Author Archives: Joan Rivera

No Time to Waste: Students Pursue Environmental Progress Instead of Exam Grades

by Joan Rivera Posted on April 22, 2014

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Inside of a Dog – Alexandra Horowitz

The bestselling book that asks what dogs know and how they think, now in paperback. The answers will surprise and delight you as Alexandra Horowitz, a cognitive scientist, explains how dogs perceive their daily worlds, each other, and that other quirky animal, the human. Horowitz introduces the reader to dogs’ perceptual and cognitive abilities and then draw

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White Dwarf Issue 12: 19 April 2014 – White Dwarf

It’s a hobby extravaganza this week as host of new hobby tools are released; in a special edition of Sprues And Glue we go in-depth on using them, while Paint Splatter takes an in-depth look at texture paints. You’ll also find Astra Militarum tactics, a Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey Battle Report and much more. About this Series: White Dwarf is Ga

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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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My Boyfriend Barfed in My Handbag . . . and Other Things You Can’t Ask Martha – Jolie Kerr

“Wise and funny. . . . The Lorrie Moore short story, or the Tina Fey memoir, of cleaning tutorials.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times “Thrillingly titled. . . . For a generation overwhelmed not just by dust bunnies, but by bong water on the carpet, pee stains on the ceiling and vomit seemingly everywhere, Jolie Kerr dispenses cleaning advice free of judgme

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Codex: Astra Militarum (Enhanced Edition) – Games Workshop

The Astra Militarum are the mighty Hammer of the Emperor, an army so vast that it has never been fully recorded by the scribes of the Administratum. Drawn from a million worlds, its men and women are the thin line between Humanity and the void. On hundreds of thousands of warzones across the galaxy the armies of the Astra Militarum hold back the advance of a

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Codex: Militarum Tempestus (Interactive Edition) – Games Workshop

Codex: Militarum Tempestus The Scions of the Militarum Tempestus are the highly skilled elite of the Astra Militarum. Trained from youth in the combat schools of the Schola Progenium, each one has been psycho-conditioned to obey without question and kill without remorse. In battle, the toughest missions fall to the Tempestus Scions. Their specialist sq

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How to Paint Citadel Miniatures: Astra Militarum – Games Workshop

The Astra Militarum is an army of regimentation and proud tradition, with soldiers drawn from across the length and breadth of the Imperium. Their uniforms and iconography reflect this strict adherence to military organisation, and whether it is the Scions of the Militarum Tempestus, the Imperial Guardsmen of Cadia or the tanks of an armoured formation, each

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The Art of Raising a Puppy (Revised Edition) – Monks of New Skete

For more than thirty years the Monks of New Skete have been among America’s most trusted authorities on dog training, canine behavior, and the animal/human bond. In their two now-classic bestsellers, How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend and The Art of Raising a Puppy, the Monks draw on their experience as long-time breeders of German shepherds and as t

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Codex: Astra Militarum (eBook Edition) – Games Workshop

Codex: Astra Militarum The Astra Militarum are the mighty Hammer of the Emperor, an army so vast that it has never been fully recorded by the scribes of the Administratum. Drawn from a million worlds, its men and women are the thin line between Humanity and the void. On hundreds of thousands of warzones across the galaxy the armies of the Astra Militarum hol

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Marijuana Grower’s Handbook – Ed Rosenthal

The all new Marijuana Grower’s Handbook shows both beginners and advanced growers how to grow the biggest most resinous, potent buds! This book contains the latest knowledge, tools, and methods to grow great marijuana – both indoors and outdoors. Marijuana Grower’s Handbook will show you how to use the most efficient technology and save time, labor, and

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No Time to Waste: Students Pursue Environmental Progress Instead of Exam Grades

Posted in alternative energy, Bunn, Citadel, Dolphin, eco-friendly, FF, G & F, GE, LAI, LG, Monterey, ONA, PUR, solar, solar power, Uncategorized, wind power | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on No Time to Waste: Students Pursue Environmental Progress Instead of Exam Grades

