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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS ABOUT DEMOGRAPHIC WINTER


Question : What is population stability, and why is the number 2.1 so important?

Answer:
Population stability is the point of equilibrium at which a country’s population is neither growing nor declining. In order to maintain current population, the average woman must have 2.1 children during her lifetime. Essentially, she needs to replace herself and a man. Because some children will die before reaching maturity, slightly more than two children are needed. Hence, 2.1.

A birthrate of more than 2.1 equals population growth. A birthrate of less than 2.1 means long term population decline. The rate of 2.1 is based on currently low infant mortality rates. In countries where infant mortality is higher, the birthrate required for population replacement would also be higher.

Question: What does the expression “Demographic Winter” mean?

Answer:
“Demographic Winter” denotes the worldwide decline in birthrates, also referred to as a “birth-dearth,” and what it portends.

Demographer Philip Longman (author of “The Empty Cradle: How Falling Birthrates Threaten World Prosperity”) observes: “The ongoing global decline in human birthrates is the single most powerful force affecting the fate of nations and the future of society in the 21st. century.”

Worldwide, birthrates have been halved in the past 50 years. There are now 59 nations, with 44% of the world’s population, with below-replacement fertility

Sometime in this century, the world’s population will begin to decline. At a certain point, the decline will become rapid. We may even reach population free-fall in our lifetimes.For some countries, population decline is already a reality. Russia is losing three-quarters-of-a-million people a year. Its population (currently 145 million) is expected to fall by one-third by 2050.

The term “nuclear winter,” popularized in the 1980s, alluded to the catastrophic environmental impact of a nuclear war. The long-term consequences of demographic winter could be equally devastating.


Question: What is replacement fertility, and why is the number 2.1 so important?

Answer:
Replacement fertility is the point of equilibrium at which a country’s population is neither growing nor declining. In order to maintain current population, the average woman must have 2.1 children during her lifetime. Essentially, she needs to replace herself and a man. Because some children will die before reaching maturity, slightly more than two children are needed. Hence, 2.1.

A birthrate of more than 2.1 equals population growth. A birthrate of less than 2.1 long-term means population decline.


Question: If birthrates are declining, why does the world’s population continue to grow?

Answer:
If it’s already in motion, a car in neutral will continue moving for a while, especially if it’s going downhill, even if gas isn’t being injected into the engine.
Today’s population growth is due to two factors: 1. higher fertility rates in the 1950s and 60s, and 2. people living longer than ever before.

The thing to remember is this: Declining birthrates will equal a declining population worldwide at some point in the next few decades. In the West (especially in Europe) population decline will become a reality much sooner. In some countries, such as Russia, it’s already happening.

A nation’s demographic future can be seen in its current birthrate. In Europe, the number of children under 5 has declined by 36% since 1960. Worldwide, there are 6 million fewer children, 6 and under, today, than there were in 1990. If present trends continue, the United Nations estimates that by 2050 there will be 248 million fewer children in the world then there are now.


Question: Where are birthrates lowest?

Answer:
Of the 10 countries with the lowest birthrates, 9 are in Europe. Overall, the European fertility rate is 1.3, well below replacement level (2.1). No European nation has a replacement-level birthrate.

Italy’s fertility rate is 1.2. Spain’s is 1.1. That means in the not-too-distant future, absent massive immigration, these countries will lose half of their people in every generation.

Russia’s birthrate fell from 2.4 in 1990 to 1.17 today – a decline of more than 50% in less than 20 years. Each year, there are more abortions than live births in the Russian Federation.

While birthrates are also plummeting in developing nations, most still have above-replacement fertility – for the time being.
The U.S. fertility rate is around 2.1, just about replacement level, and continues to hover around that rate, due in part to higher immigrant birthrates. How long this will continue is anyone’s guess.


Question: What are the consequences of demographic decline?

Answer:
Economist Robert J. Samuelson wrote in a June 15, 2005 column in The Washington Post: “It’s hard to be a great power if your population is shriveling.” Samuelson warned: “Europe as we know it is going out of business…. Western Europe’s population grows dramatically grayer, projects the U.S. Census Bureau. Now about one-sixth of the population is 65 and older. By 2030, that could be one-fourth and by 2050, almost one-third.”

By the mid-point of this century, 16% of the world’s population will be over 65. By 2040, there will be 400 million elderly Chinese.
If present low birthrates persist, the European Union estimates there will be a continent-wide shortfall of 20 million workers by 2030.

Who will operate the factories and farms in the Europe of the future? Who will develop the natural resources? Where will Russia find the soldiers to guard the frontiers of the largest nation on Earth?

Who will care for a graying population? A burgeoning elderly population combined with a shrinking work force will lead to a train-wreck for state pension systems.

This only skims the surface of the way demographic decline will change the face of civilization. Even the environment will be adversely impacted. With severely strained public budgets, developed nations will no longer be willing to shoulder the costs of industrial clean-up or a reduction of CO2 emissions.


Question: What factors contribute to demographic decline?

Answer:
A number of social trends of the post-war era have converged to create a perfect storm for Demographic Winter.

Men and women are delaying marriage, making it less likely they’ll have more than one or two children. Today in the West, almost one in two marriages ends in divorce. The children of divorce are less likely to marry and form families themselves.

More married women are putting off having children for careers. After 35, it becomes progressively harder for women to conceive.
The news and entertainment media tell young adults that satisfaction comes from careers, romance, travel and “personal growth” – not from having children. It’s rare that Hollywood even portrays large families (today, more than 2 children). The culture’s message is live-for-moment and live primarily for yourself, with no sense of obligation to generations past or concern for posterity.

The growth of cohabitation also has an impact. (In Scandinavia, almost as many couples are living together as married.) Cohabitation is not conducive to childbearing or childrearing.

For the past 20 to 30 years, children have been taught that over-population (the so-called population bomb) will wreak havoc on the environment and economic development. Not surprisingly, children thus indoctrinated frequently choose to have fewer children when they reach maturity.
Religious observance has been shown to correlate with higher birthrates. The increasing secularization of Western societies has been accompanied by lower birthrates.

Thus, every aspect of modernity works against family life and in favor of singleness and small families or voluntary childlessness.


Question: Can’t the problem be fixed by increased immigration?

Answer:
In a demographic sense, this is robbing Peter to pay Paul.
The host country gains people, but the home country loses. The developing world, which has seen its own birthrate cut in half since 1970 (from almost 6 to barely 4), can ill afford to lose large numbers through emigration. The loss of labor from these countries adversely impacts their own economy and since the majority of those who leave are the men, many children are now growing up without a father, creating other social problems for these countries. The developing world is paying a high price to bail out the developed world’s lack of labor due to low fertility rates.

Mass immigration changes the national character of the host country. Immigrants tend to have a lower education level than natives. Many never learn the language of their new home or identify with its history and heritage.This changes the social and political makeup of the host countries, in some cases so dramatically that it is causing social and political unrest.


Question: Can’t demographic winter be countered by governments encouraging people to have more children?

Answer:
This is being tried in Western Europe and Russia. The Russian Federation pays families a bonus of 250,000 rubles (the equivalent of $9,200) for every child after the first – in a nation where the average monthly wage is only $330. It’s not working.

Couples decide to have children for all kinds of reasons – religious, emotional, cultural, etc. Money doesn’t seem to be one of them, although money concerns are sometimes cited as a reason for having fewer children.

Children are a life-long commitment. While governments should make childrearing easier, by lowering the tax-burden on families (out of self-interest if not fairness), cash incentives so far haven’t worked.


Question: If the United States has near-replacement fertility, why should we care?

Answer:
All of the factors that are leading Europe into the depths of Demographic Winter are present in the United States as well, including high divorce rates, the rise of cohabitation, families putting off procreation to pursue careers, an anti-family culture and voluntary childlessness.

We may be a few decades behind Europe, but we’re heading in the same direction.

National economies are interconnected to such an extent that the impact of economic collapse in one country or region can be felt around the world.

The social, political and economic decline of previously stable nations can destabilize entire regions and create perils for neighbors and far-away allies. The United States is connected to Europe economically and through multiple security treaties.


Question: What Is “Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family”

Answer:
“Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family,” is the first of two documentary films. Together they explore every aspect of demographic decline based on interviews with scholars, researchers, economists, demographers, government representatives, civil and religious leaders from 33 countries.

Produced by Barry McLerran and directed by Rick Stout, with executive director Steven Smoot, “Demographic Winter” brings together a number of disciplines to examine and analyze what could be the greatest threat confronting humanity in the 21st century.

Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family

One of the most ominous events of modern history is quietly unfolding. Social scientists and economists agree - we are headed toward a demographic winter which threatens to have catastrophic social and economic consequences. The effects will be severe and long lasting and are already becoming manifest in much of Europe.

A groundbreaking film, Demographic Winter: Decline of the Human Family, reveals in chilling soberness how societies with diminished family influence are now grimly seen as being in social and economic jeopardy.

Demographic Winter draws upon experts from all around the world - demographers, economists, sociologists, psychologists, civic and religious leaders, parliamentarians and diplomats. Together, they reveal the dangers facing society and the world’s economies, dangers far more imminent than global warming and at least as severe. These experts will discuss how:

The “population bomb” not only did not have the predicted consequences, but almost all of the developed countries of the world are now experiencing fertility rates far below replacement levels. Birthrates have fallen so low that even immigration cannot replace declining populations, and this migration is sapping strength from developing countries, the fertility rates for many of which are now falling at a faster pace than did those of the developed countries.

The economies of the world will continue to contract as the “human capital” spoken of by Nobel Prize winning economist Gary Becker, diminishes. The engines of commerce will be strained as the workers of today fail to replace themselves and are burdened by the responsibility to support an aging population.

Government programs will slow-bleed by the decrease in tax dollars received from an ever shrinking work force. The skyrocketing ratio of the old retirees to the young workers will render current-day social security systems completely unable to support the aging population.
Our attempts to modernize through social engineering policies and programs have left children growing up in broken homes, with absentee parents and little exposure to extended family, disconnected from the generations, and these children are experiencing severe psychological, sociological and economic consequences. The intact family’s immeasurable role in the development and prosperity of human societies is crumbling.

The influence of social and economic problems on ever shrinking, increasingly disconnected generations will compound and accelerate the deterioration. Our children and our children’s children will bear the economic and social burden of regenerating the “human capital” that accounts for 80% of wealth in the economy, and they will be ill-equipped to do so.

Is there a “tipping point”, after which the accelerating consequences will make recovery impossible without complete social and economic collapse? Even the experts can’t tell us how far we can go down this road, oblivious to the outcomes, until we reach a point where sliding into the void becomes unpreventable.

