GoldenOdyssey

Reagan Defense Budget Debunked

2006-03-19T10:12:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd bring up my post about Reagan's defense budget and the actual outlays to illustrate three points:

1) The Health and Human Services soared past the Defense budget in 1994 and never looked back. 2010 is projected at Defense $485B, and Health and Human Services $829B.
2) The increase in the national debt was hardly due to defense increases since the defense budget only made up 12% of the increase.
3) Defense budgets have been cut, even by Republicans.

What would happen if Cheney were more senstive to the Washington press?

2006-02-21T01:44:00.000-08:00

What would have happened if Cheney was more "sensitive" to the press?

Here's what American Thinker thinks.

It doesn't matter what Bush and Cheney do, they are always wrong as far as the Washington press are concerned.

Favorite Movies

2006-02-21T01:10:00.000-08:00

I have favorite movies, usually based on one scene. This is my first shot at capturing some of those movies.

Patriot
A Mel Gibson movie. The unforgettable scene is when Gibson's character is spoken to by his youngest daughter, begging him not to leave.

We Were Soldiers
A Mel Gibson Movie. Mel Gibson's character imploring a journalist to write about how his troopers died.

Braveheart
Mel Gibson's character yelling freedom just before dying.

Courage Under Fire
Denzel Washington's character explaining to the parents of a soldier he killed, a close friend and their son.

October Sky
The son explaining to his dad who his real hero is.

Wicker Park
The final scene.

Just Married
The final scene.

Sleepless in Seattle
"She made everything beautiful."

Jerry Magwire
"You got me at hello"

Out of Africa
Beautiful movie, especially the scenes after Redford's character dies tragically.

Field of Dreams
When Costner's character asks his dad to play catch.

Somewhere in Time
Beautiful movie.

Bicentennial Man
A movie that could have focused on the technical aspects of such a possibility and instead focused on the "humanity" of a robot. Very touching. Very kind.

Forrest Gump
Asking if he could approach his son.

Another losing case for Global Warming, a junk science

2006-02-20T23:29:00.000-08:00

Once again, Dr. Patrick Michaels shoots holes in Global Warming.

Why are the Global Warming advocates so selective about the data they choose to use?

The Journal Editorial Report on Fox

2006-02-20T22:10:00.000-08:00

A dear friend, and frankly one of the smartest people I have ever known, recommended this show. I couldn't agree more.

A day or two later I see Hugh Hewitt also recommended the show.

Can't wait for Bryant Gumbel's comments on the NBA

2006-02-19T19:26:00.000-08:00

It looks like Bryant Gumbel is getting desparate these days.

Here's the key quote: "So try not to laugh when someone says these are the world’s greatest athletes, despite a paucity of blacks that makes the Winter Games look like a GOP convention."

See for yourself.

Thank you, Mr. Gumbel. I don't laugh at the Winter Olympics anymore than I do at the NBA. The best succeed. Period.

Did you hear? Cheney shot somebody ...

2006-02-19T17:57:00.000-08:00

Well, I can't wait any longer for Dick Cheney to personally call me and explain the hunting accident. I guess that puts me in the same group with David Gregory, one of NBC's "objective" reporters.

It was so predictable that the MSM would lose it over this. Cheney bad. Hunting bad. Guns bad. Repbulicans bad. How could it be any better? As usual, the the press corps. made fools out of themselves ... another day at the office for them. This was special, though, because they thought this was so clear cut and went all out.

This will subside and the press corps. will be on the lookout for the next "crisis" that requires Bush or Cheney to resign or be impeached. Guaranteed. These people are "stuck on stupid".

I thought Tony Blankley captured it best. BTW, check out the other columns at townhall.com. The MSM just gets skewered and they deserved it.

Ok, let me leave the children for now and talk about the adults in this whole affair. Cheney accidentally shot his friend with birdshot. Of course, he's going to feel bad. Notice how the press didn't give a damn about that. I also thought that Whittington's comments were so appropriate: they were kind to Cheney and devastating to the press.

I'd like to say this accident only increased my confidence in Cheney but it can't go any higher.

Hugh Hewitt's Interview with Cheney

2006-01-21T14:55:00.000-08:00

Here's Hugh Hewitt's interview with Vice President Cheney. It was really good.

I've also been impressed lately by yhe people he has on his program. A very impressive list of people.

Here's Hewitt's interview with Jim Brady, the executive editor of the Washington Post. Apparently the left got real mad at the WaPo for saying that Abramoff directed money to the Democrats. The left hates the truth.

LA Times Circulation Down

2006-01-21T14:39:00.000-08:00

What wonderful news! The LA Times circulation has been in a decline for a while now.

See Michelle Malkin's: The LA Times Goes Down, Down Down.

I've seen them at several trade shows trying to get people to subscribe. I feel sorry for the ones manning the booths. They look so lonely and miserable. I've been ask more than once by the booth workers to subscribe. I tell them the paper is too liberal. They don't even try after that.

I won't even accept their free trials in the mail. Why would I knowingly bring garbage into my home?

Remeber that student who went to Iraq?

2006-01-21T14:28:00.000-08:00

Check this out.

h/t Lucianne

Sure glad the MSM are doing their job. Sheesh.

Osama bin Laden Offers Truce, US Rejects

2006-01-21T14:17:00.000-08:00

Osama bin Laden offered a truce to the US. What wonderful news! This can only mean that he has been weakened severely is trying to buy the time. The White House rejected his offer and the military will continue to execute on their plan.

It's all Bush's fault.

I'm a little surprised at this latest move by OBL. It clearly shows that he is losing. He must be in very bad shape but we can never let our guard down. Ever.

BTW, it was interesting to see OBL use the Democrats talking points: Howard Dean, M.D.: The WMD for Fools?

Aristotle, Newton, Einstein ... what's next?

2006-01-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

How about the wave structure of matter?

For anyone who likes my posts on my science, don't skip this one. If my post doesn't make sense I recommend visiting the website: The Dynamic Unity of Reality. It is also the "Space and Motion" link in the Science section of the left-hand column.

Physicists are having a difficult time with unification but this theory is best I've seen.

Aristotle started with:

"The first philosophy (Metaphysics) is universal and is exclusively concerned with primary substance. ... And here we will have the science to study that which is just as that which is, both in its essence and in the properties which, just as a thing that is, it has. ... That among entities there must be some cause which moves and combines things. ... There must then be a principle of such a kind that its substance is activity. (Aristotle, Metaphysics)"

After Aristotle the following developed:

"... it it is ironic that the main problem for human knowledge also came from the Ancient Greeks, with their conception of matter as discrete Atoms (Democritus, Lucretius). Unfortunately, Physics took the path of the atomists (Newton, Faraday, Maxwell, Lorentz) and this led to the creation of 'Force Fields' (generated by particles) to explain how matter interacted with other discrete matter at-a-distance in Space."

...

Firstly, Newton's Absolute Space was considered a 'background' reference frame for the motion (and acceleration) of matter 'particles'. Thus in Newton's Space matter did not affect Space (matter was somehow separate as 'particles'). Einstein rejected the 'particle' conception of matter and tried to unite matter and Space (and time, gravity) as one thing, by representing matter as continuous spherical fields. So in Einstein's relativity matter does affect Space, as matter and space are united (i.e. matter is spherically spatially extended and represented as a spherical field). The Wave Structure of Matter agrees with Einstein, Matter and Space are one and the same thing (there are no 'particles'), and thus matter does affect space and its properties. The central difference is we are describing matter in terms of Spherical Waves in Continuous Space, rather than Einstein's (failed) field theory of matter as Continuous Spherical Fields in Space-Time.

Space is the primary substance, the one thing.
Time is the wave motions in continous space.
Forces and fields are caused by the waves in space. This also explains quantum entanglement.
Matter is the spherical wave centers in continuous space including light particles.

By abiding by [Aristotle's] central rule of Metaphysics and describing Reality in Terms of One thing existing, Space, and its Properties as a Wave Medium for Spherical Standing Waves that form Matter, we find a very simple solution to all of the above problems of Physics (again this is a big claim, but this website does explain many of these things). Basically Einstein is correct, Matter is a Spherically Spatially extended structure of Space (there is no 'particle') though most importantly we have simplified Einstein's ideas from: Matter as Continuous Spherical Fields in Space-Time to Matter as Spherical Waves in Continuous Space

I have to admit, this makes sense to me.

