Rod's Journal
[Most Recent Entries]
[Calendar View]
[Friends]
Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in
Rod's LiveJournal:
[ << Previous 20 ]
| Saturday, April 28th, 2012 | | 2:56 pm |
trust. Who do you trust to keep us safe?
I had not heard about the the Exxon Valdez broken radar equipment. I had heard that Exxon paid little of the original lawsuit damages. I am sure the lawyers on boths sides where paid. This equipment, the ship navigation radar, it had been broken for over a year? Two things very wrong here. A hugely profitable corporation wanting to save money by not maintaining its ships. Exxon should have been massively fined simply for the radar broken, much less spilling the oil. Its not that expensive to fix shipboard navigation radar. I know because I have fixed them. The other thing that is wrong, why do these large ships not get inspected more often? We can spend billions to build warplanes and fight other countries. Why can't we pay the coast guard enough money for staff to inpect all these vessels, every six months? What a screwed up system. Think about that next time you believe your tax payer money really needs to go to perpetual wars overseas. We do need the money for other things. In 2009, Hazelwood offered a "heartfelt apology" to the people of Alaska, but suggested he had been wrongly blamed for the disaster: "The true story is out there for anybody who wants to look at the facts, but that's not the sexy story and that's not the easy story," he said.[14] Investigative reporter Greg Palast supports Hazelwood's contention and assigns significant blame to Exxon, writing, "Forget the drunken skipper fable." At the helm, the third mate would never have collided with Bligh Reef had he looked at his Raycast radar. http://www.gregpalast.com/court-rewards-exxon-for-valdez-oil-spill/ | | Wednesday, April 25th, 2012 | | 10:16 pm |
oil conversation
peak oil reading: http://www.energybulletin.net/stories/20 12-04-24/update-global-net-oil-exports-i t-midnight-titanic#dsq-login-guest It makes you wonder why the oil companies have shifted their opinions on peak oil. Peak oil was a technical liability years ago. For example, my Dad has some stock in a oil company. Long ago, I think five years ago, they printed in their yearly report that peak oil is coming. Actually it was Exxcon Mobile, they had a paragraph about how peak oil could be an impact to the company. In the recent reports, well now they never mention peak oil. Not a word, like it is not a threat to shareholder value or to the planet, or to civilization. What has changed? Why did oil companies change their opinion? I would say not much has changed, except maybe some lawyers or board members don't want to say the words peak oil. Denial, just like a ship sinking, the staff wants everyone to believe the ship will be ok as it slowly slides into the cold ocean. I am not sure what is worse, the problems we face or our ignorance and denial those problems even exist? I think we need some world leaders to come together and get an energy forum going. A more effect world economic summit, a group with legislative power to understand the global energy system and have the ability to enforce penalties for companies that deem secrets unshareble. They would need to have the leverage to negotiate with oil companies and share the data on production and drilling. Sounds like a fantasy, but it could happen if we wanted it to happen. There needs to be transparency here. There is a idea called "shareholder theory" developed by Klaus Schwab. Klaus is the man behind the World Econcomic Forum. As Klaus points out, shareholder theory says that a company needs to more than just concerned for its shareholders. Companies need to be concerned about the system. Here it is This considers the enterprise as a community, with a number of social groups connected directly or indirectly to the enterprise which are dependent on its success and prosperity. These of course include shareholders and creditors; but employees, customers, suppliers, the state and the society in which the enterprise is active are stakeholders.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jan/06/bankers-bonuses-crisis-social-riskMany large companies ignore the concept, they turn away from the facts of societies problems and continuing to ignore the system. For example, these oil companies have too much power and will not share any data until sued in court. If they are hiding proprietary data, then how can they be concerned about the economic system? Many companies are not only hiding data, you can say they are out right lying about the condition of the company and society. That is a fact many of these companies will not share data nor will they change. These big companies want no transparency, only to be able to continue profitable business, and advertise the lies about peak oil. How can we change that? Last line is from Klaus. If we want to keep society together, a sense of community and solidarity are more important now than ever before. Klaus Schwab | | 9:37 pm |
science fiction?