Only if the political incorrectness of talking about the natural family within policy circles is overcome will solutions begin to be found. These solutions will necessarily result in policy changes, changes that will support and promote the natural, intact family.

Just as it took the cumulative involvement of activist organizations, policy makers, the business world and the media to create the unintended consequences we are beginning to experience, so it will take the holistic contribution of all of these entities, together with civic and religious organizations, to change the hearts and minds of all of society to bring about a reversal.

It may be too late to avoid some very severe consequences, but with effort we may be able to preclude calamity. Demographic Winter lays out a forthright province of discussion. The warning voices in this film need to be heard before a silent, portentous fall turns into a long, hard winter.

Monsanto Contaminates Romania with Genetic Engineering

Recent Greenpeace research in Romania has exposed the fact that Monsanto's introduction of genetically engineered soybeans has virtually destroyed both conventional and organic farming in many regions. Neither the Romanian government nor Monsanto applied the precautionary principle in assessing the impact of these crops in agriculture. Berlin, Germany, 11 January 2006 Greenpeace today, joined by a former manager of Monsanto and Limagrain in Romania, Mr Dragos Dima, at a press conference at the International Green Week in Berlin exposed how Monsanto will contaminate EU agriculture with genetically engineered (GE) Soya. U.S. biotech giant made an application in December 2005 to the European Union to grow its genetically engineered (GE) 'Roundup Ready' soybeans across the whole of Europe once its current licence - permitting the beans' import but not cultivation - expires in 2006 (1).more

Mai biutiful red meipal

Some things we can do...

Consumption

• Avoid buying newly manufactured things, instead buy second hand or make our own.
• Avoid large chain stores and supermarkets.
• Buy things from small and local businesses.
• Favor worker cooperatives over corporations.
• Wherever possible buy direct from producers.
• Support local currencies.
• Trade or give gifts in preference to using money.

Communities

• Smile at people and meet their eyes.
• Give open-minded/hearted time to those people around us.
• Organise parties and celebrations (eg. a dinner party where everyone brings a homemade dish or a childrens party where each parent organises a game)
• Organise rotating work parties and skill-sharing events.
• Vision together the future of our communities and make it happen by a combination of negotiations with local councils and direct action. (If you think that unused roadside could make a good veg garden then get some friends together and just go ahead and do it)

Food And Land

• Propagate and plant edible perennial plants wherever possible on any available land.
• Learn how to grow food and save seeds.
• Set up personal and community food growing.
• Stick to seasonal, local and organic foods.
• Eat meat in moderation.
• Have a go at making bread, preserving food, making cheese, brewing etc..
• Enjoy cooking and eating good food. Treat our food with reverence.
• Learn what wild plants grow in our areas and learn how to use them for food and medicine.
• Protect and encourage biodiversity and wild areas (eg. a small wild patch at the bottom of your garden could be a haven for birds and small animals).
• Make a pond.

Energy

• Use wood (biomass) for heating. Install wood burners. Take firewood from the waste stream and plant local or personal firewood supplies. In a climate like Britain's, short rotation coppice crops such as willow can be fully productive in 3 years and a 30 x 50m area can heat an efficient family house.
• Heat water with wood and solar energy. (A solar water heater can easily be made from scrap materials in a day or two.)
• Use renewable electricity. Switch mains connections to suppliers who only deal in renewable energy.
• Set up and use local or personal energy production systems. Small scale hydroelectric systems in particular offer simply maintained systems with high and reliable returns for the amount of invested energy.
• Practice basic woodwork, metalwork etc to make and repair basic items and tools.
• Compost food and human waste to build soil fertility and reduce energy demands of waste disposal.

Lifestyle

• Withdraw investment from houses. Move to a cheaper home or make our own (most cheaply done without permission).
• Work less.
• This will free up time and energy to develop sustainable ways of living as well as removing support from destructive systems.
• Do not take employment from organizations which are unsustainable or who's actions are not benefiting the world.
• Maximize our autonomy from state and corporate control structures.
• Move from urban to rural areas and start working some land.

Consideration

• Consider what elements of our world and society are of greatest value to us (air, water, food supplies, medicines...?)
• Consider what elements /service / products we could happily do without (war, this year's fashion, more DVDs, a bigger car...?)
• Be aware that the more we have of the latter, the more we threaten the former.
• Whenever we spend money or play an active role in society, take time to consider the consequences of our actions. (Buying a tank of fuel supports the violent occupation of the middle east, buying cheap clothes supports sweatshops and child labour, buying from transnational corporations funds the extraction of capital from poorer countries and the erosion of human rights)
• Consider our modern world from the point of view of our ancestors.
• Count our blessings.
• Appreciate the beauty and fragility of life, human and otherwise.
• Make time to appreciate and congratulate ourselves - we are all amazing and powerful beings.
• Smile, laugh, love and dream. Be present and don't worry.

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ADEVARUL incorect politic - epistolie

Către Preşedintele României Primul Ministru al României Preşedintele Senatului Preşedintele Camerei Deputaţilor Preşedinţii partidelor parlamentare Primarul General al Bucureştiului Domnilor, Ruşinoasa Ordonanţă nr 31/2002 prin care s-a produs recunoaşterea oficială a unui pretins holocaust săvârşit de români împotriva evreilor este opera celui mai corupt prim ministru din istoria României. Un politician cu cât este mai corupt, cu atât este mai uşor de şantajat şi manipulat. Indiferent însă de împrejurările care l-au constrâns pe Adrian Năstase să comită un gest atât de potrivnic adevărului, atitudinea clasei noastre politice, care nu a găsit energia şi resursele morale pentru a se împotrivi acestui abuz, nu este mai puţin reprobabilă. Promulgarea Ordonanţei este un gest care descalifică clasa politică din România de azi, dovedind un dispreţ funciar al politicienilor faţă de fiinţa poporului român, faţă de valorile create de Neamul românesc de-a lungul istoriei sale. La vremea respectivă noi, Uniunea Vatra Românească, precum şi alte voci ale opiniei publice, din Ţară şi din străinătate, am protestat cu toate mijlocele de care dispunem, denunţând acest comportament sinonim cu trădarea de Ţară. Am protestat deoarece avem toate dovezile necesare pentru a respinge odioasa acuzaţie de genocid şi de holocaust adusă părinţilor noştri. Din păcate, lucrurile nu s-au aprit aici şi azi asistăm la o nouă escaladare a minciunii, a diversiunii anti-româneşti. Ne referim astfel la intenţia de a se ridica la Bucureşti un monument în amintirea evreilor şi ţiganilor victime ale pretinsului genocid efectuat de guvernul ION ANTONESCU. În realitate, ceea ce s-a întâmplat cu evreii şi ţiganii deportaţi de Antonescu dincolo de Nistru nu a fost un genocid, ci un gest de legitimă apărare al autorităţilor, care s-au văzut confruntate, în plin război, cu comportamentul lipsit de loialitate al unor evrei şi ţigani, dovediţi sau cunoscuţi ori suspectaţi a fi agenţi ai URSS. Deportarea unor persoane suspecte de colaborare cu inamicul este o măsură preventivă curentă la vreme de război în toată lumea. La fel au procedat în exact aceeaşi perioadă şi americanii, prin izolarea japonezilor şi italienilor din SUA bănuiţi că ar avea atitudini sau activităţi anti-americane. Pentru mulţi americani, simpla calitate de etnic japonez sau italian a fost suficientă pentru a ajunge într-un lagăr de concentrare amenajat de guvernul american. Nici pe departe însă japonezii sau italienii din SUA nu s-au dedat la crimele şi ticăloşiile săvârşite în Basarabia şi Bucovina de cetăţeni români de etnie evreiască. Fiind dificilă identificarea în persoană a criminalilor, iar comunitatea evreiască declarându-se incapabilă să-şi dea concursul la descoperirea vinovaţilor, Ion Antonescu a decis strămutarea tuturor evreilor din Basarabia şi Bucovina, vinovaţi sau nevinovaţi, într-un spaţiu în care să poată fi supravegheaţi şi împiedicaţi ca vreunii dintre ei să mai comită şi alte acte criminale, de diversiune anti-românescă. Această măsură nu poate fi catalogată drept genocid sau holocaust. Ea este practicată chiar şi în zilele noastre de statul Israel. Cu o justificare mult mai slabă decât cea invocată de guvernul mareşalului Ion Antonescu. La fel, nici un ţigan nu a fost deportat pentru că era ţigan, dovadă fiind numărul totuşi mic al ţiganilor care au intrat sub incidenţa acestor măsuri de precauţie. Se dovedise însă că şatra nomadă găzduia adeseori persoane preocupate să observe şi să înregistreze tot ce putea fi de interes militar şi să transmită apoi la inamic aceste informaţii… Nimeni nu poate produce dovada că deportarea la Bug a ţiganilor a afectat efective mari de persoane, de persoane nevinovate. În mod specific, ţiganii din Bucureşti, care şi-au văzut de treaba lor şi nu au încălcat legile Ţării, nu au păţit nimic. Astfel că ideea de a ridica un monument, un memorial închinat evreilor şi ţiganilor victime ale „genocidului" antonescian este cu totul contrară adevărului istoric. Printr-un astfel de monument ar înseamna să omagiem lipsa de loialitate faţă de statul român, să cinstim crimele săvârşite împotriva poporului român! Cu atât mai mult la Bucureşti nu are cum să se motiveze un asemnea monument. Din Bucureşti au fost deportaţi circa 300 de evrei, cunoscuţi de Siguranţa statului ca agenţi sovietici sau britanici, dintre care la sfârşitul războiului aproape toţi, vreo 290, erau în viaţă. Chiar admiţând că au dreptate cei care clamează pe tema unui holocaust „românesc", memorialul acestuia nu poate fi înălţat decât acolo unde s-a produs. Adică nicăieri propriu zis!… Nici măcar în Transnistria! Drept care ne permitem ca, în numele adevărului şi în numele poporului român, să vă cerem, dumneavoastră, domnilor înalţi demnitari, şi întregii clase politice, vă cerem să puneţi capăt acestei atitudini de nepăsare şi indolenţă politică şi să stopaţi orice iniţiativă menită să escaladeze şi să supraliciteze neadevărul pe care l-aţi oficializat prin Ordonanţa ruşinii! Organizaţi, oameni buni, o dezbatere ştiinţifică serioasă pe tema acestui holocaust, luaţi aminte la cei care critică şi resping raportul comisiei Wiesel şi, dacă vreţi să vă arătaţi filo-semitismul dumneavoastră, încercaţi să înţelegeţi că cei mai interesaţi în stabilirea cât mai grabnică a adevărului despre Holocaust sunt evreii înşişi! Adevărul nu poate fi antisemit! Teama de a fi taxat anti-semit nu poate justifica minciuna! Ideea nefericită de a ridica în România un memorial al Holocaustului ne obligă să vă reamintim ori să aducem la cunoştinţa tuturor o situaţie cu totul anormală, de-a dreptul comică, hilară, dacă n-ar fi nespus de neplăcută şi de ruşinoasă, pe care până acum ne-am jenat să o discutăm, căci ne încearcă acel ciudat sentiment când ţi se face ruşine de ruşinea altuia. Mai exact spus ţi se face ruşine de neruşinarea Celuilalt: România găzduieşte deja câteva memoriale ale holocaustului, monumente ale vestitului săpun „din grăsime pură de evrei", ridicate în memoria celor 900.000 de evrei transformaţi de Hitler în săpun. Aceste monumente, mostre penibile ale isteriei şi schizofreniei holocaustizante, ne obligă să fim mai circumspecţi cu alte iniţiative similare. Înainte de a ridica alte monumente ale holocaustului – de care avem motive să ne temem că ar putea fi la fel de mincinoase ca şi monumentele săpunului, cred că ar trebui să trecem urgent la demolarea celor existente: încă din anii '70 experţii evrei din Israel au stabilit că, din fericire, aşa zisul săpun fabricat de germani din trupuri de evrei, săpun expus prin toate muzeele lumii ca moaşte sfinte evreieşti, este un săpun cu totul benign, ca tot săpunul din lume… Niciodată germanii sau altcineva nu au produs săpun folosind ca materie primă fiinţa umană!… Necum cadavrele unor evrei. (900.000 de evrei, conform tezei „oficiale", lansată de Simon Wiesental!…) Această dezminţire – repet: venită de la autorităţile academice din Israel şi SUA, nu a împiedicat autorităţile româneşti ca, la solicitarea unor lideri evrei bezmetici, să aprobe ridicarea câtorva „memoriale" în amintirea evreilor transformaţi în săpun… Neruşinare sau nebunie? Ce a fost în capul autorităţilor româneşti? Şi, mai ales, întrebarea cea mai legitimă: pentru care raţiune de stat mai sunt încă în picioare aceste edificii tembele, închinate unor fantomatici evrei transformaţi în săpun de nişte nemţi şi mai fantomatici?!… Oare nu vă este teamă, domnilor mai sus pomeniţi, că, prin ridicarea la Bucureşti a unui memorial al holocaustului, prin îngăduinţa dumneavoastră faţă de această iniţiativă, nu vă deosebiţi prin nimic de nerozii şi netrebnicii care au imaginat şi construit acele stupide monumente ale săpunului, monumente propriu zis ale imbecilităţii iudeo-valahe?! Vor „evreii" şi slugile lor din România încă un memorial al Holocaustului, la Bucureşti, în inima României? Nimeni nu-i poate opri să ceară şi luna de pe cer. Dar o asemenea cerere, pentru a fi luată cât de cât în serios, trebuie precedată de (1) demolarea caraghioaselor şi ridiculelor „monumente ale săpunului", care s-au dovedit a fi întru totul mincinoase, (2) prezentarea oficială, solemnă, de scuze în faţa poporului român pentru aceste construcţii care au pângărit propriu zis pământul României şi (3) prezentarea tuturor garanţiilor că memorialul holocaustului, plănuit a se ridica la Bucureşti, corespunde adevărului istoric! Că nu este o făcătură la fel de odioasă şi de stupidă ca şi însemnele publice închinate vestitului săpun! Dar mai presus de orice, un monument al suferinţelor evreieşti pricinuite de români trebuie ridicat numai după ce se va înălţa mai întâi Memorialul Românilor care au suferit de pe urma evreilor, căci nu au fost puţini aceşti români, cum nu au fost puţini nici evreii care s-au dedat sistematic la crime împotriva românilor, a statului şi a neamului românesc. Nu avem nimic împotrivă ca un asemenea monument să se ridice la Tel Aviv! O menţiune specială pentru Primarul general al Capitalei: aţi promis alegătorilor că veţi guverna Bucureştiul prin consultarea populaţiei în problemele cele mai importante. Aveţi acum ocazia, dar şi obligaţia de a organiza un referendum pe tema acestui memorial al Holocaustului din Bucureşti, cu întrebarea următoare (sau alta similară): este Bucureştiul un loc potrivit pentru ridicarea unui Memorial al Holocaustului închinat amintirii evreilor şi ţiganilor persecutaţi de Ion Antonescu? Altminteri, noul memorial nu ar fi primul monument fraudulos ridicat la Bucureşti! Ne este cunoscută soarta celorlalte: au dispărut, rând pe rând, din peisajul bucureştean. Nu ne îndoim că aceeaşi va fi şi soarta memorialului care ţine să consemneze în piatră şi aramă minciuna şi jignirea cea mai mare adusă vreodată Neamului Românesc. Avertismentul nostru nu poate să nu fie însoţit însă de o precizare: Veţi da socoteală, domnilor, pentru această netrebnicie! Ion Coja - în numele colegilor din Vatra Românească - Bucureşti, 3 octombrie 2008