Alito SCOTUS Hearings: Wife leaves in tears

2006-01-15T13:11:00.000-08:00

James Taranto makes some observations about the Alito hearings. For you Ted Kennedy fans, he's also known as "Alioto".

The Democrats couldn't get anything on Alito so they started "beating dead horses" for days by implying he is a racist bigot and his Vanguard investments somehow caused conflicts. Lindsey Graham, finally made a poignant speech about the Democrat's repulsive attack and this brought Mrs. Alito to tears. Of course, the MSM dishonestly reported this as if the Republicans were responsible for Mrs. Alito's tears when obviously it was Graham's speech that exposed the pain that the Democrats had inflicted on her husband. That's just another day at the office for them, though.

The Wahington Times explains why Kennedy is not exactly the right people to start accusing others of racism: he belonged to the Owl club at Harvard that excluded women. CAP, on other hand, an organization that Alito joined only because of Princeton's poor treatment of ROTC, did allow women and minorities to join. CAP was against quotas and that got turned into discrimination. That figures.

I've run out of creative words to express my disgust for the Democrats.

After all of that, though, it looks like Alito will be confirmed soon.

Nanotechnology and Quantum Computers ... hold on to your butts!

2006-01-10T00:17:00.000-08:00

Cuanas makea an excellent observation

Consider this: nanotechnology and quantum computers evolved to the point that nanotechnology can create self-contained "intelligent" quantum computers.

Beam me up Scotty!!!!

Want to help search for pulsars?

2006-01-08T01:49:00.000-08:00

At Einstein@Home they have a program you can download to your computer that will process raw data from gravitational wave detectors that they provide.

BTW, the Planetary Society has a similar approach where you can download their SETI@home program to process data collected for the search of extraterrestrial intelligence. I participated for a few years and wanted to try something different.

Good Advice MacStansbury: "Be Kind"

2006-01-08T01:15:00.000-08:00

MacStansbury has a very thoughtful reminder of how bloggers and commenters should remember to be more kind.

Never hurts to be reminded.

Iraq DID have terrorist connections

2006-01-07T13:15:00.000-08:00

Stephen Hayes of the Weekly Standard talks about the terrorist camps in Iraq in Saddam's Terror Training Camps.

William Kristol of the Weekly Standard details Iraq's connections with the terrorists in Just the Facts.

Here's an excerpt from the article:
Senate minority leader Harry Reid put it this way: "There was [sic] no terrorists in Iraq." His colleague, Carl Levin, member of both the Armed Services Committee and the Intelligence Committee, says Iraq's relationship with al Qaeda was "nonexistent."

I guess Herry Reid and Carl Levin lied. Is this what Pelosi is talking about when she says Congrss is so corrupt?

As usual, why am I not surprised ...

Bush Wire-taps OK

2006-01-01T22:50:00.000-08:00

As far as I'm concerned Bush is doing his job when warrantless wire-taps are done. Here's what I found ...

John Schmidt who served under Clinton wrote an article saying that the Bush wire-taps were OK. The bottom line is that FISA does not alter the constitutional power vested in the president to conduct warrantless searches to obtain foreign intelligence. Even the FISA court in 2002 agreed.

I took a look at FISA.

Section 1802a says:

"Notwithstanding any other law, the President, through the
Attorney General, may authorize electronic surveillance without a
court order under this subchapter to acquire foreign intelligence
information for periods of up to one year if the Attorney General ..."

Section 1802b indicates that a US person cannot be surveilled. It's not clear to me but it doesn't look like it affects 1802a.

But then section 1806i seems to open the door wide open for any surveillance:

"In circumstances involving the unintentional acquisition by an
electronic, mechanical, or other surveillance device of the
contents of any radio communication, under circumstances in which a
person has a reasonable expectation of privacy and a warrant would
be required for law enforcement purposes, and if both the sender
and all intended recipients are located within the United States,
such contents shall be destroyed upon recognition, unless the
Attorney General determines that the contents indicate a threat of
death or serious bodily harm to any person."

I'm no lawyer but it sure looks like Bush had every right to conduct warrantless wire-taps.

And then there's nonsense like this:

The process to get a warrant was beauracratic and took too long, not to mention the "not-my-job" mentality.

The FISA Court slowed down the process even further during an urgent environment after 9/11.

The FISA court discouraged Moussouai Warrant.

"Sen. Charles Grassley is among those who think that the FBI might have been able to stop the 9/11 attacks if the FISA Court hadn't discouraged the Bureau from aggressively pursuing a warrant in the Moussaoui case."

Intelligent Design: Reasons to Believe website

2006-01-01T20:07:00.000-08:00

I was listening to KFI the other day and a one-hour segment discussion of evolution and intelligent design came up. Evolution was presented the first thirty minutes and intelligent design was presented the next 30 minutes.

The gentleman who presented the intelligent design absolutely stunned me! He was presenting intelligent design using science, specifically quantum mechanics and cosmology! He did not disrespect religion even though he would not allow it into his arguments. He also felt that evolution should be defended but said that it was becoming a weaker theory as time went on.

Here is the website.

I don't recall the person who presented evolution. It doesn't matter. As usual, she was very defensive about evolution and took several cheap shots at intelligent design. Typical. Her expertise was in philisophy which made me realize that the people I've heard defend evolution usually don't have a background in biology or other scientific fields related to evolution. Maybe that's just a coincidence.

Who knows what is really the truth out there. It was very refreshing to hear someone who is a scientist who believes in God argue for intelligent design using only scientific observations, theories and data. This is same approach cosmologists used to predict phenomena.

On a related note, the blog Kobayashi Maru had some interesting observations about spirtuality and quantum mechanics.
h/t The Anchoress

Mark Steyn Predicts the Disappearance of the Western World

2006-01-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

I had to read Alec Baldwin's predictions after reading Mark Steyn's predictions.

He predicts that much of the western world will disappear over the next century due to disparity in birth rates between the western world and third world countries. Essentially, the birth rates of third world countries are much higher compared to developed countries that aren't even at the replacement rate.

Here's the article: It's the demography, stupid

It's tough medicine to swallow.

Alec Baldwin makes predictions for 2006

2006-01-01T18:49:00.000-08:00

I just picked myself off the floor ... I don't even have to joke about this.

Read it for yourself.

In fact, I'm going to add a link to Huffington's blog. The occasional posts by some celebrities are just priceless.

Happy New Year!

2005-12-31T02:30:00.000-08:00

I love Sydney, Australia! I lived there for a 1 1/2 years. I thought pictures of of its New Year celebration was most appropriate.

NY Times Leak to be investigated

2005-12-31T02:22:00.000-08:00

Finally, the DOJ has determined that the NYT leaks should be investigated.

Here's a link to the NYT's reporting of the investigation.
h/t Lucianne

I wonder if anyone on the left will be investigated or will they put on blinders like Fitzgerald's Plame investigation. I'll believe when I see it.

Victor Davis Hansen Rocks!

2005-12-31T01:24:00.000-08:00

Oh man, Victor Davis Hansen just ABSOLUTELY nails it better than anyone I have seen! His latest commentary is PRICELESS: The Plague of Success.

Thank you VDH!

Another great speech by Michael Crichton!

2005-12-29T02:11:00.000-08:00

Here's another great speech by Michael Crichton! He really nails it!

Finally, a well-known figure in the entertainment industry who is not fooled by the environmentalists.

Science Updates

2005-12-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

Watercone
A portable device that converts salt water to drinking water -- up to 1.7 liters of drinking water a day!
h/t quantumblog

Airport security checkpoint of the future
New systems don't require passengers to empty pockets, take off shoes and remove laptops from carrying cases. Yea!!!

Hybrid cars becoming very popular
I've had a Prius for over 3 1/2 years and have had almost no trouble yet -- knock on wood. The only thing that that I found odd was that I've had to replace more tires than usual.

Japanese instant checkout
Now items can be scanned all together instead of scanning them one at a time. Yea!!!
Yes, I do not like lines.

