Water, water, every where, / Nor any drop to drink.

Flooding in the Midwest:

Flooding worries spread to other towns along the Mississippi

In Washington, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa said the flooding has devastated his state's corn crop and may have inflicted up to $1 billion in damage to Iowa's agricultural sector alone. The flooding has forced farm-equipment manufacturer John Deere to idle two plants in Waterloo, he said.

"Across eastern Iowa, the flooding rivers have washed out railroad lines; Mississippi barge traffic has come to a halt; and closed major roadways," said Harkin, the Democratic chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee. "Thousands of Iowa businesses, large and small, have been impacted."

In Cedar Rapids, residents were allowed to return home temporarily to retrieve keepsakes and other items Sunday, but authorities said Monday that strike teams had determined the neighborhoods were no longer safe, even for a quick visit.

"We are taking a step back," Cedar Rapids Fire Department spokesman Dave Brown said, adding it would be awhile before evacuees would be permitted to go back home.

Police set up checkpoints to keep people away from the affected neighborhoods, deemed unsafe after weeks of heavy rain forced the Cedar River from its banks, leaving much of Iowa's second-largest city underwater.

They had to temporarily shut down John Deere plants? Awful. That is one of the most beloved brands in my neck of the woods. :(

Flooding in China:

More floods threaten south China

Dykes and embankments are being reinforced in southern China amid some of the worst storms in decades.

At least 63 people have already died in nine provinces in the south - China's industrial heartland - this month, said the civil affairs ministry. It said 1.66 million people had been evacuated from the hardest-hit areas over the past 10 days. Up to 70,000 of those being evacuated are from Wenchuan county in Sichuan - the epicentre of May's deadly quake.

Flooding from the recent heavy rain has destroyed tens of thousands of homes and submerged swathes of farmland, said the civil affairs ministry. The ministry is quoted as saying the floods are the worst in decades, and puts economic losses so far at 14.5bn yuan ($2.1bn).

China's really going through it these days. I feel sorry for the people, though I laugh mockingly at their government. Commies think you can control everything? God says otherwise.

Flooding in Somalia:

Deadly flooding in Somali capital

Floods have left at least six people dead in and around the Somali capital, Mogadishu.

Torrential rains over the weekend also affected thousands of displaced people living in camps outside the city. The floods came after another week of violence in Somalia, in which dozens of civilians, two aid workers and a BBC reporter were killed.

The UN World Food Programme has warned that nearly half Somalia's population will require aid later this year.

***

In Japan, quake rescue continues:

TOKYO - Soldiers fighting through a torrent of mud and rocks dug three bodies from a hot spring resort Sunday, bringing the death toll from a magnitude 7.2-earthquake in northern Japan to at least nine, with more than 200 injured.

Rescuers, often forced to resort to shovels and buckets, raced to dig through the mire as helicopters kept watch overhead and troops on the ground used backhoes to clear roads blocked by tons of fallen rock, dirt and trees.

***

Fire season heating up!

California
Colorado
Virginia
North Carolina
Utah
New Mexico
Manitoba

***

Don't look now, but this year's tornado season is on pace to break some records.

With the year not even half done, 2008 is already the deadliest tornado year in the United States since 1998 and seems on track to break the U.S. record for the number of twisters in a year, according to the National Weather Service. Also, this year’s storms seem to be unusually powerful.

But like someone who has lost all his worldly possessions to a whirlwind, meteorologists cannot explain exactly why this is happening.

“There are active years and we don’t particularly understand why,” said research meteorologist Harold Brooks at the National Severe Storms Lab in Norman, Okla.

***

Why am I picturing Bagdad Bob when I read this?

Pentagon Denies Taliban Takeover in Afghan District, Vows to Defeat Any Summer Offensive

The Pentagon says reports that Taliban forces have taken over several villages in southern Afghanistan are false, and that any Taliban offensive in the area will be defeated. VOA's Al Pessin reports from the Pentagon.

The Pentagon says a U.S. patrol in the Arghandab district of Kandahar Province Tuesday encountered no Taliban forces. News reports continue to indicate that hundreds of Taliban fighters have taken control of eight villages in the area about 15 kilometers from Kandahar City, where Taliban fighters freed about 400 of their comrades from a prison on Friday. The reports quote local residents as saying the fighters are preparing for a major battle with U.S. and NATO forces. And a Taliban spokesman is quoted as saying his forces will attack selected targets in Kandahar City next.

IDF warns of terror attack ahead of Gaza cease-fire

The IDF will maintain a high level of alert along the Gaza Strip border over the next 24 hours, out of fear that Palestinian terror groups will launch a massive terror attack to sabotage a proposed Israeli-Hamas cease-fire, military sources said on Tuesday.

According to the deal brokered by Egypt, the cease-fire will go into effect 6 a.m. Thursday with a complete cessation of terrorist activity in Gaza and Israeli military operations. After three days, Israel will slightly ease the blockade on Gaza and open up the crossings to allow in vital humanitarian supplies. If the cease-fire lasts, Israel will further ease restrictions at cargo crossings.

Prison for Turkey book 'insult'

A Turkish publisher has been sentenced to five months in prison for publishing a book by a British author about the mass killing of Armenians in 1915.

Ragip Zarakolu was found guilty of "insulting the institutions of the Turkish republic" under Article 301 of Turkey's penal code.

The controversial law was recently reformed under pressure from the EU to ensure freedom of speech in Turkey.

On the potential good news front:

Scientists find bugs that eat waste and excrete petrol

He means bugs. To be more precise: the genetic alteration of bugs – very, very small ones – so that when they feed on agricultural waste such as woodchips or wheat straw, they do something extraordinary. They excrete crude oil.

So basically, they eat trash and poop black gold? Neato!

On the rollercoaster-to-Babylon front:

U.S. School District to Begin Microchipping Students

(NaturalNews) A Rhode Island school district has announced a pilot program to monitor student movements by means of radio frequency identification (RFID) chips implanted in their schoolbags.

The Middletown School District, in partnership with MAP Information Technology Corp., has launched a pilot program to implant RFID chips into the schoolbags of 80 children at the Aquidneck School. Each chip would be programmed with a student identification number, and would be read by an external device installed in one of two school buses. The buses would also be fitted with global positioning system (GPS) devices.

Great.

Of interest in the financial world:

Why Soros Is Getting Ready To Break the Bank of England... Again Part I
...Part II

City investors vent anger after regulator clamps down on short sellers

From Indonesia to the US governments stand powerless in face of markets

BP adds fuel to the oil price debate

Fuel strike: Protests reduce speed on major motorways to a crawl

Saudi oil output to rise in July

Morgan Stanley warns of 'catastrophic event' as ECB fights Federal Reserve

Central bank body warns of Great Depression

***

Across the Middle East:

Bush, Sarkozy slam Iran, scold Syria

Bush said an Iran with a nuclear weapon would threaten world peace. Sarkozy chimed in, saying Iran with such a weapon would be "totally unacceptable." The French leader said the only solution was a "faultless, seamless" regime of sanctions against Iran.

Assessments vary widely, but it is presumed Tehran will have enough fissile material for a weapon within a few years. A US intelligence report in December said Iran once had an active warhead program, but shelved it in 2003. But the administration argues that the continuing enrichment means the military program could be restarted at any time, and without the knowledge of the outside world.