Glitch shuts "Big Bang" collider for two months

GENEVA (Reuters) - A technical glitch has forced scientists to shut down the huge particle-smashing machine built to simulate the conditions of the "Big Bang" for at least two months, they said on Saturday.

The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) said there had been a major helium leak on Friday into the tunnel housing the biggest and most complex machine ever made.

Just 10 days ago, scientists had celebrated the successful start of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) under the Swiss-French border, hoping it would revamp modern physics and unlock secrets about the universe and its origins.

In order to fix the problem, the machine will have to be warmed up from its operating temperature of minus 271.3 degrees Celsius (minus 456.3 degrees Fahrenheit), spokesman James Gillies said.

"Because the LHC is a superconducting machine that works at very low temperatures, in order to get in and fix it we've got to warm it up, then we go and fix it, and then we cool it down again, and that's a process that's likely to take two months," he said.

The organization said strict safety regulations had ensured there was no risk to people from the malfunction.

The project has had to work hard to dismiss suggestions by some critics that the experiment could create tiny black holes of intense gravity that could suck in the whole planet.

Since the machine started up earlier this month, scientists have successfully sent particle beams around the accelerator.

The next step will be to smash the beams into each other to trigger tiny collisions at nearly the speed of light.

---

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

THE HURON-PERTH CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
SUBJECT:
VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS 3D:15
POLICY STATEMENT:
The Huron-Perth Catholic District School Board is committed to maintaining safe and orderly
Christ-centered learning environments. This is accomplished primarily through teaching,
modeling, and encouraging mutually-respectful relationships. Video surveillance systems are an
additional resource used at schools within the board’s jurisdiction to further promote the safety of
students, staff and community members.
Video surveillance involves the collection, retention, use and disclosure of personal information.
Under the authority of the Director of Education, the principal or designated vice-principal will
maintain control of and responsibility for the video surveillance system at all times.
PROCEDURE:
1. Notification of the Installation of Video Surveillance Equipment
1.1 Approval for video surveillance shall be granted by the Superintendent responsible for
Secondary Schools.
1.2 Before video surveillance takes effect in any location under the board’s jurisdiction, the
following communication procedures will be carried out:
1.2.1 Consultation with School Council will occur.
1.2.2 The principal will issue an explanatory newsletter to parents and guardians.
1.2.3 The principal or vice principal will explain their use to all staff members and to
students in class or grade-level meetings.
1.2.4 Explanatory notification will be included annually in the student handbook.
1.2.5 Signs will be prominently displayed at all entrances of buildings having video
security surveillance systems. This signage will inform individuals of the legal
authority for the collection of personal information; the principle purposes(s) for
which the personal information is intended to be used; and to whom questions
about this collection can be directed.
Signage shall be:
continued
THE USE OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE IS IN EFFECT
Under the authority of the Education Act, video surveillance will be used to
reduce/prevent property vandalism, theft and violence and to ensure the safety
of students. Questions about this collection of information should be directed
to the principal of the school.
Page 2 - Video Surveillance Systems 3D:15
2. Design, Installation and Operation of Video Surveillance Equipment
In designing, installing and operating a video security surveillance system, consideration shall
be given to the following:
2.1 Reception equipment will only be installed in and monitor specified public areas,
approved by the Superintendent responsible for Secondary Schools, where video
surveillance is necessary to increase the safety of staff, students and school property.
The equipment will operate up to 24 hours/seven days a week, within the limitations of
system capabilities, power disruptions and serviceability/maintenance.
2.2 Equipment will not be installed in areas where the students, staff and the public have a
higher expectation of privacy (e.g. change rooms and washrooms).
2.3 Reception equipment will be accessible only by authorized personnel (the principal or
designate).
3. Disclosure, Retention, Security and Disposal of Video Surveillance Records
3.1 Any information obtained by way of video surveillance systems may only be viewed
and subsequently used for the purpose of ensuring the on-going safety of students,
promoting a safe environment, controlling vandalism and theft of school property.
3.2 Video security surveillance systems create a record by recording personal information.
To ensure proper security for this information the following processes will be followed:
3.2.1 All video files or other storage devices that are not in use will be stored in a
locked and secure location.
3.2.2 The use of any video file or storage device by authorized school personnel will
be recorded. The Use of Video Files Log (Appendix A) will be used to record all
instances of access to, and use of, recorded material. Only the principal and a
delegated alternate (designated by name and position e.g. vice-principal or
another principal) may review the information. Circumstances, which would
warrant review, will be limited to an incident that has been reported or observed.
The principal shall delegate “real time” viewing of monitors to a very limited
number of individuals.
3.2.3 The retention period for information that has not been viewed for law
enforcement, school or public safety purposes shall be fourteen calendar days.
Recorded information that has not been used in this fashion is to be routinely
erased every fourteen days in a manner in which it cannot be reconstructed or
retrieved.
3.2.4 The retention period for information that has been viewed for law enforcement
or student safety purposes will be 1 year from the date of viewing or one year
from the date of resolution of the incident. If personal information is used for
this purpose, section 5(1) of Ontario Regulation 460 under the Municipal
Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act requires the recorded
information to be retained for one year. Video files that have been viewed will
be transferred to CD, appropriately labeled and stored in a secure location.
continued
Page 3 - Video Surveillance Systems 3D:15
3.2.5 The school will store and retain video files required for evidentiary purposes
until the law enforcement authorities request them. The Storage Device Release
Log (Appendix B) will be completed before any storage device is disclosed to
appropriate authorities. This form will indicate who took the device, under what
authority, when this occurred, and if it will be returned or destroyed after use.
3.2.6 Once the one-year retention of previously viewed media files has ended, those
media files must be securely disposed of in such a way that the personal
information cannot be reconstructed or retrieved. Disposal methods could
include shredding, burning or magnetically erasing the personal information.
3.2.7 Vendors and/or service providers of HPCDBS’s video surveillance equipment
shall not have access to recorded information without special permission. Any
agreements between the board and service providers shall state that the records
dealt with or created while delivering a video surveillance program are under the
board’s control.
3.2.8 An individual whose personal information has been collected by a video
surveillance system has the right of access to his or her personal information
under section 36 of the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of
Privacy Act, unless an exemption applies under Section 38 of said Act. Access
to an individual's own personal information in these circumstances may depend
upon whether any exempt information can be reasonably severed from the
record. (i.e. other individuals in the video would have to be severed from the
record).
3.2.9 Any inadvertent disclosures of personal information shall be reported
immediately to the Superintendent Responsible for Secondary Schools.
4. Training
4.1 The Superintendent responsible for Secondary Schools will ensure that the procedures
of this policy will be addressed through a training session to principals whose schools
will implement video surveillance systems. Principals will ensure that training which
addresses staff obligations shall be conducted as necessary.
5. Evaluating the Use of a Video Surveillance System
5.1 The Superintendent responsible for Secondary Schools will regularly review and
evaluate the video surveillance procedure to ascertain whether it is still justified.
BOARD APPROVAL:
August 27, 2007
EFFECTIVE DATE:
August 28, 2007
APPENDIX A
USE OF VIDEO FILES LOG
This form is to be used to record all instances of access to, and use of, information which has been recorded through the school’s video
surveillance system by authorized school personnel (except “real time viewing, which is delegated by the principal to a very limited
number of individuals). Only the principal and a delegated alternate (designated by name and position e.g. vice-principal or another
principal) may review the information. Circumstances which would warrant review will be limited to an incident that has been reported
or observed.
School _____________________________ School Year _____________ Page ___ of ___
Date Section of video viewed Viewed by: Reason for viewing
Principal /
VP’s initials
APPENDIX B
STORAGE DEVICE RELEASE LOG
This form is to be completed before any stored video surveillance information is released to appropriate authorities (eg: police,
Childrens’ Aid Society).
School _____________________________ School Year _____________ Page ___ of ___
Date Section of video
released:
Released to: Reason for release: This evidence will be:
(X)
Principal /
VP’s initials
Returned to school by date:
Or
Destroyed by authorities
Returned to school by date:
Or
Destroyed by authorities
Returned to school by date:
Or
Destroyed by authorities
Returned to school by date:
Or
Destroyed by authorities
Returned to school by date:
Or
Destroyed by authorities

