FLASHBACK: Active Oil Platforms in the Gulf of Mexico as of September 1, 2008

Source: BCC:List.com

I do not know what data BCC:List.com used to generate this image. If I find that source, then I will add that information in a future update to this article.

Florida's Governor Charlie Crist Signs Executive Order Adding South Florida Counties to Deepwater Horizon State of Emergency Declaration

State of Florida - Executive Order 10-106

Live Video of the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill at 5,000 Feet Deep

Watch live streaming video from wkrg_oil_spill at livestream.com

If the above links are not active or are not working, then you can try the following link for additional oil spill cameras at The Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming.

Seventeen (17) States Now Filing Versions of Arizona's Immigration Bill (SB 1070)

I haven't heard the mainstream media talking about this story. Will the rest of the country boycott these seventeen (17) States like they have boycotted Arizona?

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17 States Now Filing Versions of Arizona's Immigration Bill SB 1070

May 21, 2010

For National Release

CONTACT: Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC)
(866) 703-0864 WilliamG@alipac.us
www.alipac.us

One of America's national organizations fighting against illegal immigration is announcing that 17 states are now filing versions of Arizona's SB 1070 law which is designed to help local police enforce America's existing immigration laws.

Numerous national and local polls indicated that 60-81% of Americans support local police enforcing immigration laws.

"Our national network of activists have been working overtime trying to help the state of Arizona and the brave Arizonans who have passed this bill," said William Gheen, President of Americans for Legal Immigration PAC. "Arizona no longer stands alone and we have now documented state lawmakers filing, or announcing they will file, versions of the Arizona bill in seventeen states! We will not stop until all states are protected from invasion as required by the US Constitution."

ALIPAC has documented the following 17 states are following Arizona's lead in response to citizen pressure.

ARKANSAS, IDAHO, INDIANA, MARYLAND, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEBRASKA, NEVADA, NEW JERSEY, OHIO, OKLAHOMA, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, TEXAS, UTAH

Americans for Legal Immigration PAC (ALIPAC) has helped to pass some form of immigration enforcement legislation in over 30 states, while the group has also gained a national reputation for defeating legislation designed to give licenses, in-state tuition, and other taxpayer benefits to illegal aliens in 20 states.

ALIPAC's President, William Gheen is a former campaign consultant, Legislative Assistant, state lobbyist, and Assistant Sgt-At-Arms staffer in North Carolina who has turned his local experiences into a political battle plan by driving the national operations of ALIPAC.

"The Federal government has been hijacked by special interests that are neglectful of their duties and even hostile towards the rightful citizens of America," said William Gheen. "It is incumbent upon our states to protect American lives, property, jobs, wages, security, and health, when the Executive Branch fails to honor its Constitutional responsibility to do so by enforcing our existing border and immigration laws."

Americans for Legal Immigration PAC lobbied state lawmakers and AZ Governor Jan Brewer to pass SB 1070, which strictly prohibits racial profiling while empowering local police officers to enforce immigration laws.

ALIPAC's activists have been working for almost four weeks now to encourage state lawmakers across the nation to file versions of SB 1070, to help alleviate boycotts and other political antagonism towards Arizona. Citizen activist are being asked to call, e-mail, visit, and fax their state lawmakers to encourage them to support existing SB 1070 type bills or to file them as soon as possible.

For a list of the 17 states joining Arizona's push for this kind of legislation, and to view the associated documentation, please visit our tracking link for updated information at....

http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-196989.html

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NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM Welcome New Commander - Navy Admiral James Winnefeld

NORAD circa 1983

Introducing the new commander of NORTHCOM & NORAD!


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Adm. Winnefeld takes command of NORAD, U.S. NORTHCOM

By Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher

NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM Public Affairs
May 19, 2010

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – Navy Adm. James Winnefeld took command of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command from Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart in a ceremony on Peterson Air Force Base May 19.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Defense Secretary Robert Gates presents the U.S. Northern Command flag to Navy Adm. James Winnefeld, NORAD and U.S. Northern Command commander, during the commands' change of command ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base May 19. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)

Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mike Mullen and Canadian Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Walt Natynczyk, were on-hand to oversee the passing of the commands’ colors to Winnefeld.

