Krocodil

Desomorphine which is a form of morphine is what Krocodil is. It is around eight times more potent than morphine. The high does not last as long as the morphine high though. Krocodil gets its name from the effects it leaves on the skin. At the injection site the skin will turn a gangrenous green and takes on a scaly appearance, which resembles that of a crocodile. This is how Krocodil derives its name. The poison is created by mixing codeine with common household items, which is why this horrific drug is referred to as the poor man’s drug as well.

Poor Man’s Drug

Heroin which is popular in Russia is quite expensive on the European market. This is why Krocodil has become widely used. It is a drug that not only mimics the heroin high, but is ridiculously cheap to make. The main ingredient is codeine which in Russia is an over the count medication, that can be obtained easily. This cooked with household ingredients such as paint thinner, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, iodine, and red phosphorus creates Krocodil. The average cooking time is around an hour to an hour and a half, which is also how long the high will last. With ingredients being so cheap and accessible, this has lead to Krocodil’s use to spread like an epidemic.

Long Lasting Effects

It is reported that those who are addicted to Krocodil only live for about two years. The effects are more devastating than any other drug. The mixture of poisons causes flesh to rot right off the bone. Those addicted resemble the walking dead, they are modern day zombies. In addition to falling flesh, there are also long lasting effects on motor coordination and speech, which causes slow reaction times and speech impediments. Blood poisoning is also common in those who use Krocodil.

Russia

Drug use is rampant in Russia, just as it is in most countries. Northern Russia has winters that last sometimes up to eight months long; this has had an effect on the growing drug epidemic and especially the wide use of Krocodil. People are using drugs out of boredom and depression. Russia only has about 500 drug addiction rehab facilities that cater to drug addicts, most are run by private religious organizations. This makes recovery from any drug addiction very difficult to achieve.

Here’s the story: a few month’s ago the White House announced that the federal government will stop minting unwanted coins, a move that’s touted as saving an estimated million a year. ¹

However there are two lies in the announcement. The first lie is that Americans do not want to use the dollar coin. However, when asked if they would be willing to give up the paper dollar to save our country money, an overwhelming majority in a poll by ABC News said yes.

The second lie is that the move would save money. In actual fact, eliminating the dollar coin prevents us from saving more than 5 billion dollars over the life of paper dollars. ²

Europe and the United Kingdom have replaced their lowest paper bills with coins and we could too if only Congress had the balls to simply do so.

Until 50 years ago Americans carried large, one-dollar coins in their pockets. They’re called Morgan silver dollars. Every day I buy hundreds of them in my business, some of them more than 133 years old. In circulation, they can last for hundreds of years.

The argument that the new dollar coins can be confused with quarters is silly. If there is a confusion, it is because so few dollar coins are in circulation. If we eliminated the one-dollar bill the confusion would disappear in short order.

Congress has failed three times (Susan B. Anthony, Sacagawea, and this last one – the presidential series) to get Americans to use one-dollar coins in everyday commerce. I have no doubt the idiots in Washington will try again in a few years, but again without eliminating the paper version. Unless we remove the Washington bill, the dollar coin is doomed.

If there is one coin that Congress should have eliminated, it’s the penny. As I wrote in my 2007 article Time to get rid of the Penny it costs the US Mint about 1.3 cents to produce each penny (it’s almost double that now). And where do most of these pennies, a complete and unnecessary waste of money, end up?

Flickr Photo Credit: Jon Chambers

That’s right – there are tens of billions of pennies sitting in jars, unused, unloved, and uncirculated, yet the bozos at the US Mint still pumped 4.9 billion more of them into circulation in 2011 alone [source: Wikipedia].

We get them in change and put them into jars, hardly ever using them. Why are we still producing them? How stupid can we be?

Postscript:

I should mention that, in an effort to save money, the Obama Administration this week asked Congress for permission to change the mix of metal that goes to make pennies and nickels. ³

While this may seem like a good idea, reducing the production cost of pennies and nickels, it still will not make the penny or the nickel cost less than a penny or a nickel respectively to make. So both coins are rather silly to mint. Many countries have already eliminated their versions of pennies and nickels. In Finland and the Netherlands, for example, purchases are rounded to the nearest 5 cents. Are they smarter than we are?

