French Officer Jean Ribault and 350 of his soldiers lose life

Fort Matanzas is now a National Monument. It was a Spanish fort that was constructed in 1740. The fort made out of coquina, was finished in 1742. The European struggle for dominance played out in this region. The Spanish for the most part controlled Florida for 200 years, until around 1819.

Although Fort Matanzas itself actually saw very little battle, it symbolizes the Massacre of the French during that fateful period of history in the 1500′s. A hurricane turned out to be the catalyst that hastened the French attack on the Spanish.

On Sep. 10, 1565, Jean Ribault, a French naval officer set sail on an attempt to clear out the Spanish at St. Augustine, Florida. A hurricane would take Ribault and his mean below Daytona and wreck the ships on the beach. This proved to be fatal for the crew.

Simultaneously, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés was attacking Fort Caroline in Jacksonville. Fort Caroline was defended by French Protestants called Huguenots. At the time, too few of them remained at the fort to defend it. On Sep. 20, the fort was captured. On that day, 140 French men were quickly put to death by the Spanish. Only about 60 women and children were spared, and about 40 fled from the scene.

On October 12, after wrecking their ships and walking north, Jean Ribault and the French men surrendered, hoping for mercy. But there would be no mercy. In batches of ten, the Frenchmen were rowed across to the mainland, hands tied behind their backs. The prisoners were asked if they were Catholics. If your answer was no, then you were put to the death with the knife by Menéndez’s Spanish soldiers. About 134 men were killed this time, including Ribault himself. Only a few survived this one. The total number that were killed in both battles cost the French about 350 lives.

St. Augustine was the most important settlement in Florida. Pedro Menéndez sighted land on August 28, 1565. It was Pedro Menéndez that secured St. Augustine for Spain, and initiated a Spanish stronghold that lasted on and off for 200 years.

There is a free boat tour of Fort Matanza if you’re ever in the area. It’s a must if you happen to be a history buff.

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Tools I Used To Call NA1SS

After several years of trying to contact NA1SS, I finally found success. It’s quite an experience to make contact with a dedicated astronaut or cosmonaut that is orbiting around our planet. I’ve also seen the space station in the sky. That’s quite an experience as well. Exhilarating. Unique.

Track The ISS: Find A Website
You need a website to track the ISS. But always keep the police scanner turned on, because you need audio to hear transmissions as it passes by. This is crucial. There are several good websites out there to track it, but I especially like N2YO. This page has great visuals and is user friendly. There are other sites. Find one you like.

The Frequency To Listen:  145.800
Grab a police scanner. The ISS downlink frequency is 145.800. You don’t have to be a ham operator to listen to the International Space Station (ISS). But, you must own a police scanner or a transceiver. I use an old police scanner that sits in my station. By the way, you can see the ISS in the sky with the naked eye also!

The Talk Frequency Region 2:   144.490
Find a talk frequency for your region. It depends where your location is that determines your talk frequency. I live in Region 2, so my talk frequency is 144.490. Here is a list from the ISS Fan Club to guide you.

The Transceiver
I have an ICOM IC-V8000 2 meter radio that I used to contact the ISS. My talk frequency is 144.490. Find what frequency you need and grab the radio for it.

Patience
Patience is a must if you want to reach the ISS. There are literally hundreds of other operators trying to accomplish the same goal. Astronauts go out of their way to help ham operators. Show some courtesy and respect. The ISS doesn’t always transmit while orbiting. Remember, just wait for the opportunity, it will happen. Keep your police scanner turned on. Listen.

Persistence
As with anything in life, persistence is the key to doing anything. When your spouse or friends tell you that you are wasting your time, ignore the negativity. You can!

NA1SS this is……

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No Country Should Be Left Behind

Why does my child’s homework keep getting harder and harder? Why are the education standards set so high? Kids should have a social life also. Shouldn’t they?

The Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a worldwide evaluation of 15-year-old school children’s scholastic performance, performed first in 2000 and repeated every three years.

The United States has spent much more on education than most countries but fell short on PISA assessments. The scores have educators wondering how to best change the education system in America. How accurate the scores are and what it all means is hard to say. Just how today’s students perform on tests today may determine the economic competitiveness of tomorrow for that country.

