Considering another run...
...as an independent presidential candidate is Ralph Nader. Obviously, this won't endear him to Democratic Party activists who've never gotten over the fact that Al Gore is not in the White House.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Thursday, February 19, 2004
21 things going for W...
...are listed by ElectionProjection.com. I'd add at least one more, the advantage he gains from upholding a prolife position.
...are listed by ElectionProjection.com. I'd add at least one more, the advantage he gains from upholding a prolife position.
Senate Subcommittee Field Hearing...
...in Houston Wednesday on the President's new space vision. The panelists expressed a strong emphasis on innovative ways to engage the private sector in a big way. Committee links to remarks by the panel and elected officials are here.
...in Houston Wednesday on the President's new space vision. The panelists expressed a strong emphasis on innovative ways to engage the private sector in a big way. Committee links to remarks by the panel and elected officials are here.
Sunday, February 15, 2004
My Input to the Space Commission
The President's Space Commission is currently seeking public input. Go to the commission's web site and select the 'Contact Us' button to submit your input. Here is what I submitted to the commission today, including my personal view on 'why' explore and open the frontier and some recommendations on how to go about it:
I am an engineer who works in the space industry and I am active in several space advocacy organizations. However, the views presented here are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or of the organizations I am affiliated with.
Why explore space? Reasons commonly given are science, spin-offs or inspiration. Certainly, basic science must be a part of our space activities, as pure research can contribute future practical benefits that cannot now be imagined while provoking the deepest questions about our place in the universe. Certainly, technologies developed from earlier space efforts have found their way into many aspects of our everyday lives. And those early space activities certainly did inspire many young people, including myself, to study challenging subjects and pursue careers that contribute significantly to our society’s economic and technological advancement.
However, that inspiration was based on the expectation that those early explorers were opening the path for many to follow in our lifetime. Does the fact that that hasn’t happened indicate that the importance of opening this frontier to society is not sufficiently recognized?
I would like to propose that the opening of this expansive frontier would make a crucial difference to the economic and social/cultural future of our society.
The potential of space activity to spur new and growing industries has direct relevance to some of the down-to-earth problems that concern people today. The need to create new jobs as familiar ones migrate overseas or are replaced by automated processes is becoming increasingly evident. So, too, is the need to generate new revenue to meet the needs of an increasingly older population as the traditional Social Security and Medicare programs and private retirement plans face an uncertain future.
Looking to the longer term, does the cultural worldview tend to welcome future generations or fear them as a danger to the Earth’s environment? Population trends in America are tending toward fewer young workers supporting an increasingly older population. Populations in Western Europe are in actual decline and some would impose this dismal prospect on the rest of the world through coercive population control programs.
But isn’t there a more hopeful prospect for the future that doesn’t pit people against the planet? Professor John Lewis of the University of Arizona, in his book Mining the Sky, describes the potential abundance of resources in the Solar System, particularly in the asteroids. Might not the most compelling justification for exploration be to provide future generations with the resources to sustain their lives and the ability to live in greater freedom?
For our space exploration plans to fulfill this great potential, it is important that they be carried out in a sustainable way that truly enables the merchants and the settlers to follow the explorers. This rules out ‘business as usual’ as practiced by NASA and the aerospace industry over the past few decades.
The proposed FY2005 NASA budget offers some hopeful hints of change. The ‘Cargo and Crew Services’ (a.k.a. ‘ISS Transport’) line item to seek alternative means of accessing the International Space Station and the ‘Centennial Challenges’ prizes for innovative technology development are good starts and should be ramped up and broadened in future years. Data purchase of, for example, high-resolution lunar mapping would be another way for NASA to take more of a customer role for entrepreneurial space ventures.
The traditional Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) should not be allowed to add to the cost of the exploration effort, and Congress should look at reforming or bypassing the usual procurement labyrinth.
While the exploration program sees the Moon as a venue to test systems and practice for Mars exploration, it should also serve as a catalyst where NASA acts as a customer for commercial services provided on or near the Moon. This could jump start economic activity on the Moon utilizing local resources. A sustained industrial presence on the Moon would also enable affordable science activity to continue after the exploration program has moved on to Mars.
Congress should pass pending legislation to enable new commercial space industries. The Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 will codify the regulatory environment so that today’s fledgling suborbital spaceflight industry has a chance to grow into a robust orbital transportation industry that can contribute to the sustainability of the exploration effort. The Zero-G/Zero-Tax bill will provide incentives for new space industries that will follow the explorers into the Solar System.
In summary, to carry out the exploration program sustainably over decades requires challenging entrenched ways of doing business and engaging the participation of the private sector. And, once again, we need to communicate how the drive to explore connects with the fundamental social/cultural imperative to provide for the life and liberty of future generations.
The President's Space Commission is currently seeking public input. Go to the commission's web site and select the 'Contact Us' button to submit your input. Here is what I submitted to the commission today, including my personal view on 'why' explore and open the frontier and some recommendations on how to go about it:
I am an engineer who works in the space industry and I am active in several space advocacy organizations. However, the views presented here are my own, and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or of the organizations I am affiliated with.
Why explore space? Reasons commonly given are science, spin-offs or inspiration. Certainly, basic science must be a part of our space activities, as pure research can contribute future practical benefits that cannot now be imagined while provoking the deepest questions about our place in the universe. Certainly, technologies developed from earlier space efforts have found their way into many aspects of our everyday lives. And those early space activities certainly did inspire many young people, including myself, to study challenging subjects and pursue careers that contribute significantly to our society’s economic and technological advancement.
However, that inspiration was based on the expectation that those early explorers were opening the path for many to follow in our lifetime. Does the fact that that hasn’t happened indicate that the importance of opening this frontier to society is not sufficiently recognized?
I would like to propose that the opening of this expansive frontier would make a crucial difference to the economic and social/cultural future of our society.
The potential of space activity to spur new and growing industries has direct relevance to some of the down-to-earth problems that concern people today. The need to create new jobs as familiar ones migrate overseas or are replaced by automated processes is becoming increasingly evident. So, too, is the need to generate new revenue to meet the needs of an increasingly older population as the traditional Social Security and Medicare programs and private retirement plans face an uncertain future.
Looking to the longer term, does the cultural worldview tend to welcome future generations or fear them as a danger to the Earth’s environment? Population trends in America are tending toward fewer young workers supporting an increasingly older population. Populations in Western Europe are in actual decline and some would impose this dismal prospect on the rest of the world through coercive population control programs.
But isn’t there a more hopeful prospect for the future that doesn’t pit people against the planet? Professor John Lewis of the University of Arizona, in his book Mining the Sky, describes the potential abundance of resources in the Solar System, particularly in the asteroids. Might not the most compelling justification for exploration be to provide future generations with the resources to sustain their lives and the ability to live in greater freedom?
For our space exploration plans to fulfill this great potential, it is important that they be carried out in a sustainable way that truly enables the merchants and the settlers to follow the explorers. This rules out ‘business as usual’ as practiced by NASA and the aerospace industry over the past few decades.
The proposed FY2005 NASA budget offers some hopeful hints of change. The ‘Cargo and Crew Services’ (a.k.a. ‘ISS Transport’) line item to seek alternative means of accessing the International Space Station and the ‘Centennial Challenges’ prizes for innovative technology development are good starts and should be ramped up and broadened in future years. Data purchase of, for example, high-resolution lunar mapping would be another way for NASA to take more of a customer role for entrepreneurial space ventures.
The traditional Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) should not be allowed to add to the cost of the exploration effort, and Congress should look at reforming or bypassing the usual procurement labyrinth.
While the exploration program sees the Moon as a venue to test systems and practice for Mars exploration, it should also serve as a catalyst where NASA acts as a customer for commercial services provided on or near the Moon. This could jump start economic activity on the Moon utilizing local resources. A sustained industrial presence on the Moon would also enable affordable science activity to continue after the exploration program has moved on to Mars.
Congress should pass pending legislation to enable new commercial space industries. The Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 will codify the regulatory environment so that today’s fledgling suborbital spaceflight industry has a chance to grow into a robust orbital transportation industry that can contribute to the sustainability of the exploration effort. The Zero-G/Zero-Tax bill will provide incentives for new space industries that will follow the explorers into the Solar System.
In summary, to carry out the exploration program sustainably over decades requires challenging entrenched ways of doing business and engaging the participation of the private sector. And, once again, we need to communicate how the drive to explore connects with the fundamental social/cultural imperative to provide for the life and liberty of future generations.
Friday, February 13, 2004
A perspective on Mel Gibson's Passion...
...and the controversy surrounding it by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. One of many resources being provided to accompany the film is Catholic Passion Outreach. Here is the movie's official site, which includes a link to theatre listings
...and the controversy surrounding it by Rabbi Daniel Lapin. One of many resources being provided to accompany the film is Catholic Passion Outreach. Here is the movie's official site, which includes a link to theatre listings
Sanity come to a Florida appeals court...
...with a decision in favor of Terri Schiavo, her family and Governor Jeb Bush.
...with a decision in favor of Terri Schiavo, her family and Governor Jeb Bush.
Monday, February 09, 2004
SETI Rising
The SETI team is back at the Arecibo radiotelescope in Puerto Rico for another Project Phoenix observing campaign. Follow their progress via the Arecibo Diaries and SETICam.
The SETI team is back at the Arecibo radiotelescope in Puerto Rico for another Project Phoenix observing campaign. Follow their progress via the Arecibo Diaries and SETICam.
President Bush's Space Initiative
The Aldridge Commission which will further define W's vision has established its website. The first public hearing is set for Wednesday in DC. Go to the 'Contact Us' button on the website to post comments to be forwarded to the Commission.
The Aldridge Commission which will further define W's vision has established its website. The first public hearing is set for Wednesday in DC. Go to the 'Contact Us' button on the website to post comments to be forwarded to the Commission.
Roe No More
From LifeNews.com:
"The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has announced that it will hear oral arguments in Norma McCorvey's attempt to overturn the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that overturned pro-life laws across the country banning abortion."
I'm not a legal expert, so I don't know the probability that this development will directly lead to the overturn of Roe v. Wade, but something big may be underway here.
From LifeNews.com:
"The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has announced that it will hear oral arguments in Norma McCorvey's attempt to overturn the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that overturned pro-life laws across the country banning abortion."
I'm not a legal expert, so I don't know the probability that this development will directly lead to the overturn of Roe v. Wade, but something big may be underway here.
Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
Yeah, you probably know by now, but just to mark forty years (ouch!) since the Beatles first came to America.
Yeah, you probably know by now, but just to mark forty years (ouch!) since the Beatles first came to America.
Saturday, February 07, 2004
Signs of Innovation in NASA Budget
The FY2005 NASA budget proposed by the White House earlier this week includes some items long sought by those in the space community who have been urging greater government enabling of the entrepreneurial private sector.
The Alternative Access program, now known as Crew & Cargo Services, is funded under Code M (Human Spaceflight) under the ISS line-item (pdf). The description states:
It is necessary for NASA to establish a transportation capability or crew and cargo for the space station program after the Shuttle is retired. NASA intends to meet this need through the
purchase of services for cargo and crew transport using existing and emerging capabilities, both domestic and foreign.
Also, in the Human and Robotic Technology line item (pdf), there is an initiative called 'Centennial Challenges' which is a fund ($20 million in FY2005) to award prizes for innovative solutions to spacefaring technological challenges.:
The Centennial Challenge Program is an experimental approach to stimulating innovation and competition in technical areas of interest to NASA. In commemoration of the Wright Brothers' seminal flight at Kitty Hawk, the Centennial Challenge program will establish purse awards for a portfolio of technical accomplishments that could advance the state of civil space exploration and aeronautics.
If these initiatives are followed through, it will indicate that NASA is starting to reform its way of doing business and looking beyond traditional bureaucratic practices to meet the challenge of human exploration of the Moon and beyond.
The FY2005 NASA budget proposed by the White House earlier this week includes some items long sought by those in the space community who have been urging greater government enabling of the entrepreneurial private sector.
The Alternative Access program, now known as Crew & Cargo Services, is funded under Code M (Human Spaceflight) under the ISS line-item (pdf). The description states:
It is necessary for NASA to establish a transportation capability or crew and cargo for the space station program after the Shuttle is retired. NASA intends to meet this need through the
purchase of services for cargo and crew transport using existing and emerging capabilities, both domestic and foreign.
Also, in the Human and Robotic Technology line item (pdf), there is an initiative called 'Centennial Challenges' which is a fund ($20 million in FY2005) to award prizes for innovative solutions to spacefaring technological challenges.:
The Centennial Challenge Program is an experimental approach to stimulating innovation and competition in technical areas of interest to NASA. In commemoration of the Wright Brothers' seminal flight at Kitty Hawk, the Centennial Challenge program will establish purse awards for a portfolio of technical accomplishments that could advance the state of civil space exploration and aeronautics.
If these initiatives are followed through, it will indicate that NASA is starting to reform its way of doing business and looking beyond traditional bureaucratic practices to meet the challenge of human exploration of the Moon and beyond.
Spell-checking in the Age of Blog
The spell-checker on Blogger is quite useful in checking for typos when I'm ready to post on this blog. It doesn't have the most comprehensive or contemporary vocabulary, though. I was a little disappointed when I found it did not recognize words such as 'prolife' or 'spaceflight'. What I found most astonishing, however, was that it did not recognize the words 'blog', 'blogger' and 'blogging'.
The spell-checker on Blogger is quite useful in checking for typos when I'm ready to post on this blog. It doesn't have the most comprehensive or contemporary vocabulary, though. I was a little disappointed when I found it did not recognize words such as 'prolife' or 'spaceflight'. What I found most astonishing, however, was that it did not recognize the words 'blog', 'blogger' and 'blogging'.
Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Dems Nomination Race Narrowing the Field.
Senator Joe Lieberman drops out as John Kerry wins several primaries and John Edwards wins South Carolina.
Senator Joe Lieberman drops out as John Kerry wins several primaries and John Edwards wins South Carolina.
Around the Beltway and the Solar System
President Bush has sent his $2.4 trillion FY2005 budget to Capitol Hill yesterday. NASA's portion of that is $16.2 billion (~0.67% of the total). Outline and detailed downloads can be found here.
