.
It seems that the lower they slip in the Nielsen ratings the more radical MSNBC has to become to try and distort the record of Fox News. Every time MSNBC starts to do something right their seemingly overwhelming jealousy of the Fox News network led by Roger Ailes who consistently over-powers MSNBC in the ratings causes the liberal leftists to do something stupid.
Yesterday Fox landed a prized one-on-one interview with President Obama. Since Fox is regularly on the White House hit list it was a little surprising unless you know politics in which case you would know Obama was smart in risking the interview to reach millions of conservative and independent Americans he normally cannot reach.
The interview with Bret Baier was not without it's lively exchanges and of course the President and Baier both had a job to do. In the end Obama wins points just for entering the lion's den with Fox. He might even win over some support for his health care bill.
But leave it to MSNBC to take a news event and edit the tapes to make it look like Bret was badgering the President with constant interruptions. Obama does not need false news reports by MSNBC to protect him. His own ratings far exceed the MSNBC leftist ratings and by now he knows what to expect with Fox and does quite well.
The edited tape was used on all the MSNBC shows today and of course the wailing liberals are screaming that Fox embarrassed the President. Nonsense. The Pres did quite alright. It was the network that embarrassed itself. Morning Joe, the MSNBC program claiming to give balanced reporting though it can never quite give up their hope to destroy conservatives and Republicans, started using it with Joe mentioning that the tape had been manipulated. But by the second and third hours of news when the tape was shown not a word was mentioned about manipulating it.
In recent months Morning Joe had started to be interesting and informative to even us non-comrades as they seemed to back off on the unfair tactics and actually do a little reporting even if the guest list is dominated by liberals. When they fall back into smear reporting and crass tactics they ruin everything they have done to improve their image. Fox News and Sarah Palin are not the enemy of MSNBC, they only dominate their competitor burying them with almost five times the number of viewers.
Dirty tricks like editing tapes to make it look bad are yellow journalism tricks of the past, I thought. I have launched a campaign to save Savannah Guthrie from NBC and MSNBC for the very reason that MSNBC reporters cannot simply report but must toe the party line, even if it means using dirty tricks. It is actions like today on MSNBC that will forever keep them buried by Fox in the ratings because though the producers may think it is cute, the people know it is stupid.
.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Blind Sided - Bullock, Biden and Barack
.
How about a trip around the world to check in on the morality of mankind? Then again, maybe we shouldn't do it because there may be less morality than I'd like to find. But this is THE WEEK, so I'm going to hope the forces of the universe will help get us through the problems.
1. Sandra Bullock - One of the hardest working actresses in the country, Bullock went through a most difficult career pattern fighting to gain artistic recognition from the film industry. For years she survived her personal difficulties by doing independent films because she was not considered for major roles.
Five years ago she married Jesse James, a custom motorcycle maker in California and this year, thanks to her taking another chance on an independent film, The Blind Side, she finally got the industry acceptance she so long desired. Her little film stunned the entertainment people by making a substantial amount of money, and still is making it, and the outsider Sandra Bullock became the number one box office draw in 2009. She was rewarded with the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Now we discover that her husband, Jesse, was also busy for when Bullock was away shooting the Blind Side film he was involved in a torrid affair with a tattoo model named Michelle "Bombshell" McGee who nicknamed good old Jesse the "Vanilla Gorilla" for his physical attributes according to the tattoo queen. She said Jesse told her he was separated from Bullock.
Now Sandra had already gone out on a limb marrying the guy as his first wife was a porno film queen named Janine Lindamulder, he apparently had a thing about queens. His actions may have cost him the best queen he ever had and for Bullock to have a clean sweep and a new start as the top female box office star in Hollywood, she should dump the chump.
2. VP Joe Biden - His recent trip to Israel to jumpstart the Middle East peace process started out as a disaster when the Israeli's blind sided Joe by announcing they were going to build 1,600 houses in a contested area of East Jerusalem, igniting riots from the Palestinians. His mission was destroyed before he even got to give his opening remarks. Now that is Israeli Blind Siding as only the Israelis can do when they insult and embarrass the vice president of their only ally and protector in the world.
Blame it on the far right wing radicals in Israel, yes they do have them as well, but the results have led to the worst relations between the USA and Israel in decades according to Israel's Ambassador to the United States. Of course we know such claims are not true because the USA will never abandon Israel but the right wing in Israel better think twice before they set out to embarrass the Vice President of the United States.
We are not their enemy, and like him or not, Joe is our Vice President. Just because we have disagreements does not mean we are not loyal to our leaders. It is the nature of Americans to be tough on each other but God help the outsider who tries to embarrass our leaders whether they be Democrats, Republicans, Independents or those not registered to vote.
3. President Obama - As the monumental health care bill, whatever it is and whatever it costs since no one in Washington has seen it or knows the cost, comes up for a historic vote this weekend, just in time to be buried in the middle of the March Madness tournament, let us hope that the President has not made so many backroom deals to get it approved at all costs that he doesn't get blind sided in the aftermath.
Unlike most journalists I think America is safe with or without the health care bill. If it passes and has too many flaws they will get corrected before the Communists overrun the country. If it fails even the stubborn Republicans know we do need health care reform and we need it now, not later. A failure by the Republicans to pass something in the aftermath would be just as reckless as the Democrats passing a flawed bill. But have a little faith in the Founding Fathers. They knew how stupid politicians can be and they have built into our Constitution provisions to protect the Republic no matter how misguided the elected representatives.
If nothing else, we now know quite clearly how desperately we need reform of not just health care but the entire political process. Fix the health problems, fix the Wall Street problems and fix the campaign laws that have given crooks control of our Congress. Do it or lose. That should be the mantra of the people of America and in a couple of elections we will eradicate the bad guys and restore American to its rightful place in the world.
No one else in the world has the ability to fix things in a peaceful manner like the United States and no other people in the world have the ability to know what is best for their country than our people so I have faith in the people over the politicians and the Republic over the radicals from both the right and left.
.
How about a trip around the world to check in on the morality of mankind? Then again, maybe we shouldn't do it because there may be less morality than I'd like to find. But this is THE WEEK, so I'm going to hope the forces of the universe will help get us through the problems.
