May 07, 2011
May 28, 2010
The Whole Deep Sea Drilling Dilemma
I've been thinking a lot about this massive "environmental disaster" that BP/Transocean/Halliburton have created (amongst others) and I think the most disturbing issue about the whole mess is that they really don't and didn't have any idea how to fix a problem this deep in the ocean. I mean its sort of like reaching into a hole in the wall 'cause you think there is treasure in there and not worrying about any consequences to your appendage as you are sticking it in the unknown blackness of a hole. Did they just rationalize the possible problems they might run into and say "well we will cross that bridge if it raises its head"? Now I'm not trying to be an ass but, they keep saying, "well these methods have never been tried at these depths" over and over and I say well maybe you should have experimented a little before shoving your arm into that black hole. I know its expensive, very expensive to do preliminary testing but most other industries do because the worst case scenario is unthinkable and even more expensive than the testing. I think this is just an example of big oil getting lax regulation, as they seem to everywhere, so we can have more oil. If these government agencies are not going to do their job, then close them down and save our tax money. As it is right now, we pay all these oil regulatory agencies salaries and still get the worst oil spill in history.
The other issue I am furious about is that these dispersants, which are basically oil detergents, are almost as poisonous to the fish and wildlife as the oil. BP refuses to stop using them because it makes the oil sink below the surface and is not as visible to the public. Videos of these giant underwater plumes of oil is just horrific! It is very disturbing to me that they would do these heinous deeds just so the public doesn't see the oil on their beaches and on top of the sea. At least if it is floating on the surface you can see where it is and have a chance to collect it. And I have to say that BP is probably no worse than any other large oil company. Put on the concerned face for the public but then do ANYTHING to the sea to keep the oil off the beaches and out of sight. Despicable.
A related stories:
Enormous, “Shocking” Oil Plumes Underwater in the Gulf
22-mile oil plume found under Gulf surface
The other issue I am furious about is that these dispersants, which are basically oil detergents, are almost as poisonous to the fish and wildlife as the oil. BP refuses to stop using them because it makes the oil sink below the surface and is not as visible to the public. Videos of these giant underwater plumes of oil is just horrific! It is very disturbing to me that they would do these heinous deeds just so the public doesn't see the oil on their beaches and on top of the sea. At least if it is floating on the surface you can see where it is and have a chance to collect it. And I have to say that BP is probably no worse than any other large oil company. Put on the concerned face for the public but then do ANYTHING to the sea to keep the oil off the beaches and out of sight. Despicable.
A related stories:
Enormous, “Shocking” Oil Plumes Underwater in the Gulf
22-mile oil plume found under Gulf surface
February 28, 2010
Where have all the patriots gone?
Okay... I have to say up front, I have never been a fan of the "universal" health care concept. I mean, its not that I don't care about people who have no coverage. It must be horrible to be sick and have to choose whether you eat next week or go to the doctor. To me the issue of who has insurance is not the root of the problem. The root has festered for decades and it has to do with liability and tort laws and too many lawyers wanting to make "quick" money. I mean I have insurance through my employer (and pay through the nose for it) and I even wince at the notion of going to the doctor because it is just SOOOOOO EXPENSIVE! But those are whole other issues that are not what I wanted to talk about.
Given all those variables I mentioned above, health care in this country is probably the best anywhere and it costs like it. What bothered me this week is that our Congress is controlled by those who seem determined to pass ANY health care bill they can no matter what the consequences are. I mean if these people truly were patriotic and cared deeply about our country then why would they want to put the next 10 generations of U.S. children in debt up to their eyeballs. I mean the numbers they have been throwing around are almost impossible for anyone to really grasp. Our national debt right now is somewhere between 11 and 12 TRILLION dollars. Its hard to even imagine how much money that is let alone the 900 TRILLION dollars that they are estimating a "universal" health care bill will cost the U.S. in just the next TEN years. That is only 10 years of cost. I don't know about you but, we cannot afford something like that whether it is a noble and good cause or not. Where are we going to get that kind of money?! This type of thinking is completely ludicrous! The people trying to push this type of legislation through could not be true patriots. No true patriot would bankrupt their own country!! The only reason someone would want to push something like this through is that they have a private agenda or they just don't care about our future. We need to elect new leadership and a new Congress that will address the issues and not which party is promoting an issue! We need people who care about our future and the future of our country not their own selfish wants or personal agendas.
