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Monday, June 30, 2008

Sacramento petanque on CBS-13

Sacramento's TV station CBS13 came out for a live report on the big six-tournament weekend at Club Francais de Sacramento , May 17/18 last.

CBS13 - Petanque Championship - 4:20min


Tom, eloquent as always, uses the very appropriate badminton/tennis analogy to reply to the eternal bocce vs petanque question.
I usually present it the other way round though: pétanque being to bocce what badminton is to tennis.
Why? You can play petanque almost anywhere, within minutes, and the rules are simple. Like badminton. Whereas tennis (like bocce) requires a prepared court - not a common thing in people's backyards - , and the rules are more intricate.


Sacramento petanque on CBS-13

Sacramento's TV station CBS13 came out for a live report on the big six-tournament weekend at Club Francais de Sacramento , May 17/18 last.

CBS13 - Petanque Championship - 4:20min


Tom, eloquent as always, uses the very appropriate badminton/tennis analogy to reply to the eternal bocce vs petanque question.
I usually present it the other way round though: pétanque being to bocce what badminton is to tennis.
Why? You can play petanque almost anywhere, within minutes, and the rules are simple. Like badminton. Whereas tennis (like bocce) requires a prepared court - not a common thing in people's backyards - , and the rules are more intricate.


US/UK Oil Companies Declare Victory in Iraq



The war for oil in Iraq is over.

US and UK oil interests won.

Iraq opened its giant oilfields to foreign firms on Monday, putting British and U.S. companies in pole position five years after U.S.-led troops invaded the country to oust Saddam Hussein.
Reuters

One can assume these foriegn companies will receive the same welcome as they get in places like Nigeria.

Reports from the Nigerian military suggest the incident at Bonny Island over the weekend may have been the result of a clash between army personnel and a group of gunmen, and that four people were killed. There has been a marked escalation in violence in the oil producing region in recent weeks with numerous clashes reported between rival militant groups. However, the minister sought to play down fears that the quantity of crude oil suspended as a result of deteriorating security is reaching a crisis point for the country, which recently lost its place as Africa's biggest oil producing nation to neighboring Angola.
Dow Jones

Luckily foreign oil companies in Iraq will be protected by US troops for the next 100 years.

US/UK Oil Companies Declare Victory in Iraq



The war for oil in Iraq is over.

US and UK oil interests won.

Iraq opened its giant oilfields to foreign firms on Monday, putting British and U.S. companies in pole position five years after U.S.-led troops invaded the country to oust Saddam Hussein.
Reuters

One can assume these foriegn companies will receive the same welcome as they get in places like Nigeria.

Reports from the Nigerian military suggest the incident at Bonny Island over the weekend may have been the result of a clash between army personnel and a group of gunmen, and that four people were killed. There has been a marked escalation in violence in the oil producing region in recent weeks with numerous clashes reported between rival militant groups. However, the minister sought to play down fears that the quantity of crude oil suspended as a result of deteriorating security is reaching a crisis point for the country, which recently lost its place as Africa's biggest oil producing nation to neighboring Angola.
Dow Jones

Luckily foreign oil companies in Iraq will be protected by US troops for the next 100 years.

Analysts Predict Big Decline in US Auto Use

Analysts Predict Big Decline in US Auto Use

Up to New Haven and Meriden


I had to go up to New Haven this past Saturday for work so a trip to Louis' Lunch was inevitable. We made it there during the peak of lunch and, as expected, the wait was long. I heard the person in front of me order onions only to be told, "Not now, no time for that." Such is life at this 100+ year-old burger counter, rules are rules. After a 35 minute wait we were handed our paper plates with perfectly cooked, juicy and bleeding hamburger sandwiches (on Pepperidge Farms toast of course) with the obligatory schmear of Cheese Whiz...yum.

After eating, expert burger taster Kris and myself decided we were too close to Ted's in Meriden to not visit. Within 15 minutes we were sitting at the counter eating excellent steamed cheeseburgs. Someone came in after we ate and ordered one with sauteed onions. Huh? That's right, Ted's now offers sauteed onions on their steamed cheeseburgs. I was already two burgers down (for the afternoon) so I'll have to indulge next time.

Up to New Haven and Meriden


I had to go up to New Haven this past Saturday for work so a trip to Louis' Lunch was inevitable. We made it there during the peak of lunch and, as expected, the wait was long. I heard the person in front of me order onions only to be told, "Not now, no time for that." Such is life at this 100+ year-old burger counter, rules are rules. After a 35 minute wait we were handed our paper plates with perfectly cooked, juicy and bleeding hamburger sandwiches (on Pepperidge Farms toast of course) with the obligatory schmear of Cheese Whiz...yum.

After eating, expert burger taster Kris and myself decided we were too close to Ted's in Meriden to not visit. Within 15 minutes we were sitting at the counter eating excellent steamed cheeseburgs. Someone came in after we ate and ordered one with sauteed onions. Huh? That's right, Ted's now offers sauteed onions on their steamed cheeseburgs. I was already two burgers down (for the afternoon) so I'll have to indulge next time.

De-Arabizing East Jerusalem

We are publishing Zeina Ashrawi's personal story in the next issue of the Palestine-Israel Journal. Unfortunately, there is a consistent Israeli policy, usually carried out by the Ministry of Interior, but in this case by the Israeli Embassy, to pose obstacles before Palestinians with Jerusalem identities.

