Trying to buy tickets to the London Olympics: A soul-destroying experience.
Trying to buy tickets to the London Olympics: A soul-destroying experience.
Trying to buy tickets to the London Olympics: A soul-destroying experience.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Trying to buy tickets to the London Olympics: A soul-destroying experience.
An Obamacare tax on medical devices has caused one company to cancel plans to build five new factories.
Repeal it! An Obamacare tax on medical devices has caused one company to cancel plans to build five new factories.
Nor is this the only such medical device company to pull back due to the tax. Read the whole article.
Repeal it! An Obamacare tax on medical devices has caused one company to cancel plans to build five new factories.
Nor is this the only such medical device company to pull back due to the tax. Read the whole article.
Election fraud, at the NAACP and elsewhere.
Election fraud, at the NAACP and elsewhere.
An NAACP official is convicted of voting multiple times under many names, many of which were dead, and is now serving five years in prison for the crime. No wonder this organization is against voter id. It would cramp their style!
The most encouraging part of the story is that it was a Democrat who led the prosecution.
Election fraud, at the NAACP and elsewhere.
An NAACP official is convicted of voting multiple times under many names, many of which were dead, and is now serving five years in prison for the crime. No wonder this organization is against voter id. It would cramp their style!
The most encouraging part of the story is that it was a Democrat who led the prosecution.
The landslides of Iapetus: longer and more frequent than anywhere else in the solar system.
The landslides of Iapetus: longer and more frequent than anywhere else in the solar system.
The landslides of Iapetus: longer and more frequent than anywhere else in the solar system.
most of the weather stations in the US are so poorly sited that their temperature data is unreliable.
The article describes a new paper which analyzed the reliability of the weather stations in the U.S. and found that NOAA not only favored the data from the more untrustworthy stations — which also happened to have a warming bias — they then adjusted the overall data upward even more.
In other words, any temperature data from the last few decades cannot be trusted.
The full details can be found at Watts Up With That, but I haven’t given that as the main link because the page takes so long to load due to the many comments. You can also go here for additional information.
The article describes a new paper which analyzed the reliability of the weather stations in the U.S. and found that NOAA not only favored the data from the more untrustworthy stations — which also happened to have a warming bias — they then adjusted the overall data upward even more.
In other words, any temperature data from the last few decades cannot be trusted.
The full details can be found at Watts Up With That, but I haven’t given that as the main link because the page takes so long to load due to the many comments. You can also go here for additional information.
The Roman Colosseum has been found to be leaning about sixteen inches to the south.
The Roman Colosseum has been found to be leaning about sixteen inches to the south.
The Roman Colosseum has been found to be leaning about sixteen inches to the south.
After using his truck without his permission in a botched sting operation, the U.S. government is now refusing to compensate the owner for the truck’s destruction.
We’re here to help you: After using his truck without his permission in a botched sting operation, the U.S. government is now refusing to compensate the owner for the damages.
Commandeered by one of his drivers, who was secretly working with federal agents, the truck had been hauling marijuana from the border as part of an undercover operation. And without Patty’s knowledge, the Drug Enforcement Administration was paying his driver, Lawrence Chapa, to use the truck to bust traffickers. … Chapa was shot dead in front of more than a dozen law enforcement officers – all of them taken by surprise by hijackers trying to steal the red Kenworth T600 truck and its load of pot. In the confusion of the attack in northwest Harris County, compounded by officers in the operation not all knowing each other, a Houston policeman shot and wounded a Harris County sheriff’s deputy.
But eight months later, Patty still can’t get recompense from the U.S. government’s decision to use his truck and employee without his permission.
We’re here to help you: After using his truck without his permission in a botched sting operation, the U.S. government is now refusing to compensate the owner for the damages.
Commandeered by one of his drivers, who was secretly working with federal agents, the truck had been hauling marijuana from the border as part of an undercover operation. And without Patty’s knowledge, the Drug Enforcement Administration was paying his driver, Lawrence Chapa, to use the truck to bust traffickers. … Chapa was shot dead in front of more than a dozen law enforcement officers – all of them taken by surprise by hijackers trying to steal the red Kenworth T600 truck and its load of pot. In the confusion of the attack in northwest Harris County, compounded by officers in the operation not all knowing each other, a Houston policeman shot and wounded a Harris County sheriff’s deputy.
