Just hours after an early build of Microsoft's new Windows 8 operating system leaked we're starting to get a good idea of how the latest version of Windows is shaping up.
Intrepid users have already begun mining the build and a major departure besides the OS's new welcome screen is already evident. Microsoft seems to have replaced the toolbar in the explorer window with the Ribbon user interface currently used Microsoft Office programs, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Once you've logged in, the most noticeable change to Windows is the new Ribbon interface on every Explorer window. At this stage, the Ribbon UI is in a pretty confused state and doesn't seem to have some of its functionality, so it's hard to tell exactly how successful this switch will be. Within Windows even suggests some disagreement may exist within Microsoft about using the new interface at all.
Also unclear is whether this change is permanent for all devices. The current build of Windows 8 has a toggle to return the toolbar and menus we've all grown accustomed to, but it's not clear whether this will make it to the final version of Windows 8 or if it's just a temporary measure while the design of the Ribbon gets ironed out.
This is a very early build, so many features, such as specialized tablet support, haven't yet made their way in. Still, even this early on, we can say with some certainty that Windows 8 will bring some dramatic changes to the OS.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 07, 2011
What's happening in my world
My series of blogs here has just went over 100 readers ,
In the last month I have became ordained in the ULC Church again. I have the Certificate on my wall. I have restarted my collection of books including my Donald Trump Books . So that means a lot of reading.
Before you think everything is totally rosy . There has been some debate in the house over the cat . Now the cat goes with the house and is a fine addition as far as I'm concerned .
I hope that picture of Extra Shows up
I also started a catalog business and have made calls to my business coach So we we see how that goes .
In the last month I have became ordained in the ULC Church again. I have the Certificate on my wall. I have restarted my collection of books including my Donald Trump Books . So that means a lot of reading.
Before you think everything is totally rosy . There has been some debate in the house over the cat . Now the cat goes with the house and is a fine addition as far as I'm concerned .
I hope that picture of Extra Shows up
I also started a catalog business and have made calls to my business coach So we we see how that goes .
Friday, February 18, 2011
Hibernating bears slow down but don't chill out
WASHINGTON – Hibernating bears set their energy demands on low, but unlike most other animals that take long winter naps they don't chill out very much, researchers reported Thursday.
Figuring out how they cut energy use but still keep their body temperature relatively warm could one day have important implications for treating victims of heart attack, stroke and other conditions, scientists hope.
The body temperature of small hibernating mammals can drop to near freezing. But that is not the case for the more human-sized black bears, according to the new research published in the journal Science. The findings also were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The study's senior author, Brian M. Barnes of the Institute for Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska, noted that after hibernating, black bears don't suffer the loss of bone and muscle mass that occurs in humans after a long period of inactivity.
He said that if scientists could better understand the mechanisms behind the lower metabolic demand, it might be possible to develop new therapies and medicines for people.
While it would require a lot more research, scientists say understanding how the process of hibernation works might aid in preventing osteoporosis and muscle atrophy from disuse — possibly allowing doctors one day to place injured, disabled people in a type of suspended or reduced animation until they are healed.
Barnes, Oivind Toien and colleagues studied five black bears — three males and two females — that Alaska wildlife officials had classified as nuisances and removed from areas around people.
The bears were provided with wooden nest boxes fitted with cameras and sound recorders as well as instruments to measure oxygen consumption. The bears each had implanted transmitters to measure their temperature, heart rate and muscle activity.
The scientists found that rather than having their temperature drop to near freezing, the bears went through cycles of several days when their temperature fell to 86 degrees. Then they began shivering and the readings climbed back to about 97 degrees, nearly normal.
However, even though they remained relatively warm, the bears' metabolism fell to very low levels. Their oxygen use was reduced by 75 percent from summer rates and their heart rate fell from 55 beats per minute to 14 beats per minute.
In another surprise, the researchers discovered that bears, like groggy people in the morning, are slow to recover from hibernation. The researchers had expected to find the animals' metabolism returning to normal levels right away. But instead, the bears' metabolic rates did not return to their active levels for two to three full weeks.
Biologist Lynn Rogers of the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minn., said his studies have shown that hibernation varies with how well fed bears are.