Quote of the Day: Free Health Care Kills…. Um…. Republicans?

by Joan Rivera Posted on December 17, 2013

Mother Jones

From Rick Santorum, explaining the dangers of relying on the government for health care:

Free health care is just that, free health care, until you get sick. Then, if you get sick and you don’t get health care, you die and you don’t vote. It’s actually a pretty clever system. Take care of the people who can vote and people who can’t vote, get rid of them as quickly as possible by not giving them care so they can’t vote against you. That’s how it works.

WTF? I recognize that sometimes extemporaneous witticisms go astray, and God knows that Santorum is probably more vulnerable to that than most. But even for him this is inscrutable. I wonder if he knows that every American over the age of 65 has been receiving government health care for the past half century?

Anyway, there’s video at the link if you think that Santorum’s body language and tone of voice might help you decipher what was going through his eccentric little mind when he said this.

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Quote of the Day: Free Health Care Kills…. Um…. Republicans?

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15 Things You Should Know About the Coal Industry’s Plan to Ship Its Product to China

by Joan Rivera Posted on October 8, 2013

Mother Jones

After spending years trying and failing to win a global climate treaty, environmental activists have finally changed tactics. Instead pouring all their efforts into passing doomed legislation, they’re picking big symbolic battles with the fossil fuel industry.

The campaign to derail the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada’s tar sands is just the start. On the West Coast, environmentalists have mounted a similar attack on the coal industry, which wants to reverse its steep national decline by exporting millions of tons coal to China. Green groups believe they can prevent the shipments (and keep the coal in the ground) by stopping the construction of huge new coal export terminals at ports in Oregon and Washington. “Based on our back-of-the-envelope calculation, the burning of this exported coal could have a larger climate impact than all of the oil pumped through the Keystone pipeline,” says Kimberly Larson, a spokeswoman for the Sierra Club’s Power Past Coal campaign.

Here’s what you need to know about the biggest climate change fight that you’ve probably never heard of:

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15 Things You Should Know About the Coal Industry’s Plan to Ship Its Product to China

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Race, Lead, and Juvenile Crime

by Joan Rivera Posted on August 16, 2013

Mother Jones

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I know, I know: I’m a broken record on the subject of lead exposure in kids and crime rates 20 years later. But there’s lately been a renewed focus on black crime and black incarceration rates, as well as the racial profiling of blacks and Hispanics in New York City’s stop-and-frisk program. Guess what? The lead theory has something to say about that.

For starters, did you know that arrest rates for violent crime have fallen much faster among black juveniles than among white juveniles? They have, as the charts below show. Rick Nevin explains why:

African-American boys disproportionately involved in the criminal justice system were also disproportionately exposed to lead contaminated dust as young children, because black children were disproportionately concentrated in large cities and older housing. In 1976-1980, 15.3% of black children under the age of three had blood lead above 30 mcg/dl (micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood), when just 2.5% of white children had blood lead that high. In 1988-1991, after the elimination of leaded gasoline, 1.4% of black children and 0.4% of white children under the age of three had blood lead above 25 mcg/dl.

In other words, black juvenile crime rates fell further than white juvenile crime rates because they had been artificially elevated by lead exposure at a much higher rate. In the early 80s, black kids had elevated lead levels at 6x the rate of white kids. After the elimination of leaded gasoline, black kids still had elevated lead levels at 3x the rate of white kids, which explains some of the continued disparity in juvenile crime rates, but that still represented enormous progress. Not only was the ratio lower, but the absolute numbers were far lower too.

There have been, and still are, lots of potential explanations for the disparity in violent crime rates between black and white teens: the toxic legacy of racism and slavery; poverty rates in inner cities; gang culture; and many more. But as Nevin points out, none of the popular theories explains the dramatic rise and fall of crime over the past 50 years, nor in particular why black crime declined more than white crime starting in the early 90s. That’s because none of the usual suspects has varied dramatically in the past 20 years. Family structure in black households has been largely unchanged; poverty went down but then went back up; and incarceration rates haven’t increased.

