World’s largest building has opened in China.
World’s largest building has opened in China.
World’s largest building has opened in China.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
World’s largest building has opened in China.
A survey shows that three quarters of all small businesses still plan to fire workers and cut hours in 2014 to avoid Obamacare, even though the Obama administration says it will not enforce the law unitl 2015.
A survey shows that three quarters of all small businesses still plan to fire workers and cut hours in 2014 to avoid Obamacare, even though the Obama administration says it will not enforce the law unitl 2015.
This makes sense. The law is still the law, even if the Obama administration won’t enforce it. If a business doesn’t cut the hours or the number of its workers to avoid the Obamacare mandates, but then does not provide those mandates, its employees can then sue the business and likely win.
The result: Expect the economy to tank next year as this turkey of a law takes hold and chokes the life out of American enterprise.
A survey shows that three quarters of all small businesses still plan to fire workers and cut hours in 2014 to avoid Obamacare, even though the Obama administration says it will not enforce the law unitl 2015.
This makes sense. The law is still the law, even if the Obama administration won’t enforce it. If a business doesn’t cut the hours or the number of its workers to avoid the Obamacare mandates, but then does not provide those mandates, its employees can then sue the business and likely win.
The result: Expect the economy to tank next year as this turkey of a law takes hold and chokes the life out of American enterprise.
A spacewalk on ISS was cut short today because of an unexplained dangerous build up of water inside one astronaut’s spacesuit.
A spacewalk on ISS was cut short today because of an unexplained dangerous build up of water inside one astronaut’s spacesuit.
A spacewalk on ISS was cut short today because of an unexplained dangerous build up of water inside one astronaut’s spacesuit.
“We have had an enormous amount of death threats.”
Modern civility: “We have had an enormous amount of death threats.”
I think this story sums up the entire George Zimmerman case. An ordinary citizen kills a black man in self-defense — clearly proven in court — and because of this he and his family are now under constant fear for their lives.
In other words, the violent, racist thugs in this case are all on the Trayvon Martin side of the coin.
Modern civility: “We have had an enormous amount of death threats.”
I think this story sums up the entire George Zimmerman case. An ordinary citizen kills a black man in self-defense — clearly proven in court — and because of this he and his family are now under constant fear for their lives.
In other words, the violent, racist thugs in this case are all on the Trayvon Martin side of the coin.
SpaceX has successfully completed a full duration test firing of 9 upgraded Merlin engines.
The competition heats up: SpaceX has successfully completed a full duration test firing of 9 upgraded Merlin engines.
The full mission duration firing of the next generation Falcon 9 booster was completed on Sunday. The booster’s nine Merlin 1D engines fired for approximately three minutes, simulating what the booster may experience in flight before stage separation.
With this success, I suspect they are finally ready to begin their commercial launches. The first is presently scheduled for September 5.
The competition heats up: SpaceX has successfully completed a full duration test firing of 9 upgraded Merlin engines.
The full mission duration firing of the next generation Falcon 9 booster was completed on Sunday. The booster’s nine Merlin 1D engines fired for approximately three minutes, simulating what the booster may experience in flight before stage separation.
With this success, I suspect they are finally ready to begin their commercial launches. The first is presently scheduled for September 5.
Treasury admitted today that the IRS tax records of several political candidates and campaign donors were illegally disclosed to unnamed government officials.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: The Obama Treasury Department admitted today that the IRS tax records of several political candidates and campaign donors were illegally disclosed to unnamed government officials.
[O]f the four instances in which tax records were improperly accessed, three cases were determined to be “inadvertent.” “In the fourth case, we presented evidence of a willful unauthorized access to the Department of Justice, but the case was declined for prosecution,” Mr. George wrote. Of the three cases that the inspector general called “inadvertent” disclosures, Mr. George said his office referred one to Justice with a recommendation that no prosecution be brought. He said Justice officials agreed with his office’s assessment. No reason was given for Justice’s rejections of prosecutions.
I wonder why the Obama Justice Department declined to prosecute that fourth case, which was “willful” and thus very illegal.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: The Obama Treasury Department admitted today that the IRS tax records of several political candidates and campaign donors were illegally disclosed to unnamed government officials.
