Tuesday, May 15, 2012

AN AUTHOR'S EMPIRE


No Writer’s Block Here


This is Peter’s work station 24/7


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Sunday, May 13, 2012

Climate Change


China's pollution won't affect the world
By Ken Ring |  May 9th, 2012, 7:50 pm Yahoo News

Real science is actual observation and not computer modeling. City smog, haze etc. does not go above a few hundred feet, kept buoyant in daylight hours by heat from the ground.
         This lake and sky at Glenorchy, New Zealand, will probably still look like this long after man has left the planet.
You can look down on Auckland, New Zealand, smog from the summit of Mt Atkinson in Titirangi.
The amount of CO2 in the air is always 38 parts in 100,000, and CO2 is not an impurity. Thousands of tons of water free of impurities are lifted each day from the oceans by evaporation.

A low pressure system can range hundreds of miles and drop rain over an area as vast as the Tasman Sea.
The amount of soot particles from industry and emissions from a city is infinitesimal, heavier than air and can not possibly contribute to weather. The weather always gets there first, then deals to the steam or fumes, not vice versa.

Water vapor rises because it is lighter and less dense. Look out of a Boeing window and you will see, like white candy floss, streaky ice crystal cirrus cloud above you at 50,000 feet. Yet it is where a wet weather system begins.
The ice gathers and gets heavier then descends to form rain clouds which drop as downpours.

CO2 comes out of volcanoes, ejected by volcanic blasts often 14kms into the air then kept aloft by thermals and upper-level turbulence. Being heavier than air the CO2 eventually drops back to the ocean where it dissolves.

To suggest soot changes weather patterns is to deny the enormity of the weather systems and to magnify out of all scientific proportion Man's tiny contribution.
There is no evidence that man-made pollution contributes more to soot levels in air than gets there through natural forest and bush fires and eruptions from volcanic sources.

The Taupo eruption and Pinatubo may have had slight momentary effect, but would have dissipated very rapidly. Temperature records from before, during and after the Pinatubo eruption show hardly any deviation.

Droplets of rain form around dust particles, which is why your windscreen needs cleaning after a shower. 100 years ago it was never imagined that soot might alter world weather when London, Paris, Chicago, Shanghai etc. had pea-soup fogs.

Cities are now much cleaner than in the past, even in China despite coal widely burnt. Of course it is not pleasant to breathe it, and we can always do more to create cleaner habitats. But that would be costly.
With no production return no one will foot that bill.

In the debate about world weather we tend to forget that rain is quite local. In Wellington we do not get rain that has travelled from Nebraska. It comes from the harbor or nearby coasts.
The cycle of evaporation to rain is about 5-7 days. Average wind speeds are no greater than 15 mph, or 2,500 miles per week, which is not even the width of China (3,123 miles).

In a week a low pressure system has all but dissipated. To slow it even more, rain-laden clouds become stationary.
Considering that after 7 days most atmospheric soot would have separated out, loads of soot could not travel beyond Chinese borders in appreciable amounts and with significant effect. Therefore any pollution by China is not a global problem

Emissions are mostly dirty steam. The 99% part that is water vapor joins the sky as extra cloud. The dirt in fuel that provides the blackish look falls to ground and is biodegradable.
It is not healthy to inhale it, but breathing any smoke is not good for you, especially the carcinogenic fumes from barbecued sausages, yet no one is saying sausages are wrecking the planet.

Given the vastness of the atmosphere and the high altitude at which weather begins vs the tiny amount of city smog that only rises a few hundred feet by day then falls again to ground under its own weight at night, it is impossible that weather could ever be affected by emission impurities.

Remember too that NZ weather comes from thousands of miles across the ocean, either under the Great Australian Bight, up from the Southern Ocean’s icy polar waters or down from the Coral Sea via the Queensland coast - all vast ocean areas with no factories or cars.

No matter how much impurity is put into the air, it is from the earth and has a natural source.
None comes in from outer space. No matter how polluting we are, and how much we mess our own environment, 99% of all species, including Man will perish through natural evolution long before the planet is affected.

The choice to live in cities, near emissions, is always ours.
We go to work and need to drive to get there. We need supermarkets for food and they need trucks and highways to keep shelves stocked. Pollution is inevitable.

