Unwanted Gifts? Try eBay Instant Sale

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Unwanted Gifts? Try eBay Instant Sale

By Brian O'Connell - 01/04/12 - 12:37 PM EST

NEW YORK (MainStreet) -- If you're stuck with an unwanted Christmas present of the electronic variety but don't have a receipt, you may have more options than you think. Online auction giant eBay(EBAY) has a site dedicated to buying electronic gadgets from consumers directly without a receipt, and will even accept late model devices you may have thought were "unreturnable."

For more information click link at the top of this page.

Restaurant Sign Reads, 'No Politicians, No Exceptions' - Politics - Commitment 2012 News Story - WMUR New Hampshire

Restaurant Sign Reads, 'No Politicians, No Exceptions' - Politics - Commitment 2012 News Story - WMUR New Hampshire

Say it Ain't So! Bird Mystery Solved

Mystery Bye Bye Blackbird, Solved… USDA Has Admitted To Poisoning Millions Of Animals

It’s absolutely shocking news: The U.S. Department of Agriculture has publicly admitted it is responsible for the mass poisoning of tens of millions of birdsover the last several years. It’s all part of the USDA’s program called “Bye Bye Blackbird,” and we even have the USDA’s spreadsheet where they document how many millions of birds (and other animals) they’ve poisoned to death.

Here I document the number of animals the USDA is actually killing, based on their own reports:www.naturalnews.com/031084_bird_deaths_holocaust.html

There’s even a video that explains the USDA’s involvement in a recent mass bird die-off near the border of Nebraska: naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=191572F79E8B2C64705B4AB182AF54F9

Not all the mysterious bird die-offs that have been witnessed around the globe recently are due to unexplained causes. A recent mass die-off event witnessed in Yankton, South Dakota was traced back to the USDA which admitted to carrying out a mass poisoning of the birds.

After hundreds of starlings were found dead in the Yankton Riverside Park, concerned citizens began to investigate. Before long, a USDA official called the local police and admitted they had poisoned the birds. “They say that they had poisoned the birds about ten miles south of Yankton and they were surprised they came to Yankton like they did and died in our park,” says Yankton Animal Control Officer Lisa Brasel, as reported by KTIV (www.ktiv.com/Global/story.as…).

The USDA then confirmed the story and explained it was all “part of a large killing” in Nebraska. Some of the birds that ate the poison apparently flew all the way to Yankton before succumbing to the poison.

Watch the video yourself, as reported from KTIV:
naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=19157…

USDA mass-murders birds on a regular basis

So why was the USDA poisoning birds in the first place? A Nebraska farmer was apparently complaining that the starlings were defecating in his feed meal. The answer to this conundrum apparently isn’t tocover your feed meal but rather call the USDA and ask them to poison thousands of birds.

The USDA complied, apparently agreeing this was a brilliant idea. So they put out a poison called DRC-1339 and allowed thousands of birds to feed on that poison.

Carol Bannerman from USDA Wildlife Services ridiculously claimed the bird kill was also to protect “human health.”

“We’re doing it to address, in this case, agricultural damage as well as the potential for human health and safety issues,” she said. That’s just a lie, of course. In what universe do starlings pose a threat to human health and safety?

The USDA Wildlife Services website, by the way, is www.aphis.usda.gov

The USDA even has a name for this mass poisoning program: Bye Bye Blackbird. Through the use of poisons such as DRC-1339, the USDA has killed more than four million birds over the last several years, reports Truthout (www.truth-out.org/bye-bye-bl…).

They even proudly publish an online spreadsheet showing just how many they’ve murdered with poison: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/prog_data/2009_prog_data/PDR_G_FY09/Basic_Tables_PDR_G/Table_G_FY2009_Long_Method_Featured.pdf

Remember, these are mass bird killings that are funded with your tax dollars. It all makes you wonder whether the government is, in fact, responsible for many of the other mysterious animal deaths that have been reported across the country (and around the globe).

It also makes you wonder: If the federal government thinks nothing of murdering 4 million living, breathing birds, then what else might they be capable of doing out of a total lack of respect for wildlife?

And if the USDA poisons birds because certain groups become too populous, what do you suppose is planned for when human population grows too large?

