Hunting the Edge of Space

I love science!  Physics ~ Astronomy!  This video rocks!  PBS/NOVA Donate to keep this vital education link alive!

Hunting the Edge of Space

Zeitgeist Perspectives ~ great interviews!

http://www.youtube.com/zeitgeistminds?x=/event/86006

When I was first learning about this "Zeitgeist" thing, I had to look it up, so here is the definition as given by Dictionary.com:

noun, German.
the spirit of the time; general trend of thought or feeling characteristic of a particular period of time.   Love this stuff!

Confirmation Bias

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-power-of-confirmation-bias/

Great post...humbling thought to think how easy it is to succumb to confirmation bias.

Welcome Back!

Well, back in the saddle again after a very long hiatus!  It seems like I've been talking to myself; that those who are closest to me don't take me very seriously but, seriously, we are in decline as I speak.  So, I'm motivated to renew this blog in hopes that I can memorialize my perspectives, attitudes, and their changes.  Hopefully, there will be a few who take me seriously, agree, and contribute.  If not, I'll concede that I'm crazy and talking to myself!

Here is a short book that was suggested on Facebook.  If nothing else, I will be a echo chamber like the multitude of media stations that echo erroneous crap on the airways.  Enjoy!

War is a Racket

McCain's YouTube Problem Just Became a Nightmare

A good synopsis (imo) of his bleak record.

The guy I want isn't on the ballot. It doesn't matter anyway because in the presidential election, my vote doesn't count. South Dakota will likely go to McCain and he's the last person I would have voted for.

So, to make a long story short, I'm going to write in who I would have voted for!

Shakin my Head

It's no wonder that I am sceptical about the longevity of the human condition. Please allow me to explain.

It has been proven several times in our history (both written and in lore), that a peacefule society that is balanced in resources is the most enduring. But as history also notes, humans have been incapable, thus far, in doing so. We are inherently greedy, vindictive, and violent.

I also shake my head because we have the capacity to annihilate ourselves as we have never before to end life as we know it. And yet, we are unable to change. Because we are inherently greedy, vindictive, and violent.

You see, it takes an effort to choose good and be good. Really not much of one, but effort nonetheless. Evil is simple; it is practiced without effort. And I mean evil to be include those who practice the art of greed and violence. One must choose NOT to act malevolently.

Even neglecting to attempt to contemplate the possibility that your actions could have a negative impact on another is far more common than exhibiting regard for others.

If we allow others to act in this manner, without retribution, then we will destroy our global civilization and either start from the basics, or not begin again at all. I'm really starting to believe that it will be the latter.

Sometimes, I just shake my head.

Family First

I'm sure this has probably already been mentioned but this particular situation boils down to a basic premise here: family first. As a parent we do have certain responsibilities that take precedence over others and, imo, family comes first over 'career', otherwise don't have children.

This is an obvious infraction of common sense and raising her children with honesty and an open mind. Sex education isn't about "abstinence only" aka "don't ask, don't tell". As adults whether we like it or not, are responsible for giving our children ALL of the information as we know it and teach them how to make wise decisions. That requires BEING THERE!

Country first? It's starts in the home.

Then, if that isn't enough, the last thing a sane, caring parent would want is a shotgun wedding for her daughter, especially to a young man who is clearly not mature enough to handle this situation in privacy let alone across the pages of our history books.

It's really not about the pregnancy, it's about how Sarah (you know, the parent?) is dealing with it now, and it doesn't really look good to me! Five children? I have a strong suspicion this 17 year old has been raising her siblings for some time. And a special needs infant? Ummm....that requires some dedicated parenting from BOTH parents! And just where is hubby in all of this? But, I digress...

What have we come to? Who's business is it really? Again, imo, if a situation doesn't directly affect you, and that situation is between two (or more) consenting adults, or parents of 'wayward' children who must help guide them to become sensible adults, it's really non of your business. I don't even care if you're trying to get a little in a bathroom stall! (I do draw a serious line at any direct/indirect solicitation or impact on minor and/or dependent children). Or someone who had an extra-martial affair? That really should have stayed within the bounds of those who were affected.

