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#876 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-16 09:21:24
Cindy, they have not retracted it because they do not believe it was wrong, it just became too politically hot not to do something to appease Washington. All of Washington has fallen on Newsweek so they issue a non-apology apology. They are very sorry they published the story, but not because it was false.
Koran flushing stories were in the European press in the summer of 2004.
In other words, Newsweek got it right they just cannot PROVE IT!
Solution? Open up Gitmo.
#877 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-16 09:03:58
In local news, the messenger was shot.
Ha ha. However Shaun has a valid point. A free press is all well and good and certainly worth protecting but with freedom comes responsibility. Running the "flushed Koran" story without conclusive evidence is the equivalent of yelling fire in a crowded theater.
Quick, shoot him before he gets through the gate.
Yup. The media who LIED about Saddam's weapons are a perfect example.
:;):
#878 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-16 09:02:15
PS - - Newsweek has NOT retracted the story. They now say it lacks corroboration and regret the uproar.
#879 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-16 09:00:53
"We regret that we got any part of our story wrong, and extend our sympathies to victims of the violence and to the U.S. soldiers caught in its midst," Newsweek Editor Mark Whitaker wrote in a note to readers.
*Yeah, well -- f*ck you, Mr. Whitaker. That's not good enough.
--Cindy
Cindy, your reaction demonstrates how magicians do their tricks. Blame Newsweek and we forget all about our FUBAR-ed policy.
:;):
Is Newsweek's "error" worse than the error over Saddam having WMD? If so, why?
#880 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-16 08:59:02
”Irresponsible” is the word the Bushies use when somebody accurately reports the things that they do, with devastating consequences for the Bushies.
Question: Why are we held in such low repute in the Arab world that a report issued as a "maybe" causes anti-US riots?
#881 Re: Not So Free Chat » Rude Awakenings - (which is worst?) » 2005-05-16 07:25:37
Once, in college, I was in a deep sleep about 4:00 am when a garbage truck accidentally dropped a full size metal dumpster just outside my window.
I turned towards the window and looked straight into a streetlight.
For a brief instant I thought Chicago had gotten nuked.
#882 Re: Human missions » Mars ISRU - Two ISDC papers » 2005-05-15 19:24:45
http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_ … come]These links up?
I can access all the papers, now.
#883 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-15 06:46:59
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7856618/]Saudi Arabia is the key. As it was on 12 September 2001.
In a paper published in March, Reuven Paz, an Israeli expert on terrorism, analyzed the lists of jihadi dead. He found 154 Arabs killed over the previous six months in Iraq, 61 percent of them from Saudi Arabia, with Syrians, Iraqis and Kuwaitis together accounting for another 25 percent. He also found that 70 percent of the suicide bombers named by the Web sites were Saudi. In three cases, Paz found two brothers who carried out suicide attacks. Many of the bombers were married, well educated and in their late twenties, according to postings.
Not Iran, and Syria is only a tiny fraction.
But since we need Saudi oil I guess the West will continue to attack all the "usual suspects" just make the citizens feel good that we are doing something.
#884 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-15 06:46:02
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7856618/]Saudi Arabia is the key. As it was on 12 September 2001.
In a paper published in March, Reuven Paz, an Israeli expert on terrorism, analyzed the lists of jihadi dead. He found 154 Arabs killed over the previous six months in Iraq, 61 percent of them from Saudi Arabia, with Syrians, Iraqis and Kuwaitis together accounting for another 25 percent. He also found that 70 percent of the suicide bombers named by the Web sites were Saudi. In three cases, Paz found two brothers who carried out suicide attacks. Many of the bombers were married, well educated and in their late twenties, according to postings.
Not Iran, and Syria is only a tiny fraction.
But since we need Saudi oil I guess the West will continue to attack all the "usual suspects" just make the citizens feel good that we are doing something.
#885 Re: Human missions » Mars ISRU - Two ISDC papers » 2005-05-15 06:29:59
Neither could I.
