Francis Collins, of the Human Genome Project, is the rumored Obama appointee to head the NIH, the National Institutes of Health.
After the last eight years of science-bashing religionistas, do we really need more people who can't separate their personal superstition from science?
Pharyngula says No:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/05/dis-appointment.php
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/05/holier_than_thou.php
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/05/more_on_what_we_can_expect_fro.php
I agree.
{BTW: Blogger is annoying....}
Read More...
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Friday, May 08, 2009
Great News, Again!
NASA announced Thursday an $18.69 billion budget for fiscal year 2010 to advance Earth science, complete the International Space Station, explore the solar system and conduct aeronautics research. The budget request represents an increase of $903.6 million, or 5 percent, above funding provided in the fiscal year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act. All totaled, an additional $2 billion has been added to NASA's 2009 and 2010 budgets under the Obama administration.
read on at:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/may/HQ_09-102_FY2010Budget.html
Read More...
read on at:
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2009/may/HQ_09-102_FY2010Budget.html
Read More...
Friday, December 05, 2008
Obama's Change
Part of me wants to say "Leave Obama Alone!" The more savy of you should see an image of a whiny emo fucktard shitbag, mascara running, hands to red cheeks, crying, and screaming at you from the youtube. And that's an apt picture, because that's where the sentiment comes from: the whiny emo shittard fuckbag piece of me. Don't laugh, you have one too; and the more you deny it, the more we're sure that's the majority of the corny jokes and old sight gags, and favored talking-head recitations, you try to call a personality.
"Obama's recycling Clintonians. That's not change!" some people shout. Yet, Obama never specified what change he would usher in, as he is a good politician and therefore vague/ambiguous/disingenuous/whathaveyou. Clintonians are a change from the overwhelming flood of insane business, and social, conservatives Bush has coddled to his presidential teat. They're not a change, too, for obvious reasons.
The more thoughtful piece of me, that part that those of you who know me personally hate- because it won't leave anything alone, and demands I seek out more information about it- makes me consider other possibilities. This is the piece that makes me think the guy who couldn't feel his hand probably has either upper neck and shoulder trouble or very high back problems, or both. This is the piece that makes me comment on everything, as a way of trying to "sound it out", understand it fully, "grok" it for those Heinlein fans among you.
First, I consider that President-elect Obama has had his hand forced because of the economic problems helped along by Bush's "deregulation", "no government interference in the free market", and inability to fundamentally understand key concepts about reality, like calling a group of people- or their concerns- the "reality based" initiative/movement is the exact opposite of a derogatory comment. (Note that it was meant as such, and many took it to be so). Also, take care to read my wording, I said helped, not caused. Clinton and the demo-prats helped it along too; but I would like to throw back some comments I heard early in Bush II (pt1).
When the economy tanked in the early part of this decade, it was blamed on Clinton. Clinton's mismanagement caused that mini recession, due to his appointments, etc etc; and it couldn't be Bush's fault because he'd only been president for less than a year. Many people agreed that, if a president's policies could effect the economy it would be at the end of his term into the next president's. Ahem... well... Eight years after Bush's start we see where we are on that score.
But that's tangential, really. Obama's Change is the point of this- seeing as that's the title, it's sorta neat, AMIRITE?!?!!1 Maybe it's not the economic pressures that are forcing his hand, that made him run to tried and true and keep Gates- for the moment. Maybe he was lying about real change, and just wanted his demo-pratic cronies, instead of the repulican'ts currently in Washington. That is, at least, what I suspect some people are saying/thinking.
And that's the real issue, to me. Did he "intentionally mislead"? Did he lie? I'd say we'll know in 8 years. Not that Obama is ensured a second term, he's not- especially if the economy remains in the tank. But that will put us at the end of his presidency or four years after, and we;ll have a bit more perspective. For every thing someone may point to as evidence of their side (he's lying/he's not), there's one on the other, as well.
It comes down to, as so many things seem to, interpretation. Interpretation is a very touchy kind of thing. The Austrian Economists will tell you that Alphabet Agencies caused the Great Depression to be longer. It was reported in my local newspaper some time ago as fact. What they won't tell you is that Austrian Economics are an interpretation with their own problems. Interpretation is a very subjective experience, it asks a person to take some (at its best) facts and jiggle them around inside their dinkum-thinkums until an answer plops out. That is the essence of interpretation, and the EXACT reason anything that is concluded due to interpretation should be viewed with suspicion, and taken with a grain of salt.
There are interpretations that can be trusted, rather easily, too. These would be include such scientifically accepted ideas as the Theory of Relativity. Theory, sorta, means it's an interpretation of the way the universe works; BUT as a scientific theory, it also means there has been objective testing done that confirms predictions made by the theory. Take evolution: it's a theory not because it's unprovable; but because we can't actually go back and see evolution take place. Other than that one detail, it makes predictions, all of them have been true, and the only thing that is currently disputed is the mechanisms of how it happens (not if it happens- which it does).
