Posts filed under ‘Technology’
On Strike
Write Congress Now!
NOT IN THE US? PETITION THE STATE DEPARTMENT HERE
Reddit Founder Alexis Ohanian on CNBC: “Why is it that when Republicans and Democrats need to solve the budget and the deficit, there’s deadlock, but when Hollywood lobbyists pay them $94 million dollars to write legislation, people from both sides of the aisle line up to co-sponsor it?”
Grover Norquist (R) Hopes to Crush the Renewable Energy Movement
Here’s a heads up regarding Grover Norquist’s new project. (Was I asleep when he was elected president of everything?)
Rethink Renewable Energy Mandates
Sorry for the lack of a snipet. I’ve had it up to here with dictators today.
Read his craziness at the link above. He thinks building wind turbines and installing solar energy panels on homes across the country will kill jobs.
Ugh. There are no words…
Keystone XL Pipeline Lobbyists Buy Congress
This is our Tweet of the Day and yes, it’s gross alright:
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
One can only imaging how long it will take for the use of drones to expand beyond the original, as-advertised intention (spotting “runaway criminals”):
The Qube fits in the trunk of a car and is controlled remotely by a tablet computer. (Gary Friedman, Los Angeles Times / October 20, 2011)
Idea of Civilians Using Drone Aircraft May Soon Fly with FAA
The Federal Aviation Administration plans to propose new rules for the use of small drones in January, a first step toward clearing the way for police departments, farmers and others to employ the technology.
Drone aircraft, best known for their role in hunting and destroying terrorist hide-outs in Afghanistan, may soon be coming to the skies near you.
Police agencies want drones for air support to spot runaway criminals. Utility companies believe they can help monitor oil, gas and water pipelines. Farmers think drones could aid in spraying their crops with pesticides.
“It’s going to happen,” said Dan Elwell, vice president of civil aviation at the Aerospace Industries Assn. “Now it’s about figuring out how to safely assimilate the technology into national airspace.”
That’s the job of the Federal Aviation Administration, which plans to propose new rules for the use of small drones in January, a first step toward integrating robotic aircraft into the nation’s skyways.
Imagine a drone looking in as it hovers outside your kitchen window. Would the police need a warrant for that? And man oh man, is the FAA in the pocket of the Aerospace Industries Association or what? Imagine the money (our tax dollars) to be made here.
Solar Energy Company Obama Touted Last Year Closes its Doors
This is just sad. Hope and change = smoke and mirrors:
Paul Chinn/Getty Images
Solyndra, a renewable energy firm that became the darling of the Obama Administration, shut the doors to its California headquarters today, raising fresh questions from the administration’s critics about political favoritism in the federal loan program.
The manufacturer of rooftop solar panels opened in 2005 and in 2009 became the Obama administration’s first recipient of an energy loan guarantee — a $535 million federal commitment that helped minimize the risk to venture capital firms that were backing the solar start-up. Obama made a personal visit to the factory last year to herald its bright future.
ABC News and the Center for Public Integrity’s iWatch News first reported on questions about the choice of Solyndra for the loan in May after the Department of Energy disclosed it was being forced to restructure its loan package for the company, which was showing early signs of financial distress. One of Solyndra’s major investors was George Kaiser, an Oklahoma billionaire who raised between $50,000 and $100,000 for Obama during the 2008 election.
Next to Evolution, Teaching Climate Change is the Thing That Upsets Parents the Most
This is just sad and it bodes so poorly for our country that science teachers are being made to tell their students that the existence of climate change is “controversial.”
I tell you, the money the energy companies have spent propagandizing about the alleged doubts about climate change has really paid off (for them, not for us):
An informal survey this spring of 800 members of the National Earth Science Teachers Association (NESTA) found that climate change was second only to evolution in triggering protests from parents and school administrators. Online message boards for science teachers tell similar tales. Unlike biology teachers defending the teaching of evolution, however, earth science teachers don’t have the protection of the First Amendment’s language about religion. But the teachers feel their arguments are equally compelling: Science courses should reflect the best scientific knowledge of the day, and offering opposing views amounts to teaching poor science. Most science teachers don’t relish having to engage this latest threat to their profession and resent devoting precious classroom time to a discussion of an alleged “controversy.” And they believe that politics has no place in a science classroom. Even so, some are being dragged against their will into a conflict they fear could turn ugly.
