New Obamacare Website Contractor (It's Your Turn)

The Obama administration is replacing the Obamacare website contractor. But it is taking the same contractor selection approach -- picking a contractor off of a federal government buddies list. No open competition, none. 

If the ObamaCare contractor brought on ..... to fix the back-end of the HealthCare.gov portal doesn’t finish the build-out by mid-March the healthcare law will be jeopardized, according to a procurement document posted on a federal website.

It says insurers could be bankrupt and the entire healthcare industry threatened if the build out is not completed.

The procurement document signed by healthcare officials in late December says that the government determined in mid-December that CGI Federal, the contractor originally tasked with connecting the online healthcare portal to insurers, is not up to the task.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) announced .... it was firing CGI Federal, and bringing on Accenture to finish the website.

The document says officials realized in December that the need to bring on Accenture is so urgent that there is no time to go through the “full and open competition process” before awarding them with a $91 million contract.

“There is limited time to build this functionality and failure to deliver…by mid-March 2014 will result in financial harm to the government,” the document says.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/195851-document-obamacare-contractor-faces-mid#ixzz2tFnEzT4sFollow us: @thehill on Twitter | TheHill on Facebook

The back (financial) end of the website is not built, so the government not only doesn't know how many people have actually purchased insurance, it also cannot determine how much of your taxpayer subsidy money to forward to health insurance companies. Change management (like if you have a baby to add to a policy), opt out and cancellation processes are also not implemented. As the website stands now, you can sign up but cannot get out. I can't wait until we hear the stories about poor penniless survivors forced to continue to pay for a deceased loved one's health insurance. It's gonna happen.

Supposedly the new contractor will timely rectify website failures. But if you really think there will be something materially different or significantly improved now that Accenture will be managing the website code writing exercise, you may want to think again.

To review, we blogged last October on how Washington, DC operates in connection with the botched roll out of Obamacare. The IT contractor building Healthcare.Gov was CGI Federal in Sterling, Virginia, an operating division of Quebec based CGI . Our ("I'm not a lobbyist") neighbor across the street in Arlington, Nicholas Evans, is the Vice President of Government Relations (i.e., chief lobbyist) of CGI Federal and an aggressive fundraiser for the Democratic Party, including for the newly elected Virginia governor and former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe. Toni Townes-Whitley, Senior Vice President of CGI Federal, has line authority for the Obamacare portal contract. Ms. Whitely is class of 1985 Princeton classmate, political ally,and student association colleague of Michelle Obama. The Obamacare IT project was a no-bid contract, awarded to a politically (to the Democratic party) and personally (to the Obama's) connected contractor.

In my experience, Accenture is one of the two or three most expensive of the gang of Beltway bandits. The firm hires former federal officials who worm their way back into agencies to roam the halls and glad hand, cajole and manipulate (or worse) contract awards from their former colleagues and subordinates. I saw it first hand when I worked at Postal Service Headquarters in DC, where Accenture's inside marketing lead was a former Deputy Postmaster General, the number two man in the agency (his masked, last nameless, LinkedIn profile is here), who had at one time or another been chief operating officer, chief financial officer and head of employee and labor relations. You or I would get an armed escort out of the building if we roamed around the grounds and into and out of offices the way that guy did, but among the portals of official Washington, DC he is courted with open arms.

The Washington Post reported on the Postal Service's Inspector General's bleak assessment of Accenture's performance as a federal contractor.

The U.S. Postal Service Inspector General’s Office wrote in June that Accenture had “demonstrated an absence of business ethics” and said that the agency should consider terminating the firm’s more than $200 million in contracts. The office cited in part a 2011 settlement with the Justice Department in which Accenture paid $63 million to resolve alle­gations of what the government called “kickbacks” and “bid-rigging” in numerous federal contracts.

The Inspector General concluded,

Accenture’s involvement in several improper contracting practices creates an immediate risk of future fraud and abuse in Postal Service contracts. As a result of prior OIG audits and investigations, DOJ settlements, and the DCAA’s findings of inadequacies in the supplier’s cost-estimating and timekeeping systems, the supplier has demonstrated an absence of business ethics, a lack of transparency, and insufficient internal controls in its business dealings with the Postal Service. The Postal Service should consider Accenture for suspension or debarment and review existing contracts to determine whether the contracts warrant termination. This action would protect the Postal Service’s financial interest from unethical, dishonest, or otherwise irresponsible supplier practices. 

