Is Pluto a Planet again?
I always believed that it was unfairly demoted now it appears that the case for reinstatement is gaining momentum..Mark Sykes an astronomer at the Planetary Institute in Tuscon puts forth this argument
if an object is big enough for its own gravity to squeeze it into a rounded shape, then call it a planet. That would make a planet of Pluto again, as well as Ceres and a growing number of other bodies
For more go to Pluto
Comets not Asteroids to blame for Moons Scarred face
It all happened 3.85 billion years ago...The clincher would be the discovery of ice.
Source Comets
Food Dye may ease Spinal Injury Severity
Its all about halting the rush of molecular changes that occur after an injury. Apparently the food dye Brilliant Blue G can help. Science never fails to surprise.
Source Food Dye
Low Level Cloud Cover and Global Warming
This further complicates the Rube Goldberg mechanism of feedback cycles that already influence climate change.
Source Cloud Cover
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dersh gets it right again
Hamas 'New' Culture Wars
by Alan Dershowitz
Hamas, the terrorist organization that specializes in targeting civilians, has now decided, according to a New York Times headline, to shift “from rockets to culture war” in an effort to garner public support for its cause. Part of its ongoing public relations campaign is to portray the Israelis as the “new Nazis” and the Palestinians as the “new Jews.” In order to bring about this transformation, it must engage in a form of Holocaust denial that erases the historical record of widespread Palestinian complicity with the “old Nazis” in perpetrating the real Holocaust. It has become an important part of the mantra of Hamas supporters that neither the Palestinians people nor its leadership played any role in the Holocaust. Listen to Mohammad Ahmadinejad talking to students at Columbia University:
If [the Holocaust] is a reality, we need to still question whether the Palestinian people should be paying for it or not. After all, it happened in Europe. The Palestinian people had no role to play in it. So why is it that the Palestinian people are paying the price of an event they had nothing to do with?...The Palestinian people didn’t commit any crime. They had no role to play in World War II. They were living with the Jewish communities and the Christian communities in peace at the time.
by Alan Dershowitz
Hamas, the terrorist organization that specializes in targeting civilians, has now decided, according to a New York Times headline, to shift “from rockets to culture war” in an effort to garner public support for its cause. Part of its ongoing public relations campaign is to portray the Israelis as the “new Nazis” and the Palestinians as the “new Jews.” In order to bring about this transformation, it must engage in a form of Holocaust denial that erases the historical record of widespread Palestinian complicity with the “old Nazis” in perpetrating the real Holocaust. It has become an important part of the mantra of Hamas supporters that neither the Palestinians people nor its leadership played any role in the Holocaust. Listen to Mohammad Ahmadinejad talking to students at Columbia University:
If [the Holocaust] is a reality, we need to still question whether the Palestinian people should be paying for it or not. After all, it happened in Europe. The Palestinian people had no role to play in it. So why is it that the Palestinian people are paying the price of an event they had nothing to do with?...The Palestinian people didn’t commit any crime. They had no role to play in World War II. They were living with the Jewish communities and the Christian communities in peace at the time.
The conclusion that is supposed to follow from this “fact” is that the establishment of Israel in the wake of the Nazi genocide of the Jewish people was unfair to the Palestinians. Central to this claim is that neither the Palestinian people nor their leadership bore any responsibility for the Holocaust, and if any reparations are owed the Jewish people, it is from Germany and not from the Palestinians. The propounders of this historical argument suggest that the West created the Jewish state out of guilt over the Holocaust. It might have been understandable if a portion of Germany (or Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, France, Austria, or other collaborator nations) had been allocated for a Jewish homeland—but why Palestine? Palestine, according to this claim, was as much a “victim” as were the Jews.
The truth is that the Palestinian leadership, supported by the Palestinian masses, played a significant role in Hitler’s Holocaust.
The official leader of the Palestinians, Haj Amin al-Husseini, spent the war years in Berlin with Hitler, serving as a consultant on the Jewish question. He was taken on a tour of Auschwitz and expressed support for the mass murder of European Jews. He also sought to “solve the problems of the Jewish element in Palestine and other Arab countries” by employing “the same method” being used “in the Axis countries.” He would not be satisfied with the Jewish residents of Palestine—many of whom were descendants of Sephardic Jews who had lived there for hundreds, even thousands, of years—remaining as a minority in a Muslim state. Like Hitler, he wanted to be rid of “every last Jew.” As Husseini wrote in his memoirs, “Our fundamental condition for cooperating with Germany was a free hand to eradicate every last Jew from Palestine and the Arab world. I asked Hitler for an explicit undertaking to allow us to solve the Jewish problem in a manner befitting our national and racial aspirations and according to the scientific methods innovated by Germany in the handling of its Jews. The answer I got was: ‘The Jews are yours.’
