Model Airplanes

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Sonoran Desert surrounding Tucson is a hauntingly beautiful place. Majestic saguaro cactus forests rise from a landscape that reveals an unexpected array of plant and animal life. For years, visitors and new residents have been drawn to its sweeping vistas. This desert, though, is about not only nature, but also human nature – at its most maleficent.

Burrowed in a bunker deep beneath the scrub and the scurrying lizards, I prepared to turn the launch key for a Titan missile. I couldn’t believe how nervous I felt. After all, the missile was topped with a dummy warhead and was no longer programmed to wipe out an undisclosed location in the former Soviet Union. So, really, what could go wrong? Still, it’s easy to imagine the thoughts of the men and women who had trained for such a day, a simple twist of the wrist hurling an apocalyptic weapon skyward.

The Cold War may have ended with the fall of the Berlin Wall, but remnants of it are visible in the Arizona desert, which became a strategic setting. When the United States and the Soviet Union regularly engaged in saber-rattling, Tucson played a key role as a deterrent to conflict. During the era when MAD (mutual assured destruction) was the normal course of business between the two superpowers, 54 Titan II missile sites were on active alert across America; 18 of those encircled Tucson.

Launch Complex 571-7 of the Titan Missile Museum, in

Article source: http://www.philly.com/philly/home/20150712_Cold_War_secrets_in_the_Sonoran_Desert.html

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On Monday, a lengthy interview with Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson at a San Diego church generated plenty of headlines. The biggest headline (elsewhere) was that Wilson and his current girlfriend, Ciara, aren’t having sex, because God told Wilson not to have sex with her.

The comments have invited a wide range of opinions. Within ESPN, they have provoked a Twitter fight.

Bomani Jones questioned the wisdom of Wilson’s position on ESPN’s Highly Questionable. And ESPN’s Chris Broussard quickly responded.

“Regarding Russell/Ciara u implied people trying to do it Jesus’ way by waiting till marriage r stupid,” Broussard said. “U owe all Bible-believing Christians trying to live as Russell/Ciara are an apology.”

Jones refused to back down, saying “not today” in response to Broussard’s demand for apology and then elaborating on the position.

“I think americans value chastity in a way i find silly, problematic, and ultimately, counterproductive,” Jones said. “I don’t apologize for that.”

Jones makes a very good point as it relates to the potential consequences of chastity — people (like Johnny Dangerously’s kid brother) getting married before they really should, so that they can have sex.

“If i was a 22 year-old virgin i would have hastily gotten married cuz…yanno?” Jones said on Twitter.

There’s other thought-provoking stuff on Twitter from Jones, which will definitely invite further debate among Christians who believe that premarital sex is forbidden and who successfully practiced that ideal, Christians who believe that premarital sex is not prohibited,

Article source: http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/07/07/russell-wilsons-abstinence-sparks-espn-in-house-twitter-fight/

ELLINGTON — A group of model aircraft aficionados called the Northern Connecticut Radio Control Club will take to the skies Sunday in an event dubbed “The Dawn Patrol,” aiming to dazzle spectators with radio-controlled World War I plane replicas.

Planes that weigh as little as a few ounces and as much as 35 pounds, powered by gas and electric engines and operated by folks from all over New England, will perform loop-the-loops and barrel rolls for the audience at the group’s flying field at 200 Green Road starting at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public.

According to club member Robert Boulais, the “Dawn Patrol” event, one of about six events put on yearly, showcases replicas

Article source: http://www.journalinquirer.com/page_one/radio-controlled-airplane-event-has-world-war-i-theme/article_cb5708a0-2708-11e5-9e17-f32deebafac2.html

The Ukrainian agri-food sector needs to reduce its specific energy costs if it aspires to maintain its competitiveness both domestically and internationally.

Agriculture is one of the few bright-spots in the Ukrainian economy at the moment. Agricultural commodity exporters trying to expand their global market presence need to continually maintain a focus on improving cost efficiency. Reducing energy costs per tonne is one of the easier variables to focus on initially. At the same time, domestic food companies, faced with rising inflation and energy costs need to enhance their competitiveness by reducing their cost base.

Facing both challenges and opportunities in the years to come, Ukrainian agri-food companies need to establish three key attributes into their Energy Efficiency improvement plans:

1. Don’t fall into the “price” trap

World-renowned investor, Warren Buffett put it best when he said: “Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.”

All too often companies will jump to the technical-supplier offering the best price without first considering the overall investment return on offer. For example, agri-holdings can easily save 30 percent investment costs by purchasing biomass boilers with a low energy efficiency rate. However, the cost savings of purchasing a higher-grade boiler could pay for itself with a better Return on Investment within a matter of months.

Another key aspect to be considered when purchasing energy saving technologies is the total cost of ownership, especially when energy saving equipment is installed in remote locations. Companies need to consider the projected lifespan of the equipment, solution robustness,

Article source: http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/tom-ocallaghan-ukrainian-agri-food-businesses-need-to-build-energy-efficiency-strategies-to-maintain-future-competitiveness-393050.html