Bug's Bleat - - GCF: Zookeeper's Dilemma

Volume 9, Issue 42 Friday, October 19, 2007

Hello All,

We extend our sincere sympathy to Craig Dees whose wife, Carol, passed away Thursday morning. Carol and Craig had struggled with complications from Carol’s diabetes for many long years. She finished her University degree and opened “Carol’s Gourmet Grounds” on the Magnolia Square while struggling with this deadly disease. She eventually sold the business to “Mules” when she was no longer physically able to run it.
In spite of her illness, she was a promoter of life and always endeavored to live her life as fully as possible. She also never missed a chance to testify to God’s mercy and sufficiency in her life.
Family visitation will be Friday, October 19, from 7:00 - 9:00 at Lewis Funeral Home. Funeral services for Carol Dees will be Saturday, October 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Antioch East Baptist Church with burial at the Antioch East Cemetery.
~~~~~
MCC Missions Report - - Hello to all my friends,

Just a quick note and request for prayer. I go next week on crusade. The place where we are going is heavily dominated by Muslims. Please pray for favor and protection for all of us who are going.
The students are on fire and I am very blessed to see god working so mightily in their lives.
I also need 10 more robes for graduation. They cost around $65 a piece. If you want to sponsor a student for graduation you can send a check to:
Leadership Training International Inc.
P.O. 781, Magnolia, Arkansas 71754
Please write in the memo portion: Robes
Thank you for all your love. Please let us be covered with the prayers of the Saints. We dare not go into these places without much prayer.

Blessings,
Paul D. Troquille
~~
And Patty Stephenson added; “Get people to pray for the crusade. It's in Kondoa and it is 85% Muslim. Not after we leave, though. Please pray!!! We will be taking my car, so pray for safety for it as well. We have to meet the team who are traveling from another crusade.”
~~~~~
MamMaw Dorothy had a pretty rough week. Evenings continue to be her worst time. Thursday evening we had to take her to the ER when her stomach started hurting. But she still smiles at my jokes and we have a good time just doing normal things around the house.
~~~~~
This week, we read “Homegrown Democrat: A Few Plain Thoughts from the Heart of America” By Garrison Keillor and “The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam” by Robert Spencer.
Now, we’re reading “Hog pilots, blue water grunts: the American military in the air, at sea, and on the ground” by Robert D Kaplan.
~~~~~
http://www.shelfari.com/BugsBleat/shelf?ec=7D790D174EFS18012
~~~~~
Someone pulled our friend Joe Tudor’s “Chain.” Here’s his response.
One Person, One Day

Have you ever heard people dispute the idea that “zero injuries” is an attainable goal? Sure, everyone believes it’s an honorable goal, but is it realistically achievable? For example, someone might suggest that one recordable injury over 100,000 work hours (an equivalent OSHA recordable rate of 2.0) is a reasonable performance rate. Something to be expected.

Really?

Consider this:
• If the average individual begins working full-time when they are 20 years old, and works until they are 65, they will have worked 45 years. At the rate of 40 hours/week, 50 weeks/year, that comes out to about 90,000 work-hours. A little overtime now and then, long days on a turnaround, a few volunteer hours, working in your yard, helping friends move - and you can easily work 100,000 hours in your lifetime.
• A recordable injury is typically defined as something requiring medical treatment beyond first aid. Broken fingers, deep cuts requiring stitches, second degree burns, and so forth. Recordable illnesses typically include things like noise-induced hearing loss, or long-term, irreversible health effects. Anything that is “recordable” is painful. It will change your lifestyle, even if only for a week or two. But it will hurt.
In your 100,000 work-hours, how many recordable – medically significant – injuries or illnesses are you willing to endure? How much pain are you willing to suffer? Personally.
Do you think it’s reasonable to expect that one single individual can spend their entire working life without incurring a recordable injury? Ask your co-workers – there are plenty of them who have done it, and are doing it right now.

Do you think it’s reasonable to expect that every individual on a given manufacturing site can work one single day without a recordable injury? Of course it is – we did it yesterday. And we’re doing it today. Which day do you think we can target as the day we can accept an injury?

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that because we work in a hazardous industry or that because there is a lot of activity at the site, or that because there are a lot of people coming and going that it becomes reasonable to expect one or two injuries. The day we stop believing its okay to hurt someone is the day we will begin our journey to stop hurting anyone.
~~~~~
"Stupid is as stupid does." - - Forrest Gump

Of her decision to lie about her religious beliefs, Sabrina Rahim said “I find it very troubling, but for my son’s safety, I feel this is my only option.”
A news story this week discussed Parents who avoid vaccinations for their children by claiming false religious exemptions.
“Do I think that religious exemptions have become the default? Absolutely,” said Paul Offit, head of infectious diseases at Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia, one of the harshest critics of the anti-vaccine movement. He said the resistance to vaccines is “an irrational, fear-based decision.”
The country’s largest measles outbreak in a decade was sparked when an unvaccinated teenager returned from a mission trip to Romania and attended a single church gathering with other unvaccinated children.
Measles was officially declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000. But it remains a major illness in most of the rest of the world, with 30 million measles infections and 454,000 deaths from the disease each year, according to the World Health Organization.
During the six weeks in which the measles outbreak raged within the church, 33 church members — mostly children and teens — became ill.
Measles is a leading vaccine-preventable childhood killer. Some of the more serious complications of measles include: Otitis media - Ear infection, Bronchitis, Pneumonia and Encephalitis - an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the brain. Measles kills nearly 345,000 people, mostly children, globally each year.
The parents of most of the children who got sick said they had refused measles vaccination for their children because of fears about vaccine safety.
“Most families with these concerns continued to decline vaccination, even in the midst of an outbreak involving hospitalizations among their own community members,” CDC researchers reported.
“I am not convinced that parents who choose not to vaccinate their children really understand all the risks and implications that go along with that decision,”
Since the start of widespread vaccinations in the United States, the number of cases of some formerly common childhood illnesses like measles and diphtheria have declined dramatically. Immunizations have protected millions of children from potentially deadly diseases and saved thousands of lives. The reality is that vaccinations still play a crucial role in keeping children healthy.
Unfortunately, misinformation about vaccines could make some parents decide not to immunize their children, putting them and others at a greater risk for illness.

To learn more we recommend the following books:
The Hot Zone: A terrifying true story by Richard Preston
Epidemic! The World of Infectious Disease by American Museum of Natural History / Rob Desalle
The Coming Plague: Newly emerging diseases in a world out of balance by Laurie Garrett
Plagues, Their Origin, History and Future by Christopher Wills
Killer Germs by Barry E Zimmerman & David J. Zimmerman
The Great Influenza: The Epic Story of the Deadliest Plague In History by John M. Barry
~~~~~
Now, if we’ve convinced you to vaccinate your kids, we want to convince you to not give them OTC Cold Medicines
In 2005, a national database of poisoning cases recorded more than 85,000 calls regarding reactions from the overdosing of young children with over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines or cough and cold medicines.
And an FDA review of deaths among children between 1969 and 2006 found reports of 54 deaths from decongestants and 69 deaths from antihistamines, mostly in children under age 2.
The pharmaceutical companies themselves are beginning to show concern about this. On October 11, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association announced that, “out of an abundance of caution," the makers of several leading over-the-counter cold medications voluntarily withdrew their products sold for infants.
You might ask how parents can be dumb enough to give their young children overdoses of these medications. But don't judge so quickly. The doses on the drug labels are based on extrapolations from adult doses rather than from actual studies in children themselves, which would be unethical. And labels do not even give doses for children under 2 years of age. In addition, these products are found in so many OTC preparations that it is easy to overdose by unwittingly giving two different remedies that both contain the same drug.
Not only do these medicines pose risks to children, but a number of small studies also indicate that they may not be effective in relieving their cold symptoms. If you are caring for young children, be on the lookout for the many popular children's remedies that contain the following drugs, either alone or in combination:

the antihistamines diphenhydramine and bromopheniramine
the decongestants phenylephedrine and pseudoephedrine
the cough suppressant dextromethorphan
the expectorant guaifenesin
These remedies probably should not be used in children under the age of 6, and for certain not in those less than 2.

After reading the newspaper article, I was reminded that in our medicine cabinet was a small bottle of Children's Benadryl®, which contains the antihistamine diphenhydramine. We have given this product to our grandson, who is not yet 3, for skin reactions caused by his allergy to eggs — children do benefit from antihistamines when these drugs are given for allergic reactions rather than for colds.
~~~~~
Doug Muse's daughter Amber has been diagnosed with some type of Lymphoma and will be going through chemotherapy. She is 23 years old and has no medical insurance. Donation envelopes will be placed in all of the area control rooms to help will the medical expenses. The area planners Anita McNatt, Jim Bullman, Greg Dodson, Larry Cook and Buddy Kyle will assist in collecting the donations. Mitzie Walker will collect donations in the Administration Building, and I will collect donations in the Maintenance Building. We will be collecting the money through next week. I know any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks to Greg Reed
~~~~~
Like I said last week. We need to do something about getting insurance coverage for all Americans. But I’m still against “Universal” Health Coverage. Some English people have resorted to pulling out their own teeth because they cannot find -- or cannot afford -- a dentist, a major study has revealed.
Six percent of those questioned in a survey of 5,000 patients admitted they had resorted to self-treatment using pliers and glue, the UK's Press Association reported.
England has a two-tier dental care system with some dentists offering publicly subsidized treatment through the National Health Service and others performing more expensive private work.
But more than three-quarters of those polled said they had been forced to pay for private treatment because they had been unable to find an NHS dentist. Almost a fifth said they had refused dental treatment because of the cost.
One respondent in Lancashire, northern England, claimed to have extracted 14 of their own teeth with a pair of pliers. In Liverpool, one of those collecting data for the survey interviewed three people who had pulled out their own teeth in one morning.
"I took most of my teeth out in the shed with pliers. I have one to go," another respondent wrote.
Others said they had fixed broken crowns using glue to avoid costly dental work.
Valerie Halsworth, 64, told British television's GMTV she had removed seven of her own teeth using her husband's pliers when her toothache became unbearable and she was unable to find an NHS dentist willing to treat her.
Halsworth admitted that the first extraction had been "excruciatingly painful." But she added: "It got that painful that I just had to do something... When you have taken a tooth out... the pain has gone."
Sharon Grant, chair of the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, which commissioned the survey, said: "These findings indicate that the NHS dental system is letting many patients down very badly.
"Where NHS dental services are available, people are happy with the quality of treatment provided but many find the NHS fee system confusing and expensive, with some patients taking out loans to pay for treatment or more worryingly taking matters into their own hands."
~~
I just can't wait for national health insurance. "Bug"
~~~~~
This is from Evangelist Ken Fithen.

