Author: Robert Zimmerman
Strange streets
“It’s degrading. It’s like someone raped you.”
Colorful Vesta
Tonight’s press conference at the American Geophysical Union conference focused on the latest results from Dawn, orbiting the giant asteroid Vesta. Or to put it as scientist Vishnu Reddy put it, “Vesta is the most colorful asteroid in the solar system.”
At least, in geological terms. To our human eye the asteroid wouldn’t be so spectacular. However, the false color images released by the scientists show the global geological diversity of Vesta. From the press release:
» Read more
Harve Presnell – They Call The Wind Maria
Family reluctantly gives up its hold on Santa Rosa Island
Theft by government: The family that once owned Santa Rosa Island off California finally and reluctantly gives up its property.
Fearing condemnation, Vail & Vickers sold Santa Rosa Island to the government for $30 million in 1986. . . . [Then, a] 1997 lawsuit by the National Park and Conservation Assn. hastened the end of both ranching and hunting.
Theft by government: The family that once owned Santa Rosa Island off California finally and reluctantly gives up its property.
Fearing condemnation, Vail & Vickers sold Santa Rosa Island to the government for $30 million in 1986. . . . [Then, a] 1997 lawsuit by the National Park and Conservation Assn. hastened the end of both ranching and hunting.
The National Health Service of the UK is making its patient database available to researchers
Coming to your US healthcare system soon! The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK is making its patient database available to researchers.
NHS plans to change its constitution to allow patient data to be open to researchers by default, with an opt-out option for individuals. The ability to take advantage of NHS data will be a boon for research in the United Kingdom, said Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust. The more patients who are involved in research, the greater the public benefit, he said in a statement, adding that a patient once told him, “giving my anonymous data is the most painless thing I can do to help others get better.”
Some have raised privacy concerns about the data access plan, which is why the U.K. government will hold a public consultation on the idea before moving ahead, but Leszek Borysiewicz, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, also applauds the proposal. [emphasis mine]
It is significant that the NHS’s constitution forbid the release of this data without a patient’s permission. I suspect that this privacy rule was almost certainly a condition used to convince Great Britain’s population to go along with nationalized healthcare. “Don’t worry about your health records! The nationalized healthcare system will be required to keep it private and available only to you!”
As is typical for a government program, this promise had an expiration date. Government programs like to control things, and they will inevitably do whatever they must — twist the facts, break promises, lie, cheat, — to gain that control.
Right now the patient health records are supposed to remain anonymous once they are released. Want to bet that in a few years these same scientists will demand that they need to know who the patients are in order to do their research effectively? And do you want to bet on whether that information remains secret?
Coming to your US healthcare system soon! The National Health Service (NHS) of the UK is making its patient database available to researchers.
NHS plans to change its constitution to allow patient data to be open to researchers by default, with an opt-out option for individuals. The ability to take advantage of NHS data will be a boon for research in the United Kingdom, said Mark Walport, director of the Wellcome Trust. The more patients who are involved in research, the greater the public benefit, he said in a statement, adding that a patient once told him, “giving my anonymous data is the most painless thing I can do to help others get better.”
Some have raised privacy concerns about the data access plan, which is why the U.K. government will hold a public consultation on the idea before moving ahead, but Leszek Borysiewicz, vice-chancellor of the University of Cambridge, also applauds the proposal. [emphasis mine]
It is significant that the NHS’s constitution forbid the release of this data without a patient’s permission. I suspect that this privacy rule was almost certainly a condition used to convince Great Britain’s population to go along with nationalized healthcare. “Don’t worry about your health records! The nationalized healthcare system will be required to keep it private and available only to you!”
As is typical for a government program, this promise had an expiration date. Government programs like to control things, and they will inevitably do whatever they must — twist the facts, break promises, lie, cheat, — to gain that control.
Right now the patient health records are supposed to remain anonymous once they are released. Want to bet that in a few years these same scientists will demand that they need to know who the patients are in order to do their research effectively? And do you want to bet on whether that information remains secret?
