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Friday, May 30, 2014

Divoom Vommbox Outdoor: Tough Bluetooth speaker at a bargain price - YouTube

Video (2:31)



Divoom Vommbox Outdoor: Tough Bluetooth speaker at a bargain price - YouTube

USDA Blog » MyPlate Has a Game Plan for Healthy Eating on a Budget

Everyone wants to save money at the grocery store, especially those on a tight budget. The new Healthy Eating on a Budget section of ChooseMyPlate.gov empowers cost-conscious consumers to make healthy choices with insightful information about meal planning, smart shopping ideas, and creating healthy meals with simple ingredients.  Web-based trends indicate that consumers continue to look for information about how to make better eating decisions with limited resources. Healthy Eating on a Budget offers a step-by-step game plan to help families save money and make nutritious meals at home.
Recent scores from the USDA Healthy Eating Index indicate that Americans can struggle to meet recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  Most of us need to increase our intake of whole fruit, dark-green and orange vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat dairy.  Cost is often considered a barrier to eating healthier and the new resource will help consumers overcome this perception.




USDA Blog » MyPlate Has a Game Plan for Healthy Eating on a Budget

How Ballmer will ruin the Clippers - May. 30, 2014

How Ballmer will ruin the Clippers - May. 30, 2014

Picking a Winner Part II - More Tips and Insights for Selecting Seasonal Produce

USDA Blog Post:

Cantaloupes are a refreshing treat that is always a hit during the summer. When purchasing a cantaloupe, make sure that its rind is light green or turning yellow. Most cantaloupes will need to be kept in the refrigerator before eating. USDA Photo courtesy of Scott Bauer.
Cantaloupes are a refreshing treat that is always a hit during the summer. When purchasing a cantaloupe, make sure that its rind is light green or turning yellow. Most cantaloupes will need to be kept in the refrigerator before eating. USDA Photo courtesy of Scott Bauer.
We all have our own methods and traditions for selecting fresh produce, especially as the weather gets warmer and our stores and markets are full of fresh seasonal offerings. Whether it’s smelling the rind or checking the firmness of the skin, these age-old practices are all designed to help pick the winning ingredients for snacks and meals.  Last spring, we provided tips for buying artichokes, apricots, broccoli, cherries, and strawberries. This time around, we will focus on some other seasonal favorites.
Whether it is part of a fruit salad or eaten by itself, cantaloupe is always a hit during the summer months. When purchasing a cantaloupe, make sure that its rind is light green or turning yellow. Ripe cantaloupes should yield to light pressure and have a sweet aroma. Most cantaloupes need to be kept in the refrigerator for 2-4 days before eating. Some may prefer to eat their cantaloupes at room temperature, while others like theirs after leaving it in the refrigerator for a few hours.
Another fruit commonly used as a refreshing treat is watermelon. While it may be hard to determine a quality watermelon that is not cut, here are a couple of pointers that may help you out. Look for one with a relatively smooth surface, a rind that has a slight dullness, ends that are filled out and rounded, and an underside (belly) that has a creamy color. From gazpacho to sandwiches, the National Watermelon Board website is your place to find creative watermelon recipes.
A versatile fruit that is often eaten by itself or placed in smoothies or frozen yogurt, blueberries are a popular summer item. Quality blueberries will have a dark blue color with a silvery bloom. You should buy blueberries that are plump, firm, uniform in size, dry, and free from stems or leaves. We recommend that you visit the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council site for all things blueberry.
If you are looking to add some color to a fresh salad, radishes will do just the trick. Choose smooth, brightly colored medium-sized radishes. Their tops should be green and fresh looking. Avoid radishes with yellow or decayed tops.
A popular item to throw on the grill, purple eggplants should be heavy, smooth, and uniformly dark purple. Avoid those that are soft, shriveled, cut, or have irregular dark-brown spots.
USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) offers inspection services so that wholesalers and retailers receiving fruits and vegetables know a product’s quality.  Through our Specialty Crops Inspection Division, AMS employees grade, inspect, and certify the quality of fruits and vegetables. Establishments can use these voluntary, unbiased services to verify that their foods meet desired preferences. Relying on standards that address factors such as color, firmness, and ripeness, our inspectors grade items based on their quality. These services are often used to verify that produce deliveries arrive within acceptable conditions established in contracts.
Whether you are taking a stroll down the produce aisle at your local farmers market or grocery store, AMS encourages you to fill your plate with fruits and veggies this summer. If you are looking for some recipes or nutritional info, we recommend that you check out USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) site.
Radishes like these from Worden Farm in Florida can add color to your tossed salad. Look for brightly colored radishes with green tops. USDA Photo courtesy of Lance Cheung.
Radishes like these from Worden Farm in Florida can add color to your tossed salad. Look for brightly colored radishes with green tops. USDA Photo courtesy of Lance Cheung.