But the number of kids with toxic levels of exposure has decreased steadily throughout the entire period, and it decreased far more among black kids than white kids. It’s true that black juvenile crime rates are still higher than white juvenile crime rates, but they’re nowhere near the levels that caused so many people to live in fear in the 70s and 80s. Nevin wishes more people knew about this:

If the public were more aware of the magnitude of the ongoing changes in juvenile arrest rates, then law-abiding youths might not be unfairly viewed as interchangeable with juvenile criminals….The fact that black children still had disproportionately elevated blood lead in 2007-2010 is an egregious racial injustice. The fact that the news media fails to recognize the magnitude of ongoing declines in juvenile arrest rates creates other injustices, sometimes veiled in a cloak of sympathy, sometimes in the form of an ominous lecture, and sometimes in the form of arrest rate trends for minor offenses.

No one pretends that lead exposure is the only source of crime, or the only source of disparity in crime rates. But it’s a big part of the picture, and the plain fact is that a lot of people are still living in the past when it comes to fear of black teens. Thanks to falling lead exposure, both black and white teens are far less violent than in the past, and the fall has been most pronounced among blacks. If we wanted to, we could produce even further declines by reducing lead exposure among black toddlers to the same levels as white toddlers, but we’re not there yet because blacks still live disproportionately in old housing and in areas where lead dust from nearby highways settled into the soil decades ago. That’s due to the toxic legacy of racism, redlining, poverty, and more. But we could fix it, even if we can’t entirely overcome racism itself.

The bottom line is simple: We poisoned them. We owe it to them to clean up the poison, not just lock up their kids.

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Race, Lead, and Juvenile Crime

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5 Things Running Through the Minds of Whistleblowers Like Edward Snowden

by Joan Rivera Posted on July 1, 2013

Mother Jones

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This story first appeared on the TomDispatch website.

As a State Department whistleblower, I think a lot about Edward Snowden. I can’t help myself. My friendships with other whistleblowers like Tom Drake, Jesslyn Radack, Daniel Ellsberg, and John Kiriakou lead me to believe that, however different we may be as individuals, our acts have given us much in common. I suspect that includes Snowden, though I’ve never had the slightest contact with him. Still, as he took his long flight from Hong Kong into the unknown, I couldn’t help feeling that he was thinking some of my thoughts, or I his. Here are five things that I imagine were on his mind (they would have been on mine) as that plane took off.

I Am Afraid
Whistleblowers act on conscience because they encounter something so horrifying, unconstitutional, wasteful, fraudulent, or mismanaged that they are overcome by the need to speak out. There is always a calculus of pain and gain (for others, if not oneself), but first thoughts are about what you’ve uncovered, the information you feel compelled to bring into the light, rather than your own circumstances.

In my case, I was ignorant of what would happen once I blew the whistle. I didn’t expect the Department of State to attack me. National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower Tom Drake was similarly unprepared. He initially believed that, when the FBI first came to interview him, they were on his side, eager to learn more about the criminal acts he had uncovered at the NSA. Snowden was different in this. He had the example of Bradley Manning and others to learn from. He clearly never doubted that the full weight of the US government would fall on him.

He knew what to fear. He knew the Obama administration was determined to make any whistleblower pay, likely via yet another prosecution under the Espionage Act (with the potential for the death penalty). He also knew what his government had done since 9/11 without compunction: it had tortured and abused people to crush them; it had forced those it considered enemies into years of indefinite imprisonment, creating isolation cells for suspected terrorists and even a pre-trial whistleblower. It had murdered Americans without due process, and then, of course, there were the extraordinary renditions in which US agents kidnapped perceived enemies and delivered them into the archipelago of post-9/11 horrors.

