Hand Dryers and H1N1 - Fearmongering or Fact?

I don't know if you've seen the latest email about preventing the flu. It showed up recently in my mailbox, which - naturally - caused me to say "Yeah, right! Here we go again!" Without a second thought, I went to my favorite online resources and expected to find that this was just another hoax.

Well, maybe and maybe not. It's a newly circulating email and the regular investigators are still investigating. So, for now, I'm on my own.

The email states that using hand dryers, instead of paper towels, just blows the germs around. This, according to the message, increases the spread of H1N1 in public places. It's not the dryers themselves, apparently, but the unclean filters in the hand dryers. Okay, makes sense - I suppose.

Hand dryers pull air from the room, heat it, filter it, and blow it onto wet hands. If the filters are dirty, they - theoretically - aren't doing much more than pulling germs from the air, heating them, and blowing them onto wet hands. But ... and here is where my skepticism jumps into the mix ... does the heating element get hot enough to destroy bacteria? Does the 'crud,' rumored to be collecting in the filters, consist of non-cremated bacteria, i.e., active bacteria that can spread disease? Or is it simply dust, etc. from the room air, toasted into a harmless, albeit gross, amalgam of schmutz?

Not to mention, aren't we breathing all of that schmutz while we're standing at the sink pretending to scrub our hands? What makes paper towels so much more antibacterial? Aren't they housed in the same room with all of that bacteria-laden air we're breathing and blowing around? Five'll getcha ten that those itsy-bitsy germs can work themselves into the paper towel container like a mouse through a crack in the wall.

I guess we'll have to wait and see what the experts have to say. In the meantime? I have an overwhelming urge to go wash my hands!

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Jules

Blog Action Day 2009

This will be my third year participating in this exciting event. Imagine! Thousands of bloggers, around the world, united - if only for one day - in one idea. For 2009, the topic upon which we are all focused is Climate Change.

For those of you unfamiliar with Blog Action Day, let me simply quote the source:

Founding Story

Blog Action Day was founded by Collis & Cyan Ta'eed in the summer of 2007. With the support of their team at Envato in Australia as well as numerous volunteers, they recruited over 20,000 bloggers to write about the issue of Environment on October 15, 2007 - making the first Blog Action Day an immediate and quite unexpected success.

In 2009, Collis & Cyan asked the team at Change.org, the world's leading blog network for social issues, to take over responsibility of Blog Action Day and expand its reach. We were honored to accept the offer.

Preparing for Blog Action Day 09 has been a true team effort, and we would like to thank the many people who have made it possible, including Happy Cog West for the beautiful site design, Brian Potstra for the pixel-perfect logo, and Seth Brau for the awesome animated Blog Action Day 09 video.

If you have a blog and an opinion - please join us.

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Jules

Economic Forecast and Big Spending

It isn't enough that the global economy is in the crapper. Not to mention, the U.S. forecast is even gloomier than thought just 3 months ago. Now, the Senate has decided to approve 91.3 billion dollars for the 'wars' in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Didn't our prez run his campaign leaning heavily on his record of being against the war in Iraq? on voting against invading and spending American lives and dollars on this proven lie? Hmmmmm?! Well, didn't he?!

Now that we've made a total mess in the Middle East, are we ever going to just get the heck out!? Yes, I know that we've created a situation that makes it impossible for the Iraqi government and people, and just walking away would (or so it's believed) be worse than the current situation. Has anyone checked with the Iraqis? What I've been reading is that not much has changed. They still want us out - now. (Although the billions of American dollars that have disappeared were, undoubtedly, welcomed with open hands.)

How long can the United States, its citizens and its virtually failed economy, be expected to continue this financial fiasco? It's like using the Visa to pay the the MasterCard - bad business. Before long, the small percentage of this country that is still owned by this country will be gone as well. Then, where will all of this reckless spending have gotten us? Third-world status? A level of poverty that this country hasn't seen in generations? I don't know. But, I'm probably going to find out.

When will the military realize that we should be working with the citizens of Pakistan and Afghanistan, who truly want the Taliban out of their villages and out of their lives? Over the last year or so, I have read articles and opinion pieces that show far more intelligence and understanding than our current government policies. They offered advice and recommendations for behavior and interaction that would gain the respect and trust of village elders. Currently, they hate the foreign military more than they hate the Taliban - which says a lot, don't you think?

