The Heaviest Element Known to Science

Lawrence Livermore Laboratories has discovered the heaviest element yet known to science.

The new element, Governmentium (Gv), has one neutron, 25 assistant neutrons, 88 deputy neutrons, and 198 assistant deputy neutrons, giving it an atomic mass of 312. These 312 particles are held together by forces called morons, which are surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons.

Since Governmentium has no electrons, it is inert; however, it can be detected, because it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact. A tiny amount of Governmentium can cause a reaction that would normally take less than a second, to take from 4 days to 4 years to complete.

Governmentium has a normal half-life of 2- 6 years. It does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganization in which a portion of the assistant neutrons and deputy neutrons exchange places.

In fact, Governmentium's mass will actually increase over time, since each reorganization will cause more morons to become neutrons, forming isodopes.

This characteristic of morons promotion leads some scientists to believe that Governmentium is formed whenever morons reach a critical concentration. This hypothetical quantity is referred to as critical morass.

When catalysed with money, Governmentium becomes Administratium, an element that radiates just as much energy as Governmentium since it has half as many peons but twice as many morons.

--Chuck

UPDATE 1/28/2011 -- It is with sincere concern for the health and continued well being of Troy Yokum, that Soldiers’ Angels must withdraw its current sponsorship and support of Hike for our Heroes.

While on his journey Troy has suffered from kidney stones as well as injuries to his feet which have demonstrated potential medical danger and that without a full medical clearance from a Medical Professional its in his best interests to not continue his mission at this time.

Soldiers’ Angels will continue the previous and ongoing mission of supporting our nation's returning heroes and veterans that Troy Yokum’s efforts contributed to in support of veterans and their families.

We at Soldiers’ Angels applaud his efforts to date, as it is truly a remarkable feat, and pledge that we will assist him as he transitions into the next phase or chapter of his life with his wife.

The only thing that comes to mind from this picture is that the one on the right is telling other people they should eat healthy and exercise more.

Over on the Family Matters blog at Defense.gov, guest blogger Megan Just shares her care package experiences - both from the sending and receiving sides:

One of my most vivid memories of my deployment to Iraq is the adrenaline rush of receiving care packages. The arrival of a care package could instantly turn a bad day into a euphoric one. Receiving care packages was so important to me that I often wrote about them in my diary.

At the beginning of the deployment I wrote, "I received Eric's (my boyfriend) package today and I've been waiting all night to open it. I've been so looking forward to it that I don't want the anticipation to be over."

The next day, after opening his package, I wrote, "Eric's box was great. He sent my favorite fig sugarless cookies (which I am finishing as I write), a bunch of Cliff Bars and a variety of dried fruit. He also sent two issues of ‘National Geographic’ and ‘Climbing.’"

In that care package, Eric had also enclosed a small book he made that contained his favorite quotes, photos of us together and a long letter. My reaction to the book tugged at my heartstrings enough to nauseate you, so I'll pass on sharing that section of my diary here, but I can assure you, the book meant a lot more than the fig cookies and it is still a treasured item today.

Toward the end of deployment, even as the recipient of an estimated 50 care packages, I was still raving about them. "I love getting care packages," I wrote. "It is hands-on proof that somebody loves me. Opening them is like being a kid on Christmas morning. Each package contains a surprise and what is inside is additionally valuable because the contents are things that I can't procure myself."

While all care packages are great to receive, I did notice a difference in the emotional impact of a run-of-the-mill care package versus one where the sender put a lot of thought into selecting the contents and packaging them in a creative manner.

A run-of-the-mill care package contains generic items and things servicemembers can easily buy themselves at the Exchange on base or order online. A run-of-the-mill care package is one that might as well have been packed by one of the many web-based care package companies. See, the preparation of an exceptional care package cannot be outsourced. The preparation and thought that goes into a care package is half of its value and the servicemember can perceive this extra effort.

