Prayer this night!

My friends on this night, in my heart,
I am thinking about Nicole Homes, Brad Richards, Lucas, and Little Jana.
I continue to pray for them and their struggles.
Pray for Jan as he is fighting for his life from bone cancer.
If it is his time father may he have a place in heaven by you.
If not his time let him live a little longer as his family has struggled enough.
Father please continue to look after them during these times of hardship and turmoil. Father grant them an absolution soon. 
I pray for Judy and the hardship she is going through - 
father in heaven guide her through her times of distress. 
Father I continue to pray for Luis 
as he continues to recover from his injuries from the war in Afghanistan. 
Father bless the troops during these Olympic times. 
May we have at least two weeks of peace and goodwill. 
No fighting and no hatred.
In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Starry Night (Vincent)

My friends did you know that this song was really about
the life of Vincent Van Gough.
It was written by Dean McLean in 1971.
I like Jackie Evancho singing it best.

Lyrics to Starry Starry Night :

Starry, starry night.
Paint your palette blue and grey,
Look out on a summer's day,
With eyes that know the darkness in my soul.
Shadows on the hills,
Sketch the trees and daffodils,
Catch the breeze and winter chills,
In colors on the snowy linen land.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
And how you suffered for your sanity,
And how you tried to set them free.
They'd not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

Starry, starry night.
Flaming flowers that brightly blaze,
Swirling clouds in violet haze,
Reflect in Vincent's eyes of china blue.
Colors changing hue, morning fields of amber grain,
Weathered faces lined in pain,
Are soothed beneath the artist's loving hand.

Now I understand what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
And how you tried to set them free.
They'd not listen, they did not know how.
Perhaps they'll listen now.

For they could not love you,
But still your love was true.
And when no hope was left in sight
On that starry, starry night,
You took your life, as lovers often do.
But I could have told you, Vincent,
This world was never meant for one
As beautiful as you.

Like the strangers that you've met,
The ragged men in the ragged clothes,
The silver thorn of bloody rose,
Lie crushed and broken on the virgin snow.

Now I think I know what you tried to say to me,
How you suffered for your sanity,
And how you tried to set them free.
They'd not listen, they're not listening still.
Perhaps they never will...

I am Voting Obama!

I am voting for OBAMA in 2012!

Here are the top 10 reasons why:

1. Obama did in under four years in what Bush tried to do in eight,                      KILLED OSAMA BIN LADEN!
2. Obama brought the troops home from Iraq and refocused the war on Afghanistan.
3. Obama accomplished what President Kennedy proposed create a National Health Care Program. Canada and Qatar, for example, have one. Now hopefully we do. If the Bill is not over ruled. Yes it has some problems and should be tweaked, but it has lots of advantages that I mentioned before.
4. Obama has a good energy program. He is phasing out our dependency on oil and coming up with alternate energy resources. I still think that if we must use a fossil fuel, let us use Natural Gas. It is burns cleaner, is safer for the environment, and it is easy to convert car engines to use it.
5. Obama has programs to fix our infrastructure, which is long past do. Our streets, bridges, sewer systems, and energy grid is deteriorating. Let is continue to build our wind power to supplement an overloading energy grid, and fix our infrastructure – roads, bridges, and sewers.
6. Obama is focused on fixing our economy. I agree that the bail out might not have been the best idea, but it is better to use billions of dollars to help our own nation; than to use it on funding two wars in which we should not have been in.
7. Obama has a good Education Reform. He phased out the Now Child Left Behind Act, making it so student success is measured by higher education standards and not just passing students so they can go on to the next grade.
8. Obama is one of the only honest and forthright Presidents we had. He is focused on fixing our country, while the Republican candidates are bickering amongst themselves. Obama has a plan in motion and America is getting better. What do the republican candidates want? To bring things back to the way of a failing America. No, not me. GO OBAMA. Let us keep going forward.
9. The First Lady Michelle Obama has a campaign to end Childhood Obesity and have healthier menu choices at school.
10. The First Lady also has a campaign to stop Bullying and Cyber-Bullying on our school systems. She understands that this is the time to end Student Suicides.

So you see,

between our President and the First Lady we will keep going forward;

Not backward.

GO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA! GO FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA!

Spanish Class

              I had a choice of two classes Spanish or German for my Education Degree.
                                                      I chose Spanish; Espaniel.

