Archive for November, 2006

Scary Scene

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
I was met with a scary scene when I went to pick up my daughter from school yesterday. Fire trucks were blocking the roads, ambulances with stretchers lying next to them, police cars scattered about with lights flashing and all the students standing around outside. Naturally, all sorts of scary scenarios start to race through one's head and won't stop until you see your child safe and

WordPress image placement

Thursday, November 30th, 2006

Evolvor has a short video clip on how to upload and place an image in WordPress. A nicely done and informative clip.

The following video is a short tutorial I found on You Tube about how to insert an image using Wordpress, for those of you who are just joining the WordPress army. - How to Insert an Image Using Wordpress | Evolvor

Autumn sunset

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
113006sunset.jpg Sunset along the Blue Ridge Parkway as November 2006 fades into history.

Greenhouse Gaes May Impact Low Earth Orbit Satelli…

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Greenhouse gases are cooling the upper atmosphere and may result in change of the low Earth orbital (LEO) satellites, according to a recent study by Jan Lastovicka, of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague.

The peer-reviewed published commentary also noted the GHGs may degrade GPS signals via changes in the ionosphere, where satellites orbit, can affect how radio waves travel, and thereby make Global Positioning Satellite systems less effective.

"At altitudes between 200 and 800 kilometers, atmospheric drag causes measurable decay of the orbits of satellites and space debris. The upper atmosphere is generally cooling and contracting," the scientist wrote.

The "dominant driver" of the trend is buildup of greenhouse gases, Lastovicka said; thus, human-generated gases "influence the atmosphere at nearly all altitudes between ground and space, affecting not only life on the surface but also the space-based technological systems on which we increasingly rely."

"If the atmosphere contracts, there will be less atmosphere up there to get rid of all the junk," said study co-author John Emmert of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research in Washington, D.C.

Greenhouse Gaes May Impact Low Earth Orbit Satelli…

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Greenhouse gases are cooling the upper atmosphere and may result in change of the low Earth orbital (LEO) satellites, according to a recent study by Jan Lastovicka, of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague.

The peer-reviewed published commentary also noted the GHGs may degrade GPS signals via changes in the ionosphere, where satellites orbit, can affect how radio waves travel, and thereby make Global Positioning Satellite systems less effective.

"At altitudes between 200 and 800 kilometers, atmospheric drag causes measurable decay of the orbits of satellites and space debris. The upper atmosphere is generally cooling and contracting," the scientist wrote.

The "dominant driver" of the trend is buildup of greenhouse gases, Lastovicka said; thus, human-generated gases "influence the atmosphere at nearly all altitudes between ground and space, affecting not only life on the surface but also the space-based technological systems on which we increasingly rely."

"If the atmosphere contracts, there will be less atmosphere up there to get rid of all the junk," said study co-author John Emmert of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research in Washington, D.C.

Greenhouse Gaes May Impact Low Earth Orbit Satelli…

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Greenhouse gases are cooling the upper atmosphere and may result in change of the low Earth orbital (LEO) satellites, according to a recent study by Jan Lastovicka, of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Prague.

The peer-reviewed published commentary also noted the GHGs may degrade GPS signals via changes in the ionosphere, where satellites orbit, can affect how radio waves travel, and thereby make Global Positioning Satellite systems less effective.

"At altitudes between 200 and 800 kilometers, atmospheric drag causes measurable decay of the orbits of satellites and space debris. The upper atmosphere is generally cooling and contracting," the scientist wrote.

The "dominant driver" of the trend is buildup of greenhouse gases, Lastovicka said; thus, human-generated gases "influence the atmosphere at nearly all altitudes between ground and space, affecting not only life on the surface but also the space-based technological systems on which we increasingly rely."

"If the atmosphere contracts, there will be less atmosphere up there to get rid of all the junk," said study co-author John Emmert of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's E. O. Hulburt Center for Space Research in Washington, D.C.

Hey Jim, The Campaign Is Over

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Jim Webb apparently thinks he's still out campaigning. By now I'm sure you've heard of his petulant little stance against George Bush, if not you can find an excellent summary of it here by George Will. What I find most odd about this kerfuffle is the fact that Webb's staff seems to have been pushing the story. Now that would make some sense if he were still campaigning, but he's now a Senator.