Read the whole thing. Some of her suggestions are better for when you know the recipient personally, but she also shares ideas you can use if you have adopted a service member who may not be able to share with you the things they would be interested in getting. It's always a good idea to be on the look-out for care package suggestions!

His Citation:
For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Barney F. Hajiro, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company I, 3d Battalion, 442d Regimental Combat Team, attached to the 36th Infantry Division, in action against the enemy on 19, 22, and 29 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres and Biffontaine, eastern France. Private Hajiro, while acting as a sentry on top of an embankment on 19 October 1944, in the vicinity of Bruyeres, France, rendered assistance to allied troops attacking a house 200 yards away by exposing himself to enemy fire and directing fire at an enemy strong point. He assisted the unit on his right by firing his automatic rifle and killing or wounding two enemy snipers. On 22 October 1944, he and one comrade took up an outpost security position about 50 yards to the right front of their platoon, concealed themselves, and ambushed an 18-man, heavily armed, enemy patrol, killing two, wounding one, and taking the remainder as prisoners. On 29 October 1944, in a wooded area in the vicinity of Biffontaine, France, Private Hajiro initiated an attack up the slope of a hill referred to as “Suicide Hill” by running forward approximately 100 yards under fire. He then advanced ahead of his comrades about ten yards, drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests. He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro’s heroic actions, the attack was successful. Private Hajiro’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon him, his unit, and the United States Army.

His family immigrated from Japan during WWI and he had to drop out of school and work to help support his family. After Pearl Harbor was attacked he was drafted in the United States Army. In March 1943, he volunteered to join the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, composed of Nisei (second-generation Japanese Americans) like himself. He was shipped to Europe in 1944 first to Italy then to France where, over ten days in October, Pvt. Hajiro repeatedly distinguished himself in battle by exposing himself to enemy fire while assisting an allied attack. On October 29, 1944 Pvt. Hajiro single-handedly destroyed two German machine gun emplacements before being shot in the shoulder and wrist partially paralyzing his left arm. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. In 1948 he was awarded the Military Medal by the British government, in 2000 was was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton and in 2004 he was awarded the Légion d’honneur by France. Barney F. Hajiro is the oldest living Medal Of Honor recipient.--

Hajiro is survived by his wife, Esther and their son Glenn.


He was, until Friday, the oldest living MOH recipient. He was 94.

More here with video:
--Chuck

An Army Lieutenant Colonel wrote to Soldiers' Angels last week, asking for help boosting the morale of his Soldiers in Afghanistan. He also shared why it matters so much...

What you, your staff and donors do is remarkable. It makes a huge difference. I know that you will say that it is small, but it is these small things that make the huge difference and that the Soldiers remember.

Read the whole thing.

You can help. There are currently 1031 Heroes waiting to be adopted.

Labels: Soldier's Angels

There is a really great reason to give blood:  I can't.  I would do anything to help our wounded troops, or hell, anyone who needed blood.  I would eagerly roll up my sleeves and give... if I could.  However, one of the many pieces of Iraq I brought home with me was a itty bitty bug called a "MDRO" or Multi Drug Resisatant Organism.  At the time, it gave me wild fevers, chills, and other assorted nastiness, and even caused the nurses to call the Mrs., shortly after she'd left my room, to tell her to return--and say goodbye.  It was that bad, for a while.

Anyway, the long term affect of this is, although I have no lingering ill effects from this infection, that I can't give blood.  To be more precise, I can't get the red cross to take my blood.  There is a small risk that my blood could pass the MDRO on to a recipient.  (Maybe I could not mention it, and donate to the Red Crescent...)  So I can't give my pint every eight weeks, or platelets weekly.

As someone who has always given blood in the past, and as someone who was given blood--a full oil change, as it were, of blood donated by US citizens (the only blood the military blood bank will use, BTW) I can tell you this:  giving hurts far less than being the one who needs to receive it.  Like mos things, it's a little time, a little discomfort, and then you are on with your day.  Have fun with it--if nothing else, it's a cheap drunk and off to bed!

