The first of two Grail space probes has entered lunar orbit
The first of two Grail space probes has entered lunar orbit.
The first of two Grail space probes has entered lunar orbit.
Category: Behind The Black
The first of two Grail space probes has entered lunar orbit
Why are so many offended by Tim Tebow’s faith?
Why are so many offended by Tim Tebow’s faith?
The author says it’s because people are insecure and feel threatened. I have a simpler explanation: hatred of and bigotry against someone who is religious.
Why are so many offended by Tim Tebow’s faith?
The author says it’s because people are insecure and feel threatened. I have a simpler explanation: hatred of and bigotry against someone who is religious.
The spenders won 2011
Jib Jab – 2011, Buh-Bye!
Congress has ended the corn ethanol tax subsidy
Congress has ended the corn ethanol tax subsidy.
That the taxpayer will no longer be shelling out billions to support this industry is a good thing. However, the news isn’t all good for the free market, as the mandates forcing an increase in ethanol use remain in effect.
Congress has ended the corn ethanol tax subsidy.
That the taxpayer will no longer be shelling out billions to support this industry is a good thing. However, the news isn’t all good for the free market, as the mandates forcing an increase in ethanol use remain in effect.
Democratic Party and Obama fundraiser has been convicted of a $21 million bank fraud scheme
Chicago politics ain’t limited to Chicago: In Brooklyn today a fundraiser for Obama and the Democratic Party was convicted of a $21 million bank fraud scheme.
Chicago politics ain’t limited to Chicago: In Brooklyn today a fundraiser for Obama and the Democratic Party was convicted of a $21 million bank fraud scheme.
How to self-destruct your company with just a few measly emails
How to self-destruct your PR company with just a few measly emails.
The reason this story has gone viral is that everyone has had to deal with rude and uninformed customer service people who not only don’t answer questions accurately, often downright lie to get you off the phone. And sadly, they can get away with it because companies allow them to. With this story, however, justice triumphed. Thank you Mike Krahulik of Penny Arcade.
How to self-destruct your PR company with just a few measly emails.
The reason this story has gone viral is that everyone has had to deal with rude and uninformed customer service people who not only don’t answer questions accurately, often downright lie to get you off the phone. And sadly, they can get away with it because companies allow them to. With this story, however, justice triumphed. Thank you Mike Krahulik of Penny Arcade.
Want to see an asteroid eclipse a star?
On January 2, 2012, an asteroid is going to transit across the face of Betelgeuse. And if you live in Europe, own a very sensitive telescope, look close and don’t blink, you might be able to see it!
This is all according to a preprint paper published today on the Los Alamos astro-ph preprint website, written by scientist Costantino Sigismondi of the Galileo Ferraris Institute and International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics in Rome. You can download the paper here [pdf].
The transit itself will only last 3.6 seconds, and will only be visible along a narrow swath crossing southern India and moving across the Middle East, through parts of Italy, France, and the southwestern most tips of England and Ireland. A map of this path is below the fold.
» Read more
Six tired arguments the energy sector needs to stop using
In other energy news: Six tired arguments the energy sector needs to stop using.
I like the last best:
Social good alone does not make for a viable business, even if it makes for a darn good trading strategy. For investors, if you’ve been burned, try to remember that feeling good about green energy can still make you feel very nauseous when monitoring your portfolio.
In other energy news: Six tired arguments the energy sector needs to stop using.
I like the last best:
Social good alone does not make for a viable business, even if it makes for a darn good trading strategy. For investors, if you’ve been burned, try to remember that feeling good about green energy can still make you feel very nauseous when monitoring your portfolio.
The trends in worldwide energy use
The trends in worldwide energy use.
Overall, North American leads the way, but the rest of the world is catching up. And the increase in residential electric use comes from electronic appliances like computers and televisions.
The trends in worldwide energy use.
Overall, North American leads the way, but the rest of the world is catching up. And the increase in residential electric use comes from electronic appliances like computers and televisions.
An eruption today of the very remote Cleveland volcano in the Aleutian Islands has caused an air traffic alert.
More volcano news: An eruption today of the very remote Cleveland volcano in the Aleutian Islands has caused an air traffic alert.
More volcano news: An eruption today of the very remote Cleveland volcano in the Aleutian Islands has caused an air traffic alert.
Volcanic activity in the Red Sea is producing a new island
Volcanic activity in the Red Sea is producing a brand new island.
Volcanic activity in the Red Sea is producing a brand new island.
The South Pole had its warmest day on record on Christmas Day this year
The South Pole had its warmest day on record on Christmas Day this year.
Before the global warming crowd starts crowing, note that temperatures for December were actually quite normal, not colder or warmer than the average.
The South Pole had its warmest day on record on Christmas Day this year.
Before the global warming crowd starts crowing, note that temperatures for December were actually quite normal, not colder or warmer than the average.
Fired employee goes on rampage
An evening pause: I think this is staged, but it’s worth sticking around for the punchline at the end.
Egypt raids the offices of seventeen human rights organizations
How’s that Arab spring working out for you? Egypt today raided the offices of seventeen human rights organizations.
