August 20th, 2007
The US Space program has been the pride and joy of Americans and the envy of the world for half a century. Manned missions such as Mercury, Skylab, Gemini and Apollo helped set the tone for the space race and the end of the Cold War. They have also contributed greatly to our understanding of mankind’s significance in the evolution of the cosmos.
But manned space flight is a very expensive and very dangerous undertaking with virtually no margin for error. It has already claimed the lives of about two dozen astronauts since NASA’s birth, if you count training accidents. The original Apollo missions were carried out with technology that -while highly reliable and advanced by 1960’s standards- was slower, less powerful and less advanced than many of today’s laptop and handheld devices. (more…)
August 13th, 2007
Melodrama - 1 a: a work (as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization b: the genre of dramatic literature constituted by such works 2: something resembling a melodrama especially in having a sensational or theatrical quality - © 2006-2007 Merriam-Webster, Incorporated
It’s truly amazing watching Presidential candidates self-destruct, their aspirations evaporating into thin air faster than the exorbitant amounts of soft money they spend attacking their opponents. The recent spate of comments by Barack Obama regarding Pakistan show that regardless of how many degrees one may possess (real or honorary), or how many books they’ve written, it’s still possible to be too young, brash and inexperienced to occupy the office of President of the United States. Consider the following example and then choose your next President carefully.
While chatting up a friendly group of black journalists and trying to whip up resentment against George W. Bush, Obama stated hypothetically that if he were president and the US possessed actionable intelligence on terrorist targets in Pakistani tribal areas; if Pakistan wouldn’t act on those targets, he would. (more…)
August 6th, 2007
History repeats…
The Roman Empire; classic example of an advanced society collapsing under the weight of its own ignorance, debauchery and betrayal. The United States has rumbled down that same path ever since the LSD-dropping, mushroom-taking, orgy-participating days of the 1960’s toasted the brains of much of our current leadership.
What good is representative government if you’re dead?
Over 30 brands of toothpaste containing diethylene glycol…
Vehicle tires
Pet food…
Meat (uh, cardboard…)
Dozens of products made with wheat gluten…
Hundreds of different toys from multiple toy companies resulting in millions of units recalled…
Fireworks…
Picnic tables…
Weight benches…
Propane heaters…
Christmas lights…
Crayons…
Disposable cigarette lighters…
Laptop computer batteries…
Surge protectors…
(more…)