Our Palestinian managing editor, the Jerusalem-born Leila Dabdoub, is a personal victim of this policy. She has lived in Santiago Chile with her Chilean born-Palestinian husband for over five years, to try to gain a Chilean passport to protect her ability to live in Jerusalem. Unfortunately, this may also not guarantee her ability to return and stay in Jerusalem, because a foreign passport requires a renewed visa every three months, which will be difficult to obtain.


There is a clear Israeli policy to try to "dilute" the Palestinian population in Jerusalem, which is not working, but it does create serious harassment and complications for individual Palestinians. — Hillel Schenker (co-editor, PIJ)

This is Zeina Ashrawi Hutchinson, Hanan Ashrawi's daughter, telling her story:
Denied the Right to go Home (June 21, 2008)

I am Palestinian – born and raised – and my Palestinian roots go back centuries. No one can change that even if they tell me that Jerusalem , my birth place, is not Palestine, even if they tell me that Palestine doesn't exist, even if they take away all my papers and deny me entry to my own home, even if they humiliate me and take away my rights. I AM PALESTINIAN.

Name: Zeina Emile Sam'an Ashrawi; Date of Birth: July 30, 1981; Ethnicity: Arab. This is what was written on my Jerusalem ID card. An ID card to a Palestinian is much more than just a piece of paper; it is my only legal documented relationship to Palestine . Born in Jerusalem , I was given a Jerusalem ID card (the blue ID), an Israeli Travel Document and a Jordanian Passport stamped Palestinian (I have no legal rights in Jordan ). I do not have an Israeli Passport, a Palestinian Passport or an American Passport.

Here is my story:

I came to the United States as a 17 year old to finish high school in Pennsylvania and went on to college and graduate school and subsequently got married and we are currently living in Northern Virginia. I have gone home every year at least once to see my parents, my family and my friends and to renew my Travel Document as I was only able to extend its validity once a year from Washington DC . My father and I would stand in line at the Israeli Ministry of Interior in Jerusalem , along with many other Palestinians, from 4:30 in the morning to try our luck at making it through the revolving metal doors of the Ministry before noon – when the Ministry closed its doors - to try and renew the Travel Document. We did that year after year. As a people living under an occupation, being faced with constant humiliation by an occupier was the norm but we did what we had to do to insure our identity was not stolen from us.

In August of 2007 I went to the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC to try and extend my travel document and get the usual "Returning Resident" VISA that the Israelis issue to Palestinians holding an Israeli Travel Document. After watching a few Americans and others being told that their visas would be ready in a couple of weeks my turn came. I walked up to the bulletproof glass window shielding the lady working behind it and under a massive picture of the Dome of the Rock and the Walls of Jerusalem that hangs on the wall in the Israeli consulate, I handed her my papers through a little slot at the bottom of the window.

"Shalom" she said with a smile. "Hi" I responded, apprehensive and scared. As soon as she saw my Travel Document her demeanor immediately changed. The smile was no longer there and there was very little small talk between us, as usual. After sifting through the paperwork I gave her she said: "where is your American Passport?" I explained to her that I did not have one and that my only Travel Document is the one she has in her hands. She was quiet for a few seconds and then said: "you don't have an American Passport?" suspicious that I was hiding information from her. "No!" I said. She was quiet for a little longer and then said: "Well, I am not sure we'll be able to extend your Travel Document." I felt the blood rushing to my head as this is my only means to get home! I asked her what she meant by that and she went on to tell me that since I had been living in the US and because I had a Green Card they would not extend my Travel Document. After taking a deep breath to try and control my temper I explained to her that a Green Card is not a Passport and I cannot use it to travel outside the US . My voice was shaky and I was getting more and more upset (and a mini shouting match ensued) so I asked her to explain to me what I needed to do. She told me to leave my paperwork and we would see what happens.

A couple of weeks later I received a phone call from the lady telling me that she was able to extended my Travel Document but I would no longer be getting the "Returning Resident" VISA. Instead, I was given a 3 month tourist VISA. Initially I was happy to hear that the Travel Document was extended but then I realized that she said "tourist VISA". Why am I getting a tourist VISA to go home? Not wanting to argue with her about the 3 month VISA at the time so as not to jeopardize the extension of my Travel Document, I simply put that bit of information on the back burner and went on to explain to her that I wasn't going home in the next 3 months. She instructed me to come back and apply for another VISA when I did intend on going. She didn't add much and just told me that it was ready for pick-up. So I went to the Embassy and got my Travel Document and the tourist VISA that was stamped in it. My husband, my son and I were planning on going home to Palestine this summer. So a month before we were set to leave (July 8, 2008) I went to the Israeli Embassy in Washington DC , papers in hand, to ask for a VISA to go home. I, again, stood in line and watched others get VISAs to go to my home. When my turn came I walked up to the window; "Shalom" she said with a smile on her face, "Hi" I replied. I slipped the paperwork in the little slot under the bulletproof glass and waited for the usual reaction. I told her that I needed a returning resident VISA to go home. She took the paperwork and I gave her a check for the amount she requested and left the Embassy without incident.

