Faster, better…

Archive for April, 2009

WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard announced Tuesday the publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking to revise the regulations governing waterfront facilities that handle liquefied natural gas and liquefied hazardous gas, 33 Code of Federal Regulations part 127.

The proposed modifications would affect the process for the submittal of Letters of Intent by owners/operators, as well as issuance of Letters of Recommendation by the Coast Guard Captains of the Port.

Under the proposed rule, when an owner/operator proposing to build or modify a liquefied natural gas/liquefied hazardous gas facility submits a Letter of Intent to the Captain of the Port, the owner/operator would be required to conduct a Waterway Suitability Assessment for liquefied natural gas/liquefied hazardous gas marine traffic.

After the Captain of the Port receives the Letter of Intent and reviews the Waterway Suitability Assessment under 33 Code of Federal Regulations part 127, the proposed rule would require the Captain of the Port to issue a Letter of Recommendation to the federal, state and/or local agencies that have jurisdiction to permit and approve the facility. The Letter of Recommendation conveys to the final approving authority the Coast Guard’s recommendation regarding the waterway’s suitability for liquefied natural gas/ liquefied hazardous gas marine traffic.

These proposed revisions would update the regulations to require what are currently voluntary industry practices and Coast Guard activities. These revisions will also align the Coast Guard’s regulations for liquefied natural gas with those established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The Coast Guard encourages the public to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials to the docket at http://www.regulations.gov, docket number: USCG-2007-27022. All comments received will be posted without change.

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard — Proud History.  Powerful Future.

(EyeOnAnnapolis) Click through to Eye On Annapolis for information on a Glen Burnie robbery. Police need your help identifying the suspect from the posted photograph. On April 29, 2009 at approximately 1105 (AM) hours there was an Armed Robbery of the Blockbuster Video Rental store located at 1181 South Crain Highway in Glen Burnie, MD near Hospital Drive.

EyeOnAnnapolis.net

(CDC via DIGG) Young children, pregnant women, and people with chronic diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease may be at higher risk for complications from this infection. More information about who may be at higher risk will be available when more is known about the disease. There are steps you can take to protect your family….

(Click “read more” below to go to the CDC website. Please refer your friends and neighbors.)

read more | digg story

This a re-Tweet from @RedCross.  “WHO has raised the pandemic alert level to 5. Now is the time to prepare. See our tips and video on www.redcross.org #swineflu”

On Twitter you can follow the American Red Cross at @RedCross

Visit http://www.redcross.org

(EyeOnAnnapolis.net) Six probable cases of the Swine Flu have been reported in Anne Arundel County, including two elementary school students from Folger McKinsey (Severna Park) and Milford Mill Academy in Baltimore County.

Read more at EyeOnAnnapolis.net

ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 29, 2009 – Having friends and family aboard is what boating is all about. But in an emergency could they quickly locate a fire extinguisher or provide accurate location information to rescuers — without your help?

read more | digg story

We have Guardians serving in near Djibouti. This Monday Admiral Thad Allen of the Coast Guard was on the Boutwell and published a great blog entry on his journal iCommandant. He asked that we take a minute to send a shoutout to our brave Guardians on the Boutwell. Take a minute to say hello and send a greeting to the Guardians serving on the Boutwell!

Click here!

My wife and I were walking along the beach at Plum Point over the weekend and noticed a rather high concentration of seanettles (stinging jellyfish) along the shoreline. Yuk. Last year these biotic nuisances didn’t show up until later in the season. Or at least that’s what we think we remember. I’ve heard fishermen on the marine VHF radio comment that they have moved through vast quantities of the jellyfish. We met some un-escorted un-supervised children in the eight-to-ten age range on the beach that did not know about seanettles or the potential for stings and let them know. (Parents – you should be on the beach with your children for safety sake. More for drowning protection rather than jellyfish stings.)

This website at the NOAA is where you can monitor the progression of the seanettle up the Bay. Be aware of your surroundings before you jump in the water.

SALISBURY — A legal encounter hyped as a major First Amendment battle for the Internet Age quickly became a source of amusement for a state District Court judge who advised a Delmar Web logger to “get a life” and told local politicians to thicken their skin to electronic criticism.

read more | digg story

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person

read more | digg story

MCINLEYVILLE, Calif. — The Coast Guard held a memorial service here today, at Azalea Hall, for the 27-year-old Coast Guardsman who died after a swimming accident April 22, 2009. Seaman James A. Salac, a food service specialist at Group Humboldt Bay, was recovered from the Trinity River at Kimtu Beach in Willow Creek, Calif., by the Humboldt County

read more | digg story

SOLOMONS, Md. (April 28, 2009) — The pier at the Naval Air Station Solomons Annex on the Patuxent River suffered a significant fire Tuesday evening. The blaze reportedly started around 6:30 p.m.

read more | digg story

(Red Cross 042809) U.S. government officials declared a public health emergency due to the current swine flu outbreak. The Red Cross offers three simple steps to get prepared for swine flu and other emergencies.

