Monday, May 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
"I Stand All Amazed"
I Stand All Amazed
“193: I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 193
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932
Mosiah 3:5–8
John 15:13
“193: I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 193
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
Text and music: Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932
Mosiah 3:5–8
John 15:13
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Water Storage. Comment Follow-Up
I recently had a comment from one of my readers regarding water storage and additional methods to treat water. The following is a summary of the research I have done in this area.
On a website called waterandhealth.org, they give a list of resources for water emergency preparedness.
1. Store at least one gallon of water per person, per day in a cool, dark place.
2. Choose appropriate containers for water storage; disinfect before use.
3. If necessary, treat water with a chlorine bleach solution prior to storage to prevent buildup of harmful bacteria or pathogens. Replace water every six months.
4. Identify additional sources of water.
Note: Please follow the link by clicking on the name of the website for more information on these four items.
On a website called nationalterroralert.com, they have many of the same tips as the four listed above, however, here are some other important facts that they include.
1. "If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool."
2. "Whereas a quart of water or other fluid daily will sustain life, according to the Department of Defense and the Office of Civil Defense, it is recommended that a gallon of water per day per person be stored for food preparation and drinking."
3. "How much water should I store? The rule of thumb is to store at least one gallon per person per day for at least 3 days (for earthquake preparedness). That’s 2 quarts for drinking and 2 quarts for food preparation and sanitation. A family of four should store a minimum of 12 gallons of water. Personally, I recommend at least a 10 day supply of water and a 30 day supply if it all possible."
4. "Stainless steel can be used to store water which has not been or will not be treated with chlorine; chlorine is corrosive to most metals."
5. "When looking for additional food grade containers, the bottom will be stamped with HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) and coded with the recycle symbol and a “2″ inside. HDPE containers are FDA-approved for food. Containers without these designations aren’t OK because of possible chemical interactions between the water and the plastic."
6. "All public water supplies are already treated and should be free of harmful bacteria. However, as an additional precaution, it is recommended that you add 5-7 drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of chlorine bleach per gallon of water stored. This precaution protects you against any lingering organisms in storage containers that may have been inadvertently missed during the cleaning process."
7. "If you have freezer space, storing some water in the freezer is a good idea. If you lose electricity, the frozen water will help keep foods in your freezer frozen until the power is restored. Make sure you leave 2 to 3 inches of space in containers because water expands as it freezes."
8. "Emergency Outdoor Water Sources"
9. "Hidden Water Sources in Your Home"
10. "Do you know the location of your incoming water valve? You’ll need to shut it off to stop contaminated water from entering your home if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines."
11. "Distillation Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor that condenses back to water. The condensed vapor will not include salt and other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled."
12. "Most water filtration devices are designed for use on microbiologically safe water. Don’t assume they are safe to use on contaminated water. Check with the manufacturer to be sure."
On a website called aquatechnology.net, they also mention that...
you should not use "under any conditions are milk cartons or other containers which have previously held perishable food products" for water storage.
I hope that this information helps with your water storage needs.
Sources:
www.waterandhealth.org
www.nationalterroralert.com
www.aquatechnology.net
On a website called waterandhealth.org, they give a list of resources for water emergency preparedness.
1. Store at least one gallon of water per person, per day in a cool, dark place.
2. Choose appropriate containers for water storage; disinfect before use.
3. If necessary, treat water with a chlorine bleach solution prior to storage to prevent buildup of harmful bacteria or pathogens. Replace water every six months.
4. Identify additional sources of water.
Note: Please follow the link by clicking on the name of the website for more information on these four items.
On a website called nationalterroralert.com, they have many of the same tips as the four listed above, however, here are some other important facts that they include.
1. "If supplies run low, never ration water. Drink the amount you need today, and try to find more for tomorrow. You can minimize the amount of water your body needs by reducing activity and staying cool."
2. "Whereas a quart of water or other fluid daily will sustain life, according to the Department of Defense and the Office of Civil Defense, it is recommended that a gallon of water per day per person be stored for food preparation and drinking."
