Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Homeless couple questioned by Police about The Health of their child
Mark Reinhardt- Boise Idaho
On a Saturday Evening, a young Homeless couple were questioned by Police about the Health of their child. The Homeless couple was Matt Cohen, and Alina Lovell, who were Panhandling in Downtown Boise Idaho's Bar District. The Police, were told by a passerby about Health concerns about the child. According to Statistics by The Idaho Housing and Finance Association's Point in Time Count for 2011
5% of 18-30 year olds are currently Homeless in Idaho and 7% of Persons of Households with Children are currently homeless.
In defining the role of Law Enforcement in Child Protection issues, The United States Justice Department states "The role of law enforcement in child abuse cases is to
investigate to determine if a violation of criminal law
occurred, identify and apprehend the offender"
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/162425.pdf
During this night, the mother of the child was standing next to Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Officials to see if the Child was sick. The Officers of The Boise Police Department had,concerns about the health of the child. In turn, they called The Boise fire Department and The Ada County Paramedics to perform a Child Welfare Check..
http://www.pressherald.com/news/infantdies-atshelter_2011-05-19.html
This is back up by data used by chartsbin.com According to data used on the website. The Infant Mortality Rate for The United States was ranked as very low, for the year 2011.
http://chartsbin.com/view/1353
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2091.html.
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/socind/health.html.
In an Email statement from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesman Tom Shanahan, he stated, "
"A family can be homeless, but still provide for the health and safety of their children and be good parents. If we assessed the situation and there is abuse or neglect, we take appropriate action to protect the children and help the family."
Further adding, "
The overriding issue that contributes to many cases of abuse or neglect is drug and alcohol abuse, not homelessness or poverty. Approximately 80% of the abuse and neglect cases we deal with have substance abuse issues."
Saying of Serious Child Abuse Referrals and The Economy, "
We cannot directly link the increase in serious referrals to the struggling economy and high unemployment, but we think it may be a contributing factor."
On a Saturday Evening, a young Homeless couple were questioned by Police about the Health of their child. The Homeless couple was Matt Cohen, and Alina Lovell, who were Panhandling in Downtown Boise Idaho's Bar District. The Police, were told by a passerby about Health concerns about the child. According to Statistics by The Idaho Housing and Finance Association's Point in Time Count for 2011
5% of 18-30 year olds are currently Homeless in Idaho and 7% of Persons of Households with Children are currently homeless.
Credit: Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Statewide Homelessness Count
Credit: Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Percentage of Persons 18-30 Years Old
http://www.ihfa.org/portals/1aefd484-8f22-4f8c-93cd-1c7373969c55/media/grant%20programs/2011%20point-in-time%20count%20report%20final.pdfIn defining the role of Law Enforcement in Child Protection issues, The United States Justice Department states "The role of law enforcement in child abuse cases is to
investigate to determine if a violation of criminal law
occurred, identify and apprehend the offender"
https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles/162425.pdf
During this night, the mother of the child was standing next to Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Officials to see if the Child was sick. The Officers of The Boise Police Department had,concerns about the health of the child. In turn, they called The Boise fire Department and The Ada County Paramedics to perform a Child Welfare Check..
The Mother standing with her child next to Emergency Medical Services. To see if the child is sick.
According to a Centers for Disease Control definition used in a Portland Press Herald Report. It reads, "
“Infant mortality is used to compare the health and well-being of populations across and within countries. The infant mortality rate, the rate at which babies less than one year of age die, has continued to steadily decline over the past several decades, from 26.0 per 1,000 live births in 1960 to 6.9 per 1,000 live births in 2000. The United States ranked 28th in the world in infant mortality in 1998. This ranking is due in large part to disparities which continue to exist among various racial and ethnic groups in this country, particularly African Americans.”http://www.pressherald.com/news/infantdies-atshelter_2011-05-19.html
This is back up by data used by chartsbin.com According to data used on the website. The Infant Mortality Rate for The United States was ranked as very low, for the year 2011.
http://chartsbin.com/view/1353
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2091.html.
http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/socind/health.html.
In an Email statement from Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesman Tom Shanahan, he stated, "
"A family can be homeless, but still provide for the health and safety of their children and be good parents. If we assessed the situation and there is abuse or neglect, we take appropriate action to protect the children and help the family."
Further adding, "
The overriding issue that contributes to many cases of abuse or neglect is drug and alcohol abuse, not homelessness or poverty. Approximately 80% of the abuse and neglect cases we deal with have substance abuse issues."
