The Next Generation Solution
Ah, but on the horizon is nitrogen asphyxiation, known as killing with kindness. Nitrogen is 78% of the atmosphere we breathe. But if the content is less than 10% oxygen, death can result. Nearly 100 industrial deaths have been caused over the past couple of decades by too rich a nitrogen atmosphere.
In 1981, during final countdown for the Columbia Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center, two NASA technicians entered the aft engine compartment, which was purged with nitrogen to reduce any hydrogen-oxygen build-up, and died in minutes from anoxia (lack of oxygen). Nitrogen has no distinct smell or taste. The same happened to the European Space Agency in 1995 when two more lost their lives from a nitrogen leak into the launchpad.
The body feels suffocation only when the carbon dioxide concentration in your lungs exceeds a certain threshold, as when you hold your breath. The beauty of using nitrogen, if you can call it that, is that in a nitrogen atmosphere, you exhale the carbon dioxide normally, but without the 20% oxygen on inhalation. Thus, death is painless without the feeling of suffocation. No state or nation is considering this option, although when I last visited Norway, being discussed was the use of this gas for the humane slaughter of fish. Maybe nitrogen should be used for turkeys and all livestock.
The Dow Jones Industrials have a four day winning streak, steadily increasing today to +247 (3%) at 8727. Asia also increased about 3%, but Europe remained largely unchanged. For the first time in memory, all twelve of my stocks gained today, including, of course, the ones I'm following for this daily blog. Crude oil is at $53.91/barrel and gold dropped $3/toz to $812.
We celebrate Thanksgiving because the Wampanoag tribe helped the Pilgrims plant crops in 1621 when they landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, leading to a feast of thanksgiving that fall. Plymouth now has a population of around 50,000.
Ah, but on the horizon is nitrogen asphyxiation, known as killing with kindness. Nitrogen is 78% of the atmosphere we breathe. But if the content is less than 10% oxygen, death can result. Nearly 100 industrial deaths have been caused over the past couple of decades by too rich a nitrogen atmosphere.
In 1981, during final countdown for the Columbia Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center, two NASA technicians entered the aft engine compartment, which was purged with nitrogen to reduce any hydrogen-oxygen build-up, and died in minutes from anoxia (lack of oxygen). Nitrogen has no distinct smell or taste. The same happened to the European Space Agency in 1995 when two more lost their lives from a nitrogen leak into the launchpad.
The body feels suffocation only when the carbon dioxide concentration in your lungs exceeds a certain threshold, as when you hold your breath. The beauty of using nitrogen, if you can call it that, is that in a nitrogen atmosphere, you exhale the carbon dioxide normally, but without the 20% oxygen on inhalation. Thus, death is painless without the feeling of suffocation. No state or nation is considering this option, although when I last visited Norway, being discussed was the use of this gas for the humane slaughter of fish. Maybe nitrogen should be used for turkeys and all livestock.
The Dow Jones Industrials have a four day winning streak, steadily increasing today to +247 (3%) at 8727. Asia also increased about 3%, but Europe remained largely unchanged. For the first time in memory, all twelve of my stocks gained today, including, of course, the ones I'm following for this daily blog. Crude oil is at $53.91/barrel and gold dropped $3/toz to $812.
We celebrate Thanksgiving because the Wampanoag tribe helped the Pilgrims plant crops in 1621 when they landed at Plymouth, Massachusetts, leading to a feast of thanksgiving that fall. Plymouth now has a population of around 50,000.
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Congress passed the order on November 1, 1777, but it was President Abraham Lincoln, who in 1873 announced his Thanksgiving Proclamation, making the last Thursday of November a national holiday. The turkey unfortunately (for them) became the centerpiece meal of choice because the Pilgrims could not find geese, which were consumed on festival occasions in England.
At one time half of all turkey meat was eaten between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tomorrow, 46 million (of the 250 million/year) will be served. The per capita rate is 14 pounds/year.
Did you know that most turkeys come from Minnesota? The bird kind, at least. Wisconsin sells the most cranberry and Illinois is #1 in pumpkin production.
A dry and oakey Chardonnay is the favorite wine on Thanksgiving. White Zinfandel is best for those who like a sweeter and cheaper wine. Pinot Noir is considered ideal if you prefer red.
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Benjamin Franklin recommended the turkey as the national bird, but the Bald Eagle was selected over his protestations. A recent article reports on Thanksgiving.
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At one time half of all turkey meat was eaten between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Tomorrow, 46 million (of the 250 million/year) will be served. The per capita rate is 14 pounds/year.
Did you know that most turkeys come from Minnesota? The bird kind, at least. Wisconsin sells the most cranberry and Illinois is #1 in pumpkin production.
A dry and oakey Chardonnay is the favorite wine on Thanksgiving. White Zinfandel is best for those who like a sweeter and cheaper wine. Pinot Noir is considered ideal if you prefer red.
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Benjamin Franklin recommended the turkey as the national bird, but the Bald Eagle was selected over his protestations. A recent article reports on Thanksgiving.
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