Loose Controls
Thursday, September 22, 2005
RITA RIPS INTO TEXAS
Category 4 storm is 3rd biggest on record.
Thousands suffer for days stuck on evacuation routes as Mayor and Comissioner authorize all lanes open to evacuation.
Rita threatens new blow to New Orleans
Category 4 storm is 3rd biggest on record.
Thousands suffer for days stuck on evacuation routes as Mayor and Comissioner authorize all lanes open to evacuation.
Rita threatens new blow to New Orleans
Hurricane Rita as seen September 21, 2005
We'll let ya'll know how it all comes out,
-Katykarter
¶ 7:59 PM 0 comments
MEET my good boy, Mozart.
Mozart is a two year old German Shepherd and
Belgian Shepherd mix.
When he and his 7 year old German Shepherd mother play, he runs fast enough for both of them. She lets him run on his young legs.
He is some kinda security asset too-anyone who comes through the door must be approved by him. The backyard fenceline is his territory too, although he shares it with a 13 year old Pomeranian male who came to us recently from my wife's dad who, because of health reasons had to move out of their house and couldn't keep him anymore.
I'll have pictures of him, Chuppy, and of Mozart's mom, Shelby.
So until then, enjoy my best boy,
Mozart, our Mo Mo.
-Katykarter
¶ 6:27 PM 0 comments
Mozart is a two year old German Shepherd and
Belgian Shepherd mix.When he and his 7 year old German Shepherd mother play, he runs fast enough for both of them. She lets him run on his young legs.
He is some kinda security asset too-anyone who comes through the door must be approved by him. The backyard fenceline is his territory too, although he shares it with a 13 year old Pomeranian male who came to us recently from my wife's dad who, because of health reasons had to move out of their house and couldn't keep him anymore.
I'll have pictures of him, Chuppy, and of Mozart's mom, Shelby.
So until then, enjoy my best boy,
Mozart, our Mo Mo.
-Katykarter
¶ 6:27 PM 0 comments
WORLD POLITICAL CLIMATE IN FLUX
Recent events on the world political stage point to a new arena for the United States to lead. As the largest, most powerful of the world's superpowers, The US's lead-off needs to be very thoughtful of these recent events.
North Korea
The situation took a turn for the better last week, as the press reported an agreement in principle between the US and N Korea. Of course, before this news came out, the current negotiations were the latest in a string of failed talks with N Korea for several reasons. Leaders from that country seemed intent on expecting an attack from the United States. Their position, appearently, was that the US was on the brink of an invasion of their country. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to the US leaders, but in this way negotiators for the North could stall for more time, again according to US negotiators, time spent without the watchful eye of International Atomic Energy Agency cameras. Once US officials publicly and forcefully stated that in no way was soverign N. Korean soil in jepoardy of US invasion, the sides agreed in principle to concessions. Now for the bad news: According to news reports from the region, N. Korea has stated that "The United States is dreaming if it thinks (N Korea) will give up it's nuclear program". This after agreeing to the very same thing. Looks like we're back at the drawing board, this time the N Koreans have less credibility. Funny how the rest of the nations in the six nation talks seem to take the US at their word...all but China.
India and Pakistan
Recent events have racheted up tensions between China and India, long standing territorial disputes still defy resolution. A cold war between the two nations continues with thinly veiled threats, accusations and empty promises. Through Pakistan, China is able to wear India's resources down. China is largely resposible for the nuclear ability of Pakistan, having sold goods and services Pakistan didn't possess to get their nuclear weapons program on-line, a fact demonstrated by underground tests in the 90's, in answer to India's tests. The United States is an expanding partner with India in this conflict. Large weapons purchases and foreign aid have enabled India to remain very able in their miltary capabilities. Lately, however, India has asserted impatience and annoyance with the US for recent military hardware sales to Pakistan including f-16 fighter-bombers. The United States then sold India the newest version of it's Patriot ballistic missle defense system. With China acting behind Pakistan and the US acting behind India, this arms race is picking up momentum.
