Monday, November 24, 2008
The Unity Between Obama and Bush
President-elect Obama has announced that he and Bush are "united" in getting the economy back on track. He called the financial crisis one of "historic proportions". He also said that there isn't a moment to waste when it comes to getting the economy fixed. Personally, I think that until Obama's inauguration, that the economy will either stay the same or go even more downhill than it is now, don't you?
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Tool Bag Lost in Space
On Wednesday, 11/19/08, the NASA crew was repairing the ISS. While the space-walker (Capt. Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper) was outside the spaceship,she discovered that one of her grease guns broke open in the tool bag she was carrying. (here is a video). Her tool bag contained 2 other grease guns, scrapers and other sorts of tools. She cleaned the mess up but she had not noticed that her tool bag had started to float into the infinite expanse of space. NASA tried to recover it, but it had been lost and it wasn't coming back. It is a good thing that there weren't electronics in the bag!
source
source
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Good and Bad Decision of Hillary Clinton
I have received intelligence that Barack Obama has offered Hillary Clinton the position of US Secretary of State. Hillary accepted, which I would also do if I were offered this position. However, it did involve giving up her seat in the Senate; the Daily Telegraph says "she could most likely have occupied [the Senate seat] for the rest of her career," which also makes this a bad decision.
Also, Obama might have decided to nominate Timothy Geithner as the Treasury Secretary. It was probably involved with the $700 billion bailout plan that was mentioned so many times, mostly in the Presidential Debates.
What would you have done if you were offered the position of US Secretary of State, but had to give up your Senate seat?
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Our grammatical President-elect
Obama’s Use of Complete Sentences Stirs Conversation
In the first two weeks since the election, President-elect Barack Obama has broken with a tradition established over the past eight years through his use of complete sentences, political observers say. Millions of Americans who watched Obama's appearance on CBS' "Sixty Minutes" on Sunday witnessed the president-elect's unorthodox verbal tick, which had Obama employing grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth to speak.
But Obama's decision to use complete sentences in his public pronouncements carries with it certain risks, since after the last eight years many Americans may find his odd speaking style jarring. According to presidential historian, Davis Logsdon of the University of Minnesota, some Americans might find it "alienating" to have a President who speaks English as if it were his first language.
"Every time Obama opens his mouth, his subjects and verbs are in agreement," says Mr. Logsdon. "If he keeps it up, he is running the risk of sounding like an elitist."
The historian said that if Obama insists on using complete sentences in his speeches, the public may find itself saying, "Okay, subject, predicate, subject, predicate - we get it, stop showing off." President-elect Obama's stubborn insistence on using complete sentences has already attracted a rebuke from one of his harshest critics, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.
"Talking with complete sentences there and also too talking in a way that ordinary Americans like Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder can't really do there, I think needing to do that isn't tapping into what Americans are needing also," she said.
That confuses me a bit, her grammar could use some work! That quote is right from her mouth, word for word. I still think it unplausable that she was even in consideration for VP, as I have stated before. I think it shows professional views if you use good grammar, but that's me talking, you can't really use me as a basis for judging these ideas!
In the first two weeks since the election, President-elect Barack Obama has broken with a tradition established over the past eight years through his use of complete sentences, political observers say. Millions of Americans who watched Obama's appearance on CBS' "Sixty Minutes" on Sunday witnessed the president-elect's unorthodox verbal tick, which had Obama employing grammatically correct sentences virtually every time he opened his mouth to speak.
But Obama's decision to use complete sentences in his public pronouncements carries with it certain risks, since after the last eight years many Americans may find his odd speaking style jarring. According to presidential historian, Davis Logsdon of the University of Minnesota, some Americans might find it "alienating" to have a President who speaks English as if it were his first language.
"Every time Obama opens his mouth, his subjects and verbs are in agreement," says Mr. Logsdon. "If he keeps it up, he is running the risk of sounding like an elitist."
The historian said that if Obama insists on using complete sentences in his speeches, the public may find itself saying, "Okay, subject, predicate, subject, predicate - we get it, stop showing off." President-elect Obama's stubborn insistence on using complete sentences has already attracted a rebuke from one of his harshest critics, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.