OIG is Office of Inspector General, DOJ is Department of Justice and DCAA is Defense Contract Audit Agency, which is the lead audit watchdog on most major government contracts. Everyone who is supposed to be protecting the government is speaking up here, but the government cannot be protected from the dunderhead politicians who oversee it, and the self-serving bureaucrats who operate it.

It should be no surprise that it is Accenture's turn now, for my former neighbor, a leader in the influence peddling scheme and political gamesmanship that earned CGI the initial Obamacare contract, learned his trade at Accenture.

Nicholas Evans

Vice President, U.S. Government Relations

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Government Relations

Current	CGI Federal
Previous	Accenture
Education	Harvard University Kennedy School of Government

500+connections

Send Nicholas InMail

• www.linkedin.com/pub/nicholas-evans/4/618/156

Background

Experience

Vice President, Government Relations

CGI Federal

2006 – Present (8 years)Fairfax, VA

Senior Manager

Accenture

2001 – 2006 (5 years)

Mr. Evans remains joined at the hip with his buddies at his former employer, co-leading the industry lobbying group.

Legislative Action Network

The Legislative Action Network (LAN) is the hub of PSC’s congressional advocacy efforts. The LAN is a forum for PSC members and staff to share emerging information about key legislative initiatives and to develop strategies for communicating our message on Capitol Hill, and serves as the focal point for PSC’s grassroots activity. More than just a discussion forum, the LAN convenes monthly and as necessary, both physically and virtually, to coordinate and amplify advocacy efforts on behalf of our industry.

Chairs:
Nicholas Evans, Vice President, CGI Federal
Nigel Stephens, Manager of Federal Government Affairs, Accenture

Pay no attention people. Carry on. All is well.

On the Road to Bathgate Act 4e: Isaac J Foster's Civic and Public Lives (Part 3)

(continued)

C.  Ike Foster's State Sanitary Livestock Board Service

Today it is called the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and it has been merged into the bureaucracy, but back in the day it was independent and called the Sanitary Livestock Board. The Board was formed to control the spread of infectious disease among cattle, pigs, sheep, horses and other domesticated animals. Prior to the Board's establishment, unscrupulous farmers and ranchers from other states were using North Dakota as a dumping ground for diseased stock. Once imported, diseases were passed animal to animal and herd to herd and animal and herd to human. 

Like most regulatory agencies, the Board's major successes and most efficient responses were experienced in its early days, which included Ike's tenure.

The North Dakota Livestock Sanitary Board was created in 1907 as an independent agency.  In 1989, the Livestock Sanitary Board became the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health and in 1995, the Board’s staff became part of the North Dakota Department of Agriculture.  Currently, the Board’s staff makes up the Animal Health Division of the Department.  The staff includes the State Veterinarian, Deputy State Veterinarian, Assistant State Veterinarian, Administrative Assistant, two Office Assistants, and a Livestock Field Investigator.  The Board also has a temporary Avian Influenza Coordinator.

The State Board of Animal Health consists of nine members representing the various sectors of the livestock industry who are appointed by the governor for terms of seven years.  Members may serve up to two terms.  The statutory purpose of the Board is to protect the health of the domestic animals and nontraditional livestock of North Dakota.  The Board may take necessary action to control, suppress, and eradicate any and all contagious and infectious diseases among any of the domestic animals and nontraditional livestock of the state.  Most legal responsibility for animal health lies with the Board.  The State Veterinarian is appointed by the Agriculture Commissioner with the consent of the Board.  The State Veterinarian serves as the executive director of the Board and, therefore, must execute all orders and rules made by the board.

Issac first served out a Board term that began in 1917.  His re-appointments in 1922, 

The Bismarck Tribune, May 5, 1922

and 1927,

The Bismarck Tribune, April 13, 1927

were worthy of mention in The Bismarck Tribune.

