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July 30, 2005
Discovery Mission Updates
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:44 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 29, 2005
Water on Mars????
The ESA announced the discovery of a "disk of ice" within an impact crater on the surface of Mars. The discovery was made by the Polar Express spacecraft and scientists have ruled out that the disk is frozen CO2. The long awaited discovery redefines the possibility of life, past or present, on our red neighbor. [Official ESA article with images]
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 6:11 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dispatch from Mosul
Michael Yon has a new dispatch from Mosul. It begins:
Across Iraq, I keep running across American troops who are not Americans. Many of these soldiers and Marines are working towards attaining U.S. citizenship while in uniform, under fire, in Iraq.I was privileged to witness the award ceremony for 12 new American citizens in Deuce Four recently. I hope America makes them feel welcome. If the folks at home could see what these people are doing in Iraq, they would make these special troops feel as honored guests. But now, better yet, they are honored citizens, giving life to the concept of active citizenship.
Read the whole thing, then read his whole blog. It's beyond worthy.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:57 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In case you're unclear on the whole subject. . .
Jeff has a way of putting things into crystal-clear perspective.
Even though I beat him in the Blogger Babe of the Week competiton (I still think Beth rigged it), you should spend some time at his blog, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll scratch your head, you might even get pissed off.
UPDATE: Michelle Malkin points out that Michael Graham of WMAL-AM radio in Washington also tried to put things in perspective, and got suspended for it. Lots of great links there for you.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:51 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Now this is interesting. . .
The Blogfather directed me to this:
Kabuli, who blogs in English as Afghan Lord under a pseudonym in order to protect himself, has received numerous threats posted to his blog from the same IP address which belongs - shockingly - to the BBC. One of them, which Kabuli emailed to Global Voices, asks: “Do you think I do not know you?” Then it continues on to threaten: “There were a number of people like you, who did not remain alive. They were all buried in graves. You have to be taken off from this land so that better human beings could take your place. For, you are dirty.”
Read the whole thing at Gobal Voices Online.
While people will rush to the defense of the BBC reporter mentioned in the article, claiming that the IP coincidence isn't a smoking gun in his hand. The fact remains that these comments are coming from someone at the BBC. The BBC says they are investigating the claims, and I'll be interested to see where this goes.
Reminds me of the whole "Sassygate" affair playing out at The Guardian. The Daily Ablution can catch you up on that.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:32 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 28, 2005
Discovery Watch
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ha Ha!
I guess telling LIES about U.S. Soldiers flushing Korans at Gitmo wasn't such a good idea after all.
Ohh, I'll bet no one has said this yet:
"The Revolution will not be televised; it'll be on the web!!!"
WOOT! My very own tagline. This may prompt me to finally redesign the blog.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:24 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Discovery Mission Reports 3 and 4
More news from the mission, including a report on the inspection of the heat shield tiles and the upcoming rendezvous with the ISS.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:29 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Introducing, "Day by Day" by Chris Muir
If you've traveled around the "Blogosphere" much, you've undoubtedly come across the webcomic "Day by Day". Personally, I've found the series hilarious at times, poignant at others and something that at the very least brings a grin. I've been meaning to incorporate the strip for some time in my blog some way, and now I've finally gotten around to it.
So from now until I decide otherwise, you can get "Day by Day" by clicking on this graphic which will be located in the sidebar:
So without further ado, let me welcome "Day by Day" by Chris Muir to JasonColeman.com.
--Jason
Day By Day© by Chris Muir.
Posted by JasonColeman at 1:23 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 27, 2005
Shuttles Grounded
The Discovery appears to be fine, but the fleet has been grounded.
More to come...
UPDATE: NASA officials announced that after reviewing images from the launch, that "significant" amounts of insulating foam did break free, and while no damage to the orbiter is evident, for safety regions, the fleet is grounded.
This is a huge setback, but not insurmountable. Hopefully this will prompt a rapid development program for the CEV, or prompt a retasking of the shuttle's role in space operations.
UPDATE 2: Full story from SpaceDaily.com
Posted by JasonColeman at 6:01 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Meet the new al-Queda information minister. . .
Minister Baghdadarella!
Via The Commisar of The Politburo Diktat -- new addition to the blogroll.
Tip o the hat to Beth.
If you have no clue what this is all about, READ THIS.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 5:50 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Discovery Mission Report - First Full Day in Space
VIA NASA -- Mission Report #1 is HERE
Wednesday, July 27, 2005 – 12 a.m. CDT
Mission Control Center, Houston, Texas
07.27.05
STATUS REPORT: STS-114-02
STS-114 MCC Status Report #02
The crew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery has awakened to its first full day in space. Today it will focus on thermal protection system inspections, preparing for docking to the International Space Station and getting spacesuits ready for three spacewalks.
Commander Eileen Collins, Pilot Jim Kelly and Mission Specialists Soichi Noguchi, Steve Robinson, Andy Thomas, Wendy Lawrence and Charlie Camarda received a wakeup call at 11:39 p.m. CDT. The song played for the crew was music from the movie "Groundhog Day," which was for the entire crew to commemorate its first day out of quarantine.
For most of the day, Thomas, Camarda and Kelly will work together on Discovery’s aft flight deck to inspect key components of the orbiter's heat shield. For the majority of the inspections the new Orbiter Boom Sensor System (OBSS) laser-scanner will be used. The Shuttle's robotic Canadarm will be used to maneuver the 50-foot boom extension after checkout of the system is completed.
In its debut performance, the boom will be used to methodically inspect the leading edges of Discovery's wings and the orbiter's nose cap to insure that they did not incur any damage during launch. The Laser Dynamic Range Imager (LDRI) on the boom will provide two-and three-dimensional imagery. The data will be downlinked to the ground for engineering evaluation.
