Arizona @ MindSay

Duct tape, Biohazard labs, and Q fever

“Every once in awhile we read about a breech in the security of biomedical laboratories. Sometimes these are serious, such as when the Ebola like Marburg virus outbreak in German lab workers that killed seven people in 1967. But many barely make the front pages. The latest outbreak from biomedical laboratories occurred at the esteemed CDC laboratory in Atlanta last year, when several people came down with Q fever.” (Blogger News Network; 25June08; Nancy Reyes)

http://www.bloggernews.net/116394

Morphotek to develop bio-warfare therapy

“The U.S. Defense Department has contracted Morphotek Inc. to further develop antibody therapies for soldiers exposed to microbial biological weapons. Pennsylvania-based Morphotek was awarded $1.7 million in funding support to continue development of biologic-based monoclonal antibody therapies. Officials say the therapies are an effort to develop therapeutic mAbs to treat diseases threatening soldiers when exposed to biological warfare pathogens.” (UPI; 24June08) http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2008/06/24/Morphotek_to_develop_bio-warfare_therapy/UPI-16741214324946/

Smiths Detection Launches Smart Trigger for Biological Agent Detection

“Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announced the launch of SmartBio(TM) Sensor (SBS), a real-time detector for biological agents or airborne toxins. SBS provides a visual or audio alarm when a bio-threat is detected and classifies the agent by threat category.” (Centre Daily; 25June08) http://www.centredaily.com/business/technology/story/677860.html

Training course on implementation of CWC concluded

“A training course on implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) was concluded here on Wednesday. The two-day course, which was organized by the National Committee for Banning Chemical, Biological and Poisonous Weapons (NCBCBPW) in cooperation with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), aimed at elaborating capabilities of 30 participants of customs employees on dealing with chemical substances used in chemical weapons industry.” (Saba News; 25June08) http://www.sabanews.net/en/news157529.htm

Opening Address at the Global Biological-Chemical Training Event [Patricia A. McNerney, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Security and Nonproliferation]

“I want to join in thanking each of you for taking the time to participate in this important training conference. I know that many of you have traveled a great distance to be here today, and that each of you has an essential role to play in further promoting chemical and biological safety and security. I applaud your interest and proactive collaboration. I also thank our local hosts in Thailand, who continue to provide an invaluable resource for these regional events, as well as our Embassy staff and technical trainers, without whom this event would not be possible.” (State Department; 24June08) http://www.state.gov/t/isn/rls/rm/106214.htm

Cell’s inner workings described

“He lived in Luton, north of London. Other than that, Mohammed Junaid Babar knew him only as ‘Q.’ Babar, a key witness in the Khawaja terrorism trial, testified yesterday that in the summer of 2003 this man, known only by an initial, sent young Islamic radicals to Pakistan on ‘fact-finding missions.’ […] There were also lessons in poisoning, with Babar keeping ‘a little seed’ of ricin in his house.” (Winnipeg Sun; 25June08; Donna Casey) http://winnipegsun.com/News/Canada/2008/06/25/5978691-sun.html

Tests for poison leave Bangladeshi lawyers hooked

“The visiting Bangladeshi attorneys were certainly kept entertained when they arrived to observe proceedings in the Ennis conspiracy to murder trial in the Central Criminal Court. As the trial of Sharon Collins and Essam Eid entered its sixth week, the jury heard details of interviews with the two accused, laboratory tests for ricin poison, as well as ‘disputed charges’ on an American Express credit card registered to Clare businessman PJ Howard.”

