FDA Approves Influenza Vaccine Formulations for 2012-2013 Season

I will write a more detailed post in the coming days that will provide links to the specific vaccines and the ingredients of each of these 2012-2013 approved vaccines as I have done in previous years.

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FDA NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 13, 2012
Media Inquiries: Heidi Rebello, 301-796-4566, heidi.rebello@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA, OCOD@fda.hhs.gov

FDA approves vaccines for the 2012-2013 influenza season

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved the 2012-2013 influenza (flu) vaccine formulation for all six manufacturers licensed to produce and distribute the vaccines in the United States.

Each year experts from the FDA, the World Health Organization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other public health experts study influenza virus samples and global disease patterns to identify virus strains likely to cause the most illness during the upcoming flu season.

Based on that information and the recommendations of the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, the strains selected for inclusion in the 2012-2013 flu vaccines are:

• A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus
• A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus
• B/Wisconsin/1/2010-like virus.

While the H1N1 virus is the same as what was included in the 2011-2012 influenza vaccines, this year’s influenza H3N2 and B viruses differ from those in the 2011-2012 influenza vaccines.

Vaccination remains the cornerstone of preventing influenza, a contagious respiratory disease caused by different influenza viruses infecting the nose, throat and lungs. This year’s seasonal vaccines will provide protection against the three influenza virus strains that global surveillance indicates are likely to be the most common strains circulating during the upcoming season.

There is always a possibility of a less than optimal match between the virus strains predicted to circulate and the virus strains that end up causing the most illness. However, even if the vaccine and the circulating strains are not an exact match, the vaccine may reduce the severity of the illness or may help prevent influenza-related complications.

“The best way to prevent influenza is by getting vaccinated each year,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “It is especially important to get vaccinated this year because two of the three virus strains used in this season’s influenza vaccines differ from the strains included in last year’s vaccines.”

According to the CDC, between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population develops influenza each year. This leads to more than 200,000 hospitalizations from related complications. Influenza seasons are unpredictable and can be severe, with annual influenza-related deaths ranging from a low of about 3,000 to a high of 49,000 people in the U.S. The CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, recommends that everyone six months of age and older receive an annual influenza vaccine.

Health care providers play an important role in advising their patients to get vaccinated each year and should also protect themselves, their patients, their family, and the community from influenza by getting vaccinated.

The manufacturers licensed to produce the nation’s 2012-2013 flu vaccines and the brand names of the vaccines for the upcoming flu season are:

• Afluria, manufactured by CSL Limited;
• Fluarix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals;
• FluLaval, manufactured by ID Biomedical Corporation;
• FluMist, manufactured by MedImmune Vaccines Inc.;
• Fluvirin, manufactured by Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited; and
• Fluzone, Fluzone High-Dose and Fluzone Intradermal, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur.

For more information:

• Flu.gov: consumer site for flu information

• FDA: Influenza Vaccine Safety & Availability

• FDA Lot Release Information of the 2012-2013 Influenza Vaccine

• CDC: Seasonal Influenza – Who should get vaccinated against influenza (Flu)

The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, products that give off electronic radiation, and for regulating tobacco products.

# # #

FLASHBACK: DARPA to Develop Humanoid Robot Systems (2012)

Another day. Another DARPA. Another DARPA story that is. This time the story is about DARPA's plan to develop humanoid robots to help with disaster relief.

The Department of Defense’s strategic plan calls for the Joint Force to conduct humanitarian, disaster relief and related operations. The plan identifies requirements to extend aid to victims of natural or man-made disasters and conduct evacuation operations. Some disasters, however, due to grave risks to the health and wellbeing of rescue and aid workers, prove too great in scale or scope for timely and effective human response. The DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) will attempt to address this capability gap by promoting innovation in robotic technology for disaster-response operations.

I remember this part of the Animatrix movie (click the link above to watch that movie). I believe it was in The Second Renaissance Part I when the humans decided to build humanoid robots to do its work. If a movie can be any guide to real life, then we know what will ultimately happen once these DARPA-bots are operational. They will fight humanity to the death!

The initial solicitation is outdated, but the DARPA Robotics Challenge (DRC) webpage has updated information and it says the program is set to launch in October, 2012.

