Pollution everywhere

Last week, Russia’s derelict Cosmos 2251 satellite collided with the Iridium 33 communications satellite 490 miles above Siberia. The collision added hundreds of new pieces of debris to Earth orbit, further complicating an already complex constellation of objects orbiting the planet. We’ll check in on the after-effects of the collision, and talk about what the lingering debris from the crash means for future space missions. Teachers, find more information about using Science Friday as a classroom resource in the Kids’ Connection.

National Engineers Week

It’s National Engineers Week — we’ll check in on the celebration, and talk about how to encourage an interest in engineering among young women.

Currently only 20 percent of engineering undergraduates are women — and only ten percent of the engineering workforce is female. We’ll talk with Leslie Collins, executive director of the National Engineers Week Foundation, about the group’s ‘Introduce a Girl to Engineering’ event.

I am proud to have a daughter that graduated from Purdue as a BSChE.  She does not really know yet what she has accomplished.  The future lays in engineering, science and technocrats so here you go Jess.   Engineering has led me through my career to all corners of the Earth – what else could you ask for – being well paid for having fun.

Petawatt Laser (10 to the 15th power)

100’s Protest Global Warming

America or China: freedom of speech

Is this really United States of America?  The place so many people have died to protect freedom of speech and civil liberties.

An Oakland, California, pastor could face jail time for expressing his pro-life views.

Pastor Walter Hoye ran into trouble with an abortion clinic while doing an informational picket. Dennis Howard, leader of The Movement for a Better America, believes Hoye is innocent.
�
“His approach was simply to carry a sign that said ‘Jesus Loves You. Can We Help?’ and offering those who wanted it some information about alternatives to abortion,” Howard explains.

I have a hard time believing what is happening here for the past 20 years.  I guess I am partly to blame (as all normal people are) for not protesting earlier but we thought we were doing the right thing.  Now I think we are back to doing the wrong thing.  The pure decadance of it all.

BHO – A middle of the road moderate?

LA Times

By Peter Wallsten
February 16, 2009

Reporting from Washington — Slowly over the last few weeks, some of Barack Obama’s most fervent supporters have come to an unhappy realization: The candidate who they thought was squarely on their side in policy fights is now a president who needs cajoling and persuading.

Advocates for stem cell research thought Obama would quickly sign an order to reverse former President Bush’s restrictions on the science. Now they are fretting over Obama’s statement that he wants to act in tandem with Congress, possibly causing a delay.

Saugatuck Yacht Service

We were at the boat today and staying the evening in Saugatuck.  I am very tired right now.  We did everything we wanted to accomplish today.  I am feeling old.  It is supposed to snow tonight and tomorrow – about 2 inches.  I’ll try to write more tomorrow when I have more energy.

The sailboat season nears

The marina called to day and cut me a deal I could not refuse for this years slip.  We were planning to move to a new area further north on Michigan’s west coast but this deal allows me to be lazy and once again spend the summer in the splendid harbor at Saugatuck.  John D of Tower Marine told me that the river is one foot above the water level of last year and promised that if I hit bottom again this year they would have a backhoe on a barge come and dig me a little slot for the boat to ride in.  With this in mind, we kicked inot second gear and are going to the boat tomorrow to charge batteries, install repaired dodger, VC17 the bottom below the water line and polish the gelcoat above the water line.  I have a bunch more tasks to do also.

I have CNG from last year so we will eat on-board for lunch and possibly for dinner since my allergies preclude eating eggs and anything soy.   Hopefully, I can fire up the electric heater and keep the cabin warmer that the heated storage temperature of 45 degrees.  This will allow a comfortable siesta after dinner/lunch.

I am taking my notebook to keep in touch with the world and may get a chance to snap some good photos of the winter Lake Michigan beach scenes.  Tomorrow promises a good sunset and I miss those terribly.

Mediacom arrived -finally

The Mediacom tech final came but not before the supervisor called and tried to find out if the tech was really necessary.  I told him about all the barrel connectors in series and he said he would be out in 10 minutes but it really was about an hour.  The tech replaced all the coax and I now have a pretty coil of nice bright orange laying in the yard.  The figures on the modem query look excellent.

Folly or Beneficial: HSUS position paper

Be ready for much higher meat prices!  The farmers will have to substantially change current practices. Humane chicken killing? What do we do with all those horses that are a danger to the riding public? Answer – the old fashion 12 gauge I guess. Final consensus – does the President have more pressing issues than taking taxpaying farmers, hunters and consumers rights away?There were some good elements in this document. Apply some of these in a recession and you will have a lot more unemployed. I DID NOT WANT TO SEE THIS DOCUMENT. It makes me even more afraid for the future.