What Caught My Eye Today

Air Travel - Historically, my view of the the French has not been overly positive, but after reading this story, my opinion of at least these 90 French nationals has become decidedly more positive. Some 90 irate passengers staged a nearly five-hour sit-in on a Ryanair plane in Belgium, refusing to leave their plane after it was diverted to Belgium. The French tourists who were supposed to land near Paris after returning from holidays in Morocco, refused to come out of the aircraft even after the crew had left it at the Liege airport in southern Belgium. The flight had left Fes, Morocco, three hours late at 7:15 pm local time but had been unable to land in Beauvais, France, because by that time the airport there had closed. According to Ryanair officials the crew left "the aircraft when passengers became disruptive," adding it is "standard safety procedure" for airlines to divert to another airport when weather closes the destination airport. At first glance, it would appear that the passengers -- all of them, mind you -- took leave of their senses and threw a collective temper tantrum. That is until you read the end of the article. The plane didn't land in Beauvais but in Liege without notifying the passengers. Honestly, how difficult would it have been for the pilot to take 30 seconds to tell the passengers that the plane was being diverted? I salute those brave passengers for taking a stand for passenger rights. A little extreme, sure, but you sort of have to respect them nonetheless.

Asteroids - In these troubled times, I thought I might lighten things up a bit by revisiting one of my favorite topics--asteroids ramming into the Earth. A car-sized asteroid that whizzed 28,000 above Singapore recently--a near miss, as these things go--was too tiny to be a threat to humanity. Pity. I guess I'll have to keep my day job. While the chances of death by asteroid are lower than low, it is nice to know the risks. These are the 10 most dangerous asteroids, based on size, proximity and impact probability.

101955 1999 RQ36 - 1837 feet in diameter; 1 in 1,400 chance of impact; most likely to hit between 2169 and 2199

2007 VK184 - 427 feet; 1 in 3,000; 2048 thru 2057

99942 Apophis (2004 MN4) - 886 feet; 1 in 140,000; 2036 thru 2103

1994 WR12 - 361 feet; 1 in 11,000; 2054 thru 2106

1979 XB - 2,254 feet; 1 in 3 million; 2056 thru 2086

2010 AR85 - 3,609 feet; 1 in 53 million; 2015 thru 2106

2000 SG344 - 121 feet; 1 in 770; 2068 thru 2106

2006 QV89 - 98 feet; 1 in 3,100; 2019 thru 2042

2008 CK70 - 102 feet; 1 in 3,500; 2030 thru 2031

2007 RY19 - 361 feet; 1 in 15,400; 2024 thru 2107

I appreciate science as much as the next guy, but does it have to be so boring? How are you supposed to get all worked up over "101955 1999 RQ36"? Yawn. Maybe if they sexed up the names a bit. How about something like "Widow Maker" or "Planet Buster"? You know, something that has a chance at stirring up some widespread panic and paranoia.

Blood - I started donating blood earlier this year...4 pints and counting. Curious sort that I am I wanted to educate myself on the various blood types to see where I fit in. Leave it to the Japanese to come up with something completely out of left field. - There is a popular belief in Japan that a person's ABO blood type is predictive of their personality, temperament, and compatibility with others. Discussion of blood types is widely popular in women's magazines as a way of gauging relationship compatibility with a potential or current partner. The scientific community dismisses such beliefs as superstition or pseudoscience.

Type O

You are the social butterflies. Often popular and self-confident, you are very creative and always seem to be the center of attention. You make a good impression on people and you’re often quite attractive. Organized and determined, your stubbornness will help you reach your goals. You make good leaders. Lovewise, O is most compatible with O and AB. Common career choices: banker, politician, gambler, minister, investment broker, and pro athlete.

Type A

Type As may seem calm on the outside, but inside, you’re filled with anxiety and worry. You’re perfectionists and often shy and sensitive. Usually introverted, you’re stable and thoughtful. You make good listeners and are sensitive to color and your surroundings. You like to be fashionable and are up on the latest trends, but never flashy or gaudy. You like romantic settings and often shun reality for fantasy worlds. A is most compatible with A and AB in the love department. Common career choices: accountant, librarian, economist, writer, computer programmer, and gossip columnist.

