Sigh. I wish that I were surprised by this. As a commenter says, we remain doomed to not having a presidential candidate who can explain reality to the American people.
Obama’s Nobel Prize
Could it be revoked?
It certainly should be.
Teachers In Space
…is now Citizens In Space:
“The development of low-cost reusable suborbital spacecraft will be the next great enabler, allowing citizens to participate in space exploration and space science.
“Citizens have told us that education is not just a process that occurs within the public schools. Science fairs, hackerspaces, museums; private, religious, and home schools — all have a role to play. Today, we are listening to those citizens.
“We want to put a thousand astronaut teachers into American schools . We want to engage America’s students and reach out to the public through museums, science centers, and other venues. We want to make space research and space exploration part of the mainstream, not treasures locked away in the ivory tower.
“When Apollo 12 commander Pete Conrad was asked what it was like to fly in space, he said, ‘Everyone should go!’ We agree.
I agree, too. At least those who want to. It’s too bad the people in charge of the government space program don’t agree.
[Update a few minutes later]
Here’s the new web site.
The Florida Pythons
Wow, this has really become an ecological disaster:
In areas where the pythons have established themselves, marsh rabbits and foxes can no longer be found. Sightings of raccoons are down 99.3%, opossums 98.9% and white-tailed deer 94.1%, according to a paper out Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
“What if the stock market had declined that much? Think of the adjectives you’d use for that,” says Gordon Rodda, an invasive-species specialist with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) who published research in 2008 showing that Burmese pythons could conceivably expand across the southern portion of the United States.
“Pythons are wreaking havoc on one of America’s most beautiful, treasured and naturally bountiful ecosystems,” says USGS Director Marcia McNutt.
I remember when we drove down to Flamingo, on Florida Bay, the only place in the world (I think) where alligators and crocodiles coexist, and seeing a family of raccoons on a hike.
At least they’re not endangered species. If they can figure out some way to exterminate the snakes, they could be repopulated in the Everglades from other regions. I suspect that the solution may be some kind of engineered tasty poison that only affects Burmese pythons, but we probably aren’t that far along in the tech yet.
Recasting The Dream
Part 2 of Walter Russell Mead’s thoughts on reforging America for the 21st century. I wonder if he’s read Albion’s Seed
Schadenfreude For Eric Holder
He really is a contemptible little man. And I’m referring to his moral, not his physical stature. I’m glad to see that CNN gave Hayden an outlet.
[Update a few minutes later]
Fisking the liar’s prepared remarks for this morning’s hearing.
[Update a few minutes later]
A failed “Fast and Furious” whitewash:
By turns whiny, petulant and deceitful, Holder would rather accuse his critics of racism than substantively address the scandal. But with each “withdrawn” letter, Friday-night document dump and sudden resignation, it becomes ever more clear that the man who facilitated the outrageous Marc Rich pardon for President Bill Clinton is incapable of shame.
The people who should really be ashamed are the senators, on both sides of the aisle, who voted to confirm this corrupt, sniveling, lying, gun-grabbing racist hack to the nation’s highest position in law enforcement.
I should note that my Twitter timeline is pretty busy with the hearings.
[Update mid-morning]
“Eric Holder should become a campaign issue today.”
NASA’s Technology Priorities
The National Research Council has come out with a list of sixteen. Does anyone else see something conspicuous by its absence? Hint: it’s necessary for orbital refueling.
[Late afternoon update]
Here’s the full report.
[Bumped]
Newt’s Lunar Ambitions
AP (at the Huffington Post, of all places) says he got a bum rap. I still think that we could get back to the moon by 2020. But NASA can’t, not as long as Congress is in charge.
Nine Years Of Space Policy Disaster
I have some thoughts about the current state of affairs, on the ninth anniversary of the loss of Columbia.
The Peak Oil Myth
Will the fracking boom finally put a stake through its heart?
Of course not. Malthusians are never stopped by reality. They just pick themselves up, dust themselves off, and go unmerrily on their way.