1. Sandra Bullock - One of the hardest working actresses in the country, Bullock went through a most difficult career pattern fighting to gain artistic recognition from the film industry. For years she survived her personal difficulties by doing independent films because she was not considered for major roles.
Five years ago she married Jesse James, a custom motorcycle maker in California and this year, thanks to her taking another chance on an independent film, The Blind Side, she finally got the industry acceptance she so long desired. Her little film stunned the entertainment people by making a substantial amount of money, and still is making it, and the outsider Sandra Bullock became the number one box office draw in 2009. She was rewarded with the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Now we discover that her husband, Jesse, was also busy for when Bullock was away shooting the Blind Side film he was involved in a torrid affair with a tattoo model named Michelle "Bombshell" McGee who nicknamed good old Jesse the "Vanilla Gorilla" for his physical attributes according to the tattoo queen. She said Jesse told her he was separated from Bullock.
Now Sandra had already gone out on a limb marrying the guy as his first wife was a porno film queen named Janine Lindamulder, he apparently had a thing about queens. His actions may have cost him the best queen he ever had and for Bullock to have a clean sweep and a new start as the top female box office star in Hollywood, she should dump the chump.
2. VP Joe Biden - His recent trip to Israel to jumpstart the Middle East peace process started out as a disaster when the Israeli's blind sided Joe by announcing they were going to build 1,600 houses in a contested area of East Jerusalem, igniting riots from the Palestinians. His mission was destroyed before he even got to give his opening remarks. Now that is Israeli Blind Siding as only the Israelis can do when they insult and embarrass the vice president of their only ally and protector in the world.
Blame it on the far right wing radicals in Israel, yes they do have them as well, but the results have led to the worst relations between the USA and Israel in decades according to Israel's Ambassador to the United States. Of course we know such claims are not true because the USA will never abandon Israel but the right wing in Israel better think twice before they set out to embarrass the Vice President of the United States.
We are not their enemy, and like him or not, Joe is our Vice President. Just because we have disagreements does not mean we are not loyal to our leaders. It is the nature of Americans to be tough on each other but God help the outsider who tries to embarrass our leaders whether they be Democrats, Republicans, Independents or those not registered to vote.
3. President Obama - As the monumental health care bill, whatever it is and whatever it costs since no one in Washington has seen it or knows the cost, comes up for a historic vote this weekend, just in time to be buried in the middle of the March Madness tournament, let us hope that the President has not made so many backroom deals to get it approved at all costs that he doesn't get blind sided in the aftermath.
Unlike most journalists I think America is safe with or without the health care bill. If it passes and has too many flaws they will get corrected before the Communists overrun the country. If it fails even the stubborn Republicans know we do need health care reform and we need it now, not later. A failure by the Republicans to pass something in the aftermath would be just as reckless as the Democrats passing a flawed bill. But have a little faith in the Founding Fathers. They knew how stupid politicians can be and they have built into our Constitution provisions to protect the Republic no matter how misguided the elected representatives.
If nothing else, we now know quite clearly how desperately we need reform of not just health care but the entire political process. Fix the health problems, fix the Wall Street problems and fix the campaign laws that have given crooks control of our Congress. Do it or lose. That should be the mantra of the people of America and in a couple of elections we will eradicate the bad guys and restore American to its rightful place in the world.
No one else in the world has the ability to fix things in a peaceful manner like the United States and no other people in the world have the ability to know what is best for their country than our people so I have faith in the people over the politicians and the Republic over the radicals from both the right and left.
.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Weekend Economic Stimulus Guide - The Vintage Source Weekend
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Forget about Washington and the feeble attempts by the White House and Congress to do anything to help us. They have their hands full with health care. For over a year health care seems to have filled their hands in fact. In the meantime the real people in the real world face the same economic uncertainty, struggle to save money while Congress struggles to blow money, and stuff like that in our lives.
Well the Coltons Point Times has our own economic stimulus program in which deserving merchants with quality service and exceptional products who are a little on the eccentric side are recommended by us because you will find very good bargains on very good old stuff. You will be served by very entertaining women who realized if you give people what they really want and need, and are fair, you can do quite well in spite of the politicians and bankers.
The women of the Vintage Source Antiques and Social Club who decided to only open one weekend a month will be open this weekend and with the weather the finest we have had this year you would miss a real experience if you don't go to the Vintage Source.
Bring lots of money and plan on taking your time to enjoy the experience and while you are at it check out the incredible non-vintage Hot Dog and everything else stand. Buy a couple of designer dogs there and kick back and imagine how no matter what the fools do in Washington there will always be folks like those at the Source to help us forget our problems and save our money.
Here is Michelle's latest invitation to the Vintage Source.
The Vintage Source
It's a Vintage Source Weekend!
Sat & Sun, March 20th & 21st, 8am-4pm!
Hi Folks,
Do you remember the old cartoon character, Pepe Le Pew? He was a swarthy skunk always laying the love lines on extra thick and failing miserably due to his odious nature. Recently, Pepe came-a-calling to The Vintage Source. And just like all the other ladies in his life, I wanted no part of him. After a week of traps set with tasty treats we had to pull out the big guns and and litter the place with moth balls! I think he got the hint though, because he finally moved on and took his stench with him. Really, we lead a very glamourous life over here at The Vintage Source.
Onto the good stuff...an "atta girl" goes out to our very own Sheryl Tart, whose slipcovers were part of a magazine spread in Romantic Country (the summer edition)! Park Hall resident, Patty Andreoli's home was a feature article in the magazine and showcased Sheryl's slipcovers and if you look closely, you'll recognize some Vintage Source furnishings as well.
Lastly, there are lots of pictures up showing off just a portion of the New Arrivals in the shop! Beautiful, functional, affordable furniture...it's all waiting for you.
I will leave you with a quote from my friend Pepe, "When you are a skunk, you learn how to hold your breath for a long time."
See you this weekend, March 20th & 21st, 8am-4pm.
