This is the bus schedule for some buses in Chokai, Yurihonjo, Akita. There are no trains in Chokai. I transcribed and translated this from Japanese ─ see http://busnavi.g.ribbon.to/line/chokai/chokai.php.

In Chokai, bus drivers will pick up passengers anywhere along the route. Even if you are not at a bus stop, wave to the driver to get on the bus. Bus drivers will let passengers off anywhere along the route, too.

これは鳥海町のバス時間割です。鳥海町は秋田県の由利本荘市の一部です。

Sarukura Line: To Chokaisō Bus number 1 2 3 Days off Saturdays ・ Sundays ・ holidays Starting point Chokai Town Office Chokai Town Office 06:55 11:45 16:10 Chokai Medical Center 06:57 11:47 16:12 Kaizawa 07:01 11:51 16:16 Shimo-Sainokami 07:05 11:05 16:20 Kami-Sainokami 07:08 11:58 16:23 Miyanosawa 07:10 12:00 16:25 Sarukura Kaikan 07:12 12:02 16:27 Chokaisō 07:15 12:05 16:30 Ending point Chokaisō

猿倉線：鳥海荘行き 番号 1 2 3 運休 土 ・ 日 ・ 祝日 始発駅 鳥海総合支所前 鳥海総合支所前 06:55 11:45 16:10 鳥海診療所前 06:57 11:47 16:12 貝沢 07:01 11:51 16:16 下才ノ神 07:05 11:05 16:20 上才ノ神 07:08 11:58 16:23 宮ノ沢 07:10 12:00 16:25 猿倉会館 07:12 12:02 16:27 鳥海荘 07:15 12:05 16:30 行先 鳥海荘

Sarukura Line: To Chokai Town Office Bus number 1' 2' 3' Days off Saturdays ・ Sundays ・ holidays Starting point Chokaisō Chokaisō 07:16 12:31 16:31 Sarukura Kaikan 07:19 12:34 16:34 Miyanosawa 07:21 12:36 16:36 Kami-Sainokami 07:23 12:38 16:38 Shimo-Sainokami 07:26 12:41 16:41 Kaizawa 07:31 12:46 16:46 Chokai Medical Center 07:35 12:50 16:50 Chokai Town Office 07:36 12:51 16:51 Ending point Chokai Town Office

猿倉線：鳥海総合支所行き 番号 1' 2' 3' 運休 土 ・ 日 ・ 祝日 始発駅 鳥海荘 鳥海荘 07:16 12:31 16:31 猿倉会館 07:19 12:34 16:34 宮ノ沢 07:21 12:36 16:36 上才ノ神 07:23 12:38 16:38 下才ノ神 07:26 12:41 16:41 貝沢 07:31 12:46 16:46 鳥海診療所前 07:35 12:50 16:50 鳥海総合支所前 07:36 12:51 16:51 行先 鳥海総合支所前

Naka-Hitane Line: To Kawakuma and Shimo-Momoyake Bus number 1 2 3 4 Days off Saturdays ・ Sundays ・ holidays Starting point Chokai Town Office Chokai Town Office 06:00 09:50 11:45 16:10 Chokai Medical Center 06:01 09:51 11:46 16:11 Nagasaka 06:06 09:55 11:51 16:16 Kuride 06:08 09:58 11:53 16:18 Ōkawabata 06:09 09:59 11:54 16:19 Shimo-Hitane 06:12 10:02 11:57 16:22 Hitane Preschool 06:13 10:03 11:58 16:23 Hitane Medical Center 06:14 10:04 11:59 16:24 Hitane Branch Office 06:15 10:05 12:00 16:25 Isonosawa 06:18 10:08 12:03 16:28 Magaki 06:20 10:10 12:05 16:30 Yamasaki 06:22 10:12 12:07 16:32 Ogunai 06:25 10:15 12:10 16:35 Kawakuma 06:28 10:18 12:13 16:38 Ogunai 06:31 10:21 12:16 16:41 Yamasaki 06:34 10:24 12:19 16:44 Nakamura 06:42 10:32 12:27 16:52 Shimo-Momoyake 06:45 10:35 12:30 16:55 Ending point Shimo-Momoyake