Bush also issued a warning to Syrian President Bashar Assad, saying the Syrians should stop working with Iran to destabilize the Mideast. "My message would be `Stop fooling around with the Iranians and stop harboring terrorists,"' Bush said.

Sanctions. Ooo, scary. I know president/lawn gnome Ahm-inna-jihad is quaking in his tiny boots.

Meanwhile, the Brits continue to leave anti-terror documents lying about any old place.

The documents apparently include briefing notes for a meeting of the international Financial Action Task Force to be held in 11 Downing Street next week.

They contained details of how trade and banking systems could be manipulated to finance illicit weapons of mass destruction in Iran.

They also discussed methods of terrorist funding and the potential fraud of commercial websites and international internet payment systems.

And in a shocking development, Iran Withdraws $75 Billion From Europe.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran has withdrawn around $75 billion from Europe to prevent the assets from being blocked under threatened new sanctions over Tehran's disputed nuclear ambitions, an Iranian weekly said.

Western powers are warning the Islamic Republic of more punitive measures if it rejects an incentives offer and presses on with sensitive nuclear work, but the world's fourth-largest oil exporter is showing no sign of backing down.

Syria: Peace isn't the only way to get Golan

Several weeks after Jerusalem announced the renewal of indirect peace talks between Israel and Syria, one senior member of the foreign ministry suggested that if Israel did not willingly give up the Golan, then Syria would take it by force.

During a press conference to Jordanian reporters on Saturday, Syrian deputy Foreign Minister Faysal Mekdad said that Syria has "other options" to "liberate" the Golan, adding that should hostilities erupt, his country would be able to "protect its land within minutes."

Taliban Militants Take Over Afghan Villages

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Hundreds of Taliban fighters took over several villages in southern Afghanistan on Monday just outside the region's largest city, and NATO and Afghan forces were redeploying to meet the threat, officials said.

Mohammad Farooq, the government leader in the Arghandab district of Kandahar province, said around 500 Taliban fighters moved into his district and took over several villages.

Arghandab lies just north of Kandahar city — the Taliban's former stronghold — and a tribal leader from the region warned that the militants could use the cover from Arghandab's grape and pomegranate orchards to mount an attack on Kandahar itself.

"All of Arghandab is made of orchards. The militants can easily hide and easily fight," said Haji Ikramullah Khan. "It's quite close to Kandahar. During the Russian war, the Russians didn't even occupy Arghandab, because when they fought here they suffered big casualties."

Rice: W. Bank building may harm talks

Ongoing Israeli construction in areas the Palestinians want for their future state "has the potential to harm the negotiations," said US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

"I am very concerned that at a time when we need to build confidence between the parties the continued building and settlement activity has the potential to harm the negotiations going forward," Rice said.

"It's important to have an atmosphere of trust and confidence," she told reporters. "Unfortunately I do believe, and the United States believes, that the ... announcements taking place are having a negative effect" on talks.

Yes, because rockets launched from Palestinian territories onto Israel has no effect whatsoever on the talks. Which, by the way, why are they still talking? Seems to me only one side wants peace. The other side wants the first side dead.

Britain has a serious problem with Muslim immigrants bringing their nasty little habits such as 'honor' killings and sharia and jihad along with them. So what to do? Why, complain about the Jews, of course!

The Haredim are bucking the trend. They number between 20,000 and 45,000 today, but are prolific. Families of eight or more children are not unusual. Is there a numerical point at which their cultural distinctness offends the secular liberal principle of 'integration'? Is it 100,000? A million? Is there a threshold beyond which the state will turn around and say, as it does of Muslims, 'the Jews must be integrated'?

Ugh. And it will snowball from here, folks. Prepare as Nehemiah did.

Israeli expertise to shape global water standards

ISO stands for International Standards Organization, TC stands for Technical Committee number 224, and WG 7 is Working Group seven. In simpler terms, what is happening at the SII next week is of such critical importance worldwide that it took months of wrangling over the wording of the title of the conference, with some participating nations wanting to stay away from a more alarmist, yet more accurate, conference title such as "Security of Water Utilities in the New Era of International Terrorism and the Increase in Frequency of Natural Disasters."

When it comes to the vital resource of water, and the complex issues surrounding it, Israel has long been a world expert. Situated in arid land and surrounded by enemies, the Jewish state has had to devise tools and methods to make the best possible use of the water available to it, as well as defend its water resources from sabotage and attack.
...
"The next wars will be over water, not oil, and nobody is threatened by water war like Israel is," says Jacobo Sack, a veteran official at Israel's national water carrier, Mekorot, and now a water and wastewater quality consultant.

Highlighted because I believe in that strongly.

So what to do when available fresh water is scarce?

Rainwater harvesting: A common sense solution to water security

Rainwater harvesting should be used to provide an additional measure of water security to householders, farmers, hospitals, schools, hotel and business operators. The technology can be easily incorporated into existing plumbing systems and hard surfaces (e.g. roofs) and used to capture and channel harvested water. RWH is of high value particularly following natural disasters (notably hurricanes), where water supply infrastructure may be damaged and remain out of commission for extended periods.

Applications of rainwater harvesting are not only limited to household and domestic purposes, but are also important to the agricultural and commercial sectors where rainwater can be used to offset heavy demands for non-potable (not for drinking) water. The high volumes of potable water that are used in a variety of manufacturing, washing/cleaning, watering (crops and livestock) processes can be augmented by rainwater, which can benefit production costs through reduced water utility bills and assist in conserving water supplies in general.

Water woes: Scarcity points to big opportunities in desalination

The economics of desalination are changing, but remain difficult for most municipalities. One plant under construction in Carlsbad, California expects to pay $1.10 in electricity to produce 1,000 gallons of water, down from $2.10 at the mothballed Santa Barbara plant. According to Meng Lean, manager of microfluidic systems at the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC), the energy cost of desalination runs at about eight times that of conventional water, with the most efficient plants requiring 15 watts per gallon, per hour.

A little known fact, however, is that desalination technology costs have fallen by as much as 80 percent over the past few years, by some estimates. Couple that stat with the total global desalination capacity growth of more than 47 percent over the past five years, according to a recent Credit Suisse investment report, and all of a sudden, desal looks a bit more attractive.

But then, desal doesn't seem to be so popular in Israel:

Prof. Eilon Adar, director of the Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research at Ben Gurion University of the Negev, is emphatic that desalinated tap water is the best possible water you can drink. "I'm a hydrologist. I drink tap water in my house and not because I can't afford bottled water, but because it is clean and healthy," Adar, considered one of the foremost water experts in the world, told The Jerusalem Post on Thursday. According to Adar, the quality in Israel's water distribution system "ranks with the best in the world."

So why doesn't the general public share that feeling? Could it have something to do with the frequent Health Ministry warnings advising residents of cities country-wide to boil their tap water before drinking it?

Some Israelis seem psychologically unable to accept that tap water is clean and healthy, even when the claim is based on hard science. "There is a myth that bottled water is better for you, and I know that it is only a myth," says an Australian national living here. "The reality is that there are elements from the plastic that can seep into the bottle and enter the water and that can be bad for you... Yet, in general, I don't trust the tap water in Israel. I hear so much about pollution."

