One Year Later: Time Proves Dems Got Played WIth Sham "Bipartisan" Gun Bill

                                                                                      

                                          Ar-15s stacked at gun outlet in FLA

 "Republicans are more concerned about unborn children than they are about the ones who are already here. The Second Amendment is a broken smudge of grammar on the 21st century.  Ban assault weapons now, no exceptions!"  Letter writer Craig Marshall in Sunday Denver Post

So the front page news in yesterday's (Sunday) Denver Post basically confirmed what I wrote last July about the so-called "bipartisan gun law", i.e. that it was a sham.  That is, never mind the phony PR and "upselling", the law simply ceded to the Reeps the priorities they always insisted upon.  Even WSJ resident op-ed troll Kimberley Strassel was giddy at its passage, babbling in a column (June 24, 'Democrats Lose ‘Gun Control’', p. A17):

"No universal licensing. No bans on classes of firearms or types of magazines. No raising of the purchase age or limits on firearms purchases. No national database to track gun owners. Instead, the overwhelming bulk of this “gun” bill consists of provisions aimed at mental health, school safety and tougher prosecution of gun crimes—precisely where conservatives have insisted for years that the federal focus needs to be."  

The Dem side? They got virtually bupkis, especially as far as controlling the most lethal weapons: the AR-15s, Bushmaster .223s and related military-style assault weapons.  The proof of the pudding? As the Denver Post front page story put it:  

"The law has prevented some potentially dangerous people from owning guns.  Yet since that signing last summer the tally of mass shootings in the United States has only grown."  

Get that? Only grown. And as a recent TIME editorial noted, by 1,460 mass shootings since Jan. 1, 2021. So Kim Strassel in her op-ed piece last year had a right to gloat because she knew- as I knew - the Democrats had simply surrendered to get any kind of bill passed.  The Post adding:

"One of the Republican negotiators of the gun law - Texas Sen. John Cornyn - has said any new compromise is unlikely"

And why would it be otherwise given the Reeps have basically gotten all they could ask for?  The upshot of it all is that the fetish cult of assault weapon worship appears here to stay. Why?  Any number of reasons. Start with bogus and inflated 2nd amendment interpretations, i.e. making a collective right an individual right, and for weapons no Founder could even conceive. And further would never have tolerated IF ever conceived! 

 Then, on 'Real Time' last Friday I heard the most cockamamey excuse from panel guest James Kirchick. That is, the Right is dug in on assault weapon ownership because their open displays make the "snowflakes" cry and lose their minds. Un no. They guntards are dug in because they know these weapons are "cool" to be seen with given they are featured in every major TV series (Walking Dead, Last of Us etc.) or action films one can think of. And so they can dismiss as "incidental losses to madmen" the  bodies blown to smithereens, which a recent Washington Post story revealed in detail, after 6 were slaughtered by a kook in Nashville, e.g.  

What does an AR-15 do to a human body? A visual examination of the deadly damage. - Washington Post

That graphic account follows one last summer on '60 Minutes':

How destructive AR-15 style rifles can be - YouTube

As CBS Scott Pelley pointed out the AR-15s now number 11 million in this country and they're rarely used for hunting, target practice or protection. They are used for mass murders.  There is no good reason to own one. Dr. David Baum in a separate ABC interview made a similar point after the Highland Park, IL shooting:

”There is no good reason anyone needs to have a high power rifle of the type used.  These are injuries no one should have to see. This was a mass casualty situation.  It's a sickening tale of what's wrong with this country.”

As I noted earlier that absurd bipartisan gun law basically handed a mid-term election year gimme to the Repukes. Without it, it is possible the House would have remained in Dem control. The Reepos knew it given the bill that passed last summer was nowhere as sweeping as a package of gun measures passed nearly along party lines in the (then) Dem House.  That law would have barred the sale of semiautomatic weapons to people under the age of 21,  and banned the sale of large-capacity magazines. 