"Talking with complete sentences there and also too talking in a way that ordinary Americans like Joe the Plumber and Tito the Builder can't really do there, I think needing to do that isn't tapping into what Americans are needing also," she said.
That confuses me a bit, her grammar could use some work! That quote is right from her mouth, word for word. I still think it unplausable that she was even in consideration for VP, as I have stated before. I think it shows professional views if you use good grammar, but that's me talking, you can't really use me as a basis for judging these ideas!
Economy Crashing Wave by Wave
Warning! This economic crises floods our economy as we speak! This chart (second) displays what went on with Dow Industrials just today. For the first time since 2003 it sank below 8,000. It suddenly dropped 5.07%in just one day.It especially slides down between 3 and 4 pm ET. Many specific types of businesses got harmed even more. Citigroup descended by over 22%. General Motors 10% about $2 per share, and Ford Motor Company 24% about $1 per share. These companies are 2/3 of the leading American automakers. The threat of their bankruptcy aligns them on the edge of the cliff. Oil drops to a record low for 22 months or about $56 a barrel. Nasdaq, including many video game companies descended 6.53% (first chart). Markets from some other countries also descended although not as much. If you want more information on this topic, I recommend that you visit my source.Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Astronaut Loses Tool Bag While Working On the International Space Station
Astronaut Stefanyshyn-Piper was working on a solar panel of the International Space Station when she dropped her bag. Everything floated away! She couldn't do anything about it though, so she used the other astronaut's on the space walk. The mission otherwise went well. Too bad she dropped her bag. It probably cost a lot of $!
Daniel--Who is Uncle Sam
Do you ever wonder who Uncle Sam is ? Well, according to history, Upstate New York would have barrels of meat that had the initials U.S. branded on it. The troops joked around that the initials,U.S. meant "Uncle" Samuel Wilson (who was born Troy, New York and the U.S meat supplier). So, the troops may have thought that since he feeds us it means that he's our mascot. Which may have led to Uncle Samuel Wilson becoming Uncle Sam. He didn't really become Uncle Sam until The 87Th United States Congress said on September 15, 1961 said that "Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America's National symbol of Uncle Sam". That day on Uncle Sam became a national mascot of the military.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Reuniting of the rivals!
President-elect Barack Obama and Senator John McCain agreed on Monday, in their first meeting since the election, to work together on some of the nation’s most pressing challenges, from the financial crisis to national security problems. I think it's funny that Obama is now called "President-elect".
After a private meeting in the Obama transition offices on the 38th floor of the Kluczynski (however you would pronounce that) Federal Building in downtown Chicago, the two former opponents issued a joint statement saying that they agreed “that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time.” I quote the New York Times.
The statement continued: “We hope to work together in the days and months ahead on critical challenges like solving our financial crisis, creating a new energy economy, and protecting our nation’s security.”
There were few other clues to the dynamics between the two men, who until two weeks ago were competing for the presidency, and whose relations during the campaign were at times a bit musty. When a reporter asked Senator McCain at the outset of the meeting on Monday whether he would help Obama with his administration, he quickly replied, “Obviously.”
The meeting came four days after Obama met with his main rival for the Democratic nomination, Senator Hillary Clinton, sparking widespread rumor that he would nominate her to be secretary of state. Now it seems totally likely to happen.
And it also came three days after Obama met with another former rival, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a former ambassador to the United Nations who might now be in competition with Clinton for the State Department post, which almost nobody has heard said before.
The Obama-McCain meeting in Chicago, an effort at reuniting after a bitterly fought campaign, came unusually soon after Election Day.
Obama (president-elect) and the Arizona senator still hold relatively similar views on issues like climate change and ethics reform, where cooperation is necessary. More urgently, Obama may be hoping for help in pushing for a new economic stimulus package that faces stiff Republican resistance.
After a private meeting in the Obama transition offices on the 38th floor of the Kluczynski (however you would pronounce that) Federal Building in downtown Chicago, the two former opponents issued a joint statement saying that they agreed “that Americans of all parties want and need their leaders to come together and change the bad habits of Washington so that we can solve the common and urgent challenges of our time.” I quote the New York Times.