Israel is also busy testing new solar technology.

***

Randomness:

Mayors ask Congress to help fix U.S. infrastructure

"We're having a quiet collapse of prosperity," said Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Mark Funkhouser, one of four mayors to testify before the Senate Banking Committee about the state of the nation's infrastructure, which they agreed was poor and getting worse.

They blamed much of the decay on shortsighted thinking by local, state and federal officials.
...
The American Society of Engineers estimates that bringing the nation's transportation and resources networks up to a properly functional level would require $1.6 trillion and five years of work. Still, the mayors say, even that wouldn't accommodate the new strains placed on roads in coming years.

New Southern Baptist leader faces graying flock
The Rev. Johnny Hunt's Woodstock church goes against trend of shrinking numbers

The Rev. Johnny Hunt of Woodstock looks over the declining numbers and white hair of those attending the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting and sees a microcosm of his denomination.

"In 1985, with 45,000 messengers [church delegates attending the convention], 36 percent were under 40," Hunt said Wednesday from Indianapolis, the day after Southern Baptists elected him president of the national organization.

This year about 7,000 delegates came to the convention.

Recent numbers show a stagnation in denominational membership, falling from 16.3 million in 2006 to 16.27 million last year. That is a warning bell to a group that has defined itself by growth in the face of losses in most denominations.

Given my last post, let's start with the earth itself.

6.9 in Japan. Two dead, a few injuries, little damage-- Japan is a hotspot on the Ring of Fire. (No, not the one Johnny Cash sang about.) They're fairly prepared.

Tremors in Israel and a 4.6 in Poland.

Calif. fires threaten thousands of buildings

PARADISE, Calif. - Strong, erratic winds that had been complicating efforts to fight wildfires in Northern California calmed down Friday, but firefighters were still struggling to get the upper hand on one stubborn fire that scorched more than 31 square miles and threatened 4,600 structures.
...
More than 1,500 residents of Bonny Doon, a heavily forested town about 10 miles northwest of Santa Cruz, have been told to leave since the fire broke out Wednesday afternoon. Among them was James Eason, 28, who lives with his quadriplegic father in a yurt, a nearly uninsulated wooden-framed structure covered in canvas.
...
Another wildfire had charred more than 29 square miles in the Los Padres National Forest in Monterey County. It was nearly 40 percent contained by Friday.
...
In southeastern Colorado, a fire that started on a military training site jumped the Purgatoire River, a natural fire break, and was threatening eight nearby ranches.
...
Across the country, authorities in North Carolina issued an air quality advisory for Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham through Friday after smoke from a wildfire burning in a wildlife refuge drifted westward. The lightning-sparked blaze has burned more than 60 square miles in and around the Pocosin Lakes Wildlife Refuge, and was only 40 percent contained.

Fires on both sides of the country, and flooding in the middle:

Iowa river swamps 400 blocks in Cedar Rapids
Des Moines also urges evacuations; governor expects billions in damage

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Hospital patients in wheelchairs and on stretchers were evacuated in the middle of the night as the biggest flood Cedar Rapids has ever seen swamped more than 400 blocks Friday and all but cut off the supply of clean drinking water in the city of 120,000. As many as 10,000 townspeople driven from their homes by the rain-swollen Cedar River took shelter at schools and hotels or moved in with relatives.

About 100 miles to the west, the Des Moines River threatened to spill over the levees into downtown Des Moines, prompting officials in Iowa's biggest city to urge people in low-lying areas to clear out by Friday evening.

And in case you thought the suffering in Burma was magically going away because the junta wanted it to:

'Turn Around and Go Back to Yangon'
Myanmar: Life Inside a Police State Since Cyclone Nargis

Too much to excerpt, but worth reading.

***

Now, onto the oil and food price front.

Argentine wheat to help reduce global food prices

Argentina if the world’s fourth largest wheat exporter. The country may have an exportable wheat surplus of 9.5 million tonnes to 10 million tonnes, after a harvest that the government estimated at 15.4 million tonnes.

That'll certainly help some. However:

Commodity Prices Show No Letup

Corn prices, which have been hitting new highs for a week, are reacting to six weeks of heavy rains and cool weather in the Midwest. That prevented planting in some areas, leading some farmers to abandon the crop in the last few days. It is still raining.

The bad weather comes as supplies of corn, wheat and other staples are already tight thanks to soaring global demand.

And farmers around here have already had their corn crop damaged by drought.

Annual food price inflation may reach 9%

U.S. food prices may rise 9 percent a year through 2012 as biofuel production depletes corn supplies, a former chief economist for ConAgra Foods Inc. said.

U.S. food prices may gain as much as 5.5 percent this year, the most since 1989, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said last month. That rate will accelerate as grain supplies dwindle, said Bill Lapp, who now is president of commodities research firm Advanced Economic Solutions.

But let's keep burning food in our cars!

Meanwhile, Britain is not only feeling the pinch due to prices, but now they've got a strike to worry about:

Drivers warned against fuel panic

Downing Street has urged motorists not to panic-buy petrol and diesel ahead of a planned strike by tanker drivers delivering fuel for Shell on Friday.

A spokesperson for Prime Minister Gordon Brown said contingency plans were in place to minimise disruption.

Even so, the government said that some petrol stations could run out of fuel.

Hundreds of members of the Unite Union are due to walk out from 0600 BST on Friday until 0600 the following Tuesday in a dispute over pay.

Even Exxon has been squeezed out of the service station business here in the States.

G8 finance men are gonna talk about the oil and food problems. I suppose they'll increase the supply of hot air in the world. Oh noes! The global warming crew will be upset!

Oh, wait, no. They're busy ambushing coal trains in Britain. Look, greenies. Britain's got enough problems already, don't go making up more with your phony-baloney climate change. Besides, Obama's nomination slowed the rise of the oceans and began healing the planet, remember?


Kenya: We Need New Deal for Global Food Policy

We need a New Deal for Global Food Policy. This New Deal should focus not only on hunger and malnutrition, access to food and its supply, but also the interconnections with energy, yields, climate change, investment, the marginalisation of women and others, and economic resiliency and growth.

Food policy needs to gain the attention of the highest political levels, because no one country or group can meet these interconnected challenges.We should start by helping those whose needs are immediate. The UN's World Food Programme requires at least $500 million of additional food supplies to meet emergency calls.

Creepy? It is to me. But then, I've been researching some stuff for a long post this weekend maybe.

***


Taliban Free 1,200 in Attack on Afghan Prison

In a brazen attack, Taliban fighters assaulted the main prison in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar on Friday night, blowing up the mud walls, killing 15 guards and freeing around 1,200 inmates. Among the escapees were about 350 Taliban members, including commanders, would-be suicide bombers and assassins, said Ahmed Wali Karzai, the head of Kandahar’s provincial council and a brother of President Hamid Karzai.

“It is very dangerous for security. They are the most experienced killers and they all managed to escape,” he said by telephone from Kandahar.

Well, yippee. :(

And if you didn't think the world has gone mad, I offer you this:

West to offer Iran help in building nuclear industry

Britain and the world's leading powers will offer today to help Iran build civil nuclear power stations if Tehran obeys the United Nations and stops enriching uranium.

A delegation of diplomats will arrive in Tehran for talks in an effort to reach agreement on the future of Iran's nuclear programme.

