Dec 082017
 

Boeing CEO Says Boeing Will Beat SpaceX to Mars

Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg: “Eventually we’re going to go to Mars, and I firmly believe the first person that sets foot on Mars will get there on a Boeing rocket.”

 

 

One of the worst things to happen to the space race was when the Soviets conceded. If we can get American aerospace companies competing against each other… we can get this train moving again. Its a pity there’s been so much consolidation among US aerospace companies… a perfect future would have involved things like Ceres being acquired by Grumman, Phobos by Republic Aviation, Pluto by General Atomic, with Mars divvied up by Boeing, Lockheed and Walmart, with Europa in contention between Northrop and McDonalds, Ganymede being fought over between Chrysler and Ford.

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 Posted by at 10:27 am
Dec 072017
 

After the depressing grrr-worthy video a few days ago, here’s kinda the polar opposite:

Man rescues rabbit from wildfire on side of Calif. highway

I’m not sure how wise it is to put your life at risk to rescue a wild rabbit from a raging fire, but compare the bravery and *care* to that of the scumbags who go out of their way to harm animals for fun. How much of this is down to simple genetics? How much to upbringing… home life and larger culture?

The guy has apparently been found by the press but didn’t want to be interviewed. Would be interesting to find out what happened with the rabbit. You wouldn’t think the bunny would be too tolerant of being captured and held by a giant monster… the feller probably got bit for his troubles.

 Posted by at 9:45 pm
Dec 072017
 

Democrat Representative John Conyers Jr. has resigned for multiple allegations of sexual harassment, coupled with using taxpayer funds to pay settlements to keep things quiet. He has endorsed his son, John Conyers III, to replace him (fortunately for the people of his district, the transition should be a smooth one since his son was arrested earlier this year for domestic abuse, including stabbing his girlfriend). Democrat Senator Al Franken  has announced that he’ll soon resign for having assaulted some women a whole back. And now Republican Representative Trent Franks has resigned because… well, it’s a little unclear: “after two former staff members complained about discussions he had with them about efforts to find a surrogate mother.” The topic in and of itself doesn’t seem like it should be troubling, but maybe he suggested to his staffers that *they* be the surrogates. That’s all I can think of. If his given reason is accurate, it seems like he’s quitting because he *said* something inappropriate, while Franken and Conyers *did* something inappropriate. So at least at this very basic level there’s a disparity between the Reps and Dems. Of course, there’s also Roy Moore; while not in the Senate, he *may* soon be, and there is a lot of thinking that if he wins the election, the Senate may refuse to let him in, or may immediately begin proceedings to eject him.

I fully endorse the resignation of any and every member of the House and Senate. Especially anyone who has been there more than one term. Serving in Congress shouldn’t be a friggen’ career, but rather something that people do for a little while then go *back* to the private sector.

 

 Posted by at 5:50 pm
Dec 062017
 

House OKs GOP bill expanding gun owners’ rights

Marriage licenses and drivers licenses are issued by individual states, but recognized by all. Marriages and driving are *not* explicitly called out as rights in the Constitution… but bearing arms is. And perversely, up until now states have often *not* recognized the concealed carry licenses issued by other states. This may be about to change, at long friggen’ last.

But some politicians never let an opportunity to slander millions of law abiding citizens pass by unremarked. Example: Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn., called the bill an attempt to “allow dangerous criminals to walk around with hidden guns anywhere and at any time.” I wonder if it might be possible to sue her for slandering law abiding concealed carry license holders, who she has just said are “dangerous criminals.”

 Posted by at 10:41 pm
Dec 052017
 

This is some truly astonishing reading right here:

What Really Happened At The School Where Every Graduate Got Into College

Short form: a large percentage of the “graduates” are academic disasters. One-fifth missed more than half the school days, unexcused. Half missed more than three months. And the school passed ’em anyway, because that way they get bonuses. As one recent graduate points out: “I felt at a point around getting toward winter, I ain’t have to be there no more.” Sure. As one does.

I don’t know if we can do this with teachers, but can we replace school *administrators* with robots yet? Robots that don’t give a damn about bribery or threats?

You’ll be shocked, SHOCKED to find out that this school is in the Washington. D.C. district.

 Posted by at 5:49 pm
Dec 042017
 

Quentin Tarantino Hatches ‘Star Trek’ Movie Idea; Paramount, JJ Abrams To Assemble Writers Room

Tarantino wants to write and direct a  Trek movie. And JJ Abrams, the guy who famously said that he didn’t like Star Trek but who somehow wound up in charge of it, thinks it’s a neato-keen idea.

Look, I know a lot of people like Tarantinos movies. I’ve seen a number of them once. Once. I’ve never seen one of his movies twice. And I’ve seen both Trek V *and* nemesis multiple times.

I just don’t see how buckets of fake blood and paragraphs of profanity really make for a proper Star Trek movie. But then… STD is currently the official flag holder for the franchise.

Ugh.


And in other Star Trek news, looks like we’ll be getting a new Star Trek movie in January. Well… sorta. Behold the trailer for “Please Stand By:”

 Posted by at 7:43 pm