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NASA

Submission + - NASA Scientist: Stop Building Coal Power Plants

eldavojohn writes: "Yesterday speaking as a private citizen & without authority from the U.S. space agency, James Hansen from NASA told Washington to stop building coal plants. From the article, "In his briefing to leaders of the press corps, entitled "Global Warming: Connecting the Dots from Causes to Solutions", Hansen said that evidence in the international scientific community shows global warming is occurring at a much faster pace than earlier forecasts predicted and that the burning of coal is a leading cause of elevated levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which traps heat via the so-called greenhouse effect. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, coal-fueled power plants produce about half of the electricity consumed in America. Plans currently call for the construction of some 160 new coal-based facilities to meet future energy needs over the next decade." Hansen is a controversial but high ranking scientist at NASA who is a well known outspoken opponent of the Bush administration's handling & policies of environmental issues."
Portables (Apple)

Submission + - How Jobs blew the iPhone keynote

PetManimal writes: "Mike Elgan, writing for Computerworld, slams Steve Jobs' keynote at MacWorld announcing the iPhone, claiming that Jobs is raising his customers' and Wall Street expectations too high, and is giving his competitors too much advance notice. And he questions the functionality of the product, noting that unlike most smart phones, the iPhone doesn't have a replacable battery, support for removable storage, or support for Microsoft apps like Word and Outlook, and can't handle voice-dialing, 3G Internet access, one-handed operation, or video recording. His conclusion:
A June unveiling that coincided with the actual product launch would have kept customers and Wall Street expectations in line; concealed product details from competitors; given Apple TV the full spotlight when it ships; kept iPod sales robust and would have helped Apple gracefully negotiate the rights to use the name "iPhone." In short, it would have been the traditional Apple home run. Steve Jobs blew it.
"
Sci-Fi

Submission + - DREAD: Electronic Weapon System

surajbarkale writes: From TFA:
The following article contains a link to the DREAD Weapon System Video. This is the first time this video has ever been shown to the public. The DREAD depicted in the video is a functional prototype that operates on a less-than-lethal mode. This prototype was dismantled for security purposes to protect the technology, after the making of this video. As of this posting, DefenseReview (DefRev) is the ONLY publication in the WORLD that has any written materials or video footage, or any information whatsoever, for that matter, on this revolutionary new weapon system.
The site even has a video!!!
United States

Submission + - The Death of Habeas Corpus

Jack Schitt writes: I know this may be from October 18, 2006, but I never saw it anywhere other than this MSNBC broadcast on YouTube.

Forget the DMCA.

Forget the PATRIOT Act.

Habeas Corpus, the legal action or writ by means of which detainees can seek relief from unlawful imprisonment, can now be blocked if the Feds decide for whatever reason (including classified reasons) to call you an enemy combatant. In other words, if you decide to protest some aspect of the US Government and manage to get their attention, they now have a legal loophole which allows them to arrest and detain you indefinitely without your ability to challenge it and without charges being filed.

I should move to China. At least they give you the illusion of being able to fight your detainment.

See the open statement to president Bush by MSNBC's Kieth Olbermann.

Attention US Government: I have no intention of harming the US or it's citizens at any point, either now or in the future. It's not worth the gas money to come and arrest me. Have a nice day.
-John Q. Public
Announcements

Submission + - Older Passengers May Suffer More from Jet Lag

JusticeISaid writes: The Washington Post is running a story today about a recent study by University of Virginia researchers which suggests that older passengers may suffer more from jet lag than younger ones. The research methodology involved advancing or retarding the exposure to light of laboratory mice; this produced a significantly higher rate of mortality among older mice than younger ones. The study also confirmed the widely held belief that it is more difficult to adjust to crossing time zones on Eastbound flights than when flying West. The Post article suggests that passengers flying from North America to Europe try to throttle their exposure to light on arrival — but the only sure fix is to travel by ship. No doubt it's also a good idea to leave your aging pet mice at home.
Quake

Submission + - Major Quake Near Taiwan

somegeekynick writes: Exactly two years to the day after the earthquake and tsunami of 2004, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit Taiwan and neighbouring regions. Regarding the Tsunami, "There is a possibility of a destructive local tsunami," the bureau said, saying waves were expected to hit Basco in the Philippines. "However at some coasts, particularly those near the epicenter, higher tsunami may arrive," it said. "Authorities should be aware of this possibility." USGS classifies it as a Major 'quake.

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