Category Archives: Media Criticism

Business, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Space

Justice Is Served

11 Comments

Joe Fragola has backed down from his BS FUD:

“Since SpaceX filed its lawsuit … the Parties have been working collaboratively to resolve the matter. Regarding the underlying facts, Dr. [Joseph] Fragola investigated a rumor regarding the performance of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle during its most recent launch. Through email communications with both NASA and SpaceX on June 8, 2011, Dr. Fragola confirmed that the rumor was false in that no Falcon 9 engines failed and the first stage did not explode,” SpaceX and Valador said in a joint statement. “There was independent NASA tracking and video of the flight, and subsequent debriefing with NASA, indicating no such failure, indicating no such failures or explosions.

…Fragola, who is based in New York, makes his living as a safety expert. He was a member of the NASA Exploration Systems Architecture Study team that selected the Ares 1 and Ares 5 rocket concepts for the defunct Constellation Moon-return and Mars landing program.

Emphasis mine.

In a just world, he would be unable to make a living as a “safety expert.”

Humor, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Satire, Space

Our Space Journalism Award

15 Comments

As some of you may have heard, I was presented with an award for New Space Journalism on Saturday night. As I said when I accepted it, I thought that it was a grave injustice, so I let the teddy bears, or dogs, or whatever they are accept it instead. The thing that I like about these guys is that they are brutally honest, whether when discussing venal politicians in space districts or space-journalism poseurs. It can sometimes be a problem, though, as you’ll see.

I have to admit, it was a little embarrassing. Don’t kids just say the darndest things?

I’m still looking for all the women I supposedly get. And if any rocket scientists out there can recommend a materials-compatible lubricant for the suggested procedure, I’d appreciate it.

[Update a few minutes later]

For those people worried that she really won’t do any more videos, don’t sweat it. Sometimes the talent can be temperamental, but I’ll calm her down. I’m thinking I’ll buy her a cute little poodle skirt and a pair of pom poms, so she can cheer for SLS. She’ll love it.

Rah.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary

A Great Riposte To John McCain

10 Comments

From Rand Paul: “I’d rather be a hobbit than a troll.”

John McCain can’t leave public life soon enough for me.

[Update early evening]

On the other hand, Chrissie Matthews has found a new tingle up his leg:

Chris Matthews’ infatuation with John McCain has returned. The day after the Republican senator bashed his own party, knocking “Hobbit” Tea Partiers, the Hardball anchor on Thursday lauded him as “great” and even suggested McCain as a MSNBC guest host: “…He can substitute for me some night with that kind of talk!”

Don’t expect him to actually vote for him, though.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary

What Did The White House Know?

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…and when did it know it?

It’s the first time anyone has publicly stated that a White House official had any familiarity with ATF’s operation Fast and Furious, which allowed thousands of weapons to fall into the hands of suspected traffickers for Mexican drug cartels in an attempt to gain intelligence. It’s unknown as to whether O’Reilly shared information with anybody else at the White House.

As I’ve said before, if it were a Republican White House, there would have already been calls in the press for impeachment. At least they’re starting to cover it.

[Update early evening]

William Newell circles the wagons for the administration. Expect much of the media to hitch their wagons as well.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary, War Commentary

Conflict Oil

3 Comments

…versus ethical oil. Jim Bennett, who sent me the link, notes:

I also love the way the Globe’n’Mail thinks that Velshi’s rather obvious conclusions are “notions.”

“Alykhan Velshi’s eye-popping ads are premised on the notion that oil exports ultimately underwrite the values of those states that produce them. ‘Conflict oil’ funds ‘dictatorship’ and ‘terrorism’ and results in ‘women stoned to death,’ according to the ads…”

Ya think?

Velshi must be one of those Islamophobic Muslims, obviously.

Obviously. Why, that notion of oil funding woman stoning is just crazy talk.

Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Science And Society

Who Are You Going To Believe?

37 Comments

The climate models, or the lying empirical evidence?

The new NASA Terra satellite data are consistent with long-term NOAA and NASA data indicating atmospheric humidity and cirrus clouds are not increasing in the manner predicted by alarmist computer models. The Terra satellite data also support data collected by NASA’s ERBS satellite showing far more longwave radiation (and thus, heat) escaped into space between 1985 and 1999 than alarmist computer models had predicted. Together, the NASA ERBS and Terra satellite data show that for 25 years and counting, carbon dioxide emissions have directly and indirectly trapped far less heat than alarmist computer models have predicted.

But let’s not let a little pesky science get in the way of social justice.

[Update a while later]

Gee, whaddaya know? A “climate researcher” who implied that our SUVs were drowning polar bears is being investigated for “integrity issues.”

It’s just the ninety percent of them who make the rest look bad.

[Update late afternoon]

Weep not for the polar bears: James Delingpole piles on.