General Knowledge

The Bible bill?

Victoria McGrane Victoria Mcgrane – Fri May 22, 5:40 am ET

When the clock strikes midnight on Dec. 31, 2009, Rep. Paul Broun (R-Ga.) hopes you’ll be ringing in “the Year of the Bible.”

It’s probably just wishful thinking.

Broun’s simple congressional resolution aimed at honoring the Good Book has produced a push-back of biblical proportion in the blogosphere, with critics dismissing it as either unconstitutional or a waste of time. Jews in Congress and atheist activists are dismissing the resolution, while none of the many Democrats in Congress who are Christian have bothered to sign on as co-sponsors.

According to GovTrak.us, the resolution is among the most-blogged-about pieces of legislation, with most posts less than complimentary in nature.

“Does that mean 2009 is not the year of the Bible?” mocked Rep. Barney Frank ­(D-Mass.), who is Jewish. “What is 2012 the year of? The Quran?”

“That’s an endorsement of religion by the federal government, and we shouldn’t be doing that,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), even though he has introduced his own legislation dealing with religion.

“Republican lawmakers with apparently too much time on their hands and no solutions to offer the country are pushing a resolution that will not address the nation’s problems or advance prosperity or even untangle their previous governing mistakes,” blogged the Progressive Puppy.

Broun rejects the critiques leveled at this effort.

“This doesn’t have anything to do with Christianity,” he said in an interview with POLITICO. Rather, he says, it seeks to recognize that the Bible played an integral role in the building of the United States, including providing the basis for our freedom of religion that allows Muslims, Hindus and even atheists to vocalize their own beliefs.

And even as Nadler criticized Broun, he has done his own share of mixing religion and legislation.

Last year, he introduced a bill that would overturn a federal appeals court ruling — an “idiot” decision, he says — that a condominium board in Chicago had the right to ban Jews from installing mezuzahs, which consist of a piece of parchment inscribed with a specific religious text put inside a case and hung on a door frame.

Condo boards shouldn’t be able to interfere in an individual’s right to practice his or her religion, Nadler said.

But he himself declined to install a mezuzah on his congressional office door when asked by a rabbi, even though he does so at home.

“That’s my religious symbol, and the office does not belong to me; it belongs to the people of the congressional district, and no one should feel uncomfortable walking into the office if it’s not their religion,” Nadler said, describing his feelings on religion and Congress.

“Same thing with the Bible. ... It’s not everybody’s religion. And the federal government should not be imposing religious viewpoints.”

Atheists, who might feel themselves a particular target with the declaration of a biblical year, aren’t even worried about Broun’s effort.

“Right now, we’re seeing atheism on such a rise,” said David Silverman, vice president and national spokesman of American Atheists, a group dedicated to fighting for the civil rights of atheists.

“We are seeing Christianity on such a dramatic decline that we’re not particularly worried about it. We’re thinking that this kind of old-style George W. Bush Republicanism is about to go away,” Silverman said, referring to the latest Pew Forum survey of American religious life, which showed nonreligious Americans as the fastest-growing group.

And it may be the best-selling book of all time, as Broun’s resolution points out, but the Bible isn’t such a popular legislative topic.

A search of Thomas, the online congressional database, for “Bible” yields just one other bill: a resolution to have the “Lincoln-Obama Bible” on permanent display in the Capitol Visitor Center.

The resolution specifically asks the president “to issue a proclamation calling upon citizens of all faiths to rediscover and apply the priceless, timeless message of the Holy Scripture which has profoundly influenced and shaped the United States and its great democratic form of government.”

As for the economy, health care, global warming and all the other issues on Congress’ plate?

“While we must focus on fiscal policies that provide relief to families during these tough economic times, an endeavor I have been working tirelessly towards in this Congress, we must also not forget to protect and celebrate our fundamental freedoms that the Bible has influenced,” Broun said.

Broun has gathered 15 co-sponsors, all Republicans, but says he’s looking for more and hopes Democrats will sign on, as well.

“This is not a partisan issue,” he said. “I want it to be bipartisan.”

