Here Hanna sports an Iguana on the shoulder. This is about two blocks away from the Boston Massacre!
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Hanna in Boston, Near Boston Massacre!
Here Hanna sports an Iguana on the shoulder. This is about two blocks away from the Boston Massacre!
Saturday, July 28, 2007
CIA Warns of Russia, China, Iran
CIA Warns of Russia, China, Iran
Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003
Even the unclassified and sanitized version of the latest report from the director of Central Intelligence to Congress paints a grim picture of a cash-strapped Russia selling dual-use technology to an increasingly dangerous Iran, China's threat, and a growing danger of terrorists using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials.
The report, required under the Intelligence Authorization Act, spells out, among other things, the particulars of the acquisition by foreign entities of "dual use" materials and technologies (peaceful but also handy for the building of weapons of mass destruction) during the period from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2001.
China's Danger
China was not far behind Russia in garnering concerns about its non-proliferation policies – as they operate practically.
In October 1997, China gave the United States assurances regarding its nuclear cooperation with Iran. China agreed to end cooperation with Iran on supplying a uranium conversion facility (UCF) and to undertake no new cooperation with Iran after completion of two existing projects.
However, despite this window dressing, the report noted, "We are concerned that some interactions between Chinese and Iranian entities may run counter to Beijing’s bilateral commitments to the United States."
The report also pointed to the fact that Chinese firms are supplying dual-use CW-related production equipment and technology to the ubiquitous Iran.
Iran Is Busy
In addition to Russia and China, Iran earned the most notable low marks. "Iran is vigorously pursuing programs to produce indigenous WMD - nuclear, chemical, and biological - and their delivery systems as well as advanced conventional weapons (ACW). During the reporting period, Iran focused particularly on entities in Russia, China, North Korea, and Europe."
The report added the telling conclusion of the intelligence community that "despite Iran’s status in the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the United States is convinced Tehran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program."
To bolster its efforts to establish domestic nuclear fuel-cycle capabilities, the report noted, Iran has sought assorted foreign fissile materials and technology. "Such capabilities also can support fissile material production for Tehran’s overall nuclear weapons program."
Iran is a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Nevertheless, the report noted, during the reporting period it continued to seek chemicals, production technology, training, and expertise from entities in Russia and China that could further efforts at achieving an indigenous capability to produce nerve agents.
Iran Outscores Iraq
On the face of the abbreviated report, Iran seemed to far outscore declared U.S. enemy No. 1 Iraq in all categories. Although pointing to a dearth of intelligence owing to the cutoff of inspections in 1998, the report contained nothing resembling the much-coveted grail of the "smoking gun." All the material on Iraq (in at least the sanitized report) was old hat.
By example: "Saddam's repeated publicized exhortations to his 'Nuclear Mujahidin' to 'defeat the enemy' added to our concerns that since the Gulf war Iraq has continued Research and Development work associated with its nuclear program. A sufficient source of fissile material remains Iraq’s most significant obstacle to being able to produce a nuclear weapon. The intelligence community is concerned that Baghdad is attempting to acquire materials that could aid in reconstituting its nuclear weapons program."
Some of the strongest language about Iraq in the report harkens back to old news:
"UNSCOM reported to the Security Council in December 1998 that Iraq also continued to withhold information related to its CW program. For example, Baghdad seized from UNSCOM inspectors an Iraqi Air Force document discovered by UNSCOM that indicated that Iraq had not consumed as many CW munitions during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s as had been declared by Baghdad. This discrepancy indicates that Iraq may have hidden an additional 6,000 CW munitions."
The report concluded, "During this reporting period, Baghdad continued to pursue a BW program. Iraq in 1995 admitted to having an offensive BW program, but UNSCOM was unable to verify the full scope and nature of Iraq’s efforts. In light of Iraq’s growing industrial self-sufficiency and the likely availability of mobile or covert facilities, we are concerned that Iraq may again be producing BW agents."
Details About Russia
Some of the strongest language in the report was reserved for Russia, the only "entity" earning a specific recommendation:
# President Vladimir Putin in May 2000 amended the presidential decree on nuclear exports to allow Russia to export nuclear materials, technology, and equipment to countries that do not have full-scope IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards.
