One of the first acts of the Obama administration was to shut down the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain in Nevada. A report from the Government Accountability Office reveals that there was no scientific or technical basis for the decision, according to Greenwire.
Random thoughts on politics, current events, popular culture, and whatever else interests me.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Shutdown of Yucca Mountain Waste Facility Matter of Politicking, Not Science
Obama at Risk of Overplaying Death of Osama Bin Laden
President Barack Obama has a new companion to take with him on the campaign trail. Starting at an Austin fundraiser, the president, with the help of an audience member, introduced the ghost of Osama bin Laden.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Sears Runs Afoul of Illinois' Burdensome Tax Hike, Considers Exiting the State
A few months ago, the state of Illinois chose to address its persistent budget deficit by hiking income taxes. Now a number of businesses, including Sears, are considering leaving the state.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Liberals in Arizona County Want to Secede and Create a New State
Liberal activists in Prima County in Arizona, where Tucson resides, have started a process to try to detach the county from the rest of Arizona and create a new state, to be called Baja Arizona, according to Reuters.
'Stargate: Universe' Should Return as Major Theatrical Motion Picture
The final episode of "Stargate: Universe" ended with less of a conclusion and more of a cliffhanger, with the ultimate fate of the crew of the ancient starship "Destiny" left undetermined.
Right, Left Analyses of Polls Miss the Mark for Possible Palin Presidential Run
The latest round in the endless "Sarah Palin cannot win the presidency so she had better not even try" articles has come from both the right and the left. Taking note of her bad poll numbers, each piece has its own explanation.
SyFy Execs Will Run a 'Gauntlet' If No 'Stargate: Universe' TV Movie Is Produced
In "Stargate: Universe" Season 2, Episode 20, "Gauntlet," the crew of the Destiny is in big trouble, as usual. A new capability that can detect the drone command ships from a distance shows them just how much trouble they are in.
'House' Finds There Are No Easy 'Fixes'
In "House" Season 7, Episode 21, "The Fix," three people are in trouble and another should be. Dr. Wendy Lee, a bomb maker for the government, has the sort of seizure that sends her straight to the tender ministrations of House.
Monday, May 09, 2011
Noam Chomsky is Angry that We Killed Bin Laden
Addendum: Chris Hitchens responds as only he can.
Bumped
Addendum: Chris Hitchens responds as only he can.
Bumped
First Lady Michelle Obama Invites Common Gangsta Rapper to White House Poetry Evening
It could be another case of the White House falling down on the vetting process or perhaps first lady Michelle Obama just doesn't care. But apparently she will host gangsta rapper Lonnie Rashid Lynn, Jr., aka Common at a poetry evening.
In a case of that was then, this is now, a website calling itself "Tea Party Space", a misnomer since most Tea Partiers who have thought about the issue oppose the Obama space policy, bemoans the idea of the United States Congress telling NASA how to design rockets.
What makes the idea that NASA should be the final arbiter of how space craft should be designed so interesting is the fact that the same people who are bitching and moaning about how specific the Congress is in laying out the requirements are for the heavy lift launcher, were not shy at going off on the last rocket system NASA was working on, the Ares 1 and the Ares V.
See the inconsistancy. The Internet Rocketeer club opposed NASA rocket designs before they supported them.
What makes the idea that NASA should be the final arbiter of how space craft should be designed so interesting is the fact that the same people who are bitching and moaning about how specific the Congress is in laying out the requirements are for the heavy lift launcher, were not shy at going off on the last rocket system NASA was working on, the Ares 1 and the Ares V.
See the inconsistancy. The Internet Rocketeer club opposed NASA rocket designs before they supported them.
Reid, Obama Responsible for Moderate Senators' Move to the Right
Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe of Maine, usually a reliable moderate who can be counted on to reach across the aisle and vote with Democrats, has started to shift just a little to the right and vote with her fellow Republicans more often than not.
Romney Should Scrap Presidential Run to Avoid Ghost of Health Care Reform
A problem that Mitt Romney and Barack Obama share is that they have supported a version of health care reform that many view with skepticism. In the case of Romneycare, now in existence for five years, that skepticism seems justified.
'The Borgias' Find Time for Sex Even in Wartime
In "The Borgias" Season 1, Episode 7, "Death on a Pale Horse," the French King Charles VIII, at the behest of Cardinal Della Rovere, enters Italy with an army of 25,000 men to take Naples and establish himself as king of that city state.
