All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

Minbari Mondays, Infection, and Purity?

Context, Thought, and Learning: ShiraDest Offers Project Do Better

This is the continuation of our fictional letter (reviewing each film and episode of Babylon 5) that I receive each week from Ranger Mayann.

Here is her sixth report:

Nih sakh sh’lekk, sleem wa, Greetings from Tuzanor:

 

In this sixth report, still in your Earth year 2258, the second year of operation of the station, the only ambassador to be seen in this incident is one from the distant past of a dead world: an ambassador who is built to bring destruction.

As Mr. Garibaldi informed the human reporter, working for your news agency called InterStellar Network News, or ISN, how to navigate the station, Dr. Franklin was being offered an adventure by an old professor of his, while the esteemed professor’s subordinate was murdering a customs officer in one of the station’s docking bays.

The doctor showed what you humans call grouchy behavior both…

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Peter’s Mesa Sunset

The view includes many notable Sonoran desert plants. Many young Saguaro cactus are in the form of green poles and, on the rim of the ravine running left to right below the closer ridge, an excellent specimen with multiple arms. Catching the dramatic light, on the ridge is a tall single flower of an Agave, known as the “Century Plant” it flowers once in a long life and dies.

Michael Stephen Wills Photography

Peter’s mesa is at the center of Superstition Wilderness treasure legends. I was a member of an expedition to the top of the Mesa March 2008. This is a sunset view, looking south, southwest. Light raking across the desolation and an approaching storm behind Miner’s Needle create a fascinating spectacle. Ancient volcanism, apparent throughout the Superstition Wilderness, is here seen in the texture, form and type of rock as well as the mineral deposits. Miner’s Needle, like Weaver’s Needle (no seen in this view), are eroded volcanic summits. Look closely for the “eye” of Miner’s Needle, backlit by the storm cloud itself lit by the setting sun. To this day, hopeful prospectors search for gold nuggets around the Needle. There is one form of volcanism present today as an eerie rumble or hiss, similar to an enormous distant jet engine. We heard now and then during our two days on…

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The New Humanitarian | Myanmar’s coup fallout tumbles into a regional emergency

At least two of the country’s major ethnic armed groups have pushed back against the military, and others have warned they could get involved. Fresh clashes in remote conflict zones – including military airstrikes in southeast Myanmar – have forced thousands to flee.

The crisis is beginning to spill into neighbouring Thailand and India as civilians and defecting security forces attempt to find safety, sparking warnings that a refugee crisis could quickly spiral.

“The crisis is set to deepen, with the prospects of greater bloodshed, economic damage, humanitarian emergency, and refugee flight to neighbouring countries growing,” the International Crisis Group said in a briefing.

The UN’s top envoy for Myanmar, Christine Schraner Burgener, this week warned of “the possibility of civil war at an unprecedented scale”.

Source: The New Humanitarian | Myanmar’s coup fallout tumbles into a regional emergency

China, Russia Back Calls for ASEAN Special Summit on Crisis in Post-Coup Myanmar — Radio Free Asia

China and Russia have backed calls for an ASEAN leaders’ meeting to discuss the turmoil in post-coup Myanmar, where military and security forces unleashed their guns and killed more than 500 pro-democracy protesters during the past two months.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, with its share of former military leaders and one-party states, has been roundly criticized for not reaching a consensus on how to deal with member-state Myanmar’s junta after the military overthrew an elected government on Feb. 1.

“China firmly supports the ASEAN in promoting peace talks with the ASEAN way, and supports holding a special meeting of ASEAN leaders to mediate Myanmar’s situation at an early date,” Wang said after meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Hishammuddin Hussein on Thursday, a statement on the Chinese foreign ministry’s website said.

Source: China, Russia Back Calls for ASEAN Special Summit on Crisis in Post-Coup Myanmar — Radio Free Asia

FDA approves at-home, non-presecription COVID-19 tests – UPI.com

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved two more at-home COVID-19 screening tests that can be purchased over-the-counter.

The FDA made the announcement in a release Thursday, stating the approvals were given to “get more tests for screening asymptomatic individuals on the market.”

The federal agency approved BinaxNOW COVID-19 Antigen Self Test by Abbott Laboratories, a U.S. medical device company, and QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 test by Quidel Corporation, a U.S. diagnostics healthcare products manufacturer.

It also approved a third test, BD Veritor System’s Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2, for use in point-of-care settings.

Source: FDA approves at-home, non-presecription COVID-19 tests – UPI.com

Smoky and the Army Airborne | Pacific Paratrooper – WWII

When the squadron set up in Lingayen, about 80 miles NW of Manila, they asked Wynne if Smoky could pull a telephone line through a 70-foot long culvert under the airfield.   After tying the cable to her collar, Wynne coaxed Smoky through the far end.  She navigated through muddy, moldy pipes and climbed mounds of sifted sand every 4 feet.  She did it in a few minutes.  The feat earned her a steak and official “war dog” status.

When Wynne came down with dengue fever, Smoky was so popular, she was allowed to visit him in the hospital.  She eventually accompanied the doctors and nurses on their rounds.  She is the first recorded “therapy dog” in history.

Source: Smoky and the Army Airborne | Pacific Paratrooper

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Soni's thoughts

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Major Amtrak expansion in Cleveland and Ohio included in Biden infrastructure plan – cleveland.com

Amtrak expansion

Amtrak is planning a major expansion of passenger rail service through Cleveland and Ohio, part of the massive infrastructure investment outlined by President Joseph R. Biden this week.

If implemented, passenger rail service through Cleveland could jump from the current four trains per day to 22, according to All Aboard Ohio, a lobbying group that advocates for expanded train service in the state.

Source: Major Amtrak expansion in Cleveland and Ohio included in Biden infrastructure plan – cleveland.com

New Mexico ranked second safest state during COVID-19 | Las Cruces Bulletin

New Mexico is rated the second safest state in the country during COVID-19, according to the personal finance website WalletHub.
The state is second only to Alaska in WalletHub’s overall safety score, the report said.

New Mexico has the nation’s highest vaccination rate, the fourth lowest (tied with Rhode Island) positive testing rate, 13th in hospitalization rate, 25th in death rate and 12th in transmission rate.

Source: New Mexico ranked second safest state during COVID-19 | Las Cruces Bulletin

Cairo confidențial

Cairo not seen along the usual tourist routes…

ore de drum

2018

Palatul prințului Taz este un pretext ca să explorez străfundurile zonei islamice, presărate cu monumente mai puțin turistice.

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Pe toate le poți vedea într-o plimbare arhitecturală de la moscheea sultanului Hassan la moscheea Ibn tulun, în doar câteva ore.

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Între ele, străzi de blocuri maro.

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Cartierul islamic are avantajul că nu e foarte căutat de turiști și specificul local e intact.

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Pe străduțe labirintice, admir o fântână din secolul 15 a unui sultan oarecare decorată cu marmură policromă, cu un acoperiș de lemn dantelat și cu motive fin cizelate în piatră.

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Mai încolo, moscheea Qani Bei (1413), cu un minaret dublu și cu domul sculptat în model zimțat.

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Fațada este placată cu faianță bleu și alb în stil otoman.

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Până la prinț, mai trecem pe lângă o fostă mănăstire construită în secolul 18, locuită de călugării dansatori derviși până în 1952, când au fost expulzați din Egipt.

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Apoi a…

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