Notes

(1):

Bankrate.com, 19 Dec 2011,U.S. stops minting unloved coins

The federal government will stop minting unwanted coins, the White House said Tuesday. The move will save an estimated million a year.

Earlier this year, we reported on the mountain of coins sitting unused in government vaults. The pile-up — an estimated 1.4 billion coins — was caused by a 2005 law that ordered the minting of coins honoring each U.S. president.

We calculated that the unwanted coins had cost taxpayers some 0 million dollars to make. There were so many coins piling up that the Federal Reserve was redesigning a vault in Texas to help hold them all.

(2):

USA Today, 25 Oct 2011, Replacing bill with coin could save .6 billion

Lobbying interests on both sides are ramping up their efforts in the expectation that Congress could decide the issue after more than 25 years of debate. Mining interests, vending companies and mass transit agencies support the coin. Paper and ink producers and some small retailers oppose it.

“You have this gigantic deficit. You have this supercommittee, and Congress is looking for savings anywhere they can,” says former representative Jim Kolbe, R-Ariz., a longtime coin advocate.

The move to a coin would cost money in the short term, but eventually save money because paper currency lasts about 42 months — while coins theoretically last forever. Moving to a coin could save .6 billion over 30 years, according to the Government Accountability Office.

(3):

CNN Money, Obama wants cheaper pennies and nickels

The U.S. Mint is facing a problem — especially during these penny-pinching times. It turns out it costs more to make pennies and nickels than the coins are worth.

And because of that, the Obama administration this week asked Congress for permission to change the mix of metal that goes to make pennies and nickels, an expensive recipe that has remained unchanged for more than 30 years.

To be precise, it cost 2.4 cents to make one penny in 2011 and about 11.2 cents for each nickel.

Planck’s Constant

Most of the political parties are wooing Muslims, who constitute 20% of the electorate in the state. It is not that other caste groups are not being wooed.

But as Muslims are a sizable chunk and spread across the state, there seems an effort to get their vote. Of course, there is a belief that the community votes ‘en bloc’.

CONGRESS

Most parties are in this race to get a grab. Posters, banners, advertisements indicate Congress, which is naturally flush with funds, doing the best.

It simply urges electorate to vote them and give them a chance to rule UP after almost 22 years. Its advertisements talk about corruption in central schemes, forcible land acquisition during the BSP rule and issues like poor implementation of Central schemes.

Congress has no dearth of advertisements. In its banners, Muzaffar Ali makes a passionate poetic appeal, asking the voters to bring back UP on track, by supporting Rahul Gandhi. One of the such Urdu couplets, which I read:

 ’Ye chiragh jaise lamhe yuuN hi raaigaaN na jayen
  Koi khwab dekh dalo, koi inquilab lao’

SAMAJWADI PARTY

The Samajwadi Party has turned hi-tech. Its campaign is quite sophisticated. Under Akhilesh Yadav, the party has done its best to shed the earlier image, and is now talking about progress to all sections of the society apart from rule of law and justice.

CAN CONGRESS CONNECT WITH THE COMMONER?

Its advertisements show ‘elephant’ gobbling public funds. The printed ads in Urdu newspapers are also about a bright future–clean roads, parks, stadiums et al.

Clearly, Mulayam Singh Yadav’ son and his political heir wants to establish a rapport with the huge young population that is all set to vote in this election.

BSP…err

In sharp contrast, Mayawati’s BSP seems to be disconnected with Muslims. It doesn’t seem to be making any effort either. Advertisements are missing in Muslim localities. No Urdu pamphlets, advertisements for ‘Muslim media’ at all. In some constituencies, the contestants on their own have got publicity material printed for minorities.