中直根線：川熊・下百宅行き 番号 1 2 3 4 運休 土 ・ 日 ・ 祝日 始発駅 鳥海総合支所前 鳥海総合支所前 06:00 09:50 11:45 16:10 鳥海診療所前 06:01 09:51 11:46 16:11 長坂 06:06 09:55 11:51 16:16 栗出 06:08 09:58 11:53 16:18 大川端 06:09 09:59 11:54 16:19 下直根 06:12 10:02 11:57 16:22 直根保育園 06:13 10:03 11:58 16:23 直根診療所 06:14 10:04 11:59 16:24 直根出張所 06:15 10:05 12:00 16:25 礒ノ沢 06:18 10:08 12:03 16:28 馬垣 06:20 10:10 12:05 16:30 山サキ 06:22 10:12 12:07 16:32 大宮内 06:25 10:15 12:10 16:35 川熊 06:28 10:18 12:13 16:38 大宮内 06:31 10:21 12:16 16:41 山サキ 06:34 10:24 12:19 16:44 中村 06:42 10:32 12:27 16:52 下百宅 06:45 10:35 12:30 16:55 行先 下百宅

Naka-Hitane Line: To Chokai Town Office Bus number 1' 2' 3' 4' Days off Saturdays ・ Sundays ・ holidays Starting point Shimo-Momoyake Shimo-Momoyake 06:47 10:37 12:47 16:57 Nakamura 06:50 10:40 12:50 17:00 Yamasaki 06:59 10:49 12:59 17:09 Ogunai 07:02 10:52 13:02 17:12 Kawakuma 07:05 10:55 13:05 17:15 Ogunai 07:08 10:58 13:08 17:18 Yamasaki 07:11 11:01 13:11 17:21 Magaki 07:13 11:03 13:13 17:23 Isonosawa 07:15 11:05 13:15 17:25 Hitane Branch Office 07:18 11:08 13:18 17:28 Hitane Medical Center 07:20 11:10 13:20 17:30 Hitane Preschool 07:21 11:11 13:21 17:31 Shimo-Hitane 07:22 11:12 13:22 17:32 Ōkawabata 07:25 11:15 13:25 17:35 Kuride 07:26 11:16 13:26 17:36 Nagasaka 07:28 11:18 13:28 17:38 Chokai Medical Center 07:33 11:23 13:33 17:43 Chokai Town Office 07:35 11:25 13:35 17:45 Ending point Chokai Town Office

中直根線：鳥海総合支所行き 番号 1' 2' 3' 4' 運休 土 ・ 日 ・ 祝日 始発駅 下百宅 下百宅 06:47 10:37 12:47 16:57 中村 06:50 10:40 12:50 17:00 山サキ 06:59 10:49 12:59 17:09 大宮内 07:02 10:52 13:02 17:12 川熊 07:05 10:55 13:05 17:15 大宮内 07:08 10:58 13:08 17:18 山サキ 07:11 11:01 13:11 17:21 馬垣 07:13 11:03 13:13 17:23 礒ノ沢 07:15 11:05 13:15 17:25 直根出張所 07:18 11:08 13:18 17:28 直根診療所 07:20 11:10 13:20 17:30 直根保育園 07:21 11:11 13:21 17:31 下直根 07:22 11:12 13:22 17:32 大川端 07:25 11:15 13:25 17:35 栗出 07:26 11:16 13:26 17:36 長坂 07:28 11:18 13:28 17:38 鳥海診療所 07:33 11:23 13:33 17:43 鳥海総合支所前 07:35 11:25 13:35 17:45 行先 鳥海総合支所前

