Iceland’s most active volcano erupts
Grimsvotn, Iceland’s most active volcano, has started a new eruption, the first since 2004.
Grimsvotn, Iceland’s most active volcano, has started a new eruption, the first since 2004.
Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Iceland’s most active volcano erupts
Images of Robert Bigelow’s ambitious private space station plans
Images of Robert Bigelow’s ambitious private space station plans.
Images of Robert Bigelow’s ambitious private space station plans.
Local authorities warn gun owners that they will be “inconvenienced” if they carry unconcealed handguns legally in Philadelphia
Local authorities warn gun owners that they will be “inconvenienced” if they carry unconcealed handguns legally in Philadelphia.
Or to put it another way, the police have decided they can harass citizens who happen to be obeying the law.
Local authorities warn gun owners that they will be “inconvenienced” if they carry unconcealed handguns legally in Philadelphia.
Or to put it another way, the police have decided they can harass citizens who happen to be obeying the law.
NASA sting nets woman offering moon rock for $1.7M
All your Moon rocks are belong to us: A NASA sting nets a woman offering to sell a Moon rock for $1.7M.
All your Moon rocks are belong to us: A NASA sting nets a woman offering to sell a Moon rock for $1.7M.
Departing Soyuz crew to snap space station portrait
The departing Soyuz crew will do a photo-op fly around on Monday to photograph the completed station with a docked shuttle.
The departing Soyuz crew will do a photo-op fly around on Monday to photograph the completed station with a docked shuttle.
Damaged shuttle tile to get closer look
Damaged shuttle tile to get closer look.
Damaged shuttle tile to get closer look.
Chinese Journalists Barred From Shuttle Launch
Chinese journalists were barred from all official press areas during the Endeavour launch.
A NASA spokesperson says the agency was simply following instructions in last month’s 2011 spending bill that averted a government-wide shutdown. The legislation prohibits NASA from using any resources to host visits by a Chinese official to any NASA facility as well as for collaborations with any Chinese government entity. The Chinese journalists work for Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, and thus are considered government employees.
Chinese journalists were barred from all official press areas during the Endeavour launch.
A NASA spokesperson says the agency was simply following instructions in last month’s 2011 spending bill that averted a government-wide shutdown. The legislation prohibits NASA from using any resources to host visits by a Chinese official to any NASA facility as well as for collaborations with any Chinese government entity. The Chinese journalists work for Xinhua, the official Chinese news agency, and thus are considered government employees.
The real Obama and gun control
The real Obama and gun control.
On March 30, the 30th anniversary of the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, Jim Brady, who sustained a debilitating head wound in the attack, and his wife, Sarah, came to Capitol Hill to push for a ban on the controversial “large magazines.” Brady, for whom the law requiring background checks on handgun purchasers is named, then met with White House press secretary Jay Carney. During the meeting, President Obama dropped in and, according to Sarah Brady, brought up the issue of gun control, “to fill us in that it was very much on his agenda,” she said.
“I just want you to know that we are working on it,” Brady recalled the president telling them. “We have to go through a few processes, but under the radar.”
In the meeting, she said, Obama discussed how records get into the system and what can be done about firearms retailers. Her husband specifically brought up the proposed ban on large magazine clips, and she noted that even former vice president Dick Cheney had suggested that some restrictions on the clips might make sense.
“He just laughed,” Sarah Brady said approvingly of the president. Both she and her husband, she emphasized, had absolute confidence that the president was committed to regulation. [emphasis mine]
The real Obama and gun control.
On March 30, the 30th anniversary of the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, Jim Brady, who sustained a debilitating head wound in the attack, and his wife, Sarah, came to Capitol Hill to push for a ban on the controversial “large magazines.” Brady, for whom the law requiring background checks on handgun purchasers is named, then met with White House press secretary Jay Carney. During the meeting, President Obama dropped in and, according to Sarah Brady, brought up the issue of gun control, “to fill us in that it was very much on his agenda,” she said.
“I just want you to know that we are working on it,” Brady recalled the president telling them. “We have to go through a few processes, but under the radar.”