My son, Adam Fithen who is youth pastor at First A/G in Vilonia, AR wrote this:
Recently, Snoop Jackson, a columnist for ESPN specializing in the NBA, wrote a column for espn.com called Life is short... He was trying to reach out to sports fans letting them know that life is too short to boo players and act like idiots, but we should embrace sport out of love not hate. Here is a portion:
Life is short... Only spit on players who spit on you
Life is short... Turn off Sportscenter and play catch with your son.
Life is short... Root for Rasheed Wallace, he plays his heart out.
After reading his 50 or so ideas for sports fans, the thought actually popped in my head, life is short... Turn off espn.com and go read your Bible or something. Then I got to thinking, many Christians confess that they can't wait for an eternity to live with Christ not really understanding what eternity means. And more than that, they figure it’s just a little longer than the life they live here on Earth so they don't take advantage of the immensely short time they have. The average person probably expects to live about 80 years, right? Well what is that to eternity? I think it’s time that we realize that:
Life is short... Tell someone you love about Jesus.
Life is short... Give some money to a missionary instead of 'forgetting' your checkbook in the car.
Life is short... Read and try to understand Revelations.
Life is short... Beat the Pastor to church one day.
Life is short... Just once, open your windows and doors and pray for all to hear like Daniel did.
Life is short... Go on a mission’s trip
Life is short... Go on another mission’s trip
Life is short... Write a letter to 5 older couples in your church, thanking them for their life of service for the Kingdom.
Life is short... Tell someone you don't know about Jesus
Life is short... Shout "AMEN!" during the sermon like the more zealous people do.
Life is short... Forgive the person who wronged you 10 years ago for something dumb anyway realizing that they are not suffering for your inner monologue arguments with them.
Life is short... Sit in a different pew
Life is short... Wear a tie on Sunday if you normally don't and leave the tie at home once if you religiously bound yourself to it (just once).
Life is short... Let the criticism from someone who doesn't add value to your life roll off your back.
Life is short... Stop getting mad at church softball, basketball, and golf. You're just embarrassing yourself and your spouse.
Life is short... Tell an acquaintance about Jesus.
Life is short... Do something insanely nice for someone like mow their lawn when they're gone. It'll freak them out.
Life is short... Say no to one church activity so you can go out with your wife and/or kids.
Life is short... Tell someone who has already rejected you about Jesus, again.
Life is short... Work in the nursery once.
Life is short... Watch the Passion of the Christ again.
Life is short... When you go out to Chili's with your friends from church, start the conversation off with something about the Pastors sermon and not shopping, sports, the Lost cliffhanger, gossip, music, or whatever you normally talk about.
Life is short... Quit complaining about other people's kids running in church because you did it too.
Life is short... Shut down the Internet, turn off the TV, lock up the golf clubs, put up the PS2, silence your cell, all for one day and remember that Moses climbed mountains to talk to God, Paul was beaten for telling others about God, and David while being hunted wrote songs for God, so we can sacrifice something for God, even for a day.
And finally, life is short... Tell someone about Jesus.

Thanks to Ricky and Sarah Shepherd
~~~~~
2007 Daylight Saving Time Ends on November 4th in US
Check out this website for information on time changes in the United States and Europe:
http://webexhibits.org/daylightsaving/b.html
and
Want to know what time it is in other parts of the world? Check out this site:
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
~~~~~
Looking for information on safe Trenching and Excavation? Barry Brownlee sent us this link to the OSU Trenching/Shoring Manual. http://www.pp.okstate.edu/ehs/manuals/Trench.htm
~~~~~
Greetings:

Iraq is on the mend, al Qaeda is on the run, and the civil war has abated to a point where the term "civil war" no longer applies.

Accurate war coverage is increasingly important. Even prominent seemingly well-informed persons can get it wrong, such as retired Lieutenant General Ricardo Sanchez who previously commanded the war in Iraq. His recent public statements [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/listening-respectfully.htm] –selectively excerpted and then widely dispersed by the hot winds of media – made it clear that this former senior commander is far out of touch with the current situation.

But there are commanders with a finger on the pulse.

When earlier this year I wrote about the 1-4 CAV transforming an abandoned seminary in a Baghdad neighborhood that had been decimated by civil war, the "surge" had not even begun; but already pundits, politicians and editors had declared it a failure. Though I'd spent only a few days with LTC Crider and his 1-4 CAV soldiers at the new COP Amanche, I ended the dispatch on a note of hope based on observation. I recently received an email from LTC Crider with an update on that Baghdad neighborhood. Please read "Achievements of the Human Heart" [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/achievements-of-the-human-heart.htm] and see for yourself.

I was in al Basra province when I saw news reports claiming that Basra city had descended into chaos in the wake of an announcement about the drawdown of British Soldiers. I emailed the facts about Basra to several bloggers who hold the media accountable, and the resulting effort got the attention of Tom Foreman who anchors CNN's "This Week at War." We were able to make a CNN interview, and the result is a segment that accurately reflects a complex and changing situation [http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/michael-on-this-week-at-war.htm]. Bravo to CNN for setting the record straight and to the tireless bloggers who are making a substantial difference in the way news about the war is delivered.

There are major developments to share with readers in upcoming dispatches. If things go at-least-mostly according to plan (which is all we can hope for in war), and if I can rely on the help of readers who share my frustration with the lack of accurate reporting, we can significantly widen the stream of news flowing from Iraq so more people can obtain a truer picture. This will require the will and generosity of readers. But more on that, soon.

Michael
Basra, Iraq
~~
Here’s an excerpt from “Achievements of the Human Heart" I encourage you to read the whole dispatch.
...
Recently, I found myself in the 28th Combat Support Hospital emergency room where one of our most loyal interpreters was being treated after being injured in an attack. While his prognosis was excellent, he was very shaken. As he lay on a gurney with his head wrapped and an oxygen mask on his face, he saw me approach and immediately grabbed my arm and began to ask me about each soldier in the truck. He referred to them all as his “brothers” and he meant it. Not knowing his own condition he told me he loved Americans and America. He made me promise that I would take his heart to America if he died. He was going to be fine (he left the hospital the next day) but I could not convince him, so I promised.

Around the corner, the CSM and I walked up to one of our Valorous Award winners who suffered a severe hip injury in that same attack. The first thing he asked me was if I thought he would be able to recover and get back to his platoon before we redeployed. A few days earlier, two other Cavalry Troopers were in the emergency room being treated. CSM Jones and I walked in together and as we approached our first soldier he yelled out, “Prepared and Loyal, Sir”. His face, arms and legs were speckled with shrapnel but all he could think about was the unit. As the nurse wheeled him out for further examination, he unashamedly told his fellow injured platoon mate that he loved him and he got the same response back. I have seen the toughest men I know cry for one another and encourage each other through some difficult times. Whoever you know in this unit, know that they are heroes. This is a very personal endeavor, indeed.

While conditions in our area of responsibility are vastly improved from about four months ago, it remains a dangerous place. Since my last update, we have lost three of our best. Specialist Braden J. Long from Sherman, Texas was performing his duties as a gunner for 3rd Platoon, A Troop on August 4th when his vehicle was attacked. Braden survived to the hospital but his injuries were too severe and he passed away.

Braden enlisted in the Army when he was seventeen years old, married his high school love, Teresa, and fought on some of the most dangerous ground in Baghdad all before the age of twenty. He was a brave young man and committed to the mission here.

Specialist Rodney Johnson from Houston, Texas was performing his duties on September 4th pulling dismounted security for 1st Platoon, A Troop when his life was taken by an explosion in a small courtyard in Eastern Doura. Rodney is survived by his wife, Ashley, who is expecting their second child at the end of September. Rodney displayed an uncommon courage every day and never faltered from anything he was asked to do.

SSG Courtney Hollinsworth from Yonkers, New York was performing his duties on September 9th as a section sergeant leading a mounted patrol when his vehicle was attacked and he lost his life. Only recently promoted to SSG, he flawlessly served as the platoon sergeant for 1st Platoon over a three-week period whenever he was called upon. A true patriot and leader in this organization, he will be sorely missed. SSG Hollinsworth is survived by his wife, Stephanie.

Please remember these men and their families in your thoughts and prayers. We will never forget them or their sacrifice. Also, please remember all of our wounded soldiers who are at Fort Riley, Brook Army Medical center in San Antonio, and Walter Reed in Washington DC. These Troopers are still a part of our unit and deserve our support as they recover. If you are in a position to do so, please pay them a visit.
...
~~~~~
Each week the Defense Department highlights military personnel who have gone above and beyond in the war. [http://www.defenselink.mil/heroes/]

Wisconsin Army National Guard Maj. Scott H. Southworth
Hometown: Mauston, WI

It often takes the most challenging of situations to bring out the best in each of us. For Maj. Southworth, that paradox led him not only to adopt a disabled Iraqi orphan as his son, but also to wage a relentless battle against bureaucratic obstacles to bring 24 mistreated orphans out of a corrupt Iraqi orphanage, and into the homes of loving American families.

Then-Capt. Southworth’s journey started in September 2003, when, as commanding officer of the Wisconsin National Guard’s 32nd Military Police Company, he led a team in northeast Baghdad responsible for training local police officers. It was exhausting work, both physically and mentally: toiling in triple-digit heat, dangers around every corner, and setbacks such as a car bomb that destroyed one of the police stations the 32nd operated, killing several of the Iraqis with which the team was working. (The station was rebuilt a few months later.)

In addition to their mission, the soldiers wanted to help Iraq’s needy orphans. On Sept. 6, 2003, they visited a nearby orphanage. Some might have found it depressing, but Southworth’s life changed when a young boy named Ala’a – unable to walk, abandoned in the Baghdad streets likely due to his cerebral palsy – pulled himself across the floor and greeted Southworth with a smile and a few English words. It marked the beginning of an unbreakable bond between the two.

Southworth returned frequently over the months to visit with Ala’a, and with each visit they grew closer. With Southworth’s tour set to end in July 2004, he visited the orphanage a final time – not knowing whether he would ever see Ala’a again. He knew he could make a difference in the boy’s life; he was determined to bring Ala’a to live with him in the United States.

And then came the roadblocks. Under Iraqi law, foreigners cannot adopt children. However, just before he left Iraq, the Iraqi government approved of Ala’a going to the United States with Southworth for medical care. Upon his return home, Southworth navigated the bureaucracy and gained Humanitarian Parole for Ala’a, who is now on a path unimaginable only a few years ago. He is in the United States and has made vast strides at school – fluent in English and learning to read. Even his cerebral palsy is being met head-on: with the help of numerous doctors and specialists, some who have donated their time, he is making significant progress. Ala’a is being taught how to walk with his physical impairment on a specialized treadmill. It is his dream to one day walk unassisted – and he grows ever closer to that day.

But Southworth’s story does not end here. A June 2007 CBS exclusive revealed filthy, appalling conditions at a government-run orphanage in Baghdad. As Southworth watched, he recognized some of the boys as the very same orphans that he and his team visited years before at the private orphanage where they volunteered. Southworth, along with two soldiers who served with him, decided to do something about it. They are currently engaged in an unrelenting effort to bring the 24 orphans affected to the United States. Like Ala’a, all of the boys are disabled and require special and frequent medical attention.