Read the rest at RedCross.org.

(Reflections Blog) In 2010 many folks, including me, hope to see Ron Miller replace Mike Miller in the Maryland State Senate. Ron is an exceptional human being, husband, father, veteran, and member of the Southern Maryland community. Ron shares my concern that government works hard to play down our Judeo-Christian history, values, and faith. In his latest blog article, Ron shares his view on Maryland’s  War Against Prayer:

“An engineer friend of mine had a saying that “one point in time does not a trend make.” When it comes to one issue in the state of Maryland, however, I believe we have enough events, all within the span of a few weeks, to declare a trend; the act of prayer is officially under siege in Maryland.”

Read the Reflections Blog and meet the Right Miller!

PORTLAND, Ore. — Floating down the river on a raft under the influence of intoxicants turns out to be a violation of state boating laws, the Oregon Court of Appeals ruled this morning. The Court said that a raft is covered by the laws regulating boating in the state.

read more | digg story

Most blog owners routinely examine server logs, or other logs for information about spammers. Spammers use up resources and bandwidth. The blog owner pays for the resources and bandwidth so that legitimate readers and index bots may enjoy the blog content. At DougWeb and PopularWireless I review logs and block IP addresses using up bandwidth during spam attempts.

There is a new kind of bot. It is not a spammer though Wassup and Akismet mark it as a spammer. It is not a search engine scanner like Google.  This new bot examines a blog’s content focusing apparently on political posts and the pages that identify the blogger. The content is analyzed for clients private or government. The bot belongs to an Illinois company, River Glass, Inc.  A log sample:

72.36.94.20 2009-04-26 18:31:24
/doug/2009/04/11/
Referrer: Direct hit
Hostname: rg34.riverglassinc.com

* User Agent: Jakarta Commons-HttpClient/3.0.1

* SPIDER: Jakarta

* Probably SPAM!(Akismet Spam)

Raw data:

* Visit type: Spammer
* IP: 72.36.94.20
* Hostname: rg34.riverglassinc.com
* Url Requested: /doug/2009/04/regularfolksunitedcom-a-challenge-to-the-black-church/
* User Agent: Jakarta Commons-HttpClient/3.0.1
* Referrer:
* OS: N/A
* Wassup ID: 81dae8b812259fa41f0c8c1f471093e3
* End timestamp: 2009-04-26 17:11:20 ( 1240765880 )

In reviewing my logs the other day I noticed hits from a bot located at rg34.riverglassinc.com (above) so I went to their site and read up on the company. When I found this paragraph a cold chill ran up my spine.

“Governmental agencies and businesses face three major challenges in acquiring information: extensive, irrelevant information in search results; impossibility of knowing the best places to look for information; and an infinite need for new information and insights. RiverGlass technology continuously scours the Internet or enterprise intranet to discover new information relevant to your needs:

# Locating text-based content relevant to your interest and business context
# Identifying key entities (such as people, places and events) within found content
# Understanding the relationship among those entities as it relates to topics of interest
# Connecting relationships within the data through powerful visualizations and analytical summaries “

On their Government and Intelligence page it says:

“RiverGlass assists the public law enforcement and intelligence sectors by applying our sophisticated machine-learning techniques for culling data from within different legal entities, analyzing disparate data, and addressing the information problems facing intelligence analysts today.”

Now having worked in law enforcement in the past I might have just blown off a site like this; however, the recent flap in the news media about right-wing extremists triggered my otherwise dormant conspiracy theory brain cells.

Who is watching a relatively insignificant Republican blogger primarily focused on local and state politics and topics of personal interest? Moreover, who is worried about what I have to say and why? This company has apparently found my blog because of content it wants to retrieve, analyze, and send to a client. Who is the client?

My logs indicated the bot was primarily interested in articles that I share with readers about politics. The bot also searched WordPress tags like DHS. It really liked my favorite Maryland State candidate’s articles that I quote and refer others to. This is creepy.

I have always considered myself a patriot and a Christian that cares about my community and the people in it. Why I would leave anyone with the impression that I had to be monitored by intelligence analysts puts a cold chill on blogging. It makes me wonder if my blogging is having an effect on my job search? Lately I get to the interview process but never again hear from the potential employer. Aside from making a very bad career choice once in my life I have all the skills and experience to make a superb choice as a new employee. No, this is just paranoia. This couldn’t happen in the United States could it?