The Chinese do realize that there is a pollution problem to be fixed.
But it is a local problem for them only, and only affects us if we choose to go there as tourists or as athletes.
Their dirty air may dismay sightseers but it will not destroy Planet Earth. Climate and the earth were here first, and then we all came along. Climate and the earth will still be here when we are all gone
Peter’s Comment
For once I have to agree with some of the points made by Ken Ring. Ring publishes a New Zealand weather forecast book each year and almost claims that he can predict which side of the street will get rain this time next year.
In the overall scheme of things man and his activities are so insignificant that they pose no more of a threat to the planet than a single ant nest could have on world honey production.
Many of the things that people believe about climate and the planet are alarmist and based on false assumptions. For example the jet trails in the sky that are a familiar sight all over the world are not caused by unburned fuel as is commonly believed.
Jet trails are the result of air flow around the aircraft’s wing-tips as the air pressure below the wing tries to equalize with the pressure above. That leads to a trailing cork-screw of air in which the air pressure and temperature drops causing water vapor to condense and form a cloud that has exactly the same composition as any other cloud.
The only connection between wing-tip vortices and fuel is that the vortices cause drag and increase fuel consumption. Airline manufacturers have countered the wing-tip drag by introducing winglets on the ends of the wings.
‘But what about the wholesale loss of trees all over the world?’ you ask. ‘Surely that must be affecting climate?’
Anyone who is in any doubt about the trees can get their own absolute proof and truth by going on Google Earth and zooming in on the Amazon Basin. It is all there for the whole world to see – the Amazon Basin still has about 99% of its trees. Meanwhile there are other areas that grow commercial trees where previously no trees grew. In addition, the last hundred years has seen an explosion of ornamental trees, parks and gardens.
People should not believe everything they are told at protest marches or in viral emails.



Saturday, May 12, 2012

Shares for Sale



NZ Minister Hints that Share Parcels
Could Sell for as Little as $1000

 Saturday May 12, 2012 2:28 PM NZT

The minister in charge of the partial sale of New Zealand's state-owned energy companies won't say how much share parcels will cost but has hinted they could sell for as little as $1000.

The New Zealand Government is pushing through legislation that would allow for the sale of up to 49 per cent of Mighty River this year, followed by the partial sale of Genesis Energy, Meridian and Solid Energy over the next three years.
The sales are strongly opposed by some iwi and opposition parties.
State Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall today said the Government was determined to get widespread ownership of energy company shares by as many everyday New Zealanders'' as possible . . .
Visit NZ Herald for the full story
 Description: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/themes/0/images/nzheraldlogo.gif
Peter’s Comment
The New Zealand Government has stated many times that it wants to divert Kiwis attention away from the national obsession of wanting to be residential get-rich-quick landlords. This latest statement from Minister Ryall spells it out even clearer.
Savings and investment conscience Kiwis will be able to get started for as little as $1,000 and that beats property investment hands down. Moreover, shares spread over a range of companies and industries will normally do better than residential property both for dividend and asset growth.
But, like property, the share market can be volatile and investors need to be cautious. They must make sure they are buying in when the market, or a particular share, is down. Selling, if they want to sell for capital gain, should always be at or near the peak. For an investor who understands that simple rule a volatile market can be better than a market that rarely moves.
New investors should take the time to learn the basics of the stock exchange and shares before taking the plunge. Read the business news, Google likely companies, Google directors and management, keep up with political changes that may affect business generally or a particular industry. In simple terms, investors don’t need a university degree but should be tuned in to the world around them and most of it can be done sitting at home on a PC.
Shares will not only provide a better income than property but share market investors with a diverse portfolio will not wake up each morning wondering if their sole investment property has been trashed.
A good start would be $5,000 spread over five or ten companies. Surely that is less risky than $300,000 invested in one rental property with $295,000 owed to the bank.




Friday, May 11, 2012

A Calculated Farce


The New York Times
Airplane Security Debated Anew After Latest Bombing Plot
Published: May 10, 2012
WASHINGTON — The latest attempt by Al Qaeda to make an underwear bomb designed to be detonated on a plane headed to the United States has set off a fierce debate among security officials in Washington and their critics in Congress about whether the current measures to protect airliners would have detected the bomb . . .

Peter’s Comment
Whether or not current security measures would have detected the bomb is a mere sideshow to a much wider issue.
Washington, as the self-appointed World policeman, seems unable to understand that no amount of security can buy safety while they meddle in the affairs of other sovereign nations and impose their will on the World as though they have a God-given right.
And why the emphasis on airline travel? Air travel has long been the safest form of transportation ever devised and for each airliner destroyed by terrorists in a given period there will thousands killed by car, bus or truck bombs. Does that fact leave a clue? Would it be feasible to have airline type security measures in place at every bus and truck depot, at every bus stop and truck stop, every shop, office and factory?
The answer to that must be very obvious. There is no limit to the opportunities for determined terrorists. But at least with the current policy it looks as though Washington is trying to do something about the problem, short of bankrupting the country. To a large part of the World, America’s solution is a calculated farce.
It will take generations to repair the damage to America’s reputation but a start must be made now. Bring the military home as fast as is decently possible and keep them home unless and only when requested by the United Nations.