After those surveys are complete the boom will be placed back on the starboard sill of the payload bay. The Shuttle robotic arm and its cameras will then be used to survey Discovery's crew cabin. Additionally, using handheld digital cameras the crew will photograph tiles on the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pods and the orbiter’s tail.
During Tuesday’s ascent to orbit, the enhanced imaging capability gave flight controllers and mission managers views of the Shuttle Orbiter never seen before. With this heightened ability, engineers were able to see two so-called "debris events." A camera mounted on the external tank caught what appeared to be a small fragment of tile coming from Discovery's underside on or near the nose gear doors. A later image about the time of Solid Rocket Booster separation showed an unidentified piece departing from the tank and exiting away, apparently not striking the orbiter. The crew was notified of these observations and told that imaging experts would be analyzing the pictures.
Mission managers will review the information gathered yesterday and today, including imaging and sensor data, to help determine the health of Discovery’s thermal protection system over the next four days before it is cleared for landing later in the flight. Data from the new wing leading edge sensors was downlinked overnight to Mission Control for assessment.
Flight Day Four has time reserved for additional surveys, if required, using the OBSS, either to complete parts of the survey that time would not allow today, or to supplement the survey with “stop-and-stare” scans of sites of potential interest.
Meanwhile, on the middeck, spacewalkers Noguchi and Robinson, assisted by Lawrence, will check out the airlock, spacesuits and tools they will begin using on Saturday. They will also prepare Shuttle systems for docking to the Space Station.
Today Collins will fire Discovery’s thrusters twice to refine its approach to the Station. At about midnight, Discovery was trailing the Station by 6,516 statute miles. The two are scheduled to link up at 6:18 a.m. CDT Thursday.
Today the Space Station crew, Commander Sergei Krikalev and Flight Engineer and NASA Science Officer John Phillips will prepare the complex for Discovery’s arrival. They will configure the digital cameras they will use during Discovery’s approach, gathering additional imagery of the Shuttle’s heat shield. They also will pressurize the Pressurized Mating Adapter 2 (PMA 2) that Discovery will dock to Thursday.
The next STS-114 mission status report will be issued Wednesday evening, or earlier, if events warrant.
Posted by JasonColeman at 4:20 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Shuttle Decisions. . .
Yesterday's launch of the Shuttle Discovery was the most heavily monitored launch yet. The Columbia tragedy confirmed yet again that Space Exploration is a dangerous task, and every launch has the potential for disaster.
Hundreds of cameras were trained on every inch of the orbiter, external fuel tanks and solid rocket boosters that make up the launch vechicle, and as with the Columbia, pieces of the components that make up the launch system flaked off under the rigors of launch.
It's yet to be discovered whether the pieces that fell off did any damage to the Discovery. NASA is currently analyzing the film of the launch and preparing to implement inspection, evaluation and if necessary, repair procedures they have been practicing for months.
The orbiter will be scrutinized by spy satellites which have been retasked to examine the heat shield of tiles that protect the orbiter upon re-entry, and a new 50-foot extension to the Canadian robot arm will be called into service to take pictures of the entire surface of the shuttle. Spacewalks will follow for further close up inspection if anomolies are detected and patches may be applied if warranted.
The Shuttle Atlantis is also being prepped for launch if it becomes apparent that the Shuttle Astronauts and ISS crew cannot repair the Discovery to engineers standards, the Atlantis could serve as a taxi for the Discovery astronauts, or may ferry additional replacement parts to the ISS for outfitting on the Discovery.
All of this leads one to serveral alternate scenarios that may dramatically effect the way NASA operates in the low earth orbit that is the realm of the ISS and Shuttle orbiters.
There's no need at this point to begin calling for a grounding of the Shuttle fleet again, there are other options that may actually improve the safety of the entire orbiter fleet, reduce the cost of accessing Earth orbit and also expand our overall presence in space.
The shuttle was designed to ferry cargo and Astronauts into low Earth orbit. The technology in the Shuttle is quite old, regardless if it is in fact the cutting edge of space exploration, it is on it's way out. The shuttle is due to be replaced by the Crew Exploration Vechicle being developed by NASA and private entities are designing new craft that are promising to open up small scale access to space. The newest generations of heavy lift rockets like the Delta and Progress are more efficient lifting engines for cargo and new systems like DART will make connecting with the ISS and Shuttle in orbit much easier.
Now is the time to consider a radical change in the way we manage traffic to and from orbit and operate in space. Perhaps it's time we considered keeping an orbiter docked with the ISS and rotate it out once another is ready to take it's place. This would open up all sorts of possibilities. Most directly, having a tugboat in permanent orbit could prove very handy for satellite retrieval and resupply in orbit. Wayward satellites, or those in need of changing out film canisters or power supplies or even major repairs, could be captured with the shuttle, brought to the ISS and parked while repair, replenishment or adjustment was made by Astronauts. After repairs are made, the orbiter could then insert the satellites back into orbit. We've practiced captures and retrievals before with great success, saving the taxpayers significant amounts of money and adding to the lifespan of decaying satellites. Currently, many of our satellites have limited lifespans that are the result of consumables on board rather than simply the life of the powersupply, replenishing these satellites may be much more efficient than sending up new ones.
Beginning to more effecively manage our assets in space is a great step forward for NASA, it also provides valuable experience for construction techniques and maintenance protocols while in orbit. This is a step we need to take and this may be just the unplanned event that turns from handicap to windfall quickly.
Such a redesign of the Shuttle's role in orbital operations would need to be accompanied by a ramping up of the construction timeline of the ISS. Keeping an orbiter at the ISS would require also stationing a crew on board to pilot the shuttle and act as mechanics and spacewalkers during operations. New habitation modules would need to be sent up sooner than currently planned, but using lower cost rockets to send up the modules could provide the extra budgetary dollars to fund a more rapid timeline.
