Georgia (no, not Russia) and Russia (no, not Moscow, Idaho)

But can he ride a rocket out of the country?

December 14, 2011, 19:15 | Science | Ivan Cheberko 3

Ракетчики останутся в заложниках у Родины Rocketeers will remain hostage to the Motherland

Руководитель Роскосмоса Владимир Поповкин запретил ездить на отдых за границу носителям государственных тайн Head of Russian Federal Space Agency Vladimir Popovkin forbidden to go on holiday abroad holders of state secrets

Rocketeers will remain hostage to the MotherlandРуководитель Федерального космического агентства (Роскосмос) Владимир Поповкин. Head of Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) Vladimir Popovkin. Фото: РИА НОВОСТИ/Артем Житенёв Photo: RIA Novosti / Artem Zhitenev

Руководитель Manager Федерального Federal космического Space агентства Agency Владимир Vladimir Поповкин Popovkin запретил banned выезд exit за for границу border на on отдых recreation руководителям managers и and сотрудникам employees предприятий businesses Роскосмоса , осведомленных Russian Space Agency, informed о of секретных Secret сведениях . clues.

— – Письмо « Об Letter “On the ограничении Restrictions выезда Check out из of РФ RF работников employees организаций Organizations ракетно – космической Rocket – Space промышленности » датировано 22 ноября , — рассказал « Известиям » высокопоставленный Industry “dated November 22, – told” Izvestia “senior источник source в in Роскосмосе . Roskosmos. — В – In тексте text руководитель manager рекомендует Recommends ограничить limit с 1 января 2012 года from January 1, 2012 выезд exit за for пределы limits РФ RF на on отдых recreation руководителей leaders и and работников , осведомленных employees who are aware о of сведениях DATA особой special важности the importance of или or совершенно секретных Top Secret сведениях DATA организаций. organizations.

Запрет Ban касается As for не not только only организаций Organizations и and предприятий , подведомственных enterprises under the jurisdiction of Роскосмосу . Речь Roscosmos. It также also идет is об about организациях , с organizations, with которыми which у in государства State заключен concluded договор contract о of проведении conduct работ , связанных work-related с with передачей transmission сведений Information особой special важности the importance of или or совсекретных sovsekretnyh сведений . Это довольно широкий круг лиц. of information. This is a pretty wide range of individuals. Например, провести зимний отпуск в Альпах теперь не смогут сотрудники банка, допущенные к сведениям о производстве продукции на предприятиях Роскосмоса. For example, spend winter holidays in the Alps now can not bank employees committed to information about the production process in enterprises Space Agency.

Единственная The only лазейка — здоровье . Если loophole – health. If в in период period отпуска holidays обладателю holder секретов Secrets нужно necessary лечение treatment за for рубежом Abroad и and аналогичных similar процедур procedures в in России Russia не not делают, do по on предписанию prescription врача doctor он he может can получить get разрешение resolution на on выезд . Это check-out. This единственное only исключение , предусмотренное the exception provided приказом Order Поповкина , никаких Popovkin, no других « иных Other “other случаев » в cases “in тексте text нет . no.

— – Это It служебный service документ , и document, and он he вписывается fits в in другие others действующие acting нормативные regulatory акты , касающиеся acts on вопросов issues обеспечения ensure секретности , — заявил « Известиям » руководитель Privacy – said “Izvestia” head пресс – службы Press – service Роскосмоса Russian Space Agency Алексей Alex Кузнецов . Kuznetsov.

Сам Himself Владимир Vladimir Поповкин Popovkin через through своего a пресс – секретаря Press – Secretary Анну Anna Ведищеву Vedischevu заявил « Известиям », что told “Izvestia”, which принятые adopted меры arrangements служат are не not запрету , а ban and упорядочению streamline выезда Check out за for рубеж frontier лиц , осведомленных persons knowledgeable о of секретных Secret сведениях . clues.

— Вопрос – Question о of том , почему why такие such меры arrangements не not принимались taken раньше, before, следует be адресовать address предыдущей previous администрации Administration Роскосмоса , — сказал он. Russian Space Agency, – he said.

В In подведомственных subordinate Роскосмосу Roscosmos предприятиях enterprises распоряжение disposal главы Chapter агентства Agency восприняли perceived без without энтузиазма . Невыездным of enthusiasm. restricted to travel abroad автоматически automatically становится is руководство guide всех all крупнейших the largest предприятий businesses и and холдингов holdings ракетно – космической Rocket – Space отрасли . Часто the industry. Often это it далеко far не not бедные poor люди , их people, their доходы revenue исчисляются calculated сотнями hundred тысяч thousands of долларов USD в in год . Обойти year. Getting Around новый new запрет ban им them будет will сложно , так difficult, because как as паспорта Passport сотрудников , обращающихся employees seeking с with секретами , полагается secrets, it is believed хранить store в in соответствующем appropriate отделе Department предприятия , где enterprises, where эти сотрудники работают . Выдаются these employees work. Issued паспорта Passport по on исполнении performance ряда number of формальностей, formalities и and бесконтрольно uncontrolled выехать leave за for рубеж frontier носитель carrier секретов Secrets не not сможет . can.

