New Mexico @ MindSay 
The forensic guy from the FBI [Transcript from Discussion of 2001 ‘Amerithrax Attacks’]
“Dr Bruce Budowle has been in the FBI for over 20 years, heading one of its forensic laboratories. He looks back to the mysterious and still unsolved case of the anthrax envelopes which followed 9/11 […] Dr Budowle has come to Australia's Bond University to share techniques and learn from Professor Angela van Daal's use of genetics to profile human features […]” (ABC Radio National; 17Jul08)
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/inconversation/stories/2008/2299962.htm
Former Western [Pennsylvanian] legislator to enter jail Aug. 1
“Former State Rep. Jeff Habay will report to jail Aug. 1 to serve concurrent sentences for conflict of interest and a bizarre fake anthrax threat. […] the state Supreme Court has denied Habay's appeal of his 2006 no-contest pleas to charges that he falsely claimed to have received a powder-filled envelope from a political opponent. Habay was sentenced to four to eight months in jail in the anthrax case.” (Philadelphia Inquirer; 17Jul08; AP) http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20080717_Former_Western_Pa__legislator_to_enter_jail_Aug__1.html
GAO Notes Mixed Progress on Biosurveillance
“The department has not yet identified what capabilities the National Biosurveillance Integration Center (NBIC) should possess to be considered fully operational […] although DHS is upgrading capabilities for the new center, it will not fully train new personnel using the NBIC information technology system until April 2009 […] Current detectors require 10-34 hours to identify a biological attack from an agent such as anthrax. The new systems finally developed with the DHS Science and technology Directorate would cut that time down to 4-6 hours.” (HS Today; 17Jul08; Mickey McCarter) http://hstoday.us/content/view/4292/128/
Disaster planning money reduced [Washington State]
“Federal money used to help local and state public health agencies plan for disasters is being cut by $3.7 million in Washington, with cuts to Snohomish County and four other northwest Washington counties estimated at $200,000. The regional planning program for Snohomish, Island, Skagit, Whatcom and San Juan counties is losing 21 percent of the federal money […] A national push for public health agencies to plan for emergencies came in the wake of the 2001 terrorist attacks and panic over bioterrorism after anthrax-contaminated letters were sent through the mail. In response, local and state public health agencies received $1.1 billion in federal money to help prepare for future emergencies.” (Herald Net; 18Jul08; Sharon Salyer)
http://heraldnet.com/article/20080718/NEWS01/700231358
Tracking produce proves complex
“More than six weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning about a salmonella outbreak in New Mexico and Texas connected to raw tomatoes. Since then, the agency has expanded the warning nationwide and added jalapeno and serrano peppers. More than 1,100 people have fallen ill since April, but not a single contaminated tomato or pepper has been found.” (Los Angeles Times; 17July08; Annys Shin) http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-salmonella18-2008jul18,0,983085.story
Bomb Squad Blows Up Highly Explosive Acid Found In Walnut Hill [Florida]
“The quart size bottle of picric acid was found in a barn on a farm in the 7800 block of Highway 97, less than a half mile from Ernest Ward Middle School. The bomb squad was called to the scene, and the Walnut Hill Volunteer Fire Department responded about 1:45. […] Besides wartime bomb making, picric was once used diluted as an antiseptic and as a treatment for burns, malaria, herpes and smallpox. It was once also synthesized into a non-explosive insecticide called chloropicrin. Chloropicrin was also used by the Germans and British as a chemical warfare agent during World War Two.” (North Escambia; 17Jul08; William)
http://www.northescambia.com/?p=3098
Poisonous cylinders made safe [Dublin]
“Cylinders of a highly volatile poisonous liquid were disposed of safely in South Dublin today with the help of US environment experts. The seven containers of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) were successfully chemically neutralised without the use of any explosives. […] The cylinders had been stored at the pest control company Rentokil and were moved to the county council owned compound at Grange Castle, Co Dublin for the neutralization.” (Evening Herald; 17Jul08; Sarah Neville) http://www.herald.ie/national-news/poisonous-cylinders-made-safe-1434861.html
Hidden Newnes Forest storage has added to military puzzle