You need approval ...

Da corect, mai adaug si eu, trebuie sa se incadreze cu placarde in anumite standarde, dimensiune, culoare, safety, sa aiba un scop bine definit, numarul si numele adresele participantilor, WC mobile, echipa de curatenie dupa mitting, prim ajutor si altele. Nu rideti, contribuabilul nu trebuie sa plateasca din buzunarul lui aceste manisfestatii ale hooliganilor. Daca ei sint bine organizati si respecta "legea" nu au decit sa protesteze cit vor. Mai e un aspect care inca voi in Romania nu l-ati intilnit: nu blocati strazile, nici sa nu va treca prin cap sa credeti ca veti putea sa deranjati ochii cetatenilor de bine care nu vor sa stie de existenta altor "categorii" sociale si vor sa isi desfasoare rutina seculara nestingheriti. Pentru ei exista alegeri "democratice" (inca cheltuieli inutile dar vom trece si peste faza asat rudimentara a democratiei noastre) unde voi cei napastuiti, neadaptati sau pur si simplu nemultumiti a puteti exprima "liber" optiunile politice. Eu nu stiu ce a mai spus tovarasul Soviani, stapinul televiziunii.

Gheorghe Zamfir, acuzat de antisemitism

Celebrul naist roman, Gheorghe Zamfir, care avea programat, marti 17 iunie,
un concert la Tel Aviv, este acuzat de antisemitism de catre presedintele
comunitatii israelienilor de origine romana, Ze'ev Schwartz.
Acest om, care este membru al unui partid de extrema dreapta din Romania si
care are o adevarata teorie ce contesta existenta Holocaustului, nu ar
trebui sa intre in Israel si cu siguranta nu ar trebui sa sustina un concert
in fata evreilor. Este un antisemit dintre cei mai rai. In urma cu doi ani
atunci cind a incercat sa intre in Israel nu i s-a permis si a fost trimis
inapoi in Romania. Nu inteleg cum a reusit sa intre in tara de aceasta data"
, a declarat Ze'ev Schwartz, citat de Jerusalem Post.
„Intrucit abia am aflat de concertul programat astazi, vom analiza daca
exista posibilitatea legala de a protesta impotriva spectacolului lui Zamfir
din aceasta seara. In orice caz, solicitam managerilor de sali sa anuleze
concertele acestui antisemit. Fanii concertelor de nai ar face mai bine sa
caute alti artisti si, din fericire, exista muzicieni mai buni decit el in
lume", a adaugat liderul comunitatii israelienilor de origine romana, care
este si presedinte al comitetului de relatii externe si de comunicare in
cadrul organismului format din organizatiile supravietuitorilor
Holocaustului.
Dupa concertul din Tel Aviv de marti seara, Gheorghe Zamfir, care a primit
120 de discuri de aur si de platina si a vindut peste 40 de milioane de
albume, mai avea organizat un concert la Ashkelon, miercuri, 18 iunie si la
Herzliya, joi, 19 iunie noteaza Jerusalem Post.
Ziarul israelian mai scrie ca inainte de alegerile din Romania din 2001,
Gheorghe Zamfir s-a alaturat Partidului Romania Mare si a publicat articole
in revista formatiunii, sustinind ca Holocaustul nu a avut loc si ca daca in
Romania au fost ucisi evrei acest lucru s-a petrecut in urma unor provocari
din partea lor. (DIVERS – www.divers.ro)

Controlul Speciei

\Nu vor ajunge la extinctia speciei ci numai la controlul speciei. Extinctia insemna disparitia, ori ei vor numai sa reduca populatia la 500,000-1,000,000, un echilibru "sanatos" pentru o planeta "epuizata". Noi ceilalti care nu vom fi imbarcati pe arca lui Noe, pentru ca nu aderam la ideologia lor fie din incapatinare fie din nestiinta vom ramine "liberi" in afara citadelelor. Asa cum am dorit. Este optiunea noastra si va fi o piatra de incercare daca vom reusi sa supravietuim. Dupa ce i-am alimentat si au facut cercetari, au (cum cred ei) raspunsuri la mare parte din problemele actuale, ne lasa pe dinafara, disponibilizati din "civilitate". Este un proces foarte natural de regenerare, de reciclare. Atita timp cit nu exista alta optiune, atita timp cit ei sint singurul (cunoscut) model de urmat e putin probabil ca populatia sa dea dovada de ingenuitate si sa fac trecerea, sa reuseasca sa mentina vechea ordine. Gandeste-te doar ca peste citva ani noilor generatii li se va lua derptul de a citi si informa liber iar comentarii ca ale tale si altora nu vor mai fi accesibile. Ei, "educatii" lumii noi nu vor mai sti decit de indoctrinarea care li se face la scoala. Nimic altceva. Parintii vor "binele" copiilor lor si nu vor mai transmite pentru a-i proteja. Vor mai exista doar inadaptati in centrele de recuperare care incet-incet se vor stinge in anonimat. Si cu toate astea lumea noua, in interiorul citadelelor sub protectia mercenarilor de la Blackwater, isi va vedea de drumul ei indiferent ca sint same-sex sau same-specie. Atata timp cit este LOVE si destrabalare la maxim, LIBERTATE si democratie totul va merge inainte.

Newcolonialism

Romania moderna intodeuna a cautat - cu mici exceptii cind a fost condusa de romani - sa fie in umbra marilor puteri. Dupa trambitata (de occidentalitate) cadere a comunismului in partea de est a Europei, a fost deschisa macelaria imperialistilor si a inceput colonizarea moderna a restului "liber" de capitalism al lumii. Stim amindoi cine manipuleaza acesta masinarie si ce scopuri are. Este un proces in curse de desfasurare care are fiecare etapa stabilita cu mare precizie in timp si spatiu. Din pacate noi nu am fost asa de fancy sa ne incadram in Chicaco School a lui Friedman, noi sintem doar modele lasate la coada istoriei si se va vedea ce va iesi din "originaliatatea "romaneasca. Asa cred ei.

Video of Clashes Between St. Paul Police and RNC Protestors Bubble Up Online

As most of the on-air cable television personalities focus on the national politics of the Republicans' nomination of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for vice president, stories and footage of clashes between the St. Paul police and protesters at the Republican National Convention are turning up on the internet.
The Uptake, an online citizen-journalism training outfit in Minneapolis, has been at the forefront of documenting much of the unfriendly interaction between the police and the protesters.

