October 2009 Archives

I learn something new every day, usually from people who are younger than I am and who haven't developed the jaded or cynical or hard-headed perspective that I have as an adult. This one comes from a couple of young folks I know. We'll start with my 23-y-o highly intelligent, Georgetown graduated, extremely idealistic, somewhat pretentious, annoyingly talented, raconteur nephew who writes regularly (lately at http://www.echoditto.com/blogs/bryn-bellomy) and introduced me to a new term. See wiki definition below...

One of the labels for Obama that gets thrown out regularly is the label of the "messiah." Personally, I find this term offensive because I personally believe there is only one messiah. That messiah died nearly 2000 years ago. However, what angers me the most is that this is yet another example of fake outrage from the right. They came up with the term messiah and then attributed it to the left. I don't know...

From a friend, a one man band in Italy.  Enjoy: Have a great Sunday....

A trip down Hypocrisy Lane. Remember Speaker Nancy Pelosi's trip to Damascus in April of 2007 to meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad?  President Bush called it "counterproductive" and Sen. Joe Lieberman said it was "bad for America." The right-wing blogosphere was throwing a tantrum. Hot Air called it "undermining our foreign policy." Sister Toldjah asked, "Can we question their patriotism now?" The headline at WorldNetDaily was "Terrorists Go Ga-Ga Over Pelosi's Trip." Jammie Wearing...

I was involved in the Young Astronauts Program, Space Camp, and other NASA-related outreach programs growing up.  Exploring space has always been my driving passion and I am fortunate to have had the support from my family and my teachers to pursue that dream.One of the reasons why I'm proud to be a part of the ISS National Laboratory Office team now is our education and outreach mission.  It's important to me to help inspire...

It's Friday and that means break time from the political battles for some music. By request, here's Jefferson Airplane (not Starship) for Carol, Somebody to Love:<br />Wilma wanted to hear something from Stevie Ray Vaughn, and considering our overnight weather, I thought Texas Flood might be appropriate:<br />In keeping with that theme, here's one of my personal favorites from the Temptations, I Wish It Would Rain:<br />Happy Friday, everyone. Hasta Manana. ...

As an educator and regular Joe, The Bell Curve by Richard Hernstein and Charles Murray has interested me (if you can use the term) because the book provides some pretty stark results and have also created some disturbing social science because of it. The authors themselves were fairly well-meaning as the back cover of their book makes it sounds. Read the following and see if you can see any problem with what they have said."Richard J....

Have you ever wondered why so many members of Congress are so reluctant to reform our health care system, so oblivious to the concerns of the American people, and so ready, willing and able to defend the status quo? It's because inside their Washington, D.C. cocoon, inside the world of the ruling elites, the health care system is all sunshine, lollipops, and rainbows. And guess what, it's all government-run and taxpayer subsidized. Consider this:"The plan...