Libertarian Party of Indiana spoofed?

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From Eric Dondero:

A curious development out of the Hoosier State. It seems for some reason, internet hoaxers pulled a fast one on the Libertarian Party of Indiana, for reasons unknown. A Republican State Senator was also apparently victimized.

From WBIX.com:

The Libertarian Party of Indiana wants answers after a being a victim of a hoax email.

Executive Director Chris Spangle says they received the email on February 9, from whom they believed was Republican State Senator Connie Lawson.

Spangle says the email was about the party's opposition to the gay marriage constitutional ban and threatened if they didn't change their opinion on the issue, that "structural changes would be made."

The OhioRepublic blogspot reports:

The Indiana Libertarian and Republican Parties are co-operating in the investigation.

Bolden, Congress, and HLVs

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Heavy Lift Rocket Standoff on Capitol Hill, SpaceRef

"There is a cottage industry these days - inside and outside of NASA - wherein people speculate what Heavy Launch Vehicle (HLV) design NASA is or is not pursuing. Everyone has Powerpoint charts, meeting notes, etc. but no one has all the facts. Nor are they likely to for months. The leaks have become a blur. NASA has not made its mind up yet and is not due to report back to Congress until June 2011 according to senior agency sources. That lack of clarity was evident in a presentation made by NASA Administrator Charles Bolden at a Space Transportation Association (STA) lunch briefing in Washington, DC on 25 March 2011."

Bolden Wants to Build Evolvable HLLV, Not the One Congress Wants, Space Policy Online

"In response to a question from NASAWatch editor Keith Cowing, Mr. Bolden explained that he does not think that the 130 metric ton lift capability prescribed in the law is necessary today and is not sure the agency can do it. He wants to build an "evolvable" launch vehicle, working in "small incremental steps [to] demonstrate that we can keep to cost and schedule and then people will begin to have confidence that we know what we're talking about.... There are things I do not know. ... I don't know what my 2011 budget is ... and that plays a critical role in what I can do."

Bolden and "evolvable" heavy-lift launch vehicles, Space Politics

"However, it wasn't clear from Bolden's comments whether what emerged from those studies would meet the act's requirements for payload capacity and schedule. Asked why the agency could't just announce that it would develop the vehicle in the act, Bolden said, "Because I don't want to, for one thing, and because it may be that we can't do that. We don't know." (It's unclear whether Bolden meant that he doesn't want to build the SLS as specified in the act, or instead meant that he doesn't want to say now that NASA will build such a vehicle; he later claimed he meant neither of those things.)"

Kleopatra and her kids | Bad Astronomy

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One of my favorite asteroids is Kleopatra: a big, 217 km (135 mile) long main-belt rock that’s a wee bit weird. This image may give you a hint as to why:

It’s shaped like a cartoon dog bone! It circles the Sun out past Mars, tumbling end-over-end, and its origins have always been something of a mystery. However, new observations and analysis reveal quite a bit about how this asteroid got its unusual shape. I won’t spoil it, but instead simply point you to Emily Lakdawalla’s excellent summary of Kleopatra on The Planetary Society blog. It’s a tale of collisions, spin, and eventual reconciliation, as many good stories are.

One thing I didn’t know is that Kleo has two moons: Alexhelios and Cleoselene. They orbit the asteroid in the plane of the its rotation, and may be cast-offs from the formation of Kleo itself. Read Emily’s article for the whole scoop.

Man, the solar system is a cool place. And there’s still so much left to see!


It’s official! Gary Johnson to announce in late April

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Marijuana Legalization still at the top of his Agenda

From Eric Dondero:

Fox News is reporting that libertarian Republican former Governor Gary Johnson will announce his candidacy for president sometime in late April. He will skip the traditional Exploratory Committee route, and go straight to New Hampshire.

Fox News has learned the former Governor of New Mexico will announce his candidacy, for President of the United States in late April. Johnson insiders say he will bypass the exploratory stage, announce his candidacy and immediately travel to New Hampshire sometime after tax day, April 15.

Strategists say his libertarian approach to GOP politics may prove very popular in the Granite State, whose motto is "Live Free or Die."

And he's not backing down on his drug war stance.

He does not see his stand on issues like marijuana legalization as detriments to a potential GOP nominee. "It's just one in a series of cost-benefits. What are we spending our money on and what are we getting for the money we're spending. Half of the money we're spending on the courts and law enforcement and prisons is drug related. And what are we getting for that? Well, we're arresting 1.8-million people a year in this country, which is just staggering when you considering the population of New Mexico is 1.8-million."

