Curmudgeons Corner

2012-01-27T13:11:00.000-08:00

Romney is attempting to trump Gingrich's moon base plan with the endorsement of a collection of aerospace wise men. I suppose they will comprise his new space commission that will figure our what Romney wants to do in space.

But what if -- as I suspect -- they recommend a moon base?

My answer: It will be a "realistic" moon base, not that crazy one that Gingrich wants.

It would almost certainly be an improvement over Obama -- almost anything would be -- but not as visionary or outside-the-box as Gingrich's approach.

Addendum: Rand Simberg is overreacting and even hinting he might rather see Obama reelected rather than see Romney president and put the Great Satan (i.e. Mike Griffin) back in power. Mind, I have never understood this notion of Griffin as the devil. But then the workings of the internet rocketeer club are often beyond comprehension.

2012-01-27T09:30:00.000-08:00

If looks like John McCain is the latest to join in on the pile on Newt Gingrich's moon colony idea. Of course, when he was running for president, McCain was all for going back to the Moon.

Flip flopper.

2012-01-26T20:41:00.000-08:00

Former House Majority Leader Tom Delay Drops the Hammer on Gingrich

2012-01-26T14:37:00.000-08:00

Looks like Jan Brewer proved that if you get the president riled because of something you wrote, then your book sales will soar. I'm pretty sure that there is nothing in Children of Apollo or The Last Moonwalker that would get his dander up, aside from the fact that they suggest that voyages to the Moon are a good thing. But maybe this will get him to break the furniture and call me names. It's an alternate history story in which Obama's mom meets and marries George W. Bush and young Barack is adopted into the Bush family.

2012-01-26T14:07:00.000-08:00

'Touch' Starring Kiefer Sutherland Premieres on the Fox Network

The new Fox TV series "Touch," which stars Kiefer Sutherland as a harried father of an apparently autistic child, is one of the strangest shows to appear on network television. It is also one of the most confusing.

2012-01-26T11:38:00.001-08:00

Newt Gingrich Wants American Moon Colony by End of His Second Term

2012-01-26T11:35:00.000-08:00

Obama's Public Row with Jan Brewer Shows His Thin Skin

2012-01-26T11:31:00.000-08:00

Was Newt Gingrich Really an Enemy of Ronald Reagan?

2012-01-25T14:40:00.000-08:00

I just watched Gingrich's space speech. It is very interesting in the markers he lays down (a Moon base by the end of the second term) and one benefit he envisions for his prize competition scheme. Mind, the Mars Prize is now down to $10 billion, albeit tax free, which causes some pause.

Much more anon

Addendum: Newt Gingrich Promises the Moon

2012-01-25T14:38:00.001-08:00

Ron Paul Snags Some Celebrity Endorsements

2012-01-25T13:44:00.000-08:00

The Capital Gains Tax Controversy -- to Be Fair or to Aid Investment?

2012-01-25T13:43:00.000-08:00

Are Foods Fried with Olive Oil Healthy?

2012-01-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

Navy SEALs Rescue Aid Workers in Somalia

2012-01-25T13:03:00.000-08:00

Recap: 'Justified,' Season 3, Episode 2, 'Cut Ties'

"Justified," Season 3, Episode 2, "Cut Ties," features the introduction of a new character and the return of a beloved old Elmore Leonard character played, once again, by the incomparable Carla Gugino.

2012-01-25T12:13:00.000-08:00

Paul Spudis applauds Newt Gingrich's enthusiasm for space, but finds his prize competition concept wide of reality.

2012-01-25T10:26:00.001-08:00

Obama is from the Government and is Here to Help Us

2012-01-25T10:25:00.001-08:00

NASA Managers Mull Mission to Mars

2012-01-24T15:17:00.000-08:00

Recap: 'House M.D.,' Season 8, Episode 9, 'Better Half'

The unfortunate patient in "House M.D.," Season 8, Episode 9, "Better Half" is a man named Andres who is suffering from Alzheimer's. He has a long suffering young wife named Natalie and, most alarmingly, starts to cough up blood.

2012-01-24T14:29:00.001-08:00

A larger piece in Politico about Gingrich and Freddie Mac has this interesting tid bit:

Later that month, Gingrich also gave a “feature interview” that appeared on Freddie Mac’s website providing an extensive Q&A where the former Speaker of the House defended the government-sponsored enterprise model, according to a copy obtained by POLITICO.

Gingrich went so far as to say that “I’m convinced that if NASA were a GSE, we probably would be on Mars today.”

