Category: Points of Information
Very brief descriptions, with appropriate links, of current or recent news items.
Ten Ways Progressive Policies Harm Society’s Moral Character
Obama plans birthday bash costing almost $40k per ticket on default day
Tone deaf: Obama is planning a birthday bash fundraiser for himself costing more than $35k per ticket on August 3, the day the debt limit is reached and could default.
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is expected to perform at the birthday bash at the historic Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. The event will be one of the president’s biggest fundraisers of the year. Publicity literature featuring a red, white and blue Happy Birthday logo has already been produced. The event will be “multi-tiered,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The Hudson concert would cost $50; admission to the party $200; a premium seat $1,000; a souvenir photo with the president $10,000; and VIP seating and dinner with Obama $38,500.
Tone deaf: Obama is planning a birthday bash fundraiser for himself costing more than $35k per ticket on August 3, the day the debt limit is reached and could default.
Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson is expected to perform at the birthday bash at the historic Aragon Ballroom in Chicago. The event will be one of the president’s biggest fundraisers of the year. Publicity literature featuring a red, white and blue Happy Birthday logo has already been produced. The event will be “multi-tiered,” the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The Hudson concert would cost $50; admission to the party $200; a premium seat $1,000; a souvenir photo with the president $10,000; and VIP seating and dinner with Obama $38,500.
Triumph and tragedy: 30 years of the Space Shuttle
Worth reading: Nature has put together a special section of articles on the history of the space shuttle.
Worth reading: Nature has put together a special section of articles on the history of the space shuttle.
Hubble has discovered a fourth moon orbiting Pluto
Hubble has discovered a fourth moon orbiting Pluto.
Hubble has discovered a fourth moon orbiting Pluto.
The Republican-controlled House today passed legislation raising the debt ceiling and cutting federal spending by $6 trillion
Now it’s in the Democrats’ court: The Republican-controlled House today passed legislation raising the debt ceiling and cutting federal spending by $6 trillion.
Republicans have now passed their second bill this session that attempts to address the exploding deficits and the debt crisis, the first being Paul Ryan’s budget plan in April. Meanwhile, Democrats in the Senate haven’t bothered to pass any budget resolution in over 800 days, and the White House still refuses to offer any specific ideas.
Now it’s in the Democrats’ court: The Republican-controlled House today passed legislation raising the debt ceiling and cutting federal spending by $6 trillion.
Republicans have now passed their second bill this session that attempts to address the exploding deficits and the debt crisis, the first being Paul Ryan’s budget plan in April. Meanwhile, Democrats in the Senate haven’t bothered to pass any budget resolution in over 800 days, and the White House still refuses to offer any specific ideas.
All charges dropped on woman who groped a TSA agent
All felony charges dropped against the woman who groped a TSA agent.
Jerry Cobb, a spokesman for the Maricopa County attorney’s office, said county prosecutors concluded the facts of the case don’t rise to the level of a felony. The case against Yukari Miyamae, of Longmont, Colo., now goes to Phoenix’s city prosecutor’s office, which handles all misdemeanors in the city. That office said it hasn’t received the case and hasn’t decided whether to charge Miyamae.
All felony charges dropped against the woman who groped a TSA agent.
Jerry Cobb, a spokesman for the Maricopa County attorney’s office, said county prosecutors concluded the facts of the case don’t rise to the level of a felony. The case against Yukari Miyamae, of Longmont, Colo., now goes to Phoenix’s city prosecutor’s office, which handles all misdemeanors in the city. That office said it hasn’t received the case and hasn’t decided whether to charge Miyamae.
The dying NASA astrophysics program
The dying NASA astrophysics program.
With support from President Barack Obama, the agency’s Earth science budget is at an all-time high. Over the next four months, the planetary science division is due to launch three major missions: to the Moon, to Mars and to Jupiter. And the heliophysics division plans to send a probe plunging into the blistering atmosphere of the Sun, closer than ever before. But because the overall NASA science budget is relatively flat, something had to give. Since 2008, astrophysics funding has plunged relative to other NASA science and relative to physics and astronomy funding at other agencies.
The dying NASA astrophysics program.
With support from President Barack Obama, the agency’s Earth science budget is at an all-time high. Over the next four months, the planetary science division is due to launch three major missions: to the Moon, to Mars and to Jupiter. And the heliophysics division plans to send a probe plunging into the blistering atmosphere of the Sun, closer than ever before. But because the overall NASA science budget is relatively flat, something had to give. Since 2008, astrophysics funding has plunged relative to other NASA science and relative to physics and astronomy funding at other agencies.
The space shuttle has undocked from the space station for the last time
The space shuttle has undocked from the space station for the last time.
The space shuttle has undocked from the space station for the last time.
Japanese tsunami set record at 132.5 feet high
The March 11th Japanese tsunami was the highest on record, 132.5 feet high.
The March 11th Japanese tsunami was the highest on record, 132.5 feet high.
Russia vows not to exploit manned space flight monopoly
That’s so nice of them: Russia vows not to exploit its manned space flight monopoly.