A few days ago I got a phone call from Dina at the Israeli Embassy telling me that she needed the expiration date of my Jordanian Passport and my Green Card. I had given them all the paperwork they needed time and time again and I thought it was a good way on their part to waste time so that I didn't get my VISA in time. Regardless, I called over and over again only to get their voice mail. I left a message with the information they needed but kept called every 10 minutes hoping to speak to someone to make sure that they received the information in an effort to expedite the tedious process. I finally got a hold of someone. I told her that I wanted to make sure they received the information I left on their voice mail and that I wanted to make sure that my paperwork was in order. She said, after consulting with someone in the background (I assume it was Dina), that I needed to fax copies of both my Jordanian Passport and my Green Card and that giving them the information over the phone wasn't acceptable. So I immediately made copies and faxed them to Dina. A few hours later my cell phone rang. "Zeina?" she said. "Yes" I replied, knowing exactly who it was and immediately asked her if she received the fax I sent. She said: "ehhh, I was not looking at your file when you called earlier but your Visa was denied and your ID and Travel Document are no longer valid."

"Excuse me?" I said in disbelief. "Sorry, I cannot give you a visa and your ID and Travel Document are no longer valid. This decision came from Israel not from me."

I cannot describe the feeling I got in the pit of my stomach. "Why?" I asked and Dina went on to tell me that it was because I had a Green Card. I tried to reason with Dina and to explain to her that they could not do that as this is my only means of travel home and that I wanted to see my parents, but to no avail. Dina held her ground and told me that I wouldn't be given the VISA and then said: "Let the Americans give you a Travel Document".

I have always been a strong person and not one to show weakness but at that moment I lost all control and started crying while Dina was on the other end of the line holding my only legal documents linking me to my home. I began to plead with her to try and get the VISA and not revoke my documents; "put yourself in my shoes, what would you do? You want to go see your family and someone is telling you that you can't! What would you do? Forget that you're Israeli and that I'm Palestinian and think about this for a minute!" "Sorry" she said,"I know but I can't do anything, the decision came from Israel ". I tried to explain to her over and over again that I could not travel without my Travel Document and that they could not do that – knowing that they could, and they had!

This has been happening to many Palestinians who have a Jerusalem ID card. The Israeli government has been practicing and perfecting the art of ethnic cleansing since 1948 right under the nose of the world and no one has the power or the guts to do anything about it. Where else in the world does one have to beg to go to one's own home? Where else in the world does one have to give up their identity for the sole reason of living somewhere else for a period of time? Imagine if an American living in Spain for a few years wanted to go home only to be told by the American government that their American Passport was revoked and that they wouldn't be able to come back! If I were a Jew living anywhere around the world and had no ties to the area and had never set foot there, I would have the right to go any time I wanted and get an Israeli Passport. In fact, the Israelis encourage that. I however, am not Jewish but I was born and raised there, my parents, family and friends still live there and I cannot go back! I am neither a criminal nor a threat to one of the most power countries in the world, yet I am alienated and expelled from my own home.

As it stands right now, I will be unable to go home – I am one of many.

Note to the above, a communication from Prof. Naomi Chazan, a former Meretz Member of Knesset: Zehava Galon [a current Meretz MK] has been working on Zeina's case for the past week, as well as others of this sort. It is crucial to get a campaign going with broad public impact.
Scottish Executive considering extending FOI (Scotland) Act

Press release
30/06/2008
The prospect of extending the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act to cover more organisations carrying out certain public functions has been raised.

Parliamentary Business Minister Bruce Crawford said the Government is committed to fully exploring the issues around coverage but stressed that a final decision on extending coverage would be taken only after consultation with interested parties and those organisations potentially affected.

As a first step, Mr Crawford will have discussions with interested parties about bringing within the scope of the Act the following organisations:
  • Registered social landlords
  • Contractors who provide public services that are a function of a public authority (for example, contractors providing prison services)
  • Local authority trusts or bodies set up by local authorities (for example, bodies set up by local authorities as limited companies to run leisure facilities)

Full press release.

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Bike Box!

Bike Box!

Newcomers in Sonoma

The Newcomers Tournament, with around 140 folks attending, was a tremendous success, we heard. The food, the people, and the atmosphere.
The nice photos are courtesy of Peggy, who came down with a 20-player delegation from Dry Creek!

Needless to say, I love those events, and we can but encourage every club to do something like that once a year. In the beginning of the season preferably, so new adepts have many months to enjoy their new hobby.

Newcomers in Sonoma

The Newcomers Tournament, with around 140 folks attending, was a tremendous success, we heard. The food, the people, and the atmosphere.
The nice photos are courtesy of Peggy, who came down with a 20-player delegation from Dry Creek!

Needless to say, I love those events, and we can but encourage every club to do something like that once a year. In the beginning of the season preferably, so new adepts have many months to enjoy their new hobby.

Fresno petanque in the press

The Fresno Bee published an excellent article about the FPC, with to the point quotes from several players. A must read!
Fresno Bee - June 26 2008

And one more for our list. Only 89 to go!

FPC also publishes their own interesting monthly newsletter:
here's the June issue. In the May issue you can read how new boules are christened, with champagne and all!