Empörung über Vergewaltigungen - Polizei wegen "Diskriminierung" am Pranger | Aktuell Asien | DW.DE | 30.05.2014

Another gang rape of girls in an Indian village, again protests: A father reported that a police officer had refused to search for the missing girls because they belong to a lower caste.



Empörung über Vergewaltigungen - Polizei wegen "Diskriminierung" am Pranger | Aktuell Asien | DW.DE | 30.05.2014

Thursday, May 29, 2014

The 404 - Ep. 1494: Where we shoot the moon - YouTube

Video (29:41)



The 404 - Ep. 1494: Where we shoot the moon - YouTube

Help Continues: Students Involved in SR 530 Slide Recovery

FEMA News Release:

Help Continues: Students Involved in SR 530 Slide Recovery

Main Content
Release date: 
MAY 29, 2014
Release Number: 
011
Students have been helping with the SR 530 Slide recovery. One example is in Mill Creek, Wash., where a broadcast team of seven students from Henry M. Jackson High School produced one of the first newscasts that told the story of the SR 530 Slide. The newscast was produced for the high school’s news network as a way of increasing media awareness among younger audiences, said Zachary Anders, who is part of the broadcast team.
“I believe our coverage reached the younger audience simply by us students covering it, and for those of our age being able to relate to us,” he said. “Many of the students I talked to told us they ignored the coverage by CNN and NBC, or that they don't watch the news at all.”
To view their newscast, click: http://youtu.be/LEesplF7l9Y.
Another example of student involvement in SR 530 Slide recovery is in Edmonds, Wash. Two Edmonds Community College students, Rob Matthews and Quincy Powell, are volunteering their skills to help survivors recover their memories from computer hard drives, flash drives and SD cards that were damaged as a result of the SR 530 Slide.
“I want to help the survivors by giving them back something they thought they had lost. Then they can maybe begin the healing process and get some remembrance and closure,” Matthews said.
Matthews, Powell and other students of the college are earning degrees in Information Security Technology and Data Recovery. They are working with members of the High Technology Crime Investigation Association to recover the data for free.
These are only a few examples of students helping with the SR 530 Slide recovery. There are many other ways to help. For more information about how to volunteer, click: www.uwsc.org/.
For more information on data recovery through Edmonds Community College, contact Rob Matthews at r.matthews1234@edmail.edcc.edu or Quincy Powell at q.powell6908@edmail.edcc.edu.
For details about what to do with a damaged hard drive, click: infosec.edcc.edu/OsoDataRecovery.html.
For more information on the SR 530 Slide, visit the Washington Emergency Management Division website atwww.emd.wa.gov/activations/Activation.shtml or the FEMA website at www.fema.gov/.
The state of Washington and FEMA have been partnering in recovery since the SR 530 Slide. Those who were directly impacted by the slide may register for disaster assistance through June 2. Register online through midnight, Pacific Daylight Time or by phone by 7 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time.
To register online, click: www.DisasterAssistance.gov or m.fema.gov. To register by phone, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362). Survivors who use TTY should call (800) 462-7585 directly; those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS) may call (800) 621-3362. Survivors may call these toll-free telephone numbers to access the FEMA help line from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time, seven days a week.
Last Updated: 
May 29, 2014 - 18:41

FEMA Announces 2014 Youth Preparedness Council Members

FEMA News Release:

