Ones and Zeros

This odd NASA shot below is thought to be the very lucky shot of the aftermath of two asteroids hitting each other.  I dunno about you, but the closeup view in the lower left looks like a Klingon Bird of Prey decloaking to me.

I’m just saying that we ought to warm up the photon torpedoes in case they’re in a hostile phase.  This photo was taken with NASA’s long-range scanners, also called NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope’s Wide Field Camera.

Has it ever occured to you that the long and varied history of human-Klingon relations looks a bit like a disfunctional co-dependent relationship?  All the fighting, mis-communication, and later diplomatic overtures to patch things up, it just feels like a bad Lifetime movie sometimes.

A recent load of manure that landed in my email was this notice from the FAA (hyperbole, jingoism, and spelling mistakes are quoted):

 On Super Bowl Sunday, as you join with family and friends to cheer on your favorite team, rest assured that our nation’s skies are safe and secure, defended by a highly trained team from Continental NORAD Region and First Air Force — dedicated to preserving our peace and security.

Temporary Flight Restrictions will be in place during Super Bowl XLIV over Land Shark stadium, and CONR fighters may be visible on Sunday, February 7, 2010, while they enforce the FAA’s flight-restricted area in downtown Miami.

Genreal Aviation pilots are strongly encouraged to continue to check NOTAMS throughout the weekend.

Just to clarify a couple points:

1) There has NEVER been a general aviation airplane involved in ANY terrorist incident.  The only terrorist incidents have been with commercial transport aircraft such as airlines fly.  Yet the TFRs over the Miami area will affect general aviation much much more than they will commercial aviation.

2) The increasing TFRs and special flight restrictions around the country are limiting your mobility without any increase in security.  It’s misplaced caution.  Ground-level potential threats are easier, cheaper, and happen all the time in other countries.

3) Any pilots in the area ought to damn well check their NOTAMS and watch the every-changing rules.  The FAA isn’t in charge here.  They’re dancing to the Dept of Homeland Security’s tune and DHS isn’t as nice and friendly as the FAA is.

4) All those who thought the the ADIZ (now SFRA) around Washington DC was a local problem for those of us near there think again.  NY has an SFRA.  The Feds put up TFRs at the drop of a hat now.   You too can have your airspace made non-flyable anytime.