During meetings with key officials, representatives from Britain, Russia, China, France and Germany will lay out exactly what Tehran stands to gain if uranium enrichment is abandoned.

Yes, I'm sure if Iran continues, it will receive a Stern Verbal Warning, to be followed up with a Sternly Written Letter of Disapproval.

And it's not just Iran; Syria and Turkey want in on the nukes, too!

Apocalypse Now: Floods, Tornadoes, Locusts
Weather of Biblical Proportions Sets Off Debate Among Theologians and Scientists

You know which side I'm on. ;P

***
Edit: I've gone through the whole article now; let me expand.

1) Weather alone is not the sign of the End. Freaky weather + earthquakes in various places + famine + diseases + signs in the sky + "falling away" from the True God + false doctrine creeping into the church + false messiahs + increasing mockery and persecution of believers in YHWH(Christians and Jews) + an outpouring of the Holy Spirit causing prophecy, dreams, and visions.

Those who fail to see the big picture fail to see the big God in charge.

2) "Only wild-eyed fundamentalists would think that recent weather phenomena have any theological significance," said John P. Meier, a New Testament scholar and professor at Notre Dame in Indiana. "The Earth has seen and will see much worse in recorded history."

Call me a wild-eyed fundie, then! Or perhaps Meier is not the kind of authority I recognize:

Meier's critically-acclaimed series A Marginal Jew: Rethinking the Historical Jesus employs tools of historical-critical research to delineate who Jesus of Nazareth was and what he intended. Meier suggests that such research might admit agreement of Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and agnostic scholars.

Volume 1 (1991) differentiates the historical Jesus from the Biblical Jesus. It analyzes sources (including the New Testament, non-canonical works (including the agrapha and the apocryphal gospels such as the Gospel of Thomas), Josephus, and other Jewish and second-century Roman works.

"Marginal Jew?" Hoo, boy. I'm already rolling my eyes, and I haven't gotten past the title.

3) "It's been going on for millennia and they get it wrong all the time," said Thomas Reese, senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Seminary at Georgetown University.
...
"You have to understand the historical context of the Apocalypse and the time it was written," said Reese. "They were trying to encourage Christians to have hope and to argue that their cause is just and God will not let the bad guys win."
"The central message is that sin is not good for people and it has consequences, but we wouldn't think hurricanes, tidal waves and locusts," he said. "We know enough about science today to look on natural events as natural and not coming from God to punish people."

Oh, my. He's one who doesn't understand the concept of prophecy--what God says will happen in the future, happens in the future. He said He would bless Abraham's descendants; He did. He said they would have a land of their own; He gave it to them. He said for their sins they would be taken into captivity, yet they would return; they were, and they did. He promised a child would be born that would save his people from their sins; He was. He said he would be lifted up; he was. He said the temple would be destroyed; it was. He said Israel would be reestablished in the last days; it has been.

He said He is coming again; He is! Praise God! Amen!

3) Meteorologists say there is a natural explanation for all this catastrophic weather — Pacific Decadal Oscillation. Since the 1970s, the Pacific Ocean has been warming, but now it is going through a cooling phase, according to Jay Searles, forecaster instructor at Penn State University.
...
"We are not being punished, though it may seem like it," said Searles. "But there is a scientific reason behind what is happening and that makes sense."

Hey, just because there's a natural reason behind it doesn't mean it isn't punishment. Furthermore, God's judgments are not just about punishment; He wants to get our attention.

4) Stephen B. Chapman, associate professor of the Old Testament at Duke University Divinity School, says the Bible has a lot to say about man's relationship to the eco-system.
"In the Bible there is an essential relationship between social justice and right worship and ecology," said Chapman. "The Bible has an intense interest in ecology."

Can't argue with that.

One of the great Bible stories – the flood of Genesis that destroyed the Earth – was caused by "violence," said Chapman. But when the floods subside and Noah step out of the ark, the Bible uses "one of the great symbols of hope" – the rainbow.
"The rainbow is explicitly a sign that God will not destroy the earth again and the hope that humankind can live in harmony with natural world."

And he was doing so well! What God promised was never to destroy all living creatures with a flood again. And absolutely nothing about this hooey of us "living in harmony with the natural world."

5) But evangelists like Ken Han, founder and CEO of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum in Petersburg, Ky., believe God – not man – is at work in recent weather phenomena.
"There is earthly death payment for sin," said Han. "Because of sin, God doesn't hold the world perfectly together at times, and he uses certain events to judge a nation."

First of all, it's Ham, not Han, and I'm not so much a fan of the guy, but what he says here is correct. But he goes on with this:

The Bible is filled with symbolism, poetry and parables, and Han says Revelation should not be taken "literally." Still, "just because it's apocalyptic literature doesn't mean there is no truth there."
When the world sins, "the whole of creation groans," according to Han's interpretation of a Biblical passage in Romans. Those groans are reflected in recent tornadoes and storms.

He's famous as a young-earth creationist who takes Genesis literally, but not Revelation?! Okey-dokey then.

6) Science writer Lawrence Joseph explores those predictions and other theories of cybernetics – the behavior of complex systems – in his 2007 book, "Apocalypse 2012."

I want to quote him in full, because he is making more sense to me than the religious dudes. I'll try to stick to the best parts, though.

Scientists can predict major changes on the Earth by looking at its relationship to the sun, which has behaved "in more startling ways" in the last century, and more dramatically in the last three or four years.
Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma were "one of the stormiest periods on earth, and one of the stormiest on the sun," said Joseph. "People are starting to understand the Earth's relation to the sun."
Solar climaxes occur in cycles and the next is expected in 2012, when some scientists predict its activity will be 30 to 50 times more intense than previous ones.
In the 1400s the sun spots disappeared, and a century of drought and global cooling ensued, according to Joseph. It triggered chaos, and the eventual collapse of empire in China. It's the "domino effect" of weather on civilization "that has me worried," he said.
"If things in the Middle East were previously unstable, all we need is something that causes starvation in a system that is already teetering over the edge," Joseph said.
...
And when weather patterns change, even rational people get nervous.
"There are unchallenged, unspoken assumptions that the seasons come and go your whole life, until the seasons start to mix themselves up and records are broken," he said. "It's profoundly unsettling. But we've seen nothing yet."



Signs of the End of the Age--Luke 21

5Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6"As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down."
7"Teacher," they asked, "when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?"
8He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not follow them. 9When you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away."
10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13This will result in your being witnesses to them. 14But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17All men will hate you because of me. 18But not a hair of your head will perish. 19By standing firm you will gain life.
20"When you see Jerusalem being surrounded by armies, you will know that its desolation is near. 21Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country not enter the city. 22For this is the time of punishment in fulfillment of all that has been written. 23How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! There will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people. 24They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25"There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."
29He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near. 31Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.
32"I tell you the truth, this generation[b] will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 33Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34"Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."


The Coming of the Lord -- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11

13Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. 14We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. 15According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 18Therefore encourage each other with these words.
1 Thessalonians 5
1Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
4But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 7For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.


The Man of Lawlessness -- 2 Thessalonians 1:3-2:12

1Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, 2not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. 3Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for (that day will not come) until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness[b] is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. 4He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God.
5Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? 6And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. 7For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. 8And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. 9The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, 10and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. 11For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie 12and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.


