Hidden Nook

The Last Post...

2006-06-30T17:41:00.000-04:00

It has been fun blogging here for the past year or so. I've learned so much about blogging by posting here, and it has given me the opportunity to learn from some of the best in the field when it comes to how to not only write what you want, but also make money at it at the same time.

Unfortunately my passion for politics is more of a negative feeling rather than a basic passion of mine. The field is already getting crowded with great people (on the right and the left) so I do not see a great need to return here. I'll be closing down this weblog in order to move onto other interests of mine...

For all those who visited here in the past, thanks. For those who added me to their blog rolls, thanks. And if I've added you I'll probably be checking out your site from time to time.

For now though I'll be over on these blogs, some of them new, others not so new as they generally hold my interests and attention more. My four major passions in life are God, Space, Israel and Google. These up and coming blogs will hopefully reflect that.

One Spirit: Poetry towards God

Colony Worlds: God and Space...and the Human race.

IsraGood (new): Detailing Israeli technology, culture and all things kosher.

Inside Orkut: News, views and cultural taboos from inside Orkut's community forums.

Blogger Delights: Exploring the blogosphere one weblog at a time.

Picasa Fun: Discussing tips and techniques, and having fun with Google's Picasa.

Darnell: My personal media journal.

Well, it sure has been nice, but unless you visit my other weblogs, you'll only see my past record here. That's all folks, and keep on blogging!

PS

Comments will remain open but moderated so don't fret if it doesn't show up immediately.

Another Dead Terrorist (Goodbye Al-Zarqawi)

2006-06-08T12:29:00.000-04:00

(Hat Tip: My Dad)

My Dad informed me early this morning about an air strike that has indeed killed Al-Zarqawi. Here is more from Fox News.

(Fox News) Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the Al Qaeda in Iraq leader who led a brutal insurgency that included homicide bombings, kidnappings and beheadings, was killed in an airstrike on a building north of Baghdad, U.S. and Iraqi officials announced Thursday. [...]

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki said Zarqawi was killed along with seven aides Wednesday evening at around 6:15 p.m. local time in a bombing raid on a building in a remote area 30 miles northeast of Baghdad in Diyala province.

I would give more details, but Iraq The Model and Michelle Malkin have more details and analysis.

My personal feelings about Zarqawi can not be repeated hear (after all, this is a family site) although The Onion could give you hints about his future plans from talks with his affiliate jihadists. END

Tags:

Terror

Al-Zarqawi

Iraq

Dead Terrorists

Taking A Break

2006-04-29T23:58:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I started to pick up this weblog again, but for those who are curious you can see this post for details. Selah!

Tags:

Technorati Test

Three

Congress Members Arrested For Darfur Protest

2006-04-28T15:44:00.000-04:00

While government officials argue about the topic of the day, it seems that five fellow Congressmen decided to exercise their voices on a topic that few worldwide seem to care about--Darfur.

(MSNBC) Five Congress members were willingly arrested and led away from the Sudanese Embassy in plastic handcuffs Friday in protest of the Sudanese governmentÂs role in atrocities in the Darfur region.

"The slaughter of the people of Darfur must end," Rep. Tom Lantos, D-Calif., a Holocaust survivor who founded the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, said from the embassy steps before his arrest.

Darfur is one of the major reasons why the United Nations is not ready to assume the helm as an "international government." Their lack of response is infuriating none the least and sadly our congressional leaders seem to have more courage to speak out against this tyranny than the entire international community.

(MSNBC) Four other Democratic Congress members Â James McGovern and John Olver of Massachusetts, Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas and Jim Moran of Virginia Â were among 11 protesters arrested on charges of disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly, a misdemeanor subject to a fine.

"We must hold the Sudanese government accountable for the attacks they have supported on their own citizens in Darfur," Olver said.

Dozens of demonstrators carried signs, some reading "Stop the slaughter" and "Women of Darfur suffer multiple gang rapes," in front of the embassy Friday morning.

Protesters cheered as the congressmen stood up for human rights, and demanded that the Sudanese government allow international troops to monitor the situation. Although that may be a noble idea, the UN has lost much of its moral voice because of the child rape issues.

It would be more effective if another "coalition of the willing" was formed and the group submitted a letter to Sudan to either end the slaughter or face a quick end themselves.

Tags:

Sudan

Darfur

Genocide

Congressmen Protesting

Does Anybody Care?

Israel Promoting Water Technology In China

2006-04-27T15:52:00.000-04:00

Besides defending itself from dangerous minds, Israel is steadily expanding its economy beyond the middle east, and into the far east.

(Xinhua) Nine Israeli high-tech water companies headed by Israel National Water Co. voiced their interests in China's fast-growing water-treatment market at a Water Expo in Beijing on Wednesday. [...]

Israel is willing to share with China its wealth of experience in water management and production accumulated over the past seven decades, said Dr. Yehoyada Haim, Ambassador of Israel to China.

In response to dry weather and water shortages, Israel has developed a series of high-tech technologies including methods of desalination and irrigation.

When it comes to water technology, "the Jew knows best," especially since their nation is composed mainly of desert, mountains and an oasis that the Israeli citizens had to put together.

It would be nice if some of this technology was used in Palestine, (as they desperately need it). But with the Hamas government refusing to recognize the Hebrew state, that is probably an unlikely scenario--unless new elections occur. END

Tags:

It Doesn't Pay To Be A Terrorist (Hamas)

2006-04-26T16:42:00.000-04:00

It seems that the Palestinian government led by Hamas is in serious financial trouble as they are not only banned from receiving Western aid, but also unable to access funds from middle-eastern nations.

(Reuters) Aggravating the crisis, local, regional and international banks have balked at transferring Arab and Islamic donations to the Palestinian Authority, fearing sanctions by the United States which regards Hamas as a terrorist organization. [...]

Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have pledged emergency funds totaling more than $200 million. But the Palestinian Authority cannot access the money because local, regional and international banks have balked at making the transfers.

Bank officials say they fear Washington will impose sanctions on them or deny them access to banks on Wall Street which they rely heavily upon to conduct day-to-day transactions.

We live in a global economy and money is the blood that allows us to circulate those goods worldwide. If the Palestinians are going to eat (let alone create wealth) then Hamas will need to abandon its plans of destroying the Jewish state.

After all, what good is a gun if your belly is not full?

(Reuters) Hamas has been seeking access to foreign funds deposited in Egyptian bank accounts set up by the Arab League to aid the cash-strapped Palestinian Authority. [...]

"We understand the sensitivities in which the banks are dealing," [Finance Minister Omar Abdel-Razek] said. But he added: "We expect the banks to shoulder their responsibilities and to take some risks."

Contrary to popular opinion, not all Palestinians are bad, and not all of them seek the destruction of their Israeli neighbor. But as long as the leaders they elected continue to harbor ill will towards Israel, then the west has no reason to allow the government to survive off of donations and international welfare.

After all, would you give your neighbor food stamps if he refused to recognize your rights and applauded your destruction?

Tags:

Hamas

Palestine

Israel

Middle East

Terrorism

Doesn't pay to be a terrorist

Testing Blog Post

2006-04-19T13:48:00.000-04:00

I am testing the features of a web publishing tool entitled Writely.com (owned by Google).

So far it looks really great, but hopefully I will be able to publish here and connect it to my weblog.

Hamas Has An Un-Kosher Dream

2006-04-03T21:03:00.000-04:00

You can not get more radical than this in the Holy Land. What Arafat dared to speak privately to his own people, Hamas is declaring its intentions to the world.

(Israel Insider) In an interview with the Chinese news agency, Xinhua, al-Zahar spoke about his "dream of hanging a huge map of the world on the wall at my Gaza home which does not show Israel on it."

"I hope that our dream of having an independent state on the entire territory of historical Palestine will be realized one day." This dream, he added, "will become real one day. I'm certain of this because there is no place for the state of Israel on this land."

Al-Zahar however does hint at the possibility of Christians and Jews living with Palestine--although it is pretty much doubtful how much freedom they would have underneath a democratic theocratic regime.

(Israel Insider) Al-Zahar declared that Hamas will not disarm its military wing, adding that the Hamas government will continue to support armed organizations opposing the "Israeli occupation." "Why should we disarm the militants while the Palestinian territories are still occupied? The people have to defend themselves," he said.

Al-Zahar, who is the overall leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, also called upon the international community to give the Hamas cabinet a chance to show it was "clean and transparent."

With words like these being uttered, a war is pretty much expected between Israel and Palestine--especially if Iran attacks Israel.

Tags:

Hamas

Israel

Palestine

Middle East

Fanatical Stupidity

Google Courting The GOP?

2006-03-30T12:10:00.000-05:00

(Published on Blogger News)

Apparently April fools is still 48 hours away (as of this post) and it appears that the search engine king is cozying up to the GOP.

For a company known to have stronger roots in the Democratic party than Hillary's own campaign staff, this news seems as a shocker from the Twilight Zone.

(CNET News) Google appears to have embraced the rules of the so-called K Street Project. For a decade or more, Republicans in Congress have used the K Street Project to strong-arm businesses to hire only Republican lobbyists and to make donations only to GOP candidates.

Google has hired Washington powerhouse lobbying firm Podesta Mattoon. Though known as a bipartisan firm, Podesta Mattoon will probably hand this account to Lauren Maddox, a former staffer for Newt Gingrich.

Google is apparently "teaming up" with the GOP in order to influence government policy, especially after their sting by bloggers and the government over the China issue.

(CNET News) "The folks I've talked to," Clark told The New York Times, "everybody recognizes that the employee contributions were weighted heavily toward Democrats, and they're waiting to see a course correction." (Since 2001, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, Google employees have donated $361,294 to federal candidates, parties and political action committees, with all but roughly $10,000 going to Democrats or their allies.)

Despite their neutral approach towards search, Google is probably realizing that they are not making too many friends with the conservative party, with some bloggers refusing to click on Google Ads as it may support "Demville."

Google is hiring GOP lobbyists in order to help curb what it sees as emerging threats to its internet rights.

(NewsMax) Google's emerging army of advisers "would help it fight fires along several policy lines, including copyright law, access to the Internet and privacy issues like its successful court fight this month to narrow a Justice Department subpoena over disclosure of its users' searches," according to the Times. (Media Source*)

Although some may disagree, this is perhaps a wise strategy for Google. The search engine king must find ways to reach out towards the Republican party--especially if they win the Whitehouse again in 2008.

Tags:

Google

Republicans

Lobbying

Politics

You look good in red

Four Options For Afghanistan

2006-03-23T15:44:00.000-05:00

(Published on Blogger News and Freedom's Zone)

Many, many moons ago Americans spilt their blood for a people living far, far away in the hopes that one day, peace and freedom would blossom in a land only known for violence and hate.

Unfortunately freedom (specifically freedom of religion) was not part of the "packaged deal" when Afghanistan was liberated, leaving the post-Taliban democracy with four options when it comes to the trial of Abdur Rahman.

(MSNBC) KABUL, Afghanistan - Senior Muslim clerics said Thursday that an Afghan man on trial for converting from Islam to Christianity should be killed regardless of whether a court decides to free him.

Abdul Rahman, a 41-year-old former medical aid worker, faces the death penalty for becoming a Christian under Afghanistan's Islamic laws. [...]

Diplomats say the Afghan government is searching for a way to drop the case, and on Wednesday authorities said Rahman is suspected of being mentally ill and would undergo psychological examinations to see whether he is fit to stand trial.

Facing pressure from abroad as well as within, the Afghan government has several options it can choose, each one with serious consequences.

Execute Abdul: This would satisfy the "moderate voices" of tolerance, at least from the clerics who seem to have a better understanding of the brain than Afghan's psychologists (see next point).

Of coarse, this may cause the "return of the Taliban" as multi-national forces would be inclined to withdraw.

Declare Abdul Insane: This would satisfy most diplomats and relieve internal pressure. Although a nice loop hole, handing down a sentence like this would reduce the nation's medical society as to having the IQ of a box of rocks.

Even the Taliban were smarter than that.

Free Abdul: Would bring about many smiles across the west but probably increase terrorist recruitment levels ahead of the US military (but then again, so will the first option).

It may also cause religious riots--that is unless...

We Free Abdul via Koranic verses: Believe it or not, CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) has the best solution. This would establish freedom of faith in principle and alleviate the pressure to riot in the streets.

Only time will tell which door Afghanistan will choose, although the "insanity plea" will not hold up towards public opinion (Christian, Atheist and Muslim). Unless freedom to worship (or not) is demonstrated in the Muslim region, Abdul "Deja vu" could happen again in Iraq.

Google News, Kosher Style

2006-03-07T22:43:00.000-05:00

It looks as if the Google team has finally launched a Hebrew version of their Google News site, Kosher style.

(Google Blog) We're launching Google News in Hebrew! Google News Israel aggregates articles across Hebrew-language newspapers and presents them side by side so you can read what all of them are saying in one view.

It's been fun and challenging to create this edition, having to accommodate text that reads right to left, and adjusting our algorithms to work with a whole new set of papers. [...]

Meanwhile, with the recent opening of our Israeli office, we look forward to offering many more products to our friends there.

Google's presence in Israel will help raise the status of the Jewish nation and hopefully encourage more employment within it as well. Despite the terrorism that the land is frequently known for, Google's appearance will hopefully draw attention to the normal way of life most Israeli's experience outside of terrorism. END

Google Responds To The China Issue

2006-01-27T16:55:00.000-05:00

(Previously posted on Blogger Delights, Published on Blogger News)

Google over on their Official Blog Site gave an explanation as why they had to launch a local search engine in China.

(Official Google Blog) Google users in China today struggle with a service that, to be blunt, isn't very good. Google.com appears to be down around 10% of the time. Even when users can reach it, the website is slow, and sometimes produces results that when clicked on, stall out the user's browser. Our Google News service is never available; Google Images is accessible only half the time. At Google we work hard to create a great experience for our users, and the level of service we've been able to provide in China is not something we're proud of.

This problem could only be resolved by creating a local presence, and this week we did so, by launching Google.cn, our website for the People's Republic of China. In order to do so, we have agreed to remove certain sensitive information from our search results. We know that many people are upset about this decision, and frankly, we understand their point of view. This wasn't an easy choice, but in the end, we believe the course of action we've chosen will prove to be the right one.

Although I was not too thrilled about Google's decision to violate their own mission statement "Don't be evil," (something they humbly admit to later on in the article) their explanation as why they allowed their search engine to be filtered does clear up some issues regarding why they choose to play "internet nanny" (at least on a minor scale).

Some well respecting bloggers have decided to remove Google Ad Sense from their sites until they begin to provide "unfiltered searches" towards the Communist regime. Although they are entitled to their opinion, I will not be joining the bandwagon as Google is not as powerful as a government (despite the myths) and Congress is already addressing the issue as I type.

To be fair, Google has put a little disclaimer at the bottom of their Chinese site, explaining that results are filtered, although I think they should place that near the top IN RED to alert their current and future users.

I am glad that they are not placing Blogger, Gmail and (hopefully) even Orkut within the Red Dragon's grasp, as that would make me abandon Google forever.

Only time will tell whether Google searches will be liberated from governmental intrusion (both foreign and domestic). Until then, I hope we all learn from this sad situation and I pray it is a wake up call to Americans that our liberties are privileges indeed, as our brethren around the world can only view life through a filtered lens.

The End Of One Blog Age...

2006-01-25T12:59:00.000-05:00

...And the beginning of a new.

Editor's note: (if you've been tagged, scroll down towards bottom--the intro is boring) After careful consideration, I decided to pull back dramatically on this weblog due to inability to maintain several blogs at once.

In order to blog on other personal interests, Hidden Nook will remain idle, (except for short seasons) although I will continue to read weblogs on a daily basis.

For those interested, you can find me over at Colony Worlds, Inside Orkut and Blogger Delights (not to mention the blog novel I am about to begin on Sol Worlds).

I'll probably return here in the future, but before I forget, I must finish the work assigned to me--via The Black Kettle that is.

Update: Make that Colony Worlds, Inside Orkut and Google Your Business.

Not to mention Sol Worlds via Writely.com and my audio site, Darnell via Audio Blogger.

