Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Spain Disqualifies Israeli Team From Bi-Annual Solar Decathlon

Logo of Ariel University Center of SamariaThe Spanish Government has disqualified the Israeli team from the bi-annual Solar Decathlon because the team is located in “occupied territory” - Samaria. Engineers, architects, solar experts and other visitors to the Solar Decathlon will thus be denied the opportunity to study and benefit from the solar-powered energy-economical “Stretch House” designed and built by students of the Ariel University Center of Samaria.

The Solar Decathlon, organized by the U.S. Department of Energy, has taken place until now in Washington, D.C., but is to take place next month in Spain under the terms of a 2007 agreement between the U.S. and Spain.

The competition features 20 teams from universities around the world that have worked for two years to design and build self-sufficient houses using solar power as their only source of energy. The Israeli team even received 100,000 Euros from the competition organizers to build a 75-square-meter model house in the final stage,

The Ariel University released a statement accusing Spain of violating international charters regarding academic freedom.

Ariel University announced in response that “together with the Foreign Ministry and the Organization of Universities Against Academic Boycotts, we will take all measures to liquidate this phenomenon, which stands in opposition to all standards of scientific and academic freedom.”

Prof. Pascal Rolette, Dean of the School of Architecture in Grenoble, France, wrote to Ariel, “I do not agree with the Spanish decision, because the activity of Ariel University is designed towards academic excellence on behalf of peace. Accept my utmost support in this difficult situation.”

The houses must compete in ten contests: Architecture, Market Viability, Engineering, Lighting Design, Communications, Comfort Zone, Hot Water, Appliances, Home Entertainment, and Net Metering (producing as much energy as the house needs or, preferably, more).

The Ariel University students designed a building they call the “Stretch House.” Inspired by the "Tent of Abraham," the Stretch House is modular, versatile, welcoming and expandable according to its owner's wishes. In its closed state, when additional space is not required, it uses only half the energy necessary to operate a regular house, and when needed, it opens up - much like a modern tent – to include an extra room and more.

The interdisciplinary team of Ariel University students that worked on the project study in various faculties of the university, including Civil and Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Economics and Business Administration, Mass Media and Architecture.

Original source - Israel National News

I am much too disgusted to comment. I will say, however, that Spain must not be allowed to host this competition anymore - or any other international event for that matter.

Friday, September 18, 2009

Better Place to Market Renault Electric Cars in Israel

Renault Z.E. concept car at 2008 Paris Motor ShowThe first Renault electric cars will be available to Israelis beginning in 2008, after Shai Agassi's Better Place, which is building the infrastructure for electric cars in Israel, signed an agreement with Renault this week for the import of the Fluence ZE model. Better Place will handle the importing and sales, with motorists who buy electric cars "subscribing" to their battery refueling services. Better Place has committed to selling a total of 100,000 vehicles in Israel by 2016.
The FluenceZE is a family size sedan, capable of doing travelling up to 160 KM (100 miles) on single charge. Better Place has designed a battery changing system that can replace an empty battery with a full one within five minutes.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Half of Cars Sold in 2020 to be Electric

Electric carBetter Place founder and CEO Shai Agassi, whose company will be providing services for electric cars in Israel and other countries, says he believes that at least half the cars that will be sold by 2020 will be electric cars. Agassi was speaking at a press conference at the Frankfurt Motor Show Tuesday.

According to the company, some 50 companies have already signed up to buy services from Better Place for electric cars they plan to purchase, representing some 35,000 vehicles. Among the companies planning to convert much of their Israeli fleets to electric cars are Intel, Microsoft, Cisco, Fedex, and others.

Source: Israel National News

Friday, September 11, 2009

One Day in September

Remember 9/11Well, today is a bit of a melancholy day due to the significance of what happened in New York 8 years ago. It's hard to believe it's been 8 years, isn't it? At any rate, I had written a poem on 9/11/02 in the parking lot of a mechanic shop while I was waiting for them to change my oil. This poem was written on the back of a visitor parking pass I'd found in my car. It's not the greatest poem but remember that it was written in about 3 minutes in a parking lot. Just thought I'd share...please take a moment of silence to remember. This post is obviously not about Israel or any liberal issues but the moment to change the world is ours and days like this remind me of that.

One Day in September by Jennifer Newman

One day in September
We went about our day
Didn't know what was coming
Didn't know what to say

One day in September
We didn't suspect a thing
Didn't realize how much they hated us
Or foresee how much evil they could bring.

One day in September
They took everything we had
All our dreams and aspirations
A bizarre deed of the sick and the mad

One day in September
We didn't know just how strong we could be
We came together as a nation
In celebration of liberty

One day in September
A weapon became of a jet
We remember all the fallen
And we must never forget

One day in September
We stop to ponder and pray
We will overcome our enemies
And they won't take our freedom away

One day in September
I promise to remember
Nine eleven
One door away from Heaven....

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Zionist Pigs

Wild pigI am thinking I may have to abandon the Zionist cause. Just look at what Israeli Jews are doing to animals! Picture a classroom full of wild pigs. Picture menacing-looking Jews telling them that they will not be allowed to leave until they master several halakhic intricacies. I bet you, they even make pigs sign something. Why, you ask? These wild pigs are terrorists in training, that's why! According to the Bethlehem-based Ma’an News Agency closely associated with the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority, Israeli settlers in the West Bank are engineering wild pig attacks to prevent Arabs from making use of their harvest. The pigs are expected to differentiate between Jews and Arabs, which is hard enough for a human being – with all that Jewish mother and conversion mess. And they don’t even get a compass to find their way home!

Israeli Arutz Sheva also reports that there are allegations of Zionist use of rats and snakes that are trained to search out and attack Arabs. I couldn’t find corroborating information from other sources, but if I do, I might have to leave Judaism altogether!