Thirty elements divided into the Lanthanide and Actinide Series. Never heard of any on the first list and only Uranium and Plutonium on the second list. And depending on your source anywhere upwards of 75% of the world's supply can be found in Inner Mongolia and controlled by the Chinese who say their goal is to attract high tech manufacturing to the area, not to dominate the market. Right.
Sample comments: "The industry aims to enact an annual export quota of 35,000 tons and perhaps ban at least five types." or "We do not focus on short-term gains in rare-earth prices." or "It will certainly highlight to the world that these metals are strategic."
Rare earth is used in computers, mobile phones, high-density magnets, low-energy light bulbs, computer disk drives, electric motors, lasers and catalytic converters. However, they have gained importance with the expansion of the hybrid car industry as tiny amounts of rare-earth metals can drastically improve battery performance.
In the U.S. concentrates are significantly mined in Mountain Pass, California. Japan is developing alternative sources in Kazakhstan and Vietnam. Western Australia has also developed a project. Bottom line, however, is that China accounts for 95% of global production, about 60% of consumption according to the U.S. Geological Survey and it supplies more than 90 per cent of rare earths used by U.S. industry.
It is easy to see the economic effect of this resource located strategically in one place with what we might call other piddling supplies.
Not sure that you have found this interesting, but for most of us I trust it's never a wasted day if we get a good laugh and learn something. We'll add a little more detail later because it appears that this is beginning to get more media attention.
See you tomorrow-
God bless............
Monday, September 14, 2009
Saturday, September 12, 2009
OUTLAW PIT BULLS!!!!
Parade Magazine has done it again. Written a piece on a subject which really sets me on edge and I'll tell you why. They made it look like there are as many pros as cons about these animals. The following is a statement I made to our County Commission in May of 2005:
"At approximately 5:00 PM Saturday, April 30, 2005, I heard my dog barking at the back door. I remember thinking he was really excited about something since he usually just barks once and waits for me to let him in.
When I opened the door I saw two pit bulls in full attack mode and my 115# Bouvier on the floor of the deck trying to get away. It looked like they were working in tandem with one at each ear and head area.
A young female teen and a younger boy were screaming at them to stop. The girl asked me to get a board or something and I got a s x 2 from the garage about 3.5' long. She hit the dog so hard it actually broke in half. I took one piece and she the other, but we could not get them off Kelly, who was "screaming" in fear and pain. (This sounds calm as I read it, but there was a lot of screaming and yelling from us and no, I didn't even think of calling 911. This was happening "now.")
I cannot even guess how events transpired from then on. I slipped in the blood on the deck. I ended up barefoot (had been wearing slippers) somewhere along the line. I sustained bite marks on my left forearm and index finger and have bruising on my right hand and both legs. I picked up a small wrought iron table and hit the dogs on the back, but that only resulted in one letting go while the other continued the attack and vice versa.
The entire incident lasted about 15 minutes. Twice the young girl went into my kitchen to try to call her father. She kept apologizing and said her brother had accidentally let the dogs out. Mr. _______ finally showed up and was able to get the dogs away from Kelly.
I immediately took Kelly to our vet, Dr. Schrauben on Spring Arbor Road. The surgery lasted over 3 hours Sunday morning (delayed because of blood loss and general trauma) which resulted in 150-200 stitches plus multiple puncture wounds with resulting deep tissue wounds. I believe his prognosis might be considered guarded--we do not know whether Kelly will survive at this time.
Note: Our back yard is fenced in with a walk through gate which swings inward so Kelly can't get out. Kelly is deaf so we have great fear of him getting away and closely monitor his activities."
We were able to bring Kelly home after 11 days in a private area at the vet's clinic where we visited him and lay on the floor to keep him company. He still had weeping wounds when we brought him home, but he survived another 2 years and died at age 11, which isn't bad for a big guy. Why am I telling you this? Because if you ever hear a discussion about pit bulls, remember this and then compound it with the fact that those animals are responsible for over half the deaths by dog attack in this country.
Deliver this country from the likes of Obama's latest Czar who believes animals should be allowed to sue humans.
We'll get back to rare earth later.
God bless us all, and by the way, Go Blue!
"At approximately 5:00 PM Saturday, April 30, 2005, I heard my dog barking at the back door. I remember thinking he was really excited about something since he usually just barks once and waits for me to let him in.
When I opened the door I saw two pit bulls in full attack mode and my 115# Bouvier on the floor of the deck trying to get away. It looked like they were working in tandem with one at each ear and head area.
