Cap'n Bob & the Damsel

January 2007

Archeology from Space

Archeology is one of my favorite interests. I am always interested in what’s going on in the world of unearthing ancient artifacts. We will probably watch the segment on PBS’ Nova tomorrow evening that deals with satellite surveys of ancient ruins.

Mayan Ruins on PBS

mayan-mural.gifJanuary 5, 2007: For many years, space archeology has been a favorite topic of Science@NASA readers: NASA scientists use Earth-orbiting satellites to find ancient ruins invisible from ground level. Prime real estate for this kind of discovery is Central America. In that part of the world, satellites are not only revealing long-held secrets of the Maya, but also improving the everyday lives of modern Central Americans by helping them monitor and manage their environment.

Image: a 2,000-year-old mural, one of the greatest discoveries of ancient Maya art ever found – NASA

For an update on this important work, we encourage you to tune in to a new PBS broadcast on Tuesday, Jan. 9th. It features pioneering space archaeologist Tom Sever (Marshall Space Flight Center) and colleague Bill Saturno (University of New Hampshire) discussing their latest discoveries.

  • Channel: Your local PBS station
  • Program: Nova scienceNow
  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 9th at 8 pm EST. Program times may vary. Check local listings for confirmation.

The 60 minute program features four 15-minute reports on various topics. “Mayan Ruins” is second in line and is narrated by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

08 Jan 2007 by Culture Science

January Weather Report

New York is seeing temperatures in the 70’s today and in Washington, the cherry blossoms are blooming. Meanwhile, in Colorado, avalanches plummet down slopes onto the interstate and ranchers can’t find their cattle for all the snow. Six hundred miles to the southwest, along the Southern California coastline, mild weather and sunshine prevail. There, the seagulls perch atop fence posts while the sun turns the ocean into millions of tiny twinkling diamonds across the Catalina Channel. What’s up with the weather? Nothing, actually, it’s just business as usual as the Sun dominates all major weather on Earth like it always has and always will.

gull-island.jpg

Oh, and before you decide to rush off to California, don’t forget to consider that we’re long overdue for the next major quake along the San Andreas.

06 Jan 2007 by California Environment Photography

Feedback From Iraq

cactus_email_anim.gifWe get a lot of feedback from bloggers and others who display our Never Forget Tribute on their websites. Were always delighted to read everyone’s thoughts, especially when they come from a member of our wonderful armed services. Coconut Commando, a soldier recently returned to Iraq, took the time to share this nice note with us:

I got back in country a few days ago from being home for Christmas. I have to tell you that, despite the current political atmosphere and moronics by Washington, I was treated like royalty by everyone enroute home. From the flight attendants to other passengers going by. In Atlanta, when we got off the plane, people just stood by and clapped as we went by. I guess I’m just not accustomed to it. I just wanted to share this experience with you and your readers and let you know that we truly appreciate your kind words and support. I also wanted to thank you for making it possible for me to add your Never Forget Tribute on my blog. I think that is the most dangerous threat facing the United States right now, politicians and celebrities trying to make us forget September 11th. Take care and I hope this note finds you and yours doing well and have a great New Year! (AKA-Coconut Commando)

Be sure to visit Coconut Commando‘s excellent blog.

05 Jan 2007 by Blogosphere Military Never Forget

Yet Another Reason to GET OUT of the UN

Let me start out by quoting a famous American:

“If you beat your sword into a plowshare, you will probably end up plowing for someone who kept their sword.” — Samuel F.B. Morse

The UNODC, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, is urging Colombians to turn their guns into guitars. No, really, that’s what they’re saying! Not only that, but they say if all nations (including the US) gets rid of guns then the world will be safer.

Right – safer for the people who keep their guns, that is.

NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre takes this notion to task in his article GUNS, GUITARS & GOOFBALLS:

Continue reading…

04 Jan 2007 by Firearms United Nations Whacko Politics

Twenty Million Hits

UPDATE: (04 JAN 2007) The counter passed the 20 million mark last evening at about 9:30 PM PST. Using the average hit rate as a guide, we should pass 30,000,000 hits in another 250 days!

Sometime later this evening, we will have exceeded 20 million hits on our Never Forget flash animation seen on hundreds of websites world wide.

We thank each and every website owner that has seen fit to display the graphic on their blogs or websites. The response has been much more than we originally anticipated and we appreciate every site.

The message is still clear — we must NEVER FORGET.

The current, dynamically updated statistics are seen below.

03 Jan 2007 by Blogosphere Islamic Terrorism

Trump National’s Flag at Half Staff

A few months ago, the City of Rancho Palos Verdes, California, acquiesced to Donald Trump’s installation of a giant flagpole on his Trump National Golf Club in spite of not having a permit to do so. Recently, he got into a flap with the City of Palm Beach, Florida for about the same thing. Putting all the squabbles aside, The Donald did the right thing in both locations.

Last week, when our 38th President, Gerald Ford, passed away, Trump National flew their giant flag at half staff for the late president. I took this shot from Palos Verdes Drive South with the new telephoto lens.

03 Jan 2007 by Current Events Patriotism People

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