The history of the space shuttle in photos
The history of the space shuttle in photos. Hat tip Clark Lindsey.
The history of the space shuttle in photos. Hat tip Clark Lindsey.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
The history of the space shuttle in photos
A look inside NASA’s “Skunk Works”
Astronaut Mark Kelly says he won’t run for political office
Astronaut Mark Kelly says he won’t run for political office, leaving politics to his wife, Gabrielle Giffords.
It was a terrible tragedy that Giffords was so seriously injured in the Tucson shooting in January. However, I am completely baffled why people think this incident has somehow elevated the qualifications of both her and her husband for higher office. How does getting shot in the head make you a better leader/executive? It is absurd. If anything, this injury should sadly force us to question her ability to continue in office. As for her husband, mere name recognition isn’t enough. I respect him for recognizing that and bowing out.
Astronaut Mark Kelly says he won’t run for political office, leaving politics to his wife, Gabrielle Giffords.
It was a terrible tragedy that Giffords was so seriously injured in the Tucson shooting in January. However, I am completely baffled why people think this incident has somehow elevated the qualifications of both her and her husband for higher office. How does getting shot in the head make you a better leader/executive? It is absurd. If anything, this injury should sadly force us to question her ability to continue in office. As for her husband, mere name recognition isn’t enough. I respect him for recognizing that and bowing out.
More delays for the James Webb Space Telescope?
More delays for the James Webb Space Telescope?
More delays for the James Webb Space Telescope?
Internet Explorer continues to lose market share to Chrome, Firefox, others
Battle of the browsers: Internet Explorer continues to lose market share to Chrome, Firefox, and others.
Battle of the browsers: Internet Explorer continues to lose market share to Chrome, Firefox, and others.
U.S. National Parks’ Cultural and Natural Resources Threatened
The pigs begin squealing again: According to a report written by a D.C. advocacy group, the national parks face serious problems due to a lack of sufficient funds.
It’s never enough. The National Park Service budget [pdf] has grown from $2.5 billion in 2003 to $3.1 billion in 2011. At the same time, they have increased fees on all public lands, often introducing fees where none had ever existed before.
Somehow, they managed for decades on smaller budgets. At this time of unimaginable federal debt, I have no sympathy for them, despite the fact that I am a passionate lover of the natural wonders contained in the national parks.
The pigs begin squealing again: According to a report written by a D.C. advocacy group, the national parks face serious problems due to a lack of sufficient funds.
It’s never enough. The National Park Service budget [pdf] has grown from $2.5 billion in 2003 to $3.1 billion in 2011. At the same time, they have increased fees on all public lands, often introducing fees where none had ever existed before.
Somehow, they managed for decades on smaller budgets. At this time of unimaginable federal debt, I have no sympathy for them, despite the fact that I am a passionate lover of the natural wonders contained in the national parks.
NASA Foresees 2-Year Final Shuttle Retirement Phase
Seems a bit long to me: NASA foresees a two year period after the last shuttle lands to retire the program completely.
Seems a bit long to me: NASA foresees a two year period after the last shuttle lands to retire the program completely.
World’s longest sea bridge opens in China
The world’s longest sea bridge opened in China yesterday. With some cool images.
The world’s longest sea bridge opened in China yesterday. With some cool images.
The families of the Challenger astronauts come out in favor of commercial private manned spaceflight
The families of the Challenger astronauts come out in favor of commercial private manned spaceflight.
The families of the Challenger astronauts come out in favor of commercial private manned spaceflight.
Everything Bad is Good For You
Starting in 2014, Obamacare will punish those who work and those who are married
We’ve got to repeal this piece of crap: Starting in 2014, Obamacare will punish those who work and those who are married.
We’ve got to repeal this piece of crap: Starting in 2014, Obamacare will punish those who work and those who are married.
Computer chess program stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned
A computer chess program has been stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned because of accusations of plagiarism.
A computer chess program has been stripped of its four titles and its programmer banned because of accusations of plagiarism.
An independent panel of scientists has found that a $1.4 billion plan put forth by environmentalists to save the salmon of the northwest by destroying four hydroelectric dams and restricting water use was based on junk science.
An independent panel of scientists has found that a $1.4 billion plan put forth by environmentalists to save the salmon of the northwest by destroying four hydroelectric dams and restricting water use was based on junk science.
According to the just-released 350-page assessment, funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service, experts expressed “strong reservations” that the expensive effort could significantly increase the Chinook salmon population in the Klamath River system. . . . The report also states, “There are many pieces of information we do not know about the Klamath system, and none we know with absolute certainty. The process of developing the model, trying to reproduce historical conditions … must be internally consistent.”
An independent panel of scientists has found that a $1.4 billion plan put forth by environmentalists to save the salmon of the northwest by destroying four hydroelectric dams and restricting water use was based on junk science.
According to the just-released 350-page assessment, funded by the Fish and Wildlife Service, experts expressed “strong reservations” that the expensive effort could significantly increase the Chinook salmon population in the Klamath River system. . . . The report also states, “There are many pieces of information we do not know about the Klamath system, and none we know with absolute certainty. The process of developing the model, trying to reproduce historical conditions … must be internally consistent.”
In a poll Jamaicans overwhelming long for the return of British colonial rule
Hooray for imperialism! In a poll Jamaicans overwhelming long for the return of British colonial rule.
Hooray for imperialism! In a poll Jamaicans overwhelming long for the return of British colonial rule.
LightSquared report shows widespread GPS interference
A report on the first tests of the LightSquared wireless service says that it will produce widespread interference to GPS systems, especially for aviation. LightSquared meanwhile has told the FCC the problem is the fault of the GPS industry.
