Author Archives: Aaron Small

Surprise! It’s winter and half of America is brutally cold.

In 2017, I couldn’t stop trying to identify corvids. It’s harder than you might think. My latest challenge: a photo of a black bird on the ground. It’s got the fluffy neck feathers of an adult raven and the blue eyes of a baby crow. I’m going with: Raven.

Turns out it’s an Australian raven, a species identifiable by their bright blue eyes. By the rules of #CrowOrNo, I win, because I correctly guessed it’s not a crow. (Though in fairness, I’d call it a draw.)

#CrowOrNo is a weekly Twitter challenge hosted by University of Washington crow scientist Kaeli Swift. Each week, she posts a picture of a bird, which always — to the untrained eye — looks an awful lot like a crow. For a few hours, the eager public submits guesses as to whether it’s a crow, or no. After the big reveal, she explains the clues to use to tell crows from their cousins.

The challenge helps illustrate the large and surprisingly complex world of corvids, a smart family of big-brained birds that includes crows, ravens, and jays. It also shines light on some great crow-themed mysteries, like why some crows have caramel-colored feathers.

For me, the more I learn about crows, the more I see the extraordinary in the most seemingly ordinary birds — like the fact they can recognize faces and might even give gifts.

That’s the value of taking science out of the lab to the social media sphere, like Swift is doing. And, crow or no, I think we could all use a little more science in our lives.

Jesse Nichols is a contributing assistant video producer at Grist.

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Surprise! It’s winter and half of America is brutally cold.

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Trump Soars to New Heights in Poll After Proposing Muslim Ban

Mother Jones

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A week after proposing to ban all Muslims from entering the United States, Donald Trump has reached new heights in the polls.

The real estate tycoon has 41 percent nationally in the Republican presidential contest, according to a survey released Monday by Monmouth University—27 points ahead of the rest of the field. Ted Cruz comes in a distant second at 14 percent, followed by Marco Rubio at 10 percent and Ben Carson at 9 percent. No other candidate exceeds 3 percent.

Monmouth’s findings are based on interviews with 385 registered Republican or Republican-leaning voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 5 percentage points.

Among that sample, 67 percent responded that they would feel either “enthusiastic” or “satisfied” if Trump became the GOP nominee, while 28 percent reported that they would be “dissatisfied” or “upset.” Trump is also enjoying his peak favorability among these voters: 61 percent have a favorable impression of him, 29 percent are unfavorable, and just 10 have no opinion.

While continuing to gain in nationwide polls, Trump’s only recent bad news comes out of Iowa, where Cruz, the tea-party-aligned senator from Texas, has recently gained on him and now holds a small lead over Trump in most recent polls.

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Trump Soars to New Heights in Poll After Proposing Muslim Ban

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Read the Translated Facebook Posts of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370’s Pilot

Mother Jones

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On Tuesday, senior US officials reported that Malaysia Airlines flight 370, which has been missing since March 8, was diverted using a computer system that was most likely manipulated by someone in the cockpit of the plane. The news doesn’t discount the theory floated by Wired that an electrical fire forced the pilots to divert their course. But it has increased the scrutiny surrounding the plane’s captain, 53-year-old Zaharie Ahmad Shah and first officer Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27, whose homes have been searched by Malaysian authorities.

There has been much speculation recently about Shah, from his Muslim religion—friends say he was not especially committed to it—to his support for Anwar Ibrahim, the leader of Malaysia’s popular opposition party. A Malaysian court convicted Ibrahim of sodomy charges on March 7, the day before the flight disappeared, a charge his supporters contend was trumped up by Malaysia’s ruling party. Some have theorized that Ibrahim’s conviction was possibly a motivating factor in the plane’s disappearance. There’s a lot of conflicting and erroneous information about Shah out there (for instance, it appears he did not attend Ibrahim’s trial, as has been reported), but a Facebook page that appears to belong to the aviator provides some useful insight into his politics and interests.â&#128;&#139;

The page was taken down sometime on Sunday or Monday, but reappeared late Tuesday afternoon. (Facebook would not comment on the record about why Shah’s account went dark. The social-media company generally removes accounts if they’re reported for violating its Community Standards, or if they are subject to a series of unauthorized login attempts.) Mother Jones consulted with five Malaysian speakers to translate some of the posts and comment threads, which in a few cases include words like “terror” and “extremist” that turn out to be far less inflammatory than they appear to English-speakers. Shah’s Facebook page shows that he was, not surprisingly, a flying enthusiast who posted a photo of a flight simulator that he built and was upgrading. As Quartz notes, Shah’s digital footprint also suggests that “he was far from being a religious fanatic. If anything, he seems to have veered towards atheism.” A YouTube channel associated with Shah includes several videos on the subject.â&#128;&#139;

Here are some noteworthy posts from Shah’s Facebook page:

One day after the Boston Marathon bombing, Shah offered his condolences to victims of the attacks.