The change in role would also be a much needed shot in the arm to our partners in the ISS and space exploration in general. While the ISS and shuttle's missions are being redefined, Russia, the ESA and even the Brazilians could step up to the plate and offer access through their respective rocket fleets, increasing their footprint in orbit and pumping dollars into national space programs for continued development.
The move would spur development in the private entities that are beginning to eplore the possibilites offered by developing spaceplanes and new rocket designs promising to reduce the cost and frequency of access. The day could be just around the corner where private carriers begin ferrying crew members into orbit to rendezvous with the shuttle that could then transport personnel to the ISS or other destinations. We don't want to make the shuttle a bus, but option may be too good to resist in the short term.
There would be new problems to overcome, for sure. Fuel for the orbiter itself would be among the first issues. The three main engines of the orbiter would probably not have to be fueled, but the "retro" rockets that the orbiter uses to move about while in orbit would certainly have to be replenished. Mechanisms for recharging fuel cells would have to be developed, and resupply of the shuttles consumables would need to be handled by unmanned resupply missions.
There may also be issues with keeping the orbiter in space for extended periods. The extreme conditions may produce unknown effects on it's systems over time. Hopefully this would could be offset by mothballing certain systems and the development of a program of maintence for the orbiters while they are parked in orbit.
All in all, this is just idle speculation, most probably, the Discovery is just fine and will be able to return as scheduled safely to Earth. However, NASA has planned for the shuttle to remain parked while options with the Atlantis are explored; I'm just suggesting we take it one step further and plan on leaving it orbit to increase our ability to manage our assets in space, move the scope and scale of habitable space forward and incorporate our favorite little space tug into our plans to return to the Moon and venture beyond.
If there's anything that space exploration has shown is the tremendous ability of our NASA engineers and Astronauts to make the most out of the situation and adapt to safety and operational concerns when they arise. Setbacks in our program of manned and unmanned space flight will continue to occur, no matter how much money we pour into new designs and how much time we spend planning for every possible scenario. Pushing the envelope is a dangerous task, it's important to not allow the envelope to push back. We must turn every disappointment into a learning experience and develop every possibility to move our program forward.
The American space program is a source of national pride, but it's more than that, it's the inevitable future of our species to one day live among the stars. Space exploration and development promises a source of unlimited energy and an almost inexhaustable supply of mineral resources. Mars and the Moon are waiting for us, and it's time we begin to make expansion of footprint in space a priority.
Developing the CEV and other vechicles should remain a priority given the aging condition of the shuttles, and I don't recommend we divert resources from these programs to re-task the shuttle. The opportunity is there to re-think the shuttles role, and it's possible that in this case we can take what many consider to be a lemon and make lemonade.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:04 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 26, 2005
By Request...
More Penguins. . .
If that's not enough for you, then check out the new movie March of the Penguins from Warner Brothers. Big "aaawwww" factor in the trailer, you've been warned.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 1:29 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Up, up and away
Slighty more than two years after the tragedy of Space Shuttle Columbia, the Shuttle Discovery is now in orbit.
Today's launch follows on the heels of the House passing a bill supporting the President's policy of a return to the Moon and NASA's mission to expand exploration and scientific discovery missions. This is the first NASA specific bill to come out of the House in five years.
While much of this shuttle mission is dedicated to testing new safety measures and procedures, it's larger goal is to return a "spirit of discovery" to America. Once again, our ability to look beyond the problems of life on this terrestrial sphere and reach out for something more rises to the fore.
You can keep track of mission reports for STS-114, and here's the link for NASA TV.
The Shuttle Atlantis is already being prepped for a launch next month. We've got alot of catching up to do.
--Jason
In case you missed it, here's a video of the launch.
I'll put more links to video and images here as I come across them.
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:53 PM
Take Two. . .
Despite not determining the cause for a fuel sensor malfunction that scrubbed last weeks launch, NASA is set to fly again. The malfunctioning sensor was one of 4 redundant sensors and even if the sensor malfunctions again, the launch will not be scrubbed unless other more serious problems arise.
Godspeed to some of America's best and bravest.
Official NASA countdown clock (served by NASA)
NOTE: The countdown may seem "off" but it's not. There are mandatory pre-determined "HOLDS" where the clock is stopped for checks, tests, etc.
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:33 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 23, 2005
DAMN!!! Talk about "going big". . .
I'll never land "or even attempt" a jump this big.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 3:18 PM | Comments (1)
July 22, 2005
Rusten Currie:
I don't know much, I haven't been alive long enough to be wise. I have seen more of the world than most, but am not worldly. What I do know is this. Chamberlain was right (more than one hundred years ago, near Gettysburg, we are fighting a new kind of war, with a new Army. We are fighting for an ideal. Freedom, such an intangible notion, such a simple thing, such a complex thing. We can quantify the price in blood, we can quantify the price in dollars. What is so simple here in B'dad, is so lost on so much of America... Freedom.
And he's running for Congress when he gets home. [Via Backfive]
Posted by JasonColeman at 5:36 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
It must be the booze. . .
But I love The Vodkapundit. Especially when he points me to articles that every person who values free speech and a free press should read.
This Chinese pseudo-net is really starting to annoy me.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:31 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Pluh-ese!!!!
Ok, just read it, then puke!
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:26 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Is it really about Style?
Lately, I've been on this kick about calling attention to those who wish to attack John Roberts family in an effort to get at John Roberts and by association, President Bush. [Previous Post] [Another Post]
In following that track, I come to Michelle Malkin's latest wiegh-in on the subject where she notes Washing Post Style reporter Robin Givhan's attack on the wife and children of SCOTUS appointee Roberts:
It has been a long time since so much syrupy nostalgia has been in evidence at the White House. But Tuesday night, when President Bush announced his choice for the next associate justice of the Supreme Court, it was hard not to marvel at the 1950s-style tableau vivant that was John Roberts and his family.There they were -- John, Jane, Josie and Jack -- standing with the president and before the entire country. The nominee was in a sober suit with the expected white shirt and red tie. His wife and children stood before the cameras, groomed and glossy in pastel hues -- like a trio of Easter eggs, a handful of Jelly Bellies, three little Necco wafers...
