Former astronaut calls for the dismantling of NASA
Former astronaut calls for the dismantling of NASA.
Former astronaut calls for the dismantling of NASA.
Tag: politics
Former astronaut calls for the dismantling of NASA
The costs of space cargo
This week there was a bit of a political kerfuffle during House hearings over a House report [pdf] that stated that the cost per pound for launching cargo to ISS was much cheaper using the shuttle versus the new commercial companies under the COTS program. This is shown in this table from page 5 of the report:
The problem is that these numbers are a complete lie, as they are based on a yearly cost of $3 billion to operate the shuttle (highlighted in yellow). I have been following NASA budget battles now for decades, and the shuttle operational budget has never, ever been that low. Routinely, NASA figures the cost to operate the shuttle per year, regardless of number of flights, to be about $4 billion per year.
» Read more
House torpedoes unconditional hike to $14.3 trillion debt ceiling
Good news indeed: The House tonight overwhelmingly voted down an unconditional hike to $14.3 trillion debt ceiling.
The vote was 318-97, with 82 Democrats joining every Republican in rejecting legislation that would have authorized $2.4 trillion in additional borrowing by the federal government. Seven Democrats voted present on the legislation.
Now comes the business of tying the increase in the debt ceiling to some real spending reduction.
Good news indeed: The House tonight overwhelmingly voted down an unconditional hike to $14.3 trillion debt ceiling.
The vote was 318-97, with 82 Democrats joining every Republican in rejecting legislation that would have authorized $2.4 trillion in additional borrowing by the federal government. Seven Democrats voted present on the legislation.
Now comes the business of tying the increase in the debt ceiling to some real spending reduction.
A Southern California high school has banned frog dissections in biology classrooms, using software instead
A Southern California high school has banned frog dissections in biology classrooms, switching to software instead.
Next, virtual surgeries on humans: you just make believe the doctor operates on you. It is certainly more humane than forcing someone to actually use a scalpel on a real body!
A Southern California high school has banned frog dissections in biology classrooms, switching to software instead.
Next, virtual surgeries on humans: you just make believe the doctor operates on you. It is certainly more humane than forcing someone to actually use a scalpel on a real body!
Vote on “clean” debt ceiling increase set for tonight
The next budget battle begins: A vote on a “clean” debt ceiling increase has been set for tonight by the House Republican leadership.
More than 100 House Democrats recently signed a letter demanding that Speaker John Boehner bring forward a vote for an increase in federal debt levels without any conditions for cuts or future spending curbs. Imagine their surprise when Boehner agreed and will serve up a bill that would provide enough borrowing to cover all of president Obama’s spending requests for next year without any preconditions.
It is expected that the legislation will be defeated soundly in a very bipartisan vote. To quote the article again:
The political reality is that increasing the nation’s swollen $14.3 trillion debt is a political loser. Voters hate it and lawmakers don’t even get anything new to give away since the money is going to cover existing obligations.
If the bill is defeated as predicted, it will be very good news, as that defeat will bolster the efforts of those who want big cuts in spending to go with any debt ceiling increase.
The next budget battle begins: A vote on a “clean” debt ceiling increase has been set for tonight by the House Republican leadership.
More than 100 House Democrats recently signed a letter demanding that Speaker John Boehner bring forward a vote for an increase in federal debt levels without any conditions for cuts or future spending curbs. Imagine their surprise when Boehner agreed and will serve up a bill that would provide enough borrowing to cover all of president Obama’s spending requests for next year without any preconditions.
It is expected that the legislation will be defeated soundly in a very bipartisan vote. To quote the article again:
The political reality is that increasing the nation’s swollen $14.3 trillion debt is a political loser. Voters hate it and lawmakers don’t even get anything new to give away since the money is going to cover existing obligations.
If the bill is defeated as predicted, it will be very good news, as that defeat will bolster the efforts of those who want big cuts in spending to go with any debt ceiling increase.
Republicans still firmly against raising debt ceiling without big cuts
I hope they mean it: Republicans still firmly against raising debt ceiling without big cuts.