Bill?
Hmmm. . .
This morning (Chicago time) I cannot get any of the papers to load. Here is the main link to the conference:
http://isdc.nss.org/2005/]http://isdc.nss.org/2005
I will try later today. Perhaps the organizers are re-arranging the links. All submissions were due yesterday (14 May).
= = =
Yup. The "submit your paper online" link is now broken as well.
Supposedly all papers will become part of the official archives of the NSS. I will when I can.
Edited By BWhite on 1116160361
#886 Re: Human missions » Mars ISRU - Two ISDC papers » 2005-05-14 21:56:39
#887 Re: Human missions » Mars ISRU - Two ISDC papers » 2005-05-14 20:57:09
PS - - My paper focuses on the Moon, because our President said that is where we are going first. For better or worse. :;):
My plan works just as well for a Mars mission, maybe even better. If a television network wants to broadcast live coverage of first steps on Mars, they must pay a pro rata of a multi-billion dollar fee, or else be blacked out.
= = =
http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_ … e.com]This guy Gerlach, has prepared a very detailed paper as well.
exposed link
http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_ … hspace.com
#888 Re: Human missions » Mars ISRU - Two ISDC papers » 2005-05-14 20:52:18
Shaun, do you refer to McCabes]http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_archive/isdc.php?link=personSelect&email=atmmccabe@earthlink.net]McCabe's paper?
exposed link
http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_ … thlink.net
For better, I believe he presents on Sunday morning and we have an early flight so I will miss him. Its better because I might very well stand up and heckle. After all, everyone here knows how well I keep my opinions to myself. :;):
But its for worse because the papers on either side of McCabe (the Rapp stuff) seem very good and interesting. Especially about the water.
Whatever our opinion of MarsDirect =IF= we can mine Mars ice and not bring liquid H2 feedstock the mission becomes a whole lot easier.
= = =
Did you see my paper on how to leverage and coerce the media companies into supporting space exploration?
#889 Re: Not So Free Chat » Any poets? - Comments, CONSTRUCTIVE critisism, ideas. » 2005-05-14 20:43:59
:up: :band: :up:
#890 Re: Civilization and Culture » Zero G Kick boxing: Bets Please - Does Gambling/sport have a space future? » 2005-05-13 21:38:11
What about building an Orson Scott Card theme park in LEO? Simulate Ender's Game.
#891 Re: Human missions » A private sector Lunar Mining colony - Getting the money » 2005-05-13 21:34:36
People,
What about telling both Control Freaks ( russia and usa ) to get lost and go private enterprise completely. What is required is a geo-survey of the moon and find the best spot and then get the largest construction and mining companies and aerospace companies together in a consortium to bring the capital together. Using the new corporation they then provide the base for the loans from a consortium of banks and large pension funds throughout the world.
You have the funds, technical expertise and the right people to develop the process. Next to build the project and the transportation route to earth. using maglev moon shots of material back to earth orbit for space processing into space vehicles or oter components.
You do have some merits to your plan but you need a detail business proposal including the right mix of in-trade consortium members and cash paying consortium members to setup the corporation for the lunar surface.
I think Russia would sell your private company sufficient Protons and Soyuz if you paid cash. Ukraine would probably sell you Zenit as well, for cash that is.
Will that be dollars, or euros?
#892 Re: Human missions » NASA 2006 Budget » 2005-05-13 21:32:41
As Bill is fond of saying over and over, you build your hardware according to your needs.
Since I only know one rule of design - - form follows function - - I use it often. :;):
#893 Re: Human missions » Mars ISRU - Two ISDC papers » 2005-05-13 15:22:34
http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_ … net]Donald Rapp has submitted three papers and three sets of slides for the ISDC conference.
These appear to offer detailed analysis of ISRU for any future Mars mission. Very interesting stuff.
Add: Scroll down to the bottom to find the links.