__________________

I was tagged earlier, but never took the time to respond, so I am making up for it in this post.

Five Weird Things About Me:

I don't like cats although my favorite (current) pet is one.
I don't enjoy sleeping and wish I didn't have to (as there are more productive things in life.
I started blogging before I knew what blogging was (I'm serious).
I would travel a thousand miles overseas in a heart beat but would loathe traveling to the grocery store.
I am a little nervous about heights, although I love to fly and jumping out of an airplane is something I would want to do.

There you have it. Ain't I weird? ;)

Weblogs I am tagging:

Sigh, the never ending life of a blogger. ;)

A New Low For The UN

2006-01-20T22:56:00.000-05:00

Despite showing actual leadership regarding the Darfur situation, the United Nations apparently forgot that woman's suffrage is just as important as international politics.

(Reuters) The United Nations, under pressure from Pakistani diplomats, barred an interview with a rape victim from Pakistan while the country's prime minister was at U.N. headquarters, her sponsors said on Friday. [...]

Mai, a 33-year old peasant woman was gang-raped in 2002 on orders of a local council for an offense committed by her brother and forced to walk home nearly naked before a jeering crowd. She prosecuted her attackers and became a women's rights leader.

UN sources claimed that Mai's appearance would "detract attention from the prime minister's visit" who was unaware of the situation. If the United Nations is unable to take a little flack from its own members, then when will it ever take center stage for world leadership? END

Israel Develops Pilotless Chopper

2006-01-18T14:12:00.000-05:00

Israel, long known for developing unmanned vehicles as well as the feared "death sharks" has launched its newest ally defending its right to exist-pilotless helicopters.

(Isracast) Although pilotless helicopters have been in development for the last several years in the U.S. and around the world, the craft developed by the Israeli company Steadicopter is the cheapest, simplest and most versatile of its kind.

The craft has a unique guidance system which includes a gyroscopes, a GPS, and other items unmentioned by the Israeli company. But what stands out most is this crafts many uses not only in the military sector, but also in the private as well.

(Isracast) The craft can come in a variety of configurations that can fit military and security applications such as: mine detection, stealth scouting, border patrol and police surveillance, as well as civilian applications such as high voltage line inspection, media coverage and agriculture purposes.

The helicopter is very small, weighing only 17 pounds and measuring less than 60 inches in length. The helicopter can be controlled by a laptop but only has an air time of 90 minutes.

This new device should prove to be very effective in monitoring the Israeli border. Not to mention a potentially useful tool for reconicence for Amerians in Iraq.

$60,000 Anyone?

2006-01-18T13:40:00.000-05:00

The FBI has recently increased a reward for the arrest of a polygamy leader charged by a grand jury of sexual conduct with a minor.

(Salt Lake Tribune) Special Agent Deborah McCarley of the agency's Phoenix office said officials hope the enhanced reward will encourage someone to reveal the whereabouts of Warren Jeffs, president of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), who dropped out of sight about two years ago. She described the amount as significant for a local fugitive who is not on the FBI's national Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.

This man apparently arranged the marriage of a 28 year old man (who was already married) and a 16 year old girl. If convicted he could face up to two years in prison (if not more) as well as wrath "in the life to come" as polygamy was something the apostle Paul discouraged in leadership.

The LDS church currently doesn't recognize polygamy, and hopefully they will catch this man and "throw the book at him." END

Narnia Sequel In The Works

2006-01-18T13:27:00.000-05:00

After the success of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, it appears as if a second film is currently in the works.

(Christian Post) According to Variety.com, Cary Granat, CEO of LWW co-producers Walden Media, reported that the script for Prince Caspian is already, "underway, with plans to tap a director within a few weeks."

"We're planning on starting production by the fourth quarter of next year," Granat told Variety.

Andrew Adamson chose to film Prince Caspian in order to film the four kids (in the previous film) before they have grown up. A second sequel may potentially top the initial release, although Adamson is not content on directing a sequel--he seems bent on making all seven.

(Christian Post) While Adamson's involvement in Prince Caspian is not confirmed, NarniaWeb has reported that Douglas Gresham--C.S. Lewis' stepson and consultant to LWW- will be on board for the Narnia sequel, although his exact role in the film is unclear.

It would come to no surprise if Adamson ends up directing the sequel as has done a superb with the previous film. It may be wise for the Narnia team to keep him on board, unless of course Spielburg inquires about directing the sequel.

Video Tribute Towards Martin Luther King, Jr.

2006-01-16T15:04:00.000-05:00

Here is a video clip of one of the greatest men of the 20th century.

The video is about 70 seconds long, but is worth watching. If one is unable to view this video in Firefox, simply click on the media source and it will bring you towards the site. END

Porn For Kids?

2006-01-16T13:24:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: World Magazine Blog)

Apparently a teacher in a Cleveland Ohio suburb failed to realize that assigning pornography as a "research assignment" would enrage some parents.

(Forbes.com) A high school research assignment on Internet pornography was canceled after parents in this Cleveland suburb complained. [...]

The assignment asked students to research pornography on the Internet and list eight facts about pornography. Students also were asked to write their personal views of pornography and any experience they had with it.

After receiving many calls Superintendent Jeff Lampert decided that dropping the assignment was in the best interest of the students. It is surprising that a teacher would suggest kids watching these videos, especially since many of the students were between 14 and 15 years of age. END

Is President Bush Interfering In Israeli Elections?

2006-01-12T23:58:00.000-05:00

(Published on Blogger News)

Several Israeli officials are showing their disapproval of the Presidents "interference" on what they see as strictly kosher politics.

(Jerusalem Newswire) [A]ccording to a number of reports in the Israeli media Thursday, US President George W. Bush has decided to do what he can to try and ensure that Olmert, standing in for an incapacitated Ariel Sharon, is elected to be full-time prime minister when Israelis go to the polls on March 28.

Reports Thursday said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has invited Olmert to visit Washington DC, probably sometime next month.

President Bush has not come out with direct vocal support for Olmert, although he is probably the only candidate supporting the road map (Editor's note: what's left of it).

Olmert has stressed that he will continue to work with America to realize a Palestinian state, an issue his political rivals probably oppose. Kadima (meaning "forward" in Hebrew) will probably win landslide elections to the dismay of some evangelicals and orthodox Jews.

Acting Prime Minister Olmert is currently leading the government after Sharon's unfortunate stroke (Editor's note: hopefully he will recover fully).

Those accusing Bush of playing favorites should realize that the President can associate himself with any potential leader, and it is ultimately up to the people to select the new Prime Minister.

Google Searching For Buddha?

2006-01-09T21:21:00.000-05:00

It appears as if the search giant Google will be assisting Buddha Films in a hunt to find the human face that best reflects the face of Buddha.

(The Buddhist Channel) In an exclusive interview with Business Standard, the chairman of Buddha Films, BK Modi, who is now based in Beverly Hills, said preliminary discussion were on with Google for the global talent hunt.

He said a lot of people across the globe had shown interest in playing the role of the Buddha, but not one matched the image of the Buddha.

Buddha Films was approached by a leading Japanese actor who they apparently turned down because they did not "match up." Although Google has indexed a vast (yet unknown) portion of the web, they do not yet possess the technology to index general faces.

But if Google can assemble the images for Buddha Films, their is one corporation who can sift the faces in order to find the face of Buddha.

(Riya) We are a group of determined face recognition and text recognition researchers and engineers who believe it is time for a new type of photo search that uses technology to look inside and automatically tag photos. We hope this will revolutionize how people "see" the world. (Source*)

Riya may be of interest to Buddha films as their technology would enable the Hollywood company sift through the millions of images, reducing the time and effort needed in the search. There is no news whether or not Riya has been contacted by Buddha Films, but if not it probably would be in Riya's interest to contact them.

Are Hindus And Muslims Outbreeding Christians?

2006-01-07T14:28:00.000-05:00

The general "Christian" population is growing at a faster rate compared to the worlds general population (1.3 percent verses 1.2 percent respectively) and makes up one third of the worlds population, with 2.14 billion adherents.

Despite their colossal size, they may be losing out towards their nearest competitors--the Muslims and the Hindus.

(The Christian Post) Although the overall number of Muslims and Hindus--1.31 billion Muslims in 2005 and 870 million Hindus--are less than Christians, the Islam population has grown at a rate of 1.9 percent per year and the Hindu population has grown at a rate of 1.5 percent per year.

The Christian population has seen a major decrease throughout Europe, which may be one of the reasons why it appears the faith of Christ is encountering a "speed bump." However according to the article Christianity has seen large increases elsewhere, especially in Africa and Asia where the growth rate is 2.6 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.

(The Christian Post) Out of all Christian groups, charismatic independent churches are growing the fastest, at 2.4 percent per year.

Dr. Brierley, Executive Director of Christian Research, noted that charismatic black churches in the United Kingdom have also seen rapid growth.

Although more analysis will probably be conducted as to the reason of this "slow down," a simple look will probably reveal why churches seem to be increasing in one area of the world and dying in another. Although raising kids after ones faith may be key factor towards keeping the growth rate up, evangelism is probably the main reason why some churches thrive while others die.

Israel Develops First Laser Diamond Cutter

2006-01-07T14:07:00.000-05:00

(Isracast) The Israeli company Sarin, developer and manufacturer of precision diamond and gemstone production technology, has recently started shipping a new system for cutting diamonds using green laser.

The new system, called Quazer, is based on proprietary technology and features a number of important breakthroughs in the sawing, cutting and shaping of diamonds.

This technology apparently has advantages over the previous methods of cutting diamonds, such as the ability to cut the ever so damage-prone "tension stones." Although Israel is not the diamond capital of the world, this technology may establish the little Jewish state as a major player in that industry. END

Another Blog, Another Day

2006-01-07T11:32:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: Posting has been rather light over at this site, as this author has been busy renovating this weblog (as you can see), launching two other blog sites off of the ground (Inside Orkut and Blogger Delights) as well as starting a third site (Colony Worlds).

Why all the weblogs? Because this author has various interests that can not be contained on one site, and it seemed necessary to "specialize" those interests in order to capitalize on them.

For those interested, four more contributors are needed for two other blogs (Inside Orkut and Colony Worlds) but until then this author will hold down the fort. ;)

Is Mars Really Worth It?

2006-01-02T21:21:00.000-05:00

(Published on Blogger News)

Before any space lovers accuse this line of thought as solar heresy, let us consider the following scenario's as possible. Martian dust is revealed to be non-fatal towards human flesh and engineers have developed ways to keep the red particles from damaging any machines. Vast water resources are located underneath the Martian ground and science has developed a way to make the red soil fertile for plants.

NASA, as well as international space agencies have devised ways to reduce the amount of time to terra form a world from an extreme 10,000 years towards within a lifetime of fifty years. Last but not least, education has enlightened humanity the need to breed amongst the stars and has encouraged world governments to provide international space agencies with all of the funding they will ever need to accomplish their mission of resettling Mars.

But even if all of these were probable in the near future, Mars is missing a key ingredient to make it a worthy home for terrestian life. That key ingredient missing from the red planet can be summed up in one word--resources.

Now some may consider this logic trivial or silly, but unless Mars has something to offer the solar system (or more specifically, Earth) then it will not be worth the trillions of dollars necessary to turn this barren wasteland into an Eden. Similar to the California gold rush, valuable resources on Mars would stimulate a desire to travel towards the red planet, which in turn would stimulate businesses and corporations to promote an economy upon its surface.

The Moon is a perfect example of this. Until recently, their was little desire to travel back towards the lunar surface, as humanity had already established their presence by landing on the white world in 1969. Despite Presidential direction from the Commander in Chief (i.e. Bush), NASA was still searching for a logical reason to revisit Earth's nearest neighbor.

They were that is until Hubble spotted an element called helium-3 upon the moons surface, an element some researches herald as the perfect non-polluting fuel. Some scientists have analyzed that there is enough of this on the moons surface to power the world for thousands of years, which has caught the attention of fuel hungry nations, such as China.

What Mars lacks is a similar resource that would attract the necessary attention to not only conquer the world environmentally, but also enable a worldwide economy to develop. After all, people are going to need to earn an income while surviving the fierce habitat, especially if Mars is to be home to millions of colonists, let alone billions of future residents.

Once a colony is established on the red planet, it will need to contribute something back towards planet Earth, something other than a few scientific curiosities. If the Martian globe is unable to provide any "fruit" back towards those who invested colonizing the world, then its greatest hope is to become a tourist destination hosting miles of desert for the eye to see.

Sources: Science @ NASA, Space.com, Aerospace Scholars NASA

Hyperlink: Red Chasm (Mars)

Merry Christmas, Google Style

2005-12-24T17:45:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: Merry Christmas everyone! It looks as if the blogosphere is celebrating Christmas early, while Google kicks off the holidays by tracking Santa via Google Earth (if you have Google Earth, download file here).

Over at Blogger.com, one may have noticed the holiday hat (in orange?) on top of their logo.

At least they did not put any mistletoe up this year. ;)

Well, this author is going to be closing down this blog for the rest of the year (unless something dramatic comes up of coarse). Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all (and for those of Hebrew origins, Happy Hanukkah!).

For the curios ones who decided to expand this post, I've written a new story over at Sol Worlds.

Bush Signs Umbilical Stem Cell Bill Into Law

2005-12-20T23:00:00.000-05:00

(The Christian Post) President Bush today signed into law a bill that will allow umbilical cords to be used for stem cell research and avoid the controversy over embryonic stem cells. [...]

"So many people don't realize that cord blood and adult stem cells are already treating patients, and have achieved remarkable breakthroughs over the past year," [Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.)] stated.

Despite the non-controversial potential of umbilical stem cells, many hospitals have been unable to use them due to the inability to house the umbilical cords. This law will remove that excuse by providing $265 million for life saving stem cell therapy, with $79 million going towards collection and storage.

(The Christian Post) The national program will also promote stem cell research by requiring participating cord blood banks to donate units not suitable for transplant to researchers and scientists. [...]

"Unlike the empty promises of embryonic stem-cell research, cord-blood stem cells provide patients with real treatment and cures," Wendy Wright, Executive Vice President of Concerned Women for America, noted yesterday in a statement released after Congress passed the bill. "Thousands of patients will have more than just their hopes realized--their lives will be saved and suffering relieved, because this law will make ethical cord-blood stem cells available to them."

Congress hopes this bill will alleviate 90% of the demand of stem cells within the nation, and many pro-lifers hope that this bill will kill the need for embryonic stem cells (a practice requiring the destruction of life to benefit life).

Although the stem cell debate has divided America into what has become an increasingly hostile culture war, both parties should be able to put aside their differences and hopefully work together to develop useful treatments for diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and cancer.

Image Credit: White House/Paul Morse, Image from The Christian Post

Robots Exploring Moon First (NASA)

2005-12-20T22:29:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Lunar Soil)

(The Avion Online) In order to better understand the Moon before actual human presence is there, NASA will send robots to the Moon to study various locals. The robots will help determine landing sites for future missions. They will also determine which, if any, resources, such as oxygen and hydrogen, will be available for use in future manned missions to the Moon.

Using robots to scour the surface of the moon for water, fuel and metals will not only save time selecting hospitable locations but also avoid us selecting hazardous ones as well. Although probably not on the agenda, NASA should also equip the robots with lunar lawnmowers in order to resolve the moon dust issue which can cause havoc to both machine and man (once a site is selected of course).

(The Avion Online) "Establishing research stations on the moon will give us the experience and capabilities to extend to Mars and beyond," Butler Hine, robotics deputy program manager, said in a NASA press release. The first extended human expedition to the lunar surface will take place as early as 2015, but no later than 2020.

The moon is mankind's testing ground for whether or not our species has "grown up." It will determine whether we become a multiplanet species as it is a testing ground for other worlds such as Mars, Europa, Ganymede and Saturn's moons. In the words of Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935), a Russian scientist who developed the rocket propulsion theory:

"The Earth is the cradle of mankind, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever."

Editor's note: Amen to that!

New UN Body Created To Aid After Conflicts

2005-12-20T21:48:00.000-05:00

(Reuters) The U.N. General Assembly and the Security Council voted on Tuesday to create a peacebuilding commission designed to stop renewed warfare by helping countries develop once the fighting stops. [...]

