Canada Day Long Weekend ...

Hope you all get a chance to kick back and enjoy the first nice long weekend of the summer!

Happy Canada Day canuks!

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Boise State University Information

BSU was originally founded as Boise Junior College in 1932 and was sponsored by the Episcopal Church. Regional accreditation was approved in 1941 and four-year status was approved in 1965. Boise Junior College officially entered the state system of higher education in 1969 as Boise State College and adopted its current name in 1974.

The University now awards associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Boise State University defines its goal as “to foster an intellectual atmosphere that produces educated, literate people—people knowledgeable of public affairs, committed to lifelong learning, and capable of creative problem-solving.”

Branch campus sites are located in Canyon County Center, Gowen Field, Mountain Home, and Twin Falls. Courses are offered in these campuses through the vision of extended studies, which also runs summer programs, noncredit programs, distance education, and other programs.
Boise State University Academics

Boise State includes nine Colleges and Divisions that offer 190 different fields of study, as well as research and internship opportunities. In addition to the colleges of Applied Technology (Selland College), Arts & Sciences, Business & Economics, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences & Public Affairs; Boise State is home to a Division of Extended Studies that provides opportunities for distance learning, professional development, weekend classes, summer classes, and international programs.

Bachelor’s degrees are awarded in a number of different disciplines in all colleges (except the Graduate College). Some of the fields of study represented include the arts and sciences, wildlife management, theatre arts, visual arts, exercise, science, education, engineering, radiology, nursing, communication, political science, manufacturing systems technology, semiconductor technology, and wildland fire management. Certificates and associate degrees are offered in many of the technology programs and in other fields such as legal assistance. The University offers interdisciplinary minors in addiction studies, Canadian studies, and gender studies, and a certificate in dispute resolution. A minor to become a legal assistant is also available.

Master’s degrees are awarded in 46 fields. These include various degrees in education, music, engineering, creative writing, and in raptor biology. An MFA in visual art and an MSW in social work are also available. The business school offers an MBA. Graduate certificate programs are also available in addiction studies, geospatial information analysis, health services leadership, technology integration, online technology, school technology coordination, and technical communication.

The school awards two doctoral degrees, an Ed.D in education curriculum and instruction, and a Ph.D. in geophysics.
Unique Programs

Sixteen special research, service, and development centers are located at Boise State. These include such diverse areas of interest as Economic Education, Idaho History, Conflict Management, and Raptor Research. While the centers provide classes and specializations that might be of interest to undergraduates, they are primarily focused on research and informing the public about their particular areas of focus.

Boise State’s colleges and divisions offer several unique interdisciplinary minors. These areas of study combine the curriculum of two or more fields to give students specialized areas of expertise. They are Addiction Studies, Canadian Studies, Dispute Resolution, Legal Assistance, and Gender Studies.
Financial Aid

Boise State requires that students who receive or are eligible to receive financial aid make satisfactory academic progress, file their FAFSA on time, demonstrate financial need, provide proof of a high school diploma or GED, not be default on prior loans, and register with Selective Service. Aid programs include grants, government loans (including the PLUS loan), alternative loans that may be provided through a private service, scholarships, and work-study programs located on campus.

In-state tuition and fees for undergraduate students were $3520 in 2004-2005. Students applying from out of state and graduate students will have different costs.

Financial aid is available with a combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs.
Boise State University Students

In addition to the numerous classroom, dormitory, athletic, and administration buildings, Boise State University has a center for the performing arts with a ten-story stage, 732 mezzanine seats and 1268 Orchestra level seats.

The Boise State University Library offers electronic catalogs and on-line databases, in additional to physical volumes stored on site. Special collections include rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and other materials related to Idaho and the American West, a map library, and federal, state and local government materials.

Boise State is home to 18,500 making it the largest university in the State of Idaho. The campus is home to 170 student organizations and includes new residence halls and the $12 million Student Recreation Center. Students have the opportunity to get involved in a number of organizations, including service-learning, the campus radio station, and various Greek organizations. The Arbiter is the campus’ student-run newspaper and publishes submissions from student writers and editors.