Be sure to check out the video at: naturalnews.tv/v.asp?v=19157…

Animals Murdered, Listed as “Intentional” and “Killed / Euthanized” in 2009:

Brown-headed cowbirds: 1,046,109

European Starlings: 1,259,714

Red-winged blackbirds: 965,889
Canadian geese: 24,519
Grackles: 93,210
Pigeons: 96,297

…plus tens of thousands of crows, doves, ducks, falcons, finches, gulls, hawks, herons, owls, ravens, sparrows, swallows, swans, turkeys, vultures and woodpeckers, among other animals.

The chart even shows that the USDA “unintentionally” euthanized one Bald Eagle.

Also murdered in 2009 by the USDA are victims of other species:

27,000 beavers, 1700 bobcats, 81,000 coyotes, 2,000 gray foxes, 336 mountain lions, 1900 woodchucks, 130 porcupines, 12,000 raccoons, 20,000 squirrels, 30,000 wild pigs, 478 wolves.

See the list yourself at: www.naturalnews.com/files/USDA-Bye-Bye-Blackbird.pdf

OR HERE: Table_G_FY2009_Short

Related articles

• Mystery Bye Bye Blackbird, Solved… USDA Has Admitted To Poisoning Millions Of Animals (earth-issues.com)

Going Hiking? Be Prepared!

Always being mindful of responsible, safe hiking practices is one of the best New Year's

resolutions that we can think of. Check out this new video from the New Hampshire 

Outdoor Council, highlighting hikeSafe.

"hikeSafe: It's your responsibility" highlights the experiences of three avid hikers and the 

lessons they have learned in the mountains of New Hampshire. Though the mountains are 

beautiful -- and hiking can be incredibly fun -- the mountains must also be respected, and 

hiking must be approached with full understanding of its demands. These hikers share 


their knowledge, sometimes earned through discomfort and even danger. Whether lost 


alone on a wilderness trail, buffeted by icy ridge-top gales, or forced to spend an 


unplanned night out by a raging river, the hikers speak earnestly and candidly so that 


others may benefit. The hikers stress the hikeSafe responsibility code, which encourages 


outdoor enthusiasts to be fully prepared for the challenges of the outdoors.

Preparing for your hike:

There are twelve "must have" items when you go for hike, even if it is in familiar territory and only for a short time in perfect weather.  There are another ten optional items that you should carry when you are hiking.  No equipment list is perfect.  Keep in mind that if you are going for a day hike in the Painted Desert in July, your needs will be much different then going on a day hike in the Garden of The Gods State Park, In Colorado, or Acadia National Park in Maine.

The twelve "must have" items should be carried at all times.  It may seem ridiculous to carry rain gear in a desert, but if that sudden shower were to come up, you will be glad to have it.  You may have hiked an area one-hundred times and know it like the back of your hand -- but find out about an unexpected trail closure, and you will be wishing you had a map.

Naturally you will also need a pack to carry your equipment in.  A well thought out packing and equipping job can allow the hiker to hold the twelve essentials in a small fanny pack.  If you are hiking in special conditions like cold weather (which will require bulkier gear) then a day pack may be required.  High quality day packs can be had for $50 to $75.  Generally if you spend less than that on a day pack, you are risking getting a lower quality product, or worse one that beats you to death when hiking.

Number one, a plan.  You should never hike without a plan.  You should plan your route, check the local weather, get trail conditions, and notify a friend, relative, neighbor, or ranger of your plans.  If there are trailhead registers on the trail you should use them.  Try to stick to your plan.

Number two, a map.  Even if you have hiked a trail a hundred times, you should carry a map.  Unexpected trail closures, an injury requiring a shorter route, bad weather, or animal encounter can all result in a sudden change of plans.  Having a map assists in this greatly.  You don't have to carry topographical maps for a regular day hike.  Practically every state and national park provides hiking maps of trails and features for free or a nominal fee.  Some of the best maps I have ever used are provided at most trail-heads and parking lots, and they are some of the most low tech maps you will ever use.

Number three, a compass.  Carrying a compass with you is not enough, you need to know how to use it properly.  Adjustments for declination, field interference, the metal on your equipment, and poor handling can make a compass a dangerous tool to use.  You should find a good orienteering class and take it to learn about using a compass in the field.  If you do not have experience with a compass, you should stay away from lensatic models (ones with a flip up view finder) until you have more experience, and further they don't work very well when overlaid on a map.

Number four, a pocket knife.  I am partial to the Swiss Army style knives, but almost any kind of pocket knife will do.  You should keep your blade length around three inches and the knife should have a locking blade.  A pocket knife can have a million uses in the field as the need arises.  You should carry your pocket knife on your person, and not in your pack.