"Well-fed bears don't have to drop their temperature as much ... The bears that are skinny have to drop their temperatures to as low as 88, and become much more inactive in their dens."
If well-fed bears "are sleeping, I can usually hear their heart rate; it echoes in the den on a quiet winter day. If the skinny ones are sleeping, it's hard to wake them up and you can't hear a heart rate," he said in a telephone interview.
Gerhard Heldmaier, a specialist in animal physiology at Philipps University in Marburg, Germany, termed it surprising that, unlike small mammals, the reduced metabolism is primarily responsible for hibernation in bears, with temperature playing only a minor role.
Yet the study shows that even without a major temperature drop, bears do in fact hibernate, said Heldmaier, who was not part of the research team.
The research was supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Stanford University, American Heart Association and the Fulbright Program
Figuring out how they cut energy use but still keep their body temperature relatively warm could one day have important implications for treating victims of heart attack, stroke and other conditions, scientists hope.
The body temperature of small hibernating mammals can drop to near freezing. But that is not the case for the more human-sized black bears, according to the new research published in the journal Science. The findings also were presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The study's senior author, Brian M. Barnes of the Institute for Arctic Biology at the University of Alaska, noted that after hibernating, black bears don't suffer the loss of bone and muscle mass that occurs in humans after a long period of inactivity.
He said that if scientists could better understand the mechanisms behind the lower metabolic demand, it might be possible to develop new therapies and medicines for people.
While it would require a lot more research, scientists say understanding how the process of hibernation works might aid in preventing osteoporosis and muscle atrophy from disuse — possibly allowing doctors one day to place injured, disabled people in a type of suspended or reduced animation until they are healed.
Barnes, Oivind Toien and colleagues studied five black bears — three males and two females — that Alaska wildlife officials had classified as nuisances and removed from areas around people.
The bears were provided with wooden nest boxes fitted with cameras and sound recorders as well as instruments to measure oxygen consumption. The bears each had implanted transmitters to measure their temperature, heart rate and muscle activity.
The scientists found that rather than having their temperature drop to near freezing, the bears went through cycles of several days when their temperature fell to 86 degrees. Then they began shivering and the readings climbed back to about 97 degrees, nearly normal.
However, even though they remained relatively warm, the bears' metabolism fell to very low levels. Their oxygen use was reduced by 75 percent from summer rates and their heart rate fell from 55 beats per minute to 14 beats per minute.
In another surprise, the researchers discovered that bears, like groggy people in the morning, are slow to recover from hibernation. The researchers had expected to find the animals' metabolism returning to normal levels right away. But instead, the bears' metabolic rates did not return to their active levels for two to three full weeks.
Biologist Lynn Rogers of the North American Bear Center in Ely, Minn., said his studies have shown that hibernation varies with how well fed bears are.
"Well-fed bears don't have to drop their temperature as much ... The bears that are skinny have to drop their temperatures to as low as 88, and become much more inactive in their dens."
If well-fed bears "are sleeping, I can usually hear their heart rate; it echoes in the den on a quiet winter day. If the skinny ones are sleeping, it's hard to wake them up and you can't hear a heart rate," he said in a telephone interview.
Gerhard Heldmaier, a specialist in animal physiology at Philipps University in Marburg, Germany, termed it surprising that, unlike small mammals, the reduced metabolism is primarily responsible for hibernation in bears, with temperature playing only a minor role.
Yet the study shows that even without a major temperature drop, bears do in fact hibernate, said Heldmaier, who was not part of the research team.
The research was supported by the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Stanford University, American Heart Association and the Fulbright Program
Social Security agency warns of workers' furloughs
WASHINGTON – Upping the ante in the budget faceoff, the Obama administration warned Friday that workers who distribute Social Security benefits might be furloughed if congressional Republicans force cuts in federal spending.
In a letter the Social Security Administration sent to its employees' union, agency officials said that while no decision about a furlough had been made, one was possible "given the potential of reduced congressional appropriations."
The letter was circulated by congressional Democrats, who said in a written statement that such cuts could mean shuttered Social Security offices and delayed benefit payments. The letter's distribution by Democrats underscored how the threat of jeopardizing Social Security payments is a potent political weapon.