A young female teen and a younger boy were screaming at them to stop. The girl asked me to get a board or something and I got a s x 2 from the garage about 3.5' long. She hit the dog so hard it actually broke in half. I took one piece and she the other, but we could not get them off Kelly, who was "screaming" in fear and pain. (This sounds calm as I read it, but there was a lot of screaming and yelling from us and no, I didn't even think of calling 911. This was happening "now.")
I cannot even guess how events transpired from then on. I slipped in the blood on the deck. I ended up barefoot (had been wearing slippers) somewhere along the line. I sustained bite marks on my left forearm and index finger and have bruising on my right hand and both legs. I picked up a small wrought iron table and hit the dogs on the back, but that only resulted in one letting go while the other continued the attack and vice versa.
The entire incident lasted about 15 minutes. Twice the young girl went into my kitchen to try to call her father. She kept apologizing and said her brother had accidentally let the dogs out. Mr. _______ finally showed up and was able to get the dogs away from Kelly.
I immediately took Kelly to our vet, Dr. Schrauben on Spring Arbor Road. The surgery lasted over 3 hours Sunday morning (delayed because of blood loss and general trauma) which resulted in 150-200 stitches plus multiple puncture wounds with resulting deep tissue wounds. I believe his prognosis might be considered guarded--we do not know whether Kelly will survive at this time.
Note: Our back yard is fenced in with a walk through gate which swings inward so Kelly can't get out. Kelly is deaf so we have great fear of him getting away and closely monitor his activities."
We were able to bring Kelly home after 11 days in a private area at the vet's clinic where we visited him and lay on the floor to keep him company. He still had weeping wounds when we brought him home, but he survived another 2 years and died at age 11, which isn't bad for a big guy. Why am I telling you this? Because if you ever hear a discussion about pit bulls, remember this and then compound it with the fact that those animals are responsible for over half the deaths by dog attack in this country.
Deliver this country from the likes of Obama's latest Czar who believes animals should be allowed to sue humans.
We'll get back to rare earth later.
God bless us all, and by the way, Go Blue!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Rare Earth - Not the Rock Group
A couple of weeks ago I ran across an article about rare earth elements, over 90% of which can be found in Mongolia/China with smaller amounts in Australia, the U. S. and small pockets around the world. The supply and location is super important given the need for their use in electronics and particularly batteries now that the automotive use is coming on strong. Teeny tiny, itsy bitsy pieces (my word for sub particles and all the scientific jargon that goes along with it) can make a battery last a lot longer.
This is just a teaser. The political implications worldwide are huge as is obvious, so I've picked up a few articles which I'll try to put together for the weekend's posts. Hope you find it as fascinating as I have.
If any of you have any comments as to this topic, I'd sure appreciate hearing about your interest so we can try to cover the subject.
Have a good weekend-
God bless..........
This is just a teaser. The political implications worldwide are huge as is obvious, so I've picked up a few articles which I'll try to put together for the weekend's posts. Hope you find it as fascinating as I have.
If any of you have any comments as to this topic, I'd sure appreciate hearing about your interest so we can try to cover the subject.
Have a good weekend-
God bless..........
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Self Imposed Censorship
Apparently the major liberal media outlets have done just that. We don't have to worry about censorship from the government because the media have beat them to it. Partners in crime, as it were.
I never in a million years thought I would be thankful for Rupert Murdoch. When I first heard of him I thought "tabloid." And I couldn't believe or imagine what he intended to do with my beloved WALL STREET JOURNAL. However, the integrity and complete coverage is still there, so not to worry. And if it weren't for Fox News we'd be blissful in our ignorance.
It is, however, scary when we consider that the powers that be are still working on their Fairness Doctrine issue and if we're not careful will succeed. We cannot afford to let that happen, so it's incumbent on those of us who care to mention it now and then so folks don't become complacent.
Remember when George H.W. was described as using "fuzzy math?" Well, last night certainly demonstrated that Democrats are outstanding in that area surpassing anything we may have seen so far. He was lying, as the man from South Carolina brought up, since denying anyone in this country anything that is supplied to all citizens according to the Constitution. As a Constitutional educator he had to know that. He feigned surprise rather well, however.
As far as "not a dime" added to the debt or deficit (his first promise was not a dime in new taxes) that math isn't even recognizable it's so fuzzy. And the list goes on. This is not only frustrating, but as I said a few days ago, this whole administration is heartbreaking.
God bless...........
I never in a million years thought I would be thankful for Rupert Murdoch. When I first heard of him I thought "tabloid." And I couldn't believe or imagine what he intended to do with my beloved WALL STREET JOURNAL. However, the integrity and complete coverage is still there, so not to worry. And if it weren't for Fox News we'd be blissful in our ignorance.
