An unusual volcanic eruption re-visited

Recently I heard from an old friend who has moved to Alaska, and the mention of the volcanoes that stand in sight of him reminded me of the enigmatic `Mt.Katmai' eruption. The eruption of Mt. Katmai Alaska began on a day that in later decades would take on greater immortality, June 6th. But this was not 1944, and the D-Day invasion, but 1912. Of course that year boasted another famous event, the sinking of the RMS Titanic after striking an iceberg.

In fact, Katmai's "eruption" (the reason for the qualifier will be related later on) followed less than two months after that disaster, and coupled with the utter remoteness of Alaska at that time, and the minimal loss of life, probably was one of the factors that caused it to be somewhat forgotten despite the scale of its cataclysm. However, the natural wonder that it produced in its aftermath, "The Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes" is somewhat more familiar to the general public, and imminently so to students of geological processes.

Before describing the event, its worthy to notice that it showcased the rise of a very familiar institution of the present -- National Geographic Magazine. Together with the great and devastating eruptions of Mt. Pelee and Mt. Soufriere in the Caribbean in May 1902, the eruption at Katmai and the expedition to chronicle its wonders would open up a whole new phase in exploration, and six years after result in the creation of a new National Monument in 1918, which in 1980 was upgraded to a National Park.

(Note: to return later, it seems I have lost some of my writing, and have to re-post it, arggh. Going to bed now, apologies).

KATMAI Caldera in modern times. The caldera from the collapsed mountain peak is so huge that not only does it contain a lake, but an entire glacier has formed inside it (upper side bank of caldera in view)which feeds the lake. Sporadic underwater eruptions have occurred since 1912.

America needs a "Damnatio Memoriae" for spree shooters

This week started with the tragic and senseless shooting of more than thirty students at Virginia Tech by a deranged and selfish student himself. Let me preface by saying the other day Dennis Miller opined a most useful and wise outlook -- to `give a pass for the first 48 hours' to any emotional outbursts or frustrated rage at a senseless mass killing, whether a Virginia Tech or 9/11. I think that is most sagacious of Dennis Miller, and have taken it to heart. I put my own hasty comment of that day as it was still happening in that category. Senseless things often trigger frustrated wish to see them speedily corrected. What follows though is not an emotional complaint, but a reasoned proposal. For, in the Virginia Tech shooting the aftermath saw something senseless as well, if not at all in the same magnitude.

Namely, the hasty and almost salivating airing of the culprit's video-taped statement/confession and rantings that he took the time to send to NBC in between two phases of killings. This was a classic case of a killer, a culprit and cretin, seeking to use the media to create and promote some kind of posthumous legacy for himself. There was nothing for `society at large' to learn from such rantings, or `should understand'. It was notoriety-seeking pure and simple, and so shameless as to mail it to NBC. Even worse, the network `fell for it' - much to their subsequent and deserved censure by relatives of victims and the public alike. This kind of `giving a platform' should not be tolerated for the emotion can find echo in others that might not otherwise respond to an abstract event; and in fact, the culprit's "statement" brought up the Columbine high school shootings as a role model. This incident underlines an acute lack we have in our system today -- a way of punishing or otherwise censuring spree-shooting culprits posthumously. Though it can hardly classify as a "deterrent" since the perpetrator is dead in each case, something to discourage or blunt so-called "copycat" crimes is needed. Indeed, there have been reports of such `copycat' threats, fortunately quelled, this past week.

The proposal: spree killers who commit suicide or are slain at the scene should not be named much, but in all subsequent references given a number or similar dismissive reference comprising the date of the crime and demise. No "statements" or "manifestos" should be run, aired, or otherwise disseminated. They should remain in archives, publicly accessible for those who really want to go to the trouble to research it, but not "blasted nationally" across the airwaves. This should carry fines if violated, and could be a bona-fide `after-suicide' punishment. It would also create a certain banality and abstract nature to the crime, give it less notoriety, allowing it to be quickly forgotten and consigned to the mists of the past. This is one way to partly deter repetition, by taking any perceived `reward' or `glamor' out of it. It would not take away any lessons for authorities to learn, but would remove its aura. A footnote burial of the deed, as it were.

We have seen what many have suspected for some time, and that is that certain spree-shootings are inspired as much by precedent as any secondary causes like video-games, bullying, etc. Since they usually shoot themselves, its necessary to find a way to rebuke and otherwise abolish any legacy resulting. In Egyptian and Roman times, there was a process called "Damnatio Memoriae" by which one's name could be effaced and mention separated from any deeds. We need something like that for those who evade justice by taking their life after selfishly killing others, rather than simply killing themselves, which would be unfortunate but unselfish and honest.

- Antony

Tragic, Terrible Story of Crime - Virginia Tech

I am shocked, only two days after posting an example of a noble thief, of a perpetrator with a heart, now this morming we are hearing of a heartless gunman killing as many as 15 students so far at Virgina Tech campus. :(

The gunman should *not* be taken alive, simply shot down upon sight if they send in rescue troopers. A standoff is apparently in progress, and one wonders if it might be necessary to use gas to knock out all before he can kill others. Details are unclear, but history shows that the chance of dashing in to gun down the culprit before he can kill others must be taken. Crack marksman can do so in the wild moment of surprise as they storm in. Let's pray so.

Given the precedent with the type of culprit, will probably commit suicide first.

- Antony

Happy Story for once about a crime...?

This is so unusual I chose to make it a subject about where its vital to not follow the letter of the law, but a nobler spirit of brotherhood.

WFTV has posted a startling surveillance video from a convenience store in Florida, with the caption: "An apologetic Florida thief allowed the store clerk he was robbing to call 911 when the 60-year-old said she thought was having a heart attack. (April 13)"

Click to see video of noble thief.


Not only did he try to call for her on the land line, but let her get her
cell phone when it wouldn't work. He didn't even finish committing the crime as well as letting her call! An announcement should be put on the TV by Governor Jeb Bush if necessary, whoever has the authority, saying, "Whoever you are in this film, you know who you are. Be aware you have been pardoned in absentia for this act. The record has been purged. Forget it and tell no one. You have another chance, turn your life around and sin no more." :) :)

This is especially true if he has no major prior record. There is a good soul there and deserves such a chance in my own opinion, fwiw. With today's news so numbingly pessimistic, I wanted to single this out.

- Antony