Didn’t he say, "Not One American Boot?"

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by Clifford F. Thies

Backing up his promise that "Not one American boot could touch one grain of Libyan sand", President Obama has ordered 4,000 Marines and sailors of the Bataan Amphibious Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit into the region.

That's 8,000 boots, which is definitely "not one". Let's face, you're not going to win a war sending in one cripple.

The USS Bataan is an amphibious assault ship, with a wide range of capabilities, humanitarian and military. When deployed along with super carriers, it will usually assume the status of an auxiliary carrier, launching and receiving helipcopters in conjunction with submarine patrol and search and rescure missions. It can also operate on its own, in support of projection of force missions, in which case it may launch and receive harrier warplanes as well as helicopters.

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is a multi-deminensional force consisting of a reinforced battalion of marines, a combat airlift unit. and a combat support unit.

When these units join the force being assembled in the Mediterranean, they will give the commander the capability to conduct seach and rescue missions, as in the case of a downed pilot, as well as a limited ability to secure a beachead or an inland objective.

The Turks join the coalition of the unwilling

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It was written in their Qu'ran, that all nations which had not acknowledged the Prophet were sinners, whom it was the right and duty of the faithful to plunder and enslave; and that every Muslim who was slain in this warfare was sure to go to paradise. He said, also, that the man who was the first to board a vessel had one slave over and above his share, and that when they sprang to the deck of an enemy's ship, every sailor held a dagger in each hand and a third in his mouth; which usually struck such terror into the foe that they cried out for quarter at once -- Ambassador Sidi Haji Abdul Rahman Adja to Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in London, 1885 (original doc. mem.loc)

by Clifford F. Thies

The parliament of Turkey approved that country's participation in NATO's blockade of arms shipments and humanitarian efforts in the war-torn country of Lybia. A total of six ships, a submarine, four frigates and an auxiliary ship, will join the international task force.

Unilke the United States, in Turkey, the head of government actually has to obtain authorization to use force when no imminent threat to the nation is involved.

In this country, according to people such as Joe The Constitutional Scholar Biden, Professor of Constitutional Law Barack Obama, and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Hilliary Clinton, this is only illegal nowadays when a Republican is president. Iniating the use of force is tough enough for any democratic country, which is a very good thing, but is particularly sensitive when two majority Muslim country are involved.

We appreciate the concern expressed by the prime minister of Turkey, that the Turks are not willing to "point a gun" at the people of Libya. But, it is a crime for a government to order police and military forces to use lethal force against crowds of peaceful protestors, no less to bomb them using tanks and warplanes, and, at some point, we have to figure out a way to arrest those who engage in such acts.

We, at Libertarian Republican, salute our friend and allyTurkey, who first joined with us in North Africa in what we call the Second Barbary Coast War

Piere Giorgio Restaurant, Dominican Republic

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I’m a sucker for anything overlooking the ocean but the Piere Giorgio Restaurant (La Puntilla de Piergiorgio) could possibly be one of the most romantic restaurants on this planet. I recommend going for dinner and particularly during sunset preferably with a date (of course). It is authentic Italian fare made with the freshest ingredients from the sea and imported from Italy. I know that I’ve always been an advocate of engaging yourself wholeheartedly in local cuisine (local everything actually) but this time; I would probably make an exception. In fact I, if you are able to secure the table under the gazebo, you would be in perfect form. Below is a video from Vimeo user Viacon Dima – it is a single shot of the restaurant but in its simplicity it conveys the feeling of being there quite well.

Questions Please! Anna Maria Island Concierge Service

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For a number of years I’ve often felt a bit like a concierge. I get emails every day from people planning their Florida beach vacation, wanting to know where to find this or that. For those who ask me for help with their beach vacation I’ve got good news and bad news. First, the good [...]

Hot Property: Private Islands

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1The Financial Times often features private islands for sale or rent around the world. Recently they featured the hottest properties currently on the market around the world. The following are some of the properties that top their list.

 

Pipe Creek, Bahamas

 

Located in the Exumas, Pipe Creek is an exclusive $75 Million dollar property set on 38 acres of lush property. The property contains five individual dwellings including a Manor House with fitness centre, chapel and infinity pool, Beach Cottage, Harbourmaster house and two guest cottages.  Accommodating up to 22 people in total this island can be serviced via the private helipad or by sea plane. There are also domestic staff quarters for 29 people, a freshwater treatment plan, a power system, fuel and communications systems and service vehicles.

 

Celebrity neighbors would include Johnny Depp, David Copperfield, and the Aga Khan.