It is learnt that Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) believes the Muslims will do tactical voting, and if BSP’s Muslim candidate is in a winning position, they will support it. Hence simply field more Muslims, and forget. Perhaps, this is wishful thinking, as Muslims don’t seem enthusiastic about the party.

BJP: WE TOO ARE IN THE RACE

Though in the last election, there was a feeling that BSP is a good alternative even though it had no track record of major welfare steps for the minorities.

This time it seems an altogether different situation. The disenchantment is not about anti-incumbency alone. Muslims say party doesn’t care about them at all.

BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY

Even BJP is appealing for a chance. The banners ask voters to support it, for effective law-and-order, and transparency in governance. The morale of BJP cadre is not too high.

Though it has nothing much to expect from Muslims, it hasn’t ignored them either. ‘Hindutva’ is not an issue anymore in UP. Party now talks about development.

The Ram Janmabhumi-Babri Masjid is no longer an issue here. In other states, this may stir passions, but having seen the rise and fall of BJP and its politics here, the voter has no interest in such ‘siasat’ now.

The party reminds voters that Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who is supposed to have a following among section of Muslims, was repeatedly elected from Lucknow. BJP is reluctant, yet seeking votes from Muslims.

Even though Uma Bharti’s entry was expected to change the mood but except a few constituencies of Bundelkhand, there is no resurgence visible on the ground. She has not been able to make a difference as yet.

Apart from the mainstream parties, the new feature is that over half-a-dozen ‘Muslim’ parties are in the fray in UP elections. Peace Party has a presence across the state.

Its president Dr Ayub is a well-known face in UP now has put lot of effort in campaign. His candidates also seem quite enthusiastic though its not going to be easy for them to translate this ‘response’ into votes.

ELEPHANT ATE ALL FUNDS: SP

On the other hand, Ulema Council urges Muslims to vote for it, because it raised the issue about demonizing Azamgarh and the indiscriminate arrest of youths.

The banners with the symbol ‘kettle’ and couplets, are visible off and on. Other caste groups are also being wooed by the parties in their pockets of influence in similar manner.

Apart from Dalits, Brahmins, Yadavs, Jats, Kurmis, Lodhs, even much smaller castes ranging from Rajbhar to Nonia are all important in this election.

Here we just took a look at the language these parties are speaking to with Muslims. With just a couple of rounds of polling left, the stage is set for results, that will start pouring in on March 6.

Let’s see whom the politically aware UP electorate is going to gift the power. Or will it be a hung Assembly, as predicted by several politicians and analysts.

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An Indian Muslim’s Blog: News, Views & Urdu Poetry Website

(Packages of Halal food are displayed in a supermarket in Nantes, western France, September 7, 2010. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe)

A TV documentary’s revelation that slaughterhouses around Paris have switched meat production entirely to halal methods has stirred a political storm in France, where attitudes to Europe’s largest Muslim minority are a subtext in a presidential election campaign. The France 2 documentary last week said all of the abattoirs in the greater Paris region were producing only halal-style meat, selling some without labelling it as such to avoid the cost of running separate lines for halal and non-halal customers.

Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen – who is hoping to win voters away from centre-right President Nicolas Sarkozy ahead of the two-round election in April and May – has seized on the issue. “All the abattoirs of the Paris region have succumbed to the rules of a minority. We have reason to be disgusted,” Le Pen told a rally in Lille on Saturday, pledging to file a legal complaint.

In a country known for its obsession with the provenance of its cuisine, the issue could play with a wider audience than the far right, including animal rights groups, consumer advocates and food industry professionals.

Some European animal rights campaigners say that the Islamic halal and Jewish kosher rules for ritual slaughter are less humane than standard European practice, because they ban the practice of stunning animals before they are killed.

“This polemic requires us to call for more transparency,” Frederic Freund, director of a group called Aid to Animals in Abattoirs (OABA), told RTL radio during a call-in programme.

Halal meat, slaughtered according to Islamic norms, is a booming market in France and growing demand for it on school, hospital and company canteen menus has already caused tension and misunderstandings between Muslims and non-Muslims. Officials say most of the meat consumed in and around Paris is slaughtered outside the region and much of it still comes from slaughterhouses that use non-halal methods.

