News – Mars Rover and Space Musings

The Spirit rover has set six wheels on the surface of Mars. I’ve gotten into listening to C-Span as of late and this morning listened as a press conference was held at Jet Propulsion Labs in Pasadena California. Hearing them celebrate their achievement was a nice thing. And now the engineers pass the keys to the rover on to the science folks. Here’s a Guardian article topped with a rear view looking back at the rover’s platform.

Bush ahs outlined his Moon and Mars plan(Wired Article). It’s a long range one, where all the major goals are well outside of Bush’s potential reign as president. Even if he gets a second term. By the sound, he’d like to see manufacturing, a refinery, a shipyard and crew quarters on the moon for the purposes of being a launch point for further missions. It seems a bit fanciful to me. And all to be done within the next two decades, including creating a new shuttle, the old one set to be retired after the International Space Station is completed(another of the goals noted). The funding will, it seems, be made of a shift in some of NASA’s current funding augmented by another billion.

Now, on the one hand I don’t believe Bush really cares much about space. I see this as a ploy. And a canny one as with all the goals coming to fruition outside of his term as president, success or failure is not entirely in his hands and thus blame for failure will never be entirely his. Yet if it succeeds, he’s still the pioneer, even if none of it became reality on his watch. Of course, as some of you might know, I’ve always been an advocate for greater space exploration. For expanding humanity to other planets in more than a temporary visit basis. If this is a logical, feasible plan that won’t strain the economy too much, with it’s goals spread out over the next few decades, it’s a good thing. I’m not certain yet, I’ll be watching this closely to see how it pans out. I’l never give Bush much credit for it, however. Opinions, as always, welcome.

An accounting of prior musings on a lunar base. From the fanciful to the more feasible ones.

The EU is seeking trade sanctions against the US over the Byrd Amendment. I can’t say I fully grasp why this amendment is harmful, but my understanding of global business is basic. If anyone can give me the gist in laymen’s terms, I’d appreciate it.

Here comes out first recent drop out of the Democratic race. Carol Moseley Braun has pulled out of the race and put her backing behind Dean.

Five US military defense lawyers have made arguments against the terror trial rules in a friend-of-the-court brief to the Supreme Court. Good to see.

US Anglicans are plotting to break away and form a more conservative church. Joy, another sect to keep track of.

Iraq

Tens of thousands march in favor of early elections in Basra. The Iraqi people are speaking, I hope Bush and the CPA are listening.

It’s reported that a document notes Saddam urging insurgents to keep at arms length of “jihadists” who came to fight the US invasion. The document, a signed order by him, was found in the documents he had. That would be in keeping with how he’s portrayed. Secular and not in tight with alQueda and their religions zeal.

The current toll of suicide deaths among troops in Iraq stands at 21. About 400 have been evacuated for stress problems. It’s a high tension spot to be certain.

Israel/Palestine

Israeli leadership puts back up the Gaza blockade and threatens military strikes a day after the border bombing by a Palestinian woman. And so the cycle continues to spin round and round.

More details on the bombing yesterday. The 22 year old mother of two pretended to be disabled and duped soldiers into allowing her a personal security check rather than going through the metal detector.

Iran

The Iranian officials who threatened to resign have dropped their threats as Supreme Leader Ayatollah ali Khamenei called on the Guardian Council to review the cases of those disqualified. Hopefully the hardliners will not be so quick to start cutting off opponents at the knees knowing that it’s likely the threats will rise again.

General

Dept. Of Irony: Microsoft says HP/Apple deal unfair. It’s amusing to see the masters of uncooperative bundling bitching about HP dealing with Apple to include the iTunes music store on their machines.

Liberal Hawks banter back and froth for a third day. Interesting points, interesting observations to consider.

International Papers notes that few have positive things to say about the Monterey Summit.

Today’s Papers covers various democratic caucus mess, companies likely to eliminate health benefits for future retirees and more.

Amusements

After four successful bank robberies, bored robber gives himself up to the police.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Create a piece of propaganda for a group you don’t like.

Newgrounds: The Evolution of Animation

Kerry’s Presidential Package