Episode Recap: 'Game of Thrones' Season 1, Episode 4 'Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things'
In "Game of Thrones" Season 1, Episode 4, "Cripples, Bastards, and Broken Things," journeys and searches take an abrupt turn, one to a character's benefit, two rather unexpectedly and violently.
Sunday, May 08, 2011
Tina Fey Returns to Her Sarah Palin Bimbo Impression on 'SNL'
Tina Fey, one of the stars of "30 Rock" and of a number of movies, was host of "Saturday Night Live" recently. Fey reprised her impersonation of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin during a mock debate skit.
Saturday, May 07, 2011
I know Joss Whedon is supposed to be a Hollywood lib. That is what makes Buffy the Conservative all the more interesting, especialy comeing on the heels of Firefly/Serenity being a right wing/libertarian paean for freedon, with the main character being the most red state/red neck hero in episodic televisiom--outside Justified, of course.
'Thor' Serves Up Plenty of Explosions, Special Effects and Action
In "Thor," the Kenneth Branagh film based on the Marvel Comics stories about the Norse God of Thunder, Chris Hemsworth is properly tall, rugged, blond, and handsome in the title role. Natalie Portman is kind of cute as a spunky climate scientist.
Friday, May 06, 2011
Jeff Greenfield has some artful bit of alternate history. What if bin Laden had been captured, not killed?
Granting Environment Legal Standing Will Paralyze Economy, Produce Nothing But Lawsuits
Fox News is reporting that a group of environmental activists in San Francisco is agitating to grant objects of nature, such as rivers and trees, "human rights" so that environmental lawyers can sue on their behalf.
German Judge's Classification of Bin Laden Operation as Crime Could Compromise U.S.-German Relations
German Chancellor Angela Merkel is in trouble for her statement that she was "glad" that Al Qaida terrorist chieftain Osama bin Laden was dead. According to Der Spiegel, the matter has become the source of great controversy in Germany.
Tookies, the iconic hamburger place that is down the road a piece from the Johnson Space Flight Center, is reopening. Tookies has been closed ever since being trashed by Hurricane Ike.
Ahmadinejad Associates Arrested for 'Sorcery'
One sign that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad may be on his way out as Iranian president is the fact that some of his associates have been arrested upon the charge of practicing "sorcery," according to The Guardian.
Obama Blows Political Capital Just Days After Bin Laden's Death
President Barack Obama went to Ground Zero in New York Thursday to lay a wreath and meet with first responders and family members to commemorate the execution of Osama bin Laden, In the process, the president may have blown a lot of goodwill.
The 'Bones' Crew Dispenses Welcome Justice on a Pair of Child Abusers
In "Bones" Season 6, Episode 21, "The Signs in the Silence," a young girl is found in an alley by a police officer. She is covered with blood, not her own, and has a bloody knife. She also cannot hear nor speak and is very agitated.
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Loren Thompson provides a critique of the Obama/Musk space partnership and provides some inconvenient facts concerning the efficacy of SpaceX's operation.
Meanwhile, Rand Simberg provides an adolescent "response" to Thompson's critique that consists of accusations of lying and conflict of interest. The former seems to revolve around the difference between $2 billion, which Thompson says SpaceX has been promised or paid, and "less than $300 million" which is Rand's figure. Thompson seems to be including the $1.6 billion cargo delivery to ISS contract SpaceX has gotten from NASA whereas Rand does not. No evidence of dishonesty here; just using different accounting.
As for the accusations of conflict of interest, Rand offers no proof, only insinuations.
Coupled with the rage that has resulted from the Cernan critique and Dr. Spudis' response, one cannot but help but get the impression that the supporters of Obamaspace are starting to become completely unhinged. This is somewhat saddening, because at the end of the day it is going to mean a lot of political damage to the cause of real commercial space flight. One can hope that when the wreckage is cleared, some kind of sensible policy will finally result that does not have the whiff of crony capitalism.
But the laws of physics aren't going to change no matter how much demand spikes, and Musk's track record to date is not encouraging. Consider:
-- The initial launch of SpaceX's Falcon 1 vehicle was delayed over two years, and then suffered three failures before finally achieving a successful launch five years late.
-- The initial launch of SpaceX's Falcon 5 vehicle was originally expected to occur in 2005, and never happened at all.
-- The initial launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 vehicle was delayed three years, and the company is now trying to back out of price commitments it made.
Meanwhile, Rand Simberg provides an adolescent "response" to Thompson's critique that consists of accusations of lying and conflict of interest. The former seems to revolve around the difference between $2 billion, which Thompson says SpaceX has been promised or paid, and "less than $300 million" which is Rand's figure. Thompson seems to be including the $1.6 billion cargo delivery to ISS contract SpaceX has gotten from NASA whereas Rand does not. No evidence of dishonesty here; just using different accounting.