Edited By BWhite on 1116019404
exposed link
http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_ … thlink.net
#894 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-13 13:01:16
Pakistan's http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_ … tm]foreign minister joins in the fray. He is in the government, not some radical cleric.
Oh yeah, Pakistan has nukes.
Condi Rice had better do more than "its an unsubstantiated rumor" or this could get really nasty, fast.
#895 Re: Not So Free Chat » Political Potpourri IV - Continued from previous » 2005-05-13 12:36:37
...for]http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/afghan_us_protests]"...for the world is always the mob..."
*Machiavelli quote. All this, over an alleged desecration.
Of course, Abu Ghraib (spelling?) makes the allegation easier for them to believe, I suppose.
More of a mess. ::shakes head::
--Cindy
Simple solution.
Allow a full and open inspection of Gitmo. With Islamic clerics participating. What do we have to hide?
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdes … tm]Reuters link
This is why building credibility is important. America's jury is the Islamic man/woman in the street. Fail to persuade them that we mean well and its irrelevant what US polls say.
The Saudi government has expressed dismay over the allegations which means they think its at least possibly true.
= = =
All this, over an alleged desecration.
Heh! The entire Iraq war was over alleged WMD, right?
Edited By BWhite on 1116009784
#896 Re: Human missions » NASA 2006 Budget » 2005-05-13 12:12:48
Time out! 
Zubrin's plan (which Dook likes for the Moon) is premised on using lunar oxygen (which Dook says is fantasy). Zubrin's lunar plan is premised on lunar LOX from the beginning!
GCNRevenger says "yup" lunar fuel (at least the LOX oxidizer) is very feasible but we don't need it, at least to start.
Me? I agree and disagree with both of you!
Edited By BWhite on 1116008033
#897 Re: Human missions » The reason to go to mars - Going to mars is not a waste of money » 2005-05-11 20:44:28
Heh! Don't argue with me.
Dr. Michael Griffin testified before Congress (under oath?) that the prospect of permanent emigration is perhaps the greatest justification for sending humans out there.
#898 Re: Human missions » NASA 2006 Budget » 2005-05-11 13:36:48
If the US Congress passed legislation allowing the sale of http://isdc2005.xisp.net/~kmiller/isdc_ … .net]media rights for America's return to the Moon (or better yet, Mars) we would have more money to budget with.
This can be done on a non-exclusive basis, as I explain in the paper.
By giving away the TV rights for free we send the clear message to the general population that "this stuff is not really that important."
#899 Re: Life support systems » Aerogel - don't build - your greenhouse w/o it » 2005-05-11 09:02:34
I think aerogel cracks very easy under some small mechanical pressure (like some wind hitting the greenhouse for a few weeks?)... I least this is what I remember...
That is why sandwich structures are good. Put a layer of aerogel in between layers of ballistic glass, with clear plastic films to bind them together.
GLASS
(film)
AEROGEL
(film)
GLASS
Possibly better than thermopane (vacuum between glass) and easier to fabricate than thermopane windows.
Also, sew panels of the stuff into kevlar pockets in an inflatable hab. By overlapping aerogel panels as part of an intricate Transhab-like structure you can protect the aerogel while still getting the thermal and acoustic insulation.
Aerogel is also a terrific acoustic insulator - - aerogel sandwiched between thin plastic sheets might make excellent ultra-light interior walls that provide increased privacy for personal spaces.
NOT hearing crewmates snore (or worse) will be good for morale. :;):
Edited By BWhite on 1115823823
#900 Re: Not So Free Chat » Any poets? - Comments, CONSTRUCTIVE critisism, ideas. » 2005-05-11 07:26:01
Not my poem, its someone else's http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/5/11/81914/0253]work in progress:
The poet's comments.
I'm not quite sure how to end this poem, but I hope it makes pretty clear what the Republican plan is here: To dismantle every single private or public policy tool that stands between the middle class and economic desperation.
Sharecropper society. 0.5% at the top control all the wealth.
Then there are the rest of us.