Fresno petanque in the press

The Fresno Bee published an excellent article about the FPC, with to the point quotes from several players. A must read!
Fresno Bee - June 26 2008

And one more for our list. Only 89 to go!

FPC also publishes their own interesting monthly newsletter:
here's the June issue. In the May issue you can read how new boules are christened, with champagne and all!

Paul Ellingworth on Reading Through Hebrews 1-7

The following article is now on-line in PDF:

Paul Ellingworth, "Reading through Hebrews 1-7," Epworth Review 12.1 (Jan. 1985): 80-88.

I found this to be a very good overview from a specialist on the epistle to the Hebrews- well worth a read.

Ronald E. Clements on Prophecy and Fulfillment

The following article is now on-line in PDF:

Ronald E. Clements, "Prophecy and Fulfillment," Epworth Review 10.3 (Sept. 1983): 72-82.

While I disagree that fulfilled prophecy no longer has any value in apologetics I found this an interesting study.

Friday, June 27, 2008

Petanque in Dallas

Here's a report on last weekends' tournament from Bill (aka TON'R Bill):

The Dallas Pétanque Group held their annual “Start of Summer Pétanque Tournament and Pique-nique” on Sunday, 22 June 2008. This year the players braved both the blazing sun and some stiff competition. Nine teams competed and after all the dust settled three teams were triumphant. The Champion’s Trophy and Gold Medals went to Jean and Pascal. The Silver Medals were claimed by Jimmy and Stéphane and Bill and Geo garnered the Bronze Medals. The organization went smoothly and everyone had a great time both for the Pétanque games and the sampling the vast array of foods for the Pique-nique. Pétanque is growing in the Dallas area with new faces seen at our tournaments.

The Dallas group has 2 play locations, which we've added to Petanque in the USA

Petanque in Dallas

Here's a report on last weekends' tournament from Bill (aka TON'R Bill):

The Dallas Pétanque Group held their annual “Start of Summer Pétanque Tournament and Pique-nique” on Sunday, 22 June 2008. This year the players braved both the blazing sun and some stiff competition. Nine teams competed and after all the dust settled three teams were triumphant. The Champion’s Trophy and Gold Medals went to Jean and Pascal. The Silver Medals were claimed by Jimmy and Stéphane and Bill and Geo garnered the Bronze Medals. The organization went smoothly and everyone had a great time both for the Pétanque games and the sampling the vast array of foods for the Pique-nique. Pétanque is growing in the Dallas area with new faces seen at our tournaments.

The Dallas group has 2 play locations, which we've added to Petanque in the USA

Neuton Battery-Powered Mowers Look & Cut Cool

All you will smell is fresh cut grass. This sounds like a godsend for asthma sufferers and those who want to make a personal statement in preventing smog and global warming. The Neuton Mower runs on battery power. It is so quiet you can hear the birds singing while you mow.

"The sleek little mower, which looks a bit like a grass-eating version of the Toyota Prius, fires up at the touch of a button and quietly hums along for an hour before it nees recharging." --The Colorado Springs Gazette

Maryland & Virginia Electricity Bill Increases

The Maryland Public Service Commission approved a 50% electricity rate increaese for the 1.1 million Baltimore Gas & Electric residential customers that went into effect on June 1, 2007.

Dominion Virgina Power is increasing rates for its customers 18 percent beginning on July 1, 2008. Rates for commercial customers will rise 20 to 44 percent depending on usage. The Virginia State Corporation Commission approved the Dominion rate increases.

Although the rate increases are mostly a result of botched deregulation (retail rates were frozen for about a decade in the hope that competition would take hold in the states - - it did not). Yet some are questioning the 'stranded cost' relief the utilities received that in the case of Dominion equals between $1 and $2 billion.

The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008

AAEA is supporting The Renewable Energy and Job Creation Act of 2008 (H.R. 6049), which extends for another eight years the investment tax credit for installing solar energy, extends for one year the production tax credit for producing wind power and for three years the credits for geothermal, wave energy and other renewables. The bill is sponsored by House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY), right, and passed in the House of Representatives on May 21, 2008 with 263 Ayes, 160 Nays, 12 Present/Not Voting.

Unfortunately, the bill has stalled in the Senate being unable to invoke cloture: Jun 10, 2008 failed a cloture motion, preventing consideration of the bill with 50 Ayes, 44 Nays, 6 Present/Not Voting. Jun 17, 2008 failed a cloture motion, preventing consideration of the bill with 52 Ayes, 44 Nays, 4 Present/Not Voting.

GREEN PRODUCTS

Carolyn Barnes, left, contacted us about her green products. Many of you might be familiar with the melaluca brand of products (catalog). In addition to being a wellness coach, Carolyn conducts a healthy home tour. The amazing fact is, the most common substance to poison children is a household cleaner. Many of these products are considered safe! Think of your own home - you probably have dozens of bottles of cleaners, containing hundreds of chemicals. Could an accident happen in your home? Find out today by taking a Tour of Healthy House.

Carolyn Barnes is pictured above at left holding a bottle of MonaVie, made from the legendary Acai Berry, is one of the few Brazilian exports that can directly protect the mighty Amazon rainforest itself.

New Leaf Paper LLC - - a maker of recycled paper.

