The presidential turkey pardon tradition might
have stemmed from Abraham Lincoln, who made Thanksgiving an
official U.S. holiday in 1863. According to White House reporter
Noah Brooks, Lincoln’s son Tad got upset when he found out
someone was going to kill the live turkey that had been brought
for the presidential family’s Christmas dinner in 1865.
Eventually, the turkey’s life was spared.
The first president to throw a ceremony rescuing a bird from
being doomed to the Thanksgiving table may be John F. Kennedy in
1963, according to the White House Historical Association. That
year, the turkey had a “Good Eating, Mr. President!” sign around
its neck. Reportedly, JFK said, “We’ll just let this one grow,”
and had the bird sent back to the farm. The Los Angeles Times
ran an article about the event calling it a “presidential
pardon” so the presidential turkey pardon tradition began.
Incidentally, though
the residence at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is painted white, it
was known as the Executive Mansion and the President’s Palace
until October 1901, when President Theodore Roosevelt referred
to it as the White House. He made the name official when he
had it engraved on his stationery.
Nov 30, 2019
What's in a Name, Mach
Ernst Waldfried Josef Wenzel
Mach (d.1916) was an Austrian physicist and philosopher, noted
for his contributions to physics such as study of shock waves.
The ratio of one's speed to that of sound is named the Mach
number in his honor.
Mach's main contribution to physics involved his description and photographs of spark shock-waves and then ballistic shock-waves. He showed when a bullet or shell moved faster than the speed of sound; it created a compression of air in front of it. Using schlieren photography, he and his son Ludwig were able to photograph the shadows of the invisible shock waves.
In homage, his name was given to: Mach, a lunar crater; Mach bands, an optical illusion; Mach number, the unit for speed relative to the speed of sound.
During the 1860s he discovered the physiological phenomenon that has come to be called Mach’s bands, the tendency of the human eye to see bright or dark bands near the boundaries between areas of sharply differing illumination.
Mach's main contribution to physics involved his description and photographs of spark shock-waves and then ballistic shock-waves. He showed when a bullet or shell moved faster than the speed of sound; it created a compression of air in front of it. Using schlieren photography, he and his son Ludwig were able to photograph the shadows of the invisible shock waves.
In homage, his name was given to: Mach, a lunar crater; Mach bands, an optical illusion; Mach number, the unit for speed relative to the speed of sound.
During the 1860s he discovered the physiological phenomenon that has come to be called Mach’s bands, the tendency of the human eye to see bright or dark bands near the boundaries between areas of sharply differing illumination.
More Google Search Tips
A search for “What is the who” is going to
summon results about the English rock band. Search instead for
“What is a who” and you see top results around the
whimsical characters in Dr. Seuss’ “Horton Hears a Who!”
Word order - Leave common terms in the correct order. Typing “blue sky” yields very different results from “sky blue.”
It is better to ask, “What is the average length of an octopus” rather than “Is the average length of an octopus 21 inches" You may see search results confirming 21 inches, but maybe other sources are wrong. When you include the answer in a search query, you bias results, which may not be correct.
Add a minus sign to that same search along with the thing you want to eliminate from your results. So you might type “kitchen remodeling -stainless” to leave out stainless steel. Or “kitchen remodeling -stainless -granite” to eliminate both stainless and granite. Add a space before the -.
If you are searching for a specific quote, but one of the words slips your mind, put an asterisk in its place, such as "Four score and * years ago."
Word order - Leave common terms in the correct order. Typing “blue sky” yields very different results from “sky blue.”
It is better to ask, “What is the average length of an octopus” rather than “Is the average length of an octopus 21 inches" You may see search results confirming 21 inches, but maybe other sources are wrong. When you include the answer in a search query, you bias results, which may not be correct.
Add a minus sign to that same search along with the thing you want to eliminate from your results. So you might type “kitchen remodeling -stainless” to leave out stainless steel. Or “kitchen remodeling -stainless -granite” to eliminate both stainless and granite. Add a space before the -.
If you are searching for a specific quote, but one of the words slips your mind, put an asterisk in its place, such as "Four score and * years ago."
Climate Change
Climate change describes changes in the state of the atmosphere
over time scales ranging from decades to millions of years.
These changes can be caused by processes inside the Earth. e.g.
volcanoes and forces from outside, e.g. variations in sunlight
intensity. Other significant factors include: temperature,
atmospheric pressure, wind, solar irradiance, humidity,
precipitation, and topography.
The major greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36–70% of the greenhouse effect; carbon dioxide (CO2), which causes 9–26%; methane (CH4), which causes 4–9%; and ozone (O3), which causes 3–7%.
A 2012 United Nations report revealed that the earth’s cattle population produces more carbon dioxide than automobiles, planes, and all other forms of transport combined. Also, the cow pies they drop and the gas they produce equals a third of the world’s methane emissions, which traps 84 times as much heat as carbon dioxide.