Michelle
Michelle Radez
The Vintage Source
www.thevintagesource.net
thevintagesource@verizon.net
240-925-1060
The Vintage Source | 22080 Newtowne Neck Rd | Compton | MD | 20627
Forget about Washington and the feeble attempts by the White House and Congress to do anything to help us. They have their hands full with health care. For over a year health care seems to have filled their hands in fact. In the meantime the real people in the real world face the same economic uncertainty, struggle to save money while Congress struggles to blow money, and stuff like that in our lives.
Well the Coltons Point Times has our own economic stimulus program in which deserving merchants with quality service and exceptional products who are a little on the eccentric side are recommended by us because you will find very good bargains on very good old stuff. You will be served by very entertaining women who realized if you give people what they really want and need, and are fair, you can do quite well in spite of the politicians and bankers.
The women of the Vintage Source Antiques and Social Club who decided to only open one weekend a month will be open this weekend and with the weather the finest we have had this year you would miss a real experience if you don't go to the Vintage Source.
Bring lots of money and plan on taking your time to enjoy the experience and while you are at it check out the incredible non-vintage Hot Dog and everything else stand. Buy a couple of designer dogs there and kick back and imagine how no matter what the fools do in Washington there will always be folks like those at the Source to help us forget our problems and save our money.
Here is Michelle's latest invitation to the Vintage Source.
The Vintage Source
It's a Vintage Source Weekend!
Sat & Sun, March 20th & 21st, 8am-4pm!
Hi Folks,
Do you remember the old cartoon character, Pepe Le Pew? He was a swarthy skunk always laying the love lines on extra thick and failing miserably due to his odious nature. Recently, Pepe came-a-calling to The Vintage Source. And just like all the other ladies in his life, I wanted no part of him. After a week of traps set with tasty treats we had to pull out the big guns and and litter the place with moth balls! I think he got the hint though, because he finally moved on and took his stench with him. Really, we lead a very glamourous life over here at The Vintage Source.
Onto the good stuff...an "atta girl" goes out to our very own Sheryl Tart, whose slipcovers were part of a magazine spread in Romantic Country (the summer edition)! Park Hall resident, Patty Andreoli's home was a feature article in the magazine and showcased Sheryl's slipcovers and if you look closely, you'll recognize some Vintage Source furnishings as well.
Lastly, there are lots of pictures up showing off just a portion of the New Arrivals in the shop! Beautiful, functional, affordable furniture...it's all waiting for you.
I will leave you with a quote from my friend Pepe, "When you are a skunk, you learn how to hold your breath for a long time."
See you this weekend, March 20th & 21st, 8am-4pm.
Michelle
Michelle Radez
The Vintage Source
www.thevintagesource.net
thevintagesource@verizon.net
240-925-1060
The Vintage Source | 22080 Newtowne Neck Rd | Compton | MD | 20627
Toyota Recall Investigation Expands to Radiation
.
Over a month ago I wrote the following article in the CPT outlining in detail how solar radiation and other frequencies bombarding the Earth could be responsible for the Toyota recall problems. I said it was an issue that should be investigated. I sent the article to Toyota but obviously others have jumped into the search and now it appears the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency is opening a formal investigation of this issue.
Coltons Point Times
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What is Really Causing the Auto Recalls? Maybe it wasn't Toyota's Fault?
You heard it first on the CPT and this is what is now being said by others in the media.
US News and World Report
Cosmic Rays may be Causing Unintended Acceleration in Toyotas
Posted: Mar. 17, 2010 10:03 a.m.
Like a story line straight out of a George Lucas film, reports are surfacing that cosmic rays may be responsible for the dangerous cases of unintended acceleration that have spurred the recall of millions of Toyota vehicles.
“Before you dismiss the cosmic ray theory, consider that the issue has been known since the 1950s, and airplane and spacecraft manufacturers design in safeguards that triple-check all data as a defense from such interference from space,” writes Autoblog. “Later, in the 1970s, researchers found that small amounts of this radiation does indeed make it down to the surface and can cause problems with small electronics like cell phones and computers.”
The possibility was brought to light by a “concerned scientist” who sent an email to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). The message, which is published in full on Jalopnik, reads: “For reasons I am unable to disclose, I am anonymously submitting several publically available scientific papers that discuss the possibility of cosmic rays disrupting electronics at sea level, essentially flipping a bit from one to zero, or vice versa. This phenomenon is a ‘soft’ error that is not detectable except through redundant electronic and communication systems. The scientific community refers to such occurrences as ‘Single Event Upsets,’ or SEUs.” The scientist goes on to state, “The reason SEUs are now relevant to the automotive industry is because electronics have gotten smaller and the required voltage levels have dropped significantly, therefore making electronics more susceptible to cosmic radiation…”
Toyota, however, denies that SEUs are to blame for reported cases of unintended acceleration. According to the Detroit Free Press: “Toyota staunchly defends its electronics, saying they were designed for ‘absolute reliability.’ Responding to the Free Press, Toyota said its systems ‘are not the same as typical consumer electronics. The durability, size, susceptibility and specifications of the automotive electronics make them robust against this type of interference.’”
Still, the NHTSA is taking the tip seriously -- adding the anonymous email to its investigation case file.
Check out the latest Toyota recall news and information, including how the company's recent troubles affect our rankings. If you're in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.
Detroit Free Pess
March 16, 2010
Are cosmic rays really causing Toyota's woes?
Regulators take closer look at design of electronics
BY JUSTIN HYDE
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON -- It may sound far-fetched, but federal regulators are studying whether sudden acceleration in Toyotas is linked to cosmic rays.
Radiation from space long has affected airplanes and spacecraft, and is known for triggering errors in computer systems, but has received scant attention in the auto industry.
The questions show how deep regulators and automakers may have to dig to solve the mysteries of sudden acceleration. Toyota says it is fixing mechanical problems -- floor mats and sticky pedals -- that explain sudden acceleration in 13 models and 5.6 million vehicles.
But at least half of more than 1,500 recent complaints to regulators involve other models, raising questions whether Toyota has fixed its problem.
An anonymous tipster whose complaint prompted regulators to look at the issue said the design of Toyota's microprocessors, memory chips and software could make them more vulnerable than those of other automakers.
"I think it could be a real issue with Toyota," Sung Chung, who runs a California testing firm, said.