My first thought was "Who the hell is Robin Givhan?" So I decided to turn to google and get a picture of how Gihvan presents herself to the world. Here's a photo:
Here's Givhan at the 2004 CDFA Awards.
So lets see. This reporter slams the Roberts family for being too clean and presentable. Well, sorry Robin, but you look downright unkempt in your representative picture, what's up with the hanging/showing slip, the top definately doesn't flatter and what is up with that handbag. Were you in too much of a hurry to grab a purse that did something for your ensemble??? After all, you are a Style reporter, aren't you. AND WAIT A MINUTE HERE, is that a Pastel Pink whateveritis?
Now myself, I don't have much "Style", I prefer Khakis and a Hawaiian shirt for my everyday attire, yet just this morning for a meeting I put on a conservative brown suit and a somber tie (I was dressing for the occasion). The Roberts family did much the same. Getting a child "well-scrubbed" and smartly dressed is appropriate for their first appearance at the WHITE HOUSE. Givhan apparently wanted the Roberts' children dressed in a GAP shirt and Levi's. I can only wonder, in that case, if Givhan wouldn't have chided the Roberts for allowing their children to be swaddled in the trendy corporate fashions more commonly found on playgrounds.
I find it very disturbing that whatever the scenario, reporters today seem to have bought into the assumption that the only way to report on anything today is to present any situation in the most negative light possible. Now I'm certainly not advocating that the press sugar-coat each news item, but WHY? For the love of Pete? Why? Does every single piece of reporting have to be scandal, hatred, insult and mockery. This is not what people expect or even slightly wish for from the mediascape we are presented with. What ever happened to the impartiality of the media? Where's the truely informative pieces on issues and policy? Where are the reports of what's right and decent with the world. It used to be that such reporting was commonplace, then it was pushed deep into the paper, NOW, it's completely gone. Replaced with a mantra that seeks to only show how disrespectful, downright snarky and negative in almost every respect a reporter can be. Unless of course, you're reporting on Bono and his upcoming promotion to Diety.
Why attack the children? Why attack the wife? Why attack at all? Why not report on the facts and the announcement? Have we sunk to such a cultural low that toddlers are now appropriate tools with which to attack the parents? Is the way that Mrs. Roberts dresses her children for her husband's first introduction to the American populace the story? Or is her husband's appointment to the Supreme Court of the United States the story.
I understand that Givhan is the Style reporter, even if she doesn't display much of it in her own attire or her writing, that's her job. However, this is not "Style" reporting, but rather an open display of contempt for the appointee, his family, his INNOCENT children and all for the grander journalistic passtime of insulting the President and all that goes on around him.
The Main Stream Media wonders why readers are turning away in droves, they are wondering why the American public's approval rating of the press is at an all time low and why blogs and "citizen media" is fast approaching a critical mass that threatens to destroy the dead-tree press. Well, here's your answer. Instead of pointing out that "Little John" or "Jack" was attired in a cute blue suit and took the occasion to show off his considerable dancing talents, the Post decides to attack the Roberts' and pontificate on their "old-fashioned" attire.
GIVE ME A BREAK, I've gotten tons of emails saying how cute the Roberts' children were and the downright charm of Jack's antics. The only people claiming that the Roberts family is "out of touch" seems to be the journalists, who the American people think are "out of touch".
--Jason
At least she didn't call little Jack gay.
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:56 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 21, 2005
John Howard is THE MAN!!!!!
Boy, I'm glad this guy's on our side. Well said, Mr. Howard, well said.
--Jason
PS: I need some good Australian Blogs to read (besides Chrenkoff, I already read him). Any suggestions???
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
WOW!!!
Talk about a "must read" from Michael Yon. Now this is good war reporting!!!
Posted by JasonColeman at 1:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Yes Senator, You are a Dumbass. . . . .
If you're looking for the "DUMBASS" audio clip, here it is. The clip is Senator Orin Hatch going after Senator Chuck Schumer for asking "dumbass" questions. You can see some of "Schumers Dumbass Questioning" in this VIDEO CLIP from Trey Jackson.
Jackson also has the transcript of Hatch and Schumer's exchance via Fox.
Hopefully John Roberts will come out and say something like this when Schumer tries the same old tried lines.
"With all due respect Senator Schumer, and I believe Senator Hatch pointed this out in 1993, but those were DUMBASS QUESTIONS then and they are still DUMBASS QUESTIONS now."
That'd be a clip I'd love to see.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 1:02 PM
More bashing Roberts' kids. . . .
I took a look around DU, looking at the Roberts responses, and sure enough, they're still going after John Roberts' kids:
KoKo01 (1000+ Posts [at DU])I AM worried about the way his kids are dressed. They look like kids from the fifties. Little short pants on the boy and mary janes with white socks on the little girl. They look very strange in these "retro" outfits. I don't see kids dressed like that these days.Am I out of it? What if she's a "retro" person. How old is she? Is she close to fifty and is bringing up her kids in some way that reflects the times of Eisenhower/Nixon administration?
Kay Bailey Hutchinson adopted twins in her very late 50's. Are these "trophy kids?"
All I have to say about this is LEAVE THE DAMN KIDS ALONE. You have no right or business going after toddlers to satisfy your bitter hatred of Bush and anyone in the Bush Administration. It's below the level of what should be considered American Political discourse.