For the rest go to the Source
Friday, July 24, 2009
In the News LIX
Joe Biden denounces Russian Invasion of Georgia
Georgia is an ally of the West it is important that we not let them down
(as the West did with the Czechs prior to WWII).
George Bush and Tony Blair in Africa
Success in Africa - You won't read much about this story line in the MSM but it is definitely newsworthy. Juxtapose this against the failure of the Clintonistas in the region.
Honour Killings on the rise in Canada
This phenomenon is growing in my home country under the cover of the twisted phrase of 'Reasonable Accomodation'. For more go to Jawa Report
Obama Approval rating at new low
Only 43% approve of his handling of healthcare for example. Has the Glean come off the Messiah? Meanwhile the Obama (not knowing all the facts) has unwisely chosen to stir the racial pot on the Henry Louis Gates issue. Larry Elder had this to say about the issue.
For more on the Obama stimulus package read: Rasmussen. 31% say the stimulus packages hurt the economy.
Rioting in South Africa
Georgia is an ally of the West it is important that we not let them down
(as the West did with the Czechs prior to WWII).
George Bush and Tony Blair in Africa
Success in Africa - You won't read much about this story line in the MSM but it is definitely newsworthy. Juxtapose this against the failure of the Clintonistas in the region.
Honour Killings on the rise in Canada
This phenomenon is growing in my home country under the cover of the twisted phrase of 'Reasonable Accomodation'. For more go to Jawa Report
Obama Approval rating at new low
Only 43% approve of his handling of healthcare for example. Has the Glean come off the Messiah? Meanwhile the Obama (not knowing all the facts) has unwisely chosen to stir the racial pot on the Henry Louis Gates issue. Larry Elder had this to say about the issue.
For more on the Obama stimulus package read: Rasmussen. 31% say the stimulus packages hurt the economy.
Rioting in South Africa
It is interesting to see how Zuma responds to this. I hope for the sake of the country that he does not take a leaf out of the playbook of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.
Crackdowns in Iran Continue
Something has to give. I still believe that Obama and co. missed the boat in driving this situation into a more favourale direction. The democracy moving was left hanging by the nation that is supposed to be the champion of liberal democracy.... What a shame.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Obama Track Record