Timothy L. Kerofsky

Spanish 101

Profesora Maria Lucas-Murillo

Presentación oral

Ahora son las nueve de la mañana. Es el 21 de septiembre. Mi llamo Timothy Kerofsky.   Soy de Polonia y soy polaco. Soy estudiante, el profesor de karate, y el maestro de arte. Estoy jubilado de la Marina de los Estados Unidos. Soy casado. Soy religioso, generoso, serio, creativo, y ambicioso.  No soy arrogante, irresponsable, y pesimito. Ahora estoy estresado. Los estudiantes están nerviosos. La profesora esta contenta. Amigos, ¿como estáis? Profesora, ¿cómo esta usted? Ahora estoy en la clase de español. Mi casa esta en Moline. Mis lugares favoritos son el restaurante Los Agaves que esta en Moline cerca de South Park Mall y el cine Great Escape que esta en Moline. Los lunes, miércoles, y viernes tengo clase de español a las nueve de la mañana hasta las doce menos quince de la mañana. Los martes y jueves tengo clase de ciencias a las once de la mañana hasta las dos menos quince de la tarde. Los miércoles tengo clase de karate a las tres de la tarde hasta las cuatro de la tarde. Los miércoles tengo clase de arte a las cuatro de la tarde hasta las cinco de la tarde. En mi mochila hay un libro blanco, tres lápices amarillos, y un cuaderno azul. Los martes y jueves voy al gimnasio que esta en Moline. Es todo. 

Timothy L. Kerofsky

Spanish 101

Professor Maria Lucas-Murillo

oral presentation



The time now is nine o'clock. Is 21 September. My name is Timothy Kerofsky. I am Polish and Polish. I am a student, karate teacher and art teacher. I am retired U.S. Navy. I'm married. I am religious, generous, serious, creative, and ambitious. I'm not arrogant, irresponsible, and pesimito. Now I'm stressed. Students are nervous. The teacher is happy. Friends, how are you? Professor, how are you? Now I'm in Spanish class. My home is in Moline. My favorite places are the restaurant Los Agaves this in Moline near South Park Mall and the Great Escape film that is in Moline. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays I have Spanish class at nine o'clock to twelve to fifteen in the morning. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have science class at eleven o'clock until two least fifteen in the afternoon. On Wednesdays I have karate class at three in the afternoon until four in the afternoon. On Wednesdays I have art class at four in the afternoon until five o'clock in the afternoon. In my backpack is a white paper, three yellow pencils and a blue notebook. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I go to the gym which is in Moline. That is all.

 

Timothy L. Kerofsky

Spanish 101

Profesora Maria Lucas-Murillo

Final presentación oral

Hoy es el catorce de octubre. Son  las nueve y medio de la mañana. Estoy en la clase de español.  Estoy nervioso y cansado. Soy casado.

Mi esposa se llama Jill. Mis hijos se llaman Timothy y Kenneth. Mi mentee hija  se llama Jana. Mi madre se llama Sharon. Mi padre se llama Michael. Mi esposa tiene cuarenta y dos anos. Mi hijo Timothy tiene dieciocho anos. Mi hijo Kenneth tiene catorce anos. Mi mentee hija  tiene diez anos. Mi madre tiene sesenta y ocho anos. Mi padre tiene setenta anos.

Soy estudiante, maestre en arte y profesor en kárate.  

Desayuno a las siete de la mañana. Después voy a la clase de español a las nueve hasta las once menos cuarto.  A las once hago mi tarea con Linda. A las doce media voy al restaurante Las Agaves para comer enchiladas. Después regreso a mi casa para estar con mis hijos. Cenamos en casa a las seis de la tarde.

Mi gusta nadar en el gimnasio y jugar el futbol americano con mis hijos. Mi encanta el kárate en el estudio Kerofsky Familia Dojo.  No mi gusta correr y es esquiar.

Los viernes voy el cine con amigos para ver películas nuevas. Los domingos voy a la iglesia Sacred Heart Católica con mi familia.

Creo que mi clase de español es muy difícil. Estudio mucho pero no puedo hablar.

Conozco la montana Pikes Peak en Colorado también conozco Yellow Stone Nacional Park en Wyoming y Acadia Nacional Park en Bar Harbor Maine. Conozco a Billy Blanks muy interesante.

