Building Capacity for Psychosocial Wellbeing Service Providers

After 14 years of conflict, Liberia's day-to-day affects of war have evolved from post-war emergency needs to more challenging problems that require holistic and integrated psychosocial approaches. This has also prompted the humanitarian agencies to reflect on the need to adapt more appropriate interventions to the suffering populations. The need for relevant interventions has been a top priority of LCIP and other international NGOs funded by the USAID here in Liberia.

A five week intensive Psychosocial Training (theory & practice), took place in Monrovia and the NGOs that participated included; Save the Children UK, International Rescue Committee, World Vision Liberia, Christian Children Fund, Africare - Liberia, with other players; Christian Health Association of Liberia, and the Lutheran Church of Liberia.

The ultimate goal of the LCIP-led workshop was to enhance the understanding of the psychosocial issues, approaches and appropriate methods of interventions among all service providers covering more than nine counties, serving children, women and ex-combatants to best restore communities back to normalization. The key facilitator expounded on logical approach to psychosocial support work step by step using community participatory approaches and experiential learning for all the participants. The general consensus was that, this is very dynamic field, and service providers need to up-date their skills with time. The integration of the traditional and conventional approaches in psychosocial during the training, enabled the participants to internalize the added value of incorporating the useful community-based coping mechanisms.

In the words of trainees, Esther Musa from the Lutheran World Federation and Caroline Bryant of World Vision Liberia said, "it is their mission to develop appropriate models in line with their organizational goals integrating the new theory that impacts the larger community."

Another challenge influencing the past and present services in mental health is derived from 10 to 15 years of varying models of western diagnostic systems to individually focused services aimed at persons rather than groups or societies. Most of the participants felt that the training helped to unveil gaps in skills and provided a new understanding and realization of the need use more holistic and integrated approaches.

The field practice took the trainees to Living Water International (ELWA), Shefflin Army Barracks, Jahtondo Displaced Camp, (Brewerville), and Save the Children, (Paynesville). The practical assessments and application of role plays, skits and simulations enabled the trainees to realize that - "not every one is traumatized" - as it has been the belief. Most people could recount a terrible experience, but were managing to rebuild their lives with the reassurance of security, water, and food; basic survival elements. Using a skit on alcohol abuse at the sites, the trainees realized a new beginning for application of relevant psychosocial support models for Liberia. Combined field findings revealed to trainees the added value in applying the levels of intervention according to valid assessments. Reinforcing the "step by step" in psychosocial support, Dr. Baron's said, "A hungry stomach has no ears." They found that while 100% of the community contacted had in-fact experienced a traumatic experience, only 20-25% were affected, but going on with life, while 10% could not function without support, with 1-3% actually being mentally ill.

Speaking in the forum, LCIPs Social Reintegration Manager, Rachel Muiru summarized the importance of the integrated approach to psychosocial interventions with the story of the seven blind men who went to see the elephant. The synopsis, each "blind" man touched a different part of the animal hence their own individual understanding. The second touch provided by this training opened the participants "eyes" and can now see the whole elephant, as it stands.

At the end of the training, the participants agreed to continue with networking to ensure a complete "mind shift" and, that the newly acquired skills and knowledge reach many other stakeholders in particular, those at the grassroots levels. The training will continue for another three weeks this September.

Are Moldy Schools Destroying Our Kids?

Mold is a big issue these days. One reason is the damage it does to lungs and immune systems. And who does it damage the most? Kids and senior citizens.

Well, let's just talk about kids right now. And let's narrow our conversation to the school systems. Why? Because kids spend up to 8 hours a day there, breathing in whatever is floating around in the air.

Let's talk about schools now.

Every year, somewhere in the USA schools are being closed down

because of mold. Why are so many schools moldy?

The main cause of any mold problem is ultimately water. Something is too wet.

Now if a building floods, we just dry it out and that usually stops mold from growing, right? Well, if you get the building totally dry within 48 hours the answer is yes. That's the time it takes for most mold spores to start growing actual mold colonies. Most of the time it takes bureaucrats 48 hours to find out there has been a flood. Then there are committees to decide how to dry the building. And then there are bids

to get the lowest cost.

