English: Monument to aboriginal war veterans in Confederation Park, Ottawa, Canada. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Gloss (Glass) Mountains in Oklahoma. Taken from the top of a mesa at Glass Mountains State Park. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
English: Bison bison. Original caption: "scientists are helping users of American rangelands meet the challenge of managing multiple uses sustainably.") Français : Un bison, image prise par Jack Dykinga pour l'USDA. Légende originale de l'USDA: Les scientifiques aident les utilisateurs des pâturages américains à relever le défi de la gestion multiusage durable. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Ray Barber Looking Glum (About the Possibility That He Has Wrecked the Population of Lincoln's Immune System?) (Photo credit: judge_mental)
English: Command unit of the NYPD communications division (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Great work by @wildfireeffect on these cool @SMCYVR badges complete w/QR leading to lastpass account! #smcyvrsummer (Photo credit: kempedmonds)
Le château Frontenac –Vieux-Québec / Old Quebec, ville de Québec / Quebec city(Québec, Canada) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
€YPO - POLIS burning (Photo credit: quapan)
Missouri River (Photo credit: cm195902)
English: U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission concept drawing of a Hyperion Power Module site. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
H. L. Mencken, satirist, social critic, cynic, freethinker (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Underground News Network shared a link.
“The state — or, to make matters more concrete, the government — consists of a gang of men exactly like you and me. They have, taking one with another, no special talent for the business of government; they have only a talent for getting and holding office. Their principal device to that end is to search out groups who pant and pine for something they can’t get, and to promise to give it to them. Nine times out of ten that promise is worth nothing. The tenth time it is made good by looting ‘A’ to satisfy ‘B’. In other words, government is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advanced auction on stolen goods.” ― H.L. Mencken
CommonDreams.org shared a link.
Underground News Network shared a link.
Truth News Radio Australia shared a link.
Underground News Network shared a link.
Es-tee R. Miller shared a link.
Of the litany of proposed changes contained in the Saskatchewan government's Consultation Paper on the Renewal of Labour Legislation in Saskatchewan, the most pernicious is the suggestion that employees be allowed to opt out of paying union dues, yet still receive the full benefits of union membership. This idea is dangerously reminiscent of U.S. right-to-work (RTW) laws that already pervade the American south and have recently been proposed in northern states like Wisconsin and Indiana.
Oklahoma adopted right-to-work legislation in 2001. Despite claims by proponents that the adoption of RTW would result in a mass influx of jobs to the state, since its adoption Oklahoma has lost a third of their manufacturing jobs and the average number of new companies coming into the state has been one-third lower in the decade since RTW was adopted than in the preceding decade. Moreover, Oklahoma's unemployment rate in 2010 was double what it was when RTW was first adopted in 2001.Surveys of manufacturers show that despite the claims of RTW champions, right-to-work laws are not a significant factor in decisions to relocate. Indeed, in 2010 manufacturers ranked it sixteenth among factors affecting location decisions. For higher-tech, higher-wage employers, nine of the ten most-favoured states are non-RTW, led by union-friendly Massachusetts.
For those firms that are seeking cheaper labour costs, it is much more lucrative to re-locate to places like Mexico or Central America where wages are lower than any RTW state could possibly offer and other regulations are lax or non-existent.
According to recent research from the University of Michigan that examined the U.S. construction industry, the rate of industry fatalities is 40 per cent higher and the rate of occupational fatalities is 34 per cent greater in right-to-work states than in free-bargaining states. Given that Saskatchewan already has one of the worst workplace injury rates in the country, it seems we can ill-afford to adopt legislation that would contribute to even greater levels of risk for Saskatchewan workers.
Eleven of the 15 states with the highest poverty rates in the U.S. are RTW states, while nine of the 11 states with the lowest are worker-friendly. Furthermore, the percentage of the 2008 population living in poverty in RTW states was 14.4 per cent, while the percentage in worker-friendly states was 12.4 per cent. In regards to health insurance, we find that 18.6 percent of people in RTW states are uninsured, while only 13.9 per cent of people in worker-friendly states are uninsured.