Soy un experto de kárate. Yo se nadar dibujar. Quiero saber el cricket. Quiero conocer a Jessica Alba y Dakota Fanning.  

En el invierno hace frió y nieve. En la primavera hace buen o mal tiempo. En el verano hace calor y sol. En el otoño hace viento y lluvia. Me gustan los colores de las hojas de los árboles en otoño. También mi gusta el invierno, la primavera y el verano.

Jugo a futbol americano con mis hijos. Toco la guitarra acústica. Toco la guitarra baja.

La semana que viene voy a regresar a mi clase de kárate. El semestre que viene voy a empezar mi maestre en la universidad de Ashford.  En el futuro quiero abrir uno gallería de arte.

Es Todo. 

Timothy L. Kerofsky
Spanish 101
Professor Maria Lucas-Murillo
Final oral presentation
Today is October 14. It's nine and a half in the morning. I'm in Spanish class. I'm nervous and tired. I'm married.
My wife's name is Jill. My children are called Timothy and Kenneth. My mentee daughter's name is Jana. My mother's name is Sharon. My father's name is Michael. My wife is forty-two years. My son Timothy is eighteen years. My son Kenneth is fourteen. My mentee daughter is ten years. My mother is sixty eight years. My father is seventy years.
I am a student, master in arts and karate teacher.
Breakfast at seven o'clock. Then I go to Spanish class at nine o'clock until a quarter to eleven. At eleven I do my work with Linda. At twelve half going to the restaurant to eat enchiladas The Agaves. After I go home to be with my children. We had dinner at home at six o'clock.
I like to swim in the gym and playing football with my kids. My love in the study karate Dojo Family Kerofsky. I do not like running and skiing.
On Friday I film with friends to see new movies. On Sundays I go to Sacred Heart Catholic Church with my family.
I think my Spanish class is very difficult. I study hard but I can not speak.
I know the Pikes Peak mountain in Colorado also know Yellow Stone National Park in Wyoming and Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor Maine. I know Billy Blanks very interesting.
I am an expert in karate. I will swim draw. I know cricket. I want to meet Jessica Alba and Dakota Fanning.
In the winter it is cold and snow. In the spring it weathers. In the hot summer and sun. In windy and rainy autumn. I like the colors of the leaves of the trees in autumn. I also like winter, spring and summer.
Juice to football with my kids. I play acoustic guitar. I play bass guitar.
Next week I will return to my karate class. The next semester I will start my Master at the University of Ashford. In the future I want to open an art gallery.
It All.

Environmental Science

                                          Here is my biggest report from college!

Jordan

Timothy L. Kerofsky

22 November 2011

Queen Rania of Jordan

Part One: Questions

Chapter 1

1.      What are its location, neighboring countries, and major types of topography?

(9) Jordan’s location is the Middle East. Its neighboring countries are Israel, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and Lebanon. The major topography is dry plateau running from the north to the south of the Jordan River.

2.      What are its major languages?  (20) The major languages are Arabic and English.

3.      Is a developed or developing country? (7) Jordan is an undeveloped country. What are some clues? Even though Jordan is one of the richest countries in the Middle East, it is still a developing country. Jordan is developing in new technologies, environmental standards, and in its economic growth. Jordan is also a third world country.

4.      Is there economic growth and if so, is it sustainable? (7) Yes there is an economic growth at 3.2% annually. It is sustainable due do Jordan’s growing technology.

5.      What is the average ecological footprint? (15) The average ecological footprint of Jordan is 1.71.  Do the citizens suffer from influenza? Yes just like most countries in the Middle East influenza can occur. Before traveling to any Middle Eastern country the center for disease control recommends vaccination of influenza. The harsh desert of this country with the dry dust and sand makes influenza worse.

6.      Include a picture of its flag and a sample native costume(s) (4) and (6)

                

Chapter 25

1.      What are the major environmental worldviews in your country? Stewardship, because even though they have high environmental standards there is as much concern for the economic growth through business and technology. One of the major environmental world views of Jordan is the Jordan River rehabilitation project with the help of the countries of Israel and Palestine. The majority of the river is used in irrigation and drinking water. The land around it is deteriorating fast. There are pollutants causing illness. So in 2010 the Jordan River rehabilitation project was established.

