A ROCKET from Blue Origin exploded on its launchpad in Florida, USA. Their spokesperson stated: “We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test.”
An anomaly is a flashing button, what they got was what the cartoon Martin the Martian wanted an “earth-shattering kaboom!”
Space has always had its dangers including a broken toilet, an extended stay which was best known for the floating sphere of hair of one astronaut but also for far too many deaths.
Space exploration may be our future but it has to be safe and eventually made available for the general public.
***
Don’t count on him
In about six months, Australia will have a state election, and like most political leaders, Australians are proclaiming how important it is and that everyone should vote for their team. Being a democratic country gives them the opportunity and the responsibility to vote in these elections.
In America there will be elections at about the same time but their leader, Donald Trump, has stated, “I don’t care about the midterms.”
This is disgraceful to both the people who will vote and those that have died to protect that right to vote.
Use your vote to select representatives that will do the best for everyone, not just their own team.
Be wary of those that only do the best for themselves and treat them with the contempt they deserve.
It’s your right, use it wisely
***
Who wrote what?
Pope Leo XIV has produced his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas,” 42,300 words of it in the English version.
He speaks of the need to value humans and protect their roles in society.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can do much of what we do, better and faster but what of the things that make us human?
Would AI use the amount of yellow paint that Van Gogh did or use equal amount of each color. Would AI ask “To be or not to be?”
Would AI fanatically support a soccer team that is bottom of the ladder?
From my own point of view as a retired math teacher, would AI realize that not all students like mathematics and some find it challenging.
There is presumably a Latin version of this document, an Italian version, and others which would have kept him busy even if he used AI to do the translations or write the majority of it.
We are safe but only if we use AI as a tool not an equal. It might be good to include a big ‘off’ button.
***
Don’t just talk
Donald Trump has written on Truth Social that negotiators from both sides “must take their time and get it right”. A simple and accurate statement but what is the full story?
The only substantial concern is the nuclear issue and both sides seem unwilling to move on that, so all we are going to get is more words, accusations and distractions.
The general opinion is that they should not have the opportunity to develop nuclear weapons but that also could be applied to all countries. The consequences of nuclear bombs are horrific as shown at Hiroshima and the potential to destroy the whole planet is too real. How can this be solved?
Will we have to wait until President Trump leaves the oval office, or will wise minds step in?
***
Crime now pays
As Batman said in 1966, “Crime doesn’t pay”, now a fat man or at least an overweight man, Donald Trump, says, “Crime will pay” or at least the Government is planning to pay the Jan. 6 rioters.
There are very few times when a convicted person should be paid unless by example they were later found to be innocent.
The rioters were pardoned or had their sentences commuted by President Trump despite what happened on the day and the number of lives lost. They are not innocent victims. They should not be paid.
There were victims, the police killed or injured, the democratic election process, and the credibility of America.
America is heading the wrong way./PN
