OK, now what has developed into the closest of the three NE congressional races, at least according to some polls. Former state legislator Adrian Smith of Gering is running against Yale graduate Scott Kleeb (no idea where he residing?) for the open seat formerly held by Dr. Tom Osborne.
This race is interesting on many levels, not just because the seat was open, but that the amount of interest it has garnered from out-of-state interests. Smith has been endorsed by Club for Growth, an pro-economic growth, anti-tax and spending organization. Since it has become a campaign issue in this race, I'll note for the record I can find no mention of CFG claiming to be for the elimination of farm subsidies. What I have seen is criticism is that subsidies aren't going to small farmers but large corporate farms, and suggestions that thre system should be reformed, not eliminated, with a cap on how much can be received by any single recipient. See USAToday article here.
Liberal web groups like Ameriblog and ActBlue, as well as major Democrats like Senators John Kerry, (former Sen) Bob Kerry, Sen. Ken Salazar, Sen. Tim Johnson and Clinton polical operative Craig Smith, have donated to or supported Kleeb. (hat tips to Leavenworth Street and the newly discovered Heartland Notebook for discovering the machinary behind Kleeb's campaign).
(Bias alert: I am a CFG member - one of 36,000 nationwide. Declared organizational goals - Making the Bush tax cuts permanent,Death tax repeal,Cutting and limiting government spending, Social Security reform with personal retirement accounts,Expanding free trade, Legal reform to end abusive lawsuits, Replacing the current tax code, School choice, Regulatory reform and deregulation).
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
1st District - Fortenberry
Link is to Fortenberry's Campaign Website.
So where does Fort stand on the issues? Here's his list of issues he feels is important, the site has "overarching" themes with a couple of subpoints under each, I'll just go down the list.
National Security - he talks here not just about maintaining a strong military, but also International Relations, maintaining and creating civil societies and human rights. He's on the Congressional IR committee. He also mentions border security here, along with employer enforcement, expediting LEGAL immigration, and using foreign policy to mitigate the reasons for economic migration. Wow. This is the most mature, responsible commentary I've seen yet form any candidate on these issues. I'm very impressed.
Economic Opportunity - Taxes - He believes taxes should be "simple, reasonable, and moderate." He's against the estate tax, voted against tax increases, and supports the line-itme veto on spending measures. He links tax relief to economic growth. Sounds like my kind of guy so far. Ag - supports free trade, voted for CAFTA and ethanol, and limiting subsidies, and also serves on the Ag Committee.
Small business - serves on the House Small Business Committee as well, and frecognized that small business is responsible for both job growth and economic growth.Introduced legislation expanding small business lending and health saving accounts. This is all petty good stuff from where I sit.
Environment and Energy - Re-emphasizes support for renewables, voted for the energy bill, and links energy development to agriculture. He has voted to allow new oil refineries.
Healthcare - proponent of reform using information technology and HSA's.
Social/Cultural Issues - He's pro-life, pro-Second amendment, and supports conservative judges. Voted to prevent suits against gun manufacturers.
This is the most impressive candidate I've seen yet as far as the issues goes. I wish he would state in more detail his ideas on simplifying the tax code. I am terribly impressed he mentions diplomacy and human rights, Republican candidates don't often mention these in campaign literature. OnTheIssues defines him as a libertarian conservative.
So where does Fort stand on the issues? Here's his list of issues he feels is important, the site has "overarching" themes with a couple of subpoints under each, I'll just go down the list.
National Security - he talks here not just about maintaining a strong military, but also International Relations, maintaining and creating civil societies and human rights. He's on the Congressional IR committee. He also mentions border security here, along with employer enforcement, expediting LEGAL immigration, and using foreign policy to mitigate the reasons for economic migration. Wow. This is the most mature, responsible commentary I've seen yet form any candidate on these issues. I'm very impressed.
Economic Opportunity - Taxes - He believes taxes should be "simple, reasonable, and moderate." He's against the estate tax, voted against tax increases, and supports the line-itme veto on spending measures. He links tax relief to economic growth. Sounds like my kind of guy so far. Ag - supports free trade, voted for CAFTA and ethanol, and limiting subsidies, and also serves on the Ag Committee.
Small business - serves on the House Small Business Committee as well, and frecognized that small business is responsible for both job growth and economic growth.Introduced legislation expanding small business lending and health saving accounts. This is all petty good stuff from where I sit.
Environment and Energy - Re-emphasizes support for renewables, voted for the energy bill, and links energy development to agriculture. He has voted to allow new oil refineries.
Healthcare - proponent of reform using information technology and HSA's.
Social/Cultural Issues - He's pro-life, pro-Second amendment, and supports conservative judges. Voted to prevent suits against gun manufacturers.
This is the most impressive candidate I've seen yet as far as the issues goes. I wish he would state in more detail his ideas on simplifying the tax code. I am terribly impressed he mentions diplomacy and human rights, Republican candidates don't often mention these in campaign literature. OnTheIssues defines him as a libertarian conservative.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Science - Hubble To be Repaired in 2007
Oustanding news. NASA has decided to give the go-ahead with a Hubble Telescope repair mission next year between ISS construction missions. The mission could feature as many as five spacewalks by astronauts, and extend the telescope's mission to 2013, when a new space observatory, the James Webb, will be launched.
"Astronomers hope the decision means Hubble could still be in operation by 2013 when NASA’s next great observatory — the James Webb Space Telescope — is slated to fly. Hubble’s visible and ultraviolet observations will not be duplicated by JWST, which will scan primarily in the infrared wavelengths, researchers said."
Astronauts will install a new camera, replace batteries and insulation, as well as replace two critical gyroscopes and a guidance sensor, and boost the satellite's orbit using the shuttle's engines.
"Astronomers hope the decision means Hubble could still be in operation by 2013 when NASA’s next great observatory — the James Webb Space Telescope — is slated to fly. Hubble’s visible and ultraviolet observations will not be duplicated by JWST, which will scan primarily in the infrared wavelengths, researchers said."
Astronauts will install a new camera, replace batteries and insulation, as well as replace two critical gyroscopes and a guidance sensor, and boost the satellite's orbit using the shuttle's engines.
1st District - Moul
This is going to be more tough than I thought. I didn't think it would be possible to have a candidate website with less information than Esch's but I was wrong. Moul has exactly 5 issues she is running on. Healthcare, Education, National Debt, and Agriculture/Rural Development. Link above is to her website.
Nothing on Iraq, Foreign policy, taxes, immigration, gun control, social security, abortion, judges, or energy. Nada. Zip. Simply amazing. The website pressroom is all about Fortenberry's links to lobbyists and other Republicans, nothing about Moul's position on anything.
On healthcare wants to "expand access", but HOW is never explained, and crticizes the Medicare prescription plan, but doesn't say if she want to scrap it or reform it somehow. On Education, she want to reform No Child Left Behind, which is sensible, but not how, other than give more $$ to school districts, and wants to make higher ed more affordable - OK, again, how?
National Debt - she is once again incredibly short on specifics here, but does mention balanced budgets, tax reform, eliminating "wasteful government spending" and "inadequate investments on programs such as the the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit", which sounds like she doesn't think we are spending enough on that program, which she says "rewards big drug companies at taxpayer's expense." I'm missing the consistency here. Again, nice rhetoric, but what do you plan to do?
Rural Development & Ag - should be the centerpeice of her campaign, but again lacking much substance. Criticizes Fortenberry for voting with Tom DeLay and lobbyists against farmers and businesses, but no specific examples. Says Congress cut rural development money while "tax cuts for the rich" were implemented, but I thought taxes were cut on EVERYONE. Also apparently supports subsidies for small farmers, which is great, but what about putting ceilings on them, since they disproportionately go to corporate farm interests? No ideas here again.
Umm, I guess she has a TV ad saying to secure the border and crack down on employers, and criticized the Bush administration on desiring to grant amnesty, but that would mis-characterize his postion to some degree and certainly wouldn't characterize the House bill that Fortenberry voted for. I also seem to remember something written about Moul being pro-choice, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
I'll examine Fortenbery's positions tomorrow, and hopefully get to the 3rd District as well, with a look at the governor's race and some of the other local races later in the week.
Nothing on Iraq, Foreign policy, taxes, immigration, gun control, social security, abortion, judges, or energy. Nada. Zip. Simply amazing. The website pressroom is all about Fortenberry's links to lobbyists and other Republicans, nothing about Moul's position on anything.
On healthcare wants to "expand access", but HOW is never explained, and crticizes the Medicare prescription plan, but doesn't say if she want to scrap it or reform it somehow. On Education, she want to reform No Child Left Behind, which is sensible, but not how, other than give more $$ to school districts, and wants to make higher ed more affordable - OK, again, how?
National Debt - she is once again incredibly short on specifics here, but does mention balanced budgets, tax reform, eliminating "wasteful government spending" and "inadequate investments on programs such as the the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit", which sounds like she doesn't think we are spending enough on that program, which she says "rewards big drug companies at taxpayer's expense." I'm missing the consistency here. Again, nice rhetoric, but what do you plan to do?
Rural Development & Ag - should be the centerpeice of her campaign, but again lacking much substance. Criticizes Fortenberry for voting with Tom DeLay and lobbyists against farmers and businesses, but no specific examples. Says Congress cut rural development money while "tax cuts for the rich" were implemented, but I thought taxes were cut on EVERYONE. Also apparently supports subsidies for small farmers, which is great, but what about putting ceilings on them, since they disproportionately go to corporate farm interests? No ideas here again.
Umm, I guess she has a TV ad saying to secure the border and crack down on employers, and criticized the Bush administration on desiring to grant amnesty, but that would mis-characterize his postion to some degree and certainly wouldn't characterize the House bill that Fortenberry voted for. I also seem to remember something written about Moul being pro-choice, someone correct me if I'm wrong.
I'll examine Fortenbery's positions tomorrow, and hopefully get to the 3rd District as well, with a look at the governor's race and some of the other local races later in the week.
2nd District Race: Terry vs Esch
I'm going to start here in the Omaha district and head west over the rest of the week, examining candidates positions and my take on them. As far as this race is concerned, I don't know much about Esch other than every bus stop in town has a bench with his name on it. It's a little hard to find info on the Democratic candidate's positions other than his website, and what is there is pretty much a small blurb. No real substantive views other than on a couple of topics.
Abortion - again, not a big issue for me, philosophically opposed to it myself, and both candidates here agree. Terry has a 0% NARAL rating, which indicates a pretty conservative rating. Esch is consistently pro-life, anti-euthanasia and anti-death penalty, but seems to quibble a bit on stem cell research.
Nothing here for me to base a decison on.
Immigration - fairly big gap here between the candidates. Terry supports stronger border enforcement (no mention of a fence) and a guest worker program, but no path to citizenship. Eisch mentions Employer enforcement, guest workers, AND a path to legalization to "long-term undocumented workers". I'm not sure I agree with either candidates positions on this subject. I support more LEGAL immigration, a fence and stronger border enforcement, think guest worker programs are hooey and believe that while it's unfortunate, we have to be pragmatic and give a path to eventual citizenship. But the road should be long, hard, and they should go to the back of the line for being here illegally. Nothing here really either.
Iraq - Terry supports the current course of assisting the Iraqi government stablize the nation and then withdraw over an undefined period based on success on the ground. Esch demands a "definition of victory" (not clear what he means)and a more immediate withdrawal, although he isn't terribly clear here either. Strong advantage Terry on this one; casualties, while horrible, happen in war, and are low by historical standards. Cutting and runnning isn't an option with the lives of 25 million Iraqis at stake.
Healthcare - Terry supports Health Savings Accounts, business group insurance and on using Federal court rules on malpractice suits, but not limiting the awards (this raises the bar for getting into court vs. state courts, but not the amount a litigant can be awarded.) Esch wants to nationalize healthcare. Ouch. What a stupid idea. Strong advantage Terry here, although I'm not with him 100%.
Spending/Taxes - Terry is pro-earmark reform (although he never did answer my questions about earmarks I asked a couple months ago), and to his credit, has voted against the "throw everything against the wall" omnibus bills that get passed at the end of sessions. Esch really shows his ignorance here - He's for a balanced budget (nice idea, but do you do if there's a recession?), also for earmark reform, and has some ideas about modernizing and streamlining government, but doesn't say how that would be accomplished. Tie more or less as far as I'm concerned here, maybe advantage Terry for voting to cut taxes. Esch doesn't mention taxes ANYWHERE on his site.
Social Security - Terry is for reforming the system to include private accounts. Esch is against them, but for "saving social security" - by raising the limit on social security taxes to $140k and some other indeterminate things. Definite advantage Terry here.
Energy - Terry is on the House Energy Committee, and has pushed hard on hydrogen, ethanol, as well as domestic drilling and refining. Esch mostly has a wish list of renewables and conservation and is calling for an Apollo-style program on them. I find Terry's approach of drilling while you do research on alternatives a lot more realistic.
Education - alot of feel-good rhetoric from both candidates here, nothing really to distinguish the two. More $$ for teachers, higher ed., etc.
Environment - not much here from either candidate again, Esch seems to believe Al Gore about warming, Terry wants to drill (safely) in the AWR. Slight advantage Terry here in at least being realistic.
Trade/Foreign Policy - Terry is definitely a free trader, having voted for a number of such bi-lateral agreements. Nothing on Esch at all on either on foreign policy except some stuff on talking to N. Korea, which we're already doing with our allies in the region along with China and Russia. Definite advantage Terry for being a grown-up and not ignoring the issues.
Guns/2nd Amendment - both candidate support 2nd Amendment rights, so nothing here to really distinguish the two.
Military - Esch point out his father is Vietnam vet and lost a leg and we should support our vets. Nothing of substance here for him. In contrast Terry has voted to increase vet funding, as well as military pay and family benefits for active and reserve forces. Terry has a definite advantage here for me as well.
To conclude, I think Esch has some nice ideas, but is young, a little naive, and probably unprepared to be a US Congressman. Terry is the incumbent, with all the advantages that confers, and seems to have a far better grasp of the issues than Esch does today. Terry reflects my view on most issues far more than Esch, although I also have disagreements with Terry on specific subjects. OnTheIssues defines Terry as a Libertarian-leaning Conservative. Make up your own mind.
Abortion - again, not a big issue for me, philosophically opposed to it myself, and both candidates here agree. Terry has a 0% NARAL rating, which indicates a pretty conservative rating. Esch is consistently pro-life, anti-euthanasia and anti-death penalty, but seems to quibble a bit on stem cell research.
Nothing here for me to base a decison on.
Immigration - fairly big gap here between the candidates. Terry supports stronger border enforcement (no mention of a fence) and a guest worker program, but no path to citizenship. Eisch mentions Employer enforcement, guest workers, AND a path to legalization to "long-term undocumented workers". I'm not sure I agree with either candidates positions on this subject. I support more LEGAL immigration, a fence and stronger border enforcement, think guest worker programs are hooey and believe that while it's unfortunate, we have to be pragmatic and give a path to eventual citizenship. But the road should be long, hard, and they should go to the back of the line for being here illegally. Nothing here really either.
Iraq - Terry supports the current course of assisting the Iraqi government stablize the nation and then withdraw over an undefined period based on success on the ground. Esch demands a "definition of victory" (not clear what he means)and a more immediate withdrawal, although he isn't terribly clear here either. Strong advantage Terry on this one; casualties, while horrible, happen in war, and are low by historical standards. Cutting and runnning isn't an option with the lives of 25 million Iraqis at stake.
Healthcare - Terry supports Health Savings Accounts, business group insurance and on using Federal court rules on malpractice suits, but not limiting the awards (this raises the bar for getting into court vs. state courts, but not the amount a litigant can be awarded.) Esch wants to nationalize healthcare. Ouch. What a stupid idea. Strong advantage Terry here, although I'm not with him 100%.
Spending/Taxes - Terry is pro-earmark reform (although he never did answer my questions about earmarks I asked a couple months ago), and to his credit, has voted against the "throw everything against the wall" omnibus bills that get passed at the end of sessions. Esch really shows his ignorance here - He's for a balanced budget (nice idea, but do you do if there's a recession?), also for earmark reform, and has some ideas about modernizing and streamlining government, but doesn't say how that would be accomplished. Tie more or less as far as I'm concerned here, maybe advantage Terry for voting to cut taxes. Esch doesn't mention taxes ANYWHERE on his site.
Social Security - Terry is for reforming the system to include private accounts. Esch is against them, but for "saving social security" - by raising the limit on social security taxes to $140k and some other indeterminate things. Definite advantage Terry here.
Energy - Terry is on the House Energy Committee, and has pushed hard on hydrogen, ethanol, as well as domestic drilling and refining. Esch mostly has a wish list of renewables and conservation and is calling for an Apollo-style program on them. I find Terry's approach of drilling while you do research on alternatives a lot more realistic.
Education - alot of feel-good rhetoric from both candidates here, nothing really to distinguish the two. More $$ for teachers, higher ed., etc.
Environment - not much here from either candidate again, Esch seems to believe Al Gore about warming, Terry wants to drill (safely) in the AWR. Slight advantage Terry here in at least being realistic.
Trade/Foreign Policy - Terry is definitely a free trader, having voted for a number of such bi-lateral agreements. Nothing on Esch at all on either on foreign policy except some stuff on talking to N. Korea, which we're already doing with our allies in the region along with China and Russia. Definite advantage Terry for being a grown-up and not ignoring the issues.
Guns/2nd Amendment - both candidate support 2nd Amendment rights, so nothing here to really distinguish the two.
Military - Esch point out his father is Vietnam vet and lost a leg and we should support our vets. Nothing of substance here for him. In contrast Terry has voted to increase vet funding, as well as military pay and family benefits for active and reserve forces. Terry has a definite advantage here for me as well.
