Is Gliese 581d habitable? Maybe
Is the extrasolar planet Gliese 581d habitable? Maybe.
Is the extrasolar planet Gliese 581d habitable? Maybe.
Author: Robert Zimmerman
Is Gliese 581d habitable? Maybe
Osama’s killing was not only legal, it was morally right
Osama’s killing was not only legal, it was morally right.
Under any sane construction of the laws of war, the killing of Bin Laden was lawful regardless of whether he “raised his hands in surrender” or whether the American soldiers were under orders to shoot without giving him a chance to surrender. By suggesting otherwise, human rights lawyers only make international law look out of step with basic morality and common sense.
The opportunity to surrender is a cherished, civilized and valuable part of warfare. But accepting an enemy’s white flag in the heat of battle is a life-endangering proposition: The flag could be a ruse; a bomb could be hidden; the captors could end up dead. We give enemy soldiers the benefit of this dangerous doubt for two reasons. First, because soldiers who have fought honorably, complying with the laws of war, have earned it. And second, because we want the enemy to treat our soldiers the same way.
Neither reason applies, however, to enemies who flagrantly violate the laws of war, targeting civilians for death, hiding bombs behind burkas, using children as shields or — yes — faking a Red Cross, upraised hands or other symbolic white flags to perpetrate lethal attacks. A white flag makes a statement. It says, I’m giving up; I’m unarmed and pose no threat; I respect the laws of war under which this flag must never be used as a ruse, and I am not using it as a ruse to attack you. Even if we imagine Bin Laden actually waving a little white sock on a stick in Abbottabad, there would have been no reason for our soldiers to credit these statements. No soldier had a duty to take the slightest risk to his own life because Osama bin Laden promised to be good from now on. [emphasis mine]
Private citizen commits $25 million for Giant Magellan Telescope
Private citizen has just donated $25 million for the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope.
This is how it used to be done all the time: All the early giant telescopes built in the United States before World War II were financed by individuals or private foundations, with no or little government investment.
Private citizen has just donated $25 million for the construction of the Giant Magellan Telescope.
This is how it used to be done all the time: All the early giant telescopes built in the United States before World War II were financed by individuals or private foundations, with no or little government investment.
Replacements for 100 watt incandescent bulbs cost $50 each
The proposed green replacements for the banned 100 watt incandescent bulbs, LEDs, cost $50 each.
The proposed green replacements for the banned 100 watt incandescent bulbs, LEDs, cost $50 each.
How The Year 2000 Was Envisioned in 1910
Philly Police Harass, Threaten to Shoot Man Legally Carrying Gun
Philladelphia police harass, threaten to shoot man legally carrying gun.
Philladelphia police harass, threaten to shoot man legally carrying gun.
Government reaches debt limit, borrows against federal pension funds
Time is running out: Government reaches debt limit, borrows against federal pension funds to pay obligations.
Time is running out: Government reaches debt limit, borrows against federal pension funds to pay obligations.
AIDS cured?
Twenty percent of the new waivers to ObamaCare are in Pelosi’s district
I guess they finally found out what’s in it: Twenty percent of the new waivers to ObamaCare are in Nancy Pelosi’s district.
Pelosi’s district secured almost 20 percent of the latest issuance of waivers nationwide, and the companies that won them didn’t have much in common with companies throughout the rest of the country that have received Obamacare waivers. Other common waiver recipients were labor union chapters, large corporations, financial firms and local governments. But Pelosi’s district’s waivers are the first major examples of luxurious, gourmet restaurants and hotels getting a year-long pass from Obamacare.
Then there’s this new poll: By 17 percentage points, Americans support repeal.
Repeal is supported by men and women; by those in their 30s, 40s, 50s to mid-60s, and mid-60s on up; and by all income groups (ranging from under-$20,000 to over-$100,000 a year).
I guess they finally found out what’s in it: Twenty percent of the new waivers to ObamaCare are in Nancy Pelosi’s district.
Pelosi’s district secured almost 20 percent of the latest issuance of waivers nationwide, and the companies that won them didn’t have much in common with companies throughout the rest of the country that have received Obamacare waivers. Other common waiver recipients were labor union chapters, large corporations, financial firms and local governments. But Pelosi’s district’s waivers are the first major examples of luxurious, gourmet restaurants and hotels getting a year-long pass from Obamacare.
Then there’s this new poll: By 17 percentage points, Americans support repeal.
Repeal is supported by men and women; by those in their 30s, 40s, 50s to mid-60s, and mid-60s on up; and by all income groups (ranging from under-$20,000 to over-$100,000 a year).