In the post below, Shah is commenting on an article in which Taib Mahmud Ibrahim, the former chief minister of the Malaysian state of Sarawak—whom the NGO Global Witness accused of supporting corruption in the logging business—is accusing Anwar Ibrahim of working with the NGO to spread the corruption allegations. According to USA Today, Shah is one of many Malaysians who supported opposition to the National Front coalition, Malaysia’s dominant party that has ruled the country for decades. Shah reportedly campaigned for Ibrahim, who is free pending his appeal. According to Slate, Ibrahim is a “nonviolent man who supports a pluralistic and democratic Malaysia.” Human Rights Watch contends that the sodomy charges against him were “politically motivated persecution” and the government wanted to remove Anwar “by hook or by crook.”

According to the translators, the comments above the article (in light gray) say: “@anwaribrahim is guilty again? Taib, you rule Sarawek, you distribute licenses, you conduct deforestation, you are rich, yet Anwar is guilty, my oh my.” Four of five Malaysian speakers consulted by Mother Jones said that when Shah uses the term “terror,” he is actually using a Malaysian slang term for amazing (i.e., “Anwar is amazing!”). As one translator explained, the expression is “most likely in a sarcastic manner, saying that Anwar is so amazing, that he can do what the article claims he has done.” Another translator agreed that, he’s sarcastically remarking how “‘terror’ clever or amazing, or how smart Anwar Ibrahim is, to be honoured with such baseless accusations!â&#128;&#139;” The fifth speaker says that the phrase can be interpreted as: “True terror, this Anwar!” but that he’s “trying to be sarcastic.”

Here’s another post where Shah expresses his displeasure with the ruling party:

In another post, Shah says: “Najib, together with Datuk Seri Ridzwan Sulaiman, are those that the authorities are looking for…Lahad Datu, a town in Malaysia.” Najib Razak is the prime minister of Malaysia. Datuk is a man that was being sought by Malaysian authorities last year in connection with funding hundreds of radical militants from the Philippines who terrorized villagers in Lahad Datu in February 2013—a few months before Malaysia held elections. As one translator explains, some Malaysians felt that the incident was a plot by the prime minister to flex power in the region, whose citizens are not sympathetic towards the ruling party.

Here, Shah says that this is the last session on his flight simulator with his instructor, Captain Zainal, before he is going to upgrade his PC. The flight simulator seized from Shah’s home is reportedly being investigated by authorities, although American investigators have not yet been given access to it.

According to the translators contacted by Mother Jones, the exchange below translates to the following:

Shohimi Harun (an aviator for Malaysia Airlines): How much GPU needs to be installed?

Shah: Depends on how much is one’s obsession. One is enough for starters, I’m a SIM extremist. Heheh.

Shohimi Harun: Extremist, okay, as long as you don’t become a terrorist.

Nigel Magness (also employed by Malaysia Airlines): Power…means “amazing” in Malaysian slang

As Quartz notes, “Shah’s Facebook page is filled with images of him whipping up meals and eating them with his family. He seems to have been especially fond of noodle dishes, and his pictures suggest that he experimented with creating his own concoctions.”

â&#128;&#139;â&#128;&#139;

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Read the Translated Facebook Posts of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370’s Pilot

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The NSA Can Decrypt More Stuff Than You Think

Mother Jones

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The Guardian and the New York Times have blockbuster stories today about the NSA’s surprising success in cracking encryption standards that until now everyone has considered safe. More about this later. But here’s a single tidbit from the Times story:

In one case, after the government learned that a foreign intelligence target had ordered new computer hardware, the American manufacturer agreed to insert a back door into the product before it was shipped, someone familiar with the request told The Times.

I guess the lesson here is not to buy network equipment from US companies. I don’t imagine that US purveyors of network equipment are very happy about this revelation.

Awkward question: Was this story timed to coincide with the G20 meeting in Russia?

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The NSA Can Decrypt More Stuff Than You Think

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Keystone study contractor under scrutiny by State Dept. watchdog

Keystone study contractor under scrutiny by State Dept. watchdog

Does the consulting firm studying the environmental effects of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline have a conflict of interest?

For months, climate activists have been raising the alarm about Environmental Resources Management (ERM), the main firm contracted by the State Department to write the official environmental impact statement for Keystone.

