Sha’Carri Richardson: The Girl’s Got Flash

  By , , ,

Sha’Carri Richardson:  The Girl’s Got Flash

OPINION:

Sha’Carri Richardson: The Girl’s Got Flash

By D. S. Mitchell and William Jones

Eye Catching Style

Sha’Carri Richardson was the center of media attention after securing her spot at the Tokyo Olympics, not only for her lightening speed, but for the over-the-top glamour she brought to the track. Sha’Carri Richardson lit up the arena with long, bright fingernails, vibrantly colored hair, and dazzling speed. Such tactics guaranteed her the spotlight during races. She changes her hair color frequently, telling reporters and fans that the orange shade for the U.S. trials in Eugene, Oregon was inspired by her girlfriend, who chose the color because it was “loud” and screamed “dangerous.”

Continue reading

David Bowie “Space Oddity”

  By , , , ,

David Bowie “Space Oddity”

The Calamity Politics Jukebox Choice of the Day is from way back, by David Bowie. The tune was chosen by Calamity herself when she saw that great article by William Jones “Billionaires in Space”. So here we go folks, from back in 1972 at the beginning of America’s first awkward but brilliant steps into space flight. As Jeff Bezos gets ready to blast off from somewhere on earth, I thought it might be fun to remind Jeff Bezos that not all flights go as planned.

OPINION: Billionaires In Space

  By , , , ,

OPINION: Billionaires In Space

OPINION: Billionaires In Space  

By William Jones

NASA’s Monopoly Is Over 

It is now about 50 years since Neil Armstrong, was the first man to step on the moon. But in the era of space travel now dawning, far more of us are destined to join him.  In America’s new space age, NASA’s monopoly is over. The leaders are companies, not countries. And they are about to prove anyone with enough money can become an astronaut. The biggest names in the current space race are three of the richest men in the world, Elon Musk, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos.

Space Tourism Starts Off Slow

“People want to go to space, people should go to space, because they come back changed,” said Richard Branson, the Virgin-brand billionaire who launched his space tourism business in 2004. From Virgin Galactic’s spaceport in New Mexico, six passengers per flight will rocket more than 62 miles above Earth for the ultimate selfie.  Six hundred people have pre-paid 250,000 dollars for the chance to fly, including 58-year-old Floridian ” It’s my turn, and I’m going,” MaryAnn Barry said. “I do want to see what the Earth looks like from space. I want to have that overview effect experience.”   Virgin Galactic on Sunday July 11, 2021 launched its first flight carrying Branson and several employees on a 53 mile high .  It is just one of many steps needed before it will launch a single paying customer. “It’s taken us fourteen years,” Branson said. “Space is hard. We’ve had our tears. We’ve had our joys. But I’ll tell you what, the joys have been fantastic.”

Continue reading

“Fourth of July” X

  By , , ,

“FOURTH OF JULY” X

“Fourth of July”  X

On this long holiday weekend Dave Shadrick from the “The Just Dave Show” suggested we highlight “The Fourth of July” by X.  It’s a bit sad, but it’s supposed to be. So, grab your hankies ladies, here’s the Jukebox Choice of the Day, “The Fourth of July”.

 

Gary B.B. Coleman “The Sky Is Crying”

  By , , ,

Gary B.B. Coleman “The Sky Is Crying”

Gary B.B. Coleman “The Sky Is Crying”

The Calamity Juke Box Choice of the Day is Gary B.B. Coleman’s version of “The Sky Is Crying.” Calamity chose this because it is one of the saddest songs she could think of . Why, is Calamity sad? Calamity is broken hearted because half of the U.S. Senate doesn’t believe every American citizen should have easy access to the voting booth.  Shame on Mitch McConnell.

OPINION: Retire Justice Breyer

  By , , , , , , ,

Supreme Court needs term limits

OPINION: Retire Justice Breyer

By William Jones

Consistent Defender

Stephen Breyer was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1994.  Breyer has been a consistent defender of liberal priorities in cases involving abortion, marriage equality, voting rights, and other issues. There’s growing urgency on the left to see Justice Breyer step down from the court to be replaced by a younger liberal justice. This is only possible while Democrats are the majority party in Washington.

A Billboard Truck

In early April, the progressive group Demand Justice ordered a billboard truck to be driven around the Supreme Court building featuring the words “Breyer, retire.” The message was directed at Breyer, one of three remaining Democratic appointees on a court that has become increasingly dominated by conservative justices in recent years.  Much of that anxiety is informed by recent history. Liberal icon Ruth Bader Ginsburg did not retire when Democrats controlled the Senate during the Obama administration. Ruth Bader Ginsburg died from cancer at age 87, shortly before the 2020 presidential race. Republicans moved swiftly to fill her seat with Amy Coney Barrett. This cemented a 6-3 conservative majority on the court that legal experts say may soon undo many rulings that defined Ginsburg’s judicial career.

Continue reading

DANGER AHEAD: Cyber Hacking On The Rise

  By , , , , , ,

Cyber threats to world economies is growing daily

DANGER AHEAD:

Cyber Hacking On The Rise

Colonial Pipeline was hit with a devastating ransomware cyberattack in May 2021 that impacted computerized equipment managing the pipeline. The attack forced the company to shut down approximately 5,500 miles of pipeline in the United States, crippling gas delivery systems across the Southeast and Mid Atlantic states and panicking consumers.

By William Jones and D.S. Mitchell

Terrorists. Criminals and Cowboys

The ongoing digitization of all aspects of modern life should be concerning.  Governments world-wide are facing new challenges to keep both business and government secrets private in an increasingly threatening world of cyber criminals, state sponsored terrorists, and cowboy hackers. With increasing online and data usage, government databases have become primary targets for hackers and other cyber terrorists and criminals. Recent events have shaken the U.S. government and citizen confidence. Hackers can compromise data and as Chris Krebs said recently, ransomware attackers are the greatest threat to our digital world. Krebs served as Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the United States Department of Homeland Security from November 2018 to November 2020.

Cyber Warfare

Cyber warfare is defined as actions by a nation-state to penetrate another nation’s computers or networks to cause damage or disruption. It may also include non-state actors, such as terrorist groups, private companies, political or ideological extremist groups, criminal organizations, and activists.  Cyber attacks  have been a cause of concern for years, as the frequency of data breaches has increased along with their complexity and (economic, military, and political) implications, including elections and military catastrophe an ever growing possibility.

Continue reading

“Just Dave” Netanyahu Time To Leave

  By , , ,

“Just Dave” Netanyahu Time To Leave

“Just Dave” Netanyahu Time To Leave

An end of an era is approaching. Numerous factions of Israeli political parties have come to an agreement to oust Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu within the next two weeks. The world is holding its breath. Netanyahu and his hard line anti-Palestinian policies have been the face of Israel for at least the last fifteen years. From handsome war hero, to dynamic politician, to accused criminal Bibi has few supporters left. Netanyahu has been clinging desperately to power to also avoid prosecution for multiple corruption charges.  Dave has a rant on this situation, just like most others.

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2019/03/12/benjamin-netanyahu/