Hey Jim, The Campaign Is Over

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Jim Webb apparently thinks he's still out campaigning. By now I'm sure you've heard of his petulant little stance against George Bush, if not you can find an excellent summary of it here by George Will. What I find most odd about this kerfuffle is the fact that Webb's staff seems to have been pushing the story. Now that would make some sense if he were still campaigning, but he's now a Senator.

When Power Corrupts

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Megalomania:
Noun: megalomania
1. A psychological state characterized by delusions of grandeur

You focused so much on macaca and related idiocy, and you went into the voting booth with only one impetus - a need to vote against the incumbent, that you never took the time to get to know who the alternative - the man you've now elected - actually is. His character, or lack thereof, is now being revealed:

Already Too Busy for Civility
By George F. Will, The Washington Post

That was certainly swift. Washington has a way of quickly acculturating people, especially those who are most susceptible to derangement by the derivative dignity of office. But Jim Webb, Democratic senator-elect from Virginia, has become a pompous poseur and an abuser of the English language before actually becoming a senator.

Wednesday's Post reported that at a White House reception for newly elected members of Congress, Webb "tried to avoid President Bush," refusing to pass through the reception line or have his picture taken with the president.

Webb certainly has conveyed what he is: a boor. Never mind the patent disrespect for the presidency. Webb's more gross offense was calculated rudeness toward another human being -- one who, disregarding many hard things Webb had said about him during the campaign, asked a civil and caring question, as one parent to another. When -- if ever -- Webb grows weary of admiring his new grandeur as a "leader" who carefully calibrates the "symbolic things" he does to convey messages, he might consider this: In a republic, people decline to be led by leaders who are insufferably full of themselves. (link) [my emphasis]

You're asking yourself about now: What have I done?

You're a day late, pal. You voted for him. You live with him.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

When Power Corrupts

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Megalomania:
Noun: megalomania
1. A psychological state characterized by delusions of grandeur

You focused so much on macaca and related idiocy, and you went into the voting booth with only one impetus - a need to vote against the incumbent, that you never took the time to get to know who the alternative - the man you've now elected - actually is. His character, or lack thereof, is now being revealed:

Already Too Busy for Civility
By George F. Will, The Washington Post

That was certainly swift. Washington has a way of quickly acculturating people, especially those who are most susceptible to derangement by the derivative dignity of office. But Jim Webb, Democratic senator-elect from Virginia, has become a pompous poseur and an abuser of the English language before actually becoming a senator.

Wednesday's Post reported that at a White House reception for newly elected members of Congress, Webb "tried to avoid President Bush," refusing to pass through the reception line or have his picture taken with the president.

Webb certainly has conveyed what he is: a boor. Never mind the patent disrespect for the presidency. Webb's more gross offense was calculated rudeness toward another human being -- one who, disregarding many hard things Webb had said about him during the campaign, asked a civil and caring question, as one parent to another. When -- if ever -- Webb grows weary of admiring his new grandeur as a "leader" who carefully calibrates the "symbolic things" he does to convey messages, he might consider this: In a republic, people decline to be led by leaders who are insufferably full of themselves. (link) [my emphasis]

You're asking yourself about now: What have I done?

You're a day late, pal. You voted for him. You live with him.

Photo courtesy of the Associated Press

You’re On Your Own Now

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
The foreign affairs secret nobody wants to talk about involves our abandoning Taiwan to its fate should the Chinese decide to invade. Despite the many resolutions over the years that declare our undying support for the small island nation - the last holdout of Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang - there's no way in heaven we'll go to war with China over it. The Taiwanese are doomed. And they probably know it.



But I never thought we would get to this point:

Iran's nuclear ambitions seen similar to Holocaust

By Abraham Rabinovich, The Washington Times




Jerusalem -- Iran's reported drive to make an atomic bomb has become an existential threat to Israel that some Israelis are likening to the Holocaust -- especially with the United States appearing to back away from confrontation with Tehran.



