tag:mindreacher.net,2005:/blogs/blog?p=2
Blog
2023-10-16T10:55:56-04:00
IRENE BARON
false
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6632960
2021-05-17T20:49:23-04:00
2021-05-17T20:52:29-04:00
MINDREACHER - THE GLOSSARY
<p><span style="color:#000099;">Many who have enjoyed the first Mindreacher book of the series suggested the glossary about the new technology and facts written into the first thriller should be posted in a blog. Readers, your wish came true! Now everyone will know the facts from the fiction in the book. The glossary holds only facts.</span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>GLOSSARY </strong></span></span></p>
<p><strong>AL-QAEDA:</strong> Also known as al-Qaida, al-Qadr, Group for the Preservation of the Holy Sites, International Islamic Front for Jihad Against Jews and Crusaders, Islamic Army for the Liberation of Holy Places, Islamic Army for the Liberation of Holy Shrines, and Islamic Salvation Foundation. Al-Qaeda is an Islamic extremist organization cofounded by Osama bin Laden, Mohammed Atef, and Abu Ubaidah al Banhirir to make the Jihad international. According to Yonah Alexander and Michael Swetnam in their book Usama bin Laden’s al-Qaida: Profile of a Terrorist Network, al-Qaeda began in 1989. It consists of numerous terrorist organizations which continually evolve. The al-Qaeda goal is to unite all Muslims and establish a global government based on sharia law. </p>
<p>Alexander, Y., Swetnam, Michael S. Usama bin Laden’s al-Qaida: Profile of a Terrorist Network. (Ardsley, NY: Transnational Publishers, Inc.) 2001. </p>
<p><strong>AMERIBAG:</strong> An Ameribag is a “healthy back bag” worn over either shoulder, or cross-body. It is contoured to the natural shape of the human back. The more places the bag touches when worn, the lighter it feels. Numerous interior pockets offer security, organization, accessibility and comfort. Angled exterior pockets fasten differently to enable the wearer to remember where they put supplies. Heroine Ana, in the MINDREACHER novel uses an Ameribag as her daily purse, as does author Baron. <br> http://www.ameribag.com Accessed December 14, 2017 </p>
<p><strong>BAMBOO WATER:</strong> Bamboo grass (Bambusa Schreb) has over 1,000 species with giant bamboos being the largest member of the grass family. Called tree grass, it is one of the fastest-growing plants in the world and grows up to a meter per day. Water may be found in the vascular bamboo stem cavity between the rings. To access the water, a notch is cut at the base of each cavity between the rings. </p>
<p><strong>BIOFUSION:</strong> An Automatic Chemical Agent Detection Alarm system is an alarm system based on technology to detect different airborne agents with a response time of less than two minutes. Thousands of types of chemicals that can be detected in vapor clouds within a 5-mile radius include blister and nerve agents. The DOD recommended point detectors which are man-portable for placement but must be stationary to function correctly. The Biofusion detectors can be used with a gas chromatography system. Such a system can weigh over 100-pounds and require a 120 or 220V AC power supply. They can operate continually after they are started and can be utilized in battlefield situations. Such systems can also be linked to other automated warning systems. They can be created to produce an alarm which can be heard from a distance. In this novel, the detector is an advanced, stationary unit placed in a VESPER entry area to detect chemical agents in the vicinity of the unit. National Research Council (US) Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems <br> National Research Council. 1998. Review of Mass Spectrometry and Bioremediation Programs of the Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/6316 </p>
<p><strong>BO-SHERIKEN: </strong>The Japanese Bo-Shuriken consists of a thin single blade about four-inches long. It was often called a throwing needle. The modern weapon is often in the shape of a star. The weapon dates back to a professional swordsman of the 1500’s. It is held between two fingers. A flicking motion of the wrist propels the lethal instrument straight to the intended target. <br> http://www.citadel.edu/root/c4-research </p>
<p><strong>CARBON NANOTUBE:</strong> Discovered in 1991, carbon molecules of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) efficiently conduct heat, have unique electrical properties and are exceptionally strong. Science Daily of 29 July 2016 reports one end of the cylinder is often capped with a hemisphere of buckyball structure. The diameter of the tube is approximately 50,000 times the width of a human hair and up to several millimeters in length. Single and multi-walled CNTs exist. <br> .https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/carbon_nanotube.htm Accessed December 26, 2017. </p>
<p><strong>CARBON NANOTUBE SUPER-FABRIC: </strong>Due to their tubular structure, CNTs are 50-times stronger than carbon steel. Scientists speculate they will create applications to make a diverse range of materials stronger, from fabrics to steels. Techniques have been developed to extract CNT fiber from a soup of carbon nanotubes. Since they conduct and hold electrical charges, electrical devices could be incorporated into CNT fabrics. To date, a flexible sheet of correctly aligned CNTs will support 50,000-times its own weight. Ray H. Baughman of the University of Texas spun CNTs with polyvinyl alcohol. The human-hair- size-threads were 17-times stronger than Kevlar and 4-times stronger than spider silk. Baughman stated, “You could cover an acre with a sheet that weighs only four ounces.” It is anticipated CNT spinoffs will be used in artificial body parts, vehicles, heating elements, batteries, etc. <br> Winters, Jeffrey. Associate Editor. “Wonder Cloth,” Mechanical Engineering, 146, no.4 (April 2006) Accessed 12 March 2011, https://www.asme.org/engineering-topics/articles/nanotechnology/carbon-nanotube-super-fabric </p>
<p><strong>CITADEL:</strong> Citadel Cyber Communications Command maintains ongoing research by students and faculty mentors at the Citadel in South Carolina which crosses the range of communications. One such study is an Intrusion Detection system which identifies invasion activity from outside the primary network. The Citadel has much current research in communications which the United States government may adopt/use in security measures. Students under the direction of faculty members have worked on building a “Prototype of Agents and deploying them in the Network to Detect Intrusions. Such agents would have prevented intrusions of satellite communication systems found in this novel. <br> http://www.citadel.edu/root/c4-research </p>
<p><strong>CONSCIOUSNESS:</strong> Tom Siegfried wrote, “Consciousness … represented evolution’s pinnacle, the outcome of eons of ever-growing complexity in biochemical information processing.” When our brain receives information from the outside world and organs within itself, it integrates that data to create reality. “At its core, consciousness is self-referential awareness, the self’s sense of its own existence. It is consciousness itself that is trying to explain consciousness.” Laura Sanders wrote in the Recipe for consciousness: “Somehow a sense of self emerges from the many interactions of nerve cells and neurotransmitters in the brain – but a single source behind the phenomenon remains elusive.” <br> Sanders, Laura. Emblems of Awareness – Brain signatures lead scientists to the seat of consciousness. Science News. (11 February 2012) 23-27. <br> Siegfried, Tom. “Self as Symbol – The loopy nature of consciousness trips up scientists studying themselves.” Science News (11 February 2012) 28-30. </p>
<p><strong>DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)</strong>: “For sixty years, DARPA has held to a singular and enduring mission: to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security. The genesis of that mission and of DARPA itself dates to the launch of Sputnik in 1957, and a commitment by the United States that, from that time forward, it would be the initiator and not the victim of strategic technological surprises. Working with innovators inside and outside of government, DARPA has repeatedly delivered on that mission, transforming revolutionary concepts and even seeming impossibilities into practical capabilities. The ultimate results have included not only game-changing military capabilities such as precision weapons and stealth technology, but also such icons of modern civilian society such as the Internet, automated voice recognition and language translation, and Global Positioning System receivers small enough to embed in myriad consumer devices.” </p>
<p>The MINDREACHER author accomplished research, directed aerial photography and authored two sections of the classified counterinsurgency book, MEKONG RIVER while working with DARPA in Thailand. She was under contract with Battelle Memorial Institute for the Office of the Secretary of Defense, ARPA, Research & Development Center, Supreme Command, Thailand. DARPA completes research in cooperation with academic, corporate and government partners. <br> https://www.darpa.mil/about-us/about-darpa </p>
<p><strong>DHARMA: </strong>There is no one word translation of Dharma in Western languages. It refers to law and order. What the word means varies with the religious context in which it is used. In the writings of Buddha, it is in the Pali language and includes descriptions of ways individuals should live to be moral and follow the path of righteousness. The Dharma concept has been in use by many religions for centuries. <br> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dharma </p>
<p><strong>DINGO:</strong> Dingo is a term for feral dogs in Southeast Asia. They are considered the first native dog in the Americas. The original term relates to a dog native to Australia, the Canis lupis dingo. As an adult, they may reach a mass of 44-pounds with a height of 2-feet at the shoulder. The dingo is able to turn its head about 180-degrees in each direction. <br> https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dingoes-arent-just-wild-dogs-180950384/ </p>
<p><strong>DOPAMINE: </strong> A neurotransmitter, dopamine can flood the brain to create a euphoric state that suppresses the amygdale and brings pleasure. Dopamine gives an overall sense of well-being and meaningfulness, which is felt mostly in an area of the pre-frontal cortex. It brings a sense of cohesiveness. The amygdala, in comparison, is ready to generate anxiety and gloom. Too much of the dopamine neurotransmitter causes hallucinations, paranoia, over-excitement, euphoria and exaggerated feelings of meaningfulness. Too little dopamine brings feelings of meaninglessness, lethargy, misery, depression, lack of attention and withdrawal. MINDREACHER heroine, Ana Masterson, can release dopamine from her mind. <br> Godwin, Malcom. Who Are You? 101 Ways of Seeing Yourself. (New York: Penguin Books. New York, 2000. 39. </p>
<p><strong>EMBEDDED TECHNOLOGY: </strong>Using micro and Nanoengineering, embeddable devices have been created for energy harvesting and storage. They were designed to be self-sustaining systems. Most are used in the medical field to store, process and transport data. They can generate codes for ultra-secure encryption for improved security and accuracy. A few were developed to be used as Nanosized transceivers using atoms and molecules to function. The A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland continues research in that field of study. (A nanometer equals one billionth of a meter.) <br> www.ece.umd.edu </p>
<p><strong>FULLERENES:</strong> A fullerene is a form of spheroidal carbon molecule consisting of a hollow cage of atoms. Sometimes called “buckyballs,” they were named after Buckminster Fuller, they were discovered during research at Rice University in 1985. Much research has taken place with the fullerenes, including layering them between graphene sheets. They were combined with other products in this novel to create the bulletproof spidersilk fabric. </p>
<p><strong>GIBBON: </strong> The tropical forests of Southeast Asia has over twenty species of gibbons. They resemble a monkey with no tail. They have longer arms and a sound sac in their throat to amplify their “hoot” which is often vocalized as a duet with another gibbon of the opposite sex. <br> https://www.britannica.com/animal/gibbon-primate </p>
<p><strong>GLIA:</strong> Glia cells in the brain account for over forty percent of brain weight. They “…influence the way chemical and electrical signals travel from neuron to neuron and may shape the way information is stored.” (ScienceNews 8/22/15. 19) They may also help protect the brain. Glial cells in the brain outnumber neurons. Neuroscientists Robin Franklin and Timothy Bussey of the University of Cambridge stated there is compelling evidence that the humans’ superior learning and memory skills are partially due to glia which support neurons and help form the blood-brain barrier. </p>
<p>There are three types of glia (R.D. Fields/Nature 2013): A) Microglia enlarge before attacking invaders that enter the brain. They consume dead or dying cells and clear out unnecessary nerve cell connections. (ScienceNews:11/30/13,22). </p>
<p>They travel and respond to nervous system injury and infection and monitor electrical activity in neurons. Their dysfunction is involved in most nervous system diseases. <br> Yeager, Ashley. “Maestros of Learning and Memory – Glia prove to be more than the brain’s maintenance crew. Science News, (August 22, 2015) 19-21. </p>
<p>Glial stem cells stabilize blood vessels feeding the brain with ten times more oxygen and nutrients than other body organs. Since Alzheimer’s disease is characterized in part by brain-wide vascular/blood vessel problems, the glial cells may be insufficient. (Irene Baron suggests since glial cells require calcium, a diet low in that element may be partially responsible for initiating Alzheimer’s disease. <br> Moyer, Melinda W. “Without Glia, the Brain Would Starve - Blood vessels break down if certain glial cells are not present.” Scientific American MIND (May/June 2013) 17. </p>
<p>Eric Newman and Kathleen Zahs, physiologists at the University of Minnesota, have shown glia release calcium which has “a direct impact on the firing of the neurons.” Since fictional Anna Masterson in this novel has more glia than normal, she requires more calcium and craves milk as her beverage of choice. <br> Morrison, Chris. “New Knowledge of Neural Neighbors!” Only On Science Friday Online. (22 December 2004) Accessed 23 December 2006, <br> http://www.sciencefriday.com/pages/features/0698/glial/glial.html </p>
<p><strong>GORE-TEX: </strong>Gore-Tex fabric is waterproof and breathable by repelling liquid while allowing air to pass through. It was created using Teflon. The trademark is registered with W. L. Gore and Associates. </p>
<p><strong>GRAPHAIR: </strong> © Copyright CSIRO Australia <br>Scientists with the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) “have created a type of material to create a water filter that can make highly polluted seawater drinkable after just one pass.” It uses a one-atom-thick carbon material, Graphene, as a filter. That material has microscopic nano-channels allowing water through, but stops most other particles, including sea salt. By adding a layer of a new carbon material, called Graphair (made from soybean oil) 99% of the contaminants were stopped from passing through the filter. Eventually, filters will be made small enough to carry for personal water purification and large enough for industrial use. Permission was granted by CSIRO to use their information. <br> Starr, Michelle. “New Graphene Invention Makes Filthy Seawater Drinkable in One Simple Step.” Science Alert. (February 16, 2018): Accessed February 18, 2018, www.ScienceAlert.com/graphene-film-water-filtration-drinkable-seawater </p>
<p>Readers may also wish to access this author’s GraphAir blog articles at: <br> Http://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/water_filter_perfection_with_csiro1/ <br> http://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/clean_water_worldwide/ <br> http://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/plastic_found_in_bottled_water/ <strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong>GRAPHENE</strong>: Graphene is used in bulletproof clothing. New uses for the material are being invented continually. Andrew Grant wrote, “It’s strong yet flexible, it’s an impenetrable wall for molecules trying to pass through, and it’s a fantastic conductor.” By adding calcium it can move current resistance-free. <br> Grant, Andrew. “Graphene turned into a superconductor.” Science News. (3 October 2015) </p>
<p><strong>GS RATING:</strong> The General Schedule (GS) is the pay scale for federal employees. It consists of 15 grades, GS-1 to GS-15 with 10-steps within each grade. This author held a GS-13 rating when assigned to government contract work in southeast Asia. At the time that rating was equivalent to a U.S. Army major. </p>
<p><strong>GULFSTREAM G650ER:</strong> According to their website, the G650ER was designed to be the most technically sophisticated and comfortable private airplane. Flight deck capabilities allow pilot-controlled onboard computers to be changed to full automatic to monitor the flight. When on automatic, computer adjustments create smoother flights. Using the PlaneView II flight deck, information from the Flight Management System and the primary flight display are shown on multiple large format screens. </p>
<p> Pilot controlled two side-mounted Gulfstream-designed Cursor Control Devices (CCDs) integrate with PlaneView II. Pilots select and scroll where and how they want to see airways, airports, radar weather and other data to increase situational awareness and their response. The Enhanced Vision System (EVS) II, or the nose-mounted infrared camera, images can be seen on an instrument panel screen. The aircraft cruises at 51,000 feet which is above commercial traffic and weather. </p>
<p>For passenger comfort, the cabin is replenished with 100 percent fresh air every two minutes. Such oxygenation “reduces fatigue and ensures a more alert and refreshed arrival many time zones later. At a cruise altitude of 45,000/13,716 meters, a G650ER cabin is pressurized to an altitude of 4,060 feet/1,237 meters. That cabin altitude is almost two times lower than commercial airlines.” <br> http://www.gulfstream.com/aircraft/gulfstream-g650er </p>
<p>Being a pilot, author Irene Baron chose this aircraft as the one in which she would enjoy sitting right seat as an observer. </p>
<p><strong>HEMISPHERIC SLEEP:</strong> Christof Koch of the Allen Institute for Brain Science in Seattle wrote, “… the capacity to awaken from slumber distinguishes sleep from coma.” Studies have been made using electric signals from the brain. They show some animals keep one hemisphere of their brain awake when sleeping. When not fully relaxed, humans also sleep with one of the mind’s hemispheres in alert mode. When fully relaxed, both hemispheres will enter the restful sleep mode.. Long-term effects of sleeping with only one hemisphere at rest are unknown. <br> Koch. Christof. “To Sleep with Half a Brain – Sleep and Wakefulness Are Not All-or-none States Of Mind. When we sleep, one side of our brain can be awake.” Scientific American MIND. 7. No 5. (September/October 2016) 22-25. </p>
<p><strong>INCENDIARY AMMUNITION: </strong> Much of this ammunition has been banned by NATO. Highly explosive, this ammunition is used to punch holes and catch objects on fire. If it has a Tetryl explosive compound at the tip, it will have an internal firing mechanism. At impact the firing pin will strike the explosive Tetryl compound which scatters the incendiary material and flames. The tip color of the bullet defines use. Red or orange is a tracer. Black is armor piercing. Red atop a black band is an armor piercing tracer. Light blue or silver is basic incendiary. The initial flame is 3,000-degrees Fahrenheit. This type of ammunition is dangerous and restricted in many states within the United States. Always be responsible, respectable and safe with firearms. </p>
<p><strong>INFRASOUND: </strong> Sound is a vibration the human ear can detect. Infrasound lies at the extreme low end of our hearing range with vibrations occurring fewer than 20-times per second. This frequency can travel over a thousand miles. When not audible, infrasound has been described as a rough or popping effect or a chugging, whooshing sensation which can be felt. <br> http://www.infrasonicmusic.co.uk/background.htm </p>
<p>Author Irene Baron has felt the “popping effect” from passing earthquake waves. </p>
<p>The female lead of this novel experienced infrasound from a tiger which incapacitated her. Elizabeth von Muggenthaler, a bioacoustician from the Fauna Communications Research Institute in North Carolina, presented her research at the Acoustical Society of America meeting in Newport Beach, CA. She discussed her work concerning the paralyzing effect that a tiger’s roar has on animals, including humans. <br> American Institute of Physics -- Inside Science News Service. "The Secret Of A Tiger's Roar." ScienceDaily. Accessed 18 March, 2018: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/12/001201152406.htm </p>
<p>To enable a more accurate description of Ana’s lethal effects from the tiger’s infrasound, during research, this author discovered the report by Alex Davies, “Bioeffects of Sound.” He wrote that infrasound can kill animals by setting up vibrations within their body. He reported lung collapse (pneumothorax) has been triggered by infrasound vibrations. Air may enter the cavity between the lungs and chest wall causing lung stress or collapse. The victim experiences breathlessness and chest pain. During the vibrations, lungs may vibrate at the same frequency and cause loss of breath. <br> Davies, Alex. “Acoustic Trauma: Bioeffects of Sound.” SCRIBD. (November 5, 2012): Accessed December 2012, https://www.scribd.com/document/127555222/Acoustic-Trauma-Bioeffects-of-Sound-pdf </p>
<p> <br>The Max-Planck Institut fur Bildungsforschung has announced humans can hear sounds lower than had previously been assumed, down to 8 Hertz. This was discovered when 8 Hertz activated the primary auditory cortex of the brain. The brain picked up the vibrations while the human heard nothing. There is controversy as to whether infrasound causes hearing damage. Research is ongoing. <br> Bergomin, Fabio. “Lattice Structure Absorbs Vibrations.”.ETH Zurich. (July 29, 2016): Accessed November 2016, https://www.ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-news/news/2016/07/lattice-structure-absorbs-vibrations.html <br> <br>Not affected by ground cover, tiger infrasound can incapacitate animals up to five miles away. <br>Staff.<br> “Conference Report – Acoustics.” New Scientist. (03 May 201) 21. </p>
<p> <br>Although not used in this novel, a most intriguing comment by Sarah Angliss was, “Infrasound can cause seemingly paranormal experiences.” Perhaps readers will visit the zoo more often to check that out. <br> Angliss, Sarah. “Organ Pipes & Haunted Sites." National Physical Laboratory. Brighton, UK. (April 2003). Accessed July 2016, http://www.sarahangliss.com/portfolio/infrasonic </p>
<p><strong>MICROBIOCIDE</strong>: A water treatment, microbiocide is an alternative water treatment used to destroy bacteria, algae and fungi. The product was developed using regulatory approvals for environmental fate, toxicology and performance data. It is used primarily in industrial cooling water systems, mist air-washers, and paper mill manufacturing. In the near future it is hoped an American chemical company will have smaller amounts applicable for use in purifying drinking water for third world countries, primitive areas, and during national disasters when clean water is unavailable. <br> Hack, T.K., Lashen, E.S. and Greenley, D.E “The Evaluation of Biocide Efficacy Against Sessile Microorganisms” Developments in Industrial Microbiology 29 Suppl.3. (1988) 247-253. </p>
<p><strong>NAVIGATION VIA SIGNALS OF OPPORTUNITY (NAVSOP):</strong> The British NAVSOP (Navigation via Signals of Opportunity) system is used for determining locations within 3-meters. Using a diverse range of existing transmissions including mobile phone, radio and Wi-Fi signals, NAVSOP provides security in urban, isolated or underground regions lacking GPS/satellite access. It also eliminates hostile jamming opportunities created by singular transmission signals. </p>
<p><strong>PIPER CHEROKEE PA-28:</strong> Built by Piper Aircraft, the Cherokee was designed for flight training, transport and personal use. The metal aircraft is not pressurized and has a single engine with low-mounted wings. It can have two or four seats. The landing gear is a tricycle configuration. First built in 1960, the Cherokee is the fourth most produced aircraft in the world. </p>
<p>Author Irene Baron used a Cherokee to obtain her VFR certification. She said it is one of the easiest airplanes to fly and a favorite of owners. </p>
<p><strong>REMOTE VIEWING (RV):</strong> According to Paul H. Smith of the International Remote Viewing Association (www.irva.org ), “Remote viewing is a mental faculty that allows a perceiver (a “viewer”) to describe or give details about a target that is inaccessible to normal senses due to distance, time, or shielding.” They relate it to “so-called psi,” such as clairvoyance or telepathy. </p>
<p>During the research, viewing targets have included international sites, astronomical objects and enclosed areas. The RV act is a learned discipline. The viewer accesses the subconscious in their mind to view the world. The process is also called “Out of Body” (OUB). The Farsight Institute (www.farsight.org) wrote, “Remote viewing is a controlled and trainable mental process involving psi (or psychic ability). It is used to transfer perceptual information across time and space. It is clear that remote viewing works in complete violation of the accepted “laws” of quantum and relativistic physics. <br> Smith, Paul H. “What is Remote Viewing,” International Remote Viewing Association. (March 18, 2018): Accessed March 2018. https://www.irva.org/ </p>
<p>Over two decades of research on parapsychological or psi phenomena took place at Stanford Research Institute (SRI). H.E. Puthoff was the first director of that research. The project began with “…increasing concern in the intelligence community about the level of effort in Soviet parapsychology being funded by the soviet security services.” By 1976, remote viewers in the United States were hired by SRI as consultants. The CIA, and Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), during the life of the program used remote viewing for the military organizations. Between 1986 and 1995, military organizations requested assistance over 200 times for information not available elsewhere. <br> Puthoff, H.E. “CIA – Initiated Remote Viewing At Stanford Research Institute.” The Intelligencer, Journal of U.S. Intelligence Studies. 12, No. 1. (Summer 2001) 50-67. </p>
<p><strong>ROBAR RC-50: </strong>The Robar is a bolt-action sniper rifle. There are many manufacturers. One is the custom gunsmiths at the United States Robar Companies, Inc. Phoenix, Arizona. The Robar which author Irene Baron used for practice was 46-inches long with a telescopic scope. She repeatedly hit the bullseye of a 1” thick steel target at 500 yards. Using the bipod legs, she said the Robar was smooth and had no recoil. It is used as a sniper rifle in MINDREACHER novels. Always be responsible, respectable and safe with firearms. <br> https://robarguns.com/about/ </p>
<p><strong>SANDIA NATIONAL LABORATORIES: </strong> The Sandia National Laboratories are operated by the National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia. The main labs in Albuquerque, New Mexico make up one of three National Nuclear Security Administration research and development laboratories and has a budget of over 3 billion dollars. It is a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration and supports other federal, state and local government agencies and companies. <br> www.sandia.gov </p>
<p><strong>SECURITY LEVELS:</strong> Working with classified data, individuals must have a clearance at that level or higher. Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) is required for TS, Q & SCI access. Standard checks include employment, education, organization affiliations, local agencies, different residences, foreign travel, assets, character references, and interviews with persons who know the individual, including family members. </p>
<p> Security levels vary in different countries. International security levels usually are: <br> </p>
<p>Public Open Sources May be read/known by anyone </p>
<p>Declassified Previously classified and POS </p>
<p>Unclassified Refers to information which may be illegal to distribute </p>
<p>Confidential First and lowest classification level </p>
<p>Secret Also known as Collateral or Ordinary Secret </p>
<p>Top Secret Data that affects national security, counterterrorism, counterintelligence or other highly sensitive data </p>
<p>TS-SCI: Top Secret - Sensitive Compartmented Information. Individuals within one compartment may not have access to information in other compartments. </p>
<p>SAP: Special Access programs. Used when information is exceptional. L and Q clearances are Dept. of Energy. “Yankee White” is working with the President or Vice President. </p>
<p>USAP: Unacknowledged SAP </p>
<p>Waived USAP Temporary privilege to read/know USAP </p>
<p>ACCM: Alternative or Compensatory Control Measures </p>
<p>Private Contractors Exclusive CIA &/or Cliques </p>
<p>Them Members encompassing high national officeholders </p>
<p><strong>SHAOLIN TEMPLE:</strong> Located in Denfeng County, Henan Province, China, the Buddhist Shaolin Temple was founded in the 5th century. The martial arts method practiced and taught at the Shaolin Temple, Shaolin Kung Fu, is considered one of the best in the world. MINDREACHER hero, Major Coulter, studied at the Shaolin Temple for four years after graduating from high school and before enlisting with the U.S. Marine Corps. </p>
<p><strong>SHOBO WEAPON:</strong> A small piece of sharp edged, pointed wood with an attached ring at its center. The ring fits over the middle finger allowing the shobo to be hidden within the fist. With one in each hand, they are used by Ninja warriors to strike pressure points, paralyze or kill enemies without leaving a trace. </p>
<p><strong>SHORINJI KEMP0: </strong> The martial art form of the World Shorinji Kempo organization originated in Japan in 1947. Founder, So Doshin, realized law and government required character and the “…way of thinking of the person” in authority.” He stated “…everything depends on the quality of the person.” After WWII he dedicated his life to “…educating youth with the spirit and backbone the country needed.” He desired to train these future leaders to give them “…indomitable spirits and sturdy bodies,” courage and confidence. He reformulated Chinese and Japanese martial arts to create a unique, technical martial art form, Shorinji Kempo. The nonprofit World Shorinji Kempo Organization is the global framework. <br> Editor. “History of Shorinji Kempo.” Shorinji Kempo, East Portland Branch. (2013): Accessed 1 November 2017, http://www.portlandsk.org/history. <br> Editor. “What’s Shorinji Kempo Organization?” World Shorinji Kempo Organization. (2018) Accessed 17 March 2018, http://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/history/index.html </p>
<p><strong>SIG SAUER:</strong> Begun in 1853, two men in Switzerland began a company which would become one of the most renowned manufacturers of small arms. Now headquartered in Newington, New Hampshire, SIG SAUER is the largest member of a worldwide business group of firearms manufacturers. They offer unparalleled design expertise and extensive manufacturing capacity. </p>
<p>Author Baron used the classic SIG SAUER P226 Legion SAO RX as the weapon of choice for hero Major Coulter because it is used by elite United States forces and been proven in combat. His 9mm SIG has a 4.4” barrel and non-reflective grey finish. She recommends you always be responsible, respectable, and safe with firearms. </p>
<p><strong>SINHALA LANGUAGE: </strong> Sinhala is the native language spoken by the largest ethnic group of people in Sri Lanka. </p>
<p><strong>SITAR:</strong> The sitar is a string instrument originating in India and used in Hindu classical music. In the lute family, it is most like the banjo in proportion with a four-foot long neck. It usually has five metal strings and twenty frets. The “box” is often a made from a gourd. </p>
<p><strong>SMART PILL:</strong> The cognitive enhancer, modafinil, has been known to improve memory or focus. Drugs which contain modafinil (brand name Provigil, normally prescribed for sleep disorders) include Ritalin (given to people with ADHD) and Adderall (a mixture of amphetamine salts). The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) announced the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2008 reported “…even a small 10% improvement in a memory score could lead to a higher A-level grade or degree class, and that is a big improvement.” There have been no long term studies to determine side effects and risks of use. <br> Watts, Susan.“Do cognitive-enhancing drugs work?” BBC News. (November 9, 2011): Accessed November 14, 2011, https://www.bbc.com/news/health-15600900 </p>
<p><strong>SNIPER:</strong> “A marksman or qualified specialist who operates alone, in a pair, or with a sniper team to maintain close visual contact with the enemy and shoot enemies from concealed positions or distances exceeding the detection capabilities of enemy personnel. The U.S. Marine training manual, listed below, was the first source author Irene Baron studied before practice firing 50-caliber sniper firearms like the ROBAR. <br> U.S. Marine Corps Scout Sniper Training Manual. Scout/Sniper Instructor School. Marksmanship Training Unit. Weapons training Battalion. Marine Corps Development and Education Command. Quantico, VA. Lancer Militaria. 1989. </p>
<p><strong>SPIDERSILK:</strong> Spidersilk can be compared to a biosteel. The spider gene, specific to milk producing animals, has been placed in goats. The milk produced will allow production of silk. Fibers made from spinning of goat milk create a biosteel with three and one-half times the strength of aramid fibers currently used in bulletproof armor. Areas of the government involved in the study and outcome include the NASA Langley Research Center, U.S. Air Force, DARPA, CIA, FBI, Southern Command, Atlantic Command, the Australian DOD, plus more. The two main characters of MINDREACHER wear bulletproof clothing with a composition including spidersilk. <br> Buchnell, Dennis, “The future is now.” Future Strategic Issues/Future Warfare [CIRCA 2025]. Future Strategies Issues. (July 21, 2001) 34 </p>
<p><strong>SPINOFFS: </strong>Spinoffs occur when original products or techniques discovered during research are repurposed for other uses. Beginning in 1976, NASA documented annual spinoffs to private and commercial enterprises to benefit mankind. Other types of spinoffs may include books, climate or ecological research, corporate mergers, education, electronic programs, entertainment, healthcare, movies, stocks, television programs and websites. </p>
<p><strong>STAR GATE:</strong> Project Star Gate (1978-1995) was a Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) codename for a US government project which studied psychic and supernatural phenomenon for spying and military uses. </p>
