Debt now equals total U.S. economy
Debt now equals total U.S. economy. And that’s according to the Obama administration!
Author: Robert Zimmerman
Astronauts simulate Mars landing
Astronauts on the Russian Mars500 simulated Mars mission simulated a Mars landing on Saturday. Key quote:
Three astronauts on the Mars500 simulated mission will make a simulated walk on the Mars “surface” Monday. After working 30 days on the simulated planet, the crew will then embark on a simulated 240-day return trip to Earth. Officials said the 520-day Mars500 mission is designed to test how humans cope with the physical and mental stresses of a long space flight.
Obama’s new budget promises $1.1 trillion in deficit reduction over next decade
It ain’t enough but I like the trend: Obama’s new budget to be released tomorrow will promise $1.1 trillion in deficit reduction over next decade.
Tuba Solo Fnugg Blue, played by Øystein Baadsvik
An evening pause: Believe it or not, a tuba solo, entitled Fnugg Blue, played by Øystein Baadsvik.
Bernanke to Congress: We’re Much Closer to Total Destruction Than You Think
Bernanke to Congress: We’re much closer to total destruction than you think. Key quote:
One way or the other, fiscal adjustments sufficient to stabilize the federal budget must occur at some point. The question is whether these adjustments will take place through a careful and deliberative process that weighs priorities and gives people adequate time to adjust to changes in government programs or tax policies, or whether the needed fiscal adjustments will come as a rapid and painful response to a looming or actual fiscal crisis.
JPL proposes a joint US-India unmanned moon probe
House Republicans propose even deeper NASA cuts
House Republicans propose even deeper NASA cuts.
The government free ride is ending. If you want us to go into space, you better consider buying a ticket.
Frazil ice
An evening pause:
House GOP releases FY 2011 spending bill
Keep those cuts coming! The House GOP today released its 2011 spending bill, claiming to include $100 billion in cuts. It seems that everyone gets hit, even defense. Worst hit, however, is EPA, with a 29% reduction from its 2010 budget.
You can see the summary here. [pdf]
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Walmart fires Layton guards for disarming shoplifter
Here’s some corporate madness: Walmart has fired four security guards because they disarmed a shoplifter who pulled a gun on them.
Man scolded by local government for cleaning up trash on private properties
Our government in action: A Palm Beach County man was scolded by his local government for organizing a clean up of trash on private properties.
SpaceX Announces Restructuring, Layoffs At Local Facility
SpaceX announced that it has laid off some employees at a Texas facility in connection with a restructuring plan.
Boeing and Indian Space Agency discussing possible Manned Mission
The new space race: Boeing and Indian space agency are discussing a possible manned mission.
Station Partners Mull Extraordinary Photo Opp
An extraordinary photo opportunity: Use the Soyuz to photograph ISS next month when the shuttle and the Japanese and European cargo ships are all docked to ISS.
How engineers entertain their dog
An evening pause: How engineers entertain their dog.
Tea Party freshmen may rue $100B in cuts
Now for some squealing from the “press”: Tea Party freshmen may rue $100B in cuts. I like this comment in response to the story:
Where was the press when Democrats passed $800 billion in useless stimulus? Where were they when unemployment shot up and over the 8% limit Democrats said we would reach without the lame stimulus? They sure jump up when you come up short on $100 billion in cuts…good luck and go after entitlements, please.
White nose found in North Caroina
The fungus that has been killing cave hibernating bats throughout the eastern United States has now been found in North Carolina.
In a related note, the National Speleological Society has sent a letter to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, expressing its concern over what many cavers believe has been the government’s indiscriminate cave closure policies in response to the white nose fungus. Key quote:
Our members have been extremely patient and collaborative throughout the entire [white nose syndrome] situation, but the frustration and discontent has been growing. We are hearing more and more from across the country that cavers do not want to participate in collaborative efforts – in much part due to management decisions by federal and state agencies that are perceived by knowledgeable and conservation-minded cavers to be over-reactive, based on sometimes slim science, speculation and political pressure, and insensitive to broader science and conservation issues. That result would not be beneficial to anyone.
Counterfeit climbing gear
A warning to users of climbing and caving gear: Counterfeit Petzl equipment from China has been found on the market, and is dangerously defective.