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Solicitation Number:
DARPA-SN-12-35
Notice Type:
Special Notice
Synopsis:
Added: Apr 12, 2012 8:47 pm

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Tactical Technology Office (TTO), intends to award a sole source contract to Boston Dynamics Inc. (BDI), of Waltham, Mass. For the contract, BDI will develop and build a set of humanoid robot systems for use by performers in both phases of the DARPA Robotics Challenge program. This effort will develop approximately 8 identical platforms consisting of two legs, torso, on board computing, two arms with hands, and a sensor head. BDI will deliver these robots to DARPA so they can be provided to the top software development teams based on the results of the Virtual Disaster Challenge. Boston Dynamics will also provide in the field support and as required maintenance to the delivered systems.

The U.S. Army under its Protection Ensemble Test Mannequin (PETMAN) program developed, with Boston Dynamics, a humanoid robot with advanced range of motion and strength. This effort was then the basis of work done by BDI under the DARPA DSO M3 program on a platform named Atlas to increase its mobility. These two efforts have combined to develop a one of a kind humanoid robot with state of the art capability. DARPA has been a lead researcher in ground robotics over the last few decades. In addition it has tracked developments in this area outside the agency. Of the few existing humanoid robots, BDI was deemed to be the sole viable supplier for providing the necessary robotic platform capability within the specified timeframe.

The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302-1 "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." As the legged robot leader, Boston Dynamics Inc. possesses unique knowledge and capabilities required to carry out the required research effort. No other source would be capable of satisfying the requirements for an affordable end-to-end solution necessary to meet the Government's needs.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is currently available. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Responses received within forty-five (45) days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open basis is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to meet the requirements by submitting a white paper and past performance data by no later than 28 May 2012 to The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Attn: Mr. Christopher Glista, Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 or via email to christopher.glista@darpa.mil. Questions shall be submitted to the above email address.

Contracting Office Address:
3701 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22203-1714
Primary Point of Contact.:
Chris Glista
christopher.glista@darpa.mil

Dallas Requests State of Emergency Aerial Spraying to Combat West Nile Virus Outbreak

I have never been a fan of aerial chemical spraying. I remember when I was a kid in Memphis, the mosquito-spraying trucks would drive through our neighborhoods wantonly spraying chemicals to kill the mosquitoes. The neighborhood would always smell nasty for many hours after the spraying. I have no idea what chemicals I was inhaling nor the effects. Perhaps it was harmless, but perhaps it has caused side effects that I may never know. I do not trust my government to make the correct decisions when it comes to my well-being, so I am always suspicious when the government introduces chemicals into the environment for some alleged beneficial purpose.

Nevertheless, for anyone living in Dallas, Texas, you may soon be bombarded (if not already) with aerial spray as the Mayor has declared a state of emergency. The virus has already killed 10 people...

Many of those who died were in frail health and had underlying medical conditions.

“I think this is the right thing to do. I cannot have any more deaths on my conscience because we didn’t take action,” [Mayor] Rawlings said.

The city has seen 111 reported infections that caused 65 hospitalizations.

As part of this site's public service to any visitors from the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I will post the information links from the Mayor's page as they are posted there.

STAY TUNED for specific days and times aerial spraying will occur.

The Texas Department of State Health Services is working closely with Dallas-area public health and emergency management officials and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the extremely high number of human cases of the disease in Dallas County.

“The disease poses an immediate public health threat to Dallas County. We need to use all possible tools, including aerial spraying, to fight this outbreak,” said Dr. David Lakey, DSHS commissioner. “We will support the decisions made by local officials as we work together to confront this situation.”

Aerial spraying is a very effective and safe way to kill adult mosquitoes in large, densely populated areas. For people concerned about exposure during aerial spraying, health officials suggest the following precautions:

• Minimize exposure. Avoid being outside, close windows and consider keeping pets inside while spraying occurs.
• If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.
• Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.
• Cover small ornamental fish ponds.
• Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.

DSHS contracts with Clarke, a private environmental products and services company, for aerial application of mosquito control products. The product is called Duet, which is labeled and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for use in outdoor and residential areas. The active ingredients are in the same chemical family as products currently being used for ground spraying in the Dallas area. The product would be applied at very low dosages – less than an ounce per acre – by small, twin-engine aircrafts flying at approximately 300 feet above ground overnight.

Texas has more than 380 state-confirmed cases of West Nile illness for 2012, including 16 related deaths. Texas is on track to have the most cases of West Nile illness since the disease first emerged in the state in 2002. Humans can contract West Nile virus from a mosquito bite. The virus can cause serious illness or death.