Assembly President Jan Eliasson called the vote "historic" and "our best chance to reverse the trend, which in recent years, has seen around half the countries end their fighting only to lapse back into conflict within five years."

Although several issues such as the human rights commission (which desperately needs reform) and the two year budget need to be ironed out, it appears as if the United Nations may be heading down the road towards relevancy. Too often the United Nations is sent in a hostile region, only later to be asked to leave (ironically by the warring factions) and idly sit by while greater powers than they slug it out amongst each other.

This exact scenario is about to be repeated between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and hopefully the international body can intervene lest bloodshed ensues once again.

(Reuters) Compared to other U.N. coordination bodies, the commission seeks to direct governmental bilateral aid as well as that from the United Nations and financial institutions.

For example, Danish Ambassador Ellen Margrethe Loj, a negotiator of the resolution, said aid was too often distributed in a haphazard manner.

"It doesn't help only to train the policemen if you are not simultaneously ensuring that they have a prison to put the criminals in and a judiciary to try them," she said.

Although the United Nations may be unable to prevent current conflicts, they may be able to prevent future ones. If they are able to reduce the number of conflicts worldwide, America may grant them a wider role in nation building as the United States is already spread thin rebuilding Iraq and Afghanistan. Only time will tell whether this new body can handle its rough assignment, but if successful this institution may restore faith back into the UN, at least with the American people.

Japan Taking On Yahoo And Google?

2005-12-20T21:37:00.000-05:00

(PocketLint.co.uk) The Japanese government will launch its own internet search engine to stop Google and Yahoo dominating in its home market.

According to a government official, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will kick off a study group consisting of about 20 Japanese electronics companies and universities on internet search engines.

Japan intends upon launching their version of "YaGoohoogle" in the next three to five years, although by then Google, Yahoo and Microsoft will probably have segregated internet society and carved out the profits for themselves. Japan seems serious about this initiative, and the government is apparently investing 12 billion yen (or approximately 102,600,000 US dollars) into the project. END

Is Mars Exiting An Ice Age?

2005-12-20T21:14:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Red Colony)

(Space.com) Scientists have suspected in recent years that Mars might be undergoing some sort of global warming. New data points to the possibility it is emerging from an ice age. [...]

"One explanation could be that Mars is just coming out of an ice age," Feldman said. "In some low-latitude areas, the ice has already dissipated. In others, that process is slower and hasn't reached an equilibrium yet. Those areas are like the patches of snow you sometimes see persisting in protected spots long after the last snowfall of the winter."

If Mars is indeed exiting an ice age, this will probably come as a mixed blessing for scientists and Martian enthusiasts alike. A warmer Mars increases the chance that this world can be terra-formed, as it is probably easier to accelerate a warming planet than to initiate global warming artificially. A side affect of this is that potential water resources on the red planet may evaporate before colonists have a chance to use them, which may force colonies to settle around the Martian north pole.

(Space.com) Frozen water makes up as much as 10 percent of the top 3 feet (1 meter) of surface material in some regions close to the equator. Dust deposits may be covering and insulating the lingering ice, Feldman said. [...]

"A model that fits the data has three layers near the surface," said William Boynton of the University of Arizona, Tucson, team leader for the gamma-ray spectrometer instrument on Odyssey. "The very top layer would be dry, with no ice. The next layer would contain ice in the pore spaces between grains of soil. Beneath that would be a very ice-rich layer, 60 to nearly 100 percent water ice."

Hopefully the red planet will not melt too quickly, as water is Mars's greatest resource for future residents, as there appears to be no other resources of value upon the dusty worlds soil. Although our understanding of Mars has increased by leaps and bounds over the years, there is still so much humanity will have to learn about it if we intend upon investing our lives upon its surface.

Author Broadcast: Red Chasm (short story)

Swiss Hospitals Permitting Euthanasia

2005-12-20T21:02:00.000-05:00

(ABC News Online) A Swiss hospital says it will allow euthanasia on its premises to the terminally ill. The hospital in the city of Lausanne will be the first in Switzerland to allow the practice.

Assisted suicide is permitted under Swiss law, but until now hospitals have refused to allow euthanasia to be committed on site.

After "careful consideration" doctors will allow euthanasia to be practiced within its walls at the beginning of next year. Although the guidelines for those seeking to end their lives is strict (i.e. soundness of mind, terminally ill, etc.) it will not be too surprising if abuse is discovered. END

Federal Ruling On Intelligent Design

2005-12-19T23:56:00.000-05:00

Updated: Expand post and scroll down for details.

(MSNBC) A ruling in a landmark federal "intelligent design" trial is expected to be handed down Tuesday, according to court officials.

Judge John E. Jones III's response to six weeks of testimony could determine whether the concept--which attributes the origin of life and the emergence of highly complex life forms to an unidentified intelligent force Â can be mentioned in public school science classes.

Scientists, whether Creationists or Evolutionists will be awaiting Judge Jones decision tomorrow, which will either allow the debate to be taught throughout high schools in America or only allow the viewpoint of evolution to be discussed in biology class.

This whole case started a year ago when the Dover Area School Board in PA voted to require students to hear a statement about ID, declaring that evolution is not a fact and has unexplainable gaps. This resulted in a lawsuit by eight families, contending with the decision by the board, objecting to the introduction of ID in the school system.

(MSNBC) Jones' ruling could go in one of three directions, legal experts have said.

He could rule in support of the school district's decision that intelligent design in high-school biology class does not violate the First Amendment, thereby paving the way for the concept to be introduced in public schools across the country.

Or he could decide that intelligent design is unconstitutional because it's religion disguised as science.

Jones could also decide that school board members were motivated by religion when they voted to include intelligent design in the biology curriculum, but avoid ruling on whether intelligent design is legitimate science.

Proponents and opponents of Intelligent Design will have to wait until tomorrow's ruling to know the status of their case. Although many evolutionists argue that Intelligent Design lacks scientific credibility, (as how does one prove God's existence?) ID supporters could counter this by simply viewing the gaps in the evolutionary chart. Although some have provided reasons for these gaps (something Talk Origins attempts to address here, here and here) none of them stand up to common sense and reason.

If evolution did indeed occur on planet Earth, then where are the millions of transitional forms? Despite the rarity of fossils, (due to scavengers, weather and sediment upheaval, etc.) one would assume that these transitional forms would still outnumber the established ones, unless of course animals mutated immediately producing another species (a theory that is laughably unlikely). If evolutionists wish to end the debate then they should allow ID to be presented to the students allowing them to decide for themselves.

After all, if evolution is an established scientific fact, then what are they so afraid of?

Update: Judge has ruled against ID, Kinshasa on the Potamic has the details.

Towards Pluto...And Beyond

2005-12-19T23:19:00.000-05:00

(MSNBC) A small spacecraft bound for Pluto was being prepared for transfer to the launch pad on Friday in preparation for blastoff next month, NASA officials said.

New Horizons is the centerpiece of a $650 million mission to explore the last of the solar system's original nine planets. Scientists recently have discovered hundreds of Pluto-like objects orbiting more than 50 times farther away from the sun than Earth.

The New Horizon probe weighs about half-a-ton and is nuclear powered (via plutonium pellets), as opposed to solar powered because the suns rays are not powerful enough to generate electricity that deep into space. Scientists will not be able to gather any useful data on Pluto for approximately 9.5 years, and possibly even longer for some of the more interesting Kuiper belt objects (such as Xena and Gabrielle).

The New Horizons spacecraft is set to launch in early 2006, bound for distant Pluto and its moon, Charon, as well as Kuiper Belt objects.

(MSNBC) If the probe is not launched by Feb. 2, New Horizons will miss the opportunity to pick up extra speed by zooming close to Jupiter in 2007 for a slingshot boost from the giant planet's gravity. A direct flight to Pluto would take an additional three years, scientists estimate.

At its speed, there is no chance New Horizons can slow down and enter into orbit around Pluto for an extended stay. The probe does not carry the tremendous amount of fuel required for a braking maneuver.

Instead, the spacecraft and its sensors will target Pluto and its moons from about five months before closest approach to one month after, then head out in search of new subjects.

Hopefully the launching details of this space probe can be finalized, as it would be ashamed to have to wait an additional three years because of a few technical difficulties. Pluto is one of the nine planets that orbit the solar system (ten including Xena) and probably one of the most unique as it is the only world who is gravitationally locked with its moon, Charon. Pluto is believed to also harbor a thin atmosphere, but until a probe confirms this belief, Pluto will remain a puzzle at the edge of our solar system.

Author Broadcast: Icy Bridge (short story)

Could Science Resurrect The Mammoth?

2005-12-19T22:56:00.000-05:00

(MSNBC) Scientists have mapped part of the genome of the woolly mammoth, a huge mammal that's been extinct for about 10,000 years. The breakthrough could lead to re-creating the creatures.

A team led by Hendrik Poinar at McMaster University unlocked secrets of the creature's nuclear DNA by working with a well-preserved 27,000-year-old specimen from Siberia. Colleagues at Penn State sequenced 1 percent of the genome in a few hours and say they expect to finish the whole genome in about a year if funding is provided.

Although scientists are currently far from able to breathe life into any creature today, prehistoric or modern, the ability to resequence the DNA of this ancient beast does open the possibility. If such a feat were possible in today's world, one would wonder where would man draw the line with resurrecting certain animals, especially dangerous ones as such feat may destabilize current ecosystems. (imagine Raptures in the woods of North America).

But it seems that some scientists may have an alternative towards resurrecting these ancient creatures by recreating them inside similar ones.

Hendrik Poinar, a geneticist with McMaster University, has sequenced a portion of the genome from a woolly mammoth. Poinar is pictured with the remains of Dima, a baby woolly mammoth unearthed in 1977.

(MSNBC) Other researchers have expressed a desire to revive the mammoth by injecting frozen sperm DNA Â if they can find some Â into elephants. Over several generations, they'd create a creature that's 88 percent mammoth.

The DNA revealed by Poinar's group is "very similar to the African elephant genome," the group writes in their journal paper.

Although bringing back extinct animals may appeal to the masses, one must remember that in doing so (regardless of the means how) may have its severe consequences. One only has to reflect on the movie Jurassic Park to imagine a creature escaping outside of its habitat and causing havoc towards whatever human populace it encounters. Science, although giving humanity the ability to alter creation around them must be used productively, otherwise we may bring back a species that could lead towards our own mass extinction.

SpaceX Delays (Rocket Damage)

2005-12-19T22:51:00.000-05:00

(MSNBC) Three weeks after its first try fizzled out, a low-cost rocket company had to postpone its maiden launch once again on Monday when a faulty valve created a dent in the rocket's fuel tank.

Space Exploration Technologies, or SpaceX, fueled up its partially reusable Falcon 1 rocket for liftoff from Kwajalein Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, on a mission to put the FalconSat 2 plasma-monitoring satellite into orbit for the U.S. Air Force Academy.

This is an unfortunate set back for SpaceX, which aims to reduce the cost of launching men and machines into space. Although the cause of the dent was due towards electrical fault and not structural design, engineers are taking a closer look at the rocket in order to certify that the entire rocket is sound (as the last thing the space industry needs is another Challenger).

(MSNBC) SpaceX is hoping that the launch, funded by the Defense Advance Research Projects Agency as well as the Air Force, will be the first in a series of low-cost liftoffs from Kwajalein as well as Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. The estimated price tag for a Falcon 1 launch is about $6.7 million, far less than the cost of similar launches by more established companies.

The company already has won a military contract worth up to $100 million for small-scale launches through 2010, and it is developing fully reusable, beefed-up versions of the Falcon rocket capable of lofting payloads and people to the international space station and beyond.

That contract depends on whether SpaceX can successfully launch a rocket into orbit. SpaceX was founded by Elon Musk, the creator of Pay Pal (which he later sold to Ebay). Through SpaceX Musk intends upon making humanity a "multiplanet species," who hopes to eventually aid in the colonization of Mars. Although he has faced many setbacks with SpaceX (both physical and legal) Musk is determined to enable mankind to leave his cradle and eventually take his place among the stars.

Image Credit: Thom Rogers / SpaceX

Blog Exploration: Farmers A Blogging?

2005-12-18T23:58:00.000-05:00

(MSNBC) University of Illinois Extension is taking on that challenge with a new blog for farmers. The Farm Gate began publishing earlier this fall at http://www.farmgate.uiuc.edu and was announced this month.

It aims to be a place farmers can go to find information on agricultural topics, ranging from crop science to economics to veterinary medicine.

Although a blog search will reveal a host of blogs dedicated towards farming, this site appears to be unique in the fact that it discusses a wide range of farming instead of being dedicated towards a specific area (such as with certain plants, animals or techniques of farming). If a farmer knows their way around the web, the Farm Gate Blog may prove its usefulness, saving the farmer time and hassle Googling relevant information on their own.

(MSNBC) "Instead of farmers looking for all of those ideas, what I can do is go collect them, synthesize them and present a summary of what the viewpoints are," said Ellis, an extension agent in Macon County. [...]

"I think farmers will really gain a lot from having a one-stop shop where you can go and get a variety of information. You name it and it will be there," said Hausman, who serves on an advisory committee for the Farmdoc Web site.

Although this site is fairly new, it will probably quickly become a high traffic "A-list" weblog within a couple of months as their are not too many other blogs dedicated to general farm issues within the blogosphere. The authors even offer ways to reduce taxes, advice every farmer could use in todays economy.

EBA: Royalists Attack Nepali Blogger

2005-12-18T23:35:00.000-05:00

Emergency Blog Alert via Committee to Protect Bloggers

(Also posted on Mero Sansar) On Dec 14, 2005 army fires indiscrimantely and killed 12 innocent civillians. To protest that, political parties called for valleywide shut down programme on Dec 16, 2005.

There are some peoples who supports for King. They are called "Mandales". On Dec 16, 2005 they attacked protestors and severly beat them. I was at the scene and capturing all those horrific images. Then they came to me and asked to delete all the images and videos. After that they beat me and damaged my digital camera.

Besides that I have been targeted by threaten mails also.

Editor's note: Despite having their freedom stripped away by decree of their King, the Nepalese citizens continue to protest against the monarchy in power. Apparently supporters of the King do not enjoy this type of dissent, and their actions display their feelings towards all who object to the rule by the crowned king.

Blogs discussing Nepal: Keep Nepal Free, We Want Democracy, The John Narayan Times. END

Israeli Nano-Armor Tougher Than Steel

2005-12-18T23:00:00.000-05:00

(Isracast) An Israeli company has recently tested one of the most shock-resistant materials known to man. Five times stronger than steel and at least twice as strong as any impact-resistant material currently in use as protective gear, the new nano-based material is on its way to becoming the armor of the future.

The company developing this material is ApNano, which focuses on nanotechnology products. Israelis have often proven themselves to be quite inventive, and if ApNano is able to create a protective vest for the battle field, they could potentially affect the global war on terror (not to mention generate a profitable revenue back home).

(Isracast) In recent research lead by Prof. Yan Qiu Zhu of the School of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Nottingham, England, a sample of the ApNano material was subjected to severe shocks generated by a steel projectile traveling at velocities of up to 1.5 km/second. The material withstood the shock pressures generated by the impacts of up to 250 tons per square centimeter. This is approximately equivalent to dropping four diesel locomotives onto an area the size of one's fingernail.

With armor that strong on vehicles, soldiers may be able to survive a RPG attack from an unfriendly terrorist (something all too common on the Israeli front). This material would be quite useful in Iraq, where many soldiers (Iraqi and American) are probably suffering from a shortage of material, which is alarming considering who they are fighting against (Side note: Although our enemy is fierce, we are winning the war on terror).

Image credit: ApNano medieval armor, image from Isracast

The Fusion Solution And Plasma Engines

2005-12-13T22:34:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: The Star Spangled Cosmos)

(Palm Beach Post) Physicists in the U.S., Japan, England and France have demonstrated the workability of fusion by sustaining reactions in the laboratory for up to 24 seconds. The problem is that plasma--the primordial gas resulting when hydrogen atoms are heated to 100 million degrees--is difficult to contain in small reactors. (Media Source*)

A five story reactor is being built in France and is sponsored in party by Japan, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the US (which may cut domestic programs in order to fund this project). Although some may be nervous about using nuclear powered shuttles in the future, there may be no other alternative if humanity is determined to colonize other worlds. Chemical fuel is simply too expensive while solar sails, although promising, may be more suitable as a hobby than for space travel.