I hope they mean it: Republicans still firmly against raising debt ceiling without big cuts.
GOP Senators to WH: Better start planning for a $2.6 trillion budget
GOP Senators to the White House: Better start planning for no debt ceiling increase and making do on a $2.6 trillion budget.
GOP Senators to the White House: Better start planning for no debt ceiling increase and making do on a $2.6 trillion budget.
Italy to put earthquake scientists on trial for failing to predict an earthquake
The dark ages return: Italy is going to put seven earthquake scientists on trial for failing to predict an earthquake in 2009. More details here, from Nature.
The dark ages return: Italy is going to put seven earthquake scientists on trial for failing to predict an earthquake in 2009. More details here, from Nature.
MSNBC suspends Schultz for calling Ingraham a ‘slut’
MSNBC has suspended Ed Schultz for calling Laura Ingraham a “slut” on the air. And Schultz has apologized publicly.
This is progress, as in the past leftwing hosts on MSNBC could say practically anything about their conservative opposites (and frequently did) without consequence.
MSNBC has suspended Ed Schultz for calling Laura Ingraham a “slut” on the air. And Schultz has apologized publicly.
This is progress, as in the past leftwing hosts on MSNBC could say practically anything about their conservative opposites (and frequently did) without consequence.
Orion must wait for heavy-lift rocket
More evidence to me it will never fly: Orion must wait for heavy-lift rocket.
More evidence to me it will never fly: Orion must wait for heavy-lift rocket.
Rep. Ryan agrees that his plan played a role in Democrats’ special-election win
Rep. Ryan agreed today that his budget plan played a role in Democrats’ special-election win in New York yesterday.
If Ryan is right, we are in big trouble. His plan might not be the solution, but the Democrats refuse to offer any alternatives. And if it is this Democratic non-plan that the public is choosing, it means that the public remains unwilling to deal with the debt in any way at all.
Rep. Ryan agreed today that his budget plan played a role in Democrats’ special-election win in New York yesterday.
If Ryan is right, we are in big trouble. His plan might not be the solution, but the Democrats refuse to offer any alternatives. And if it is this Democratic non-plan that the public is choosing, it means that the public remains unwilling to deal with the debt in any way at all.
“We stand for freedom.”
Fifty years ago today, John Kennedy stood before Congress and the nation and declared that the United States was going to the Moon. Amazingly, though this is by far the most remembered speech Kennedy ever gave, very few people remember why he gave the speech, and what he was actually trying to achieve by making it.
Above all, going to the Moon and exploring space was not his primary goal.
The Context
For Kennedy — whose presidential campaign included an aggressive anti-communist stance against the Soviet Union — the months before the speech had not gone well. Five weeks earlier, for instance, the CIA-led attempt to invade Cuba and overthrow Castro’s communist government had ended in total failure. When Kennedy refused to lend direct military support to the Bay of Pigs invasion, the 1,200 man rebel force was quickly overcome. “How could I have been so stupid as to let them go ahead?” Kennedy complained privately to his advisors.
In Berlin, the tensions between the East and the West were continuing to escalate, and would lead in only a few short months to Khrushchev’s decision to build the Berlin Wall, sealing off East Berlin and the citizens of East Germany from the rest of the world.
In the race to beat the Soviets in space, things were going badly as well. NASA had announced the United States’ intention to put the first man into space sometime in the spring of 1961. The agency hoped that this flight would prove that the leader of the capitalist world still dominated the fields of technology, science, and exploration.
Originally scheduled for a March 6, 1961 launch, the short fifteen minute sub-orbital flight was repeatedly delayed. The Mercury capsule’s first test flight in January, with a chimpanzee as test pilot, rose forty miles higher than intended, overshot its landing by a hundred and thirty miles, and when the capsule was recovered three hours later it had begun leaking and was actually sinking. Then in March another test of the Mercury capsule included the premature firing of the escape rocket on top of the capsule, the unplanned release of the backup parachutes during descent, and the discovery of dents on the capsule itself.
These difficulties caused NASA to postpone repeatedly its first manned mission. First the agency rescheduled the launch to late March. Then early April. Then mid-April. And then it was too late.
