Patricia’s up in Orlando this weekend, so I’m driving up this afternoon. We may go over to the Cape to see the launch tomorrow.
All posts by Rand Simberg
Sarkozy Is A Lot Better Than Chirac
…but he’s still idiotic on some issues:
Last year, Mr. Sarkozy told French radio: “Security is the responsibility of the state. I am against the private ownership of firearms. If you are assaulted by an armed burglar, he will use his weapon more effectively than you anyway, so you are risking your life.”
But of course, there is no risk to your life if you’re unarmed…
[Update on Monday morning]
As noted in comments, this thread got hijacked by the usual suspects, but here are some interesting thoughts on another Frenchman, Tocqueville, who was a lot smarter than Sarkozy on these issues. Also, on what happens when mass killers meet armed citizens, as was demonstrated over the weekend in Colorado.
Before Marco Polo
Was there trade between China and the west five millennia ago?
Mojave Update
There have been a new development in the story about Mojave potentially losing its spaceport license.
Scientific Literacy
Should this be a necessary characteristic of a president?
If so, I suspect that none of the major candidates, of either party, would qualify (though perhaps Ron Paul might, being an MD). Hillary!, Obama and Edwards are all lawyers. So are Giuliani and Thompson, and Romney has a JD and an MBA (though McCain might have picked up math and science at Annapolis). Why would they know much about science? And historically, while there have been exceptions, not that many people come to politics at all, let alone the presidency, via science.
There’s a lot more to scientific literacy than understanding (and agreeing with) evolution, and being in favor of embryonic stem cell research. In fact, I don’t think that Al Gore is scientifically literate (in the way I understand that phrase–a good understanding of basic scientific principles, and able to both perform and recognize good analysis, including the math, as well as a facility with logic).
Is There A Twiki Expert In The House?
I just installed it, and am having problems configuring it. I’m not going to bother with the gory details here, unless someone pipes up, though.
Moral Health Care
…not universal health care. An essay by Lin Zinser and (Dr.) Paul Hsieh (of Geek Press).
Contrary to claims that government-imposed
Another Loophole
Thomas James has found another way for NASA to get around the Congressional prohibition on human Mars exploration, as a result of the blinkered mentality of the people who wrote the language. As he says, though, it’s unlikely that NASA would use it.
Sixty-Six Years Ago
On a beautiful Sunday morning in Hawaii, a sleeping giant was awakened, and filled with a terrible resolve.
I was at the memorial about a year ago. Some of the tour guides there were present at the scene, and described the chaos and heroism. There is a project to capture their memories and pictures, before they’re all gone.
The memorial itself is deteriorating, and needs to be replaced. If you’d like to help, today might be a good time to do it, while we remember.
[Update mid morning]
Here’s a story about five of the survivors.
“If It Just Saves One Life…”
“…it’s worth it.”
I haven’t said much about the Omaha mall shooting, either, but I agree completely with Glenn. No more “gun-free” zones. I, too, would like to see some lawsuits against those who (pathetically) attempt to establish them.
Because they’re a chimera, and a fantasy, and only enable the murderers and muckers.
[Friday update]
Scott Ott (in an uncharacteristically unfunny piece) has an alternate history:
As the would-be famous mass killer raised the rifle to his shoulder, the unnamed shopper commanded him to stop. Mr. Hawkins turned the muzzle of the AK-47 toward the commanding voice, a single shot rang out and Mr. Hawkins staggered, dropped his weapon and fell against the railing.
By this time, two other shoppers were aiming their pistols at Mr. Hawkins