FEMA Announces 2014 Youth Preparedness Council Members

Main Content
Release date: 
MAY 29, 2014
Release Number: 
HQ-14-039
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is pleased to announce the members of the 2014-2015 FEMA National Youth Preparedness Council.
FEMA’s Youth Preparedness Council was formed in 2012 to bring together youth leaders from across the country interested in advocating on behalf of youth preparedness and making a difference in their communities. The Council supports FEMA’s commitment to involving youth in preparedness-related activities. It also provides an avenue to engage youth by taking into account their perspectives, feedback and opinions.
Young people play an important role in raising emergency preparedness awareness. Preparedness education empowers youth to keep themselves and others safe in an emergency; encourages them to share preparedness information with their families, schools and communities; and reduces anxiety about potential disasters. The Youth Preparedness Council members represent the youth perspective on emergency preparedness, and they share information with their communities.
The 2014 application process produced a large number of highly qualified applicants. The 12 newest members of the Council were selected based on their dedication to public service, community involvement and potential to expand their impact as national advocates for youth preparedness.
The distinguished members selected in 2014 are as follows:
• FEMA Region I: Bridget Smith (Connecticut)
• FEMA Region II: James Collins (New Jersey)
• FEMA Region III: Sahara Duncan (Pennsylvania)
• FEMA Region IV: Jonathan Salazar (Florida)
• FEMA Region V: Isaiah Garcia (Michigan)
• FEMA Region VI: Obie Jones (Texas)
• FEMA Region VII: Austin Witt (Iowa)
• FEMA Region VIII: Weston Lee (Utah)
• FEMA Region VIII: Matthew Mayfield (Colorado)
• FEMA Region IX: Brittany Amano (Hawaii)
• FEMA Region IX: Navjot Hansra(California)
• FEMA Region X: Raylene Ensminger(Washington)

The returning Council members are as follows:
• Council Chairperson: Emily Rosenblum (Missouri)
• FEMA Region II:  Sophie Friedfeld-Gebaide (New York)
• FEMA Region V:  Daniel Wernsman (Wisconsin)

Each Council member completes a self-selected legacy project during his or her term. Council members also participate in a Youth Preparedness Council Summit where they share their ideas, opinions and questions about youth disaster preparedness with the leadership of national organizations working on this critical priority. During the summit, they will determine their legacy projects and meet with FEMA community preparedness staff who will be their ongoing FEMA support contacts and mentors. Members also meet with FEMA throughout their term to provide input on strategies, initiatives and projects.
To learn more about FEMA’s youth preparedness efforts, please visit www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.
Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blogwww.twitter.com/femawww.facebook.com/fema and www.youtube.com/fema.  Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from and mitigate all hazards.
Last Updated: 
May 29, 2014 - 13:20

Berkeley Lab-led Collaboration with China Speeds Development of Green Buildings

NEWS FEATURE
May 28, 2014
Contact:
Julie Chao
JHChao@lbl.gov / (510)486-6491
Click here to view this article online with images.
Berkeley Lab-led Collaboration with China Speeds Development of Green Buildings
 

  

National labs and U.S. companies partner with China on the Clean Energy Research Center for energy-efficient buildings.
White roofs have been proven to help cool buildings-thus saving energy and bringing down air-conditioning costs-while also helping to reduce a city's temperature by reflecting more sunlight back to space. But what would happen with a white roof in a Chinese city, where elevated pollution levels might turn a white roof sooty after a few months?

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) scientists are working in collaboration with researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Dow Chemical Company in a unique project to develop and commercialize a superhydrophobic additive that would make white roofs repel water and resist soiling, and thus stay cleaner and last longer.

This is just one of several green building projects that have been initiated under the U.S. Department of Energy's U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center Building Energy Efficiency Consortium (CERC-BEE), which launched three years ago. In that time, it has made steady progress toward the research and development of low-energy technologies for buildings, including patent applications and new product launches this year, about 100 articles published, and five demonstration projects in China that validate, fine-tune, and showcase everything from smart windows to advanced lighting controls to microgrids.

"China is the largest commercial building market in the world, adding 2 billion square meters of new construction per year," said CERC-BEE director Nan Zhou, also deputy head of Berkeley Lab's China Energy Group. "That means there's an enormous potential to save energy. The technologies developed by the CERC-BEE consortium could save $2 billion and avoid emissions of 100 million metric tons of CO2-equivalent between the two countries every year if the CERC-BEE policies and technologies are adopted."