Geezus. Sometimes I feel like the United States has reverted back to the Dark Ages.
(Image via.)
Pentagon Files Hacked in Major Breach
Geez. This is not good:
The Defense Department lost 24,000 files to “foreign intruders” in the spring in what appears to be one of the most damaging cyberattacks to date on the U.S. military, a top Pentagon official acknowledged Thursday.
Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III, who disclosed the March breach during a speech to roll out the Pentagon’s new cyber strategy, said the files were taken from a defense contractor. He did not say who was believed to be behind the attack or describe the nature of the files that were stolen.
But Lynn said that, over the past few years, all manner of data has been stolen, some of it mundane, some of it concerning “our most sensitive systems, including aircraft avionics, surveillance technologies, satellite communications systems, and network security protocols.”
Given the gazillions we spend on defense, if the Pentagon can’t protect its stuff, who can?
German Farmers Making Millions on Wind Power
Wouldn’t it be great if we had a 24/7 cable “news” media that dropped the repeat-the-same-4-stories-all-day-long format and branched out and brought us actual news? From around the world? Like this?
Farmers in Hans-Detlef Feddersen’s neighbourhood in northern Germany make $2.5 million in a good year growing wheat. They make $15 million harvesting the wind.
The first wind turbines came to his area 20 years ago. Local residents watched them go up, did the math, and founded their own co-op to build more.
Feddersen, who farms grain, canola and sugar beets, is the co-op’s manager.
This week he is touring rural Ontario with two Canadian groups promoting green energy, the Pembina Institute and Climate Action Network Canada.
[...]
In his district, there are 600 turbines spread over 1,800 square kilometres [694 square miles], “and 95 per cent of them are owned by rural area co-operatives in our community. Most of the people living in our area own, or partly own, these turbines.”
[...]t says Germany draws about 17 per cent of its power from renewable sources, especially wind — far more than Ontario (where wind has a 1.9-per-cent share).
Crumbling Infrastructure on Steroids
If you’re like me, when you think of “crumbling U.S. infrastructure” you think of roads and bridges.
Whack my forehead. I had no idea. It’s much worse than that. I almost wish I hadn’t come across this article — so troubling: U.S. Faces Shipping Blockage. It expands the notion of crumbling infrastructure by a thousand percent:
From the Financial Times:
Ron Widdows, chief executive of Neptune Orient Lines, says lack of investment in infrastructure in the US could pose a significant drawback on the east coast as ships become larger. Robet Wright, transport correspondent, gives an analysis of his interview
I have a limited subscription to the Financial Times and they are not nice when it comes to bloggers in pajamas who live in the dark dungeons of their parents’ basement eat Cheetos all day (that would not be me) copying their stuff so I hesitate to put up much more, but see the video at the link above if you’re so inclined. (Again, subscription required.)
Anyway, I read that to mean our ports and docks will potentially be too small for the big new ships the 21st Century world is developing, thus hindering shipping into the US. (That’s what happens when American legislators spend their time bickering about things like state guns. The world passes you by.)
“Crumbling infrastructure?” What an understatement.
Wow.
Is a Power Cable Attached to the Japanese Nuke Plant? Or Not?
OK. I’ve had enough: Over the last 24-hours I’ve heard that Japan has attached, might have attached, or is working on attaching a power cable to the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
Time to establish a touchstone:
Reuters: Japan Lays Power Cable in Race to Stop Radiation:
Exhausted engineers attached a power cable to the outside of Japan’stsunami-crippled nuclear plant on Saturday in a race to prevent deadly radiation from an accident now rated at least as bad as America’s Three Mile Island incident in 1979.