On the Road to Bathgate Act 4e: Isaac J Foster's Civic and Public Lives (Part 2)

(Continued)

B. Isaac Jarvis Foster's Life and Times as Pembina County Sheriff

As if he didn't have enough going on in his life, Ike threw his hat into the ring during the fall of 1910 to run for Pembina county sheriff. For many years, about all we knew of that period of time was the campaign poster published at the beginning (Part 1) of this post. Now we have so much more.

Leading up to Ike's election as sheriff, The Bathgate Pink Paper, which touted itself as the "only Democratic paper in Pembina county," published a ringing and supremely confident endorsement.

SHERIFF

ISAAC J. FOSTER, candidate for sheriff on the ticket above needs no introduction to any part of Pembina county. Evenyone knows "Ike." He came here away back in the seventies, or so long ago that to put it in the law phrase, "the memory of man runneth not." Was you ever so sick that you did not receive a visit, some delicacy or some kind token of his sympathy? Did you ever go to Ike in trouble that he was not willing to sell the shirt off his back to help you out? Speak up if this is not true. Big

The Pink Paper, Sep. 28, 1910

of frame, burly, fearless, tactful, temperate, a man of large experience in business legal affairs, conversant with the duties of the sheriff's office. But, why go father? His personal admirers and that finest of human sentiments, love a a big hearted, generous, forceful individuality, with such a people as we have in Pembina county, ought to carry him to success, even without party support, which, of course, he will have.

Isaac J. Foster prevailed decisively over his opponent, J. T. Blacklock, by 1,692 votes to 1,263 votes on an election day that was difficult for many other Democratic candidates. (See Exhibits F and G below).

Two months after the election, on January 4, 1911, The Pink Paper reported, "Our new sheriff, I. J. Foster, left on Monday to take the oath of office and enter upon his official duties." (See Exhibit H).

We Finally Made It!

To Google Street View.

Great Lakes Ice Cover Update

As if anyone needs a reminder, a physical manifestation of this uncommonly frigid winter is Great Lakes ice cover is now up to 87 percent, which is more than twice the average seasonal max.

That is the second highest ice cover for this time of year in the satellite era, just a hair below the 1993-94 winter record.

If the cold weather is getting to you do not despair, for there is still time to fly down to South Africa, where it is summer, to become a Climate Reality Leader, trained by Al Gore and the Climate Reality Project. Round trip you will show your commitment to the movement by generating 2,988 pounds, or 1.36 tons of carbon dioxide (flying New York to Johannesburg). Do it with Al! Good luck to all!

On the Road to Bathgate Act 4e: Isaac J Foster's Civic and Public Lives (Part 1)

INTRODUCTION

I. J. Foster 1910 Campaign Poster

Our latest I. J. Foster post revolved around the simple summary of life that is published in an obituary. We promised to return with additional posts on a life "long and well lived." This will be the first such post, covering various facets of I. J. Foster's life freshly researched, documenting family and local history, and dedicated to our grandfather.

I. J. Foster was a son, brother and uncle, a husband, father and grandfather, a farmer, rancher, real estate man, auctioneer and public servant.

In addition, throughout Isaac's adult life he was politically active and engaged in matters of civic importance. He attended and participated in county and state political gatherings and conventions. He hosted town, civic and local political meetings in his office building in town. I. J. served on the Pembina county fair board. He ratcheted his political involvement up a big notch in 1911 when he ran for county sheriff. After winning that election and serving the citizens of Pembina county for two terms in law enforcement, Ike was appointed to three five years terms on the state Livestock Sanitary Board. He was active, committed and respected. 

Here we present the story of I. J. Foster's devotions to civic welfare and public service. But first, we delve into a time not long prior, when his fitness to serve and freedom to do so were put into question.

Why I Love Winter

It coats the beard and complements the wardrobe.

Workforce Participation Rates

If I hear the lazy louts in the mainstream media or the lying idiots on the left claim one more time that stagnant employment and declining workforce participation rates are caused by an aging population and voluntary retirements, I don't know whether to scream or puke.  This country is being led into a pit by a bunch of lies and liars.

Global Warming Hits Japan

Last year it was Europe and the desert southwest. This year, well, Al Gore's predictive powers had to reach across the Pacific sooner or later into the marine climate of central Japan.

