Change In Plans :o)

Based on the overwhelming response and acceptance at Blogger, I have become a dedicated  "Spotter", and will not be posting on AOL any more.  I will migrate this journal to Blogger at the right time, as a second "archive" journal. 

If you would like to visit, please look me up at:

http://buckoclown.blogspot.com/

Tags: Goodbye J-Land

New Nuclear ???

--SIXTY-NINE PERCENT OF AMERICANS "DEFINITELY" FAVOR NEW NUCLEAR PLANTS in the US, according to a poll by Bisconti Research and GfK for the Nuclear Energy Institute. This is 10% more than favored new reactors in a similar poll last conducted in April 2007, NEI said September 29. Three-fourths of those polled said they "would find it acceptable to add a new reactor at the nearest existing nuclear power plant site," 9% more than last year, NEI said. The poll found that 38% "strongly favor" nuclear energy and 10% "strongly oppose" the technology, it said. Nuclear plants are considered "safe and secure" by 78% of those surveyed, up from 71% in April 2007, NEI said. Seventy-six percent said the US should continue to develop a geologic spent fuel repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada as long as it meets NRC regulations, it said. Ann Bisconti, president of Bisconti Research, said in a statement that, "in the 25 years that I have been tracking public opinion about nuclear energy, I have never witnessed anything like this increase on all the measures [of support for nuclear power] across the board." The telephone survey of 1,000 adults was conducted September 18-21 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3%.

 

I will continue to post both locations, but my new journal will be:  http://buckoclown.blogspot.com/

Progeria Update :o)

I talked with our "walker" today, and she indicated that more than 500 walkers showed up.  Cam was there (he is very small for a two year old), the parents were there, and the grandparents were there.  They were very thankful for the turnout.  So, it was a good day.  Thanks for your comments, thoughts, and prayers.

Tags: Progeria

Bailout Fails :o(

This is a non-partisan entry.  As they say on Dragnet, "Just the Facts".

Dem 140 For Bailout
Dem 95 Against Bailout

GOP 65 For Bailout
GOP 133 Against Bailout

http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2008/roll674.xml

Rove Released Update on Electoral Map

NEW ELECTORAL COLLEGE MAP FROM ROVE & CO.

It's too soon for the 29 state polls released since last Wednesday to reflect the post-debate political environment, but it's clear that the recent economic news has been favoring Barack Obama. The Democrat continues to rise in the Electoral College, picking up 48 electoral votes from Michigan (17 EV), Pennsylvania (21 EV), and Wisconsin (10 EV) to bring him to 259 votes, his most since before the Republican convention. Both Missouri (11 EV) and North Carolina (15 EV) fell from McCain's column to toss-up, leaving him with 163 electoral votes. 116 electoral votes remain a toss-up, but Obama now holds his largest lead over McCain since July 17th. With 36 days remaining before the election, each candidates has the time and ability to change the dynamic of the race - and I am confident that will happen several times more.   If you want to sign up for updates from Karl Rove, click the link :o)   http://rove.com/?email_signup=Enter%20email%20address

Tags: Electoral Map, Karl Rove

Progeria :o(

Wow, what a small world.  You never know where tragedy or difficulty will hit.  The below is an e-mail request for support (I donated) regarding some people who work at our plant.  I work with the requester, used to work with the originator of the request, and have had work performed by JH, the father of the unfortunate boy.  Please send your prayers, and click to any of the links that you feel so inclinded to. 

 

Some of you may know JH in IT.  His son has a very rare disease that causes rapid aging - progeria.  There are only 13 children in the US with this disease.  Tomorrow (9/27/08) a fund-raising 5k run / walk is being held that I will be participating in and I am asking for donations. If anyone is interested in helping to find a cure for this very rare disease, please let me know. Please click the link below to view the entire story as reported on WNDU.  Also, there is a link to Cam's web page (lots of cute pictures!). Thanks, A... http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/29641159.html?source=enews&c=y   Stevensville family holding 5K fundraiser for progeria research

Posted: 6:56 PM Sep 23, 2008 Last Updated: 6:56 PM Sep 23, 2008 Reporter: Ryan Famuliner Email Address: ryan.famuliner@wndu.com 3 comments Stevensville family holding 5K fundraiser for progeria research

A Stevensville family is asking for the community's help in raising money for research for their two-year old's rare disease. There are only 13 children in the U.S. with progeria, and fewer than 50 worldwide. We first introduced you to the Howard family and two year old Cameron back in June. Cam was diagnosed with progeria when he was 6 months old. It's a fatal gene mutation that causes premature aging, and comes with an average life span of only 13 years. But many aspects of the disease are a mystery that the Howards hope research could solve. Cam just turned two, but you probably could have guessed that by seeing that he can’t sit still. “Cam's just like every other two year old. He’s got energy, he’s curious, and he thinks the word ‘no’ means ‘do it again’ sometimes,” said Jason Howard, Cam’s dad. “He is starting to talk, which is a great thing so he can tell us if he’s having any problems or things along those lines. Right now he actually doesn’t have too many health issues at this point,” said Stephanie Howard, Cam’s mom. But health issues will come up later in life. Progeria causes tight skin, poor weight gain, stiff joints, and other conditions commonly associated with aging. Children with progeria usually die of heart disease, at an average age of 13. “There are only 46 known cases worldwide, and 13 in the U.S. so we are very thankful for the progeria research foundation and hopeful that they will be able to find a cure,” Stephanie said. Cam and his family are getting ready for a 5K Run Walk this weekend; “Kilometers for Cam,” that will raise money for the foundation. “Right now they are in the process of doing a clinical drug trial and that clinical drug trial, hopefully, will be able to get us a cure for progeria… And if not that, then to prolong life for children with progeria,” Stephanie said. As of Tuesday, more than 250 people have already signed up for the event. “That has just been a heartwarming and a tremendous I don’t even know how to describe it were just so thankful for all of the efforts and everything people have done on our behalf,” Stephanie said. They say Cam will appreciate the support, too. “He loves people so he will really enjoy having all the people around,” Stephanie said. The Howards say it's likely the research will also benefit people that suffer from things like arthritis and heart disease; things associated with aging. There's been very little research on progeria up until now, mainly because it is so rare. The 5K race starts at 8:30 am Saturday, September 27th in downtown St. Joseph, on a route overlooking Lake Michigan. There will also be a magician, face painting, games, food, and other activities at the event. For more information on the fundraiser, visit the link below, or call (269) 978-8395.

Related Links Information for 5K on Cam's website Progeria Research Foundation Website

Apple Butter Day :o)

We had a great day yesterday (read about it at Nutwood Junction).  When we arrived at Cousin Tom's House, we helped prepare the apples.  As the initial ingredients were cooking down, we walked around the yard and took some pictures.

After that, between 11:30 A.M. and 1:00 P.M., family and friends started to arrive.  We mixed and mingled, which is where the shots in the video came from.  One thing that the "family" is known for is eating, and you will see a shot of the spread that was out for the potluck.  The last shots in the video are of Cousin Tom taking the turkey out of the "ground oven".  It was very tasty.

This was a learning experience for me today, I used Google "Picasa 3" to convert my pictures to a move, then went to YouTube and uploaded the video (could not get the Picasa upload to work).  Eventually, I hope to add captions and music, but since this effort took me several hours this afternoon, I will leave it silent.  Enjoy.

Hope your weekend was good, and that you head into the new week with a positive attitude and smile on your face :o)

 

 

 

Tags: Apple Butter, New Week, Smile