Some more COOL Google Maps tools for a rainy day (or month)…
It seems likely that global warming is at least somewhat real. Even if it’s really not “global warming” the planet is certainly having a series of more serious, and less “typically seasonal” weather. It’s not a bad idea to be aware of some of the geographic changes that could occur, should either the rain continue, or our ‘bergs fully melt…
I did a little looking around, and found a sort-of useful Google Maps mashup that lets you see your own plot of land, but with some different sea level options… I know that most of you are living in areas far remote from the ocean, but this might help plan things like a) where the refugees will come from, b) your next new favorite fishing spot and c) what’s the best piece of future waterfront real estate to put an offer on…
In a similar vein, good here’s another one that lets you calculatehow much solar energy potential your roof has. I’m curious about something regarding rainwater reclamation, which I’ve heard is big in the west right now, but I haven’t found anything specific yet. Keep in mind that if you go through with the calculator, yes, it will opt to take you to a “free estimate” from a local installer for solar panels- but the calculator itself is pretty interesting.
Did you happen to notice how Michael Jackson spent the last fifteen years of his life hounded, mocked, vilified and almost universally despised by the media, and now that he’s dead, the same media have instantly elevated him to sainthood?
Nutjob James Von Brunn (the photo above is probably from two decades ago - he actually looks much older than this now) went to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC on June 10, somewhat lightly armed, but with the intention of shooting as many people - innocent people - as he could. He shot and killed the first person he met, the security guard who opened the door for him. How’s that for accepting a welcome?
The script changed, however, because two nearby guards immediately returned Von’s Brunn’s fire, critically injuring him. What this suggests to me is that in any of your gun massacres in recent years, if one or more responsible citizens in the nearby vicinity were armed, the incidents could have ended almost before they began. Imagine Virginia Tech as a place where two or three people were murdered, instead of 32. �
Sometimes watching the government at work is like standing mesmerized on a beach in Thailand in December 2004, and watching that big wave roll on in. There’s no hope in looking to these people. But then you knew that already.
In more interesting economic news, it’s worth noting that even though Chinese students laugh at our Treasury secretary, things seem to be looking up for the average guy.
Notably, job losses are slowing down, with only about 350K lost last month…
“Pending home sales” are also jumping up- more people out there taking advantage of lower interest rates and more realistic pricing, to an extent, to buy up their dream houses.
On the other hand, oil prices are headed back up, more than likely soon to break the $70 mark… Still a surprise when little more than a year ago we were having conversations about $4-5 a gallon gasoline.
And, I know, everyone wants to keep their guns, but please- don’t be stupid.