# Russian entities during the reporting period continued to supply a variety of ballistic missile-related goods and technical know-how to countries such as Iran, India, and China.
# During 2001, Russian entities remained a significant source of dual-use biotechnology, chemicals, production technology, and equipment for Iran.
# The recommendation: To reduce the outward flow of WMD and missile-related materials, technology, and expertise, top officials must make a sustained effort to convince exporting entities - as well as the bureaucracy whose job it is to oversee them - that nonproliferation is a top priority and that those who violate the law will be prosecuted.
North Korea's Nuclear Weapons
As to the third member of the president's "Axis of Evil," North Korea, there were no surprises:
"North Korea probably has produced enough plutonium for at least one, and possibly two, nuclear weapons. Spent fuel rods canned in accordance with the 1994 Agreed Framework contain enough plutonium for several more weapons."
Syria did not get away unscathed in the review. The report noted that Damascus already held a stockpile of the nerve agent sarin but was trying to develop more toxic and persistent nerve agents.
Iran, junior member of the Axis of Evil, remained a focal point of the intelligence report. The report ominously noted, for instance, that Iran – already a military powerhouse – would soon become Russia’s third-largest arms customer, after China and India.
Dave Eberhart, NewsMax.com
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2003
Even the unclassified and sanitized version of the latest report from the director of Central Intelligence to Congress paints a grim picture of a cash-strapped Russia selling dual-use technology to an increasingly dangerous Iran, China's threat, and a growing danger of terrorists using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials.
The report, required under the Intelligence Authorization Act, spells out, among other things, the particulars of the acquisition by foreign entities of "dual use" materials and technologies (peaceful but also handy for the building of weapons of mass destruction) during the period from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2001.
China's Danger
China was not far behind Russia in garnering concerns about its non-proliferation policies – as they operate practically.
In October 1997, China gave the United States assurances regarding its nuclear cooperation with Iran. China agreed to end cooperation with Iran on supplying a uranium conversion facility (UCF) and to undertake no new cooperation with Iran after completion of two existing projects.
However, despite this window dressing, the report noted, "We are concerned that some interactions between Chinese and Iranian entities may run counter to Beijing’s bilateral commitments to the United States."
The report also pointed to the fact that Chinese firms are supplying dual-use CW-related production equipment and technology to the ubiquitous Iran.
Iran Is Busy
In addition to Russia and China, Iran earned the most notable low marks. "Iran is vigorously pursuing programs to produce indigenous WMD - nuclear, chemical, and biological - and their delivery systems as well as advanced conventional weapons (ACW). During the reporting period, Iran focused particularly on entities in Russia, China, North Korea, and Europe."
The report added the telling conclusion of the intelligence community that "despite Iran’s status in the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), the United States is convinced Tehran is pursuing a nuclear weapons program."
To bolster its efforts to establish domestic nuclear fuel-cycle capabilities, the report noted, Iran has sought assorted foreign fissile materials and technology. "Such capabilities also can support fissile material production for Tehran’s overall nuclear weapons program."
Iran is a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention. Nevertheless, the report noted, during the reporting period it continued to seek chemicals, production technology, training, and expertise from entities in Russia and China that could further efforts at achieving an indigenous capability to produce nerve agents.
Iran Outscores Iraq
On the face of the abbreviated report, Iran seemed to far outscore declared U.S. enemy No. 1 Iraq in all categories. Although pointing to a dearth of intelligence owing to the cutoff of inspections in 1998, the report contained nothing resembling the much-coveted grail of the "smoking gun." All the material on Iraq (in at least the sanitized report) was old hat.
By example: "Saddam's repeated publicized exhortations to his 'Nuclear Mujahidin' to 'defeat the enemy' added to our concerns that since the Gulf war Iraq has continued Research and Development work associated with its nuclear program. A sufficient source of fissile material remains Iraq’s most significant obstacle to being able to produce a nuclear weapon. The intelligence community is concerned that Baghdad is attempting to acquire materials that could aid in reconstituting its nuclear weapons program."
