David Weinberg: “Galaxies and large-scale structure form as a result of the gravitational amplification of tiny primordial fluctuations in the density of matter. The inflation hypothesis ascribes the origin of these fluctuations to quantum processes during a period of exponential expansion that occupied the first millionth-of-a-billionth-of-a-trillionth of a second of cosmic history. Experiments over the last decade have revealed the imprint of these fluctuations as part-in-100,000 intensity modulations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), which records the small inhomogeneities present in the Universe half a million years after the big bang.” (Science Week)
Daily Archives: 13 Aug 05
No clear finish line in Iraq
Timing is muddy for U.S. withdrawal: “Much of the public appears unconvinced. Just 38 percent of Americans in an Associated Press-Ipsos poll last week approved of Bush’s handling of the war, the lowest point yet in that survey. More than half of those interviewed in a USA Today-CNN-Gallup poll said they now believe that it was a mistake to send U.S. troops into Iraq and that the war has made the United States less safe from terrorism; 56 percent supported withdrawing some or all troops now.” (MSNBC)
Several thoughts on this MSNBC story. First, we’ve come a long way toward extrication when the mainstream media are asking when, not if, we are withdrawing. Framing it in terms of public opinion is problematic, though. My most potent reaction to the news that public support for the continuing US troop presence has fallen so far was to be enraged at the powerlessness of public opinion to have an influence even though Bush’s popularity is at a record low for this point in an incumbent’s second term (Yahoo! News) . One could argue that it is the numbers in the polls that are causing the Bush dysadministration to discuss their contingency plans for withdrawal at all, but this is a megalomanic leadership cabal with contempt for what the American people want… certainly when that is in disagreement with their own aims but even when the sheeple agree. Shouldn’t the withdrawal of public support turn into a demand to put a stop to the madness now? During the Vietnam era, as public opposition rose even to a far greater pitch than anything we have seen with respect to Iraq, we still had to blockade government buildings and troop transport trains and facilitate an underground railroad to spirit conscripts and deserters away to Canada to make the war stop. What is to be done simply because the tide has turned? Our elected representatives could at best waffle on appropriating funds for the war effort, but do you think that would stop the executive branch maniacs from finding a way to continue to prosecute their autistic intentions? Our ‘representative government’ is an oxymoron, it is clear.
Apart from whether the people have a right to have a war stopped when their opinion turns against it, though, I struggle with the fact that attacking Iraq was no more justified when it was a glint in Baby Bush’s eye and more like 1% or 2% of us, not 30, 50 or 60%, were declaring that it was not in our names. The measure of this immorality is not really a matter of the weight of public opinion, ever, is it? And especially not when public opinion itself has been so debased, when the powers of propaganda are so refined and the public mentality so execrably malleable as they have become in 21st-century Amerika.
So if we can’t reasonably expect the arrogant and autistic Bush cabal to pay any attention to the polls, why bother? The simple answer — the voting public themselves should be chastened by their own shift in public opinion. As the saying goes, “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.” To put it another, oft-quoted, way — “a people get the government they deserve“.
Plants discriminate between self and non-self
“Two peas in a pod may not be so friendly when planted in the ground and even two parts of the same plant, once separated may treat the former conjoined twin as an alien ‘enemy,’ according to a Penn State researcher. ” (Penn State via robot wisdom)
Cindy Sheehan’s message to President Bush
Meanwhile: Take a closer look at the nature of things
“Experience shows us that when we look at something with a certain attentiveness, we can feel the character and quality of the object in a way that a self-interested or token glance does not give.” — C.J. Moore, author of In Other Words: A Language Lover’s Guide to the Most Intriguing Words Around the World (International Herald Tribune via robot wisdom)
Tony and David Jump Shark?
Tony Soprano and Crew Will Return for ’07 Season: “In a deal that will extend the run of the most successful series in the history of cable television for another year, HBO announced yesterday that The Sopranos will not end with its next season starting in March, but will continue with an additional eight episodes starting in January 2007.” (New York Times ) As a clue to what this is all about, it is in the business section of The Times, not the arts coverage. David Chase, guiding light of the show, had previously stated he felt he was nearing the end of his creative ideas for the show, but it became apparent it could be milked for substantially more…
Entrenched Epidemic
Wife-Beatings in Africa (New York Times )
Why No Tea and Sympathy?
Maureen Dowd on “President Bush’s inhumane humanitarianism.” (New York Times op-ed)
Not only masturbation and viagra, but…
…Erotic images can turn you blind. (New Scientist) The results lead to calls to ban provocative roadside billboards to reduce traffic accidents.
"Sometimes inflammation is good"
“Nasal spray clears Alzheimer’s brain plaques: The treatment cleared over most of the plaques from the brains of affected mice – the technique will be tested in humans in 2006.” (New Scientist)
The spray comprises “glatiramer acetate (Copaxone), an approved MS drug that acts as a decoy for errant immune-system attacks, and Protollin, an adjuvant that stimulates innate immunity”. In essence, as I understand it, it provokes an immune response in the brain and endeavors to protect normal brain tissue from that response, so that only the amyloid plaques are scavenged.
Tipped Off
“When Thomas Keller, one of America’s foremost chefs, announced that on Sept. 1 he would abolish the practice of tipping at Per Se, his luxury restaurant in New York City, and replace it with a European-style service charge, I knew three groups would be opposed: customers, servers and restaurateurs. These three constituencies are all committed tipping – as they quickly made clear on Web sites. To oppose tipping, it seems, is to be anticapitalist, and maybe even a little French.
But Mr. Keller is right to move away from tipping – and it’s worth exploring why just about everyone else in the restaurant world is wrong to stick with the practice.” (New York Times via rc3)
Booker diary
Reading challenge: “Chris Loxley, 26, is reading all 17 books on the prestigious Booker Prize longlist in 28 days for BBC Four’s Bookered Out show. He is writing a diary of his progress for the BBC News website.”
Want to Fill Up Your iPod?
No patience for wading through the hyperbole? The Hype Machine aggregates all the songs other mp3 blogs are offering for download.