Eco-Products Inc - - a Boulder, Colorado company that makes comnpostable dinnerware. They use a corn-based polymer produces by NatureWorks LLC of Minnetonka, Minnesota, a unit of Cargill & Teijin Ltd. of Japan.

TerraCycle - - a maker of fertilizer from worm castings is marketing an artificial fire log for winter chimney use that has soy was as a key component.

Annie's Inc - - a Napa, California-based maker of organic macaroni and cheese, pizza and other foods.

"Shared Space" Experiment Begins in German Town



The main challenge is to improve the quality of public spaces and the living environment without needing to restrict or ban motorized traffic.

One tool to help in that effort is to do away with traffic lights and street signs.

"European Union traffic experts have helped to redesign the long through-road into an open square with no street signs whatsoever. The idea is for vehicles and pedestrians to use shared space in town, and to enhance the quality of public space without banning traffic completely," explains Mayor Klaus Goedejohann.

ABC News

"Shared Space" Experiment Begins in German Town



The main challenge is to improve the quality of public spaces and the living environment without needing to restrict or ban motorized traffic.

One tool to help in that effort is to do away with traffic lights and street signs.

"European Union traffic experts have helped to redesign the long through-road into an open square with no street signs whatsoever. The idea is for vehicles and pedestrians to use shared space in town, and to enhance the quality of public space without banning traffic completely," explains Mayor Klaus Goedejohann.

ABC News

Supreme Court Gives Exxon Relief and Guns To DC

We agree with both Supreme Court decisions. Exxon had a horrible accident in Alaska trying to service America's, as President George Bush calls it, "oil addiction," and spent a couple billion on trying to clean up the oily mess it created. But America cannot have it both ways. We cannot want to use at least 20 million barrels of oil every single day, yet demonize the oil industry for doing what it takes to service this very important public need. The court ruled 5-3 to slash the $2.5 billion in punitive damages in the Exxon Valdez disaster to $500 million on June 25. Justice Samuel Alito recused himself in the case because he owns Exxon stock. In 1989, the supertanker dumped 11 million gallons of crude oil into Alaska's Prince William Sound, fouling 1,200 miles of coastline. A jury decided in 1994 that Exxon should pay $5 billion in punitive damages. In 2006, a federal appeals court cut that verdict in half. Exxon has spent $3.4 billion to clean up the spill and compensate Native Alaskans, landowners and commercial fishermen. Nearly 33,000 plaintiffs are in line to share in the award, an average of about $15,000 a person.

The Supreme Court in a 5 to 4 decision struck down the District of Columbia's ban on handgun possession on June 26 deciding for the first time in U.S. history that the Second Amendment guarantees an individual's right to own a gun for self-defense. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the majority opinion and was joined by Chief Justice John G. Robers, Jr., Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas and Samuel A. Alito, Jr.:

"We hold that the District's ban on handgun possession in the home violates the Second Amendment, as does its prohibition against rendering any lawful firearm in the home operable for the purpose of immediate self-defense. The Second Amendment surely elevates above all other interests the right of law-abiding, responsible citizens to use arms in defense of hearth and home."

Dissenting justices included Stephen G. Breyer, John Paul Stevens, David H. Souter and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

We agree with this ruling because law abiding citizens of the District of Columbia and other violence prone cities should be able to protect themselves in their homes. The gun ban has not reduced gun violence in the District of Columbia and Black-on-Black murder with guns is the most immediate environmental threat to youth all over America.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Apple Pan and In-N-Out Revisited


When I visited the Apple Pan the other day I completely forgot to give a copy of the new book to one of my hamburger heroes Charles Collins. Charles has been working at the Apple Pan for over 50 years now, and as I put it in the book, he has devoted a lifetime to your burger pleasure. The least I could do was get a book to him. So today, I made a second trip in 3 days and of course had another Hickory Burger. I was with a friend and he opted for the Steakburger (both pictured). I think Charles was happy to see the book.

After scarfing the burger, we headed over to In-N-Out again, this time to try out the Fries, Animal Style I spotted the other day. We hit a West LA location and after a short wait saw the fabled fry concoction for the first time. It was a tasty pile of goodness, melted cheese, sauteed onions, and special sauce piled high on their fresh-cut fries. It was actually a meal in itself and after the Hickory Burger and another In-N-Out cheeseburger I had a hard time finishing the fries.

Tomorrow I travel home, but on Saturday I'll be in New Haven, CT, at the famous 'birthplace' of the hamburger, Louis' Lunch.

Apple Pan and In-N-Out Revisited


When I visited the Apple Pan the other day I completely forgot to give a copy of the new book to one of my hamburger heroes Charles Collins. Charles has been working at the Apple Pan for over 50 years now, and as I put it in the book, he has devoted a lifetime to your burger pleasure. The least I could do was get a book to him. So today, I made a second trip in 3 days and of course had another Hickory Burger. I was with a friend and he opted for the Steakburger (both pictured). I think Charles was happy to see the book.

After scarfing the burger, we headed over to In-N-Out again, this time to try out the Fries, Animal Style I spotted the other day. We hit a West LA location and after a short wait saw the fabled fry concoction for the first time. It was a tasty pile of goodness, melted cheese, sauteed onions, and special sauce piled high on their fresh-cut fries. It was actually a meal in itself and after the Hickory Burger and another In-N-Out cheeseburger I had a hard time finishing the fries.