CERC-BEE is unique, Zhou added, because it gives government researchers the opportunity to collaborate with private companies in one of the fastest-growing markets in the world. "We are establishing long-term partnerships to solve critical energy problems in buildings while accelerating commercialization of energy-saving technologies," she said. "China is building so much faster, and they're eager to experiment. We will have completed five demonstration buildings in China in two years, showcasing many U.S. technologies. This timeframe would be nearly impossible in the U.S. And these technologies will be instrumented, measured, and researched to provide new information that could lead to further innovation. "

Private-public collaboration speeds implementation

Berkeley Lab scientist Francis Rubinstein, a lighting system expert working with Lutron Electronics on two advanced lighting control demonstrations in China, said that CERC will allow new technologies to be deployed much faster than if he had been working alone.

"The fact that CERC has closely tied national lab and university investigators to the industries making those products and systems increases the likelihood that we'll be able to make real-world changes," Rubinstein said. "If we had been working in isolation, then at the end, tossed our research over the transom to industry, they probably wouldn't be able to catch it. If you work with industry at this earlier stage you're helping to inform the details of how this system is used. By doing this kind of research with manufacturers it's much more likely the output will end up getting used."

Research and demonstration projects under the CERC umbrella include building envelope technologies (such as cool roofs and insulation), renewable energy integration, policy incentives and building operation. In one project, Rubinstein and Lutron will implement a dimmable, fully automated lighting system in a Chinese office building. Another CERC project, recognizing that human behavior is the largest variable in a building's energy efficiency, will integrate behavior into building design simulation tools, potentially reducing energy use by up to 50 percent in new buildings.

The cool roof project seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of the superhydrophobic cool roof coatings in China as well as the United States. It will use an accelerated soiling system developed at Berkeley Lab to predict in just three days how well the coating can maintain its reflectance, a process that would otherwise take three years of natural exposure to test.

Helping develop green building policies and codes

Besides the technology development, an added benefit that CERC brings is the ability to help shape China's very nascent policies, standards, and codes around green buildings. "These policies will enable scale up for adoption of new technologies, resulting in large reductions in energy usage and carbon emissions, and can help U.S. energy efficiency technologies to gain more markets," said CERC-BEE project manager Brian Heimberg.

Added Ronnen Levinson, Berkeley Lab's cool roof project lead: "We're working with the Chinese government's Research Institute of Standards and Norms and the Guangdong Provincial Academy of Building Research to develop policies to incentivize use of cool roofs. The newest national building standards credit cool roofs in certain locations, and other standards are being actively discussed. These help lay the groundwork for cool roofs in China."

This, of course, is also a benefit to U.S. companies. "We're developing relationships with the people in government who will be developing the green building codes," said Robert Nachtrieb, Lutron's lead scientist and also chair of the CERC-BEE U.S. Industrial Advisory Board. "We feel that if we bring some of those best practices of U.S. building codes to China, it will not only help China save energy, but it's also a business opportunity for us."

President Obama and then Chinese President Hu Jintao formally announced the establishment of the CERC during the President's trip to Beijing in 2009. It will receive $12.5 million in U.S. government funding over five years. This will be matched by consortium partners, providing at least $25 million in total U.S. funding. Contributions from industry have increased an average of 40 percent annually in the first three years. Chinese counterparts contributed an additional $25 million. CERC also includes two other consortia-the Advanced Coal Technology Consortia led by West Virginia University and the Clean Vehicles Consortia led by the University of Michigan.

Besides Oak Ridge, other members of the CERC-BEE consortium include MIT, ICF International, and the National Resource Defense Council. The industrial partners include Dow Chemical, Saint-Gobain, ClimateMaster, Sage, C3, Bentley, 3M, and Lutron.

As with cool roofs, awareness of lighting controls in China is lower than in the U.S. By introducing China to new energy-savings technologies, the CERC-BEE activities benefit all U.S. businesses. "We're essentially growing the market for all lighting controls companies," Nachtrieb said. "The entire industry benefits."

# # #

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory addresses the world's most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab's scientific expertise has been recognized with 13 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science. For more, visit www.lbl.gov

The U.S. - China Clean Energy Research Center Building Energy Efficiency Consortium (CERC-BEE) was initiated between the United States and China and formally established by protocol between the U.S. Department of Energy and Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology in 2009. Achievements include improved energy efficiency in new and existing buildings, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased indoor comfort, and reduced stress on the electric grid. CERC-BEE R&D teams are comprised of U.S. national laboratories and U.S. and Chinese universities, research institutes, and industry partners. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory leads the U.S. participation in the program. 