To conclude, I think Esch has some nice ideas, but is young, a little naive, and probably unprepared to be a US Congressman. Terry is the incumbent, with all the advantages that confers, and seems to have a far better grasp of the issues than Esch does today. Terry reflects my view on most issues far more than Esch, although I also have disagreements with Terry on specific subjects. OnTheIssues defines Terry as a Libertarian-leaning Conservative. Make up your own mind.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Senate Race
Senate Race Issues -- click on the candidates name and get a host of issue related info instead of crappy TV ads attacking the other guy.
I'll analyze where they & I stand. I don't like either guy too well, but I do want to look at where they stand on the issues.
Immigration -- Nelson and Ricketts both against amnesty, pro-border enforcement, I agree.
Iraq -- Nelson and Ricketts both agree that no timetable should be set, but benchmarks for progress should be defined. Agree with both here as well.
Energy -- both candidates are for developing energy alternatives to oil, but Ricketts is also a proponent of domestic drilling even in the AWR. Have to give major points to Pete on that one, Nelson has voted against AWR drilling repeatedly.
Trade -- both candidates are for free and open trade, nothing to argue with here.
Military -- both candidates support a strong miltary and vets. Good to go here also.
Education -- Nelson opposes vouchers, Ricketts is for them. Advantage Ricketts.
Legal System -- Both support malpractice reform & the death penalty, and are against legal activism. Nelson voted for the President's SC picks, but mixed record at lower levels. Tie again, possible advantage to Pete.
Taxes -- Nelson has supported the President's tax cuts, but Pete wants not only to make them permanent, but wants to look at the entire tax structure. Advantage Pete again.
Spending -- both talk a good game here, but Ben voted against a $40 billion spending reduction last Dec., and has had a some questionable business relationships. Ricketts wants not only to reduce spending, but go to a 2 year budget. Another advantage Pete.
Abortion/Stem cells/etc --Not a big issue for me, Ricketts is strongly pro-life, and Nelson appears to vote that way as well.
Social Security -- Nelson is against private accounts, Pete is for them, big advantage Pete.
Guns -- Nelson has NRA support, but appears to have a mixed record, opposed a bill that would absolve manufacturers from lawsuits. Ricketts supports 2nd amendment and concealed carry. Advantage Pete, again.
Healthcare -- again, not a big personal issue, but Nelson has voted against limiting lawsuits (contrasting a statement under legal system reform), and bulk drug purchases. Ricketts is for Health Savings Accounts and limiting lawsuits, again advantage Ricketts.
Environment -- Nelson voted to confirm Secretary Norton, and seems to have some flexibility on the issues of EPA mandates. No Ricketts policy stance available, so advantage Nelson.
Pete appears to reflect where I stand on issues quite a bit more, and on some important issues. What I do like is his stance on the budget and spending, as well as tax reform. I wish he would say more about foreign policy, which is a pretty big issue with me as well, but unfortunately, he's been pretty silent on that one.
Social Security accounts are also a big plus for Pete, and the domestic drilling issue is a big kicker for me too. Personally, I wish he'd stay more on issues in his ads and draw more of a compare contrast with Nelson.
I'll analyze where they & I stand. I don't like either guy too well, but I do want to look at where they stand on the issues.
Immigration -- Nelson and Ricketts both against amnesty, pro-border enforcement, I agree.
Iraq -- Nelson and Ricketts both agree that no timetable should be set, but benchmarks for progress should be defined. Agree with both here as well.
Energy -- both candidates are for developing energy alternatives to oil, but Ricketts is also a proponent of domestic drilling even in the AWR. Have to give major points to Pete on that one, Nelson has voted against AWR drilling repeatedly.
Trade -- both candidates are for free and open trade, nothing to argue with here.
Military -- both candidates support a strong miltary and vets. Good to go here also.
Education -- Nelson opposes vouchers, Ricketts is for them. Advantage Ricketts.
Legal System -- Both support malpractice reform & the death penalty, and are against legal activism. Nelson voted for the President's SC picks, but mixed record at lower levels. Tie again, possible advantage to Pete.
Taxes -- Nelson has supported the President's tax cuts, but Pete wants not only to make them permanent, but wants to look at the entire tax structure. Advantage Pete again.
Spending -- both talk a good game here, but Ben voted against a $40 billion spending reduction last Dec., and has had a some questionable business relationships. Ricketts wants not only to reduce spending, but go to a 2 year budget. Another advantage Pete.
Abortion/Stem cells/etc --Not a big issue for me, Ricketts is strongly pro-life, and Nelson appears to vote that way as well.
Social Security -- Nelson is against private accounts, Pete is for them, big advantage Pete.
Guns -- Nelson has NRA support, but appears to have a mixed record, opposed a bill that would absolve manufacturers from lawsuits. Ricketts supports 2nd amendment and concealed carry. Advantage Pete, again.
Healthcare -- again, not a big personal issue, but Nelson has voted against limiting lawsuits (contrasting a statement under legal system reform), and bulk drug purchases. Ricketts is for Health Savings Accounts and limiting lawsuits, again advantage Ricketts.
Environment -- Nelson voted to confirm Secretary Norton, and seems to have some flexibility on the issues of EPA mandates. No Ricketts policy stance available, so advantage Nelson.
Pete appears to reflect where I stand on issues quite a bit more, and on some important issues. What I do like is his stance on the budget and spending, as well as tax reform. I wish he would say more about foreign policy, which is a pretty big issue with me as well, but unfortunately, he's been pretty silent on that one.
Social Security accounts are also a big plus for Pete, and the domestic drilling issue is a big kicker for me too. Personally, I wish he'd stay more on issues in his ads and draw more of a compare contrast with Nelson.
Friday, October 27, 2006
Huskers vs Okie St.
Preview via CBS's Sportsline.
OK, I'm finally over the disappointment from last week.
What do we have here? Two high octane offenses (2nd & 3rd in Big 12 in scoring)tangle with alot riding on the game for NU. Fortunately, OSU hasn't really stopped anyone all season, giving up over 340 yds/game, 144 on the ground and almost 200 through the air. Zac to Mo Purify, anyone?
My guess is BC goes back to "pound the rock" and tries to keep OSU QB Bobby Reid and his stable of fleet WRs off the field. Hopefully, the return of Steve Octaivan can help shake loose our DE's and we can get good pressure on Reid. Blackshirt secondary will have its hands full with league leading receiver Anthony Bowman. Huskers are leading the league in scoring defense (14.5 pts/game), and doing pretty well in controlling the running game (102/game)so hopefully they can make them one-dimensional & keep them out of the endzone. FEARLESS PREDICTION: NU 35, OSU 24.
OK, I'm finally over the disappointment from last week.
What do we have here? Two high octane offenses (2nd & 3rd in Big 12 in scoring)tangle with alot riding on the game for NU. Fortunately, OSU hasn't really stopped anyone all season, giving up over 340 yds/game, 144 on the ground and almost 200 through the air. Zac to Mo Purify, anyone?
My guess is BC goes back to "pound the rock" and tries to keep OSU QB Bobby Reid and his stable of fleet WRs off the field. Hopefully, the return of Steve Octaivan can help shake loose our DE's and we can get good pressure on Reid. Blackshirt secondary will have its hands full with league leading receiver Anthony Bowman. Huskers are leading the league in scoring defense (14.5 pts/game), and doing pretty well in controlling the running game (102/game)so hopefully they can make them one-dimensional & keep them out of the endzone. FEARLESS PREDICTION: NU 35, OSU 24.
Baseball World Series
Foxsports.
I realized the other day I had not congratulated the Tiggers and the Redbirds on reaching the World Series. Redbirds hold a commanding 3-1 lead as of tonight. Jeff Weaver attempts to give the Cards their first WS ring since Whitey Herzog's base stealing racetrack Cards of 1982, weather permitting. Grandpa, who was a big Cards fan from the days of Dizzy & Stan the Man, must be pretty happy up in heaven.
EDIT: St Louis wins the series!
I realized the other day I had not congratulated the Tiggers and the Redbirds on reaching the World Series. Redbirds hold a commanding 3-1 lead as of tonight. Jeff Weaver attempts to give the Cards their first WS ring since Whitey Herzog's base stealing racetrack Cards of 1982, weather permitting. Grandpa, who was a big Cards fan from the days of Dizzy & Stan the Man, must be pretty happy up in heaven.
EDIT: St Louis wins the series!
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Science - Ancient Cultures
The remains of what might have been a corral for horses has been found in Khazakhistan, where the Boltoi culture existed from 4 to almost 6 thousand years ago.
"From 3600 to 2300 B.C., the Botai culture lived in the steppe environment of Kazakhstan, where temperatures can reach subzero during winters. Domesticated horses could have weathered the deep chill, allowing the Botai people to stay put all-year round."
While it was known that the Boltoi hunted horses, it was not clear that they had domesticated horses, although it is not thought they were not the first to do so - that privelige appears to belong the Samarra culture (related to the Kurgan/Proto Indo-European hypthosis) of the current day Ukraine, but the timelines appear to be pretty close and the info here at Wiki isn't very clear, although they do lede some credence to either the Botai or the Sredny Stog culture. Interesting archaeological conundrum here.
"From 3600 to 2300 B.C., the Botai culture lived in the steppe environment of Kazakhstan, where temperatures can reach subzero during winters. Domesticated horses could have weathered the deep chill, allowing the Botai people to stay put all-year round."
While it was known that the Boltoi hunted horses, it was not clear that they had domesticated horses, although it is not thought they were not the first to do so - that privelige appears to belong the Samarra culture (related to the Kurgan/Proto Indo-European hypthosis) of the current day Ukraine, but the timelines appear to be pretty close and the info here at Wiki isn't very clear, although they do lede some credence to either the Botai or the Sredny Stog culture. Interesting archaeological conundrum here.
Armored Paintball
via the London Daily Mail. (I think)
This is so effin' cool I can't believe it.
English paintball farm escalates the fun into armored paintball warfare.
"15 years ago, Stuart Garner decided to try out an extra source of revenue on his family farm's 250 acres. He opened a conventional paintball site in one of the woods, but kept thinking up ways of improving it.
So, he bought an old tactical missile launcher (without a missile) to replicate landing craft assaults on dry land. That went down a treat, so he bought a couple of armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to liven things up even more.
Then, he had another idea. If the general public found it so much fun playing infantry games, maybe they would like to try out a spot of armoured activity, too. How about tank paintball?
It took a few years to perfect. Stuart eventually, found just what he needed at an ex-military vehicle sale. During the Seventies, the Army used an APC called an FV432. A handful were also built with turrets and a nasty 30mm Rarden gun.
Stuart had the guns removed and contacted Jez Smith, 26-year-old local engineer and serial inventor, to make the biggest paintball gun ever seen. Their chosen ammunition, fired by compressed air, would be paint-filled ping-pong balls."
I think I may need to get to the state department of economic development - tomorrow.
Hattip to the gang at Wizbang!
This is so effin' cool I can't believe it.
English paintball farm escalates the fun into armored paintball warfare.
"15 years ago, Stuart Garner decided to try out an extra source of revenue on his family farm's 250 acres. He opened a conventional paintball site in one of the woods, but kept thinking up ways of improving it.
So, he bought an old tactical missile launcher (without a missile) to replicate landing craft assaults on dry land. That went down a treat, so he bought a couple of armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to liven things up even more.
Then, he had another idea. If the general public found it so much fun playing infantry games, maybe they would like to try out a spot of armoured activity, too. How about tank paintball?
It took a few years to perfect. Stuart eventually, found just what he needed at an ex-military vehicle sale. During the Seventies, the Army used an APC called an FV432. A handful were also built with turrets and a nasty 30mm Rarden gun.
Stuart had the guns removed and contacted Jez Smith, 26-year-old local engineer and serial inventor, to make the biggest paintball gun ever seen. Their chosen ammunition, fired by compressed air, would be paint-filled ping-pong balls."
I think I may need to get to the state department of economic development - tomorrow.
Hattip to the gang at Wizbang!
2nd District Debate: Terry vs Esch
Leavenworth Street is once again ALL over it. While poking a bit of fun at both candidates, Esch apparently got smacked around some, and then some more. And then Terry hurt him.
Also, out in the Third District, Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb gets a little exposure. While Kleeb is criticizing Adrian Smith for taking Club for Growth money,Kleeb is getting his cash from John Kerry and uber-lefty website Americablog. Very interesting, isn't it. Excellent takedown, again. I really need to meet this Leavenworth guy, he's good.
Also, out in the Third District, Democratic candidate Scott Kleeb gets a little exposure. While Kleeb is criticizing Adrian Smith for taking Club for Growth money,Kleeb is getting his cash from John Kerry and uber-lefty website Americablog. Very interesting, isn't it. Excellent takedown, again. I really need to meet this Leavenworth guy, he's good.
Citizen Activist Chris Lileks
via The American Spectator.
Great story of a young citizen who has had a dramatic impact on politics in Pennsylvania. Not only did he help to overturn a legislative "midnight" payraise, he got two of the top Republican legislators voted out of office in the primary election for passing it in the first place.
He is now working feverishly to help shore up Senator Rick Santorum's campaign against former State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. By starting his own 527 lobbying group. If he's half as successful with this campaign as his last, Casey may be in trouble.
Great story of a young citizen who has had a dramatic impact on politics in Pennsylvania. Not only did he help to overturn a legislative "midnight" payraise, he got two of the top Republican legislators voted out of office in the primary election for passing it in the first place.
He is now working feverishly to help shore up Senator Rick Santorum's campaign against former State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. By starting his own 527 lobbying group. If he's half as successful with this campaign as his last, Casey may be in trouble.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Husker-UT
No link, just a few comments. Nebraska showed that it can hang with a pretty good team, and probably would have won had another of Texas's several fumbles gone our way or one or another of our turnovers not happened. The second half showed why it is important to mix things up better, we were a little tentative in the first half in the passing game. Coach C had a stroke of genius calling the halfback pass. I didn't like the way NU mismanaged the clock while UT was driving to go ahead. Great catch and run by Brandon Jackson.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
College Football
Several surprises this week, particularly with #15 Iowa losing to Indiana and #16 Georgia losing to Vandy. #11 Auburn also upset 2nd rated Florida, and BC manhandled #22 Va Tech. One story from the not-so-surprising department, a number U of Miami (FL) thugs (players) are being suspended due to a onfield brawl with neighboring school Florida International. Both schools had numerous players involved and suspensions are being handed out all over.
In the Big 12, Missouri's loss to Texas A & M puts Nebraska momentarily in the North division driver's seat, although Texas comes to Lincoln next week. ISU loses to OU, UT thrashes Baylor, Okie St comes from behind with 42 second half points on Kansas, and the lowly Buffalos avoid a school reocrd 11th loss in a row in upsetting Texas Tech. UT and NU are the only teams now without a conference loss.
In the Big 10, OSU and Michigan continue to stay undefeated, Wisconsin thrashes Minnesota, Purdue thumps Northwestern, and Frank Solich's Ohio Bobcats continue their upset tradition edging out Illinois in a non-conference game.
New AP poll has OSU and UM 1 and 2, the USA poll has USC number 2 instead. UT is #5, with the Huskers moving up to 17 and 16 after a bunch of SEC/Big East/Pac-10 teams. OU is at 20 in both, Mizzou stays in only the AP at 24, A & M is at 23 and 25. Big-10's Badgers are are at 21 and 22, & BC returns to the polls as well for the ACC whose only other rated team is Clemson at #12.
In the Big 12, Missouri's loss to Texas A & M puts Nebraska momentarily in the North division driver's seat, although Texas comes to Lincoln next week. ISU loses to OU, UT thrashes Baylor, Okie St comes from behind with 42 second half points on Kansas, and the lowly Buffalos avoid a school reocrd 11th loss in a row in upsetting Texas Tech. UT and NU are the only teams now without a conference loss.
In the Big 10, OSU and Michigan continue to stay undefeated, Wisconsin thrashes Minnesota, Purdue thumps Northwestern, and Frank Solich's Ohio Bobcats continue their upset tradition edging out Illinois in a non-conference game.
New AP poll has OSU and UM 1 and 2, the USA poll has USC number 2 instead. UT is #5, with the Huskers moving up to 17 and 16 after a bunch of SEC/Big East/Pac-10 teams. OU is at 20 in both, Mizzou stays in only the AP at 24, A & M is at 23 and 25. Big-10's Badgers are are at 21 and 22, & BC returns to the polls as well for the ACC whose only other rated team is Clemson at #12.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Neolithic Revolution
More Friday NG science stuff -- and the kind of thing I have a particular interest in, namely, the beginnings of civilization.
DNA tracing done recently on goats show that they may be among the oldest domesticated species on the planet, perhaps as far back as 11-12,000 years. Originating near the Caucasus mountain range, the goat went global with people as they migrated from the early farming regions in the Near East west into Europe and east into Asia. The diversity of goat DNA is much lower than other domesticated livestock, indicating far more travel and interbreeding -- almost as mixed as humans themselves.
"DNA analysis of 7,000-year-old goat bones from caves in Baume d'Oullen in southwestern France revealed high genetic diversity and two goat lineages stemming from the Near East. The researchers say that this indicates genetic mixing in goats occurred with the first waves of Neolithic farmers in Europe around 7,500 years ago.
Goats would have been ideally suited companions for frontier farmers in Stone Age Europe, the researchers say, being hardy animals that can survive on minimal food, cope with extremes of temperature, and travel long distances."
Goats would have provided food, clothing, milk as well as bone and sinew for Stone Age equipment, and dung for fuel and fertilzer. As goat herding led to farming and more permanent settlement, farmers would go on to domesticate other local livestock such as cattle, sheep and pigs.
DNA tracing done recently on goats show that they may be among the oldest domesticated species on the planet, perhaps as far back as 11-12,000 years. Originating near the Caucasus mountain range, the goat went global with people as they migrated from the early farming regions in the Near East west into Europe and east into Asia. The diversity of goat DNA is much lower than other domesticated livestock, indicating far more travel and interbreeding -- almost as mixed as humans themselves.
