officially killed in 2012, but
now it’s being resurrected as a nonprofit organization.</b></i></div>
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<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Disgruntled
that the government wasn’t taking the possibility of alien visitors
seriously, a group of former defense officials, aerospace engineers and
other space fans have set up their own group, <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://dpo.tothestarsacademy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="To the Stars">To the Stars Academy of Arts & Science.</a>
One of its founders is Tom DeLonge, a former punk musician, record
producer and entrepreneur, who is also the head of the group’s
entertainment division.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>For
a minimum of $200, you can join and help finance their research into
how U.F.O.s do whatever it is they do, as well as telepathy and “a
point-to-point transportation craft that will erase the current travel
limits of distance and time” by using a drive that “alters the
space-time metric” — that is, a warp drive going faster than the speed
of light, Einstein’s old cosmic speed limit.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>You have 4 free articles remaining.</b></i><br />
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<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>“We
believe there are transformative discoveries within our reach that will
revolutionize the human experience, but they can only be accomplished
through the unrestricted support of breakthrough research, discovery and
innovation,” says the group’s website.</b></i></div>
<br />
<figure class="ResponsiveMedia-media--32g1o ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi ResponsiveMedia-sizeMedium--3hVlk ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE2/02SCI-OVERBYE2-articleLarge.jpg?quality=30&auto=webp" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group"><div class="ResponsiveMedia-container--G2JS6 ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi">
<i><b><span class="accessibility-visuallyHidden--OUeHR">Image</span><img alt="" class="Image-image--2zb04" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE2/02SCI-OVERBYE2-articleLarge.jpg?quality=30&auto=webp" /></b></i></div>
<figcaption class="ResponsiveMedia-caption--1dUVu Media-caption--wlc0l ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi" itemprop="caption description"><i><b><span class="ResponsiveMedia-captionText--2WFdF Media-captionText--2e27a">A U.F.O. spotted by Navy pilots near San Diego in 2004.</span><span class="ResponsiveMedia-credit--3F-q_ Media-credit--1ZFho" itemprop="copyrightHolder"><span class="accessibility-visuallyHidden--OUeHR">Credit</span>Department of Defense</span></b></i></figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>I’m
not holding my breath waiting for progress on telepathy or warp drive,
but I agree with at least one thing that one official with the group
said. That was Steve Justice, a former engineer at Lockheed Martin’s
famous Skunk Works, where advanced aircraft like the SR-71 high-altitude
super-fast spy plane were designed.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>“How dare we think that the physics we have today is all that there is,” he said in an <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/inside-knowledge-about-unidentified-aerial-phenomena_us_59dc1230e4b0b48cd8e0a5c7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="HuffPo article on UFO study">interview</a> published recently in HuffPost.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>I
could hardly agree more, having spent my professional life in the
company of physicists and astronomers trying to poke out of the cocoon
of present knowledge into the unknown, to overturn Einstein and what
passes for contemporary science. Lately, they haven’t gotten anywhere.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>The
last time physicists had to deal with faster-than-light travel was six
years ago, when a group of Italy-based physicists announced that they
had seen the subatomic particles known as <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/27/science/the-trouble-with-neutrinos-that-outpaced-einsteins-theory.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="superluminal neutinos">neutrinos going faster than light</a>. It turned out they had wired up their equipment wrong.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>So
far Einstein is still the champ. But surely there is so much more to
learn. A lot of surprises lie ahead, but many of the most popular ideas
on how to transcend Einstein and his peers are<a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/19/science/cern-large-hadron-collider-higgs-physics.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="new physics at CERN"> on the verge of being<span class="styles-pre--1zpwS"> </span>ruled out</a>. Transforming science is harder than it looks.</b></i></div>
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<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>While
there is a lot we don’t know, there is also a lot we do know. We know
how to turn on our computers and let gadgets in our pocket navigate the
world. We know that when physical objects zig and zag through a medium
like air, as U.F.O.s are said to do, they produce turbulence and shock
waves. NASA engineers predicted to the minute when <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/04/21/science/cassini-nasa-saturn.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Cassini nears the end">the Cassini spacecraft would dwindle to a wisp of smoke </a>in Saturn’s atmosphere last fall.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>In
moments like this, I take comfort in what the great Russian physicist
and cosmologist Yakov Zeldovich, one of the fathers of the Soviet
hydrogen bomb, once told me. “What science has already taken, it will
not give back,” he said.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Scientists are not the killjoys in all this.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>In
the astronomical world, the border between science fact and science
fiction can be very permeable, perhaps because many scientists grew up
reading science fiction. And astronomers forever have their noses
pressed up against the window of the unknown. They want to believe more
than anybody, and I count myself among them.</b></i></div>
<br />
<figure class="ResponsiveMedia-media--32g1o ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi ResponsiveMedia-sizeMedium--3hVlk ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi" itemid="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE3/merlin_131423879_d8acc1d1-29bf-43a1-ad6f-4613eddf5571-articleLarge.jpg?quality=30&auto=webp" itemprop="associatedMedia" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" role="group"><div class="ResponsiveMedia-container--G2JS6 ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi">
<i><b><span class="accessibility-visuallyHidden--OUeHR">Image</span></b></i><br />
<div class="LazyImage-imageContainer--26dUd">
<i><b><img alt="" class="Image-image--2zb04 LazyImage-lazyloaded--2m9jA" data-srcset="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE3/merlin_131423879_d8acc1d1-29bf-43a1-ad6f-4613eddf5571-articleLarge.jpg?quality=100&auto=webp 600w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE3/merlin_131423879_d8acc1d1-29bf-43a1-ad6f-4613eddf5571-popup.jpg?quality=100&auto=webp 650w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE3/merlin_131423879_d8acc1d1-29bf-43a1-ad6f-4613eddf5571-jumbo.jpg?quality=100&auto=webp 1024w,https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE3/merlin_131423879_d8acc1d1-29bf-43a1-ad6f-4613eddf5571-superJumbo.jpg?quality=100&auto=webp 2048w" src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2018/01/02/science/02SCI-OVERBYE3/merlin_131423879_d8acc1d1-29bf-43a1-ad6f-4613eddf5571-articleLarge.jpg?quality=30&auto=webp" /></b></i></div>
</div>
<figcaption class="ResponsiveMedia-caption--1dUVu Media-caption--wlc0l ResponsiveMedia-toneNews--pMwMi" itemprop="caption description"><i><b><span class="ResponsiveMedia-captionText--2WFdF Media-captionText--2e27a">Since
the asteroid named Oumuamua was first noticed flying through our solar
system in October, researchers have been monitoring for alien signals,
so far to no avail.</span><span class="ResponsiveMedia-credit--3F-q_ Media-credit--1ZFho" itemprop="copyrightHolder"><span class="accessibility-visuallyHidden--OUeHR">Credit</span>M. Kornmesser/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images</span></b></i></figcaption></figure><br />
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>But
they are also trained to look at nature with ruthless rigor and
skepticism. For astronomers, the biggest problem with E.T. is not the
occasional claim of a mysterious light in the sky, but the fact that we
are not constantly overwhelmed with them.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Half
a century ago, the legendary physicist Enrico Fermi concluded from a
simple back-of-the-envelope calculation that even without warp drive, a
single civilization could visit and colonize all the planets in the
galaxy in a fraction of the 10-billion-year age of the Milky Way.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b><a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/11/science/where-are-those-aliens.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Where is ET?">“Where are they?” he asked</a>.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Proponents
of SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, have been
debating ever since. One answer I like is the “zoo hypothesis,”
according to which we have been placed off-limits, a cosmic wildlife
refuge.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Another answer came from <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/19/science/seti-research-head-retires-after-long-search-for-alien-life.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Jill Tarter's life fo seaching">Jill Tarter</a>,
formerly the director of research at the SETI Institute in Mountain
View, Calif. “We haven’t looked hard enough,” she said when I asked her
recently.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>If
there was an iPhone sitting under a rock on the Moon or Mars, for
example, we would not have found it yet. Our own latest ideas for
interstellar exploration involve launching <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/13/science/alpha-centauri-breakthrough-starshot-yuri-milner-stephen-hawking.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Project Starshot">probes the size of postage stamps</a> to Alpha Centauri.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Advertisement</b></i></div>
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<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>In
the next generation, they might be the size of mosquitoes. By contrast,
the dreams of some U.F.O. enthusiasts are stuck in 1950s technology.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Still, we keep trying.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Last fall when a strange object — an <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/22/science/oumuamua-space-asteroid.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="galactic vagadond ">interstellar asteroid </a>now
named Oumuamua — was found cruising through the solar system,
astronomers’ thoughts raced to the Arthur C. Clarke novel “Rendezvous
With Rama,” in which the object was an alien spaceship. Two groups have
been monitoring Oumuamua for alien radio signals, so far to no avail.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Meanwhile, some astronomers have speculated that the <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/04/science/fast-radio-burst-galaxy.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="orbital magaprojects">erratic dimming of a star known as “Boyajian’s star”</a> or <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KIC_8462852" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="wikipedia page on Tabby's Star">“Tabby’s star,”</a>
after the astronomer Tabetha Boyajian, could be caused by some gigantic
construction project orbiting the star. So far that has not worked out,
but none of the other explanations — dust or a fleet of comets — have,
either.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>A pair of Harvard astronomers suggested last spring that mysterious sporadic flashes of energy known as <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/04/science/fast-radio-burst-galaxy.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="sporadic cosmic flashes">fast radio bursts </a>coming
from far far away are alien transmitters powering interstellar
spacecraft carrying light sails. “Science isn’t a matter of belief, it’s
a matter of evidence,” the astronomer Avi Loeb said in a <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/news/2017-09" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Are radio bursts coming from alien lasers?">news release from Harvard.</a>
“Deciding what’s likely ahead of time limits the possibilities. It’s
worth putting ideas out there and letting the data be the judge.”</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>U.F.O. investigations are nothing new. The most famous was the Air Force’s <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="https://www.archives.gov/research/military/air-force/ufos.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Air Force UFO report">Project Blue Book,</a> which ran from 1952 to 1970 and examined more than 12,000 sightings.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Most
U.F.O. sightings turn out to be swamp gas and other atmospheric
anomalies, Venus, weird reflections or just plain hoaxes. But there is a
stubborn residue, a few percent that resist easy explication, including
now Commander Fravor’s story. But that’s a far cry from proving they
are alien or interstellar.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>I
don’t know what to think about these stories, often told by sober,
respected and professional observers — police officers, pilots, military
officials — in indelible detail. I always wish I could have been there
to see it for myself.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Then I wonder how much good it would do to see it anyway.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Recently I ran into my friend <a class="styles-link--1Tap3" href="http://markmitton.com/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Mark Mitton's home page">Mark Mitton, a professional magician,</a>
in a restaurant. He came over to the table and started doing tricks. At
one point he fanned the card deck, asked my daughter to pick one, and
then asked her to shuffle the deck, which she did expertly.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Advertisement</b></i></div>
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<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Mr.
Mitton grabbed the deck and sprayed the cards in the air. There was my
daughter’s card stuck to a mirror about five feet away. How did it get
there? Not by any new physics. Seeing didn’t really help.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>As modern psychology and neuroscience have established, the senses are an unreliable portal to reality, whatever that is.</b></i></div>
<div class="Paragraph-paragraph--2eXNE elementStyles-paragraph--3EIcW elementStyles-toneNews--sRTft">
<i><b>Something might be happening, but we don’t know what it is. E.T., if you’re reading this, I’m still waiting to take my ride.</b></i></div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-27152362819616045212017-08-23T13:34:00.001-07:002017-08-23T13:34:52.308-07:00Beijing, Oregon<div>
<i><b>letter to the editor : aug 23 2017</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>your planet is burning up people.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>figure it out: all this smoke is NOT normal. fires in summer?, yes, but not on this scale.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>The state of oregon has been turned into beijing oregon.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>Its GLOBAL WARMING, remember?</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>To
put it mildly, You are destroying your state and civilization folks.