The White House announced the membership of the commission that will start to define the specifics of President Bush's vision for exploration of the Moon and beyond.
Finally, both Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are ready to roll. Check out the NASA/JPL project website for continuing updates.
President Bush has sent his $2.4 trillion FY2005 budget to Capitol Hill yesterday. NASA's portion of that is $16.2 billion (~0.67% of the total). Outline and detailed downloads can be found here.
The White House announced the membership of the commission that will start to define the specifics of President Bush's vision for exploration of the Moon and beyond.
Finally, both Mars rovers, Spirit and Opportunity, are ready to roll. Check out the NASA/JPL project website for continuing updates.
Saturday, January 31, 2004
One Year Ago,...
NASA
...February 1, 2003. I recall hearing on the car radio the first report that the Shuttle Columbia had lost communication and was 'overdue' for its planned landing. I immediately felt a pit in my stomach. Since the Shuttle is a gliding vehicle, I knew that 'overdue' meant that it would not land, that this would be another grim day like when the Challenger went down seventeen years earlier. Getting home an hour later, the continuous replay of that terrible fireball in the Texas morning sky was underway.
A year has passed, with much soul searching within NASA and the whole space community. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) concluded in August that lapses in a flawed 'NASA culture' played a primary role in allowing the accident to happen.
At the same time, the CAIB held the nation responsible for not providing NASA with a clear vision toward which to direct its efforts. By then, space vision and policy were quietly being developed by the White House and Congress, which led to President Bush's announcement on January 14 of a new vision for exploration of the Moon and beyond.
Let's honor the memory of the Columbia Seven by seeing that this vision is carried out and is implemented in a way that truly opens space as a frontier for humanity
President Bush said some memorable words when he addressed the nation that afternoon:
"In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home."
At the memorial service in Houston three days later, he described the calling to carry on the work of exploring space:
"This cause of exploration and discovery is not an option we choose; it is a desire written in the human heart."
NASA
...February 1, 2003. I recall hearing on the car radio the first report that the Shuttle Columbia had lost communication and was 'overdue' for its planned landing. I immediately felt a pit in my stomach. Since the Shuttle is a gliding vehicle, I knew that 'overdue' meant that it would not land, that this would be another grim day like when the Challenger went down seventeen years earlier. Getting home an hour later, the continuous replay of that terrible fireball in the Texas morning sky was underway.
A year has passed, with much soul searching within NASA and the whole space community. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) concluded in August that lapses in a flawed 'NASA culture' played a primary role in allowing the accident to happen.
At the same time, the CAIB held the nation responsible for not providing NASA with a clear vision toward which to direct its efforts. By then, space vision and policy were quietly being developed by the White House and Congress, which led to President Bush's announcement on January 14 of a new vision for exploration of the Moon and beyond.
Let's honor the memory of the Columbia Seven by seeing that this vision is carried out and is implemented in a way that truly opens space as a frontier for humanity
President Bush said some memorable words when he addressed the nation that afternoon:
"In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing."
The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home."
At the memorial service in Houston three days later, he described the calling to carry on the work of exploring space:
"This cause of exploration and discovery is not an option we choose; it is a desire written in the human heart."
Friday, January 30, 2004
Speaking Truth to Power (Boston Style)
The leadership of the Catholic Church in America is starting to find its voice and take a stand on Catholic politicians who profess a 'prochoice' (pro-abortion) position. This could prove especially awkward for the emerging Democratic frontrunner for president.
It should be understood that this stand is not intended to condemn a public official. It is meant to challenge him or her to question their position on such a fundamental moral question as the direct killing of innocent human lives, and also to educate the public on the seriousness of the Church's position on this matter.
The leadership of the Catholic Church in America is starting to find its voice and take a stand on Catholic politicians who profess a 'prochoice' (pro-abortion) position. This could prove especially awkward for the emerging Democratic frontrunner for president.
It should be understood that this stand is not intended to condemn a public official. It is meant to challenge him or her to question their position on such a fundamental moral question as the direct killing of innocent human lives, and also to educate the public on the seriousness of the Church's position on this matter.
Thursday, January 29, 2004
Senate Committee Looks at NASA's Future
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to look at the future of NASA. Administrator Sean O'Keefe testified first, followed by a panel which included provocative testimony by Rick Tumlinson of the Space Frontier Foundation. The Committee page with links to the witness' testimony is here.
The Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing on Wednesday to look at the future of NASA. Administrator Sean O'Keefe testified first, followed by a panel which included provocative testimony by Rick Tumlinson of the Space Frontier Foundation. The Committee page with links to the witness' testimony is here.
Day of Remenbrance
NASA today took time to remember the anniversaries of the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia tragedies, all three of which fall this week. Administrator Sean O'Keefe said that the time of remembrance should also be a time of rededication to avoid the kind of lapses that led to the fatal accidents.
NASA today took time to remember the anniversaries of the Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia tragedies, all three of which fall this week. Administrator Sean O'Keefe said that the time of remembrance should also be a time of rededication to avoid the kind of lapses that led to the fatal accidents.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004
Monday, January 26, 2004
Several Interesting Articles
Keith Cowing argues for considering other options to save the Hubble Space Telecope from a premature end.
Also, four new articles at The Space Review today. Among them, Phil Smith argues that President Bush's new initiative is the wrong approach. This article really does lay out a broad vision of the human future of developing and settling space, largely through the private sector. I wouldn't necessarily agree that the Bush plan precludes this vision, only that the plan, broadly defined so far, only addresses NASA's role in cutting edge exploration. What is needed is a complementary plan to involve the private sector and enable it to follow the explorers outward.
Jeff Foust looks at the Near Earth Asteroids as a third option. What I noticed about W's address, is that he only laid out a schedule as far as establishing a presence on the Moon with related infrastructure by 2020. Beyond that, the President spoke of "human missions to Mars and to worlds beyond", without providing a timeline. Whether knowingly or not, he leaves the door open for the nation to head to the asteroids ahead of Mars if the opportunity, or especially the threat, is deemed more important at that time.
Keith Cowing argues for considering other options to save the Hubble Space Telecope from a premature end.
Also, four new articles at The Space Review today. Among them, Phil Smith argues that President Bush's new initiative is the wrong approach. This article really does lay out a broad vision of the human future of developing and settling space, largely through the private sector. I wouldn't necessarily agree that the Bush plan precludes this vision, only that the plan, broadly defined so far, only addresses NASA's role in cutting edge exploration. What is needed is a complementary plan to involve the private sector and enable it to follow the explorers outward.
Jeff Foust looks at the Near Earth Asteroids as a third option. What I noticed about W's address, is that he only laid out a schedule as far as establishing a presence on the Moon with related infrastructure by 2020. Beyond that, the President spoke of "human missions to Mars and to worlds beyond", without providing a timeline. Whether knowingly or not, he leaves the door open for the nation to head to the asteroids ahead of Mars if the opportunity, or especially the threat, is deemed more important at that time.
Missing the Big Story
If 100,000, perhaps 200,000 people, especially a largely young crowd, marched through the streets of Washington to address a serious public issue, the major media organizations would surely provide abundant coverage and analysis, right? Well, in case you missed it last week, check out here and here for an explanation.
If 100,000, perhaps 200,000 people, especially a largely young crowd, marched through the streets of Washington to address a serious public issue, the major media organizations would surely provide abundant coverage and analysis, right? Well, in case you missed it last week, check out here and here for an explanation.
No Work Today
My day job, anyway. Did some real work this morning, shoveling snow. Then spent some time catching up on web articles.
Even with the New Hampshire Primary tomorrow, I suspect the most watched analyst around here the past 24 hours was not a political pundit, but the Weather Channel's winter storm expert, Paul Kocin.
My day job, anyway. Did some real work this morning, shoveling snow. Then spent some time catching up on web articles.
Even with the New Hampshire Primary tomorrow, I suspect the most watched analyst around here the past 24 hours was not a political pundit, but the Weather Channel's winter storm expert, Paul Kocin.
Sunday, January 25, 2004
One Giant Leap for my Blog
This image shows one of the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's first breathtaking views of the martian landscape after its successful landing at Meridiani Planum on Mars. JPL press Release
This is an experiment to show that I can display a picture on my blog. The catch is that I can't post pictures directly on to my blog, since I'm using the free version of Blogger. This image will remain only as long as JPL maintains the link to this picture at the URL I've posted. (NASA imagery is public domain.)
This image shows one of the Mars Exploration Rover Opportunity's first breathtaking views of the martian landscape after its successful landing at Meridiani Planum on Mars. JPL press Release
This is an experiment to show that I can display a picture on my blog. The catch is that I can't post pictures directly on to my blog, since I'm using the free version of Blogger. This image will remain only as long as JPL maintains the link to this picture at the URL I've posted. (NASA imagery is public domain.)
Opportunity Bounce
Opportunity has landed, bounced and is rolling to a stop while maintaining communication. CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former VP Al Gore and a couple of congressmen are in the control room congratulating the team.
Indication of '+Y Petal Down', still modulating signal could indicate continued rolling.
Apparently, vehicle is now stationary, laying sideways with its signal to Earth 'multipathing', giving the appearance of continued rolling. Sideways position is not a problem. When petals open, the vehicle will be uprighted.
Opportunity is set to explore the Meridiani Planum region of Mars, rich in the mineral hematite, a strong indicator of the presence of water at some point in the region's history. For ongoing updates on Opportunity's post-landing activities and Spirit's recovery activities, go to the JPL project web site.
Opportunity has landed, bounced and is rolling to a stop while maintaining communication. CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, former VP Al Gore and a couple of congressmen are in the control room congratulating the team.
Indication of '+Y Petal Down', still modulating signal could indicate continued rolling.
Apparently, vehicle is now stationary, laying sideways with its signal to Earth 'multipathing', giving the appearance of continued rolling. Sideways position is not a problem. When petals open, the vehicle will be uprighted.
Opportunity is set to explore the Meridiani Planum region of Mars, rich in the mineral hematite, a strong indicator of the presence of water at some point in the region's history. For ongoing updates on Opportunity's post-landing activities and Spirit's recovery activities, go to the JPL project web site.
Friday, January 23, 2004
Mars Exploration Update
Controllers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are troubleshooting the serious operational anomalies affecting the Spirit rover, while also preparing for its sister ship Opportunity to arrive on the other side of the planet late Saturday. Follow the latest developments at JPL's project web site.
Meanwhile, the European Space Agency reports that its Mars Express orbiter has confirmed the presence of water ice in the south polar cap of Mars.
Controllers at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) are troubleshooting the serious operational anomalies affecting the Spirit rover, while also preparing for its sister ship Opportunity to arrive on the other side of the planet late Saturday. Follow the latest developments at JPL's project web site.
Meanwhile, the European Space Agency reports that its Mars Express orbiter has confirmed the presence of water ice in the south polar cap of Mars.
Still Trying to Party like It's 1992
Joel Rosenberg writes that public attitudes on abortion are changing, but the Democratic presidential candidates just don't seem to get it.
Joel Rosenberg writes that public attitudes on abortion are changing, but the Democratic presidential candidates just don't seem to get it.
Conservatives should know better...
...than to uncritically accept supposed 'facts' sensationalized in the Old Media. However, some conservatives have criticized President Bush's space initiative as fiscally irresponsible, based on the assumption that it would be a 'trillion dollar' effort. The criticism might be valid if that figure were true, but Jim Oberg explains that it would not be nearly that costly.
Citizens of any political persuasion can support making the effort more affordable with a greater payoff by advocating for a greater involvement of the private sector so that it can follow the explorers outward.
...than to uncritically accept supposed 'facts' sensationalized in the Old Media. However, some conservatives have criticized President Bush's space initiative as fiscally irresponsible, based on the assumption that it would be a 'trillion dollar' effort. The criticism might be valid if that figure were true, but Jim Oberg explains that it would not be nearly that costly.
Citizens of any political persuasion can support making the effort more affordable with a greater payoff by advocating for a greater involvement of the private sector so that it can follow the explorers outward.
A Part of Our Childhood
Bob Keeshan, aka Captain Kangaroo, has passed away at age 76. His show started in 1955, the year I was born.
Bob Keeshan, aka Captain Kangaroo, has passed away at age 76. His show started in 1955, the year I was born.
Thursday, January 22, 2004
Speaking Truth to Power
This was my eighth March for Life, but I am still awed by the power of meeting so many nice people who've taken the time and effort to come from many places to stand for life in the nation's capital.
The memorable events began last night with the packed, standing-room-only National Vigil Mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This morning started on Capitol Hill where I expressed my point of view to Senators Mikulski & Sarbanes (via filling out a form in their office lobbies). In the same Hart Senate Office Building, I then heard one of the most stirring prolife addresses ever, delivered by Father Frank Pavone. (Hopefully, a transcript or, better yet, a video will be available soon.)
The March itself was, as always, such a powerful experience. Near the end of the March, as Constitution Ave. ascends Capitol Hill, looking back at the sight of a sea of people and banners stretching many blocks distant gives a real sense of the power of this movement.
After attending a couple of post-March receptions, at 6 PM I started back toward Union Station to catch the Metro, but had one more stop. In front of the Supreme Court were two groups. One was a pro-abortion group chanting the same old tired slogans ("Not the Church, not the state, blah, blah, blah, blah!") At the other end of the plaza, an event called Silent No More, where women described the searing experiences of past abortions, and the healing and forgiveness they've felt in coming to terms with them. One group still in denial, the other 'silent no more'.
A long day, where the inspiration more than makes up for the tired legs and feet. I am quite hopeful about the future.
This was my eighth March for Life, but I am still awed by the power of meeting so many nice people who've taken the time and effort to come from many places to stand for life in the nation's capital.
The memorable events began last night with the packed, standing-room-only National Vigil Mass at the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This morning started on Capitol Hill where I expressed my point of view to Senators Mikulski & Sarbanes (via filling out a form in their office lobbies). In the same Hart Senate Office Building, I then heard one of the most stirring prolife addresses ever, delivered by Father Frank Pavone. (Hopefully, a transcript or, better yet, a video will be available soon.)
