Author: Robert Zimmerman
Hear the Roar and Pay Attention
John Cleese on The Muppets Show
Bankrupt and owing the taxpayers half a billion dollars, Solyndra has been caught destroying brand new parts
Bankrupt and owing the taxpayers half a billion dollars, Solyndra has been caught destroying brand new parts.
Bankrupt and owing the taxpayers half a billion dollars, Solyndra has been caught destroying brand new parts.
Stratolaunch announced yesterday the groundbreaking of its facility at Mohave
Stratolaunch announced yesterday the groundbreaking of its production facility and hanger at Mohave.
Stratolaunch announced yesterday the groundbreaking of its production facility and hanger at Mohave.
Reaching the summit of K2
An evening pause: Climbing those last few hundred feet and reaching the summit of K2, the world’s second highest mountain.
Some details on the cause of the Dragon/Falcon 9 launch delay
Bill Harward has some details on the cause of the Dragon/Falcon 9 launch delay.
Essentially, nothing seems critical. They found a few minor issues that they felt needed more testing, and are simply making sure these issues are resolved before launch. All in all I find this report very encouraging. Stay tuned.
Bill Harward has some details on the cause of the Dragon/Falcon 9 launch delay.
Essentially, nothing seems critical. They found a few minor issues that they felt needed more testing, and are simply making sure these issues are resolved before launch. All in all I find this report very encouraging. Stay tuned.
A group of researchers have failed to reproduce the earlier NASA result that suggested arsenic-based life was possible.
A group of researchers have failed to reproduce the earlier NASA result that suggested arsenic-based life was possible.
One interesting aspect of this story is that the research results were discussed openly, with regular updates as the work was on-going, on one of the scientists blogs.
Redfield and her collaborators hope to submit their work to Science by the end of the month. She says that if Science refuses to publish the work because it has been discussed on blogs, it will become an important test case for open science.
A group of researchers have failed to reproduce the earlier NASA result that suggested arsenic-based life was possible.
One interesting aspect of this story is that the research results were discussed openly, with regular updates as the work was on-going, on one of the scientists blogs.
Redfield and her collaborators hope to submit their work to Science by the end of the month. She says that if Science refuses to publish the work because it has been discussed on blogs, it will become an important test case for open science.
European safety officials are about to order safety checks on the Airbus A380 jumbo jet after two different inspections found cracks in the plane’s wings.
European safety officials are about to order safety checks on the Airbus A380 jumbo jet after two different inspections found cracks in the plane’s wings.
European safety officials are about to order safety checks on the Airbus A380 jumbo jet after two different inspections found cracks in the plane’s wings.
The Dragon/Falcon 9 test flight is now set for no earlier than late March
The Dragon/Falcon 9 test flight is now set for no earlier than late March.
The Dragon/Falcon 9 test flight is now set for no earlier than late March.
Scientists have agreed to a sixty day voluntary pause in their research into the transmissibility of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu.
In a letter published jointly [pdf] in Science and Nature today, the researchers who have discovered how to easily transmit avian influenza — commonly called bird flu — have agreed to a sixty day voluntary pause in their research.
Despite the positive public health benefits these studies sought to provide, a perceived fear that the ferret-transmissible H5 HA viruses may escape from the laboratories has generated intense public debate in the media on the benefits and potential harm of this type of research. We would like to assure the public that these experiments have been conducted with appropriate regulatory oversight in secure containment facilities by highly trained and responsible personnel to minimize any risk of accidental release. Whether the ferret-adapted influenza viruses have the ability to transmit from human to human cannot be tested. We recognize that we and the rest of the scientific community need to clearly explain the benefits of this important research and the measures taken to minimize its possible risks. We propose to do so in an international forum in which the scientific community comes together to discuss and debate these issues. We realize that organizations and governments around the world need time to find the best solutions for opportunities and challenges that stem from the work. To provide time for these discussions, we have agreed on a voluntary pause of 60 days on any research involving highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses leading to the generation of viruses that are more transmissible in mammals. In addition, no experiments with live H5N1 or H5 HA reassortant viruses already shown to be transmissible in ferrets will be conducted during this time.
The situation is difficult. This research is important as it helps scientists understand how flu is transmitted. At the same time, this research is very dangerous, as it could be used by evil people to kill millions.