Employee Spotlight: Baris Key - YouTube

Employee Spotlight: Baris Key - YouTube

'My eyes are stinging!'

Herb Greenberg showed a bit more than he intended when he took control of his camera at the conclusion of a live appearance on CNBC's "Street Signs."



'My eyes are stinging!'

8 books Amazon is making it hard to buy - May. 29, 2014

Hundreds of books, some obscure titles and some bestsellers, are caught up in the deepening feud between Amazon and the book publisher Hachette.



8 books Amazon is making it hard to buy - May. 29, 2014

Get to Know Alabama Agriculture

USDA Blog Post:

Who knew? Now you do! Check back next Thursday for another state spotlight from the 2012 Census of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Who knew? Now you do! Check back next Thursday for another state spotlight from the 2012 Census of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The Census of Agriculture is the most complete account of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Every Thursday USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service will highlight new Census data and the power of the information to shape the future of American agriculture.
Alabama may be known as the Cotton state, but there’s a lot more to our agriculture than cotton, a point reinforced by the data in the most recent Census of Agriculture. While more than 376,000 acres of nearly nine million acres of farmland in the state are dedicated to cotton farming, there are now more farms growing corn (2,112 farms) and soybeans (1,502 farms) in Alabama than those growing cotton (925 farms).
All in all, it was great to see how well our farming is doing, especially considering that in 2012 we saw one of the worst droughts in history. More than 90 percent of Alabama was affected by the drought that year. Despite these tricky conditions, our farmers sold more than $5.5 billion worth of agricultural products in 2012, a 26 percent increase from the previous census, taken in 2007.
It is livestock, however, rather than crop farms, which dominate our agriculture today. In 2012, livestock farms had nearly $4.3 billion in sales, accounting for more than three-fourths of all of the agricultural sales in Alabama. In 2012, we had nearly 173 million broiler-type chickens, putting us in second place behind Georgia. Our laying hens more than 1.8 billion eggs that year. Alabama producers can also boast the second-largest quail flock in the nation. As of 2012, with more than 1.1 million in 2012.
In addition to these sectors, Alabama also has a very strong aquaculture presence. According to the census, our farmers raised more than $112 million in catfish and nearly $2.7 million in sport or game fish in 2012.
Alabama farms are also diversifying their practices. In 2012, more than 2,000 farms produced and sold value-added products, including products such as beef jerky, fruit jams, jelly, wine, etc. One hundred eighty four of Alabama farms participated in community-supported agriculture programs that year. And more than 500 farms marketed their products directly to retail outlets.
These are just some of the more exciting facts about Alabama agriculture, however. For more data on our state’s production, check out our complete 2012 Census.
Alabama is more than just cotton these days – chickens and catfish and corn are just a few of the crops grown in the state according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture.
Alabama is more than just cotton these days – chickens and catfish and corn are just a few of the crops grown in the state according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture.

Don't Play Politics with our Children's Health

USDA Blog Post:

Cross posted from The Hill Op-Ed:
Politics should never trump sound policy, particularly when it comes to our kids.
Four years ago, Congress, in a strong bipartisan effort, committed to America’s children that they would enjoy healthier and more nutritious meals at school. Sadly, just as we are beginning to see the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 succeed, some in Congress want to step back from that commitment. Now is not the time to backpedal on a healthier future for our kids. Two-thirds of adults and one-third of American children are overweight or obese. The cost of treating obesity-related illnesses is $190.2 billion per year, dragging down our economy and increasing budget deficits. If nothing changes, this generation of children will be the first to live shorter lives than their parents.
Thanks to HHFKA, parents, teachers, school nutrition professionals, doctors, nutritionists and USDA have implemented science-based nutrition standards based on recommendations from the Institute of Medicine that make the school environment healthier for millions of American children.
Replacing fat-, sugar- and sodium-laden meals with more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other healthy foods at school should be a no-brainer. Access to nutritious meals reduces the risk of diet-related health problems and gives our kids a fair shot at a healthier, more productive future.
It is outrageous, then, that certain members of Congress are now attempting to undo the progress we’ve made since the passage of the law.
Our nation’s schools and schoolchildren are thriving under the new standards. School lunch revenue is up. A recent Harvard study showed that, thanks to the new standards, kids are now eating 16 percent more vegetables and 23 percent more fruit at lunch—astounding progress in just two years. Some predicted kids would reject healthy food and throw more food away, but the same study showed the critics were wrong.
These changes haven’t happened overnight. USDA has listened carefully to schools and provided time, flexibility, guidance and additional funding where needed. As a result, more than 90 percent of schools across the country are now meeting the standards. Kids are eating healthier in those schools because of it.  There’s no reason to turn back the clock now.
Yet, some in Washington want the power to overrule experts and decide for themselves what goes on the lunch tray of school children. Our position is that pediatricians know better than politicians what’s healthy for our kids.
It will take persistence and strong leadership by families, schools, states and USDA to ensure continued success in the fight for a healthier next generation. We stand ready for the challenge and we expect our Congressional leaders to do the same. Anything less would be a betrayal to our nation’s children.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Tornadoes rare in ND county where worker camp hit - KXNet.com - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

