Al-Quaeda Coast Watchers!!??!!??
This is wrong, sadly, it is not surprising but it is just plain wrong.
Last night, while surfing I picked up a link to a very nicely designed little blog that happened to have a post from
Fairford Peace Watch,which is a UK group that is opposed to the War on Terror.
OK, I vehemently disagree with them but they have every right to voice their opinions. In fact they seem at first glance to be just an example of horribly misplaced idealism except for one thing....
The "Peace Watch" in their title refers to their habit of noting plane movements from US/UK military bases and posting these on the internet. Here is one of their posts on Charlie Roses Board (Now that I have a chance to blog, their Plane Watcher logs are down temporarily).
This is where they cross the line
Posting info on Allied Troop movements is so much like aiding and abetting the enemy.....that it IS aiding and abetting the enemy.
Last time I checked that was treason.....Real, actual, not politically spun treason.
They could easily get some US or UK pilots killed. The world wide web is WORLD wide and the islamists B'aathists and whatever other nasty 'ists are out there are known to see the Wests suicidal straightjacket left as allies..
This is not a grey area, this is pretty straightforward. Ostensibly they are doing this to help start preemptive protests (What? These guys preemptive :) but the info, is as they say "dual use".
Like it or not we are at war; with an enemy that wants us dead or Muslim. It is high time the left decides which side they are on.
Thursday, November 06, 2003
Friday, October 31, 2003
Shuttle Mess
Update: A previous post has additional space linkage.
This
is a great op-ed piece by Rand Simberg on the recent cutting of the new spaceplane funding.
He points out that the halting of this program is not necessarily a bad thing. I tend to agree.
The spaceplane as currently proposed is little more than a highly advanced version of the '60s Dynasoar
this is something of a retrogade step compared to the shuttle.
Launch costs are likely to be higher than for Apollo style capsules. The plane has to be refurbished after each flight.
There is little commercial viability to such a design that can't be done cheaper with a disposable system.
The early designs of the shuttle were much more impressive
Warning: big picture-rich link.
My utter lay-person opinion is that the Govt. should engage in X-Programs andPrizes
Failing a break from the current model a fully reusable shuttle either one or two stages could be built. NASA and industry designed these in the sixties and 70's before the shuttle was cut back to its present flawed form. (The early designs had neither solid rocket boosters nor the external tank the two items that killed 14 of our best between them)
These old designs with modern materials would be a real step forward.
Of course the big story in the Simberg article is the persistent rumor that the POTUS is planning a big space policy speech on the centennial of the Wright Brothers first flight.
Future!!!! Yayyy!!!!
Update: Correction, changed spelling error (Space Stubble is that 5 o'clock shadow that astronauts get 'cause they can't shave or bathe easily not the US Space transportation System....I regret any confusion this caused)
Update 2: Welcome! Belligerent Bunny Fans!
Update: A previous post has additional space linkage.
This
is a great op-ed piece by Rand Simberg on the recent cutting of the new spaceplane funding.
He points out that the halting of this program is not necessarily a bad thing. I tend to agree.
The spaceplane as currently proposed is little more than a highly advanced version of the '60s Dynasoar
this is something of a retrogade step compared to the shuttle.
Launch costs are likely to be higher than for Apollo style capsules. The plane has to be refurbished after each flight.
There is little commercial viability to such a design that can't be done cheaper with a disposable system.
The early designs of the shuttle were much more impressive
Warning: big picture-rich link.
My utter lay-person opinion is that the Govt. should engage in X-Programs andPrizes
Failing a break from the current model a fully reusable shuttle either one or two stages could be built. NASA and industry designed these in the sixties and 70's before the shuttle was cut back to its present flawed form. (The early designs had neither solid rocket boosters nor the external tank the two items that killed 14 of our best between them)
These old designs with modern materials would be a real step forward.
Of course the big story in the Simberg article is the persistent rumor that the POTUS is planning a big space policy speech on the centennial of the Wright Brothers first flight.
Future!!!! Yayyy!!!!
Update: Correction, changed spelling error (Space Stubble is that 5 o'clock shadow that astronauts get 'cause they can't shave or bathe easily not the US Space transportation System....I regret any confusion this caused)
Update 2: Welcome! Belligerent Bunny Fans!
Beware...the Blob
That should be my Halloween costume.
The last two days, are the first I've done any serious excersize since the surgery. Holyfreakingouch!! gasp!gasp!
It is hard to believe just how far out of shape I've gotten. I was running 7 miles every other day....now its hard to do 20 minutes on a treadmill.
Oh well, every journey begins with one step.
That should be my Halloween costume.
The last two days, are the first I've done any serious excersize since the surgery. Holyfreakingouch!! gasp!gasp!