Update list of products affected by Maple Leaf recall

Update list of products affected by Maple Leaf recall
The following products are affected by the Maple Leaf Consumer Foods and Canadian Food Inspection Agency recall of certain ready-to-eat packaged meat products.
Consumers are warned not to serve or consume the products as they may contain Listeria monocytogenes.
The following foodservice and retail products are affected by this alert. All carry the Establishment # 97B and have a best before date up to and including those specified below. The Establishment # is located near the Best Before or Packaged On date.
32138 Artisan Collection, All Ham Kielbassa, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.5 kg
32125 Artisan Collection, CA OVEN RSTD TKY, best bef. Oct. 22, 4 kg
32136 Artisan Collection, Montreal Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
24171 Best Value, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
60271 Bittners, Country Hearth Kielbassa Baked Meat Loaf, Smoked, best bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60218 Bittners, Country Hearth Peppercorn Baked Meat Loaf, Smoked, best. bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60250 Bittners/Schneiders, All Ham Kielbasa Smoked Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.5 kg
60215 Bittners/Schneiders, Country Hearth French Onion Baked Meat Loaf, Smoked, best bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60213 Bittners/Schneiders, Country Hearth Ham & Bacon Baked Meat Loaf, best bef. Oct. 29, 2 kg
60235 Bittners/Schneiders, Slo-Roast Oven Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 4 kg
07133 Boston Pizza, Slow Cooked shaved Roast Beef, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 750 g
21360 Burns, Bite Size Snack Pepperoni Bites, best bef. Jan. 2, 2009, 500 g
17034 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 4 kg
17035 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22
24945 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 6 kg
29920 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 750 g
33030 Burns, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
24759 Burns, Bung Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.5 - 4 kg
34908 Burns, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
35890 Burns, Cooked Ham, best. bef. Oct. 15, 175 g
18015 Burns, Pepperoni, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.3 kg
19496 Burns, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
46590 Burns, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct 15, 175 g
41452 Burns, Pepperoni Generic, best bef. Oct. 15
60089 Burns, Pizza Toppings (Salami, Smoked Ham, Pepperoni), best bef. Oct. 22, 2.2 kg
10812 Burns, Salami, best bef. Oct. 29, 375 g
17981 Burns, Salami, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.3 kg
41451 Burns, Salami Generic, best bef. Oct. 29
18007 Burns, Summer Sausage, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.3 kg
49743 Burns, Salami, best bef. Oct. 29, 175 g
53640 Burns, Salami, Pepperoni, Summer Sausage, best bef. Oct. 19, 3.98 kg
39691 Campfire, Garlic Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 500 g
34219 Compliments, COMPLIMENTS CHKN BRST 12x125g, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
34220 Compliments, COMPLIMENTS TURKY BRST 12x12g, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
34225 Compliments, Fat Free Chicken Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
34226 Compliments, Fat Free Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 125 g
50499 Coorsh, Pastrami Smoked Beef, best bef. Oct. 22, 2.1 kg
51275 Coorsh, Smoked Meat 4x50g, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
17418 Country Morning, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
82538 Country Morning, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
24263 Equality, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct 22, 375 g
71330 Foodservice, Roast Beef Cooked, Seasoned, best bef. Oct. 1, 10 kg
71331 Foodservice, Food Service Corned Beef/Smkd meat, best bef. Oct. 1, 10 kg
20079 Harmonie, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
93199 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 1 kg
06932 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 250 g
16963 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 175 g
91004 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16, 375 g
91017 Hickory Farms, Beef Stick Beef Sausage with Roasted Garlic, best bef. Feb. 16, 375 g
93198 Hickory Farms, #2 Beef Stick Beef Sausage, best bef. Feb. 16
00040 Hygrade, Pepperoni, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00042 Hygrade, Barbeque Flavoured Sausage, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00052 Hygrade, Barbeque Flavoured Sausage, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00050 Hygrade, Pepperoni, best bef. May 17, 25 g
00207 Hygrade, Garlic Bologna, best bef. Nov. 16, 500 g
01151 Hygrade, Cooked, Sliced Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
08448 Kirkland, Signature Smoked Pastrami Beef Rounds, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
07711 Maple Leaf, PREM DELI REG BOLO MP CAS 2PC, best bef. Dec. 18, 4.5 kg
17183 Maple Leaf, #2 Assorted Cooked Meats, best bef. Oct. 22, 5 kg
22930 Maple Leaf, #2 Assorted Smoked Sausage Rings, best bef. Oct. 22, 1.8 kg
22931 Maple Leaf, #2 Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 1.5kg
99158 Maple Leaf, #2 Turkey Breast Roast Ends & Pieces Cooked, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
82708 Maple Leaf, All Beef Bologna, best bef. Oct. 29, 375 g
22781 Maple Leaf, Deli Meat Macaroni and Cheese Loaf, best bef. Oct. 15
22919 Maple Leaf, Blood Pudding, best bef. Oct. 29, 425 g
22882 Maple Leaf, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
82771 Maple Leaf, Bologna, best bef. Oct. 29, 375 g
80316 Maple Leaf, Cooked Diced All white Turkey Roll, best before Aug. 20, 2009, 2.25 kg
82024 Maple Leaf, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
83744 Maple Leaf, Deli Express Smoked Meat 4x50 g, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
60243 Maple Leaf, Deli Gourmet Roast Beef Slices, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
22829 Maple Leaf, Deli Mock Chicken Loaf Rolled in Toasted Wheat Crumbs, best bef. Oct. 15, 3.6 kg
22829 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48004 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Honey Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48002 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Smoked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48001 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48003 Maple Leaf, Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
80219 Maple Leaf, EZEE PIZZA (pepperoni, italian style salami, black forest smoke ham), best bef. Oct. 22, 250 g
61380 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Dagwood (Salami, Bologna, Smoked Luncheon Meat), best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
61361 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Hero (Pepperoni, Salami, Smoked Ham), best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
61353 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Gourmet (Smoked Turkey Breast, Smoked Ham, Smoked Corned Beef), best bef. Oct. 22, 250 g
68684 Maple Leaf, Ezee Sub Turkey (Smoked Turkey Breast, Smoked Turkey Salami, Smoked Ham Style Turkey), best bef. Oct. 22, 250 g
89442 Maple Leaf, Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Breast Strips, best bef. Oct. 22, 400 g
89425 Maple Leaf, Fully Cooked Grilled Chicken Breast Strips Seasoned and Glazed, best bef. Oct. 22, 150 g
82718 Maple Leaf, Garlic Bologna, best bef. Nov. 5, 375 g
83166 Maple Leaf, Hot Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 250 g
22507 Maple Leaf, MAPLE LEAF DELI BOLOGNA 2x4.5 kg, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 4.5 kg
33249 Maple Leaf, ML BEEF SALAMI, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.4 kg
22766 Maple Leaf, ML Deli Headcheese Gelatine Added, best bef. Oct. 22, 1.5 kg
22101 Maple Leaf, ML LARGE WAX BOLO 2x4.4 kg, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 4.4 kg
22555 Maple Leaf, ML LARGE WAX BOLO 6x4.4 kg, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 4.4 kg
21449 Maple Leaf, ML SURE SLI SHVD SMKD TKY 3x1 kg, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
22388 Maple Leaf, ML WAX BOLOGNA BAG 6x1 kg, best bef. Dec. 18, 1 kg
82151 Maple Leaf, ML WISE-CH WAX BOLOGNA 2x4 kg, best bef. Dec. 18, 4 kg
60236 Maple Leaf, Oven Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 8, 4 kg
83118 Maple Leaf, Pepperoni, best bef. Dec. 18
83130 Maple Leaf, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 250 g
83121 Maple Leaf, Pepperoni 50% Less Fat, best bef. Oct. 29, 250 g
22851 Maple Leaf, Salami, best bef. Dec. 18, 2.8 kg
08450 Maple Leaf, Smoked Pastrami Beef Rounds, best bef. Oct. 1, 10 kg
21440 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Black Forest Style Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
21388 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Combo Pack, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
21444 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
21333 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 1, 1 kg
21331 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Smoked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
21334 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Turkey Breast Roast, best bef. Oct. 15, 1 kg
21447 Maple Leaf, Sure Slice Salami, best bef. Oct. 22, 1 kg
82756 Maple Leaf, Thick Sliced Bologna, best bef. 375 g, Oct. 22, 375 g
82015 Mayfair/Marque, Chopped Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
26365 McDonalds, Sliced Cooked Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 1, 470 g
24355 Mitchell's, Cheddar Cheese Smoked Sausage 600 g, best bef. Oct. 22, 600 g
60674 Mitchell's, Mozzarela Cheese Smoked Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 600 g
60402 Mitchell's, Smoked Sausage, best bef. 600 g Oct. 22, 600 g
02356 Mr. Sub, Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 8, 500 g
39144 No Name, Garlic Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22
67768 No Name, Low Fat Smoked Turkey And Ham, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
67776 No Name, Low Fat Smoked Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 15, 375 g
38164 Northern Best Value, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
82023 Olympic Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
55372 Overlander, Garlic Sausage, best bef. Nov. 5, 300 g
55308 Overlander, Garlic Sausage Double Smoked, best bef. Nov. 5, 300 g
55355 Overlander, Ham Sausage, best bef. Nov. 19, 300 g
55863 Overlander, Hot Pepperoni Stiks, best bef. May 17, 2009, 200 g
55353 Overlander, Kolbassa Sausage, best bef. Nov. 19, 300 g
55867 Overlander, Mild Pepperoni Stiks, best bef. May 17, 2009, 200 g
55559 Overlander, Pepperoni, best bef. Nov. 5, 250 g
55114 Overlander, Pepperoni for Pizza, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.2 kg
55351 Overlander, Polish Sausage, best bef. Nov. 5, 300 g
55558 Overlander, Salami, best bef. Nov. 5, 250 g
55551 Overlander, Summer Sausage, best bef. Nov. 5, 250 g
55350 Overlander, Ukrainian Sausage, best bef. Nov. 18, 300 g
55307 Overlander, Ukrainian Sausage Double Smoked, best bef. Nov. 19, 300 g
01742 Parma, Canadian Style Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
01740 Parma, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
01745 Parma, PM PEPPERONI, best bef. Aug. 20, 4x4.5 kg
01750 Parma, Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
01741 Pizza Nova, Sliced Pepperoni, best bef. Oct. 29, 2.5 kg
81795 Safeway, Pepperoni Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 4.07 kg
81809 Safeway, Salami Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 4.07 kg
88404 Safeway, Three Variety Super Pack (Salami, Pepperoni, Summer Sausage), best bef. Oct. 22, 790 g
48016 Schneider, Deli Shaved Smoked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48017 Schneider, Deli Shaved Fully Cooked Smoked Honey Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48018 Schneider, Deli Shaved Smoked Turkey Breast, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48019 Schneider, Deli Shaved Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
48020 Schneider, Deli Shaved Smoked Meat, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
02106 Schneider's, Bavarian smokies, best bef. Oct. 29, 1 kg
02126 Schneider's, Cheddar smokies, best bef. Oct. 29, 1 kg
09628 Schneiders, Deli Best Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
09679 Schneiders, Deli Best Cooked Montreal Style Corned, best bef. Oct. 5, 2.5 kg
24796 Schneiders, Deli Best Cooked Montreal Style Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
24802 Schneiders, Deli Best Seasoned Cooked Roast Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
42706 Schneiders, Roast Beef, Seasoned and Cooked, best bef. Oct. 8, 500 g
44938 Schneiders, Montreal Style Corned Beef, best bef. Oct. 15, 500 g
89455 Schneiders, JMS SMKD BLK FOREST HAM 12x425 g, best bef. Oct. 22
89456 Schneiders, JMS SMKD BLKK FOREST HAM 20x100 g, best bef. Oct. 22
89458 Schneiders, JMS SMKD TURKEY, best bef. Oct. 15
89460 Schneiders, JMS SPICY PEPPERONI, best bef. Oct. 29
89461 Schneiders, JMS ITAL STYLE SALAMI, best bef. Oct. 29
60165 Schneiders,, Liverwurst Fine, best bef. Dec. 18, 175 g
60166 Schneiders, Liverwurst with Herbs, best bef. Dec. 18, 175 g
60167 Schneiders, Liverwurst Creamy, best bef. Dec. 18, 175 g
27118 Shopsys, Cooked Seasoned Montreal Style Smoked Meat Extra Lean, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
21093 Shopsys, Corned Beef 4x50 g, best bef. Oct. 22, 200 g
20080 Shopsys, Old Vienna All Beef Salami, best bef. Oct. 22, 500 g
20085 Shopsys, Pepperoni, best bef. May 17, 2009, 25 g
27080 Shopsys, Real Deli Corned Beef Extra Lean, best bef. Oct. 15, 2.5 kg
21760 Shopsys, Seasoned Fully Cooked Roast Beef Extra Lean, best bef. Oct. 15
88013 The Butcher's Cut, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
88331 The Butcher's Cut, Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
33544 Tim Hortons, Slow Roast Beef
33540 Tim Hortons, TIM HORTONS ROAST BEEF, best bef. Feb. 16, 2009, 1.25 kg
22357 Western Family, Sliced Cooked Ham, 175 g best bef. Oct. 22, 175 g
22365 Western Family, Sliced Cooked Ham, best bef. Oct. 22, 375 g
53635 Westfair, Pepperoni Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.98 kg
53619 Westfair Summer Sausage, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.98 kg
53627 Westfair, Salami Generic, best bef. Oct. 22, 3.98 kg
82457 Westfair, Sub Sandwich (Salami, Smoked Ham, Pepperoni), best bef. Oct. 22, 3.91 kg
41450 BURNS, SADDLE-PACK BOLO 12/2x250, best bef. Oct. 22
41825 ML LOUISIANA, BLACKENED ROAST BEEF, best bef. Oct. 8
65757 BURNS, SL SUMMER 12x175 g, best bef. Oct. 15, 175 g
78010 Maple Leaf, Bavarian Smokies, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
78023 Maple Leaf, Debreziner Smoked Cooked Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
78016 Maple Leaf, German Bratwurst Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
55357 Maple Leaf, Ham Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 1.5 kg
78017 Maple Leaf, Hot Italian Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 4 kg
50579 Maple Leaf, Pizza Gourmet Cooked Italian Sausage Pizza Topping, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 1 kg
50583 Maple Leaf, Pizza Gourmet Cooked Spice Beef Sausage Topping, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 1 kg
50638 Maple Leaf, Rings Tender Pepperoni Sausage, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 24 kg
50624 Maple Leaf, Sliced Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 5 kg
50652 Rouyn, Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 24 kg
71350 Shopsys, Sliced Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 5 kg
71352 Shopsys, Sliced Pizza Pepperoni, up to and including package date Aug. 20, 2.5 kg

