The Moon from inside the eye of Hurricane Felix, shot by Randy Bynon during a hurricane hunter mission. Amazing photo – click on the thumbnail to see the large version on the Wunderground site.

We brought this plumeria back from Hawai’i in 2004 and planted the stem in a pot. For a while nothing happened. Then it started growing leaves. This spring Laura transferred the plant to a larger pot and it started growing more leaves.

When we moved, we gave the plumeria a nice, sunny spot on the deck. The plant loved the hot weather this summer and grew like crazy. Last week we noticed the flower buds, and tonight was the night! The plumeria’s first flower opened. Pretty amazing – it took only 10 hours, and in the last few hours you could almost watch it unfurl its delicate petals.

Click on the picture to see the gallery.

More on plumerias here …

Today, Governor Mike Easley signed bill S1272 into law. That bill exempts homebrew biodiesel from the NC road tax. The 30-cents-a-gallon cost reduction is certainly welcome. But, as Lyle recently commented, the bigger picture is really huge, because it allows the homebrewers and SVO-ers to get out of the “closet” as the State DOR does not care anymore that they don’t (usually) pay taxes on their fuel. So I need to get another bumper sticker:

THIS CAR IS POWERED BY HOMEBREW

Praise the lard!

YES!

On Aug. 26 last year, the LRA and the Ugandan government signed a truce, putting an end to 20 years of war and brutality in Northern Uganda. A friend of mine just returned from Gulu recently and he told me last week about how much that town has changed. Four new Hotels are under construction, many of the Night Commuters have returned to their villages, foreign aid is reaching the area and the town is bustling with commercial activity.

These are all hopeful signs for healing and development in a region that has been ravaged by civil war. Still, the truce is fragile, and the wounds are deep and fresh. Much help and healing will be required to bring the Acholi people back on their feet. The question of justice and reconciliation will require some careful and creative consideration. The Ugandan Sunday Monitor published an article that summarizes the current situation:

Today, northern Uganda is more peaceful than ever. In fact, the government team currently consulting victims on justice and peace issues are traversing the region freely in a way they would not just a year ago. Night commuters (displaced children walking to urban areas to sleep in the relative safety of shop verandahs), have greatly reduced. The number of people living in internally displaced people camps has dropped from 2.2 million in 2002 to 1.2 million according to the UN today. But as the fractured region tries to pick the pieces, what do the victims say?

War victims trapped in search for peace and justice, Sunday Monitor, Kampala, Uganda, August 26

Also, check out the Uganda-CAN website for more current info on this issue.

Rassismus in Deutschland? Das gibt’s doch gar nich …

Wir wissen um die Vorfälle in Mügeln augenblicklich noch zu wenig, um solche weitreichenden Schlussfolgerungen zu ziehen.

Das war die Reaktion Sachsen’s Ministerpräsident Georg Milbradt auf die Frage ob er einen “ausländerfeindlichen oder gar rechtsradikalen Hintergrund” sehe wenn ein Mob von 50 Bleichgesichtern 8 Inder verprügelt und durch eine Sächsische Kleinstadt jagt.

Wenn ich von rassistischen Überfällen in Deutschland höre, läuft es mir oft kalt den Rücken runter. Aber wenn ich dann die übliche Abwiegelei des Bürgermeisters, der Polizei, oder des Ministerpräsidenten höre, dann läft mir als die Galle über!

… [in Mügeln] gibt es keine Rechtsextremen.

zitiert Spiegel Online den Bürgermeister der Sächsischen Kleinstadt wo der rassistische Ãœberfall stattfand. Aber nee, Rassisten jibts hier nich …

Es ist schlimm genug wenn Deutsche Bleichgesichter immer wieder über ihre Nachbarn herfallen, weil sie anders aussehen, ein bischen “komisch” sprechen, oder einen anderen Glauben haben. Wenn dann aber die, die eigentlich alle Einwohner vertreten oder beschützen sollen, sich vor diese rassistischen Arschlöcher stellen und diese barbarischen Vorfälle abwiegeln, dann machen die Abwiegler-vom-Dienst sich mitschuldig an diesem brutalen Terror. Diese Abwiegelei ist der Nährstoff des braunen Ungeziefers. Und dieses Ungeziefer manifestiert sich nicht nur in der üblichen, glatzköpfigen, Sieg-Heil schreienden “Herrenrasse.” Die gut-bürgerlichen, bleichgesichtigen Abwiegler sind die, die langfristig viel mehr Schaden anrichten weil ihr ewiges unter-den-Teppich-kehren dem Ungeziefer den nötigen Schatten spendet dieses dumpfe, modrige Gedankengut zu verbreiten.