Remember folks, these are the self-proclaimed "heart and soul" of the Democrat party. These are the "we bought it we paid for it, it's ours" camp from MoveOn.org. Ironic that these people consider themselves to be the "enlightened ones" yet for all their superior airs and showy protestations, the Democrats haven't offered anything significant to the U.S. citizenry in the last six years, other than "Impeach Bush" t-shirts and cries about (s)election. Get over it moonbats, you lost, TWICE!!!
I need to take a shower every time I read what the DU moonbats and Daily Sic-Kos have to say.
LEAVE THE KIDS ALONE!!
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:33 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 20, 2005
Sudan, anyone?????
Seems as though we're sending troops and supplies and support to Sudan. Good move!!!! Bout time!!!!
--Jason
Ok, ok, yes, yes, I know, it's not US troops, but we're helping in getting the needed troops and supplies into the region. We're finally doing SOMETHING!!!!
Posted by JasonColeman at 8:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Ah, behold the "Joy of Hate" . . .
So the morons from the "reality based community" (truely, that's how the Kos Kiddies describe themselves, LOL) are so twitchy and ready to attack, they're going to go after a 4 year old boy, eh?
If I were Bush and Little John busted out with some moves, I'd have smiled and smirked and even laughed too. I may have even said, "Well, Little John sure seems happy about the appointment, and encouraged the cameras to catch LJ's routine."
Go Little John, Go!!! I hope we see more of the kid in the future, cutting loose, being a kid and having fun where fun is to be had. I think Renquist should allow Little John to tour his dad's future workplace on his big wheel in light of the upcoming attacks on him and his dad by the leftists. I can't believe the Kos Kids want to go and to "opposition research" on a 4 year old. Michelle Malkin's right, they are sic-kos!!!!
Here are the Sic-Kos' comments.
ROCK ON, LITTLE JOHN!!!
--Jason
PS: Can I copyright "Sic-Kos"? After all, the Blogfather copyrighted "indeed".
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:43 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Raving Penquins and icebergs. . . .
One of the bigger traffic drivers here, is the iceberg B-15A. I've written about it here, here, here, here, and here. I'm not sure though, if people are interested in the iceberg, or the chance that I may post more penquin pictures.
So? In order to satisfy both camps, here's an updated picture of B-15A (enhanced thermal image, dark equals really damn freaking cold, light equals just plain cold):
You can see B-15A, which looks like an aircraft carrier deck, has moved up and away from the Ross Sea. Currents may bring the iceberg back down to block the sea again this Antarctic summer, but it looks like the danger to the penguins (which was overblown in the first place) has passed.
You can tell the penquin in THIS VIDEO is excited about B-15A's departure. I never knew Penquins were ravers????
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:14 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
What those tree-killers say. . .
Captain's Quarters gives and overview of what the big newspapers are saying about The Honorable John Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court.
Looks like everyone but the NYT (which basically rejects him, go figure), is confuddled and sticking a wet finger up in the air.
--Jason
UPDATE: Iowahawk leaks the super-duper secret "Anti-SCOTUS Appointment" memo that was sent out surreptitiously to all the leftists, moonbats and general whiners out there.
Posted by JasonColeman at 9:30 AM
July 19, 2005
Roberts gets the nod. . .
Unless we're in for a switch-er-roo, looks like John Roberts will be getting the nod and not Edith Brown Clement. Oh well.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 7:34 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
The WaPo had her on the short list July 1st too. . .
Edith Brown Clement, 57, is a judge on the New Orleans-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.
Judge Edith Brown Clement
Clement was nominated by President George H.W. Bush to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in 1991 and was elevated to her current post by the current President Bush in 2001.Clement, a graduate of the University of Alabama and Tulane University Law School, worked as a lawyer in private practice in New Orleans for 16 years before beginning her tenure on the federal bench. She specialized in civil litigation involving maritime law, representing oil companies, insurance companies and the marine services industry in cases before federal courts. She is a member of the Federalist Society, an influential conservative legal organization.
As a district judge, Clement presided over such high-profile cases as the 2000 trials of former Louisiana governor Edwin W. Edwards (D) and former state insurance commissioner Jim Brown (D) on fraud charges. Edwards was acquitted; Brown was convicted of lying to the FBI and sentenced to six months in prison.
Lawyers who know Clement or have tried cases before her describe her as a judicial conservative who leans toward the defense in civil cases, and as a no-nonsense judge who is strict about deadlines and insists on professionalism from lawyers.
Analysts say Clement has not attracted attention for her judicial opinions, so it is unclear which of her decisions, if any, might become the focus of a confirmation battle.
Doesn't seem like much to get upset about, unless you wanna talk philosophy.
Some Old Guy from outside Chicago pointed me to the Wapo article. He's not as enthused.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 5:09 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Did I call it???? We'll see. . . .
Not to toot my own horn, cause I could be wrong still, but the media seems to be pushing that Edith Brown Clement may be Bush's pick. We'll find out at 9PM Eastern.
I now refer you back to my post of July 1st.
!!! BIRMINGHAM, REPRESENT !!!
--Jason
UPDATE: The text of Edith Clement's Appointment Hearings for the Fifth Circuit are here.
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:16 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
I concur . . .
The Captain is dead on about asking (no, begging) Congress and politicians in general, to stop invoking Goodwin's Law when they want to bitch about one side or the other:
When will our politcians understand that Nazi analogies amount to an almost-certain political jinx? We don't need to debate the relative merits of one form of fascism and oppression over another; they're all bad, grown-ups know it, and those who don't won't learn anything from sound bites like these. Members of both parties have had their hands scorched playing with this particular form of rhetorical fire often enough in recent days that others should have already learned to avoid these analogies at all costs.
In case you're unfamiliar with Goodwin's Law, you can take a look at this, which I found some time back.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 18, 2005
More good news. . .