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Things To Consider

You can use several different methods in order to process your items but a lot can also depend on your circumstances. For example, it will be important to think about the amount of time that you have in regards to waiting for the documentation to arrive. The amount of money you’ll be willing to spend is also something that you’ll need to take into consideration.

Application

The right application needs to be completed and mailed to the appropriate address in order to receive new pages. This usually entails the DS-4085 form, which is specifically meant for this goal. However, individuals will also need to mail in their current passport and application fees. Due to this, it’s usually recommended that individuals mail these items through mail services that they can track.

Forms

In order to be eligible for the DS-4085 form, you’ll need to have fewer than 4 pages remaining in your book. Those who travel several times throughout the year or who may need more pages than usual, may also want to consider getting a new book. A DS-82 book will need to be filled out, should you be eligible for mail-in options. People who have to visit a facility in person will usually fill out a DS-11 form.

Mail Time Frame

Individuals who have a month or more to wait will usually process their paperwork by mail. This process can usually take anywhere between 4 to 6 weeks, although this can sometimes vary.

Cost

You can also choose to have your application expedited, which will require an extra $60 on top of the regular fees. Since this price can changes, it’s always wise to check the required amount beforehand. This narrows the time frame to 2 to 3 weeks. You can also pay a small, additional delivery fee in order to have your papers sent overnight.

Online Agency

Those who don’t have two or more weeks to wait for their U S passport renewal can use a qualified passport agency. These types of companies can be found both offline and online. Oftentimes, these services can significantly reduce the wait time for items to be delivered if one is willing to pay an additional fee.

(Incoming new Cardinals at a consistory in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican February 18, 2012. REUTERS/Tony Gentile )

Pope Benedict, putting his mark on his Church’s future, on Saturday inducted 22 men into the exclusive group of cardinals who will one day elect one of their own to succeed him as leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Roman Catholics.

Among the most prominent in the group is New York’s Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who is already being touted by some Vatican experts as a possible future candidate to become the first American pope. Benedict, who turns 85 in April and is showing signs of his age, elevated the men to the highest Church rank below him at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Basilica known as a consistory.

“Cardinals are entrusted with the service of love: love for God, love for his Church, an absolute and unconditional love for his brothers and sisters, even unto shedding their blood, if necessary (in defense of the faith),” the pope told the new cardinals before giving them their rings and red birettas, or hats.

The new cardinals are from the United States, Hong Kong, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Brazil, India, Canada, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Romania, Belgium, and Malta. Eighteen of them are aged under 80 and thus will be eligible to enter a secret conclave to elect the next pope from among their own ranks. Twelve of those are Europeans, bringing the number of “cardinal electors” from the continent to 67 out of 125.

With the new appointments, Benedict, who was elected in a secret conclave in 2005, has now named more than half the cardinal electors. The others were named by his predecessor John Paul. Compared to the 67 “cardinal electors” from Europe, Latin America now has 22, North America has 15, Africa has 11, Asia has nine and Oceania has one.

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If that wasn’t bad enough, he made a video of it posting it on YouTube, his Facebook page, and he said, on his 15-year-old girl’s Facebook page.

YouTube, Facebook Parenting: For the troubled teen.

My daughter thought it would be funny/rebellious/cool to post on her Facebook wall just how upset she was and how unfair her life here is; how we work her too hard with chores, never pay her for chores, and just in general make her life difficult.

She chose to share this with the entire world on Facebook and block her parent’s from seeing it. Well, umm… she failed. As of the end of this video, she won’t have to worry anymore about posting inappropriate things on Facebook…

As of this writing the video has received more than 26 million views.

The Today Show put up a Facebook page as well for visitors to post their comments on the father’s action.