Type B

You can be very goal-oriented and often complete the ambitious tasks set before you. Outgoing and very charming, you’re good at reading people and providing support. Though critical of appearance (but not your own), you aren’t picky and are unlikely to dwell over the little things. Type Bs are impulsive individualists who often create their own path in life. You are very strong and optimistic. B is most compatible with B and AB lovers. Common career choices: cook, hairdresser, military leader, talk show host, and journalist.

Type AB

Not surprisingly, ABs can be quite dualistic, possessing both A and B traits. You may be shy and outgoing, and hesitant and confident. You often stand out from others, don’t like labels, and are nice and easy going. You are logical and determined to do things correctly. Usually trustworthy, you like to help others. You often speak in a serious manner. Your patience, concentration, and intelligence are admirable. AB can find a soul mate with any other blood type. Common career choices: bartender, lawyer, teacher, sales representative, and social worker.

I think the message here is pretty obvious. Donate blood, save a life. Oh and by the way, maybe you'll find a job you like and someone to love.

What Caught My Eye Today

Did You Know - Every once and awhile I come across a fascinating little nugget of knowledge. I have such a nugget today in the form of a riddle. What do the following items have in common: Roundup weed killer, explosives, fertilizer, Miracle Gro plant food, metal cleaner, nerve agents, lithium-ion batteries, flame retardants (in clothing), Kraft Cheese Singles, and soft drinks? I'll give you the answer at the end of today's posting.

Al Qaeda - Al Qaeda in Iraq tried to blow up a U.S. plane by planting bombs inside dogs. Seriously? Recruiting suicide bombers is cowardly enough, but to resort to trying to blow up dogs. This is why no one likes these guys. The attempt happened two years ago, when terrorist surgically implanted powerful explosives inside two stray dogs, placed the animals in kennel carriers, and booked them on a flight to the U.S. But the dogs died before the carriers were loaded onto the plane, and investigators found the bombs inside them. Someone implants a bomb in a dog, and then the dog dies. Who could have predicted that?

Myanmar - It turns out the fine folks in Myanmar, or Burma if you prefer, have held themselves a little election. I wonder who won? The main military-backed party won Myanmar's first election in 20 years in a landslide. I'm stunned. Despite the fact that the main opposition party boycotted the election, international observers alleged that the junta engaged in widespread fraud, including pre-marked ballots, stuffed ballot boxes, and voter intimidation. One questions the junta's tactics. Honestly, who else could the people have possibly voted for? The main opposition party was boycotting the election for crying out loud.

Sudan - The government of Sudan has agreed to a planned referendum on secession to proceed. A 2005 peace agreement called for a referendum on splitting the oil-rich south from Sudan's north, where the government is based. Observers have feared that the government would block the vote leading to a renewal of a civil war that has already killed some 2 million people. The United Status has offered the Sudanese government incentives, including debt relief, the lifting of sanctions, and the removal of Sudan from the State Department's list of state sponsors of terrorism. I can see that. It's not like the U.S. has much to lose in this deal. Once Sudan splits, the Americans can make their money back with the new southern half and slap the new northern half back onto that terrorism list.

Return on Investment - Apple earned 0.75% on its $51 billion in cash and investments in its latest fiscal year. For those of you who were wondering, that's $382.5 million in interest. That's a lower return than a typical U.S. savings account and pales next to the roughly 10% investors would have earned from the Standard and Poor's 500-stock index over that time. Did I mention that Apple doesn't pay a dividend? I suppose what I find intriguing about this story is that it lends credibility to that old adage, "brains aren't everything". You would think that the guys that came up with the iPod, iPhone and iPad could figure out how to open up a high yield savings account. It's not as if Apple cannot make the minimum balance requirement.

Did You Know - So what miracle ingredient is found in weed killer, explosives, nerve agents and a can of Coca Cola? Why phosphate of course. And check this out. Turns out Morocco has 85% of the world's total of the stuff.