GOP lawmakers accused Democrats of "irresponsible scare tactics," and said their proposed cuts would not affect benefits or force the Social Security Administration to close offices. Any furloughs "would result only if that decision were made by the administration," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., said in a written statement.
Republicans are pushing a huge spending bill through the House that would impose deep cuts on domestic programs.
The overall bill is the first step in an increasingly bitter struggle between Democrats and Republicans over how much to cut federal agencies' funding over the second half of the budget year that ends Sept. 30. Current funding runs out March 4 and a temporary spending bill will be needed to avoid a government shutdown.
Republicans say the legislation would pare Social Security's administrative budget by $125 million from current levels plus another $500 million from a reserve fund. Democrats say the cut would leave the agency with $1.7 billion less than President Barack Obama requested.
As Friday's debate began, the focus was on Obama's health care overhaul, which dominated Congress' work in 2009 and was enacted last year. The GOP has virtually no chance of killing the law because of support for the program from Obama and the Democratic-run Senate, but House Republicans have been trying relentlessly to chip away at it.
"It's a law designed by those who wish to control every health care decision made by health care providers and patients, by every employer and employee, by every family and individual," said Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., who sponsored one of several amendments blocking health overhaul money.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said the GOP effort would "put insurance companies back in charge, further demonstrating the majority's special-interest priorities and hypocrisy on job creation and deficit reduction."
Action expected Friday also included votes on a proposal to block federal aid to Planned Parenthood, bar the Pentagon from spending taxpayer money to sponsor NASCAR race teams; to reverse a proposed Obama administration rule that seeks to crack down of for-profit colleges and vocational schools; and to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its authority to issue regulations on global warming.
With a government shutdown possible if the spending measure isn't extended at least temporarily, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, inflamed the situation Thursday by insisting that the GOP-controlled House would refuse to approve even a short-term measure at current spending levels.
"Read my lips: We're going to cut spending," Boehner declared. Democrats immediately charged that Boehner was maneuvering Congress to the precipice of a government shutdown.
The GOP would reduce spending to about $60 billion below last year's levels, mixing an increase of less than 2 percent for the Pentagon with slashing cuts averaging about 12 percent from non-Pentagon accounts. Such cuts would feel almost twice as deep since they would be spread over the final seven months of the budget year.
The Environmental Protection Agency and foreign aid accounts would be especially hard hit, while GOP leaders orchestrated just a modest cut to Congress' own budget.
Some of the most politically difficult cuts, to grants to local police and fire departments, special education and economic development grants, were reversed. Amtrak supporters easily withstood an attempt to slash its budget.
But with the fiscal framework of the measure already saddled with a veto threat, Republicans mounted an assault on the administration's regulatory agenda. By a 244-181 tally Thursday, Republicans voted to block the Federal Communications Commission from enforcing new rules that prohibit broadband providers from interfering with Internet traffic on their networks. The new "network neutrality" rules are opposed by large Internet providers.
Republicans then moved, on a 250-177 vote, to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing limits on mercury pollution from cement factories. Supporters said the new rules would send American jobs overseas, where air quality standards are more lax or non-existent.
Republicans also turned back Democratic attempts to boost funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, whose budgets would be cut sharply under the measure, to pay for responsibilities added in last year's overhaul of federal financial regulations.
Social issues also came into play.
Thursday night's action was dominated by a lengthy debate on an amendment by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a strong foe of abortion, to block Planned Parenthood from receiving any federal money. The organization provides a variety of women's health services.
"It is morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars of millions of pro-life Americans and use them to fund organizations that provide and promote abortion, like Planned Parenthood of America," Pence said.
Democrats said Planned Parenthood provides much-needed access to contraception, medical exams and counseling to women and that federal law already prohibits the use of government funds for abortions in most circumstances.
Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., said the GOP proposal would "make it harder to access pap tests, breast exams, routine gynecological examinations, flu vaccinations, smoking cessation services, cholesterol screening, contraceptives, and all of the other services that Planned Parenthood provides."