3. "How much water should I store? The rule of thumb is to store at least one gallon per person per day for at least 3 days (for earthquake preparedness). That’s 2 quarts for drinking and 2 quarts for food preparation and sanitation. A family of four should store a minimum of 12 gallons of water. Personally, I recommend at least a 10 day supply of water and a 30 day supply if it all possible."
4. "Stainless steel can be used to store water which has not been or will not be treated with chlorine; chlorine is corrosive to most metals."
5. "When looking for additional food grade containers, the bottom will be stamped with HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) and coded with the recycle symbol and a “2″ inside. HDPE containers are FDA-approved for food. Containers without these designations aren’t OK because of possible chemical interactions between the water and the plastic."
6. "All public water supplies are already treated and should be free of harmful bacteria. However, as an additional precaution, it is recommended that you add 5-7 drops, about 1/8 teaspoon, of chlorine bleach per gallon of water stored. This precaution protects you against any lingering organisms in storage containers that may have been inadvertently missed during the cleaning process."
7. "If you have freezer space, storing some water in the freezer is a good idea. If you lose electricity, the frozen water will help keep foods in your freezer frozen until the power is restored. Make sure you leave 2 to 3 inches of space in containers because water expands as it freezes."
8. "Emergency Outdoor Water Sources"
9. "Hidden Water Sources in Your Home"
10. "Do you know the location of your incoming water valve? You’ll need to shut it off to stop contaminated water from entering your home if you hear reports of broken water or sewage lines."
11. "Distillation Distillation involves boiling water and then collecting the vapor that condenses back to water. The condensed vapor will not include salt and other impurities. To distill, fill a pot halfway with water. Tie a cup to the handle on the pot’s lid so that the cup will hang right-side-up when the lid is upside-down (make sure the cup is not dangling into the water) and boil the water for 20 minutes. The water that drips from the lid into the cup is distilled."
12. "Most water filtration devices are designed for use on microbiologically safe water. Don’t assume they are safe to use on contaminated water. Check with the manufacturer to be sure."
On a website called aquatechnology.net, they also mention that...
you should not use "under any conditions are milk cartons or other containers which have previously held perishable food products" for water storage.
I hope that this information helps with your water storage needs.
Sources:
www.waterandhealth.org
www.nationalterroralert.com
www.aquatechnology.net
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sabbath Day, May 11, 2008
"A Heart (Rated G)"
A sharp tongue can cut my own throat.
If I want my dreams to come true, I mustn't oversleep.
Of all the things I wear, my expression is the most important.
The best vitamin for making friends..... B1 (Be one...a friend).
The happiness of my life depends on the quality of my thoughts.
The heaviest thing I can carry is a grudge.
One thing I can give and still keep is my word.
I lie the loudest when I lie to myself.
If I lack the courage to start, I have already finished.
One thing I can't recycle is wasted time.
Ideas won't work unless I do.
My mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.
The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.
The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime! It is never too late to become what I might have been.
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right.. Forget about the one's who don't.
Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it.
Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back.
Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them (our friends) fly away.
Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong.
Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late.
Send this to all your friends and see how many you get back.
Even send it to your balloons (friends) that you think have flown away forever. You may be surprised to see it return.
Smile that you have made a effort to keep your heart rated G this great Sabbath day!
Friday, May 9, 2008
Mind Over The Matter of Lyme Disease
Chronic illnesses, such as Lyme disease, may create a vicious cycle of depression, muscle atrophy, and other illnesses brought on by body and mind inactivity.
What do you do to break the cycle?
First, many chronic illnesses include pain. Your body needs activity and stretching. This does not mean that you need to train for a marathon. This just means that you need to set goals for activity. By setting goals, I mean to say that you write them on your calendar and check them off.
