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Sunday, March 28, 2010

10 Future Jobs You Can Get NOW - Plus Private Space Jobs

Photo: Space based solar collector

I'm attaching a link to an article about 10 "future" jobs you can get right now. These include:

1. Undersea Welder (Pays $17/$20hour if you live)
2. Zero-Energy Home Architect (Pays between $45,000 - $100,000/yr).
3. Combined Heat and Power Mechanic (Pays $30,000 - $75,000/yr.)
4. Energy Engineer (Pays $50,000 - $100,000/yr.)
5. Digital Detective (Pays $60,000 to $100,000+)
6. 3D Sports Tech (Pays $50,000 - $150,000/yr.)
7. Wind Explorer (Pays $35,000 - $55,000/yr.)
8. Fabricator of Carbon-Fiber Spaceships and Planes (Up to $20/hour)
9. Battery Engineer (Pays $50,000 - $95,000/yr)
10. Independent Video-Game Designer (Pay averages $62,000/yr.)

Note that skills needed for these jobs are engineering, not the Wall Street financial fine art of inventing fake assets like credit default swaps that your Wall Street firm sells to people while at the same time taking bets against the same instruments they are selling (that didn't work so well as we found out in the 2000's)!

We could also develop space technology that addresses our energy needs and gets us more involved in space with a purpose instead of just joyriding back to the Moon to plant a flag.

For example, we could develop the technology to put into orbit solar collectors in space to direct the sun's energy to ground-based stations - that would create thousands of jobs assembling and designing the equipment and maintaining and operating the ground stations.

It's obvious that we will need to continue to advance to new technologies and new jobs instead of just flipping burgers and selling junk bonds to "stay ahead of the curve."

World's First Solar City - in the Middle East?

Photo: Masdar, Abu Dhabi's Solar City Using "lunar" technology.

Yep, the world's first solar city is being built in the Middle East of all places, in oil poor Abu Dhabi - What is unique is that they are using lunar type technology (see link) and pushing the "green envelop" in their design of a modern city.

America, even the Middle East is getting ahead of us in this inventive with our own technology.

China now leads us in investing in 'green' technology. We are now No. 2.

We need to kick in the afterburners on "green" technology --or lose the global tech race.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Breaking Glass to Demand Right to Have Insurance Canceled - Really?

When I hear people protesting the passage of the healthcare reform bill, here is what I hear:

"I DEMAND THE RIGHT TO HAVE MY INSURANCE COMPANY CANCEL ME!"

You want that? You really want the right to have your insurance company cancel your insurance when you find out you or a family member has cancer -- or when your arrive at the hospital?

"I DEMAND the RIGHT to BE DENIED INSURANCE for a PRE-EXISTING CONDITION!"

(of which I have many due to eating too much fried food).

Do you really demand to be turned down for insurance because you have a risky condition or a disease like diabetes or cancer and an insurance companies don't want you because you will cost too much?

This is was the protesters are really saying if they think about it. Kinda crazy isn't it - to demand the right of some stranger to cancel your policy at the worst possible time?

Makes me wonder if logical reasoning is still alive and well in America - throwing bricks through windows, mad that they can't now be denied insurance or get canceled when they get sick.

That is sick! LOL.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

SpaceShipTwo's First Flight - Buy Your Space Ticket Here!

Check out SpaceShipTwo's First Flight - PRIVATE companies going into Space makes a lot of sense.


They do it quicker and cheaper.


It's funny and downright strange to see the GOP opposing the privatization of space flight!


Get this. We have Democrat President pushing for private companies to enter space! And Republicans are OPPOSING that?


The world has flipped upside down! LOL.


Buy your space ticket here!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

America's Real Nazis - Mistreating a sick man is sick

You call these people patriots?


People "at a Tea Party rally in Columbus, Ohio, last week taunted and humiliated a man who was sitting on the ground with a sign that said he had Parkinson’s disease." You can get more details at Mr. Herbert's article at this link.


Using the N word and spitting on our Congressional reps? What kind of American behavior is that? Calling a Congressman "faggot" is the same.


Mr. Herbert is too nice. I call them unAmerican Nazi thugs to treat any person like that, especially someone with a disease.


It's not any better than Congressmen shouting "Liar!" and "Baby Killer" in Congress - or egging on more violent abusive behavior. I've heard Republicans in my own Rotary Club refer to the President with the N-word right after he took office and inherited a $1.3 billion deficit mess from the prior administration! Like it was his fault?


