Rare Earth Elements

Do you recall your high school chemistry class and the Periodic Table elements number 57 through 103? Me neither. I was relieved when WIHS’ Mr. Cesarini said we didn’t have to memorize it. These numbers represent rare earth elements that are neither rare nor earth but actually metals. They are not to be confused with the seventies rock group, Rare Earth who is remembered for “I Just Want to Celebrate”.

The July/August 2011 issue of Discover magazine which features articles concerning science, technology and the future, has an article about the use of Lanthanides (as scientists prefer to call them) in cars, baseball bats, computers and iPods. From this article we learn that China contains 36% of the world’s 110 million tons of these materials yet they produce 97% of the world’s supply.

Rare earths bring light to our world. They can absorb UV rays and emit red and green colors necessary for television sets. This occurs when the outer three electrons change energy states and release visible light. This had been predicted by Max Planck and realistically explained by Albert Einstein in 1905. The subsequent derivation of quantum mechanics made it more easily understood. The cost of europium (red) and terbium (green) went up 75 percent in the first four months of 2011 and recently surpassed silver at $ 40 per ounce. Why?

Rare earths are highly magnetic and widely used in computers, power tools and head phones. 700 pounds and a wind mill can produce 2.5 megawatts of electricity. The Toyota Prius sips gasoline but uses 25 lbs of rare earths with 20 lbs. in the battery alone. The article states that neodymium cost shot up 150 percent in the first third of 2011 and lanthanum sevenfold, to $ 60 a pound. Why?

Perhaps you recall WIHS’ and Mr. Angelo’s six week class on supply and demand? Our Chinese Communist friends did not but they understand it. Uninhibited by US EPA regulations, China has gained a near monopoly on supply.

Last year the Chinese limited exports and the price of all rare earths shot up. In April, China extended a national ban on rare-earth exploration and opening new mines to keep prices high. Since “it takes 15 years to bring a new mine on line in order to comply with multiple state and federal regulations” in the United States, we better start looking for old mines or we’ll be like Don Quixote, jousting with wind mills, not celebrating.

A friend passed away.

John Aliprantis came to the United States as a 6 year old from an island in Greece, not speaking a word of English. He worked, mastered the English language, served in the US Army and received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Columbia University. He was a professional engineer, and senior vice president of Seeley, Stevenson, Value and Knecht, later known as STV Incorporated. John was responsible for the entire civil division, both design and construction, in the New York City office. This work included roads, bridges, airports, and rail. John created a cadre of professional civil engineers who were or became vice presidents capable of managing major projects for our clients. They were Rogers Thackaberry, Dick Posthauer, Jim Hynes, George Shearer, Bruce Smith, Dr. Peter Cheu, and Donald Yue. He gave them responsibility, and let them succeed. He was always there for them, if needed. He cared for the people who worked for him.

A patient man, reflective by nature, his hobby was making furniture, an exacting labor of love. Simply try to do wood joinery to see how much effort goes into it. He liked to dabble in stocks as well but John’s life was truly his wife and two sons. The job was second to them. Every once in a while, he’d mention what one or both of his sons had done. And if it was something that most parents would be upset about, he’d shrug it off saying, “Things happen”. John took great pride in Peter and Antonio as they were growing up, making decisions about college, life, home and marriage.

John was in St Francis hospital where I saw him for a few short visits late last April. He said he was there because of fluid around the lungs caused by a reaction to medicine. True to his stoic nature, he never mentioned cancer in our conversations. He went to Boston but what was prescribed had a negative effect. He came home and died July 2nd, about a week later. Donald and I went to the viewing. Surprisingly, we were the only ones he worked with who were there. In passing, he was surrounded by his loving family, grand children, relatives, neighbors and friends. He will be missed.

Hank Hessing

What is the Rush?

 

Each man's interests are expressed by his values, his desires, his goals and their actual achievement. The rational man's values depend on the judgment of his mind. He is guided by his thinking and not his feelings or desires.
 
The man who chooses not to use his mind makes decisions based on feelings, emotions or whim which is illogical and/or irrational. He may desire an achievement but the mere fact that a man desires something does not constitute proof that the object of his desire is good.
 
The President urged Congress to pass health care reform before the August recess. What is the Administration's rush to reform health care? Is there a crisis? How did we arrive at this moment? What is our understanding of the predicament? Can we lift ourselves out of it? What must be done to recover from the "crisis"?
 
During World War II, government-controlled employer-based health insurance coercively imposed costs on others not the individual user. Medicare and Medicaid were enacted in 1965 and did the same thing. Thus government shifted costs from the individual user onto others that led to an explosion in spending. This inflated demand sent expenditures soaring, which led to more government controls, cuts to benefits and more government imposed regulation. Today, half of all spending on health care is by the government yet government "reforms" only expand government intervention. The Administration calls for massive government intervention, evading the government's manipulation of the free market that caused the "crisis".

