An Ol' Broad's Ramblings
Morning Coffee 09/10/08
Largest particle collider conducts test
The world’s largest particle collider successfully completed its first major test by firing a beam of protons all the way around a 17-mile (27-kilometer) tunnel Wednesday in what scientists hope is the next great step to understanding the makeup of the universe.
After a series of trial runs, two white dots flashed on a computer screen at 10:36 a.m. (0836 GMT) indicating that the protons had traveled the full length of the $3.8 billion (U.S. dollars) Large Hadron Collider. “There it is,” project leader Lyn Evans said when the beam completed its lap.
Welp, I guess we all didn’t fall through a black hole or some such. I’m still here, and I’m assuming you are too. What annoys me about this thing….waaaaay back in the last century, they were wanting to build one of these things in Texas. If I remember correctly, they had even started construction. Then POOF! They killed the funding. That would be the ominous ‘they’ of the D.C. caliber. What the purpose was of that one, or this one for that matter, totally escapes me. I assume there is a reason more than ‘the makeup of the universe’?
McCain Camp Accuses Obama of Comparing Palin to a Pig
The Republican National Committee and John McCain’s campaign are going on offense Wednesday, releasing a Web ad seeking to exploit Barack Obama’s use of an expression about dressing up a pig with lipstick, which the GOP claims was a personal attack on vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
The Web ad, called “Lipstick,” builds on McCain’s mobilization of its “Palin Truth Squad,” which on Tuesday accuse Obama of comparing McCain’s running mate to a pig and called on him to apologize.
Some of the absurdities I’ve heard, and read about Palin, coming from the left, are just down right ridiculous. I’m not sure if BO was comparing her to a pig or not.
Nope! Not even close! I guess he’s just jealous that OUR Veep pick is a whole lot more pleasant to look at, AND listen to, than their Veep choice. 
OPEC decides to cut overall output; oil steady
OPEC oil ministers agreed today to trim overall output by more than 500,000 barrels a day in a compromise meant to avoid new turmoil in crude markets while seeking to bolster falling prices.
Crude prices were stable this morning though. Light, sweet crude for October delivery rose 8 cents to $103.34 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
The OPEC announcement reflected the organization’s efforts to cover all bases in an oil market that saw prices spike to a record high just short of $150 a barrel in July, only to shed nearly 30 percent off those peaks in subsequent months.
Not surprising. Although, I don’t think that China and India have cut back their use, I’m fairly sure we have. Gee, I wonder if anyone had to auction of their diamond studded Rolls? (sarcasm)
Both McCain and Obama have ties to loan giants
Senators Barack Obama and John McCain each cite the mess at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a consequence of the corrosive coziness of lobbyists and politicians that they promise to end. But each man and his party also have ties to the fallen giants that will complicate the next president’s job of reshaping the mortgage finance companies that have been essential to the economy.
The Republican nominee, McCain of Arizona, has numerous close relationships with and contributions from current and former company lobbyists.
Obama, his Democratic rival from Illinois, is second among members of Congress in donations from the firms’ employees and political action committees.
Yup! They’re both full of ka ka! Is anyone shocked? Although, BO being SECOND, is kind of a surprise. Let’s face it, when you live in a swamp, you tend to get covered with leeches! Some, more so, than others.
Pentagon leaders to urge caution in troop cuts
In testimony Wednesday, Defense Secretary Robert Gates was to note the dramatic security gains in Iraq over the past year but say that uncertainty remains and further troop reductions must be done with balance and care, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said.
At the same time, Gates and Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, were looking ahead to a broader effort in Afghanistan to beat back a Taliban resurgence and build up the fragile Afghan central government.
Anything done in that area should be done with ‘caution’. I still find it odd that the administration would announce to the world what his plans are, considering the bad guys get a lot of their news from the US. Now isn’t the time to be trying to score political points with the anti American Americans!
Fair Housing Act violation may cost Metro $1.35 million
The admission of liability came after Metro Council edited the zoning code last year to exclude rehabilitation services as a permitted use in agricultural districts. The zoning change was pushed by District 10 Councilman Rip Ryman after Teen Challenge had purchased the property in his Goodlettsville district.
Teen Challenge is a nondenominational Christian organization, which offers drug and alcohol rehab services to young adults. When Teen Challenge revealed what its intentions were for the property, the neighbors protested adamantly.
Ryman responded by changing the zoning code, which forced Teen Challenge to sell its property.
Excuse me while I pick my chin up off the floor. You mean to tell me this yahoo used his position to thwart kids from getting help? It seems to me that would be an abuse of power if there ever was one.
Comedian Al Franken wins Senate primary in Minnesota
Comedian Al Franken grabbed the Democratic nomination Tuesday for U.S. Senate in Minnesota, setting up a showdown with Republican Sen. Norm Coleman.
Franken, who gained fame as a “Saturday Night Live” cast member, easily beat six other candidates chasing the Democratic nod. Coleman trounced his only opponent, an expatriate living in Italy.
Ok, it’s official. There’s something in the water. I’d hate to think that Dhimmis in Minnesota are that dadburn ignorant!
Ike sets its sights on Texas coast
Hurricane Ike is still churning through the Gulf of Mexico, on a path that forecasters say will puts it on target for a landfall early Saturday morning between Corpus Christi and Matagorda Bay, potentially as a dangerous Category 3 hurricane.
Mark Lenz, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, said Central Texas could start seeing rain from Ike’s outer bands as early as Friday.
I pray all will be safe. One thing is for sure….I know the folks will manage to clean up the mess with very little whining. On a lighter note, I’ve got a friend who has been praying for rain. I hope she doesn’t get more than she can handle. 
Jalili: UN should play active role in Iraq’s development
According to the Public Relations Department of SNSC, at the meeting the two sides reviewed latest political and security developments in Iraq.
Referring to ancient civilization in Iraq, Jalili said various ethnic groups and religious sects in Iraq have lived in peace for many centuries and have proved that they are capable enough to administer their own affairs.
Iran believes that Iraq’s problems can be resolved through consolidation of political and democratic trends in that country and to this end Tehran will spare no efforts to help Iraq attain the goal, Jalili said.
Restoration of security to Iraq will be effective in establishing democracy in the country, he said.
Pretty words meaning, “Yes. Send in the Useless Numnuts! A surefire way to make sure it fails, then WE can step in to pick up the pieces.” Pfft!
Foreigners Support Obama over McCain by More Than 4 to 1, Global Poll Shows
Foreigners support Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama over Republican presidential candidate John McCain by more than 4 to 1, 49 percent to 12 percent, a poll of more than 20,000 people spread across more than 20 foreign countries revealed.
Since a good chunk of the world can’t manage life without our help, perhaps they see B. Hussein as a way to get a bigger piece of the pie. Or, perhaps they’d like to see us fail as miserably as they have?
Hey…..WORLD…….
