And Lastly, for Today anyway...

Was finally allowed to retrieve my XD 45 today. And before you spout about the "Tactical" model, I bought this one because in addition to the trigger safety and grip safety, it also has an ambidextrous thumb safety. I really like the thumb safety... personal preference that probably stems from that is what I am used to.

The BATFE has always delayed me for anywhere between part of a day and two days. This is the first time that I have ever been delayed for the entire 7. I am a bit miffed, but it is what it is. At least I can still purchase firearms period.

Enough whining for now, will post some photos after the first detail strip and range trip.

Lost Generation

Yeah, yeah... I was done, but then I saw this...

Thanks for sharing Mike.

Heading Farther South

Time for a bit of Gulf Coast decompression. I don't really care that it is going to be raining. I will see all of you Sunday afternoon or Monday. Take care...

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

25 February 2009, 18:41

House Bills
HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Passed by House of Origin
HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - Status Update
Read Second Time in House of Origin
According to the NRA-ILA the full Alabama House is scheduled to consider this bill on or about 26 February 2009.
HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Senate Bills
SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin
SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Stimulating the Economy without the Bill

There, the new dryer is sitting alongside the new washer and Sears, the economy and, actually, myself are or should be happy. I have been planning to replace the set for awhile (as in about 2 years worth of waiting for new and improved to actually be new and improved) but finally had to act. The replacement of washing machine parts finally got to be more than I was willing to fool with. And, truth be told, the dryer has been tired for quite some time now. Hooray!!! New laundry room goodness to be had by... mostly my work clothes.



So... I hope that all of you are happy that I did my part to stimulate the economy without even yet seeing my $13 per week. ;) And yes, I know...

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

24 February 2009, 22:43

House Bills
HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Passed by House of Origin
HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin
HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Senate Bills
SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin
SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

In Reflection

A lot of what I have penned has been due to the sheer outrage I harbor for so many of the ignorant things going on in the USA and, for that matter, on the rest of the globe. In reading some of my past ramblings, I conclude that I must also affirm the following...

I am SO happy that I live here, not just the smile that I wear from being a resident of the great state of Alabama, but the simple fact that I was born a resident of the United States of America. Having been a member of our dear Uncle's Armed Forces, I have hung my hat in any number of not very pleasant places. And, by the grace of God, a green military ID card and the simple fact that no matter how much the world hates us, they still envy us, I arrived back home safely. I believe more the former than the mid or latter.

Very few other places on this Earth will allow you to be as blatantly pissy as I have been and not have your name on the short list of who is getting questioned tomorrow or soon. It is no secret that I abhor the liberal (and by liberal, I mean this new batch of collectivist twits who think that earning a substantial salary is a bad thing) cast of miscreants and nimwits who have the majority in all three branches of government and harbor substantial fear over where they will take us. But, for now, I still have the freedom to say what I darn well please. And, in this case, will not be pissy but will offer the following...

As much as I distrust you bunch of misguided dimwits whose only claim to fame and only ability to feel good about yourselves is in telling others how much you care for the unwashed masses and how much you are doing to help them, I will offer my simple prayer that God guide you (and me) to the true path of righteousness. And, my prayer that we all can see evil for evil and do our best to not be on the side of evil. Lastly, thank you God for having me be born an American.

Something "Real" to Worry About

Things like this really bother me, and I am not cultured nor educated enough to know any of this for certain.

A friend of mine has told me this story of a stock that he owns. They have announced that they intend to file a Chapter 11 restructuring bankruptcy. They intend to declare all stock has zero value, eliminate all current stock and reissue new stock to the bondholders, but not to the current owners of common stock. If I have this right, the people who own common stock will just be SOL and that all of this is... somehow... legal.

If all of this is true, then why would an individual hold any stock at all. If the corporation can do this, you would just be laying your cash out there and waiting for disaster.

