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Astronauts to Get Viewing Room

     NASA is putting a viewing room in the International Space

Station.  When not in use, the windows will be covered to protect the observation surfaces from abrasion with space particles.  An astronaut is shown floating in the observation chamber in the artist conception, right.                     (NASA image)

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President Obama Cancels Moon Program

             The NASA Constellation Program has been canceled.  The program's goal was to put men on the Moon by the year 2020.  The program was eliminated in the president's budget because it is "over budget, behind schedule, and lacking in innovation."

the gesture believed to be "It's not true." The offensive reaction occurred at a point in the speech when the president criticized the Supreme Court for allowing corporations, including foreign corporations, to sway American politics and elections.

DAREDEVIL TO VIE FOR NEW FREE-FALL RECORD

      Skydiver Felix Baumgartner aims to break the free-fall record set by Colonel Joe Kittinger in 1960 (before an American traveled into space.)  Mr. Baumgartner is known as a dare-devil for base jumping, parachute jumps from man-made heights, including the the Petronas Towers.  He is expected to break the sound barrier about a half a minute after leaving a high altitude balloon.  It is hoped that the research gleaned from the jump will have value in protecting astronauts in trouble, allowing them safe re-entry in the event of catastrophic space vehicle failure. The 120.000’+ jump will last more than five minutes.  
     The experienced jumper crossed the English channel in free-fall.   A carbon wing was attached to his back for the feat.  He will wear a pressurized suit and helmet while attempting to set the new free-fall record.    
     Problems are expected to include thin air and low temperatures.  Blacking out is possible when he breaks the sound barrier, but there is an automatic deployment system.
      Navigation to Earth should not be a problem, however, the jumper once did lose his balloon when it accidentally escaped prior to takeoff.  The project, which includes the words “Red Bull” in its name charges media for materials, an unusual practice if publicity for some sort of Red Bull product is sought.

Colonel Joe Kittinger is shown in his 1960's jump.  This jump record still stands as the highest parachute jump.  Colonel Kittinger is assisting Mr. Baumgartner, a former Austrian paratrooper, in preparation for the record attempt. 

 

The large bail-out recipient was still there upon closer examination.

26 Deaths at Psychiatric Hospital Blamed on Negligence

     Criminal trials await psychiatric staff responsible for the death of 26 patients who died of hypothermia related problems at the Psychiatric Hospital in Havana.  The deaths were "...linked to ...prolonged low temperatures ...and to risk factors peculiar to mentally ill patients... compounded by natural biological deterioration," according to a statement issued by the the Cuban government.  A report from the Cuban Commission on Human Rights cited the hospital for conditions including broken windows and other problems that failed to protect the hospital population from recent adverse weather conditions.  Cuba is renowned for an innovative healthcare system that provides free universal medical services to its citizens.
     Cuba is ranked number number 39 by The World Health Organization's Ranking of the World View Profile.  The United States is rated number 37.   Photography at the hospital was permitted three years ago when the image to the right was made by Historicus.  The photographer, whose work can be seen on Flicker observed at that time that "Havana's psychiatric hospital was really not...a typical madhouse with howlings, straitjackets, etc. but all patients worked...[to help] their "conditions". 

WWII Hospital Ship Wreck Located

The Albanian minaret as seen through Winter Wonderland towers.  Photo: Tiki Parrot

Degas Art Thefts

"Vaverek the Maverick" Fishes for Frisbees    

                            Above Left: $5,000 disc     Above Right: Disc recovery operation

From Our Manhattan Newsroom -          

     Using results from a questionnaire, we're looking at how the proposed health care reforms will actually affect people facing common health care coverage situations, including "Young Invincibles," or young Americans who go without insurance because they can't afford it..
     Neil Thurgood, 26, is part of the group dubbed 'Young Invincibles' during the current health care debate. Like many young Americans, he went without health insurance for a few years after college because he couldn’t afford it. Now he’s left with thousands of dollars of debt that he incurred when he got unexpectedly sick.

 

 Neil Thurgood, 26 Location: Washington, D.C. Health Care Status: Insured hrough his wife

Household Income: $65,000

Propublica Creative Commons License 

His Story: 

   

    The Predator unmanned aircraft is used for aerial reconnaissance and rocket assaults.  It is controlled by an operator who can be thousands of miles away.  The video feed is returned to the operations center where it is used for intelligence and tactical planning.

