March 20, 2021

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March 18, 2021

'I'd call for a tow': Mars Perseverance rover sounds a bit scratchy in first recorded drive

Source: Guardian

Thu 18 Mar 2021 01.54 EDT

Nasa’s newest Mars rover has sent back the first-ever sounds of driving on the red planet – a grinding, clanking, banging affair that by Earth standards would be pretty worrisome.

The noises made by Perseverance’s six metal wheels and suspension on the first test drive two weeks ago are part of a 16-minute raw audio feed released on Wednesday by Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California.

“If I heard these sounds driving my car, I’d pull over and call for a tow,” Dave Gruel, an engineer on the rover team, said in a written Nasa statement. “But if you take a minute to consider what you’re hearing and where it was recorded, it makes perfect sense.”

The driving audio contains an unexpectedly high-pitched scratching noise, according to Nasa. Engineers are trying to figure it out.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/mar/18/id-call-for-a-tow-mars-perseverance-rover-sounds-a-bit-scratchy-in-first-recorded-drive

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Yep, total nerd here!

March 18, 2021

David Cross: Why America Sucks at Everything

What a Gloomy Gus! Plus the date is wrong. According to YouTube, this was posted less than a week ago, but that can't be right! I mean, this has to be from the Orange Cretin's tenure, right? Sure, I know it'll take a few---maybe several---years to recover from the damage he caused, but, once we get back to pre-Trump politics-as-usual, everything will be wonderful again!

Right?

March 17, 2021

'Well past time we have men who have courage to step up' {and oppose violence against women}

Firstly, I love Amanpour! She truly rocks!

Secondly, it's St Patrick's Day. I turned 58 last month. My dad was German-American, my mom Irish-American. Favoring my father's heritage, I've been "celebrating" with cold beer for several hours now. But watching this video (uploaded yesterday) has sobered me up some.

Both of my parents were Catholic, so it won't surprise you to know they were also conservatives, including their views on women's issues. Well I am a liberal agnostic, but only an idiot really believes his parentage has zero effect on him! Let's be clear: I have never been physically against toward a woman. But watching this video has me questioning my past sexual attitudes and behavior regarding the female gender, especially during my boozy college years at Michigan State.

I may not be as clean as I thought.

March 17, 2021

Russia says British nuclear plans deal serious blow to arms control: RIA

Source: Reuters

MARCH 17, 2021, 6:39 AM

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Britain’s plans to expand its nuclear capabilities have dealt a serious blow to the concept of arms control, the RIA news agency reported Russia’s foreign ministry as saying on Wednesday.

Moscow said it will take London’s move into account when working on its own military planning, RIA added.

Britain will increase its nuclear warhead stockpile by more than 40% to ensure its security in a more risky global environment and as it faces new technological threats, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-politics-nuclear-weapons-russ/russia-says-british-nuclear-plans-deal-serious-blow-to-arms-control-ria-idUSKBN2B912U?il=0

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I'm very confused here as to who poses the greatest threat to the UK, Vlad or Boris. . .

March 16, 2021

Blinken warns China against 'coercion and aggression' in first Asia trip

Source: Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned China against using “coercion and aggression” on Tuesday as he sought to use his first trip abroad to shore up Asian alliances in the face of growing assertiveness by Beijing.

China’s extensive territorial claims in the East and South China Seas have become a priority issue in an increasingly testy Sino-U.S. relationship and are an important security concern for Japan.

“We will push back if necessary when China uses coercion and aggression to get its way,” Blinken said.

Blinken came to Tokyo with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in the first overseas visit by top cabinet members of President Joe Biden’s administration. It follows last week’s summit of the leaders of U.S., Japan, Australia and India - the Quad alliance.

Washington has denounced what it called Beijing’s attempts to bully neighbors with competing interests. China has repeatedly denounced what it called U.S. efforts to foment unrest in the region and interfere in what it regards as its internal affairs.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-asia-blinken-japan/blinken-warns-china-against-coercion-and-aggression-in-first-asia-trip-idUSKBN2B71C9

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Bullying neighbors with competing interests? Well Thank Christ we live in a country that would never do that!

March 15, 2021

Kremlin critic Navalny's Instagram account confirms he is being held in a prison camp

Source: Reuters

MARCH 15, 2021, 12:24 PM

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny’s Instagram account confirmed on Monday that the jailed opposition politician is being held in a prison camp in Russia’s Vladimir region northeast of Moscow known for its strict regime.

Navalny’s precise location had been unknown after his legal team said last week that he had been moved from the nearby Kolchugino jail and that they had not been told where he was being taken.

Navalny, 44, one of President Vladimir Putin’s most prominent critics, was jailed earlier this year for parole violations in a decision that the West has condemned as politically motivated.

His Instagram account said he was being held in a heightened security section of the prison camp.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-politics-navalny/kremlin-critic-navalnys-instagram-account-confirms-he-is-being-held-in-a-prison-camp-in-vladimir-region-idUSKBN2B71V7

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I wouldn't have come back from Germany. Never. This guy has titanium balls!

March 14, 2021

DHS Directing FEMA To Southern Border Amid Influx Of Unaccompanied Migrant Children

Get crackin', Joe!

March 13, 2021

Republicans Take Spanking From Trump, Ask For More

Okay! Okay! I've got the perfect title for this:

Fifty Shades of Orange, starring Donald Trump, Lindsey Graham, Ron Johnson, and the entire GOP Congressional Caucus!

March 13, 2021

The US Military is EVERYWHERE

Okay, it's 15+ minutes, but this is the weekend! (Uploaded about three weeks ago)