What Caught My Eye Today

Midterm Elections - With most of the results in from last week's U.S. midterm elections, political pundits have shifted their focus from predictions to analyses. Personally, I think the results spoke for themselves...the Democratic party had a bad night and the Republican party had a good night. But let's have the experts have their say shall we? Voters shook up Congress in Tuesday's midterm election, stripping control of the House from Democrats to put Republicans in charge, and narrowing the Democratic majority in the Senate to just a few votes. After picking up more than 60 seats, the GOP now has its biggest House majority since 1946. What does the GOP landslide of 2010 mean? Here are five takes:

1. This was a vote against Obama. This is the third election in a row in which Americans have "kicked a political party out of power." The GOP will only face the same rebuke in two years unless they see that what voters really dislike is "overreaching" by either party.
   I have to agree with this one, in the same way that many of the votes that Obama got in 2008 could be viewed as votes against the previous administration. Not exactly a glowing endorsement of the GOP, but hey, a win is a win.
2. The Tea Party is for real.What was once a loose-knit "coalition of grass-roots libertarians and disaffected Republicans" is now a bona fide political force. Republicans could have won easily. So the Democrats have the Tea Party to thank for their enduring Senate majority.
   Ironic isn't it that the best friends the Democrats had in this election are the guys who are most ideologically opposed to them. Any way you look at it, moderates are quickly becoming an endangered species in Washington.
3. It really is the economy, stupid. Americans predictably took their fears about the economy into the voting booth. This was a horrible year "to be an incumbent of the ruling party," and there wasn't much Democrats could have done to change the math.
   The analysts really went out on a limb here. Of course, it's the economy! If you look a bit more closely at all of these analyses, they all pretty much point to the lousy economic conditions. What continues to fascinate me is that people continue to try and put the blame on one person or one party. This most recent economic downturn was most likely going to happen regardless of the policies put in place by President George W. Bush and likewise, the economy will eventually recover regardless of what President Barack Obama does. Sure, there are things that can be done to help or hinder the recovery, but the economy is going to bounce back...and eventually tank again....and eventually rebound (you see where I am going with this).
4. The fight over health-care reform has just begun. Democrats got burned over their health care bill. Exit polls found that 48% of voters want the reform law repealed. The GOP won't be able to "stop the law" outright, but with control of House committees they can raise a stink and drag the administration to Capitol Hill to "defend the law."
   This is an interesting analysis as well. No doubt that Democrats took a major hit on health care reform, but the same thing happened when Social Security created back in 1935. Some historians contend the Social Security Act was the cause of the Roosevelt Recession of 1937. Could you imagine a world without Social Security today? Well, actually...if you are my age, you better start warming up to the idea.
5. Voters do not know what they want. Voters are mad and scared and confused — about the economy, the atmosphere in Washington, and more. Two years after Bill Clinton's Democrats took their drubbing in 1994, everyone was declaring him dead--Clinton won re-election in a rout. If the economy turns around by 2012, Obama could be saved by "the swing," too.
   I take issue with this one. I know exactly what I want. Congress needs to learn what it means to compromise to achieve the greater good for the people that it represents. I fail to see how statements like the primary goal of the Senate minority leader is to make sure Obama does not get elected to a second term is going to help make my life any better.

Potpourri - You know me. My attention can be drawn to the most arcane factoids.

• Salaries - The President of the United States earns an annual salary of $400,000. By comparison, the Vice President earns $231,000; the Speaker of the House and Chief Supreme Court Justice both earn $223,500; and the Senate Majority and Minority leaders earn $193,400
  I suppose, depending on your perspective, these guys are either way overpaid or way underpaid. Either way, I don't see myself going into politics anytime soon.
• Apple - A $1,000 investment in Apple Stock 10 years ago would be worth $32,280 today, making it the best performing stock of the past decade.
  And if monkeys flew out of my butt ten years ago, I'd have made a killing on the carnival circuit.
• Business - From January 2009, when President Obama took office, through June 2010, corporate profits increased 62%, the strongest 18-month rise since the 1920s.
  Interesting that one of the criticisms of Barack Obama is that he is anti-business.