If you think the debt problem in Greece looks really bad, which has been living on borrowed money for all of their entitlement and subsidized programs for years, then this issue should really scare you. We will make that problem look microscopic. A debt load of this magnitude for the United States will eventually bankrupt us and pull the rest of the world economies down too...... and they may never recover.
Where have all the patriots gone?
Given all those variables I mentioned above, health care in this country is probably the best anywhere and it costs like it. What bothered me this week is that our Congress is controlled by those who seem determined to pass ANY health care bill they can no matter what the consequences are. I mean if these people truly were patriotic and cared deeply about our country then why would they want to put the next 10 generations of U.S. children in debt up to their eyeballs. I mean the numbers they have been throwing around are almost impossible for anyone to really grasp. Our national debt right now is somewhere between 11 and 12 TRILLION dollars. Its hard to even imagine how much money that is let alone the 900 TRILLION dollars that they are estimating a "universal" health care bill will cost the U.S. in just the next TEN years. That is only 10 years of cost. I don't know about you but, we cannot afford something like that whether it is a noble and good cause or not. Where are we going to get that kind of money?! This type of thinking is completely ludicrous! The people trying to push this type of legislation through could not be true patriots. No true patriot would bankrupt their own country!! The only reason someone would want to push something like this through is that they have a private agenda or they just don't care about our future. We need to elect new leadership and a new Congress that will address the issues and not which party is promoting an issue! We need people who care about our future and the future of our country not their own selfish wants or personal agendas.
If you think the debt problem in Greece looks really bad, which has been living on borrowed money for all of their entitlement and subsidized programs for years, then this issue should really scare you. We will make that problem look microscopic. A debt load of this magnitude for the United States will eventually bankrupt us and pull the rest of the world economies down too...... and they may never recover.
Where have all the patriots gone?
February 09, 2010
When its time to vote, Lets get some new blood in Congress
One day a florist goes to a barber for a haircut. After the cut he asked
About his bill and the barber replies, "I cannot accept money from you.
I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and
Left the shop.
When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a
'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the
Barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing
Community service this week." The cop is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card
And a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries
To pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you.
I'm doing community service this week." The professor is very happy
And leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you'
Card and a dozen different books, such as "How to Improve Your Business"
And "Becoming More Successful."
Then, a Congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill
The barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing
Community service this week." The Congressman is very happy and leaves
The shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen
Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.
And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the
Citizens of our country and the members of our Congress.
About his bill and the barber replies, "I cannot accept money from you.
I'm doing community service this week." The florist was pleased and
Left the shop.
When the barber goes to open his shop the next morning there is a
'thank you' card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.
Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill, the
Barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing
Community service this week." The cop is happy and leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up there is a 'thank you' card
And a dozen donuts waiting for him at his door.
Later that day, a college professor comes in for a haircut, and when he tries
To pay his bill, the barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you.
I'm doing community service this week." The professor is very happy
And leaves the shop.
The next morning when the barber opens his shop, there is a 'thank you'
Card and a dozen different books, such as "How to Improve Your Business"
And "Becoming More Successful."
Then, a Congressman comes in for a haircut, and when he goes to pay his bill
The barber again replies, "I cannot accept money from you. I'm doing
Community service this week." The Congressman is very happy and leaves
The shop.
The next morning when the barber goes to open up, there are a dozen
Congressmen lined up waiting for a free haircut.
And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference between the
Citizens of our country and the members of our Congress.
February 05, 2010
Jonathan Coulton Concert
January 26, 2010
Tablet, TABlet, TABLET!!!!
Okay, I know every tech geek and nerd around the world has already blogged and fantasized about the "new creation" about to be unveiled tomorrow but, even though this as many others, has been blown out of proportion, one must do a history check and see that Apple has a knack for producing products that are just plain desirable. This veil of secrecy that Apple/Jobs employs is much like the christmas presents under the tree when you were a kid. You know that some of them are probably what you wanted by their shape, size & weight, but at the end of the day, you just really don't know. Only on Christmas morning will your imagined gifts be confirmed or not. This anticipation is truly an endorphin generator. I can only imagine how many good ideas we have given to Steve Jobs and his Apple team by our speculation before a new product or version of a product emerges.
