Dakota Today

**Step one of any plan to get out of Iraq

Probably most of us have heard candidates running for president talking about step one of their plan for the country being getting the US out of Iraq.  That is unfortunately upside down prioritization no matter how important it really is to get out of Iraq.

The first step Obama should make in his plan to get out of Iraq should be to commit the USA to an energy conversion program to stop fossil fuel consumption similar in scope and dedication to the moon shot.

Solar and wind can produce hydrogen which can be combined with carbon dioxide to make methanol which can be converted into all kinds of chemicals and fuels. 

There is no credibility in a plan to get out of Iraq so long as there is no credible plan to get away from dependence on fossil fuels of all kinds.  Building more oil lines and more refineries destroys any credibility for plans aimed at getting out of Iraq or for preventing global catastrophe.

A previous post of mine here on the subject of wind energy for hydrogen and then to methanol as projected by Dr. George Olah led to a search of blogs for that topic.  There are some very serious blogs out there suggesting much the same for similar reasons, but also for many others more directly related to science.

I hope to get those links into another post.

***Stay tuned even if your plan for solving the energy crisis is buying a cheap SUV and using the savings to buy more gasoline--- Doug Wiken

**Get the "Methanol Economy" to Sen. Obama Please

Obama and country need to do more talking about the "Methanol Economy" idea. A google search for "methanol economy" will turn up links for the book by Dr. George Olah and commentary on his idea. Methanol unlike Hydrogen is a good "portable" fuel. Hydrogen might work for huge stationary engines however. Below is a link which appears to have a good general and balanced perspective on this.

Chemical and Engineering News on the "Methanol Economy"                          

Wind energy is not a stable source of energy, but if combined with hydrogen and methanol production it can be transformed into a stable uniform level of power which even with energy losses would make for better or more usable energy.

High efficiency wind generators alone would be wonderful if the wind blew all day all night every day at the same speed. It doesn't, so conversion to stable, portable  fuel is required for stable energy production without consumption of fossil fuels..

If you have Obama connections, try to see if this kind of information can be fed into their system if it makes sense to you too.  We don't need another term of Bush petroleum wars via a McCain administration, but Obama needs to get serious on something like a moon project for a better and ecologically benign fuel or energy system.   Methanol may be a way to do it.  It is a way which deserves serious consideration and possibly serious funding.

**Stay tuned even if you are currently working on converting mosquito wing buzzing into energy-- Doug Wiken

**Nova runs the Mega Volcano show again

Sure seemed like I had seen some of the NOVA program broadcast tonight before.  I started to see hits on Dakota Today from Google searches for "Lake Toba".

Anyway, tonight I saw the whole NOVA program, but if you want to see the Dakota Today post made
months ago, check

Dakota Today on NOVA's MegaVolcano Show Sept 26, 2006

Breathing sulphuric acid and volcanic ash glass particles is not good for your health. Hope we have no immediate surprise Mega Volcano in the neighborhood such as Yellowstone.

Anyway.. interesting show, but now and then Public Broadcasting "detective-type" shows scientific, historical, whatever take an inordinate amount of time to get to the point. "Building suspense in Science Reporting" is kind of an oxymoronic phrase.
**Stay tuned as we build suspense in the wait for real SD news such as SD Democratic women whining about Tom Daschle endorsing Sen. Obama who will not be the next woman president-- Doug Wiken

**Juvenile diabetes..Hughes Medical, Harvard, and Sanford Health

During last week, Sanford  Health announced it will be seeking a cure for type 1 diabetes as part of a $400 million donation from T. Denny Sanford.

Sanford health seeks cure for type 1 diabetes
Sanford project to focus on beta cell regeneration

Sanford Health leaders announced today the focus of the Sanford Project is curing type 1 diabetes via the body's natural ability to regenerate beta cells. Identified as the attack on one of the greatest health concerns of our time, Sanford Health is dedicating health research resources to cure type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes.

"The concept for the Sanford Project is to focus on a single, pressing healthcare issue and establish a world-class research team to achieve significant progress within a reasonable time period," said Sanford Health Executive Vice President Dave Link. "Through an extensive selection process which outlined specific candidate criteria, Sanford Health has chosen to attack type 1 diabetes by focusing on beta cell regeneration."

