Full body scanning device images slip through TSA Security

Full body scanner pictures of unsuspecting people were posted on the web Wed. More than 35,000 pictures were saved against the rules by a United States Marshall located in FL, which led to their release. As the full body scanning device conundrum has roiled, travelers have been told by the TSA that images taken by the machines are promptly disposed of.

Full body scanner images seen by the public a bit

Once Gizmodo took about 100 full body scanner images and posted them onto its site, the angry uproar over it all got worse. A Freedom of Information Act request made it so the U.S. Marshall in a Florida federal courthouse were able to collect the images. Although the low resolution images, taken by a “millimeter wave scanner” aren’t particularly revealing, Gizmodo said the fact that they were saved underscores the threat to personal privacy posed by TSA body scanner rules.

Transportation Security Administration body scanner rules being broken

The full body scanner images taken by the “z-backscatter scanners” at airports more revealing than the low-res images. The Transportation Security Administration body scanner rules say that the imaging technology “cannot store, print, transmit or save the image, and the image is automatically deleted from the system after it is cleared by the remotely located security officer.” However, when full body scanner images showed up on Gizmodo, it served to illustrate how easily images taken by the so-called “porno scanners” can circulate if those operating them choose not to abide by TSA guidelines.

Private shots of private people

Full body scanner imaging was initiated by the TSA in 2007. You will find scanners at 68 airports now. These are U.S. airports. Advanced z-backscatter imaging shoots air travelers with an ionizing X-ray beam to create an image of their naked body. The radiation exposure that comes from the machines is one more major concern. Those arguments haven't stopped the Transportation Security Administration by any means. The web is bound to get a hold of the z-backscatter images soon enough exposing private parts online.

Citations

Gizmodo

gizmodo.com/5690749/

PC World

pcworld.com/article/210878/xray_body_scanner_hubbub_the_naked_truth.html

Fox News

foxnews.com/scitech/2010/11/16/leaked-images-body-scanners-hit-web/print

Madoff banker Chase bank complicit in scandal, alleges Trustee

The most recent chapter in the Bernie Madoff financial scandal involves one of the United State’s largest banking and investment companies, reports PR Newswire. Madoff Investment Securities LLC (BLMIS) Trustee Irving Picard is bringing JPMorgan Chase and companies before the bankruptcy court in a lawsuit. Based on Picard, JPMorgan Chase owes Madoff victims $1 billion in costs and profits, also as $5.4 billion in damages. The claim is that Chase bank aided and abetted Bernie Madoff and company within the largest known Ponzi plan in United States history.

Case claims Chase bank was center of Ponzi plan

Based on the court-appointed counsel for Picard, David Shehan, “JP Morgan was willfully blind to the fraud, even after learning about numerous red flags surrounding Madoff." Chase was at the middle of the Bernie Madoff investing plan even though they saw the warning signs of problems according to Sheehan although there were other financial institutions involved in the plan. Despite what the prosecution calls overwhelming evidence, JPMorgan Chase says it "simply continued to collect costs and derive profit." Sheehan claims that Chase was the only reason the Madoff Ponzi scheme worked. It wouldn't have otherwise.

The Bankruptcy Court is where all the financial data with the grievance are filed right now. Chase identified the information as confidential. This is the reason. The seal may be removed with all the fighting Picard is doing.

Primary account for Madoff at Chase

Sheehan suggests that JP Morgan Chase should have realized that something unreal wasn't taking place when internal account records of money were being moved was a lot. There was a quick amount of suspicious activity discovered by the FTC one the investigation began. JP Morgan Chase should have exposed the scams much faster based on those who support Irving Picard.

Articles cited

PR Newswire

prnewswire.com/news-releases/trustee-for-liquidation-of-bernard-l-madoff-investment-securities-charges-jpmorgan-chase-madoffs-primary-banker-with-enabling-massive-fraud-111203234.html

Recent interview with Irving Picard re. SIPC Insurance

youtube.com/watch?v=KP6tH4HVzEY

Various auto of the year awards slant to green automobiles

Various automobiles are being dubbed Car of the year by numerous agencies, foundations and publications. There seems to be little objective criteria in what makes a car of the year, or at least nobody can entirely agree on what makes a car of the year. However, this year’s awards seem to have a particular slant. More Car of the year awards are likely to green cars.

Volt is the car of the year

The Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf are both green vehicles getting Vehicle of the year honor attention as they’re both envisioned. Wired accounts the Volt, at the Los Angeles Auto Show, won Car of the year. It is certain that most are happy. General Motors is likely more happy than any others. The Car of the year Honor was given to the Chevy Volt too. This time it came from Motor Trend and Automobiles magazines. The judging panel at the Los Angeles Auto Show included Jay Leno and performance guru and automotive legend Carroll Shelby. Both the Nissan Motors Leaf and Chevy Volt are known as very green automobiles. Of course, the Leaf is entirely electric while the Volt is a plug-in hybrid.