Obama is going to be watched 24/7 in a way that other president's have not. Clinton felt some of this, with the dawnings of the internet, Bush got more of it, as the internet (and the blogosphere) really prospered [despite some of the laws that went into effect under him]. Yet, Obama is the first black president- or will be on January 20th (depends totally on when you read this). Add the economic crisis, that's been here since December 2007, and the changing status of America in a world/superpower context, add Obama's commitment to be the most wired presidency yet; and you're starting to get the picture.
When people tell me Obama is just another huckster bullshit artist politician, I squint at them, and try to make sure I'm seeing them clearly. There's only two types of people that seem to truly believe it- and a third that loves to say it: (1) the true believer, who thinks only the Repulican'ts are capable of really truly running America "well", (2) The cynical jackass who really and truly hates when anyone else is happy/optimistic/not-a-jackass, (3) The Vacuous idiot, or chicken little douchebag, who is simply spouting the verbal diarrhea of the talking-head they jerk-off to the most.
I'm not saying "Give Obama a chance". Fuck it, if you've already made up your mind, let me know- so I can ignore you for the next four years. What I am saying is, it's too early to tell, yet. Know how you can tell THAT? Because he's not even the president- not until January 20, 2009. There's a saying that every one of you has heard, and it's apt here; it's about eggs and baskets. Obama might only be a change because of his skin color, which would be the saddest thing, in my opinion; but even if that does prove to be the case, it's still change, and that means he didn't completely lie. Read More...
"Obama's recycling Clintonians. That's not change!" some people shout. Yet, Obama never specified what change he would usher in, as he is a good politician and therefore vague/ambiguous/disingenuous/whathaveyou. Clintonians are a change from the overwhelming flood of insane business, and social, conservatives Bush has coddled to his presidential teat. They're not a change, too, for obvious reasons.
The more thoughtful piece of me, that part that those of you who know me personally hate- because it won't leave anything alone, and demands I seek out more information about it- makes me consider other possibilities. This is the piece that makes me think the guy who couldn't feel his hand probably has either upper neck and shoulder trouble or very high back problems, or both. This is the piece that makes me comment on everything, as a way of trying to "sound it out", understand it fully, "grok" it for those Heinlein fans among you.
First, I consider that President-elect Obama has had his hand forced because of the economic problems helped along by Bush's "deregulation", "no government interference in the free market", and inability to fundamentally understand key concepts about reality, like calling a group of people- or their concerns- the "reality based" initiative/movement is the exact opposite of a derogatory comment. (Note that it was meant as such, and many took it to be so). Also, take care to read my wording, I said helped, not caused. Clinton and the demo-prats helped it along too; but I would like to throw back some comments I heard early in Bush II (pt1).
When the economy tanked in the early part of this decade, it was blamed on Clinton. Clinton's mismanagement caused that mini recession, due to his appointments, etc etc; and it couldn't be Bush's fault because he'd only been president for less than a year. Many people agreed that, if a president's policies could effect the economy it would be at the end of his term into the next president's. Ahem... well... Eight years after Bush's start we see where we are on that score.
But that's tangential, really. Obama's Change is the point of this- seeing as that's the title, it's sorta neat, AMIRITE?!?!!1 Maybe it's not the economic pressures that are forcing his hand, that made him run to tried and true and keep Gates- for the moment. Maybe he was lying about real change, and just wanted his demo-pratic cronies, instead of the repulican'ts currently in Washington. That is, at least, what I suspect some people are saying/thinking.
And that's the real issue, to me. Did he "intentionally mislead"? Did he lie? I'd say we'll know in 8 years. Not that Obama is ensured a second term, he's not- especially if the economy remains in the tank. But that will put us at the end of his presidency or four years after, and we;ll have a bit more perspective. For every thing someone may point to as evidence of their side (he's lying/he's not), there's one on the other, as well.
It comes down to, as so many things seem to, interpretation. Interpretation is a very touchy kind of thing. The Austrian Economists will tell you that Alphabet Agencies caused the Great Depression to be longer. It was reported in my local newspaper some time ago as fact. What they won't tell you is that Austrian Economics are an interpretation with their own problems. Interpretation is a very subjective experience, it asks a person to take some (at its best) facts and jiggle them around inside their dinkum-thinkums until an answer plops out. That is the essence of interpretation, and the EXACT reason anything that is concluded due to interpretation should be viewed with suspicion, and taken with a grain of salt.
There are interpretations that can be trusted, rather easily, too. These would be include such scientifically accepted ideas as the Theory of Relativity. Theory, sorta, means it's an interpretation of the way the universe works; BUT as a scientific theory, it also means there has been objective testing done that confirms predictions made by the theory. Take evolution: it's a theory not because it's unprovable; but because we can't actually go back and see evolution take place. Other than that one detail, it makes predictions, all of them have been true, and the only thing that is currently disputed is the mechanisms of how it happens (not if it happens- which it does).
