From the History channel - Journey to the center of the earth, this documentary (and maybe the title is off and could be "Journey to the Core of Earth" is more than interesting! While they were showing fifty feet below the surface as the show began, I began to wonder, what does happen to the space where mining has occurred? And that was next. The documentary tells of a town somewhere in Pennsylvania, that is a town that was once in Pennsylvania.
Well, I had never associated Pennsylvania as a mining town, and had generally thought of the Appalachians as coal mining country, but am also aware that Illinois mines coal. The three countries that provide nearly all of the coal that is used on earth comes from China, Russia and the United States. Pennsylvania provides the largest amount of coal in the USA. Now we are talking up to 400 feet below the surface.
The town that was depicted in the documentary and was seriously affected by the mining was a small close knit community where everyone knew everyone else. The houses and business seemed to be located along the main street. The residents loved living there, then suddenly the top crust of the earth beneath them began sinking, eventually swallowing the entire town.
As the road through town crumbled making it impossible to travel, so did the foundations of the homes and buildings. I believe that it said it was in 1972 the government assisted and relocated all the residents there.
A fire below in the old mine shafts had started emitting toxic fumes of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Now it is just a waste land that emits toxic fumes making it distasteful and even dangerous to breath as the fire continued to burn at the time the documentary was made.
The documentary goes on to tell of other disastrous results from mining in other countries, especially one hundred feet deep sink holes in South America swallowing an entire block, and another instance of a silver mine in a northern European country that has utilized the space as a tourist attraction where a hotel now occupies the underground space, even equipping it with silver chandeliers. And another instance where a tree root was followed down over 400 feet below.
I went to sleep watching it before they arrived at the Core, but remember something about organisms living in spaces that had been water filled where an organism could live without air, a new kind of anaerobic organism. And heat in the core exceeding 1000 degrees.
A very interesting documentary, watch it if you get a chance.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
March 23, 2011
A day that should be full of joy and love escapes me as frustration, disappointment and anger overwhelm and fill my body to a point of uncontrollable shaking and remorse. What has caused this day to become such a tragedy, repeating itself nearly every year over the last fifteen to twenty years? And why have I cautiously kept hope of a better day each year? I will not continue my hope for a better day every March 23, but will try and remember when it was such a special day. Further expectations elude me. My heart has been wounded too many times. I am closing the book on this very private situation.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Here We Go Again
What a beautiful day in Illinois, here on the first day of March, 2011. The sun is shining and the temperature reached 75 again today. But all is not well on this, our planet earth.
Referencing my last blog I learned today that Illinois has the greatest number of nuclear plants than any of the other states, numbering @ 109. The closest one that I am aware of is at Clinton, Illinois, less than 10 miles from here. We had our own little earth quate year before last, no damage resulted. And I remember that we had one here sometime in the late 50's or early sixties. We are in the area of a Quaternary Fault of Wabash Valley. There has been increased conversation in the media regarding the ages and safety of the plants here since the devastation in Japan. However, what will come, will come.
The most urgent problems that I see are those in the Middle East and North African Countries. I must applaud Presidents Obama lack of interference in the Libyan Civil War and the fact that we joined Britain and France and a large number of Mideast countries in their efforts to curtail Gaddafi's' aggressions towards his own citizenry by by making Libya a No Fly Zone. And we must remember that he has stated repeatedly that "no U.S. boots will be on the ground in Libya"
But as of today, most of the Mideastern countries have backed out of their initial approval of the missiles that were sent in to do the job. And it is being asked by the news media why Libya is the only country that is being attacked while so many of the other countries there are also seeing their dictatorships being challenged by the citizens who are demonstrating and are also being beaten and murdered by their own regimes.
So now we can say that we are involved in three wars in the Middle East. And that troops had to be removed from Iraq to help with the effort in Afghanistan. Is it any wonder that there will be "no boots on the ground" in Libya?
My opinion: We do not need to solve the problems of those countries. When the citizens are fed up with their dictator leaders, let the citizens of that country organize themselves and fight their own fight. I do not want to see more American Soldiers being brought back home in body bags. And is this the beginning of the third world war? As Ronald Reagan is so often quoted, but not in the same context...THERE THEY GO AGAIN!
Referencing my last blog I learned today that Illinois has the greatest number of nuclear plants than any of the other states, numbering @ 109. The closest one that I am aware of is at Clinton, Illinois, less than 10 miles from here. We had our own little earth quate year before last, no damage resulted. And I remember that we had one here sometime in the late 50's or early sixties. We are in the area of a Quaternary Fault of Wabash Valley. There has been increased conversation in the media regarding the ages and safety of the plants here since the devastation in Japan. However, what will come, will come.