<p>The project goal was to establish a program using psychoenergetics for intelligence applications. Psychoenergetics is when a person “can perceive, communicate or change characteristics of something or someone that it separate from that person in space or time. It also describes things such as remote viewing, where people can see things in another place, and telekinesis, where someone can move an object that they're not actually touching.” Questions exist as to whether the program was actually shut down or just moved to a secret “Special Access Program” classification. <br> Griffin, Andrew, “Project Stargate: CIA Makes Details of Its Psychic Control Plans Public.” The Independent Tech. (January 18, 2017) <br> https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/project-star-gate-cia-central-intelligence-agency-a7534191.html </p>
<p><strong>STUBBY HUBBLES:</strong> The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) transferred two KH-11- type “digital imaging reconnaissance spacecraft” to NASA. They are often called SpySats. </p>
<p>One was refitted to look down instead of up for science applications. The telescopes are reported to have “high tech lightweight mirrors far more advanced than Hubble’s.” The mirrors were manufactured between the late 1990s and early 2000s. NASA and university astronomers found the mirrors superior to those in the Hubble Space Telescope, especially for detecting and imaging extrasolar planets and gathering evidence to define dark energy. They can be easily moved by ground control or onboard instrumentation. <br> Deployed telescopes, with an aperture of 2.4-meters. are reported to have the capability to zero in on terrorists and areas of interest such as Iran, North Korea, China, and the Soviet Union. Since the instrument bay is only 5-feet high, the newly acquired NRO telescopes have been dubbed the ‘Stubby Hubbles.’ Astronomers are calling them “Super Hubbles.” They were designed for observing Earth objects up to 3.9-inch resolution from an altitude greater than 200 miles. NASA looks forward to funding in the early 2020’s for research missions using the hardware. Although images taken with the telescopes are not being released, the instruments are currently unclassified. Covault. Craig. “Top Secret KH-11 Spysat Design Revealed By NRO’s Twin. <br> Telescope Gift to NASA.” AmericaSpace-For a nation that explores.(June 6, 2012): Accessed June 6, 2012, https://www.americaspace.com/2012/06/06/top-secret-kh-11-spysat-design-revealed-by-nros-twin-telescope-gift-to-nasa/ . </p>
<p><strong>TACTICAL PEN:</strong> A tactical writing pen/defender that could save your life is an overlooked weapon that can be carried in a pocket. Often made with titanium or lightweight aircraft aluminum, the durable carbide tip breaks vehicle glass. They resemble and can be used as a normal ballpoint pen. They have a sturdy, non-slip metal grip. Either end of the pen can cause deadly lacerations. Their uses as a weapon include: </p>
<p>1. Flat end: blunt weapon to break bones, especially a skull </p>
<p>2. Pointed end: as a dagger in a thrust/stab/gouge, to rip nostrils or jaw, break heavy glass, ice pick, etc. </p>
<p>3. Hold inside a fisted hand to increase momentum and strike force </p>
<p>4. Throw as a bo-shuriken style weapon </p>
<p>5. In a spear grip extend reach for raking action </p>
<p>Author Irene Baron always has a tactical pen with her. </p>
<p><strong>X-CHROMOSOME/INTELLIGENCE:</strong> “The Y has a mere 100 or so genes, and there is no evidence that any of them are linked to cognition. This contrasts sharply with the 1,200-odd genes on the X chromosome. There is mounting evidence that at least 150 of these genes are linked to intelligence, and there is definite evidence that verbal IQ is linked. It suggests that a mother’s contribution to intelligence may be more significant than a father’s – especially if the child is male, because a male’s one and only X chromosome comes from his mother. And in females, the X chromosome derived from the father is in fact bequeathed directly from the father’s mother, simply setting the maternal X-effect back one generation, so to speak.” <br> Badcock, C. Ph.D. “The Incredible Expanding Adventures of the X Chromosome.” Psychology Today. (September 6, 2011) Accessed September 2011, Https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/201109/the-incredible-expanding-adventures-the-x-chromosome </p>
<p><strong>XHOSA/CLICK LANGUAGE: </strong> The mouth shape may be the reason some persons in Africa can speak with click sounds. “In recent research, Scott Moisik of Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and Dan Dediu of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegan, the Netherlands, build biomechanical models that simulated clicks in vocal tracks with alveolar ridges of varying sizes.” The alveolar ridge between the upper teeth and roof of the mouth is missing or small in click speaking persons. Everyone can learn click languages in varying degrees, but not without errors in pronunciation and click consonants. Susanne Fuchs, senior researcher at the Leibniz Center of General Linguistics in Berlin stated, “The palate shape of an individual matures from early childhood to puberty and … may be affected by frequent productions of clicks.” The question: is the absent alveolar ridge an inherited palate configuration or the change of palate caused by speaking the click language? <br> Pycha, Anne. “Linguistics. Speaking in Clicks.” Scientific American. (December 2017). 15. </p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6485858
2020-11-25T20:59:50-05:00
2020-11-25T20:59:50-05:00
MINDREACHER II - AUTHOR NOTES FOR SCIENCE LOVERS
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>MINDREACHER II - AUTHOR NOTES FOR SCIENCE LOVERS </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000099;">MINDREACHER II, Author Notes for Science Lovers <br><span class="font_regular">www. irenebaron.com </span></span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>Lovers of science may wish to learn a few details about research for the second Mindreacher novel, especially concerning volcanoes.</strong></span> </span></p>
<p>Writing the second book in the mindreacher thriller series, “Mindreacher – The Galapagos Incident,” involves knowing and understanding the geology of the volatile plume of liquid rock (magma) under the surface of the earth moving up under the Galapagos Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. See chart below left. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/426b98991cdc19bd5caac84bcb4d53f73f8209af/original/north2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />A 2004 government study proved the Galapagos area IS above a deep mass of high-temperature magma. It is deeper than the Yellowstone Park magma. I used the data to create a fictional and dangerous situation. </p>
<p>My ideas included cracks in the earth linking this dangerous magma mass to volcanic Tower Island in the Galapagos. Releasing pressure at the top of the plume would result in the destruction of not only one volcano, but perhaps many in the Galapagos area. </p>
<p>The main sinister terrorist in this Mindreacher sequel is trying to become known as a top international al-Qaeda terrorist within all the proliferating amoebic al-Qaeda cells on Earth. His reprehensible scheme to change the leading countries around the globe with one act requires him to have a geology background. He is not dumb. Intelligent and conniving, his goal is to have Muslims to rule the world. </p>
<p>He wants to set off that plume of super-hot magma. Because of extenuating circumstances, if he is successful the global relations will change forever. Intriguing side stories help make this novel excitingly refreshing and new. </p>
<p>Readers learning of situations never before conceived by authors will be intrigued by the novel concepts. This is the type of story they have been looking for since they first learned to read. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/f36f5b821bebb1c8a08e510d61c4015e09f0ed7c/original/boat1.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I wrote into the novel a US Navy Spearhead class ship and crew assigned to help Ana Masterson and Major Jon Coulter, USMC, who are on a secret assignment for the President of the United States. Another ship in the novel is a private humanitarian yacht manned primarily by Australian LGBT men volunteering to monitor international environmental ocean conditions. They volunteer in this life-threatening situation to help the United States. There is also a unique catamaran terrorist vessel similar to the MAR Proteus vessel pictured below left. This ship was designed by Ugo Conti and built by the Marine Advanced Robotics (FKA Marine Advanced Research) in Seattle, Washington. In the story, these ships congregate in the Galapagos area. The ship on the right is a USN Spearhead class ship. </p>
<p>The easy to understand bathymetric charts mentioned in the novel are referring to those distributed<br> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/28418d24684691889e344284b456678666f0a2b4/original/boat2.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /></p>
<p>by the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These special maps are used by ship navigators to determine ocean depth. </p>
<p>The colored one below shows a rift area discovered in 2002 in the Galapagos. A rift is where the ocean crustal edges are splitting, merging, or moving past one another. This one has been colored for immediate recognition of high and low areas. The dark blue are deepest areas. White is the highest. Submarines use these maps to keep them from crashing into undersea mountains or hills. Official maps are not all accurate in secret areas of heavy submarine use. Such map sites are void of some data. </p>
<p>When teaching my high school students how to make and read maps, I enlarged black and white USGS contour maps of our local area. I found the address of each student and enlarged the map centered around their house on an 8 1/2" X 11" paper. They were assigned to color the different elevations to end up with a map similar to the one shown above. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/50fab5c07d7dae8fc0b3f61f4517b3afd71fb067/original/bathosphere.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />It was special to them because it was of their own property. It also gave them the determination to understand the contour land chart. While they colored, I helped them as needed and lectured about the field of cartography, the making of maps. It took more than one day to do the coloring. </p>
<p>A second part of that laboratory project was for each student to receive a copy of their original topographic map. They were to cut out the different elevations as patterns to make a 3D map of the same site. </p>
<p>In step three, the newly cut patterns were used to cut foam board or tagboard. The different elevations were glued together. Using poster board paints in whatever color they desired, the resulting 3D projects were painted with each elevation having a different color, similar to the colorful map above. </p>
<p>The colorful and educational resulting projects were displayed. What a display! They all did a great job and ended with a fantastic product. Parents were surprised and pleased to have several maps of their property. </p>
<p>I also used such projects when teaching astronomy. The contour maps students used in astronomy were geological features of Mars, like Hellas Crater.I used Planetary Geology lab books from the University of Arizona. I had the best students! Their results were spectacular! </p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#000099;">REFERENCES:</span></strong><br><br>Nolet, G., Hello, Y., Lee, S.v.d. et al. Imaging the Galápagos mantle plume with an unconventional application of floating seismometers. Sci Rep 9, 1326 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-36835-w </p>
<p>https://www.nsf.gov/ </p>
<p>Villagómez, D., Toomey, D., Geist, D. et al. Mantle flow and multistage melting beneath the Galápagos hotspot revealed by seismic imaging. Nature Geosci 7, 151–156 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo2062 </p>
<p><span style="color:#000099;"><strong>NOTE</strong>:</span> I have been blessed to have been a recipient of the National Science Foundation’s (NFS) graduate study programs which enriched my knowledge and resulted in my becoming an award-winning science teacher. At Texas A&M University in College Station, my graduate classes included Geology, Mineralogy, Oceanography and Meteorology. At Portland State University, the program involved transporting us to almost every volcano in the Cascade range from Shasta in northern California through the state of Washington. Earthquakes were studied at Missouri State University in Columbia. </p>
<p>It was through National Science Foundation graduate studies I gained valuable knowledge. Every minute of opportunity and experience helped me become an award-winning teacher and author. </p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6307416
2020-05-06T22:43:14-04:00
2020-09-11T08:10:31-04:00
BULLETPROOF CLOTHING
<p>BULLETPROOF CLOTHING </p>
<h2>
<strong>BULLETPROOF CLOTHING </strong><br>BY IRENE BARON </h2>
<p><span class="font_regular"><strong>Have you wondered what bulletproof suits look like or where to buy one? </strong></span></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/e8b6593870baff0fbb322385d86980bcac49c9c3/original/49241078wp-20-f.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />I began researching bulletproof clothing over 10 years ago for the "Mindreacher" psychological and geopolitical thriller novels. At that time you could buy a bulletproof suit in Colombia for about $20,000. Now, you can purchase one stateside for under $3,000.00 such as the “essential” Brioni Roma suit pictured to the left and sold by Neiman Marcus. It’s “essential” as it provides protection while remaining incredibly lightweight. As you can see, it looks like a high-quality suit. </p>
<p>A gentleman with a concealed carry permit would appreciate his weapon not being detectable. This discreet jacket, also used by the Israeli Security Forces, would hide a concealed carry weapon. The next time you see a famous figure who has guards surrounding them, look more closely at their clothing. Bulletproof clothing comes in any style. The outer texture can be changed to the buyer's specifications. </p>
<p>I recommend such clothing for all high ranking politicians, business leaders, and those in the public eye, especially Presidents and Vice Presidents. Whenever I see people important to the security of our country, I always hope they have protected themselves with bulletproof clothing. </p>
<p>I wonder ... if this is such a great bulletproof material, how do you sew it? Do machine needles go through it? Or it is glued together? The first glued clothing I saw was a GoreTex jacket belonging to my daughter. I expect more profound and secure glues could be used for any clothing. </p>
<p>As mentioned, I required information about bulletproof materials for the hero and heroine of the Mindreacher thriller series. This type of thriller writing is called “factional” as readers enjoy trying to determine what is fact and what is fiction. "Mindreacher" keeps the reader either guessing or being amazed. </p>
<p>As of last year, bulletproof clothing as that mentioned in the novel is not yet on the market but will be eventually. The book’s hero and heroine wear bulletproof clothing when on assignment. The heroine has the ability to identify nearby terrorists by reading their minds. Since terrorists don’t want to be identified, she and her USMC bodyguard are on every worldwide terrorist kill list. Their lives quickly disintegrate into deadly terrorist encounters as they search the globe for superior telepaths, or mindreachers, rumored to have been born in South Africa decades earlier. </p>
<p>What makes their life easier is their first and favorite sets of spidersilk based, carbon nanotube bulletproof clothing. They each have a set consisting of a multi-pocket safari-style shirt and long cargo style pants. The spider silk with which they are made is manufactured with graphene nanotubes and other molecules. Spidersilk can be compared to a biosteel. The spider gene, specific to milk-producing animals, has been placed in goats. The milk produced will allow the production of silk. Fibers made from the spinning of goat milk create a biosteel with three and one-half times the strength of aramid fibers currently used in bulletproof armor. Combined with carbon nanotubes will make it formidable. </p>
<p>Areas of the Government currently involved in the study and outcome include the NASA Langley Research Center, U.S. Air Force, DARPA, CIA, FBI, Southern Command, Atlantic Command, the Australian DOD, plus more. Buchnell, Dennis. "The future is now." Future Strategic Issues/Future Warfare[CIRCA 2025]. Future Strategies Issues. (July 21, 2001)34. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/69e1c4ffcba429fccc90576d3c39a19fa02ee381/original/iijima-top.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" /><strong>Molecules of carbon nanotubes were first discovered in 1991 by Sumio Iijima, Senior Research Fellow at NEC in Japan.</strong> He is pictured to the left. He applied tape, like scotch tape, to a piece of graphite and came away with a one molecule thick layer of graphite. That was the beginning of Graphene which you will be hearing more about in the future. It seems like every week something new is created or discovered about Graphene and carbon nanotubes. </p>
<p>Graphene is used in bulletproof clothing. New uses for the material are being invented continually. Andrew Grant wrote, "It's strong yet flexible, it's an impenetrable wall for molecules trying to pass through, and it's a fantastic conductor. By adding calcium it can move current resistance free. <br> Grant. Andrew. "Graphene turned into superconductor." Science News. 3 October 2015. </p>
<p>A nanotube is defined in the Encarta Dictionary as, “an extremely thin metallic or semiconducting cylinder, capped at one end, consisting of a rolled-up layer of fullerene-structured carbon atoms. The NASA image to the left is a representation of the arrangement of atoms for the creation of the graphene nanotube. </p>
<p>Fullerenes are a form of about 500 carbon atoms arranged in a sphere or rolled up into a tube. A carbon nanotube has a measured strength of 50 times that of carbon steel. </p>
<p>Scientists speculate they will create applications to make a diverse range of materials stronger, from fabrics to steels. </p>
<p>Techniques have been developed to extract CNT fiber from a soup of carbon nanotubes. Since they conduct and hold electrical charges, electrical devices could easily be incorporated into CNT fabrics.They also conduct heat. Science Daily of 29 July 2016 reported one end of the nanotube is often capped with a hemisphere of a buckyball structure. To date, a flexible sheet of correctly aligned CNTs will support 50,000 times its own eight. It has a hardness 10X that of a diamond. The carbon nanotubes are often arranged in a flat pattern like that of chicken wire. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/93bd2d5d5f2850cc999ff430a38ee580af6af743/original/istock-000013210950-lew-18542-1-nanotube-1388x1050-300dpi.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />Jeffrey Winters, the Associate Editor of Mechanical Engineering, reported that Ray H. Baughman, of the University of Texas, spun CNTs with polyvinyl alcohol. The human hair size threads were 17 times stronger than Kevlar and 4 times stronger than spider silk. That might make the best bulletproof suit yet. Winters also reported Baughman stated, "You could cover an acre with a sheet that weighs only four ounces." It is anticipated that CNT spinoffs will be used in artificial body parts, vehicles, heating elements, batteries, etc. </p>
<p>Think how that would affect the construction of airplanes, cars, space vehicles, space elevators and Superman’s cape! </p>
<p>It’s hard to realize the opening at the end of a nanotube can be as small as one nanometer. It takes about 100,000 nanotubes to equal the width of one human hair. The nanotubes are so small that when water is passed through them, molecules such as salt (sodium chloride or NaCl) are too large to get through. Saltwater is immediately filtered to pure water by running it through these tubes. </p>
<p>In this manner, our MINDREACHER hero and heroine purify water during isolation in the Laotian mountains as they try to hide from satellites for a few days. I obtained permission from CSIRO to use their water filtration product in "Mindreacher." The water filters used in the book are thin sheets 2 square inches in size. They are standard operating procedures in the novel. </p>
<p>NOTE: The nonprofit Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) in Australia, whose scientists invented the Graphair water filter, is currently searching for a manufacturer. https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2018/Tiny-membrane-makes-Sydney-Harbour-drinkable </p>
<p>The nanotube bulletproof material used in "Mindreacher" is still in the research stages where it is being developed. I also received permission to use the research information in my first MINDREACHER book and other books of the series. </p>
<p>The glossary at the back of the first MINDREACHER book includes carbon nanotube super-fabric as follows: </p>
<p>“CARBON NANOTUBE SUPER-FABRIC: Due to their tubular structure, carbon nanotube fabrics (CNTs) are 50-times stronger than carbon steel. Scientists speculate they will create applications to make a diverse range of materials stronger, from fabrics to steels. Techniques have been developed to extract CNT fiber from a soup of carbon nanotubes. Since they conduct and hold electrical charges, electrical devices could be incorporated into CNT fabrics. To date, a flexible sheet of correctly aligned CNTs will support 50,000-times its own weight. Ray H. Baughman of the University of Texas spun CNTs with polyvinyl alcohol. The human-hair- size-threads were 17-times stronger than Kevlar and 4-times stronger than spider silk. Baughman stated, “You could cover an acre with a sheet that weighs only four ounces.” It is anticipated CNT *spinoffs will be used in artificial body parts, vehicles, heating elements, batteries, etc. <br> Winters, Jeffrey. "Wonder cloth: a film made from carbon nanotubes may finally live up to the nanotech hype. But first, it has to get out of the lab." Mechanical Engineering-CIME, vol. 128, no. 4, Apr. 2006, p. 34+. Gale Academic OneFile, Accessed 6 May 2020. </p>
<p>Learn more at: </p>
<p>What’s wrong with old bulletproof vests? <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5-YBFwlQc8 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5-YBFwlQc8" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5-YBFwlQc8 </a> </p>
<p>The strength of Graphene explained:<a contents=" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvonBXvhCc4 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvonBXvhCc4" target="_blank"> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvonBXvhCc4 </a></p>
<p> What is Graphene? <a contents="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQCJpYR0og8 " data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQCJpYR0og8" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQCJpYR0og8 </a></p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6229272
2020-02-26T21:43:47-05:00
2023-12-10T11:27:28-05:00
MYANMAR/BURMA INCIDENT
<p><span class="font_xl">MYANMAR/BURMA INCIDENT </span> <br>by Irene Baron www.irenebaron.com </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><strong>What happens when individuals in another country want to secretly contact the President of the United States?</strong></span> </p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/588aa46962f8c6efe7a60336f197f4d92af62a40/original/us-flag.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.jpg" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Such international intrigue happened to me in Southeast Asia in 1969. It was a secret affair which remained so until I was ensconced safely back in the United States. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">As a resident of Bangkok, Thailand, I worked for Battelle Memorial Institute and was assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Advanced Research Projects Agency, Research & Development Center, Supreme Command Headquarters, Bangkok with orders from the United Stated military. My work assignment was classified Top Secret. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The official English name of Burma was changed in 1989 from the “Union of Burma” to the “Union of Myanmar.” Lately, it has been known as the "Republic of the Union of Myanmar.” See the CIA map to the lower left. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/a4d9af6985a6d20d90217f0e34a03f52196e75a1/original/1280px-flag-of-myanmar-svg.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsInNtYWxsIl1d.png" class="size_s justify_left border_" />Concerned citizens secretly in Bangkok from Myanmar wanted to know if the United States would recognize them as the new government representatives of Burma if they had a successful coup and overthrew the current government. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">They didn’t want to go through the American Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. They said they had been informed there was a “spook” at the embassy, meaning a double agent. There was someone working both sides of the fence between Cambodia and the United States. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">They believed if they contacted the American Ambassador or anyone in the American Embassy, they would be compromised. The double agent in the American Embassy would inform the current Burmese leader of who they were and what they were about. Doing so would result, they said, in death when they returned to their country. They were not even supposed to be outside of the country of Burma. They were very secretive about who they were and where they were staying in the city. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/4f647a15f45c9755d9de0e3b8cae0623224f4797/original/burma.jpg/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_left border_" />During his enlistment in the United States Air Force, my former husband, due to his excellent language skills, had been assigned to work with NATO and also assigned to as a liaison between the United States and French governments. During those times he became acquainted with many high ranking officers. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">It was this connection that drew the Burmese people to him. They needed to secretly pass a message to the President of the United States. A former officer with contacts to generals and other high ranking officers could accomplish that. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">My husband was contacted by Mr. Jim Beck, an in-country representative for General Motors. Mr. Beck, now deceased, worked with many different persons and had various contacts throughout Bangkok. He asked my husband to meet with some Burmese people trying to arrange a coup in Burma. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">They reported that everything was in place for them to take over the country. They just needed to ask the President of the United States a very important question. The answer to that question would determine their coup success. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The president of Burma at that time was an extreme isolationist and created much hardship on the part of the general population. The individuals seeking a meeting with my husband were trying to commercially open the country for internal businesses to grow and prosper in the international market, in addition to other concerns. They were also troubled with the welfare of the populous. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The meeting was arranged. Jim, my husband, myself and the Burmese contacts attended the meeting. It took place in an isolated area of a very dark night club which had been prepared for us. No one sat near us. An arc of empty tables and chairs kept us apart from patrons. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">We had to ensure we were not followed and that no one knew what we were about. The whole affair was dangerously secret. We were asked to not discuss this information with anyone. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The night clubs of Bangkok were very different from those in the United States. At that time there are no lights inside the average Thai night clubs except for where there may be an entertainment area. There was no bar you could walk up to get drinks. You had only waiters. The man who escorted you to your seats used a dim flashlight aimed at the floor to find a small and narrow path between the 12-inch diameter cocktail tables. Four or more small chairs surrounded each table. There were no exit signs. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If you could have seen everyone, you would have counted over 200-persons sitting at tables close to one another. A stateside fire marshal would have been apoplectic. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">If any emergency took place, like a fire, no one would have known where to go to escape. That’s why in such places when a fire occurs, hundreds of people die. I went to one-night club and found it so worrisome, I never went to another until this secret meeting. I’m a little claustrophobic. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The night club of the secret Burmese meeting was more elegant than the run of the mill night clubs. It had comfortable chairs and lighting adequate enough to walk without a waiter lighting your way. Aisles were wide. I didn’t know if they were normally wide, or arranged so for this secret event. You could see persons at other tables. No one talked, they whispered. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The nightclub owner was sympathetic to the Burmese gentlemen who had risked their lives to contact us. He gave us every consideration. He had arranged our table and comfortable chairs so they were further away from everyone else to give us privacy. During our presence there, he acted very nervous and kept looking around as though expecting the police at any moment. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Jim, my husband, and I were seated awaiting the Burmese countrymen. When they arrived, Jim and my husband went with all but one of the men into a separate and private room prepared for them to talk quietly. One man remained in the main salon area and sat at the table with me. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The private meeting took less than 30-minutes. My husband reported that as soon as the men greeted one another in the private room, a discussion took place with reassurances given. During the meeting, my husband was given a written message to secretly pass to the President of the United States. When the Burmese men left, they left through a back door. Jim departed through a side door in a different direction. My husband and I left through the main entrance. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The next day, my husband learned the location and address of the Air Force officer he wanted to use to pass the message to the White House. He called the officer and discussed only that he had a private message for the President and asked if he would personally carry it to the President. The officer agreed to do so. The next day the message was sealed and sent on its way. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">About ten days later, a reply from the President was received by my husband. He gave it to Jim. The message was secretly passed from person to person until it was in the hands of the individuals planning the coup. The answer given by our President was “NO.” The United States would not recognize those persons preparing for a coup within the country of Burma. The men had to stand down in their attempt. The coup, therefore, never took place. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">What was impressive was that these men from Burma wanted the opinion of the President of the United States and not any other country. They felt if the new government they installed would be recognized by the United States, it would also be recognized by the rest of the world. That respect gave the United States much honor. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I thought that was the end of the affair. At least until I returned to the United States years later after a stint in Germany. Persons I knew from different states inquired to find out what I was doing overseas. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I assumed they were asking about my job. I couldn’t tell them as I signed paperwork stating that I would not discuss what I did with anyone. Our ARPA staff had been instructed to not discuss our mission with family members, friends or acquaintances. Even when Congressmen arrived during fact-finding missions we were not to tell them what we were doing. We were to be polite and vague if asked direct questions. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">When the President of the United States received the message my husband forwarded from the Burmese citizens, he and the U.S. Department of State evidently wanted to know who my husband and I were and how we came to be involved with people from Burma. Previous to this Burmese intrigue, we had been off the political grid. The Ambassador and his wife knew me. At different parties and events, he, his wife and I would have polite discussions. Protocol in embassy circles had a high standard. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Since Jim Beck was not part of the actual message pass and since he was not mentioned in the dispatch, his participation had been ignored by the US government. They didn’t know about his involvement. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The President wanted to know how deeply involved my husband and I were with these Burmese nationals and their coup. He wanted to know how and why we were contacted and all the details. But, NO ONE EVER ASKED US. Instead, they asked everyone else and told them not to discuss the conversations. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">One businessman in my Midwest home town of Zanesville, Ohio stated he was drilled for almost three hours by two men from the FBI. The FBI wanted to know everything about me, who my friends were, where I worked, and every fact that could be recalled. They then went on to interrogate every person whose name was brought up in that and any future discussions. The interrogation web enlarged. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Friends in Nebraska were contacted. They said they were surprised they were interrogated about me. It was in their home that my husband and I were married earlier in Bangkok. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">Stateside friends and acquaintances didn’t know what to think about the whole incident. They were frightened about the intensive grilling they received. They were worried I was doing something illegal and didn’t want to get involved. I never knew any of these interrogations took place until I returned to the states and many asked, “What in the hell were you doing over there?” </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The only time I was personally questioned by the FBI was earlier in my career. I had studied French at the Sorbonne in Paris where I lived as a student in the American student dormitory. The dorm evidently kept no record of my habitation. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">The FBI agents investigating to check out my background for my Top Secret security clearance needed proof /more information for every moment of my life. They came to visit me in my Bangkok office at the ARPA building (now DARPA). The two black-suited gentlemen were polite and considerate. I gave them all the information I could at the time. My Top Secret clearance came in soon after, so I assumed they were successful in that info quest. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">I figured with all those people being interviewed about me, there should be some files someplace with my name on them. When the public was finally allowed to access documents within the government, I sent a written request to see if there were any papers in the CIA or FBI with my name on them. The answer was a negative. </span></p>