The alarmists include Aharon Appelfeld, a leading Israeli author who as a child survived the Nazi killing of 6 million Jews.



"For the first time since I'm in the country, I feel that we face a real existential danger," Mr. Appelfeld said. ( link )
There are a lot of people out there who think there is no relationship between what happens in the streets of Baghdad and the streets of Tel Aviv. They're soon to get an eye-opening lesson.



As for the Israeli people: Sorry. You're on your own now. May God have mercy.

You’re On Your Own Now

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
The foreign affairs secret nobody wants to talk about involves our abandoning Taiwan to its fate should the Chinese decide to invade. Despite the many resolutions over the years that declare our undying support for the small island nation - the last holdout of Sun Yat-sen's Kuomintang - there's no way in heaven we'll go to war with China over it. The Taiwanese are doomed. And they probably know it.



But I never thought we would get to this point:

Iran's nuclear ambitions seen similar to Holocaust

By Abraham Rabinovich, The Washington Times




Jerusalem -- Iran's reported drive to make an atomic bomb has become an existential threat to Israel that some Israelis are likening to the Holocaust -- especially with the United States appearing to back away from confrontation with Tehran.



The alarmists include Aharon Appelfeld, a leading Israeli author who as a child survived the Nazi killing of 6 million Jews.



"For the first time since I'm in the country, I feel that we face a real existential danger," Mr. Appelfeld said. ( link )
There are a lot of people out there who think there is no relationship between what happens in the streets of Baghdad and the streets of Tel Aviv. They're soon to get an eye-opening lesson.



As for the Israeli people: Sorry. You're on your own now. May God have mercy.

This Is Incredible

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Henry Ford must be rolling over in his grave:

Ford's buyouts cut staff by half

By Sean Lengell, The Washington Times




The Ford Motor Co. has succeeded in trimming its hourly work force by almost half, as 38,000 of its U.S. employees have accepted buyout packages to leave the company or take early retirement.



Ford said yesterday the number includes about 30,000 buyouts during the open enrollment period that concluded Monday, plus an additional 8,000 employees who took deals offered at several plants earlier this year.



The buyouts will reduce Ford's unionized work force, which totaled 83,000 at the start of the year, by almost 46 percent. ( link )
There's a lesson for all businessmen and women to be learned here: At that moment when you think you're on top of the world ... kick it into high gear or watch your world come crashing down on top of you.

This Is Incredible

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
Henry Ford must be rolling over in his grave:

Ford's buyouts cut staff by half

By Sean Lengell, The Washington Times




The Ford Motor Co. has succeeded in trimming its hourly work force by almost half, as 38,000 of its U.S. employees have accepted buyout packages to leave the company or take early retirement.



Ford said yesterday the number includes about 30,000 buyouts during the open enrollment period that concluded Monday, plus an additional 8,000 employees who took deals offered at several plants earlier this year.



The buyouts will reduce Ford's unionized work force, which totaled 83,000 at the start of the year, by almost 46 percent. ( link )
There's a lesson for all businessmen and women to be learned here: At that moment when you think you're on top of the world ... kick it into high gear or watch your world come crashing down on top of you.

Well, It Fits

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
I read this Associated Press headline and immediately thought: What has Senator-elect Jim Webb done now?

THIS BUSH-HATER IS REALLY NUTS
It turns out though that the story is about a different nut:

November 30, 2006 -- East St. Louis, Ill. - A mental patient has pleaded guilty to threatening to castrate President Bush.



Arafat Nijmeh, 27, a Palestinian and a U.S. citizen, was sentenced Tuesday to seven months in prison, then released after being credited with time served.



Nijmeh told health workers March 18 he wanted to castrate Bush. He told Secret Service agents his threat was "not too harsh, considering what he has done to my country." (
link )
Guilty of threatening to castrate the president. At least Webb only threatened to punch him. There is a distinction here ...

Well, It Fits

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
I read this Associated Press headline and immediately thought: What has Senator-elect Jim Webb done now?

THIS BUSH-HATER IS REALLY NUTS
It turns out though that the story is about a different nut:

November 30, 2006 -- East St. Louis, Ill. - A mental patient has pleaded guilty to threatening to castrate President Bush.