Finding ET May Require Giant Robotic Leap Penn State Live (04/18/12) Andrea Elyse Messer Autonomous, self-replicating robots, known as exobots, are the best way to explore the universe, find and identify extraterrestrial life, and clean up space debris, says Pennsylvania State University professor John D. Mathews. "The basic premise is that human space exploration must be highly efficient, cost effective, and autonomous, as placing humans beyond low Earth orbit is fraught with political, economic, and technical difficulties," Mathews says. Developing and deploying self-replicating robots and advanced communications systems is the only way humans can effectively explore the asteroid belt and beyond, he maintains. The initial robots could be manufactured on the moon, taking advantage of the resources and its low gravity, both of which would reduce costs. The robots must be able to identify their exact location and the location of the other exobots, which would enable them to communicate using an infrared laser beam carrying data. Initially, the exobots would clear existing debris and monitor the more than 1,200 near-Earth asteroids that could be dangerous. In the future, he says a network of exobots could spread throughout the solar system and into the galaxy, using the resources they find there to continue their mission. | | Sunday, April 22nd, 2012 | | 11:31 am |
nice find - casio altimeter watch
Some things in life are free. I found this watch on the street, it was in the middle of the road, sitting on the yellow line. By the time I turned around to get it, it had been ran over again and was in the middle of the lane. I figured it surely would not be working. It had at least been ran over once by a car. But it was working, everything still worked, some small scratches on the bezel. Talk about a tough watch! Need to read instructions, can't figure out how to show the altitude. manual here http://www.casio.com/products/Watches/Sports/SGW400H-1B/ | | Saturday, April 14th, 2012 | | 12:49 pm |
be thankful, very thankful for your vets
https://veteranclaims.wordpress.com/2010/09/03/new-agent-orange-presumptons-and-retroactive-benefits-to-1985-nehmer-v-dva/FOUND on a blogsite: I was 17 years old when I joined the Marine Corp and I was in the Corp from Feb. 27,1968 to Nov. 12,1969. After boot camp and training I was sent to the Republic of Viet Nam. I fought in Combat through 11 operations. I graciously received Purple Hearts and several other medals. It is an honor to receive all of the distinguished medals I have, but those medals do not make all of my multiple illnesses and injuries feel better and they sure don’t pay the rent. I have been approved as 100 percent disabled due to exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides. Besides Agent Orange I was also exposed to, Agent Blue, Agent White, and other Rainbow Herbicides. I am also 100 percent disabled with Post Dramatic Stress Disorder (P.T.S.D.) due to my combat service in Viet Nam. I want you to know I am grateful that I was finally awarded that in 2010. I have been filing for that almost since I returned to the States. I don’t know if you have any experience being around a Vet that served in RVN, but to those such as my wife and family it is a horrible ordeal that my loved ones deal with every day. I try with everything I have to forget that time in my life but 43 years later I still have these horrific night mares, I check all the doors and windows frequently to make sure they are locked. I’m so jumpy! To many things for a wife to have to see!! | | Wednesday, April 11th, 2012 | | 10:28 pm |
| | 10:24 pm |
flying into a a mushroom cloud
Ran across this story. What the heck, talk about good ole days in the military. Lets experiment with massively powerful nuclear weapons, and see how they can wipe islands off the planet. Yeap, those are big bombs. And oh yeah, lets fly a jet thru the mushroom cloud, see how much radiation is in those clouds. Wow. Brave guys. Bud was assigned to fly a straight-wing F-84 into each of the nuclear bomb blasts at Eniweetok Atoll. They put Geiger counters on him to check the radiation dosage after each flight. Then took them off for checks after the first blast but never divulged the results then or on his subsequent encounters with the atomic clouds. The mission resulted in miscalculations by scientists that put him far deeper into the blast than expected which broke the main wing-spar of the F-84, designed for max g of 7.33 in operation but fortunately had margin, good to far more before structure should fail. Later, Bud noticed a significant mole and was diagnosed with Melanoma. http://www.kalimera.org/nf104/ab/ch_4/iii.html | | Friday, March 16th, 2012 | | 8:47 am |
george clooney arrested
George and his father arrested, for protesting the Sudanese Embassy. Speaking before the large crowd that gathered to watch the protest, Clooney said the group wanted "the (Sudanese) government in Khartoum to stop randomly killing its own innocent men, women and children. Stop raping them, and stop starving them." I am all for Sudan peace. Exactly what will the US do in it interest of "national security" ?? Will we sell them bullets and communication equipment, so that the bloodshed intensifies? See presidential memo around 2006, below is a copy of authorization of millitary aid to the conflict. Our taxpayer money at work. http://todayentertainment.