He is not alone in his cause: more than 40 families around the country have offered to host the orphans once they arrive. Southworth and his team are lining up doctors and pharmaceutical companies willing to provide, at no cost, the necessary medical care and supplies needed to help these children with their disabilities.

Giving these young Iraqis a chance at a better life has required tireless persistence in dealing with Iraqi and U.S. government officials. As Southworth awaits approval from the Iraqi government to transport the orphans to the United States, he continues to finalize plans, ensuring that each child is provided with the same care and attention that has already transformed the life of one Iraqi child – his son Ala’a.

In 2005, Southworth received the U.S. Army’s Gen. MacArthur Leadership award, recognizing his commitment to “duty, honor, and country.”
~~~~~
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Air Force said Friday it would punish 70 airmen involved in the accidental, cross-country flight of a nuclear-armed B-52 bomber following an investigation that found widespread disregard for the rules on handling such munitions.
"There has been an erosion of adherence to weapons-handling standards at Minot Air Force Base and Barksdale Air Force Base," said Maj. Gen. Richard Newton, the Air Force deputy chief of staff for operations.
Newton was announcing the results of a six-week probe into the Aug. 29-30 incident in which the B-52 was inadvertently armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and flown from Minot in North Dakota to Barksdale in Louisiana without anyone noticing the mistake for more than a day.
No mention was made of the fact that officials had reduced the level of oversight and cut staff numbers for handling nuclear materials.
~~~~~
WASHINGTON (AP) - A team of students from Germany's Technische Universitat Darmstadt won a week long competition Friday on the National Mall for the best, most efficient and well-designed and -engineered solar home.

The Solar Decathlon joins 20 college and university teams in a competition to design, build, and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered house.

First Place: Technische Universität Darmstadt
This team from Germany came to the Solar Decathlon hoping to have an impact on people, and it's safe to say that this happened. Darmstadt won the Architecture, Lighting, and Engineering contests. The Architecture Jury said the house pushed the envelope on all levels and is the type of house they came to the Decathlon hoping to see. The Lighting Jury loved the way this house glows at night. The Engineering Jury gave this team an innovation score that was as high as you could go, and said nobody did the integration of the PV system any better. Darmstadt was one of seven teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Energy Balance contest. All week, long lines of people waited to get into this house.

Second Place: University of Maryland
At the beginning of the week, people wondered if the Maryland team would have a home-field advantage because they are so close to Washington, D.C. As the week progressed, and Maryland won the Communications contest and was second in Architecture, Market Viability, and Lighting, it became clear that Maryland didn't need any advantage. The Communications Jury praised their excellent Web site and house tour. The Architecture Jury said the house definitely belonged in the top tier. The Lighting and Market Viability juries also had high praise. They were one of seven teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Energy Balance contest.

Third Place: Santa Clara University
This team wanted to build a sustainable solar house that is functional, elegant, and innovative—and they did just that. The Communications Jury lauded their friendly, enthusiastic house tour, which was informative, entertaining, and very much "on target" for public audiences. They were one of five teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Hot Water contest and one of seven teams to score a perfect 100 points in the Energy Balance contest. Their house almost didn't make it to the Solar Decathlon, because their transport truck broke an axle and delayed them by three days.

Go to the following site to see photos and other information.

http://www.solardecathlon.org/
~~~~~
A Study Shows That Fearful Looks Get The Brain's Attention Fast
By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Smiles may take a while, but a horrified expression is a sure-fire attention getter, U.S. researchers said on Sunday, based on a study of how fast people process facial expressions.
They believe fearful facial expressions make a beeline to the alarm center of the brain known as the amygdala, cuing humans to potential threats.
"We think what is happening with fear is that this is a critical threat signal for us," said David Zald, associate professor of psychology at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
"Fear tells you something is wrong and you need to pay attention," Zald said in a telephone interview.
The team found people became aware of fearful expressions much faster than neutral or happy faces. "We were seeing it pretty much universally," Zald said.
"The happy expressions were slower to be detected than even the neutral expressions," he said, suggesting things that signal a lack of threat need decreased attention.
Zald said facial expressions represent a crucial way for people to convey social information.
"We see the effects on people who can't do this well. Autistic children, for instance, cannot read emotional expressions in others very well. They have devastating social consequences because of this," he said.
~~~~~
The Pump Handle. A water cooler for the public health crowd.
http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/
Here are links to items posted on The Pump Handle over the past week:

"Are OSHA Stats Really Good News?" by Celeste Monforton Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced that workplace injury and illness rates for 2006 were the "lowest ever recorded" -- but we have to look at how they're being recorded. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/19/are-osha-stats-really-good-news/

"Why Care About Your Neighbor's Health Insurance?" by Liz Borkowski An Atlanta emergency-room doctor explains how high rates of uninsurance can also harm the health of those who are insured. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/why-care-about-your-neighbor%e2%80%99s-health-insurance/

"Illinois's Subsidy to Coal's Bob Murray, Wilbur Ross and Exxon" by Celeste Monforton The demand for coal is going through the roof. Do giant U.S. energy companies really need a handout? http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/18/illinoiss-subsidy-to-coals-bob-murray-wilbur-ross-and-exxon/

"California Bans Phthalates in Children's Products" by Liz Borkowski A new California law will require manufacturers to remove six types of phthalates from products intended for children under the age of three – and it may spur other states to pursue similar legislation. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/california-bans-phthalates-in-childrens-products/

"Occupational Health News Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Gold mining is in the news after a mine collapse in Colombia kills 22; also, there's news about farmworkers' health and safety, legal representation for injured Utah workers, and Indian child labor. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/17/occupational-health-news-roundup-36/

"Will OSHA Prove Us Wrong?" by David Michaels The OSHA stakeholder meeting on diacetyl later this week gives the agency a chance to disprove those of us who are skeptical about OSHA's commitment to protecting workers from the butter-flavoring chemical. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/will-osha-prove-us-wrong/

"Bees as Canaries" by Liz Borkowski Colony collapse disorder has decimated bee hives – and it may be a warning that our industrial agriculture system is on the verge of collapse. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/bees-as-canaries/

"DuPont's "PR" on PFOA Studies" by Celeste Monforton The Charleston Gazette's Ken Ward writes how a group of notable occupational health scientists and epidemiologists felt DuPont misrepresented the scientific evidence to-date about the health risks associated with PFOA. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/duponts-pr-on-pfoa-studies/

"Blog Action Day: EPA in the News" by Liz Borkowski Blog Action Day, when bloggers around the world post about environmental issues, is a good time to look at recent news about EPA – most of which is worrisome. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/blog-action-day/

"Strengthening the Surgeon General" by Liz Borkowski A Science editorial reminds us that the serious public-health consequences of White House interference are not the only lesson to draw from the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform hearing about the Office of the Surgeon General. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/15/strengthening-the-surgeon-general/

"Friday Blog Roundup" by Liz Borkowski Bloggers examine health, environmental, and science policy proposals from presidential hopefuls as well as bed-net giveaways, breast cancer reporting, and pharmaceutical companies' influence on medical literature. http://thepumphandle.wordpress.com/2007/10/12/friday-blog-roundup-45/
~~~~~
Recipe(s) of the week - - - Zucchini Fritti Recipe courtesy Chefs Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers at River Café in London
See this recipe on air Friday Oct. 19 at 10:30 PM ET/PT.


2.2 pounds (1 kg) zucchini, washed
Sea salt
About 8 cups sunflower oil
For the batter:
About 5.5 ounces (150 g) all-purpose flour, sifted
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons warm water
3 egg whites


Cut the zucchini into about 2-inch (5 cm) disks, then cut each disk into 2-inch (5 cm) matchsticks. Place in a colander, sprinkle with sea salt, and leave for 30 minutes. Pat dry.
For the batter:
Place the sifted flour into a medium bowl, make a well in the center, pour in the olive oil and stir slowly combining the flour into the oil. Loosen this paste with warm water, added slowly, stirring constantly, until you have a batter the consistency of double cream. Leave for a minimum of 45 minutes.

Heat the oil in a high-sided pan to about 400 degrees F (190 degrees C). Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold gently into the batter.

Dip the zucchini in the batter, then fry in batches in the hot oil until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.

This recipe was provided by professional chefs and has been scaled down from a bulk recipe provided by a restaurant. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe, in the proportions indicated, and therefore, we cannot make any representation as to the results.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,,FOOD_9936_37448,00.html
~~~~~
MapQuest Gas Prices, Pretty Cool http://gasprices.mapquest.com
~~~~~
If you’d like to write Dr. Antoon, he’d like to hear from you. This is his current address, the latest of the three federal prisons’ he’s been in.
Patrick Antoon #06669-010
Federal Prison Camp-La Tuna
P. O. Box 8000
Anthony, NM/TX 88021
~~~~~
The photos on the front of this week’s “Bleat” include crusades in Tanzania as well as Annette and I at MCC.
~~~~~
Don’t forget to check out www.mcc2000.net
~~~~~
We’ve now got several addresses on the web for "Da Bleat." For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com
Our photos are posted at http://www.bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com.
~~~~~
Feel free to share the "Bleat" with any and all. That's why we publish it.
~~~~~
BreakPoint
With Chuck Colson
What Darwinism Can't Do
10/19/2007
The Edge of Evolution

The intelligent design (ID) movement has been accused of a lot of things over the years. Among the mildest of those accusations is that ID is just religion masquerading as science.

Anyone who could seriously think that, cannot be paying attention. Intelligent design, as defined by the Discovery Institute, teaches simply “that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected [random] process such as natural selection.” That’s it. It does not attempt to define or describe that cause. Most scientists who subscribe to intelligent design do believe in some form of evolution. And some of them are not even believers in the Bible—they are secularists. They simply believe that Darwinism does not have all the answers, especially about how life originated. (Darwin himself never pretended certainty on that.)

Now, with the publication of Michael Behe’s second book, there is little excuse left for anyone to remain ignorant of what intelligent design actually is. Behe, you may remember, is the professor of biological science from Lehigh University who shook up the scientific world when he published Darwin’s Black Box over a decade ago. Now he has written The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism. Behe leaves no doubt of his belief in natural selection. He even goes much further than many of us, including myself, by declaring his belief in a common ancestor.

In short, he is more than willing to acknowledge common ground with the evolutionists. All he is trying to show here is that there are certain things that Darwinism cannot answer. But even for that, he gets pilloried. The New York Times showed Behe’s book the ultimate disrespect by assigning someone who had publicly disagreed with and denounced him to review it: the vehement “anti-theist” Richard Dawkins, of all people. So much for the objectivity of the New York Times. That would be roughly the equivalent of the New York Times asking me to review one of Dawkins’s books. Fat chance.

