The federal government must take decisive action to avoid "a potentially catastrophic loss of animal and plant life," in the National Parks, according to a new report which details the impact of global warming on the nation's most treasured public lands.The federal government must take decisive action to avoid "a potentially catastrophic... more
The Obama administration has “released more than a thousand intelligence images of Arctic ice,” following a declassification request by the National Academy of Sciences.The Obama administration has “released more than a thousand intelligence images of... more
We don't hear much in the media about this. It happens all over the world in many countries. But the U.S. should take the lead to get this right. It's not right to deport kids and tear apart families. Immigration laws were to enforce police state marshal law. They are meant to ensure immigrants are legal. Deportation is not a solution. It causes too many other new problems. One step forward, ten steps back.
They are suing President Barack Obama, asking a court to halt the deportations of their parents until Congress overhauls U.S. immigration laws.
The children, who gathered Wednesday at the Miami nonprofit American Fraternity to draw attention to their cause, say their constitutional rights are being violated because they will likely have to leave the country if their parents are forced to go.
Some children said their families didn't have enough money to pay for school supplies because the bread winning parent had been deported, and some are at risk of losing their homes. They also say they are suffering psychological and physical hardship.We don't hear much in the media about this. It happens all over the world in many... more
We live in a sonic world, immersed in vibrations that stimulate microscopic hair cells deep inside our ears. This unseen energy influences our mood, our learning, even our health. We experience it as comforting music, as information-laden speech, or—all too often—as irritating noise, a by-product of our increasingly mechanized world. Despite all the ways sound affects us, we often let it slip unnoticed into the background of our lives. Hoping to understand it better, I set out to explore the mysteries of sound in the course of one day.
by Jennifer BaroneWe live in a sonic world, immersed in vibrations that stimulate microscopic hair cells... more
The MTA has released video of Saturday's Muni collision, which was captured by several platform cameras at the West Portal Station. The footage showing an L train slamming into the rear of a K train, and the immediate aftermath, was in the custody of the National Transportation Safety Board but turned back over to Muni today. According to MTA spokesperson Judson True, there is no video from inside:The MTA has released video of Saturday's Muni collision, which was captured by several... more
I've started a group to discuss issues relating to the oceans and ocean conservation -- overfishing, impacts from climate change, endangered species, marine mammals, etc.
If this interests you please join the group!I've started a group to discuss issues relating to the oceans and ocean conservation... more
While California continues to face the nation's toughest air quality challenges, motorcycle emission controls have fallen far behind those of cars and trucks. Motorcycles now produce up to 15 times the emissions per mile as the average new car or light-duty truck. Technologies similar to those that make new cars and trucks cleaner each year can now be used to cost effectively reduce motorcycle emissions.While California continues to face the nation's toughest air quality challenges,... more
Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916. He first became a radiobroadcasting announcer in 1936. During World War II Walter Cronkite was one of the leading American reporters in North Africa and Europe and covered stories on B17 bombing raids over Germany, the Battle of the Bulge and even the Nuremberg trials after the war.
By 1950, Walter Cronkite had joined the CBS News and by 1962 had become the anchorman for the CBS Evening News. He covered such stories as the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the Apollo 11 moon landing, the Apollo 13 mission disaster, the Iran hostage Crisis and the Watergate Scandal.Walter Cronkite was born on November 4, 1916. He first became a radiobroadcasting... more
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) outlined a proposal he said would create "a genuine ownership society," by giving taxpayers a stake in the companies the government will be saving with its proposed $700 billion package.
“Simply purchasing bad debt, 'cash for trash' and not receiving anything of value or giving $700 billion and not having a commensurate equity interest in Wall Street firms is unacceptable," Kucinich said in a news release Monday. "No 'cash for trash.'"
The former Democratic presidential candidate said he would be introducing a bill this week to create a "United States Mutual Trust Fund" to convert assets purchased by the governemnt into shares that would be distributed to every man, woman and child in the country. Every American would receive about $2,300 worth of shares because that is the cost of the bailout package to each individual, Kucinich said.Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) outlined a proposal he said would create "a genuine... more
Many parents are concerned that their children spend too much time indoors on the computer. This time is put to good use, however, when children learn how to become stewards of their environment.
By Greg Seaman, Posted March 5th, 2009Many parents are concerned that their children spend too much time indoors on the... more
Two major advocacy groups for the homeless on Tuesday ranked Los Angeles as the "meanest" city in the United States, citing a Skid Row police crackdown they say has criminalized poverty and homelessness there.
L.A.'s so-called Safer City Initiative was singled out in the groups' report as the most egregious example of policies and practices nationwide that essentially punish people for failing to have a roof over their heads.
Others include making it illegal to sleep, sit or store personal belongings on sidewalks and other public spaces; prohibitions against panhandling or begging; and selective enforcement of petty offenses like jaywalking and loitering.
Such measures are widespread in the face of a deep economic recession and foreclosure crisis that have increased homelessness over the past two years, according to the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty and the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Their report examined laws and practices in 273 cities across the country, with Los Angeles topping the list of the 10 "meanest cities" for what the study called inhumane treatment of homeless.
(Full article at link)Two major advocacy groups for the homeless on Tuesday ranked Los Angeles as the... more
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As President Obama presses the House and Senate to finalize their own versions of health care reform, the real battle over the issue is just heating up -- and it's about to get very personal.
