Year: 2011
Delays in NASA heavy-lift rocket plan stir skeptics
More proof it’s nothing but pork: Witnesses at House committee hearing express strong concerns about the heavy-lift rocket plan (the-program-formerly-called-Constellation) imposed on NASA by Congress.. Key quote:
“We simply do not know what is next,” said Maser, president of Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, which builds the space shuttle’s main engines. “We are in a crisis.”
Hail storm hits Endeavour on launchpad
Hail storm hits Endeavour on launchpad.
Adventures in Federal Budget Cutting
A cautionary tale: Adventures in federal budget cutting.
The experience has been difficult and has caused me some personal problems. I am afraid this will be the case for anyone who tries to cut spending — in the face of an entrenched bureaucracy that thrives on ever-increasing budgets.
A telescope a square kilometer in size
Homeland Security: Witness tampering, political manipulation of FOIA requests, attempted theft of Congressional committee documents
Gotta have your KGB: Homeland Security accused of witness tampering, political manipulation of FOIA requests, and the attempted theft of Congressional committee documents.
Looking inside red giant stars
AARP’s Billion Dollar ObamaCare Windfall
So this is why they lobbied for the crappy bill: AARP’s billion dollar Obamacare windfall.
Almost half of the $500 billion in ObamaCare’s Medicare cuts come out of Medicare Advantage. The cuts don’t kill the program, but they mortally wound it. CBO estimates that the Medicare Advantage program will be cut in half, causing over 7 million seniors to lose their health care coverage. They will be forced to return to traditional Medicare and, in most cases, will need to purchase Medi-Gap coverage.
Using very conservative assumptions (AARP keeps its current share of the Medi-Gap market and premiums don’t rise), this increase in the Medi-Gap market will generate more than $100 million a year in additional license fee revenue for AARP. Over a billion dollars every decade. Keep in mind, this revenue is simply for using AARP’s name, so it is almost pure profit.
Dreamliner: a nightmare for Boeing
Dreamliner: a nightmare for Boeing.
Now CNN reports a deal in Congress for $73 billion in cuts for this year
Now CNN reports a deal in Congress calling for $73 billion in cuts for this year.
Once again, though these amounts are minuscule, I like the political trend, which is blowing increasingly in the direction of cuts, and cuts only.
A new private commercial jet flew at 489 mph on a test flight March 11
Got $4.5 million? A new private commercial jet flew at 489 mph on a test flight March 11.
Ancient Books Uncovered in Jordan May Date to Start of Christianity
Ancient books uncovered in Jordan may date from the start of Christianity. Then again, they may be forgeries.
The books are currently the subject of a dispute between authorities, archeologists and an Israeli Bedouin who smuggled the books into Israel and hid them, claiming they were found by his great-grandfather, The Telegraph reports. Authorities in Jordan want the books returned, since under Jordanian law, they are property of the Kingdom of Jordan, according to the news release. Archeologists in Israel claim the books are forgeries, while British archeologists are committed to saving and studying the ancient scrolls.
Going Broke: Treasury Down to $58.6B in Cash, $130.5B Borrowing Authority
The reckoning is about to arrive: The federal treasury is down to $58.6 billion in cash with only $130.5 billion in borrowing authority.
Meanwhile former Democratic operative George Stephanopoulos reports that a tentative deal between the parties in Congress will finalize the cuts from last year’s budget at $33 billion.
As I said, the reckoning is about to arrive.
Mister Sandman – cover by Pomplamoose
An evening pause:
Messenger in orbit around Mercury
Above, an annotated version of the first orbital image, showing areas of the south pole never before seen.
From the press conference about the first Messenger images from Mercury orbit:
» Read more
A quick summary of the situation in Wisconsin
A quick summary of the legal situation in Wisconsin.
University in Argentina to give Hugo Chavez a journalism award
What does this tell us about the intellectual bankruptcy and political leanings of these academics: The University of La Plata in Argentina is giving Hugo Chavez a journalism award.
Maybe it’s because the leftwing Chavez likes to shut down opposition news organizations.
Geert Wilders: Time to Unmask Muhammad
Geert Wilders: Time to unmask Muhammad.
Anyone who voices criticism of Islam and Muhammad is in grave personal danger – as I have experienced. And whoever attempts to escape from the influence of Islam and Muhammad risks death. We cannot continue to accept this state of affairs. A public debate about the true nature and character of Muhammad can provide insight and support to Muslims all over the world who wish to leave Islam.
Which near-Earth asteroids are ripe for a visit?
Which near-Earth asteroids are ripe for a visit?
Reid suggests that the Democrats might compromise in budget talks
Are they blinking finally? Harry Reid (D-Nevada) suggested yesterday that the Democrats might be willing to compromise in budget talks.