The first space shuttle launch, April 12, 1981
If you schedule a launch they will come
We arrived at Space View Park in Titusville at around 9 pm, bringing with us camp chairs, a softside cooler with food, cameras, tripods, and light jackets. I also brought a light fleece sleeping bag for additional warmth. Even though it was still twelve hours before launch, the entire shoreline was occupied by a line of people either sitting or lying on blankets or pads. Back from the water and under the trees there were more than a dozen small tents set up.
We found a spot where the line was only one deep and set up our chairs. In front of us were a group of Floridians who had never seen a launch up close, though they told us how they had often watched shuttle launches from their front door. As one of them said, “There won’t be many more chances to see this, so we decided we better come down.”
Also set up in the park under a tarp was a electronic setup with television feeds and speakers linked to NASA TV, run by the Space Walk of Fame Foundation, a volunteer organization that maintains Space View Park and the monuments to space that are on display there.
Looking east out across the Indian River was Merritt Island, with the launchpad lit up like a Christmas tree eleven miles distant. To the right was the VAB.
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The launch
After fifty years of following space, I finally saw a big rocket launch today. Below is one of the pictures I took of Endeavour as it roared into the sky.
The experience was immensely satisfying, to put it mildly. Watching the shuttle rise up on a column of flame and smoke made me feel young again, my heart racing with excitement. Then Endeavour disappeared into the clouds, and we stood waiting for the roar of liftoff to travel the eleven miles to us. The long wait made this experience far different from what one sees on television. Then the rumble arrived, deep and low, but not as loud as I expected. One experienced launch-watcher explained that the low clouds and humidity might have muffled the sound. Bob Rose said that it was what he expected for this location, and that my expectations were based on those who experienced the launch from the press site at three miles. I think Bob is almost certainly right.
Later today I will put up a longer post, describing what it was like to stand among like-minded space nuts who had traveled from far and wide to see a crew of humans leave the Earth’s gravity and help trace a warm line of life across barren space.
At Space View Park
We have now set up at Space View Park in Titusville, Florida. The picture below shows what we found when we went by earlier today to scout out the location. As you can see, several people were already there. There were also people who had put up tents, as well as two food vendors.
The launchpad is the tiny spike visible on the horizon directly at the end of the pier. You can also see the VAB to the right.
Apollo 11 launch, July 16, 1969
An evening pause: If all goes well, I will be watching a variation of this live from Florida tomorrow morning. The action really begins at the five minute mark. Also, this particular video gives you the best flavor of what it was like to see the launch live, rather than on film or video.
Senate Democrats: Where is your budget?
Senate Democrats: Where is your budget?
With the statutory committee deadline having been missed by six weeks, and with 744 days gone by since the Democrat-led Senate passed a budget, it was reported that this week Senate Democrats would finally produce a budget and hold a markup. But no budget was produced and the markup was delayed yet again.
The Republicans might not be very serious about spending cuts, but the Democrats are a downright joke. At least the Republicans have made some effort to deal with the problem, tepid as that effort is. The Democrats not only oppose any suggestion, they can’t even do their job.
Senate Democrats: Where is your budget?
With the statutory committee deadline having been missed by six weeks, and with 744 days gone by since the Democrat-led Senate passed a budget, it was reported that this week Senate Democrats would finally produce a budget and hold a markup. But no budget was produced and the markup was delayed yet again.
The Republicans might not be very serious about spending cuts, but the Democrats are a downright joke. At least the Republicans have made some effort to deal with the problem, tepid as that effort is. The Democrats not only oppose any suggestion, they can’t even do their job.
Former “alarmist” scientist says human-caused global warming is based on false science
Former “alarmist” scientist says human-caused global warming is based on false science.
Former “alarmist” scientist says human-caused global warming is based on false science.
Taliban recruiting nine-year-old suicide bombers
The Islamic education system: Taliban mullahs are now recruiting nine-year-old suicide bombers. More here. Key quote:
“Our mullah told us that when we carried out our suicide attacks, all the people around us would die, but we would stay alive,”
But we’re told that today’s Islam is just another religion, morally equivalent to modern Christianity, Judaism, or Buddhism. How could this be?
The Islamic education system: Taliban mullahs are now recruiting nine-year-old suicide bombers. More here. Key quote:
“Our mullah told us that when we carried out our suicide attacks, all the people around us would die, but we would stay alive,”
But we’re told that today’s Islam is just another religion, morally equivalent to modern Christianity, Judaism, or Buddhism. How could this be?
Google closes blog, cuts off people who criticize Google
Not good: Google shuts off blog, then cuts off people who criticize Google.
Not good: Google shuts off blog, then cuts off people who criticize Google.
A review of India’s GSLV rocket puts a hold on its next moon probe
A review of India’s troubled GSLV rocket has put a hold on its next moon probe.
