Category: Behind The Black
Vapor trails
White nose confirmed on Indiana bats
White nose syndrome, a fungus that is linked to the death of approximately a million bats throughout the eastern United States, has now been confirmed on two Indiana bats. You can read the actual Indiana Department of Natural Resources press release here. [pdf]
The bats are thus finally spreading the fungus north, as has been expected.
White nose syndrome, a fungus that is linked to the death of approximately a million bats throughout the eastern United States, has now been confirmed on two Indiana bats. You can read the actual Indiana Department of Natural Resources press release here. [pdf]
The bats are thus finally spreading the fungus north, as has been expected.
Remembering Columbia
An evening pause: On this day eight years ago, the space shuttle Columbia broke up as it returned from orbit. Rather than watch that sad sight again, I’d rather remember the shuttle’s achievements. Watch this footage of Columbia’s first landing on April 14, 1981, which proved it was possible to glide powerless back from space and land safely on a runway. Though we as a nation might be abandoning this approach right now, future generations will use this as their standard way to return to Earth.
Several things to note as you watch the video. First, the shuttle’s angle of descent is extremely and frighteningly steep, until the very last moment. And every shuttle landing is like this. The shuttle is heavy, but it is still attempting to glide powerless to a landing. To do so it needs the thickness of the atmosphere combined with high speed to give it lift. Thus, it plows downward at a mucher higher speed and angle than any airplane, then quickly levels out at the last moment.
Secondly, this first landing did not have a drogue chute to slow the shuttle down. Rather than complicate things, they simply let the shuttle roll until it came to a stop.
FEMA considers, than cancels spending a billion on MREs
Government stupidity in action: FEMA considered then canceled (thank goodness) a proposal to spend more than a billion dollars on Meals-Ready-to-Eat on the very slim chance that the New Madrid fault in the midwest might produce a major earthquake sometime in the three years.
Unfortunately, they still haven’t canceled plans to buy 7 million emergency blankets and 550 million gallons of water in individual 1-liter plastic bottles.
Government stupidity in action: FEMA considered then canceled (thank goodness) a proposal to spend more than a billion dollars on Meals-Ready-to-Eat on the very slim chance that the New Madrid fault in the midwest might produce a major earthquake sometime in the three years.
Unfortunately, they still haven’t canceled plans to buy 7 million emergency blankets and 550 million gallons of water in individual 1-liter plastic bottles.
More McCarthyism, from the left
More McCarthyism from the left: How a university professor was threatened, then lost his job, because he disagreed with the mayor of Chicago.
More McCarthyism from the left: How a university professor was threatened, then lost his job, because he disagreed with the mayor of Chicago.
WISE Completes Scan for Asteroids and Comets
The Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, WISE, has completed its four month extended mission, finishing a scan of the heavens that discovered more than 33,000 asteroids and comets.
The Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, WISE, has completed its four month extended mission, finishing a scan of the heavens that discovered more than 33,000 asteroids and comets.
Fossil female pterosaur found with preserved egg
The fossil of a female pterodactyl has been found in China, including an about-to-be laid egg. Key quote:
The egg indicates this ancient flying reptile was a female, and that realisation has allowed researchers to sex these creatures for the first time.
The fossil of a female pterodactyl has been found in China, including an about-to-be laid egg. Key quote:
The egg indicates this ancient flying reptile was a female, and that realisation has allowed researchers to sex these creatures for the first time.
Russia loses contact with new military satellite
Russia loses contact with newly launched military satellite.
Russia loses contact with newly launched military satellite.
finding out what’s politically correct
Want to know what the academic elite think is or is not politically correct? Make two different Freedom of Information Act requests at the same university for two scientists who just happen to be on opposite sides of the global warming debate and see how the university responds.
Not surprisingly, the university was glad to do whatever it could to hurt the global warming skeptic, while stonewalling any requests for information about the global warming advocate.
Want to know what the academic elite think is or is not politically correct? Make two different Freedom of Information Act requests at the same university for two scientists who just happen to be on opposite sides of the global warming debate and see how the university responds.
Not surprisingly, the university was glad to do whatever it could to hurt the global warming skeptic, while stonewalling any requests for information about the global warming advocate.
Planned Parenthood caught on tape covering up underage sex trafficking
A video sting operation has caught a Planned Parenthood official as she gladly helps a pimp illegally cover up his underage sex ring. Key quote:
In the video, the pair visit Planned Parenthood Central New Jersey’s abortion center in Perth Amboy and clinic manager Amy Woodruff, an LPN, warns the pimp and his prostitute to have their trafficked underage girls lie about their age to avoid mandatory reporting laws.
“Even if they lie, just say, ‘Oh he’s the same age as me, 15,’…it’s just that mainly 14 and under we have to, doesn’t matter if their partner’s the same age, younger, whatever, 14 and under we have to report,” Woodruff says. “Like on the paperwork there’s going to be a point that asks, uh, like are you sexually active, stuff like that … if they’re under a certain age… – you know, me and my other counselor, like for the most part we want as little information as possible – cause we don’t want to be involved…”
Watch the whole video. Your jaw will drop in horror, especially consider how much government money Planned Parenthood gets (more than $300 million per year).
Georgia Lawmaker Proposes Doing Away With Driver’s Licenses
An intriguing idea: A Georgia lawmaker proposes doing away with driver’s licenses.
An intriguing idea: A Georgia lawmaker proposes doing away with driver’s licenses.
Senate vote to repeal Obamacare could come this week
A Senate vote to repeal Obamacare could come as early as this week.
Repeal it already! From the courts to the White House, everyone knows this law is a turkey.
A Senate vote to repeal Obamacare could come as early as this week.
Repeal it already! From the courts to the White House, everyone knows this law is a turkey.