In a letter published jointly [pdf] in Science and Nature today, the researchers who have discovered how to easily transmit avian influenza — commonly called bird flu — have agreed to a sixty day voluntary pause in their research.
Despite the positive public health benefits these studies sought to provide, a perceived fear that the ferret-transmissible H5 HA viruses may escape from the laboratories has generated intense public debate in the media on the benefits and potential harm of this type of research. We would like to assure the public that these experiments have been conducted with appropriate regulatory oversight in secure containment facilities by highly trained and responsible personnel to minimize any risk of accidental release. Whether the ferret-adapted influenza viruses have the ability to transmit from human to human cannot be tested. We recognize that we and the rest of the scientific community need to clearly explain the benefits of this important research and the measures taken to minimize its possible risks. We propose to do so in an international forum in which the scientific community comes together to discuss and debate these issues. We realize that organizations and governments around the world need time to find the best solutions for opportunities and challenges that stem from the work. To provide time for these discussions, we have agreed on a voluntary pause of 60 days on any research involving highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 viruses leading to the generation of viruses that are more transmissible in mammals. In addition, no experiments with live H5N1 or H5 HA reassortant viruses already shown to be transmissible in ferrets will be conducted during this time.
The situation is difficult. This research is important as it helps scientists understand how flu is transmitted. At the same time, this research is very dangerous, as it could be used by evil people to kill millions.
The chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona has refused to testify to Congress about the Obama administration’s policy of allowing guns to be illegally smuggled to Mexican drug lords.
Taking the fifth: The chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona has refused to testify to Congress about the Obama administration’s policy of allowing guns to be illegally smuggled to Mexican drug lords.
As his attorney, Tobin Romero, wrote:
“Department of Justice officials have reported to the Committee that my client relayed inaccurate information to the Department upon which it relied in preparing its initial response to Congress. If, as you claim, Department officials have blamed my client, they have blamed him unfairly,” the letter to Issa says. Romero claims Cunningham did nothing wrong and acted in good faith, but the Department of Justice in Washington is making him the fall guy, claiming he failed to accurately provide the Oversight Committee with information on the execution of Fast and Furious.
In other words, give me immunity and I will fry Eric Holder and the Obama administration.
Taking the fifth: The chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Arizona has refused to testify to Congress about the Obama administration’s policy of allowing guns to be illegally smuggled to Mexican drug lords.
As his attorney, Tobin Romero, wrote:
“Department of Justice officials have reported to the Committee that my client relayed inaccurate information to the Department upon which it relied in preparing its initial response to Congress. If, as you claim, Department officials have blamed my client, they have blamed him unfairly,” the letter to Issa says. Romero claims Cunningham did nothing wrong and acted in good faith, but the Department of Justice in Washington is making him the fall guy, claiming he failed to accurately provide the Oversight Committee with information on the execution of Fast and Furious.
In other words, give me immunity and I will fry Eric Holder and the Obama administration.
The defense strategy of Democratic party officials under arrest for voter fraud: “Voter fraud is an accepted way of winning elections.”
The defense strategy of Democratic party officials under arrest for voter fraud: “Voter fraud is an accepted way of winning elections.”
The defense strategy of Democratic party officials under arrest for voter fraud: “Voter fraud is an accepted way of winning elections.”
Useless college degrees
Going to college? Here are five useless college degrees to avoid.
The article focuses a bit too much on agriculture while leaving out ethnic and gender studies, but that’s probably because to criticize these politically correct but totally useless degrees is very politically incorrect.
Going to college? Here are five useless college degrees to avoid.
The article focuses a bit too much on agriculture while leaving out ethnic and gender studies, but that’s probably because to criticize these politically correct but totally useless degrees is very politically incorrect.
Several Republicans in Congress expressed concern yesterday about the Obama administration’s decision earlier this week to negotiate a space code of conduct with Europe and others.
Several Republicans in Congress expressed concern yesterday about the Obama administration’s decision earlier this week to negotiate a space code of conduct with Europe and others.
Several Republicans in Congress expressed concern yesterday about the Obama administration’s decision earlier this week to negotiate a space code of conduct with Europe and others.
Scientists have postponed until 2015 the decision on whether clocks should be linked to the Earth’s rotation around the Sun.
Scientists have postponed until 2015 the decision on whether clocks should be linked to the Earth’s rotation around the Sun.
