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I always say what I mean. But sometimes I'm a sarcastic prick whose tone can't be properly communicated via text.
One can interpret what I said according to the rules of English grammar, or one can not. It's a matter of personal preference, I suppose.I didn't say that anything bothered me, Immed. Try English. The words are right there.
Is being bothered about something the only reason to post a reply to it?
You directly said that you reject the MWI because you find it unsatisfying, because you like your interpretation better, and because it makes sense to you. There are others who don't find it unsatisfying, who don't like another one better, and to whom it makes sense. Satisfaction is subjective. It is an attribute of you, the person, not of the thing you're (un)satisfied about.
If you are unsatisfied about something, then saying so is a statement about you. And if you prefer one thing over another due to personal (un)satisfaction, then that preference - that choice - says something about your preference, more than about the thing being preferred.
I would have expected someone who harps on subjectivity as much as you do to understand this already.
Quote from: Azdgari on August 19, 2010, 12:59:32 AMIs being bothered about something the only reason to post a reply to it? You didn't post a reply to what I said, you just obliquely claimed that my phrasing reveals something about me personally. People do that when other people bother them. It's an accusation rooted in personality conflict, not in any point that is 'often missed in discussions and interpretations'.
Is being bothered about something the only reason to post a reply to it?
That 'point' is brought up continually in every discussion with me on here, so I don't see why you act as if it's interesting news flash.
A question does not constitute an "accusation".
Why do you think so many members have the same exact problem with you?
Because this is a forum that specializes in a particular range of ideas. When people express ideas which are outside of that range, it is perceived as a threat, and the response is predictably targeted at discrediting the source of the ideas rather than the ideas themselves...Most people I know and have talked to them about it are not threatened or outraged at all, and I have had several people PM me from hear to voice appreciation and encourage me to keep trying.
I have only gotten this reaction here and with a Physics professor so far. Most people I know and have talked to them about it are not threatened or outraged at all,
Of course, you can also go for befriending the simpletons and impress them with your deep sounding theories. But it doesn't really bring you anywhere, does it?
Tell that to Kirk Cameron.
I think you misinterpret the reactions here. The worst emotions I have seen directed towards you are not of a threatened or outraged nature at all."
"I think you are even lucky that we even take the time to criticize you. I am quite sure that in the academic world you will just be ignored because your ideas are just a waste of time. Of course, you can also go for befriending the simpletons and impress them with your deep sounding theories. But it doesn't really bring you anywhere, does it?"
Maybe you are overreacting because our reactions are not supportive enough?
The reason that we are so critical is because you just pull a theory out of thin air
and then say that in your 'experience' the complete scientific world is basically seeing it all wrong or at least not complete.
You don't have any support for your ideas and you also fail to really explain what your theory or set of ideas precisely are and what's wrong with the scientific method as it is.
You've also demonstrated that you only have a limited understanding of actual scientific theories and no experience with mathematics at all. What do you expect? That we let everything fall from our hands, dismiss the entire scientific community that has been so successful for hundreds of years including the greatest minds ever alive, and applaud and just assume YOU are totally correct in your understanding, even though you have no hint of support for your ideas?
Maybe you can easily impress 'most people you know and talk to', but I don't think you have found a scientist yet that was impressed with your ideas.
You didn't post a reply to what I said, you just obliquely claimed that my phrasing reveals something about me personally. People do that when other people bother them. It's an accusation rooted in personality conflict, not in any point that is 'often missed in discussions and interpretations'. What point is that? That I suck? That my point of view is subjective but that somehow your point of view about me is objective? That 'point' is brought up continually in every discussion with me on here, so I don't see why you act as if it's interesting news flash.
I deliberately used phrases like unsatisfying, 'like it better', and 'sense to me' to underscore the unsettled and theoretical nature of these cosmologies and my relation to them as someone who is subjectively involved in trying to formulate one.
There is no objective criteria for metaphysics other than our own perception of the degree to which it satisfies our questions about the cosmos. That's why we are discussing it. To exchange ideas and opinions, not to recite encyclopedias to each other. I'm not relaying knowledge of how to disassemble a transmission, where I wouldn't use those kinds of terms at all. So satisfaction is not a purely subjective attribute of me, since I would apply it to theoretical cosmology but not to auto mechanics. I don't have an inside view of auto mechanics. If I was trying to build an engine from scratch, I might find the Diesel design to be satisfying or not, but since I don't, I have no subjective investment in it.
Yes, it says that I know I'm just a person who doesn't know the ultimate metaphysical truth of the cosmos and that I approach these things with a sense of proportion, rather than presume that I speak for science or the universe.
QuoteI would have expected someone who harps on subjectivity as much as you do to understand this already.That's why I expressly made it subjective, because I understand that these Theories of Everything exist to answer our subjective questions. I use the subjective language so that others don't need to make the point to that I have no evidence. The fact is that anyone who claims that their preference of a particular worldview isn't subjective is deluded. To imagine that one is possessed of pure and universal logic which transcends subjectivity, is to me, a fallacy of inverted narcissism. Perhaps my pointing that out is what is not-at-all-bothering you?
Can we stop the inquisition now? Do you have anything to say about the actual topic of MWI or the Odds of Life, or is it just going to be more armchair psychoanalysis and argumentation about me personally?
I like how you start out with this:..and end up with this:
Really? I'm lucky to be personally criticized? Not my ideas mind you, but me personally.
I'm lucky to have people bestow their personal opinion upon me on behalf of the entire 'academic world' and that my lifelong friends, who I know from our times together attending class in Highly Gifted Magnet programs - some who are computer programmers with physics degrees, are simpletons who I've befriended to impress with my deep sounding theories? But that's not enough, you then have the nerve to tell me that I'm misinterpreting and overreacting. You suggest that these kind of blatantly personal remarks are to be interpreted as mere 'critical questioning, dismissing, and at most annoyance or impatience'?
Your friends are simpletons that you have befriended to give you a receptive audience for your theories. That's not my opinion, I'm telling you that as a fact. Your friends are idiots and you only have them to feel like you are less of an idiot.
Do you interpret that my intention is to question you? To dismiss you? To express annoyance or impatience?
I'm not looking for supportive reactions here. I might be looking for my ideas to be read by people who may benefit from a worldview which goes beyond devout physicalism but does not regress into theism. The reactions I get here only reinforce my OMM model which associates extreme objectivity or extreme subjectivity with intolerance and fear.
Thin air and a lifetime of experience, observation, and analysis.
I've never said that the complete scientific world is basically seeing it all wrong. I'm saying that if we change a fundamental assumption about the nature of subjectivity and objectivity, then it seems like our most perplexing theoretical cosmological problems might begin to be resolved.
How can you say that my ideas don't have any support if you are saying that I've failed to explain what they are.
Mainly I'm saying that the cosmos is fundamentally composed of order, and that matter is a category of order rather than the other way around.
Further, I'm saying that the order we experience can be mapped on a continuum of external and objective at one end and subjective and internal at the other.
Finally I'm suggesting that light may be a property of matter in which matter is able to describe itself to some extent and sense that descriptive quality in matter outside of itself.
There is precedent for this dynamic in bacterial quorum sensing, which to me, implicates sense on a molecular level.
Impressing people is the furthest thing from my mind. I'm just trying to make sense of my own experience. All that I look for from others is corroboration - 'does it seem this way to you too? If not, how does your understanding differ?'
My own preference is for the Objective Reduction ontology proposed by Roger Penrose.
So, you agree with me. Why the objection, then?
You take things far too personally, Immediacracy. My statement applies to myself as much as it does to you.
It's better than blind agreement of stupidity of people that nod at anything that you say, I would say.
But obviously, dealing with criticism is hard for some. Especially those that are not used being criticized.
I don't know your friends of course
I save my ideas for papers that submit to conferences and journals for anonymous peer review.
In other words, you're here to preach? Sorry, but you sound like any other religious nut we see out here.
A lifetime of bullshitting around without formulating rigorous mathematical or formal background of some vague ideas are apparently not a good way to get anywhere. Thinking long and hard doesn't guarantee any kind of success.
You try to invent entropy now?
Now you say that there is something like 'physics' and something like 'psychology'?
That just doesn't fit with reality. Light and matter are the consequence of the same thing.
Bacteria interacts with other bacteria using molecules. Matter reacts with other matter via electromagnetism and gravity. That's all well-known. What does this implicate precisely? What new thing do you exactly derive from this?
Maybe you try to persuade people, so that you can safely believe what you believe.
Maybe, you want to impress people and feel a really smart underestimated scientist. I don't know. One of them, I guess, why would you otherwise act in this way?
Why would it be better? Nodding no in blind disagreement to anything that I say is superior to nodding yes?
Obviously condescending superiority is easy for some. Especially if they are used to their own hypocrisy.
is where it should end. Why go on to speculate about people you don't know? How does it further your argument to talk about my friends?
That's a respectable thing to do. Do you tell them that their fake friends are simpletons? Maybe you should try it out?
If I wanted to preach, I'd look for a group more likely to be converted. I'm just here to discuss issues that interest me that coincide with the topics of the forum.
It's gotten me to the best Theory of Everything that I've come across - which is the only thing that I've been looking for.
No. Entropy is an automatic tendency toward disorder. I'm talking about order. Negentropy. Sequence. Coherence. Pattern. Who said anything about inventing it? I'm just saying that it's primary. Cosmos = order, not cosmos = matter.
I'm talking about the phenomena which physics and psychology study and the relation between them.
It seems to fit with the reality I experience. Better than projectile particle/waves of massless light that only exist when we choose to observe them.
Quorum sensing implicates that interaction at a very primitive physical level is based on sense. Bacteria aren't just bumping around blind, they are coordinated in groups. The behave individually and respond socially. This places the roots of subjectivity much closer to the level of molecules and atoms than to the level of a human or other animal brain.
What I derive from this is that subjectivity is not that big of a deal to the universe. We know that small bits of DNA give rise to subjectivity, and that DNA itself is only a configuration of atoms. Subjectivity can only exist then, if it's potential to exist can be found within atoms themselves. Where else does it come from?
Why would a subjectivity arise spontaneously from inert components?
Electromagnetism as atomic quorum sensing makes more sense to me than inert projectiles in a senseless universe.
Just the opposite. I want people to persuade me that I'm wrong so I can safely believe what they believe...except that so far nobody has given me anything to think about that I haven't gone over already many times.
Act what way? Stubbornly persisting in a way of looking at things that seems correct to me? Have you considered that maybe you're acting this way so that you can safely believe what you believe?
What I derive from this is that subjectivity is not that big of a deal to the universe. We know that small bits of DNA give rise to subjectivity, and that DNA itself is only a configuration of atoms. Subjectivity can only exist then, if it's potential to exist can be found within atoms themselves. Where else does it come from? Why would a subjectivity arise spontaneously from inert components? [...]
I like what I've read of Penrose's view, and I think that it interprets things in a similar way that my view does. The main difference, to me, is that it lacks the interiority of subjective experience. If consciousness is quantum processes within countless microtubules, why does it seem like we are experiencing something very different? What is our coherent, gestalt subjective experience made of?
Because what you said "Hence, the promotion of your interpretation of QM is a statement about you - and what satisfies you - rather than about QM." was aimed at me personally - not at all a general or neutral statement about the subjective nature of interpreting QM. It was an obvious accusation of incompetence - an intimation of a personal inability on my part to render appropriately impersonal judgment.
That's cool, then let's just make it "Hence, the promotion of y our interpretations of QM is a statement about you us - and what satisfies you us - rather than about QM."
Our disagreement is not blind, several of us have repeatedly compared your ideas with science and the scientific method and have explained to you that your ideas have nothing to do with it. Science is not blind. It is the only way known to understand nature.
As you claimed they do not openly reject your ideas. I came up with some possible ideas why they don't.
That's not relevant in that situation. I do no need to care about my or their friends. We are anonymous to each other.
They will only evaluate my ideas. And if they reject them, I won't whine to them that my friends DO like my ideas and that they're too arrogant not to. See the difference?
But we'll see how you behave in the future.
Order and disorder are basically equivalent terms. Entropy is a measure. Your 'idea' is similar to entropy. The principles of entropy have been discovered. I call your ideas no discovery, because you do not derive them from facts, but just make them up.
What is the relation between them? And how could we know if a certain relation indeed does exist or doesn't?
There is no real duality or paradox, it's just hard to put it into words what the QM formulas mean.
But QM is not exactly baseless, it has been predicting many phenomena that have been countlessly verified to be correct. It flawlessly models every micro-scale experiment we can come up with. What is there to reject about that, what is there not to fit with reality?
What does your everyday macro life has to do with it?
The fact that you don't intuitively understand GM reality doesn't matter in the least. Reality doesn't care. Just coming up with some explanation, without mathematical framework, that just 'sounds right' doesn't mean that it is right. Actually, usually that sort of explanations are very very wrong.
Groups of bacteria are cooperating, just like the entire human body consists of cooperating cells. This doesn't say they are 'aware' or that their behavior cannot be precisely modeled.
Similarly atoms and quarks are interacting via the four known forces and in that sense coordinated. That doesn't attribute any 'awareness' to them either, and does not subscribe subjectivity to them either in a psychological sense.
Small bits of DNA give rise to subjectivity? Could you please define what subjectivity is, according to you?
Properties of complex systems need not come from any of their parts, but can be part from their configuration alone.
Might be. But truth does not equal whatever makes the most sense to you.
I don't believe that. You seem to purposely construct your ideas so that nothing much can be said about them, or measured by them. That was the reason you originally placed them outside the scientific field. I don't think that anything can change your mind. I've already said many times that without experimentation and validation your ideas about the universe are completely useless and senseless.
What is the nature of this "subjectivity" particle/wave? How would you show its existence?
How would you do the maths?
Would it not be more reasonable to speculate that the presence of any large object (camera, person, etc.) has a quantum effect on space-time / earth's magnetic field / etc., which is shown in the behaviour of subatomic particles? Why would the particles (atoms) that are being observed have to have the quality you propose?
But back to your speculation, as I look at a person and he cannot see me looking, are you suggesting that the person changes because all his electrons change their behaviour? Would that matter any more than if his blink rate rose from 10.451938392 per minute to 10.451938393?
If I and you both looked at that person and he cannot see us looking, how would he change? Would he change in 2 ways or would he change the same for both of us?
What would be the significance if you were right? What would be the significance if you were not?
I think that the answer to that question is found in the subjective idea of an individual. On a certain physical scale, we are individuals. On a smaller physical scale, we are no longer distinct individuals, but rather a colony of individual cells. The question of why the body-scale of an object thinks of its body-scaled self as an individual is one that answers itself, I think.
Asking what consciousness is "made of" falls into the trap of assuming that it is a "thing" that can be "made of" stuff. It's like asking "what is math made of?" Despite "math" being a noun, it is not evidentally meaningful to ask what it is "made of".
My own take on what consciousness "is", is that it's just a natural property of matter, expressed in different ways according to different arrangements of matter.
QuoteHow would you do the maths?The maths have been done. I'm just interpreting interpretations of the maths.
I am correct in assuming that you don't have a problem with the mathematics of Quantum Mechanics , Relativity etc but more with the language used by scientists when they try and explain concepts like entanglement to the intelligent educated layperson?
1. Photons don't 'travel' through space.
2. Individual particles/energy/stuff communicate with other partiicles/energy/stuff when they feel the need. So when a person looks at an object the particles/energy/stuff in that persons brain sets up a link with the particles/energy/stuff of the object and they transfer data.
1. Gravitational lensing has been observed. how do you explain it in your interpretation?
2. How do X-ray scans work? Do the outer body particles/energy/stuff say 'sorry mate!, too much information, I am not going to respond'. Whereas bones and such say 'yeah, I can talk to you.'
Quote from: relativetruth on August 20, 2010, 05:09:01 AMI am correct in assuming that you don't have a problem with the mathematics of Quantum Mechanics , Relativity etc but more with the language used by scientists when they try and explain concepts like entanglement to the intelligent educated layperson?Not the language, but some of the interpretation. The assumption of a physical light substance.
No, I'm thinking that there's no physical link although there is a physical chain reaction. There isn't 'data transferred' physically, although you could model a logical data transfer and be correct (is data ever transferred physically? maybe that's a semantic glitch...). [...]
Gravitational lensing has been observed. how do you explain it in your interpretation?
For any of these kinds of questions you have to deconstruct the experiment and look only at what was actually used to make the observation and rethink the experiment without a photon stream. The observation of gravitational lensing undoubtedly tells us about how mass effects the logical characteristics of the effects on the objects we use to observer (our eyes and brains included) but it doesn't necessarily tell us what is happening in the space in between the observing objects and the observed. It's inferred, and there is more than one way to infer the result. Without the photon stream, nothing changes except the way that we think about what is going on. There's still a relativistic shift, but all that's bending is our expectation about the result. There may not be any physical 'bending of light'.
X-Ray scans work in the same way they always do, only the X-Ray isn't a physical 'ray', it's just that an electrified Tungsten or Molybdenum anode produces effects the tissues of the body differently according to their density. Bones rock out. Soft tissue, not so much. The areas of the film or ccd element which are exposed to the 'bone dance', are themselves excited in the same pattern, which we reproduce by exciting our own retina when we look at it.


