Space X to launch Falcon 9 at 15:00 UT today | Bad Astronomy

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[UPDATE 19:30 UT): SUCCESS! SpaceX successfully launched the Falcon 9, and the Dragon capsule is now in orbit. We're awaiting the orbital numbers right now (velocity, height, ellipticity, etc). There was a tense time there for a while when they initially had an abort with just six seconds left. But they reset, and launched the bird. A huge CONGRATS to SpaceX for opening a new door on the space age.]

[Update (14:30 UT): The start of the launch window has been moved to 15:20.]

The private rocket company SpaceX plans to have its first test launch of the Falcon 9 rocket today! The launch window opens at 15:00 UT (11:00 a.m. Eastern time), and lasts for four hours. They will start a webcast of the launch at 14:40 UT. The ultimate goal is to get the bird into orbit, but they have a number of flight milestones to achieve.

spacex_f9_rollout

On the rocket will be their qualification version of the Dragon payload capsule. This allows them to test both the rocket and the capsule simultaneously.

Weather looks pretty good for liftoff as I write this, though there’s a 40% chance of delays. They also have a launch window for the same times reserved for the next day, Saturday, June 5. Stay tuned, and check the SpaceX site for updates!

Image credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX


New Poll: Big Majority in Michigan support the Tea Party

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Parties on the Right favored over Parties on the Left

From Eric Dondero:

A clear majority of poll respondents In Michigan favor the Tea Party. WXYZ ABC TV Detroit – Detroit Free Press, contracted with Lansing-based Epic MRA. Over 600 Michiganders were surveyed.

According to WXYZ:

When asked if they support the Tea Party movement, 4 in 10 voters say yes. Among political parties, 65 percent of Democrats oppose the Tea Party, 72 percent of Republicans support it, and Independents are split.

Here are the actual numbers:

Based on what you know or have heard or read about the Tea Party movement, do you support the Tea Party movement and what it stands for, or oppose it?

40% Support
12% Neither support or oppose Tea Party movement
33% Oppose
15% Undecided/Don’t know/Refused

Libertarian Party way above Green Party in support

Another interesting poll finding:

Thinking about the following political parties and groups that are getting involved in political issues these days, which group best reflects your views?

36% The Democratic Party
24% The Republican Party
17% The Tea Party movement
3% The Green Party
8% The Libertarian Party
4% Some other group
8% Undecided/Don’t know/Refused

Though, not being reported as such, Parties on the Right have a clear advantage over those on the Left. Republican, Libertarian and Tea Party equals 49% support. Parties on the Left: Green Party and Democratic Party equals 39%.

Clearly, this is a good sign for Michigan Republicans heading into November. There is no Tea Party political Party in Michigan. Taken together, TP-GOP support comes to 41% over Dems' 24%. The Libertarian Party is fielding a number of candidates for statewide and local offices. Though, the vast majority of LP supporters tend to break Republican in elections.

A recent sampling of Republican vs. Democrat match-ups show the GOP comfortably ahead in the Governors race. Epic/MRA Via Hedgehog:

Pete Hoekstra (R) 47%
Virg Bernero (D) 34%

Rick Snyder (R) 51%
Virg Bernero (D) 28%

Pete Hoekstra (R) 47%
Andy Dillon (D) 35%

Rick Snyder (R) 50%
Andy Dillon (D) 31%

(H/t IPR)

Upgradation of Siemens Teleperm to CitectSCADA

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Hi,

I need help to know how the data flows from the outdated Siemens Teleperm ME system to get the data on OPC. Are there any particular drivers available in Citect to upgrade the existing Teleperm system to CitectSCADA ?

I appreciate any sort of help provided.

Thanks and regards.

Nikki Haley called a "raghead" by Mark Sanford opponent Sen. Jake Knotts

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by Eric Dondero

And now it comes full circle. The very man who allied with Democrats and the liberal media to get libertarian Republican Governor Mark Sanford ousted from office, State Senator Jake Knotts, has now viciously attacked Sanford's hand-picked successor State Rep. Nikki Haley.

In a radio interview yesterday, Knotts said the following via our friend Stacy over at TheOtherMcCain.com:

“We already got one raghead in the White House, we don’t need a raghead in the governor’s mansion.” – South Carolina state Sen. Jake Knotts

Ironically, Haley is of Sikh descent and not a Muslim.

The remarks were made on the freewheeling internet radio show "Pub Politics."

The South Carolina GOP immediately called on Knotts to apologize:

“The South Carolina Republican Party strongly condemns any use of racial or religious slurs,” -- Karen Floyd, State Party Chairwoman

Knotts has said he is sorry for the slur. But a firestorm of media and on-line coverage has already taken off, and no doubt calls for his own resignation will soon be forthcoming.

Knotts is the same Senator who famously quipped on MSNBCduring the Sanford affair, "Lies, lies, lies... that's all we have are lies from the Governor."

What's at issue here? With most things in life, follow the money.

Ace at the almighty Ace of Spades blog, has finally had enough of it all. After being an extreme skeptic on Nikki Halley, this morning he formally endorsed her after Knott's remarks.