Further cabling inside was under way before an attempt to restart water pumps needed to cool overheated nuclear fuel rods at the six-reactor Fukushima plant in northeastern Japan, 240 km (150 miles) north of Tokyo.
Reuters
So. This is the word as of Friday night and I’m bouncing everything I hear from now on off of this.
Either it’s attached or it isn’t.
Japan to Build World’s Fastest Train
Look at this beaut – a 310 mph “Maglev Monster:”
Wow. It reminds me of the space race only this time, we’re losing.
The “Liberal Media” and Rihanna’s Dress, etc.
Miss this stuff?
– Tea Party darling Paul Ryan (R-OH) calls for a $600 million cut in border security. I think we should go after employers who hire undocumented immigrants so hey, fine by me, but why aren’t the Tea Partiers rioting in the streets? This is a huge betrayal of one of their core issues.
– Alaska’s warming at three times the rate of the lower 48 states.
– China overtakes Japan as world’s 2nd largest economy (Woah — China — that was fast!):
Japan ceded its spot as the world’s second biggest economy to China in 2010, following a contraction in the fourth quarter as the strong yen contributed to an export slump, the end of auto subsidies depressed car purchases and a new tobacco tax hit cigarette sales. The Japanese economy’s fall from its 42-year reign in the No. 2 spot behind the U.S. on an annual basis…
– The “liberal media” (that myth is, unbelievably, still alive) couldn’t find any Democrats to appear on today’s Sunday morning talk shows. At one point during the Bush years I heard someone explain spin/justify that so many Republicans were on the “liberalcorporate media” because they were in power. They were in office. They were making the news. Ah, yeah. So what’s the excuse now?
– I can’t help myself here but the dress Rihanna wore to the Grammy’s tonight
reminds me of the Michelin man:
Meow. I know.
President Proposes a 22% Increase in Funding for Clean Energy Technology
The President,
announced the Advanced Energy Initiative and proposed a 22 percent increase in funding for clean energy technology research at the Department of Energy. The Initiative supports new transportation and power technologies that will help achieve significant reductions of oil imports, lead to substantial reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase economic and energy security. We will change how we power our homes and offices by increasing investments in zero-emission coal-fired plants, revolutionary solar and wind technologies, and clean, safe nuclear energy. We will also change how we power our cars by improving batteries for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles, making cellulosic ethanol cost-competitive with corn-based ethanol by 2012, and by accelerating the development of zero-emission cars that run on hydrogen.
That would be President George W. Bush in his 2006 State of the Union address.
Al Jazeera Blocked in Egypt as in the United States
Roughly three hours ago Egyptian government blocked Al Jazeera. A collective gasp when up from the Internet but don’t forget, for all intents and purposes, Al Jazeera is blocked in the United States too. On the teevee at least.
What is NRol49′s Mission?
A classified defense satellite went into orbit today — we paid for it with our tax dollars — but though we own it, we aren’t being told what it’s going to do.
Five, four, three. We have ignition of the main engines. We have liftoff. Liftoff of the United Launch Alliance Delta Four Heavy Rocket carrying the NRol49 Mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.
This marks the first west coast Delta Four heavy launch.
(Via the AP.)
Think “military industrial complex.”
There was a time when we were in charge of the military. Now it’s in charge of us.
Oh, and thanks to the “liberal media” for giving this wall-to-wall coverage today.
House Republicans Abolish Energy Independence/Global Warming Committee
On the one hand, the nation of the Maldives is holding cabinet meetings underwater to highlight the danger of global warming. On the other,
The kick-off of the 112th Congress on Wednesday also marked the end of an era in the House—the demise of a committee devoted solely to climate change and energy issues. The Select Committee for Energy Independence and Global Warming, created by Nancy Pelosi in 2006, has been shuttered under the new Republican leadership.
Americans Are Guzzling Gas Again
SUV’s Lead U.S. Auto Sales Growth:
With the end of the recession, bigger vehicles have made a comeback, sales figures show, and it has come at the expense of smaller, more-efficient cars.