The Student Recreation Center includes a gymnasium with three full-size basketball courts, four racquetball courts, a student lounge, massage therapy facilities, a climbing gym, a free weight area, and a group exercise room.
Boise State University Traditions

Few trademarks are as recognizable or as proudly demonstrated as the blue astro turf of Bronco Stadium. Every televised game and following highlight makes the stadium undeniably recognizable to every Bronco fan across the country.
Local Community

Boise is rightly called the City of Trees for its urban parks and outstanding outdoor life. A river flows through the city, providing 25 miles of riverfront green space to play and relax in. Other outdoor attractions include the Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center and the World Center for Birds of Prey. There are a good deal of cultural attractions in Boise, including the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial and the Idaho Black History Museum. City facilities accommodating athletes looking to play golf, tennis, or just take a swim.

The city of Boise is the capital of the Idaho, and Idaho’s largest city. Some of the arts and cultural programs available in the area include ballet, theatre, visual arts, museums of history, the World Center for Birds of Prey, and outdoor recreational parks and facilities, including Bogus Basin Ski Resort.

Read more: Boise State University Information, Academics, History, Financial Aid, Alumni, Academics, Campus, and Students http://boise.stateuniversity.com.

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History of Cigars Book

Dating back to the Arawak Indians who greeted Columbus on his arrival in the West Indies, the cigar is for many a symbol of all the good things in life. It is a luxury on a par with the finest of wines or a truly gastronomic meal, which it accompanies admirably. The first book in the Cigars boxed set explores the history and traditions of the cigar, from how cigar tobacco is grown and harvested, to the significance of the cigar ring and how to detect a counterfeit cigar. There is a practical buyer's guide listing shops and clubs completing the volume. The second book takes the reader on a taste tour of individual cigars, exploring the qualities of sight, smell, touch, and taste that make a truly great cigar. Eighty-eight cigars are tested in total: eighty from Cuba, undeniably the greatest cigar-producing country in the world, with the remaining examples drawn from the Canaries, the Dominican Republic, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Each cigar is presented via a clear, easy-to-read table, giving it a mark out of ten based on criteria such as flavor, aroma, and quality of combustion. Each table is accompanied by an original, life-sized photograph of the cigar under examination. The handy presentation of the Cigars boxed set and the range of interesting facts presented makes this the perfect gift for anyone who revels in the aroma of a fine Monte Cristo or Romeo y Julieta.

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Bus Sized Asteroid Will Pass Very Close To Earth Tonight

Later today, an asteroid about the size of a large bus will pass very close to our planet. Although it will not strike us, it will move through the paths of Earth orbiting satellites.

The closest it will come to the surface of Earth will be about 11,000 kms. In contrast, the Moon is 384,000 kms from Earth

Xinhuanet.com

UPDATE:
NASA has announced that the Asteroid has passed us ... closer to Earth than many of our own orbiting satellites!!

SCARY PART OF THIS STORY:
The scariest thing about this asteroid is that it was only discovered hurtling towards Earth on June 22st ... a mere 5 days ago!!

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At A Time Of Record PROFIT - Stephen Harper And Canada Post Want To Cut Worker Remuneration And Pensions .... go figure??

Canada Post is experiencing record profits. Current moves by the Harper administration to legislate an imposed contract on postal workers is an exercise in 'corporate branding'. Harper is determined to demonstrate to the corporate sector that he will not hesitate to hamper, hinder, and hurt working people to the advantage of big business.

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Flooded Saskatchewan Community Looted After Evacuation

It's hard to imagine anything lower than what has happened in the flooded and evacuated community of Roche Percee, Saskatchewan. The village has been looted!

"The mayor of a flood-ravaged Saskatchewan village says he and other residents evacuated from their homes earlier this week have been hit by looters.

"They're taking my stuff and destroying my stuff and my friends and neighbours' stuff," said Roche Percee Mayor Reg Jahn.

Most residents of the village of 150 in the southeast corner of the province had to be evacuated after heavy rains and the release of water from local dams sent a wall of water over dikes on Sunday morning.

The community is in a valley and some homes were left completely under water, but others located at a higher elevation stayed relatively dry.

Among those who had to leave was Jahn, but he returned in a boat on Wednesday to retrieve some family photographs and other personal items.

Once inside the house, it was clear that someone had gone from room to room, ransacking the cabinets and trashing the place, he said.

A small safe that contained papers and some jewelry had been chiseled open and items were stolen, he said.

"I know my wife was totally devastated," he said. "It's a bad, bad feeling — kick you when you're down, eh?"

Jahn said he later learned that other residents have had their homes looted since the flood.