Naturally, Dawkins accuses Behe of doing exactly what he does not do: Namely, he suggests that Behe states that where evolution reaches its limits, “God must step in to help.”

Behe does no such thing. What he does is provide a series of case studies, such as the malaria virus, the AIDS virus, and the human immune system, and shows what evolution did or did not do for them. For example, he shows that although human cells have evolved in many ways to combat malaria, many humans are still vulnerable to it—and in some cases, those human cells are even worse off than they were before. This means that evolution is not always as progressive as Darwinists would have us believe. As Behe puts it, what Dawkins and others have called an “arms race” is really much more like “trench warfare,” unleashing forces that can damage organisms as easily as it can help them. So evolution has its limits.

I suggest you ignore the forces that would stifle all dissent, and take a look at Behe’s book The Edge of Evolution. Even if you do not agree with everything in it, as I do not, you do not need to follow the Darwinist line that everything you disagree with must be squashed. Dare to think for yourself. You just might learn what the Darwinists and the anti-theists do not want you to know.

The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism by Michael Behe.

Richard Dawkins, “Inferior Design,” New York Times, 1 July 2007.

Michael Behe, “Beyond the Edge of Evolution: The New York Times Story,” Michael Behe’s Amazon blog, 24 August 2007.

“Behe’s New Book: The Edge of Evolution,” Discovery Institute, 22 May 2007.

DaveScot, “Edge of Evolution Review in Science Magazine,” Uncommon Descent blog, 9 June 2007.

Regis Nicoll, “Chimp Change: Evolution’s Underwhelming New Breakthroughs,” BreakPoint Online, 25 January 2006.

Regis Nicoll, “Victims of Science Orthodoxy: From Galileo to Robert J. Marks,” BreakPoint Online, 28 September 2007.

William Dembski, The Design Revolution (InterVarsity, 2004). See also this “BreakPoint” interview with William Dembski.

William Dembski, ed., Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing (ISI Books, 2004).

The BreakPoint Web site and BreakPoint WorldView Magazine feature Colson’s commentaries as well as feature articles by other established and up-and-coming writers to equip readers with a biblical perspective on a variety of issues and topics.
© 2004-2006 Prison Fellowship
~~~~~

Words of the Week:
agglomeration: a cluster or mass.
impervious: impenetrable; also, not capable of being affected.
purblind: having greatly reduced vision.
quotidian: occurring daily; also, ordinary.
extant: still existing.
abscond: to depart secretly.
beholden: obliged; indebted.
from Dictionary.Com

~~~~~
"A static hero is a public liability. Progress grows out of motion." - Richard E. Byrd

"The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds, the pessimist fears this is true." - James Branch Cabell

"You cannot live on other people's promises, but if you promise others enough, you can live on your own." - Mark Caine

"There is no fate that cannot be surmounted by scorn." - Albert Camus

"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor." - Truman Capote

"[The secret of] how to live without resentment or embarrassment in a world in which I was different from everyone else ... was to be indifferent to that difference." - Al Capp

"For me, a hearty 'belly laugh' is one of the beautiful sounds in the world." - Bennett Cerf
~~~~~
Researchers Find That Gossip Exerts More Power than Truth on Gullible Listeners—has a "strong manipulative potential"

"We show that gossip has a strong influence...even when participants have access to the original information as well as gossip about the same information."

Teresa Neumann (October 18, 2007)

(London, U.K.)—I think it's safe to say that God hates gossiping. Scripture is clear about the extent to which the Lord is grieved by it.

Some may subconsciously shrug off the admonition not to engage in the seemingly innocuous pastime, thinking that it's simply a "natural" human tendency. But, according to new research that backs up God's case against gossip, it is anything but harmless. Arguably, it is the source of many a conspiracy theory circulating the globe. It can also, indeed, have deadly consequences.

According to a publication in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, German researcher Ralf Sommerfeld found that people are apt to believe what they hear from others regardless of evidence that proves otherwise. Such is the power of gossip.

"We show that gossip has a strong influence... even when participants have access to the original information as well as gossip about the same information," wrote researchers. "Thus, it is evident that gossip has a strong manipulative potential."

Do you think?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071015/lf_nm_life/gossip_power_dc%3B_ylt%3DAhwegsYQ_0_mWxkq96J6db8DW7oF
~~~~~
BREAKING CHRISTIAN NEWS
http://breakingchristiannews.com/

# TheCall—a Day of Fasting and Prayer—Comes to Las Vegas, October 20th
# Pro-family Allies Take California's Newly Signed "Alternative Lifestyle" Issue to the People
# Florida Pastor, Injured While Cutting Tree, Shares of His Miraculous Healing
# Muslim Contractor from Palestine Volunteers to Help Jewish Community Build Synagogue

# Researchers Find That Gossip Exerts More Power than Truth on Gullible Listeners—has a "strong manipulative potential"
# A Miracle Continues as Healthy Baby is Born to Amazing Accident Survivor
# Compound Found in Certain Fruits Appears Highly Effective in Curbing Spread of Head and Neck Cancers
# Churches in Baltimore Come Together for Revival

# Prayer & Action Alert: ENDA—Measure that Offers Federal Protection for Alternative Lifestyles, to be Voted on Soon
# Woman Who Was Lost for 13 Days in Oregon Wilderness Speaks for First Time about Her Miraculous Survival
# Samaritans, Nearly Extinct, Look to the Ukraine to Survive
# The Testimony of a Simple Man Who Reached Multitudes World-Wide After God Told Him, in the Midst of Sin, "Today, I Want You Back"

# Villagers Use Ancient "Holy Well" for Baptism, Reverting to Christian Tradition before Local Church was Built
# Faith-Based Prison Programs Deliver Results and Prisoners Themselves
# Thousands of Students at Campuses Nationwide to Lose their Voices on Oct. 23rd
# The "Jerusalem of the East" Revival 100 Years Later

# Thousands of Christian Pilgrims Walk Israeli Streets bringing Much-Needed Prayer and Comfort to Grateful Residents
# Cancer Death-Rates Dropping "Faster than ever"
# A Closer Look into Life and Faith of Rockies Infielder Jamey Carroll—As Colorado Rockies Try to Sweep Arizona Tonight in National League Championship Series
# God Blesses Philippine Tribe That Practiced Sacrificial Giving

# Two Churches Pool Resources to Make Huge Impact in Their Neighborhood
# Southern Crowd Gets Kudos for Respectful Conduct at Historic Atheist Debate in Alabama
# "Sole'd Out" Ministry Collects Thousands of Shoes for Orphans and At Risk Kids at Benefit Concert

# 60 Minutes to Report on Sunday: Jailed '93 WTC Bomber Says He has Found Jesus
# California Outlaws Smoking in Cars with Children
# "Britain's Schindler," Now 98, Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Saving 669 Jewish Children from Extermination in WWII
# Action Sports and Christian Outreach Featured at Orange County Festival on Saturday

Breaking Christian News
310 2nd Ave SE
Albany, Oregon 97321
541-928-2642
E-mail
US Orders: 1-866-358-7426

><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
GCF: Zookeeper's Dilemma

Emailed to me by a friend (Thanks, Joseph) -Tom

If this was forwarded to you, please consider your own subscription to
Good Clean Fun. It's free! A smile will enhance the quality of your life. Just send an email to: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.com or visit the Good Clean Fun web site http://www.kcbx.net/~tellswor/ Unsubscribe info for Good Clean Fun is at the end of this email. This email was scanned by F-Secure before it was sent.
---------------------------------------------

A zookeeper wanted to get some extra animals for his zoo, so he decided to compose a letter. The only problem was that he didn't know the plural of 'Mongoose'.

He started the letter: "To whom it may concern, I need two Mongeese."

No, that won't work, he thought and tried again: "To whom it may concern, I need two Mongooses." Is that right?

Finally, he got an idea: "To whom it may concern, I need a Mongoose, and while you're at it, send me another one."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Personal Injury Lawyer

Emailed to me from another humor list (Daily Humor) -Tom To subscribe to Daily Humor, send a blank email to: Daily-Humor-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
---------------------------------------------

I was taking the train to go visit a personal injury lawyer. I called them and asked, "Can you give me directions from the train station to your office?"

"When you get to the station, just walk outside, lie down on the sidewalk and start yelling. Someone from our office will be along shortly."
_ ____________________________ _

GCF: Twins

Emailed to me from another humor list (Daily Humor) -Tom To subscribe to Daily Humor, send a blank email to: Daily-Humor-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
---------------------------------------------

The new father ran out of the delivery room and announced to the rest of his family who were waiting for the news: "We had twins!"

The family was so excited they immediately asked, "Who do they look like?"

The father paused, smiled, and said, "Each other."
_ ____________________________ _
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / The word "gullible" has \ /
\ _/ been removed from the dictionary! \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / \ \_/ ////
\ / Hypochondria is the \ /
\ _/ only disease I haven't got. \_ /
/ / \ \
(((\ \>|_/ )______________________( \_| \\\\ \_/ / Laughter is like changing a \ \_/ ////
\ / baby's diaper. It doesn't \ /
\ _/ permanently solve any problems, \_ /
/ / but it makes things more \ \
acceptable for awhile.
_ ____________________________ _
| Thomas S. Ellsworth |
| tellswor@slonet.org |
| http://www.slonet.org/~tellswor |
|___________________________|
Stop for a visit, leave with a smile! To join Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-subscribe@yahoogroups.Com To leave Good Clean Fun, email: good-clean-fun-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.Com Or visit the Good Clean Fun web site at http://www. slonet.org/~tellswor/
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Divorce vs. Murder

A nice, calm, respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the pharmacist, looked straight into his eyes, and said, "I would like to buy some cyanide."

The pharmacist asked, "Why in the world do you need cyanide?"

The lady replied, "I need it to poison my husband."

The pharmacist's eyes got big and he exclaimed, "I can't give you cyanide to kill your husband. That's against the law! I will lose my license! They'll throw both of us in jail! All kinds of bad things will happen. Absolutely not! You CANNOT have any cyanide!"

The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband at a fancy restauant, having dinner with the pharmacist's wife.

The pharmacist looked at the picture and replied, "Well now, that's different. You didn't tell me you had a prescription."

Received from Michael B Wright.

(-:][:-)

Homework Help

"Dad," said Little Johnny, "I'm late for football practice. Would you please do my homework for me?"

The father said irately, "Son, it just wouldn't be right."

"That's okay," replied Little Johnny, "but you could at least give it a try, couldn't you?"

Received from AcraMax Jokes.

(-:][:-)

Mushroom-Smothered Steak

Five couples in a neighborhood decided to get together on a regular basis and socialize. As a result, they formed a dinner club and agreed to meet for dinner at a different neighbors' house each month.

When it came time for Jimmy and Susie Brown to have the dinner at their house, like most women, Susie wanted to outdo all the others and prepare a meal that was the best that any of them had ever lapped a lip over.

