Playing the odds with NASA

 

Will this be Elon to the rescue? Maybe - if it is, we should be getting used to it. Elon Musk is a national treasure and should be used as such. He can see what others don't see. And he can innovate where others dare not tread. Now that the cat is really out of the bag about the heat shield on Artemis, it will be all eyes on NASA. Time to fix this issue NASA - we don't need another national tragedy.   

Last week, the long (and I mean long) awaited re-entry of Artemis II safely splashed down off the coast of San Diego. Okay - I used the word "safely". Maybe not the correct word to use. Wait - this is NASA. The most cautious and careful organization in the world. That is, up until the Artemis II flight. Few know this right now, but it will become more well known in the near future. The decision was made to launch Artemis II, even though it had a sketchy heat shield. But why then, take the chance? China. We have to beat China to the Moon. Even though we already landed there fifty years ago.

When the uncrewed Artemis I came back to Earth in late 2022, we saw there was a huge problem. The heat shield had deep cracks and some chunks missing. It was by a wing and a prayer that Artemis I did not burn up on re-entry. The brainy ones at NASA set out to fix this near catastrophic event by doing some fixes on the heat shield before Artemis II launched. One minor problem - the fixes did not work well. For the second time in the Artemis program, we sent a mission towards Mars by a wing and a prayer. Only this time, it had four humans on board.

Why is this different from the re-entries we have had since Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and numerous space shuttle missions? They all had heat shields. Did we lose the recipe? Is it that Artemis is coming in so much faster (Mach 30+)? Whatever the reason, we better button this thing up before Artemis III. The fact we got Artemis II back safely, might have been more providence than luck or good planning.

Elon Musk and his SpaceX team have also been working on the heat shield issue. Elon might have a better solution than the lemon we have used in the first two Artemis flights. Instead of using some super ablative, Musk is experimenting with using a specially manufactured metal heat shield. Will it be better than what Artemis is currently using? It sure can't be much worse. 

As a citizen, as a fan of space exploration, I want NASA to succeed. This heat shield issue should be the last of our worries instead of the first of our concerns. Putting the heat shield aside, I was hoping that NASA could be focusing on better shielding of the capsule was when it leaves low Earth orbit, it is bombarded with harsh solar radiation. That problem needs to be fixed long before we attempt a flight to Mars or lengthy visits to the Moon's surface.

Will this be Elon to the rescue? Maybe - if it is, we should be getting used to it. Elon Musk is a national treasure and should be used as such. He can see what others don't see. And he can innovate where others dare not tread. Now that the cat is really out of the bag about the heat shield on Artemis, it will be all eyes on NASA. Time to fix this issue NASA - we don't need another national tragedy.   

Why so many hate this flag

 

"This flag was just one of the bitter items which came out of the cauldron of evil during the legislative session of 2023. That is the final thing I think of when I see this flag. It is endemic of what happened during that most evil and vile session."

Why is it, so many normal people detest this new Minnesota flag? I am one of them. Now to set the record straight, I love our national flag. I have been a fan of the stars and bars since I was a kid. As a sailor, I had it stitched on the shoulder of my working jacket. As a homeowner, I had it flying from our flagpole for years. I still have it proudly displayed on my truck. Why do I love our national flag? Because of what it stands for. Why do I hate this new state flag? Because of what it stands for.

First off, nobody asked me if I wanted a new flag. A bunch of PC minded legislatures thought our real state flag was racist. Huh? I never once thought that. So, without the voter's consent, this new rag called a flag was imposed upon us. But the thing which really sticks in my craw, is it looks like another nation's flag. The other nation whose people have been robbing us blind. When I look at that flag (and I try not to), that is all I can see. Fraud, graft and theft.

The next thing I see when I look at this new flag, is Tim Walz. I am reminded of the man who allowed half of Minneapolis to burn down in the summer of 2020. I am reminded of his wife who wanted her windows down, so she could enjoy the smell of a burning city. I am reminded of the goofball who for some reason, was selected to be Kamala's Veep choice. And how he (and the state he represented) soon became the laughingstock of the nation. And I am reminded of how Tim Walz, called "tampon Timmy" by many in the national media, became the poster child Minnesota fraud. Walz and his "learing center", became one in the same. 