From Jim Acosta
CNNWASHINGTON (CNN) -- As President Obama presses the House and Senate to finalize their... more
The world’s population is 6.8 billion. That figure will rise to 9.2 billion by 2050. Meanwhile, climate change is speeding up alarmingly. So are there too many of us? If so, how long before our planet becomes unfit for purpose?The world’s population is 6.8 billion. That figure will rise to 9.2 billion by 2050.... more
Children and adults at risk of permanent hearing loss due to repeated exposure to loud music would turn down the sound or use ear protection if told to do so by a health care professional, a new Vanderbilt study performed in conjunction with MTV.com shows.
The study “Intentional Exposure to Loud Music: The 2nd MTV.com Survey Reveals an Opportunity to Educate,” from Vanderbilt’s Roland Eavey, M.D., is being released today in the Journal of Pediatrics.
By Craig Boerner,Children and adults at risk of permanent hearing loss due to repeated exposure to loud... more
A proposed ordinance aimed at quieting loud motorcycles passed the city's Public Safety Committee Tuesday and will now be considered by the full city council.
By Casey Conley
ReporterA proposed ordinance aimed at quieting loud motorcycles passed the city's Public... more
MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- A leading human rights activist was abducted and killed in Russia Wednesday, the organization she worked for told CNN.MOSCOW, Russia (CNN) -- A leading human rights activist was abducted and killed in... more
HAZEL PARK, Michigan (BNO NEWS) -- A bridge over the I-75 near Hazel Park in Michigan has "completely collapsed" after two gasoline tankers exploded, creating a massive fire, authorities say. There is no word on casualties.HAZEL PARK, Michigan (BNO NEWS) -- A bridge over the I-75 near Hazel Park in Michigan... more
HAZEL PARK, MI -- A gasoline tanker explosion has forced the shutdown of an interstate highway in suburban Detroit.HAZEL PARK, MI -- A gasoline tanker explosion has forced the shutdown of an interstate... more
GIVE the Commonwealth’s miffed motorcyclists credit for imagination. The aggrieved group protesting Boston’s new ordinance against poorly muffled bikes has christened itself the Massachusetts Riders for Justice Committee.
Here, in the interest of greater accuracy - and onomatopoeia - is my suggestion: ROARR, or Riders Outraged About Reasonable Restrictions.
Let’s face it. Motorcycles are prime offenders when it comes to noise pollution. One night a few weeks back, a friend and I were walking near the Public Garden when there arose such a clatter that all heads turned to see what was the matter. A dozen or so bikes came snarling and snorting around the corner, almost all with unmuffled pipes.
By Scot Lehigh
Globe ColumnistGIVE the Commonwealth’s miffed motorcyclists credit for imagination. The aggrieved... more
Captain’s Comments
It’s great to be back in San Francisco!
I had the good fortune to have spent the past two weeks travelling in our great State of Alaska. What a great experience. If you haven’t been, I would encourage you to take the trip north and see the last American Frontier. While there I visited Anchorage, Fairbanks, Denali, Juneau, Skagway, Petersburg, Sitka and Ketchikan, as well as the great glaciers of Glacier Bay. Wild life was abundant and the fishing was unbelievable. Not much crime in the back country, at the fishing streams or on the cruising ships.
Policing of most of the towns was unlike what we do here, in “the lower 48.” Some towns had only 4-5 sworn officers, including the Chief, but that was to police populations of under 1,000. In Juneau, several dozens of police officers lined the July 3rd parade route. It also happened to be the 50th Anniversary of their statehood. The locals do enjoy their Independence Day celebration and many also celebrated the resignation of their Governor as well, which seemed a bit perplexing to me. I was told by some officers that many of the jurisdictions supplement their force in the summer months when harvesting and canning of salmon is in full swing and that many of their calls of violent incidents are usually alcohol fueled.
Thanks to Lt. Rich Pate for assuming duties here while I was gone. I understand things went very well. See below for the Crimes of Note he submitted for the past week. It was disturbing to see that there was a shooting on Broadway Thursday night inside a club. Two individuals suffered non- life threatening gunshot wounds. I have asked the Entertainment Commission to hold a hearing to examining the clubs promotions, business plan and security plan. Hopefully we will put an end to dangerous and preventable situations.
The Central Station Community Meeting is this Thursday July 16th at 6 PM at 660 Lombard, the Tel-Hi Community Room, please join us. Don’t worry, if the crowd is unruly, I can always break out a slideshow of my vacation!
SAFE Night Out! We hope to keep the “Bocce with Cops” night going this year at DiMaggio’s Playground Bocce Courts August 4th at 5 PM. Save the Date!
Happy Bastille Day! Look for several celebrations and street closures around the district. Traffic should not be impacted significantly.
Crime Trend in Chinatown
The “River Rock Burglar” is back at it in Chinatown. Over the past two weeks we have experienced up to 5 burglaries in Chinatown. The MO has been the same as in previous years. The suspect takes a cobblestone or river rock and breaks a store window and makes off with cash or merchandise. The latest hit was for a tray of computer equipment on 6/13/09 from a store on the 500 block of Washington. It has been frustrating to experience the same type of burglary over the years. We have caught the suspect twice and he was most recently released from prison on parole on July 3rd, about the time when we started experiencing the burglaries again. Plainclothes officers from Central Station are investigating and searching for the suspect. The suspect is described as a 48 year old white male, 6’, 190 pounds, blue eyes and grey and brown hair. He was released by parole and listed “homeless” as his address. In the past he was found to be sleeping in local SRO hotels and parks.Central District Newsletter
Captain James I. Dudley
July 14, 2009
“Arm... more