Sooner or later, if you’re a whistleblower, you get scared. It’s only human. On that flight, I imagine that Edward Snowden, for all his youthful confidence and bravado, was afraid. Would the Russians turn him over to Washington as part of some secret deal, maybe the sort of spy-for-spy trade that would harken back to the Cold War era?

Even if he made it out of Moscow, he couldn’t have doubted that the full resources of the NSA and other parts of the US government would be turned on him. How many CIA case officers and Joint Special Operations Command types did the US have undercover in Ecuador? After all, the dirty tricks had already started. The partner of Guardian journalist Glenn Greenwald, who broke Snowden’s story, had his laptop stolen from their residence in Brazil. This happened only after Greenwald told him via Skype that he would send him an encrypted copy of Snowden’s documents.

In such moments, you try to push back the sense of paranoia that creeps into your mind when you realize that you are being monitored, followed, watched. It’s uncomfortable, scary. You have to wonder what your fate will be once the media grows bored with your story, or when whatever government has given you asylum changes its stance vis-a-vis the US When the knock comes at the door, who will protect you? So who can doubt that fear made the journey with him?

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5 Things Running Through the Minds of Whistleblowers Like Edward Snowden

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Minimize The Time To Find A Quality Solar Panel Contractor

by Joan Rivera Posted on June 25, 2013

Have you tried and failed in locating a good solar panel installation contractor? You want to make sure this time around. You need to use these helpful tips when trying to find a good contractor to hire.

You could start your solar panel installation contractor search by asking your friends and family. Word of mouth is effective advertising for business, but effective at helping consumers look the right direction too. Call the numbers you get from others and research the companies provided. Make sure to hire a contractor with a solid reputation and lengthy work history.

Ask your solar panel installation contractor to be honest with you when you discuss your project. You need to know if the contractor cannot adhere to your requirements, schedule or budget. However, if more than one contractor says the same thing, then the chances are that you have unreasonable expectations.

Solar Panel Contractors who are more popular end up having less time to devote to individual jobs like yours. If you get a solar panel installation contractor who is in high demand expect the project to last longer than if you had hired a less popular contractor. Popularity is a good indication of quality work.

Always be cautious of contracting scams. Keep this in mind when searching for a solar panel installation contractor and always require them to provide you a copy of their license. Also, do thorough investigating of a potential contractor’s references, credentials and background before hiring them.

There are many places that you can search in order to find the right solar panel installation contractor for your project. Start by looking online, through the yellow pages, checking with the local Chamber of Commerce, and even asking your friends and family.

Prior to firing a solar panel installation contractor, confirm whether the contract authorizes you to plus any other provisions about conflict resolution between the parties to the contract. However, some provisions incorporated may allow a third party intervention in time of a dispute.

Ask your solar panel installation contractor to be honest with you regarding progress, budget and working of the project. However, if more contractors feel difficulty in adhering to your requirements then it is an alarm for you to re-look your expectations.

Talk with solar panel installation contractors about any areas of your home that are off limits. If you do not want workers using your bathroom or having lunch on the lawn, then be clear about the expectations. Clarity up front will end in better results.

All the products to be used in your project should be identified in good time before the kick off the actual work in the project. Traits like their color, size and brand names can be well spelt out before any work begins.

Curious about the topic of green energy options? Be certain to go to Yahoo and search for go green energy today. You’ll be able to find quite a bit of information.

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Ability To Locate A Nice Solar Panel Contractor Is Only A Few Steps Away

by Joan Rivera Posted on May 31, 2013

Wouldn’t it be a dream come true if the ideal solar panel installation contractor would simply just arrive on your doorstep wrapped with a pretty looking bow? What a shame that something like that is only a pipe dream. We have however compiled the next best thing. Follow these simple steps, no there is no promise of a bright colored bow with the ideal contractor standing beneath it, but a great contractor is waiting for you if you take a look at our tips.