LINKS:

• Mayor's Emergency Declaration
• West Nile Virus FAQ
• Aerial Application FAQ
• Chemical FAQ
• Research Papers
• Council Briefing Aug. 15, 2012
• Mosquito Control
• Spraying Location Updates
• PSA information

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Dallas County Health and Human Services
• EPA Region 6 (South Central)

Warm Seawater in Long Island Sound Forces Shutdown of Connecticut Nuclear Plant

Image subject to license

I will keep my eyes on this story to see when Unit 2 of the Millstone Power Station reopens. A power station being offline during the summer is never a good thing. However, the power station was closed last Sunday, because the water used to cool the reactors comes from Long Island Sound and the current water temperature is too hot. Unit 2 provides 840 megawatts of electricity at the 2,100 megawatt power station, so some serious energy capacity is offline!

Water from Long Island Sound is used to cool key components of the plant and is discharged back into the sound. The water cannot be warmer than 75 degrees and following the hottest July on record has been averaging 1.7 degrees above the limit, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said.

The federal agency issued an ‘‘emergency license amendment’’ last week, allowing Millstone, a subsidiary of Dominion Resources Inc., to use an average temperature of several readings.

Source: Boston.com

Oregon Man Sentenced to Thirty (30) Days in Jail for Catching Rainwater on His Property

If you're a criminal banker or killer, you can usually escape justice in our world these days and in many cases even avoid jail time. However, if you catch rainwater, you might get a jail sentence just like this man in Eagle Point, Oregon.

A rural Eagle Point man was sentenced to 30 days in jail Wednesday for filling what state water managers have called three illegal reservoirs on his property.

Gary Harrington was also fined more than $1,500 for nine misdemeanor convictions for filling his reservoirs with rain and snow runoff that the state says is owned by the Medford Water Commission. He was given two weeks to report to the Jackson County Jail to begin serving his sentence.

Source: Mail Tribune

U.S. Copyright Office Says That Yoga Sequences Are Not Copyrightable

Source: Judith (subject to license)

This one is for all the yoga heads out there in the world. I know you're out there, because I see you carrying around your yoga mats like a baguette in a grocery bag. If you create your own yoga sequences, you cannot copyright the sequences!

The U.S. Copyright Office issued this ruling on June 22, 2012 (see Federal Register /Vol. 77, No. 121 / Friday, June 22, 2012 / page 37605). The Copyright Office's statement clarifies the Office's examination practices with respect to claims in ‘‘compilation authorship,’’ or the selection, coordination, or arrangement of material that is otherwise separately uncopyrightable. Yoga sequences were included in these materials that are uncopyrightable.

An example that has occupied the attention of the Copyright Office for quite some time involves the copyrightability of the selection and arrangement of preexisting exercises, such as yoga poses. Interpreting the statutory definition of ‘‘compilation’’ in isolation could lead to the conclusion that a sufficiently creative selection, coordination or arrangement of public domain yoga poses is copyrightable as a compilation of such poses or exercises. However, under the policy stated herein, a claim in a compilation of exercises or the selection and arrangement of yoga poses will be refused registration. Exercise is not a category of authorship in section 102 and thus a compilation of exercises would not be copyrightable subject matter. The Copyright Office would entertain a claim in the selection, coordination or arrangement of, for instance, photographs or drawings of exercises, but such compilation authorship would not extend to the selection, coordination or arrangement of the exercises themselves that are depicted in the photographs or drawings. Rather such a claim would be limited to selection, coordination, or arrangement of the photographs or drawings that fall within the congressionally-recognized category of authorship of pictorial, graphic and sculptural works.

Source: The Copyright Office

Utah Public Health Officials Confirm Two (2) Deaths from Hantavirus!

I have not been focusing on the pandemic issues like I used to do in the past. Here's a current story about hantavirus (dated as of June 5, 2012) that is something like I would have posted without delay 2-3 years ago. Please note that the Utah Department of Health is using Blogspot to post its official news releases.

Click the link for more information on the hantavirus.

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Two Hantavirus-related Deaths in Utah

(Salt Lake City, UT) – Utah public health officials have confirmed two deaths as a result of hantavirus exposure. The deaths occurred in Millard County and in Salt Lake County as a result of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare, but deadly, lung disease.

HPS is spread by breathing in dust around rodent-infested areas that contain hantavirus, and is not spread from person-to-person. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain hantavirus become airborne. The average age of known cases is 35 years with an age range of 11 to 69 years. No ethnic group appears to be more at risk than another.

Activities that can put people at risk include:
• Improperly cleaning up mouse and rat urine, droppings and nests.
• Cleaning a shed or cabin that has been closed for some time.
• Working in areas where mice and rats may live (such as barns).

