This Week in Stupidity
NYgirl writes, “Could the Columbia tragedy have been caused by environmental regulations?” She then explains how NASA was pressured to use “environmentally friendly” insulating foam. Uh-oh. When NASA started using that foam, they noticed that it was peeling off, but considered it a “negligible risk.” Wow! That negligible risk was not their own lives they were risking. And years of using the low quality foam probably had a zero impact on global warming. Yay!
There is a lot more information regarding the grounded shuttle fleet here than on some other sites. Will NASA want to use Mike’s suggestions to make the shuttle safer? Probably not.
Newsinferno.com mentions that DuPont’s Teflon may be poisonous to humans, and a quick google for the term teflon poison shows that it is quite dangerous to birds. Dupoint only mentions that Teflon’s fumes may cause harm to birds, provided that the Teflon is heated to above 500 degrees. Again, googling showed that most estimates for Teflon causing fumes are lower than that. Does anyone want to test these figures? Another interesting development: Teflon clothing in a Pensacola store was pulled off the shelves.
Not so dirty Mexico
Bluelatinos.org has started an online petition against Urban Outfitters because they are selling a t-shirt that reads: “New Mexico, Cleaner than Regular Mexico.” They say that the t-shirt implies that there is a “dirty” Mexico and causes people to think “bad thoughts”.
Get Ready for Mindless Inconvenience
The Drudge Report said it best; “Panic Of ‘05: Random Bag Searches To Start In NYC,” was the headline today. NYC decided to perform random bag searches after terrorist tried to bomb the public transportation London again. I am glad to not be the only one who realizes that this is just a panic reaction. By doing this, the NYC government has done nothing to actually make its travelers safer, but perhaps make them feel safer. They will travel, feeling safe because random bags are being searched, and perhaps let their bags be searched in the name of public safety, but they will still have the same chance of getting blown up on their way to work.
Portrait of a Military Man
He’s a recent High School graduate. He was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has/had a steady girlfriend who either broke up with him when he left or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock-n-roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howizer.
What “Old Glory” Means to Me
By Anna Film
As I walk past the flying bright and radiant colors of Old Glory, I stop and raise my head. As I gaze into the dark, rich, red stripes, I am reminded of the bloodshed from wars that America has fought . . .
Looking Glass...
