The NRA is going halfsies with the ACLU on a lawsuit against the NSA. How's that for a lotta acronyms in one sentence? The NSA phone spy program keeps a record of every phone call placed all over the world. It only records which number called which other number, it doesn't record the contents of the call, just the information that appears on your phone bill. But that's enough to cause a lot of trouble. NSA could track down every NRA member. This would make a good start on a national gun registry since most gun owners are members. From a registry they could move on to confiscation of guns. Anyhow, the ACLU has it's own problems with NSA telephone surveillance. For that matter I have some problems with NSA telephone surveillance.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Pivot to Asia
One of the dumber statements to come out of the Obama Administration. Our European and Mideast allies read "pivot to Asia" as "pivot away from us". As in "let the Russians or Al Quada roll right over us and don't lift a finger".
The Chinese have to read "pivot" as "America is going to gang up on us". Not a good thing to have them thinking.
And, as a general rule, nobody in the world want's to hear that the Americans are changing policy. They all know we are the 800 pound gorilla, they mostly see us as benevolent, and changes in US policy scare them. As practical people they fear that "changes" will be the worse for them.
That "pivot to Asia" remark was tossed out at a news conference, probably 'cause they couldn't think of anything better to say. It would have been better to say nothing and avoid putting everyone's teeth on edge all around the world.
The Chinese have to read "pivot" as "America is going to gang up on us". Not a good thing to have them thinking.
And, as a general rule, nobody in the world want's to hear that the Americans are changing policy. They all know we are the 800 pound gorilla, they mostly see us as benevolent, and changes in US policy scare them. As practical people they fear that "changes" will be the worse for them.
That "pivot to Asia" remark was tossed out at a news conference, probably 'cause they couldn't think of anything better to say. It would have been better to say nothing and avoid putting everyone's teeth on edge all around the world.
Used car prices
Scanning the used car mail box stuffer today, just to see what's what. We have one year old Cadillac CTS (the four passenger Beemer wannabe) for $30K. Whereas we have bunch of pickup trucks going for more. Used to be a Caddy was worth twice as much as a pickup truck. Not anymore. For real value, try a Chevy Suburban for $47K. Plain four door drive-to-work and go-to-the-store sedans, Toyota, Chevy, Kia, and Ford run in the $16-$20 K range. Used.
I wonder what will be available when my Mercury Grand Marquis wears out and needs replacement?
I wonder what will be available when my Mercury Grand Marquis wears out and needs replacement?
Friday, November 15, 2013
What should Republicans do about O'care?
Well, the House has tried to repeal Obamacare, repeatedly. That is kinda worthless. The Senate won't go along, and even if they did, Obama would veto the measure. Repeal just ain't gonna fly, at least not until after the 2014 elections, and probably not then either.
What about half measures? Repeal the most obnoxious features, or roll it back a year? What's in it for us? Obamacare has pissed off the voters, but good. It's eating into Obama's credibility, and clout. Why do we want to stop that? Let the ObamaDamage continue. Sit back and watch the fun. Pass the popcorn. Let the Democrats figure how to wiggle out from under. We ought to refrain from saying "I told you so", because everyone understands that now, and repeating it just irritates voters, especially those who voted for Obama the second time.
We should point fingers at all Democrats who voted for Obamacare and are running for re election. As in "You did this to us".
What about half measures? Repeal the most obnoxious features, or roll it back a year? What's in it for us? Obamacare has pissed off the voters, but good. It's eating into Obama's credibility, and clout. Why do we want to stop that? Let the ObamaDamage continue. Sit back and watch the fun. Pass the popcorn. Let the Democrats figure how to wiggle out from under. We ought to refrain from saying "I told you so", because everyone understands that now, and repeating it just irritates voters, especially those who voted for Obama the second time.
We should point fingers at all Democrats who voted for Obamacare and are running for re election. As in "You did this to us".
What REALLY happeded at Benghasi
The night the consolate was attacked, they sent a call for help. The US military started to respond. They didn't have troops close enough to send a rescue party quickly enough, but they did have aircraft. The aircraft were sent.
Before the aircraft could arrive, Barack Obama ordered them to return to base. Two general officers,Gen Carter Ham and Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette, refused to abandon Americans to Al Quada. Obama fired both of them that night. For good measure, he fired two more the next day.
And that's why Obama has been stonewalling the Benghasi affair ever since.
Before the aircraft could arrive, Barack Obama ordered them to return to base. Two general officers,Gen Carter Ham and Rear Admiral Charles M. Gaouette, refused to abandon Americans to Al Quada. Obama fired both of them that night. For good measure, he fired two more the next day.
And that's why Obama has been stonewalling the Benghasi affair ever since.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Time Warner broad band fails again
Dunno about those Time Warner guys. But my broadband has been dropping out about once a week lately.
Maybe Time Warner isn't paying it's Internet backbone fees? NSA snooping is crashing their computers? It's not the cable system, my cable TV (comes on the same wire) stays on line, but computer just cannot reach any websites.
Maybe Time Warner isn't paying it's Internet backbone fees? NSA snooping is crashing their computers? It's not the cable system, my cable TV (comes on the same wire) stays on line, but computer just cannot reach any websites.
Going to Mars on a budget
The unmanned Indian Mars mission, Mangalyaan, was launched for a mere $80 million according to Aviation Week. Whereas the next US Mars mission, Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN for short), due to launch in a week or two, will cost $671 million. eight times as much. Granted, the Indian mission only carries 15 kilograms of scientific experiments, but still the difference in cost is striking. "If India can make the world's cheapest car and the world's cheapest tablet, launching the cheapest Mars mission is no big deal," quipped one Indian space scientist.
Mangalyaan has a long way to go. It will be 10 months coasting out to Mars, at which point it has to make a burn to establish itself in an orbit around Mars. We all hope that after 10 months in interplanetary space, all the equipment will still be in working order. Mars is a tough target. Over half the missions to Mars have failed for one reason on another, including missions by Japan and China quite recently.
Good luck and God Speed.
Mangalyaan has a long way to go. It will be 10 months coasting out to Mars, at which point it has to make a burn to establish itself in an orbit around Mars. We all hope that after 10 months in interplanetary space, all the equipment will still be in working order. Mars is a tough target. Over half the missions to Mars have failed for one reason on another, including missions by Japan and China quite recently.
Good luck and God Speed.
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