Although HPS is rare, infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings. Try to avoid any activities that might stir up dust around rodent-infested areas.

To safely clean up rodent urine and droppings, wear a mask, glasses, and rubber or plastic gloves. Get the urine and droppings very wet with disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water. Allow to soak for five minutes. Use a paper towel to wipe up urine or droppings and throw the towel into the garbage. Mop the area with disinfectant or a bleach solution.

When finished, wash gloved hands with soap and water or spray a disinfectant or bleach solution on the gloves before taking them off. Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing the gloves.
The recommended cleaning solution is a mixture of 1½ cups household bleach and 1 gallon of water. A smaller amount can be made with one part bleach and 10 parts water.

Hantavirus symptoms generally begin with a fever greater than 100.5° F, muscle aches, and chills. Other common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and headache. Less common symptoms are dizziness or a light-headed feeling, sweating, and joint, back, chest, or abdominal pain. If you experience symptoms, contact your medical provider immediately.

Media Contact:
Rebecca Ward
Media Coordinator
(801) 538-6822 (o)
(801) 647-5421 (m)

Source: Utah Department of Health

U.S. Navy RQ-4A Global Hawk Drone Crashes in Marsh Near Salisbury, Maryland

If the military does indeed put 30,000 drones in American skies, I bet that we will see more crashes of these drones like this one in Maryland. In fact, I predicted that we would see more crashes of these things once there were more of them in the sky. 

The RQ-4A Global Hawk drone crashed during a routine training flight from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, according to Jamie Cosgrove, a spokeswoman for the Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons Program at the base. 

Source: CNN

 

Ten (10) Things You Didn't Know About Unmanned Aircraft Systems (aka "Drones")

It is no surprise people are discussing unmanned aircraft systems (or "drones") more and more. Drones used to be limited to the foreign battlefields. However, these drones are everywhere now, whether it's the border, the Forest Service, NASA, the NYPD or your local utility company. The feds have even authorized 30,000 drones to fly in America's skies by 2020. Nevertheless, the quoted article caught my attention. The ten (10) things you don't know about these drones. I won't post them all, but you can click on through the link to get to the full list!

3. Drones are coming to America. 

Source: Foreign Policy

Boston Dynamics' PETMAN Anthropomorphic Robot That Can Run Like a Man!

As someone who grew up in the age of the Six Million Dollar Man, this "Bionic Man"-looking PETMAN robot from Boston Dynamics is quite amazing. The last time I reviewed this type of technology, the prototype was some four-legged Big Dog. At this rate, it will only be a few years before human-looking robots will be in the workplace and on the battlefields.

PETMAN is an anthropomorphic robot for testing chemical protection clothing. Unlike previous suit testers, which had to be supported mechanically and had a limited repertoire of motion, PETMAN will balance itself and move freely; walking, crawling and doing a variety of suit-stressing calisthenics during exposure to chemical warfare agents. PETMAN will also simulate human physiology within the protective suit by controlling temperature, humidity and sweating when necessary, all to provide realistic test conditions.

Source: Boston Dynamics

Luke Rudkowski Confronts Obama Information Czar Cass Sunstein on Cognitive Infiltration of Conspiracy Groups (Video)

My ears perk up whenever I hear anything about Cass Sunstein, so this video caught my attention.  This blog has discussed Czar Sunstein on a previous occasion (FLASHBACK: Cass Sunstein Says Wikileaks Was Founded by Dissidents in China and Other Nations (2007)), so please feel free to brief yourself on that article too.  I am also posting the above video, because I love when Luke Rudkowski confronts these political types like Zbigniew Brzezinski and Van Jones.

USPTO Issues "Spy" Patent to Google for Targeted Advertising Based on a User's Local Environment

Advertising Based on Environmental Conditions - U.S. Patent 8138930

This United States Patent #8,138,930 (Advertising Based on Environmental Conditions) takes the whole track, trace and database theme to a new level. Google (and/or its advertising affiliates) will now transmit advertisements to users of its services based on the users' environmental conditions such as humidity, sound, light or air composition. Claim 17 is on point:

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein a sensor of the computing device is configured to sense at least one of temperature, humidity, sound, light, or air composition.

Further, Google will obtain the necessary environmental information from sensors in the user's web browser or search engine to which advertisers will have access. Basically, Google will be spying on a user's environmental conditions and providing that information to its advertisers who will then transmit the targeted advertisements based on the applicable environmental conditions.