The most urgent problems that I see are those in the Middle East and North African Countries. I must applaud Presidents Obama lack of interference in the Libyan Civil War and the fact that we joined Britain and France and a large number of Mideast countries in their efforts to curtail Gaddafi's' aggressions towards his own citizenry by by making Libya a No Fly Zone. And we must remember that he has stated repeatedly that "no U.S. boots will be on the ground in Libya"
But as of today, most of the Mideastern countries have backed out of their initial approval of the missiles that were sent in to do the job. And it is being asked by the news media why Libya is the only country that is being attacked while so many of the other countries there are also seeing their dictatorships being challenged by the citizens who are demonstrating and are also being beaten and murdered by their own regimes.
So now we can say that we are involved in three wars in the Middle East. And that troops had to be removed from Iraq to help with the effort in Afghanistan. Is it any wonder that there will be "no boots on the ground" in Libya?
My opinion: We do not need to solve the problems of those countries. When the citizens are fed up with their dictator leaders, let the citizens of that country organize themselves and fight their own fight. I do not want to see more American Soldiers being brought back home in body bags. And is this the beginning of the third world war? As Ronald Reagan is so often quoted, but not in the same context...THERE THEY GO AGAIN!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
My thought for the day
The devistation from the Earthquake in Japan and the following events are incomprehensible. Complete devistations of communities there leaving thousands missing and presumably dead, buried at sea or under the water and debris of what is left. Uncountable injuries of the survivors overwhelming the hospitals that are trying to function without the necessary space, help and equipment and supplies. All of that while the uninjured survivors have minimal supplies of food, water and adequate disposal of human waste. The crematories are unable to service more than 18 bodies daily, while hundreds of other bodies remain unattended and without power are probably decomposing. I suspect that before enough "clean-up" and "restoration" are attained the survivors will be again devestated by bacterial and the effects of exposure to radiation. Truly the worst disaster the world has ever seen in my lifetime.
While Japan has been a leader in the use of nuclear power and has been as prepared as well as anything that is known, my question is "Does anyone think that the USA should continue to consider alleviating our shortage of power supply by building more nuclear energy plants?".
All of the unrest in the Middle East, especially Libya continues to put the pressure on to rely on more nuclear power. What should we consider worse, air quality from burning coal or radiation from damaged nuclear plant?
While we are waiting for OTHER sources of energy we should make it a priority to find alternative and multiple sources of energy. Why do we burn and bury household waste at the landfills. Could that be an additional source of energy? We must stop our reliance on the mideast for oil and discontinue contemplating adding more nuclear energy plants.
While Japan has been a leader in the use of nuclear power and has been as prepared as well as anything that is known, my question is "Does anyone think that the USA should continue to consider alleviating our shortage of power supply by building more nuclear energy plants?".
All of the unrest in the Middle East, especially Libya continues to put the pressure on to rely on more nuclear power. What should we consider worse, air quality from burning coal or radiation from damaged nuclear plant?
While we are waiting for OTHER sources of energy we should make it a priority to find alternative and multiple sources of energy. Why do we burn and bury household waste at the landfills. Could that be an additional source of energy? We must stop our reliance on the mideast for oil and discontinue contemplating adding more nuclear energy plants.
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Great Earth Quake
March 11, 2011
The world mourns today hearing of the most powerful earth quake that the world has ever seen and the greatest one ever recorded in Japan. Some stations are reporting it as an eight.2 while others are reporting it at 8.9 on the Richter scale. The day was spent watching for reports of the locations and devastation that the resulting tsunami might produce. So far Hawaii has seen some destruction from it which was reported to be traveling up to 600 miles per hour on the open sea. Anticipated locations were predicted to include the West Coast from California thru the coastal regions of Alaska. Reports have presumed hundreds of deaths have occurred in Japan, but so far only one death has been recorded off the coast of California. I would expect that the death toll in Japan will be in the thousands as more people are found or are missing. They continue to have strong after shocks at this time.
It seems that the past year has been a year of man made turmoil and natural disasters. Let us hope for a better season when spring comes Sunday morning.
The world mourns today hearing of the most powerful earth quake that the world has ever seen and the greatest one ever recorded in Japan. Some stations are reporting it as an eight.2 while others are reporting it at 8.9 on the Richter scale. The day was spent watching for reports of the locations and devastation that the resulting tsunami might produce. So far Hawaii has seen some destruction from it which was reported to be traveling up to 600 miles per hour on the open sea. Anticipated locations were predicted to include the West Coast from California thru the coastal regions of Alaska. Reports have presumed hundreds of deaths have occurred in Japan, but so far only one death has been recorded off the coast of California. I would expect that the death toll in Japan will be in the thousands as more people are found or are missing. They continue to have strong after shocks at this time.