     A copy of one such video was found on a captured Shia laptop, cluing NATO forces that the video feeds have been compromised.  An unnamed Pentagon official has be quoted by the Wall Street Journal about the incident.  The insurgents were able to obtain the video by using commonly available software.  The intelligence has defense value as the aircraft is used to locate potential targets.  It is not believed that the insurgents were able to take control of the aircraft's weapons over the insecure circuit that permitted the infiltration.            Predatory Photo: USAF

Healthy Home Cleaning - Reliable, fast, careful, thorough.

Using natural,unscented products.  $15/hr.  Olga Tunison (727)504-3926.

Blackwater Predator Contract Cancelled

     Xe, the company formally know as Blackwater, was loading bombs in Predator drone aircraft (shown above) under a contract with the CIA.  Director Leon Panetta cancelled the contract and the work will be done by CIA employhees in the future.   Loading contracts for both Pakistan and Afghanistan have come under th axe.   A recent New York Times report indicated that the controversial  private security company has been carrying out "snatch-and-grab operations" in Iraq.

New Records Set for Art Works

  Clearwater Bass Player at Dunedin Mariana

CIVILIAN CONTRACTORS DENIED BENEFITS

Civilian Contractors Roles in War Have Expanded to Include Dropping Supplies to Ground Troops Photo: Spc. John P. Ledington

     One of the 32 new exo-planets found by the European Southern Observatory telescope in Chile is ten times the mass of Jupiter. The smallest is five times the mass of Earth.  Scientists are excited because the find is proof that low mass planets could exist in greater numbers than previously believed.  Stephane Udry of the Geneva University was quoted by the BBC as saying the discovery shows that low mass planets are "everywhere."  The predictions show that there will be more lower mass planets similar to the density of Earth.

     The Indian space agency has been active in space exploration with a view to emigrating portions of the subcontinent's population off our planet to relieve overcrowding at home.  Planets with mass similar to that of Earth are needed for that purpose.

       The number of exo-planets - planets outside the solar system of Earth - are now numbering over four hundred.  The newly discovered planets are thought not to contain life, being too low in orbit toward their sun.  As show in the illustration, the planetary temperature is too hot to support life forms.                                                                                                            Illustration by Tiki Parrot 

  

          It's a party.  Now that the summer heat is in retreat Clearwater's party animals turned out in force for the first fourth Friday of fall. Accompanied by a colorful sunset and a hot jazz band, the revelers included pirates, pets and publishers. 

   Tampa Bay Informer publisher Angela LeMay chatted up passersby, including Clearwater Sun publisher Charles Perry, who photographed the festivities.

Winds of Change

    

         Sasha Obama is shown stalking her father in the Oval Office. Sasha is the youngest member of a first family to live in the White House since John F. Kennedy, Jr., who also played in the Oval Office.  Sasha is known for tap dancing, gymnastics, tennis and playing the piano.  An offer of violin instruction was not accepted. 

     The younger First Daughter also plays with the First

Dog, Bo. The name Bo was selected by Sasha in collaboration with her older sister, Malia.  The family had looked at getting a labradoodle or a mutt, but instead accepted a young Portuguese water dog given to them as a gift by Senator Ted Kennedy.  The animal does not shed, a boon to Malia whose allergies are aggravated by dog hair.  

     

     Before his inauguration, President Obama published an open letter to his daughters in Parade magazine.  In it he described what he wants for them and for every child in America.  "...to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world."

     Both girls attend a Quaker school in Washington.  The grandchildren of Vice President Joe Biden are their school mates.  The Sidwell  School alumnae includes  Chelsea Clinton, Tricia Nixon Cox, and Archibald Roosevelt.  When they lived in Chicago, the children attended the University of Chicago Laboratory School.

                                                 -Publisher

     Pedro came to Clearwater from the State of Hidalgo.  He likes a music form called cumbia.  The cumbia takes its name from a dance that originated on the eastern coast of Colombia.  It then evolved over years and migrated north into Mexico.  

     In its present form, "The cumbias have become love songs," Pedro said.  It's a major change from the days when the dance songs were symbols of resistance against the yoke of Spain.  Still, the piano player is quick to point out that the Spanish word for wife has two meanings.  "Esposas are 'wives', but the word also means 'handcuffs.'"