Whether he’s successful or not — the same measure didn’t go anywhere last year — at least Broun and his fellow supporters can take heart in one fact: They already had a “year of the Bible.”

Ronald Reagan designated 1983 as one, with Congress’ blessing.

TO ENSURE PROTECTION OF FACILITIES & OTHER ASSETS

In the event of an approaching disaster there are certain steps that must be taken to minimize or to avoid the loss of lives or property. A disaster does not have to be the most dangerous there has ever been to cause the most devastating damages there has ever been. The only thing it needs to thrive and cause great damage is hit in an area where the people are not prepared. 

 

BUILDINGS

-          Install storm shutters (if available; Category 3, 4 hurricanes) or use plywood or other means to secure windows and doors that are particularly vulnerable and glass windows to sensitive areas.

-          Tape external glass windows and doors (no need to tape tinted windows)

-          Make sure all external windows and doors are secure and locked (particular any that are defective)

-          Retract and secure awnings, window blinds, drapes and other window treatment

-          Duct tape or otherwise secure door threshold to prevent flooding of building

-          Request janitorial staff to prepare for extensive cleaning after the event

 

OFFICE EQUIPMENT

-          Unplug all equipment that are not required for emergency operations

-          Protect equipment from water by covering with plastic (garbage bags are good)

-          Store small equipment elevated, away from windows (in a secure internal room if available)

 

OFFICE FURNITURE

-          Where possible move furniture away from external walls, particularly windows and doors

-          Cover furniture with plastic

-          Lock all cabinet and desk draws (placing cabinets face-to-face against each other is a good idea, especially if draws are not lockable)

-          Ensure fax and photocopy machines esp. are secure to facilitate communication after the event

 

GROUNDS & BUILDING EXTERNAL

-          Trim/Cut trees that pose a threat to buildings

-          Collect and store loose materials (especially light items likely to be blown by strong wind)

-          Secure external furniture & equipment

-          Ensure storm drains clear

-          Secure/remove any loose elements on buildings

 

ELECTRICAL & OTHER SERVICES

-          Turn off all breakers (except to emergency systems)

-          Turn off gas supplies

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Flood Safety

Of all the natural hazards capable of producing a disaster, a flood is by far the most common in causing loss of life, human suffering, inconvenience and widespread damage to buildings, structures, crops and infrastructure.

Flood events can disrupt your personal, economic and social activities and set back the nation's security and development by destroying roads, buildings and other assets.

Flooding is a natural feature of drainage systems, our rivers and streams. It occurs when drainage channels are filled and rivers and streame can no longer accomodate the excessive water generated by severe weather conditions. The drainage channels overtop their natural or artificial banks and water enters the surrounding lands to cause flooding. The same is true of artificial drainage systems such as drains and gullies. 

Severe weather conditions which lead to intense rainfall such as local thunderstorms, cold fronts, tropical waves, tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes can result in flooding.

Jamaicans most likely to be worst affected by flooding are those who live in flood-prone areas such as low-lying, coastal areas; those who occupy gully banks; those who live in the flood plain of major rivers and residents of the lower sections of closed limestone valleys (such as New-Market). 

While flood plain maps can identify flood-prone areas and Flood Warning Systems can help to give  forewarning of the likeihood of flooding, it is the planned and prompt actions of the individual and the community that will determine the extent of the flood impact and damage and save lives.

WHAT EVERY JAMAICAN CAN DO

Many losses during flood events can be avoided, especially if the community has an effective early warning system and its residents engage in pre-disaster planning.  

• Every resident of a flood-prone community must develop an EMERGENCY PLAN to protect your family and property. Your plan should include arrangements for your family's safety and steps to secure your personal possessions, property and sources of income (eg. crops, livestock business place) from flood damage.

• Every resident of a flood-prone community should participate in a COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PROGRAMME. This should embrace the actions to be taken within the home, at the workplace and in the community, before, during and after a flood event.