<p><span class="font_large">After all that? Really? </span></p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099609
2019-10-01T20:00:00-04:00
2019-10-03T06:59:00-04:00
SLEEP-DEPRIVATION-AND-COMBAT-VETERANS
<p><strong>SLEEP DEPRIVATION AND COMBAT VETERANS <br>by Irene Baron www.mindreacher.net<br></strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/4a7159ff6458097c2677a265be7796d619170753/original/images.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDIyOCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Public domain artwork of the human brain" height="228" style=" margin: 1px 10px; border: 1px solid black;" width="200" />I appear to be the first person to relate single hemispheric sleep with the high suicide rate of combat veterans. </strong></p>
<p><strong>The link between single hemispheric sleep and suicide is obvious and proven. </strong></p>
<p><span style="color:#000000"><strong>Veterans experiencing 1-3 or more years in combat have learned to sleep with the "sleep alert" single hemispheric sleep for self- preservation. They are experiencing severe effects of sleep deprivation. Military troops returning from combat and veterans need to learn how to sleep using both sides of their brain/mind. </strong></span></p>
<p><strong>SIDE EFFECTS OF SINGLE HEMISPHERIC SLEE</strong><strong>P</strong> which is caused by living with danger, stress and worry.</p>
<p>1. An increased risk to type 2 diabetes as the body may not respond correctly to insulin.<br> 2. Decisions can be slower, less accurate and/or impulsive<br> 3. Inferior concentration may affect motor skills<br> 4. Slower reaction times<br> 5. Reduced memory<br> 6. Cleansing/removal of toxic molecules within the brain is reduced (normally occurs during <br> sleep)<br> 7. Reaction to emotional stimuli increases resulting in uncontrolled feelings of depression.<br> 8. Metabolism rate may decrease<br> 9. Weight gain - the body tries to regain lost energy through food<br> 10. Cardiovascular problems/disease – blood pressure and heart rate increases<br> 11. Anger<br> 12. Anxiety<br> 13. Sadness, happiness etc.<br> 14. Hormones may become unbalanced; Estrogen levels increase<br> 15. Body collagen production decreases<br> 16. Skin, usually repaired/refreshed during sleep, is affected with breakouts and wrinkling<br> 17. Defective immune system occurs with lowered body defenses<br> 18. Unintentional sleep any time, including when dining or driving<br>19. PTSD<br>20. Suicide</p>
<p><span style="color:#ff0000"><strong>Is it any wonder there are 22 veterans in the United States committing suicide EVERY DAY? </strong></span></p>
<p><strong>When will our doctors recognize the fatal situation of continued single hemispheric sleep is occurring in our veterans and address the issue? </strong></p>
<p><strong>When will the Veterans Administration and their hospitals recognize the fatal situation of continued single hemispheric sleep is occurring in our veterans and address the issue?</strong></p>
<p><strong>When will our elected officials in Congress and the Senate recognize the fatal situation of continued single hemispheric sleep is occurring in our veterans and address the issue?<br><br></strong></p>
<p><strong>WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SLEEP AND HEALTH?</strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/3db68b66c5743c93059b76c450fb0f93e892048c/original/sleep.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTQweDE0MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Sleep-disorder-logo-by-irene-baron" height="140" style=" margin: 2px 10px;" width="140" />What have you forgotten today? Could you remember where you left everything from yesterday?</p>
<p>Are you getting dementia? Dementia starts about age 35. When it becomes serious, it is noticed by others. How old are you? Could forgetting be your first symptoms?</p>
<p>Don’t worry. Forgetting once in a while is not always a sign of dementia. You usually remember where you put your phone or keys. Right? According to Scott Barry Kaufman, humans are not consistent with how they remember, or, as Kaufman calls it, their “cognitive functioning.” <sup>1 </sup> What you forgot today may be a once in several months occurrence.</p>
<p>What does forgetting have to do with how you slept last night?</p>
<p>Does it matter that some nights you sleep well, while most nights you may awaken, fully alert and ready to go, at the slightest deviation in light, sound or nearby movement? What does sleep have to do with your cognitive functioning? We have learned that sleep deprivation causes many changes in our health, emotions, learning, and social interactions. Refresh yourself by reading what those changes are at the end of this blog.<sup>4</sup></p>
<p>In studies of children, it was reported there were “substantial fluctuations in the children’s daily cognitive performance with their nightly sleep quality, time in bed, and daytime tiredness.” The cognitive actions of memory fluctuations were related to the amount of sleep they had. <sup>2 </sup><br> <br> This seems to parallel the studies of adults with sleep deprivation. In the last blog on this site, <br> dangers resulting from sleep deprivation were listed. They have been repeated at the bottom of this blog.</p>
<p>In 2013, studies of changing of sleep durations in children was found to affect the emotional functioning and cognitive performance of those children.<sup>3</sup> Imagine how it affects adults who have continue to experience sleep deprivation every night because they sleep with one hemisphere of their brain awake.</p>
<p>The shortening of the children’s sleep cycle resulted in impaired regulations of their emotions, short-term memory, ability to hold their attention at any given time and giving positive responses. It was found that sleep deprivation of just a few nights created changes in the children’s functioning during their awake hours. Thus, like adults, sleep deprivation has a negative impact on children.</p>
<p>Imagine the impact of sleep deprivation of our military personnel deployed in combat regions when they experience 1-2 years of continued sleep deprivation due to single hemispheric sleep. They only knew they were always tired after hours of sleep and may have taken medication to feel better. When they leave the military, they continue that same learned sleep behavior as a civilian. Our veterans return to their safe and secure homes to find they can no longer sleep as well as they did prior to joining the military. Their sleep is no longer restful or refreshing. <br> <br> Until they are taught how to relax in order to sleep with both hemispheres of their brain at the same time, they may be doomed to single hemispheric sleep the rest of their lives. <br> <br> <strong>Continued single hemispheric sleep becomes a learned behavior</strong>. Nightly sleep remains in the “sleep alert” mode as it did while they were deployed in a combat zone where one of their brain’s hemispheres remained awake and alert every night. Sleep deprivation continues to mount up until the results become unbearable. <br> <br> Some or all of the sleep deprivation symptoms and diseases will surface in their body and mind. They won’t know why and will suffer more every day. They will lose their ability to see life’s positives. Illness and despondent behavior may follow.</p>
<p><strong> </strong><strong style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: large;">Those who have dedicated their lives to the United States and its citizens deserve information, treatment and care.</strong></p>
<p> <strong>H E L P P L E A S E! SHARE THIS INFORMATION.</strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Footnotes:</p>
<p><strong>1 </strong><a href="https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/toward-a-new-frontier-in-human-intelligence-the-person-centered-approach/" data-imported="1">https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/beautiful-minds/toward-a-new-frontier-in-human-intelligence-the-person-centered-approach/</a></p>
<p><strong>2 </strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25052368" data-imported="1">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25052368</a></p>
<p><strong>3 </strong><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23720415" data-imported="1">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23720415</a> </p>
<p><strong>4 </strong><a href="https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/sleep___how_to_fall_asleep1/" data-imported="1">https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/sleep___how_to_fall_asleep1/</a> .</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099608
2019-09-04T20:00:00-04:00
2023-12-10T11:27:59-05:00
HOW-T0-SLEEP
<p><strong>HOW-TO-FALL-ASLEEP <br>BY Irene Baron SLEEP EXPERT <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a>, <a href="http://www.mindreacher.net/" data-imported="1">www.mindreacher.net<br><br></a></strong></p>
<p><span style="color:#0000ff"><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/3db68b66c5743c93059b76c450fb0f93e892048c/original/sleep.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MTY1eDE2NSJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Sign-Sleep-Disorder" height="165" style=" margin: 5px 10px;" width="165" />PART II:<br>SINGLE HEMISPHERIC SLEEP:</strong> </span><br><span style="color:#000000">Persons in dangerous occupations, military on deployment, law enforcement and fire fighters have a history of being alert while sleeping. When anyone is in a new or unfamiliar location, is worried and/or does not feel safe or secure, they cannot relax. These situations are created when only one of the brain’s two hemispheres sleep at resting time. One hemisphere may remain awake in a “sleep alert mode” as a self-defense mechanism. This is considered an instinctive trait, not necessarily a learned one. Stress from life and work impacting the body interrupts a person’s ability to relax and sleep. The relaxation process you will learn through this lesson to eliminate your<strong> single hemispheric sleep deprivation</strong> habit is a positive step in taking care of your body.</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#0000ff">SIDE EFFECTS OF SINGLE HEMISPHERIC SLEEP: |</span><br></strong>Anyone who has a history of single hemispheric sleep may be sleep deprived. <br>Sleep deprivation may cause serious side effects. Side effects include:</p>
<ol>
<li>An increased risk to type 2 diabetes – the body may not respond correctly to insulin</li>
<li>
Inferior decision making<br> * Decisions making is slower<br> * Decisions are less accurate<br> * The person becomes less inhibited<br> * They are more impulsive<br> * There is less control with management and productivity
</li>
<li>Defective motor skills – lowered concentration on tasks and/or slower reaction time.</li>
<li>Reduced memory – less attention to self and surroundings </li>
<li>Impaired cleansing and removal of toxic molecules within the brain’s nervous system reducing brain health.</li>
<li>
Reaction to emotional stimuli increases resulting in uncontrolled feelings of:<br> * Metabolism rate change – Metabolic rate tends to decrease with lack of sleep<br> * Weight gain - the body tries to regain lost energy through food<br> * Cardiovascular problems/disease – blood pressure and heart rate increases<br> * Anger<br> * Anxiety<br> * Sadness, happiness etc.
</li>
<li>Hormone levels may become unbalanced – elevation of estrogen levels.</li>
<li>Natural production of collagen decreases.</li>
<li>Skin affected – during sleep, skin cells are normally repaired/refreshed.</li>
<li>Skin breakouts occur. Skin appears older with excess wrinkling.</li>
<li>Defective immune system – body defenses are lowered.</li>
<li>
Optical system/sight is affected.Micro sleep becomes more common – persons fall asleep anyplace, even while driving.<br> * Eye muscles are not easily controlled.<br> * Focusing on close objects becomes difficult.<br> * Eyes do not work together tracking objects.<br> * Double vision may occur.
</li>
</ol>
<p>The relaxation method is written below. The first time you go through the process, it should be read aloud by a family member or friend. Eventually, you’ll be able to buy a CD with this relaxation process from this webpage. In the meantime, have your reader using a calm and steady voice slowly read the instructions. Persons using this relaxation method claim to sleep more deeply than normal and are more refreshed upon awakening. It is hoped both brain hemispheres sleep.</p>
<p><span style="color:#0000ff"><strong>WARNING</strong>:</span> Do not attempt to smoke or drink during this relaxation process. If you are in a dangerous situation or outdoors where there could be predators, do NOT try this relaxation process. You must be in a safe location. Do not leave anything cooking on a stove or leave children unattended. When both hemispheres sleep, you may not be aware of noises, approaching people or animals. When you are rested, you will naturally awaken by yourself. Let family know you may need to be touched on the hand or arm to be awakened. This methodology is a way to relax your body so that you may rest in a deep sleep with, hopefully, both brain hemispheres at rest. If you have not yet purchased the sleep CD, tell your reader to read everything slowly in order for you to have time to complete the suggested action.<br><br>Your clothing should be loose. You should be barefoot. The first time you accomplish this relaxation technique, it is best to do so on a hard surface. If you can easily lie down on the floor without harming yourself, please do so. In the future, lie on your bed when you go through the procedures. In training your body to relax, after the first time you may be able to go through the steps without being coached. Each time you will do so more easily. Eventually, you will be able to think the word, “relax,” and be in a totally relaxed state.</p>
<p>Lie on your back. Take a few moments to align your body comfortably. The spinal cord and column should be straight, the neck and head relaxed. The arms are loose at your sides, hands relaxed. Legs may be slightly open, let your bare feet fall to the sides with no effort. Once you are comfortable, close your eyes. Try to clear your mind of daytime worries. Now is the time to take care of you. You are ready to begin listening. Be prepared to sleep 8-13 hours and awaken refreshed. Bless you in this healthy endeavor.</p>
<p><span style="text-decoration:underline; color:#0000ff"><strong>TEXT TO BE READ ALOUD BY ANOTHER PERSON<br>SLOWLY IN A CALM AND EVEN VOICE:</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#0000ff"><strong>VAGUS NERVE STIMULATION:</strong></span><br>First we will set your vagus nerve into action. This complex torso nerve connects many parts of the body from brain to colon. Its healing powers are easily activated and can improve body sleep and mood. By activating it, chronic pain can often be relieved as the body partially relaxes. There is no medicine or body manipulation. Discovered in the 1800’s, the vagus nerve is easy to activate.</p>
<p>To stimulate the vagus nerve system, take in a <strong>slow deep breath through your nose, hold it one second, let it out slowly through your mouth. </strong>Do this nine more times. Each time try to include more air. Two, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Three, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Four, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Five, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Six, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Seven, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Eight, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Nine, breathe in, hold, and breathe out. Ten, breathe in, hold, and breathe out.</p>
<p><span style="color:#0000ff"><strong>MUSCLE RELAXATION FOR SLEEP:</strong></span><br>Now, you’re ready to begin muscle relaxation of your body. Mentally picture yourself on a cloud. Let all sensations of earth go. Don’t think about the floor again. Try to become so relaxed that you don’t feel the floor under you. Let yourself feel as light as air.</p>
<p>Without moving your body, put your concentration on your <strong>right hand</strong>. Beginning with your little finger, let the muscles within that finger relax. When you feel it relax, move to the ring finger. Let the muscles relax. Move to the middle finger. Allow it to relax. Then move to the index finger and allow it to relax. Move to the thumb which is more complex with larger muscles. Allow your thumb to relax. Allow the muscles in the palm to relax. Next, concentrate on muscles, tendons and cartilage on the back of the hand. Let them relax. Don’t move that hand again. Keep it in a fully relaxed position.</p>
<p>Turn your concentration to your <strong>left hand</strong>. Beginning with your little finger, let the muscles within that finger relax. When you feel it relax, move to the ring finger. Let the muscles relax. Move to the middle finger. Allow it to relax. Then move to the index finger and allow it to relax. Move to the thumb which is more complex with larger muscles. Allow your thumb to relax. Allow the muscles in the palm to relax. Next, concentrate on muscles, tendons and cartilage on the back of the hand. Let them relax. Don’t move that hand again. Keep it in a fully relaxed position.</p>
<p>Think upon your <strong>left wrist</strong>. There are several bones in the wrist with much connective tissue to allow for complex moves. All muscle and tissue within the wrist top and bottom must be relaxed. Think about where the fingers are connected and relax that tissue. Muscles around the wrist in any direction must be relaxed. It should be so relaxed that you don’t feel the wrist anymore.</p>
<p>Think upon the <strong>right wrist</strong>. Again, think upon the bones and connective tissue within the wrist. All muscle and tissue within the wrist’s top and bottom must be relaxed. Think about where the fingers are connected and relax that tissue. Muscles around the wrist in any direction must be relaxed. It should be so relaxed that you don’t feel the wrist anymore. Both your hands and wrists are floating. You may not be able to feel them. Think of them being relaxed and pain free.</p>
<p>Keep your body relaxed. Take deep breaths as needed.</p>
<p>We’ll next relax the area on your <strong>right arm between your wrist and elbow</strong>. There are complex muscles within it, those on the surface differing from interior muscles. The muscles are connected at each end to either the hand and wrist or the elbow.</p>
<p>Think to yourself that all those tendons from the hand have to be relaxed. The muscles around the lower arm have to be relaxed. Between the elbow, wrist and finger tips, all tissue should be in a relaxed position. Do not move your body. Think: relax muscles. Relax muscles. Relax muscles. Let all tension flow from the muscles. Relax the muscles.</p>
<p>Turn your attention to your <strong>left lower arm.</strong> Think of all the muscles which make up the lower arm… the tendons of all the fingers and the thumb connecting to muscles which must be relaxed. There are muscles all around the lower arm which you use for many motions. All need to be relaxed. Think to yourself, relax all cartilage, tendons and muscle. Relax. Let there be no effort. Relax all tissue. Relax from finger tips to elbow.</p>
<p>At this point, we’re going to relax the <strong>upper left arm</strong> beginning at the elbow. The elbow has many connective tissues surrounding it to hold it in place. The biceps are two muscles which work together to help move the lower arm. It is the bicep in the upper arm we wish to relax first. Think of either end of the bicep muscles. Try to relax the connective tissue at the lower end and the bicep muscles themselves. With your arm in a loose position, the bicep is stretched somewhat but not in tension. Let it relax so there is no tension or feeling of the muscle. It should be so relaxed that it will have little or no feeling. Concentrate on relaxing the upper part of the bicep where it connects around the shoulder.</p>
<p>Concentrate now on the <strong>upper right arm</strong>, beginning at the elbow. With your arm loose in a straight position, as in relaxing the other arm, think of all the connective tissue and muscle. Let it relax so there is no tension or feeling of any individual muscle. Your arm should be so relaxed, it will have little or no feeling.</p>
<p>Think of them as relaxing or letting go and hanging loosely. You are not trying to lift anything. Don’t move your arms. They are at rest. Visualize your arms floating just above the floor with no weight on them … no gravity pulling them down.</p>
<p>Visualize the large muscle in the <strong>upper chest</strong> on both sides of the sternum as it extends toward the neck. Think the word relax and let that muscle drop toward your rib cage. The shoulder may feel as though it moves toward the floor with gravity as you are no longer supporting it. Again, relax the muscles over the front and top of the chest up toward the shoulders. Let the shoulders relax. They are at rest. You are not moving any muscles. You are not holding anything. You are just thinking of relaxing.</p>
<p>Concentrating, think of relaxing all muscles at the front and back of your upper torso. Let there be no tension from the center of your chest and around your body to <strong>your spine</strong>. Concentrate on relaxing connective tissue and muscles. Some of these muscles go over the shoulder blades at your back and toward the back of your neck. Since your neck is not moving, there should be no tension of that muscle mass. Let it relax on either side of your spine.</p>
<p>You have many muscles extending from your spinal column and across the back on both sides. Think of those toward the top of the back. One by one, let your mind think of relaxing those muscles as your visualization moves down the spine. By the time you get to the bottom of the spine, most all the muscles of the back should be in a relaxation mode. If not, feel free to repeat the relaxation down the spine.</p>
<p>You have muscles below your spine which support your <strong>buttocks.</strong> Several cross the buttocks and work with your body when walking or lifting or moving. These are the next target. Your buttocks are resting with weight against them. Think to relax all muscles in the buttocks area. So you have your shoulders, back and buttocks relaxed.</p>
<p>At this time, return your thoughts to the <strong>neck. </strong>You have numerous muscles surrounding the neck which helps hold the head when in a vertical position. At this time, let your head rest against the floor with no effort. Relax all neck muscles front, back and sides. Think of your <strong>face.</strong> You have over 30 muscles which cause many expressions. They all have to relax. Think of the forehead. Relax it. The muscles around the eyes need to relax. Below the eyes, the cheeks and lower jaw and chin all have muscles to relax. Relax them again. They are so used to being tense, they will go right back to a tense state. All the muscles on your face are to be let go so they relax toward the floor. Relax your face again.</p>
<p>Move down the front of the body making sure the chest area is relaxed. Below it is the <strong>abdomen</strong> which has thick muscles supporting it. They need to be relaxes. Let them fall toward the back. Relax all the abdomen.</p>
<p>Let’s now relax the legs, both at the same time. Start with the <strong>thighs.</strong> The buttocks are relaxed. Now relax any thigh muscles near the buttocks and around the legs to the front of the thighs. There should be no pressure or tenseness near the hip. All upper leg muscles should be relaxed.</p>
<p>Where the thighs connect to the <strong>knees</strong> is much connective tissue, especially supporting the knees. The muscles above and below the knees needs to be relaxed, including the connective tissue surrounding the knees. Let that muscle relax toward the floor. Feel it relax downward.</p>
<p>The lower leg has much larger calf muscles than elsewhere. They are easy to rest and relax. From the knees to the <strong>ankles</strong>, relax any muscle in a state of tension. Then let all the muscles relax. Let the <strong>feet</strong> fall to where gravity pulls them. All muscles surrounding the ankles are to be relaxed. Around the foot and <strong>toes</strong>, relax the muscles until both legs are at total rest.</p>
<p>Think once again of your face muscles. Relax them again.</p>
<p>Your body should be at rest. At this point, there should be no tenseness in your musculature. Your body should be ready to sleep or already asleep. If not, without changing your posture or moving, have the instructions read again.</p>
<p>Whether you sleep or not, your body should be relaxed and mind at peace. If you started within a safe environment, both sides of your brain/mind should be relaxed. If you fall asleep during this process, hopefully, you should have both hemispheres of your brain/mind at rest. With your body also at rest, you should sleep naturally in a deep sleep.</p>
<p>The average adult will sleep from seven to thirteen hours on a good night.</p>
<p>If you were listening to a CD, let it run. Don’t worry about it.</p>
<p>A person reading the instructions, after the second time, should quietly leave you to rest. Once at rest or asleep, you are free to move your body into any rest position which will allow total rest.</p>
<p>Each time you go through this guided relaxation, you should be able to do so faster. After a few times, you will no longer need the instructions read aloud as you will know what to do and how to do it. Improvise if necessary. The main goal is to get you out of the sleep alert mode to total rest when you are in a safe place. Do this especially when you are having difficulty getting to sleep. Eventually, you will be so accustomed to this relaxation process, you can just say to yourself, “relax,” and your body will do so.</p>
<p>If you have any questions, please send a comment using the form at the bottom of the page.<br><br>Best wishes from Irene Baron for precious sleep. <br><br><strong>Please share this page with those military veterans who have been deployed into combat areas and others with critical occupations which put them at risk.</strong><br><strong>They may find this site also at the irenebaron.com blog index. </strong></p>
<p> <img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/ce76169f5a6df4556e8b0bbcc48b10bb424b50c5/original/soldiers-nap-with-their-canine.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mzg3eDI1OCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Soldiers-sleeping-on-the-ground" height="258" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border: 1px solid black;" width="387" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099607
2019-08-28T20:00:00-04:00
2019-08-29T05:48:16-04:00
SINGLE-HEMISPHERIC-SLEEP-BY-VETERANS
<p><strong>SINGLE HEMISPHERIC SLEEP BY VETERANS <br> by Irene Baron </strong><strong><a href="http://www.mindreacher.net/" data-imported="1">www.mindreacher.net<br><br></a></strong></p>
<p><span style="color:#0000ff"><strong>Sleep deprivation may cause memory deficits, abnormal decision making processes and unusual emotional responses.</strong></span> </p>
<p><strong style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: medium;">Major Jon Coulter, USMC, is the hero of the MINDREACHER thriller series.</strong><strong style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: medium;"> </strong></p>
<p><strong>When asleep, Coulter’s mind is constantly alert to danger. Upon hearing a strange noise, he is instantly fully alert and in warrior/combat mode. Never groggy upon awakening, he is the perfect Marine at all times. Coulter and his Marine buddies have no idea how they accomplish their sleep alert mode. They assume it’s just a learned military way of life. They are totally unaware that only half their brain sleeps at any given rest time. Consequently, they are never fully rested and wake up tired. They continually experience sleep deprivation with all the classic side effects. </strong></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/a8b0e86dc9cfd739bb132ab9ea8439ee4524a43a/original/sleep-640x320.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MzA0eDE5MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Image-of-grimacing-man-holding-pillows-to-his-ears" height="190" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border: 1px solid black;" width="304" />How do these “half sleep nights” affect men and women across the military spectrum?</p>
<p>If they have grown accustomed to single hemispheric or ‘unihemispheric’ sleep, how difficult is it for them to return to full hemispheric sleep once discharged from their military service?</p>
<p>To my knowledge, there have been no studies concerning military sleep habits during deployment or at their home in the United States. All the sleep studies I’ve read refer to full hemispheric sleep.</p>
<p>Only when anyone feels totally safe, such as in their secure and safe bed at home, will their body allow both hemispheres to sleep. Sleeping with both hemispheres are the only times a person can awaken from sleep feeling fully refreshed. </p>
<p>Since sleep deprivation causes PTSD, could single hemispheric sleep be the cause of the PTSD found in veterans deployed for long periods of time in combat zones? Is that why 22 combat veterans commit suicide every day in the United States?<strong style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: medium;"> </strong></p>
<p>Image source: https://www.laoistoday.ie/2019/05/16/the-sleepless-nights-as-heavy-trucks-take-their-toll-in-borris/ </p>
<p>What is the cause of single hemispheric sleep? Is it an instinctive self-defense mechanism during worry, stress or being in combat situations? Or is it learned?</p>
<p>Christof Koch used electrical activity of brains, eyes and body muscles to help study the sleep process. He said that some animals keep one hemisphere of their brain awake while the other shows signs of sleep. He wrote, “To Sleep with Half a Brain-Sleep and Wakefulness Are Not All-or-none States of Mind. When we sleep, one side of our brain can be awake.” </p>
<p> Scientific American MIND. 7. No. 5. Sept-Oct 2016. Pp 22-25. </p>
<p>Several international universities, including the University of Pennsylvania and University of Michigan, have found that<strong> sleep deprivation causes memory deficits by negatively impacting neural connectivity in hippocampal area CA1</strong>. (<a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/13424#bib23" data-imported="1">Havekes et al., 2012a</a>; <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/13424#bib1" data-imported="1">Abel et al., 2013</a>; <a href="https://elifesciences.org/articles/13424#bib64" data-imported="1">Whitney and Hinson, 2010</a>). </p>
<p>Within the hippocampus rests the amygdala which helps in processing memories, making decisions and giving normal emotional responses. If the amygdala is affected by sleep deprivation, the memory, decision making and emotions may be abnormal for that person. Veterans may have no knowledge of the hippocampus or amygdala and are unaware of those organs usefulness. </p>
<p>Continuing in their sleep alert mode at home, returning military can’t fully rest due to all the inside and outside noises and interruptions. In a family situation, they can’t isolate themselves. Martial tensions can become extremely difficult as the veteran tries isolation for peace of mind. Their senses are on full alert and they don’t feel safe. Their family may create undue stress and no one seems to understand why.</p>
<p>Since sleeping extended periods with only one hemisphere may negatively affect behavior, in my opinion, it may be the root of the problems exhibited by returning military. Some exhibit memory problems. Some may not be making decisions as responsibly as they did prior to being in combat. They may find emotions and reactions to others have changed and they have no idea why. It drives them and their spouses/family to desperate measures. Twenty-two veterans a day can’t take the horror of the changes and commit suicide. THIS HAS TO STOP. </p>
<p>The U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health have produced much data concerning sleep and what happens when a person sleeps. Let’s assume they are discussing full hemispheric sleep. Sleep facts include:</p>
<ol>
<li>Motor signals reach neurons with reduced output such as non-rapid eye movement -MREM</li>
<li>Motor signals are actively inhibited during REM sleep</li>
<li>Sensory input are felt by the thalamus and cortex</li>
<li>As sleep deepens, there is a decrease in motor activity</li>
<li>An electroencephalogram/EEG records physiological and psychological organization of the mind.</li>
<li>The electrooculogram/EOG records movements of eyes</li>
<li>The electromyogram/EMG records muscle tone</li>
<li>The electrocardiogram/ECG records breathing frequency and body temperature</li>
<li>
EEG wave patterns change as listed below:<ol>
<li>NREM sleep – blood pressure, heart/respiration rates and body temperature decline. Glycogen and brain energy metabolism restored. Decrease of brain and body temperatures from lower metabolic rate and energy conservation.</li>
<li>REM sleep – blood pressure, heart/respiration rates increase/become irregular. General activation of brain and utonomic system. Male penile erection and female clitorial engorgement. Heat regulation abolished. Neurons remain fully active with different discharge patterns. EEG waves, dreaming, neural patterns, synthesis and amount of brain chemical release, etc.</li>
<li>NREM/REM episode cycles last 90-100 minutes</li>
<li>Hormones change during the sleep cycle (ie: Cortisol level reaches a high just before awakening; Growth hormone peaks during first half of sleep mode, etc.)</li>
<li>Immune system stays efficient</li>
<li>Illness causes sleepiness to favor healing</li>
<li>Inadequate sleep may create body easily getting infections</li>
<li>Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation which doesn’t occur normally in sleep deprived subjects</li>
<li>
It is believed unimportant experiences are weakly stored allowing new learning and important experiences from wakefulness to be strongly stored. <br><a style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: medium;" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4948738/" data-imported="1">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4948738/</a>
</li>
</ol>
</li>
</ol>
<p>I conclude that military warriors in combat zones for extended periods of time may create a habit of single hemisphere sleep. Habits can be stopped or broken. For the health of our heroes, such destructive sleep habits must cease.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color:#0000ff">In my next blog,</span> I shall address how the habit of single hemispheric sleep may be stopped through verbal instruction. Persons with whom I have talked through this method fell into a full relaxing sleep before I was halfway through the verbal instructions. They awoke so refreshed, we assumed it was the beginning of a full hemispheric sleep pattern. If needed, the process may be repeated by the subject s at the beginning of each sleep cycle. Eventually, the sleeper will be so accustomed to following the suggestions, they will be able to think, “sleep,” and find themselves fully relaxed and falling asleep. If not, they start the verbal cycle again. Few can make it through the second time without falling asleep during the process.</strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p align="right"><a title="Go to other sections in this page" href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4948738/" data-imported="1">Go to:</a></p>
<p align="right"> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099606
2019-03-31T20:00:00-04:00
2019-08-04T06:03:37-04:00
MINDREACHER-ADVENTURE--YOUR-FIRST-SUMMER-READ!