Liberal Minnesota Democrat Betty McCollum hoped to team up with tea party-backed GOP freshmen to bar the Pentagon from spending taxpayer dollars to sponsor NASCAR race teams. She said such sponsorships can cost millions of dollars, simply for placing decals on race cars and for a few driver appearances.
The Army, the Air Force and the National Guard each sponsor cars with the aim of boosting military recruitment, but the Navy and Marine Corps dropped their NASCAR sponsorships in recent years, saying they didn't know whether they were effective.
In a letter the Social Security Administration sent to its employees' union, agency officials said that while no decision about a furlough had been made, one was possible "given the potential of reduced congressional appropriations."
The letter was circulated by congressional Democrats, who said in a written statement that such cuts could mean shuttered Social Security offices and delayed benefit payments. The letter's distribution by Democrats underscored how the threat of jeopardizing Social Security payments is a potent political weapon.
GOP lawmakers accused Democrats of "irresponsible scare tactics," and said their proposed cuts would not affect benefits or force the Social Security Administration to close offices. Any furloughs "would result only if that decision were made by the administration," House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., said in a written statement.
Republicans are pushing a huge spending bill through the House that would impose deep cuts on domestic programs.
The overall bill is the first step in an increasingly bitter struggle between Democrats and Republicans over how much to cut federal agencies' funding over the second half of the budget year that ends Sept. 30. Current funding runs out March 4 and a temporary spending bill will be needed to avoid a government shutdown.
Republicans say the legislation would pare Social Security's administrative budget by $125 million from current levels plus another $500 million from a reserve fund. Democrats say the cut would leave the agency with $1.7 billion less than President Barack Obama requested.
As Friday's debate began, the focus was on Obama's health care overhaul, which dominated Congress' work in 2009 and was enacted last year. The GOP has virtually no chance of killing the law because of support for the program from Obama and the Democratic-run Senate, but House Republicans have been trying relentlessly to chip away at it.
"It's a law designed by those who wish to control every health care decision made by health care providers and patients, by every employer and employee, by every family and individual," said Rep. Denny Rehberg, R-Mont., who sponsored one of several amendments blocking health overhaul money.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., said the GOP effort would "put insurance companies back in charge, further demonstrating the majority's special-interest priorities and hypocrisy on job creation and deficit reduction."
Action expected Friday also included votes on a proposal to block federal aid to Planned Parenthood, bar the Pentagon from spending taxpayer money to sponsor NASCAR race teams; to reverse a proposed Obama administration rule that seeks to crack down of for-profit colleges and vocational schools; and to strip the Environmental Protection Agency of its authority to issue regulations on global warming.
With a government shutdown possible if the spending measure isn't extended at least temporarily, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, inflamed the situation Thursday by insisting that the GOP-controlled House would refuse to approve even a short-term measure at current spending levels.
"Read my lips: We're going to cut spending," Boehner declared. Democrats immediately charged that Boehner was maneuvering Congress to the precipice of a government shutdown.
The GOP would reduce spending to about $60 billion below last year's levels, mixing an increase of less than 2 percent for the Pentagon with slashing cuts averaging about 12 percent from non-Pentagon accounts. Such cuts would feel almost twice as deep since they would be spread over the final seven months of the budget year.
The Environmental Protection Agency and foreign aid accounts would be especially hard hit, while GOP leaders orchestrated just a modest cut to Congress' own budget.
Some of the most politically difficult cuts, to grants to local police and fire departments, special education and economic development grants, were reversed. Amtrak supporters easily withstood an attempt to slash its budget.
But with the fiscal framework of the measure already saddled with a veto threat, Republicans mounted an assault on the administration's regulatory agenda. By a 244-181 tally Thursday, Republicans voted to block the Federal Communications Commission from enforcing new rules that prohibit broadband providers from interfering with Internet traffic on their networks. The new "network neutrality" rules are opposed by large Internet providers.
Republicans then moved, on a 250-177 vote, to stop the Environmental Protection Agency from imposing limits on mercury pollution from cement factories. Supporters said the new rules would send American jobs overseas, where air quality standards are more lax or non-existent.
Republicans also turned back Democratic attempts to boost funding for the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission, whose budgets would be cut sharply under the measure, to pay for responsibilities added in last year's overhaul of federal financial regulations.
