Bangor Daily News - our newspaper for Downeast Maine - is reporting that Mainers voted to reject the law passed by the State Legislature earlier this year yesterday.  It seems Mainers have decided they won't move into the 21st Century yet.

With 87% of the votes in, 53% voted "Yes" on Question One, while only 47% voted "No".  A very close vote, to say the least.  Which, to me, shows that not all Mainers are against equality for all Maine Citizens.

No doubt we will have to rehash this again in another couple of years.  As those who believe in equality here in Maine won't rest until Gay Couples are given the same equality under the law as Straight Couples.

The rest of the Initiatives on the ballot were as follows:

Question's Two(excise tax) and Four(Taxpayer Bill of Rights - TABOR) were defeated. 

Question Three(repeal of the school consolidation law) rejected. 

Question Five(Medical Marijuana Law) passed. 

Question Six(Transportation Bond) passed. 

Question Seven(to change the State Constitution) defeated.

And there we go.  That is how Maine voted this year.  Some of the results I'm happy about, others I'm not, but that's how it works.  The people of Maine spoke with their votes, and that is the end of it - at least until the next Election.

Until next time...

-Wil

Today on NASA-TV I watched the successful launch of the Aries 1-X Rocket's test flight.  It went beautifully.  Future versions of this rocket will help send our astronauts back to the Moon and onto Mars(and points beyond).  Thought others of you interested in Space Flight and the on-goings of NASA would like to see this as well, if you missed it earlier today.

Here's the link to the official site at the NASA home page: Click me. And an excerpt:

Outstanding teamwork was the theme of the Ares I-X postlaunch news conference as the successful flight test was discussed.

"I can't say enough about this team," said Doug Cooke, associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "They've been together probably a little over three years now, and they went from a concept to flying this vehicle in that period of time, which is the first time this has been done by a human spaceflight team in a long time."

Referring to the weather, which was the only issue of the day, Constellation Program Manager Jeff Hanley said, "We were ready when Mother Nature was ready, and we took our opportunity and what a great outcome. We're very proud of the result."

"It was a spectacular day," said Bob Ess, Ares I-X mission manager. "The vehicle flew even better than we expected."

"It is just a fantastic day," said Launch Director Ed Mango. "The team really excelled. I can't say enough about the folks who worked together to go make this thing happen. It was a great team, and as you can tell, it was a great vehicle."

NASA's Ares I-X test rocket lifted off at 11:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a two-minute powered flight. The flight test lasted about six minutes from its launch from the newly modified Launch Pad 39B until splashdown of the rocket's booster stage nearly 150 miles downrange.

You can find more information at the link I gave you.

Until next time...

-Wil

Was browsing through Yahoo News today and saw an article saying that the Senate Democrats may not have the votes to pass their Healthcare Bill after all.  It seems that several Democratic Senators and Senator Olympia Snow - of Maine - have witheld their support of the bill now that it is before the full Senate.  And I'm happy about that, to be honest.

Some of you will ask why, and the answer is quite simple, this needs to be debated more.  Much more.  Once they've hammed out some details, make sure there is a stipulation that they won't force insurance companies in any way to up their prices or force them out of business, and allow all American Citizens to choose their own insurance.  Whether it be from an insurance company within their State, outside their State, or from a government option.

Personally, I'm still not 100% sure that a government option should even be considered.  A part of me finds it appalling that my government would grow so large as to do this, but another part wants those Citizens who cannot afford healthcare to have an option - even if it's a government one.  But there is a problem, there is potential that the Healthcare option could be used on illegal immigrants, and I don't believe it should be used for them.  They should be give first aid and then sent back to the nation they came from to receive proper health care.

I know what some of you are thinking, that when I said "illegal immigrants" I mean all immigrants, and that simply isn't the case.  Those that came here legally?  Got their green cards, visa's, or have become naturalized citizens, I don't mind them receiving it at all.  They've at least done it legally.  But those who haven't, shouldn't benefit from such a program.  Period.

Until next time...

-Wil

Saw a tweet about this on Twitter and figured someone was pulling peoples legs.  Figured, hey, it's just a deployment drill, and I'm still willing to believe that until proven otherwise.  But, I figured I would post it for those of you who might be interested and would like to speculate.

Until next time...

