'The Saints Go Marching On'
New Orleans Saints Win Superbowl 44 in Miami
NO 30 - IND 17

 

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IRESC - Haiti Earthquake Report

January 30, 2010-(Wire) - At 2153 UTC on Tuesday 12th January 2010, a magnitude 7.0Mw earthquake struck near Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. News reports soon revealed that this was a major disaster.

Shortly afterwards, IRESC (International Radio Emergency Support Coalition) received, miraculously via email just before connectivity failed, a message from David Farquharson HH2QCS, who had helped with communications during the series of hurricanes that devastated Haiti in 2008. He had survived the earthquake but his home, high in the mountains above Port-au-Prince, was badly damaged.

Nevertheless, he was heading into Port-au-Prince to see what he could do to help. He said he would try to set up his amateur radio station. He witnessed a two mile stretch of cliffs above nearby gravel pits collapsing and knew that many deaths were inevitable.

IRESC went to a high alert level and commenced operations on their Echolink Conference with a formal net, hoping that some communications could be established either directly using VoIP or via a radio gateway situated within reach of Haiti. Manny Arroyo, NP2KW, was particularly helpful in making his HF Gateway facility available to IRESC from his advantageous location on St. Croix in the US Virgin Islands.

The IRESC Incident Database, which can be accessed by emergency agencies and can receive submissions directly from the general public, was heavily used to manage health and welfare enquiries and eventually stored over 300 items of information relating to the disaster.

In the early phases of the activation, traffic was almost entirely inbound to Haiti. With no reliable amateur radio path, relatives’ enquiries were routed to the Red Cross and Salvation Army bureaux for processing.

In the next few days, IRESC received further messages from HH2QCS and also from Jean-Robert Gaillard HH2JR; they made grim reading. HH2JR had lost several close family members. He also lost his cousin, Micha Gaillard, the Opposition Leader in Haiti. Jean Robert himself had been attacked by mobs. The two hams had not been able to communicate with each other since the earthquake.
The desperate scenes described were shocking. HH2QCS was, by now, leading the communications team for one of the major medical centres in central Port-au-Prince and was struggling with limited equipment to re-establish internet communications, but he had been able to arrange solar power.

IRESC continued to deal with the large number of hams seeking information. At one point, the IRESC Echolink conference had nearly 200 individual stations, links and repeaters connected to it.

Because IRESC has members in over 50 countries, there was always a Net Control Station available who could operate during their local daylight hours, thus preventing exhaustion or overnight shifts. Members who spoke French were contacted in case this became the language necessary for traffic handling. Such members monitored the only radio station that managed to continue broadcasting on the Internet, Signal FM, and provided translations of the public message boards and news reports hosted on the station’s website.

IRESC Net Control Station (NCS) operators were joined by colleagues from the National Hurricane Net, NIAR, HAMNET, ARES, RAYNET and others, to whom grateful thanks are extended. The net was streamed to the web via several outlets. HF communications were monitored in a variety of ways. In the region of 900 radio amateurs registered to become members of IRESC in a 72 hour period. All in all, this represented a truly remarkable international alliance between radio amateurs.

As the relief effort developed, IRESC collaborated with the Maritime Mobile Service net. The MMS net operates on 14.300MHz, the internationally agreed ‘Centre of Activity’ frequency for emergency communications. The net was in regular communication with Father John Henault HH2JH, a missionary from the Ile-a-Vache off the SW coast of Haiti, who travelled to the mainland to provide assistance and to establish a ham radio station. Father John regularly provided essential information and requests for supplies, principally fuel for his generator. These messages were relayed to the IRESC Echolink net by Bernie Farthing NP2CB for onward transmission to a variety of support agencies. As well as more traditional routes, traffic was also being received via Blackberry and SMS text, with some Haitians even managing to report via Facebook. All of this data was collated on the IRESC Incident Database and forwarded as appropriate. The Database was made an open source for any agency that found it of use.

IRESC Liaison Officer for the Eastern Caribbean, Julien Dedier 9Z4FZ, set himself up as a point of contact for radio amateurs travelling with relief teams, offering advice and assistance to smooth their passage through Trinidad & Tobago en route to Haiti.

IRESC Liaison Officer for Israel, Pinchas Aviv 4Z5RU, set the Magen David Adom network of VHF repeaters to relay the IRESC traffic so that it was heard across the whole of the country.

In conclusion, it is true to say that traffic out of Haiti was limited. The country’s infrastructure was so badly damaged that only the greatest of efforts lead to limited ham radio activity. The bulk of message flow handled by IRESC was of the Health & Welfare enquiry type. However, IRESC has benefitted from this significant mobilisation of its facilities; the learning curve has been steep and the debrief will be extensive. The IT systems, hosted on IRESC’s own servers, stood up well under the immense volume of activity.