Southeast Asia
Recent polls conducted by the MDAA, Missle Defense Advocacy Association in Europe show a large majority there favor ballistic missle defense systems and the funding they require. Last weeks approval by Taiwanese and Japanese parliaments assert the same thing: People everywhere note the need for ballistic missle defense systems, and they approve of the spending needed to buy them. All this while Six Nations Talks are ongoing about N. Korea's strategic nuclear ambitions. US Missle Defense Agency commander Henry "Trey" Obering has stated that the US's BMD capabilities need to come up to meet the current threat posed by China. New technology and hardware tests are emerging, including the successful test of a 27-story tall sea based x-band radar capable of tracking a softball sized object over San Francisco from Chesapeake Bay. It and experimental missle defense systems are being rushed into service, at times without any testing at all and placed in Alaska. Military base closings have also played a part in recent US MDA cutbacks, including moving the headquarters from Washington D.C. to Huntsville, Alabama. As reported by Government Computer News, "Despite these upheavals, top Army brass remain upbeat about the progress they are making with their Globally Integrated Missle Defense program."
Obering states that the US remains robust in it's tackling of BMD issues, and that "MDA (agency) has programs underway to take on ballistic missles in all 3 phases of flight: boost, mid-course and terminal". US MDA's main adversary in the theatre of BMD is still beaurocratic gridlock in this country, energy inaction and opposition groups lobbying Congress' appropriations ability.
Take it for what it's worth, The United States still leads the world in technology and weapons systems, but without the ability to research and develop these systems, lack of capability will lead to another round of blame-game when, not if, these holes in our capabilities are exploited.
-Katykarter ¶ 10:26 AM 0 comments
Recent events on the world political stage point to a new arena for the United States to lead. As the largest, most powerful of the world's superpowers, The US's lead-off needs to be very thoughtful of these recent events.
North Korea
The situation took a turn for the better last week, as the press reported an agreement in principle between the US and N Korea. Of course, before this news came out, the current negotiations were the latest in a string of failed talks with N Korea for several reasons. Leaders from that country seemed intent on expecting an attack from the United States. Their position, appearently, was that the US was on the brink of an invasion of their country. Nothing could be further from the truth, according to the US leaders, but in this way negotiators for the North could stall for more time, again according to US negotiators, time spent without the watchful eye of International Atomic Energy Agency cameras. Once US officials publicly and forcefully stated that in no way was soverign N. Korean soil in jepoardy of US invasion, the sides agreed in principle to concessions. Now for the bad news: According to news reports from the region, N. Korea has stated that "The United States is dreaming if it thinks (N Korea) will give up it's nuclear program". This after agreeing to the very same thing. Looks like we're back at the drawing board, this time the N Koreans have less credibility. Funny how the rest of the nations in the six nation talks seem to take the US at their word...all but China.
India and Pakistan
Recent events have racheted up tensions between China and India, long standing territorial disputes still defy resolution. A cold war between the two nations continues with thinly veiled threats, accusations and empty promises. Through Pakistan, China is able to wear India's resources down. China is largely resposible for the nuclear ability of Pakistan, having sold goods and services Pakistan didn't possess to get their nuclear weapons program on-line, a fact demonstrated by underground tests in the 90's, in answer to India's tests. The United States is an expanding partner with India in this conflict. Large weapons purchases and foreign aid have enabled India to remain very able in their miltary capabilities. Lately, however, India has asserted impatience and annoyance with the US for recent military hardware sales to Pakistan including f-16 fighter-bombers. The United States then sold India the newest version of it's Patriot ballistic missle defense system. With China acting behind Pakistan and the US acting behind India, this arms race is picking up momentum.
Southeast Asia
Recent polls conducted by the MDAA, Missle Defense Advocacy Association in Europe show a large majority there favor ballistic missle defense systems and the funding they require. Last weeks approval by Taiwanese and Japanese parliaments assert the same thing: People everywhere note the need for ballistic missle defense systems, and they approve of the spending needed to buy them. All this while Six Nations Talks are ongoing about N. Korea's strategic nuclear ambitions. US Missle Defense Agency commander Henry "Trey" Obering has stated that the US's BMD capabilities need to come up to meet the current threat posed by China. New technology and hardware tests are emerging, including the successful test of a 27-story tall sea based x-band radar capable of tracking a softball sized object over San Francisco from Chesapeake Bay. It and experimental missle defense systems are being rushed into service, at times without any testing at all and placed in Alaska. Military base closings have also played a part in recent US MDA cutbacks, including moving the headquarters from Washington D.C. to Huntsville, Alabama. As reported by Government Computer News, "Despite these upheavals, top Army brass remain upbeat about the progress they are making with their Globally Integrated Missle Defense program."
