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A very persistent trackback spammer who apparently uses a botnet keeps on bugging me. Since I can't disable trackbacks completely (except by editing every single article), I have to block all IPs. If someone has a better solution, please contact me by email.

11:15

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Dutch help underway to the USA

• The Dutch navy dispatches the Hr.Ms. Van Amstel. The Dutch government hasn't waited for a request to be made, but deployed the vessel anyway, as it will take 4 to 5 days to get there from Curaçao.
• Other help has been offered: water management experts, dike engineers, disaster identification teams, systems that can create potable water, F-16 aircraft as well as a defense diving platoon.
• The US Army Corps of Civil Engineers has called for the help of the water management experts of the Technische Universiteit (Technical University) Delft. The latter suggest a New Orleans version of the Delta Works in this newspaper article. One of the Delft experts proposes building an American version of the Oosterscheldekering, which is something we're really proud of around here. Basically it's a dam which doesn't destroy wildlife in river deltas behind it. The Oosterscheldekering is a partially computer-controlled contraption which closes itself automatically during storms, so the environment in the delta behind the Oosterscheldekering remains largely unaffected under normal weather circumstances. Although it's not a cheap solution, there are some important wetlands in the Dutch province of Zeeland. (Yes, I'm a capitalist who thinks proper nature management is a good idea. So sue me.) I believe similar concerns may apply to New Orleans. Hey, as they say: God created the world, we created the Netherlands.
• Dutch residents who want to help out the non-government funded relief organizations can donate to Rode Kruis giro 19800. (I prefer AmeriCares.)
• The guy that sticks his finger in dikes has been banned from travelling to the USA because he's apparently on a terrorism watch list. Sorry, couldn't resist.

9:36

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