In your desperation and insanity, you have created an unsustainable,
utterly polluted, congested and 'out of control' urban sprawl of
staggering proportions in every city and municipality you inhabit.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>Your children are losing their future because of your idiocy.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>you
have GOT to get out of your gas guzzling trucks and SUV's. You need to
stop procreating like flies and you have GOT to STOP eating meat. why
is it that almost every single restaurant in the state of oregon serves
meat? Yours is a failed lifestyle, its killing our planet and it cannot
and will not survive the future simply because it is NOT sustainable.</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>So,
get rid of your chinese made american blood drenched flags, STOP
supporting the US military and the domestic spy and surveillance
american nazi police state, and learn to go vegan, ride bicycles and fly
an EARTH FLAG on your front porch. </b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>STOP
voting for the war mongering republicrats and demoblicans and VOTE GREEN
PARTY at the next round of voting. Perhaps then, and ONLY then, will
we have a chance of surviving the 21st century. </b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>steve jones</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>bend, oregon</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>USA</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>Saving the Planet:</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b>stp.neocities.org</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="protonmail_signature_block ">
<div class="protonmail_signature_block-user protonmail_signature_block-empty">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<div class="protonmail_signature_block-proton ">
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
</div>
<i><b>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</b></i>jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-92214450436566225582017-08-22T14:23:00.002-07:002017-08-22T14:23:31.526-07:00A World in Trouble: Drought, War, Food, Flight <div class="field field--name-field-subtitle field--type-text-long field--label-hidden">
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<div class="field__item even">
<i><b>The disruptions of climate and conflict are sparking perilous global insecurity</b></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field-wrapper content-container clearfix inline-fields" id="field-wrapper-authors">
<div class="grouping-prefix">
<i><b>by</b></i></div>
<div class="profile-titles clearfix">
<i><b><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/author/paul-rogers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Paul Rogers</a></b></i></div>
</div>
<div class="shareaholic-canvas shareaholic-ui shareaholic-resolved-canvas ng-scope" data-app-id="6840209" data-app="share_buttons" data-link="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/07/world-trouble-drought-war-food-flight" data-summary="" data-title="A World in Trouble: Drought, War, Food, Flight" id="shr_canvas2">
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<div class="shareaholic-canvas shareaholic-ui shareaholic-resolved-canvas ng-scope" data-app-id="6840209" data-app="share_buttons" data-link="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/07/07/world-trouble-drought-war-food-flight" data-summary="" data-title="A World in Trouble: Drought, War, Food, Flight" id="shr_canvas2">
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<div class="discourse-comments-link">
<i><b><a href="https://commons.commondreams.org/t/a-world-in-trouble-drought-war-food-flight/43054" target="_blank"> <span class="comment-count"></span></a></b></i></div>
<div class="field field--name-field-article-img field--type-image field--label-hidden">
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<i><b><img alt="" class="caption-processed" height="500" src="https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_large/public/views-article/drought.jpg?itok=tHB_Awh8" width="955" /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>'What
seems to be most significant today, and increasingly accepted within
the FAO and other agencies, is that climate change is becoming a
permanent reality affecting food supplies in many parts of the world. It
is not something for the future, but is happening now.' (Photo: <a href="https://flic.kr/p/f9HqPV">Asian Development Bank</a>/flickr/cc)</b></i></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden">
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<i><b>Six
years ago there were fears of a transnational famine developing across
much of eastern Africa. At least 11 million people were at risk in what
might have been the worst disaster of its kind since the early 1970s
(see "<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/world-in-hunger-east-africa-and-beyond">A world in hunger: east Africa and beyond</a>", 21 July 2011). </b></i><br />
<div class="mag-quote-left">
<i><b>This impending crisis was not unforeseen.</b></i></div>
<i><b>This impending crisis was not unforeseen. An analysis of several
interlocking factors, already evident several years earlier, had
anticipated such an outcome (see "<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/article/the_world_s_food_problem">The world's food insecurity</a>",
24 April 2008). These factors included higher oil prices, the early
impact of climate change, increased demand for feed grains to boost meat
production for the richer countries, and the diversion of land to grow
biofuels.</b></i><br />
<i><b>These recent moments of urgent concern from ten and <a href="https://www.oaklandinstitute.org/latest-food-crisis-brewing-months-0">six </a>years ago mirror the near-disaster of the world food <a href="http://la.utexas.edu/users/hcleaver/357L/357lsect4biblio.html">crisis</a>
of 1973-74, when multiple elements put at least 22 million people at
risk. The danger then was narrowly avoided by emergency financial aid to
enable the most crisis-ridden states to purchase grain from the
international markets.</b></i><br />
<i><b>But that very success pointed to an underlying <a href="http://www.palgrave.com/us/book/9780230553552#reviews">feature</a>
of all such crises, which needs to be better understood: namely, there
has never been too little food to go round, for (at least since 1945)
world grain resources have not been anywhere near complete depletion.
The <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/100893540">problem</a>, instead, has
been much more one of poverty. In short, people are unable for many
reasons to grow their own food and far too poor to buy food when
harvests fail.</b></i><br />
<div class="mag-quote-right">
<i><b>There has never been too little food to go round.</b></i></div>
<i><b>Now there is a new international food crisis, as<a href="http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/902483/icode/"> reported</a> by the director-general of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation at the organisation's biennial <a href="http://www.fao.org/europe/news/detail-news/en/c/896725/">conference</a>. Jose Graziano da Silva <a href="http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/07/progress-world-hunger-reversed/">said</a>
that the FAO "has identified nineteen countries facing severe food
crises due to a combination of conflict and climate change, including
South Sudan, northeast Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen, where nearly 20
million are at risk.”</b></i><br />
<i><b>In broad terms, da Silva and the <a href="http://www.fao.org/about/en/">FAO </a>specialists
see the current predicament as a reversal of the previous trend in
which there has been a slow improvement in food availability <a href="https://www.fews.net/">across</a>
the world – the two recent periods cited above being the exception. Now
there is a real problem, with the FAO calculating that some 60% people
across the world who face hunger live in countries <a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/climate-peril-race-against-time">experiencing</a> conflict or climate change, or both at once.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The effect of conflict on food <a href="https://www.fews.net/">availability</a>,
as in the many irregular wars of recent years, is clear enough. Here,
some countries are able eventually to see a degree of peace restored,
while others continue to be consumed by violence and as a result suffer
deep food insecurity (see <a href="http://www.ibtauris.com/Books/Society%20%20social%20sciences/Politics%20%20government/Political%20activism/Armed%20conflict/Irregular%20War%20Islamic%20State%20and%20the%20New%20Threat%20from%20the%20Margins.aspx?menuitem=%7BE8A98B5E-F20B-476E-8EE5-B1C4BE955AD3%7D"><em>Irregular War: ISIS and the New Threat from the Margins</em></a> [IB Tauris, 2016]).</b></i><br />
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<i><b><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/i-wish-we-didnt-have-ask"><img alt="A free and independent press is essential to the health of a functioning democracy" class="caption-processed" height="230" src="https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/users/user18439/the-bronx-quote_0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; vertical-align: middle;" width="690" /></a></b></i><br />
</div>
</div>
</div>
<i><b>But what seems to be most
significant today, and increasingly accepted within the FAO and other
agencies, is that climate change is becoming a permanent reality
affecting food supplies in many parts of the world. It is not something
for the future, but is happening now (see "<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/climate-disruption-new-reality">Climate disruption, the new reality</a>", 19 May 2016).</b></i><br />
<h2>
<i><strong>Time to act</strong></i></h2>
<i><b>Since the early 1990s It has been recognised that climate change is
an asymmetric process, which is likely to lead to a progressive drying
out of the tropical and sub-tropical regions. <a href="https://www.giss.nasa.gov/staff/drind.html">David Rind’s</a>
seminal article was a vital early contribution for the non-specialist,
in emphasising less that global rainfall was decreasing and more that
this rainfall was tending to fall over the oceans and polar regions (see
"<a href="https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14619764-500-drying-out-the-tropics/">Drying out the Tropics</a>", <em>New Scientist</em>,
6 May 1995). Since the tropics and sub-tropics provide much of the food
for the whole world, the implications of a fall in the
carrying-capacity of the croplands would be progressive and, ultimately,
catastrophic (see "<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/conflict/article_864.jsp">Climate change and global security</a>", 2 January 2003).</b></i><br />
<div class="mag-quote-left">
<i><b>Climate change is an asymmetric process, which
is likely to lead to a progressive drying out of the tropical and
sub-tropical regions.</b></i></div>
<i><b>As with so many aspects of climate change, little was done at a
global level in light of this knowledge. The world is now witnessing the
results. The degree of vulnerability is shown by the relative
availability of renewable water resources in different parts of the
world. An FAO <a href="http://www.ipsnews.net/2017/07/mideast-water-use-innovations-crucial-face-climate-change/">analysis</a> puts it bluntly:</b></i><br />
<i><b>“In the Near East and North Africa region, the per capita renewable
water availability is around 600 cubic metres per person per year – only
10 per cent of the world average –and drops to just 100 cubic metres in
some countries…” </b></i><br />
<i><b>With financial support and political commitment, there are many ways for food-producing communities to <a href="https://opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/climate-disruption-south-gets-real">adapt </a>in
some degree to a decline in rainfall. The tactics might include really
substantial improvements in water conservation, changes in the crops
being grown and greater use of drought-tolerant <a href="http://www.scidev.net/sub-saharan-africa/farming/news/drought-tolerant-maize-improves-yields-in-13-countries.html">varieties</a>.
These are necessary and buy time, but only up to a point. They will
only realise their potential in the long term if the root cause of
climate change – carbon emissions – is addressed. There is no <a href="https://opendemocracy.net/article/conflicts/global_security/century_change">escape</a> from the need for a rapid reduction in such emissions. </b></i><br />
<i><b>The increasing migratory flows across the Mediterranean towards
southern Europe, and through other routes, are already featuring on the
news agenda. These will become a familiar daily story in the coming
months. Yet there is currently little evidence that western governments
recognise their long-term significance and growing <a href="https://qz.com/605609/the-climate-change-refugee-crisis-is-only-just-beginning/">connection</a> to climate change (see "<a href="https://www.opendemocracy.net/paul-rogers/mediterranean-dreams-climate-realities">Mediterranean dreams, climate realities</a>", 23 April 2015). </b></i><br />
<i><b>What is happening now is a marker for much greater pressures as
climate change translates into climate disruption. If that is grasped in
a strategic way, the urgent need to curb carbon emissions will become
unavoidable.</b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/author/paul-rogers"><img alt="Paul Rogers" class="caption-processed" height="65" src="https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_bio_small/public/screen_shot_2012-12-13_at_11.56.43_am.png?itok=bv5oH0xl" width="65" /></a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="https://www.commondreams.org/author/paul-rogers"><strong>Paul Rogers</strong></a> is professor in the <a href="http://www.brad.ac.uk/acad/peace/">department of peace studies</a>
at Bradford University, northern England. He is OpenDemocracy's
international-security editor, and has been writing a weekly column on
global security since 28 September 2001; he also writes a monthly
briefing for the <a href="http://oxfordresearchgroup.org.uk/">Oxford Research Group</a>. His books include <a href="http://eu.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-0745641962,subjectCd-PO34,descCd-authorInfo.html"><em>Why We’re Losing the War on Terror</em> </a>(Polity, 2007), and <a href="http://www.plutobooks.com/display.asp?K=9780745329376&"><em>Losing Control: Global Security in the 21st Century</em> </a>(Pluto Press, 3rd edition, 2010). He is on twitter at: <span class="screen-name screen-name-ProfPRogers pill">@ProfPRogers</span></b></i></div>
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jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-36153074828530005192017-08-22T14:20:00.002-07:002017-08-22T14:20:13.245-07:00To Protect Our Planet and Revitalize Our Economy, We Need a Climate Conservation Corps
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<i>To Protect Our Planet and Revitalize Our Economy, We Need a Climate Conservation Corps</i></h1>
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<i><b><a class="non-delete" href="https://www.commondreams.org/views/2017/08/03/protect-our-planet-and-revitalize-our-economy-we-need-climate-conservation-corps?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=printfriendly&utm_source=tool" id="pf-src-url"><img class="non-delete" src="https://s2.googleusercontent.com/s2/favicons?domain=www.commondreams.org" /> <strong class="non-delete">www.commondreams.org</strong>/views/2017/08/03/protect-our-planet-and-revitalize-our-economy-we-need-climate-conservation-corps</a></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Bob Dylan famously sang that “you don’t need a
weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” We could update Dylan’s
adage to say that in 2017, you don’t need a climatologist to see we’re
in the midst of an ecological crisis. By way of review: 2016 was the
hottest year on record. Before that, the hottest year was 2015. Before
that, it was 2014. In fact, <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/18/world/2016-hottest-year/">16 of the 17 hottest years on record</a> have occurred since the year 2000. The warming is having dramatic consequences. At the poles, sea ice coverage is at a <a href="http://nsidc.org/arcticseaicenews/2016/12/arctic-and-antarctic-at-record-low-levels/">record low</a>. The world’s coral reefs are experiencing a <a href="http://time.com/4701776/global-warming-coral-reefs/">dramatic die-off</a>. In my home state of New Mexico, we are experiencing <a href="http://nmpoliticalreport.com/339061/while-nm-continues-warming-leadership-wont-come-from-feds-state-en/">record high temperatures, deadly dust storms, and wildfire evacuations</a>.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>As serious as these environmental challenges
are, they understandably take a back seat to more immediate economic
concerns. Unemployment is still a major concern in many parts of our
country. Middle class incomes <a href="https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/the-american-middle-class-hasnt-gotten-a-raise-in-15-years/">have stagnated</a> even as college tuition <a href="http://college.usatoday.com/2017/06/09/private-college-tuition-is-rising-faster-than-inflation-again/">has skyrocketed</a>. Families are increasingly living <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2016/05/my-secret-shame/476415/">paycheck-to-paycheck</a>. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>In an age of drones and self-driving cars, the situation is only <a href="http://www.mckinsey.com/global-themes/digital-disruption/harnessing-automation-for-a-future-that-works">going to get worse</a>. According to one study, <a href="http://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/downloads/academic/The_Future_of_Employment.pdf">47 percent of jobs</a> in the United States are at risk from automation in the next 20 years. No less a technophile than Bill Gates <a href="https://qz.com/911968/bill-gates-the-robot-that-takes-your-job-should-pay-taxes/">has suggested</a> a “robot tax” to slow automation, fund worker retraining efforts, and expand public employment.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Faced with these enormous economic and
environmental challenges, we need to think big. Luckily, there is an
elegant solution to both problems, with precedent in U.S. history. The
solution is to create a Climate Conservation Corps to put Americans to
work fighting climate change.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>In 1933, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt took
office, the Great Depression was at its nadir. Less often remembered is
that the nation was experiencing an ecological crisis. Forest coverage
was <a href="https://www.fia.fs.fed.us/slides/major-trends.pdf">at all time lows</a>. Overplanting and overgrazing were contributing to <a href="https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/naldc/download.xhtml?id=CAT87212611&content=PDF">dramatic soil erosion</a>, foreshadowing the Dust Bowl. President Roosevelt <a href="http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=14596">establishe</a>d the Civilian Conservation Corps in response to these exigencies. Between 1933 and 1942, the CCC employed <a href="https://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/article/the-new-deal-and-climate-change/">more than 3 million young men</a>, who planted nearly 3 billion trees, developed 800 new state parks, and constructed 13,000 miles of hiking trails. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/ccc/salmond/chap6.htm">Many</a> <a href="https://www.thesolutionsjournal.com/article/the-new-deal-and-climate-change/">historians</a> <a href="http://www.foresthistory.org/publications/FHT/FHT1996/CCC.pdf">rank</a>
the CCC as the most popular of all the New Deal programs. Nonetheless,
Congress terminated it upon the onset of World War II. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>Since the Great Recession, a <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303738504575568122743023374">number</a> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/30/opinion/30herbert.html">of</a> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/10/opinion/10herbert.html">prominent</a> <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-reich/corporate-profit_b_1117741.html?ref=yahoo&ir=Yahoo">commentators</a> have argued for bringing it back. Progressive members of Congress have also shown an interest in <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/111th-congress/house-bill/4318/text">the</a> idea. Unsurprisingly, commentators have <a href="https://www.printfriendly.com/print?url_s=uGGCF_%7E_PdN_%7E_PcS_%7E_PcSJJJmpBzzBAqErnzFmBEt_%7E_PcSIvrJF_%7E_PcScabh_%7E_PcSai_%7E_PcSad_%7E_PcSCEBGrpG-BHE-CynArG-nAq-ErIvGnyvMr-BHE-rpBABzL-Jr-Arrq-pyvznGr-pBAFrEInGvBA-pBECF_%7E_PdSHGz_pnzCnvtA_%7E_PdQFunErnuByvp_%7E_PcgHGz_zrqvHz_%7E_PdQCEvAGsEvrAqyL_%7E_PcgHGz_FBHEpr_%7E_PdQGBBy">argued</a> that a reconstituted CCC should focus on the battle against climate change. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>The obvious place for such a program to begin
would be with energy efficiency. Energy efficiency has the potential to
save consumers a tremendous amount of money while greatly reducing
emissions. In 2009, the McKinsey consulting firm <a href="https://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/07/29/mckinsey-report-cites-12-trillion-in-potential-savings-from-energy-efficiency/">estimated</a>
that an aggressive approach to energy efficiency could save U.S.
