$100 million for spy towers in NYC's bridges, tunnels

New York City's (NYC) Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) spent $50 million for spy towers in their tunnels and bridges. The silver, metallic towers are as tall as street lights, appearing as big, decorative pylons.

What are they for? Polly Trottenberg, New York City Transportation Commissioner, said that she and other board members "wish we had more details".

Joe Lhota (Low+ta), Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman said, "The base of these new items going up include whatever fiber optic items are necessary for those Homeland Security items." Anti-terror technology?

After 15 die, San Diego bleaches streets to kill fatal disease

An outbreak of hepatitis A, brought into this country by non-citizens, has resulted in 16 deaths in San Diego, California. The death toll has risen to 16 in San Diego County. Over 300 persons have been diagnoses with this fatal disease. The City of San Diego has established a regular schedule of street bleaching in order to control and kill the hepatitis A bacteria.

China admits 28,000 of its 50,000 rivers have disappeared

China's Ministry of Water Resources admits that one-quarter of its people drink polluted water and:

  • 28,000 of its 50,000 rivers have disappeared over the last 20 years
  • 80% of its water is polluted, unsuitable for drinking or bathing
  • 25% of its water is unusable
  • per capita water resources is only 28% of the world average
  • is one of the nine most water scarce countries in the world
  • has 20% of the world's population and only nine per cent of the world's fresh water

Stephen Stills' best band: Manassas

Stephen Stills said Manassas was, "The best group of musicians I ever played with." The group made two albums. The song below is from their double album made in 1972. Besides Stills, band members included Chris Hillman, Dallas Taylor, Paul Harris, Fuzzy Samuels, Al Perkins, and Joe Lala. Jerry Garcia is in the albums' credits.