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Apocalypse has been cancelled
May 11, 2012 — xanthippaI am, of course, speaking of the dreaded 21st of December, 2012, when the world is going to end because the wise old Mayans chose to end their calendar on that day.
This is a sad day for all us fans of conspiracy theories….
‘The Maya recorded time in a series of cycles, including 400-year chunks called baktuns. It’s these baktuns that have led to rumors of an end-of-the-world catastrophe on Dec. 21, 2012 — on that date, a cycle of 13 baktuns will be complete. But the idea that this means the end of the world is a misconception, Stuart said. In fact, Maya experts have known for a long time that the calendar doesn’t end after the 13th baktun. It simply begins a new cycle. And the calendar encompasses much larger units than the baktun.’
…
‘In one column, the ancient scribe even worked out a cycle of time recording 17 baktuns, the researchers found. In another spot, someone etched a “ring number” into the wall. These notations were used to record time in a previous cycle, thousands of years into the past. The calendar also appears to note the cycles of Mars and Venus, the researchers said. Symbols of gods head the top of each lunar cycle, suggesting that each cycle had its own patron deity.’
I am not certain from reading the article that my understanding of the length of the newly found calendar is correct, but it seems to imply that it goes on for at least 1,600 more years than the ‘apocalypse in 2012’ one.
The article itself states that
“The Mayan calendar is going to keep going for billions, trillions, octillions of years into the future,” said archaeologist David Stuart of the University of Texas, who worked to decipher the glyphs. “Numbers we can’t even wrap our heads around.”
But, I think they are discussing the system itself, not the particular notation they found, which, I think, they say encompasses 17 cycles of 400 years, continuing well past 2012.
Here is a link to neat photos of the discovery.
…lost shipments of bubonic plague…
May 9, 2012 — xanthippaWho needs bio-terrorists with immunology researchers like we have?
‘But many epidemiologists and public health experts say poor handling inside laboratories, rather than bioterror, is the real threat. More than 100 accidents in high-security labs took place between 2003 and 2009, involving everything from flu-infected ferret bites to dropped vials of encephalitis, slips with Ebola needles and lost shipments of bubonic plague. The 1977 “Russian flu” epidemic may have involved a lab escape. Less accidentally, anthrax used in the 2001 attacks almost certainly originated in U.S. military laboratories.’
Of course, there have been a lot of questions about the origins of some recent epidemics: say, from Mexican neighbourhoods right next to immunology research facilities….
In the mainstream media, we have – of course – not heard enough to put the pieces together, and only those epidemics for which there were already developed vaccines got any press at all, even though some much more virulent and deadly epidemics occurred. (Example: 4 strains of hemorrhagic fever epidemic occurred almost simultaneously at one such Mexican neighbourhood a few years ago…thousands got sick, hundreds died – but most press has not deemed this news-worthy.)
From when, in my student days, I had an opportunity to peek into immunology labs, I have been a strong critic of their lack of rigorous adherence to proper scientific procedures and their flawed governance. But, if I start ranting on that topic, I will be typing for days and never post this…
Let me just say that it was sufficient to make me highly skeptical of the scientific validity of any claims to come out of specifically ‘medical’ laboratories. Most people working there have such an inflated sense of purpose that they don’t think that regular rules of proper science apply to anyone of such exulted status as theirs.
On a related note…
Have you ever read a novel where some rogue group develops a deadly virus in a dastardly plot to kill everyone but the chosen few, whom they protect with a vaccine?
No immunologist would go for this!
Why?
Because vaccines just aren’t that effective.
The best estimates are that the efficacy rate (how they actually protect people in the real-world) of vaccinations is less than half their effectiveness as measured under laboratory conditions. In Canada, vaccines with as low efficacy rates as 17% have been approved. (Yes, I cannot support these numbers, but know this directly from an immunologist who resigned in disgust over the approval…and who is still active in the field, so it is imperative that I protect this source.)
That means that less out of 10 people vaccinated, between 2 and 5 will actually derive any protection as a result of having been vaccinated. (Since the efficacy rate is about half the rate in labs, so even the best vaccine will not give any protection to half the people who receive it.)
Remember, the purpose of vaccination is sufficient ‘herd immunity‘ to slow down transmission, not individual protection!