Tokyo (AFP) - The heaviest snow in decades in Tokyo and other areas of Japan has left at least 11 dead and more than 1,200 injured across the country, reports said Sunday. 

As much as 27 centimetres (10.6 inches) of snow was recorded in Tokyo by late Saturday, the heaviest fall in the capital for 45 years, according to meteorologists.

****

As a depression moved along the Pacific coast Saturday, the northeastern city of Sendai saw 35 centimetres (13.8 inches) of snow, the heaviest in 78 years. 

Local media said at least 11 people have been killed with one person also in critical condition in snow-linked accidents -- mostly

 Enoshima Shrine in Fujisawa, near Tokyo, Feb. 8, 2014

crashes after their cars skidded on icy roads.

 In central Aichi prefecture, a 50-year-old man died after his car slipped on the icy road and rammed into an advertisement steel pole, a local rescuer said. 

Public broadcaster NHK reported at least 1,253 people were injured across the nation, many of whom had slipped on the ground or fallen while shoveling the snow off their roofs.

More than 20,000 households were without electricity early Sunday while airlines cancelled more than 400 domestic flights a day after over 740 flights were grounded.

Nearly 5,000 people were stranded at Narita airport Saturday as traffic linking the airport to the capital was disrupted, NHK said.

Further snowfall is expected Sunday in the northern part of the country, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

Have a nice day everyone.  Good luck to all!

Saturday Art

Saturday Art

February 8, 2014

(click image to enlarge)

We have a budding Anime artist in our midst.

John Walsh Named U.S. Senator from Montana

Max Baucus is retiring from the United States Senate, uttering how he wants to spend more time in Montana, which it turns out is somewhere in the neighborhood of Beijing. Yesterday, the governor of Montana moved to fill the slot.

Montana Lt. Gov. John Walsh, a Democrat, was appointed Friday to fill the unexpired term of longtime Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, who is leaving the Senate to serve as U.S. ambassador to China.

Walsh, 53, was already an announced candidate for the seat Baucus had planned to vacate at the end of this year. His appointment by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock gives the former adjutant general of the Montana National Guard a leg up in the November contest to replace the six-term senator.

General John Walsh, Senator Designate

Friday's announcement sets up what's expected to be a pitched and costly battle crucial to GOP hopes of taking over the Senate — hopes that are contingent on winning red state seats now held by Democrats.

Baucus, the chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, revealed last April that he would retire this year at the end of his term; his plans were upended in December when President Obama tapped him for the ambassadorship.

He was unanimously confirmed Thursday by his Senate colleagues.

"I wanted to appoint someone who I believed would represent the values Montanans hold important," Bullock said in announcing the appointment of Walsh, his 2012 running mate. "I wanted to appoint someone who I believed would be working to find solutions, not further dividing our state and nation. And I wanted to appoint someone who I truly believed would wake up each day focused on putting Montana – and Montanans – first."

Walsh is hard core military through and through. After Walsh was elected lieutenant governor in Montana it was disclosed that he had been cited for improperly using his military position,

 [A]n August 2010 report from the Inspector General of the U.S. Army, obtained by MTN News, says that Walsh improperly used his position in the Guard for his own gain. 

The report says Walsh improperly solicited other Guard leaders to join a non-governmental group, the National Guard Association of the United States.

So a Democratic Neo-con, power abusing thug, eh? Exactly what Montana and our country needs.  No budget discipline anywhere on anything and squirrely ethics.  God help us all.

Doc Wagamon Meets Crewmate's Offspring

Doc Wagamon did not have to write in for publication. This time he was written up in an off-the-opinion-page story reported in the Huntsville Item, honoring his World War II service, with a sentimental twist.

 January 12, 2014

Unique reunion makes everyone happy at HEARTS Veterans Museum 

By Brandon K. Scott Staff Reporter

Charles Wagamon, left, leads Linda Woltkamp and her
brother Tom on a tour of the HEARTS Veterans Museum.

HUNTSVILLE  —  One of the things on Linda Woltkamp’s bucket list was to finally meet her father’s pilot from their days serving in the United States Army Air Force during World War II.

Woltkamp’s father Fred died nearly four years ago, but not without making it known to his children that former Walker County Judge Charles Wagamon was “the one who brought him home.”

