What the future was supposed to be like
What the future was supposed to be like.
What the future was supposed to be like.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
What the future was supposed to be like
The Philadelphia high school student who was ridiculed by a teacher for wearing a Romney t-shirt is suing the teacher and the school district.
The Philadelphia high school student who was ridiculed by a teacher for wearing a Romney t-shirt is suing the teacher and the school district.
The Philadelphia high school student who was ridiculed by a teacher for wearing a Romney t-shirt is suing the teacher and the school district.
New data has confirmed that asteroid 2011 AG5 will not hit the Earth in 2040.
You can relax: New data has confirmed that asteroid 2011 AG5 will not hit the Earth in 2040.
You can relax: New data has confirmed that asteroid 2011 AG5 will not hit the Earth in 2040.
Seven charts that outline the true and terrible state of the economy.
The day of reckoning looms: Seven charts that outline the true and terrible state of the economy.
The day of reckoning looms: Seven charts that outline the true and terrible state of the economy.
The Soyuz capsule with ISS’s new crew of three astronauts has successfully docked with the station.
The Soyuz capsule with ISS’s new crew of three astronauts has successfully docked with the station.
The Soyuz capsule with ISS’s new crew of three astronauts has successfully docked with the station.
NASA successfully completed a set of tests of the parachutes for the Orion capsule on Thursday.
NASA successfully completed a set of tests of the parachutes for the Orion capsule on Thursday.
NASA successfully completed a set of tests of the parachutes for the Orion capsule on Thursday.
A zoning board and the LAPD have shut down a thirty-year-old successful burger stand, apparently because they think it attracts crime.
We’re here to help you: A zoning board and the LAPD have shut down a thirty-year-old successful burger stand, apparently because they think it attracts crime.
Watch the video at the link. The result of this brain-dead action will be an abandoned building in an abandoned neighborhood. Good going, California!
We’re here to help you: A zoning board and the LAPD have shut down a thirty-year-old successful burger stand, apparently because they think it attracts crime.
Watch the video at the link. The result of this brain-dead action will be an abandoned building in an abandoned neighborhood. Good going, California!
Two teams competing for the Google Lunar X-Prize have now merged.
Two teams competing for the Google Lunar X-Prize have now merged.
Moon Express had been considered by some to be in the lead to win the $30 million prize. With this merger I suspect their chances have improved considerably.
Two teams competing for the Google Lunar X-Prize have now merged.
Moon Express had been considered by some to be in the lead to win the $30 million prize. With this merger I suspect their chances have improved considerably.
A new dataset of global hurricanes since 1970 shows absolutely no trend, up or down.
More bad news for Al Gore: A new dataset of global hurricanes since 1970 shows absolutely no trend, up or down.
More bad news for Al Gore: A new dataset of global hurricanes since 1970 shows absolutely no trend, up or down.
Not only have the models failed to predict temperature, they also have failed to predict the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
Another IPCC failure, revealed in the leaked report: Not only have the models failed to predict global temperature, they also have failed to predict the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
The graph at the link is just like the temperature graph I posted on Monday. It compares actual observations with the predictions of the computer models, which all called for a hefty rise in atmospheric methane. All the models got it wrong.
Another IPCC failure, revealed in the leaked report: Not only have the models failed to predict global temperature, they also have failed to predict the amount of methane in the atmosphere.
The graph at the link is just like the temperature graph I posted on Monday. It compares actual observations with the predictions of the computer models, which all called for a hefty rise in atmospheric methane. All the models got it wrong.
“We are not going to do anything.”
Senate Democrats in action: “We are not going to do anything.”
But of course, it will be the Republicans’ fault, even though their proposed bill is one that Harry Reid himself considered acceptable earlier this year.
Senate Democrats in action: “We are not going to do anything.”
But of course, it will be the Republicans’ fault, even though their proposed bill is one that Harry Reid himself considered acceptable earlier this year.
More details on Virgin Galactic’s first glide test of SpaceShipTwo with its rocket motor attached.
More details on Virgin Galactic’s first glide test of SpaceShipTwo with its rocket motor attached.
More details on Virgin Galactic’s first glide test of SpaceShipTwo with its rocket motor attached.
An meteorite that crashed in the Sierra Nevadas in April was traveling at the fastest speed on record, almost 18 miles per second.
An meteorite that crashed in the Sierra Nevada mountains in April was traveling at the fastest speed on record for an meteorite, almost 18 miles per second.
An meteorite that crashed in the Sierra Nevada mountains in April was traveling at the fastest speed on record for an meteorite, almost 18 miles per second.
The state where this past weekend’s mass murder occurred is considered to have the fifth strongest gun laws in the nation.
The state where this past weekend’s mass murder occurred is considered to have the fifth strongest gun laws in the nation.