Social issues also came into play.
Thursday night's action was dominated by a lengthy debate on an amendment by Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., a strong foe of abortion, to block Planned Parenthood from receiving any federal money. The organization provides a variety of women's health services.
"It is morally wrong to take the taxpayer dollars of millions of pro-life Americans and use them to fund organizations that provide and promote abortion, like Planned Parenthood of America," Pence said.
Democrats said Planned Parenthood provides much-needed access to contraception, medical exams and counseling to women and that federal law already prohibits the use of government funds for abortions in most circumstances.
Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., said the GOP proposal would "make it harder to access pap tests, breast exams, routine gynecological examinations, flu vaccinations, smoking cessation services, cholesterol screening, contraceptives, and all of the other services that Planned Parenthood provides."
Liberal Minnesota Democrat Betty McCollum hoped to team up with tea party-backed GOP freshmen to bar the Pentagon from spending taxpayer dollars to sponsor NASCAR race teams. She said such sponsorships can cost millions of dollars, simply for placing decals on race cars and for a few driver appearances.
The Army, the Air Force and the National Guard each sponsor cars with the aim of boosting military recruitment, but the Navy and Marine Corps dropped their NASCAR sponsorships in recent years, saying they didn't know whether they were effective.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Non-denominational churches grow as mainline congregations decline
Mainline denominational churches are losing members -- again. The National Council of Churches' annual Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches reported another decline in membership of "virtually all mainline denominations," including the second largest denomination in the U.S., the Southern Baptist Convention.
According to NCC's report, a few denominational churches showed increases in membership. Of the six church groups reporting growth (out of the top 25 churches in the nation), two are Pentecostal, charismatic or "full gospel" churches.
The denominations claiming increases include Jehovah's Witnesses (up 4.37 percent), Seventh-Day Adventists (up 4.31 percent), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (up 1.42 percent), the Catholic Church (up .57 percent), Assemblies of God (up .52 percent), and the Church of God Cleveland (up .38 percent).
What about non-denominational churches?
Non-denominational churches are congregations that are not aligned with any established denomination or group. Instead, they establish their own methods of worship, leadership and governance without having to "act like" a regional or national organization. This gives non-denominational churches the freedom to open their doors to whomever they choose, and to worship God as they feel led.
Although NCC's report does not include data from non-denominational churches, a Wall Street Journal opinion piece cites a Baylor Survey of Religion report which claims non-denominational churches are the fastest growing Protestant churches in America. The author says he believes the growth is a result of a "natural extension of the American evangelical experiment."
Congregations Come and Go
As a long-time Christian, pastor and church planter who has seen church growth trends come and go, I'm not surprised denominational churches are shrinking. That's not to say all mainline churches are dying, some are growing. However, most I've visited are dry and lifeless, losing members, and wondering how their church will survive from one week to the next.
On the other hand, most non-denominational churches (especially charismatic ones) are attracting younger, vibrant crowds who are looking for answers. The religious climate in the United States has changed dramatically over the last few years. The institution of religion has become a symbol of weakness, stagnancy, and lack of knowledge. As a result, many people are moving away from traditional, denominational church settings, and seeking a church not based on religion, but on their relationship and experience with God.
Whether denominational or not, people are looking for the real deal. A faith defined not only by what we can't do, but by what we can accomplish through the power of prayer and trust in God. And while many continue to debate the relevancy of religion, the fact remains that Christianity is thriving -- maybe not in the same way our grandparents experienced it, but real faith in God is still alive and well in the hearts of the majority of Americans.
Kim Linton began her writing career in 2001 as a contributor for Ministrymaker.com, a Christian ministry webzine. Kim's work has since been published on a variety of websites including Woman's Day and Intel, and featured on several news sites including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
According to NCC's report, a few denominational churches showed increases in membership. Of the six church groups reporting growth (out of the top 25 churches in the nation), two are Pentecostal, charismatic or "full gospel" churches.
The denominations claiming increases include Jehovah's Witnesses (up 4.37 percent), Seventh-Day Adventists (up 4.31 percent), Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (up 1.42 percent), the Catholic Church (up .57 percent), Assemblies of God (up .52 percent), and the Church of God Cleveland (up .38 percent).