It is, however, scary when we consider that the powers that be are still working on their Fairness Doctrine issue and if we're not careful will succeed. We cannot afford to let that happen, so it's incumbent on those of us who care to mention it now and then so folks don't become complacent.
Remember when George H.W. was described as using "fuzzy math?" Well, last night certainly demonstrated that Democrats are outstanding in that area surpassing anything we may have seen so far. He was lying, as the man from South Carolina brought up, since denying anyone in this country anything that is supplied to all citizens according to the Constitution. As a Constitutional educator he had to know that. He feigned surprise rather well, however.
As far as "not a dime" added to the debt or deficit (his first promise was not a dime in new taxes) that math isn't even recognizable it's so fuzzy. And the list goes on. This is not only frustrating, but as I said a few days ago, this whole administration is heartbreaking.
God bless...........
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Heads Will Roll Over Health Care?
I'm putting this up at 5:00 because I don't want to forget it when it's time to talk about "the speech" later. Just my opinion, guys, but if I were the President I would look directly at all the appropriate Cabinet members and Czars sooner rather than later and FIRE them! With all that fire power, pun intended, wouldn't you think they would be smarter than to leave him twisting in the wind as he's doing this evening?
They had all the advantages: they went to school on Clinton's putt, they have myriads of avenues to get information and support, they have a president who won with a majority (Clinton didn't, remember?) and last, they have what should be a winning issue if it's handled right but they have squandered all their assets.
The other observation on "the speech" is again my opinion, which I predict he wouldn't do in a million years: he should apologize. Were he to apologize to his adoring public for underestimating their ability to study and understand an issue and tell them that he will do better for them from this day on, they would be eating out of his hand. But he won't. His arrogance won't let him. All those Democrat legislators who were elected on his coattails have not served him well as yes men.
See you later.
Well, it's later and nothing much has changed. Same song, some different words that mean the same thing as the old. So everyone will be mandated to buy insurance. Still no penalty if they don't. Tort reform? Try a few "tests" in a few locations. Save all the money necessary through efficiency and eliminating fraud, etc. Right-- When has that ever happened in a government program? No funds for abortion? From his mouth to God's ears, but not the guys who are writing the bill. (It may have had more credibility if he said he wouldn't sign a bill with that provision.) Saying that state universities show us how to save money and using subsidy in the same sentence certainly was an exercise in futility. He'll listen to any legitimate concerns....who defines legitimate? He wants to provide a choice to the uninsured--how about providing insurance?
Still playing the blame game. His inherited debt problem--never mind that he doubled it in about 6 months. It must be in the genes of Democrats to play that game. Saying he was going to save all that money being wasted in Medicare can pay for the whole program. Now how's that for putting lipstick on a pig? All doctors and nurses support his plan. Bald faced lie!
Mr. Obama, you are going to call out Republicans? Well, I'm calling you out! Tell the truth and quit talking down to the American public. We get it.
Aside-did you see the absolutely stunning photos from the Hubble telescope? The only possible response is Praise the Lord! No way could "collections of galaxies" and absolute beauty be the result of a random big bang. No way.
God bless...........
They had all the advantages: they went to school on Clinton's putt, they have myriads of avenues to get information and support, they have a president who won with a majority (Clinton didn't, remember?) and last, they have what should be a winning issue if it's handled right but they have squandered all their assets.
The other observation on "the speech" is again my opinion, which I predict he wouldn't do in a million years: he should apologize. Were he to apologize to his adoring public for underestimating their ability to study and understand an issue and tell them that he will do better for them from this day on, they would be eating out of his hand. But he won't. His arrogance won't let him. All those Democrat legislators who were elected on his coattails have not served him well as yes men.
See you later.
Well, it's later and nothing much has changed. Same song, some different words that mean the same thing as the old. So everyone will be mandated to buy insurance. Still no penalty if they don't. Tort reform? Try a few "tests" in a few locations. Save all the money necessary through efficiency and eliminating fraud, etc. Right-- When has that ever happened in a government program? No funds for abortion? From his mouth to God's ears, but not the guys who are writing the bill. (It may have had more credibility if he said he wouldn't sign a bill with that provision.) Saying that state universities show us how to save money and using subsidy in the same sentence certainly was an exercise in futility. He'll listen to any legitimate concerns....who defines legitimate? He wants to provide a choice to the uninsured--how about providing insurance?
Still playing the blame game. His inherited debt problem--never mind that he doubled it in about 6 months. It must be in the genes of Democrats to play that game. Saying he was going to save all that money being wasted in Medicare can pay for the whole program. Now how's that for putting lipstick on a pig? All doctors and nurses support his plan. Bald faced lie!