by Dick McDonald
1. He promised to save 3 or 4 million jobs – we have lost 3.5 million jobs since January
2. He promised to hold unemployment to 8% - it is at 9.5% and skyrocketing
3. The Government’s tax receipts from corporations are down 55%
4. The Government’s tax receipts from individuals are down 27%
5. Obama passed a stimulus bill that has no chance of stimulating the economy.
6. Announced plan to tax job creators and kill old people to pay for a universal health plan no one wants
7. The deficit hit a record $1 trillion on July 14, 2009 on its way to a record $2 trillion by year end
8. The number of under-employed is at 20% and rising
9. Business is reeling from being told they will bear more of the tax burden and have reduced staff
10. Cap and Trade will add billions to the cost of all products sold in America – it will hurt the poor
11. New emission standards will add billions to transportation cost for everything
12. He has incurred more debt in 5 months than all the presidents before him (combined)
13. He has favored wealth re-distribution over job creation and economic growth
14. He bowed to a Saudi King and runs down America wherever he goes
15. He has taken sides favoring Islamic Palestinians over the Israelis1
16. He funds a Gestapo-like mob of ACORN brown shirts intimidating everyone
17. He voted against strict constructionists for SCOTUS
18. He is anti-gun and for post-birth abortions
19. He attended a black separatist church for twenty years and never heard the sermon
20. He has taken over General Motors and bankrupted little old ladies that invested in their bonds
21. He gave an equity interest in General Motors to an unsecured UAW debtor as a political payoff
22. He doesn’t hold his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance
23. His only solutions are to tax the rich directly or the poor indirectly
24 Gives Miranda Rights to the enemy on the battlefield
25. Wants to stop the CIA from killing enemy leaders during a war
26. Hires 30 Czars to run the country without vetting by Congress
27. He is an anti-capitalist that favors a socialist big government
28. He is against increasing domestic oil drilling in ANWR and offshore
29. He is against building nuclear plants
30. His ethanol addiction has caused corn shortages that precipitated starvation in the Third World
1. He promised to save 3 or 4 million jobs – we have lost 3.5 million jobs since January
2. He promised to hold unemployment to 8% - it is at 9.5% and skyrocketing
3. The Government’s tax receipts from corporations are down 55%
4. The Government’s tax receipts from individuals are down 27%
5. Obama passed a stimulus bill that has no chance of stimulating the economy.
6. Announced plan to tax job creators and kill old people to pay for a universal health plan no one wants
7. The deficit hit a record $1 trillion on July 14, 2009 on its way to a record $2 trillion by year end
8. The number of under-employed is at 20% and rising
9. Business is reeling from being told they will bear more of the tax burden and have reduced staff
10. Cap and Trade will add billions to the cost of all products sold in America – it will hurt the poor
11. New emission standards will add billions to transportation cost for everything
12. He has incurred more debt in 5 months than all the presidents before him (combined)
13. He has favored wealth re-distribution over job creation and economic growth
14. He bowed to a Saudi King and runs down America wherever he goes
15. He has taken sides favoring Islamic Palestinians over the Israelis1
16. He funds a Gestapo-like mob of ACORN brown shirts intimidating everyone
17. He voted against strict constructionists for SCOTUS
18. He is anti-gun and for post-birth abortions
19. He attended a black separatist church for twenty years and never heard the sermon
20. He has taken over General Motors and bankrupted little old ladies that invested in their bonds
21. He gave an equity interest in General Motors to an unsecured UAW debtor as a political payoff
22. He doesn’t hold his hand over his heart for the pledge of allegiance
23. His only solutions are to tax the rich directly or the poor indirectly
24 Gives Miranda Rights to the enemy on the battlefield
25. Wants to stop the CIA from killing enemy leaders during a war
26. Hires 30 Czars to run the country without vetting by Congress
27. He is an anti-capitalist that favors a socialist big government
28. He is against increasing domestic oil drilling in ANWR and offshore
29. He is against building nuclear plants
30. His ethanol addiction has caused corn shortages that precipitated starvation in the Third World
Wise words from Bibi
"Jerusalem is the "unified capital of Israel and the capital of the Jewish people, and sovereignty over it is indisputable. We cannot accept the notion that Jews will not have the right to buy apartments specifically in Jerusalem. I can only imagine what would happen if they were forbidden from purchasing apartments in New York or London; there would be an international outcry. This has always been Israel's policy and this is the policy of the current government."
Reading Time well spent
Gavin's Big Five
Five Areas that tend to consume about 90% of my reading time as of late.
1. Physics: Both Classic and Modern
2. Modern History - Philosophy of History
3. Jewish Philosophy
4. Political Commentary
5. Climate Change Science
Five Areas that tend to consume about 90% of my reading time as of late.
1. Physics: Both Classic and Modern
2. Modern History - Philosophy of History
3. Jewish Philosophy
4. Political Commentary
5. Climate Change Science
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Roger Federer - Tennis Genius
Roger Federer now has his fifteenth Grand Slam title which makes him the most succesful Grand Slam Tennis Player of All-Time.
He has gone ahead of the following illustrious ensemble and is my pick for the Greatest Player of all-Time. Kudos to the Swiss super talent.
(Player and Number of Slams won)
Sampras - 14
Emerson - 12 (took advantage of the Laver absentee years)
Laver - 11 (could have won twenty + if Professionals weren't barred for several years)
Borg -11
Tilden - 10
Rosewell - 8
Agassi -8
Connors -8
McEnroe -7 (My personal favourite)
Newcombe - 7
Wilander - 7
He has gone ahead of the following illustrious ensemble and is my pick for the Greatest Player of all-Time. Kudos to the Swiss super talent.
(Player and Number of Slams won)
Sampras - 14
Emerson - 12 (took advantage of the Laver absentee years)
Laver - 11 (could have won twenty + if Professionals weren't barred for several years)
Borg -11
Tilden - 10
Rosewell - 8
Agassi -8
Connors -8
McEnroe -7 (My personal favourite)
Newcombe - 7
Wilander - 7
Mussar Movement
I have been reading about the Mussar Movement lately and find it to be a very refreshing and forward thinking philosophy. The ideal encapsulates the vision of Judaism that appeals to me most. I have been disappointed before in my search for spiritual betterment so I still have some reservations but right now I am impressed with what I have read.
For more go to: http://www.mussarinstitute.org/
or
http://www.salantfoundation.org/
For more go to: http://www.mussarinstitute.org/
or
http://www.salantfoundation.org/
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa
The British and Irish Lions have been battling it out in my country of birth. The Springboks lead the Rugby Union Series 2-0 and could sweep their opponents with a win this coming weekend. However all games have been exciting - much as the famed 1980 series (which I remember from my childhood - South Africa triumphed 3-1) was. For more on the tour go to
http://www.lionsrugby.com/supportersclub/Benefits.php
http://www.lionsrugby.com/supportersclub/Benefits.php
Footer Roundup from last week.