Arafat Nijmeh, 27, a Palestinian and a U.S. citizen, was sentenced Tuesday to seven months in prison, then released after being credited with time served.



Nijmeh told health workers March 18 he wanted to castrate Bush. He told Secret Service agents his threat was "not too harsh, considering what he has done to my country." (
link )
Guilty of threatening to castrate the president. At least Webb only threatened to punch him. There is a distinction here ...

Thanks For The Memories …

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
I had almost forgotten about those heady days when Bill Clinton was leading our nation to greatness:

Drunken DeVito's 'Numb' & Dumb Act

By Michael Starr, The New York Post




November 30, 2006 -- An admittedly sloshed Danny DeVito staggered onto "The View" yesterday - cracking jokes about having sex with his wife in the White House and getting bleeped on the live show after calling President Bush "numb nuts." ( link )
Just to refresh your memory, DeVito is a Clinton devotee. It wasn't made clear where exactly in the White House he was having sex or if either Clinton was involved but it doesn't take a Ben Tribbett to imagine what went on ...



To think, we are on a glidepath to having this bunch fornicating in every room in The Peoples' House come 2008 . I can't wait.

Thanks For The Memories …

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
I had almost forgotten about those heady days when Bill Clinton was leading our nation to greatness:

Drunken DeVito's 'Numb' & Dumb Act

By Michael Starr, The New York Post




November 30, 2006 -- An admittedly sloshed Danny DeVito staggered onto "The View" yesterday - cracking jokes about having sex with his wife in the White House and getting bleeped on the live show after calling President Bush "numb nuts." ( link )
Just to refresh your memory, DeVito is a Clinton devotee. It wasn't made clear where exactly in the White House he was having sex or if either Clinton was involved but it doesn't take a Ben Tribbett to imagine what went on ...



To think, we are on a glidepath to having this bunch fornicating in every room in The Peoples' House come 2008 . I can't wait.

That’s The Best You Could Come Up With?

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
I tossed my morning coffee when I read Ben Tribbett's silly explanation (he "got a tip") for Jim Webb's deplorably impolitic behavior during a White House ceremony the other day . He claims in part:

As President Bush is well aware, a couple of weeks before this dinner the tank riding next to Jimmy's in Iraq was under fire and three marines died.



My sources are telling me (sic) that the way President Bush approached Webb with his tone, it appeared he was asking the question of how Jimmy was doing in a mocking manner ...
Ben. Ben. Ben. You had a whole day to dream up an explanation and this is the best you could do? Call me next time, man. I could help you. I think the angle should have had to do with ...

... a sudden 'Nam flashback; a post traumatic stress relapse that suddenly flung Webb back into the jungles of the Mekong Delta; a night mission gone terribly, terribly wrong; chinks to the right of him, slopes to the left of him; rocket propelled grenades landing close by, too close; comrades going down; low on ammunition; his arm bleeding profusely; no way out; Mother, dear Mother ...
A more readable excuse, yes? Call me.

That’s The Best You Could Come Up With?

Thursday, November 30th, 2006
I tossed my morning coffee when I read Ben Tribbett's silly explanation (he "got a tip") for Jim Webb's deplorably impolitic behavior during a White House ceremony the other day . He claims in part:

As President Bush is well aware, a couple of weeks before this dinner the tank riding next to Jimmy's in Iraq was under fire and three marines died.



My sources are telling me (sic) that the way President Bush approached Webb with his tone, it appeared he was asking the question of how Jimmy was doing in a mocking manner ...
Ben. Ben. Ben. You had a whole day to dream up an explanation and this is the best you could do? Call me next time, man. I could help you. I think the angle should have had to do with ...

... a sudden 'Nam flashback; a post traumatic stress relapse that suddenly flung Webb back into the jungles of the Mekong Delta; a night mission gone terribly, terribly wrong; chinks to the right of him, slopes to the left of him; rocket propelled grenades landing close by, too close; comrades going down; low on ammunition; his arm bleeding profusely; no way out; Mother, dear Mother ...
A more readable excuse, yes? Call me.