Los Angeles Times Reporters Should Welcome Their New Koch Overlords

Obama Has to Go All in If He Arms the Syrian Rebels

Obama on Obamacare: 'Remain Calm. All is Well.'

Japanese 'Magic Mirror' Lets One Try on Clothes Virtually

New Theory: Earth-Like Moons in Other Star Systems Could Harbor Life

Ted Cruz attacked by MSNBC talkers for 'squish' comment at FreedomWorks

Ron Paul Claims 'Liberty was Also Attacked in Boston'

Storing offshore wind power in concrete 'batteries'

In 'Bones' and 'Castle' Peril Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

SpaceX noise liability bill moves through Texas House

Intimidation Allegations Could Send Benghazi into Cover-Up Phase

Coming Era of Natural Gas Abundence to Confound Central Planners

Ted Cruz basks in gun control victory at FreedomWorks Summit

NASA's Cassini Discovers Hurricane on Saturn, Meteor Strikes at the Rings

Virgin Galactics SpaceShipTwo makes first powered flight

West, Texas, Political Cartoon Causes Political Firestorm

Prohibition Against Catholic Women Priests Not Likely to Change

How the 'Mad Men' Episode 'The Flood' Shows 1968 as the End of Civilization

Sarah Palin Hits Populist Target in Swipe Against Media 'Nerd Prom'

Researchers Stumble Upon a Way to Create Brain Cells from Bone Marrow

New Treatment for Degenerative Disk Disease Using Stem Cells and 3D Printing

EPA: methane leaks from natural gas production less than estimated

Now Barack Obama takes up the Ted Cruz as Joe McCarthy theme

Brownsville SpaceX space port beach closure bill passes Texas House

Former NASA astronaut Tom Jones argues for asteroid mission over lunar return

NASA's Asteroid Mission Takes Shape as Congress Remains Skeptical

Ted Cruz aides kill 'Helping Sick Americans Now Act' to reform Obamacare

President Obama Ventures to Texas as Head of State and Party Leader

The Red Line Crossed, Obama Now Must Step Up in Syria

Obama's Air Traffic Controller Furlough Strategy Backfires

'The Americans' Feature How 'The Oath' Can Cause Trouble

NASA's Bolden Tussles with House Panel Over James Webb Space Telescope

President George W. Bush Gets a Second, Mostly Favorable Look

Also George W. Bush Will Be Remembered for War and Space Exploration

Congress' Attempt to Exempt Itself from Obamacare Hypocritical

Also Ted Cruz opposes congressional exemption from Obamacare

Barney Frank's Comparison of the Tea Party to Al Qaeda Despicable

Ted Cruz opposes path to citizenship in immigration reform bill

Water in Jupiter atmosphere caused by comet Shoemaker-Levy impact

The Lawsuits Begin in the Wake of the West, Texas, Fertilizer Explosion

NASA Asteroid, Mars Missions to Be Impacted by Sequestration

House GOP Benghazi Report Spells Trouble for Obama, Hillary Clinton

Rand Paul's Nuance on Drones Should Be Reassuring

Now Ted Cruz accused of having 'a face that looks a little like Joe McCarthy'

Mars One Colony Scheme Features Aggressive Schedule, Low Cost Estimate

Keystone XL Pipeline Mired in Bureaucratic Wrangling, Civil Protest, Legal Challenges

Internet Sales Tax Bill Violates Obama Pledge

The Rise of the Obamacare Scam Another Argument for Repeal

Rand Simberg offers a remarkable slam against Sarah Palin, similar to the one hurtled by Ann Coulter

Not doing that herself was one of Sarah Palin’s biggest mistakes. I liked most of what she had to say, but her voice grated even on me, and most people probably couldn’t get past it (particularly combined with the accent, though that was less of a problem, at least for me).

I offer the following so that the reader can decide for his or herself whether Palin's rhetorical skills are up to snuff.

Come to think of it, because I'm feeling peevish, here is an example of Rand's rhetorical skills. He is the fellow with the receding hairline and the tendency to mumble. Make your own conclusion.