A report on the first tests of the LightSquared wireless service says that it will produce widespread interference to GPS systems, especially for aviation. LightSquared meanwhile has told the FCC the problem is the fault of the GPS industry.
NJ legislature passes ban on fracking, while NY considers lifting its ban
Who wins? NJ legislature has passed a ban on fracking for natural gas, while NY has moved to lift its ban.
Who wins? NJ legislature has passed a ban on fracking for natural gas, while NY has moved to lift its ban.
Mysterious Light Burst Captured by Hawaii Telescope
Mysterious bubble of light, caused by military suborbital rocket, captured by Hawaii telescopes.
Mysterious bubble of light, caused by military suborbital rocket, captured by Hawaii telescopes.
‘Dirty hack’ restores Cluster mission from near loss
A “dirty hack” has restored the Cluster solar wind mission from near loss.
A “dirty hack” has restored the Cluster solar wind mission from near loss.
NASA sues Apollo 14 astronaut over camera ownership
NASA is suing Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell over camera ownership.
NASA is suing Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell over camera ownership.
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth.
The Japanese solar sail Ikaros continues to function, more than 100 million miles from Earth.
Obama’s blast at corporate tax breaks for private jets was created in his stimulus package
This is funny: Obama’s attack of corporate tax breaks for private jets was an attack on something actually reauthorized by his stimulus package.
This is funny: Obama’s attack of corporate tax breaks for private jets was an attack on something actually reauthorized by his stimulus package.
Obama administration gave an almost $80,000 grant to the largest branch of a renamed ACORN, despite a Congressional prohibition.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: The Obama administration gave an almost $80,000 grant to the largest branch of a renamed ACORN, despite a Congressional prohibition.
The law is such an inconvenient thing: The Obama administration gave an almost $80,000 grant to the largest branch of a renamed ACORN, despite a Congressional prohibition.
An new Harvard study finds a political congruence between patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party.
An new Harvard study finds “a political congruence between patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party.”
I think this study says a lot more about the perceived values of the modern Democratic Party, and how many imagine them as almost being hostile to this country and its founding principles.
An new Harvard study finds “a political congruence between patriotism promoted on Fourth of July and the values associated with the Republican party.”
I think this study says a lot more about the perceived values of the modern Democratic Party, and how many imagine them as almost being hostile to this country and its founding principles.
Another billion in free money for homeowners who can’t pay their mortgage
The Obama administration is offering another billion in free money to homeowners who can’t pay their mortgage.
So, considering the trillions in debt that is overwhelming the budget of the federal government, I wonder where is billion dollars coming from. Do they grow it on trees? I’d really like to know, since it would be nice if I could manufacture cash out of thin air as easily whenever I thought I needed it.
The Obama administration is offering another billion in free money to homeowners who can’t pay their mortgage.
So, considering the trillions in debt that is overwhelming the budget of the federal government, I wonder where is billion dollars coming from. Do they grow it on trees? I’d really like to know, since it would be nice if I could manufacture cash out of thin air as easily whenever I thought I needed it.
Discovering the original colors of fossils
A new technique gives clues to the original living colors of ancient fossils.
A new technique gives clues to the original living colors of ancient fossils.
Congressman Poe calls for the firing of VA cemetery director for denying mourners their 1st amendment rights
Texas congressman demands the firing of VA cemetery director for denying mourners their first amendment rights.
Texas congressman demands the firing of VA cemetery director for denying mourners their first amendment rights.
Man boards flight without a valid passport or ID
The TSA hard at work: A man successfully boarded and disembarked from a flight, without a valid passport or ID.
The flight continued on to LA, where the man got off the plane and apparently spent several days in the area. On Wednesday, he returned to LAX and tried to get on a Delta flight bound for Atlanta, again trying to use an expired boarding pass and without valid identification. But this time, Delta would not let him on, and the FBI was alerted. [emphasis mine]
The TSA hard at work: A man successfully boarded and disembarked from a flight, without a valid passport or ID.
The flight continued on to LA, where the man got off the plane and apparently spent several days in the area. On Wednesday, he returned to LAX and tried to get on a Delta flight bound for Atlanta, again trying to use an expired boarding pass and without valid identification. But this time, Delta would not let him on, and the FBI was alerted. [emphasis mine]
Judge orders Obama administration to meet legal timeline for oil and gas leases
Another federal judge has ordered the Obama administration to stop stalling and start issuing oil and gas leases, as required by law.
To this administration, the law is such an inconvenient thing.
Another federal judge has ordered the Obama administration to stop stalling and start issuing oil and gas leases, as required by law.
To this administration, the law is such an inconvenient thing.
A massive Windows botnet “almost indestructible,” say researchers
A massive Windows botnet is “almost indestructible,” say researchers.
A massive Windows botnet is “almost indestructible,” say researchers.
Obama’s proposal to end the tax break for corporate jet owners would reduce the deficit by less than one-tenth of 1 percent.
A dose of reality: Obama’s repeated demand at yesterday’s press conference to end the tax break for corporate jet owners would reduce the deficit by less than one-tenth of 1 percent.
I say, the Republicans should trade this measly tax increase for $1 trillion in cuts. This tax increase is stupid, and will do nothing bu harm, but if they can trade it for lots of cuts, it’s worth accepting it.
A dose of reality: Obama’s repeated demand at yesterday’s press conference to end the tax break for corporate jet owners would reduce the deficit by less than one-tenth of 1 percent.
I say, the Republicans should trade this measly tax increase for $1 trillion in cuts. This tax increase is stupid, and will do nothing bu harm, but if they can trade it for lots of cuts, it’s worth accepting it.