Brian Gongol
(2005.12.08)
NASA's Hiring Private Sector to Fill in for Space Shuttle
Shuttle stops flying in a couple of years, but they still need to make deliveries to the International Space Station. Bet on this to be a good development for both spaceflight and the private sector.
(2005.12.08)
Shooting by Air Marshal Heightens Interest in Loosened Air Security Rules Coming Later in Month
The return of Air Marshals after September 11th was a big change in policy. That and armed flight crews.
(2005.12.08)
Ocean Basin Rapidly Opening in Africa
The whole process takes millions of years, but it started with a bang -- a 25' rift, about 35 miles long
(2005.12.08)
The Value of Humor -- to Politicians
(2005.12.08)
New Worm Spreads Via Instant Message
Unbeknownst to sender (who never realizes their system has been hijacked), it contacts users in the buddy list and even responds to them if they type back
(2005.12.08)
Renewing the Patriot Act
Politicians acting like college freshmen when a term paper is due: The Act has been on the books for four years now, and they're acting as if they didn't realize it was up for renewal. White House wants a four-year extension; Democrats counter with an offer for three months. Apparently they were too busy wasting time on idiotic hearings about college football. Get to work or get out of Washington. The American taxpayer deserves better.
(2005.12.08)
Flaw in New Firefox Causes Problems with History File
(2005.12.08)
Eritrea Gives Boot to UN Peacekeepers
Here's why it matters: If poor countries can do nothing but waste their time and resources on border disputes, then their leaders condemn the people to death and suffering. It's a matter of guns and butter. At least half of world starvation today is due to human causes, not nature.
(2005.12.08)
One Year Later, Can the Ukraine Keep Up the Reforms Promised by the Orange Revolution?
Yushchenko promised market liberalization and cultural westernization, but it's been difficult to achieve. Corruption remains a huge roadblock.
(2005.12.08)
Greatest Christmas Light Display Ever
(2005.12.08)
Variant on Sober Worm Could Send Out Nazi Propaganda on January 5th
It's news like this that will keep the Jetsons-style home from taking root; if hate groups are capable of using people's computers against them just to send e-mail, don't they have a similar incentive to disrupt ordinary life, given an equal chance? Solid-state is here to stay.
(2005.12.08)
Technology in a Disaster: Would Pagers Be Better than Cell Phones?
(2005.12.08)
Congress Should Butt Out of Sports Legislation
Hearings about the NCAA and the BCS and investigations into baseball and steroids are low-value political maneuvers that distract from the real business: Fixing the out-of-control budget problem, doing actual reform to the nation's retirement programs, and staying out of the private sector's business