[O]f the four instances in which tax records were improperly accessed, three cases were determined to be “inadvertent.” “In the fourth case, we presented evidence of a willful unauthorized access to the Department of Justice, but the case was declined for prosecution,” Mr. George wrote. Of the three cases that the inspector general called “inadvertent” disclosures, Mr. George said his office referred one to Justice with a recommendation that no prosecution be brought. He said Justice officials agreed with his office’s assessment. No reason was given for Justice’s rejections of prosecutions.
I wonder why the Obama Justice Department declined to prosecute that fourth case, which was “willful” and thus very illegal.
After thirty years, someone has finally won the Sikorsky Prize for creating a human-powered helicopter that can fly for at least a minute.
After thirty years, someone has finally won the Sikorsky Prize for creating a human-powered helicopter that can fly for at least a minute.
After thirty years, someone has finally won the Sikorsky Prize for creating a human-powered helicopter that can fly for at least a minute.
Orbital Sciences has issued an update on its Antares launch schedule, with the launch window now set for September 14-19.
The competition heats up: Orbital Sciences has issued an update on its Antares launch schedule, with the launch window for the Cygnus demonstration mission to ISS now set for September 14-19.
They announced this on July 10, but I am only now catching up. The launch could happen sooner, if there are delays to the launch of NASA’s LADEE moon probe. Right now the two launches are coordinated to have LADEE launch first.
The competition heats up: Orbital Sciences has issued an update on its Antares launch schedule, with the launch window for the Cygnus demonstration mission to ISS now set for September 14-19.
They announced this on July 10, but I am only now catching up. The launch could happen sooner, if there are delays to the launch of NASA’s LADEE moon probe. Right now the two launches are coordinated to have LADEE launch first.
Scientists have developed a technique for using GPS signals to precisely measure the wind speeds inside hurricanes.
Scientists have developed a technique for using GPS signals to precisely measure the wind speeds inside hurricanes.
Scientists have developed a technique for using GPS signals to precisely measure the wind speeds inside hurricanes.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered another moon orbiting Neptune.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered another moon orbiting Neptune.
Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered another moon orbiting Neptune.
Sierra Nevada has completed its first tow tests of its Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle, now officially named “Eagle.”
The competition heats up: Sierra Nevada has completed its first tow tests of its Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle, now officially named “Eagle.”
These tests were merely to check out the craft’s landing systems, with it being pulled along the runway at 10 to 20 mph. Faster tests, followed by actual drop tests, are to follow.
The article has some great information about Dream Chaser itself.
The competition heats up: Sierra Nevada has completed its first tow tests of its Dream Chaser engineering test vehicle, now officially named “Eagle.”
These tests were merely to check out the craft’s landing systems, with it being pulled along the runway at 10 to 20 mph. Faster tests, followed by actual drop tests, are to follow.
The article has some great information about Dream Chaser itself.
A blue exoplanet the size of Jupiter where glass rains sideways.
A blue exoplanet the size of Jupiter where glass rains sideways.
A blue exoplanet the size of Jupiter where glass rains sideways.
Got $125? You can do an experiment in space.
Got $125? You can do an experiment in space.
Got $125? You can do an experiment in space.
It appears that SpaceX has completed another test firing of its new Merlin engine.
The competition heats up: It appears that SpaceX has completed another test firing of its new Merlin engine.
The competition heats up: It appears that SpaceX has completed another test firing of its new Merlin engine.
A Russian news story reports that the spectacular Proton rocket failure several weeks ago occurred because a sensor was installed “upside down.”
A Russian news story reports that the spectacular Proton rocket failure two weeks ago occurred because a sensor was installed “upside down.”
A Russian news story reports that the spectacular Proton rocket failure two weeks ago occurred because a sensor was installed “upside down.”
Engineers will attempt one more try this month to revive one of Kepler’s reaction wheels so that the telescope can resume observations.
Engineers will attempt one more try this month to revive one of Kepler’s reaction wheels so that the telescope can resume observations.
They admit that the odds are not good that the attempt will work, but they are going to give it chance anyway.
Engineers will attempt one more try this month to revive one of Kepler’s reaction wheels so that the telescope can resume observations.
They admit that the odds are not good that the attempt will work, but they are going to give it chance anyway.
Off to the Grand Canyon
We are off to the Grand Canyon. Though I will probably have a chance to post tonight and tomorrow, expect posting to be light, especially the first half of next week when we are at Phantom Ranch.
We are off to the Grand Canyon. Though I will probably have a chance to post tonight and tomorrow, expect posting to be light, especially the first half of next week when we are at Phantom Ranch.