Forty six years ago today, the East German Stalinist regime began fortifying the border across Germany. They built one of the most infamous borders ever: the Berlin Wall. During the 28 years that followed, an estimated 260 people were killed in attempts to cross into West Germany. The Stalinists always denied that the regime gave explicit orders to shoot these people, but a newly discovered document proves that the Stasi, the secret police, had numerous agents among the border guards and these Stasi agents had unequivocal orders to shoot to kill:

Do not hesitate to use your guns even if women or children are involved in the border penetration, as the traitors are known to use these situations.

Translated from Der Spiegel, quoting from Dienstanweisung vom 1. Oktober 1973.

Apparently the Stasi agents had orders to prevent defections from the border patrol, and they were to shoot anyone who tried to cross into West Germany illegally. Egon Krenz, the last ruler of the GDR, has vehemently denied the existence of the Schießbefehl – at least as an order to shoot to kill. The question about the Schießbefehl is pretty important, because the existence of such an order to kill refugees, moves the responsibility for the killing of defectors from East Germany up the ranks. Otherwise, the responsibility for these acts lies squarely on the shoulders of the border guards who pulled the trigger, and who were later prosecuted in the Mauerschützen-Prozesse.

On this day in 1893 Rudolf Diesel’s engine ran for the first time, and it ran on peanut oil. So today we celebrate “Internationals Biodiesel Day” and raise our glasses to the genius of using fuel that grows back!

Praise the Lard!

In the summer, I like to collect the fryer oil in the morning, especially on a day with more triple-digits in the forecast. So I did my round this morning and “liberated” about 50 gallons – 20 from Alivia’s, 20 from Piazza Italia and 10 from El Rodeo. My new system at Piazza Italia works great – they now have a 30-gallon drum in the kitchen (they have no space outdoors). Every Friday, I just drop off a clean, empty one and haul the full one home on the trailer. It think I’ll do the same with El Rodeo.

After my grease run I was already hot and sweaty – it was “only” 87 F / 31 C at almost 70 percent humidity!

Ugh – I’m melting! North Carolina in August is certainly supposed to be hot, but tripple-digit temperatures are still unusual. Yesterday we hit a new heat record for the day and came within one degree of the all-time highest temperature ever recorded at RDU airport. It was 104 Fahrenheit – 40 Deg. Celsius – and still 33 percent humidity! And today we’re in for another scorcher …

The BIG list was abuzz today with interpretations of the new biodiesel tax situation in North Carolina. There were some questions about how these recent changes, like how the tax exemption for homebrew biodiesel will be applied to SVO use. Matt Rudolph, the ED of Piedmont Biofuels explained that under NC law, veggie oil as fuel falls under the definition of biodiesel in Chapter 105/Article 36C of the NC General Statutes. So both the removal of the bond requirement (S540), as well as the tax exemption for personal use (S1272) apply to SVO.

So SVOers can also cheer, as their efforts to use renewable fuels in their vehicles have now become much simplified in NC. Of course none of this is perfect. I think there need to be broader tax exemptions for renewable fuels, a stronger focus on encouraging local, community-based fuel (and other energy) production and an attempt at setting sustainability standards for energy production. This is not easy, as the story of the Senate Bill S1272 illustrates: apparently this was originally a bill intended to clarify the definition of biodiesel. But somehow it morphed into a homebrewer tax exemption. Of course, from our perspective this was a great step in the right direction.

The North Carolina General Assembly has adjourned for this session, and last Thursday the legislators passed S1272: Motor Fuels Tax Exemption for Biodiesel, which removes the requirement to pay road tax on homebrew biodiesel. That’s awesome – a great incentive for homebrewers. Also, legislators changed the tax law to remove the $2000 bond for fuel providers who don’t have more than $2000 in fuel tax liabilities. That’s another step to boost small-scale, local fuel production in NC. I find it a bit puzzling that S1272 does not mention waste veg. oil fuel, though. Especially as this activity, to some degree, was kicked off by reports of an SVO user getting fined $1000 by the state for using un-taxed fuel. But at least the SVOers got the bond requirement removed. That bond was a huge obstacle.

