ShutterSparks

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16281262282092250102009-10-14T14:28:10.280-04:00ShutterSparksWelcome to my musings on whatever topic or current event catches my eye, plus recipes, photography tips, and what have you. Comments are welcome!ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.comBlogger132125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-71322837450156616422009-07-09T14:35:00.001-04:002009-07-09T14:36:27.975-04:002009-07-09T14:36:27.975-04:00The Gandhi Model will not work in Iran

The Gandhi Model of peaceful, non-violent resistance worked in India and it worked for the civil rights movement in the United States. Unfortunately, I don't think it will not work in Iran. The Gandhi Model only works if the ruling government is made up of people who have some basis in morality and who place at least some value on human life. But dealing with the rulers of Iran and the Basij

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-27649085438911875472009-06-28T06:41:00.002-04:002009-06-28T06:45:14.309-04:002009-06-28T06:45:14.309-04:00A Reality Check for the Recording Industry

For several years now there have been stories in the news about the RIAA suing private individuals who engaged in music file sharing and downloading. Recently ASCAP tried to get into the act with the idea of charging royalties for ringtones and with their demands worded in such a way that it sounded like one would have to pay a royalty for whistling a tune.What we are seeing are the dying gasps

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-14818277965066782732009-05-30T17:33:00.003-04:002009-05-30T17:36:57.889-04:002009-05-30T17:36:57.889-04:00Flickr Explore

Finally got a couple of photos into Explore! again on Flickr. Yay!Click the photos to see much larger versions

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-71471413018849396102009-05-23T15:09:00.002-04:002009-05-23T15:12:51.116-04:002009-05-23T15:12:51.116-04:00It Appears We've Finally Found the Evolutionary Missing Link

Scientists have discovered an exquisitely preserved ancient primate fossil that they believe forms a crucial "missing link" between our own evolutionary branch of life and the rest of the animal kingdom.The 47 million year old primate – named Ida – has been hailed as the fossil equivalent of a "Rosetta Stone" for understanding the critical early stages of primate evolution.The top-level

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-15407300544903961722009-05-16T03:40:00.001-04:002009-05-16T03:40:09.390-04:002009-05-16T03:40:09.390-04:00STS-125 Atlantis Solar Transit (200905120002HQ)

STS-125 Atlantis Solar Transit (200905120002HQ), originally uploaded by nasa hq photo.This photo is too cool not to post.In this tightly cropped image, the NASA space shuttle Atlantis is seen in silhouette during solar transit, Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from Florida. This image was made before Atlantis and the crew of STS-125 had grappled the Hubble Space Telescope. Photo Credit: (NASA/Thierry

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-20356218094761587302009-05-14T12:45:00.001-04:002009-05-14T12:55:23.773-04:002009-05-14T12:55:23.773-04:00We Grow 'Em Big in Central America

I just had to post this photo taken in Costa Rica. I hope you enjoy it.LagarteadaOriginally uploaded on Flickr by Néstor Baltodano

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-41975445407024656812009-05-09T12:38:00.002-04:002009-05-09T12:40:40.580-04:002009-05-09T12:40:40.580-04:00Scorpions Anyone?

I thought I'd post a video made from several clips I shot of scorpions that one occasionally encounters here where I live.

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-42959892931362803652009-05-07T15:30:00.003-04:002009-05-07T15:33:23.606-04:002009-05-07T15:33:23.606-04:00Up to 2 Billion Could Become Infected with Swine Flu

Up to 2 billion people could get the swine flu (AH1N1).Pandemics typically last about two years and infect about one-third of the world's population.If the current epidemic becomes a pandemic and lasts for two years, it could infect 2 billion people, if the pandemic follows the patterns of past pandemics, says the WHO.See the AP story here.