What about non-denominational churches?
Non-denominational churches are congregations that are not aligned with any established denomination or group. Instead, they establish their own methods of worship, leadership and governance without having to "act like" a regional or national organization. This gives non-denominational churches the freedom to open their doors to whomever they choose, and to worship God as they feel led.
Although NCC's report does not include data from non-denominational churches, a Wall Street Journal opinion piece cites a Baylor Survey of Religion report which claims non-denominational churches are the fastest growing Protestant churches in America. The author says he believes the growth is a result of a "natural extension of the American evangelical experiment."
Congregations Come and Go
As a long-time Christian, pastor and church planter who has seen church growth trends come and go, I'm not surprised denominational churches are shrinking. That's not to say all mainline churches are dying, some are growing. However, most I've visited are dry and lifeless, losing members, and wondering how their church will survive from one week to the next.
On the other hand, most non-denominational churches (especially charismatic ones) are attracting younger, vibrant crowds who are looking for answers. The religious climate in the United States has changed dramatically over the last few years. The institution of religion has become a symbol of weakness, stagnancy, and lack of knowledge. As a result, many people are moving away from traditional, denominational church settings, and seeking a church not based on religion, but on their relationship and experience with God.
Whether denominational or not, people are looking for the real deal. A faith defined not only by what we can't do, but by what we can accomplish through the power of prayer and trust in God. And while many continue to debate the relevancy of religion, the fact remains that Christianity is thriving -- maybe not in the same way our grandparents experienced it, but real faith in God is still alive and well in the hearts of the majority of Americans.
Kim Linton began her writing career in 2001 as a contributor for Ministrymaker.com, a Christian ministry webzine. Kim's work has since been published on a variety of websites including Woman's Day and Intel, and featured on several news sites including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.
It's True the house does have a ghost
I was talking to my roommate and it's true , our house has a ghost. It's some times mischevious and sometimes a little unnerving .
For instance the other night while napping I felt something against my leg . And the fact it moves my keys from the desk to the dresser can be a little dishearting especially when I'm in a hurry .
I was talking about this on blog tv the other night and it seems my viewers have had the same thing happen to them . Which makes me feel a little less crazy . Plus I can live with a ghost
For instance the other night while napping I felt something against my leg . And the fact it moves my keys from the desk to the dresser can be a little dishearting especially when I'm in a hurry .
I was talking about this on blog tv the other night and it seems my viewers have had the same thing happen to them . Which makes me feel a little less crazy . Plus I can live with a ghost
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
The war was based on a lie
LONDON – An Iraqi man whose testimony the United States used as a key evidence to build a case for war in Iraq says he is proud that he lied about his country developing mobile biological warfare labs.
The Guardian newspaper published an interview Wednesday with Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, who has been identified as the informer called "Curveball," whose claims about weapon labs formed part of then-U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the U.N. Security Council in 2003, shortly before the war began.
The Guardian quoted al-Janabi as saying: "I had the chance to fabricate something to topple the regime. I and my sons are proud of that."
Although some intelligence agents were skeptical of Curveball's story, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee reported in 2004 that the Central Intelligence Agency "withheld important information about Curveball's reliability" from analysts dealing with the case.
The Guardian interviewed al-Janabi in Karlsruhe, Germany in a mixture of Arabic and German. The U.S. Senate panel's report said Curveball spoke in English and Arabic when he was interrogated by intelligence officers.
Asked about his feeling's about the deaths and destruction during the war and in the years following, The Guardian said al-Janabi said there was no other way.
"I tell you something when I hear anybody not just in Iraq but in any war (is) killed, I am very sad. But give me another solution. Can you give me another solution?" the newspaper quoted him as saying.
"Saddam did not (allow) freedom in our land," the Iraqi said. "There are no other political parties. You have to believe what Saddam says, and do what Saddam wants. And I don't accept that. I have to do something for my country. So I did this and I am satisfied, because there is no dictator in Iraq any more."
The Guardian newspaper published an interview Wednesday with Rafid Ahmed Alwan al-Janabi, who has been identified as the informer called "Curveball," whose claims about weapon labs formed part of then-U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell's speech to the U.N. Security Council in 2003, shortly before the war began.