The March itself was, as always, such a powerful experience. Near the end of the March, as Constitution Ave. ascends Capitol Hill, looking back at the sight of a sea of people and banners stretching many blocks distant gives a real sense of the power of this movement.
After attending a couple of post-March receptions, at 6 PM I started back toward Union Station to catch the Metro, but had one more stop. In front of the Supreme Court were two groups. One was a pro-abortion group chanting the same old tired slogans ("Not the Church, not the state, blah, blah, blah, blah!") At the other end of the plaza, an event called Silent No More, where women described the searing experiences of past abortions, and the healing and forgiveness they've felt in coming to terms with them. One group still in denial, the other 'silent no more'.
A long day, where the inspiration more than makes up for the tired legs and feet. I am quite hopeful about the future.
Tuesday, January 20, 2004
Why We March
This Thursday, January 22, marks the 31st anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton Supreme Court decisions which imposed abortion-on-demand in the United States. Once again, concerned citizens will gather for the annual March for Life, which in recent years has usually drawn more than 100,000 participants. Now, why do so many people consider it so important to take time on a weekday to come to Washington, DC at the coldest time of the year to make their voice heard on this matter?
Before I go on any further, I need to say a couple of things. First, nothing in this article is meant to condemn anyone who has had an abortion or has been involved in abortion in some way. Far from condemning those with an abortion in their past, the people in the prolife movement are about healing and forgiveness, and want it to be clear that there is hope after abortion. Post-abortion counseling can be found through many church denominations and pregnancy counseling centers.
And second, while the prolife movement consists largely of people with strong religious convictions who feel called by God to defend the defenseless, that doesn’t make the protection of human life a narrow, religious issue. The facts that the defenseless exist and that they deserve protection in the human family can be persuasively advocated by non-religiously reasoned arguments.
First, let’s start with a little scientific background (from the Science for Unborn Human Life website) about how each of us began our lives as unique human beings. A new human being is conceived when a sperm fertilizes an egg. The sperm has 23 chromosomes and so does the egg. But the fertilized egg has 46, half from each parent, and is genetically unique. These 46 chromosomes, which are fixed at conception, establish the child's sex and are a blueprint for how it will develop, both during pregnancy and after birth.
Blood vessels start to form very early, about 13-18 days after fertilization. Then, on about the 20th day - nearly the end of the third week - the foundation of the brain, the spinal cord, and the entire nervous system is established. The heart begins to beat on about the 22nd day after conception, circulating blood throughout the child. The arms begin to form on about day 26, followed by the beginnings of the legs on day 28, the same day that the mouth opens for the first time.
Both the eyes and ears are developing rapidly during the seventh week after conception. At this time, the thumbs, neck, heels of the feet and all of the fingers are also present. Taste buds begin to form during the eighth week after conception. All parts of the limbs are apparent at this time. In addition, the fingers and toes have lengthened and are completely separated.
By the end of the eighth week the overwhelming majority (several thousand) of the body's organs, structures and systems have already begun to develop. Few, if any, new structures begin to form after this time. During the remainder of the pregnancy, development consists mainly of growth and maturation of the parts of the body that are already present.
Isolated arm, leg and backward head movements begin at about 7 to 10 weeks after conception. During the ninth week, a regular pattern of breathing movements is observed, with a median frequency of about 30 breaths each hour.
These are just the highlights of how you developed during the first 2-3 months of your life. Now consider that a majority of abortions are performed during the tenth to twelfth week of gestation. Some are performed much later in the pregnancy, when the child has grown larger and any unbiased observer would recognize a baby when they see one.
So why if the evidence so clearly indicates that a unique human life begins at conception, how did the deliberate and violent destruction of that life come to be imposed as a ‘constitutional right’? Time does not permit describing the whole history of abortion or the intertwining influences of the eugenics and population control movements. Let’s start with the socially turbulent late sixties when a growing pro-abortion movement subversively exploited the legitimate aspirations of women for greater rights and participation in society.
Dr. Bernard Nathanson, former abortionist and co-founder of the pro-abortion group NARAL, has since changed his mind and heart and is now a leading prolife advocate. He points out the disinformation at the heart of the pro-abortion campaign.
- “The statistics that we gave to the American public about illegal abortions annually; the statistics we fabricated regarding the number of women dying from illegal abortions annually; all of these matters were pure fabrication and still persist to this very day.”
- “We spoke of 5,000 to 10,000 deaths a year. I confess that I knew the figures were totally false. It was a useful figure, widely accepted, so why go out of our way to correct it with honest statistics?”
- “We in NARAL were in the business of coining slogans principally for the media . . . we scattered catchy slogans for them . . . to use . . . in their stories. Slogans like “reproductive rights,” “freedom of choice,” “pro-choice.” For many years we’ve known them to be hollow and meaningless. They’re just catchy and, essentially, without substance.”
The movement made rapid progress. California, New York and a few other states passed ‘liberalized’ abortion laws (though some other states rejected them). But what embedded abortion in American law were two Supreme Court cases, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, pronounced on January 22, 1973. The combined effect of the two decisions was to effectively impose abortion-on-demand throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Since that time, over forty million human beings have been exterminated by abortion in the United States.
Aside from the grave issue that was decided, the finding that abortion is part of a constitutional ‘right of privacy’ is considered an overreach of judicial power even by some legal scholars who describe themselves as ‘prochoice’. The ‘reasoning’ was based on ‘penumbras’ the justices claim to have seen in the constitution.
Did you know that the two plaintiffs in the Roe and Doe cases, Norma McCorvey and Sandra Cano, have filed affidavits to the effect that they were manipulated into their roles and that the decisions should be overturned? You would think that this development would be considered unprecedented in Supreme Court history, but I guess Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, the New York Times, etc. forgot to inform you.
One fact that is becoming evident that abortion-on-demand is not such a great thing for women. Abortion has left many women emotionally and sometimes physically scarred. Campaigns such as Silent No More and Women Deserve Better are tapping into this hidden anguish.
Also evident is the effect on our society, with conflicting attitudes on how we treat not only the unborn, but also the sick, disabled and elderly. Abortion has torn marriages and families apart, and led to a hardened and increasingly violent culture.
So, we have had for the past thirty years, a culture that in some ways has grown cynical, forgoing the promise of a hopeful future for instant gratification, or more often, the resignation to unimaginative “solutions” that pit mother against child or people against the planet. One is reminded of a quote from the great Irish poet William Butler Yeats:
“The blood-dimmed tide is loosed and everywhere a ceremony of innocence was drowned.”
These Supreme Court abortion decisions were assumed to have ‘settled’ the issue in our society. Yet much to the consternation of the pro-abortion establishment, the movement of concerned citizens to protect life has only grown in strength over the past thirty years. The prolife movement has pursued multiple paths: educating the public, lobbying and litigating for change, participating in politics, and especially reaching out to help women with unplanned pregnancies.
Particularly significant is that the change in public attitudes on abortion is most striking among young people (who’ve lost peers they’ve never met). This is manifested in polling results and an upsurge of prolife activism among college students, much to the consternation of their professors and, in some cases, their parents. Sort of adds a new twist to some lyrics from the sixties by Buffalo Springfield:
“Young people speaking their minds, Getting so much resistance from behind.”
So the buses are starting to roll, as thousands from distant states once again journey to Washington, where many will gather in prayer the night before or the morning of the March. Then we will rally and march, knowing that those we are trying to defend would some day defend our nation, write great literature, cure disease, compose stirring music, and explore and begin to settle the Solar System.
But more than for their potential accomplishments, we speak out for them simply because of the inherent dignity of each of their lives. In so doing we are responding to a great calling as individuals and as a civilization. And we’ll continue to speak and march and work and pray, confident in the hope that, one of these years, we won’t face the cold winds. Instead, we’ll gather on a warm spring day to celebrate the inclusion of the youngest in the human family within the protection of the law.
This Thursday, January 22, marks the 31st anniversary of the infamous Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton Supreme Court decisions which imposed abortion-on-demand in the United States. Once again, concerned citizens will gather for the annual March for Life, which in recent years has usually drawn more than 100,000 participants. Now, why do so many people consider it so important to take time on a weekday to come to Washington, DC at the coldest time of the year to make their voice heard on this matter?
Before I go on any further, I need to say a couple of things. First, nothing in this article is meant to condemn anyone who has had an abortion or has been involved in abortion in some way. Far from condemning those with an abortion in their past, the people in the prolife movement are about healing and forgiveness, and want it to be clear that there is hope after abortion. Post-abortion counseling can be found through many church denominations and pregnancy counseling centers.
And second, while the prolife movement consists largely of people with strong religious convictions who feel called by God to defend the defenseless, that doesn’t make the protection of human life a narrow, religious issue. The facts that the defenseless exist and that they deserve protection in the human family can be persuasively advocated by non-religiously reasoned arguments.
First, let’s start with a little scientific background (from the Science for Unborn Human Life website) about how each of us began our lives as unique human beings. A new human being is conceived when a sperm fertilizes an egg. The sperm has 23 chromosomes and so does the egg. But the fertilized egg has 46, half from each parent, and is genetically unique. These 46 chromosomes, which are fixed at conception, establish the child's sex and are a blueprint for how it will develop, both during pregnancy and after birth.
Blood vessels start to form very early, about 13-18 days after fertilization. Then, on about the 20th day - nearly the end of the third week - the foundation of the brain, the spinal cord, and the entire nervous system is established. The heart begins to beat on about the 22nd day after conception, circulating blood throughout the child. The arms begin to form on about day 26, followed by the beginnings of the legs on day 28, the same day that the mouth opens for the first time.
Both the eyes and ears are developing rapidly during the seventh week after conception. At this time, the thumbs, neck, heels of the feet and all of the fingers are also present. Taste buds begin to form during the eighth week after conception. All parts of the limbs are apparent at this time. In addition, the fingers and toes have lengthened and are completely separated.
By the end of the eighth week the overwhelming majority (several thousand) of the body's organs, structures and systems have already begun to develop. Few, if any, new structures begin to form after this time. During the remainder of the pregnancy, development consists mainly of growth and maturation of the parts of the body that are already present.
Isolated arm, leg and backward head movements begin at about 7 to 10 weeks after conception. During the ninth week, a regular pattern of breathing movements is observed, with a median frequency of about 30 breaths each hour.
These are just the highlights of how you developed during the first 2-3 months of your life. Now consider that a majority of abortions are performed during the tenth to twelfth week of gestation. Some are performed much later in the pregnancy, when the child has grown larger and any unbiased observer would recognize a baby when they see one.
So why if the evidence so clearly indicates that a unique human life begins at conception, how did the deliberate and violent destruction of that life come to be imposed as a ‘constitutional right’? Time does not permit describing the whole history of abortion or the intertwining influences of the eugenics and population control movements. Let’s start with the socially turbulent late sixties when a growing pro-abortion movement subversively exploited the legitimate aspirations of women for greater rights and participation in society.
Dr. Bernard Nathanson, former abortionist and co-founder of the pro-abortion group NARAL, has since changed his mind and heart and is now a leading prolife advocate. He points out the disinformation at the heart of the pro-abortion campaign.
- “The statistics that we gave to the American public about illegal abortions annually; the statistics we fabricated regarding the number of women dying from illegal abortions annually; all of these matters were pure fabrication and still persist to this very day.”
- “We spoke of 5,000 to 10,000 deaths a year. I confess that I knew the figures were totally false. It was a useful figure, widely accepted, so why go out of our way to correct it with honest statistics?”
- “We in NARAL were in the business of coining slogans principally for the media . . . we scattered catchy slogans for them . . . to use . . . in their stories. Slogans like “reproductive rights,” “freedom of choice,” “pro-choice.” For many years we’ve known them to be hollow and meaningless. They’re just catchy and, essentially, without substance.”
The movement made rapid progress. California, New York and a few other states passed ‘liberalized’ abortion laws (though some other states rejected them). But what embedded abortion in American law were two Supreme Court cases, Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, pronounced on January 22, 1973. The combined effect of the two decisions was to effectively impose abortion-on-demand throughout the nine months of pregnancy. Since that time, over forty million human beings have been exterminated by abortion in the United States.
Aside from the grave issue that was decided, the finding that abortion is part of a constitutional ‘right of privacy’ is considered an overreach of judicial power even by some legal scholars who describe themselves as ‘prochoice’. The ‘reasoning’ was based on ‘penumbras’ the justices claim to have seen in the constitution.
Did you know that the two plaintiffs in the Roe and Doe cases, Norma McCorvey and Sandra Cano, have filed affidavits to the effect that they were manipulated into their roles and that the decisions should be overturned? You would think that this development would be considered unprecedented in Supreme Court history, but I guess Dan Rather, Tom Brokaw, the New York Times, etc. forgot to inform you.
One fact that is becoming evident that abortion-on-demand is not such a great thing for women. Abortion has left many women emotionally and sometimes physically scarred. Campaigns such as Silent No More and Women Deserve Better are tapping into this hidden anguish.
Also evident is the effect on our society, with conflicting attitudes on how we treat not only the unborn, but also the sick, disabled and elderly. Abortion has torn marriages and families apart, and led to a hardened and increasingly violent culture.
So, we have had for the past thirty years, a culture that in some ways has grown cynical, forgoing the promise of a hopeful future for instant gratification, or more often, the resignation to unimaginative “solutions” that pit mother against child or people against the planet. One is reminded of a quote from the great Irish poet William Butler Yeats:
“The blood-dimmed tide is loosed and everywhere a ceremony of innocence was drowned.”
These Supreme Court abortion decisions were assumed to have ‘settled’ the issue in our society. Yet much to the consternation of the pro-abortion establishment, the movement of concerned citizens to protect life has only grown in strength over the past thirty years. The prolife movement has pursued multiple paths: educating the public, lobbying and litigating for change, participating in politics, and especially reaching out to help women with unplanned pregnancies.
Particularly significant is that the change in public attitudes on abortion is most striking among young people (who’ve lost peers they’ve never met). This is manifested in polling results and an upsurge of prolife activism among college students, much to the consternation of their professors and, in some cases, their parents. Sort of adds a new twist to some lyrics from the sixties by Buffalo Springfield:
“Young people speaking their minds, Getting so much resistance from behind.”
