Aluminized Steel vs Stainless

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I am in the Northeast U.S., currently looking for a new furnace. I have noticed that some of the furnaces I've looked at use an aluminized steel for the heat exchanger. Is this as good or better material than stainless? My concern is that the aluminized coating probably does not extend to mate

Climate Denial Crock of the Week | Bad Astronomy

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I rather like this idea: the Climate Denial Crock of the Week, a video series debunking ridiculous (natch) claims by someone spinning the truth when it comes to climate change.

I don’t agree with everything therein; you can’t judge a site by its ads, for one thing. But he does a good dismantling of the claim that Phil Jones — a climatologist at the University of East Anglia, and a man who was at the center of the bogus "climategate" nonsense — says there’s been no warming since 1995. That claim is nothing less than an outright lie, a cherry-picked quotation taken out of context and basically the opposite of what Jones actually said.

This video is just one of many, and I’ll have to go through them all as I have time. Every time I post something on climate change, the noise machine swings into full mania, with comments that show beyond a doubt that a lot of people have no clue what they’re talking about, but still feel that scientists who have devoted their entire lives and careers to climatology are idiots. That is, sadly, the state of the "debate" today.


Back Charging The Switchyard

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Can anyone explain me the procedures for Back Charging the Switchyard in the power plant?

I want the procedure format for back charging of switchyard (it is 400kV switchyard with two line feeder), 600MW power plant.

More Money For Laid Off KSC Workers

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Labor Secretary Plans "Major" Announcement On Shuttle Workforce, Florida Today

"Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis plans a "major announcement" related to helping the shuttle workforce during a Wednesday morning visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. According to a Department of Labor press release, Solis will "make a major announcement to assist NASA workers who will be dislocated as a result of the impending retirement of the Space Shuttle Program."

Kosmas, Secretary of Labor Announce $15 Million Grant to Assist Space Coast Workers

"Today, Congresswoman Suzanne Kosmas (FL-24) joined Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis in announcing a $15 million grant to assist workers on the Space Coast. The grant was awarded to The Brevard Workforce Development Board to aid thousands of workers who will be impacted by the impending retirement of NASA's Space Shuttle Program."

Posey's Statement on Labor Secretary's Announcement of Grant for Space Workers

"None of this would have been necessary if the President had kept his August 2008 promise to the people of the Space Coast - that he would close the gap between Shuttle and Constellation and keep America first in space."

Jeremy Swartz, Ohio Libertarian for Congress drops out, offers to back Tea Party Republican Rich Iott

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The Joe the Plumber District - Marcy Kaptur incumbent Democrat

Toledo, Ohio is home to Joe the Plumber, and also home to the quixotic and radical ultra-liberal Democrat Rep. Marcy Kaptur. Already a highly endangered incumbent, the race for her seat just got more interesting. Kaptur was a "yea" vote on ObamaCare, which has infuriated local Toledoens.

Jeremy Swartz was promising an agressive campaign for the US Congress on the Libertarian ticket. The Libertarian Party of Ohio is one of the best organzied and most active affiliates in the Nation.

Now, due to family concerns Swartz has had to drop out. In his press release announcing his withdrawal, he vowed to support the candidacy of his Republican opponent Rich Iott over the Democrat incumbent.

If no LP replacement, he'll back the Republican over Kaptur

From SwartforOhio.com:

A vast majority of the politicians in Washington DC (our current Congresswoman included) are no longer serving the best interests of the people, yet time and time again we continue to re-elect them and then do little and/or rarely complain the entire time they are there and when election time rolls around, again we send them back.

After careful consideration and deliberation, I met with my family and with deep regret have come to the decision to withdraw my candidacy as the Libertarian Nominee for the 9th District Congressional race effective immediately, due to a personal family emergency which recently arose and will require a substantial amount of my time.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Election Laws, the Libertarian Party of Ohio is legally allowed to name a successor to run in my place. If they (the Libertarian Party of Ohio) so choose, I recommend Joseph Jaffe (L) to run in my place for the 9th District Congressional seat. If a Libertarian successor should not be named, I will cast my vote to end tyranny in the United States by voting for Rich Iott (R) on November 2,, 2010.

Interestingly, Iott initially ran as a "Tea Party" Independent. But was then convinced by local Republican leaders to run on the GOP ticket.

From Iott's campaign website:

I believe that less government is good government and that the Constitution clearly defines the limited role of the federal government.
I believe in States’ Rights and that most laws and regulations should be made at the levels closest to the people which they affect.

I believe the primary mission of our government at the national level is to protect our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness and that a strong national defense is key to that mission.

I am a fiscal conservative and I believe in personal responsibility.

Joe the Plumber once considered running for this seat. Wurzelbacher backed Iott's primary opponent, a local police chief.

Ironically, Swartz also faced an opponent in an unusual Libertarian Party primary.

