Telecommunications and information technology are key components in our ability to respond to disaster. As real time information is collected, it is available immediately to all participants in relief effort. Other technology – in particular military technology, can easily serve a duel use purpose in a disaster. The same troop transports designed to carry soldiers to war can carry refugees from a disaster. The same photo reconnaissance aircraft used to spy on enemies can provide a clear view of extent of damage. The same technology used to collect electronic intelligence can locate attempts to use mobile phones, radios, and even audio signals of people stranded in remote areas. Infrared scanning used to identify enemy soldiers in a bunker or building can just as easily locate a family stranded in a jungle.

If you compare current response to Indian Ocean tsunami to effects of tsunami damage following eruption of Krakatoa volcano in 1883 (http://www.drgeorgepc.com/Vocano1883Krakatoa.html ), you can see extent of damage from that disaster was not even known for several decades.

In most cases disaster cannot be predicted. We are making progress predicting earthquakes, hurricanes, and eruptions – however science is no closer to effective disaster prediction than we are in fully understanding human genome. Through effective use of communications, information technology, and duel use military/civilian technology transfer, we are getting much closer to reducing level of pain following an event.

2005 will be a big year in further exploiting potential of Internet and communications-related technology. Given positive moves toward regional cooperation in activities such as MPAT, we should be encouraged our governments understand need and role of technology in planning – was well as responding – to regional disaster.

Impressive features: With satellite radio you can enjoy a range of impressive features and additional benefits that will make listening to radio all more enjoyable, and will offer even more choice. You can get parental block controls in order to allow parents to stop their kids from listening to explicit programming. You can also enjoy receiving music track information with digital radio, so you can instantly find out details about which artist or song is playing. This information is actually displayed via satellite transmission on actual controller.

Unique programming: With satellite radio you can enjoy access to programming that is not available on regular AM/FM radio. For example, due to lack of FCC regulations you can access racier or more controversial content, which on AM/FM radio may be prohibited. The child control features ensure that this content is only accessed by person in control of satellite radio and not by kids or any other unauthorized listener. Satellite radio also offers some exclusive interviews with celebrities, so you could find yourself listening to an exclusive in-studio interview with your favorite star.

Perfect for driving: One pet peeve with many drivers is that when they are listening to radio, signal fades intermittently as they drive to and from different areas. This means that whether you are listening to your favorite show or your favorite music, you can lose signal. You then have to spend time looking for an alternative channel – which can be difficult and even dangerous when you are driving. With satellite radio, you can enjoy uninterrupted, crystal clear sound without loss of signal and without need to keep changing channels.

Satellite radio: affordable choice of next generation

Just as kids of today don’t remember life without CD players and satellite television, new generation will become totally accustomed to satellite radio, which is already becoming more and more popular. Again, just like local and terrestrial channels on television, you will still be able to enjoy AM/FM radio in future, but as time goes on more and more households and drivers will be enjoying benefits of satellite.

Whether you enjoy listening to radio in house or whether you like to have on some funky tunes as you drive, you will enjoy ultimate in radio entertainment with satellite radio. You can enjoy all sorts of entertainment, from news and sports to music and talk radio. Just like regular radio, you can ring in and enter competitions or simply to express opinions. And super quality available with satellite radio will ensure that you get to enjoy your favorite music and shows with minimal disruption and high definition sound.

The choice of subscription packages available from two main satellite radio providers also makes it easy and affordable to enjoy satellite radio. Whether you want to pay on a monthly basis or whether you want to subscribe for one year or more, you can enjoy low prices. You can even subscribe for a lifetime with Sirius, and longer you subscribe for cheaper your subscription works out. So, high quality radio entertainment could cost even less than you imagine.

If you have had satellite or cable television in your home for a while, chances are that you can barely remember what television entertainment was like before you had satellite or cable. You probably can’t imagine television entertainment without choice and quality that you now have. Well, same can be said of satellite radio. In a few years, many households and drivers will have forgotten what radio entertainment was like before crystal clear quality and excellent choice of satellite radio came along.