So the buses are starting to roll, as thousands from distant states once again journey to Washington, where many will gather in prayer the night before or the morning of the March. Then we will rally and march, knowing that those we are trying to defend would some day defend our nation, write great literature, cure disease, compose stirring music, and explore and begin to settle the Solar System.
But more than for their potential accomplishments, we speak out for them simply because of the inherent dignity of each of their lives. In so doing we are responding to a great calling as individuals and as a civilization. And we’ll continue to speak and march and work and pray, confident in the hope that, one of these years, we won’t face the cold winds. Instead, we’ll gather on a warm spring day to celebrate the inclusion of the youngest in the human family within the protection of the law.
"A Time Set Apart"
President gave the State of the Union message. Some highlights included continuing the War on Terror, Patriot Act, making tax cuts permanent, several health care related items and defense of marriage, by constitutional amendment if necessary.
Dems Pelosi & Daschle gave their response. Mostly criticizing W's policies on Iraq, taxes and health care.
President gave the State of the Union message. Some highlights included continuing the War on Terror, Patriot Act, making tax cuts permanent, several health care related items and defense of marriage, by constitutional amendment if necessary.
Dems Pelosi & Daschle gave their response. Mostly criticizing W's policies on Iraq, taxes and health care.
Monday, January 19, 2004
Sunday, January 18, 2004
Saturday, January 17, 2004
The Inside Story of President Bush's Space Initiative
All three parts of the report by Frank Sietzen Jr. and Keith Cowing are now online, so I'll provide the links here for Part One, Part Two and Part Three.
Apogee Books will publish a book this summer which will further expand on these reports titled New Moon Rising: The Making of George W. Bush's Space Vision and the Remaking of NASA. Should make for quite interesting reading.
All three parts of the report by Frank Sietzen Jr. and Keith Cowing are now online, so I'll provide the links here for Part One, Part Two and Part Three.
Apogee Books will publish a book this summer which will further expand on these reports titled New Moon Rising: The Making of George W. Bush's Space Vision and the Remaking of NASA. Should make for quite interesting reading.
Friday, January 16, 2004
W hits another homer this week.
President Bush has made a recess appointment of Charles Pickering to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Watch for squirming Democrats and a howling and shrieking pro-abortion lobby.
President Bush has made a recess appointment of Charles Pickering to the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. Watch for squirming Democrats and a howling and shrieking pro-abortion lobby.
Hubble Servicing Cancelled
NASA announced today that there would be no more servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope. The decision was made by NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and was based on the additional post-Columbia safety provisions that would have to be made for Hubble servicing, which would take place in a different orbit than the International Space Station. The Hubble telescope will probably remain operational for several more years, depending on the health of the vehicle's gyroscopes and batteries. Flight software modifications are being developed to enable limited science observations to be conducted with as few as two functioning gyros.
NASA announced today that there would be no more servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope. The decision was made by NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe and was based on the additional post-Columbia safety provisions that would have to be made for Hubble servicing, which would take place in a different orbit than the International Space Station. The Hubble telescope will probably remain operational for several more years, depending on the health of the vehicle's gyroscopes and batteries. Flight software modifications are being developed to enable limited science observations to be conducted with as few as two functioning gyros.
One year ago today,...
...it appeared to be a perfect launch of the STS-107 Columbia mission. Only the engineers reviewing the post-launch videos had any clue that something might have gone wrong...
...it appeared to be a perfect launch of the STS-107 Columbia mission. Only the engineers reviewing the post-launch videos had any clue that something might have gone wrong...
Thursday, January 15, 2004
The Bush Space Initiative
Reaction continues to pour in from around the nation and the world. (See SpaceToday.Net.)
A few notable commentaries:
Mark Whittington says it's about time we pick up where we left off thirty years ago.
Rand Simberg urges a 'Space Program for the Rest of Us'.
Frank Sietzen and Keith Cowing report on 'The inside story of President Bush's space initiative. Part 1 of 3'. This is a very interesting and revealing report. The President expressed a strong awareness of the importance of developing an effective space strategy:
"Bush told his aides the outcome of the processes needed to mean something. It could not be just a stunt or some large spending effort. His new space vision had to emphasize scientific, technological, economic and social importance."
Reaction continues to pour in from around the nation and the world. (See SpaceToday.Net.)
A few notable commentaries:
Mark Whittington says it's about time we pick up where we left off thirty years ago.
Rand Simberg urges a 'Space Program for the Rest of Us'.
Frank Sietzen and Keith Cowing report on 'The inside story of President Bush's space initiative. Part 1 of 3'. This is a very interesting and revealing report. The President expressed a strong awareness of the importance of developing an effective space strategy:
"Bush told his aides the outcome of the processes needed to mean something. It could not be just a stunt or some large spending effort. His new space vision had to emphasize scientific, technological, economic and social importance."
Spirit is on a Roll.
The Rover rolled off the lander this morning and is on the Martian surface. Here is today's JPL press release.
The Rover rolled off the lander this morning and is on the Martian surface. Here is today's JPL press release.
Wednesday, January 14, 2004
"Human beings are headed into the cosmos."
President Bush gave his long awaited space policy speech this afternoon at NASA HQ. Here is the transcript (PDF). A White House news release and a background sheet were released to accompany the speech.
Some highlights:
-Complete ISS and meet international commitments.
-Return Shuttle to flight, then retire it in 2010.
-New spacecraft, the 'Crew Exploration Vehicle' to begin (unmanned) testing in 2008.
-Return to Moon between 2015-2020. (This was a little confusing. He first said return to the Moon by 2020, but then said crews would start heading there in 2015.)
-Use of the Moon's environment, lighter gravity and resources to head "to Mars and to worlds beyond".
-Establishing a commission chaired by former Air Force Secretary Pete Aldridge to define implementing the plan.
More details, analysis & opinion sure to come.
President Bush gave his long awaited space policy speech this afternoon at NASA HQ. Here is the transcript (PDF). A White House news release and a background sheet were released to accompany the speech.
Some highlights:
-Complete ISS and meet international commitments.
-Return Shuttle to flight, then retire it in 2010.
-New spacecraft, the 'Crew Exploration Vehicle' to begin (unmanned) testing in 2008.
-Return to Moon between 2015-2020. (This was a little confusing. He first said return to the Moon by 2020, but then said crews would start heading there in 2015.)
-Use of the Moon's environment, lighter gravity and resources to head "to Mars and to worlds beyond".
-Establishing a commission chaired by former Air Force Secretary Pete Aldridge to define implementing the plan.
More details, analysis & opinion sure to come.
Tuesday, January 13, 2004
T-One Day and Counting...
...until the President's Wednesday 3 PM EST speech at NASA HQ, and the Web and Blogosphere are humming with opinion, analysis and speculation. A few highlights:
Glenn Reynolds sees W taking a 'cowboy' approach that would be effective, while offending the politically correct crowd.
Rand Simberg is supportive of the idea, but more skeptical that it is what W has in mind.
Homer Hickam weighs in in the WSJ.
Leonard David shares the views of a number of lunar experts at Space.com.
And the ever prolific Jeff Foust provides several timely analyses at this week's Space Review (including a highly recommended piece by Rick Tumlinson, of the Space Frontier Foundation), a new Space Politics blog, and continually updating links to news & views on the upcoming policy announcement, Spirit on Mars & other news at his SpaceToday.Net.
...until the President's Wednesday 3 PM EST speech at NASA HQ, and the Web and Blogosphere are humming with opinion, analysis and speculation. A few highlights:
Glenn Reynolds sees W taking a 'cowboy' approach that would be effective, while offending the politically correct crowd.
Rand Simberg is supportive of the idea, but more skeptical that it is what W has in mind.
Homer Hickam weighs in in the WSJ.
Leonard David shares the views of a number of lunar experts at Space.com.
And the ever prolific Jeff Foust provides several timely analyses at this week's Space Review (including a highly recommended piece by Rick Tumlinson, of the Space Frontier Foundation), a new Space Politics blog, and continually updating links to news & views on the upcoming policy announcement, Spirit on Mars & other news at his SpaceToday.Net.
Prayers are asked for Father Benedict Groeschel, ...
the well-known Franciscan friar who appears on EWTN, who was critically injured in an accident in Orlando, Florida.
the well-known Franciscan friar who appears on EWTN, who was critically injured in an accident in Orlando, Florida.
Monday, January 12, 2004
Like-minded Blogging Communities
I've decided to register with a couple of blogging communities, St. Blog's Parish and Blogs for Bush. Part of the fun of the Blogosphere is in joining with others with whom one shares common values. Being like-minded doesn't mean unanimity on every topic, and lively discussions can be read.
Some brief background: I'm a middle-aged guy employed in the space industry, working on the Hubble Space Telescope. Of course, all opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or any other organization I'm affiliated with.
Prior to my current residence in the Maryland suburbs of DC, I lived in Mountain View, CA for 17 years and grew up near Philadelphia. (Go Eagles!)
Here is my local parish. I'm actively involved in space policy advocacy, prolife activities, and sometimes participate in political campaigns.
I launched this blog last July, hopefully raising and connecting ideas that challenged the conventional wisdom. Being a somewhat busy guy with a day job and slow typing fingers, I don't get to blog on every topic or with the depth I would like, nor am I as prolific as some of the bloggers I read. (I'm very thankful for hyperlinks, which allow me to save time explaining every point.) When I get the time, I hope to improve the site, adding more links, a working comment capability etc.
In the meantime, I'll have fun sharing my thoughts and upsetting the conventional wisdom whenever I get the time.
I've decided to register with a couple of blogging communities, St. Blog's Parish and Blogs for Bush. Part of the fun of the Blogosphere is in joining with others with whom one shares common values. Being like-minded doesn't mean unanimity on every topic, and lively discussions can be read.
Some brief background: I'm a middle-aged guy employed in the space industry, working on the Hubble Space Telescope. Of course, all opinions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or any other organization I'm affiliated with.
Prior to my current residence in the Maryland suburbs of DC, I lived in Mountain View, CA for 17 years and grew up near Philadelphia. (Go Eagles!)
Here is my local parish. I'm actively involved in space policy advocacy, prolife activities, and sometimes participate in political campaigns.
I launched this blog last July, hopefully raising and connecting ideas that challenged the conventional wisdom. Being a somewhat busy guy with a day job and slow typing fingers, I don't get to blog on every topic or with the depth I would like, nor am I as prolific as some of the bloggers I read. (I'm very thankful for hyperlinks, which allow me to save time explaining every point.) When I get the time, I hope to improve the site, adding more links, a working comment capability etc.
In the meantime, I'll have fun sharing my thoughts and upsetting the conventional wisdom whenever I get the time.
Thursday, January 08, 2004
Bloggers Debate Space
Mark Shea (Catholic and Enjoying It!) has provoked a lively discussion with his post 'Just to be clear' (actually continuing an earlier thread) on the future in space. He says there isn't any.
My response (about #22 down the comments thread) follows:
"Any human enterprise can be undertaken for legitimate or flawed reasons, and I'll grant that some in the space community may frame their vision in excessively utopian terms. However, opening a new frontier is not a foolish or 'pseudo-eschatological' endeavor.
I believe that God has given us the vision and intellect to do great things for good reason.
We are becoming more aware that an abundance of resources and solar energy exist in the Solar System. The asteroids in particular contain a variety of metals and other resources that will become increasingly accessible in future decades.
As for the practicality, look for the upstart entrepreneurs to begin to undercut the government/industry establishment in lowering the cost of getting into space. There is some serious money starting to back these enterprises, and there may be some interesting news this year.
A civilization that makes investment and sacrifice to open a frontier to provide for future generations is very consistent with a culture of life. This vision is preferable to the pessimistic, static vision of "limits to growth" that has been used to justify coercive anti-life population control policies in recent decades.
Yes, we will take our sinfulness with us when we settle other worlds. But the Church was an active participant in the migration to new frontiers on this planet in human history, and will respond to the call to be with those who settle future frontiers."
UPDATE: Looks like Mark has started another thread this evening on the same theme, if anyone wants to join in.
Mark Shea (Catholic and Enjoying It!) has provoked a lively discussion with his post 'Just to be clear' (actually continuing an earlier thread) on the future in space. He says there isn't any.
My response (about #22 down the comments thread) follows:
"Any human enterprise can be undertaken for legitimate or flawed reasons, and I'll grant that some in the space community may frame their vision in excessively utopian terms. However, opening a new frontier is not a foolish or 'pseudo-eschatological' endeavor.
I believe that God has given us the vision and intellect to do great things for good reason.
We are becoming more aware that an abundance of resources and solar energy exist in the Solar System. The asteroids in particular contain a variety of metals and other resources that will become increasingly accessible in future decades.
As for the practicality, look for the upstart entrepreneurs to begin to undercut the government/industry establishment in lowering the cost of getting into space. There is some serious money starting to back these enterprises, and there may be some interesting news this year.
A civilization that makes investment and sacrifice to open a frontier to provide for future generations is very consistent with a culture of life. This vision is preferable to the pessimistic, static vision of "limits to growth" that has been used to justify coercive anti-life population control policies in recent decades.
Yes, we will take our sinfulness with us when we settle other worlds. But the Church was an active participant in the migration to new frontiers on this planet in human history, and will respond to the call to be with those who settle future frontiers."
UPDATE: Looks like Mark has started another thread this evening on the same theme, if anyone wants to join in.
Sunday, January 04, 2004
First pictures...
...from Spirit are shown here at the official JPL/NASA website. The terrain appears rather flat, but is scientifically interesting because Gusev Crater appears to possibly be an ancient lakebed. SpaceToday.net is maintaining a list of links to the enormous number of news reports on the current Mars exploration activities.
...from Spirit are shown here at the official JPL/NASA website. The terrain appears rather flat, but is scientifically interesting because Gusev Crater appears to possibly be an ancient lakebed. SpaceToday.net is maintaining a list of links to the enormous number of news reports on the current Mars exploration activities.
"Base petal down"
Call indicates Spirit has landed right-side-up. Simplifies further set-up activities. Solar array deployment is critical. NASA TV signing off coverage until 12:30 AM EST news conference. Continuing mission updates can be read by refreshing this SpaceflightNow.Com page.