It's time for a white guy to stand up and say that I've had enough of the white racism. I'm tired of the spitting and abusive behavior that would get you arrested in a domestic dispute. I've had enough of white racists like Glenn Beck falsely claiming the President is racist and hates white people.

It's time for decent white people to protest bigotry by its own members -- and support another group being abused. Before now, it was Hispanics being put down. Before that, it was Jews. Now they are abusing sick people who attended their rallies. Who's next?


Any party that encourages such low life behavior has lost its moral compass....

Monday, March 22, 2010

America: Losing Globally If We Don't Reduce Partisanship

This article on partisanship should be read by all Americans concerned about our future as a country.

To Reduce Partisanship, Get Rid of Partisans

The more extreme each side gets, the more America loses - we need common middle ground to stay ahead of the global competition, instead of primaries with who can be right of right or left of left.

The Taliban are so conservative they blow up girls' schools. Is that how far we have to go to get back to the common sense center?

We need to quit being narcissist (and staring only at our internal political battles) and start playing a smarter global game to stay winners in the 21st century.

Pearl Harbor and 9/11 should be proof that being partisan and self-absorbed is not a good thing for America...

Sunday, March 21, 2010

A Unique Day Even on Clear Lake - Revealing What Lies Below



Today the lake was showing something seldom seen. It seems the same is happening in Washington DC.

This day could go down in history as one of those pivotal moments - like the passage of social security certainly was in the 1930's when millions reached old age with nothing, and Medicare in the 1960's, when seniors faced old age with no medical care.

It was also unique on Clear Lake today - strong winds from the west peeled back several feet of lake bottom that normally is covered. It was fascinating to see what was lurking there just five feet below, the potential hazards.

In the same way, this year-long conversation on health care has also revealed a lot of hidden hazards below the water - people losing their insurance because they were sick, or denied because they had prior health issues - so they had no coverage. Either they went bankrupt, paid out of pocket or were denied medical treatment. Neither of those choices seems to me to be very American, or humane, or even civilized for a great country to treat its own people.

But the sight of those 'tea party' people standing in our capitol and screaming the "N word" and spitting on black and gay Members of Congress yesterday was disgusting. It tells me that they are racists that don't represent true American values. Tea Party people are MAD that people won't be denied insurance anymore? What kind of value is that?

Today, where water once was, is beachfront - revealing what has been hiding below: a discarded scooter, some tires, a lawn chair --JUNK we need to get rid of before someone steps on them --like a cancellation of your insurance after you get sick.

Let's face some reality and facts. Our American people have an obesity problem. We have an obesity epidemic. We have too many people who are walking heart attacks from too many high-fat meals. They are high health risks who any insurance company in their right mind would want to drop if they could.

Why would anyone in their right mind want to keep a system that lets insurance companies do that to people? Congressional reps don't get denied insurance or dropped (insurance companies aren't stupid), but ordinary citizens? They get dropped or denied every day.

Tomorrow, the water will probably cover the hidden hazards on Clear Lake. Let's hope that in terms of healthcare, we have eliminated some for Americans.

Keeping the status quo only guarantees we stay at No. 37 in the world in healthcare.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Check this Link to See How HealthCare Reform Would Affect Your District

Here is a link that shows what would happen in your Congressional district if healthcare refrom passes. For example, in my TX CD22 district it would:

Improve coverage for 578,000 residents with health insurance.

Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 143,000 families and 13,400 small businesses to help them afford coverage.

Improve Medicare for 76,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.

Extend coverage to 99,500 uninsured residents.

Guarantee that 19,700 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.

Protect 600 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.

Allow 72,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.

Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $50 million annually.

Hit the link and see what would happen in your district (unless of course you are so crazy that you WANT to have your insurance denied for a pre-existing condition or your insurance canceled after you get a serious illness like cancer)....!

What is THAT Swimming in Clear Lake?

WHAT is THAT Swimming in Clear Lake?

Lately, sitting on the balcony overlooking the lake, my eye was caught by ripples from a strange creature that came into view. Most of it is below the surface b,ut you can tell it is a big creature compared to what you usually see on the water (where kids where sledding behind a boat yesterday).

Only a small part protrudes above the water. It doesn't dive or look like a duck or anything else I've seen on the lake.

It slowly swims along the shore of Clear Lake. An eel? A gator? Just WHAT is that thing?

This morning I ran and got some video of it (the sun wasn't up yet so it is dark). Notice how the water forms a curve when it turns in the second video as it neared some docks.

We used to have small ducklings (actually Cormorants?) of over 30 swimming together in a group. Now I see about 5 or 6 in a group.

It's enough to give one a pre-existing condition. Hope the ducks don't get their policies cancelled for reaching their policy cap!

