Quotesnorkus I have some random questions and observations about this topic: Not breeding so much. How large is the average American family? I have 2 boys. Is that too much breeding? Shouldn't any anti-breeding campaign take place in third-world countries? How is that working out in China? I just read that there is a lot of resistance to that in China, some riots and such. This result, of couby Frank Furter - General Discussion
The one problem that I have with many reports on climate change is the tendency for the press to describe the impending catastrophic condition. Upon closer review, the issues will likely take 20-50 yrs to become significant. Now, while I would like to see some seriousness on the part of government to deal with these likely events, it just does not seem like there is the political will or capacityby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Full article appears to be publicly available here: http://www.ecoearth.info/shared/docfeed/biosphere_state_shift_nature.pdfby Frank Furter - General Discussion
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/americas/united-states/120609/yellowstone-worker-falls-her-death-while-hiking An 18-year-old Yellowstone National Park worker died Thursday after she fell 400 feet while hiking with friends near Inspiration Point in the Grand Canyon, the park said Friday. It was the concession worker’s first day in the park,...by Frank Furter - General Discussion
Wired has a slightly different report on the same journal article which apparently examines about 100 studies dealing with recent human impact on the earth and lists some startling observations: http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/06/earth-tipping-point/#more-114597 "Human activity now dominates 43 percent of Earth’s land surface and affects twice that area. One-third of all avaby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Regarding HOV lanes, tour buses vs private autos, and preferential access to lanes, the next obvious regulation is to allow motorists to buy a pass that would allow use of less congested lanes. "Fast Pass" equivalent that would involve pre-paying or a debit system. As we all know, it has been an option for years at many ski resorts to go to the "head of the line". Frankby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.recordcourier.com/article/20120524/NEWS/120529925/1062&ParentProfile=1049 The erratic year-to-year swings in precipitation totals in the Reno-Tahoe area conjures up the word “drought” every couple of years, and this year is no exception. The Nevada State Climate Office at the University of Nevada, Reno, in conjunction with the Nevada Drought Response Committee, just announceby Frank Furter - General Discussion
There may be fewer sightings due to wildlife management policies. I learned from an interpretive ranger recently that many bears in the valley (estimated to be a total of 25 in the valley proper) wear collars that are picked up by sensors near the campgrounds. When there is an intrusion noted by the sensors, bear management personnel get active to harass or capture the bear.by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteeeek Entertaining but not edifying. Just more of the "butter is natural" argument (which actually is another debate given the antibiotics, hormonal and genetic regulation to increase milk production and the capacity for mammary glands to trap and excrete all sorts of environmental chemicals). Some info on fat concerns in food: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Choby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteeeek QuoteFrank Furterbut at least Crisco, which so far as I know is entirely plant based, does not contain cholesterol. But does contain hydrogenated oils which are much worse. This is somewhat out of my area of expertise, but if you are referring to trans fat and the indirect effect on endogenous cholesterol levels (trans fat causing human cholesterol levels to shift to undesirable ratby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteeeek QuoteFrank FurterButter flavored Crisco lasts longer and is healthier. Healthier? I thought we knew better now. The comparison may be between two unhealthy options, but at least Crisco, which so far as I know is entirely plant based, does not contain cholesterol. There are problems from the saturated fats in both products. The typical nutritional argument for butter has been that itby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotechick-on I use it all the time for Pasta Roni. Little bag o powdered milk along with the required amount of REAL butter. No problemo at all... The butter will stay just fine for a week. Butter is also fabulous if you want to take along a "skillet" and make some casadillas (spelled right?).. Quesadilla . Casadilla would be a food item made from a house. Butter flavoreby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
http://www.hmbreview.com/news/parks-officials-prepare-taser-report-for-release/article_688a4118-9acc-11e1-a0dc-0019bb2963f4.html The National Park Service is still preparing a federal report dealing with a ranger’s use of an electric Taser on a dog walker at the Rancho Corral de Tierra property near Montara in January. Earlier, officials indicated the report would be released this week. Tby Frank Furter - General Discussion
Quotehotrod4x5 Wow! Tire chains as a step? I suspect some type of folding step stool would have weighed a LOT less. http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=3734231 Undoubtedly. I could not locate in the park a simple stool however. Part of the report was "tongue in cheek" as I intended to suggest that I had interpreted the NPS advisory to "carry chains" literally to mby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I was struck by the prevalence of Snow Plants in the park this year-- especially in the Wawona Big Trees area. In addition, I do not remember ever seeing any in the Valley, but saw several there last weekend. Maybe the high snow last year, low snow this year has had something to do with it. Maybe there is just more decay everywhere (a sign of the times?) for these saprophytes. The Wawona tour dby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
