Monthly Archives: January 2012
Strongest Solar Flare Since 2003 Impacts Earth
By: Ryan Matthew Dernick
Seasoned astronomers and leisurely sky watchers near the city of Tromsø in northern Norway got a spectacular geomagnetic light show this Tuesday night. On Jan.24, 2012 a powerful M-9 class solar storm led to a dramatic display of the aurora borealis, or Northern Lights. The northern lights even illuminated the skies above Scotland, northern England and northern parts of Ireland. More light shows are expected in the next few days. The northern lights are sometimes seen from northern Scotland but they were also visible Monday night from northeast England and Ireland, where such occurrences are more infrequent
Late Night Northern Lights on Jan 24,2012 near Tromose Norway. Courtesy of a strong Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) aka Solar Storm that departed from the sun Jan 23,2012.
In the Southern Hemisphere these beautiful light shows are referred to as the aurora australis near Antarctica or the Southern Lights.
Amazingly, according to the Solar Dynamical Observatory (SDO) This specific solar flare was ejected off the surface of the sun toward earth on Jan 23,2012 at a speed of 632 kilometers per second. That means the solar storm traveled 91 million miles from the surface of the sun to our home planet of earth in a little over 24 hours. This is only days since the prevoius Jan.19-21 solar storm with subsequent geomagnetic effects here on earth.
In today’s solar terrestrial activity report the Solar Dynamical Observatory (SDO) reported:
The geomagnetic field was quiet to major storm on January 24. Solar wind speed ranged between 347 and 732 km/s. A strong solar wind shock was observed at SOHO at 14:34 UTC, the arrival of the CMEs observed early on January 23. The geomagnetic disturbance peaked 17-20h UTC when the planetary A index reached 80. The radiation storm peaked at the arrival of the CMEs with the above 10 MeV proton flux reaching a high of 6310 pfu, the strongest radiation event since 2003.
The Solar Dynamical Observatory was launched in February 2010. The intention of the deployment of the SDO orbiting coronal observatory was to determine if it is possible to make reliable space weather forecasts. The SDO performs this technological space forecasting feat by observing the solar atmosphere in several wavelengths. These wavelengths consist of radio waves, microwaves, infrared waves, x-rays and gamma rays.
To gauge if the solar flare is a threat scientists determine this by the polarity or angle of approach toward the Earth with a southern polarity being the most detrimental. In the case of the M-class flare affecting us currently it has a southern polarity. This can lead to major disruption of Earth’s magnetosphere by way of geomagnetic storming. A geomagnetic storm is the subsequent effect of a solar wind shockwave, or solar magnetic field that interacts with Earth’s magnetic field. These solar storms can wreak havoc on communication systems, global positioning systems, satellites, land power grids and even the biology of plants and animals.
According to the Space Weather Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), “There is a growing body of evidence that changes in the geomagnetic field affect biological systems. Studies indicate that physically stressed human biological systems may respond to fluctuations in the geomagnetic field.”
If this isn’t enough, recently in a television interview, doctor of theoretical physics Michio Kaku warned of increased solar activity in 2012 through 2013. He said
“In 1859 we had a gigantic solar storm which knocked out telegraph wires back then, 150 years ago. If that had happened today it would knock out almost all our satellites and power stations. There would be food riots from lack of refrigeration .Airplanes would crash with the lack of radar and guidance systems. Damage estimates tally the natural disaster from the sun at an incredible 2 trillion dollars. This is a once in a century one in two century storm. We would be thrown back a hundred years.”
Over a year ago Michio Kaku asked congress for a 100 million dollar infrastructure safety prevention Bill that would have protected our solar storm susceptible world but Congress unfortunately turned down the Bill. Solar Cycle 24 does not bode well for our very vulnerable technologically based society. Whether it’s preparing for the possibility of power outages during severe weather like hurricanes, tornadoes, floods or winter weather severe solar storms should be treated no differently. Have a general preparedness plan in place for you and your loved ones at all times.
SOPA Bill Aims to “Censor the Internet”
By: Ryan Matthew Dernick
From bad to worse with the despotic potential for a copyright Bill that impedes our ability to surf the Internet. The SOPA and PIPA Bill are slated to change the way you surf the web. Backlash from the world tide of the internet toward this proposed legislation has been staunchly opposed to it’s possible passage.
SOPA may censor the Internet away from of us. E-Commerce may not survive if this heinous Bill becomes a reality
Wikipedia is among the many websites that have shut down their sites temporarily with a blank black screen posting a powerful question “Imagine a world without free knowledge?”
While these attempts to censor the web become more brazen and obvious, Wikipedia’s query may be a foreboding segway to a Police State style Internet. This bill could effectively cause a moratorium or freeze in e-commerce business not only in the United States but abroad.