So drying isn't enough. Takes too long. Mold is growing and it can continue to grow after the building is dried. All it needs now is moisture in the air.

Speaking of air, we also have to consider air conditioners. Most schools use air conditioners that are bought cheap and maintained by the lowest bidder.. Air conditioners that aren't maintained properly sweat and the moisture can cause mold growth.

Also associated with maintenance is changing air filters. Many times this isn't done due to school budgets. Filters cost money. Not a lot of money, but money. Some schools don't change there A/C filters until someone from the state comes to inspect.

Then there are carpets. Carpets are moldy. Kids spill food, milk, and glue onto carpets. They throw up on carpets. These things feed mold. Teachers make kids sleep on the floor at nap time.Their faces are pressed into the moldy carpets. Results: sick kids.

But the ultimate reason for moldy schools is politics. This applies to everything mentioned above, ie carpets, filters and drying.

Schools have to report to taxpayers. That's YOU. If a school board member says to you the taxpayer, "We can spend the money on books, football uniforms or healthy air." What are you going to say? Most people want things they can see and touch and point to.

So if you want healthy kids with strong lungs and good immune systems, the responsibility is in your hands. Go to school board meetings, talk to the radio and tv stations.If you need ammunition, tell the politicians that mold free schools win more games in sports. Championship teams are something

The Challenge Of Terror And The Horror Of A Misguided Youth!

With the abortion and failed attempt to blow up London again last Thursday, by a group of misguided youths, these 'foot-soldiers of hate' have only succeeded in sowing a seed of disdain for our collective progress and therefore, they and their 'commanders' would not escape a harvest of Divine indignation.

It is popularly explained by many that the invasion of Iraq by Blair and Bush to overthrow Sadam, is at the root of the anger of the supposedly Moslem youth which spilled over into Al-Queada inspired violence. However, can such horrendous crime against innocent, hapless and ordinary citizens murdered in cold blood be justified? As genuine students of contemporary history, we cannot excuse this heinous and Hitlerite acts.

While it is correct that a predominant multitude of the present generation neither experienced, witnessed nor remembered the phenomenon of Hitler's ascension and dominion, which eventually led to the 2nd World War, true leadership would not fold its arms and permit similar evils to rear their monstrous heads again today.

We dare to stir up a controversy with our 'Islamic' youth brothers, who, in their innocence are being grossed into their untimely graves at their prime by a deranged leadership. Islam as a way of life is a world religion of PEACE! From whence cometh this horror of terror that Al-Queada seeks to engraft into it? Whose ambassador art thou? Which and whose cause doth thou fightest? Whose mandate doth thou seeketh? Shall the souls of both the dead and maimed forgive the evil actors of this bizarre drama, who prematurely terminated their destiny on the altar of a cowardly and hideous leadership? How would these misled youths win their case in the court of the bereaved or even of their hapless, agonising and equally bereaved families?

Instead of the warped goal of harassment of Bush and Blair, this sectarian army has just succeeded in embarrassing the true ambassadors of the Islamic Faith in the Arab world and unfortunately whiplashed the peace-loving moslem communities worldwide.

Is it not time to understand the perfidy and cowardice of a Sadam that led thousands of youth to their death but himself became a jellyfish in the face of death? Can Bin Laden, in a similar situation be better?

We salute the youths who have staunchly refused to be hoodwinked and corrupted by the false fantasy of self-ruinaion and self-destruction. To you belong the future of peace, progress and development which the Al-Queada wolves, posing as your militant revolutionary liberators, seek to devour. Stand up now! Disallow the thief!! Reject their grand deception!!!