The DB Cooper hijacking case might finally be solved.
The DB Cooper hijacking case might finally be solved.
The DB Cooper hijacking case might finally be solved.
Two newly discovered supermassive black holes weigh in as the heaviest known
Two newly discovered supermassive black holes weigh in as the heaviest known.
One of the newly discovered black holes is 9.7 billion solar masses and is located in the elliptical galaxy NGC 3842, which is the brightest galaxy in the Leo cluster of galaxies that sits 320 million light years away in the direction of the constellation Leo. The second is as large or larger and sits in the elliptical galaxy NGC 4889, which is the brightest galaxy in the Coma cluster about 336 million light years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Coma Berenices.
It is believed that these heavy supermassive black holes are the kind that produced quasars in the early universe.
Two newly discovered supermassive black holes weigh in as the heaviest known.
One of the newly discovered black holes is 9.7 billion solar masses and is located in the elliptical galaxy NGC 3842, which is the brightest galaxy in the Leo cluster of galaxies that sits 320 million light years away in the direction of the constellation Leo. The second is as large or larger and sits in the elliptical galaxy NGC 4889, which is the brightest galaxy in the Coma cluster about 336 million light years from Earth in the direction of the constellation Coma Berenices.
It is believed that these heavy supermassive black holes are the kind that produced quasars in the early universe.
Planets of diamond
Voyager 1 at the edge
This week the American Geophysical Union (AGU) is having its annual fall meeting in San Francisco. Due to the wonders of technology, they are now making their press conferences available to reporters on line. Thus, I will be posting periodic updates after each conference. This will allow my readers to get a heads up on stories they will be seeing in the mainstream press in the next few hours.
Right now they are wrapping up a press conference from the team of the Voyager 1 spacecraft, in which they have described the spacecraft’s status.
» Read more
From Kepler: Dozens of Earths in the habitable zone
At a press conference today the science team at Kepler announced a swath of new discoveries from the space telescope, all of which point to the impending discovery of multiple Earth-like planets capable of harboring life.
» Read more
U.S. military has rescinded its policy that banned bibles at Walter Reed hospital
U.S. military has rescinded its ban of bibles at Walter Reed hospital.
[Congressman Peter] King spoke from the House floor Thursday blasting a policy memorandum from the commander of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center written by Chief of Staff C.W. Callahan. The September 14th memo covers guidelines for “wounded, ill, and injured partners in care.”
“No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit,” the policy states.
I suspect the original intent of the policy was to prevent the proselytizing of patients by outsiders. However, even this is a violation of the First Amendment, as the government has no right to say where and when people can discuss religion.
U.S. military has rescinded its ban of bibles at Walter Reed hospital.
[Congressman Peter] King spoke from the House floor Thursday blasting a policy memorandum from the commander of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center written by Chief of Staff C.W. Callahan. The September 14th memo covers guidelines for “wounded, ill, and injured partners in care.”
“No religious items (i.e. Bibles, reading material, and/or artifacts) are allowed to be given away or used during a visit,” the policy states.
I suspect the original intent of the policy was to prevent the proselytizing of patients by outsiders. However, even this is a violation of the First Amendment, as the government has no right to say where and when people can discuss religion.
World War II: After the war, in photos
World War II: After the war, in photos.
World War II: After the war, in photos.
Astronomers have found a star that is spinning a million times per hour
Astronomers have found a star that is spinning at a rate of a million times per hour.
Astronomers have found a star that is spinning at a rate of a million times per hour.
A collection of pertinent emails from Climategate 2
A collection of pertinent quotes from Climategate 2.
I come to two conclusions as I read these and earlier emails.
- The IPCC process has nothing to do with science and should not be considered a valid reference source.
- The scientists involved are as unsure of the science as the skeptics, but don’t want anyone to know.
Both of these facts are important to recognize in order to decide what sources of information are reliable in studying this issue. And obviously, this means that almost any reports or press announcements coming out of Durbin this week are untrustworthy.