<p><strong>THE MINDREACHER ADVENTURE NOVEL</strong></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: medium;">BUY BOOK: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1096303922/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" data-imported="1">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1096303922/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/f60f17052a4c3a97d0bb6f2f15f316904b69cec0/original/shaolin-2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mjk3eDI0MyJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="SHAOLIN-TEMPLE-MARTIAL-ARTS-CLASS" height="243" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border: 1px solid black;" width="297" /></strong></p>
<p><strong>MAJOR JONATHON COULTER, USMC </strong></p>
<p>Major Jonathon Coulter, USMC, is the hero in my adventure novel series, <strong>Mindreacher</strong>. He enrolled in the Shaolin Temple Kempo training in China for several years after high school graduation. After enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps, he became one of the few elite warriors to train and work with the United States Navy SEALs.</p>
<p>He was assigned as liaison officer between VESPER (Virtual ExtraSensory Perception Experimental Research) and OSD (Office of Secretary of Defense) to permit him a desk job while recovering from severe injuries during a black operation in the Middle East. </p>
<p>In the novel he is described as: "... an experienced officer in the Intelligence Support Activity of the Joint Special Operations Command." "... A weapons expert and hand-to-hand combat instructor..." <br><br>It was true Coulter believed remote viewing or telepathy impossible. When first assigned to VESPER as liaison officer with OSD, he’d tried in vain to embrace the psychic concept. It was due to his skepticism that the Secretary of Defense believed the Major would remain unbiased.</p>
<p><strong>KUNG FU THEORY</strong></p>
<p>From the Shaolin Temple website with permission: “Kung Fu theory is taught during training time by the Headmaster Shifu Shi Yanjun. You will learn about different forms, history of Kung Fu, applications of the styles and forms. Shifu Yanjun gives you a solid base of Kung Fu theoretical aspects and uses and development…”<br><br>“Starting the Chinese New Year 2018, Songshan Shaolin Traditional Wushu Academy becomes Shaolin Kung Fu Department of the Shaolin Temple Yunnan. Shifu Shi Yanjun has been officially appointed as Director of the Kung Fu team by the Venerable Abbot Grandmaster Shi Yanbei of the Shaolin Temple Yunnan. Shaolin Temple Yunnan is under the China Songshan Shaolin Temple in Henan Province.”<br><br>The Shaolin Temple is a Buddhist temple. All persons there respect each student’s religious beliefs. The teachings during lessons are not intended to convert anyone to Buddhist philosophy. They are only examples of conduct principles followed by all faiths. Students who cannot attend the Meditation classes based on their religious beliefs may replace their class with another discipline for their specific goals.</p>
<p>With permission, the picture below shows a man with his fingers positioned at the chest of another. This is part of a technique used in the Shaolin taught martial arts in which an internal organ of the enemy will be destroyed by using the force of the hand and fingers. This method is used by <strong>Mindreacher</strong> hero Jon Coulter in the mountains of Laos.</p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/394135/f7d67181fdf986a7702b027e30243461c8fd65fd/original/shaolin5.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6Mjg4eDIxNiJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Shaolin-Martial-Arts-finger-technique-to-destroy-internal-organs" height="216" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border: 1px solid black;" width="288" /></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: medium;"></strong></p>
<p><strong style="font-family: times, serif; font-size: medium;">Blog visitors also read: <a href="https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/shaolin_kenpo_martial_arts/" data-imported="1">https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/shaolin_kenpo_martial_arts/</a></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong> <a href="https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/mindreacher_adventure__your_summer_read/" data-imported="1">https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/mindreacher_adventure__your_summer_read/</a></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong>Temple URL: </strong> <a href="http://kungfushaolins.com/about/" data-imported="1">http://kungfushaolins.com/about/</a> <br><strong>Shaolin Kempo Karate</strong>: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaolin_Kempo_Karate<br><strong>Short video</strong>: <a href="http://kungfushaolins.com/" data-imported="1">http://kungfushaolins.com/</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><br><br></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099605
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2019-08-04T06:12:14-04:00
INFRASOUNDS-AFFECT-HUMANS
<p><strong>INFRASOUNDS-AFFECT-HUMANS </strong> <br>Irene Baron: <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com<br><strong>B</strong></a><strong>UY BOOK: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1096303922/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0" data-imported="1">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1096303922/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0</a></strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-421">
<div class="entry_content">
<p> </p>
<img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/13be69f5-9c25-490e-8e63-79057a0b5a94.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Tigers-emit-infrasound" height="227" style=" margin: 3px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 2px solid;" width="177" />
<p> In the series' first novel, <strong>Mindreacher</strong>, telepathic heroine Ana Masterson experiences infrasound projected by a nearby tiger. Her lungs have the right capacity to create a horrible reaction. She becomes paralyzed by the resonance set up by a tiger’s vibrating and inaudible roar. This incident creates a short escapade creating havoc as she and her SEAL bodyguard recover from an attack by martial artists.</p>
<p>In the second MINDREACHER novel, while snorkeling near the Galapagos Islands, Ana has a delightful experience with dolphins using infrasound to tickle her. This effect has been experienced by professional dolphin handlers. (Note: the two finished novels have yet to be published.)</p>
<p></p>
<p>Ana said that although she can’t hear infrasound, her mind can conceive it when she picks it up in the minds of some birds or animals who have the ability to hear it. Being a telepath, she can transfer that audio experience to others wishing the experience. She said, “It’s as if an alien race is sending out signals we can’t hear, yet our instruments can pick them up.” When you get to read the books, your world will be opened up to numerous experiences which are possible, but about which you have previously not thought.</p>
<p><a href="http://caitlineoconnell.com" data-imported="1"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://caitlineoconnell.com" data-imported="1"><strong>Caitlin E. O’Connell-Rodwell</strong></a> of Stanford University tells about elephants leaning forward as if they were paying attention to the ground with their feet. She and her colleagues found the elephant rumblings caused ground and atmospheric infrasound transmission. She said that when elephants rumble, “It’s such a powerful, low-frequency sound, you really feel it resonating in your chest.” <a href="https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=29502" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://alumni.stanford.edu/get/page/magazine/article/?article_id=29502</span></a></p>
<p></p>
<p>Have you ever experienced a silent impact on your auditory senses? It is like a light touch of something described as a popping against your eardrum which is accompanied by no sound. <strong><a href="http://briantempest.com" data-imported="1">Dr. Michael Bryan </a>and <a href="http://briantempest.com" data-imported="1">Dr. William Tempest,</a></strong> readers in the Audiology Group, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Salford of Manchester, UK in 1967 described the experience as a “chugging or whooshing, a sensation they could feel.” People who experience the physical sensation chalk them up as accompanying or as precursors to earthquakes as they may occur right before tremors are felt. The closer the earthquake epicenter, the stronger the sensation to their eardrum. Since infrasound carries over a thousand miles, the origin of the touch may be from a far away explosion from surface mining or some manmade “boom.” Evidently few persons have the sensitivity to feel the infrasound impact, even although they can’t hear it. Those sensitive persons might appreciate having an infrasound sensor to let them know what they are feeling is not imagined.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Tigers use infrasound to paralyze prey which is then killed or eaten alive. In the story, the prey is a warthog, not Ana. She just happens to be close enough with the right size lungs to be incapacitated by the tiger’s roar. Humans cannot hear infrasounds. Human bodies, however, do react to infrasounds. Animals that hear infrasounds include the tigers, domestic cats, hippo, rhino, giraffe, alligator, elephants and some birds. Golden-winged warblers, having just been banded for tracking purposes after arriving in Tennessee, although exhausted took off for the south again when a large storm was present in the west. One flew as far as Cuba before returning after t<img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/20090716_warbler.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Golden-winged-warbler" height="150" style=" margin: 3px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 2px solid;" width="164" />he storm had passed. They heard the infrasounds of that storm over a thousand miles.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Humans are capable of hearing sound frequencies 20-Hertz to 20,000-Hertz. Sound frequencies which are below our range of hearing, below 20-Hertz, are called infrasound. Infrasounds can carry over a thousand miles. It has been discovered that birds, hearing infrasounds emitted from storms, can fly out of the path of the weather disturbance. (<a href="http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/18/birds-storm-infrasound-warblers" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.theguardian.com/science/2014/dec/18/birds-storm-infrasound-warblers</span></a> )</p>
<p></p>
<p>In her article, “The Secret Of A Tiger’s Roar,” <strong>Elizabeth von Muggenthaler,</strong> a serious bioacoustician from the Fauna Communications Research Institute in North Carolina, discusses the pitch, loudness and duration of animal sounds. At the Acoustical Society of America meeting in Newport Beach, CA on 7 December 2000, she discussed the paralyzing affect that a tiger’s roar has on animals, including humans. She reports that most tiger communication/noise is in the 18-Hertz range. When they roar, it is significantly lower in range. <br>(American Institute of Physics -- Inside Science News Service. (2000, December 29). The Secret Of A Tiger's Roar. <em>ScienceDaily</em>. Retrieved October 26, 2015 from <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/12/001201152406.htm" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/12/001201152406.htm</span></a> )</p>
<p></p>
<p>What is interesting in von Muggenthaler’s research is the attempt to locate an animal that was recorded using echolocation six years ago in Lake Champlain, Vermont. Knowing it was not a beaver, otter, deer or moose, sturgeon, turtle, zebra mussel, or a manmade signal, she is using bioacoustic equipment to find the source of the sound. Her stated and admirable goal is: “…to detect this animal in a fashion that’s completely noninvasive in an effort to conserve and protect this creature and its beautiful habitat.” She has the same belief as myself that humans know more about space, thanks to NASA, than we do about our own planet.</p>
<p></p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/lake_champlain.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Lake Champlain, Vermont" height="382" style=" margin: 3px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 2px solid;" width="352" />Her colleagues in the Lake Champlain search are <strong>Bill Dranginis</strong>, a senior science technologist with Northrup Grumman, and <strong>Mike Frizzel</strong>, a lab coordinator and engineering technician with the University of Maryland department of chemical engineering and biotechnology. Not only will the results prove interesting, but the techniques they may discover in the process will be unique, I’m sure.</p>
<p></p>
<p class="indent">In the <em>Sonic Doom of Vladimir Gavreau</em>, <strong>Garry Vasilatos</strong> reports historic incidents of infrasonic experiments with Tesla’s close friend Samuel Clemens and another with Walt Disney artists. </p>
<p class="indent"><strong>Samuel Clemens</strong> refused to descend from an infrasound vibrating platform. “<strong>Tesla</strong> was sorry he had allowed him to mount it. After repeated warnings, Tesla’s concern was drowned out by both the vibrating machine and Clemens’ jubilant exaltations and praises. Several more seconds and Clemens nearly soiled his white suit, the effects of infrasound being "duly recorded". </p>
<p class="indent">Tesla often went to great lengths in describing the effects of infrasounds to newspaper reporters who, behind his back, scoffed at the notion that a "little sound" could effect such devastations. Yet, it was precisely with such a "little sound" that Tesla nearly brought down his laboratory on Houston Street with his compact infrasonic impulsers. Tesla later designed and tested infrasonic impulse weapons capable of wrecking buildings and whole cities on command. </p>
<p class="indent">By doing some quick searches on the Internet I found many reports about nations investigating infrasound for use in weapons and historical documents showing their use in the past, especially by Hitler to incite crowds. </p>
<p class="indent"><strong>John D. Cody</strong> in the paper <em>Infrasound</em> reports natural sources of infrasound include earthquakes, floods, waterfalls, auroras, solar flares and solar wind, perhaps wind shear. He reports infrasound travel exceeds 1,000-miles. It arrives at great distances with the same force and intensity as when generated. In his report he discusses the vibration of manmade structures and transportation vehicles. He too warns of the human tolerances to infrasound. It is believed critical errors in judgment and accuracy have been noted during short flight times by pilots due to infrasound. <br><a href="http://www.borderlands.com/newstuff/research/infra.htm" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.borderlands.com/newstuff/research/infra.htm</span></a> </p>
<p class="indent"><strong>Kate Ramsayer</strong> in Science News Online reports that <strong>Allen J. Zuckerwar</strong>, a NASA scientist in Hampton VA includes supersonic aircraft and hurricanes with the phenomena giving off silent infrasounds. Persons who could hear infrasound would be bombarded with telltale sounds of the “constant din of wind, the intermittent groaning of Earth, and the occasional distant explosion.” Zuckerwar reports there are 24-monitoring stations with specialized infrasonic microphones that can detect the strength of a sound, its frequency, and the direction from which its coming. They are used in monitoring stations to monitor nuclear testing in the atmosphere. </p>
<p class="indent">In that same article, <strong>Milton A. Garces</strong> of the University of Hawaii, Manoa, suggested that since the routine up-and-down movements of waves act as a giant loudspeaker, pushing air at infrasonic frequencies, he thought researchers should use monitoring stations to study infrasound generated off the coast of western Africa to make better predictions of future hurricanes. He also suggested predictive values of infrasounds for volcanoes and avalanches. <br><a href="http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2307/4014951/abstract" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.2307/4014951/abstract</span></a> </p>
<p class="indent">There has been a renewal of interest in infrasound. If you come across any interesting articles, please pass them my way </p>
<p>Original post<br>INFRASOUNDS-AFFECT-HUMANS<br><span class="entry_author">IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">October 26, 2015 <br><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a> blog</span><!-- entry_date --></p>
<p></p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099604
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2022-08-07T19:01:38-04:00
NRO KH-11 RECONNAISSANCE SATELLITE TELESCOPE
<p><span style="color:#000080"><strong>NRO-KH-11-TELESCOPE<br></strong><strong>Better-than-Hubble<br></strong>by </span><span style="color:#000080">Irene Baron: <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a></span></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-451">
<div class="entry_content">
<p><strong>The NRO KH-11 reconnaissance satellite telescope was designed for the Virginia based National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). </strong><strong> Variations of the telescope have been in use since the 1970s.</strong></p>
<p>The MINDREACHER series uses the National Reconnaissance Office and their telescope applications in several books. I thought my readers would like to know more about them.</p>
<p>The NRO (<a href="http://www.nro.gov/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.nro.gov/</span></a>) is one of the top five U.S. Intelligence agencies including the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. It builds and operates reconnaissance satellites for the United States government to provide satellite intelligence to other government agencies.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/kh11optics-500x460.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="NRO-KH-11-Telescope schematic" height="263" style=" margin: 5px; border-image: none; border: black 3px solid;" width="383" />The NRO KH-11 digital imaging reconnaissance satellite telescopes were developed beginning in 1970’s. Originally classified top secret, two of the telescopes manufactured between 1990 and 2000 were transferred in 2012 to NASA as outdated and surplus recon satellite telescopes. Some persons have reported that the NRO wanted to remove themselves from extensive storage fees for the telescopes.</p>
<p>The clipped 2001 image by Charles P. Vick (Consulting and Copyright Intellectual Property) is an illustration of the US Intelligence Imaging satellite KH-11 optics format. It is NOT the present operational Advanced KN-11 Optical system also called KH-12 that remains closed from disclosure. Mr. Vick stated the KH-7 through KH-11 systems pushed to the ultimate limit optical capability beyond which is not physically possible. His image is copyrighted as Charles P. Vick 2001, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.</p>
<p> The lower image by Trendsbuzz.com illustrates how the array would be deployed in space. The actual KH-11 array was photographed while in space by a French observatory in 1995.</p>
<p>The KH-11 primary mirrors have a deeper concave shape than the Hubble mirror allowing for a wider field of view and a shorter unit. Because of their shorter length they were nicknamed ‘Stubby Hubbles.’ They weigh less and are considered technologically superior to the Hubble.</p>
<p>Of interest to NASA is the capability to move the secondary mirror on the NRO telescope by either ground control or on board instruments to enable better focus. Since the NRO hardware does not have key subsystems such as solar arrays, computers, attitude control systems and instruments needed for use, they are not functional. Currently NASA does not have financial resources to fully utilize the KH-11 telescopes but expects funding by 2020.</p>
<p> These telescopes were designed to look at objects on Earth from a distance more than 200-miles. NASA plans to use one to look down and the other to look up. NRO has not allowed NASA to release images of the optics except for some unclassified test hardware. NASA has been directed to not discuss the now unclassified hardware. First launched in 1976, rumors suggest that over 15 of the KH-11 telescopes have been in use to observe terrorist locations and other targets of intelligence interest. A USSR agent bought the KH-11 technical handbook in 1978 from a U.S. intelligence employee. It can be expected that other nations may also have the early data on the telescopes. At this time the information on the KH-11 is unclassified. Earth scientists are looking forward to what types of data NASA hopes to collect to enlighten us Earthlings as to the patterns found on the Earth’s surface. Acquiring information about Earth is exciting as we have so much to learn.</p>
<p>Although the NRO may use their satellite telescopes proactively in defense, there are fantastic opportunities to use the KH-11 for scientific data acquisition. As in the LANDSAT type satellites, much can be learned about the Earth in the fields of biology, botany, geology, oceanography and meteorology using the KH-11 digital images. Many people daily glean science resources to avidly learn more about this planet. We are anxiously awaiting the future to learn what we can with further use of the KH-11 telescope aimed toward Earth.</p>
<p> <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/kh-11-pix-12.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="323" width="383" /></p>
<p>This copyrighted image below was sent by Charles Vick to be used also.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/Vick_image_KH-11.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Charles Vick Copyrighted image" height="379" style=" margin: 5px; border-image: none; border: black 3px solid;" width="396" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> <span style="color:#000080"><strong>REFERENCES:</strong></span></p>
<p> Covault. Craig. “Top Secret KH-11 Spysat Design Revealed by NRO’s Twin Telescope Gift to NASA.<br>America Space-For a nation that explores. June 2012. <a href="http://www.americaspace.com/?p=20825" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.americaspace.com/?p=20825</span></a></p>
<p> Cowing.Keith. “NASA’s Stubby Hubbles and Fumbled PR.” SPACEREF. 5 June 2012. <br><a href="http://spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1656" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://spaceref.com/news/viewnews.html?id=1656</span></a></p>
<p> Leone.Dan. “Only NASA Astrophysics Remains in Running for Donated NRO Telescope-For Now.”. SPACE NEWS. June 2013. <a href="http://spacenews.com/35628only-nasa-astrophysics-remains-in-running-for-donated-nro-telescope-for/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://spacenews.com/35628only-nasa-astrophysics-remains-in-running-for-donated-nro-telescope-for/</span></a></p>
<p> Originally published<br>NRO-KH-11-TELESCOPE<br><span class="entry_author">IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">September 30, 2016<br><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a> blog </span></p>
<p></p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099603
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2022-08-07T17:47:43-04:00
IRENE-BARON-HONORARY-GREEN-BERET
<p><strong><span style="color:#000080"><strong><span style="color:#000080"><strong>USO-ADVENTURES-IN-BANGKOK-DURING-VIETNAM-WAR </strong></span></strong></span></strong></p>
<p><strong>Designation as an Honorary Member of Det B-420 Company D, 1st SFG (ABN), 1st SF and a Green Beret. </strong><br><strong>by Irene Baron </strong><span style="color:#000080"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p>The MINDREACHER series is about our military and how they handle terrorist threats. There are many fighting incidents involving the US Marine Corp, the US Navy and other branches of the military. While living 4-years in Thailand during the Vietnam War, I was able to help in different circumstances. In one instance, I was awarded an actual green beret and a certificate shown below. Of all the numerous awards I've received over the years, that is one I cherish the most.</p>
<p>During the Vietnam War, life in Bangkok, Thailand was solitary for a single American female in her 20’s who worked for Battelle Memorial Institute. Hired out of Columbus, Ohio, my government orders assigned me to OSD/ARPA/R&D-Central Command/Thailand (Office of Secretary of Defense, Advanced Research Projects Agency, Research & Development Center, Thailand) as Information Officer. The first few months I knew the Battelle staff and the foreign national locals who worked in our office. ARPA is currently called DARPA.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/greenberetcertifIMG_6522.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Green-Beret-Certificate-Irene-Baron" height="311" style=" margin: 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="432" />Beginning work in the ARPA building, a three-story rectangle on a small<em> “</em>soi” (street) which dead ended at a leather factory, the only time I saw anyone other than Battelle staff was at lunch. The Thai cafeteria on the ground floor served local employees. It competed with the cart vendor (we called such food carts “portable Howard Johnsons”) outside the compound gate. The cart owner fried bananas while you watched. He wrapped the sweet and sizzling caramelized bananas in a paper cone of newspaper. Most military officers assigned to ARPA left the compound for restaurants or brought lunch. I was often the only American in the ground floor cafeteria experimenting with Thai cuisine.</p>
<p>A Battelle chauffeur took staff to the ARPA building in the morning and returned us to our residences after work. Call it culture shock, but I didn’t venture far from the hotel until I moved to an apartment on Sukhumvit, <em>Soi</em> 24, several months later. (A<em> soi</em> is a street.)</p>
<p>At the entry to the military commissary one Saturday there was a card table with a sign stating, “Free Dinner with an American Family.” That sounded wonderful. I walked over to the two women working at the table and asked about the dinner. I was told it was only for active military. A few weeks later, during another commissary trip, one of the women asked if I was still interested in a dinner with an American family. She said she couldn’t offer it as part of the USO but as in individual. After the first visit to their home, Mildred (Millie) and Bill Fager unofficially adopted me into their family. One of their daughters who worked at the American Embassy was about my age and helped begin my Bangkok social life.</p>
<p>One evening Millie lamented that very few American families would participate in giving R&R soldiers a taste of home cooked food, conversation and peace. I told her I would be glad to help for a group of soldiers, never a solitary one. After that I was called upon to occasionally prepare dinners for teams of soldiers on R&R who didn’t want to experience the negative side of Bangkok offered servicemen. At times, I was only given a day’s notice for ten or more dinner guests. I loved to cook and found it a pleasure to prepare meals which were so appreciated by others who hadn’t had a home cooked meal in months. The USO never offered or provided financial support for food supplies. Fortunately, as a GS-13, my salary was sufficient to cover expenses. My few American friends were not interested in helping out.</p>
<p>One memorable dinner occurred when I had purchased ingredients for a barley soup to cook for the weekend. On Saturday the USO contact called and asked if I could take about fifteen R&Rs the next day, Sunday. I said yes and upped the quantity of ingredients. I didn’t have much else to serve but water, soft drinks, tea and coffee so I cut up vegetables for snacking and had a dip. I made a few loaves of French style bread. The men in street dress who climbed out of taxies at noon the next day had just arrived in country physically and mentally exhausted. Most were officers my own age or older who just wanted a peaceful, safe atmosphere in which to rest. That was fine with me. I cooked while they rested and talked.</p>
<p>Although cooling fans helped, my shady, 2-story apartment was hot. The furnished, ground floor living room was about 35 X 20-feet with a small kitchen and miniature back patio. The gentlemen appreciated my homey apartment with plenty of seating. With iced tea or soda in their hands, they sank into thick cushions of rattan sofas and chairs with sighs. A few stood near the kitchenette to talk with me, but most just exchanged stories with one another with laughter occasionally punctuating intense, quiet conversations. My stereo provided soft jazz. Dinner was served buffet to eat wherever they wished. Half stood, others sat.</p>
<p>The thick barley soup was served with dollops of sour cream. It was deeply appreciated, even jokingly bringing a marriage proposal! In Bangkok you cooked with and drank only bottled water. Meals had to be prepared in a fairly sterile environment. Fortunately I had PX and commissary privileges and was able to obtain clean food. (Lettuce still had to be soaked in bottled water with a teaspoon of Clorox for 20-minutes to kill local bacteria.)</p>
<p>One of the officers had a malaria attack during the afternoon. I thought he should be taken to the local American hospital. Resisting, perhaps so as not to be separated, the men assured me I was not to worry and that it was a reoccurring event once you had malaria. All of them provided their ill brother with care and rest while at my apartment. The ill and very weak serviceman apologized for being ill and said he felt embarrassed to have a bout of malaria while in my home. He didn’t realize how much he was respected by me and loved by his military brothers who treated him with honor and concern. He rested. When they reluctantly left my home 3-4 hours later, the officer said he felt much better. He didn’t look it. I had never been around anyone having a malaria attack and worried about him for months. As with most such visits, I never kept names nor corresponded with any of the military fed in my home and never saw or heard from them again.</p>
<p>A week before Christmas in 1966 a military representative called and asked if I could get some female friends together to visit a group of isolated Green Berets stationed at an undisclosed upcountry location on Christmas eve Day. Most single gals I knew were busy with family and declined. When I asked if we should wear … hiking clothing, slacks or what, the man replied, “These soldiers haven’t seen or talked to an American female in months. Tell them to wear dresses.” I told him I was having a hard time finding anyone available and was assured that any number would be okay. I found a few friends to participate and the contact gentleman at the USO found a few.</p>
<p>A large, unmarked, navy blue van picked us up at two Bangkok locations. One American gentleman dressed in khaki shirt and slacks drove and a second one rode shotgun in the passenger’s seat. Once out of Bangkok, we were driven toward the northeast for over an hour. Eventually, we were each given a bandana and requested to wrap it around our head to cover our eyes. The bandana security was checked to make sure we couldn’t see where we were going. We were admonished to keep our heads lowered so that we couldn’t peek through the bottom of the bandanas. They told us we were heading toward a secret location which must be protected.</p>
<p>When the van came to a stop about 30-minutes later, we were asked to remove the bandanas. The van had stopped to the side of a clearing with several large, brown, canvas tents. Beyond the clearing was jungle in all directions. A group of American soldiers in uniform and Thai military trainees stood between us and the tents with smiles on their faces. The commanding officer greeted and introduced us to his men. They were training Thai soldiers for counter-insurgency measures. </p>