Evoution breakthroughs of the year
I hope this is true. The post isn't very definitive about the studies, just that there "may" be breakthroughs. I certainly hope so. I also hope that these unconfirmed breakthroughs aren't a backlash due to the new interest in Intelligent Design.

Einstein's relativity proven with the lead of pencil!
Electric charges in graphene behave like relativistic particles with no mass. How ironic that scientists like Einstein probably used pencils to write their work when at the same time they could have been used to prove their work!

Orbits of Uranus's moons changed significantly in the last decade
The post initially talks about the discovery of two new moons but it's the change in orbits that I find shocking.

Ingredients for DNA and protein found around star
Now this is really cool!

Creator's signature in space?
New Scientist is reporting that scientists believe in 20 to 30 years might be able to find a signature by a creator if it exists. Question to pro-evolutionists: is this science?

Blog statistics
Interesting ...

Military Reality

2005-12-27T18:27:00.000-08:00

BigDog posted an excellent piece about armored humvees and how long it takes to build these type of vehicles for the military.

A while back Rumsfeld was chastised for saying you go to war with what you've got when questioned about the lack of armor for the humvees. It was a set up by a journalist using one of the soldiers.

It usually takes many years, almost always decades to build and deploy military systems. The need for armored humvees came about because of a new weapon called IED (Improvised Electronic Device). The military had to quickly adjust to this new weapon and it doesn't happen overnight. It resulted in humvees being used in a situation that they were not meant to be used.

The journalists, however, don't get this. At least one of them said the president and the DOD were "criminally negligent" for not getting armored humvees sooner. It's real easy as a journalist to sit on the side and criticize when you don't have clue as to what is going on.

The Two Americas: American Intelligence

2005-12-26T16:01:00.000-08:00

What should be done about all the leaks lately?

Michelle Malkin addresses this in her post: How to Stop Dangerous Press Leaks. I think that not only should leakers be prosecuted but their clearances should be removed immediately or at least some action should be taken quickly. The Democrats and MSM are not held accountable and, therefore, feel free to go after Bush regardleass of how much it hurts the US.

The blog Strata-sphere has done sensational work tracking all these leaks. The AJ Strata link in Michelle Malkin's post is good place to start. Here are some of my favorites:
Leakers Robertson and Rockefeller
Senators (never) invstigated for leaking

It's against the law to leak classified information, as it should be. Apparently, though, the MSM and Democrats suddenly think it's ok now with the exception of the Plame case. The hypocrisy of the MSM and Democrats regarding leaks is incredible. On the one hand they wanted to take away Karl Rove's clearance as well as others even though he was never found to do anything wrong and yet, on the other hand when Democrats and the MSM leak it's, um, okay. Unbelievable. Is this the two Americas the Democrats were talking about during the last presidential election?

Hugh Hewitt in his post Journalistic Ethics makes some excellent observations regarding this whole leak affair:
"I wonder what journalism's confused tubas of deep thoughts would say to the hypothetical: If Aldrich Ames had passed the information he gave to the Soviets to the New York Times instead, would Ames have still committed a crime deserving of his life sentence? The New York Times and to a lesser extent the Washington Post have decided that they are the ultimate judges of what will constitute a dangerous breach of national security. The trouble is that both papers, and especially the Times are populated by extreme anti-Bush Ahabs, willing to push all judgment aside for the purpose of trying deseprately to harm the president."

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-24T16:15:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

A dose of some of the great columnists

2005-12-24T12:23:00.000-08:00

Victor Davis Hansen: Why Not Support Democracy?
I'll tell you why: Bush is achieving things that could frankly get him on Mount Rushmore and the leftists can't stand it. The leftists are so selfish and evil that they would rather see Bush fail, as well as the country, in order for them to get their power back.

David Limbaugh recognizes that Bush is honoring his oath with the NSA surveillance. It is so obvious that the Democrats and the MSM were wrong about Iraq and have to invent issues like this to make Bush look bad.

Charles Krauthammer gets to the root of an important intelligence issue despite the never-ending demagoguery.

Mona Charen points out the pathetic reporting of Katrina and the money that will be wasted in such a corrupt like Louisiana. I lived there a long time myself and what I'd like to see is that people are helped immediately but that long-term projects are put on hold until some of the corrupt politicians are voted are impeached out of office. I know this won't happen but I can wish for it, right?

Clifford May points the pathetic position that the leftists have taken with their attempt to kill the Patriot Act and their "cut and run" strategy.

Tim Chapman points out the "block and blame" strategy of the Democrats. About time.

Robert Kagan and Wiliam Kristol point out how well things are going in Iraq and the stubborness of the Democrats not to celebrate it.

Oh well, I could keep posting links. What I'd like to see is more of is the Republicans and Bush going more on the offensive instead of constantly being on the defensive. I think Bush figured this out a couple of months ago but I'm not sure about Congressional Republicans. I think they are getting better but they have to start realizing that the Democrats have no intention of working with them and that media coverage will only improve if they start fighting back. The coverage can't get any worse.

New York Times not Fit for Print

2005-12-17T21:36:00.000-08:00

The MSM has an obvious liberal slant but the New York Times is the worst of the worse.

Jay Leno recently quipped that the Iraqi people must not read the New York Times since they are so happy right now.

Michelle Malkin and Lucianne.com have good coverage of the New York Times waiting a year before publishing a story on the eavesdropping on phone calls by the NSA. Interestingly, it pushes the success of Iraq off their front pages and pushes a new book by one of their reporters. Was the story based on illegal leaks? Probably. Will this be investigated? No, because the leaks helped the liberals.

Michelle Malkin wonders whose side the New York Times are on when they try to fraudulently discredit the Iraqi elections.

American Thinker has a commentary on what the New York Times left out of a story on global warming.

The New York Times published a story on secret CIA prisons in other countries. Again, was the story based on illegal leaks? Probably. Will this be investigated? No, because the leaks helped the liberals.

Even Trump recently remarked about the New York Times decline over the years from being one of nation's foremost newspapers to becoming a disgrace.

And now, the worst of the New York Times: the editing of a fallen soldiers last words in a letter.

The New York Times should be driven out of business or at least to the point where this dishonest paper is forced to bring in better people who want to report the news. For now, the New York Times is not fit to be printed. Period.

Thank You Morgan Freeman!

2005-12-17T20:52:00.000-08:00

Morgan Freeman was interviewed by Mike Wallace and explained why he disliked black history month: black history was relegated to only one month. Mr. Freeman felt that we stop calling each other white and black to help end racism. I couldn't agree with him more.

Here's the interview described by CBS.

Morgan Freeman: “I am going to stop calling you a white man and I’m going to ask you to stop calling me a black man,” he says. “I know you as Mike Wallace. You know me as Morgan Freeman. You wouldn’t say, ‘Well, I know this white guy named Mike Wallace.’ You know what I’m saying?”"

During the interview Freeman asked Wallace what month was dedicated to white history month. Wallace, determined to be a victim and ashamed to be white apparently, stuttered and then said he is Jewish. Huh? What a wackjob Wallace is. Freeman kept his composure and asked Wallace what month was dedicated to Jewish history. Wallace said there was none. Freeman asked him if he wanted a month dedicated to Jewish history. Wallace said no. For some reason this part of the interview could not be found in any of the MSM publications including Fox News.

Iraq War a Success

2005-12-17T16:12:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's just me but the Iraqi people look very happy with the US military's effort to democratize Iraq. Maybe that's because they haven't read the New York Times as Jay Leno joked about the other night.

Iraq had its third successful vote with even the Sunnis fully participating. Dorothy, I mean Ted, this doesn't look like Vietnam like me.

God bless all the troops and the Bush administration.

Kathleen Parker has a good article on the complexity of victory: Victory's Tipping Point.

I think it's real simple. We won the symmetric portion of the war within a couple of months and have been winning an asymmetric war with terrorists. As more and more Iraqi troops take over their own country the US and its allies will stand down. This asymmetric war has lasted a little over 2 1/2 years whereas the occupation of Japan lasted 6 years with 350,000 troops. I would expect to see the number of US troops deployed to be reduced dramatically to a few hundred in the next few years.