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Former Derry administrator will face trial for indecent exposureBy HUNTER McGEE
Union Leader Correspondent
April 11. 2014 9:33PM
DERRY — A trial management conference was held Friday for former Town Administrator John Anderson, who faces charges of indecent exposure and lewdness.
After the conference in the 10th Circuit Court in Derry, the decision was made that the trial will continue and be set for a full day, a court official said Friday. The date of the trial has yet to be scheduled.
During the conference, Anderson's attorney James Rosenberg and prosecutor Kirsten Wilson were scheduled to meet with Judge Lucinda Sadler to discuss how much court time would be needed for the trial, according to court officials.
Rosenberg requested that the misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and lewdness be dropped on March 7 during a hearing in the 10th Circuit Court. That request was rejected by Sadler and the management conference was then scheduled.
Anderson, 50, has plead not guilty to the misdemeanor charges of allegedly inviting a DirecTV salesman into his house on July 11 while in the nude and other inappropriate conduct.
Rosenberg had argued on March 7 that the state indecent exposure statute is vague and uses overbroad language. Rosenberg said the salesman, who didn't have an appointment, also continued to pitch the satellite TV product inside the home.
After leaving, the salesman allegedly left behind a brochure for Anderson with his own phone number handwritten on it, Rosenberg said.
Wilson had argued previously that the state statute isn't overly broad or vague.
Wilson had also argued that Anderson had crossed the line when he invited the salesman into his home while in the nude and allegedly acted inappropriately in front of the salesman.
Anderson remains free on $2,000 personal recognizance.

