While computer operating systems today are much more secure than just two years ago, there is still some user management necessary. These operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows XP are becoming more and more "user friendly" from a security standpoint. Many potential security problems are locked down by default and the user generally does not need to be concerned with implementing them.

Movies like Deep Impact and Space Cowboys presented stories about major meteorite impacts on Earth. These movies discussed what might happen if a meteor or asteroid was discovered on a collision course with Earth. Both movies involved space ships going to the asteroid and trying to blow it up or deflect it with nuclear weapons. In the end, mankind was saved just in time.

As a member of the water board of a small water district west of Denver, Colorado, I feel safe from the threat of terrorism to our water supply. Our water district serves approximately 1,200 customers with 500 taps. We do not have any large commercial customers, hospitals, industrial complexes or other potential targets of terrorism. Our largest concern has been the prolonged drought, which is in its fifth year.

Much is being made about the "Peak Oil Crisis" in the media today. Gasoline and natural gas prices are high and continue to rise. But what is the "peak oil crisis" and how does it impact our water supply?

Peak Oil is discussed and defined in an excellent book by Kenneth S. Deffeyes entitled "Beyond Oil, The View from Hubbert's Peak".

Not long after "The World is Flat, A brief History of the Twenty-First Century" by Thomas L. Friedman came out, I read the book. I found the theme of the book to be an excellent theme for a web site, especially in internet marketing. My web site specializes in self-publishing, marketing, research and freelance writing, and uses Friedman's comments to emphasize ways to market and reach customers.

The subject of nutrition is very complex. Most of us are aware of the Food Guide Pyramid encouraging us to eat recommended servings of whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy, poultry, fish and complex carbohydrates so we'll get all the protein, vitamins, minerals, and food energy we need to live and thrive.

One would expect that by eating a healthy diet we'd have a very good chance of getting the nutrients we need to stay healthy.

"City ravaged by chain explosions...chemical company razed...oil refineries explode and burn...utilities disrupted...water supply condemned after a fire broke out on a freighter in port."

"Power outage sparks one of the worst water crises in the city's history as all four water pumps go down at once."

"Seven people dead and 2,300 ill after one of the town's wells becomes contaminated with E.

Our water supply and the availability of clean water as well as the potential terrorist threat to our water supply and water infrastructure are issues that are central to our survival as a nation. These issues have very little to do with politics and, yet, both are very much political footballs. Neither issue is discussed or even understood by the general public or elected leaders.

Small water supply systems in the United States typically do not have the resources or expertise to deal with or counter the impact of a contamination event or major water supply disruption. This is especially true of the media storm that could occur if such an event was associated with terrorism. The magnitude of this possibility is much larger than many
citizens and government officials will acknowledge.

Gold was discovered in Colorado in 1859, and drew over 100,000 men and women to the state in hope of finding their fortune. These became the gold rush days of Colorado; the days of the instant millionaire, like Horace and Baby Doe Tabor, the Glory Days of Colorado. My Dad followed in the footsteps of those pioneers.

The earliest gold deposits found were the placer deposits in the gravels along the streams.