Using fishing nets to catch space junk
Using fishing nets to catch space junk.
Using fishing nets to catch space junk.
Discovery rolls out to launch pad again
Discovery has once again rolled out to the launch pad for its final mission.
Discovery has once again rolled out to the launch pad for its final mission.
A proposal to bypass the effort of Egypt (or any government) to shut down the internet
A proposal to bypass the effort of Egypt (or any government) to shut down the internet.
A proposal to bypass the effort of Egypt (or any government) to shut down the internet.
Don Slepian – Next Time
An evening pause: Music by Don Slepian (1984). Graphics: analog video synthesizer.
“This is the kind of ‘civil debate’ the left wants to have after Tucson?”
Looser gun laws proposed in Arizona
Here’s the right way to respond to the Tucson shootings: Less restrictions on gun use proposed in Arizona.
Here’s the right way to respond to the Tucson shootings: Less restrictions on gun use proposed in Arizona.
Air Force’s second X-37B space plane nears launch
The Air Force’s second X-37B space plane is now scheduled for a March 4 launch. Key quote:
“We want to be able to put an object up into space, materials, technology and so forth, test them out, bring them back and examine them,” said Richard McKinney, deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space programs. “In that respect, this is a test vehicle.”
The Air Force’s second X-37B space plane is now scheduled for a March 4 launch. Key quote:
“We want to be able to put an object up into space, materials, technology and so forth, test them out, bring them back and examine them,” said Richard McKinney, deputy under secretary of the Air Force for space programs. “In that respect, this is a test vehicle.”
The Sky Is Falling … More Than We Thought
Chicken Little was right! The sky is falling!
Chicken Little was right! The sky is falling!
Florida Judge Rules Against Health Law.
Big news! A Florida judge today has ruled the entire Obamacare law is unconstitutional. Key quote:
In his ruling, Judge Roger Vinson, a Republican appointee, said that the law’s requirement to carry insurance or pay a fee “is outside Congress’ Commerce Clause power, and it cannot be otherwise authorized by an assertion of power under the Necessary and Proper Clause. It is not constitutional.” The ruling also said that the entire law “must be declared void,” because the mandate to carry insurance is “not severable” from the rest of the law. [emphasis mine]
Big news! A Florida judge today has ruled the entire Obamacare law is unconstitutional. Key quote:
In his ruling, Judge Roger Vinson, a Republican appointee, said that the law’s requirement to carry insurance or pay a fee “is outside Congress’ Commerce Clause power, and it cannot be otherwise authorized by an assertion of power under the Necessary and Proper Clause. It is not constitutional.” The ruling also said that the entire law “must be declared void,” because the mandate to carry insurance is “not severable” from the rest of the law. [emphasis mine]
GOP pushing for ISPs to record user data
The Republicans in Congress are considering laws to force internet companies to record user data.
God damn it, that is not what they were sent there to do. We have an out-of-control federal budget issuing out-of-control regulations, and these turkeys want to expand their ability to pry into our private lives?
The Republicans in Congress are considering laws to force internet companies to record user data.
God damn it, that is not what they were sent there to do. We have an out-of-control federal budget issuing out-of-control regulations, and these turkeys want to expand their ability to pry into our private lives?
A look back at the V2 rocket
A look back at the V2 rocket.
A look back at the V2 rocket.
Hollywood: land of intolerance
Hollywood: the land of intolerance.
Hollywood: the land of intolerance.
Obama Administration Has Given Obamacare Waivers to 28 Union Locals that Spent $673,309 to Get Obama Elected
More proof this bill stinks: The Obama administration has given Obamacare waivers to 28 union locals that spent almost $700,000 to get Obama elected.
More proof this bill stinks: The Obama administration has given Obamacare waivers to 28 union locals that spent almost $700,000 to get Obama elected.
Poll finds that an overwhelming majority of Americans from both parties want politicians to heed the ‘tea party’
Surprise, surprise! A poll has found that an overwhelming majority of Americans from both parties want politicians to pay attention to tea party demands.
Surprise, surprise! A poll has found that an overwhelming majority of Americans from both parties want politicians to pay attention to tea party demands.
US judge to rule on Obamacare today
Repeal it already! Another US judge is expected to rule on Obamacare today. Key quote:
The judge, Roger Vinson of the U.S. District Court in Pensacola, Florida, was expected to rule on a lawsuit brought by governors and attorneys general from 26 U.S. states, almost all of whom are Republicans. Obama is a Democrat. The plaintiffs represent more than half the U.S. states, so the Pensacola case has more prominence than some two dozen lawsuits filed in federal courts over the healthcare law.
Repeal it already! Another US judge is expected to rule on Obamacare today. Key quote:
The judge, Roger Vinson of the U.S. District Court in Pensacola, Florida, was expected to rule on a lawsuit brought by governors and attorneys general from 26 U.S. states, almost all of whom are Republicans. Obama is a Democrat. The plaintiffs represent more than half the U.S. states, so the Pensacola case has more prominence than some two dozen lawsuits filed in federal courts over the healthcare law.
As Egypt goes offline US Congress gets internet ‘kill switch’ bill ready
Freedom of speech alert: As Egypt goes offline some members of the US Congress are getting their own internet ‘kill switch’ bill ready.
Freedom of speech alert: As Egypt goes offline some members of the US Congress are getting their own internet ‘kill switch’ bill ready.
Teenager builds ‘death-ray’ which can burn through almost anything
Indiana teenager has built a “Solar death-ray” that can literally burn through almost anything!
Indiana teenager has built a “Solar death-ray” that can literally burn through almost anything!
The chimp that took America into space
The chimp that took America into space.
The chimp that took America into space.