Actually, this isn’t really news. Since the fall of the Soviet Union the Russians have always driven a hard bargain when they have sold tickets to get crew or cargo into space. However, once the contract has been signed they have also honored those contracts, to the letter. As the U.S. already has a signed contract to get its astronauts to ISS using Russian rockets and capsules, there won’t be any opportunities for Russian exploitation — until that contract expires.
In other words, the U.S. had better get some manned launch capability on line before too long. And on that note, see this article: NASA considers man-rating the Atlas V.
That’s so nice of them: Russia vows not to exploit its manned space flight monopoly.
Actually, this isn’t really news. Since the fall of the Soviet Union the Russians have always driven a hard bargain when they have sold tickets to get crew or cargo into space. However, once the contract has been signed they have also honored those contracts, to the letter. As the U.S. already has a signed contract to get its astronauts to ISS using Russian rockets and capsules, there won’t be any opportunities for Russian exploitation — until that contract expires.
In other words, the U.S. had better get some manned launch capability on line before too long. And on that note, see this article: NASA considers man-rating the Atlas V.
More than 400 companies in the medical industry are demanding repeal of excise tax imposed by Obamacare
Finding out what’s in it: More than 400 companies in the medical industry are demanding repeal of an excise tax imposed by Obamacare.
Finding out what’s in it: More than 400 companies in the medical industry are demanding repeal of an excise tax imposed by Obamacare.
Ten signs that Americans have begun freaking out about the state of the economy
Ten signs that Americans have begun freaking out about the state of the economy.
Here’s another: Bank Of America is tanking again, as the firm may need $50 billion in fresh capital.
Ten signs that Americans have begun freaking out about the state of the economy.
Here’s another: Bank Of America is tanking again, as the firm may need $50 billion in fresh capital.
NASA to announce on Friday the landing site of Curiousity, the next Mars rover
NASA to announce on Friday the landing site of Curiousity, the next Mars rover.
NASA to announce on Friday the landing site of Curiousity, the next Mars rover.
Why Hasn’t The Earth Warmed In Nearly 15 Years?
Obama’s National Relations Labor Board prosecutes a dead person for not responding
Our government in action: The National Relations Labor Board under the Obama administration has prosecuted a dead person for not responding to a union complaint, made after the person died.
Our government in action: The National Relations Labor Board under the Obama administration has prosecuted a dead person for not responding to a union complaint, made after the person died.
Nearly one-fourth of the people polled asserted that they would give up sex if it meant that they could avoid a PowerPoint presentation.
Now here’s a useful data point: A new poll finds that nearly one-fourth of those polled would give up sex if it meant that they could avoid a PowerPoint presentation.
Now here’s a useful data point: A new poll finds that nearly one-fourth of those polled would give up sex if it meant that they could avoid a PowerPoint presentation.
Dawn enters orbit around Vesta
Dawn enters orbit around Vesta.
Dawn enters orbit around Vesta.
Colorado woman who refused TSA groping accused of groping TSA agent
Two wrongs don’t make a right: A Colorado woman who refused a TSA patdown has been accused of groping a TSA agent.
Though her behavior appears to have been an assault and therefore the arrest apparently justified, why is it that this woman gets charged with a crime while all around her TSA agents freely do exactly the same thing repeatedly to innocent Americans and are never charged as well?
The answer has to do with power, wielded by the government to dominate its citizens, and done so in a complete defiance of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Two wrongs don’t make a right: A Colorado woman who refused a TSA patdown has been accused of groping a TSA agent.
Though her behavior appears to have been an assault and therefore the arrest apparently justified, why is it that this woman gets charged with a crime while all around her TSA agents freely do exactly the same thing repeatedly to innocent Americans and are never charged as well?
The answer has to do with power, wielded by the government to dominate its citizens, and done so in a complete defiance of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
“Re-election is the farthest thing from my mind.”
We need more elected officials like this:
“Re-election is the farthest thing from my mind,” said Representative Tom Reed, a freshman Republican from upstate New York. “Like many of my colleagues in the freshman class, I came down here to get our fiscal house in order and take care of the threat to national security that we see in the federal debt. We came here not to have long careers. We came here to do something. We don’t care about re-election.”
We need more elected officials like this:
“Re-election is the farthest thing from my mind,” said Representative Tom Reed, a freshman Republican from upstate New York. “Like many of my colleagues in the freshman class, I came down here to get our fiscal house in order and take care of the threat to national security that we see in the federal debt. We came here not to have long careers. We came here to do something. We don’t care about re-election.”
Obama Administration granted 39 new waivers last month from Obamacare, bringing the total to just shy of 1,500
The Obama Administration granted 39 new waivers last month from Obamacare, bringing the total to just under 1,500.
The Obama Administration granted 39 new waivers last month from Obamacare, bringing the total to just under 1,500.
“Dominate. Intimidate. Control.”
“Dominate. Intimidate. Control.”
