Amazon Cloud Hit by Real Clouds, Downing Netflix, Instagram, Other Sites
By Christina DesMarais, PCWorld Jun 30, 2012 7:02 AM
Digital cloud services aren’t immune to the impact of real clouds, and that meant some bad news this weekend for the folks at Amazon and sites that rely in its web services.
Severe storms that wiped out power to more than 2 million people across the eastern United States Friday night also took down Netflix, Pinterest, Instagram and other sites due to an outage of Amazon’s Elastic Compute Cloud in northern Virginia.
According to Amazon Web Services, at 8:21 p.m. PDT it was “investigating connectivity issues for a number of instances” in the East region. By early Saturday morning, Amazon said it was “continuing to work to recover.”
Netflix, Pinterest were back up, but as of early Saturday Instagram was still down.
A Clarion Call for the American People
Robert Alt and Nina Owcharenko
June 28, 2012 at 11:49 am https://tinyurl.com/7f8t6fe
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Obamacare reflects a tragic misreading of the law, one which could cost us not just economically but also in terms of liberty. On the bright side, the Court recognized that there are limits to what Congress may do under the Commerce Clause. But this was the silver-lining of a dark cloud. The Court then fundamentally misreads ObamaCare, contorting to find another authority—the power to tax—for Congress to enact the law.
The effects of the decision will be felt far beyond ObamaCare. By allowing government to require Americans to buy a product or service at the federal government’s direction, the Court has seriously damaged the principle of limited government. The decision announced today could open the door to even more dictates from Washington for generations to come. Indeed, anyone who has any doubts about this need only read the Court’s suggestion that Congress could force Americans to buy energy efficient windows or pay a tax.
Fortunately, Americans have always fought for freedom, and won’t give up now. We must turn to the task at hand and work for full repeal of this law. The Supreme Court has in essence given this decision back to Congress and the people, where political power resides.
The American people have spoken—they don’t support Obamacare and fear its consequences more every day. Just this month a new poll conducted by The New York Times and CBS News showed that more than two thirds of Americans want to see the Supreme Court strike down Obamacare in whole or in part, and only 24 percent would keep the law in place.
Thankfully, the duty to defend the Constitution is not given solely to the Supreme Court—it is one shared by Congress and the President. It is now Congress’ turn to do what’s right both for the Constitution and policy reasons: repeal Obamacare.
The American people know this year will be a turning point in American history. We have a big decision between constitutional, limited government on the one hand and Leviathan on the other.
This law fails American families—it raises premiums and taxes, drives up spending and debt, undermines the doctor-patient relationship, tramples on religious liberty and expands the role of government in our daily lives.
It is time for full repeal.
…AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM EDT
THIS EVENING…
THE NEW JERSEY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAS ISSUED AN
AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY FOR THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES…
BERGEN…ESSEX…PASSAIC…UNION…HUDSON.
IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING.
AN AIR QUALITY ACTION DAY MEANS THAT GROUND LEVEL OZONE WITHIN THE
REGION MAY APPROACH OR EXCEED UNHEALTHY STANDARDS.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EDT THIS
EVENING…
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY.
.DAY ONE…TODAY AND TONIGHT.
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK PROVIDES A SUMMARY OF POTENTIAL
WIDESPREAD HAZARDOUS WEATHER EVENTS THAT MAY REACH NWS WARNING
CRITERIA. MOST LONG F– USED NWS WATCHES…WARNINGS AND ADVISORIES IN
EFFECT ARE HIGHLIGHTED.
Heat Advisory
…SUMMER HEAT FOR TODAY INTO THE WEEKEND…
.HOT TEMPERATURES RANGING FROM 95 TO 100 IN MOST OF NEW YORK CITY
WITH LOWER 100S IN PARTS OF NEW JERSEY ARE FORECAST TODAY.
HUMIDITY LEVELS WILL FORTUNATELY ONLY BE MODERATELY HIGH. THUS…
HEAT INDEX VALUES WILL REMAIN CLOSE TO THE AIR TEMPERATURE.