As scientists are working on new ways to power the next star ships, the European Space Agency may have developed a new type of plasma engine that may remind some people of Star Trek.

(Universe Today) ESA has confirmed the principle of a new space thruster that may ultimately give much more thrust than today's electric propulsion techniques. The concept is an ingenious one, inspired by the northern and southern aurorae, the glows in the sky that signal increased solar activity.

"Essentially the concept exploits a natural phenomenon we see taking place in space," says Dr Roger Walker of ESA's Advanced Concepts Team. "When the solar wind, a 'plasma' of electrified gas released by the Sun, hits the magnetic field of the Earth, it creates a boundary consisting of two plasma layers. Each layer has differing electrical properties and this can accelerate some particles of the solar wind across the boundary, causing them to collide with the EarthÂs atmosphere and create the aurora." (Media Source*)

If such an engine can be built this would enable star craft to reduce the time and hassle traveling to other worlds. This would also allow colonists to power needed systems upon arrival, as very few worlds contain adequate fuel resources abundant upon their surfaces (Saturn's Titan and Earth's Moon are the only known worlds harboring energy resources).

Image Credit: Helicon reactor in operation. Photo from ESA, via Universe Today.

The Hindus Are Restless

2005-12-13T22:07:00.000-05:00

Note: One may also add that this group is also jealous.

(BosNews Life) Hindu militants who already threatened to burn and kill members of an evangelical congregation in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh have turned that church into a Hindu temple, a missionary group said Tuesday, December 13.

Apparently the Hindu group was upset about a ministry called Gospel for Asia, which has been successfully convincing Hindus to leave their former faith towards Christianity. The leader of the Hindus in Himachal Pradesh is threatening to lead a campaign forcing the Christians to convert back to Hinduism. The Indian police have thus far done nothing to retake the church back, although it may appear that they were surprised by the Hindu hostile take over.

(BosNews Life) [K.P. Yohannan] said he had urged GFA supporters to "pray and fast on behalf of Pastor Bhatti and his family and for all of the believers in their church" so "God's protection will be upon them, and [...] they will stand strong in the face of this horrible persecution."

Human rights groups have expressed concern about what they regard as growing attacks against churches and individual Chriastians across India, a predominantly Hindu nation. Christians comprise roughly two percent of IndiaÂs nearly 1.1 billion people, according to estimates of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).

The Hindu takeover by extremists demonstrates this groups intolerance of other beliefs, philosophies, creed, etc. that do not line up with their own. Such groups generally have more in common with Al Qaeda as opposed to the general population of the world, who would reasonably "agree to disagree" and would move on with life. Hopefully the Indian police can neutralize this force, otherwise India will not be a suitable place for business let alone tourism.

Earth Sized Star?

2005-12-13T21:55:00.000-05:00

Or would that be mini-Earth sized star?

(Space.com )The brightest star in our sky has a companion that's smaller than Earth yet 98 percent as massive as the Sun, a new study reveals.

Astronomers already knew the brilliant blue-white Sirius had a stellar companion. But they didn't know the object's mass. The new measurement, announced today, was done by an international team of astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope.

Sirius B, a white dwarf star is only 7,450 miles wide (compared to Earth's 7,973 miles) and yet is so massive that if a person weighing 150 pounds stood on this sun they would be crushed by their own body weight at around 55 million pounds! END

Google Tetris?

2005-12-13T21:13:00.000-05:00

Apparently the Google group has allowed users to add a "tetris" API to their personalized home page, giving it much needed value as many users could access their Gmail, GNews and Gfun else where via other Google services (i.e. Google Desktop).

(Google Blog) With the Google Homepage API, developers can now create modules for the personalized homepage. It's designed to be flexible and easy to use, and you don't need to download anything to create a module. To get the ball rolling, the team's created a few modules to add to the directory. So check these out and get started creating your own.

Other features such as the "Weather Map" are quite useful, although unless users submit creative works, Personalized Google may lack the interest necessary to make it worth while (hint: creative coders needed). END.

Contact: Space Blogs Found

2005-12-13T20:47:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: This author took the liberty of exploring the blogosphere in search for unique blogs that not only talked about space travel (or related items) but had interesting topics and areas of focus.

Here are a few interesting sites this author discovered:

The Star Spangled Banner: "Taking on nuclear fusion and the final frontier--American style."

Out of the Cradle: "The Earth is the cradle of mankind, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever."-Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935), Russian scientist and developer of rocket propulsion theory.

Martian Soil: [B]ringing the exploration of the Red Planet closer to enthusiasts and little green men alike.
are welcome! Note: has a sister site called Lunar Soil. Both are worth reading.

More sites added to this blog are listed below, as well as with a description or motto.

Lunar News Network: Lunar News Network is a weblog dedicated to news about the U.S. Space Program and the return to the Moon.

Mars Blog: Note: A site more about space politics than about Martian exploration. Nice layout anyways.

NASA Watch: Note: A site dedicated to informing the public about what is going on about NASA.

Space News Blog: [Focused] mainly on robotic space exploration. Note: Another very interesting space site.

By the way: For those interested in Scifi stories, this author has launched another site called Sol Worlds which is about...you will have to check it out for yourself to see (updated weekly).

Torched Church And Muslim Protection

2005-12-11T23:43:00.000-05:00

(Christian Post) Islamic militants torched a church in the Indonesian Province of North Sulawesi, Thursday night, raising fears of more violence to come during the Christmas holidays. The recent blaze at Beth Eden Protestant Church in the city of Manado brought serious damage to a large section of the building. [...]

In the island nation's capital of Jakarta more than 640 churches have already been placed under police protection in the previous days. Nahdatul Ulama, Indonesia's [largest] Islamic organization, has also vowed to guard churches throughout the Christmas season.

Apparently the Christmas spirit (Editor's note: or the spirit of generosity for those of differing faiths) is spreading in Indonesia. Although many critics would love to paint Muslims as either practicing or non-practicing terrorists, this demonstration by the Nahdatul Ulama shows that many Muslims do not whole heartedly agree with the Islamic fundamentalists.

(Christian Post) A number of Muslim volunteers along with police have set up checkpoints near churches, searching all passers-by for dangerous materials or substances. In the province of East Java, 200 paramilitary volunteers from Muslim groups have joined police to search anyone entering church, including Catholics and Christians.

The Rev. E. M. Pattinasarane from the Inter-Churches Cooperation Forum of East Java urged churches to be responsible for their own protection, and that the police were just "additional resources."

The militants who attempted to burn down this church probably represent a minority of Muslims who harbor ill will towards other faiths, as their are plenty of others (i.e. Iraq The Model) who seem to be able to display some level of intelligence and tolerance. With the additional protection being provided by police and Muslim volunteers, hopefully these churches will be able to enjoy the holidays and celebrate the birth of Christ without fear of being attacked.

Image Credit: Indonesian police search motorists as part of a security operation in Jakarta. Islamic militants torched a church in the Indonesian Province of North Sulawesi, Thursday night, raising fears of more violence to come during the Christmas holidays. (Photo: Reuters / Crack Pallingi)

Mars Has Bouncing Balls?

2005-12-11T23:14:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Gizmodo, We Make Money Not Art)

(Universe Today) The NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts has recently awarded a Phase II grant for a unique robot design that could hop across the surface of Mars. An array of these tiny robots could be deployed on Mars, coordinating with one another like a swarm of insects.

For the past several years, NASA has been encouraging scientists and engineers to think outside the box, to come up with ideas just this side of science fiction. Their hope is that some of these ideas will pan out, and provide the agency with technologies it can use 20, 30, or 40 years down the road.

If successfully developed and launched, these bouncing balls may soon become a common sight, as using miniature robots to map out the surface of a world is far more productive than sending an expensive rover. Future colonists could also use these "bouncing balls" to explore underground caves, and tunnels and perhaps even play pranks on their fellow crew mates (with NASA's approval of coarse).

(Universe Today) We are envisioning having them not all identical, but rather an ensemble, with enough of the different kinds of units fitted out with different kinds of sensors so that the probability would still be high, even given fairly high losses of numbers of units, that we would still have a complete suite of sensors. Even though each individual unit cannot have a giant payload of sensors on it, you could have enough so that it could give significant overlap with its fellow units.

Currently the project is still in "beta mode," as more testing needs to be done before these gizmos can be considered for the next Martian mission. It would not be surprising to find these little bots on the lunar surface, as that would not only provide a unique testing ground but also may aid astronauts by acting as a warning system if radiation levels rise too rapidly (Editor's note: author's suggestion, not NASA's).

Image Credit: Photo originally from NASA

Verichip Hypocrite?

2005-12-11T22:37:00.000-05:00

(Free Market News) U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and four-term governor of Wisconsin Tommy Thompson said a few months ago that he would be "chipped." But now he says he has no time.

In July, during a CNBC interview, he declared that he would allow the VeriChip Corporation, of which he is a board-member, to implant him with one of the RFID devices they manufacture. However, according to an article on SpyChips.com, Thompson has not done so as yet, and has no plans to undergo the procedure in the near future.

It is ironic that for a man who advocated the use of verichip by all Americans now seems too busy to implant himself with the device. If the Verichip was as beneficial as Mr. Thompson claims, one would expect that he of all people would lead the way by personally having the chip inserted in his body.

Apparently Mr. Thompson is having some second thoughts about the new technology (within people that is). After all, if it is efficient for US passports, wouldn't it be efficient for human bodies as well?

(Free Market News) [Thompson] reportedly told CBS MarketWatch in July, and when a CNBC correspondent in another July interview asked if he would take a chip himself, Thompson allegedly replied, "Absolutely, without a doubt." However, further follow-up has revealed that such chipping has never taken place. VeriChip spokesman John Procter is quoted as saying Thompson has been "too busy" to undergo the chipping procedure, and that "I wouldn't put any type of time line on it."

Although the Verichip has proven its usefulness in hospitals, bars and even children's pajamas, Thompson's reluctance may reflect an American fear of being tagged by "Uncle Sam." Although some may view this technology as "the mark of the beast," citizens of faith generally have nothing to fear as Thompson's dream of every American being implanted with this device probably will not come to pass in this life time--at least not without a fight.

First Druze In Israel's Arab Beauty Pageant

2005-12-11T22:17:00.000-05:00

(Ynet News) This year's contest, which will be held at the Haifa Auditorium and is sponsored by the Arabic weekly Kul al-Arab, will feature 18-year-old Lada Abu-Salach, the first-ever Druze to participate in the event.

Abu-Salach, who hails from Majdel Shams in the north, is a high school student who enjoys belly dancing and manages a restaurant in her spare time.

Some of the religious figures in the Druze community are not particularlyy excited by Abu-Salach's entry. First prize in this competition receives $10,000 USD, and if this competition is won by a Druze, it will be a first in Israeli history. End.

A Mini Terri Schiavo? (Euthanasia)

2005-12-06T23:43:00.000-05:00

(Life Site) An eleven year-old girl who was the victim of severe child abuse at the hands of her adoptive Aunt and her husband is the next subject of a Terri Schiavo-type euthanasia debate. Massachusetts officials, who now have custody of the girl, who has been living in what doctors claim is a vegetative state, say she should be removed from life support.

Haleigh Poutre was taken to the hospital three months ago after suffering broken teeth, a swollen face, and burns on her chest. She was extremely thin from not eating, she had cuts and sores all over her body and a temperature of just 81 degrees.

It is encouraging to see that in the best interests of society the state has decided to terminate a life that was violently assaulted as such a life lacks the attention needed to be appreciated as a human being (Editor's note: sarcastic and enraged). It is ironic that the child abuser is seeking to spare the child while the state is attempting to end her life, although this should not come as a surprise, especially in this day and age.

(Life Site) In Haliegh's case, Strickland does not have legal custody of her because he never adopted the girl, so the courts have given him no legal standing. But he will ask the Massachusetts high court to recognize him as the de facto father, which the Juvenile judge denied. [...]

John Egan, his attorney, told the Times that Haleigh called Strickland "Daddy" and he helped raise her. He says the girl's Catholic faith may also have made her opposed to euthanizing her.

Haleigh's birth mother, Allison Avrett, who lost custody of her daughter at age 4 over child abuse, wants life support to be removed.

Apparently her mother, whose lack of affection is probably evidence of how much she cares, has (along with her other family members) contributed towards the torment of this 11 year old girl who was needlessly beaten to a pulp. Although custody has been rightfully taken away from all offenders, the state should allow the child to be cared for by a willing third party, (such as a church) instead of merely shuffling Haleigh Poutre off the "cliff of life."

Editor's note: Although everyone is probably busy this holiday season, perhaps the blogosphere could muster the support to save little Haleigh's life this Christmas season. Any takers?

Iran Christians Accepted For Resettlement

2005-12-06T23:18:00.000-05:00

(Compass Direct) The United States has approved emergency resettlement for a family of four Iranian Christians left stranded in Turkey since an October deportation order.

Last week Zivar Khademian and her three adult children were enrolled in three days of cultural orientation for resettlement in the United States under the auspices of the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) in Istanbul.

This family of four have fled Iran in order to escape the religious persecution one faces from converting away from Islam. Apparently Kazem Moini, one of the sons was thrown into jail for up to six months for reportedly duplicating Christian tapes while his sister, Fatemeh Moini was facing possible marriage to a strict Muslim relative (who probably would not have appreciated her newly found faith).

(Compass Direct) Later, the family also obtained a copy of an arrest order issued in October 2004 by the Supreme Court of Iran against [Zivar] Khademian for committing apostasy.

Apparently everyone had immediate reasons to leave the Persian nation whose current government seems to lack tolerance towards those who defect from the state religion, Islam. Thanks to the assistance of the US government (not to mention other individuals as well) this family will hopefully be able to enjoy a safe trip towards a country that believes in freedom of faith--America.

No ESA Funding For Russian Space Plane

2005-12-06T22:43:00.000-05:00

(New Scientist Space) European Space Agency officials are unlikely to approve funding for the development of a Russian space plane, according to observers at a high-level meeting in Berlin, Germany, on Monday. A final decision on this and other potential European space projects is not expected before the end of Tuesday.

The Russian space plane, named Kliper was ironically designed not only to give Europe the ability to travel towards the stars independently, but also to replace the Soyuz Space Craft (which ironically they are leasing out towards Japan and NASA).

The European Space Agency had considered outsourcing the project towards the Russians in order to save money but apparently the Europeans have decided to take on the endeavor themselves, regardless of the costs.

(New Scientist Space) Also popular with meeting participants on Monday was a resolution to use only European launchers for ESA space missions rather than rockets from Russia or other countries, even though those might be cheaper.

This is probably a wise move for the EU, as outsourcing the space flight technology would have disqualified them from being a true space power like their Russian friends (as well as Chinese and American). Russia may be disappointed by a set back in their cash flow, but by the EU building their own space ships they will contribute towards the diversity of future colonies everywhere.

Hidden Nook In Space?

2005-12-06T22:12:00.000-05:00

(Blog In Space) This certificate herby signifies that the above blog attempted to contact extraterrestrial intelligences utilizing state of the art sattellite broadcasting equipment with redundant high-powered klystron amplifiers connected by a traveling wave-guide to a five-meter parabolic dish antenna at a latitude of 28.4 and a longitude of 80.6.

Editor's note: Hopefully extraterrestrial life will not consider these transmissions an act of war. See certificate below.

Jewish Group Defends Christmas Holiday

2005-12-05T22:06:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Hyscience)

(Agape Press) A group of Jewish Americans says its members are fed up with the war being waged against Christmas. Yesterday, at a National Press Club gathering in Washington, the group's president, Don Feder, voiced his organization's feelings when he declared, "Jews Against Anti-Christian Defamation is here today to say, 'Enough already. If you're offended by a municipal Christmas tree or Santa Claus in a holiday parade or a manger in a park, get over it.'"