The statement continued: “We hope to work together in the days and months ahead on critical challenges like solving our financial crisis, creating a new energy economy, and protecting our nation’s security.”
There were few other clues to the dynamics between the two men, who until two weeks ago were competing for the presidency, and whose relations during the campaign were at times a bit musty. When a reporter asked Senator McCain at the outset of the meeting on Monday whether he would help Obama with his administration, he quickly replied, “Obviously.”
The meeting came four days after Obama met with his main rival for the Democratic nomination, Senator Hillary Clinton, sparking widespread rumor that he would nominate her to be secretary of state. Now it seems totally likely to happen.
And it also came three days after Obama met with another former rival, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico, a former ambassador to the United Nations who might now be in competition with Clinton for the State Department post, which almost nobody has heard said before.
The Obama-McCain meeting in Chicago, an effort at reuniting after a bitterly fought campaign, came unusually soon after Election Day.
Obama (president-elect) and the Arizona senator still hold relatively similar views on issues like climate change and ethics reform, where cooperation is necessary. More urgently, Obama may be hoping for help in pushing for a new economic stimulus package that faces stiff Republican resistance.
You Wanna Be Me?
Neuroscientists have found a way to make it feel like you are in some one elses body! Strange as it sounds, scientists have induced this phenomenon in a series of volunteers. People can experience the illusion that either a mannequin or another person’s body is their own body, says Valeria Petkova of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. She and Karolinska colleague Henrik Ehrsson call this reaction the “body-swap illusion.”
“Our subjects experienced this illusion as being exciting and strange, and often said that they wanted to come back and try it again,” says Petkova, who reported the findings November 17 at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Volunteers experienced the body-swap illusion by receiving simultaneous visual and motor input from another’s body. In one experiment, each participant stood across from a male mannequin, and in another experiment volunteers faced a female experimenter. A headset covering participants’ eyes displayed a three-dimensional view of the other’s visual perspective, transmitted from a small video camera positioned on the mannequin’s or the woman’s head.
In the mannequin situation, an experimenter simultaneously touched the participant’s belly and the mannequin’s belly with separate probes. So the volunteer felt a poking in the abdomen but saw the poking happen as if he or she were the mannequin. In the real-person situation, participant and experimenter shook hands. Thus, while volunteers felt the sensation of hand shaking, it appeared to them that they were shaking their own hand. After 10 to 12 seconds of abdominal touch or hand-shaking, male and female participants spontaneously had the experience of looking out from the body of the male mannequin or the female experimenter. They literally felt that they were in the mannequin’s body getting poked or had embodied the female experimenter and were shaking their own hands. I think that this is the coolest thing that I have ever heard of and I hope to try it in the future.
www.sciencenews.org
“Our subjects experienced this illusion as being exciting and strange, and often said that they wanted to come back and try it again,” says Petkova, who reported the findings November 17 at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Volunteers experienced the body-swap illusion by receiving simultaneous visual and motor input from another’s body. In one experiment, each participant stood across from a male mannequin, and in another experiment volunteers faced a female experimenter. A headset covering participants’ eyes displayed a three-dimensional view of the other’s visual perspective, transmitted from a small video camera positioned on the mannequin’s or the woman’s head.
In the mannequin situation, an experimenter simultaneously touched the participant’s belly and the mannequin’s belly with separate probes. So the volunteer felt a poking in the abdomen but saw the poking happen as if he or she were the mannequin. In the real-person situation, participant and experimenter shook hands. Thus, while volunteers felt the sensation of hand shaking, it appeared to them that they were shaking their own hand. After 10 to 12 seconds of abdominal touch or hand-shaking, male and female participants spontaneously had the experience of looking out from the body of the male mannequin or the female experimenter. They literally felt that they were in the mannequin’s body getting poked or had embodied the female experimenter and were shaking their own hands. I think that this is the coolest thing that I have ever heard of and I hope to try it in the future.
www.sciencenews.org
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Somthing Besides Hubble, For Once!