In the summer of 2016, EcoWatch published an article confirming that greenhouse gas emissions from livestock actually account for a higher percentage of total global emissions than the world’s 1.2 billion automobiles.
The major greenhouse gases are water vapor, which causes about 36–70% of the greenhouse effect; carbon dioxide (CO2), which causes 9–26%; methane (CH4), which causes 4–9%; and ozone (O3), which causes 3–7%.
A 2012 United Nations report revealed that the earth’s cattle population produces more carbon dioxide than automobiles, planes, and all other forms of transport combined. Also, the cow pies they drop and the gas they produce equals a third of the world’s methane emissions, which traps 84 times as much heat as carbon dioxide.
In the summer of 2016, EcoWatch published an article confirming that greenhouse gas emissions from livestock actually account for a higher percentage of total global emissions than the world’s 1.2 billion automobiles.
Real ID Act
Starting October 1, 2020, every US state and territory resident
will need to present a Real ID-compliant license/ID or another
acceptable form of identification (like a passport or passport
card) for accessing federal facilities — including boarding
commercial airplanes.
If it is Real ID compliant, there will be a star in the top right corner; many drivers may not realize they already have one, since some states have been issuing them for a few years.
You need a Real ID if:
• You want to fly with only your state-issued ID
• You do not have a passport or another TSA-approved ID
• You need to visit a secure federal facility, such as a military base, and do not have a military ID
Incidentally, a Real ID is not a substitute for a passport for international travel.
If it is Real ID compliant, there will be a star in the top right corner; many drivers may not realize they already have one, since some states have been issuing them for a few years.
You need a Real ID if:
• You want to fly with only your state-issued ID
• You do not have a passport or another TSA-approved ID
• You need to visit a secure federal facility, such as a military base, and do not have a military ID
Incidentally, a Real ID is not a substitute for a passport for international travel.
Wordology, Fall and Autumn
Although both words refer to the same season,
Americans often say “fall” more than “autumn.” Fall and autumn
were both once known as “harvest,” according to Dictionary.com
and “harvest” is technically the earliest name for this season.
The phrase was a bit confusing, because it refers to both the
time people usually harvest crops and the actual harvesting of
crops. Because of this, “Autumn,” a word dating back to the late
1300s, became popular as an alternative.
The word “fall” likely stems from “falling of the leaves,” phrases poets liked, according to Merriam-Webster. Not long after, people shortened the phrase to “fall” in the 1600s.
Although both fall and autumn stem from Britain, autumn was the more popular word for a long time. Both have had their ups and downs in popularity. It was not until the 1800s that American English and British English took unofficial stances on these words: fall is the word of choice in the U.S. and autumn in Britain.
The word “fall” likely stems from “falling of the leaves,” phrases poets liked, according to Merriam-Webster. Not long after, people shortened the phrase to “fall” in the 1600s.
Although both fall and autumn stem from Britain, autumn was the more popular word for a long time. Both have had their ups and downs in popularity. It was not until the 1800s that American English and British English took unofficial stances on these words: fall is the word of choice in the U.S. and autumn in Britain.
Happy Friday
Happiness is more
colorful than all of mother nature's blooms.
I always enjoy the kaleidoscope, especially on a Happy Friday!
I always enjoy the kaleidoscope, especially on a Happy Friday!
What's in a Name, Hubble
Edwin Hubble (d 1953), for whom the Hubble
Telescope is named, used the largest telescope of his day in the
1920s at the Mt. Wilson Observatory in California, to discover
galaxies beyond our own.
Hubble, the observatory, is the first major optical telescope to be placed in space. Hubble has an unobstructed view of the universe. Scientists have used Hubble to observe the most distant stars and galaxies as well as the planets in our solar system.
Hubble's launch and deployment in April 1990 marked the most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo's telescope. Thanks to five servicing missions and more than 25 years of operation, our view of the universe and our place within it has never been the same.
Incidentally, The telescope is able to lock onto a target without deviating more than 7/1000th of an arcsecond, or about the width of a human hair seen at a distance of 1 mile, and also like being able to shine a laser beam on President Roosevelt’s head on a dime from 200 miles away.
It has made more than 1.3 million observations since its mission began in 1990.
Hubble has circled Earth and gone more than 4 billion miles along a circular low earth orbit. Its primary mirror is 2.4 meters (7 feet, 10.5 inches) across. It was so finely polished that if you scaled it to be the diameter of the Earth, you would not find a bump more than 6 inches tall.
Hubble, the observatory, is the first major optical telescope to be placed in space. Hubble has an unobstructed view of the universe. Scientists have used Hubble to observe the most distant stars and galaxies as well as the planets in our solar system.
Hubble's launch and deployment in April 1990 marked the most significant advance in astronomy since Galileo's telescope. Thanks to five servicing missions and more than 25 years of operation, our view of the universe and our place within it has never been the same.