After spending several days with a mobility impaired individual in Yosemite I have come away with a few comments for those who are planning a trip with a handicapped person: The NPS has a good summary at yose_accessibility@nps.gov (EDIT: error, that is the email address.by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Anyone heard any follow-up from the Ranger-dog walker-taser incident?by Frank Furter - General Discussion
QuoteDave ......I deleted my reply. Sorry, I shouldn't take the bait like that. I'll let others handle the deniers. Personally, I would like to see some evidence that humans are not screwing up the environment and that we can pollute the environment without any consequences. That would be like a "Free Lunch". It would make the life of an old man easier and more guilt free as I willby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quote..... But this map shows no significant change (less than +/- .5 cm/year) in the ice thickness along those mountain ranges. Of course, this is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things because the ice fields and glaciers of the Sierra, Cascades and Rockies hold extremely little amounts of water, but I just pointed it out only to support the notion of the study you originally posted hereby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence I wasn't making any claims. ..... I am not objecting to your opinion, just trying to clarify--- did you not state: "a study published in Nature Magazine on Feb 8th confirms that there wasn't any significant lose (melting) of the ice fields and glaciers in the lower 48 states of the U.S. in the eight year period from 2003 through 2010." That statement appears to meby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteplawrence QuoteFrank Furter It think it is safe to say that this will be controversial: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/14/BA8N1N7HNQ.DTL Study: Sierra snowfall consistent over 130 years Snowfall in the Sierra Nevada has remained consistent for 130 years, with no evidence that anything has changed as a result of climate change, according to a study releasedby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
I hope the study is available online for free as it will be interesting to see his methods. Christy is a vocal, politically active and famous skeptic which tends to undermine his academic work credibility. The news report suggests that there are a number of reasons to question the conclusions.by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
It think it is safe to say that this will be controversial: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/02/14/BA8N1N7HNQ.DTL Study: Sierra snowfall consistent over 130 years Snowfall in the Sierra Nevada has remained consistent for 130 years, with no evidence that anything has changed as a result of climate change, according to a study released Tuesday….by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quoteeeek That is one mean moped (notice the front wheel chain).by Frank Furter - General Discussion
http://www.hmbreview.com/news/sheriff-considers-tasers-high-level-force/article_da3e4314-52be-11e1-9a31-0019bb2963f4.html The use of a Taser by a National Park Service ranger last week would likely be considered excessive force according to rules followed by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.....by Frank Furter - General Discussion
http://www.recordnet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120207/A_NEWS/202070320 "I snowshoed over Tioga Pass and onto Tuolumne Meadows, but that took over three days," Skinner said. "I had to camp out around 9,000 feet for three nights and got mild frostbite on both feet. The good news is that the feet should heal. ... The bad news is that I need to stop walking," he said, exby Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
How long has this bear bells/pepper spray gag been around (at least 20 years in my experience)? I wonder who first told it.by Frank Furter - Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. News & Discussion
Quotey_p_w..... Anyone really thinks that's an appropriate use of a Taser? Sure, the public tends to support the actions of law enforcement unquestioningly. As far back as the Civil Rights Movement at least, police actions, regardless how excessive have been deemed justified by many if not most of the population. QuoteFrom the witness accounts, he was looking at other people wondering whatby Frank Furter - General Discussion
QuoteDave I'd say that BOTH are equally guilty of bad behavior. In reality, the police are held to a higher standard than park visitors and, although Rangers are human, we expect 100% professional behavior and measured appropriate responses. I doubt that we will ever hear the entire story or find out exactly what occurred as both sides are contacting lawyers, trying to spin the facts, and tryby Frank Furter - General Discussion
QuoteDave QuoteFrank FurterQuoteQuoteIf the officer shot the dogwalker, would that have been appropriate?The officer did not taser a dog walker. She tasered someone trying to flee and someone that gave false information.The whole sequence cannot be parsed that way.My point was that the person cannot be described as just a "dog walker." Obviously there was more going on then just someoneby Frank Furter - General Discussion