It’s very true. NEVER re-enter your vehicle while gas is pumping. You will create static electricity that will ignite the gas in your car. This is a real incident caught on tape by a surveilance camera

John Stossel’s report on the facts about Kevin Trudeau and his “Natural Cures They Don’t Want You To Know About” books

The National Motorists Association (NMA) has prepared a list of the top ten speed trap cities in the United States.

All motorists would be well-advised to keep these locations in mind while driving.

1. Detroit, Michigan suburbs
2. Colorado Springs, Colorado
3. Houston, Texas
4. Orlando, Florida
5. Nashville, Tennessee
6. Ann Arbor, Michigan
7. Albuquerque, New Mexico
8. Washington, D.C.
9. Denver, Colorado
10. Virginia Beach, Virginia

You see them everyday, Speed Traps. The police may be out in the open, hiding behind bridge abutments, or passing overhead in an airplane. As is obvious from the traffic flow, the speed limit is grossly under-posted and universally ignored.

Traffic is moving safely and expeditiously, but not legally according to the posted speed limit. As fast as the pen can be applied to paper, driver after driver is issued a speeding ticket that results in exorbitant fines, points on their driver’s licenses and insurance surcharges.

Fortunately, you know about the speed traps on your regularly traveled routes, but what about those times you are on unfamiliar streets and highways? If only there was a way you could share your knowledge of speed traps, in exchange for the speed trap knowledge of others.

Now you can! Visit — http://www.speedtrap.org/index.html

PNEUMONO­ULTRA­MICRO­SCOPIC­SILICO­VOLCANO­CONIOSIS

(also spelled PNEUMONO­ULTRA­MICRO­SCOPIC­SILICO­VOLCANO­KONIOSIS) = a lung disease caused by breathing in particles of siliceous volcanic dust.

This is the longest word in any English dictionary.

 Paul Grignon’s 47-minute animated presentation of “Money as Debt” tells in very simple and effective graphic terms what money is and how it all is being created. It is an entertaining way to get the message out. The Cowichan Citizens Coalition and its “Duncan Initiative” received high praise from those who previewed it. I recommend it as a painless but hard-hitting educational tool and encourage the widest distribution and use by all groups concerned with the present unsustainable monetary system in Canada and the United States.

The world’s smallest twin-engine airplane has a wingspan of 16 feet, weighs 158 pounds (without pilot), runs on two 15 horsepower engines, cruises at 120 mph, has a range of 310 miles and can do aerobatics. This amazing aircraft is called Cri-cri (French for “cricket”) 

Known to be the smallest twin-engine airplane in the world (4.90m wingspan, 72kg empty weight, 2×15HP), it still has a 190km/h cruise speed and is capable of executing all the basic positive aerobatic maneuvers. Formation flight and air-to-air shots with an Avid Hauler homebuilt.

Jeff Han is a research scientist for New York University’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences. Here, he demonstrates—for the first time publicly—his intuitive, “interface-free,” touch-driven computer screen, which can be manipulated intuitively with the fingertips, and responds to varying levels of pressure.

More examples:

Video demo of Touch Me Tender early prototype interface that allow to draw by your finger on the screen. Made by KsanLab (www.ksanlab.com).

Are You Ready for the Analog Television Broadcasting Cutoff?

On February 17, 2009, all over-the-air analog television transmission signals on channels 2-13 and 14-69 in the U.S. will come to an end…at least that is the current plan approved by the U.S. Government, via the Congress and the FCC. Yes, the Federal Government is requiring all television broadcasters and television viewers to convert from analog to digital by a specified date. What Does This Mean For The U.S. Television Viewer?

For those residing in the U.S. that own analog televisions or HDTVs equipped only with standard NTSC tuners, and receive their television programs over-the-air via an antenna, this means that those television owners will not be able to receive analog over-the-air television transmissions after the cutoff date.

What Can Television Viewers Do?