The Guardian quoted al-Janabi as saying: "I had the chance to fabricate something to topple the regime. I and my sons are proud of that."
Although some intelligence agents were skeptical of Curveball's story, the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee reported in 2004 that the Central Intelligence Agency "withheld important information about Curveball's reliability" from analysts dealing with the case.
The Guardian interviewed al-Janabi in Karlsruhe, Germany in a mixture of Arabic and German. The U.S. Senate panel's report said Curveball spoke in English and Arabic when he was interrogated by intelligence officers.
Asked about his feeling's about the deaths and destruction during the war and in the years following, The Guardian said al-Janabi said there was no other way.
"I tell you something when I hear anybody not just in Iraq but in any war (is) killed, I am very sad. But give me another solution. Can you give me another solution?" the newspaper quoted him as saying.
"Saddam did not (allow) freedom in our land," the Iraqi said. "There are no other political parties. You have to believe what Saddam says, and do what Saddam wants. And I don't accept that. I have to do something for my country. So I did this and I am satisfied, because there is no dictator in Iraq any more."
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Welcome to my world
Things are good on the homefront . Being single again is a little disappointing . But thats ok . Being almost 68 ( March 27th) has it's drawbacks . I missed out on a school I think because of age . It's my very first experence at age discrimation . Other wise I miss my cats . But I sort of have Extra the house cat to be friends with. He at least lets me pet him .
We are doing good on blog tv http://www.blogtv.com/people/cobra5555 We have 1800 plus views this month so far .
Today I going to watch Nascar's Bud Shootout at 5-7pm and nextweek the Daytona 500. So I guess everything is fine
We are doing good on blog tv http://www.blogtv.com/people/cobra5555 We have 1800 plus views this month so far .
Today I going to watch Nascar's Bud Shootout at 5-7pm and nextweek the Daytona 500. So I guess everything is fine
Friday, February 11, 2011
Alcohol kills more than AIDS, TB or violence: WHO
GENEVA (Reuters) – Alcohol causes nearly 4 percent of deaths worldwide, more than AIDS, tuberculosis or violence, the World Health Organization warned on Friday.
Rising incomes have triggered more drinking in heavily populated countries in Africa and Asia, including India and South Africa, and binge drinking is a problem in many developed countries, the United Nations agency said.
Yet alcohol control policies are weak and remain a low priority for most governments despite drinking's heavy toll on society from road accidents, violence, disease, child neglect and job absenteeism, it said.
Approximately 2.5 million people die each year from alcohol related causes, the WHO said in its "Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health."
"The harmful use of alcohol is especially fatal for younger age groups and alcohol is the world's leading risk factor for death among males aged 15-59," the report found.
In Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), every fifth death is due to harmful drinking, the highest rate.
Binge drinking, which often leads to risky behavior, is now prevalent in Brazil, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine, and rising elsewhere, according to the WHO.
"Worldwide, about 11 percent of drinkers have weekly heavy episodic drinking occasions, with men outnumbering women by four to one. Men consistently engage in hazardous drinking at much higher levels than women in all regions," the report said.
Health ministers from the WHO's 193 member states agreed last May to try to curb binge drinking and other growing forms of excessive alcohol use through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing restrictions.
DISEASE AND INJURY
Alcohol is a causal factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries, according to WHO's first report on alcohol since 2004.
Its consumption has been linked to cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy, poisonings, road traffic accidents, violence, and several types of cancer, including cancers of the colorectum, breast, larynx and liver.
"Six or seven years ago we didn't have strong evidence of a causal relationship between drinking and breast cancer. Now we do," Vladimir Poznyak, head of WHO's substance abuse unit who coordinated the report, told Reuters.
Alcohol consumption rates vary greatly, from high levels in developed countries, to the lowest in North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and southern Asia, whose large Muslim populations often abstain from drinking.
Homemade or illegally produced alcohol -- falling outside governmental controls and tax nets -- accounts for nearly 30 percent of total worldwide adult consumption. Some is toxic.
In France and other European countries with high levels of adult per capita consumption, heavy episodic drinking is rather low, suggesting more regular but moderate drinking patterns.