Incidentally, The telescope is able to lock onto a target without deviating more than 7/1000th of an arcsecond, or about the width of a human hair seen at a distance of 1 mile, and also like being able to shine a laser beam on President Roosevelt’s head on a dime from 200 miles away.
It has made more than 1.3 million observations since its mission began in 1990.
Hubble has circled Earth and gone more than 4 billion miles along a circular low earth orbit. Its primary mirror is 2.4 meters (7 feet, 10.5 inches) across. It was so finely polished that if you scaled it to be the diameter of the Earth, you would not find a bump more than 6 inches tall.
Phone Number Substitute
You can put 000-000-0000 as a phone number on
a website that will not let you proceed without a number. It
does not work on every site, but worth a try if you do not wish
to give out your real phone number. Of course you can also use a
dummy number, but you probably do not want your info tied to
someone else's number.
Alzheimer's vs. Dementia
There are about fifty million people living
with dementia worldwide, according to the World Health
Organization. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often used
interchangeably, but there are differences.
Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia and is the most common. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease marked by deposits of beta-amyloid plaques and proteins called tau that damage cells in brain regions that control functions like thinking, memory, and reasoning. With Alzheimer’s, you may forget new information or find that you need to ask family members to remember important facts you should be able to remember for yourself. It is not where you cannot remember the name of your barber and then it comes to you later.
Dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms like impaired memory and thinking that interferes with daily living. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in order for a person to be diagnosed with dementia, two of the following must be “significantly impaired”: memory, communication and language, the ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning and judgment, and visual perception. A medical illness, metabolic issue (like a nutritional or thyroid problem), vascular disease (like a stroke), or infectious diseases can affect brain cells, causing dementia.
There are no FDA-approved therapies for dementia, but there are four medications that target Alzheimer’s. These drugs do not stall disease progression or cure the disease, but they can help control symptoms.
All Alzheimer's is dementia, but not all dementia is Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia and is the most common. Alzheimer’s is a brain disease marked by deposits of beta-amyloid plaques and proteins called tau that damage cells in brain regions that control functions like thinking, memory, and reasoning. With Alzheimer’s, you may forget new information or find that you need to ask family members to remember important facts you should be able to remember for yourself. It is not where you cannot remember the name of your barber and then it comes to you later.
Dementia is an umbrella term for symptoms like impaired memory and thinking that interferes with daily living. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, in order for a person to be diagnosed with dementia, two of the following must be “significantly impaired”: memory, communication and language, the ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning and judgment, and visual perception. A medical illness, metabolic issue (like a nutritional or thyroid problem), vascular disease (like a stroke), or infectious diseases can affect brain cells, causing dementia.
There are no FDA-approved therapies for dementia, but there are four medications that target Alzheimer’s. These drugs do not stall disease progression or cure the disease, but they can help control symptoms.
All Alzheimer's is dementia, but not all dementia is Alzheimer's.
Impeachment Facts
The media is throwing the term about as if the process is a
criminal trial. Impeachable offenses are not necessarily
illegal. It also does not mean the accused has been found
guilty. Impeachment can be at the federal or state level. It is
only a statement of charges, such as to an indictment in
criminal law.
Impeachment is not a criminal trial. It is a political process. In fact, impeachment is actually two separate processes. The lower House of Representatives investigates and chooses to indict the president or charge him with offenses that could disqualify him from the presidency. The charges are referred to as articles of impeachment. The House of Representatives must pass, by a simple majority of those present and voting, articles of impeachment, which constitute the formal allegation or allegations. Upon passage, the defendant has been 'impeached'.
Removal, or conviction is the second process where the upper house Senate holds a trial and, by a two-thirds vote (for at least one article) of those present, can vote to remove the president from office.
Judgment in cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States; but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment, and Punishment, according to Law.
The process as outlined in the U.S. Constitution applies not only to the president, but to the vice-president and other officials, including governors and federal judges. Members of Congress have their own process and are exempt from impeachment and removal.
Impeachment does not mean a president has been found guilty of the charged offense(s). The U.S. constitution states that disqualifying offenses for impeachment are “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” It does not define the term ‘high crimes and misdemeanors,’ which means that the House of Representatives and the Senate get to define those terms.
To date, just two presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Also, during the 1990s, first the House and Senate Banking Committees and then a Senate special committee investigated President and Mrs. Clinton’s involvement in the Whitewater land deal and related matters. The Senate had an enabling resolution; the House did not.
If a president is removed from office, the party they represent is still in power. For example, if President Trump ultimately is removed from office, Vice President Mike Pence would become president, and Republicans would still control the White House.
