2007 Automotive Improved Safety

Bush the Elder

Ode to the Elevator

Elevator Etiquette
Use them to go up or down
Use them to come in or home

But no singing, no playing, no jumping
No fun
But cramming and complaining are fine

Why walk when you can ride
Just one floor? Sure.

Lets visit each stop
And expand

The already lovable
Nine to five-ish

Fight, Flight, Protect

Walter Cannon theorized that animals in trouble act in one of two ways - fight or flight. This is in response to stress responses among vertebrates and other organisms that inhibits tears, dilates the pupils, and accelerates the lung and heart reaction.

People generally accept this two prong theory, but I submit there is a third. When faced with certain imminent danger a person has a third choice - protect. Protection does not necessarily include fighting, but it does risk the good of the one for the many.

Consider the Virginia Tech Massacre. Some people ran, some fought, and some hid from the assailant. All perfectly respectable and normal reactions to the threat of death and injury. All in line with Cannon's theory.

Others chose to protect. They barricaded themselves against doors to prevent the murderer from entering the classrooms. They risked their lives so that others could survive. Consider the story of Liviu Librescu, a professor of aeronautical engineering. When the shooter entered his room he put himself between the gunman and his students. He saved many lives. He was a Holocaust survivor and accomplished professional.

Virginia Tech Students that responded with 'fight or flight' are with honor. Those that responded with 'protect' are truly heroes. It takes a special person to give their lives willingly for another and, while recognition is never the goal, it should not go unnoticed.

Ridiculous

Rick at April 19, 2007 9:48 AM
The real problem here is that these students were able to walk right into a grocery store and buy a ham steak. Here in the state of Maine, there is no waiting period before one can purchase a ham. Maybe this is a good time to bring forth some legislation on strict ham control laws.

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'Hate incident' in city

By Bonnie Washuk , Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2007

LEWISTON - One student has been suspended and more disciplinary action could follow a possible hate crime at Lewiston Middle School, Superintendent Leon Levesque said Wednesday.

On April 11, a white student placed a ham steak in a bag on a lunch table where Somali students were eating. Muslims consider pork unclean and offensive.

The act reminded students of a man who threw a pig's head into a Lewiston mosque last summer.

The school incident is being treated seriously as "a hate incident," Levesque said. Lewiston police are investigating, and the Center for the Prevention of Hate Violence is working with the school to create a response plan.

"We've got some work to do to turn this around and bring the school community back together again," Levesque said.

Placing ham where Muslim students were eating was "an awful thing," said Stephen Wessler, executive director of the Center for Prevention of Hate Violence. "It's extraordinarily hurtful and degrading" to Muslims, whose religion prohibits them from being around ham. It's important to respond swiftly, Wessler said.

"Incidents like this that involve degrading language or conduct are often said by the perpetrator as a joke. I know that conduct is never static," he said. "It's part of a process of escalation."

If people think insulting Muslims with ham is OK, "More degrading acts will follow, until at some point we'll end up having violence," Wessler said.

The incident does not reflect the moral values of the school staff and students, Levesque said. "We need to take a look at this and review how a careless act is degrading and causes hurt to other people. All our students should feel welcome and safe in our schools."

He said a letter would be sent home to parents explaining what happened and outlining the school's response. Wessler will meet with students to address the school's climate, and staff will talk about how to respond to and prevent future hate incidents

'I didn't feel safe'

A 14-year-old Somali boy, whose mother asked that his name not be published, said he was eating lunch with four other Somali students on April 11. He noticed many others in the cafeteria "standing up, looking at us."

One boy came near, began laughing and threw a bag on the table while other students laughed and said, 'Good job.'"

"We didn't know what was in this bag," the boy said. "One of my friends reached inside it. It was a big ham steak. There were five of us at the table, all Somali. It was intended for us."

The boy said he looked up at students he thought were his friends. "I felt angered, offended."

He suddenly felt like he was alone. "At the school the next day, I didn't feel safe. I felt like everybody was against me. Before I felt like I fit in, and everything was normal."

He began to think white students didn't like him, and the act was their way of letting him know.

On Thursday, several students came up to him and said, "Those guys who did it were jerks. I apologize for them, and I hope you feel better."

The boy said they did make him feel better. "But for the rest of my life when I remember middle school, this will pop up right away."