NASA's space shuttle, Endeavour, launched up into Florida's sky on Friday,11/14/08. It launched at 7:55 pm on a partly cloudy day. It's goal was to, in 15 days, build onto the already massive ($100 billion) ISS. It is mainly focused on doubling the size of the three man crew. Michael T. Suffredini points out,“when the crew leaves, the station won’t look any different on the outside, but it’ll be dramatically different on the inside.” It is doing well so far which is extremely exciting! source: New York Times
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Scientists Hope to Clone Extinct Species
Scientists successfully cloned mice that had been frozen for 16 years. In the future this technology will help scientists to bring back extinct species. Before this technology, scientists could only clone by using cells from living animals.
"This is the first time a mammal has been cloned from a sample stored at conditions reasonably close to what might be expected in permafrost,"Teruhiko Wakayama, who led the study, said in a statement.
The idea of cloning extinct animals just gives me the goose bumps talking about it. Technology is advancing everyday - next we know it, there will be mammoths walking around again.
Article and Video from CNN.con/technology on Nov. 4, 2008.
-- Samantha
"This is the first time a mammal has been cloned from a sample stored at conditions reasonably close to what might be expected in permafrost,"Teruhiko Wakayama, who led the study, said in a statement.
The idea of cloning extinct animals just gives me the goose bumps talking about it. Technology is advancing everyday - next we know it, there will be mammoths walking around again.
Article and Video from CNN.con/technology on Nov. 4, 2008.
-- Samantha
T. Boone Pickens Stalls on Wind Power - Daniel
CNET.com - Nov 12, 2008
Statesman.com - Nov. 12, 2008
T. Boone Pickens, an ex-oil executive, billionaire and proponent of alternative energies, earlier this summer had proposed a plan for reducing America's oil dependence by promoting the use of wind farms and natural gas in vehicles. He recently announced that he would limit his plans for wind farming due to the recent drops in oil and gas prices.
Until natural-gas prices rise, Pickens said his wind farm and most others in the country will not go forward because electricity from gas plants will be more economical. "With natural gas prices where they are, you can't kick off a wind project, you're not economical." Pickens said Tuesday at a news conference in Arizona.
Earlier this year, he founded Mesa Power, a company that would be the world's largest wind farm in Texas, able to make 4,000 megawatts of electricity, or enough to power 1.3 million homes. It seems like a great idea. Wind power is clean and renewable but it's difficult to understand why we can't go through with this plan for a powerful wind farm, knowing that gas and oil energy will eventually run out. I guess we'll need a crisis for us to do something about it.
Big Deal over Unnoticed History
Hello. Today I found an interesting fact that shocked me. Inside of a traditionally republican state, a miracle happened for the democrats. Some of Nebraska, particuarly Omaha, voted partly for Obama. I discovered a picture that shows Obama fans protesting at a republican event (left). Signs like "Obamaha says THANKS but NO THANKS", "BUSH IN A SKIRT", and the simple "OBAMA FOR PRESIDENT" try to make their point. Can you find them all? Many experts made comments. Cary Vigneri said “I think, ‘Yeah, team!’ It’s way cool.”
Ralph Morocco, a Republican turned Obama campaign volunteer said, “We did our part, and it’s nice to see the work pay off.” Many more comments made my source; Visit my source to hear them. Beilieve it or not, I didn't even tell you the real news yet! Nebraska and Maine split their electoral votes but in Nebraska that doesn't normally matter. Due to lack of democrats in Nebraska, the republicans normally obtain all of their elctoral votes. For the first time since 1964, one electoral vote goes to the democrats. One electoral vote didn't make the difference, but it will make history.
One vote may be small. Smaller than small. But it's still a vote. And that's what I wrote.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
McCain's Concession Speech (Transcript)
SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN: Thank you. Thank you, my friends. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you for coming here on this beautiful Arizona evening. (Cheers, applause.)
My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama -- (boos) -- to congratulate him -- (boos) -- please, -- to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.
This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit -- to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now -- (cheers, applause) -- let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth. (Cheers, applause.)
Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.
Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
I urge all Americans -- (applause) -- I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. (Cheers, applause.)
It is natural -- it's natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought -- we fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.
AUDIENCE: No!
MR. MCCAIN: I am so --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain!
SEN. MCCAIN: I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.