Whenever Chrenkoff posts another in his ongoing "Good news" series on Iraq and Afghanistan, I wonder why some major newspaper or tv media outlet hasn't picked him up. I guess it just reinforces my belief that the MSM doesn't want to report the positive, but only harp on the negatives.
Nevertheless, without further ado, let me point you to the latest Good News from Iraq (Part 31). You can scroll down Chrenkoff's blog and find the complete series in the lower right.
WARNING: The quality of Chrenkoff's reporting is top-notch, if you're not careful, with all the back-up he provides, you could spend all day on this one post and not even realize it.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:32 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 15, 2005
Close call, cool head and a job well done. . .
The Army times reports the story of Pfc. Stephen Tschiderer in Iraq. Private Tschiderer was shot in the chest by an enemy sniper.
Tschiderer's body armor stopped the bullet and allowed him to recover quickly, locate the sniper's position, and apprehend the sniper who had fired upon him.
The enemy sniper was wounded in the engagement and Tschiderer actually wound up rendering first aid to the man who only moments before had tried to kill him.
H/T to SondraK for first pointing me at the video.
Michelle Malkin has it to, so there's hope this will hit the MSM.
UPDATE: It appears that the snipers overhead in the video are speaking Dutch. I've asked a Dutch speaker that I know for a translation, as soon as I get a translation from a trusted source, I'll post it.
2ND UPDATE: Gannett has stopped serving the video apparently. So I've updated the link and will serve it myself as long as I can do so with my limited bandwidth. Please right-click and "Save As. . " if you would like to distribute it outside my blog.
3RD UPDATE: I asked for translation from a Dutch speaker that I trust and got it. There are two voices on the tape:
1> Allah Akbah (not dutch)
1> Allah Akbah
1> Allah Akbah
2> Heb'we 'em? (Hebben we hem?) (transl: Did we get him)
1> Allah Akbah
2> Heb'we 'em geraakt? (Hebben we hem geraakt?) (transl: Did we hit him?)
1> Allah Akbah
2> Heb'we 'em geraakt? (Hebben we hem geraakt?) (transl: Did we hit him?)
1> Ja (transl: yes)
Now I'm not going to get into the speculation game much, but this seems to be great evidence that we're not fighting the Iraqis over there, but rather helping them oust "foreign fighters" from their midst who have come to the call of jihad. Trey Jackson points out that these guys aren't fighting for a free Iraq.
WHEN IS THIS GOING TO HIT THE MSM?????? It's a damn near a crime that this hasn't led ever major newscast.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 7:11 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
Maybe you've seen this, maybe you haven't. . . .
But THIS GUY won't be seeing anything anytime soon. This is just simply untenable and needs to be stopped. It's ridiculous, to say the very least.
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:59 PM
Launch of a different sort. . . .
The Launch of the new GOP website. Nice job Ken!!!
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:36 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 14, 2005
Another quote history needs to remember. . . .
MAXINE McKEW: Prime Minister, if as you say you can't rule out that possibility that we could have potential bombers right here in Australia, what if today's announcement, this redeployment to Afghanistan and our continued presence in Iraq is all the provocation they need?JOHN HOWARD: Maxine, these people are opposed to what we believe in and what we stand for, far more than what we do. If you imagine that you can buy immunity from fanatics by curling yourself in a ball, apologising for the world - to the world - for who you are and what you stand for and what you believe in, not only is that morally bankrupt, but it's also ineffective. Because fanatics despise a lot of things and the things they despise most is weakness and timidity. There has been plenty of evidence through history that fanatics attack weakness and retreating people even more savagely than they do defiant people.
From Australian Broadcasting Company's "7:30 Report" via Instapundit.
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:10 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 13, 2005
Launch Scrubbed!
DAMMIT!!!!!!!!!!!
Horrible news. NASA has scrubbed todays launch and the Shuttle's return to Space.
A fuel problem of some sort. (Back up fuel flow sensor failed pre-launch test)
To troubleshoot, they'll have to drain the external fuel tank. In theory they could be up tomorrow, but to drain and refill the tank is a BIG DEAL, quite dangerous and takes quite a bit of time.
Theres a five minute window for launch tomorrow, then again on Friday and Saturday.
--Jason
UPDATE: Apparently it's two fuel sensors that failed.
Link to the Virtural Launch Control Center.
Doesn't look like the shuttle will be able to go again until Monday.
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:34 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
3:51 PM, Wednesday July 13, 2005
Is the scheduled launch time for the Shuttle Discovery. Be sure to watch the shuttle's Return to Space.
Official NASA countdown clock (served by NASA)
NOTE: The countdown may seem "off" but it's not. There are mandatory pre-determined "HOLDS" where the clock is stopped for checks, tests, etc.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 1:03 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 10, 2005
Shuttle set to fly. . .
Hurricane Dennis has actually made weather conditions for next weeks launch of the Space Shuttle better. The calm air moving in after the hurricane passes almost ensures that we'll return the Shuttle to space.
A lot of new tools and techniques will be tested on this mission to service the Internation Space Station(ISS) including a Canadian extention to the robotic arm which doubles it's reach and allows a millimeter by millimeter examination of the shuttles heat shield. Shuttle astronauts will also be able to repair almost any damage found or in the even that they cannot, plans are in place for the shuttle to remain docked at the ISS until another shuttle or a progress capsule can be launched to bring the crew back safely.
All this bodes well for U.S. space exploration programs and the completion of the ISS. So to all the astronauts preparing at Kennedy, I wish them a heartfelt, Godspeed!
For more info, check out this SpaceDaily.com article.
--Jason
UPDATE: The coundown has started.
Posted by JasonColeman at 10:14 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Dennis Peters
While still a major storm, Dennis has been downgraded to a tropical storm. 194,075 Alabamians are out of power at the moment and my humble abode is one of them. So looks like I'll be taking advantage of my Mom and Dad's spare room tonight and heading home in the AM.