Now State’s Inspector General is looking into allegations of improper ties and incomplete disclosures.

From The Hill:

The State Department’s internal watchdog has “initiated an inquiry” into whether the contractor Foggy Bottom used for a draft environmental analysis on the proposed Keystone XL pipeline had a conflict of interest.

The move is a response to allegations from several outside groups, Doug Welty, a spokesman with the State Department Office of Inspector General, told The Hill on Friday.

The development raises the possibility of another redo of the analysis assessing Keystone’s environmental impact.

Bloomberg Businessweek explains some of the allegations of improper behavior:

[Friends of the Earth] engaged in opposition research, as it is called during election campaigns, to turn up the evidence that ERM had worked with TransCanada on projects that it had failed to disclose to the U.S. State Department. …

Here, (PDF), for example, is a 2010 document, cached online, in which ERM lists TransCanada as a client. Does this prove that ERM has been biased toward TransCanada in its Keystone assessment? No. But unless this document is a forgery, ERM appears not to have disclosed all it should have to the U.S. government. (ERM declined to comment.)

Meanwhile, there’s another hiccup for Keystone, this one in Nebraska. From The Washington Post:

[A] little-noticed trial scheduled for next month in Nebraska could spell problems for [Keystone].

Despite two attempts by Nebraska’s attorney general to have the case thrown out, Lancaster County District Court Judge Stephanie Stacy has set a Sept. 27 trial date for arguments in a lawsuit that contends the state legislature unconstitutionally gave Gov. Dave Heineman (R) authority to approve the pipeline route.

A win for the plaintiffs — three Nebraska landowners who oppose the pipeline — would force TransCanada, the company that wants to build the 1,179-mile northern leg of the project, to go through the entire siting process again. Even supporters do not believe that would permanently block the project, but it could add years to the timeline.

No wonder TransCanada is now looking to build a big tar-sands oil pipeline that doesn’t cross the U.S. border.

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Keystone study contractor under scrutiny by State Dept. watchdog

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How Farmers Can Help Fight Climate Change

green4us

How to Raise the Perfect Dog – Cesar Millan & Melissa Jo Peltier

From the bestselling author and star of National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer , the only resource you’ll need for raising a happy, healthy dog. For the millions of people every year who consider bringing a puppy into their lives–as well as those who have already brought a dog home–Cesar Millan, the preeminent dog behavior expert, says, “Yes, […]

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How Farmers Can Help Fight Climate Change

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Follow These Tips For Finding A Reputable Solar Panel Contractor

Where do you start looking for the right solar panel installation contractor? This is a difficult question with so many choices out there. You will be on the road to a good contractor with these tips.

If a solar panel installation contractor offers a bid that is significantly lower than competitors, ask why. Inquire as to what type of materials are used and why the labor is so much cheaper. If the contractor cannot answer, be suspicious.

The bids presented to you from the solar panel installation contractors should last for at least 30 days. If a contractor tries to convince that their bid is only good for a shorter amount of time, they are simply trying to pressure you in to choosing them. If this happens, it might be best to choose someone else for your project.

While you’re doing research online, you should never take anybody’s work to the fullest extent on a solar panel installation contractor. Always contract their references and see their professional rank, see if they’re legitimate or a terrible contractor. This should make your choice much easier.

Give your solar panel installation contractor freedom. If you want an employee who you can see every day, don’t hire a contractor, employ someone. If you want someone to do a specific tasks that doesn’t need to be managed, then use a contractor.

Before hiring a new solar panel installation contractor, you need to make sure that he/she has proper insurance. Some contractors try to run away from having their right insurance due to its expenses. Therefore, you need to know the coverage of your new contractor.

The perfect solar panel installation contractor will be knowledgeable about all aspects of your project, after all, they are overseeing the entire project and need to be familiar with every part to save time and money.

Visit the solar panel installation contractor’s website to find out how long he/she has been in business and check for customer reviews. Ask your friends and colleagues for their recommendations on a contract. Be sure to double-check that any prospective contractor is insured and bonded.

Your financier might be a good choice for knowing about good solar panel installation contractors because of their occupation. They often visit sites to gauge stages of completion for release of payment installments. So, they come in contact with many contractors.

Contact each potential solar panel installation contractor’s previous clients to ask them if the contractor was punctual, reliable and cost-efficient. Be assertive with a contractor if you’ve hired them and they start failing to follow the directions you’ve assigned. A good contractor should always follow your guidelines and expectations.

Going to internet to get more ideas could be a fantastic idea. Go to Bing and search for solar heating solutions. You might be pleasantly surprised with new ideas about solar energy installation.