But eight months later, Patty still can’t get recompense from the U.S. government’s decision to use his truck and employee without his permission.
Doing everything but the job of President.
Doing everything but the job of President.
Though this data might illustrate how disinterested Obama is in actually doing the kind of job that recent Presidents have done, it also shows how truly irrelevant the Presidency really is. A President can make a positive difference, but in truth, society functions with or without him. It is just a shame that this President sees the job as merely a platform for campaigning.
Doing everything but the job of President.
Though this data might illustrate how disinterested Obama is in actually doing the kind of job that recent Presidents have done, it also shows how truly irrelevant the Presidency really is. A President can make a positive difference, but in truth, society functions with or without him. It is just a shame that this President sees the job as merely a platform for campaigning.
The Russians today successfully redocked their unmanned Progress freighter to ISS, using a new docking system.
Success: The Russians today successfully redocked their unmanned Progress freighter to ISS, using a new docking system.
Success: The Russians today successfully redocked their unmanned Progress freighter to ISS, using a new docking system.
The Marines have put in an order for 12,000 M1911 pistols, the iconic 45 caliber pistol designed by John Browning more than a 100 years ago and used by the American military for most of the first half of the 20th century.
Comeback: The Marines have put in an order for 12,000 M1911 pistols, the iconic 45 caliber pistol designed by John Browning more than a 100 years ago and used by the American military for most of the first half of the 20th century.
Comeback: The Marines have put in an order for 12,000 M1911 pistols, the iconic 45 caliber pistol designed by John Browning more than a 100 years ago and used by the American military for most of the first half of the 20th century.
A new comparison by scientists of polygon-shaped formations on both the Earth and Mars suggests that both were formed underwater, providing further evidence that Mars once had oceans.
A new comparison by scientists of polygon-shaped formations on both the Earth and Mars suggests that both were formed underwater, providing further evidence that Mars once had oceans.
A new comparison by scientists of polygon-shaped formations on both the Earth and Mars suggests that both were formed underwater, providing further evidence that Mars once had oceans.
New analysis of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images suggests that most of the American flags planted at the Apollo landing sites are still standing.
New analysis of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images appears to prove that most of the American flags planted at the Apollo landing sites are still standing.
Sadly, the analysis also seems to prove what Buzz Aldrin reported, that the Apollo 11 American flag was blown over by the exhaust from the ascent stage when the astronauts took off.
I wonder if anyone from the United States will ever have a chance to pick it up?
New analysis of Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images appears to prove that most of the American flags planted at the Apollo landing sites are still standing.
Sadly, the analysis also seems to prove what Buzz Aldrin reported, that the Apollo 11 American flag was blown over by the exhaust from the ascent stage when the astronauts took off.
I wonder if anyone from the United States will ever have a chance to pick it up?
A Democrat election judge has said he will not enforce the Pennsylvania law that requires identification in order to vote.
The law is for thee, not me: A Democrat inspector of elections has said he will not enforce the Pennsylvania law that requires identification in order to vote.
He might not like the law, and the law itself might be bad, but he has no right to pick and chose what laws he will enforce as an elected official.
The law is for thee, not me: A Democrat inspector of elections has said he will not enforce the Pennsylvania law that requires identification in order to vote.
He might not like the law, and the law itself might be bad, but he has no right to pick and chose what laws he will enforce as an elected official.
A Colorado judge has issued an injunction preventing the Obama administration from enforcing its contraceptive drug mandate against a private company because the mandate might violate that company’s religious rights.
A Colorado judge has issued an injunction preventing the Obama administration from enforcing its contraceptive drug mandate against a private company because the mandate might violate that company’s religious rights.
A Colorado judge has issued an injunction preventing the Obama administration from enforcing its contraceptive drug mandate against a private company because the mandate might violate that company’s religious rights.