Droughts, Earthquakes, Energy, Water Supplies, and Conservation

Droughts cause more than just water restriction in your town or little letters from the water district to please conserve. For instance as ground water is taken out and aquifers dry up, cavities are created and left unfilled and we know that that is a problem with earthquakes as under ground cavities collapse. Imagine a situation like that happening in Utah during the Winter Olympics causing a slide big enough to trigger the Big Fault line underneath the city? Is this a crazy notion? It happened in the Coalinga, California Earthquake in the Central Valley after all the oil was removed from the ground? How bad is the drought;

Some may deny Climate Change and Global Warming, even Solar Cycles, and say that it is not as bad as it seems, but the stats keep coming in and are indicating that there is a situation brewing. May 2001 was the hottest in 137 years in Northern Nevada. Las Vegas had 27 consecutive days in the 100s. In 2001 Phoenix also hottest Reno set a 113-year old record; 8 degrees average hotter that year in Nevada. Causing a situation for Hydro Plants due to record low level rains this year in Nevada and also elsewhere in Oregon, California, Arizona, etc. Elko Nevada set two records on one month in 2001. Another problem is that with less water it means Hydro Plants cannot produce the maximum energy necessary to counteract the maximum usage with air-conditioning units in the hottest climates causing imminent outages.

I have always pondered how everything which effect the flows of our civilization are inner related to each other. As I studied this problem of water supplies effecting hydro electricity and seeing the Arizona issues, I visited Palo Verde Nuclear Power station, which is the largest US power producer. I applauded the expansion, taking place there with another additional six reactors being built to put power into the grid. Right now today there are three full functioning reactors there.

Meanwhile during the construction of upgraded power systems, we need to find ways to conserve energy during droughts, as it is hotter as well, meaning huge usage of electric power. With these issues at hand there is also opportunity to conserve energy in HVAC air-conditioning units on top of buildings. When the flanges on the units are clean they stay cooler longer and prevent the units from running constantly and sucking up energy. A clean HVAC unit is said to be 15-20% more efficient and therefore using 15-20% less energy. This we believe is a great service business in itself helping customers save money and helping the West Coasts temporary energy issues. Perhaps many small businesses can help us by improving efficiencies and conserving energies.

If energy costs are nearly triple in some markets like San Diego, California then the 15-20% more efficient units use 45-60% less dollars to operate. So a constant cleaning the is in the ball park of 20% of the cost savings is more than viable and beneficial to the leanest and meanest corporations looking to save money and increase shareholders equity and quarterly profits. Companies like Wal-Mart, Home Depot and Large Hotel Chains will have to buy these services. But small business people can make money doing this and we all save energy. Think of the savings to government, education facilities, hospitals, and large homes? Think on these factors as everything affects everything else.

Coastal Crisis, New Orleans

The Mississippi River Mouth is distributing debris into the gulf and slowing the flowing river. The build up is exacerbated by the fertilizers and run off from up river cities and rural areas; these nutrients are helping the growth, which is limiting the water flow. The water is thus rising; while the silt builds up in the river mouth. The City of New Orleans is also sinking and the cities sea wall is getting older each year. No one knows which year will be the demise of the City from a Hurricane, only that the city is doomed.

The New York Times, Scientific America, USA Today have all done stories on this problematic situation. Billions have been spent building, maintaining and upgrading the sea wall there. In most of New Orleans the water table is above ground and you cannot hardly dig a hole anywhere without ground water filling it up. Floods come often to the city, from rains and when severe storms cause breaches in the sea wall. Up until now nothing too overwhelming has occurred, but if the sea wall collapses in a major way one-third of the city will be submerged at normal sea level heights. If it happens during a major Hurricane all of FEMAs horse and all the Kings men will not be able to save that wall again.

A twelve foot increase in sea height during a long slow moving hurricane with 17-18 foot waves could put the entire city under water if a large chunk the seawall is taken out. It will at that point be the largest disaster in the history of the United States. Think about it, we need a defense plan there.

Christians Are Being attacked By Muslim Radical Head Hunters

Well we have Muslim Radicals setting off bombs in Christian areas of Indonesia last week and this week it is Beirut. They detonated a bomb in Lebanese Christian neighborhoods and killed an anti-Syrian reporter too. Mr. Samir Qaseer. Do you ever feel that it is not safe to be a Christian these days? Was it ever, I mean it seems they were using them as lion food not all that long ago too?

