Author: Robert Zimmerman
A Fourth of July seder
Man Who Refused To Hand Over Arrest Video Acquitted
A man who correctly refused to hand over his video of an arrest and then was arrested himself for his refusal has been acquitted of all charges.
And I say fire the cops who did this, as they very clearly do not understand the law they are supposed to uphold, and then abuse the power that they have been given.
A man who correctly refused to hand over his video of an arrest and then was arrested himself for his refusal has been acquitted of all charges.
And I say fire the cops who did this, as they very clearly do not understand the law they are supposed to uphold, and then abuse the power that they have been given.
Schumer confirms White House considering ignoring debt limit
The law is such an inconvenient thing: Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) confirmed yesterday that the White House is considering simply ignoring debt limit should no agreement be reached in Congress.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: Senator Charles Schumer (D-New York) confirmed yesterday that the White House is considering simply ignoring debt limit should no agreement be reached in Congress.
Minnesota government shuts down over budget and taxes
The Minnesota state government shut down on Friday over budget and taxes.
“We have divided government, and a governor that believes that he has a mandate to raise taxes and increase spending, and we have a Legislature that believes we should cut taxes and reduce spending,” said House Majority Leader Matt Dean. “It is a sort of a microcosm, in the middle of the country, of what’s going on throughout the nation.”
The Minnesota state government shut down on Friday over budget and taxes.
“We have divided government, and a governor that believes that he has a mandate to raise taxes and increase spending, and we have a Legislature that believes we should cut taxes and reduce spending,” said House Majority Leader Matt Dean. “It is a sort of a microcosm, in the middle of the country, of what’s going on throughout the nation.”
The history of the space shuttle in photos
The history of the space shuttle in photos. Hat tip Clark Lindsey.
The history of the space shuttle in photos. Hat tip Clark Lindsey.
A look inside NASA’s “Skunk Works”
Astronaut Mark Kelly says he won’t run for political office
Astronaut Mark Kelly says he won’t run for political office, leaving politics to his wife, Gabrielle Giffords.
It was a terrible tragedy that Giffords was so seriously injured in the Tucson shooting in January. However, I am completely baffled why people think this incident has somehow elevated the qualifications of both her and her husband for higher office. How does getting shot in the head make you a better leader/executive? It is absurd. If anything, this injury should sadly force us to question her ability to continue in office. As for her husband, mere name recognition isn’t enough. I respect him for recognizing that and bowing out.
Astronaut Mark Kelly says he won’t run for political office, leaving politics to his wife, Gabrielle Giffords.
It was a terrible tragedy that Giffords was so seriously injured in the Tucson shooting in January. However, I am completely baffled why people think this incident has somehow elevated the qualifications of both her and her husband for higher office. How does getting shot in the head make you a better leader/executive? It is absurd. If anything, this injury should sadly force us to question her ability to continue in office. As for her husband, mere name recognition isn’t enough. I respect him for recognizing that and bowing out.
More delays for the James Webb Space Telescope?
More delays for the James Webb Space Telescope?
More delays for the James Webb Space Telescope?
Tim Minchin – Some people have it worse than I
Internet Explorer continues to lose market share to Chrome, Firefox, others
Battle of the browsers: Internet Explorer continues to lose market share to Chrome, Firefox, and others.
Battle of the browsers: Internet Explorer continues to lose market share to Chrome, Firefox, and others.
U.S. National Parks’ Cultural and Natural Resources Threatened
The pigs begin squealing again: According to a report written by a D.C. advocacy group, the national parks face serious problems due to a lack of sufficient funds.
It’s never enough. The National Park Service budget [pdf] has grown from $2.5 billion in 2003 to $3.1 billion in 2011. At the same time, they have increased fees on all public lands, often introducing fees where none had ever existed before.
Somehow, they managed for decades on smaller budgets. At this time of unimaginable federal debt, I have no sympathy for them, despite the fact that I am a passionate lover of the natural wonders contained in the national parks.
The pigs begin squealing again: According to a report written by a D.C. advocacy group, the national parks face serious problems due to a lack of sufficient funds.
It’s never enough. The National Park Service budget [pdf] has grown from $2.5 billion in 2003 to $3.1 billion in 2011. At the same time, they have increased fees on all public lands, often introducing fees where none had ever existed before.
Somehow, they managed for decades on smaller budgets. At this time of unimaginable federal debt, I have no sympathy for them, despite the fact that I am a passionate lover of the natural wonders contained in the national parks.
NASA Foresees 2-Year Final Shuttle Retirement Phase
Seems a bit long to me: NASA foresees a two year period after the last shuttle lands to retire the program completely.
Seems a bit long to me: NASA foresees a two year period after the last shuttle lands to retire the program completely.
World’s longest sea bridge opens in China
The world’s longest sea bridge opened in China yesterday. With some cool images.