Saying of Serious Child Abuse Referrals and The Economy, "
We cannot directly link the increase in serious referrals to the struggling economy and high unemployment, but we think it may be a contributing factor."
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Speakers at The Idaho Hope Fest Speak on the importance of Medical Marijuana
Mark Reinhardt- Boise
Attendees, gathered in support of Medical Marijuana at Idaho Hope Festival. As, organizers were gathering signatures for a petition in support of The Idaho Medical Choice Act. A bill that was introduced in The Idaho State House, by, Idaho State Representative Tom Trail. The Short ballot title reading, "An initiative providing that qualified patients using Medical Marijuana shall not be subject to Criminal Prosecution." Jennifer Alexander, an Activist in support of The Oregon Cannibus Tax Act. Was the first speaker, to speak, at the festival. She stated of The State Marijuana Laws, "You guys dont have the benefit of Medical Marijuana Laws yet."
During her talk, regarding, her views on Marijuana Legalization. She mentioned the construction of Hemp Houses in the form of a question. She continued on, speaking more on the subject of Hemp Houses. Discussing how it can built with Hemp Stalks and Lime. In a report, by National Newspaper USA Today. It covered a company, known as, Hemp Technologies. "Dozens of hemp homes have been built in Europe in the past two decades, but they're new to the United States, says David Madera, co-founder of Hemp Technologies, a company that supplied the mixture of ground-up hemp stalks, lime and water."
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/09/hemp-houses-built-asheville/1
She would later talk about a Green Energy cetification process called Leed. Stating of Hemp Houses, "Hemp Houses rate Platinum." Someone from the crowd, asked, if they can smoke it. In which, Alexander Replied, "No, you can't smoke them, which, is why even Non-Cannibus users should even support this."
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222
Alexander state further of Marijuana Legalization, "Medical Marijuana is a wonderful first step." Further stating, "Let me assure you guys this has to be the first step, it can't be the end goal." Stating of its benefits, "Marijuana, can be phenominal for our sick and hurting people. " However, according to a Science Daily Release in 2011, "Using a highly sensitive new test, scientists in Europe are reporting "convincing evidence" that marijuana smoke damages the genetic material DNA in ways that could increase the risk of cancer." Further stating in the release, on the topic of Health and DNA Damage,"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615095940.html
Researchers note that toxic substances in tobacco smoke can damage DNA and increase the risk of lung and other cancers. However, there has been uncertainty over whether marijuana smoke has the same effect. Scientists are especially concerned about the toxicity of acetaldehyde, present in both tobacco and marijuana. However, it has been difficult to measure DNA damage from acetaldehyde with conventional tests.
“There have been many studies on the toxicity of tobacco smoke. It is known that tobacco smoke contains 4000 chemicals of which 60 are classed as carcinogens. Cannabis in contrast has not been so well studied. It is less combustible than tobacco and is often mixed with tobacco in use. Cannabis smoke contains 400 compounds including 60 cannabinoids. However, because of its lower combustibility it contains 50% more carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including naphthalene, benzanthracene, and benzopyrene, than tobacco smoke.”The study that does support Marijuana in uses of Cancer Treatment, came from The National Cancer Institute, released, in 2000.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/marijuana
Theresa Knox, who appeared on stage to talk about Medical Marijuana. Legalization. Was greeted on stage with an Audio Introduction about issues surrounding The War on Drugs and The 4th Amendment. Citing, retaliation for smoke outs featured on National and Local News Media Outlets.
An example of Teresa Knox in dialogue can be found here.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=would-legalizing-pot-be-good-for-environment
Carmine, an attendee of Idaho Hopefest took the time to talk about The War on Drugs. to talk with me about issues surrounding the Drug War. Carmine stated of The War on Drugs, "Its Counter Productive, they say their taking drugs off the street, however, their making more drug lords then ever, cause, the more tougher that stuff is to get, the more it goes on the black market. The more the price goes up, the more the drug lords stay in business."
Attendees, gathered in support of Medical Marijuana at Idaho Hope Festival. As, organizers were gathering signatures for a petition in support of The Idaho Medical Choice Act. A bill that was introduced in The Idaho State House, by, Idaho State Representative Tom Trail. The Short ballot title reading, "An initiative providing that qualified patients using Medical Marijuana shall not be subject to Criminal Prosecution." Jennifer Alexander, an Activist in support of The Oregon Cannibus Tax Act. Was the first speaker, to speak, at the festival. She stated of The State Marijuana Laws, "You guys dont have the benefit of Medical Marijuana Laws yet."