“Earlier this week the Lithgow Mercury published a feature based on interviews conducted by the Illawarra Mercury with ex servicemen now living in the Illawarra region who had worked on secret chemical warfare stockpiles at Marrangaroo and Glenbrook during World War Two. The chemicals included mustard gas imported from America and Britain in contravention of the Geneva Convention to be used in any last ditch defence effort should Australia be invaded. […] There was no way of knowing exactly what was in the drums in the forest but it clearly wasn’t someone’s stash of home brew.” (Lithgow Mercury; 17Jul08; Len Ashworth) http://lithgow.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/hidden-newnes-forest-storage-has-added-to-military-puzzle/813140.aspx
Live in Azalea Park [Orlando, Florida]? Learn about cleanup
“The Army Corps of Engineers will have a community meeting at 6:30 p.m. today [17Jul08] at the Engelwood Neighborhood Center […] The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the investigation into possible contamination left behind in the Azalea Park neighborhood from the former Orlando Army Airfield Toxic Gas and Decontamination Yard.” (Orlando Sentinel; 17Jul08; Rich McKay & Wes Smith) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/services/newspaper/printedition/thursday/orange/orl-orgovwatch17_108jul17,0,857491.story
Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group on Terrorism
“OPCW Director-General Rogelio Pfirter opened the meeting by recalling the recommendations of the Second Review Conference on the OPCW’s response to terrorism. He highlighted the importance of implementing Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention (Assistance and Protection Against Chemical Weapons) and stressed the value of the OPCW’s existing cooperation with the EU. […] He said information exchange in the fight against terrorism across borders has improved, greater attention is paid to the protection of EU infrastructures, and that the European Arrest Warrant has facilitated the procedures of extradition.” (OPCW News; 15Jul08; Johan de
Wittlaan)
http://www.opcw.org/pressreleases/2008/News17_2008.html
Emergency responders get dirty bomb training [Carlsbad, New Mexico]
“There were bodies and belligerents all over the place Thursday afternoon in a field near the Carlsbad Environmental Monitoring and Research Center. […] It was all part of a ‘dirty bomb’ exercise involving the Texas National Guard Civil Support Team. Some members of New Mexico's support team were also present. […] Thursday's training session was divided into two parts. Members of the Carlsbad Fire Department were the first to arrive on scene, but they were eventually backed up by the National Guard.
Smoke poured from a burned out vehicle. Volunteers who played the parts of victims all had detailed maps and timelines for the mock scenario. Some were assigned to be victims from the get-go, while others played the parts of tourists or ‘walking worried.’” (Current Argus; 18Jul08; Kyle
Marksteiner)
http://origin.currentargus.com/ci_9922344
[Homeland Security Secretary Michael] Chertoff: European terrorists trying to enter US
“European terrorists are trying to enter the United States with European Union passports, and there is no guarantee officials will catch them every time, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said Thursday. […] Chertoff and other intelligence officials have delivered similar warnings before, and he offered no new information about specific threats or an imminent attack. Chertoff reiterated his concern that terrorists could sneak radiological material into the country on small boats or private aircraft.” (AP; 18Jul08; Eileen Sullivan)
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3uIGU_Clf36waqYlsaWDls9HP2gD920562O1
UH [University of Hawaii] chosen to help make travel safer
“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has tapped the University of Hawaii to be one of 11 institutions to serve for the next six years as ‘an incubator of technology’ in the area of maritime security issues, according to a visiting federal official. Retired Rear Adm. Jay Cohen, Homeland Security Department undersecretary for science and technology, told the Star-Bulletin yesterday that the UH's Center of Excellence for Maritime, Island and Port Security will be under the College of Engineering and will receive a grant ranging from $1.5 million to $2 million annually.” (Star Bulletin; 16July08; Gregg K. Kakesako) http://starbulletin.com/2008/07/16/news/story11.html
Advanced Life Sciences and UK Ministry of Defence announce collaboration
“Advanced Life Sciences Holdings has announced that the UK's Defence Science and technology Laboratory will evaluate the developmental compound ALS-886 as a treatment for chemically induced lung injury. […] Michael Flavin, chairman and CEO of Advanced Life Sciences, said: ‘Dstl is internationally recognized for its ability to evaluate new therapeutic countermeasures that combat chemical and biological warfare agents, and we are very excited to partner with them to develop ALS-886 for potential procurement as a medical countermeasure.” (Trading Markets; 18July08) http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1768368/
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.