But please, give someone (like me) the gift of life.
--Chuck


During the week surrounding February 11th, 2011 Soldiers' Angels encourages Angels and friends across the entire country to honor those that have shed their BLOOD for us by heading to your local blood bank and donating a pint. You can check the eligibility requirements for donating here.

In coordination with WEAR RED Friday and Valentines' Day weekend, please take time out of your busy schedule to give a pint. If you can't give RED you can always give GREEN and donate $$ online http://www.soldiersangels.org/.

Send your photos of your giving experience to ShelleMichaels@SoldiersAngels.org or pixt them to 218-779-7271 for automatic posting to our Facebook fan page.

I won't say anything bad about Doctor King, although I personally find the content of his character lacking.  He's dead, ya'll get a day off, and that's that.  However, I would be remiss if I didn't offer a true hero, a man who stood on his beliefs and principles, and who I would gladly use as an example to illustrate to my children what a good life, well spent, truly means.

Martin Luther (November 10, 1483 - February 18, 1546) was a Christian theologian and Augustinian monk whose teachings inspired the Protestant Reformation and deeply influenced the doctrines of Protestant and other Christian traditions. Martin Luther was born to Hans and Margaretha Luder on 10 November 1483 in Eisleben, Germany and was baptised the next day on the feast of St. Martin of Tours, after whom he was named. Luther’s call to the Church to return to the teachings of the Bible resulted in the formation of new traditions within Christianity and the Counter-Reformation in the Roman Catholic Church, culminating at the Council of Trent.

Martin Luther declared his intolerance for the Roman Church’s corruption on Halloween in 1517, by nailing his 95 Theses of Contention to the Wittenberg Church door. Luther, who would be exiled in the months following the Diet of Worms Council in 1521 that was designed to martyr him, would translate the New Testament into German for the first time from the 1516 Greek-Latin New Testament of Erasmus, and publish it in September of 1522. Luther also published a German Pentateuch in 1523, and another edition of the German New Testament in 1529. In the 1530’s he would go on to publish the entire Bible in German.

Luther's Protestant views were condemned as heretical by Pope Leo X in the bull Exsurge Domine in 1520. Consequently Luther was summoned to either renounce or reaffirm them at the Diet of Worms on 17 April 1521. When he appeared before the assembly, Johann von Eck, by then assistant to the Archbishop of Trier, acted as spokesman for Emperor Charles the Fifth. He presented Luther with a table filled with copies of his writings. Eck asked Luther if he still believed what these works taught. He requested time to think about his answer. Granted an extension, Luther prayed, consulted with friends and mediators and presented himself before the Diet the next day.

When the counselor put the same question to Luther the next day, the reformer apologized for the harsh tone of many of his writings, but said that he could not reject the majority of them or the teachings in them. Luther respectfully but boldly stated,

"Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen."

On May 25, the Emperor issued his Edict of Worms, declaring Martin Luther an outlaw.
Martin Luther escaped martyrdom, and died of natural causes. His last written words were,

"Know that no one can have indulged in the Holy Writers sufficiently, unless he has governed churches for a hundred years with the prophets, such as Elijah and Elisha, John the Baptist, Christ and the apostles... We are beggars: this is true."

Enjoy your weekend, I will be standing a post.

--Chuck

This is a pretty cool idea. When I am away from home (or otherwise impaired) lawn and snow duty often fell on the Mrs., and her herniated L4/L5. If I was home, that meant doing the heavy work myself, and damn the pain from my injuries. If I wasn't, it meant she did the work that needed done, and had to deal with her pain.

One week, after a particularly bad snow and ice storm a) stranded us in DC b) postponed my surgery for a week and c) had us returning to a driveway covered in 2' of snow, layered with ice we faced a big dilemma: she shovels, and is incapable of caring for me (as I had just had my hand carved up, again, a day before) or I shovel, one handed, and try to keep my braced up hand warm while I do so, so as not to get frostbite.