Tomorrow I travel home, but on Saturday I'll be in New Haven, CT, at the famous 'birthplace' of the hamburger, Louis' Lunch.

Israel vs. Iran

Last Friday’s NY Times ran what I found to be a startling report of a large-scale Israeli military exercise in the Mediterranean and over Greece, apparently with that country’s cooperation, in early June. This was confirmed (among other places) in the Pan Arab Middle East Times. This exercise reportedly included over 100 Israeli fighter-bombers, rescue helicopters and refueling aircraft.

There was also a CBS evening news story under the headline, "Israel Prodding U.S. To Attack Iran." Michael Oren, the well-known Israeli historian, is now also a CBS news consultant. He indicates:


"The Israelis have been assured by the Bush administration that the Bush administration will not allow Iran to nuclearize," Oren said. "Israelis are uncertain about what would be the policies of the next administration vis-à-vis Iran."

Israel's message is simple: If you don't, we will. ...but military analysts say Israel can not do it alone.

"Keep in mind that Israel does not have strategic bombers," Oren said. "The Israeli Air Force is not the American Air Force. Israel can not eliminate Iran's nuclear program."

Israel is said to be operating under the assumption that Iran can have an operational nuclear weapon by some time next year, while the US military sees such a development as several years off.

All this is scary from a number of angles, and both the prospect of Iran going nuclear and of Israel and/or the United States attacking to prevent this, appear hazardous in the extreme. The new Meretz party chair, Chaim Oron, advised caution in a conference call with Meretz USA: "The Iranian issue is serious and real, and it's one that Israel needs to face alongside the international community. Israel is part of this community, but it shouldn't try to handle this alone."

I often joust in email and online with people who are hostile to Israel. The Iraq war has been unjustly blamed on Israel and the so-called "Israel Lobby." Sadly, war with Iran would be largely about Israel, but I see this as mostly because of Iran’s religiously-inspired hatred.

The people of Israel have been repeatedly subject to the rantings of President Ahmadinejad about how the Holocaust is a "theory" and that Israel will soon disappear. At the same time, Iran is eager to develop nuclear power and has resisted international inspections that would certify what it claims is not an arms program. Moreover, Iran has long-range missiles that they boast have the capability of hitting Israel.

Israel's fears are based upon adding two plus two. Iran can easily allay these fears by allowing international inspections and curtailing its hostile rhetoric.

Would I want to see less provocative rhetoric from Israel and the US? Of course. Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz’s statement that an attack on Iran is "inevitable" didn’t help. This was posturing by a politician contending for the leadership of his Kadima party and for the job of prime minister (God help us).

But Israel is far more vulnerable than Iran (being so much smaller) and it's Iran that started this game with its hostility.

I do not believe that Israel should attack Iran (this is not likely to destroy Iran's nuclear program and it promises untold pain for all), but I don’t blame Israel in the least for feeling threatened. Ahmadinejad's provocations are as clear as day.

It is argued by apologists for Ahmadinejad that he has been misquoted, that he is musing philosophically about the end of Israel’s current ("Zionist") form of government. One such speaker of Farsi, whom I’ve dialogued with, quotes Ahmadinejad as saying: "the regime that occupies Jerusalem should be wiped clean from the pages of history." To me this sounds exactly like advocating Israel's destruction.

There is a ray of hope and a possible model in the deal just announced with North Korea, which is publicly dismantling facilities and the US, in return, is taking it off the State Department list of terrorist states and pledging its peaceful intent.


Iran, Israel and the US all need to cool their rhetoric. But since it’s Iran that has brought about this crisis, it needs either to go first, or to secretly engage in diplomacy in an effort to step away from the brink.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

A Fun Book Signing at Irv's!


This afternoon I had a scheduled book signing at Irv's Burgers in West Hollywood. Not a lot of people showed up (4pm on a tuesday is kinda rough for most) but those who did come down were great. I did what I love to do most, which is to sit around and wax nostalgic about America. I completely lost track of time and spent almost 2 hours chatting with my new friends Paul, Ted, and screenwriter/author Carl Gottlieb. I also got to eat one of my favorite burgers in LA - an Irv's double with cheese, pickles, mustard and mayo. While I was eating at my usual spot at one of the three beat-up stools only 5 feet from the traffic of Santa Monica Blvd., I noticed some grilled onions on the griddle. I had no idea that Sonia offered grilled onions. New friend Ted told me that I must get one of Sonia's breakfast burritos next time I'm near Irv's in the AM. I asked Sonia to pose for a photo out front and she quickly complied (above). I had no idea how tiny this burger icon was! (Or maybe I'm huge). The photo was snapped by DJ, the bookseller that came from Book Soup to sell books.

A Fun Book Signing at Irv's!