On top of all that, we have a "major" news outlet writing stuff like this: 5 Star Stocks Begging to be Bought - never mind that half of the world expects Arcelor Mittal to declare bankruptcy any day now with part of its mills temporarily shuttered and the ones that are running being operated at well below break even capacity.

And somehow, we are all supposed to confidently go forth and stimulate the economy with our $13 a week that we ought to start seeing later this year. I'll give you a real stimulus, my Federal tax has already decreased $11 every two weeks, but I think this is due to the pay cuts that have been taken. Oh yeah, and my state tax has increased $12 every two weeks, not real sure about that one... So, I am still net -$1.

The best laid plans...

I had really planned to get to a few items of interest on Saturday so that I could hit the range Sunday afternoon. Nothing quite like plans gone awry. Saturday was blown on tires and Sunday was blown on the washer and dryer. So... for all of you lucky enough (snerk) to check on this stuff, here are a couple of the interesting items from last week...

U.S. troops "stalemated" in Afghanistan - This is an AP story picked up by MSNBC talking about troop levels and requests in Afghanistan. While I have a multitude of opinions about this engagement, I will keep them to myself. What I am having trouble with is how Big Daddy O plans to decrease our military budget yet maintain a viable force in the field. I keep hearing about troop drawdowns, but as other needs escalate... I think you see where this is going.

LaHood's talk of mileage tax nixed - This is another AP story picked up by MSNBC. This one was talking about $0.025 per mile driven tax being applied to us wage-earning, tax-paying mules that continue to keep our collective governements afloat. Now it is, of course, saying how this will not be a policy of the Big Daddy O administration... no shit Sherlock. By the way LaHood is a half-wit for thinking that taxing miles driven is unhinged from taxing gas purchased. And, I am pretty sure this puts the brakes on someone wanting to be frugal and buying a grass-munching Prius. Reckon I might investigate an old school hay burner (read horse) first.

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

23 February 2009, 18:25

House Bills
HB225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change
Passed by House of Origin
HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin
HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Senate Bills
SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change
Read Second Time in House of Origin
SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin
SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change
Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Yes, I was bored on a Friday night.

From the "You MUST be joking" file... metal throwing cards.



These are actually metal throwing cards. And yes, apparently people have purchased, sharpened and used them. Here I sit, thinking about my XD 45 (delayed by the BATFE every time, so will have to wait until Monday) and what sort of rounds to purchase for range and defense use. I had no idea that all I really ever needed was some sharpened sheet metal... won't the Brady twits be thrilled.

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

20 February 2009, 18:50

House Bills

HB225 -  Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - No Change

Passed by House of Origin

HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - No Change

Read Second Time in House of Origin

HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc... - No Change

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Senate Bills

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds - No Change

Read Second Time in House of Origin

SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus - No Change

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - No Change

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

How the House Voted on HB225

Find your legislator here. My representative is Mr. Gerald Allen.

Roll of the House for Vote 237 on HB225 (Regular Session 2009)