July 28 has now been set for the next docking attempt by a Progress freighter to ISS using Russia’s new docking system.
July 28 has now been set for the next docking attempt by a Progress freighter to ISS to test Russia’s new docking system.
July 28 has now been set for the next docking attempt by a Progress freighter to ISS to test Russia’s new docking system.
Researchers think they’ve found a German U-boat buried in the sand in a Canadian river almost 100 miles inland.
Researchers think they’ve found a World War II German U-boat buried in the sand in a Canadian river, almost 100 miles inland.
Researchers think they’ve found a World War II German U-boat buried in the sand in a Canadian river, almost 100 miles inland.
Local government officials shut down a kid’s hot dog stand — before it even opens.
We’re here to help you: Local government officials shut down a kid’s hot dog stand — before it even opens.
We’re here to help you: Local government officials shut down a kid’s hot dog stand — before it even opens.
An Oregon man faces 30 days in jail for collecting rainwater on his property.
We’re here to help you: An Oregon man faces 30 days in jail for collecting rainwater on his property.
We’re here to help you: An Oregon man faces 30 days in jail for collecting rainwater on his property.
A New Hampshire businessman who appeared in a Romney ad has gone to the police to report the phone threats he has since received.
Leftwing civility: A New Hampshire businessman who appeared in a Romney ad criticizing Obama has asked the police to investigate the phone threats he has since received.
One [call] called him a “vile piece of (expletive),” among other things, and demanded he call Obama to apologize. The caller was identified by Gilchrist through his caller ID. The man called from area code 630, which is the Chicago area. He has posted anti-Republican and anti-conservative messages on Twitter in the past, including a 2009 posts that said, “GOP needs to be eliminated,” and, “I am prepared to kill people. Let the tea bagers fire the first shot and I will pile up the bodies of the traitors.” [emphasis mine]
Leftwing civility: A New Hampshire businessman who appeared in a Romney ad criticizing Obama has asked the police to investigate the phone threats he has since received.
One [call] called him a “vile piece of (expletive),” among other things, and demanded he call Obama to apologize. The caller was identified by Gilchrist through his caller ID. The man called from area code 630, which is the Chicago area. He has posted anti-Republican and anti-conservative messages on Twitter in the past, including a 2009 posts that said, “GOP needs to be eliminated,” and, “I am prepared to kill people. Let the tea bagers fire the first shot and I will pile up the bodies of the traitors.” [emphasis mine]
The U.S. military is developing plans to recycle orbiting space junk into workable satellites.
The U.S. military is developing plans to recycle orbiting space junk into workable satellites.
The U.S. military is developing plans to recycle orbiting space junk into workable satellites.
On the road
I must apologize for the light posting the past few days. I am on a trip with my wife Diane visiting friends in Colorado. (The picture on the right of me (on the left) having lunch in the woods with Diane (standing) and friends Joel and Marianne will give you a taste of some of the fun we are having. The lamas were the pets of our host, who took the picture.)
I will be back home Sunday, when posting should resume with vigor.
I must apologize for the light posting the past few days. I am on a trip with my wife Diane visiting friends in Colorado. (The picture on the right of me (on the left) having lunch in the woods with Diane (standing) and friends Joel and Marianne will give you a taste of some of the fun we are having. The lamas were the pets of our host, who took the picture.)
I will be back home Sunday, when posting should resume with vigor.
The Democrats in the Senate have passed their tax plan.
The Democrats in the Senate have passed their tax plan, extending the Bush tax rates for families making under $250,000 for one year while allowing the rates for families earning above $250,000 to expire.
The big Democratic claim has been that in order to balance the budget richer people have to pay more of their fair share. Okay, so now they’ve made their point by law. If I were the Republicans I’d accept it, since we all know that this tax increase on higher income taxpayers will do nothing to lower the deficit. We could raise the tax rate for anyone earning more than $250K to 100 percent and we would still have a gigantic yearly deficit.
What will the Democrats next claim when this tax increase fails? It won’t matter. The problem is spending, and the failure of this tax plan will further demonstrate that point. The federal government has to learn to live within its means.
