Secret Offshore Files. CT Gun Law. Roger Ebert. Doctors Don't Know About Drugs. 15-YO Invents Cancer Test. Save A Square. Minty Mice. Techie Cars. Common Sense. Text Auto Reply. Black Hawk War. US Enters WWI.

 

For “Summary Saturday”: News, Some New, Some Old:

Secret Files Expose Offshore's Global Impact

“Dozens of journalists sifted through millions of leaked records and thousands of names to produce ICIJ’s investigation into offshore secrecy

A cache of 2.5 million files has cracked open the secrets of more than 120,000 offshore companies and trusts, exposing hidden dealings of politicians, con men and the mega-rich the world over.

The secret records obtained by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists lay bare the names behind covert companies and private trusts in the British Virgin Islands, the Cook Islands and other offshore hideaways.

They include American doctors and dentists and middle-class Greek villagers as well as families and associates of long-time despots, Wall Street swindlers, Eastern European and Indonesian billionaires, Russian corporate executives, international arms dealers and a sham-director-fronted company that the European Union has labeled as a cog in Iran’s nuclear-development program.

The leaked files provide facts and figures — cash transfers, incorporation dates, links between companies and individuals — that illustrate how offshore financial secrecy has spread aggressively around the globe, allowing the wealthy and the well-connected to dodge taxes and fueling corruption and economic woes in rich and poor nations alike. The records detail the offshore holdings of people and companies in more than 170 countries and territories.”  More and video at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/offshore-companies-politicians_n_3008426.html

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Connecticut Passes Nation's Strictest Gun Law In Wake Of Sandy Hook Massacre

WASHINGTON -- “Both houses of the Connecticut legislature passed some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, approximately 100 days after 26 students and educators were shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/04/connecticut-gun-control-sandy-hook-law_n_3011625.html

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Roger Ebert dead: Film critic had the soul of a poet

“But in his words and in his life he displayed the soul of a poet whose passions and interests extended far beyond the darkened theaters where he spent so much of his professional life. The Pulitzer Prize-winning movie critic for the Chicago Sun-Times for more than 45 years and for more than three decades the co-host of one of the most powerful programs in television history (initially with the late Gene Siskel, the movie critic for the Chicago Tribune, and, following Siskel’s death in 1999, with his Sun-Times colleague Richard Roeper), Ebert died Thursday, according to a family friend. He was 70 years old.” More at: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-04-04/news/chi-roger-ebert-dead-20130404_1_roger-ebert-sun-times-colleague-richard-roeper-chicago-sun-times

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What doctors don't know about the drugs they prescribe

“When a new drug gets tested, the results of the trials should be published for the rest of the medical world -- except much of the time, negative or inconclusive findings go unreported, leaving doctors and researchers in the dark. In this impassioned talk, Ben Goldacre explains why these unreported instances of negative data are especially misleading and dangerous.”

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15-Year-Old Invents New Test for Early, Reliable Detection of Pancreatic Cancer

“Pancreatic cancer is a devastatingly fatal form of cancer, and is typically regarded as the most deadly and universally rapid-killing form of cancer

A 15-year-old freshman high school student, Jack Andraka, invented a dipstick-type sensor to detect pancreatic, ovarian, and lung cancer that is 168 times faster, 26,000 times less expensive, and 400 times more sensitive than the current standard of detection. The test costs three cents, takes five minutes, and has a 90 percent accuracy rate

His primary research tools were Google, Wikipedia, and freely available research studies—online resources available to virtually anyone on the planet with an internet connection

Three lifestyle issues known to contribute to pancreatic cancer are sugar/fructose consumption, lack of exercise, and vitamin D deficiency.”      Complete article at: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/03/04/andraka-new-pancreatic-cancer-test.aspx

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My 3 Cents 0n Cancer: Jack Andraka at TEDxSanJoseCAWomen 

“Jack is a fifteen year old freshman in high school. He developed a paper sensor that could detect pancreatic, ovarian and lung cancer in five minutes for as little as 3 cents. He conducted his research at John Hopkins University. This research could change the face of cancer and promote early detection. He has been selected as the Intel 2012 ISEF winner and has won awards at multiple national and international math competitions.”

 

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Share And Save A Square Launches In April

“The first day that the post appeared, more than 400 people shared, saving the equivalent of New York micro apartment.

"We are thrilled to be teaming up with GreaterGood again to help protect our rainforests," said Jessica Arinella, who produces the award-winning What You Can Do web series and the Unstoppable Minute with her sister Alicia. "We were hoping to have an impact by Earth Day, and are so excited to already be making a difference. To us New Yorkers, a micro apartment is a very big deal"

Rather than housing one New Yorker, Arinella pointed out that 400 square feet of rainforest can provide a home for hundreds of species, from the smallest butterfly to towering trees.