Member		Vote		Member		Vote
Allen		Y		Baker (A)		Y
Baker (L)		P		Ball		Y
Bandy		P		Barton		Y
Beasley		Y		Beck		Y
Bentley		Y		Black		P
Boothe		Y		Boyd		P
Bridges		Y		Buskey		Y
Canfield		Y		Clouse		Y
Coleman		P		Collier		Y
Curtis		Y		Davis		Y
DeMarco		Y		Drake		Y
Dukes		Y		Dunn		Y
England		Y		Faust		Y
Fields		P		Fincher		Y
Fite		Y		Ford		Y
Galliher		Y		Gaston		Y
Gipson		P		Gordon		Y
Graham		P		Grantland		Y
Greeson		Y		Grimes		Y
Guin		Y		Hall		P
Hammett		P		Hammon		Y
Harper		Y		Hill		Y
Hilliard		Y		Hinshaw		Y
Holmes		P		Howard		Y
Hubbard		Y		Hurst		Y
Irons		Y		Ison		Y
Jackson		Y		Johnson		Y
Keahey		Y		Kennedy		Y
Knight		P		Laird		Y
Letson		Y		Lewis		P
Lindsey		P		Love		Y
Martin		P		Mask		P
McCampbell		P		McClammy		Y
McClendon		Y		McClurkin		Y
McCutcheon		Y		McDaniel		Y
McLaughlin		Y		McMillan		Y
Millican		Y		Mitchell		P
Moore (M)		Y		Moore (P)		Y
Morrow		Y		Newton (C)		P
Newton (D)		P		Oden		Y
Page		Y		Payne		Y
Robinson (J)		Y		Robinson (O)		Y
Rogers		Y		Salaam		Y
Sanderford		Y		Schmitz		P
Scott		Y		Sherer		Y
Shiver		Y		Spicer		P
Taylor		Y		Thigpen		Y
Thomas (E)		Y		Thomas (J)		P
Todd		Y		Treadaway		Y
Vance		Y		Ward		Y
Warren		Y		White		Y
Williams		P		Wood		Y
Wren		P
Total Yea:		80		Legislative Day:		6
Total Nay:		0		Legislative Date:		02/19/2009
Total Abs:		0		Vote ID:		237

* Not an official report from the State of Alabama Legislative offices *

Alabama Senate Bill 407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle

This bill is in the Judiciary Committee pending committee action. From the ALISON Database you expand the Bills drop down, then expand the Search drop down and then select Keyword and enter SB407 (no spaces between SB and 407). From the synopsis, Senate Bill 407 goes as follows...

This bill would prohibit a person or employer from establishing any policy that restricts the right of any other person who lawfully possesses or stores a firearm in his or her motor vehicle from parking a motor vehicle in a parking facility while he or she lawfully possesses the firearm and would make a violation a Class A misdemeanor. The bill would also provide for civil remedies.

This bill has been introduced by Senator Roger H. Bedford, Jr. (D) representing Colbert, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties. Thank you Mr. Bedford.

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

19 February 2009, 18:40

House Bills

HB225 -  Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies - STATUS UPDATE

Passed by House of Origin

HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders - STATUS UPDATE

Read Second Time in House of Origin

HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc...

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Senate Bills

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds

Read Second Time in House of Origin

SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

SB407 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle - NEW

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Nothing like a Little 1A Encroachment

Take a little read on this over at Irons in the Fire. Early in the read, it is fairly innocuous... dimwitted, but innocuous. That is until the Secret Service gets involved with someone's vehicle-mounted placard regarding abortion. I guess we don't read for context anymore.

Days of our Trailers: Ugh, why me here?

Days of our Trailers: Ugh, why me here?

Makes it pretty darn simple. AND, I really like simple. ;)

Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology

This is just a really interesting website. I find the topics of earthquakes, plate tectonics and geology in general to be quite interesting. I can see myself spending a lot of time here in the future. James, thank you in advance, for all of the hours I will spend fooling around with this.

Today's Status of the Following Items in the Alabama Legislature

18 February 2009, 19:10

House Bills

HB225 -  Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies

Read Second Time in House of Origin

HB302 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

HB362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

HB432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

HB528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc...

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Senate Bills

SB124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds

Read Second Time in House of Origin

SB310 - Concealed Carry on Campus

Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

Alabama House Bill 302 & Senate Bill 124 - Hospital Reporting of Gunshot & Stab Wounds

This bill is in the Health Committee (of both House & Senate) and is pending committee action in the House of origin in the House & has been read for the second time in the House of origin in the Senate. From the ALISON Database you expand the Bills drop down, then expand the Search drop down and then select Keyword and enter HB302 (no spaces between HB and 302) OR SB124 (no spaces between the SB and 124). From the synopsis,they both pretty much go as follows...

Under existing law, except under limited circumstances, health care providers in this state may not initiate reports to law enforcement of gunshot wounds and stabbings suffered by a patient without appropriate written authorization from the patient.