Egyptian soldiers and black-clad police officers swept into offices, interrogated workers and seized computers across the country. Those targeted included U.S. groups the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute and Freedom House, which are funded by Congress to monitor elections and promote democracy overseas.
How’s that Arab spring working out for you? Egypt today raided the offices of seventeen human rights organizations.
Egyptian soldiers and black-clad police officers swept into offices, interrogated workers and seized computers across the country. Those targeted included U.S. groups the National Democratic Institute, the International Republican Institute and Freedom House, which are funded by Congress to monitor elections and promote democracy overseas.
The terraced slopes of Aristarchus
The science team of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter released a spectacular image of the lunar crater Aristarchus on Christmas Day, looking sideways at the crater’s west wall. The image was taken from only 16 miles above the Moon’s surface. You can see the full image here.
Two things to note from this image:
» Read more
Unfit to Print
New Rasmussen poll shows Romney beating Obama 45%-39%
A new Rasmussen poll shows Romney beating Obama 45%-39%.
What is more significant about the poll is how poorly Obama stacks up against every other possible candidate. Though he leads all the others, in no case does he get more than 48% of the vote. Even against a non-entity like Gary Johnson Obama only leads 42% to 27%. These numbers suggest that no matter who runs against Obama, the man is toast.
A new Rasmussen poll shows Romney beating Obama 45%-39%.
What is more significant about the poll is how poorly Obama stacks up against every other possible candidate. Though he leads all the others, in no case does he get more than 48% of the vote. Even against a non-entity like Gary Johnson Obama only leads 42% to 27%. These numbers suggest that no matter who runs against Obama, the man is toast.
Top 10 Worst Federal Rules of 2011
The top ten worst federal rules of 2011.
All are crippling, but this one is plain stupid:
4. The Equine Equality Rule. As of March 15 (the Ides of March, no less), hotels, restaurants, airlines, and the like became obliged to modify “policies, practices, or procedures” to accommodate miniature horses as service animals. According to the Department of Justice, which administers the rule, miniature horses are a “viable alternative” to dogs for individuals with allergies or for observant Muslims and others whose religious beliefs preclude canine accompaniment.
The top ten worst federal rules of 2011.
All are crippling, but this one is plain stupid:
4. The Equine Equality Rule. As of March 15 (the Ides of March, no less), hotels, restaurants, airlines, and the like became obliged to modify “policies, practices, or procedures” to accommodate miniature horses as service animals. According to the Department of Justice, which administers the rule, miniature horses are a “viable alternative” to dogs for individuals with allergies or for observant Muslims and others whose religious beliefs preclude canine accompaniment.
China issues a white paper on space, outlining its future goals
China today issued a white paper on space, outlining its future goals. In addition to additional launches of its manned Shenzhou manned capsule,
China also plans to launch space laboratories, manned spaceship and space freighters, and will start a research on the preliminary plan for a human landing on the moon, the document said.
As an important part of deep-space exploration, the country’s lunar probe projects follow the idea of “three steps” — orbiting, landing and returning. In next five years, the country plans to launch orbiters for lunar soft landing, roving and surveying to implement the second stage of lunar exploration, then it will start the third-stage project of sampling the moon’s surface matters and get those samples back to Earth, the white paper said.
You can download the full white paper here [pdf]. Hat tip to Spaceref.com.
China today issued a white paper on space, outlining its future goals. In addition to additional launches of its manned Shenzhou manned capsule,
China also plans to launch space laboratories, manned spaceship and space freighters, and will start a research on the preliminary plan for a human landing on the moon, the document said.
As an important part of deep-space exploration, the country’s lunar probe projects follow the idea of “three steps” — orbiting, landing and returning. In next five years, the country plans to launch orbiters for lunar soft landing, roving and surveying to implement the second stage of lunar exploration, then it will start the third-stage project of sampling the moon’s surface matters and get those samples back to Earth, the white paper said.
You can download the full white paper here [pdf]. Hat tip to Spaceref.com.
A Russian minister has threatened dire consequences after a group of Russian bloggers were able to wander freely through a rocket plant for literally days.
A Russian minister is threatening dire consequences after a group of Russian bloggers were able to wander freely through a rocket plant for literally days.
A Russian minister is threatening dire consequences after a group of Russian bloggers were able to wander freely through a rocket plant for literally days.
Samoa will skip Friday to flip across the international dateline to be in synch with its major trading partners in Asia
Jumping into the future: Samoa will skip Friday this week as it shifts across the international dateline to be in synch with its major trading partners in Asia.
Jumping into the future: Samoa will skip Friday this week as it shifts across the international dateline to be in synch with its major trading partners in Asia.
“The USA is officially the most charitable nation in the world.”
“The USA is officially the most charitable nation in the world.”
Damn those rich capitalistic bastards. We should tax them more!.
“The USA is officially the most charitable nation in the world.”
Damn those rich capitalistic bastards. We should tax them more!.