Sarakawa Line: To Sarakawa Bus number 1 2 3 Days off Saturdays ・ Sundays ・ holidays Starting point Hottoin Chokai Hottoin Chokai 09:35 12:10 14:15 Jinego Branch Office 09:37 12:12 14:17 Fukujima 09:42 12:17 14:22 Bunabuchi 09:43 12:18 14:23 Harimizu Kaikan 09:49 12:24 14:29 Akakura 09:56 12:31 14:36 Tōgenozawa 10:00 12:35 14:40 Sarakawa 10:05 12:40 14:45 Ending point Sarakawa

皿川線：皿川方面行き 番号 1 2 3 運休 土 ・ 日 ・ 祝日 始発駅 ほっといん鳥海 ほっといん鳥海 09:35 12:10 14:15 笹子出張所 09:37 12:12 14:17 福島 09:42 12:17 14:22 模渕 09:43 12:18 14:23 針水会館 09:49 12:24 14:29 赤倉 09:56 12:31 14:36 峠ノ沢 10:00 12:35 14:40 皿川 10:05 12:40 14:45 行先 皿川

Sarakawa Line: To Hottoin Chokai Bus number 1' 2' 3' Days off Saturdays ・ Sundays ・ holidays Starting point Sarakawa Sarakawa 10:10 12:40 14:50 Tōgenozawa 10:15 12:45 14:55 Akakura 10:19 12:49 14:59 Harimizu Kaikan 10:26 12:56 15:06 Bunabuchi 10:32 13:02 15:12 Fukujima 10:34 13:04 15:14 Hottoin Chokai 10:36 13:06 15:16 Jinego Branch Office 10:40 13:10 15:20 Ending point Jinego Branch Office

皿川線：ほっといん鳥海行き Bus number 1' 2' 3' 運休 土 ・ 日 ・ 祝日 始発駅 皿川 皿川 10:10 12:40 14:50 峠ノ沢 10:15 12:45 14:55 赤倉 10:19 12:49 14:59 針水会館 10:26 12:56 15:06 模渕 10:32 13:02 15:12 福島 10:34 13:04 15:14 ほっといん鳥海 10:36 13:06 15:16 笹子出張所 10:40 13:10 15:20 行先 笹子出張所

The following is a letter I wrote that appeared in the Grand Forks Herald on August 17th, 2010. The title it was given (not my choice) is, "Show me the evidence against gay marriage".

YURIHONJO, Japan — In his Aug. 16 column, Herald columnist Lloyd Omdahl makes the same mistake Proposition 8 supporters made in the trial ("Judge missed the compelling state purpose," Page A4).

Omdahl says that bans on gay marriage ought to be constitutional because they promote a compelling state interest — "safety of the public" — but he presents no facts to back that up.

Omdahl writes, "[Judge Walker] went far afield with a number of unfounded suppositions and conclusions without recognizing any compelling state purpose for protecting the benefits of traditional marriage."

But to be constitutional, Prop 8 needed to have a basis in something other than a private moral or religious belief.

At the trial, Prop 8 supporters argued two key points: that Prop 8 promotes stable relationships because men and women naturally produce children, and that Prop 8 promotes optimal households for raising children properly.

But expert witness testimony showed that these claims are mere guesswork, unsupported by evidence.

Thus, the judge struck down Prop 8.

Here, Omdahl briefly mentions "public safety" but never says what that means. If gay and lesbian couples get married, are they going to do something dangerous? Omdahl never explains how gay marriage is a public safety issue — probably because it isn't.

In fact, evidence in the Prop 8 trial showed that gay and lesbian parents are as good at raising children as heterosexual parents. Also in the Prop 8 trial, even the star witness for Prop 8 admitted, "Gay marriage might contribute over time to a decline in anti-gay prejudice [and] a reduction in anti-gay hate crimes." This is the exact opposite of Omdahl's claim that legalizing gay marriage threatens public safety.

States can't discriminate based on sexual orientation without a "compelling state purpose." Religion doesn't qualify, and neither do vague and unfounded assertions of "safety of the public."

If Omdahl wants to oppose gay marriage, he might start by looking for a reason grounded in fact, not thin air.

