Stepjam

Your post doesn't make me apprehensive at all. As of this moment, there is no proof or evidence at all that a "meltdown" has occurred in Japan. There are certainly quake-damaged fuel assemblies, and some RCS has boiled off and carried aloft some miniscule traces of fission products. There was a huge amount of radiation released locally when the fuel was uncovered, but that has since diminished. The main focus right now is getting the cooling restored and stablizing the coolant levels. This will eliminate the hydrogen threat, which is what did most of the damage, and provide shielding so that further repairs can take place. This accident is much more severe than Three Mile Island, but is not even close to Chernobyl. This is still a developing event, and I am not surprised that the media is doing its level best to whip up an Armageddon scenario. So far, it doesn't look like the American public is taking the bait. If you want real "news" about what's going on with this, go to the ANS, IAEA, or NEI websites. By far the biggest life threats to the Japanese people are hunger, lack of potable water, lack of sanitation, disease, and exposure to the elements, not radiation. Let's not lose focus because of screaming headlines from "news" agencies.

Wrong. All of the sirens work most of the time, a very few do not work some of the time. This is why they are tested and maintained. Not every test of the siren system is to ensure that they actually sound, sometimes it's only to ensure that their receivers work.It is also why then-Senator Clinton pushed for the installation of an initially very troublesome battery powered back-up siren system, which was a nightmare to bring on-line. But we persevered, and the counties now have a working siren system, with redundancy.

Show me an American made TV. I'll buy it.

At what point do you stop throwing good money after bad? In the case of many inner-city public schools, it's not a lack of funding or incompetent teachers that result in a failing school system. Its often because the students themselves lack a supportive family structure or any kind of discipline at home. The parent (or grandparent) can't cope with what these students face outside of the home. The school system is accused by media demagogues of being inadequate, racist, or worse. But lack of funding is not really where the root of the problem lies. It's an almost total lack of accountability at every level: the students, the parents, and the school administration. A case in point: Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook wunderkind, announced that he was donating $100 million to Newark city schools. Now, we can all easily conjure up the popular images of life in one of America's worst cities. However, the City of Newark already spends $22,000 per student. The average per student spending in the State of New Jersey (including all of those "rich" districts) is only about $16,000. Zuckerberg's money could have done a lot more good to a lot more people if he had given it to the Salvation Army or even a local college, for example. In a corrupt, patronizing, inefficient system like the one in Newark, that money will just disappear without a ripple. And yes, Catholic School teachers make a lot less than Public School teachers, so much less that I wonder why they take the jobs. But when you look at the Administrative level, it's usually one or two iron-fisted priests (or nuns) that run it all, rather than a plethora of "Education Professionals." I am a proud product of the Yonkers Public School system. From the southwest side, I might add. That included attendance at PS-3 (gone), Hawthorne JHS, and Saunders and Yonkers High Schools. All "inner city" schools. I believe I got an excellent education. I was fortunate enough to complete my public education (and leave Yonkers) before the clueless do-gooder Federal judge Lenny Sands destroyed the entire system through mandated bussing and widespread low-income housing, and by appointing race-baiting hack lawyers "oversee" the Board of Education. This just spread the indifference through the entire city like a cancer, and put Yonkers real estate values in the toilet for a while. I'll give Zuckerberg credit. he undoubtedly believes that he's doing the right thing, and put his money where his mouth is. It's ashame that his generous gift will be squandered. So, to hairbag Michael Moore and the rest of the Hollywood Apparatchiks, I say you do the same. You spend YOUR money. Leave mine alone. Take the last paragraph any way you want. But facts are facts.

I'm a Union member, have been for 25 years, and also served for 15 years as a steward. I am also a slightly right-of-center Republican, and have been for my entire voting life. Thanks to Obama and Crew, I will remain so. That said, as a Republican I am embarassed by the Draconian measures undertaken in Wisconsin, and because of them I have no doubt that four years from now, Wisconsin will be just as left-wing looney as the People's Republic of Vermont, or the Commune-wealth of Massachusetts. I also believe this misguided sledgehammer approach will be overtuned in court, because it tramples the civil rights of those workers. I am also highly embarassed by Sarah Palin and lately, John McCain. But they are only temporary.