  

Ozone Layer

     

A region of the upper atmosphere, between about 15 and 30 kilometers (10 and 20 miles) in altitude, containing a relatively high concentration of ozone that absorbs solar ultraviolet radiation in a wavelength range not screened by other atmospheric components. Also called ozonosphere.

 

The ozone layer prevents most ultraviolet (UV) and other high-energy radiation from penetrating to the earth's surface but does allow through sufficient ultraviolet rays to support the activation of vitamin D in humans. The full radiation, if unhindered by this filtering effect, would destroy animal tissue. Higher levels of radiation resulting from the depletion of the ozone layer have been linked with increases in skin cancers and cataracts and have been implicated in the decline of certain amphibian species.

Damage to the ozone layer can also be caused by sulfuric acid droplets produced by volcanic eruptions.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is rain or any other form of precipitation which is unusually acidic. It has harmful effects on plants, aquatic animals and buildings. Acid rain is mostly caused by human emissions of sulfur and nitrogen compounds which react in the atmosphere to produce acids. In recent years, many governments have introduced laws to reduce these emissions.        

 Acid rain can slow the growth of forests, cause leaves and needles to turn brown and fall off and die. In extreme cases trees or whole acres of forest can die. The death of trees is not usually a direct result of acid rain, often it weakens trees and makes them more susceptible to other threats. Damage to soils (see above) can also cause problems. High altitude forests are especially vulnerable as they are often surrounded by clouds and fog which are more acidic than rain.

Other plants can also be damaged by acid rain but the effect on food crops is minimized by the application of fertilizers to replace lost nutrients. In cultivated areas, limestone may also be added to increase the ability of the soil to keep the pH stable, but this tactic is largely unusable in the case of wilderness lands. Acid Rain depletes minerals from the soil and then it stunts the growth of the plant.

Some scientists have suggested direct links to human health, but none have been proven. However, fine particles, a large fraction of which are formed from the same gases as acid rain (sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide), have been shown to cause illness and premature deaths such as cancer and other deadly diseases^. For more information on the health effects of aerosol see particulate health effects.

Deforestation

  

Deforestation is the result of mass removal of trees from a forest without replacing them through the process of reforestation. The action of deforestation also results in eradication of natural habitats, biodiversity and wood for fuel and industrial.

 

Some of the major causes of deforestation ranges from slow forest degradation to sudden and catastrophic clear cutting, slash-and-burn, urban development, acid rain and more frequently wild fire. Deforestation can be the immediate result of premeditated removal of forest for agricultural use or urban development. On the other hand it can be the long-term consequence of grazing animals, primarily for agricultural purposes.

 

More commonly highlighted is the deforestation of tropical rain forest. This is despite the fact that tropical dry forest is been lost at a higher rate than tropical rain forest. Observations and studies have shown that the major reason for this is the common technique of slash-and-burn for clearing forest for agriculture.

 

Deforestation can lead to erosion, drought, loss of biodiversity through extinction of plant and animal species, and even more alarming is the increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Tax Newsflash - Jamaica

New Tax Measures

*

The Honourable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister of Jamaica, announced on

December 14, 2008, new tax measures that the Jamaican government will be

implementing, in response to the present global economic crisis.

Effective December 15, 2008:

Barrels and packages containing personal effects not exceeding US$3,000 in

assessed (CIF) value and which are cleared or arrive in the island before

December 31, 2008, will be cleared duty free. We understand that this

concession only applies to items in the category of food, clothing and toiletries.

Appliances and electronics may attract the regular duties.

Effective January 1, 2009:

Only businesses with annual sales exceeding J$3 million will be required to

register and charge General Consumption Tax on the value of their supplies.

This would mean that businesses generating sales below that threshold may

de-register for GCT purposes. Of course, upon de-registration such businesses

would no longer be entitled to claim credits of the input tax that they may

continue to incur, and would have to absorb that cost or pass it on to their

customers.

*

The rate of GCT chargeable by the hotel sector will be reduced from 8.25% to

4.125% of the value of the supplies for an initial period of six months. It is

expected that this reduced rate will also apply to all tourism activities presently

required to charge 8.25%, which include resort cottages, water sports, tourist

attractions, camp sites and tour operators.