This bill would mandate reporting by health care providers under state law. Reporting under this act would supersede any privilege under state law, including the doctor/patient privilege.

In the House, this bill has been introduced by Representative Billy Beasley (D) representing Barbour, Bullock & Russell counties. Listed as co-sponsors are Alan Harper (D) - Pickens & Tuscaloosa counties, William E. Thigpen, Sr. (D) - Fayette, Lamar & Tuscaloosa counties, Dr. Robert Bentley (R) - Tuscaloosa county, Benjamin Lewis (R) - Houston county, Lesley Vance (D) - Lee & Russell counties and Ronald G. Johnson (R) - Coosa & Talladega counties.

In the Senate, this bill has been introduced by Senator Larry Means (D) representing Cherokee & Etowah counties.

This seems like something that should already be required. My only question is... Does self-inflicted count as a violent crime? Just because you know its going to come up.

Alabama House Bill 528 - Explosive Devices, WMD, etc...

This bill is in the Judiciary Committee and is pending committee action in the House of origin. From the ALISON Database you expand the Bills drop down, then expand the Search drop down and then select Keyword and enter HB528 (no spaces between HB and 528). From the synopsis, House Bill 528 goes as follows...

Under existing law, a person commits the crime of criminal possession of explosives if he or she possesses, manufactures, buys, sells, or transports any explosive and intends for the explosive to be used in the commission of a crime involving violence to another person or destruction of property. Criminal possession of explosives is a Class C felony. This bill would repeal this provision. This bill would prohibit explosives and explosive devices, bacteriological and biological weapons, and would provide for fines and penalties for the unlawful manufacturing, transporting, distributing, possessing with intent to distribute, and offering to distribute a destructive device, hoax device, or bacteriological or biological weapon; would provide for forfeiture and seizure of raw materials used in explosives and explosive devices, real property, money, negotiable instruments, books, records, research products and materials, and conveyances used in furtherance of a violation of this act; and would provide for definitions. Under existing law, a person commits the crime of falsely reporting an incident if he or she knowingly circulates a false report or warning or an alleged occurrence or impending occurrence of a fire, explosion, crime, catastrophe, or emergency which may cause evacuation of a building, place of assembly or transportation facility, or cause public inconvenience or alarm. Falsely reporting an incident is a Class C felony. This bill would include the false reporting of an alleged release or the impending release of a hazardous or dangerous substance, including, but not limited to, chemical, biological or any type of nerve agents. This bill would also alter the penalties upon conviction if the offense involved educational facilities.

This bill has been introduced by Representative Alan C. Boothe (D) representing Dale & Pike counties. Listed as co-sponsors are Spencer Collier (R) - Mobile county, Mike Ball (R) - Madison county, Allen Treadaway (R) - Jefferson county, William E. Thigpen, Sr. (D) - Fayette, Lamar & Tuscaloosa counties, Mac McCutcheon (R) - Limestone & Madison counties.

This, on its face, is good and solid legislation... all the way until it gets to felony charges for hoax devices or replicas. That is simply idiotic. So, this means that if you have one of those "complaint department hand grenade" paper weights, you are committing a felony.

At least they are expressly stating that ammunition does not count as an explosive device meant to do harm. Oh joy, I can hardly wait until someone with a juris doctorate decides to try that one on for size.

This thing either needs to be severely modified or, better yet, just go away.

Improvised Explosive Device - A Little Close for Me...

I received this as an e-mail attachment. Thank you Mike and if you (or anyone else) know(s) who originated it, please let me know so that I can give proper credit. This is not gory or nasty, but will give you an immediate feeling of... as chicken as it is... glad it wasn't me. God Bless all of those who are in harm's way. And, if it is from a video game or movie, please let me know also... looks PLENTY real to me.