They say they want an “assault weapons ban” yet Connecticut already has one (and good luck getting them to define “assault weapon”). They say they want “waiting periods” yet Connecticut already has those, too. They say they want to ban high-capacity magazines, even though the low-capacity ones take only seconds to change. Background checks? We already have those nationwide.
How effective is gun control? Not very effective it appears. Which of course means we must impose these laws on everyone. Now! Immediately! Just because! Regardless of whether it makes sense!
And then there’s this: “It’s a nasty combination of supreme self-righteousness and reflexive demonization.”
The state where this past weekend’s mass murder occurred is considered to have the fifth strongest gun laws in the nation.
They say they want an “assault weapons ban” yet Connecticut already has one (and good luck getting them to define “assault weapon”). They say they want “waiting periods” yet Connecticut already has those, too. They say they want to ban high-capacity magazines, even though the low-capacity ones take only seconds to change. Background checks? We already have those nationwide.
How effective is gun control? Not very effective it appears. Which of course means we must impose these laws on everyone. Now! Immediately! Just because! Regardless of whether it makes sense!
And then there’s this: “It’s a nasty combination of supreme self-righteousness and reflexive demonization.”
The recent youtube video showing an eagle swooping down to grab a toddler was faked.
The uncertainty of imagery: The recent youtube viral video showing an eagle swooping down to grab a toddler was faked.
Based on this example alone, it is becoming increasingly possible to fake a news story. You better have multiple sources on any strange event or else take it with a grain of salt.
The uncertainty of imagery: The recent youtube viral video showing an eagle swooping down to grab a toddler was faked.
Based on this example alone, it is becoming increasingly possible to fake a news story. You better have multiple sources on any strange event or else take it with a grain of salt.
Another three polio workers were killed in Pakistan today.
Savages: Another three polio workers were killed in Pakistan today.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but many suspect the Taliban, which has opposed polio vaccination, calling it a plot to sterilize Muslim children and threatening polio workers. [emphasis mine]
This ain’t a clash of civilizations, it’s a battle between civilization and barbarism. And Islam is the land of barbarians.
Savages: Another three polio workers were killed in Pakistan today.
No one has claimed responsibility for the attacks, but many suspect the Taliban, which has opposed polio vaccination, calling it a plot to sterilize Muslim children and threatening polio workers. [emphasis mine]
This ain’t a clash of civilizations, it’s a battle between civilization and barbarism. And Islam is the land of barbarians.
A petition to have the U.S. withdraw from the United Nations Outer Space Treaty has been submitted to the White House.
Now’s here’s a good idea: A petition to have the U.S. withdraw from the United Nations Outer Space Treaty has been submitted to the White House.
Read it. Mark Whittington, who submitted it, is absolutely right. We get out, we can claim territory on the Moon and thus apply U.S. law to that territory. People and companies could thus own land and have an opportunity to make a profit from their property.
Now’s here’s a good idea: A petition to have the U.S. withdraw from the United Nations Outer Space Treaty has been submitted to the White House.
Read it. Mark Whittington, who submitted it, is absolutely right. We get out, we can claim territory on the Moon and thus apply U.S. law to that territory. People and companies could thus own land and have an opportunity to make a profit from their property.
SpaceShipTwo has successfully completed its first glide test flight with its rocket motor attached.
SpaceShipTwo has successfully completed its first glide test flight with its rocket motor attached.
Now that they know the spacecraft glides properly with the extra weight of the rocket, this sets the stage for the first powered flight.
SpaceShipTwo has successfully completed its first glide test flight with its rocket motor attached.
Now that they know the spacecraft glides properly with the extra weight of the rocket, this sets the stage for the first powered flight.
An American pastor — a convert from Islam — has been imprisoned without notice of charges while visiting his family in Iran.
An American pastor — a convert from Islam — has been imprisoned without notice of charges while visiting his family in Iran.
It appears his only crime was making it possible for Iranian Christian converts from Islam to follow their religion.
An American pastor — a convert from Islam — has been imprisoned without notice of charges while visiting his family in Iran.
It appears his only crime was making it possible for Iranian Christian converts from Islam to follow their religion.
Hurricane Sandy relief funding turns into Porkfest 2012
Surprise surprise! Hurricane Sandy relief funding turns into Porkfest 2012.
Surprise surprise! Hurricane Sandy relief funding turns into Porkfest 2012.
A laser defense system capable of destroying missiles from a distance.
A laser defense system capable of destroying missiles from a distance. With video.
A laser defense system capable of destroying missiles from a distance. With video.
Robert Bork, 1927-2012
R.I.P. Robert Bork, 1927-2012.
Bork was smart, thoughtful, and understood constitutional law better than anyone in his generation. That he was denied a seat on the Supreme Court because of a leftwing campaign of personal destruction remains a shameful moment in American political history.
R.I.P. Robert Bork, 1927-2012.