To put it mildly, we were screwed. We both started working the driveway, as soon as I got the 4wd truck unstuck. (The Mrs. did it, only she could get a 4wd stuck in snow--in a driveway.) So we get about 1/4 of the driveway cleared--it was a two car wide, 75' driveway, on a hill--and are both fading, really fast. she's in pain, I'm in pain and frustrated because I can't do simple shit like hold a snow shovel.

All of the sudden, a guy pulls up with a snow plow on his pickup. He asks if he can help, and to our many thanks, he then proceeds to clear the driveway for us, and refused to take anything for it. Usually these guys go around plowing business' lots or houses for cash, this guy knew I was a soldier and just wanted to do something nice.

And now there's this:  (more at the link)

Project EverGreen has partnered with The BOSS Snowplow to connect military families with snow and ice management professionals and volunteers to provide free snow and ice removal services. If you are interested in helping a family in your area, please take a moment to complete our online application.

While Project Evergreen's SnowCare for Troops program continues its mission to help our military families, we hope that the future will bring PEACE to everyone.

Project EverGreen's SnowCare for Troops program appreciates the contractors/volunteers who have stepped forward to help our military families at home. Thank you all!

A very special reader in the greater Tuscon metro area wrote a letter to State Senator Linda Lopez (D)erp, AZ, wanting to know why she so readily made accusations without any facts that the shooter was an Afghanistan Veteran.

So, when taken to task for her bigotry re: claiming that the Tuscon Murderer was an Afghanistan Vet with no evidence, and then blathering about that all over the news, State Senator Linda Lopez (D)erp, AZ, responds:

Sen. Linda Lopez Statement on Tucson Events

“Shortly after the shooting of my closest friend I gave an interview with Fox News. As part of that interview, I wrongly reiterated some information told to me immediately prior to the interview that the suspect shooter in the Tucson attack was possibly a veteran of the war in Afghanistan. As we know now, there was a great deal of misinformation about not only the shooter, but also the status of the victims.  (She admits she was wrong, but there's no apology, no contrition there.)

I am a staunch supporter of our brave men and women who serve in the military. I understand and greatly appreciate the sacrifices they make for our country each and every day they serve. My husband is himself a veteran of the Vietnam War. I also understand that many people were upset about the description of the shooter that I passed on. My statement in no way was a reflection of my feelings about our veterans or the people currently serving our country.  (Dummies, I support the Troops!  I married one, which makes me a de-facto supporter, just like Tipper Gore and Theresa Kerry!  You idiots misunderstood me.  I was passing on bad information that I believed instantly without fact checking.  The fact that I so readily did so doesn't prove I think vets are the most likely candidates for mass murderers, just that I know how dangerous they are and that they are the members  of society most likely to do this.  it was occham's razor that caused this.)

With that, I would ask that we continue to keep Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and all of the other victims of this horrific attack in our thoughts and prayers.” 

I must have missed it.  Was there, in those brief paragraphs, any semblance of an apology for her readiness to blame veterans for this?  Did I miss the words "apologize" "sorry" or even "My Bad"?  I  saw where she said "I understand how some people were upset by [her bad information]" but never does she say I am orry I passed on bad information, only that she understands some people were upset.

In effect, an apology letter that apologized for nothing.  Not very different from the standard politician's "I'm sorry you misunderstood/were offended/didn't understand me" but never "I am sorry I am a ritard."

Oh, and about the title, Ms. Lopez is a mass-marketer, not murderer.  I heard some bad information, and passed it along immediately as fact.  I have nothing but the utmost respect for members of state legislatures, and understand if she was upset by this mis-characterization.   The title of this post in no way is a reflection of my feelings or respect for the members of all state legislatures.

Just bad info.  Not facts at all.  Ya'll understand.