First, drink plenty of water. You should drink at least 64 ounces of water each day unless you are overweight. If you are overweight, increase your water intake and discuss with your physician what amount will be appropriate for your weight. To create a habit of being properly hydrated, document your daily water intake. Mark this off as one of your goals.
Secondly, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed, say thank you (in your mind) for all of the little things. You can say "Thank you that I have a bed with blankets and a pillow to sleep in.", "Thank you that I have modern plumbing", "Thank you that I have a warm shower (or bath)", and on and on. Your mind will turn from your frustrations with your illness to the wonderful things you are thankful for around you.
Third, go outside. Take a walk to the end of the driveway if that is your first goal. Then, stretch yourself to reach further destinations. By getting outside you will find that you don't get that closed-in feeling like living in a cave, you get vitamin D from the natural sunlight, and you get exercise and circulated air.
Next, extend your exercise routine to include lifting weights. These may be only 1 pound weights, however, the use of these weights will increase your strength, and doing weight lifting exercises helps to increase your bone density.
Remember, following your exercise routine, no matter if it is a walk to the end of your driveway, lifting weights, or other exercises you choose, your muscles need stretching. Now that you are strengthening your muscles, you need to lengthen. You will find that using exercise and stretching alleviates much of the pain and anxiety you have felt from being chronically ill.
Nutrition is extremely important. Talk to your doctor about the best diet/nutrition and supplement program for you. Mangosteen and Noni Juice (liquid forms) have made a great deal of difference for me, in addition to Bio 35, Vitamin D, and important food choices.
For those with chronic illness, more sleep is usually very key in helping to create a more healthy person. Be sure that you sleep when you need to, however, don't linger in bed when unnecessary or the atrophy/depression cycle recurs.
Don't lay down and watch brainless TV. Pick up a good, uplifting book. I regularly read my scriptures, The Secret, Joel Olsteen books, and others. I also love a good political thriller. These books will help your brain to stay awake and out of the fog of chronic illness.
Find a hobby. I find that making my friends and relative homemade cards is great fun. I also love to blog, read, play board games with my kids (which can be done while I am laying down, if need be), and many others. These hobbies will help you to learn about your talents, as well as keep your mind off of your illness.
I have had the attitude during my time with Lyme disease that I would contribute to society in any way possible and that my disease was a temporary thing. Currently, I have been off of my antibiotics for about four weeks, have no co-infection, and am doing quite well. This is not without great effort. However, following 8 years of illness, I expect there to be effort involved in my wellness.
Life is great! No matter your chronic illness, you can overcome many of your challenges by challenging your body and your mind in positive ways. I promise that this mind-body connection is strong and by utilizing these methods you will see wonderful results with your search for wellness.
What do you do to break the cycle?
First, many chronic illnesses include pain. Your body needs activity and stretching. This does not mean that you need to train for a marathon. This just means that you need to set goals for activity. By setting goals, I mean to say that you write them on your calendar and check them off.
First, drink plenty of water. You should drink at least 64 ounces of water each day unless you are overweight. If you are overweight, increase your water intake and discuss with your physician what amount will be appropriate for your weight. To create a habit of being properly hydrated, document your daily water intake. Mark this off as one of your goals.
Secondly, from the time you wake up to the time you go to bed, say thank you (in your mind) for all of the little things. You can say "Thank you that I have a bed with blankets and a pillow to sleep in.", "Thank you that I have modern plumbing", "Thank you that I have a warm shower (or bath)", and on and on. Your mind will turn from your frustrations with your illness to the wonderful things you are thankful for around you.
"Happier thoughts lead to essentially a happier biochemistry. A happier, healthier body. Negative thoughts and stress have been shown to seriously degrade the body and the functioning of the brain, because it's our thoughts and emotions that are continuously reassembling, reorganizing, re-creating our body."--Dr. John Hagelin, The Secret
Third, go outside. Take a walk to the end of the driveway if that is your first goal. Then, stretch yourself to reach further destinations. By getting outside you will find that you don't get that closed-in feeling like living in a cave, you get vitamin D from the natural sunlight, and you get exercise and circulated air.