subset: commoncrawl


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DENVER - Calling on Coloradans to "punch holes in the darkness," Gov. John Hickenlooper laid out his response to massive wildfires and gun violence Thursday in his third State of the State address.
The speech contained Hickenlooper's most detailed vision yet of what he wants to accomplish as governor, from a statewide water plan to mental health improvements to reforming the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights.
The twin menaces of drought and gun violence colored much of the speech.
Hickenlooper paid homage to Coloradans who suffered during a horrific summer that saw the state's most destructive wildfires and one of the worst mass shootings in American history.
"We have an obligation to prevent similar tragedies, to do good, to bring light to darkness. We have an obligation to represent the best that is Colorado," Hickenlooper said.
Hickenlooper originally responded to the Aurora movie theater shooting last July by saying it wasn't the right time to discuss the politics of guns while victims were still mourning.
Coincidentally, a day before the Connecticut elementary school shooting, he said Colorado should start the conversation about guns, and he emphasized his new position Thursday.
"We shouldn't be restrained from discussing any of these issues. Our democracy demands this type of debate," he said.
He called for universal background checks for all gun sales - a line that brought a standing ovation from Democrats and silence from Republicans.
"Surely, Second Amendment advocates and gun control supporters can find common ground in support of this proposition: Let's examine our laws and make the changes needed to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people," Hickenlooper said.
He also called for the Legislature's support for a "comprehensive overhaul" of the mental health system. He outlined what he had in mind last month - legal changes that make it easier to find people with mental health troubles and get them treatment, either with or without their consent.
The governor called for a statewide water plan by 2015.
"While expanding reservoir capacity makes sense, and rotational fallowing of agricultural land shows great promise, every discussion about water should start with conservation," he said.
He touched only briefly on two of the hottest issues in the Legislature in 2012. He called on lawmakers to quickly pass bills to create civil unions for gay and lesbian couples and college tuition discounts for the children of illegal immigrants. With Democrats firmly in control of both the House and Senate, passage of both bills is a foregone conclusion.
The speech was "probably a little over 50 percent bipartisan, I'd say," said Senate Minority Leader Bill Cadman, R-Colorado Springs.
But Cadman worried about Hickenlooper's call to reform the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights and other constitutional amendments that keep property taxes low and set a minimum amount of school funding.
"A lot of the proposals are a little bit pie in the sky in a speech like this. We need to get down to details," Cadman said.
Rep. Don Coram, R-Montrose, said he thought the speech was good overall, but the governor's positive words on the economy don't match what he sees in his own district.
"Basically every State of the State is somewhat rosier than reality," Coram said. "When I look around the Front Range, I see the economy recovering. The Western Slope, I don't see that yet."
Hickenlooper separated from his wife, Helen Thorpe, last year, but she attended Thursday's speech and sat in the front row.
"On a personal level, I appreciate Helen being here today. Even with the changes in our life, she remains a beacon of light to me and Teddy for all that is good and just," Hickenlooper said.


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Left to die: No help in HudsonEDITORIAL
October 19. 2013 2:05AM
Editor's note: This editorial is reprinted, with permission, from last Thursday's Telegraph of Nashua.
When police are called to respond to a suicidal person, they have an obligation to act. When Hudson police were called to the home of Matthew Banks, they found a tube connected to the tailpipe of his car.
They had evidence he tried to take his own life and had a duty to protect him. Instead, they arrested him on DWI charges. A day later, he finished the job.
Susan Mead, outreach director for the Greater Nashua Mental Health Center, who has been training police officers around the region for several years including officers in Hudson, said it succinctly: "If someone's suicidal, you want to bring them in and have them assessed," Mead said.
When Hudson police were called to Banks' home, they failed to seek the help of a mental health professional.
Hudson police have recently released documents related to their response, but have failed to explain the rationale for their actions.
On April 29, a neighbor spotted a flexible vacuum hose attached to the exhaust pipe of Banks' Ford Explorer and said she threw it in the garbage.
The next day, about 6:30 p.m., the woman walked outside and found Matthew Banks attaching the hose once again and called the police.
Instead of committing a suicidal man to the hospital for care, they charged him with DWI and released him later that night. By the next morning, Banks was found dead with bags over his head.
His widow says police should have done more to keep her husband alive.
The relationship between Janet and Matthew Banks wasn't always a smooth one, and her account differs from what police say on several points. But what's indisputable is Matthew Banks didn't need to die that night. Hudson police had a chance to get him professional help. Whether that failed to happen because police were complacent or because they failed to follow their own policy is difficult to say.
Police refused to discuss any detail of the case out of "respect" to Matthew Banks' family, even though his widow has asked for answers. In an interview on Oct. 2, Hudson Police Chief Jason Lavoie and Capt. Bill Avery declined to talk about how Hudson officers are trained to deal with people who are suicide risks. They refused to release even the department's policies for dealing with suicidal people.
Their policies are public information and to deny the public access to those policies casts aspersions on everything they do. How is the public supposed to trust and evaluate the actions of a police department - in any instance - when police refuse to discuss their protocols?
Two days after the interview, Hudson police produced a report that said Banks' widow, Janet, was given an opportunity to have him involuntarily committed, an option police had themselves. They said she declined.
The death of Matthew Banks confirms that police are increasingly on the front lines of cases where people have demonstrated self-destructive behavior and officers need clear protocols to guide them. Lives can hang in the balance.
Nobody knows what the Hudson police protocols are, or even if they have any. A department of officers sworn to protect and serve should answer those questions, so citizens can evaluate whether the police are doing their job properly. Whether they like it or not, police are accountable to the public under our system of government.
It's unfair to Banks' widow and the people of Hudson for police to avoid accountability out of "respect" for the victim.


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Local ski areas are jubilant about the bounty left by a recent series of storms.
Mother Nature smiled down at Durango Mountain Resort and dumped more than 3 feet of snow in just 72 hours, a Tuesday news release from the ski area said. From Saturday morning to Monday evening, the series of storms dropped 37 inches of snow at Purgatory, creating an epic alpine nirvana.
The ski area was reporting a 60-inch base.
Skiers and riders can expect a fantastic powder experience and sunny, bluebird days this week! the release enthused.
Silverton Mountain reported receiving 48 inches in 48 hours.
The storm continues to deliver with the deepest snow Silverton Mountain has seen in several years, the expert-terrain ski area said in a news release. Skiers and snowboarders were neck deep.
Silverton Mountain was reporting a mid-mountain base of 60 inches. Wolf Creek Ski Area had 73 inches and Telluride had 44 inches.
For todays snow report from area ski resorts, see Page 3B.
Herald Staff


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Koch had been in and out of the hospital in recent months suffering from various health issues. The official cause of death is being reported as congestive heart failure.
"Earlier today, New York City lost an irrepressible icon, our most charismatic cheerleader and champion, Edward I. Koch," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who led the push to rename the Queensborough Bridge for the former mayor, in a statement. "We will miss him dearly, but his good works – and his wit and wisdom – will forever be a part of the city he loved so much."
During his time at City Hall from 1978 to 1989, Koch was known as a tough and fiery leader. But his determined style is also credited for bringing the city out of some of its darkest times when it was on the verge of financial ruin.
"No New Yorker has - or likely ever will - voice their love for New York City in such a passionate and outspoken manner than Ed Koch," said Governor Andrew Cuomo. "New York City would not be the place it is today without Ed Koch's leadership over three terms at City Hall."
Koch, who also served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1977, didn't slow down after he left office. He stayed busy writing for local newspapers and stayed active in politics as an outspoken champion of policies and candidates he supported and as a commentator on NY1. He even spent two years as a judge on "The People's Court."
Born in the Bronx in 1924, he moved to Newark, N.J., as a young child. Koch never married, and rumors about his sexual orientation dogged him his entire political career, but questions on the subject were off-limits for Koch.
"Many still think Ed Koch was single," said former Councilman Peter Vallone, Sr., who was head of the City Council through much of Koch's time in office. "That's not true. He was married to this city, and loved it with a passion and devotion from beginning to end."
During Koch's last term, his accomplishments were nearly washed away thanks to a scandal in the Parking Violations Bureau. While Koch was never implicated, the investigation - led by a young prosecutor named Rudy Giuliani - was the downfall for many of Koch's closest political allies.
Later in life, Koch would write a book about Giuliani called Nasty Man.
Koch was eventually defeated by David Dinkins. He would later mount an unsuccessful run for governor.
A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper West Side. He will be buried in Trinity Cemetery on Riverside Drive.