Just for grins I encourage bloggers to look through their server logs, Wassup logs, or other detailed reports and look for this bot. Is the bot looking at left-wing sites, right-wing sites, entertainment sites?  Share what you find. A major media news crew might find this an interesting story.

In the meantime,  the bot from this company is now seeing an Error 403 page at my site. The analysts can visit my site from Google like everyone else does and any Analyst concerned about me or my content is welcome to call me on the telephone. I may be at a Tea Party, helping my candidate friend get elected, blogging about a hobby or volunteer interest, volunteering at a homeless shelter, going to church, or looking for work. Please leave a message.

(Photo Release)

Contact: Public Affairs Det. Baltimore
(410) 576-2541

Members of Nate Bruckenthal’s family attend the Nate Bruckenthal Memorial Run at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Friday, April 24, 2009.  “I’m grateful for the dedication to Nate’s Memory,” said Laurie Freiman, Nate Bruckenthal’s mother.  “I want to thank everyone for honoring him and his service to our country.” (Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)

Noabeth Bruckenthal, Nate Bruckenthal’s sister, speaks to the runners prior to the start of the Nate Bruckenthal Memorial Run at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Friday, April 24, 2009.  Approximately 17 different Coast Guard units participated in this year’s event.  (Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)

Petty Officer 2nd Class Jimmy DiCanio, a member of Engineering Logistics Center Baltimore,  participates in the Nate Bruckenthal Memorial Run at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Friday, April 24, 2009.  Participants of the run ranged from age five to 64 years old.  (Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)

Chief Petty Officer John Wright, a Coast Guard recruiter in Fredericksburg, Va., participates in the Nate Bruckenthal Memorial Run at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Friday, April 24, 2009.  The 205 participants included Coast Guard active duty, reservists, retirees, civilians and military dependents.

(Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Brandyn Hill)

Read more about our Guardian Nathan B. Bruckenthal at CGblog.org.

See the video of a Coast Guard  memorial service for Nathan also held today.

The Chemistry Blog, subtitled It’s Talent Stupid, published a very insightful article on age discrimination on Friday April 24, 2009. Roger, the author is based in the UK and writes on HR topics. Age discrimination is a very public topic now in the UK but for the most part historically ignored in the media in the USA. Tracking this topic has been of some interest to me so that I can present myself to recruiters and to potential employers as being a great deal, or as one of my favorite supervisors called me in a formal performance evaluation, “A keeper.” 

Excerpt, “I attended the Recruiter Forum today, for my thoughts see my previous post.  One of the questions asked by the panel to the audience of 60+ recruiters, was, "do they see age discrimination as they go about hiring for companies"…the whole room put up their hand.”

Read Age Discrimination – Who isn’t doing it?

(RegularFolksUnited.com – Ron Miller) Blog Excerpt –

This press release was issued by the United States Coast Guard 11th District Public Affairs Detachment for Los Angeles as a Notice to Boaters. While it is primarily aimed at the boating public in the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach, we around the Chesapeake Bay can get something out of the release as well.

—————————————————————-

Notice to Boaters April 23.2009

Coast Guard Urges Awareness to Recreational Boaters of Boating Safety Laws

SAN PEDRO, Calif. -In light of recent near misses and the start of the 2009 boating season, the Coast Guard will be increasing the enforcement of small vessel navigation rules.  There have been several recent near misses in and around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach which were the direct result of dangerous maneuvers by small craft impeding the movement of large commercial vessels. Reports include small craft impeding port channels, cutting through Pilot Operating Areas, and cutting across the path of large ocean going shipping, all violations of federal regulations.

Recreational, commercial fishing, and small passenger vessels must use extra care when transiting in port channels, Pilot Operating Areas, as well as the entire Precautionary Area. The Precautionary Area is a convergence zone for the two major shipping lanes in the Los Angeles and Long Beach area and extends approximately seven nautical miles from the federal breakwater.

Increased Coast Guard Patrols to Begin

Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles – Long Beach has taken a heightened posture towards addressing these violations. Taking a tiered approach, the Sector is nearing the end of the Outreach and Education Stage. This included coordination with the Los Angeles – Long Beach Harbor Safety Committee, distribution of safety pamphlets, and increased boating safety classes and exams offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The Enforcement Phase will begin in May with increased water patrols focused on navigation violations within the Port area. This corresponds with the National Safe Boating Week, May 16-22, 2009 and Memorial Day weekend which is the traditional start of the recreational boating season.