Proponents of RTW laws, such as the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce also make the argument that such laws are not only about economics, but also about "freedom of choice." They argue that workers should have the "choice" to opt-out of paying union dues while still receiving all the benefits and services that union membership provides. Given that the Chamber is so concerned about freedom of choice, we should ask them to live up to these high-minded principles and allow their own members to "opt out" of paying dues yet continue to receive Chamber-provided services. I would not hold your breath waiting.
Underground News Network shared a link.
Underground News Network shared a link.
Let me start with this controversial statement: The worst thing parents can do is obtain a diagnosis of autism for their
2 new photos.
RT shared a link.
Smirking Chimp added a new photo.
CommonDreams.org and Upworthy shared a link.
Institute for Responsible Technology shared Son of a Farmer, Child of the Earth's photo.
John Farnham You kids are funny. You will point up connections to energy industry without noting it is the most politicized industry on the planet bar none - and that sword cuts 2 ways. Else the UN would not be promoting a tax payable to itself on energy consumption.
John Farnham You kids are funny. You will point up connections to energy industry without noting it is the most politicized industry on the planet bar none - and that sword cuts 2 ways. Else the UN would not be promoting a tax payable to itself on energy consumption.
www.alnmag.com
ALN Magazine is a publication of resources, products, and information to design, build, and equip today’s research
www.dailymail.co.ukA landmark study found 93 per cent of blood samples taken from pregnant women and 80 per cent from umbilical cords tested positive for traces of the chemicals.
Natural health news
www.naturalnews.com
Smirking Chimp added a new photo.
It looks as though Greece’s financial insecurity is opening up strategic opportunities for economic and military interests. It also outlines the emergence of a new financial and political landscape in the region. Greece appears determined to begin privatizing national space, even that means reterritorializing its national borders.
It looks as though Greece’s financial insecurity is opening up strategic opportunities for economic and military interests. It also outlines the emergence of a new financial and political landscape in the region. Greece appears determined to begin privatizing national space, even that means reterritorializing its national borders.
Top Ten Books That Make You Think
3
This Business of Reviewing
personal-opinion based reviews tend to say a great deal about the person reading, but less about the book. When you read them, you have to measure yourself against the taste of the author of the post, rather than the nominal subject of it. And you come away with an idea of whether you should read the book or not, rather than anything more durable and useful concerning literature, reading, and their place in the world.
( I tend to think the same about editorial choices - which is why the thought that my cultural conditioning gives me an 'everyman' view might as well be played to advantage. )
Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants
Elderberries are one of the easiest and most versatile shrubs to grow in your edible landscape. These Central European and North American natives are often found growing wild along roadsides, forest edges, and abandoned fields.
The prize for growing elderberries is the fragrant, edible flowers and the delicious fruits. The dark purple berries contain vitamins A and B, and more vitamin C than orang
es. They are also high in cancer-fighting antioxidants. In fact, elderberry fruits have historically been used to treat many ailments, such as respiratory problems, colds, and flus. Plus, they are tasty when used in juices, jellies, jams, teas, pies, and wine. You can use the umbrella-shaped, elderberry blossoms for making a delicious fritters or even champagne (see recipe in this issue). And if you don't want to eat the berries, the birds certainly will love them.
Not only do elderberries produce attractive 8- to 10-inch-diameter white flowers and clusters of small, dark purple fruits, there are newer varieties on the market that have colorful leaves, too. These varieties of elderberry were bred for the ornamental characteristics, but still produce useful flowers and fruits. They make great shrubs for a foundation planting or in a mixed perennial flower border.
The two most common types of elderberries available are the European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). The American elderberry is the wild species often found growing in old fields and meadows. It grows 10 to 12 feet tall and wide and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. The European elderberry grows up to 20 feet tall and wide depending the variety, blooms earlier than the American species, is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, and some have pink flowers. The red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is similar to the American species, but produces bright red berries -- unfortunately these berries are poisonous and shouldn't be eaten.