NCS operators were well supported by always having several Assistant NCS members to work with them in the background, controlling the various online systems, managing the Incident Database, logging and dealing with off-net communications – not as glamorous as a net controller maybe, but the bedrock on which our organisation relies. When the next emergency comes, many more key agencies and contacts will be aware of what IRESC has to offer and will come to us earlier. Better working relationships have already been formed.

Correspondence was received from all over the world and diligently attended to. Radio amateurs worked with each other and found ways around the language and colloquial differences that will inevitably exist when the whole world meets in one place. But these radio amateurs had a shared goal – collaborating internationally is the very essence of IRESC - and the success of the operation demonstrates that it is possible to bring our diversity of cultures together in a single team.

IRESC has now dropped to a lower activation level but the net control structure has remained in place should any further help be requested. The fully activated net operated continuously around the clock for 384 hours. A slower but steady flow of requests for information on the whereabouts of individuals continues to arrive.

At 27 th January 2010, the Haitian President Rene Preval said that 170,000 bodies had been counted. 245,000 commercial and residential buildings had either collapsed or were too badly damaged to repair. Father John HH2JH, Jean-Robert HH2JR and others have continued to report in to the Maritime Mobile Service and SATERN nets.

For further information, please contact Steve Richards g4hpe@iresc.org or visit our website at www.iresc.org

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COMMENTARY

Digital Federal Credit Union (DCU)
Credit Score Drops, They Drop You
by Ray Sabb, Editor

Cromwell, CT - January 30, 2010 (MA wire) - Don't ever think that as a loyal member of a credit union they will not beat you when you are down. If you have credit issues they raise your interest rates on any credit cards that you have with them.

Now it don't figure, your credit score controls what interest rate you have. OK, so the lower the score the higher the rate. While you try to get yourself out of the hole they help dig it deeper to keep you in the hole. Everyone should have the same rate, period. Not penalize you. Why not just lower your credit line.

That would certainly reduce the risk on the loan. Not raising the rate.

Or how about this, your credit score goes into the toilet because of a divorce, a foreclosure action and loss of income. You stop using your few credit cards, let them sell the accounts to collection services and get threatening phone calls all day. Well hell yes your credit score is going down, down, down. But the one credit card you keep current religiously because you know you need a financial fail safe Digital Credit Union suspends the credit whereby stealing away any dignity that you have had less by maintaining the account.

This is wrong. The loyalty factor never plays a part in your membership with a credit union like Digital Federal Credit Union. They espouse to be a family that takes care of their family but what they do not tell you is that they do not care. It is all hype for more members.

Here is an extract of an email sent to me and when I read it well....

"I understand the frustration this decision to suspend your Visa has caused you. I'm not sure if there's anything I can say to make you feel better about this decision, but I would like to at least explain the reasons behind our decision.  Periodically, DCU will conduct a review ofour Visa portfolio.  Based on the information obtained from Equifax, a
negative change in your credit history was shown.  Based on this negative change, DCU made the business decision to revoke access to your
credit line."

Here is what I have to say to that:
If I wanted to listen to an asshole I would fart.

Shame on DCU. The guy is just trying to get it together but the credit file will most naturally show a negative because of their decision to shun a loyal member and help to dig that hole even deeper.

If you are a member of DCU, LEAVE.
If you want to be a member of a credit union that will stick it to you... here www.dcu.org , I prefer to deal with a national bank. The rates are the same and you get better treatment.

This is the biggest joke of all:
 "The DCU Way revolves around three principles: People Come First, Do the Right Thing, and Make a Difference."

Disclaimer:
The opinion is that of the writer and not MainAttraction. :)

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Amateur Radio Operators to the Rescue
IRESC provides a vital service during Haiti
By Ray Sabb, Editor

Cromwell, CT - January 22, 2010 -(MA Wire) - The International Radio Emergency Support Coalition ( WWW.IRESC.ORG ) for over a week now has been providing a vital service to the affected area in light of the earthquake that devastated the already impoverished island nation of Haiti.

In the coarse of the past few days amateur radio operators (HAMS) have been providing valuable communications capabilities with volunteers from all over the world and providing a first response communications tool to the stricken area. There abilities enabled Health and Welfare messages to be sent and stored into an online incident database for follow up and closure.

But well beyond that service they also have agreements and cooperative alliances in place with government agencies and non profit agencies like the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. Also the Maritime Mobile Service Network (www.mmsn.org). And other high profile organizations in the amateur community like Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES, www.arrl.org)  members checking into the IRESC net for any health and welfare traffic to their regions.

The scope of their operation is multi faceted as HAMS also use radio frequencies (radio) in all types of modes. The high Frequency (HF) bands were monitored by many of the nearly 1000 members. Other radio nets that were in operation were also joined and the call for help was heard worldwide.