“It is a tremendous honor to have taken command of NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM,” Winnefeld said. “I can think of no greater responsibility or honor than protecting our people and our way of life, and I take this to be a sacred trust Introducing the new commander, Gates said America and Canada were fortunate to be receiving a NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM commander like Winnefeld.

“It is our nations’ good fortune to have another proven leader and warrior ready to lead this vital organization,” Gates said. “He led the USS Enterprise through Operation Enduring Freedom immediately after the attacks on 9-11. As a carrier strike group commander, he supported Operation Iraqi Freedom and conducted maritime security missions in the Persian Gulf. With this singular resume, I can think of no better officer to assume the vital duties of defending our nation, responding to natural disasters when called upon and partnering with Canada, Mexico and our Caribbean neighbors in securing our borders and our sovereignty.”

Coming from an assignment as Director for Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Staff, Winnefeld has also commanded the U.S. 6th Fleet and the USS Theordore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

Winnefeld took the opportunity to talk about the strong relationship between the U.S. and Canada and NORAD as part of the bedrock of that relationship.

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - Navy Adm. James Winnefeld, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command commander, gives his remarks during the commands' change of command ceremony at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., May 19. Winnefeld spoke of the exceptional partnership between the U.S. and Canada and the connection between the work of NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM and that of U.S. and allied forces fighting overseas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas J. Doscher)

“Canada and the United States have an exceptional partnership,” he said. “Most recently seen in places like Afghanistan and Haiti, and I’ve always considered it a privilege to serve with the Canadian armed forces. I look forward to serving shoulder-to-shoulder once again with Canadians in this command and to forging as strong personal partnership with you.”

In recognition of senior Mexican military officers present at the ceremony, Winnefeld expressed his desire to strengthen the relationship between U.S. and Mexican military forces.

“Your presence here today is symbolic of the vital partnership between the U.S. and Mexico, and between our two militaries,” Winnefeld told the officers in Spanish.

Winnefeld recognized the accomplishments of the commands and said he was looking forward to becoming part of the team.

“While I know I need to listen and learn, I join this great team with a lot of energy and ideas,” he said. “There are any doors of opportunity open to these two commands, and we will step through them in due course. In so doing, we will not forget our American and Canadian colleagues serving together overseas. They and others from like-minded nations are our first line of defense.”

Citing a connection between those who serve on the front lines and the mission of NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM, Winnefeld recognized two Fort Carson Soldiers Soldiers in the audience who were recovering from wounds they suffered in combat as well as “Gold Star” family members, people who’ve lost loved ones on deployment, who were at the ceremony.

“When one of these devoted young men and women is wounded or lost in action, it’s not an isolated event far away,” he said. “There’s a clear connection between what these very special people did and do over there and what we do over here.”

Winnefeld ended his remarks by making those Soldiers and Gold Star families a promise.

“We at NORAD and U.S. NORTHCOM pledge to you, who have given so much to our country, that in the brief moment in time that we are privileged to serve in this place, we will give it our very best effort,” he said.

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to Finance New Male Ultrasound Contraceptive & Sterilization Technology

I remember a buddy of mine didn't believe me when I told him that I believed Bill Gates was a eugenicist, but the evidence about Mr. Gates is readily available through the Internet on the computer machines his Microsoft company produces. By providing financing to this ultrasound sterilization program to perfect it, the Foundation will gain access to an easy way to sterilize males without the need for chemicals or invasive procedures.

In case you missed it, Bill Gates recently called for the deaths of over 1 billion people. See Bill Gates Openly Calls for Extermination of One Billion Human Beings Through Vaccines, Healthcare & Abortions.

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UNC researchers receive $100,000 Grand Challenges Exploration Grant to develop male contraceptive

Monday, May 10, 2010 — The grant will support an innovative global health research project conducted by James Tsuruta, PhD, and Paul Dayton, PhD, titled “Ultrasound as a long-term, reversible contraceptive.”

The testis is composed of many tubes called “seminiferous tubules.” The seminiferous tubule on the left is from a testis that was not treated with ultrasound while the tubule on the right is from a testis that was treated with ultrasound. Note that the tubule from the control testis has many darkly stained germ cell nuclei. Most germ cell nuclei are round; the long, thin nuclei closest to the center of the tubule belong to germ cells called spermatids and they will soon be released as testicular sperm. In contrast, the ultrasound-treated tubule is completely lacking testicular sperm and has lost almost all immature germ cells, decreasing its overall diameter while greatly increasing the amount of “empty” space in the center of the tubule.