Planning
Elderberries fruit best when you plant at least two different varieties within 60 feet of each other. They start producing when the plants are 2 to 3 years old. While all elderberries produce berries, there are several varieties of the American elderberry that are especially good fruit producers. If you looking for a more ornamental elderberry, look to the European varieties with their attractive foliage.
Here are some of the best selections to try in your yard.
'Adams' - This American variety grows 8 to 10 feet tall. The large, juicy, dark purple fruits ripen in August and are great for making pies. The strong branches hold the berries upright. Plant a pollinator variety such as 'Johns' for maximum fruiting. This variety is often sold as 'Adams No. 1' or 'Adams No. 2'. There is little difference between these two selections.
'Black Beauty' - This striking European variety features purple foliage and lemon-scented pink flowers. It grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide and can be grown in perennial borders or as a foundation plant.
'Black Lace' - This eye-catching European selection looks like a Japanese maple with its dark purple, deeply cut foliage. Like 'Black Beauty', this variety also grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, producing pink flowers and dark purple fruits.
Johns' - This early-producing American variety produces an abundance of berries that are especially good for making jelly. Growing 12 feet tall and wide, this variety is a good pollinator for 'Adams'.
'Nova' - This American variety can be self-fruitful, but does best with another American elderberry growing nearby. Large, sweet fruit are produced on compact, 6-foot shrub.
Variegated' - This European variety has attractive green and white leaves and grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. The plant is less vigorous and productive than other elderberry varieties, but the foliage is attractive all season long.
'York' - This American variety produces the largest berries of all the elderberry selections. It matures in late August and only grows 6 feet tall and wide. It pollinates 'Nova' well.
Site Selection
Elderberries grow well in full- to part-sun locations. They are not fussy about soil type, but grow best in a slightly acidic soil that is high in organic matter and stays consistently moist. Some of the European varieties may die back to the ground in colder climates, but will resprout from the roots in spring.
Planting
Before planting amend the soil with compost. Although elderberries grow well in moist soils, it's a myth they can grow in poorly drained, wet soils. On heavy clay soils, consider building a raised bed to provide proper water drainage. Set shrubs out in spring, spacing plants 6 to 10 feet apart depending on the variety.
Care
Elderberries grow best when fertilized annually with compost. They have shallow roots, so mulch around the plants with hay, straw, or bark chips to control weeds that compete for water and nutrients.
Elderberries can sucker freely and send up vigorous new branches each season. These one-year-old branches produce side branches (laterals) that fruit heavily in the second and third year. In late winter, prune out branches more than 3 years old since these are less productive. Try to leave equal numbers of one-, two-, and three-year-old branches. Prune out any dead, diseased, or broken branches as well.
There are few significant insect pests and diseases of elderberries. Cane borers can infect older branches, so the above pruning guidelines also help control borers, too. During wet weather, leaf diseases sometimes affect the foliage, but they aren't a serious concern. Birds love the berries, and you'll need to cover the shrub with netting to keep them from quickly harvesting your crop.
Harvest
Harvest elderberry fruit from August to September, depending on the variety. Let fruits ripen on the shrub to a dark purple color. Prune off the entire cluster when ripe and strip the berries into a bowl. The fruit doesn't store well at room temperature, so keep it refrigerated after harvest and process the berries as soon as possible. You can expect yields of 12 to 15 pounds of fruit per mature (3- or 4-year-old) shrub, if grown properly. Uncooked berries produce a dark purple juice and are astringent and inedible, but when processed impart a sweet, earthy flavor.
Earthworks' Oil & Gas Accountability Project shared Faith Zerbe's photo.
Lawsuit by Chris Hedges, Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg and others results in a permanent judicial injunction against the National Defense Authorization Act, "which authorized the military to detain U.S. citizens indefinitely, strip them of due process and hold them in military facilities, including offshore penal colonies."
John Farnham Halliburton has a history of 'bad cementing jobs' including all over the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon was a ridiculously deep hole involving potential for high pressure gas pockets on top of a differential pressure equal to weight of a column of water 5 miles high. There have been deaths of investigators into a situation that looks as though the blowout was deliberately engineered
freethoughtblogs.comI have written in the past about the odious piece of legislation known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would enable the administration to indefinitely detain without trial people whom the government on its own decides is providing “substantial support” to groups “engaged in...