Art Bordsky of advocacy group Public Knowledge similarly stated, “The definitions written in the bill are so broad that any US consumer who uses a website overseas immediately gives the US jurisdiction the power to potentially take action against it.”
Even social networking sites like Facebook, Vimeo or Tumblr could end up being banned if this so called Piracy Bill comes to be law.
As a journalist and as fellow human being who loves liberty we must all speak out against this atrocious SOPA Bill to our local congressman to ensure that Copyright laws don’t go too far.
Romney Seals New Hampshire and Ron Paul Garners Second
Ex-Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney grabs the Republican GOP win for the New Hampshire Primary and sets his sights now on South Carolina.
With the Iowa Caucus and now the New Hampshire Primary in the Books for Romney(R-Mass.) can he stave off Texas Congressman Ron Paul who is closely on his heels in second?
Ron Paul replied to Newt, ” I think people when they could get 3, 4 or 5 deferments they have no right to send our kids off to war. I am trying to stop the wars, but at least I went when they called me up. The vet problem is a big one. With hundreds of thousands coming back from these wars that were undeclared, unnecessary and not winnable. We have hundreds of thousands looking for care and with epidemics of suicide coming back. If you add up all the contractors in all the wars going on in Afghanistan and Iraq we have lost 8,500 Americans with severe injuries of over 40,000. And these are undeclared Wars!! Rick keeps saying you don’t want this Libertarian stuff. I don’t bring up the word you do. I talk about the Constitution and the Constitution has rules. I don’t like it when we send our kids off to fight these wars when those individuals didn’t go themselves. Then they come up when they’re asked about it and say I don’t think I could have made a difference. I have a pet peeve, that annoys me to a great deal. Because when I see these young men and women coming back my heart weeps for them.”
96,488votes or 39%
Newt retorts to Ron’s reply “Dr. Paul has a long history of saying things that are inaccurate and false. The fact is I never asked for a deferment I was married with a child it was never a question.”Ron replies to Gingrich ” when I was drafted I was married I had two kids and I went.”Newt then says as people begin to applaud Paul “I wasn’t eligible for the draft. I wasn’t eligible for the draft.”
“To restore America to our freedoms. Restore America to our principles and that is individual liberty and our constitution and sound money. In doing that you have to understand economics. You can’t solve any of this economic crisis unless you know where the business cycle comes from and why you have bubbles and why they break. You have to understand that we have had a financial bubble that has been going on for 40 years it’s collapsing. Nobody quite recognizes it but were in the midst of a real big correction. The only way you can get back to growth you have to liquidate the debt. But instead of liquidating debt what we’ve done is the people who build up the debt on Wall Street and the Banks. We have had the American taxpayer bail them out. We bought it through the federal reserve and through the treasury dumped it on the American People. The middle class is now shrinking and we don’t have jobs. But if you are individual or business man, if you’re consuming everything you’re earning just to finance your debt you can’t have growth. So we have to liquidate debt. This is the reason I have called for cutting spending. The only one that is calling for real cuts. You have to have real cuts. That’s what the Republican Party use to stand for. But you can’t keep bailing out debt that’s what Japan has been doing for twenty years now and they’re still in their doldrums. We did it in the Great Depression and have been in this five years now and it has end.”
| January 21, 2012 | South Carolina (primary) |
| January 31, 2012 | Florida (primary) |
| February 4, 2012 | Nevada (caucus) |
| February 4–11, 2012 | Maine (caucus) |
| February 7, 2012 | Colorado (caucus) Minnesota (caucus) Missouri (primary) – *See note below on Missouri |
| February 28, 2012 | Arizona (primary) Michigan (primary) |
| March 3, 2012 | Washington (caucus) |
| March 6, 2012 (Super Tuesday) |
Alaska (caucus) Georgia (primary) Idaho (caucus) Massachusetts (primary) North Dakota (caucus) Ohio (primary) Oklahoma (primary) Tennessee (primary) Vermont (primary) Virginia (primary) |
| March 6-10, 2012 | Wyoming (caucus) |
| March 10, 2012 | Kansas (caucus) U.S. Virgin Islands (caucus) |
| March 13, 2012 | Alabama (primary) Hawaii (caucus) Mississippi (primary) |
| March 17, 2012 | Missouri (GOP caucus) – *See note below on Missouri |
| March 20, 2012 | Illinois (primary) |
| March 24, 2012 | Louisiana (primary) |
| April 3, 2012 | District of Columbia (primary) Maryland (primary) Wisconsin (primary) Texas (primary) |
| April 24, 2012 | Connecticut (primary) Delaware (primary) New York (primary) Pennsylvania (primary) Rhode Island (primary) |
| May 8, 2012 | Indiana (primary) North Carolina (primary) West Virginia (primary) |
| May 15, 2012 | Nebraska (primary) Oregon (primary) |
| May 22, 2012 | Arkansas (primary) Kentucky (primary) |
| June 5, 2012 | California (primary) Montana (primary) New Jersey (primary) New Mexico (primary) South Dakota (primary) |
| June 26, 2012 | Utah (primary) |
International Sanctions and Tensions Rise in Light of Iranian Missile Tests
By Ryan Matthew Dernick
Israel and Washington accused Tehran of trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran says “our nuclear program is a peaceful drive to generate electricity so that the world’s fourth-largest oil producer can export more of its gas and crude.”
