Hmm...I see that the video I linked to has been removed due to a copy right claim of some sort. Ahh...I suppose that is the risk when linking to something on You Tube. For anyone who happens by and would like to know what it was, it was a link to Prince's song, "Gold". While it was not a huge hit here in the US it seemed to me to be a song that said something about Prince's feelings, which is why I linked to it. And, I wanted to do something besides "Purple Rain'.
I'm paging through my newspaper today
and I happen upon a small article tucked away on page 4. At first I
pass it by as I search for information on the latest happenings in
Europe with the Brussels attack and the situation with the
deportation of migrants from Greece, thinking that these are the
stories of the moment, the ones that are of the most importance. But
then I look back and realize what this small article is telling me.
It's about the SpaceX launch, and the test recovery, of a booster rocket. I
emphasize the word “ recovery”. There have been many
breakthroughs in the history of mankind, many inventions that have
improved our lives. They have been created by people who never let
set backs stop them, who strove to contribute something useful to the
world. SpaceX has tried this before only to fail. But they didn't
give up and on Friday April 8, 2016 they managed to land a rocket on
a barge at sea. A critical maneuver to making sending supplies into
space a routine and affordable mission.
On the same mission SpaceX successfully
launched a resupply rocket for the international space station. So
today I tip my hat to those at SpaceX who didn't give up.
Congratulations!
It's Easter Sunday and I could think of
no better day to do a movie review of “Risen”. I saw it a number
of weeks ago and debated whether or not to post about it, as religion
tends to be a controversial topic. But whether you are religious or
a non-believer I felt the movie had something to say. We are
inundated with violence in real life and at the movies. And this
movie is no exception, as it starts with the crucifixion of Jesus,
and the search for his followers after his death, in connection with
the disappearance of his body. The reaction of the Roman government
to the possibility of a Messiah that could encourage an uprising of
the people was believable. Anything that could threaten their rule
was to be snuffed out.
In the story line what struck me was
not the belief in the power of Jesus to heal, nor even that he could
rise from the dead, but the belief in non-violence as the answer to
life everlasting. As I watch the terror attacks on the news, or the
bigotry and hatred seemingly espoused by some of our presidential
candidates, it's nice to think that once upon a time there might have
been a movement that really believed that there was an alternative to
the violent lives of humans on this earth, and that everyone had
value and were deserving of respect.
This clip actually leads up to one of
the best lines in the movie. But for some reason whoever uploaded it
cut it off at the critical moment. I guess you'll just have to see
the movie to find out what I mean. :)
While I have been immersed in our
rather depressing electoral process here in the States I have not
totally forgotten events taking place on the other side of the pond.
I heard about the new agreement between the EU and Turkey to send
migrants, who are currently in Greece, back to Turkey. For some
reason that struck me as a plan that might have a few problems, so I
decided to see what I could dig up on YouTube about the situation. Here are a few clips for your viewing.
So, for every migrant sent back from Greece to Turkey they are going to allow one refugee in Turkey to enter the EU. Hmm...well, I can seen where that might help Greece in the short term, assuming the flows of migrants/refugees stop, but I'm not sure how it will help Europe in the long term.
Or how it will help these people,
Somehow this makes our problems look rather small.
Apparently the FBI has asked Apple to
create software that will unlock the iPhone of the San Bernardino
shooter, as they seem to think there may be information on the phone
that may prove useful in further investigations. Despite a court
order Apple has refused, saying this would set a dangerous precedent.
I have to admit that I am struggling
with this. I do not see the difference between unlocking a phone,
which has private information on it, from unlocking a home, which has
private information in it. Obviously a court has the power to issue
a search warrant, allowing law enforcement to enter and search a
private home. Apple's argument that code is speech, and thus
protected under the First Amendment, would seem to me, in this case,
to take second place to law enforcement's right to pursue their
investigation of criminal activity.
I have to wonder if Apple is really
concerned more about the First Amendment or more about the possible
loss of future sales due to people being upset with the possibility
of someone having access to their phone?
I also have to wonder how difficult it is to unlock an iPhone, as there seem to be any number of videos on YouTube on how to do it?
Major events are always waiting around
the corner to grab our attention. Recently there have been a number
that have caught mine. I just thought I'd share a few and also some
brief thoughts.
Just today there has been the recent
news of the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. For the
United States this is huge, especially given that it is an election
year. Scalia was a prominent member of the conservative component of
the court. His death raises the possibility of tilting the court to
a more liberal bent depending upon the result of this year's election,
thus having far reaching consequences for the future of America. I
understand that Obama will nominate someone, but it is doubtful that
the Republican dominated Senate will confirm someone before
election day. This is something people may want to keep in mind when
they vote. As in, do you want someone who is nominated by Trump, for
example?
During the past week we have learned of
the confirmation that gravitational waves do exist, as was theorized
by Albert Einstein. A scientific break through that furthers our
knowledge of space and our existence. A credit to human intelligence
and creativity. And for all science geeks out there a Christmas
present in February. Yeah, I was going to go with different
phrasing there, but thought I'd keep it G-rated. Lol!
The refugee crisis in Europe continues,
with fresh streams of people continuing to flow out of Syria. While
there have been so many people out there willing to blame the United
States for all of the problems in the Middle East, I can't help but
feel that the cause of this latest chapter in the Syrian war saga
should be laid directly at Putin's door. I have grave doubts about
any so called cease fire that Russia is willing to participate in.