In one case, someone entered a house through a skylight and made off with a wide-screen TV."
CBC News

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History of USA

For many years I have contemplated writing a history of the United States in a single volume, that should fall between the elaborate works, which are beyond the reach of most busy people, and the condensed school histories, which are emasculated of all literary style through the necessity of crowding so many facts into small space.

In writing this history my aim has been to present an accurate narrative of the origin and growth of our country and its institutions in such a form as to interest the general reader. I have constantly borne in mind the great importance of combining the science of historical research with the art of historical composition. I have aimed also, especially when treating the national period, to balance the narrative and critical features in intelligent proportion. A mere recital of facts, without historic criticism, without reference to the undercurrents that move society, is no longer acceptable in this age of thinking readers.

I have endeavored to write, as stated, for the general reader, but not with a patronizing form of expression, as if addressed to the uneducated, or to children, nor with a burden of worthless incident and detail, nor yet with any effort to please those who delight only in the spectacular. At the same time, knowing that many intelligent people who wish to know something of their country are not fond of reading history, I have given careful attention to style, in the hope that the book might be easy and pleasurable to read, as well as instructive.

I have devoted much space to the life of the people, -- their habits, modes of life, occupations, general progress, and the like, especially in the earlier period when they differed most widely from ourselves. But in treating the national period I have, however, without neglecting the industrial and social features, given greater space to political and constitutional development, as in this the life of a people who govern themselves is epitomized.

In my treatment of wars and disputes with foreign powers, I am aware that, with all my effort to view a subject from a neutral, judicial standpoint, an unconscious bias may be discerned; but should the book find any foreign readers, I beg them to remember that I have written absolutely sine ira.

In treating the Civil War and the great events that led to it, I have taken the utmost care to be fair to both sides; though as a native and resident of the North I no doubt partake of the prejudice of my section, if such prejudice can still be said to exist. I have refrained from using the terms "rebel" and "traitor" to designate those who rose in rebellion against the government, because of my profound respect for their sincerity.

One subject -- American literature -- I had hoped to treat with greater fullness; but I found that an adequate treatment of this very important subject would require too great a space for the scope of this volume. It is therefore recommended that this phase of our history be studied in separate works devoted to the purpose.1

The notes at the ends of the chapters are intended to elucidate something that has preceded in the text, to give personal traits of leading characters, to mention matters of too meager importance for the main narrative, or, as in many cases, to relate some event of real importance which did not exactly fit in the body of the text.

In preparing this work I have had frequent recourse to the original sources, but make no pretense that the work is based wholly, or even chiefly, on original research. I have freely used the works of other writers. A large number of these have been cited in the footnotes for the purpose of aiding the reader who desires to pursue the subject further, or to acknowledge an obligation to an author whose thought or form of expression has been, in some measure, adopted. Much information, however, has been gathered from sources not herein mentioned.

That the work may be accepted as authoritative throughout, I have exercised the utmost care to secure historic accuracy; but absolute accuracy is not always attainable, especially where points are under dispute, and where such a great number of subjects are to be treated. The pointing out of any errors by the reader will be deemed a kindness.

My thanks are due to many kind friends for suggestions; to various librarians in Philadelphia and New York for special courtesies; to Mr. Stewart Culing, former curator and Indian specialist of the University of Pennsylvania, who kindly read and criticised the chapter dealing with the Indian character. Above all, I am indebted to Professor Herman V. Ames of the University of Pennsylvania, who read the greater portion of the manuscript and made many important suggestions. To his thorough scholarship and ripe judgment I have deferred in many instances.

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Recall of the Saskatchewan Legislature Demonstrates Premier Brad Wall's Irrational ANGER Towards Organized Labour

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance workers are conducting a rotating strike because after 2 years of bargaining, they have been unable to reach a collective agreement with the Saskatchewan provincial government.

It just so happens that a lot of the province's farmland is under water as a result of spring flooding and heavy summer rains. In the midst of this scenario, Saskatchewan's Right wing Premier blew a gasket and has now decided that the people who check the forms for a crop insurance claim should be deemed as an essential service and the Legislature has been recalled to force them back to work and likely, impose a contract 'settlement' on them.

Brad Wall's letter to the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union borders on irrational:
"Call off this strike - at least until all claims for unseeded and flooded out acres are processed. During that time, the management of Saskatchewan Crop Insurance will continue to bargain in good faith and work to reach a negotiated contract settlement."