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Greece Travel Information
The Basics
Electrical current is 220 volts and 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use, including the European-style two-pin and the round three-pin.
Greek is the national language, but English is widely spoken.
Travel Health
There are no specific health risks associated with travel to Greece, but visitors who plan to walk through forested areas are advised to consider vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for those arriving from infected areas. A hepatitis A vaccination may be recommended by some doctors for extended travel in rural areas.
Medical facilities in Greece vary: those in major cities are excellent but many of the islands are some distance from a decent hospital. For this reason, it is best to take along any prescription medication you may require. Food and water are safe, but those visiting for short periods should consider sticking to bottled water. UK nationals are entitled to a refund on emergency hospital treatment under a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Greece, and a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) should be taken on holiday for this purpose. Despite this, all visitors are advised to take out medical insurance.
A service charge is often included in the bill at restaurants in Greece; it is best to see if this is the case before tipping. If no service charge has been included, leave between 10 to 15 percent. For drinks at cafes, round the bill up to the nearest euro. Taxis expect change as do cloak room attendants and porters.
Safety Information
There is a safety risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors are urged to be vigilant in public places, including tourist sites. Austerity strikes have taken place in the past and have been widespread. These strikes can bring the country to a halt - transport networks particularly suffer during strikes. Thus far, strikes in Greece have inconvenienced travellers without turning violent; however, tourists are advised to stay away from political gatherings as there have been clashes between police and protesters. Greece is otherwise considered a safe destination, but the height of the tourist season does usually see an increase in petty theft cases, particularly in crowded areas. Visitors are advised not to carry valuables on them and to make use of hotel safes for valuables. Do not display conspicuous wealth and make sure your valuable possessions are not easily accessible to pick-pockets. Violent crime is infrequent, but there have been incidents on some Greek islands and lone visitors are advised not to accept lifts from strangers.
Local Customs
Indecent behaviour is not tolerated and the police will not hesitate to arrest or fine offenders. Some form of official identification should be carried at all times.
Business in Greece is conducted in a similar fashion to Italy or Spain rather than their northern European counterparts. A formal dress style is adhered to: dark, conservative suits for men and women are best. Punctuality is not often practiced in Greece and often hosts arrive late to meetings. A firm handshake with eye contact is the norm for greeting men and women for the first time. Business cards should be printed in both Greek and English, although there is no ritual surrounding the exchange. Greeks like to get to know their business colleagues before conducting any serious business so don't expect to close a deal at the first meeting. Greek culture adheres to a hierarchical structure and respect should be shown accordingly. The giving of gifts is common in social circumstances though not necessarily in business. Business hours are generally 8.30am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.
The international access code for Greece is +30. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). The city code for Athens is 21. Free wifi is available at cafes, restaurants, hotels and other similar establishments throughout Greece. Calls can be made from public card phone booths and cards can be bought from kiosks. As international roaming costs can be high, purchasing a local prepaid SIM card can be a cheaper option.
Duty Free
Travellers from non-EU countries do not pay duty when entering Greece for 200 cigarettes, or 100 cigarillos, or 50 cigars, or 250g tobacco; 1 litre of spirits with alcohol volume under 22 percent, or 2 litres of dessert wine not exceeding 22 percent alcohol volume, 4 litres of wine and 16 litres of beer.
Become our Greece Travel Expert
We are looking for contributors for our Greece travel guide. If you are a local, a regular traveller to Greece or a travel professional with time to contribute and answer occasional forum questions, please contact us.


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A massive sweep in two states by the South County Crime and Drug Task Force on New Year's Day resulted in four arrests allegedly connected to a Dec. 13 home invasion in Dudley.
Three of four men arrested in connection to a home invasion were ordered held without bail Wednesday in Dudley District Court, pending a dangerousness hearing Friday.
The quartet was the subject of a two-state, New Year's Day raid by the South County Crime and Drug Task Force.
Judge Timothy M. Bibaud ordered Aaron Hadley, 41, Dennis Burke, 26, Ryan Cross, 41, and Jeffrey Hoenig, 61, held. Cross was apprehended in Connecticut.
Judge Bibaud denied defense lawyers' requests to allow their clients to stand in the stairwell for their arraignments. The lawyers argued there was an issue with identification in the case.
However, the judge granted their request to impound affidavits summarizing the complaints, making their arrest narratives unavailable to the press.
Police said four men wearing masks entered a first-floor apartment at 42 Oxford St. in Dudley about 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and assaulted two people. A man there suffered a serious head injury and his girlfriend received a serious leg injury. Police did not release the victims' names.
About 80 officers from the South County Crime and Drug Task Force, with the assistance of Massachusetts and Connecticut state police, assembled at the Southbridge Police Department early Tuesday for a coordinated sweep.
The teams executed four arrest warrants, as well as search warrants for 145 Mechanic St., Southbridge, and 30 Ladd Road, Sturbridge.
Officers arrested Mr. Hadley in his second-floor apartment at 278 Mechanic St. He was charged with mayhem, armed assault in a dwelling, home invasion and conspiracy.
Mr. Burke was arrested at 972 Main St. in Southbridge. He was charged with mayhem, armed assault in a dwelling, home invasion and conspiracy.
Mr. Cross was arrested in Morris, Conn., on charges of mayhem, armed assault in a dwelling, home invasion and conspiracy. His cash bail was set at $500,000 in Connecticut.
Mr. Hoenig was arrested at his home of 30 Ladd Road, Sturbridge, on charges of conspiracy, felony for hire, four counts of possessing a firearm with a felony conviction, four counts of possessing a firearm without a firearms identification card and possession of ammunition without an FID card.
Police said in a statement that evidence in the Dudley home invasion case as well as four firearms and ammunition were seized from 30 Ladd Road in Sturbridge.
A fifth man, 38-year-old Peter J. Battista, was arrested at his home at 145 Mechanic St., Southbridge, on a charge of being in possession of ammunition without an FID card. Mr. Battista posted $500 bail and was ordered to return for a Feb. 13 pretrial hearing.
Mr. Battista was arraigned separately and his court file was made available to the public. The police report said Mr. Battista told authorities a man he knew as Darryl came to his garage with a shotgun and ammunition, but Mr. Battista told him to leave with it.
State police Sgt. Daniel Wildgrube located two boxes of ammunition in a milk crate in the garage, the report said.


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Death Notice: Norma K. (Cupp) Cleveland
Norma K. (Cupp) Cleveland, 47, of Moberly, passed away Wednesday, February 6, 2013, at her residence. A memorial gathering will be held for Norma on Thursday, February 14, 2013, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., at the King James Baptist Church in Moberly. A memorial service will take place at 4:00 p.m. Million-Taylor Funeral Home of Moberly is handling arrangements.