"DNA analysis of 7,000-year-old goat bones from caves in Baume d'Oullen in southwestern France revealed high genetic diversity and two goat lineages stemming from the Near East. The researchers say that this indicates genetic mixing in goats occurred with the first waves of Neolithic farmers in Europe around 7,500 years ago.
Goats would have been ideally suited companions for frontier farmers in Stone Age Europe, the researchers say, being hardy animals that can survive on minimal food, cope with extremes of temperature, and travel long distances."
Goats would have provided food, clothing, milk as well as bone and sinew for Stone Age equipment, and dung for fuel and fertilzer. As goat herding led to farming and more permanent settlement, farmers would go on to domesticate other local livestock such as cattle, sheep and pigs.
Huskers vs K St.
I see this game as a bellweather for the season. If the same team shows up that played ISU, we should be fine, but some consistency would be nice to see. If the team that played Kansas shows up, we are in trouble, particularly next week and later in the season. This SHOULD go onto the books as win number 800 for the program. We haven't won in Manhatten in a decade, and it's about time to start again.
If we can run the ball effectively, we will probably win the game, but it might be a tall order as the Wildcats rank ahead of the Blackshirts defensively, at least on paper. Of course, our D had to play USC, and had a huge letdown against KU as well. But we do have alot more offensive firepower than they do, and have been getting on teams early, outscoring opponents 62-7 in the first quarter. Taylor may have to mix it up and throw early to open up the ground game, but he can certainly do that.
"The Cornhuskers have the Big 12's top scoring offense at 39.7 points per game. They lead the conference and rank among the top 10 teams in the nation in rushing with 210.7 yards per game and total offense with 463.8."
Defensively, we need to stop their run game and pressure KSU's frosh QB, and we should be able to do just that, although the KU game is a stark reminder that we need to play all four quarters. Special teams could be huge this week, KU has a fine return man and starting RB in Patton. We shouldn't need to play dime defense this week, focus on stopping Patton and containing QB Freeman. KSU O-line is huge, but they are only averaging 116 yds/game, hard to figure.
I'm saying NU wins on the road, 31-14.
We have Texas next week in Lincoln, hopefully no one is looking ahead. I'm not.
If we can run the ball effectively, we will probably win the game, but it might be a tall order as the Wildcats rank ahead of the Blackshirts defensively, at least on paper. Of course, our D had to play USC, and had a huge letdown against KU as well. But we do have alot more offensive firepower than they do, and have been getting on teams early, outscoring opponents 62-7 in the first quarter. Taylor may have to mix it up and throw early to open up the ground game, but he can certainly do that.
"The Cornhuskers have the Big 12's top scoring offense at 39.7 points per game. They lead the conference and rank among the top 10 teams in the nation in rushing with 210.7 yards per game and total offense with 463.8."
Defensively, we need to stop their run game and pressure KSU's frosh QB, and we should be able to do just that, although the KU game is a stark reminder that we need to play all four quarters. Special teams could be huge this week, KU has a fine return man and starting RB in Patton. We shouldn't need to play dime defense this week, focus on stopping Patton and containing QB Freeman. KSU O-line is huge, but they are only averaging 116 yds/game, hard to figure.
I'm saying NU wins on the road, 31-14.
We have Texas next week in Lincoln, hopefully no one is looking ahead. I'm not.
Science - Ancient Giant Camels
via National Geographic.
Giant camel fossil, twice the size of modern species at nearly 12 feet, discovered in Syria. The find extends the history of the species back more than 90,000 years. Modern camels are thought to have been domesticated in Arabia around 6-7,000 years ago. Perhaps as significant is that human bones and tools were also found in the area, suggesting that early humans may have hunted the giant dromedary.
"Hunter-gatherers likely attacked and killed the giant camel when it visited one of these springs to drink, the researchers suggest."
Gotta hand it to those cave-men, they loved barbeque so much they were willing to take on giant camels and mammoths just to get a taste.
Giant camel fossil, twice the size of modern species at nearly 12 feet, discovered in Syria. The find extends the history of the species back more than 90,000 years. Modern camels are thought to have been domesticated in Arabia around 6-7,000 years ago. Perhaps as significant is that human bones and tools were also found in the area, suggesting that early humans may have hunted the giant dromedary.
"Hunter-gatherers likely attacked and killed the giant camel when it visited one of these springs to drink, the researchers suggest."
Gotta hand it to those cave-men, they loved barbeque so much they were willing to take on giant camels and mammoths just to get a taste.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Husker LB Kadavy
via Sports Illustrated.
Amazing story of a Husker walk-on LB Andy Kadavy, who is blind in one eye. Cut once as a FB during the Solich era, he caught on again as LB on the scout team with Bo Pellini's help after never giving up on himself. Coach Callahan rewarded the young man with a scholarship for his senior season after he had previously worked himself through school. Kadavy is a standout on the Husker special teams. Despite rumors to the contrary, the walk-on program is still very much alive at NU, with Kadavy and his good friend safety Brandon Rigoni being the current poster boys. Andy intends to teach elementary school after graduation.
Amazing story of a Husker walk-on LB Andy Kadavy, who is blind in one eye. Cut once as a FB during the Solich era, he caught on again as LB on the scout team with Bo Pellini's help after never giving up on himself. Coach Callahan rewarded the young man with a scholarship for his senior season after he had previously worked himself through school. Kadavy is a standout on the Husker special teams. Despite rumors to the contrary, the walk-on program is still very much alive at NU, with Kadavy and his good friend safety Brandon Rigoni being the current poster boys. Andy intends to teach elementary school after graduation.
Science - Ice Age
via Yahoo/Reuters.
Apparently new evidence has been uncovered in recent sediment cores that the Bering Land Bridge, widely thought to have allowed a land passage from Asia to North America during the Earth's last Ice Age, flooded about a millenia before previously thought, around 11,000 years ago. This leads further credence to the idea that Native Americans migrated further back in time than was once thought as well, perhaps as far back as 18,000 years if some finds I've read about can be proven.
"For decades most scientists believed that the first people to settle in the Americas were the Clovis people, and that they came via the Bering land bridge between 11,000 and 12,000 years ago. But recent evidence has suggested that humans came much earlier."
One of the interesting theories is that people not only migrated via the land bridge, but also along the coast in small boats. There is certainly evidence of boats before that time in South Asia and elsewhere. Naturally, the best places to look for evidence of such coastal migrations on America's west coast are now under water as the Ice Age glaciers melted, raising the world's sea levels.
Apparently new evidence has been uncovered in recent sediment cores that the Bering Land Bridge, widely thought to have allowed a land passage from Asia to North America during the Earth's last Ice Age, flooded about a millenia before previously thought, around 11,000 years ago. This leads further credence to the idea that Native Americans migrated further back in time than was once thought as well, perhaps as far back as 18,000 years if some finds I've read about can be proven.
"For decades most scientists believed that the first people to settle in the Americas were the Clovis people, and that they came via the Bering land bridge between 11,000 and 12,000 years ago. But recent evidence has suggested that humans came much earlier."
One of the interesting theories is that people not only migrated via the land bridge, but also along the coast in small boats. There is certainly evidence of boats before that time in South Asia and elsewhere. Naturally, the best places to look for evidence of such coastal migrations on America's west coast are now under water as the Ice Age glaciers melted, raising the world's sea levels.
North Korea
via Foxnews.
The US is attempting to bridge the gap between the sanctions being pushed by Japan (which unilaterally imposed a ban on N. korean shipping from docking at Japanese ports, among other things) and the "unspecified consequences" being proposed by the Chinese, who have the most leverage over the North. China is sending an envoy to the US to discuss the matter.
"Chinese officials have refused to say publicly what consequences they believe North Korea should face for its claimed nuclear test, although its U.N. ambassador, Wang Guangya, agreed earlier this week that the Security Council must impose "punitive actions."
The latest US proposals would drop the embargo conditions being pressed by the Japanese, but freeze some N. Korean assets and ban travel for some of its citizens.
However, the N. Koreans continue to threaten both the US and Japan if sanctions are imposed. The US is hoping to get the Chinese and the Russians on board with its proposals while maintaining the intense concern being expressed by the Japanese.
"The North will consider increased U.S. pressure "a declaration of war," RI Kong Son, vice spokesman for North Korea's Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with AP Television News in Pyongyang. He said North Korea would take unspecified "physical countermeasures. Song Il Ho, a North Korean envoy to Japan, gave a similar warning to Tokyo. "We will take strong countermeasures," he told Kyoto News Agency."
China appears to be pushing the North to admit going nuclear is a mistake and hopefully disarming, while at the same time attempting to prevent the international community from "punishing" the North. Hard to determine what the ultimate Chinese goals are, but they are legendarily obtuse in diplomatic circles. The North is demanding one-on-one talks with the US, which are wisely being refused in favor of a multi-lateral approach with the North's neighbors. It is still unclear, however, that the explosion/seismic event was, in fact, nuclear as both South Korea and Japan can find no signs of additional radioactivity in the atmosphere.
The US is attempting to bridge the gap between the sanctions being pushed by Japan (which unilaterally imposed a ban on N. korean shipping from docking at Japanese ports, among other things) and the "unspecified consequences" being proposed by the Chinese, who have the most leverage over the North. China is sending an envoy to the US to discuss the matter.
"Chinese officials have refused to say publicly what consequences they believe North Korea should face for its claimed nuclear test, although its U.N. ambassador, Wang Guangya, agreed earlier this week that the Security Council must impose "punitive actions."
The latest US proposals would drop the embargo conditions being pressed by the Japanese, but freeze some N. Korean assets and ban travel for some of its citizens.
However, the N. Koreans continue to threaten both the US and Japan if sanctions are imposed. The US is hoping to get the Chinese and the Russians on board with its proposals while maintaining the intense concern being expressed by the Japanese.
"The North will consider increased U.S. pressure "a declaration of war," RI Kong Son, vice spokesman for North Korea's Foreign Ministry, said in an interview with AP Television News in Pyongyang. He said North Korea would take unspecified "physical countermeasures. Song Il Ho, a North Korean envoy to Japan, gave a similar warning to Tokyo. "We will take strong countermeasures," he told Kyoto News Agency."
China appears to be pushing the North to admit going nuclear is a mistake and hopefully disarming, while at the same time attempting to prevent the international community from "punishing" the North. Hard to determine what the ultimate Chinese goals are, but they are legendarily obtuse in diplomatic circles. The North is demanding one-on-one talks with the US, which are wisely being refused in favor of a multi-lateral approach with the North's neighbors. It is still unclear, however, that the explosion/seismic event was, in fact, nuclear as both South Korea and Japan can find no signs of additional radioactivity in the atmosphere.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Yankees Offseason
Apparently the Boss has decided to stay with Joe Torre as Yankee manager, a wise decision I fully endorse. I've also seen reports that GM Brian Cashman has no intention of trading Alex Rodriguez, although it was confirmed that teams did approach the Yanks to inquire about his availability before the trade deadline last summer. Cashman's job has to be to find some pitching over the winter. There is speculation the Gary Sheffield may not be back next year, not sure what his contract situation is yet, I want to say it's an option year. I'd like to see a top shelf free agent starting pitcher landed, and maybe this guy from Japan, and perahps a couple of middle inning guys for sure.
Monday, October 09, 2006
Cosmology -- Shape of the Universe
Space.com
Long-overdue science post.
I've never even heard of this Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, and I'm about as robustly geeky as you can find. Anyhow, Italian scientists think that the universe is actually elliptical, rather than spherical, which explains certain ambiguities in background cosmic microwave radiation. Naturally, this solution causes even more questions, like how the universe became elliptical, than it solves. The thinking is magnetic fields, or cosmic strings are causing the shape to warp slightly, by about 1% -- but in something as big as the universe, that's alot.
But hey, this WMAP probe has been a bonanza of coolness since it's launch in 2001. Check out some of the findings here:
"So far data from this probe has helped nail down some of the most important details about the universe. This includes the age of the universe since the Big Bang, at 13.7 billion years; the time when the first atoms formed, at 380,000 years after the Big Bang; and how much of the universe is made of either ordinary matter or the mysteries known as dark matter and dark energy, at roughly 5, 25 and 70 percent, respectively."
Talk about good bang for your buck, this is what NASA should be about. Interesting that it sits at the L2 Lagrange point outside Earth's orbit. I'd love to know what this puppy cost, but whatever the price, it was definitely worth it for the top 2 scientific findings of 2003, among others.
Long-overdue science post.
I've never even heard of this Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe, and I'm about as robustly geeky as you can find. Anyhow, Italian scientists think that the universe is actually elliptical, rather than spherical, which explains certain ambiguities in background cosmic microwave radiation. Naturally, this solution causes even more questions, like how the universe became elliptical, than it solves. The thinking is magnetic fields, or cosmic strings are causing the shape to warp slightly, by about 1% -- but in something as big as the universe, that's alot.
But hey, this WMAP probe has been a bonanza of coolness since it's launch in 2001. Check out some of the findings here:
"So far data from this probe has helped nail down some of the most important details about the universe. This includes the age of the universe since the Big Bang, at 13.7 billion years; the time when the first atoms formed, at 380,000 years after the Big Bang; and how much of the universe is made of either ordinary matter or the mysteries known as dark matter and dark energy, at roughly 5, 25 and 70 percent, respectively."
Talk about good bang for your buck, this is what NASA should be about. Interesting that it sits at the L2 Lagrange point outside Earth's orbit. I'd love to know what this puppy cost, but whatever the price, it was definitely worth it for the top 2 scientific findings of 2003, among others.
Hydrogen Cars, and their Impact
Pittsburgh paper via RCP.
Great article on the progress being made on hydrogen vehicles. BMW, GM, and Ford all either have vehicles coming to market or will in the next few years. With no emissions and no oil being consumed, the impacts on the Middle East could be immense.
"Given the competitive drive within capitalism to be first with the best, it's a safe bet that the pace of development of the aforementioned technologies will become only more rapid. Equally predictable is the negative impact on the economies of the Islamic Middle East......One might say we've ended up with two worlds. On the one side, BMW engineers. On the other, suicide bombers. On the one side, scientific advances, reason and individual liberty. On the other, never-ending grievances and boundless victimhood, a downward spiral of rage, self-righteousness, envy and self-pity."
Outstanding point, and one in which many would be wise to take heed.
The article also goes on to quotes Dr. Lewis referring to a World Bank study indicating that the entire Arab world's total exports of non-oil products is less than Finland, a nation of only 5 million citizens. And if we don't need their oil, there really isn't much reason to have anything to do with them, is there?
Great article on the progress being made on hydrogen vehicles. BMW, GM, and Ford all either have vehicles coming to market or will in the next few years. With no emissions and no oil being consumed, the impacts on the Middle East could be immense.
"Given the competitive drive within capitalism to be first with the best, it's a safe bet that the pace of development of the aforementioned technologies will become only more rapid. Equally predictable is the negative impact on the economies of the Islamic Middle East......One might say we've ended up with two worlds. On the one side, BMW engineers. On the other, suicide bombers. On the one side, scientific advances, reason and individual liberty. On the other, never-ending grievances and boundless victimhood, a downward spiral of rage, self-righteousness, envy and self-pity."
Outstanding point, and one in which many would be wise to take heed.
The article also goes on to quotes Dr. Lewis referring to a World Bank study indicating that the entire Arab world's total exports of non-oil products is less than Finland, a nation of only 5 million citizens. And if we don't need their oil, there really isn't much reason to have anything to do with them, is there?
Federal Deficit
Congressional Budget Office, or CBO, estimates the 2006 budget deficit at $250 billion, far better than expected a year ago, and lower than projected over the summer as well. Corporate tax revenues contributed heavily to the decrease. Of course the fact we are also at war also has something to do with the deficit.
"The Congressional Budget Office's latest estimate is $10 billion below CBO predictions issued in August and well below a July White House prediction of $296 billion. The improving deficit picture — Bush predicted a $423 billion deficit in his February budget — has been driven by better-than-expected tax receipts, especially from corporate profits, CBO said. The 2005 deficit registered $318 billion; the record $413 billion deficit was posted in 2004. At $250 billion, it would be the lowest since the $158 billion figure in 2002, the first deficit following four years of surpluses."
Of course, if you look at the deficit as a percentage of the economy, it looks even better than that. Fox even points it out, although they don't give numbers - which today, is around 65% (Total Debt as a percentage of the economy, or just under 2% for the year if looking at the $250 billion)
"when measured against the size of the economy, which is the comparison economists think is most important, the deficit picture looks even better."
Maybe the message from this guy is getting out. He had a good post on a politician, running for Senate in North Dakota, that appears to have learned the lesson.
"The Congressional Budget Office's latest estimate is $10 billion below CBO predictions issued in August and well below a July White House prediction of $296 billion. The improving deficit picture — Bush predicted a $423 billion deficit in his February budget — has been driven by better-than-expected tax receipts, especially from corporate profits, CBO said. The 2005 deficit registered $318 billion; the record $413 billion deficit was posted in 2004. At $250 billion, it would be the lowest since the $158 billion figure in 2002, the first deficit following four years of surpluses."
Of course, if you look at the deficit as a percentage of the economy, it looks even better than that. Fox even points it out, although they don't give numbers - which today, is around 65% (Total Debt as a percentage of the economy, or just under 2% for the year if looking at the $250 billion)
"when measured against the size of the economy, which is the comparison economists think is most important, the deficit picture looks even better."
Maybe the message from this guy is getting out. He had a good post on a politician, running for Senate in North Dakota, that appears to have learned the lesson.
UN Secretary-General
via Foxnews.
The only one of six candidates to survive a UN Security Council veto, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon appears poised to take over on Jan. 1 if approved by the UN General Assembly.