2.      How effective has education been in improving the people’s ability to live sustainable? (17) Jordan has one of the highest education standards in the world. In fact their standards are much higher than the United States, but lower than the standards in Sweden which has the highest education standards in the world. Jordan has one of the highest numbers of university graduates per capita in the Arab world. Therefore the average educated person can live sustainable; however there is a high poor population in which is becoming more sustainable in living. The poor population in Jordan can be a concern with the lapse in the world’s economy.

Chapter 23

1.      How strong is the economic system in your country and is it related to a sustainable environment? (15) It has a stable economic system and the environment is nearly sustainable at 1.7 earths compared to the 2.5 in the United States. (20) Jordan participated in the so-called Paris Club, which is a debt buyback program. Jordan paid $2 billion which reduced their debt from 46% to 32% in the Gross Domestic Product. This made Jordan more sustainable. Jordan has a high percentage compared to the United States which has only a 2.5% debt in the Gross Domestic Product.

2.      What value is put on natural capital, pollution control, and resource use? (22) The value placed on natural capital in Jordan is average. Phosphates, potash, shale oil are the natural materials found in Jordan. As far as pollution control Jordan produces 3.986 metric tons of carbon in the atmosphere a year, compared to the 1488.47 metric tons produced by the United States. Jordan uses its natural resources to the best of their ability and they are trying to find better and more efficient ways of using their resources.

3.      What economic tools are being used to deal with environmental problems? (12) First of all the region of Jordan has to stay calm and non-warring for the economy to rise. Then they can deal with the environmental problems. One of the tools being used is the International Monetary Fund. In which balanced the economy of Jordan. (9) The King of Jordan integrated a program to conserve fresh water, because of the dry land causing a water crisis of 500 million cubic meters per year. Jordan preserves the land that is used for agriculture. The contamination of such land would bring about devastating consequences. He also set laws to establish wildlife reservations. Lastly the Jordanian Board of Education set standards to bring about environmental awareness to its students.

4.      What level is the poverty, how would it be reduced, and what would that do to environmental problems? (15) Jordan is one third below the poverty level overall. The country is working to reduce this through a strong economic system, housing development, and better resources. The country has an established water conservation program. (2) There are better food resources in which there are four types of wild mushrooms eaten that help to feed the poor people. What the poverty level does to the environmental problems is causes some disruption in the atmosphere due to the poor who use cooking burners that put pollutants and toxins into the air.

Chapter 24

1.      How has the government helped make the transition towards a more sustainable society? (11) The government of Jordan has oil policies with Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries. Though oil is a declining resource, Jordan imports it along with 95% of its energy needs at a cost of only one fifth of its GDP. The biggest problem for the government to transcend and produce its own energy resources is the barren dry land. To solve this they are considering building nuclear energy plants to help with the electricity needs of the country. The nuclear energy is an efficient – less costly energy. The government is, also, considering building a shale oil electrical power plant that would be completed within the next seven years. This will stabilize the economy as well.

2.      How is any policy, especially environmental, made? (7) When the King of Jordan is considering making laws to protect the environment he considers several factors. For one he thinks about the dunums (area of land that can be plowed in a day) and what can be used for agriculture and what can be reserved. To develop a sustainable strategy he considers the environmental aspects in his decisions. The agricultural land of Jordan is 3.1 million dunums; this is only four percent of the countries land. One of the major environmental problems to consider is the water to be used. Most of the people of Jordan rely on rainwater which is scarce, so the country established a water allocation policy.

3.      What are the major environmental laws and how effective are they in dealing with their respective problems? (7) The major environmental law for Jordan is the Environmental Protection Law 52 which was passed in 2006. This law has articles about how it is forbidden to pollute the territorial marine environment around the Kingdom of Jordan, and such factors as ships dumping pollutants, and how businesses are prohibited to dump materials that are harmful to the environment. I do not feel that the fines are big enough in this law to prevent a business from polluting. The maximum fine is only twenty thousand dinars. Just like in the United States when a major oil company has a spill in the ocean the maximum fine is forty thousand dollars a day and the subsidies more than make up for that. (5) There are factors of the law that deal with respective problems like the irrigation of the Caspian and Arial Seas and water conservation policies that were set-forth by the King of Jordan. There were policies to control the use of the water from the Caspian and Arial Seas before the law was established. The biggest part of the law is the protection of the marine life and the prevention of the contamination of water systems.