'Veep' Episode 'Signals' Deals with Southerners and Israelis

Ted Cruz signs letter opposing internet sales tax bill

Rick Perry Headed to Illinois in Search of Businesses to Move to Texas

Orbital Sciences Antares Rocket Successfully Launches from NASA Wallops

The Koch Brothers May Bring Ideological Diversity to Newspapers

'Mad Men' writers developing early space program drama 'Cocoa Beach'

How the Boston Bombing Will Affect Gun Control and Immigration

A Thatcher and a Texan. Perhaps a new Iron Lady walks among us.

Chancellorsville, the Death of Stonewall Jackson, and the Gettysburg Question

Why "Veep" is a show about politics conservatives can love.

Media attacks on Ted Cuz causes push back

Also Anti Ted Cruz protest attracts larger number of pro Cruz tea party supporters

It is perhaps fortunate that "Boston Legal" is no longer on the air. Alan Shore would likely find himself representing Tsarnaev and since he never lost a case no matter how absurd his courtroom antics were, this would be bad.

Ted Cruz accused of hypocrisy for requesting federal aid for West, Texas

NASA, Bigelow sign space act agreement for public/private space exploration

Just as a side note, as some long term readers may remember, I made just such a proposal in the form of a Lunar Development Company in a piece published in the Houston Chronicle back in the early 1990s. I'm happy to see that some folks at NASA are catching up with my early vision.

NASA's Bolden cites Morpheus project as part of necessary risk taking

Got him!

Chair of House Science Committee Skeptical of NASA Asteroid Mission

Obama Offers Perry Federal Aid for West, Texas, Disaster Relief

Ted Cruz accused of talking too much

Marco Rubio is Blowing it on Illegal Immigration

The Marathon: Born in Battle, Marred by Terrorism

The Man from Mars -- Chapter Thirteen

'Ballistic City' a cop show set on a generation star ship

NASA's Kepler telescope discovers three possible Earth-like planets

In 'The Americans' Elizabeth Wages 'Covert War'

Stephen Hawking: God Not Necessary for Big Bang to Have Occurred

Why President Obama Raged Against the Dying of Gun Control

Obamacare 'Train Wreck' Could Define the Administration

Fertilizer Plant Explosion Decimates the Town of West, Texas

Ted Cruz offers alternative legislation as senate gun control bill collapsing

Update: Ted Cruz wins decisive political victory with defeat of gun control legislation

NASA: Titan's Methane Lakes May Be Slowly Vanishing

Arrest of Texas Soldier Raises 2nd Amendment and Police Misconduct Issues

Media Strangely Shocked that Americans like Reagan More Than Obama

By Snubbing Margaret Thatcher, Obama Makes Himself Small

NASA's Space Launch System on budget, ahead of schedule, confounding its critics

Bechtel brings money, expertise, and credibility to Planetary Resources

A Return to the Moon Could Be a Commercial Enterprise, Supported by NASA

'Buckwild' May Be Revived in Texas

Justin Bieber Shows Excessive Self-Obsession Regarding Anne Frank

Ted Cruz pounces on Harry Reid's 'anti-gun' slip

FAA draft environmental impact report finds no impediment for Texas space port

Boston Marathon Bombing: Not the Finest Hour for Some Media

'Defiance' a Science Fiction Western Worth a Look

All prayers for all of those in Boston and those who care for them. Also, an admonishment, to be skeptical about what is being aired on the news right now. The fog of war exists in these kinds of attacks (and I think it was such) and it will take a while to sort things out. Finally, there will be retribution for those responsible. Count on it.