<p>The United States at that time was part of the SEATO agreement (South East Asia Treaty Organization) and obligated to come to the aid of Thailand if that country was attacked. The Chinese were continually broadcasting on the radio that they were going to invade Thailand. The Green Beret base we visited was one of perhaps several such bases to train Thai military in correct combat procedures. The Americans were physically much larger than the slight Thai soldiers who remained respectful and helpful during our day visit. We remained at the base camp for 4-5 hours.</p>
<p>After enjoying a basic, Christmas style dinner amidst much conversation in the mess tent, we were lined up outside for a ceremony. All the men wearing their Green Berets were lined up and standing at attention as were the Thai military behind them. The commanding officer gave each of the visiting young women a handshake, “Certificate Of Appreciation” and a Green Beret to wear. We were saluted by the military. I was thrilled to receive such an honor and meaningful gift. The bordered certificate stated: Certificate of Appreciation, This is to certify that <span style="text-decoration:underline">IRENE WORTHINGTON,</span> (Hand typed) in devoting your time and spirit to making the Christmas Season more joyous and bountiful for us is hereby appointed an Honorary Member of Det B-420 Company D, 1<sup>st</sup> SFG (Abn), 1<sup>st </sup>SF. This certificate entitles you to participate in all SF activities and are now a proud wearer of the GREEN BERET this <span style="text-decoration:underline">24<sup>TH</sup> </span>DAY OF <span style="text-decoration:underline">Dec</span> 196<span style="text-decoration:underline">6,</span> Maj <span style="text-decoration:underline">Stanly Olchonic </span>Arty Commanding.</p>
<p>We left the USMC counter-insurgency base immediately, donning the bandanas for 30-minutes. It was another adventure I was gifted to experience and deeply appreciated. It was just part of one day I could spend to help bring smiles to our Marines. Bless them! I have sincerely respected every member of the United States Marine Corps ever since, especially the Green Berets.</p>
<p><strong>That was perhaps one of the most significant events in which I participated and one easily recalled. Of all the awards I have received in my life only 3 grace my office wall. This now yellowing award is one of the three. I am a patriot and feel blessed to having been born in the United States.</strong></p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099602
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2018-10-31T06:40:16-04:00
DRONE REGISTRATION WITH FAA
<p><span style="color:#000080"><strong>DRONE-REGISTRATION-WITH-FAA </strong></span></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-453">
<div class="entry_content">
<p class="Default"><span style="color:#000080"><strong>Federal Aviation Administration, Washington, DC 20591 </strong></span></p>
<p class="Default"><span style="color:#000080">by Irene Baron: <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a></span> </p>
<p class="Default">The 3rd book in the MINDREACHER series uses drones. It is with interest I was able to fly some due to the generosity of owners in my home town.<strong><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/faarulesdronefeat.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="FAA-DRONE-LOGO-IMAGE" height="172" style=" margin: 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="293" /></strong></p>
<p class="text-align-center" align="left">The FAA requires every drone owner to register each drone posted on the FAA registration list. You are expected to know if your drone must be registered.</p>
<p>If you are not sure whether your drone has to be registered, check out the list online at: <a href="http://federaldroneregistration.com/requireddronestoberegistered" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://federaldroneregistration.com/requireddronestoberegistered</span></a> .<br>This list may not contain every single drone available but is updated daily. If your drone is not on the list, check back. The FAA welcomes feedback and comments regarding other drones to add.</p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong> If your drone is NOT registered</strong> you may be subject to the consequences defined in the pending U.S. Government drone regulation terms. To begin your registration, use the registration form found at: <a href="http://federaldroneregistration.com/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://federaldroneregistration.com/</span></a></p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong>You can fill out the online Drone Registration Application</strong> in less than 5 minutes. FAA agents will review your application for omissions and errors. FAA experts will begin your registration process and a registration certificate will be emailed to you shortly after. At that stage, you will receive a registration number to mark on each drone that will be tied directly to the owner. Throughout this process, the FAA will communicate any further registration requirements directly with you. They are available 24/7 to help with any questions that you may have. </p>
<p><strong>The Federal Aviation Administration recently released its new book of drones rules</strong>. It can be found online at: <a href="https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=86305" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.faa.gov/news/updates/?newsId=86305</span></a> . </p>
<p><strong>The summary of small unmanned aircraft rule (Part 107) is located at:</strong> <a href="http://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.faa.gov/uas/media/Part_107_Summary.pdf</span></a> </p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/1450462391241.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="FAA-KNOW-BEFORE-YOU-FLY-DRONES" height="390" style=" margin: 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="576" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Key points in the summary include:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>These rules apply to unmanned vehicles weighing <span style="text-decoration:underline">up to 55 pounds</span>.</li>
<li>The drone must be flown within visual line of sight of the pilot (or an observer).</li>
<li>Flying first person view (like with cameras on the drone streaming video into goggles worn by the pilot) doesn’t count.</li>
<li>Maximum allowed speed is 100mph.</li>
<li>Can’t fly more than 400 feet above ground.</li>
</ul>
<p>Transportation of property for compensation or hire allowed provided that The aircraft, including its attached systems, payload and cargo weigh less than 55 pounds total; The flight is conducted within visual line of sight and not from a moving vehicle or aircraft; and The flight occurs wholly within the bounds of a State and does not involve transport between (1) Hawaii and another place in Hawaii through airspace outside Hawaii; (2) the District of Columbia and another place in the District of Columbia; or (3) a territory or possession of the United States and another place in the same territory or possession.</p>
<p>If a company or person wants to fly a drone in a way different from these rules, they can do so by applying to the FAA for a Certificate of Waiver, which if granted will give them a legal exception. The rules are a major step towards clarity in the vague world of drone law, though I'm certain there is much still to be decided and discovered in the full body of the rule.</p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong>Operational Limitations</strong></p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Unmanned aircraft must weigh less than 55 lbs. (25 kg).</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Visual line-of-sight (VLOS) only; the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS. Alternatively, the unmanned aircraft must remain within VLOS of the visual observer.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• At all times the small unmanned aircraft must remain close enough to the remote pilot in command and the person manipulating the flight controls of the small UAS for those people to be capable of seeing the aircraft with vision unaided by any device other than corrective lenses.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Small unmanned aircraft may not operate over any persons not directly participating in the operation, not under a covered structure, and not inside a covered stationary vehicle.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Daylight-only operations, or civil twilight (30 minutes before official sunrise to 30 minutes after official sunset, local time) with appropriate anti-collision lighting.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Must yield right of way to other aircraft.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• May use visual observer (VO) but not required.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• First-person view camera cannot satisfy “see-and-avoid” requirement but can be used as long as requirement is satisfied in other ways.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Maximum groundspeed of 100 mph (87 knots).</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Maximum altitude of 400 feet above ground level (AGL) or, if higher than 400 feet AGL, remain within 400 feet of a structure.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Minimum weather visibility of 3 miles from control station.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Operations in Class B, C, D and E airspace are allowed with the required ATC permission.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Operations in Class G airspace are allowed without ATC permission.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• No person may act as a remote pilot in command or VO for more than one unmanned aircraft operation at one time.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• No operations from a moving aircraft.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• No operations from a moving vehicle unless the operation is over a sparsely populated area.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• No careless or reckless operations.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• No carriage of hazardous materials.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Requires preflight inspection by the remote pilot in command.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• A person may not operate a small unmanned aircraft if he or she knows or has reason to know of any physical or mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small UAS.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Foreign-registered small unmanned aircraft are allowed to operate under part 107 if they satisfy the requirements of part 375.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• External load operations are allowed if the object being carried by the unmanned aircraft is securely attached and does not adversely affect the flight characteristics or controllability of the aircraft.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Transportation of property for compensation or hire allowed provided that-</p>
<p class="text-align-center">The aircraft, including its attached systems, payload and cargo weigh less than 55 pounds total;</p>
<p class="text-align-center">The flight is conducted within visual line of sight and not from a moving vehicle or aircraft; and</p>
<p class="text-align-center">The flight occurs wholly within the bounds of a State and does not involve transport between (1) Hawaii and another place in Hawaii through airspace outside Hawaii; (2) the District of Columbia and another place in the District of Columbia; or (3) a territory or possession of the United States and another place in the same territory or possession.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Most of the restrictions discussed above are waivable if the applicant demonstrates that his or her operation can safely be conducted under the terms of a certificate of waiver.</p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong>Rem</strong><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/Illustration-by-N_w_755.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="NO-DRONE-ZONE-FAA-IMAGE" height="194" style=" margin: 5px;" width="142" /><strong>ote Pilot in Command Certification and Responsibilities</strong></p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Establishes a remote pilot in command position.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• A person operating a small UAS must either hold a remote pilot airman certificate with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of a person who does hold a remote pilot certificate (remote pilot in command).</p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong>To qualify for a remote pilot certificate, a person must:</strong></p>
<p class="text-align-center">Demonstrate aeronautical knowledge by either:</p>
<p class="text-align-center"> Passing an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge testing center; or</p>
<p class="text-align-center">Hold a part 61 pilot certificate other than student pilot, complete a flight review within the previous 24 months, and complete a small UAS online training course provided by the FAA.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">Be vetted by the Transportation Security Administration.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">Be at least 16 years old.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• <strong>Part 61</strong> pilot certificate holders may obtain a temporary remote pilot certificate immediately upon submission of their application for a permanent certificate. Other applicants will obtain a temporary remote pilot certificate upon successful completion of TSA security vetting. The FAA anticipates that it will be able to issue a temporary remote pilot certificate within 10 business days after receiving a completed remote pilot certificate application.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Until international standards are developed, foreign-certificated UAS pilots will be required to obtain an FAA-issued remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating.</p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong>A remote pilot in command must:</strong></p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Make available to the FAA, upon request, the small UAS for inspection or testing, and any associated documents/records required to be kept under the rule.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Report to the FAA within 10 days of any operation that results in at least serious injury, loss of consciousness, or property damage of at least $500.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Conduct a preflight inspection, to include specific aircraft and control station systems checks, to ensure the small UAS is in a condition for safe operation.</p>
<p class="text-align-center">• Ensure that the small unmanned aircraft complies with the existing registration requirements specified in § 91.203(a)(2).</p>
<p class="text-align-center">A remote pilot in command may deviate from the requirements of this rule in response to an in-flight emergency.</p>
<p class="text-align-center"><strong>Aircraft Requirements</strong></p>
<p class="text-align-center">• FAA airworthiness certification is not required. However, the remote pilot in command must conduct a preflight check of the small UAS to ensure that it is in a condition for safe operation.</p>
<p class="text-align-center"> <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/Publication1.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="FAA-DRONE-LOGO" height="270" style=" margin: 5px;" width="301" /></p>
<p class="text-align-center">Blog originally published:<br>DRONE-REGISTRATION-WITH-FAA<br><span class="entry_author">IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">October 14, 2016 <br><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a></span></p>
<p class="text-align-center"></p>
<p class="text-align-center"> </p>
<p class="text-align-center"> </p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099601
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2018-10-31T06:27:54-04:00
GRUMMAN-S-2-TRACKER-AND-IRENE-BARON
<p>GRUMMAN-S-2-TRACKER-CREW-MEMBER-IRENE-BARON</p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-454">
<div class="entry_meta">
<span class="entry_author">IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">October 16, 2016 </span><!-- entry_date -->
<div class="clear"></div>
</div>
<!-- .entry_meta -->
<div class="entry_content">
<p><span style="color:#000080"><strong>GRUMMAN-S-2-TRACKER-CREW-MEMBER-IRENE-BARON<br>A restored historical aircraft now housed at the MAPS Air Museum in Akron, Ohio.</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color:#000080">Irene Baron: <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a></span><strong> </strong></p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/001066380.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="GRUMMAN-S2-TRACKER-IMAGE-COURTESY-ALF-ADAMS" height="319" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="340" />Many adventures in my life have been learning experiences. One was becoming a crew member with the US Navy historical airplane, the Grumman S-2 Tracker. This experience helped when writing the MINDREACHER series. </p>
<p>The S-2 Trackers were transported on aircraft carriers and used as an antisubmarine search and attack aircraft. First flown in 1952, the total built was 1,342. They were disestablished in 1976. Most people would remember the Tracker as an aircraft with wings that folded upward in order to take less space on the aircraft carriers. The image to the left, courtesy of Alfred Adams , shows the folded wings.</p>
<p>I became acquainted with the Tracker through a dear friend, Vicki Whitacre Moose, M.D. Her husband, Art, participated in the restoration of an S-2 Tracker in a hangar at the Historical Aircraft Squadron based at the Lancaster, Ohio airport. Art had totally restored many airplanes during his lifetime. He volunteered to help restore airplanes whether they were for an individual or an organization. Although I am a pilot and know an airplane is well balanced, I never knew how well they were balanced until I saw one wingless and suspended by cables anchored to the ceiling of Art's work/restoration hangar. The airplane was suspended at the front and back with small hooks. It was so perfectly balanced, it would rotate freely by moving it with your little finger. I was impressed as was my cousin, Jack Moore, who was visiting from California. It was his father, my Uncle Jack Moore, who inspired me to become a pilot. I enjoyed driving flying to Lancaster out of Riverside Airport in my home town or driving to see the work being accomplished on the Tracker by numerous volunteers. The airplane was purchased by Dave Alton who was taking flying lessons and anxious to fly it. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/IMG_1891.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="IRENE-BARON-CREW-MEMBER-NOSE-CONE-ARTWORK" height="273" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="340" /> Art stated he needed some art work accomplished such as you would find on the nose of military airplanes. Since I was recognized as an accomplished artist, I was asked to create the nose art on the Tracker’s accompanying trailer. It was used to carry equipment and parts for the aircraft. I agreed, thinking the white trailer walls were flat and be easy to paint on. When I saw the trailer, I saw the walls were grooved. That would make the painting of the walls take twice as long and tedious. However, painted identically on both sides of the trailer, the design turned out well. It took about a week working with acrylic paint. I had the art work coated with a sealer in order to keep weather from destroying it. As pictured to the left, the design was of a red-headed young woman sitting on a torpedo. You can see the tight grooves. Painting around those curves and bumps was no easy task. A very similar image is on the nose cone of the 464 Tracker in the museum.</p>
<p>When crew member names were ready to be placed on the outside of the Tracker, I was surprised my name was prominent, as seen in the photograph below. I had no idea I was going to be honored with my name as part of the crew. I enjoyed having my picture taken sitting right seat with my name below me as crew member. GREAT FEELING!</p>
<p>As a professional aerial photographer, I was asked to take aerial photos of the Tracker once it was moved to Akron Fulton International Airport and hangared at the MAPS Air Museum. (<a href="http://mapsairmuseum.org/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://mapsairmuseum.org/</span></a> ) Since the Tracker was in good condition and based in Akron we flew there from Zanesville in Art’s silver, split tail Bonanza. To accomplish the task some logistics were in order. With me and my camera in a slower moving aircraft and the Tracker being so fast, some changes in normal flying speed were necessary. </p>
<p> Art and I left the airport heading south. Once we were moving the Tracker lifted off from the airport with a cruise speed of 150-miles per hour. It took about 5-minutes for the Tracker pilot to locate our aircraft. When he flew next to us at what was almost a stall speed for them , I snapped as many pictures as I could. It was good to see former owner Dave Alton flying right seat and visible in the window of the aircraft. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/IMG_1887.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="IRENE-BARON-CREW-MEMBER-IN-GRUMMAN-S-2-TRACKER" height="290" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="359" />The aircraft was purchased later by someone who sincerely appreciated the airplane. He keeps it in MAPS hanger in Akron. I drove there a few times to see the aircraft. I guess I missed being around the workers who restored it. There is such excitement in the air when people are actively working at restoring an airplane. Plus, pilots are a special breed. They are intelligent, alert, have quick reflexes, and are some of the most kind and wonderful persons you would ever meet. </p>
<p>If you want to see a well restored and flyable Grumman S 2 Tracker, it is on view at the MAPS Air Museum. It is a well run museum with clean aircraft. For me, to see that one is a memorable experience.</p>
<p>The last image to the bottom is the Tracker I helped with flying over SE Ohio during a hazy summer day. I was in another aircraft. The mission was soley to take photographs of the Tracker in flight. <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/17S2FPropellerArcWarning.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="GRUMMAN-S-2-CREW-LIST-IRENE-BARON" height="271" style=" margin: 0px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="317" /><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/tracker.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="USN_Tracker_flying_over_SE_Ohio" height="268" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="383" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<div class="clear">
<strong>Original post:<br></strong>GRUMMAN-S-2-TRACKER-CREW-MEMBER-IRENE-BARON
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-454">
<div class="entry_meta">
<span class="entry_author">IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">October 16, 2016 </span>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<!-- .entry_content -->
</div>
<!-- .post .entry .blog_post -->
<h3> </h3>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099600
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2018-10-31T06:23:39-04:00
OLDEST-PILOT-IN-THE-UNITED-STATES
<p><strong>OLDEST-PILOT-RALPH-CHARLES Ralph Charles 1899-2003 <br>by IRENE BARON</strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-459">
<div class="entry_content">
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>INFORMATION AND POEM</strong></p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/IMG_6684.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="WILLARD-SCOTT-AND-RALPH-CHARLES-ON-CHARLES-FARM-" height="254" style=" margin: 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="293" />The MINDREACHER stories involve flying. I had been a pilot many years when I began writing the series. Ralph Charles, a friend of mine, was born 4-years before the Wright brothers flew their airplane at Kitty Hawk. I met Ralph at flying events when he was 101-years old. At that time he was considered to be the oldest active pilot in the world.<br><br>Ralph Charles grew up dreaming about flying and finally built his own airplane in 1922. He was proud that his first flight lessons were with pilots trained by the Wright brothers. Ralph became flight proficient while working as an airplane mechanic in Dayton, Ohio. He loved to fly. His wife, however, did not want him to fly during their marriage and asked him to stop. He honored her wishes. His promise to not fly ended at her death in 1995.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>With much anticipation, Ralph applied to the FAA for renewal of his flight certification. His original airman’s certification number was no longer available. It had been given to someone else. None of us local pilots even knew that the numbers were passed on to others. Because of Ralph’s age, they told him the new number they assigned to him was a temporary number. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>After his flight exam, the Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) stated he was healthy and able to return to aviation as a pilot. When presented with this information, the FAA authorities hesitated in giving him permission to fly. Worried about his age, they informed Ralph he had to take a Flight Examination every 9-weeks. Take into consideration that other pilots have to pass only one flight physical examination at the end of their training and prior to obtaining their flight certification. It was difficult for Ralph to find a flight examiner. I personally think most were afraid to fly with him. They would have nothing to do with the elderly gentleman. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Disappointed, Ralph spread the word he needed someone to give him a flight examination every 9-weeks. Only one flight instructor in the region responded and agreed to give Ralph Charles his continual 9-week practical flight examination. That instructor was Terry Thompson. Terry was one of our local, magnificent young men in a flying machine. A Zanesville, Ohio resident. Terry was reputed to have more flight ratings than any other pilot in the state of Ohio. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>To fly any airplane, a person had to earn a rating for that airplane. The rating is earned through lessons using that airplane and examination by the flight instructor. I learned how to fly and earned my first rating using the ‘Piper Cherokee P-28 140 Cruiser’ owned by Joe McClelland. After flying a Piper Cherokee for several years, with additional training I received the rating to fly the complex engine Piper Arrow. The Arrow is an airplane that has retractable wheels and has higher cruising speed than the Cherokee. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Terry Thompson would fly one of his many airplanes to the Charles farm and land on the private, grass airstrip which consisted of the two ends on hill tops and a steep valley in between. Bush pilots of Ohio visiting Ralph would usually land at the top of the western hill, roll down and up the second hill to the east and use gravity to come to a stop on the short runway beside his home. It was one of the few runways in the state where if you were could taxi backwards. A heavy aircraft should not try to use the grass runways in the Appalachian foothills of southern Ohio. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Terry, who was also one of my flight instructors, told me what happened during a flight exam with Ralph at one of the larger, local private airports. Those airports included the Zanesville airport, PARR and Riverside since Ralph was used to landing on grass. Terry told me that when he first taxied with Ralph, the elderly airman moved down the taxi way at about 40-miles per hour. When asked why he was moving so fast, Ralph told him he had always taxied that fast. He added that since he was so old, he thought he better go as fast as he could to get in as much flying as possible before he died. After his laughing calmed, Terry told Ralph to slow down to the speed of a fast walk, the currently recognized safe taxiing speed. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>I had arranged one morning to fly back seat in a split-wing Bonanza with aircraft owner and pilot Art Moose. Sitting right seat was pilot Joe McClelland. Art is rated in many airplanes, including a NAVY S-2 Tracker that was restored in Lancaster, Ohio by the Historical Aircraft Society and owner at that time, Dave Alton. Many southeastern Ohio pilots would fly to the Fairfield County Airport to volunteer for the Historical Aircraft Society because they were so active in their restorations.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>This particular day was sunny and beautiful. We flew around Buckeye Lake and moseyed around SE Ohio. Art practiced slow turns on a wing. That meant the wing tips were alternately closest to the ground and were pivot points as the airplane rotated around them, one at a time. We flew over the home of Ralph Charles who was already a legend to aviation buffs at the oldest pilot in the world! Ralph was mowing his airstrip on his tractor with a brush hog. He waved as we flew over. Art circled around to come in for a low fly-by at full throttle. Ralph stopped the tractor, stood up and waved with both arms as we went by with one quick rock of the wings to say, “Hello.” Ralph most likely recognized the burnished, metal finish of the Bonanza as belonging to Art. Art usually flew with his wife, Dr. Vicki Whitacre Moose, M. D., a 3<sup>rd</sup> generation medical doctor. Flying constantly or spending time working in their hangers, local pilots recognized almost every low-altitude airplane that flew over. We’d hear an airplane, look up, and know who was PIC, Pilot In Command. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>I met Ralph Charles through the Experimental Aircraft Association 425 (EAA) in Zanesville, Ohio. He wanted to attend meetings but didn’t drive. I would volunteer to pick him up from his home near Somerset, Ohio for EAA meetings and later return him to his doorstep. Ralph was spry and enjoyed socializing with other pilots, especially during potlucks when refreshments were available. We enjoyed hearing stories about his flying lessons given by one of the Wright brothers trained pilots. Many Zanesville residents enjoy hearing about the Wright brothers for they have many distant relatives in our town, including myself.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/IMG_1881.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="OLDEST-PILOT-AND-IRENE-BARON" height="214" style=" margin: 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="282" />Ralph stated when he started flying as a boy that there were few airports. He usually followed roads to get where he was going. He tried to ensure he landed during daylight or feared having a crash landing. He related that he once tried to land in a field near a gas station in Indiana so he wouldn’t have to walk very far to refill his gas tank. It was after twilight when night had settled. Low on fuel he had to land in what he hoped was a cornfield. He couldn’t see the ground or which way the corn was planted. He said it a miracle that when he landed that his path was parallel to the corn rows. He added in a soft voice, “If I’d landed crosswise to the rows of corn I wouldn’t be here to talk about it.”</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Ralph regaled everyone about his barnstorming days when he would take passengers up in his airplane to raise money. He said he would fly up and down and all around a town to get everyone outside to look at one of the “newfangled airplanes.” Then he would land in a nearby pasture and wait for them to arrive with coins in their pockets. He would give rides until the sunset to earn money for food and fuel and sometimes give rides the next morning too.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>After he was married, one of the placed he and Leona lived was Zanesville, Ohio where he operated Wheeler Field, sold airplanes he built and gave flying lessons. Rides in his airplane at that time were $3 per person. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>As a pilot, he met Charles Lindbergh and flew First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. He had many jobs including being a pilot for foreign airlines. Eventually he returned to Ohio and bought a two-seat Aeronca Defender. It w<img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/IMG_6675.JPG" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="RALPH-CHARLES-&-IRENE-BARON-WITH-BLUE-BOY-II" height="226" style=" margin: 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="284" />as in this type of airplane that he took his continual 9-week check rides. He named the airplane Blue Boy II. Not allowed to take passengers did not defeat him. Nor did the restriction to stay within 25-miles of his home while flying. He enjoyed being in the air no matter where he was. "I'm not allowed to take passengers and I can only fly 25 miles away from home," he said on his 100th birthday in 1999. "But I don't give a hoot. I just enjoy flying."</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>At home, Ralph’s hobby was restoring old church organs. Although he played the organ, when one would be restored, he would ask a regional or famous concert organist to give a recital. Everyone in the community was invited to a large pot luck dinner and organ recital. People drove from all over while bush pilots flew in for such events </p>