Warning Against Antichrists -- 1 John 2:18-26

18Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. 19They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us.
20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.[a] 21I do not write to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it and because no lie comes from the truth. 22Who is the liar? It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a man is the antichrist—he denies the Father and the Son. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father; whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is what he promised us—even eternal life.
26I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray.


You have not returned to me -- Amos 4

6 "I gave you empty stomachs [c] in every city
and lack of bread in every town,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
7 "I also withheld rain from you
when the harvest was still three months away.
I sent rain on one town,
but withheld it from another.
One field had rain;
another had none and dried up.
8 People staggered from town to town for water
but did not get enough to drink,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
9 "Many times I struck your gardens and vineyards,
I struck them with blight and mildew.
Locusts devoured your fig and olive trees,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
10 "I sent plagues among you
as I did to Egypt.
I killed your young men with the sword,
along with your captured horses.
I filled your nostrils with the stench of your camps,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
11 "I overthrew some of you
as I [d] overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah.
You were like a burning stick snatched from the fire,
yet you have not returned to me,"
declares the LORD.
12 "Therefore this is what I will do to you, Israel,
and because I will do this to you,
prepare to meet your God, O Israel."


The Day of the LORD -- Joel 2:28-32

28 "And afterward,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your old men will dream dreams,
your young men will see visions.
29 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will show wonders in the heavens
and on the earth,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
31 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.
32 And everyone who calls
on the name of the LORD will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
there will be deliverance,
as the LORD has said,
among the survivors
whom the LORD calls.

Evil is real and walks the world today.

How ANYONE can believe otherwise is beyond me, except that they have a powerful delusion.

The story out of Oklahoma of those two girls, shot dead, hurts me every time I read about it. The community sounds much like mine-- where it would be perfectly normal for kids to go for a walk out in the country and expect to be safe. I can remember many times when my brother, our friend, and I went for walks, with the dog in tow. We'd wave at the few vehicles we'd see as we held the dog out of the road, wave at the helicopter pilots overhead.

I hope they find the &(#^@)$)ing @)$*@)$^)s who did this.

***

Egyptian Writer Ahmad Al-Aswani: It's "Open Season" On Egypt's Copts
"What Is Happening to Our Coptic Brothers... Is No Longer a Matter of Sporadic Incidents"

"I hope that I have not exaggerated in using the word '[open] season' for what is happening in Egypt to our Coptic brothers, but it is the closest description to what is happening. It is no longer a matter of sporadic incidents, but an uninterrupted series of events.

"Today, you read of the incident in Zeitoun, and tomorrow of the one in Alexandria, [2] and after that of the one in Deir Abu-Fana in Minya, [3] and thus of the diverse incidents, ranging from killing without reason to armed robbery, kidnapping of monks, torching of houses and cars, and waylaying and kidnapping of girls.

"As usual, all then repudiate and condemn, accompanied by official and media denial of any sectarian or terrorist motive. And if that isn't appropriate, the standard excuse [is trotted out]: the criminal was mentally disturbed and did not mean to do what he did.

"This is what has happened in individual incidents... such as the Zeitoun incident a few days ago, or the Alexandria incident two years ago. [4] If we observe closely, we find that these criminals then disappear, and are not brought [to trial in] any court, and no one hears about them afterward."

Albinos in Tanzania face deadly threat

Discrimination against albinos is a serious problem throughout sub-Saharan Africa, but recently in Tanzania it has taken a wicked twist: At least 19 albinos, including children, have been killed and mutilated in the past year, victims of what Tanzanian officials say is a growing criminal trade in albino body parts.

Many people in Tanzania - and across Africa, for that matter - believe albinos have magical powers. They stand out, often the lone white face in a black crowd, a result of a genetic condition that impairs normal skin pigmentation and affects about 1 in 3,000 people here. Tanzanian officials say witch doctors are now marketing albino skin, bones and hair as ingredients in potions that are promised to make people rich.

Human Rights Report Says Ethiopia Committing War Crimes in Ogaden

In the first detailed study of what the group calls Ethiopia's year-long scorched-earth policy in the Ogaden, Human Rights Watch says it conducted interviews with more than 100 victims, eyewitnesses, business leaders and regional government officials in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somaliland.

Researcher Georgette Gagnon told reporters the rights group concluded that Ethiopia's army has committed widespread atrocities, using tactics aimed at not only to defeat the rebel group, but to collectively punish communities suspected of helping the rebels.

Lawmakers fear nuke deal to help Iran

Members of Congress criticized the Bush administration's nuclear pending
cooperation deal with Russia on Thursday, in part out of concern that it could hurt efforts to prevent Iran from getting nuclear arms.

Representatives on both sides of the aisle assailed Russia for not doing more to isolate Teheran and worried that the new pact might strengthen Iran's nuclear program.

Although announcement of the US-Russian agreement on civilian nuclear power last month provoked swift criticism from lawmakers, it remains unclear whether opponents have sufficient votes to block it. It would give the United States access to state-of-the-art Russian nuclear technology and would help Russia establish an international nuclear fuel storage facility.

Ahmadinejad Says Bush Will Not Be Able to Attack Iran

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has issued a defiant message to U.S. President George Bush, warning that the United States will not be able to attack
Iran.

Mr. Ahmadinejad said Wednesday that Mr. Bush's era has "come to an end." The Iranian president also mocked what he called Mr. Bush's desire to attack Iran, saying the U.S. leader will not be able to harm "even one centimeter" of the country.

I need to lay off the disaster updates for a few days, given that I'm starting to have nightmares.
(A volcano in Alabama that turns into a thunderstorm with hail and a tornado? Yeah, time to lay off.)

However, some stories are still front page news:

'Uncharted territory' as city floods in Iowa
Cedar Rapids also loses power; nine Iowa rivers at or near record levels

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - Flooding rivers across Iowa forced more residents to evacuate, with at least 10,000 people in Cedar Rapids among them as the rising Cedar River burst its banks Thursday.

Rescuers had to use boats to reach many stranded residents in the city of 120,000, and people could be seen dragging suitcases up closed highway exit ramps to escape the water. It wasn't clear just how high the river had risen because a flood gauge was swept away by the swirling water.

"We're just kind of at God's mercy right now, so hopefully people that never prayed before this, it might be a good time to start," Linn County Sheriff Don Zeller said. "We're going to need a lot of prayers and people are going to need a lot of patience and understanding."

Scouts praised for response to tornado in Iowa

BLENCOE, Iowa (AP) — Boy Scouts who came to each others' aid after a tornado that killed four of their comrades and injured 48 people were hailed as heroes Thursday for helping to administer first aid and search for victims buried in their flattened campsite.

Iowa rescue workers cut through downed branches and dug through debris amid rain and lightning Wednesday night to reach the camp where the 93 boys, ages 13 to 18, had huddled for safety through the twister. They and 25 staff members were attending a weeklong leadership training camp.

Lloyd Roitstein, an executive with the Mid America Council of the Boy Scouts of America, reminded reporters at a news conference Thursday that the Boy Scouts motto is "Be Prepared."

"Last night, the agencies and the scouts were prepared," he said. "They knew what to do, they knew where to go, and they prepared well."

Tight security a month from quake

A month on from the Sichuan earthquake, Chinese officials have imposed tight security in some of the damaged areas, apparently to prevent protests.

