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Friday, June 16, 2006
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This week Stephen Hawking suggested we should consider moving off the planet to save ourselves from looming (man-made) disasters. A nice thought, in a way, and one that I used to subscribe to. But the truth is, space is very hostile -- the June issue of Discover had a good piece on the hazards of space travel. It's very doubtful whether in any kind of near term at all we can make any use of the moon or Mars at all. Cosmic rays and toxic soil on Mars are only two of the big hazards. Bob Parks, as usual, sums it up well:
Hawking told a news conference in Hong Kong on Tuesday, that the
survival of the human race depends on having someplace else to go
when disaster strikes. He said we could have a base on the moon
in 20 years and a colony on Mars in 40. According to an AP
story, Hawking cited global warming, nuclear war, and genetically
modified viruses as examples of world disasters. These are human
engineered disasters, of course, and it might make more sense to
solve human problems. Ironically, even as Hawking's computer was
speaking in Hong Kong, the Sci Fi Channel was on Capitol Hill
promoting "Countdown to Doomsday," a Wednesday TV special that
included natural disasters such as gamma ray bursts and giant
solar flares. For these disasters, neither moon nor Mars offer
refuge and no time to get to the lifeboat, even if you could get
a seat; the Population Clock this morning read 6,522,550,980.
Maybe we should focus on taking care of the home we have.
3:39:54 PM 
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So we now live in a country where the police can come into your house without knocking. Goodbye Fourth Amendment.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
And Fifth.
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
This is the way we lose a great country; a death by a thousand cuts.
8:50:42 AM
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© Copyright 2006 Steve Michel.
Last update: 7/1/2006; 9:39:18 AM.
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