While even many run-of-the-mill MD’s are unaware of these statistics, most immunologists are. So, the novels with the ‘vaccinate ‘our people’ and release a deadly virus’ would not be carried out by any immunologist, because they understand the limitations of vaccination.
Which, really, is something we should all be educated about.
After all, if we think we are protected from a disease, we will not take the same precautions against catching it as if we were aware that we may – or may not – be protected…a very important distinction with real-life consequences.
Don’t get me wrong: I am convinced that vaccines are a very powerful tool. I just think that any tool, if used improperly, has a potential to do more harm than good. Vaccines are no different!
BlazingCatFur gets results!
May 7, 2012 — xanthippaBloggers can make a difference!
Perhaps not all bloggers get results like this, but then again, not all bloggers are like BCF!!!
He’s been on the trail of Toronto Madrassas and school cafeteria Mosques: documenting and tracing connections. Perhaps it is not surprising that his tenacious labours are bearing fruit:
‘FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2012The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Denounces Antisemitic Elements in Toronto Madrassah’s Curriculum
Toronto, ON – It was recently brought to the attention of The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs that curriculum issued by the Toronto-based East End Madrassah contains antisemitic themes. In particular, the Level 8 curriculum document, which is publicly available on the Madrassah’s website, equates the beliefs of Judaism with Nazism and claims that “treacherous Jews” had “conspired to kill Prophet Muhammad”.
“Using religion to promote hatred among youth is not just offensive and abhorrent – it shows a stunning disregard for Canada’s basic values of decency and tolerance. Canadians of all backgrounds would be outraged to learn that horrific conspiracy theories are included in this curriculum, including the blood libel that Jews plotted to kill Muhammad,” said David Spiro, Greater Toronto Co-Chair of The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy arm of Canadian Jewish Federations.
“Such slurs against the Jewish community violate the values that Canadians hold dear – such as goodwill and mutual respect. Instead of promoting such values, this curriculum only serves to promote animosity, racism, and hatred. Given that the Madrassah conducts classes at David & Mary Thompson Collegiate, we will be bringing this to the attention of the Toronto District School Board to ensure that public property is not used to advance racist agendas,” said Sheldon Goodman, Greater Toronto Co-Chair of the Centre.‘
For the background, please, click here.
Prime Factorization Sweater
May 1, 2012 — xanthippaDestroying Latin America: Journalist Mary O’Grady on Populism, Protectionism, and Prohibition
April 29, 2012 — xanthippaFrom ReasonTV:
Open Letter to Jan Harder and Lisa MacLeod
April 17, 2012 — xanthippaWhile this is a local issue, affecting the residents of Ottawa, the implications of the position of these two politicians is bigger than just the local issue involved.
In a nutshell, a school in Ottawa, Broadview Avenue Public School, is old and falling apart. Not only is the environment becoming dangerous because of the floodings and the occasional fires that happen in the school, the school has also been found to be chock full of asbestos, have lead water pipes and to contain mercury – just what little kids need…
The school board had earmarked some money for repairing the school, but, following the latest little fire, the asbestos and all the other environmental hazards were discovered. It is precisely because of these latest findings that the school board had decided that instead of repairing this building (and shaking all those asbestos fibres into the air, where little kiddies can better inhale them), the whole building ought to be condemned and a new school built in its place.
The full depth of the problems at Broadview was simply not known before now: but, once it was revealed a few weeks ago, the school board rightly decided to act quickly to protect the kids and voted to rebuild the school instead of trying to fix this toxic dump.
Following this vote, two politicians (neither of whom is elected to the school board) have singled out one of the trustees who had voted for the rebuild and have demanded that she change her vote within two weeks or resign.
It is to these two politicians – Jan Harder, a career City of Ottawa Councillor, and Lisa MacLeod who is an opposition member in the Ontario Legislature, that I am addressing this open letter.
* * *
Dear Ms. Harder and Ms. MacLeod:
One of the qualities which defines our human condition is the protectiveness we feel towards children. It is therefore not surprising that politicians would choose this topic to try to cash-in on this commendable sentiment.