Number five, a whistle.  A good survival whistle is essential to carry when hiking.  The sound a whistle makes travels much further then your voice ever could in an emergency situation.  When walking through bear country you can blow on it to alert the bears that you are passing through.  You can also use it to communicate with others in your group, say some one is too far ahead, or falling behind.  A whistle can be the best $2.00 to $7.00 piece of hiking safety equipment you will spend.  You should always carry your whistle around your neck, and not in your pack.

Number six, a personal first aid kit.  A good first aid kit does not have to be large, elaborate, or expensive.  The basic kit should include antiseptic wipes, sting relief, burn cream, band-aids of various types and sizes, cotton balls, sterile pads, gauze, tape, pain reliever (a.k.a. aspirin or Tylenol), antacid (tablets), Benadryl (tablets), mole skin (for blisters), one pair of latex gloves, and tweezers.
 
If you are hiking in an area with a large poisonous snake population and will be more than one hour away from help you should also carry a basic snake bite kit but only after receiving proper instruction on it's use.  A snake bite kit in the wrong hands can cause more damage then the actual bite.
 
Oral Benadryl should be carried for insect bites or stings.  If yourself or a person in your party has never had an insect sting before (a.k.a. bee, wasp, hornet) the Benadryl can be administered to slow down an allergic reaction, but medical attention should be sought out at the first sign of a severe reaction.

Number seven, a flashlight with spare batteries.  The large lantern style flashlight has been replaced by micro flashlights with alloy skins, xenon bulbs, and a battery life of eight hours on two AA batteries.  You should carry a flashlight with you regardless of the time of day your are hiking or your plans.  A severe storm can require you to stop while you wait for it to pass.  What would you do if night fell and you did not have any light.  It is also essential to carry spare batteries that are known to be fresh.  A good, reliable, compact, waterproof flashlight can be purchased for under $20.

Number eight, waterproof matches.  Carrying waterproof matches is done to expect the unexpected.  If you become lost, delayed, or injured, a day hike can turn into an overnight stay in the wilderness.  Accidentally fall into an icy river, or get pelted by an unexpected rain storm, your ability to make a fire to warm up may mean the difference between life and death.  Genuine waterproof matches should be carried.  If you transfer your matches to a match holder, be sure that you have a surface to strike the match on if a special surface is required.  A cigarette lighter is not a good substitute for matches, but can be carried as an alternative source of flame.  If you want to feel truly prepared, you can carry a flint and steel kit with some cotton and cork for fire starting as a third backup.

Number nine, emergency rain gear.  Your equipment does not have to be elaborate.  A simple poncho left in it's store packaging is more than adequate for most regions of North America for three season hiking.  If you are hiking at high altitude, in an area that is prone to rain a lot (the Northwestern United States, New England coast, Northwestern Colorado, Southeastern United States in the spring and summer) or where the temperature will be below 60 degrees, more adequate rain gear should be carried.  If you are caught in a sudden shower you should cover up in your poncho, and wait for it to pass.  Make sure you are not standing in a dry riverbed or wash while waiting.  If you are caught in a thunderstorm you should move away from high ground and tall objects (like trees) immediately.  Find a low spot, ravine, or thin place in the woods, cover up with your poncho, stay low and wait for it to pass.

Number ten, insect repellent and/or sunscreen.  The joy of hiking, fresh air, scenic vistas, ticks, chiggers, mosquitoes, and sunburn.  Insect repellant and sunscreen are vital to carry when hiking.
 
When using insect repellant it is best to treat your clothing with a spray before entering the field, and to use a cream based repellant on any exposed skin upon entering the field.  Cream based repellants pack better and take up less room.  A variety that contains anywhere from 20% to 35% DEET should be effective in most cases.  DEET masks carbon-dioxide which most biting insects use to detect their next victim.  DEET in high concentrations (a.k.a. 100%) and used over extended periods of time in large doses has been proven to cause medical side effects.  You should use insect repellant sparingly and if you are pregnant you should consult with your physician.
 
If you also use sunscreen, you should use a low scent/no scent variety.  The perfumes that are put into sunscreen will only attract insects, and worse may attract bears.  No Ad sunscreen which can be found at Wal-Mart is an excellent product for it's ability to protect, be waterproof, and have virtually no odor.  It also happens to be very inexpensive.
 