Wagamon and Fred Woltkamp, members of the B-25 Mitchell Bombers that carried out missions over Italy and Germany, never saw each other after the early 1940s. But the two kept in touch for more than 50 years, even up to just two days before Woltkamp’s death.

Letters were exchanged and phone calls were made throughout the years. Linda and her brother Tom finally met Wagamon in person Friday for a tour at the HEARTS Veterans Museum in Huntsville.

The Woltkamp siblings flew into Houston from out of state — Linda from Denver, Colo., and Tom from Kansas where their father lived.

Both of them told the Item how their father spoke highly of his days as a tail gunner on B-25s with Wagamon and the rest of the crew.

Woltkamp trusted Wagamon with his life.

“Otherwise we wouldn’t be here,” Tom Woltkamp said.

The meeting also meant a lot to museum founder Charlotte Oleinik, who started the museum to reach out to veterans’ families and people who could appreciate their stories.

“I was just buying and collecting so many military items 20 years ago,” Olenick said. “We just wanted the soliders to tell their stories.”

Wagamon showed the Woltkamp siblings a photo of the six-person crew, lined up from tallest to shortest. He recalled how young the soldiers were, making decisions at age 17 that would impact the lives of people all over the world.

Charles Wagamon's WW II B-25 bomber crew.

“It’s just the beautiful thing about this generation,” Tom Woltkamp said. “They did their duty, were very humble about it and didn’t talk about it much. It’s amazing to see what they’ve done with this museum.”

As those born in the immediacy of World War II get older, it puts more perspective on life. That’s why Linda Woltkamp wanted to scratch this particular item off her bucket list.

Wagamon is 89 years old, six months older than Fred Woltkamp.

“Fred was the youngest of our crew but he was bold. We all had to be,” Wagamon said. “Even as Fred got older, he still maintained that same sense of humor. And his voice, when I heard him speak over the phone, I couldn’t tell he was aging the way he was.”
Wagamon pointed to the photo again.

- See more at: http://www.itemonline.com/local/x1186923390/Unique-reunion-makes-everyone-happy-at-HEARTS-Veterans-Museum#sthash.F7sOc9ik.dpuf 

Charles Wagamon flew in a B-25 Bomber during World War II. He and his friend Fred Woltkamp flew bombing missions over Italy and Germany with the 486th Bomb Squadron of the 340th Bomb Group in the 12th Air Force. 

Doc stayed on to serve a cold war warrior as well. We just found this 1956 photo, documenting his service, published in the Lubbock (Tex.) Morning Avalanche.

The Lubbock Morning Avalanche, June 8, 1956.

Thank you for your service. Way to go Doc!

Please Dear President

From Barack Obama's Super Bowl Sunday interview with Fox News pundit Bill O'Reilly.

OBAMA: You know, the truth of the matter is when you look at some of my policies, in a lot of ways Richard Nixon was more liberal than I was. [He] started the E.P.A, you know, started a whole lot of the regulatory state that has helped make our air and water clean.

O'REILLY: That's interesting, Nixon. That's interesting. Well, I thought you were going to say F.D.R.

Let's see how that actually breaks down.

Number of EPA employees:

Nixon: 8,358 (1972)
Obama: 17,106 (2012)

Regulatory Scope:

Nixon: Control the release of noxious gases (Nitrous and sulfurous oxides, and smog).
Obama: Control the release of gases essential to life (Carbon dioxide).

Early in your years in office you may have been able to get away with your double talk Dear President. But people are on to you now. Just stop.

Bitter Cold Isn't the Word for It

And there was a new low at Bozeman High School today as well. When students walked over to McDonalds for lunch (the swim center where I put in my laps is attached to the high school) only one was wearing shorts.

Top January Posts

We are going to do our monthly top tens a bit different this year. Instead of the top ten previous month's posts, we will highlight the top ten most viewed posts during the last month, regardless of when they were posted.  Most months, recent posts will dominate the list. But we will also see perennial favorites creep into the mix and an occasional blast from the past that suddenly becomes relevant due to current events. So let's go! 