Many of the Republicans running to be the next governor have vowed to replace this rage with our real state flag. Get rid of this faux flag for once and for all. Many of the cities and towns in outstate Minnesota refuse to fly this fake flag. Seems it does not represent their values. Good on them. 

This flag was just one of the bitter items which came out of the cauldron of evil during the legislative session of 2023. That is the final thing I think of when I see this flag. It is endemic of what happened during that most evil and vile session. On the other hand, once the real flag is restored to us, maybe we should keep this faux flag locked away in a drawer someplace. Why? So, we can remember just want the Democrats did to us during the session of evil in 2023. 

Living in the land of make believe

 

"What has happened to us? Where is our national concern for what is right? We have gone from e pluribus unum to being bifurcated and tribal. Visceral hatred has replaced love and compassion. Wrong has replace right. Godlessness has replaced Godly."

I have said this many times before. As much as I miss my folks and my wife's folks, I am very glad they are not with us right now, to see what a mockery we have made of the country they loved and help build. The word I keep hearing to describe many of our current lawmakers, is "unserious". As are the people who elected these lawmakers. Fits things to a tee. Do I think that things will get better? Back to normal? Or is this our new normal?

Our President, Donald Trump, is hated by the left. Has been for years, will be until he is no longer with us. He is fighting to free Iran from its brutal theocracy. Trying to keep Iran from trying to destroy the land of God's chosen people (read you Bible it you don't believe me). Iran is trying to not only build nuclear missiles, which could poison many lands if used, but also control world commerce by controlling an INTERNATIONAL passage called the Strait of Hormuz. For trying to right this wrong, Donald Trump is vilified.

In this country right now, we honor law breakers. Sometimes lionize them. And the victims of those lawbreakers? Tough toenails. Never used to be this way. The national concern was with the victims of any crime. Not today - it is politics over compassion. After Joe Biden let in millions of unvetted illegal aliens, the federal government is now trying to get them out of the country. Why? Law breakers. And yet, the left honors them. Lionizes them. The law enforcement agencies who are trying to follow the law? They are despised. Hated. Not too many years ago, it would have been just the opposite.

The City of Minneapolis is considering opening up gay bathhouses once again for recreational sex. Wait - what? Is that not how the AIDS epidemic got started in the 1980's? Why would we do such a foolish thing? Because for those who are paying attention, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have become modern day sin cities - like Sodom and Gomorrah. This issue just typifies what has happened to these once beautiful cities. Once a source of great pride for this state. Now they are sewers.

What has happened to us? Where is our national concern for what is right? We have gone from e pluribus unum to being bifurcated and tribal. Visceral hatred has replaced love and compassion. Wrong has replace right. Godlessness has replaced Godly. Is this just us having it too good for too long, or is it something else? Like spiritual warfare? For those in the faith, spiritual warfare is the answer which keep popping up. The remedy? Prayer, and lots of it.      

Spaced Out

 

I suppose if the Chinese beat us and try to claim the Moon as theirs, we could pull out our trump card. Sorry China - we have been on the Moon since July of 1969, and the Moon is ours. BTW China - you are now trespassing. Now, put that in your pipe and smoke it~ 

Color me shocked. I was certainly not a believer in NASA and their Artemis II Moon fly-by. SpaceX on the other hand, I am all in for. Why? The tales of success are long and impressive with Elon Musk's rocket company. The tales of success for NASA recently? Not good. However, this new guy running the joint, Jared Isaacman, is a real go-getter. A former astronaut himself, he knows his way around the block (so to speak). As far as reaching the Moon for a landing (again), beating the Chinese is the be all, end all. Second place is no good. 

Tonight, the Good Lord willing, Artemis II will splash down right off the coast of San Diego. Hopefully, all four of the astronauts pop out of that capsule hale and hearty. How good has this mission been so far? Way beyond expectations. The pics which have been taken and transmitted back to Earth have been jaw dropping good. More to come once they land.

Has Artemis II pushed SpaceX out of the space race? Knocked them out of the Moon landing? Not a chance. Elon still wants to put a base on the Moon. Knowing how Elon works - he will. But Elon (as most know), is the champion of walking and chewing gum at the same time. His gaze is still fixed on Mars, but the Moon might come first. Plus - Elon's Tesla Giga-plant is about to get a whole lot bigger. Not to worry - Elon can do it all. He has in the past, and he will in the future.