CHAPEL HILL — The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The grant will support an innovative global health research project conducted by James Tsuruta, PhD, and Paul Dayton, PhD, titled “Ultrasound as a long-term, reversible contraceptive.”

Tsuruta is an assistant professor in the Laboratories for Reproductive Biology in UNC’s Department of Pediatrics. Dayton is associate professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, which is jointly housed at UNC and N.C. State University.

James Tsuruta, PhD

Tsuruta and Dayton’s project is one of 78 grants announced by the Gates Foundation in the fourth funding round of Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to help scientists around the world explore bold and largely unproven ways to improve health in developing countries. The grants were provided to scientists in 18 countries on six continents.

To receive funding, Tsuruta and Dayton showed in a two-page application how their idea falls outside current scientific paradigms and might lead to significant advances in global health. The initiative is highly competitive, receiving almost 2,700 proposals in this round.

“Our long-term goal is to use ultrasound from therapeutic instruments that are commonly found in sports medicine or physical therapy clinics as an inexpensive, long-term, reversible male contraceptive suitable for use in developing to first world countries,” said Tsuruta.

	Paul Dayton, PhD

"We think this could provide men with up to six months of reliable, low-cost, non-hormonal contraception from a single round of treatment,” Tsuruta said. Tsuruta notes that the initial idea to re-examine the effects of ultrasound on sperm production came from another private foundation. “The financial support of the Parsemus Foundation was instrumental in forming a team to study ultrasound’s effect on the testis. Our pilot studies would not have been possible without the support of Elaine Lissner (Parsemus), David Sokal (Family Health International), Michael Streicker (Integrated Laboratory Systems) and Michael O'Rand (UNC-CH).

Tsuruta and Dayton have successfully depleted testicular sperm using therapeutic ultrasound instruments. Once the testis has stopped producing sperm and all “sperm reserves” have been depleted, it is impossible to be fertile. Their Grand Challenges Exploration Grant project is aimed at fine-tuning this technique for maximum effect and safety.

“The winners of these grants show the bold thinking we need to tackle some of the world’s greatest health challenges,” said Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Gates Foundation’s Global Health Program. “I’m excited about their ideas and look forward to seeing some of these exploratory projects turn into life-saving breakthroughs.”

Media contact: Tom Hughes, (919) 966-6047, tahughes@unch.unc.edu

About Grand Challenges Explorations

Grand Challenges Explorations is a five-year, $100 million initiative of the Gates Foundation to promote innovation in global health. The program uses an agile, streamlined grant process – applications are limited to two pages, and preliminary data are not required. Proposals are reviewed and selected by a committee of foundation staff and external experts, and grant decisions are made within approximately three months of the close of the funding round.

Applications for the current round of Grand Challenges Explorations are being accepted through May 19, 2010. Grant application instructions, including the list of topics for which proposals are currently being accepted, are available at http://www.grandchallenges.org/explorations.

Geraldo Rivera Investigates Afghanistan's Poppy Fields & Opium Production

If you cannot view the video on this page, try clicking this link.

For further reading on this poppy field subject:

1. FLASHBACK: U.S. Marines Leaving Afghan Opium Poppy Crops Alone!

2. FLASHBACK: Taliban Shut Down Most Afghan Poppy (Opium) Production in 2001!

3. NATO rejects Russian call for Afghan poppy spraying.

4. Dylan Ratigan Reports on Suspected Opium Poppy Fields & Narco State in Marjah Afghanistan

Sacramento May End Water Fluoridation Due to City Budget Shortfall

Any regular reader of this blog knows that I regularly link to articles about water fluoridation and the negative effects that the poisonous and toxic sodium fluoride has on overall human health. Due to the fact that Sacramento has no money in its budget, the city is considering whether or not to continue the expensive water fluoridation of the municipal water supply. I don't care why the city stops the fluoridation practice, so long as the city stops the practice.