"On Monday afternoon, Ban's dream took another step forward when he cemented his position to succeed Annan, becoming the only one of six candidates to escape a veto in an informal U.N. Security Council ballot while securing 14 votes in favor. "It is quite clear that from today's straw poll that Minister Ban Ki-Moon is the candidate that the Security Council will recommend to the General Assembly,"China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya said."
Ban is a life-long diplomat, has served in India, Austria, the US and UN for his country. He has been S. Korea's FM since 2004. He is described as thoughtful, quiet and soft-spoken, a "natural" diplomat. He would take over the post from controversial Kofi Annan, whose term expires Dec. 31.
It will be a great relief to finally be rid of "oil-for-food" Annan for the US and the West in general. Ban met JFK travelling in the US as a student, and coming from S. Korea, is likely to be far more friendly to the US and its interests. He has been heavily involved with the negotiations with neighboring North Korea over its nuclear program, which appears active with a test firing this weekend. The US Geological Survey detected a magnitude 4 tremor thought to be the test.
The only one of six candidates to survive a UN Security Council veto, South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon appears poised to take over on Jan. 1 if approved by the UN General Assembly.
"On Monday afternoon, Ban's dream took another step forward when he cemented his position to succeed Annan, becoming the only one of six candidates to escape a veto in an informal U.N. Security Council ballot while securing 14 votes in favor. "It is quite clear that from today's straw poll that Minister Ban Ki-Moon is the candidate that the Security Council will recommend to the General Assembly,"China's U.N. Ambassador Wang Guangya said."
Ban is a life-long diplomat, has served in India, Austria, the US and UN for his country. He has been S. Korea's FM since 2004. He is described as thoughtful, quiet and soft-spoken, a "natural" diplomat. He would take over the post from controversial Kofi Annan, whose term expires Dec. 31.
It will be a great relief to finally be rid of "oil-for-food" Annan for the US and the West in general. Ban met JFK travelling in the US as a student, and coming from S. Korea, is likely to be far more friendly to the US and its interests. He has been heavily involved with the negotiations with neighboring North Korea over its nuclear program, which appears active with a test firing this weekend. The US Geological Survey detected a magnitude 4 tremor thought to be the test.
Yankees bounced by Detroit, Torre in Trouble
Yanks fall to Detroit, with a major power outage from the All-Star lineup in the three losses. The Boss is said to be unhappy, and rightly so -- but Torre isn't the reason the Yanks lost, it was the pitching. Apparently Lou is being considered, but they'd better move fast if they really want him, he's already had talks to four teams with openings. Pitching is the issue. Unit isn't the dominator he once was, and Moose is pretty long in the tooth as well. Jared Wright and Carl Pavano are absolutley not the answer either. Some are also calling for A-Rod to be moved, I think that is stupid as well, although he can't hit his weight in the playoffs. I'm not sure who is available, but they need to get younger and better on the staff. Barry Zito, anyone? When the Yanks were winning they had both pitching and hitting, and recently they've gone back to the late 80's all-bat, no pitch lineup that got them nowhere.
Elsewhere, the Tiggers go to the Bay on Tuesday, and the Cards go to the Stupid Mets on Wednesday. Go Cards.
Elsewhere, the Tiggers go to the Bay on Tuesday, and the Cards go to the Stupid Mets on Wednesday. Go Cards.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Huskers defeat ISU 28-14
Well, what to say? The offense rolled with a heavy dose of Cody Glenn (148 yds, 2 TDS) and Brandon Jackson (116 yds, 1 TD), Taylor was efficient (17-21 for 131 and a TD), and Maurice Purify made the biggest play of the game as time was running out in the first half to give the Huskers a 21-7 lead and some additional momentum. NU controlled the game throughout. Big win for the Big Red, who have definitely had their problems on the road in the Callahan era. It was the first time they have beaten the Clones at their house since 2000.
The Blackshirts showed up to play, holding ISU to 53 yds rushing, with Steve Hicks held to 21 yds and Meyer to 26 on the ground. Meyer passed for 262 on 18 of 39, but had pressure put on him at key times that forced him into several bad plays. NU held on the Clones fake FG attempt and twice held on fourth down in the second half. Coach Coz also introduced Safety Andrew Shanle to the fun of blitzing. They also put in a dime package (about time!) which included frosh Ricky Thenarse and junior Byran Wilson. ISU did have a blown call against them that would have given them a TD in the second half. ISU got a meaningless TD with time expiring to make it look closer than it was.
The Blackshirts showed up to play, holding ISU to 53 yds rushing, with Steve Hicks held to 21 yds and Meyer to 26 on the ground. Meyer passed for 262 on 18 of 39, but had pressure put on him at key times that forced him into several bad plays. NU held on the Clones fake FG attempt and twice held on fourth down in the second half. Coach Coz also introduced Safety Andrew Shanle to the fun of blitzing. They also put in a dime package (about time!) which included frosh Ricky Thenarse and junior Byran Wilson. ISU did have a blown call against them that would have given them a TD in the second half. ISU got a meaningless TD with time expiring to make it look closer than it was.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Iranian prince speaks in Omaha
Reza Pahlavi, the son of the former Shah, spoke in Omaha at the UNO campus. He is advocating a more active US foreign policy against the current Iranian government, but believes an invasion would not be in anyone's best interest. Have to agree with him on that score.
"Pahlavi said he does not support a U.S. invasion because it would only inflame anti-American sentiment and Iranian nationalist pride. Instead, he envisions a democratic revolution from within Iran supported by U.S. economic might. The world's superpower can prompt this revolution by attempting to speak directly to the Iranian people using radio, TV and the Internet, he said. It can also make life difficult for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by imposing targeted sanctions geared to hurt the ruling class but not common Iranians, he said."
I also have to agree that making life difficult for the Iranian government is in our interest, and should be a high priority. He also appears to believe that many of our problems in Iraq are due to Iranian interference. That alone is reason enough to ratchet up the heat on Ahmadinejad. I have to wonder if Pahlavi was in NY when the Iranian President went to the UN. A picture of them meeting on the street would be......priceless.
"Pahlavi said he does not support a U.S. invasion because it would only inflame anti-American sentiment and Iranian nationalist pride. Instead, he envisions a democratic revolution from within Iran supported by U.S. economic might. The world's superpower can prompt this revolution by attempting to speak directly to the Iranian people using radio, TV and the Internet, he said. It can also make life difficult for President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad by imposing targeted sanctions geared to hurt the ruling class but not common Iranians, he said."
I also have to agree that making life difficult for the Iranian government is in our interest, and should be a high priority. He also appears to believe that many of our problems in Iraq are due to Iranian interference. That alone is reason enough to ratchet up the heat on Ahmadinejad. I have to wonder if Pahlavi was in NY when the Iranian President went to the UN. A picture of them meeting on the street would be......priceless.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Dow Hits all-Time High--Again
Reuters.
"U.S. stocks climbed on Wednesday, driving the Dow to an all-time high for a second day, as data showing a weaker-than-expected services sector reaffirmed views the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged."
Strong growth, strong profits, low unemployment, low inflation.
Oil is now under $59/barrel, likely heading lower as drving season and EPA-mandated
summer reformulation goes away.
"U.S. stocks climbed on Wednesday, driving the Dow to an all-time high for a second day, as data showing a weaker-than-expected services sector reaffirmed views the Federal Reserve will keep interest rates unchanged."
Strong growth, strong profits, low unemployment, low inflation.
Oil is now under $59/barrel, likely heading lower as drving season and EPA-mandated
summer reformulation goes away.
1st District House Race
Moul-Fortenberry debate in Norfolk discusses in the LJS.
Not much on substance, although (surprise!) Moul apparently has some strange notion that there is no plan on the Iraq situation. Moron. What part of "turn over areas to Iraqi army control and withdraw from said areas" don't you understand? Currently 6 Iraqi divisions and 26 brigades command their areas and 2 Iraqi provinces have been turned over to Iraqi civilian control.
“President Bush and my opponent believe that empty rhetoric like ‘Stay the course’ are enough to win this war,” said Moul, responding to a question about Iraq.“We need to establish clear goals ... to make sure (the troops) can get the job done.”Moul said Congress should consider setting a timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq, adding: “Only when we complete our mission can we come home.” That last quote, Fortenberry fired back, is directly contradictory to establishing a timetable. Furthermore, he said, such a timetable would result in “absolute chaos” in the Middle East.“It is not a coincidence that since 9/11, our country has remained free from attack,” he said. “There’s progress being made, though it’s proceeded slowly.”
Fortunberry should have blasted her on this, but he's way ahead. Setting a timetable is pathetically stupid, as well as naive in the extreme -- just a good way to lose. She's also against any border fencing, which should be a no brainer for anyone not in the amnesty crowd. And to think I considered this woman a serious candidate. She's been nearly invisible, and has idiotic feel good ideas to boot.
Not much on substance, although (surprise!) Moul apparently has some strange notion that there is no plan on the Iraq situation. Moron. What part of "turn over areas to Iraqi army control and withdraw from said areas" don't you understand? Currently 6 Iraqi divisions and 26 brigades command their areas and 2 Iraqi provinces have been turned over to Iraqi civilian control.
“President Bush and my opponent believe that empty rhetoric like ‘Stay the course’ are enough to win this war,” said Moul, responding to a question about Iraq.“We need to establish clear goals ... to make sure (the troops) can get the job done.”Moul said Congress should consider setting a timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq, adding: “Only when we complete our mission can we come home.” That last quote, Fortenberry fired back, is directly contradictory to establishing a timetable. Furthermore, he said, such a timetable would result in “absolute chaos” in the Middle East.“It is not a coincidence that since 9/11, our country has remained free from attack,” he said. “There’s progress being made, though it’s proceeded slowly.”
Fortunberry should have blasted her on this, but he's way ahead. Setting a timetable is pathetically stupid, as well as naive in the extreme -- just a good way to lose. She's also against any border fencing, which should be a no brainer for anyone not in the amnesty crowd. And to think I considered this woman a serious candidate. She's been nearly invisible, and has idiotic feel good ideas to boot.
Monday, October 02, 2006
Big 12 Football Report
Standings via ESPN.
Well, what do we know so far? The Big 12 isn't very good, being 0-10 against ranked teams, including 0-7 from the North. However, everyone in the conference except Baylor and Colorado do have winning records....against pretty weak competition. Mizzou, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech are probably the teams most likely to win the conference, with Texas likely to win it all.
Obviously, no one knows whether Mizzou or Nebraska are for real since neither have won a game against anyone of note, but they both get good tests this week on the road against Tech and Iowa St., who could put themsleves in play for the North with a win, although they follow with OU and Tech. Ouch. North front-runners both travel the following week as well, MU to A & M and NU to K St., so we'll know a lot more then.
In the South, the Red River shootout will likely to decide things as usual. OU gets ISU at home the following week, with UT at home vs. Baylor. Tech survived a close one against A & M last week, will test MU and then goes to the woeful Buffalos. A & M goes to KU this week, might be interesting to see if the Jayhawks continue to improve.
Well, what do we know so far? The Big 12 isn't very good, being 0-10 against ranked teams, including 0-7 from the North. However, everyone in the conference except Baylor and Colorado do have winning records....against pretty weak competition. Mizzou, Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech are probably the teams most likely to win the conference, with Texas likely to win it all.
Obviously, no one knows whether Mizzou or Nebraska are for real since neither have won a game against anyone of note, but they both get good tests this week on the road against Tech and Iowa St., who could put themsleves in play for the North with a win, although they follow with OU and Tech. Ouch. North front-runners both travel the following week as well, MU to A & M and NU to K St., so we'll know a lot more then.
In the South, the Red River shootout will likely to decide things as usual. OU gets ISU at home the following week, with UT at home vs. Baylor. Tech survived a close one against A & M last week, will test MU and then goes to the woeful Buffalos. A & M goes to KU this week, might be interesting to see if the Jayhawks continue to improve.
Baseball Standings, Playoff spots
Tiggers come to the House that Ruth Built after losing the division on the last day of the season.
Lefty Robertson going against the industrial strength sinkerballer Wang.
A's go to Southern Canada where the Twinkies have the best home record in the majors.
Zito vs. Santana in a duel of Spanish guitars classicists.
Cards survive the late season scare and travel to SoCal to play the Priests.
Carpenter tries to build a victory against soup mogul Peavy.
Dumb Dodgers go the other coast to bumble around with the Stupid Metropolitians at the House that Ruth obviously didn't build. Former Evil Sock Lowe against El Duke, who at least can pitch in NY. At least we have to wait until Tuesday for this one to start.
Hard to find a team to root for in the Inferior Circuit. Probably have to go with the Cards, they were Grandpa's team. And have Sir Albert of Pujols. Too bad Sir Ryan of Howard's team didn't make the cut instead of the dumb ones.
Lefty Robertson going against the industrial strength sinkerballer Wang.
A's go to Southern Canada where the Twinkies have the best home record in the majors.
Zito vs. Santana in a duel of Spanish guitars classicists.
Cards survive the late season scare and travel to SoCal to play the Priests.
Carpenter tries to build a victory against soup mogul Peavy.
Dumb Dodgers go the other coast to bumble around with the Stupid Metropolitians at the House that Ruth obviously didn't build. Former Evil Sock Lowe against El Duke, who at least can pitch in NY. At least we have to wait until Tuesday for this one to start.
Hard to find a team to root for in the Inferior Circuit. Probably have to go with the Cards, they were Grandpa's team. And have Sir Albert of Pujols. Too bad Sir Ryan of Howard's team didn't make the cut instead of the dumb ones.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Huskers
No link. I'm just that irritated (AAARRGGHH!) by the alma mater. It's pretty apparent that NU isn't perhaps as good as advertised, nor KU as bad. On the plus side, NU got some early turnovers and jumped out to a nice halftime lead (24-10) on some real nice big pass plays.
On the bad side, we let the opposition get back into the game and if it weren't for some egregious errors (fumble at the goal line, int in the endzone) on their part, we would have lost. The defense never got any real pressure on the KU QB, who I think should probably be the starter over goldilocks Meier.
We didn't move the ball in the second half until it was almost too late, and as a result, the Blackshirts were out on the field most of the second half AGAIN. Fortunately, they got a good blow in OT as Taylor's pass to Swift at the goal line was reviewed multiple times. The play should have been ruled a TD in my book, but Glenn scored the next play anyway.
next up: Iowa State
Can we win? Maybe, but we'd damn well sure better play a better game on both sides of the ball than we did last night. Prediction? It could be a pinball contest unless Coz lets the D rush the QB.
On the bad side, we let the opposition get back into the game and if it weren't for some egregious errors (fumble at the goal line, int in the endzone) on their part, we would have lost. The defense never got any real pressure on the KU QB, who I think should probably be the starter over goldilocks Meier.
We didn't move the ball in the second half until it was almost too late, and as a result, the Blackshirts were out on the field most of the second half AGAIN. Fortunately, they got a good blow in OT as Taylor's pass to Swift at the goal line was reviewed multiple times. The play should have been ruled a TD in my book, but Glenn scored the next play anyway.
next up: Iowa State
Can we win? Maybe, but we'd damn well sure better play a better game on both sides of the ball than we did last night. Prediction? It could be a pinball contest unless Coz lets the D rush the QB.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Yankees Playoff Lineup
I just wouldn't want to face this batting lineup at all. Nasty.
The Yanks are finally healthy for the first time all season,
and ring up 16 runs on the Orioles.
HR RBI AVG
Damon 24 80 .289
Jeter 14 96 .340
Abreu 15 106 .302
Rodriguez 34 118 .286
Giambi 37 113 .254 (.413 OBP)
Sheffield 4 21 . 303 (142 AB)
Matsui 8 29 .307 (163 AB)
Posada 20 85 .277
Cano 15 78 .343
The second leading hitter in the AL is batting ninth. Wow.
The Yanks are finally healthy for the first time all season,
and ring up 16 runs on the Orioles.
HR RBI AVG
Damon 24 80 .289
Jeter 14 96 .340
Abreu 15 106 .302
Rodriguez 34 118 .286
Giambi 37 113 .254 (.413 OBP)
Sheffield 4 21 . 303 (142 AB)
Matsui 8 29 .307 (163 AB)
Posada 20 85 .277
Cano 15 78 .343
The second leading hitter in the AL is batting ninth. Wow.
Mars Rover
Space.com
The Opportunity rover on Mars reaches Victoria crater on the red planet and sends back intriguing pictures of the layered rocks on the crater walls, along with dunes already known to exist from the bottom. The plan is for the rover to make an extended stay and study the crater's layout, with a slight chance of navigating its way into it.
"This is a geologist's dream come true," said Steve Squyres of Cornell University, principal investigator for NASA's twin rovers Opportunity and Spirit. "Those layers of rock, if we can get to them, will tell us new stories about the environmental conditions long ago. We especially want to learn whether the wet era that we found recorded in the rocks closer to the landing site extended farther back in time. The way to find that out is to go deeper, and Victoria may let us do that."
The further study of the ancient crater should allow us to more closely determine the formative history of Mars and possibly the extend to which water may have flowed on its surface in the past.
The Opportunity rover on Mars reaches Victoria crater on the red planet and sends back intriguing pictures of the layered rocks on the crater walls, along with dunes already known to exist from the bottom. The plan is for the rover to make an extended stay and study the crater's layout, with a slight chance of navigating its way into it.
"This is a geologist's dream come true," said Steve Squyres of Cornell University, principal investigator for NASA's twin rovers Opportunity and Spirit. "Those layers of rock, if we can get to them, will tell us new stories about the environmental conditions long ago. We especially want to learn whether the wet era that we found recorded in the rocks closer to the landing site extended farther back in time. The way to find that out is to go deeper, and Victoria may let us do that."