Call indicates Spirit has landed right-side-up. Simplifies further set-up activities. Solar array deployment is critical. NASA TV signing off coverage until 12:30 AM EST news conference. Continuing mission updates can be read by refreshing this SpaceflightNow.Com page.
Saturday, January 03, 2004
Spirit Arrives at Mars' Gusev Crater
(Monitoring NASA TV on cable.) Entry, parachute deploy and retro fire all successful. Initial signal detected upon landing, then lost. Not totally unexpected during several minutes of bouncing. Vehicle has probably come to rest by now. JPL continuing analysis to detect data. JUST Re-ACQUIRED! Joy in JPL control room! Signal is strong. Carrier in lock via Goldstone.
(Monitoring NASA TV on cable.) Entry, parachute deploy and retro fire all successful. Initial signal detected upon landing, then lost. Not totally unexpected during several minutes of bouncing. Vehicle has probably come to rest by now. JPL continuing analysis to detect data. JUST Re-ACQUIRED! Joy in JPL control room! Signal is strong. Carrier in lock via Goldstone.
Rep. Hall Finds a New Home
Ralph Hall, well respected prolife & prospace congressman from Texas, has switched parties from Democrat to Republican. The reality-challenged Democratic Party continues to isolate or drive away good leaders like Mr. Hall, Zel Miller of Georgia and the late great Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. Many ordinary Americans have also experienced their party losing touch with their values. I'm one of those proud to call myself a former Democrat.
Ralph Hall, well respected prolife & prospace congressman from Texas, has switched parties from Democrat to Republican. The reality-challenged Democratic Party continues to isolate or drive away good leaders like Mr. Hall, Zel Miller of Georgia and the late great Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. Many ordinary Americans have also experienced their party losing touch with their values. I'm one of those proud to call myself a former Democrat.
Friday, January 02, 2004
Stardust Encounters Comet Wild 2
Closest approach occurred this afternoon. An impressive image of the comet's nucleus has been released. A collection of dust particle samples will be returned to Earth in 2004.
Closest approach occurred this afternoon. An impressive image of the comet's nucleus has been released. A collection of dust particle samples will be returned to Earth in 2004.
The Power of the Blog
It is fitting that my first blogging of 2004 is about... blogging. USA Today describes the impact of the Blogosphere on politics in this article.
It is fitting that my first blogging of 2004 is about... blogging. USA Today describes the impact of the Blogosphere on politics in this article.
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Year End Thoughts
There's not time to adequately reflect on the meaning of all the momentous events that occurred in the past year.
The terrible fireball in the Texas morning sky on February 1 signaled the sacrifice of seven brave souls on the Shuttle Columbia, and spurred a long overdue discussion of the direction and implementation of our efforts on the frontier of space.
Heroism and sacrifice were also shown by U.S., British and other allied troops, along with Iraqis who stood up against their brutal tyrant in the war that dominated the news through 2003. Time Magazine's selection of The American Soldier as person of the year is certainly appropriate.
If I were to choose another recipient whose story would also merit the designation 'person of the year', it would be Terri Schindler-Schiavo, whose quiet suffering and incredible will to live, along with the courageous and tenacious efforts of her family and supporters, instigated a grassroots uprising against the bias toward death that has taken hold of many our institutions. Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida State Legislature are to be commended for taking action to save Terri's life.
Terri's story, along with the passage and signing of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, are only two of the most important indicators of the erosion of the politically correct ideological oppression that has held sway over our society for the last thirty years or so. This is coming about largely due to the welcome emergence of the Alt(ernative) Media, which has enabled people to receive and share information, bypassing the biases of the Old Media.
Which brings me to note that 2003 is the year I joined the Blogosphere. Since my July launch of this humble blog, I've enjoyed sharing information along with my thoughts, and sometimes venting my feelings. On to blogging in the decisive Year 2004!
There's not time to adequately reflect on the meaning of all the momentous events that occurred in the past year.
The terrible fireball in the Texas morning sky on February 1 signaled the sacrifice of seven brave souls on the Shuttle Columbia, and spurred a long overdue discussion of the direction and implementation of our efforts on the frontier of space.
Heroism and sacrifice were also shown by U.S., British and other allied troops, along with Iraqis who stood up against their brutal tyrant in the war that dominated the news through 2003. Time Magazine's selection of The American Soldier as person of the year is certainly appropriate.
If I were to choose another recipient whose story would also merit the designation 'person of the year', it would be Terri Schindler-Schiavo, whose quiet suffering and incredible will to live, along with the courageous and tenacious efforts of her family and supporters, instigated a grassroots uprising against the bias toward death that has taken hold of many our institutions. Florida Governor Jeb Bush and the Florida State Legislature are to be commended for taking action to save Terri's life.
Terri's story, along with the passage and signing of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, are only two of the most important indicators of the erosion of the politically correct ideological oppression that has held sway over our society for the last thirty years or so. This is coming about largely due to the welcome emergence of the Alt(ernative) Media, which has enabled people to receive and share information, bypassing the biases of the Old Media.
Which brings me to note that 2003 is the year I joined the Blogosphere. Since my July launch of this humble blog, I've enjoyed sharing information along with my thoughts, and sometimes venting my feelings. On to blogging in the decisive Year 2004!
Beagle, Phone Home!
The Beagle 2 Mars Lander has not been heard from after several attempts to contact the robot. Operators are still holding out hope for contact via Beagle's traveling companion, Mars Express, next week. It is possible that the Lander may have landed in a crater.
Solar System exploration will get off to a fast start in 2004 with the Stardust cometary encounter on Jan. 2 and the Spirit Mars rover landing on Jan. 3.
The Beagle 2 Mars Lander has not been heard from after several attempts to contact the robot. Operators are still holding out hope for contact via Beagle's traveling companion, Mars Express, next week. It is possible that the Lander may have landed in a crater.
Solar System exploration will get off to a fast start in 2004 with the Stardust cometary encounter on Jan. 2 and the Spirit Mars rover landing on Jan. 3.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Michael Novak has a powerful Christmas column at National Review. A particularly insightful paragraph:
"Faith, as Jews and Christians understand it, honors reason, nourishes it, embeds it in a context of nobility and purity, such that all are commanded to respect its autonomy within its own realm. When practitioners of these religions do not so honor science, as often they have not, their rejection can be proven wrong on these two religions' very own philosophical grounds. As practitioners of reason have committed sins against faith, so have practitioners of faith, against reason. If there were no inherent nobility in each, no sin against either would count for so much."
I'll leave you with an account of the First Christmas:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:1-14
Michael Novak has a powerful Christmas column at National Review. A particularly insightful paragraph:
"Faith, as Jews and Christians understand it, honors reason, nourishes it, embeds it in a context of nobility and purity, such that all are commanded to respect its autonomy within its own realm. When practitioners of these religions do not so honor science, as often they have not, their rejection can be proven wrong on these two religions' very own philosophical grounds. As practitioners of reason have committed sins against faith, so have practitioners of faith, against reason. If there were no inherent nobility in each, no sin against either would count for so much."
I'll leave you with an account of the First Christmas:
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus
that the whole world should be enrolled.
This was the first enrollment,
when Quirinius was governor of Syria.
So all went to be enrolled, each to his own town.
And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth
to Judea, to the city of David that is called Bethlehem,
because he was of the house and family of David,
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there,
the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.
She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger,
because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now there were shepherds in that region living in the fields
and keeping the night watch over their flock.
The angel of the Lord appeared to them
and the glory of the Lord shone around them,
and they were struck with great fear.
The angel said to them,
"Do not be afraid;
for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy
that will be for all the people.
For today in the city of David
a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord.
And this will be a sign for you:
you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes
and lying in a manger."
And suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel,
praising God and saying:
"Glory to God in the highest
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
Luke 2:1-14
Sunday, December 21, 2003
Mars Express & Beagle 2 approach Mars...
...after separating on Friday. Beagle 2 will make landfall on the Isidis Planitia Basin region of Mars on Christmas Day while Mars Express enters Martian orbit, also on Christmas. Mars Express/Beagle 2 is Europe's first robotic mission to Mars.
Meanwhile, NASA's newly renamed Spitzer Space Telescope has produced spectacular infrared images of celestial objects.
...after separating on Friday. Beagle 2 will make landfall on the Isidis Planitia Basin region of Mars on Christmas Day while Mars Express enters Martian orbit, also on Christmas. Mars Express/Beagle 2 is Europe's first robotic mission to Mars.
Meanwhile, NASA's newly renamed Spitzer Space Telescope has produced spectacular infrared images of celestial objects.
Hanukkah and Our Attitude about the Future
Rabbi Daniel Lapin has a provocative column in WorldNetDaily on a message of Hanukkah that is relevant to people of all faiths. He shows examples, ancient and modern, of how a pessimistic Malthusian worldview have been repeatedly disproved by the Creator's providence of material resources and the ingenuity to utilize them to provide for the future. Rabbi Lapin says:
"It only seemed that we lacked sufficient copper, whale oil or wood. In reality, our God-given ingenuity developed exciting new technology that eliminated our need for each commodity just as it was becoming scarce.
Hanukkah's miracle was that, day after day, the Temple's menorah just kept on burning in spite of an apparent shortage of fuel - a metaphor, surely, for all apparent shortages that can be overcome with faith. Hanukkah invites us all to express gratitude to the Creator whose beneficence is boundless. It stimulates discussions that can spur our spiritual growth. It reminds us that with His gift of creativity, challenges become optimistic opportunities to partner with God in creatively solving all material shortage."
Rabbi Daniel Lapin has a provocative column in WorldNetDaily on a message of Hanukkah that is relevant to people of all faiths. He shows examples, ancient and modern, of how a pessimistic Malthusian worldview have been repeatedly disproved by the Creator's providence of material resources and the ingenuity to utilize them to provide for the future. Rabbi Lapin says:
"It only seemed that we lacked sufficient copper, whale oil or wood. In reality, our God-given ingenuity developed exciting new technology that eliminated our need for each commodity just as it was becoming scarce.
Hanukkah's miracle was that, day after day, the Temple's menorah just kept on burning in spite of an apparent shortage of fuel - a metaphor, surely, for all apparent shortages that can be overcome with faith. Hanukkah invites us all to express gratitude to the Creator whose beneficence is boundless. It stimulates discussions that can spur our spiritual growth. It reminds us that with His gift of creativity, challenges become optimistic opportunities to partner with God in creatively solving all material shortage."
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
The Wright Stuff: From Kitty Hawk to Mojave
One hundred years ago today, Wilbur & Orville Wright undertook humanity's first successful powered manned flight. (Actually, they made four flights that day.) They had better flying conditions than those at today's attempted reenactment.
President Bush addressed the commemoration today, praising the Wright Brothers' feat. He said: "By our skill and daring, America has excelled in every area of aviation and space travel. And our national commitment remains firm: By our skill and daring, we will continue to lead the world in flight."
The President did not make any specific announcement on the direction of national space policy, as was anticipated by earlier speculation. This was not really surprising since expectations were downplayed in the last few days by Washington sources, including the White House Press Secretary. While this non-happening is slightly disappointing, the White House space policy review is apparently still underway. Hopefully, the President and his policy makers understand the importance of opening space and its resources to national security, economic growth and a culture of life, and are taking the time to get the policy right.
While the government continues its space policy development, the private sector moved ahead and made history today. Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites carried out the first flight of a manned vehicle designed and built without government funding to exceed the speed of sound. It was the first rocket-powered flight of SpaceShipOne (SS1), the company's vehicle undergoing testing for eventual suborbital spaceflight. (Look at this awesome image!) Scaled and several other contestants are aiming to attempt suborbital flight next year in order to win the X-Prize. The Wright Brothers' entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, and the second century of flight is off to a fast start.
One hundred years ago today, Wilbur & Orville Wright undertook humanity's first successful powered manned flight. (Actually, they made four flights that day.) They had better flying conditions than those at today's attempted reenactment.
President Bush addressed the commemoration today, praising the Wright Brothers' feat. He said: "By our skill and daring, America has excelled in every area of aviation and space travel. And our national commitment remains firm: By our skill and daring, we will continue to lead the world in flight."
The President did not make any specific announcement on the direction of national space policy, as was anticipated by earlier speculation. This was not really surprising since expectations were downplayed in the last few days by Washington sources, including the White House Press Secretary. While this non-happening is slightly disappointing, the White House space policy review is apparently still underway. Hopefully, the President and his policy makers understand the importance of opening space and its resources to national security, economic growth and a culture of life, and are taking the time to get the policy right.
While the government continues its space policy development, the private sector moved ahead and made history today. Burt Rutan's Scaled Composites carried out the first flight of a manned vehicle designed and built without government funding to exceed the speed of sound. It was the first rocket-powered flight of SpaceShipOne (SS1), the company's vehicle undergoing testing for eventual suborbital spaceflight. (Look at this awesome image!) Scaled and several other contestants are aiming to attempt suborbital flight next year in order to win the X-Prize. The Wright Brothers' entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well, and the second century of flight is off to a fast start.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Score One for Civilization!
The brutal tyrant Saddam Hussein has been captured alive in Iraq by the 4th Infantry Division. Time for prayers of thanksgiving.
The brutal tyrant Saddam Hussein has been captured alive in Iraq by the 4th Infantry Division. Time for prayers of thanksgiving.
Saturday, December 13, 2003
Lord of the Rings
Along with the excitement over the hundredth anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight and the buzz over what President Bush may say regarding the future, this Wednesday is also being anticipated for the opening of the final film of the trilogy, Return of the King.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy not only contains an exciting story and spectacular effects, but also a definite spiritual world view. Tolkien's incorporation of Christian and some specifically Catholic themes into his works is described in this article.
Along with the excitement over the hundredth anniversary of the Wright Brothers' first flight and the buzz over what President Bush may say regarding the future, this Wednesday is also being anticipated for the opening of the final film of the trilogy, Return of the King.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy not only contains an exciting story and spectacular effects, but also a definite spiritual world view. Tolkien's incorporation of Christian and some specifically Catholic themes into his works is described in this article.
Friday, December 12, 2003
Our Lady's Feasts
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. I know, I don't get to blog everyday, and Monday was the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas. I know, I don't get to blog everyday, and Monday was the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Whither freedom of speech?
