The Cassini spacecraft has made its lowest pass yet over the south pole of Enceladus, an active moon of Saturn which may harbour a liquid water ocean.
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How Much Water is On Earth?
In this illustration, the blue ball represents the volume of all the water on earth, relative to the size of the earth. The tiny speck to the right of the blue ball represents Earth’s fresh water. CREDIT: David Gallo/WHOI
If Earth was the size of a basketball, all of its water would fit into a ping pong ball.
How much water is that? It’s roughly 326 million cubic miles (1.332 billion cubic kilometers), according to a recent study from the U.S. Geological Survey. Some 72 percent of Earth is covered in water, but 97 percent of that is salty ocean water and not suitable for drinking.
“There’s not a lot of water on Earth at all,” said David Gallo, an oceanographer at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Massachusetts.
My hero.
An emotional beginning to an android’s life.
Brilliant!
Contraception and Freedom
There’s an attack on freedom. It’s not, as many propose, an attack by the President or the administration on religious freedom, but rather an attack from those of religion onto the people in our society. I believe in freedom. As a member of the military and a veteran, I take it so seriously that I have made myself available to literally fight for it.
Ban on Gay Marriage in California Struck Down, Again
The Ninth Circuit court has ruled against Prop8. This is one more step to a federal ruling legalizings gay marriage or rather creating marriage equality. The benefits and protections previously afforded solely to heterosexual couples will include homosexual couples as well.
I have written previously that this was inevitable and would be just a matter of time. It has been nearly 15 years since I first made this prediction. It is now closer than ever. Six state governments (along with the District of Columbia and the Coquille Indian Tribe) have already passed laws allowing same-sex marriage. These are: New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The twelve states which have legalized civil union or domestic partnerships for same-sex partners are California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell also plays a role in the ultimate march to a federal mandate allowing our same-sex couples to legally marry in that it formally recognizes a need to acknowledge this portion of our population as equal citizens.
The way I see this happening is rather ironic really. Though the supporters of this movement have been very vocal about wishes the last few years, it will be the critics and detractors who we can thank for the outcome. As they, with their vitriol, have brought to light their open desire to discriminate against a particular group of individuals, the courts will delve into the question whether it is constitutional to continue the exclusion. The courts will find that it is not alright and this will lead to a ruling which federally forbids states from denying equal treatment of same-sex couples.
The rabid dogs of opposition already know this; hence, their push to create constitutional amendments defining marriage.
I am a big believer in being wary of what you think you want. As a heterosexual man with a wife and children - boys and a girl, I do not want anyone to define mine or my children’s marriages because what one usually finds when this happens is that the definition is not really what one wanted.
My wife and I define our marriage. Our parents influenced us. Our society influences us, even. However, I don’t want or need a court to do it. I definitely don’t need some small-minded individuals who are more concerned with what others are doing in their own homes defining marriage for me. Let them keep that within the walls of their homes.
Though the purpose of Prop8 was to strip the couples of California who had been legally joined of their status. It will ultimately lead to inclusion across the board.
And I say, “It’s about time!”
Enjoy the Show!
(Source: ttz.thetheatrezoo.com)
I found this deer antler next to my bird feeder.
Imitating or mimic poison dart frog (Ranitameya (Dendrobates imitator). This animal is a descendant of the few remaining animals in El Cope National Park in Panama, where the chytrid fungus may wipe out the animal at any time.
Imitating or mimic poison dart frog (Ranitameya (Dendrobates imitator). This animal is a descendant of the few remaining animals in El Cope National Park in Panama, where the chytrid fungus may wipe out the animal at any time.
