Bees

Full article is here:
Link

We Speak for the Bees’: Marchers Urge EU-Wide Ban of Killer Pesticides
‘This is not abstract theorizing. Bees are dying out. Now.’
- Jon Queally, staff writer
They came to speak for the bees.

Ahead of an expected EU vote on Monday that will determine a possible ban on a class of pesticides that scientists say are killing off the continents’ bees and other pollinators, a coalition of beekeepers, conservationists, gardeners, and environmental activists marched on Parliament in London on Friday as a way to urge the UK to join other European nations in supporting the ban.

Yellow and black dominated the scene as many in attendance dressed as bees, wore their apiary suits and carried signs that read “Like Food? Love Bees” and “No to Neonic,” referring to pesticide class called neonicotinoids that a number of recent studies have tied directly to the decline of bee populations.

The organizers of the so-called “March of the Beekeepers” included Avaaz, Friends of the Earth, Buglife, Environmental Justice Foundation, Greenpeace, Pesticide Action Network UK, Soil Association and the group 38 Degrees.

“Ministers can’t ignore the growing scientific evidence linking neonicotinoid insecticides to bee decline,” said Friends of the Earth’s campaigns director Andrew Pendleton. “Their claims to be concerned about bee health will ring hollow if they fail to back European moves to restrict the use of these chemicals.”

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We need to take action here in the USA. One of my pet peeves regarding the use of pesticides is how people will spray it even when the wind is gusting around at over 8 MPH. My landlord often shows up when the wind is 15 MPH and starts to spray. It is not only hurting the birds and bees, it is doing absolutely NO GOOD in terms of his main excuse for spraying, that is, his desire to eliminate poison oak.

If you absolutely MUST spray, be sure and wear a full set of clothes. Even the manufacturers’ of the pesticides explain in their guidelines you need full set of protective clothing when you spray… (And a halter top and shorts is not a full protective outfit.) And never spray when the wind is blowing more than six miles an hour.

Also:Avoid Bayer pesticide products, and any other brand that has neonicotiniods as a main or even partial ingredient. Be sure and consider the fact that although the label will say that the product is government approved, and perfectly safe, all that statement means is that industry conducted a test or two, usually choosing a test that has no relation to the harm the product will do, then they cherry-picked the data, and then the government signed off on their report. The revolving door between industry and the government ensures it works like this.

Can do it in Boston – it tells them that it is a slam dunk.”

Some of us remember how Edmond was unjustly fired from her governmental position for releasing details of information she felt every American should know. A brief synopsis of her life from wikipedia: “Sibel Deniz Edmonds (born 1970)[1] is an Iranian-American, former FBI translator and founder of the National Security Whistleblowers Coalition (NSWBC). Edmonds gained public attention following her firing from her position as a language specialist at the FBI’s Washington Field Office in March 2002, after she accused a colleague of covering up illicit activity involving foreign nationals, alleging serious acts of security breaches, cover-ups, and intentional blocking of intelligence which, she contended, presented a danger to the United States’ security. Her later claims have gained her awards and fame as a whistleblower.”####

So it is Edmond’s sad but true opinion regarding how the citizens of Boston accepted the one day lock down of their city. Really and truly, Sibel Edmond considers it “Martial Law.” Now I have been joking around and repeating a friend’s comment that it was simply the Bostonians annual “Stay home from work and school and have the police bring you milk” Celebration Day.

But in light of her remarks, maybe it is not a joking matter. In this interview with the Corbett Report, she lays out her understanding of the Chechnian region and its history, and also that of the CIA, NSA and other players as they scheme to get our nation involved in that area of the world.

She has been saying for quite a while that sooner or later, our “National Security people” would need to get the USA involved in the inner workings of this part of the world. So is it only coincidence that The Tsareav Brothers are from this area, with the older brother having traveled there several times over the last five years? And over at Huffington Post, the following was also available for consideration: with the words “Terror and Security” in its header, you will read this bit of text:

“In one case in Portland Oregon in 2010, a van was actually parked next to a crowded Christmas tree lighting ceremony where the FBI-entrapped suspect attempted and failed to detonate an FBI-provided inert bomb.

“More astounding was the fact that the FBI had actually brought this same entrapped suspect earlier to a location in Lincoln County, Oregon, where real explosives were in fact detonated. The FBI’s official statement titled, “Oregon Resident Arrested in Plot to Bomb Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Portland,” released by the U.S. Attorney’s Office on November 26, 2010 stated (emphasis added):

“According to the affidavit, on November 4, 2010, Mohamud and the undercover FBI operatives traveled to a remote location in Lincoln County, Ore., where they detonated a bomb concealed in a backpack as a trial run for the upcoming attack. Afterwards, on the drive back to Corvallis, undercover FBI operatives questioned Mohamud as to whether he was capable of looking at the bodies of those who would be killed in the upcoming attack in Portland. According to the affidavit, Mohamud responded, “I want whoever is attending that event to leave, to leave either dead or injured.” ”
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Here is the URL from which to watch the Sibel Edmond interview:

Back in 2000, a citizen of the state of Ohio protested some of the Federal Charges against her, as her attorneys held that the provisions by which she was under attack should hold power only against rogue states. Although she was possibly a murderer, as an American citizen it was important to consider that her civil rights still had standing against charges of her being a “terrorist” or a “rogue state.”