The further study of the ancient crater should allow us to more closely determine the formative history of Mars and possibly the extend to which water may have flowed on its surface in the past.
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Baseball Standings, Playoff spots
In the AL, the Yanks and A's have clinched their divisions, and the Twins and Tigers are also playoff-bound with only the Central division title to decide. Detroit is desperately clinging to a 1 game lead, but is tied with NY for playoff homefield with a 95-62 record. Toronto visits Detroit, Twins host KC & the Yanks are hosting Baltimore tonight.
Over in the NL, only the Mets are assured of anything yet. St. Louis is in the midst of a 7 game swoon, allowing the Astros (who've won 7 straight, including a 4 game sweep of the Cards) to climb within a game and a half in the Central. Out in the West, the Padres and Dodgers are still duking it out, with SD up 2 games. Dodgers hold the wildcard by a game over the Phillies, who play at Washington, LA is at Colorado, and SD plays St. Louis.
Regular season ends Oct. 1 unless make-up games are necessary, I've heard the Cards might be missing a game against the Giants that could effect things.
Over in the NL, only the Mets are assured of anything yet. St. Louis is in the midst of a 7 game swoon, allowing the Astros (who've won 7 straight, including a 4 game sweep of the Cards) to climb within a game and a half in the Central. Out in the West, the Padres and Dodgers are still duking it out, with SD up 2 games. Dodgers hold the wildcard by a game over the Phillies, who play at Washington, LA is at Colorado, and SD plays St. Louis.
Regular season ends Oct. 1 unless make-up games are necessary, I've heard the Cards might be missing a game against the Giants that could effect things.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Troy Post Game, KU pregame
Husker win big 56-0, roll up nearly 600 yds of offense. Blackshirts live in the Troy backfield and hold the Trojans to 140 total yards. Marlon Lucky had 3 long TD runs, including one of 51 yards, longest of his career, on his way to a personal career-best rushing game of 156 yds on just 10 carries. Kenny Wilson followed up with 106 on 19 totes and a score as well. Zac was 14-17 for 268 and a TD pass. Terrence Nunn set a career mark with 102 yards on 4 receptions.
Nebraska is now #2 in the country in scoring with almost 43/game, and is also the #2 rated passing team with a rating near 179 and is #6 in yards/attempt at 9.7. We are #8 in rushing with almost 900 yards on the ground. The defense is #15 in scoring defense and #21 in total yardage. We appear to have both recovered nicely from the USC game and firing on all cylinders approaching the KU game this Saturday.
KU is also 3-1, with victories against Northwestern St., La-Monroe, and South Florida last week, while falling to Toledo on Sept. 15 in OT. They are averaging almost 29 pts and 365 yds/game, including 206/game in the air. the defense appears stout against the run giving up only 82/game out of the 313/ game they've been giving up. Starting QB Kerry Meier may be out for Saturday, but senior backup Adam Barmann went 25-35 for 273 in the victory vs. South FL,
while RB Joe Cornish is averaging 109 yds/game on the ground.
Huskers are looking for revenge for last year's 40-15 loss. Nebraska will probably have to use the pass to set up the run more than they have up to this point in the season, but I think the Blackshirts will shut KU down for the most part. I say Nebraska 42, KU 17.
Nebraska is now #2 in the country in scoring with almost 43/game, and is also the #2 rated passing team with a rating near 179 and is #6 in yards/attempt at 9.7. We are #8 in rushing with almost 900 yards on the ground. The defense is #15 in scoring defense and #21 in total yardage. We appear to have both recovered nicely from the USC game and firing on all cylinders approaching the KU game this Saturday.
KU is also 3-1, with victories against Northwestern St., La-Monroe, and South Florida last week, while falling to Toledo on Sept. 15 in OT. They are averaging almost 29 pts and 365 yds/game, including 206/game in the air. the defense appears stout against the run giving up only 82/game out of the 313/ game they've been giving up. Starting QB Kerry Meier may be out for Saturday, but senior backup Adam Barmann went 25-35 for 273 in the victory vs. South FL,
while RB Joe Cornish is averaging 109 yds/game on the ground.
Huskers are looking for revenge for last year's 40-15 loss. Nebraska will probably have to use the pass to set up the run more than they have up to this point in the season, but I think the Blackshirts will shut KU down for the most part. I say Nebraska 42, KU 17.
Porkbusters
via the Washington Times (HT: Michelle Malkin)
Since I got involved in this early, I should have kept a better eye on this issue, I know we'd found out who the oinkers were, but had not seen that the bill had passed.. A bipartisian group of citizen bloggers eventually identified the culprits via the process of elimination.
Angry blogger citizenry 1, cruddy old Senate blowhards 0. A big win for the US taxpayer.
"President Bush has invited bloggers to join him today as he signs into law a bill creating a database of federal spending -- a recognition of their role in forcing the bill through Congress over the objections of senior senators and an indication of how much bloggers are changing the political process. A coalition of bloggers from the left and the right last month did what the Senate's Republican leadership could not: smoke out obstructing senators, bring public pressure to break their hold and move the bill to the Senate floor, where it passed by a voice vote. "
The "secret hold" Seantors were eventually identified as Stevens (R) of Alaska and Byrd (D) of West Virginia by process of elimination. May they never hold office again.
Since I got involved in this early, I should have kept a better eye on this issue, I know we'd found out who the oinkers were, but had not seen that the bill had passed.. A bipartisian group of citizen bloggers eventually identified the culprits via the process of elimination.
Angry blogger citizenry 1, cruddy old Senate blowhards 0. A big win for the US taxpayer.
"President Bush has invited bloggers to join him today as he signs into law a bill creating a database of federal spending -- a recognition of their role in forcing the bill through Congress over the objections of senior senators and an indication of how much bloggers are changing the political process. A coalition of bloggers from the left and the right last month did what the Senate's Republican leadership could not: smoke out obstructing senators, bring public pressure to break their hold and move the bill to the Senate floor, where it passed by a voice vote. "
The "secret hold" Seantors were eventually identified as Stevens (R) of Alaska and Byrd (D) of West Virginia by process of elimination. May they never hold office again.
Senate Race
Survey USA has its latest net approval numbers out for the US Senate.
Nelson has dropped dramatically from his earlier ratings, but still holds on to a sizable net approval of +27%. However, his disapproval rating (33%, up 9% from June) is at a historic high and his approval (60%, down 12% from June) is at a historic low, so it might appear as though the Ricketts ad campaign is beginning to dent the fromer governor's teflon a bit.
However, I doubt the Republican campaign can make much more headway without something dramatic happening. Maybe they can scrape up some people he hasn't seen in 30-40 years and have them claim he is a racist.
Nelson has dropped dramatically from his earlier ratings, but still holds on to a sizable net approval of +27%. However, his disapproval rating (33%, up 9% from June) is at a historic high and his approval (60%, down 12% from June) is at a historic low, so it might appear as though the Ricketts ad campaign is beginning to dent the fromer governor's teflon a bit.
However, I doubt the Republican campaign can make much more headway without something dramatic happening. Maybe they can scrape up some people he hasn't seen in 30-40 years and have them claim he is a racist.
Friday, September 22, 2006
Huskers vs Troy
Huskers look to bounce back from last week's loss to USC, facing off against the Trojans from Louinsiana. Troy has been a frequent visitor to Lincoln over the last decade, but bring a new look this year with a spread offensive attack coordinated by former Kentucky coordinator Tony Franklin. Troy has played well in losses to Floria State and Georgia Tech, holding second half leads before succumbing , primarily due to costly mistakes. They average almost 340 yds/game offensively, primarily passing the ball 30-40 times a game.
Troy's defense is a bit undersized, but fast and scrappy. It should prove to be a challenging day on both sides of the ball, but we should be able to move it on them, hopefully with more consistency. GA Tech gouged them for 320 yds on the ground on 41 carries for a 7.8 yds a pop, so the ground attack could have a big day. It will be interesting to note if Marlon Lucky continues to start and how much we see of the other backs this week heading into Big 12 play.
I forsee us mixing it up better than we did last week due to some of the criticism levied at last week's game plan.
Troy's defense is a bit undersized, but fast and scrappy. It should prove to be a challenging day on both sides of the ball, but we should be able to move it on them, hopefully with more consistency. GA Tech gouged them for 320 yds on the ground on 41 carries for a 7.8 yds a pop, so the ground attack could have a big day. It will be interesting to note if Marlon Lucky continues to start and how much we see of the other backs this week heading into Big 12 play.
I forsee us mixing it up better than we did last week due to some of the criticism levied at last week's game plan.
Finding Habitable Planets
Really cool science stuff from Astrobiology magazine. No, I am not making that up, and yes, I do check it our pretty often. My geekiness knows almost no bounds when it comes to space science.
Anywho, the point is that by researching Earth's past and how its atmosphere changed over its history, we'll better able to analyze whether or not extrasolar planets might have extrasolar life on them, once we get new sensing satellites like the European Darwin probe or NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder into orbit that will be able to detect chemicals in far distant atmospheres.
"Astronomers Lisa Kaltenegger of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) and Wesley Traub of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and CfA, propose using Earth's atmospheric history to understand other planets. "Good planets are hard to find," said Kaltenegger. "Our work provides the signposts astronomers will look for when examining truly Earth-like worlds." Geologic records show that Earth's atmosphere has changed dramatically during the past 4.5 billion years, in part because of life forms developing on our planet. Mapping what gases comprised Earth's atmosphere during its history, Kaltenegger and Traub propose that by looking for similar atmospheric compositions on other worlds, scientists will be able to determine if that planet has life on it, and if so, that life's evolutionary stage. "
There have apparenlty been six different atmospheric epochs in the history of out planet, which was news to me. I knew it wasn't always the springtime fresh oxy-nitro (depending on what neighborhood you live in) we now have, but only was aware of the early methane phases before the introduction of the photosynthetic algae that produced our oxygen. What I find most interesting is that the nitrogen has apparently always been around in major concentrations.
Gratuitous link in the quote is to Dr. Lisa's Harvard webpage, showing yes, it is possible to be an female astrophysicist, AND also be really cute at the same time! Miracles never cease. Gotta wonder if she's married, but no woman smarter than me would ever be interested -- which has proven 100% correct over history. The only explanantion I can think of is that yes, she appears to be foreign, in this case Austrian. Sprechen Sie Deutsch, Fraulein?
Anywho, the point is that by researching Earth's past and how its atmosphere changed over its history, we'll better able to analyze whether or not extrasolar planets might have extrasolar life on them, once we get new sensing satellites like the European Darwin probe or NASA's Terrestrial Planet Finder into orbit that will be able to detect chemicals in far distant atmospheres.
"Astronomers Lisa Kaltenegger of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) and Wesley Traub of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and CfA, propose using Earth's atmospheric history to understand other planets. "Good planets are hard to find," said Kaltenegger. "Our work provides the signposts astronomers will look for when examining truly Earth-like worlds." Geologic records show that Earth's atmosphere has changed dramatically during the past 4.5 billion years, in part because of life forms developing on our planet. Mapping what gases comprised Earth's atmosphere during its history, Kaltenegger and Traub propose that by looking for similar atmospheric compositions on other worlds, scientists will be able to determine if that planet has life on it, and if so, that life's evolutionary stage. "
There have apparenlty been six different atmospheric epochs in the history of out planet, which was news to me. I knew it wasn't always the springtime fresh oxy-nitro (depending on what neighborhood you live in) we now have, but only was aware of the early methane phases before the introduction of the photosynthetic algae that produced our oxygen. What I find most interesting is that the nitrogen has apparently always been around in major concentrations.
Gratuitous link in the quote is to Dr. Lisa's Harvard webpage, showing yes, it is possible to be an female astrophysicist, AND also be really cute at the same time! Miracles never cease. Gotta wonder if she's married, but no woman smarter than me would ever be interested -- which has proven 100% correct over history. The only explanantion I can think of is that yes, she appears to be foreign, in this case Austrian. Sprechen Sie Deutsch, Fraulein?
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Energy
My favorite amatuer economist spanks Al Bore. Film at 11. By the way, you probably didn't know North American was actually a carbon sink, did you? (Warning: heavy egghead scientist talk at the link-but also some pretty nifty charts and graphs).
Main point -- we do not right now, have an easily storable use-it-later energy source for transportation other than oil and its derivitives. All of our other energy sources (coal, gas, renewables, nuclear) are use-it-now for electrical generation. A technology shift is needed to do that, and if one occurs it will take care of the problem Mr. Bore is so worried about WITHOUT destroying the economy. If we could just store 300 or so vehicle miles in some other way than oil, a lot of our other problems would go away too.
"Technology breakthroughs displace old paradigms; I strongly prefer that to government-mandated tweaks of the old, entrenched paradigms. Remember, just as the Stone Age didn’t end because we ran out of stones, the oil age won’t end because we ran out of oil."
And such a paradigm shift would assist us in national security, take care of this "carbon problem" and gain us a whole new export industry that we can send to China and India, so they don't produce any "carbon problem". Neato!
Main point -- we do not right now, have an easily storable use-it-later energy source for transportation other than oil and its derivitives. All of our other energy sources (coal, gas, renewables, nuclear) are use-it-now for electrical generation. A technology shift is needed to do that, and if one occurs it will take care of the problem Mr. Bore is so worried about WITHOUT destroying the economy. If we could just store 300 or so vehicle miles in some other way than oil, a lot of our other problems would go away too.
"Technology breakthroughs displace old paradigms; I strongly prefer that to government-mandated tweaks of the old, entrenched paradigms. Remember, just as the Stone Age didn’t end because we ran out of stones, the oil age won’t end because we ran out of oil."
And such a paradigm shift would assist us in national security, take care of this "carbon problem" and gain us a whole new export industry that we can send to China and India, so they don't produce any "carbon problem". Neato!
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Arab Civilization, Democracy and the West
Via RCP, which adapts the article from a lecture given by the Western world's pre-eminent Islamic scholar, Dr. Bernard Lewis. On personal note, this is likely to be by far my longest post to date, much of it the good professor's words, but he is far more illustrative than I. The lecture covers trends on Arab civilization, history and government, and the implications of recent events. Among the initial pearls of wisdom, the two "Western" views of Arab civilization:
"If you look at the current literature, you will find two views common in the United States and Europe. One of them holds that Islamic peoples are incapable of decent, civilized government. Whatever the West does, Muslims will be ruled by corrupt tyrants. Therefore the aim of our foreign policy should be to insure that they are our tyrants rather than someone else's--friendly rather than hostile tyrants. This point of view is very much favored in departments of state and foreign offices and is generally known, rather surprisingly, as the "pro-Arab" view. It is, of course, in no sense pro-Arab. (emphasis mine-Kal) It shows ignorance of the Arab past, contempt for the Arab present, and unconcern for the Arab future. The second common view is that Arab ways are different from our ways. They must be allowed to develop in accordance with their cultural principles, but it is possible for them--as for anyone else, anywhere in the world, with discreet help from outside and most specifically from the United States--to develop democratic institutions of a kind. This view is known as the "imperialist" view and has been vigorously denounced and condemned as such."
He goes on to point out that the traditional Islamic civilization is nothing like the one we face today. The rulers of the Ottoman Turks and other earlier Islamic societies were not by any means dictatorial autocrats, as their rule was limited to a certain extent and consultative with other elements of society. This began to change first with modernization as a response to interaction with the industrializing West. Rule became more centralized, state-oriented, and resulted in the unintentional decay of the traditional mitigating social elements.
"These rulers decided that what they had to do was to modernize or Westernize. Their intentions were good, but the consequences were often disastrous. What they did was to increase the power of the state and the ruler enormously by placing at his disposal the whole modern apparatus of control, repression and indoctrination. At the same time, which was even worse, they limited or destroyed those forces in the traditional society that had previously limited the autocracy of the ruler. In the traditional society there were established orders-the bazaar merchants, the scribes, the guilds, the country gentry, the military establishment, the religious establishment, and so on. These were powerful groups in society, whose heads were not appointed by the ruler but arose from within the groups. And no sultan, however powerful, could do much without maintaining some relationship with these different orders in society. This is not democracy as we currently use that word, but it is certainly limited, responsible government. And the system worked. Modernization ended that. A new ruling class emerged, ruling from the center and using the apparatus of the state for its purposes."
Things dissolved yet further over the last century. After WWI, the French took control of Lebanon and Syria after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. After the French surrender in 1940, the Levant stayed under the control of the French Vichy regime, opening the area to Nazi influence. After the war concluded, the Soviets stepped in to support the new Arab regimes as part of the Cold War against the West. This was the beginning of the modern Baathist movement, which still controls Syria and was in control of Iraq until the American invasion.
"The governor and his high officials in the administration in Syria-Lebanon took their orders from Vichy, which in turn took orders from Berlin. The Nazis moved in, made a tremendous propaganda effort, and were even able to move from Syria eastwards into Iraq and for a while set up a pro-Nazi, fascist regime. It was in this period that political parties were formed that were the nucleus of what later became the Baath Party. The Western Allies eventually drove the Nazis out of the Middle East and suppressed these organizations. But the war ended in 1945, and the Allies left. A few years later the Soviets moved in, established an immensely powerful presence in Egypt, Syria, Iraq and various other countries, and introduced Soviet-style political practice. The adaptation from the Nazi model to the communist model was very simple and easy, requiring only a few minor adjustments, and it proceeded pretty well. That is the origin of the Baath Party and of the kind of governments that we have been confronting in the Middle East in recent years. "
Here's the kicker. As Islamic civilization began to realize it had undergone a unpleasant transformation out of touch with its traditonal cultural values, it searched for a reawakening of those values. One of the first of these revivals blamed the West for introducing "un-Islamic" elements into society, and proposed that only a return to a pure, original form of Islam would allow a return to the days of glory where Islamic civilization was feared and respected the world over. This movement is called Wahabbinism, which has little to do with original Islamic thought.