TEMPERATURES ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WILL REMAIN HOT…BUT AT THIS
TIME ARE FORECAST TO BE A FEW DEGREES LOWER THAN TODAY.
…HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
* LOCATIONS…MOST OF NORTHEASTERN NEW JERSEY.
* HAZARDS…POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS HEAT.
* HEAT INDEX VALUES…AROUND 100.
* TIMING…THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY EVENING.
* IMPACTS…POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS TO THOSE PRONE TO HEAT STRESS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A HEAT ADVISORY IS ISSUED WHEN THE COMBINATION OF HEAT AND
HUMIDITY IS EXPECTED TO MAKE IT FEEL LIKE IT IS 100 TO
104 DEGREES FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE HOURS. TAKE EXTRA PRECAUTIONS IF
YOU WORK OR SPEND TIME OUTSIDE. WHEN POSSIBLE…RESCHEDULE
STRENUOUS ACTIVITIES TO EARLY MORNING OR EVENING. KNOW THE SIGNS
AND SYMPTOMS OF HEAT EXHAUSTION AND HEAT STROKE. WEAR LIGHT
WEIGHT AND LOOSE FITTING CLOTHING WHEN POSSIBLE AND DRINK PLENTY
OF WATER.
TO REDUCE RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORK THE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND
HEALTH ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDS SCHEDULING FREQUENT REST BREAKS
IN SHADED OR AIR CONDITIONED ENVIRONMENTS. ANYONE OVERCOME BY
HEAT SHOULD BE MOVED TO A COOL AND SHADED LOCATION. HEAT STROKE
IS AN EMERGENCY…CALL 9 1 1.
Ridgewood : Declining home vales and tax appeals could stress Village finances
June 27,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, Readers suggest Council Women Bernie Walsh may be onto something as previously reported Councilwoman Bernadette a corporate relocation consultant in the real estate industry cited suspicions of projected tax appeal losses and in her mind the potential loss of $1 million in the next year on property tax appeals.
According to S&P : New York, June 26, 2012 – Data through April 2012, released today by S&P Indices for its S&P/Case-Shiller1 Home Price Indices, the leading measure of U.S. home prices, showed that on average home prices increased 1.3% in the month of April for both the 10- and 20-City Composites. This comes after seven consecutive months of falling home prices as measured by both indices….(https://tinyurl.com/bs7dtsa )
The just released S&P/Case-Shiller1 Home Price Indices show the metropolitan New York showed “Detroit and New York stand out this month as the only two MSAs ( metropolitan statistical area ) that saw their annual rates of return deteriorate compared to March. While Detroit posted a positive annual rate of 1.2%, it was still well below March’s +3.9%; New York was -3.8% in April down from -3.0% in March. Detroit was also the only city to show a monthly decline, down 3.6%. All other MSAs improved versus March. ( https://tinyurl.com/bs7dtsa )
S&P is suggesting a continued decline home values in our area which in turn could lead to more and more tax appeals.
Trends in college funding shortchange state schools
Legislators and the governor’s staff have been focused on the controversial higher education restructuring plan during this budget cycle, all but ignoring an issue that affects many more students and their families: state college funding.
This year’s state budget — having passed both houses of the Legislature and awaiting action by Gov. Chris Christie — provides no increase in aid to Rutgers University or the state colleges, save for a $5 million boost to Rowan University, a key beneficiary of the restructuring, for its new medical school. (O’Dea, NJ Spotlight)
More than 46 million Americans continue to live in poverty despite unprecedented federal welfare spending, the study finds.
Study: More Than Half a Trillion Dollars Spent on Welfare – But Poverty Levels Unaffected
“The vast majority of current programs are focused on making poverty more comfortable … rather than giving people the tools that will help them escape poverty.”
By Matt Cover
June 25, 2012
(CNSNews.com) – The government is not making much headway reducing poverty despite spending hundreds of billions of dollars, according to a study by the libertarian Cato Institute.