     The handsome Clearwater musician is known for his keen sense of humor.                                                

                          

     

See Review of Julie & Julia

 Rhubarb Red, a teenage hillbilly guitar player-singer was playing at a barbeque when someone handed him a note.  "Your guitar's too quiet.  Turn up!"  The problem was that if you turned up an amplified acoustic guitar too much it squealed and sounded ratty.  The boy took a piece of solid wood from a Pullman car and a telephone ear-piece to make "The Log" - the world's first solid electric guitar.  

Lester William Polsfuss later changed his stage name from Rhubarb Red to Les Paul.  

He was an early developer of multi-track recording techniques.  His 1951 duet "How High the Moon," with singer Mary Ford was a huge hit.

The Gibson Guitar company brought him in as a consultant in the development of the manufacturer's first solid body guitar.  The guitar was famous for it's high quality sound and humbucking pickups (so called because it did not have the buzzing sound of a Fender Telecaster).  The Gibson Les Paul became an industry standard.  Those who played the instrument included Keith Richards, John Lee Hooker  the Sex Pistols, Slash, Pete Townshed, Eric Clapton and Paul McCartney. The Guardian described the Les Paul's sound as "burnished warmth" as compared to "the more caustic Fender."   -  Tiki Parrot

  

 

experience with small shops in the islands south of Florida have attuned him to the needs of mom and pop retailers in an era of creeping corporate control.         

This former island ex-pat who now resides inland of Tampa Bay, gave up the island life to bring up a family. (Milk costs $6 per gallon in the U.S. Virgin Islands.  Rum is much cheaper, but his kids couldn’t get used to the taste of it on their breakfast cereal.)
     Caribebay is a collection of  non-chain store fronts located on the Internet.  Retailers can display their merchandise in their own unique
e-stores.
    At this point the Caribebay design team is creating beautiful virtual stores for free.  As the mall grows this free service may stop, so it’s a good idea to get in now.

     There are no fees for design or listing.  A percentage of each sale is paid to the house, but each store owner chooses his percentage.  The idea is that those that chip in higher house percentages get better positions in search returns.  This leaves it to the merchants to duke out - a real market leveler. 
     The mall is perfect for merchants with no web site.  It gives an immediate web presence and e- tail convenience. 
     Sales are done via Pay-Pal, a company owned by E-Bay. 
     Mr. Phillips’ intention is to boost business for mom and pop operations because they are the backbone of American commerce. 

     “What if Walmart wants to sell merchandise on Caribebay?” he was asked.  In a rare serious moment, he resolutely shook his head no and said,

     “I’m not even sure that I would accept advertising from them.”  

                                                    Click on the name

                                                    to the right to visit the mall-> 

Take that Walmart!!

                        Beat the Heat

    Exercise or kick back at the mall.  Enjoy the (free) air conditioned comfort of working out by walking at the mall.  At a fast pace an entire gambit of both levels of the Westfield Countryside Mall will take about a half hour.  The leather couches sprinkled throughout make it a cool place to rest afterward. 

     The athletic gentleman to the right made use of the best the mall had to offer - walking and relaxation.  His message, "Say no to Rugs" is not a pro-bald statement.  In fact, it advocates another method for cooling off.  Tile floors!  The shirt has Tampa Tile on the reverse side.  Studies conducted by the Sun show that tile, placed over the slab of a home, help keep the place cooler.

     Weatherization money will soon be available for qualifying homeowners.   (For a family of four an income of $46,000 per year or less qualifies).  The benefits available include free insulation, heating and cooling pumps, weather stripping and more.  For the more well-to-do there will be tax credits for green improvements.

     For details go to the Department of Community Affairs.

                               Stands With Fist Blog

LD Sledge, editor here at the Clearwater Sun speaks out. Courage and guts!!!

  G. Gordon Liddy Implies that Republican Women
Stay At  Home, Don't Rise to High Positions
or Don't Menstruate 

Colonel Clearwater Speaks Out

"Let's hope that the key conferences aren't when she's menstruating 

or something, or just before she's going to menstruate. 

That would really be bad. Lord knows what we would get then."

 

     The conservative radio host, well known for degrading photos of women in his Stacked & Packed calendar series, right, uttered the words in opposition to the appointment of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the United States Supreme Court. By implication, the statement is a slur on Republican women.  The false allusion is that Republican females don't menstruate, or just stay at home, or don't rise to higher ranks.

