tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post4622182472778654022..comments2023-08-05T07:24:04.413-05:00Comments on Hope n' Change Cartoons: Free FallUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-27356444704316508832012-10-16T23:00:56.440-05:002012-10-16T23:00:56.440-05:00@Emmentaler- I watched the whole debate, and now n...@Emmentaler- I watched the whole debate, and now need a shower. Can't decide what or how much I'll do about it tomorrow as it wasn't decisive. Mitt was good and substantive, Barry was aggressive and lying, and the moderator was in the bag for the left. I'm guessing the clueless will call it a tie or give a small win to Barry. But <i>only</i> the clueless.<br /><br />@Olie- Yeah, in a burst of hyperbole I got the "longest freefall" part wrong. Oops!<br /><br />@Stan da Man- Romney seemed like a real guy giving real answers to real people, and Barry seemed like an upstart comic doing a too-well-memorized Bill Cosby impression, and occasionally remembering to call Mitt a liar or complain that it was time to change topics. In a purely <i>metaphorical</i> way, that little douche bag could sure use a good bitch-slap.<br />Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-83707885654941410442012-10-16T22:16:49.635-05:002012-10-16T22:16:49.635-05:00EmmLind, I tuned in at ~10pm, EDT.
One guy seemed...EmmLind, I tuned in at ~10pm, EDT. <br />One guy seemed to be answering the the questions, the other whirling like a dervish. <br />You tell me who was which - I was 1/2 L of "wodka" into it, so... <br />yeah<br />right<br />anyway...<br />zzzzz<br /><br />Oh, btw, who the EFF was that GD TROLL that was a mere 6 lbs from being labeled a 'refugee from gumdrop island' (i.e., they are shaped like gumdrops, and as such Moochelle has them hauled off and quarantined) I mean wtf, the Sally Struthers stuff on South Park was bad enough, but goddam, that troll could carry a Knight, much less pull a effing plow.. YEESH!!! Stan da Mannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-14950544338094933102012-10-16T20:39:28.303-05:002012-10-16T20:39:28.303-05:00Just FYI, he was a few seconds short of longest fr...Just FYI, he was a few seconds short of longest freefall. Then again, the record is held by a guy who had a small drag chute, so that seems like maybe cheating. ;)Olienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-32609906360980372422012-10-16T20:31:02.971-05:002012-10-16T20:31:02.971-05:00@Stilton: They clearly consulted with Internet Inv...@Stilton: They clearly consulted with Internet Inventor, Climatologist Extraordinaire, and All Around Genius Of Things Scientific: Al Gore on that one.<br /><br />Only lasted about 25 minutes into the debate before my disdain for that taint on American history forced me to switch it off. I might try to to watch later, assuming my blood-bullshit level drops back to safe levels. Again, it is entirely against my upbringing, but I really <i>hate</i> that smug, narcissistic, lying bastard.Emmentaler Limburgerhttp://pateratic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-275047845212345852012-10-16T16:30:52.056-05:002012-10-16T16:30:52.056-05:00@Ogrrre- I've heard of the film but never seen...@Ogrrre- I've heard of the film but never seen it. I'll look for it!<br /><br />@PeteD- I'm not really seeing a technological way of making it work, but then again I'm a cynical hermit with a bad attitude and a lot of clip art.<br /><br />For a humorous punchline to all of this - and even bringing things back into the realm of politics - leave it to MSNBC to proclaim that Felix Baumgartner "traveled faster than the <a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A5RUIzeCMAAEzj9.jpg" rel="nofollow">speed of light</a>" on his way down. Apparently they're no better at physics than political analysis.Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-594900060775116092012-10-16T15:25:54.221-05:002012-10-16T15:25:54.221-05:00Emmentaller - Thanks for the explain! certainly sp...Emmentaller - Thanks for the explain! certainly speaks to why they're ALWAYS steamy... <br /><br />Stilt - If the vehicle's still in orbit, it's no big deal - there are designs for large beach ball-ish things w/ a sprung frame and are self sealing - stand (ok, float) in front of it, release the spring, and it snaps around you, sealing up w/ like an hour's worth of air. I *think* they're staged around the ISS in case of hull puncture - theory being there's someone around to come GET you. <br />OR you could just drop on in - IF you could get slowed down before you hit atmo... <br /><br />The problem YOU point out, is that once a vehicle *hits* atmo, it's going to be a big fat fireball as friction separates H and O from water vapor, and they recombine (not to mention just heating the gas to incandescent temperatures). Bottom line, you're going to have one big fireball until it slows, or you're going to have smaller fireballs. All agreed. <br />Now, might it be possible to line the passenger compartment w/ a 2nd layer of protective tile in case of such an event? Sure - but you're lifting a LOT of extra weight, each trip, "just" for insurance... <br /><br />Steaming Manholes probably a 'grunge' band? <br />Steaming Manholer Christmas? OMFG, I'd probably buy that for the title and cover art alone! <br />TOO Funny! Pete Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-60159090228211224432012-10-16T14:54:30.255-05:002012-10-16T14:54:30.255-05:00Stilton, the movie was Rustler's Rhapsody. To...Stilton, the movie was Rustler's Rhapsody. Tom Beringer and G.W. Bailey. The town bar was one of "those tough bars" that served gin in a dirty glass with a human hair in it.<br />Pretty good movie.Ogrrrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10367747403389258422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-21002636513522909232012-10-16T14:31:56.702-05:002012-10-16T14:31:56.702-05:00@Pete D- From a design standpoint, it's pretty...@Pete D- From a design standpoint, it's pretty hard to imagine how to get astronauts out of a disintegrating vehicle in one piece. Then again, I just saw a car dropped onto Mars, so you never know.<br /><br />By the way, in the Simpsons/"small world" category, I once did some work with Julie Kavner's brother (the voice of Marge). Okay, that's not <i>much</i> of a story, but it's all I've got.<br /><br />@Kealolo- Granted there was a large element of showmanship in Baumgartner's jump (why else would Red Bull pay for it?). But I don't think there was much chance that Baumgartner was going to start "screaming like a schoolgirl." I believe the broadcast delay was <i>in case he started dying horrifically on the way down.</i><br /><br />@Emmentaler- I have nothing to add to the conversation other than, as Dave Barry would say, "Steaming Manholes" would make a good name for a rock band. And actually, if you released a "Steaming Manholer Christmas" you could probably sell a lot of CDs to unsuspecting dyslexics.Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-67887801155453645962012-10-16T14:11:43.270-05:002012-10-16T14:11:43.270-05:00@Pete: At the turn of the century, the Central Hea...@Pete: At the turn of the century, the Central Heating Company began selling steam to heat buildings within the city. Detroit Edison owned it at one point (now DTE), and a company called "Detroit Thermal" now owns/manages the system. But there you have the <i>rational</i> explanation why there always seems to be steam emanating from Detroit's manholes (the underground tunnel access points, folks) and sewers. I seem to recall seeing similar in sections of New York and Toronto, but memories can be a funny thing. Personally, I don't think this rules out the original theory. It simply defines the heat source...Emmentaler Limburgerhttp://pateratic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-15809570873692975002012-10-16T13:56:47.832-05:002012-10-16T13:56:47.832-05:00A great Red Bull promotion, watched it live.
It w...A great Red Bull promotion, watched it live.<br /><br />It wasn't really new science; if readers want a good feeling for ballsiness, they should read about Kittinger's original dives - nobody knew then whether it was survivable, and his pressure suit malfunctioned - his hand was swollen to twice normal size with internal hemmorhages if I recall right, he just didn't mention it. <br /><br />The funny thing about it was that Kittinger was seemingly the guy on the microphone to Baumgartner. I wondered why the guy on the mic didn't count down to the freefall duration record (which Baumgartner missed by pulling his chute early). But it makes perfect sense now... and Kittinger will continue to hold that record.