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2012 September — Why Now?
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Posts from — September 2012

Holy Pasta Week

Flying Spaghetti Monster

The Day of His Noodly Appendage

The holiest of holidays for Pastafarians, is of course the birthday of His Most Holy Prophet, Marco Polo (b. Sept 15, 1254), who brought the word of his Noodly Appendage back from the East. As Talk Like A Pirate Day falls on September 19th, this five-day period constitutes Holy Pasta Week, during which spaghetti is consumed liberally. With a nice Chianti until the last day when it’s grog for all.

September 15, 2012   6 Comments

Total Meltdown

People keeping writing about the Mittster ‘jumping the shark’. ‘Jumping the shark’ would have been a triumph compared to what he did – he slammed right into the sucker and his staff keep chumming the waters to bring in more and bigger sharks.

Of course his major problem is that the only way to recover from his ill-advised comments would have been the one thing that he can’t do – apologize.

Even NPR is on his case with Tom Gjelten providing a background piece, Romney’s Critiques Of Obama Like Reagan’s Of Carter that points out that Reagan’s ‘get tough’ policy resulted in the death of 241 American service members in the Beirut barracks bombing.

Seizing their opportunity, McClatchy reports China calls Romney’s accusations ‘as false as they are foolish’.

There is a possibility that Romney’s foreign policy might make diplomatic personnel safer – right after the number of embassies is reduced to one in Israel, and immigration probably won’t be a problem after Mexico and Canada close their borders.

The main obstacle to the Republicans winning the White House is their candidate. They might have beaten Zero, but I don’t see how they get around the Mittster. Face it, he is making Rick Perry look Presidential by comparison.

September 15, 2012   23 Comments

Hurricane Nadine – Day 4

Hurricane NadinePosition: 28.8N 53.4W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: North-Northeast [025°] near 14 mph [22 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 75 mph [120 kph].
Wind Gusts: 85 mph [135 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 230 Miles [370 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 35 miles [ 55 km].
Minimum central pressure: 985 mb ↓.

Currently about 725 miles [1170 km] East of Bermuda.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 14, 2012   Comments Off on Hurricane Nadine – Day 4

Friday Cat Blogging

New Arrivals

Friday Cat Blogging

You looking at me?

[Editor: Two more ‘tuxedos’ and a blue and white have shown up this week. The group is growing from a very low point.]

Friday Ark

September 14, 2012   7 Comments

Tropical Storm Nadine – Day 3

Tropical Storm NadinePosition: 25.0N 53.7W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: North-Northwest [330°] near 15 mph [24 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 70 mph [110 kph].
Wind Gusts: 85 mph [135 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 230 Miles [370 km].
Minimum central pressure: 989 mb ↓.

Currently about 840 miles [1350 km] Southeast of Bermuda.

The storm is dealing with moderate wind shear and dry air, but is still expected to become a hurricane.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 13, 2012   Comments Off on Tropical Storm Nadine – Day 3

The Chicago Teachers Strike

First off, I was a member of a public employees union that went on strike. I was a strike captain for my unit, and after the strike I was elected Treasurer of the local chapter.

Now, let’s see about correcting some of the lies being propagated by the M$M.

The basic fact that people need to understand is that no public employees union has ever gone out on strike for a pay raise. People know going in that the pay is lousy compared to the private sector, so they aren’t going through the aggravation and penalties of a strike over pay. The local governments always say that it is about pay and the workers are greedy, but that is to deflect scrutiny from what they are really doing.

The M$M always runs with the lie because the negotiators aren’t allowed to talk to the press about the issues, and all of the major officials of the union are involved in the negotiations. The government has separate people to do their negotiating, so government officials are available to comment about things they are technically not supposed to know until the negotiations are over and there is an agreement to be ratified by both sides.

I have seen ignorant journalists saying that the teachers don’t care about taxpayers. Excuse me, but there is no ’employee discount’ when you work for the government – teachers and all other government workers pay the same taxes at the same rate as everyone else. When someone says “I pay your salary” to a government worker the proper response is “Well, we have that in common.”