Oliver North has an excellent article on the success of Iraqi people, the military and Bush, and the failure of the Democrats and the terrorists: E-Day in Iraq.

David Limbaugh rips the Democrats for their failure to recognize the extraordinary success in Iraq: Standing athwart Iraqi history and yelling "stop".

Stephen Schwartz of the TCS Daily has a good commentary not only on the success in Iraq but the failure of the MSM to correct its own errors in reporting: Defeating the Defeatists.

Michelle Malkin has a plethora of coverage of the successful Iraq news over the past week.

Science Updates

2005-12-17T14:41:00.000-08:00

Computer Memory to be forgotten?
Spintronic devices would make computer memory as permanent as hard drives since these devices don't depend on power like computer memory. The effect is known as "spin Coulomb drag.

Stretchable and bendable Silicon
A new technique has been discovered that results in stretchable and bendable silicon. This type of silicon can be integrated into artificial muscles, biological tissues, and aricraft wings, just to name few.

One step closer to a quantum computer on everyone's desk
University of Michigan researchers have produced a scalable quantum computer chip.

Cheaper Solar Energy in our future?
Researchers have found ways to fabricate cheaper dirty silicon to improve solar energy conversion. This is god news because I'd love to use only solar energy but financially it just doesn't make sense ... yet.

Mysterious Deep Space Object defies conventional Solar System origins
Discovery of a deep space object has put a dent in the star theory.

Is String Theory in Trouble? Is Popperism the thinking of small minds?
From New Scientist is this article that questions the legitimacy of string theory and considers the impact of athropotic influence of our formulation of the "known" universe. More and more, scientists are considering other universes, multiverses, that could be different from our own and support life forms that could not survive in our universe.

BTW, the author, Amanda Gefter, has this to say about falsification also known as Popperism:
"Other worlds, alternative universes, things we can't see because they are beyond horizons, are in principle unfalsifiable and therefore metaphysical - that's the objection. But the belief that the universe beyond our causal horizon is homogeneous is just as speculative and just as susceptible to the Popperazzi."

Now, keep in mind this article is published in New Scientist. New Scientist is a a SCIENTIFIC magazine. Since the author says alternate universes are in principle unfalsifiable then shouldn't they be considered non-scientific and also not published in scientific magazines? This goes back to the inconsistency of falsificationistic pro-evolution liars who let multiverse theories get a pass and yet expect Intelligent Design to pass some artificial falsification test like evolution. I believe all of this is scientific and that falsificationism, Popperism, is the real culprit of unscientific endeavor.

Foooore!

2005-12-17T14:10:00.000-08:00

Makena Resort - South, Maui, Hawaii

Book Recommendations

2005-12-04T14:54:00.000-08:00

State of Fear by Michael Crichton

Crichton has written a scathing book about dishonest science, primarily Global Warming, and also addresses the dishonesty of the media. It is a fictional story replete with credible scientific sources. I highly recommend this book. It was like reading conservative blogs that constantly discredit liberals by using things called facts.

Here is Crichton's link to the book. Also check out his speeches which include his testimony to the Senate. He made the Democrats look pretty stupid.

I'm also including Columbia's criticism of Crichton because these Global Warming proponents do more damage to the credibility of Global Warming than I could ever hope to do. As usual, they have to resort to personal insults since their case is so weak. Thank you Columbia ... keep talking.

Here's Patrick Michael's response to Hansen's failed 1988 predictions.

Here's commentary about the Media's double standard when it comes to green groups. Yes, I know ... shocking!

The Pentagon's New Map by Thomas P. Barnett

Here's an excellent academic analysis of the new environment we are in now that the Cold War has ended. Essentially, Barnett believes we will continue to fight to reduce the number of "Gap" countries and increase the number of "Core" countries. "Gap" countries, like Iraq, are dysfunctional countries that need to be restored in order to join "Core" countries, like the US, that are functioning.

Golf Shot

2005-11-25T17:57:00.000-08:00

Kauai Lagoons Resort - Kiele

Golf Shot

2005-11-19T14:50:00.000-08:00

Wolf Creek Golf Course - Mesquite, Nevada

More Science Updates

2005-11-06T22:41:00.000-08:00

Thinking Harms Brain Cells
DailyScience is reporting that thinking can damage the brain. In all seriousness, the damage occurs in patients with chronic neurodegenerative diseases.

Room Temperature Quantum Computing Discovered
Daily Science is reporting that the ability to do quantum computing is getting closer.

Quantum Dots may replace the Light Bulb
Daily Science is reporting that quantum dots may eventually replace the light bulb.

Here's a quote from the end of the article:
"The light bulb is made out of metal and glass using primarily mechanical processes. Current LEDs are made using semiconductor manufacturing techniques developed in the last 50 years. But, if the quantum dot approach pans out, it could transform lighting production into a primarily chemical process. Such a fundamental change could open up a wide range of new possibilities, such as making almost any object into a light source by coating it with luminescent paint capable of producing light in a rainbow of different shades, including white."

Science Update

2005-11-06T15:43:00.000-08:00

BrainGate
This device allows one to interface with a computer using only the brain. Achip isimplanted in the brain and responds to impulses from the brain. Aparalytic from the neck down is using this device.

The Matrix
I see we're getting closer to a Matrix reality. Scientists are breaking part the code on sight.

What is this? How come I can only find advancements that requires sticking something in your brain?

Mars
Just a reminder Mars is the closest it's been for many years. It's now moving away from Earth but it is still very easy to see in the eastern sky.

Anti-Aging Hormone
The anti-aging hormone, klotho, was recently discovered. Cool.

Did Life Come From Another World?
Scientific America is asking that question. Recent research indicates that microorganisms could have survived the journey from Mars to Earth. Really cool! I hope the pro-evolutionists don't see this. They get really upset.

Do we live in a 2-dimensional reality?
Scientific American is reporting that gravity might be an illusion as well as one the dimensions of space. I'm not sure if this is cool or weird.

Early starlight of universe detected
New Scientist is reporting that the early starlight of the universe has been detected. We're getting closer to seeing the beginning of the universe.

Golf Shot

2005-11-06T10:25:00.000-08:00

Mauna Lani, Hawaii 15th hole

New York Times Disrespects Fallen Soldier

2005-10-29T18:58:00.000-07:00

UNBELIEVABLE!

The New York Times really did a horrible disservice to one of our fallen soldiers. As much as I despise the New York Times even I can't believe how low they would go. They published the letter of a fallen soldier, a letter to be read in case he died. The New York Times published it but took out his positive references to the military and the war.

I'm so disgusted I'm at a loss for words. The New York Times is the scourge of the US. I hope they are economically destroyed.

Michelle Malkin has the details.

God bless our troops.

Reagan Defense Spending Debunked

2005-10-24T01:07:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to debunk another lie from the left: the tremendous growth in the debt due to Reagan's defense spending. The debt increased by $1.4T, yet defense increases were only $164B ... only 12% of the budget deficits.

Here's a link to the White House's OMB data.

Here's a link to Bureau of Public Debt historical data.

1981 FY - Carter
Outlay: $154B
DOD Increase: $23B

1982 FY - Reagan
Outlay: $181B
DOD Increase: $27B

1983 FY - Reagan
Outlay: $204B
DOD Increase: $23B

1984 FY Reagan
Outlay: $221B
DOD Increase: $17B

1985 FY Reagan
Outlay: $245B
DOD Increase: $24B

1986 FY Reagan
Outlay: $265B
DOD Increase: $20B

1987 FY Reagan
Outlay: $274B
DOD Increase: $9B

1988 FY Reagan
Outlay: $282B
DOD Increase: $8.0B

1989 FY Reagan
Outlay: $295B
DOD Increase: $13B

Also, here's a link to the historical federal funding rate that was at an insane rate of 19.08% when Reagan took over from Carter. It was because of the horrific economy that Reagan inherited not to mention that the debt started growing at a much faster pace in 1975, the year after Nixon resigned and Congress was put in a powerful position at that time.

This is what is so pathetic: the Democrats consistently screw up the country and the Republicans put it back together.

Update:
The Defense budget was also cut after the Reagean years .