The 2000 ranking for reading literacy: Finland, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, South Korea, United Kingdom, Japan, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Iceland, Norway, France, and the United States. (USA ranks 15th in reading literacy.)

The 2003 ranking for mathmatics: Finland, South Korea, Netherlands, Japan, Canada, Belgium, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Czech Republic, Iceland, Denmark, France, Sweden, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Slovakia, Norway, Luxembourg, Poland, Hungary, Spain, United States. (USA ranks 24th in mathematics.)

The 2006 ranking for science: Finland, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, South Korea, Germany, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Hungary, Sweden, Poland, Denmark, France, Iceland, United States. (USA ranks 21st in science.)

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Watch Out For The Official Dislike Button

You’re on Facebook and you see this: I just got the Dislike button, so now I can dislike all of your dumb posts lol!! Don’t click it. This is a scam. It’s the latest survey scam spreading virally across Facebook, according to Sophos, the guys that monitor computer security.

LATEST SCAMS:

“Justin Bieber trying to flirt”, “Student attacked his teacher and nearly killed him”, “the biggest and scariest snake” and the “world’s worst McDonald’s customer”. “Get the official dislike button now”.

DO NOT fall for this. A rogue application will require that you take a survey.  This is nothing but pure spam.

Check out Graham Cluley’s Blog for more clues.

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EchoLink Conference Server-NODE 355800

On Saturday August 14, 2010, DODROPIN kicked off their fourth year of activity on EchoLink. EchoLinksters can check in at the DODROPIN Conference on Node 355800.

*DODROPIN* Net Schedule

Saturday 9:00 PM Eastern | *DODROPIN* Saturday Night Net/Newsline
Sunday 8:00 PM Eastern | OCARC Sunday Nite Net
Monday 8:30 PM Eastern | NFARL TECH NET
Monday 9:00 PM Eastern | AAARA NET
Tuesday 7:30 PM Eastern | TIPS-NET OFF TILL SEPTEMBER
Wednesday    
Thursday 9:00 PM Eastern | OCARC ARES NET
Friday 5:00 PM Eastern | NFARL YOUTH NET

More info can be found here – EchoLink Nets
Tour the Data Center – here

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Connecting The Dots Between The Blue Spots

I have been aware about Congenital dermal melanocytosis, or commonly called Mongolian spot for some time now. I am fascinated by this and I’m curious to know just as to how many other people are aware of Mongolian spot. Were you aware?

Mongolian spot is most prevalent among Mongolians, East Asians, East Africans, Native Americans, Polynesians, and Micronesians. Obviously Mestizo can be added to this group because of admixture.

Briefly, Mongolian spot is an anomaly that involves cells under the skin. There are usually multiple spots or there can be one large patch. Spots usually cover the lower back, buttocks, flanks, and shoulders. The spots are harmless and are not gender specific.

It normally disappears three to five years after birth and almost always by puberty.

It is a well known fact, or theory if you will among many, that after the flood that there was a man, three sons, and all of their wives. Ham, the youngest of the three sons, is the progenitor of The Nations of Ham.

When we say colored people we are referring to Hamitic tribes of the world. Hamitic tribes may be considered by some as the black races of mankind.

Here is the theory that I am postulating. It is of my personal opinion that Hamitic races include: Mongolians, East Asians, East Africans, Native Americans, Polynesians, and Micronesians. Is there a connection between peoples that have Mongolian spots? Maybe not?

Could it be that Hamitic tribes share certain physical characteristics? Facial characteristics such as high cheek bones. Hamitic tribes could share certain cells involving the skin. Is there a connection between The Descendants of Ham?

One Asian became fascinated with facial recognition of Asians. This man was an Asian himself. He created a web site that tests people’s facial recognition ability. His wife thought it would be more interesting if the site was about telling Asian people apart. This man has lived in the U.S. for more than 15 years, and he claims that he can’t tell Asians apart. The page is called AllLookSame. The difference is in the eye of the beholder.

Is there a correlation of color? What are your thoughts about the topic?

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Goodness Gracious Great Balls Of Fire!

The first fortnight of August brings us the Perseids. On the night of August 12th, and into the early hours of August 13, the meteor shower peaked in its glory.