I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother -- (cheers, applause) -- my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.
You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead. (Laughter.)
I am also -- I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen. (Cheers, applause.) One of the best campaigners I have ever seen --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) Sarah! Sarah!
MR. MCCAIN: -- and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. (Cheers, applause.) Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children -- (cheers, applause) -- with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and- tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country. (Cheers, applause.)
To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.
I don't know -- I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: No!
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You deserve more!
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Chanting off mike.)
MR. MCCAIN: Please. Please.
I would not -- I would not be an -- an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it. (Cheers, applause.)
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
SEN. MCCAIN: Tonight -- tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama -- whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.
And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender. (Cheers, applause.) We never hide from history, we make history. (Cheers, applause.)
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you all very much. (Cheers, applause.)
I thought McCain gave a great speech! Very gracious! Sorry this is so long but... I thought it was important to see.
My friends, we have -- we have come to the end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly. A little while ago, I had the honor of calling Senator Barack Obama -- (boos) -- to congratulate him -- (boos) -- please, -- to congratulate him on being elected the next president of the country that we both love.
In a contest as long and difficult as this campaign has been, his success alone commands my respect for his ability and perseverance. But that he managed to do so by inspiring the hopes of so many millions of Americans who had once wrongly believed that they had little at stake or little influence in the election of an American president is something I deeply admire and commend him for achieving.
This is an historic election, and I recognize the special significance it has for African-Americans and for the special pride that must be theirs tonight.
I've always believed that America offers opportunities to all who have the industry and will to seize it. Senator Obama believes that, too. But we both recognize that though we have come a long way from the old injustices that once stained our nation's reputation and denied some Americans the full blessings of American citizenship, the memory of them still had the power to wound.
A century ago, President Theodore Roosevelt's invitation of Booker T. Washington to visit -- to dine at the White House was taken as an outrage in many quarters. America today is a world away from the cruel and prideful bigotry of that time. There is no better evidence of this than the election of an African American to the presidency of the United States. Let there be no reason now -- (cheers, applause) -- let there be no reason now for any American to fail to cherish their citizenship in this, the greatest nation on Earth. (Cheers, applause.)
Senator Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer in my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day, though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.
Senator Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.
I urge all Americans -- (applause) -- I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our good will and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences, and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.
Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that. (Cheers, applause.)
It is natural -- it's natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought -- we fought as hard as we could.
And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.
AUDIENCE: No!
MR. MCCAIN: I am so --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain! John McCain!
SEN. MCCAIN: I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you.
I am especially grateful to my wife, Cindy, my children, my dear mother -- (cheers, applause) -- my dear mother and all my family and to the many old and dear friends who have stood by my side through the many ups and downs of this long campaign. I have always been a fortunate man, and never more so for the love and encouragement you have given me.
You know, campaigns are often harder on a candidate's family than on the candidate, and that's been true in this campaign. All I can offer in compensation is my love and gratitude, and the promise of more peaceful years ahead. (Laughter.)
I am also -- I am also, of course, very thankful to Governor Sarah Palin, one of the best campaigners I have ever seen. (Cheers, applause.) One of the best campaigners I have ever seen --
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) Sarah! Sarah!
MR. MCCAIN: -- and an impressive new voice in our party for reform and the principles that have always been our greatest strength. (Cheers, applause.) Her husband Todd and their five beautiful children -- (cheers, applause) -- with their tireless dedication to our cause, and the courage and grace they showed in the rough-and- tumble of a presidential campaign. We can all look forward with great interest to her future service to Alaska, the Republican Party and our country. (Cheers, applause.)
To all my campaign comrades, from Rick Davis and Steve Schmidt and Mark Salter, to every last volunteer who fought so hard and valiantly month after month in what at times seemed to be the most challenged campaign in modern times, thank you so much. A lost election will never mean more to me than the privilege of your faith and friendship.
I don't know -- I don't know what more we could have done to try to win this election. I'll leave that to others to determine. Every candidate makes mistakes, and I'm sure I made my share of them. But I won't spend a moment of the future regretting what might have been.
This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Senator Obama and my old friend Senator Joe Biden should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: No!