This afternoon I had a scheduled book signing at Irv's Burgers in West Hollywood. Not a lot of people showed up (4pm on a tuesday is kinda rough for most) but those who did come down were great. I did what I love to do most, which is to sit around and wax nostalgic about America. I completely lost track of time and spent almost 2 hours chatting with my new friends Paul, Ted, and screenwriter/author Carl Gottlieb. I also got to eat one of my favorite burgers in LA - an Irv's double with cheese, pickles, mustard and mayo. While I was eating at my usual spot at one of the three beat-up stools only 5 feet from the traffic of Santa Monica Blvd., I noticed some grilled onions on the griddle. I had no idea that Sonia offered grilled onions. New friend Ted told me that I must get one of Sonia's breakfast burritos next time I'm near Irv's in the AM. I asked Sonia to pose for a photo out front and she quickly complied (above). I had no idea how tiny this burger icon was! (Or maybe I'm huge). The photo was snapped by DJ, the bookseller that came from Book Soup to sell books.

F.F. Bruce on Commentaries on Acts

The following article is now online in PDF:

F.F. Bruce, "Commentaries on Acts," Epworth Review 8.3 (Sept. 1981): 82-87.

I was fortunate recently to have access to the full run of Epworth Review and Methodist Publishing House have given me permission to reproduce a number of articles. In this article F.F. Bruce provides a helpful review of commentaries written on Acts up to 1981.

Burning Man, Environmental Disaster?



POWERED BY 2,000 GALLONS OF PROPANE and 900 gallons of jet fuel, the mushroom cloud thundered across Nevada's Black Rock Desert, incinerating a 99-foot-tall wooden oil derrick and deluging thousands of art- and party-loving spectators with a 2.4-gigawatt blast of heat and light. Loudspeakers blared a dark, off-key rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Eight towering, humanlike metal sculptures representing the world's religions bowed in worship before the flaming spectacle, said to symbolize the impending crash of our fossil-fuel-addicted civilization.

(Not to mention the tens of thousands of people who drive large vehicles to this party every year. - ed)

Sierra Club Magazine

Burning Man, Environmental Disaster?



POWERED BY 2,000 GALLONS OF PROPANE and 900 gallons of jet fuel, the mushroom cloud thundered across Nevada's Black Rock Desert, incinerating a 99-foot-tall wooden oil derrick and deluging thousands of art- and party-loving spectators with a 2.4-gigawatt blast of heat and light. Loudspeakers blared a dark, off-key rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner." Eight towering, humanlike metal sculptures representing the world's religions bowed in worship before the flaming spectacle, said to symbolize the impending crash of our fossil-fuel-addicted civilization.

(Not to mention the tens of thousands of people who drive large vehicles to this party every year. - ed)

Sierra Club Magazine

AAEA Featured in "Black Enterprise" Magazine



AAEA is featured in the June issue of Black Enterprise magazine in an article entitled, "Environmental Group Strives To Educate." The article was written by Erinn Johnson and AAEA President Norris McDonald is quoted:


McDonald believes that it’s important to reach the African American community in relatable ways. “I’m trying to break the stigma and stereotypes of what an environmentalist is, and repackage it to reach our community,” he says. The organization also reaches its target audience through various programs. McDonald hopes that the group will hit home with African Americans when it comes to issues that they can relate to, one being asthma. “Black people have the power to influence policy issues just as long as they are educated and aware of the issues.” “Our communities are often the path of least resistance for waste,” he explains. McDonald encourages African Americans to voice their opinions, as there is currently no national legislation to protect communities from such toxic waste.

Preview new issue of ISRAEL HORIZONS

ISRAEL HORIZONS magazine is the periodical of Meretz USA, published in hard copy four times a year. Previously associated with Americans for Progressive Israel, it has been published, more or less continuously, since 1952. A preview of the summer 2008 issue is newly accessible. Learn with a click of your mouse how to enjoy its entire contents by receiving it regularly.

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Portland Ciclovia: The Movie

Thanks Clarence for documenting the start of a healthy cities revolution in the USA!

Portland Ciclovia: The Movie

Thanks Clarence for documenting the start of a healthy cities revolution in the USA!

First New Nuclear Plant Will Be Built In Mississippi

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) held two public environmental scoping meetings at the Port Gibson City Hall in Port Gibson, Mississippi on June 19. The meetings are part of NRC's review of an application submitted by Entergy Operations Inc (EOI) for a combined license (COL) for construction and operation of a new nuclear power plant at it Grand Gulf Nuclear Station (GGNS) site in Claiborne County, Mississippi. The first meeting was held at 1 p.m. and the second meeting was held at 7 p.m. The NRC presented an overview of the COL environmental review process and described how the process will be implemented for the review of the GGNS COL application. AAEA participated in the meetings (see videos below).


The proposed new reactor, designated GGNS Unit 3, would be located within a 2,100 acre site, situated approximately 6 miles northwest of Port Gibson, Mississippi. EOI currently operates one reactor, GGNS Unit 1 on the site and plans to construct Unit 3 adjacent to the existing reactor. Plans for a unit 2 never happened, but to avoid confusion, the proposed unit is being designated Unit 3. The construction site cleared for GGNS Unit 3 covrs approximately 234 acres within EOI's 2,100 acre site.

EOI submitted the application for the COL by letter dated February 27, 2008. The application was accepted for docketing on April 24, 2008. The application is liste under NRC's Agencywide Documents Access Management System (ADAMS)under accession number ML080640433. The EOI COL application is also available on the Internet.


In addition, roughly 30 NRC staffers visited Mississippi to gather data at Grand Gulf on June 16 and met with the New Plant organization June 17 through June 18.