*

The Customs User Fees payable on capital goods and raw materials will be

removed. This is a further concession to the measure taken in July 2008 to

allow those fees to be used as corporate income tax credits in the following

year of assessment.

*

Transfer tax on property transfers will be reduced from 6% to 5%. This

measure is intended to stimulate the real estate and construction industries;

however, we expect that the reduced rate will also apply to securities transfers

(including capital distributions). Further, we expect that this reduction in

transfer taxes will reduce death duties applicable to estates transferred on

deaths which occur on or after January 1, 2009.

10 Ways to Optimize Your Blog for Search

With so many blogs competing for readers, the pressure is on to create a blog that is attractive and engaging. TypePad supplies everything you need to create a great-looking blog, from professionally designed themes to drag-and-drop tools that make organizing your content a snap. The rest is up to you! Here are a few design tips to get you on your way:

The term "search engine optimization" or SEO for short, describes the process of increasing both the quality and quantity of traffic to your website or blog. It is the technique of making your content easier to find for search engines like Google. Well optimized web pages will appear on the first pages of the search engine listings. The ultimate goal is to bring people to your blog who are interested in the content you offer. Here are a few tips on making the most of SEO on your blog.

1.  Write descriptive post titles.

This is the single most important thing you can do to optimize your blog for search and drive more traffic. Imagine what you might type into Google to find your post and include it in the title of your blog post. Clear, descriptive titles aren't necessarily clever or fun, but they will get more people to your blog.

2. Use image titles that match content in your post.

Title images with one or more words from your post title to increase the "relevance" of your post. This will help your blog index better against that term.

3.  Use SEO keywords in your content.

Include the key terms from your image and title in the body of your post, especially early in a post. You will have a greater chance of coming up higher in the search engine rankings. To find keywords, use Google AdWords' Keyword Tool.

4.  Post regularly.

The more often you update your blog, the more often your pages are indexed by the search engines, and the higher your ranking climbs. That is why blogs are inherently more search-engine friendly than a websites. Most websites aren't updated for weeks, if not months, whereas many bloggers post new content on a regular basis.

5.  Alert or "Ping" a variety of websites every time you publish a new post.

Luckily, TypePad makes this easy: choose the "publicise" then "configure" option on the compose screen when you post and, every time you publish a post, Typepad will alert the search engines for you.

6.  Link to other quality related content.

There are many reasons to link to other sites or posts on the web, and optimizing your blog for search is one of them. When you link to quality sites or articles on the web that are relevant to the content of your post, you increase your chances of a higher ranking. Simply linking to articles or sites that aren't related to your post topic does not help.

7.  Generate inbound links.

An inbound link is a link from another blog or website that points to yours. If that blog or website is highly viewed, the link is "counted" more heavily and your search engine ranking rises as a result. Inbound links are not directly in your control; someone else has to link to you. That said, if you build goodwill within the blogging community and write consistently good content, chances are good that you'll begin to generate inbound links.

8.  Submit your blog to the major search engines.

You can further get your content out to the search engines by going to Google, Yahoo! or any of your favorite search engines and type in "submit blog." You will be directed to a page that will allow you to submit your URL for indexing.

9.  Keep trying different things and check your stats.

The most successful bloggers are continually trying new things ÔøΩ reading what works for others, investigating top-rated blogs, and staying current on the newest developments in search engine technology. There is no single way to keep your ratings high; rather, it is a combination of all of them and a willingness to experiment that separates the most popular bloggers from the rest.

10.  Stick with it.

Since so many people launch blogs and websites and abandon them within weeks or months, part of the calculation used to rank pages is how long the site has been around. If you keep blogging, your ranking will go up if you are still posting consistently after a year, and after two years, and so on. The hare got off to a faster start, but the turtle eventually wins the race.

Cataract

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. It affects your vision. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all people in the

United States

either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.

Common symptoms are

• Blurry vision
• Colors that seem      faded
• Glare
• Not being able to      see well at night
• Double vision
• Frequent      prescription changes in your eye wear

Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.