--Chuck

Tickets are Just $2.00 Each (Minimum Purchase of 5 Tickets)
Drawing is 13 January

http://www.celebritiesforcharity.org/raffle/Band-of-Brothers-AFC-Divisional-Playoff/

Grand Prize:


Winner and guest will enjoy 2 tickets to the AFC Divisional Playoff Game at Gillette Stadium where the N.E. Patriots will take on the Jets; (January 16, 2011, Kickoff at 4:30 PM)
Winner and guest will enjoy 2 pregame field passes to game (Valid only for pregame access to the above referenced game)
Winner will receive 1 night hotel accomodations at the Renaissance Providence Downtown Hotel (January 16, 2011, single room, double occupancy)
Winner will receive 2 round trip coach ticket vouchers on Southwest Airlines (Valid for one year from date of issue)
Winner will receive a $250 allowance for ground transportation and other expenses
Winner will receive a football autographed by NFL Hall of Fame Guard and Patriots Legend John Hannah
Winner will recieve a photo autographed by New York Jets Quarterback, Mark Sanchez
Winner will receive a Band of Brothers baseball bat autographed by legendary Easy Company veterans Wild Bill Guarnere and Babe Heffron
Winner will receive a cash prize in the amount of $605.00 to mitigate the Winner's tax liability that results from winning the raffle. This prize is withheld and paid, on behalf of the Winner, directly to the IRS ($600.00) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ($105)

Sadly, 92 year old Major Richard Winters (Retired) passed away on Sunday, January 2, 2011. With the success of HBO's "Band of Brothers", then Lt. Richard Winters became the face of the young officer corps that hit the beaches of Normandy and fought on D Day. Similarly, and also as a result of the HBO Series, the men of Easy Company became the faces of the thousands of American enlisted men who fought that same day and through the remainder of the war in Europe. The men of Easy Company, who themselves are not much younger than Major Winters, had hoped to honor him, and the many officers and enlisted men who fought along side them that day, while Major Winters was still alive. Now, the Richard Winters Leadership Project, which was authorized by Major Winters and his family, will stand as a final tribute to all of the officers and men who fought on D Day. The project calls for a modest statue of Lt. Winters in Normandy that will honor all of the officers that lead the troops on D Day, with a list of all of the Military Divisions that partcipated in the battle inscribed in the base of the statue to account for and honor all the men who served America on D Day. The people of France have generously donated the land for the statue and are paying for many of the costs associated with construction. Easy Company just needs to raise the funds for the statue itself. If you would like to join the men of Easy Company in honoring Major Winters and the many officers and enlisted men who fought on D Day, please enter the raffle and in turn you could be enjoying a great AFC Playoff Series Experience.
netRaffle.org is a patented business model designed to provide Fans access to "Never in Lifetime type Prizes" while helping celebrities to raise funds to support their charitable causes. Direct expenses amount to approximately 8.5% of the minimum $10.00 transaction and 5% of the $25.00 average transaction. Leaving between 87.5 and 90% for charity after the 5% Massachusetts Charitable Gaming Tax is paid."
Also, for your peace of mind, rest assured that CFC uses PCI compliant state of the art security, including secure routers, to process your transaction and does not store any of your confidential credit card information so that your transactions are fully secure.
While this experience of a lifetime is priceless, the fair market value of the tangible prizes (e.g., as applicable in any given raffle, hotel, travel, meals, tickets, taxes, etc.) is $2,000.00. Also, Winners will be notified and do not need to be present at the drawing to Win.

Really.



~~Code Monkey

Oh, for the love of God.

Therapist: AZ shooting may be sign we are a traumatized society suffering from "emotional violence"

Look, I live here. I chose to move here and stay here.  So by not being a native, I think that would probably make me an even more insidious Arizonan by some peoples' standards.  I chose/choose to stay and live in this apparent cesspool of hate.

I'd make some joke about just being here for the weather but La Nina's messing up even that.  I heard it was warmer in Hawaii last night than it was here.