So far there aren't any deaths reported as a result of the storm here in the U.S. and hopefully that good news will continue to hold.
So keep dry out there, don't go waving any metal sticks around outside and we'll see what this storms done as far as damage goes, sometime tomorrow.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 9:44 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
In case you want to keep an eye on Dennis
Ok, so the pun was bad and intended.
But!!! Here's a short range radar loop out of Mobile.
For a bigger picture, check out this long range radar loop.
--Jason
PS - 3 more points off the barometer since the last post.
Posted by JasonColeman at 4:22 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Here comes Dennis
The barometer here in Birmingham has dropped 6 points in the last hour. I guess we're gonna get it. The wind has been blowing on and off for the last hour. Now it's an erie quiet and still.
The Babalu Blog has some minute by minute observations from Cuba.
Illc0mmunication just missed a flood, but high tide is still an hour away.
One of my favorite bloggers, Beth from My Vast Right Wing Conspiracy has a roundup of hurricane related posts (and some not so hurricane related) here. Beth's down in the Mobile area, where Dennis is beating the hell out of the coast, good luck down there Beth.
Check out Weather.com or Accuweather (which has a better track record for Hurricane forcasting) for up to the minute updates.
As for me, I've locked up the house, moved the cars inside and battened down all the hatches. I'm heading up to the family enclave on top of the hill where Sunday dinner is more assured with a natural gas stove. Plus my area will almost certainly lose power sometime tonight. Ivan took down trees and power lines that kept my area in the dark for 4 days.
I love Hurricanes, kinda makes me wish I was still living in New Orleans to see the nutria and snakes swimming down the street.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 3:25 PM
July 9, 2005
It's not practical to deny the Iraqis their oil. . . .
Practical Politics and myself are butting heads again. Here's their latest suggestion.
My response:
Your "practical" approach sounds great, except your leaving out a significant economic factor.
National economies are built upon natural resources present and exploitable within said nation.
America was built on fur, gold, food and fuels, we've grown our economy from this base to a vast destributed economic engine that is the greatest the planet has ever seen.
You also seem to keep this "oil dictator" theme going. "Oil Dictators" are definately a problem, but hardly the only source. The radical muslim extremists of Indonesia aren't "oil dictator" muslims, the radical muslim extremists of SE Asia aren't "oil dictator" muslims. The extremist muslims of Africa aren't necessarily either.
Afghanistan could hardly be considered an "oil dictatorship" either.
Your ideas of placing "moderate" Islamic ideas forward is kind, but it's "impractical". Why? Because there IS NO effective moderate Islamic movement. You'd be hard pressed to find 10 "moderate" imams willing to put a shiny happy face forward for their society and they MOST CERTAINLY won't disparage the Wahabbist imams. In fact, one of the restraints built into Islam is a prohibition of Muslims criticizing other Muslims in any venue for any reason where a Non-Muslim may hear such criticism. Any cleric who speaks out against Osama, or the Kohmenini's or Zawahiri's is guilty of defaming Islam. Salman Rushdie wasn't a cleric, but his case is an excellent example.
The "moderate" voices, AS ALWAYS have to come from the street. Martin Luther did not operate in a vacuum and was simply responding to the culture developing around him which rejected the heavy hand of the church.
By bringing democracy and economic prosperity (Iraqi's today have a higher per capita income than pre-war levels, and capital investement into infrastructure is higher than EVER) will allow the moderate voices to rise up. Telephones, Internet, Satellite Television and more methods of mass communication will turn the tide here. Libraries and universities and schools are opening in great numbers in Afghanistan and Iraq. And a true moderate voice is developing in each of these regions. Not because of denial of natural resources, but rather the free exercise of democracy (developing) and the utilization of natural resources to fund said democracy. Not to mention giving the people themselves a voice which in toto will always appeal to moderation.
Denying them the only major resource in the region is condemning their economies to certain death and should not be advocated. Economic collapse would only lead to a stronger foothold for extremists and radicals.
Not to mention that your suggestions are impractical for the non-muslim world (and I'm not talking about the Western World). I'm talking about emerging economies in the third world and even some second world economies. Destroying them will only create more desparate people.
The key to any stability anywhere is to get per capita income up to a livable wage. One that provides for the food and shelter needs in relative abundance and leaving enough income left over for pursuit of "leisure" and "self improvement". Sucking the economic driver for Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran or any other nation will only create citizenry in poverty, ease their trasition to extremism and tank any hope that a viable economy could develop.
It'd be the same as creating a ban on logging during the American westward expansion, or devaluing gold during the gold rush, or prohibiting the extraction of iron ore. National economies NEED their natural resources to build an economy from. The problem isn't the OIL, it's corrupt governments that were put in charge of it through English, French, Russian and American mistakes or through Islamic revolution.
Let them have their oil. Let them sell it, just help them use this wealth to build a viable economy that transcends a simply oil driven economy (just as you pointed out that Dubai did). Sell them John Deere combines and teach them how to use them in the Valley's of NW Iraq and SW Afghanistan, to crate an agribusiness infrastructure that provides an abundance of food. Build manufacturing plants and and a transportation infrastructre, work with them to create an energy infrastructure that delivers a surplus of energy. (Surplus food and Surplus usable energy are KEY FACTORS to creating a successful economy and stable governments).
I'm all for the elimination of oil as a source of energy, but it's going to take a while to manage such a quantuum shift (regardless of what anyone says, such a shift IS underway). Even after the US switches to another form of energy (which is inevitable) the rest of the world will still be using oil and buying it from those Middle East nations that have it. Even after oil-for-energy is gone, there will still be a need for it in plastics and more. Oil isn't going away anytime soon. It's also prudent to point out that the Earth is designed to produce oil as a natural resource, just as it's designed to produce trees.