But again, I digress.

Simply: family first.

Chalabi Aide Arrested on Suspicion of Baghdad Bombings

You remember Chalabi, don't you? This article will bring you up to speed on this gem. I think this ol' boy is gonna be like a bad penny that keeps showing up. What do you think?

Stunning Advance Allows for 'Reprogramming' of Adult Cells

Interesting. I can't help but wonder, though, if this isn't trading one set of problems for another. I'm thinking the insulin production won't matter much if food absorption is decreased. There are potentially other deficiencies in this exchange resulting in negative side effects. It remains to be seen.

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Unpublished Letter to the Editor

Orange County California Newspaper

This is a very good letter to the editor. This woman made some good
points. For some reason, people have difficulty structuring their
arguments when arguing against supporting the currently proposed
immigration revisions. This lady made the argument pretty simple. NOT
printed in the Orange County Paper.........

Newspapers simply won't publish letters to the editor which they either
deem politically incorrect (read below) or which does not agree with the
philosophy they're pushing on the public. This woman wrote a great
letter to the editor that should have been published; but, with your
help it will get published via cyberspace!

From: 'David LaBonte'

My wife, Rosemary, wrote a wonderful letter to the editor of the OC
Register which, of course, was not printed. So, I decided to 'print' it
myself by sending it out on the Internet. Pass it along if you feel so
inclined. Written in response to a series of letters to the editor in
the Orange County Register:

Dear Editor:

So many letter writers have based their arguments on how this land is
made up of immigrants. Ernie Lujan for one, suggests we should tear down
the Statue of Liberty because the people now in question aren't being
treated the same as those who passed through Ellis Island and other
ports of entry.

Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people like
Mr. Lujan why today's American is not willing to accept this new kind of
immigrant any longer. Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas
of Europe to come to the United States, people had to get off a ship and
stand in a long line in New York and be documented . Some would even get
down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to
uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times.
They made learning English a primary rule in their new American
households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new
home.

They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a
new life and did everything in their power to help their children
assimilate into one culture. Nothing was handed to them. No free
lunches, no welfare, no labor laws to protect them. All they had were
the skills and craftsmanship they had brought with them to trade for a
future of prosperity.

Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. My
father fought along side men whose parents had come straight over from
Germany , Italy , France and Japan . None of these 1st generation
Americans ever gave any thought about what country their parents had
come from. They were Americans fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the
Emperor of Japan . They were defending the United States of America as
one people.

When we liberated France , no one in those villages were looking for the
French-American or the German American or the Irish American. The people
of France saw only Americans. And we carried one flag that represented
one country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about
picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they
were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed
so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be an
American. They stirred the melting pot into one red, white and blue bowl.

And here we are in 2008 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same
rights and privileges, only they want to achieve it by playing with a
different set of rules, one that includes the entitlement card and a
guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's
not what being an American is all about. I believe that the immigrants
who landed on Ellis Island in the early 1900's deserve better than that
for all the toil, hard work and sacrifice in raising future generations
to create a land that has become a beacon for those legally searching
for a better life I think they would be appalled that they are being
used as an example by those waving foreign country flags.

And for that suggestion about taking down the Statue of Liberty , it
happens to mean a lot to the citizens who are voting on the immigration
bill. I wouldn't start talking about dismantling the United States just yet.

(signed) Rosemary LaBonte

(email from my mom. thought this deserved e-preservation)

BREAKING: Harriet Miers Must Testify, Judge Says

A federal judge denied the White House's last-ditch attempt block a former aide from testifying before Congress as part of the investigation into the U.S. Attorney scandal. "If the government is trying to run out the clock on the 110th Congress, today's decision suggests that Judge Bates won't let them," said Stephen Vladeck, a law professor at

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