Somehow I doubt that Gingrich will suggest in his speech tomorrow that we need to make NASA just like Freddie Mac. One can say a lot of things about the space agency, but helping to cause the collapse of the economy is not one of them.

2012-01-24T13:47:00.001-08:00

Recap: 'Alcatraz,' Season 1, Episode 3, 'Kit Nelson'

"Alcatraz," Season 1, Episode 3, "Kit Nelson" concerns a child murderer of the same name who was condemned to Alcatraz in the late 1950s and who is now in the present day setting about his grisly work.

2012-01-24T13:41:00.000-08:00

GOP Debate Features a Wrangle About Gingrich and Freddie Mac

2012-01-24T13:39:00.000-08:00

Texans Battle Over Brazos River Water

2012-01-24T11:34:00.001-08:00

Obama Used the Deficit as Excuse to End NASA Space Exploration Program

2012-01-24T11:33:00.001-08:00

Sarah Palin Rebukes Chris Christie, Showing Her Power and Influence

2012-01-24T11:32:00.001-08:00

Illinois Sen. Mark Kirk Faces Long Rehab from Stroke

2012-01-24T11:31:00.001-08:00

Fred Thompson Brings Celebrity Glamour to Gingrich Endorsement

2012-01-24T10:39:00.000-08:00

Romney and Gingrich Discuss the Space Program at Tampa Debate

2012-01-24T09:31:00.001-08:00

Will Obama Mention Space in the State of the Union?

2012-01-23T14:51:00.001-08:00

Severe Solar Storm of Charged Particles Headed for Earth

2012-01-23T13:51:00.001-08:00

Recap: 'Once Upon a Time,' Season 1, Episode 10, '7:15 A.M.'

2012-01-23T13:40:00.001-08:00

Study Suggest 'Choking Game' Widespread in Texas

2012-01-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

Rand Paul/TSA Incident Shows Bureaucratic Will vs. Individual Won’t

2012-01-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

Republican Debates Could Decide Florida Primary

2012-01-23T12:02:00.000-08:00

Gabrielle Giffords' Resignation Sparks Special Election

2012-01-23T11:17:00.001-08:00

Newt Gingrich's Space Speech -- Will it Be Workable as Well as Visionary?

2012-01-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

This is very interesting.

“I’ll be at the space coast in Florida this week giving a speech — a visionary speech — on the United States going back into space in the John F. Kennedy tradition,” the former House Speaker said on C-SPAN’s “Washington Journal.”

I've had some reservations in the past about Gingrich's approach to space in recent years. But one cannot fault the idea that he cares about the issue with passion and, if he were to become president, it would be more than just a box to check off or something that has to be dealt with as little as possible. If he can put together a vision that is both exciting and doable, he might just change the course of history.

2012-01-22T14:22:00.000-08:00

Gingrich's Victory -- and the Two Women to Whom He Owes It

2012-01-22T14:21:00.000-08:00

USS Enterprise Headed for Persian Gulf as Oil Prices Soar

2012-01-22T14:20:00.001-08:00

NASA Explores 3D Printing to Build Houses on the Moon

2012-01-22T14:17:00.001-08:00

The David Dewhurst vs. Ted Cruz Senate Race -- the State of Play

2012-01-22T11:48:00.000-08:00

In Defense of Paula Deen

I have to admit that Paula Deen is one of my favorites on the Food Network, along with (and for different reasons) Gaida de Laurentis, Bobby Flay, and the incomparable Guy Fieri. So when I heard she had type 2 diabetes, I was all sympathy.

2012-01-22T11:47:00.000-08:00

Gabrielle Giffords' Decision to Resign the Right One

According to the Arizona Daily Star, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords plans to step down from Congress next week to focus on her recovery. While some might argue that the decision was taken months too late, it is nevertheless the right one.

2012-01-21T20:57:00.000-08:00

GOP Candidates Pick Up a Few Other Celebrity Endorsements

2012-01-21T10:30:00.001-08:00

Chuck Norris Endorsed Newt Gingrich -- and Gingrich was Elected, Maybe

2012-01-21T10:29:00.001-08:00

Brazil Stiffs Obama on Oil Deal, Exposing President's Incompetence

2012-01-21T10:28:00.001-08:00

Supreme Court Decision Throws Texas Redistricting Case into Chaos

2012-01-21T10:26:00.000-08:00

India Plans Mars Probe in Drive to Become Asian Space Power

2012-01-21T08:54:00.001-08:00

'Red Tails,' George Lucas' Film of the Tuskegee Airmen

2012-01-20T20:40:00.001-08:00

Russia Mulling Joint Lunar Base with NASA, Europe

2012-01-20T20:38:00.001-08:00

Gingrich Rips CNN's John King Over 'Open Marriage' Debate Question

2012-01-20T20:36:00.001-08:00

Will the Fury of a Woman Scorned Sink Gingrich's Presidential Chances?

