Domain: suvalleynews.com
Stories and comments across the archive that link to suvalleynews.com.
Comments · 41
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"...not as large as previously thought.""I swear it's a foot long, it just shrank because of the cold of space!" --
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On the plus sideSometimes the adverts are the best part of the shows. Now, *some* people can rewind and rewatch those Victoria Secret, KY Warming Gel, exercise infomercials, and similar commercials over and over and over.
I just hope this doesn't include those lame locally-produced commercials, such as furniture, auto dealers, and the like.
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Here's another robot the Army is testingThis article describes the unmanned Stryker's that the army is testing.
"Yesterday we ran a 100-mile test where the lead vehicle was being driven manually and the robot was following," Jaczkowski said. "We did this successfully where the average speed was about 22 miles per hour. You may think that 22 miles per hour is not that fast when operational convoys are going 60 to 70 miles per hour. But you have to take into account that we did 68 right turns.
"You don't take right turns at 50 miles per hour, especially with a 20-ton robot."
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I think it was Linus that said..."Only wimps use tape backup: _real_ men just upload their important stuff on ftp, and let the rest of the world mirror it
;)" (1996) -
Alaska is on the forefront of the Bird FluAccording to this article, from the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services Public Health Division, Alaska has been watching out for problems associated with a potential Bird Flu pandemic for quite some time.
We would be one of the first to see it, but there are many questions to be answered.
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Tinfoil Hat On-Check" Well, with only 200 participants it does make finding the source of the leak noticably easier..."
You're assuming that someone from google didn't leak it.
It's been said that there's no such thing as bad publicity. Making something 'secret' only adds to the interest.
Did Earth Detox Cause Mass Extinctions 65 Million Years Ago?
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Sometimes state governments invest in "terrorists"A few weeks ago I read an article that the state of Alaska has unintentionally been investing in Iran and North Korea. Big Oops!
FTA: "A recent report from the Center for Security Policy shows that the ARMB currently has investments in 68 companies that do business with Iran and eight with business ties to North Korea. Several billion dollars can be traced to these and other Alaskan investments."
The state has a resolution pending to study the matter.
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Other robotic projects from the ArmyI just read an article about a robotic Stryker vehicle the Army is testing. "You don't take right turns at 50 miles per hour, especially with a 20-ton robot." I wonder how it would fare in the DARPA Challenge?
I also read another article about a vehicle the Pentagon is testing, but I forget what it was about.
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14 States have similar laws coming upI read an article from the AAAS that 14 states have similar laws pending.
FTA: "Across the United States, at least 14 pending laws -- including Missouri HB 1266 -- differ in language and strategy, but "all would weaken science education," said AAAS President Gilbert S. Omenn, professor of medicine, genetics and public health at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. "The AAAS Board of Directors opposes these attacks on the integrity of science and science education," he added. "They threaten not just the teaching of evolution, but students' understanding of the biological, physical, and geological sciences.""
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YOU are the first line of defenseJust as you can't always rely upon the police to protect you (they come after the crime/whatever has happened), or the fire department, etc., so too must each person be diligent in making sure that their not being victimized. This case is a perfect example of why.
In fact, this case is but one example of many that we have been hearing about, and by the time the company admits it, the damage may be done. The criminals are always coming up with new ideas, scams, and tricks, such as the "You've won the lottery! Deposit this check and we'll send you your lottery winnings"
Punishment, no matter how severe or financially crippling, will not stop this.
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Pleistocene Holocene Megafauna extinctionI just read an article stating that humans had nothing to do woth the extinction of megafauna, and in fact it was due to rapid climate change.
" The Pleistocene Holocene transition took place about 11,000 years ago and caused the extinction of a large number of animal species including mammoths, mastodons and ground sloths. The Holocene looked very different from the Pleistocene."
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Re:Woohoo!I first discovered the site a couple of years, also, when I noticed a bill stamped with "Track this bill at Wheresgeorge.com". I have entered quite a few, (some I found and some I stamped) and while some travelled quickly across the country, some took almost a year to go to the next town.
There are a lot of people, in fact I'd hazard to say the majority, who simply don't notice their money. Also, believe it or not, some people don't have internet access. So I wonder how many people handled the bills, and what their travels were, between entries.
There are also many people who handle money (store clerks, esp. liquor store clerks), then touch their faces, smoke a cigarette, eat, etc. without washing after handling the bills. They wonder why they get sick so regularly.
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Re:Sun TzuThey're way ahead of the U.S. in that department: "China has darkened over the past half-century. Where has all the sunshine gone?"
Looks like they need an artificial sun.
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Re:RFID and the Average PersonExcellent and informative post. "These tags are too expensive, or also too big and too weak to be of concern to people."
Today, perhaps. But tomorrow?
:"An unusual pool of scientific talent at the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, combined with new nanofabrication and nanocharacterization instruments, is helping to open a new frontier in electronics, to be made up of very small and very fast devices." and ""When the first computer hard disk was introduced 50 years ago, it required a rather large size to store each bit of digital information. On today's computer disks, the corresponding size is about one-50-millionth of that needed in the original disks. We are now moving well into the nanoscale range, and nanomagnetism is one of the real drivers of the nanotechnology field.""Will it take 50 years to make RFID tags ubiquitous? Probably not.