"That there has been a break with the past is a fact of which Arabs and Muslims themselves are keenly and painfully aware, and they have tried to do something about it. It is in this context that we observe a series of movements that could be described as an Islamic revival or reawakening. The first of these--founded by a theologian called Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who lived in a remote area of Najd in desert Arabia--is known as Wahhabi. Its argument is that the root of Arab-Islamic troubles lies in following the ways of the infidel. The Islamic world, it holds, has abandoned the true faith that God gave it through His prophet and His holy book, and the remedy is a return to pure, original Islam. This pure, original Islam is, of course--as is usual in such situations--a new invention with little connection to Islam as it existed in its earlier stages."
History takes another unfortunate turn in whihc groups subscribe to these ideals. One of the first adherents to this movement was the once-obscure group of Bedouin chiefs that gained control of the Islamic Holy cities of Mecca and Medina in the 1920's -- the House of Saud, which around the same time, found itself on a huge pool of an unmatched mineral energy resource -- oil. With control over both the holy cities and the unmatched wealth brought to them by their oil, the Saudis have exported their version of Islam, with all its unpleasant intolerance for other beliefs and cultural insularity, to a neighborhood that just might be near yours.
"As a result, what would otherwise have been a lunatic fringe in a marginal country became a major force in the world of Islam. And it has continued as a major force to the present day, operating through the Saudi government and through a whole series of non-governmental organizations. What is worse, its influence spreads far beyond the region. When Muslims living in Chicago or Los Angeles or Birmingham or Hamburg want to give their children some grounding in their faith and culture--a very natural, very normal thing--they turn to the traditional resources for such purposes: evening classes, weekend schools, holiday camps and the like. The problem is that these are now overwhelmingly funded and therefore controlled by the Wahhabis, and the version of Islam that they teach is the Wahhabi version, which has thus become a major force in Muslim immigrant communities."
The second major Islamic revival Dr. Lewis refers to is the Iranian Revolution. It has had a prodigious impact on the Islamic world, despite the country being Shiite, changing not only the political order in that country, but the social, ideological and economic order as well. There are very apt comparisons between the Iranian Russian, and French revolutions, such as the internal conflict between the moderates and extremists, but the Iranian one now appears to be reaching its Stalinist phase.
The third revival has been the rise of Al-Qaeda and the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. In the West, we think of that defeat in terms of the Cold War, and view it as our own victory. In the Islamic world, they view that victory as their own, purchased with their blood and sacrifice. And in many ways, they are probably as correct as we are in claiming it. Al-Qaeda's view of that victory is just one of many in the ebb and flow of the battle between the the Christian West and the world of Islam. The professor quotes Osama bin Lade: "In this final phase of the ongoing struggle, the world of the infidels was divided between two superpowers--the United States and the Soviet Union. Now we have defeated and destroyed the more difficult and the more dangerous of the two. Dealing with the pampered and effeminate Americans will be easy." Of course, they were referring to the numerous "defeats" suffered by the Americans and the West in general over the course of the last 30 years. After Beirut, Somalia, the Cole bombing, etc., we never struck back. This was seen as weakness and timidity, prestaging the final triumph of Islam over its enemy. The response delivered after 9/11 was both unintended and unforeseen, but they view that response as being out of the norm, and only delaying their inevitable victory.
"What happened on 9/11 was seen by its perpetrators and sponsors as the culmination of the previous phase and the inauguration of the next phase--taking the war into the enemy camp to achieve final victory. The response to 9/11 came as a nasty surprise. They were expecting more of the same--bleating and apologies--instead of which they got a vigorous reaction, first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq......But if one follows the discourse, one can see that the debate in this country since then has caused many of the perpetrators and sponsors to return to their previous diagnosis. Because remember, they have no experience, and therefore no understanding, of the free debate of an open society. What we see as free debate, they see as weakness, fear and division. Thus they prepare for the final victory, the final triumph and the final Jihad."
Dr. Lewis concludes with some thoughts on freedom and democracy. He points out that all democratic societies develop in their own ways, with their own distinct institutions, and at their own pace. There are some postive signs in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East that give some hope for a better future in the region. It is by no means a foregone conclusion, there is sure to be pain and suffering for some time, but these issues are still not decided yet by any means, positively or negatively. Ironically enough, the nations whose rulers most oppose the United States most likely have the citizens with the most positive view of America and the West.
"And there are encouraging signs at the present moment--what happened in Iraq, for example, with millions of Iraqis willing to stand in line to vote, knowing that they were risking their lives, is a quite extraordinary achievement. It shows great courage, great resolution. Don't be misled by what you read in the media about Iraq. The situation is certainly not good, but there are redeeming features in it. The battle isn't over. It's still very difficult. There are still many major problems to overcome. There is a bitter anti-Western feeling which derives partly and increasingly from our support for what they see as tyrannies ruling over them. It's interesting that pro-American feeling is strongest in countries with anti-American governments. I've been told repeatedly by Iranians that there is no country in the world where pro-American feeling is stronger, deeper and more widespread than Iran."
He concludes his comments with both a warning and what is in some ways a call to action. We have to face the facts, and they are that we can either stay the course, help our allies or potential allies in the area, and conceptually, materially, and forthrightly build a future together against the darkness with no wavering or vacillation, or watch the downfall of both Western civilization, with all its wonders, and Islamic society as well. It is likely to be a long fight, and whomever has the most determination may determine the victor. It isn't clear it will be us.
"The outlook at the moment is, I would say, very mixed. I think that the cause of developing free institutions--along their lines, not ours--is possible. One can see signs of its beginning in some countries. At the same time, the forces working against it are very powerful and well entrenched. And one of the greatest dangers is that on their side, they are firm and convinced and resolute. Whereas on our side, we are weak and undecided and irresolute. And in such a combat, it is not difficult to see which side will prevail. I think that the effort is difficult and the outcome uncertain, but I think the effort must be made. Either we bring them freedom, or they destroy us."
"If you look at the current literature, you will find two views common in the United States and Europe. One of them holds that Islamic peoples are incapable of decent, civilized government. Whatever the West does, Muslims will be ruled by corrupt tyrants. Therefore the aim of our foreign policy should be to insure that they are our tyrants rather than someone else's--friendly rather than hostile tyrants. This point of view is very much favored in departments of state and foreign offices and is generally known, rather surprisingly, as the "pro-Arab" view. It is, of course, in no sense pro-Arab. (emphasis mine-Kal) It shows ignorance of the Arab past, contempt for the Arab present, and unconcern for the Arab future. The second common view is that Arab ways are different from our ways. They must be allowed to develop in accordance with their cultural principles, but it is possible for them--as for anyone else, anywhere in the world, with discreet help from outside and most specifically from the United States--to develop democratic institutions of a kind. This view is known as the "imperialist" view and has been vigorously denounced and condemned as such."
He goes on to point out that the traditional Islamic civilization is nothing like the one we face today. The rulers of the Ottoman Turks and other earlier Islamic societies were not by any means dictatorial autocrats, as their rule was limited to a certain extent and consultative with other elements of society. This began to change first with modernization as a response to interaction with the industrializing West. Rule became more centralized, state-oriented, and resulted in the unintentional decay of the traditional mitigating social elements.
"These rulers decided that what they had to do was to modernize or Westernize. Their intentions were good, but the consequences were often disastrous. What they did was to increase the power of the state and the ruler enormously by placing at his disposal the whole modern apparatus of control, repression and indoctrination. At the same time, which was even worse, they limited or destroyed those forces in the traditional society that had previously limited the autocracy of the ruler. In the traditional society there were established orders-the bazaar merchants, the scribes, the guilds, the country gentry, the military establishment, the religious establishment, and so on. These were powerful groups in society, whose heads were not appointed by the ruler but arose from within the groups. And no sultan, however powerful, could do much without maintaining some relationship with these different orders in society. This is not democracy as we currently use that word, but it is certainly limited, responsible government. And the system worked. Modernization ended that. A new ruling class emerged, ruling from the center and using the apparatus of the state for its purposes."
Things dissolved yet further over the last century. After WWI, the French took control of Lebanon and Syria after the dissolution of the Ottoman Empire. After the French surrender in 1940, the Levant stayed under the control of the French Vichy regime, opening the area to Nazi influence. After the war concluded, the Soviets stepped in to support the new Arab regimes as part of the Cold War against the West. This was the beginning of the modern Baathist movement, which still controls Syria and was in control of Iraq until the American invasion.
"The governor and his high officials in the administration in Syria-Lebanon took their orders from Vichy, which in turn took orders from Berlin. The Nazis moved in, made a tremendous propaganda effort, and were even able to move from Syria eastwards into Iraq and for a while set up a pro-Nazi, fascist regime. It was in this period that political parties were formed that were the nucleus of what later became the Baath Party. The Western Allies eventually drove the Nazis out of the Middle East and suppressed these organizations. But the war ended in 1945, and the Allies left. A few years later the Soviets moved in, established an immensely powerful presence in Egypt, Syria, Iraq and various other countries, and introduced Soviet-style political practice. The adaptation from the Nazi model to the communist model was very simple and easy, requiring only a few minor adjustments, and it proceeded pretty well. That is the origin of the Baath Party and of the kind of governments that we have been confronting in the Middle East in recent years. "
Here's the kicker. As Islamic civilization began to realize it had undergone a unpleasant transformation out of touch with its traditonal cultural values, it searched for a reawakening of those values. One of the first of these revivals blamed the West for introducing "un-Islamic" elements into society, and proposed that only a return to a pure, original form of Islam would allow a return to the days of glory where Islamic civilization was feared and respected the world over. This movement is called Wahabbinism, which has little to do with original Islamic thought.
"That there has been a break with the past is a fact of which Arabs and Muslims themselves are keenly and painfully aware, and they have tried to do something about it. It is in this context that we observe a series of movements that could be described as an Islamic revival or reawakening. The first of these--founded by a theologian called Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, who lived in a remote area of Najd in desert Arabia--is known as Wahhabi. Its argument is that the root of Arab-Islamic troubles lies in following the ways of the infidel. The Islamic world, it holds, has abandoned the true faith that God gave it through His prophet and His holy book, and the remedy is a return to pure, original Islam. This pure, original Islam is, of course--as is usual in such situations--a new invention with little connection to Islam as it existed in its earlier stages."
History takes another unfortunate turn in whihc groups subscribe to these ideals. One of the first adherents to this movement was the once-obscure group of Bedouin chiefs that gained control of the Islamic Holy cities of Mecca and Medina in the 1920's -- the House of Saud, which around the same time, found itself on a huge pool of an unmatched mineral energy resource -- oil. With control over both the holy cities and the unmatched wealth brought to them by their oil, the Saudis have exported their version of Islam, with all its unpleasant intolerance for other beliefs and cultural insularity, to a neighborhood that just might be near yours.
"As a result, what would otherwise have been a lunatic fringe in a marginal country became a major force in the world of Islam. And it has continued as a major force to the present day, operating through the Saudi government and through a whole series of non-governmental organizations. What is worse, its influence spreads far beyond the region. When Muslims living in Chicago or Los Angeles or Birmingham or Hamburg want to give their children some grounding in their faith and culture--a very natural, very normal thing--they turn to the traditional resources for such purposes: evening classes, weekend schools, holiday camps and the like. The problem is that these are now overwhelmingly funded and therefore controlled by the Wahhabis, and the version of Islam that they teach is the Wahhabi version, which has thus become a major force in Muslim immigrant communities."
The second major Islamic revival Dr. Lewis refers to is the Iranian Revolution. It has had a prodigious impact on the Islamic world, despite the country being Shiite, changing not only the political order in that country, but the social, ideological and economic order as well. There are very apt comparisons between the Iranian Russian, and French revolutions, such as the internal conflict between the moderates and extremists, but the Iranian one now appears to be reaching its Stalinist phase.
The third revival has been the rise of Al-Qaeda and the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. In the West, we think of that defeat in terms of the Cold War, and view it as our own victory. In the Islamic world, they view that victory as their own, purchased with their blood and sacrifice. And in many ways, they are probably as correct as we are in claiming it. Al-Qaeda's view of that victory is just one of many in the ebb and flow of the battle between the the Christian West and the world of Islam. The professor quotes Osama bin Lade: "In this final phase of the ongoing struggle, the world of the infidels was divided between two superpowers--the United States and the Soviet Union. Now we have defeated and destroyed the more difficult and the more dangerous of the two. Dealing with the pampered and effeminate Americans will be easy." Of course, they were referring to the numerous "defeats" suffered by the Americans and the West in general over the course of the last 30 years. After Beirut, Somalia, the Cole bombing, etc., we never struck back. This was seen as weakness and timidity, prestaging the final triumph of Islam over its enemy. The response delivered after 9/11 was both unintended and unforeseen, but they view that response as being out of the norm, and only delaying their inevitable victory.
"What happened on 9/11 was seen by its perpetrators and sponsors as the culmination of the previous phase and the inauguration of the next phase--taking the war into the enemy camp to achieve final victory. The response to 9/11 came as a nasty surprise. They were expecting more of the same--bleating and apologies--instead of which they got a vigorous reaction, first in Afghanistan and then in Iraq......But if one follows the discourse, one can see that the debate in this country since then has caused many of the perpetrators and sponsors to return to their previous diagnosis. Because remember, they have no experience, and therefore no understanding, of the free debate of an open society. What we see as free debate, they see as weakness, fear and division. Thus they prepare for the final victory, the final triumph and the final Jihad."
Dr. Lewis concludes with some thoughts on freedom and democracy. He points out that all democratic societies develop in their own ways, with their own distinct institutions, and at their own pace. There are some postive signs in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the Middle East that give some hope for a better future in the region. It is by no means a foregone conclusion, there is sure to be pain and suffering for some time, but these issues are still not decided yet by any means, positively or negatively. Ironically enough, the nations whose rulers most oppose the United States most likely have the citizens with the most positive view of America and the West.
"And there are encouraging signs at the present moment--what happened in Iraq, for example, with millions of Iraqis willing to stand in line to vote, knowing that they were risking their lives, is a quite extraordinary achievement. It shows great courage, great resolution. Don't be misled by what you read in the media about Iraq. The situation is certainly not good, but there are redeeming features in it. The battle isn't over. It's still very difficult. There are still many major problems to overcome. There is a bitter anti-Western feeling which derives partly and increasingly from our support for what they see as tyrannies ruling over them. It's interesting that pro-American feeling is strongest in countries with anti-American governments. I've been told repeatedly by Iranians that there is no country in the world where pro-American feeling is stronger, deeper and more widespread than Iran."
He concludes his comments with both a warning and what is in some ways a call to action. We have to face the facts, and they are that we can either stay the course, help our allies or potential allies in the area, and conceptually, materially, and forthrightly build a future together against the darkness with no wavering or vacillation, or watch the downfall of both Western civilization, with all its wonders, and Islamic society as well. It is likely to be a long fight, and whomever has the most determination may determine the victor. It isn't clear it will be us.
"The outlook at the moment is, I would say, very mixed. I think that the cause of developing free institutions--along their lines, not ours--is possible. One can see signs of its beginning in some countries. At the same time, the forces working against it are very powerful and well entrenched. And one of the greatest dangers is that on their side, they are firm and convinced and resolute. Whereas on our side, we are weak and undecided and irresolute. And in such a combat, it is not difficult to see which side will prevail. I think that the effort is difficult and the outcome uncertain, but I think the effort must be made. Either we bring them freedom, or they destroy us."
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Coup in Thailand
via USA Today.
Thai military stages a coup while their govenment's prime minister is in the US to address the UN. The PM is has been under suspicion for some time of fraud and corruption. The military has declared a provisional ruing body loyal to the Thai king.
" Thailand's army commmander ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a military coup Tuesday night while he was in New York, circling his offices with tanks, declaring martial law and revoking the constitution."
Massive rallies against Thaksin last April resulted in new elections, but were boycotted by opposition parties, and have left the country without a functioning government, as the top Thai court nullified the election. Opposition against the PM intensified after his family sold its controlling interest in a telecommunications company to a state-owned Singapore firm. There is also a long-running Muslim insurgency continuing to brew in the southern part of the country.
Thai military stages a coup while their govenment's prime minister is in the US to address the UN. The PM is has been under suspicion for some time of fraud and corruption. The military has declared a provisional ruing body loyal to the Thai king.
" Thailand's army commmander ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a military coup Tuesday night while he was in New York, circling his offices with tanks, declaring martial law and revoking the constitution."
Massive rallies against Thaksin last April resulted in new elections, but were boycotted by opposition parties, and have left the country without a functioning government, as the top Thai court nullified the election. Opposition against the PM intensified after his family sold its controlling interest in a telecommunications company to a state-owned Singapore firm. There is also a long-running Muslim insurgency continuing to brew in the southern part of the country.
Geneva Conventions
via RCP.
Thomas Sowell TOTALLY bitch-slaps some US Sentors on the issue of applying the Geneva conventions to groups that have absolutely no intention of following said conventions should they be so fortunate as to come into possession of Coalition troops, rather than getting their butts kicked as happens about 99% of the time.
"The issue has been brought to a head by the efforts of Senators John McCain, John Warner, and Lindsey Graham to get us to apply the rules of the Geneva convention to cutthroats who respect no Geneva convention and are not covered by the Geneva convention."
He then goes on to smack up the supreme court in the land -- for abrogating the intended will of the supposedly co-equal legislative branch of gevernment, the US Congress.
"But the issue of applying the Geneva convention to people who were never covered by the Geneva convention originated in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Article III, Section II of the Constitution gives Congress the power to limit the jurisdiction of federal courts, and Congress has specifically taken away the jurisdiction of the courts in cases involving the detention of illegal combatants, such as terrorists, who are not -- repeat, not -- prisoners of war covered by the Geneva convention. The Supreme Court ignored that law."