My State Representatives & How to Find Your Alabama Legislators

From the Alabama Legislature website, look on the left hand side and you will see Find Your Legislator with two blank fields below it. Put your five digit zip code in the first and your +4 in the second and press Find My Legislator. Right below this you can also find Current Instruments if you know the House it is in and its number (e.g. SB310). 

My legislators are State House - Mr. Gerald Allen (R) - East Cottondale and State Senate -  Mr. Phil Poole (D) - Moundville. I will be engaging them directly regarding HB362, HB225, HB432 & SB310. I am certain there are others that I should review and form an opinion on...

I do hope you take the time to interact with your legislators. Follows is the e-mail just penned to Senator Poole. Representative Allen does not have an e-mail address listed, so I shall have to pick up the telephone tomorrow.

Good Evening Mr. Poole,

Senate Bill 310, introduced by Mr. Erwin, certainly appears to be an equitable compromise on the topic of concealed carry on campus. Personally, I believe that a person who is legal to carry (meaning permitted and not incapacitated or under the influence) should be allowed to carry most anywhere. Obvious exceptions should be places that serve alcohol, court houses, jails, airports and the like. On campus –except for maybe around finals, to me, really isn’t much different than other innocuous public areas where concealed carry is permitted. Perhaps it is wiser to have the presumably older and more stable individuals be allowed to concealed carry rather than the general population. But, if it does not apply at large, how can it apply strictly on (realizing the private and public institutions are two different things) campus?

 Having expressed this view point, I would urge you to view this bill favorably as it appears to be, as mentioned earlier, a decent compromise. Should you like to contact me regarding this, please feel free to get in touch at your convenience.

Alabama Senate Bill 310 - Concealed Carry on Campus

This bill is in the Governmental Affairs Committee and is pending committee action in the House of origin. From the ALISON Database you expand the Bills drop down, then expand the Search drop down and then select Keyword and enter SB310 (no spaces between SB and 310). From the synopsis, Senate Bill 310 goes as follows...

This bill would prohibit a state-supported college or university from adopting a policy prohibiting a person employed as a professor at the college or university from carrying a firearm on campus if the professor has any required license.

This bill has been introduced by Senator Henry E. "Hank" Erwin, Jr. (R) representing Bibb, Chilton, Jefferson & Shelby counties. Thank you Mr. Erwin.

On a side note, I personally support the right to carry on campus for anyone who has the valid permit and is not incapacitated in some fashion (e.g. intoxicated). But, this seems to be decent attempt at a compromise between anyone with a permit and no one at all. I can get behind this kind of compromise.

Alabama House Bill 432 - Privacy of Pistol Permit Holders

This bill is in the Judiciary Committee and is pending committee action in the House of origin. From the ALISON Database you expand the Bills drop down, then expand the Search drop down and then select Keyword and enter HB432 (no spaces between HB and 432). From the synopsis, House Bill 432 goes as follows...

Under existing law, a person is required to have a pistol permit issued by the sheriff in order to carry a pistol concealed on or about his or her person or in a vehicle. Also, under existing law, government records are generally open to the public. This bill would provide that records relating to pistol permits would be exempt from disclosure as a public record and may only be used for law enforcement purposes.

This bill has been introduced by Representative John G. "Jack" Page III (D) representing Etowah & Dekalb counties. Thank you Mr. Page.

On a personal note, this needs to be enacted. No further discussion required.

Alabama House Bill 225 - Seizure of Firearms During Emergencies

This bill is in the Judiciary Committee and has been read for the second time in the House of origin. From the ALISON Database you expand the Bills drop down, then expand the Search drop down and then select Keyword and enter HB225 (no spaces between HB and 225). From the synopsis, House Bill 225 goes as follows...

Under existing law, the Governor and local political subdivisions are granted additional emergency powers during states of emergency. This bill would specify that these powers do not authorize the seizure or confiscation of firearms or ammunition from persons lawfully authorized to possess them and would specify certain conditions when a law enforcement officer may disarm an individual.