Deşertul românesc creşte cu pepene

Schimbările climatice, defrişările abuzive şi metodele greşite de exploatare a culturilor accelerează fenomenul deşertificării.

Temperatura aerului a depăş it frecvent în această vară 32 de grade C - adică valoarea biologică de rezistenţă a plantelor prăşitoare cum sunt porumbul şi floareasoarelui). Cele mai afectate sunt culturile din sudul Câmpiei Române şi din Câmpia de Vest, precum şi din sudul Moldovei.

Conform datelor statistice, anul acesta, cele mai mari valori ale intensităţii şi duratei fenomenului de „arşiţă" s-au înregistrat la Giurgiu, Griviţa, Călăraşi, Brăila, Alexandria, Buzău, Turnu Magurele, Bechet şi Caracal. În aceste zone, au fost şi 6-7 zile consecutive cu temperaturi maxime de peste 32 grade C, susţine şeful Laboratorului de Agrometeorologie din cadrul Administraţiei Naţionale de Meteorologie (ANM), Elena Mateescu. Cu alte cuvinte, cel mai bun „teren" pentru fenomenul de deşertificare şi pentru instalarea secetei.

Suntem într-o zonă de risc

Un amplu studiu privind impactul încălzirii globale asupra Europei, dat publicităţii anul trecut, situează România alături de Spania, Italia şi Grecia, în zona cu risc mare de deşertificare din sudul continentului. În cazul ţării noastre, efectele majore vor deveni vizibile încă din 2015 şi se vor manifesta în special în Dobrogea, Oltenia şi Banat, când terenuri din cel puţin zece judeţe vor intra într-un proces de uscare.

Avertismentul a fost reconfirmat anul acesta de un studiu al Agenţiei Europene de Mediu, care prognozează pentru România o serie de anomalii meteorologice, precum precipitaţiile extreme, dar şi accelerarea fenomenului deşertifică rii. Acesta se face deja simţit în partea de vest a Olteniei şi în sud-vestul Banatului.

Sahara Olteniei se extinde

Unul dintre cele mai afectate judeţe din sud este Doljul, unde fenomenul deşertificării, semnalat de mai mulţi ani, este alimentat de secetă, de solul nisipos, de fenomenul de deflaţie eoliană (spulberarea nisipului de vânt), dar şi de defrişările masive. În zona Calafat - Poiana Mare - Sadova - Bechet - Dăbuleni şi fluviul Dunărea, din sudul judeţului, peste 100 de hectare de teren au devenit aride, solurile nisipoase având o tendinţă spre deşertificare. Din cauza fenomenului, zona a fost botezată „Sahara Olteniei". În ultimii trei ani, în zonă a fost calamitat un procent foarte mare de suprafeţe (între 50% şi 100%). În consecinţă, şi pierderile de recolte au fost considerabile (între 73,8%, în 2001, şi 92,8%, în 2002).

Vegetaţia din sud va migra spre nord

Un studiu privind impactul asupra ecosistemelor agricole şi al resurselor de apă, realizat de ANM, arată că vegetaţia specifică din sudul României va migra către nord şi zonele mai înalte. Aceasta va fi înlocuită treptat de vegetaţia aflată la sud de graniţa României. Studiul pleacă de la premisa că, în condiţiile în care emisiile de gaze cu efect de seră (dioxid de carbon, metan) nu sunt stopate, temperaturile vor creşte cu circa 5 grade C până la sfârşitul secolului XXI. Potrivit coordonatorului studiului, prof. Vasile Cuculeanu, aceste măriri de temperaturi vor avea impact asupra ecosistemelor agricole. Una dintre puţinele plante agricole neafectate de acest fenomen va fi grâul, deoarece acesta metabolizează dioxidul de carbon şi dă o producţie mai mare.

O prognoză realizată recent de ANM arată că, până în 2050, producţia grâului va creşte cu 14% datorită efectului creşterii concentraţiei asupra fotosintezei. În plus, grâul este recoltat în luna iunie şi scapă astfel de stresul termic din lunile de vară. Cele mai vulnerabile sunt însă culturile prăşitoare, spre exemplu porumbul, floarea-soarelui sau soia, care cresc în lunile anului cele mai calde şi mai expuse secetei.

Aceeaşi proiecţie a ANM arată că producţia de porumb se va diminua cu 14% până în 2020 şi cu 21% până în 2050 din cauza deficitelor de apă din sol. (A contribuit Ana Jităriţă)



CE E DE FĂCUT

Şase soluţii

Degradarea solurilor provine în principal de la gestiunea proastă a terenurilor, arată Cătălin Simota, director adjunct la Institutul de Pedologie (ICPA). El propune şase modalităţi de contracarare.

1. Pentru a evita eroziunea, pă- mântul nu trebuie lucrat din deal în vale.

2. Echipamentele folosite în agricultră trebuie să fie mai uşoare; cele grele duc la compactarea solului.

3. Aratul, metodă nepotrivită pentru solurile medii şi uşoare din sudul ţării, trebuie înlocuit cu discuitul. „Prin arat, apa din primul strat de sol se evaporă", explică pedologul.

4. Este necesară o rotaţie corectă a culturilor. Spre exemplu, floarea-soarelui nu se pune decât o dată la cinci ani.

5. Trebuie folosite perdelele forestiere care să asigure protecţia solului. Perdelele forestiere au început să fie tăiate în România încă din anii '50.

6. Lipsa de precipitaţii ar putea fi contracarată şi prin amenajarea teritoriului, respectiv prin crearea unor „neomogenităţi" (păduri şi ape) care să determine vaporii din atmosferă să se transforme în picături şi să plouă.

PRAHOVA

Pe aici nu mai creşte nici iarba

De aproape două luni, în multe localităţi din Prahova, precum Mizil, Ciorani, Fulga sau Sălciile, nu a mai căzut un strop de ploaie. Dacă, în primăvară, agricultorii sperau la o recoltă-record de cereale, acum oamenii se roagă să-şi recupereze banii investiţi în lucrările agricole. „S-a ales prafu' de porumbul nostru. L-am pus a doua oară, ca să am furaj pentru vite", se plânge Nicolae Constantin, un sătean din Ciorani, una dintre localităţile afectate de fenomenul de „deşertificare". „Seceta a uscat culturile. Sunt zone în care nu mai creşte nici iarba", descrie dezastrul Dumitru Preda, viceprimarul comunei Ciorani.

La rândul lui, primarul oraşului Mizil, Emil Proşcan, susţine că seceta a compromis multe culturi agricole: „Cele mai afectate culturi sunt cele de porumb, floarea-soarelui şi lucernă. Avem probleme şi la alimentarea cu apă a localităţii".

Potrivit specialiştilor Direcţiei Agricole şi Dezvoltare Rurală (DADR) Prahova, zone întinse din sudul şi sud-estul judeţului, de peste 100 de hectare, sunt afectate de lipsa precipitaţiilor din ultimii ani. „Terenurile s-au degradat atât de mult încât nu mai pot fi cultivate. Singura soluţie pentru salvarea acestor suprafeţe ar fi punerea la punct a unui sistem de irigaţii", a declarat Aurel Anghel, directorul DADR Prahova. Reprezentanţii Agenţiei pentru Protecţia Mediului (APM) Prahova susţin că deşertificarea a fost cauzată şi de factorul uman, nu doar de cel natural. „Se impune de urgenţă un plan de împăduriri în zonele afectate de secetă, pentru stoparea fenomenului deşertificării", propune Camelia Steliean, directorul APM Prahova. (Marius Nica)


USCĂCIUNE. Ţăran din Ciorani, Prahova, privind dezastrul agricol

DOLJ

Pepenii de Dăbuleni favorizează aridizarea

Regiunea cea mai afectată de deşertificare se află în sudul judeţului, fiind cuprinsă între Calafat, Poiana Mare, Sadova, Bechet, Dăbuleni şi Dunăre. Zona măsoară 104.600 hectare, conform datelor de la Agenţia Regională pentru Protecţia Mediului (ARPM) Craiova.

