Is the TSA trying to destroy air travel?

I think everybody who travels has their own story about the arbitrary and laughable measures implemented by the TSA as it tries to show that it’s “doing something” to keep us all safe. Here is a Boing Boing article that purports to show how completely implausible the “liquid explosive threat” really is.

The more we de-emphasize science in schools and ignore scientific achievements in our society, the more we’re going to get policies and decisions based on fear, superstition, pseudo-science and myth. It’s the twenty-first century, surely we can shuck some of our most primitive instincts and stop cowering in the dark, fearful of being smitten by magic means.

We have a congress filled with lawyers, Political Science and History Majors (all of which are necessary to some degree) but virtually no science majors, it’s no wonder they can be swayed toward creating hysterical legislation.

Big Bug in backyard

This is the second time I’ve seen this behemoth. It looks like a “stretch-bee” and is maybe 3 times larger than a normal bumble bee.
Here are some pictures, the “little” wasps beside it are actually normal size (about 3/4 – 1 inch). This thing is noticeable. They are feeding on the sugar water dripping from our hummingbird feeder. We’ve since replaced the feeder with one that doesn’t drip…

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The Flying Spaghetti Monster

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A little fun and a lot of thinking should go into consideration of “The Flying Spaghetti Monster” alternative theory of creationism.

Wikipedia’s explanation is here.

When folks start taking things a little too seriously, a parody is usually good for gaining a little perspective on things. Religion is no different. While obviously tongue-in-cheek it is just as difficult to “prove” that The Flying Spaghetti Monster does not exist as it is to disprove the existence of any other diety – i.e. impossible.
You may seek to dismiss it out of hand but remember, other religions were viewed as upstarts and nutty when they were first conceived. Time, more than anything else, is what gives them credibility…

Who knows what the future holds for the pastafarians. Some day we may all be sitting around saying grace ending with “RAmen”.

Night Currency in the Warrior II

Last night was absolutely perfect to be out flying. I am planning to head to Alabama soon with some friends so I decided to ensure that I was current in the Warrior II which I will be using for that trip.

Cool temperatures (for here in the Southeast), calm winds and clear skies all work together to create some truly wonderful flying weather.

In filling out my log book I note that nearly 10% of my total flying time, and over 20% of my pilot in command time is now night flying. At about 220 total hours I find my proficiency is such that I now want to seriously work on achieving my IFR rating.

Night flying is smoother, performance is better and there is much less traffic out there. And what traffic *is* out there is easier to see. Of course, sightseeing while night flying is a wholly different experience. So I like to fly *to* my travel destinations during the day, and then return in the late evening. This lets me suss out the destination from the air and enjoy that unique perspective while also letting me have the relaxing and practical efficiency of the night experience on most of my longer trips.

The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe

I currently have 17 active podcasts in my podcatcher. But easily the one I look forward to the most is “The Skeptics’ Guide to the Universe“. It is produced by the New England skeptical society (NESS).

This is a weekly discussion highlighting and critiquing the thinking that goes into the reporting of, and claims made about, current events. Plus there are some very interesting interviews with other great skeptical thinkers as well as with folks with less-than-plausible claims.
Steven Novella is the host of this show with a great panel of interesting folks (OK, OK I have to explicitly mention Skepchick or she’ll be disappointed…) whose insight and wit makes this a great podcast.

I should mention that, apparently much to his horror, Steven’s voice comes across as sounding like Ray Romano. But don’t let that fool you. Steven’s clear thinking and breadth of experience and expertise are a refreshing departure from his voice-sake’s sitcom offerings.

WELL into its second year at this writing, I enjoy it so much that I’m working my way back through the first year’s episodes – it’s that good.