Will people ever get along in this world? Fighting over religion? Wasn't it just four days after the start of the country's parliamentary elections were completed? It appears that the infidels are under siege in the world, that is what the radicals call them. Interesting that you can have a religion and then modify it as a tool for hate, by simply labeling your enemy an infidel so it is okay to blow them up, cut off their heads or some other such atrocity.

I have a question for the world? Are you quite satisfied with how every thing is going? Is this the best the human race can do? You know it is quite pathetic with all the over sight, laws, rules and so-called peaceful religions of the world. You pray to your Gods for peace and then tote your Pope around in a bulletproof car? Why not just ask God to protect him too? Are we all quite sure that Allaah or God is really going to save the human race and make it all better again? If you were watching all this from up above and saw all the little humans scurrying around killing each other, strapping bombs to themselves, having wars and cutting off the heads of Christians who are their to help in re-construction efforts and such; tell me would you even bother with such a species? Would you even care what else they did, what they prayed for, cared about or such? Would you care if little Mohammed Jr, prayed so he could grow up and blow himself and as many Jews as possible at a bus stop. Would you care if Bob who is starting Christian College prayed to win the Football game Friday night and oh yah a new Hummer would be nice too and I would sure like to get in the pants of that sexy girl Denise too? Would you answer a prayer for no more Hurricanes in FL or Tsunamis or Earthquakes in the Indian Ocean or Pacific Rim? Would you? Would you even want to be associated with a creation such as the human race? I mean obviously some; God, Allaah or someone made a colossal mistake here somewhere?

The human race is not worthy; you cannot even get along. All you do is kill each other and then pray for free stuff? Every day another car bomb, another attack, another be-heading another retaliation. On and on; you know seriously folks it is time for us all to get along, before someone else gets real serious and blows down this house of cards we call the human race? It is high time we all bury the hatchet. You can all think on that, but as long as Bob is praying for a new Hummer, I want one too; In yellow of course?

The Flow of Natural Resources and Raw Materials

There are many reasons why we should be harvesting our own raw materials that already exist in this country, rather than importing them, whenever it is feasible or possible. When there are reasons, which prevent us from doing the collecting of those natural resources within our own country, then and only then should we look towards our trading partners to supply us such raw materials and resources. When we can mine such raw materials within our borders and transport them short distances to the processing facilities, manufacturing factories, refineries, energy power plants and shipping ports or railroads for exporting at an expeditious and cost effective manner. In our country we have seen the loss of most of our mining in the last 40 years. Some was due to Federal Clean Water Act in 1972, which was to prevent the pollution from things like strip mining.

Many other mines, drilling rigs and plants were closed due to the cost. This was often due to the World market price for the minerals or natural resource. Much of the mining was shut down due to regulations, labor costs, labor unions, OSHA rules, etc. Some examples of the problems of cost in mining have been overwhelming. When reviewing the recent closing of the Gold Mine in Butte, MT we find that the mine was closed due to the increasing costs of energy to crush the rocks to get the gold out. There costs in energy went from $280,000 per month to 1.6 million per month. Sure there were other issues although imagine getting that electricity bill and trying to manage your expenses? Unpredictable energy costs are necessary for mining and other heavy industry, price spikes on top of over regulations is a death nail.

Now in many countries people have protested mines, gold and silver are easy ones to protest because it is associated with greed as those minerals are also considered legal tender. A great mine to visit is one of the first gold mines in the country, The Reed Gold mine in Charlotte. There were over 300 gold mines in North Carolina in the 1820's. This of course long before the 49'ers of CA. The Reed Mine was active until 1912. A total of 13 gold mines closed in the past two years in response to depressed gold prices or ore exhaustion in Canada. Collecting the Gold under the conditions required in most of North America is no longer feasible, unless it can be collected along with other precious metals and the remaining material can be further sifted for iron ore, copper or another metal. There are several places on Earth where multiple metals appear within a very close proximity. Mining often, like many industrial endeavors can cause air pollution. When mining the excess which is not used is piled up and often causes leaching into the ground when it rains, those other minerals released are more concentrated than much of the normal downstream waters.

