The Roman Colosseum has been found to be leaning about sixteen inches to the south.
On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.
The print edition can be purchased at Amazon, any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News
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.
Now available in hardback and paperback as well as ebook!
From the press release: In this ground-breaking new history of early America, historian Robert Zimmerman not only exposes the lie behind The New York Times 1619 Project that falsely claims slavery is central to the history of the United States, he also provides profound lessons about the nature of human societies, lessons important for Americans today as well as for all future settlers on Mars and elsewhere in space.
Conscious Choice: The origins of slavery in America and why it matters today and for our future in outer space, is a riveting page-turning story that documents how slavery slowly became pervasive in the southern British colonies of North America, colonies founded by a people and culture that not only did not allow slavery but in every way were hostile to the practice.
Conscious Choice does more however. In telling the tragic history of the Virginia colony and the rise of slavery there, Zimmerman lays out the proper path for creating healthy societies in places like the Moon and Mars.
“Zimmerman’s ground-breaking history provides every future generation the basic framework for establishing new societies on other worlds. We would be wise to heed what he says.” —Robert Zubrin, founder of the Mars Society.
All editions are available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all book vendors, with the ebook priced at $5.99 before discount. All editions can also be purchased direct from the ebook publisher, ebookit, in which case you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.
Autographed printed copies are also available at discount directly from the author (hardback $29.95; paperback $14.95; Shipping cost for either: $6.00). Just send an email to zimmerman @ nasw dot org.
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.
Super Mario as surreal art
Leaving Earth: Space Stations, Rival Superpowers, and the Quest for Interplanetary Travel, can be purchased as an ebook everywhere for only $3.99 (before discount) at amazon, Barnes & Noble, all ebook vendors, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit.
If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big oppressive tech companies and I get a bigger cut much sooner.
Winner of the 2003 Eugene M. Emme Award of the American Astronautical Society.
"Leaving Earth is one of the best and certainly the most comprehensive summary of our drive into space that I have ever read. It will be invaluable to future scholars because it will tell them how the next chapter of human history opened." -- Arthur C. Clarke
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?
Tesla Turret Opera (Cara Mia Addio)
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.
Bermuda Cliff Jumping
An evening pause: As they say on the webpage, “All shot in one day, one of the last few days of summer.”
Go out and enjoy life. It can be so good.
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.
Twelve Girls Band
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.
The world’s fastest everything
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.