Category: War and conflict


AMOC

Atlantic Meridonacal overturning current.

National security threat

Concept photo generated to demonstrate the fine balance of altitude sea levels. Sea temperatures.

Current

The “overturning current” you’re referring to is the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), often described as the Atlantic’s “great conveyor belt.” This massive system of currents plays a critical role in global climate by transporting warm, salty water from the tropics north toward the Arctic. In the high latitudes of the North Atlantic, this surface water cools and loses heat to the atmosphere—which helps keep Western Europe significantly warmer than other regions at similar latitudes. As the water cools, its salinity and density increase, causing it to sink to the deep ocean floor. This cold, dense water then flows southward in a deep return current, completing the overturning loop. This circulation is essential not only for regional weather but also for redistributing heat, dissolved oxygen, and carbon throughout the ocean basins, impacting marine ecosystems and the ocean’s function as a vital carbon sink.However, recent studies indicate that the AMOC is weakening, and scientists are concerned that continued global warming could push it past a critical

“tipping point.”

The primary factor driving this slowdown is the influx of freshwater into the North Atlantic, primarily from melting ice sheets in Greenland. This freshwater is less dense than the salty ocean water and inhibits the cooling surface water from sinking, thereby disrupting the engine of the overturning circulation. If the AMOC were to substantially slow or, in a worst-case scenario, collapse, the consequences would be severe: Northern Europe could face much harsher winters, global rainfall patterns could shift drastically (affecting tropical monsoon regions), and sea levels could rise along the U.S. East Coast. While the exact trajectory and timing of a potential collapse are subject to scientific debate, the potential risks have led some governments, like Iceland’s

To:

Generations,

Then and Now

“We will remember them.”

November 11th…

Remember

Veterans Day is a significant occasion to honor and recognize the sacrifices made by military veterans. Here are several ways you can observe Veterans Day:

  1. Attend a Ceremony: Participate in local memorial services or ceremonies held in honor of veterans. Many communities organize events at local veterans’ memorials, schools, or government buildings.
  2. Volunteer: Offer your time to support veterans. You can volunteer at local VA hospitals, shelters for homeless veterans, or organizations dedicated to assisting veterans and their families.
  3. Thank a Veteran: Take the time to personally thank veterans in your life or community. Express your gratitude for their service and sacrifice, which can make a meaningful impact.
  4. Educate Yourself and Others: Learn about the history of Veterans Day, as well as the experiences of veterans and their families. Share this knowledge with others, particularly young people, to foster appreciation and understanding.
  5. Fly the Flag: Display the American flag at your home. It is a symbol of respect for those who have served in the military.
  6. Participate in a Moment of Silence: Observe a moment of silence at 11 a.m. on November 11th, as a tribute to all veterans.
  7. Support Veteran-Owned Businesses: Consider shopping at or using services from veteran-owned businesses as a way to support the community.
  8. Make a Donation: Contribute to organizations that support veterans, such as the Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), or local veteran charities.
  9. Share Veteran Stories: If you know veterans, encourage them to share their stories and experiences. Documenting these narratives can honor their service and educate others.
  10. Host a Community Event: Organize a gathering or event that brings people together to celebrate veterans, such as a barbecue, potluck, or community clean-up.

By engaging in these activities, you can help honor and show appreciation for the sacrifices that veterans have made for their country.

Do you have a quote you live your life by or think of often?

Well let’s not have the ones that are blind replaced by blind actors….
Listen with your ears hear with you heart.