This is because the minerals have been buried for centuries underneath in layers from previous periods. In the old Berkeley Pit, a copper mine which is closed not far from the Sunlight Goldmine in Montana, the rain water mixing with the minerals left in the bottom of the Pit was quite toxic and contained arsenic, which is harmful in large amounts to humans and animals. Although arsenic is a poison, it is part of the natural occurring minerals in nature and common to that area. Small traces are not to bad, but once they become to high it is cause for alarm.

Costs of transportation is also important in mining. Most mines still in business today are in very close proximity to major rail lines, even with all the regulations and rules that exist some mining still exists in the United States; Borax in Dagget, CA. The Borax mine was moved from the Harmony Borax Works mine in Death Valley, the second hottest place on Earth with temps up to 134 degrees, In the 1880's, the famous 20 mule team borax trains hauled their loads a grueling 165 miles to the railroad in Mojave. This is an illustration of why the transportation factor is critical in the efficiency of mining to keep costs down for the factories, which use the raw material or natural resources.

If you look at the above ground mines in North America, those with rail service right to the site can compete if the economies of scale and market prices remain stable. There are many other factors to consider also, for instance if your other countries do not have the same rules for environmental controls they can often sell those raw materials to other countries who in turn can sell their finished products, such a specialty alloys, steel, etc. at lower prices than your companies can produce them. Which would appear to be dumping; selling their products for less it costs them to produce them. Many countries prop up such industries with huge tax incentives or subsidizing those industries and/or companies. There are many reasons for this, sometimes it is merely to insure that those companies are in business to sell products to the Countries government agencies for infrastructure projects. Other times it is to appease labor and provide jobs. Sometimes it is in retaliation for a perceived or actual trade war from another trading partner country, which is propping up one of it's other industries. The dynamics of World Trade on; industry, peace, quality of life of populations, money flow, raw materials and natural resources; are quite extensive, as you might have guessed.

If you look at the above ground Coalmines in; Gillette, WY; you can see a perfect example of how mining works when everything is just right. Hundreds and hundreds of complete train loads leaving weekly for coal fired energy plants across the country. The economies of scale in such mines are incredible, fun to watch and very serious, every single second is accounted for, it is now a pure science in efficiency. It is incredible how far we have come in the past few centuries. The deepest Coal Mine in the world is over 5000 feet below the ground in the UK. Many in the United States are over 1200 feet deep, most of those are closed and now few are remaining. There is a mine in Alabama, which is the deepest vertical shaft coalmine in North America, with operations at 2,140 feet beneath the surface. It is hard for the coalmines in Washington State, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Alabama to compete with the incredible economies of scale of the Gillette WY above ground mine. Below ground coalmines can be quite dangerous. There are gases underground and coal dust and if a fire breaks out it steals all the oxygen. Recently the rescue of the coalminers in PA caught the attention of the whole world as rescue workers and heads-up rescuees, worked non-stop to stay alive until every man got out.

Mining is dangerous business and safety is essential and comes at a high cost in productivity. Above ground machinery and robotics have made many mining efforts in the United States profitable and much safer. Also at issue as we have discussed are the environmental issues. Things in the mining industry have significantly changed in the United States in the past 25 years the only question is; did they change too fast? The reason we won the Second world War was because of our industrial output, we had the raw materials and the will and we were able to do it all here, are we positive we wish to lose such capability in the future, after all it is still a cruel world, the human race is surely not done killing our own species yet, there will be more wars. The key issue in mining is the competition between third world countries trashing the environment and our environmental regulations in place here. Today in the United States, we have new innovations to protect the environment without slowing the process. These new methods are costly on original capitalization of a project, but usually once started are amortized over a significant period. Many colleges are putting out environmental engineers specializing in mining. .

By doing this the job of doing mining correctly is feasible, but environmental laws are not the only regulations that mining operations have to deal with, there is also the OSHA laws and a myriad of other rules.

In this country we have Salt Mines, Uranium Mines, Zinc, Lead, Molybdenum, Iron Ore, Copper, Silver, Gold, Aluminum, etc. Some of what we ought to be mining is old computers, refuse and disposed of automobiles and the Aluminum on old airliners parked in the desert.