There are several ways to prepare for this event:
1. Buy a new television before that date that has a built-in ATSC tuner. This tuner will allow you to receive over-the-air programming from stations broadcasting television signals in one of several digital broadcasting formats. All Televisions, 27-inches and up, that currently come with analog NTSC tuners, must also now include a digital ATSC tuner as well. You will see the number of models available increasing substantially in 2007 and 2008. 2. Buy a Digital-to-Analog Converter Box (similar to a cable box) that will convert the new digital television signals to an analog signal that can still be accepted by your current television. However, keep in mind that you will need a separate box for every television in your household that has an analog NTSC tuner, unless you don’t mind watching the same channel at the same time on all of them.

NOTE: In both of the above options, you can still use the same antenna you are using now, if it is in good working order, especially if it is an expensive or large outdoor model. There is no requirement that you have purchase a special “HDTV” antenna. If your current antenna delivers good reception with your current analog channels, it should do fine with the digital signals as well.

3. Subscribe to a Cable TV or Satellite TV service. Since Cable TV and Satellite Boxes (even the newer digital and HD boxes) all include provisions for digital-to-analog signal conversion for use with analog televisions, if you are either a current subscriber, or sign up before the cutoff date, your television viewing will not be interrupted on televisions that the Cable or Satellite Box is connected to.

With regards to cable subscribers that currently do not have a need for a box for basic analog cable; the cable companies are not required to discontinue this service, unless they wish to. In this case, you may eventually have to use a cable box supplied by your cable provider.

However, keep in mind that the trend towards digital-only cable is going forward anyway, irrespective of the analog over-the-air TV cutoff date, and is not a goverment requirement. This means that cable companies can continue to offer both analog and digital cable services, or switch to all-digital service at their own pace.

Also, a growing number of new HDTVs are being equipped with what is known as QAM, or Clear-QAM, tuners. These tuners allow direct reception of basic unscrambled subscription digital cable channels that are not a part of pay-per-view or premium cable services.

Don’t Forget Your VCR and/or DVD Recorder

Since VCRs and DVD recorders also have built-in analog NTSC tuners, they are also subject to the effects of the analog cut-off date. However, this is only if your VCR and DVD recorder receives television signals over-the-air. In which case, you will need a digital-to-analog converter box for each VCR or DVD recorder in your household - or each VCR or DVD recorder and Television pair.

In other words, you can connect a digital-to-analog converter box to your VCR or DVD recorder, then route the signal from there to your TV, much the same way many do with Cable or Satellite Boxes. Starting in 2007, DVD recorders will start to be equipped with ATSC tuners.

How Much is This All Going To Cost?

No one really knows for sure how much the conversion will actually coast consumers as a whole, but it is expected that converter boxes will end up being much less than $100 each and the Federal Government is also kicking in a subsidy for each household to help defray converter box expense.

A portion of the money raised by auctioning off the no-longer used analog television broadcast spectrum is planned to pay for the subsidy program - provided politicians don’t steal the money like they do from Social Security, Federal Highway funds, and other designated trust funds. The subsidy program is supposed to work like this: Starting January 1, 2008 through March 31, 2009, the Feds will offer “coupons” that will probably work like rebates.

The coupons are good for up to two converters per household - with each converter coupon worth $40. So, if converters end up costing $40 - $50 a piece, the average consumer will be in good shape. However, if the converters are between $60-$100 each, there may be a lot of upset viewers out there ready to march on Washington.

The Final Word, For Now…

February 17, 2009 will be here faster than you think; be prepared. According to a recent study conducted by The Association of Public Television Stations, and reported by TV Predictions, most consumers are totally unaware of the Analog Television Broadcasting cutt-off date.

If you have an old television on its last legs or purchase your last Television about 7-10 years ago, think about getting a new one by 2009. One tip: Prices are not only getting a less every year, but you will be able to hang your new TV on the wall, if you want, as new CRT sets are being phased almost completely after 2007. Lastly, if you are on Cable or Satellite, and you are not sure how the analog-to-digital conversion will actually affect you, don’t hesitate to contact technical support for your service for any updated information.

Good Luck, and Happy Television Viewing!

For official government information on the analog-to-digital television transmission conversion, including the “coupon” program, and other essential details, go to www.DTV.gov

In today’s world, the most widely used numeral system is decimal (base 10), a system that probably originated because it made it easy for humans to count using their fingers. The civilizations that first divided the day into smaller parts, however, used different numeral systems, specifically duodecimal (base 12) and sexagesimal (base 60).