Mr. Obama, you are going to call out Republicans? Well, I'm calling you out! Tell the truth and quit talking down to the American public. We get it.
Aside-did you see the absolutely stunning photos from the Hubble telescope? The only possible response is Praise the Lord! No way could "collections of galaxies" and absolute beauty be the result of a random big bang. No way.
God bless...........
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tea Party Express, Jackson Style
Believe it! With minimal publicity we weren't shoulder to shoulder, but we pretty much filled the available space on the hillside which puts our bandshell as the focal point at the bottom. Looking up from the bandshell one sees a fan shaped crowd which at a conservative guesstimate was probably 25 across and 30 rows deep.
For a town the size of Jackson on a very rainy day I cannot tell you how pleased I was.
I had already determined that I would leave home (5 minutes away) at 11:00 for the 12:00 event because I'm not fond of walking. By the time I arrived, the paved parking lot, which I'm guessing holds about 225 cars, was about 1/3 filled. By the time I left that lot was filled, the satellite parking across the street held about 100 cars and others were parked on both sides of the street leading to the lot and more on the hill itself. Our guess would be about 400+ cars. I'm thinking just a hair less than 2 people per car puts our crowd at around 700.
I was amazed at the folks who not only arrived early, they got out of their cars with signs, flags and umbrellas and stood in the rain seeming oblivious to the weather as they chatted, made new friends and for lack of a better word, bonded. The rain did let up around noon. Thank you, God.
Since my back started feeling the strain of standing on the side hill I left about 12:40 and people were still coming in, having underestimated the time to park and walk to the venue. All in all, a rousing success!
Observations: A broad spectrum of age from children to seniors, but no color diversity. Men and women equally divided and my favorite sign: Take out the Trash Day, November 2, 2010.
Note: I saw Elise with her caregiver trudging up the hill. Elise is a young woman who is handicapped in some way whom I met last year at the Y pool where she was practicing for the Special Olympics while I was doing a little aerobic exercise. It reminded me that last week at the Townhall Meeting we met a young man whose son was autistic who was terribly concerned about what universal rationed health care would mean to their family. I'm thinking that those two are prime examples of what it will mean to this country's attitude toward non-productive or expendable citizens. We generally think of seniors in this category, but together this is a very large segment of our population with a corresponding high price tag that Ezekiel Emanuel, one of the President's Czars working on the healthcare "problem" considers when he talks about cost benefit analysis.
I saw a few friends and acquaintances, perhaps 20 in all, but the rest of the "mob" were strangers to me and obviously, each other. It seems odd and I can't understand it since I'm usually a pessimist when it comes to elections, but the Dems just seem to be in denial. So instead of getting irritated I've decided that it's just as well, let them get the surprise of their lives on Trash Day next year. Let's hope.
Sleep well-
God bless............
For a town the size of Jackson on a very rainy day I cannot tell you how pleased I was.
I had already determined that I would leave home (5 minutes away) at 11:00 for the 12:00 event because I'm not fond of walking. By the time I arrived, the paved parking lot, which I'm guessing holds about 225 cars, was about 1/3 filled. By the time I left that lot was filled, the satellite parking across the street held about 100 cars and others were parked on both sides of the street leading to the lot and more on the hill itself. Our guess would be about 400+ cars. I'm thinking just a hair less than 2 people per car puts our crowd at around 700.
I was amazed at the folks who not only arrived early, they got out of their cars with signs, flags and umbrellas and stood in the rain seeming oblivious to the weather as they chatted, made new friends and for lack of a better word, bonded. The rain did let up around noon. Thank you, God.
Since my back started feeling the strain of standing on the side hill I left about 12:40 and people were still coming in, having underestimated the time to park and walk to the venue. All in all, a rousing success!
Observations: A broad spectrum of age from children to seniors, but no color diversity. Men and women equally divided and my favorite sign: Take out the Trash Day, November 2, 2010.
Note: I saw Elise with her caregiver trudging up the hill. Elise is a young woman who is handicapped in some way whom I met last year at the Y pool where she was practicing for the Special Olympics while I was doing a little aerobic exercise. It reminded me that last week at the Townhall Meeting we met a young man whose son was autistic who was terribly concerned about what universal rationed health care would mean to their family. I'm thinking that those two are prime examples of what it will mean to this country's attitude toward non-productive or expendable citizens. We generally think of seniors in this category, but together this is a very large segment of our population with a corresponding high price tag that Ezekiel Emanuel, one of the President's Czars working on the healthcare "problem" considers when he talks about cost benefit analysis.