[Read more →]

September 12, 2012   2 Comments

Tropical Storm Nadine – Day 2

Tropical Storm NadinePosition: 20.7N 50.1W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: Northwest [305°] near 16 mph [26 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 70 mph [110 kph].
Wind Gusts: 85 mph [135 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 125 Miles [205 km].
Minimum central pressure: 990 mb ↓.

Currently about 820 miles [1320 km] East-Northeast of the Lesser Antilles.

The current forecast has Nadine becoming a hurricane, but staying in the central Atlantic for the next few days. After that it may recurve and head for the Azores.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 12, 2012   Comments Off on Tropical Storm Nadine – Day 2

Tropical Storm Nadine

Tropical Storm NadinePosition: 17.8N 45.2W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West-Northwest [300°] near 15 mph [24 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph [ 65 kph].
Wind Gusts: 50 mph [ 80 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 35 Miles [ 55 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1004 mb ↓.

Currently about 1080 miles [1735 km] East of the Lesser Antilles.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 11, 2012   5 Comments

Post-Tropical Cyclone Michael – Day 8

Post-Tropical Cyclone MichaelPosition: 41.4N 45.6W [ 4PM CDT 2100 UTC].
Movement: North-Northeast [025°] near 31 mph [50 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 40 mph [ 65 kph].
Wind Gusts: 55 mph [ 90 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 80 Miles [130 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1000 mb.

Currently about 1025 miles [1650 km] West-Northwest of the Azores.

Michael is falling apart and will probably become a remnant low later today.

Michael was declared a remnant low at 4PM CDT. This is the final NHC advisory.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 11, 2012   Comments Off on Post-Tropical Cyclone Michael – Day 8

Post-Tropical Cyclone Leslie – Day 12

Post-Tropical Cyclone LesliePosition: 49.4N 53.6W [10AM CDT 1500 UTC].
Movement: North-Northeast [030°] near 45 mph [72 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 70 mph [110 kph].
Wind Gusts: 85 mph [135 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 345 miles [555 km].
Minimum central pressure: 968 mb ↓.

Currently about 130 miles [ 210 km] North-Northwest of St Johns, Newfoundland.

After meandering for 10 days, Leslie stomped on the accelerator yesterday afternoon and came ashore near St Pierre, Newfoundland this morning as a maximum tropical storm with hurricane-force wind gusts.

The increase in speed was part of the transition to a post-tropical cyclone, and this is the final NHC advisory on the storm.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Stones Cove to Charlottetown, Newfoundland.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Indian Harbour to Triton, Newfoundland.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 11, 2012   Comments Off on Post-Tropical Cyclone Leslie – Day 12

In Memoriam

September 11th, 2001

NYC, VA, PA

September 11, 2012   6 Comments

Hurricane Michael – Day 8

Hurricane MichaelPosition: 35.3N 48.0W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: North-Northwest [345°] near 13 mph [20 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 75 mph [120 kph].
Wind Gusts: 90 mph [145 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 80 Miles [130 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 25 miles [ 35 km].
Minimum central pressure: 989 mb.

Currently about 1175 miles [1895 km] West of the Azores.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 10, 2012   Comments Off on Hurricane Michael – Day 8

Tropical Storm Leslie – Day 11

Tropical Storm LesliePosition: 42.7N 57.5W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: North-Northeast [025°] near 40 mph [65 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 70 mph [110 kph].
Wind Gusts: 80 mph [130 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 205 miles [335 km].
Minimum central pressure: 988 mb.

Currently about 350 miles [ 565 km] Southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect from Stones Cove to Charlottetown, Newfoundland.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect from Indian Harbour to Triton, Newfoundland.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 10, 2012   Comments Off on Tropical Storm Leslie – Day 11

Hurricane Michael – Day 7

Hurricane MichaelPosition: 33.6N 44.4W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: West [265°] near 6 mph [ 9 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 85 mph [140 kph].
Wind Gusts: 105 mph [170 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 80 Miles [130 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 25 miles [ 40 km].
Minimum central pressure: 983 mb ↑.

Currently about 1020 miles [1640 km] West-Southwest of the Azores.

Here’s the link for NOAA’s latest satellite images.

[For the latest information click on the storm symbol, or go to the CATEGORIES drop-down box below the CALENDAR and select “Hurricanes” for all of the posts related to storms on this site.]

September 9, 2012   Comments Off on Hurricane Michael – Day 7