It seems that the past year has been a year of man made turmoil and natural disasters. Let us hope for a better season when spring comes Sunday morning.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Great News Story
We all loved the other GOOD NEWS STORY of the homeless man with the Golden Voice, but todays Great News Story is about Scott Dangerfield, a 22 year old seventh grade teacher from Wisconsin.
He was chosen to be a contestant on American Idol. The judges loved him and he was chosen in the first round to go on to Hollywood. HE DROPPED OUT, citing his reason as fulfilling his obligation to the students in his class. A generous act.
But I think the cause he cites, while very generous is that his display of integrity. The best lesson he will ever have taught to his students is that it is more important to meet your obligations, than take the road to possible Fame and Fortune.
A good share of the news today is the demonstraters in the Wisconsin State Capitol, representing teachers as well as other who are becoming violent and is said to have made a death threat. Scott Dangerfield had less than five minutes in an interview.
Thank you to Scott Dangerfield and other teachers of his caliber.
He was chosen to be a contestant on American Idol. The judges loved him and he was chosen in the first round to go on to Hollywood. HE DROPPED OUT, citing his reason as fulfilling his obligation to the students in his class. A generous act.
But I think the cause he cites, while very generous is that his display of integrity. The best lesson he will ever have taught to his students is that it is more important to meet your obligations, than take the road to possible Fame and Fortune.
A good share of the news today is the demonstraters in the Wisconsin State Capitol, representing teachers as well as other who are becoming violent and is said to have made a death threat. Scott Dangerfield had less than five minutes in an interview.
Thank you to Scott Dangerfield and other teachers of his caliber.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Death Penalty
March 9, 2011
Today is an historic day in the State of Illinois as Governor Quinn abolished the death penalty affecting the reported 14 to 15 prisoners currently on Death Row. This following Governor Ryans 2000 moratorium and commuting 156 death sentences, eventually ending in 167, citing his reason as the law being arbitrary and capricious.*
I have always been opposed to the death penalty, believing that the law compelled the executioner('s) to break the law themselves. The first commandment is "Thou Shalt Not Kill".
I have always believed that to be truth, but in more recent years hearing of the molestation, murders and desecration of the little bodies of children, I have come to question and even oppose my previous thoughts on the subject.
Then other considerations are the convictions on circumstantial evidence, when in some cases a judge will rule out any contradictory evidence be heard. And although we have the newest tool in the tool box, DNA, it could be contaminated, improperly analyzed or in fact planted. Many death penalty cases have been overturned after conviction with the use of DNA.
Politically speaking, the Republican Party, the most Conservative Party seem to have the majority of Death Penalty Proponents.
Killing another person, taking the life of any person seems to me to conflict with the First Commandment, although the Apostle Paul has wavered to the side of custodial law. He might have a lot of 'splanin' to do on that one.
*Governor Ryan is currently serving time having been convicted on 18 counts of coruption in 2006. And the last Governor Rod Blagoivitch is now asking to be sentenced on the one count he has been convicted of, while a retrial for the numerous other counts are pending:)
Today is an historic day in the State of Illinois as Governor Quinn abolished the death penalty affecting the reported 14 to 15 prisoners currently on Death Row. This following Governor Ryans 2000 moratorium and commuting 156 death sentences, eventually ending in 167, citing his reason as the law being arbitrary and capricious.*
I have always been opposed to the death penalty, believing that the law compelled the executioner('s) to break the law themselves. The first commandment is "Thou Shalt Not Kill".
I have always believed that to be truth, but in more recent years hearing of the molestation, murders and desecration of the little bodies of children, I have come to question and even oppose my previous thoughts on the subject.
Then other considerations are the convictions on circumstantial evidence, when in some cases a judge will rule out any contradictory evidence be heard. And although we have the newest tool in the tool box, DNA, it could be contaminated, improperly analyzed or in fact planted. Many death penalty cases have been overturned after conviction with the use of DNA.
Politically speaking, the Republican Party, the most Conservative Party seem to have the majority of Death Penalty Proponents.
Killing another person, taking the life of any person seems to me to conflict with the First Commandment, although the Apostle Paul has wavered to the side of custodial law. He might have a lot of 'splanin' to do on that one.
