Flying around the Earth | Bad Astronomy

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If you’ve ever wondered what it must feel like to fly around the Earth at 28,000 kilometers per hour, then wonder no more. [Make sure you set it to the highest resolution, then make it full screen. You're welcome.] I saw this on Universe Today, where you can get details, as well as in the [...]


The full story on Rick Perry and the HPV – Cancer vaccine

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by Bryan Preston, PJTatler

Those of us who have spent any time at all around Rick Perry, and I’ve spent a few minutes around him here and there over the past couple of years, recognize how well this story fits with the man we’ve seen up close. That’s just him.

It’s fair to argue the policy on the merits, but to ascribe the Gardasil order to some ulterior motive just doesn’t square with the character of the man at all.

Editor's note - Bryan from Austin and former Republican Party of Texas Communications director, is a friend, and sometimes behind-the-scenes advisor for LR.

Note - Perry on the motorcycle without the helmet!

Prudish Muslim Cabbies in NYC win fight to ban Gentleman Club ads

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Islamization of America

From Eric Dondero:

Libertarian sexual values be damned. Here come the Muslim prudes.

From the NY Post, "Devout taxi drivers allowed to veto strip-club roof ads"

Devout Muslim hacks -- who were crouched behind their steering wheels in shame while driving with ads for strip clubs atop their taxis -- won a major victory yesterday in their war on roof smut.

The city’s Taxi & Limousine Commission agreed to give cabbies who own their vehicles absolute veto power on the content of ads on their cars -- delighting scores of modest hacks of various faiths who had fought hard for the rule overhaul.

“We are Muslims, and we do not like the ads!” crowed cabby Mohamed Tahir, 66, whose cab is topped with an image of a sexy brunette from Flashdancers Gentlemen’s Club.

He added, “If I had another ad, I’d change it right away! It bothers many of us.”

Sure, property rights come into play. But a big loss for uniquely American cultural values?

Next up, sexy lingerie, fashion designer ads, or ads supporting Israel?

Interesting NASA Exploration Ideas – With Some Added China Bashing

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Keith's note: This presentation "Towards Deep Space Exploration: Small Steps versus One Giant Leap" (download) was presented by astronaut Andrew Thomas on 6 September 2011. Inside you will find some interesting stuff regarding the use of existing ISS and Shuttle era plus international and commercial capabilities - all matrixed together allowing us to go to new places. It also mentions problems that occur with the public and Congress when things go over budget or seem to not show any real progress or benefit, and how to use smaller steps to incrementally achieve things in space that are relevant, affordable, and show visible progress within everyone's short attention span.

Of course this is all "notional" i.e. ideas that NASA won't connect officially with any actual project or budget anywhere. But that's OK since it shows that people are thinking outside the box, cognizant of limited budgets, and aren't afraid to use old stuff for new purposes. The ideas and approach contained in this document are summarized as follows: "This is not a Program, it is not a Destination; it is a series of activities that aggregate to a deep space capability with US Leadership".

There is one problem I have with this document - and it has to do with one specific graphic (page 28 - larger view). Had the author noted that China's plans for the Moon should not spur us to do things out of fear or paranoia or something like that, I'd agree. But using an image that shows a Taikonaut on the lunar surface, planting the flag of the PRC while trampling an American flag is troubling. Are there really people inside NASA who think like this - enough that they go out of their way to create and use a provocative image like this? Alas, China-hater Rep. Frank Wolf will just love this chart.

P.S. If some graphics do not work or load it is because the original Powerpoint file's format did not exactly work perfectly for me.

Colon Cleansing Has No Health Benefit, May Harm: Report

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(HealthDay News) -- Despite the popularity of colon cleansing, there's no evidence that the procedure -- which can be done at home or in day spas -- offers any health benefits, a new study finds.

However, colon cleansing can cause serious side effects ranging from vomiting to kidney failure and death, the authors of the report say.

Colon cleansing -- also called colonic irrigation or colonic hydrotherapy -- often involves the use of chemicals followed by flushing the colon with water through a tube inserted in the rectum, explained the Georgetown University researchers.

They analyzed 20 studies about colon cleansing that were published over the last decade and found little evidence that the procedure offers any benefits. Instead, a number of the studies noted side effects such as cramping, bloating, vomiting, electrolyte imbalance and kidney failure.

The findings appear in the August issue of The Journal of Family Practice. Read more...

Immunice for Immune Support

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Waterproofing a Video Watch

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I recently got myself a "waterproof" video watch. I have managed to get most of it water tight apart from the time adjustment crown. I know that the pressure at 4m below the surface of the water is 20 psi. How would I get the crown to resist this pressure?

SLS, Saturn V, And Ares V Color Schemes (Update)

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Keith's note: Contrary to what some websites are reporting (including this one) NASA PAO says that the white/black coloration of the SLS stages that evokes memories of the Saturn V is there for the same reason: to aid in tracking during ascent. There will be no spray-on foam on the first (or second stage ) as was the case with the Space Shuttle and Ares V - hence no orange on the SLS.

Keith's update: Well despite the official PAO response, I am now told by several people at NASA with the utmost reliability and knowledge on this issue that the depiction of the SLS in Saturn V-esque paint scheme was done at the discretion of the graphic artist to evoke memories of the Saturn V. My understanding is that they will paint it - but what it will look like no one really knows.

I guess the only way to get a straight answer on this is for someone to ask Bill Gerstenmeier - on the record.

Out of Africa’s end? | Gene Expression

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The BBC has a news report up gathering reactions to a new PLoS ONE paper, The Later Stone Age Calvaria from Iwo Eleru, Nigeria: Morphology and Chronology. This paper reports on remains found in Nigeria which date to ~13,000 years B.P. that exhibit a very archaic morphology. In other words, they may not be anatomically [...]

Sand Blowing From Floor Ducts of Home

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I have a concrete slab floor in my 26 yr old house; The metal in the floor ducts has rotted and sand is blowing through my air ducts I have vacuumed it out but it keeps blowing and getting sand in them. Searched and cannot find replacement ducts what do you do now?