În ultimii ani, plantele au ars pur şi simplu sub razele soarelui, iar cartofii s-au copt sub pământ. Lanurile de porumb, care nu a mai apucat să crească înainte să se usuce complet, fac deja parte din peisajul sudului arzător. Anul trecut, după înregistrarea temperaturilor-record de peste vară, 44,2 grade Celsius la Calafat, fenomenul a intrat în atenţia publicului şi a autorităţilor locale. Specialiştii în protecţia mediului spun că fenomenul persistă şi că aridizarea nu poate fi oprită doar pentru că într-o vară se înregistrează temperaturi cu câteva grade mai mici. Statisticile arată că, în ultimii 38 de ani, suprafaţa ocupată de păduri s-a înjumătăţit, ajungând la 7 la sută din întreaga întindere a Doljului, în condiţiile în care, la nivel naţional, media este 29-31 la sută, iar în Europa - 37 la sută.

La Centrul de Cercetare şi Dezvoltare pentru Cultura Plantelor pe Nisipuri Dăbuleni se caută soluţii de ani buni pentru aclimatizarea unor noi specii de plante care să ajute la stoparea fenomenului. Pe nisipurile Olteniei se testează soiuri de plante rezistente la condiţii de ariditate şi se încearcă noi tehnologii de cultivare. Specialiştii susţin însă că pepenii favorizează aridizarea şi că aceştia trebuie înlocuiţi cu viţă-de-vie, pomi fructiferi şi culturi legumicole. (Gabriela Zanfir)

BRĂILA

Comuna Unirea, la mâna naturii

Comuna Unirea din Brăila, situată într-o zonă considerată de risc maxim, unde din cauza secetelor agresive din ultimii ani solul se va deşertifica şi va pierde şi ultima brumă de umiditate, surprinde prin contrastul culturilor. Mai puţin de jumătate din terenurile agricole pot fi încă udate prin reţeaua de captare a apei din Dunăre, veche de 40 ani. Graţie ei, sute de fermieri reuşesc să-şi dubleze producţiile agricole. În schimb, cei cu terenuri departe de sistem au rămas la mâna naturii şi aşteaptă fiecare zi cu speranţa că va ploua. Dar n-a mai plouat sănătos de două luni şi este evident că pagubele înregistrate la cele două culturi îi vor determina pe ţărani să ceară sprijin financiar pentru calamităţi. Cât vezi cu ochii, culturile de floarea-soarelui şi porumb sunt „îmbătrânite" înainte de vreme de lipsa apei. (Petronel Tudor)

PROGNOZĂ

Estul se va „prăji" şi în septembrie

După o perioadă de vară caracterizată în primul rând de caniculă, prognozele pentru această toamnă anunţă, de asemenea, temperaturi ridicate pentru zona de est a României.

„În luna septembrie, temperaturile medii lunare vor fi apropiate de valorile normale, exceptând regiunile estice, unde pot fi mai mari decât mediile multianuale. În intervalele calde din cursul lunii, temperaturile maxime pot depăşi şi 30 de grade Celsius", ne-a declarat Elena Mateescu.

Deşi se anunţă ploi mai ales în aversă, nici solul nu va avea un grad de umiditate foarte bun, susţin specialiştii. „Din punctul de vedere al rezervei de umiditate, pe adâncimea de sol 0-20 cm (ogor - n.r.), aceasta va înregistra valori scăzute şi chiar deosebit de scăzute în regiunile agricole sudestice şi sudice, unde seceta pedologică va fi în general moderată şi extremă în unele regiuni", mai apreciază reprezentantul ANM.

Această situaţie ar putea pune în pericol culturile care vor fi însămânţate în această toamnă, dar şi calitatea lucrărilor agricole din acest sezon.

Tot în septembrie, prognozele indică temperaturi minime care pot coborî în unele nopţi sub 5 grade Celsius, favorizând producerea brumei în depresiunile intramontane din nordul şi centrul ţării. (Ana Jităriţă)

EFECTE

Culturi exotice

SMOCHINI. De opt ani, în localitatea Şvinţa, judeţul Mehedinţi, există 15 hectare cultivate cu smochini.

KIWI. În comuna Ostrov, judeţul Constanţa, există două hectare de teren cultivat cu kiwi. Plantaţia de kiwi a împlinit 13 ani şi a ajuns să producă aproape patru tone de fructe anual.

MIGDALI. În comuna Gura Vadului, numeroşi localnici au înfiinţat livezi de migdali.

MUŞTAR. În Timiş, agricultorii s-au apucat serios să planteze boabe de muştar.

MĂSLINI. Specialiştii în agricultură estimează că, dacă tendinţa încălzirii climei va continua, în zece ani vor apărea primele plantaţii cu măslini în Banat. În Timişoara creşte deja primul măslin aclimatizat pe spaţiul public.

THE TRUTH ABOUT PESTICIDES

The Quebec Poison Control Centre and the Quebec Ministry of Environment and Wildlife released statistics on pesticide poisoning in 1996. They reported a staggering 1,650 poisoning cases. 79.4% of the cases were in private homes, and 46.1% of the victims were children under age five. 31% of these cases were due to oral ingestion, and 34.9% followed a pesticide application (1).

What are Pesticides?

Pesticides (herbicides, vermicides, fungicides, and rodenticides) are poisons designed to kill insects, plants, fungi, moulds and rodents. Pesticides contain “active” ingredients (the chemicals intended to kill), and so-called “inert” ingredients. These are considered trade secrets, and although in many cases they can be even more toxic than “active” chemicals, most consumers are completely unaware they exist. Even when used as directed, pesticides have many negative side effects on human health and the environment.

Does “Registered” Mean Safe?

Although pesticides used and sold in Canada are registered, this does not mean they are safe. Even the federal government regulators do not claim that registration equals safety. Pesticides are not tested in combination, although their synergistic effects may be amplified as much as 1000 times. While pesticides produce acute and long-term health effects, toxicity experiments (done on healthy animals) measure and account for only the acute effects. The pesticides that are deemed acceptable for use as a result of these tests do not take into account the possible chronic effects (2). “Acceptable” tolerance levels are set for an average adult male, and do not take into account the different situations of women and children.Some Environmental Effects Some pesticides accumulate in the fatty tissues of mammals, amphibians, birds and fish, interfering with their growth, reproduction and behaviour. Pesticides poison the food chain, contaminate water supplies, and are implicated in the declining populations of certain species.

What are the Health Effects?

Acute Effects: The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has identified acute health effects in humans including nausea, eye, skin, respiratory and throat irritation, muscle spasms, and even death (3).

Chronic effects: Repeated exposure to pesticides has been linked to neurological problems, brain and lung cancer, immune suppression (which creates environmental hypersensitivity), leukaemia, Parkinson’s disease, kidney damage, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and reproductive disorders, including endocrine disruption, low sperm count, and sterility(4).

Children are Vulnerable: Pound for pound of body weight, children consume considerably more pesticides than adults. Kids are especially vulnerable to the toxic effects because their metabolic systems don’t process or excrete toxins the way adults’ systems do. Children typically play in grass and dirt, and put toys and hands in their mouths, activities that significantly increase their exposure to pesticides. Children from homes where pesticides are used have been found to have four times the risk of soft tissue sarcomas (cancerous growths (5) and between six and seven times the rate of childhood leukaemia as other children (6).

Sweden Has Not Allowed

2,4-D Since 19892,4-D is the most commonly used herbicide in Canada. It was a major component of Agent Orange, and is still used in over 1,500 lawn-care products (including Killex and Weed ‘n Feed). Cancer in dogs has been linked to their owners’ use of 2,4-D (7).

“ Insects...are the most important component of the ecosystem, an integral part of the food chain...without insects the vast majority of flowering plants would not be able to reproduce. A miniscule fraction of this huge group of animals are pests to human beings….spraying powerful poisons that kill all exposed insects is no more ‘management’ of pest than killing everyone in New York city would be managing urban crime.” David Suzuki – The folly of Chemical Pest Control

The Pesticide Treadmill

Once you begin to apply pesticides, your lawn can become addicted to chemical treatment. Repeated applications can cause soil to become conditioned, which speeds up degradation of the pesticides. This results in the need to apply increasingly toxic chemicals at more frequent intervals to control the pest problem. Meanwhile, beneficial organisms are killed off, soil can become sterile, and pesticide-resistant insects breed to produce a species able to withstand the toxins and continue eating your grass!

References
1. Centre Anti-Poison du Quebec, Rapport annuel 1996: statistiques sur les intoxicantions par les pesticides, April 1997.
2. National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides, Lawn pesticide facts and figures, NCAMP, San Francisco, US, 1992.
3. Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety bulletin, Ottawa,1990.
4. Environment Canada, Pesticides, the right amount. Ottawa, 1989.
5. American Journal of Public Health, “study suggests possible link of child cancer, home pesticides”. Ottawa Citizen, Feb.27, 1995.
6. Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
7. Hayes et al., Journal of the Nation Cancer Institute vol.83, 1991.



Pesticide Reduction

Pesticides in Canada are widespread and commonly used in households- yet few Canadians are informed about the negative effects of these chemicals. Pesticide regulation in Canada is seen as inadequate by many and pesticides are promoted as “safe”; the risks associated with their use minimized. The continued use of pesticides in Canada contributes to a build-up of harmful chemicals in the environment.

According to Canadian studies, DDT and DDE residual levels in the breast milk to Inuit women in the Eastern Arctic are 1210 parts per billion, compared to 171 parts per billion in women in Southern Ontario. The extreme levels of persistent pesticides in Arctic people and animals high on the food chain are largely a result of transboundary transport and bioaccumulation. Similar build-ups of other harmful pesticides have been recorded in various parts of Canada including the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River and the Prairies.

Over 34 million kilograms of pesticides are used annually across Canada. According to the National Research Council, expenditures on pesticides have doubled between 1980 and 1990 and have increased eightfold since 1970.

The negative effects of pesticides in the Canadian environment are already evident and well documented. For example, autopsies performed on a group of Canada Geese that died inexplicably near Simcoe Ontario in September 1996 revealed that the grass and clover found in their digestive systems contained diazinon-a lethal chemical used on lawns. The birds were reported to have been behaving erratically and showed signs of blood in the feces and mucus streaming from their mouths.

In another incident in Manitoba, a 13 kilometer stretch of trees was wiped out by the chemical Roundup (a broadleaf pesticide, chemical name glyphospate) that was sprayed on nearby fields. Roundup is promoted by industry as a safe pesticide, despite the fact that it has proved to be far more toxic than its initial registration revealed.

The Health and Environment program area’s Pesticide Reduction program works directly with the federal government on pesticide issues through many stakeholder committees including the Pest Management Advisory Council and the Healthy Lawns Labelling Subcommittee.



2,4-D
Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid

General

2,4-D is a very popular lawn care pesticide in Canada and according to American manufactures, 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid (2,4-D) is the most widely used herbicide in the world.[1] It is sold under a variety of product names including numerous “weed and feed” lawn care products. A chlorinated phenoxy herbicide, 2,4-D is unique in that it causes a variety of different effects to the nervous system.