The Washington Post reported yesterday on reaction by advocacy groups across the spectrum to the Supreme Court's upholding of most of the McCain-Feingold Incumbent Protection Act.
While I'm by no means a legal expert, I'm puzzled how the Supreme Court can overextend its reach to find supposed 'rights', but seemingly doesn't give the benefit of the doubt to the freedom of speech explicitly stated in the First Amendment. Of course, responsibility for this outcome must also be shared by the Congress for passing this law and President Bush for signing it, even with doubts about its constitutional validity.
While the extent of McCain-Feingold's impact on free speech will be determined by further events, it is unlikely to achieve its stated goal of driving the excessive influence of money out of politics. Cumbersome legal micro-management usually does not effect its intended change in human behavior.
The Washington Post reported yesterday on reaction by advocacy groups across the spectrum to the Supreme Court's upholding of most of the McCain-Feingold Incumbent Protection Act.
While I'm by no means a legal expert, I'm puzzled how the Supreme Court can overextend its reach to find supposed 'rights', but seemingly doesn't give the benefit of the doubt to the freedom of speech explicitly stated in the First Amendment. Of course, responsibility for this outcome must also be shared by the Congress for passing this law and President Bush for signing it, even with doubts about its constitutional validity.
While the extent of McCain-Feingold's impact on free speech will be determined by further events, it is unlikely to achieve its stated goal of driving the excessive influence of money out of politics. Cumbersome legal micro-management usually does not effect its intended change in human behavior.
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Air & Space Dedication
As part of the build-up to the centennial of the Wright Brothers' first flight, the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air & Space Museum was dedicated today, presided over by Supreme Court Chief Justice Rehnquist and Vice President Cheney. Participating remotely in the event was the crew currently on-board the International Space Station. The new center opens to the public on Monday, Dec. 15.
As part of the build-up to the centennial of the Wright Brothers' first flight, the Udvar-Hazy Center of the National Air & Space Museum was dedicated today, presided over by Supreme Court Chief Justice Rehnquist and Vice President Cheney. Participating remotely in the event was the crew currently on-board the International Space Station. The new center opens to the public on Monday, Dec. 15.
Saturday, December 06, 2003
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS)
Virginia and Maryland have agreed to establish a regional commercial spaceflight center at Wallops Island, Virginia.
Virginia and Maryland have agreed to establish a regional commercial spaceflight center at Wallops Island, Virginia.
Personal Media Hit
I have a letter-to-the-editor today in the Washington Times on the ongoing White House space policy development.
My letter references the Monday Op-Ed piece by House Space subcommittee Chairman Dana Rohrabacher.
My letter, published today, is linked here. Scroll down to the last letter titled Blasting off the space policy. (The Times chose that title, not me!) A few words were slightly edited, but my points were made intact.
I have a letter-to-the-editor today in the Washington Times on the ongoing White House space policy development.
My letter references the Monday Op-Ed piece by House Space subcommittee Chairman Dana Rohrabacher.
My letter, published today, is linked here. Scroll down to the last letter titled Blasting off the space policy. (The Times chose that title, not me!) A few words were slightly edited, but my points were made intact.
Non-cooperation with the Culture of Death
I've been overdue on reporting on the exciting news of the Austin, Texas area contractors' boycott of Planned Parenthood's planned clinic construction. This is a significant development. Just because the Supreme Court imposed a 'right' to abortion-on-demand doesn't mean the people have to cooperate.
I've been overdue on reporting on the exciting news of the Austin, Texas area contractors' boycott of Planned Parenthood's planned clinic construction. This is a significant development. Just because the Supreme Court imposed a 'right' to abortion-on-demand doesn't mean the people have to cooperate.
Today is Terri Schindler-Schiavo's 40th Birthday
David Andrusko of National Right to Life provides insight into the report of her guardian ad litem. For more information on the status of Terri's case, go to terrisfight.org.
David Andrusko of National Right to Life provides insight into the report of her guardian ad litem. For more information on the status of Terri's case, go to terrisfight.org.
Tuesday, December 02, 2003
Probably the most familiar Advent scripture reading:
On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land's afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra's den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
Isaiah 11:1-10
On that day,
A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him:
a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A Spirit of counsel and of strength,
a Spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD,
and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD.
Not by appearance shall he judge,
nor by hearsay shall he decide,
But he shall judge the poor with justice,
and decide aright for the land's afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.
Justice shall be the band around his waist,
and faithfulness a belt upon his hips.
Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
The calf and the young lion shall browse together,
with a little child to guide them.
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors,
together their young shall rest;
the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
The baby shall play by the cobra's den,
and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair.
There shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD,
as water covers the sea.
On that day,
The root of Jesse,
set up as a signal for the nations,
The Gentiles shall seek out,
for his dwelling shall be glorious.
Isaiah 11:1-10
Monday, December 01, 2003
Advent
Sunday marked the start of the Advent preparation season for Christmas. (I know. Some radio stations have been playing non-stop Christmas music for weeks. Sigh!) Amy Welborn found a good informational link on Advent.
Sunday marked the start of the Advent preparation season for Christmas. (I know. Some radio stations have been playing non-stop Christmas music for weeks. Sigh!) Amy Welborn found a good informational link on Advent.
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Happy Thanksgiving!
And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people's growth from their mother's womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you;
May his goodness toward us endure in Israel
to deliver us in our days.
Sirach 50:22-24
For all of the readings for the Thanksgiving Day Mass, click here.
And now, bless the God of all,
who has done wondrous things on earth;
Who fosters people's growth from their mother's womb,
and fashions them according to his will!
May he grant you joy of heart
and may peace abide among you;
May his goodness toward us endure in Israel
to deliver us in our days.
Sirach 50:22-24
For all of the readings for the Thanksgiving Day Mass, click here.
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Forty Years Ago
In the Fall of 1963, I was in third grade. On that Friday afternoon, my class first heard the principal's announcement that President Kennedy had been shot. Being in Catholic school, we immediately began saying Hail Marys. Shortly after, the announcement that the President had died, more prayers and my teacher''s statement that we would see this event in our history books.
President John F. Kennedy's Administration made history with the Cuban Missile Crisis, the partial nuclear test ban treaty, the Peace Corps, civil rights and, of course, the reach for the Moon.
Like any historical figure, Kennedy was a complex person in turbulent times. We later learned of the extent of his medical problems and of his moral weakness in terms of extramarital affairs. And of course there is the ongoing controversy surrounding the government's handling of the investigation of his assassination.
Kennedy's call for the lunar landing inspired a generation. It is also seen in hindsight to have created habits in the government's implementation of a centralized space program that sparked innovation in the early years but hindered entrepreneurship in later decades. The current reassessment of our purpose and policy in space will hopefully renew the inspiration while encouraging more innovation and entrepreneurship.
President Kennedy followed his 1961 address to Congress calling for the Moon goal with what might be considered his 'philosophical keynote' speech on space in Houston in September 1962. The text and streaming audio file are available at this link.
In the Fall of 1963, I was in third grade. On that Friday afternoon, my class first heard the principal's announcement that President Kennedy had been shot. Being in Catholic school, we immediately began saying Hail Marys. Shortly after, the announcement that the President had died, more prayers and my teacher''s statement that we would see this event in our history books.
President John F. Kennedy's Administration made history with the Cuban Missile Crisis, the partial nuclear test ban treaty, the Peace Corps, civil rights and, of course, the reach for the Moon.
Like any historical figure, Kennedy was a complex person in turbulent times. We later learned of the extent of his medical problems and of his moral weakness in terms of extramarital affairs. And of course there is the ongoing controversy surrounding the government's handling of the investigation of his assassination.
Kennedy's call for the lunar landing inspired a generation. It is also seen in hindsight to have created habits in the government's implementation of a centralized space program that sparked innovation in the early years but hindered entrepreneurship in later decades. The current reassessment of our purpose and policy in space will hopefully renew the inspiration while encouraging more innovation and entrepreneurship.
President Kennedy followed his 1961 address to Congress calling for the Moon goal with what might be considered his 'philosophical keynote' speech on space in Houston in September 1962. The text and streaming audio file are available at this link.
Friday, November 21, 2003
SETI Observation Campaign
The SETI Institute is conducting its Fall observing campaign at the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico. Check out the observers' diaries and the SETICam live webcasts of observatory operations.
The SETI Institute is conducting its Fall observing campaign at the Arecibo radio telescope in Puerto Rico. Check out the observers' diaries and the SETICam live webcasts of observatory operations.
If anyone still believed that social issues wouldn't play in the '04 campaign,...
... that illusion was blown away by this week's Massachusetts Supreme Court decision and the firestorm of reaction.
For more information, checkout MarriageDebate.com, which contains various links and a blog with posts from those with viewpoints on both sides of the issue, and a Q&A on Marriage from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
... that illusion was blown away by this week's Massachusetts Supreme Court decision and the firestorm of reaction.
For more information, checkout MarriageDebate.com, which contains various links and a blog with posts from those with viewpoints on both sides of the issue, and a Q&A on Marriage from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Saturday, November 15, 2003
White House Space Policy Process
Keith Cowing posted an interesting SpaceRef article containing analysis and speculation on how the Bush space policy is being formulated and what may be the outcome.
Keith Cowing posted an interesting SpaceRef article containing analysis and speculation on how the Bush space policy is being formulated and what may be the outcome.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Sleepless in the Senate
The Senate debate on the obstruction of President Bush's judicial nominees will extend into Friday morning. The Democrats are now whining that the Republicans are taking valuable time away from urgent national needs to debate what they imply is an unimportant issue of judicial nominees.
Two questions should be raised in the face of this hot air. First, if this debate were not taking place, would the Democrats really be staying up all night working diligently to solve unemployment, poverty, health care, etc., all in two days? And more to the point, if the judicial nominations have suddenly become so unimportant, why continue to spend the time and energy to block them?
UPDATE: On Friday morning, the motions to invoke cloture on three highly qualified nominees: Priscilla Owen, Carolyn Kuhl and Janice Brown did not pass.
The motions to invoke cloture vote averaged 53-42. Sixty votes are necessary to force a vote on the Senate floor. This outcome was not unexpected. Unfortunately, this obstruction will continue, but the issue is not yet settled. Just one more battle in the continuing fight over the fate of our civilization.
The Senate debate on the obstruction of President Bush's judicial nominees will extend into Friday morning. The Democrats are now whining that the Republicans are taking valuable time away from urgent national needs to debate what they imply is an unimportant issue of judicial nominees.
Two questions should be raised in the face of this hot air. First, if this debate were not taking place, would the Democrats really be staying up all night working diligently to solve unemployment, poverty, health care, etc., all in two days? And more to the point, if the judicial nominations have suddenly become so unimportant, why continue to spend the time and energy to block them?
UPDATE: On Friday morning, the motions to invoke cloture on three highly qualified nominees: Priscilla Owen, Carolyn Kuhl and Janice Brown did not pass.
The motions to invoke cloture vote averaged 53-42. Sixty votes are necessary to force a vote on the Senate floor. This outcome was not unexpected. Unfortunately, this obstruction will continue, but the issue is not yet settled. Just one more battle in the continuing fight over the fate of our civilization.
Friday, November 07, 2003
Senate Hearing on Lunar Exploration
Attended Thursday's informative session, featuring Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt and three other knowledgeable witnesses. For the full list and links to prepared remarks, click here.
Senator Brownback chaired the entire session, while Senator Bill Nelson participated for part of it and joined in asking questions of the panel. No other Senators were present. Kudos to Senator Brownback and his staff for bringing these forward-looking topics to the attention of Capitol Hill.
UPDATE: The following Space.com article summarizes the key points made in the hearing.
Meanwhile, the House space subcommittee held a hearing on Wednesday on the Commercial Space Act of 2003. (I wasn't present for this hearing.) For more info, click here and for links to prepared remarks, click here
Attended Thursday's informative session, featuring Apollo 17 astronaut Harrison Schmitt and three other knowledgeable witnesses. For the full list and links to prepared remarks, click here.
Senator Brownback chaired the entire session, while Senator Bill Nelson participated for part of it and joined in asking questions of the panel. No other Senators were present. Kudos to Senator Brownback and his staff for bringing these forward-looking topics to the attention of Capitol Hill.
UPDATE: The following Space.com article summarizes the key points made in the hearing.
Meanwhile, the House space subcommittee held a hearing on Wednesday on the Commercial Space Act of 2003. (I wasn't present for this hearing.) For more info, click here and for links to prepared remarks, click here
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
What a difference 'regime change' makes!
While his predecessor used his bloody veto pen to twice veto earlier versions of the bill, President Bush today signed the bill banning partial birth abortion. Yes, elections do matter.
Of course, the pro-abortion forces are howling and shrieking and suing in court. The bill just signed into law was modified from earlier versions to clearly document the medical opinion that there are no 'health reasons' justifying this procedure. How this case will be decided when it reaches the Supreme Court is difficult to predict, since it is an inscrutable mystery how Justice Sandra O'Connor will split her hairs on any given day.
Nevertheless, the cause of life is advancing and today's signing is a cause for celebration.
While his predecessor used his bloody veto pen to twice veto earlier versions of the bill, President Bush today signed the bill banning partial birth abortion. Yes, elections do matter.
Of course, the pro-abortion forces are howling and shrieking and suing in court. The bill just signed into law was modified from earlier versions to clearly document the medical opinion that there are no 'health reasons' justifying this procedure. How this case will be decided when it reaches the Supreme Court is difficult to predict, since it is an inscrutable mystery how Justice Sandra O'Connor will split her hairs on any given day.
Nevertheless, the cause of life is advancing and today's signing is a cause for celebration.
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
Policymakers Look to Space
Senator Sam Brownback addressed the Space Transportation Association (STA) breakfast Tuesday morning, calling for the space industry to become less bureaucratic and defensive and more forward looking. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space, Senator Brownback takes a leading role on topics ranging from future space policy to biotechnology research and related ethical issues.
On Wednesday, the full Senate Commerce Committee held a stimulating hearing on the future of NASA in space.
Finally, the President may be considering looking outward again, according to this article.