That said, I still think that even though much of the industry is poised to produce their own version of a tablet device, the Apple design and forethought of what this device can do for you will prevail. Their UI's are second to none. They anticipate what you might want to do with this device and provide for it. Bigger than an iPhone and smaller and more compact than a laptop, I believe it will serve a niche that so far is not fulfilled. How big this niche is is anyones guess but, as with the iPhone, once the device is out in the world, people will use the context of their life to shape what and how the device will work for them. When the iPhone first came out people were saying, "oh it is just another smart phone that is more expensive." It was deemed a hardware snobs phone, not one for the masses.
Well the masses have spoken and last quarter they spoke rather loudly with Apple compiling its best quarter in the history of the company. Even though the new tablet will not be a "computer" it will find this unserviced niche that so far has remained out of reach. Perhaps it is a small niche or perhaps no one has bothered to figure it out. For those heavy computing individuals this hardware will not be for them but for email, internet surfing, media playback and periodical / book reading this is exactly what will give people the ease and mobility for these daily, life contextual tasks. I think that this tablet will find its place in our world and soon people will look at their laptops the same way they looked at their desktops a decade ago.
November 13, 2009
Insecurity via Technology
As much as I am a gadget freak and smartphone freak, I recently started to think what life would be like without all this information at my finger tips. I mean of course I would miss the cool gadget but looking beyond the gadgetry, what if we didn't know what was going on except in our immediate world as it was only a few decades ago? Technology has changed the way we live so fast and been accepted by the majority of the world's population so quickly that we sometimes forget how much we depend on it. What is happening in the financial markets right now? Oh let me go check it on my iPhone. What is happening in the middle east? Oh let me go check the thousands of news sites on the web with my Blackberry. We have become so dependent on these devices for information it is a little scary.
Remember when you had to go somewhere say for an interview and you had no idea where it was so you tried to find it on a map and then winged it once you got close to your destination. That funny feeling in your gut? Nervous, queasy apprehensive anxiety? Now courtesy of Google Maps or MapQuest or any number of other similar services, you can not only get a turn by turn map to the address you can get a satellite pic of the area. When I was in college a few years ago.... all we had to communicate with girlfriends, parents and friends was a land line phone or a physical letter carried by our mighty USPS. We had no email, no cell phone, no social media like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, texting etc. It seems like the dark ages now but that was only 25 years ago. Only 25!! While I am not trying to sound like I walked in the 6 foot snow to school story, I am trying to grasp how much society has changed due to technology in a mere 25 years. You can create friendships, relationships and more without even ever meeting the person face to face. I have many electronic friends and it doesn't take long to feel like you really know them, and for all intense and purposes you do! You can share your life via pics, music, video, blogs, websites, etc.. I talk regularly to people in Europe via Twitter and email, share pictures with people all over the world with a flick of a button (no pun intended) on Flickr and can post to my blog from my iphone in the middle of the Caribbean while on holiday. Who needs postcards anymore. Take some pics on your phone and share them with your contacts. Instant postcard.
What would happen if we were suddenly thrust into an information vacuum? As unlikely as this is, what if we did not get instant information for even close to home? Has our dependency on this technology made us a little insecure? What if I couldn't check on my investments unless I called someone or waited for the monthly statement in the mail? Where is my package? What was the name of that band? How much is that camera? What foods are good for your liver? The web of information availability has hooked us and if we ever are without it we may fall hard. Being an information whore is not a bad thing but, remembering how we got to this point and respecting the miracle that it is without taking it for granted might reduce the need for a large prescription of tranquilizers.
Remember when you had to go somewhere say for an interview and you had no idea where it was so you tried to find it on a map and then winged it once you got close to your destination. That funny feeling in your gut? Nervous, queasy apprehensive anxiety? Now courtesy of Google Maps or MapQuest or any number of other similar services, you can not only get a turn by turn map to the address you can get a satellite pic of the area. When I was in college a few years ago.... all we had to communicate with girlfriends, parents and friends was a land line phone or a physical letter carried by our mighty USPS. We had no email, no cell phone, no social media like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, texting etc. It seems like the dark ages now but that was only 25 years ago. Only 25!! While I am not trying to sound like I walked in the 6 foot snow to school story, I am trying to grasp how much society has changed due to technology in a mere 25 years. You can create friendships, relationships and more without even ever meeting the person face to face. I have many electronic friends and it doesn't take long to feel like you really know them, and for all intense and purposes you do! You can share your life via pics, music, video, blogs, websites, etc.. I talk regularly to people in Europe via Twitter and email, share pictures with people all over the world with a flick of a button (no pun intended) on Flickr and can post to my blog from my iphone in the middle of the Caribbean while on holiday. Who needs postcards anymore. Take some pics on your phone and share them with your contacts. Instant postcard.