*Governor Ryan is currently serving time having been convicted on 18 counts of coruption in 2006. And the last Governor Rod Blagoivitch is now asking to be sentenced on the one count he has been convicted of, while a retrial for the numerous other counts are pending:)
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Great Movie
I could say that my life is so boring I have nothing to blog about, but that would not be true. I have been very busy doing just things that I like to do and staying away from all that is controversal, the Middle East and Charlie Sheen:( And after writing 162,200 words (9876 lines)I need a break from that. So I'm crocheting, painting my little jelly jars, putting some of my paintings on Etsy.
I can hardly believe myself.....not a movie watcher....but this morning I spent watching a movie on Free Movies from Comcast On Demand. It was a Heart Warming Drama, most everyone has already seen it several times over (if you liked it). Kirk Douglas appeared in dual roles in it so it must be pretty old. The movie was so touching my eyes had tears just waiting to fall at the very end. The movie was The Man From Snowy River. Thank you Comcast, I give it five stars:)
I can hardly believe myself.....not a movie watcher....but this morning I spent watching a movie on Free Movies from Comcast On Demand. It was a Heart Warming Drama, most everyone has already seen it several times over (if you liked it). Kirk Douglas appeared in dual roles in it so it must be pretty old. The movie was so touching my eyes had tears just waiting to fall at the very end. The movie was The Man From Snowy River. Thank you Comcast, I give it five stars:)
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
March 1, 2011
March 1 2011
There is a report of a gas line explosion in a California city today. Reports say that an entire neighborhood was destroyed, killing eight people.
Jane Russell, a major movie star and vocalist of the early fifties died today at the age of eighty nine. I remember her picture was a cover on my school tablets, among other stars who graced the front pages of tablets in the fifties. She was also the first to be shown on television in advertisements of the Cross Your Heart Bras.
I just finished making five-eight ounce cups of Raspberry Jam, my favorite. Oh, well it’s a toss up between raspberry and blackberry. Only used ½ cup of sugar so it’s slightly tart – the way I love it. I used raw sugar as well, not processed whiteJ Good for my diet!
Am still working on transferring all of the folders I have on my story to one folder.
Is anyone listening to Charlie Sheen trying to justify his illegal and illicit actions? Can’t imagine why, but I don’t give a dam about his personal paranoid escapades. For Gods Sake…somebody get him a doctor! Then maybe we can let it go for awhile. I’m sick of seeing him being interview on every availableL
Looks like there has been a “win” in Wisconsin as 100 Dems came back across state lines and they came to somewhat of an agreement that is supposed to save the state some 5 Billion, but it is still not done as the Republicans say they are not done cutting yet.
A company here in Decatur went on strike nine months ago and the company just hired new employees, still there are about 20 union workers still picketing. But most have found other jobs. Nine months is a long time to live on unemployment insurance and union strike pay.
The temperature didn’t reach 55 today as expected, but it did get up to 50. Colder weather is slated for the rest of the week. I see that some folks in Ketchikan had 9 degrees last night. Very cold for Ketchikan.
There is a report of a gas line explosion in a California city today. Reports say that an entire neighborhood was destroyed, killing eight people.
Jane Russell, a major movie star and vocalist of the early fifties died today at the age of eighty nine. I remember her picture was a cover on my school tablets, among other stars who graced the front pages of tablets in the fifties. She was also the first to be shown on television in advertisements of the Cross Your Heart Bras.
I just finished making five-eight ounce cups of Raspberry Jam, my favorite. Oh, well it’s a toss up between raspberry and blackberry. Only used ½ cup of sugar so it’s slightly tart – the way I love it. I used raw sugar as well, not processed whiteJ Good for my diet!
Am still working on transferring all of the folders I have on my story to one folder.
Is anyone listening to Charlie Sheen trying to justify his illegal and illicit actions? Can’t imagine why, but I don’t give a dam about his personal paranoid escapades. For Gods Sake…somebody get him a doctor! Then maybe we can let it go for awhile. I’m sick of seeing him being interview on every availableL
Looks like there has been a “win” in Wisconsin as 100 Dems came back across state lines and they came to somewhat of an agreement that is supposed to save the state some 5 Billion, but it is still not done as the Republicans say they are not done cutting yet.
A company here in Decatur went on strike nine months ago and the company just hired new employees, still there are about 20 union workers still picketing. But most have found other jobs. Nine months is a long time to live on unemployment insurance and union strike pay.
The temperature didn’t reach 55 today as expected, but it did get up to 50. Colder weather is slated for the rest of the week. I see that some folks in Ketchikan had 9 degrees last night. Very cold for Ketchikan.
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