In any event, I have confidence in young Mr. Isaacson. Due to his pedigree, many of the astronauts feel very comfortable with him. But, as the old saying goes, success breeds success. After safe landing, and if it is very close to the bullseye, we can chalk this one up as a win. Now it is on to the bigger and better Artemis III. This one will be for all the marbles - a crewed landing on the Moon. We want to land this thing on a stretch of land we have not been to before - the South Pole area. But what if China gets to the Moon before we do? Then things will get interesting.

I suppose if the Chinese beat us and try to claim the Moon as theirs, we could pull out our trump card. Sorry China - we have been on the Moon since July of 1969, and the Moon is ours. BTW China - you are now trespassing. Now, put that in your pipe and smoke it~ 

Tyrant, TACO, or Trumpeter?

"Tyrant, TACO or trumpeter? I would pick trumpeter every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Why? Trumpeter means someone who praises or advocates. Nobody praises or advocates for America like Donald Trump does." 

What a week for our POTUS! He has been called just about every name in the book by the left. In fact, in one day, the day of the cease fire, Donald Trump went from unhinged tyrant to a TACO in about fifteen minutes. How so? A while back I penned an article about what could have happened in an alternate reality. Where Donald Trump did nothing about Iran. And then, when the next president took the oath, and he was confronted with a nuclear Iran with long range ballistic missiles. Everybody blamed Donald Trump for not taking care if Iran when he was president. And so, it goes.

The folks on the left (including 90% of our so-called media) that refer to Donald Trump a "TACO" puzzle me. For those who don't know, "TACO" stands for "Trump always chickens out". Guess what? He doesn't. His strong preference is for peace through some kind of deal. But when dealing with zealots in Iran, sometimes Trump needs to use stronger language to get their attention. Sometimes hyperbolic language. 

If the two-week hiatus for a cease fire fails in any way, then this "TACO" will act anything but chicken. He will not leave our troops in harm's way much longer. In other words, all hell will rain down on the IRGC, and it will not be pretty. Trump will protect the citizens of Iran as much as possible, but this blood thirsty regime has to go! And we need to get our hands on their uranium. 

The metrics of this conflict have stayed pretty much the same. Destroy their military and their missiles, get their uranium, and "unclog the drain" in the Strait. Why is it our business to do so? Trust me, Donald Trump would have loved it if the Arab states and NATO had done it instead. But they did not, and every day, Iran was inching closed to having a viable nuclear tipped missile. And it Iran did launch a nuclear missile towards Israel, Europe, or even Diego Garca - just like that we would be in World War III.

Meanwhile, back home, did you know that we have between 10 and 15 trillion dollars of new infrastructure building going on right now? That is all thanks to Donald Trump. THIS is the kind of stuff he would rather be focusing on right now - not another Middle Eastern war. But it is what it is. Iran is a constant threat which needs to be dealt with. Iran has been an issue for 47 years, so it is up to POTUS 47 to end it. 

Tyrant, TACO or trumpeter? I would pick trumpeter every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Why? Trumpeter means someone who praises or advocates. Nobody praises or advocates for America like Donald Trump does. As far as the left goes, especially those dying from stage four TDS, they should open up their eyes. We have a once in a generation president, and he is doing some very good things for America, and the world. 

A two-week nothing burger

"By the way, our enemy within (the Democrats), are so upset that Trump is winning this war, they want him impeached or removed from office via Article 25. Huh? The Democrats don't like Trump's 'tone'. Or his threats (which are just hyperbole). And they sure don't like Trump committing war crimes (which he has not done - only Iran has committed war crimes to date). Sometimes I really do wonder if the Democrats are really sleeper cells instead of Americans. Just wondering..."

Well - it happened again. Just when it looked like the team of Israel and the US were going to finish the job in Iran, something stopped it. This time it was Pakistan. They think the pump is now primed to get a meaningful cease fire in the hostilities. Really? What has changed? Iran promises to reopen the Strait if the US and Israel stop bombing them. Plus, during this two-week hiatus, "peace talks", between the warring factions, will continue.

By the way, this morning the missiles continue to fly out of Iran. This morning, the targets were friendly Gulf States. And Israel's war with Hezbollah continues in Lebanon. I guess that will be a subject for another day. 