Senator Sam Brownback addressed the Space Transportation Association (STA) breakfast Tuesday morning, calling for the space industry to become less bureaucratic and defensive and more forward looking. As chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Science, Technology and Space, Senator Brownback takes a leading role on topics ranging from future space policy to biotechnology research and related ethical issues.
On Wednesday, the full Senate Commerce Committee held a stimulating hearing on the future of NASA in space.
Finally, the President may be considering looking outward again, according to this article.
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Persistently Vegetative Press
The apt description of much of the Old Media from Father Rob Johansen, who is on the front line in Florida assisting Msgr. Malanowski in ministering to Terri and the Schindler family and talking with supporters and press. Father Johansen is part of the Alt Media in action, posting reports from Florida at his blog Thrown Back.
The apt description of much of the Old Media from Father Rob Johansen, who is on the front line in Florida assisting Msgr. Malanowski in ministering to Terri and the Schindler family and talking with supporters and press. Father Johansen is part of the Alt Media in action, posting reports from Florida at his blog Thrown Back.
Friday, October 24, 2003
Suborbital Activity
From Randall Clague of XCOR via Rand Simberg, the FAA has clarified the regulatory regime for suborbital spaceflight.
Meanwhile, I'll be participating in Suborbital Action Day on Capitol Hill on Monday to further educate Congress on the importance of impending legislation addressing this issue.
From Randall Clague of XCOR via Rand Simberg, the FAA has clarified the regulatory regime for suborbital spaceflight.
Meanwhile, I'll be participating in Suborbital Action Day on Capitol Hill on Monday to further educate Congress on the importance of impending legislation addressing this issue.
Alt Media counters Old Media myths
If the only information you've received on Terri Schiavo's situation so far is from the Old Media (centralized print and TV sources), you may be surprised to learn that that information may contain serious inaccuracies or sometimes even outright distortions. The following exerpt from an e-mail I received the other day compares Old Media myths with more accurate information from Alt(ernative) Media sources (terrisfight.org and other sources seriously covering this story).
MYTH: Terri has been in a persistent vegetative state, a coma, or is
terminally ill, for 13 years.
FACT: NO. Terri is disabled and has brain damage, but is not in PVS, coma,
or terminally ill.
MYTH: This is just a "religious" issue.
FACT: NO. While Terri's religious rights have definitely been criminally
denied, it is fundamentally a disability issue in which her civil rights as
a disabled citizen have also been denied.
MYTH: Food and hydration are "extraordinary means", and thus a patient has
the right to refuse.
FACT: NO. Even, and especially, in secular terms, while the use of
ventilators, drastic surgery, experimental "therapies", etc., are
extraordinary means and may be refused, food and hydration have always been
defined in medicine as ordinary means, or "palliative care" (as is the use
of antibiotics, needed X-rays, minor surgery, etc.). For Catholics, it is
morally permissible to refuse extraordinary means, but not morally
permissible to refuse ordinary means, or palliative care (including food and
hydration).
MYTH: Removal of food and hydration is "death with dignity" and painless.
FACT: NO. Removal of food and hydration is "death with gross indignity"
and monstrously painful and ugly even with morphine or other drugs.
MYTH: The issue is the "right to die".
FACT: NO. The issue is the "right to live".
MYTH: A husband always makes surrogate medical decisions for his disabled
incompetent wife that are based solely on her best interests.
FACT: NO. It is well known and documented that many family members of
disabled patients are tired of their difficult situation and want to get rid
of the problem (i.e., the disabled patient).
MURKY:
-- Terri left no written directives, and a 10-years tardy "witness" who
claims she said something to the effect.
-- There are legal submissions to the court, including by nurses who cared
for Terri, concerning her husband's abuse of Terri.
-- There are conflicting medical and legal testimonies by "experts".
-- There are conflicts of interests with the husband's lawyer and the judge
because of direct as well as indirect ties to the Florida euthanasia
lobbyists and hospices.
-- There is a great moral distinction between direct and intentional
killing, and allowing someone to die, letting the disease or condition take
its course. While that is taking place, all basic and fundamental
palliative medical care should be given to the patient to make his/her death
as dignified as possible -- including food and hydration.
If the only information you've received on Terri Schiavo's situation so far is from the Old Media (centralized print and TV sources), you may be surprised to learn that that information may contain serious inaccuracies or sometimes even outright distortions. The following exerpt from an e-mail I received the other day compares Old Media myths with more accurate information from Alt(ernative) Media sources (terrisfight.org and other sources seriously covering this story).
MYTH: Terri has been in a persistent vegetative state, a coma, or is
terminally ill, for 13 years.
FACT: NO. Terri is disabled and has brain damage, but is not in PVS, coma,
or terminally ill.
MYTH: This is just a "religious" issue.
FACT: NO. While Terri's religious rights have definitely been criminally
denied, it is fundamentally a disability issue in which her civil rights as
a disabled citizen have also been denied.
MYTH: Food and hydration are "extraordinary means", and thus a patient has
the right to refuse.
FACT: NO. Even, and especially, in secular terms, while the use of
ventilators, drastic surgery, experimental "therapies", etc., are
extraordinary means and may be refused, food and hydration have always been
defined in medicine as ordinary means, or "palliative care" (as is the use
of antibiotics, needed X-rays, minor surgery, etc.). For Catholics, it is
morally permissible to refuse extraordinary means, but not morally
permissible to refuse ordinary means, or palliative care (including food and
hydration).
MYTH: Removal of food and hydration is "death with dignity" and painless.
FACT: NO. Removal of food and hydration is "death with gross indignity"
and monstrously painful and ugly even with morphine or other drugs.
MYTH: The issue is the "right to die".
FACT: NO. The issue is the "right to live".
MYTH: A husband always makes surrogate medical decisions for his disabled
incompetent wife that are based solely on her best interests.
FACT: NO. It is well known and documented that many family members of
disabled patients are tired of their difficult situation and want to get rid
of the problem (i.e., the disabled patient).
MURKY:
-- Terri left no written directives, and a 10-years tardy "witness" who
claims she said something to the effect.
-- There are legal submissions to the court, including by nurses who cared
for Terri, concerning her husband's abuse of Terri.
-- There are conflicting medical and legal testimonies by "experts".
-- There are conflicts of interests with the husband's lawyer and the judge
because of direct as well as indirect ties to the Florida euthanasia
lobbyists and hospices.
-- There is a great moral distinction between direct and intentional
killing, and allowing someone to die, letting the disease or condition take
its course. While that is taking place, all basic and fundamental
palliative medical care should be given to the patient to make his/her death
as dignified as possible -- including food and hydration.
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Old Media versus Alt Media
Tonight, both ABC and CBS evening 'news' programs presented a pathetically one-sided 'right to die' spin on the Terri Schiavo case, which would lead viewers to believe that Governor Bush, the Florida Legislature and even Terri's family are the villains. The only 'experts' presented were doctors, lawyers or 'bioethicists' who attempted to denigrate Terri's condition and the efforts of the Governor and legislature to protect her. They never bothered to show the views of these physicians.
The Terri Schiavo story just points up the divergence in how people obtain and use information in our society. The centralized institutions that have disseminated information for years, including most major newspapers and television networks are the 'Old Media'. They tend to present very packaged news items that often reflect a single point of view, not only within the individual news organization, but across the community of the Old Media.
Much is made of the generally 'liberal bias' in the Old Media. While there are arguments over how this bias predominates on foreign policy and economic issues, the Old Media mind-set appears to be in the most lock-step on social/cultural issues such as abortion and other life issues, attitudes on sexuality, etc. Thus the blatant 'right to die' spin in the Terri Schiavo case.
One thing the Old Media will not report on very much is their competition. Various alternative avenues have sprung up over the last couple of decades including talk radio, radio with Christian or other independent points of view, and of course the Internet in its various forms. We'll call these media sources the Alternative Media, or Alt Media for short. The Alt Media has claimed increasing influence in public affairs in recent years.
The Alt Media began to receive a lot of attention after the 1994 elections, when the political establishment and the Old Media were stunned by the Republican takeover of Congress. Since then, campaigns of politicians across the ideological spectrum have exercised an increasing Internet presence in order to communicate their message, recruit volunteers and raise campaign funds.
The Alt Media has also played an increasing role in public issues. The war in Iraq generated heated discussion on talk radio and rallies for and against the war were announced and largely organized on the Internet.
Perhaps more than in any other issue so far, the Alt Media not only covered the Terri Schiavo story, it played a pivotal role in bringing about the actions that have, so far, prevented Terri's death. Months ago, with the help of supporters, Terri's family established a web site, terrisfight.org. This site provides background information on Terri and her situation, affidavits and other documents and letters related to her case, and the compelling videos showing Terri responding to her parents' gestures. This information contradicts the Old Media's scripted view of a 'right to die' case.
As the court process carried on over the past few years , her plight has been covered by public advocacy groups, particularly within the prolife and disability rights movements. As the legal situation became increasingly threatening this year, the Terri Schiavo case picked up more attention on talk radio, e-mail and web sites, including blogs. (The word 'blog' is short for weblog, a web site formatted as a journal so that its author(s) can make frequent posts of opinions and experiences.)
As Terri's court imposed death sentence approached last week, the increasing number of concerned citizens began to turn to Governor Jeb Bush to use his authority to protect Terri's life. By the weekend, the Governor's public e-mail account was swamped with messages. When he chose to seek authority from the legislators, their addresses were quickly disseminated by the various Alt Media and were quickly deluged by the swelling grassroots effort to save Terri. In a rare move, the Florida Senate moved its scheduled Tuesday evening vote ahead to the afternoon. Once Terri's law was passed, Governor Bush quickly signed the bill and ordered Terri's feeding tube reinserted.
So what ABC and CBS tried to describe as arbitrary intrusions by the Florida Legislature and Governor into the judicial process were actually the actions of leaders compelled by the communication of concern by constituents and many concerned people outside the state. This case of so many people networking to save one person's life could be said to be the Alt Media's finest hour. This Alt Media will continue to grow and change. It will have increasing power, for good or evil, to influence the direction of society. But don't hold your breath waiting for Dan Rather to tell you that.
Tonight, both ABC and CBS evening 'news' programs presented a pathetically one-sided 'right to die' spin on the Terri Schiavo case, which would lead viewers to believe that Governor Bush, the Florida Legislature and even Terri's family are the villains. The only 'experts' presented were doctors, lawyers or 'bioethicists' who attempted to denigrate Terri's condition and the efforts of the Governor and legislature to protect her. They never bothered to show the views of these physicians.
The Terri Schiavo story just points up the divergence in how people obtain and use information in our society. The centralized institutions that have disseminated information for years, including most major newspapers and television networks are the 'Old Media'. They tend to present very packaged news items that often reflect a single point of view, not only within the individual news organization, but across the community of the Old Media.
Much is made of the generally 'liberal bias' in the Old Media. While there are arguments over how this bias predominates on foreign policy and economic issues, the Old Media mind-set appears to be in the most lock-step on social/cultural issues such as abortion and other life issues, attitudes on sexuality, etc. Thus the blatant 'right to die' spin in the Terri Schiavo case.
One thing the Old Media will not report on very much is their competition. Various alternative avenues have sprung up over the last couple of decades including talk radio, radio with Christian or other independent points of view, and of course the Internet in its various forms. We'll call these media sources the Alternative Media, or Alt Media for short. The Alt Media has claimed increasing influence in public affairs in recent years.
The Alt Media began to receive a lot of attention after the 1994 elections, when the political establishment and the Old Media were stunned by the Republican takeover of Congress. Since then, campaigns of politicians across the ideological spectrum have exercised an increasing Internet presence in order to communicate their message, recruit volunteers and raise campaign funds.
The Alt Media has also played an increasing role in public issues. The war in Iraq generated heated discussion on talk radio and rallies for and against the war were announced and largely organized on the Internet.
Perhaps more than in any other issue so far, the Alt Media not only covered the Terri Schiavo story, it played a pivotal role in bringing about the actions that have, so far, prevented Terri's death. Months ago, with the help of supporters, Terri's family established a web site, terrisfight.org. This site provides background information on Terri and her situation, affidavits and other documents and letters related to her case, and the compelling videos showing Terri responding to her parents' gestures. This information contradicts the Old Media's scripted view of a 'right to die' case.
As the court process carried on over the past few years , her plight has been covered by public advocacy groups, particularly within the prolife and disability rights movements. As the legal situation became increasingly threatening this year, the Terri Schiavo case picked up more attention on talk radio, e-mail and web sites, including blogs. (The word 'blog' is short for weblog, a web site formatted as a journal so that its author(s) can make frequent posts of opinions and experiences.)
As Terri's court imposed death sentence approached last week, the increasing number of concerned citizens began to turn to Governor Jeb Bush to use his authority to protect Terri's life. By the weekend, the Governor's public e-mail account was swamped with messages. When he chose to seek authority from the legislators, their addresses were quickly disseminated by the various Alt Media and were quickly deluged by the swelling grassroots effort to save Terri. In a rare move, the Florida Senate moved its scheduled Tuesday evening vote ahead to the afternoon. Once Terri's law was passed, Governor Bush quickly signed the bill and ordered Terri's feeding tube reinserted.
So what ABC and CBS tried to describe as arbitrary intrusions by the Florida Legislature and Governor into the judicial process were actually the actions of leaders compelled by the communication of concern by constituents and many concerned people outside the state. This case of so many people networking to save one person's life could be said to be the Alt Media's finest hour. This Alt Media will continue to grow and change. It will have increasing power, for good or evil, to influence the direction of society. But don't hold your breath waiting for Dan Rather to tell you that.
It's not over yet.
Terri Schiavo is receiving fluids but her situation is still not in control of those who have her best interests at heart.
One thing that can be done is to contact Governor Bush at jeb.bush@myflorida.com and THANK him for taking the action he's already taken to protect Terri's life and ask him to use his authority to ensure that her rights and those of her family are protected.
Terri Schiavo is receiving fluids but her situation is still not in control of those who have her best interests at heart.
One thing that can be done is to contact Governor Bush at jeb.bush@myflorida.com and THANK him for taking the action he's already taken to protect Terri's life and ask him to use his authority to ensure that her rights and those of her family are protected.