— – Наш Our руководитель manager имел had обыкновение habit в in январе January отдыхать rest на on островах Islands Индийского Indian океана , в Ocean, этом this году year он he был was на on Сейшелах , — рассказал « Известиям » собеседник Seychelles – told “Izvestia” interlocutor в in крупном large холдинге , выпускающем Holding, producing ракеты – носители missile – media тяжелого heavy класса . the class. — На – In следующий next год year у in него it другие others планы , но plans, but куда where конкретно specifically он he поедет , я go, I не not знаю . I know.

Заместитель Deputy директора Director крупной large организации organization Роскосмоса Russian Space Agency рассказал , что said that планирует plans получить get справку Help от from медика , подтверждающую physician confirming необходимость need выезда Check out за for рубеж : abroad:

— На – In следующей the next неделе week этим this и and займусь , потому loan, because что that летом in summer у in меня me в in последние last годы years график schedule не not позволяет . Мне allows it. I хочется want to в in тепло, heat и and зимой in winter в in России Russia мне me отдыхать rest негде . no place.

Сам Himself Владимир Vladimir Поповкин Popovkin в in августе August этого it года year проводил conducted отпуск vacation в in Сочи . Источник Sochi. Source в in Роскосмосе Roskosmos рассказывает , что says that руководитель manager не not впервые first адресует addresses отраслевым industry руководителям managers сигнал вести signal to более more скромный modest образ image жизни . Так , в of life. Thus, in начале early августа August этого it года year Роскосмос Roscosmos опубликовал published официальное official сообщение message о of намерении intention изменить change систему system оплаты Payment труда Labour отраслевых industry директоров Directors таким so образом , чтобы way that оклад salary руководителя Head превышал exceeded среднюю average зарплату Salary на on предприятии Company не not более more чем than в in пять five раз . Речь time. It идет is о of довольно rather существенном significant сокращении : в reduction: a этом this году year оклад salary руководителя Head превышает than заработную payroll плату fee работника employee в 8–10 раз . at 8-10.

We hazed at our high school, too (but nobody has died): Hazing death inquiry at Florida A&M: New incident, new investigation

Powdered Pecan Sandies

On a sunny autumn day, the muted fall leaves colouring an elaborate quilt on the rowed hills of east Tennessee, I finally, fully, felt the loss of my mother in-law while I sat with my wife next to the coffin for graveside service on Saturday.

I will not see her smiling face or hear her voice her concern for her daughter’s health, anymore.

Last night, when we drove into the garage, the absence hit home once again — no calling my wife’s mother to let her know we made it home safely after returning from east Tennessee.

Mortality.

We live and die.

Now, my wife and I deal with the imbalance, she with no parents or sibling and I with both my parents and my sister alive.  My wife and I each have one living pair of blood-related niece and nephew.

My wife is ready to be free of traditional family obligations such as holiday gatherings.

We shall see.

No doubt we face a transition.

A transition from what to what, I don’t yet want to know, although I can project a few future possibilities.

A superglued broken cup commemorating the 2005 Paderborn Weihnachtsmarkt attracts my attention, hinting at the future.

The parts of my wife and me put on hold until her mother died are ready for release.

However, post-death logistics remain…dividing the estate, modest as it is, including photo albums, Christmas ornaments, kitchenware and a few dozen decks of playing cards used for bridge games; writing thank-you notes to those who assisted toward the end of and after my wife’s mother life.

One more day of mourning/grieving our loss and then life goes on…sigh…

My mother in-law and me, 1st Nov 2008, Clinch Mountain Overlook

A quiet, lonely day today.

Time to sharpen a pencil and work on the Book of the Future…

Second half game plan

There are so many people to thank, I don’t know where to start.

The players? Da’Rick, Simms and the other young guys…

The teams? St. Louis Cardinals, perhaps…

Health care providers? T’ Rona, Amy, Melissa, Lana, Courtney, Zach, Tyler, Dr. Arora, Dr. Man, Dr. Mandge, Jennifer, Christel, Debbie, Tonya, Dr. Kimpel, Laura, Lauren, Julia, Bryan, Shannon, Kimberlee, Sandra, Tana, Katy, Paris, Dr. Jia… [the list to be continued]

My wife plays Angry Birds on iPad, I read/type on the Kindle…and we wait.

I’m not ready to call this a death watch but…

Major minor stroke…all the extremities are working but…

She’ll answer questions about pain, will move fingers/toes/arms/legs, and open eyes on command but…

She seems to be in her own world.