Now, thanks to TSA Chief John Pistole’s determination to “take the TSA to the next level,” there will soon be no place safe from the TSA’s groping searches. Only this time, the “ritualized humiliation” is being meted out by the serpentine-labeled Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) task forces, comprised of federal air marshals, surface transportation security inspectors, transportation security officers, behavior detection officers and explosive detection canine teams. At a cost of $30 million in 2009, VIPR relies on 25 teams of agents, in addition to assistance from local law enforcement agencies as well as immigration agents. And as a sign of where things are headed, Pistole, himself a former FBI agent, wants to turn the TSA into a “national-security, counterterrorism organization, fully integrated into U.S. government efforts.” To accomplish this, Pistole has requested funding for an additional 12 teams for fiscal year 2012, bringing VIPR’s operating budget close to $110 million.
“Dominate. Intimidate. Control.”
Now, thanks to TSA Chief John Pistole’s determination to “take the TSA to the next level,” there will soon be no place safe from the TSA’s groping searches. Only this time, the “ritualized humiliation” is being meted out by the serpentine-labeled Visible Intermodal Prevention and Response (VIPR) task forces, comprised of federal air marshals, surface transportation security inspectors, transportation security officers, behavior detection officers and explosive detection canine teams. At a cost of $30 million in 2009, VIPR relies on 25 teams of agents, in addition to assistance from local law enforcement agencies as well as immigration agents. And as a sign of where things are headed, Pistole, himself a former FBI agent, wants to turn the TSA into a “national-security, counterterrorism organization, fully integrated into U.S. government efforts.” To accomplish this, Pistole has requested funding for an additional 12 teams for fiscal year 2012, bringing VIPR’s operating budget close to $110 million.
New Jersey Township threatens to fine diner owner if he doesn’t remove American flag banners
Our government at work: A New Jersey Township has threatened to fine a diner owner if he doesn’t remove a string of American flags.
Our government at work: A New Jersey Township has threatened to fine a diner owner if he doesn’t remove a string of American flags.
Lost for 87 years, the Bornean rainbow toad has been rediscovered
Lost for 87 years, the Bornean rainbow toad has been rediscovered.
Lost for 87 years, the Bornean rainbow toad has been rediscovered.
Environmental terrorists destroy genetically modified test plots of wheat and potatoes
Leftwing civility: Environmental terrorists destroy genetically modified test plots of wheat and potatoes.
On the night of 9 July, half a dozen masked attackers overpowered the security guard watching over test fields in Gross Lüsewitz, near Rostock. They then destroyed a field of wheat resistant to fungal diseases and a field of potatoes engineered to produce cyanophycin, an amino acid polymer that could potentially be used to make plastics. . . . Two nights later, a dozen attackers threatened guards with pepper spray and bats at a demonstration garden in Üplingen, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. They destroyed a field of potatoes and trampled wheat and maize.
Leftwing civility: Environmental terrorists destroy genetically modified test plots of wheat and potatoes.
On the night of 9 July, half a dozen masked attackers overpowered the security guard watching over test fields in Gross Lüsewitz, near Rostock. They then destroyed a field of wheat resistant to fungal diseases and a field of potatoes engineered to produce cyanophycin, an amino acid polymer that could potentially be used to make plastics. . . . Two nights later, a dozen attackers threatened guards with pepper spray and bats at a demonstration garden in Üplingen, in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. They destroyed a field of potatoes and trampled wheat and maize.
SpaceX has broken ground on its Falcon Heavy launch site
SpaceX has broken ground on its Falcon Heavy launch site.
SpaceX has broken ground on its Falcon Heavy launch site.
Police close girls’ lemonade stand
Our government at work: Georgia police shut down a girls’ lemonade stand because they lacked a business license, peddler’s permit and food permit.
Our government at work: Georgia police shut down a girls’ lemonade stand because they lacked a business license, peddler’s permit and food permit.
US might lose its top credit rating even if debt limit agreement is reached
The day of reckoning looms: The U.S. might still lose its top credit rating even if a debt limit agreement is reached.
The day of reckoning looms: The U.S. might still lose its top credit rating even if a debt limit agreement is reached.
Cats cause global warming
How did Al Gore miss this important fact? Cats cause global warming!
How did Al Gore miss this important fact? Cats cause global warming!
Long, cramped road trips ahead for US astronauts
And in a related note: Long, cramped road trips ahead for US astronauts.
And in a related note: Long, cramped road trips ahead for US astronauts.
Astronomers have found two new brown dwarf stars only 15 and 18 light years away
Astronomers have found two new brown dwarf stars only 15 and 18 light years away.
Most brown dwarfs have reached surface temperatures below the “oven temperature” of about 500 Kelvin (about 230 degrees Celsius), may be even as cool as the temperature at the surface of the Earth. The search for these elusive neighbours of the Sun is currently in full swing. It cannot be excluded that ultracool brown dwarfs surround us in similar high numbers as stars and that our nearest known neighbour will soon be a brown dwarf rather than Proxima Centauri.
Astronomers have found two new brown dwarf stars only 15 and 18 light years away.
Most brown dwarfs have reached surface temperatures below the “oven temperature” of about 500 Kelvin (about 230 degrees Celsius), may be even as cool as the temperature at the surface of the Earth. The search for these elusive neighbours of the Sun is currently in full swing. It cannot be excluded that ultracool brown dwarfs surround us in similar high numbers as stars and that our nearest known neighbour will soon be a brown dwarf rather than Proxima Centauri.