My first night back to work after my “weekend” didn’t go real well. I had to leave work early to take care of a situation at home that started at the baseball game. On top of that, someone opened one of our gates to our fence and two of our dogs decided to go on a exploration trip. Shane found both of them hiding in the bushes near one of the feeder ponds. I had checked the gate when I left for work and then it was open a few hours later.
Very frustrating. I can’t lock that one since the propane guy and the dog poop detectives use that gate to get in the yard when they visit.
Anyway, as soon as the local hardware store opens I will be going to find some new wood, bolts and a hasp so the door is harder to open. Another fun day.
The few weeks ago I noticed that our dog poop bucket looked like it was burnt and I found out the other day that the neighbor came home from vacation this past weekend and he had a bag of burned poop in his front porch. I also found out that one of Shane’s old former friends stole a pontoon boat for a joy ride. I am glad those two are no longer friends.
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THE NEWEST 10 BANNED DRUGS
The Navy is separating 15 USS George Washington sailors as it intensifies efforts to discourage the use and distribution of several off-limits drugs sold legally in Japan. Spice, touted by some as an alternative to marijuana because it is not illegal under U.S. federal law, and several other substances were named in a June 25 order signed by Rear Adm. Richard Wren, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan. The order clarifies and extends a 2005 order from the secretary of the Navy that banned use of designer drugs, natural substances and chemicals “with the intent to induce intoxication, excitement or stupefaction of the central nervous system.”
Use, possession and distribution of the 10 substances listed in the order are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
While the drugs in most cases are not considered controlled substances by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, their use has been banned in an increasing number of states and foreign countries.
Several, but not all, U.S. and overseas bases have banned drugs like Spice and salvia divinorum.
The Marines banned the drugs last year on Okinawa and mainland Japan after reporting rising use.
The 10 are:
* Salvia divinorum, also known as Maria Pastora, Sage of the Seers, Diviner’s Sage, Sally-D and Magic
Mint
* Mitragyna speciosa korth, also known as Kratom, Thang, Kakuam, Ketum and Biak
* Spice, also known as Spice Gold
* Blue lotus, also known as Egyptian Lotus, Blue Water Lily and Sacred Narcotic Lily of the Nile
* Convolvulaceae argyreia nervosa, also known as Hawaiian Baby Woodrose
* Lysergic acid amide, also known as Morning Glory
* Amanitas mushroom
* Datura, also known as Jimson Weed, Devil’s Apple, Thron Apple, Stinkweed, Moonflower, Malpitte and
Toloache
* Absinthe
* 5-MeO-DMT, also known as Powder Mushrooms, AMT, Bromo and DMT
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SIRIUS GETS NEW BIRD
Russia launched a carrier rocket on Tuesday to send a U.S. communications satellite into space, news agencies reported, citing the Khrunichev state space research and production center.
Alexander Borbrenyov, press secretary of the Khrunichev center, said a Russian Proton-M carrier rocket, with a Sirius FM5 atop, blasted off at around 23:10 Moscow time (1910 GMT) from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan.
The Sirius FM5 satellite, manufactured by the U.S. Space Systems/Loral Company and owned by U.S. Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. Company, will function in orbit for 15years.
The satellite, whose liftoff weight is 5,840 kg, has a power twice as that of any existing satellites. It will provide music, sports and other broadcasts for regions including the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean Sea area.
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“I want my money back, President Obama!”
That’s the title of Marie Marchand’s column in Common Dreams this week.
Marie Marchand says she gave $20 a week for seven months to the Obama campaign — plus $60 every once in a while for a t-shirt and sticker.
“I gave of my modest purse joyfully,” she writes. “I thought I was supporting change I could believe in, not more of the same bloodshed and war!”
She now feels betrayed.
Millions of Americans are feeling betrayed.
They thought Obama as President meant change we can believe in.
They thought Obama as President meant withdrawal from Iraq.
They thought Obama as President meant standing up to Wall Street fat cats.
They thought Obama as President meant a living wage.
But for those of you who stood with us during the 2008 Presidential campaign, you knew the score.
You do not feel betrayed.
You are immune to Obama Betrayal Syndrome.
Because you knew, as we pointed out repeatedly during the campaign, that Obama was the corporate Democrat.
Beholden to large campaign contributors from Wall Street.
From the military industrial complex.
And from the health insurance pharma complex.
You knew what my campaign colleague Theresa Amato has documented in her new book — Grand Illusion: The Myth of Voter Choice in a Two Party Tyranny (New Press, June 2009.)
That the Democrats and Republicans are beholden to their corporate paymasters.
You knew that the only way out was to organize from the grassroots up.
Together, we can make the difference.
Ralph Nader
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Number of Operations Iraq Freedom and Enduring Freedom casualties
as confirmed by U.S. Central Command: 5007