consumers nearly $600 billion while preventing 1.1 billion tons of CO2
(the <a href="https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator">annual emissions</a>
of 320 coal-fired power plants). Investing in energy efficiency makes
particular sense because it is rapidly growing sector of the economy
that is limited by employers’ difficulty finding qualified employees.
According to <a href="https://energy.gov/articles/doe-releases-second-annual-national-energy-employment-analysis-0">the Department of Energy</a>,
the U.S economy could support an additional 3 million construction jobs
in this sector, but over 80 percent of employers reported difficulty
finding qualified employees. A Climate Conservation Corps could remove a
key impediment to this sector’s growth by training and deploying a new
generation of workers.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>State and local governments are leading the way. Since 2013, the California Conservation Corps has <a href="http://2015.utilityforum.org/Data/Sites/1/media/presentations/McNamara-CCC-Energy-Corps.pdf">employed</a> young adults and recently returned veterans to perform energy audits and simple retrofits at schools, <a href="http://www.ccc.ca.gov/work/programs/AmeriCorpsPrograms/CalEnergyServiceCorps/Pages/CalEnergyServiceCorps.aspx">low-income</a> homes, and <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sierra/home/?cid=STELPRD3831821">national forest</a> facilities. Minnesota had put AmeriCorps participants <a href="http://www.conservationcorps.org/americorps-home-energy-squad/">to work</a>
in residences, installing smart thermostats and power strips, CFL light
bulbs, door weather stripping, and other energy-saving technologies. A
number of <a href="http://www.energizect.com/mayor-bill-finch%E2%80%99s-conservation-corps-launches-energy-saving-initiative-mclevy-green">cities</a> <a href="http://www.newhavenindependent.org/index.php/archives/entry/teens_in_green_canvas_for_energy_efficiency/">and</a> <a href="http://envst.utah.edu/internship-job/Utah%20Clean%20Energy%20-%20Utah%20Conservation%20Corps%20Posting.pdf">states</a> <a href="http://www.cyca.org/youth-corps-crew/">have</a> <a href="http://greenwa.org/knowledge/eastside-energy-corps-0">employed</a> <a href="http://www.cclb-corps.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/CCLB-AR-11-12.pdf">corps</a> <a href="http://www.fcgov.com/news/?id=5846">members</a> to perform similar tasks, or to educate members of the public about energy efficiency. The Department of Energy’s <a href="https://energy.gov/eere/wipo/about-weatherization-assistance-program-0">Weatherization Assistance Program</a>
provides another model. Since 1976, the DOE has worked with state and
local governments to perform audits and retrofits in low-income homes,
saving homeowners $340 million in a typical year while supporting 8,500
jobs. A Climate Conservation Corps could build upon this work on a much
larger scale.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Such a program would more than pay for itself in energy savings. It would also stimulate the economy as a whole. A <a href="http://acadiacenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ENE_ExecSum_EnergyEfficiencyEngineofEconomicGrowth_FINAL.pdf">2009 study</a>
found a ten-fold increase in economic activity for every dollar
invested in energy efficiency in New England. This stimulus effect was a
result of lower energy costs, which lead to increased consumer spending
and a reduction in the cost of doing business.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>The scope of the energy efficiency opportunity
is such that there would be little need to focus on anything else in
the near term. But the new CCC should be designed with sufficient
flexibility to take on other projects that contribute meaningfully to
the fight against climate change, have low capital costs, and are not
being undertaken by the private sector with sufficient alacrity.
Projects like solar panel manufacturing and installation,
reforestation, and wetland restoration might fit the bill.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>A public works program is not the only way to
reduce emissions while creating jobs: traditional pollution control
programs like the Clean Power Plan would also create <a href="https://insideclimatenews.org/carbon-copy/21042015/epa-clean-power-plan-will-create-quarter-million-jobs">hundreds of thousands of jobs</a>.
If more familiar mechanisms are capable of producing similar economic
and environmental benefits, one might question the need for a Climate
Conservation Corps. That would be misguided. Behavioral economists <a href="http://psych.hanover.edu/classes/cognition/papers/tversky81.pdf">have</a> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7070445">shown</a>
that the framing of policy options matters greatly. If a policy is
presented in a way that emphasizes its benefits, people are more likely
to favor it than if the same policy is presented in a way that
emphasizes its cost.</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Although programs like the Clean Power Plan
would create hundreds of thousands of jobs, they are not framed as
job-creating measures, and are not understood by the public as such. In
fact, many people <a href="https://qz.com/351842/the-us-economy-needs-smarter-regulations-not-fewer/">incorrectly</a> <a href="http://policyintegrity.org/files/media/Jobs_and_Regulation_Factsheet.pdf">assume</a>
that regulations lead to reduced employment. The Climate Conservation
Corps avoids this pitfall by emphasizing both environmental and
employment benefits. </b></i></div>
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<i><b>We should continue to advocate for measures
like the Clean Power Plan. But in the face of an existential crisis, we
need to try everything we can think of. We could do a lot worse than
to emulate the most popular program of the New Deal.</b></i></div>
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jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-55238053021369874672017-08-22T14:16:00.001-07:002017-08-22T14:16:57.463-07:00'Earth Is Exhausted': Humans Have Already Consumed the Planet's Annual Resources<div class="field field--name-field-subtitle field--type-text-long field--label-hidden">
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"The costs of this global ecological overspending are becoming increasingly evident around the world."</div>
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<img alt=""This means that in seven months, we emitted more carbon than the oceans and forests can absorb in a year, we caught more fish, felled more trees, harvested more, and consumed more water than the Earth was able to produce in the same period," World Wildlife Fund and Global Footprint Network said in a statement." class="caption-processed" height="500" src="https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_large/public/headlines/coal_plant_rhine_0.jpg?itok=eVckvTqb" width="955" /></div>
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"This
means that in seven months, we emitted more carbon than the oceans and
forests can absorb in a year, we caught more fish, felled more trees,
harvested more, and consumed more water than the Earth was able to
produce in the same period," World Wildlife Fund and Global Footprint
Network said in a statement. (Photo: <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/derguy/4586888887">Guy Gorek</a>/Flickr/cc)</div>
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With
several months left until the end of 2017, humans have already used up
more natural resources than the planet can regenerate in a year, making
today <a href="http://www.overshootday.org/">Earth Overshoot Day</a>. For the rest of the year, humanity is "<a href="https://twitter.com/foeeurope/status/892734716008378369">living on credit</a>."<br />
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"Humanity's carbon footprint alone more than doubled since the early 1970s." <br />—Mathis Wackernagel, Global Footprint Network</div>
"This means that in seven months, we emitted more carbon than the
oceans and forests can absorb in a year, we caught more fish, felled
more trees, harvested more, and consumed more water than the Earth was
able to produce in the same period," World Wildlife Fund and Global
Footprint Network <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/earth-overshoot-day-2-august-2017-year-planet-natural-resources-clean-water-soil-air-pollution-wwf-a7872086.html">said</a> in a statement.<br />
"The costs of this global ecological overspending are becoming increasingly evident around the world," the groups <a href="http://www.footprintnetwork.org/2017/06/27/earth-overshoot-day-2017-2/">added</a>,
"in the form of deforestation, drought, fresh-water scarcity, soil
erosion, biodiversity loss, and the buildup of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere."<br />
<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/08/08/humanity-just-ate-through-planets-annual-resource-budget-faster-ever">Last year</a>,
Earth Overshoot Day fell on August 8, an indication that the world's
population is accelerating the pace with which it blows through the
planet's annual resource budget from year to year.<br />
When viewed over the longer-term—Earth Overshoot Day has been marked
annually since 1983—the acceleration becomes even more glaring.<br />
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<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/i-wish-we-didnt-have-ask"><img alt="A free and independent press is essential to the health of a functioning democracy" class="caption-processed" height="230" src="https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/users/user18439/the-bronx-quote_0.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; vertical-align: middle;" width="690" /></a><br />
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According to environmental groups and <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/07/19/study-calls-rapid-negative-emissions-scientist-warns-shits-hitting-fan">climate scientists</a>,
Earth Overshoot Day is just one of many urgent indicators that only
rapid and systemic restructuring of our energy systems can reverse the
trends that continue to deplete and degrade the planet.<br />
"Humanity's carbon footprint alone more than doubled since the early
1970s and remains the fastest growing component of the widening gap
between the Ecological Footprint and the planet's biocapacity," Mathis
Wackernagel, CEO of Global Footprint Network, said in a <a href="http://www.footprintnetwork.org/2017/06/27/earth-overshoot-day-2017-2/">statement</a>. "To achieve the goals of the Paris Climate Accord, humanity would need to exit the fossil fuel economy before 2050."<br />
But recent moves by U.S. President Donald Trump have <a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/06/02/earth-trump-you-are-your-own">significantly undercut</a> hopes that the global community can work together to accomplish this necessarily ambitious transformation.<br />
"<span class="m_first-letter m_first-letter--flagged">I</span>mperfect
as it may be, the Paris Climate Accord generated global goodwill and
hope that humanity was ready at last to tackle its biggest challenge
yet," writes <em>The Telegraph</em>'s Patrick Scott. "However, the deal
suffered a huge blow in June when Trump announced his plans to withdraw
from the agreement."<br />
According to the Global Footprint Network, if everyone lived like the
U.S. population, we would need five Earths to sustain the level of
consumption.<br />
<img alt="(Image Source: Global Footprint Network)" class="caption-processed" height="485" src="https://www.commondreams.org/sites/default/files/users/user20544/screen_shot_2017-08-02_at_11.26.58_am_0.png" width="763" /></div>
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jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-46890244430441962752017-08-22T14:14:00.000-07:002017-08-22T14:14:03.645-07:00Total Solar Eclipse Awes Onlookers Across United States: 8.21.2017 see url:<br />
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<a href="https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/21/total-solar-eclipse-awes-onlookers-across-united-states">https://www.commondreams.org/news/2017/08/21/total-solar-eclipse-awes-onlookers-across-united-states</a>jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-55538099322046464182016-07-16T10:36:00.003-07:002016-07-16T10:38:05.495-07:00Flags at Half Mast???<div dir="ltr">
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<i><b>FLAGS AT HALF MAST??? RE: lemmings over the cliff..... july 114 20016</b></i><br />
<i><b>------------------------------<wbr></wbr>------------------------------<wbr></wbr>------------------------------<wbr></wbr>---------------------------</b></i></div>
<i><b>letter to the editor:</b></i><br />
<br />
<br />
</div>
<i><b>So, 5 fat, donut eating fascist texas pigs (and lets call them 'pigs', for that's what they are..)</b></i></div>
<i><b>get killed in dallas, texas recently and we fly all the flags at half mast???</b></i></div>
<i><b>Gimme
a break! How many americans die of bee stings, lightning strikes and
car crashes in this country every day? hundreds, thousands, perhaps??</b></i><br />
<br />
</div>
<i><b>And what of the 150,000 men, women and children who die EVERY DAY on this planet</b></i></div>
<i><b>from hunger, starvation, disease and malnutrition due primarily to AMERICAN corporate</b></i></div>
<i><b>and governmental policy and exploitation worldwide?</b></i><br />
<br />
</div>
<i><b>Why don't we just fly the flag at half mast ALL THE FUCKING TIME???</b></i><br />
<br />
</div>
<i><b>Bet yet, why don't we just BURN all these chinese made red, white and blue blood drenched</b></i></div>
<i><b>symbols
of death and destruction? Most of you american brain dead idiot scum
fucking morons allow the the New NAZI GESTAPO (the Dept of Homeland
Security's TSA) to sexually molest your wives and your daughters at our
airports and enter their naked biometric full body scans into their
national security state databases anyways. Goodbye 4th amendment,.</b></i><br />
<br />
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<i><b>Most of you jellyfish wouldn't know the first thing about preserving, upholding and protecting</b></i></div>
<i><b>true freedom and liberty in this country!</b></i><br />
<br />
</div>
<i><b>How
many of you cowering, peanut brained, wishy washy, idiot Americans
allow the federal government to run ILLEGAL background checks on your
firearm purchases, when the 2nd amendment clearly states that the right
to keep and bear arms SHALL NOT BE INFRINGED!?!?</b></i></div>
<i><b>Goodbye 2nd amendment...</b></i><br />
<br />
</div>
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>How
many of you "soccer moms" allow local, state and federal police state
goons to turn your libraries and your schools into prison camps,
complete with prison style surveillance cameras, locked gates and steel
bar perimeter fences (all in the name of "safety" and "security" for the
children, of course...)</b></i></div>
<div>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i><b>Most of
you sick, perverted, pathetic American flag waving idiot scum are so
diseased you keep voting in the same corporate duopololistic,
militarized mafia police state filth whose sole intent is to enslave you
and your family and confiscate everything you own, leaving you
impoverished and in debt to them for the rest of your lives...</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i><b>You're
finished America. Gone is your 2nd and 4th amendments that kept you