It is ironic that a holiday that contributes more to the economic success of businesses than any other holiday is shunned from even being mentioned inside the windows of corporate America. According to the article, 96% of Americans celebrate Christmas, so what is wrong in acknowledging a holiday that mentions Christ's birth?

(Agape Press) "Why would a group of Jews who don't celebrate Christmas care about the disappearance of Christmas?" Feder asked, anticipating the question from his listeners. "Because Christmas is disappearing," he proceeded to explain. "It's disappearing from our culture at an alarming rate, disappearing from stores, disappearing from schools, and disappearing from the public square."

Christmas is slowly being replaced by the phrase "Happy Holidays" which has enraged many customers who threatened to boycott against several large retailers. These threats seem to have been effective, as stores such as Wal-Mart, have agreed to parktake of the Christmas spirit. Probably a wise move, as no store wants to be this seasons Target boycott.

South African Woman Wins Space Lotto

2005-12-05T21:31:00.000-05:00

(BizCommunity.com) Julie will join a select group of less than 500 people internationally who have left our atmosphere and will follow in the footsteps of other pioneering South Africans involved in making space tourism a reality [...]

Julie was randomly selected as the winner from amongst ten finalists. There were close to 2,5 million entries received during the three month competition.

The contest, entitled Greatest Rewards on Earth, was sponsored by the First National Bank of South Africa and Ebucks. Julie, 27 year old mother seems thrilled at the opportunity to travel beyond the horizon and is being transported there by a company pioneering the space tourism industry--Space Adventures.

(BizCommunity.com) Julie, a data capturer at an outsourcing company, lives in Centurion with her husband Morne and their eleven month old daughter, Sage. [...]

The prize includes return tickets for Julie and a partner to the point of departure, a five day training course, all meals and accommodation for the duration of the stay, and the much envied seat on the sub-orbital space flight!

Image credit: Photo from BizCommunity.com, (left to right) Lezanne Human, CEO of eBucks, Julie Krause the winner, and Michael Jordaan, CEO of FNB
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Julie will go down in South African history as the first woman to travel into space, as well as be one of the first 150 tourists to visit the space station. Her experiences on board will probably help enlighten those "envious on Earth" about what it is like to experience micro-gravity as well as view the sun rise 26 times a day. Hopefully this competition will stir something similar in the US and perhaps Japan and China as well.

Inside Orkut (Would You Like To Know?)

2005-12-05T20:40:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: As of yesterday this author launched another blog entitled Inside Orkut (Unofficial) which will detail interesting facts, fads and discussions that take place inside Google's hottest forum, Orkut.

Here are some discussions this author came across:

Diffusing Angry People

Star Trek Fun

Why do you love, hate America?

The blog is currently being manned by this author, although extra contributers will be considered in the future (more details below).

Although Inside Orkut will share the news, views and taboos of Orkut society, it is fairly impossible for this author to cover everything going on within Orkut as the community covers virtually every topic under the sun. If anyone would like to join there are several stipulations that a user must meet:

Must be a blogger: Whether you use Blogger, Typepad, Xanga, etc. you must not only use a blog but already post frequently on one (at least six months old). If one is unsure what a blog is, this offer is probably not for that individual.

Must be a member of Orkut: Lets rephrase that- must be a frequent user of Orkut. Newbie's will be considered, but this author is looking for those who know their way around the community.

Must be connected to at least 50 other individuals and be apart of 10 communities.

Must have an Ad Sense account: In order to "compensate" extra contributers, this author is willing to give up one of three Ad Sense spots on the site for you to place your code upon.

Some may prefer Yahoo! Publishing, which is fine, but since Orkut is a Google product it is best to keep things "in the family" (in essence, get Google Ad Sense!).

Although these cover the basics, this author is looking for people who are into other topics such as fashion, cars and other oddities that make Orkut great. Post here or email this site with your blog site, Orkut profile and indicate if you use Ad Sense as well.

Is ID Becoming A Global Phenomenon?

2005-12-02T22:08:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Uncommon Descent)

(NY Times) The result, he said, was the "red state-blue state clash--It's not science versus religion as such--but very much a cultural clash that we've got in America today." Others concurred, saying that the schism was part and parcel of a broader cultural war over contentious issues like abortion, gay rights and gun control.

But the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Ronald Numbers viewed the phenomenon as a growing global issue, saying intelligent design had made significant inroads in Australia, throughout Latin America, in Korea and most surprisingly, Russian and even China, which remains a communist state.

Many critics are wary of allowing intelligent design to be taught alongside of evolution, claiming that ID isn't science (although many Creationists are claiming that evolution isn't science either). Some have even resorted that ID has as much ground as the satirical spaghetti monster, although such assumptions may have to do with their lack of courage to examine the facts, something Australia seems more intent upon doing.

(NY Times) "And it's not just a Christian phenomenon," he added, citing a Turkish education minister who pushed for intelligent design in schools, as well as inroads made within both Judaism and Islam.

Numbers said that at heart, the proponents of intelligent design "want to change the definition of science" to include God, an issue he predicted would end up in the Supreme Court.

"One of the most successful PR campaigns we've seen in recent years," he added, "is intelligent design."

If evolution is truly science, then teachers, as well as students should have no trouble revealing the holes of the ID theory and shutting the mouths of the "religious right" (whether they be Christian, Muslim, or Jewish). But if it is revealed that evolution nothing more than a fairy tale then many atheists (who for some reason can not stand the thought of someone believing in a deity) will have to accept the reality of God's existence or cling towards a philosophy of pseudo-science.

After all, if science has proven evolution to be a fact, then what are they afraid of?

Star Wars Reloaded? (Google Video)

2005-12-02T21:49:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: My Brother)

Star Wars Revelations

Editor's note: Perhaps one of the best fan made flicks of Star Wars, Star Wars Revelations picks off where Revenge of the Sith left off. Portraying the tale of outcasts struggling desperately to reform the Jedi council, several former Jedi set out to acquire the lost information necessary to locate the other Jedi before the Empire does.

Note: Although not seriously related, a parody of the Storm Troopers is below.

TROOPERS

Editor's note: What happens when the television COPS meets Imperial Troops? TROOPERS! Several Troopers respond to the bulletin that several droids have been stolen. Takes place during Episode 4, A New Hope.

Cigar Shaped World Has Moon

2005-12-02T21:32:00.000-05:00

(New Scientist Space) Astronomers have spotted a second moon around a massive, cigar-shaped world at the fringes of the solar system. The discovery suggests multiple moons orbit many large, distant objects Â but their unusual orbits raise questions about just how they could have formed.

This "world" (called 2003 EL61) orbits in a region known as the Kuiper Belt, where several large Plutonian-sized objects have been spotted, some half the size of Pluto. EL61 is unique because not only is it potatoed shaped (measuring 2000 km on its longest side) but also because the moons orbiting this world at odd angles. This may suggest it is nothing more than a surviving remnant of a much larger world.

(New Scientist Space) Robin Canup, a planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute in Boulder, Colorado, US, agrees that a collision could explain the presence of the moons and the larger object's spin. But she says the difference in the moons' orbits is "surprising in this context, and may point to a more complex history for this system".

Image credit: Photo from New Scientist Space

What lies in this moons past, astronomers and scientists will have to determine. Although the world is a scientific curiosity, it will probably not draw much attention being in the fact that it lies so far from the Suns warm rayes. After all, who would want to live on a cigar shaped planet?

Robots To Build On Other Worlds

2005-12-02T21:17:00.000-05:00

(New Scientist Space) NASA is offering two new $250,000 prizes to stimulate advances in the use of robots in planetary exploration and automated construction.

One, called the Telerobotic Construction Challenge, aims to promote the development of semi-autonomous robots that can build complicated structures with minimal remote guidance from human controllers.

If successful, these robots would be saving humanity from the stress of having to assemble a home upon a foreign worlds soil. By allowing robots to do the "dirty work" for us, colonists could instead focus their energies on other areas of concern, such as harvesting potential crops, processing minerals discovered by robots and improving their new shelters as opposed to starting from scratch.

(New Scientist Space) The other competition will award funding to teams that build an uncrewed, auto-piloted plane that can follow a complex flight path using only visual cues for navigation. The vehicle must also be able to "extend and retract" a probe that can hit several targets on the ground.

Called the Planetary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Challenge, the competition may lead to the development of planes that can explore and collect samples from steep canyon walls on Mars or zoom close to intriguing features on other bodies with an atmosphere, such as Saturn's moon Titan.

Although NASA has not laid down the rules already, the competition begins in 2007, with $250,000 (plus bragging rights) towards the winner. If NASA really wanted to heat up the competition, they could throw in lunar landing rights as well (after all, wouldn't you want to go to the moon?).

The Universes Most Accurate Clock?

2005-12-02T20:42:00.000-05:00

(Red Orbit) After 31 years of tracking the light- output of a burnt-out star from telescopes at McDonald Observatory, astronomer S.O. Kepler of Brazil's Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and a slew of University of Texas colleagues have found the most stable optical clock in the heavens. [...]

The star in question is a 400 million-year-old white dwarf called G117-B15A, located in Leo Minor. Its pulses of light are so regular that it loses one second in 8.9 million years. This makes the pulses of G117 more accurate and much more stable than the ticks of an atomic clock, Kepler said.

Other astronomers have pointed towards other pulsars (millisecond ones) that have a better "time keep" than G117. Although this may be the case, Kepler argues those pulsars are unstable, and would thus break down eventually making them unreliable. G117 has proven itself by its track record, providing a constant rhythm for at least 20 years.

(Red Orbit) The reconnaissance of G117 continues. "My students will be observing G117," Kepler said. He traces the "family tree" from Rob Robinson, to John McGraw, to himself, to his Brazilian graduate student Barbara Castanheira, who is spending a year visiting The University of Texas at Austin.

Although quite impressive, G117, which loses a second approximately every 9 million years, has been defeated by NIST F1, an atomic clock on Earth. NIST F1 accuracy is nearly seven times greater than G117 (it can maintain its time keep for 60 million years) and will probably maintain its rank as the universal clock for the next million years--that is if is still around in a million years.

Iran In Space?

2005-11-29T23:35:00.000-05:00

(Red Orbit) Iran's space agency is trying to snap up technology from abroad as fast as possible for its satellite program, fearing the West will seek to impose restrictions like those put on the Iranian nuclear program.

Iran has major ambitions in space, looking to show off its technological abilities, monitor its neighborhood - where the United States has hundreds of thousands of troops - and establish itself as a regional superpower.

Iran is determined to establish itself as a regional power, probably in order to counter the "evil crusaders and Zionists" which it views as agents seeking its destruction. Although advocating peaceful means for developing this technology, an Iranian space power would allow the regime to have a birds eye view of its neighbors (friend and foes) as well as give it an edge in an already tense region.

(Red Orbit) Iran joined the space club last month when it launched its first small satellite, the Sina-1, aboard a Russian rocket.

That orbiter was Russian-made, but Iran built its second satellite, the Mesbah, with help from the Italian company Carlo Gavazzi Space. Mesbah is due to be carried into space by a Russian rocket in about two months. [...]

Iran's next goal is to launch a satellite with one of its own rockets. Iranian officials say they are developing a Shahab-4 missile that could lift a satellite into orbit, but have not given details on when it will be ready.

Image Credit: Red Orbit

Iranian officials pointed out that space technology would not only aid in monitoring natural disasters and telecommunications, but also help secure their borders as they mentioned America's use of satellites before the Afghan and Iraqi wars. The Persian nation is determined to be the dominant space power in the region within 20 years, and is receiving assistance from the Russians (who are probably more interested in commercialising space than in the potential crisis of an Iranian space power).

Mother Russia Space Tourist Hub?

2005-11-29T23:13:00.000-05:00

(Interfax) "There are many countries interested, above all it is worth mentioning the United States, participant countries of the European Space Agency, Japan, China, Brazil, Malaysia, South Korea and others," Alexei Krasnov, head of Roskosmos's piloted programs department, told an Internet briefing whose transcript is published on the Roskosmos website.

Unlike its capitalistic American friends overseas, Russia has been courting the commercial space industry heavily, something NASA is just considering, although they are beginning to see the potential the private sector has to offer them. Although NASA probably is better at planning round trips towards the stars, Russia it appears is more willing to embrace the challenge, despite the risks involved.

Related Links:

Russia Plans Flight To Mars

Astronauts Ready To Fly Again

Livedoor Entering Space Tourism Business

(EBA) Ahmad's Flight Towards Turkey

2005-11-29T22:55:00.000-05:00

Emergency Blog Alert via the Committee to Protect Bloggers

(From S'Can-Iranic Blog) Seraji, in an interview with Tabriz News Agency's Human Rights Bureau (here), confirmed that he had escaped Iran to Turkey illegally, as he did not possess any valid passport. He has already approached the United Nations High Commissioner's office in the city of Van, in eastern Turkey. [...]

More importantly, Seraji added that during his arrest, in the summer of 2005, he was kept in the same part of the prison with inmates who were accused of murder, drug-trafficking, and other crimes. Later on, he was moved to another detention centre and was beaten up and tortured. His torturers told him that they could easily cut his veins so that it would appear that he had committed suicide!

Editor's note: If anyone has any contacts inside of Turkey that would be willing to help Ahmad out, please email .

Here is a brief bio about Ahmad:

According to adnkronosinternational, "A young Iranian blogger, Ahmad Seyyed Saraj, who has been imprisoned since 29 June in a jail in Tabriz, the capital of Iranian Azerbaijan, has received 30 lashes of the whip as part of his sentence. Seyyed Saraj has been charged with offending the authorities and revived a sentence of 30 lashes, while for the accusation of attacking the security of the state, he is still awaiting judgement."

(Media Source*)

Editor's note: Also if there are any faith bloggers out there, please keep Ahmad in your prayers.

Add Me To Google?

2005-11-29T22:44:00.000-05:00

Following the footsteps of its rivals, Google has finally pursued the "add me" button which will allow users of Google Reader or Personalized Google to subscribe via one click.

(Google Reader Blog) In recent days we added a little button to the button zoo. Google is now offering a little "Add to Google" button which you can put on your site, blog, or corner of the web that can make it easy for people to subscribe to your feed.

Google should probably go one step further and integrate this inside Google News as well. The same would be suggested for Google Groups although to this authors knowledge most feeds will not function inside of Google Reader (although ironically Yahoo has no problem reading these feeds).

KKK In Syria?

2005-11-27T22:56:00.000-05:00

(Ynet News) The notorious Louisiana-based white supremacist leader, David Duke, has visited Syria last week, where he delivered an anti-Semitic speech attacking 'Zionists occupying New York' and the State of Israel. The speech was carried by Syrian state television. [...]

Duke, who was once a "grand wizard" of the Klu Klux Klan, addressed a cheering crowd waving Syrian flags, saying: "I come from the peace-loving people in America to the peace-loving people of Syria."

According to the "world of Duke," Zionists are the true war mongers while the men in white sheets (who apparently represent the USA according to this ~~moonbat~~ man) desire only peace, love and security. Some may consider this a "strange gathering," (as one would assume that the KKK generally hate all those who carry a darker complexion) although apparently the Arab proverb is true--"the enemy of my enemy is my friend."

(Ynet News) According to the Anti-Defamation League, in an article entitled "The black plague," Duke once wrote in an editorial: "(A) black...gets a job with a white-owned company. He is the only black at the firm. He works hard, but he's fighting a losing battle against his genes."

DukeÂs latest website entry contains a pro-Holocaust denial message in which he laments the "Zionists who use the Holocaust as the sword and shield of the racial-supremacist state of Israel."

Editor's note: Not much more attention will be devoted towards Duke on this site, although if one desires to view the video of him making foolish remarks, they can simply click here.

Oil For Nukes?

2005-11-27T22:38:00.000-05:00

(Monster Sand Critics) Iran is seeking to strengthen its ties with North Korea by offering Pyongyang a comprehensive economic aid programme as part of co-operation between the two countries on rocket development, the weekly Spiegel reported Saturday.

Teheran wants to work together with North Korea on the development of nuclear-armed rockets, Spiegel reported citing western intelligence sources.