Obering states that the US remains robust in it's tackling of BMD issues, and that "MDA (agency) has programs underway to take on ballistic missles in all 3 phases of flight: boost, mid-course and terminal". US MDA's main adversary in the theatre of BMD is still beaurocratic gridlock in this country, energy inaction and opposition groups lobbying Congress' appropriations ability.
Take it for what it's worth, The United States still leads the world in technology and weapons systems, but without the ability to research and develop these systems, lack of capability will lead to another round of blame-game when, not if, these holes in our capabilities are exploited.
-Katykarter ¶ 10:26 AM 0 comments
Sunday, September 18, 2005
New Orleans' Refugees, Bush's Haters, Political Jockeying and Iraq
Three weeks ago now, Hurricane Katrina came thundering into Gulfport, Ms and Biloxi, Ms. Of course other towns and communities were equally as hard hit as these two, but they were at the geographic epicenter of the storm's fury. Living here in Texas, we've lived with the possibility of a direct hit from hurricanes every year and we have been hit before. Unfortunately, Katrina came ashore virtually the strongest possible category, a catagory 5 just before landfall, weakening at the last moment to a dangerous catagory 4, winds diminished only 10 mph. Last year, Florida bore the brunt of the worst hurricane season in our nation's history: Three category 3 or worse storms came ashore, one over the very same area Katrina took, hitting Gulfport and Biloxi then as well.
Residents in those areas took the full brunt of the storm again, and the Federal response to those storms was adequate. Florida's legislature spent record amounts of Uncle's money to rebuild and medicate the hurting population. What was different this time?
Let's examine: As far as Federal response outside New Orleans, there doesn't seem to be overt amounts of cries to the tune New Orleans residents have made. In fact, nowhere else does there seem to be the equal inasmuch the outcry of racism, calculated delays and other ridiculous assertions made by irresponsible leaders and grandstanding politicians. Resources in place before the storm hit were accessed as planned, and assistance started to roll as soon as the storm's clouds passed over. National Guard troops and supplies that were earmarked for public assistance got staged and dissemminated as planned almost everywhere exept New Orleans!
For some reason, the local and regional government institutions in and around there just collapsed. Residents, largely black and poor, were left to deal with lawlessness and abscene conditions while help and assistance was purposely slowed to them. I believe this aggregious failing of the people of that region should be investigated and the people in charge should be made to pay the price for failing to do their jobs. Period. I would be remiss if I didn't characterize my disgust for the display of anarchy by the poor, largely black residents of New Orleans in the wake of the storm. Everyone knew the looters would strike: it's typical. When the cat is away, mice play, and without the police to keep order, low-brow people had no compunction about raping their local businesses for selfish desires. We saw this type of behaviour in Los Angeles after Rodney King's trial verdict, a racially charged situation. What hurt my heart was the reports of raping and killing inside the New Orleans Convention Center and Superdome. Without law enforcement present, thugs and punk gangsters took control of these buildings, ran amok terrorizing the people inside, and reportedly raping and killing at will. The people who endured these hours of horror deserve the indictment, trial and convictions of these thugs, as well as the decision-makers who allowed them to gain control in the first place.
One final thought, we heard scattered reports that some were taking shots at police helicopters, some of these reports from the diamond and gold exchange neighborhoods. What has become of these valuable resources? Have these businesses lost their contents too? Would it be out of the realm of possibility to believe that some of these businesses actuall looted themselves in hope of federal bailout once the smoke cleared? I'm willing to be we'll never know for sure. One thing is for sure, snipers place strategically on rooftops to dissuade patrols early on speaks of well managed and executed pre-planning. Someone else had planned for this disaster.
Oh yea, and why don't we make sure the damned leveies are suitable for the future.
