-
The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Category Archives: Politics
How good is your civics knowledge?
Via Daily Kos, I learned that there was a U.S. government civics test given to elected officials by the National Civic Literacy Board at ISI. The results were pretty embarrassing: US elected officials scored abysmally on a test measuring their … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
10 Comments
The perfect metaphor for the D’s response to Lieberman
Of course, we’re all familiar with how boldly the Democrats stood up to Joe Lieberman, the man who campaigned not only for the Republican presidential candidate but also numerous down-ticket Republicans. In the end, the Democrats welcomed him back with … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Silliness
Leave a comment
Yay, North Carolina!
I just learned, via Americablog, that my home state has come through for Obama; the AP reports: President-elect Obama has won North Carolina, a symbolic triumph in a state that hadn’t voted for a Democrat in more than a generation. … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
4 Comments
I voted! Early!
Well, it took 1 1/2 hours, but I got my early voting in! And I didn’t get tricked by the abysmal design of the NC ballot. For me, the occasion was chock full of symbolism and happy coincidences. When I … Continue reading
Posted in Personal, Politics
2 Comments
John McCain: Angry, anti-science miser
As the economic crisis has deepened, McCain’s biggest talking point about the economy has been the proliferation of “earmarks” in government, those state projects that legislators add to Federal budget requests for their home states. For me, a discussion of … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, Politics, Science news
4 Comments
Don’t vote! Reverse psychology at its finest
Via Americablog, I found this wonderful video which lays down the importance of voting… by having Hollywood-types encouraging you not to vote! It’s nice to see a video which is entertaining and pointed simultaneously. Posting this video is my way … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
5 Comments
The Republican war on intelligence
Back in 2004, I had the pleasure of hearing Hillary Clinton speak at the Optical Society of America Annual Meeting in Rochester, NY. After her prepared remarks, she took questions from the audience. One questioner asked about some Bush administration … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, General science, Politics
5 Comments
How well do YOU know Africa?
Via The Carpetbagger Report, we learn that McCain confused Somalia with Sudan in a discussion with reporters several days ago. This was probably him misspeaking, but he’s been doing that a lot lately and it isn’t an encouraging sign. This … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
3 Comments
House of Representatives flushes the 4th Amendment down the toilet
“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 … Continue reading
Posted in Politics
2 Comments
Even airlines get it: slowing down saves fuel!
I just saw this article on CNN the other day: Planes slow down to save fuel. Apparently airlines are finally starting to feel the pinch of higher gas prices, and are learning that going at a slightly slower speed can … Continue reading
Posted in Politics, Science news
12 Comments
Skulls in the Stars 