Nevada police arrested a family for refusing to let officers use their homes as lookouts for a domestic violence investigation of their neighbors.
Violating the third amendment: Nevada police arrested a family for refusing to let officers use their homes as lookouts for a domestic violence investigation of their neighbors.
The Mitchell family’s claim includes Third Amendment violations, a rare claim in the United States. The Third Amendment prohibits quartering soldiers in citizens’ homes in times of peace without the consent of the owner.
Violating the third amendment: Nevada police arrested a family for refusing to let officers use their homes as lookouts for a domestic violence investigation of their neighbors.
The Mitchell family’s claim includes Third Amendment violations, a rare claim in the United States. The Third Amendment prohibits quartering soldiers in citizens’ homes in times of peace without the consent of the owner.
The Russian investigation into the crash of their Proton rocket on Tuesday now includes a criminal prosecutor.
The Russian investigation into the crash of their Proton rocket on Tuesday now includes a criminal prosecutor.
“The investigative department of the Russian Investigative Committee at the Baikonur complex has opened a criminal case on this incident over evidence of a crime, put forward in the Russian Criminal Code Article 216 Part 1. The Baikonur prosecutor’s office is overseeing the investigation,” the statement said.
There is also another story from this news service claiming that the crash occurred because the rocket launched a half second early, confusing its computer systems.
The Russian investigation into the crash of their Proton rocket on Tuesday now includes a criminal prosecutor.
“The investigative department of the Russian Investigative Committee at the Baikonur complex has opened a criminal case on this incident over evidence of a crime, put forward in the Russian Criminal Code Article 216 Part 1. The Baikonur prosecutor’s office is overseeing the investigation,” the statement said.
There is also another story from this news service claiming that the crash occurred because the rocket launched a half second early, confusing its computer systems.
Legitimacy.
For July 4th: Legitimacy.
For July 4th: Legitimacy.
Want to land on an asteroid? Watch out, a gentle touchdown might cause avalanches everywhere!
Want to land on an asteroid? Watch out, a gentle touchdown might cause avalanches everywhere!
Want to land on an asteroid? Watch out, a gentle touchdown might cause avalanches everywhere!
Among many other valid points, the Wall Street Journal notes the “lawless” nature of the Obama administration’s announcement yesterday that it will not enforce one legal requirement of Obamacare in 2013.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: Among many other valid points about the disaster that is Obamacare, the Wall Street Journal notes the “lawless” nature of the Obama administration’s announcement yesterday that it will not enforce one legal requirement of Obamacare in 2013.
This selective enforcement of laws has become an Administration habit. From immigration (the Dream Act by fiat) to easing welfare reform’s work requirements to selective waivers for No Child Left Behind, the Obama Administration routinely suspends enforcement of or unilaterally rewrites via regulation the laws it dislikes. Now it is doing it again on health care, without any consultation from, much less the approval of, Congress.
Sadly, this contempt for the law is becoming rampant. Worse, though the Democrats have generally been the worst offenders, this contempt has not been a partisan affair. Republican politicians have participated as well.
And who will suffer? Not the politicians. It will be the ordinary innocent citizens, who merely want to live their lives freely without hindrance, who will pay the cost.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: Among many other valid points about the disaster that is Obamacare, the Wall Street Journal notes the “lawless” nature of the Obama administration’s announcement yesterday that it will not enforce one legal requirement of Obamacare in 2013.
This selective enforcement of laws has become an Administration habit. From immigration (the Dream Act by fiat) to easing welfare reform’s work requirements to selective waivers for No Child Left Behind, the Obama Administration routinely suspends enforcement of or unilaterally rewrites via regulation the laws it dislikes. Now it is doing it again on health care, without any consultation from, much less the approval of, Congress.
Sadly, this contempt for the law is becoming rampant. Worse, though the Democrats have generally been the worst offenders, this contempt has not been a partisan affair. Republican politicians have participated as well.
And who will suffer? Not the politicians. It will be the ordinary innocent citizens, who merely want to live their lives freely without hindrance, who will pay the cost.
After more than eleven years, the sea-level tracking satellite Jason-1 has finally shut down.
After more than eleven years, the sea-level tracking satellite Jason-1 has finally shut down.
After more than eleven years, the sea-level tracking satellite Jason-1 has finally shut down.
This week’s launch failure of the Proton rocket leaves two satellite communications firms in a quandary.
