July 28, 2020 – Alexanders' Blog

27 JUL 2020SAVE | EMAIL | PRINT | PDF Some scientists feel that the current Covid-19 pandemic, which has already infected more than 16-million and killed more than 600,000 worldwide, is only a dress rehearsal for an even bigger pandemic. Covid-19 only a the dress rehearsal for pandemics Professor Robert Bragg, researcher in the Department of Microbial, Biochemical and Food Biotechnology, and Professor Aliza le Roux, assistant dean: natural and agricultural sciences and associate professor: zoology and entomology at the University of the Free State (UFS), warn about future pandemics, saying that humans’ interaction with animals and lack of learning from the past are the reasons for this.

Another researcher, Dr Martin Nyaga, senior lecturer/ researcher: next generation sequencing (NGS), agrees with Bragg and Le Roux about new viruses and says viruses will keep emerging due to their general nature.

More pandemics might be on the cards

“There is a feeling among some scientists that this…

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Investors are beginning to take account of climate change: LA Times

July 28, 2020 by alexander philip

Conrad Theodore Seitz

photo by arek socha courtesy of pixabay.com (Don’t open this door.)

This article in today’s LA Times tells of the new movement in the investor community that is beginning to take account of the damage that climate change will cause. There’s an unmet need to develop new industry based on new technology that adapts to and counters climate change.

I don’t know how you’ll view that article (it looks pretty strange to me when I clicked on that link– but you can read it!) so take a look.

It seems to me that smart people with money are coming to realize that the climate is changing for the worse and their money is at risk. Big companies that sell oil could find the value of their holdings bottom out when people stop burning oil– if internal combustion engines are replaced by electric motors that use renewable energy, for example.

A…

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The CIA Democrats–Part one

July 28, 2020 by alexander philip

The Most Revolutionary Act

By Patrick Martin
7 March 2018

PART ONE | PART TWO | PART THREE

An extraordinary number of former intelligence and military operatives from the CIA, Pentagon, National Security Council and State Department are seeking nomination as Democratic candidates for Congress in the 2018 midterm elections. The potential influx of military-intelligence personnel into the legislature has no precedent in US political history.

If the Democrats capture a majority in the House of Representatives on November 6, as widely predicted, candidates drawn from the military-intelligence apparatus will comprise as many as half of the new Democratic members of Congress. They will hold the balance of power in the lower chamber of Congress.

Both push and pull are at work here. Democratic Party leaders are actively recruiting candidates with a military or intelligence background for competitive seats where there is the best chance of ousting an incumbent Republican or filling a vacancy…

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Tiny Houses: A Solution to Homelessness?

July 28, 2020 by alexander philip

The Most Revolutionary Act

Emerald Village: A Dream of an Affordable Tiny House Community

Respectful Revolution (2019)

Film Review

This documentary is about a non-profit organization in Eugene, Oregon that has created a self-governing tiny house village for the city’s homeless.

The total of the project was $1.8 million – $300,000 for land and $1.5 million to construct 22 tiny houses. The group raised $1 million obtained via direct fundraising, $120,000 via a city development tax waiver, and in-kind donations of one tiny house each by a team of 13 architects and builders.

The dwellings are slightly bigger than conventional tiny houses and include kitchen, toilet and shower facilities. Some are large enough to house two people. All (previously homeless) residents were required to contribute 50 hours to building their home though most contributed much more. At present, each pays $250-300 rent, which covers all utility, staff and other operations costs.

While 22 tiny…

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Latest climate study predicts disaster for oceans, coastlines and life as we know it

July 28, 2020 by alexander philip

The Extinction Chronicles

BY MIYOKO SAKASHITA, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 07/26/20 10:00 AM EDT 902

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL

A disturbing new climate change study predicts global temperature increases of up to 8 degrees Fahrenheit as atmospheric carbon concentrations double. Humanity, it’s clear, is close to missing the chance to avoid the worst ravages of fossil fuel pollution.

That level of warming would spell disaster for our oceans and coastal communities. Coral reefs would die; marine biodiversity would plummet. Flooding and extreme storms would pummel coastal residents. And ocean acidification and hypoxia would change the basic building blocks of marine life in dangerous, unpredictable ways.

This study is just the latest alarm going off to demand climate action now. We can’t wait any longer to stop drilling and mining for fossil fuels in our public lands and waters. Such…

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This fall could be a busy hunting season due to coronavirus

July 28, 2020 by alexander philip

Committee to Abolish Sport Hunting Blog

It could be a big fall for hunters

By Michael Hollan | Fox News

It could be a big fall for hunters.

With many businesses and industries still being impacted by the coronavirus and the resulting shutdowns, it seems more people are turning to the outdoors to stay busy. This has led some to believe that this fall will be a busy hunting season.

With people still living under lockdowns and restrictions, it appears that many are turning to outdoor activities. (iStock)

Various states across the country saw a significant increase in the number of fishing licenses sold. The New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, for example, has already sold 6,000 more licenses this year than last, KRQE reports. Illinois also saw a surge in fishing licenses sold, according to The Southern Illinoisan.

MAJORITY OF AMERICANS SAY ‘SPONTANEOUS ADVENTURES’ ARE THE BEST PART OF SUMMER, STUDY…

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