Search for the reviews and comments from the previous clients of the solar panel installation contractor & solar panel expert. Check the review for the punctuality of the workers. If there are reports of contractor and solar panel experts getting late, it can indicate higher chances of delays in the completion of your job/project.

Local employment agencies are another good source of solar panel installation contractor information. Ask for recommendations instead of just names. Employment agencies typically conduct background checks and entrance interviews which should help lighten your workload. Once you have found a contractor, enter into a written contract that can then be followed to the letter.

You need to get everything in writing even if you are hiring a solar panel installation contractor for a small job. The result may be disastrous if the contractor later does not work according to your guidelines. He will not argue if a written agreement exists.

If the solar panel installation contractor you are eyeing is in hot demand make sure you have a little extra time to account for the fact that they are probably going to need more time than most to complete the job. If a contractor is really good they may be worth waiting for. Just make sure you are comfortable with this and realistic about their time constraints.

If you feel hesitant about anyone who will be working on your project, it’s best to talk to your solar panel installation contractor to make sure you can get feedback on these workers. One bad worker can set an even the biggest project back.

If you decide you need to fire your solar panel installation contractor after they’ve begun work on your project, carefully review your agreement first! You might not legally be allowed to fire them without them suing you. If possible, use a lawyer, mediator or conflict resolution specialist to work out any disagreements you have with your contractor before considering whether to fire them.

If a decision is agreed to make a change to the project after work has started then make sure you fill out a change order. This will be attached to the contract and explicitly state what change is made and what is expected. If you need to make this change you might have to adjust the completion date.

When you are interested in the topic of perth solar power, go ahead and visit Bing and look for westsun solar solar power perth. You’ll be happy you did!

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Tips To Read And Follow To Find A Valuable Solar Panel Contractor

by Joan Rivera Posted on May 24, 2013

How exciting it is to bring a renovation project to successful completion! A spectacular remodeling job will reward you for a lifetime. The right solar panel installation contractor must possess the work history appropriate to your needs, and trying to find this professional can be quite a challenge! That dream patio can be yours–all you need to do is take advantage of the following tips.

It is important to determine the type and amount of insurance that your solar panel installation contractor has. Ask your contractor about this before beginning the project. Accidents can happen on the worksite, and without the proper insurance through your contractor, you may be held responsible for any accidents or damages that happen during the project.

Every solar panel installation contractor must be licensed and should display their license number on any documents or advertising. If you are not provided with a license number move on, they are likely a fraud.

If you run into a solar panel installation contractor who takes the easy way out or cuts corners, find a different one. Make sure to pay attention to reviews about prospective contractors, even if you know the contractor. Only hire that person if the previous clients agree on his/her quality of work.

As far as possible, make sure to solve any issue between you and your solar panel installation contractor outside the court, in a calm, civilized and professional manner. You can involve the services of an attorney in case you are not in a position to come to an agreement.

Once you get a recommendation from family and friends, make sure you get 3 references and give them a call. When you call each reference ask if they would hire that solar panel installation contractor again. It also is a good idea to check how much they were charged to make sure you get the same price.

Language barrier is often one of the challenges than can lead to the stalling of your project. Therefore, when hiring, you should hire a solar panel installation contractor who speaks your language. Though the contractor may be highly qualified, failure to communicate in an efficient way can cause problems with your project.

There are a lot of solar panel installation contractors out there in the market, so don’t make haste and finalize with the first one you are touch with. You could end up losing a lot of money if you don’t go through a rigorous selection process. Interviewing potential contractors may require a lot of time but, in the end, it will definitely be worth it.

If you are struggling to make a decision between a couple different solar panel installation contractors go out and visit one of their current work sites. This will give you an idea of how things might look for your project. It could be a real quick visit just to examine the state of the work site.

Did this article spark an interest about perth solar panels? Why not go to your favorite search engine and start typing in solar power systems perth? We promise you might learn useful answers.

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