(Herald; 24June08)

http://www.herald.ie/national-news/courts/tests-for-poison-leave-bangladeshi-lawyers-hooked-1420233.html

Ark. military arsenal finishes weapons destruction [Bluff Arsenal, Arkansas]

“A simple message in white paint adorned the last VX nerve-agent land mine that rolled through a conveyor belt on its way to incineration at the Pine Bluff Arsenal – ‘LONG TIME COMING.’ With its destruction, central Arkansas became free from the danger posed by deadly nerve agents for the first time since the 1960s, when the weapons arrived at what was once the Army's second largest stockpile in the nation.” (Forbes; 23June08; Jon Gambrell, Associated Press) http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/06/23/ap5144643.html

Mescal veteran hopes his experience will help others

“When Charles 'Roy' Curtis of Mescal realized his hearing was failing, he made an appointment with a doctor at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System. But instead of getting fitted for hearing aids, doctors discovered Curtis had a lung tumor and is likely suffering effects of Agent Orange exposure.” (Benson News; 24June08; Terri Jo Neff) http://www.bensonnews-sun.com/articles/2008/06/24/news/news07.txt

SwRI [Southwest Research Institute] awarded grant to develop nerve agent antidote

“The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command has awarded a one-year, $1.3 million grant to the Southwest Research Institute to develop and test a nerve agent antidote that can be administered with an injection. The institute is currently in the fourth year of a six-year contract to develop and test the stability of a drug that reverses symptoms caused by exposure to a chemical warfare agent.” (San Antonio Business Journal; 24June08)

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanantonio/stories/2008/06/23/daily15.html

Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Protection

“Mark Seed, Subhash Anand, Baljinder Kandola and Robert Fulford review the use of impermeable, permeable and semi-permeable ensembles for military and police forces high-threat situations, with particular emphasis on permeable systems, discussing the selection of fibres, fabrics and laminates, as well as processes. The armed forces and emergency services face an array of extreme conditions that necessitates they use protective clothing. Broadly defined these include threats from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials. Moreover, in a hostile situation the clothing may also be expected to protect against ballistic impacts, shrapnel and slashing.” (Red Orbit; 25June08; Seed, et.al.) http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1448985/chemical_biological_radiological_and_nuclear_protection/

CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.

American Forces Press Service

June 18, 2008 - A congressman from Arizona has recognized a group from his state for its continued dedication to supporting the troops. U.S. Rep. Harry Mitchell honored Packages From Home on June 14 for its efforts and continued support for the nation's servicemembers and for their dedication in providing care packages to U.S. troops.

Packages From Home is a supporter of America Supports You, a Defense Department program connecting citizens and companies with servicemembers and their families serving at home and abroad.

Mitchell recognized Kathleen Lewis and Lisa Benson -- president and executive director, respectively, of Packages From Home -- in a Flag Day ceremony at the state capitol. The three participated in the unveiling of a poster-sized replica of the new Arizona state flag stamp.

Packages from Home has sent more than 140,000 packages to U.S. troops over the past four years. The group also has provided tons of equipment for the troops to use in rest centers in Iraq.

You have my respect.

I totally skipped the month of May. A lot has been going on in my neck of the woods. I have been able to pop on a few times here and there to check out what my peoples have been up to, but really have not had the time to do an actual entry. Here is my usual little bulleted summary of stuff in no particular order of happenings.