He spoke out because he wants the community to know what happened, "that there is something like this going on in our schools."

Wessler and Levesque said the act happened the day before April vacation began, which prevented educators from gathering information.

"This is not done," Wessler said.

Bullying at Work

Workplace bullying can hurt company's bottom line
BY ANITA BRUZZESE | GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

Here's the funny thing about bullying: It doesn't go away when you become an adult.

The not-so-funny truth is that while you may have believed you would not face bullying once you left the schoolyard, it is unfortunately alive and well in workplace cubicles everywhere.

Being a bullying target as an adult also feels much the same as it did as a kid. It's scary and humiliating.

You don't want to tell anyone because you suffer from a mixture of embarrassment, fear and shock. Eventually, you may get stomachaches, lose sleep, pull away from your family and friends and feel very angry, depressed and alone.

Fortunately, researchers like Pamela Lutgen-Sandvik are getting attention from employers worried about this problem. Her message to company brass is clear: Ignore bullies in the workplace, and it will impact your bottom line.

As anyone knows, that's a statement that can get some results.

"The turnover from bullying is horrendous," Lutgen-Sandvik says. "The most valuable employees often leave. So what you end up with is an impoverished workplace - the people who stay are the ones who have no other choice."

That's not exactly the kind of workforce a company needs to compete successfully in today's global marketplace.

That's why more managers are listening to people like Lutgen-Sandvik, an assistant professor of communication at the University of New Mexico and an expert in workplace bullying.

"The thing about workplace bullying is that it is a lot harder to describe than what happens when you're a kid," she says. "It's more politically masked, more subtle."

Many characteristics for bullies are still the same, however. In the workplace these people seek to isolate their targets, to make them ineffective by bullying them into submission.

Further, while we may have been counseled to stand up to bullies when we were younger, many adults in the workplace take just the opposite tactic and leave.

This practice is intended to send a "message" to higher-ups, to punish the organization for letting bullying take place. Lutgen-Sandvik says people quit to show their frustration and their anger at management, and those left behind hold it up as an example that there is "something very wrong in the organization."

Snowed In: Albuquerque

29 DEC 06

Albuquerque - New Mexicans are snowed in. Residents here are more afraid of snow than Cincinnatians, but at least they can drive in it. Although there is only about a half inch on the ground there is over an inch on the fences/roofs in the city. There is quite a bit more accumulation at higher altitudes. Some areas have received as much as a foot of snow. The current storm arrived mid-day yesterday and continues strong at the time of posting. Another storm is expected overnight.

New Mexico in general and Albuquerque in particular are not used to much snow. When snow falls, and it does come, it usually melts by dinner time. Because of the infrequent snow, the city is minimally prepared to deal with it. Today's storm is the second exception this year.

Driveways, walkways, and automobiles are often cleaned with brooms. The roads and highways are treated with dirt in the hopes it will delay or stop the snow from sticking. (Try chewing a piece of gum and then eating a pretzel, it really works).

The two major roads out of town are closed so we will stay in Albuquerque another day. There are far worse places to be "stuck" and we are enjoying the extra time with our friends. The news reports that the highways will reopen late this afternoon and, assuming the second storm doesn't close them again, we will begin our trip home tomorrow.

Trip photos are available at facebook. The link is at the bottom of the blog page.

When is a Penny more than a Penny?

As a follow up to my May posting Money Costs Money.

The Mint's budget is based entirely on the profit from the coinage. Although these values are on a year basis, that is it is possible that coins are at times worth more than face value based on metallic content, it is important to maintain the relative values and assure proper circulation of coinage.Please find the official Mint Press Release below dated 14 DEC 06:

United States Mint Moves to Limit Exportation & Melting of Coins Interim Rule Goes Into Effect Immediately

WASHINGTON — The United States Mint has implemented regulations to limit the exportation, melting, or treatment of one-cent (penny) and 5-cent (nickel) United States coins, to safeguard against a potential shortage of these coins in circulation. The United States Mint is soliciting public comment on the interim rule, which is being published in the Federal Register.

Prevailing prices of copper, nickel and zinc have caused the production costs of pennies and nickels to significantly exceed their respective face values. The United States Mint also has received a steady flow of inquiries from the public over the past several months concerning the metal value of these coins and whether it is legal to melt them.

