What Caught My Eye Today

NASA - Given the events of the past year, I guess this doesn't surprise me too much. A panel reviewing health issues at Nasa has found that US astronauts have been allowed to fly while intoxicated at least twice. The panel also found heavy alcohol use within the 12-hour "bottle to throttle" ban for flight crew. Separately, Nasa confirmed that a contractor had sabotaged a computer. The damage to wiring in a network box - which is to be taken to the International Space Station (ISS) - was intentional and obvious, the agency said. However, it stressed that the equipment was not essential and that astronauts' lives had not been at risk. An investigation is under way. The drinking thing is too stupid and careless to comment on any further. As for the sabotage, forgive me if this comes off as flippant, but is it really necessary? We're talking about the most complex construction effort in the history of mankind, in space, mind you, being put together with components built by the lowest bidder. This attempt at sabotage sounds like a bit of overkill to me.

India - The United States and India said they have completed negotiations on a nuclear cooperation deal that would offer enormous benefits for both sides. But neither country gave details of the long-delayed, controversial accord and acknowledged critical steps must be taken before it can be implemented. The pact, approved by India's cabinet on Wednesday, would allow India access to U.S. nuclear fuel and equipment for the first time in 30 years, even though New Delhi refused to join non-proliferation pacts and tested nuclear weapons. My apologies again for being the simple-minded fool, but am I to understand that the U.S. doesn't have a problem with India developing nuclear technology because they like us? What happens if that changes? It has been known to happen in the past.

Star Trek - Leonard Nimoy isn't through with Spock yet. The 76-year-old actor will don his famous pointy ears again to play the role in an upcoming "Star Trek" film due out Christmas 2008. While the character of Captain Kirk has yet to be cast, William Shatner, who played the role in the original TV series, would likely also have a part in the film. Oh, good Lord. Somebody please put an end to the madness.

Baseball - As he nears the all-time Major League Baseball home run record, Barry Bonds received strong praise on Thursday from the the man whose steroid business tarnished the reputation of the baseball slugger. Victor Conte, the former head of BALCO, now openly speaks of having operated a steroid business in the past, but strongly denies providing Bonds with any performance-enhancing drugs. Rather, he has long said he only advised the single-season home run record holder with nutritional advice. "The greater the adversity he faces, the greater his determination becomes to overcome that adversity. Barry Bonds is not only one of the greatest baseball players of all time, he is one of the greatest athletes of all time." Not exactly the endorsement, Bonds was probably looking for, but at the same time, he doesn't exactly get much postive press these days.

Cycling - Good news...sort of. No new doping scandals today. Tomorrow's time trial should decide everything.