Ouch, that must smart. He then goes on to questions whether we in the West have the necessary willpower to finish the job against Islamic fascism. The man is on a roll. It makes me feel more than little frothy as well.
"The much larger question -- the question of survival -- is whether we have the clarity and the courage to go all-out in self-defense against those who are going all-out to destroy us, even at the cost of their own lives."
He goes on to finish with a flourish arguing that our best and only real hope of preventing future attacks is go to the source, question them as robustly as necessary, and not get all weepy about doing it.
"Our only hope is to get advance information from those we capture as to where other terrorists are and how they operate. Squeamishness about how this is done is not a sign of higher morality but of irresponsibility in the face of mortal dangers."
Amen, brother. You're preaching to the choir here!
Thomas Sowell TOTALLY bitch-slaps some US Sentors on the issue of applying the Geneva conventions to groups that have absolutely no intention of following said conventions should they be so fortunate as to come into possession of Coalition troops, rather than getting their butts kicked as happens about 99% of the time.
"The issue has been brought to a head by the efforts of Senators John McCain, John Warner, and Lindsey Graham to get us to apply the rules of the Geneva convention to cutthroats who respect no Geneva convention and are not covered by the Geneva convention."
He then goes on to smack up the supreme court in the land -- for abrogating the intended will of the supposedly co-equal legislative branch of gevernment, the US Congress.
"But the issue of applying the Geneva convention to people who were never covered by the Geneva convention originated in the Supreme Court of the United States.
Article III, Section II of the Constitution gives Congress the power to limit the jurisdiction of federal courts, and Congress has specifically taken away the jurisdiction of the courts in cases involving the detention of illegal combatants, such as terrorists, who are not -- repeat, not -- prisoners of war covered by the Geneva convention. The Supreme Court ignored that law."
Ouch, that must smart. He then goes on to questions whether we in the West have the necessary willpower to finish the job against Islamic fascism. The man is on a roll. It makes me feel more than little frothy as well.
"The much larger question -- the question of survival -- is whether we have the clarity and the courage to go all-out in self-defense against those who are going all-out to destroy us, even at the cost of their own lives."
He goes on to finish with a flourish arguing that our best and only real hope of preventing future attacks is go to the source, question them as robustly as necessary, and not get all weepy about doing it.
"Our only hope is to get advance information from those we capture as to where other terrorists are and how they operate. Squeamishness about how this is done is not a sign of higher morality but of irresponsibility in the face of mortal dangers."
Amen, brother. You're preaching to the choir here!
Gulf Oil Discovery
via CNN.
I've also been meaning to comment on this story -- the discovery of perhaps as many as 15 billion barrels of oil off the coast of Louisiana, 20,000 feet deep under 7000 feet of water. Amazing what you can find if you're allowed to look. Test rig is pumping 6000 barrels a day. More relevant, this ushers in a new technique in deep water drilling that could be utilized elsewhere. However, getting this new slource of energy to market will take some time -- three to five years probably at best, and it won't mean we can stop importing.
"A group led by Chevron has tapped a petroleum pool 270 miles south of New Orleans -- and almost 4 miles beneath the ocean floor -- in a region that could hold as much as 15 billion barrels of oil, or more than Alaska's Prudhoe Bay. "It confirms a new frontier, a new horizon in the ultra-deep water," said Daniel Yergin, chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates and author of "The Prize," the Pulitzer Prize-winning history of the oil industry. "It isn't energy independence," he added."
The speculation is that once developed, the new field could produce up to 750,000 barrels a day. At its height, the Prudhoe field produced 1.6 million, and it continues to produce about 400,000 today. The Arctic North slope field being blocked by environmental groups is thought to contain as much as 10 billion barrels.
I've also been meaning to comment on this story -- the discovery of perhaps as many as 15 billion barrels of oil off the coast of Louisiana, 20,000 feet deep under 7000 feet of water. Amazing what you can find if you're allowed to look. Test rig is pumping 6000 barrels a day. More relevant, this ushers in a new technique in deep water drilling that could be utilized elsewhere. However, getting this new slource of energy to market will take some time -- three to five years probably at best, and it won't mean we can stop importing.
"A group led by Chevron has tapped a petroleum pool 270 miles south of New Orleans -- and almost 4 miles beneath the ocean floor -- in a region that could hold as much as 15 billion barrels of oil, or more than Alaska's Prudhoe Bay. "It confirms a new frontier, a new horizon in the ultra-deep water," said Daniel Yergin, chairman of Cambridge Energy Research Associates and author of "The Prize," the Pulitzer Prize-winning history of the oil industry. "It isn't energy independence," he added."
The speculation is that once developed, the new field could produce up to 750,000 barrels a day. At its height, the Prudhoe field produced 1.6 million, and it continues to produce about 400,000 today. The Arctic North slope field being blocked by environmental groups is thought to contain as much as 10 billion barrels.
Mexican Election
Been meaning to comment more on the Mexican Presidential election and the "parallel" government being established by losing candidate Andres Obrador. After losing his appeal to the Mexican Electoral Court, which found little or no evidence of the fraud claimed by Obrador, his supporters held protests in the Mexican capital throughout the month of August and generally made a nuisance of themselves, but support appears to be faltering and he has decided to reengage in the political process since he apparently can't shut down the country by threat of violence.
"There will still be protests but fears of major unrest or violence have eased in recent days as Lopez Obrador has apparently opted for an organized political movement to challenge Calderon rather than cause chaos on the streets. Supporters voted to swear Lopez Obrador in at a ceremony on November 20, just days before Calderon takes power. Lopez Obrador said he would name ministers to his parallel government and that it would operate from voluntary donations. "
Felipe Calderon, the new president-elect, will take office in December.
"There will still be protests but fears of major unrest or violence have eased in recent days as Lopez Obrador has apparently opted for an organized political movement to challenge Calderon rather than cause chaos on the streets. Supporters voted to swear Lopez Obrador in at a ceremony on November 20, just days before Calderon takes power. Lopez Obrador said he would name ministers to his parallel government and that it would operate from voluntary donations. "
Felipe Calderon, the new president-elect, will take office in December.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Baseball Standings
Over to Foxsports, whose web layout I've always liked, for a quick baseball talk.
Yanks magic # is 4. AL Central is pretty much up for grabs, with the loser likely in the wildcard. Tiggers have a slim 1 game lead over the Twinkies, who've come out of nowhere to make it a real crotch-hugger if you wear stripes. West looks wrapped up with the Green and Gold up 7 on the team with the long name.
Over in the Inferior Circuit, the Stupid Metropolitans are down to a magic # of 1 with a goofy 13.5 game lead over the Phils. In the Central, Cards still up 7 over fading Cincy, and the Priests and Dumb Dodgers continue to battle it out for the West, with SD up a half game. Dodgers lead the Phils for the WC by a game.
Yanks magic # is 4. AL Central is pretty much up for grabs, with the loser likely in the wildcard. Tiggers have a slim 1 game lead over the Twinkies, who've come out of nowhere to make it a real crotch-hugger if you wear stripes. West looks wrapped up with the Green and Gold up 7 on the team with the long name.
Over in the Inferior Circuit, the Stupid Metropolitans are down to a magic # of 1 with a goofy 13.5 game lead over the Phils. In the Central, Cards still up 7 over fading Cincy, and the Priests and Dumb Dodgers continue to battle it out for the West, with SD up a half game. Dodgers lead the Phils for the WC by a game.
Oldest Writing in New World Discovered
Via Foxnews again.
A stone block discoverd in 1999 in Mexico, covered in inscriptions, could very well be the earliest example of writing in the Western Hemisphere. Dating back to 1100 BC, the block is covered with 62 glyphs, some of which are repeated as many as 4 times. The implications for the ancient Olmec civilization is pretty substantial.
"This reveals the Olmecs, in many ways the first civilization in a vast part of the ancient Americas, were literate, which we did not know for sure before, and hints that they were capable of the same large-scale organization assisted by writing [as seen] in early Mesopotamia or Egypt," researcher Stephen Houston, an archaeologist at Brown University in Providence, R.I., told LiveScience."
I have to say that I'm impressed with the heretofore unnoticed redesign of the Foxnews web site. It's got much more content, easier on the eyes and much easier to locate stuff as well. Bravo.
A stone block discoverd in 1999 in Mexico, covered in inscriptions, could very well be the earliest example of writing in the Western Hemisphere. Dating back to 1100 BC, the block is covered with 62 glyphs, some of which are repeated as many as 4 times. The implications for the ancient Olmec civilization is pretty substantial.
"This reveals the Olmecs, in many ways the first civilization in a vast part of the ancient Americas, were literate, which we did not know for sure before, and hints that they were capable of the same large-scale organization assisted by writing [as seen] in early Mesopotamia or Egypt," researcher Stephen Houston, an archaeologist at Brown University in Providence, R.I., told LiveScience."
I have to say that I'm impressed with the heretofore unnoticed redesign of the Foxnews web site. It's got much more content, easier on the eyes and much easier to locate stuff as well. Bravo.
UB313 named
via Foxnews.
Meant to comment on this last week, but astronomical object UB313, located in the deep reaches of the solar system's Kuiper belt, finally gets a name: Eris, for the Greek goddess of discord. It had been nicknamed "Xena" by discoverer Mike Brown of Caltech. It is defined as a "dwarf" planetary body.
Eris was responsible for much of the controversy surrounding the recent planetary definition debated by the International Astronomical Union, as it is slightly larger than now-demoted to "dwarf" planet Pluto. Eris, like Pluto, also has a satellite, now christened Dysnomia, which was Eris daughter and the spirit of lawlessness. Asteroid Ceres is also defined as a "dwarf" planet.
In Greek mythology, Eris is best known for causing the Trojan War.
Meant to comment on this last week, but astronomical object UB313, located in the deep reaches of the solar system's Kuiper belt, finally gets a name: Eris, for the Greek goddess of discord. It had been nicknamed "Xena" by discoverer Mike Brown of Caltech. It is defined as a "dwarf" planetary body.
Eris was responsible for much of the controversy surrounding the recent planetary definition debated by the International Astronomical Union, as it is slightly larger than now-demoted to "dwarf" planet Pluto. Eris, like Pluto, also has a satellite, now christened Dysnomia, which was Eris daughter and the spirit of lawlessness. Asteroid Ceres is also defined as a "dwarf" planet.
In Greek mythology, Eris is best known for causing the Trojan War.
Husker-USC game
I commented over at Husker Mike's place and he sums up things (the questions, mostly) pretty well.
No first down pass attempts until the third quarter, which when we did, we wound up scoring. No throws downfield until far, far too late. No real attempt to cash in after the fake punt or the nice punt return. Run, run, pass on third and long, punt. It was a pathetic joke of a gameplan. I don't mind trying to establish the running game, but if it isn't working, why not try to throw a ball or two and loosen up the defense, then go back to running?
The defense played better than I expected, if you'd told me we would hold them to 28, I say we win the game easy. They were out on the field far too long with the sad play calling from Norvell. 'Nuff said. Bring on Troy, who is playing pretty damn well. We can ill afford to overlook them, they've been playing really good ball against stiff competition. Jay had better let Zac throw the damn ball against these guys on first down.
No first down pass attempts until the third quarter, which when we did, we wound up scoring. No throws downfield until far, far too late. No real attempt to cash in after the fake punt or the nice punt return. Run, run, pass on third and long, punt. It was a pathetic joke of a gameplan. I don't mind trying to establish the running game, but if it isn't working, why not try to throw a ball or two and loosen up the defense, then go back to running?
The defense played better than I expected, if you'd told me we would hold them to 28, I say we win the game easy. They were out on the field far too long with the sad play calling from Norvell. 'Nuff said. Bring on Troy, who is playing pretty damn well. We can ill afford to overlook them, they've been playing really good ball against stiff competition. Jay had better let Zac throw the damn ball against these guys on first down.
Heavy Traffic at the ISS
Yahoo/Space.com
Shuttle Atlantis departed Sunday from the ISS after a successful construction mission in which the new $372 million, 17.5 ton solar array was delivered. The array was unfurled Thursday during one of three spacewalks performed by the combined crews. Next up for the ISS is a Russian Progress cargo ship, which is being quickly followed on Sep 20 by a replacement ISS crew on board a Russian Soyuz. Atlantis is slated to land in Florida on Sep 20 as well.
Shuttle Atlantis departed Sunday from the ISS after a successful construction mission in which the new $372 million, 17.5 ton solar array was delivered. The array was unfurled Thursday during one of three spacewalks performed by the combined crews. Next up for the ISS is a Russian Progress cargo ship, which is being quickly followed on Sep 20 by a replacement ISS crew on board a Russian Soyuz. Atlantis is slated to land in Florida on Sep 20 as well.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Husker FB
New Husker CB Andre Jones sounds pretty confident -- but I wish he would keep quiet. Coaches need to very emphatically tell players not to provide ANY oppositional motivation. All we need is USC WR Dwayne Jarret to have a reason to be po'd. I would like to note the Ohio U is 2-0, and Turner Gill's Buffalo squad is 1-1 after losing a heartbreaker in 3 OTs & hanging 40 on Bowling Green.
Thoughts on Nicholls St. -- about what I expected, we played a overmatched squad that had little or no chance of putting up much of a fight. The encouraging signs were that Taylor kept a number of receivers involved in the passing game and was extremely efficient. Lucky and Wilson had good days running the football as well, and I had to applaud FB Dane Tood finally getting his first TD of his career. D played well, only giving up the late long run that set up their only TD. I predicted 35-10 against La. Tech and 49-7 against Nicholls, results were better than I expected to be honest.
Thoughts on USC -- Trojans are very talented, but a little inexperienced, and are nowhere near the team they had last year. I don't think they have played anyone with the talent we have on defense other than Texas last year. The big playmakers from last year that played in that game aren't around anymore for them. Arkansas game is not a good indicator of where they are, any more than La. Tech and Nicholls are of the Huskers. The idea that Arkansas was an 8 point underdog and we are 19 1/2 is a huge joke. We are a far, far better team than Arkansas. USC didn't really have to move the ball much against them with the Razorbacks commiting 5 turnovers.
Defensively, USC wasn't very good last year, and I don't think they are as good on that side of the ball this year as well. Injuries have taken a toll on the Trojan's defensive depth to some degree as well, losing one starting S in camp and now their #1 NT, and have a LB and a CB nicked up as well. I see Taylor and company moving the ball pretty consistently on them, and the Blackshirts will slow them down to a degree. We definitely can not afford to make silly mistakes or turn the ball over. Going out on a limb, crossing my fingers it turns out to be true but --
NU 35, USC 31.
Thoughts on Nicholls St. -- about what I expected, we played a overmatched squad that had little or no chance of putting up much of a fight. The encouraging signs were that Taylor kept a number of receivers involved in the passing game and was extremely efficient. Lucky and Wilson had good days running the football as well, and I had to applaud FB Dane Tood finally getting his first TD of his career. D played well, only giving up the late long run that set up their only TD. I predicted 35-10 against La. Tech and 49-7 against Nicholls, results were better than I expected to be honest.
Thoughts on USC -- Trojans are very talented, but a little inexperienced, and are nowhere near the team they had last year. I don't think they have played anyone with the talent we have on defense other than Texas last year. The big playmakers from last year that played in that game aren't around anymore for them. Arkansas game is not a good indicator of where they are, any more than La. Tech and Nicholls are of the Huskers. The idea that Arkansas was an 8 point underdog and we are 19 1/2 is a huge joke. We are a far, far better team than Arkansas. USC didn't really have to move the ball much against them with the Razorbacks commiting 5 turnovers.
Defensively, USC wasn't very good last year, and I don't think they are as good on that side of the ball this year as well. Injuries have taken a toll on the Trojan's defensive depth to some degree as well, losing one starting S in camp and now their #1 NT, and have a LB and a CB nicked up as well. I see Taylor and company moving the ball pretty consistently on them, and the Blackshirts will slow them down to a degree. We definitely can not afford to make silly mistakes or turn the ball over. Going out on a limb, crossing my fingers it turns out to be true but --
NU 35, USC 31.
US Poverty Report
Link to columnby David Henderson via TCS Daily.
Census Bureau released its 2005 poverty statistics the other day, and much was made of the have fact that median income levels are still below those of 2000, although they did rise last year by a small percentage. Analysis of the population usually relies on dividing the US by income quintiles, as the Census data does. Results are interesting if you drill into the numbers and circumstances of the high and low groups a bit and compare them. The figures below define each group.
" In 2005, the lowest quintile had incomes of up to $19,178 and the highest quintile had incomes exceeding $91,705. People often picture families at all quintiles looking pretty much alike except for income and ethnicity. But that picture is false. "
Henderson points out that poverty statistics don't adjust for wealth, meaning many retirees with low incomes today actually have high net worths after a lifetime in the labor force and saving for retirement. Most people defined as being in poverty also don't have a job, and if they aren't retired, they are generally younger than 35 -- 35 to 54 being statistically the peak earning years for most individuals. As people get more experienced in the workforce, they get raises and skills, that over time, lift them out of the bottom quintile. Another little nugget --even if you don't have a job, if you live with a person with a job, it's likely you aren't going to be poor. If you work full-time, and have a spouse working full time, it very, very unlikely that you are in the bottom quintile.