Even the Right leaning MSM in Saskatchewan is questioning Wall's irrational snit:
"Contrary to Wall's provocative assertions about protecting flood victims, crop insurance adjusters have no responsibility for health or public safety. In fact, we likely have never legislated back to work a bargaining unit that has so little responsibility for the public's well-being.

And having crop adjusters walking the picket line for slightly more than 24 hours doesn't constitute a provincial catastrophe.

The main duties for the province's 470 crop insurance adjusters' are to help farmers with three forms: the unseeded acreage benefit claims; the stored grain declaration; and the benefit establishment claim that counts the number of plants per square yard that have germinated.

While the forms are somewhat annoying and difficult to fill out, it's something farmers can do themselves. As happened last year, adjusters could do spot checks later. Given that the government also announced Wednesday that the deadline for all these forms would be pushed back to June 30, there is also no urgency.

Wall could have taken a more measured approach. He could have appealed to the better nature of people to do the right thing.

Instead, he chose to demonize union members as untrustworthy and to order them back to work - a move that was drastic, unnecessary and not all that politically wise.

After all, any calculated gain there is in showing a willingness to get tough with unions would be offset by the unease created among urban unionized voters. But Wall was clearly not thinking about the need for a big tent.

Instead, he let his anger get the best of him."
Acting In Anger Bad Policy
Regina Leader Post

Brad Wall's over the top snit is nothing but pre-election theatrics!

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Information Of Mars

 Named for the Roman god of War, Mars probably got this name due to its red color. It is sometimes referred to as the Red Planet. The name of the month March derives from Mars. Known since prehistoric times, Mars is still a favorite of choice for human exploration.

The density of Mars is about 30 percent less than that of Earth (3.94 g/cm3 vs. 5.52 g/cm3). Its core is probably similar to Earth's, mostly iron, with small amounts of nickel, but spacecraft mapping of its gravity field seem to indicate that its iron-rich core and mantle are a smaller portion of its volume than on Earth. Also, its smaller magnetic field than Earth, indicates a solid, rather than liquid core.

Mars' atmosphere is 95 percent carbon dioxide, nearly 3 percent nitrogen, and nearly 2 percent argon with trace quantities of oxygen, carbon monoxide, water vapor, ozone, and other trace gases.

The average temperature on Mars is about -55 C or -67 F. It can range from -133 C or -207 F at the winter pole to almost 27 C or 80 F on the day side during summer. Orbiting 227,940,000 km (1.52 AU) from Sun, the Martian year is nearly two Earth years, while its day is only about half an hour longer than Earth's.

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Exactly What 'Boom' Are You Talking About Premier Wall?

Part of Saskatchewan Party mythology is the statement that 'as soon as Premier Wall became Premier, the population of the province began to increase'. What they don't tell you are the facts. The facts are that prior to the arrival of Wall's government, the former New Democratic administration experienced a turnaround in population numbers mostly due to an increase in world oil prices.

Wall has invested a lot in population increase, equating it as a benchmark of his economic success in the province. But what is this? Saskatchewan's population has been decreasing after almost a full electoral term by Wall's Saskatchewan Party?

If you live politically by population 'increase' ... you will surely die politically by population 'decrease'. This should leave voters wondering what 'boom' it is that Premier Wall keeps referring to??

'Saskatchewan sees net interprovincial emigration'
CBC


More on Buckdog ....
-Sask job numbers tumble - 'What boom are you referring to Premier?'

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Lamborghini Gallardo Special Edition 2011 White Edition

Lamborghini Gallardo 2011 White Edition. Anderson German new car launches Lamborghini Gallardo 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo White Edition. By Performance horsepower 560-600 hp, equipped also with a series of modifications that include the use of optimization software and the addition of a sports air filter and exhaust system with additional Rennkats.

Tuning package includes remote-controlled valves that regulate the system that allows riders to choose from three different levels of noise and also reduce the approximately 22 kg body weight.

A special sport suspension module is combined with the right undercarriage significantly change the dynamics of driving. Three pieces, shiny black rims - each with a deep dish painted white - in dimension 9 Ã-20 inches with tires 245/30-20 in front and 12.5 x 20 inches with a 325/25-20 rear provide adequate compliance with asphalt surface.

Visible external modifications including carbon trim, widening the aero kit consisting of front apron, side skirts, rear bumper diffuser and rear spoiler. And tinting the windows and tail lights must be mentioned too. Display is equipped with LED lights on the side of the vehicle and calipers painted red contrast.