Thanks to documented evidence of the Egyptians’ use of sundials, most historians credit them with being the first civilization to divide the day into smaller parts. The first sundials were simply stakes placed in the ground that indicated time by the length and direction of the resulting shadow. As early as 1500 B.C., the Egyptians had developed a more advanced sundial. A T-shaped bar placed in the ground, this instrument was calibrated to divide the interval between sunrise and sunset into 12 parts. This division reflected Egypt’s use of the duodecimal system–the importance of the number 12 is typically attributed either to the fact that it equals the number of lunar cycles in a year or the number of finger joints on each hand (three in each of the four fingers, excluding the thumb), making it possible to count to 12 with the thumb. The next-generation sundial likely formed the first representation of what we now call the hour. Although the hours within a given day were approximately equal, their lengths varied during the year, with summer hours being much longer than winter hours.

Without artificial light, humans of this time period regarded sunlit and dark periods as two opposing realms rather than as part of the same day. Without the aid of sundials, dividing the dark interval between sunset and sunrise was more complex than dividing the sunlit period. During the era when sundials were first used, however, Egyptian astronomers also first observed a set of 36 stars that divided the circle of the heavens into equal parts. The passage of night could be marked by the appearance of 18 of these stars, three of which were assigned to each of the two twilight periods when the stars were difficult to view. The period of total darkness was marked by the remaining 12 stars, again resulting in 12 divisions of night (another nod to the duodecimal system). During the New Kingdom (1550 to 1070 B.C.), this measuring system was simplified to use a set of 24 stars, 12 of which marked the passage of the night. The clepsydra, or water clock, was also used to record time during the night, and was perhaps the most accurate timekeeping device of the ancient world. The timepiece–a specimen of which, found at the Temple of Ammon in Karnak, dated back to 1400 B.C.–was a vessel with slanted interior surfaces to allow for decreasing water pressure, inscribed with scales that marked the division of the night into 12 parts during various months. Read the rest of this entry »

The Nightly Quill gives you this news clip about Denny Klein and his company that has developed a technolgy that uses water as fuel. Yes, you heard right–plain old water, H2O. Can be used for anything from the propellant for a torch for welding to powering your car.

Check out their website - hytechapps.com

For an indepth description of the technology, watch this 16 minute video - hytechapps.com/video

Here is a write up at blogs.tampabay.com/energy

about this amazing technology.

Again and again it is noticed that these alternative technologies exist, but they receive little to no attention. WHY? WHY?

In Glengarry Glen Ross, Alec Baldwin plays the character Blake, almost earning Baldwin an Oscar for the role. The salestalk presented is one of the finest ever, allthough sarcastic, it contains the foundations of a well meditated salesmen.

Ask just about anyone in law enforcement, and they’ll tell you to be careful if you ever brew coffee in a hotel room.

“I know enough now that whenever I go to a hotel, regardless of how nice it is, I’ll never use a coffee pot,” said Marshall County District Attorney Steve Marshall.

Instead of brewing coffee, coffee pots are sometimes used to brew methamphetamine. And since meth labs in hotels aren’t anything new, Rick Phillips of the Marshall County Drug Enforcement Unit says there’s definitely a risk.

“The coffee makers that you find in every motel room is an ideal heat source. They mix it up in the coffee pot, put it on a heat source and let it sit there and cook,” said Phillips. It’s common knowledge to those who fight meth, but a shock to your average citizen. “That’s a little nerve rattling,” said Marshall County resident Toni Jones.

“I didn’t know that. Proud you told me,” said Marshall County resident Daryl Rice. If you were to drink coffee from a pot used to make meth, it could be hazardous to your health. The problem is residue from chemicals such as red phosphorus and iodine.
“Typical sickness and issues that would come with any chemical exposure, simple nausea, vomiting to maybe a hospital visit,” said Phillips. Phillips says it’s pretty easy to tell if a coffee pot has been used to cook meth. It will have a dark reddish-orange stain. You should also be skeptical if there’s a chemical odor when you walk in the room.
Link - www.waff.com