City leaders are considering a new proposal that would cut costs by halting the fluoridation of city water, an idea that has drawn sharply divided responses from local residents and dentists.

A consultant's report concluded that adding fluoride to the local water supply costs the city about $1 million each year. With a $43 million budget gap estimated for the next fiscal year, all options are on the table...

Source: CBS-13

Hawaii Gun Registration Reaches Record High with 33,678 Firearms Registered in 2009 (Video)

Click the picture or this link to watch the video.

FLASHBACK: Did President Obama Register with Selective Service System in 1980?

Image ©Doug Ross @ Journal

I have been following the whole Obama identity (citizenship) question for at least two (2) years and I can honestly say that I do not know anything more now than I knew two (2) years ago. Just who is this guy? Was he born in Hawaii as continually stated? Did he take Indonesian citizenship? Was he actually born in Kenya? Is his father really Frank Marshall Davis? Why does he have a dual name of Barry Soetoro? Where are his records from Occidental College?

However with President Obama, you get no answers - only more questions. I had not heard about the issues with Obama's Selective Service registration until a few minutes ago. Yes, I know I'm the slow turtle, but this is a very interesting discovery. I would recommend reading Ms. Schlussel's article at (DebbieSchlussel.com), because she describes and explains the document and its discrepancies in an easy-to-understand fashion. She even has pictures of Obama's Selective Service card that was procured through a Freedom of Information Act request.

As [a] retired federal agent notes:

Having worked for the Federal Government for several decades, I know that the standardization of DLNs [Document Location Numbers] have the first two digits of the DLN representing the year of issue. That would mean that this DLN was issued in 2008. The DLN on the computer screen printout is the exact same number, except an 8 has been added to make it look like it is from 1980 and give it a 1980 DLN number. And 1980 is the year Senator/President Elect Obama is said to have timely registered. So, why does the machine-stamped DLN reflect this year (2008) and the DLN in the database (which was manually input) reflect a “corrected” DLN year of 1980? Were all the DLNs issued in 1980 erroneously marked with a 2008 DLN year or does the Selective Service use a different DLN system then the rest of the Federal Government? Or was the SSS Form 1 actually processed in 2008 and not 1980?

Source: Debbie Schlussel

FLASHBACK: DARPA Funds Duke University Study to Detect Viral Infections Before Symptoms Appear & You Get Sick!

Once again, DARPA comes up with the technology that is straight out of the world of science fiction.

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DARPA-Funded Study to Detect Infections Before Symptoms Appear
September 17 , 2009

Durham, NC -- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), the research arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, has awarded Duke University $19.5 million for an effort led by the Duke Institute for Genome Sciences & Policy (IGSP) to design a portable, easy-to-use diagnostic device that can reveal who is infected with an upper respiratory virus before the first cough or sneeze.

DARPA is interested in such a device because it could offer military commanders in the field valuable information about which soldiers are likely to become sick and potentially unfit for duty.

The project, under the direction of Geoffrey Ginsburg, M.D., Ph.D., director of the IGSP’s Center for Genomic Medicine, is being conducted by a broad and experienced team of investigators including Christopher Woods, M.D., MPH; and Aimee Zaas, M.D., MPH, from Duke’s Division of Infectious Disease; Lawrence Carin, Ph.D, from Duke's Pratt School of Engineering; and Alfred Hero, Ph.D, from the University of Michigan's College of Engineering.

Using advanced genomic and statistical tools, investigators have already made considerable progress. In the first phase of the project, researchers discovered a genomic “signature” of infection - a set of changes in gene expression that occurred in people who became symptomatic after exposure to a rhinovirus, the influenza A virus, or the respiratory syncytial virus. They found that in some cases, those changes became apparent hours or even days before symptoms arose.

Biomedical engineers in Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering have already designed a prototype of the device that can “read” the genomic signatures of infection. Over the next two years, in the second phase of the study, researchers will refine the probe and further validate the genomic signature of infections by additional pathogens, including the seasonal H1N1 virus.

Some of those studies will include human viral challenge studies already underway at Retroscreen Virology, Ltd., in London, U.K. Other viral challenge studies are contemplated later in the program in the United States.