Next, extend your exercise routine to include lifting weights. These may be only 1 pound weights, however, the use of these weights will increase your strength, and doing weight lifting exercises helps to increase your bone density.
Remember, following your exercise routine, no matter if it is a walk to the end of your driveway, lifting weights, or other exercises you choose, your muscles need stretching. Now that you are strengthening your muscles, you need to lengthen. You will find that using exercise and stretching alleviates much of the pain and anxiety you have felt from being chronically ill.
Nutrition is extremely important. Talk to your doctor about the best diet/nutrition and supplement program for you. Mangosteen and Noni Juice (liquid forms) have made a great deal of difference for me, in addition to Bio 35, Vitamin D, and important food choices.
For those with chronic illness, more sleep is usually very key in helping to create a more healthy person. Be sure that you sleep when you need to, however, don't linger in bed when unnecessary or the atrophy/depression cycle recurs.
Don't lay down and watch brainless TV. Pick up a good, uplifting book. I regularly read my scriptures, The Secret, Joel Olsteen books, and others. I also love a good political thriller. These books will help your brain to stay awake and out of the fog of chronic illness.
Find a hobby. I find that making my friends and relative homemade cards is great fun. I also love to blog, read, play board games with my kids (which can be done while I am laying down, if need be), and many others. These hobbies will help you to learn about your talents, as well as keep your mind off of your illness.
"...I crashed an airplane. I ended up in the hospital completely paralyzed. My spinal cord was crushed...I couldn't eat or drink, my diaphragm was destroyed, I couldn't breathe. All I could do was blink my eyes. The doctors, of course, said that I'd be a vegetable the rest of my life. All I'd be able to do is blink my eyes...it didn't matter what they thought. The main thing was what I thought. I pictured myself being a normal person again, walking out of that hospital.--Morris Goodman, The Secret
The only thing I had to work with in the hospital was my mind, and once you have your mind, you can put things back together again."
...I had set a goal to walk out of the hospital on Christmas. And I did. I walked out of the hospital on my own two feet. They said it couldn't be done. That's a day I will never forget.
For people who are sitting out there right now and are hurting, if I wanted to sum up my life and sum up for people what they can do in life, I would sum it up in six words:'Man becomes what he thinks about'."
I have had the attitude during my time with Lyme disease that I would contribute to society in any way possible and that my disease was a temporary thing. Currently, I have been off of my antibiotics for about four weeks, have no co-infection, and am doing quite well. This is not without great effort. However, following 8 years of illness, I expect there to be effort involved in my wellness.
Life is great! No matter your chronic illness, you can overcome many of your challenges by challenging your body and your mind in positive ways. I promise that this mind-body connection is strong and by utilizing these methods you will see wonderful results with your search for wellness.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Nuclear Waste From Italy. Is This Free Trade?
With the controversy regarding nuclear waste from Italy and the planned shipping and dumping in Utah some may wonder, once again, what benefits the U.S. is receiving from free trade.
Why would Italy suddenly need a dumping ground for its nuclear waste if their nuclear program was reportedly stopped in 1990?
"Italian nuclear power referendum, 1987
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Italian nuclear power referendum of November 1987, rejected expansion of the country's nuclear power industry by the construction of new nuclear power plants.
Voters were actually polled about three issues:
abolishing the statutes by which the Inter-ministries Committee for the Economical Programming (CIPE) could decide about the locations for nuclear plants, when the Regions did not so within the time stipulated by Law 393;
Abolishing rewards for municipalities in whose territories nuclear or coal plants were to be built;
Abolishing the statutes allowing Enel to take part in international agreements to build and manage nuclear plants.