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/16/10718149-george-clooney-arrested-handcuffed-outside-sudan-embassy-in-dchttp://cryptome.org/pd2006-22.htmTitle 3-- The President [[Page 53543]] Presidential Determination No. 2006-22 of August 28, 2006 Transfers of Defense Articles and Services in Support of Sudan Security Sector Transformation (SST) Program Memorandum for the Secretary of State Pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, including section 40(g) of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), I hereby: Determine that the transaction, encompassing transfers of defense articles and services, funded by United States Government assistance, necessary for an SST program for the Government of Southern Sudan that will support transformation of the Sudan People's Liberation Army from a guerrilla force into a smaller, conventional force is essential to the national security interests of the United States. Such transfers include the provision of vehicles and communications equipment; power generation; facilities construction/renovation; training and technical assistance; recommendations for force structure, training, equipment, infrastructure, and resource management; and other defense articles and services in support of military reform in Southern Sudan, including support to the Sudan People's Liberation Movement; Waive the prohibitions in section 40 of the AECA related to such transaction; and Assign to you the functions under section 40(g)(2) of the AECA to consult with and submit reports to the Congress for proposed specific exports or transfers, 15 days prior to permitting them to proceed, that are necessary for and within the scope of this determination and the transaction referred to herein. You are authorized and directed to report this determination to the Congress and to arrange for its publication in the Federal Register. (Presidential Sig.)B THE WHITE HOUSE, Washington, August 28, 2006. [FR Doc. 06-7616 Filed 9-11-06; 8:45 am] Billing code 4710-10-P | | Saturday, February 4th, 2012 | | 1:30 pm |
disney and ABC propaganda
 One of the largest companies in the world spreads lies on so called "news" programs. ACTION: Tell ABC that its January 31 report on Iran failed to challenge official claims about the supposed threat from Iran. At a time of heightened tension, journalists should act to question official rhetoric--not generate propaganda. CONTACT: ABC World News with Diane Sawyer Phone: (212) 456-4040 Email: abc.worldnews@abc.com http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=4479 | | Saturday, January 28th, 2012 | | 6:26 am |
wow prison planet
Not only a sad state of affairs for the prison system, but also another example of ignoring mental illness. When are people going to understand that the human mind can break down? When is health care system going to be more attentive to those with mental illness? http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/26/10243856-letters-from-solitary-confinement-reveal-dwi-mans-despairStephen Slevin, 57, was arrested in August 2005 in New Mexico’s Dona Ana County, charged with aggravated driving while under the influence and possession of a stolen vehicle, although Slevin maintains the car was lent to him by a friend. On Tuesday, a federal jury in Sante Fe awarded him $22 million in damages for enduring inhumane conditions in the Dona Ana County jail, which he emerged from "hollow," Matt Coyte, his lawyer, told msnbc.com on Wednesday. | | Sunday, January 22nd, 2012 | | 12:08 pm |
cruise ship accident - Costa Concordia,
So this ship runs aground and most people live. So what? No big deal. Yet I keep hearing people talk trash about the captain of the Concordia. Here you go people, talking shit about something you know NOTHNIG about. Even our freaking pastor talked about it at church. Have any of you fucks ever been on a ship for more than a day? GIVE ME A FUCKING break. The captain got most of the people out, and he kept the ship from FUCKING sinking. The ship didn't sink, its right there for everyone to see and for most of the passengers to talk about. Most everyone lived !! Give the captain and crew a break for gods sake! Who is at FAULT? How about the fucked company who runs these ships with too little crew? How about the fucked up government who doesn't make laws to ENSURE Adequate manning of the cruiseline? How about blame our fucking bureacrats for instance? Why not blame someone else? How about that? And yes I have spent FOUR YEARS running large ships through the ocean, so I know what the fuck I am talking about. Unlike most other commentators. Give me a break. remember the title, cruise ship accident - Concordia running aground (not sinking! ) x posted to liberals and greedy bastards | | Friday, January 20th, 2012 | | 11:10 pm |
| | 10:55 pm |
| | 10:52 pm |
| | Saturday, January 14th, 2012 | | 10:36 am |
java training
I found some good computer training resources from ACM.. Acm is the old group, well the OLDEST computer group around. They were big when mainframes where the only game in town. I have some ACM conference books from the 1970s, back when it was held at the Anaheim convention center. I was looking for Java training, which I have been studying with books 24x7 which you get as part of ACM. I am starting to like Java, though there is much to learn. I found a few java jobs here. so I figure Java is a good language for most any application. I am amazed at all the free tools and resources for Java learning. The concepts are somewhat abstract and it takes patience to learn them for sure. | | Thursday, January 5th, 2012 | | 7:55 pm |
toxic evidence
If you are chasing a toxic tort, here is a example case. Made me think of all the toxic gases and chemicals that are getting put in our ground water. . .if you are exposed to some of it, how would you state your case to a court, to prove the injury is related to the ground water contamination? I am sure there are many corporate lawyers who are building defenses for such cases, especially with drinking water contamination. I was recently told something about how the law does not necessarily give weight because of a toxic factor existed. Here it is from direct evidence of other cases and studies, and the ability to eliminate all other possibilities. You must build support that the toxin most definitely can and will ALWAYS cause a particular problem. Easy to do? If the substance is a common one like benzene, then maybe you have a chance. Must be difficult for toxins that have few studies? http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/pdf.opinions/09-2270P-01A.pdf | | Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 | | 12:18 am |