This document describes a system for allowing advertisers to target on-line advertisements based on environmental factors of end users. When determining what ads to serve to end users, the environmental factors can be used independently or in combination with matching of keywords associated with the advertisements and keywords in user search queries. A web browser or search engine located at the user's site may obtain information on the environment (e.g., temperature, humidity, light, sound, air composition) from sensors. Advertisers may specify that the ads are shown to users whose environmental conditions meet certain criteria. For example, advertisements for air conditioners can be sent to users located at regions having temperatures above a first threshold, while advertisements for winter overcoats can be sent to users located at regions having temperatures below a second threshold.

In general, in one aspect, information about an environmental condition of a remote user who is accessing a network is received at a server, an advertisement based on the environmental condition is identified at the server, the information about the environmental condition being derived from an output of a sensor located at the remote user, and the advertisement is provided to the user through the network.

Source: End the Lie; United States Patent & Trademark Office

Court Ruling Allows Canadian Intellectual Property Office to Accept Sound Mark Applications

Image, subject to license

I do not have much to say about this Canadian court ruling, but I am passing it along as a matter of reference to this blog's readers.

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Trade-mark consisting of a sound

Publication Date: 2012-03-28

In view of a recent Federal Court Order, effective immediately, the Office will accept applications for sound marks.

The application for the registration of a trade-mark consisting of a sound should:

a. state that the application is for the registration of a sound mark;
b. contain a drawing that graphically represents the sound;
c. contain a description of the sound; and
d. contain an electronic recording of the sound.

Where it is not clear whether an application is intended to cover a sound mark, the Office will ask the applicant for written clarification.

Where a sound mark is considered to be functional and/or clearly descriptive or deceptively misdescriptive, an objection will be raised pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 12(1)(b) of the Trade-marks Act. In such cases, the mark may be registered pursuant to the provisions of subsection 12(2) or section 14 of the Act.

Electronic recording of sound

New applications for sound marks may only be submitted by way of a paper application, and not through CIPO's online filing system.

The Office can only accept a recording of the sound in MP3 or WAVE format, limited to 5 megabytes in size, and recorded on a CD or DVD. Other types of recording media and references to a hyperlink or a streaming location cannot be accepted.

Electronic recordings should not contain any looping or repetition of the sound.

The electronic recording of sound should only be submitted at the time of filing, and need not be re-submitted with a revised application.

FLASHBACK: Aspartame is Produced from Fermenting Genetically Modified Bacteria (1999)

The original source article says that this article should not be linked to a discussion about the alleged dangers of aspartame. This blog article is not discussing any potential or alleged dangers from ingesting aspartame. Instead, this article discusses how aspartame is produced, including a brief history.

Aspartame was first created in 1965 and it was discovered by mistake.

The sugarlike taste of aspartame was discovered accidentally by James Schlatter, an American drug researcher at G.D. Searle and Co. in 1965. While working on an antiulcer drug, he inadvertently spilled some APM on his hand. Figuring that the material was not toxic, he went about his work without washing it off. He discovered APM's sweet taste when he licked his finger to pick up a piece of weighing paper.

The embedded patent above is the patent issued to Searle in 1970 for what would be known as aspartame. It is created through a fermentation and synthesis process. *Please note that GMO bacteria was not a part of the patent I have embedded above.*

Although its components aspartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanolccur naturally in foods, aspartame itself does not and must be manufactured. NutraSweet' (aspartame) is made through fermentation and synthesis processes.

However, as of 1999, genetically modified bacteria (GMO-bacteria) was being used in the process.

...an investigation by the Independent on Sunday revealed that Monsanto, the pioneering GM food giant which makes aspartame, often uses genetically engineered bacteria to produce the sweetener at its US production plants.

I have heard some claim that the aspartame comes from the "feces" of GMO bacteria, but I have not been able to confirm that this fermentation process produces feces or the equivalent thereof.

Source: eNotes; The Independent

Operation Unmask: Interpol Arrests Twenty-Five (25) Suspected Members of 'Anonymous' Group in Dozens of Cities

File photo

I have to wonder about this media report, because the article admits that it is unsure of the evidence being used to prove these hackers were actually a part of Anonymous. Anyone can arrest some hackers in Europe and Latin America, and claim that the hackers were a part of the group. However, if these hackers were indeed a part of Anonymous, I am quite sure there will be other incidents both from the Anonymous side and from law enforcement agents, so stay tuned.