4.      Describe the roles of environmental groups. (19) The Jordan Environmental Watch Program is the major environmental watch organization of Jordan. The main focus of this program is on water security: to prevent the contamination of the fresh water, how to manage water properly, and prevent the depletion of drinking water. This watch group is also concerned with how to minimize pollution to the air and the soil and how to control the use of insecticides. They also conduct seminars and write reports that are sent to the government of Jordan.

5.      What is being done to increase environmental security?  One of the things being done to increase environmental security is a rare consensus between Jordan and its surrounding countries to protect the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is dropping at roughly three feet per year this is creating an environmental problem through out the region. This affects the water supply, the marine life, species around the sea, and plant life. How effective is it? First-of-all for Israel and Jordan to be in an agreement is a pathway to continued peace. This increases security in the region just by the countries working together to solve a common problem. Second-of-all the Jordan River traditionally flows into the sea – producing 75% of the intake water into the sea. Now the sea is drying up faster than what the river is producing. This is due to the irrigation from the sea used in the agriculture. After the environmental law was passed the problem is being addressed with the nations throughout the region.  One of the solutions is the water conservation program.

Chapter 2

1.      What is the major form of energy used to fuel the economy? (18)The major form of energy used today to fuel the economy of Jordan is imported fuel. Ninety five percent of the electricity and fuel used in Jordan is imported from the neighboring countries of the Middle East. The cost of this fluctuates each year, which causes uncertainty.

2.      Are the four scientific principles of sustainability being used?  Explain. No, not all four scientific principles of sustainability are being used. The first principle is – reliance of solar energy. Jordan relies on imported energy from the neighboring countries. The second principle is – biodiversity. This is often affected by power, greed, and politics. There is a lot of politics associated with the country of Jordan as the government maintains peace with Israel, other Middle Eastern countries, and the United States. The sewage and pollution in the Jordan River has led to a reduction in the biodiversity. The third principle is population control. Jordan is a well populated country with a growth rate at 3.2%. The population compared to the land of Jordan is study. The fourth principle is nutrient recycling. This principle is used in the food web of Jordan.

Chapter 14

1.      What are the major geological processes and hazards (how frequent) of your country? (5 and 10) The major geological processes of Jordan are the evaporation of the Arial, Caspian, and the Dead Seas. As the seas dry the land around them deteriorate.  The water is put back into the seas from the Jordan River at 75% while 95% of the seas are being used for irrigation, agriculture, drinking water purification facilities, and other water uses. This is a loss of 20% a year. The rain water adds to the seas, but there is still a significant loss a year. The Arial, Caspian, and Dead Seas can be gone in five years. The seas are mostly gone. The one water mass around the area that has abundant marine life is the Gulf of Aqaba. This water mass has clownfish, angelfish, and sea urchin. It is full of beautiful corals, plankton, and other marine life.

2.      What are the major mineral resources and what environmental problems are found? (5) Phosphates, potash, shale oil are the natural materials found in Jordan. The environmental problems that are found with these materials are for one in the mining – when the ground is dug up the phosphates mined are run-off into the surrounding seas, this causes an ecological imbalance with the marine life as algae is overgrown. The potash salts can cause freshwater contamination along with the shale oil mined from the rocks. The smelting of the shale oil to remove impurities such as sulfur has detrimental impacts on the environment. This pollutes the atmosphere and the sulfur deposits contaminate the earths crust. This can be linked to illnesses and disease. Particularly with the lungs.

3.      What is the expected depletion time for the major nonrenewable mineral resources? First-of-all Jordan only has two percent of the world’s phosphate reserves. Phosphates are constantly being put back into the environment through fertilizers and pesticides. Second- of-all potash is a type of manufactured salt that contains potassium. This is, as well, used in fertilizers and put back into the soil. Thirdly Jordan manufactures shale oil which is a type of synthetic oil derived from kerogen which is a mixture of organic compounds that is part of sedimentary rock. As far as depletion time of these resources – phosphates and potassium in accordance with the Hubbert curve are expected to peak at around 2030 with a depletion time around the year 2120. This is only at the current rate of use. And the world’s oil, including synthetic, could last another one hundred years.

4.      What can be done to use the resources more sustainably? One thing that can be done is to use resources less, preserve resources, and waste less. Just like with the rest of the world.