Some of the strongest language about Iraq in the report harkens back to old news:
"UNSCOM reported to the Security Council in December 1998 that Iraq also continued to withhold information related to its CW program. For example, Baghdad seized from UNSCOM inspectors an Iraqi Air Force document discovered by UNSCOM that indicated that Iraq had not consumed as many CW munitions during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s as had been declared by Baghdad. This discrepancy indicates that Iraq may have hidden an additional 6,000 CW munitions."
The report concluded, "During this reporting period, Baghdad continued to pursue a BW program. Iraq in 1995 admitted to having an offensive BW program, but UNSCOM was unable to verify the full scope and nature of Iraq’s efforts. In light of Iraq’s growing industrial self-sufficiency and the likely availability of mobile or covert facilities, we are concerned that Iraq may again be producing BW agents."
Details About Russia
Some of the strongest language in the report was reserved for Russia, the only "entity" earning a specific recommendation:
# President Vladimir Putin in May 2000 amended the presidential decree on nuclear exports to allow Russia to export nuclear materials, technology, and equipment to countries that do not have full-scope IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards.
# Russian entities during the reporting period continued to supply a variety of ballistic missile-related goods and technical know-how to countries such as Iran, India, and China.
# During 2001, Russian entities remained a significant source of dual-use biotechnology, chemicals, production technology, and equipment for Iran.
# The recommendation: To reduce the outward flow of WMD and missile-related materials, technology, and expertise, top officials must make a sustained effort to convince exporting entities - as well as the bureaucracy whose job it is to oversee them - that nonproliferation is a top priority and that those who violate the law will be prosecuted.
North Korea's Nuclear Weapons
As to the third member of the president's "Axis of Evil," North Korea, there were no surprises:
"North Korea probably has produced enough plutonium for at least one, and possibly two, nuclear weapons. Spent fuel rods canned in accordance with the 1994 Agreed Framework contain enough plutonium for several more weapons."
Syria did not get away unscathed in the review. The report noted that Damascus already held a stockpile of the nerve agent sarin but was trying to develop more toxic and persistent nerve agents.
Iran, junior member of the Axis of Evil, remained a focal point of the intelligence report. The report ominously noted, for instance, that Iran – already a military powerhouse – would soon become Russia’s third-largest arms customer, after China and India.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Al Gore, the Savior? What the Heck?
Ok, this is a startling development. My lesson in Elder's Quorum next week is "Thou Shalt Have No Other Gods Before Me!". I keep hearing people, particularly in Hollywood lately refer to Al Gore in quazi-religious terms, almost as if he possesses messianic qualities. Yesterday, I decided to do a Google search "Al Gore" and savior. Do you know how many hits I received? 308,000!! Today I googled it again. 316,000!! This is a disgusting development. We are warned that in the last days that many false Christs would emerge and deceive many. Could this be fulfilment of this prophecy?
I'm grateful for the knowledge we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that the real Savior lives!! That we don't have to worry about the ill effects of global warming, that we don't have to depend on Al Gore to save us all as long as we follow Lord, Jesus Christ. I'm grateful that Joseph Smith taught us that Jesus Christ is the only way to live with Heavenly Father!
Friday, May 25, 2007
'Star Wars' still major force after 30 years
Article published May 25, 2007
'Star Wars' still major force after 30 years
Ethan Sacks
New York Daily News
ADVERTISEMENT
It really was a long time ago.
Today, it'll be exactly 30 years since "Star Wars" blasted away all expectations after opening in just 32 movie theaters on May 25, 1977.
It's remarkable to note how, in the days before universe-filling marketing campaigns and studio tracking reports, no one, not even writer-director George Lucas, was prepared for the lines that snaked around theaters showing "Star Wars."
Audiences cheered from the opening blasts of John Williams' score to the closing credits, pausing only to boo Darth Vader.
Facing high demand for tie-in toys that had yet to be manufactured, department stores were forced to issue IOUs.
In the late 1970s in America, the movie "appealed to people at a time (when) things maybe weren't going great," says Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in six movies and several TV specials. "People wanted something to make them feel good.
"And boy, did it take them out of their environment!"
Or as Rick McCallum, producer of the recent prequel trilogy, says: "It was a single moment in time that's not likely to be repeated."
The movie that 20th Century Fox nearly abandoned in midproduction ended up earning $460 million at the box office in the United States alone, boosted by the release of a special edition in 1997.