This bill has been introduced by Representative Marc Keahy (D) representing Choctaw, Clarke & Washington counties. Again, thank you Mr. Keahy.

Alabama House Bill 362 - Storage of Firearms in a Motor Vehicle

This bill is in the Commerce Committee pending committee action. From the ALISON Database you expand the Bills drop down, then expand the Search drop down and then select Keyword and enter HB362 (no spaces between HB and 362). From the synopsis, House Bill 362 goes as follows...

This bill would prohibit a person or employer from establishing any policy that restricts the right of any other person who lawfully possesses or stores a firearm in his or her motor vehicle from parking a motor vehicle in a parking facility while he or she lawfully possesses the firearm and would make a violation a Class A misdemeanor. The bill would also provide for civil remedies.

This bill has been introduced by Representative Craig Ford (D) representing Etowah county. Thank you Mr. Ford.

The Patriot Post Friday Special Edition

The title is linked to the Patriot Post Friday Special Edition Volume 09 Number 06. It is a relatively dispassionate review of President Lincoln and some of his policies. And, while the truth will set you free, free is scary to an awful lot of people.

How bout that false economy?

With a blazing head cold and having just repaired the washing machine, I am going to get this out there now as I was really not up to it yesterday. This will be short and to the point with little more than a question and a couple of statements.

Does anyone remember Al Gore saying that gas needed to stay above $4.00 per gallon so that "alternative" energy sources would be developed?

Now, as we see gas prices beginning to rise and tweedledee over at the Interior revoking drill and exploration permits, we will ultimately get to fund all of this development out of our after-tax pocket as well.

Our elected officials continue to make my posterior drowsy. I really need to remember to go and "publicly" comment on this... in the next 179 days.

Do yourself a square.

Existingthing makes a tremendous analogy here. And, it is absolutely worth the time.

At least mine said no, how about yours?

Alabama senators Sessions and Shelby both voted Nay on HR 1 today. While I don't always agree with them e.g. their votes (1 each incorrect, in my humble opinion) on Holder and Geithner, they have gotten it right this time. Thank you gentlemen. Follows is the e-mail that I sent to them regarding today's vote.

Senator, I wish to express my gratitude for your Nay vote today on vote 00059 regarding HR 1. As I have previously expressed, I truly believe this "stimulus" package will do nothing but sink us further into debt while not stimulating much of anything useful. Again, thank you for your vote today.

I can only hope that you are fortunate enough to have had your senators land on the right side of this one. And, how is it that Teddy Kennedy is voting today?

Change de Obama.

Have not yet taken the time to do anything but watch this video. So, I have no idea where the rest of their story goes, but this is worth the watch, as is the video from 16 January 2009 titled Change is Good.

Appreciate it Frank.

High Speed Safety

Direct quote from Chemical Engineering & News, 02 February 2009, p.13, Cover Story - Materials for the Modern Gladiator by Bethany Halford, Northeast News Bureau.

"BUT INNOVATIONS in safety didn't keep pace with innovations in speed. Between May 2000 and February 2001, crashes claimed the lives of four NASCAR drivers. Nineteen-year-old Adam Petty and 30-year-old Kenny Irwin Jr. had eerily similar fatal accidents just eight weeks apart at the New Hampshire International Speedway. Tony Roper, 35, died during a race at the Texas Motor Speedway. The sport's highest profile fatality was that of its star Dale Earnhardt Sr., after a collision in the last lap of the Daytona 500 in 2001."

A decent article about a few of the materials used in automobile safety advances as learned from the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR). 

Yes, people do live like this.

Direct quote from Chemical Engineering & News, 02 February 2009, p.18, Business - Leather from Another Era by Jean-Francois Tremblay, C&EN Hong Kong.

"LIFE IS ABOUT TO CHANGE in Hazaribagh, the old tannery district of Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital. Within two years—if the scenario currently envisaged pans out—the district's 206 leather tanneries will either shut their doors or move to a different part of the city. Once relocated, their effluent will be treated and their workers will operate in far safer conditions. Some 30,000 workers and much equipment will move.