Scientists have postponed until 2015 the decision on whether clocks should be linked to the Earth’s rotation around the Sun.
“I will blast Britain’s Got Talent winner into space.”
Percy Sledge – When a Man Loves A Woman
After the annual visit to Edgar Allen Poe’s grave in Baltimore by a mysterious figure called the “Poe Toaster” failed to occur this year for the third straight time, it appears the tradition has ended forever.
After the annual visit to Edgar Allan Poe’s grave in Baltimore by a mysterious figure called the “Poe Toaster” failed to occur this year for the third straight time, it appears the tradition has ended forever.
The tributes of an anonymous man in black with a white scarf and a wide-brimmed hat, who leaves three roses and a half-empty bottle of cognac at Poe’s original grave on the writer’s birthday, are thought to date to least the 1940s. A crowd gathered outside the gates of the burial ground surrounding Westminster Hall to watch for the mysterious visitor. While three impersonators appeared, the real “Poe Toaster” did not, said [Jeff Jerome, Poe House and Museum Curator].
To this day no one really knows who the man was.
After the annual visit to Edgar Allan Poe’s grave in Baltimore by a mysterious figure called the “Poe Toaster” failed to occur this year for the third straight time, it appears the tradition has ended forever.
The tributes of an anonymous man in black with a white scarf and a wide-brimmed hat, who leaves three roses and a half-empty bottle of cognac at Poe’s original grave on the writer’s birthday, are thought to date to least the 1940s. A crowd gathered outside the gates of the burial ground surrounding Westminster Hall to watch for the mysterious visitor. While three impersonators appeared, the real “Poe Toaster” did not, said [Jeff Jerome, Poe House and Museum Curator].
To this day no one really knows who the man was.
The modern liberal press, described in one paragraph
The modern liberal press, described in one paragraph:
“I call them ‘dumb arses,’” she said. “They think by trotting out this old Gingrich divorce interview — that’s old news and it does feature this disgruntled ex- that claimed that it would destroy a campaign. All this does is, Sean, is incentivize conservatives and independents who are so sick of the politics of personal destruction because it’s played so selectively by the media.” [emphasis mine]
It isn’t that the accusations against Newt Gingrich shouldn’t be looked at, it’s that the press is only interested in accusations like this against Republican and conservative candidates. Where were they while John Edwards was simultaneously having an adulterous affair and running for President, even as his wife was dying of cancer? Similarly, the mainstream press didn’t think Anthony Weiner’s sexual exploits were worth coverage, even though those exploits ended up destroying his career. And of course, there is Bill Clinton’s history, which for the liberal press, was irrelevant because it was “his personal life.”
But when it comes to Republicans, all bets are off.
Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mind the press going after politicians like this at all. What I mind is, as Palin notes, the selective manner in which the press goes after politicians. Their partisanship in favor of Democrats has become so obvious it is disgraceful. They should be ashamed.
The modern liberal press, described in one paragraph:
“I call them ‘dumb arses,’” she said. “They think by trotting out this old Gingrich divorce interview — that’s old news and it does feature this disgruntled ex- that claimed that it would destroy a campaign. All this does is, Sean, is incentivize conservatives and independents who are so sick of the politics of personal destruction because it’s played so selectively by the media.” [emphasis mine]
It isn’t that the accusations against Newt Gingrich shouldn’t be looked at, it’s that the press is only interested in accusations like this against Republican and conservative candidates. Where were they while John Edwards was simultaneously having an adulterous affair and running for President, even as his wife was dying of cancer? Similarly, the mainstream press didn’t think Anthony Weiner’s sexual exploits were worth coverage, even though those exploits ended up destroying his career. And of course, there is Bill Clinton’s history, which for the liberal press, was irrelevant because it was “his personal life.”
But when it comes to Republicans, all bets are off.
Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mind the press going after politicians like this at all. What I mind is, as Palin notes, the selective manner in which the press goes after politicians. Their partisanship in favor of Democrats has become so obvious it is disgraceful. They should be ashamed.
Catching the death of a comet
Catching the death of a comet.
Catching the death of a comet.
A science journal for failed experiments
A new science journal for publishing the results of failed experiments.
A new science journal for publishing the results of failed experiments.
More cracks found in the wings of the Airbus A380
Not good: More cracks found in the wings of an Airbus A380.
Not good: More cracks found in the wings of an Airbus A380.