free from state tyranny. Gone now is your 1st amendment right to free
speech, proven by the fact that this little editorial letter will be
duly censored and crushed by the fascist corporate media complex. It is
precisely this failure to provide balance, justice and correction into
the national consciousness that has led to the current judgement and
damnation of this nation and most of its people...</b></i></div>
<i><b>Bye, bye miss american pie. May you rust in peace.</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b><br /></b></i></div>
<i><b>renee dupree</b></i><br />
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<i><b><img class="CToWUd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgM-6G29QwDnR_iGf5i_4xWbaPE4oA4yigmY8dW0-A3PjniMofUB3zrQTr2qBIK4TII9OdVFkoIxAnoAYImBgdFsF-Ow2BGMEnu5JqaFdoX3yYdPaIhEBR4qumFauTSXmODBQBUzr3WMQGp122wkQSaSiJgXxkYKfUM99Rq=s0-d-e1-ft" /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>lone pine, california<br /><br /><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=https://youtu.be/G2-Wp7D7BVk&source=gmail&ust=1468776781880000&usg=AFQjCNGCuI3LH4jx9yWdmaFArKEJHensGg" href="https://youtu.be/G2-Wp7D7BVk" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/G2-Wp7D7BVk</a><br /><br />------------------------------<wbr></wbr>------------------------------<wbr></wbr>------------------------------<wbr></wbr>------------------------------<wbr></wbr>---------------</b></i></div>
</div>
<i><b>keywords:
EMP strike, Electromagnetic pulse, supervolcanoe explosion, north
korean nuclear strike, famine, civil war, asteroid strike, fukushima
radiation, drought, desertification, forest fires, floods, snowmageddon,
ice age, economic collapse, financial ruin, starvation, mark of the
beast</b></i></div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-73776445297149021352016-03-02T10:18:00.002-08:002016-03-02T10:18:54.246-08:00Sedona Arizona Desecration<div dir="ltr">
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">1 March 2016</span></b></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">It's time to put an END to the balloons, helicopters, fleets of pink jeeps<br />
And ATV,s that are desecrating Sedona,s wilderness areas.</span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">The wilderness commons are being abused by money hungry tourist<br />
Outfits that our filling our skies with noisy planes, repeated
helicopter fly- overs and invasive morning balloon flights. There are
so many helicopters flying over our red rock country that it feels like
we,re in Vietnam. There,s no place one can hike or bike in Sedona,s
sacred wilderness without being visually and auditorially assaulted by
noisy<br />
Tourist fly-overs and jeep/ATV incursions.</span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">If this desecration and insanity is not put to an END willingly, then it will<br />
Be put to an END by force. By force, I mean by an economic collapse,
which is now quickly coming down the pike in America. The town of
Sedona needs to radically scale back the invasive tourist industry here
and instead work to build a local economy based on renewable solar
energy (we have lots of sun) and locally produced organic food (we can
plant fruit and nuts trees everywhere). Let's us also work to
completely terminate all gas-guzzling cars and SUV,s from our streets.</span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">It's time for the town of Sedona to shift to a car-free
transportation grid within its city limits. That means shifting to
walking, bicycling, electric vehicles and frequent electric free
shuttles up and down main st. In the municipality of Zermatt,
Switzerland, they have banned all cars from their town. Automobiles are
parked 5 miles away in large parking lots with easy access to Zermatt
via frequent rail service. There,s no reason Sedona can,t do the same
and end the insanity on main St that only causes gridlock, congestion,
frustration, chaos and pollution of our local environment.</span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Who wouldn't,t like to stroll down main st in peace,
solitude and quiet reverence, while enjoying the trees, the birds
singing, talking to our neighbors, taking in the sun and enjoying the
spectacular red rock beauty of nature all around us, without all the
noise, chaos and insanity that the automobile brings to our environment?</span></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">This invasive tourist based industry needs to terminated.
Our nation and our world are being transformed into intelligently
designed transportation<br />
Grids and green, sustainable modalities of living and being. The
quantum shift towards the establishment of ecologically based
communities is already underway. Clean water, clean and abundant
locally produced organic food, free energy and healthy, upright
communities are our birthright on this planet. Let's us all now work to
put an end to the tourist cancer that is destroying our local community
and learn to build the sustainable, green, wilderness protecting
community we all are longing to live-in.</span></b></i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
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<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">Steve Jones<br />
Global environmentalist<br />
Sedona Arizona</span></b></i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
</span></b></i>
<div dir="ltr">
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">saving the planet:</span></b></i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<a href="http://stp.neocities.org/"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">http://stp.neocities.org</span></b></i></a>
</div>
<i><b><span style="font-size: small;">
==============================</span></b></i><br />
<div dir="ltr">
<wbr></wbr><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">============</span></b></i></div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-36898083368744285012016-01-20T10:55:00.002-08:002016-01-20T11:03:25.537-08:00ET From My Perspective/New Paradigm Institute<div class="mail-header">
<h1 id="id456">
ET From my Perspective</h1>
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From:
</dt>
<dd id="id457">"busty theseal" <bustytheseal774@gmail.com></dd>
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To:
</dt>
<dd id="id458">info@newparadigminstitute.org</dd>
<dt>
Cc:
</dt>
<dd id="id459">galaxystar1@yandex.com, galaxystar1@india.com, galaxystar1@usa.com, info@romeroinstitute.org</dd>
<dt>
Date:
</dt>
<dd>Jan 20, 2016 11:30:20 AM</dd></dl>
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<div>
Daniel Sheehan 21 Jan 2016</div>
New Paradigm Institute</div>
Berkeley, California </div>
USA</div>
Greetings-<br />
<br /></div>
Enclosed
is my contribution to your project at the New Paradigm Institute. You
probably won't agree with it, but, who knows, maybe you will. I hope
you will, at least, honor and respect my contribution regarding my
perspective on ET nonetheless.<br />
<br /></div>
I've been a social activist
for many years (see my bio at the end of all my online books), as i know
you have been these past many years. In this high regard, i believe we
are on the same page.</div>
I just see the resolution to the many
crises' in human and celestial affairs in a different light, perhaps.
Everybody is seeing and experiencing things from different perspectives
and angles.</div>
Yet, i'm sure you will agree that it is in the
diversity of all viewpoints that the truth can ultimately be found.
That is why i always honor different, and many times, controversial
perspectives on subjects of interest. I have made intellectual and
spiritual 180 degree turnarounds more than once in my lifetime.<br />
<br /></div>
This
subject of aliens and ET's is a very lofty intellectual and spiritual
inquiry. As i noted in my submission (below), it is a gateway issue
into many exciting and cutting edge intellectual, technological and
spiritual perspectives and developments on Earth. Time travel,
telepathy, teleportation, interdimensional and supra-dimensional life
and intelligence, non-human/non-physical life forms, hyperdimensional
physics, scriptural eschatology, consciousness, advanced cosmic
civilizations, soul evolution, life after death, remote viewing, the
quest for immortality etc... are all extremely fascinating subjects to
behold and to pursue. One thing is for sure, these are definately
exciting, enlightening and revolutionary times to be living in!<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
The overall thrust of my submission incorporates and includes most, if not all, of these issues. Yet, they </div>
would
have to be fleshed out in due course, obviously. Lastly, it is my
sincere hope that this submission will add an important plank</div>
into the discussion regarding our collective ability as a species to come to grips with ET.<br />
<br /></div>
Peace,<br />
<br /></div>
Steve Jones</div>
aka- Jonas the Prophet</div>
Sedona Arizona</div>
USA<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Website:</div>
jonah(dot)50megs(dot)com<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
***NOTE-
For more background and detail on my perspective on ET and other
tangential issues, i refer you to my "online bookz" section in the above
website link. This submission is also the introduction to my latest
online book entitled, "The Alien Agenda".<br />
<br />
<br />
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</div>
MY PERSPECTIVE ON ET:<br />
<br />
<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="184245709_aa0"></a></i><br />
<h3>
<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="184245709_aa0">
<i>The
alien, ufo, extraterrestrial enigma is a gateway phenomenon that opens
doors to many of life's most existential questions regarding life and
the nature of reality. Mankind's purpose, destiny and evolution as a
species is intimately entwined in his search for life beyond earth. <br />
The search for a new paradigm of human existence has evolved and spread
its creative inquiry into many areas of spiritual, scientific and
intellectual pursuit. Some of these vectors include: remote viewing,
out of body experiences, near death experiences, psychic and paranormal
phenomenon, lucid dreaming, the quest for immortality, astral travel,
time travel, teleportation and the development of a coherent scientific
new physics that points to the fact that we live in a multidimensional
universe. <br /> On the outer, more dense physical level, this quest has
been translated into the search for exoplanets, the development of
anti-gravitic and hyperdimensional space craft and travel and, of
course, the search for life extension technology in the hopes of merging
man with machine, otherwise known as transhumanism. <br /> After much
research, meditation and discernment regarding the world's scientific
and spiritual pursuits, I have come to the conclusion that we are
primarily embedded in a monotheistic (belief in one God) cosmology of
creation and evolution. This is not to discount or disregard the
truths, laws, paths, teachings and enlightenment found in Buddhism,
Hinduism, Taoism etc... however, i believe that the highest fullfillment
and discovery of ultimate truth is to be found primarily in the great
monotheistic texts and religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.<br /><br /> * * *<br /><br />
Scientifically, I have come to the conclusion that the entirety of all
monotheistic scripture, religion and faith collectively comprises the
revelation, existence and proof of a highly advanced extraterrestrial
civilization intervening in the destiny and affairs of mankind. This
truth represents a quantum leap, or revolution, in human consciousness
and perception, unifying both science and religion in the common quest
and confirmation of life and existence beyond our world.<br /> On the
ground, this has translated into numerous sightings of UFO's, ET craft
and hyperdimensional apparitions over the years. However, it is my
conclusion that the majority of these experiences are demonic in nature
and originate within the fallen angelic hierarchy of angels who fell
with Lucifer in the Fall as recorded in all monotheistic scripture.<br />
Yes, these sightings and experiences are highly intelligent, embued
with superior cunning and craft, and are most likely able to harness the
hyperdimensional attributes of the multiverse to their own full
advantage. The jury is still out though, from my perspective, on the
nature of the "craft" they seem to be operating out of. It is possible
they transport themselves in highly advanced hyperdimensional
super-luminal craft, however, this could be a deception. They could be
using this image to mask or hide their real appearance and take on a
more terrestrial cloak so as to mimic many of the highly advanced
terrestrial 'black budget' anti-gravitic craft that have been developed
by the military-industrial-intelligence-security complex these past
decades.<br /> Regarding exopolitics and our relations with these beings, I
believe Alfred Webre and his books detailing his understanding of the
"Omniverse" is particularly revelatory and pertinent to our evolving
consciousness in this new paradigmatic cosmological understanding. Mr
Webre has theorized that in addition to a physical universe embedded
within a multidimensional multiverse, there also exists a highest
dimensional spiritual universe of sorts that includes supra-dimensional
extraterrestrial life forms, as well as an all encompassing "all that
is" reality that factors in the existence of a supreme being, or God.<br />
Hence, the configuration of an Omniverse of cosmic creation- all
inclusive, all encompassing and holographically omnipresent everywhere
at all times. The physical, interdimensional and supradimensional
spiritual domains are all included in this new omniverse cosmology.<br /><br /> * * *<br /><br />
In my estimation, the ET's or aliens we are witnessing today
externalizing into our physical space/time continuum originate within
the fallen angelic kingdom, which is primarily based in a higher
hyperdimensional plane of existence (from the 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th
dimensions if one recognizes a 7th dimensional multiverse model). They
are dark, malevolent, treacherous, malicious, cunning, highly
intelligent and insidiously evil to the very core, of this there can now
be no doubt. Their task has been to not only feed off the psychic
energy of terrestrial mankind, but to direct its evolution towards a
state of being completely contrary to the natural evolutionary impulse
and trajectory as provided by the Creator (God). Thus, it must be duly
noted that the true Alien Agenda of our time is one of deceit,
deception and ultimate destruction on a massive scale with regards to
humanity's future.<br /> Masking themselves as benevolent aliens, ET's
and interdimensional beings from distant star systems (which may very
well be true, depending on the level of quarantine they are under) they
are, in fact, devils and demonic creatures of the highest order- that
includes both light and dark catagorizations. It must always be
remembered that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Today,
they are hell-bent on enslaving humanity- with the coming "mark of the
beast" (see Revelations 13)- through the humans they control, overshadow
and influence, particularly via the upper echelons of the International
Jewish Rothschild Banking Cartel based in the European Union, the
projected HQ of future world government.<br /> There will be NO PEACE on
this planet until ALL of these fallen angelic creatures are overthrown
and permanently removed from off the face of this planet for all time.