Some commenter’s find that the questions were actually too technical for non-experts and were used to obtain popular consent after Chernobyl disaster in 1986.[1] [2]
Subsequently, the Italian government decided in 1988 to phase out existing plants. This led to the termination of work on the near-complete Montalto di Castro nuclear power station, and the early closure of Enrico Fermi Nuclear Power Plant and Caorso NPP, both of which closed in 1990. Italy's other two nuclear power plants had already closed prior to the decision, Alto Lazio NPP in 1982 and Latina NPP in December 1987."
While Italy has been decommissioning their Nuclear Power Plants, www.planetark.com posted an article on January 17, 2008 stating that there may be a relaunch of nuclear energy in Italy.
"Debate on a relaunch of nuclear energy in Italy, banned 20 years ago in a referendum, got a boost in the past few days when it emerged that major utilities were to draft a plan to build nuclear power stations.
Italy, with scant energy resources, wants to diversify supplies and ease its 80-85 percent dependence on fuel imports. Various energy players and politicians call for a nuclear renaissance, but their appeals have fallen on deaf ears so far."
...
"Italy does not need a new referendum to lift the existing ban but the Economic Development Ministry would need to issue a decree -- which would later have to be passed as a law -- to scrap the moratorium, energy experts say."
...
"Opponents say there are no suitable sites in Italy for building new power stations and storing nuclear waste; the construction and decommissioning costs are too high and there is still a considerable risk of accidents. (Reporting by Svetlana Kovalyova, editing by Anthony Barker)"
In a report directed by the U.S. Department of Energy regarding the Yucca Mountain, Nevada disposal site, they specifically mention that more information is necessary to understand the effect the disposal would have on the groundwater flow, as well as additional information being necessary regarding the safety with transportation of the waste.
Additionally, a letter dated April 11, 2008, written to Dr. Garrick, the Chairman for the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board from Edward F. Sproat, III, Director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management at the Department of Energy shows little regard for the concerns regarding the water and transportation issues.
Should this not be alarming to everyone in the United States? The nuclear waste is due to travel across multiple states, through many highly populated areas. Additional correspondence and documentation regarding these U.S. nuclear disposal issues can be found at www.nwtrb.gov.
While researching the topic of dumping Italy's nuclear waste in Utah, I delved into the U.S. Department of Energy site for additional information. During this research, I have found no license agreement, location research, nor do I find Energy Solutions to be one of the contractors listed for this process.
Additionally, while researching the nuclear waste topic on www.radwaste.org, I clicked on the link for Italy, called "National Radioactive Waste Disposal Site Task Force", where I was promptly told,
The page cannot be found
The page you are looking for might have been removed, had its name changed, or is temporarily unavailable.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please try the following:
If you typed the page address in the Address bar, make sure that it is spelled correctly.
Open the www.casaccia.enea.it home page, and then look for links to the information you want.
Click the Back button to try another link.
HTTP 404 - File not found
Internet Information Services
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The site they defered me to doesn't seem to show any indication of a relationship between Italy and the U.S. and the disposal of their nuclear waste.
EnergySolutions seems to think that, because it will make them more money, the risks for the citizens don't matter. In an article in the Salt Lake Tribune, dated May 7, 2008, the author states that
"...the company's multi-billion-dollar plan to import low-level radioactive materials from Italy's decommissioned nuclear power plants. Approximately 1,600 tons of the materials would be shipped across the country and buried in Utah after processing at an EnergySolutions' recycling facility in Tennessee."
The author also states that the eight-state Northwest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management has the power to regulate the source of the waste dumped at Clive, the company's facility. Additionally, a defeat of the proposal is virtually assured.
However, "EnergySolutions officials claim that only the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission can regulate foreign waste imports. Company attorneys will argue that the compact does not have authority over the dump because it's a private commercial facility, that the compact's authority is pre-empted by federal statutes and regulations, and that the U.S. Constitution forbids the compact from discriminating between identical foreign and domestic materials. (The firm's predecessor, Envirocare of Utah, didn't have a problem recognizing the authority of the compact nearly 20 years ago when, with Utah's blessing, it sought and received the compact's permission to open the dump.)"
