Genesis comes home today.

The returning craft will be snagged out of mid-air by one of two helicopters flown by stunt pilot crews. Why not military? Well, this recovery required a six-year commitment to training, so they went civilian.

America's first 'spy' satellites used the same method of data transfer. They would take pictures over the interesting parts of the world from orbit, then as they passed over the US a small capsule containing the film would be ejected. Military aircrews would snag the capsules in mid-air and then the film would be developed. This was, of course, Top Secret stuff.

When new Air Force generals joined the program, they would be given a briefing of the flight profile of the intelligence missions. Every time, they would object that the recovery plan was nonsense and impossible. It amused the intelligence director to inform the aviation 'experts' that not only was it possible, but that it had already been done on a regular basis. The exact number of successes and failures is still classified, but best guess estimates say they got it right hundreds of times.

Good luck today, guys. Bring home a piece of the sun to have for our very own.

Posted by: Ted at 06:51 AM | category: Space Program
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Thanks to the Ministry of Minor Perfidy, here's a few facts about this year's incoming college freshman class:

Desi Arnaz, Orson Welles, Roy Orbison, Ted Bundy, Ayatollah Khomeini, and Cary Grant have always been dead.

“Heeeere’s Johnny!” is a scary greeting from Jack Nicholson, not a warm welcome from Ed McMahon.

Mike Tyson has always been a contender.

There have always been night games at Wrigley Field.

We have always been mapping the human genome.

Politicians have always used rock music for theme songs.

Rogaine has always been available for the follicularly challenged.

Posted by: Ted at 05:55 AM | category: Links
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Publicola, SayUncle, Jeff at Alphecca and many more are following this closely. Whether you're pro or anti-gun, the fact is that all the numbers show that the so-called "assault weapon ban" has had absolutely no impact on crime numbers.

I'll be contacting my state senators this week (they know who I am) to let them know that I expect them to let this useless piece of legislation expire quietly.

Want to reduce crime? Start targeting criminals, not law-abiding citizens.

Posted by: Ted at 04:56 AM | category: Links
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I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements that I'll be posting in the days leading up to 9/11. The Allies then knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally. We need to remember that today.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:50 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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The lovely annika (she of the unused Caps key) has reminded me that this weekend is the start of our fantasy football season. She's trash talkin' like a true Raiders fan, and I was delighted to return the favor in her comments. She's also fielding a formidable team, although she's already suffering a personnel crisis or two.

But the Rockets aren't going to be pushovers! Here's my starting lineup for week 1:

QB - Brett Favre (Green Bay)
RB - Jamal Lewis (Baltimore)
RB - TJ Duckett (Atlanta)
TE - Randy McMichael (Miami)
WR - Jerry Porter (Oakland)
WR - Jerry Rice (Oakland)
WR - Isaac Bruce (St. Louis)
K - Mike Vanderjagt (Indianapolis)
Defense - Baltimore

And the bench is deep too. I noticed a lot of activity on the waiver wire (after the fact, I don't think I've visited in a couple of weeks), and I wonder if some of these folks aren't out-thinking themselves.

In any event, I've absolutely positively got the best cheerleaders in the league, bar none. So let's hear it for the Hot Jets!
Lynn S., of Reflections in d minor!
Susie, of Practical Penumbra!
Mookie, of MookieRiffic!
Denita, of Who Tends The Fires!
Jennifer, of Jennifer's History and Stuff!
Cindy, of Squipper!
Lemur Girl, of... uh, Lemur Girl!
Heather, of Angelweave!
Kat, of Mostly Fluff!
Nic, of Shoes, Ships, and Sealing Wax!
Helen, of Everyday Stranger!
Gir, of Your Moosey Fate!
Tink, of Flitting Here and There!
Sarah, of Trying To Grok!
Blogoline, of Blogoline's Journal!
LeeAnn, of The Cheese Stands Alone!
Dawn of Caterwauling!
Big Hair, of Left & Right!
Wegglywoo, of On the Beach at the End of the World!
Stevie, of Caught In The XFire!
Emma, of Miss Apropos!

annika dear, you are about to be soundly spanked!

Posted by: Ted at 06:47 PM | category: Links
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1 Hey, if Susie could be in the Axis of Naughty and the Alliance at the same time, why can't i have my own team and be a Rocket cheerleader too?

Posted by: annika at September 07, 2004 09:31 PM (6zw0Q)

2 annika, I've asked you in your comments at least twice, but you never responded. Welcome to the squad!!!

Posted by: Ted at September 08, 2004 04:46 AM (ZjSa7)

3 ooo sorry, i'm lame.

Where do i pick up the pom-poms?!

Posted by: annika at September 08, 2004 12:19 PM (zAOEU)

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Previous taglines are all stashed over at the Tagline Archive.

Posted by: Ted at 05:23 AM | category: Square Pegs
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Everybody, give a great big Hanson-Hello to two more players in the second annual Inter-Munuvian Hockey Whoopass Jamboree!

Welcome aboard to:
Catt - Pittsburg Penguins
Jenn - Colorado Avalanche

The roster is filling out nicely.
Heather - St Louis Blues
Dr Funk - Ottawa Senators
GEBIV - Buffalo Sabres
Victor - Washington Capitals
Helen - Dallas Stars
Daniel - Atlanta Thrashers
Gir - Calgary Flames
Pogo - Calgary Flames
Cindy - Montreal Canadiens
Frinklin - Vancouver Canucks
RP - New York Rangers
Tricia - Atlanta Thrashers
Nic - Washington Capitals
Kin - Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Ted (yours truly) - San Jose Sharks

Wanna play? It's easy, click here for details.