Soyuz rocket successfully launched six satellites into orbit today
Good news: A Russian Soyuz-2 rocket successfully launched six satellites into orbit today, less than a week after a differently configured Soyuz-2 rocket had failed.
Good news: A Russian Soyuz-2 rocket successfully launched six satellites into orbit today, less than a week after a differently configured Soyuz-2 rocket had failed.
Lurie and Atkinson – writing Shakespeare
Holder laments the murders caused by the use of illegal guns
The kettle calling the pot black: Attorney General Eric Holder today lamented the murders caused by the use of illegal guns in Mexico and the southwest.
Somehow he failed to mention how it was his Department of Justice that helped smuggled those guns into Mexico. In a sane world, Holder would be on trial as an accessory to those murders.
The kettle calling the pot black: Attorney General Eric Holder today lamented the murders caused by the use of illegal guns in Mexico and the southwest.
Somehow he failed to mention how it was his Department of Justice that helped smuggled those guns into Mexico. In a sane world, Holder would be on trial as an accessory to those murders.
The Obama Nation: Even More Debt And Even More Store Closings
A nation in economic collapse.
During “the Obama Nation”, the federal government has already accumulated more debt than it did from the time that George Washington took office to the time that Bill Clinton took office. Of course the Bush administration was nearly as bad at piling up government debt. Between Bush and Obama (with a big helping hand from the Federal Reserve), they have done a pretty good job of wiping out the financial future of the United States. If there are future generations of Americans, they will look back and curse those that did this to them. It is absolutely immoral to steal trillions of dollars from future generations. Unfortunately, there are very, very few members of Congress that are even objecting to this madness.
The article’s listing of store closings is also quite frightening, suggesting that the economic situation of the nation is far worse than has been reported.
A nation in economic collapse.
During “the Obama Nation”, the federal government has already accumulated more debt than it did from the time that George Washington took office to the time that Bill Clinton took office. Of course the Bush administration was nearly as bad at piling up government debt. Between Bush and Obama (with a big helping hand from the Federal Reserve), they have done a pretty good job of wiping out the financial future of the United States. If there are future generations of Americans, they will look back and curse those that did this to them. It is absolutely immoral to steal trillions of dollars from future generations. Unfortunately, there are very, very few members of Congress that are even objecting to this madness.
The article’s listing of store closings is also quite frightening, suggesting that the economic situation of the nation is far worse than has been reported.
Arizona’s ethnic studies program have been ruled illegal
An Arizona court has ruled that Arizona’s ethnic studies program are illegal.
Kowal’s ruling, first reported by The Arizona Daily Star, said the district’s Mexican-American Studies program violated state law by having one or more classes designed primarily for one ethnic group, promoting racial resentment and advocating ethnic solidarity instead of treating students as individuals. The judge, who found grounds to withhold 10 percent of the district’s monthly state aid until it comes into compliance, said the law permits the objective instruction about the oppression of people that may result in racial resentment or ethnic solidarity.
“However, teaching oppression objectively is quite different than actively presenting material in a biased, political and emotionally charged manner, which is what occurred in (Mexican-American Studies) classes,” Kowal wrote. The judge said such teaching promotes activism against white people, promotes racial resentment and advocates ethnic solidarity.
This is not a First Amendment issue. The Arizona state legislature, elected by the citizens, passed a rule stating that ethnic studies programs cannot focus on only one ethnic group. The Tucson school system cannot therefore expect funding from the state if it chooses not to obey that legislation.
An Arizona court has ruled that Arizona’s ethnic studies program are illegal.
Kowal’s ruling, first reported by The Arizona Daily Star, said the district’s Mexican-American Studies program violated state law by having one or more classes designed primarily for one ethnic group, promoting racial resentment and advocating ethnic solidarity instead of treating students as individuals. The judge, who found grounds to withhold 10 percent of the district’s monthly state aid until it comes into compliance, said the law permits the objective instruction about the oppression of people that may result in racial resentment or ethnic solidarity.
“However, teaching oppression objectively is quite different than actively presenting material in a biased, political and emotionally charged manner, which is what occurred in (Mexican-American Studies) classes,” Kowal wrote. The judge said such teaching promotes activism against white people, promotes racial resentment and advocates ethnic solidarity.
This is not a First Amendment issue. The Arizona state legislature, elected by the citizens, passed a rule stating that ethnic studies programs cannot focus on only one ethnic group. The Tucson school system cannot therefore expect funding from the state if it chooses not to obey that legislation.
The strange deep-sea creatures at a volcanic vent
The strange deep-sea creatures at a volcanic vent. With pictures.
The strange deep-sea creatures at a volcanic vent. With pictures.
China has activated its own GPS satellite system
China has activated its own GPS satellite system.
China had so far launched 10 satellites for the Beidou system, including one this month, and planned to put six more in orbit in 2012 to enhance the system’s accuracy and expand its service to cover most of the Asia Pacific region.
China has activated its own GPS satellite system.
China had so far launched 10 satellites for the Beidou system, including one this month, and planned to put six more in orbit in 2012 to enhance the system’s accuracy and expand its service to cover most of the Asia Pacific region.