“When we die, we will turn into songs, and we will hear each other and remember each other.”
– Rob Sheffield
Monthly Archives: August 2012
August 26, 2012 – 116 Days Until Baktun 12
As Tropical Storm Isaac bears down on the United States’ Gulf Coast region, I want to remind everyone to compose a comprehensive storm preparation list, especially for those living in coastal areas. People who have lived through various tropical and arctic storms know very well that these things are unpredictable. They don’t take anything for granted, but they’re always prepared for the worst. The U.S. National Hurricane Center advises people to keep the names and phone numbers of various local government agencies, hospitals, police stations and insurance companies. But, in the New Baktun, government as we know it will be rendered ineffective and therefore, insignificant. Please review the essential items I’ve posted throughout this section – such as rain gear, bottled water and chocolate – and add whatever you feel is appropriate for your situation. Remember, the ancient Mayans are the ones who first charted and named tropical storm systems. Besides, a good survivalist holds no national allegiance in a crisis, but they always know what the hell they’re doing.
Filed under Mayan Calendar Countdown
A Child Named Isaac
Isaac – Hebrew: Yitshhaq. “He laugheth.” It was said this child laughed when he was born.
– Name Your Baby, Lareina Rule, Bantam Books 1963.
Filed under News
Tracking Isaac
Isaac’s projected path.
Tropical Storm Isaac is still expected to reach hurricane strength by Monday, August 27, and make landfall somewhere between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. Meanwhile, in Tampa, Florida, the Republican National Convention is already underway, as thousands of delegates, journalists and protesters have gathered. Florida hasn’t hosted a national political convention since 1972, when both the Democrats and Republicans convened in the state. But, the storm has also forced a revision of the GOP agenda. The RNC has crammed four days of activities and speeches into three; hoping that media coverage of the approaching storm doesn’t overshadow they’re carefully-scripted plans to highlight a presidential candidate no one really likes.
Isaac could reach the Gulf Coast on Wednesday, August 29, the seventh anniversary of Hurricane Katrina; a perfect example of ineptitude at both the state and federal levels. Meteorologists anticipate the worst of Isaac’s wrath to bypass Tampa. Personally, I could care less about the convention-goers. I just hope no children or animals are injured or die because of the storm. It would almost be funny if the Democrats stooped to the lowly Republican mindset and claim a tropical storm named Isaac is a sign to America that another Republican presidency would be devastating to the United States.
NOAA satellite view of Isaac.
Filed under News
Behind the Scenes of “Batman”
The character of “Batman” is unique in the gallery of super heroes. He first appeared in a DC Comics in November 1939, but the 1960’s television series inspired a cult-like following. The show only ran from 1966 to 1968, yet it remains popular. I still have a toy replica of the original “Batmobile,” which was made by “Hot Wheels” and might be considered a collectible. Here are some behind the scenes photos taken during the show’s first season.
Picture of the Day
A sign at a NYC rally for Planned Parenthood. Photo by Sarah Seltzer.
Filed under News
White Buffalo Death Update
Officials in Hunt County, Texas, have closed their case over the death of a white buffalo calf, claiming the animal died of disease and was not slain. The animal had been born on May 14, 2011, at the Lakota Ranch in Greenville, Texas, and was named Lightning Medicine Cloud. Ranch owner Arby Little Soldier claims he found the animal dead early this past May with only its head and tail remaining. The next day he found the calf’s mother dead. Both deaths, he believed, could have been hate crimes. White buffaloes are extremely rare and the birth of one is considered a sacred symbol in most Native American communities.
But, a veterinarian who examined both Lightning Medicine Cloud and his mother declared that the calf died of blackleg disease, a highly fatal ailment that primarily afflicts young cattle. The spores of blackleg can live in soil for many years. They enter the animal’s body through the digestive tract where the organism creates small punctures. Blackleg cannot be transmitted from an infect animal to a healthy one, but it is preventable through vaccination.
Hunt County Sheriff Randy Meeks stated that Arby Little Soldier didn’t contact his office until 6 days after Lightning Medicine Cloud turned up dead. Initial photos of the body showed it wasn’t skinned. Supposedly Little Soldier had wanted to consult with his elders before contacting the sheriff’s office.
I can understand why owners of the Lakota Ranch didn’t want to consult with police first. The Native American community, as a whole, has had a tense relationship with mainstream law enforcement for decades. But, as significant as white buffaloes are from a cultural standpoint, there’s no reason the Lakota Ranch should have waited 6 days before contacting Hunt County officials immediately. This ultimately negates the severity of real hate crimes against Indigenous Americans, which often have gone unreported and uninvestigated.
Sheriff Meeks said he will re-open the investigation if new evidence or witnesses surface.
Filed under News
Chief Writing Wolf 