Toyota, which has led the auto industry in using electronic controls, told the Free Press its engine controls are "robust against this type of interference."
Cosmic rays offered as acceleration cause
Electronics makers have known for decades about "single event upsets," computer errors from radiation created when cosmic rays strike the atmosphere.
With more than 3,000 complaints to U.S. regulators of random sudden acceleration problems in Toyota models, several researchers say single event upsets deserve a close look.
The phenomenon can trigger software crashes that come and go without a trace. Unlike interference from radio waves, there's no way to physically block particles; such errors typically have to be prevented by a combination of software and hardware design.
And an anonymous tipster told NHTSA last month that "the automotive industry has yet to truly anticipate SEUs."
Such radiation "occurs virtually anywhere," said William Price, who spent 20 years at the Jet Propulsion Lab testing for radiation effects on electronics. "It doesn't happen in a certain locale like you would expect in an electromagnetic problem from a radio tower or something else."
Toyota staunchly defends its electronics, saying they were designed for "absolute reliability." Responding to the Free Press, Toyota said its systems "are not the same as typical consumer electronics. The durability, size, susceptibility and specifications of the automotive electronics make them robust against this type of interference."
Testing for the problem would involve putting vehicles in front of a particle accelerator and showering them with radiation, a step that experts said would help resolve the question.
"Nobody wants to come out and say we have issues and we need to test," said Sung Chung, president of the testing firm Eigenix.
The phenomenon was first noted in the 1950s affecting electronics at high altitudes; unlike electromagnetic waves, there are no ways to physically shield circuits from such particles. Airplane and spacecraft makers have long designed their electronics with such radiation in mind, through safeguards such as systems that triple-check data.
Only in the late 1970s did researchers discover that a minuscule portion of such radiation falls to earth. It's not enough to harm humans, but as circuits in computers and cell phones on the ground have shrunk to the width of several dozen atoms, the risk of errors has grown. "Five years ago, it was a problem in very few applications," said Olivier Lauzeral, general manager of IRoC Technologies, which tests chips and software for SEU resistance. "In the past couple of years, we've seen a rise in demand and interest."
In an anonymous e-mail last month to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a tipster said such an error "may be one reasonable explanation for incidents of sudden acceleration," adding that the automotive industry had yet to adapt the techniques used by aircraft firms to prevent problems from SEUs.
NHTSA added the tipster's information to its electronic investigative file on Toyota recalls. The agency declined several requests from the Free Press for comment.
Electronic throttle controls like the ones under scrutiny in Toyotas are widespread in the industry. They're more reliable than mechanical links, they save weight and space, and make other technology, like stability control, possible.
Over a month ago I wrote the following article in the CPT outlining in detail how solar radiation and other frequencies bombarding the Earth could be responsible for the Toyota recall problems. I said it was an issue that should be investigated. I sent the article to Toyota but obviously others have jumped into the search and now it appears the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency is opening a formal investigation of this issue.
Coltons Point Times
Thursday, February 11, 2010
What is Really Causing the Auto Recalls? Maybe it wasn't Toyota's Fault?
You heard it first on the CPT and this is what is now being said by others in the media.
US News and World Report
Cosmic Rays may be Causing Unintended Acceleration in Toyotas
Posted: Mar. 17, 2010 10:03 a.m.
Like a story line straight out of a George Lucas film, reports are surfacing that cosmic rays may be responsible for the dangerous cases of unintended acceleration that have spurred the recall of millions of Toyota vehicles.
“Before you dismiss the cosmic ray theory, consider that the issue has been known since the 1950s, and airplane and spacecraft manufacturers design in safeguards that triple-check all data as a defense from such interference from space,” writes Autoblog. “Later, in the 1970s, researchers found that small amounts of this radiation does indeed make it down to the surface and can cause problems with small electronics like cell phones and computers.”
The possibility was brought to light by a “concerned scientist” who sent an email to the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA). The message, which is published in full on Jalopnik, reads: “For reasons I am unable to disclose, I am anonymously submitting several publically available scientific papers that discuss the possibility of cosmic rays disrupting electronics at sea level, essentially flipping a bit from one to zero, or vice versa. This phenomenon is a ‘soft’ error that is not detectable except through redundant electronic and communication systems. The scientific community refers to such occurrences as ‘Single Event Upsets,’ or SEUs.” The scientist goes on to state, “The reason SEUs are now relevant to the automotive industry is because electronics have gotten smaller and the required voltage levels have dropped significantly, therefore making electronics more susceptible to cosmic radiation…”
Toyota, however, denies that SEUs are to blame for reported cases of unintended acceleration. According to the Detroit Free Press: “Toyota staunchly defends its electronics, saying they were designed for ‘absolute reliability.’ Responding to the Free Press, Toyota said its systems ‘are not the same as typical consumer electronics. The durability, size, susceptibility and specifications of the automotive electronics make them robust against this type of interference.’”
Still, the NHTSA is taking the tip seriously -- adding the anonymous email to its investigation case file.
Check out the latest Toyota recall news and information, including how the company's recent troubles affect our rankings. If you're in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.
Detroit Free Pess
March 16, 2010
Are cosmic rays really causing Toyota's woes?
Regulators take closer look at design of electronics
BY JUSTIN HYDE
FREE PRESS WASHINGTON STAFF
WASHINGTON -- It may sound far-fetched, but federal regulators are studying whether sudden acceleration in Toyotas is linked to cosmic rays.
Radiation from space long has affected airplanes and spacecraft, and is known for triggering errors in computer systems, but has received scant attention in the auto industry.
The questions show how deep regulators and automakers may have to dig to solve the mysteries of sudden acceleration. Toyota says it is fixing mechanical problems -- floor mats and sticky pedals -- that explain sudden acceleration in 13 models and 5.6 million vehicles.
But at least half of more than 1,500 recent complaints to regulators involve other models, raising questions whether Toyota has fixed its problem.
An anonymous tipster whose complaint prompted regulators to look at the issue said the design of Toyota's microprocessors, memory chips and software could make them more vulnerable than those of other automakers.
"I think it could be a real issue with Toyota," Sung Chung, who runs a California testing firm, said.