Interpol has arrested 25 suspected members of the 'Anonymous' hackers group in a swoop covering more than a dozen cities in Europe and Latin America, the global police body said on Tuesday.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald

Water Rates Expected to Triple in Some Parts of United States due to $1 Trillion in Needed Infrastucture Improvements

Buried No Longer

Mos Def warned me in New World Water way back when that water would be the greatest commodity in the near future, but I didn't listen. Next to oxygen, water is the most precious commodity for a human being, so its value can never be understated. President George W. Bush allegedly even picked up some water resources down in South America a few years back.

Most people don't have the resources to acquire independent water holdings, so they will have to depend on their local municipalities to provide these services. Unfortunately, these services are going to be most costly in the coming years as a new report by the AWWA (see above for a copy of the report) estimates that people's water costs could triple in some parts of the country.

Household Water Bills Will Go Up. Important caveats are necessary here, because there are many ways that the increased investment in water infrastructure can be allocated among customers. Variables include rate structures, how the investment is financed, and other important local factors. But the level of investment required to replace worn-out pipes and maintain current levels of water service in the most affected communities could in some cases triple household water bills.

Source: American Water Works Association

FCC Terminates LightSquared's Proposed National 4G-LTE Open Wireless Broadband Network

This is another story that I need to do some further research on to see if this LightSquared nationwide broadband plan was a beneficial plan or a wasteful one. On the surface, a nationwide open, wireless broadband program seems quite ambitious and would have brought high speed Net access to the masses and not just people in urban metropolises. I guess it was all a dream, because it is no longer a reality. Federal regulators have killed the program due to its alleged interference with the GPS system.

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NEWS

Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C. 20554

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.

See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
February 14, 2012
Tammy Sun,
202.418.0505
Email: Tammy.Sun@fcc.gov

STATEMENT FROM FCC SPOKESPERSON TAMMY SUN ON LETTER FROM NTIA ADDRESSING HARMFUL INTERFERENCE TESTING CONCLUSIONS PERTAINING TO LIGHTSQUARED AND GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS

“To drive economic growth, job creation, and to promote competition, the FCC has been focused on freeing up spectrum for mobile broadband. This includes our efforts to remove regulatory barriers that preclude the use of spectrum for mobile services. To advance these goals, the Commission runs open processes – the success of which relies on the active, timely, and full participation of all stakeholders.

“LightSquared’s proposal to provide ground-based mobile service offered the potential to unleash new spectrum for mobile broadband and enhance competition. The Commission clearly stated from the outset that harmful interference to GPS would not be permitted (emphasis added). This is why the Conditional Waiver Order issued by the Commission’s International Bureau prohibited LightSquared from beginning commercial operations unless harmful interference issues were resolved.

“NTIA, the federal agency that coordinates spectrum uses for the military and other federal government entities, has now concluded that there is no practical way to mitigate potential interference at this time. Consequently, the Commission will not lift the prohibition on LightSquared. The International Bureau of the Commission is proposing to (1) vacate the Conditional Waiver Order, and (2) suspend indefinitely LightSquared’s Ancillary Terrestrial Component authority to an extent consistent with the NTIA letter. A Public Notice seeking comment on NTIA’s conclusions and on these proposals will be released tomorrow.

“This proceeding has revealed challenges to maximizing the opportunities of mobile broadband for our economy. In particular, it has revealed challenges to removing regulatory barriers on spectrum that restrict use of that spectrum for mobile broadband. This includes receivers that pick up signals from spectrum uses in neighboring bands. There are very substantial costs to our economy and to consumers of preventing the use of this and other spectrum for mobile broadband. Congress, the FCC, other federal agencies, and private sector stakeholders must work together in a concerted effort to reduce regulatory barriers and free up spectrum for mobile broadband. Part of this effort should address receiver performance to help ensure the most efficient use of all spectrum to drive our economy and best serve American consumers.”

-- FCC --

Jeremy Lin's LINSANITY USPTO Trademark Application (Including Opposition Overview)

File photo (subject to license)

UPDATE (February 21, 2012) - Two (2) more applications were filed since I originally posted this article. That makes five (5) total LINSANITY trademark filings since February 7, 2012.

1. 85542514 (LINSANITY) - This 1B application was filed in Class 35 (advertising and business) by Roger Montgomery of San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Montgomery filed his application on February 14, 2012 and he has not yet alleged a date of actual usage.

2. 85542887 (LINSANITY) - This 1B application was filed on February 14, 2012 in Class 14 (jewelry) by Yoonsoo Stephen Kim and Wesley Kwong-Yew Tang both of Duluth, Georgia. They have not yet alleged a date of actual usage.