One amateur operator in Georgia heard an SOS. It was picked up by the IRESC net team and verified as being a valid SOS from a sailing vessel on route from Montserrat to Bermuda. Details of the SOS were vague but there was enough information to warrant escalating it to the next level. The USCG was notified with the information and the end result was that all are safe.

In another instance, through the cooperation of several groups a Father John in the affected area was asking for help. The IRESC; team by radio was able to establish contact as well as other organizations and get those needed supplies to him.

The list is long but in saying that, this organization has been there to help in disasters time and time again.

But the volunteer service does not go without dangers. A couple of HAMS in the Dominican Republic; out of the sheer desire to help their neighbors were attacked and robbed of their equipment by thugs. Fortunately they are ok but the danger exist even when you are trying to help.

Amateurs Radio Operators in the eye of disaster have been providing emergency communications for over 100 years. The municipal communications infrastructure and government communications equipment always get disrupted but HAMS are independent of this and can ease the loss of communications by using their own equipment. The governments all over the world are recognizing this capability since 9-1-1 especially in the US. Municipalities are teaming up with HAMS and including them in their Emergency Operations plans.

Cell phones, trunked repeaters and commercial radio towers get disrupted or destroyed in a disaster. HAMS can throw up a tower in 20 minutes, they can be on the air in minutes to provide that first response. 

Even when voice over internet (VOIP) is disrupted they still get it done. And here is the biggest thing. "THEY GET IT DONE FOR NO CHARGE."
No special awards, no compensation just satisfaction that they were able to be of assistance.

Well done IRESC.

Email Ray Sabb

Editors note:
Ray Sabb is also a ham with the call sign of N1TAI.

Major Earthquake Rocks Haiti
A Call for Help

(wire)

A major magnitude 7.0 quake hit the impoverished country of Haiti on Tuesday and prompted a tsunami watch for parts the Caribbean, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said on Tuesday. The epicenter of the quake, which was initially reported off the coast, was located inland, only 10 miles (16 km) from the capital Port-au-Prince and was very shallow at a depth of only 6.2 miles (10 km). A major earthquake, of magnitude 7 or higher, is capable of causing widespread and heavy damage. There was no immediate report of damage or casualties. "A destructive widespread tsunami threat does not exist based on historical earthquake and tsunami data," the center said. "However, there is the possibility of a local tsunami that could affect coasts located usually no more than a 100 km (60 miles) from the earthquake epicenter." Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

The largest earthquake ever recorded in the area shook Haiti on Tuesday, collapsing a hospital where people screamed for help. Other buildings also were damaged and scientists said they expected "substantial damage and casualties." With communications disrupted there were no reports of deaths or injuries soon after the quake, as powerful aftershocks shook the country. The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 and was centered about 10 miles (15 kilometers) west of the capital of Port-au-Prince, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It had a depth of 5 miles (8 kilometers). It was the largest quake recorded in the area, said USGS analyst Dale Grant, and the last major one since a magnitude-6.7 temblor in 1984. An Associated Press videographer saw the wrecked hospital in Petionville, a hillside Port-au-Prince district that is home to many diplomats and wealthy Haitians. Elsewhere, a U.S. government official reported seeing houses that had tumbled into a ravine. Haiti's ambassador to the U.S., Raymond Joseph, said from his Washington office that he spoke to President Rene Preval's chief of staff, Fritz Longchamp, just after the quake hit. He said Longchamp told him that "buildings were crumbling right and left" near the national palace. He said he has not gotten through by phone to Haiti since.

Don Blakeman, an analyst at the USGS in Golden, Colorado, said such a strong quake carried the potential for widespread damage. "I think we are going to see substantial damage and casualties," he said. The quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, which shares a border with Haiti on the island of Hispaniola. Some panicked residents in the capital of Santo Domingo fled from their shaking homes. In eastern Cuba, houses shook but no major damage was immediately reported. "We felt it very strongly and I would say for a long time. We had time to evacuate," said Monsignor Dionisio Garcia, archbishop of Santiago. In Haiti, the extent of the damage was unclear. "Everybody is just totally, totally freaked out and shaken," said Henry Bahn, a U.S. Department of Agriculture official visiting Haiti. "The sky is just gray with dust." Bahn said he was walking to his hotel room when the ground began to shake. "I just held on and bounced across the wall," he said. "I just hear a tremendous amount of noise and shouting and screaming in the distance." Bahn said there were rocks strewn about and he saw a ravine where several homes had stood: "It's just full of collapsed walls and rubble and barbed wire." The U.S. National Weather Service issued a tsunami watch for Haiti, the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas, but said historically the region has seen few destructive tsunamis.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Gordon Duguid said U.S. officials were holding emergency meetings. "We need to gather what information we can quickly. We will of course assist in any way we can," he said. Felix Augustin, Haiti's consul general in New York, said he was concerned about everyone in Haiti, including his relatives. "Communication is absolutely impossible," he said. "I've been trying to call my ministry and I cannot get through. ... It's mind-boggling."
 

