Monthly Archives: February 2007

Jihad…

Posted on February 28, 2007 | Comments Off on Jihad…

…the (short) motion picture. Very nicely done. Don’t miss it.

Via Instapundit 

Comments Off on Jihad…

Posted in The War

Tagged

How dry? La Nina dry.

Posted on February 28, 2007 | Comments Off on How dry? La Nina dry.

La Nina, as expected, is burgeoning. For us that means dry, and we’re already dry, leaving behind the sixth driest February on record dating back to 1856:

‘”We’re seeing a shift to the La Nina, it’s clearly in the data,’ NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher said. La Nina, a cooling of the mid-Pacific equatorial region, has not officially begun because it’s a process with several months with specific temperature thresholds, but the trend is obvious based on satellite and ocean measurement data, he said. ‘It certainly won’t be welcome news for those living off the coast right now…’"

Hurricanes now become the most likely way for us to get wet. As dry as we are, we need one, but it’s a shame to think of how many people will get hurt in order for us to end this drought of ours.

Comments Off on How dry? La Nina dry.

Posted in Texana, Weather/Climate

Tagged , ,

Soldier heroes, afterall.

Posted on February 28, 2007 | Comments Off on Soldier heroes, afterall.

Neal Sheehan’s "Bright Shining Lie" began by asserting that the Vietnam war was "a war without heroes." He meant the soldiers. His journalists were the heroes. Yet there were many soldier heroes and one has been finally recognized.

"President Bush [has] awarded a Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest military medal — to 74-year-old Bruce Crandall."

Some Vietnam veterans like Sheehan’s book, feel it justified and have recommended it to non-veteran friends as the definitive truth. I’m not among them. A longer look at Crandall, a heroic Huey pilot in the American war in Viet Nam. Milton Olive, who was from my father’s Mississippi hometown, also was a hero.

UPDATE  Why most newspapers ran Crandall’s story as a round-up item. Risky times we live in.

Comments Off on Soldier heroes, afterall.

Posted in Viet Nam

Tagged , ,

Be Green like Gore

Posted on February 28, 2007 | Comments Off on Be Green like Gore

Thanks to Iowahawk:

"Are you concerned that your profligate personal lifestyle is harming the environment? Losing sleep over the long-term ecological damage resulting from those greenhouse gases constantly emitted by your family, your cars, your pets, and your shrubbery? Do you want to become carbon-neutral, but just don’t know how? Well rejoice, sinner! Carbon atonement is no longer the exclusive preserve of the Malibu set — with the Iowahawk EcoPals Network!"

Complete with Flickr stickers. Via Instapundit.

Comments Off on Be Green like Gore

Posted in Science/Engineering, Scribbles, Weather/Climate

Tagged , ,

Be a Pepper

Posted on February 28, 2007 | Comments Off on Be a Pepper

"On this day in 1984, shareholders in the Dr Pepper Company accepted a buyout offer from a New York investment-banking firm, and Texas’s preeminent soft-drink company went private."

But even though the third most popular soft drink is now manufactured in St. Louis, corporate headquarters remains in Dallas and a trip to Waco will still get you a look at the Dr (no period) Pepper Museum. Or you could visit the blog.

Comments Off on Be a Pepper

Posted in Texana

Tagged ,

Slip of the lip

Posted on February 28, 2007 | Comments Off on Slip of the lip

"[Iranian foreign minister] Manouchehr Mottaki: We emphasize the peaceful nature of our nuclear weapons… I mean… of our nuclear power plant"

Worth a read. Via Simply Jews.

Comments Off on Slip of the lip

Posted in The War

Tagged ,

Hail damage

Posted on February 28, 2007 | Comments Off on Hail damage

Back in the early 80s when the shuttle was new, and enthusiasm for the world’s first spaceship was at its highest, it occurred to me that, for all that, it should probably be named "the spaceship that can’t fly in the rain." Though it took more than twenty-six years, it has finally lived up to the name.

"The space shuttle Atlantis’s planned March launch has been delayed to late April so technicians can repair extensive damage to foam insulation on its fuel tank caused by golf-ball-sized hail."

It’s a good thing the shuttles are going to be scrapped. Let’s hope the new ship is hardier. 

Comments Off on Hail damage

Posted in Space

Tagged