The film is the second-highest-grossing movie of all time, behind "Titanic."
There is no competition, however, in the world of toys and other tie-ins. The "Star Wars" franchise has raked in $13.5 billion in merchandising alone since 1977, according to Lucasfilm.
"There's no question that was the film that made the entire movie industry rethink its attitude toward summer movies, toward juvenile movies for big kids, science fiction, special effects and, of course, merchandising," says film historian Leonard Maltin.
This weekend, people who want to praise the Force can celebrate several ways:
l Now in bookstores is J.W. Rinzler's "The Making of Star Wars," a mammoth tome so packed with photos and facts, a wookiee could get a hernia trying to lift it.
The $75 book, surprisingly, is a first for "Star Wars."
But the author recently told the New Daily News that he stumbled across four boxes of transcripts in the Lucasfilm library archives from interviews that took place between 1975 and 1978, conducted by the film's original head of marketing.
The background they provided formed the basis of the book, which is chock-full of anecdotes, behind-the-scenes photos and early storyboard sketches (Darth Vader, it seems, once looked more like a vacuum cleaner).
* Think the creature cantina at Mos Eisley spaceport was filled with a motley bunch?
Watch "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed," a new two-hour documentary airing Monday on the Discovery Channel, and see Newt Gingrich, Dan Rather and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi comment alongside "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson. Far out.
* To coincide with the anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service is issuing 15 "Star Wars" stamps.
But Lucasfilm isn't stuck in the past: There are two TV series in the works, animated and live-action, with the latter reportedly filling in the blanks of what some characters were doing for the 20 years between Episodes III and IV.
McCallum says the plan is to get them on the air in 2009.
"'Star Wars' was revolutionary, otherwise it wouldn't have lasted this long," says Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-3 English actor who played Chewbacca. "So I'll talk to you again in another 30 years."
Copyright © 2007
The News & Record
and Landmark Communications, Inc.
'Star Wars' still major force after 30 years
Ethan Sacks
New York Daily News
ADVERTISEMENT
It really was a long time ago.
Today, it'll be exactly 30 years since "Star Wars" blasted away all expectations after opening in just 32 movie theaters on May 25, 1977.
It's remarkable to note how, in the days before universe-filling marketing campaigns and studio tracking reports, no one, not even writer-director George Lucas, was prepared for the lines that snaked around theaters showing "Star Wars."
Audiences cheered from the opening blasts of John Williams' score to the closing credits, pausing only to boo Darth Vader.
Facing high demand for tie-in toys that had yet to be manufactured, department stores were forced to issue IOUs.
In the late 1970s in America, the movie "appealed to people at a time (when) things maybe weren't going great," says Anthony Daniels, who played C-3PO in six movies and several TV specials. "People wanted something to make them feel good.
"And boy, did it take them out of their environment!"
Or as Rick McCallum, producer of the recent prequel trilogy, says: "It was a single moment in time that's not likely to be repeated."
The movie that 20th Century Fox nearly abandoned in midproduction ended up earning $460 million at the box office in the United States alone, boosted by the release of a special edition in 1997.
The film is the second-highest-grossing movie of all time, behind "Titanic."
There is no competition, however, in the world of toys and other tie-ins. The "Star Wars" franchise has raked in $13.5 billion in merchandising alone since 1977, according to Lucasfilm.
"There's no question that was the film that made the entire movie industry rethink its attitude toward summer movies, toward juvenile movies for big kids, science fiction, special effects and, of course, merchandising," says film historian Leonard Maltin.
This weekend, people who want to praise the Force can celebrate several ways:
l Now in bookstores is J.W. Rinzler's "The Making of Star Wars," a mammoth tome so packed with photos and facts, a wookiee could get a hernia trying to lift it.
The $75 book, surprisingly, is a first for "Star Wars."
But the author recently told the New Daily News that he stumbled across four boxes of transcripts in the Lucasfilm library archives from interviews that took place between 1975 and 1978, conducted by the film's original head of marketing.
The background they provided formed the basis of the book, which is chock-full of anecdotes, behind-the-scenes photos and early storyboard sketches (Darth Vader, it seems, once looked more like a vacuum cleaner).