The competition heats up: This week’s launch failure of the Proton rocket leaves two satellite communications firms in a quandary.
Luxembourg-based SES joins London-based Inmarsat among the commercial customers awaiting Proton launches later this year, a prospect that almost certainly disappeared in the fireball that engulfed Proton shortly after liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Inmarsat’s entire next-generation high-speed mobile communications product offer is booked on three Proton launches.
It appears that their only other launch options are Arianespace, which is booked up, and SpaceX, which is not yet ready to take on this much new business.
In other words, the launch industry has a need for more launchers from companies willing to compete for that business.
Update: Arianespace has said that if they get the orders quickly, they might be able to fit the launch’s into their 2014 launch manifest. That has the sound of a company that wants to make money, and is willing to do whatever it takes to capture the business.
The competition heats up: This week’s launch failure of the Proton rocket leaves two satellite communications firms in a quandary.
Luxembourg-based SES joins London-based Inmarsat among the commercial customers awaiting Proton launches later this year, a prospect that almost certainly disappeared in the fireball that engulfed Proton shortly after liftoff from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Inmarsat’s entire next-generation high-speed mobile communications product offer is booked on three Proton launches.
It appears that their only other launch options are Arianespace, which is booked up, and SpaceX, which is not yet ready to take on this much new business.
In other words, the launch industry has a need for more launchers from companies willing to compete for that business.
Update: Arianespace has said that if they get the orders quickly, they might be able to fit the launch’s into their 2014 launch manifest. That has the sound of a company that wants to make money, and is willing to do whatever it takes to capture the business.
A white dwarf star that has morphed into a massive pulsing crystal.
A white dwarf star that has morphed into a massive pulsing crystal.
A white dwarf star that has morphed into a massive pulsing crystal.
“I hope you’re raped.”
Leftwing civility: “I hope you’re raped.”
Leftwing civility: “I hope you’re raped.”
A doctor with 5,000 patients is closing his practice because of Obamacare.
We’ve only just begun: A doctor with 5,000 patients is closing his practice because of Obamacare.
Watch the video. It begins with a mention of the expensive requirement, imposed by Obamacare, that all medical records be converted to digital, noting that this cost is one of the reasons doctors are giving up.
We’ve only just begun: A doctor with 5,000 patients is closing his practice because of Obamacare.
Watch the video. It begins with a mention of the expensive requirement, imposed by Obamacare, that all medical records be converted to digital, noting that this cost is one of the reasons doctors are giving up.
Mercury, world of fire.
Mercury, world of fire.
Mercury, world of fire.
The FBI has still not contacted any conservative group that was harassed by the IRS.
The FBI has still not contacted any conservative group that was harassed by the IRS.
And we still don’t know who the lead investigator of the FBI investigation is.
This “FBI investigation” is a fraud. Obama might have expressed public outrage over the IRS scandal, but in private it appears he instead ordered that nothing be done and that FBI act as a shield for the guilty parties.
The FBI has still not contacted any conservative group that was harassed by the IRS.
And we still don’t know who the lead investigator of the FBI investigation is.
This “FBI investigation” is a fraud. Obama might have expressed public outrage over the IRS scandal, but in private it appears he instead ordered that nothing be done and that FBI act as a shield for the guilty parties.
The lawyer for IRS official Lois Lerner is pushing to get her full immunity in exchange for her full testimony to Congress.
The lawyer for IRS official Lois Lerner is pushing to get her full immunity in exchange for her full testimony to Congress.
The article makes two very good points: One, it will be difficult to prosecute anyone at the IRS for its harassment of conservatives, and two, Lerner’s full testimony is likely not going to have any earthshaking bombshells. She will state that the White House had nothing to do with the harassment (whether that is true or not), and that the harassment was merely the result of some bad management decisions.
And thus, the government’s power over us will rise, and freedom will experience another cut in its continuing death of a thousand cuts.
The lawyer for IRS official Lois Lerner is pushing to get her full immunity in exchange for her full testimony to Congress.
The article makes two very good points: One, it will be difficult to prosecute anyone at the IRS for its harassment of conservatives, and two, Lerner’s full testimony is likely not going to have any earthshaking bombshells. She will state that the White House had nothing to do with the harassment (whether that is true or not), and that the harassment was merely the result of some bad management decisions.
And thus, the government’s power over us will rise, and freedom will experience another cut in its continuing death of a thousand cuts.