Originally charged with the poisoning death of her husband, the defendant then found herself under indictment for her violation of Federal Laws. The Supreme Court ended up stating that the laws enacted to prosecute rogue states with regards to the use of toxic substances for the purpose of poisoning an entire populace, should not be employed against an individual who is not interested in committing terrorist acts.

This is an important case, considering that our country is running out of foreigners to attack as terrorists and must begin to direct the War on Terror to efforts to accuse people here. The Supreme Court was not dismissing the right of the people of the state of Ohio to hold a trial for murder against the defendant, but rather the right of the citizen to avoid inmaterial charges regarding terrorist acts. Domestic murder is not equivalent to rogue states pursuing their agenda against all citizens.

The court went on to define that local, state and federal law enforcement officers were committing unlawful actions against the Sovereign People by the enforcement of the laws and are personally liable for their actions.

Please note: The entire case can be investigated further here: http://www.oyez.org/cases/2010-2019/2010/2010_09_1227

To your liberties (some of us might need to look up that word – “liberties,” no comprendre?, some of us may well be thinking, in hearing the unfamiliar term.)

We all know the aftermath of what occurred within just a few days of the Nine Eleven Terrorist attack. For one thing, the Patriot Act, a massive 1600 page document was swept off the desk of whatever official had it, and presented to Congress, whose members immediately voted for it.

Whatever was not to like about the Patriot Act? Like GE, it has brought Good Good Things to Life, like the Homeland Security Agency. Who could have survived the aftermath of Nine Eleven, without that caring agency issuing its color coded warnings, about whether we were at orange or red or the ultimate of ultimatums: Holy F___, put your head between your legs and kiss your behind good bye? I know no one in my family would have made it through those difficult times without those helpful warnings!

And lately Homeland Security has evolved into an entity that needs ever more cash as its programs decree the production of 2,600 tanks that can be offered up like door prizes to communities across the USA. MRAP Bearcats now are being approved for delivery to 67 counties in California! The value of these vehicles lies in their armor, so that in case of incoming IED attacks, whatever garage that the Bearcat is parked in will be ensured a safe zone! (At a cost of one million bucks a piece.) As Marin roads are perpetually clogged with traffic, the Bearcat won’t be of much value, unless some event occurs around 2:30 Am. But perhaps Homeland Security, using up some of the patriotic fervor now descending on the populace, will ask to develop a twelve million dollar helicopter to transport the Bearcat, so if the vehicle is needed during the day, the copter can sweep it up in its claws and air lift it to whatever part of the County where it is needed.

Although just last week, many of us were saying that oodles and oodles of money the Federal Budget arranges for both the military and Homeland Security need to seriously be cut back, as we would prefer to have Social Security checks in our old age, now such maudlin, self centered thinking will be considered “pre-Boston Marathon,” and we will find our friends and neighbors reminding us of what a true patriot would do in this crisis.

All this and much more. Pay particular attention to any FBI reports on whether the the internet an be linked in any way to the tragedy in Boston.

So yes, expect to hear plenty of patriotic speeches. And to watch the bravery by which the Congress protects itself – on C Span several weeks ago, two Congressmen were discussing how Washington DC is particularly vulnerable to attacks as so many out there hate the freedoms the nation’s Capital has. Although they left it unsaid, I was so struck by these men’s patriotic fervor that I rhapsodized for a moment about those freedoms and came up with quite a list: Like the freedom to allow the tax code to give up so many perks to billionaires that some billionaires own not one but two Senators. And those poor multi millionaires who can’t afford to purchase a Senator outright – well, they know that they can at least get a lobbyist to work to establish some act of Congress to offer their industry a leg up. Especially given that anthrax was arriving at various Congressional offices. I can envision any firms that manufacture drones to be especially patriotic in wanting to have each square inch of our nation patrolled by the mechanical eyes and droney weapons in the skies!

So now we have the killed and the maimed in Boston, the grieving families, and what better event to exploit for the purpose of patriotism than one like this? As reports come in about ricin being discovered, our patriotic media must only briefly remind us that at a time like this, true citizens put aside other concerns.

