Rendering 10.

On November, 9, 2012 the article entitled "New storm water runoff rules could cost cities billions" was published by Bettina Boxall in "Los Angeles Times". In this article the author covers new storm water regulations that were adopted in several states of America. Analyzing this issue, the author takes a criticle view of general situation with Los Angeles runoff system. Bettina Boxall makes it clear that runoff remains the leading cause of water pollution in Southern Califirnia, promoting beach closures and bans on eating fish caught in Santa Monica Bay. It's necessary to point out that the runoff is tainted by a host of contaminants from thousands of different places: from pet waste and auto brake pads to industrial areas.

Speaking about new storm water regulations the reporter notes that authorities of Los Angeles face spending billions of dollars to clean up the dirty urban runoff that washes pollution into drain and coastal waters. Bettina supports the idea of director of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, John Kemmerer that in order to solve this problem it's neccesary to build up a so-called "green infrastructure" which would be more cost-efficient than trying to treat urban runoff at thousands of small sources. So, in this connection municipal officials will pursue a variety of tactics according the new regulations. First of all, the Los Angeles provision seeks to reduce storm water flows to the ocean in ways that would cut down polluted flowing into coastal waters and replenish aquifers, thus boosting local water supplies. Officials also plan to sweep streets better and collaborate on the construction of large infiltration basins that will capture storm water and let it seep into the ground to recharge groundwater. They also plan to use parking lot and landscape designs that would retain a certain amount of runoff on site. Street curbs are planned to be altered to send road runoff to plant beds rather than storm drains.

As for me, I completelly support a "green infrastructure". Los Angeles' renewed storm water regulations should be held up as an example for other cities around the world. I believe that this way to solve environmental problems will bring positive results in future. If world's cities begin to take a part in saving of nature world's environmental situation will be far better. But unfortunatelly today, it remains a big problem.  

Individual Reading. Rainbow Six.1

Sammury. Part 1. Chapter 1-6.
The plane by which John Clark, a former navy serviceman, and Ding Chavez, his son-in-low and  subordinate flied was hijacked by three terrorists for the purpose of kidnapping of a Spanish ambassodor. But the terrorists were mistaken with plane and it made them realize their failure. John Clark and Ding Chaves took under the control this dangerous situation and neutralized the terrorists using their military experience. After this incident they were sent to Great Britain where the headquater of the "Rainbow" was located.

"Rainbow" was a multinational counterterrorist organisatio which was founded by John Clark. The main goal of this organisation was to fight against terrorism around the world. The organisation included two groups, one of which was leaded by Ding Chaves.

Ding became the commander of Group-2 which included a team of perfect and well-trained fighters and riflemen. Their first mission was a bank robbery in Switzerland where they showed their mastery and proved their efficiency. Four terrorists, one of which was most-wanted, from famous terrorist organisation took hostages in a city bank and killed one men. To avoid new victims the Swiss authority gave the go-ahead to "Rainbow's" actions. The operation of setting free hostages was succesful, terrorists were killed. Later it became clear that the bank robbery was organized by a certain Dmitry Popov, a former KGB official, who indeed planned such an outcome of events. His role still remains unclear but he certainly plays by his own rules.

Meanwhile, in the streets of America homeless drunkards were picked up by trucks and sent to strange room where "doctors" tidied them up, cleaned, fed and gave them lot of conveniences up to different sorts of drinking. But some of them were injected with unknown medicine and none of them were allowed to leave this room...

Also in some laboratory a new project under code name "Shavy" was started. This project implied to use cancerous genes for still unclear goals...


Vocabulary and questions. Part I. 

Rendering 9

The "National Geographic" published an article about global warming. This particular article examines some solutions of this nature's global problem. The author of article, considering an emitting greenhouse gases (GHGs) as the main reason of global warming, speaks about stabilization GHG concetrations. The author, refering to the IPCC's dates, emphasizes that people have to reduce GHG emissions by 50 % that means they are on track to be in the next century to reach this level.

Speaking about concrete solutions of this problem, it is necessary to note that everyone can help. Thus, researchers Stephen Pacala and Pobert Socolow from Princeton University have suggested one approach that they call "stabilization wedges". This means reducing GHG emissions from a variety of sources with technologies available in the next few decades, rather than relying on an enormous change in a single area.

Other possible solutions that are mentioned by author include improvements to energy efficiency and vehicle fuel economy, increases in wind and solar power, hydrogen produced renewable sources, biofuels produced from crops, natural gas and nuclear power.

It was also revealed that in addition to reducing the gases which are emited to the atmosphere, people can also increase the amount of gases they take out of the atmosphere. Plants and trees absorb CO2 as they grow and sequester carbon naturally. Increasing forestlands and making changes to the way people farm could increase the amount of carbon.

In conclusion the author assumes that some of these technologies have drawbacks. But he also expresses the view that all these methods together with joint efforts can put the humanity on a parth toward a stable climate.

As for me, I suppose author's point of view. Only common human efforts make climate and envirenment in whole better.   

Rendering 8

"The Independent" published the article of Patrick Cuckburn entitled "Syria's suffering opens a door for Washington" on October 7 that reports about military situation in Syria. The article discusses the relationship between the USA and Syria in the question of the security of the later.

It's not a secret that Syria was a leader of the so-called "resistance bloc",that Palestinians supported. Speaking about this situation it's necesssary to point out that when Hosni Mubarak and President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali had been driven from power in Egypt and Tunisia, Bashar al-Assad seemed confident that his opposotion to the US would protect him against the revolution. But it was revealed that "resistance bloc" is fighting for its life.

