FRC Forums Blog of Highlighted Posts

411man posted these two highlighted stories
Alaska may be in N.Korea Missile Reach
June 01, 2009 Associated Press SEOUL, South Korea -
North Korea has transported its most advanced missile, believed to be capable of reaching Alaska, to a launch site on its west coast near China, news reports said today. The reclusive communist country was also reportedly bolstering it defenses and conducting amphibious assault exercises along its western shore, near disputed waters where deadly naval clashes with the South have occurred in the past. South Korea's Yonhap news agency said the missile had been sent by train to the newly completed missile facility of Dongchang-ni, about 40 miles from the Chinese border. Yonhap, quoting government sources, said the missile could be ready to launch in a week or two. South Korean media have speculated that the North wants to time the launch for around June 16, when South Korean President Lee Myung-bak has a summit in Washington with President Barack Obama. With the launch, Pyongyang could also thumb its nose at U.N. Security Council attempts to rein it in after last week's nuclear test and a series of short-range missile launches. U.S Defense Secretary Robert Gates, speaking at a news conference in the Philippines, said North Korea appears to be working on a long-range missile but it's not clear yet what they plan to do with it. Lee, hosting a conference of Southeast Asian leaders on the southern island of Jeju, warned the North against any provocation. "If North Korea turns its back on dialogue and peace and dares to carry out military threats and provocations, the Republic of Korea will never tolerate that," Lee said in his regular radio address. "I want to make clear that there won't be any compromise on things that threaten our nation's security." Adding to tensions this week, the trial starts Thursday in Pyongyang of two American journalists, Laura Ling and Euna Lee, accused of entering the country illegally and engaging in "hostile acts." North Korea faced strong international criticism after its last long-range missile launch, on April 5. The North said the launch was of a rocket intended to put a satellite in orbit. That modified version of the Taepodong-2 rocket flew about 2,000 miles, crossing over Japan before crashing into the Pacific Ocean. In late April, the North threatened to conduct nuclear and long-range missile tests unless the Security Council apologized for criticizing the launch. On Friday, it threatened to take a further "self-defense" measure if the Security Council provokes it. That threat was seen as referring to an ICBM test. In another sign that a new launch is in the works, the North has designated a large area off its west coast as a "no-sail" zone through the end of next month, the Chosun Ilbo newspaper said, citing unidentified intelligence officials. Yonhap said North Korean troops conducted amphibious assault maneuvers along with west coast. Other media carried similar reports. South Korean defense and intelligence officials refused to comment. On Yeonpyeong island, one of South Korea's northernmost islands near North Korea, South Korean naval boats and a warship were patrolling waters around the disputed western sea border, but no incidents were reported. The area is rich in fish, and May and June are the crab-catching season, meaning the waters are generally crowded with commercial ships. Experts said the missile preparations were especially significant because the North has never launched a long-range missile from the northwestern base. Kim Tae-woo, vice president of Seoul's state-run Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, said he thinks the North chose the site because of its proximity to China, making it more risky for the U.S. to strike. The missile being prepared for launch is believed to be an intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of up to 4,000 miles, the JoongAng Ilbo newspaper reported, citing an unnamed South Korean official. That would put Alaska within striking range. Today, the North said again that it is being provoked by South Korea and the United States, saying that the number of spy planes operating in its airspace has risen dramatically. "The U.S. imperialists and the South Korean puppets perpetrated at least 200 cases of aerial espionage against the DPRK in May, or 30 cases more than those in the same month of last year," it said in a report in its official Korean Central News Agency. The DPRK is an abbreviation of North Korea's official name. The North's missile and nuclear programs have been considered a top regional security concern, though the regime is not yet believed to have mastered the technology to make a nuclear warhead small enough to mount on a missile.
http://www.military.com/news/article/alaska-may-be-in-nkorea-missile-reach.html?ESRC=eb.nl

How to Test Seed Viability
http://flowergardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_test_seed_viability How to Test Seed ViabilityHow to Tell if Old Seeds Are Viable if Leftover or Old Saved Seed Will Still Germinate Sprout and Grow When Planted© Barbara M. Martin Dec 26, 2006 Read more: http://flowergardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_test_seed_viability#ixzz0H0uAUeHG&BKeep old seeds or throw them out? Are they worth planting? What's the shelf life of seeds? Will seeds you already have still sprout or germinate and grow? Test them!If you are a seed saver and saved your own flower or vegetable garden seeds from last year (see Seed Saving Information Directions and Tips) or if you have left over seeds from last year or the year before, are the seeds still any good? Will the seeds germinate and grow? Are the seeds viable? The answer is maybe yes, maybe no. Seeds might seem like inanimate objects, but in reality they are alive. Some seeds are naturally very short lived (sweet peas and delphinium for example) while other seeds may easily retain viability for several years and maybe for as long as a decade. Storage conditions affect the longevity of seeds as well. You can do an easy germination test at home to check on seed viability and seed germination rate.Do A Germination Test Before Planting Old SeedsIf you have some leftover or older seeds and wonder whether or not they are viable and will still germinate and grow, you can find out for sure with a germination test. It’s better to test your seeds before planting than to waste time and effort planting seed that is no longer viable – and why purchase more seeds if those you already have are still good?How to Set Up Easy Seed Germination Test Take a small sample of your seeds to test, maybe ten seeds or so from each batch. Slightly dampen a paper towel and place the sample seeds on it. Fold the barely damp paper towel it in half over the seeds. Enclose in plastic wrap or place inside a sealed plastic bag so it will stay damp. Label the package with seed name and date. Set the package in a relatively warm place (70 to 75 degrees) such as the top of your refrigerator or on a high shelf. Do not put it in direct sun. (Direct sun could cause it to overheat.)How Long to Wait: Check Seeds OftenThe seeds should absorb water and swell. Check daily for germination and to make sure the paper towel is still just barely moist. Mist it lightly if it begins to dry out.Depending on which specific plant you are testing, the seeds may begin to sprout in a day or two or may take several weeks to begin. Usually the majority will sprout within a few days of each other. When germination stops and no more seeds have sprouted for several days, you will know what approximate germination rate to expect from that batch of seeds.Read more: http://flowergardens.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_test_seed_viability#ixzz0H0uFocOw&B

230 gr gave this one, A little while back, but worth printing here for sure
Onions are toxic to dogs and cats
Onions are toxic to dogs and cats are even more susceptible!. Onion toxicity causes a hemolytic (Heinz body) anemia where the animal’s red blood cells burst while circulating in its body. and the toxic effect of the onions are the same whether the product is raw, cooked or dehydrated. Animals affected by onion poisoning show gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea. They will show no interest in food and will be dull and weak. The red pigment from the burst blood cells appears in an affected animal’s urine and it becomes breathless as the red blood cells that carry oxygen through the body are reduced in number. Onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient thiosulphate but Onions are more of a danger. Daily feeding of onions has a cumulative effect. Garlic can be safe for your dog if used in moderation and for short periods as when it is used for it’s natural antibiotic properties
Note: Other substances such as Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and benzocaine-containing topical preparations can also cause Heinz body anemia in dog
http://frc4u.org/phpbb/index.php?topic=1010.0