AUDIENCE MEMBER: You deserve more!
AUDIENCE MEMBERS: (Chanting off mike.)
MR. MCCAIN: Please. Please.
I would not -- I would not be an -- an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it. (Cheers, applause.)
AUDIENCE: (Chanting.) USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!
SEN. MCCAIN: Tonight -- tonight, more than any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Senator Obama -- whether they supported me or Senator Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.
And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.
Americans never quit. We never surrender. (Cheers, applause.) We never hide from history, we make history. (Cheers, applause.)
Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America. (Cheers, applause.) Thank you all very much. (Cheers, applause.)
I thought McCain gave a great speech! Very gracious! Sorry this is so long but... I thought it was important to see.
A Blog about Palin (how profound :))
Adored by many national conservatives, Palin is a prospect for a presidential run in 2012, some supporters say. Caricatured by opponents, "she is a candidate for political oblivion," said others.
Regardless, Sarah Palin told reporters the day after Election Day, “This has been all positive for me.”
Alaska, as well, has been recast in the 10 weeks since Palin soared above and beyond as the Republican nominee for vice president, and the process has not necessarily been all positive.
"Oil prices, which provide the bulk of state revenue, were well over $100 a barrel in late August when Ms. Palin left to campaign with Senator John McCain." I quote the New York Times.
That must not be a good thing for Alaska, which by the way voted for McCain/Palin. That is not too surprising but... only 3 electoral votes! Palin now is back in Alaska, I think, back to where she should be. I'm very glad she is not VP!
Regardless, Sarah Palin told reporters the day after Election Day, “This has been all positive for me.”
Alaska, as well, has been recast in the 10 weeks since Palin soared above and beyond as the Republican nominee for vice president, and the process has not necessarily been all positive.
"Oil prices, which provide the bulk of state revenue, were well over $100 a barrel in late August when Ms. Palin left to campaign with Senator John McCain." I quote the New York Times.
That must not be a good thing for Alaska, which by the way voted for McCain/Palin. That is not too surprising but... only 3 electoral votes! Palin now is back in Alaska, I think, back to where she should be. I'm very glad she is not VP!
Water on Mars!
Scientists are puzzled about Mars. Was Mars wet? Some minerals have proof that water must have been on Mars for two billion years after it existed. NASA has been watching Mars very carefully. They found Opal and other similar minerals. Opal is a type of mineral that requires water. Life needs water, it is what over 90% of our body is made of. If there was water on Mars, then there was a high chance there was life on Mars. It is very exciting that there could have been life on Mars! Source; NYT
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Jeremy -- Ridiculous Rumors
"You Say Obama is a Muslim? I'll call you a 3-watt bulb" by John Kelso, Austin American Statesman Tuesday November 4th 2008 B1 and B5
The article I digested talks about the lie being believed about Obama. The author says that 23% of 600 Texans polled by political scientist call Obama a Muslim. The national polls say 5% to 6% think Obama is a Muslim. Obama is a Christian. This author makes a joke about how these Texans are making us look even more stupid than usual since we have 4 times as many people saying they believe this lie.
He also has a theory about why Texans might be saying he is Muslim even if they don't really believe that. Maybe they just want to insult Obama because they don't like him and that saying they believe he is a Muslim. Then the author is sarcastic about why people would even think that was an insult.
In the end he say "On the other hand, I'm wondering now, what % of Texans believe in the correlation between stepping on a sidewalk crack and breaking your mother's back. It's probably pretty."
I liked this article because it was hysterical.
The article I digested talks about the lie being believed about Obama. The author says that 23% of 600 Texans polled by political scientist call Obama a Muslim. The national polls say 5% to 6% think Obama is a Muslim. Obama is a Christian. This author makes a joke about how these Texans are making us look even more stupid than usual since we have 4 times as many people saying they believe this lie.
He also has a theory about why Texans might be saying he is Muslim even if they don't really believe that. Maybe they just want to insult Obama because they don't like him and that saying they believe he is a Muslim. Then the author is sarcastic about why people would even think that was an insult.
In the end he say "On the other hand, I'm wondering now, what % of Texans believe in the correlation between stepping on a sidewalk crack and breaking your mother's back. It's probably pretty."