First Stop, In-N-Out



We landed at LAX and went right to the now-famous In-N-Out at the end of the runway. The family had not been in LA for more than an hour and we were already enjoying fresh cheeseburgers and hand-cut fries from one of my all-time favorite California burger stops. The vegetarian wife though had never been to an In-N-Out so I thought she'd enjoy an item from the secret menu, the 'Grilled Cheese with grilled onions', which is basically a cheeseburger, lettuce, onion, and tomato, without the meat. She was not impressed. I guess that's what I get for taking a vegetarian to a fast food burger joint.

As I was waiting for our food something caught my eye. "Were those chili-cheese fries that just went by?" I asked as two orders of fries heaped with something good passed. "Nope. Those are 
fries Animal Style," a cheery employee told me. We all know by now the extensive secret menu and the long list of goodness you can order and sound like a pro, but somehow the Fries, Animal Style slipped right by me. Imagine fries, those yummy, fresh fries, covered in melted cheese, grilled onions, and a large squirt of their signature thousand island dressing. Too bad I had just downed two Double-Doubles or I would have indulged. There's always tomorrow...

This morning the Apple Pan was the plan for an early lunch. I knew that if you get there at 11:45 seats are always available. Get there at Noon and you're screwed. I chatted with Charlie, owner Sunny, Lupe, and a few other countermen. I ordered my usual Hickory Burger (pictured) and fries, but skipped the milk today for root beer. The wife and kids ordered their famous and tasty tuna sandwiches and by the time we finished (10 mins) the place was mobbed.

Tomorrow I'll be signing books at Irv's Burgers in West Hollywood. Thursday, a visit to Marty's.

First Stop, In-N-Out



We landed at LAX and went right to the now-famous In-N-Out at the end of the runway. The family had not been in LA for more than an hour and we were already enjoying fresh cheeseburgers and hand-cut fries from one of my all-time favorite California burger stops. The vegetarian wife though had never been to an In-N-Out so I thought she'd enjoy an item from the secret menu, the 'Grilled Cheese with grilled onions', which is basically a cheeseburger, lettuce, onion, and tomato, without the meat. She was not impressed. I guess that's what I get for taking a vegetarian to a fast food burger joint.

As I was waiting for our food something caught my eye. "Were those chili-cheese fries that just went by?" I asked as two orders of fries heaped with something good passed. "Nope. Those are 
fries Animal Style," a cheery employee told me. We all know by now the extensive secret menu and the long list of goodness you can order and sound like a pro, but somehow the Fries, Animal Style slipped right by me. Imagine fries, those yummy, fresh fries, covered in melted cheese, grilled onions, and a large squirt of their signature thousand island dressing. Too bad I had just downed two Double-Doubles or I would have indulged. There's always tomorrow...

This morning the Apple Pan was the plan for an early lunch. I knew that if you get there at 11:45 seats are always available. Get there at Noon and you're screwed. I chatted with Charlie, owner Sunny, Lupe, and a few other countermen. I ordered my usual Hickory Burger (pictured) and fries, but skipped the milk today for root beer. The wife and kids ordered their famous and tasty tuna sandwiches and by the time we finished (10 mins) the place was mobbed.

Tomorrow I'll be signing books at Irv's Burgers in West Hollywood. Thursday, a visit to Marty's.
ICO orders release of information relating to 2nd runway at Stansted

Press release 24 June 2008
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has ordered the Department for Transport (DfT) to release information relating to the proposal for a second runway at Stansted airport, under the Environmental Information Regulations.

The Department for Transport refused to release the information on the grounds that the documents relate to the formulation of government policy which resulted in the 2003 White Paper on air transport...

The Information Commissioner acknowledged that the timing of a freedom of information request is an important consideration where different policy options are being examined and debated. However, the ICO notes that in this case DfT’s decision to withhold the information was made nearly two years after the White Paper was published. In the Information Commissioner’s view there was therefore little risk of disclosure prejudicing the policy-making process as the Government’s policy choices had already been set out.

The Information Commissioner believes that the disclosure of information relating to policy formulation can be valuable in helping to inform public debate and encourage transparency in relation to the decision making process.
The press release also comments that the ICO's investigation was unnecessarily delayed by the DfT continually requesting additional time. An Information Notice was issued by the ICO requesting details of the efforts the Department had made to locate the requested information.

Read the full press release and decision notice.

Boxer Versus Inhofe on Global Warming: Inhofe Wins

Global warming skeptic Senator James Inhofe delivered a knockout blow to Senate Environmental and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer. Inhofe turned the global warming bill into a 'tax' by describing it as another way to raise energy prices. It worked. Although nobody really expected global warming legislation to pass this year, the 'Big Mo' was building until high gasoline and electricity prices scared the public back into its myopia.

Senator Boxer did get 48 of the 60 votes needed to pass the Lieberman-Warner legislation. AAEA supported the bill and generally supports climate change legislation. We do no support auctioning the offsets. That increases the price tag. The second heavyweight global warming fight will see a new president in office and a new energy bill will probably be in play. But unless energy prices start moving south, prospects for any climate change legislation will be dim. The Ali-Frazier contest still favors Ali (Boxer as Ali and Inhofe as Frazier).
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