While the western powers debate how to tell Iran "how naughty they are," the Mullahs seem to be making strategic moves militarily, by attempting to secure technology for oil (which probably will be used for making a better bomb). Europe (it seems) prefers discussion over confrontation, despite the fact that Iran has no intention of halting its nuclear activities.

(Xinhua) However, the spokesman said Iran reserves the right to re-commence uranium enrichment for "research and development" purposes.

He insisted, unlike the question of nuclear fuel production, nuclear-related activities in general are not up for negotiation.

These talks will probably end up in failure resulting in a nuclear armed Iranian regime who shows little regard for the state of Israel. If the current Administration does not take an active involvement in convincing Iran to relieve itself of the nuclear option, all that they have fought for in Iraq will end up glowing from radioactive fall out from a possible future Persian-Israeli war.

China Lunar Colony By 2020

2005-11-27T22:23:00.000-05:00

(Space.com) Budget permitting, China wants to be able to put a man on the moon and build a space station in 15 years, a space program official said Sunday.

"I think about 10 to 15 years later, we will have the ability to build our own space station and to carry out a manned moon landing," Hu Shixiang, deputy commander in chief of China's manned space flight program, said in Hong Kong.

It seems as if China is becoming realistic about space travel, after they previously announced plans to establish a lunar colony by 2017, mainly due to the new energy source discovered upon its surface. China seems eager to establish its presence as a space power, although they are denying any attempts to fuel the new space race between itself and western powers.

"It's not the competition of the Cold War era," he said. [...]

Hu stressed that China intends to explore space for peaceful purposes, saying Beijing "is willing to work hard with people around the world for the peaceful use of space."

Some analysts are wondering if China can afford sending men to the moon, although Hu dismissed these suggestions towards the media. China is wise by immersing itself within the space industry, as it is shaping how the world views this nation of a billion people as well as establishing itself as the next Asian space power.

Blog Exploration (Food, Faith And Funk)

2005-11-27T21:39:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: Exploring the blogosphere can be a relaxing phenomenon, something that can help relieve blogger's block as well as increase ones worldview elsewhere.

While surfing the blogosphere, apparently someone has photo blogged instructions on how to make bread pudding. Apparently the author (The Cili Padi) thinks bread pudding is delicious, although this author thinks bread pudding is entirely disgusting. Ick.

Our next blog features Texas Michelle who is attempting to live out her faith as a real Christian by loving everyone around her. Perhaps if she meditates upon this verse, she may yet achieve this.

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Our next blog features a blogger blogging about another blog. (Editor's note: Sound confusing?). The post is fairly interesting, although it may be better to check out the post for ones self.

Pop Goes the Music has just concluded that Madonna is evil while Grades of Honor gives his spiel about the prison system, and the lack of godly character by some ministering groups. Perhaps him and Michelle could engage in some constructive discussion.

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Seratonin Man is looking for some great books for 13 year olds while it seems that there are professionals using blogger's technology, as Filmmaker Magazine demonstrates.

Last but not least, a ~~baby blogger~~ fairly young blog has been discovered, although apparently they have started two different blog sites. Strange.

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Blog Exploration takes a look at what average bloggers are discussing throughout the blogosphere and was edited (or censored according to the ACLU) by this author in order to make this moment "family friendly."

Giving Thanks (Blogosphere)

2005-11-24T12:11:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: Happy thanksgiving to everyone, and try not to gobble down too many turkeys, as it may increase ones circumference and force one to purchase new clothes. ;)

This blogger gives thanks to God for all of His blessings, to Google for making the internet a friendlier place to surf, to Democrats and Republicans for a spirited debate, and for the soldiers everywhere defending this author's freedom so that he doesn't have to.

Below are some other bloggers giving thanks in their own "blog ways." God bless!

Mark Noonan from Blogs for Bush:

Some of us, especially myself, do take everything for granted...we concentrate on our own pathetic little problems and whine, essentially, about how the whole world isn't built to make our lives better. We need this day, once a year, to step back a bit and remember what we've got.

Mihai Ionescu, (Software Engineer) from Inside Google Desktop:

In the US, we're preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving. It's the perfect time to say thanks to our users and developers from all over the world. Your continued feedback, support and contributions have helped us grow and improve considerably.

Sgt. Missick from Web of Support:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO OUR MILITARY AT HOME AND DEPLOYED....MAY THE SPIRIT OF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON KEEP THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES SAFE UNTIL THEY ARE ALL RE-UNITED.

Although their isn't a mention on the Google Blog (as of this post) about Thanksgiving, Dennis Hwang (Webmaster) give thanks to some Victoria Doodlers:

Last week Google opened our new office in the Victoria area of London, and to mark the occasion we invited students from nearby schools to create their own Google Doodles from our logo. [...] In the end, I was simply blown away by the amazing quality of the work, especially from younger artists up to around age 11 (the bunnies drawn by 5-year-olds were simply awesome).

Blake from Inside Adwords writes:

But before we embark on a four day weekend, involving turkey, friends, and family (although not necessarily in that order), we wanted to say thanks to our ever-growing family of loyal Inside AdWords readers. The fact is, we have a great time with this blog, but it wouldn't mean a thing without all of you. We truly appreciate your interest.

Retrophisch from God Blog:

Despite the financial hardships and the extended family dysfunctional, I have an incredible amount of things to be thankful for again this year. I pray you do, too.

Cao on her blog has an interesting snipet from President John Hanson, 1782

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf...

Last but not least, Peter over at Pro Life Blogs gives his thanks:

Thank you Lord for all the Pro-Life individuals and organizations who who put forth their efforts to save your children.

This author would like to thank all of the readers of this blog, regardless of faith, creed or political affiliation. God bless you all and have a wonderful thanksgiving!

Blog Exploration (Exploring Your World)

2005-11-22T23:45:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: One way for a blogger to explore other ideals, opinions, perspectives of life is to explore the blogosphere every once in a while. Formally called Blogger Delights, the purpose of this exploration is to post what this author discovers on other peoples minds.

Either End of the Curve has an interesting rant about a community selling its soul out towards commercialism while Mindjet Labs has discovered an error with Google Desktop (Editor's note: anyone else receiving the same thing?).

Klug Bennets News posts from down under while Alley seems to have started a blog out of rage. Scary.

The Official Blog of the Membership (Editor's note: who's that?) is thinking about changing their template design. Perhaps they should consider Blog Skins, Blogger Templates or the person who helped design this blog layout, Ehsany.

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Venus Rising has a very nice template design, and this author could be wrong but it seems as if her uncle has passed away. Deepest sympathies for her and her family.

Nathan seems obsessed with coffee at the moment (Editor's note: very, very scary) while Sacred Space is asking for prayer for a friend who is recovering from a dramatic accident (Editor's note: prayer request noted).

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Go Ahead with your own Life gives an update about hers while Passionate Flowers has a very unique skin design. Perhaps this legal mind could adopt a similar one on his site (Editor's note: which by the way may make you laugh...if you are a lawyer that is).

Finally, Jace Race gives the latest update on life and it appears that we have photo blog by Bruce and Kathleen which is entitled Don't Eat That.

_____________________

Blog Exploration takes a look at what average bloggers are discussing throughout the blogosphere and was edited (or censored according to the ACLU) by this author in order to make this moment "family friendly."

Vatican Says No To Gay Priests

2005-11-22T22:49:00.000-05:00

(MSNBC) The Vatican says homosexuals who are sexually active or support "gay culture" are unwelcome in the priesthood unless they have overcome their homosexual tendencies for at least three years, according to a church document posted on the Internet by an Italian Catholic news agency.

This will probably receive a negative response from the gay community, although one should realize that they are only following what already has been laid down in their text. Some people will probably object to this ruling, and if offended they probably should shop around for other churches within their communities.

(MSNBC) "Those people find themselves, in fact, in a situation that presents a grave obstacle to a correct relationship with men and women. One cannot ignore the negative consequences that can stem from the ordination of people with deeply rooted homosexual tendencies," it said.

"If instead it is a case of homosexual tendencies that are merely the expression of a transitory problem, for example as in the case of an unfinished adolescence, they must however have been clearly overcome for at least three years before ordination as a deacon."

Clearly the Vatican is attempting to avoid the infamous sex scandals that have been a burden in the United States (if not the world). The best way they can resolve this issue is to create an environment free from sexual temptation (regardless of orientation) which will help restore trust back into the priesthood.

Is Google Winning The Search Engine War?

2005-11-22T22:38:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Life Hacker)

Apparently Google is in the lead, followed by its rival Yahoo and it's nemesis Microsoft. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top in the coming months, although it will come as a shocker if anyone de-thrones Google in the near term future (after all, the phrase "Google It" is pretty much universal as far as the net goes).

Making Computers Radiation Resistant

2005-11-22T22:14:00.000-05:00

(Universe Today) Modern spaceflight is dependent on reliable computers to handle navigation, life support, and other functions. The problem is that radiation in space, such as cosmic rays can cause computer chips to calculate incorrectly. NASA is working a solution that would run multiple redundant computers to do the same calculation several times over and then vote on which is the correct result.

Currently NASA is using "Rad-hard" chips which, although highly resistant towards cosmic radiation, they are about ten times slower than a personal computer making them extremely inefficient from a technology stand point. Although the "chip election" idea seems noble, having a democratic system within life support may not be as appealing, especially if all of the chips have different results!

(Universe Today) Team member Raphael Some of JPL explains: "One way to use faster, consumer CPUs in space is simply to have three times as many CPUs as you need: The three CPUs perform the same calculation and vote on the result. If one of the CPUs makes a radiation-induced error, the other two will still agree, thus winning the vote and giving the correct result."

This works, but often it's overkill, wasting precious electricity and computing power to triple-check calculations that aren't critical.

Although many have suggested alternatives, such as using Rad-hard chips for life support and multiple "voting chips" for other systems, it may be wiser for NASA to invest in perhaps lead shielding around the shuttle which would act as a barrier between the radiation and the computer systems (not to mention the humans as well).

Although this would probably add an immense weight physically and financially towards the space rocket, it would probably save money in the long run and allow scientists to actually run computers that can out perform a play station.

Are US Weather Satellites In Trouble?

2005-11-22T00:40:00.000-05:00

(New Scientist Space) The next generation of US weather satellites is woefully behind schedule and billions of dollars over budget.

This could potentially lead to a four-year gap in polar-orbiting satellite coverage for the US. If existing satellites break down during this period, the US may have to rely on European satellites to supplement its weather forecasting ability.

Polar satellites are responsible for approximately 90% of the civilian and military weather model data and their loss may be felt more on Weather.com than in the deserts of Iraq (although that last line of thought is debatable). Representatives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have hinted that this may impact weather reports for the American public, and unless either NASA or Europe helps resolve the issue the US may be in for some "fuzzy weather."

(New Scientist Space) NOAA Administrator Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher told Congress it is difficult to assess the impact how such a gap in polar satellite coverage could affect the accuracy of weather forecasts because weather is so localised. Depending on where extreme weather condition occur, accuracy may only be reduced by a few percentage points, but it might also drop by as much as 50%

Since most weathermen are "generally off" about weather conditions (perhaps the only job where one can be consistently be wrong and still receive a pay check) this should not be as disastrous as some may fear. Although the US economy is recovering from Katrina and Rita, Congress will probably give NASA the necessary funds to resolve this issue. After all, what American wants to receive their weather reports from Europe?

Presbyterian Church USA Is Gay Friendly

2005-11-22T00:17:00.000-05:00

(AgapePress) Yet another congregation in the Presbyterian Church (USA) has defied scriptural requirements and the denomination's official stance on homosexual ordination. South Presbyterian Church in Dobbs Ferry, New York, recently ordained a homosexual man who refuses to abide by the denomination's ban on practicing homosexuals in the ministry.

Editor's note: Apparently this denomination has decided to ignore the obvious and defy their own text. After all, why follow a faith that disapproves of a behavior you thoroughly enjoy, especially if it clearly condemns it?

(AgapePress) Dr. Parker T. Williamson with the Presbyterian Lay Committee says the Dobbs Ferry church is no stranger to controversy, having conducted same-sex weddings in the past. "Our highest court ruled in the year 2000 that Presbyterian ministers are prohibited from conducting same-sex marriages," he notes.

However, Williamson asserts, the officials on the church court "kind of hedged it a little bit," in that "they said [ministers] can conduct 'blessings' if they want too, as long as the blessing ceremonies don't look like marriages." He adds, "I don't know how much of a victory it was -- but, anyway, that was the same church."

As the Presbyterian Church (USA) continually demonstrates its liberal philosophies publicly, one may wonder when this body of believers (Editor's note: assuming that there are any left) will finally join the ranks of other institutions labeled as cultic by the mainstream Christian community. After all, if a church body is unable to clearly interpret scripture as well as explain the reasons behind them, then do its members retain the right to call themselves Christians?

Private Sector Lowers Lunar Cost

2005-11-21T23:49:00.000-05:00

(Space.com) A newly released study has focused on how best to return people to the Moon, reporting that future lunar missions can be done for under $10 billion - far less than a NASA price tag.

The multi-phased three-year study was done by a private space firm, SpaceDev of Poway, California, and concluded that safe, lower cost missions can be completed by the private sector using existing technology or innovative new technology expected to be available in time to support human exploration of the Moon in the near-future.

With NASA estimates running over a $100 billion over the next 13 years this news comes as a blessing for the American tax payer who usually has to borne the brunt of these projects. Although these reports will probably not convince NASA from "charting the way" towards the lunar surface, they may want to partner with these corporations and simply outsource its space ingenuity.

After all, not only have these companies found a cheaper method of getting there, but also a more ingenious way as well.

Image credit: Photo from Space.com

(Space.com) According to SpaceDev's chief, Jim Benson, the private group has found that a more comprehensive series of missions could be completed in a fraction of the time and for one-tenth of the cost of the NASA estimate.

Each mission, as envisioned by SpaceDev, would position a habitat module in lunar orbit or on the moon's surface. The habitat modules would remain in place after each mission and could be re-provisioned and re-used, thus building a complex of habitats at one or more lunar locations over time, according to a press statement on the study findings.

Placing these modules on the surface would probably be wiser, in order to avoid them accidentally crash landing on the surface. Nevertheless, recycling these modules, although simplistic is a novel idea which will enable humanity to focus on other needs (such as mining fuel, oxygen and making the moon dust more friendly).

Watching America (International Perspectives)

2005-11-21T22:17:00.000-05:00

(Watching America About Page) WatchingAmerica reflects global opinion about the United States, helping Americans and non-Americans alike understand what the world thinks of current issues that involve the U.S. This is done by providing news and views about the United States published in other countries.

It is not our purpose to find favorable or unfavorable content, but to reflect as accurately as possible how others perceive the richest and most powerful country in the world. We have no political agenda.

Editor's note: Watching America is one of the unique news portals out there for readers who are curious to how China, The Netherlands, or even South Korea view the world's only super power. Having recently revamped their site to make it more aesthetic to the eyes, the site is a "must see" and recommended for any American who has never traveled beyond their own state borders (let alone the national ones).

Nothing else to see...except for this.

Preventing Armageddon

2005-11-16T12:20:00.000-05:00

(Editor's note: Not this Armageddon, but rather this Armageddon)

(New Scientist Space) NASA scientists have come up with a surprisingly simple yet effective way to deflect an Earth-bound asteroid--park a large spacecraft close by and let gravity do the work. [...]

"Most people think of the Hollywood treatment--throw a nuclear weapon at it," says Edward Lu, a NASA scientist and astronaut who developed the idea. But this would produce shattered pieces, some of which might still head towards Earth. "That's the blast-and-hope strategy," Lu adds.

Although this proposal might dash the hopes of the Pentagon, as well as Hollywood's proposed solution (debunked over here) it would provide a more realistic way in dealing with "earth killing" asteroids. NASA currently has the technology to build a spacecraft of enormous size, as evidenced by Prometheus programme, and reassuringly, also has the details mapped out to deal with these deadly objects.

(New Scientist Space) For a 200-metre-wide asteroid, the spacecraft would need to weigh about 20 tonnes and lurk 50 metres from its target for about a year to change its velocity enough to knock it off course.