<p>The picture at the upper left is Willard Scott with Ralph Charles beside his airplane in the open air hanger/barn on the Charles property during one of the concert events. He arrived to help create one of the TODAY SHOW segments about the oldest pilot on earth. Willard Herman Scott, Jr. is an American weather presenter, author, television personality and occasional actor, best known for his TV work on the Today show and as the creator and original portrayer of Ronald McDonald.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Pilots supported Ralph Charles and enjoyed being with him. He was honored by numerous pilot organizations world wide as the oldest, flying pilot in the world. He was also hosted by NASA to tour the JPL facility and escorted to Shuttle launches. Anyone who knew Ralph Charles usually has a story to tell of when they were together. All the stories are good, if not rollicking in humor. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>I know I’m not good at writing poems. However, I tried writing some verses. One was about Ralph Charles and Terry Thompson, two highly respected pilots in the aviation industry. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>:</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<div>
<p align="center"><strong></strong></p>
<hr>
<p align="center"><strong> </strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>RALPH CHARLES & TERRY THOMPSON<br></strong></p>
<p align="center"><strong>By Irene Baron </strong><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1"><strong><span style="color:#0000ff">www.irenebaron.com</span></strong></a></p>
<p align="center"><br>Ralph Charles at age 102 flies.<br>Terry keeps him there,<br>Giving confidence to leave this earth<br>And wings to enter air. </p>
<p align="center">Thanks Terry and Instructors all<br>Infusing knowledge and skill,<br>Enough of aviation craft<br>To land on Ralph’s mowed hill.<br><br>Why fly with Terry?<br>Giver of laughter and flight<br>With exhilaration of it all,<br>He teaches precision day & night. </p>
<p align="center">To fly with one born to be<br>Behind the yoke and free,<br>He feels his spirit soar,<br>Flight pad on his knee. </p>
<p align="center">Life without flight for those two<br>Would be a sad existence.<br>True fly boys, they adore the sport,<br>Always going the distance!<br> </p>
<p align="center">Rest in Peace</p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"><strong>Original post<br></strong>OLDEST-PILOT-RALPH-CHARLES<br><span class="entry_author">IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">October 21, 2016<br><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a> blog </span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;" align="center"></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099599
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2018-10-31T06:14:27-04:00
RETIRED MARINEOFFICERS ASSIST GLASGOW HIGH SCHOOL FORENSICS CLASS
<p><strong>RETIRED-MARINE-OFFICERS-ASSIST-GLASGOW-HIGH-SCHOOL-FORENSICS-CLASS <br><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a></strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-461">
<div class="entry_content">
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p> <strong><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/7242067.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Glasgow-High-School-sign" height="86" style=" margin: 1px 10px;" width="125" /></strong> Teaching Forensics at Glasgow High School in the Newark, DE area beginning 2008, I needed some demonstration objects. My students were required to determine the order or progression of bullets passing through a glass window and determine each bullet origin point. The problem was, I didn’t have any glass with bullet holes to use during class.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>A retired US Marine Corps officer, Hudnell Lewis, M.D., and his Marine friends back in Ohio learned of my predicament and came to my rescue. They were determined to help students hundreds of miles away learn more in the field of Forensics by providing the different types of glass hit by a variety of bullets. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Obtaining many different types of glass cut approximately to 1’X2’ sizes, they carefully took all the glass to a firing range set up on a farm in Morgan County. Not only did they impact the different types of glass with bullets, but each bullet hole was labeled with the size of the bullet making the hole. The Marines used several different types of weapons, handguns and rifles.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>The glass was provided free of charge by the Zanesville Glass company on Linden Avenue. Not only did the glass company cut the glass to the correct size, they provided window glass with different thicknesses, Plexiglas, bullet proof glass (about 1-inch thick), and laminated glass from car windows. </p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/Forensics1.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="BULLET-HOLE-IN-LAMINATED-GLASS" height="108" style=" margin: 0px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="110" /></p>
<p> <strong>At their own expense, the Marines:<br></strong> 1. Contacted the glass company to order different glass types by size<br> 2. Picked glass up from Zanesville Glass company<br> 3. Transported glass carefully to the Morgan County firing range<br> 4. Set individual glass specimens up one at a time for bullet impacts<br> 5. Shot each glass with about different weapons<br> 6. Cleaned/ brushed glass specimens off<br> 7. Cleaned broken glass from the site<br> 8. Brought specimens back to Zanesville<br> 9. Cleaned every firearm used in the project<br> 10. Packed the glass for shipping<br> 11. Shipped them to me from Zanesville, Ohio to Glasgow High School in Newark, Delaware </p>
<p> <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/GUNRANGE.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="SHOOTING-RANGE" height="192" style=" margin: 2px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="176" />I was amazed the Marines would spend so much of their personal time to achieve this. That took a tremendous amount of time out of their busy lives! </p>
<p>The packing of all that glass in several packages was sent through the US Postal Service. I was informed later by the local Delaware police that the arrival of the packages at the post office raised levels of concern. This was after 9/11 when post office employees were on the look out for questionable materials being transported across state lines. Postal employees evidently either opened the boxes or X-rayed them, for they contacted the local police to inquire if the packages should be sent on to the high school. Since I had worked with the police as speakers in my Forensics classes on several occasions, they were familiar with my program. Therefore, when the post office manager asked them if it was safe to send the glass on to me at the school, they stated it was safe. I received the material with none of the pieces broken. Another box was sent with bullet specimens of each size bullet used. For safety, none of the bullets were packed with powder.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>The state of Delaware is small with a the population around 946,000. To put that into perspective, Columbus, Ohio has a population of about 2-million. It seemed that no matter who you were in Delaware, you were known by others who were not neighbors or fellow employees. For example, I was in a Wilmington, DE hotel during lunchtime one day when there was a law enforcement conference going on. I overheard a uniformed officer inquire who I was. The uniformed gentleman who answered told him my name and that I taught Forensics at Glasgow High School. I didn’t know either of them. I wondered how they knew my name and occupation. I had only lived in the state 1-1/2 years and didn’t think that knowledge was common. It was at that point I realized how small Delaware was.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/forensics_class.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="FORENSICS-CLASS-GLASGOW-HIGH-SCHOOL" height="159" style=" margin: 2px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="288" /></strong></p>
<p>My students, upon seeing the glass samples, were amazed that retired Marines several states away would take time to do something for them. They were impressed and grateful. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>There were six samples of each window glass with the different bullet holes. The holes were placed so that one was far enough away from the others that its impact site was not affected by other bullet holes. There were 3-4 bullet holes close enough to one another that the cracks running through the glass met. It was from the interactions of the cracks within the glass that the students could see which bullet impacted the glass first, second, and third. I think they were amazed that, in most cases, the correct conclusion as to impact progression was easy.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>I think the bulletproof glass was most astounding for my students. They were surprised at the thickness of the material. Being able to see the construction of the material was informative. The inner core of polycarbonate material was about 1-inch thick. On both sides of the polycarbonate were laminated layers of a silicon based polymer attached. </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>I didn’t think to take pictures of the glass specimens. They were awesome to see. When I returned to the school a year after having to move to another school, the glass was nowhere to be found. I was disappointed as I wanted to ensure it survived. It was to be taken to the National Rifle Association building where they were to have been stored for all the different students training how to use a firearm. I hope the Forensics teacher at that time had them under lock and key. I was told upon arriving at that building that everything was to be padlocked or would be stolen.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>That Forensics class was one of my favorites to ever teach for several reasons. It encompassed all the other sciences into one class. My students had to already successfully complete Physical Science, Earth Science, Chemistry and Physics BEFORE they could sign up for Forensics. The students were college bound and excited to learn. I loved them all. They made every day of teaching a pleasure.</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p> I was told the Forensics class instructor prior to my being there primarily showed movies from television. I had about 5-students drop the course because no television movies were scheduled to be shown. Others signed in to the class as it was no longer considered an “easy grade” or “waste of time” class. They wanted to pass college entrance exams, SAT, etc. They hadn’t signed up earlier as the class was not previously highly regarded as educational. It was pleasant to know the students in the class wanted to learn and accomplished that goal!</p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p> <strong>The Forensics I taught included</strong>: </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>Definition & scope of Forensic Science<br>History & Development of Forensic Science<br>Functions of the Forensic Scientist<br>Career Opportunities in Forensics<br>Organization of a Crime Laboratory<br>The Crime Scene<br>Physical Evidence<br>Physical Properties: Glass & Soil<br>Metric System<br>Organic Analysis<br> Elements & Compounds<br> Chromatography<br> Spectrophotometer<br>Inorganic Analysis<br> Emission Spectrum of Elements<br> Absorption Spectra<br>The Microscope<br>Hairs, Fibers, and Paint<br>Drugs<br>Forensic Toxicology<br>Aspects of Arson & Explosions<br>Forensic Serology<br>Fingerprints<br>Firearms, Tool Marks, & other Impressions<br>Document & Voice Examination<br>Forensic Science on the Internet<br>The Future of Forensics </p>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p>More information about the Forensics course I taught beginning in 2008 can be found at: <a href="http://www.christina.k12.de.us/glasgow/Forensics/index.htm" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.christina.k12.de.us/glasgow/Forensics/index.htm</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Original blog written 21 November 2016 on <a href="http://www.irenebaron.blog/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.blog</a> site.</strong><strong></strong></p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099598
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2021-06-23T06:04:56-04:00
MILITARY-PURGE-BY-OBAMA
<p><strong>MILITARY PURGE BY OBAMA <br>BY IRENE BARON <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a> </strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-462">
<div class="entry_content">
<p>Please be aware that a military purge has been taking place under the current Democratic administration. The Washington Times confirmed that <strong>over 200 military officers were removed from the military by President Obama. </strong>According to the Pentagon, reasons for the removal of officers varied from “loss of confidence,” “insensitive remarks,”, and in one incident (no joke) for “counterfeiting poker chips.” <a href="http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/12/gordon-transforming-the-us-military/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/nov/12/gordon-transforming-the-us-military/</span></a></p>
<p> Writer F. Michael Maloof quoted retired <strong>Army Maj. General Patrick Brady</strong>, recipient of the U.S. military’s highest decoration, as stating: “We need to realize that this recent assault on the military and veterans is no accident.” Brady added, “It is purposeful. The elite loathe our military, the one sure guarantor of our freedom. These elite – not a shutdown or default – and their assault on the Constitution and our military are the real threat to our future. <a href="http://www.wnd.com/2013/10/top-generals-obama-is-purging-the-military/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.wnd.com/2013/10/top-generals-obama-is-purging-the-military/</span></a> </p>
<p>Before you contemplate your political standing and loyalites, examine the list of purged military officers below. Check out the military history of each using Internet search engines. You will be impressed at how honorable these military officers are. You will quickly learn that military appointees will do their best to keep the U.S. out of wars. If you study history, you are aware civilians started wars primarily to make money in materials and manufacturing of weapons and related supplies. Be thankful we will soon have a President who honors our Constitution and desires peace.</p>
<p><strong>List Of Military Elite Purged And Fired Under Obama <br>compiled by General Paul Vallely (</strong><a href="http://www.rense.com/general96/listof.html" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.rense.com/general96/listof.html</span></a> ) </p>
<p><strong>Commanding Generals fired:</strong><br>· General John R. Allen-U.S. Marines Commander International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] (Nov 2012)<br>· Major General Ralph Baker (2 Star)-U.S. Army Commander of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn in Africa (April 2013)<br>· Major General Michael Carey (2 Star)-U.S. Air Force Commander of the 20th US Air Force in charge of 9,600 people and 450 Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (Oct 2013)<br>· Colonel James Christmas-U.S. Marines Commander 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit & Commander Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response Unit (July 2013)<br>· Major General Peter Fuller-U.S. Army Commander in Afghanistan (May 2011)<br>· Major General Charles M.M. Gurganus-U.S. Marine Corps Regional Commander of SW and I Marine Expeditionary Force in Afghanistan (Oct 2013)<br>· General Carter F. Ham-U.S. Army African Command (Oct 2013)<br>· Lieutenant General David H. Huntoon (3 Star), Jr.-U.S. Army 58th Superintendent of the US Military Academy at West Point, NY (2013)<br>· Command Sergeant Major Don B Jordan-U.S. Army 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (suspended Oct 2013)<br>· General James Mattis-U.S. Marines Chief of CentCom (May 2013)<br>· Colonel Daren Margolin-U.S. Marine in charge of Quantico's Security Battalion (Oct 2013)<br>· General Stanley McChrystal-U.S. Army Commander Afghanistan (June 2010)<br>· General David D. McKiernan-U.S. Army Commander Afghanistan (2009)<br>· General David Petraeus-Director of CIA from September 2011 to November 2012 & U.S. Army Commander International Security Assistance Force [ISAF] and Commander U.S. Forces Afghanistan [USFOR-A] (Nov 2012)<br>· Brigadier General Bryan Roberts-U.S. Army Commander 2nd Brigade (May 2013)<br>· Major General Gregg A. Sturdevant-U.S. Marine Corps Director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the U.S. Pacific Command & Commander of Aviation Wing at Camp Bastion, Afghanistan (Sept 2013)<br>· Colonel Eric Tilley-U.S. Army Commander of Garrison Japan (Nov 2013)<br>· Brigadier General Bryan Wampler-U.S. Army Commanding General of 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command [TSC] (suspended Oct 2013)<br><br><strong>Commanding Admirals fired</strong>:<br>· Rear Admiral Charles Gaouette-U.S. Navy Commander John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group Three (Oct 2012)<br>· Vice Admiral Tim Giardina(3 Star, demoted to 2 Star)-U.S. Navy Deputy Commander of the US Strategic Command, Commander of the Submarine Group Trident, Submarine Group 9 and Submarine Group 10 (Oct 2013)<br> <br><strong>Naval Officers fired</strong><strong>: (All in 2011)</strong><br>· Captain David Geisler-U.S. Navy Commander Task Force 53 in Bahrain (Oct 2011)<br>· Commander Laredo Bell-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Support Activity Saratoga Springs, NY (Aug 2011)<br>· Lieutenant Commander Kurt Boenisch-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock Ponce (Apr 2011)<br>· Commander Nathan Borchers-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer Stout (Mar 2011)<br>· Commander Robert Brown-U.S. Navy Commander Beachmaster Unit 2 Fort Story, VA (Aug 2011)<br>· Commander Andrew Crowe-Executive Officer Navy Region Center Singapore (Apr 2011)<br>· Captain Robert Gamberg-Executive Officer carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (Jun 2011)<br>· Captain Rex Guinn-U.S. Navy Commander Navy Legal Service office Japan (Feb 2011)<br>· Commander Kevin Harms- U.S. Navy Commander Strike Fighter Squadron 137 aboard the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln (Mar 2011)<br>· Lieutenant Commander Martin Holguin-U.S. Navy Commander mine countermeasures Fearless (Oct 2011)<br>· Captain Owen Honors-U.S. Navy Commander aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (Jan 2011)<br>· Captain Donald Hornbeck-U.S. Navy Commander Destroyer Squadron 1 San Diego<br>(Apr 2011)<br>· Rear Admiral Ron Horton-U.S. Navy Commander Logistics Group, Western Pacific<br>(Mar 2011)<br>· Commander Etta Jones-U.S. Navy Commander amphibious transport dock Ponce (Apr 2011)<br>· Commander Ralph Jones-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock Green Bay (Jul 2011)<br>· Commander Jonathan Jackson-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 134, deployed aboard carrier Carl Vinson (Dec 2011)<br>· Captain Eric Merrill-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Emory S. Land (Jul 2011)<br>· Captain William Mosk-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Station Rota, U.S. Navy Commander Naval Activities Spain (Apr 2011)<br>· Commander Timothy Murphy-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 129 at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA (Apr 2011)<br>· Commander Joseph Nosse-U.S. Navy Commander ballistic-missile submarine Kentucky (Oct 2011)<br>· Commander Mark Olson-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer The Sullivans FL (Sep 2011)<br>· Commander John Pethel-Executive Officer amphibious transport dock New York (Dec 2011)<br>· Commander Karl Pugh-U.S. Navy Commander Electronic Attack Squadron 141 Whidbey Island, WA (Jul 2011)<br>· Commander Jason Strength-U.S. Navy Commander of Navy Recruiting District Nashville, TN (Jul 2011)<br>· Captain Greg Thomas-U.S. Navy Commander Norfolk Naval Shipyard (May 2011)<br>· Commander Mike Varney-U.S. Navy Commander attack submarine Connecticut (Jun 2011)<br>· Commander Jay Wylie-U.S. Navy Commander destroyer Momsen (Apr 2011)<br><br><strong>Naval Officers fired: (All in 2012):</strong><br>· Commander Alan C. Aber-Executive Officer Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71 (July 2012)<br>· Commander Derick Armstrong- U.S. Navy Commander missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (May 2012)<br>· Commander Martin Arriola- U.S. Navy Commander destroyer USS Porter (Aug 2012)<br>· Captain Antonio Cardoso- U.S. Navy Commander Training Support Center San Diego (Sep 2012)<br>· Captain James CoBell- U.S. Navy Commander Oceana Naval Air Station's Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic (Sep 2012)<br>· Captain Joseph E. Darlak- U.S. Navy Commander frigate USS Vandegrift (Nov 2012)<br>· Captain Daniel Dusek-U.S. Navy Commander USS Bonhomme<br>· Commander David Faught-Executive Officer destroyer Chung-Hoon (Sep 2012)<br>· Commander Franklin Fernandez- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 24 (Aug 2012)<br>· Commander Ray Hartman- U.S. Navy Commander Amphibious dock-landing ship Fort McHenry (Nov 2012)<br>· Commander Shelly Hakspiel-Executive Officer Navy Drug Screening Lab San Diego (May 2012)<br>· Commander Jon Haydel- U.S. Navy Commander USS San Diego (Mar 2012)<br>· Commander Diego Hernandez- U.S. Navy Commander ballistic-missile submarine USS Wyoming (Feb 2012)<br>· Commander Lee Hoey- U.S. Navy Commander Drug Screening Laboratory, San Diego (May 2012)<br>· Commander Ivan Jimenez-Executive Officer frigate Vandegrift (Nov 2012)<br>· Commander Dennis Klein- U.S. Navy Commander submarine USS Columbia (May 2012)<br>· Captain Chuck Litchfield- U.S. Navy Commander assault ship USS Essex (Jun 2012)<br>· Captain Marcia Kim Lyons- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Health Clinic New England (Apr 2012)<br>· Captain Robert Marin- U.S. Navy Commander cruiser USS Cowpens (Feb 2012)<br>· Captain Sean McDonell- U.S. Navy Commander Seabee reserve unit Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 FL (Nov 2012)<br>· Commander Corrine Parker- U.S. Navy Commander Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 1 (Apr 2012)<br>· Captain Liza Raimondo- U.S. Navy Commander Naval Health Clinic Patuxent River, MD (Jun 2012)<br>· Captain Jeffrey Riedel- Program manager, Littoral Combat Ship program (Jan 2012)<br>· Commander Sara Santoski- U.S. Navy Commander Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron 15 (Sep 2012)<br>· Commander Kyle G. Strudthoff-Executive Officer Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (Sep 2012)<br>· Commander Sheryl Tannahill- U.S. Navy Commander Navy Operational Support Center [NOSC] Nashville, TN (Sep 2012)<br>· Commander Michael Ward- U.S. Navy Commander submarine USS Pittsburgh (Aug 2012)<br>· Captain Michael Wiegand- U.S. Navy Commander Southwest Regional Maintenance Center (Nov 2012)<br>· Captain Ted Williams- U.S. Navy Commander amphibious command ship Mount Whitney (Nov 2012)<br>· Commander Jeffrey Wissel- U.S. Navy Commander of Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron 1 (Feb 2012)<br> <br><strong>Naval Officers fired: (All in 2013):</strong><br>· Lieutenant Commander Lauren Allen-Executive Officer submarine Jacksonville (Feb 2013)<br>· Reserve Captain Jay Bowman-U.S. Navy Commander Navy Operational Support Center [NOSC] Fort Dix, NJ (Mar 2013)<br>· Captain William Cogar-U.S. Navy Commander hospital ship Mercy's medical treatment facility (Sept 2013)<br>· Commander Steve Fuller-Executive Officer frigate Kauffman (Mar 2013)<br>· Captain Shawn Hendricks-Program Manager for naval enterprise IT networks (June 2013)<br>· Captain David Hunter-U.S. Navy Commander of Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 12 & Coastal Riverine Group 2 (Feb 2013)<br>· Captain Eric Johnson-U.S. Navy Chief of Military Entrance Processing Command at Great Lakes Naval Training Center, IL (2013)<br>· Captain Devon Jones-U.S. Navy Commander Naval Air Facility El Centro, CA (July 2013)<br>· Captain Kevin Knoop-U.S. Navy Commander hospital ship Comfort's medical treatment facility (Aug 2013)<br>· Lieutenant Commander Jack O'Neill-U.S. Navy Commander Operational Support Center Rock Island, IL (Mar 2013)<br>· Commander Allen Maestas-Executive Officer Beachmaster Unit 1 (May 2013)<br>· Commander Luis Molina-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Pasadena (Jan 2013)<br>· Commander James Pickens-Executive Officer frigate Gary (Feb 2013)<br>· Lieutenant Commander Mark Rice-U.S. Navy Commander Mine Countermeasures ship Guardian (Apr 2013)<br>· Commander Michael Runkle-U.S. Navy Commander of Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (May 2013)<br>· Commander Jason Stapleton-Executive Office Patrol Squadron 4 in Hawaii (Mar 2013)<br>· Commander Nathan Sukols-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Jacksonville (Feb 2013)<br>· Lieutenant Daniel Tyler-Executive Officer Mine Countermeasures ship Guardian (Apr 2013)<br>· Commander Edward White-U.S. Navy Commander Strike Fighter Squadron 106 (Aug 2013)<br>· Captain Jeffrey Winter-U.S. Navy Commander of Carrier Air Wing 17 (Sept 2013)<br>· Commander Thomas Winter-U.S. Navy Commander submarine Montpelier (Jan 2013)<br>· Commander Corey Wofford- U.S. Navy Commander frigate Kauffman (Feb 2013) <br></p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/Vallely.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="General Paul Vallely" height="270" style=" margin: 10px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="216" /> You are most likely aware this author has not included political opinions in past blogs. No matter what your agenda, you know political blogs may create controversy. Please know I support all branches of the United States military. I sincerely appreciate that fact that President Donald Trump has been in the process of appointing retired military commanding officers to national security and defense positions. During his campaign Trump let the nation know he honors the Constitution of the United States. </p>
<p> In the past eight years, military personnel have experienced reprisals for wanting to uphold the Constitution. <strong>That era is over. </strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Originally published on the <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a> blog site.</p>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099597
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2021-04-21T13:04:36-04:00
KANCHANABURI-ALLIED-WAR-CEMETERY
<p>KANCHANABURI-ALLIED-WAR-CEMETERY</p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-489">
<div class="entry_meta">
<span class="entry_author">IRENE-BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">February 25, 2017 </span><!-- entry_date -->
<div class="clear"> </div>
</div>
<!-- .entry_meta -->
<div class="entry_content">
<p><strong>Kanchanaburi Allied War Cemetery</strong><br>by Irene Baron<br><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.irenebaron.com/"><span style="color:#0000ff">www.irenebaron.com</span></a><br><br> <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/a_cem_pic.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Kanchanaburi-Allied-War-Cemetery" height="223" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 2px solid;" width="349" /> </p>
<p>Since I lived in-country (Thailand), when I first heard about the allied/Thai cemetery in the late 1960’s, I was determined to journey there. Kanchanaburi War Cemetery is an allied forces war cemetery, not an American war cemetery. Being a very patriotic young woman, visiting the Kanchanaburi Cemetery was important to me. World War II ended when I was a child. Two of my uncles, Corporal Jeremiah (Judd) Worthington, US Army, and Major John David Moore, USAF, fought in that war and returned to the United States alive, thank God. That war affected my family and my country.</p>
<p> The Vietnam War was being fought when I lived in Southeast Asia. I had friends who were stationed in Vietnam. I had dated several as young woman and wondered if I’d ever see them again. They knew where I was based and had buddies look me up when they arrived in Bangkok on R&R. I always treated any military men or women with utmost respect. It takes commitment and honor to enlist and pledge your life to your country. One way you can honor them is to visit the section of your local cemeteries dedicated to military heroes. It takes little time out of your day once in a while to drive there, get out of your car and read the names of those in your area who lost their lives in past wars or to walk among the graves to say prayers for them.<br><br>At the time of my visit to the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery I was living in Bangkok, Thailand. Hired by Battelle Memorial Institute out of Columbus, Ohio, my original position was that of an Information Specialist assigned to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Advanced Research Projects Agency, Research & Development Center-Thailand (OSD/ARPA/R&D-Center, Supreme Command, Thailand). I was hired because my science background included studies in every field of science and a course in World Religions. Southeast Asia residents were primarily Buddhist or Hindu. It was important to Battelle that a person going into the upcountry and isolated areas of Thailand should understand and respect religions of others. I did and do.</p>