1. Last May we wrote a post entitled Margin Accounts Are Back which explained that margin account lending (borrowing to buy stocks) had grown back to pre-crisis levels, giving the stock market a boost to new record highs -- a classic sign of a debt induced bubble. No one paid attention to the post -- until January that is. January was the worst January for stocks in the last five years. February is off to its worst start since 1933. It's gonna be a wild ride. As the Fed backs off from its money printing and debt monetization binge, as it inevitably must, this monetary-based economic recovery is going to falter, big time. When will we ever get a president who understands the real economy?
2. If you read the New York Times, follow Al Gore's tweets, or pay heed to the propaganda churned out by the Obama administration, you would think we are ready to fry. But early 

   

   Great Lakes ice cover, February 4, 2014.

   in January we said Epic Freeze Coming for the Great Lakes: Water Levels Already Back. The epic icing remains on track. If the winds die down we will likely see this winter season one of the top two or three greatest ice covers ever recorded on the Great Lakes.
3. We invited blog readers and Facebook friends this January to reprise last year's Martin Luther King, Jr. day post, The Caddies Thank You Dr. King!  Boy, they did.  If you haven't before, take a few minutes to read about perhaps the most successful three and one-half hour strike in labor relations history.
4. It has been a particularly dangerous avalanche season in southwest Montana, so we posted Beware the Avalanche where we gathered together and republished warnings and avoidance advice, and recounted the story and mourned the passing of the father of one of our daughter's classmates in an avalanche on New Year's Day.
5. We live in Montana, so we know How to Dress in Arctic Air. When the polar vortex overran the country early in the month we shared our experience and advice.

   

   Great Lakes ice cover is more than twice normal for this time of year.

6. One of our few forays into pop culture is the post On the Road to Bathgate Act 1: "Fargo" the Movie from February last. Our entire Bathgate series has been most interesting and enjoyable to write.  It is pleasing that many find it entertaining.
7. Niagra Falls Frozen in January?  Well not exactly, but close enough to get a mention as such.
8. We blogged last March on Growing Up in Morton Grove. When the King Day crowd got a dose of the saga at the caddie shack, they became interested in other of our youthful recollections.
   
9. On the Road to Bathgate Act 4d: I. J. Foster -- They Came to Make Sure He Was Dead.  That was my grandfather.  He was a sheriff, a land man, an auctioneer, a farmer and a rancher.  They came in record numbers. Why? You be the judge.
10. Lawyer of the Year.  There is no doubt here. It's my sister. Congratulations Joanne!

Thank you to our readership. God bless you all.

Great Lakes Ice Cover 75 Percent

Today the President of the United States is opening up "climate hubs" throughout the United States. That's a good thing for we all know that hiring federal employees is the right prescription for cooling down the planet. Look around us. It is already working.

The Canadian Ice Service reports that ice coverage on the Great Lakes is bumping up against 75 percent.

Great Lakes ice coverage by week, Canadian Ice Service, Environment Canada

The Great Lakes are entombed in a deep freeze this winter (the blue bars) that measured by surface area is about two and half times what is normal (the green line) for this time of year. Through February 5 the Great Lakes ice cover is almost twice the normal seasonal peak, which occurs much later in the season.

Just a few weeks ago scientists, you know, those guys who give you the all-encompassing theory of global warming, "forecast up to 62 percent of the Great Lakes' surface will experience ice cover during the current 2013-14 winter season, up from an average of 51 percent." We've blown right through that. Do not pay attention. Carry on. Good luck to all.

How High Are You?

We don't live in Washington -- or Colorado.  This is not about weed.  

It is about elevation dear reader, more or less universally defined as the number of feet above or below sea level (mean high tide).

Backyard elevation, Elevation Finder screenshot.

There is a neat tool available on the web called Elevation Finder. You can use it to find how high you are in your own backyard, or anywhere else for that matter. Here in Bozeman the listed elevation is 4,820 feet. We live a mile or so out of town and up the valley. Elevation Finder yields a precise 4,929.850 foot altitude for our back yard, 110 feet above town. A person would have to go a few miles further up the road to get a Denver mile high.

I use Elevation Finder to scope out local golf courses. With mountains all about and multiple river valleys, it is often difficult to gauge direction and degree of slope by the naked eye. For example, the 18th hole at Cottonwood Hills in Bozeman appears to be an uphill climb, when it actually drops about 15 feet tee to green, because the downward slope of the valley predominates over the localized ridge. Having that knowledge is a difference of between one and two clubs, which is critically important because if you knock your approach shot over the green on the 18th you can pretty much kiss your ball good bye.

