Archives

Recent Comments

Popular Threads

« May 2006 | Main | July 2006 »

54 posts from June 2006

June 16, 2006

North Korea missile test may be imminent

says the Associated Press.  I think we should shoot down their test missile, because it would be funny.

"Want to Own a Piece of Star Trek?"

Voluntary eXchange: "Christie's will be auctioning off props from various Star Trek shows this fall. Here is a photo spread of some of the stuff that is available."  If I were made of the kind of money I expect items like this will collect, I would have to go for either the Enterprise model or the flute.  Oh, and if I were a big geek, of course, which I'm certainly not.

June 15, 2006

Don't Count on Wind Power, Either...

Wind-Power Projects Halted:

More than 130 wind turbines are proposed for the hilltops of central Wisconsin, but that project and at least 11 others have been halted by the Defense Department as it studies whether the projects could interfere with military radar.

Wind farm developers, Midwestern legislators and environmentalists say the farms pose no risk, noting that there are already numerous wind farms operating in military radar areas. They say a renewable, domestic source of energy such as wind is crucial to energy security and independence.

They say their wind turbines are victims of the ongoing dispute between Cape Cod residents and developers of the proposed Cape Wind farm in Nantucket Sound. The Defense Department study was put in the 2006 Defense Authorization Act -- inserted, say wind farm developers, by senators who want to block Cape Wind.

…Critics of Cape Wind, including Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), have said that the 130 proposed turbines about six miles offshore would hurt views, tourism and migratory birds.

Adds James968 at the Volokh Conspiracy: “So to protect Ted Kennedy's view, EVERY windfarm project accross the nation has been suspended.”  Though to be fair, Warner shares the blame for this as well.

Hydrogen Not the Answer, Says Ring

Ed Ring, editor of EcoWorld.net, argues the focus on a future powered by hydrogen has done more harm than good, for some of the same reasons I suggested last year.  He cites problems with efficiency, storage, and opportunity cost.  (via Autoblog)

Thought for the Day

"Diplomacy is the art of saying 'Nice doggie' until you can find a rock."
Will Rogers

Probably a good thought to remember as we engage in diplomacy with Iran.

AFI's 100 Most Inspirational Films

The American Film Institute has released the list of the top 100 inspirational movies, with 'It's a Wonderful Life' tops the list.  Fox and Friends this morning asked, “what’s your favorite inspirational film?”  That’s an easy one.

June 14, 2006

Something Oughta Close

Reuters parrots a UN press release:

Five UN human rights experts on Wednesday urged the closure of the prison after last week's suicides there that they said were predictable given the harsh conditions.

Well, certainly the UN's behavior is predictable--which is, I suspect, exactly what these suicides were counting on.  Have you looked lately at who was on the not-so-dearly departed Commission for Human Rights?  I haven't seen any reason so far to think the Human Rights Council will be an improvement.  If you were really a human rights expert, would you be working for the UN?

My take:  Gitmo is fine.  The UN, on the other hand, has done as much as an enabler to set back the cause of human rights as anyone.  My counter-proposal.  Keep Gitmo open.  Close Reuters and the UN.

You Are My Sunshine

“[I]n 2006 the world will consume about 13,370 gigawatt-years of electricity.”  Wow.  That’s enough to send 30 DeLoreans back in time every day of the year. But never mind that.  EcoWorld mentions this stat to introduce (then answer) an interesting question:  “How much [photovoltaic] panel area would be necessary to power the entire world with nothing but photovoltaic energy?”

June 13, 2006

Jedi Breakfast

Quite clever:  (Click the picture to view the video.)

NYT: Rove Is Off Da Hook

This may disappoint a lot of left wing crazies people:

Rove Won't Be Charged in C.I.A. Leak Case

The prosecutor in the C.I.A. leak case on Monday advised Karl Rove, the senior White House adviser, that he would not be charged with any wrongdoing, effectively ending the nearly three-year criminal investigation that had at times focused intensely on Mr. Rove.

Could it be that truthout wasn’t just “ahead of the news cycle”, it was just comically wrong?  That would be enjoyable.

Unfortunately, that “pall” which was lifted from Mr. Rove has descended like the cone of silence over internet fabricator and noted liar Jason Leopold who as recently as last night wrote this for Truthout.org still trying to justify his article last month that stated flatly Mr. Rove would be “indicted within 24 hours.”

Assuming the NYT article has it right, I’m inclined to blame Leopold for credulity, rather than dishonesty, just because… well, this would be such a dumb lie if lie it was.  What would be the benefit to carpet bombing your own credibility with a fabrication that would inevitably be so publicly revealed?

Like Us on Facebook

David on Twitter

Rip on Twitter

Russell on Twitter

Top Commenters

Blog powered by TypePad
Member since 05/2004