A collection of pertinent quotes from Climategate 2.
I come to two conclusions as I read these and earlier emails.
- The IPCC process has nothing to do with science and should not be considered a valid reference source.
- The scientists involved are as unsure of the science as the skeptics, but don’t want anyone to know.
Both of these facts are important to recognize in order to decide what sources of information are reliable in studying this issue. And obviously, this means that almost any reports or press announcements coming out of Durbin this week are untrustworthy.
New data throws doubt on last year’s discovery of a bacteria that used arsenic as one of the basic elements of life
The uncertainty of science: New data has thrown doubt on last year’s discovery of a bacteria that used arsenic as one of the basic elements of life.
The uncertainty of science: New data has thrown doubt on last year’s discovery of a bacteria that used arsenic as one of the basic elements of life.
India’s satellite television channels face blackouts due to the unreliability of an aging satellite.
India’s satellite television channels are facing blackouts due to the unreliability of an aging satellite.
India’s satellite television channels are facing blackouts due to the unreliability of an aging satellite.
Teddy Bear the porcupine
Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reach new high
Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached a new high in 2010.
And yet, the rise in the world’s climate has stalled since around 2000. This suggests to me, as does a lot of other research, that the Earth’s climate is far more complex than claimed by many scientists, and that there are some factors we do not yet understand contributing to the ebb and flow of the planet’s global temperature.
Let me add one more point: this lack of understanding about climate change also suggests it is a mistake for our government to take drastic action against global warming at this time. As George Will has noted, “The law is a blunt instrument.” It often does a poor job of dealing with these kinds of issues, especially in cases where our knowledge is flawed or incomplete.
Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere reached a new high in 2010.
And yet, the rise in the world’s climate has stalled since around 2000. This suggests to me, as does a lot of other research, that the Earth’s climate is far more complex than claimed by many scientists, and that there are some factors we do not yet understand contributing to the ebb and flow of the planet’s global temperature.
Let me add one more point: this lack of understanding about climate change also suggests it is a mistake for our government to take drastic action against global warming at this time. As George Will has noted, “The law is a blunt instrument.” It often does a poor job of dealing with these kinds of issues, especially in cases where our knowledge is flawed or incomplete.
German bomb experts successfully defuse WW II bomb after evacuating 45,000
German bomb experts have successfully defused a World War II bomb after evacuating 45,000.
“I did my job, that was all,” lead defusing expert Horst Lenz told local daily Rhein Zeitung.
German bomb experts have successfully defused a World War II bomb after evacuating 45,000.
“I did my job, that was all,” lead defusing expert Horst Lenz told local daily Rhein Zeitung.
Business shuts down because of Obamacare and other federal regulation
Repeal it! The shutting down of business because of Obamacare and other federal regulation. This quote sums things up nicely:
In an economic climate of increasing uncertainties, Puzder says, one certainty is that many businesses that now are marginally profitable will disappear when ObamaCare causes that margin to disappear. A second certainty is that “employers everywhere will be looking to reduce labor content in their business models as ObamaCare makes employees unambiguously more expensive.”
Repeal it! The shutting down of business because of Obamacare and other federal regulation. This quote sums things up nicely:
In an economic climate of increasing uncertainties, Puzder says, one certainty is that many businesses that now are marginally profitable will disappear when ObamaCare causes that margin to disappear. A second certainty is that “employers everywhere will be looking to reduce labor content in their business models as ObamaCare makes employees unambiguously more expensive.”
Boston Bans E-Cigarettes, Just Because
Boston bans e-cigarettes, just because.
Boston bans e-cigarettes, just because.
Occupy Richmond stands up for the Richmond Tea Party
Pigs fly! Occupy Richmond stands with the Richmond Tea Party against the city government.