One aspect of the research focuses on the natural history of viral infections among college students living in close quarters. This fall, investigators are enrolling Duke students in freshman dormitories in a study of the onset and spread of upper respiratory infections, including influenza. Participants will use a special website to file daily reports about their health and provide blood and other specimens as needed. Investigators hope to enroll from 500 to 800 students and follow them for the entire academic year.

“We expect to gather valuable data about the novel H1N1 virus from these studies,” says Ginsburg. “Presymptomatic detection of a cold or flu would be a significant advance in maintaining the health of our troops and will certainly be a breakthrough for the public’s health and well being, as well.”

Collaborators in the project include researchers at the University of Wisconsin, the University of Virginia, and the National Center for Genome Resources in New Mexico.

FDA Determines It Is Appropriate for Doctors Resume Use of Rotarix Despite Pig Virus Contamination

This is follow-up blog article to Federal Health Authorities Recommend Suspending Rotarix Rotavirus Vaccine Due to Porcine Circovirus Type 1 Contamination.

Remember that if you get this Rotarix vaccine, then you will likely be infected with a pig virus!

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FDA NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS

For Immediate Release: May 14, 2010
Media Inquiries: Shelly Burgess, 301-796-4651, shelly.burgess@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA

FDA Revises Recommendations for Rotavirus Vaccines

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today revised its recommendations for rotavirus vaccines for the prevention of the disease in infants and has determined that it is appropriate for clinicians and health care professionals to resume the use of Rotarix and to continue the use of RotaTeq.

The agency reached its decision based on a careful evaluation of information from laboratory results from the manufacturers and the FDA’s own laboratories, a thorough review of the scientific literature, and input from scientific and public health experts, including members of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee that convened on May 7, 2010 to discuss these vaccines.

The FDA also considered the following in its decision:

• Both vaccines have strong safety records, including clinical trials involving tens of thousands of patients as well as clinical experience with millions of vaccine recipients.
• The FDA has no evidence that PCV1 or PCV2 pose a safety risk in humans, and neither is known to cause infection or illness in humans.
• The benefits of the vaccines are substantial, and include prevention of death in some parts of the world and hospitalization for severe rotavirus disease in the United States. These benefits outweigh the risk, which is theoretical.

President Obama Extends National Emergency Against Burma for One More Year

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The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
May 14, 2010

Notice from the President on the Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Burma

On May 20, 1997, the President issued Executive Order 13047, certifying to the Congress under section 570(b) of the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 1997 (Public Law 104-208), that the Government of Burma had committed large-scale repression of the democratic opposition in Burma after September 30, 1996, thereby invoking the prohibition on new investment in Burma by United States persons contained in that section. The President also declared a national emergency to deal with the threat posed to the national security and foreign policy of the United States by the actions and policies of the Government of Burma, invoking the authority, inter alia, of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.

Because the actions and policies of the Government of Burma continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on May 20, 1997, and the measures adopted on that date, on July 28, 2003, in Executive Order 13310, on October 18, 2007, in Executive Order 13448, and on April 30, 2008, in Executive Order 13464 to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond May 20, 2010. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to Burma. This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

THE WHITE HOUSE,
May 13, 2010.

Is President Obama Ready to Use a Nuclear Bomb on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Spill?

I have no idea if a nuclear (or nookular, if you are like me or George Bush when it comes to pronunciation) bomb will work to close the oil spill. However, I do imagine that a nuclear bomb could make things way worse than the current catastrophic spill. The bomb could potentially breach the ocean floor causing the entire oil deposit to spill out into the Gulf of Mexico.

I do not know if Obama will indeed take this nuclear option route, but the President has sent nuclear experts to the field.

The US has sent a team of nuclear physicists to help BP plug the "catastrophic" flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico from its leaking Deepwater Horizon well, as the Obama administration becomes frustrated with the oil giant's inability to control the situation.

BP's CEO Tony Hayward even implied that the physicists came up with one idea, but did not elaborate. Could it be this aforementioned nuclear option?

In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, Mr Hayward said the five-hour meeting involved a "very deep dive" into the situation at hand, with "lots of nuclear physicists and all sorts of people coming up with some quite good ideas actually."

Pressed further about the meeting, he said they had "come up with one good idea" but declined to elaborate.

Source: The Daily Telegraph