Mars & Space News Roundup

On Sunday, May 25, NASA and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Mars Phoenix Lander is scheduled to physically land on the Red Planet, near Mars’ arctic region. Phoenix is designed to study the history of water and the habitability potential in the Martian arctic’s ice-rich soil. Science museums across the country will carry a live feed from NASA during the landing sequence. If you’re in the Denver area, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science is already selling tickets to the event. Some details:

Phoenix on Mars—Live!
Sunday, May 25
4:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Phipps IMAX Theater
$7 member adult, $10 nonmember adult, $5 child/student
For reservations, call 303-322-7009 or 1-800-925-2250, Monday through Friday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

*****

Additional Mars news includes revitalized plans for a sample return mission. The Mars Science Laboratory could begin the process of collecting samples. A dedicated sample return mission could launch in 2020. Scientists and engineers are busy poring over the avalanche of data already sent by current Mars probes.

Bob Schaffer/Jack Abramoff Strategy Fails (Finally)

Zappatero has a post on a Mariana Islands development. The Bob Schaffer/Jack Abramoff strategy of not extending U.S. protections to the Mariana Islands has finally run into a brick wall: Pres. Bush yesterday signed a bill that passed overwhelmingly in both houses of Congress to extend U.S. labor law to the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Global Warming Denyers: Take Responsibility!

Something the right-wing parroted over and over since I can remember is taking responsibility for your actions. It was used to great effect when St. Ronnie Reagan bashed on people receiving welfare in the 1980’s, claiming too many of them were driving Cadillacs, among other ridiculous claims. “Take responsibility for your actions,” the right would scream at anyone unfortunate enough to be nearby. George Bush has provided thousands of examples of how the same advice just doesn’t apply to Republicans, the Iraq occupation and Hurricane Katrina being just two examples.

I wrote about one recent example just over a week ago after I read that Dennis Avery, a “Senior Fellow” at the Heartland Institute, wrote and widely published an article, “500 Scientists with Documented Doubts of Man-Made Global Warming Scares”. The biggest problem with that article? Many of the scientists listed never gave their consent to be listed. So the scientists did what they should have done: asked to have their names removed from Avery’s propaganda. Then what happened?

Via frankbi, a few things have happened. First, the title was changed:

The title of the 14 Sep press release has been changed from

500 Scientists with Documented Doubts of Man-Made Global Warming Scares: Alphabetical List

to

500 Scientists Whose Research Contradicts Man-Made Global Warming Scares

This happened between 2 May and 4 May. Were any of the scientists’ names removed? Of course not! That wouldn’t jive with the propaganda, now would it. I mean, Exxon and other corporations have paid millions of dollars to have their crap spewed by “reputable institutions”. Admitting they were lying wouldn’t achieve that goal.

Now, the debacle has reached a wider audience: the New Zealand media. You know, New Zealand, where science is actually respected. The U.S. corporate media? They likely think this is how things should happen. Now, H.I.’s President Joe Bast says there will be no further changes either to the title of the paper or those cited as supporting its flawed conclusions.

This constitutes a complete disregard for accepted methodologies within responsible, professional organizations. This constitutes a complete lack of “taking responsibility” for one’s actions. This serves as just the latest example of why the right-wing is slowly losing influence: their actions and intentions just aren’t credible. I haven’t heard one way or the other, but I wonder if legal pressure is being considered. I know if my name were on that list, I’d do everything (legal and ethical) I could to remove it.

The problem really manifests itself when “analysts” (propagandists) from the Heartland Institute or the Independence Institute get attention in the corporate media. They’re brought on as guests to right-wing radio shows and invited to write columns in major newspapers, as though they’re serious, neutral professionals. And what’s the first thing they always parrot? That peer-reviewed science journal articles constitute junk science, and their “science” is without bias.

This case demonstrates something very important: if the denialist propagandists lie and act unethically so easily, why are they taken seriously by the corporate media? Because they’re connected and they have an agenda.

Thankfully, more citizens and businesses are taking the threat of climate change seriously. They’re acting of their own volition. They’re actually following the right-wing’s advice and taking responsibility for their actions. Those millions of propaganda dollars spent by Big Energy? It’s turning into a wasted investment.

h/t DeSmogBlog

Quick Hits 5/8/08

The third generation Toyota Prius is due to hit the market in spring of 2009. Road & Track has a little preview of what to expect. It should be slightly longer and have a slightly larger engine. Hank Green at EcoGeek wants to see Toyota move from nickel batteries to lithium-ion technology. I agree with Hank: with gas prices where they are, consumers would benefit from having stronger, longer-lasting batteries. In a couple of years, I predict they will be essentially required.