Obama is going to be watched 24/7 in a way that other president's have not. Clinton felt some of this, with the dawnings of the internet, Bush got more of it, as the internet (and the blogosphere) really prospered [despite some of the laws that went into effect under him]. Yet, Obama is the first black president- or will be on January 20th (depends totally on when you read this). Add the economic crisis, that's been here since December 2007, and the changing status of America in a world/superpower context, add Obama's commitment to be the most wired presidency yet; and you're starting to get the picture.
When people tell me Obama is just another huckster bullshit artist politician, I squint at them, and try to make sure I'm seeing them clearly. There's only two types of people that seem to truly believe it- and a third that loves to say it: (1) the true believer, who thinks only the Repulican'ts are capable of really truly running America "well", (2) The cynical jackass who really and truly hates when anyone else is happy/optimistic/not-a-jackass, (3) The Vacuous idiot, or chicken little douchebag, who is simply spouting the verbal diarrhea of the talking-head they jerk-off to the most.
I'm not saying "Give Obama a chance". Fuck it, if you've already made up your mind, let me know- so I can ignore you for the next four years. What I am saying is, it's too early to tell, yet. Know how you can tell THAT? Because he's not even the president- not until January 20, 2009. There's a saying that every one of you has heard, and it's apt here; it's about eggs and baskets. Obama might only be a change because of his skin color, which would be the saddest thing, in my opinion; but even if that does prove to be the case, it's still change, and that means he didn't completely lie. Read More...
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
What I'm Seeing
I know everyone has to work, and do dishes, and pay taxes, and die; and all the other things that keeps them from reading and hearing all the different valid opinions out there; so I thought I'd compile a listing of some things about Obama that I'm seeing today.
(And why the hell is the embedded spell-checking hitting Obama as misspelled?)
Charlie Stross- English SF author- on Obama is a conservative and California's Prop 8, and why HE would have voted for him. (I'll note, because he took pains to make sure it happened this way, that he did not announce who he would have voted for until after the polls were closed).
PZ Meyers- noted atheist, biologist, professor, and blogger- on Obama's real challenge (and that he's conservative/centrist), and further context explanation of the original.
And, the ever present reality- punctuated by booing McCain supporters during the concession speech (maybe?): (via ModBlog by way of Warren Ellis)
I almost want to say that the things to do/focus on are watching who is picked as what for the admin; seeing if any bullshit comes from the Obama Camp like when Bush's admin accused the Clintons and their staff of stealing valuable pieces of art and furniture; relaxing because it's all over until Jan 20, 2009; and/or that the elections went smoothly, it was all very professional- and quick- and that McCain made a great speech as did Obama, neither deviating from basically expected prose.
However, I'm not that "bright and cheery message" guy. Instead, go look at Suburban Panic, Fafblog!, and WarrenEllis.com they all have funny, irreverent, or intentionally worrisome shite for you to waste away your days upon... Read More...
(And why the hell is the embedded spell-checking hitting Obama as misspelled?)
Charlie Stross- English SF author- on Obama is a conservative and California's Prop 8, and why HE would have voted for him. (I'll note, because he took pains to make sure it happened this way, that he did not announce who he would have voted for until after the polls were closed).
PZ Meyers- noted atheist, biologist, professor, and blogger- on Obama's real challenge (and that he's conservative/centrist), and further context explanation of the original.
And, the ever present reality- punctuated by booing McCain supporters during the concession speech (maybe?): (via ModBlog by way of Warren Ellis)
I almost want to say that the things to do/focus on are watching who is picked as what for the admin; seeing if any bullshit comes from the Obama Camp like when Bush's admin accused the Clintons and their staff of stealing valuable pieces of art and furniture; relaxing because it's all over until Jan 20, 2009; and/or that the elections went smoothly, it was all very professional- and quick- and that McCain made a great speech as did Obama, neither deviating from basically expected prose.
However, I'm not that "bright and cheery message" guy. Instead, go look at Suburban Panic, Fafblog!, and WarrenEllis.com they all have funny, irreverent, or intentionally worrisome shite for you to waste away your days upon... Read More...
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Done
West Wing Did It First. A very junior member of congress, a minority, a death, a moderate republican who must pick a staunch conservative whacko for VP (who decides to run for pres 4 years later), etc etc...
Also, looks like Alabama's Black Belt went to Obama- which is something I figured.
Happy. Anxious. Really want to talk to me-in-4-years to compare notes and see if some of the things I suspect about Obama's re-election are true. (knowing me I'll have forgotten all this stuff by then, and I don't feel like writing it down).
By the by: Howard Dean = Genius; and it's unsurprising to those of us who watched him with interest 4 years ago. Read More...
Also, looks like Alabama's Black Belt went to Obama- which is something I figured.
Happy. Anxious. Really want to talk to me-in-4-years to compare notes and see if some of the things I suspect about Obama's re-election are true. (knowing me I'll have forgotten all this stuff by then, and I don't feel like writing it down).
By the by: Howard Dean = Genius; and it's unsurprising to those of us who watched him with interest 4 years ago. Read More...
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