Type 1 diabetes currently affects nearly 3 million people in the United States. It is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. It often strikes during childhood, makes patients dependent on insulin for life and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Regeneration research focuses on triggering the body to re-grow the insulin-producing beta cells that have been killed by the autoimmune response and to prevent destruction of the newly regenerated cells by the same autoimmune reaction.

"Beta cell regeneration is one of the fastest-growing and most intriguing areas of type 1 diabetes research," stated Ben Perryman, PhD, Sanford Health Vice President of Research. "Through the Sanford Project, our research team will hope to either spur the body to copy existing functioning beta cells or to coax the pancreas to create new ones. When people with the disease have regenerated beta cells, they can begin making their own insulin again. The intent of the Sanford Project will be to focus on bench-side research and closely integrating translational research opportunities with clinical treatment."

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2008-06/jdrf-shs060608.php
http://snipurl.com/2em5m

Tonight on CBS 60 Minutes, there was a story on Hughes Foundation with $11 Billion in assets has put money into a Harvard researcher also working on juvenile diabetes.

Hughes investigator Doug Melton, at Harvard, is thinking about a cure for juvenile diabetes. He's working with stem cells from human embryos.

"And I can think, as I do, most every waking moment of the day, 'How am I gonna get those cells to become insulin-producing cells?' And the Hughes makes that possible," says Melton, who wouldn't have gotten a federal grant at all for his research.

In 2001, President Bush imposed his stem cell ban, in which he tried to balance the objections of opponents of abortion against the wishes of scientists to work with collections of stem cells,

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/13/60minutes/main629388_page3.shtml
http://snipurl.com/2em4x

There is more information at each story link above for both stories.  The race may be interesting.

*** Stay tuned even if you don't have and never want to have a credit card and have never even heard of Howard Hughes or confuse that with "Howard Huge"-- Doug Wiken

** Itty bitty gas guzzlers

The title "itty-bitty gas guzzlers is a bit misleading, but is how I feel right now anyway.  Most of the time, I drive a Mitsubishi Eclipse with a 1.8 L engine and a 5-speed manual transmission.  It gets pretty good gas mileage, and has a relatively small gasoline tank.  Despite this, I put a nickel less than $50.00 of gasoline in it this evening.  As usual I bitched at the counter.  The gal behind the counter said, "Well, at least it didn't cost $50 to fill a lawnmower."  Apparently somebody had put $20 of gas in a lawnmower today.  That'll teach 'em to fertilize.

One of my previous posts here has generated some comment in the SD BlogLand. The post is on running reasonably fuel efficient "junkers" instead of buying a new Prius or similar car.  I don't usually get traffic from SD Politics Blog which is almost always on the dreadful darkside of politics, but anyway, here is a link to their take on the issue.
NWLINK to SD Politics on Fuel efficiency, etc

And, to balance out the political perspective a bit, Cory H. at Madville Blog linked to that post and that generated a few interesting comments.
NWLINK to Madville Times on Gas and Jalopies

Cory Heidelberger made a most interesting point in a comment on his own post when he wrote that I had missed the obvious best option;ie, "Buying a used Prius". Anyway, that is probably enough of the circuitous web links to my own posts. I sure don't want to generate any comments in the vein of "Oh, what a tangled web we weave."

***Stay tuned for a post on something besides another post here--- Doug Wiken

** Fix the junker avoid payments for the hybrid fuel-efficient vehicle

Now and then I start thinking we really should figure out a way to get newer and more fuel-efficient vehicles if we are to maintain our tree hugger status.  Well, not really.  The actual contest is between frustration over parts costs and time wasted versus new and trouble free, but follow along with me anyway even if walking and bicycling might as well be for another planet as far as you are concerned..

If we are driving something getting reasonable mileage, say 20 to 30 miles per gallon, it might be easy to buy a hybrid or very-fuel stingy new vehicle and expect that you or we would be doing the world some good and reduce carbon emissions to the atmosphere.