By writing the letter to Donna Blackburn, a duly elected trustee of the Ottawa Carleton District School Board, and demanding that she either change her vote or resign, you have demonstrated your own unfitness to hold public office. It is not just the inappropriateness of attempting to force an elected official to vote a certain way – something you, as elected officials yourselves, ought to know is deeply in appropriate, the way you have done it reveals that you are woefully uninformed about the underlying issues.
First, let’s focus on your motivation: you are both on record as commenting that by rebuilding Broadview Avenue Public School, your constituents will suffer. You have also both stated during interviews that you have targeted Donna Blackburn because she represents the same constituents as you do, confirming that your rhetoric is nothing more that short-sighted ‘NIMBY-ism’. In other words, your actions have demonstrated that your concern is not for the education system in Ottawa but simply the fate of the people who vote directly for yourselves. This shows that despite your pretensions, your actual motives are quite crass.
Ok – that is fine. You want to get re-elected so you play to your voters. That is understandable. However, pretending to do otherwise – as you two have – is dishonest.
You have both criticized Ms. Blackburn, saying she does not know the facts and does not understand the underlying issues, implying that you, yourselves, know better. You have both stated in interviews that rebuilding Broadview will harm your constituents.
Are you not even aware that children from within both your constituencies do indeed attend Broadview?
Yes, madams, Broadview does indeed serve your constituents!
Having long been a center of excellence in learning, Broadview offers unique educational programs in English and French for both gifted students and for exceptionally gifted students. As such, gifted students from the whole western region of Ottawa are bused to Broadview. Indeed, parents of bright children often start having them tested in grade 1 in order to have them identified as sufficiently gifted to begin attending Broadview’s most excellent program from grade 5.
Another factual error in your narrative is regarding the use of portable classrooms. Ms. Harder especially has been vocal in demanding that schools that have portables ought to be the first to be improved and expanded. Certainly, it is criticism-worthy that brand new schools are being built which have many portables: but the problem there is in the planning stage and criticism ought to be directed there. Why are new schools being built with inadequate capacity?
Is it perhaps because there is an expectation that as newly constructed neighbourhoods mature, the need for school spots will decline, making the portables in Barrhaven a responsible solution to a temporary problem?
Is it, perhaps, that it is precisely schools within ‘mature’ neighbourhoods, where the young-family ratio has stabilized, but which still require portable classrooms, that truly require expansion?
Broadview Avenue Public school is indeed in such a mature neighbourhood. And, it also has a number of portables – and has for years. So, saying that Broadview should not be rebuilt because schools with portables need it more demonstrates the depth of Ms. Harder’s ignorance.
Ms. Harder: you have been elected to the Ottawa City Council – and not for the first time. Yet, on your watch, the City of Ottawa continues to dump raw sewage into the Ottawa River. Until you solve the problems you were actually elected to solve, please, do not delve into topics which are not within your jurisdictional scope and which you have clearly demonstrated you are not knowledgable about.
Ms. MacLeod: You are the Education critic in our Provincial Legislature. This should tell you something: for the last two elections, your party failed to get elected – both times, the key issue on which you lost voter support was, indeed, education.
Under John Tory – whose election platform and, specifically, his proposed educational policy you have personally supported (and I did receive an email from you at that time specifically confirming this), your party snatched defeat from the jaws of victory solely on the issue of education. Then, under Tim Hudak, it seemed impossible that you would lose to the unpopular McGuinty Liberals. Yet again, once Mr. Hudak revealed his education platform, your party began to lose votes – returning the detestable Mr. McGuinty to power.
Does this not tell you what the people of Ontario think of your views on education?
Ms. MacLeod, a politician who so callously exploits her own child as a political prop and whose educational policy has lost them not one, but two elections ought not tell duly elected officials whom the public actually trust to look after our education how to vote!
Madams, you have overstepped your role in a most disturbing fashion which, in my never-humble-opinion, requires an investigation to determine if your attempts at influence-peddling have crossed the line into criminal. Please, do the honourable thing and resign.
Immediately.
Sincerely yours,
Alexandra Belaire
P.S. This letter – as well as any response you might wish to make to it, will be published at Xanthippa’s Chamberpot. It is also being forwarded to some media.
Reason TV: Teachers Union and NAACP sue NY Charter School
March 23, 2012 — xanthippaHow is this for co-parenting….
Xanthippa's Chamberpot 