Her hands and feet move around even though she seems to be snoring in her sleep.

A pained look appears on her face. She scratches behind her ear, rubs her eyelid, and searches for her left hand under the covers with her free right hand.

My wife holds her mother’s hand for a few minutes.

Three or four drops of saline drip every fifteen seconds. 80 mL/hr…

We wait…

Comfort care…

What is she thinking? Does she feel like there’s anyone to look at when she opens her eyes for a second or two? Are memories her comfort food now? Does she know where she is? Is she waiting? Is she bored?

She returns to a deep sleep. She dreams, perhaps, of her successful adjustment to a second half game plan.

Pre-hospice care…

Only the mind’s I knows for sure.

Putting the Patient’s Care First

In case you’re interested (and even if you’re not), here’s the detailed info about the stroke.  The doctors said that my mother in-law has atrial fibrillation (had it for a long time), which is a type of irregular heartbeat.  In this case, when the heart does not beat or pump properly, blood can pool within the heart resulting in the formation of blood clots, which can travel to the brain causing a stroke.  The doctors believe the clot formed in the right medial cerebral artery (click here for more details about the artery):

  • Supplies most of the temporal lobe, anterolateral frontal lobe, and parietal lobe.
  • Perforating branches supply the posterior limb of the internal capsule, part of the head and body of the caudate and globus pallidus.
  • Unilateral occlusion of Middle Cerebral Arteries at the stem (proximal M1 segment) results in:
    • Contralateral hemiplegia affecting face, arm, and leg (lesser).
    • Homonymous hemianopia – Ipsilateral head/eye deviation.
    • If on left: global aphasia.
  • Usually occlusion is embolic in nature – thrombotic occlusion more common in carotids.

 

Now for detailed report of MRI (without contrast):

Stroke indication: Fall. Altered mental state. The patient was in atrial fibrillation.  Confusion and memory loss.

Technique: Multispin and multiplanar MR images of the brain.

Findings: Abnormal diffusion weighted signal is seen within the right basal ganglia and right MCA distribution extending to the temporal lobe concerning for right MCA infarct.

Prominence of the lateral ventricles, sulci, and basal cisterns is consistent with age related atrophy.  Increased signal within the periventricular white matter is consistent with small vessel gliosis of a chronic nature.

No mass, mass effect, nor extraaxial fluid collections are seen.  The basal cisterns remain intact and uneffaced.  The paranasal sinuses and orbits appear normal.

 

CONCLUSIONAcute right MCA infarct.  Age related atrophy.  Chronic small vessel periventricular gliosis is noted as well.

= = =

Now the harder decisions.

Do we pursue any sort of physical therapy for her, knowing that her chance for another stroke, the “big one,” increases by the day?

Do we simply provide her comfort care for the rest of her life, going down the path of hospice-based assistance, assuming she might not live another six months, giving her whatever she wants even if it increases her chance of dying any moment (e.g., letting her drink as much water and eat as much food as she wants although she might choke on the intake)?

As usual, we’ll keep feeding her quiet, gentle sense of humour, which she has nurtured on even the most trying days of her life.

“No, I’m just a tech”

In moments like these…

Why is it in moments like these?

Stretcher/gurney, powder-free nitrile exam gloves, vitals monitoring equipment, feeding Coke/water via cotton swab a few drops at a time – you know, moments like these, 94 year-young mother in-law in the hospital after another fall.

Trains honking horns while passing through downtown intersections.

Gangs joining former military (veterans) in formalising government/business protests.

Almost as if Lawnmower Man: Cyberspace is actually prophetic.

As if…

When family is involved, I’m emotional, less logical, less willing to write the storyline that details Committee meetings, supercomputer output or books that foretell their plots.

The tale of the nature of water and air will wait.

“Wear Orange for Pat Summitt” Day

Story via email from mein Vater:

The news hit home Tuesday. Pat Summitt has been diagnosed with dementia — the Alzheimer’s type.

If you don’t know who Pat Summitt is, let me tell you. She is the head coach of the University of Tennessee women’s basketball team. She is a former USA Olympic coach, one of the best coaches (men or women) in the world and, on top of all of that, a fierce competitor and a genuine person of the upmost integrity.

Now why should I care so much, and why would I write about her today in the Sun newspaper?

Two reasons. First, I know all about Alzheimer’s. My youngest sister is sitting in a nursing home in West Virginia today, feeble, glassy-eyed and lonely. She rarely recognizes any of us anymore.

Second, Pat Summitt and I have crossed paths more than once. And, each time she was kind, respectful and gracious to me.

In my former life, I coached women’s AAU basketball. I am proud to say I formed the first high school AAU program for girls in Huntington, W.Va. I always loved basketball and hated to see girls getting shortchanged in facilities, newspaper coverage and all other aspects of competition.

