The comic strip and science commentary Calamities of Nature posted an interesting timeline regarding various astronomical missions. (This was in reaction to the latest Congressional Appropriations bill, which would cut all funding for the James Webb Orbital Telescope.). Due to the lack of science funding and large-scale projects in the pipeline, ( Read more... )

On May 31, 1982, President Ronald Reagan delivered his Memorial Day speech at Arlington Cemetary...

I have no illusions about what little I can add now to the silent testimony of those who gave their lives willingly for their country.  Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the sight before us is that of a strong and good nation that ( Read more... )

March of Dimes Opens Nominations for "Heroines in Technology" Awards ( Read more... )

http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/04/scotus-gps-monitoring/

The Obama administration is urging the Supreme Court to allow the government, without a court warrant, to affix GPS devices on suspects’ vehicles to track their every move...

(From vvalkyri)

On this day in history... the USNA made history by performing to Standard Operating Procedure. Well done, all.

From the Chicago Sun Times...

( I'll spoil the surprise for people who are link-less )

It's an essay, not a factual piece. I think it's interesting food for thought.

"Why Republicans and Tories no longer see eye-to-eye" By Michael Goldfarb

( the essay )

I found out when I got back from lunch that today was Wear Purple for Spirit Day, specifically in support of GBLT teenagers and in protest of recent bullying-based suicides. (http://www.glaad.org/spiritdayRead more... )

Vvalkyri posted this link, and it deserves a repost ( Read more... )

Note the highlighted section below on the Protection of Inventoried Roadless Areas. Basically, the continued illegal use of trails as roads / tresspassing on wilderness areas did not turn them into roads, as many ATV and snowmobile users had hoped. HAH! ( Tahoe National Forest roads report: )

Angela Merkel, the leader of Europe's richest country, still hoards food. That's how much power Cold War-era habits still hold over Germans like Merkel who grew up in the communist east, a full two decades after reunification ( Read more... )