Teachers have become the scapegoat for big education budgets. I don't think that their compensation packages are entirely to blame. When you consider their educational requirements and the job overall, I personally don't believe that they are overpaid. At least, not in my district. However, consider the price tag of the large number of Administrators, Assistant Principals, and Psychologists/Guidance Counselors that make far more than the average teacher, then you might be on to something. I ran into an old school chum of mine at a neighborhood reunion. He is now the "Technology Administrator" for a very large suburban school district. Basically, he is in charge of computers, software, multi-media, telecommunications, and all of the "technical staff" that install and run it all, and has his own mandate to constantly "improve" what he has by acquiring the latest and the best stuff that taxpayer money can buy. I didn't want to say so to his face, since he was very enthusiastic about his career and I certainly didn't mean anything personal, but I saw him and the juggernaut he managed as a very big part of the problem. I always believed in the old adage "if it aint broke, don't fix it." With regard to teachers, the only thing I have a problem with is tenure. I'm sorry, but there are a few too many teachers out there who, while perhaps academically competent, are socially clueless and do more to alienate their students than they do to educate them. I think we can all agree that there are people who have no business being teachers. The difference is that they have almost NO accountability because of tenure. If a teacher sucks, or has a severe personality flaw when dealing with children, they should be out of a job.

How many guys on here belong to a Union? Most, I would bet. How many "average citizens" do you know that blame Unions for all of our jobs going overseas? Lots, I would bet. The extravagantly paid American garment worker who was a member of the ILGWU made a shocking $8.25 as of 2004. A similarly skilled worker in Bangladesh makes less than that in a week. In short, unlike the fat slob Michael Moore, who I despise to my very core, I don't blame venture capitalists and Republicans for the gradual impoverishment of our country. I blame the American consumer. I blame the Walmart shopper. I blame the smug yuppie or Gen-X'er who disdains his father's Oldsmobile and buys foreign car-a subject probably worthy of an entirely seperate thread on its own. We can't all be lawyers and insurance salesmen. Somebody has to MAKE something. Otherwise, it's all smoke and mirrors.

President Bush had already granted a waiver for interment at Arlington National Cemetery for Mr. Buckles while he was still alive, and BEFORE all of this controversy took place. Rep Boehner and Senator Reid have already proposed expanding this by adding a special ceremony at Arlington's amphitheater. President Obama has ordered flags to half staff on the day of Mr. Buckles funeral. Each of these things alone are quite an honor. Altogether, they are an exceptional honor. The Buckles family spokesperson has stated that nobody has contacted them at any time about any arrangements for Mr. Buckles, so the whole Rotunda proposal smells very opportunistic and cynical to me. Nobody is disputing that Mr. Buckles' passing should be a noteworthy event, or that Mr. Buckles himself was an extraordinary man. But it still has to be taken under consideration that lying in State, or more correctly, lying in Honor, has always been exceptional with pretty clearly defined precedents. I see this non-controversy as nothing more than a rotten tomato toss by two Democratic Senators. There is nothing to stop them from introducing a resolution on the floor, but time is of the essence. Rep. Boehner's office has been silent on the issue, probably because it wasn't an issue until a couple of Democrats (and a couple of Republicans too) bleated their indignation to the press. If anyone should be called disgraceful, it's a politician who would attempt to create a firestorm and grab headlines out of this solemn event to discredit the "opposition."

There actually is a very nice WW1 monument off the Mall for Washington DC area residents who served in the war. Granted, it's not a National memorial, but it's very dignified and could be developed into one, IMO. Sadly, I found it totally by accident while walking the Mall. It's kind of out-of-the-way, and it isn't kept up as well as it should be. http://www.washingtondcpartyshuttle.com/attractions/wwi-memorial.php

I feel as strongly about honoring our veterans as anyone else. I was unaware of this development, and I was initially angry about Boehner's stance. BUT........ In reading through some of the anti-GOP, anti tea-party, Sarah-Palin-did-it vitriole that's been posted here in response, I think I owe it to myself to go out and get educated on the detailed reasons for Boehner's opposition, if in fact it is opposition, and clarify it to myself before I can condemn it. If Boehner did this for no other reason than partisanship, then something is clearly wrong with his judgement. A terse one-line statement to the press from W. Virginia's two Democratic Senators looks too much like opportunistic mudslinging to me.

I heartily support the right of an individual to burn our flag, especially if they wrap themselves in it beforehand.

Phelps and the rest of the starry-eyed cretins that follow him only be encouraged into broader actions by this unfortunate ruling. I must say, however, that I have to agree with the court on a Constitutional basis. I'm certain that not one of the Justices supports the ruling in their heart in this particular context, but the law is the law. Such is our Democracy. What I'm afraid of is that because of their incredible offensiveness and cruelty, Phelps and his followers will eventually bring violence and tragedy upon themselves. Such are the limits of human tolerance. I can't say I would be "glad" to see an enraged, bereaved loved one commit an illegal act, but I don't think I could condemn it, either.