"This is hands down the best idea I have seen," says Erik Asphaug, a planetary scientist at the University of California at Santa Cruz. "This will work, but you need to put a large enough spacecraft out there at the right time." [...]

The strategy crucially relies on our ability to detect an asteroid threat about 20 years in advance. For larger asteroids this is realistic.

Other ideas outside nuking the impending object were painting the asteroid white, which (in theory) would change the amount of energy the object radiated and change its coarse. Although also a noble idea, it would not only be quite expensive but would not guarantee any success as the sun could send the object an a more direct path towards Earth dooming the entire population.

With its budget restraints, NASA would probably pursue the "gravitational plan" as any object over one kilometer will probably be discovered by either an amateur astronomer or by NASA's NEO Program. After all, the closest threat right now only has a 3 percent chance of hitting Earth. What is there to fear?

Image Credit: Photo from New Scientist Space.

Holocaust Denier Deported

2005-11-16T12:04:00.000-05:00

Editor's note: Good riddance.

(Ynet News) A man who published a study that he said proved the Nazis did not gas Jews at Auschwitz was deported from the United States to his native Germany on Tuesday to serve a prison term for Holocaust denial, prosecutors in the city of Stuttgart said.

It is sad that people like these still exist in the world today. "Ignorance is bliss," must be their motto, although one could fall into this mindset if they simply ignored a significant portion of history.

Lunar Lawnmowers?

2005-11-16T08:57:00.000-05:00

(New Scientist Space) [L]unar astronauts have complained of dust sticking to their space suits and getting into seals. Several even reported respiratory problems and itchy eyes as a result of exposure to dust carried into lunar landers. The dust also caused problems for mechanical and electronic equipment.

Fortunately for future colonists, Lawrence Taylor, a planetary geologist at the University of Tennessee, US, has devised a way to combat this Moon menace - a "lunar lawnmower".

Although this may sound like a silly space chore to most people, this "lunar lawnmower" could make the difference between having a hospitable world or a hostile one on the lunar surface. The "lawnmower" does not cut anything, rather it uses microwave energy in order to fuse the dust particles together. Whether pushed by a disobedient astronaut or strapped behind a rover, this invention would help reduce the irritation of establishing a colony on the moon.

(New Scientist Space) Taylor tested genuine lunar dust in a 250-watt microwave oven on Earth and discovered that, after just 30 seconds, the grains fused together. This is because there are nanometre-sized particles of iron present on nearly every grain of lunar soil and microwaves cause the iron particles to couple together.

With NASA planning on colonizing the moon around 2018, (and China 2017) this device will make development a whole lot easier, as the lawnmower would help smooth out the surface enabling colony sites, telescopes, etc. to be easily constructed on the surface. NASA is looking at other ways to remove the dust irritant, and if successful here, they may be able to figure out a way to deal with the Martian dust as well.

NASA Seeking Space Ferries

2005-11-16T08:36:00.000-05:00

(New Scientist Space) NASA is looking to private companies to launch both supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station, it announced this week. [...]

"It's not cost-effective doing station flights while at the same time focusing on getting back to the Moon," says Brett Alexander, vice-president of Transformational Space, one of the companies hoping to launch astronauts to the ISS.

NASA intends upon retiring the space shuttles in 2010, which only leaves it with 18 flights towards the ISS. Outsourcing these responsibilities would be a wise alternative, considering the accomplishments of the private sector regarding the space elevator. Although some may praise this as an opportunity for the private sector to finally serve the public good, NASA seems hesitant about turning over the reigns to the corporate world.

(New Scientist Space) On 3 November, NASA administrator Michael Griffin told the US house science committee that the agency expects to invest about $500 million in the commercial cargo and crew project over five years. "That kind of a financial incentive [...] will be sufficient to allow substantial providers to emerge," Griffin said.

"I hope that industry, if put to the test, can do better [than the government], but I do not expect it," Griffin added.

Only time will reveal whether Griffin's expectations are either exceeded or confirmed. But seeing how the private sector has been able to successfully transport civilians to the ISS (at about a fifth of the cost), it would come to no surprise if corporate America was able to out perform their bureaucratic friends in government.

Israeli Troops As UN Peacekeepers?

2005-11-15T23:24:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: UN Dispatch)

(Scotsman.com News) ISRAEL is in talks over the country's troops joining United Nations peacekeeping forces. Israel is not among 117 nations to field peacekeepers in foreign conflict zones. [...]

"In light of our improved standing at the United Nations, we are exploring greater membership and involvement in a number of UN agencies. These talks are preliminary only," Mr Regev [a spokesman for Israel's foreign ministry] said.

Despite the recent political advances by the Jewish State, an Israeli presence within the UN Peacekeeping forces may not be acceptable in places like Saudi Arabia where even praising Hebrews can earn someone 700 lashes. Under Sharon, Israel has received praise for its actions regarding the Gaza territory, and although he is eager to continue the momentum of Israeli influence abroad, he will have to jump a few hurdles in order to make this a reality.

(Scotsman.com News) Mr Regev said Israeli troops, seasoned by several Middle East wars, could be especially useful in areas such as mine-clearing. [...]

Yedioth Ahronoth, an Israeli newspaper, said any decision to deploy troops with UN peacekeepers would require changing laws that currently limit the military's mandate to national security.

This may not be an easy task to accomplish for Ariel Sharon, whose government is already facing early elections from a newcomer to the political scene, Amir Peretz, who may not be as open to this idea as the current Prime Minister. If Sharon is able to tackle both of these domestic problems, then Israel may find itself being accepted by the international community rather than shunned from it.

New Google Feature For Web Stats

2005-11-15T23:08:00.000-05:00

(Hat Tip: Google Blog)

(Google Press) Today, Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG) today announced that its hosted web analytics service, Google Analytics, is now free. Formerly known as Urchin from Google, Google Analytics helps businesses use performance data to improve their online marketing campaigns and websites. With Google Analytics, businesses can determine what keywords attract the most visitors, which email campaigns create more customers, and how to design web pages that hold peopleÂs attention.

This new feature by Google will certainly be useful for not only e-businesses and those who market via the net but also for bloggers as it will help them understand who, what and where their traffic is coming from. Google Analytics seems to be nothing more than a stepping stone for the Mountain View Giant, as it enters the world of stats that have previously been dominated by companies such as Stat Counter and Site Meter.

(Google Press) Google Analytics runs on the same computing infrastructure that powers Google.com so it can support the traffic demands of any site, from those with a few visitors a week to hundreds of millions.

For those desiring more advanced features, there is the pro version although the price tag on that may be hefty. For the average blogger, this may be useful to install within ones site, especially if you already lack a web counter previously mentioned above.

Israel Rejects Gay Marriage?

2005-11-13T23:15:00.000-05:00

(Ynet News) The state of Israel does not recognize same-sex marriage, and therefore will refuse to register as married same-sex couples who got marries abroad, the State wrote in response to a petition on the matter filed to the High Court of Justice Sunday.

Although this may seem like a rejection of homosexual rights by the Jewish state, apparently Israel does recognize "partners" for financial and social reasons. The couple who pushed this case forward were from Canada, who tried to use their marriage their to force consent amongst the Israeli government.

Homosexuality is considered an abomination by Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths within the region, and such a law may have erupted violence within the region amongst some of the groups. But should Israel recognize same-sex marriages from other nations? Or should it respect the views of its citizens who hold towards certain faiths?

Buddhist Upset About Islamic Marriage

2005-11-13T23:03:00.000-05:00

(The Buddhist Channel) Buddhist youths today forced closure of shops in Leh market protesting what they alleged the marriage of a Buddhist girl with a Muslim after her forcible conversion.

Activists of the youth wing of the Ladakh Buddhist Association enforced the shutdown and pelted stones at several shops and offices asking authorities to facilitate quick return of the 20-year-old Buddhist girl.

Aside from the stone casting, these protests have been mostly peaceful, which is an amazing thing when one compares and contrasts the religious riots in France. Hopefully the authorities can resolve the issue, otherwise some of the protestors will take matters into their own hands.

(The Buddhist Channel) "So far, we have been carrying out peacedul protests but if no action is taken soon, the law and order situation will deteriorate," [Ladakh Buddhist Association] President R P Dorje said. [...]

Inter-religious marriages have been a source of tension in the past also. The Association has started an agitation against such wedlocks and later entered into an agreement with the Ladakh Muslim Association to prevent such happenings.

Editor's note: Does Islamic law permit the return of a bride in these circumstances? Hmm...

Is A Security Fence Neccessary?

2005-11-13T22:37:00.000-05:00

(Ynet News) "This is not against the Palestinian people," Clinton, a New York Democrat, said during a tour of a section of the barrier being built around Jerusalem. "This is against the terrorists. The Palestinian people have to help to prevent terrorism. They have to change the attitudes about terrorism."

Does a fence make good neighbors? Apparently so, according to Senator Clinton whose latest statement echoes with clarity and reason, something her party seems to lack as elections approach in 2006. But does building a wall to protect ones citizens justify the potential hurt (economically) of their neighbor next door? India would think so.

(Times Online) INDIA is accelerating the construction of a 2,500-mile fence to seal its border with Bangladesh amid growing fears that its Muslim neighbor could become "a new Afghanistan".

Indian officials and western diplomats have been alarmed by an increase in terrorist attacks by militant groups linked to Al-Qaeda and by the Dhaka government's failure to crack down on them. (Media Source*)

Hat Tip: The Black Kettle

Critics will probably dispute the need of a security fence in both India and Israel, claiming that such structures aid in the poverty of those nations. Even if this were the case, it is not the responsibility of Israel or India to look after another nation financially to the destruction of their own. Israel has seen the benefit of these fences (as they have thwarted terrorist attacks) and it may be in India's best interest to complete their own.

Israel Improves Relations With India And Saudis

2005-11-13T22:01:00.000-05:00

(Ynet News) In yet another sign of warming relations between Israel and India, the two countries recently signed an agreement allowing Israel to launch a sophisticated spying satellite from Indian territory. [...]

The agreement is beneficial for Israel because of cheaper expenses and the prospect of improved military cooperation and warmer diplomatic relations with India.

With the rest of the world trying to figure out how to restrain Iran, Israel seems to be positioning itself by not only helping out allies economically, but militarily as well. Although such news may not surprise some, it seems that Israel has succeeded in not only improving relations amongst its allies but also with a long time rival of theirs--Saudi Arabia.

(Ynet News) Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia was officially
accepted to the World Trade Organization, capping 12 years of negotiations slowed by RiyadhÂs adherence to a decision by the Arab League to boycott Israel.

The membership means that Saudi Arabia will open its markets to foreign investors and will abide by the rules of the WTO which include "not having a boycott against anyone else inside the organization," including Israel.

It seems that the economic doors are finally opening up towards this tiny Jewish state, who has long been viewed as a "major stumbling block" towards peace by diplomats around the world. With Saudi Arabia's official close of the boycott, Israel may soon find itself in another market and hopefully will be able to display that its existence is not a threat towards Saudi citizens, something desperately needed in order to bring about peace within that region.

Israel Allowing PA Workers To Return

2005-11-13T21:28:00.000-05:00

(Xinhuanet) A Palestinian official in the ministry of civil affairs confirmed Israeli media reports on Sunday that Israeli army allowed 10 thousand Palestinian laborers and traders from the Gaza Strip and West Bank to enter Israel.

In addition, some 400 employees working for foreign institutions and unspecified number of Palestinian National Authority (PNA) employees would be able to move between Gaza and West Bank areas, the Palestinian official told a local radio on condition of anonymity.

Although some may disagree with this measure, this precedent comes as good news as many Palestinians have been unable to provide financially toward their families due to the violence surrounding the region (which probably came as a result of "certain politics" within Palestine rather than with Israel).

Some may criticize the economic sanctions by Israel as cruel and inhuman, but those who do often forget that Israel's responsibility is towards the safety of its citizens first and not the financial security of their neighbors.

One thing that the Palestinian Authority can learn from their Jewish neighbors is that it is in their economic interests to fight off factions endorsing terrorism. Such measures often lead towards future investments within the national economy by outside corporations, as this example shows.

(Haaretz) Shamrock Capital Advisors, the California-based investment arm of the Roy Disney family, said yesterday that it is launching a new $125 million fund to invest in Israel over a four-year period. [...]

The fund plans to make investments of $5 million to $20 million, with emphasis on export-oriented middle-market businesses that require capital for international expansion or acquisitions. It is hoping to earn its investors an annual return of some 30 percent. (Media Source*)

Hat Tip: Israpundit

In order for Palestine to become economically independent, they will have to attract companies like Disney to invest within their borders, an idea which is highly unlikely as long as their are factions advocating the destruction of Israel. Palestine has potential economically, as one can see by visiting places such as the Elisha springs inside Jericho or the place of Christ's birth inside of Bethlehem.

But until terrorism settles down within the region, they will continue to have to depend upon Israeli good will in order to provide bread on the table.

Russian Comeback In Space Arena

2005-11-13T21:01:00.000-05:00

(ISN Security Watch) Europe plans to take a ride on the successor to RussiaÂs famed Soyuz spacecraft with the Clipper, a new six-person reusable orbiter in which the Europeans intend to secure at least two seats in every mission, according to Alan Thirkettle, head of the Human Spaceflight Development Department at the European Space Agency (ESA).

In fact, during an upcoming 5-6 December ministerial meeting, the ESA will ask EU member states to join forces with Moscow and fund a preparatory study of the new spacecraft to the tune of 30 million [euro] to 40 million [euro].

Apparently Christmas has come early for Russia as this is the second major western power that has decided to use Russian technology rather than develop their own (Japan was first). This new deal brings benefits to both sides, as the European funding will help bring back Russia's struggling space industry into the scene again and allowing Europe to gain much needed experience exploring the "final frontier."

But if this new alliance was not surprising enough for those interested in space travel, perhaps NASA's deal with Russia may come to a shock, especially for those who have outlived the cold war era.

(MSNBC) The U.S. Senate has approved amendments to the Iran Nonproliferation Act, clearing the way for NASA to pay for Russian launches and spacecraft to support the international space station. [...]

"NASA appreciates the efforts of Congress to resolve restrictions placed on our partnership with Russia," NASA chief Michael Griffin said in a statement. "Congress' action helps to ensure the continuous presence of U.S. astronauts on the International Space Station." (Media Source*)

Despite losing both the cold war as well as the space war (after all, the US did beat Russia to the moon) it seems that Russian technology, not American, may dominate the future of human exploration into the cosmos. With Europe, Japan and now NASA becoming more dependent on the ancient, yet durable Russian space technology, (as least so far) the future lunar colony may become another conquered domain of the former USSR--that is if China doesn't beat them to it first.

Is Islamic Feminism Gaining Ground?

2005-11-06T23:40:00.000-05:00

(Muslim Wakeup!) The impromptu prayer came after Wadud, professor of Islamic Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University, was invited to lead a congregation by several Muslim women during a question and answer period following a talk by Wadud at the International Congress on Islamic Feminism.

After answering a slew of questions on the historic mixed-gender prayer she led earlier this year in New York City, members of SpainÂs Muslim community quickly organized a makeshift prayer in a conference room at the Alimera Hotel in Barcelona, where the Congress was being held.

About 30 worshipers attended this event, which was led by Dr. Amina Wadud, who led a similar session involving 100 worshipers in the US. Although the event in Spain was suppose to be televised, several worshipers refused to be filmed by the media, which probably reveals a certain fear of being identified amongst such a crowd (something understandable in todays climate).

(BBC UK) Activists representing the Islamic feminist movement are in Barcelona to counter that view and discuss ways of achieving female equality in an Islamic context. [...]

Islamic Feminism argues that the inferior legal and social status of women in Muslim countries is a result of misogynistic distortions of the teachings in the Koran.

Organisers say they want more collaboration with western feminists but say non-Muslim feminists need to challenge their anti-Islamic stereotypes. (Media Source*)

(Hat Tip: Dhimmi Watch)

Although women in Islam may desire more liberties (at least faith wise) they will probably never achieve these goals under an Islamic regime where the Koran is law of the land. Unless these women are able to exert external pressure by partnering with "sisters in the west," (something this author has not seen at all) then all their actions will simply be in vain and their cries will fall upon the deaf ears of their Muslim brothers.