Toyota, which has led the auto industry in using electronic controls, told the Free Press its engine controls are "robust against this type of interference."
Cosmic rays offered as acceleration cause
Electronics makers have known for decades about "single event upsets," computer errors from radiation created when cosmic rays strike the atmosphere.
With more than 3,000 complaints to U.S. regulators of random sudden acceleration problems in Toyota models, several researchers say single event upsets deserve a close look.
The phenomenon can trigger software crashes that come and go without a trace. Unlike interference from radio waves, there's no way to physically block particles; such errors typically have to be prevented by a combination of software and hardware design.
And an anonymous tipster told NHTSA last month that "the automotive industry has yet to truly anticipate SEUs."
Such radiation "occurs virtually anywhere," said William Price, who spent 20 years at the Jet Propulsion Lab testing for radiation effects on electronics. "It doesn't happen in a certain locale like you would expect in an electromagnetic problem from a radio tower or something else."
Toyota staunchly defends its electronics, saying they were designed for "absolute reliability." Responding to the Free Press, Toyota said its systems "are not the same as typical consumer electronics. The durability, size, susceptibility and specifications of the automotive electronics make them robust against this type of interference."
Testing for the problem would involve putting vehicles in front of a particle accelerator and showering them with radiation, a step that experts said would help resolve the question.
"Nobody wants to come out and say we have issues and we need to test," said Sung Chung, president of the testing firm Eigenix.
The phenomenon was first noted in the 1950s affecting electronics at high altitudes; unlike electromagnetic waves, there are no ways to physically shield circuits from such particles. Airplane and spacecraft makers have long designed their electronics with such radiation in mind, through safeguards such as systems that triple-check data.
Only in the late 1970s did researchers discover that a minuscule portion of such radiation falls to earth. It's not enough to harm humans, but as circuits in computers and cell phones on the ground have shrunk to the width of several dozen atoms, the risk of errors has grown. "Five years ago, it was a problem in very few applications," said Olivier Lauzeral, general manager of IRoC Technologies, which tests chips and software for SEU resistance. "In the past couple of years, we've seen a rise in demand and interest."
In an anonymous e-mail last month to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a tipster said such an error "may be one reasonable explanation for incidents of sudden acceleration," adding that the automotive industry had yet to adapt the techniques used by aircraft firms to prevent problems from SEUs.
NHTSA added the tipster's information to its electronic investigative file on Toyota recalls. The agency declined several requests from the Free Press for comment.
Electronic throttle controls like the ones under scrutiny in Toyotas are widespread in the industry. They're more reliable than mechanical links, they save weight and space, and make other technology, like stability control, possible.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
.
That's my gentle giant CuChulainn, an Irish Wolfhound, pictured above. I'm Irish so today is the day my dog and I celebrate. Now I'm not sure what I'm celebrating since the Irish history has been more tragedy than joy but what the heck, for one day nothing is going to bother me. Now I am really Irish, yes indeed. My grandfather came from Ireland after the Catholics in my family had been run out of Scotland back in the 1600's and 1700's.
Okay, maybe they weren't run out of Scotland because my family clan, the Campbells ran Scotland for quite some time. But when the British Empire forced Scotland to adopt the Anglican Church and banned the Catholic Church, all because King Henry VIII wanted to marry Ann Boleyn, the Campbells that remained in power in Scotland had to become Anglicans. So family members were given a choice. Move to Ireland and stay Catholic or convert and remain in Scotland. My ancestors refused to give up the Catholic faith and left their castles and hundreds of years in Scotland behind.
So I'm Irish, even my middle name is Patrick after the great Druid and Patron Saint of Ireland. The Druid part is a little known fact but St. Patrick was kidnapped and raised by Druids and trained in the Druid way before converting to Christianity later in life. One of the companions of Druids was the Irish Wolfhound and it was Queen Elizabeth, not the Irish, who personally saved the Irish Wolfhound from extinction when she banned the sale or transport of Wolfhounds from Ireland or England in the late 1500's.
Here in Southern Maryland we have the first English colony that allowed Catholics to practice their faith because Lord Calvert, who was also Lord Baltimore of Ireland, was a Catholic. You should read some of my stories on St. Clement's Island and Coltons Point for some fascinating early colonial history that proves Coltons Point is the oldest continuously lived in chartered settlement in colonial America.
But that is another story. As an authentic Irishman there was one day a year when everyone seemed to claim to be Irish and that was St. Patrick's day. So I have spent St. Patrick's Day in many places where the Irish thrive including Chicago, Boston, Omaha, Philadelphia and New York City where I attended more than a dozen St. Patrick's Day parades. Then I made a journey to Ireland to spend St. Patrick's Day in Dublin.
That was when I realized how rainy and cold it could be in Ireland. It was also the day I traveled halfway around the world only to find one of the featured bands in the Dublin parade that year was the University of Nebraska band. I lived for about 12 years in Nebraska and had seen the band routinely on weekends at Big Red Football games but finding them in Dublin on St. Pat's Day was odd.
But there is a lot about Ireland that is mysterious, mystical and fantasy driven. Speaking of driven on two trips to Ireland I just rented cars and drove through Northern and Southern Ireland visiting mystical, ancient and spiritual sites and you could sense the fairies and leprechauns even before spending the evening drinking Guinness.
So even though I'm Irish via Scotland I love being Irish and being around the Irish. One family secret I will share with you. My family elders always said to remember the difference between the Scots and Irish. The Irish always tell a great story. The Scots always tell the truth.
So in honor of my heritage, in honor of my favorite Druid Saint, in honor of my homeland and in honor of my gentle giant Irish Wolfhound CuChulainn, Happy St. Patrick's Day. And speaking of CuChulainn, did you know there are just 863 registered Irish Wolfhounds in America. There are more Irish people in NYC than in Ireland. And the first Irish pub in America was right here in Maryland, the colony of Lord Baltimore, and was located in Baltimore, Patrick’s of Pratt Street, is, believe it or not, right here in Baltimore. An affable, somewhat unconventional shrine to the Emerald Isle, Patrick’s, on West Pratt Street, has been owned and operated by the same family since 1847.
Tribute to the Irish Wolfhound
"I will give thee a dog which I got in Ireland.