Impeachment is not a criminal trial. It is a political process. In fact, impeachment is actually two separate processes. The lower House of Representatives investigates and chooses to indict the president or charge him with offenses that could disqualify him from the presidency. The charges are referred to as articles of impeachment. The House of Representatives must pass, by a simple majority of those present and voting, articles of impeachment, which constitute the formal allegation or allegations. Upon passage, the defendant has been 'impeached'.
Removal, or conviction is the second process where the upper house Senate holds a trial and, by a two-thirds vote (for at least one article) of those present, can vote to remove the president from office.
Judgment in cases of Impeachment shall not extend further than to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States; but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to Indictment, Trial, Judgment, and Punishment, according to Law.
The process as outlined in the U.S. Constitution applies not only to the president, but to the vice-president and other officials, including governors and federal judges. Members of Congress have their own process and are exempt from impeachment and removal.
Impeachment does not mean a president has been found guilty of the charged offense(s). The U.S. constitution states that disqualifying offenses for impeachment are “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” It does not define the term ‘high crimes and misdemeanors,’ which means that the House of Representatives and the Senate get to define those terms.
To date, just two presidents have been impeached by the House of Representatives: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Also, during the 1990s, first the House and Senate Banking Committees and then a Senate special committee investigated President and Mrs. Clinton’s involvement in the Whitewater land deal and related matters. The Senate had an enabling resolution; the House did not.
If a president is removed from office, the party they represent is still in power. For example, if President Trump ultimately is removed from office, Vice President Mike Pence would become president, and Republicans would still control the White House.
Open Doors In or Out
Was watching a show and all the doors on Scandinavian houses
opened out and most English doors opened in. There is no
universal code that dictates inward or outward.
Most reasoning shows that opening in allows hinges on the inside so thieves cannot simply remove a pin and gain entry. On the flip side, a high percentage of home invasions and burglaries begin with the intruder kicking in a door. That is virtually impossible when the door swings outward. Current exterior doors designed to open outward include protected hinges.
In public buildings and offices doors open in so as to not disrupt hallway traffic.
Three most popular reasons for outward doors are - There is a legend that during the 19th century some king decreed that all external doors should open outwards after many people were killed in a church fire. Another explanation is that apartments in Sweden were at one time very small. Another explanation is the cold winters opening the doors inwards would let in snow and when winds push against outward-opening doors the weather seal functions better. Florida, US communities are now accepting the concept of outward opening doors as an advantage, especially during hurricanes.
Incidentally, room design typically determines the left or right swing designation for doors. An inward opening door should swing in the direction needed to provide adequate passage. Interior pocket doors solve all these problems.
Most reasoning shows that opening in allows hinges on the inside so thieves cannot simply remove a pin and gain entry. On the flip side, a high percentage of home invasions and burglaries begin with the intruder kicking in a door. That is virtually impossible when the door swings outward. Current exterior doors designed to open outward include protected hinges.
In public buildings and offices doors open in so as to not disrupt hallway traffic.
Three most popular reasons for outward doors are - There is a legend that during the 19th century some king decreed that all external doors should open outwards after many people were killed in a church fire. Another explanation is that apartments in Sweden were at one time very small. Another explanation is the cold winters opening the doors inwards would let in snow and when winds push against outward-opening doors the weather seal functions better. Florida, US communities are now accepting the concept of outward opening doors as an advantage, especially during hurricanes.
Incidentally, room design typically determines the left or right swing designation for doors. An inward opening door should swing in the direction needed to provide adequate passage. Interior pocket doors solve all these problems.
Happy Friday
The sound of laughter is like the vaulted dome of a temple of happiness. ~ Milan Kundera,
My home has a vaulted dome of happiness, especially on a Happy Friday!
Daylight Saving
Here
we go again, when we defy Mother Nature's natural time and mess
with our clocks. Sunday Nov 3, 2am is the day and time we turn
our clocks back one hour. Mother Nature just sits back smirking
until we change our clocks back to her schedule in the spring.
Incidentally, this year, 2019, Finland called for daylight saving to be abolished across the EU after a petition gathered more than 70,000 signatures from citizens asking the state to give up the practice.
European Union is allowing 28 member countries to choose for themselves once mandated daylight saving time ends after 2021. Currently, some 30 bills are being considered in US States. In Canada, some 93% of British Columbia residents said they want year-round daylight saving time. Japan currently observes Japan Standard Time (JST) all year. DST is no longer in use in China, South Africa, and the Philippines.
Incidentally, this year, 2019, Finland called for daylight saving to be abolished across the EU after a petition gathered more than 70,000 signatures from citizens asking the state to give up the practice.
European Union is allowing 28 member countries to choose for themselves once mandated daylight saving time ends after 2021. Currently, some 30 bills are being considered in US States. In Canada, some 93% of British Columbia residents said they want year-round daylight saving time. Japan currently observes Japan Standard Time (JST) all year. DST is no longer in use in China, South Africa, and the Philippines.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)