***Original article below***

There are currently three (3) applications in process for various capitalizations of LINSANITY in the United States of America. Only one of the trademark applications (No. 85541426) is applicable to the basketball player for the New York Knickerbockers.

Out of these three (3) applications, Mr. Lin filed his application the latest. However, the only application that has stated an actual date of use is the 'Linsanity' application by Mr. Slayton. The first application filed was by Mr. Chang, but it was only two (2) days before Mr. Slayton and only six (6) days before Mr. Lin's.

If you want to search yourself, go to the following link http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/index.jsp. Scroll down and click the link that says Trademark Electronic Search System. Click 'Basic Word Mark Search (New User)'. Type 'linsanity' in the Search Term Box and click the 'Submit Query' button. You should get the below three (3) applications (though other applications may be filed after this article's publication date).

1. 85541426 (LINSANITY) - This is Jeremy Lin's 1B application for the mark in five (5) different classes: Class 18 (leather goods), 21 (housewares and glass), 25 (clothing), 28 (toys and sporting goods), 32 (light beverages). The full application is linked below or on the public USPTO site. Mr. Lin did not file his application until February 13, 2012 and he has not stated a date of actual use.
LINSANITY Trademark Application (No. 85541426)

2. 85537764 (Linsanity) - This 1A application was filed in Class 25 (clothing) by Andrew W. Slayton of Los Altos, California. Mr. Slayton claims to have been using the LINSANITY mark since July 17, 2010. However, Mr. Slayton did not file his application until February 9, 2012. The applicant included the following miscellaneous statement in the application.

I purchased Linsanity.com on July 17, 2010 for the express purposes of using this site and this term in commerce when the timing was appropriate. The site is now live as of Feb. 8th, 2012 and my first Linsanity T-shirt was sold on this same date.

3. 85535650 (LINsanity) - This 1B application was filed in Class 25 (clothing) by Yenchin (Matthew) Chang of Alhambra, California. Mr. Chang did not file his application until February 7, 2012 and he has not yet alleged a date of actual usage.

FLASHBACK: Genetically Modified Foods Are Not Served at a Monsanto Cafeteria in United Kingdom (1999)

File photo (probably not in U.K.)*

The sourced article is from 1999 which was a time before I was blogging on the Internets. Therefore, I completely missed this article. However, I am continually scouring the bowels of the Internet for the stories both past and present to see what deserves the ol' Remixx World! treatment.

The original article says that one of the Monsanto cafeterias does not serve GMO foods. In the 13 years since this article was first published, I wonder if Monsanto has changed its internal policy.

The firm running the canteen at Monsanto's pharmaceuticals factory at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, serves only GM-free meals, Friends of the Earth said. In a notice in the canteen, Sutcliffe Catering, owned by the Granada Group, said it had taken the decision "to remove, as far as practicable, GM soya and maize from all food products served in our restaurant. We have taken the above steps to ensure that you, the customer, can feel confident in the food we serve."

Source: The Independent

*Image Source: Luther Blissett (Subject to license)

President Obama Signs Executive Order Freezing All Iranian Government Assets Held in US Banks

File Photo of Iran Central Bank in Tehran (Subject to license)

It seems like the long-threatened war with Iran is going to happen at some point soon. There is simply too much saber-rattling for it not to happen. Case in point, the latest executive order from President Obama that freezes Iranian assets in US banks. Once money is frozen, it usually isn't too long before the bombs will be falling!

Please note that there is no Executive Order number yet, but I will add it when it is actually published.

###

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
February 06, 2012
Executive Order -- Blocking Property of the Government of Iran and Iranian Financial Institutions

EXECUTIVE ORDER
- - - - - - -
BLOCKING PROPERTY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF IRAN AND IRANIAN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 1245 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Public Law 112-81) (NDAA), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code,

I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, in order to take additional steps with respect to the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12957 of March 15, 1995, particularly in light of the deceptive practices of the Central Bank of Iran and other Iranian banks to conceal transactions of sanctioned parties, the deficiencies in Iran's anti-money laundering regime and the weaknesses in its implementation, and the continuing and unacceptable risk posed to the international financial system by Iran's activities, hereby order:

Section 1

(a) All property and interests in property of the Government of Iran, including the Central Bank of Iran, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any foreign branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.

(b) All property and interests in property of any Iranian financial institution, including the Central Bank of Iran, that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any foreign branch, are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in.

(c) All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, including any foreign branch, of the following persons are blocked and may not be transferred, paid, exported, withdrawn, or otherwise dealt in: any person determined by the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to be owned or controlled by, or to have acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order.