*****

I received an email from Russ Feingold’s Progressive Patriots Fund earlier this morning. A second installment has opened up allowing votes for House candidates. Betsy Markey, running for CO-04’s seat, against the odious Marilyn “Mad Cow” Musgrave, is on the list!

Whoever garners the most votes by next Wednesday at 5P will receive $5,000 from the Fund. Every little bit helps and the visibility would do wonders for Betsy’s campaign, I’m sure.

Go vote for Betsy!

Denver Climate: April 2008

The NWS released Denver’s April Climate Summary. April was the 5th driest in Denver’s history dating back to 1872. This follows a dry March for Denver, which ranked as the 3rd driest on record. The snowfall for the winter was below average. Thankfully, temperatures were near average. If that changes in the upcoming months, drought conditions are coming back.

Climate Sensor to Fly on Satellite

This is certainly good news. A previously slashed instrument has been reapproved for inclusion to the NPOESS satellite scheduled for launch in 2013.

NOAA, the U.S. Air Force and NASA agreed this week to restore the Total Solar Irradiance Sensor (TSIS) to the first NPOESS (National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System). Set to launch in 2013, NPOESS is a new civil/military satellite system that will monitor the Earth’s weather, atmosphere, oceans, land and near-space environment. The mission will monitor the planet and providing data for long-range weather and climate forecast models.

TSIS will measure the total amount of solar radiation that comes into the earth’s atmosphere- a key data point and factor in climate change.

As mentioned, scientists need those high quality data for inclusion in models. A number of climate change denyers didn’t want that sensor to fly: it’s easier to say something isn’t happening if nobody can measure it accurately. I am very pleased this sensor is once again being included.

Quick Hits & 1 Long Hit 5/6/08

The Climate Security Act needs to be strengthened. You can use the League of Conservation Voter’s action page to request your Senators to do so.

Oil hit $122 per barrel in trading today. That’s double what it was one year ago. That’s more pressure exerted on families’ budgets.

Buyout billionaire Henry Kravis saved $96 million through tax loopholes in 2006 alone. That’s just one buyout billionaire, in one year, making use of one loophole (tax evasion scheme)! Just think how much these private equity crooks are costing taxpayers who are already battling financial hardships and home foreclosures. BraveNewFilms has a video about this and a request for the presidential candidates to close the buyout industry’s tax evasion scheme.

The Bush “administration” has lost 400 employee laptops that conduct delicate, often secret, diplomatic relations with foreign countries, an internal audit has found.

Ironically, the Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program is administered by the State Department’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), which is responsible for the security of the department’s computer networks and sensitive equipment, including laptops, among other duties.

These are the same idiots who want to convince Americans they can responsibly handle access to information about the lives of Americans while demanding no Congressional oversight. HAHAHAHAHA! I don’t know what’s worse though: the above or the fact that Rep. Steny Hoyer and others are still willing to grant retroactive immunity to proven lawbreaking telecommunications corporations.

Analysts are reportedly torn over what an energy windfall profits tax would do. A few things here: corporations were given tax breaks by President Bush and Congress. Now that Democrats want the breaks to expire, what are Republicans and corporations calling the action? That’s correct: a tax increase. They’re spinning it like the tax was never before applied and woe to the poor corporations that are earning profits in the billions every quarter.

Re-applying fair taxes on the oil corporations could provide long-overdue dollars to renewable energy research and development. There needs to be a much larger focus on the development side of things. Technologies exist to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions - we need to help drive them into the marketplace more efficiently.

If oil corporations raise gas prices to regenerate their ridiculous profits, a majority of consumers will not blame the government. It would be clear at that point which entity was really responsible for excessive prices.

Pro-corporate analysts in the article bring up the fact that Google has a profit margin of 25% while oil corporations have profit margins closer to 10% and nobody is recommending a windfall profits tax on Google. Can you point to an example of how you or your family is paying more for goods because of Google? Oil corporations are directing more of their profits to buying back their stock, enriching stock holders. They should be directing that money to developing refining capacity. They’ve ignored refineries for decades and we’re paying the price for that short-sightedness at the pump.

Of course, the ultimate ideological argument has to be presented: government shouldn’t force movement of monies to R&D, the “free-market” should. The Heritage Foundation gets a nod in the article, with David Kreutzer asking if the government could take this capital and do a better job investing it than shareholders can. David and others aren’t willing to recognize that shareholders haven’t been able to make the correct decisions in the past generation. They’re only interested in further enriching themselves and the rest of us get to suffer for it: high gas prices, geopolitical instability and occupying the Middle East are only a few examples.

