ExxonMobil Oil Spill in Montana's Yellowstone River Causes Evacuations over 4th of July Holiday Weekend

I feel sorry for the people that live along this river whose holiday weekend is likely being interrupted by this oil spill. No word on how much oil has spilled into the river.

Brent Peters, the fire chief for the city of Laurel about 12 miles east of Billings, said the break in the 12-inch diameter pipe occurred late Friday about a mile south of Laurel.

He said about 140 people were evacuated starting about 12:15 a.m. Saturday due to concerns about possible explosions, and the overpowering fumes. He said they were allowed to return at about 4 a.m. after instruments showed fumes had decreased.

Source: USA Today

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Statement by ExxonMobil Pipeline Company Regarding Crude Oil Release into Yellowstone River in Montana

BILLINGS, Mont.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ExxonMobil Pipeline Company issued the following statement concerning a crude release into the Yellowstone River in Montana:

“Early on the morning of July 2, we discovered an undetermined amount of crude oil was released into the Yellowstone River from an ExxonMobil Pipeline Company (EMPCo) pipeline. EMPCo deeply regrets this release and is working hard with local emergency authorities to mitigate the impacts of this release on the surrounding communities and to the environment.

The release originated from a 12” crude pipeline operated by EMPCo that runs from Silver Tip, MT to Billings, MT. The pipeline has been shutdown and the segment where the release occurred has been isolated. All appropriate state and federal authorities have been alerted.

At this early stage, we have no information on the cause of the incident, and we are working to determine the amount of oil released. ExxonMobil has activated its North American Regional Response Team to assist in the clean up efforts. A claims number 1-888-382-0043 has also been established to assist individuals who might have been impacted by this event.

We recognize the seriousness of this incident and are working hard to address it. Our principal focus is on protecting the safety and health of the public and our employees. We will, of course, also begin a thorough investigation of the cause of this unfortunate event. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”

About ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources, is the largest refiner and marketer of petroleum products, and its chemical company is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com.

Contacts

Downstream Media Relations

703-846-4467

NYPD Allegedly Brutalizes Pete Rock's Wife & Daughter at Smif N Wessun's Album Release Party (June 29, 2011)

This video is one of the main reasons I do not visit New York City often. How in the world can the po-po beat down (allegedly) Pete Rock's wife and daughter?

The Big Apple appears to be a great city, but the NYPD are a bunch of fascists. The city also has draconian laws relating to guns, so I'm definitely not a fan. Plus, I am always hearing about police brutality stories in NYC especially in connection with hip-hop events. Click here for the video link if you cannot view it above.

Source: DJ Lady Jay Diamond

U.S. State Department Provides Grant to Create Shadow Stealth Web ("Internet in a Suitcase")

File photo

I have previously posted stories about Obama's proposed cybersecurity measures that will give the government the right to shut down the Internet with the press of a button. This new Open Technology Initiative (overseen by Sascha Meinrath at New America Foundation) is sort of a reverse version of the aforementioned process, because this "Internet in a Suitcase" will provide 'net access to people in areas where there is no Internet or where a government may have restricted or shut down the Internet.

The Obama administration is leading a global effort to deploy “shadow” Internet and mobile phone systems that dissidents can use to undermine repressive governments that seek to silence them...

...The group’s suitcase project will rely on a version of “mesh network” technology, which can transform devices like cellphones or personal computers to create an invisible wireless web without a centralized hub.

Source: The New York Times; New America Foundation

New Mexico Wildfires Cause Evacuations at Los Alamos National Laboratory

30 structures burn in Las Conchas fire: krqe.com

I have heard that some of the wildfires may have even reached the property of the Los Alamos National Laboratory facility. I would imagine that there is a lot of old radioactive material around that facility considering the number of experiments that have occurred there over the years. I will keep my eyes on this story as the world's nuclear horror year continues!

Los Alamos National Laboratory activated its Emergency Operations Center and announced it would be closed Monday. The blaze had spread to within a mile of the lab's southwest boundary.