"In the lowest quintile, 58.7 percent of households had no one earning money, 35.9 percent had one earner, and only 5.5 percent of households had two or more earners. (These percentages total 100.1 percent due to rounding.) In the highest quintile, by contrast, only 2.6 percent had no one earning money, 21.1 percent had one earner, and a whopping 76.3 percent had two or more earners...... In the lowest quintile, 64.2 percent of the heads of household (the Census now calls them "householders") did not work at all and only 14.0 percent worked full-time year-round. By contrast, in the highest quintile only 11.3 percent of heads of households did not work, while 73.0 percent worked full-time year-round....... Only 17.9 percent of households in the bottom quintile had a married-couple family; by contrast, 79.0 percent of households in the top quintile had a married-couple family. "
Of course, as has been mentioned earlier, by myself and others, poverty statistics also don't adjust for transfer payments -- things like food stamps, medicaid, medicare, etc. It's true that a minimum wage worker has a tough time getting by, but only about a half a million people in this country earn only the minimum wage. Henderson also points out that the Consumer Price Index, used to adjust incomes to inflation, generally overstates inflation by just under 1 % a year. Overtime, this also skews the statistics. So do we really have a poverty probelm in this country? I'll say that there are certianly some people who need help -- but I think all of the above prove it's not nearly as bad as you might think.
Census Bureau released its 2005 poverty statistics the other day, and much was made of the have fact that median income levels are still below those of 2000, although they did rise last year by a small percentage. Analysis of the population usually relies on dividing the US by income quintiles, as the Census data does. Results are interesting if you drill into the numbers and circumstances of the high and low groups a bit and compare them. The figures below define each group.
" In 2005, the lowest quintile had incomes of up to $19,178 and the highest quintile had incomes exceeding $91,705. People often picture families at all quintiles looking pretty much alike except for income and ethnicity. But that picture is false. "
Henderson points out that poverty statistics don't adjust for wealth, meaning many retirees with low incomes today actually have high net worths after a lifetime in the labor force and saving for retirement. Most people defined as being in poverty also don't have a job, and if they aren't retired, they are generally younger than 35 -- 35 to 54 being statistically the peak earning years for most individuals. As people get more experienced in the workforce, they get raises and skills, that over time, lift them out of the bottom quintile. Another little nugget --even if you don't have a job, if you live with a person with a job, it's likely you aren't going to be poor. If you work full-time, and have a spouse working full time, it very, very unlikely that you are in the bottom quintile.
"In the lowest quintile, 58.7 percent of households had no one earning money, 35.9 percent had one earner, and only 5.5 percent of households had two or more earners. (These percentages total 100.1 percent due to rounding.) In the highest quintile, by contrast, only 2.6 percent had no one earning money, 21.1 percent had one earner, and a whopping 76.3 percent had two or more earners...... In the lowest quintile, 64.2 percent of the heads of household (the Census now calls them "householders") did not work at all and only 14.0 percent worked full-time year-round. By contrast, in the highest quintile only 11.3 percent of heads of households did not work, while 73.0 percent worked full-time year-round....... Only 17.9 percent of households in the bottom quintile had a married-couple family; by contrast, 79.0 percent of households in the top quintile had a married-couple family. "
Of course, as has been mentioned earlier, by myself and others, poverty statistics also don't adjust for transfer payments -- things like food stamps, medicaid, medicare, etc. It's true that a minimum wage worker has a tough time getting by, but only about a half a million people in this country earn only the minimum wage. Henderson also points out that the Consumer Price Index, used to adjust incomes to inflation, generally overstates inflation by just under 1 % a year. Overtime, this also skews the statistics. So do we really have a poverty probelm in this country? I'll say that there are certianly some people who need help -- but I think all of the above prove it's not nearly as bad as you might think.
Monday, September 11, 2006
Shuttle Docks with ISS
Space. com as usual.
Atlantis docked with the ISS this morning, and unlike many missions where the docking would be the highlight the day, they had to almost immediately set to work unloading the trusses and solar arrays the crew intends to attach in tomorrow's spacewalk.
"Atlantis’ STS-115 astronauts boarded the ISS by 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 GMT), with mission specialists Daniel Burbank and Steven MacLean jumping into tasks to move a $372 million pair of trusses and solar arrays from the shuttle’s cargo bay to the end of the ISS robotic arm........ Burbank and shuttle pilot Chris Ferguson eased the 35,000-pound (15,875-kilogram) Port 3/Port 4 trusses out of Atlantis’ payload bay, at one time wrangling with clearances of just inches between the station segments and orbiter hardware, shuttle officials said."
The trussess will have to be connected to the P1 truss before the spacewalk tomorrow, the goal of which is to connect the new segments to power cables and heaters that will enable the new pieces to effectivley double the station's power capacity. The work is the first of three planned spacewalk construction tasks this week, all of which are expected to last about six and a half hours.
Atlantis docked with the ISS this morning, and unlike many missions where the docking would be the highlight the day, they had to almost immediately set to work unloading the trusses and solar arrays the crew intends to attach in tomorrow's spacewalk.
"Atlantis’ STS-115 astronauts boarded the ISS by 8:30 a.m. EDT (1230 GMT), with mission specialists Daniel Burbank and Steven MacLean jumping into tasks to move a $372 million pair of trusses and solar arrays from the shuttle’s cargo bay to the end of the ISS robotic arm........ Burbank and shuttle pilot Chris Ferguson eased the 35,000-pound (15,875-kilogram) Port 3/Port 4 trusses out of Atlantis’ payload bay, at one time wrangling with clearances of just inches between the station segments and orbiter hardware, shuttle officials said."
The trussess will have to be connected to the P1 truss before the spacewalk tomorrow, the goal of which is to connect the new segments to power cables and heaters that will enable the new pieces to effectivley double the station's power capacity. The work is the first of three planned spacewalk construction tasks this week, all of which are expected to last about six and a half hours.
9-11 & the War
Of course, today is the fith anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center and the loss of 2,996 innocent victims.
There is a project to commmemorate the victims here at the 2996 Project.
I don't usually schill for anyone, but this is one of those occaisons where I feel I have to, some of the people defending us and their families need the help of all of the rest of us to get by during or after their service. It is certainly the right thing to do, so if you are able, please contribute as generously as you can to any of the following organizations.
You can support our brave service personnel defending our freedom overseas and elsewhere today at the USO. I do.
Also see the good works that Soldiers' Angels does for our best and noblest and their families.
More importantly, for those who've made the greatest sacrifice and been injured or disabled on duty while defending freedom, see Help Hospitalized Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans, all groups I personally support as well.
My sister sent me an email with my brother-in-law's new address. He has been serving at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq since mid-August with the 86th Signal Battalion. We hope to have him home safe and sound around a year from now. Godspeed.
There is a project to commmemorate the victims here at the 2996 Project.
I don't usually schill for anyone, but this is one of those occaisons where I feel I have to, some of the people defending us and their families need the help of all of the rest of us to get by during or after their service. It is certainly the right thing to do, so if you are able, please contribute as generously as you can to any of the following organizations.
You can support our brave service personnel defending our freedom overseas and elsewhere today at the USO. I do.
Also see the good works that Soldiers' Angels does for our best and noblest and their families.
More importantly, for those who've made the greatest sacrifice and been injured or disabled on duty while defending freedom, see Help Hospitalized Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, and Disabled American Veterans, all groups I personally support as well.
My sister sent me an email with my brother-in-law's new address. He has been serving at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq since mid-August with the 86th Signal Battalion. We hope to have him home safe and sound around a year from now. Godspeed.
Saturday, September 09, 2006
Shuttle Launches
Atlantis flys! No foam issues reported, fuel cells working as expected. Great news.
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Baseball Standings
Well, the wheat is starting to separate from the chaff now that Sep has arrived. The Bronx Bombers have an 8 game lead over the Evil Red Stockinged Ones with a magic number of 17 to clinch, while the Stupid crosstown Mets are down to a magic number of 11 to clinch the Old Circuit Eastern crown, currently enjoying a 15 game lead over the Phils.
Things are a little more interesting in the Central Divisions. The Twinkies have gained mucho ground on the Tiggers, but are still 4 back. The Southern Canadians have a game and a half lead in the wild card over the White Stockings. In the NL the Cards have started to finally assert themselves, up to a 6 game lead over slumping Cincy, which has dropped 8 of its last 10.
Out in the Western divisions, Oakland has opened up a 5 1/2 game lead on the team with the really long name, while the Dumb Dodgers are in probably the best race, with the Priests in the NL just 1 game behind. Everyone start the Gregorian chanting now to defeat the City of Angels. The Priests have a 2 game lead over the Phils for the NL Wild Card spot, who'd I'd much rather see make the WC (and stiff the Dumb ones) just for the chance to see Ryan Howard hammer some over the fence in the playoffs. The Florida kids (they would be OK for the WC too)trail by only 3, Cincy and SF are only back 3 1/2 even though both are under .500 by a game.
Things are a little more interesting in the Central Divisions. The Twinkies have gained mucho ground on the Tiggers, but are still 4 back. The Southern Canadians have a game and a half lead in the wild card over the White Stockings. In the NL the Cards have started to finally assert themselves, up to a 6 game lead over slumping Cincy, which has dropped 8 of its last 10.
Out in the Western divisions, Oakland has opened up a 5 1/2 game lead on the team with the really long name, while the Dumb Dodgers are in probably the best race, with the Priests in the NL just 1 game behind. Everyone start the Gregorian chanting now to defeat the City of Angels. The Priests have a 2 game lead over the Phils for the NL Wild Card spot, who'd I'd much rather see make the WC (and stiff the Dumb ones) just for the chance to see Ryan Howard hammer some over the fence in the playoffs. The Florida kids (they would be OK for the WC too)trail by only 3, Cincy and SF are only back 3 1/2 even though both are under .500 by a game.
Shuttle Launch Delayed Again
Shuttle Atlantis is again delayed, this time to a faulty fuel cell that is reading as if it has a short in a coolant motor. Fortunately, they detected the problem before fueling the orbiter, saving the trouble to have to pump out the super-cold propellant. They are hoping to resolve the issue in time to launch tomorrow.
"According to NASA flight rules, all three of Atlantis' fuel cells must be functioning properly before the shuttle can launch. Engineers are drawing up options to work around, repair or replace the hardware, shuttle officials said."
If extensive repairs are needed, the mission may miss its launch window, which closes Sep 8 due to an agreement with the Russian space agency which is launching a Soyuz craft to the ISS later this month. The mission could be delayed out to Oct 26, unless the agency decides to relax its restriction to only launch during the day due to the desire to examine and the evaluate the fuel tank modifications made after the Columbia tragedy. If a night launch is permitted, it could launch as soon as Sep 29.
"According to NASA flight rules, all three of Atlantis' fuel cells must be functioning properly before the shuttle can launch. Engineers are drawing up options to work around, repair or replace the hardware, shuttle officials said."
If extensive repairs are needed, the mission may miss its launch window, which closes Sep 8 due to an agreement with the Russian space agency which is launching a Soyuz craft to the ISS later this month. The mission could be delayed out to Oct 26, unless the agency decides to relax its restriction to only launch during the day due to the desire to examine and the evaluate the fuel tank modifications made after the Columbia tragedy. If a night launch is permitted, it could launch as soon as Sep 29.
Shuttle Launch Delayed Again
Shuttle Atlantis is again delayed, this time to a faulty fuel cell that is reading as if it has a short in a coolant motor. Fortunately, they detected the problem before fueling the orbiter, saving the trouble to have to pump out the super-cold propellant. They are hoping to resolve the issue in time to launch tomorrow.
"According to NASA flight rules, all three of Atlantis' fuel cells must be functioning properly before the shuttle can launch. Engineers are drawing up options to work around, repair or replace the hardware, shuttle officials said."
If extensive repairs are needed, the mission may miss its launch window, which closes Sep 8 due to an agreement with the Russian space agency which is launching a Soyuz craft to the ISS later this month. The mission could be delayed out to Oct 26, unless the agency decides to relax its restriction to only launch during the day due to the desire to examine and the evaluate the fuel tank modifications made after the Columbia tragedy. If a night launch is permitted, it could launch as soon as Sep 29.
"According to NASA flight rules, all three of Atlantis' fuel cells must be functioning properly before the shuttle can launch. Engineers are drawing up options to work around, repair or replace the hardware, shuttle officials said."
If extensive repairs are needed, the mission may miss its launch window, which closes Sep 8 due to an agreement with the Russian space agency which is launching a Soyuz craft to the ISS later this month. The mission could be delayed out to Oct 26, unless the agency decides to relax its restriction to only launch during the day due to the desire to examine and the evaluate the fuel tank modifications made after the Columbia tragedy. If a night launch is permitted, it could launch as soon as Sep 29.
Military Spending
Col. Peters has some words of wisdom for our political leaders and generals. We are still buying mighty expensive toys that don't necessarily help us in the current fight we find ourselves in.
"Precision-targeting systems and other superweapons are dangerously seductive to civilian leaders looking for military wins on the cheap. Exaggerated promises about capabilities — made by contractors, lobbyists and bedazzled generals — delude presidents and prime ministers into believing that war can be swift and immaculate, with minimal friendly or even enemy casualties."
Basicly he is saying, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A SOLDIER ON THE GROUND. Not yet at least, although I've seen some robots that were pretty cool, but most likely not ready for prime time, and probably would just be a force mulitiplier in any case. We would like to believe it, though, because it gets us off the hook to some degree when the inevitable blood get spilled. We need to spend money wiser, for things that help us in the fight today, not the fight we didn't have (USSR) yesterday.
"Precision-targeting systems and other superweapons are dangerously seductive to civilian leaders looking for military wins on the cheap. Exaggerated promises about capabilities — made by contractors, lobbyists and bedazzled generals — delude presidents and prime ministers into believing that war can be swift and immaculate, with minimal friendly or even enemy casualties."
Basicly he is saying, THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR A SOLDIER ON THE GROUND. Not yet at least, although I've seen some robots that were pretty cool, but most likely not ready for prime time, and probably would just be a force mulitiplier in any case. We would like to believe it, though, because it gets us off the hook to some degree when the inevitable blood get spilled. We need to spend money wiser, for things that help us in the fight today, not the fight we didn't have (USSR) yesterday.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Huskers Win, First Thoughts
via Huskerextra.
Well, the team played pretty well, although it took a little bit to get started. Up only 14-10, the Huskers managed a very nice 2 minute drill to close out the first half, overcoming a couple of penalties in the process, then broke open the game with a strong drive to open the second half to go up 28-10. The D only gave up a couple of big plays in the passing game, one a spectacular one-handed TD catch, and recovered nicely by forcing a fumble after a 56 yd gainer.
The Huskers got the ground game going with 252 yards with all four young backs involved, Lucky and Glenn pacing the group with 79 and 88 respectively, and the only back not to score was Wilson, who had a nice TD run around the left end called back due to a hold. Glenn retains his role of short-yardage back, Brandon Jackson appears to be the third-down guy, and had a great 25 yd TD run. Taylor looked impressive with 287 and 3 TDs as well, all to TEs, including returnee Matt Herrian, and spread the ball around to multiple (9?) receivers, including Lucky, who caught 3 passes for 42 yds as well. Joe Ganz got some playing time in mop up duty and threw for a score to another TE while leading 2 drives to scores.
The Blackshirts had a a pretty decent day, giving up some yards but few points, with a lot of yonger players getting time in. Grixby led the team in tackles with 6, and both Carriker and Moore got sacks. The really bad news is we lost a couple of backups due to injury. MLB Phill Dilliard, in a situation reminiscient of Steve Octavian last year, started out well with 4 tackles before injuring his ACL and is done for the season. Lance Brandenburgh moves over from SAM and Clayton Sievers takes his spot as Stew Bradley's backup.
Far worse, in a near-disasterous turn of events, CB Isiah Fluellen also went down with a knee on his first play from scrimmage. A converted WR, he had worked his way up to #2 this fall backing up Courtney Grixby, who had gone down temporarily when Fluellen entered the game. Titus Brothers takes over for Fluellen behind Grixby now, with Tyrell Spain staying behind Andre Jones. One of two freshman, Anothony West or Corey Young may have to step up if another CB is needed, or we may need to play a S (perhaps Ben Eisenhart) when playing nickel coverage. This does not bode well for the rest of the season. we could ill afford an injury to the already thin secondary.
Well, the team played pretty well, although it took a little bit to get started. Up only 14-10, the Huskers managed a very nice 2 minute drill to close out the first half, overcoming a couple of penalties in the process, then broke open the game with a strong drive to open the second half to go up 28-10. The D only gave up a couple of big plays in the passing game, one a spectacular one-handed TD catch, and recovered nicely by forcing a fumble after a 56 yd gainer.
The Huskers got the ground game going with 252 yards with all four young backs involved, Lucky and Glenn pacing the group with 79 and 88 respectively, and the only back not to score was Wilson, who had a nice TD run around the left end called back due to a hold. Glenn retains his role of short-yardage back, Brandon Jackson appears to be the third-down guy, and had a great 25 yd TD run. Taylor looked impressive with 287 and 3 TDs as well, all to TEs, including returnee Matt Herrian, and spread the ball around to multiple (9?) receivers, including Lucky, who caught 3 passes for 42 yds as well. Joe Ganz got some playing time in mop up duty and threw for a score to another TE while leading 2 drives to scores.
The Blackshirts had a a pretty decent day, giving up some yards but few points, with a lot of yonger players getting time in. Grixby led the team in tackles with 6, and both Carriker and Moore got sacks. The really bad news is we lost a couple of backups due to injury. MLB Phill Dilliard, in a situation reminiscient of Steve Octavian last year, started out well with 4 tackles before injuring his ACL and is done for the season. Lance Brandenburgh moves over from SAM and Clayton Sievers takes his spot as Stew Bradley's backup.
Far worse, in a near-disasterous turn of events, CB Isiah Fluellen also went down with a knee on his first play from scrimmage. A converted WR, he had worked his way up to #2 this fall backing up Courtney Grixby, who had gone down temporarily when Fluellen entered the game. Titus Brothers takes over for Fluellen behind Grixby now, with Tyrell Spain staying behind Andre Jones. One of two freshman, Anothony West or Corey Young may have to step up if another CB is needed, or we may need to play a S (perhaps Ben Eisenhart) when playing nickel coverage. This does not bode well for the rest of the season. we could ill afford an injury to the already thin secondary.
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