As for the accusations of conflict of interest, Rand offers no proof, only insinuations.
Coupled with the rage that has resulted from the Cernan critique and Dr. Spudis' response, one cannot but help but get the impression that the supporters of Obamaspace are starting to become completely unhinged. This is somewhat saddening, because at the end of the day it is going to mean a lot of political damage to the cause of real commercial space flight. One can hope that when the wreckage is cleared, some kind of sensible policy will finally result that does not have the whiff of crony capitalism.
Three Late Stars Fleeing 9/11 in a Rental Car Recipe for Comedy Gold
The story sounds like a set up for the mother of all punchlines. The UK Daily Express is reporting that Michael Jackson, Marlon Brando, and Elizabeth Taylor fled New York in a rented car on 9/11 and drove all the way to Ohio, a 500 mile trip.
Obama Should Consult George H.W. Bush on Implementing New Miles Traveled Tax
The Obama administration, in a move that is likely to be controversial, is floating an idea to tax drivers on the miles they drive their cars, according to The Hill. It is unclear whether this new tax would replace or supplement the tax on gasoline.
The Boys from 'South Park' Save the World As Only They Can
In "South Park" Season 15 Episode 2 "Funnybot," the boys deal with tacky awards shows, humorless Germans, and a killer robot. Oddly enough, there is no gross out humor in this episode, unless you consider the end of the world gross.
Episode Recap: 'Justifed' Season 2, Episode 13 'Bloody Harlan'
In "Justified" Season 2, Episode 13, "Bloody Harlan," the story is one of those "it has all led to this" kind of episodes. The episode is well named, because, at the end of it, a lot of people are going to be dead or worse for wear.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Sarah Palin a Modern Cold War Hero in the Making
It is considered unusual for a former governor who holds no public office and is not currently running for another to have a foreign policy adviser. But Sarah Palin, not known for being conventional, has chosen Peter Schweizer for that job.
Bush Exhibits Welcome Restraint in Not Accompanying Obama to Ground Zero
President Barack Obama invited former President George W. Bush to a special ceremony at Ground Zero in New York to commemorate the execution of Osama bin Laden.Bush has politely declined the invitation. Former President Bush will be at Ground Zero for the 10th anniversary of the attacks this September, however.
Bin Laden's Death Latest Milestone for Generation Born into War on Terror
President George W. Bush was in Florida at an education event in 2001, reading a story to a second grade class, when he received the first word of 9/11. As the 10-year anniversary draws nigh, some of those kids, now in high school, speak out.
Paul Spudis comes to the defense of Gene Cernan. I certainly agree that Cernan has been unfairly maligned by people who regard space policy choices as more a matter of religious fervor than positions worthy of legitimate debate.
Addenedum: Rand Simberg, as usual, misses the point. He also thinks that a partially completed inflatable space station sitting in a factory on the ground somehow constitutes a "market" for commercial space. Bigelow has a good concept and has done some great things so far. But it doesn't have anything a commercial space ship can go to yet.
This is a big part of the problem with so-called commercial space advocates. A company saying that it is going to do something for them is the same as it having been done. When people like Cernan and Spudis point out this inconvenient fact, they leap the length of their chains.
Addenedum: Rand Simberg, as usual, misses the point. He also thinks that a partially completed inflatable space station sitting in a factory on the ground somehow constitutes a "market" for commercial space. Bigelow has a good concept and has done some great things so far. But it doesn't have anything a commercial space ship can go to yet.
This is a big part of the problem with so-called commercial space advocates. A company saying that it is going to do something for them is the same as it having been done. When people like Cernan and Spudis point out this inconvenient fact, they leap the length of their chains.
Stephen Harper Wins Conservative Majority in Canada; Implications for the United States
Michael Barone has a pretty good analysis of the recent Canadian elections that have placed the Conservative government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a solid majority. Some of the other effects on Canadian politics are far reaching.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Sarah Palin Refines Foreign Policy Doctrine with Five-Point Criterion
At a speech at Colorado Christian University Monday night, Sarah Palin further refined what has come to be known as "Palin Doctrine" of foreign and defense policy, representing a departure from both Bush and Obama practices.
Barack Obama Is No Harry Potter
The meme of the Harry Potter books being an allegory for the War on Terror has been around for a while, even though the early books of the series were first published in the 1990s. The movies, though, have been released throughout the war.