Note: I bolded "(The firm's predecessor, Envirocare of Utah, didn't have a problem recognizing the authority of the compact nearly 20 years ago when, with Utah's blessing, it sought and received the compact's permission to open the dump.)"
So, I proceeded to research by looking up the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. I clicked on the link to the EnergySolutions' Proposal and found it to be more troubling than the article in the Salt Lake Tribune. Not just 1600 tons would be imported. Here is a direct quote.
"EnergySolutions, based in Salt Lake City, is seeking a license from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to import up to approximately 20,000 tons (a total volume of up to approximately 1 million cubic feet) of various types of materials from decommissioned nuclear facilities in Italy. These materials would be primarily metals, wood, paper, plastic, liquids and ion-exchange resins that have various levels of radioactive contamination."
"EnergySolutions would process and recycle (as shielding blocks for use in nuclear facilities) most of the contaminated material at its facilities in Tennessee, in accordance with licenses issued by the state of Tennessee. The remaining waste would be sent to EnergySolutions’ low-level radioactive waste disposal facility in Clive, Utah, for disposal in accordance with its Utah license. The company has also applied for an export license, to return to Italy any waste that does not qualify for disposal at the Utah facility."
"NRC regulations require any company wishing to import or export low-level radioactive waste to apply for a specific license from the NRC. When considering these requests, the NRC reviews the applicant’s proposal to ensure that the waste would be handled in accordance with NRC regulations to protect public health and safety and the environment. For imports, the review considers whether an appropriate facility has agreed to accept the waste for management or disposal. Under the Low Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, the states are responsible for regulating access to low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities. The NRC consults with Executive Branch agencies and all states that would be directly affected by the proposed import before deciding whether to grant the license."
"As part of its review of the license application, the NRC is seeking public comments and has offered members of the public the opportunity to request a hearing. The following information is provided to help answer questions about the EnergySolutions proposal for importing low-level waste from Italy."
The recorded Hearing Docket number 11005711, dated March 12, 2008, with attachments from Jamie L. Golliher with Energy Solutions includes ten (10) identical letters stating the following.
Date (hand-written by each signer)
Office of Secretary
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Washington DC 20555
Attn: Rulemaking and Adjudications
EnergySolutions
Docket No. 110057
Subject: EnergySolutions' license application to import Italian waste.
As an employee working at the EnergySolutions Bear Creek facility in Oak Ridge,
Tennessee, I am writing in strong support of the import license application. We have safely processed foreign materials at Bear Creek for at least the last 12 years. In fact, we are currently processing material from Canada that is very similar to the material we would process from Italy.
EnergySolutions' record of the safe handling of waste materials, meeting applicable license requirement, regulation, and state and federal law demonstrates its absolute commitment to environmental safety. The Bear Creek facility has received the National Safety Council's Perfect Record Award and is in the process of obtaining the Tennessee OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs Star status. I have no doubt in my mind that if the Commission grants the license application, EnergySolutions will continue meeting its high safety standards.
I strongly urge the Commission to approve the license request.
Sincerely,
(each separately signed by the following individuals...Eric Niles, Randy S. Owensby, Mark West, Carl West, Becky Harwell (almost illegible), two others that are totally illegible, Tammy D. Payne, David Dyer, and Mathew C. Davis.)
Note: I bolded the section stating "We have safely processed foreign materials at Bear Creek for at least the last 12 years".
Regarding the status for their request for the license,
The NRC has requested the views of the states which license EnergySolutions operations (Tennessee and Utah), the low-level waste compacts in which these states are members (the Northwest and Southeast compacts), the Executive Branch and the public. The states of
Tennessee and Utah have informed the NRC that they have no technical objections to the proposed licenses. The public comment period and the time to request a hearing or petition to intervene expire on June 10, 2008.
For more information on import and export of radioactive material, please see
http://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/ip/export-import.html.
April 2008
Note: I bolded "The public comment period and the time to request a hearing or petition to intervene expire on June 10, 2008".