A way of life will disappear in Hazaribagh, but no one is complaining. The district's tanneries belong to a long-gone era. They dump their untreated waste into drains and ditches that lead to the Buriganga River, the main river flowing through Dhaka. Workers handle corrosive chemicals without protective gear and walk around the tanneries barefoot."

And yet, the world worries about what the US is doing to the environment. I am NOT an advocate for wasteful use nor do I endorse unsound practices, particularly in regard to the environment. BUT, I am soooo tired of the rest of the world pointing fingers at us. Perhaps they, as well as we, should look to our own and let others do the same. 

Scientific Stimulus, Wee Beasties & Global Climate Change... Oh my.

Image from Chemical Engineering & News, 02 February 2009, p.8, News of the Week - Science Windfall from Legislators by Rochelle Bohaty.

According to this story, the House has passed a $819,000,000,000 stimulus bill (HR 1) last week that contains more than $13,000,000,000 for research & development. And, the Senate is working on an $888,000,000,000 stimulus bill(S 1) that contains more than $12,000,000,000 for research & development.

Again, the only thing happening here is the subsidization of those who cannot productively enter society after graduation. If they are to pile up increasing institutional debt, then let them continue on their postdoctoral path in a more useful fashion. Say, design of modular concrete structures that would suit modern urban conditions... or some such.

Direct quote from Chemical Engineering & News, 02 February 2009, p.10, News of the Week - FDA Clears Stem Cell Clinical Trial by Britt E. Erickson, C&EN Washington.

"THE FOOD & DRUG Administration has given Geron, a small California-based biotech company, the green light to inject living cells manufactured from human embryonic stem cells into a handful of patients with spinal cord injuries.

The trials, set to begin this summer, will be the first in the world to test the safety of a therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells in people.

A lot of hope is riding on the outcome of the trials. If the product, called GRNOPC1, proves safe, it could open the door for other embryonic-stem-cell-based therapies to treat conditions such as juvenile diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis, and stroke, experts say."

I still don't know where I live on this issue... just thought you ought to know.

Direct quote from Chemical Engineering & News, 02 February 2009, p.10, News of the Week - Making a Toxin by Sarah Everts.

"A quirky lipid that is associated with seafood toxicity has been constructed in a lab for the first time. The work opens the possibility of developing tools to detect and study the molecule."

It would be nice to know if you are about to get food poisoning from your platter of oysters. Of course, this could just be another bit of good science gone bad when we get "gassed" with the stuff. Again, just thought you ought to know.

Direct quote from Chemical Engineering & News, 02 February 2009, p.11, News of the Week - Irreversible Effects by Cheryl Hogue.

"Debates over whether and how to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases should take into account that some effects of climate change are irreversible, according to a new scientific study.

The study, led by Susan Solomon, senior scientist at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), finds that even if emissions of carbon dioxide from human activity stopped, some effects will be largely unalterable for more than 1,000 years (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, DOI:10.1073/pnas.0812721106). These effects include sea-level rise and drying of some already arid regions of the world."

Truly, the just can not help themselves. There is such an abundance of research out there that will let you tell any story that you want. Right now, it is "trendy science" and quite lucrative to be on the "Global Climate Change" bandwagon.

Direct quote from Chemical Engineering & News, 02 February 2009, p.11, News of the Week - Mapping Earth's Carbon Dioxide by Elizabeth Wilson.

"After months of delays, a satellite designed to help generate the first detailed, time-resolved global maps of carbon dioxide sources and sinks is slated for launch on Feb. 23.

The daily detailed measurements from NASA's Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) will give vastly more information than the sparse CO₂-monitoring stations that now dot Earth. By knowing where and when CO₂ is being emitted and taken up, scientists may be able to understand how the gas influences climate change and, in particular, global warming."

I can hardly wait to see how this thing is misused.