The Kingdom of Heaven, the most highly advanced alien or ET
interdimensional/supradimensional civilization in known existence- from
which the fallen Luciferian angelic rebellion came forth- is slated to
completely overthrown and punish (in Hell) those fallen
alien/extraterrestrial beings who have caused so much pain, suffering,
misery, death and destruction among mankind these past many millennia.
Judgement Day is the appointed time for all. This has been written
down, prophesized and recorded all throughout monotheistic scripture;
in the Torah, the Gospel and the Koran, as well as in the Book of
Enoch.<br /><br /> * * *<br /><br /> In conclusion, the Alien Agenda before us
presents Mankind with its very first CONTACT with extraterrestrial life.
Albeit, demonic, malevolent and fallen, it is first contact
nonetheless. It is my humble opinion that this new ET contact motif
will be used to unify Mankind at the end of days. These fallen
creatures will be seen as "gods" come down to rescue a fallen and
self-destructive humanity and will most likely be embraced by the
majority as such. Hence, an emerging platform for an alien savior to
arise, proclaim himself "god" on the Holy Temple Mount in Jerusalem,
and bring all to serve, honor and ultimately worship him as such.
There can be no other doubt that this will be the dreaded Antichrist
found in the Book of Revelations.</i></a></i></h3>
<i><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="184245709_aa0">
</a></i>jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-50333211104274430522015-05-08T09:52:00.003-07:002015-05-08T09:52:52.342-07:00Faith-Based Organizations Warn of Impending Nuclear Disaster
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<i>Faith-Based
Organizations Warn of Impending Nuclear Disaster | Common Dreams |
Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community</i></h1>
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<i><b><a href="http://commondreams.org/news/2015/05/08/faith-based-organizations-warn-impending-nuclear-disaster" id="pf-src-url"><img alt="site-icon" id="pf-src-icon" src="http://s2.googleusercontent.com/s2/favicons?domain=commondreams.org" /><strong>commondreams.org</strong>/news/2015/05/08/faith-based-organizations-warn-impending-nuclear-disaster</a></b></i></div>
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<i>Faith-Based Organizations Warn of Impending Nuclear Disaster</i></h1>
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<i><b><span class="date-display-single">Friday, May 08, 2015</span></b></i></div>
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<i>Faith-Based Organizations Warn of Impending Nuclear Disaster</i></h1>
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<i><b><a class="" href="http://commondreams.org/author/thalif-deen-ips-news">Thalif Deen, IPS News</a></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Dr. Emily Welty from WCC delivers the interfaith joint statement at the NPT Review Conference. (Credit: Kimiaki Kawai/ SGI)</b></i></div>
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<i><b>As the month-long review conference on the Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Treaty (NPT) continued into its second week, a coalition of some 50
faith-based organizations (FBOs), anti-nuclear peace activists and civil
society organizations (CSOs) was assigned an unenviable task: a brief
three-minute presentation warning the world of the disastrous
humanitarian consequences of a nuclear attack.<span></span></b></i><br />
<i><b>Accomplishing this feat within a rigid time frame, Dr. Emily Welty of
the World Council of Churches (WCC) did not mince her words.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Speaking on behalf of the coalition, she told delegates: “We raise
our voices in the name of sanity and the shared values of humanity. We
reject the immorality of holding whole populations hostage, threatened
with a cruel and miserable death.”</b></i><br />
<i><b>And she urged the world’s political leaders to muster the courage
needed to break the deepening spirals of mistrust that undermine the
viability of human societies and threaten humanity’s shared future.</b></i><br />
<i><b>She said nuclear weapons are incompatible with the values upheld by
respective religious traditions – the right of people to live in
security and dignity; the commands of conscience and justice; the duty
to protect the vulnerable and to exercise the stewardship that will
safeguard the planet for future generations.</b></i><br />
<i><b>“Nuclear weapons manifest a total disregard for all these values and
commitments,” she declared, warning there is no countervailing
imperative – whether of national security, stability in international
power relations, or the difficulty of overcoming political inertia –
that justifies their continued existence, much less their use.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Led by Peter Prove, director, Commission of the Churches on
International Affairs, World Council of Churches, Susi Snyder, Nuclear
Disarmament Program Manager PAX and Hirotsugu Terasaki, executive
director of Peace Affairs, Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the
coalition also included Global Security Institute, Islamic Society of
North America, United Church of Christ, Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Pax
Christi USA and United Religions Initiative.</b></i><br />
<i><b>SGI, one of the relentless advocates of nuclear disarmament, was
involved in three international conferences on the Humanitarian Impact
of Nuclear Weapons (in Oslo, Norway in March 2013; Nayarit, Mexico in
February 2014; and Vienna, Austria, December 2014), and also
participated in two inter-faith dialogues on nuclear disarmament (in
Washington DC, and Vienna over the last two years).</b></i><br />
<i><b>At both meetings, inter-faith leaders jointly called for the abolition of all nuclear weapons.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The current NPT review conference, which began Apr. 27, is scheduled
to conclude May 22, perhaps with an “outcome document” – if it is
adopted by consensus.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The review conference also marks the 70th anniversary of the U.S.
nuclear attack on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the
end of World War II.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Since August 1945, when both cities were subjected to atomic attacks,
Dr Welty told delegates, the continued existence of nuclear weapons has
forced humankind to live in the shadow of apocalyptic destruction.</b></i><br />
<i><b>“Their use would not only destroy the past fruits of human
civilization, it would disfigure the present and consign future
generations to a grim fate.”</b></i><br />
<i><b>For decades, the coalition of FBOs said, the obligation and
responsibility of all states to eliminate these weapons of mass
destruction has been embodied in Article VI of the Treaty on the
Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).</b></i><br />
<i><b>But progress toward the fulfillment of this repeatedly affirmed commitment has been too slow – and today almost imperceptible.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Instead, ongoing modernization programs of the world’s nuclear
arsenals is diverting vast resources from limited government budgets
when public finances are hard-pressed to meet the needs of human
security.</b></i><br />
<i><b>“This situation is unacceptable and cannot be permitted to continue,” the coalition said.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The London Economist pointed out recently that every nuclear power is spending “lavishly to upgrade its atomic arsenal.”</b></i><br />
<i><b>Russia’s defence budget has increased by over 50 percent since 2007, a
third of it earmarked for nuclear weapons: twice the share of France.</b></i><br />
<i><b>China is investing in submarines and mobile missile batteries while
the United States is seeking Congressional approval for 350 billion
dollars for the modernization of its nuclear arsenal.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The world’s five major nuclear powers are the United States, Britain,
France, China and Russia – and the non-declared nuclear powers include
India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The coalition pledged to: communicate within respective faith
communities the inhumane and immoral nature of nuclear weapons and the
unacceptable risks they pose, working within and among respective faith
traditions to raise awareness of the moral imperative to abolish nuclear
weapons; and continue to support international efforts to ban nuclear
weapons on humanitarian grounds and call for the early commencement of
negotiations by states on a new legal instrument to prohibit nuclear
weapons in a forum open to all states and blockable by none.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The coalition also called on the world’s governments to: heed the
voices of the world’s hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) urging the
abolition of nuclear weapons, whose suffering must never be visited on
any other individual, family or society; take to heart the realities
clarified by successive international conferences on the humanitarian
impact of nuclear weapons; take concrete action leading to the complete
elimination of nuclear weapons, consistent with existing obligations
under the NPT; and associate themselves with the pledge delivered at the
Vienna Conference and pursue effective measures to fill the legal gap
for the prohibition and elimination of nuclear weapons.</b></i><br />
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jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-46652914196323503832015-05-08T09:51:00.003-07:002015-05-08T09:51:25.604-07:00NSA Phone Surveillance Illegal, Federal Court Rules
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<i>NSA Phone Surveillance Illegal, Federal Court Rules</i></h1>
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<i><b><a href="http://commondreams.org/news/2015/05/07/nsa-phone-surveillance-illegal-federal-court-rules" id="pf-src-url"><img alt="site-icon" id="pf-src-icon" src="http://s2.googleusercontent.com/s2/favicons?domain=commondreams.org" /><strong>commondreams.org</strong>/news/2015/05/07/nsa-phone-surveillance-illegal-federal-court-rules</a></b></i></div>
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<i><b>Published on </b></i></div>
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<i><b><span class="date-display-single">Thursday, May 07, 2015</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b>by</b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="http://www.commondreams.org/">Common Dreams</a></b></i></div>
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<h1 class="node__title managed-node-title">
<i>NSA Phone Surveillance Illegal, Federal Court Rules</i></h1>
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<i><b>'This decision is a resounding victory for the rule of law.'</b></i></div>
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<div class="pf-styled">
<i><b>by</b></i></div>
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<i><b><a href="http://commondreams.org/author/nadia-prupis-staff-writer">Nadia Prupis, staff writer</a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><img class="laid-out blockImage" src="http://commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_large/public/headlines/nsa_0.jpg?itok=reLZEDIA" /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>The NSA phone surveillance program revealed in 2013 by Edward Snowden is illegal, a federal appeals court has ruled. (Photo: AP)</b></i></div>
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<i><b>A federal appeals court <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/05/07/nsa-phone-court-metadata/70937958/">ruled</a>
in a landmark decision on Thursday that the bulk telephone surveillance
program operated by the U.S. National Security Agency and revealed in
2013 by whistleblower Edward Snowden is illegal.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York said the surveillance
program, which swept up billions of phone records and metadata of U.S.