<p>My job was to gather information, take aerial photographs, and help write a classified military manual, <em>The Mekong River Project</em>. Thai employees took upcountry ground photos. The sections of Mekong River studied were those bordering Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. The book was written for American troops who may have been assigned to that region under the SEATO Treaty. They needed to know every aspect of the Mekong River. That included where and how to cross, areas of rapids/narrows/shallows, seasonal depth variations, village locations, sources of potable water and electricity, etc. Basically, everything a military leader needed to get his troops where they were assigned and survive. (Potable water was difficult to locate. Some villagers along the river had to transport water from 2-miles inland. Like the USA, many wells they dug were saline. In the absence of motorized vehicles, they transported water by placing a wooden shoulder board or carved board over their shoulders and suspend a water-filled bucket from each end. The "bent-leg lope" natives used when carrying the water had to be perfect so as not to spill the precious cargo. After running 2-miles to the well, they didn’t want it to slosh and spill before getting it back home.)</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/SEATO_flag.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="SEATO-Flag" height="96" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 2px solid;" width="142" />Formed in 1954, the SEATO Treaty was an intergovernmental military alliance formed by the Southeast Asia Collective Defense Treaty organization. The United States government recognizes SEATO as being currently active for Australia, France, New Zealand, Philippines, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. That as the reason the United States was doing research in Thailand.</p>
<p>I worked in the Bangkok ARPA (now DARPA) building except when traveling upcountry, usually by Air America helicopters. I knew only two other women who worked in the building, both older and not interested in traveling to a cemetery. My other social contacts were a few young women my age who worked as secretaries for the United States Overseas Mission (USOM) and the American Embassy. None were interested in traveling to Kanchanaburi. Consequently I made arrangements to travel alone by local bus.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/unknown_soldier.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Unknown-Soldier-Grave-Marker-Kanchanaburi-Thailand" height="211" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 2px solid;" width="215" />Kanchanaburi is a town made famous by the existence of the bridge over the river Kwai (Khwae River). Japanese forces made slaves of Thai citizens and prisoners of war, primarily Dutch and American soldiers. Forced laborers were also imported from Malaysia, the Dutch East Indies and Burma. They were forced to work on a railroad to facilitate transportation of supplies to areas in Burma held by Japanese forces. During construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war and 100,000 civilians died and were buried along the railway. Remains of those found along the Burma-Siam railway, except for Americans, were transferred to Chungkai and Kanchanaburi cemeteries in Thailand and to Thanbyuzayat in Myanmar. There are unmarked remains which were cremated and placed in several areas of the cemetery. An image of a grave marker for such a site is to the left. Photographer unknown.</p>
<p>Because of their treatment during that period of time, Thai citizens held the Japanese in low esteem. I didn’t realize how low until I saw the Japanese cemetery. The allied cemetery holds 5,085 Commonwealth casualties of WW II, 1,896 war graves and one non-war grave. Eleven Muslim men from India were buried elsewhere in Thailand. Grave sites for the allied forces were not perfectly maintained but clean with grass cut. Flowers had been planted around the cemetery. You could see these heroes were honored.</p>
<p>I stood at the western edge of the cemetery, my back toward the River Kwai. I looked at graves over 30-minutes. It was an emotional visit. I said prayers for those buried heroes, sad they were so far from their homes. The cemetery was not like American cemeteries which were usually pristine with maintained paths, gardens, and ornamental trees. This cemetery was basic like much of the country outside of Bangkok, the capital city. The country side was beautiful, but not groomed. Grass between grave markers was cut, but around the tombstones weeds and grass were scraggly and 10-12 inches high. Thai citizens living outside Bangkok experienced poverty. In such a poor, non-industrial town I didn’t expect graves of foreigners to be highly maintained. There were annual flowers which had been carefully planted here and there in honor and remembrance. In recent years flowering plants have been planted between each grave marker.</p>
<p>An elderly Thai gentleman must have thought I was searching for something. He approached and asked in English if he could help me. When I declined his offer, he stated if I was searching for the Japanese cemetery, it was nearby. He pointed to its location. He explained it would be hard to walk through the cemetery because it had not been taken care of. Grass and weeds were not cut and no flowers were planted there. The Japanese cemetery was hated and pointedly ignored. Japanese buried there would receive no honors from Thai People who loathed the Japanese and would not lift a finger to dignify or respect them in any way. His tone of voice and posture confirmed his hatred of the Japanese during our conversation.</p>
<p>I walked over to the Japanese cemetery but could not enter it. You couldn’t see grave markers due to a thick cover of weeds 3-4 feet tall. Thailand was home to poisonous snakes such as the light green, ‘one-step’ viper. There was no way I would enter such a wild, weeded lot. Effectively hidden, no one passing by would know it was a cemetery. To not see the cemetery perhaps lessened the feelings generated by past sadistic actions of foreign intruders. The old adage, ‘out of sight, out of mind’ seemed to be in practice. </p>
<p>I understand conditions at both cemeteries since my visit to Kanchanaburi have been improved. A building in town has been set aside for records and as a history museum. If I locate my boxed and stored pictures of that visit I will post them. </p>
<p><strong>Additional information and photographs of the cemetery can be found at</strong>: </p>
<p>Commonwealth War Graves Commission:<br><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2017100/KANCHANABURI%20WAR%20CEMETERY"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.cwgc.org/find-a-cemetery/cemetery/2017100/KANCHANABURI%20WAR%20CEMETERY</span></a> </p>
<p>Roll of Honor/Britain at War:<br><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Cemeteries/Kanchanaburi_War_Cemetery/"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.roll-of-honour.org.uk/Cemeteries/Kanchanaburi_War_Cemetery/</span></a> </p>
<p>Lonely Planet:<br><a data-imported="1" href="https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/kanchanaburi/attractions/kanchanaburi-war-cemetery/a/poi-sig/480986/357682"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.lonelyplanet.com/thailand/kanchanaburi/attractions/kanchanaburi-war-cemetery/a/poi-sig/480986/357682</span></a></p>
<p>Australian Prisoners of War:<br><a data-imported="1" href="http://hellfire-pass.commemoration.gov.au/after-the-war/recovering-the-dead.php"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://hellfire-pass.commemoration.gov.au/after-the-war/recovering-the-dead.php</span></a></p>
<p>Find a Grave Kanchanaburi:<br><a data-imported="1" href="https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2140732"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&CRid=2140732</span></a></p>
<p>Post originally published in blog at <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.irenebaron.com">www.irenebaron.com</a> on 23 February 2017</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong>Buy Irene's book, <em>Unraveling the Christmas Star Mystery</em> at:<br><a data-imported="1" href="https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Christmas-Star-Mystery-Illumination/dp/1477683976"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.amazon.com/Unraveling-Christmas-Star-Mystery-Illumination/dp/1477683976</span></a></strong></p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099596
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2018-10-31T05:21:48-04:00
BUDDHIST MONK CEREMONY - BECOMING A MONK IN THAILAND
<p><strong>BUDDHIST MONK CEREMONY<br>BECOMING A MONK IN THAILAND<br><strong>By Irene Baron<br></strong><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1"><strong><span style="color:#0000ff">www.irenebaron.com</span></strong></a></strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-533">
<div class="entry_content">
<p>It was an honor to be invited to a monking ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand where I worked for almost five years. An office friend was becoming a monk for 10-days. The shortest time period allowed by his <em>wat</em>, or temple, was 3-days. It is tradition for a Buddhist male to become a monk, a rite of passage, to officially become recognized as a man. This must be accomplished before marriage. Most monking ceremonies take place during the dry season when rice fields do not require heavy labor.</p>
<p>My friend worked in the building of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Advanced Research Projects Agency, Research & Development Center-Thailand. The title was usually abbreviated: OSD/ARPA/ R&D Center-Thailand and was headquarters of the U.S. Supreme Command for ARPA’s classified research. Persons working within the facility of any nationality were well educated and maintained high security clearances, whether military or civilian.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/MONK_IMGb_6608.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="BUDDHIST-MONK-CANDIDATE-HAVING-HEAD-SHAVED" height="344" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="238" />The monking ceremony was set for a Saturday afternoon at a Buddhist temple I’d not visited. I arrived in time to see my friend having his head shaved, part of the traditional ceremony. Buddhist monks have their heads shaved once or twice a month, usually during full and/or new Moon phases. To become a monk, the head must be shaved before the induction ceremony.<br></p>
<p>When I asked why his head was being shaved, Every English speaker helped in telling me there are evil spirits everywhere. Evil spirits are stymied when entering Buddhist temples because entrance doors are constructed narrower at the top. Evil spirits hit their heads at the threshold and are not be able to enter. Temple roofs have carved, wood hooks upon which evil spirits will be caught and captured so they will not enter the temple. The head of a human has hair which evil spirits can grab and hold. To eliminate the possibility of having an evil spirit grab the hair of holy monks, their heads are shaved.</p>
<p>Those watching the head shaving asked, “Do you believe in evil spirits?” As a Christian, I answered, “Yes,” for there are many stories in the Bible of evil spirits being removed from persons.</p>
<p>My barefoot and bare-chested friend was sitting on a foldable, metal chair in the grassy shade of a large tree. Friends and family surrounded him. All ages of family members were present along with his beautiful fiancé. A young monk who belonged to that temple was shaving my friend’s head using a straight edge razor. The monk candidate wore only a knee-length sarong, a tube of cloth he has stepped into and secured around his waist.</p>
<p>Sarongs worn by men and women of Southeast Asia are usually sewn up the side to create a tube. The wearer steps into the tube, pulls the top to the waist or above the breasts, and secures it with a rope or knot. Most sarong materials are hand woven cotton in brightly colored plaids or printed designs.</p>
<p>After his head was shaved, he departed to dress for the monking ceremony. Those who gathered on the lawn visited with new arrivals. Until members of my office staff arrived, My friend’s family and friends spoke to me in English. I was taking Thai language lessons, sponsored by Battelle Memorial Institute, my employer, but had not become proficient in the language.</p>
<p>I noticed most arriving families carried gift-laden trays or baskets resembling American Easter baskets. Each basket was about 2-feet in diameter at the top and filled with unwrapped gifts. The gifts included: a woven sleeping mat, blankets, flowers, extra saffron-colored cloth for monk robes, rolls of toilet paper, bars of soap, wash cloths, towels and packaged food. The trays and baskets were covered in clear cellophane, gathered and secured at the top. That I had no gift was humbling. Feeling empty handed and embarrassed, I asked about the gifts. I was told to not worry about not having a gift because everyone knew <em>farangs</em> didn’t know or understand why the gifts were necessary or needed. A farang is any foreigner to Thailand, usually a “round eye.”<br><br></p>
<p>A monk’s status is that of a mendicant with no personal means of support. They must seek alms for food, clothing, shelter and medicine. Persons within the temple community, the sangha, offer alms as an act of faith and respect. After becoming a monk, my friend will be allowed to collect, receive and consume food only between dawn and midday. He can drink water, and usually clear tea and coffee, at any time. The baskets offered at the monking ceremony will supplement his needed supplies during his existence as a monk and be shared within the temple.</p>
<p>There are rules and regulations concerning conduct and etiquette within the monk community. After Buddhist monk vows are taken, high luxury items such as beds and chairs will not be used. Like most Thais, he will squat to sit on his heels. Monks normally sleep on a mat or blanket on the floor. They do not use television except for a Dharma video or documentary program. During the time he is a monk he will be celibate and must be accompanied by a man whenever in the presence of a woman, on a journey or seated anyplace outside the temple area. </p>
<p>At the appointed time, a decorated chair on an elaborately flowered platform arrived. The monk candidate, walked within the midst of growing guests. He was dressed in a white robe. As he was being seated on the platform chair, everyone gathered nearby with their gifts. Many women carried paper umbrellas to protect them from the hot, tropical Sun.</p>
<p>The platform was lifted by six-men who began to carry it around the temple. Everyone else followed, talking and visiting while children played or ran around the marchers. We marched around the temple a symbolic three times. The monk candidate was lowered to the ground at the temple entrance. He remained outside until guests entered the sanctuary and were seated on the floor along the walls</p>
<p>Once everyone was settled and quiet, my friend walked into the temple with a retinue of monks. His mother and father followed, his father holding saffron-colored material w<img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/MONK_HIGH_PRIESTIMG_6600.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="BUDDHIST-HIGH-PRIEST-SEATED-FOR-MONKING-CEREMONY" height="338" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="216" />hich his son would wear as his holy garment. After prayers and discussions with the high priest, the retinue of over ten-monks surrounded my friend, hiding him from view. At a comment from one monk. his father stepped forward with folded saffron-colored cloths and passed them to one of the monk. In return, the white clothing he had worn had been folded and was passed to the father. His father held the clothing and took his seat with his wife. </p>
<p>After the saffron robe was wrapped around him in the correct manner, his retinue of surrounding monks divided to show my friend in his new attire, that befitting a monk of his status. He smiled at everyone. There were more ceremonies before he was introduced to the crowd in his new capacity as a monk. The gifts he had received were placed on the sanctuary platform/stage upon which sat two of the eldest temple monks.</p>
<p>When the ceremony concluded, everyone went outside to visit with one another and partake of refreshments. The refreshments included white, sheet-cake with white icing and a refreshing fruit drink in small glasses. Family and guests passed out the refreshments to seated and standing guests, most of whom departed within a half-hour.</p>
<p>I made sure I didn’t touch my friend or his robe. Had any female done so, he would have had to go through a 3-day cleansing ceremony. Since he was only going to be a monk for 10-days, that would have been difficult. In addition, other monks were required to participate in the cleansing ceremony. Since they had other duties, to do so would have been a great imposition of time. </p>
<p>Living and working in Thailand 4+ years, I became friends with many beautiful and memorable Thai nationals. In the process, l learned more about Buddhism and Hinduism. The majority of Thais were Buddhist. The Indian persons with whom I worked were primarily Hindu. There were also Christians and members of a few other religions within my business and social networks.</p>
<p></p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/MONK_IMG_6629.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="NEWLY-INDUCTED-MONK-SEATED-BEFORE-HIS-FAMILY" height="268" style=" margin: 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="432" /></p>
<p></p>
<p>When I applied to Battelle Memorial Institute for the position of Information Specialist, one of the several jobs offered to me was one in the newly forming office in Bangkok, Thailand. I was asked to work with information for RACIC, the Remote Area Conflict Information Center in Columbus, Ohio.</p>
<p>I was informed that my undergraduate course work in world religions was a key factor in my being hired for that position. Personnel in the Battelle human resources department believed anyone who had studied religions of the world would be more tolerant of those who worshiped in ways different from the majority of citizens in the United States. Being assigned to work in a country with few Christians, I needed to understand and respect persons of other religions.</p>
<p>I had also studied a variety of sciences in undergraduate and post graduate courses which enabled understanding across the spectrum of science knowledge. Many persons are vested in one field of science and cannot easily relate their subject of study to other fields of science, a limitation. My fields of study included: astronomy, biology, chemistry (general, qualitative, quantitative, and organic, etc.), geology (including physical), invertebrate zoology, meteorology, mineralogy. morphology, oceanography, volcanology, zoology and associated math courses, I had one home economics/cooking course set up by General Foods which required an organic chemistry prerequisite to study what happens to foods when you cook and why. That was an eye-opening class which helped me appreciate cooking Thai food.</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>BECOMING A MONK <br>Originally published 20 Oct 2017 as: MONK-CEREMONY:-BECOMING-A-MONK in the blog at <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099595
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2022-08-07T18:59:43-04:00
GRAPHENE IN THE MINDREACHER NOVEL
<p><strong>GRAPHENE IN THE MINDREACHER NOVEL </strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-537">
<div class="entry_meta">
<span class="entry_author">Originally published in <a data-imported="1" href="http://www.irenebaron.com/">www.irenebaron.com</a> by IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">February 24, 2018 </span><!-- entry_date -->
<div class="clear"> </div>
</div>
<!-- .entry_meta -->
<div class="entry_content">
<p>MINDREACHER AND GRAPHENE <br><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.irenebaron.com/">www.irenebaron.com</a> <br> <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/graphene1.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="NSF-GRAPHENE-IMAGE-SINGLE-LAYER-OF-CARBON-ATOMS" height="212" style=" margin: 5px 10px;" width="350" /> Graphene is a product made of one carbon layer in a sheet. It is made by taking a piece of graphite and dissecting it by layers until one single layer is created. The resulting layer is one atom thick and can be combined with other compounds. Layers of other materials may be inserted between layers of Graphene to create products which have many applications.</p>
<p>Two main characters in my MINDREACHER adventure novels wear clothing made using Graphene. In my novel, they learn about their bulletproof clothing from an employee at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in the District of Columbia.</p>
<p>Contracted by Battelle Memorial Institute, I used to work for ARPA in Bangkok, Thailand as Director of Aerial Photography and author of the geology and hydrology section of the classified Mekong River Project. I thought it would be fun to include that government agency in my book. Although fiction with a paranormal twist, most everything written in the book is based on fact. It will be hard for readers to determine the difference between the fact and fiction. Explanations of unique story points are at the end of the novels, yet to be published.</p>
<p>A female employee in the novel tells my elite Marine warrior, “We’re having our tailor prepare two pairs of multi-pocketed, long-sleeved shirts and cargo pants for you and Ms. Masterson. They’re made of a new material combined with spidersilk. Fibers have toughness of steel. Spider DNA was transferred into female goats. During lactation, their milk produces spidersilk. When woven, the silk reacts like micro-thin body armor. It’s so strong, a strand as thin as a pencil could stop a 747 in flight.” The DARPA employee goes on to say, “Clothing designers for the rich and famous are beginning to use carbon nanotube fibers as bulletproof material. They’re stronger and harden on impact. It costs about $15,000 per ounce. Our LPS contractor inserted liquid-acting, magnetic nanofibers which react to impact by solidifying even tighter. They’ll stop a bullet. Impact force, however, may still cause damage.” Further information readers learn is, between layers of spider silk are insertions of a flexible, thin, transparent material resembling kitchen plastic wrap. It’s a super conductor. A product called <strong>Graphene, </strong>it’s considered one of the thinnest materials on the planet. What’s remarkable is the claim it’d take an elephant balanced on a pencil to break through it. A graphic image of a carbon nanotube on the left is courtesy of the AMES Research Center. It is created by rolling the Graphene into a tube. It resembles chicken-wire rolled into a tube.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/NASA_Ames_Research_Center_single-walled_carbon_nanotube.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Carbon-nanotube-created-with-layers-of-Graphene" height="274" style=" margin: 5px 10px;" width="353" />.Mr. Jesus de La Fuente, CEO of Graphenea company in Spain, provides excellent background about Graphene on the company’s website. <a data-imported="1" href="https://www.graphenea.com/"><em><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.graphenea.com/</span></em></a><em> </em> See can see a YouTube explanation of making large sheets of Graphene at: <a data-imported="1" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvksWx3AJQ"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvksWx3AJQ</span></a></p>
<p>What I appreciated were images of the company’s products. Even though I taught science over 40-years, it is hard to imagine what Graphene looks like. The image at the lower left is of a Graphenea picture of one of their many products, a 10mm X 10mm piece of Graphene on Si <sup>3 </sup>N <sup>4 </sup> which costs $47.00. It is with products like these that others are researching applications of Graphene. When you read about some of these applications, in my next blog, especially research from Australia, you will be shaking your head in wonder, glad you live in an age of spectacular achievements for mankind.</p>
<p>Dr. Marko Spasenovic , Institute of Physics, Centre for Solid State Physics and New Materials in Belgrade, Serbia, described Graphene's impressive mechanical strength.,(<a data-imported="1" href="https://www.graphenea.com/pages/graphene-properties#.Wo18Q4eosdU">https://www.graphenea.com/pages/graphene-properties#.Wo18Q4eosdU</a> ) He wrote:<br><br>"Another of graphene’s stand-out properties is its inherent strength. Due to the strength of its 0.142 Nm-long carbon bonds, graphene is the strongest material ever discovered, with an ultimate tensile strength of 130,000,000,000 Pascals (or 130 gigapascals), compared to 400,000,000 for A36 structural steel, or 375,700,000 for Aramid (Kevlar). Not only is graphene extraordinarily strong, it is also very light at 0.77milligrams per square metre (for comparison purposes, 1 square metre of paper is roughly 1000 times heavier). It is often said that a single sheet of graphene (being only 1 atom thick), sufficient in size enough to cover a whole football field, would weigh under 1 single gram."</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/Graphene.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="A small square of blue Graphene in a small, hinged, clear plastic case." height="343" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="260" /></p>
<p>You can find YouTube videos about the product at:</p>
<p><a data-imported="1" href="http://www.thegraphenecouncil.org/"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.thegraphenecouncil.org/</span></a></p>
<p><a data-imported="1" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf_cjvk6N9Y"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uf_cjvk6N9Y</span></a></p>
<p><a data-imported="1" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6oUgIvBR8E"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6oUgIvBR8E</span></a></p>
<p><a data-imported="1" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvksWx3AJQ"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehvksWx3AJQ</span></a></p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099594
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2023-10-16T10:55:56-04:00
CLEAN DRINKING WATER WORLDWIDE
<p><strong>CLEAN-WATER-WORLDWIDE</strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post">
<div class="entry_meta">IRENE BARON February 25, 2018
<div class="clear"></div>
</div>
<div class="entry_content">
<p><strong>CLEAN-DRINKING-WATER-WORLDWIDE </strong> <br> <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a></p>
<p>Imagine having a way to purify any water, no matter how dirty it is. Imagine being able to remove 99% of all water contaminants in one small act, whether it is salt water, black swamp water, sea water, sewage water, etc.</p>
<p>You don’t have to imagine anymore. Thanks to the Australian firm, the international Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), the research is finished. You are going to be hearing more about this organization with the phenomenal research they are accomplishing.</p>
<p>The last blog I wrote for my website introduced Graphene and how it was created by many organizations. CSIRO scientists have used a form of Graphene, <strong>Graphair</strong>, to create an inexpensive water filter of previously unknown capabilities. This filter can replace complex purification systems with a single step. In the future, with mass production, you will see inexpensive applications of water filtration systems.</p>
<p>CSIRO is an Australian manufacturing company which has transferred its capabilities to high tech products based on advanced manufacturing processes. With international materials and connections, they are globally competitive. They are working to decrease the manufacturing costs of carbon products such as Graphair.</p>
<p>Their technology could be used anywhere on Earth to purify water. Once the materials are mass produced, the Graphair filters will be small enough to use by individuals filtering water into a clean container or by commercial water purification plants at an industrial level. Whole cities may be provided clean water with one larger filter incorporating Graphair. Perhaps, eventually, all fresh waters of the Earth could be purified using Graphair filters. Imagine!</p>
<p>I did imagine! I used the Graphair water purification method for the two main characters in my MINDREACHER adventure novel. Having a such filters was fortunate for them when they had to spend several days isolated in the wilds of a Laotian jungle while being chased by Thai terrorists. Terrorists tracked their location by intercepting satellite signals from nano-sized transceivers imbedded just under the skin behind their ears. .</p>
<p>How large of a filtering production system do you want? Dream a little to visualize what can happen to mankind in the future with clean water. Sea water won’t have to go through intense distillation processes to remove salt molecules. The Graphair filter will do so with ease. Cities near the ocean in drought situations, such as the current situation at the southern tip of Africa, will be able to use the Graphair filters to provide water for their citizens by removing salt and contaminants from sea water.</p>
<p>There are billionaires internationally who have dedicated portions of the income to good causes. I think clean water should be one of those causes using the CSIRO Graphair filtration system.. Once the system is financially equitable for villages, cities, governments, we will see clean water worldwide. What an impact on mankind.</p>
<p>What is Graphair, you ask? You would think , with all its capability to filter 99% of the contaminants out of water that it would be made from complex and expensive materials, right?</p>
<p>Surprise! <strong>Graphair is a form of Graphene made out of soybean oil!</strong> The one-atom-thick Graphene, a intensely strong carbon supermaterial, is currently expensive to produce. Graphair is cheaper to manufacture while maintaining the properties of Graphene. To the left is an image of soybean Graphene film created CSIRO and is held by tweezers.<br><a href="http://www.zdnet.com/article/csiro-develops-electronics-grade-graphene-from-soybeans/" data-imported="1">http://www.zdnet.com/article/csiro-develops-electronics-grade-graphene-from-soybeans/</a></p>
<p>One of the properties Graphair keeps is repelling water. Because of that property, CSIRO scientists created a Graphene film with nano-sized channels made of Graphene. These channels allow water to move through the Graphair but stops larger molecules. What happened to the 99% of contaminants? They built up on the outside of the filter, but the water continues through the filter.</p>
<p>On 16 February 2018, Michelle Star reported researchers stated, “This eliminates a step from other filtration methods,- removing the contaminants from the water before passing it through the membrane to prevent them from coating it.” They went on to say, “All that’s needed is heat, our graphene, a membrane filter and a small water pump.”<br><a href="http://www.sciencealert.com/graphene-film-water-filtration-drinkable-seawater" data-imported="1">www.sciencealert.com/graphene-film-water-filtration-drinkable-seawater</a></p>
<p>The CSIRO teams include physicists, chemists and software developers who work with virtual technology to develop materials using nanoscience. They are working to describe nanostructures, predict their behavior and assess in which applications they can be used. Spinoffs will most likely be fast and furious once the Graphair is in production on a mass scale. They use some of the best supercomputers and latest mathematical models to determine variables within their data analysis. They work with structures from polymers and carbon nanostructures to metallic and oxide catalysts to remain “at the cutting edge of computational materials innovation.<br><a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/MF/Areas/Chemicals-and-fibres/Materials-for-industry-and-environment/Virtual-Nanoscience" data-imported="1">https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/MF/Areas/Chemicals-and-fibres/Materials-for-industry-and-environment/Virtual-Nanoscience</a></p>