obama sucks
call your representative, tell them that NDAA legislation is wrong. And Obama, you suck. CCR Condemns Obama for Failure to Veto Dangerous Legislation That Strips Right to Trial President Caves on NDAA press@ccrjustice.org December 14, 2011, New York – As President Obama said this afternoon that he would not veto the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) issued the following statement: President Obama made a choice with chilling consequences today when he announced he would not veto the NDAA despite the lack of change to provisions of the bill that make it even more difficult to shut down the prison at Guantanamo and make indefinite military detention without trial a permanent feature of the U.S. legal system. The NDAA essentially prevents President Obama from bringing men from Guantánamo to the U.S. for trial and severely curtails his ability to resettle them in third countries. More than half of the men currently detained at Guantánamo – 89 of the 171 – have been unanimously cleared by the CIA, FBI, NSC and Defense Department for transfer or release, yet they are stuck in the island prison, victims of politics. Guantanamo, which the president once promised to close in the first year of his administration, is a global symbol of human rights violations, and indefinite detention of citizens and non-citizens alike without charge or trial violates the most fundamental principles of the rule of law. Sadly, today Barak Obama has ensured that these will be the legacy of his presidency. http://ccrjustice.org/newsroom/press-releases/ccr-condemns-obama-failure-veto-dangerous-legislation-strips-right-trial | | Wednesday, December 21st, 2011 | | 11:46 pm |
missle costs
Costs of war What could we be doing with this money? How many billions will the world spend on weapons of war and death? Such a sad state of affairs. I found that Lockheed Martin Corp.'s Orlando missiles unit has reeled in a $357 million Army contract to produce about 1,400 Hellfire II missiles. Thats about 250,000 bucks for each missle! Wow Photo below of a hellfire seeker that was found near a bombed house.  http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/12/photos-pakistan-drone-war/?pid=999&viewall=trueRawa.org says each Hellfire costs $58,000. . .how can that be? http://www.rawa.org/temp/runews/2010/12/01/not-worth-it-every-hellfire-missile-fired-in-afghanistan-costs-usd58-000.htmlAnother expensive missle is the bigger boy the AGM-65 maverick. Up to $269,000 dollars for one missle. AGM-65's expended during Desert Storm Model Qty. Unit Cost (USD) Total Cost (USD) AGM-65B 1,673 missles $64,100 each, $107,239,300 AGM-65C 5 missles $110,000 each $550,000 AGM-65D 3,405 missles $111,000 each$377,955,000 AGM-65E 36 missles $101,000 $3,636,000 AGM-65G 177 missles $269,000 $47,613,000 Total 5,296 missles - $536,993,300 Photo below - maverick missle mounted on a Navy carrier aircraft.  | | Monday, December 12th, 2011 | | 11:58 am |
lawyers
 This lawyers are representing that these big companies had anti-competitive agreements setup. I suppose there must be some evidence? Or is it just desperate lawyers seeking a payout? Exactly how did the employees come about knowing that there was such a system? Maybe the employees where friends with people in HR, and they heard a program existed? I would think that would be the main reason why any smart company would NOT do this, as its impossible to keep secret. Maybe the companies did it KNOWING it was just a un-written rule and that they know they would never get caught. As there was NO documented rule for this. So it is all going to be based on indirect evidence, and verbal orders. Yet you can get in trouble for verbal orders, verbal contracts and such. There is a case here thats for sure, the Judge ordered the information to be gathered. Seems like something out of a fiction book, yet it is possible. It just seems unlikely that companies would go through with the effort of setting up such systems. Seems difficult to keep track of people as they move around. And Google doing this, well heck they are the "do no evil" guys, they wouldn't pull that trick would they? Also with so many contractors, they companies would also have to make sure that contractors and the HR people at contracting agencies are aware of the "no compete system". Again unlikely? I can see it being plausable with LucasFilm and Pixar, as they seem so closely related and probably do exchange employees all the time. Yet still, breaks most ethical rules and code of conducts in these companies. Hmmm. . .seems like someone from HR would put this to a stop? If your job meant you stay quite and shutup about something, well, most people would shutup. http://www.lieffcabraser.com/case/344/high-tech-workers-class-action-lawsuit?gclid=CNSX5aml_awCFQVwhwod1AKBTg | | 8:55 am |
stop corporate personhood
“Nobody that I know thinks that Exxon Mobil is a person,” Sanders said in November. The Saving American Democracy Amendment would state that corporations are not entitled to the same constitutional rights as people. It would also ban corporate campaign donations to candidates, and give Congress and the states broad authority to regulate spending in elections. |
[ << Previous 20 ]
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=91.6){kind=small}
ruderod's journal