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
BP Energy Company, Houston, Texas is being awarded a maximum $268,462,041.00 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for natural gas supplies. Other locations of performance will be in New Mexico, Utah, Nevada and California. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Federal Civilian Agencies. The original proposal was Web solicited with 37 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 30, 2011. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-7514).
Atmos Energy marketing, LLC, Houston, Texas is being awarded a maximum $87,508,552.67 fixed price with economic price adjustment contract for natural gas supplies. Other locations of performance will be in Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, Ohio, Mississippi, Georgia, Louisiana and Florida. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Federal Civilian Agencies. The original proposal was Web solicited with 37 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 30, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-7500).
IGI Resources Inc. Boise, Idaho is being awarded a maximum $52,180,473.00 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for natural gas supplies. Other locations of performance will be in Washington and Oregon. Using service is Army. The original proposal was Web solicited with 37 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 30, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir, Va. (SP0600-08-D-7513).
Valero Marketing & Supply Company, San Antonio, Texas is being awarded a maximum $28,519,190.00 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract for aviation fuel. Other location of performance is in Corpus Christi, Texas. Using service is Foreign Military Sales. The original proposal was Web solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is July 14, 2008. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir Va. (SP0600-07-D-0454).
Oneok Energy Marketing, Topeka, Kan. is being awarded a maximum $13,141,000.00 fixed-price with economic price adjustment contract for natural gas. Other location of performance is in Oklahoma. Using service is Army. The original proposal was Web solicited with 37 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is September 30, 2010. The contracting activity is Defense Energy Support Center (DESC), Fort Belvoir Va.(SP0600-08-D-7505).
AC Fabricated Products, Jackson, Ala.* is being awarded a maximum $12,948,572.50 fixed-price with economic price adjustment, indefinite delivery contract for tents. There are no other locations of performance. Using services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The original proposal was Web solicited with 3 responses. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The date of performance completion is December 17, 2009. The contracting activity is Defense Supply Center Philadelphia (DSCP) Philadelphia, Pa. (SPM1C1-08-D-1070).
Bradbury Stamm Construction, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., was awarded on June 16, 2008, a $38,342,400 firm-fixed price contract for construction of a new school and dormitory for the Crownpoint Community School. Work will be performed in Crownpoint, N.M., and is expected to be completed by Aug. 21, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on March 21, 2008, and four bids were received. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Albuquerque, N.M., is the contracting activity (W912PP-08-C-0013).
American Registry of Pathology, Washington, D.C., was awarded on June 17, 2008, a $21,414,001 contract for support to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology in the form of diagnostic consultation, education and research for the U.S. military and civilian community. Work will be performed in Washington, D.C., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Aug. 1, 2000. U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, Frederick, Md., is the contracting activity (DAMD17-00-C-0034).
Femme Comp., Inc., Colorado Springs, Colo.., was awarded on June 13, 2008, a $10,000,000 cost-plus-fixed fee contract for command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operational management, engineering and technical services. Work will be performed in Colorado Springs, Co., and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2010. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Web bids were solicited on Sept. 16, 2003, and four bids were received. U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., is the contracting activity (DASG62-03-D-0006).
