The situation in Japan is serious. But, as of 1.30 3.00 9.30 pm PDT, there has been no "nuclear explosion" even though you may have seen headlines or tweets to that effect. Officials assume, but have not confirmed, a "partial meltdown" which does not appear to be either a "China Syndrome" (thank you, Hollywood) or a "Chernobyl" (thank you, media). Four nuclear power plants … [Read more...] about Getting Past The Headlines: What’s Happening In Japan’s Nuclear Power Plants?
Between Two Nuclear Nightmares
What a difference 66 years makes! In 1945, the Japanese homeland was devastated, not by Nature, by my country dropping atomic bombs to save lives of soldiers like me in what surely would have been a bloody invasion. Now, an earthquake and tsunami have set off scrambling in that unwarlike nation to avert another nuclear catastrophe, and reports show the 8.9 magnitude seizure … [Read more...] about Between Two Nuclear Nightmares
Pentagon ‘Boondoggles’?
The New York Times today has an “Op-Chart” purporting to depict “The Pentagon’s biggest boondoggles.” According to the Times, the list of “boondoggles” is “just a sampling of what systems could be ended without endangering America; indeed, abandoning some of them might actually enhance national security.” Some of the alleged “boondoggles” whose abandonment, according to … [Read more...] about Pentagon ‘Boondoggles’?
Japan Earthquake Shifted Earth’s Axis and Moved Japan’s Coast 8 Feet
The massive 8.9 earthquake that slammed into Japan with a one-two-punch of a mega-powerful tsumani was so potent that it moved Japan's coastline 8 feet -- and shifted the earth's axis. See the before/after NASA photos above. CNN reports: The powerful earthquake that unleashed a devastating tsunami Friday appears to have moved the main island of Japan by 8 feet (2.4 meters) and … [Read more...] about Japan Earthquake Shifted Earth’s Axis and Moved Japan’s Coast 8 Feet
Walker Union Buster
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Walker Union Buster
Japan Toll May Reach10,000 “Worst Crisis Since World War II”
The death toll from the earthquake/tsunmani that belted Japan could exceed 10,000 making it the country's worst crisis since World War II: The death toll from Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami on Friday is expected to exceed 10,000, Japanese news services announced Sunday. There are already 1,300 confirmed dead and 10,000 people are missing in just one … [Read more...] about Japan Toll May Reach10,000 “Worst Crisis Since World War II”
“I Have Come To The Paradoxical Conclusion That Technology Must Be Protected From Man”
As a scientific rationalist I get irritated when people argue without understanding all the facts, but as a student of history I get more irritated when people with the facts argue without understanding their limits. One of the things that engineers tend to do incorrectly is assess risk factors largely independent of each other: if X happens then part 1 will address it and if Y … [Read more...] about “I Have Come To The Paradoxical Conclusion That Technology Must Be Protected From Man”
Reminders From Japan
While the disaster in Japan impacted the Pacific Coast of the US, here in Oregon a few million dollars damage at Depot Bay and Brookings, it was mostly a reminder that a subduction zone like the one responsible for earthquake and tsunami in Japan can be found 75 miles of the Oregon Coast. An earthquake of similar magnitude occurred along that zone on January 26th, 1700. We … [Read more...] about Reminders From Japan
Explainer: Nuclear Power, Meltdowns and Why Japan Is Not Chernobyl
Updated In the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami, Japan has reported having problems with nuclear reactors at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, located about 150 miles north of Tokyo. This explainer provides an overview of nuclear power generation, summarizes what has happened (effective Saturday March 12, 5 pm PST), and rebuts an Internet meme that Japan is on … [Read more...] about Explainer: Nuclear Power, Meltdowns and Why Japan Is Not Chernobyl
“English-Only” in Texas?
Texas State Representative Leo Berman, R-Tyler, has sponsored a bill “relating to the establishment of English as the official language of Texas" and the requirement that official acts of government be performed in English. The proposed legislation cites several reasons why such a bill is necessary, including: * the people of the United States have brought to this … [Read more...] about “English-Only” in Texas?
Read My Lips: We Need To Raise Some Taxes
It doesn't bother me that Republicans in Washington and around the country seek to meet the challenges of badly strained government budgets only with spending cuts while taking tax increases off the table. That's the Republican philosophy of government after all. What astounds me is that Democrats are letting them get away with this in so many places. Democrats seem totally … [Read more...] about Read My Lips: We Need To Raise Some Taxes
Making Women Slaves to their Dying Fetus
WASHINGTON -- There really is no way to soften the blow on this story. It's playing out across the country under the guidance of the Republican Right. I won't write "religious Right," because there is nothing remotely "Christian," spiritual or righteous about the war they're waging against women. Think Progress has the harrowing video of a couple who were forced to do … [Read more...] about Making Women Slaves to their Dying Fetus
Capitalism Really Is Heartless
One country's human devastation is another country's economic boon. And Larry Kudlow isn't reluctant to say so (emphasis in the quote within the quote is Booman's; emphasis in Booman's ending commentary is mine): … [Read more...] about Capitalism Really Is Heartless
Michele Bachmann and U.S. History
Losing! Duh! … [Read more...] about Michele Bachmann and U.S. History
MICHELLE MALKIN APPEALS FOR HELP: Search On in Seattle Area for Marizela Perez; Help Needed
This is Michelle Malkin writing on her website; I am going to quote it in full: … [Read more...] about MICHELLE MALKIN APPEALS FOR HELP: Search On in Seattle Area for Marizela Perez; Help Needed
Shaking Our Confidence? Not Likely
The illusion of human control yields another metaphor as President Obama enters a press conference after learning about the disaster in Japan. "Today's events remind us of just how fragile life can be," he tells journalists before taking questions about budget battles and Libya, all framed in the certainty that there must be answers to everything. A day later, a faraway … [Read more...] about Shaking Our Confidence? Not Likely
Madness in Mad Town (Guest Voice)
Madness in Mad Town Raging Moderate, by Will Durst Best be vigilant for an inadvertent head butt as the eyes of the world recoil from that crazed leader, besieged in his own capital, defying reality while obstinately holding onto a tenuous power and attacking his citizenry through a conflicted security force. Of course, I’m talking about Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker. Think a … [Read more...] about Madness in Mad Town (Guest Voice)
Japan Quake
This copyrighted cartoon is licensed to run on TMV. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited. All rights reserved. … [Read more...] about Japan Quake
Is Sarah Palin the GOP’s Nancy Pelosi?
Has former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin become the GOP's Nancy Pelosi -- a political figure popular with partisans but scorned and reviled by many of those on the other side? Aaron Blake and Chris Cillizza think so: Sarah Palin's unfavorable rating has spiked to a new high, adding further fuel to the argument that her presidential campaign may be doomed before it begins. A … [Read more...] about Is Sarah Palin the GOP’s Nancy Pelosi?
West Bank Terror Attack Kills 5 (Including 3 Children)
Jerusalem Post - Terror attack in Itamar: 5 family members murdered 03/12/2011 02:51 Police suspect armed terrorist entered house in West Bank and stabbed couple along with 3 children; 2 other children escape unharmed. Five family members were found murdered in their residence in the West Bank Itamar settlement Friday overnight, after a suspected terrorist broke and … [Read more...] about West Bank Terror Attack Kills 5 (Including 3 Children)