Republicans now, however. are energized - even after the Nashville slayings- to fight for their high powered, lethal toys. Never mind these asswipes claim to be "pro-life" they are only that for a nascent set of unconscious cells.  They are fully prepared to let 9-year-old actual children get blown to pieces, even as they also deny affordable health and child care to younger children.  

And with their spurious "bipartisan law' in their pockets - emphasizing mental illness - the Reeps can now blame every current and future mass shooting on kooks, nuts, and whackjobs.  But as my tenured Psychology prof niece Shayl has pointed out, this is itself demented given how ordinary people can crack up and grab the nearest AR-15 to settle scores, domestic altercation, firing from a job.  

Thus, a military-style assault weapon within easy reach becomes the go to means for reprisal, revenge in an instant of passion.  Take away that instrument of lethality - even when an ordinary person loses it - and you remove the potential for mass casualties, mass deaths -and horrific injuries.  What about knives, can't they do as much damage? Are we going to want to ban them too?  

According to Shayl;  "That's stupid.  Even the fastest knife wielder will never kill or maim as many people - say in a crowded disco  - as one impassioned killer armed with an AR-15 and multiple magazines." 

 Obviously, if Shayl is correct, and I believe she is, no amount of 'red flag' laws, or mental health surveillance, will save the day or spot the next mass murderer.  It could be any one of 11-plus million AR-15 owners who suddenly - for whatever reason -go off the rails and grab their wonder weapon to settle scores.  There will always be a "normal" who snaps, maybe after a job dismissal or bitter domestic fight. And who then morphs into a mass murdering freak no different from Kliebold or Harris (the Columbine killers).  

So this is what the indifferent Republicans have left us with, and why  Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D, NY) was right last week to blast these weasels as "cowards" for not doing more on actual gun control.  As he succinctly put it:

"More guns lead to more deaths."   

The Reepos want you to believe they are soundly "pro-life".  Do not believe it for  a second. At most they are "pro-proto-life".  For it only in its most rudimentary form and which must include domination of women's bodies along with it.  

They are quite content to allow the lives of 6, 7, 8 and 9 year- olds to be blown to smithereens. Oh, and young (teen) mothers to die from complications of premature pregnancy by denying them abortion - all to stake out their spurious claims for life.

See Also:

How the AR-15 became a powerful political, cultural symbol in America - Washington Post

And:

Deranged GOP "Policy" of "Teachers with Guns" Goes Up In Smoke After Uvalde Massacre 

And:

New Zealand Acts To Implement Assault Rifle Ban - Why Not The U.S.? 

And:

Again: There Is NO "Right" To Own An AR-15 -

One Of The Best Dynamical Astronomy Division Papers - At One Of Best Conferences

 

 For sheer diversity and depth of topics, the 39th Meeting of the Dynamical Astronomy Division of the American Astronomical Society had few equals. I attended this conference in May, 2008, and was stunned by the sheer volume and quality of the presented papers. Don't just take my word for it. You can download the then schedule of talks from this link, to get some idea:

Download the schedule of talks in PDF format. 

Or go to:

The full program with abstracts in PDF format is here.

Especially intriguing to me was one that featured a masterful presentation entitled; ‘Analytic Theory of the YORP Effect for Near –Spherical Objects. This talk appeared in Session 02, starting at 10:45 a.m. and held everyone spellbound. The YORP Effect was named after Yarkovsky-O'Keefe-Radzievskii-Paddack – or the physicists that discovered it. It is a phenomenon that occurs when photons from the Sun are absorbed by a body and reradiated as heat. In the process, two forces influence the object: one from the impact of the photons, providing a tiny push, and the other as a recoil effect when the object emits the absorbed energy. See figure below:

Synopsis diagram of YORP Effect (From Wikipedia)

Since photons possess momentum, p =  Ec  ,  each of these interactions leads to changes in the angular momentum of the body relative to its center of mass. If considered for only a short period of time, these changes are very small, but over longer periods of time, these changes may integrate to significant changes in the angular momentum of the body.  