citizens for over a decade, "exceeds the scope of what Congress has
authorized" under the Patriot Act. The NSA and the government have long
held that key provisions of the act, particularly Section 215, justify
the surveillance program.</b></i><br />
<div class="pf-styled" style="display: inline;">
<i><b>"This decision is a
resounding victory for the rule of law. For years, the government
secretly spied on millions of innocent Americans based on a shockingly
broad interpretation of its authority. The court rightly rejected the
government's theory that it may stockpile information on all of us in
case that information proves useful in the future." <br />- ACLU staff attorney Alex Abdo</b></i></div>
<i><b>If
the government is correct, it could use Section 215 to collect and
store in bulk any other existing metadata available anywhere in the
private sector, including metadata associated with financial records,
medical records, and electronic communications (including e‐mail and
social media information) relating to all Americans. Such expansive
development of government repositories of formerly private records would
be an unprecedented contraction of the privacy expectations of all
Americans," the court wrote in its decision.</b></i>
<i><b>The ruling also overturns an earlier decision in a case brought by
the ACLU in 2013, which said that the program could not be judicially
reviewed.</b></i><br />
<i><b>In its 96-page <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/264509400/NSA-decision">decision</a>,
the three-judge panel avoided saying whether the program was
unconstitutional. However, the judges warned that as Section 215 and
other key provisions of the Patriot Act near their expiration date of
June 1, "there will be time then to address appellants' constitutional
issues."</b></i><br />
<i><b>ACLU staff attorney Alex Abdo, who argued the case in September, said
in response to the ruling, "This decision is a resounding victory for
the rule of law. For years, the government secretly spied on millions of
innocent Americans based on a shockingly broad interpretation of its
authority. The court rightly rejected the government's theory that it
may stockpile information on all of us in case that information proves
useful in the future. Mass surveillance does not make us any safer, and
it is fundamentally incompatible with the privacy necessary in a free
society."</b></i><br />
<i><b>The judges continued:</b></i><br />
<blockquote>
<i><b>We hold that the text of section 215 cannot bear the weight the
government asks us to assign to it, and that it does not authorize the
telephone metadata program.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Such a monumental shift in our approach to combating terrorism
requires a clearer signal from Congress than a recycling of oft‐used
language long held in similar contexts to mean something far narrower.</b></i><br />
<i><b>We conclude that to allow the government to collect phone records
only because they may become relevant to a possible authorized
investigation in the future fails even the permissive 'relevance' test.</b></i><br />
<i><b>We agree with appellants that the government's argument is 'irreconcilable with the statute's plain text'.</b></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>Despite the ruling, the judges said they would not end the collection
of domestic phone records while Congress debates Section 215. "In light
of the asserted national security interests at stake, we deem it
prudent to pause to allow an opportunity for debate in Congress that may
(or may not) profoundly alter the legal landscape," they wrote.</b></i><br />
<i><b>In a response to the ruling, ACLU executive director Anthony Romero
stated, "The current reform proposals from Congress look anemic in light
of the serious issues raised by the Second Circuit. Congress needs to
up its reform game if it’s going to address the court’s concerns."</b></i><br />
<i><b>Jameel Jaffer, ACLU deputy legal director and lead counsel in the
case, added, "This ruling focuses on the phone-records program, but it
has far broader significance, because the same defective legal theory
that underlies this program underlies many of the government’s other
mass-surveillance program. The ruling warrants a reconsideration of all
of those programs, and it underscores once again the need for truly
systemic reform."</b></i><br />
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jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-34883848934336574902015-05-08T09:50:00.001-07:002015-05-08T09:50:07.326-07:00Global Carbon Levels Surpassed 400 ppm for Entire Month in 2015<i><b><a href="http://www.printfriendly.com/print?url=http%3A%2F%2Fcommondreams.org%2Fnews%2F2015%2F05%2F06%2Fits-official-global-carbon-levels-surpassed-400-ppm-entire-month&partner=#" id="pf-app-close"><span class="pf-sprite"></span></a></b></i><div id="pfcom-wrapper">
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<i>It's Official: Global Carbon Levels Surpassed 400 ppm for Entire Month</i></h1>
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<i><b><span class="date-display-single">Wednesday, May 06, 2015</span></b></i></div>
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<i><b>by</b></i></div>
<div class="profile-titles clearfix">
<i><b><a class="" href="http://www.commondreams.org/">Common Dreams</a></b></i></div>
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<h1 class="node__title managed-node-title">
<i>It's Official: Global Carbon Levels Surpassed 400 ppm for Entire Month</i></h1>
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<i><b>National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says level sets new record for world's atmosphere</b></i></div>
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<i><b>by</b></i></div>
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<i><b><a class="" href="http://commondreams.org/author/sarah-lazare-staff-writer">Sarah Lazare, staff writer</a></b></i></div>
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<i><b><img class="laid-out blockImage" src="http://commondreams.org/sites/default/files/styles/cd_large/public/headlines/nasa_heat.jpg?itok=mrAPvO-x" /></b></i></div>
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<i><b>An animation showing how carbon dioxide moves around the planet. (Screenshot: NASA/YouTube)</b></i></div>
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<i><b>Marking yet another grim milestone for an ever-warming planet, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration <a href="http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/trends/global.html">revealed</a>
on Wednesday that, for the first time in recorded history, global
levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere averaged over 400 parts per
million (ppm) for an entire month—in March 2015.</b></i><br />
<i><b>"This marks the fact that humans burning fossil fuels have caused
global carbon dioxide concentrations to rise more than 120 parts per
million since pre-industrial times," said Pieter Tans, lead scientist of
NOAA’s Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network, in a <a href="http://research.noaa.gov/News/NewsArchive/LatestNews/TabId/684/ArtMID/1768/ArticleID/11153/Greenhouse-gas-benchmark-reached-.aspx">press statement</a>. "Half of that rise has occurred since 1980."</b></i><br />
<i><b>This is not the first time the benchmark of 400 ppm has been reached.</b></i><br />
<i><b>"We first reported 400 ppm when all of our Arctic sites reached that
value in the spring of 2012," explained Tans. "In 2013 the record at
NOAA’s Mauna Loa Observatory first crossed the 400 ppm threshold."</b></i><br />
<i><b>However, Tans said that reaching 400 ppm across the planet for an entire month is a "significant milestone."</b></i><br />
<i><b>A tweet released by NOAA on Wednesday shows that this development is consistent with rising levels over recent years.</b></i><br />
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<i><b>— NOAA (@NOAA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NOAA/status/595979681205194753">May 6, 2015</a></b></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>However, zooming to a wider historical lens shows an even more
dramatic increase. During pre-industrial times, CO2 levels were at <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/publications_and_data/ar4/wg1/en/tssts-2-1-1.html">280 ppm</a>. Scientists have <a href="http://350.org/about/science/">warned </a>that,
in order to achieve safe levels, CO2 must be brought down to a maximum
of 350ppm—the number from which the environmental organization <a href="http://commondreams.org/news/2015/05/06/350.org">350.org</a> derives its name.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Bill Snape, senior counsel to the Center for Biological Diversity, told <em>Common Dreams</em>,
"The fact that we are now firmly over 400 ppm for first time in human
history indicates to me that we ought to be moving with much more
urgency to fix the underlying problem."</b></i><br />
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jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-30681770973277263822015-04-13T10:05:00.001-07:002015-04-13T10:05:18.673-07:00CERN Collider – The Stargate of Shiva?<header><div class="meta-info">
<b><span class="td-block-author">by <a href="http://www.zengardner.com/author/zen/" itemprop="author">Zen Gardner</a> - </span> <time class="entry-date updated" datetime="2015-04-12T07:25:06+00:00" itemprop="dateCreated">Apr 12, 2015</time></b><div class="entry-comments-views">
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<b>By William Henry</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.williamhenry.net/art_dis-cerning.html">WilliamHenry.net</a></b><br />
<br />
<b>Right now I almost can see in my mind, a bunch of ATSers jumping in their chairs, in front of the computer and saying <i>“Oh no, another weirdo going nuts about the LHC…”</i>
Well, just my two cents that, after read what I’m sharing here, some of
you, guys, will stop thinking that the purpose of that gigantic device,
is to reproduce the primordial spark of the big-bang and start to
figure out what REALLY may be scheduled by this project.</b><br />
<b>To make
my point, if the LHC is or not is a stargate machine, I’ll start talking
about another very suspicious object, well known of the ancient
Egyptians and that may have had the same purpose of the collider: The <a class="postlink" href="http://aurora-dawn.com/blog/?tag=stargate" target="_blank">Ta-Wer</a>, that means “The Eldest Land”, but is known among UFO researchers as <span class="postBold">“The Osiris Device”</span>.
According to mainstream scholars, the Ta-Wer was a only a mystic symbol
that has represented the connection between Abydos and some mythical
place in the underworld, interpreted as the “Land of the Dead”.</b><br />
<b>Well,
it’s a common sense among UFO researchers that the Ta-Wer depicted in
some paintings, in the walls of Abydos temple, is a structure that could
be part of a huge device that activated dimensional portals, stargates
or wormholes.</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/91be3f7118cc.jpg" /></b><br />
<b>Yeah, now is the time where people here are saying <i>“You gotta be kidding. It’s a boat that has represented the crossing between life and death…”</i>
Indeed the scholars have alleged that the boat-like object seen in that
painting, was the so called “Boat of Million Years”, used by Ra to
travel across the underworld. Is it, really, just a boat??</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/3d04c2e39a65.jpg" /></b><br />
<b>Above you see a model of cosmic wormhole, that matches with the theory of <a class="postlink" href="http://www.google.com.br/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=res&cd=12&ved=0CCoQFjAL&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FKurt_G%25C3%25B6del&rct=j&q=kurt+g%C3%B6del&ei=wgG3S8O_J4S0lQeA28iVCg&usg=AFQjCNGRKGp7CxflkSXjEdyeq1pDJx_wcg" target="_blank">Kurt Gödel</a>, that <span class="postBold">due
the fact that nothing can travel faster than light, a “shortcut” could
be open in certain coordinates of the space, to connect two distant
points. A huge amount of energy would produce a huge amount of
gravitation that could “bend” the space, forming two light cones
interconnected by a space-time tunnel where matter could pass.</span></b><br />
<div>
<b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/b53fa055ca43.jpg" /></b><br />
<b>Above,
you see a close in the right section of the Ta-Wer. Notice that Set is
coming out and it seems that his body is twisted or warped. And below
you see a 3D render of the Gödel’s stargate. Needless to say it’s just
IDENTICAL to the Ta-Wer.</b><br />
<div>
<b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/209e852d16f3.jpg" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/9a3a55469144.jpg" /></b></div>
<b>Above you see a group of <i>Neter</i>,
“The Watchers”: Isis, identified by Zecharia Sitchin as the Anunnaki
goddess NIMAH aka Hathor, plus Osiris, Seth and Horus, identified as
sons of MARDUK aka RA. Now is the time where people are saying <i>“What the heck does this have to do with the Large Hadron Collider and Shiva???”</i> <br class="KonaBody" /></b> <b><span class="postBold">On the radar:</span>
The LHC is a particle booster, built to beam up protons in very high
speed and opposite directions, until they collide creating a huge amount
of energy capable to <span class="postBold">reproduce similar cosmic
conditions that have creating such phenomena as dark matter, antimatter
and ultimately the creation of the universe billions of years ago.</span> The scientist team keeps the beam up speed, between 3.5 and 7 TeV (Teraelectron Volts) to reach a collision energy around <span class="postBold">90 times to over 500 TeV</span>. They plan increase the speed of beam up around 12 TeV until 2012.</b><br />
<b><span class="postBold">Under the radar:</span></b><br />
<b>1)
According to Prof Irina Aref’eva and Dr Igor Volovich, both
mathematical physicists at the Steklov Mathematical Institute in Moscow,
the energies generated by the subatomic collisions in the LHC may be
powerful enough to rip space-time itself, <span class="postBold">spawning wormholes.</span></b><br />
<b>2)
According to Fermilab director, Pier Oddone, 7 TeV of beam up speed
could cause a collision with energy enough to reproduce to reproduce the
conditions of the universe one second after the Big Bang. (Remember
that the scientists want reach 12 Tev until 2012)</b><br />
<b>3) According to a
team of brainiac scientists as the Nobel physicist Frank Wilczek, the
Astronomer Martin Rees, the physicist Adrian Kent of Cambridge, the
space engineer Richard Wagner and the chemist and physicist Ph.D Otto
Rossler, the LHC could <span class="postBold">“turning the planet into a
smoking asteroid the size of a baseball park” or “to create a micro
black hole swallowing the Earth from the core outwards, if not the sun”,
through the generation of a huge amount of energy equivalent to a
thermonuclear bomb per second.</span></b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/755ffba094f3.jpg" /></b></div>
<b>You can check this data <a class="postlink" href="http://www.scienceguardian.com/blog/category/science-guardian" target="_blank">here</a> and <a class="postlink" href="http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02/07/large-hadron-collider-could-create-wormholes-a-gateway-for-time-t%20%20ravelers/" target="_blank">here</a></b><br />
<b>My
point is that the scientists behind the LHC know EXACTLY what they are
doing, despite how they PRETEND they don’t know. They cynically talk as
if they were exploiting the coincidences of nature, but that device was
built as solid secret purpose.</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/f052aee38ff4.jpg" /></b> <b><i>“Give me a glass ball, a crystal ball, then I would know but I don’t know what nature has for us.”</i></b><br />
<b>Professor Rolf-Dieter Heuer, CERN director.</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/bc62d97b44ad.jpg" /></b><br />
<b>It’s
a common sense, among 99% of the “out of the box” physicists, that the
LHC can INDEED produce energy to open wormholes, what turns it in a huge
STARGATE device. I’m stating here, that the “quest by God’s particle”
is a FALSE FLAG, to something else. Let’s follow the crumbs…</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/6bd4f077205b.jpg" /><</b><br />
<b>Above
you see a statue of the Hindu “god” SHIVA, right in front of the CERN
building, (European Center for Research in Particle Physics) in Geneva.