Douglas Perkins

This is a nice recipe for cornbread. It's a modification of the 1979 Fannie Farmer Cookbook recipe.

1. In a big bowl, mix 3/4 cup yellow cornmeal, 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 3 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt.
2. Add 1 cup milk, 1 egg (beaten), and 2 tbsp melted butter. Mix well.
3. Pour into a hot buttered 6" or 8" cast iron fry pan.
4. Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 20 minutes.
5. Let cool and eat.

This is an old and wonderful recipe for chocolate chip cookies. It's a modification of the 1979 Fannie Farmer Cookbook recipe, which is actually much older.

1. Soften 2 sticks (200 g) butter.
2. Add 1 cup (235 cc) white sugar and 1 cup (235 cc) brown sugar. Mix well.
3. Add 2 eggs and 1 1/2 tsp vanilla. Mix well.
4. In a separate bowl, mix 2 1/4 cups (530 cc) flour, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp baking soda. Add to big mixture.
5. Add 1 cup (210 cc) walnuts (or chestnuts or almonds) and 2 cups (475 cc) semi-sweet chocolate chips. Mix well.
6. Place on buttered cookie sheet.
7. Bake at 375°F (191°C) for 8-10 minutes or until light brown.
8. Let cool, eat, enjoy!

This is the bus schedule for the Yashima-Jinego Line, Chokai, Yurihonjo, Akita. There are no trains in Chokai, and this bus goes along Highway 108, the main highway. This list is a translation from Japanese ─ see http://busnavi.g.ribbon.to/line.php?line=28.

The only other buses in Chokai go to Naka-Hitane, Sarukura, and Sarakawa. The information is online in Japanese ─ see http://busnavi.g.ribbon.to/line/chokai/chokai.php.