Last Shuttle SRBs Arrive at KSC

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Last Shuttle Booster Segments Arrive at KSC, Ken Kremer

"In another sign that NASA's space shuttle program is winding down to retirement, the very last segments for the shuttles mighty Solid Rocket Boosters arrived by train in Florida on Thursday, May 27. Six railroad cars loaded with the last booster segments traveleled across the country, starting from their production facility at the ATK solid rocket booster plant in Promontory, Utah. An ATK spokesman told me that "over 1500 workers have already been laid off" as the booster production lines have been progressively curtailed and shut down."

Michael Steele congratulates Susana Martinez on historic GOP Primary Win

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"Para una nueva generación de Nuevo México. Juntos, podemos hacer de Nuevo México fuerte, próspero y libre de corrupción" -- Susana Martinez

From Eric Dondero:

It wasn't the Democrat Party that gave its very first nomination for Governor to an Hispanic female.

Doña Ana County Prosecutor Susan Martinez easily beat back 4 Republican primary foes to win the nomination last night. She won with a plurality of 51%. He closest opponent ended with 31%.

Martinez was heavily backed by Sarah Palin. She came to New Mexico to campaign for her in the final two weeks. She had been behind in 4th place before the Palin endorsement.

Her election marks an historic first. Never in the history of the United States, has a female Hispanic won a major party nomination for Governor.

From our friends at HipHopRepublican:

“Congratulations to all the New Mexican Republican candidates who won their primaries, and especially to Susana Martinez, who today becomes the first Hispanic woman nominated for Governor by either of the major parties in the United States. Republicans everywhere can be proud of Martinez’s landmark achievement and the major national significance of her nomination by the Republican Party to be the next Governor of New Mexico.” -- Michael Steele, Chairman, Republican National Committee

Tough as nails on Border Security

Martinez is a Jan Brewer type Republican on border security. She made it the top issue of her campaign website:

With violence in Mexico reaching unprecedented levels, we must do everything within our power to protect against that crime and violence crossing over the border.

While other candidates talk about border security, Susana Martinez is the only one with actual experience taking on the issue. Martinez’s office prosecutes over 600 cases related to border security every year and works with various law enforcement agencies to secure convictions against members of Mexico’s most violent drug cartels. Martinez understands first-hand the threat these criminals pose to our state and will make securing the border a top priority.

The first place Martinez will start is by seeking to repeal the law that allows illegal immigrants to obtain driver’s licenses.

Similarly, Martinez opposes providing illegal immigrants with free tuition through taxpayer-funded lottery scholarships.

Martinez now goes on to face Democrat Diana Desch in the general. Recent polls showed the race tight, but with Martinez ahead by 5 to 6 points.

New Mexico oilman defeats AntiWar protester in GOP primary

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From Eric Dondero:

Tom Mullins soundly defeated liberal Republican Adam Kokesh for the Republican nomination for Congress (Farmington, northern NM). The results; 72% to 28%. The race received national media attention from the leftwing blogosphere for Kokesh's radical Anti-War views.

Mullins is an engineer from Farmington. He describes himself as a "Ronald Reagan Republican." He is also a fan of Sarah Palin and a local organizer for the New Mexico Tea Party.

Mullins accused Kokesh, who ran an agressive campaign, of being nothing more than an "internet celebrity." He shot back at Kokesh:

"We are not the world’s policeman. We have a volunteer military. Our military men and women deserve support from our elected officials and all members of the American public."

From the Cassy Fiano blog:

He’s running as a Republican in the primary, which is interesting considering his many affiliations with Marxist and liberal organizations, like CODEPINK, A.N.S.W.E.R., and of course, the Iraq Veterans Against the War. He’s a liar and a phony who has been arrested multiple times and encouraged soldiers in Germany to go AWOL.

Kokesh was a Marine but was kicked out with a General Discharge (a disgrace for military personnel).

Mullins for his part got in some hot water a couple months back with the liberal media for defending gun rights and appearing to defend militias.

From the New Mexico Independent:

“Janet Napolitano and the Federal Government are after the militia now. Don’t fall for the media spin accusing Americans with guns as the problem. When you disarm the American people that will be tyranny. We are all citizen soldiers and we will protect our nation when our government fails us.”

He added:

“Owning a gun is not a crime. Training with guns in the woods is not a crime.”

Mullins now goes on to face incumbent Democrat Rep. Ben Lujan, who is considered very vulnerable in the district which stretches across conservative northern New Mexico.

Adam Kokesh far left in photo at antiwar rally.

Calculating the Allowable Loads

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Dear All

I am in the process of stress analysis of fourth stage suction piping. I want to compare the loads, as the results of piping stress analysis, to the allowable loads of the nozzle.

How can I calculate the allowable loads on interstage nozzle?

Please Advise.

How Can I Etch New Concrete Flatwork?

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I have 400 ft^2 of new, 6-sack, concrete sidewalk I need etched, or sandblasted. I want to make an attempt to make this new stuff match the existing sidewalk. The existing concrete has a sandy surface texture for wet traction; the owner said it was given an "acid wash" as a final step when it was