1990 FY Bush
Outlay: $290B
DOD Decrease: $4B

1991 FY Bush
Outlay: $262B
DOD Decrease: $28B

1992 FY Bush
Outlay: $287B
DOD Increase: $25B

1993 FY Bush
Outlay: $279B
DOD Decrease: $8B

1993 FY Clinton
Outlay: $269B
DOD Decrease: $10B

Got down as low as 253B in 1996 and then rose to 290B by the end of FY 2001.

2002 FY Bush
Outlay: $332B
DOD Increase: $42B

2003 FY Bush
Outlay: $389B
DOD Increase: $57B

2004 FY Bush
Outlay: $437B
DOD Increase: $48B

2005 FY Bush
Outlay: $444B
DOD Increase: $7B

2006 FY Bush
Budget: $426B
DOD Decrease: $18B

Note: In 1994 Health and Human Services passed the Defense in 1994 and never looked back.

2006 Budget
Defense: $426B
Health and Human: $624B

2010 Budget
Defense: $485B
Health and Human: $829B

DNA-Based Computing

2005-10-20T22:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, this is cool. Now DNA may be used to do parallel processing.

Wayne Frasch of ASU has more details.

Congratulations White Sox and Astros

2005-10-20T22:04:00.000-07:00

Well, I wanted to see the Angels and Cardinals in the World Series and instead got the White Sox and Astros. Sigh ... oh well.

At this point I will root for the Astros since they have never been to the World Series. I'm still a little ticked off about the second Angels-White Sox game when the batter was called out and yet was allowed to go to first base without really knowing whether the baseball had hit the ground. That wasn't the White Sox fault, though. Furthermore, the lack of Angels offense in the following games was good play on the part of the White Sox.

Good luck to both teams.

A Golf Beauty

2005-10-20T21:37:00.000-07:00

On the advice of dave bones, I've decided to focus on the more beautiful aspects of life. With that in mind, I thought I'd start with a beauty on the LPGA, Natalie Gulbis. Click on her image to go to her official website.

Harriet Miers to replace Sandra O'Conner

2005-10-04T02:22:00.000-07:00

Here's the Houston Chronicle's report on Harriet Miers.

This was a really strange nomination considering the reactions. Cheney says she's conservative. Harry Reid recommended her. Several other Democrats are pleased as well. What gives?

If Miers is conservative, why do so many Democrats like her? Why do they like her and dislike other conservatives? Strange. The only thing that makes sense is that Bush thinks she is a conservative and Democrats think they can turn her into a liberal like Souter and others. I tend to favor Bush because other presidents have nominated "conservatives" who turned into liberals. He supposedly knows her very well. We shall see.

I'll reserve judgment for now but that's the point. Many conservatives like me don't appreciate having to wonder whether she is convservative. There were many other established conservatives.

What's also disappointing is that this choice may validate the Democrats' constant vicious and vile attacks on Bush and conservatives. Bush should be able to nominate conservatives just like Clinton nominated left-wing extremists like Ginsburg.

Right now I feel disappointed but this may be another brilliant move by Bush.

Congratulations Chief Justice Roberts

2005-10-04T02:09:00.000-07:00

Here's Fox News report on Roberts confirmation of Chief Justice.

He is an incredible genius of the law. Period. He is a pleasure to watch.

He single-handedly taught the Senate Judiciary committee about the rule of law. It was beautiful. Thank you Chief Justice Roberts.

Excellent Summary of Intelligent Design

2005-10-04T01:04:00.000-07:00

Jeff Jacoby wrote an excellent summary on Intelligent Design. He separated Creationists and Intelligent Design, and at the same time showed that Intelligent Design can be treated as science.

I couldn't agree more. If evolution can't explain everything regarding the formation of living things, why is it a bad thing to consider intelligent intervention even it coincides with religious beliefs? To only believe in evolution with disregard to evidence treats evolution as a religion.

The bottom line: keep an open mind about Intelligent Design regardless of where religion may interesect.

Angels clinch the American League West!

2005-10-01T17:48:00.000-07:00

Alright! The Angels clinched the American League West division with a win over the Oakland A's, 4-3.

Golf shot of the week

2005-10-01T17:41:00.000-07:00

Kauai Lagoons Resort - Kiele

Some Good News for a Change

2005-09-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Let's see, since Bush became president we've had to endure the following: the Clinton Recession, 9/11, the Afghanistan War, the Iraq War, four hurricanes hitting Florida within two months, Hurricane Katrina, and Hurricane Rita. It's easy to get down and feel like so many things are going wrong.

The US economy has recovered from the Clinton Recession and is running at a healthy clip ... not too slow, not too fast.

Michael Barone gives us the big picture of good news.

9/11 was a wake-up call, a horrendous one. Unfortunately, we needed it because of Clinton's cowardly approach to terrorism. We know what Clinton was busy doing when he wasn't on vacation. 9/11 led to the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) -- the Afghanistan War and Iraq War -- that we are winning despite all disinformation from the media.

Jeff Jacoby has a good article reminding us of the good news from Iraq that we received from Chrenkoff.

It's been reported that the No. 2 terrorist was killed in Iraq yesterday.

No doubt, the hurricanes have hurt many in the past year or so. In the most recent hurricane, Rita, Texans and west Louisianians have shown us that the US does know how to respond to hurricanes, not to mention the Floridians who weathered those four last year. So far, I haven't seen any reports of death caused directly by hurricane Rita -- there was a bus accident that killed approximately 20 people ... very sad. Rita and the Florida hurricanes show that the US can respond to national disasters and that New Orleans is an isolated failure. It should provide some balance to the politicized congressional investigations.

The number of deaths from Katrina are much lower than reported, thank God. It was thought that hundereds died in the Superdome, but it turns out it was only six. Not to mention, the media's utter failure to report facts.

The huge silver lining coming out of the Katrina Hurricane is that New Orleans and the levee situation may actually get fixed this time. Even better, the corrupt politics in Louisiana that include Blanco, Nagin, and Landrieu will be under the microscope.

Here's John Fund's turn at the microscope.
Here's Jacob Sullum's turn at the microscope.
Here's Mark Alexander's turn at the microscope.

There are several other taking their turns at the microscope.

Even the Democratic party is starting to crack at the seams. Wyoming Democrats say their national leaders are too liberal. h/t Powerline.

Have a nice day.

Latest Hurricane Developments - Rita, Katrina

2005-09-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

It looks like the response to Hurricane Rita has been exemplary, especially compared to New Orleans. Granted, for everyone who was adversely affected by Hurricane Rita I don't want to minimize the loss and sorrow.

One excuse I've heard for the excellent response to Rita is that lessons were learned from Katrina. How absurd. We are supposed to believe that FEMA, described as inept by critics, suddenly found their brains and learned how to respond to hurricanes? FEMA, an organization that successfully responded to the 4 hurricanes that hit Florida last year, suddenly forgot how to do their job this year, but only in New Orleans? Yeah, right.

The difference in Rita and Katrina that's being reported on Fox News is the first responders. The first responders did their jobs instead of sitting around waiting for Daddy Bush to do everything. So, where are all those critics who blamed only the federal government, especially Bush? Will Bush get credit for the Rita response? No.

For anyone who still doesn't understand first responders and the support role that FEMA plays, I recommend visiting the FEMA site and reading the National Response Plan. There you will find that New Orleans and Katrina was politicized and that there is room for improvement in the NRP. BTW, is anyone talking about improving the state and local emergency plans? I think those plans need the most improvement, or maybe it's local officials who should execute those plans instead of sitting around crying. Blanco is starting to realize this.

Maybe Blanco is waking up because some are talking about her resignation or recall. She's a Democrat so she doesn't have the integrity to step aside and let someone with a brain run the state. She should be kicked out of the state, not to mention Landrieu.

Broussard, another silly little clown, was interviewed by Russert and was praising the feds response. He had accused the feds of murder a few weeks ago until his story was shown to be false. Russert embarassed the hell out him.

Golf Shot of the Week

2005-09-24T18:21:00.000-07:00

Kaneohe Klipper Golf Club

Hurricanes and Kooky Ideas

2005-09-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

I'm sure for some residents who live on the Gulf caost, they must feel cursed right now. My heart goes out to them.