2012-01-20T20:34:00.000-08:00

Rick Perry Looks to the Future

2012-01-20T13:30:00.003-08:00

Chuck Norris just endorsed Gingrich.

I guess Obama should just concede now.

2012-01-20T11:01:00.000-08:00

The French Are Planning a 'Napoleonland' Theme Park; Comme C'est Bizarre!

A report in the UK Telegraph covers a planned theme park that only the French could envision. In effect the park would be "Napoleonland," celebrating the life and achievements of France's greatest conqueror.

2012-01-20T04:52:00.000-08:00

Recap: 'Archer,' Season 3, Episode 1, 'The Man from Jupiter'

"Archer," Season 3, Episode 1, "The Man from Jupiter," sees our favorite clueless secret agent stumbling badly in trying to pick up a woman from a bar. Note: Never say to a woman that her friend is "the hot one" when trying to seduce both of them.

2012-01-19T20:31:00.000-08:00

CW Rebooting 1980s Fantasy/Romance 'Beauty and the Beast' -- Why?

According to Deadline Hollywood, the CW network is ordering a number of pilots for possible episodic TV series for next fall. One of them is a rebooting or revival of the 1980s era romantic fantasy, "Beauty and the Beast."

2012-01-19T20:23:00.001-08:00

Recap: 'House of Lies,' Season 1, Episode 2, 'Amsterdam'

In "House of Lies," Season 1, Episode 2, "Amsterdam," Marty and his pod people have to go to Phoenix to save a sports team from destruction due to the fact that its married owners are divorcing and can't stand one another.

2012-01-19T19:37:00.000-08:00

A History of Election Year Sex Scandals

2012-01-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

SpaceX, NASA Announce Delays of Spacecraft Tests

2012-01-19T19:34:00.001-08:00

Texans Protest Against Wild Burro Kill

2012-01-19T13:12:00.000-08:00

Obama Kills Keystone XL Pipeline --- and His Political Future

2012-01-19T13:09:00.000-08:00

Gingrich Gets Boost from Perry Withdraw, Endorsement

2012-01-18T20:57:00.000-08:00

NASA's GRAIL Probes Named 'Ebb' and 'Flow' by Montana Students

and

Previous NASA Space Vehicles Named from Student Contests

2012-01-18T20:55:00.000-08:00

Ron Paul's Prospects in South Carolina Considered Dim

2012-01-18T14:56:00.001-08:00

Wisconsin Recall Effort Tainted with Corruption, Fraud

2012-01-18T14:54:00.001-08:00

Why Did Sarah Palin Endorse Newt Gingrich Only for South Carolina?

2012-01-18T14:07:00.000-08:00

Recap: 'Justified,' Season 3, Episode 1, 'The Gunfighter'

2012-01-17T15:00:00.000-08:00

Japan Investigating Fusion Power as Alternative to Nuclear

2012-01-17T14:34:00.000-08:00

'Alcatraz,' a Mystery TV Show About Another Island, Premieres

"Alcatraz," which premiered Monday night with two back to back episodes, has got to be one of the stranger television series on the air. That is befitting for its creator, J.J. Abrams, who brought us "Lost" among other things.

2012-01-17T13:41:00.001-08:00

Iranian Student and Activist Murdered in Houston's Galleria Area

2012-01-17T11:42:00.000-08:00

Iran Declaring Barbie to Be an Enemy of Islam Caused by Shame Culture

2012-01-17T11:41:00.000-08:00

NASA's LAMP Finds More Lunar Ice at the Bottom of Craters

2012-01-17T11:02:00.001-08:00

Right to Work Controversy in Indiana

2012-01-17T11:00:00.000-08:00

Phobos-Grunt Falls into the Pacific; Russians Blame America

Addendum: Jim Oberg weighs in.

2012-01-17T09:59:00.001-08:00

Gingrich at the South Carolina Debate: He Came, He Saw, He Conquered

and

Gingrich Wins, Paul Loses, Romney Survives

2012-01-16T14:23:00.001-08:00

Big Space Science in an Era of Austerity

2012-01-16T14:18:00.001-08:00

'Apogee of Fear' The Movie Shot in Space that NASA Doesn't Want You to See

2012-01-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

Recap: 'Once Upon a Time,' Season 1, Episode 9, 'True North'

"Once Upon a Time," Season 1, Episode 9, "True North" tells the story of Hansel and Gretel, both in the fairy tale world and the real world. In both worlds, the twins are in more than a little bit of trouble.