Democratic strategerists jumped on the "weak federal response" bandwagon, and even before the rain had stopped, Bush was slammed for having too many troops in Baghdad to be able to deal with this homeland disaster. It never fails, if there is a way for events happening on the ground to be twisted into making President Bush look bad, it's going to be done. Get used to it, nothing will make these doomsayers happy, and in '08, Liberals and Democrats will be spanked again, even if they trot out freshman Senator Obama-the dems just don't make sense.
Finally, it's Iraq. Work keeps going on there, milestones are being reached, schools and hospitals and roads are being opened, the population is on the verge of ratifying their new constitution, but the insurgency keeps going. It's all about who you choose to believe now. If you listen to the pro-Palestinian, anti-American diatribe, the US military machine is on it's heels in the wake of this wave of violence this past week. It's doom and gloom if you listen to them, but if you listen to the measured response to these questions by US Military leaders, you realize there is nothing surprising about this or virtually anything else going on there. The military is the only governing body adept at dealing with these rougue factions trying to forestall democracy and justice in Iraq. Insurgent leaders are nothing more than power brokers who want to remain in charge via oppression and fear. It pleases me to know that we're kicking their asses, one by one. I tend to believe the leadership on the ground there when they say that this latest wave of attacks are the dying final gasps of activity from these insurgency forces. They will be , before too long, defunct.
Iraq will be a free state, and if the Sunni's would ostracise the militants in their midst, they too would benefit from the new constitution.
Homework: Check out "war with China.com", a website with links to various websites, some peace sites, some war sites. Also, Ballistic Missle Defense is back in the news, look into it, America leads the world in war deterrent. ¶ 7:47 AM 0 comments
Three weeks ago now, Hurricane Katrina came thundering into Gulfport, Ms and Biloxi, Ms. Of course other towns and communities were equally as hard hit as these two, but they were at the geographic epicenter of the storm's fury. Living here in Texas, we've lived with the possibility of a direct hit from hurricanes every year and we have been hit before. Unfortunately, Katrina came ashore virtually the strongest possible category, a catagory 5 just before landfall, weakening at the last moment to a dangerous catagory 4, winds diminished only 10 mph. Last year, Florida bore the brunt of the worst hurricane season in our nation's history: Three category 3 or worse storms came ashore, one over the very same area Katrina took, hitting Gulfport and Biloxi then as well.
Residents in those areas took the full brunt of the storm again, and the Federal response to those storms was adequate. Florida's legislature spent record amounts of Uncle's money to rebuild and medicate the hurting population. What was different this time?
Let's examine: As far as Federal response outside New Orleans, there doesn't seem to be overt amounts of cries to the tune New Orleans residents have made. In fact, nowhere else does there seem to be the equal inasmuch the outcry of racism, calculated delays and other ridiculous assertions made by irresponsible leaders and grandstanding politicians. Resources in place before the storm hit were accessed as planned, and assistance started to roll as soon as the storm's clouds passed over. National Guard troops and supplies that were earmarked for public assistance got staged and dissemminated as planned almost everywhere exept New Orleans!
For some reason, the local and regional government institutions in and around there just collapsed. Residents, largely black and poor, were left to deal with lawlessness and abscene conditions while help and assistance was purposely slowed to them. I believe this aggregious failing of the people of that region should be investigated and the people in charge should be made to pay the price for failing to do their jobs. Period. I would be remiss if I didn't characterize my disgust for the display of anarchy by the poor, largely black residents of New Orleans in the wake of the storm. Everyone knew the looters would strike: it's typical. When the cat is away, mice play, and without the police to keep order, low-brow people had no compunction about raping their local businesses for selfish desires. We saw this type of behaviour in Los Angeles after Rodney King's trial verdict, a racially charged situation. What hurt my heart was the reports of raping and killing inside the New Orleans Convention Center and Superdome. Without law enforcement present, thugs and punk gangsters took control of these buildings, ran amok terrorizing the people inside, and reportedly raping and killing at will. The people who endured these hours of horror deserve the indictment, trial and convictions of these thugs, as well as the decision-makers who allowed them to gain control in the first place.
One final thought, we heard scattered reports that some were taking shots at police helicopters, some of these reports from the diamond and gold exchange neighborhoods. What has become of these valuable resources? Have these businesses lost their contents too? Would it be out of the realm of possibility to believe that some of these businesses actuall looted themselves in hope of federal bailout once the smoke cleared? I'm willing to be we'll never know for sure. One thing is for sure, snipers place strategically on rooftops to dissuade patrols early on speaks of well managed and executed pre-planning. Someone else had planned for this disaster.