Yashima-Jinego Line (Line 28): To Jinego

Bus number	JNK01	JNK03	YSM05	JNK07	YSM15	JNK11	YSM21	JNK15
Days off	Sundays holidays	Saturdays Sundays holidays	ー	Sundays holidays	ー	Sundays holidays	ー	ー
Starting point	Yashima Bus Station		Honjo Bus Station	Yashima Bus Station	Honjo Bus Station	Yashima Bus Station	Honjo Bus Station	Yashima Bus Station
Yashima Bus Station	06:30	07:10	09:30	11:25	14:30	15:50	17:10	18:50
Tatemachi	06:30	07:10	09:30	11:25	14:30	15:50	17:10	18:50
Aramachi Corner	06:30	07:10	09:30	11:25	14:30	15:50	17:10	18:50
Yashima Station	06:32	07:12	09:32	11:27	14:32	15:52	17:12	18:52
Toyomachi Corner	06:32	07:12	09:32	11:27	14:32	15:52	17:12	18:52
Toyomachi	06:32	07:12	09:32	11:27	14:32	15:52	17:12	18:52
Sakaemachi	06:32	07:12	09:32	11:27	14:32	15:52	17:12	18:52
Ōkawara	06:33	07:13	09:33	11:28	14:33	15:53	17:13	18:53
Aramachi	06:34	07:14	09:34	11:29	14:34	15:54	17:14	18:54
Shinjo	06:35	07:15	09:35	11:30	14:35	15:55	17:15	18:55
Kami-Shinjo	06:36	07:16	09:36	11:31	14:36	15:56	17:16	18:56
Gonai	06:38	07:18	09:38	11:33	14:38	15:58	17:18	18:58
Dōbutsuzaka	06:39	07:19	09:39	11:34	14:39	15:59	17:19	18:59
Tsubofuchi	06:41	07:21	09:41	11:36	14:41	16:01	17:21	19:01
Yanomoto	06:42	07:22	09:42	11:37	14:42	16:02	17:22	19:02
Tsurugataira	06:43	07:23	09:43	11:38	14:43	16:03	17:23	19:03
Shimo-Fushimi	06:45	07:25	09:45	11:40	14:45	16:05	17:25	19:05
Naka-Fushimi	06:46	07:26	09:46	11:41	14:46	16:06	17:26	19:06
Chokai Town Office	06:49	07:29	09:49	11:44	14:49	16:09	17:29	19:09
Chokai Medical Center	06:49	07:29	09:49	11:44	14:49	16:09	17:29	19:09
Fushimizawa	06:49	07:29	09:49	11:44	14:49	16:09	17:29	19:09
Sagenabe	06:49	07:29	09:49	11:44	14:49	16:09	17:29	19:09
Shimo-Hirane	06:50	07:30	09:50	11:45	14:50	16:10	17:30	19:10
Hirane	06:50	07:30	09:50	11:45	14:50	16:10	17:30	19:10
Kami-Hirane	06:52	07:34	09:52	11:47	14:52	16:12	17:32	19:12
Shōdeyachi	06:52	--:--	09:52	11:47	14:52	16:12	17:32	19:12
Naranokidaira	06:55	--:--	09:55	11:50	14:55	16:15	17:35	19:15
Kogawa	06:57	--:--	09:57	11:52	14:57	16:17	17:37	19:17
Okanai	06:59	--:--	09:59	11:54	14:59	16:19	17:39	19:19
Tōge	07:00	--:--	10:00	11:55	15:00	16:20	17:40	19:20
Shimo-Neko	07:01	--:--	10:01	11:56	15:01	16:21	17:41	19:21
Neko	07:02	--:--	10:02	11:57	15:02	16:22	17:42	19:22
Sannotsubo	07:04	--:--	10:04	11:59	15:04	16:24	17:44	19:24
Seme	07:05	--:--	10:05	12:00	15:05	16:25	17:45	19:25
Motoyashiki	07:07	--:--	10:07	12:01	15:07	16:27	17:47	19:27
Kami-Sugisawa	07:08	--:--	10:08	12:02	15:08	16:28	17:48	19:28
Hottoin Chokai	07:12	--:--	10:12	12:07	15:12	16:32	17:52	19:32
Kami-Jinego	07:12	--:--	10:12	12:07	--:--	--:--	17:52	19:32
Nakamura	07:13	--:--	10:13	12:08	--:--	--:--	17:53	19:33
Tenjin Kawakuma Corner	07:14	--:--	10:14	12:09	--:--	--:--	17:54	19:34
Hinotosō	07:16	--:--	10:16	12:11	--:--	--:--	17:56	19:36
Tagabana	07:18	--:--	10:18	12:13	--:--	--:--	17:58	19:38
Kami-Noyake	07:21	--:--	10:21	12:16	--:--	--:--	18:01	19:41
Ending point	Kami-Noyake	Kami-Hirane	Kami-Noyake		Hottoin Chokai		Kami-Noyake