Despite an unprecedented increase in federal anti-poverty spending the national poverty rate has not declined, it finds.
“[S]ince President Obama took office, federal welfare spending has increased by 41 percent, more than $193 billion per year.” the study says.
Federal welfare spending this year now totals $668 billion, spread out over 126 programs, while the poverty rate that remains stubbornly high at nearly 15 percent – roughly where it was in 1965, when President Johnson declared a federal War on Poverty.
Congratulations again to the RHS class of 2012
June 24,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ , This past Thursday, June 21, a whole new crop of graduation seniors where launched into adulthood. A procession of 393 Ridgewood High School seniors made the walk from the turret, down the walkway and onto the Ridgewood High School Stadium field to receive their diplomas in the 117th annual RHS graduation ceremony.
According to the Ridgewood BOE website 87.6 % or 339 students will attend a four-year university, and 7.7 % or 30 students will go on to a two-year college.With one student going to trade school, two who joined the US armed forces and 8 graduates will take a year off. Of those attending college 73.1 % or 291 students will go to schools out of state down slightly from last year and only 21.6 percent ,86 students will remain in state , with Bergen Community College in Paramus receiving the largest percentage of graduates with 18 .
When it comes to public school spending, New Jersey’s average of $16,841 per pupil in 2010 ranked it second to the top among states, the U. S. Census Bureau reported Thursday.
The average of $18,618 in New York and $18,667 in Washington, D.C., exceeded New Jersey’s per-pupil spending. All nine states in the Northeast region were ranked among the top 15 in spending in 2010.
In arguing for a new tenure bill and weaker seniority rules, Governor Christie has long argued that money alone does not bring achievement, and that billions poured into the state’s poorest city schools have not brought adequate results. Many educators counter that New Jersey’s schools, in the aggregate, are among the highest-performing in the country, even though there are pockets of chronically troubled schools with dismal test scores and low graduation rates. (Brody, The Record)
5 Housing Markets Where Renting Beats Owning
By AnnaMaria Andriotis
In theory, plummeting home prices and record-low interest rates should make buying a home cheaper than renting one. But experts say in some parts of the country, it still pays to be a tenant.
Despite the incentives to buy now — namely that average rates on a 30-year mortgages are now 3.7% — sales of single-family existing homes slipped 1.5% in May from a month earlier, according to data released today by the National Association of Realtors. Experts say the drop, which came during the historically busy spring season, suggests the housing market has a way to go to recover. If anything, the ranks of American homeowners are dwindling. The homeownership rate in the U.S. fell slightly from 66% to 65% during the first quarter of 2012 — the lowest in 15 years, according to the latest data by the U.S. Census. (It peaked at just over 69% in 2004.)
Renters, meanwhile, have more inventory to choose from as owners who are unable to sell their homes often have no choice but to find tenants, says Dan McCue, research manager at Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. The number of single-family homes for rent or being rented grew by two million units from 2006 to 2010, according to a JCHS report released this month, and McCue says the number has likely grown since then. “One third of all rentals are single-family homes,” he says.
Breaking ranks:Ratings creep for colleges means students might be overpaying
Frederick M. Hess, Taryn Hochleitner | The Daily
It’s June, and millions of high school seniors have chosen a college — a choice often made with the help of college-ranking guides like Barron’s or U.S. News and World Report. Unfortunately, families may not know higher education’s dirty secret: these rankings mean a lot less than you might think.
More and more schools are entering the top tiers of competitiveness rankings in the respected Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges, largely because of application and grade inflation — not increased academic quality. Indeed, between 1991 and 2011, the number of schools ranked by Barron’s as “most competitive” increased from 44 to 87. While the usual suspects maintained their high ranking (Harvard, Princeton, Yale, etc.), the list grew to include schools that were previously ranked at least two tiers down, like George Washington University and the University of Southern California — and the share of institutions in the top three categories has risen from less than a quarter to nearly a third.