It is hard to believe just how far out of shape I've gotten. I was running 7 miles every other day....now its hard to do 20 minutes on a treadmill.
Oh well, every journey begins with one step.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
THE NEXT TIME YOU CALL ME A FASCIST.......
Ok, I have a pet peeve (actually I have nine, but the others are off topic). I grow weary of being called a Fascist or a NAZI simply because I don't agree with somebody on this or that policy.
I have gotten some flack for pointing out to avowed Socialists that the Nazis for instance were.....Socialists.....not Libertarians and certainly not Republicans. Rather violent flack at times.
Fascism is essentially a leftist philosophy.....just not as far left as Communism. Stripped of its iconography it seems to me to be very close to "3rd way socialism" or socialism as the EU seems to want to practice it.
Although I was very much aware of its class warfare and generally leftist underpinnings, I was unaware of it's Communist origins until I read
This article
which points out that it was actually a political compromise by communists especially Mussolini who, as the article points out was the Che Guevera of his day.
Mussolini's communist origins go a long way to explaining the exchange between Italy and the USSR in the 20's and 30's.
I suspect that a good bit of the Anti-Semitism practiced by the Fascists is based on envy rather than religion. That is, there is bloody little that a hard core leftist hates more than someone who is successful. The Jews are widely regarded by asshatted loosers as being undeservedly successful....it goes to the heart of many of the blood libels against them. Thus, the scapegoat of the Jews by those who purport to hate capitalism. The fact that Jewish culture does seem to value sucsess and work ethic can't be a good thing to those losers who don't. (see A.N.S.W.E.R.)
Of course you have rightwing anti-semites too (see Al Quaeda...various moonbatted Christian sects), but much of what is seen as right wing extremism (like Neo Nazis) is actually Fascism ie: leftism that is simply to the right of Stalin and thus in the eyes of Stalinists..."right wing".
(I've read that this was actually Stalinist propaganda....to differentiate himself from Hitler in the eyes of the US public during WW2 he and the state dept. seem to have come up with this......I can't find a link but I'm looking.....any link help on this is appreciated)
And now I'm running out of time at the Cyber-Cafe.....pooh!
Ok, I have a pet peeve (actually I have nine, but the others are off topic). I grow weary of being called a Fascist or a NAZI simply because I don't agree with somebody on this or that policy.
I have gotten some flack for pointing out to avowed Socialists that the Nazis for instance were.....Socialists.....not Libertarians and certainly not Republicans. Rather violent flack at times.
Fascism is essentially a leftist philosophy.....just not as far left as Communism. Stripped of its iconography it seems to me to be very close to "3rd way socialism" or socialism as the EU seems to want to practice it.
Although I was very much aware of its class warfare and generally leftist underpinnings, I was unaware of it's Communist origins until I read
This article
which points out that it was actually a political compromise by communists especially Mussolini who, as the article points out was the Che Guevera of his day.
Mussolini's communist origins go a long way to explaining the exchange between Italy and the USSR in the 20's and 30's.
I suspect that a good bit of the Anti-Semitism practiced by the Fascists is based on envy rather than religion. That is, there is bloody little that a hard core leftist hates more than someone who is successful. The Jews are widely regarded by asshatted loosers as being undeservedly successful....it goes to the heart of many of the blood libels against them. Thus, the scapegoat of the Jews by those who purport to hate capitalism. The fact that Jewish culture does seem to value sucsess and work ethic can't be a good thing to those losers who don't. (see A.N.S.W.E.R.)
Of course you have rightwing anti-semites too (see Al Quaeda...various moonbatted Christian sects), but much of what is seen as right wing extremism (like Neo Nazis) is actually Fascism ie: leftism that is simply to the right of Stalin and thus in the eyes of Stalinists..."right wing".
(I've read that this was actually Stalinist propaganda....to differentiate himself from Hitler in the eyes of the US public during WW2 he and the state dept. seem to have come up with this......I can't find a link but I'm looking.....any link help on this is appreciated)
And now I'm running out of time at the Cyber-Cafe.....pooh!
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Those Wacky Protesters
Interesting post at Belligerent Bunny on today's antiwar protests. With Pictures
She also has a map, great commentary, and an expose' on the "clowns for Saddam" (No, really, clowns for Saddam!) as well as organized anarchists...Heh!
These moonbats are really hurting themselves with their moonbattedness. I mean none of these guys are going to win any hearts and minds here with these sorts of displays (except maybe the vets and the Goo Goo Dolls fans).
The big problem with this rally is/was that it is necessarily not so much an anti-war rally (see the poster calling for the defeat of the USA) as a leave the Iraqis to die rally.