Jennifer Alexander Speaking on stage in Julia Davis Park
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/greenhouse/post/2010/09/hemp-houses-built-asheville/1
She would later talk about a Green Energy cetification process called Leed. Stating of Hemp Houses, "Hemp Houses rate Platinum." Someone from the crowd, asked, if they can smoke it. In which, Alexander Replied, "No, you can't smoke them, which, is why even Non-Cannibus users should even support this."
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222
Alexander state further of Marijuana Legalization, "Medical Marijuana is a wonderful first step." Further stating, "Let me assure you guys this has to be the first step, it can't be the end goal." Stating of its benefits, "Marijuana, can be phenominal for our sick and hurting people. " However, according to a Science Daily Release in 2011, "Using a highly sensitive new test, scientists in Europe are reporting "convincing evidence" that marijuana smoke damages the genetic material DNA in ways that could increase the risk of cancer." Further stating in the release, on the topic of Health and DNA Damage,"
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615095940.html
Researchers note that toxic substances in tobacco smoke can damage DNA and increase the risk of lung and other cancers. However, there has been uncertainty over whether marijuana smoke has the same effect. Scientists are especially concerned about the toxicity of acetaldehyde, present in both tobacco and marijuana. However, it has been difficult to measure DNA damage from acetaldehyde with conventional tests.
“There have been many studies on the toxicity of tobacco smoke. It is known that tobacco smoke contains 4000 chemicals of which 60 are classed as carcinogens. Cannabis in contrast has not been so well studied. It is less combustible than tobacco and is often mixed with tobacco in use. Cannabis smoke contains 400 compounds including 60 cannabinoids. However, because of its lower combustibility it contains 50% more carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons including naphthalene, benzanthracene, and benzopyrene, than tobacco smoke.”The study that does support Marijuana in uses of Cancer Treatment, came from The National Cancer Institute, released, in 2000.
http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Support/marijuana
Theresa Knox, who appeared on stage to talk about Medical Marijuana. Legalization. Was greeted on stage with an Audio Introduction about issues surrounding The War on Drugs and The 4th Amendment. Citing, retaliation for smoke outs featured on National and Local News Media Outlets.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=would-legalizing-pot-be-good-for-environment
Carmine, an attendee of Idaho Hopefest took the time to talk about The War on Drugs. to talk with me about issues surrounding the Drug War. Carmine stated of The War on Drugs, "Its Counter Productive, they say their taking drugs off the street, however, their making more drug lords then ever, cause, the more tougher that stuff is to get, the more it goes on the black market. The more the price goes up, the more the drug lords stay in business."
Friday, April 29, 2011
Fukushima Radiation Data in Dispute as Idaho and National groups say different things
Mark Reinhardt- Boise
On March 11th 2011 a 9.0 Earthquake struck the country of Japan. As a result of that Earthquake, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant was heavily damaged, causing, worldwide concerns about Radioactive Fallout. In a story posted on The Website of 670 KBOI it stated, “Idaho environmental officials say drinking water samples from around the state are testing radiation-free. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality said Tuesday that samples taken April 11 from municipal water systems show no evidence of elevated levels of radioactive iodine-131.” This was confirmed by EPA Seattle Regional Office Press Spokesman, Tony Brown, in which he said, “The only two EPA RADNET stations are located in Boise and Idaho Falls, ID. Drinking water samples are collected from these two stations and the last detectable I-131 at these monitors was March 28th at a level 10x less than drinking water standards.”
This was confirmed by a Rad Net Lab spread sheet obtain from The Department of Environmental Quality. In which, it shows, a level of Radioactive Iodine-131 from 0.098% to 0.49%, in the air samples. Concerning precipitation, from April 4th to April 8th, the measurements had an increase from 232 Pico Curies a liter to 390 Pico Curies a liter. The average allowed Radiation measurement is 3 Pico Curies per liter in Drinking water. In a Press Release by Dr. Arjun Makhijani of The Institute of Energy and Environmental Studies, “Radioactive Iodine Releases from Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi Reactors may exceed those of Three Mile Island by over 100,000 times.” When asked about this to The EPA Seattle Office, the response was, “Daily summaries of RADNET data can be found at "www.epa.gov/japan2011". EPA will make decisions based upon future developments.” The IEER continued on by stating, “The French Radiation Protection Authority (IRSN) estimates the radioactive release of iodine-131 in Japan had reached about 2.4 million curies by March 22, 2011. To put it into perspective, a Pico Curie is One Trillionth of a curie. In which the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has said, “it would be six times smaller than the thickness of a human hair.” Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and The EPA has stated that there is no Public Health Concern at this time.