The Perseid meteor shower has charmed audiences for centuries, and the show in 2010 will keep Perseid fans coming back to the theater for years to come! This show was inspiring for August stargazers in the sweltering, unrelenting heat.

The Great Bear in the northwest, Cassiopeia in the northeast,  Andromeda, Perseus, Pegasus, and Capella set the stage in the August sky. Although part of the Great Bear rapidly descends on the horizon in the early morn, it is very prominent in the northern sky.

I stepped outside on the eve of the 12th to view the great show in the sky. As observed, the humidity was very high and the fog heavily clouded the sky in no time it seemed. I’m glad I got outside before the fog thickened and obscured the view.

I was completely in awe watching the fireballs explode in the sky! The flash that radiated from the Perseus constellation as well as other parts of the sky, offered pure delight to this exuberant observer.

While this show made it as a Trending Topic, it no doubt was a Trending Topic for observers centuries ago. The luminosity must have dazzled the crowds of the ancient past.

As the tropic thunder leads us to summer’s closing end, those blue and extremely luminous stars that are faint in the northeastern horizon, point to cooler temperatures that lie ahead. The Seven Sisters show themselves just above the horizon in the faint summer sky. The approach of Autumn signals stargazers to a clearer sky of beauty.

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To Be Happy You Must Make More Than Your Friends

It is referred to as conspicuous consumption. Basically what this means is the spending of goods to display wealth or social status. Which is more commonly called “keeping up with the Joneses.” Conspicuous consumption was introduced by economist Thorstein Veblen in 1899. The Theory of the Leisure Class is a book published in 1899, and was written by Veblen.

Keeping up with the Joneses is a phrase that became popular when cartoonist Arthur R. “Pop” Momand debuted a comic strip in 1916. The comic strip was run in a newspaper called the New York World, which ran from 1860 until 1931. The newspaper played an important role in American history.

During the latter part of the 19th century a new breed of people came to be. They were called consumers. The world would change profoundly in the mid 19th century and beyond.

Nationalism, universal education, transportation, and expansion of the national economy brought about this radical change bit by bit. Upward social mobility could finally be achieved through education. Ironically, some families did not agree with compulsary education and even protested against it. Some citizens did not want to be “enculturated” and taken away from the farm.

But eventually all that would change. Compulsary education reached Massachusetts in 1852. Before then, education was not compulsary. Newspapers started to be in circulation. People started to vote. Greater productivity brought cheaper goods. The age finally came to fruition;  for the first time mass consumerism came into being.

The term “la semaine anglaise” is the English week. For the first time ever, workers could have Saturday off. At least Saturday afternoon could be taken off, after a 60 hour week. This idea doesn’t mean much to modern workers; but before this time it was unheard of to do so.

Overall quality of life had gotten better for the most part. More leisure time was enjoyed by the masses. More goods were available. More roads became available. Communities promoted sports. Consumerism gave rise to upward social mobility.

Nouveau riche, or new money, could now be obtained in one generation. Significant improvement of living standards started a middle class that had purchasing power. In reality though, millionaires are quite stingy with their wealth.

In modern day America social hierarchy is extremely important. The last few decades in America have radically changed. One tremendous impact has been the increase of women in the workforce. In 1974, approximately 46% of all women worked. In 2004, almost 60% of all women worked. This factor has increased upward social mobility in America.

Education has allowed Americans to achieve upward social mobility. The number of college graduates is at an all time high. With an increase in upward mobility, there is also more competition and increased college tuition to pay. Thus, prohibiting upward mobility for some.

But for those few that are able to maintain keeping up with the Joneses, making more money and having more wealth doesn’t necessarily bring more happiness.

Having a higher income than other people is what matters to most people, a study shows. If you are going to remain happy, then you must make more than your colleagues. Making big money alone will not make you happy, according to the study.

This means that keeping up with the Joneses just isn’t good enough. You must surpass the Joneses.

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Reunion with Hagar. Reunion with Roth. What’s Next?

Okay, so the gossip going around about Eddie Van Halen and one of the  best-selling bands  of all time is just rumor (a new album) for now. Will there be a new album in 2011?