Baseball - Way to go, Giants! If it's all the same to you guys, let's not wait another 6 decades for the next World Series title. The Chicago Cubs have this "futility" thing down to a science already.

Veterans - Way to go, veterans! For all that you have done for your nation, everyday should be Veterans Day. I'm just saying.

What Caught My Eye Today

Baseball - I don't usually start of with sports headlines, but I'm making an exception this one time, what with my hometown team so close to winning its first title in more than 60 years. The San Francisco Giants outplayed the Texas Rangers beating the Rangers 4-0 last night to move within one win of the World Series championship. Not being a huge fan of baseball, I felt compelled to investigate just how historic it would be if the Giants manage to close the deal. One of the older baseball teams, the Giants have won the most games of any team in the history of American baseball, and any North American professional sports team. They have won 21 National League pennants and appeared in 18 World Series championships, both tied with rivals Los Angeles Dodgers for most in the league. The Giants have been invited to the World Series an NL record 19 times. The Giants played in New York City through the 1957 season, after which they moved west to California to become the San Francisco Giants. As the New York Giants, they won 14 pennants and 5 World Championships. The Giants have not won a World Championship since 1954, and have never done so in San Francisco, for the third-longest championship drought among MLB teams behind those of the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians. The Giants have won 4 pennants in San Francisco, but have not managed to win a World Championship yet. Whew. I feel so much better now.

Infrastructure - One of the big concerns of both political parties in the U.S. is fixing the nation's infrastructure. Last year's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act set aside almost $72 billion for repairs and fresh infrastructure projects. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, that's just a down payment on the $2.2 trillion that should be spent through 2014. Oh come on. Things cannot be that bad, can they?

• Aviation ($45 billion committed spending; $87 billion estimated need): The critical issue is to roll out the Next Generation Air Transportation System, which will move air traffic control from a ground based system to a satellite system.
  Seems like a waste of money to me. I say if 1960s technology is still working, why change it>
• Water ($140 billion committed; $255 billion needed): Leaking pipes lose 7 billion gallons of drinking water a day and many reservoirs, treatment plants and pumping stations are nearing the end of their "design life".
  Again, I don't see the big deal here. If we all just switched to booze, this water thing would be far less important.
• Energy ($34.5 billion committed; $75 billion needed): Demand for electricity has grown more than 25% since 1990 and some estimates suggest electric utilities may need as much as $1.5 trillion in investment by 2030.
  Maybe if we are drinking more booze we might not notice all those power shortages. I'm just saying.
• Roads and Bridges ($351.5 billion committed; $930 billion needed): More than 26% of U.S. bridges are either structurally deficient or obsolete.
  Seriously, I think drinking more could help here too. If we're too drunk to drive, then the need for all those roads and bridges wouldn't be so important, would it?

Potpourri - This edition has something for everyone.

• Population - As a result of low birth rates and the aging of the baby boom, the global population of children under 5 will drop by 49 million by 2050, while the population of people over 60 will grow by 1.2 billion.
  If everything goes according to plan and I don't get struck down by lightning or something like that, I will be one of those 1.2 billion geezers.
• Garlic - Most garlic sold in the U.S. comes from China, because it is less expensive to ship garlic thousands of miles than to grow it and harvest it in California.
  Well now, that just stinks.
• Salaries - The average financial industry employee earned slightly more than $100,000 in the first three months of 2010 while the average American worker earned $10,668 in the same period.
  Isn't it grand to see how well that financial bail out plan work out?
• Mobile phones - A bidder in Kuwait has paid $750,000 to reserve the eight-digit mobile phone number 5555-5555. "Vanity" mobile numbers are a popular form of conspicuous consumption among the wealthy in the Middle East. In 2006, a bidder in Qatar paid $2.7 million to reserve the number 666-6666.
  I'm at a loss for words on this one.

Fred's Note: GO GIANTS!!!