Tornadoes rare in ND county where worker camp hit - KXNet.com - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

Watford City tornado spared 4 trailers, buildings - KXNet.com - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

Watford City tornado spared 4 trailers, buildings - KXNet.com - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

15-year-old girl critically injured in ND tornado - KXNet.com - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

15-year-old girl critically injured in ND tornado - KXNet.com - Bismarck/Minot/Williston/Dickinson-KXNEWS,ND

Statement by Senators McCain, Graham and Ayotte on Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal Announcement

Senator Kelly Ayotte News Release:

Statement by Senators McCain, Graham and Ayotte on Afghanistan Troop Withdrawal Announcement

May 27, 2014

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) released the following statement on President Obama's announcement on Afghanistan today, which includes withdrawing all U.S. troops from the country by the end of 2016:

"The President's decision to set an arbitrary date for the full withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is a monumental mistake and a triumph of politics over strategy. This is a short-sighted decision that will make it harder to end the war in Afghanistan responsibly.

"The President came into office wanting to end the wars he inherited. But wars do not end just because politicians say so. The President appears to have learned nothing from the damage done by his previous withdrawal announcements in Afghanistan and his disastrous decision to withdraw all U.S. forces from Iraq. Today's announcement will embolden our enemies and discourage our partners in Afghanistan and the region. And regardless of anything the President says tomorrow at West Point, his decision on Afghanistan will fuel the growing perception worldwide that America is unreliable, distracted, and unwilling to lead.
"The alternative was not war without end. It was a limited assistance mission to help the Afghan Security Forces preserve momentum on the battlefield and create conditions for a negotiated end to the conflict. The achievement of this goal, and the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, should be determined by conditions on the ground, not by the President's concern for his legacy.

"All wars end. The question is how they end. The war in Iraq has ended in tragedy. And it is difficult to see how we can succeed in Afghanistan when the President tells our enemies that our troops will leave by a date certain whether they have achieved our goals or not."

###

Small Operation Perseveres Until Drought Relief Comes

USDA Blog Post:

Keegan Poe received disaster funding for grazing losses he suffered during the drought in 2012.
Keegan Poe received disaster funding for grazing losses he suffered during the drought in 2012.
This post is part of a disaster assistance program feature series on the USDA blog. Check back every Wednesday as we showcase stories and news from USDA’s Farm Service Agency.
Keegan Poe of Johnson County, Indiana is a busy man. Not only is Poe a regional manager for Indiana Farm Bureau, but in his “spare time,” he holds down a second full-time job raising beef cattle and running Poe’s Quality Meats where he sells family raised beef and lamb direct from farm to consumer.
“My family has raised sheep for 70 years here in Indiana, but my passion for raising cattle started with one dairy steer when I was involved with 4-H as a youth,” said Poe. “I asked my dad if I could show cattle and he said, ‘sure’ and the rest is history.”
Today, Poe’s herd consists of approximately 25 head of cattle that he raises for beef and sells to his customers. Although a small operation by traditional ranching standards, Poe’s herd is no less important to him as a producer or to his loyal customers who rely on him for quality products to bring home to their families.
So when the severe drought hit Indiana in 2012 with record high temperatures and absolutely no rain, Poe found himself without grazing acres and having to supplement feed for his cattle by purchasing and hauling hay.
“My operation is small, which in this case was a blessing because I didn’t have to liquidate my herd,” said Poe. “Unlike many cattle raisers, this is not my primary source of income.  But as with all livestock producers, I care very much about the well-being and overall health of my herd and to find myself wondering how I was going to feed them, where the feed would come from and how much it was going to cost, was a terrible feeling.”
Poe, who typically does not have to begin supplementing feed for his cattle until December, had to begin feeding hay to the cattle in June.  Although he had some hay stored, that supply was quickly depleted.  That forced him to purchase hay, which was in short supply and costly.
Fast forward two years and Poe, through the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA), has received much-needed financial relief through FSA’s Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP).  The 2014 Farm Bill provides retroactive authority to cover eligible losses back to Oct. 1, 2011.  In Poe’s case, LFP provided benefits for four months of grazing losses in 2012.
“Like most livestock producers, I like to stand on my own two feet,” said Poe.  “And while I made it through the rough times like the drought, I know that I will be able to care for my cattle properly and maintain the quality of product that to my customers are used to,” said Poe.
Since disaster assistance sign-up began on April 15, USDA has received more than 81,500 applications. As of May 22, USDA has paid more than $235 million to help American farmers, ranchers and their families devastated by severe losses. For more information about FSA disaster assistance programs such as LFP, visit an FSA office near you.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