There is a location on this site for comments regarding this project.
Regarding the NorthWest Interstate Compact on Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management, here is what their site says they represent.
"NWIC was created in 1981, and consists of the member states: Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. The NWIC was ratified by Congress in 1985. The eighth state, Wyoming, joined the Compact in March of 1992. The Compact is a cooperative effort of the party states to protect their citizens, and maintain and enhance economic viability, while sharing the responsibilities of low-level radioactive waste management."
"Disposal Options for Low-level Radioactive Waste Within NWIC
Low-level radioactive waste generated within the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Compacts may be disposed of at the commercial disposal site operated by US Ecology Inc. in Richland, Washington. Click on the links below:
For questions about Washington's Site Use Permits
To print out a Site Use Permit application
For state regulations regarding radioactive waste disposal
Out-of-region low-level radioactive waste that complies with the NWIC Third Amended Resolution and Order may be disposed of at the disposal site operated by Envirocare of Utah Inc. in Clive, Utah.
Send mail to our Web manager with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: May 2, 2008"
For those of you who are unaware, Envirocare is now EnergySolutions.
Here is part of the Third Amended Resolution and Order of the Northwest Interstate Compact, dated May 1, 2006 and signed by Lawrence Goldstein, Chair.
"3. While the Compact allows the above described wastes access to the licensed EnergySolutions facility in the Northwest Interstate Compact region, in accordance with Article V of the Compact, Utah retains the right to specifically approve each disposal arrangement before the waste is allowed access to the licensed EnergySolutions facility.
4. All federal and state environmental and other laws and regulations shall be complied with by the licensed EnergySolutions facility accepting the above referenced media or waste for treatment, storage, or disposal. The Compact has no authority and assumes no responsibility for the licensing and operation of the EnergySolutions facility.
5. It is the intent of the Committee that only those wastes approved by the compact of origin (including the Northwest Compact) be allowed. For states unaffiliated with a compact, state approval for export is required to the extent states can exercise such approval. This Resolution and Order shall constitute an arrangement under Article V of the Compact statute with any unaffiliated state or compact that approves waste for export to the EnergySolutions facility."
Note: I bolded "Utah retains the right to specifically approve each disposal arrangement before the waste is allowed access to the licensed EnergySolutions facility.", and "This Resolution and Order shall constitute an arrangement under Article V of the Compact statute with any unaffiliated state or compact that approves waste for export to the EnergySolutions facility.".
A public meeting was scheduled today May 8, 2008 for The Committee of the Northwest Interstate Compact regarding this very issue.
My question is that if this has been ratified by congress, doesn't this committee have the say regarding whether or not Utah permits the importation of this 20,000 tons of Italian nuclear waste regardless of what high horse EnergySolutions seem to think they are on?
Additionally, if we accept this waste from another foreign country, doesn't this open the flood gates for others to attempt to dump their waste in the United States?
Sources:
en.wikipedia.org
HAARETZ.com
www.planetark.com
www.nwtrb.gov
www.ocrwm.doe.gov
www.sltrib.com
www.nrc.gov
www.ecy.wa.gov
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sabbath Day, "Walk The Walk and Talk The Talk"
Walk the Walk and Talk the Talk
A man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard.
Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him.
He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.
As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into
the face of a very serious police officer.
The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.
He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger printed, photographed, and placed in a holding cell.
After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door.
She was escorted back to the booking desk there the arresting officer was
waiting with her personal effects.
He said,
"I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.
I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' License plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper Sticker, And the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk, Naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car."
..............
This little illustration shows that you must always act in accordance with those principals you "say" you stand for. If you don't live by example, what are you saying to those around you?
Remember that ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Cognitive Therapy and Lyme Disease
Anyone who has been chronically ill for any length of time understands that you, many times, may feel less than adequate to handle your day-to-day activities. How do you take that thinking and change it to the positive? Cognitive therapy.