And honestly, I like it here.  You don't live in a place where it's 120 degrees in the summer because of the scenery.

I went through a lot of crap where I lived before and left it behind.  I came here for a fresh start and have done well.  I don't look for excuses.  I am aware of my shortcomings that hold me back and choose how to deal with them.  I'm not held back by SB1070, falling housing prices, or any of the other problems in AZ.  This state is not without its problems, but I choose how to react to them.  I don't choose to gun down people in a parking lot as a way to react to society's ills.  Mom taught me the Golden Rule and I still live by it, regardless of where I am on Sunday morning.

You know what I did this weekend as a response to the shootings in Tucson?  I gave blood.  And not just blood.  Double red.  I felt like crap for a couple of hours, but I did the one real thing that would make a difference to someone out there in AZ.  My words and my anger meant nothing to anyone else because they all had their own.  My red blood cells might have saved a life.  But I'm such and evil Arizona racist hater.  (And I know it's not charity if you brag about it. I didn't give blood thinking it would help a victim of the shooting in Tucson.  I gave blood to make me feel like I'd done something.  I'm selfish that way.  Oh yeah, it worked.)

I don't think anyone who reads this blog is going to tell me I'm a racist hater.  I know we have good people who read this.  I know you all care and take care of your own and don't look for someone to kiss your boo-boo and make it all better.

I wish that more of America was like you.

And if there are people who think I'm a racist hater, please let me know cuz I need to react to my suppressed emotional violence somewhere.  Better here with rhetoric and vitriol than in meatspace. /sarc

~~Code Monkey

Today an asshat (he who shall not be named, lest he get off on seeing his name in print here, as this is THE place to be mentioned on the intertubes) with a gun killed a 9 year old girl.  Apparently a congresswoman was injured in the shooting. 

Almost immediately, Linda Lopez (D) Arizona State Senator District 29, issued a statement claiming that the shooter was an Afghanistan vet and a Tea Party member.  Wrong on both counts, he was turned away from MEPS (Military Entry Processing Station) for being a nutjob, and therefore never served a single day as a soldier, and was also a very far left leaning asshat.  Of course, Ms. Lopez also blamed a mailer from Sarah Palin, which had her district in a crosshair, as also "having consequences."  Ms. Lopez, everything has consequences.  If you were SO concerned about the possible consequences of the mailer, why didn't anyone hear a peep out of you before this?  Why only come forward now to discuss how this mailer was the likely cause of this shooting?  Can the Girl Scouts no longer have a target number of cookies to sell without being labeled violent?

My .02 on the whole "looking into a military connection" meme:

1.  When we go nuts, we go big.  The last three mass-murder/assasinations by military were Puss Nuts at Fort Hood, Puss Nuts in Oklahoma City, and Puss Nuts in Dallas, 1963

2.  By that standard alone, no one should have thought a grocery store parking lot would be the place where a servicemember--even a nutjob--would strike.  We are much better at picking our battlefields.

On the Immediate smear to the Tea Party:

Clearly a great causal factor, since so many other Tea Party events have resulted in violence, most notably the Tea Party National Convention in Chicago in 1968.  Really?  This is a tragedy. The asshat doing the shooting is clearly a nutjob/liberal studies major.  His political leanings were actually far-left moonbat.  The Tea Party had as much to do with this as Jimmy Carter had to do with strong economic, foreign, or energy policy.  To Linda Lopez (Derp): What does the actions of one man say about an entire organization?  Did Puss Nuts Fort Hood represent all Muslims, Army Pshrinks, OIF/OEF Vets, or Bald men?  Does Puss Nuts Oklahoma City Represent all people who rent from Ryder? 

So we have a new nutjob in a state apparently filled with nutjobs, who elect nutjobs to office, and who continue, beyond all reason, to allow political assemblage.  I seem to recall a shooter in an Arizona Mall a few days ago, was this also because of Sarah Palin?  Or was this person immediately suspected of being a combat veteran?