Analyzing this situation the author expresses his critical view that the US should give more military support to the Syrian opposition and organize a military coup against the Syrian government in Damascus. He makes it clear that the US will take steps of empowering the moderates in the opposition, shifting the balance of power through arms and other lethal assistance, encouraging a coup leading to a power-sharing arrangement, and accommodating Russia in exchange for its co-operation.

It's difficult to predict the cource of events but it's very likely that America is going to prepare the ground for a peace conference. The reporter emphasizes that more direct military involvement in Syria can be dangerous for the US.

The article is here.

Rendering 7

The interesting article entitled "US presidential debate: who got it right on al-Qaida" was published by Jason Burke in the newspaper "The Guardian" on October 23. In his article the author reports about debates between USA president Obama and Romney concerning the situation with al-Qaida. Both politicians tried to  determine present status of this terrorist organization and establish a definision of al-Qaida that suited them.

For Romney, al-Qaida was sometimes the organization founded by Osama bin Laden and others in 1988, sometimes all those now influenced by its ideology. So he referred to both "this radical violent extremism which is … really not on the run" and to an apparently single "group that is now involved in 10 or 12 countries" which "presents an enormous threat". As for Obama he preferred to keep to a more narrow definition of al-Qaida: it's the senior leadership of the group, based mainly in Pakistan.

Analyzing this situation the author expresses the view that the USA is the only western nation that has seen increased levels of militant activity, homegrown and otherwise, over recent years. According to the reporter this fact has a big influence on the debate. He claimed that Though most attackers have shown dubious commitment and limited competence there have been important exceptions.

Having return to the politician's debates it's interesting to note the Romney's position. He admitted that  it is difficult to judge how much of a threat does that disparate and fragmented phenomenon pose. Giving appraisal of his position the author assumes that geographic spread is a crude measure. If groups have emerged in parts of north Africa and elsewhere as new opportunities have emerged in the wake of the Arab uprisings, they have also disappeared elsewhere – in Saudi Arabia and, to a great extent, in Indonesia.

There is no secret that Al-Qaida can recruit enough people and get enough resources to survive. But the author also makes it clear that few security services or analysts outside government see radical Islam generally as an existential threat in the way many did in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks or the bombings in Madrid or London of 2004 and 2005.

In conclusion the author of article supposes that to a great extent the continuing weakness, and tenacity, of violent extremism today is due to local factors, particularly the revulsion of communities across the Islamic world for violence when it occurs close at hand.

As for me, I think that the problem with Al-Qaida organization is very difficult to be solved. It's hard for me to predict the course of events in the future but it's very likely that this organization will continue its activities for a very long time. 

Pleasure Reading. Conclusion (p.155-188)

The party of Mrs. Dalloway finaly began. A lot of guests and even guests of honour came to reception. Clarissa gave all of them a hearty welcome but she felt she became too old for such receptions. But this particular one was especially difficult for her because some guests were not expected by Clarrisa to visit her. These were  friends of her youth Peter Walsh and Sally Seton. She felt that Peter watched and criticized her.She tried to avoid meeteng him, although Peter wished to stay with her alone for talking.
As for Sally Seton, her visit was real surprise for Clarissa. They had not seen each other for many years. Mrs. Dalloway noticed that Selton had changed physically, she grew old, but her character didn't change.  Sally remined her their youth, their happy life which passed away forever and Clarissa felt again that she became too old.
Meanwhile, Peter and Sally were sincerely glad to see each other. They had a good talk about their past and their present lives. Sally understood that Peter still loved Clarissa and this fact made her happy. She was very  glad to return their general past for a while.
When Dr. Bradshaw came together with his wife, he told about Septimus' suicide that made Mrs. Dalloway upset. She couldn't believe that her party was darken by this grief.
Peter Walsh watched how Clarissa communicated with everybody besides him. Suddenly he felt fear and bliss at the same time. And he understood that Clarissa was the fault of all his confusion.   

Pleasure Reading (p.117-155)

Elizabeth and Miss Kilman went to the shop where the latter bought a horrible skirt and after that they visited a cafe where they usually had a cup of tea. Miss Kilman was always complaining of her wretched life. She was a poor hystory teacher who was fired from her previous job during the war and who was kindly employed by Mr Dalloway for his daughter. Miss Kilman took offence at Elizabeth's mother and other women of such sort. She hated them for their false prosperity, their luxurious and successful lives and for that the destiny pampered them but not her. Elizabeth was her only hope of better life. Therefore she became very much attached to her.  But Kilman's complaints bothered Elizabeth. She respected her teacher for her wisdom but she disapproved Kilman's attitude to herself.

Miss Kilman wanted Elizabeth not to visit the party organized by her mother, nevertheless Elizabeth went.

Meanwhile, Lucrezia together with her husband Septimus had unusually good time in their home spending it for the making hats. Septimus for a while became as he was during their meeting. He helped Lucrezia, joked and amused her. Lucrezia couldn't believe her happiness. But all her happiness collapsed when Doctor Doum came. Lucrezia didn't want him to enter and tried to stop him. Septimus panicked. He jumped out of the window in horror and died.

Peter Walsh constantly thought about Mrs. Dalloway. He didn't know what to do: whether he go to her party or not. In the hotel Walsh received a letter from Mrs. Dalloway. But he still was in doubt. Eventually he  decided to go.