I wonder if we will get some more kooky ideas regarding hurricanes. No doubt, we will see a connection made between hurricanes and Global Warming. Will RFK Jr. say, "See, I told you so." What an idiot.

Here's an article by Patrick Michaels who exposes scientists for intentionally skewing the results of their hurricane analysis because of their interesting choice of parameters.

BTW, speaking of Global Warming, Blair has apparently pulled the plug on the Kyoto Treaty.

Hurricane Rita Makes Landfall

2005-09-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Hurricane Rita made landfall last night at the Texas Louisian state line. So far, the damage varies but overall it looks like Rita wasn't as bad as Katrina. However, this was what everyone thought about Katrina after the first day.

It doesn't sem fair. Houston and surrounding areas really came through for New Orleans and to get hit themselves so soon ... it's just not right. All I the people I know in Houston and Lake Charles got out. Thank God.

What a difference, though. The Galveston mayor used school buses to evacuate people. Nagin did not. 1,500 troops were ordered into the area. Blanco waited days before ordering sufficient troops. It's already being reported that the local officials have stayed on the scene and responded immediately rescue and recovery. What a difference.

President Bush is in Colorado Springs and intentionally stayed away from the hurricane landing site to keep from causing interference. FEMA apparently is doing their job. Again, what a difference. Hmmm ... how can Katrina be only Bush's fault yet New Orleans is the only area that failed to respond?

I hope when the investigations of Katrina start in Washington, they compare it to Rita as well as Floyd in 1999. Three weeks after Hurricane Floyd some areas were still severely flooded. In 1999 Clinton was president and Witt was in charge of FEMA. I hope Washington also takes a look at themselves and whether the National Response Plan is sufficient. Yeah, right, that'll happen.

LSU Rescheduled for Monday Night

2005-09-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

The LSU Tigers have been rescheduled to play Monday night at 6:30pm because of hurricane problems for the past few weeks. LSU will be playing Tennessee.

Angels on Top by 4 games

2005-09-24T11:48:00.000-07:00

The Angels increased their lead by four games over the Oakland A's Friday night with a win over the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Nine games left in season, 4 at Oakland.

Intelligent Design and Evolution CAN Co-exist

2005-09-23T00:44:00.000-07:00

Here are acouple of articles that summarize my understanding and beliefs regarding Intelligent Design and evolution.

Lee Harris talks about how theology is a muddle and doesn't see a conflict between ID and evolution. I couldn't agree more. Frankly, I became more respectful of religion when I realized the scientific community was neglecting ideas and endeavors that coincided with religion. That's wrong.

James Pinkerton wrote an interesting article on Intelligent Design (ID). His thinking on the matter comes close to how I feel about ID as well.

I have an open mind regarding the contributions of evolution and ID. The latest argument is the lack of falsification for ID.

Ok, I would like for someone to show me the falsification test for the hypothesis: An Earth-like planet exists in the universe. No one has falsified this hypothesis. This hypothesis can be applied in the same form when searching for many scientific phenomenon: the Higgs boson exists, 10 dimensional strings exist, etc. These endeavors are certainly regarded as being scientific yet no one can falsify these hypotheses.

One creative argument I have seen a few times is to make the hypothesis negative: An Earth-like planet does not exist. The falsification test is that an Earth-like planet is found. Well, if this an acceptable approach, then the following hypothesis can be formulated: Intelligent design has not been used to affect the formation of living things. The falsification test is that intelligent design is found.

I find this whole word game dishonest. To make the hypothesis negative in order to satisfy the overrated falsification test is wrong.

Intelligent design should be considered since evolution cannot explain at this time the Cambrian explosion; cannot explain the sudden appearance of large living forms; cannot explain the formation of multiple sets of organs that are dependent on each other (irreducible complexity); cannot explain that natural selection does not result in new genetic material.

Live Science not surprisingly argues against ID. The article shows that the author doesn't understand what ID is. The author also gives one example for each of the main issues, irreducible complexity and specificied complexity, as if that's enough proof to say that ID isn't possible. It's like saying Jane doesn't like carrots, therefore, humans don't like carrots. I like the graphics that went with the article, though. Heh.

Angels still on top

2005-09-17T14:53:00.000-07:00

After last night the Angels won 12 inning game against the Tigers and remain on top in the AL West.

Here's the remaining schedule.

LSU has a bye this week

2005-09-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

The nationally 3rd ranked LSU has a bye this week. Next week they play Tennessee.

Here's the schedule.
Here's the AP Top 25 Rankings.

This is where I wish I was today ...

2005-09-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!

LSU comes from behind to beat ASU - 35 to 31!

2005-09-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

LSU is now ranked 3rd in the country after their win over ASU, 35 to 31! What a great game!

Many thanks go to LSU and ASU's sport administrations for relocating the game at ASU.

In Remembrance of 9/11

2005-09-11T02:42:00.000-07:00

In remembrance of 9/11, here's a link to a vivd reminder of what New York firefighters went through that day.

On the one year anniversary of 9/11, I was listening to KZLA in Los Angeles while driving into work. I remember a phone call that brought me to tears. It was a mother who called in and said that she was trying to get her 12 year old daughter to school. Her daughter wouldn't leave until she found the special 9/11 shirt that she had to wear. It was a tough drive in the rest of way ... the DJ had to step out for the rest of the hour ... a good 30 minutes.

Just one of my "golden" sides of life

2005-09-11T02:06:00.000-07:00

Now that I'm more used to this blogging thing ... um, don't tell anyone I'm a scientist/engineer ... I've made the BIG leap to images and graphics.

This is just one part of paradise in my life ...

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOORE!

Light hits a stop sign

2005-09-11T02:00:00.000-07:00

Scientists have discovered how to stop light for at least a second. That's a very loooong time!

This discovery is crucial to the development of quantum computers!

There are more exciting discoveries and I recommend visiting PHYSORG.COM.

Nanostructure discovered with DNA-like shape

2005-09-11T01:41:00.000-07:00

A nanostructure with the helical configuration of DNA has been discovered that can replace sensors and other devices that require electromechanical couplings.

I think the similarity in the helical configuration of DNA is a coincidence, but who knows? Discoveries like this make me more skeptical of evloution on a macro-level. If man can do artificial selection, then why can't another intelligent species in the universe do the same thing?

Global Warming and Extra-Terrestrials

2005-09-11T00:25:00.000-07:00

Scientists have discovered increased presence of methane over the past 250 years and attribute it to human sources, in other words, Global Warming. Like other Global Warming studies, the evidence was found in a specific region, this time in the polar caps buried in ice. It doesn't mean that the evidence isn't true, it is. The problem is that it focuses on one area on the planet and can be misleading. Another example of Global Warming "facts" is that earlier studies were based on tree rings in one specific region of the US. At any rate, it is information that should be studied.

One other concern is that when scientists put their reputation behind a theory, it's not in their best interest when it's disproven. I'll wait and see how the climatolgoists and critics of Global Warming react to this.

But then, another scientific finding shows that ancient humans generated much more methane than previously expected.

The detection of methane may also provide direct proof of extra-terrestrial life on other planets, in this case, Mars.

I have to believe with all the billions of galaxies, stars and planets out there that there has to be extraterrestrial life out there. The odds against it are just too great. Why would that be big deal? We humans live on a rock. Why can't other species live on other rocks? Frankly, when compared to the universe, at least what we know of it, I view humanity's existence on earth in the universe -- multiverse -- analogous to a molecule on a grain of sand on earth. We have so much more to discover ... to learn.

Don't get me wrong, I don't buy any of the UFO crap. Too many times I've heard about guys who seem to spot UFOs out in the woods after a few too many beers.

Here's a link to the Planetary Society's SETI. You can participate in their program.

Negative Quantum Info: If I tell you, you will know less

2005-09-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

Here's an interesting explanation of Negative Quantum Information. One part of it indicates that by providing information, one knows less.

This doesn't quite go into the category of Schrodinger's Cat, but it's close. It's a lot of postulating, and as usual is possible, but it's a stretch.

Nanoparticles to prevent window fogging

2005-09-10T22:00:00.000-07:00

MIT scientists may have come up with nanoparticle that prevents fogging of windows.

h/t quantumBlog

Breakthrough in Quantum Computing

2005-09-07T00:04:00.000-07:00

It was announced on August 31, 2005 that Hitachi has developed a silicon-based device that can do quantum computing. This could be huge!