-Wil

No words are needed to speak for this brave gentleman of World War Two.  He does that quite well all by himself, and I shall leave it at that but for these words; Bravo, Mr. Spooner. Bravo.  *salute*

Until next time...

-Wil

Was checking the news this morning via Yahoo, and saw this article about how Speaker Pelosi lacks the votes for a sweeping public option - meaning government run health care.  And I couldn't be happier.  I don't want my Federal government footing 100% of the health care bill - which is what the Democrats seem to want.

With so few votes for such a bill, they appear to be headed for what Senator Snowe of Maine - my home State - calls a "trigger option".  Which means that, if the insurance companies across America don't get their act together, they "Public Option" will be "triggered" and will go into effect.  Frankly, I hope the insurance companies grow a ruddy brain and are able to come together quickly to solve the problem.  Because I sure don't want the Federal government to have to pay for it.  It'll break us financially, worse, it will allow the Socialist mindset to dig deeper into the flesh of the American psyche like a damned parasite.  Which means it'd take a lot to remove it once Americans woke up to the fact that such a government is harming us more than helping.

Don't get me wrong, I believe that we need some sorta of "safety net" for people who are seriously ill or disabled, but only if government allows Americans to use private insurance companies(etc) if they wish without penalty.  Sort of like a two pronged attack against the problem of Health Care, instead of only a government option.  I'd prefer it just being a private option for all Americans - including going across State lines to find a better deal - but that seems unlikely as Congress seems hell-bent on adding more to our debt by going forward with this.

President Obama, and the Democrats in Congress, are moving far to fast with this(and most things).  They need to slow down a bit, and allow all Members of Congress to review and discuss these sorts of bills thoroughly.  Especially if they will be having a severe effect on our liberties and national finances.  I only hope people will demand their Representatives and Senators to think before they vote.

Until next time...

-Wil

Was browsing Yahoo News today and came across this article about how astromomers have found 32 new planets outside of our own solar system.  Here is an excerpt of the article:

Scientists using European Southern Observatory telescopes didn't find any planets quite the size of Earth or any that seemed habitable or even unusual. But their announcement increased the number of planets discovered outside the solar system to more than 400.

Wow, that is amazing.  400 found to date.  Most of those are either smaller, or larger, than the Earth, but this increases the chance of finding earth-like planets.  We can't reach them yet, of course, but I believe it's only a matter of time before Humanity finds a way to reach out into the stars at faster than the speed of light.

Evidently, Astronomer Stephane Udry from the University of Geneva also believes, also, that there are more planets to discover, maybe even earth-like. Here is a second excerpt from the article:

"I'm pretty confident that there are Earth-like planets everywhere," Udry said in a Web-based news conference from a conference in Portugal. "Nature doesn't like a vacuum. If there is space to put a planet there, there will be a planet there."

Six of the thirty-two new planets found appear to be several times bigger than the Earth.  Two others were Jupiter-size or above.  Here is a third excerpt from the article:

What astronomers said is especially exciting is the high percentage — about half — of a type of star systems with relatively light stars that had planets around them. This is more than planet-formation theory expected, astronomers said. Two of the four planets found around these type stars were relatively close to Earth size, said astronomer Xavier Bonfils of Grenoble Observatory in France.

The discoveries were made by the High Accuracy Radial Velocity Planet Searcher, which looks for slight wobbles in a star's movements, which would be made by the tug of a planet's gravity on the star. There are no photos of these planets.

Very interesting article.  If they find more planets roughly the size of Earth, and if they are indeed 'Earth-like', then that begs the question:  Is there life there much like our own?  Are they as advanced as us?  Or, are they far more advanced?

So many question.  It's going to be interesting learning the answers to questions like that.  Too bad I'm not immortal, it'd be fun to see what is discovered in the future.

Until next time...

-Wil

Logged on this morning and found an interesting article on Yahoo News.  A 16 year old Australian, by the name of Jessica Watson, began her bid to be the youngest person - either man or woman - to attempt to sail solo around the world Sunday.  Government officials tried to talk her out of making the treacherous journy, but she refused - determined to go anyway.

I find it amazing that this young lady is doing this.  A bit crazy, maybe - as she is so young and will be alone much of the time - but still amazing.  I just hope she succeeds, and comes through it a better, and stronger person that when she began her journey.