In the meeting, she said, Obama discussed how records get into the system and what can be done about firearms retailers. Her husband specifically brought up the proposed ban on large magazine clips, and she noted that even former vice president Dick Cheney had suggested that some restrictions on the clips might make sense.
“He just laughed,” Sarah Brady said approvingly of the president. Both she and her husband, she emphasized, had absolute confidence that the president was committed to regulation. [emphasis mine]
Hamas TV praises jihadi suicide bombers and encourages young men to seek jihad martyrdom by killing Jews
Hamas TV praises jihadi suicide bombers and encourages young men to seek jihad martyrdom by killing Jews.
Sure, let’s give them a state. What could go wrong?
And how about this: Hamas co-founder admits that any “peace accord” would merely be a prelude to war.
Saying Hamas would accept a PA state based on the “1967 borders,” Zahar made it clear a peace accord would only serve as a prelude to Israel’s destruction. [emphasis mine]
Hamas TV praises jihadi suicide bombers and encourages young men to seek jihad martyrdom by killing Jews.
Sure, let’s give them a state. What could go wrong?
And how about this: Hamas co-founder admits that any “peace accord” would merely be a prelude to war.
Saying Hamas would accept a PA state based on the “1967 borders,” Zahar made it clear a peace accord would only serve as a prelude to Israel’s destruction. [emphasis mine]
Spacesuit Glitch shortens spacewalk at ISS
Spacesuit malfunction shortens spacewalk at ISS.
Spacesuit malfunction shortens spacewalk at ISS.
Last shuttle launch scheduled for July 8
Last shuttle launch scheduled for July 8.
Last shuttle launch scheduled for July 8.
Harry Reid says it would be “Foolish” for the Democrats to offer budget plan
The court jester speaks: Harry Reid said Thursday it would be “foolish” for the Democrats to offer their own budget plan.
The court jester speaks: Harry Reid said Thursday it would be “foolish” for the Democrats to offer their own budget plan.
Family Facing $4 Million in Fines for Selling Bunnies
A family in Missouri faces a federal fine of over $90,000 for simply selling bunny-rabbits.
“She said, ‘Well, Mr. Dollarhite, I’ve got the report on my desk, and I’m just gonna tell you that, once I review it, it’s our intent to prosecute you to the maximum that we can’ and that ‘we will make an example out of you.” When John once again tried to determine which law he and his wife had violated, he said the USDA lady replied, “We’ll forward you everything.”
“Ma’am, what law have we broken,” John said.
“Well, you sold more than $500 worth of rabbits in one calendar year,” she replied, according to John.
Thugs.
A family in Missouri faces a federal fine of over $90,000 for simply selling bunny-rabbits.
“She said, ‘Well, Mr. Dollarhite, I’ve got the report on my desk, and I’m just gonna tell you that, once I review it, it’s our intent to prosecute you to the maximum that we can’ and that ‘we will make an example out of you.” When John once again tried to determine which law he and his wife had violated, he said the USDA lady replied, “We’ll forward you everything.”
“Ma’am, what law have we broken,” John said.
“Well, you sold more than $500 worth of rabbits in one calendar year,” she replied, according to John.
Thugs.
Dear Congress: Your credit application has been turned down
Dear Congress: Your credit application has been turned down.
You may also wish to contact a consumer credit counseling agency. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling can help you locate a reputable counseling agency in your area. You may also wish to visit the NFCC’s website for helpful tips on such subjects as
•drawing up a budget
•living within your means
•saving during tough economic times
•steps to take when your finances get out of control
Dear Congress: Your credit application has been turned down.
You may also wish to contact a consumer credit counseling agency. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling can help you locate a reputable counseling agency in your area. You may also wish to visit the NFCC’s website for helpful tips on such subjects as
•drawing up a budget
•living within your means
•saving during tough economic times
•steps to take when your finances get out of control
Climate cleansing: Google to censor skeptics?
From JunkScience: Google to censor climate skeptics?
From JunkScience: Google to censor climate skeptics?
Shell gas plant to be biggest floating object ever
Liquified gas plant to be the biggest floating object ever built.