BTW, I've added a set of quantum links under the Science Blogs section on the left-hand side.

The Quantum Computer

2005-09-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Scientists are working on building the world's first quantum computer. The incredible speed at which computations can be done thanks to quantum properties of qubits.

This article starts from the basics and explains a qubit. From there, it explains the power of a quantum computer.

The power of the quantum computer takes advantage of qubits and can find solutions in one machine cycle, regardless of the number of qubits. This is incredible power! To find a solution on a 32 qubit quantum computer would take 1 machine cycle; to find a solution on your 32-bit PC the worst case is approximately 2.1 billion machine cycles.

As the number of the bits or qubits increases the computation just takes too long for a serial computer but the quantum computer still only takes one machine cycle!

Chief Justice Rhenquist has died

2005-09-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

Chief Justice Rhenquist has died. See lucianne.com.

Hurricane Katrina Slams into Gulf Coast

2005-08-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

Fox News is reporting that Hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast right at the Louisiana and Mississippi state-line with 145 mph winds. Up to 50 people have already been reported dead. The New Orleans Superdome sustained at least two holes in its domed roof. Billions of dollars of damage is expected.

Generating Energy from the Ocean

2005-08-27T12:56:00.000-07:00

Here's a an interesting research project to harness power from the oceans: Motion of the Ocean. It certainly feasible and more promising than other new energy approaches. It was included in a another article that talked about other energy sources besides oil: Thinking Beyond Oil.

I've always been intrigued by other energy generating ideas but I take a conservaitve view of it. I don't mean that politically, even though it coincides with the right, but I believe that we shouldn't rush to these other energy solutions until they makes sense. That means we will have to find and drill for more oil. To do otherwise would hurt our economy.

Michael Graham on KFI 640 Right Now!

2005-08-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

Michael Graham, who recently was fired from an ABC talk radio station, is on KFI 640 out of LA right now!

Chinese Military Buildup ... Scary

2005-08-24T23:09:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post about this for a while when I heard Bill Gertz talk about the substantial increase in the Chinese military buildup over the past few years.

Today's news about Chinese hack attacks directed at the US DOD was yet another reminder of China's military buildup.

The Washington Times not too long ago noted that the US had been surprised by the Chinese buildup.

TCS has a good article discussing Bill Gertz's findings. Also, a joint Chinese and Russian military exercise was viewed as a message to the US. In fact, visit Gertz's website to get more stories about the Chinese buildup.

US's Approach to Global Warming

2005-08-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

I certainly don't believe Global Warming is real but I admire President Bush's approach to the problem. The US in the past month signed on to the Asian-Pacific Climate Plan and it appears to be a much more realistic approach to Global Warming.

Tech Central Station has a couple of good articles on this pact: Game Set and Match, Leaving the Europeans Behind. Frankly, Tech Central Station is a treasure trove of good articles about science and politics.

American soldiers beaten in Seattle

2005-08-24T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is areally sad and sickening post on Michelle Malkin's blog. Two American soldiers who recently returned from Iraq were savagely beatened in Seattle.

Great News! Skin and Embryonic Stem Cells Fused

2005-08-23T10:20:00.000-07:00

Researchers announced that they have fused adult skin cells with embryonic stem cells. This could lead to the creation of embryonic stem cells without having to create and destroy human embryos.

h/t Atlas Shrugs

Enemies of the past counted on war protestors

2005-08-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

I've gotten tired of the phony anti-war movement lately ... and apparently so have a few others. I consider them phony because they only seem to come out in full force when the President is Republican. I also believe that these leftwingers demoralize the country and troops, thus, emboldening the enemy to fight longer and harder. This leads to more deaths on the battlefield. But, don't expect these arrogant war protestors to give up their RIGHT to protest just because soldiers are dying on the batteldfield. Their right is more important than the lives of the soldiers. I really don't know how much of this is due to ignorance and how much is due to arrogance.

Posted on Atlas Shrugs blog about John Kerry in the right-hand column: "The North Vietnamese general in charge of the military campaign that finally drove the U.S. out of South Vietnam in 1975 credited a group led by John Kerry with helping him achieve victory. Gen. Vo Nguyen Giap wrote that if it weren't for organizations like Kerry's Vietnam Veterans Against the War, Hanoi would have surrendered to the U.S."

Michelle Malkin's blog has a post, Amen Mr. Frum, that gets into depth about the Global War on Terrorism and the success of the anti-war movement that Vietnam counted on.

Anti-war protestors, the enemy is rooting for YOU.

US Army Exceeds Enlistment Goals - MSM Silent

2005-08-23T01:25:00.000-07:00

Even more good news! The Army is exceeding enlistment goals as the fiscal year ends. Even WWII needed a draft.

Patriotism is alive and well!

See if you can find this story in the MSM. Earlier in the year the MSM were ecstatic and couldn't stop reporting the enlistment numbers when they were lower than expected. What a shock.

Clive Cussler: One of My Favorite Authors

2005-08-22T23:57:00.002-07:00

I thought I might share a new science fiction author I recently discovered. He's been around a long time and actually will retire soon. His name is Clive Cussler.

He's written a series a books about a character named Dirk Pitt, a deep sea adventurer who is also involved in politics up to the presidential level. He's a different type of James Bond who is more laid back.

I highly recommend Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt stories. BTW, apparently some of his stories have another principal character, but this list should get you started.

What the Pope Really Said

2005-08-22T22:26:00.000-07:00

The Belmont Club has the text and analysis of what the Pope really said to the Muslims. They were concerned that his speech would be misinterpreted.

They were right. Here's Hugh Hewitt's take on LA Times pathetic reporting of the same event.

Worldwide Good News ... Shhh, Don't tell the MSM

2005-08-22T21:21:00.000-07:00

Michael Barone published a very uplifting article about how Muslim world is beginning to support Democracy more and the terrorists less. Can you believe it? Good news!

Well, I guarantee this will never make it on the MSM.

Global Warming: The Mother of All Junk Science?

2005-08-21T16:06:00.000-07:00

After reading BigDog's post about Global Warming (GW), I was inspired to look into it further. I've been following GW off and on and had decided a while back it was junk science, but sometimes even phony scientists stumble across a real solution. Sigh, no such luck to date.

First, it helps to look back and observe the politics, limitations and falsehoods within the scientific community, especially regarding GW.

Here is a book review of by S. Fred Singer of the book Betrayal of Science and Reason by Erlich. He also provides contaxt for other failed predictions by Erlich.

Next is a list of misuses in science provided by The Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP). Here are also some key issues identified by SEPP.

Here is a speech by Michael Crichton at CalTech about the many problems and failed predictions within the scientific comunity. Don't let the title fool you. He obviously has learned from his movie-making experience.

Patrick J. Michaels is one of my favorite GW skeptics. Take a look at his opinion pieces. I have yet to see a GW proponent dispute his analysis. My favorite is Half-Baked Alaska.

Here's a list of GW skeptics provided by the Environmental Defense organization. I found it ironic that ED finds it appalling that Exxon would fund these skeptics yet see no problem with other corporations funding their own efforts. No hypocrisy there, is there? Also, they also unwittingly make it easier for a GW skeptic to find with search engines. Thank you ED. Heh.

The TechCentralStation's Climate Change section has some good articles by Glassman and others. Take a look at GW Extremists on the Run by Glassman.

Sallie Baliunas who is at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics has suggested that solar variability as one of the main causes of GW: Warming Up to the Truth. She is also a Senior Scientist at the George C. Marshall Institute.

Here is New Scientist's Climate section. They are proponents of GW. Try to find any information that shows scienitific evidence linking human actiivity to GW.

The Sierra Club's Climate section likes to make many claims about GW and as well as doom and gloom predictions. Again, try to find any information that shows scienitific evidence linking human actiivity to GW.

The Earth Institute at Columbia University also believes the GW is for real. They think they have irrefutable proof that they have found the "smoking gun" regarding the greenhouse effect. Of course, no hard evidence tying humans to it. Even Hansen, a strong proponent of GW in his lecture of Dangerous Anthropogenic Interfernce, admits that when he reaches the dangerous anthropogenic interference says: "What constitutes dangerous anthropogenic interference with climate? Nobody knows for sure."