The reunion with David Lee Roth has paid off. The tour grossed $93 million. Not bad.

Van Halen has sold 80 million albums worldwide and have had the most number-one hits on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. During the 1980s they also had more Billboard Hot 100 hits than any other hard rock or heavy metal band. People still yearn for the popular style of Van Halen’s music. The false rumors substantiate the band’s popularity.

Eddie no doubt is working on some new music, but he knows that fans will expect something no less than ground shaking. The band has not made an album since 1998.  Eddie is aware of his diehard fans and their loyal following.

The musical genius of brothers Eddie and Alex Van Halen will probably resurface, sooner or later. They have left their mark on the music industry. Their brand is highly respected. The tremendous success has brought along with it major controversy also.

The rumors are out there – USA Today, Spinner, Billboard, etc. The web is exploding with Van Halen News!

Now maybe Eddie and Alex can try, yes try to get along with singer David Lee Roth. This alone could be a challenge. It seems somewhere down the road that some people have gotten fed up with David’s off-the-wall antics.

But hey, David is not ignorant. Au contraire, the marketing skills of Roth have been underestimated. And nobody is kicking around Sammy Hagar either. His role in the band is still respected by fans. Hard to say, he may even be back in the foreseen future. Next month maybe.

What about a new album, a new tour, a fresh new outlook? Can this group of  magnetic, super talented guys give it another shot? It all may just depend on the health and drive of the superman behind the guitar – Mr. Eddie Van Halen.

He has battled with some major health issues, as well as some personal problems. His divorce with Valerie Anne Bertinelli, cancer, surgery on his hand and hip, are problems that have plagued the guitar legend. Many have spoken about Eddie’s long bout with alcohol. It appears that Eddie can not shake the demons of the past and present. In 2001, Warner, the band’s record label, dropped them. In August of 2010, Warner extended its agreements with Van Halen.

In an interview with MelodicRock.com 2006, Sammy Hagar said (The Evergreen Rocker Lives Life Up): “It’s not any fun to be around Eddie, he’s not a fun guy to be around. He’s just really angry and I don’t know why.” About Eddie drinking on tour: “There were nights when I didn’t even know what song he was playing”.

But what about Michael Anthony? Will fans accept the absence of the highly acclaimed madman of Van Halen? You remember his name right? Here’s a famous interview with Anthony in Japan - February 2006 Michael Anthony Interview.

When asked about The Other Half tour, Eddie said Anthony could “do what he wants” now. This is what Eddie said to Howard Stern in a 2006 interview. On June 3, 2006, Michael Anthony began a successful tour with Hagar billed as “The Other Half”. Michael Anthony was removed from images of old album artwork on the Van Halen website, causing even more controversy with fans. Was Eddie trying to erase him out of the band?

A fall Van Halen tour began on September 27, 2007 and finished in July 2008. Van Halen announced that they would reunite for a new album, but with Wolfgang (Eddie’s son) playing bass instead of Michael Anthony. Do you approve of the band without Michael Anthony? Are you excited about a new Van Halen album with David Lee Roth?

As of 2010, the band remains in complete silence about a new album. The rumors continue to surface.

Eddie on Twitter | Eddie on Facebook | Van Halen News Desk | Official VH Web Site | Mad Anthony’s Cafe | Official Sammy Hagar Home Page | Sammy on Facebook | David Lee Roth In Pictures |

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The Director of The Movie “Gasland” Talks With PBS

PBS Now interviews Josh Fox, the director of the film Gasland. Gasland has been aired on HBO. This documentary won an award at the Sundance Film Festival, which takes place annually in Utah. The film focuses on communities in the United States impacted by hydraulic fracturing.

The process of hydraulic fracturing is discussed and the environmental damage it causes. The Energy Policy Act of 2005 was passed on July 29, 2005. Basically this law exempts federal regulation from fracturing or “fracking”.

Josh Fox and his family is from Milanville, Pennsylvania. In May 2008, Fox received a letter from a natural gas company interested in leasing his family’s land. His investigation led to the film Gasland.

Bloomberg  – New York Senate Approves Halt to Shale Gas Drilling Over Water Safety (Aug 4, 2010)

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