When I have listened to, watched YouTube videos of, or read about those who have been chronically ill with Lyme or with other illnesses, it seems that many wallow in their situation.
Research has proven the mind-body connection regarding illness and healing. When your mind is constantly on your illness or disease, it tends to cause the symptoms to get worse and often times causes a delay in healing.
When you talk to others, do you constantly discuss your illness?
When you are at home, not feeling well, do you just lay around?
Keep up on world affairs and/or other topics (other than your disease or illness) that you love. Use those as conversation pieces.
When you are not feeling well and are at home, do you set goals for yourself? Set a goal of what accomplishments you'd like to take care of during any particular day. Make these goals reasonable. Don't make a long list. You will be happy and boosted up by accomplishing those little tasks that you set as goals.
Additionally, when you have down time, don't lay and watch TV. Read. Stimulate your brain. Read uplifting literature. Take time to stretch your muscles. Use a beginner Yoga and/or Tai Chi video to make yourself stronger. It will make your mind and emotional center more calm, as well as help your muscles to become stronger and less sore. You will be amazed at the results!
Without cognitive therapy and the practice of what I have been taught, I would not make it through each day in such a positive manner. I love life! There are endless possibilities!
"Cognitive therapy seeks to identify and change "distorted" or "unrealistic" ways of thinking, and therefore to influence emotion and behaviour." wikipediaThrough therapy with someone who is trained in cognitive therapy you soon realize that no matter what happens TO you, you can create your reality based on YOUR reaction to what happens. This therapy also helps you create your reality the positive way, regardless of what has happened in your past.
"One etiological theory of depression is the Aaron Beck cognitive theory of depression. His theory is regarded as the most verified psychological theory of depression. His theory states that depressed people feel the way they do because their thinking is biased towards negative interpretations. According to Beck’s theory of the etiology of depression, depressed people acquire a negative schema of the world in childhood and adolescence. (Children and adolescents who suffer from depression acquire this negative schema earlier.) Depressed people acquire such schemas through a loss of a parent, rejection by peers, criticism from teachers or parents, the depressive attitude of a parent and other negative events. When the person with such schemas encounters a situation that resembles in some way, even remotely, the conditions in which the original schema was learned, the negative schemas of the person are activated.
Beck also included a negative triad in his theory. A negative triad is made up of the negative schemas and cognitive biases of the person. A cognitive bias is a view of the world. Depressed people, according to this theory, have views such as “I never do a good job.” A negative schema helps give rise to the cognitive bias, and the cognitive bias helps fuel the negative schema. This is the negative triad. Also, Beck proposed that depressed people often have the following cognitive biases: arbitrary inference, selective abstraction, overgeneralization, magnification and minimization. These cognitive biases are quick to make negative, generalized, and personal inferences of the self, thus fueling the negative schema."
When I have listened to, watched YouTube videos of, or read about those who have been chronically ill with Lyme or with other illnesses, it seems that many wallow in their situation.
Research has proven the mind-body connection regarding illness and healing. When your mind is constantly on your illness or disease, it tends to cause the symptoms to get worse and often times causes a delay in healing.
When you talk to others, do you constantly discuss your illness?
When you are at home, not feeling well, do you just lay around?
Keep up on world affairs and/or other topics (other than your disease or illness) that you love. Use those as conversation pieces.
When you are not feeling well and are at home, do you set goals for yourself? Set a goal of what accomplishments you'd like to take care of during any particular day. Make these goals reasonable. Don't make a long list. You will be happy and boosted up by accomplishing those little tasks that you set as goals.
Additionally, when you have down time, don't lay and watch TV. Read. Stimulate your brain. Read uplifting literature. Take time to stretch your muscles. Use a beginner Yoga and/or Tai Chi video to make yourself stronger. It will make your mind and emotional center more calm, as well as help your muscles to become stronger and less sore. You will be amazed at the results!
Without cognitive therapy and the practice of what I have been taught, I would not make it through each day in such a positive manner. I love life! There are endless possibilities!
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