In a statement released by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad he insists that the nuclear ambitions of his country are for purely peaceful purposes. Iranian Army Chief said in a public statement to the United States this past Monday during the Iranian Missile Tests in the Strait of Hormuz saying ” That the U.S. should not bring its aircraft carriers into the Gulf again.” The Iranian Army Chief goes on to say we are not in the business of warning America more than once.”
Iran has been conducting a barrage of naval drills in the Gulf in recent days including test-firing several missiles. These exercises were held near the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20% or 1/6th of the world’s traded oil supply passes.
Iran's recent Missile Tests in the Strait of Hormuz Monday Prompt the potential for more International Sanctions against the Middle Eastern Country
Tehran said on Monday that “mock exercises on shutting the strait had been carried out, although there was no intention of closing it.”
The U.N. Security Council has already brought four successions of sanctions against Iran for refusing to halt its uranium enrichment ventures. Enriched uranium can be converted into nuclear weapons grade fissile material.
“These are the kinds of steps that we would like to see not just from our close allies and partners in places like Europe but from countries around the world”, according to US State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland.
These sanctions include a ban on the supply of heavy weaponry and nuclear-related technology to Iran, a block on Iranian arms exports, and an asset freeze on key individuals and companies.
Sanctions against Iran Up to This Point
United States
- Longstanding ban on all trade with Iran except for activities “intended to benefit the Iranian people”
- New sanctions against foreign firms dealing with Iran’s oil sector and central bank
- Restrictions on trade in equipment which could be used for uranium enrichment
- Asset freeze on individuals and organisations linked with nuclear programme
- Export ban on natural gas technology
- Ban on sales of heavy weaponry and nuclear technology to Iran
- Iranian arms exports blocked, and asset freeze for key individuals and firms
- Cargo inspections to detect and stop Iran’s acquisition of illicit materials
A New Years Resolution to No GMO Salmon
By: Ryan Matthew Dernick
Other genetically modified foods (eg: corn and soy) have been linked to increases in allergies, or further aggravating pre-existing conditions such as autism. Fish oil has been tried for preventing heart disease or stroke. The future cost to human health from biotech fish consumption may end up being greater than the perceived benefits of increasing fish yields.
Franken Fish its whats for dinner
With shorter maturation periods from youth to adulthood than regular salmon, the Chimera hybridized salmon will satisfy the ever-growing demand for salmon globally.
The benefits of salmon or fish oil in general are the omega-3 oils with essential fatty acids. It is most often used for conditions related to the heart and blood system functions. Some people use fish oil to lower blood pressure or triglyceride levels (fats related to cholesterol). Environmental activists have noted the environmental impacts on the naturally occurring ecosystems would be far reaching, though according to Food and Drug Administration they said:
“The FDA committee that reviews Aqua Bounty salmon believe it is safe to eat and unlikely to damage the environment if raised in land based tank farms, permitting no contact with wild fish…”
It’s not exactly a Frankenstein parody, but the mad scientist-like procedure to create the abomination known as Aqua Bounty’s transgenic salmon is pretty horrific. In summation, they fertilize the salmon eggs with the Pacific Chinook and bottom-dwelling pout fish which grow rather large quickly. Norway currently produces 65% of the fish farmed Atlantic salmon. This is Norway’s understandable fiscal reason for their restive fear toward a synthesized fish made by U.S. Biotech firm Aqua Bounty
According to Aqua Bounty, they assured the public:
“This is a safe and stable construct.”
AP Reuters reported :
“Fast growing fish could threaten current booming European profits as Biotech Firm targets U.S. and China, while Europeans still seen resisting.”
Further effects from these complex GMO foods will open the door to mutated super viruses and bacteria immune to antibiotics or vaccines, leading to potential pandemics. Starting with Monsanto’s downwind cross pollination contamination of non-GMO organic crops on land with corn, it can now also be put in our seas with these super fish.
Cross-genetic contamination of the Franken Salmon in our oceans may abrogate the naturally indigenous salmon populations and possibly harm other fish species as well. Remember as the old adage or saying goes “you are what you eat”. Eat healthy, no GMO’s, only organics and support your local community organic grocer or farmers.
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