Try this

Resolving conflict within a country is a multifaceted and complex undertaking that requires a comprehensive and adaptable approach. There isn’t a single “best” way, as the most effective strategies depend heavily on the specific context, the root causes of the conflict, and the willingness of all parties to engage in peaceful resolution. However, some key principles and approaches consistently prove valuable:
1. Addressing Root Causes: Sustainable peace requires identifying and addressing the underlying issues that fuel the conflict. These can be political, economic, social, cultural, or a combination thereof. Strategies include:
* Promoting inclusive governance: Ensuring all groups have a voice in political processes and equitable access to power and resources.
* Economic development: Reducing inequality and creating opportunities for all segments of society.
* Social justice and reconciliation: Addressing historical grievances, promoting accountability for human rights abuses, and fostering understanding and empathy between communities.
* Strengthening the rule of law: Establishing impartial and effective legal systems that ensure justice and protect human rights.
2. Fostering Dialogue and Negotiation: Creating platforms for communication and negotiation between conflicting parties is crucial. This involves:
* Establishing inclusive dialogue processes: Ensuring that all relevant stakeholders, including marginalized groups, are represented.
* Providing skilled facilitation and mediation: Utilizing neutral third parties to guide discussions, build trust, and help identify common ground.
* Promoting Track I (official government-level), Track II (civil society and informal), and multi-track diplomacy: Engaging actors at various levels to create a comprehensive peace process.
3. Implementing Peacebuilding Initiatives: These are long-term efforts aimed at transforming relationships, institutions, and attitudes to prevent future conflict. Key components include:
* Security sector reform: Establishing accountable and rights-respecting security forces.
* Disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) of ex-combatants: Providing pathways for former fighters to transition to civilian life.
* Transitional justice mechanisms: Truth commissions, reparations programs, and judicial processes to address past abuses.
* Education for peace: Promoting tolerance, empathy, and conflict resolution skills in schools and communities.
* Civil society strengthening: Supporting local organizations working on peacebuilding, human rights, and reconciliation.
* Interfaith and intercultural dialogue: Fostering understanding and cooperation between different religious and cultural groups.
* Psychosocial support and trauma healing: Addressing the emotional and psychological wounds of conflict.
4. Ensuring Inclusivity and Participation: Peace processes are more likely to be successful and sustainable when they involve all segments of society, particularly those most affected by the conflict, including women, youth, and minorities.
5. Utilizing International and Regional Support: External actors can play a vital role by:
* Providing financial and technical assistance: Supporting peacebuilding programs and institutions.
* Facilitating dialogue and mediation: Offering neutral platforms and expertise.
* Applying diplomatic pressure and targeted sanctions: Encouraging compliance with peace agreements and respect for human rights.
* Deploying peacekeeping operations: Providing security and stability in conflict-affected areas (with careful consideration of their mandate and impact).
6. Building Trust and Confidence: Overcoming deep-seated mistrust is essential. This requires:
* Transparency and accountability: Ensuring that peace processes and institutions operate openly and are held responsible for their actions.
* Confidence-building measures: Small-scale initiatives that foster cooperation and communication between communities.
* Consistent commitment to peace: Demonstrating a genuine willingness from all sides to find a peaceful resolution.
7. Adapting to the Specific Context: Each conflict is unique, and therefore, the resolution strategies must be tailored to the specific historical, political, social, and cultural dynamics at play. A flexible and adaptive approach is crucial.
In conclusion, the “best” way to resolve conflict in a country involves a holistic approach that addresses root causes, fosters dialogue, implements long-term peacebuilding initiatives, ensures inclusivity, leverages international support, builds trust, and adapts to the specific context. It is a long and often challenging process that requires commitment, patience, and the willingness of all parties to work towards a peaceful and just future.

Mars on track…

Lunar landing

Well would a tariff  opportunity speed things up … Tic…

The Artemis program is currently underway, with several missions planned to establish a sustainable presence on the Moon as a stepping stone for human missions to Mars. Here’s an update on its progress and the outlook for a Mars landing:
Artemis Program Status:
The Artemis program is organized into a series of increasingly complex missions. Here’s the current status of the initial missions:
* Artemis I: This uncrewed test flight successfully orbited the Moon and returned to Earth in November 2022, serving as the first integrated test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft.
* Artemis II: This mission will be the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft, sending a crew of four astronauts around the Moon. It is currently targeted for launch no earlier than April 2026.
* Artemis III: This mission aims to land astronauts on the Moon’s South Pole region. It is currently scheduled for mid-2027. This mission will use the SpaceX Starship Human Landing System (HLS) to transport two astronauts to the lunar surface.
* Artemis IV: This mission is planned for late 2028 and will involve docking with the Lunar Gateway, a small space station that will orbit the Moon. Astronauts will transfer through the Gateway to the HLS for their descent to the lunar surface.
* Artemis V: Planned for March 2030, this mission will also dock with the Gateway and is expected to involve a longer stay on the lunar surface, contributing to the establishment of a permanent lunar habitat.
When to Expect a Landing on Mars:
The Artemis program’s long-term goal is to prepare for human expeditions to Mars. While there isn’t a specific date set, NASA’s planning indicates that a crewed mission to Mars could plausibly happen in the mid to late 2030s.
* Some sources mention a potential three-year crewed expedition to Mars with a return planned between 2035 and 2038. The duration of the stay on Mars could vary from 90 to 500 Earth days, depending on favorable return windows.
It’s important to note that the timeline for Mars missions is more fluid and depends on the success of the Artemis lunar missions, the development of necessary technologies, and continued funding. The experience gained from establishing a sustained presence on the Moon, including testing technologies and understanding the challenges of long-duration deep space missions, is crucial for the eventual human exploration of Mars.