                                 At the controls of a Boeing 737 flight simulator


Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Speed Limits


10:34 AM Tuesday May 8, 2012  NZ Herald
Peter Gill: Campaigning for 110km/h
139
When you consider suggesting that certain sections of recently built motorways could sustain a 110 km/h speed limit, you know you're going to garner howls of protest from certain corners of society and bureaucracy.
It wouldn't be New Zealand, would it, if suggesting something slightly progressive were not greeted by some doomsayer claiming that it will all lead to hell and damnation?
As a psychologist who has spent more years in journalism and in motoring writing than I care to remember, I was prepared for flak when I decided to speak out in this morning's New Zealand Herald.
It is my contention that there are now sections of newly built motorway that could easily sustain the extra 10km/h. They have very few on and off ramps, and excellent shoulders for vehicles to pull clear of traffic should a driver have a problem.
Many of us who use these stretches find ourselves unwittingly going at 110 anyway, because these pieces of roadway are so conducive to a little extra speed.
It is my opinion that where a roadway invites safe driving at 110, then 110 should be the speed limit. This would considerably ease driver frustration, which is just as big an accident promoter as any other factor.
What's more, in a million kilometers of testing cars for newspaper and magazine columns, I have found that the "sweet spot" for many cars is 110. By that, I mean that the gear and differential ratios are such that they are set for the car to be at its most contented at 110. In many parts of Australia 110 is allowed on designated stretches. The authorities here seem keen to follow Australia on much of its traffic policy, so why not this one?
There are those that will say that due to a generally mountainous topography, New Zealand has a "third world roading system", meaning narrow and twisting roads. That's true, but it's not those roads I am talking about.
Aucklanders will know of the long, smooth descent from Silverdale to Albany on a beautiful piece of road with hardly an on ramp or off ramp to disrupt the flow. The newly opened stretches of motorway around Hobsonville, and Kumeu are the same. There will be other stretches like them around New Zealand.
Continued below . . . 

Highway America

The first lot to climb into me today has been a road safety outfit called "Brake." I suggest that whoever, they are, they are aptly named. They will be wearing cardies under their hi viz vests and will have reported at least one driver today on cellphone number 555.
Fact is, that I know I am right. And if 110 is allowed, but it's foggy tomorrow morning, then we are smart enough to know that maybe driving at 110 is not a good idea in fog. Give the average Kiwi credit for having common sense.
I once got up to 255 km/h on a German autobahn in a 12 cylinder BMW 850, just because I wanted to celebrate the way the German police completely ignore you if the weather is clear, you're in a capable car, and you don't drive as if you've been "on the toot."
I've been a volunteer firefighter and have been to many road accidents. Nothing of what I have seen deters me from continuing with my suggestion of 110 for selected stretches. I am heartened that the AA tentatively agrees. That's good, because they represent a million people. I represent my experienced self.

Peter’s Comment

Peter Gill has been road testing for a long time. He tested New Zealand’s first taxi-van with me in 1982. However, I have to disagree with his plea for a 110kph speed limit, even though I agree with many of the points that he makes.

While speed alone may not be the single greatest killer it certainly claims many, often in single vehicle accidents. A greater menace is the driver who fails to go with the flow, whether the flow is above or below the speed limit.

Not all vehicles are capable of travelling at 110kph and many (all trucks, buses and vehicles with trailers) have a legal limit of only 90kph. These vehicles are therefore unable to go with the flow and are constantly exposed to the dangers of split speed limits (someone should tell OSH about this) or rather the disregard of many car drivers for the dangers of speeding near slower vehicles.

I understand that Peter Gill and many other car enthusiasts would love to be able to boot it without having to worry about being fined. But surely the priority for Government should be in first establishing a uniform speed limit for all vehicles.
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Research here and elsewhere has shown that split speed limits not only don’t make roads safer but they actually increase accident rates by the traffic conflict that they cause. Research also shows that because most drivers typically travel at a little over the limit, most traffic related accidents occur at speeds at, or slightly below, the limit rather than slightly above. There is a good case for raising the limit for heavy vehicles while holding down the limit for the fastest drivers to a level that corresponds with the capability of slower vehicles.

In the USA, where I drove trucks in forty states (that's my truck above), each state sets its own speed limits. Some states opt for a uniform limit while other have split speed limits and guess what? The states with split limits generally have the best roads and the worst accident rates. Split speed limits cause traffic conflict and downright danger.

If Peter Gill accepts this proposition, will he also accept that trucks and buses should also be allowed to travel at 110kph or 120kph with the usual tolerance allowed by traffic patrols? I think not. I’ve had 50 years of professional driving and I believe the speed limit should stay at 100 kph and that should be the limit for all vehicles.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

COUNTRY MUSIC


Graeme McCardle to Sing at Ngatea


Long-time popular New Zealand country music singer, Graeme McCardle, will be the guest artist at the next Hauraki Country Music day in Ngatea on Saturday 19 May starting at 12.30 pm
Graeme, Helensville born and raised, has been a country music achiever since 1975 when he joined a local band. They were so busy that one year they only had four free weekends. He left the band to get some time to himself and his young family.
But later he started another band called Freightliner.
About that time he also founded the Helensville River Valley Country Music Club and has been either president or vice president ever since.
He has lost count of the number of regional awards that he has won and in his own words; “At times it was so many that it was almost embarrassing.”
In 1989 he was runner-up in the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year Awards.
Hear Graeme McCardle at the Memorial Hall, Ngatea, on Saturday 19 May. Rumour has it that there will also be a surprise event of some sort during the afternoon.

BEYOND THE SEAS

This is my latest historical novel  Beyond the Seas When twelve-year-old orphan Nathaniel Asker is shipped from the back alleys of London to...