He is huge of limb, and for a follower equal to an able man.
Moreover, he hath a man’s wit and will bark at thine enemies but never at thy friends.
And he will see by each man’s face whether he be ill or well disposed to thee.
And he will lay down his life for thee.”
(from "The Icelandic Saga of Nial”)
This St. Patrick's Day, as always, Irish Wolfhounds will "march" in parades across the country and around the world. Two stunning Irish Wolfhounds, always lead the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. They are the mascots of the “Fighting 69th”, an infantry regiment that's part of the New York National Guard.
Top of the morning to you.
.
That's my gentle giant CuChulainn, an Irish Wolfhound, pictured above. I'm Irish so today is the day my dog and I celebrate. Now I'm not sure what I'm celebrating since the Irish history has been more tragedy than joy but what the heck, for one day nothing is going to bother me. Now I am really Irish, yes indeed. My grandfather came from Ireland after the Catholics in my family had been run out of Scotland back in the 1600's and 1700's.
Okay, maybe they weren't run out of Scotland because my family clan, the Campbells ran Scotland for quite some time. But when the British Empire forced Scotland to adopt the Anglican Church and banned the Catholic Church, all because King Henry VIII wanted to marry Ann Boleyn, the Campbells that remained in power in Scotland had to become Anglicans. So family members were given a choice. Move to Ireland and stay Catholic or convert and remain in Scotland. My ancestors refused to give up the Catholic faith and left their castles and hundreds of years in Scotland behind.
So I'm Irish, even my middle name is Patrick after the great Druid and Patron Saint of Ireland. The Druid part is a little known fact but St. Patrick was kidnapped and raised by Druids and trained in the Druid way before converting to Christianity later in life. One of the companions of Druids was the Irish Wolfhound and it was Queen Elizabeth, not the Irish, who personally saved the Irish Wolfhound from extinction when she banned the sale or transport of Wolfhounds from Ireland or England in the late 1500's.
Here in Southern Maryland we have the first English colony that allowed Catholics to practice their faith because Lord Calvert, who was also Lord Baltimore of Ireland, was a Catholic. You should read some of my stories on St. Clement's Island and Coltons Point for some fascinating early colonial history that proves Coltons Point is the oldest continuously lived in chartered settlement in colonial America.
But that is another story. As an authentic Irishman there was one day a year when everyone seemed to claim to be Irish and that was St. Patrick's day. So I have spent St. Patrick's Day in many places where the Irish thrive including Chicago, Boston, Omaha, Philadelphia and New York City where I attended more than a dozen St. Patrick's Day parades. Then I made a journey to Ireland to spend St. Patrick's Day in Dublin.
That was when I realized how rainy and cold it could be in Ireland. It was also the day I traveled halfway around the world only to find one of the featured bands in the Dublin parade that year was the University of Nebraska band. I lived for about 12 years in Nebraska and had seen the band routinely on weekends at Big Red Football games but finding them in Dublin on St. Pat's Day was odd.
But there is a lot about Ireland that is mysterious, mystical and fantasy driven. Speaking of driven on two trips to Ireland I just rented cars and drove through Northern and Southern Ireland visiting mystical, ancient and spiritual sites and you could sense the fairies and leprechauns even before spending the evening drinking Guinness.
So even though I'm Irish via Scotland I love being Irish and being around the Irish. One family secret I will share with you. My family elders always said to remember the difference between the Scots and Irish. The Irish always tell a great story. The Scots always tell the truth.
So in honor of my heritage, in honor of my favorite Druid Saint, in honor of my homeland and in honor of my gentle giant Irish Wolfhound CuChulainn, Happy St. Patrick's Day. And speaking of CuChulainn, did you know there are just 863 registered Irish Wolfhounds in America. There are more Irish people in NYC than in Ireland. And the first Irish pub in America was right here in Maryland, the colony of Lord Baltimore, and was located in Baltimore, Patrick’s of Pratt Street, is, believe it or not, right here in Baltimore. An affable, somewhat unconventional shrine to the Emerald Isle, Patrick’s, on West Pratt Street, has been owned and operated by the same family since 1847.
Tribute to the Irish Wolfhound
"I will give thee a dog which I got in Ireland.
He is huge of limb, and for a follower equal to an able man.
Moreover, he hath a man’s wit and will bark at thine enemies but never at thy friends.
And he will see by each man’s face whether he be ill or well disposed to thee.
And he will lay down his life for thee.”
(from "The Icelandic Saga of Nial”)
This St. Patrick's Day, as always, Irish Wolfhounds will "march" in parades across the country and around the world. Two stunning Irish Wolfhounds, always lead the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade. They are the mascots of the “Fighting 69th”, an infantry regiment that's part of the New York National Guard.
Top of the morning to you.
.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Does Health Insurance Really Keep Us Alive?
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It seems every Democrat, Republican and special interest let alone the media have been throwing around reasons why the American health care industry is broken. So many lies have flooded the media and airways that no one could possibly know the truth.
Yet the President wants to force all Americans to have health care. Right now about 258 million Americans are insured and 46.3 million are uninsured. That means about 15% of all Americans are not insured. Health studies indicate that 45,000 die each year because they have no health insurance thus did not receive treatment.
What about those insured? According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) patients in hospitals under health care insurance who were victims of medical malpractice has now reached 225,000 deaths per year, and that does not even count those who died before they reached a hospital.
Here are the JAMA findings.
106,000 patients die each year from the negative effects of medication
80,000 patients die each year due to complications from infections incurred in hospitals
20,000 deaths per year occur from other hospital errors
12,000 people die every year as a result of unnecessary surgery
7,000 medical malpractice deaths per year are attributed to medication errors in hospitals
This totals up to 225,000 deaths each year, due to medical negligence of some nature. And that number is ever growing.
That means at a minimum five times as many people who have insurance die from medical negligence than the total who die from lack of health insurance (225,000 versus 45,000).
But that only tells part of the story. Even if you have health insurance and are getting treatment this is the number of people who will still die every year in America from health problems.