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Browse Bulletins
Ocean Parks Offer a Marine Lifeline
Marine life increases in protected waters.
Fog in Flux for California Redwoods
Coastal fog has declined for these iconic giants.
China's Acidic Farmland
Overuse of fertilizer is making China's soils more acidic.
Dung Beetles Help from the Ground Up
Humans are losing the big benefits that dung beetles bring to life on the planet.
Biodiversity Lowers Lyme Risk
Preserving species and habitats helps keep people safer from Lyme disease.
Oil Mining Found to Pollute
Alberta's oil sands industry contaminates local air and water.
Scientists Trace Shark Fin Trade
Genetic sequencing is revealing the secret haunts of shark fin hunters.
Bloom Sullies Guatemalan Lake
A picturesque Guatemalan lake is now struggling with cyanobacteria blooms.
Evolution In Action: Isolation and Speciation in the Lower Congo River
Why are the Congo's fish evolving so quickly?
Primates Decline After El Niño
If climate change increases El Niño cycles, some primates may sink further into decline.
Plastic Trash Threatens Remote Seabirds
Even isolated colonies of Pacific albatrosses can eat a stomach-full of plastic trash.
Coral Health in a Warming World
When ocean waters heat up, outbreaks of coral bleaching and disease can follow.
New Fossils Recast Tyrannosaur Evolution
Tyrannosaurus rex is no longer the poster boy for this family of dinosaurs.
Tiger DNA Study Boosts Recovery Hopes
The world's most diverse tigers live in India, making it a new hotspot for tiger conservation.
As Antarctic Ice Melts, Wildlife Shifts
Climate change is affecting a web of western Antarctic life.
Bushmeat Tracked by Barcode
A quick genetic test can now identify illegally hunted wild game that is traded on the global market.
Roads Expose Hidden Amazon Species
As the Amazon's tree canopy is cut, more local species are becoming known to science.
Waiting for Water in Africa's Sahel
Desertification has left Mali's Lake Faguibine nearly completely empty.
Cancers Threaten Wildlife
For some species, cancer can be a deciding factor between survival and extinction.
Biodiversity Boosts Human Health
A study of hantavirus shows that when biodiversity declines, disease risk increases.
Mammal Migrations Under Threat
The migrations of many large mammals around the world are declining due to human actions.
Mangrove Trees Save Lives in Storms
A new study shows that coastal-dwelling mangroves can reduce the death toll during monster storms.
Predicting Peatland Fire Risk
Indonesians are now monitoring the climate to prevent wildfires.
A Park for Afghanistan
Afghanistan recently inaugurated its first national park.
Ship Camera Maps Slimy Invader
As a coastal invasive species spreads in the North Atlantic Ocean, HabCam is catching it in action.
Biologists Push to Save Sturgeon
Harvesting caviar from sturgeon in the Caspian Sea comes at a great cost—the fish's survival.
Bat Sickness Spreads to New States
As bats die across the eastern United States, biologists have more questions than answers.
Australia's Fire Danger
The wildfires that recur in southern Australia are predicted to worsen as the globe warms.
Gigantic Snake Fossil Discovered
The remains of the world's largest snake tell a story of the ancient tropics.
Light Pollution: Beyond the Glare
Light reflected off cars, buildings, and roads can derail wildlife.
Australian Coral Growth Slows
Climate change appears to be causing a coral decline in the Great Barrier Reef.
American Chestnuts: Back on Home Turf
This landmark American tree is poised to return to eastern woodlands.
China's Great Green Wall: A Dust Antidote?
China is planting an enormous swath of forest to keep dust storms at bay.
Acid Oceans
For marine life, climate change means more than warming.
Striped Bass Decline Points to Pollution
An experiment uncovers a major killer of this popular sport fish in San Francisco Bay.
Extinct Cave Bear DNA Decoded
Genetic details help sort out the bear family tree.
Beluga Whales Endangered in Alaska
The federal government is protecting a small group of Alaskan beluga whales before it gets any smaller.
Taking Stock of Coral Reefs
Divers in Australian reefs tallied hundreds of species new to science.
Suburban Growth Stresses Streams
Roads, buildings, and other new development alter aquatic life in local streams.
125,000 Gorillas Discovered in Congo
A new survey doubles the existing number of western lowland gorillas.
Eight New Natural Wonders Listed
UNESCO has added eight new sites to its list of irreplaceable natural habitats.
Climate Change Forces Species Uphill
Some reptiles and amphibians that live on Madagascar's highest peaks could face extinction.
Animals Aid Depleted Forests
When forests vanish, seed-spreading animals can come to the rescue.
Yosemite: Biodiversity in the Balance?
When one link in Yosemite's food web falters, the effects cascade.
A Cyclone's Wake
Clearing of Myanmar's lush mangrove forests worsened the damage from Cyclone Nargis.
The Last Wild Horse: The Return of Takhi to Mongolia
Conservationists reintroduce a native species to its home.
Beetle Outbreaks and Climate Change
A new study highlights a feedback loop between global warming and a forest insect.
Lake Mead: Empty by 2021?
Climate change could bring grave water shortages to the American Southwest.
Global Fires 2002 - 2008
See how human activity is changing fire patterns around the world.
Loggers Imperil Monarch Butterflies
Satellites show severe deforestation in a rare monarch butterfly overwintering site.
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WikipediaRead full entry
Python regius
Python regius is a nonvenomous python species found in Africa. This is the smallest of the African pythons and is popular in the pet trade, largely due to its typically docile temperament. No subspecies are currently recognized.[2] It is also known as royal python or ball python.[3] The name "ball python" refers to the animal's tendency to curl into a ball when stressed or frightened.[4] The name "royal python" (from the Latin regius) comes from the fact that rulers in Africa would wear the python as jewelry.
Adults generally do not grow to more than 152–182 cm (5.0–6.0 ft).[5] Females tend to be slightly bigger than males, maturing at an average of 122–137 cm (4.0–4.5 ft). Males usually average around 90–107 cm (3.0–3.5 ft).[6] The build is stocky[3] while the head is relatively small. The scales are smooth[5] and both sexes have anal spurs on either side of the vent.[7] Although males tend to have larger spurs, this is not definitive, and sex is best determined via manual eversion of the male hemipenes or inserting a probe into the cloaca to find the inverted hemipenes (if male).[8] When probing to determine sex, males typically measure eight to ten subcaudal scales, and females typically measure two to four subcaudal scales.[5]
The color pattern is typically black or dark brown with light brown or gold sides and dorsal blotches. The belly is a white or cream that may include scattered black markings.[5] However, those in the pet industries have, through selective breeding, developed many morphs (genetic mutations) with altered colors and patterns.[9]
Geographic range[edit]
They are found in Africa from Senegal, Mali, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria through Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic to Sudan and Uganda. No type locality was given in the original description.[1]
Ball pythons prefer grasslands, savannas and sparsely wooded areas.[3] Termite mounds and empty mammal burrows are important habitats for this species. Usually found in West Africa, particularly in Sierra Leone, Togo, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Cameroon, Gambia, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Ghana, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mali, Uganda, and Sudan.
This terrestrial species is known for its defense strategy that involves coiling into a tight ball when threatened, with its head and neck tucked away in the middle. In this state, it can literally be rolled around. Favored retreats include mammal burrows and other underground hiding places, where they also aestivate. In captivity, they are considered good pets, with their relatively small size and placid nature making them easy to handle.[3] Captive bred adults rarely bite unless severely threatened.
In the wild, their diet consists mostly of small mammals, such as African soft-furred rats, shrews and striped mice. Younger individuals have also been known to feed on birds. Pythons imported from the wild tend to be picky eaters and may not respond to food as well as captive-bred pythons, which usually do well on domestic rats and mice, either live, killed, or frozen-thawed.[5] Live feeding a snake can be dangerous for the snake involved and should never be attempted by inexperienced keepers. The size of the prey item given to a python should be equivalent to or slightly larger than the width of the largest part of its body. This python is known for being a picky eater and may not eat for months, particularly during the winter breeding season. While this is not odd, care should be taken to watch that the snake does not experience significant weight loss. Although captive ball pythons may only need to be fed once a week, many owners will feed their python two times a week, or more than one serving at a time. This is done to increase the weight and length of the snake. Most ball pythons will not eat when they are preparing to shed; there are some that will, however. Parasites can also cause the snake to not eat. Other causes of not eating are stress caused by overhandling, temperatures that are too hot or too cold, humidity being too high or low,[10] and not enough areas to hide within the vivarium.[11]
Females are oviparous, with anywhere from 3 to 11 rather large, leathery eggs being laid (4-6 most common).[5] These are incubated by the female under the ground (via a shivering motion), and hatch after 55 to 60 days. Sexual maturity is reached at 11–18 months for males, and 20–36 months for females. Age is only one factor in determining sexual maturity and ability to breed – weight is the second factor. Males will breed at 600 grams or more, but in captivity are often not bred until they are 800 grams (1.7lb), although in captivity some males have been known to begin breeding at 300-400 grams. Females will breed in the wild at weights as low as 800 grams, though 1200 grams or more is most common; in captivity, breeders generally wait until they are no less than 1500 g (3.3 lb). Parental care of the eggs ends once they hatch, and the female leaves the offspring to fend for themselves.[8]
These snakes are bred in captivity and are popular as pets, because of their small size (compared to other pythons) and their docile temperament.[12] Wild-caught specimens have greater difficulty adapting to a captive environment, which can result in refusal to feed, and they generally carry internal or external parasites which must be eliminated by administering antiparasitic drugs. Specimens have survived for over 40 years in captivity, with the oldest recorded ball python being more than 48 years old. To live this long, captive ball pythons require proper care. This care includes proper feeding, a clean tank, handling, and overall quality of life. [13] [5] In captivity, most adult Python regius snakes should be kept in a minimum of a 40 US gallons (150 L), long glass tank, as these pythons are ground dwellers and are highly secretive and largely sedentary. Some large females may require cages up to the 50 US gallons (190 L) long tank. Also, at least two hiding places should be provided at different ends of the tank, with one having a thermostat-controlled heating pad under it to allow the animal to regulate its temperature. Since most snakes are adept at escaping captivity, the tank should have a locking lid. Juveniles in particular may be stressed by overly large cages that do not have sufficient small hiding spaces. For this reason, baby ball pythons do well in a 10 US gallons (38 L) or 15 US gallons (57 L) cage at first. Controlled temperatures of 80 °F (27 °C) with a 90 °F (32 °C) basking area on one end of the cage are necessary for proper health. Humidity should be maintained at 50% to 60% with dry substrate.[8]
There are hundreds of different color patterns that can be made while in captivity. Some of the most common Morphs found are Spider, Pastel, Albino, Mojave and Lesser. All single gene Ball Pythons can be bred together to make more complicated double gene Pythons. Examples include using a Pastel and a Black Pastel, creating a Black Pewter, which when bred will show both genes in its offspring. Breeders are continuously creating new designer morphs, and over 3,800 different morphs currently exist.[14]
Beliefs and folklore[edit]
This species is particularly revered in the traditional religion of the Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria. It is considered symbolic of the earth, being an animal that travels so close to the ground. Even among many Christian Igbos, these pythons are treated with great care whenever they happen to wander into a village or onto someone's property; they are allowed to roam freely or are very gently picked up and placed out in a forest or field away from any homes. If one is accidentally killed, many communities in Igboland will still build a coffin for the snake's remains and give it a short funeral.[15]
See also[edit]
- ^ a b McDiarmid RW, Campbell JA, Touré T. 1999. Snake Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, vol. 1. Herpetologists' League. 511 pp. ISBN 1-893777-00-6 (series). ISBN 1-893777-01-4 (volume).
- ^ "Python regius". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 12 September 2007.
- ^ a b c d Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. ISBN 0-8069-6460-X.
- ^ Ball Python (Python regius) Caresheet at ball-pythons.net. Accessed 12 September 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g Barker DG, Barker TM. 2006. Ball Pythons: The History, Natural History, Care and Breeding (Pythons of the World, Volume 2). VPI Library. 320 pp. ISBN 0-9785411-0-3.
- ^ http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=17+1831&aid=2422
- ^ Ball python at Pet Education. Accessed 12 September 2007.
- ^ a b c McCurley, Kevin. 2005. The Complete Ball Python: A Comprehensive Guide to Care, Breeding and Genetic Mutations. ECO & Serpent's Tale Nat Hist Books. 300 pp. ISBN 978-097-131-9.
- ^ (P. regius) Base Mutations at Graziani Reptiles. Accessed 12 September 2007.
- ^ The Ultimate Ball Python Feeding Troubleshooting Guide at My Pet Python
- ^ http://www.ajanimalfarm.com/ballpython.htm
- ^ Ball Pythons, Selection and Maintenance at MSN Groups. Accessed 12 September 2007.
- ^ Ball python at NERD Herpetocultural Library. Accessed 5 February 2009.
- ^ http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/
- ^ Hambly, Wilfrid Dyson; Laufer, Berthold (1931). "Serpent worship". Fieldiana Anthropology 21 (1).


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Updated: Death of woman in Nashua called suspicious
July 20. 2013 9:45PM
Nashua and state authorities are investigating what they term the suspicious death of a woman whose body was found in an apartment in Nashua Saturday.
The woman was found dead Saturday in an apartment at 32 Chestnut St., her name has not been released.
Police have asked that anyone who might have knowledge of circumstances surrounding the death to call the Nashua Police Department at (603) 594-3500 or to contact the Nashua Crime Line at (603) 589-1665.
Police said the identify of the woman and the cause of death will not be released until after an autopsy scheduled for Monday and notification of family.