BUT,  the June 2008 WIRED magazine page 153 suggest used vehicles might be better choices for lower carbon emissions than buying something like a new Prius because making a new Prius consumes 113 million Btus.  A single gallon of gasoline contains about 113,000 Btus, so "Toyota's green wonder guzzles the equivalent of 1000 gallons of gasoline before it moves one mile. But, buy something like an old Tercel or other vehicle that gets 35mpg and the Prius will have to go 100,000 miles before it catches up.

There is more in the magazine if you can find the issue and the page.  WIRED makes determining which issue you are reading and which page anything is actually on remarkable hard to find and read. The most recent issue has a florescent red cover with Steiger (as in big tractor) green lettering.  But, if you are herding around an older vehicle don't feel too bad about it all.

Cheap out all the way around and push for a new 55mph maximum as are some former SD legislators and you can feel just plain good about your public-spirited world sense even if you would never ever hug a tree no matter how shapely or no matter which blacksmith labored under it.

As for our politicians, they might start working toward more standardization of vehicle repair parts and put pressure on vehicle manufacturers to make it easier to keep older vehicles instead of buying new ones and keeping the build, crush, smelt, build energy sucking cycle going again and again.

**Stay tuned for homesize cogeneration systems and area windpower systems--- Doug Wiken

** Saving Energy, reducing carbon footprint in non-obvious ways

I think a person could watch CBS Morning Blather for a years and barely get a significant idea or fact from that program.  This morning, they were devoting time to feelings about Ted Kennedy  and best flirting techniques for grocery store visitors.

Meanwhile, in an issue of Wired and Fine Homebuilding, I found several interesting topics which link together very well for astute political candidates and statesmen actually interested in doing something instead of merely giving the illusion they are solving any actual problem rather than simply helping get them re-elected.

For perhaps a dozen years, I have thought that the building projects on the area reservations for Native Americans were dreadful mistakes.  Dumping conventional (in the worst sense of energy wasting, etc) homes on the prairie seemed very stupid to me.  Building with concrete walls encasing 8 inches or so of foam insulation with air lock entries and all windows facing south with good overhangs, etc would build homes that were nearly indestructible and fireproof and energy efficient.  My problem was never coming up with a good label for such construction ideas.

An article in the July 2008 issue of Fine Homebuilding pages 22 and 24 discuss the concept of "passive survivability" by Alex Wilson.  It involves standards for construction that lead to homes and businesses with nearly zero net energy consumption which prevent people and pipes from freezing if fuel or electricity sources become unavailable.  Similarly, designed so that if air-conditioning fails, that homes will not be overheated death traps for the very young and the elderly.

Put this together with our current energy situation and housing, etc and there are good reasons for serious consideration of "passive survivability" not just for Native American reservations, but for the whole society and if not the whole country, South Dakota can lead the way if our state leaders abandon the idea that they can finance state government on the basis of sales taxes on inefficient heating and cooling systems and vehicle fuel consumption.  There is an unfortunate conflict between good policy and taxes in South Dakota.

I will drag out a few more of the non-obvious ideas in coming posts.

** Stay tuned and save your energy--- Doug  Wiken

** Some fodder on animal factory stench and pollution..or Pew on pew.

Native Americans in South Dakota protesting a hog farm conveniently stuck into an area surrounded by tribal land might have a little more ammunition for their cause. Highway patrolmen should be required to ride with a hog in their back seat if they think aiding an out-of-state hog factory is such a good idea. I would guess some of the Native Americans might then wonder which is the actual pig, but that is another matter of Highway Patrol public relations problems.

To be taken more seriously than a modest proposal of a pig in every back seat however, are thousands of pigs in your backyard.

Washington, DC - 04/29/2008 - The current industrial farm animal production (IFAP) system often poses unacceptable risks to public health, the environment and the welfare of the animals themselves, according to an extensive 2½-year examination conducted by the Pew Commission on Industrial Farm Animal Production (PCIFAP), in a study released today.

Commissioners have determined that the negative effects of the IFAP system are too great and the scientific evidence is too strong to ignore. Significant changes must be implemented and must start now. And while some areas of animal agriculture have recognized these threats and have taken action, it is clear that the industry has a long way to go.