     It is widely believed that the host is part of a Republician "I hope he fails" initiative announced by Rush Limbaugh.  The initiative puts the Republician re-election agenda ahead of the welfare of the nation, evidenced by political grandstanding such as repudiating stimulus funds to improve the nations declining public education, as was announced by Governor Sarah Palin.

     Judge Sotomayor comes from a Bronx Puerto  Rican family.  She graduated summa cum laude from Princeton, and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from Yale.  Like Justice Alito, she was an editor of the Yale Law Journal.  President Bush (The First) appointed her to the US District Court.  She was known for a ruling which ended the baseball strike.  In another famous case, she allowed the conservative Wall Street Journal to publish Vince Foster's suicide note.  President Bill Clinton promoted her to the Court of Appeals, her current job.  She has worked as an Adjunct Professor of Law at New York School of Law and is a Lecturer-In-Law at Columbia.

     Mr. Liddy was an artillery officer during the Korean war who never saw action and never went to Korea.  He is a convicted felon, known for the Watergate break-in.  His 20 year sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter to 8 years in a spirit of fairness, compared to the sentences of the other defendants. He served less than 5. - Col. CW

  

 

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     Americans need a durable and successful flow of credit in our economy, but we can’t tolerate profits that depend upon misleading working families.  For too long, credit card contracts have been deceptively complicated, often leading consumers to pay more than they reasonably expect due to unfair practices. Every year, Americans pay around $15 billion in penalty fees.  Nearly 80 percent of American families have a credit card, and 44 percent of families carry a balance on their credit cards. 
     "It’s time for strong and reliable protections for our consumers.  It’s time for reform that is built on transparency, accountability, and mutual responsibility – values fundamental to the new foundation we seek to build for our economy," President Obama will say, according to prepared remarks.
     In the Senate and throughout the campaign, President Obama called for measures to strengthen consumer protection in the credit card market. And just last month he met with representatives from the credit card industry to discuss the impact of the current economic crisis on consumers.  The Federal Reserve has taken a strong first step toward improving disclosures and ending unfair practices.  This week the Senate, under the leadership of Chairman Dodd, Ranking Member Shelby and Senator Levin, brought a strong bill to the floor that would codify and strengthen these regulations.  The House, building on the work of Chairman Frank and Representatives Maloney and Gutierrez, already passed such a bill in a strong bipartisan vote. Today,  Congress has taken final action to pass the credit card reform bill that protects American consumers. 
              

Students assemble for a special class at Sunstate Academy

Classes are offered in massage and hair care.  Basic and advanced training is offered.

Located in the Campus Walk shopping center on Drew Street and Coachman, the Sunstate Academy offers haircuts for a buck on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:30 PM and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 3:00 P.M.  The special includes tapers, fades, blowouts, Mohawks and style cuts.  Not to leave the ladies out, the salon/school offers half-off on one hair service on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 5:30 to 7:30.  Call for an appointment, 727-538-3827.

Lifetime Clearwater resident Gage is shown to the left. Shown below is the one dollar high quality haircut he administered to the publisher of the Clearwater Sun.

"Perry and I are buddies.  His kid was born in Morton Plant, just like me.  He's cheap as hell.  I can admire that.  He did come up with a tip, though," the senior barber admitted.

Instructors monitor the cuts; no mullets are inflicted.

 

 

 

 

It isn't zero gravity!!!

                                                                                                                                                 The Humor Harvester Analyzes Liquid Assets

     The Last Thing a Leak Sees before it’s gone is STAN looking back)
Too often a roof estimator, unskilled in the art of finding
roof leaks will tell you a new roof is needed when there is still life left in it.
      By experience, 85% of the roofs inspected
by Stan are repairable. Sooner or later every roof needs
to be replaced, but later is better than sooner for most
budgets. Call Stan. He’ll shoot you straight. If you need a
new roof, he’ll give you a fair bid. But repairing a roof with
life left in it allows you time to plan. All work guaranteed!
Free Estimates!!! Roof maintenance programs.!!!

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Ceramic tile mosaics.  Custom art to your specifications.  Geometric, pictorial designs on your floors, walls and ceilings. 

Call Bill 727-492-8211

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       Tutoring Math, English, Social Studies, GED, SAT Prep - $25 per hour - Teens and Adults - Contact John Ruane at 727-267-5666 or send e-mail to jruane2@tampabay.rr.com

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