Yashima-Jinego Line (Line 28): To Yashima and Honjo

Bus number	YSM54	YSM56	YSM58	JNK08
Days off	Sundays holidays	Saturdays Sundays holidays school holidays	Saturdays Sundays holidays	ー
Starting point	Kami-Noyake	Kami-Hirane		Kami-Noyake
Kami-Noyake	06:05	--:--	--:--	07:25
Tagabana	06:05	--:--	--:--	07:25
Hinotosō	06:06	--:--	--:--	07:26
Tenjin Kawakuma Corner	06:08	--:--	--:--	07:28
Nakamura	06:09	--:--	--:--	07:29
Kami-Jinego	06:10	--:--	--:--	07:30
Hottoin Chokai	06:14	--:--	--:--	07:34
Kami-Sugisawa	06:14	--:--	--:--	07:34
Motoyashiki	06:15	--:--	--:--	07:35
Seme	06:17	--:--	--:--	07:37
Sannotsubo	06:18	--:--	--:--	07:38
Neko	06:20	--:--	--:--	07:40
Shimo-Neko	06:21	--:--	--:--	07:41
Tōge	06:22	--:--	--:--	07:42
Okanai	06:23	--:--	--:--	07:43
Kogawa	06:25	--:--	--:--	07:45
Naranokidaira	06:27	--:--	--:--	07:47
Shōdeyachi	06:30	--:--	--:--	07:50
Kami-Hirane	06:30	07:05	07:35	07:50
Hirane	06:30	07:05	07:35	07:50
Shimo-Hirane	06:32	07:05	07:35	07:52
Sagenabe	06:33	07:06	07:36	07:53
Fushimizawa	06:33	07:06	07:36	07:53
Chokai Medical Center	06:33	07:06	07:36	07:53
Chokai Town Office	06:37	07:10	07:40	07:57
Naka-Fushimi	06:37	07:10	07:40	07:57
Shimo-Fushimi	06:37	07:10	07:40	07:57
Tsurugataira	06:39	07:12	07:42	07:59
Yanomoto	06:40	07:13	07:43	08:00
Tsubofuchi	06:41	07:14	07:44	08:01
Dōbutsuzaka	06:44	07:17	07:47	08:04
Gonai	06:45	07:18	07:48	08:05
Kami-Shinjo	06:46	07:19	07:49	08:06
Shinjo	06:47	07:20	07:50	08:07
Aramachi	06:48	07:21	07:51	08:08
Ōkawara	06:49	07:22	07:52	08:12
Sakaemachi	06:50	07:23	07:53	08:13
Toyomachi	06:51	07:24	07:54	08:14
Toyomachi Corner	06:51	07:24	07:54	08:14
Yashima Station	06:54	07:27	07:57	08:17
Aramachi Corner	06:54	07:27	07:57	08:17
Tatemachi	06:54	07:27	07:57	08:17
Yashima Bus Station	06:56	07:29	07:59	08:19
Ending point	Yashima Bus Station (Honjo Bus Station)	Yashima Bus Station (Yuri Technical High School)	Yashima Bus Station (Honjo Bus Station)	Yashima Bus Station

Yashima-Jinego Line (Line 28): To Yashima and Honjo (continued)

Bus number	JNK10	JNK12	YSM74	JNK16	JNK18
Days off	ー
Starting point	Kami-Noyake		Hottoin Chokai		Kami-Noyake
Kami-Noyake	10:30	12:25	--:--	--:--	18:05
Tagabana	10:30	12:25	--:--	--:--	18:05
Hinotosō	10:31	12:26	--:--	--:--	18:06
Tenjin Kawakuma Corner	10:33	12:28	--:--	--:--	18:08
Nakamura	10:34	12:29	--:--	--:--	18:09
Kami-Jinego	10:35	12:30	--:--	--:--	18:10
Hottoin Chokai	10:39	12:34	15:39	16:40	18:14
Kami-Sugisawa	10:39	12:34	15:39	16:40	18:14
Motoyashiki	10:40	12:35	15:40	16:41	18:15
Seme	10:42	12:37	15:42	16:43	18:17
Sannotsubo	10:43	12:38	15:43	16:44	18:18
Neko	10:45	12:40	15:45	16:46	18:20
Shimo-Neko	10:46	12:41	15:46	16:47	18:21
Tōge	10:47	12:42	15:47	16:48	18:22
Okanai	10:48	12:43	15:48	16:49	18:23
Kogawa	10:50	12:45	15:50	16:51	18:25
Naranokidaira	10:52	12:47	15:52	16:53	18:27
Shōdeyachi	10:55	12:50	15:55	16:56	18:30
Kami-Hirane	10:55	12:50	15:55	16:56	18:30
Hirane	10:55	12:50	15:55	16:56	18:30
Shimo-Hirane	10:57	12:52	15:57	16:58	18:32
Sagenabe	10:58	12:53	15:58	16:59	18:33
Fushimizawa	10:58	12:53	15:58	16:59	18:33
Chokai Medical Center	10:58	12:53	15:58	16:59	18:33
Chokai Town Office	11:02	12:57	16:02	17:03	18:37
Naka-Fushimi	11:02	12:57	16:02	17:03	18:37
Shimo-Fushimi	11:02	12:57	16:02	17:03	18:37
Tsurugataira	11:04	12:59	16:04	17:05	18:39
Yanomoto	11:05	13:00	16:05	17:06	18:40
Tsubofuchi	11:06	13:01	16:06	17:07	18:41
Dōbutsuzaka	11:09	13:04	16:09	17:10	18:44
Gonai	11:10	13:05	16:10	17:11	18:45
Kami-Shinjo	11:11	13:06	16:11	17:12	18:46
Shinjo	11:12	13:07	16:12	17:13	18:47
Aramachi	11:13	13:08	16:13	17:14	18:48
Ōkawara	11:14	13:09	16:14	17:15	18:49
Sakaemachi	11:15	13:10	16:15	17:16	18:50
Toyomachi	11:16	13:11	16:16	17:17	18:51
Toyomachi Corner	11:16	13:11	16:16	17:17	18:51
Yashima Station	11:19	13:14	16:19	17:20	18:54
Aramachi Corner	11:19	13:14	16:19	17:20	18:54
Tatemachi	11:19	13:14	16:19	17:20	18:54
Yashima Bus Station	11:21	13:16	16:21	17:22	18:56
Ending point	Yashima Bus Station (Honjo Bus Station)	Yashima Bus Station	Yashima Bus Station (Honjo Bus Station)	Yashima Bus Station

