October 13, 2005
N.O. Floodwater Not as Toxic As Feared, Experts Say
October 12, 2005 The floodwater that covered New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was not unusually toxic and was "typical of storm water runoff in the region," according to a study published yesterday.
Most of the gasoline-derived substances in the water evaporated quickly, and the bacteria from sewage also declined over time, the scientist leading the study said. The water's chief hazard was from metals that are potentially toxic to fish. However, no fish kills have been reported in Lake Pontchartrain, where the water that once covered 80 percent of the city was pumped.
"What it most looks like is the storm water that is present in New Orleans every time it rains," said John H. Pardue, an environmental engineer at Louisiana State University, who headed the team whose research was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
…Tests results released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found no human or animal fecal bacteria in fish or shellfish sampled in the Gulf of Mexico a month ago.
Industrial chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants (PBDEs), either were not found in the fish or were in the same concentrations as before the storm. Previous studies had shown no contamination from oil-derived chemicals.
...Despite the visible sheen on the water in many places, the concentration of various gasoline compounds was very low. Dangerous substances such as benzene and toluene evaporate quickly, with "half-lives" of two to 20 hours, and are unlikely to remain in the sludge…
…At an American Red Cross shelter in Gonzales, La., shelter manager Missy Stehr said the last buses leaving were taking people to Denver, where a church has paid for 18-month stays at local apartments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/11/AR2005101101909.html
A long way from MTV videos...
Madonna's parenting secrets
10/13 /05 Madonna is a worldwide pop icon, once notorious for her desire to shock... as she nears 50, she has become a puritanical parent who is a disciplinarian with her children... she has banned television and punishes her daughter's messiness by confiscating her clothes.
...The woman who made her name as a mass media idol, continues: "My kids don't watch TV. We have televisions but they're not hooked up to anything but movies... "TV is trash. I was raised without it. We don't have magazines or newspapers in the house either."
...47- year- old Madonna is strictest of all about Lourdes's clothes... "My daughter has a problem picking things up in her room, so if you leave your clothes on the floor, they're gone when you come home," she explains... Bad behaviour is repaid by chores. "Lola has to earn all her clothes back by being tidy, making her bed, hanging up her clothes," she says...
http://www.thisislondon.com/til/jsp/modules/Article/print.jsp?itemId=20627059
Dutch unveil the toughest face in Europe with a ban on the burka
October 13, 2005 THE Netherlands is likely to become the first country in Europe to ban the burka, under government proposals that would bring in some of the toughest curbs on Muslim clothing in the world.
The country’s hardline Integration Minister, Rita Verdonk, known as the Iron Lady for her series of tough anti-immigration measures, told Parliament that .. the “time of cosy tea-drinking” with Muslim groups had passed and that natives and immigrants should have the courage to be critical of each other. She recently cancelled a meeting with Muslim leaders who refused to shake her hand because she was a woman.
...Mrs Verdonk admitted that a complete ban on the garment would be legally tricky because of freedom of religion legislation. However, she said that she would prohibit the garments “in specific situations” on grounds of public safety. The ban is likely to be enforced in shops, public buildings, cinemas, train and bus stations and airports, as well as on trains and buses.
The Netherlands has become preoccupied by Islamic terrorism after the investigation into the murder of the film-maker Theo van Gogh uncovered a network of Muslim extremists dedicated to destroying the country. Attention has turned to the burka because police authorities have become concerned that a terrorist could use one for concealment.
...Last year two Muslim women lost a court case against their college that had banned them from wearing burkas during their social work and childcare course. The judge backed the college in its claim that children had to be able to see who was caring for them, prompting the women to drop the course...
...the Netherlands shifts to the right:
Immigrants must pass an exam on Dutch language and culture before being allowed to move to the Netherlands.
Immigrants guilty of any minor crime, such as shoplifting, during their first three years in the country can be deported.
People can bring in a husband or wife only once they are 24 years old, and do not depend on welfare benefits.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C13509-1823334%2C00.html
Bush doesn't care about the poor
Since Bush took office, according to the Heritage Foundation, federal anti-poverty spending -- including Medicaid, food and nutrition programs, housing, earned income tax credit and child credits, plus other programs -- increased 42 percent. This is nearly double the rate of increase under President Clinton. Some critics claim increased poverty has driven up poverty costs. But poverty rates have increased less than 1 percent under Bush, and remain lower than the average poverty rates under Clinton...
http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/larryelder/2005/10/13/171089.html
October 12, 2005 The floodwater that covered New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was not unusually toxic and was "typical of storm water runoff in the region," according to a study published yesterday.