Would any true patriot now concern themselves with such petty matters as Social Security? And no doubt the media will be reminding us to put aside any concerns about the recent legislation that allows our Senators and Congress people to be insider traders. We can step away from the laments we have regarding the Big Banking World. And of course, we must especially forget the collusionary forces inside our government that have allowed Ben Bernanke to “loan” fifteen to sixteen trillions of dollars to the Big Financial firms across the world. Even now, some experts tell us some 4.7 trillions of those monies will never be repaid.

But not to worry, as none of this has any impact on any of us. (Bernanke actually made a similar statement to “Sixty Minutes” some time ago.) Except other than running up a defict, which has to be repaid.

So any true American realizes that it is not a time for snivelling. Rather the true Americans will realize the need to convert Social Security as well as all other social aspects of the budget to handle the budgetary deficit gap which is now a patriotic necessity. Snivel no more! As the new demands for increased military and increased Homeland Security are surely what it is going to take to ensure that we in the United States never experience such an event again, let us leave the heavy lifting to Congress, appreciate the sacrifices they will be making, as they determine which of our still existing but limited freedoms must be sacrificed so the terrorists can win!

Somebody’s Watching Me!”

Michael Jackson nails it in this song. A ludicrous moment – he felt they were watching him long before the Powers that Be really did start to watch him. The Moon Walker’s smooth beat lives on, as do his sweet children. Meanwhile, by my desk, the cats tumble around on top of the box of accumulated 2012 business info, merrily swatting at rubber bands and paper clips.

Paranoia, confusion reign inside my brain as receipts float out over the desk. Last year I had this done by March 20th. This year I’ll be burning the midnight oil.

I thought it might be fun to post this here, as Spring is really making a triumphal entry into the local environment, wiring and re-wiring with its ozone, its electric moist fresh air and needed rain all of the various flora and fauna for the much hotter months to come.

Yesterday night’s early evening walk brought the two of us to the site where a bobcat had struggled and played with its captured ground squirrel. The various paw prints and the left-behind scrap of fur from the ground squirrel explained the story to us as clearly as any dispatch from the AP.

But the tale I want to bring to FDL readers is a bit bigger. It involves the Amazon sound engineer, Bernie Krauss, who has been recording the sounds of the birds and other wild life in the Amazon rain forests. As the birds of places to the north, now migrate down and across my homestead here in Northern California, I think of this man’s efforts to preserve such a wonderful array of bird songs (And screeches, skat songs, jazz, and the occasional chirp.)

I am trying to be of good spirit and not take in so much of the underbelly of Krauss’ work and messages: that the environment is losing every day, as more of our wilderness areas are being auctioned off to the forces of both big and small time agriculture.

Instead today, I choose to enjoy all the feathered beings who are migrating past my house, chirping away in the rain forest above my home. And to enjoy also these recordings of birds in more exotic places:

http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=12-P13-00011&segmentID=7

On edit: Michigan State University has a collection of bird calls and bird songs from contributors spread out across the world. (Staff at Michigan Sate first became interested in doing this due to Krauss’ project.) Should you wish to peruse and browse this collection, and find whatever birds you already know and like, or try on some sounds from creatures you’d never heard of before, try this URL:

http://avocet.zoology.msu.edu/recordings

Specifically if you wish to hear the charming Brisbane Australian bird — Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis, go here:

http://avocet.zoology.msu.edu/recordings/3497

This was posted to “The Atlantic” about 99 minutes ago. To read over her account of both her relationship with Aaron, and then the Kafka-esque descent into madness precipitated by agents of our government in their quest to bring Aaron down is to awaken in full to the toxicity of our Brave New World of American Inquisition.

Our Department of Justice cares not at all about drug cartel money laundering at HSBC, that netted that firm billions in profits. It cares not at all about restitution for individuals who are wrongly foreclosed upon by other large banks. (Not even for one individual whose house had been paid for, in full, with cash.)

Apparently by not needing to worry about those matters, the DOJ and officials in other Federal agencies have plenty of time and resources to spend in chasing down the likes of a cyber-Einstein. The blow by blow account by Ms Norton of the various arduous and intricate methods used by the Prosecutors is painful to read. And it must have been a nightmare to live. These indecent government agents were proud of being able to hassle, harass, and outright lie to manipulate Norton into giving up, inadvertently, some needed ammunition against Aaron. All this seems so extremely outrageous, that just as I felt shame on March 23rd, 2003, when we entered into an illegal war against Iraq, I felt shame that my nation entered into this illegal war of prosecutorial misconduct against this young couple. The account is so tragic, because there never even was any victim willing to even tell the Government that they wanted Aaron brought down! And now with his senseless and untimely death, there simply are no words to express the egregiousness of these people’s actions.

Quinn Norton’s account can be read in full, at the following link:

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/13/03/life-inside-the-aaron-swartz-investigation/273654/