The United States can compete, if we will drop the attitude and the delays caused by frivolous lawsuits, bad law making and bogus regulations which are said to help people when in actuality they serve no free man. If you read the Ayn Rand books, you can get a sense of this. Different places in the world have all the same minerals we have here. All in all we need to change our attitude on issues of mining, there are some brilliant entrepreneurs out there, state of the art equipment, smart industry consultants who can and will get the job done without polluting, without hurting the environment and still turn a considerable profit. Who wins? We do, because the world prices of raw materials and resources dictate the cost and the efficiency of having it here in country before we start to make something out of these resources and materials is good for America. We should allow these brilliant problem solvers in the name of profits help us figure out how to do it right, presently we are over regulating and not listening to these new technologies and the thinking of those in the know.

Neo Nazi Movement Embraces New Pope

There is much celebration for the new Pope in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. In Idaho is the United State's largest contingency of Neo Nazi groups. The new Pope, Benedict XVI, was a member of the Hitler Youth. The Catholic Church is quick to point out that Benedict XVI joined because it was mandatory not because he hated Jews. Although this is the Catholic Church's current statement on the issue; it has not slowed the Neo Nazi groups from celebrating in the United States or in Germany as they await their revival. Many Neo Nazi groups in Germany are younger generation and some do not even believe the Holocaust happened and that the Jews are making it all up. In the United States however the Neo Nazi groups believe and know it happened, many in the group are Catholic and many more are considering now joining the Catholic Church.

Some question the choosing of the German Catholic Pope because of his background. Some Hispanic Americans and Latin Catholics of the South and Central America feel slighted. Many thought that a Black Pope might have been a worthy idea to unite the World, but realistically the good ole' boy network couldn't let that happen. One thing is for certain no matter who was picked not everyone could agree so black or white smoke may not have been as important as who became the Pope. Some from Islam are happy with the selection, because the German Benedict XVI having been in the Hitler Youth, might have a severe disdain for the Jews as do all people of Islamic Faith as this is taught in their schools from a very early age. Some have asked is the Catholic Church trying to appease these groups to unite the Catholic Church or perhaps appease the International Terrorists since the fastest growing population in Europe is Muslim due to influx of people moving in and substantial birth rates.

The Catholic Church did pray for Nazi soldiers in WWII, just as the Catholic Church prayed for allied forces during the war. They had done well playing both sides and Benedict XVI was there to see it all and participate. It is for this reason that the Neo Nazi movement is overjoyed that they now have a Pope, which understands their calling and served in the Hitler Youth. Perhaps this might help a divided Germany come together or embolden the Neo Nazi movement in the United States to take over. Some Jews in the America are horrified and cannot believe the Catholic Church could make such a poor choice. Even as the Catholic Church plays down the Popes involvement in Nazi Germany both sides are emotional about the issue. How do you feel about the selection?

Wrapping Up the Cigar Boom

At age 98, the infamous cigar aficionado George Burns said, "If I had taken my doctor's advice and quit smoking when he advised me to, I wouldn't have lived to go to his funeral." While it's tempting for us to use Mr. Burns as the poster-child for the anti-anti-smoking movement which is gaining little ground against anti-smoking legislation in the United States, we would be hard-pressed to answer why the honor shouldn't go to Mark Twain, Peter Falk, Sigmund Freud ("Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar") or Rudy Giuliani. As more and more restaurants find themselves under regulation to prohibit smoking and many of the cigar bars from the last decade close their doors, it seems that today's cigar smoker is a bit lonely.

The cigar boom that swept the nation in the late 1990's has befallen the same fate as every other boom in history: it died and left a cynical, unhappy populace in its wake. In today's climate, it seems, not only is George Burn's doctor getting involved, but also neighbors, TV personalities and children.

However, those of us that have been in the cigar industry for years are not fretting. If you take a step back and observe the true nature of a boom, you realize it's simply a population getting excited about a new idea. The internet boom, the coffee boom, and the current wine boom are no exceptions. In a new age of information and technology where cultures and traditions all over the world are accessible with the click of a mouse, there's a lot of territory to discover. The culture of cigars had its turn, but it doesn't mean the boom is bust, it means the boom has allowed cigars to enter the cultural psyche of Americans and it will remain there even after the dust settles.