To save a square of rainforest land today, just go The Rainforest Site's Facebook page and share this post.”

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Mint: Good for Mojitos and Mouse Prevention

“Mint. It’s good for mojitos, but did you know it’s also good for mouse prevention?
Mice are pervasive. Despite your best efforts to keep them out of your home, they manage to skirt traps, scale walls and breed faster than you can blink.  The good news is that there’s a better alternative to toxic baits and violent traps, and it happens to be a pleasant addition to many adult beverages: mint.   Mojito recipe    View the slideshow to learn how to reduce rodent invasions at:  https://brightnest.com/posts/mint-good-for-mojitos-and-mouse-prevention

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Six tech features that should be standard in every new car

“Air bags, antilock brakes, and stability control. CD players, power locks and windows, and air conditioning. These are all features that at some point were optional (and sometimes costly) in vehicles, but over time we've come to expect them in every new car on the road -- whether that's due to legislation or changing buyer tastes. As cars continue to evolve, so grow our expectations of what should be included in the sticker price. I've rounded up a few optional car tech features that I'd like to see make the jump to being standard equipment.”  More at: http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-57570181-48/six-tech-features-that-should-be-standard-in-every-new-car/

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When to Ignore Common Sense, by Dr. Andrew Weil

“Human beings have survived for millennia because most of us make good decisions about our health most of the time. These decisions are usually based on common sense, defined by the American Heritage dictionary as: "Sound judgment not based on specialized knowledge."

However, common sense can also lead one astray. As an anonymous philosopher noted, "Common sense is the sense that tells you the world is flat." Sometimes a person can't make a sound judgment without specialized knowledge.

With that in mind, here are three widespread beliefs about healthy living that may seem to be based on common sense but that research has revealed to be either partially or entirely wrong.   More at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/health-myths_b_2966854.html

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The Biggest Scams Threatening Your Health!

“Television's top investigative reporters and Dr. Oz expose the biggest scams threatening your health. Are you being ripped off? Refrigerated trucks not working, health insurance not paying, etc.     From spoiled food on grocery store shelves to what’s really lurking in your hotel bed, see how to outsmart scammers.”      Videos at: http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/biggest-scams-threatening-your-health?video=17953

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“FYI...There is a little app out there called "TEXT ANSWERING MACHINE". It is free, the paid version is like $2. It detects if you are moving over 10 MPH and automatically (if set that way) sends a text to the person trying to text you. My message reads "I cannot read your text now, I am diving. If this is an emergency call me, I will call back, if not I will reply when I am not driving." I recommend this for you, your family and your friends. I believe it is safer to answer a call than try to read or reply to a text when driving.”

Safest Text Auto Reply, It can wait!

“Communication is important to all of us, increasingly so with our text messages.
You can now safely auto reply to text messages with this best in class app which keeps it SIMPLE, light weight, easy to use!
Whether you're in a movie, driving, or just tired of people bothering you - you can give your phone a rest without feeling bad. The easy to use timer will also help you to shut it off at the right time - keeping you in control of your phone and how and when you actively communicate.
With Safest Text(SMS) Auto Reply you will be able to answer all incoming text messages automatically with a custom reply message that you create.” More at: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.client.SMSAnsweringMachine&hl=en

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On This Day:

Black Hawk War begins, Apr 6, 1832:

“Determined to resist the growing presence of Anglo settlers on traditional tribal lands, the Sauk warrior Black Hawk is drawn into war with the United States.

Called Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak by his people, Black Hawk was born in 1767 in the village of Saukenuk in the present-day state of Illinois. He quickly earned a reputation as a fierce and courageous fighter in the frequent skirmishes between the Sauk and their principle enemy, the Osage. By the early 1800s, however, Black Hawk began to realize that the real threat to his people was the rapidly growing numbers of white people streaming into the region.

In 1804, representatives of the Sauk and Fox (Mesquakie) Indians signed a treaty that ceded all of their territory east of the Mississippi River to the United States. Black Hawk, however, maintained the treaty was invalid and had been signed by drunken Indian representatives. In 1816, he reluctantly confirmed the treaty with his own signature, but he later said he did not understand that this meant he would someday have to cede his home village of Saukenuk on the Rock River.

As the U.S. Army built more forts and droves of settlers moved into the territory during the next 15 years, Black Hawk grew increasingly angry. Finally, in 1831, settlers began to occupy the village of Saukenuk, an area that would later become Rock Island, Illinois. Regardless of the provisions of the 1804 treaty, Black Hawk refused to leave his own home. He began to prepare for war.

Early in 1832, General Edmund P. Gaines arrived in the area with a sizeable force of U.S. soldiers and Illinois militiamen. Initially, Black Hawk withdrew his large band of warriors, women, and children to the west side of the Mississippi. On April 5, however, he led them back into the disputed territory, believing that other Indian forces and the British to the north would support him in a confrontation. The following day, a large army of soldiers caught up to Black Hawk and his followers near the Rock River of northern Illinois. When neither the British nor his Indian allies came to his support, Black Hawk attempted to surrender. Unfortunately, one of his truce bearers was killed in the confusion, and the Black Hawk War began.