Interior features car Lamborghini Gallardo 2011 White Edition exclusive white carbon details. There are vents, hand brake lever, shift paddles, dashboard, steering wheel, door handle inlays, shift lever and an internal light border on the roof lining. White Racing Edition chairs in black Alcantara, black and white, all white edges of chairs, doors and seats have diamond-shaped stitching.

Lamborghini Gallardo is a supercar from Lamborghini Lamborghini.Gallardo is the best selling models throughout masa.Lebih of 10,000 was made for 7 years Gallardo is Lamborghini pertama.Gallardo cheapest in 2000an.Gallardo also nicknamed the "baby Lambo". Gallardo compete with the Ferrari 360, which then replaced by the Ferrari F430, Ferrari 458 and then Italia.Gallardo also compete with the McLaren MP4-12C, Porsche 911 GT2 (997), and Mercedes-Benz AMG SLS.

Name

Gallardo's name is taken from a famous bull in a bull Spanyol . Name also been applied to the previous models like the Murcielago, Diablo, and Miura.


First Generation

Following attendance at the 2002 Murcielago, Lamborghini introduced a cheaper model, small, and practical than the Murcielago, the Gallardo Gallardo 2003.Desain in applying the power of a V10-engined elegan.Gallardo 5 liter.Gallardo can go from 0-100 km / h in time version 4.2 is available detik.Juga convertible, namely Gallardo Spyder.


Special Edition (SE)

In 2005, selling 250 units Lamborghini Gallardo Special Edition SE.SE stands, which means spesial.SE edition has a black roof, two-color interior color (black and color choices.) Preferred color is orange, green, yellow, and white . These colors can also be found on interiornya.Sistem navigation and reverse parking cameras become standard features here.

Nera

Means that the Gallardo Nera hitam.Lamborghini issued a special edition which sold only 185 unit.Warna hitam.Lampu only option behind darkened so that the more hitam.Interior dominated by black and white.

Superleggera

In 2006, Lamborghini Gallardo introduced a special edition, the Superleggera, which means super ringan.Superleggera compete with Ferrari F430 Scuderia.Transmisi E-gear are a standard feature, not opsi.Superleggera 100 kg lighter than the Gallardo standard.Pilihanw Arna is black, gray, white, orange, and kuning.Terdapat vynil on the side of the body with the words "Superleggera". The total production of only 172 units, white 10nya, 34nya gray, black 37, 45 46 yellow and orange.

Second Generation (LP560-4)

The second generation was introduced in 2008 under the name 4.Kini LP560-powered 5.2 L V10 engine from the transmission Audi.Pilihan paddelshifter.Opsi only available with E-Gear transmission is also available to accelerate the turnover gigi.Beratnya 20 kg lighter than the design sebelumnya.Walau exterior lot of similarities with the previous Gallardo, many smaller details that dirubah.Lampu front, front bumper air holes enlarged, narrowed rear lights (menyerupain Audi product range), the black panel in the back become more minimalist, new wheel designs, and a new exhaust. Desainnay affected much of the Lamborghini Reventon, and the company of his parents, Audi.Gallardo LP560-4 has a four-wheel drive system as well pendahulunya.Terdapat convertiblenya version.


LP550-2 Valentino Balboni

To celebrate the retirement of the Lamborghini car tester, namely Valentino Balboni, Lamborghini Gallardo made 250 units based LP560-4.Settingan machines, color choices, and vynil sendiri.Hasilnya determined by Balboni, the car rear wheel (not 4-wheel), using manual transmission regular (not paddleshift), vynil line (stripe) on the exterior, orda different designs, a decrease performamesin, stripe on the chair, and color interior.Beberapa testers said that, although LP550-2 had a reduced performance and technology, but more exciting than the driven LP560-4 standard.

LP570-4 Superleggera

The rebirth of this Superleggera.Kali bumper design changes (still based LP560-4), more aggressive design of the rear bumper, side skirts changed, a black spoiler, boosts performance, and like its predecessor, vinyl lettered Superleggera.Beratnya kg.Versi convertiblenya is only 1340 Gallardo LP570-4 Spyder Performante, with some changes to the exterior design.

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A Cyber War Is Going On That You May Not Even Be Aware Of ....

"The Internet may be about to get a little more chaotic than usual. Over the weekend, a group of hackers declared that they are initiating cyber warfare with governments and security companies around the world.