There are a number of combination products appearing on the market today that act both as sunscreen and as insect repellant.  Off brand is the most popular and these products work moderately well.  At the time of preparing this article, there was no independent data on the effectiveness of these combination products when compared to their stand alone counterparts.  Further, there is no real data on using separate sunscreen and insect repellant at the same time.  You should draw your own conclusions and use what works best for you.

Number eleven, water.  Water is essential when you are hiking.  For every two hours you plan to spend hiking you should carry at least one quart of water.  For a full day you should carry a gallon.  There are a number of solutions for carrying water.  Simple one quart water bottles can be found almost anywhere on the internet or in a store for just a couple of dollars.  Hydration systems, backpacks with a water bladder and a bite valve can also be used.  Camelbak makes a very popular hydration system that holds one-hundred ounces of water (about 3 quarts, 1 cup) that runs anywhere from $60 to $80.  These hydration systems offer many benefits but may complicate your ability to carry a pack.  You also need to keep in mind that your water supply will be the heaviest thing you carry on a day hike.  A gallon of water weighs close to nine pounds!

Number twelve, food.  Food is also essential when you are hiking.  Not only does eating food on the trail help keep your system balanced, it provides a cushion if there is an emergency.  Complex carbohydrates and proteins make the best food to carry.  Dried fruits, jerky, nuts, peanut butter, whole grain mini bagels, prepared energy bars, candy bars with a high protein content (nuts, peanut butter) and crackers make excellent field rations for a day hike.  A self opening single serving can of tuna, a mayo packet, and some creative mixing in a plastic bag can make for a compact and good meal.  Raisins and peanut butter on a bagel is also an excellent energy fix.  You should try to carry at least 2,000 calories worth of food when hiking.  Also, you should double pack your rations in plastic bags and remember to carry out all trash.  If you drop food on the ground by accident you should pick it up and pack it out.

Ride to Snow Where?

Dave Peatfield
January 02. 2012


After waking up this morning to 42 degree temperatures and blowing snow flurries, I decided my quest for the day was to find lasting snow.  Having lived in New England all of my life we associate winter with snow.  It is now the second day of the New Year 2012 and we have had no lasting show to speak of, no ice to skate on and no shoveling to complain about so far this winter.

Well I am pleased to report snow is available in New Hampshire and we only had to travel north ninety miles into the state to Lincoln NH to get our first sighting.  


At first we saw a few signs of snow on the edge of side roads with small piles on the edge of the road where there had been some signs of plowing.  Then there was the occasional driveway covered in a glaze of ice that had yet to be sanded.  Then around the bend at mile marker 90 approaching Lincoln and the exit for the Kancamagus highway, tada we saw our first hint of winters white gold.


There is enough snow up here and the temperatures are cold enough for the Ski areas to produce snow as well.  As we drove through town on our way to the Kancamagus we passed Loon Mountain and they haven't missed a beat.  The parking lots were full of cars and the slopes were full of skiers enjoying one of the "spring" skiing days at an unusually warm 38 degrees.

Being a Federal holiday the National Forest was very quiet today.  The highway was still fresh with what looks to have been freezing rain from last night.  There were the occasional ice patches but a nice ride just the same.  To top it off and to answer my wishes there was a constant flow of snow flakes to bring a smile to my face.  This stop was of the Hancock Lookout lot and was cool to see the snow line across the hills in the distance.  After crossing the Kancamagus we headed into North Conway to check on the covered bridges to see how they weathered the tropical storm that devastated the area earlier this year.  I must say the resilient New England town did a great job bouncing back.  

Our next stop, the Intervale rest area and observation area.  After visiting the information center I clicked off a few shots of the valley.  I have definitely seen more snow than this but it was a start and more than I have seen in southern New Hampshire so far this winter.  Okay, time to turn this ride around and head home.  It was a great day to get out and adventure.  


I have a few shots of  Mount Chocorua (generally pronounced, "shuh-cor'-wuh") is a summit in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. At an elevation of 3,490 feet (1,064 m) it is the easternmost peak of the Sandwich Range.


The Sandwich Range extends east-west about 30 miles from Conway, New Hampshire on the Saco River to Campton on thePemigewasset. Although the range is not outstanding for its elevation, it is very rugged and has excellent views of the surrounding lakes, mountains, and forests. Mount Chocorua's bare summit can be seen from almost every direction and can be identified from many points throughout central New Hampshire and western Maine.

So the next time you get the urge to see something you haven't seen in a while, grab the camera get out there and adventure.