Heart disease: 631,636
Cancer: 559,888
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 137,119
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 124,583
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 121,599
Diabetes: 72,449
Alzheimer's disease: 72,432
Influenza and Pneumonia: 56,326
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 45,344
Septicemia: 34,234
Then there are deaths attributed to vaccinations that are required by the government. While the FDA lists about 11,000 SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) deaths annually, the FDA acknowledges the vast majority of such deaths go unreported. Studies in New York alone indicated 97% of SIDS deaths were not reported by doctors and hospitals, meaning the real SIDS death rate, attributed to adverse reaction to the vaccine, are really over 100,000 per year. Some vaccines kill up to 100 times more people than the deaths from the disease they are treating.
In spite of the fact Japan and England have both changed the vaccine programs moving the start date from 2 months, like we have in America, to 2 years, that resulted in a significant decrease in SIDS deaths, we in America have ignored the results.
I could go on and on with the deaths relating to chemo treatment from cancer to deaths from the flu vaccine. What is clear is that having health insurance is no guarantee you will survive the treatment and the staggering number of deaths from malpractice and unnecessary vaccines make we wonder if the whole nation should be on health insurance.
The Obama health reform bill may very well put 46.3 million people at risk if the health care industry that does treat the insured isn't fixed first. It seems as if our priority should be fixing the problems before we throw over 46 million more people to the mercy of a flawed health care industry.
When making all those promises people should remember that there are about 250,000 unnecessary deaths every year because people have health care insurance, not because they don't have insurance. And nearly 2 million more people being treated under health insurance die from the disease. Do you really think the health problems are being solved by Congress?
.
It seems every Democrat, Republican and special interest let alone the media have been throwing around reasons why the American health care industry is broken. So many lies have flooded the media and airways that no one could possibly know the truth.
Yet the President wants to force all Americans to have health care. Right now about 258 million Americans are insured and 46.3 million are uninsured. That means about 15% of all Americans are not insured. Health studies indicate that 45,000 die each year because they have no health insurance thus did not receive treatment.
What about those insured? According to The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) patients in hospitals under health care insurance who were victims of medical malpractice has now reached 225,000 deaths per year, and that does not even count those who died before they reached a hospital.
Here are the JAMA findings.
106,000 patients die each year from the negative effects of medication
80,000 patients die each year due to complications from infections incurred in hospitals
20,000 deaths per year occur from other hospital errors
12,000 people die every year as a result of unnecessary surgery
7,000 medical malpractice deaths per year are attributed to medication errors in hospitals
This totals up to 225,000 deaths each year, due to medical negligence of some nature. And that number is ever growing.
That means at a minimum five times as many people who have insurance die from medical negligence than the total who die from lack of health insurance (225,000 versus 45,000).
But that only tells part of the story. Even if you have health insurance and are getting treatment this is the number of people who will still die every year in America from health problems.
Heart disease: 631,636
Cancer: 559,888
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 137,119
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 124,583
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 121,599
Diabetes: 72,449
Alzheimer's disease: 72,432
Influenza and Pneumonia: 56,326
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 45,344
Septicemia: 34,234
Then there are deaths attributed to vaccinations that are required by the government. While the FDA lists about 11,000 SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) deaths annually, the FDA acknowledges the vast majority of such deaths go unreported. Studies in New York alone indicated 97% of SIDS deaths were not reported by doctors and hospitals, meaning the real SIDS death rate, attributed to adverse reaction to the vaccine, are really over 100,000 per year. Some vaccines kill up to 100 times more people than the deaths from the disease they are treating.
In spite of the fact Japan and England have both changed the vaccine programs moving the start date from 2 months, like we have in America, to 2 years, that resulted in a significant decrease in SIDS deaths, we in America have ignored the results.
I could go on and on with the deaths relating to chemo treatment from cancer to deaths from the flu vaccine. What is clear is that having health insurance is no guarantee you will survive the treatment and the staggering number of deaths from malpractice and unnecessary vaccines make we wonder if the whole nation should be on health insurance.
The Obama health reform bill may very well put 46.3 million people at risk if the health care industry that does treat the insured isn't fixed first. It seems as if our priority should be fixing the problems before we throw over 46 million more people to the mercy of a flawed health care industry.
When making all those promises people should remember that there are about 250,000 unnecessary deaths every year because people have health care insurance, not because they don't have insurance. And nearly 2 million more people being treated under health insurance die from the disease. Do you really think the health problems are being solved by Congress?
.
Pelosi "Demon Pass" Strategy - Yet another Obama assault on the Constitution
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Now that it is crunch time for counting votes on health care, and after Obama has kept Ohio under siege with his flurry of recent visits to friendly audiences in order to threaten Ohio congressmen, we find out that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has now come up with yet another procedural manipulation called the "deem and pass" procedure to circumvent the Constitution and force legislation through the House with no vote on the Senate Health reform bill.
This procedure has never been used for major legislation nor was it ever intended to be used for that purpose. Therefore, what Pelosi proposes, that the House only vote for fixes to the Senate bill while never voting on the Senate bill itself, is comparable to going to war with no war resolution approved by the Congress. Pure and simple, it is Constitutionally illegal.
Pelosi does not have the votes for a legitimate vote even though the Democrats control Congress by a huge majority. That much is obvious or she would not be proposing a procedure that is certain to assure her a spot in the history books, as the first Speaker of the House to flaunt a disregard for the US Constitution in the interest of partisan politics and because she is incapable of leading her own majority.
If her own Democrats will not give her the votes to pass the proposed Senate Health Care Reform kickback program, approving minor amendments while declaring the Senate bill deemed and passed with no vote is sheer insanity and will be an issue before the Supreme Court long before it can ever be implemented.
Pelosi and Obama are counting on a really stupid public to not understand the shell game that was just played on them with this Pelosi demon pass procedure and expect us to rollover and accept a monstrous bill full of secret deals, campaign payoffs, White House deals with the SEIU union bosses and the dreaded pharmaceutical companies, and who knows what else, because of all the lies we have heard on health care, claims that the process was transparent when secrecy dominated the process is the most arrogant and deceitful slap in the face of the public we have heard.