The world’s longest sea bridge opened in China yesterday. With some cool images.
The families of the Challenger astronauts come out in favor of commercial private manned spaceflight
The families of the Challenger astronauts come out in favor of commercial private manned spaceflight.
The families of the Challenger astronauts come out in favor of commercial private manned spaceflight.
Everything Bad is Good For You
Rockfall and avalanche at Mt. Rainier caught on video
In the last week there has been a flurry of avalanches and rockfalls at Mt. Rainier. On June 25 two climbers had cameras rolling when a major rockfall started on Nisqually Glacier. Below is the better of the two videos.
Starting in 2014, Obamacare will punish those who work and those who are married
We’ve got to repeal this piece of crap: Starting in 2014, Obamacare will punish those who work and those who are married.
We’ve got to repeal this piece of crap: Starting in 2014, Obamacare will punish those who work and those who are married.
Computer chess program stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned
A computer chess program has been stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned because of accusations of plagiarism.
A computer chess program has been stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned because of accusations of plagiarism.
An independent panel of scientists has found that a $1.4 billion plan put forth by environmentalists to save the salmon of the northwest by destroying four hydroelectric dams and restricting water use was based on junk science.
An independent panel of scientists has found that a $1.4 billion plan put forth by environmentalists to save the salmon of the northwest by destroying four hydroelectric dams and restricting water use was based on junk science.
According to the just-released 350-page assessment, funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service, experts expressed “strong reservations” that the expensive effort could significantly increase the Chinook salmon population in the Klamath River system. . . . The report also states, “There are many pieces of information we do not know about the Klamath system, and none we know with absolute certainty. The process of developing the model, trying to reproduce historical conditions … must be internally consistent.”
An independent panel of scientists has found that a $1.4 billion plan put forth by environmentalists to save the salmon of the northwest by destroying four hydroelectric dams and restricting water use was based on junk science.
According to the just-released 350-page assessment, funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service, experts expressed “strong reservations” that the expensive effort could significantly increase the Chinook salmon population in the Klamath River system. . . . The report also states, “There are many pieces of information we do not know about the Klamath system, and none we know with absolute certainty. The process of developing the model, trying to reproduce historical conditions … must be internally consistent.”
In a poll Jamaicans overwhelming long for the return of British colonial rule
Hooray for imperialism! In a poll Jamaicans overwhelming long for the return of British colonial rule.
Hooray for imperialism! In a poll Jamaicans overwhelming long for the return of British colonial rule.
LightSquared report shows widespread GPS interference
A report on the first tests of the LightSquared wireless service says that it will produce widespread interference to GPS systems, especially for aviation. LightSquared meanwhile has told the FCC the problem is the fault of the GPS industry.
A report on the first tests of the LightSquared wireless service says that it will produce widespread interference to GPS systems, especially for aviation. LightSquared meanwhile has told the FCC the problem is the fault of the GPS industry.
NJ legislature passes ban on fracking, while NY considers lifting its ban
Who wins? NJ legislature has passed a ban on fracking for natural gas, while NY has moved to lift its ban.
Who wins? NJ legislature has passed a ban on fracking for natural gas, while NY has moved to lift its ban.
Breathtaking view of the central peak of Tycho Crater
Another astonishing space photograph, this time from lunar orbit, taken by Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter on June 11, 2011.
The image looks down at the central peak of Tycho crater, with enough detail to make out individual boulders at the summit. Go the link to see some closeups.
Mysterious Light Burst Captured by Hawaii Telescope
Mysterious bubble of light, caused by military suborbital rocket, captured by Hawaii telescopes.
Mysterious bubble of light, caused by military suborbital rocket, captured by Hawaii telescopes.
‘Dirty hack’ restores Cluster mission from near loss
A “dirty hack” has restored the Cluster solar wind mission from near loss.
A “dirty hack” has restored the Cluster solar wind mission from near loss.
NASA sues Apollo 14 astronaut over camera ownership
NASA is suing Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell over camera ownership.
NASA is suing Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell over camera ownership.
Quebe Sisters – It’s a sin to tell a lie
Cassini looks past one Saturn moon to another
The image below was taken on January 11, 2011 by the space probe Cassini, in orbit around Saturn. First we see the southern polar regions of the moon Rhea, 949 miles in diameter. Beyond is the moon Dione, 698 miles across, appearing to sit on the rings of Saturn.
As far as I am concerned, this image, as well as almost every other image from Cassini, proves that any hotel built in orbit around Saturn is unquestionably going to be one of the hottest tourist spots in the solar system.
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth.
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth.
Obama’s blast at corporate tax breaks for private jets was created in his stimulus package
This is funny: Obama’s attack of corporate tax breaks for private jets was an attack on something actually reauthorized by his stimulus package.
This is funny: Obama’s attack of corporate tax breaks for private jets was an attack on something actually reauthorized by his stimulus package.