The following is a letter I wrote that appeared in the Grand Forks Herald on June 10th, 2010. The title given was, "Court left EPA with no choice on CO2".

YURIHONJO, Japan — Scott Hennen dislikes the Environmental Protection Agency, but his reasons are not grounded in reality ("Will senators stop EPA’s assault on N.D.?", Page A4, June 5).

Hennen says the EPA is "out to regulate" tons of things; but in fact, the EPA has not announced any such plans. Hennen simply is repeating empty propaganda, probably created by people who don’t want the Clean Air Act enforced.

He also claims the EPA is a rogue agency making a "power grab," but this is just not true. The EPA is considering rules on CO2 for two reasons: First, the agency is required by law to protect our air resources for public health, and second, the Supreme Court ordered it to. Regulating CO2 is the EPA’s only reasonable course of action.

Regarding the economy, the Clean Air Act has been around for 47 years. It didn’t stop business growth before, and there’s no reason to think it will now.

Does Hennen believe in regulating dangerous pollution at all? From his letter, it seems not. This is dangerous and short-sighted. Many studies show that if we don’t take reasonable steps to curb global warming, the cost to us and our children will be massive.

Douglas Perkins

I'm on Twitter these days: @douglaspperkins. Give me a tweet if you like.

In the Japanese Karate Association (JKA or 日本空手協会 in Japanese), beginners start off at 10 kyū, with a white belt. Every few months they take a test, advancing down to 1 kyū. There are various belt colors at this point. After 1 kyū is 1st degree black belt (shodan). After 1st degree black belt is 2nd degree black belt (nidan), continuing up to 10th degree.

For kyū tests and low level dan tests, there are three parts -- kihon (fundamentals), kumite (sparring), and kata (forms). Here's a description of the JKA test requirements as of 2010, closely following http://www.jka.or.jp/english/karate/kyu.html.

