A Meerkat's Bolthole

for those of you off the grapevine, a US Airways plane went down in the Hudson River just now. They're saying that it looks like they ran into trouble right away, and the pilot made the choice to do a controlled crash into the river, rather than risk a fully-fueled plane hit the Very Populated Areas on either side o the river (in Manhattan and NJ).

The plane is intact, observers say they saw at least one flotation slide inflate, and emergency vehicles responded immediately, so here's hoping for the best.

(this was near the Intrepid, for those who know NYC geography)

And yes, "a plane went down" can still send locals into a state of OMGWTF rushing for the tv/radio/news website.

Update: word is, the plane hit a flock of geese that damaged the engines. Can we now PLEASE get rid of the damn things as a menace?

EtA: and this, boys and girls, is why you listen to the emergency instructions before you settle in for your nap. Or, at very least, make note of where the exits are when you sit down.

EtA2: all cold, wet, and banged up, but reportedly okay. Kudos not only to the plane crew, but to the ferry operators who diverted to do rescue work, and the folk of the NYPD and NYFD, who were on the scene before the news crews were (I think the response time was something like 7 minutes!) Also: anyone who normally takes the ferry home? Might want to stay in NYC for dinner tonight. Commute's gonna be FUBAR'd, since every ferry in reach seemingly got diverted for rescue duty...




(The Swivet has a better shot, but it won't load here. Please note steerage passengers standing on the wing, while First Class is loaded into a life raft....)

It has been determined that there will be not one but two contests running in April (both here and via the Cosa Nostradamus blog), one for long-time readers and one for newcomers. So be ready...

And in May, I'm pleased to be participating in Brenda Novak's 2008 on-line auction to raise money for diabetes research. Starting on 1 May 2008 and running for the entire month, you'll be able to bid (among many other neat things) the chance to be Tuckerized in Bonnie#1.

Details can be found here. Opening bid is just $2 -- I'm counting in you guys to get it up well above that! Remember, Tuckerizations make great surprise presents!

Just to give you a taste of what it's like outside the office...

Courage and bloodshed in Myanmar. I am reminded, in a moment of dark humor, of Robin Williams' bit about monks-as-activists, when the Buddhist monk sets himself on fire as a protest -- "what are you doing!" a government agent shrieks. "Making you deal with your shit" comes the serene answer. But there's nothing funny here, only anger and frustration.

more on the children's health bill -- "Do you really believe Republicans don't want to help poor, low-income children?" (Sen. Trent Lott) Do you want me to answer that, or shall I just glare?

Proof that we can learn, the instant alert system at St John's University gets a dry run -- and a passing grade

giving new meaning to the phrase 'better late than never,' Bush finally does something about airline delays. Because yeah, that's not a federal issue at all, cause the FAA isn't a federal...oh, wait. And we won't even get into the whole 'deregulation is good for the consumers rant.

And for my cousin the budding beekeeper, an article on backyard beekeeping that makes me crave honeycomb...


And now, into the day I go.

EtA: and, because how could I not? The Boss, interviewed in the NY Times on the release of Magic.

Dear Universe:

If you cannot see your way to clearing our living space of upright apes (of any/all extremist views) who think that planting bombs among civilian targets is a good and just idea, please continue to make more of them incompetent, as they are much to be preferred to smart ones. Especially when they manage to take themselves out the final exit door/get themselves caught in the process of their incompetence.

Also? Smart cops/firefighters/paramedics/commonfolk are good. Smart and lucky is even better. We freely acknowledge the role luck plays in staying safe, and will not abuse it needlessly.

Thank you.

The sane portion of the upright ape population

Breaking News 6:10 PM ET: Mayor Bloomberg Leaving Republican Party

ASTRONOMERS FIND RING OF DARK MATTER WITH HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE

Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have discovered a ghostly ring of dark matter that formed long ago during a titanic collision between two galaxy clusters. Dark matter makes up most of the universe's material. Ordinary matter, which makes up stars and planets, comprises only a small percent of the universe's matter. The ring's discovery is among the strongest evidence yet that dark matter exists.