I think there were lucid arguments for not going into Iraq, I firmly believe they did not in any way hold up to the counter arguments, but it is vitally important that we have a debate before we commit troops. The problem is that the oppositions argument was "We hate Bush"
I do not believe that there are any good arguments for pulling out. We have a responsibility to see this through as much for the peoples of Iraq as for our own prestige and safety. If we abandon them we will have the blood of thousands, perhaps millions on our hands and we will be less safe. No there is NO reasoned argument for pulling out unless you just want to hurt America and the west....at the expense of the Iraqis.
I have talked to some Vets coming back from Iraq:we are doing a good thing and far more competently than is getting reported.
Update: this post was completely reworked Sunday afternoon...link works too..
Interesting post at Belligerent Bunny on today's antiwar protests. With Pictures
She also has a map, great commentary, and an expose' on the "clowns for Saddam" (No, really, clowns for Saddam!) as well as organized anarchists...Heh!
These moonbats are really hurting themselves with their moonbattedness. I mean none of these guys are going to win any hearts and minds here with these sorts of displays (except maybe the vets and the Goo Goo Dolls fans).
The big problem with this rally is/was that it is necessarily not so much an anti-war rally (see the poster calling for the defeat of the USA) as a leave the Iraqis to die rally.
I think there were lucid arguments for not going into Iraq, I firmly believe they did not in any way hold up to the counter arguments, but it is vitally important that we have a debate before we commit troops. The problem is that the oppositions argument was "We hate Bush"
I do not believe that there are any good arguments for pulling out. We have a responsibility to see this through as much for the peoples of Iraq as for our own prestige and safety. If we abandon them we will have the blood of thousands, perhaps millions on our hands and we will be less safe. No there is NO reasoned argument for pulling out unless you just want to hurt America and the west....at the expense of the Iraqis.
I have talked to some Vets coming back from Iraq:we are doing a good thing and far more competently than is getting reported.
Update: this post was completely reworked Sunday afternoon...link works too..
Knee Status
My recovery from knee surgery is proceeding well. I am pretty mobile and I am going to be able to start exercising Tuesday (which is a damn good thing as I have put on nearly 30 pounds since my injury six months ago grrrr....)
I've had a 300% increase in range of motion over the last two weeks, which is better than expected given that due to the hurricane and bean counter snafus I didn't start therapy till nearly a month after surgery (yikes!)
I hope to be fit fer full duty by December, which will allow me to return to reserve status.....Just in time for the UPS Hell month :)
As far as the weight goes, as I lost over a hundred pounds a few years ago, (and kept it off 'till the accident) I'm confident I'll be able to return to my buff self in a few months.
(crosses fingers)
My recovery from knee surgery is proceeding well. I am pretty mobile and I am going to be able to start exercising Tuesday (which is a damn good thing as I have put on nearly 30 pounds since my injury six months ago grrrr....)
I've had a 300% increase in range of motion over the last two weeks, which is better than expected given that due to the hurricane and bean counter snafus I didn't start therapy till nearly a month after surgery (yikes!)
I hope to be fit fer full duty by December, which will allow me to return to reserve status.....Just in time for the UPS Hell month :)
As far as the weight goes, as I lost over a hundred pounds a few years ago, (and kept it off 'till the accident) I'm confident I'll be able to return to my buff self in a few months.
(crosses fingers)
SPACE FUTURE!!!!!
Encyclopedia Astronautica is an excellent website devoted to space history. You should check it out.
Despite my decidedly non-spacey civilian job (UPS dude) and less spacey military job ( United States Coast Guard...Semper Paratus!) I have always been a bit of a space cadet.
When I was born in 1970 there were men walking on the moon (the big one with the rabbit on it notCruithne the little one) and in school In the 70s and early eighties I read books talking confidently of how there would becities in space.
It was not to be....
Note that Space Based Solar
Arrays and Helium Three mining could eliminate our dependence on Mid-east oil (and oil period except for plastics and lubricants).
The obstacles standing in the way of our birthright are govt. Bureaucrats and the very real engineering/ economic problems of cost to orbit.These are solvable.
The question is, do we have the vision?
For the first time in a decade there is hope. The President, last year initiated Project Prometheus a program to develop nuclear power systems for space use. This indicates that space exploration is again looked upon with favor by the white house.
While the current war is taking most of the attention of the administration (rightly so) This is an indication that the final frontier may soon be opening again.
If not, we may live to see an earth once again in which no living person will have walked on the moon.
This is something I'll blog a bit more on as time passes.
update: info on Helium 3 mining here
Encyclopedia Astronautica is an excellent website devoted to space history. You should check it out.
Despite my decidedly non-spacey civilian job (UPS dude) and less spacey military job ( United States Coast Guard...Semper Paratus!) I have always been a bit of a space cadet.
When I was born in 1970 there were men walking on the moon (the big one with the rabbit on it notCruithne the little one) and in school In the 70s and early eighties I read books talking confidently of how there would becities in space.
It was not to be....