We know that scientists of world wide have been working on LHC
development, including Indian scientists, but a 2m high statue of the
most feared hindu deity EVER, in front of the LHC facility, seems too
odd.</b><br />
<br />
<b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/61a1c670e67b.jpg" /></b><br />
<b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/d368cc00feaa.jpg" /></b><br />
<div>
<b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/41f807c24e35.jpg" /></b></div>
<div>
<b>That’s
weird… The pictures you see above were taken within the LHC facility…
Strange panels with ancient writings assembled onto a structure with
some kind of blue beam light surrounding it, that seems to be a movement
sensor or something. They could be just fancy messages left by foreign
scientists, representing their nations. Some panel seems ancient
Mandarin, other some Arab characters, but one particular panel has very
strange characters, that don’t seem nothing I’ve seen before and other
panel has Sanskrit characters. In India, the only people that read and
write Sanskrit, are scholars of <i>Vedas</i> and <i>Upanishads</i>,
scriptures written in the “language of the gods”. Why these panels have
security sensors around and what are they?? Invocations???</b></div>
<div>
<b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/f5edadf7ceef.jpg" /><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/2b594b769ebc.jpg" /></b></div>
<div>
<b>Above, some sections of the LHC, nothing you haven’t seen before. But take a good look to this image:</b></div>
<div>
<b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/4d7e9e872829.jpg" /></b></div>
<b>The mouth of this tunnel, this image seems quite familiar…</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/14ed1306430f.png" /></b><br />
<b>… the tunnel’s section resembles the structure where Shiva is always depicted, doing his <i>Anandatandava</i> aka <a class="postlink" href="http://www.fritjofcapra.net/shiva.html" target="_blank">“the cosmic dance”</a>. Now check this out:</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/2983c8d909ab.jpg" /></b><br />
<b>Well
I really doubt that the statue of Shiva in front to CERN building is a
coincidence. I wonder what the ancient Hindu people have testified, to
depict this deity attached to some structure identical to the mouth of
LHC’s particle tunnel… Just regarding that Zecharia Sitchin has
identified the “Lord Shiva” as the Anunnaki first commander ENLIL aka
Yahweh, what makes me think if the LHC was developed in order to open a <a class="postlink" href="http://www.davidicke.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43882" target="_blank">stargate</a> to bring the Anunnaki back to Earth.<br /> 450.000 years ago they came in 600. Maybe the next time they will come in thousands or hundred of thousands…</b> <b><img alt="" border="0" src="http://files.abovetopsecret.com/images/member/554ee48a32bb.jpg" /></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.williamhenry.net/art_dis-cerning.html">MORE></a></b><br />
<b>+++</b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.zengardner.com/">ZenGardner.com</a></b>jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-11509447160106875192015-04-13T10:03:00.002-07:002015-04-13T10:03:16.822-07:00Cowspiracy: As California Faces Drought, Film Links Meat Industry to Water Scarcity & Climate Change<div id="content-navigation">
<i><b><span class="show-date">Tuesday, April 7, 2015</span></b></i>
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<h1 class="pageTitle" itemprop="name">
<i>Cowspiracy: As California Faces Drought, Film Links Meat Industry to Water Scarcity & Climate Change</i></h1>
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</b></i><div id="content-item-summary" itemprop="description">
<i><b>As California experiences a massive drought, we examine the
overlooked link between water shortages, climate change and meat
consumption. With some 98 percent of the state suffering from a water
crisis, California Gov. Jerry Brown ordered residents and businesses to
cut water use by 25 percent. It is the first mandatory statewide
reduction in California’s history. One group not facing restrictions is
big agriculture, which uses about 80 percent of California’s water.
According to The Pacific Institute, 47 percent of a Californians’ water
footprint is in meat and dairy products. We are joined by Kip Andersen
and Keegan Kuhn, directors of the documentary, "Cowspiracy: the
Sustainability Secret." The film contends livestock is the leading cause
of deforestation, water consumption and pollution despite many
environmental organizations’ relative silence on the issue.</b></i><br />
</div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div id="image_credit">
<i><b>Image Credit: cowspiracy.com</b></i>
</div>
<i><b>
</b></i><h2 class="section-header">
<i>Transcript</i></h2>
<i><b>
</b></i><div id="story-rush-transcript">
<i><b>
This is a rush transcript. Copy may not be in its final form.
</b></i><br />
</div>
<i><b>
</b></i><i><strong><span class="caps">AARON</span> MATÉ: One of
the worst droughts in decades continues to ravage California. Some 98
percent of the state is now suffering from a water crisis. Last week,
California Governor Jerry Brown ordered residents and businesses to cut
water use by 25 percent. It’s the first mandatory statewide reduction in
California’s history. One group not facing restrictions is big
agriculture, which uses about 80 percent of California’s water. Some
have criticized Brown for not capping water usage by corporate farms
that grow water-intensive crops such as almonds, pistachios, and alfalfa
hay which is exported to China to help feed the country’s growing herd
of dairy cows. A recent documentary looks at the link between climate
change and livestock. The documentary is called, "Cowspiracy: the
Sustainability Secret." It contends livestock is the leading cause of
deforestation, water consumption and pollution despite many
environmental organizations’ relative silence on the issue. This is part
of the film’s trailer.</strong></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote>
<i><strong>DR. <span class="caps">RICHARD</span> <span class="caps">OPPENLANDER</span>: There is suppression and mismanagement of information everywhere. It abounds.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote>
<i><strong><span class="caps">INTERVIEWEE</span> 1: It starts at the local level, but then it goes all the way to Congress.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">INTERVIEWEE</span> 2: When you consider the devastation it’s having on our planet as well as the oceans.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong>DR. <span class="caps">WILL</span> <span class="caps">TUTTLE</span>: We’re in the middle of the largest mass extinction of species in 65 million years.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">INTERVIEWEE</span> 3: They can dictate the federal policies because they have so much political power.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">WILL</span> <span class="caps">POTTER</span>:
One of the largest industries on the planet, the biggest environment
impact, trying to keep us in the dark about how it is operating.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong>DR. <span class="caps">WILL</span> <span class="caps">TUTTLE</span>: That’s the one thing no one talks about. You know, everybody goes around and —</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">RECORDED</span> <span class="caps">VOICE</span>:
Unfortunately, we are no longer able to fund your film project. We had a
meeting and due to the growing controversial subject matter we have
some concerns and have to pull out.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">WILL</span> <span class="caps">POTTER</span>: You’re going up against people who have massive legal resources and you have nothing.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">INTERVIEWEE</span> 3: A lot of
people just keep their mouth shut because they don’t want to, they don’t
want to be the next one with a bullet to their head.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
That was part of the trailer for the recent documentary, "Cowspiracy:
the Sustainability Secret." According to The Pacific Institute, 47
percent of a Californian’s water footprint is in meat and dairy
products. For more, we go now to San Francisco, California where we’re
joined by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn. They are the award-winning
directors of the documentary film. Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn, welcome
to <em>Democracy Now!</em> Talk about what is causing the drought in California and what you have documented, you believe contributes so much to it.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KEEGAN</span> <span class="caps">KUHN</span>:
You know, the drought in California is being caused primarily from
climate change and there is not enough rainfall. Average rainfall has
decreased. But really what we’re dealing with is water shortage, not
only just a drought. California is using more water than it actually has
available to it. And as you said, 47 percent of a California’s water
footprint is made up in meat and dairy products. So these are very water
intensive products, and that Californians and Americans are consuming
which, again, is exacerbating the already drought conditions.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AARON</span> MATÉ: And Keegan, how does livestock compare to other environmental dangers like fracking, for example?</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KEEGAN</span> <span class="caps">KUHN</span>:
You know, fracking is a great example. Fracking gets a lot of attention
because of water use. Fracking uses about 100 billion gallons of water
every year in the U.S., which is a tremendous amount of water, but
animal agriculture uses in excess of 34 trillion gallons. So it’s
magnitudes greater. And then again the emissions that come from animal
agriculture are about equal to natural gas and petroleum production. So
it’s an issue that is vastly more destructive when it comes to water
consumption, water pollution, and even emissions.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
Let’s go to a clip from "Cowspiracy." Here our guest, Kip Anderson, the
film’s Co-director, explains how much water goes into producing a
hamburger.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KIP</span> <span class="caps">ANDERSON</span>:
I found out that one quarter pound hamburger requires over 660 gallons
of water to produce. Here I’ve been taking the short showers trying to
save water and to find out just eating one hamburger is equivalent of
showering two entire months. So much attention is given to lowering our
home water use, yet domestic water use is only 5 percent of what is
consumed in the U.S. versus 55 percent for animal agriculture. That’s
because it takes upwards of 2500 gallons of water to produce one pound
of beef. I went on the government’s Department of water resources save
our water campaign where it outlines behavior changes to help conserve
our water like using low flow shower heads, efficient toilets, water
saving appliances, and fix leaky faucets and sprinkler heads, but
nothing about animal agriculture. When added up, all of the government’s
recommendations, I was saving 47 gallons a day but still that is not
even close to the 660 gallons of water for just one burger.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
That’s Kip Andersen in the film "Cowspiracy." Kip is with us as well,
in San Francisco. So how does the mandate, the 25 percent decrease in
water, affect — does it affect animal agriculture, as you call it?</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KIP</span> <span class="caps">ANDERSON</span>:
It actually doesn’t affect animal agriculture. It’s placing
restrictions on people using —- on not watering their lawns and doing
anything you can. You go to restaurants and you have to ask for water,
simple things like this, taking short showers. And another thing we
mentioned later in the film is that to produce one gallon of milk takes
1000 gallons of water. So rather than -—</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>: Why is that?</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KIP</span> <span class="caps">ANDERSON</span>: — being concerned about having one glass of water, let’s cut down on the dairy as well.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>: Why is that? Why does it take that much water?</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KIP</span> <span class="caps">ANDERSON</span>:
It takes that much water because the animals have to be fed grains or
feed of some type. Alfalfa is an incredibly water-intensive crop.