$9 Billion in ‘Stimulus’ for Solar, Wind Projects Made 910 Final Jobs — $9.8 Million Per Job
By Michael W. Chapman and Fred Lucas
June 20, 2012
(CNSNews.com) – The Obama administration distributed $9 billion in economic “stimulus” funds to solar and wind projects in 2009-11 that created, as the end result, 910 “direct” jobs — annual operation and maintenance positions — meaning that it cost about $9.8 million to establish each of those long-term jobs.
At the same time, those green energy projects also created, in the end, about 4,600 “indirect” jobs – positions indirectly supported by the annual operation and maintenance jobs — which means they cost about $1.9 million each ($9 billion divided by 4,600).
Combined (910 + 4,600 = 5,510), the direct and indirect jobs cost, on average, about $1.63 million each to produce.
“NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” the largest state land grab in history
June 21,2012
the staff of the Ridgewod blog
It’s called A.2168 – “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” ,and despite huge fiscal and emotional opposition at Monday’s New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee hearing from Eagle Forum of New Jersey, multi-New Jersey Tea Parties and taxpayers, A2168 or the “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” passed out of Committee via strictly partisan votes. A.2168 – “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” has now been hurriedly scheduled for a vote Thursday, June 21 , in the NJ State Assembly.
The Bills opposition cited: the huge cost of the Bill and the ” indeterminate fiscal impact on State and local government” .The Office of Legislative Services; cited the Bill (known as both A2168 and S1566) as just another bank bailout .
“NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” is the largest state land grab in history, The state will manage property in your neighborhood ; a serious, and growing threat to neighborhood stability considering the rapidly expanding mortgage foreclosures and the questionable, broad-based use of such properties.
The “NJ Residential Foreclosure Transformation Act” turns the State into a realtor who can purchase foreclosed and market rate houses in ANY neighborhood, and turn the foreclosed houses into ‘affordable’ housing for 30 years. In addition to low and very low income households, the affordable housing will include ex-offenders, AIDS/HIV patients, the homeless and ‘individuals in other emerging special needs groups identified by State agencies’. Look for decreased property values, increased local taxes, neighborhood transformation and less local autonomy. .
Unfortunately market based solution to sell these very affordable priced homes at auction via private, responsible buyers and without big government involvement would create a huge loss of local tax revenues which doesn’t sit well with Trenton .
Contact info here:
https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/ members/roster.asp
Governor Christie: 609.292.6000
A little Tired of Jon Stewart mocking Mitt Romney for being rich
Mike Huckabee
The Daily Caller got a little tired of the liberals’ favorite “Everyman,” Jon Stewart, constantly So they did a little calculating. They estimate that at his current $15 million salary, Stewart must be worth at least $80 million. If that holds up, by the time he’s Romney’s current age of 65, he should be worth $320 million, or $70 more than Romney. And that’s not even including appreciation on his assets, like two mansions in New Jersey and a 6,000-square-foot Manhattan penthouse. But to be fair, they note that those properties aren’t owned by Jon. They’re owned by private trusts named after his pets, presumably to avoid taxes. Wow, can you just imagine the hilarious jokes Jon Stewart would tell about this story – that is, if it were about Mitt Romney?
5PM HEAT UPDATE: The Bergen Record is reporting that 4 ambulances responded to treat family members who passed out due to the high temperatures in Bruins Stadium in Braddock Park. Several other schools have moved their graduation indoors due to the heat including Palisades Park Junior/Senior High School which will hold its graduation in the school’s auditorium Wednesday evening, Teaneck High School’s Thursday graduation has been moved to the Rothman Center at Fairleigh Dickinson University, River Dell High School’s graduation ceremony remained scheduled for Thursday; but members of the public will be able to view a live broadcast of the ceremony in the air conditioned rooms of the high school’s auditorium, library and cafeteria.
Heat: No plans to move Graduation Day Ceremony from RHS Stadium Field
June 20,2012
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ Thursday just may just be the hottest day of the year ,with temperatures expected to reach just south of 100 degrees weather conditions not exactly ideal for a high school graduation on a turf field.