Also naming the Leaf the Car of the year

The Telegraph accounts the 2011 European Auto of the year is the Nissan Leaf. The way the European Car of the year honor is chosen is by a panel of European automotive journals. They vote on who wins. There were 58 judges involved in it. That meant 23 nations helped choose. The Nissan Leaf is one of the first all-electric vehicles manufactured on the scale of a major auto manufacturer (notwithstanding golf carts), and it has been in a near dead heat with the Chevy Volt in most American Vehicle of the year vote counts at auto shows. Both vehicles will show up to the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. The 2 cars are bound to show down then.

Automobile of the world coming soon

Right now the votes are being put together for which one may be the World Vehicle of the year. In spring or 2011, this will finally be announced. Many who are significant over it are working with the best automobiles of 2010. Some think an auto should not be brought to the list until it has been out longer than that. Every person wants their auto to last a long time. These should be the ones voted on.

Articles cited

Wired

wired.com/autopia/2010/11/chevy-volt-wins-green-car-of-the-year/

The Telegraph

telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8167962/Nissan-Leaf-wins-Car-of-the-Year.html

Vote to start rigid deficit lowering plan planned for Dec. three

Wednesday the Obama administration’s deficit commission submitted its penultimate report. The deficit commission statement outlines across-the-board tax revisions and spending cuts designed to slash $4 trillion in deficit spending over ten years. Analysts have little confidence the statement, called “Moment of Truth,” could be dealt with seriously by Congress.

Deficit commission experiencing the ‘Moment of Truth’

The deficit commission is an 18-member panel co-chaired by Democrat Erskine Bowles, President Clinton’s previous chief of staff, and previous Republican senator from Wyoming Alan Simpson. The panel will election on the deficit reduction recommendations proposed by “Moment of Truth” on Friday, Dec. three. The proposal has to get 14 members from the panel to vote on it if it is to be implemented by Congress easily. In the deficit commission report, Bowles and Simpson said “The era of debt denial is over, and there could be no turning back. We sign our names to this plan because we love our children, our grandchildren and our country too much not to act while we still have the chance."

Deficit commission report details

To make it more acceptable politically, the deficit commission statement has been revised from a version submitted three weeks ago. There would be an end to income tax rates. It would also make it so tax credits and expenditures would end. There would be a decrease in the highest income tax rate. It would go down to 23-29 percent from 39.6 percent. In 2050 the Social Security retirement age would go to 68 while in 2075 it would be at 69. The income cap on payroll taxes would be elevated to $190,000. To mollify Republicans, a cap on tax revenue was added, plus $50 billion in immediate spending cuts and an eventual return to 2008 spending amounts. For Democrats, upper-income Social Security cuts and a Medicare voucher program for private insurance were scaled back.

Using politics when it comes to deficit reduction

Few believe the uncompromising deficit commission report is politically realistic. The wheeling and dealing that has resulted in the current $1.three trillion budget deficit and $13.8 trillion national debt will be a hard habit to break. Congress will decide on the debt commission. Inflating the bottom line is the goal of Congress though. The idea isn't accepted very well. The community especially feels this way. Reducing the deficit is one thing most have shown in polls to agree with. Taking away their entitlements isn't part of that deal though.

Citations

USA Today

usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-12-01-deficit-plan_N.htm

Business Week

businessweek.com/news/2010-12-01/social-security-income-tax-cuts-part-of-debt-plan.html

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Politics/budget-deficit-commission-release-report-political-tackle/story?id=12279916

2010's final holiday seasons in December

Dec. is a calendar month of celebrations and holiday seasons. You will find more than just the standard holiday seasons in 2010. December includes lots of holidays. For most everyone, there is something to commemorate in Dec holidays for 2010.

Month-long December holiday seasons 2010

This year, there will be many month-long celebrations. Dec Holiday seasons can be doing this. Universal Human Rights Calendar month is celebrated in Dec. This is done so human rights for all could be recognized. Safe Toys and Gifts Month is what Dec is also. With thousands of toys being both given and received during the month of December, this is an especially appropriate December holiday. In Dec, a list of unsafe toys is released. This is so when buying presents, only safe toys will hopefully be bought.

Holiday seasons in Dec which are nonreligious in 2010

In December, World AIDS day is recognized. This is the first day of the month. This is a day to raise awareness of AIDS infections and to look for treatment. National Pie Day is celebrated on December first as well. Dec 4 can be National Cookie Day. Don't forget National Fritters Day on December 2 though. Do not forget about Pearl Harbor. December 7 is the day for that. The 69th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor could be celebrated in Dec 2010. Continuing the food theme, Dec. 8 is National Brownie Day. To celebrate Wilbur Wright, December 17 is Wright Brothers Day. Also, the 107th anniversary of the first flight of Orville is recognized with Pan-American Aviation day that very same day. Wear a Plunger on your Head Day is on Dec 18 too. You are able to commemorate Forefather's Day, National Humbug Day and Look at the Bright Side Day all on Dec 21.