Oh yea, and why don't we make sure the damned leveies are suitable for the future.
Democratic strategerists jumped on the "weak federal response" bandwagon, and even before the rain had stopped, Bush was slammed for having too many troops in Baghdad to be able to deal with this homeland disaster. It never fails, if there is a way for events happening on the ground to be twisted into making President Bush look bad, it's going to be done. Get used to it, nothing will make these doomsayers happy, and in '08, Liberals and Democrats will be spanked again, even if they trot out freshman Senator Obama-the dems just don't make sense.
Finally, it's Iraq. Work keeps going on there, milestones are being reached, schools and hospitals and roads are being opened, the population is on the verge of ratifying their new constitution, but the insurgency keeps going. It's all about who you choose to believe now. If you listen to the pro-Palestinian, anti-American diatribe, the US military machine is on it's heels in the wake of this wave of violence this past week. It's doom and gloom if you listen to them, but if you listen to the measured response to these questions by US Military leaders, you realize there is nothing surprising about this or virtually anything else going on there. The military is the only governing body adept at dealing with these rougue factions trying to forestall democracy and justice in Iraq. Insurgent leaders are nothing more than power brokers who want to remain in charge via oppression and fear. It pleases me to know that we're kicking their asses, one by one. I tend to believe the leadership on the ground there when they say that this latest wave of attacks are the dying final gasps of activity from these insurgency forces. They will be , before too long, defunct.
Iraq will be a free state, and if the Sunni's would ostracise the militants in their midst, they too would benefit from the new constitution.
Homework: Check out "war with China.com", a website with links to various websites, some peace sites, some war sites. Also, Ballistic Missle Defense is back in the news, look into it, America leads the world in war deterrent. ¶ 7:47 AM 0 comments
Sunday, September 11, 2005
One Fine Day in Katy, Texas, where my bud Griff helps me do some testing at Gulf Coast Kartway.
The Kart is a '98 Birel with Yamaha KT 100cc motor.
-Katykarter
¶ 12:50 PM 0 comments
The Kart is a '98 Birel with Yamaha KT 100cc motor.
-Katykarter
¶ 12:50 PM 0 comments
A Mighty racing hello from Katykarter. I thank you for finding this page, there will be plenty more posts to come.
Foremost in my mind is the racing going on right now, all of the premier series' championship chases are in high gear:
In Formula 1, Fernando Alonso is fighting off a strong, late season charge by Kimi Raikkonen, and with three races to go, 'Nando is far from locked in.
In Champ Car is perhaps the most stable lead, where Sebastien Bourdais is on the cusp of clinching his second consecutive title, his Newman/Haas Lola by far the class of the field.
In the Indy Racing League, Dan Wheldon is battling with defending champion and Andretti/Green teammate, Tony Kanaan for the title with three races remaining.
InNASCAR Nextel Cup, its a friggin mess. Why they had to create a 'chase' gets me: to artificially 'hype' the league. Strong contenders are Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, and sentimental favorites Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin.
But the real drama is in karting!! Here's a recent pic-see you next time! ¶ 12:11 PM 0 comments
Foremost in my mind is the racing going on right now, all of the premier series' championship chases are in high gear:
In Formula 1, Fernando Alonso is fighting off a strong, late season charge by Kimi Raikkonen, and with three races to go, 'Nando is far from locked in.
In Champ Car is perhaps the most stable lead, where Sebastien Bourdais is on the cusp of clinching his second consecutive title, his Newman/Haas Lola by far the class of the field.
In the Indy Racing League, Dan Wheldon is battling with defending champion and Andretti/Green teammate, Tony Kanaan for the title with three races remaining.
InNASCAR Nextel Cup, its a friggin mess. Why they had to create a 'chase' gets me: to artificially 'hype' the league. Strong contenders are Tony Stewart, Greg Biffle, and sentimental favorites Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin.
But the real drama is in karting!! Here's a recent pic-see you next time! ¶ 12:11 PM 0 comments