How did government-controlled employer-based health insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid affect the budget and national debt? Was decision making distorted because of government intervention. Was it the primary cause? Did government encourage the less competent and more reckless at the expense of the competent? A genuine explanation of the health care "crisis" must take into account all of the facts. Have we heard the President say that government manipulation of the health care industry had any role in the present "crisis"? Entertaining such questions is not on the President's agenda because the fundamental idea of taking government out of health care   prevents future manipulation. The analyst, Alex Epstein said, "The Administration does not seek a genuine understanding. The wisdom and necessity of government intervention is self- evident to them. Regardless of the evidence, the "crisis" can only be solved by government". By proposing government take-over of the health care industry ignores that this industry is among the most heavily regulated. Thus the Administration's only motive is to elevate a non-value in order to nullify a real value – capitalism.
 
The solution to the "crisis" is that government has to be phased out of health care. A free market in medical care has to be restored. Yaron Brook, Executive Director of the ARC for Individual Rights said, "The power of capitalism has to be unleashed in the medical industry. Competition motivated by profit to provide the best quality of services at the lowest prices would drive innovation and brings affordable medical care into the reach of all Americans".
 
 
While the President has not sought a real explanation of today's health care "crisis", Americans should. We should understand how free market capitalism works. If we do not, then we are condemned to the Administration's "solutions" – that is government debt, recently cited as $12.8 trillion and growing by billions daily, government controls and government decisions on individual health care. Alternative free market explanations for the "crisis" exist, ones that consider the inconvenient facts the administration ignores. Rational men should take time to understand the facts and exercise their right to discuss them. 

 

Yana's Road Trip

 

 

Dear Diary

 

We're off again!

 

Joni and Hank want to see their friends who live in the wilds of western New Jersey. I love road trips. Hank drives, Joni plays country music and I sleep.

 

We check into the Marriott where the receptionist proceeds to give Hank a difficult time about pets. Hank explains that I am a guide dog and not a pet. He eventually gets his point across and we have a room! I really think they are afraid of me because I am a German shepherd but truth be known, I love people, places and even kids.

 

We go to meet our friends Rosanna and John in one of Clinton's fine restaurants over looking the river. What wonderful aromas – so many things to sniff! I love sniffing. In fact, I'd rather do a sniff walk than any other kind of walk. Hank spots John and they do their traditional bear hug. We sit at a table where I can look around. Oh boy, the adjoining table has kids! Kids are about my height and always have stuff on their faces I love to lick.

 

Rosanna and John introduce us to two of their friends Lois and Pete. They've already eaten and have to get to the concert so we bid temporary adieu, as we'll see them later. Joni and Hank have dinner and I start to sneak over to the kids. Gently, I am reminded that I can't play with them as I'm working tonight.

 

The Raritan River Music Festival draws a huge crowd. Alternately, strings play, the author, Frank McCourt reads passages from his book, Angela's Ashes, and the audience applauds. Every time they applaud, I stand up and take a bow. After all, they are applauding me, aren't they? The evening events come to an end. We take a walk and retire for the evening.

 

Bright and early next morning, we visit Rosanna and John. The humans have breakfast in the dining area leaving the side door open to the deck. Joni gives me the command, "Free" which means I can do what I want on the deck and in the back yard. I investigate, running up the hill, running down the hill and running all around. I like running.

 

Why don't I just go out and sniff around a bit. They're talking and won't miss me if I leave for just a few minutes.  There is a gate. Shall I jump over it? Don't have to. The gate is slightly ajar.

 

Wow – all these smells! I smell a cat, chipmunks, deer, dogs and horses! I love deer, dogs and horses. Cats not so much. Joni likes to go horseback riding and once took me to the stables. Great sniffing opportunities at the stables

 

I love this. There is so much to see and sniff - where do I begin? Go up the hill? Visit the neighbors? Why don't I just meander across the road into the pasture below and make new friends?

 

Oh-oh! A human found me. Here we go – up into the car – back to John and Rosanna's. Wonder how she knew where to take me? There's Joni and Hank. Everyone is waiting for me. They are not applauding. I'll go right up and lick them! They're talking about me to Cindy, the nice lady who found me, as if I was lost. I put a scare into Joni and Hank but I wasn't lost. I was sniffing!

 

We must go back to Long Island. I think I'll sleep. Who wants to listen to country music anyway?

 

We're home now. There is Midnight the Cat chasing squirrels! I think I'll chase Midnight. Wonder if we'll take a walk on the beach or visit the deer along the trail to the lighthouse?   I love the salty sea air, sniffing deer and chasing sea gulls! - Yana