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Recycling in a Good WayThis is a good idea for recycling old equipment. I have several of those laying around, and I'll make something useful to donate to our local schools.
Opened a path to new computer technologies and related devices
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Re:What if the battery leaks?Maybe this work by Sandia National Laboratories' Power Sources Technology Group, which is researching ways to make lithium-ion batteries work longer and safer, could be of service.
At least it could lead to something useful.
If I were blind already, I'd be willing to risk it.
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This is an opportunityFlamers aside, this is yet another example of an emerging opportunity, much like this story I just read about doing business with Intelligence Agencies.
"The federal government will spend in excess of $400 billion with contractors this year and over $100 billion is expected to be spent with small businesses. Now business people from all over the U.S. can learn first hand from the experts how to capitalize on these business opportunities with federal government agencies without leaving their own offices"
Sounds good to me.
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It won't matter much longerThis related story about a massive cluster of Red Supergiants will make this, and all other space stories, moot.
Also, global warming will be a thing of small concern.
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My Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer will sue!I just fwd'd this to my Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, and while he is frightened and confused, he is angry enough to start on a complaint.
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Re:Slow
If that is slow, then maybe what you want is gold nanorods. This could be the next generation in optical chips.
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Bus Conversion and GTAI've done this in a bus I am converting to an RV.
Except for now, it's still in the 'concept stage' (meaning I have to imagine I am playing GTA under Linux). A few more tweaks, and I'll have it.
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Where you are?During my time in the Army, I've been in Desert, Jungle, Temperate, and Arctic environments. The toughest, by far, is the Arctic.
Regular underwear, long underwear, insulated shirt/pants, maybe another layer on top of that, overwhites, Bunny Boots, glove liners, Arctic Mittens, balaclava, goggles, etc. etc. Then there is skis/snowshoes/poles, Arctic canteens, and lots of gear. Then add to that a main and reserve chute if you're Airborne (like me), knife, weapons, ammo, cleaning kit, protective mask, maybe a radio and batteries, binos, rope, crampons, etc. etc.
I remember an old poster at one army post that had a pic of a guy carrying a fridge on his back, with the caption "Don't be an ass, leave it behind." I wish.
I'd like to see how this performs while climbing uphill over deadfalls in deep snow at -40 below zero.
30 percent of the carbon monoxide in northeastern U.S. comes from Alaska
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Re:When can we bring them back from extinction?Mastodons are not mammoths. Related, "but the mastodons were shorter in height, longer in length and more heavily built."
It would be nice, however, to let maggie go someplace warmer, and have something more suitable to our colder Alaskan climate. They might be tasty, and one sure would fill the deep freeze with meat for the winter.
Alaskan man dies of autoerotic asphyxiation among 1,000 marijuana plants worth $2,000,000
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Re:Whoop de doo"Ice is generally a difficult thing to find in a combat zone, even one as metropolitan as Iraq."
The unit I was formerly with (3rd ACR, Army) has gigantic semi-trailer sized ice making machines. I don't know the exact output for one of these, but it must be in the tons per day.
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Climate is CyclicalI say this every time this argument/discussion comes up: the Earth's climate is cyclical, and complex.
As a geologist, I know that the areas I work in here in southcentral Alaska were covered by an ice sheet 1,000 feet thick just 9,000 years ago, but 65 million or so years ago it was hot and humid, and there were many more active volcaloes than there are now. I suspect that there were few, if any, humans around in an industrial culture 65 million years ago.
That ice sheet was one of many recent glaciations. Are humans contributing to "global warming'? Perhaps. Is that contribution significant compared to natural process? I am skeptical.
Finally, in another article I read, (CONSERVATIONISTS FILE LAWSUIT) I have to ask exactly what, other than fund-raising, will this lawsuit remedy?
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Climate is CyclicalI say this every time this argument/discussion comes up: the Earth's climate is cyclical, and complex.
As a geologist, I know that the areas I work in here in southcentral Alaska were covered by an ice sheet 1,000 feet thick just 9,000 years ago, but 65 million or so years ago it was hot and humid, and there were many more active volcaloes than there are now. I suspect that there were few, if any, humans around in an industrial culture 65 million years ago.
That ice sheet was one of many recent glaciations. Are humans contributing to "global warming'? Perhaps. Is that contribution significant compared to natural process? I am skeptical.
Finally, in another article I read, (CONSERVATIONISTS FILE LAWSUIT) I have to ask exactly what, other than fund-raising, will this lawsuit remedy?
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Re:Shock Absorbing !=Survivability?"An AK-47 can be fired full auto without falling, therefore a person can absorb all the KE of every bullet fired without falling. The only way being hit would make you fall if you had impenetrable (to an AK) body armour is by tripping you because of the unexpected impact."
That's not the way it works. You may want to do some research on this before replying.
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Re:Shock Absorbing !=Survivability?"I don't think there are many non-vehicular antipersonnel guns that have enough KE to break your neck or ribs, as they'd often break the shoulder of the firer."