• Ben and I broke up. We are still great friends and see each other everyday. He is probably moving to Arizona because he can make nearly almost triple what he does here.
• helendaysauce had her baby!
• My cell phone is on the verge of dying. Evidently a lot of moisture got into it and fucked it up hardcore. I didn't know what to do, so Ben and I went to the Alltel in Merrill seeing as there are no Alltels in Wausau. The dick working asked me "Are you sure this is an Alltel phone?". Uh, yeah...I wouldn't be bringing it to you if it wasn't. It is now working, but hit and miss. Of course, I don't have insurance on it and I have over a year left in my contract.
• It is Woodchuck season again!
• I finally went to the doctor for my anxiety and depression. The doctor put me on Fluoxetine and I am to call him in two weeks to let him know how it is going. So far I am not feeling any different except I am now sleeping through the night.
• Going on two months of overtime at work and people are really getting sick of it; not the pay, but working the long hours and not getting a thank you. Four ten hour days for sure; an occassional fifth ten hour day or a half day is thrown in there.
• My brother graduated from college.
• I have been looking for different fulltime employment since about Thanksgiving and haven't had much luck. Not really expecting much out there now with the current state of the economy.
• I was off of work at the video store for medical reasons and went back in the begining of May to let the manager know I was able to come back to work. He told me that because he didn't know when I was going to be coming back, he hired a bunch of people and now he didn't even have the hours to give them. Is it that hard to give me a call and be like, "Hey Sara, this is Shaun. I was wondering if you had a possible timeline for when you would be coming back. I am looking to be hiring more people and wanted to make sure you were coming back before I started interviewing."
• My brother's band Flash Back has been playing at a bar in Rapids on a regular basis and now is going to be playing there every third Saturday of the month.
• Will be seeing Seether and REO Speedwagon this summer at the fair.
• Had pink-eye. I was really hoping it was just allergies, but of course it couldn't be. Plus, I have never had goopy eyes with allergies, so I knew it was a long shot. The whole week prior to my pink-eye, five out of the seven kids in my classroom had the whole pink-eye like symptoms; none of their doctors would confirm it, but they were treating it with drops just to be on the safe side. Yeah, try to tell me none of them had pink-eye and I ended up with it -- in BOTH eyes.
• I really want to see NKOTB when they tour this summer.
• Brought my bike up from my parents' place. I haven't ridden it much yet. I really need to ride from the apartment to work to see how long it is going to take me to ride to work.
• Might be heading back to the Twin Cities this summer and head back to IKEA and go to the Hard Rock Cafe. I will call ahead and make sure that they have the Lillberg couch before I go.

The Department of Defense (DoD) announced today the award of eight major grants totaling $3.07 million dollars, as part of the 2008 Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Language and Culture Project, sponsored by the National Security Education Program, on behalf of the Defense Language Office. This year's recipients include Arizona State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Louisiana State University, North Georgia College and State University, Texas A&M University, The University of South Florida, The University of Utah, and The Virginia Military Institute.  

The ROTC Language and Culture Project provides opportunities for ROTC Cadets and Midshipmen to study the languages and cultures of world regions critical to U.S. national security, and prepares them to respond to the global challenges of the 21st century. Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness David S. C. Chu emphasized that "increasing the number of less commonly taught languages in college curricula remains a challenge in which we are actively engaged. This is another program that will ensure our forces have language and cultural capabilities necessary for today's global operations."            

Each university will offer something unique to the two-year-old program.

Arizona State University's Critical Languages Institute offers students Tadjik, Uzbek, Tatar, or Russian, and allows participants to travel to the region for cultural immersion. 

Georgia Institute of Technology will use grant funds to develop semester and year-long study abroad opportunities in Korea and the Middle East for students pursuing technical degrees. 

Louisiana State University offers Arabic and Chinese through their Global Studies Residential Hall with residential advisors who will also serve as language tutors, and will fully fund study abroad experiences for participants. 

North Georgia College and State University will develop a creative recruiting strategy to attract cadets and midshipmen from across the state to study Chinese. 

Texas A&M University offers study abroad scholarships and other opportunities for students to study Arabic and Chinese. 

The University of South Florida was selected to receive a planning award which will cover costs associated with aiding and building critical language programs.  

The University of Utah will offer participating ROTC students the option to choose from strategic languages including Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Persian, Hindu-Urdi and Pashto. 

The Virginia Military Institute plans to develop and staff supplementary writing, reading, and oral/aural centers to help their students gain proficiency in Arabic, and provide summer scholarship support for selected students with allotments targeted to science and engineering majors.

Each program will also benefit from association with the National Security Education Program–National Flagship Language Program and have access to successfully proven practices in language curriculum development. Last year a total of two million dollars was awarded to Indiana University, San Diego State University, the University of Mississippi, and the University of Texas-Austin.