Sunday, December 28, 2008

This ain't your grandma's fusion reactor

Scientists plan on creating a miniature artificial star which will generate temperatures in excess of 100 million degrees Celsius.

The procedure is officially known as Inertial Confinement Fusion and, if it is successful, could
result in a new, nearly limitless power source. I think I am going to order one for the Jeep.

The neighborhood bully strikes again

Gideon Levy, writing in Israel's oldest daily newspaper, opines about Operation Cast Lead, Israel's ongoing assault on Palestine.

"Once again, Israel's violent responses, even if there is justification for them, exceed all proportion and cross every red line of humaneness, morality, international law and wisdom."

Try to imagine any US politician or media-figure uttering these words. Any who did would be immediately castigated and labeled an anti-Semite. In Israel, apparently, it is permissible to question the wisdom of that government's actions. Sadly, the same cannot be said for the US. Cue the boilerplate proclamations from our officials about Israel needing to take whatever steps it feels are necessary for its security.

Update: This link and the sentiment that comes with it appeared in Glenn Greenwald's blog.