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Find A Good Solar Panel Contractor The Right Way By Reading These Tips

You have a friend who built a fence once–unfortunately, this doesn’t automatically make him a solar panel installation contractor. Many other important qualities must fill out the rsum. From staying within the allotted budget to abiding by a strict schedule, reputable professionals hit a number of key criteria. The following advice will enable you to begin your search for a cost-effective contractor who is the right match for your project.

Ask a lawyer to look over your contract before you sign it. You don’t want to sign a contract that is just an estimate. You want to make sure that everything is set it stone when you and your contract finalize with signatures. This will prevent any misunderstandings or problems in the future.

Before firing a solar panel installation contractor, you may need to seek advice from your written contract. Make sure the contractor is actually in breach of the agreement before sacking him/her. This is why it is best to set up the agreement as particular as possible before beginning the project.

If someone recommends them, ask them why and also whether they would like to work with them again. Always make the solar panel installation contractor sign a contract which also mentions the delivery dates and the penalty cause. Make sure they know that they will be penalized for not meeting the deadlines or quality workmanship that you require.

Ask for a list of honest and reliable references and check it to confirm that they are accountable. Discuss with them if they will prove to be cost and time efficient and adhere with the agreement. Make sure that the work crew is prompt and specialized.

Do not be afraid to ask about large price difference. A higher price may be because simply one task is taken at a time or that extra care is taken from the beginning. Ask solar panel installation contractors to analyze the differences between themselves and others.

Make sure a contract holds resolutions in case of any future conflicts or disagreements. It’s very vital to protect yourself so that you don’t find yourself and your solar panel installation contractor is a situation that can’t be solved. Try to include a clause that requires a mediator or attorney to be brought in during any cases of dispute.

Ask what the project needs and how the solar panel installation contractor will meet those needs with the lowest possible cost and the greatest customer satisfaction. Require submission of references and check each reference to ensure contractor competency. Ask how they did at their last job and what they will do to improve this one.

Look up solar panel installation contractor companies in the phone book and call each one and ask how long they have been in business to get a sense whether they have an established reputation. Ask what they will do to maintain great customer service and demand them to sign a written contract. Conduct regular work site inspections to confirm they maintain professionalism and positive attitudes.

Looking for ways to gain your insight about the helpful tips presented above? Just submit westsun solar solar power perth when searching online. You might find some great helpful ideas about perth solar power.

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Learn How To Find An Awesome Solar Panel Contractor With These Tips

You work hard to earn the money you earn. Don’t just throw it away at a useless solar panel installation contractor before doing proper research. Review contractors in your area online. You may find some positive or negative reviews and recommendations. You can also ask the local solar panel installers association which contractors are the best one out there. The following tips will ensure that the contractor you hire deserves the money you spend on them.

You don’t drive a car without insurance; don’t start a project without it either. Otherwise, you may find yourself covering the expense of an accident or damage. Verify your solar panel installation contractor has the appropriate coverage before any work on your project begins.

Ask your local community center for suggestions on a solar panel installation contractor and then schedule an interview with prospects. Find out the contractor’s design vision and work ethic to make sure it matches your own. Require a list of references and confirm to contact each one for comments.

If a solar panel installation contractor makes enough money to advertise on the radio or television, they’re doing a lot of business, and will likely produce a high-quality end result for your project. Bear in mind, however, that they’ll likely be a large solar panel company without a high level of investment in your project, and they’ll likely cost more than a smaller contractor.

If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Trust your instincts and stay away from solar panel installation contractors that offer to help finance a project by referring a “friend” who processes unconventional loans, this could end up costing you everything!

You have the ability to withhold payments while working with the solar panel installation contractor. You can do this if the contractor is not performing as promised. If the contractor is not catching up on duty, you can withhold the pay until they catch up. You shouldn’t give an installment without verifying that the job is at the agreed point.

Some states require an apprenticeship prior to becoming a licensed solar panel installation contractor. Typically, this involves working for a number of years under a contractor with more experience to ensure the apprentice learns how to perform services properly. Apprenticeship, like other kinds of training, is important in making sure the contractor you select is fully qualified.

Each bid you review should have a detailed cost breakdown. You need to know where all the money is being allocated. A good rule is the 40-40-20 rule, it reflects 40% of the budget for materials, 40% for labor and 20% for their profit margin. Using this when comparing bids will help you understand if you are being taken advantage of.

Confirm all warranties as well as contact information for those covering the warranties are provided for any materials that fall into this category. This could involve products such as refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, or other large appliances.

Visit any popular search engine and enter solar lights into search query. You can find a few useful suggestions about solar panel consulting you can use right away.

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