Police in the city of Dujianyan stopped parents from holding a memorial ceremony at the rubble of a collapsed school where their children died.

Journalists were told they were banned from the city, and some were detained.

***

Meanwhile, THE story of the day...

Justices: Gitmo detainees can challenge detention in U.S. courts

The decision marks another legal blow to the Bush administration's war on terrorism policies.

The 5-4 vote reflects the divide over how much legal autonomy the U.S. military should have to prosecute about 270 prisoners, some of whom have been held for more than six years without charges. Fourteen of them are alleged to be top al Qaeda figures.

Writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said, "the laws and Constitution are designed to survive, and remain in force, in extraordinary times. Liberty and security can be reconciled; and in our system reconciled within the framework of the law."

Kennedy, the court's swing vote, was supported by Justices John Paul Stevens, David Souter, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer, generally considered the liberal contingent.
...
The Bush administration has urged the high court not to get involved in the broader appeals, saying the federal judiciary has no authority to hear such matters.

Four justices agreed. In a sharp dissent, read in part from the bench, Justice Antonin Scalia said the majority "warps our Constitution."

The "nation will live to regret what the court has done today," Scalia said. He was supported by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.

This, folks, THIS is why I vote Republican. I'm extremely unhappy with Bush, but I can't complain about his Supreme Court picks.

It's also why I hate the thought of McCain as our nominee. Even if we somehow get him over Obama, I foresee him picking another swing vote like O'Connor or Kennedy, not a solid constitutional conservative.

Nine meals from anarchy - how Britain is facing a very real food crisis

A very interesting read, and too close to the mark for comfort.

The phrase 'nine meals from anarchy' sounds more like the title of a bad Hollywood movie than any genuine threat.

But that was the expression coined by Lord Cameron of Dillington, a farmer who was the first head of the Countryside Agency - the quango set up by Tony Blair in the days when he pretended to care about the countryside - to describe just how perilous Britain's food supply actually is.

G8 chiefs to tackle soaring oil, food prices

TOKYO - Finance ministers from the Group of Eight rich nations will this weekend discuss ways to limit the economic damage of soaring oil prices that have eclipsed the credit crisis as their biggest worry.

But experts said the G8 powers have few obvious options to cool the commodities boom in the near future, with any calls for the OPEC producer cartel to open up the taps likely to fall on deaf ears.

How I love OPEC! Especially our friends the Saudis!

Can Saudi Arabia Bring Down Gas Prices?

The Saudis announced a 300,000 barrel-a-day increase in oil production last month, or 3.3 percent, but the news had little impact on oil markets.

Still, according to Flynn, if the Saudis increased production by about one million barrels a day (or more than 10 percent) — the kingdom now produces 9.4 million barrels a day — the supply increase could trigger a massive sell-off in oil contracts and a dramatic drop in oil prices.

And this is just... bizarre. Korea in crisis as beef protests grow

THE administration of new South Korean President Lee Myung-bak was in meltdown last night after a month of street demonstrations against the purported danger of US beef imports broadened into the biggest anti-government demonstrations in two decades.

Hours after at least 100,000 people - organisers claimed 700,000 - spilled into the streets in a populist backlash against the country's fledgling President, Mr Lee pledged a "new beginning" as he began deliberating how to reshuffle his unpopular Government.

"I thought about a lot of things while watching protests last night," Mr Lee said yesterday. "The Government intends to make a start with a new determination."

The comments came after Mr Lee's entire cabinet offered to resign in response to weeks of rallies against the planned resumption of US beef imports, despite widespread fears American beef may carry mad cow disease.

The New York Times is disturbed that the US continues to defend the freedom of speech:

Some prominent legal scholars say the United States should reconsider its position on hate speech.

“It is not clear to me that the Europeans are mistaken,” Jeremy Waldron, a legal philosopher, wrote in The New York Review of Books last month, “when they say that a liberal democracy must take affirmative responsibility for protecting the atmosphere of mutual respect against certain forms of vicious attack.”

This while Doudou Diene is traveling the US, looking for racism, and meeting with a fishy-smelling ex-CAIR operative. Joy.

***

And in the world wide web of terror...

Pakistan is having hissy fits over our airstrike on the border. I myself am having doubts that their soldiers were innocent victims.

Britain's gone so far down the crapper they're just leaving their top secret documents lying around any old place.

And computers in our Capitol have been hacked by the Chinese.

Greece: Mild aftershocks jar villages; ruined Patras hospital emptied. A 5.1 in Crete, not that far away.

3.3 in Quebec; quakes in that region are not uncommon, but they're usually smaller than a 2.

Meanwhile, China has finally gotten Lake Tangjiashan drained, and refugees are moving back in.

In the Midwest, the floodwaters are moving downstream, but it's still raining. And some @$$#*(&$ are stealing from victims.

Meanwhile, the northwest is seeing snow. California has wildfire, and tonight a tornado has hit a Boy Scout Camp in Iowa.

It's gonna be another nasty night.

When the earth shakes...

China's Quake Lake Halfway Drained. Favorite part: "Chinese troops were forced to use anti-tank weapons to blast away rocks to speed up drainage." Yowza.

5.3 in Qingchai province, too. No damage reported.

Those small quakes in OK apparently lead up to a 3.1 last night. Not widely felt, though.

*** *** ***

And as for what's going on in the rest of the world...

Iranian leader: US military is Iraq's top problem

Iran, which has repeatedly said the way to end instability in Iraq is for U.S. forces to withdraw, believes the proposed pact could lead to permanent U.S bases on its doorstep amid fears of an eventual American attack.

"Occupiers who interfere in Iraq's affairs through their military and security might ... are the main problems," Iran's state television quoted Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying Monday.

Yeah, I'd agree with that. Except of course when I say occupiers, I mean Iran. And there's more:

Iraq's visit to reassure Tehran over pact with US

Shortly before al-Maliki left Tehran Monday, Iraqi Defense Minister Lieutenant General Abdul Qadir Mohammed Jassim Obeidi al-Mifarji and his Iranian counterpart Brigadier General Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost bilateral defense cooperation.

Well, that's just ducky, isn't it?

Britain, which is rapidly going to hell in a handbasket, has become a "hotbed of radical anti-Israel views," according to her ambassador to the UK.

"Israel faces an intensified campaign of delegitimization, demonization and double standards. Britain has become a... haven for disingenuous calls for a 'one-state solution', a euphemistic name for a movement advocating Israel's destruction.

"Those who propagate this notion distort Israel's past while categorically denying Israel's right to exist as a liberal Jewish-democratic state. No other country in the world is constantly forced to justify its own existence," he wrote.

This, too, will only become more maistream.

FOOD.

We in America have long been blessed with cheap food. Perhaps too much so, given our generally sedentary lifestyle and our expanding waistlines. Looks like that might be changing, as those of us who have a budget are forced to make some cuts.

Across much of the world, people don't have room to make those cuts without going into hunger.

And it's only going to get worse.