Near record temperatures have not deterred School officials and according to Superintendent Daniel Fishbein there are no plans for last minute changes.
In an email Superintendent Daniel Fishbein detailed the steps being taken to prepare for the extreme heat assuring all that there will be plenty water available for the graduates and invited guests.(https://ridgewood.patch.com/articles/ridgewood-preparing-for-extreme-heat-on-graduation-day)
Among the common sense suggestions and information are : make sure you stay hydrated and bring water.,carefully decide whether to bring elderly and health impaired relatives or friends to the ceremony.,dress appropriately for the heat, there will be tented areas for graduates who feel they need to get out of the sun, and the Village is prepared with emergency services .
We all remember the flash flooding, last year so ably handled by the former RHS principle Lorenz .
According to Dr. Fishbein ,”This year it will be heat. All part of the graduation experience people will talk about for years.”(https://ridgewood.patch.com/articles/ridgewood-preparing-for-extreme-heat-on-graduation-day)
The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. this Thursday at Ridgewood High School Stadium Field .
Heat Wave: Prolonged period of excessive heat and humidity.
Heat Index: A number (in degrees Fahrenheit) that tells how hot it really feels when relative humidity is added to the actual air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees F.
Heat Cramps: Muscular pains and spasms due to heavy exertion. Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are an early signal that the body is having trouble with the heat.
Heat Exhaustion: Heat exhaustion typically occurs when people exercise heavily or work in a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating. Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs. This results in a form of mild shock. If not treated, the victim may suffer heat stroke.
Heat Stroke or Sunstroke: A life-threatening condition when the victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working. The body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.
Know What to do When a Heat Wave is Predicted/Happening
Slow down! Avoid strenuous activity. If you must do strenuous activity, do it during the coolest part of the day, which is usually in the morning between 4:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.
Stay indoors as much as possible. If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor, out of the sunshine. Try to go to a public building with air conditioning each day for several hours. Remember, electric fans do not cool the air, but they do help sweat evaporate, which cools your body.
Wear lightweight, light-colored clothing. Light colors will reflect away some of the sun’s energy.
Drink plenty of water regularly and often (even if you aren’t thirsty). Your body needs water to keep cool.
Water is the safest liquid to drink during heat emergencies. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them. They can make you feel good briefly, but make the heat’s effects on your body worse. This is especially true about beer, which dehydrates the body.
Eat small meals and eat more often. Avoid foods that are high in protein, which increase metabolic heat.
Avoid using salt tablets unless directed to do so by a physician.
Signals of Heat Emergencies
Heat Exhaustion: Cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; dizziness; and exhaustion. Body temperature will be near normal.
Heat Stroke or Sunstroke: Hot, red skin; changes in consciousness; rapid, weak pulse; and rapid, shallow breathing. Body temperature can be very high – as high as 105 degrees F. If the person was sweating from heavy work or exercise, skin may be wet; otherwise, it will feel dry.
Know What to do When a Heat Emergency Occurs
Heat Cramps: Get the person to a cooler place and have him or her rest in a comfortable position. Lightly stretch the affected muscle and replenish fluids. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids with alcohol or caffeine in them, as they can make conditions worse.
Heat Exhaustion: Get the person out of the heat and into a cooler place. Remove or loosen tight clothing and apply cool, wet cloths, such as towels or sheets. If the person is conscious, give cool water to drink. Make sure the person drinks slowly. Give a half glass of cool water every 15 minutes. Do not give liquids that contain alcohol or caffeine. Let the victim rest in a comfortable position, and watch carefully for changes in his or her condition.
Heat Stroke or Sunstroke: Heat or sun stroke is a life-threatening situation. Help is needed fast. Call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number. Move the person to a cooler place. Quickly cool the body. Immerse victim in a cool bath, or wrap wet sheets around the body and fan it. Watch for signals of breathing problems. Keep the person lying down and continue to cool the body any way you can. If the victim refuses water or is vomiting or there are changes in the level of consciousness, do not give anything to eat or drink.