I liked this article because it was hysterical.
Space: Do you want to see it?
Garriott on life in space: Food's not bad, but don't let the sleeping bag float away
By Lilly Rockwell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Have you ever wanted to go to space? Richard Garriott did. His dad was an astronaut at NASA. Richard is not, but since he is a millionaire he was able to pay enough to go on the trip.
I wish I could go to space, but it would be weird to go to the bathroom on a space ship. “To urinate is not a big deal, at least not for a guy. You have a funnel with suction behind it,” said Richard.
“Solid waste disposal is trickier. You have a toilet, and there is a plastic bag with holes in the bottom. We do our business and hope that the airflow is enough to pull it into the bag. It's a fairly lengthy process and one that has to be done well because sanitation is a really important issue.”
Richard said that when he took off, he looked out the window and he could see the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, all the little contrails, and the major highways. I think that would be really cool to see from that high above. He also said that when you go to bed, there are usually three little chambers that look like coffins. Since there were six people on the trip, the three that don’t get to be in the chambers use sleeping bags. Either you let the bag float around or tie it to a string.
The End
By Lilly Rockwell
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Have you ever wanted to go to space? Richard Garriott did. His dad was an astronaut at NASA. Richard is not, but since he is a millionaire he was able to pay enough to go on the trip.
I wish I could go to space, but it would be weird to go to the bathroom on a space ship. “To urinate is not a big deal, at least not for a guy. You have a funnel with suction behind it,” said Richard.
“Solid waste disposal is trickier. You have a toilet, and there is a plastic bag with holes in the bottom. We do our business and hope that the airflow is enough to pull it into the bag. It's a fairly lengthy process and one that has to be done well because sanitation is a really important issue.”
Richard said that when he took off, he looked out the window and he could see the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, all the little contrails, and the major highways. I think that would be really cool to see from that high above. He also said that when you go to bed, there are usually three little chambers that look like coffins. Since there were six people on the trip, the three that don’t get to be in the chambers use sleeping bags. Either you let the bag float around or tie it to a string.
The End
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Trick-or-treater, 12, shot to death, police say
On Halloween night, a 12 year old boy with his father, 2 younger siblings were out trick-or-treating while his mother and the youngest were in the car. The boy knocked on the door and the man who lived there, Quentin Patrick, thought they were robbers. Mr. Patrick shot through the door with an assault rifle, killing the 12-year old and injuring the father and one of the siblings. Police Chief Patty Patterson said that it was a real tragedy as the kids were just out for Halloween. Mr. Patrick was arrested on several charges.
He told police he had been robbed and shot in the past year. "He wasn't going to be robbed again, and he wasn't going to be shot again," Patterson said Saturday at a news conference.
I think it is really sad because they were just out having fun for Halloween. The lesson we might learn from this is that you're never perfectly safe - something can happen at anytime in any place.
-- Article from CNN.com on November 2, 2008. Copyright 2008 by the Associated Press.
Samantha
He told police he had been robbed and shot in the past year. "He wasn't going to be robbed again, and he wasn't going to be shot again," Patterson said Saturday at a news conference.
I think it is really sad because they were just out having fun for Halloween. The lesson we might learn from this is that you're never perfectly safe - something can happen at anytime in any place.
-- Article from CNN.com on November 2, 2008. Copyright 2008 by the Associated Press.
Samantha
Obama Wins! History 2 Remember 4 Sure
Last night, the efforts of both the Democrats and Republicans showed up on an event that appears only once every four years. Although many people who work for the government can celebrate their victory, the new president gets the most glory of all. My article focuses on him.
Barack Hussein Obama gets the honor of becoming our new president. I believe his ideas can restore our economy, especially knowing that he made his catch phrase, "Yes we can!" The color of his skin makes this a real historical moment for blacks everywhere (and everyone else too). Along with our democratic new president, the democrats will gain more control of the senate and the house od representitives. “We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there.” "The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep,” were two interesting quotes that I got from my source. What surprises he will bring to the country?