Confederation Cup
The Confed Cup is the poor cousin of the World Cup and it lived up to expectations. The Italians underachieved, the Spaniards choked and the South Africans groaned their way to the semi-final. Kudos to Brazil for restoring the world order with a first rate display in the second half of the final (to win their third Confed Cup) but the tournament's real heroes were the Americans, who showed as they did in World Cup 2002, that they are not afraid to rub heads with football's elite.
European Under 21 Championship
England almost caused a rip in the space time continuum but in predictable fashion went down to the Germans in the final......this time in a torrent of bullets (4 to zero). Well done to Steve Pearce and co. for closing in on the finish line with nothing more than fumes.
I still don't know why they call it an Under 21 championship when there were several players in each squad who were older than 21.....go figure.
The Confed Cup is the poor cousin of the World Cup and it lived up to expectations. The Italians underachieved, the Spaniards choked and the South Africans groaned their way to the semi-final. Kudos to Brazil for restoring the world order with a first rate display in the second half of the final (to win their third Confed Cup) but the tournament's real heroes were the Americans, who showed as they did in World Cup 2002, that they are not afraid to rub heads with football's elite.
European Under 21 Championship
England almost caused a rip in the space time continuum but in predictable fashion went down to the Germans in the final......this time in a torrent of bullets (4 to zero). Well done to Steve Pearce and co. for closing in on the finish line with nothing more than fumes.
I still don't know why they call it an Under 21 championship when there were several players in each squad who were older than 21.....go figure.
In the News LVIII
Bernie Madoff sentenced to 150 years
I am interested in what he will have to say when he wins release in 2159. Seems as though the sentence fits the crime in this case. If he were convicted in Canada he would probably only receive five to ten years.
Coup D'Etat in Honduras
Manuel Zelaya was a threat to democracy and was on his way to establishing a dictatorship in the country (via an unconstitutional referendum) but his opponents should have sought redress and defeated him at the ballot box. A military coup d'etat is not the solution.
A Muslim Nation moves closer to Israel
Kudos to Azerbaijan for seeing the light. Who will follow next?
Pakistani troops hit out at Taliban at Swat
There was room for a pun in this one but I will let it go. Suffice it to say Pakistan is finally pulling its weight in their fight against Islamofascism.
United Nations continues its war against the Jews
This heading sounds severe - but I am tired of glossing over what is so obvious.
Mousavi - not really better than Ahmadinejad
Mir Hossein Mousavi a thug and is no champion of Freedom and Justice.
Iran needs a true democracy not another spokesperson for the Mullahs.
Is Obama getting tough with Cuba?
The better question is : How did he get this one by the Move.on.org crowd who so influence the Dems?
Affirmative Action defeated in Firefighter Case
The New York Times laments the Supreme Court verdict but those who believe in fairness and equality will champion it.
British PM Gordon Brown attempts to wreck tourism industry with added tax
Lets see the British economy is in the tank and our boy Gordon wants to burden it with further taxes.....Draw your own conclusion here.
Chavez continues his march toward dictatorship by threatening to remove a second TV Network from the air.
Still he remains the darling of the left. Proving once again when push comes to shove the left is totally hypocritical.
Hamas endorses Obama
Not exactly earth shattering but worth mentioning.
I am interested in what he will have to say when he wins release in 2159. Seems as though the sentence fits the crime in this case. If he were convicted in Canada he would probably only receive five to ten years.
Coup D'Etat in Honduras
Manuel Zelaya was a threat to democracy and was on his way to establishing a dictatorship in the country (via an unconstitutional referendum) but his opponents should have sought redress and defeated him at the ballot box. A military coup d'etat is not the solution.
A Muslim Nation moves closer to Israel
Kudos to Azerbaijan for seeing the light. Who will follow next?
Pakistani troops hit out at Taliban at Swat
There was room for a pun in this one but I will let it go. Suffice it to say Pakistan is finally pulling its weight in their fight against Islamofascism.
United Nations continues its war against the Jews
This heading sounds severe - but I am tired of glossing over what is so obvious.
Mousavi - not really better than Ahmadinejad
Mir Hossein Mousavi a thug and is no champion of Freedom and Justice.
Iran needs a true democracy not another spokesperson for the Mullahs.
Is Obama getting tough with Cuba?
The better question is : How did he get this one by the Move.on.org crowd who so influence the Dems?
Affirmative Action defeated in Firefighter Case
The New York Times laments the Supreme Court verdict but those who believe in fairness and equality will champion it.
British PM Gordon Brown attempts to wreck tourism industry with added tax
Lets see the British economy is in the tank and our boy Gordon wants to burden it with further taxes.....Draw your own conclusion here.
Chavez continues his march toward dictatorship by threatening to remove a second TV Network from the air.
Still he remains the darling of the left. Proving once again when push comes to shove the left is totally hypocritical.
Hamas endorses Obama
Not exactly earth shattering but worth mentioning.
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