StoptheDrugWar.org (DRCNet) shared a link.
StoptheDrugWar.org (DRCNet) shared a link.
Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants
Elderberries are one of the easiest and most versatile shrubs to grow in your edible landscape. These Central European and North American natives are often found growing wild along roadsides, forest edges, and abandoned fields.
The prize for growing elderberries is the fragrant, edible flowers and the delicious fruits. The dark purple berries contain vitamins A and B, and more vitamin C than orang
es. They are also high in cancer-fighting antioxidants. In fact, elderberry fruits have historically been used to treat many ailments, such as respiratory problems, colds, and flus. Plus, they are tasty when used in juices, jellies, jams, teas, pies, and wine. You can use the umbrella-shaped, elderberry blossoms for making a delicious fritters or even champagne (see recipe in this issue). And if you don't want to eat the berries, the birds certainly will love them.
Not only do elderberries produce attractive 8- to 10-inch-diameter white flowers and clusters of small, dark purple fruits, there are newer varieties on the market that have colorful leaves, too. These varieties of elderberry were bred for the ornamental characteristics, but still produce useful flowers and fruits. They make great shrubs for a foundation planting or in a mixed perennial flower border.
The two most common types of elderberries available are the European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis). The American elderberry is the wild species often found growing in old fields and meadows. It grows 10 to 12 feet tall and wide and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. The European elderberry grows up to 20 feet tall and wide depending the variety, blooms earlier than the American species, is hardy in USDA zones 4 to 8, and some have pink flowers. The red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is similar to the American species, but produces bright red berries -- unfortunately these berries are poisonous and shouldn't be eaten.
Planning
Elderberries fruit best when you plant at least two different varieties within 60 feet of each other. They start producing when the plants are 2 to 3 years old. While all elderberries produce berries, there are several varieties of the American elderberry that are especially good fruit producers. If you looking for a more ornamental elderberry, look to the European varieties with their attractive foliage.
Here are some of the best selections to try in your yard.
'Adams' - This American variety grows 8 to 10 feet tall. The large, juicy, dark purple fruits ripen in August and are great for making pies. The strong branches hold the berries upright. Plant a pollinator variety such as 'Johns' for maximum fruiting. This variety is often sold as 'Adams No. 1' or 'Adams No. 2'. There is little difference between these two selections.
'Black Beauty' - This striking European variety features purple foliage and lemon-scented pink flowers. It grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide and can be grown in perennial borders or as a foundation plant.
'Black Lace' - This eye-catching European selection looks like a Japanese maple with its dark purple, deeply cut foliage. Like 'Black Beauty', this variety also grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, producing pink flowers and dark purple fruits.
Johns' - This early-producing American variety produces an abundance of berries that are especially good for making jelly. Growing 12 feet tall and wide, this variety is a good pollinator for 'Adams'.
'Nova' - This American variety can be self-fruitful, but does best with another American elderberry growing nearby. Large, sweet fruit are produced on compact, 6-foot shrub.
Variegated' - This European variety has attractive green and white leaves and grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide. The plant is less vigorous and productive than other elderberry varieties, but the foliage is attractive all season long.
'York' - This American variety produces the largest berries of all the elderberry selections. It matures in late August and only grows 6 feet tall and wide. It pollinates 'Nova' well.
Site Selection
Elderberries grow well in full- to part-sun locations. They are not fussy about soil type, but grow best in a slightly acidic soil that is high in organic matter and stays consistently moist. Some of the European varieties may die back to the ground in colder climates, but will resprout from the roots in spring.
Planting
Before planting amend the soil with compost. Although elderberries grow well in moist soils, it's a myth they can grow in poorly drained, wet soils. On heavy clay soils, consider building a raised bed to provide proper water drainage. Set shrubs out in spring, spacing plants 6 to 10 feet apart depending on the variety.
Care
Elderberries grow best when fertilized annually with compost. They have shallow roots, so mulch around the plants with hay, straw, or bark chips to control weeds that compete for water and nutrients.