Someone has to say "Enough is enough!" and say it soon. This cannot continue.


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Jules

Beginning of a New Era

Well, we have a new President and the beginning of a new era for our country and the world.

It's small and petty, I know. But I was actually relieved to know that 'Dubya' was on a plane and out of DC. Things would be quite different now, had he made that permanent exit 4 years ago. Ah, well. 'If wishes were horses . . .'

Our new leader has shown himself to be intelligent, erudite, and well-spoken. Calm under pressure, his demeanor inspires calm and confidence in others. Or at least many others.

I have a Facebook friend who isn't so sure and, undoubtedly, she's not alone.

He has inherited a nightmare on so many fronts that will not be resolved in 100 days or 365 days. Many things need to be done and done carefully; many others (read: endangered species act changes) need to be undone, quickly.

May we all find it in ourselves to give President Obama time - to prove his words aren't hollow and his legacy, more than good intentions.


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Jules

Kristallnacht

With all that I've heard in the news recently about the non-existence of the Holocaust, this is a post that I felt compelled to publish.

If you've seen "The Sound of Music" - Germany annexed Austria in March, 1938. Germany had not yet allied with Italy or attacked Poland. Those events happened in 1939.

May 3, 1938: The Flossenbürg concentration camp opens in Bavaria, Germany, near the Czech border.
May 24, 1938: The German Nuremberg Laws are extended into Austria, with the effect of having all Jew-authored and remotely anti-Nazi books removed from Austria libraries and bookstores.
July 2, 1938: Nearly 40,000 Austrian Jews are taken into protective custody.
July 21, 1938: Legislation is passed in Germany requiring identity cards for Jews.
October 27/28, 1938, the family of Herschel Grynszpan and more than 15,000 other Jews (originally from Poland) were forcibly transported out of Germany in boxcars and left at the Polish border. Grynszpan and his family end up in Paris.
November 7, 1938: The 17-year-old Grynszpan shoots a member of the German Embassy staff, Ernst vom Rath, in retaliation for the treatment of his family at the hands of the Nazis.
November 9, 1938: Ernst vom Rath dies of his wounds.
1938 WWII timeline

This was a perfect opportunity for the Third Reich. In response to the killing, (this was also used as a way to blame Jews for what happened) orders were issued throughout Germany (and other Nazi-controlled areas) to incite, encourage, and not interfere with attacks against synagogues and Jewish-owned properties.

KRISTALLNACHT – THE NOVEMBER 1938 POGROMS

Seventy years ago, on November 9–10, 1938, the Nazis staged vicious pogroms—state sanctioned, anti-Jewish riots—against the Jewish community of Germany. These came to be known as Kristallnacht (now commonly translated as “Night of Broken Glass”), a reference to the untold numbers of broken windows of synagogues, Jewish-owned stores, community centers, and homes plundered and destroyed during the pogroms. Encouraged by the Nazi regime, the rioters burned or destroyed 267 synagogues, vandalized or looted 7,500 Jewish businesses, and killed at least 91 Jewish people. They also damaged many Jewish cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and homes as police and fire brigades stood aside. Kristallnacht was a turning point in history. The pogroms marked an intensification of Nazi anti-Jewish policy that would culminate in the Holocaust—the systematic, state-sponsored murder of Jews.  
Explore the Online Exhibition »
(Reprinted from: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum)

Orders were given:

From Heinrich Müller to all Gestapo offices - transmitted at 11:55 p.m., November 9, 1938:
1) Actions against Jews, especially against their synagogues, will take place throughout the Reich shortly. They are not to be interfered with; however, liaison is to be effected with the Ordnungspolizei to ensure that looting and other significant excesses are suppressed.

2) So far as important archive material exists in synagogues this is to be secured by immediate measures.

3) Preparations are to be made for the arrest of about 20,000 to 30,000 Jews in the Reich. Above all well-to-do Jews are to be selected. Detailed instructions will follow in the course of this night.

4) Should Jews in possession of weapons be encountered in the course of the action, the sharpest measures are to be taken. Verfugungstruppen der SS as well as general SS can be enlisted for all actions. Control of the actions is to be secured in every case through the Gestapo. Looting, larceny etc. is to be prevented in all cases. For securing material, contact is to be established immediately with the responsible SD...leadership. Addendum for Stapo Cologne: In the Cologne synagogue there is especially important material. This is to be secured by the quickest measures in conjunction with SD.