Natural resources should only be denied to a population for exploitation when there's a problem with the governance of that population. Take out the problem governments, support the development of democracies and the "moderates" will eventually appear as a natural course of events, limiting the power of the radicals and extremists.
There you have it. Although I'm finding myself disagreeing with Practical Politics quite a bit, I'm still keeping them on my Blogroll. I believe they want to have a robust discussion, even if I find their suggestions a bit impractical.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 2:18 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
July 7, 2005
Tragedy met with moonbatism
Multiple explosions have rocked London. Al-Queda in Europe claims responsibility. Most of the world sympathizes with the Londoner victims.
But not the moonbats, already, the Anti-Semitism of the Left shows itself.
They also got at least 3 official threads to blame Bush and Blair for this attack (at times they even allude to the bombing as a Rovian event). It takes them all of 8 responses to go from "what happened?" to "Blair is toast" and it's "Blair's fault".
This is beginning to seriously sicken me. As I read the words of the left, they have NO FREAKING CLUE about war, terrorism and justice are all about. As I read through the pages and pages of left-wing drivel this morning it's filled with "we need to pull out" (give the terrorists another victory), suggestions that the people on the buses that were injured and killed are to blame for voting for Blair (sounds like a Churchill "little Eichman's" comment), and how we created this bombing by invading Afghanistan and Iraq.
Get a clue moonbats, these people are terrorists, sworn to destroy the West and murder any infidel that doesn't bow down to Allah. Appeasement DOES NOT WORK, HAS NEVER WORKED AND WILL NEVER WORK. Yet the left wants to try it again. "Let's be understanding and compassionate to our terrorist enemies" is their mantra.
We've known that Al-Queda is doing everything they can to strike at the U.S., Britain, Austalia and others who don't want to roll over and play dead for Muslim extremeism. Let's get real folks. You idiotic moonbats want to get your panties in a bunch of religious fundies in America, well here's a newsflash, the lefts new allies (Muslim extremeists) are a whole order of maginitude more dangerous to your bleeding liberal heart than any right wing nutjob. Yet time and time again the left embraces terrorists, tries to urge compassion and understanding and then blames the evil JOOOS and everyday joe and jane who are the terrorists victims.
Yes, thank goodness we have at least a few strong leaders on the right that will step up and fight this war against Muslim Extremism and Terrorism, this bullshit has got to be dealt with, every day we don't hound the terrorists relentlessly is a day that they can make more bombs and plan more attacks on civilians.
Grow up Moonbats, realize that your precious freedoms are under attack worldwide. Unless you're planning on becoming a Muslim before they get to your door, you're just as much a target as everyone else. So you can hide from it and say how horrible we are for fighting those that attack and kill us, but it won't help you in the end. Only meeting this evil head on will prevent it from growing, threatening and killing more and more innocents.
--Jason
PS to any moonbats that may drop by, guess what you idiots. It wasn't George Bush that made it official U.S. policy to remove Saddam and topple his regime in response to his support of terrorism, it was Bill Clinton and the Congress of the United States. I give you President Clinton's statement upon signing the Iraqi Liberation Act.
I can't figure out why the moonbats didn't take up the mantra "Invading Iraq and Removing Saddam is a Democrat idea", had they done so they may very well have won the election. That's a problem of the left though, even when they have good ideas (like Liberating Iraq), they don't have the mental fortitude to remember it and have to fall back on their solely opposition mentality.
Some days I swear that it'd be hilarious if Bush were to come out and say "I see a blue sky and 2+2=4" just to watch Pelosi, Boxer, Conyers and Kennedy come out and scream for the rafters that Bush is wrong.
--JC
Posted by JasonColeman at 9:49 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack
July 6, 2005
The SPAM strikes back
A while back I was having problems with comment spam. Some changes to my Moveable type installation put a stop to 95% of it, and all was well with the world.
Lately though, I've been getting heavy loads of Trackback Spam. So later today I'm going to do something about it. First I'll try the same fixes that I made to battle comment spam, if that doesn't work I'll incorporate some sort of Turing test for commenters and trackbacks.
I'm not happy about doing either, because it reduces the ability of people to comment or send relevant trackbacks, but the War on Spam is never-ending, and one must remain vigilant.
SO!?!?!?!?!?! If the site goes down later today, please check back later. I may have to pull it completely down for a while to implement changes.
--Jason
UPDATE: Well, things seem to be going well, I've added two plugins and some custom hacks to try and block comment and trackback spam. I decided against a Turing test for commenters because a few people emailed that they read this blog via the feed, and a turing test would have hampered their use of the site. So we'll see how this goes.
-JC
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:27 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
July 4, 2005
A quote the MSM doesn't want you to see.
Because I do believe people want to be free, regardless of their religion or where they are from. I do believe women should be empowered in the Middle East. I don't believe we ought to accept forms of government that ultimately create a hopelessness that then can be translated into jihadist violence. And I believe strongly that the ultimate way you defeat an ideology is with a better ideology. --George W. Bush
As quoted in this The Times (UK) interview.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 12:22 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack
Checkpoint Charlie Update
More about the controversy here. The lastest news is that a group of former victims of Soviet Communism will chain themselves to the monument in an attempt to prevent it's destruction.
Davids Medienkritik has an update.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:53 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:49 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Reach out and touch. . .a comet
Phenonmenal success for the Deep Impact crew. From our little blue-green marble, we designed a craft that could reach across the Solar System and hit a comet at combined speeds of millions of miles per hour.
The MSM has done a good job of following this one, so I'm just going to point people at NASA's Deep Impact Project Site it's got write-ups, pictures and animations for ya.
--Jason
Posted by JasonColeman at 11:45 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
Happy Fourth of July
Never hurts to read it again.
-------------------------------------
The Declaration of Independence of the Thirteen Colonies
In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776
The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America,
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among th