After getting our tails beat off the first season, we persevered and won state championships in 1985 and 1986.

All that, however, was just a rehearsal for the 1987 state tournament with a team of mostly seniors who I felt could make a real run at a national title. We had always made it a priority to practice against the best players we could find — that included boys teams and former Marshall University women’s team members.

So, I called Tennessee. The Tennessee AAU team had just won the national championships the year before and it had a player from Oak Ridge named Jennifer Azzi who would go on to be an All-American at Stanford, an all-WNBA player in the pros and a member of the USA Olympic team that won a gold medal.

Not only did I get a game, I got two games, and Coach Summitt invited us to play on her home court at the University of Tennessee campus.

The first day we played against a team of 15- and 16-year-olds, presumably a warm-up to the big game the next day. Well, we were beaten, soundly. To say we were discouraged is an understatement. But Summitt and her assistant coaches, who sat a couple of rows up in the enormous basketball arena, gave us some words of encouragement as we left the court.

The next day, we decided to just have fun — all coaches say that don’t they? We left our uniform shorts in the bag and each player donned a pair of what we called “jams” — bright-colored, usually flowered, surfer shorts. They didn’t match our jerseys, but we figured we had little to lose against Azzi and her nationally ranked teammates.

Well, long story short, you probably have figured out by now that we won the game. It was probably one of the biggest victories ever for a girls team from West Virginia and it left the Tennessee AAU coach a little baffled.

But, Summitt sat through the whole game. She nodded when we did something well. She shook her head when Tennessee did something bad.

Afterward, she shook my hand. Every year after that, whenever I ran into her scouting at the national AAU tournament or anywhere else, she always spoke or stopped to exchange comments. She was never too special or too busy for an AAU coach from West Virginia — even after my best player signed with Stanford, along with Azzi.

I don’t think any disease wants to go into overtime with Pat Summitt. I wish her well.

John Hackworth is managing editor of the Charlotte Sun. He can be reached at hackworth@sun-herald.com

60 Hz Hum: Chapter was the son of a schoolmaster

Seventy percent of U.S. economy is consumer spending?

Majority of wealth held in small percentage of Americans’ hands.

Subjectively, how does that feel?

Objectively, what does that mean?

The disconnect is disconcerting.

Around here, we go out to eat and waste food during the growing, harvesting, distribution, preparation, consumption and discarding phases.

While millions starve “somewhere else,” “not in my backyard,” etc.

All the same, different, it does not matter.

Wise guru/advisor/self, what do you suggest?

Meditate and consider the possibilities.

Check statistics.

Read the supercomputer of an ant farm called a bug-filled house.

Then respond.

Colloquial or “perfect” English, it does not matter.

Results, results, results.

Statute of Limitation on International Murder?: Chapter Loaded With Guilt

I have a confession to make.

After 30 years of hiding from the truth, I admit it.

I ordered my first hit in 1981.

It began in 1980 at Georgia Tech.

Or, rather, it began with a relationship in secondary school during the late ’70s, which led to my rooming with a schoolmate from home who left our dorm room unlocked one evening.

Smith Hall.

Radiator heat and leaking windows.

Concrete block walls and athlete’s foot fungus-filled shared showers.

I have a short temper that I hide by diverting myself often, a murderer’s habit, resembling ADHD.

Sometimes, though, I can be pushed too far and can’t turn away.

First, someone steals from your dorm room.

You see the kid race out of the bottom door of the dorm staircase, across the street and into the anonymity of the Techwood slums.

You call friends in Techwood Dorm and ask them to ID where the kid entered a slum housing unit.

Second, someone steals your bicycle from the rack at the bottom of another staircase.

Your Techwood Dorm friends identify the thief as the same one who’s been robbing dorm rooms, including yours.

Finally, you note it’s the days of “The Man,” when a fellow, later captured, is supposed to be killing little black kids.

One day, I wandered through the slums to get to the Omni.

I stood with a crowd and watched – actually, jumped up and down and cheered with the crowd – as a person was pushed out of a third story window.

Life was meaningless in the slums.

So, ignoring the pleas of the fundamentalist Christian organisation to which I belonged to turn the other cheek, I contacted some dope peddlers who sold marijuana and other goods to Tech students.

I wanted revenge.

Old Testament style.

A life for a stolen stereo set and a stolen bicycle.

Once you take that path, there’s no turning back.

The guilt can eat you alive or make you more alive.

Or both.

From suggestions by the dope peddlers, I organised a group that watched for the thief to cross over onto the Tech campus.

The guys grabbed the thief, a kid half-Haitian and half-Cuban.  Illegal and on the run.

With a nod from me, they dragged the kid behind a Techwood slum and beat him to death.

My life hasn’t been the same since.

Neither has yours.

Or will be.