Author: Robert Zimmerman
Maine seeks exemption from Obamacare
Repeal the damn bill! Maine has asked the Obama administration to be exempted from certain provisions of ObamaCare.
Repeal the damn bill! Maine has asked the Obama administration to be exempted from certain provisions of ObamaCare.
Christians Are Casualties of 10 Baghdad Attacks
Tolerance from the religion of “peace”: Bomb attacks on fourteen Christians homes in Baghdad kill two and wound twenty. Note that though no one has yet come forward to claim responsibility for the attacks, an Islamic group had threatened to do exactly this one week ago.
Tolerance from the religion of “peace”: Bomb attacks on fourteen Christians homes in Baghdad kill two and wound twenty. Note that though no one has yet come forward to claim responsibility for the attacks, an Islamic group had threatened to do exactly this one week ago.
Heading towards a Maunder Minimum
Though I have been saying that the Sun’s lack of sunspots the last two years suggests the possibility of that we might be facing an extended period without solar activity, I am not a solar scientist. Today, in a paper published today on the Los Alamos astro-ph website, a solar scientist says just that. Key quote:
One method that has yielded predictions consistently in the right range during the past few solar cycles is that of K. Schatten et al., whose approach is mainly based on the polar field precursor. The incipient cycle 24 [on-going right now] will probably mark the end of the Modern Maximum, with the Sun switching to a state of less strong activity.
Though I have been saying that the Sun’s lack of sunspots the last two years suggests the possibility of that we might be facing an extended period without solar activity, I am not a solar scientist. Today, in a paper published today on the Los Alamos astro-ph website, a solar scientist says just that. Key quote:
One method that has yielded predictions consistently in the right range during the past few solar cycles is that of K. Schatten et al., whose approach is mainly based on the polar field precursor. The incipient cycle 24 [on-going right now] will probably mark the end of the Modern Maximum, with the Sun switching to a state of less strong activity.
Brazil joins the European Southern Observatory
Brazil has become the first non-European partner in the European Southern Observatory.
Brazil has become the first non-European partner in the European Southern Observatory.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin sues Topps for using his likeness in trading cards
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin has sued Topps for using his likeness in their trading cards.
Astronaut Buzz Aldrin has sued Topps for using his likeness in their trading cards.
NASA Wraps Up X-ray Scans of external tank
Updated and bumped: The inspections reveal four additional cracks on Discovery’s external tank.
NASA engineers have finished a series of x-ray scans of Discovery’s external tank.
Updated and bumped: The inspections reveal four additional cracks on Discovery’s external tank.
NASA engineers have finished a series of x-ray scans of Discovery’s external tank.
OKLAHOMA! OK! – Hugh Jackman 1999
‘Zombie’ Satellite Comes Back to Life
“Zombie” satellite comes back to life.
“Zombie” satellite comes back to life.
Russian space officials fired over satellite crash
Russian space officials are fired over rocket failure.
Russian space officials are fired over rocket failure.
Pearl Harbor – Tennessee Piano and Orchestra
Pilot who angered TSA with YouTube video goes public
The pilot who was threatened by the TSA because of his YouTube video goes public.
The pilot who was threatened by the TSA because of his YouTube video goes public.
The Sun is no longer blank
After six blank days, the Sun is once again showing spots. As I have mentioned several times in 2010, this might be the last time the Sun is blank for years to come as it ramps up to solar maximum. However, don’t bet on it, as the Sun’s activity has been way below all predictions. The upcoming solar maximum might very well be the first in centuries with blank days interspersed throughout.
After six blank days, the Sun is once again showing spots. As I have mentioned several times in 2010, this might be the last time the Sun is blank for years to come as it ramps up to solar maximum. However, don’t bet on it, as the Sun’s activity has been way below all predictions. The upcoming solar maximum might very well be the first in centuries with blank days interspersed throughout.
Hilarious Error Messages (31 pics)
Why I use Linux: Hilarious Windows error messages. This is typical:
Windows has detected that you have moved your mouse. Please restart your computer.
Why I use Linux: Hilarious Windows error messages. This is typical:
Windows has detected that you have moved your mouse. Please restart your computer.
Buy a Batmobile
Buy your very own Batmobile! Key quote: “The car also has a fully functioning flame thrower.”
