Judith Weiss writes about the asymmetry between blue and red:
Pork Launchers 1 And 5
The Chair Force Engineer continues to be unimpressed with the Ares program:
Of course, the problem here is that we are sticking with “shuttle derived” instead of pushing technologies that have been developed since the early 70’s when the shuttle was finalized. The EELV programs have taught the industry how to reduce the marginal costs of added launches and how to streamline the processing of the Delta & Atlas rockets. And it’s also clear that the shuttle hardware was never capable of meeting ambitious flight rates, which are the only way to make spaceflight more cost-effective.
If Congress insists that NASA retain the shuttle workforce to the maximum extent in its moon launcher planning, the “Direct Launch” proposal is the smartest way of launching human missions to the moon.
Of course, it’s that congressional insistence that’s the real problem, and what will probably prevent the president’s vision from being implemented. And don’t tell me it’s not pork, Mark.
Not Quite Doomsday
Jeff Foust describes the current situation with Centennial Challenges. It’s not quite as bleak as earlier reports, and the issue may be resolved in conference. But as Jeff points out, even it not, it doesn’t affect any prizes currently funded; it just prevents NASA from initiating any new ones. That’s still a bad thing, but not as bad as pulling money out of prizes that people are currently working toward.
It Was Inevitable
Indiana Jones has been denied tenure.
It hardly surprises me. In fact, it reminds me of this lawsuit.
Rape Is Fine With Them
Here’s a depressing story. The rape-condoning Aussie Imam retains support not only in his country (he’s lived in Australia for almost a quarter of a century, but doesn’t speak any English), but in Britain as well:
Al-Hilaly, in his sermon, also caused offence by saying women were mostly to blame for adultery. ‘When it comes to adultery, it’s 90 per cent the woman’s responsibility,’ he said. ‘Why? Because a woman possesses the weapon of seduction.’
Waleed Aly, a spokesman for the Islamic Council of Victoria, condemned al-Hilali and called for his resignation, saying his views sought to normalize immoral sexual behaviour.
‘We would have liked to have seen some form of fairly strong censure just given the magnitude and the gravity of the comments,’ Aly said.
But other prominent Australian Muslims refused to criticise the mufti. Imam Abdul Jalil Sajid, the chairman of the Muslim Council of Great Britain, who is visiting Australia, sprang to the mufti’s defence. ‘I know he is one of the greatest Muslim scholars on earth and Australia is blessed with him,’ Sajid said.
This is a culture that is simply incompatible with a liberal democracy.
Would Apollo Have Survived?
…if Jack Kennedy had? That’s an intriguing question that Dwayne Day is asking in today’s issue of The Space Review. Unfortunately, the data isn’t yet available.
And I’m continually amused by Democrat space supporters who still buy into the Camelot myth, and think that we’d be on Mars long ago had only Oswald (or whoever they may think actually did the deed) missed, when he clearly wasn’t that big on space. In fact, based on the speech cited in Dr. Day’s article, he would have been solidly behind the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, which basically declares space off limits, at least philosophically, to exploitation and settlement, through its ban on claims of sovereignty.
How Embarrassing Will It Be?
…to Dems and particularly to Nick Lampson if he loses the race for Tom Delay’s seat to a write-in candidate? The Houston Chronicle says that it could happen. I’m assuming that whoever wins will continue to be a steadfast supporter of pork at JSC, including Orion.
This Is Just…Wrong
But pretty funny. It’s a Charlie Brown Jihad.
And Iowahawk got an audience with the rape condoner in Australia. Read, as he “asks the Aussie Iman“!
Imram M. of Jumbuck Springs, Victoria asks:
I am a taxi driver at the Melbourne Airport. The Taxi Directorate tells me I must give rides to blind kuffars and their filthy guide dogs, even when I tell him they are haram in the eyes of Allah! Even worse, I think the kuffars and their dogs have been drinking alcohol. Help me, I am at my wit’s end.
Sadly the dog-alcohol cootie issue has been a sore point for the many believers who work at the airport. We have long asked the Airport authority to exempt Muslim baggage handlers from touching luggage containing alcohol, and protect Muslim passengers from having contact with unclean bomb-sniffing dogs. Until we can correct this blatant discrimination, politely tell any fares who are potentially carrying alcohol or dogs that you will rape them.
No Sex, Please…
…we’re NASA.
Laura Woodmansee talks about some first-hand experience of the absurd prudishness of the space agency, and much of the space community.
Take Him Up On It
Armed Liberal has an offer for simpletons who think that fascism is descending on America, but things are great elsewhere.