What Caught My Eye Today

Space Shuttle - It is the end of an era, my friends. One might think that the upcoming final mission of the Space Shuttle program would evoke fond memories. Not so much. The space shuttle was sold to America as cheap, safe and reliable. It was none of those. It cost $196 billion over 40 years, ended the lives of 14 astronauts and managed to make less than half the flights promised. The total price tag for the program was more than twice the $90 billion NASA originally calculated. The nation spent more on the space shuttle than the combined cost of soaring to the moon, creating the atom bomb, and digging the Panama Canal. Of the five shuttles built, two were lost in fiery tragedies. The most shuttle flights taken in one year was nine — far from the promised 50. One out of every 67 flights ended in death — a fatality rate that would make the most ardent daredevil cringe. Based on deaths per million miles traveled, the space shuttle is 138 times riskier than a passenger jet. In fairness, this is rocket science we're talking about here. As for some of those other criticisms. Nine flights a year is a far cry from 50, but honestly, what's the big deal? It's not like the shuttle went anywhere beyond the orbit of the Earth (okay, maybe that's not a great argument in favor of the shuttle). Let's move onto those cost overruns. $90 billion in cost overruns spread over 40 years...on a government project? Sounds like the model of efficiency to me. Bear in mind, we are burning through $2 billion a week on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. By comparison $90 billion over 40 years is a rounding error. As for the mortality rate, no one said space travel was a trivial undertaking. I for one applaud the accomplishments of the Space Shuttle program and all those dedicated to its successes over the past 30 years.

Cell Phones - Nothing amuses me more than a study that points out the obvious. A study by the Governors Highway Safety Association found driving distractions, primarily by cell phones and other electronic devices, are associated with up to 25% of U.S. car crashes. One wonders what causes the other 75% of crashes. Perhaps a topic for another day. The study showed that drivers are distracted up to half the time and that crashes caused by distractions range from minor damage to fatal injury. Cell phone use raises the risk of crashing, but texting is likely to increase crash risk more than cell phone use. I don't understand what people are thinking sometimes. Where I live, there is more than enough to keep my attention getting to and from work in one piece without the need for challenging myself even further by not keeping my hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Some folks that suggest they have to stay connected to work and have no choice but to pick up the phone while they are driving. My, but what delusions of grandeur these folks have of themselves. Speaking strictly for myself, if my company cannot survive the time it takes me to drive to or from work, they clearly are not paying me enough.

Soccer - Group play has concluded Soccer at The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. Lets see how my picks fared (my pick in bold type).

• Group A: Canada, France, Germany, Nigeria
• Group B: England, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand
• Group C: Colombia, North Korea, Sweden, United States
• Group D: Australia, Brazil, Equatorial Guinea, Norway

Seven out of 8 isn't too bad. The big surprise is that the United States lost to Sweden in Group C making its quarterfinal matchup a lot tougher. Speaking of which, here are my quarterfinal picks:

• Germany vs. Japan: Germany. The host nation advances.
• Sweden vs Australia: In a match up between the two biggest surprises of group play, I'm taking Sweden.
• England vs. France: A toss-up if you ask me, but I'm leaning toward France. They looked awfully good against Germany in group play.
• Brazil vs. U.S.A.: This is what happens when you don't win your group. Brazil beat the U.S.A. 4-0 in the last World Cup. I'm hoping the U.S. exacts revenge this time around.

Cycling - Ah yes my friends. The Tour de France is back! Sadly, Mr. Lance Armstrong is not competing this year (dude retired), but plenty of folks are ready to compete for the coveted yellow jersey (and endless accusations of blood doping after the fact). The usual suspects to win this year's event include Alberto Cantador (Spain), Cadel Evans (Australia) and Andy Schleck (Begium). The best American hopes lie with Chris Horner and Levi Leipheimer, who both happen to ride for Lance's former team, RadioShack. Should you be curious (and I know you are), 6 stages are in the books and the first mountain stages are just around the corner. Thor Hushovd (Norway) riding for U.S. team Garmin Cervelo has a commanding one second lead over Cadel Evans. Twelve seconds separate the top 10 riders after nearly 1,000 kilometers.