I had no idea that a local business was so necessary to NASA! Turns out EaglePitcher Technologies makes the batteries for NASA's satellites, as well as the International Space Station.
Absolutely cool!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Why isn't it the adults that have the common sense in these situations?
I found, on Joanne Jacobs' blog, a story that just irritated the heck out of me. It reminded me of all of the "zero tolerance" policies that are carried out without regard to common sense.
Basically, a bunch of girls at a slumber party took pictures of themselves in their bras with their cell phone cameras. Like any stupidity, the pictures got out. The prosecuting attorney in the county decided that it was child pornography, despite the bras covering more than some bikinis, and decided he was going to bully the girls into taking a class on pornography and sexual violence. With adults. Who had been on the edge of sexual offense.
Two of the girls refused. And the prosecuting attorney says he's going to charge them with sexual molestation and child pornography.
I know that "sexting" is a dangerous trend among our young teens, potentially damaging their self-image and leaving them vulnerable to predatory adults. I know that, when the pictures that these kids take of themselves get out, that the pictures are out there forever.
I do not, however, consider it on the same level as an adult taking nude pictures of a child. It's stupid, not criminal.
This sounds like a public official whose puritanical* bent, combined with his personal political power, went to his head and deleted his common sense. This sounds like a major case of bullying.
Honestly, where's the common sense?
*Puritanism: the fear that someone, somewhere, is having fun.
Basically, a bunch of girls at a slumber party took pictures of themselves in their bras with their cell phone cameras. Like any stupidity, the pictures got out. The prosecuting attorney in the county decided that it was child pornography, despite the bras covering more than some bikinis, and decided he was going to bully the girls into taking a class on pornography and sexual violence. With adults. Who had been on the edge of sexual offense.
Two of the girls refused. And the prosecuting attorney says he's going to charge them with sexual molestation and child pornography.
I know that "sexting" is a dangerous trend among our young teens, potentially damaging their self-image and leaving them vulnerable to predatory adults. I know that, when the pictures that these kids take of themselves get out, that the pictures are out there forever.
I do not, however, consider it on the same level as an adult taking nude pictures of a child. It's stupid, not criminal.
This sounds like a public official whose puritanical* bent, combined with his personal political power, went to his head and deleted his common sense. This sounds like a major case of bullying.
Honestly, where's the common sense?
*Puritanism: the fear that someone, somewhere, is having fun.
Friday, March 27, 2009
As Thoreau says, "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
He did not, however, have to deal with Missouri politicians.
Recently, Missouri law enforcement released a report about the dangers posed by modern militias. And by "modern militias," they meant any political group that the current national administration might not like too much--like anti-abortionists, like fiscal conservatives, like pretty much any truly traditional values that the nation was built upon. In fact, that particular office of law enforcement suggested that these individuals might well be potential terrorists.
Some citizens didn't really care for that idea. And our Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder, among others, set up such a fuss that the report has been rescinded. In fact, Nixon backpedaled so fast that, to an unbiased observer, he resembled a small, freshwater crustacean distantly related to lobsters. He said
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," said Thoreau. However, I don't think he ever meant that one should become a wind sock when opinion blew against one's beliefs.
Recently, Missouri law enforcement released a report about the dangers posed by modern militias. And by "modern militias," they meant any political group that the current national administration might not like too much--like anti-abortionists, like fiscal conservatives, like pretty much any truly traditional values that the nation was built upon. In fact, that particular office of law enforcement suggested that these individuals might well be potential terrorists.
Some citizens didn't really care for that idea. And our Lieutenant Governor, Peter Kinder, among others, set up such a fuss that the report has been rescinded. In fact, Nixon backpedaled so fast that, to an unbiased observer, he resembled a small, freshwater crustacean distantly related to lobsters. He said
"Under a previous system, MIAC would prepare and distribute these reports to law enforcement agencies without review or approval from the colonel of the Highway Patrol or the director of Public Safety. ... That’s simply not acceptable."In other words, "I didn't do it. It wasn't my fault. It was the other guy's fault. And even if it wasn't, you can't prove a thing."
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds," said Thoreau. However, I don't think he ever meant that one should become a wind sock when opinion blew against one's beliefs.
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