MORE BELOW IN CONTINUATION OR AT THE SITE Source. The Omaha World Herald carried the story today with a blurb on the front page pointing to the story on page 5. The paper also had a story indicating the problems with putting personal information about family matters in a personal blog with some of the problems that resulted for Nebraska bloggers.

http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=38438

http://snipurl.com/26jwk

The complete Pew article is in the continuation of this post. Worth reading if you care about the differences between an actual farm and a factory.

**Stay tuned even if you have never smelled the stench of hogs. It is a stink that can carry for miles and never leaves the clothes of those around hogs--- Doug Wiken

**GPS shows distance between stalker and potential victim

Finally, why has this taken so long?

Police stations in Massachusetts have turned to modern technology to crack down on known stalkers. Those convicted as dangerous individuals are now being attached to satellite monitoring devices that electronically notify the authorities when a stalker is too close to their victim. The messages are sent automatically, meaning that the police could potentially stop an attack before the opportunity presents itself. (Source: topix.com) NWL to Infopackets story on GPS and Stalker monitoring

http://snipurl.com/26ce0

Putting GPS transmitters on parolees, etc. has been available for years. It seemed obvious to me years ago that putting such transmitters on stalker victims and then knowing the distance between them might have made judge's protection orders actually mean something without also bankrupting taxpayers and producing a massive gestapo snooping system running night and day.

SD AG Long has advanced good ideas in relation to keeping drunk drivers out of jail, but also off the roads driving drunk and still working to support their families. He needs to now push for this advancement and the SD Court system should also be very interested in this.

*** Stay tuned even if the BushSpies, Inc. already have your every keystroke recorded somewhere--- Doug Wiken

**Son, Don't get your math and Physics from the Argus or, busted myth busters.

The ARGUS today April 25, 2008, printed a "Reader Rant" titled "Re:Shooting Bullets". The writer gets his science from cable TV Myth Busters. He says a bullet tired into the air and then coming down to hit somebody was proven not to have "enough force" to cause serious injury. The writer also notes that a bullet returns with the "same rate as any falling object (32 feet per second squared).

Those with a little knowledge can be dangerous. Of course some of us with a little more knowledge might be even more dangerous, but here is a little physics anyway.

Velocity is distance per unit of time. Acceleration is the change in the velocity. Force on an object can be determined by the equation F=MA, or Force equals mass times acceleration. This little bit of physics and math may be about all most people ever really need to know about physics of motion.

So, the writer has confused acceleration and velocity in his comment. The velocity of falling objects in a vacuum will accelerate or increase in velocity at around 32 feet per second squared above the earth. Objects with an initial speed or velocity in an upward direction with no continuing propulsive force such as a jet engine, will accelerate in a negative direction, ie down or decelerate in more common usage.

So, if a car is pushed off a cliff about 600 feet high, using another formula distance equals initial velocity plus 1/2 acceleration times time squared, etc the car would be traveling at about 450 feet per second when it landed if there were no air resistance. Air resistance sets a "terminal velocity" for falling objects depending on the mass, density and streamlining. The falling car would be moving about 300 miles per hour if there were no air resistance. Humans falling out of an airplane don't keep accelerating until the hit the ground. Apparently terminal velocity for falling humans is about 130mph. Here is a link with some more basic information:

Physics site with question on falling bodies

Falling bullets on the other hand are a totally different can of worms to mix metaphors or something like that, but lets not get into chemistry. I do not think I would want to be the test subject for shooting even a 22 caliber rifle perfectly straight up on a windless day. Here is a link with some information on the terminal velocity of bullets, mass, etc.
"Straight Dope on Falling Bullets"target="new"

Then there is "Grandpa" who answers at Grandpa on Firing gun into the air

And finally, there is Myth Busters itself, but revisiting the falling bullet issue
Myth Busters Revisit Falling Bullets issue

Do a Google search for "Terminal velocity of a falling bullet" or body or human and you will get a lot of interesting information that somebody at the ARGUS should have checked before posting the "RANT".

So, "Be careful out there" or beware David Letterman jokes about squirrels."

***Stay tuned even if your eyes glaze over at the mere sound of the word "physics" or you think of "physic" instead and want nothing to do with loose stool..let alone falling loose nuts--- Doug Wiken