ITT night Vision, Roanoke, Va., was awarded on June 17, 2008, a $6,888,976 firm-fixed price contract for PVS-7D night vision and AN/PVS7 night vision. Work will be performed in Roanoke, Va., and is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2009. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Feb. 12, 2008. CECOM Acquisition Center, Fort Monmouth, N.J., is the contracting activity (W15P7T-08-C-D236).
BAE Systems, Armament Systems Division, Minneapolis, Minn., is being awarded an $8,288,417 modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-08-C-5407) to exercise an option for engineering services to support operations and capabilities of the MK 110 57 MM Naval Gun System. The MK 110 57 MM Gun is designed to provide surface fire support for multiple ship platforms of the US Navy, US Coast Guard and various Foreign Military Sales customers. These engineering services will provide design, development, production, logistics, test, operational and life cycle support for the gun system. Work will be performed in Minneapolis, Minn. (87.1 percent) and Louisville, Ky. (12.9 percent), and is expected to be completed by June 2009. Contract funds in the amount of $50,000 will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington Navy Yard, D.C., is the contracting activity.
Here is a classic example of the homosexual agenda exploiting the belief that homosexuality is an immoral practice by using anti-discrimination or hate crimes laws to PUNISH a business that declined to do a photo opt for a same-sex marriage. The State Government is using anti-discrimination laws to prevent the free exercise of religion as protected under the First Amendment to protect the practice of a horrible disgusting lifestyle in which the Bible believing Christians find sinful.
Disgusting!
JRH 4/14/08
I don't have this urge driving south.
I guess New Mexico just isn't that exciting to my head...
A long weekend to begin with turned longer around the corner unexpected with snowy delights and tires coming off of the Toyota Dolphin while on I10 heading out of Las Cruces this morning towards home. El Paso and south has been snowed upon and last night we chose to stay here rather than head home, which was followed by the rim shearing off all of the lug nuts on the left rear tires that held up that portion of the camper thus enabling to be mobile. This, quite obviously, rendered us impotent and stranded.
HOWEVER, well, the round started from Alpine Wednesday morning, leaving out much later than desired, heading north.... Slept in Rockhound State Park that night, and left out for the Gila Wilderness the next day. A long journey that is, two hours by state estimates, quite a bit longer in a small motorhome... That evening ended at the town of Gila Hot Springs, situated within the Wilderness and home to a small RV campsite with wonderful hot "geothermally heated" water with which I bathed after a sumptious Thanksgiving repast of steak cooked in wine and pepper. The next night we headed back towards the parks outer borders and camped down a gravel road around a corner and up a hill... We awoke to the most luscious snow.... This was after getting lost the night before... Lost... on foot... in the woods.... Seriously lost.... Scary lost... remind me to tell you about it....
For tonight, I am back in Las Cruces and praying ferverently that the gentleman who has the camper can and will fix it in the morning first thing. He has to get back to work, and so do I... But I AM grateful. And thankful.
Many things that could have gone wrong did not. We did not stay lost in the woods longer than an hour (we took a ten minute hike that went horribly awry... and I didn't take any water... we weren't going that far.. and sun was setting... One of the more frightening lapses of intelligence I've had). The rim did not come off in the middle of nowhere, as it could have... considering that most of our journey takes us through uninhabited (for hours) stretches.... The RV pulled off the freeway for me simply and without fuss, rather than blowing out and knocking us into another traveller... We found an open tow company that had the right kind of truck.... They found a person who thinks he can fix the rim and the lug nuts no problem, and will start on it tomorrow... I had enough money (so far) to get the things done.... The Sunday tow job and trip to the hotel and drop off of the vehicle was only 115, much less than anticipated.... I did not die a horrible death in a vehicle or in the woods...
So, yeah... This weekend has been LONG... And it isn't over yet... I'm in a hotel on his laptop brought to finish work he couldn't do because we didn't make it home as I tippity type... But I'm thankful... To the core.....
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