Elderberries can sucker freely and send up vigorous new branches each season. These one-year-old branches produce side branches (laterals) that fruit heavily in the second and third year. In late winter, prune out branches more than 3 years old since these are less productive. Try to leave equal numbers of one-, two-, and three-year-old branches. Prune out any dead, diseased, or broken branches as well.
There are few significant insect pests and diseases of elderberries. Cane borers can infect older branches, so the above pruning guidelines also help control borers, too. During wet weather, leaf diseases sometimes affect the foliage, but they aren't a serious concern. Birds love the berries, and you'll need to cover the shrub with netting to keep them from quickly harvesting your crop.
Harvest
Harvest elderberry fruit from August to September, depending on the variety. Let fruits ripen on the shrub to a dark purple color. Prune off the entire cluster when ripe and strip the berries into a bowl. The fruit doesn't store well at room temperature, so keep it refrigerated after harvest and process the berries as soon as possible. You can expect yields of 12 to 15 pounds of fruit per mature (3- or 4-year-old) shrub, if grown properly. Uncooked berries produce a dark purple juice and are astringent and inedible, but when processed impart a sweet, earthy flavor.
Earthworks' Oil & Gas Accountability Project shared Faith Zerbe's photo.
Lawsuit by Chris Hedges, Noam Chomsky, Daniel Ellsberg and others results in a permanent judicial injunction against the National Defense Authorization Act, "which authorized the military to detain U.S. citizens indefinitely, strip them of due process and hold them in military facilities, including offshore penal colonies."
John Farnham Halliburton has a history of 'bad cementing jobs' including all over the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon was a ridiculously deep hole involving potential for high pressure gas pockets on top of a differential pressure equal to weight of a column of water 5 miles high. There have been deaths of investigators into a situation that looks as though the blowout was deliberately engineered
freethoughtblogs.comI have written in the past about the odious piece of legislation known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would enable the administration to indefinitely detain without trial people whom the government on its own decides is providing “substantial support” to groups “engaged in...
StoptheDrugWar.org (DRCNet) shared a link.
John Farnham Halliburton has a history of 'bad cementing jobs' including all over the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Horizon was a ridiculously deep hole involving potential for high pressure gas pockets on top of a differential pressure equal to weight of a column of water 5 miles high. There have been deaths of investigators into a situation that looks as though the blowout was deliberately engineered
- freethoughtblogs.comI have written in the past about the odious piece of legislation known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would enable the administration to indefinitely detain without trial people whom the government on its own decides is providing “substantial support” to groups “engaged in...
StoptheDrugWar.org (DRCNet) shared a link.
StoptheDrugWar.org (DRCNet) shared a link.
Sodium fluoride exposed in new Health Ranger video; cities are poisoning their citizens with pestici
www.naturalnews.com
In which I deconstruct the Romney lies about: - The 47% who pay no taxes - The corporations that are "overtaxed" (while paying the lowest share in decades) - The America that is overtaxed (when revenues are at the lowest share in decades) - The tax cuts we desperately need to create jobs (when tax cuts for job creation has been tried and been an utter fail).
And Facebook won't post it propertly. AGH! Please share it anyway, along with a good introduction so people will know what it's about.
Headline: Why do 47% pay no income taxes? Because of the Reagan and Bush tax cuts...
freethoughtblogs.comThe Unification Church was virtually unknown in America until the 1970′s when concerned parents, anti-cult groups and members of congress raised alarm about the powerful “brainwashing” techniques used by “moonies” to lure new converts into their dangerous cult. Now that the self-proclaimed...
And Facebook won't post it propertly. AGH! Please share it anyway, along with a good introduction so people will know what it's about.
Headline: Why do 47% pay no income taxes? Because of the Reagan and Bush tax cuts...
freethoughtblogs.com
The Unification Church was virtually unknown in America until the 1970′s when concerned parents, anti-cult groups and members of congress raised alarm about the powerful “brainwashing” techniques used by “moonies” to lure new converts into their dangerous cult. Now that the self-proclaimed...
Mommy Has A Potty Mouth's photo.
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