etee2k [DOT] net

Democratic leaders in Congress have promised that Republican opposition in Congress will "feel the pain" if they attempt to block efforts to pass ObamaCare legislation. Explains one unnamed source:

"We'll have all-night sessions. We'll have super-loud rap music broadcast through the House and Senate chambers. We'll serve nothing but bean soup, and take the toilet paper out of the restrooms. We'll take their Bibles and stamp on them and spit on them. We'll get crotch drug-sniffing dogs to run through the office spaces at random intervals. We'll make these Republican ingrates FEEL THE PAIN they have put the American People through."

BREAKING NEWS FLASH: The Supreme Court has just stepped into the fray, ruling that measures outlined by Congressional Democrats to make their Republican colleagues "FEEL THE PAIN" constitute torture, and are thus un-Constitutional. Said a spokesman for the Justices, "Torture is one of those things that is limited to Al-Qaeda suspects, and inhabitants of Club Gitmo."

SUBSEQUENT BREAKING NEWS FLASH: As part of a budget reconciliation measure, Congressional Democrats just voted to relocate the Republican opposition, as well as the Supreme Court, to the military prison camp at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Here is another example of why automated programs aren't always the best methods for generating 'targeted' advertising.

E D Truitt

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE

It doesn't necessarily take a village... just a human being, who understands that in order to do things intelligently, you have to

E D Truitt

USE YOUR BRAIN CELL

Photograph copyright © 2010 E D Truitt.

E D Truitt

A contest-winning photograph. (Yea me!)

Photograph copyright © 2010 E D Truitt.

Dear Folks Who Manage (Primary) Elections:

Please understand that, despite what others may tell you, sometimes you will have newbies show up at a polling place. Especially when you aren't using the regular polling place. And, sometimes, these newbies will have problems finding a parking space. In such cases, it would be really nice if you had signs telling folks where they could park.

Oh, and it would also be nice if you made sure the folks handing out campaign sh*t pamphlets knew about this, so they wouldn't tell said newbie that it is OK to park where in fact it isn't.

One last thing: not everyone is capable of walking several blocks to get to the polling place, so on-site parking is highly recommended.

Not that this happened to me or anything (of course it did, otherwise why would I be writing this?)

-kthxbai

Last Friday evening, I found myself at the Houston Zoo for the Social Media Club event of the month:

E D Truitt

TWEETS... IN... SPACE

It being the Houston Zoo and all, there had to be animals on display. It being an evening social event and all, there had to be a band. Put the two in the same room, and watch as hilarity ensues:

The main program was a discussion/interview with one of NASA's astronauts. Before that, however, we had the standard "welcome" speech. Of course, this being about NASA and social media, what better way to kick things off then to have the "welcome" speech delivered via live video feed. From the ISS.

E D Truitt

Welcome address, via live video feed from the ISS

It was interesting to hear the astronauts talk about using social media (specifically, email and Twitter) to communicate with "the folks on the ground". This new focus on social media builds on such programs as ARISS and Hams in Space, with the additional benefit that, by using the Internet, they can communicate with many more people. Which, as it turns out, is happening at a critical time for NASA.

As I am sure most of you have heard by now, NASA in undergoing some major changes, what with the Shuttle program coming to and end, and the Constellation/Ares programs (presumably) getting the axe in favor of "privatization" of space travel. NASA is searching for ways to remain relevant, and one item they have hit on is a marketing campaign on "how much stuff that you take for granted is the result of NASA's research?" And, folks, we are NOT talking about Tang here.

E D Truitt

Astronaut food and other things we can't live without

Now, mind you, I have no issue with NASA conducting a campaign of this sort. While many of us are well aware of the benefits of space exploration and research, sadly there are many who aren't. And, this sort of "education" is simply one of those things that is required to stay in business in today's climate.

Of course, being a social media event, we couldn't forget the "social" aspect. In addition to the band, there was food (and drink), including a favorite of the sugar-addicted:

E D Truitt

Cupcakes and other things that make the party

(More photos can be found at my Flickr set on the event.)

All in all, a good evening. And, it was even somewhat informative. What I found most interesting was that NASA is continuing to evolve how they interact with the public. By making use of technology, they are getting set to build a new chapter in the space program. This is something I wish the ham radio community would take to heart. Because, continuing to focus on doing the the good old-fashioned way, while technology (and the people who use it) are marching on, places our (ham radio) hobby at risk of being seen as increasingly irrelevant.

Yes, there have been some advances made in the past 25+ years I have been a ham. Particularly in the use of digital communications modes. However, far too often our communications are made using the same technologies (e.g. analog voice) that our grandparents used (if they were hams, that is), and analog voice is probably among the most INefficient use of our radio spectrum (except maybe for analog video.) D-STAR shows some promise, but needs a serious makeover on the human interface side. C'mon, folks, in a world with things like the iPhone, surely we can design a better UI than a twisty knob and a telephone keypad!

And, not only do we need to upgrade our technology, we also need to upgrade our operating practices. Some time ago, I wrote an article on using a Twitter-like service for passing tactical traffic during public service events. I was shot down fairly quickly, most commenters (tho none on the blog itself) dismissing it as "nothing different than a repeater". Maybe so, but it is a paradigm that more and more people are making use of, and there are some distinct advantages to not being wedded to one specific communications path. Not to mention, being able to "rewind" and replay the entire stream of conversation(s) at will.

After all, if NASA can change with the times, I suspect the ham community can, as well. At least, I hope so.

Photographs copyright © 2010 E D Truitt.