Politics

Since we've been discussing this in the thread here, I thought you guys might find this story over at MSNBC interesting, about the way the NSA is changing with the times. It has a lot of little tidbits about how they're incorporating newer data mining and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze data on a mass scale rather than individual cases at random (which we've talked about previously in this thread). http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10561911/ A couple of interesting quotes from this lengthy article:

For those of you who haven't seen this, it's a fun and interesting read: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dover/kitzmiller_v_dover.html Especially the cross-examination of Michael Behe: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/dover/day11pm.html#day11pm132

I have noticed that President Bush has made quite a few speeches lately about how things are going here, economically, and in Iraq, which is good, but often he will say something to the effect of "not as long as I am president." It is almost as if he is throwing the gauntlet down before the Democrats. Is it just me, or is he challenging the Democrats to write up articles of impeachment?

I've been following this trial from the beginning, and I'm happy to report a victory for science: Heres the decision in the judges own words: Notice the words in bold, here is what the creationist organization Discovery Institute says about the ruling: Activist judge, eh? Are they talking about the same John E Jones, the conservative Christian district court judge appointed by George W Bush? If there is any better proof that the words "activist judge" are really just codewords for "disagrees with me", I havent seen it But anyway, yay science!

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/IraqCoverage/wireStory?id=1303926

... A Idiot? Yeah, NAY? Your opinions please...

http://www.languagemonitor.com/ Global Language Monitor does this worldwide media language report every year. "string theory" was phrase #7 "global warming" was up there. a number of "politically correct" words and phrases were spotlighted in the report. there was a separate part of the report concerning youthspeak. if you are highly tuned-in you may be able to guess some of the expressions that made the top ten list in various categories

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/16/science/16gene.html this article in the 16 December New York Times refers to research results published in Science could one now make blond blue-eyed Swedes with black skin, if one so wished? apparently one gene in largely responsible for the black white skin color difference, and they have now found which one it is. in case anyone is interested

Former Sen William Proxmire, who used to give out the "Golden Fleece" awards for supposedly frivolous government spending, died today (Thurs Dec 15). I think the government should spare no expense on a really elaborate memorial service for him, and possibly erect an ornate monument with lots of upkeep costs.

I see that the guy that murdered 4 people 25 years ago was finally brought to justice. Arnie said "hasta la vista baby" to his appeal for clemency. There have been statements of "moral equivilency" regarding the death penalty and the murders that this guy committed. Thoughts?

WHOA! http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/14/bush.iraq/index.html?section=cnn_topstories

Interesting poll by ABC News, Time, the BBC, NHK and Der Spiegel (the oddest coalition of pollsters I've ever heard of). http://abcnews.go.com/International/PollVault/story?id=1389228 Some of the more interesting numbers: - More than 60% feel "very safe" in their own neighborhoods - 61% say security is good - Average household income up 60% over last 20 months - 70% of Iraqis view their own economic situation positively - 69% expect things to get better over the next year - 69% confident in Iraqi police - 57% prefer democracy over religious government, and that number is rising and the religious preference is falling On the down side: - Less than …

It appears we've had a case similar to the Menezes case in Britain. I've been following this for a couple of days (it actually took place here in South Florida). In a nutshell, apparently a passenger who was mentally ill was flying back to his home in the Orlando area after travelling to Ecuador on some sort of religious mission. He hadn't taken his medication (for reasons unknown), and became anxious while the plane was boarding, after he and his wife had reached their seats (apparently flight stress for the mentally ill is becoming a recognized concern, which is interesting). Anyway, he got up and ran through the boarding passengers to the front of the pla…

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/13/science/13essa.html

Hello, in http://www.scienceforums.net/forums/showpost.php?p=231931&postcount=18 a post about congenial debate, I said I would start a rough draft of a Source Credibility Rating System for us to use. Sources referring to anything used to support an arguement. It is certainly a rough draft because I expect and encourage feedback. The goal is for when enough people post that they are satisfied with the current state of the rating system, all the edits will be gathered into a "Second Draft thread" which hopefully can be sticky-ed and used as a reference for source credibility. (Of course it is labeled Second Draft so future SFN members can look at it and add to it ov…

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051207113255.htm Around 2.5 million people received this vaccine last year rather than the conventional jab, and it appears to have no serious risks as some believed. This may lead to the flu vaccine simply being squirted up your nose rather then a shot, which would probably help a lot of people get around their fear of needles and get the shot. Good news.

Full BBC article here....let's just hope it works ! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4415722.stm#graphic A few key excerpts... Prof Karsten Danzmann, Hanover University "It will be a big event for two reasons: it will be yet another confirmation that Einstein's Theory of General Relativity is correct, but it will also open up a new kind of astronomy that will allow us to look inside the most violent events in the Universe." A new kind of astronomy requires a new type of "telescope", and that's just what Hough and UK-German colleagues have been developing on farmland a short drive from Hanover. It is called GEO 600. This is precision engineering …

Amazing there were no fatalities. Is there anyone on SFN who can see the 'huge plume of smoke' from where they are ? Please see latest BBC article below.... http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4520430.stm "This is the largest fire of this kind that we in the UK and Europe have dealt with. We are not even sure how the thermal currents will affect the foam; it may just vaporise it."

Using brand-new procedures, researchers cooperating from Universities in the US and the UK, have used a new, simple procedure to build pyramidal structures out of DNA. The new technique is said to built trillions of these components in only several minutes. This pyramidal structures are very sturdy, and are only 10 nanometers wide, making them ideal for using as the building blocks of nanostructures, such as 3-d electrical circuits. First, trillions of 4 distinct single stranded DNA molecule are placed in salt water, and the mixture is heated, and then rapidly cooled - that is the entire procedure. Researchers have also succeeded in linking several …

Researchers have created a mix of chemicals and medications that will activate the immune system against a wide range of bacteria and viruses. While the drug does not directly target the pathogens themselves, it boosts the immune response against them in the hopes that the immune system will be better than a direct attack by medication. The drug is administered via a nasal spray, and activates the immune system in the respiratory and digestive tracts. So it appears that we may have a new defense against viruses, rather then simply rest and plenty of fluids. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051211221045.htm

According to a survey by Norwegian scientists, killer whales contain the most hazardous man-made chemicals of any other species of animal inhabiting the Arctic. The researchers tested blubber samples and discovered chemicals such as pesticides, flame retardants, and PCBs, attributing the high level to the fact that orcas are on the top of the food chain in the Artic. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4520104.stm

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-12/uab-ama120705.php

According to a news realise from Carnegie Institute of Washington. Embyonic studies of Fuit Flies reveals that the stem cells controling the regulation of the gut are similiar to the one found in humans. The similiar stucture in gastrointenstinal tract hints that perhaps Fruit Flies and humans came from the same ancestor. This link between humans and fruit flies also bodes well for the further research of intentinal tract diseases and cancers. Related Links http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/12/051209175959.htm http://www.carnegieinstitution.org/news_releases/news_0512_07.html

I'm in final exams this week so this is going to be very brief, but I want you guys to start thinking about something over the next few days and hopefully start talking about it before we go and start laying down the new rules. Many places on the Internet feature debate. Some of it is pretty good. Most of it is amateur hour. Some of it is downright lame. NONE of those communities, however, is exactly like "Science Forums and Debate". We're unique. And what makes us unique are you guys -- the members. I believe that the underlying premise of political discussion on SFN should be congenial debate of the issues that face our world today. Many of our members …