That's it -- I wholeheartedly endorse Nikki Haley, if only because it will make monsters cry.

However, he also adds a most excellent analysis.

Now, you might ask, what on earth would provoke a large fraction of South Carolina's political class to lose its minds and begin suicide-bombing a single candidate?

Commenters were discussing that last night. Let them put you some information:

Vic: That is one thing that the Sanford detractors try to hang around his neck. That he constantly fought with the SC legislature and "nothing" got done.

Of course that was going from the Dem controlled MFM media here which favors big government. The SC legislature is nominally Republican, but a large portion of them are "converted FDR Democrats" so it is really a Dem controlled legislature.

They believe in "tax and spend" just like Obama. Look at the last major battle with Sanford, a 50 cent a pack tax increase on cigs. He vetoed it and they overrode the veto. That has been the normal thing for the last 8 years.

Obama style tax and spend Democrats-turned-Republican porkers in the legislature, best exemplified by a massive increase on the tax on cirgarettes that a libertarian Governor fiercely opposed.

And Nikki Haley, strongly backed by Mark and Jenny Sanford, not to mention libertarian-leaning Republican Sarah Palin, promises to carry on with Sanford-style fiscal conservatism.

There you have it folks. Real live libertarian elected officials have the tendency to turn regular politicians absolutely bonkers.

Puerto Aventuras Gated Community Near Playa del Carmen is Private, But Its Stunning Beach Isn’t

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The number of stunning beaches along Mexico’s Riviera Maya is absolutely mindboggling. One ribbon after another of blinding white coral sand borders rich turquoise seas that shimmer under a sun so intense that it soaks through to the very core of your being. One of the more exquisite beaches is found at Puerto Aventuras, a gated community located about midway between Playa del Carmen and Tulum in the Yucatan.

The beach at Puerto Aventuras

Although Puerto Aventuras is a private, gated community, all beaches in Mexico are public and getting to the beach is not a difficult matter. Many condos within the development are leased as vacation rentals throughout the year, thus the security personnel are used to new arrivals. The Omni Puerto Aventuras Resort is also located beyond the gates and it is perfectly acceptable to come for lunch and then spend the rest of the day on the beach in front of the resort or lounge at their beach bar.

Long stretch of pure white sand

The resort has sectioned off a portion of the lovely bay with rocks, creating a placid lagoon for soaking, and a reef just offshore provides decent snorkeling. Additionally, Puerto Aventuras has the only marina along this stretch of the coast, so boaters can weigh anchor here and have access to the beach as well.

Photo Credit: Barbara Weibel
Article by Barbara Weibel of Hole In The Donut Travels

The Art of Solo Travel: A Girls’ Guide (e-book review)

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post thumbnail

Photo by JOSE_MARIA
Splash, Photo by JOSE_MARIA

Men went on adventures. Women just kept dreaming about them. Thankfully, the tides have changed…

I’m not quite sure why, but the title of this book has reminded me of “She’s Leaving Home” by The Beatles. Perhaps it struck a chord. Harkening back to my more youthful days when women dreamed about leaving home on some “wild” adventure but settled for the alternative – a domicile existence and the few days on vacation. Packing it all in to follow the dream was something few of us dared to attempt. Men went on adventures. Women just kept dreaming about them. Thankfully, the tides have changed…

Daily, I see questions from women of all ages asking if traveling solo is safe. The uncertainty in their written words is overwhelming at times. They not only feel a bit lost but also stuck in the darkness. Because of this, Stephanie Lee’s e-book is a ray of sunshine, shedding a bright light full of answers down on those planning their “escape”.

Stephanie Lee
Stephanie Lee

About The Author:

(Comment taken from interview with Indie Travel Podcast.)
“I was always an independent person, leaving home at a young age and managing daily life on my own. It was hard to find other similarly motivated friends who had the same travel vision as I did. Also, it was a personal challenge to prove to myself that I could travel as long as I did alone.”

“I was always an independent person, leaving home at a young age and managing daily life on my own.”

The Review:

Girls Guide Solo Travel

The Art of Solo Travel: A Girls’ Guide is an excellent short course in solo travel. It does cover information that can be found in most any other travel-related book. That was to be expected. But, few are designed to include information specifically tailored to women and when they do, they tend to skirt certain issues. Stephanie has done just the opposite, which is a breath of fresh air. In her words: “I just felt like sharing all the things I had
learnt, some of which I wish I knew before I started.” Mission accomplished.

Though I do disagree with a recommendation here and there (Google Maps as an example), the amount of information is sound and extensive. From telling family/friends to dealing with your significant other to “packing it all in” and quitting your job – The Art of Solo Travel will guide anyone (even men) in the right direction.

Last, but definitely not least of all… I found the book layout well organized and easy to navigate. The accompanying photographs also compliment the pages rather than act as a distraction. All in all, I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to strike out on their own.

Buy now: The Art of Solo Travel: A Girls’ Guide
Purchase price: $12.95 USD

Editor’s notes: This article contains affiliate links. The e-book was also received compliments of the author and Indie Travel Podcast for review. Audio Interview with Stephanie Lee.

© Gretchen for TravelBlogs, 2010. |
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