Most of the gasoline-derived substances in the water evaporated quickly, and the bacteria from sewage also declined over time, the scientist leading the study said. The water's chief hazard was from metals that are potentially toxic to fish. However, no fish kills have been reported in Lake Pontchartrain, where the water that once covered 80 percent of the city was pumped.
"What it most looks like is the storm water that is present in New Orleans every time it rains," said John H. Pardue, an environmental engineer at Louisiana State University, who headed the team whose research was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
…Tests results released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration found no human or animal fecal bacteria in fish or shellfish sampled in the Gulf of Mexico a month ago.
Industrial chemicals, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and brominated flame retardants (PBDEs), either were not found in the fish or were in the same concentrations as before the storm. Previous studies had shown no contamination from oil-derived chemicals.
...Despite the visible sheen on the water in many places, the concentration of various gasoline compounds was very low. Dangerous substances such as benzene and toluene evaporate quickly, with "half-lives" of two to 20 hours, and are unlikely to remain in the sludge…
…At an American Red Cross shelter in Gonzales, La., shelter manager Missy Stehr said the last buses leaving were taking people to Denver, where a church has paid for 18-month stays at local apartments.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/11/AR2005101101909.html
A long way from MTV videos...
Madonna's parenting secrets
10/13 /05 Madonna is a worldwide pop icon, once notorious for her desire to shock... as she nears 50, she has become a puritanical parent who is a disciplinarian with her children... she has banned television and punishes her daughter's messiness by confiscating her clothes.
...The woman who made her name as a mass media idol, continues: "My kids don't watch TV. We have televisions but they're not hooked up to anything but movies... "TV is trash. I was raised without it. We don't have magazines or newspapers in the house either."
...47- year- old Madonna is strictest of all about Lourdes's clothes... "My daughter has a problem picking things up in her room, so if you leave your clothes on the floor, they're gone when you come home," she explains... Bad behaviour is repaid by chores. "Lola has to earn all her clothes back by being tidy, making her bed, hanging up her clothes," she says...
http://www.thisislondon.com/til/jsp/modules/Article/print.jsp?itemId=20627059
Dutch unveil the toughest face in Europe with a ban on the burka
October 13, 2005 THE Netherlands is likely to become the first country in Europe to ban the burka, under government proposals that would bring in some of the toughest curbs on Muslim clothing in the world.
The country’s hardline Integration Minister, Rita Verdonk, known as the Iron Lady for her series of tough anti-immigration measures, told Parliament that .. the “time of cosy tea-drinking” with Muslim groups had passed and that natives and immigrants should have the courage to be critical of each other. She recently cancelled a meeting with Muslim leaders who refused to shake her hand because she was a woman.
...Mrs Verdonk admitted that a complete ban on the garment would be legally tricky because of freedom of religion legislation. However, she said that she would prohibit the garments “in specific situations” on grounds of public safety. The ban is likely to be enforced in shops, public buildings, cinemas, train and bus stations and airports, as well as on trains and buses.
The Netherlands has become preoccupied by Islamic terrorism after the investigation into the murder of the film-maker Theo van Gogh uncovered a network of Muslim extremists dedicated to destroying the country. Attention has turned to the burka because police authorities have become concerned that a terrorist could use one for concealment.
...Last year two Muslim women lost a court case against their college that had banned them from wearing burkas during their social work and childcare course. The judge backed the college in its claim that children had to be able to see who was caring for them, prompting the women to drop the course...
...the Netherlands shifts to the right:
Immigrants must pass an exam on Dutch language and culture before being allowed to move to the Netherlands.
Immigrants guilty of any minor crime, such as shoplifting, during their first three years in the country can be deported.
People can bring in a husband or wife only once they are 24 years old, and do not depend on welfare benefits.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0%2C%2C13509-1823334%2C00.html
Bush doesn't care about the poor
Since Bush took office, according to the Heritage Foundation, federal anti-poverty spending -- including Medicaid, food and nutrition programs, housing, earned income tax credit and child credits, plus other programs -- increased 42 percent. This is nearly double the rate of increase under President Clinton. Some critics claim increased poverty has driven up poverty costs. But poverty rates have increased less than 1 percent under Bush, and remain lower than the average poverty rates under Clinton...
http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/larryelder/2005/10/13/171089.html
posted by David Bennett | 8:30 AM
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