In my days as a realtor I became familiar with the issues involved in radon testing.
Home buyers had the right to demand radon tests and to abrogate a contract should the emission level be high than EPA standards and the sellers unwilling to provide remedial measures involving ventillation systems. During the housing bubble buyers frequently were forced to overlook such niceties as home inspections, not to speak of radon testing.
"The brick walls are there for a reason ... to show us how badly we want something," he said. "Because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want it badly enough. They're there to stop the other people."
-- Randy Pausch
______
Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, died yesterday of cancer. He was -- and remains -- a true inspiration to millions.
The video is long, but very inspirational and entertaining.
From the YouTube page:
______
Carnegie Mellon Professor Randy Pausch (Oct. 23, 1960 - July 25, 2008) gave his last lecture at the university Sept. 18, 2007, before a packed McConomy Auditorium. In his moving presentation, "Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams," Pausch talked about his lessons learned and gave advice to students on how to achieve their own career and personal goals. For more, visit www.cmu.edu/randyslecture.
______
This is an Open Thread.
Hat-tip Shellie for the reminder.
July 12 (Bloomberg) -- Tony Snow, a former press secretary to President George W. Bush who brought his outspoken style as a Fox News commentator to the White House, died in Washington early today of cancer. He was 53.
..snip...
There has been an outpouring of support for Senator Ted Kennedy as the sad news was delivered today, of Kennedy's malignant brain tumor.
Senator Ted Kennedy recently endorsed Barack Obama. "I know what America can achieve, I've seen it. I've lived it. And with Barack Obama, we can do it again," Kennedy said.
Senator Kennedy has "lived it." Considered the most effective Senator, he has led the way in the fight for social justice and is responsible for the passage of some of the most critical legislation of our time.
The family of Marine Sgt. Carmelo Rodriguez says military doctors misdiagnosed his skin cancer. Now, as Byron Pitts reports, they wants the U.S. government held accountable for his untimely death.
Senior Airman Frances Gavalis tosses unserviceable uniform items into a burn pit at Balad Air Base, Iraq.