In May, Black Hawk's warriors won a significant victory that left the Americans badly demoralized. As subsequent generations of Indian fighters would learn, however, the mighty force of the U.S. government was relentless. On August 2, U.S. soldiers nearly annihilated Black Hawk's band as it attempted to escape west across the Mississippi, and Black Hawk finally surrendered.

Casualties in the 15-week war were grossly one-sided. An estimated 70 settlers or soldiers lost their lives; estimates for the number of Indians killed are between 442 and 592. Black Hawk was captured and incarcerated for a time in Fortress Monroe, Virginia. In order to demonstrate the futility of further resistance to the powerful Americans, Black Hawk was taken on a tour of the major eastern cities before being relocated to an Iowa Indian agency. He lived the remaining six years of his life under the supervision of a Sauk chief who had once been his enemy. Unlike Black Hawk, the Sauk chief had cooperated with the United States government.”

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America enters World War I, Apr 6, 1917:

“Two days after the U.S. Senate voted 82 to 6 to declare war against Germany, the U.S. House of Representatives endorses the declaration by a vote of 373 to 50, and America formally enters World War I.

When World War I erupted in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson pledged neutrality for the United States, a position that the vast majority of Americans favored. Britain, however, was one of America's closest trading partners, and tension soon arose between the United States and Germany over the latter's attempted quarantine of the British Isles. Several U.S. ships traveling to Britain were damaged or sunk by German mines, and in February 1915 Germany announced unrestricted warfare against all ships, neutral or otherwise, that entered the war zone around Britain. One month later, Germany announced that a German cruiser had sunk the William P. Frye, a private American vessel. President Wilson was outraged, but the German government apologized and called the attack an unfortunate mistake.

On May 7, the British-owned Lusitania ocean liner was torpedoed without warning just off the coast of Ireland. Of the 1,959 passengers, 1,198 were killed, including 128 Americans. The German government maintained that the Lusitania was carrying munitions, but the U.S. demanded reparations and an end to German attacks on unarmed passenger and merchant ships. In August, Germany pledged to see to the safety of passengers before sinking unarmed vessels, but in November sunk an Italian liner without warning, killing 272 people, including 27 Americans. With these attacks, public opinion in the United States began to turn irrevocably against Germany.

In 1917, Germany, determined to win its war of attrition against the Allies, announced the resumption of unrestricted warfare in war-zone waters. Three days later, the United States broke diplomatic relations with Germany, and just hours after that the American liner Housatonic was sunk by a German U-boat. On February 22, Congress passed a $250 million arms appropriations bill intended to make the United States ready for war. In late March, Germany sunk four more U.S. merchant ships, and on April 2 President Wilson appeared before Congress and called for a declaration of war against Germany. Four days later, his request was granted.

On June 26, the first 14,000 U.S. infantry troops landed in France to begin training for combat. After four years of bloody stalemate along the western front, the entrance of America's well-supplied forces into the conflict marked a major turning point in the war and helped the Allies to victory. When the war finally ended, on November 11, 1918, more than two million American soldiers had served on the battlefields of Western Europe, and some 50,000 of them had lost their lives.”

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Yesterday:

Misty and I had our walk down at Jay’s when we picked him up.  Jay and I tried to put the new metal detector together, but the extension would not clip on it, so we had to use it bent over all morning. 

The metal detector picks up all kinds of metals, so we set it to ‘iron’, but it wasn’t as easy as we thought it would be.  Being detector ‘newbies’ didn't help.  After a lot of beeping and digging around to try to find the front survey stake between Lots 1 and 2 for a long time, we went to the one in the back yard, as it would be in a smaller search area.  After digging up some of my aloe plants, we finally found it.  We measured down to where the front stake should be, but as that line is at an angle, it could be anywhere to the left or right.  We measured across from the stake between Lots 2 and 3, but that line is in an arch, so we could be high or low.

Unfortunately, the other front stake in Ray’s yard, Lot 1, has been hidden, or gone, for some time, so we couldn’t find it.   We measured from the one in his back yard to get a rough idea where his front one should be.  I think the subdivision mowers might have moved it, or run it down, even though it had some PVC pipe around it.  

We really need to find that front stake between Lots 1 and 2, as that line goes right through where my RVport used to be, and I want to build a garden shed for lawnmowers and such, in that area. Right now, Ray shares my garden shed, but that property needs to have it’s own shed.  We happened across that front stake about a year ago, and drove some PVC pipe around it, but the rain and driving vehicles over it, has hidden it very well.

After digging around in my front yard for ages and not finding it, we gave up for the day.