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THE JOB - URINE  TEST

Like most folks in this country, I  have a job. I work, they pay me.  I pay my taxes and the government  distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order  to get that paycheck in my case, I  am required to pass a random urine test (With which I have no problem). What I  do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have  to pass a urine test. So, here is my Question:  Shouldn't  one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one  to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with  helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem  with helping someone sitting on their ass - doing drugs, while I work. . . . Can you imagine how much money each state  would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance  check? I guess we could title that program,  'Urine or You're Out'. Something has to change and soon!

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I have had enough with the Brits press...

I posted on the Guardian the following:

I think it odd, that Brits look at the US as a fragmented country and focus their critical repertoire on whether a person is black or white, red or yellow, brown or mixed.

What you people need to realize is that as Americans, we put aside our racial identity the best we can. Yes there is racism but as a young country we are getting over that hurtle.

Tiger Woods is human, he has human faults and sure, he screwed around on his wife. So did some of your own royals do the same yet we kept our nose out of if and respected their choice to either heal the situation or terminate the relationship.

I submit to you all, let the man choose his process to heal, let the US press have their day but keep your freaking nose out of it. It is none of your business. You folks have enough to talk about in the UK, stop talking about ours. [BLOG ]

Ray Sabb
Editor
Mainattraction.net

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Commentary

Selling out America
by Ray Sabb, Editor


Selling Out America, Wednesday, April 15, 2009 1:01 PM

Foreign companies like Alcatel (a French Company) buying American companies like Lucent.
The company is now called Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU).

Since the acquisition of Lucent the company has done a great job of dismantling a once respected company (Lucent). But that isn't all, they also bought an American company called Celwave and also Cablewave which is now known as Radio Frequency Systems (RFSworld.com).

I have watched this once robust company dwindle to what could be considered a fleecing of American ingenuity and pride.

RFS once had around 700 employees and since Alcatel got involved in their ridiculous HEAD COUNT manner of management and outsourcing the work to inferior countries like China the company has been reduced to the size of about 50 employees and 3 outsource companies to provide help when they need it.

The really sad part is that they have a sales and marketing division that sits around with their thumbs up their asses while the competition like Mobi is kicking all kinds of butt taking orders and producing the same product like theirs.

HELLO.....

This is just one of the examples. The European's have no clue how to run an American company or any clue as to what American economics is all about and that useless President we had for the last 8 years did nothing to stop these acquisitions.

Just like the gas prices spiking in 2007 and 2008. Bush is an OILMAN, think he wanted the prices to come down...Hell No... Now that he is out guess what? The prices are around where they should be.

Our country is being taken over by foreign money and foreigners. We give immigrants grants of $50,000 to $250,000 to start businesses. They buy a Franchise (like Subways) and have their whole family running the business. If you are not one of their kind you can't get a job with them.
Good example: Try applying for a job at a Chinese restaurant or a restaurant that is owned by one of those folks from India. They won't even let you fill out an application which by the way is illegal. They have to give you an application and keep it in a file for 6 months.

So when you go to the gas station and there is an Iranian or Iraqi or some foreigner that hardly speaks English ask him for his green card first. If he doesn't have one just walk out on the bill.

What is he going to do, call the cops? Don't think so if he is an illegal.... FREE GAS what an idea...

But if you as a tax paying American make a mistake on your taxes the bastards will throw the book at you.... Think I will move to the Pacific Ocean. Buy me a big boat and just let it drift. Start it up only when I see land. Think Noah did something like that, only he didn't have an engine.
 

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The Champ that keeps going, going going.....
Scott Hamilton 50+ years old..

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House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, pictured standing, far right, speaks while colleagues Rep.
Barbara Lambert, D-Milford and Rep. Jack F. Hennessy, D-Bridgeport, play solitaire.

This happened when the House was in a night session to vote on the new budget.

The guy sitting in the row in front of these two is on Facebook.
The guy behind Hennessy is checking out the baseball scores.

These are the folks that can't get the budget out by Oct. 1.
Now we know why!

So, they voted to approve a 30 day budget extension. With these clowns in charge, 30 days from now we will be in the same boat, and these 2 yo-yo’s will still be playing SOLITAIRE!

No further proof is needed.
It is time to dump them all, and reduce all elected officials to two terms.

No more lifelong tenure, free healthcare, exorbitant pensions, voting in their own pay raises, etc.