 

White Island, Carriacou

 

Less than two miles by boat to the southern coast of Carriacou, south of Cassada Bay and less than 10 miles by boat and road to Carriacou Airport, White Island is an uninhabited 9-acre island. Fringed by white sand beaches and coral reefs permissions are in place to build a boutique hotel and spa or luxury residence. The island also has a deep water channel which means that the super yachts that frequent the Caribbean can be anchored mere feet from shore.

 

To see more hot properties check out the Financial Times.

Own a Piece of Greece

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kaltsonisi-island-greece-1The Greek islands are where the rich and famous from all over the world come to rest, relax and be pampered. Therefore it comes as no surprise that owning your own Greek Island is the ultimate status symbol.

Despite their international popularity Greek Islands are still rare offerings. Recently Kaltsonisi Island came on the market which represents a rare and exclusive opportunity to own a piece of paradise within the Ionian ocean.

From every viewpoint is an expanse of crystal water, broken only by surrounding islands and far away coastlines. To the south and just a quick boat ride away is the island of Anti-Paxos, which boasts some of the most spectacular sandy beaches in the Ionian.

Mainland Greece lies across the eastern horizon and uninterrupted oceanstretches out to the west giving this island both sunrise and sunset views. A narrow fjord separates the southern tip of Paxos from Kaltonisi, offering perfect seclusion to its inhabitants as access must be by boat.

For more information on this 25 acre island visit Private Islands Online

Escape From New York: Tracey’s Travels

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Tracey Gonzalez and her husband, Angel, live and work in midtown Manhattan. What little free time they are afforded is spent traveling, searching for new destinations and “where to eat next”. Their photos alone will explain their fondness for food. Travel and food – such a great combination.

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Come With Me…

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Some years ago, a friend told Vicki Hatfield, “Don’t wait for when… Sometimes, when never comes.” Months later her friend passed away. But, Vicki embraced the advise and has been traveling ever since. That comment led to one of her inspirations, “I love the memories I have when I return home that I can wrap around me like a warm blanket on cold winter nights.”

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The Traveling Bastards Travel and Food Blog

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The Traveling Bastards consist of Simone Cannon de Bastardo and her husband, Luis Bastardo (hence the first part of their site’s name). They also travel and eat (which finishes their title). Between the ‘travel’ and ‘food’ are photographs of the day, tips, recipes (okay, falls under food), philosophies and some very interesting stories.

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Agra and Fatehpur Sikri what part of no don’t you understand

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After a very very long overnight train journey from Amritsar we finally made it to Agra and caught our first glimpse of the Taj Mahal not something that is easily forgotten It felt so surreal just to eat our lunch on the rooftop gazing over at one the most beautiful buildings on earth and our first proper Wonder of the World quite literally a stone throw away rising up above the slightly

From Varanasi to Lumbini Happy Holi

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After yet a very long and delayed night train all the way from Agra and some slight grief trying to find a random man at the train station whose friend had shared our booth and forgotten his phone we arrived in the holy city of Varanasi. A short 9km one way as usual rickshaw drive followed by a long walk down some narrow windy alleys took us to our hostel which turned out to be nicer than we t

Nobody Panic a.k.a Singapore part 2

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The next morning started in a mad panic as at 745 Steph realised she had not canceled her mobile phone contract. Ten minutes later and I was camped out in front of the computer completing the form whilst Steph had rolled back over and gone to sleep Having been unable to figure out whether we should use our final day in Singapore to go to the zoo or to explore the city Steph in a rare epiphany

Romania’s Palutul Parlamentului

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The Palatul Parlamentului. The Palace of Parliament. After the pentagon the largest administrative building in the world using square footage for the measure. And the third largest in the world by cubic footage right behind Cape Canaveral. Right here in Bucharest. And visible from the balcony of my apartmentIn the 1984 the former Romanian dictator Ceaescu had a vision of this immens

Daddy always knows best

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Hey everyoneI love doing this blog and being able to share with you what God is teaching me where I travel and what awesome things happen in every day lifeSo recently God seems to be teaching me to let Him have His way instead of me always fighting Him. Which it's safe to say I've always struggled with. I've always wanted to have a sense of being in control of everything especially my lif

Kimberly Crossing

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A week doesn't pass me by without some kind of adventure hereThis week we lost all our phones internet and ATM and eftpos services. It would have been funny but you can't buy food without money and it our society of cards many of us struggledOther facilities in town also shut down for example on Wednesday night our netball game was canceled due to massive rains but no one knew as the phone lin