Section 2

I hereby determine that the making of donations of the type of articles specified in section 203(b)(2) of IEEPA (50 U.S.C. 1702(b)(2)) by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to section 1 of this order would seriously impair my ability to deal with the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12957, and I hereby prohibit such donations as provided by section 1 of this order.

Section 3

The prohibitions in section 1 of this order include but are not limited to: (a) the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any person whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order; and


(b) the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.

Section 4

(a) The prohibitions in section 1 of this order apply except to the extent provided by statutes, or in regulations, orders, directives, or licenses that may be issued pursuant to this order, and notwithstanding any contract entered into or any license or permit granted prior to the effective date of this order.

(b) The prohibitions in section 1 of this order do not apply to property and interests in property of the Government of Iran that were blocked pursuant to Executive Order 12170 of November 14, 1979, and thereafter made subject to the transfer directives set forth in Executive Order 12281 of January 19, 1981, and implementing regulations thereunder.

Section 5

(a) Any transaction by a United States person or within the United States that evades or avoids, has the purpose of evading or avoiding, causes a violation of, or attempts to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

(b) Any conspiracy formed to violate any of the prohibitions set forth in this order is prohibited.

Section 6

Nothing in section 1 of this order shall prohibit transactions for the conduct of the official business of the Federal Government by employees, grantees, or contractors thereof.

Section 7

For the purposes of this order:

(a) the term "person" means an individual or entity;

(b) the term "entity" means a partnership, association, trust, joint venture, corporation, group, subgroup, or other organization;

(c) the term "United States person" means any United States citizen, permanent resident alien, entity organized under the laws of the United States or any jurisdiction within the United States (including foreign branches), or any person in the United States;

(d) the term "Government of Iran" means the Government of Iran, any political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including the Central Bank of Iran, and any person owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, the Government of Iran;

(e) the term "Iran" means the territory of Iran and any other territory or marine area, including the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, over which the Government of Iran claims sovereignty, sovereign rights, or jurisdiction, provided that the Government of Iran exercises partial or total de facto control over the area or derives a benefit from economic activity in the area pursuant to international arrangements; and

(f) the term "Iranian financial institution" means a financial institution organized under the laws of Iran or any jurisdiction within Iran (including foreign branches), any financial institution in Iran, any financial institution, wherever located, owned or controlled by the Government of Iran, and any financial institution, wherever located, owned or controlled by any of the foregoing.

Section 8

For those persons whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to this order who might have a constitutional presence in the United States, I find that because of the ability to transfer funds or other assets instantaneously, prior notice to such persons of measures to be taken pursuant to this order would render those measures ineffectual. I therefore determine that for these measures to be effective in addressing the national emergency declared in Executive Order 12957, there need be no prior notice of a listing or determination made pursuant to section 1 of this order.

Section 9

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including the promulgation of rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to carry out the purposes of this order, other than the purposes described in section 11. The Secretary of the Treasury may redelegate any of these functions and authorities to other officers and agencies of the United States Government consistent with applicable law. All agencies of the United States Government are hereby directed to take all appropriate measures within their authority to carry out the provisions of this order.

Section 10

The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby authorized to exercise the functions and authorities conferred upon the President by section 1245(d)(1)(A) of the NDAA and to redelegate these functions and authorities consistent with applicable law. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, is hereby further authorized to exercise the functions and authorities conferred upon the President by section 1245(g)(1) of the NDAA to the extent necessary to exercise the other functions and authorities delegated in this section and may redelegate these functions and authorities consistent with applicable law.

Section 11

The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Energy, and the Director of National Intelligence, is hereby authorized to exercise the functions and authorities conferred upon the President by section 1245(d)(4)(D) of the NDAA and to redelegate these functions and authorities consistent with applicable law. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, is hereby further authorized to exercise the functions and authorities conferred upon the President by sections 1245(e)(1) and 1245(e)(2) of the NDAA and to redelegate these functions and authorities consistent with applicable law. The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, is hereby further authorized to exercise the functions and authorities conferred upon the President by section 1245(g)(1) of the NDAA to the extent necessary to exercise the other functions and authorities delegated in this section and may redelegate these functions and authorities consistent with applicable law.

Section 12

This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Section 13

The measures taken pursuant to this order are in response to actions of the Government of Iran occurring after the conclusion of the 1981 Algiers Accords, and are intended solely as a response to those later actions.

Section 14

This order is effective at 12:01 a.m. eastern standard time on February 6, 2012.

BARACK OBAMA