A big thank-you from the biodiesel homebrewers goes to Senator John Snow who represents North Carolina’s 50th Senate District. Sen. Snow sponsored several biodiesel related bills in this session, including S1272. That bill also establishes a study commission to examine the tax implications of alternative fuels and how they should be addressed. The state does need to take a close look at the impact of exempting certain fuels from road tax, and how to deal with non-IC powered vehicles. With the emergence of “fuel diversity” on public highways, it might be a good idea to begin re-thinking the idea of tying road taxes to fuel consumption. It will get increasingly difficult to define “fuel” (think about solar- or flywheel-powered vehicles). Also, I think that we’ll see multi-fuel engines in vehicles in the next 10 years. While the tax-exemption is certainly the right thing to do, and should be expanded to encourage the use of other made-in-NC fuels, the state has a duty, and an interest, to stay on top of these issues.

If this story about these three guys from Wales is true, and their “greenbox” is real, and if it works … then it might well be the holy grail in the struggle to prevent a climate catastrophe. They claim that their invention can capture emissions from IC engines and store it. The waste from the engine can then be discharged at the fuel station, while we fill up with more fuel, instead of being discharged into the atmosphere. The CO2 could even be used to grow algae to make more fuel. They also claim that their technology can be scaled up to factory-scale, and adapted to all kinds of applications.

This technology might be as significant a step forward for public health as closed sewers and indoor plumbing. And the concept of carbon recycling to prevent further climate change is brilliant! If this greenbox device really works …

(No, I have no interests in their company, Maes Anturio Limited. But if had a bunch of dollares burning holes in my pocket, I’d take a very close look at these guys.)

In late June, an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 variety of the avian (bird) flu was reported in Southern Togo, near the border to Benin:

Togo’s Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Minister, Yves Madow Nagou, confirmed here late Friday, the outbreak of bird flu in a poultry farm at Sigbehoue, south-east of the country. “Preliminary findings from a laboratory in Accra, Ghana, confirmed the existence of bird flu (at the farm),” the Minister said, adding that some samples were also sent to Italy.

Togo confirms avian flu outbreak, Republicoftogo.com (via AllAfrica.com), 25 June 2007

I just hope that the people dealing with this emergency are competent public-health experts, and not cronies of the Gnassingbe clan.

FOR SALE: SECLUDED COUNTRY HOME WITH BIKETRAIL

Two-bedroom secluded brick ranch with biketrail/walking path and large basement in Bahama (20 minutes North of Duke Campus). The single-track trail is a .33 mile figure eight on the 2.5 acres wooded lot. The trail runs through the forest, crosses the creek and climbs a nice hill.  The path lets you fully enjoy the beautiful wildlife and plants occupying the wide variety of habitats on your land. You can hit the trail in the morning for 30 Minutes and still make it to class/work at 9:00 AM on campus (or anywhere in Durham).

More details: The house was built by a contractor for himself and has a lot of cool extras like a wood furnace that is hooked into the duct system and a whole house fan that keeps the place wonderfully cool during much of the year. The house has a terrific kitchen with a huge pantry and large counters with lots of workspace. We just put on a brand new roof and gutters. There is a full basement that is half finished (separate entrance and driveway) and half unfinished workspace (no moldy crawlspace – lots of room for your stuff). The bedrooms (2) are large and full of tree-filtered light. We loved the place and hope you will take a look.
Very reasonably priced at $198.000

Please call our agent (see below) if you’d like to see the house:

Charles Woody (919) 620-0959 or Cell (919) 724-5100
e-mail: cwoodyhomes [at] verizon [dot] net
MLS# 942743

We did it! Two weeks ago we closed on our new house, moved our stuff to the new house and then spent about a week cleaning and fixing up our old place to get it ready to sell it. Today we fiished up, and our agent will list it tomorrow.

The new place is just 10 miles from Bahama Road, just outside the Durham City limits. Although it’s in a subdivision, and much closer to Durham, it’s much more secluded and quieter than Bahama Road.

We spent all day at the house on Bahama Road, cleaning, painting, moving stuff. I’m beat! Time for a cold beer in the hot tub! Happy Independence Day!

Auf Deutsch: Vor zwei Wochen kauften wir unser neues Haus und zogen um, von Bahama nach Durham (ca. 15 KM). Danach renovierten wir unsere alte Bude etwas – brachten sie auf Vordermann, und sind jetzt soweit dass wir das Haus zum Verkauf anbieten koennen.