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-39116703500193083332009-05-01T00:53:00.000-04:002009-05-01T00:54:36.958-04:002009-05-01T00:54:36.958-04:00The Torturers’ Manifesto

To read the four newly released memos on prisoner interrogation written by George W. Bush’s Justice Department is to take a journey into depravity.Their language is the precise bureaucratese favored by dungeon masters throughout history. They detail how to fashion a collar for slamming a prisoner against a wall, exactly how many days he can be kept without sleep (11), and what, specifically, he

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-48789537755260319382009-04-29T17:03:00.000-04:002009-04-29T17:04:11.024-04:002009-04-29T17:04:11.024-04:00WHO Escalates to Phase 5 on Swine Flu Pandemic

The Geneva-based World Health Organization on Wednesday raised its alert level for the fast-spreading swine flu to its next-to-highest notch, signaling a global pandemic could be imminent. The move came after the virus spread to at least 10 U.S. states from coast to coast and swept deeper into Europe. "It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-41946586086174996862009-04-29T16:08:00.000-04:002009-04-29T16:09:10.288-04:002009-04-29T16:09:10.288-04:00Update from the WHO

29 April 2009 -- The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 18:00 GMT, 29 April 2009, nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with one death. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths. The following

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-74409589500849021022009-04-29T13:16:00.002-04:002009-04-29T13:19:42.886-04:002009-04-29T13:19:42.886-04:00Epidemic Not Slowing Down

WHO says the swine flu epidemic shows no signs of slowing down.The epidemic remains at Phase 4 but WHO is getting closer to declaring a Phase 5 pandemic.http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090429/ap_on_he_me/swine_flu_world

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-71458737260107195692009-04-27T16:54:00.002-04:002009-04-27T17:06:02.536-04:002009-04-27T17:06:02.536-04:00WHO Moves from Pandemic Phase 3 to Phase 4 on Swine Flu

The WHO has just raised the pandemic phase on the Swine Flu epidemic from Phase 3 to Phase 4. There are six phases or stages, followed by a post peak phase.The WHO pandemic phase definitions are as follows:In nature, influenza viruses circulate continuously among animals, especially birds. Even though such viruses might theoretically develop into pandemic viruses, in Phase 1 no viruses

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-44198097792195411902009-04-27T13:59:00.001-04:002009-04-29T01:04:54.691-04:002009-04-29T01:04:54.691-04:00Three Possible Cases of Swine Flu in Guatemala

The Ministry of Health announced three possible cases of swine flu in Guatemala.Guatemalans are urged not to travel to Mexico where there are 103 confirmed deaths so far. The true number might be 147.Avoid contact with people, avoid crowds, wash your hands often, don't touch your face, especially eyes, with unwashed hands.See more detail and updates here:http://maya-paradise.blogspot.com/

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-80072249355913673382009-04-27T11:17:00.001-04:002009-04-27T11:21:31.231-04:002009-04-27T11:21:31.231-04:00Swine Flu Tracking Maps

It's not clear how often these maps will be updated. So far they are being well maintained, but no promises:Tracking MapAnother Tracking Map

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-62040292766511723522009-04-18T14:53:00.004-04:002009-04-18T14:57:05.466-04:002009-04-18T14:57:05.466-04:00Salticidae vs. Odonate

Posted a new series of photos in Flickr showing a jumping spider killing a damselfly.

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-15198102676950208032009-04-15T20:17:00.001-04:002009-04-15T20:20:45.199-04:002009-04-15T20:20:45.199-04:00Americans or Cuban-Americans?

Some articles about President Obama's relaxed restriction on travel to Cuba say "Cuban-Americans", others say "Americans", others refer to both in the same article. Which is it?And if it's Cuban-Americans only, I have another question: since when can the government discriminate between the rights of certain Americans versus other Americans? An American citizen is an American citizen, and it's

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-26036268022583522772009-04-13T01:51:00.003-04:002009-04-13T01:56:22.581-04:002009-04-13T01:56:22.581-04:00U.S. Now Deporting Citizens

