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Out of the Blue

Man has it gotten cold! I was definitely enjoying the unseasonable warmness that marked the end of 2003 around these parts. At approximately 0.0001% body fat, I am just not built for cold snaps. On that topic, Ice Age Ancestry May Keep Body Warmer and Healthier (registration required) is an article sent along today by linkmeister general Mike Martinez with a bit on the science behind keeping warm. This just makes me wonder how my ancestors made it through the ice age, as if they adapted to the cold, it's hard to see what of that they passed along to me. I am pretty good at building campfires (and in more civilized moments, working the thermostat).... maybe that's my genetic gift in this regard.

Stories of the Day: Bush to Announce New Missions to Moon, Mars.
Half of pubs tested fail measures blitz. Thanks Enahs.
Texas Man Receives $7 Million Water Bill. Thanks Viperfour.
Science!: Supernova, sun combo blamed for mass extinction.
Farmed Salmon Have More Contaminants Than Wild Ones, Study Finds (registration required).
Alzheimer's disease cause identified.
Image of the Day: Friends foil Olympia man's home. Thanks Enahs.
Follow-ups: Woman drops lawsuit to stop lottery payout.
Stardust Captures the Best Comet Image Ever.
Thanks Mike Martinez.

View
57. No subject Jan 10, 2004, 12:32 Rictor
 
Yay! More useless spending of money! I love this guy, really, I do.

For the money used to fund the mission to Mars, the world could be made a much better place. In the US alone, it could considerably raise the standard of living, which is still on average ridiculously high compared to the rest of the world. The money could be used to fund a universal health-care system, like the one used here in Canada. It could be used on education, to ensure that American students are not by and large considered to be among the stupidest on Earth. The list goes on folks.

But, no. Instead, to get himself re-elected, Bush needs to present a "big idea" to the American citizenry. Some huge undertaking that will fill their hearts with partiotism and make them think that "We're Number 1 !!". This is it. Quite aside from the science of it all, this is essentially a multi-billion re-election stunt, payed for by the tax dollars of the American people.

The implication here is that the American people would rather have bragging rights that serve no real purpose, than an actual improvement in quality of life. Not only for themselves, but the rest of the world as well. Thats what you're supporting if you support this move, just to clarify that. The case could be made that the scientific discoveries that are to be made, both as the technology used to make possble such a mission as well as the discoveries on Mars, is a worthy goal, and I do agree with that. Its just that scientific for the sake of science is pretty far down my list of priorities when the situation here on Earth is so dire. Were the world living in wealth and health, I would be the first to support such an undertaking as the exploration of space. But its not, and the fact that its not is of greater importance than some, relatively speaking, useless scientific discovery.

____

On a slightly different matter, I simply can not let the comments made here about welfare go without an arguement. Do you honestly believe that the majority, or evena significant portion, if those recieveing welfare are lazy crack addicts that are popping out kids for the sheer hell of it? If the answer is yes, than please start punching yourself in the face right now until you get the stupid beat out of you. Its a complete lie that the people on welfare are quite capable of improving their situation, they just don't want to. Most people on welfare are much harder working than your average middle class o upper class Joe. They work 2 jobs to stay afloat. They have to struggle through life because they were never given the chance to be anything better (at least, not nearly as good a chance as those who are wealthier). To write these people off as lazy is to morally excuse the fact that they continue to live in such a state when the means to help them are readily available.

 
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    Date Subject Author
  1. Jan 9, 11:14 No subject nin
  2. Jan 9, 11:33 Misc Halsy
  3. Jan 9, 11:40  Re: Misc indiv
  4. Jan 9, 12:12   Re: Misc Cochese
  7. Jan 9, 12:31    Re: Misc Nyl
  12. Jan 9, 12:40     Re: Misc Halsy
  13. Jan 9, 12:44      dj blue rist3903
  52. Jan 10, 10:10      Re: Misc Terpfen
  53. Jan 10, 10:24       Re: Misc Fang
  58. Jan 10, 13:14        Re: Misc JM
  54. Jan 10, 11:12       Re: Misc Bronco
  5. Jan 9, 12:24   Re: Misc Pellet Puppy
  10. Jan 9, 12:37   Re: Misc Halsy
  14. Jan 9, 12:45    Re: Misc Bronco
  15. Jan 9, 12:49     Re: Misc rist3903
  16. Jan 9, 12:52      Re: Misc sliv
  19. Jan 9, 13:01     Re: Misc JM
  23. Jan 9, 13:35     Re: Misc Halsy
  25. Jan 9, 14:08      Re: Misc sliv
  26. Jan 9, 14:31       To The Moon! amygdala
  27. Jan 9, 14:53        Re: To The Moon! rist3903
  18. Jan 9, 12:53    Re: Misc eunichron
  20. Jan 9, 13:02     Re: Misc rist3903
  33. Jan 9, 18:01     Re: Misc Scottish Martial Arts
  17. Jan 9, 12:52   Re: Misc c r i s p y
  21. Jan 9, 13:02    Re: Misc nin
  6. Jan 9, 12:25 Pop Unders asmodeos
  11. Jan 9, 12:37  Re: Pop Unders  Blue 
  51. Jan 10, 09:33   Pop Unders & ad whiners Armengar
  8. Jan 9, 12:32 My theory theAntiELVIS
  9. Jan 9, 12:35 good to know... Spoon_Gouge
  22. Jan 9, 13:33 No subject Percolator Fish
  24. Jan 9, 13:39  Re: No subject Enahs
  29. Jan 9, 16:46  Re: No subject Moog Operator
  56. Jan 10, 12:17   Re: No subject Anvil
  28. Jan 9, 15:35 No subject ExcessDan
  30. Jan 9, 17:01 Pic of the day Tango
  31. Jan 9, 17:10  Re: Pic of the day Moog Operator
  32. Jan 9, 17:25   Re: Pic of the day Enahs
  35. Jan 9, 19:25    Re: Pic of the day Bronco
  36. Jan 9, 20:40     Question for Bronco Bunko
  41. Jan 9, 22:31      Re: Question for Bronco Bronco
  42. Jan 9, 22:57       Comedy Request Fang
  43. Jan 9, 23:40        Re: Comedy Request Enahs
  44. Jan 10, 00:21         Re: Comedy Request Fang
  37. Jan 9, 20:41  Re: Pic of the day WarPig
  38. Jan 9, 21:33   Today is a Great Day! Scottish Martial Arts
  39. Jan 9, 21:53   Re: Pic of the day nin
  34. Jan 9, 18:31 wow abelincon
  40. Jan 9, 22:30 Jimmy Page turned 60 today!!! Shorty2white
  45. Jan 10, 01:37 coolness wasrad
  46. Jan 10, 01:40 X2: The Threat wasrad
  47. Jan 10, 02:02  Re: X2: The Threat  SamPenguin 
  48. Jan 10, 04:24   Re: X2: The Threat ExcessDan
  49. Jan 10, 04:27    Re: X2: The Threat Soupkin
  50. Jan 10, 09:29     Re: X2: The Threat Armengar
  55. Jan 10, 11:15      Re: X2: The Threat Bronco
>> 57. Jan 10, 12:32 No subject Rictor
  59. Jan 10, 15:06  Re: No subject eunichron


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