WHAT is that thing? Umm.

"I have been Mugged in England and Need $$$ to Get Home" Scam

While I was out on a job yesterday I read a disturbing email from a friend which said the following:

"Sorry I didn't inform you about my trip to the UK England for a program,I am presently in England,something extremely dreadful happened to me,I was mugged at gun point on my way to the Hotel by some Hoodlums and they made away with my Bag and other valuables. I called my bank for a wire transfer but it has proven almost Impossible to operate my account from here as they made me understand international transactions take 7 working days to be effective which i can't wait.

I feel so devastated,now my passport and other belongings are been retained by the hotel management pending the time I pay my Hotel bills.This is shameful,I need you to help me with a loan of (2,150 pounds= $3,250) to pay my hotel bills and get my self home.I will reimburse you soon as I get back Home.I will appreciate whatever you can assist me with.Can you help?"

That message was followed by the following (I have deleted the person's name for privacy reasons):

"I'm really happy to hear from you and thanks for your concern, at the moment am not my self and I cant even think straight but I will like you to loan me the money and will refund it back to you as soon as I get back.You can help me wire the money through western union money Transfer to my personal details and to the Hotel address bellow.I will be receiving it here with an ID and was also told that you can send it online on the western union website www.westernunion.com or go to any Walmart around you and get it sent from there. You can call on the Hotel receptionist number +447035930781

Name: Barbara XXXXXX
Address:12 London Road, Guildford
Surrey.England
United Kingdom

As soon you get it done,send me the Transfer details Including the (money Transfer Control Number).Get back to me as soon as you can.

All hopes on you."

Getting that kind of message is a wake up call. It was sent with what appeared to be her legitimate email address.

It turned out to be a scam by someone who somehow had used her email address. But before it was discovered to be a phony, her friends (many of whom are members of the League of Women Voters) were scrambling to raise money with some even thinking of hocking their jewelry etc to come up with money to help her out.

When she found out what was going on, the alleged victim sent out an email saying "I have NOT been mugged, and I am not in England."

This a NEW twist to the scam machine. If you get a strange message from someone you know claiming they have been mugged on a quick trip overseas and need money to get home, check it out before you panic and wire off funds. Try to contact the person through their cell phone and family first.

If that doesn't work, try contacting the FBI who should be informed of it even if it turns out to be a scam.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Texas GOP Chair believes that the Earth is only 6,000 years old

By the way, the current Chair of the Texas GOP believes that the Earth is only 6,000 years old! (Nor did she deny it when I asked if it was true she believed that).

If that isn't proof of failure of our (TX) Education system, nothing is...(The charts on climate change, taken from ice core drilling samples, show climate changes going back over 800,000 years! (not 6,000!)

That is the same kind of ignorance that would support dropping Thomas Jefferson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, from our history books --which our TX School board just did.

This is the same kind of mindless narrowness exhibited by the Taliban who oppose secular education. Dropping Thomas Jefferson from our books (after 200+ years of being a key figure) because he espoused "separation of church and state" fits with that kind of thinking.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Rice Univ Climate Expert: Rapid Loss of Greenland Ice Would Stop Ocean's Currents





You thought because of our weird weather with snow in Washington DC to Atlanta that climate change was not happening? Wrong.

Rice University climate expert Ron Sass gave a presentation to the League of Women Voters in Houston this week and showed how it was still a record HOT year for the planet overall. We didn't feel it in the middle of the U.S. because this year the HEAT went to the Canadian north and arctic regions - which were about 40 degrees WARMER than normal.

All the data on climate change shows is that the temperature trend is UP - only how much and how soon it becomes an irreversible disaster is in question. Who cares if it doesn't kill us at a specified time when the evidence is that if we don't act fast, climate change will kill us?

In his presentation, Ron Sass showed how just one aspect of climate change could have fatal and catastrophic consequences -- the loss of Greenland's icecap would stop the ocean current cycle that brings life to our planet by bringing up nutrients from the ocean floor. The Gulf Stream would terminate because of massive influx of fresh water from the Greenland ice melt, stopping that life cycle.

The two photos provided by Dr. Sass above are shots of the increase Greenland ice melt causing by the warming trend.

Sass also said another truth – that scientists are not split. Most agree on the science an overall conclusion we are beyond the normal natural cycle that existed the last 800,000 years.

The problem is with our media that if there are 10,000 people on one side and 5 on the other, the media makes it look like a "split" by giving the 5 equal time -- which does not reflect there their true proportion.

Health care reform won't matter, nor will anything else, if don't have a surviving planet.

