Media Criticism, Philosophy, Political Commentary, Popular Culture, Social Commentary, Space, Technology and Society

The First Woman To Be Raped In Space

16 Comments

…has already been born.

As Glenn notes, this seems to be gender feminism’s major contribution to spaceflight.

I ruffled some feathers this weekend at Space Access by having the temerity to point out that there will be some people who will oppose our expansion into space, because they don’t trust us to do it “right,” and with “social justice.” So much will they oppose it that they may even get violent about it. They do, after all, call themselves “warriors,” and they use a lot of eliminationist rhetoric, like “Smash patriarchy.” I got an email or two about it.

My quick take: Saying that I am “picking a fight” with these people is like saying that the New York Times was picking a fight with the Japanese by reporting that they had bombed Pearl Harbor. As I noted in my talk, they went after the gamers, and the SF community. They’re already on their way to go after the space settlers, as the above linked piece indicates.

I’ll have a longer take at Ricochet or PJMedia.

[Update a few minutes later]

Sort of related: Why Joss Whedon left Twitter.

[Update a while later]

Here’s one hot off the press (Monday) from D. N. Lee (the Scientific American blogger whose tweet I highlighted in my talk). This is much more mild than the tweet, but it gives you an idea of what we’re up against.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Social Commentary

Vagina Voters

4 Comments

What has happened to feminism?

She thinks Hillary would be a great president because she “knows what it’s like to menstruate, be pregnant, [and] give birth.”

So you’re going to pick your leader on the basis of her biological functions, the fact she’s experienced the same bodily stuff as you? Imagine if a man did that. “I’m voting for Ted Cruz because he knows what it’s like to spunk off. And he knows the pain of being kicked in the balls.” We’d think that was a very sad dude indeed. Why is it any better for a female commentator to wax lyrical about voting on the basis of her biological similarity to a candidate rather than any shared political outlook?

She should be embarrassed, but she has no idea why. If you’re voting with your body parts, you’re definitely doing it wrong

Space, Technology and Society

Regenerative Life Support

10 Comments

Listening to an interesting presentation on challenges of closing the cycle on ISS, particularly water. Not seeing any real surprises, but I think that this will be a very useful result of having the station for improving systems. They’re learning about life of various system elements, and getting some surprises, with some failure years before expected, and some lasting much longer.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary

The IRS “Phony” Scandal

27 Comments

“I was targeted by the IRS, and I have proof“:

The IRS is supposed to be totally nonpolitical, as it must be in a free and fair democratic society. Do you know what my IRS tax file says?

“SENSITIVE CASE.”

Do you know the date “SENSITIVE CASE” was written on my tax file? The week Lois Lerner testified in Congress.

The only thing “SENSITIVE” about my case is that I’m a conservative political columnist and commentator often critical of the president. The only context where “sensitive” applies to me is “POLITICALLY SENSITIVE.”

Why would a citizen’s tax file be tied to his politics? Why would the IRS know my politics? Why would a normal random audit be classified as “SENSITIVE?’

But we’re only getting started with the criminal implications of this case. My IRS auditor wrote into the margin of my file that he spent hours researching my political views. How chilling is that revelation? It sounds like the KGB, Stasi or even the Gestapo.

This administration has weaponized government agencies against its political enemies. As he notes, Nixon had to resign for simply wanting to do so.

[Update a while later]

Here is the evidence.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary, War Commentary

Political Correctness

12 Comments

The FBI and DHS thought that an attack in Garland was unlikely.

Because, you know, Religion of Peace™

Actually, I think that we should do a lot more events like that. It seems to be useful honeypot to draw them out.

[Update a while later]

ISIS has declared war on Pam Geller.

I pity the fools.

[Late-morning update]

Kansas City mosque that wanted to ban free speech will give Muslim funeral to one of the perps.

But remember, it has nothing to do with Islam.

[Late-afternoon update]

Judith Miller: The Jihad at home.

Biting Commentary about Infinity…and Beyond!