<p>With development of materials like Graphair from Australian CSIRO research teams, within your lifetime you may find all citizens of Earth having access to clean drinking water.<br><br>In my opinion, considering human health, the Graphair water filter application is one of the most dynamic developments in the history of mankind. Thirsty people everywhere will want to purchase such a filtration system once it's on the market at a reasonable price. I can envision a simple filter at the top of a bottle being able to remove 99% of all contaminants and purify water as the water is poured into the bottle. I want one! :-)<br><br>Some of the research by CSIRO takes place in the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre pictured to the left, a world-class supercomputing centre in Kensington, Western Australia. It hosts new facilities, expertise and infrastructure to support advanced research in astronomy and geoscience. One of two national research supercomputing facilities, the National Computational Infrastructure (NCI) priority areas are to deliver and support world-class advanced information and communication technology infrastructure. They are working in areas of climate science, earth systems and national water management.<br> <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Facilities/Pawsey-Supercomputing-Centre" data-imported="1">https://www.csiro.au/en/Research/Facilities/Pawsey-Supercomputing-Centre</a><br><br>This is a phenomenal result of Australian research. I am overwhelmed with the implication it will have on this polluted Earth.</p>
<p>PLEASE SHARE WITH INTERESTED PERSONS and leave a comment!</p>
<p> Image <em>© Copyright CSIRO </em></p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099593
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2018-10-31T05:08:48-04:00
WATER FILTER PERFECTION WITH CSIRO
<p>WATER-FILTER-PERFECTION-WITH-CSIRO</p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-557">
<div class="entry_meta">
<span class="entry_author">IRENE BARON </span><!-- .entry_author --><span class="entry_date">May 22, 2018 </span><!-- entry_date -->
<div class="clear"></div>
</div>
<!-- .entry_meta -->
<div class="entry_content">
<p><strong><span style="color:#003366">WATER FILTER PERFECTION WITH CSIRO</span></strong><br><span style="color:#003366"><strong>AUSTRALIA'S QUEST FOR WORLDWIDE CLEAN WATER </strong></span> <br>by Irene Baron <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a> Originally published in May 2018/www.irenebaron.com</p>
<p> <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/CSIROlogo.png" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="© Copyright CSIRO Australia" height="80" style=" margin: 5px 10px;" width="80" /> CSIRO is the abbreviation for the Commonwealth Scientific & Industrial Research Organization. </p>
<p>CSIRO is an Australian government agency which engages in scientific research to improve the economic and social performances of industry for the benefit of the community. Headquartered in Canberra, Australia, CSIRO works with leading research organizations around the globe. They have been previously recognized for their invention of <a title="Atomic absorption spectroscopy" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atomic_absorption_spectroscopy" data-imported="1">atomic absorption spectroscopy</a>, essential components of <a title="Wi-Fi" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi" data-imported="1">Wi-Fi</a> technology, the insect repellent <a title="Aerogard" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerogard" data-imported="1">Aerogard</a>, and the first commercially successful <a title="Polymer banknote" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer_banknote" data-imported="1">polymer banknote</a>. The image of the copyrighted SIRO logo is seen to the left. © Copyright CSIRO Australia.<br><br><strong>CSIRO is searching for industry partners to scale up production and trial the technology overseas. <br><br></strong>If you are or your company are interested in partnering with CSIRO please get in touch. The following information will help CSIRO assess your interest:<br>1. Background to your organization and the nature of your interest as a partner e.g. technical/investment/both. <br>2. Your organization's experience in developing and bringing technology to the market in this space. We would love to hear about your case studies.<br>3. If appropriate: Use cases that you have in mind for graphene and membrane filtration.<br>Contact:</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p>Marcel Bick PhD, GDM (AGSM) GAICD<br>Business Manager, CSIRO Manufacturing <br>Email: <a href="mailto:marcel.bick@csiro.au" data-imported="1">marcel.bick@csiro.au</a><br>Phone: +61 2 9413 7473, Mobile: +61 459 842 651<br><br>Justine and Alicia (contact details below) are supporting our partner engagement process:<br><br>Miss Alicia Black - Administration Officer, Manufacturing<br>Email: <a href="mailto:Alicia.Black@csiro.au" data-imported="1">Alicia.Black@csiro.au</a><br><br>Miss Justine Sau - Industrial Trainee, Business Development & Commercial<br>Phone: +61 3 9545 2519<br>Email: <a href="mailto:Justine.Sau@csiro.au" data-imported="1">Justine.Sau@csiro.au</a><br>Contact CSIRO | <a href="http://www.csiro.au/en/About/Access-to-information/Privacy" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Privacy Statement</a> | <a href="http://www.csiro.au/en/About/Footer/Legal-notice" target="_blank" data-imported="1">Legal Notices</a> | <a href="http://www.csiro.au/" target="_blank" data-imported="1">www.csiro.au</a> </p>
<p> <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/130922.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Earth-image-from-satellite-NASA" height="201" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="200" /></p>
<p>in the future, I believe CSIRO will be famous for developing the GraphAir filtration membrane which makes water over 99% pure with one pass.</p>
<p>Graphair membranes are created with Graphene, a form of carbon which is one atom thick. The graphene research team "recently produced very clean drinking water from Sydney Harbour water by infusing a small strip of GraphAir with "nano-channels" big enough to let water molecules through, but small enough to block salt, detergent, oil compounds or other pollutants, yet still keeping the nano-channels clear. This means a GraphAir filtration system could be used for longer before being replaced, and contaminants would not have to be extracted before purification.<br>The team is also trialing the technology on water from mines, factories and contaminated sites.<br>Applications could range from industrial-scale desalination and wastewater treatment to household water purifiers for Third World families.<br>The water purification research also involved scientists from Sydney and Victoria universities, Queensland University of Technology, University of Technology Sydney, the National Measurement Institute in Sydney and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore."<br>The research paper, "Anti-fouling graphene-based membranes for effective water desalination" (Nature Communications) is available at the following web-link: <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-02871-3" target="_blank" data-imported="1">https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-02871-3</a>.</p>
<p>In my blog addressing Warren Buffett (<a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/letter_to_warren_buffett/" data-imported="1">http://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/letter_to_warren_buffett/</a>), I suggested that anyone financing the trials and manufacturing of Graphair would become famous around the world as the person who provided clean water to mankind. In the process of manufacturing something everyone on Earth would want, that person or corporation would become more wealthy than thought possible. If that financier were truly interested in the betterment of mankind, as a philanthropist, they may wish to offer the GraphAir water filter to individuals at cost. </p>
<p>Can you imagine the boon to mankind? Never before in history has the potential for having drinking water over 99% pure occurred. Pure water will be available everywhere, even from sewage! This Graphair invention by CSIRO will be directly responsible for helping to wipe out many diseases originating in contaminated water. <br><br></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099592
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2018-10-31T05:03:31-04:00
INFOWAR AND CYBERWAR
<p><strong>Infowar and Cyberwar</strong><strong> <br><a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">www.irenebaron.com</span></a> Originally published 7 July 2018</strong></p>
<div class="post entry blog_post" id="post-559">
<div class="entry_content">
<p>I admit it. I am gullible. When you tell me a joke, you’d better wink or I’ll think you’re serious. Jokes over the telephone don’t work with me. <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/portraitwebsite2018.jpg" class="size_orig justify_right border_" alt="BARON-PORTRAIT-BY-BRODIE-MCCLEAN" height="182" style=" margin: 5px;" width="174" />I can’t see your wink. I speak the truth an<strong></strong>d find it difficult to realize someone lies to me. I don’t expect it. Consequently, I studied how to recognize the human signs of the lie. Knowledge gained from those studies were used when I developed the main female character in my soon to be published MINDREACHER adventure novel. She’s a telepath who can tell if someone is lying by reading their mind. (She knows all the other signs too!)</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/infowar.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="INFOWAR-CARTOON-MALE-GI-AT-A-COMPUTER" height="222" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="243" />There have been times in past several years where I have been “taken in” with fake news. Having to double check every news source before believing it makes us realize that even sites used to verify stories may be fake. Fake news is so well written and manipulated with virtual images, you question reality. What to do? What does it all mean? What is the purpose of all this fake news?</p>
<p>We have been living in the “Information Age.” Our reality of misinformation has hit the proverbial fan. Info propaganda is becoming commonplace. Emerging techniques in video graphics are creating realities that seriously threaten the way we think about issues presented to us here in the USA during what has been termed the beginnings of an Infowar or Cyberwar. Misinformation is creating chaos, racial division, political haters, and skeptics. Whether legitimate or not, our whole electronic infrastructure is now open to invasions by citizens (with a political mission to disrupt), adversary nations or international hackers.</p>
<p>We are not globally dominant in information. Admiral David E. Jeremiah, former Vice Chairman and acting Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stated “that will be achieved by those that most clearly understand the role of information and the power of knowledge that flows from it.” <sup>1</sup></p>
<p>Our leaders have created laws and policies for dealing with almost anything that puts our citizens and/or country in danger. They have accomplished this through diplomacy and our superb military. How to combat psychological or information warfare against the United States is not common knowledge by the average citizen.</p>
<p>In 1993, the Defense Technical Information Center released “Memorandum of Policy No. 30.” <sup>2 </sup> It stated the US military expanded the concept of Information war to include the integrated use of operations security (OPSEC), military deception, psychological operations (PSYOP), electronic warfare (EW) and physical destruction, mutually supported by intelligence, to deny information to, influence, degrade or destroy adversary capabilities, while protecting friendly capabilities against such actions. The concept of infowar includes psychological operations aimed at influencing the emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior” or others.</p>
<p>Infowar also involves active US command forces. They will remove the capability of the enemy to command their troops by destroying the enemy electronic communications to their combat forces. This form of infowar is a “knock out punch” which can hopefully stop traditional hostilities. To be in a position to deliver the punch, US military intelligence has to be able to complete the collection, analysis, production, and rapid dissemination of intelligence and counterintelligence as needed.</p>
<p>One of my former employers hired me in a section of the Remote Area Conflict Information Center (RACIC).<sup>3</sup> Data bases within the US, such as Battelle Memorial Institute’s former RACIC and government controlled data bases could supply information. Infowar critical information of potentially hostile nations would include:</p>
<ol>
<li>Intelligence and counterintelligence support of planning and operations at all levels of conflict</li>
<li>Geography of conflict areas</li>
<li>Target identification for potential enemy communication and sensor systems during peace and wartime.</li>
<li>How the enemy organizes their procedures and deployment</li>
<li>Support for employment of precision guided munitions</li>
<li>Assessment of enemy capabilities, limitations and vulnerabilities</li>
<li>Identification of key political and military leaders w/power structures, biographical data and psychological profiles.</li>
<li>Timely reliable indications and warning information for operational commanders/</li>
<li>Timely information during engagement of adversary force/s</li>
<li>Continually broadcast geographic positions of all enemy forces</li>
<li> Battle damage assessments.</li>
</ol>
<p>This tidbit of information lets anyone realize our military commanders require information about their adversary/s. They must remove the enemy’s ability to gain information. Infowar is not new. The question is, how good is the US information retrieval system?</p>
<p>For each type of information retrieval, there are levels of command and personnel actively obtaining data which has to be classified as to the type and disseminated to those who require it. Just thinking about the processes that must be involved in the infowar data retrieval systems is mind boggling to a civilian like myself. Not only was the creation of such an information retrieval system implemented and put into action, every level has to have oversight. The Department of Defense and multiple government agencies are involved in such data collection schemes. They have had to guide policies, concepts, plans, capabilities, doctrine, employment procedures, tactics, techniques, exercises and training for joint and combined operations to create effective, mutually supporting and noninterfering end results.</p>
<p>It is imperative that our civilian and military command bases are filled with intelligent men and women who have skills in analysis, critical thinking and creativity in problem solving. Hiring such persons in preparation for infowars and/or cyberwars is critical.</p>
<p>I worry that our schools are not preparing students with the skills they will need for additional educational requirements to fill positions critical for our defense. In addition, the national opioid addiction curtails the quantity of employable and eligible men and women. China overcame its opioid crisis to grow as a nation into a superpower. How did they do it? </p>
<p>The United States is facing a critical situation. I have read about persons who are financing fake news to stir up controversy within the US. They are employing psychological operations aimed at influencing “emotions, motives, objective reasoning and ultimately the behavior of others.”</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/1_TARIFF_JPEG.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="US-TARIFF-RATES-tatistical Abstract of the United States 1990 (No. 1412)," height="203" style=" margin: 5px 10px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="234" />The Air War College has studied the three types of war waves.<sup>4</sup></p>
<p><strong>First wave wars</strong> were fought for land.<br><strong>Second wave wars</strong> were fought for control over productive capacity. I suggest the second wave war began with China lowering prices to destroy the American steel and other industries. High tariffs implemented by President Trump are one way of combating second wave wars to allow industry renewal within our borders, if it’s not too late. Tariffs should have been in place decades ago. Americans now expect to purchase items at Third World country prices and not prices required for American production of such items. China realized the greed issue in the US population and fed us cheap and inferior products as a way of winning the second wave war. They want to win that war. They are fighting tariffs as they try to destroy us.<br><strong>Third wave wars</strong> will be fought for control of knowledge.</p>
<p>The United States if currently in two wars. We are fighting second and third wave wars.</p>
<p>Third wave war targets include the human mind. In 1998, it was recognized that computer bulletin boards, cellular telephones, video cameras tied to fax machines – all provide entry points and dissemination networks for customized assault. A major new factor in information war results directly from the worldwide infosphere of television and broadcast news. The “ficitive” universe of news networks such broadcast information which may be true, but they do not broadcast the whole, relevant or contextual truth. The <em>Battlefield of the Future</em> text states the “close etymological relationship between “fictive” and “fictional” suggests how easy it is to manipulate the message.”5 That’s why people refer to networks as being pro or con one issue or another. By changing wording on their news, they try to influence their niche-audiences. I’m sure everyone has recognized their geographic region has been targeted for special announcements of one kind or another to sway voters and citizens. Networks have the potential to provoke financial and political chaos and at times do so. Some have actively tried to promote violence of reactive citizens with their propaganda.</p>
<p><strong>There is so much more to infowar and cyberwar. I suggest we all become more skeptical when watching, reading or listening to information. Question whether the data you are receiving is part of the Third wave war. What is being attacked includes your emotions, motives, beliefs, and your power of objective reasoning? </strong>If you are truthful, you expect everyone else to be truthful. I am always being caught off guard with fake news. It upsets me that I am so gullible. I have been working on being more skeptical but admit to being caught up in fake news. It's an ongoing struggle to be skeptical all the time. </p>
<p>Question: have you figured out what individual persons are also funding a third wave war on the USA?</p>
<p> </p>
<p>References:</p>
<p>1- Schneider,Barry. Grinter, Lawrence. Editors. <em>Battlefield of the Future – 21<sup>st</sup> Century Warfare Issues.</em> Revised Edition September 1998. Air War College, Studies in National Security No. 3. Air University Press. Maxwell Air Force Base. P 151.</p>
<p>2- Information Assurance Technology Analysis Center. <em>Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Memorandum of Policy No. 30 (CMOP); Command and Control Warfare. </em>8 March 1983. Falls Church. VA.<a href="http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA389344" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA389344</span></a>, <a href="http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a389344.pdf" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a389344.pdf</span></a></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration:underline">3-Baron.Irene Worthington. <em>Remote Area Conflict Information Center. </em>18 April 2018. <br></span><em><a href="https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/remote_area_conflict_information_center/" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.irenebaron.com/irene_baron_blog1/remote_area_conflict_information_center/</span></a></em></p>
<p><em>4- </em>Schneider,Barry. Grinter, Lawrence. Editors. <em>Battlefield of the Future – 21<sup>st</sup> Century Warfare Issues.</em> Revised Edition September 1998. Air War College, Studies in National Security No. 3. Air University Press. Maxwell Air Force Base. P. 154.</p>
<p>5- Ibid. 156.</p>
</div>
</div>
IRENE BARON
tag:mindreacher.net,2005:Post/6099591
2018-10-30T20:00:00-04:00
2022-08-07T19:02:22-04:00
REMOTE AREA CONFLICT INFORMATION CENTER
<p><strong>Remote Area Conflict Information Center</strong><strong> </strong><br>by Irene Baron <a href="http://www.irenebaron.com/" data-imported="1">www.irenebaron.com</a> <br></p>
<p><strong><strong>"MINDREACHER - the first manuscript has new and complex ideas which startle people. They are woven into the story as easily as threads sewn into fabric. This article tells how they originated.</strong></strong></p>
<p>First and Beta readers have asked me how I came up with so many astounding ideas in my MINDREACHER adventure/thriller manuscripts. They say I incorporate unusual ideas into the novels as though common in the story.</p>
<p><strong>Where did I obtain my information? </strong></p>
<p><strong><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/battelle_logo.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="BATTELLE-blue-letters-on-white-background" height="104" style=" margin: 1px 5px;" width="140" /></strong></p>
<p>I learned much about the military when working with Battelle Memorial Institute, an ARPA contractor in Southeast Asia. There are many sections of the Pentagon and Department of Defense involved in monitoring and coordinating cutting edge research. I use new discoveries or items in current research by our government and, with permission, from private businesses. After studying all science fields as an under graduate and in graduate school and teaching various sciences, I was hired by Battelle Memorial Institute Columbus as an Information Specialist. To have a broad knowledge across the sciences was a plus. Many scientists applied their studies to one field, such as astronomy, and became an expert in that field. Having studied all sciences, I was unusual in having the ability to gather data from many areas of study in the creation of analogies and conclusions.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/BKK_DARPA_logo.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="DARPA-logo-white-lettering-over-blue-oblate-globe" height="73" style=" margin: 1px 5px;" width="138" />My Information Specialist category was with Remote Area Conflict Information Center (RACIC) for Research and Development in Remote Area Conflict. RACIC was sponsored by Project Agile of the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA), Department of Defense (DOD). The RACIC home office was in the Battelle Columbus laboratories. Such a Department of Defense information analysis center was recognized as a scientific and engineering research facility. Scientists and engineers analyze the gathered scientific and technical data information during research to gain information and ensure they are not wasting time in duplication. RACIC answered technical inquiries, conducted special studies, prepared state-of-the-art reports, and provided research and development to support the DOD community. RACIC acquired, organized, stored and analyzed information concerning remote areas of conflict.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/BKK_RACIC_BROCHURE.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="RACIC-brochure-cover-Battelle-Memorial-Institute" height="186" style=" margin: 1px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="313" />RACIC included collected information about remote conflict/war incidents, border security, communications, environment, food technology, mobility (air, ground & water), power sources, river warfare, surveillance, target acquisition, weapons, munitions and more.</p>
<p><strong>How did RACIC obtain their information? </strong></p>
<p>International organizations with informational libraries on one or more of those topics were approached by the Battelle RACIC team. The organization was requested to allow Battelle to copy every document in their research library. (If you worked in the private sector, you may have witnessed libraries so extensive that floors had to be reinforced due to the collection weight.) Once the documents were copied, they were placed for use by others in the program. For a monthly fee, every organization allowing their documents to be included would have access to the RACIC library. Duplicate information files were/are maintained in the RACIC-Washington office in Arlington, VA. The files are open to all members of ARPA/AGILE and ARPA-approved visitors.</p>
<p><strong>Why Thailand?</strong></p>
<p>The United States government had interests in Thailand due to the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO), an international organization created in 1954 by the Manila Pact. Founders, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John Foster Dulles, helped mold the SEATO Treaty. With SEATO in place, the United States was obligated to help defend all countries signing the document. The Bangkok ARPA research had emphasis on strengthening counter-insurgency capabilities of the Royal Thai Government. (<a href="https://www.gao.gov/assets/210/201228.pdf" data-imported="1"><span style="color:#0000ff">https://www.gao.gov/assets/210/201228.pdf</span></a></p>
<p><strong>Who would threaten Thailand?</strong></p>
<p>The four years I lived there, invasion threats to Thailand were broadcast almost daily by China radio. I listened to their English broadcast which announced Vietnam War news before it was broadcast on American stations.</p>
<p>The Ambassador to Thailand had a Special Assistant for Counterinsurgency who coordinated and supervised the counterinsurgency activities of the U.S. Mission. Both military and nonmilitary assistance was directed to the communist threat.</p>
<p>To put that in simple terms, the work I accomplished was with the highly classified Mekong River Project. Information was gleaned and compiled for troops during possible future conflicts along the Mekong River bordering Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. When reading our document, military command would know safe crossing sites of the Mekong, where to find boats and overland transportation, location of potable/safe drinking water, village maps with political/social information, trails, roads, etc.</p>
<p>At that time, few places upcountry along the Mekong River had electricity. To compensate, the village leader would be given a portable radio with batteries. That radio was placed on a high pole on Saturdays for the local citizens to hear government news broadcasts. Village leaders occasionally received information from traveling authorities.</p>
<p><strong>What did I do for RACIC?</strong></p>
<p>My work involved all aspects of aerial photography along the Mekong River bordering Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. This was accomplished from Air America helicopters and airplanes equipped with the photo op reinforced 1-2’ square openings in the floor of the fuselage. As far our team knew, there had been no cartography work in Thailand prior to the Vietnam War. The geology and hydrology data I compiled and wrote for the Project used the aerial images.</p>
<p><strong>Did I have any problems?</strong></p>
<p><img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/BKK_KARST.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Image-of-limestone-eroded-vertical-sided-hills-of-karst-topography" height="187" style=" margin: 1px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="227" />Other than the helicopter being grounded during sudden storms in a unusual terrain, being shot at from the ground, and frightening people who had never seen blonde hair and blue eyes, I had an editing problem. The editor of the my written Geology section of the Mekong River Handbook had no geology background. When I included pertinent data about the karst topography which troops would encounter, the editor insisted they be called “small hills.” I contacted Battelle Columbus to no avail. I still cringe thinking of future troops using our manual during deployment and arriving in a karst area. They would be totally unprepared for the difficult terrain. I imagine their language would be very colorful! As our book was classified Top Secret, I could not keep any of my photographs. However, to the left I included an image of karst from a USGS website. Does that look like small hills to you?</p>
<p><strong>What about all the French maps?</strong></p>
<p>If the French created maps when they fought in Vietnam, they didn’t leave them behind. The only maps to which we had access prior to the RACIC work were those made by petroleum companies advertising fuel stops. It was frustrating to learn ground maps had been available from another ARPA project after completion of the Mekong River Project. Too much secrecy!</p>
<p><strong>How did I learn to accomplish technical writing?</strong></p>
<p>Battelle provided 2-weeks of intensive/extensive training in London, England. Battelle Memorial Institute and the international Engineers Joint Council sponsored the course of "Indicative Abstracting and Coordinate Indexing." It included:</p>
<p>Abstracting Techniques; Types of Abstracts<br>Component Operations and Procedural Steps in Coordinate Indexing<br>Index and Collection Organization and Storage<br>Information Retrieval Thesauri<br>Information Problem: Causes, Effects, & Solutions Information Retrieval Thesauri<br>Information System Objectives & Approaches<br>Introduction to Mechanization of Information Storage & Retrieval<br>Levels of Sophistication of Mechanization of Information Handling<br>Linguistic Problems in Information Retrieval<br>New Approaches to Information Retrieval/<br>Relationships of Knowledge, Information , & Data<br>Syntactical Problems in Coordinate Indexing & Solutions: Links and Roles<br>The Engineers Joint Council action Plan<br>Traditional Approaches to Information Handling</p>
<p>This coursework would later lead to internet word retrieval systems. ARPA had a direct role in such internet creations and usage. I was trained to read material and put the data provided into 4-5 descriptor words. Those few words would be used for accurate document retrieval. </p>
<p>When I arrived in Bangkok, the office building was still under construction. With my intense science background, I was moved to the classified Mekong River Project. That project had also been contracted to Battelle and was under the direction of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Advanced Research Projects Agency, Research & Development Center, Thailand (OSD/APRA.R&D Center/Thailand).</p>
<p>After the Mekong River Project, I researched and wrote the<strong> </strong>two-volume<em><span style="text-decoration:underline">Operational Procedures Manual</span></em><span style="text-decoration:underline">: <em>Laboratory Material Division</em></span> (all levels) for Battelle Memorial Institute (Remote Area Conflict Information Center), Office Secretary of Defense/Advanced Research Projects Agency/Research &Development Center, Supreme Command Headquarters, Bangkok, Thailand.</p>
<p>By the way, my maiden name in Thai is: <img src="http://www.irenebaron.com/img/BKKNAME.jpg" class="size_orig justify_left border_" alt="Irene-Worthington-written-in-Thai" height="82" style=" margin: 1px 5px; border-image: none; border: black 1px solid;" width="360" /></p>
<p><strong></strong> </p>
<p><strong></strong> </p>
<p><strong>What about the MINDREACHER book to be published this fall?</strong></p>
<p>Book 1 of my fiction <strong>MINDREACHER</strong> series has remote area conflict primarily in Laos. During combat, the elite U.S. Marine Corps character (Major Jon Coulter) has to choose between following accepted military tactics or instructions from a government hired telepath. The futuristic gadgets used in the story as commonplace will remind you of a James Bond novel. Imagine James Bond being stuck with a telepath!</p>
<p>I hope you look forward to some fun reading when Book 1 of the MINDREACHER series is published. Yes, there is some humor in it. Expect to be surprised.</p>
<p></p>
<hr>
<p> </p>
IRENE BARON