I'm working up a format for the sidebar so that everyone can just stop by Rocket Jones and see at a glance who their next game is against. This outta make it easy for everyone and my hit counter should tick over nicely too.

Posted by: Ted at 04:29 AM | category: Links
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I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements that I'll be posting in the days leading up to 9/11. The Allies then knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally. We need to remember that today.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:02 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Last week I was interviewed for a television program (all right, it wasn't a major program, but it's on the TV, so hush). This week, thanks to Steve the Llama Butcher, an actual honest-to-goodness Rocket Jones question on political blogging is asked of Wonkette (sorry, no link), and, no doubt impaled upon the devastating insight therein, she writhed and squirmed like a bug on a pin before snarking her way to safety, hiding behind a humorous retort.

I have arrived.

Posted by: Ted at 10:25 AM | category: Links
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1 I betcha you arrived 40+ years ago.

At least, that's what your mama said.

Posted by: Victor at September 06, 2004 10:34 AM (etHvD)

2 Yeah, but arrived where?

Posted by: Pixy Misa at September 06, 2004 11:14 AM (+S1Ft)

3 Now I really know I've arrived. I have my own trolls.

Posted by: Ted at September 06, 2004 12:59 PM (ZjSa7)

4 Who you callin' a troll... I'll have you know some of my best friends are trolls!

Posted by: Tricia at September 06, 2004 07:00 PM (lRTFS)

5 Yeah, but arrived where?
Munuvia! Yay!

Posted by: Victor at September 07, 2004 08:52 AM (L3qPK)

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I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements that I'll be posting in the days leading up to 9/11. The Allies then knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally. We need to remember that today.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:47 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Post contains 68 words, total size 1 kb.

I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements that I'll be posting in the days leading up to 9/11. The Allies then knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally. We need to remember that today.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:35 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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For those who're having trouble finding team logos to put on your page, here's a place where you can find small versions that will work for you. You might also try Googling your team name under the "images" tab and see what comes up.

Here's who's playing so far:
Heather - St Louis Blues
Dr Funk - Ottawa Senators
GEBIV - Buffalo Sabres
Victor - Washington Capitals
Helen - Dallas Stars
Daniel - Atlanta Thrashers
Gir - Calgary Flames
Pogo - Calgary Flames
Cindy - Montreal Canadiens or New York Rangers or New York Islanders (not sure yet)
Frinklin - Vancouver Canucks
RP - New York Rangers
Tricia - Atlanta Thrashers
Nic - Washington Capitals
Kin - Anaheim Mighty Ducks
Ted (yours truly) - San Jose Sharks

Wanna play? It's easy, click here for details.

Posted by: Ted at 11:20 AM | category: Links
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Here's hoping that President Clinton has successful heart bypass surgury and a swift recovery. May he have a long life spent annoying the hell out of me.

Also, my thoughts and prayers are with the children and victims of the hostage situation in Russia. I'm sickened and disgusted by the actions of the terrorists, and my heart is hardened towards the cause of their independence and the people who support them.

Likewise, to the people of Nepal, who watched as twelve of their citizens were butchered by cowards hiding behind a false religion. You have my sympathies, and my respect for the manner in which you've steadfastly refused to be influenced by barbarism.

Posted by: Ted at 10:47 AM | category: Square Pegs
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I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements that I'll be posting in the days leading up to 9/11. The Allies then knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally. We need to remember that today.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:29 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Post contains 68 words, total size 1 kb.

I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements that I'll be posting in the days leading up to 9/11. The Allies then knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally. We need to remember that today.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:21 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Not really, but more and more, you can find almost everything on the 'net. For instance, there's this list of sites where you can read free Science Fiction online. Pretty cool, eh?

Thanks to Professor Hall for the pointer.

(I'm waiting for the updates to the Virginia Tech Sounding Rocket Program website too!)

Posted by: Ted at 07:58 AM | category: Links
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Here's a nifty post about General Tso's chicken, the ubiquitous dish (my personal favorite) that's available at every Chinese restaurant I've ever been to. Meet the General's relatives - yes, he was real - and you'll be surprised at what they say about the recipe that bears his name.

Thanks to Simon and his Asia by Blog link-o-rama.

Posted by: Ted at 06:01 AM | category: History
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In my research and testing (oooo, sounds official, doesn't it?) about PDA-friendly blogging*, I noticed that many sites - especially some of the 'biggies' - don't offer XML syndication. I think it comes standard with most blogging software now, which means it was intentionally removed.

I'm not an expert on this stuff, which is why I'm studying it. The main effect (I think) of not offering syndication is that aggregators can't include your site in their news-gathering functions.

So why not have it there?

*This is a hint on where my thoughts are headed with this whole line of research. I may end up writing my own aggregator if I can't find one that does what I think I want it to.

Posted by: Ted at 05:18 AM | category: SciTech
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Last year I did a series of daily posts leading up to 9/11, each including a political cartoon on the subject. You can see the entire set here.

This year, I'll be doing something a little different, in that I've collected a bunch of World War II era magazine advertisements. The gung-ho sentiments are pretty in-your-face and America wasn't entirely united in their wartime stance. Still, the Allies knew that they were in for a fight and they weren't going to quit until they'd won unconditionally.

Each of these posts will be time stamped to stay at the top of the page for the day, so scroll on down for other new posts.

I hope you enjoy these (in the extended entry). more...

Posted by: Ted at 11:05 PM | category: Countdown to 9/11
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Canada just handed Slovakia their ass in the World Cup, 5-1.

Posted by: Ted at 09:18 PM | category: Square Pegs
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