Leading the growth were sales of midsize sport-utility vehicles, which jumped 41 percent through the first 11 months of the year, led by vehicles such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Honda Pilot, each of which get about 18 miles per gallon.
America, remember this, from 2008:
After years in the slow lane, cars may finally be taking back the roads from sport utility vehicles and trucks.
Soaring gasoline prices and flagging consumer confidence drove the industry to new depths last month, with shoppers — when they did buy — going for fuel-efficient, smaller cars…
For years, sales of trucks and SUVs far outpaced passenger car sales. But in April, Americans bought 64,310 more cars than trucks and SUVs, continuing a trend that began in March, when cars pulled ahead by about 3,000.
And then there’s this, from days ago:
Oil Bulls May Have to Pull in Their Horns
Oil bulls are once again kicking up dust. The intensifying struggle to lift output, they say, will collide with the insatiable thirst of an expanding Asia to push oil above $100 a barrel. In fact, the cost of crude may be held down by a halving of demand growth as producers from Russia to Africa via Brazil ramp up supply.
And this:
China Audo Sales Jump 27 Percent in November:
China’s auto sales powered ahead in November, jumping 27 percent to 1.7 million vehicles as car buyers rushed to beat expected increases in license plate fees in some cities.
America — what are you thinking? Oh, that’s right. You aren’t.
Addicted to Your Computer? There’s an App For That!
Are you addicted to your computer? To being online? Can’t get other stuff done? Hey, there’s an app for that!
Yes folks it’s come to this: Introducing: MacFreedom.com:
Freedom is a simple productivity application that locks you away from the internet on Mac or Windows computers for up to eight hours at a time. Freedom frees you from distractions, allowing you time to write, analyze, code, or create. At the end of your offline period, Freedom allows you back on the internet. You can download Freedom immediately for 10 dollars through either PayPal or Google Checkout.
I’m considering it.
Winger “Death Panel” Hysteria Will Ring in the New Year
Get ready for an onslaught of winger “death panel” hysteria come January 1. Here’s why:
When a proposal to encourage end-of-life planning touched off a political storm over “death panels,” Democrats dropped it from legislation to overhaul the health care system. But the Obama administration will achieve the same goal by regulation, starting Jan. 1.
Under the new policy, outlined in a Medicare regulation, the government will pay doctors who advise patients on options for end-of-life care, which may include advance directives to forgo aggressive life-sustaining treatment.
I have an advance directive and so does Mr. SayItAin’tSoAlready. The part the wingers don’t walk about is what a great thing they are. They aren’t about deciding when someone will or won’t live (or die). An advanced directive is a written document that tells relatives and friends what your wishes are in terms of taking heroic measures to save or extend your life in the event you aren’t able to communicate at the time those decisions need to be made.
Having an advanced directive is one of the most compassionate things you can do for your loved ones — they aren’t caught standing in the emergency room agonizing over what you would want them to do.
Get an advanced directive.
Consider getting a “DNR” or a Do Not Resuscitate order too.
There Are No Words…
The United States, circa 2010:
Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX), the oldest member of Congress, was officially confirmed as the next chairman of the House Science and Technology Committee on Wednesday.
[...]
He’s also the guy who killed a House bill which would have increased funding for scientific research and math and science education…
New Nissan “Leaf” Ad Might Bring a Tear to Your Eye
Check out this touching advertisement for Nissan’s new electric car, the “LEAF:”
Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), Dammit, He’s Gonna Protect Louisiana!
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) said the state will not waiting for federal approval to begin building sand barriers to protect the coastline from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Oil has pushed at least 12 miles into Louisiana’s marshes, with two major pelican rookeries awash in crude.
Gov. Jindal was critical of the amount of boom his state received to ward off the oil seeping toward the coastline. But his major gripe comes at the expense of the Army Corps of Engineers, who have yet to give the go-ahead for the building of sand booms to protect the Louisiana wetlands. He used photographic evidence of oil breaking through hard booms, soft booms and another layer of protection, before being finally being corralled by a sand boom built by the National Guard.