Recalled Pet Food List Grows - It's Time To Act

This afternoon, by internet press release, Menu Pet Foods is now telling consumer to get rid of ALL wet food ("cuts and gravy) manufactured by their company, regardless of date. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is backing up the announcement. This is the direct quote from the Menu Foods Company: As a result of reports from the FDA and various media outlets that some recalled lots of "cuts and gravy" style wet pet food remain on store shelves, Menu Foods has asked all retail outlets to immediately remove all impacted varieties of wet pet food posted at www.menufoods.com, regardless of the date code. In other words, please click on the link below--which is from the FDA website--and throw ALL of the wet food brands listed out. Period.

Recall of Pet Foods Manufactured by Menu Foods, Inc.-- Revised March 24, 2007

This is not to alarm or panic you, only to let you know about something that was announced on a Sunday afternoon on the Internet only on the company's website and the FDA's website. A few quick-thinking electronic media outlets have also (slowly) started to pick up the story. But the way this was "announced" in my opinion smells suspiciously like what we in the media call "burying the story." Friends, it is time for us to act as consumers who are entrusted with the well-being of our companion animals. We at New York Tails have endeavored in the past to urge everyone to check out how the pet food industry is--and isn't--regulated. (See http://www.newyorktails.com/pe tfood.htm as an example.) Now this issue has come to the fore in a most unfortunate way. Please go to the FDA link to see the updated information. In the meantime, I'd like to ask you all to join me in writing a short note to the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Veterinary Medicine and attaching a picture of you and your pet(s) on it--dogs, cats, birds, fish, exotics. More details to come. But first, get rid of the food as listed in the updated release. Then, get paper, pen, envelope and a photo of you and your pet ready. I have an idea I'd like to run by you which I'll tell you more about in a few days.

Stay tuned, stay well

Diane West
New York Tails
email: newyorktails@aol.com
phone: 212.214.0653
web: http://www.newyorktails.com

from CNN.com: Army Secretary Francis J. Harvey has resigned in the wake of the Walter Reed hospital scandal, two days after firing the 2-star general who was heading up Reed.

This is a scandal that veteran groups knew about years ago. A scandal that civilians knew about years ago -- it was being discussed on LJ, openly. Substandard facilities and treatment, for those who were wounded in war, serving this country.

Only now, two weeks after the story broke in the news, is anyone resigning. And Bush has said not word one on the topic.

"We support the troops."

Yeah. Right.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17423439/

"Gay couples have the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples under the New Jersey state constitution, the state Supreme Court rules." -- CNN News Update

ETA: Following this on the news, and it looks like my first evaluation was right -- this isn't an MA-type "gay marriage is legal" blow, but a very measured legal ruling that states that marriage-rights may not be determined by gender makeup but rather by commitment. The legislative branch now has a set period of time to determine how to make it so.

The wording may not be what activists want -- "one marriage for all couples" -- but I firmly believe that wording is less important than protection, esepcially with so many hetero couples opting out of marriage in favor of domestic partnerships, these days...

By DAN SEWELL, AP Business Writer

CINCINNATI - The maker of dietary supplements that claim to improve everything from sexuality to memory defrauded thousands of customers and banks of at least $100 million, federal authorities say.

A federal indictment names Berkeley Premium Nutraceuticals, its owner and president, Steven Warshak, and five other individuals, including Warshak's mother, on charges that include conspiracy, money laundering, and mail, wire and bank fraud. They are accused by federal authorities of luring customers with free-trial offers and money-back guarantees, then billing their credit cards without authorization.

Warshak, who has 107 counts against him, denies the accusations and will continue to operate the company, his attorney said Thursday.

The company, which recently said it has 5 million customers worldwide, is known for its "Smiling Bob" ads that depict a man whose life gets better after he uses the company's Enzyte for "natural male enhancement."

( oh dear. )



and no, I did not post this just to use the header. Really. Much.