Are they “normal“?
If it’s exploration for exploration’s sake, probably. But if it’s for creation of wealth, I’d expect things to happen faster.
The Steele Dossier
The Democrats are beating a hasty retreat from it:
Which brings us to a remarkable aspect of the op-ed: If Simpson and Fritsch have evidence of criminal or otherwise corrupt Trump-Russia contacts, why don’t they just tell us what it is. Why do they write a lengthy column caterwauling about how the Republican-controlled committees are supposedly withholding the information they’ve provided? We are not talking about classified information here; we are talking about Fusion’s own investigation. They say the Republicans refuse to release their testimony. Why wait for the Republicans? There’s nothing stopping Simpson and Fritsch from fully disclosing what their testimony was. Why don’t they tell the story instead of complaining about its not being told?
Could it be that the story is not what they purport it to be?
That would be the way to bet.
[Update a while later]
The FBI wasn’t worried about the tarmac meeting, they were worried about the whistleblower who refused to cover it up.
A Way To Solve University Expenses
Forcing students to pay for their “social justice” training.
This is sort of like charging the families of those executed in Iran for the bullets.
Metrics
…and their unintended consequences.
As Glenn says, the solution for this at the VA is to simply give the vets vouchers to seek medical care.
2018 Space Predictions
Dale Amon and Doug Weathers (former XCOR employees) have some.
I don’t understand what they mean by Cosmic Girl being in “the Hawthorne area,” though. I would assume it’s in Long Beach, by the Virgin Orbit facility.
Senator Romney
Yes, my problem with Mitt has always been that he is ideologically empty, and executive skills aren’t of much value in a senator. I don’t get it.
For College Administrators
Five New Year’s resolutions for 2018.
Long overdue. Of course, the problem is that many administrators’ jobs are dependent on this nonsense.
America In Space
Keith Cowing is pessimistic.
I’m not. NASA isn’t able to lead, but America will continue to.
[Update a few minutes later]
Speaking of which…
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Launch now NET Jnuary 15th, with static engine test on Saturday. That will be impressive by itself, even without a lift off. If it’s successful, chances of a successful launch go way up. I suspect the biggest uncertainty is plume interaction between the cores, and that will resolve it.
Limiting State And Local Tax Deductions
Yes, it is a big f**king deal.
We accelerated our property tax payment to get it in this year, before the limit hits next year. This will cost us, but I hope it has the effect of finally reining in the tax-hungry politicians in Sacramento. It might even make it a useful campaign issue to get a few more Republicans into the legislature.
[Wednesday-morning update]
States trying to come up with new schemes to get around the limits.
Anything except actually reducing spending.