NASA Engineers Developing New Version of the Apollo Era F-1 Rocket Engine

Ted Cruz marks tax payment day with a dig and a pledge

In 'Walk of Punishment,' 'Game of Thrones' Gives a Lesson in Fiscal Policy

'Veep' Returns with 'Midterms,' a Disaster for Some, an Opportunity for Selina

Gov. Rick Perry Invites Connecticut Gun Maker to Come to Texas

No Reforms to Entitlements Pledge Shows Political Insanity

Howard Dean Should Run in 2016 as an Independent

Proposal to make commercial lunar voyage the biggest reality show in history

'Payback': A Guilty Pleasure of Crooks and Worse Crooks Starring Mel Gibson

Claim: Pro lifer Ted Cruz empowers baby butchers like Kermit Gosnell

43 years ago this week. Apollo 13: A True Life Space Adventure

Rand Paul staffer miffed at Ted Cruz speaking invite instead of Paul

NASA's heavy lift Space Launch System comes under renewed media attack

Critics Decry Cuts in Planetary Science in NASA Budget Proposal

Tesla Hints at Texas Assembly Plant to Build Electric Pickup Trucks

If Facebook existed in World War II.

Daenerys as a Disney Princess. All that is needed is for the dragons to talk and have funny lines.

Media Blackout of Gosnell Trial Gives Support to Pro-Life Position

Ted Cruz calls daughter of Sandy Hook victim

North Korean Nuclear Missiles: Time for Concern but Not Yet Panic

In 'The Americans' Gregory is Told 'Only You' Can Take the Fall

Push in Congress to end ethanol gasoline mandate

Hundreds of protestors demand Ted Cruz support path to citizenship

Report: NASA and Bigelow to establish commercial space exploration partnership

NASA Proposal Reignites Asteroid vs. Return to the Moon Controversy

Speculation Mounts on Rick Perry Being 'Comeback Kid' for 2016 Run

MTV Cancels 'Buckwild,' and a Good Thing, Too

Rand Paul Brave to Sell Libertarianism at Howard University

'Lotus Caves,'Ringworld,' 'Childhood's End' in SyFy Channel's development slate

Ted Cruz vows to fight on against gun control legislation

NASA Capturing an Asteroid: Do it in House, Do it Commercially, or Don't Do It

Lone Star College Stabbing Spree Sparks New Gun Control Debate

Congress pushes back against NASA abandonment of the moon

Obama Budget Proposal Proves He'd Rather Fight Than Fix the Deficit

Why Iraqis Think that the Liberation of Iraq was Worth It

Ted Cruz notes Supreme Court restraint of Obama federal power grabs

Elon Musk responds to Sarah Palin Tesla critique more in sorrow than in anger

NASA-Funded Fusion Rocket Project Under Development

Ted Cruz targeted by pro Obama group over gun control stance

Houston Pastor Joel Osteen Victim of Internet Hoax

Margaret Thatcher and Sarah Palin: Sadly, the Sit-Down that Never Was

How a Ship with a Laser Cannon Will Change Naval Warfare

Behold the power of this operational laser weapon!

'Hannibal' the Series Begins with a Bite

Russia Turns Its Sights to the Moon While NASA Vows to 'Lead from Behind'

Ted Cruz pays tribute to the departed Margaret Thatcher

'Mad Men' Steps Through 'The Doorway' Toward 1968

Ron Paul Starts a Home-School Curriculum

Is it Really Time for 'Crossfire' to Return from the Dead on CNN?

Why the Government Should Be Told: Hands Off Our Children

Margaret Thatcher is Now with the Ages

McCain, Schumer attack Ted Cruz for gun control filibuster threat

Ted Cruz's conversation with the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce

45 years ago, the future that once was. 2001: A Space Odyssey

NASA asteroid capture scheme criticized by planetary geologist

Senator Nelson confirms NASA asteroid capture mission

NASA's Bolden: no American led return to the moon 'in my lifetime'

Sarah Palin comments on collapse of green car company Fisker Automotive

Roger Ebert reviews '2001: A Space Odyssey,' 'Star Wars,' and 'Apollo 13'

Gambling Expansion Debated in Texas

NASA: hydrogen peroxide on Europa could lead to life

NASA experiment indicates possibility of life on Saturn's moon Titan

Ted Cruz touts economic growth agenda

Inspiration Mars Mulls Launch Vehicles, Other Issues for Interplanetary Flight

The Left May Be Turning on the Obama Agenda

Is Ben Carson Really 'Just a Black Sarah Palin?'