Liquified gas plant to be the biggest floating object ever built.
AARP the latest to receive Obamacare break
Finding out what’s in it: AARP, which campaigned for Obamacare, is getting an Obamacare exemption from the Obama administration.
Finding out what’s in it: AARP, which campaigned for Obamacare, is getting an Obamacare exemption from the Obama administration.
Recent college grads sour on Obama, surveys say
A sea-change? Two new surveys find that recent college graduates have soured on Obama.
A sea-change? Two new surveys find that recent college graduates have soured on Obama.
Reid rejects Boehner proposal for $2 trillion in spending cuts
On Thursday Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada) rejected House Speaker John Boehner’s call for “trillions” in spending cuts.
Once again, I must note that while we can be rightly skeptical of the Republicans expressed desire to cut the budget, we can have no doubt that the Democrats are against it entirely, and will resist spending cuts on all fronts.
On Thursday Senator Harry Reid (D-Nevada) rejected House Speaker John Boehner’s call for “trillions” in spending cuts.
Once again, I must note that while we can be rightly skeptical of the Republicans expressed desire to cut the budget, we can have no doubt that the Democrats are against it entirely, and will resist spending cuts on all fronts.
Love and hate in Florida
The unintended irony here is priceless: “you are all mean, evil and selfish. i wish you all bad luck.”
The unintended irony here is priceless: “you are all mean, evil and selfish. i wish you all bad luck.”
The next Moon probe
The next Moon mission, launching this summer.
The next Moon mission, launching this summer.
Seeing the Planets for the Trees
A storm ten times bigger than Earth
Three Reasons That Obama’s Speech Will Worry the Jewish Community
Three reasons that Obama’s speech today will worry the Jewish community.
I especially liked this particular comment in the comments section:
Americans,and to a lesser extent Israelis, need to stop treating renouncing terror as a concession from the Palestinians. For most societies it is a prerequisite to merely being considered worth talking to as human beings. If Palestinian society is not willing to condemn beheading a three month old and shooting an anti-tank at a school bus, then they are savages who should be treated as such.
Three reasons that Obama’s speech today will worry the Jewish community.
I especially liked this particular comment in the comments section:
Americans,and to a lesser extent Israelis, need to stop treating renouncing terror as a concession from the Palestinians. For most societies it is a prerequisite to merely being considered worth talking to as human beings. If Palestinian society is not willing to condemn beheading a three month old and shooting an anti-tank at a school bus, then they are savages who should be treated as such.
EPA has given millions to environmentalist activist groups
Our tax dollars for partisan politics: EPA has given millions to environmentalist political activist groups.
Our tax dollars for partisan politics: EPA has given millions to environmentalist political activist groups.
New data provides further confirmation of dark energy
New data provides further confirmation of the existence of dark energy.
New data provides further confirmation of the existence of dark energy.
TSA does a security drill, and forget to tell the police
TSA does a security drill, and forgets to tell the police.
TSA does a security drill, and forgets to tell the police.
Obama and ignoring the War Powers Act
Obama and ignoring the War Powers Act.
If nothing happens, history will say that the War Powers Act was condemned to a quiet death by a president who had solemnly pledged, on the campaign trail, to put an end to indiscriminate warmaking.
The point here has nothing to do with whether the military operation in Libya is wise or foolish. The point is that Obama has now committed American troops to a war without legal authorization.
Obama and ignoring the War Powers Act.
If nothing happens, history will say that the War Powers Act was condemned to a quiet death by a president who had solemnly pledged, on the campaign trail, to put an end to indiscriminate warmaking.
The point here has nothing to do with whether the military operation in Libya is wise or foolish. The point is that Obama has now committed American troops to a war without legal authorization.
Diagram of Titanic used during 1912 official inquiry to be sold at auction
The 32-foot-long diagram of the Titanic used during 1912 official inquiry is to be sold at auction later this month.
The 32-foot-long diagram of the Titanic used during 1912 official inquiry is to be sold at auction later this month.
NOAA predicts an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season
NOAA today announced its prediction for 2011, calling for an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.
NOAA today announced its prediction for 2011, calling for an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season.