The primary author, David Nesvorny, emphasized consideration of an irregularly -shaped small object in interplanetary space (i.e. typical asteroid) heated by sunlight and for which the temperature T of the object's surface element is set by the balance of absorbed, conducted and emitted radiation energies. The sketch given in the talk approximately appeared as shown below:

Thermal photons leaving the surface of the small object carry away a small linear momentum producing a small repulsive force d f  on dS the surface element. (N denotes the normal to the surface) The corresponding torque is then;

dt = r x d f 

 where r is the radius vector pointing from the center of mass of the object to dS.   and F the force supplied. The element of asteroid surface area is dS.  The total torque is obtained by integrating over the body's surface, e.g.

  t = òs  r x  d f

and is called the thermal (YORP) torque. This can produce important effects on the spin rate ( w) and the obliquity  ( e ) of the object over planetary timescales. In his presentation Nesvorny noted it was convenient to average t  over the spin and orbit periods of the small object and thereby determine the mean  YORP torque which controls the long term behavior of the spin vector. In bis approach Nesvorny said he also found it convenient to split   into two parts: t_s    and te  .

Where  d w /dt = t_s   / I  

And: d e /dt = te   / Iw

And I denotes the principal moment of inertia.  A key step is to take the surface integral over the torque (general) such that:

M » a  òs dS (r x n ) ( n· n _o) 

The thermal YORP torque on an object with a vanishingly small value of surface thermal conductivity is expressed:

t   =  - 2/3 (1 - p_v) v_c  òs dS (r x n ) ( n· n _o) 

Where p_v  is the thermal conductivity and v_c the velocity of light. This can alternatively be expressed:

t =  -a  ò_W  dW /sin q  (r x N )max (0, n· n _o)  

 In the talk Prof. Nesvorny pointed out the main complications arose from the shapes of the asteroids considered, since these shapes would affect the solar insolation, thermal conductivity and related parameters.  The analytical approach therefore made use of spherical harmonics in the form:

å ^¥ _q=0   å ^¥ _f=0   a _n  G_k (q, f)

Where the a, k are shape coefficients, and G_k (q, f)  is a gamma function relating the angles, q  and  f.

Nesvorny emphasized the  situations considered were confined to the cases where the impinging solar radiation was at right angles to the asteroid’s spin axis.  Three separate detections of the effect were announced, including for  a nearly spherical object (1998 KY), and on two more irregular objects, (1862 Apollo, and 25143 Itokawa).

 In the case of the Apollo object the observed effect was approximately 3.0 x 10 ^-4 deg/day, vs. the theoretically –predicted YORP effect magnitude of 2.6 x 10 ^-4 deg/day. Earlier, Cornell graduate student Patrick Taylor and assistant professor of astronomy Jean-Luc Margot mapped the shape and located the spin pole of a 100-meter-diameter (about 300 feet) near-Earth asteroid called (54509) 2000 PH5 (abbreviated to PH5) between 2001 and 2005, using radar at the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico and NASA's Goldstone telescope in California.

On average, asteroids rotate every four to 12 hours. But the smallest asteroids (with a diameter of less than 10 kilometers, or about 6 miles) tend to spin either unusually slowly or unusually quickly -- and astronomers have long wondered why.  YORP analytics could also explain why some asteroids come in pairs. Most asteroids are actually loosely bound clumps of rubble with very little internal cohesion, so an object with an increasing spin rate could eventually spin faster than its own strength and gravity can endure -- ultimately flying apart to form two objects.  

The presentation ended by asking the question 'How to calculate best the YORP parameters?   Three approaches were given:

i)  Numerically: Write a consistent numerical code using the key torque and other associated parameters and compute the results and compare with the observations.

ii) Analytically: Use spherical harmonics to tie asteroid properties etc. to the approximated shapes, which can then ne analytically handled.

iii) Combine methods (i) and (ii), i.e. assume initial ellipsoid shape, e.g.

Then from this choose initial a,k values by which to compute the YORP torque, then refine by accommodating 2nd order effect.  (E.g. sum over Legendre polynomials of even orders).