Important Navigation Rules for the Port Area

Stay Clear of Pilot Operating Areas. Part 165.1152 Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulations prohibits any vessel from entering the Pilot Operating Areas unless they are entering/departing through the respective gate. Vessels are further prohibited from stopping or loitering (including fishing) in the area unless they are embarking or disembarking a pilot. The Pilot Operating Areas are shown on NOAA charts as purple trapezoids extending seaward from each gate (extending approximately 1.5 nautical miles from Los Angeles’ Angel’s Gate and 2.5 nautical miles from Long Beach’s Queen’s Gate).  NOAA nautical charts 18749 and 18751 have notes printed on them alerting boaters to this rule.

Don’t Impede Vessels in Narrow Channels. Rule 9 of the International and Inland Navigation rules stipulates that vessels less than 20 meters (approximately 65 feet), sailing vessels, or vessels engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only in a “Narrow Channel or Fairway”. Coast Guard Captain of the Port Public Notice 1-96 applies Rule 9 to the Pilot Operating Areas and all channels leading to deep draft berths within the port. This means that any large commercial vessel operating anywhere in the Pilot Operating Areas or anywhere in the port should not be impeded by small vessels. This supersedes the navigation rule which gives sailing vessels right of way over power vessels.

Rule 9 further states that vessels shall keep as near to the outer limit of the narrow channel which lies on the starboard side as is safe and practicable. This means that small vessels should not proceed down the middle of port channels or down the middle of the Pilot Operating Areas.

Maintain a Proper Lookout. Rule 5 of the International and Inland Navigation rules requires a proper lookout by sight, hearing, and all available means.

Maintain a Proper Radio Watch. Required by the Vessel Bridge-to-Bridge Radiotelephone Act for power driven vessels over 20 meters (approximately 65 feet), as well as towing vessels over 26 feet, and vessels 100 gross tons or more while carrying one or more passengers. Vessels should monitor VHF-FM Channel 16 as well as passively listen to Vessel Traffic Service channels (CH 14 VTS outside breakwater, CH 73 Los Angles pilots, CH 74 Long Beach pilots).

Negligently Operated. Small vessels operating too close to a large vessel and impeding their safe passage are considered to be “negligently operated” and may be cited as such.

Avoiding Dangers inside a Commercial Port

The combined port complex of Los Angeles and Long Beach is one of the largest and busiest ports in the entire world. Thousands of recreational boaters, ships, tugs, barges, ferries, and other commercial vessels must share the use of the waterways everyday. This can be a challenge!

· Stay clear of commercial traffic lanes.

· Never pass between a tug and its tow or you may hit the long submerged tow line.

· Steer clear of large ships. Large ships have the right-of-way in channels and Pilot Operating Areas.

· Ship speeds can be deceptive. They cover distance much faster than it appears and it generally takes up to a mile and a half for these vessels to come to a complete stop. If a water skier or windsurfer falls a thousand feet in front of a moving tug, that person in the water has less than one minute to get out of the way of that vessel.

· A large ship’s blind spot can extend for hundreds of feet in front of them, so they may not even see a small craft which cuts in front of them.

· Take a Boating Safety Class. Get a Free Vessel Exam. http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.html

###

Saving Lives and Guarding the Coast Since 1790.
The United States Coast Guard — Proud History.  Powerful Future.

West Marine has an excellent advisor article on selecting sunglasses for boating.

There are locations in Solomons, Deale, and Annapolis.

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (April 23, 2009) — Calvert County public school and law enforcement officials are concerned about a dangerous but growing trend in text messaging. Officials report that children as young as elementary school are “sexting” their friends and acquaintances by using their cell phones to send nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit

read more | digg story

Workers ages 45 and over form a disproportionate share of the hard-luck recession category, the long-term unemployed–those who have been out of work for six months or longer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

read more | digg story

(EyeonAnnapolis via DIGG) But wait! Here in the wings is a suitable replacement. Tony McConkey, yes the GOP Delegate recently disbarred for violating a law he voted for (he acted as predator on a foreclosed home and had to give up his law license). (See Annapolis Capital Punishment)

Thanks to the Eye on Annapolis Blog for alerting us to this story. Anne Arundel Republicans need to think very carefully about anyone in the party taking an interest in this Senate seat. Republicans are never going to beat back the socialist agenda accepting corruption in the party. There have been enough bad apples. (Original story from The Capitol.)

read more | digg story

ANNAPOLIS – Our most treasured asset, the Chesapeake Bay is in trouble. Millions of dollars are spent each year on finding solutions to pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, while each year the reports are the same….the Bay is unhealthy and more must be done.

read more | digg story