Huh? Hansen is a good example of bad science or concensus science. It would be hilarious if billions of dollars weren't wasted on such imbeciles. What's worse is, what if the GW proponents are on to something but their scientific hysteria has been so flawed and dishonest, that it takes longer for us to tackle real problems. His "evidence" goes against what the skeptics say are not true. You be the judge.

Recently, GW proponents think they have found a problem with the satellite data used by the skeptics. Up until then GW proponents could only rely on secondary evidence and computer models, not actual data. The GW proponents are excited because the sensor mountings caused the temperature readings to come in lower than they should have been. We shall see. Even if that is true, it doesn't change the relative temperature readings and that means that will have no effect on the GW claims.

Again, where is the irrefutable evidence that humans are responsible for GW? Where's the beef?

Case for Cosmic Strings Boosted

2005-08-20T15:04:00.000-07:00

In the New Scientist, the case for cosmic strings has just been boosted by the latest scientific developments. This may help confirm an extra dimension in our universe.

Intelligent Design

2005-08-20T13:37:00.000-07:00

Intelligent Design (ID) has become one of my favorite subjects. Intelligent Design is a theory that proposes that certain things in the universe and the origin of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause and not a random or natural cause.

President Bush suggested that he thought ID should be taught in the classrooms in addition to evolution. Of course, the hard-core evolutionists are objecting strongly as well as several in the scientific community. However, when considering the gaps and flaws in evolution as well as the fervent religous belief in evolution by its believers, I think it's time to make room for other ideas.

For example, one huge flaw in evolution is the Cambrian Explosion. Evolution cannot explain it. Also, the origin of life itself. Since evolution is the transformation from one state to the next, it by definition cannot explain the beginning of life.

Here are a few quotes:
Colin Patterson, British Museum of Natural History, "No one has ever produced a species by mechanisms of natural selection No one has ever gotten near it and most of the current argument in neo-Darwinism is about this question.", CLADISTICS, BBC, March 4, 1982

S. M. Stanley, Johns Hopkins U. "Once established, an average species of animal or plant will not change enough to be regarded as a new species, even after surviving for some-thing like a hundred thousand, or a million, or even ten million generations. .... Something tends to prevent the wholesale restructuring of a species, once it has become well established on earth."Johns Hopkins Magazine, p.6, June, 1982

STEPHEN J. GOULD, Harvard, "A mutation doesn't produce major new raw material. You don't make a new species by mutating the species. ....That's a common idea people have; that evolution is due to random mutations. A mutation is NOT the cause of evolutionary change." Lecture at Hobart and William Smith College

This last quote is interesting. Evolutionist groups love to use genetic algortihms -- uses computational mutation -- to create simulations for developing their theories. Some even think the simulations serve as evidence.

I've enjoyed vigorous debates with hard-core believers in evolution on Rightwingsparkle's blog in the past month. Check it out.

David Limbaugh recently joined the ID fray. I like his most recent article about how ANYONE should be able to contribute. ID is not exclusively reserved for scientists.
The Intelligent Design Bogeyman
Intelligent Design Revisited

Here is a paper that I believe created the new interest in ID: Intelligent Design: The Origin of Biological Information and the Higher Taxonomic Categories. BTW, the scientific society that published this paper later stated that it didn't meet "their high standards". This has been used to discredit the paper but actually it reflects poorly on the society itself. Was this due to politics or is this society not run very well? I think this society got scared and started making excuses.

Here's an exhaustive list of quotes that I found interesting.

Finally, when you debate evolution advocates, they will steer you to talkdesign.org. Take a look and see what you think.

I'm back!

2005-08-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

Between vacation, hectic days at work, and surfing other blogs, I've had little time to devote to my blog. Actually, I had so much fun reading other blogs, my desire to maintain this blog waned for a while.

I'm really impressed by some bloggers who can consistently and frequently write such lengthy and intelligent posts.

Thanks BigDog for the encouragement.

So, here we go ...

Supreme Court Justice O'Conner Retires

2005-07-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Conner resigned on July 1, 2005 after 24 years of service. She was the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court and, of course, was appointed by a Republican, Ronald Reagan.

Here is the text of her resignation ...
Dear President Bush:

This is to inform you of my decision to retire from my position as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States effective upon the nomination and confirmation of my successor. It has been a great privilege, indeed, to have served as a member of the court for 24 terms. I will leave it with enormous respect for the integrity of the court and its role under our constitutional structure.

Sincerely,

Sandra Day O'Connor

Interestingly, Wiliam Kristol predicted this 9 days earlier.

Townhall.com has a plethora of columns mostly singing her praises. I think Justice O'Conner served admirably, although, I wished she had been more conservative. See the SCOTUS blog for more information on Justice O'Conner.

Here are some possible replacements from RealClearPolitics.

I'm sure the Democrats will make this an ugly fight and twist as many rules as possible. It is to be expected that the Democrats will play as dirty as possible to stall whoever is nominated. I hope the Republicans finally give them what's coming to them.

Fred Barnes thinks the White House is ready this time.

Robert Novak expresses concern about one possible replacement, Gonzales. He also correctly characterizes the Democrats response as "nominate someone we like or you will have a bitter fight on your hands". No kidding, really? I'm confident Bush will nominate someone conservative and take it to the Democrats.

I find it ironic that Kennedy who killed a woman and dodged the legal process has a say about who is nominated. But that's just me.

Life just keeps getting better

2005-06-15T23:38:00.000-07:00

The PowerLine Blog has a couple of good 6/15 posts on how life keeps getting better for families:
Reflections on How Things Keep Getting Better
Leave it to Krugman

Not only has income risen for family in real dollars, but technology has vastly improved our lives in so many ways.

Most Earth-like Planet Yet is Discovered

2005-06-15T23:08:00.000-07:00

Most Earth-like exoplanet yet is discovered: The New Scientist reported the discovery of the planet that has the closest resemblance to Earth to date. The planet was observed from the Keck Observatory in Hawaii while observing the star Gliese 876.

I just can't believe that we are the only life in the Universe. Discoveries such as this I hope will lead to the discoveries of life similar to ours.

Are we better off than we think?

2005-06-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

Just got through reading a series of articles by one of my favorite columnists, Thomas Sowell. He's written 3 articles on the inappropriate labeling of the classes by Liberals:
Liberals and Class
Liberals and Class II
Liberals and Class III

As usual he really nails it.

Also, take a look at a 6/10/05 post, Healthier and Wealthier, on Kudlow's Money Politics Blog. It helps explain that we are much wealthier than recognized in media reports over the years. Even though savings accounts may be low, investments in real estate, stocks and bonds have made
many investors wealthier over the years.

Light Stopped in its Tracks

2005-06-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of advancements in fundamental science I came across today:
Researchers Stop Light in its Tracks
Cosmology Inconstant Constants

It's hard to believe that light to could be stopped, suspended. However light is a phenomenon that scientists have been trying to understand, especially the waves vs. particle behavior. It's just hard to believe that such progress has been made.

The inconstant constants is less surprising. Considering what we little we know of our universe, I believe many new discoveries will completely change life as we perceive it.

I am fascinated with quantum physics and quantum computers. I find these subjects difficult to understand unless I open my mind to things that don't seem possible. In fact, Dr. Feynmann said, essentially, that if you think youunderstand qunatum phenomena, then you don't.

Here's a link to New Scientist's Quantum section: Quantum World

Enjoy!

My first post

2005-06-12T00:41:00.000-07:00

For my first post, I wanted to lay out what the blog name means, what this blog will contain in general, and a little personal information. Keep in mind, life is one great adventure.

I feel very fortunate in the life I have led. I was born in Kansas, traveled all around the world and consider New Orleans my adopted hometown. My favorite place in the world is Sydney, Australia. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and I love Australians. I currently live in California. Because of my fortunate life experiences I wanted to name this blog "Golden Odyssey".

I will bring up political issues of the day, as well as scientific and engineering developments. I hope we as a society are on the brink of incredible discoveries.

Cheers!