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Is it Big Brother or Needed Security?

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that a company called Bearing Point, Inc., will begin the prototype phase of the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC). According to the TSA, the TWIC is designed to “help improve transportation security by creating a nationwide credential that will prevent unauthorized persons from gaining access to secure areas.” The TWIC is a tamper-resistant credential that contains biometric information about the holder. Through this data, each transportation facility can verify the identity of a worker and prevent unauthorized individuals from accessing secure areas.

The testing phase of the TWIC will analyze the administrative process involved in collecting transportation worker data, performing background checks, issuing credentials and studying the day-to-day use of the cards. During the test, about 150,000 workers from maritime, rail, aviation and ground modes of transportation are expected to participate at over 40 sites in six states.

The test will be conducted in different areas of the country including Camden, NJ, Islip, NY, Philadelphia, PA, and Wilmington, DE; the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, California; and 14 major port facilities in the state of Florida. Participation is voluntary and will include truckers, longshoremen, and container terminal and airport personnel.

One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure

No one seems to know exactly who came up with that old saying, but it certainly is true. Just look at the number of second hand stores popping up across the country. And how about garage sales? Now there is a new twist on ways to get rid of your junk—Freecycle. It is an on-line organization that helps you give away items to other people in your area. Each individual group is managed by a local volunteer who runs the local web page. All you have to do is get on-line and sign up. Membership is free.

The only rule, other than no spam and no politics, is that everything posted on the web page must be free. Anything can be given away. There are no restrictions. It's based on first come, first served. When you find someone who wants whatever you're giving away, it's up to you to arrange a time and place for the exchange.

There are currently over 1200 Freecycle cities in the U.S. and around the world and more are going on-line everyday. If you have something to giveaway, or are looking for a freebie yourself, check it out at http://freecycle.org. You might find a whole group of freecyclers in your very own neighborhood.

Please, Watch Your Mouth

CBs are part of trucking and have been for years. It's a way for truckers to talk to other truckers about everything from politics to who has the best pay. But now CB chatter from drivers has been overheard and misunderstood causing people to report what they heard to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. These reports can lead to an unnecessary investigation which takes valuable time away from law enforcement officers.

So, what's a truck driver to do? Don't give up your CB just yet. The Highway Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC), operated by the American Trucking Associations, says that drivers need to remember that no CB conversation is private and others can hear what you're saying. If the listener misunderstands what you're saying, he or she could notify authorities. The Highway ISAC says DON'T use the following words on the CB unless it's an emergency: bomb (or anything similar such as explosives, dynamite, etc.), gun, kill, terrorist, blow-up, attack, or any other word or phrases that could scare someone who hears you say it and lead to an unnecessary investigation.

Roll Up Your Sleeve

Each year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that everyone get a flu shot to help prevent the flu. Last year, if you remember, there was a shortage of the vaccine when there was a sudden increase in the number of cases nationwide. People packed doctors' offices and health departments in hopes of getting a vaccine. Although there's no indication as of this writing that there will be another shortage this year, if you haven't got your annual flu shot, the time has come!
The CDC says the best time to get vaccinated is from October through November so you still have time. Flu activity in the United States generally peaks between late December and early March. Once you get vaccinated, your body makes antibodies in about two weeks so you're protected from the virus.
Even if you had a flu shot last year, you need another one this year. Why? Because the virus type changes each year. What prevented last year's bug won't have an affect on the virus circulating from person to person this year. Another reason to get flu vaccine each year is that after you get vaccinated, your immunity to the disease slowly declines over time and may be too low to provide protection after a year.

Truckers go to many different places and see many different people which could increase your chances of getting the flu, something no one really wants to experience. After all, it's tough to get sick while you're on the road. If you haven't had your flu shot this year, talk to your doctor and see if it's right for you.

Another Idea for the Person Who Has Everything

You can now purchase stamps with your face, or the face of someone you love, on it. The stamps are valid U.S. Postal Service postage and can be used on any mail you need to send. Made by a company called Stamps.com Inc., the photo stamps let you design your own customized postage simply by uploading an image file that you've created using a digital camera, camera phone, graphics program or scanner to the company's website. Then you can take the image flip, rotate, zoom in and out and even add a border to your design. Once you submit your order, the company will print your stamps on high-quality, self-adhesive paper and send it out within days. Not surprisingly, photo stamps are a little pricey. A single sheet of 37-cent stamps (just 20 to a page) is $16.99.

Is it Time to Kick the Habit?

November 18, 2004 is the American Cancer Society's Great American Smoke Out. If you're a smoker, it's a day you can smoke less or put down those cigarettes for good. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), 46 million adults in the United States smoke. About 50% of those who smoke will die prematurely from smoking. Of course, lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and women and the ACS says approximately 80% of those deaths can be blamed on smoking. Smoking is also associated with cancers of the mouth, esophagus, cervix, pancreas, uterus, kidney and bladder.

If the increased cancer risks doesn't scare you, then know that tobacco smoke contains thousands of dangerous chemicals including things like acetone (that's good old fashion nail polish remover), ammonia (a household cleaner), and benzene (used to make plastic and rubber). It also contains tar which clogs up your lung's small air sacs. And, of course, everyone know there's nicotine in cigarettes. Nicotine is poison. Period.

If you would like more information on how to stop smoking, call the Great American Smokeout at 1-800-ACS-2345. n