Bolden in trouble?
NASA administrator Charles Bolden is off to China, despite opposition in Congress and new rumors that his future in this administration is shaky.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
The color of a wind turbine can attract bugs
Scientists have found that the color a wind turbine is painted will influence the number of bugs it attracts, which in turn will influence the number of bats and birds killed by the turbine. The least attractive color for bugs: purple!
Prosecutors recommend acquital on all charges for Wilders
Dutch prosecutors have recommended acquital for Geert Wilders on all charges. Though this is a vindication for Wilders, it is tragic that government officials thought they had the right to put Wilders on trial to begin with, merely because of things he said. Moreover, the trial is still scheduled to go on next week, despite these recommendations.
X-37b spotted again
Via Clark Lindsey, amateurs have spotted the X-37b again, in what appears to be a lower orbit.
Soaring Hoover Dam bypass bridge finally complete
The soaring bypass bridge over Hoover Dam is finally finished, and will open next week.
Upsets in northern California?
Whoa! A Republican is leading by 6% in a traditionally Democratic district in northern California.
South Carolina man ordered by the government to remove religious signs from his property
A South Carolina man has been ordered by his local county government to remove religious signs on his own property or face fines. He is suing.
Competing interests could spell a troubled future for NASA
According to this Nature article, competing political interests spell a troubled future for NASA, despite Obama’s signing of the authorization bill on Monday. Didn’t someone already predict this, months ago?
Last Chilean miner reaches the surface safely
The last Chilean miner has reached the surface safely. Key quote from one of the miners in answer to a question about their future as media stars:
“The only thing I’ll ask of you is that you don’t treat me as an artist or a journalist, but as a miner. I was born a miner and I’ll die a miner.”
MTV Denies That Obama Telecast Is Political
How stupid do they really think people are? MTV and Viacom deny that a one hour Obama telecast only three weeks before the election, A Conversation with President Obama, is not political and does not require them to give equal time to Republicans. Note that the White House came up with the idea, and that the audience is being pre-screened in advance.
ObamaCare will result in increased out-of-pocket costs for seniors
Surprise, surprise! The healthcare bill passed in March will result in increased out-of-pocket costs for seniors, according to Medicare officials.
More details of SpaceShipTwo’s test flight from pilot
More details about SpaceShipTwo’s test flight, this time from one of the pilots.