Chapter 3

1.      Describe a typical food web. A typical food web in Jordan is:

1)      Producer - Dead Sea flora.

        

2)      Herbivore - Arabian Oryx eats Dead Sea flora.

     

3)      Carnivore – cheetah kills and eats Arabian Oryx.

4)      Scavenger – Egyptian vulture steals the cheetahs kill.

     

5)      Decomposer – bacteria and fungi decomposes kill, formed into wild mushrooms.

                        

6)      Omnivore – human eats the wild mushrooms.

      

2.      What type of gross and net primary productivity is found? (16)The primary productivity is phytoplankton. This helps keep the water conditions in the Wadi-Al Arab Dam pure. This reservoir is used to irrigate, which helps control the irrigation from the seas around Jordan. It is mostly replenished through rainwater.

3.      Describe some producers, herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, decomposers, and scavengers. (1) The Arabian Oryx is Jordan’s national animal. The species went extinct in the 1920’s, but was reintroduced into the wild in 1972 and now is a thriving species. This animal is a type of antelope, but it has straight instead of twisted horns.

(7) Producers include – wild lily, flame trees, and irises. Herbivores include – the Arabian Oryx, iguanas, and fat desert rats. Carnivores include – the Egyptian mongoose, cheetahs, and badgers. Omnivores include – pygmy gerbils and bushy-tailed jirds. Decomposers include – bacteria and fungi, such as wild mushrooms. Detrivores include – the dung beetle and scavengers include – hyenas and the Egyptian vulture.

What are some of the human based effects on the major nutrient cycles? Some of the human based effects to the cycle, of course is polluting. Another human based effect is hunting and poaching. Just like when the Arabian Onyx was extinct, but re-introduced. Humans know their errors.

4.      Are there any types of research being used to study its ecosystems? Yes there are. Studies being conducted by environmentalists and scientists are being conducted and reported to the government. The government of Jordan uses such research in their environmental law making decisions. Some of these studies are what to do with and how to control the limited freshwater resources, preventing desertification and deforestation, and how to control overgrazing of livestock on the limited grass lands.

Chapter 4

1.      Are there any hotspots of biodiversity? (14 and 16) The biggest hotspot of biodiversity in Jordan is along the rift river valley. There are six protected reserves along this area. There were twelve recommended protected reserves in 1979; six were passed in the 1980s and 1990s. Some of the major reserves are the Wadi-Rum, Dana, and Mujib Nature Reserves. The Mujib is the biggest reserve which covers the Dead Sea area. The other reserves cover the Wadi-Arabia and the eastern desert area.  

2.      Has any evidence (fossils) of evolution been found? There is evidence of pre-Israelites that were found along the rift river valley.  Describe it.  Anthropologists have found fossil remains of pre-Israelites along the Dead Sea. As the water evaporates they found saline fossils upon the bottom of ancient species – proving that the ancient reefs were as complex as they are today. There was a remarkable find of what they believe to be ancient human fossils as well.

3.      What climate conditions have influenced the natural selection in the major biomes? The dry climate conditions along the Dead Sea caused many of the microscopic species to adapt to the saltier water. As the water becomes more saline during evaporation, the species had to adapt. The natural selection of species in the Dead Sea is bacteria and fungi. In the other seas around Jordan, species are suffering a similar fate.

4.      Were there any major extinction’s?  The major extinction in Jordan was the Arabian Onyx, however it was reintroduced. The animal is hunted by the cheetah.                    What were the causes? (9) The causes were hunting by humans, and the cheetah and other animals, the expanding population of humans causing habitat loss, and industrial pollution. These factors are still taking its toll of species in Jordan. (3) There are several that are on the endangered species list: the Arabian gazelle, snow leopard, and sand cat - to name a few.

5.      Describe some unique indicator, keystone, foundation, nonnative, and specialist species. One of the indicator species is the acacia raddiana which is a type of broadleaf small tree. This tree has a cold tolerance of -8 and a heat tolerance of 45. This like many other indicator type species of trees changes rapidly with the climate, indicating what the weather would be like.  The diverse species of flora in the country of Jordan is indicative of its keystone species. In the spring the land of Jordan is full of flowering plants. One of these flowering plants is their national flower – the black iris. There are over two-thousand keystone species of flora in Jordan. The fat desert rat is indicative of a foundation species for any desert area that has flora. Areas where the rat is prevalent there is an abundance of flora; areas were the rat is not the land is too dry for the flora to exist. A non-native species in the country of Jordan is the syriaca bee. Bees in general are able to adapt well in harsh environments. This bee pollinates the beautiful flora of Jordan. One of the specialist species to the country of Jordan is the Eurasian Oystercatcher. This bird has a beak that is especially designed to crack open the shells of mollusk.