After all, the Koran (according to Dhimmi Watch) does specifically point out that a woman retains half of the value of a man legally, and if they are unable to find a way to reinterpret this verse, women's rights within Islam may die an early death.

Photo credit: Dr. Amina Wadud smiling, Image from Muslim Wakeup.

Emergency Blog Alerts (Must Read)

2005-11-06T23:19:00.000-05:00

Via the Committee to Protect Bloggers

Abdolkarim Nabil Seliman is a 21 year-old Egyptian student of law at the Azhar University, Damanhour Campus, a women's-rights activist and a correspondent for Copts United. In addition to writing at Civic Dialogue, he also publishes a blog as "Kareem Amer."

On Wednesday 26 October 2005, Egyptian State Security took Abdolkarim from his home, and confiscated hard copies of his writings. He is now on his way to an unknown detention.

Editor's note: A petition is being organized not only for Seliman but for Omid Sheikhan and Mojtaba Saminejad as well (who were both arrested for expressing their opinions online via weblogs). How ironic that both of these cases involve citizens being punished for criticizing political figures in regions practically endorsing theocratic style governments. Although this may have more to do with the socialistic nature of these regimes, as this next case shows.

(CNet) Libya has sentenced a blogger to a year and a half in prison after he criticized the government in his online articles, according to Human Rights Watch. [...]

The arrest came after al-Mansuri published some 50 articles on the U.K.-based Web site akhbar-libya.com, in which he criticized Libyan society and government. The arrest was carried out by the Internal Security Agency, who confiscated his computer, papers and compact discs and questioned him about his articles, he told Human Rights Watch. (Media Source*)

Editor's note: Although freedom of speech is taken for granted in many western nations (not to mention those in the process of being westernized), such privileges are unfortunately scarce in regions where the governments main concern is not enabling their people but retaining power for itself.

These Emergency Blog Alerts are broadcasted as a public service announcement in order to enlighten audiences about the conditions of political freedoms of citizen journalists worldwide.

Photo credit: Image of Abd al-Raziq al-Mansuri from the Committee to Protect Bloggers.

China Colonizing The Moon For Fuel?

2005-11-06T21:27:00.000-05:00

(Red Orbit) China, which launched its first manned space mission just two years ago, plans to put a man on the moon around 2017 and investigate what may be the perfect source of fuel, a newspaper reported on Friday. [...]

The project also includes setting up a moon-based astronomical telescope, measuring the thickness of the moons soil and the amount of helium-3 on the moon -- an element some researchers say is a perfect, non-polluting fuel source.

If helium-3 is indeed the "perfect fuel" as some researchers are claiming, then according to estimates there is enough of this element on the lunar surface to power the world for thousands of years. China is planning on establishing a colony upon the moons surface a year in advance of NASA's time table, which can only mean one thing--the space race is now on.

(Space.com) Scientists estimate there are about 1 million tons of helium 3 on the moon, enough to power the world for thousands of years. The equivalent of a single space shuttle load or roughly 25 tons could supply the entire United States' energy needs for a year, according to Apollo 17 astronaut and FTI researcher Harrison Schmitt. [...]

"Helium 3 could be the cash crop for the moon," said Kulcinski, a longtime advocate and leading pioneer in the field, who envisions the moon becoming "the Hudson Bay Store of Earth."Today helium 3 would have a cash value of $4 billion a ton in terms of its energy equivalent in oil, he estimates. "When the moon becomes an independent country, it will have something to trade." (Media Source*)

(Editor's note: article edited for grammatical errors)

If this is true then it would be in the best interests of the United States not to allow China (or any other potential rival) to dominate the lunar surface in the near future. Establishing a colony on the moon as soon as possible should be NASA's priority as a base there would ensure adequate supply of fuel towards nations of the free world instead of being controlled by OPEC, a block of nations not known for their appreciation of human rights and free market systems.

Photo credit: Image from Red Orbit.

Two Moons Discovered Around Pluto

2005-11-06T21:01:00.000-05:00

(Earth Times) The two new moons were found on May 15 and May 18 respectively and were named S/2005 P1 and S/2005 P2. While S/2005 P1, whose orbit is around 40,000 miles away from Pluto, is 100 miles wide, S/2005 P2 is believed to be smaller and around 30,000 miles away from its parent planet. Charon orbits around 12,000 miles away from Pluto.

Although these moons are merely "planetoid-like" objects, their presence raises questions such as how were these bodies captured in the first place and do other Kuiper belt objects (such as Xena) have minor bodies orbiting themselves as well. Although this discovery probably is not a major event as far as astronomy goes, star gazers everywhere will probably be hunting for more lunar objects in order to cement their place in history.

(Earth Times) In-depth analysis of the images has revealed that Pluto's three moons are in resonance with each other. With each 12 circles that Charon takes around Pluto, S/2005 P1 revolves twice and S/2005 P2 thrice. Through this resonance, the NASA team hopes to crack the mystery of the moons' origin. "This is very important for New Horizons, because we will be able to plan a lot more," Stern said.

Although Pluto will probably not be a highlight for human visitation for the next fifty years, if humanity decides to pop by and visit, these asteroids would make great "rest stops" (that is if a ship were to travel beyond the Kuiper belt). As technology improves our telescopic abilities more worlds will probably be discovered, allowing us to see new worlds and begin the first steps towards conquering our "final frontier."

Was Jesus Christ Born On Halloween?

2005-10-30T00:43:00.000-04:00

(PR Web) Through a study of various passages in the Bible, a timeline can be calculated, which begins with the date of priestly service of Zacharias during the Jewish two-week "course of Abia." The timeline continues through the conception of Zacharias' son, John the Baptist, on July 31st, and on to the birth of Jesus Christ, indicating October 31st as the birthday of Christ.

Although it probably nearly impossible to find the exact date of his birth, Bible Instructor Dr. Hank Lindstrom thinks that Christ may have been born around Halloween if not on the day. If correct, this would make Halloween (an already popular festival in the United States) a confusing celebration as one would probably see both witches and Christians fighting for superiority in celebrating a "holiday." But if Halloween was the day Christ was born, what would happen to Christmas? (audio file below)

You can download file by clicking the image below

Editor's note: Although one is welcome to listen to the entire audio, it may be preferable to start at 20:00 in order to get to the heart of the debate. One thing to note about this discussion is that the month's July and August were inserted during the respective reigns of Julius and Augustus Caesar so that may skew things slightly with this analysis by Dr. Lindstrom.

Although this blogger could care less about what date Christ was born historically (as it is what an individual does during their life time that makes them significant, and not their birth) the audio does make for a good listen, if not a good laugh.

Solar Opinions

2005-10-30T00:12:00.000-04:00

Posted below are a few articles that may interest some readers along with commentary from this author. Today's top story deals with what (in this editor's opinion) is the beginning of the Russian domination of the space race.

(Space.com) The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to let NASA continue buying Russian spaceships to deliver astronauts and supplies to the space station until 2012. The Senate already adopted a similar measure, though some minor details need to be worked out before the legislation is finalized. (Media Source*)

Editor's note: This does not make this blogger particularly happy, although it is understandable why this law was passed (as NASA's shuttles are not exactly the ride of choice lately). The good news about this law is that it is temporarily, although it will give Russian technology an endorsement internationally, which will probably encourage other nations to lease their equipment in the future instead of the United States.

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(Red Nova) The newly expanded NASA 'World Wind' computer program can 'transport' Web users to almost anyplace on the moon, when they zoom in from a global view to closer pictures of our natural satellite taken by the Clementine spacecraft in the 1990s. Computer programmers at NASA Ames Research Center in California's Silicon Valley originally designed the World Wind program to deliver satellite images and data of Earth to the Internet. Users can see detailed 3-D pictures of the Earth's land surface, including its elevation and climate. (Media Source*)

Editor's note: It is surprising that Google did not come out with this program first (although their Google Moon was a nice way of honoring NASA). Although very large and bloated, this program is well worth the download (unless you have dial-up) and would be recommended for any astronomer who enjoys viewing the lunar surface. You can download a version by clicking here.

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(MSNBC) Small robots designed by University of Nebraska researchers may allow doctors on Earth to help perform surgery on patients in space.

The tiny, wheeled robots, which are about 3 inches tall and as wide as a lipstick case, can be slipped into small incisions and computer-controlled by surgeons in different locations.

Editor's note: Probably a good thing to have on board the space station, as well as a future launch towards Mars as the nearest medical facility might be millions of miles away. Now all they need is a holographic doctor. Yes, I am a trekky. ;)

Should The ACLU Be A Google News Source?

2005-10-29T22:38:00.000-04:00

Google News is probably one of the best locations for a user to retrieve news information from a variety of sources. What makes them unique compared to Yahoo News is that computer algorithms instead human editors decide which item is on the front page, resolving any (or at least most) issues of editorial bias.

Apparently though, the ACLU's Press Release is now one of the media sources that Google News has added to it's vast yet secretive collection. Although Google News does add sources from conservative, liberal and international sites, does the ACLU deserve the same media respect as per say as Fox News or Iraq the Model?

Image of the ACLU as a Google News Source.

Photo Credit: Darnell Clayton, via Hello
Although the ACLU is often viewed as "morally evil" for actions such as attempting to legalize child pornography (hat tip: Cao's blog) and holding the opinion that sex offenders should be allowed to participate in Halloween activities, they do participate in some good as In The Agora notes.

Anyway, a couple months ago I posted an item about the ACLU defending street preachers around the country I got a comment from the wife of Shawn Miller, a preacher in New Mexico who had been arrested and was being defended by the ACLU. He had spent 109 days in jail after being arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. The sum total of that resisting amounted to him informing the officer that he had a constitutional right to preach. [...]

Last week she told us that his trial date had been set for this week. And yesterday she stopped by to tell us that the prosecutor had issued a "nolle prosequi" in the case and dropped the charges. She posted an email from the ACLU attorney working on the case. He is now going to try and get the arrest expunged from Mr. Miller's records so it doesn't haunt him in the future.

Although such actions demonstrate that the ACLU is not entirely anti-religious, it may not be enough to justify it being considered a defender of justice according to critics. The ACLU holds tremendous influence within the American judicial system, but should they be given that same influence within Google News? It will be up to the critics to decide.

Off-World-Sex May Endanger Martian Trips

2005-10-29T21:57:00.000-04:00

(Hat Tip: In The Agora)

(New Scientist Space) Sex and romantic entanglements among astronauts could derail missions to Mars and should therefore be studied by NASA, warns a top-level panel of US researchers. [...]

"With the prospect of a very long-term mission, it's hard to ignore the question of sexuality," says Lawrence Palinkas, a medical anthropologist at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, an author of the report. It reviewed NASA's plans for research to keep astronauts safe and healthy in space--but the plans make no mention of sexual issues in spaceflight.

This may be a major problem for NASA and any other country planning long term trips towards Mars and other worlds. Sending cross gender crews throughout the cosmos who are confined to small quarters could result in unforeseen circumstances that may complicate measures beyond what the mission originally called for (as to how would you treat a pregnant woman in space and who would deliver a baby once the crew lands?).

Although this may sound a bit premature to be worrying about such issues, sex can make crew members uncomfortable and could potentially lead towards violence.

(New Scientist Space) Sexual harassment may also endanger a mission. In an 8-month space station simulation on Earth in 2000, a Russian man twice tried to kiss a Canadian woman researcher just after two other Russians had gotten into a bloody brawl. As a result, locks were installed between the Russian and international crews' compartments.

Carol Rinkleib Ellison, a psychologist who specializes in sexuality and intimacy (from Oakland, California) has suggested that NASA evaluate taking couples into outer space which may help reduce the tension and help crew mates reduce the stress of "cabin fever." Although it may sound reasonable to evaluate astronauts in this fashion, this may be uncomfortable for couples as they are constantly being monitored by instruments attached to their body (not to mention protection as well from radiation).

Although overlooked NASA will probably will examine a test scenario on the lunar surface, and see how people interact in close quarters. Hopefully this issue can be resolved, as it would be a shame that humanity could not explore the cosmos because of a "few bad relationships."

Image Credit: Photo from Red Nova.

US Passports Now Have Chips

2005-10-29T21:27:00.000-04:00

(Earth Times) Starting next October, those applying for US passports will be surprised to find their identities carefully enshrined in radio frequency ID chips implanted in their "new" passports. The announcement that came on Tuesday, hoped to make US standards as close to the "globally interoperable" standards devised by the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization.

Although these RFID chips bear resemblance to the Verichip, their is no indication that their company is involved with this measure (although it would not be a complete surprise if they were). Although there are fears that the new technology would be used to track individuals during this "terror age," the State Department has assured US citizens that they will not be tracked and the purpose of the RFID chips is to prevent fraud.

(Earth Times) The administration is also trying to quell fears of ID theft in assuring that the passports equipped with "anti-skimming material" will mitigate any such threats of surreptitious scanning. But then the technology that is currently in use in retail stores to tag clothes and prevent their pilferage has been demonstrated to work upto 160 feet away, using high powered readers.

While the State Department suggests that the shielding works well "when the passport cover is closed", there are many who wonder what will happen if the cover is left open briefly.

Although this may calm some fears about ID theft, critics argue that such measures are still insecure as passports tend to become bent out-of-shape over time possibly enabling a hi-tech thief to steal information as long as the passport is partially cracked open. One way around this would be for the State Department to have a simple lock on the passport (similar to a journal lock for diaries) which would close the passport regardless of what "shape" it was in.

Either way, if people are concerned about these chips, they have until next October to apply for the "paperback version."

Photo Credit: Image from Earth Times.

Fifty Christians Freed In China

2005-10-25T22:39:00.000-04:00

(Christian Post) "According to a reliable source from a high level government agency, the release was ordered from the Chinese central government because of increasing international pressure on this case," a statement from the China Aid Association (CAA) on Friday read. The arrest of the 50 Protestant leaders was first reported by the CAA on Oct. 20.

These leaders were arrested while meeting to discuss how they might aid the poor and orphaned in China, a major problem in Communistic China if you are a girl or a sick baby boy. If it were not for action taken by U.S. Congressman Chris Smith, those believers may have remained in custody to this day.

(Christian Post) "The relatively quick release of these church leaders is certainly a welcomed step in the right direction," said CAA President Bob Fu said in the released statement. "The arbitrarily arrest of innocent citizens and illegal detention are contradictory to international human rights norms. Those officials who abuse its power by beating innocent people should be held accountable."

China is becoming increasingly hostile towards believers, something that Voice of the Martyr's has documented well via email subscriptions. President Bush is reportably scheduled to visit Beijing on November 19^th, and hopefully his visit as well as the future 2008 Olympics will pacify China's wrath against harmless believers.

Is North Korea Jealous Of Israel?

2005-10-25T22:17:00.000-04:00

(Watching America) The Democratic People's Republic of North Korea will neither accept nor allow Washington's unjust double standards in regard to the nuclear issue to linger on into the future. There will only be the prospect of settling the nuclear issue when the United States abandons its unfair and prejudiced double standards, as North Korea demands.

The "double standard" that North Korea is referring to is about why the United States grants Israel and India the right to bear nuclear arms but not this tiny Asian nation. Although one could site the reason being political (as Israel and India are both allies of the US) the reason may have to with commitments as both India and Israel (not to mention Pakistan) have refused to sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty while North Korea has in the past endorsed it.

Soldier Fills His Mind With Goodness at the Grand People's Study House. Photo from Watching America

(Watching America) Washington has connived at and even cooperated with Israel in its development and production of nuclear weapons, and kept mum about Japan, which has stepped up its program to emerge as a nuclear power by stockpiling plutonium beyond what it actually needs. [...]

North Korea demands that the United States take measures to treat it as it does other countries outside the NPT that possess nuclear weapons. America's statement that it respects North KoreaÂs sovereignty as a member of the United Nations will be proven only when it acts as such.

What North Korea really needs to do is learn how to honor its words, as it has broken them in the past under President Clinton's term. If North Korea wants to be taken seriously then they need to stick with their commitments and stick with the treaty they originally signed with over 170 other nations. After all, how can we trust that they will not detonate a nuke against Japan (or US targets) when they have broken their word in the past?