In a Press Conference given to The Canadian Press on March 18, 2011 Australian MD, Dr. Helen Caldicott said of Fukushima, “Japan is by orders of magnitude many times worse than Chernobyl.” Adding that, ”The Emergency Diesel Generators which are as large as a house got destroyed by the tsunami.” When talking about of the lifespan of Iodine-131 in precipitation. EPA Seattle Office Spokesman Brown said, “EPA does not set standards for precipitation. I-131 has a half-life of 8.1days. Any levels in rainwater are short in duration.” However, this number is disputed by Dr. Caldicott who says, “Radioactive Iodine has a half-life of six weeks.” Advising people to get Potassium Iodide to protect themselves from Thyroid Cancer.
The EPA has stated in an E-mail about the question of connection between, Precipitation and Drinking Water, “The MCLs apply only to drinking water; they do not apply to precipitation. While concentrations of I-131 in some precipitation samples have been reported at levels greater than the drinking water MCL, EPA does not expect to see those levels detected in drinking water because of dilution in surface waters (lakes, rivers and reservoirs).”
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Religious Street Sermon turns into protest of Alternative Lifestyle Establishment
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhaU5I0jiyc&feature=channel_video_title
On the evening of Saturday December 4th, a group of Street Preachers assembled together near Pie Hole, a local Pizzia Restaurant near the corner of 8th and Idaho. Their goal, was to preach the word of god on the streets of Boise Idaho. They were holding a big sign, on which, one side of the sign said, "Why do you call me lord and not do the things that I say?" In the process of doing this they were handing out fliers, in which, it read, "Is Good Enough, Good Enough, For God?" Listing on the flier naming what they consider crimes. "Homosexuality, Abortion, Pre-Marital Sex, Drinking, and Smoking Pot." After a short period of time the street sermon turned into a protest of a Downtown Alternative L:ifestyle Establishment known for their Lesbian and Gay patrons after a Lesbian Couple began kissing in front of the group that was preaching.
The group was standing near Pie Hole, and was continuing to preach to the passers by on the corner of 8th and Idaho in a voice that appeared to be calm. They then, began to move across the street placing themselves right across from a second floor bar with a balcony. Through use of a Microphone, and a Loud Speaker the group began to blast their message at the patrons of The Private Establishment. Shouting at the Patron's of The Second floor Establishment they said, "Jesus Christ has the power to shut this bar down." One of the patrons during the ensuing shouting exchange, a man said, "you guys are the reason I left the church."
The exchange continued for a time, with tensions filling the air. An on-looker named KC Crawford said regarding the events, "I would like to think as Citizens of Boise that we can make our own choices." Saying further about the man with the Microphone that was a across the street, next to, the now closed Bad Irish Bar, "He was a little Agressive, and it was a bit much."
On the evening of Saturday December 4th, a group of Street Preachers assembled together near Pie Hole, a local Pizzia Restaurant near the corner of 8th and Idaho. Their goal, was to preach the word of god on the streets of Boise Idaho. They were holding a big sign, on which, one side of the sign said, "Why do you call me lord and not do the things that I say?" In the process of doing this they were handing out fliers, in which, it read, "Is Good Enough, Good Enough, For God?" Listing on the flier naming what they consider crimes. "Homosexuality, Abortion, Pre-Marital Sex, Drinking, and Smoking Pot." After a short period of time the street sermon turned into a protest of a Downtown Alternative L:ifestyle Establishment known for their Lesbian and Gay patrons after a Lesbian Couple began kissing in front of the group that was preaching.
The group was standing near Pie Hole, and was continuing to preach to the passers by on the corner of 8th and Idaho in a voice that appeared to be calm. They then, began to move across the street placing themselves right across from a second floor bar with a balcony. Through use of a Microphone, and a Loud Speaker the group began to blast their message at the patrons of The Private Establishment. Shouting at the Patron's of The Second floor Establishment they said, "Jesus Christ has the power to shut this bar down." One of the patrons during the ensuing shouting exchange, a man said, "you guys are the reason I left the church."
The exchange continued for a time, with tensions filling the air. An on-looker named KC Crawford said regarding the events, "I would like to think as Citizens of Boise that we can make our own choices." Saying further about the man with the Microphone that was a across the street, next to, the now closed Bad Irish Bar, "He was a little Agressive, and it was a bit much."
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