FAA Furloughs and Flight Delays

You know, it occurs to me that if the leadership of this agency can't figure out how to give employees one day off each week without completely screwing up the functioning of their agency maybe it's time to replace such obviously incompetent leadership with people who know what they are doing.

• Flight Delays Increasing as FAA Announces Sequester Furloughs

• House Republicans grill FAA chief on air traffic furloughs, flight delays

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for/that:

1. Friends who stop in with coffee, donuts, and meds when I'm sick.
2. The internet. I can do all sorts of research in my pjs from my sickie camp out spot on the couch.

What are you thankful for?

Fracking War in NY

I wonder if the folks protesting hydrofracking in New York State know, or care, about this.

COVERUP FAILS: Fracking Safe in NY State, Says Leaked Report. “Thanks to a leak from an anonymous insider, we learned Thursday that a report commissioned by the State of New York has given fracking a clean bill of health. The insider ‘did not think it should be kept secret’ and released the document, which is now nearly one year old, to the New York Times.”

Gas Drilling Is Called Safe in New York (bit of an awkward headline but okay I can work with it).

"ALBANY — The state’s Health Department found in an analysis it prepared early last year that the much-debated drilling technology known as hydrofracking could be conducted safely in New York, according to a copy obtained by The New York Times from an expert who did not believe it should be kept secret."

NY State Health Department Report Says Fracking Could Be Done Safely

"A document from Governor Cuomo’s Administration assessing the health impacts of hydro fracking, written in early 2012, says the gas drilling process is likely safe if proper precautions are taken by the governor’s environmental agency.

The document, obtained by New York State public radio and other news organizations, outlines potential health risks associated with hydro fracking in New York. Those include possible exposure to chemicals used in hydro fracking, potential contamination of drinking water sources, and health impacts from naturally occurring radium that could be brought to the surface through the gas drilling process.

While the report says there are potential health risks involved in hydro fracking, it concludes that in each instance, proper mitigation measures that will be required by the state Department of Environmental Conservation will minimize any potential harm and reduce risks. The report, written in February of 2012, says “significant adverse impacts on human health are not expected from routine HVHF (hydro fracking) operations."

The report appears to have been intended for inclusion in the state’s ongoing environmental review of fracking. It also advises against trying to do a site specific quantitative risk assessment of fracking, saying there are too many variables and that too many assumptions would have to be made.

A spokeswoman for the DEC says the report is “outdated," and that no conclusions should be drawn."

I'm sure this will be explained away in short order as the DEC spokeswoman comment above suggests.

Thankful Thursday

So we'll see if I make a blog come back in 2013 for now I am thankful for/that:

1. Warm wool socks. They kept my toes nice and toasty on this frigid day.
2. The Horde is fully outfitted with scarves, hats, gloves, mittens, and boots so I can say yes when they beg to play in the snow.
3. Inspiration.
4. Friends!
5. One more day to live my life.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for/that:

1. A visit from one of my favorite sisters. She helps me keep it real.
2. A really good visit with my adviser. Spring graduation is on the horizon.
3. No snow yet, my sympathies to those of you who got buried this week.
4. God is in control and in it for the long haul.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for/that:

1. Syracuse dodged a major bullet, or the bullet dodged us, with super storm Sandy.
2. We have the resources to help those now in need.
3. Election season is almost over.
4. I found my ASL class DVD! Now to catch up to the rest of the class.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful that there was enough change in the bottom of my school bag to get a cup of coffee. Mmmmmm coffee...

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for/that:

1. An extended visit from one of my sisters.
2. My sisters are neat freaks compared to me.
3. Sisterhood.
4. Being able to have conversation without using words.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Okay, here goes. Today i am thankful for/that:

1. A good night's sleep. You can never have too many of those.
2. Family dinners. Can never have too many of those either.
3. New friends.
4. Bam Bam found my keys, that he lost, only took him a week.

What are you thankful for?

Thankful Thursday

Back after a bit of a hiatus, today I am thankful for/that:

1. I'm learning ASL.
2. I'm learning about Deaf culture.
3. My ASL instructor is awesome.

Notice a trend there? So what are you thankful for?