Actually uses — alfalfa which is fed primarily to livestock — uses 10
percent of all of California’s water — or 15 percent, excuse me. So the
water footprint that’s embedded in the products that the animals are
eating goes on to animal product and then on to the consumer. So again,
looking at a pound of beef in California takes from 2500 to 8000 gallons
of water to produce. These are extremely water intensive products.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
Well, in this clip from "Cowspiracy," we hear from a Dr. Richard
Oppenlander and Dr. Will Tuttle. They described how animal agriculture
is leading to the extension of species and destruction of large swaths
of forested land.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong>DR. <span class="caps">RICHARD</span> <span class="caps">OPPENLANDER</span>:
Concerned researchers of the loss of species agree that the primary
cause of loss of species on earth that we are witnessing is due to
overgrazing and habitat loss from livestock production on land and by
overfishing, which I call phishing in our oceans.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong>DR. <span class="caps">WILL</span> <span class="caps">TUTTLE</span>:
We are in the middle of the largest mass extinction of species in 65
million years. The rain forest is being cut down at the rate of an acre
per second and the driving force behind all of this is animal
agriculture, cutting down the forests to graze animals and grow
soybeans, genetically engineered soybeans to feed to the cows and pigs
and chickens and factory farmed fish.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AARON</span> MATÉ:
Keegan, can you comment on this, how livestock actually contributes to
the extinction of other parts of the species on a mass scale?</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KEEGAN</span> <span class="caps">KUHN</span>:
You know, it’s the the destruction that’s happening to the entire
ecosystems, as Dr. Tuttle says, massive areas of the rain forest,
Amazonian rain forest, being cleared for cow production. They look at up
to 91 percent of Amazon destruction is linked to animal agriculture in
some way, whether clearing land to create grazing or for growing soy and
corn that is then fed to those livestock. But it’s also — when you look
in the United States, we have public land grazing where animals are
grazed on federal lands and those animals then compete with native fauna
for vegetation and then they’re also predated on by wolves and coyotes,
bears and bobcats. And so the ranchers put pressure on government
officials to exterminate. And that’s why we’ve seen a decrease in wolf
population and why wolves are being targeted because of their threat or
perceived threat to the cattle industry.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
You know, there’s been a lot of discussion about the amount of water it
takes to grow almonds. Can you talk about how meat consumption compares
to vegetable consumption of water?</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KEEGAN</span> <span class="caps">KUHN</span>:
Absolutely. Ten percent of all water in California is used for almonds,
which is a tremendous amount of water. But again, just alfalfa alone, a
crop that is not consumed by human beings, that is fed for livestock,
consumes 15 percent. California produces 82 percent of the world’s
entire almonds. This is — again 10 percent of California’s water is
feeding the 82 percent of the world’s almond demands. And the other
important fact is that Americans aren’t consuming, and Californians in
particular, aren’t consuming nine ounces of almonds per day, which is
not the case for animal agriculture. Animal products we’re consuming
nine ounces per person per day in the United States. Again the water
footprint is vastly greater because of the quantity that we are actually
consuming. It takes about 1500 gallons of water to produce a pound of
almonds, which is a tremendous amount of water. But again it’s the
quantity that we’re actually consuming.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
I want to ask you about the response of environmental groups to your
argument. In "Cowspiracy," you interview members of some of the nation’s
leading environment or groups. When you ask them, what is the leading
cause of environmental degradation, most declined to comment at any
length.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">ANN</span> <span class="caps">NOTTHOFF</span>: The leading cause of environmental degradation is, um —</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">BRUCE</span> <span class="caps">HAMILTON</span>: We need to address that as well.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KAMYAR</span> <span class="caps">GUIVETCHI</span>: It is not up to the Department of Water Resources.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">CHAD</span> <span class="caps">NELSEN</span>: It is hard to actually target one thing.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">LINDSEY</span> <span class="caps">ALLEN</span>: I don’t necessarily know what it is.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AARON</span> MATÉ:
That’s a clip from "Cowspiracy." Kip, your assessment of how the
environmental groups have handled this issue of livestock’s effect on
the environment?</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KIP</span> <span class="caps">ANDERSON</span>:
It is frustrating. That’s where the film took a turn for — looking to
these organizations to tell us the answers and what they’re doing about
this. And to find out they’re really not doing anything. You go onto
these organizations’ websites and their mission statements and they
don’t mention the greatest destruction across the board. It is like
one-stop shop for nearly every single environmental destruction that’s
happening today is from this one industry, and yet you do not hear about
this or they don’t want to talk about this. And the interviews we have
in the film, a lot of people, when they see them they’re laughing, but
if it’s not so serious it would be a lot more humorous. But it is, it’s
very serious. And these are the organizations we have to look at to step
up and tell the truth, just to share the information of what’s really
going on.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
I want to turn to Will Potter who reports on animal rights and
environmental movements. He’s the author of, "Green is the New Red: An
Insider’s Account of a Social Movement Under Siege." In this clip from
your film, "Cowspiracy," Will Potter discusses the government’s
repression of animal rights activists.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">WILL</span> <span class="caps">POTTER</span>:
The animal agriculture industry is one of the most powerful industries
on the planet. I think most people in this country are aware of the
influence of money and industry on politics, and we really see that
clearly on display with this industry in particular. Most people would
be shocked to learn that animal rights and environmental activists are
the number one domestic terrorism threat according to the <span class="caps">FBI</span>.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">INTERVIEWER</span>: And why is that?</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><blockquote class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">WILL</span> <span class="caps">POTTER</span>:
It’s a difficult question to answer, why these groups are at the top of
the FBI’s priorities. I think a big part of it is that they, more than
really any other social movements today, are directly threatening
corporate profits.</strong></i><br />
</blockquote>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
That’s will Potter in the film, "Cowspiracy." And Keegan, if you could
respond to that and end with why you call the film "Cowspiracy."</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">KEEGAN</span> <span class="caps">KUHN</span>:
There is a tremendous amount of repression activists face for blowing
the whistle against this industry. There is a series of ag-gag laws that
have been passed around the U.S. that criminalize exposing the
atrocities being committed against animals and the environment on
factory farms. And this is because the government and this industry work
hand-in-hand oftentimes. The government — this industry is so powerful,
it can put pressure on Congress to pass legislation that doesn’t
benefit consumers and only benefits the industry. We joked around about
the title "Cowspiracy" for a while because it just seemed so ridiculous
that nobody would talk about this issue. But you know, it really starts
to come out and it’s something we explore in the film in depth that this
issue is so rooted in so many environmental ills, as Kip said, no
matter what issue you care about, whether it’s ocean dead zones, species
extinction, habitat destruction, rain forest distraction, literally
the list goes on and on, animal agriculture is at the forefront of the
issue. Why aren’t these organizations talking about it? And again, it’s
something that we explore in depth in the film. And we really encourage
people to go to our website, cowspiracy.com, to find out more and to
look at all of the facts. We have a fact sheet on our website,
cowspiracy.com, that has all of the information that we used in the
film.</strong></i></div>
<i><b>
</b></i><div class="collapsed-hide">
<i><strong><span class="caps">AMY</span> <span class="caps">GOODMAN</span>:
Well, I want to thank you both, Keegan Kuhn and Kip Andersen,
award-winning directors of the documentary film "Cowspiracy: the
Sustainability Secret."</strong></i></div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-33600720943220474132015-04-11T13:16:00.000-07:002015-04-11T13:16:09.959-07:00Record low snowpacks in US Southwest in 2015<i><b><span class="date"></span></b></i>
<br />
<h1>
<i>Record low snowpacks in Southwest is bad news for water supplies</i></h1>
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<li><i><b><a href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/48329">Warm Winter in Pacific Northwest means less snowpack and water worries</a><br />March 11, 2015 07:42 AM</b></i></li>
<li><i><b><a href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/44647">State of the Weather</a><br />July 10, 2012 09:31 AM</b></i></li>
<li><i><b><a href="http://www.enn.com/top_stories/article/1188">Wet Winter Threatens Spring Flooding</a><br />March 18, 2005 12:00 AM</b></i></li>
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<i><b><img src="http://www.enn.com/image_for_articles/48437-1.jpg/medium" style="float: left;" /></b></i>
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<i><b>Nine states report record low snowpacks. A report from the US
Department of Agriculture states, “the largest snowpack deficits are in
record territory for many basins,especially in the Cascades and Sierra
Nevada where single – digit percent of normal conditions prevail. Very
low snowpacks are reported in most of Washington, all of Oregon, Nevada,
California, parts of <span class="intopic-ad-popup-link" data-url="http://app.intopicmedia.com/clickserver.php?publisher_code=771bbe8ee17ec6a0b4cb27773ab78e5b&ad=678&campaign=168&keyword=658&url=enn.com" id="ITM_REPLACEMENT" rel="%7B%22ad%22:%22678%22,%22campaign%22:%22168%22,%22keyword%22:%22658%22,%22microbanner%22:%220%22%7D" style="border-bottom: 3px double #0000FF; color: blue; color: blue; cursor: pointer; padding-bottom: 0px; text-decoration: none;"> Arizona</span>,
much of Idaho, parts of New Mexico, three basins in Wyoming, one basin
in Montana, and most of Utah.” This region is undergoing the warmest
winter temperatures since record keeping began in 1895.</b></i><br />
<i><b>“There has
been near average precipitation in many areas, but it has mostly been
rain. The snowpack normally serves as a natural reservoir, which feeds
the rivers during spring snowmelt. The lack of snow will have an impact
on streams and reservoirs in much of the west,” said Michael Strobel,
Director of the National Water and Climate Center in Portland.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Much
of California, Western Nevada and Southeast Oregon are already
experiencing extreme drought conditions. This is especially critical in
California, which is its fourth year of a drought.</b></i><br />
<i><b>Image credit: <a href="http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/pngs/20150407/20150407_west_trd.png" target="_blank">http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/data/pngs/20150407/20150407_west_trd.png</a></b></i></div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-81016338816075690182015-04-11T13:07:00.001-07:002015-04-11T13:11:31.255-07:00Prepare for the epic total solar eclipse hitting the US in 2017 <div class="copy-paste-block">
<h1 class="headline">
<i>Prepare for the epic total solar eclipse hitting the US in 2017</i></h1>
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<i><b>You may have seen a solar eclipse before, but the odds are good
that you haven’t witnessed anything like the total solar eclipse that
will roll across the contiguous United States a little over two years
from now. In fact, if you haven’t already started making your plan for
the first great American eclipse of the century, you might already be
behind.</b></i><br />
<i><b>If you’ve seen an eclipse in the US, it was probably just a partial
eclipse, which astronomy enthusiasts will tell you is nothing compared
with seeing a solar eclipse in totality, when our star goes completely
black save for its eerie corona, the sky dims and stars can become
visible in the daytime.</b></i><br />
<i><b>The last time such a thing was witnessed in the US was 1991…</b></i></div>
<i><b><span><br /></span></b></i></div>
jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-163382846486071326.post-3730969984668612482015-04-09T13:02:00.004-07:002015-04-09T13:02:27.981-07:00Fukushima Radiation Spikes 7,000%<div class="article_title--before grid__item float--left lap-and-up-two-thirds">
<h1 class="article__title article__title--single" itemtype="name">
<i>Fukushima Radiation Spikes 7,000% – the MSM is Quiet About it</i></h1>
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<i><b><time class="article__time" datetime="2015-02-28T13:08:51+00:00"> </time></b></i>
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</b></i><i><b>Cleanup crews trying to mitigate Japan’s
never-ending radiation crisis at Fukushima ran into more problems
recently after sensors monitoring a drainage gutter detected a huge
spike in radiation levels from wastewater pouring into the Pacific
Ocean.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>The Tokyo Electric Power Company says radiation levels were up to 70
times, or 7,000 percent, higher than normal, prompting an immediate
shutdown of the drainage instrument. The first readings came around 10
a.m. local time on February 22, setting off alarms not once but twice as
radiation levels spiked to extremely high levels.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>“The levels of beta ray-emitting substances, such as strontium-90,
measured 5,050 to 7,230 becquerels per liter of water between 10:20 a.m.
and 10:50 a.m.,” reported The Japan Times. “TEPCO requires radioactivity levels of groundwater at the plant discharged into the sea to remain below 5 becquerels.”</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><strong style="font-size: 22px;">TEPCO shut off leaky gutter, but radiation continued to spike throughout day</strong></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>The gutter was quickly decommissioned to prevent further radiation
emissions, but the leaks reportedly continued throughout the day, with
radiation levels hovering between 10 and 20 times higher than normal.
TEPCO says it doesn’t know what caused the sudden radiation spikes.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>“With emergency surveys of the plant and monitoring of other sensors,
we have no reason to believe tanks storing radioactive waste water have
leaked,” stated a plant official to the media. “We have shut the gutter
[from pouring <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/water.html">water</a> to the bay]. We are currently monitoring the sensors at the gutter and seeing the trend.”</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><strong style="font-size: 22px;">Multiple major leaks reported as Fukushima generates 400 tons of new radioactive waste daily</strong></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>Just four days prior to the leak, the International Atomic Energy
Agency congratulated TEPCO for its continued cleanup efforts at the
Fukushima site. This is despite numerous other <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/radiation.html">radiation</a> leaks, some of them quite major, that have occurred in recent months at the shuttered facility.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>Back in October 2013, for instance, a failed transfer of radioactive
wastewater from one storage tank to another resulted in more than four
tons of highly contaminated sludge being dumped into the ground. Not
long before this, 300 tons of radioactive waste reportedly leaked from
another nearby storage tank.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>As we reported earlier in the month, <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/048634_Fukushima_radioactive_waste_worker_death.html">a worker actually died after falling into a radioactive storage tank</a>
during a routine inspection. The 33-foot container that swallowed the
man is one of many at the site that holds a portion of the 400 tons of
highly radioactive water generated daily at Fukushima.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><strong><span id="inserted767" style="font-size: 22px;">Fukushima workers build one new storage tank daily, but this can’t go on forever</span></strong></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>The Japan News reports that large storage tanks capable of
holding up to 2,900 tons of contaminated water are constantly being
built at the site, up to one new tank daily, in fact. At some point,
though, other mitigatory measures will have to be implemented, as
there’s only so much space available to build more tanks.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>According to The Ecologist, the Reactor 3 fuel storage pond
also still contains upwards of 89 metric tons of plutonium-based,
mixed-oxide fuel that, should the pond <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/leak.html">leak</a>
or dry up, could result in another major reactor meltdown. Reactor 3,
as you may recall, experienced a full meltdown back in 2011 that
resulted in the reactor core falling through the floor to the bottom of
the containment vessel.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>The chart at the following link, which was put together just days
after the tsunami and earthquake hit Fukushima, provides a visual
breakdown of radiation exposures from various sources. It can be used to
quantify the threat associated with each respective leak:</b></i>
<i><b><a href="http://blog.xkcd.com/2011/03/19/radiation-chart/" target="_blank">Blog.XKCD.com</a>.</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b>Sources:</b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-22/fresh-nuclear-leak-detected-at-fukushima-plant/6200746" target="_blank">http://www.abc.net.au</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://gizmodo.com/crippled-fukushima-plant-just-leaked-radiation-70-times-1687335913" target="_blank">http://gizmodo.com</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://news.yahoo.com/fresh-nuclear-leak-detected-fukushima-plant-092631572.html" target="_blank">http://news.yahoo.com</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://gizmodo.com/tepco-just-spilled-tons-of-radioactive-water-into-fukus-1435512898" target="_blank">http://gizmodo.com</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/048634_Fukushima_radioactive_waste_worker_death.html" target="_blank">http://www.naturalnews.com</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0001958237" target="_blank">http://the-japan-news.com</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://blog.xkcd.com/2011/03/19/radiation-chart/" target="_blank">http://blog.xkcd.com</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><i><b><a href="http://www.theecologist.org/News/news_round_up/2217953/fukushima_meltdown_mystery_steam_rising_over_reactor_3.html" target="_blank">http://www.theecologist.org</a></b></i><br />
<i><b>
</b></i><div>
<i><b>(Ethan Huff | <a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/048772_Fukushima_radiation_ocean_contamination.html#ixzz3T8nTyxHG" target="_blank">Natural News</a>)</b></i></div>
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jonahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15434730605693814213noreply@blogger.com0