Light to moderate drinking can have a beneficial impact on heart disease and stroke, according to the WHO. "However, the beneficial cardio-protective effect of drinking disappears with heavy drinking occasions," it said.
One of the most effective ways to curb drinking, especially among young people, is to raise taxes, the report said. Setting age limits for buying and consuming alcohol, and regulating alcohol levels in drivers, also reduce abuse if enforced.
Some countries restrict marketing of alcoholic beverages or on the industry's sponsorship of sporting events.
"Yet not enough countries use these and other effective policy options to prevent death, disease and injury attributable to alcohol consumption," the WHO said.
Alcohol producers including Diageo and Anheuser Busch InBev have said they recognize the importance of industry self-regulation to address alcohol abuse and promote curbs on drunk drinking and illegal underage drinking.
But the brewer SABMiller has warned that policy measures like minimum pricing and high excise taxes on alcohol could cause more public health harm than good by leading more people to drink homemade or illegally produced alcohol.
(Editing by Laura MacInnis and Paul Casciato)
Rising incomes have triggered more drinking in heavily populated countries in Africa and Asia, including India and South Africa, and binge drinking is a problem in many developed countries, the United Nations agency said.
Yet alcohol control policies are weak and remain a low priority for most governments despite drinking's heavy toll on society from road accidents, violence, disease, child neglect and job absenteeism, it said.
Approximately 2.5 million people die each year from alcohol related causes, the WHO said in its "Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health."
"The harmful use of alcohol is especially fatal for younger age groups and alcohol is the world's leading risk factor for death among males aged 15-59," the report found.
In Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), every fifth death is due to harmful drinking, the highest rate.
Binge drinking, which often leads to risky behavior, is now prevalent in Brazil, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and Ukraine, and rising elsewhere, according to the WHO.
"Worldwide, about 11 percent of drinkers have weekly heavy episodic drinking occasions, with men outnumbering women by four to one. Men consistently engage in hazardous drinking at much higher levels than women in all regions," the report said.
Health ministers from the WHO's 193 member states agreed last May to try to curb binge drinking and other growing forms of excessive alcohol use through higher taxes on alcoholic drinks and tighter marketing restrictions.
DISEASE AND INJURY
Alcohol is a causal factor in 60 types of diseases and injuries, according to WHO's first report on alcohol since 2004.
Its consumption has been linked to cirrhosis of the liver, epilepsy, poisonings, road traffic accidents, violence, and several types of cancer, including cancers of the colorectum, breast, larynx and liver.
"Six or seven years ago we didn't have strong evidence of a causal relationship between drinking and breast cancer. Now we do," Vladimir Poznyak, head of WHO's substance abuse unit who coordinated the report, told Reuters.
Alcohol consumption rates vary greatly, from high levels in developed countries, to the lowest in North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, and southern Asia, whose large Muslim populations often abstain from drinking.
Homemade or illegally produced alcohol -- falling outside governmental controls and tax nets -- accounts for nearly 30 percent of total worldwide adult consumption. Some is toxic.
In France and other European countries with high levels of adult per capita consumption, heavy episodic drinking is rather low, suggesting more regular but moderate drinking patterns.
Light to moderate drinking can have a beneficial impact on heart disease and stroke, according to the WHO. "However, the beneficial cardio-protective effect of drinking disappears with heavy drinking occasions," it said.
One of the most effective ways to curb drinking, especially among young people, is to raise taxes, the report said. Setting age limits for buying and consuming alcohol, and regulating alcohol levels in drivers, also reduce abuse if enforced.
Some countries restrict marketing of alcoholic beverages or on the industry's sponsorship of sporting events.
"Yet not enough countries use these and other effective policy options to prevent death, disease and injury attributable to alcohol consumption," the WHO said.
Alcohol producers including Diageo and Anheuser Busch InBev have said they recognize the importance of industry self-regulation to address alcohol abuse and promote curbs on drunk drinking and illegal underage drinking.
But the brewer SABMiller has warned that policy measures like minimum pricing and high excise taxes on alcohol could cause more public health harm than good by leading more people to drink homemade or illegally produced alcohol.
(Editing by Laura MacInnis and Paul Casciato)
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
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