After the city accused the Richmond Tea Party of being overdue on tax filings,Occupy Richmond issued a statement saying “it would not surprise us” if the move was “retaliation” for the Tea Party’s criticism of Mayor Dwight Jones. […] “The Tea Party and Occupy movements disagree on many, many issues,” Occupy Richmond’s Thursday statement said. “This should not stop all Americans from proudly standing together against government abuses.” [emphasis mine]
Kudos to Occupy Richmond for understanding that an attack on freedom is an attack against everyone, even if the attack happens to be aimed at your opponents.
This also once again illustrates how completely stupid and politically tone deaf the city’s action is against the Richmond Tea Party. It will garner the mayor and his minions nothing but grief.
Pigs fly! Occupy Richmond stands with the Richmond Tea Party against the city government.
After the city accused the Richmond Tea Party of being overdue on tax filings,Occupy Richmond issued a statement saying “it would not surprise us” if the move was “retaliation” for the Tea Party’s criticism of Mayor Dwight Jones. […] “The Tea Party and Occupy movements disagree on many, many issues,” Occupy Richmond’s Thursday statement said. “This should not stop all Americans from proudly standing together against government abuses.” [emphasis mine]
Kudos to Occupy Richmond for understanding that an attack on freedom is an attack against everyone, even if the attack happens to be aimed at your opponents.
This also once again illustrates how completely stupid and politically tone deaf the city’s action is against the Richmond Tea Party. It will garner the mayor and his minions nothing but grief.
Multiple dark matter experiments produce multiple results
The uncertainty of science: Multiple dark matter experiments produce multiple results.
The uncertainty of science: Multiple dark matter experiments produce multiple results.
Penguin Cafe Orchestra – Perpetuum Mobile
The March 11 earthquake off the coast of Japan shifted the seabed 165 feet and raised it 33 feet, the largest shift ever recorded
The March 11 earthquake off the coast of Japan shifted the seabed as much 165 feet and raised it as much as 33 feet, the largest such change ever recorded.
The March 11 earthquake off the coast of Japan shifted the seabed as much 165 feet and raised it as much as 33 feet, the largest such change ever recorded.
The X-37B: what is it for?
X-37B has successfully passed the 270 day milestone in its now extended mission.
Lots of people have speculated about the military’s plans for the X-37B. I think the Air Force is actually telling us in this quote:
» Read more
Two climate papers of interest
When I appear on radio and am talking about climate change, I often get the same questions over and over.
- Is the climate warming?
- If so, is human behavior an important factor for causing that warming?
- How much does the sun influence climate change?
- Is the ozone hole linked to climate change?
The truth is that, right now, no one can really answer any of these questions with any certainty. While a large majority of climate scientists might be convinced the Earth is warming and that human activity is causing this warming, the public has great doubts about these claims, partly because of the untrustworthy behavior of many of these climate scientists and partly because the science itself is often confusing.
We simply don’t yet have enough data. Worse, much of the data we do have is tainted, unreliable because of the misconduct and political activism of the very climate scientists who are trying to prove the case for man-made global warming.
Two new papers, published today in Geophysical Research Letters, add some interesting but small data points to this whole subject.
» Read more
“I was bleeding like a pig.”
An 85-year-old woman at a TSA checkpoint: “I was bleeding like a pig.”
Though we have the same last name, we are not related.
An 85-year-old woman at a TSA checkpoint: “I was bleeding like a pig.”
Though we have the same last name, we are not related.
Electric car company shuts down
For once, the taxpayer doesn’t get screwed: The electric car company Aptera has shut down due to lack of interest from investors and the lack of a loan from the government.
The California company was counting on a federal loan – and private investments to match the loan – so that it could start producing its very first electric vehicle. Aptera said it was close to securing a $150 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, but it couldn’t line up the private dollars necessary to complete the loan application process.
For once, the taxpayer doesn’t get screwed: The electric car company Aptera has shut down due to lack of interest from investors and the lack of a loan from the government.
The California company was counting on a federal loan – and private investments to match the loan – so that it could start producing its very first electric vehicle. Aptera said it was close to securing a $150 million from the U.S. Department of Energy, but it couldn’t line up the private dollars necessary to complete the loan application process.