Buy your very own Batmobile! Key quote: “The car also has a fully functioning flame thrower.”
Vast Storm Rampages Across Saturn
A vast storm rages across the face of Saturn.
A vast storm rages across the face of Saturn.
SOHO Spacecraft Discovers Its 2,000th Comet
The SOHO spacecraft, in space monitoring the Sun since 1995, has discovered its 2000th comet!
The SOHO spacecraft, in space monitoring the Sun since 1995, has discovered its 2000th comet!
Jib Jab – So long to ya 2010
1931 vs 2010
Want to know what’s going to happen? What the 1930s tell us about today.
Want to know what’s going to happen? What the 1930s tell us about today.
Mike Oldfield – Music of the Spheres
Support for ObamaCare Repeal At 60%
Nor am I alone is wanting the damn bill repealed: Support for the repeal of ObamaCare remains at 60%.
Nor am I alone is wanting the damn bill repealed: Support for the repeal of ObamaCare remains at 60%.
ObamaCare plans for high-risk patients attracting fewer, costing more than expected
Repeal the damn bill! Health plans for high-risk patients under ObamaCare are attracting fewer customers while costing far more than expected. Key quote:
Last spring, the Medicare program’s chief actuary predicted that 375,000 people would sign up by the end of 2010. In early November, the Health and Human Services Department reported that just 8,000 people had enrolled.
Repeal the damn bill! Health plans for high-risk patients under ObamaCare are attracting fewer customers while costing far more than expected. Key quote:
Last spring, the Medicare program’s chief actuary predicted that 375,000 people would sign up by the end of 2010. In early November, the Health and Human Services Department reported that just 8,000 people had enrolled.
Texas goes to war with the EPA over carbon-emission rules
The war between Texas and the EPA over carbon-emission rules heats up.
The war between Texas and the EPA over carbon-emission rules heats up.
The just ended 111th Congress Added More Debt Than First 100 Congresses Combined
Numbers to scare you: The just ended 111th Congress added more debt than the first hundred Congresses combined.
Numbers to scare you: The just ended 111th Congress added more debt than the first hundred Congresses combined.
Astronauts4hire taking applications
Want to become an astronaut? The private company Astronauts4Hire is taking applications.
Want to become an astronaut? The private company Astronauts4Hire is taking applications.
NASA’s Ares rocket dead, but Congress lets you pay $500 million more for it
As I’ve said, it’s all pork: NASA’s Ares rocket is supposingly dead, but the continuing resolution from Congress requires NASA to spend $500 million more for it.
It is also a mess, but I’ve said that before also!
As I’ve said, it’s all pork: NASA’s Ares rocket is supposingly dead, but the continuing resolution from Congress requires NASA to spend $500 million more for it.
It is also a mess, but I’ve said that before also!
The Lawless Obama Administration
The lawless Obama administration. Key quote:
Obama uses his control over Executive Branch agencies to do what Congress or the courts have forbidden. It’s worked, sometimes, for him over the past few years. But he’s out of time now: the GOP-led House can defund many of these efforts, even if it can’t put a stop to them completely.
Just so no one has any doubts, doing something that both Congress and the courts say is forbidden is breaking the law. And it appears that the Obama administration has a fetish for this sort of thing.
The lawless Obama administration. Key quote:
Obama uses his control over Executive Branch agencies to do what Congress or the courts have forbidden. It’s worked, sometimes, for him over the past few years. But he’s out of time now: the GOP-led House can defund many of these efforts, even if it can’t put a stop to them completely.
Just so no one has any doubts, doing something that both Congress and the courts say is forbidden is breaking the law. And it appears that the Obama administration has a fetish for this sort of thing.
The joy of stats
An evening pause: As we approach the end of the this first decade of the 21st century, let’s take a look back at the progress of the past two hundred years, illustrated by the progress of a single graph and animated in a way you’ve never seen before.
Funeral processions should be banned
The government solution to everything: A Texas district attorney says that funeral processions should be banned.
The government solution to everything: A Texas district attorney says that funeral processions should be banned.
New research using DNA kills mites that are killing bees
Researchers think they have found a way to use DNA to kill the mite that is killing bees in Britain, without harming the bees themselves.
Researchers think they have found a way to use DNA to kill the mite that is killing bees in Britain, without harming the bees themselves.