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Ojinaga Itinerary 6 Days
6 Days in Ojinaga Vacation Guide
A blend of vibrant colours and serene nature, ancient history and modern glamour, and the deep cultural roots that strive towards progress, Ojinaga is one of the best places to vacation. With almost a week at your disposal, you can roam through its streets, feast on its traditional delicacies, and dive into its culture. With the world's best monuments ready to woo you, and the enchanting legends that find their origin here, be ready to be mesmerized by every small corner of the brilliant city of Ojinaga.
Know before you go on a trip to Ojinaga
Six days is a long time to spend and with the wonderful, but slightly unpredictable weather of Ojinaga, it is always recommended that you go prepared. So, dress according to the weather, carry some warm clothes for the evenings and elegant attire for some fine places that you may want to explore. In case you want to enjoy some adventure or sport activities, dress comfortably! Keep a tiny backpack with all your essentials like water bottle, meds, camera and all that you may need while you traverse through Ojinaga. Any amount of time is less to experience the magic of Ojinaga. Having said that, 6 days is enough to get a glimpse of the culture that is hidden beneath the "touristy" spots. Indulge in walking or biking tours, nature stays, restaurant hopping and other such offbeat activities. Keep your plan flexible and make the most of these days in Ojinaga.
What to see in Ojinaga in 6 days?
All the important tourist attractions like Area Natural Protegida Canon Y Sierra Del Peguis must not be missed!
Things you should NOT do in Ojinaga
One thing that you should not do when you are in Ojinaga, is spend too much time huddled up in your hotel room, when the entire city is calling out to you. Compromise on sleep, and explore as much as you can! Don't miss out on the popular tourist attractions, but also take some time out to understand the authentic culture. And last but definitely not the least, don't forget your camera and journal, as recording these special experiences is part of the journey! Also, checkout the best things to do in Ojinaga to have an unforgettable experience.
Modes of transportation in Ojinaga
The best way to explore Ojinaga is on foot. But don't hesitate to avail of public transport, as the city has excellent transport network. You can also hire a bike or a car, or even take a taxi to get around Ojinaga.
Dining and shopping on holiday in Ojinaga
A vacation of 6 days in Ojinaga gives you ample opportunities to understand, try and indulge in the traditional delicacies. If you don't mind spending a couple of more bucks, opt for one meal to be of fine dining. Ask the locals and your hosts about the speciality of the city, and set out on a gastro-journey! Shopping in Ojinaga is in itself an experience. Look for the city's best artwork, it's forte and treat yourself to such trinkets. Apparel, food items, souvenirs... you will have an array of such alluring things to shop for.
Best vacation rentals in Ojinaga for 6 days:
Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, resorts... with such a wide variety of accommodation options in Ojinaga, you will hardly ever have any issues. From budget to luxury, every type is available here. Keep in mind the area, the neighbourhood, and your itinerary, as you don't want to spend too much time commuting. Since you'll be in Ojinaga for quite some time, you can try various types of hotels to have different experiences! Book in advance to get the best deals.
Whether you are for in Ojinaga for 24 hours or more we have each custom trip plans created just for you.
Be Smart! Try quickest way to plan your trip online now!
New to Trip planning? Learn how to make an itinerary on TripHobo!


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April 21. 2013 12:04AM
'We're not getting bullied anymore'
By SHAWNE K. WICKHAM
New Hampshire Sunday News
The Manchester SWAT team, pictured Friday in Watertown, Mass. (Courtesy)
Seacoast SWAT team not far from scene of capture
Nashua squad came close to suspect
State police SWAT team members put their training to the test
The eyes of the world were on the manhunt for the Boston Marathon bomber, and Manchester Police Department's SWAT team was right in the thick of it.
The call came around 11 a.m. Friday from Boston police, according to Officer Nate Boudreau, who is co-leader of the Manchester SWAT team and training coordinator for the New Hampshire Tactical Officers Association.
"This isn't your everyday SWAT call," he said. "This was something you don't say no to."
Greater Boston was on the alert for Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, who along with his brother, Tamerlan, was suspected of setting off two bombs at the finish line of Monday's Boston Marathon, killing three people and wounding more than 170. Tamerlan died early Friday after a shootout with police in Watertown, Mass., but Dzhokhar was able to get away.
For three years, the Manchester team has trained with Boston police to respond to major incidents through the "Urban Shield" program.
This time the emergency was real: a manhunt was under way in Watertown and Boston needed Manchester's help. On the way down, Boudreau told his team they were a part of history.
"Not too many people in the United States get to defend their own turf like we did," he said. "Normally, that's a military function. We were able to participate in that and succeed at that."
Sgt. Brandon Murphy, co-leader of the Manchester SWAT team, had Friday off and was getting ready to stain his deck when he got the call.
By 1 p.m., 12 Manchester SWAT team members and three vehicles were in Watertown. "We went down there to do whatever was asked of us," Boudreau said. "I would have handed out water to other SWAT guys."
They were tasked with searching for the alleged bomber, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
"Boston P.D. had been working for 18 hours straight and they needed relief, so we took over for Boston P.D. and they gave us a grid," Boudreau said. "They called it the 'hot zone.'"
"This was the zone where Suspect 2 had abandoned his vehicle and fled ... he was hunkered down."
Their mission: To search every house in seven city blocks, looking for the 19-year-old accused with his older brother of bombing the marathon last Monday. "We probably checked between 50 to 60 houses or more," Boudreau said.
With each knock on a door, they braced for a gunfight, he said. "That was the expectation, every house we went to: He was going to be there."
And each time, "We were surprised and disappointed that he wasn't."
Why disappointed? "Because ... anybody there would have liked to have been the guy or the team who found the person who destroyed so many lives and basically put a city on its knees for a brief moment."
Murphy said the area they were searching was close to where the two suspects had been in a shootout with police Thursday night. "We had a good idea there was a strong possibility he was hunkered in a back yard," he said. "The intel was that he was wounded."
Then there was the fact that the Marathon bombers had already used explosives to kill and maim innocent civilians.
"You have to consider that if you come into contact with him, he's going to have a charge on him, and how are you going to deal with that," Murphy said.
"You think about the larger things, too; if they had a vehicle that was full of fertilizer. There's a lot of things that go through your head."
But he said, "Ultimately, you're going to go out there and you're going to search and try to find this guy. You put the rest of the stuff in the back of your mind and go do it."
The Manchester team leaders coordinated the efforts of their own officers and SWAT team members from Lawrence, Mass., and, later on, the Seacoast (N.H.) Emergency Response Team. They had just finished clearing the last street when they heard gunshots very close by.
Then came word the suspect was pinned down in a boat in a back yard, just outside the search grid.
Murphy said that news actually had "a calming effect" on him. "At least you have him in a location now. He's not in this huge area that you've been searching."
And with all the police in the area, he said, "He's not going anywhere."
The Manchester team headed at once to the command center; the Boston SWAT team was back on duty and had responded to the boat. A special Hostage Rescue Team from the FBI out of Quantico was also dispatched to the scene, Boudreau said.
"They got a high vantage point of him through helicopters, so they constantly could see the person in the boat," he said. The suspect was alive and moving, he said, but "had a substantial injury."
"He never stood up. He never challenged anybody, per se," Boudreau said.
"They did a great deal of negotiation with him."
Police cleared all radio traffic while the negotiations were going on, Boudreau said. "But it was probably about 20 minutes and we got the 'suspect in custody' call."
There were hugs and handshakes among the officers at the command center. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino stopped by to congratulate them all, and Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis personally thanked the Manchester team.
Boudreau said he's glad the suspect was captured alive; he may be able to answer questions surrounding the allegations against the brothers, including those pertaining to possible motives, and whether they were working with a terror group.
"There's so many pieces, having this guy alive, that are so crucial to national security, New England security, and peace of mind for a victim."
On the way home, the Manchester officers stopped for dinner at the Chateau Restaurant off Interstate 93.
"There was a standing ovation for us," Boudreau said. "Multiple people came up to us, thanked us, hugged us."
The other diners also picked up their tab. "It was pretty humbling," he said.
"Just being acknowledged by people. We weren't even in New Hampshire yet. It was Massachusetts people that took it on themselves to personally thank us and hug us."
Team members were also touched by how residents of Watertown responded to the police searching their neighborhood. One elderly woman told the Manchester officers she had been hiding behind her couch for hours.
"We went in, we cleared her apartment, her basement," Boudreau said. "She didn't want us to leave. She wanted to make us dinner. It was so amazing."
Murphy said the threat of terrorism has always been real to him; he has a brother in the military who's on his third tour in Afghanistan. But he said, "This personalizes it because it's so close.
"There's people from this state who were there at the Boston Marathon who had been the victims of that violence. It personalizes it because now you've been summoned and you're looking for the guy."
For Boudreau, the experience was life-changing. "For us to have been able to defend our own area of the country, and the country, on something like this was huge," he said.
It also made the threat of terrorism very real, he said. "It is right here living amongst us, even in little New England."
But just as important, he said, is how law enforcement and civilians alike responded to what happened.
"We're not getting bullied anymore. We know it's here and people are doing the right things, making the phone calls.
"And basically, we've taken that stand now."