Religious holidays to commemorate in December 2010

On sundown on Dec. 1, Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights, begins. On Tuesday, December 7, or 1432 AH on the Islamic calendar, the December holiday of 2010 of the Islamic New Year is recognized. Catholics and other Christians will commemorate on December 8 with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Commemorate the Winter Solstice on December 21. This is when religions celebrate the turning season. Festivus, a holiday started by Seinfeld, is on Dec. 23. This year Christmas Day, Dec 25, will fall on a Saturday. The seven-day Kwanzaa is going to start December 16. A ton of holidays could be celebrated in December 2010 for a full month.

Info from

Healthy Stuff

healthystuff.org/departments/toys/

Thinkfinity

thinkfinity.org/universal-human-rights-month

Mice rejoice as researchers determine how to reverse getting older

Individuals have been wondering since the dawn of time the way to reverse aging. It was once thought to be as plausible as a Northwest Passage, however scientists have found a way to do it. It only works for mice at this stage though. Post resource – Scientists discover techniques to reverse aging in mice by Money Blog Newz.

Finding how to reverse mice age

It was found at the Harvard Medical School that gene therapy, reports ABC, can be used to reverse the age of laboratory mice. The research team was headed by Dr. Ronald A. DePinho of Harvard Medical School and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The study was then published. The journal Nature was where they were published at. Scientists first figured out the way to engineer mice that aged faster in order to reverse the aging affect. For instance, mice whose fur had turned gray grew darker fur. In Alzheimer’s, the brain shrinks just as it did in some of these rats. Their brain tissue would grow back though. Subjects that had lost some organ function were able to have it restored. Infertility was reversed. It just showed that aging may be able to be stopped. The effects of aging could possibly be stopped anyway.

How it was able to work

The reason the process worked was because of the specific thing done. Gene therapy is that thing. There are caps on chromosomes which are part of DNA. Telomeres are the name of these caps. Telomeres produce a protective compound called telomerase, which is exactly what the study focused on. There is less production of telomerase when organisms age. The DNA ends up getting damaged as the telomeres breaks down. The reversal of the telomere breakdown was the gene therapy given to the mice. Reversing aging wasn't the purpose of the study. Slowing aging was what was being worked on.

The catch

Humans can't use gene therapy yet. It isn't even close actually. There can be the advantage for humans. Telomere growth might be stimulated by drug regimens. It may become available to humans. If that is the case, the only thing affected could be the breakdown of the body because of aging. There won't be any method to have eternal life. Telomerase therapies will not be for that.

Details from

ABC News

abcnews.go.com/Health/Alzheimers/aging-reversed-mice/story?id=12269125&page=1

$30,000 valuation on gifts on Oprah.com/12days

Oprah.com/12days is one of the most popular contest entry pages this season. The Holiday Give-O-Way is housed there, and all entries are going there. 12 those who win from this contest can be chosen. Each one will get about $29,510 valuation on presents and cash. There are 12 chances to enter on Oprah.com/12days, one for each day, starting on Nov. 29.

If you need to enter, go to Oprah.com/12days

If you go to Oprah.com/12days you are able to enter the sweepstakes. Up to 12 entries are allowed per person. In order to stop automatic entries, a code has to be entered at Oprah.com/12days. The 12 days sweepstakes on Facebook and Twitter can be befriended. This will allow more entries to be "won" by people. The 12days sweepstakes at Oprah.com is being sponsored by FedEx and Hallmark.

The prizes for Oprah.com/12days

What is being given away at the twelve days contest are more than ever. Presents being given away could be from many stars Oprah has helped launch. Also, Oprah's "Favorite Things" can be given away. At the Oprah.com/12days sweepstakes, those who win can win one item from the 2010 O List Holiday Edition, things from the "Oprah's Favorite Things" show and even $6,810. That cash is meant to help the gift pack winner to pay for tax on the gift. The Oprah.com/12days website lists what the value of the gift pack is. About $29,510 is the value. Only twelve people will win the contest.

Visit Oprah.com/12days for those who win list

The twelve those who win on Oprah.com/12days could be announced on the website after February 7, 2011. Need to know when you will know if you are a winner? This will happen by Dec 13, 2010. The email, postal mail or phone call could be sent out. Within three days, the potential winner has to respond. A new winner will be chosen if they do not respond. Before Dec 25, the gifts on Oprah.com/12days can be given out already. That way they have it for Christmas. Any of the winner's names, pictures and details can be used for marketing and announcements which is a requirement by Harpo productions and Oprah.com/12days.

Data from

Oprah

oprah.com/12days