Chapter 5

1.      Indicate specific examples from your country

a.       Inter-specific competition – Lions and hyenas.

b.      Predator and prey – Cheetah and Arabian Onyx

c.       Parasite and host – Desert flea and pygmy gerbil.

d.      Mutualism – Bees and moths pollinating flora.

e.       Commensalism – Spur-winged plovers and shrubs.

2.      For each of your examples in #1, indicate whether each population lives in populations or clumps. A) Populations, B) Clumps, C) Clumps, D) Populations, E) Clumps

3.      Describe some of the succession.  Is it primary or secondary?  Initially the country of Jordan was a dry barren land, which means that it was a primary succession. As people migrated agricultural land was established. Animals then became more spread out into clumps, where many of the endangered species live in clumps at the reserves. There are some populations in the wild. What would be the normal climax community? The normal climax community of Jordan would be a desert land with cactuses, wild flora, small animals like fat desert rats, and desert shrubs. Today there is more green vegetation due to irrigation taken from the river and seas.

4.      For the stable ecosystem, is the stability due to inertia (persistence) or resilience?  Describe your reasoning – I would say resilience, because many of the species around Jordan have survived since biblical times. This, to me, is resiliency. The species survived thousands of years without dying off. The plant species of Jordan have survived in the harsh desert resiliently. These are the producers that are the heart of the cycle.

Part two: Solutions

What would I do to better the country of Jordan?

             I conclude that there are three major problems in the country of Jordan to get fixed. One is the use of energy. The government of Jordan imports 95% of their energy. Two is the irrigation of the Arial, Caspian, and the Dead Seas, where 20% of the water is taken annually with little getting replaced. Thirdly is the population control. As the country becomes more populated more animal species get pushed away into clumps or they migrate out of the country. This causes an imbalance of the eco-system. If these problems get fixed Jordan will be a more sustainable, eco-friendly, environmental country.

1. There are discussions in place by the government of Jordan to build nuclear power plants and they have plans of building a shale oil electrical power plant to better stabilize the country. Why not build a solar power plant and put up wind turbines instead. Since I have traveled to the Middle East while in the Navy, I know one thing for sure is that it can get windy in the desert and that the sun is hot and penetrating. The wind turbines when they spin can store energy that can still be used when it is not spinning. This can be backed up by the solar power in the day.

2. Jordan and the surrounding countries are in agreement that the Arial, Caspian, and Dead Seas have to be preserved before they dry up. Are the water conservation policies and the irrigation from the Wadi-Al Arab Dam enough to prevent the total loss of the seas? I do not think so? More must be done. The people of Jordan do rely on rain water for drinking and cooking. One solution to the problem can be the rain water, but instead of individual rain water barrels at households build collecting stations that can be used as primary water for irrigation instead of taking it from the seas. Then use the seas as alternate irrigation. This along with the policies in place could fix the problem of the seas drying up. To add to this solution the building of aqueducts, like they did in the city of Rome and Istanbul is a great way to solve the water problem.

3. Big cities in the United States like New York are overpopulated. The solution to fix the problem was during the industrial revolution when skyscrapers were first built. People like animals are then clumped together into a single living space within these high-rises. People should not be clumped and neither should animals. I do not recommend building big high-rises so that several families can live within one space. People should be free to explore just like animals. What I recommend is like biblical times when people and animals lived under the same roof; though today that would be frowned upon. In reality the only solution to this problem is have a one child policy, limit immigration, allow more people to emigrate, and keep the animal population to enough to allow animals and humans to live sustainable.

References:

1. Animals of Jordan. (n.d.). List of Countries in the World. Retrieved November 18, 2011, from http://www.listofcountriesoftheworld.com/jo-animals.html

2. Dabbour, I., & Takruri, H. (2002). Protein quality of four types of edible mushrooms found in Jordan. In Plant Foods for Human Nutrition. (57th ed.). (pp. 1-12). Kluwer Academic Publishers.

