Unexpected Evidence of Intelligent Life

Case 1. Swiss scientists discover a planet circling a sun which has the possibility of liquid water. The first such extraterrestrial discovery, the formulas suggest this planet is close enough to its red dwarf sun that surface water on it could melt, yet the planet is large enough to sustain atmospheric pressure. The great thing is that the planet is "only" 20 light-years away; with current technology we could get there in 500 years or so, I think.

While a nice hit to find a planet in the right zone for its sun, I have to think that the chances that this method of discovery will reveal all possible candidates for life are slim. Essentially, they are finding planets these days which are large enough, and close enough, to disrupt suns' position or block a portion of the light from them. The only reasons this one could be detected are that it is so close to us and so close to its sun. Still, it would only take one case to go from possible life to probable to change the way we look at a lot of things.

Case 2. A House panel has put up some opposition to beginning a missile defense system housed in Eastern Europe. This system would be to defend against a future missile emanating from Iran, if you can believe that. It would take five years to construct, so it would be just in time to prevent those Iranians sending nuke missiles raining down on the capitals of their friends in Western Europe. We better get started building those Star Wars!

Apart from the fact that Iran is far from its first nuclear test, let alone weaponizing the nuke or developing long-range missiles, there is one principal fact to consider: nuclear weapon defense systems don't work. I see the system would cost "only" $3.5 billion, so it's a lot cheaper than the ones we've put in which don't protect Alaska.

I'm sorry, I'm getting sarcastic. The folly! At least some of the House Democrats are showing some sense.

I also back their current doomed initiative with regard to the Iraq war. This one gives the Bushites a very short leash, requiring a second appropriation in September to continuing funding The Scourge Policy.

This measure really doesn't suit the Bushite game plan, which is to cause a distraction in the fall so Gen. Petraeus' lack of a report of progress then won't be too much noticeable. If, on the other hand, Congress actually had to consider whether to continue the policy in four months, the status there would be the critical consideration and not so subject to spin. So, a veto of the current proposal would be certain, and override impossible. The proper response would then be another measure, perhaps designed as a sincere compromise, but again with short-term funding: if Bush doesn't like getting funds a few months at a time, he can see how he likes not getting them.

This illustrates one of the most poignant lessons I learned in my childhood: don't be so quick to say no to something you really want and need, just because you don't like the way it's been offered to you.