A review of India’s troubled GSLV rocket has put a hold on its next moon probe.
The solar-powered plane Solar Impulse made its maiden international flight on Friday
The solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse, made its maiden international flight on Friday.
The solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse, made its maiden international flight on Friday.
Boeing’s Takeoff Torture Test for 747
Bill Clinton calls for government agency to discredit political arguments and quash Internet rumors
Bill Clinton yesterday called for the creation of a government agency, either by the U.S or UN, to discredit bad political reporting and quash Internet rumors.
Doesn’t that sound just peachy keen: giving the government the power to correct and control political reporting.
Bill Clinton yesterday called for the creation of a government agency, either by the U.S or UN, to discredit bad political reporting and quash Internet rumors.
Doesn’t that sound just peachy keen: giving the government the power to correct and control political reporting.
On the way to the Cape
As I write this I am sitting in the back seat of Bob & Brenda Rose’s minivan as we drive down to Florida for Monday’s shuttle launch. We plan to arrive at Space View Park in Titusville around 8 pm Sunday to claim a good location for seating, waiting, and watching the launch. We will be about 11 miles away, but this park is considered one of the better locations for the general public, with a clear view of the launchpad.
Stay tuned for more updates!
world’s first mobility scooter display team to attempt to set a new world 24-hour distance record this weekend.
Members of the world’s first mobility scooter display team, the Red Wheelies, are attempting to set a new world 24-hour distance record this weekend.
Members of the world’s first mobility scooter display team, the Red Wheelies, are attempting to set a new world 24-hour distance record this weekend.
White House Issues Another 200 ObamaCare Waivers
Why not give us all waivers and make the country happy? The White House issued another 200 ObamaCare waivers late Friday, bringing the total to almost 1400.
Why not give us all waivers and make the country happy? The White House issued another 200 ObamaCare waivers late Friday, bringing the total to almost 1400.
IPCC announces reforms for next report
The IPCC announced this week it has established new procedures in an effort to avoid the problems that occurred with the last report.
I remain very skeptical of these reforms, as well as anything this UN organization publishes. Consider this quote for example:
On the issue of citing non-peer-reviewed literature, such as reports from nongovernmental organizations and climate activists, the new procedures say that IPCC report authors can include such documents “as long as they are scientifically and technically valid. [emphasis mine]
How convenient. Decide that something written by Greenpeace is “scientifically and technically valid” and you can use it as evidence.
The IPCC announced this week it has established new procedures in an effort to avoid the problems that occurred with the last report.
I remain very skeptical of these reforms, as well as anything this UN organization publishes. Consider this quote for example:
On the issue of citing non-peer-reviewed literature, such as reports from nongovernmental organizations and climate activists, the new procedures say that IPCC report authors can include such documents “as long as they are scientifically and technically valid. [emphasis mine]
How convenient. Decide that something written by Greenpeace is “scientifically and technically valid” and you can use it as evidence.
Refueling the empty tanks of communication satellites
Lisa Minnelli – “Losing my mind”
Social Security and Medicare running out of funds sooner than expected
Surprise surprise! Social Security and Medicare are running out of funds sooner than expected.
Surprise surprise! Social Security and Medicare are running out of funds sooner than expected.
Another sign of tight NASA budgets ahead
From Jeff Foust: Another sign of tight budgets ahead.
The possibility that NASA’s budget might cut by several billion doesn’t bother me a bit. Unlike it seems everyone else, I ain’t gonna be one of those who says “We need to cut the federal budget, but just don’t cut MY favorite program.” NASA shouldn’t be immune to cuts. In fact, NASA could easily lose the several billion dollars per year that’s going to be wasted on the program-formerly-called-Constellation.
And if Congress decided to cut the subsidies to the new commercial space companies as well, I probably wouldn’t cry that much over that either. I think these companies can make it on their own. I think there is a market for their product. By taking NASA’s money up front, they are then forced to take NASA supervision, something I think will be very damaging in the long run.
From Jeff Foust: Another sign of tight budgets ahead.
The possibility that NASA’s budget might cut by several billion doesn’t bother me a bit. Unlike it seems everyone else, I ain’t gonna be one of those who says “We need to cut the federal budget, but just don’t cut MY favorite program.” NASA shouldn’t be immune to cuts. In fact, NASA could easily lose the several billion dollars per year that’s going to be wasted on the program-formerly-called-Constellation.
And if Congress decided to cut the subsidies to the new commercial space companies as well, I probably wouldn’t cry that much over that either. I think these companies can make it on their own. I think there is a market for their product. By taking NASA’s money up front, they are then forced to take NASA supervision, something I think will be very damaging in the long run.