Posts from — July 2014

The Declaration of Independence

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security…

Independence wasn’t really achieved until September 3, 1783 when Britain signed the Treaty of Paris, and, to be factual, our current government only dates from March 4, 1789 when the first government under our Constitution was installed.

Liberty was not extended to all men until December 6, 1865 with ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery, nor were women given the one of the most important rights of men until August 26, 1920 with the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment recognizing their votes.

In truth, until July 2, 1964 when Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law, there was no mechanism to force government to recognize the rights of all American citizens.

The national security establishment and religious whackoes on the Supreme Court are eroding the rights hard won over the last 230+ years.

Position: 34.9N 76.4W [11PM CDT 0400 UTC].
Movement: Northeast [035°] near 18 mph [30 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 100 mph [160 kph].
Wind Gusts: 115 mph [185 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 150 miles [240 km].
Hurricane Wind Radius: 40 miles [ 65 km].
Minimum central pressure: 976 mb ↓.

Currently about 50 miles [ 80 km] West-Southwest of Cape Hatteras and 20 miles [30 km] North-Northeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the coast of North Carolina from Surf City to the Virginia border including the Pamlico and eastern Albemarle Sounds.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Cape Fear to Surf City, North Carolina; Western Albemarle Sound; North Carolina/Virginia border to Cape Charles Light including the mouth of Chesapeake Bay; Nantucket Island; and Cape Cod from Provincetown to Chatham.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for New Brunswick from the US border to Grand-anse; Nova Scotia including Cape Breton Island; and Prince Edward Island.

Arthur is gaining strength and speed which is not good news for people on the barrier islands in North Carolina. The storm attained Category 2 strength at 8PM CDT.

The Storm is making landfall at Cape Lookout, North Carolina at 10PM CDT.

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.]

There is a short break with the Quarter Final matches taking place on Friday and Saturday. The first team mentioned in a match is considered the ‘home team’ which gives them the right to wear their home kit/uniform. The visitors have to wear their away kit if there is a conflict as in Brazil v. Colombia.

Matches:

July Fourth:
France [The Blues] v. Germany [The Team]
Brazil [The Little Canaries] v. Colombia [The Coffee Guys]

July Fifth:
Argentina [The White & Sky Blues] v. Belgium [The Red Devils]
Netherlands [The Orange] v. Costa Rica [The Team]

I’m cheering for Germany, Colombia, and the Netherlands for heritage/family reasons, and Belgium because it dulls the pain of the US loss if Belgium shows they are really good.

Position: 30.6N 79.1W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: North [360°] near 8 mph [13 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 70 mph [110 kph].
Wind Gusts: 85 mph [135 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 90 miles [150 km].
Minimum central pressure: 988 mb ↓.

Currently about 380 miles [ 610 km] Southwest of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

A Hurricane Warning is in effect for the coast of North Carolina from Surf City to Duck including the Pamlico and eastern Albemarle Sounds.

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for Little River Inlet to Surf City, North Carolina.

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for South Santee River, South Carolina to Surf City, North Carolina; Western Albemarle Sound; and Duck, North Carolina to Cape Charles Light, Virginia.

This is not good news to the North Carolina tourist bureau hoping for a profitable Fourth of July weekend [cue the Jaws theme].

The storm could become a Hurricane at any time with a minimum of strengthening.

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.]

Both of today’s games were scoreless ties at the end of 90 minutes and ended when the team with the best conditioning finally got through the defense of the other team in Extra Time.

The Final Results:

Argentina 1-0 Switzerland

Belgium 2-1 US

The first game looked like it was destined for a shootout when Argentina finally found the goal with only 2 minutes left in Extra Time. Several attempts by the Swiss to equalize were just slightly off, but a ‘a miss is as good as a mile’. Both teams gave the effort everything they had and Argentina had more.

In the other game, US goalie Tim Howard entered the World Cup record books with the most saves in a single game, 16. Unfortunately, Belgium made 18 shots on target.

Belgium scored two minutes into the Extra Time and a second 11 minutes later. US substitute Julian Green playing in his first World Cup game netted the ball the first time it came his way, but that was the end of scoring.

In this World Cup conditioning, the ability to play in the heat for extended periods seems to be the most important element.

Position: 27.0N 79.2W [10PM CDT 0300 UTC].
Movement: North [360°] near 2 mph [ 4 kph].
Maximum sustained winds: 50 mph [ 85 kph].
Wind Gusts: 60 mph [ 95 kph].
Tropical Storm Wind Radius: 70 miles [110 km].
Minimum central pressure: 1003 mb.

Currently about 90 miles [ 145 km] East-Southeast of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the East coast of Florida from Fort Pierce to Flagler Beach.

Invest 91 finally developed enough to be classified as a Tropical depression early this morning. It is forecast to begin moving up the Atlantic coast over the warm water of the Gulf Stream.

Declared a Tropical Storm at 10AM CDT.

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.]

La fête du
Canada
Day

Thank you for not yet building a fence along your southern or western border, and for brewing great beer.

Schedule of Ottawa events and some background.