What would happen if we were suddenly thrust into an information vacuum? As unlikely as this is, what if we did not get instant information for even close to home? Has our dependency on this technology made us a little insecure? What if I couldn't check on my investments unless I called someone or waited for the monthly statement in the mail? Where is my package? What was the name of that band? How much is that camera? What foods are good for your liver? The web of information availability has hooked us and if we ever are without it we may fall hard. Being an information whore is not a bad thing but, remembering how we got to this point and respecting the miracle that it is without taking it for granted might reduce the need for a large prescription of tranquilizers.
May 20, 2009
Fringe-Fail-Kirk Acevedo fired!!!
Kirk Acevedo announced on his facebook page today that he was "fired" from Fringe: WELL BOYS AND GIRLS THEY DONE DID YER BOY WRONG! THEY FIRED ME OFF OF FRINGE, AND I'VE NEVER BEEN FIRED IN MY LIFE!!!!
New iPhone Gets OLED Screen, Video Editing, FM, Says Report
A short conscise article on the Palm Pre versus the mystery iPhone 3.0
11 Must Have iPhone Games
Here is a great article of the best games that are certainly (at the very least) addictive! Flight Control is my favorite of the bunch! Happy Gaming!
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2347361,00.asp
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2347361,00.asp
May 19, 2009
Ramsey in your FACE!
This is too funny. As if you don't get enough of Gordon swearing at you on TV now you can have him in your face and cursing at you! LOL!!!!
http://www.gordonramsayswearsatyou.com/
http://www.gordonramsayswearsatyou.com/
May 12, 2009
May 02, 2009
July 20, 2008
HOORAY! Wind Power gets BIG in TEXAS!
The project will ease a bottleneck that has become a major obstacle to development of the wind-rich Texas Panhandle and other areas suitable for wind generation. Texas is already the largest producer of wind power, with 5,300 installed megawatts — more than double the installed capacity of California, the next closest state. And Texas is fast expanding its capacity. “This project will almost put Texas ahead of Germany in installed wind,” said Greg Wortham, executive director of the West Texas Wind Energy Consortium.
July 18, 2008
Wind Power IS Our Future!
I am so pumped up about this Wind Power Plan backed by T. Boone Pickens! This is the kind of leadership we need to crawl out of this OIL PIT we have dug ourselves into. We cannot, as a nation, continue as we are, and still remain the country we have come to know as The United States of America. We are burning it away gallon by gallon and transfering all of our national wealth overseas to the oil rich countries. We need to come to terms with this problem and take action. Thats what we do in a crisis! We must change our ways and that has to begin somewhere. It has begin with each person! To change our dependence on oil will be like a new beginning for this country. It is a goal we must achieve!
May 23, 2008
Forget the bulb: world’s first illuminating glass
The world’s first active light-emitting glass produces a soothing light that eliminates the need for lampshades, and is better for wellbeing. The average lifespan of a plate is 50,000 hours, which translates to 20 years of domestic use. And when it does cease to function, 90% of the design can be recycled, as it’s essentially based on glass.
read more | digg story
May 19, 2008
Could Wind help Save Water?
Wind energy is not a perfect technology, but it holds powerful potential to diversify power generation around the world. One of the statistics that struck me is that wind power could:“reduce water consumption associated with electricity generation by 4 trillion gallons by 2030.”
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Inside the cockpit of the oldest surviving Lancaster bomber
It was the most daring air raid the world had ever seen. The RAF's elite 617 Squadron, nicknamed the Dambusters, flew 19 Lancaster bombers into Nazi Germany and destroyed two Ruhr valley dams with their revolutionary "bouncing bombs".
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Wind Power Could Provide 20% of U.S. electricity by 2030
On May 12, the U.S. Energy Department said wind power could provide 20 percent of U.S. electricity by 2030, or 304 gigawatts, up from the current 16.8 gigawatts. Achieving that will require wind turbine installations rise to almost 7,000 a year by 2017, the department said. Last year, a record 3,100 turbines were installed across 34 U.S. states.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
$2 Billion Wind Turbine Order Is Largest Ever
Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens has placed an the largest ever order for wind turbines: he ordered 667 wind turbines from GE, each costing $3 million dollars, making the total order $2 billion. Pickens plans to develop the world’s largest wind farm in the panhandle of Texas.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
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