» Read more
Pawlenty calls for Medicare and Social Security reform — in Florida
Now Tim Pawlenty has called for Medicare and Social Security reform — in Florida.
Once again, I don’t know how sincere Pawlenty really is, but he certainly has started his Presidential campaign challenging the voters to face hard realities.
Now Tim Pawlenty has called for Medicare and Social Security reform — in Florida.
Once again, I don’t know how sincere Pawlenty really is, but he certainly has started his Presidential campaign challenging the voters to face hard realities.
Kennedy’s Moon speech, May 25, 1961
An evening pause: Fifty years ago tomorrow, on May 25, 1961, John Kennedy spoke to Congress about the world situation and the war between freedom and tyranny. “We stand for freedom,” he began, and finished by committing the United States to sending a man to the Moon and bringing him back safely by the end of the decade.
The clip below shows the first five minutes of that speech. It makes it clear that Kennedy’s main point was not to send the United States to the stars, but to stake out our ground in the battle for freedom and democracy. I will write more about this tomorrow.
To see the whole speech, go to the following link at the Miller Center for Public Affairs.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress
Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, both video and transcript.
If you want to watch or read a clear description of the real problems in the Middle East, you must watch or read this speech. It is all too rare in these sad days for political leaders to be so blunt.
Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress, both video and transcript.
If you want to watch or read a clear description of the real problems in the Middle East, you must watch or read this speech. It is all too rare in these sad days for political leaders to be so blunt.
NASA announces Orion program will continue
NASA announces that the Orion program will continue, though under a different name.
This is a non-announcement, made to appease those in Congress who are requiring NASA to build the program-formerly-called-Constellation. NASA will do as Congress demands, and in the process will build nothing while spending a lot of money for a rocket and space capsule that can’t be built for the amount budgeted.
NASA announces that the Orion program will continue, though under a different name.
This is a non-announcement, made to appease those in Congress who are requiring NASA to build the program-formerly-called-Constellation. NASA will do as Congress demands, and in the process will build nothing while spending a lot of money for a rocket and space capsule that can’t be built for the amount budgeted.
Mars Science Lab Hardware Damaged
Facing a launch window that ends December 18, the next rover mission to Mars was damaged last week upon arriving at the Kennedy Space Center.
Facing a launch window that ends December 18, the next rover mission to Mars was damaged last week upon arriving at the Kennedy Space Center.
Gasoline Prices by County
There is a pattern here: Gasoline prices by county.
There is a pattern here: Gasoline prices by county.
Pawlenty calls for phasing out ethanol subsidies — in Iowa
Republican Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty today called for phasing out ethanol subsidies — in Iowa.
We need more candidates like this, willing to say these kinds of things face-to-face with the very people who benefit from the funding.
Republican Presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty today called for phasing out ethanol subsidies — in Iowa.
We need more candidates like this, willing to say these kinds of things face-to-face with the very people who benefit from the funding.
No decline in polar bear population
Though the data is sketchy in places, it appears there has been no decline in the polar bear population for the past four years.
Though the data is sketchy in places, it appears there has been no decline in the polar bear population for the past four years.
Repent! The End of Keynesian Economics Is At Hand!
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
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.
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.”
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.
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.
“The mood was less than cordial.”
Boehner meets with tea party activists from his district. “The mood was less than cordial.”
Surely, there are Tea Party activists with unreasonable expectations of what Republicans can accomplish with control of the House. However, the major beef Tea Partiers have with Republicans is not their lack of accomplishment. It’s their unwillingness to stand and fight, their apparent lack of principle, and the resulting impotence toward shifting the narrative in Washington.
Boehner meets with tea party activists from his district. “The mood was less than cordial.”
Surely, there are Tea Party activists with unreasonable expectations of what Republicans can accomplish with control of the House. However, the major beef Tea Partiers have with Republicans is not their lack of accomplishment. It’s their unwillingness to stand and fight, their apparent lack of principle, and the resulting impotence toward shifting the narrative in Washington.