A few days before the big event, Susie got out her cookbook and decided to have mushroom-smothered steak. When she went to the store to buy some mushrooms, she found the price was far more than she wanted to pay. She then told her husband, "I think we aren't going to have mushrooms because they are too expensive."

He said , "Why don't you go down in the pasture and pick some of those mushrooms? There are plenty of them right in the creek bed."

She said, "No, I have heard that wild mushrooms can be poisonous."

He then said, "I don't think so. I see the varmints eating them all the time and it never has affected them."

After thinking about this, Susie decided to give this a try and got in the pickup and went down in the pasture and picked some mushrooms. She brought them back home and washed, sliced, and diced them to get them ready to go over her smothered steak. Then she went out on the back porch and got Ol' Spot's (the yard dog) bowl and gave him a double handful, putting a mess of bacon grease on them to make them tasty. Ol' Spot didn't slow down until he had eaten every bite. All morning long, Susie watched him and the wild mushrooms didn't seem to affect him, so she decided to use them.

The meal was a great success, and Susie even hired a lady she knew from town to come out and help her serve. She had on a white apron and a little cap on her head. It was first class. After everyone had finished, they all began to kick back and relax and socialize. The men were visiting and the women started to gossip a bit.

About this time, the lady from town came in from the kitchen and whispered in Susie's ear. She said, "Mrs. Brown, Spot just died." With this news, Susie went into hysterics. After she finally calmed down, she called the doctor and told him what had happened. The doctor said, "It's bad, but being this early we can take care of it. I will call for an ambulance and I will be there as quick as I can. We'll give everyone enemas and we will pump out everyone's stomach. Everything will be fine. Just keep them all there and keep them calm."

It wasn't long until they could hear the wail of the siren as the ambulance was coming down the road. When they got there, the EMTs got out with their suitcases, syringes, and a stomach pump. The doctor arrived shortly thereafter. One by one, they took each person into the master bathroom, gave them an enema, and pumped out their stomach. After the last one was finished, the doctor came out and said, "I think everything will be fine now," and he left. They looked pretty peaked sitting around the living room.

About that time, the hired lady from town came in and said, "You know, I think the fellow that drove the ambulance looks just like the one who ran over Spot an hour ago, but he didn't stop so I can't be certain."

Received from Rick.

(-:][:-)

Pick One

Our family was attending a wedding, and I sat next to my mom, who had my youngest sister on her lap. The groom was standing at the front as the bridesmaids walked up the aisle one by one.

Growing restless, my sister looked up at my mom and said, "So why doesn't he just hurry up and pick one?"

Received from Carter Durrant.

(-:][:-)

Sal the Pilot

Sal, a pilot for a major airline, carries his running clothes in a backpack, freeing his hands for his luggage. On one trip, he told me, he noticed passers-by grinning at him in the terminal. Sal smiled back. Maybe some of them were on my last flight, he thought.

His ego was brimming until he got to the cockpit and stowed his bags. That's when he saw the "Parachute" sign his co-workers had stuck to his backpack.

Received from Thomas Ellsworth.

(-:][:-)

-=+=-
Rate this funny at http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20060113
Brought to you by GCFL.net: The Good, Clean Funnies List A cheerful heart is good medicine... (Prov 17:22a) Mail address: GCFL, Box 100, Harvest, AL 35749, USA
To print or email this funny to others, go to http://www.gcfl.net/archive.php?funny=20060113
The latest GCFL funny can always be found on the web at http://www.gcfl.net/latest.php
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Two rednecks, Bubba and Leroy, were driving down the road drinking a Couple of bottles of Budweiser.
The passenger, Bubba, said, "Look thar up ahead, Leroy, it's a dadgum police roadblock!! We're gonna get busted fer drinkin' these here beers!
"Don't worry, Bubba," Leroy said. "We'll just pull over and finish drinkin' these beers then peel off the label and stick it on our foreheads then throw the bottles under the seat." "What fer?" asked Bubba.
"Just let me do the talkin', OK?," said Leroy.
Well, they finished their beers, threw the empties out of sight and put the labels on each of their foreheads. When they reached the roadblock, the sheriff said, "Howdy boys, ya'll been drinkin'?"
"No sir," said Leroy while pointing at the labels... "were on the patch".

Thanks to David Lamb
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in Bozeman, Montana while awaiting their respective flights.

One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy from Texas on his way to Billings for a livestock show & the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East.

Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation falls into an uneasy lull.

The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face.

The wind outside is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping; but still no plane comes.

Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, "At one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few."

The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, "Once my people were few," he sneers, and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?"

The Texas cowboy shifts his toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a smooth drawl .

That's cause we ain't played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but I do believe it's a-comin'.

Thanks to Jeanette Ford
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"Don't strive for recognition, but work for achievement." -- Vanessa Malone
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Madeleine Begun Kane Latest Columns - - http://www.madkane.com/humor_blog/ - - Do Bosses Really Need Their Own National Holiday?
October 15th, 2007
Did you know that tomorrow, October 16th, is National Boss Day? So, are you excited yet?

I thought I’d “celebrate” National Boss Day with a pair of limericks:

Workplace Diplomacy Blues
By Madeleine Begun Kane

Please mind your own business, I said,
To a woman whose presence I dread.
She is pushy and rude,
Rather nosy and crude.
Even worse—she’s the gal my boss wed.

A Brief Beef
By Madeleine Begun Kane

My boss yelled, “I’ve got a big beef:
Your briefings are seldom … well … brief.
I want the essentials.
You give me tangentials.”
“So long,” I replied, with relief.

http://www.madkane.com
http://www.madkane.com/notable.html (Notables Weblog)
http://www.madkane.com/bush.html (Dubya's Dayly Diary)
Subscribe to MadKane Humor Newsletter (weekly) here:
http://www.madkane.com/email.html
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
'Green' Roof Made for Energy-Conscious Age
Tracy Staedter, Discovery News

Oct. 12, 2007 — Consumers may have a new weapon against high utility bills: energy-efficient roofs and attics.

The prototype system uses, among other things, hi-tech, phase-changing material to reduce hot attic temperatures in the summer and limit heat loss in the winter.

"From seasonal simulations that I've been able to do, it could mean up to an 8 percent reduction on a cooling bill," said research engineer William Miller, who along with research engineer Jan Kosny developed the technology at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee.

While on the surface 8 percent might not seem like a huge number, if just half of the homeowners in the United States installed the new roof system, they could save 100 trillion BTUs of energy combined — the equivalent of more than 800 million gallons of gas.

According to Miller, the prototype system combines four different technologies into one high-efficiency roof: pigments that reflect infrared light, barrel-shaped tiles (instead of shingles), radiant barriers, and phase-changing materials.

The reflective pigments are dark in color but instead of absorbing the sun's energy like dark shingles, they reflect it as if they were white. Why not just put white shingles on a house roof? Because in the winter, too much of the sun's energy is reflected, causing not only tremendous heat loss but ice accumulation as well.

So most home builders prefer darker roofs, which typically absorb 95 percent of the sun's energy. Roofs using Miller's and Kosny's infrared reflective pigments absorb just 64 percent.

For their part, the barrel tiles used in some versions of the prototype roof allow air to flow between the tile and the plywood underneath. As the sun heats the tile, air rises from the eave to the ridge, and eventually out and away.

The radiant barriers are thin layers of metal or aluminum foil that help limit the amount of heat that transfers into the attic.

In the current design, those barriers sandwich the fourth technology: a layer of phase-changing material. This is made up of tiny beads of wax with interiors designed to melt at particular temperatures. During the day, the beads absorb heat from the sun and melt. At night, as the surrounding air cools, the beads give off the heat and solidify.

"Miller is really putting the rubber to the road," said Robert Scichili, an expert in roofing materials and president of Richardson, Tex.-based Robert Scichili Associates, a consulting firm to the building products industry. "He has come forward and said if we do this, we can drop the heat in the attic at least 40 percent."

And the neat part is that it uses standard materials already available to contractors, he said.

But getting people to adopt a new kind of roof could be a challenge, said Scichili.

"People won't chose to do it because they will always think with their pocketbook," said Scichili. Government regulations and public education could help, he said..

"It's a very simple process but the politics and the realism of it is the most difficult part," he said.

But perhaps the public will be convinced by hard numbers. In tests, Miller and Kosny found that the roof system helped reduce attic temperature by 22 degrees Fahrenheit during a typical summer afternoon. Next, they will be testing the system under winter conditions to see if the strategies they propose will work for consumers year-round.

http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/10/12/coolroof_tec.html
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Do you know the legend of the Cherokee Indian youth's rite of passage? His father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the Blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry Out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN. He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come Into manhood on his own. The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts Must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The Wind blew the grass and earth, and shook his stump, but he sat stoically, Never removing the blindfold. It would be the only way he could Become a man! Finally, after a horrific night the sun appeared and he removed his Blindfold. It was then that he discovered his father sitting on the stump Next to him. He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from Harm. We, too, are never alone. Even when we don't know it, our Heavenly Father is Watching over us, sitting on the stump beside us.
When trouble comes, all we Have to do is reach out to Him.

Thanks to David Lamb
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
October 19, 2007
Deaths from drug-resistant bacteria top those from AIDS By Judith Graham | Tribune staff reporter 12:53 AM CDT, October 17, 2007

Nearly 19,000 Americans died in 2005 of invasive infections caused by drug-resistant staphylococcus bacteria—more than were killed by AIDS, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The report, written by experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is the latest research to note the alarming spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus in communities across the U.S. and to document the bacteria's deadly impact.
MRSA is a superbug that does not respond to treatment with common antibiotics such as penicillin. More than 94,000 Americans contracted life-threatening MRSA infections in 2005, including blood and bone infections, pneumonia and inflammation of the heart's lining. Most appear to be traceable back to hospitals, nursing homes or medical clinics, the new CDC report found.
"This is really a call to action for health-care facilities to make sure they're doing everything they can to prevent MRSA," said R. Monina Klevens, the lead author of the report and a medical epidemiologist at the CDC.
This year, Illinois became the first state in the nation to require hospitals to report infection rates, test patients in intensive-care units for the bacteria and to take specific measures to prevent its spread.
Nancy Foster, vice president of patient safety at the American Hospital Association, called the study an "eye-opener" and said hospitals across the country will need to evaluate whether current strategies for combating MRSA are effective.
But a growing number of MRSA cases are also arising at community gyms and schools, and these, too, can be deadly. On Tuesday, a high school senior in Moneta, Va., died after being hospitalized for a week with an infection that spread to his kidney, liver, lungs and heart.
"I've never heard of a bacterial invasive disease with an attack rate anywhere near this high in children and the elderly," said Dr. Robert Daum, a specialist in MRSA and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Chicago.
It's not known how the Virginia student contracted the infection, but officials ordered all 21 schools in the district closed for cleaning Wednesday. The bacteria can live on common surfaces, such as a table, for days or weeks and can be transmitted when someone touches it.
The CDC study found 32 of every 100,000 people in the communities studied contracted invasive MRSA infections. Rates were twice as high for African-Americans (66 per 100,000) and four times higher for the elderly (128 per 100,000). For infants younger than 1, the rate for blacks was four times that of whites.
African-Americans may be more vulnerable because they have higher rates of chronic illnesses such as diabetes, which require more visits to health-care providers, Klevens said. Infected individuals may then unwittingly spread the bacteria to other household members.
The new CDC report is the most reliable overview of serious MRSA infections prepared to date. The data came from nine sites: Connecticut; Baltimore; the metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Denver, Atlanta and Portland, Ore.; and three counties in Minnesota, Tennessee and New York.
Instead of using administrative data, researchers checked medical records to confirm cases of invasive MRSA infections and double-checked laboratory results. An earlier CDC study that relied on administrative data had estimated 5,000 people die each year of dangerous MRSA infections.
Dr. William Jarvis, former acting director of the hospital infections program at the CDC, called upon the agency to strengthen recommended measures for preventing MRSA's spread in light of the new report's findings.
"The CDC recommends routine screening for HIV for everyone who goes to a doctor, but it doesn't even recommend routine screening for all hospital patients for MRSA," he said.
Dr. John Jernigan, deputy chief of prevention at the CDC, defended recent agency guidelines that call for health-care facilities to lower MRSA infection rates. The guidelines are voluntary and there is no timetable or national reporting of the data. But Jernigan said the recommendations will work if health-care facilities are serious about following them.

Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
October 18, 2007
Railroad Crossing

Today's Message is from Stuart Turnbull (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).
...................................................................
As we enter, or depart, the plant site it seems like more often than ever there is a train blocking one of the railroad crossings. This can be a traumatic event if we allow it to upset our day. When this happens to you, please, try to be patient. Security maintains contact with the railroad dispatchers and every effort is being made to keep the trains moving. But, some times events happen that delay that movement. So, take along a book and utilize that time to relax.

If the tracks are clear, you should still look in both directions to ensure that there isn't a train coming or that you have ample time to safely pass through the intersection.
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
October 17, 2007
Today's Message is from Shane Cantrell (a Pasadena Albemarle employee).
..................................................................
Nitrogen: The Silent Killer
Accidental nitrogen asphyxiation causes about 8 deaths per year in the United States. Nitrogen is used commercially as an inerting agent to keep material free of contaminants (including oxygen) that may corrode equipment, present a fire hazard, or be toxic. This invisible, odorless and tasteless gas makes up 78% of the air we breath and because of this, it is often assumed that nitrogen is not hazardous. In 2003, the CSB issued a Safety Bulletin drawing attention to the ongoing problem of nitrogen asphyxiation. Nitrogen asphyxiation caused 80 deaths and 50 injuries in industrial settings between 1992 and 2002, the bulletin said. The majority of incidents occurred during work in or near confined spaces, though several incidents occurred in “open” areas, including inside buildings and outdoors near equipment. The majority of incidents were caused by a failure to detect an oxygen deficient atmosphere in and around confined spaces, mistakenly using nitrogen instead of breathing air, and inadequately preparing for rescue.

Dangers of Nitrogen
The air we breathe normally contains 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. As nitrogen is added to air, it displaces oxygen. When the oxygen concentration drops from 21% to 16%, pulse and breathing rates drop, and mental functions are impaired. Below 14%, people suffer abnormal fatigue, emotional upset, poor judgment, and faulty coordination. Further reductions result in nausea, vomiting, permanent heart damage and loss of consciousness. At about 5% oxygen or below, a person will fall into a coma within 40 seconds, requiring emergency administration of oxygen to have any chance of survival.
----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
2008 Flu Season Is Coming! Are You Prepared?
FOCUS ON PREVENTION
– Vaccine - Primary prevention
– Frequently wash hands
• Hand Sanitizers
– Clean environment
• Office & Home
– Maintain healthy state (enhanced immunity)
• Healthy diet, exercise, smoking cessation

----------------------------------------------------
| Safety from the Heart |
----------------------------------------------------
October 12, 2007
RICE for the Joint

Last week, we had an employee twist his knee during a fire training exercise. The quick action by the employee and members of the team may have kept this from becoming a serious injury.
One of our “Safety Expectations” is: 9. Special emphasis will be given to joint injuries and chemical exposures.
Any employee experiencing any type of joint injury, however minor, must immediately report to the plant clinic or a medical responder for evaluation and treatment.
For injuries like mild sprains, strains, and overuse remember RICE:
 Rest
 Ice
 Compression
 Elevation
Rest the injured joint as much as possible.
Ice packs to bring down swelling.
Compression using (ACE) bandages.
Elevate using pillows or other soft objects.
For inflammation and pain, your may use anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Our Church, Magnolia Christian Center, has the following mission statement. Our purpose is to build a great church for the glory of God through the great commission and the great commandment. MCC' Vision - That MCC will be a place hopping with children, energized with teenagers, balanced with diversity and transformed by the power of God! We want to turn uninterested people into interested people and win the lost to make fully devoted followers of Christ. www.mcc2000.net
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
TOURBUS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -:) - :)- :)
Volume 13, Number 10 -- 17 Oct 2007
Tourbus Home -- http://www.InternetTourbus.com
+---------------------------------------+
TODAY'S TOURBUS TOPICS: Internet Quiz / Vista Downgrade / Clip Art

In today's TOURBUS, you'll find out how much you know about nothing.
Take the Useless Internet Knowledge Quiz and you'll see what I mean. I've also got some help for people who've tried Windows Vista and hate it. Wanna go back to XP? You can. And who doesn't like free clip art? Check out my favorite sources, and get the lowdown on Craigslist while you're at it. Read on!

-------------------------------------
The Useless Internet Knowledge Quiz
-------------------------------------

How much do you know about the Internet, cyber-culture, the heroes and the villians of the online world? Find out by taking the Useless Internet Knowledge Quiz! It'll measure your knowledge of the people who, for better or worse, made the Internet what it is. Are you up to speed on the most popular memes and viral videos? What about famous spoofs, hoaxes and urban legends?

I think you'll find that The Useless Internet Knowledge Quiz is a fun learning (or memory jogging) tool as well as a test of your cyber knowledge. After each question, you'll see the correct answer, and a link where you can learn more about the topic. When you're done, send your score to a friend and a challenge them! Are you ready?

http://askbobrankin.com/quiz.html

-----------------------
Vista to XP Downgrade
-----------------------

Although Windows Vista was launched with much fanfare, user reaction to Vista has been mostly lukewarm, and many customers are looking for a way to "downgrade" from Vista to Windows XP. The reasons are many, including hardware incompatibility, sluggish performance, software that doesn't work, freezes or crashes, and gripes that the new Digital Rights Management feature unfairly restricts the freedom of users.

If you're running Windows Vista, and looking for a way to go back to Windows XP, here are some tips to take the pain out of that process...
http://askbobrankin.com/vista_to_xp_downgrade.html

---------------------------------
Free Clip Art and Drawing Tools
---------------------------------

Do you create newsletters, presentations, or do website design? A few years ago, you'd have to spend hundreds of dollars on a graphics editor and clip art packages. But now there are plenty of good sources for free clip art and even drawing tools.

If you're looking for some websites where can you find free clip art, stock photos and drawing tools to spice up your work, read on...

http://askbobrankin.com/free_clip_art.html

---------------------
What is Craigslist?
---------------------

Who is Craig, and what's on his list? Craigslist is sometimes blamed or praised for killing the traditional classified ad business. Some call it the next eBay, and others use it for job postings. The site was founded in 1995 by internet entrepreneur Craig Newmark. It's an online community where you can find jobs, housing, goods, services, romance, local activities, advice and lots more.

Newmark says he started the site "to give people a break" and over a decade later, it's clear that the bare-bones but very useful site does just that for many people. Because help wanted ads are sold for just $25 in most cities and all other ads are free, Craiglist has expanded to 450 cities in 50 countries. Should you post your ad on Ebay or Craiglist? Find out here:

http://askbobrankin.com/what_is_craigslist.html

+---------------------------------------+
That's all for now, see you next time! -- Bob Rankin
+---------------------------------------+
==[ Tourbus Rider Information ]==
The Internet Tourbus - U.S. Library of Congress ISSN #1094-2238 Copyright 1995-2005, Rankin & Crispen - All rights reserved Tourbus News Service - http://tourbus.com/news.html Subscribe, Signoff, Archives, Free Stuff and More at the Tourbus Website - http://www.TOURBUS.com
========================
.~~~. ))
(\__/) .' ) )) Patrick Douglas Crispen
/o o \/ .~
{o_, \ { crispen@netsquirrel.com
/ , , ) \ http://www.netsquirrel.com/
`~ -' \ } )) AOL Instant Messenger: Squirrel2K
_( ( )_.'
---..{____} Warning: squirrels.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Activities and Events of Interest
~~
Tuesday, October 23 Magnolia Hospital Medicare Drive Through Flu Shot Clinic, 8 am at Columbia County Fair Grounds.
~~
MCC Hallelujah Night, Wednesday, October 31, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
~~
YOU CAN RUN, BUT YOU CAN'T HIDE..........
Don't be a turkey, donate blood!!
Thursday, November 8
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Bloodmobile @ Health Fair
Call Nancy Terry @6286 to sign-up
DONATE AND GET A GIFT!
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"September 11 WDYTJWD" W. P. Florence
Justice first, then peace."
"September 11" Never forget.--Tony Moses
"ONE NATION UNDER GOD ...the only way"--Phillip Story
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." -- Franklin D. Roosevelt
"Keeping my head down but face toward Heaven" - - Jody Eldred, ABC News Cameraman in Kuwait
"Remember Pearl Harbor? Remember 9/11!" --"Bug"
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. - - George Carlin
"Stop telling God how big your storm is. Instead, tell the storm how big your God is!" - - Queen E. Watson
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Weekly Toll - - http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com/
Death In The Workplace w/News & Updates
John Donne - ...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind, and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.
A partial list of workplace fatalities.

OSHA The CSB and Me

The photo of a plant explosion [http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com/] may seem familiar it is part of the USMWF banner and is a constant reminder of why I spend so much time trying to make a difference for other families.

My brother Shawn was directly in front of the furnace during the first blast at Hayes Lemmerz and not much further during the second which was much more intense. Believe it or not he was a tough cookie and survived only later to be taken off of life support. His internal organs were burnt beyond repair, his eye sight was gone and his limbs damaged beyond repair. There were several reports as to how much of his body was burned and it ranged from 95-98% which at that point it really doesn't matter because much of it was 3rd degree burns.

Besides taking Shawn off of life support the most reoccurring image was of the priest who spoke to us and visited the burn unit on a regular basis he stated " I am sorry sorry, I have really never seen anything quit this bad since the war so prepare yourself before you go in." the second warning I received before walking in and seeing him. But there is no preparing to see a loved one in that position.