<br /><br />Kittinger had the right stuff, still has it. <br /><br />http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/142189<br /><br />There was no new science or practical tech in this promotional stunt, and Red Bull had a 20 second video delay built in in case Baumgartner started screaming like a schoolgirl. But it was entertaining.kealolonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-76253910628330661142012-10-16T10:07:54.680-05:002012-10-16T10:07:54.680-05:00Emm, all agreed. NOT an engineer (thermo convinced...Emm, all agreed. NOT an engineer (thermo convinced me to choose another path) but I got two years into the program. Specifically, Aero Eng. (I just LOVE being able to say "c'mon, people, this isn't rocket science. I know, I've studied rocket science, and THIS is NOT it!) The first thing that stuck me, too, was 'Ok, free fall from space, good survival plan - AFTER you kill the 17,000 mph (or better - that's for a LOW orbit) angular momentum...<br /><br />Funny about the 'sewer steam' - maybe I'm never traveling at right times to see it, but it sure seems that there's ALWAYS that misty moisture pouring up out the holes, and I've not seen the like other places - even places in MI, like Lansing and Grand Rapids. When I was a kid, we used to say the rats were having a party...<br /><br />Stilt - Bart - Awesome! Years back, Yeardly Smith (who voices Lisa) was also acting in a sit com. Our Hero was trying to convince her that she had prospects for a happy romance, and her response was "Please, I'm short, my skin is blotchy, and I have a voice like a cartoon character" - I thought it was hysterical (and she *is* kinda cute, *I* think)<br />(Ok, rambling all over the place, better find some REAL work to do soon) Good call on not asking questions you don't want answered... <br />Mmmm, Eloi... Extra garlicky!!! Pete Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-22638505881108243892012-10-16T09:14:15.478-05:002012-10-16T09:14:15.478-05:00@Emmentaler- Exiting a disintegrating, flaming, hy...@Emmentaler- Exiting a disintegrating, flaming, hypersonic craft isn't a good way to start a parachute jump, but what if there was a way to create an emergency pod designed to shelter the astronauts during the breakup of the main craft which they could exit lower in the atmosphere? I'm just making this stuff up, of course, but I suppose a good "step one" is determining whether a human body in a suit can even fall from such a distance and land intact.<br /><br />And regarding metrosexuals, if they're cooked just right they taste like Eloi!Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-57452564490535122022012-10-16T08:09:19.347-05:002012-10-16T08:09:19.347-05:00@Pete D- This explains why Austrian paratroopers h...@Pete D- This explains why Austrian paratroopers have Bart Simpson on their insignia.<br /><br />@Coon Tasty- I have to admit that the steamroller joke was a variant of something I'd heard someone else say at some time, but it seemed appropriate.<br /><br />@CenTexTim- <i>D'oh!!</i> First you point out my grammatical error and then you take me to school (grin). I really <i>don't</i> hold college professors in low regard (I'm actually related to an excellent one)- I was really referring to those professorial <i>types</i> in this administration who believe they can run the country based only on textbook theory rather than any real world experience.<br /><br />@Ogrre- It depends whose hair. and I don't recognize the movie referenced, but it sounds like it should be in my Netflix queue.<br /><br />@JustaJeepGuy- I don't really understand the metrosexual impulse. Perhaps it actually scores points with certain women and/or certain employers. Or maybe it's just the result of a massive conspiracy to sell grooming products.<br /><br />@Queso Grande- They also serve who stand and wait. And by the way, there were no demonstrators at the event last night. Just a lot of pleasant conservatives.<br /><br />@Pete(Detroit)- I suspect you're right, but I rarely ask questions if I might not like the answers.<br /><br />@Colby- The Dinesh D'Souza event was great. The man is a wonderful and compelling speaker who argues a brilliant case that Obama is actively trying to dismantle America.<br /><br />And I'll consider your suggestion about doing a short-term cartoon for Wednesday AM as sort of a placeholder (good idea!). Obviously the debate is what we'll want to talk about, but I don't relish the idea of <i>starting</i> my work day AFTER the darn thing.Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-6571056092580324492012-10-16T07:54:40.003-05:002012-10-16T07:54:40.003-05:00Though I applaud Herr Baumgartner's ballsy exp...Though I applaud Herr Baumgartner's ballsy exploit, I am, unfortunately or otherwise, an engineer and tend to think like one when approached with problems and proposed solutions. This twisted mental process leaves me unsure of how bailing from a quietly buoyant weather balloon equates to bailing from an already hypersonic, flaming, disintegrating shuttle engaged in the act of re-entry. I'm sure there are applications for what he's done (like bailing from a spy-plane, perhaps); but I'm not convinced it would have application to a failing shuttle upon re-entry. flames and wind shear would make it most challenging, to say the least. Recall how fast Columbia came apart when her heat shields failed? Imagine a space-suit encapsulated human body enjoying that heat and those forces... Now, that said, could you get <i>me</i>anywhere near that balloon, let alone the door he jumped out of? I think not. Not unless there was a fecal material retention pouch strategically installed within the suit. Even then...<br /><br />@Stilt: hope your expectations were spot on and you didn't end up pulling a groin muscle dealing with all those dayglo pink va.... Well, this is a corporate computer. Let's just leave this there.<br /><br />@Pete: Spot on, Bro. That constant steam you see coming up from the manhole covers (for all whose minds just went in precisely the wrong direction: I mean the metal disks that cover the access to the Detroit underworld; not some form of clothing) is from the pots in which the metrosexuals are cooked like lobsters: with onions, garlic, and just a touch of Old Bay.Emmentaler Limburgerhttp://pateratic.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-37298181714732139802012-10-16T06:47:23.790-05:002012-10-16T06:47:23.790-05:00@Stilton,
Hope you had a good time last night and ...@Stilton,<br />Hope you had a good time last night and didn't get ovewhelmed by the... well, you know.<br /><br />I will make an out-of-order motion that you just post something quick and easy tonight like maybe a Bark cartoon, and then give us a good debate commentary Thursday. All in favor...?Colbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-75777458684915096732012-10-16T06:14:03.623-05:002012-10-16T06:14:03.623-05:00Oh, a cheezy line from the Grande? who knew! (and ...Oh, a cheezy line from the Grande? who knew! (and well played, sir!) <br /><br />JustaJeep, my understanding is that it gets them laid (really, one of the the prime motivators for anything). Now, laid by WHOM, I surely don't know - we don't roll that way, here in The D. I think the "Metro's" get eaten, I'm not sure. Hipsters we have, but have not seen the Metros. Then again, I'm a grumpy old fart and not likely to be seen in their typical habitat. <br /><br />Ogrre - Not a clue - please elucidate? Pete(Detroit)noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-85037746051422654412012-10-16T05:16:55.463-05:002012-10-16T05:16:55.463-05:00Sniff.....Forgive me as I hold back tears.....no g...Sniff.....Forgive me as I hold back tears.....no greater love hath a man than one willing to throw oneself into a dayglo pink vagina for a friend.......<br /><br />Having said that, should you find yourself in need of a stunt dick......always ready to sproing!! into action....<br /><br />Queso Grandenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-7594317728477177752012-10-16T03:50:39.200-05:002012-10-16T03:50:39.200-05:00@CenTexTim - Yes, and I hear that there are at lea...@CenTexTim - Yes, and I hear that there are at least three of you who are heterosexual.Coon Tastynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-13468275275872195212012-10-15T21:12:38.988-05:002012-10-15T21:12:38.988-05:00Of the many things that bother me, one of the bigg...Of the many things that bother me, one of the biggest is the metrosexuals who actually WANT to be metrosexuals. Why would anyone willingly show themselves to be such wussy-boys? Why would they willingly give their cojones to some woman to hold? Who in his right mind (who wasn't born that way-not that there's anything wrong with that) would rather be Liberace than John Wayne?????? JustaJeepGuynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-34324744085199155742012-10-15T21:08:41.806-05:002012-10-15T21:08:41.806-05:00Stilton, do you want that shot of testosterone in ...Stilton, do you want that shot of testosterone in a dirty glass <i>with</i> or <i>without</i> a human hair in it?