Bork was smart, thoughtful, and understood constitutional law better than anyone in his generation. That he was denied a seat on the Supreme Court because of a leftwing campaign of personal destruction remains a shameful moment in American political history.
In coordinated attacks, Taliban terrorists in Pakistan murdered one man and five women, whose only job was to administer polio vaccines.
Savages: In coordinated attacks, Taliban terrorists in Pakistan murdered one man and five women, whose only job was to administer polio vaccines.
Yesterday, a male polio worker was fatally shot, and today four women were killed within about 20 minutes of each other in three apparently coordinated attacks in poor Karachi neighborhoods, including Gadap, where the July shootings occurred. Another woman was killed in Peshawar. Taliban insurgents have repeatedly threatened campaign workers, but so far no one has claimed responsibility for the current or previous attacks. Pakistani officials and international groups supporting the polio campaign are still trying to piece together what happened, says Bruce Aylward, who heads the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
“The implications [of the attacks] run way beyond polio,” Aylward says, because targeting health workers will deprive Pakistani children from receiving other basic health services as well. Local leaders and community authorities have “got to assume responsibility and assure that the message gets out that this is not acceptable,” Aylward says.
We can’t have children get healthcare or avoid getting polio, can we? It might offend Allah.
Savages: In coordinated attacks, Taliban terrorists in Pakistan murdered one man and five women, whose only job was to administer polio vaccines.
Yesterday, a male polio worker was fatally shot, and today four women were killed within about 20 minutes of each other in three apparently coordinated attacks in poor Karachi neighborhoods, including Gadap, where the July shootings occurred. Another woman was killed in Peshawar. Taliban insurgents have repeatedly threatened campaign workers, but so far no one has claimed responsibility for the current or previous attacks. Pakistani officials and international groups supporting the polio campaign are still trying to piece together what happened, says Bruce Aylward, who heads the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.
“The implications [of the attacks] run way beyond polio,” Aylward says, because targeting health workers will deprive Pakistani children from receiving other basic health services as well. Local leaders and community authorities have “got to assume responsibility and assure that the message gets out that this is not acceptable,” Aylward says.
We can’t have children get healthcare or avoid getting polio, can we? It might offend Allah.
Russia today successfully launched a new three man crew toward ISS.
Russia today successfully launched a new three man crew toward ISS.
Russia today successfully launched a new three man crew toward ISS.
The bar at the center of the Milky Way.
The bar at the center of the Milky Way.
The bar at the center of the Milky Way.
Instagram has said it will withdraw language from its terms and conditions that would have given it ownership rights to users’ photography.
That didn’t take long: Instagram has said it will withdraw language from its terms and conditions that would have given it ownership rights to users’ photography.
How nice of them. But note that the article above also points out that the actual language has not yet changed.
That didn’t take long: Instagram has said it will withdraw language from its terms and conditions that would have given it ownership rights to users’ photography.
How nice of them. But note that the article above also points out that the actual language has not yet changed.
Another Earth just twelve light years away?
Another Earth just twelve light years away?
Another Earth just twelve light years away?
The science team for Cassini has released a spectacular mosiac of Saturn and its rings, backlit by the Sun.
The science team for Cassini has released a spectacular mosiac of Saturn and its rings, backlit by the Sun.
The science team for Cassini has released a spectacular mosiac of Saturn and its rings, backlit by the Sun.
“I want Wayne LaPierre’s head on a stick.”
Leftwing love: “I want Wayne LaPierre’s head on a stick.”
More death threats here.
The first quote is from a college professor no less. And the death threats? If accomplished, how would they be any different from the actions of the mass murderer in Connecticut this past weekend?
Leftwing love: “I want Wayne LaPierre’s head on a stick.”
More death threats here.
The first quote is from a college professor no less. And the death threats? If accomplished, how would they be any different from the actions of the mass murderer in Connecticut this past weekend?
Facebook’s Instagram has updated its terms and conditions so that it now claims “perpetual” ownership to all photographs posted by users.
Facebook’s Instagram has updated its terms and conditions in order to claim “perpetual” ownership to all photographs posted by users.
“You acknowledge that we may not always identify paid services, sponsored content, or commercial communications as such,” the new terms say. That may let advertisers use teenagers’ photos for marketing, raising privacy and security concerns, Jeffrey Chester, executive director for the Center for Digital Democracy, told Bloomberg.
And people wonder why I am not on Facebook.
Facebook’s Instagram has updated its terms and conditions in order to claim “perpetual” ownership to all photographs posted by users.
“You acknowledge that we may not always identify paid services, sponsored content, or commercial communications as such,” the new terms say. That may let advertisers use teenagers’ photos for marketing, raising privacy and security concerns, Jeffrey Chester, executive director for the Center for Digital Democracy, told Bloomberg.
And people wonder why I am not on Facebook.