It's comforting to know to her family and everyone, I'm sure, that with modern technology, she will be in almost constant contact via e-mail, radio, and her blog.

Young Jessica Watson - as you can see by the picture to the right - didn't talk to reports before she left.  Instead she said her goodbyes to Mom and Dad and boarded her sailboat.  She left Sydney Harbor Sunday morning Australian Eastern Time.

Julie, Jessica Watson's mother, updated the teenagers blog for her, as Jessica was a bit busy that first day at sea.  Here is an excerpt of the blog:

"I know you are all anxious to hear from Jess, but she's a little preoccupied on her first day, so she asked me to post a quick note to let everyone know that the departure went well this morning," Julie Watson wrote on the blog. "I would like to sincerely thank all those wonderful people who came out on the harbor this morning and down to the marina to wish Jess well," she posted only hours after giving her daughter a tearful hug and saying goodbye.

Wasn't much of a first blog-post, but we can't really blame her - can we?  Sailing out to sea into essentially the unknkown - even though the world is pretty well charted now, for her it will be full of adventure - with only herself and a few electronics to communicate with the outside world.  Must be both terrifying and exciting for her.  I know it would be for me.

According to the article, she had several set-backs, at first.  She bumped into a cargo ship on her way to Sydney Harbor - causing a call for her not to go, and for her to conduct repairs on her yacht - and then strong wind prevented her from departing on schedule.  So, she's had a bit of a rough start, but who hasn't when they have tried to sail, or fly, around the world?  To stop just because of a few set-backs would have left her wondering for years to come if she could've done it.  That's not to say that we shouldn't worry for her safety, any time you head out on the sea, one must always worry.  The sea is a harsh master, and can turn from being the most beautiful and calm, to the most ugly, dangerous, and deadly force on the planet, but that doesn't mean we should stop.  And I'm glad that she didn't.  It's better to know now, what she is made of, than to live forever with the question mark hanging over her head.

The first leg of her journey will take her from Sydney, Australia past northern New Zealand, to Figi and Samoa.  The trip is expected to last about eight months, and the young sailor intends to also sail around the southern tips of South America and Africa, something that is today avoided by most.  The southern tips - for those who don't know - are where the oceans meet, Pacific and Atlantic.  Each seeming to play a tug of war.  Creating massive waves that have been known to capsize, batter, or sink ships many times larger than Jessica Watson's yacht - which you can see to the left.

Have a great journey Jessica Watson.  I, for one, will be keeping a watch on your blog, pulling for your success the entire eight months.  God speed, good sailing, and may the wind forever be at your back.

Until next time...

-Wil

A few days back, I had planned to read the Terry Pratchett novel, The Color of Magic - and I still intend to do just that - but I started feeling nostalgic for a novel I read many years ago.  The novel was the first of a series written by William R. Forstchen, called The Lost Regiment series.  It was about a fictitious regiment of Mainers during the American Civil War, the 35th Maine Volunteer Regiment(Infantry), which was on it's way to South Carolina to make an amphibious landing against a southern fort.

During their journey to assault the Confederate fort, the transport they are on is caught in a shitter of a storm.  They are hit repeatedly by massive waves that batter the ship, but then, a wave of light - much like St. Elmo's Fire - reaches them just before the next of the massive waves hit.  Everyone aboard ship is knocked out.

The next day, the troop transport is beached and on it's side with a large hole in it's bow.  The crew wake up and notice that minor things are different, but no one really puts it together for a while that they aren't on Earth anymore Toto.

Eventually, they meet the human locals - transplants from Medieval Russia - who first try to attack them with catapults, swords, and pitchforks.  The Colonel in charge of the 35th Maine fires a volley of blank charges at the approaching army, but it only slows them down slightly.  So he orders a cannon fired, and that does the trick.  The army runs behind some hills.

Later in the story, the 35th finds out that the Humans on this planet are considered food by another intelligent species that lives there.  Humans are considered by them to be what cows are to us here.  It's a great story about fighting for the rights of Man and the cost of such a noble cause.

The series is about ten novels in length, I believe.  I've decided to read them all again, as I haven't read them in about five years.  If any of you have read them, or are about to, please feel free to comment here and let me know what you thought of them.

Until next time...

-Wil