A meteorite that fell to Earth last July in Morocco has proven to be a rare chunk of Mars.
A meteorite that fell to Earth last July in Morocco has proven to be a rare chunk of Mars.
A meteorite that fell to Earth last July in Morocco has proven to be a rare chunk of Mars.
The TSA has admitted that its agents made a mistake when they strip-searched two elderly women last fall.
I’m so relieved: The TSA has admitted that its agents made a mistake when they strip-searched two elderly women last fall.
And when are we going to admit our own mistake of creating the TSA and get around to abolishing it?
I’m so relieved: The TSA has admitted that its agents made a mistake when they strip-searched two elderly women last fall.
And when are we going to admit our own mistake of creating the TSA and get around to abolishing it?
One hundred tea party leaders to announce support for Newt tomorrow
One hundred tea party leaders to announce their support for Newt Gingrich tomorrow.
One hundred tea party leaders to announce their support for Newt Gingrich tomorrow.
Obamacare’s 34 pilot programs designed to save money will have no effect or will increase costs, according to a Congressional Budget Office report yesterday.
Repeal it: Obamacare’s 34 pilot programs, designed to save money, will have no effect or will increase costs, according to a Congressional Budget Office report yesterday.
I guarantee that they will increase costs, and actually hinder the work of doctors. The number one task of the new Congress after 2012 should be to repeal this abomination of a law as fast as possible.
Repeal it: Obamacare’s 34 pilot programs, designed to save money, will have no effect or will increase costs, according to a Congressional Budget Office report yesterday.
I guarantee that they will increase costs, and actually hinder the work of doctors. The number one task of the new Congress after 2012 should be to repeal this abomination of a law as fast as possible.
The Russian commission investigating the failure of Phobos-Grunt has concluded that the spacecraft failed because of Russian engineering errors, not U.S. sabotage.
Why am I not surprised? The Russian commission investigating the failure of Phobos-Grunt has concluded that the spacecraft failed because of Russian engineering errors, not U.S. sabotage.
I had suspected this whole kerfuffle was a fake issue inspired by Russian politicians. This report proves it.
Why am I not surprised? The Russian commission investigating the failure of Phobos-Grunt has concluded that the spacecraft failed because of Russian engineering errors, not U.S. sabotage.
I had suspected this whole kerfuffle was a fake issue inspired by Russian politicians. This report proves it.
The hi-tech home of a British soccer star has become a threat to radio astronomy.
Who knew? The hi-tech home of a British soccer star has become a threat to radio astronomy.
Who knew? The hi-tech home of a British soccer star has become a threat to radio astronomy.
The Japanese release more details about the hacking of their computers
The Japanese space agency has released more details about the hacking of their computers.
The Japanese space agency has released more details about the hacking of their computers.
Drilling in Antarctica
Drilling down to Lake Vostok has resumed in Antarctica.
This week, a Russian team drilling into Lake Vostok in the center of the Antarctic continent is likely to break through the ice to water. It will be the first time that a subglacial lake has been breached. These modern-day explorers hope to discover whether Vostok, which at 5000 km 3 is the third largest lake on the planet, is teeming with hidden, cold-loving life that could have evolved separately from the rest of the world for hundreds of thousands of years….
After drilling 3720 meters last February, time ran out for the team and the project was stymied just 29.5 meters from its destination as winter set in. Over the summer, they modified their drill bits and now the team is back at work with plenty of time to spare. They had left the large hole filled with antifreeze, so it was ready and waiting for them. It will remain open for years to come, Priscu says, potentially allowing other teams to sample the waters in the future.
Drilling down to Lake Vostok has resumed in Antarctica.
This week, a Russian team drilling into Lake Vostok in the center of the Antarctic continent is likely to break through the ice to water. It will be the first time that a subglacial lake has been breached. These modern-day explorers hope to discover whether Vostok, which at 5000 km 3 is the third largest lake on the planet, is teeming with hidden, cold-loving life that could have evolved separately from the rest of the world for hundreds of thousands of years….
After drilling 3720 meters last February, time ran out for the team and the project was stymied just 29.5 meters from its destination as winter set in. Over the summer, they modified their drill bits and now the team is back at work with plenty of time to spare. They had left the large hole filled with antifreeze, so it was ready and waiting for them. It will remain open for years to come, Priscu says, potentially allowing other teams to sample the waters in the future.