I have been around death before Shawn and since him; I know it's smell, it is distinct and there is no other that can compare. When it hits you it drains every inch of your body's strength and leave you with a since of lifelessness.

I really didn't intend to go into this again as I hate it. It is haunting experience that reoccurs and never gets less painful, never fades and no one should have to endure. No family should have to deal with this and no person should have to die in this manner just making a living.


The CSB has been a hero of sorts to families who have and a loss do to combustible dusts.

The CSB has investigated many of the combustible dust explosions and can include 50 industrial sectors including chemicals, textiles, metal processing, wood and furniture, wastewater treatment, agriculture, paper products, pharmaceuticals and recycling operations for metal, paper and plastics.

In a 25 year span 119 workers have been killed and more than 700 in combustible dust explosions. The CSB has fought long and hard to gain regulation for combustible dust with no real response from OSHA.

So on Oct. 19, 2007 OSHA announced a combustible dust safety programm. The instruction is available electronically on OSHA's Web site. OSHA mostly based it's instruction on the on CSB's studies and NFPA standards and codes some of which came out of the CSB investigations.

However the CSB is skeptical of the new instruction and wonders if it is enough,

“We’re certainly pleased that OSHA is paying increased attention to this area of deadly accidents,” said Daniel Horowitz, spokesman for the safety board."

“We certainly are going to study the OSHA action closely,” Horowitz said. He noted that the safety board has made multiple recommendations to the administration for changes on OSHA safety enforcement and requirements, and the board has not had time yet to determine whether today’s OSHA action has addressed all of those safety recommendations."

I guess it's more than what we had for 819 others but time will tell. It just make one wonder why they feel so compelled to use the CSB findings for an instruction but make new regulations. To me that is more like covering a base for both teams and that just don't happen.

~~

Mansour Osanloo, the jailed leader of the bus workers' union in Tehran, faces the possible loss of his eyesight unless he receives urgent medical attention -- which the Iranian authorities are denying him.

Amnesty International has just now launched an online campaign calling on the Iranian government to allow Osanloo to receive medical attention. I urge all of you to sent off your messages today. The Iranian government must be made aware that the world is watching.

The International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), which has spearheaded the international campaign in defense of Osanloo, has now produced a short film entitled "Freedom Will Come" which tells his story. It can be viewed online on YouTube, and will shortly be available as a DVD as well.

If every reader of this message passes it on to a few friends and colleagues, we can flood the Iranian government with email messages -- but we must do this quickly, before Osanloo loses his vision.
~~
GOLDEN, CO — Authorities say the construction worker who died on Interstate 70 was 43-year-old Kerry G. Lovelace of Denver. The State Patrol says Lovelace was picking up construction cones from the back of a truck Tuesday when he fell out and was run over.

Man injured in trench collapse dies
SHAWNEE, Kan. - A Kansas City, Kansas, man who was injured when a trench collapsed in Shawnee last month has died. Dennis Lewis was injured September 17th while working for Backhoe Services in Olathe at a residential development. He was installing plumbing pipes when the trench he was in gave way.

Car leaves road, lawn worker killed
IN - An Indianapolis man died Tuesday after a car struck the lawnmower he was riding on the Far Northside. Jose De Jesus Pasillasguitter, 23, died of injuries suffered in the crash,

Ironworker falls to his death at journalism-school worksite
AZ - An ironworker fell to his death Tuesday morning while working on Arizona State University's $71 million journalism-school building in downtown Phoenix. Ian Delmar, 21, fell from the seventh floor - what is now the top of the building - 80 feet down an air-conditioning shaft in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication building

Worker Killed During Controlled Burn In Webster Parish
LA - A man helping with a controlled burn was killed Thursday afternoon in Webster Parish. Webster Parish Sheriff Gary Sexton says the man worked for a private company that was hired to clear out brush along Highway 163 and Booth Cutoff Road. That's just south of Doyline. Sexton said right now he thinks the 25-year-old worker from east Texas somehow got caught up in the flames of the controlled burn.

DeKalb, A Waterloo soybean farmer was killed sometime after 2 p.m. while using a combine in a field off of County Road 10 in DeKalb County. John Miller, 64, was using the combine to cut soybeans when the head of the combine struck a ditch and became stuck, DeKalb County Coroner Jeff Warner said. Miller got off the combine without turning it off and crawled underneath it to try to release the head of the combine. The head of the combine, which Warner said weighed about a ton, fell onto Miller and suffocated him.

Wall tumbles at construction site, killing two
BROWNSVILLE, TX — Two construction workers with Texas Steel Erectors Inc. died Tuesday afternoon and a third one remains in stable condition at a local hospital after a wall panel collapsed at the construction site of the future T-Mobile Customer Service Center in Northeast Brownsville.

Two Men Killed in Collapse
PA - Two Amish men were killed when they were buried in rubble after a barn wall collapsed. John Esh of Loganton and his 15-year-old son, Benjamin, were buried in the rubble,

CBD worker dies after 3-story fall
LA - A worker who fell from a window Thursday in the Central Business District has died, the Orleans Parish coroner's office said Saturday. Segundo Cruz-Venturo, 28, fell about 10:30 a.m. from a third-floor window while installing glass in the area of Julia and Baronne streets

Tree trimmer electrocuted in Marin
WOODACRE, CA - A 26-year-old San Rafael man was electrocuted by a 12,000-volt power line as he trimmed a redwood tree in Marin County, authorities said today.

Smoke inhalation killed 5 workers in pipeline fire, coroner concludes
CO - The Clear Creek County coroner's office has determined that five painters killed last week during a fire in a pipeline above Georgetown died from asphyxiation caused by smoke inhalation.

Machinery crushes worker to death
AURORA, OH - Federal authorities are investigating the death of a construction worker who was crushed by a piece of falling machinery. A bucket from an excavator had dislodged from the machine and fallen onto Myers, crushing his chest, said Aurora Fire Chief John Lehman.

Frankfort Worker Dies After Fall
KY - An investigation is underway in Frankfort tonight after a worker falls to his death at a construction site.

Worker dies in fall down elevator shaft
AL - A 36-year-old construction worker died this afternoon when he fell 40 feet down an elevator shaft.

Tree service worker dies after fall
ORANGEBURG, S.C. - A 44-year-old man trimming limbs has died after the tree he was climbing in uprooted, sending him to street below.

Worker dies at Cronkite School site, Victim fell into 80-foot deep hole
AZ - A 21-year-old male construction worker died Tuesday morning after falling from the roof of the new building for the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the Downtown campus. Ian Delmar was assisting a crane when he fell into a hole that was about 80-feet deep

Worker dies in fall at construction site
ORANGE BEACH, AL - A construction worker fell to his death Wednesday afternoon while setting a reference line for carpenters on the 10th floor of the Phoenix West II condominiums, authorities said. Michael Long, 45, of Carthage, Miss., was pronounced dead at the scene,

Pipeline worker killed at Harriman State Park
Harriman State Park, NY — A construction worker was killed this morning when he was thrown from a machine he was operating and it rolled over him.

Worker Killed In Construction Accident
WV - A local man dies in an early morning construction accident, at Allegheny Energy's Pleasants County power plant The individual did not work for the power company. 37-year-old Kinsey Culp of Marietta ... was an employee of Maryland-based Pullman Power Company. Culp, and another employee...were working on a construction project at a plant chimney, located between the power plant's two smokestacks...when he fell more than two hundred feet.

FARMER KILLED IN TRACTOR ACCIDENT
CA - A 46-year-old farmer died Wednesday after being run over by his tractor while harvesting almonds on his ranch, officials said. The man, whose name was not released, had an unknown mechanical problem about 3:30 p.m. while driving the tractor near his home, on the 6100 block of Vivian Road, southwest of Modesto, sheriff's spokesman Royjindar Singh said. The tractor's engine stopped, and when he restarted it, the machine began to roll forward. The man ran in front of the tractor in an attempt to jump onto its seat, Singh said, but instead he got caught in front of it.

Worker killed in tire accident
UT - A 34-year-old Salt Lake City man died Thursday at a tire shop while he was placing a jack under a semitrailer to change the tires and the driver accidentally drove over him.

Worker falls to his death off of Verrazano Bridge
New York- - A worker (Manuel Pereira, 48) was killed when he plunged off the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge on the Brooklyn side Friday afternoon. Authorities say the worker fell off the bridge on the Staten Island-bound lower-level just before 1:40 p.m. The victim, who is employed by the contractor doing construction work, reportedly fell to the ground

Officials identify worker killed in power line accident
HERMON, Maine - A construction worker who was accidentally electrocuted while working on a modular home has been identified as a 24-year-old Portland man. Angel Valespi was pronounced dead at Eastern Maine Medical Center following the Wednesday morning accident working on a home that was in contact with a crane that bumped into overhead power lines, the Penobscot County Sheriff's Office said. High winds were believed to have been a factor in the accident, which was under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Centreville worker dies weeks after accident, Man fell off mower, was run over by it
IL - The 48-year-old Centreville city worker who fell off a mower while cutting grass on a sloped area about seven weeks ago died Tuesday at a St. Louis hospital. " Staten was working on Phiefer Road in Centreville cutting grass on a slope when he fell from the Bush Hog mower, Jackson said. "The rear end of the Bush Hog ran over his legs,"

Moss Point Man Dies At Pascagoula Shipyard
MS - A Moss Point man died Wednesday afternoon at Signal International. Michael Bodden had been working at the Pascagoula company for two weeks as an electrician.

Plant Fined Following Worker’s Death
GAFFNEY, S.C. -- The Nestle frozen food plant in Gaffney will have to pay a fine for safety violations found in connection with the death of an employee who was killed at the plant in July. James Redmon, 65, died while he was working on a crane. OSHA also said that Redmon didn’t follow the proper lockout procedure.

I-70 worker killed while pulling cones
Morrison, CO - A worker for a state highway subcontractor was killed on Interstate 70 about 3:30 p.m. Tuesday when he apparently fell off a truck while picking up traffic cones and the truck ran over him twice.

Construction Worker Dead After Scaffolding Falls On Him, Incident Under Investigation
WESTFIELD, Ind. -- A man working at a Westfield home construction site was pronounced dead after steel scaffolding fell on him Wednesday, authorities said. Juan Rivera, 36, of Indianapolis, had just stepped onto the scaffolding from one of the home's windows when the scaffolding tipped, police said. Rivera fell about 10 feet, and then the scaffolding fell onto him, police said. Police said the scaffolding, before it fell, was on a forklift.

Oradell DPW Employee Killed on Job
ORADELL, N.J. - An Oradell public works employee died on the job Tuesday when a small steamroller pinned him against a parked car as he filled a pothole on a quiet side street,

Car wash worker killed when sucked into brushes
CA - In one of those who-would-have-believed-it accidents, an 18-year-old car wash worker was killed in Michigan when he got pulled into the machinery. Ricardo Martinez was cleaning the equipment at the end of the day with a pressure washer when, somehow, he became entangled in the machinery and received fatal injuries.