Texas Gov. Perry Speaks Out on Prosecutors' Murders

NASA Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer Detects Hints of Dark Matter

In 'The Americans' the 'Safe House' is Not Safe at All

Which 'Game of Thrones' Character Would Make a Good President?

If Regime Change Happens in North Korea, China Will Have to Accept It

MSNBC's Chris Matthews links Ted Cruz to murder of Texas prosecutors

The Man from Mars -- Chapter Twelve

SpaceX planning test of flyback stage for Falcon 9

Ted Cruz opposes Senate ratification of UN arms control treaty

Hunting for Payloads for NASA's Space Launch System

Sheila Jackson Lee to take on Ted Cruz on gun control

'Justified' Season Four Ends on a Sad Note

Elon Musk's Tesla Takes on the Texas Auto Dealers Association

Obama Brain-Mapping Initiative a Worthy Goal

Delay in Obamacare Provision Buttresses the Case for Repeal

NASA study: nuclear power saves lives

Israeli produced natural gas begins to flow

White Supremacists, Mexican Drug Cartel Suspected in Texas Prosecutors' Murders

Proposal for NASA 'Skylab 2' Beyond the Moon

NASA climate scientist James Hansen quits in favor of global warming activism

Ted Cruz South Carolina speech creates presidential buzz and Ted Cruz is skeptical of the Senate immigration reform legislation

Cuomo and O'Malley's Lurches to the Left May Cost Democrats in 2016

How Fracking Can Liberate the Women of Saudi Arabia

Texas Gov. Perry Pushes Back Against Pressure to Expand Medicaid

Obituary of Yvonne Brill, female rocket pioneer, causes controversy

Season Three of 'The Walking Dead' Ends with Death and Mayhem

'Game of Thrones' Season Three Returns for More Sex, Violence, and Back Stabbing

Buzz Aldrin's New Book: Go Directly to Mars, Do Not Return to the Moon

The Government Should Stop Trying to Build Passenger Train Lines

Why Hollywood Celebrates Terrorists when They Kill for the Right Cause

Crowd-Funded Ad to Tout NASA Space Exploration at New 'Star Trek' Film

Texas Atheist Group Message: 'God is Dead. Have a Good Friday'

Global Warming May Neither Be as Global nor as Warm as Once Thought

Petition Against Ben Carson Shows that Some Bigotry is Acceptable

A number of media sources have reported that NASA is intending to ask for $100 million to start a new mission to snag an asteroid and bring it to an orbit around the moon for closer examination. However new information has come to light concerning a top secret program embarked on by the Obama administration to acquire space resources to further its various programs, such as health care reform and infrastructure construction.

It seems that the X-37B, a top secret military spacecraft that has been conducting orbital missions, has carried a space telescope into low Earth orbit with a number of sensors that are meant to detect Earth approaching asteroids that may be backed with precious resources. Late last year, an asteroid, dubbed Midas, was discovered.

Midas is apparently a 1 kilometer in diameter asteroid that has a specific feature that thus far was only supposed by scientific theory. It contains a great deal of platinum and other rare materials. But the platinum surrounds a carbon core that scientists theorize has been rendered into a gigantic diamond from billions of years of pressure and heat. The estimated value of the resources of Midas is about $23 trillion dollars.

The Obama administration means to divert Midas into an orbit around the moon and to contract with a commercial asteroid mining firm to extract its resources and, gradually so as not to spark inflation, sell the material on the open market. The theory is that even with the share that the private company will garner, a future United States president would have enough money to fund universal health care and a massive infrastructure construction project without adding to the deficit.

The last part of the scheme is already getting rumblings from congressional Republicans, who insist that any revenues to come from asteroid mining should be used to pay down the national debt, currently approaching $17 trillion. Political observers suggest that this may constitute the defining issue of the next presidential election.