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Review asked of Manchester police traffic stopsBy PAUL FEELY
New Hampshire Union Leader
June 16. 2013 10:48PM
Manchester Alderman-At-Large Joe Kelly Levasseur is requesting a review of police department procedures after hearing stories of people claiming they were asked by Manchester police officers — following a routine traffic stop — about items they sold to pawn shops.
"The system we have in place is like the NSA in DC," Levasseur wrote in an email to all board members and City Clerk Matt Normand Thursday. "The government, with its big eyes, ears, nose and mouth, knows everything about everyone."
A ordinance that went into effect last Aug. 1 requires pawn shops and dealers in second-hand goods to report goods they buy for resale, then hold onto them for 30 days in case the person selling them is trying to use the shop to "fence" stolen goods.
Assistant Police Chief Gary Simmons has reported to the Administration Committee of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen that it has helped reduce crime. The ordinance covers about 50 businesses and requires pawn shops to upload a digital photo of the item and the seller, along with identifying information, to LeadsOnline, an online system used by over 2,000 police departments.
A city pawn shop owner, who asked to remain anonymous, said in the last few months he's talked to three or four people who say they were pulled over for a traffic stop and asked about pawning items.
"One was an older man, who said he was pulled over for not using a directional," the shop owner said. "He said after the cop took his license and registration to the cruiser, he came back and was asking him why he was selling stuff to pawn shops. It sounds like an invasion of privacy to me."
Manchester Police Lt. Maureen Tessier said officers do have the capability to access information contained in LeadsOnline during such a stop. But the department, and Chief David Mara, are unaware of any such instances, she said.
"We have not received any complaints about anything like that," she said. "The chief hasn't fielded any calls on it either. We aren't aware of that happening during traffic stops, and if it did, no one has brought their concerns over it to us."
Levasseur said he will attend today's meeting of the Committee on Administration and Information System (3:30 p.m., City Hall) to air his concerns.
"I'm not sure when it became illegal to sell things at pawn shops but I do not believe this is what the aldermen thought they were voting for when they voted to allow this computer system in place," said Levasseur. "Now police officers are using this system to pull over cars for minor infractions and harassing citizens with questions about going to pawn shops? I feel this may be a very serious violation of a person's civil rights and we may be setting ourselves up for a serious lawsuit. I'd like to see it looked at, but we'll see if they allow it."


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Manchester police propose towing fee hike to make cost 'competitive'By TED SIEFER
New Hampshire Union Leader
March 19. 2013 9:57PM
MANCHESTER - Getting one's car ticketed and towed is bad enough, but drivers in the Queen City could soon get slapped with significantly higher fees from towing companies.
The Manchester Police Department is proposing that standard towing fees be hiked from $70 to $110, a 57 percent increase. For tows during non-business hours, the fee would go from $85 to $125. The daily storage fee would go from $25 to $30, and the fee for releasing the vehicle during non-business hours would be hiked from $25 to $40.
The aldermen's Administration Committee approved the fee increases Tuesday without discussion. The full Board of Mayor and Aldermen is expected to vote on the revised ordinance next month.
Police Chief David Mara said the higher rates were in line with those in other cities and towns; he noted the rates were last raised in 2005.
"Gas prices have gone up, inflation, salaries," he said. "It was the fair thing to do. This doesn't bring us up to have the highest rates around."
According to a survey conducted by police, the average towing charge in similar cities and surrounding communities is $125.
In Concord, towing companies are allowed to charge $145 for a standard tow and $120 for snow emergencies. In Nashua, the rate is $125 for a regular tow and $95 for a snow emergency removal. Bedford police tows are $125, and in Londonderry, the rate is $105.
Mara said he understands the public might not be pleased with the higher rates, but he said the department had to make sure the city offered competitive rates.
"Towing companies in these other communities are making a certain amount of money. We're keeping to industry standards. We need companies to be on that tow list to facilitate getting cars off the street," he said.
The vote on towing fees comes as a Manchester towing company is in the national spotlight. The U.S. Supreme Court begins hearings today in a case involving Dan's City Auto Body.
The company is challenging a state Supreme Court ruling that found it violated state consumer protection laws when it sold a vehicle that it had towed six years ago while its owner was in the hospital.
The case could determine whether federal trucking laws pre-empt state consumer protection statutes.
As it turns out, representatives of the company were before the aldermen's committee on Tuesday. The company was protesting the police department's recent decision to stop contracting with it.
In a letter to the company, a police official wrote, "Contractors ... are expected to maintain positive working relationships with members of the Manchester Police Department and exhibit high professional standards ... It was determined that your company would be excluded from consideration."
The committee approved the police department's decision, after meeting in closed session with representatives of the company.


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Pete Versus Toby are an Australian label and they are easily one of the coolest new menswear labels out there. From the incredible hair of their model to the vintage-feel of their prints, I am fast falling in love with this great label!
Brandish Poll: Do you Dare? Bum-Bags!
At a disco the other night, the theme was 'City vs. Country' and stuck for ideas, a friend and I decided to go as tacky tourists. Cue vintage novelty braces, high-waisted denim shorts and charity shop shirts.
My charity shop bum-bag has been the focus of much attention.
Sneak Peek- Oki-ni Site Renovation Happening TODAY!
The Fashionisto has reported that Oki-ni is redesigning their website today and he has a quote from Pete Hellyer, Oki-ni Design Manager.
Yay or Nay: Autumnal Tones on The Sartorialist
For me, the Sartorialist is often 'Hail or Fail' in that sometimes I want to literally hunt down the people in his photographs to steal their outfits and sometimes I just want to hunt them down and …hurt them? Anyways, I can't decided with the photo to the left. While I love the proportion play of the trench and tight, knit waistcoat and the relatively baggy trousers tucked into the boots, I'm not as convinced by the Autumnal colour scheme.
US GQ March 2009- Justin Timberlake
The latest issue of American GQ looks set to be an exciting issue. While not the most fashion-forward of magazines, GQ manages to provide consistent style advice and it usually has at least a few good features.
In this issue, we have Justin Timberlake posing in a variety of stylish albeit bland looks and one of the most interesting looking features looks set to be their 'Top 10 Most Stylish Men in America' feature. Check back soon for the entire list with pics!
Which High-Profile Model Inspired Brandon Flowers' Brits Brilliance?
When Brandon Flowers stepped onto the stage at this years Brits 2009 in that jacket I died as I felt my own wardrobe implode with sheer joy. His jacket had major shoulder pads covered in long feathers and the overall look was a mixture of indie legend and an American footballer who had been given a makeover by Jean Paul Gaultier.
I was pleasantly surprised at how many people shared in my amazement and when I set my Facebook status to something Brandon-related immediately I had replies from fashion, music and technology writers all claiming to be either in love/ mad with envy or seeing double. I, myself, felt that I recognised the jacket and it wasn't until the next day that I realised the model Brandon had obviously been taking style tips from…
Oh My Gran Torino…What was Clint Eastwood thinking?
I feel like a traitor to men worldwide (and that's saying something seeing as my trouser of choice is the skinny jean and I am constantly borrowing things from friends and family without a second thought as to which sex the item was originally intended for.) I have just dissed Clint Eastwood on a pretty public scale and I can already hear the heckles and smalls rocks as they soar through the air.
But let's be honest- he looks a complete mess.
Jeremy Scott x Ksubi In-store this March!
In the later months of last year, the Brandish team began to see previews from the Jeremy Scott Loves Ksubi denim collection.
Now, upon Lady Gaga wearing the orange love-heart suit in Sunday Times Style magazine, we are pleased to tell you that the line will be in-stores this March.
VMAN 13: Spring 2009- Jake Madden and CJ Hancock
The latest issue of VMAN was released a few days ago and it has two, bright covers. Models Jake Madden and CJ Hancock pose in fab suits from designers Calvin Klein and Givenchy and the covers are brilliantly fresh- perfect for the economic moan-athon we are currently suffering!
CJ and Jake are the joint winners of the VMAN and Ford Model Search and from these debut covers it looks like they will go far.
See after the jump for a full review of this issue with pics included!
Love the Look: J.W Anderson S/S 2009 Look-book
J.W Anderson is a fringe designer who is fast-becoming one of the edgiest and coolest designers on the menswear scene. His Spring/Summer 2009 look-book is styled around themes of religion and from the title, 'An Eye for an Eye,' to the rosary beads and ornate headdresses, his theme is strong and bold.
News from New York: The Return of Ombré
Since I started on Brandish just over a year ago, I have repeatedly examined how trends begin in womenswear and eventually make the leap to menswear some few seasons later. Well now the Ombré trend worked by womenswear designers such as Jonathan Saunders and Prada almost three seasons ago has been dished out in rather glorious spades by designer Robert Geller.
Yay or Nay: Headwear at Duckie Brown
As we move to New York with our menswear coverage, the entire Brandish team has begun searching the shows for particular looks, gossip and moments that have caught our attention. And if there is one designer who has so far got people talking, it would have to be Duckie Brown. This label, designed by Steven Cox and Daniel Silver, has been trend-setting in previous seasons and over the last eight years it has definitely become one to watch for editors and writers alike.
So, with that said, what do you think of the label's latest headwear designs. Loud, outrageous and not just a bit odd, would you be willing to rock this monumental millinery?
Just when Karl says no…Opening Ceremony launch website!
Fashion extraordinaire and all-round legend Karl Lagerfeld recently told the press that "an H&M dress and a Chanel dress can look the same in a small photo, but not in real life" and explained that he isn't ready to take the Chanel label online. However, Opening Ceremony (the great albeit not couture label) have just opened their website and online shop.
Brandish Question: Are Your Favourite Labels Ruined By Celebs?
I hate to admit it but fashion weeks kill me. They really do. Don't get me wrong- I love the glamour, the fabrics, the details, the models and every other part of the fashion seasons. But it gives me a pain in the very bottom of my heart when I realise that the glorious clothes I drool over and dream about will only end up on the Jonas Brothers 2 months later.
Acne's Pop Classics throws some great (new) shapes
As the days lengthen, the volume has definitely been turned up on Spring fashion options. A clear voice amongst the throng, ACNE have just launched their SS09 POP Classics collection.
Sex doll hoodie by Sander Reijgers will amaze and enlighten
Click image to enlarge
Sometimes a piece of clothing is such a work of genius that actually, yes it could be considered art. Sander Reijgers has taken the kind of sex doll you usually see bandied about at stag dos and in dodgy shops and has made it into an object of wonder.
Alexander Wang Announces Menswear- Is Our Favourite Hipster Jumping on the Bandwagon!
Nitrolicious has revealed that Alexander Wang, the most recent fashion darling and It-designer, is to launch a menswear collection for Spring/Summer 2010. Adamant that he isn't simply jumping on the bandwagon, Wang explains that "for us it's a component that's always been there..the idea has always been there, I'm just expanding it" in reference to his famously androgynous looks.
A.PC's Spring Summer collection online now
Another inspiring gallery of new season clothing, this time from uber chic French label A.P.C. The made news recently with their Nike collaboration on the All Court tennis shoe and I'm sure we'll be seeing lots more of the label thanks to our mutual love for all things madras.
Skins fashion details now available on-line!
The third episode of this season's Skins is out this week and the series is already proving that the youthful fashion beacon has been passed onto a new cast. From the over-sized tees and shrunken dungarees of Freddie to the vintage sportswear worn with careful nonchalance by the fabulous Cook (on the right.)
Design your own hoodie with Champion's Hoodie Remix
Click image to enlarge
America really has all the sweetest deals at the moment, they've got a sexy new pres, the Domino's cheeseburger pizza, grape soda and now the land of opportunity is bringing you the opportunity to design your own hoodie. If customising your Nikes and creating your very own pair of Converse has left you wanting more then Champion's Hoodie Remix is for you but unfortunately it's only for the Yanks.