Note that Space Based Solar
Arrays and Helium Three mining could eliminate our dependence on Mid-east oil (and oil period except for plastics and lubricants).
The obstacles standing in the way of our birthright are govt. Bureaucrats and the very real engineering/ economic problems of cost to orbit.These are solvable.
The question is, do we have the vision?
For the first time in a decade there is hope. The President, last year initiated Project Prometheus a program to develop nuclear power systems for space use. This indicates that space exploration is again looked upon with favor by the white house.
While the current war is taking most of the attention of the administration (rightly so) This is an indication that the final frontier may soon be opening again.
If not, we may live to see an earth once again in which no living person will have walked on the moon.
This is something I'll blog a bit more on as time passes.
update: info on Helium 3 mining here
Thanks...
Anna, the "Beligerent Bunny" Posted condolences on her blog regards the various speed bumps of life I've been hitting Thank you.
She also sends getwell wishes to Matt which I will pass on and which is truely appreciated.
I don't know her from Eve, this was just a spontaneous niceness.
Anna, the "Beligerent Bunny" Posted condolences on her blog regards the various speed bumps of life I've been hitting Thank you.
She also sends getwell wishes to Matt which I will pass on and which is truely appreciated.
I don't know her from Eve, this was just a spontaneous niceness.
Thursday, October 23, 2003
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Great Post on The WW2 Internment
Just go here
Anna the Belligerent Bunny (TM) has one of the odder blogs out there, 45% lagomorph advocacy 45% supporting the troops and 30% great psychotronical movie reviews....yep she give 120% on her blog.
Just go here
Anna the Belligerent Bunny (TM) has one of the odder blogs out there, 45% lagomorph advocacy 45% supporting the troops and 30% great psychotronical movie reviews....yep she give 120% on her blog.
Monday, October 20, 2003
TAIKONAUTS ARE GO!!!! 2
The recent Chinese Launch did not get anywhere near the press it deserved.
This is big news at any time but especially now given the beauraucratic mess at NASA that has gounded us with two wrecked ships and two dead crews.
Info on the Chinese Spacecraft can be found here
The Chinese still see themselves as the "Middle Kingdom" and indeed have been around since Egypt was young. Ironically we now run the risk of making the same monumental mistake the Chinese made in the middle ages when, after mastering ocean travel, visiting America and Africa, they turned their backs on the world and concentrated on their internal affairs. Then the Europeans who had lagged FAR behind in technology surpassed and rent them.
The Middle Kingdom has been understandably contemplating payback for 150 years. They're methodical and they don't repeat mistakes. Of course if we don't get our space program in order, we'll deserve what we get.
The recent Chinese Launch did not get anywhere near the press it deserved.
This is big news at any time but especially now given the beauraucratic mess at NASA that has gounded us with two wrecked ships and two dead crews.
Info on the Chinese Spacecraft can be found here
The Chinese still see themselves as the "Middle Kingdom" and indeed have been around since Egypt was young. Ironically we now run the risk of making the same monumental mistake the Chinese made in the middle ages when, after mastering ocean travel, visiting America and Africa, they turned their backs on the world and concentrated on their internal affairs. Then the Europeans who had lagged FAR behind in technology surpassed and rent them.
The Middle Kingdom has been understandably contemplating payback for 150 years. They're methodical and they don't repeat mistakes. Of course if we don't get our space program in order, we'll deserve what we get.
helplessness...
One of the my shipmates suffered a blowout last week. His truck was crushed, both feet were broken his left leg was crushed and his head was stove in.
Sunday I stayed with him in the hospital. The CO saw to it that at least one of our unit was there at all times to render any aid possible to his parents, who had been flown in from Florida.
Sunday afternoon, his brain began to swell and his blood pressure rose. As of this morning, there was little additional change.
The doctors are saying that they will know how much brain damage he suffered by Tuesday.
The man is 19.
Chaplains from as far away as North Carolina have visited him and officers from local stations have stopped by. I've been very touched with how much respect and concern the Guard has shown for a 19 year old third class petty officer.
Matt was going to pick up new tires when his tire blew out.
One of the my shipmates suffered a blowout last week. His truck was crushed, both feet were broken his left leg was crushed and his head was stove in.
Sunday I stayed with him in the hospital. The CO saw to it that at least one of our unit was there at all times to render any aid possible to his parents, who had been flown in from Florida.
Sunday afternoon, his brain began to swell and his blood pressure rose. As of this morning, there was little additional change.
The doctors are saying that they will know how much brain damage he suffered by Tuesday.
The man is 19.
Chaplains from as far away as North Carolina have visited him and officers from local stations have stopped by. I've been very touched with how much respect and concern the Guard has shown for a 19 year old third class petty officer.
Matt was going to pick up new tires when his tire blew out.
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