For small, irregularly shaped objects , it was found that the YORP effect can cause measurable changes in motion.  Taken together the sheer power of the Nesvorny presentation had the astronomers who attended his talk glad they did. It totally reinforced the power and depth of dynamical astronomy and celestial mechanics in an era in which the threat oof near Eaarth asteroids is finally being grasped.

See Also:

• A Proposal to Eliminate Smaller Asteroid Threats

Solutions To Basic Electrodynamics and E&M Problems

 1)     For the electric field vector E:

 ¶ ² E / ¶ x²  =   m_oε_o  ¶ ² E / ¶ t²

If we compare the above to the generic wave equation for propagation of transverse waves, say on a string, we find:

¶ ²y/ ¶ x²  =   1/ v²  ¶ ²y/ ¶ t²  

Where v is the wave velocity. For the Maxwell wave equations, however, we have v = c. And hence we can equate:

1/ c²    =  m_oε_o    

c ²   = 1/  m_oε_o    and: c =  1/ Ö( m_oε_o  )

c =  1/ Ö( 4 π x 10^-7  H/m) (8.85 x 10^-12  F/m )

So that c = 2.99792  x 10⁸    m/s

2)a)  For a particular electromagnetic wave traveling in free space the power is given as P = 1300 Wm^-2 .  Find the magnitudes of the wave vector components,  E _y  and H _z   if:

P = E _y  H _z / c

Hint: The impedance of free space is given by:

Öm_o  / Ö ε_o    = E _y  / H _z 

b)Find the magnitude of the magnetic flux density:  B _z

Solution:

a)    P = E _y  H _z / c  so:    Pc =   E _y  H _z

= (1300 Wm^-2 )  (  3.0  x 10⁸    m/s) =   3.9  x 10¹¹   Wms^-1

But:  Öm_o  / Ö ε_o    = E _y  / H _z    

 

So:  E _y  =     Öm_o  / Ö ε_o     H _z    

Öm_o  / Ö ε_o    =  Ö( 4 π x 10^-7  H/m) / Ö (8.85 x 10^-12  F/m )

=   377  W  (Impedance of free space)

 

So:  E _y  =     377  W (H _z     )

 

Subs. This into Pc =   E _y  H _z

 

To get:  P c =   377  W   (H _z) ²

Then:

H _z  =     Ö P c /   Ö377  W   = Ö (3.9  x 10¹¹   Wms^-1/377  W )

H _z  =       3.2  x 10⁴   Am^-1

And:   E _y  =     377  W (H _z    ) = 

377  W (3.2  x 10⁴   Am^-1 )  =  1.2  x 10 ⁷   Vm^-1

b)      B _z  = m_o H _z  =   (4 π x 10^-7  H/m) (3.2  x 10⁴   Am^-1 )

B _z  =   0.04 T  (Tesla)

3)The general wave equation for E is:

 

¶ ²E / ¶ x²  =   m_oε_o  ¶² E / ¶ t²

Writing out all component wave eqns.:

¶ ²E _x  / ¶ x²  =   m_oε_o  ¶ ² E _x / ¶ t²

¶ ²E _y  / ¶ x²  =   m_oε_o  ¶² E _y / ¶ t²

¶ ²E _z  / ¶ x²  =   m_oε_o  ¶² E _z / ¶ t²

                          E-M wave propagation showing E, B vectors.

Lesley Stahl (CBS "Badass Grandma") Gets Schooled By Marjorie Taylor Greene On '60 Minutes'

 

                    Barely 6 weeks ago, cretin heckling Biden at SOTU

Lesley Stahl dignifying her on 60 Minutes last night

                                             Chumming with MTG and normalizing her.