Then maybe you've never heard of the Barrett Light 50, aka M82A1/2/3. I've shot them, and it's not bad at all. I certainly would not want to be on the receiving end.
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Shock Absorbing !=Survivability?I read the article, but I don't see where it will do much more than stop a projectile, if even that.
What I want to know is: if the projectile hits a helmet, even thought it won't penetrate it, will it still cause enough force to break the wearers neck? If a projectile hits the wearers chest, will it break ribs and shock organs?
Body armor can stop some projectiles, but it will still leave, at best, a nasty bruise.
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Toys of practical useI have a few toys that could be considered prehistoric Alaska artifacts (over 2,500 years old). They seem to teach kids skills needed for hunting, shelter, and survival. I think it's a good idea, as I developed these skills at a very early age, and have put them to good use.
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I welcome relevant adsI know there's a lot of google-haters, but I have to say...
I was thrilled with the ad-block extensions of Firefox, and welcomed the relevant ads from google. I'll admit, I have actually clicked on, and even (shocked) bought a few things.
I hate desperate ads, like those on TV and everywhere else. Advertisers realise that they are failing.
When/if google starts flash, popups, then start to complain.
Tired of online retailers charging extra to ship products to Alaska?
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Fake News is on the riseIt used to be that one could tell the fake news, such as Weekly World News, National Enquirer, etc., but recently many reporters are either faking news or just regurgitating press releases.
I know, because I was a reporter, then later an editor. With tightening margins, reporters get paid less and less (try $20 for a story), and staff is shrunk in the dead-tree press. It's hard to keep the passion up when Ramen is for dinner, again. Sometimes, though, the made up news is more interesting or entertaining than the 'real' news.
Alaska's wildfires might be helping melt glaciers and sea ice
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Or you could give them something useful...DL and burn a copy of Knoppix (choose your flavor).
Then when the Inevitable Happens, they can pop in the CD and you'll have some free time.
Stoner hands Trooper Ashtray, with lit joint and a dozen roaches
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Poor choice of words?"...and then they boink themselves off..."
Let the adolescent humor begin!
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What if it's not "AN" author?With foil hat firmly on, I think what if it's not an author, but something more insidious?
Call me paranoid, and this may just be a press release to drive traffic to a company, but I see the day coming when small packages pack a big punch.
I'm actually a bit suprised it hasn't happened yet.
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Re:ButIf it's a carnivore as the article speculates, then almost certainly not very good.
I disagree. I've eated bear more than once, and it was pretty good. I've also eaten whale, seal, and walrus (But I never had Walrus Penis served to me in a restaurant). They have a strong fishy taste, but I'm OK with that. Not sure if they qualify as a carnivore, however. If so, then I could include some of the bug-eating birds and bug-eating bugs I've eaten.
I like to try different things. I once was stranded in the Bush (Alaska), and had a diet of ground squirrels. One day, I noticed some ground squirrels eating the remains (uncooked) of some of my previous ground squirrel kills. I ate a lot of them that month.
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Re:I can understand the holdEmergency legislation banning home cyclotrons?
Here's a story I read some time ago that includes the link to the regulations (*.PDF)
FTA: "An article at KTUU stated: "Albert Swank, the technician who proposes operating the accelerator, says it would be no more dangerous in a neighborhood than a dental X-ray machine.
"It poses less of a threat than many X-ray machines that are located within the community," said Swank. "
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Maybe the Animals know something we don'tI just read an article on an Alaskan News Site today referring to various animals 'migrating' (moving would be a better description) to Alaska. They even found a snake, crushed in the road. Maybe the animals know something. (I'm a geologist, not a climatologist-but I know the Earth goes through cycles of heating and cooling).
The article went on to describe the states plans to back exploration of a "Northwest Passage" across the Arctic, in cooperation with a Finnish company. Apparently other countries are also working on plans to exploit the route.
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Nothing to see here, move along...I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the "Don't Panic" machines are running on double overdrive.
Scientists and public health experts agree that we cannot stop an influenza pandemic, but we can control and limit disease and death through early detection and a well-planned response. In Alaska, disease-monitoring systems are in place for detection of influenza.
Call me paranoid, but it looks like a multi-pronged approach. "See, there's no chance of a pandemic, it's an economic crises. But just in case, we'd like to get your information, and here a small chip we would like to plant just under your skin, temporarily. Thanks."
I live in the air crossroads (Alaska), for birds and people, and I'm not taking any chances, but I'm not going to panic, either.
I see that Alaska has been monitoring the Avian Flu since at least 2000.
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How about a cyclotron?Some cities may regulate this, as seen by the reaction by the Anchorage Assembly to a home-operated cyclotron, which they are trying to prohibit. Same for other particle accelerators.
Bummer. If you were thinking of having your own particle accelerator in Alaska, pick another city.
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Birth of a LegendAre not many legends born of some fact? Look at The Bible, for example, and many creation legends (Raven created the Earth sounds a lot like Genesis). Also, many people believe iceworms are mere legends, but it seems that they may provide some insight
Bigfoot/Yeti? Sea Monsters?