A perfect example of this phenomenon is the coffee bar. In the 1990's, a coffee bar was launched on every corner as the country realized Seattle not only had cool grunge but also iced coffee. There were actually two on every block if you include Starbucks. Low and behold, the hipsters got tired of coffee and moved onto cigar bars. Many of the nascent coffee shops were forced to close as the boom lost momentum, but I don't think anyone will argue that the coffee business is on its way out, it's just settled down. Today, coffee bars are part of our cultural psyche. They will continue to be frequented and enjoyed, if at a lower vibration than they were when they first hit the scene. The result is that today, it's easier to find better coffee.

The same is true for the cigar boom. As cigar culture entered the American mind, particularly the young American mind, there was a proliferation of cigar bars and internet businesses. Today, many of those have closed their doors, but the same great cigar bar that was there twenty years ago is most likely still around. Take a look at the police force of any major city. Detectives from New York to Denver surely didn't get the memo if cigar culture was dead. Indeed, business for your local cigar shop is probably better than ever. The boom is over, but cigars in America have entered a renaissance as a result. There are more high-quality, handmade cigars available at a cheaper price than ever before.

Of course, there is no telling how far the current climate of cigar taxation and smoking-bans will go. The momentum certainly hasn't waned, and the cigar industry will have to survive the onslaught before it can finally enjoy the new popularity it has discovered in the twenty-first century.

In the meantime, it's important for all of us to take a trip down to our local cigar shop and try something new. Only by continuing to invoke that feeling of spontaneity and discovery will cigar culture in the United States persist in growing and be recognized for its class, style and grace.

Breathalyzer for TB and Hepatitis Needed at Border

One of the latest technology advances in innovation for disease control is a device, which is similar to a Breathalyzer. It is truly amazing what entrepreneurs can come up with when the mother of invention remains mankind's greatest motivator. There are some issues with such equipment, in that how do you test people with out infecting those being tested when the others who were tested might have had the disease and contaminated equipment? We have outlined some ideas on how to do this without infecting those who work with the INS, Border Patrol or in DHS.

First of all we know how serious this is in the United States as we see problems with migrant workers who have TB or Hepatitis or any number of other serious diseases entering our country each year either on work visas or illegally. If you will "google" TB or Hepatitis risks you will no doubt see the serious nature of these facts.

This problem is only going to get worse, as illegal aliens are working in our restaurants and at the fast food quick service establishments. These individuals are picking produce and working in places which process food. Much of our produce comes from Mexico and some of the trucks used to haul it to the US are also used by those who are hauling illegal aliens into the country on the off hours, it is a huge problem. In Arizona one third of the people in prison are illegal aliens and they have a terrible time with such outbreaks.

If we can keep people from sneaking into the country and require everyone to come over the border at a checkpoint we can institute the use of this device. One of the qualifications to come into our country will be that you are disease free. No HIV, STDs, TB or Hepatitis. There would be a screening fee of $40.00 and a documentation and background check and required shots fee along with DNA sample, which would be recorded onto your Picture Permit with RFID Tag. If you are caught without it, you will be deported, upon deportation your DNA sample will be run and put on the do not enter list for your lifetime. By doing this we can keep the diseases out as well as the International Terrorists.

The Hepatitis and TB screening would be prior to entry to the next round of checks, those testing positive for disease will not be allowed into the country and a sample DNA will be taken and put on the restricted list. As the humans enter the screening area a small tube will come out of the wall they will be given a mouthpiece to blow into. Once they are completed the hose will be cut and 2 inches will be taken off the length, it will be thrown in a bio-waste chute at the end of the hallway, one person allowed in the open-air hallway at a time. Then the subject will proceed to where either they are allowed to the next area for processing or out the other door into their former country. Simple really.

The risks are too great to allow migrant workers and/or illegal aliens into our country who will later work in food services or be within close proximity of other while standing in lines at the USPS, Department of Motor Vehicles or work in highly congested areas while carrying such diseases.