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Rumor Alert: Of Trios and Theme Parks and Chanel Clothes Oh My!
Jun 15, 2008
For those wondering when we might hear a bit more rumors on the involvement of the trio and the upcoming Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park, wait no more. Today, the Sunday Mirror is reporting that Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has written "a brand-new Harry Potter story which is being turned into a mini-movie" that will star the trio of Dan Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. The UK tabloid also says filming will take place at Leavesden Studios in England before they begin filming on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows next February. Additional quotage " "They are also working on extra sequences and clips which will be part of the rides. J.K. Rowling has been involved in everything. She wrote the story."
As posted previously here on TLC, there are earlier reports stating the trio and JKR would be appearing at the opening day of the theme park, which is continuing construction (yet more photos here via OrlandoRocks) and due to open December of 2009 or early 2010, however this is the first report of video being made especially for the theme park in Orlando, Florida. We will try to verify this and update when we know more.
On a related note, actress Emma Watson also was the subject of another story today in another tabloid, this report stating the actress is to formally sign a deal with the legendary couture house of Chanel to become the "new face of the Chanel fragrance Coco Mademoiselle." The Daily Mail says that Emma, who has previously worn Chanel clothes to many public events, including several Harry Potter premieres, "has signed a two-year contract worth £3million with the French fashion house to promote the brand." The paper continues:
Miss Watson, who became a household name in the films based on JK Rowling's books, has signed up with leading model agency Storm, which is thought to have secured her first major campaign. It is understood that she will replace Keira Knightley, 23, whose contract with Coco Mademoiselle ends this summer. Sources said Chanel is creating a new role for Miss Knightley who, in her latest advert, poses provocatively with just a bowler hat covering her modesty.
A source said Miss Watson's appointment will be announced next month. 'Emma has been excitedly telling friends that she is going to be taking over from Keira…It is understood that Miss Watson's bosses at Warner Bros, which makes the Harry Potter films, have given their full backing to the deal."
While this sounds very probable, we are also working to obtain verification on this and will of course post updates on this as soon as possible.
Thanks much to Radcakesfan and Mary!


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You are here: Root > By Topic > Artificial IntelligenceView the dependency graph for this library
Screamer is an extension of Common Lisp that adds support for nondeterministic programming. Screamer consists of two levels. The basic nondeterministic level adds support for backtracking and undoable side effects. On top of this nondeterministic substrate, Screamer provides a comprehensive constraint programming language in which one can formulate and solve mixed systems of numeric and symbolic constraints. Together, these two levels augment Common Lisp with practically all of the functionality of both Prolog and constraint logic programming languages such as CHiP and CLP(R). Furthermore, Screamer is fully integrated with Common Lisp. Screamer programs can coexist and interoperate with other extensions to Common Lisp such as CLOS, CLIM and Iterate.
|Web site
|Mailing list
|3.20 - Wednesday, 04 January 2006
|OS compatibility
|ASDF installable
|Official Download
|Mirrored Download
|Source code repository
Generic ANSI Common Lisp | CMUCL | Allegro Common Lisp | LispWorks
Artificial Intelligence | MIT | Language Extensions | Libraries
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Other source
There seems to be a newer source in git source control, available at: http://repo.or.cz/w/screamer.git
Submitted by bobbysmith007 10/12/2008 15:46:17
You must be logged to add a comment
MIT licence
Mr. Siskind kindly has given permission to distribute it under MIT license.
My current repository is at Github (http://github.com/nikodemus/screamer). Differences to 3.20 are so far limited to cleanups (support for Symbolics, AKCL, etc. has been stripped) and light modifications to make it run in an ANSI Common Lisp, plus some documentation strings copied over from screamer.ps.
Submitted by nikodemus 2940 days 4 hours 20 min ago
Trouble updating information
A better "homepage" the copy of Screamer I maintain is http://nikodemus.github.com/screamer/ but I can't seem to update this page.
SBCL should also be added to "Compatible Implementations", as it is the one I use to work on Screamer -- or the list should just be empty and have only "Generic ANSI Common Lisp".
Submitted by nikodemus 2902 days 7 hours 7 min ago


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|Article number:
A grand classic in Cressi mask production, which continues to find favour with enthusiasts, even though it has been around for years now.
The mask is small, has a low inner volume and is very suitable for deep free diving.
The skirt is small and the mask adapts easily to a large number of face types.
The two separate lenses are situated very close to eyes to offer good visibility in all directions.


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NH biofuel firm is latest to fall short on IPOBy DAVE SOLOMON
New Hampshire Union Leader
March 26. 2013 9:46PM
LEBANON - Mascoma Corp., a Lebanon-based company that specializes in renewable fuels, has withdrawn plans for an initial public offering that it had hoped would raise as much as $100 million to finance its core business of producing the gasoline additive ethanol from corn or pulpwood.
The stock market is not hot on biofuels these days. Several companies like Mascoma considered going public in the past year, only to withdraw when they saw the numbers.
Mascoma executives declined to be interviewed, but Bill Brady, president and CEO, wrote in an email, "The terms provided by the IPO market at this time were not attractive to the company."
He said Mascoma will continue to fund its operations with money from private investors and by increasing revenues from its grain technology business.
Mascoma is trying to secure additional financing to construct two ethanol plants, one in Kinross, Mich., and the other in Alberta, Canada, to convert wood into ethanol using its proprietary processes.
The timing of the IPO to finance the moves did not work in the company's favor.
The company has been successful over the years in attracting private investment, including millions from high-profile investor Vinod Khosla, an Indian-born American businessman and venture capitalist, as well as Valero Energy and Marathon Oil.
Last year the company signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy for $80 million in funding for the Michigan plant, in addition to $20 million previously awarded by the DOE for research and development.
Other cancellations
Mascoma, which employs about 50 people at its Lebanon headquarters, is the fourth biofuels company to cancel or delay indefinitely an initial share sale since last year, according to Bloomberg.
Municipal waste-to-ethanol company Enerkem canceled its IPO in April. Fulcrum BioEnergy withdrew its IPO plans in November, and Coskata, which produces ethanol from woodchips, made a similar move in July. Some biofuel companies have managed to go through the IPO process, but are trading far below their initial public offering price.
Bloomberg reported on Tuesday that market pricing suggests ethanol production has balanced supply with demand for the biofuel, as gasoline consumption has declined. Beyond supply and demand is a larger concern about the long-term prospects for biofuels, amid debate among scientists and policymakers as to the efficiency of growing corn or harvesting lumber to create fuel.
"While Mascoma's technology is compelling, it has floundered in spite of a federal mandate, government subsidies and backing from major companies and Silicon Valley venture firms," according to Kirsten Korosec, contributing editor at smartplanet.com. "The advanced biofuels industry has struggled to scale up commercially, and dozens of companies have folded in the process."
Snake oil?
The industry relies heavily on government targets for ethanol content in gasoline, and the European Union is considering a proposal to freeze crop-based biofuel consumption at current levels. In the U.S., the Energy Information Administration reports that production through the end of 2012 fell compared with the same period the previous year, putting the industry on track for the first annual drop since 1996, according to Reuters.
"The European Commission has proposed effectively to halt industry growth pending a better understanding of its wider impacts," Reuters reported.
One issue is the net energy effect, when the fuel and fertilizer needed to grow and harvest the raw materials of ethanol are taken into account. An extensive study by the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, titled "21st Century Snake Oil," is being widely debated in the energy industry.
"When the energy content of the final product, biofuel, is compared to all the energy that was required to make it, the trade proves to be a very poor investment, especially considering the alternatives," according to the study's authors. "In many cases, there is a net loss of energy."
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