Barack Hussein Obama gets the honor of becoming our new president. I believe his ideas can restore our economy, especially knowing that he made his catch phrase, "Yes we can!" The color of his skin makes this a real historical moment for blacks everywhere (and everyone else too). Along with our democratic new president, the democrats will gain more control of the senate and the house od representitives. “We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you, we as a people will get there.” "The road ahead will be long, our climb will be steep,” were two interesting quotes that I got from my source. What surprises he will bring to the country?
nytimes.com By ADAM NAGOURNEY
Published: November 4, 2008
Published: November 4, 2008
Obama Wins! - Daniel
Comedy Central's Indecision '08 - Nov. 4th, 2008
I'm so happy that Barack Obama won the presidential election. Maybe this means there is less racism in this country, because Barack Obama is the first African-American president-elect. "This is an historic night." said Jon Stewart on Comedy Central's Indecision '08, as they announced Mr. Obama had enough electoral votes to win the presidency.
I am hopeful that president-elect Obama will be the great leader he appears to be. It seems that a lot of our country is hopeful as well, given the election results.
"Obamanos!"
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Sen. Obama Votes
On the news today I saw something that said "ALERT ALERT Sen. Obama Votes in Illinois." That is cool! It looked like he was telling his wife who to vote for. Isn't that cheating? Just kidding! I hope everyone votes!
-Ivy
Monday, November 3, 2008
Cassini Takes Pictures of Enceladus
The Cassini spacecraft has been orbiting Saturn and its moons since 2004. On October 31, Cassini took high-resolution images of the southern hemisphere of Enceladus when it flew within 171 kilometers of the moon.
Enceladus is famous for the icy plumes it spews from “tiger stripes” — linear fractures at its south polar region.
Cassini passed much closer, within 25 km, of Enceladus on October 9, but during that encounter, the craft’s cameras weren’t taking pictures at closest approach. The craft won’t swoop as close to Enceladus for another year. By that time, the sun will have dipped below the horizon as seen from the south pole, making imaging more difficult.
Enceladus is an amazing moon and I think that it is almost as amazing as Io, one of Jupiter's moons. I hope that the Cassini will be able to take good pictures on it's next flyby of Enceladus. Here are some links pictures of Enceladus :http://www.fas.org/irp/imint/docs/rst/Sect19/Enceladus.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Enceladus_Tiger_Stripes_Up_Close_PIA06247.jpg/600px -Enceladus_Tiger_Stripes_Up_Close_PIA06247.jpg
Here is a link to a picture of Io: http://www.ulb.ac.be/sciences/astro/cd/planetes/jupiter/io_galileo.jpg
www.sciencenews.org
Enceladus is famous for the icy plumes it spews from “tiger stripes” — linear fractures at its south polar region.
Cassini passed much closer, within 25 km, of Enceladus on October 9, but during that encounter, the craft’s cameras weren’t taking pictures at closest approach. The craft won’t swoop as close to Enceladus for another year. By that time, the sun will have dipped below the horizon as seen from the south pole, making imaging more difficult.
Enceladus is an amazing moon and I think that it is almost as amazing as Io, one of Jupiter's moons. I hope that the Cassini will be able to take good pictures on it's next flyby of Enceladus. Here are some links pictures of Enceladus :http://www.fas.org/irp/imint/docs/rst/Sect19/Enceladus.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Enceladus_Tiger_Stripes_Up_Close_PIA06247.jpg/600px -Enceladus_Tiger_Stripes_Up_Close_PIA06247.jpg
Here is a link to a picture of Io: http://www.ulb.ac.be/sciences/astro/cd/planetes/jupiter/io_galileo.jpg
www.sciencenews.org
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Another Attempt
After Hubble broke down since the transmission to the ground last month NASA has finally repaired the backup system. It is still in working order.
This is a picture of 2 smoke-ring Galaxies, known as arp 147, 450,000,000 light-years (distance light travels in a year) away. Mario Livio,from NASA "one of the galaxies passed through the other, causing a circular wave, like a pebble tossed into a pond, that has now coalesced into a ring of new blue stars." I think it is clearly exciting that Hubble is up and running!I am still quite afraid because NASA has attempted to fix it repetitively but it just broke down. Also NASA has not used it for 18 years (when they launched it).
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