<br />And, does anyone recognize the movie referenced?Ogrrrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10367747403389258422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-31677226140430582012012-10-15T17:34:36.434-05:002012-10-15T17:34:36.434-05:00@Stilton - in one of your comments (3:22 p.m.) you...@Stilton - in one of your comments (3:22 p.m.) you said "but dammit I'm tired of college professors, elitists, and metrosexuals weaking (sic<i> - sorry, I couldn't resist - it's the professor in me coming out</i>) our national character"<br /><br />I'll give you elitists and meterosexuals, but please don't tar all of us college professors with the same brush. There are some of us - granted, a minority, but we <i>do</i> exist - who still believe in traditional American values, and try our best to instill them in our students.<br /><br />What's this country coming to, when you can't even mock college professors without pushback... ;-)CenTexTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04026518638421849111noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-9941764527249647332012-10-15T15:39:07.932-05:002012-10-15T15:39:07.932-05:00@AHD - Yep, I too thought of Kittinger and as much...@AHD - Yep, I too thought of Kittinger and as much respect as I have for Baumgartner, Kittinger was the pioneer. <br /><br />@SJ - The Evel Knievel-steamroller-OWS joke was excellent; the sort of thing Ann Coulter would say. Coon Tastynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-47457644054683437612012-10-15T15:29:51.758-05:002012-10-15T15:29:51.758-05:00Stilt, @My Dog Brewski- And what is the Austrian p...Stilt, @My Dog Brewski- And what is the Austrian pronunciation of "Geronimo?"<br /><br /> - MMMMM, "Cowabunga!!" ??? <br />((-"pbPete Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-43982339569213813532012-10-15T15:22:32.687-05:002012-10-15T15:22:32.687-05:00@Irene Peduto- It wasn't really my intent to g...@Irene Peduto- It wasn't really my intent to get into a major treatise on manliness, but <i>dammit</i> I'm tired of college professors, elitists, and metrosexuals weaking our national character.<br /><br />@alan markus- I don't actually expect any trouble at all; North Texas is a solid conservative stronghold, and Dinesh D'Souza is a quiet, pleasant, personable scholar who is probably still flying under the radar of most libs. Still, it will be an honor to even marginally "have his back."<br /><br />@My Dog Brewski- And what <i>is</i> the Austrian pronunciation of "Geronimo?"<br /><br />@Colby- I'm surprised the government even had their (ahem) "stuff" together enough to clear the flights below. I just read that the Whitehouse is now claiming that it took nearly 3 weeks to send the FBI to Benghazi because <i>they couldn't arrange VISAs faster than that</i>. Sheesh.<br /><br />Don't know if I'll get a chance to actually say anything to D'Souza, but will gush like a giddy schoolgirl if given the opportunity. I've been a fan of his since way before the "2016" stuff.Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-5366876180758143012012-10-15T12:31:26.087-05:002012-10-15T12:31:26.087-05:00Hats off to Herr Baumgartner, Chuck Yeager, and ot...Hats off to Herr Baumgartner, Chuck Yeager, and others that give us reminders that we humans are capable of great things given the opportunity and freedom to do so. The government did play a role, however. The FAA agreed to keep planes away during this record shattering feat of courage. If only all of our government agencies would participate in the keeping stuff away exercise! In other words, butt the eff out and let us be!<br /><br />@My Dog Brewski,<br />I was not able to watch on TV. When Baumgartner climbed into the capsule, did he say, "I'll be back!"?<br /><br />@Stilton,<br />Take along your big-assed cheese wheel and bash 'em if necessary. The thought of you leaping on a pile of shrieking pink vaginas is... disturbing. Also, if you get the chance, please tell Mr. D'Sousa that Colby really enjoyed his books and loved the movie, even though it scared the crap out of me. He, too, has really big, brass ... spheres!Colbynoreply@blogger.com