I, for one, have no more patience for these greedy vampires. The “free-market” has been unable to act in the interests of our society’s citizens. Taxes need to be reapplied to oil corporations and the richest Americans. They need to invest their fair share into our nation’s infrastructure and long-term interests.

Denver Post Loves Conservatives & Their Issues

The theme from yesterday’s Sunday Denver Post was pro-Republican, pro-Republican and pro-Republican. From headlines to important yet missed details, readers were treated to another example of why it pays to beat up on the media for 30 years, as long as you’re a Republican.

Article #1: “McCain faces a wild West” by Chuck Plunkett. Inside, Chuck details how Colorado’s Republican elites didn’t back McCain in the caucus. In fact none of them joined McCain for his stop here last week. Chuck writes how James Dobson has said he cannot and will not vote for McCain in the general election. Americans believe the economy is in a recession, foreclosure rates set a record every month, the dollar’s value is collapsing, oil approaches $120 per barrel (and reached it today), gas prices are setting records, families are having trouble paying for food, a super majority now want troops out of Iraq in a small time-frame (one year or less), and voters are registering as Democrats faster than Republicans, turnout in the primaries thus far has averaged 2-1 D to R. Poll after poll has shown, at best, tied support for McCain versus either Democratic contender. More polls are showing a substantial margin in the Democrats’ favor.

Imagine a similar scenario for the Democratic nominee: local party leaders refusing to show up for a town hall meeting/fundraiser. Environmental leaders refusing to vote for the nominee. Do you honestly believe the headline would read, “Nominee faces a wild West”? Hardly. The number one topic would be how unelectable they were and how the Democratic Party was mortally split. But not the Republican nominee and not in the Denver Post, no siree.

Chuck does spend some space regaling readers with the ridiculous Rev. Wright “controversy” and Obama’s “now infamous bitter comments”. Really? McCain faces a wild West because of two issues that aren’t on any voters’ radar screens? Chuck should be spending more time discovering how much a non-story Wright and Obama’s commentary really is. For instance, a CBS/NY Times poll shows support for Obama growing since Obama’s denunciation of Wright two weeks ago. The so-called “flap” exists only in the minds of conservative talkers and beltway bloviators. Thus, the Denver Post makes sure to include the non-issue in the article.

Bob Schaffer a No-Show at Republican Dinner

Zappatero shared the story of Bob Schaffer not attending the El Paso County (Colorado Springs) Lincoln Dinner. His campaign manager, Dick “Macaca” Wadhams attended instead. Zappatero’s post said Schaffer is sending Wadhams, but I don’t think that’s what is happening. Republicans have top-down control and I think Wadhams is in firm control of Schaffer. I think Wadhams didn’t want Schaffer attending.

I can’t fathom the reason. Maybe because groups in the Springs are questioning how Bob Schaffer could support forced abortions. Wadhams can’t have the people that get out the vote for corporate-crats questioning his candidate’s supposed credentials on this subject.

Additionally, it appears Dick “Macaca” Wadhams is better than Bob Schaffer at intimidating those who do have the gall to question his candidate, including members of the press. If I paid $80 for a dinner, I would demand the opportunity to speak with the person who wanted to be Sen. Wayne “Do-Nothing” Allard’s replacement. This just goes to show how much Republicans care about the little guy.

Energy Regulations & Republican Values

Oil and gas companies in Colorado whine that there’s not enough time to study and respond to rules proposed to take effect this year. They want some rules to apply this summer and others later. Let’s see: energy corporations are enjoying record profits quarter after quarter and are enjoying record claims and development quarter after quarter. Yup, I can definitely see why they need more time to study updated regulations: delay their implementation and the good times keep on rollin’! Shameful.

In the still developing Bob Schaffer - Jack Abramoff scandal, a nonpartisan group has put out an ad calling on Bob Schaffer to apologize for a controversial trip he took to the Mariana Islands and to donate a portion of his campaign funds to charities there. You can watch the ad at SchafferFacts.com. Schaffer’s campaign manager, Dick Wadhams, took the opportunity to attack the nonpartisan group instead. Ah, Republican values - gotta’ love ‘em! Schaffer’s ethics problems will prevent him from winning the Colorado Senate race.

Republican ne’er-do-well Douglas Bruce has been charged with sexually harassing a female staffer at the Colorado state Capitol. In just a few short weeks, Bruce has been censured for kicking a photographer and was removed from discussing a bill after making a disgusting, racist comment about guest workers. Bruce has refused to comment on the charges, which is certainly his perogative. A similar situation occurred earlier this session with a Democrat being accused of harassment. You know what he did? The morally correct thing: apologized and resigned. Instead, Bruce and his supporters work to make him the victim. What is it with Republicans and their “values” anyway?