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
Another victory for life!
As Florida's elected officials acted to protect Terri Schiavo, the US Senate late this afternoon passed the bill to protect babies from being partially pulled from the womb and having their brains sucked out. Twice before, a partial birth abortion ban has passed Congress. The difference is we now have a President who will sign it! Of course pro-abortion forces will immediately launch a court challenge, so the fate of this new bill will likely be decided at the Supreme Court.
As Florida's elected officials acted to protect Terri Schiavo, the US Senate late this afternoon passed the bill to protect babies from being partially pulled from the womb and having their brains sucked out. Twice before, a partial birth abortion ban has passed Congress. The difference is we now have a President who will sign it! Of course pro-abortion forces will immediately launch a court challenge, so the fate of this new bill will likely be decided at the Supreme Court.
Action! Thank God!
The Florida State Senate moved up its scheduled vote to this afternoon and passed Terri's Bill. (Senate President Jim King came around to supporting the bill.) The House agreed to the Senate version after originally passing the bill last night. Governor Bush quickly signed the bill and ordered Terri's hydration and nutrition restored. (I haven't seen confirmation yet that this has actually happened. Reportedly, she will require a period of intravenous hydration before the feeding tube can be restored.)
Michael Schiavo's attorney plans a court challenge to the Governor's new authority, and Terri faces a challenging recovery from six days of dehydration. Keep praying!
The Florida State Senate moved up its scheduled vote to this afternoon and passed Terri's Bill. (Senate President Jim King came around to supporting the bill.) The House agreed to the Senate version after originally passing the bill last night. Governor Bush quickly signed the bill and ordered Terri's hydration and nutrition restored. (I haven't seen confirmation yet that this has actually happened. Reportedly, she will require a period of intravenous hydration before the feeding tube can be restored.)
Michael Schiavo's attorney plans a court challenge to the Governor's new authority, and Terri faces a challenging recovery from six days of dehydration. Keep praying!
Monday, October 20, 2003
Incredible audio/visual imagery from the Hubble Space Telescope
Click here for this Australian program, which includes a stirring musical accompaniment. (May take a few minutes to download, but well worth it.)
Meanwhile the Expedition 8 crew has arrived at the International Space Station. The crew includes NASA Astronaut Michael Foale, who serviced Hubble in December 1999.
Click here for this Australian program, which includes a stirring musical accompaniment. (May take a few minutes to download, but well worth it.)
Meanwhile the Expedition 8 crew has arrived at the International Space Station. The crew includes NASA Astronaut Michael Foale, who serviced Hubble in December 1999.
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Breaking News
Governor Bush calls for special session of the Florida State Legislature on Monday to "put an immediate moratorium on all dehydration and starvation deaths currently pending in Florida." Read the press release at Terri's web site. The appalling thing is the press release indicates the Senate President is reportedly opposed to the bill! Pray that this passes immediately and is not too late for Terri!
Governor Bush calls for special session of the Florida State Legislature on Monday to "put an immediate moratorium on all dehydration and starvation deaths currently pending in Florida." Read the press release at Terri's web site. The appalling thing is the press release indicates the Senate President is reportedly opposed to the bill! Pray that this passes immediately and is not too late for Terri!
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Still no word from Jeb...
...even with more legal premise that he can act.
WorldNetDaily reports that e-mails are coming through terrisfight.org at a rate of 10 per second! That probably doesn't count the number going directly to his public e-mail address:
jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Please join in encouraging Governor Bush to act quickly to save Terri's life.
Meanwhile, an opinion piece by Bill Press is so loaded with all the lethal, dehumanizing cliches that it could almost be a parody. Sadly, he actually believes this stuff. But an opinion piece by Diane Alden really hits home on the details of death by dehydration and starvation and on the bigger picture, where this is taking worldwide civilization. God help us if we let it happen!
...even with more legal premise that he can act.
WorldNetDaily reports that e-mails are coming through terrisfight.org at a rate of 10 per second! That probably doesn't count the number going directly to his public e-mail address:
jeb.bush@myflorida.com
Please join in encouraging Governor Bush to act quickly to save Terri's life.
Meanwhile, an opinion piece by Bill Press is so loaded with all the lethal, dehumanizing cliches that it could almost be a parody. Sadly, he actually believes this stuff. But an opinion piece by Diane Alden really hits home on the details of death by dehydration and starvation and on the bigger picture, where this is taking worldwide civilization. God help us if we let it happen!
Friday, October 17, 2003
To mark His Holiness Pope John Paul II's twenty five years of service...
...as Pope, here's an article concerning his vision of the complementarity of Faith and Reason.
For more information on Pope John Paul's twenty fifth anniversary and the beatification of Mother Teresa, check out the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). If you don't receive EWTN via cable or satellite, you can access their webcasting service.
...as Pope, here's an article concerning his vision of the complementarity of Faith and Reason.
For more information on Pope John Paul's twenty fifth anniversary and the beatification of Mother Teresa, check out the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). If you don't receive EWTN via cable or satellite, you can access their webcasting service.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
Are there any courageous leaders out there?
Terri Schindler-Schiavo is dying. The videos show she is not comatose or in a "persistent vegetative state" (whatever that fuzzy euphemism is supposed to mean).
So far, Governor Jeb Bush has not acted, though lawyers working on her case say he can. Statements by her Bishop and other religious leaders have been tepid at best.
Life Matters! (formerly Epivalothanasia) cites a number of bloggers speaking out on Terri's behalf, including one being posted from the vigil outside Terri's hospice.
Terri's father and sister were just on FoxNews' Hannity & Colmes tonight describing the suspicious circumstances surrounding her impaired condition and they directed viewers to the web site terrisfight.org.
Terri Schindler-Schiavo is dying. The videos show she is not comatose or in a "persistent vegetative state" (whatever that fuzzy euphemism is supposed to mean).
So far, Governor Jeb Bush has not acted, though lawyers working on her case say he can. Statements by her Bishop and other religious leaders have been tepid at best.
Life Matters! (formerly Epivalothanasia) cites a number of bloggers speaking out on Terri's behalf, including one being posted from the vigil outside Terri's hospice.
Terri's father and sister were just on FoxNews' Hannity & Colmes tonight describing the suspicious circumstances surrounding her impaired condition and they directed viewers to the web site terrisfight.org.
China's first spaceflight
As can be seen from the links at SpaceToday.net and SpaceDaily, there are many more reports and commentaries on this event than there is time to read.
Interesting commentaries include Glenn Reynolds' article describing this flight as part of China's emerging from centuries of retreat from the world and Jim Oberg's commentary emphasizing the positive implications of China's flight.
I do see China's venture energizing the world space community, but probably not in the form of a Sixties style space race. US space policy is already being re-examined following the Columbia tragedy, and this may further spur the calls by some for NASA to be directed toward new human exploration beyond Earth orbit.
Also, there are military implications of this venture, especially given the non-democratic and often ruthless nature of the Chinese government. Here too, the response by the Pentagon will probably not be a crash program response, but vigilance and development of new capabilities.
Finally, if space is to be moved beyond today's situation as a preserve for military, scientific and limited commercial activity, it is necessary to provide a favorable economic and regulatory environment to the new entrepreneurial efforts to develop affordable and robust space transportation. Rand Simberg provides a good description of the Commercial Space Act of 2003 which addresses the most critical current issues related to that environment.
As can be seen from the links at SpaceToday.net and SpaceDaily, there are many more reports and commentaries on this event than there is time to read.
Interesting commentaries include Glenn Reynolds' article describing this flight as part of China's emerging from centuries of retreat from the world and Jim Oberg's commentary emphasizing the positive implications of China's flight.
I do see China's venture energizing the world space community, but probably not in the form of a Sixties style space race. US space policy is already being re-examined following the Columbia tragedy, and this may further spur the calls by some for NASA to be directed toward new human exploration beyond Earth orbit.
Also, there are military implications of this venture, especially given the non-democratic and often ruthless nature of the Chinese government. Here too, the response by the Pentagon will probably not be a crash program response, but vigilance and development of new capabilities.
Finally, if space is to be moved beyond today's situation as a preserve for military, scientific and limited commercial activity, it is necessary to provide a favorable economic and regulatory environment to the new entrepreneurial efforts to develop affordable and robust space transportation. Rand Simberg provides a good description of the Commercial Space Act of 2003 which addresses the most critical current issues related to that environment.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
Deadly order...
by courts being carried out against Terri Schindler-Schiavo, as her feeding tube was removed this afternoon. If nutrition is not restored in several days, Terri will die a painful death by thirst and starvation.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush met with the family today and reportedly asked his staff to explore all possible actions to possibly intervene and save Terri, as reported in this World Net Daily article. It's a little puzzling why the Governor didn't anticipate facing this situation and explore the options ahead of time. Perhaps he put more faith in the courts than they deserve.
Let's pray that he finds an option and acts with wisdom and courage to protect Terri's life.
by courts being carried out against Terri Schindler-Schiavo, as her feeding tube was removed this afternoon. If nutrition is not restored in several days, Terri will die a painful death by thirst and starvation.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush met with the family today and reportedly asked his staff to explore all possible actions to possibly intervene and save Terri, as reported in this World Net Daily article. It's a little puzzling why the Governor didn't anticipate facing this situation and explore the options ahead of time. Perhaps he put more faith in the courts than they deserve.
Let's pray that he finds an option and acts with wisdom and courage to protect Terri's life.
Return to Earth
Yang Liwei returned safely to Earth aboard Shenzhou 5. Links provided by SpaceToday.net and SpaceDaily. Will comment more later. Got home late and it's getting past my bedtime.
Yang Liwei returned safely to Earth aboard Shenzhou 5. Links provided by SpaceToday.net and SpaceDaily. Will comment more later. Got home late and it's getting past my bedtime.
Capitol Hill Bash
Attended a party this evening near Capitol Hill to benefit the Susan B. Anthony List, a spirited and effective Political Action Committee which focuses on electing prolife women. The SBA List also supports prolife men opposing pro-abortion women candidates.
Attended a party this evening near Capitol Hill to benefit the Susan B. Anthony List, a spirited and effective Political Action Committee which focuses on electing prolife women. The SBA List also supports prolife men opposing pro-abortion women candidates.
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
Monday, October 13, 2003
China Launch Imminent
Three 'taikonauts' have arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, where at least one of them will be launched possibly as soon as Wednesday (possibly Tuesday evening here in the US).
This launch will not have the shock value of the 1957 Soviet Sputnik launch, given that the Chinese have lifted some of the secrecy around the launch to gain a build-up of publicity. Some in the media are downplaying the flight as repeating forty year old accomplishments of the US and the Soviet Union. This is not entirely true, as the Shenzhou spacecraft has features to allow it to be used to assemble small space stations.
Space advocates hope that this new entry into human spaceflight will re-energize US space activities. Given media fickleness, it's not certain how this will play out. What can be pointed out is that while our Shuttle system is more sophisticated and capable, it is also very fragile, given that it is grounded following the February Columbia tragedy. The question is how to make our space transportation industry more robust. This is not merely a task for NASA, but a national policy decision demanding the attention of the White House and Capitol Hill. There is already some motion in that direction, with the introduction of the Commercial Space Act of 2003.
Finally, an intriguing article has been published by China Daily describing China's future plans in space emphasizing the use of energy and resources in space.
Three 'taikonauts' have arrived at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, where at least one of them will be launched possibly as soon as Wednesday (possibly Tuesday evening here in the US).
This launch will not have the shock value of the 1957 Soviet Sputnik launch, given that the Chinese have lifted some of the secrecy around the launch to gain a build-up of publicity. Some in the media are downplaying the flight as repeating forty year old accomplishments of the US and the Soviet Union. This is not entirely true, as the Shenzhou spacecraft has features to allow it to be used to assemble small space stations.
Space advocates hope that this new entry into human spaceflight will re-energize US space activities. Given media fickleness, it's not certain how this will play out. What can be pointed out is that while our Shuttle system is more sophisticated and capable, it is also very fragile, given that it is grounded following the February Columbia tragedy. The question is how to make our space transportation industry more robust. This is not merely a task for NASA, but a national policy decision demanding the attention of the White House and Capitol Hill. There is already some motion in that direction, with the introduction of the Commercial Space Act of 2003.
Finally, an intriguing article has been published by China Daily describing China's future plans in space emphasizing the use of energy and resources in space.
'Travesty of justice'...
describes the latest legal twist in the case of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Federal judge Richard A. Lazzara refused to intervene, allowing probate Judge George Greer's order to starve Terri to death at her husband's request, starting on Wednesday, October 15, to stand. Terri's parents and supporters have not given up, as described in this World Net Daily article.
describes the latest legal twist in the case of Terri Schindler Schiavo. Federal judge Richard A. Lazzara refused to intervene, allowing probate Judge George Greer's order to starve Terri to death at her husband's request, starting on Wednesday, October 15, to stand. Terri's parents and supporters have not given up, as described in this World Net Daily article.
Returned from my travels
Catching up on blogging after preparing for and traveling to the Space Frontier Foundation conference.
I flew out a day early, on Wednesday, to make the pilgrimage up to Mojave, a hotbed of entrepreneurial space activity. On Thursday, visited with the folks at XCOR and took the airport van tour.
Back to LA for the conference. There appeared to be a sense of renewed optimism based on the progress of the start-up companies, some of whom are competing for the X-Prize. One highlight was a luncheon address by House Space Subcommittee Chairman Dana Rohrabacher, sponsor of the Commercial Space Act of 2003. The biggest surprise announcement of the conference was of a new X-Prize entry.
Catching up on blogging after preparing for and traveling to the Space Frontier Foundation conference.
I flew out a day early, on Wednesday, to make the pilgrimage up to Mojave, a hotbed of entrepreneurial space activity. On Thursday, visited with the folks at XCOR and took the airport van tour.
Back to LA for the conference. There appeared to be a sense of renewed optimism based on the progress of the start-up companies, some of whom are competing for the X-Prize. One highlight was a luncheon address by House Space Subcommittee Chairman Dana Rohrabacher, sponsor of the Commercial Space Act of 2003. The biggest surprise announcement of the conference was of a new X-Prize entry.
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