Worker dies in Aurora forklift accident
Co - A 32-year-old worker at a Centennial masonry company was killed Friday when a forklift he was using rolled over onto him. The accident happened at about 1:45 this afternoon at United Masonry, which is in the 15300 block of East Hinsdale Circle. South Metro Fire Rescue spokesman Andy Lyon said the man was using a large forklift to raise and push a flatbed trailer up a slight incline from the a parking lot to a fenced-in yard. At one point, the man climbed out of the forklift to make sure everything was secure, and the trailer began to roll down the incline. Lyon said the trailer pushed against the forklift, causing it to tip. The man ran back to the forklift to try to move it, but the forklift fell onto him.

Oil Field Worker Killed
This is the second accident in three weeks that happened outside Morton at a pumping station, and according to the county sheriff, this is simply a dangerous business. "Anytime people work around machinery... Some little something goes wrong... An unexpected and it happens," Cochran County Sheriff Wallace Stalcup said. Yesterday morning, a crew was removing cycle rods from the ground. Those rods go into the ground to pump the oil out and as one was being removed, it got bent, snapped and instantly killed 56-year-old Levelland resident Jesus Chavira.

Farmer killed in rural Gibson City
IL - The Ford County Sheriff says it's an unfortunate but common accident that can happen this time of year. A farmer was killed Tuesday night in rural Gibson City, near the McLean County Line, as he was mowing. Sheriff Mark Doran says 61-year-old Michael Schroeder's family became worried when he didn't return at dusk, and a neighbor found Schroeder around midnight less than a mile from his home.

Men die of injuries from boom lift
GA - Two Warner Robins men hospitalized a week ago today after the portable boom lift they were in suddenly fell over have died. Travis Scott Register, 27, died Saturday at The Medical Center of Central Georgia. Robert Jay Stephens, 28, died Friday at the Macon hospital. The cause of the accident is under investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The two men were working on the flashing near the roof line of the Flint Energies building under construction on Russell Parkway in Warner Robins when the boom lift toppled over,

Farmer killed after mowing tractor rolls over
GIBSON CITY, IL — Ford County authorities have identified the farmer who was killed early Wednesday morning in a mowing accident as Michael J. Schroeder, 60, of rural Gibson City He was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:30 a.m. Wednesday at county roads 300N and 70 E west of Gibson City. Ford County Sheriff Mark Doran said Schroeder was mowing along the edge of a creek in that area when a tire of his tractor apparently slipped off the edge of the waterway. The tractor rolled on top of him.

Dayton Farm Accident Claims 15-Year-Old, Equipment Detaches From Tractor, Hits Youngster
DAYTON, VA — A farm accident claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy in Dayton Monday, according to Sgt. Felicia Glick of the Rockingham County Sheriff’s Office. Eric James Koogler of Harrisonburg was fatally injured shortly before 4 p.m. at a farm on Ottobine Road after he was hit in the torso by a piece of farm equipment that became detached from a tractor,

Worker dies of injuries suffered in ammonia release
WATERLOO, IA - Elizabeth Myers died Sunday of injuries suffered when ammonia was accidentally released at a Beef Products Inc. plant, state labor officials said Tuesday. Myers was one of several workers injured when a BPI employee opened a valve that wasn't locked causing the ammonia to be released on Friday, officials with the Iowa Labor Commissioner's Office said. One other worker was taken to the burn unit at University Hospitals in Iowa City. Several others were taken to a hospital but no information was available Tuesday about their conditions, officials said.

Carwash employee dies at Goo Goo wash
WYOMING, MI — A full-time carwash employee died after becoming entangled in the automatic brushes of a franchised Goo Goo Express Wash here, according to an Associated Press report. The Sept. 1 story said Ricardo Martinez was closing the carwash when a customer returned to have his vehicle washed again. After the vehicle entered the carwash, Martinez went inside to clean the tunnel and became entangled in its automatic brush.

A Marathon employee dies at Garyville plant
CA - A newly hired Marathon Oil Co. employee died in a motor vehicle accident at the Garyville refinery over the weekend, a company spokeswoman said Tuesday. Jackie Batiste, 34, of Hahnville was fatally injured after he accidentally drove a company vehicle into a retention pond at the refinery on Friday night, said Angelia Graves, a Marathon spokeswoman. Graves said it appears as though Batiste, who was on duty at the time of the accident, drowned.

Worker Killed at Beaumont Construction Site
CA - Authorities Tuesday released the name of a contract worker who suffered fatal injuries in Beaumont while replacing an electrical transformer that failed during the heat wave. The California Department of Industrial Relations' Division of Occupational Safety & Health has opened an investigation into the death of 50-year-old Richard Eastman

http://weeklytoll.blogspot.com
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
NEVER FORGET! We're listing the names of our soldiers killed weekly. These records can be found at http://www.defenselink. mil/releases/

01. Pvt. Nathan Z. Thacker, 18, of Greenbrier, Ark., died Oct. 12 in Kirkuk, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y.

02. Spc. Frank L. Cady III, 20, of Sacramento, Calif., died Oct.10 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries sustained during a vehicle roll-over. He was assigned to the 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

03. Sgt.1st Class Justin S. Monschke, 28, of Krum, Texas, died Oct 14 in Arab Jabour, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his unit while on patrol during combat operations. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

04. Pfc. Kenneth J. Iwasinski, 22, of West Springfield, Mass., died Oct 14 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat operations. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Co.

05. 1st Lt. Thomas M. Martin, 27, of Ward, Ark., died Oct 14 in Al Busayifi, Iraq, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.

06. Spc. Jason B. Koutroubas, 21, of Dunnellon, Fla., died Oct 14 in Tal Afar, Iraq, from injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to Special Troops Battalion, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Bliss, Texas.

07. Spc. Micheal D. Brown, 20, of Williamsburg, Kan. died Oct.16 in Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, of a non-combat related illness after being transported from Tikrit,Iraq on Oct.15. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kan.

08. Spc. Vincent A. Madero, 22, of Port Hueneme, Calif. died Oct 17 in Balad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his HMMWV. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.

09. Staff Sgt. Jarred S. Fontenot, 35, of Port Barre, La., died Oct. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered from an improvised explosive device and small arms fire during combat operations. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Co.

~~

Air Force Pilot Missing From Vietnam War is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.
He is Maj. Robert G. Lapham, U.S. Air Force, of Marshall, Mich. He will be buried Friday in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.
On Feb. 8, 1968, Lapham was flying the lead A-1G Skyraider in a flight of two in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. The aircraft were alerted to join an airborne forward air controller to destroy enemy tanks that had overrun the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp. After completing one pass on the tanks, Lapham was nearing his target on the second pass when he crashed. The crew of the other aircraft involved in the mission reported seeing no parachute.
Between 1993 and 1998, joint U.S./Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), traveled to Quang Tri Province two times to investigate the incident and interview witnesses. One team also surveyed the crash site and found aircraft wreckage.
In 2003, another joint team investigated the incident and resurveyed the crash site. The team found more wreckage and pilot-related evidence, including Lapham’s identification tag.
Between 2004 and 2006, JPAC teams traveled to Quang Tri Province four times to excavate the crash site. The teams recovered human remains, aircraft wreckage and pilot-related items.
Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.

For additional information of the Defense Department’s mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Please remember to pray for the American soldiers stationed everywhere around the globe and especially in Iraq. Times have been and are very tough and it would be nice if you would all just say a prayer for their safety and for their families.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Scheduled Activities
~~~
Columbia County Amateur Radio Club meets Every second Thursday @ 7:00 p.m. Union Street Station. And YOU'RE invited. Net is every Sunday at 20:30 on 147.105.
~~~
MCC - Mom's Day Out - Every Tuesday and Thursday from 9 to 2.$10 for the first child, $5 for the second. Call 234-3225 for reservations.
~~~
MCC - Nursing Home Ministry - Meadowbrook Every Tuesday from 10 to 11 am. Taylor, the last Thursday each month.
~~~
Men's Prayer Breakfast held every Tuesday morning at 6 AM in Miller's Cafeteria. If you aren't a regular participant at the Men's Prayer Breakfast, you're missing some great food, fellowship and inspired teaching of the Word. Hope to see you there.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
Emergency Phone Number 911
(Fire, Police, Ambulance, Sheriff, etc. )
Central Dispatch 234-5655
(Non - Emergency Number)
Direct Numbers
Ambulance - 234-7371 (24 Hour)
Jail - 234-5331 (24 Hour)
Poison Control - 800-222-1222 (24 Hour)
http://www. aapcc. org/
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>
"There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle."
"Laugh whenever you can and cry if you need to." -- "Bug"
"I read the end of the book. We win!" -- "Bug"
"We may not be able to cure the world, but we don't have to make it sicker." -- "Bug"
"There just ain't enough fingers for all the holes in the dike." - - "Bug"
"It's no big deal doing what God tells you to do. A big deal would be NOT doing what God tells you to do. Just ask Jonah." - - Paul Troquille
"A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in ... and how many want out." - - Tony Blair
"Information is the currency of democracy." - Jefferson
"The problem is here and now. The time for talk is past. The time for action is now."
Comments on the first Earth Day - James F. McClellan via "Fuzzy" Thurman
~~~~~
Hope you enjoy the newsletter.
Again, thanks to all our contributors this week.

God bless and GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!
Rom 7:15,18,22,23 Titus 2:1-3 Luke 20:19-20 Luke 22:35-36 http://www.e-min.org/
God is Good and Faithful CU 73 IC JFM CSP NREMT-I KC5HII

P. S. If you'd like to be added to the distribution, just drop us E-mail at KC5HII@Magnolia-Net.Com. We offer "Da Bleat" as text, a "Blog" and as a newsletter with pictures in Word and PDF format. The latest issue is usually updated sometime Saturday. For the "Blog" version just go to one of the several addresses on the web. For the latest issue, go to http://www.bugsbleat.blogspot.com. Older issues can be found at http://www.bugsbleat_q__.blogspot.com, where _ is the quarter (1, 2, 3, or 4) and __ is the year (05, 06, or 07). We also have a site [http://bugsbleatphotos.blogspot.com/] where we post photos that I like.
Let us hear from you if we can switch you over to the "Word" or "PDF" version of "Da Bleat".
If you'd prefer to read "Da Blog" version, just drop us a note at KC5HII@Magnolia-Net.Com and we'll switch you from e:mail delivery to "Da Bleat" Blog. We appreciate your encouragement. We also appreciate your communication when you desire to be taken off our mail list. If you are on this mail list by mistake or do not wish to receive "Da Bleat," please reply back and tell us to discontinue service to you. This email was scanned by Norton AntiVirus 2007 before it was sent.
><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><>