Source: The Los Alamos Monitor Online

FLASHBACK: Case Studies of Cowpox Virus Transmission from Pet Rats to Humans in France (2009)

Cowpox Virus Transmission From Pet Rats to Humans in France

It is fairly uncommon to see human cases of cowpox infection. There are scattered cases, but usually the infected people are in contact with wild animals. However in 2009, there were four (4) documented human cases of cowpox virus infection in France connected with pet rats in a short period of time. The article points out the need for sufficient border security in connection with importation of exotic animals, because exotic rodents might potentially be contaminated with pathogens such as cowpox or other genetically modified viruses.

The above document has further analysis on the matter, but the actual cases from France are defined below.

The Cases

Case-patient 1 was an 18-year-old woman. She was scratched on the right arm by a pet rat while visiting a friend who had several domestic rats (Rattus norvegicus). One rat had been purchased at the end of December 2008 from a pet store. The rat became sick with sneezing, conjunctival hemorrhages, and epistaxis; it died 4 days after purchase. On January 4, 2009, the patient sought treatment at the emergency department of Compiegne Hospital. The lesion was excised and the patient was treated with amoxicillin-clavulanate. However, the wound did not heal. On January 11, ofloxacin was added to the treatment regimen. Eight days later, the patient was admitted to the hospital with a black necrotic scab on the internal surface of the right arm, regional lymphangitis, and axillar lymphadenopathies (Figure 1, panel A). After 3 weeks of unsuccessful antimicrobial drug treatment, she underwent surgery to remove the affected area. The outcome was favorable.

Case-patient 2 was a 17-year-old woman who had purchased a domestic rat at the end of December 2008. The rat died within 3 days of purchase and had respiratory symptoms identical to those of the rat that scratched case-patient 1. Six days after the rat died, an inflammatory cutaneous macular lesion appeared at the base of the patient’s neck, causing local pain and intense inflammatory reaction. The patient was admitted to the emergency department of Compiègne Hospital. Amoxicillin-clavulate was prescribed, but the necrotic scab continued to grow, and local pain increased along with fever (39°C) (Figure 1, panel B). Surgery was performed and the outcome was favorable.

Case-patient 3 was a 14-year-old girl. She was admitted to the emergency department of Compiègne Hospital on January 14, 2009. On January 3, she had purchased a rat from the same pet store as case-patient 1. Soon afterward, the rat began to cough and show signs of hemorrhagic lachrymal oozing; the rodent died on January 6. On January 13, the patient had maculopapular lesions on the upper right eyelid, on her left shoulder, and at the base of her neck. Due to her deteriorating condition, she was admitted to the emergency department on January 17 with rash characterized by erythema and edema, and painful regional lymphangitis and lymphadenopathy. Surgery was performed and the outcome was favorable.

Case-patient 4 was a 29-year-old woman who reported having been scratched by a rat on January 21, 2009. An inflammatory macule on her clavicle had progressed through papular, vesicular, and pustular stages; she also had fever and malaise. On January 14, she had purchased a domestic rat in the same store as the 3 previous case-patients. The rat had respiratory symptoms similar to the previously infected rats and died on January 21. The patient was admitted to Compiègne Hospital on January 30; examination showed a 20-mm black eschar with a crust, regional lymphangitis, and painful lymphadenopathies (Figure 1, panels C and D). Outcome was spontaneously favorable.

One of the World's Last Remaining Uncontacted Tribes! (Fascinating Video in Brazil)

It is hard to believe in 2011 that there are still part of the world that are uncharted and that there are people who have not been contacted by the outside world. If the video does not display above, then click here to visit the Uncontacted Tribe site.

Flood Berm Collapses at Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station

File photo: Fort Calhoun (before the flooding)

This is some huge news that a flood berm has collapsed considering the Missouri River floodwaters that have seemingly engulfed the nuclear power station at Fort Calhoun.

The 2,000-foot berm collapsed about 1:30 a.m. Sunday, allowing the swollen river to surround two buildings at the plant. The NRC says those buildings are designed to handle flooding up to 1014 feet above sea level. The river is at 1006.3 feet and isn't forecast to exceed 1008 feet.

For further reading:

1. Missouri River Floods Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station in Nebraska

2. Cooper Nuclear Station Declares “Notification of Unusual Event” To Address Rising Missouri River Waters & Flooding

3. Report: Spent Nuclear Fuel Pools in the United States of America (2011)

Source: KCAU-TV