Well if Pelosi resorts to the demon pass rule of stealing our Constitutional process then Pelosi is not fit to serve as Speaker of the House because her own oath of office said she was to protect the Constitution, not undermine it with procedural gimmicks. And our president, proud of his status as a Constitutional Lawyer from Harvard of the Ivy League, had better start telling us what Constitution he took an oath to defend.
He has endorsed a procedural trick to circumvent the Senate with reconciliation, he has embarrassed the Supreme Court in front of the world, and now he is backing a procedural trick to circumvent the House. Is he trying to work in a bi-partisan matter as he promised or to undermine every separate branch of government, the Legislature and Judiciary, that won't do what he wants? This is sheer insanity.
Every ounce of energy and every bit of the attention of our president and White House is focused on this garbled health care reform bill and it has been the entire last year. Forget about jobs, unemployment, wars, crumbling foreign relations, drug wars spilling over the American borders, non-prosecution of the thieves on Wall Street, cover ups for the legislative and regulatory actions that led to the collapse of our economy, forget about everything that is important to Americans.
There are far better ways to fix health care than the conglomeration of secret deals and payoffs about to be shoved down our throats. It makes one wonder, what is really in the bill that makes it more important to the president and Democratic congressional leaders than any other problems, issues or priorities including the economy. What is in the bill that has caused such panic over not having the votes that they risk rules and procedures never intended for the purpose, and in the case of the Pelosi demon pass procedure, has never even been used for that purpose.
Is it so important to pass anything no matter what the cost, ramifications or even potential for helping with health care. It leads me to think we have still not been told all the secret deals made to get this bill passed and we are yet to know the real purpose for the bill. If it was just about fixing health care and lowering costs no one would object and legislative tricks would not be necessary.
Maybe in the interests of transparency President Obama and Speaker Pelosi could tell us the truth, why is this bill so important, what is in the bill they have not disclosed, and is it worth the challenges to the Constitutional foundation of our nation. Who did you promise and what did you promise to make this bill supersede everything our government has done for the last year. Transparency also means truth. It is time to put truth in the discussion.
Enough Washington, get the dirty deed done. We the people will deal with the consequences. Fix the real problems we face with the economy, unemployment, corruption, kickbacks, foreign affairs mess, coddling of Wall Street and lack of campaign reform . Admit whatever you do on health care will not happen for several more years and get on with the business of governing.
.
Now that it is crunch time for counting votes on health care, and after Obama has kept Ohio under siege with his flurry of recent visits to friendly audiences in order to threaten Ohio congressmen, we find out that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has now come up with yet another procedural manipulation called the "deem and pass" procedure to circumvent the Constitution and force legislation through the House with no vote on the Senate Health reform bill.
This procedure has never been used for major legislation nor was it ever intended to be used for that purpose. Therefore, what Pelosi proposes, that the House only vote for fixes to the Senate bill while never voting on the Senate bill itself, is comparable to going to war with no war resolution approved by the Congress. Pure and simple, it is Constitutionally illegal.
Pelosi does not have the votes for a legitimate vote even though the Democrats control Congress by a huge majority. That much is obvious or she would not be proposing a procedure that is certain to assure her a spot in the history books, as the first Speaker of the House to flaunt a disregard for the US Constitution in the interest of partisan politics and because she is incapable of leading her own majority.
If her own Democrats will not give her the votes to pass the proposed Senate Health Care Reform kickback program, approving minor amendments while declaring the Senate bill deemed and passed with no vote is sheer insanity and will be an issue before the Supreme Court long before it can ever be implemented.
Pelosi and Obama are counting on a really stupid public to not understand the shell game that was just played on them with this Pelosi demon pass procedure and expect us to rollover and accept a monstrous bill full of secret deals, campaign payoffs, White House deals with the SEIU union bosses and the dreaded pharmaceutical companies, and who knows what else, because of all the lies we have heard on health care, claims that the process was transparent when secrecy dominated the process is the most arrogant and deceitful slap in the face of the public we have heard.
Well if Pelosi resorts to the demon pass rule of stealing our Constitutional process then Pelosi is not fit to serve as Speaker of the House because her own oath of office said she was to protect the Constitution, not undermine it with procedural gimmicks. And our president, proud of his status as a Constitutional Lawyer from Harvard of the Ivy League, had better start telling us what Constitution he took an oath to defend.
He has endorsed a procedural trick to circumvent the Senate with reconciliation, he has embarrassed the Supreme Court in front of the world, and now he is backing a procedural trick to circumvent the House. Is he trying to work in a bi-partisan matter as he promised or to undermine every separate branch of government, the Legislature and Judiciary, that won't do what he wants? This is sheer insanity.
Every ounce of energy and every bit of the attention of our president and White House is focused on this garbled health care reform bill and it has been the entire last year. Forget about jobs, unemployment, wars, crumbling foreign relations, drug wars spilling over the American borders, non-prosecution of the thieves on Wall Street, cover ups for the legislative and regulatory actions that led to the collapse of our economy, forget about everything that is important to Americans.
There are far better ways to fix health care than the conglomeration of secret deals and payoffs about to be shoved down our throats. It makes one wonder, what is really in the bill that makes it more important to the president and Democratic congressional leaders than any other problems, issues or priorities including the economy. What is in the bill that has caused such panic over not having the votes that they risk rules and procedures never intended for the purpose, and in the case of the Pelosi demon pass procedure, has never even been used for that purpose.
Is it so important to pass anything no matter what the cost, ramifications or even potential for helping with health care. It leads me to think we have still not been told all the secret deals made to get this bill passed and we are yet to know the real purpose for the bill. If it was just about fixing health care and lowering costs no one would object and legislative tricks would not be necessary.
Maybe in the interests of transparency President Obama and Speaker Pelosi could tell us the truth, why is this bill so important, what is in the bill they have not disclosed, and is it worth the challenges to the Constitutional foundation of our nation. Who did you promise and what did you promise to make this bill supersede everything our government has done for the last year. Transparency also means truth. It is time to put truth in the discussion.
Enough Washington, get the dirty deed done. We the people will deal with the consequences. Fix the real problems we face with the economy, unemployment, corruption, kickbacks, foreign affairs mess, coddling of Wall Street and lack of campaign reform . Admit whatever you do on health care will not happen for several more years and get on with the business of governing.
.
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