***

Corn Crop Damaged by Midwest Deluge as Prices Soar

June 10 (Bloomberg) -- Rainstorms sweeping the biggest corn states in the U.S. are damaging a crop that's already failing to keep pace with global demand for food, fuel and cattle feed.
...
Corn rose to a record $6.73 a bushel yesterday in Chicago, extending this year's gain to 44 percent. Yields in the U.S. may fall 10 percent short of government forecasts, the biggest drop in 13 years, and send prices up another 34 percent as storms delay planting, stunt growth and leech fertilizer from the soil, said Terry Jones, who farms more than 6,000 acres near Williamsburg, Iowa.

State-Wide Drought Expected To Drive Up Food Prices

Fresno, CA (KFSN) -- The declaration of a state-wide drought by Governor Schwarzenegger may be just the beginning of a long, difficult summer for everyone.
...
With farmers on the valley's west-side forced to ration their water supply, they're making tough decisions on which crops to save. Permanent crops like almonds will take precedent over many vegetables.

Farm crisis spooks Argentine economy

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Argentina, one of the world's biggest breadbaskets, should be rolling in cash as world food prices soar.

Instead, soy, wheat and corn have sat for weeks in silos as farmers protesting new export taxes suspended sales.

Farmers were lifting their strike Sunday night in a last-ditch effort at a third round of talks. But their three-month standoff with the government has already paralyzed the rural economy, caused scattered food shortages and tanked the new president's popularity.

And continued stalemate could spike global grain prices at a time when food costs are already high.

'Food price jump is a bad omen for market'

MUMBAI: The problem of rising food prices could be larger than what we have imagined and could have an implication on the market as well, according to a report by Credit Suisse. The foodgrain inventories in Asia are touching 30-year lows. The food demand-supply balance in most parts of Asia, including India, has been worsening for a while and the demand is expected to grow by 3.7% to 3.8% a year. However, the Credit Suisse report notes , Policy focus on the growing gap has been absent because of the seemingly tiny agriculture deficit relative to stocks.”

From Spam sales to rice riots – the food crisis bites

The food crisis has gripped the whole world in the past year, from the wealthiest countries to the poorest: from Japan, where beef has vanished off school menus in favour of less costly chicken or pork, and the US, where sales of Spam have shot up 10 per cent, to the poorest nations, where 70 or 80 per cent of people's income goes on food (in the UK the figure is 10 per cent).

Thirty-seven countries are confronted by a crisis in food costs, according to the UN's
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), while riots have broken out in two dozen.

The Economics of World Hunger

(NaturalNews) Food has become the new gold. Investors weary of the real-estate bubble-burst have poured millions of dollars into grain futures. This has succeeded in driving up prices even more. Now we are witnessing a global panic as nations are waging a run on our wheat harvest.Foreign investors have begun to stockpile wheat by placing orders on U.S. grain exchanges that are two or three times larger than normal. This has led U.S. mills to place large orders in the fear that there would soon be no wheat left at all.

The U.S. has no remaining grain reserves

“According to the May 1, 2008 CCC inventory report there are o­nly 24.1 million bushels of wheat in inventory, so after this sale there will be o­nly 2.7 million bushels of wheat left the entire CCC inventory,” warned Matlack. “Our concern is not that we are using the remainder of our strategic grain reserves or humanitarian relief. AAM fully supports the action and all humanitarian food relief. Our concern is that the U.S. has nothing else in our emergency food pantry. There is no cheese, no butter, no dry milk powder, no grains or anything else left in reserve. The o­nly thing left in the entire CCC inventory will be 2.7 million bushels of wheat which is about enough wheat to make ½ of a loaf of bread for each of the 300 million people in America.”

Aid groups feel the pinch of rising food, gas prices

WASHINGTON (RNS)—Dramatic increases in food and gas prices are leaving some religious hunger-relief groups praying for relief.

Problems already were apparent in 2006, but U.S. churches now report increased difficulty getting meals to people who need them. Food distributors see a perfect storm—a huge jump in requests from new clients, decreased donations and a thinning food supply.

Still Higher Food Prices

The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development recently predicted that commodity prices for the coming decade are going to rise higher and higher.

• 20 Projected percentage increase of average prices of beef and pork for 2008–17, compared with 1998–2007
• 30 Projected percentage increase of average prices of raw and white sugar for 2008–17, compared with 1998–200740 Projected percentage increase of average prices of wheat and maize for 2008–17, compared with 1998–2007
• 80 Projected percentage increase of average prices of vegetable oil for 2008–17, compared with 1998–2007

The Greece quake has been upgraded to a 6.3, and now authorities are evacuating the area in anticipation of strong aftershocks.

Small quakes in Oklahoma over the weekend, and another 3.1 in the bay area. Another 5.0 aftershock in China, too.

Hellacious weekend here in the states, weather-wise.

Fatal Floods in Midwest, Wicked Heat in East

Record Heat Hits U.S. East Coast; Rain Soaks Midwest

And hey, the US isn't the only country to have tornadoes:

Perth tornado 'may have hit 150km/h'

The Aral Sea is drying up, and has been for some time. The pictures tell the story. Note that the latter link is in 2006, and says the sea is less than half its original size; the first article says it's now down to one-tenth.

Hunger in Ethiopia now spreading to adults

Spanish hauliers on fuel strike. But relax, Spanish truckers, the Saudis feel our pain!

***

This one made me grind my teeth a bit: FEMA wants to stop delivering ice for the public after a hurricane.

Ice is CRUCIAL after a storm. Without power, your refrigerator and freezer won't work, which means you can't keep any cold foods on hand-- no milk, no formula, no sandwich meat, and no cool drinks. That last one may not seem like a big deal, but along the Gulf coast in hurricane season, we're talking about temps in the 90s and humidity in the 70s. Hot people with nothing but tepid drinks and food from cans get cranky. Which is BAD, FEMA people. BAD. And the elderly need to keep cool to survive.

Idiots! Fools!

*stomps around a bit*

12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
16Be joyful always; 17pray continually; 18give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

19Do not put out the Spirit's fire; 20do not treat prophecies with contempt. 21Test everything. Hold on to the good. 22Avoid every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Interesting weekend, in the Chinese curse sense.

The earthquakes, let me show you them.
(all magnitudes according to the usgs)

3.6 in Utah Friday.

Earthquake swarm picks up again in Reno with a 3.2, a 3.0, a 3.6, and a 3.9.

5.0 in the Philippines today.

5.0 aftershock in China, causing landslides.

6.1 in Greece, killing two and injuring many more.

Other unusual quakes in Bolivia, China(2), and Afghanistan.


***

Fire!

N.C. wildfire triggers state of emergency

COLUMBIA, N.C. - North Carolina’s governor declared a state of emergency Friday as firefighters worked to contain a massive wildfire at a federal wildlife refuge that spread smoke into Virginia.

And it could go on for a while: Officials Warn Residents: North Carolina Wildfire Could Burn for Months

COLUMBIA, N.C. — Fire officials have warned people living near a massive wildfire at a federal wildlife refuge in eastern North Carolina that the blaze could smolder for months in the peat-filled soil.

Elsewhere: San Diego County fire contained

ALPINE, Calif.—A 75-acre wildfire that briefly threatened scattered canyon homes Saturday in eastern San Diego County was fully surrounded, while two larger blazes farther north were also contained, authorities said. The blaze, which was reported around 1:15 p.m. near the unincorporated foothill community of Harbison Canyon, was 100 percent contained as of 6 p.m. and had not damaged any homes, said Capt. Nick Schuler of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

As summer moves in and the heat and dry weather continue, we will have more fires in the coming months.