Historical Photographs
Heydrich's Instructions and Telegrams to the US

This is just one early example of the intent and practice of the Third Reich against Jews. If you look at the timeline link, you'll see that Britain and France and the United States were informed and aware of the activities of the German military. By and large, their response was to offer Hitler territories around the world in exchange for his not attacking closer targets. History tells us how well that worked.

If you are not familiar with this period in history - please review the links provided. If you are familiar with the early Hitlerian years, please share with everyone you know.

As long as we allow people - anywhere in the world - to claim that it never happened, the chances that history will repeat itself increase exponentially!



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Jules

Blog Action Day 08 - Poverty

If you have a blog, this is a wonderful use of your time and energy. I participated last year and am excited about posting again this year.

This is a perfect opportunity to share with your readers - what you know, how you help, and what they can do. There is no single way or perfect answer. Together all things are possible.

One huge misconception is that it takes legislators and laws to make a difference. Another is that it takes huge amounts of money to have an impact. The truth is much simpler.

On October 15th, join thousands of bloggers, and tens of thousands of their readers, in bringing the issue of poverty - in your country and around the world - to the forefront.

Read and write about truths, myths, and ideas. Contribute your energy and, if you can, more.



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Jules

Hundreds of Dead Baby Penguins

What a sad story: Hundreds of baby penguins found dead in Brazil.

Experts differ in opinions as to the cause. Some blame overfishing, which is forcing the penguins further out to find food and leaving them vulnerable to stronger ocean currents. Another theory, that global warming has altered ocean currents, created more cyclones, and made the seas rougher. As most of the birds are newly out of the nest, either of these make a great deal of sense.

So many animals are at risk these days, thanks to global warming and pollution, it's so sad to see the young ones in trouble.



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Jules

Greater Good Network

I have a great interest in protecting the environment, helping animals, and just trying to do the right thing. Sadly, I don't have a bank account that allows me to financially support all of the causes in which I believe.

Thanks to the Greater Good Network, and their sponsors, I don't have to be the Sultan of Brunei in order to help.

One of the easiest ways to help is by resetting the home page on your browser. Simply pick one of the websites in the network - I chose The Animal Rescue Site - and every time you visit the Internet, simply click on the "Click Here to Give" button on the main page. It doesn't cost you a dime, but the sponsors will take that 'click' and donate to the cause that you've chosen.

Every time I visit my homepage, I give .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. And I am not alone! Yesterday, July 10, 2008, 303,764 clicks contributed 182,258 bowls of food; in 2007, actions at The Animal Rescue Site funded the value of 42,724,313 bowls of food for animals in need.

I know that I couldn't, personally, contribute enough to make a drop in the bucket. But, working with The Greater Good Network, I - and you - can do wonders.



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Jules

Growing Up Marsupial

I've recently taken on editing at BestOfTheWeb. My favorite categories are in the Kids and Teens section, especially different Science-related areas, such as Health and Living Things.

Just recently, I was working on categories for several Marsupial species. You know them - Kangaroos, Wallabies, Wombats, Possums, and their relatives. They are amazing creatures and I had a great time learning about them.

Then, today, I was channel-surfing and found "Growing Up Marsupial" on Animal Planet. It's about three people who become 'mum' to marsupial babies, with the goal of releasing them back into the wild. One has been working with a Quoll, another has Tasmanian Devil siblings, and the third a baby Wombat.

I've attached a link to the website and the schedule for subsequent airings. Please take a look. These babies, and their human 'mums', are just incredible.



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Jules

Betancourt and 3 Americans Freed From FARC

I have been following this story off and on. To say the least, I was thrilled to hear that this rescue happened.

"Colombian spies tricked leftist rebels into handing over kidnapped presidential candidate Ingrid Betancourt and three U.S. military contractors Wednesday in a daring helicopter rescue so successful that not a single shot was fired."

Please join me in rejoicing over the rescue of these four people, as well as the Columbian police who were also freed.



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Jules

China Alleges New Olympic Terror Plot

Now, I'll admit to being a bit of a cynic and stories like this one just don't help. Given China's history...


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Jules