Wir haben heute den ganzen Tag am Haus gearbeitet – geputzt, gemalt, und aufgeräumt. Jetzt ist es Zeit noch etwas mit einem külen Bier im Whirlpool zu entspannen! Bilder vom neuen Haus kommen bald.

There is so much interesting and important stuff going on:

• A new film documents the ongoing genocide perpetrated on the Acholi people in Uganda (HT to Vicky), perpetuated by, among other things, US military aid (war-on-terror-dollars)
• The US Congress is debating about subsidies for a road fuel that releases twice as much pollution as gasoline: liquefied coal
• The dictator son-of-the-dead-dictator Faure Ganssingbé has re-nationalized a key industry in Togo. Could it be that this has anything to do with the ongoing rivalry with Faure’s powerful brother Kpatcha?
• NSPD 51: in a “catastrophic emergency” in the US, the Shrubman will become essentially a dictator. Proclaims the Shrubman. Worried?
• The German police used military reconnaissance jets to spy on German G8 protestors. Is that constitutional? Is it smart?
• The Swedes come up with a more ecological way to bury their dead: freeze dried

And so on …

Yet – I am completely preoccupied with my own life. Next week we’re planning to buy a new house and we’re busy boxing up our possessions for the move and fixing up our old shack to sell it.

Oh yeah – and I am finishing the last growler from the last keg of Gruffmeister 8 in Durham …

Togo is mourning the death of 21 supporters of the national football team, including Togolese Sports Minister Richard Attipoe, in a helicopter crash in Sierra Leone on Monday:

At least 21 people, most of them Togolese, were killed when the Russian-made Mi-8 helicopter operated by Paramount Airlines exploded and crashed late on Sunday at Lungi international airport, 13 km (8 miles) north of Freetown.

Initial reports had put the number of dead at 22, but Sierra Leone officials said the Russian pilot of the helicopter had survived. The cause of the accident was not immediately known.

The Togolese sports delegation had chartered the helicopter to return to the airport after attending an African Nations Cup soccer qualifying game played in the capital Freetown on Sunday between Sierra Leone and Togo. The visiting team had won 1-0.

Minister killed in ‘copter crash, CNN, June 4, 2007

(via Au Village) Our hearts go out to the Togolese people and to the families who lost loved ones in thi s terrible accident.

We had a rather dry spring, and so only last weekend we finally found an opportunity to engage in our annual post-solstice ritual of burning our yuletide tree. After getting two inches (52mm) of rain on Saturday last weekend, Sunday evening was calm and cool and it was pretty safe to torch the bone-dry Frasier fir.

Read the rest of this entry »

Yesterday, like every day, my daughter on the way home from afterschool told me about her day at school. She was upset because one of her teachers had told her to throw away one of her favorite books, “The Marvelous Land of Oz” because it contains “witchcraft and superstition.” Julia said she felt humiliated and singled out by her teacher, whom she had until then very much respected.

Laura and I were furious about this and Laura went and had a long talk with the principal of the school, who will hopefully read this teacher the riot act. Teachers have no business telling students what not to read. They can assign books and reading, but censoring a perfectly fine chilren’s book is outrageous. The teacher had invited the kids to bring books from at home to read in class, and the children were just reading for themselves, so this was completely out of line.

The issue here is not just one bigot teacher, rather it is that this happened in a public, taxpayer-funded school, and that there is a rather vigorous movement in the US of bigot book-burners, who sow fear and hatred by denouncing many works of popular fiction “evil” because the books discuss the supernatural in non-evangelical tems. Most notably, the book-burners have honed in on the wildly popular Harry Potter series. They denounce the themes of witchcraft and superstition in the books about a young apprentice wizard in a sort-of prep school for wand-wielding wierdos.

So I had to sit my little girl down and explain that no teacher has any business telling her she what she can or can’t read at home. And I also had to explain that sometimes teachers make bad choices and say things they should not say, or do things they should not do. And when that happens she needs to tell her parents or another teacher. And she can always count on us to back her up.

And then I made the point to her that it is quite hypocritical of the Christians to slam any books that contain descriptions of witchcraft and superstition, considering the contents of the “Holy Bible” – talking burning bushes, parting seas, angels, miracles and prophets rising from the grave. Talk about witchcraft and superstition.

[update: I found this website about First Amendment rights for kids.]