* Think the creature cantina at Mos Eisley spaceport was filled with a motley bunch?
Watch "Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed," a new two-hour documentary airing Monday on the Discovery Channel, and see Newt Gingrich, Dan Rather and House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi comment alongside "Lord of the Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson. Far out.
* To coincide with the anniversary, the U.S. Postal Service is issuing 15 "Star Wars" stamps.
But Lucasfilm isn't stuck in the past: There are two TV series in the works, animated and live-action, with the latter reportedly filling in the blanks of what some characters were doing for the 20 years between Episodes III and IV.
McCallum says the plan is to get them on the air in 2009.
"'Star Wars' was revolutionary, otherwise it wouldn't have lasted this long," says Peter Mayhew, the 7-foot-3 English actor who played Chewbacca. "So I'll talk to you again in another 30 years."
Copyright © 2007
The News & Record
and Landmark Communications, Inc.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Are mormons racist?
This was in response to an unflattering article written about the LDS stance, before 1978, on blacks and the priesthood. It makes some excellent points:
There probably just wasn't enough time for the author, Mr. Hutchinson to include every historical detail, so there are no hard feelings. However, I'd like to point out that one of the positions of Joseph Smith's Candidacy for President and one of the main reasons why the Missourians hated the Mormons was because of their pro-abolitionist stance. As a matter of fact, Joseph Smith predicted that civil war would break out over the matter. Given that he was murdered in 1844, this was no small feat to predict the civil war.
Though Mormons believe that there was a spiritual signifigance to his death and believe he was a Martyr because of his religious role sealing his testimony with his blood, secular history points to other reasons for his murder, including the threat to the Southern States that a successful presidential candidacy would seriously threaten Black Slavery in the South.
Further historical research also reveals that Black freemen did hold positions of responsibility in the early Mormon Church. After the martyrdom of early church leaders (others besides Joseph were also murdered) over their progressive view of human rights (they also were persecuted for befriending the Native Americans), is it a wonder that Mormons were forced into a more conservative position on Blacks holding the Priesthood?
However, these secular details are moot, because either there is a real priesthood, divine authority from God in the Mormon Church and only God can decide to whom that authority is bequeathed, or it's all a sham. Who cares if a false priesthood is given or withheld from a specific group of people? To be bothered by it, however is a form of admission that it's a real priesthood and the authority of God, but then you have to come full circle and leave it up to God upon whom to bestow that power and all the social pressure that can be combined shouldn't make one iota of difference if it's really God's priesthood and Him deciding to whom to bestow it until true revelation reveals a change.
The criticism is also moot because the condition described as racist no longer exists. The ongoing antagonism is a mystery indeed. Can't win for losing, so I'd suggest that Mormons and anyone with common sense just go one with their business and ignore the hate mongering comments of Mr. Sharpton and others.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Monday, May 14, 2007
Justin Taufer
Justin Taufer was my grandfather's brother. In 1977 he was shot and killed during an act of heroism in which he saved a young woman from being raped in Millcreek Canyon near Salt Lake City, Utah. I did a Google search on him and couldn't find much other than there is a park in Salt Lake City named after him and the Justin Taufer scholarship at BYU-Idaho for students that have performed an heroic act. I'm posting this here in hopes that another one of his relatives will do a Google search and find this and maybe put more details up.
From what I know, the lady was able to get away but was shot in the process but still survived. I don't know her name. I don't know the name of the shooter either. I was told that he was released from jail, but I don't know if this is correct. I do know that he was not sentenced to death as the murder was not pre-meditated.
I was seven when Justin Taufer was shot and killed. I have no recollection of ever meeting him. I do remember meeting his widow a few times.
To my brother, who runs this site, if this post contains too much personal information, please remove it.
From what I know, the lady was able to get away but was shot in the process but still survived. I don't know her name. I don't know the name of the shooter either. I was told that he was released from jail, but I don't know if this is correct. I do know that he was not sentenced to death as the murder was not pre-meditated.
I was seven when Justin Taufer was shot and killed. I have no recollection of ever meeting him. I do remember meeting his widow a few times.
To my brother, who runs this site, if this post contains too much personal information, please remove it.
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