How It Works

2,4D is a growth inhibitor. It is absorbed into a plant through the plant’s surface. The weed killer circulates through all parts of the plant mimicking hormones called auxins which control numerous development and growth processes[2]. It causes abnormal growth, blocking the passage of liquids and nutrients. Subsequently, the roots starve and the plant dies.[3]

Health Effects

In mammals, 2,4-D disrupts energy production[4], depleting the body of its primary energy molecule, ATP (adenosine triphosphate)[5] 2,4-D has been shown to cause cellular mutations which can lead to cancer. This mutagen contains dioxins, a group of chemicals known to be hazardous to human health and to the environment[6].Documented health problems relate to 2,4-D include reproductive damage(i.e. sterility), respiratory difficulties, atrophy, nausea, loss of appetite, skin rashes, eye irritation, and chronic headaches[7]. Non-Hodgkins lymphoma has also been associated with 2,4-D exposure[8]. Furthermore, there is evidence of teratogenicity (birth defects) and mutagencity (mutation of cells) provided by studies involving 2,4-D and lab animals[9].Workers applying chlorinated phenoxy herbicides frequently have nervous system disorders, are exposed to a higher risk of soft tissue sarcoma, and show symptoms of hormonal and internal organ irregularities.[10][11] A study of farmers in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba linked use of 2,4-D to an increased incidence of prostate cancer.[12]In the urban setting, it has been proven that households using 2,4-D put their dogs at twice the risk of developing canine malignant lymphoma.[13]These risks are elevated when one discovers that homeowners using 2,4-D are likely to track the pesticide into their home where it is expected to persist for up to one year.[14]

Environmental Effects

2,4-D is a moderately persistent chemical with a half-life between 20 and 200 days. Unfortunately, the herbicide does not affect target weeds alone. It can cause low growth rates, reproductive problems, changes in appearance or behaviour, or death in non-target species.Additionally, the spraying of 2,4-D often, contaminates ground water systems because of its very high mobility in soils and weak binding to soil particles[15]. About 91.7% of 2,4-D will eventually end up in water.[16] This contamination threatens the vegetation and the animal life that consumes it. The chemical will also be carried by run-off into the local river systems, thereby jeopardizing the health of aquatic life as well.

Who Uses 2,4-D?

The pesticide is used primarily by cereal crop producers. The forestry industry uses 2,4-D to suppress the growth of hardwoods and undergrowth in conifer plantations. Another application of 2,4-D occurs along major rights-of-ways (i.e. railway tracks) to control brush. In urban areas 2,4-D is applied to control broad leafed weeds such as dandelions, ragweed, and poison ivy[17]. It is the active ingredient in readily available weed control mixtures, for example, killex.

Conclusions

The federal government is currently completing a final review of toxicological data for the pesticide 2,4-D. It states that there is contradictor information regarding the compounds carcinogenicity. This argument fails to realize that there has been cancer linked to this compound and the risk does exist. Is a lawn free of weeds worth the putting your dog, your child, your spouse or other loved one at an increased cancer risk?

References

[1] Industry Task Force II on 2,4-D Research Data. 1996. Where in the world and the environment are we: A one day status report and briefing on the reregistration of 2,4-D. Seminar sponsored by the Northwest Food & Forest Education Foundation. Portland, OR, July 31.

[2] Hess, F.D. 1993. Herbicide effects on plant structure, physiology and biochemistry. In Pesticide interactions in crop production: Beneficial and deleterious effects, ed. Altman, J. Boca Raton: CRC Press.

[3] Littorin, M “Dioxins in Blood from Swedish Phenoxy Herbicide Workers.” In Lancet Vol.344 (8922), August 27,19994 pp.611-612.

[4] Zychlinkski, L. and S. Zolnierowicz. 1990. Comparison of uncoupling activities of chlorophenoxy herbicides in rat liver mitochondria. Toxicol. Lett. 52:25-34.

[5] Palmeira, C.M, A.J Moreno and V.M.C. Madeira. 1994. Interactions of herbicides 2,4-D and dinoseb with liver mitochondrial bioenergetics. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 127:50-57.

[6] Littorin, M “Dioxins in Blood from Swedish Phenoxy Herbicide Workers.” In Lancet Vol.344 (8922), August 27,19994 pp.611-612.

[7] Gopher://ecosys.drdr.VirtualLibrary/gen/ toxins/2%2C4-D

[8] Kogevinas, M. “ Soft Tissue Sarcoma and non-Hodgkins Lymponmain Workers exposed to phenoxy-herbicides, chlorophenols, and dioxins – 2 nested case studies.” In Epidemiology. Vol.6 (4) July, 1995. Pp.396-402

[9] Environment Canada Fact Sheet, “Pesticides :2,4-D, MCPA, Dichlorprop, Mecoprop”

[10] Kogevinas, M. “ Soft Tissue Sarcoma and non-Hodgkins Lymponmain Workers exposed to phenoxy-herbicides, chlorophenols, and dioxins – 2 nested case studies.” In Epidemiology. Vol.6 (4) July, 1995. Pp.396-402

[11] Associate committee on Scientific Criteria for Environmental Quality; Subcommittee on Pesticides and Industrial Organic Chemicals. “2,4-D Some Current Issues” NRCC No. 20647. National Research Council of Canada, 1983. Pp. 29,55.

[12] Morrison, H. et al. 1993.Farming and Prostate Cancer Mortality. American Journal of Epidemology 137(30):270-280

[13] Environment Canada Fact Sheet, “Pesticides :2,4-D, MCPA, Dichlorprop, Mecoprop”

[14] Nishioka, M.G. et al. 1999. Distribution of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid in floor dust throughout homes following homeowner and commercial lawn applications: Quantitative effects of children, pets and shoes. Environ. Sci. Technol. 33:1359-1365.

[15] Cheah, U-B, R.C. Kirkwood, and K-Y. Lum. 1997. Adsorption, desorption and mobility of four commonly used pesticides in Malaysian agricultural soils. Pesticide Science 50:53-63.

[16] Gopher://ecosys.drdr.VirtualLibrary/gen/ toxins/2%2C4-D

[17] Interdepartmental Executive Committee on Pest Management. “2,4-D Re-evaluation Update and Label Improvement Program.” Note to CAPCO C94-08. November 23, 1994.

DeGeneres and de Rossi wed

Sealed with a kiss ... Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi.

August 17, 2008

It was a case of here come the brides for Ellen DeGeneres and Australian love, Portia de Rossi.
The Hollywood couple married at an intimate ceremony today inside the grounds of their $US29 million Beverly Hills estate.
DeGeneres, one of America's top TV talkshow hosts, and Geelong-born actress de Rossi, both wore designs by Zac Posen as they exchanged written wedding vows.

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Guess what? Military funds mind-reading science

By Alicia Chang, The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Here's a mind-bending idea: The U.S. military is paying scientists to study ways to read people's thoughts.

The hope is that the research could someday lead to a gadget capable of translating the thoughts of soldiers who suffered brain injuries in combat or even stroke patients in hospitals. But the research also raises concerns that such mind-reading technology could be used to interrogate the enemy.

Armed with a $4 million grant from the Army, scientists are studying brain signals to try to decipher what a person is thinking and to whom the person wants to direct the message.

The project is a collaboration among researchers at the University of California, Irvine; Carnegie Mellon University; and the University of Maryland.

The scientists use brain wave-reading technology known as electroencephalography, or EEG, which measures the brain's electrical activity through electrodes placed on the scalp.

It works like this: Volunteers wear an electrode cap and are asked to think of a word chosen by the researchers, who then analyze the brain activity.

In the future, scientists hope to develop thought-recognition software that would allow a computer to speak or type out a person's thought.

"To have a person think in a free manner and then figure out what that is, we're years away from that," said lead researcher Michael D'Zmura, who heads UC Irvine's cognitive sciences department.

D'Zmura said such a system would require extensive training by people trying to send a message and dismisses the notion that thoughts can be forced out.

"This will never be used in a way without somebody's real, active cooperation," he said.

John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, a Virginia-based defence research firm, said the technology is still too nascent to be of practical use for the military.

"They're still in the proof of principle stage," Pike said.

A message left with the Army was not immediately returned Friday.

A fost odata un soricel

ce traia in gospodaria unui taran, sub hambarul de grane. Intr-o zi, taranul, suparat ca soarecele ii rodea sacii cu graunte, a hotarat sa puna o capcana pentru soareci in hambar. Soricelul, afland de acest lucru, s-e duse la gaina si o ruga sa il ajute. gaina ii raspunse:
- ce treaba am eu cu un soarece mic si insignifiant ca tine !? Nici macar nu esti din acelasi soi cu mine. Nu ma mai deranja, nu ma intereseaza problema ta !
Mahnit, soricelul se duse atunci la cotetul porcului, rugandu-l si pe acesta sa il ajute.
- ce ma intereseaza pe mine necazurile tale ? zise porcul. Un animalut mic si ciudat ca tine nu ma intereseaza, tu nu ai nici un rol in gospodarie, poti sa dispari fara probleme…
Disperat, soricelul merse la vaca, rugand-o:
- Stimata vaca, te rog ajuta-ma adaposteste-ma in staulul tau, de urgia stapanului gospodariei, care vrea sa ma omoare.
Dar si vaca il privi de sus, insensibila la suferinta lui, spunandu-i ca nu o priveste si nu o afecteaza soarta unei rozatoare insignifiante.
Trist, soricelul se ascunse in adapostul lui, asteptandu-si resemnat iminentul sfarsit.
Dar in acest rastimp, un sarpe ce trecea prin gospodarie, atras de mirosul momelii din capcana pusa pentru soarece, se duse direct spre capcana si isi prinse coada intr-insa. Suparat, incepu sa suiere si sa se zbata, starnind larma. Bucuroasa, sotia stapanului veni la capcana, sa vada daca s-a prins in aceasta soarecele, cand dadu peste sarpe care furios, o musca de picior.
Femeia fu otravita de muscatura sarpelui, cazand grav bolnava. Taranul alerga si aduse doctorul, care ii dadu femeii doctorii si ii recomanda taranului sa ii prepare o delicioasa supa de… gaina, pentru a o intrema. Apoi, taranul, pentru a putea plati doctorul, taie porcul si din carnea vanduta achita nota de plata. Din pacate, femeia muri din cauza muscaturii, iar la inmormantare venira o multime de rude. Dupa inmormantare, fu pegatita masa de parastas, pentru care omul a trebuit sa taie si vaca.
Morala:
- Data viitoare cand veti auzi ca cineva are o problema si vi se va parea ca ea nu va atinge, amintiti-va ca atunci cand cel mai slab e amenintat, toti suntem in pericol!