2012-01-16T11:49:00.001-08:00

Why the Death of the Costa Concordia is Not like the Titanic

2012-01-16T10:39:00.000-08:00

Fort Hood, Texas, is Going Green with Recycling Initiative

2012-01-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

The Greatness of Barack Obama and the Madness of Andrew Sullivan

2012-01-16T10:37:00.001-08:00

How Does Jon Huntsman's Withdrawal Affect the Presidential Race?

and

Jon Huntsman Decries Negative Campaigning in Withdrawal Speech

2012-01-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

Paul Spudis has some cogient thoughts on the long term Chinese lunar threat.

The real cause for concern is not a Chinese presence in cislunar space or on the Moon, but our absence from it. Although much has been made of China’s purported movement toward capitalism in recent decades, they still possess an authoritarian political system, one with scant regard for the rule of contract law, copyright, private property and western notions of free market dynamics. Although some may not care whether China conquers the Moon, if they are the only ones on the Moon, they will determine what operational regime and legal template will prevail there. Advocates of “commercial space” might do well to carefully consider such a scenario – commercial companies are incorporated under national auspices on Earth, pay taxes to terrestrial governments, and are subject to the laws of the country in which they are based. They will not be free agents either in space or on the Moon.

Read the whole thing.

Addendum: Prominent American Scientist Warns About Chinese Moon Effort

Bumped

2012-01-15T14:07:00.001-08:00

Dallas Pastor Conducts 'Bed In' to Publicize 'Sexperiment' Book

2012-01-15T10:31:00.001-08:00

Newt Gingrich Makes Space an Issue in the Florida Primary

2012-01-15T10:30:00.001-08:00

Joke Super PAC Accuses Romney of Being a Serial Killer

2012-01-15T09:36:00.001-08:00

Should Obama Be Impeached for Illegal Recess Appointments?

2012-01-14T21:07:00.000-08:00

Pentagon Gets 'Wee Weed Up' Over Marine Urination Video

2012-01-14T21:05:00.001-08:00

Democrats Prefer Celebrities, Republicans Statesmen for Political Endorsements

2012-01-14T21:04:00.001-08:00

Private Space Traveler Richard Garriott to Release Documentary

2012-01-14T21:03:00.001-08:00

John Bolton Gives Mitts Romney Conservative Foreign Policy Credibility

2012-01-14T21:02:00.001-08:00

Social Conservatives Meet in Austin to Mull Republican Candidates

2012-01-14T21:00:00.000-08:00

'The Iron Lady,' Starring Meryl Streep and Jim Broadbent, a Review

The thing that prevented "The Iron Lady" from being a great biop was the device of depicting Lady Margaret Thatcher as a doddering old lady carrying on conversations with her dead husband, Denis.

2012-01-14T20:59:00.000-08:00

Obama's Government Consolidation Plan an Election Year Ploy

Proving that the prospect of losing re-election can focus the mind, President Barack Obama has announced a new government efficiency effort that would consolidate a number of functions dispersed across the U.S. government.

2012-01-14T20:58:00.000-08:00

Turning Around the U.S. Could Be Romney's Greatest Undertaking

A recent Wall Street Journal article attempts to answer the question: Are private equity firms like Bain Capital examples of "vulture capitalism" whose modus operandi is to destroy private businesses for profit or are they a necessary part of economic growth?

2012-01-13T20:06:00.001-08:00

Gingrich: Romney Speaks French, Just like John Kerry

2012-01-13T20:04:00.000-08:00

NASA Releases High-Resolution Project Gemini Photos

2012-01-13T20:02:00.001-08:00

Ron Paul's Role at the Republican National Convention -- If He Does Well

2012-01-13T11:51:00.000-08:00

Head Start Doesn't Work, Time to Shut it Down

Head Start, a Johnson era program, was like all liberal social welfare programs started with great intentions. Head Start is meant to provide social, health, and educational services for children on poverty in order to enhance their academic achievement.

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-08:00

Recap: 'The Finder,' Season 1, Episode 1, 'An Orphan Walks into a Bar'

"The Finder," Season 1, Episode 1, "An Orphan Walks into a Bar" begins with Walter Sherman, the title character, finding the guitar of one John Fogerty, a famous old rocker who composed the theme song for the series.