My take on it is that the father is teaching the wrong lesson to his daughter. Violence, even against inanimate objects, is not the solution if violence was not used against you. She used words, so should he have. His behavior may explain why so many kids run away from home. A 1999 Department of Justice Study [PDF] reported that there were over 1.3 million missing children in the US, 98% of whom were runaways and eventually came back home.

If his daughter doesn’t leave before she’s 18, I expect she’ll definitely flee the nest when she’s legally able.

As for the issue regarding chores, except for getting him his coffee, the rest do not seem that unreasonable. In addition, her language in her disrespectful post is not acceptable for a 15 year-old.

Notes

(1):

Digital LifeDad punishes Facebook post with 8 bullets to daughter’s laptop

A video purporting to be the work of an angry father teaching his daughter a lesson by shooting bullets through her laptop is the viral video of the day. The father, who identifies himself as Tommy Jordan, says his daughter broke ground rules when using Facebook, and posted disrespectful remarks about him there.

He retaliates by laying out a case against her in an 8-minute video, concluding it with firing 8 bullets through her computer. The video was posted on YouTube and supposedly on the 15-year-old girl’s Facebook page last night. By mid-morning, it had more than 1 million views, and it sparked debate across the Web – some cheered on the father’s “tough love,” while others accused him of abuse.

Planck’s Constant

(Visitors toast with their one-liter beer mugs during the opening day of the Munich Oktoberfest beer festival in Munich September 20, 2003. REUTERS/Michael Dalder)

Crematoriums in Germany are struggling to adapt to an increasingly obese population and a boom in extra-large coffins that has led at least one to widen its oven doors. The Schweinfurt crematorium in Bavaria had to widen the doors by 30 cm to handle larger bodies, which burn longer and hotter and now arrive around once a week, its manager said.

“We burn particularly large coffins Monday mornings when the ovens are cold,” Helmuth Schlereth said by telephone from the southern region. “There is more body fat that spreads out and has to be burned.”

Other crematoriums in the country also report an increase in the number of XXL-coffins, as Germany grapples with the growing obesity affecting many developed and emerging economies. The trend has been fuelled in part by a high-fat national cuisine known for its sausages, pork and beer, as well as a decrease in exercise among the population, which over the years has translated into bigger corpses.

“The problem is that the deceased are getting heavier, and so the burning takes longer,” said Silke Meboldt at the Albstadt-Ebingen crematorium in the neighboring state of Baden-Wuerttemberg. It’s becoming a bigger problem.”

Crematorium ovens normally operate at 800-1000 degrees Celsius but the burning process for obese bodies is hotter and takes longer than normal. Older crematoriums in particular have been adversely affected by the trend, as the incinerators are simply not designed to deal with large bodies.

“If the crematorium is older, or the design hasn’t been thought out properly then they’ll find that the coffins don’t fit in,” said Bastian Schenk, at the Aalen crematorium in southern Germany.

– by Alice Baghdjian in Berlin

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(New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan leads a mass at St. John Lateran's Basilica in Rome February 15, 2012. REUTERS/Tony Gentile)

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan, who will become a cardinal this weekend, has said  that part of his new job will be to convince the Vatican that his city is not a modern-day version of the Biblical cities Sodom and Gomorrah.

“New York seems to have an innate interest and respect for religion and I’m going to bring that up because I don’t like that caricature that New York is some neo-Sodom and Gomorrah” he told reporters after celebrating Mass on Thursday in Rome’s Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica.

Dolan was referring to the two cities which according to the Old Testament were destroyed by God because their people were sinful and wicked. Dolan, who also holds the powerful post of president of the U.S. Bishops Conference, will be made a cardinal by Pope Benedict on Saturday at a solemn Vatican ceremony known as a consistory. After that, he and 17 other new cardinals under the age of 80 will be eligible to enter a secret conclave to elect the next leader of the world’s some 1.3 billion Roman Catholics after Benedict’s death.

“I’m here as archbishop after three years to let you know that, yup, there are instances of secularism and materialism and paganism in New York as there are everywhere and as there is in the human heart but I have found the New York community to be very religious and innately respectful of religion, interested in religion,” he said.

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