3. Endangered Mammals of the Middle East. (2011). Earths Endangered Creatures . Retrieved November 19, 2011, from http://www.earthsendangered.com/continent.asp?view=c&ID=8

4. Google Search (n.d.). Pictures of the Traditional Dress of Jordan. Google. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.google.com/search?q=traditional+dress+of+jordan&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&biw=1024&bih=629&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=OjCnTsr1FseeiQLe0cG8DQ&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0CBgQ_AUoAQ

5. Hammer, J. (2005). The Dying of the Dead Sea: The Ancient Salt Sea is the Site of a Looming Environmental Catastrophe. Smithsonian, 36(7), 9.

6. Info Please (2005). Jordan History. Info Please All the Knowledge You Need. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107670.html

7. Jordan Investment Board (n.d.). Environmental Law and Policy. Jordan Investment Com. . Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.jordaninvestment.com/BusinessandInvestment/Taxation/EnvironmentalLawPolicy/tabid/118/language/en-US/Default.aspx

     http://ocid.nacse.org/rewab/docs/Environmental_Protection_Law_No_52_of_2006_en.pdf

8. Khammash , A. (2005). Jordan Flora. Jordan Flora. Retrieved November 18, 2011, from http://www.jordanflora.com/

9. King Hussein Gov. (n.d.). Jordan Geology and Environment. The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.kinghussein.gov.jo/geo_env3.html

10. Kobori, I., & Glantz, M. (1998). The Arial Sea. In Central Eurasian Water Crises. Tokyo, Japan: United Nations University Press.

11. McClowski, C. (2011, November 14). Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries. World Nuclear Association. Retrieved November 16, 2011, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf102.html

12. National Resource Authority (2007). Jordan NRA. NRA Gov. Jordan. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.nra.gov.jo/index.php

13. Nationmaster (2011, January 01). Ecological Footprint Statistics. Nationmaster Com. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/env_eco_foo-environment-ecological-footprint

14. RSCN (2008). Protected Areas. The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature. Retrieved November 19, 2011, from http://www.rscn.org.jo/RSCN/HelpingNature/ProtectedAreas/tabid/91/Default.aspx

15. Russell, B. (2010). Jordan. The Middle East and South Asia. Baltimore , Maryland: Yontea Book Press.

16. Saadoun, I., Bataineh, E., & Al-Handal, A. (2008). The Primary Production Conditions of Wadi Al-Arab Dam. Jordan Journal of Biological Sciences, 1(2), 67-72.

17. Sharaiha, R., & Ziadat, F. (2008). Alternate Cropping Systems to Control Soil Erosion in the Arid to Semi - Arid Areas of Jordan. Arid Land Research and Management, 12.

18. Tashima, R. (2011, November 6). Jordan’s oil shale gains momentum. Jordanian Times, Retrieved from http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=43070

19. UJRC (2000). Jordanian Environmental Watch Program. Al Urdan Al Jadid Research Center. Retrieved November 17, 2011, from http://www.ujrc-jordan.net/jordan_environment.shtm

20. U.S. Department of State (2011, March 25). Jordan. Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3464.htm

21. Watson, K. (2011, August 2). Jordan Considers Nuclear Energy to Power Country. BBC News, Retrieved from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14373190

22. World Population Awareness (2011, November 09). Sustainability, Carrying Capacity, and Overconsumption. Overpopulation Org. . Retrieved November 12, 2011, from http://www.overpopulation.org/solutions.html

Dreaded Tuesday!

What is the problem with people?
Why would someone steal pillows from a car?
Some jerk neighbor kid stole pillows from my car last night,
but that is not the worst part.
My wife tripped and hurt her knee badly,
when she went to go buy me new ones.
Now I am praying for her and
I hope the jerk kid that stole the pillows burns in hell.
The other thing is, some of the pillows were irreplaceable.
I had a Navy pillow, angel pillow and therapeutic pillow.
I do not like my neighborhood anymore.
I thought it was good, but not.
We have a corrupt cop, rude neighbors, and only a few I trust a little.

If one is not part of the click here, than you do not fit in.

PS I do not understand.
I am nice to everybody, but get treated like crap.
I live through pain and tingling daily.
I write my bible quotes.
I am trying to better myself.
I mentor others.
And someone wants to steal from me.
What did I do to deserve it?