USDA Blog » 100+ Years of Tracking Nutrients Available in the U.S. Food Supply

What’s in the food we eat? Have you ever wondered if the foods past generations ate as children were more nutritious than the foods you now eat, or vice versa? Well, let’s take a look at the amount of nutrients available in foods for over 100 years! 



USDA Blog » 100+ Years of Tracking Nutrients Available in the U.S. Food Supply

Saturday, May 24, 2014

GPS Tracking Helps Eradicate Australian Ferris Buellers

Before you cut out for the long weekend, be thankful that your boss isn’t monitoring your whereabouts. One middle school in Alice Springs, Australia has instituted a GPS tracking program for its students that has improved attendance to a staggering 90%.



GPS Tracking Helps Eradicate Australian Ferris Buellers

Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars' adding 24 new episodes - May. 23, 2014

Jerry Seinfeld fans take note: his web series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee" is returning June 19th.



Seinfeld's "Comedians in Cars' adding 24 new episodes - May. 23, 2014

Apple removes weed dealing game from app store - May. 23, 2014

The rules on marijuana are blurry, even in the virtual world.



Apple removes weed dealing game from app store - May. 23, 2014

Remembering the Fallen and Serving our Veterans

USDA Blog Post:

Leon Kauzlarich (left) and his son, David, are both U.S. Army veterans. With critical home repairs in place, including a handicap-accessible ramp, Leon plans to get out this Memorial Day to recognize the contributions of other military veterans.
Leon Kauzlarich (left) and his son, David, are both U.S. Army veterans. With critical home repairs in place, including a handicap-accessible ramp, Leon plans to get out this Memorial Day to recognize the contributions of other military veterans.
As we celebrate Memorial Day this weekend, those of us at USDA Rural Development would like to take a moment to remember the fallen.  We also thank the veterans who served alongside them and who are helping keep their memories alive today.
Leon Kauzlarich from rural Appanoose County, Iowa, is one such veteran who will be getting out this Memorial Day to do just that. For decades, he has spent Memorial Day visiting rural cemeteries to place American flags on the graves of fallen soldiers. As a senior with mobility issues, however, he missed three recent Memorial Day observances, because he was unable to navigate the front steps and was completely homebound.
With the help of USDA Rural Development home repair grant paired with assistance from the Chariton Valley Regional Housing Trust Fund, Mr. Kauzlarich was able to finally make critical repairs to his home in early 2013. The funds were used to fix a leaking roof and plumbing, install new entry and storm doors, and build an outdoor ramp allowing Mr. Kauzlarich to come and go.
With the repairs completed, one of his first excursions was to resume his Memorial Day tradition last year.
His daughter told us, “This simple task was one that dad had done himself for well over 60 years, and it meant so much to him to again see that those soldiers were given their recognition!  This memorable ride was the first time in over three years that dad was able to leave the confines of his home.”
“This means the world to dad and the Kauzlarich family! Knowing dad can safely get out of his house in case of an emergency eases my worries, too,” she continued.
This Memorial Day, USDA is proud to serve and recognize veterans like Mr. Leon Kauzlarich. Thank you, sir, for your service to all of us and for keeping the memory of our fallen soldiers alive.