'House' and Company Undergo 'Changes'
In "House" Season 7 Episode 20 "Changes," we have a very unfortunate winner of the lottery, a stupid bet between Chase and Foreman, a somewhat irrational not mother-in-law, and two doctors who might have been made for each other.
The Destiny Runs a 'Blockade' of Killer Drones on 'Stargate Universe'
"I can't believe there're not any gun stores on this planet."
"Maybe they're Canadians."
Having dropped off their alternate descendants, the crew of the Destiny begins "Stargate: Universe" Season 2, Episode 19 "Blockade" being blocked at every star they can refuel at by drone fleets. Desperate measures are called for.
"I can't believe there're not any gun stores on this planet."
"Maybe they're Canadians."
Monday, May 02, 2011
Bin Laden's Final Moments Marked by Cowardice
One of the more grotesque aspects of the manner of Osama bin Laden's departure from this world was how, as the Navy SEAL operators closed in, the terrorist chieftain used women as human shields to try to get away. One was apparently one of bin Laden's wives.
Anti-War Figurehead Articulates Latest Conspiracy Theory
One of the oddest reactions to the end of Osama Bin Laden comes from Cindy Sheehan, the sad, middle-aged woman who went around the bend due to the death of her son in battle and who had been, at one time, darling of the anti-war movement.
Barbara Walters, Spike Lee, Michael Moore React to Bin Laden's Death with Snark
While most people of whatever political stripe have taken time out from partisan combat to simply savor the death of the monster Osama Bin Laden, not everyone has been able to help themselves from taking a few shots.
'Game of Thrones' Offers Comment on Lavish Spending, Hard Times with 'Lord Snow'
In "Game of Thrones" Season 1, Episode 3 "Lord Snow," several characters of the unfolding drama in a world of magic and intrigue begin to realize that things are worse than they had ever imagined.
'The French King' Opts for War on 'The Borgias'
In "The Borgias" Season 1, Episode 6 "The French King," the closing acts of a process that will bring about an apocalypse in Italy are just about concluded. The period of intrigue and back stabbing is about to yield to war.
Sunday, May 01, 2011
Gene Cernan, that little known space explorer who did something totally irrelevant to what is going on today almost 40 years ago, had some thoughts about space at the crossroads. Naturally the Internet Rocketeer Club erupted in snarky derision that crosses the line into disrespect.
While there are some of what Gene had to say that I might quibble with, the gist of what the Internet Rocketeers are saying is, "Oh, he's just some old, fuddy duddy who doesn't know where it's really at. And how dare he imply that Elon Musk is not a graduate of Hogwarts and therefore cannot do magic!"
The stance of the cocky, hormone addled adolescent is going to hurt commercial space quite a bit politically. And since commercial space is now largely dependent on the good will of politicians, that seems to be criminally stupid.
While there are some of what Gene had to say that I might quibble with, the gist of what the Internet Rocketeers are saying is, "Oh, he's just some old, fuddy duddy who doesn't know where it's really at. And how dare he imply that Elon Musk is not a graduate of Hogwarts and therefore cannot do magic!"
The stance of the cocky, hormone addled adolescent is going to hurt commercial space quite a bit politically. And since commercial space is now largely dependent on the good will of politicians, that seems to be criminally stupid.
FDA Saves the American People from Amish Farmers Selling Contraband Milk
Government agents have found a new criminal conspiracy to distribute a dangerous substance to the unwitting American consumer. The criminal conspirators are Amish farmers. The dangerous substance is — milk.
Donald Trump Gets Dissed at the White House Correspondents Dinner
At the White House Correspondents Dinner, President Barack Obama and the guest comedian, Seth Meyers, had much to say about Donald Trump, very little of it complimentary. However they may have reckoned with the nature of their subject.
Sarah Palin Takes Washington
Sarah Palin showed up in Washington on the same day as the White House Correspondents Dinner and, in typical unconventional Palin fashion, did not actually attend the dinner, but created a big splash nevertheless.
If Gadhafi's Son was Killed in a NATO Bombing Raid, a Blood Feud Has Begun
The Libyan government is claiming that a younger son of Moammar Gadhafi, Seif al-Arab Gadhafi, was killed in a NATO air strike along with three grandchildren younger than the age of 12. It is claimed that Gadhafi was present but survived the bombing.
Forget the 'Truthers' And the 'Birthers'; Meet the 'Racers'
First there were the Truthers, who believe that somehow President George W. Bush facilitated the 9/11 attacks. Then there were the Birthers, who believe President Barack Obama was born in Kenya and is therefore not American.
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