The group, Lulz Security, has claimed responsibility for a number of recent data breaches and have already attacked a number of United States government and corporate Web sites. Lulz Security also said it was working closely with another group called Anonymous, a loosely affiliated team of activist computer hackers. Although Anonymous did not put out its own statement about the attacks, the two groups have been communicating regularly on Twitter.

In a letter posted on a public Web site, Lulz Security announced its plan to attack more government sites and encouraged other groups and individuals “to open fire on any government or agency that crosses their path.” The undertaking is called “Operation Anti-Security.”

“Top priority is to steal and leak any classified government information, including email spools and documentation,” Lulz Security wrote in the letter. “Prime targets are banks and other high-ranking establishments.”

The Federal Bureau of Investigation declined to comment on the letter."
Hackers Declare War on Government Agencies -NY Times

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The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) was accused of bringing down a number of web sites after it raided a colocation facility in Virginia in search of servers being used to hack into CIA and other major institutions and corporations. The raids, which were coordinated with other law enforcement agencies and which led to the arrest of 19 year old UK national Ryan Cleary, were part of the investigation into hacking by the LulzSec Group which targeted US government departments, broadcasters and other large institutions. A report in the New York Times said publisher Curbed Network was reportedly forced offline while the hosting company, Switzerland based DigitalOne told its customers in an email: ‘The problem is caused by the FBI, not our company. In the night FBI has taken 3 enclosures with equipment plugged into them, possibly including your server – we cannot check it.’
Data Center Dynamics: "FBI grabs racks of servers in hosting facility hacking raid"

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History of 15th June

June 15 is the 166th day of the year (167th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. There are 199 days remaining until the end of the year.
Contents
[hide]

    1 Events
    2 Births
    3 Deaths
    4 Holidays and observances
    5 External links    763 BC – Assyrians record a solar eclipse that is later used to fix the chronology of Mesopotamian history.
    923 – Battle of Soissons: King Robert I of France is killed and King Charles the Simple is arrested by the supporters of Duke Rudolph of Burgundy.
    1184 – King Magnus V of Norway is killed at the Battle of Fimreite.
    1215 – King John of England puts his seal to the Magna Carta.
    1219 – Northern Crusades: Danish victory at the Battle of Lyndanisse (modern-day Tallinn) establishes the Danish Duchy of Estonia. According to legend, this battle also marks the first use of the Dannebrog, the world's first national flag still in use, as the national flag of Denmark.
    1246 – With the death of Duke Frederick II, the Babenberg dynasty ends in Austria.
    1389 – Battle of Kosovo: The Ottoman Empire defeats Serbs and Bosnians.
    1520 – Pope Leo X threatens to excommunicate Martin Luther in papal bull Exsurge Domine.
    1580 – Philip II of Spain declares William the Silent to be an outlaw.
    1667 – The first human blood transfusion is administered by Dr. Jean-Baptiste Denys.
    1752 – Benjamin Franklin proves that lightning is electricity (traditional date, the exact date is unknown).
    1775 – American Revolutionary War: George Washington is appointed commander-in-chief of the Continental Army.
    1776 – Delaware Separation Day – Delaware votes to suspend government under the British Crown and separate officially from Pennsylvania.
    1785 – Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier, co-pilot of the first-ever manned flight (1783), and his companion, Pierre Romain, become the first-ever casualties of an air crash when their hot air balloon explodes during their attempt to cross the English Channel.
    1804 – New Hampshire approves the Twelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution, ratifying the document.
    1808 – Joseph Bonaparte becomes King of Spain.
    1836 – Arkansas is admitted as the 25th U.S. state.
    1844 – Charles Goodyear receives a patent for vulcanization, a process to strengthen rubber.
    1846 – The Oregon Treaty establishes the 49th parallel as the border between the United States and Canada, from the Rocky Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
    1859 – Pig War: Ambiguity in the Oregon Treaty leads to the "Northwestern Boundary Dispute" between United States and British/Canadian settlers.
    1864 – American Civil War: The Second Battle of Petersburg begins.
    1864 – Arlington National Cemetery is established when 200 acres (0.81 km2) around Arlington Mansion (formerly owned by Confederate General Robert E. Lee) are officially set aside as a military cemetery by U.S. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.
    1867 – Atlantic Cable Quartz Lode gold mine located in Montana.
    1877 – Henry Ossian Flipper becomes the first African American cadet to graduate from the United States Military Academy.
    1888 – Crown Prince Wilhelm becomes Kaiser Wilhelm II; he will be the last Emperor of the German Empire.
    1896 – The deadliest tsunami in Japan's history kills more than 22,000 people.
    1904 – A fire aboard the steamboat SS General Slocum in New York City's East River kills 1,000.
    1905 – Princess Margaret of Connaught marries Gustaf, Crown Prince of Sweden.
    1909 – Representatives from England, Australia and South Africa meet at Lord's and form the Imperial Cricket Conference.
    1913 – The Battle of Bud Bagsak in the Philippines ends.
    1916 – U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signs a bill incorporating the Boy Scouts of America, making them the only American youth organization with a federal charter.
    1919 – John Alcock and Arthur Brown complete the first nonstop transatlantic flight when they reach Clifden, County Galway, Ireland.
    1920 – Duluth lynchings in Minnesota.
    1920 – A new border treaty between Germany and Denmark gives northern Schleswig to Denmark.
    1934 – The U.S. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is founded.
    1937 – A German expedition led by Karl Wien loses sixteen members in an avalanche on Nanga Parbat. It is the worst single disaster to occur on an 8000m peak.
    1940 – World War II: Operation Ariel begins – Allied troops start to evacuate France, following Germany's takeover of Paris and most of the nation.
    1944 – World War II: Battle of Saipan: The United States invade Japanese-occupied Saipan.
    1944 – In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government in North America.
    1945 – The General Dutch Youth League (ANJV) is founded in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
    1954 – UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) is formed in Basel, Switzerland.
    1955 – The Eisenhower administration stages the first annual "Operation Alert" (OPAL) exercise, an attempt to assess the USA's preparations for a nuclear attack.
    1978 – King Hussein of Jordan marries American Lisa Halaby, who takes the name Queen Noor.
    1985 – Rembrandt's painting Danaë is attacked by a man (later judged insane) who throws sulfuric acid on the canvas and cuts it twice with a knife.
    1992 – The United States Supreme Court rules in United States v. Álvarez-Machaín that it is permissible for the United States to forcibly extradite suspects in foreign countries and bring them to the USA for trial, without approval from those other countries.
    1994 – Israel and Vatican City establish full diplomatic relations.
    1996 – The Provisional Irish Republican Army explodes a large bomb in the middle of Manchester, England.
    2002 – Near-Earth asteroid 2002 MN misses the Earth by 75,000 miles (121,000 km), about one-third of the distance between the Earth and the Moon.