Where this really gets interesting is looking at the growing list of demands that Iran has to stop the war. Somebody should whisper in their ears that they are losing and losing badly. Therefore, their demands are meaningless. Nevertheless, one of the demands (I love this one), is for Iran to control the Strait, and have the authority to charge $2M per ship to transit. That $2M will be split with Oman. I guess somebody close to Iran needs to remind them that the Strait has been determined to be an international passageway and is controlled by nobody. But who cares about the facts? 

Iran also wants to retain the ability to enrich uranium for "peaceful" purposes. That one was enough to clog my BS filter. Also, neither the US nor Israel will EVER agree to that one. Iran also want reparations from the US from the bombing damage. Is Iran going to pay for the damages they caused to Israel and the Gulf States? No? I didn't think so.

What will be settled during this two-week break in the action? If anything, more than 2% of the disagreements are agreed to, you could color me shocked and amazed. But I think even that 2% might be a stretch. Until Iran hands over its uranium to the United States, until the IRGC gives up control of Iran and agrees to free and fair elections, until the Strait is fully open and free, the war will continue.

By the way, our enemy within (the Democrats), are so upset that Trump is winning this war, they want him impeached or removed from office via Article 25. Huh? The Democrats don't like Trump's "tone". Or his threats (which are just hyperbole). And they sure don't like Trump committing war crimes (which he has not done - only Iran has committed war crimes to date). Sometimes I really do wonder if the Democrats are really sleeper cells instead of Americans. Just wondering...

 

 

It is "D Day" - (again)

"What will happen tonight in Iran? I shudder to think. War is a terrible business, and tonight it might get a whole lot worse. Could this spin out of control so much it would result in a world war? Maybe. Biblical? Also, maybe. Stay tuned and buckle up - the worst of this conflict might be just ahead."

Today is the 6th time that Donald Trump has given Iran the "open the f*****g Strait, or else" message. Odds are it will not happen. And if this is the time, that Trump makes good on his threat, "D Day", which could stand for "Destroy Day", could happen this evening. According to President Trump, he will take out every bridge and ever power plant in Iran. And, according to the baddies who are now in control of Iran, if we do that, Iran will hit us where it hurts. Israel's power plants and United States interests in Saudi and the UAE.

I will agree with President Trump on this issue - the "leaders" in Iran right now are bat poop crazy. They will sacrifice a good part of the infrastructure in Iran in lieu of getting rid of their enriched uranium, missiles, and having legal and normal elections. The Strait of Hormuz is yet another issue. That SHOULD be a thorn in the side for most of the civilized world. But somehow, keeping the Strait open falls on our plate. Why? I have no idea.

This war with Iran reminds me a bit of Israel's war on Gaza (Hamas). Because Hamas would not cooperate or capitulate, each day, every day, the IDF ground more and more of Gaza into dust. Today, Gaza looks like a no-man's land. Nothing like a livable city. And guess what? Hamas is still around. Reduced for sure, but still here. I can see the IRGC acting the same way. They will hide in their bunkers as the United States and Israel lays waste to their country. And for what? Like I said - this people are bat poop crazy.

Having the Strait of Hormuz corked up by Iran should set off a five-alarm fire with the nations who depend on a free and open Strait to get their goods on time. The tepid response that most of the world has had on this issue puzzles and perplexes me. Also, this has not made much news but is still important. It will take many months, maybe years, to repair the damage to oil and gas facilities that Iran has caused with their missiles and drones. Because of that, the price of gas (worldwide) could remain high for quite a while. 

BTW - has there been any kind of uproar over the 30,000 to 45,000 innocent civilians who have been murdered in the streets of Iran by their own government? It has been very silent. Crickets. I don't even know if the Pope mentioned it in his Easter address. Those thousands of innocent Iranians have become like the thousands of innocent Christians murdered and martyred in Nigeria. If nobody talks about it, maybe the awfulness of each travesty will just go away.

What will happen tonight in Iran? I shudder to think. War is a terrible business, and tonight it might get a whole lot worse. Could this spin out of control so much it would result in a world war? Maybe. Biblical? Also, maybe. Stay tuned and buckle up - the worst of this conflict might be just ahead.