Pedro Guzman has been an American citizen all his life. Yet in 2007, the 31-year-old Los Angeles native — in jail for a misdemeanor, mentally ill and never able to read or write — signed a waiver agreeing to leave the country without a hearing and was deported to Mexico as an illegal immigrant."The more the system becomes confused, the more U.S. citizens will be wrongfully detained and wrongfully

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-39322848818957122452009-04-03T13:08:00.001-04:002009-04-03T13:10:37.337-04:002009-04-03T13:10:37.337-04:00The U.S. is Going to Miss the Biggest Opportunity of the 21st Century

Electric vehicles are the wave of the future. Bio-diesel (algae, bacteria), and electric, and combinations of the two are where the future lies. But the U.S. is going to blow it.For most of the 20th century, the U.S. was the world leader in car manufacturing. This is no longer the case and it looks like the mammoth dinosaurs that are called "Detroit" are so hidebound as to be unable to cope

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-61361889863191388392009-03-19T03:21:00.002-04:002009-03-19T03:24:55.946-04:002009-03-19T03:24:55.946-04:00Declassified US State Dept Docs, US Knew of Abuses by Guatemalan Leaders it Supported

The U.S. government knew that top Guatemalan officials it supported with arms and cash were behind the disappearance of thousands of people during a 36-year civil war, declassified documents obtained by a U.S. research institute show.The National Security Archive, a Washington D.C.-based institute that requests and publishes declassified government documents, obtained diplomatic and intelligence

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-55715799917118106032009-03-16T03:51:00.002-04:002009-03-16T15:42:46.923-04:002009-03-16T15:42:46.923-04:00World faces irreversible climate change, researchers warn

The world is facing an increasing risk of "irreversible" climate shifts because worst-case scenarios warned of two years ago are being realized, an international panel of scientists has warned.Temperatures, sea levels, acid levels in oceans and ice sheets were already moving "beyond the patterns of natural variability within which our society and economy have developed and thrived," scientists

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-10886444923942256602009-03-13T16:50:00.001-04:002009-03-13T16:52:09.824-04:002009-03-13T16:52:09.824-04:00Happy 20th Anniversary to the World Wide Web

Twenty years ago today, Tim Berners-Lee, of the CERN particle physics laboratory in Geneva, wrote a paper describing what quickly became the World Wide Web. Back in 1989, the Web was just an idea, but it was a world-changing idea and one of the most important ideas of the 20th century.At that time, the first browser and the first web server had yet to be created but those things came quickly.

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-1166281146049610612009-03-06T20:50:00.000-05:002009-03-06T21:52:16.475-05:002009-03-06T21:52:16.475-05:00Iran Shows its True Colors

There has not been much news coverage of the plight of the Baha'is in Iran but it did get some coverage in a recent New York Times blog.The leaders of Iran like to portray themselves as the right people to lead Iran into the future. A future of what? Gestapo-like oppression? Wars? Kangaroo courts convicting people of phony crimes against the state and sentencing them to death? Is that the

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-40958221462253172922009-03-06T13:44:00.003-05:002009-03-06T13:47:46.699-05:002009-03-06T13:47:46.699-05:00For those personally worrying about foreclosure, Please read this post

This is a cross-post from a forum, reposted here with the author's permission. I thought it might be of value to some of my readers:A post in another forum served as a reminder of the economic fragility that many solidly middle class families are facing these days. My day job is in the affordable housing non-profit field, and my agency is among many on the front lines in saving homes and saving

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1628126228209225010.post-29131556452830295552009-03-06T08:55:00.002-05:002009-03-06T13:44:09.626-05:002009-03-06T13:44:09.626-05:00This is a Switch, and a Good One

The U.S. Commerce Department recently reported that the savings rate in the U.S. has risen to its highest level in 14 years. This is a sea change, possibly with big consequences, since a large part of the global economy has long depended on uncontrollable consumption of Americans.The loss in value of homes and the collapse of investments and retirement plans has caused a dramatic change in U.S.

ShutterSparks / KW2Phttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18439661823512170380noreply@blogger.com0