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LulzSec 'Mastermind' - 19 year old Ryan Cleary Arrested For Hacking CIA , Sony, Nintendo, US Senate Computers: UPDATED

UPDATE - June 22, 2011:

-SCOTLAND YARD ISSUES PRESS RELEASE AND DETAILS OF FORMAL CHARGES AGAINST RYAN CLEARY

-CLEARY FORMALLY CHARGED BY BRITISH AUTHORITIES!

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A teenage “recluse” who lives with his mother in Essex was being questioned by police last night on suspicion of masterminding an international computer hacking group. Ryan Cleary, the 19-year-old son of a college lecturer, is accused of being a “major player” in LulzSec, which has been linked with attacks on computers belonging to the police, the US Senate and the CIA.

He was held in a raid at his family home in Wickford following a joint investigation between Scotland Yard and the FBI, which was also aimed at finding the hackers who breached security at the games firms Sony and Nintendo.

It was alleged last night that Mr Cleary was online in the middle of hacking when he was held. The arrest came hours after an anonymous internet user claiming to be from LulzSec threatened to publish the entire 2011 census database, though this was later dismissed as a hoax. A Scotland Yard spokesman said a “significant amount of material” had been seized from Mr Cleary’s family home by officers from its specialist e-crime unit, and would now be subjected to forensic examination.

Mr Cleary’s family expressed disbelief that the self-confessed computer “nerd” had anything to do with hacking.
Telegraph.co.uk

-Despite Arrest LulzSec Sails On

-LulzSec

-Facebook LulzSec stuff

-The last LulzSec Press Release before Cleary's arrest (June 17, 2011)

UPDATE:

LulzSect tweets say that Cleary is not the guy .....


UPPERDATER:
-Ryan Cleary is Sony hacker

-LulzSec: "We Are Mildly Associated With Arrested Hacker"

-Authorities HOT on the trail of LulzSec hackers

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National Aboriginal Day - June 21, 2011

First Nations singers / drum group - 'Iron Swing' from Sturgeon Lake, Saskatchewan ...