So what is the best indicator that desperation has crept into a network these days?  Well, when they feature a known fascist cretin in a lead segment of a once-top rated program, like 60 Minutes.  But after reading in numerous mainstream new sites (e.g. LA Times) that ratings have plummeted since the year began (CNN viewers now down 61 %, even FOX down 27%)  it was always possible CBS and 60 Minutes would let its guard down and take the 'low road'. Well, they did last night inviting a screwball and pro-insurrectionist traitor harpy like Marjorie Taylor Greene to prime time. Was it worth it? Time will tell, but so far the outrage across social media platforms is roughly 100 times the intensity of this blog post.

For a while I hoped that investigative journalist Lesley Stahl would show some of the old "Stahl" snark and spunk in her interview.  I expected her to have "MTG" cowering in a fetal position after a couple of early hardball questions. But it was not to be.  All I got for my viewing trouble was a set of eye rolls, and a "Wow!"  That 'Wow' came after Lesley asked Greene why she made so many “over-the-top” comments, such as:  “Democrats are a party of pedophiles.”

The inbred skank and traitor troll looked steadily at the once fearsome Lesley Stahl (who had Traitor Trump fleeing a 2020 interview) and babbled:

“I would definitely say so. They support grooming children.”

At this point, had it been me asking, I would have then asked if she is prepared to take an I.Q. test, say to disprove she'd just advertised herself as a low I.Q. moron. Instead, Lesley meekly replied:

“They are not pedophiles. Why would you say that?”

We know why she'd say that! She said it because she doesn't know any better, she's a low class, inbred moron!  You don't have to ask her 'why'.  But Lesley just sat there dumbfounded while the fake blonde skank jabbered her balderdash:

“Democrats support — even Joe Biden the president himself — supports children being sexualized, having transgender surgeries. Sexualizing children is what pedophiles do to children.”

The real Lesley Stahl, the former incisive, take- no- prisoners investigative reporter, would have asked the delirious bimbo what she meant by "supporting children being sexualized".  Just to clear the air and learn if she actually was talking outside her rear end. She'd have also dismissed the total bollocks on offer, while slicing and dicing 'MTG' pathetic answer to a far-thee-well.  Instead,   Greene’s response elicited a mere eye roll from Lesley, who then sighed and said “wow,” before asking her next question: Whether the congresswoman might fight for what she believed without name calling and personal attacks.

The exhibition was a travesty for all real Stahls viewing, who believe in a take- no prisoners -style and the use of snark and incisive interrogation - especially for a fascist halfwit trying to pass herself off as a Reepo version of Diane Feinstein.  Instead, Lesley - once known as CBS' "Badass Grandma" - even had  Janice asking if she'd been taken over by a "pod person".  And that was before the once celebrated correspondent let herself get further steamrolled as Greene went into fake grievance gear:

“I would ask the same question to the other side. Because all they’ve done is call me names and insult me nonstop since I’ve been here. They call me racist. They call me anti-semitic, which is not true."

At that point I at least expected Lesley to have enough gumption to press Greene on  her (2020)  remarks that "Jewish space lasers" were responsible for setting the disastrous California wildfires that incinerated whole towns that year. But nary a peep. Indeed, Stahl just sat there mesmerized while the pompous skank informed her:

 "I’m not calling anyone names. I’m calling out the truth basically,” 

Yes, the truth is basically that you are an irredeemable, inbred cracker-ass skank and moron who has no business being profiled in a prime time network spot - to simply grab higher ratings. (But then as disgraced former CBS chief Les Moonves once blurted: "It may not be good for America, but it's damned good for CBS."  Pathetic.

The other truth is that over-the -hill reporters like Lesley Stahl should know when to call it quits.  And especially when to decline a puffball prime time interview more like propaganda, that glorifies a fascist scumball and dignifies her sordid beliefs.  

The final insult to Stahl's rep?  When in the wake of the show Marjorie Taylor Greene praised her.  If Lesley really had anything left in the tank she ought to have had Greene disconnecting her mic and running like Traitor Trump did 3 years ago.

See Also:

Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls Democrats ‘Pedophiles’ and Does Crossfit in Softball ‘60 Minutes’ Interview (thedailybeast.com)

And:

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s ‘60 Minutes’ Interview Sparks Social Media Outrage (forbes.com)