Some Houston-area legislator will probably sponsor a bill making Texas the most stringent regulator of day care providers. Was this woman licensed? Is a license even required? Why does it always take a tragedy?

I happened across this thread a little late. I'm not trying to sound like Billy Mays or anything, but I bought a "Big Red" infra-red turkey frier, made by Char-Broil. It uses infra-red heat generated by a propane fuel source, and produces a turkey as crispy and juicy as anything out of a deep frier. No oil at all, and it's shorter and wider, so it's more stable. It will cook a 16 pound thawed, unstuffed bird in 1-1/2 hours. You can also cook pork or rib roasts in it, and even a stuffed turkey too, in about two hours. You can't do that with a deep frier. Easy clean up, cheaper to use, and SAFE. You can get them for about $100 in Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I've used mine on Boy Scout outings, never had to worry about kids knocking it over and what have you. Definitely recommended.

I happened across this thread a little late. I'm not trying to sound like Billy Mays or anything, but I bought a "Big Red" infra-red turkey frier, made by Char-Broil. It uses infra-red heat generated by a propane fuel source, and produces a turkey as crispy and juicy as anything out of a deep frier. No oil at all, and it's shorter and wider, so it's more stable. It will cook a 16 pound thawed, unstuffed bird in 1-1/2 hours. You can also cook pork or rib roasts in it, and even a stuffed turkey too, in about two hours. You can't do that with a deep frier. Easy clean up, cheaper to use, and SAFE. You can get them for about $100 in Home Depot, Lowes, etc. I've used mine on Boy Scout outings, never had to worry about kids knocking it over and what have you. Definitely recommended.

I'm guessing this one was called suspicious?

The last of his kind, and now he belongs to the ages. RIP Corporal Buckles. And thank you.

The longer I served as a volunteer (EMS) and the more I saw, the more aware I became of the tremendous exposure I had to financial ruin via lawsuits, not to mention the threats to my personal health and safety. I try to stay on top of the latest protocols, but I have let my EMT certification lapse and don't volunteer anymore. It was a tremendous responsibility that I, and many others like me, willingly accepted and did our best to meet. I just grew very uneasy with the risk I assumed. I felt this adversely affected my efficiency, so to be fair I stepped back. However, I will not hesitate to offer first aid to someone on a "Good Samaritan" basis. My position may invite some scorn, but hey......I'm just being honest here. As always.

I'm hoping one of you guys can help me with a question I have about Yonkers Rescue 1. What gear or material is carried topside in the roof compartments, especially the driver's side? Thanks!

I finished it last night, more or less. There are a few more very minor details that I have to complete, but for the most part it's done.

The first set of decals is on, the second set will be white lettering and metallics. The Bare Metal Foil application was tricky, I haven't done it in such a long time. Besides finishing the decals, I need to add mirrors, an access ladder, scene lighting and other fixtures, and miscellaneous details. I also need to paint and install the various doo-dads and gadgets I made for the compartments. I probably won't make the February 28 deadline, but I'm in no rush. ;D

Moving along, I need to finish up the decal artwork and tin the exterior brightwork, plus some minor details. But it's almost complete.

Same ol', same ol'...... We had a local incident about last summer, when a carload of folks became unruly at a Rod & Gun club clam bake. They weren't members or local, just ticket holders and had driven up from the city. It turned into a near riot when the PD tried to remove a drunken woman who was standing in the middle of a busy road fighting with and cursing at her own friends/family. When the responding officer went from verbal to physical, her "family" attacked him like a pack of animals, injuring him and another officer. The Troopers had to provide back-up.

Finally, I get to upgrade my cell phone, which is a six year old Motorola V3 Razor (Verizon). The wife/kids already ate up a couple of the upgrades that I would have been entitled to. Oh well. Anyway, I want one of them there new-fangled "Smart Phones." I want to surf the internet, check and send email, get directions, etc. I will probably stay with Verizon. I used to keep up on technology, back when it concerned watts per channel on your stereo, Dolby-C vs. dbx, and comparisons of Audio-Technica vs. Empire phono cartidges. Get the picture? So. My questions are: 1. Is the iPhone the hands-down phone to have? 2. Would an EVO or HTC be a better choice? 3. I kind of like Samsung products, but not LG. What do you think? 4. How about the Motorola Droid X? Thanks!

Based on the photos, a collector could remove the "63" from the front, thin out some black paint and doing a "wash 'n wipe" of the grille, then replace the "63." IMO, that would improve the appearance of this model 1000%.