If the climate proponents are wrong, we end up with cleaner energy, air and water. If the climate skeptics are wrong and we do nothing, we end up with an overheated, dying planet. Which is worse?


Friday, March 12, 2010

Dumbing of American Education by the Texas Board of “Hillbillies”

Eight people in Texas control what your child anywhere in America will see or not see in his or her school textbook – and it is leading to the dumbing of America.

A 15-member Board of Education in Texas determines what school children see in their textbooks – or don’t see. Because Texas is a huge market, what they pick goes into texts used by schools nationwide. The 15 members are politicians, not teachers. And the majority of eight has shown a remarkable ignorance about history and a racial and religious bias that goes against what America is all about. These eight people will determine if your kid is dumber than dirt, or an educated 21st century citizen.

An example: “Mavis Knight, D-Dallas, was unable to attract any Republican support for her motion to teach students that government is not supposed to favor any religion. Knight's proposed amendment: “Examine the reasons the Founding Fathers protected religious freedom in America by barring government from protecting or disfavoring any particular religion over all others,” was defeated.

If the eight had their way, your children would learn only about one religion and about white people only. Minority success stories are routinely cut out even as minorities are becoming the majority in Texas and America. Political censorship is applied – no socialists are to be mentioned! As a result of this small group, Texas textbooks are becoming more partisan and narrow when all textbooks should be nonpartisan and broad to give students greater perspective, as in “education”.

One member of the board, a lawyer who teaches law, fails to understand that when our founding fathers established America, they were sick of the English system that favored only the state religion. Religious wars in Europe pushed the Founding Fathers to guarantee religious liberty to ensure a strong and united country. They wanted religious freedom for all, not just the “chosen.”

Yet board member Cynthia Dunbar, from a small Texas town, missed that part in law school and history class. She wants schools to become churches and only educate students about the Christian religion, instead of exposing them to ALL the religions that exist in America -- Judaism, Hinduism, Christianity, how Islam recognizes Jesus and Mary in their texts, etc.

Instead, Ms. Dunbar insisted that our founding father, Thomas Jefferson, be dropped from the history book entirely! Why? "Because he supported separation of church and state" she said. That shows how little these people know about our founders and their vision.

If you don’t know that, it is because Texas hillbillies are dumbing down America’s education – at a time when our kids need a GLOBAL education to even have a chance at staying competitive in the high tech 21st century. In a recent poll 40% of Americans who were asked could NOT identify a "fossil fuel" (as in oil, gas. "Ethanol" is not a fossil fuel). Fifty one percent (51%) could NOT name a renewable fuel (as in "solar" or "wind"). Does that sound like an educated public?

We have to get a lot smarter not dumber, to stay in the game. How does America lead a world when its students and future leaders learn nothing about it -- because of eight extremists on the Texas School Board? How many of our leaders went into the Iraq war not knowing the difference between Muslim Shiites and Sunnis – and how they really don’t like each other? That was an expensive lesson.

It’s past time to abolish the Texas School Board authority to dictate the education levels of United States students. Write your State leaders and representatives. Texas’ Board of Education is gutting our national education when other countries are improving theirs.

We can’t compete or win with our own version of the Taliban in charge of education.

Monday, March 01, 2010

Go VOTE March 2 - Or Don't Complain For Wasting Your Citizenship Right

Got to go to Dallas today - RAIN all the way. Coming back to do a last minute Vote Tuesday before the polls close at 7 March 2.


To all those who have been complaining, go VOTE so you are entitled to complain (and suggest solutions). If you don't vote you wasted your citizenship right, so don't waste our time with your opinions!


Preferably, voting is for the best candidate. Sometimes it is for the least worst! Either way, it's better than doing nothing about who gets into office and expecting things to improve.

As the six retiring Congressmen (both Republican and Democrat) said in a CNN interview I saw over the weekend, our primaries favor the more extreme candidate instead of the more moderate, common sense one (like all of them). Try to change that if you want a better government system.

The likelihood of both extremes working together to solve our problems is pretty low.

So try to pick someone who isn't so nuts they can't talk to regular people on the other side in Congress for the purpose of getting real things done instead of the political volleyball blame game that never seems to end.

The world is moving on past us while we remain self obsessed and oblivious to what is going on beyond our country/state/county.

That's not a recipe for success in the 21st global-techno century where China is building Mag Levs while we were building paper empires of credit default swaps and borrowed billions to give tax cuts to the top 5%, concentrating wealth on pyramid paper empires to the point where our economy collapsed and took down a lot of other countries with it.

Go vote...Our future depends on it.