“It is so much better for us. We don’t want oil on one inch of Louisiana’s coastline, but we’d much rather fight this oil off of a hard coast, off of an island, off of an island, off of a sandy beach on our coastal islands, rather than having to fight it inside in these wetlands,” Gov. Jindal said, making the case for sand booms.
The governor said he has been forced to protect Louisiana without the approval of the Army Corps of Engineers, which is weighing the ecological impact of the construction of more sand booms.
“We are not waiting for them. We are going to build it,” Jindal said.
July, 2010 and these are Bobby Jindal’s sand booms Going, going, gone.
Good idea Bobby.
BP Caught Dumping Sand On Top of Oil-Covered Beaches in Louisiana
What the hell is going on around here? How is BP able to get away with this:
British Petroleum is trucking in sand to cover up the oil. Let me repeat that – instead of cleaning up the oil they are just bringing in sand from other beaches and covering it up. In the photos and the video you can see the layering of Grand Isle, LA sand, oil and then a sand of a different type. Photo-journalists have four independent confirmations by local Sheriff’s in Grand Isle, Louisiana.
Living on a Dying Delta
Here is a deeply moving piece by the always-wonderful Dahr Jamail about a day trip he took through the area south of New Orleans, where oil from the BP geyser first hit.
Later, as we drive back north towards New Orleans, I feel a seething rage towards BP and the US government. It is easy to vent my frustrations towards this giant oil company with the worst safety record on the planet. It is easy to rage at the US corporate-controlled so-called government. They are both easy targets for our rage.
U.S. to Accept Foreign Help in Oil Spill
Finally!
Bottom line is that BP ain’t gettin’ the job done. Why it took the administration so long to realize that they couldn’t/wouldn’t is something I’ll leave to the psychologists.
One-Ton Tarball
What does a one-ton tarball look like? Like this monster:
One-ton tarball captured by crew of the Sailfish in Perdido Pass, FL on June 11.
Imagine more of these things floating out there in the Gulf. It’s horrifying.
Bobby Jindal Prays for the Gulf but Rejects Obama’s Help
This is the craziness of the right: Louisiana Oil Spill Day of Prayer: Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has declared Sunday, June 27, a statewide day of prayer for the Gulf.
But hey. Wait a minute. The guy hasn’t called in the thousands of National Guard troops made available by President Obama who could help with the clean-up.
So yeah, let’s pander to the wingers and the Tea Partiers and the religious right instead of doing everything possible to tackle the problem.
Anything to make Obama look like he’s a failure, right? Even if fishermen and hoteliers and others in your state go under.
They call that compassionate conservatism.
Way to go Bobby.
Join Hands Across the Sand
Hands Across the Sand will rally across the globe tomorrow to show their opposition to near and off-shore drilling in the waters of the world.
See you there in Boulder.
Oh, btw, you won’t hear a peep about this on the “liberal media” tomorrow night.
Why Aren’t National Guard Troops Swarming the Gulf?
We hear it all the time — why hasn’t the Federal government deployed National Guard troops to the Gulf? Well, as a matter of fact, it has. It has made 17,500 troops available — “free of charge” — to the Gulf states. Problem is, the responsibility for deploying them belongs to the governors of those states, and they’re sitting on their hands (another way to make Obama look bad (and of course our shitty “liberal media” goes along with the charade).)
According to National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen, the responsibility for the delay rests directly with the Gulf governors: “It’s pretty much up to the governors, and how they want to deploy the National Guard,” Allen said in response to a question from Rolling Stone during a press conference on June 23. The governors, he said, have to pre-clear the work they’re assigning to the National Guard with the federal response team, but this is a formality. “We have not turned down any requests thus far,” said Allen.
UPDATE: Oops, pardon me. I forgot. Gulf coast governors are activating the National Guard: To Block the Media.