If you have an inkling to purchase property anywhere near a watercourse it's best to check out the plot with elevation finder to aid in assessing flood risk.  

Along the Atlantic seaboard the tool can help you understand how vulnerable to flooding was most of the property that was damaged by super storm Sandy (and why we shouldn't be throwing public funds at restoring and protecting those properties -- the sea always wins ultimately).  

Take for example the tip of Manhattan.

Here is a photo of a flooded underpass near Battery Park in the storm's aftermath.  

Battery Park underpass flooded by super storm Sandy.

Here is the same underpass high and dry.

Battery Park underpass dried out.

Elevation finder shows the flooded roadway is but 3.538 feet above the ocean

Battery Park underpass elevation.

 It is not to wonder why.







   

Father and Son at the Masters

Kevin Stadler won the Waste Management Phoenix Open yesterday, a victory -- his first.

A tale of two Stadlers, Craig (L) and Kevin (R)

I have been following Kevin Stadler's professional golf career closely ever since I attended the 2004 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills at the eastern end of Long Island. Stadler, the younger, had not yet established status either on the Web.com or PGA tours, but managed to gain entry to the Open through the local and sectional qualifying process. I noticed his father, Craig, nicknamed the Walrus, a thirteen time winner and major champion (The Masters) on the regular tour, following Kevin on the spectator side of the ropes in the opening round.

Clearance Sale!

Along the Gradient photo, Denver International Airport.

Meanwhile in Antarctica

The sea ice extent is at all-time recorded highs.

Antarctic Sea Ice Extent  is even more on track to have the highest minimum in the modern satellite era. Antarctic Sea Ice Extent as of Jan 30 2014 was 950,000 sq km above the 1981-2010 mean and 220,000 sq km above 2008. 950,000 sq km above normal is 26% above normal. Day 30 was the 13th daily record of the year.

Obama's right.  The trend has turned.  The seas are no longer rising!

Time to Hunker Down

The Rockies blocked the temperature ridge and kept us on the warm side of the last arctic blast. Looks like there will be no such luck this forthcoming week.

Bozeman, MT forecast, www.weather.com.

Here are the mid-week windchill probabilities (chills less than twenty degrees below zero). We are in the 90 plus percent range.

Time to bundle up!

Saturday Pictures

Saturday Pictures

February 1, 2014

(click to enlarge)

We had a visitor off the back deck yesterday afternoon.

Then a half foot of powder last night. 

The Foster Family: Politicians 'R Us

We are no Bushes or Kennedy's, but the Foster family has had more than its fair share of politicians and political activists.

My father was in it up to his ears. He was Republican precinct captain for two precincts in Morton Grove, Illinois. I knew every household in the 57th and 97th because my dad would recruit me to drop off political fliers at each of the hundreds of homes located therein. He received no personal financial benefit or leverage from his political activism, which vexed his patronage employed political opponents to no end. I remember a time when the Democratic precinct captain showed up at our house and asked my dad to lay off, because his (the Democrat's) pay and opportunity for promotion depended on bringing home votes.

My parents were among an army of Donald
Rumsfeld supporters in this October 24, 1964
The Daily Herald full page campaign ad.

My dad was active in village, township, county and state politics (he was buds with Dick Ogilvie who was Cook County sheriff and Cook County Board president, before being elected Illinois governor), connected to influential politicians at all levels. He was elected to the local park board at one point. I remember when I was a youth, dad supported during his first run for office and had a hook into our elected representative in the U.S. House of Representatives (a fellow by the name of Donald Rumsfeld, if you have ever heard of him).

Dick Cheney replaced Donald Rumsfeld
as chief of staff to President
Gerald R. Ford on November 6, 1975.

When Richard M. Nixon was elected President in 1968, my parents went to DC for the inauguration, where Rumsfeld arranged for them to attend lunch at the U.S. Capitol. Mom and dad reported they sat with and conversed with a very nice man, a fellow by the name of Gerald R. Ford, who became the next President of the United States.