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Summer Solstice 2011 From Stonehenge ... First light

(10 minutes later)

First light over the horizon at Stonehenge for Summer Solstice 2011 ...


Top pic taken minutes ago and courtesy of John McLaughlin


-Solstices on Buckdog over the years ...

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2011 Summer Solstice

   Sol + stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" + "to stand still." As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.

As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The Northern Hemisphere celebrates in June, but the people on the Southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

Early Celebrations

Awed by the great power of the sun, civilizations have for centuries celebrated the first day of summer otherwise known as the Summer Solstice, Midsummer (see Shakespeare), St. John's Day, or the Wiccan Litha.

The Celts & Slavs celebrated the first day of summer with dancing & bonfires to help increase the sun's energy. The Chinese marked the day by honoring Li, the Chinese Goddess of Light.
Perhaps the most enduring modern ties with Summer Solstice were the Druids' celebration of the day as the "wedding of Heaven and Earth", resulting in the present day belief of a "lucky" wedding in June.

Today, the day is still celebrated around the world - most notably in England at Stonehenge and Avebury, where thousands gather to welcome the sunrise on the Summer Solstice.

Pagan spirit gatherings or festivals are also common in June, when groups assemble to light a sacred fire, and stay up all night to welcome the dawn.


Summer Solstice Fun Facts

    Pagans called the Midsummer moon the "Honey Moon" for the mead made from fermented honey that was part of wedding ceremonies performed at the Summer Solstice.

    Ancient Pagans celebrated Midsummer with bonfires, when couples would leap through the flames, believing their crops would grow as high as the couples were able to jump.

    Midsummer was thought to be a time of magic, when evil spirits were said to appear. To thwart them, Pagans often wore protective garlands of herbs and flowers. One of the most powerful of them was a plant called 'chase-devil', which is known today as St. John's Wort and still used by modern herbalists as a mood stabilizer.

More about summer solstice around the Web:

On the Web, discover more about the topic, where & how Summer Solstice is celebrated around the world along with related history, folklore and rituals that mark the much-awaited long, bright days of summer ....

Summer Solstice - Good overview of its history, customs & holidays, illustrations, date & time charts and related links, from Wikipedia.

Summer Solstice Celebrations - Ancient & Modern - Skip past the intrusive ads for a detailed discussion about how the day has been celebrated over the centuries, and in many cultures, with suggested reading and related links.

BBC Religion - Summer Solstice - A brief overview of Pagan rituals and ceremonies with related links to more facts & information.

Weird Wilstshire - Summer Solstice - Archived pictures with a report on one particularly successful UK sunrise celebration, including related links & online forum.

The Pagan Festival of Litha - The origins of Druidic Summer Solstice celebrations and their meaning in the natural cycle of seasons.

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Canada's New $50 And $100 Bills

OTTAWA - Get ready to have a little more plastic in your wallet.

Starting in November, new polymer bank notes will start to replace paper-cotton bills that wear and tear more easily.

The first bills to go plastic will be the $100 notes. The $50 notes will follow next March. The rest of the plastic money will be in circulation by the end of 2013.

The polymer bank notes are more durable than paper money. The Bank of Canada expects the new bills to last 2.5 times longer than the paper ones.

They're also harder to fake than paper money. Some of the security features built into the new notes include raised ink, hidden numbers and metallic images in see-through windows.

The bills feel smooth and slightly waxy. They don't crumple easily, but they do crease when you try, and they don't seem to tear in half.

The new $100s look busier than the paper bills. There are now two portraits of prime minister Robert Borden — a large one on the face of the bill and a smaller, metallic one in the clear band running through the note, above an image of Parliament Hill's Peace Tower.

On the other side of the bill, there's an image of a researcher at a microscope, a strand of DNA and an electrocardiogram. There's also a bottle of insulin next to the words "medical innovation."

The $50 has an image of CCGS Amundsen — a research icebreaker — and a map of the North. The designs of the $20, $10 and $5 bills will be unveiled later. The colours of the new bills have not changed.
Winnipeg Free Press

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Oh Great! Conservatives About To Fire 92 Auditors At Public Works Canada

Just as Public Works Canada is about to make $35 BILLION worth of military purchases, 92 auditors who safeguard our tax money from the fiscally irresponsible Harperites are being let go.

The Globe & Mail

-More Proof That Stephen Harper Is NOT A Fiscal Conservative

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