Good luck, we will not hold our breath…

Countering disinformation…

CBC

CBC up to the roll

Were you there?

Concerning Ukraine

Published facts by the government of Canada.

Well facts are factual unless they need interpretation like some of these…

Next observance

On to Christmas

  Veterans Day  2024, Merritt BC

The days are shorter the weeks longer ( feels that way) .

We remember

What are you going to do?

Carbon Tax

In Canada we have the advantage of a tax tied to a tangible commodity. The carbon tax no matter how pie in the sky it is, it’s still based on a tanagable.

Fraud not withstanding risk is better underwritten by this vehicle. So, the bubble of hard assets (oil reserves) that we are beginning to enjoy is timely for we all. Don’t waste this moment… Use it to transform ideas to near tangibles that will endure to our children’s children. 

Update

Peak oil reached by 2030.

Army cadets Photo KDG

Stats for Canada

There are about 97,000 serving members of the regular army and reserves from the 2021 census.

Veterans

The 2021 census also counted nearly half a million veterans of which 75,000 are women, that’s about 16 per cent of the counted vets. Fully 1/3 are from 25 years to 54 years, and 4 of 10 are over 65.

Minorities

There are about 5 percent of now serving CAF members that are indigenous and 2.8 percent black,2.5 percent Chinese,2.3 Asian 1.4 Filipino,1.2 Latin American, making minorities more then a token of the serving force in 2021.

Lest we forget,thank you for your service…

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Write a letter to the editor…

Published newspapers and periodicals have editoral staff and letters to the editors are a good way to get your message out. your submission will be curate in some ways, probably for briefity and accuracy on facts but your opinion as a view should remain.

Editors have time constraints and being sensitive to those will help. research the publication time and make the maximum effort to use that to advantage.

Letters to the editor are an effective way to express your views and opinions about specific topics in published newspapers and periodicals. They provide an opportunity for readers to engage with the publication and share their perspectives on various issues. While submitting a letter to the editor, it is important to keep a few things in mind:

  1. Be concise: Editors often have limited space to allocate for letters, so it’s crucial to keep your submission brief and to the point. Focus on your main message and avoid unnecessary details or tangents.
  2. Fact-check and be accurate: Ensure that the information you include in your letter is accurate and supported by credible sources. Editors prioritize accuracy, so double-check your facts before submitting your letter.
  3. Research publication timing: Find out the publication schedule and try to time your submission accordingly. Sending your letter well in advance of the publication date increases the likelihood of it being considered.
  4. Be respectful and constructive: While voicing your opinion, maintain a respectful and civil tone. Constructive criticism is more likely to be well-received by both editors and readers.
  5. Follow submission guidelines: Different publications may have specific guidelines for submitting letters to the editor. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these guidelines and adhere to them when preparing your submission.

Remember, letters to the editor provide an opportunity for you to contribute your viewpoint and engage with your community. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of having your letter published and making an impact through your message.

Local paper reports on strike ! File photo KDG

Add

It never hurts to buy an add when doing this as publication and editorial are separate in published works. They make an issue of it.

The British Columbia municipalities convention is on in Vancouver at this moment. Convention host Anne Kang is engaged with the work of work of overseeing her first convention has the host. The convention theme is balancing act, Anne is also the minister of municipal affairs in the British Columbia government and it’s been a member of the ubcm for 15 years.

https://x.com/AnneKangMLA/status/1703831161003544599?s=20

Discussions

Discussions untill this time have included the decriminalization of illicit drugs and it’s difficulties and $40,000 forgivable loans to build suites on single-family dwellings.

Both items are typified as crisis.The group hosted a housing summit earlier and this is the 20th year since and drug laws were liberalized in BC.

Declaritive forum

The UBCM is a forum for discussion and getting together of municipalities across a province it will be passing resolutions that are declarative in nature and are sometimes brought back to the legislature or to the home jurisdictions of all the mayors and councils in BC. On the agenda is resolution in respect to difficulties in getting permits and to access annual allowable cuts for the forest industry.