I saw a few friends and acquaintances, perhaps 20 in all, but the rest of the "mob" were strangers to me and obviously, each other. It seems odd and I can't understand it since I'm usually a pessimist when it comes to elections, but the Dems just seem to be in denial. So instead of getting irritated I've decided that it's just as well, let them get the surprise of their lives on Trash Day next year. Let's hope.
Sleep well-
God bless............
Monday, September 7, 2009
Liberal Democrat Socialist Takeover--SURPRISED?
Woke up very early this morning again thinking about the constant friction and disagreement among various political factions and then wondering why we might be surprised. It seems that since the beginning of recorded time there have been nothing but wars and races for control of either land or people or both.
Some of the first wars we heard about as little kids probably came from Sunday School when we heard about Joshua at Jericho followed by the Philistines, the Hittites, Jebuzites and all the other "ites" and David and Goliath and "fighting the good fight" and "finishing the race" and later on, in the name of religion, the Crusades.
And on farther east they have found the terra cotta soldiers who were even to do battle after death for the Chinese emporers and as we learned about world history found out there were Mongol Hordes and Japanese Samurai warriors.
Not to forget the European front the Romans were tramping all over the place while in the Western hemispheres American Indians and South American Incas and Mayans were doing their thing.
If it wasn't one darn war, it was another. And in more recent times, the Spanish settled in South America, with poor old Columbus going off course and ending up in North America which apparently opened the doors for other Europeans and Scandinavians. (This is not meant to be precise history--never my strongest suit.)
Our country was born out of war. It's no wonder most of us are proud of our heritage. Our forbears were courageous people who were fleeing religious persecution and economic repression to name what I think were the most prevalent and important reasons. Without putting it into these words, I think they were "mad as hell and they weren't going to take it any more!" Those people were put in a position of fighting for their freedom and I'd like to think it's in the genes. And we fight not only for ourselves, we fight to give other people the same freedoms that we have. I wouldn't bet the farm, but I don't think we have ever fought for land or control or booty of someone else.
Just to mention a few in no particular order, the Revolution, Spanish, Cuban, Civil, WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnamese, Sarajevo and think of the other "skirmishes" going on throughout the world in modern times. The Olympic attack at Munich, the constant mideast situations, Israel's problems........and what has been the biggest change through the centuries?
Not just the sophistication of weapons, but the means of communication. From smoke signals to runners, to horses, to Morse code, to underwater telephone/type lines and finally to our computer generated instant messaging. And with computers the ability to not only track but predict through modeling the adversaries' next moves. Along with that is propaganda and mind control and the elitists ruling the world.
I'm going to stop here--if you've followed me so far, you're ready for a break.
Happy Labor Day!
God bless................
Some of the first wars we heard about as little kids probably came from Sunday School when we heard about Joshua at Jericho followed by the Philistines, the Hittites, Jebuzites and all the other "ites" and David and Goliath and "fighting the good fight" and "finishing the race" and later on, in the name of religion, the Crusades.
And on farther east they have found the terra cotta soldiers who were even to do battle after death for the Chinese emporers and as we learned about world history found out there were Mongol Hordes and Japanese Samurai warriors.
Not to forget the European front the Romans were tramping all over the place while in the Western hemispheres American Indians and South American Incas and Mayans were doing their thing.
If it wasn't one darn war, it was another. And in more recent times, the Spanish settled in South America, with poor old Columbus going off course and ending up in North America which apparently opened the doors for other Europeans and Scandinavians. (This is not meant to be precise history--never my strongest suit.)
Our country was born out of war. It's no wonder most of us are proud of our heritage. Our forbears were courageous people who were fleeing religious persecution and economic repression to name what I think were the most prevalent and important reasons. Without putting it into these words, I think they were "mad as hell and they weren't going to take it any more!" Those people were put in a position of fighting for their freedom and I'd like to think it's in the genes. And we fight not only for ourselves, we fight to give other people the same freedoms that we have. I wouldn't bet the farm, but I don't think we have ever fought for land or control or booty of someone else.
Just to mention a few in no particular order, the Revolution, Spanish, Cuban, Civil, WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnamese, Sarajevo and think of the other "skirmishes" going on throughout the world in modern times. The Olympic attack at Munich, the constant mideast situations, Israel's problems........and what has been the biggest change through the centuries?
Not just the sophistication of weapons, but the means of communication. From smoke signals to runners, to horses, to Morse code, to underwater telephone/type lines and finally to our computer generated instant messaging. And with computers the ability to not only track but predict through modeling the adversaries' next moves. Along with that is propaganda and mind control and the elitists ruling the world.
I'm going to stop here--if you've followed me so far, you're ready for a break.
Happy Labor Day!
God bless................
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