***

Severe weather in the heartland: floods and tornadoes.

"Officials are nervously watching the skies as clouds gather and the Iowa River rises toward levels that are predicted to be near those of the 1993 flood."

5 die as violent weather tears across nation

Aerial tour shows extent of flood damage <-- pictures and video

Deadly storms flood Midwest <--great photos.

Severe Storms Bring Floods, Tornadoes to Midwest

Southern Suburbs Clean Up From Tornadoes

WATER

One of the most crucial of our needs, right after air and warmth. The standard rule of thumb is that we can only live three days without it.

Drinking it, that is. Wasting water is one of those acts that repulses me to the core, like kicking puppies and stealing from children.

So how do we deal when the supply runs short? Mostly by bickering. Same as with most problems.

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Schwarzenegger hopes drought decree is wake-up call

The northern Sierra Nevada, stronghold for much of the state's snowpack, experienced the driest spring in more than 70 years. The city of Sacramento saw the driest spring since record-keeping began in 1849.

The runoff forecast for Sierra Nevada snowmelt through September stands at 59 percent of average and may decline further. A new forecast is expected Friday.

The reason, said Elissa Lynn, Water Resources senior meteorologist, is that much of the available runoff this year was soaked up by soils already parched after last year's dry winter. A windy spring also caused some unexpected evaporation of snow.

"It certainly is a poor outlook," said Lynn. "You just can't have your season shut down like this on March 1. So this is extreme."

Worst-hit so far is the San Joaquin Valley, where Delta water deliveries already have been curtailed to protect the threatened Delta smelt. Valley farmers have lost some crops and soon may be forced to let others die.

California Water Law Curtailing New Development

Shawn Jenkins, a developer who had two projects caught up in the delays, said he was accustomed to piles of paperwork and reams of red tape in getting projects approved. But he was not prepared to have the water district hold up the projects he was planning. He changed the projects’ landscaping, to make it less water dependent, as the board pondered their fate.

“I think this is a warning for everyone,” Mr. Jenkins said.

Also in Riverside County, a superior court judge recently stopped a 1,500-home development project, citing, among others things, a failure to provide substantial evidence of adequate water supply.

In San Luis Obispo County, north of Los Angeles, the City of Pismo Beach was recently denied the right to annex unincorporated land to build a large multipurpose project because, “the city didn’t have enough water to adequately serve the development,” said Paul Hood, the executive officer of the commission that approves the annexations and incorporations of cities.

In agriculturally rich Kern County, north of Los Angeles, at least three developers scrapped plans recently to apply for permits, realizing water was going to be an issue. An official from the county’s planning department said the developers were the first ever in the county to be stymied by water concerns. Large-scale housing developments in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties have met a similar fate, officials in those counties said.

NC heat wave raises concerns about drought outlook

When you're continuing to have long-term rainfall deficits, that means groundwater supplies and reservoirs are vulnerable to dropping fairly rapidly," said Doug LeComte, a drought specialist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center. "So that certainly is a concern."

Parts of North Carolina still have yearlong rainfall deficits of about a foot.

Drought Spreads to South Georgia, Conditions May Worsen

Drought conditions have already spread into south-central and southwest Georgia. Much of southeast and coastal Georgia is now abnormally dry for early June.

After improvements in drought conditions across north Georgia during the cool season, conditions are expected to worsen over the next several months.

Summer routinely brings temperatures in the 90s. Georgians can expect hot, dry weather to cause very rapid soil moisture loss over the next week. This loss in soil moisture will also drop stream flows and groundwater levels.

Florida lawmakers mad about water

Angry Florida lawmakers vented their objection Thursday to an Army Corps of Engineers plan that could limit water flowing into the state, but a corps commander said the real answer is in a long-term regional water council.

The Army Corps recently allowed Georgia to keep more water in its reservoirs that would otherwise have flowed into North Florida's Apalachicola River and Bay.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said that could be big trouble for endangered species and other "critters" in the bay if droughts arrive. "Come September, if we have a drought, you're going to whack the amount of water coming South," Nelson complained at a meeting of the Florida congressional delegation. "The only voice the oysters have (is) us."

Brig. Gen. Joseph Schroedel, the corps' commander for the South Atlantic, said the controversial decision was "the best we can do with what mother nature is giving us."

Drought hits Okla Panhandle

Ranchers are selling cattle because they have nothing to eat and farmers are watching their crops fail while hoping for rain.

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And hey, it's not just here in the states, either:

Drought hit central China, 560,000 short of drinking water

TAIYUAN, June 5 (Xinhua) -- About 560,000 people in China's Shanxi Province have been short of drinking water due to drought since mid-May, the provincial flood control and drought relief headquarters said Thursday.

Israeli Gov't Budgets 2 Billion NIS for Water Shortage

Following a particularly dry rainy season this past winter - rainfall was only 65% of the yearly average, and under 60% in some places - Israel's largest reservoir, the Kinneret (Sea of Galilee) is left at a dangerous low. It currently stands at 212.47 meters below sea level - 40 centimeters lower than eight weeks ago, and a full 1.3 meters lower than a year ago.

If the Kineret loses just 53 more centimeters of height, it will reach the dangerous red line, beyond which drawing water is not permitted.

Pakistan Water shortage goes from bad to worse

ISLAMABAD: The water shortage in the capital is going from bad to worse, particularly in G and I sectors. A Capital Development Authority (CDA) official told The Post on Friday that the civic agency had been receiving 6 to 8 hundreds complaints daily about an insufficient water supply. "Most of these complaints are lodged from the I-series sectors, I-9 and I-10, where the situation has taken a turn for the worse, he added.

Istanbul braces for water shortage

ISTANBUL // Millions of people in Istanbul, Turkey’s teeming metropolis, are bracing themselves for the possibility of severe water shortages this summer after a steep drop in rainfall in recent years led to a more than 50 per cent decline in water reserves.

According to the latest available figures from the Istanbul Water and Canalisation Administration, or ISKI, water levels in the city’s 10 reservoirs stood at 89.32 per cent capacity on June 2 2006. That level had fallen to 38.64 per cent on June 2 this year.

Spain cancels emergency scheme to bring water to Barcelona

MADRID (AFP) — The Spanish government said Friday it has cancelled a 180-million-euro (280-million-dollar) scheme to channel water from the river Ebro to the Barcelona region, after heavy rains eased drought fears.

Deputy premier Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega said the government decided the scheme was "no longer necessary." [At least not this year. They had to have water shipped in this year. Wouldn't it be a good idea to have it on hand for the next drought?--Amanda]

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Ah, but at least one company gets it! Not so much a fan of Monsanto, but they are actually preparing for droughts and will probably make quite a bit of money in the process.

Monsanto sees growing water shortage issues ahead

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Monsanto Co (MON.N: Quote, Profile, Research), the world leader in biotech crops, sees water shortages being a growing issue in the years ahead and expects its drought tolerant corn seed to play a role in easing pressure on this key resource, said Chief Executive Hugh Grant on Friday.

"We've been in an energy squeeze and a food squeeze, but I think the water one is going to be even more dramatic (and the) water one is coming," said Grant, in an interview with Reuters.