Level	Requirements
10th-9th kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, jōdan ageuke ->, chūdan sotouke ->, maegeri ->.
	Kumite: none.
	Kata: none.
8th kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, jōdan ageuke ->, chūdan sotouke ->, shutōuke ->, maegeri ->.
	Kumite: Gohon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan.
	Kata: Heian Shodan.
7th kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, jōdan ageuke <-, chūdan sotouke ->, chūdan uchiuke <-, shutōuke ->, maegeri ->, yoko keage (kibadachi) left/right.
	Kumite: Gohon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan.
	Kata: Heian Nidan.
6th kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, jōdan ageuke+gyakutsuki <-, chūdan sotouke+gyakutsuki ->, chūdan uchiuke <-, shutōuke ->, maegeri ->, yoko keage (kibadachi) left/right, yoko kekomi (kibadachi) left/right.
	Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan. Left/right.
	Kata: Heian Sandan.
5th kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, jōdan ageuke+gyakutsuki chūdan <-, sotouke+gyakutsuki ->, chūdan-uchiuke+gyakutsuki <-, shutōuke ->, maegeri ->, mawashigeri ->, yoko keage (kibadachi) left/right, yoko kekomi (kibadachi) left/right.
	Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan/maegeri. Left/right.
	Kata: Heian Yondan.
4th kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, jōdan ageuke+gyakutsuki <-, chūdan sotouke+gyakutsuki ->, chūdan-uchiuke+gyakutsuki <-, shutōuke+nukite (kokutsu-dachi to zenkutsu-dachi) ->, maegeri ->, mawashigeri ->, yoko keage (kibadachi) left/right, yoko kekomi (kibadachi) left/right.
	Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan/maegeri. Left/right.
	Kata: Heian Godan.
3rd kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, sanbon renzuki ->, jōdan ageuke+gyakutsuki <-, chūdan sotouke+yoko enpi (zenkutsu-dachi to kibadachi) ->, chūdan uchiuke+gyakutsuki <-, shutōuke+nukite (kokutsu-dachi to zenkutsu-dachi) ->, maegeri ->, mawashigeri ->, yoko keage (kibadachi) left/right, yoko kekomi (kibadachi) left/right.
	Kumite: Kihon Ippon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan/maegeri/yoko kekomi. Left/right.
	Kata: Tekki Shodan.
2nd kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, sanbon renzuki ->, jōdan ageuke+gyakutsuki <-, chūdan sotouke+yoko enpi (zenkutsu-dachi to kibadachi) ->, chūdan uchiuke+gyakutsuki <-, shutōuke+nukite (kokutsu-dachi to zenkutsu-dachi) ->, maegeri ->, mawashigeri ->, yoko keage (kibadachi) left/right, yoko kekomi (kibadachi) left/right.
	Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan/maegeri/yoko kekomi. Left/right.
	Kata: Student's choice of Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, or Empi.
1st kyū	Kihon: chūdan junzuki ->, sanbon renzuki ->, jōdan ageuke+gyakutsuki <-, chūdan sotouke+yoko enpi+yoko uraken (zenkutsu-dachi to kibadachi) ->, chūdan uchiuke+gyakutsuki <-, shutōuke+nukite (kokutsu-dachi to zenkutsu-dachi) ->, maegeri ->, rengeri (chūdan/jōdan) ->, mawashigeri ->, yoko keage (kibadachi) left/right, yoko kekomi (zenkutsu-dachi) left/right.
	Kumite: Jiyu Ippon Kumite - jōdan/chūdan/maegeri/yoko kekomi/mawashigeri. One side.
	Kata: Student's choice of Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, or Empi.
1st dan	Kihon: sambon renzuki ->, jōdan ageuke+gyakutsuki <-, chudan sotouke+yoko empi+yoko uraken (zenkutsudachi to kibadachi) ->, chudan-uchiuke+kizamizuki+gyakutsuki <-, shutouke+nukite (kokutsudachi to zenkutsudachi) ->, maegeri ->, rengeri (chūdan/jōdan) ->, yoko keage/yoko kekomi (kibadachi, alternate feet), yoko kekomi (zenkutsudachi) ->, mawashigeri ->.
	Kumite: Jiyu Kumite.
	Kata: Student's choice of Bassai-dai, Kanku-dai, Jion, or Empi.
2nd dan	Kihon: kizamizuki+sanbon renzuki ->, maegeri+junzuki ->, yoko keage/yoko kekomi (kibadachi, alternate feet), ageuke+mawashigeri+yoko uraken+chudan junzuki, yoko kekomi+gyakutsuki (zenkutsudachi) ->, mawashigeri+gyakutsuki (zenkutsudachi) ->, maegeri/yoko kekomi/ushirogeri (zenkutsu-dachi, same foot left/right).
	Kumite: Jiyu Kumite.
	Kata: Student's choice of kata.