The Democrats in the Senate have passed their tax plan, extending the Bush tax rates for families making under $250,000 for one year while allowing the rates for families earning above $250,000 to expire.
The big Democratic claim has been that in order to balance the budget richer people have to pay more of their fair share. Okay, so now they’ve made their point by law. If I were the Republicans I’d accept it, since we all know that this tax increase on higher income taxpayers will do nothing to lower the deficit. We could raise the tax rate for anyone earning more than $250K to 100 percent and we would still have a gigantic yearly deficit.
What will the Democrats next claim when this tax increase fails? It won’t matter. The problem is spending, and the failure of this tax plan will further demonstrate that point. The federal government has to learn to live within its means.
Solar Impulse has successfully completed the first intercontinental roundtrip powered only by solar power.
A solar powered experimental airplane has successfully completed the first intercontinental roundtrip between Europe and Africa.
A solar powered experimental airplane has successfully completed the first intercontinental roundtrip between Europe and Africa.
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner has successfully completed an 18 mile dive in preparation for a record 23 mile dive next month.
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner has successfully completed an 18 mile dive in preparation for a record 23 mile dive next month.
Skydiver Felix Baumgartner has successfully completed an 18 mile dive in preparation for a record 23 mile dive next month.
One of Kepler’s reaction wheels — used to orient the space telescope — has failed.
Bad news: One of Kepler’s four reaction wheels — used to orient the space telescope — has failed.
Kepler only needs three wheels to function – one to control the probe’s motion along each axis – and the probe resumed its observations on 20 July. “Kepler is functioning very well on three reaction wheels,” says mission manager Roger Hunter of NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. If the glitch can’t be fixed, though, Kepler will be left without a backup wheel. “This is reducing the odds of making the mission go as long as we can,” says Kepler chief scientist William Borucki of NASA Ames, who doubts that Kepler could point accurately enough to look for transiting planets if reduced to two reaction wheels. “It was a disappointing surprise to find this wheel stopped so early.”
Bad news: One of Kepler’s four reaction wheels — used to orient the space telescope — has failed.
Kepler only needs three wheels to function – one to control the probe’s motion along each axis – and the probe resumed its observations on 20 July. “Kepler is functioning very well on three reaction wheels,” says mission manager Roger Hunter of NASA’s Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California. If the glitch can’t be fixed, though, Kepler will be left without a backup wheel. “This is reducing the odds of making the mission go as long as we can,” says Kepler chief scientist William Borucki of NASA Ames, who doubts that Kepler could point accurately enough to look for transiting planets if reduced to two reaction wheels. “It was a disappointing surprise to find this wheel stopped so early.”
Mars Odyssey has successfully adjusted its orbit so as to provide up-to-the-minute communications when Curiosity lands on August 5.
Good news: Mars Odyssey has successfully adjusted its orbit so as to provide up-to-the-minute communications when Curiosity lands on August 5.
Good news: Mars Odyssey has successfully adjusted its orbit so as to provide up-to-the-minute communications when Curiosity lands on August 5.
According to a new survey of businesses, 1 in 10 will drop health coverage for their employees when Obamacare goes into full effect.
Repeal it! According to a new survey of businesses, 1 in 10 will drop health coverage for their employees when Obamacare goes into full effect.
Repeal it! According to a new survey of businesses, 1 in 10 will drop health coverage for their employees when Obamacare goes into full effect.
A test redocking of a new automatic docking system on a Russian Progress freighter was aborted last night when the system did not work as planned.
A test redocking of a new automatic docking system on a Russian Progress freighter was aborted last night when the system did not work as planned.
They will probably try again on the weekend, after a Japanese cargo craft is berthed with the station.
A test redocking of a new automatic docking system on a Russian Progress freighter was aborted last night when the system did not work as planned.
They will probably try again on the weekend, after a Japanese cargo craft is berthed with the station.
Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut, has died.
NASA successfully tested a new inflatable heat shield today.
NASA successfully tested a new inflatable heat shield today in a suborbital flight at Wallops Island..
NASA successfully tested a new inflatable heat shield today in a suborbital flight at Wallops Island..