"We are taking this action because the Nation needs its coinage for commerce," said Director Ed Moy. "We don't want to see our pennies and nickels melted down so a few individuals can take advantage of the American taxpayer. Replacing these coins would be an enormous cost to taxpayers."

Specifically, the new regulations prohibit, with certain exceptions, the melting or treatment of all one-cent and 5-cent coins. The regulations also prohibit the unlicensed exportation of these coins, except that travelers may take up to $5 in these coins out of the country, and individuals may ship up to $100 in these coins out of the country in any one shipment for legitimate coinage and numismatic purposes. In all essential respects, these regulations are patterned after the Department of the Treasury's regulations prohibiting the exportation, melting, or treatment of silver coins between 1967 and 1969, and the regulations prohibiting the exportation, melting, or treatment of one-cent coins between 1974 and 1978.

The new regulations authorize a fine of not more than $10,000, or imprisonment of not more than five years, or both, against a person who knowingly violates the regulations. In addition, by law, any coins exported, melted, or treated in violation of the regulation shall be forfeited to the United States Government.

The regulations are being issued in the form of an interim rule, to be effective for a period of 120 days from the time of publication. The interim rule states that during a 30-day period from the date of publication, the public can submit written comments to the United States Mint on the regulations. Upon consideration of such comments, the Director of the United States Mint would then issue the final rule.

Those interested in providing comments to the United States Mint regarding this interim rule must submit them in writing to the Office of Chief Counsel, United States Mint, 801 9th Street, N.W., Washington D.C. 20220, by January 14, 2007. The interim rule appears on the United States Mint website at www.usmint.gov. The United States Mint will make public all comments it receives regarding this interim rule, and may not consider confidential any information contained in comments.

As discussed in the May Entry the Mint is required to issue an annual report even though they are private. It will be quite interesting to see the most recent annual report when released next year. They can be found by typing "annual report" into the search box on the official mint website. It will be further interesting to see if the Congress steps in to change metallic content or cease production on certain coins.

Asthma. Breath Easier.

According to the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 7.7% of American people have asthma. That is 22.2 million. Women and Puerto Rican's bear much of the burden according to 2005 data. (CDC)

The American Lung Association is hosting Climb the Carew, a 45-floor stair climb at the Carew Tower in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio on Sunday, February 25, 2007.

The proceeds from Climb the Carew will fund research for better treatments, education to reduce the impact of respiratory illness, and support for people with lung disease and their loved ones. Your donation is tax deductible.

If you are unable to assist financially we ask that you consider climbing with us or volunteering at the event.

I am Climbing with Team Kendle. Will you join us?

866 4 OH JERKS

Ohio voters passed a law this year making smoking in or near a place of business illegal. The law is in limbo due to constitutional concerns and lack of defined penalties, but it is the law.

• Non smokers are directed to call 866 559 OHIO to report anyone illegally smoking.
• Smokers are directed to call 866 4 OH JERKS to report instances of menacing by inconsiderate bystanders.

I am a strong supporter of our democratic system. I have voted in every election and worked the polling sites in most of them.

Ethics aside this law is scary. We just gave up a right. We may never get it back. In a time of war and increased terrorist activity I wonder why Ohioans (and others across the country) are so concerned about how and where their neighbors choose to enjoy a legally obtained substance.

Which other rights are we as citizens willing to give up? Perhaps we should be prohibited from wearing blue and red shirts on election day. It could influence the voters. Maybe we should consider banning the use of plastic bags. They may suffocate the children.

Ohio is no stranger to dumb laws though. It is illegal to ride on the roof of a taxi cab or to run out of gas in Youngstown. Women may not wear patent leather shoes in Ohio. And people cannot be arrested on the Fourth of July. Unfortunately all true. (Source)

The last time I checked this country ran under the concept of a Free Market. That is a business makes decisions based on the desires of its' customer base. Using smoking as an example, Ridge Cocktail Lounge, a local bar, determined that their clients wanted to be able to smoke, drink, and play pool. Applebees restaurant determined that their customers desired a smoke free environment.

If the customers of a business speak with their feet and their wallets then the business will either respond or die. It is that simple. Voters in Ohio took that right away. Some businesses will close their doors forever. The communities that they are in will lose that tax money and their clients will lose that service. True they may be replaced and the world will go on, but if the business is family owned it may directly change their lives -- loss of job, assets, and bankruptcy is not out of the question.