Posts Made By: Brett Wylie

Do Republicans have sex!!!?..I thought it was an infectious disease...I just didn't realize the problem was genetic...that's why they're against stem cell research!? It might cut down on their voting block.

It does show that one should not take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time.

I didn't know we owned it? Are we still going by flag planting ala 16th century terrestrial exploration claims? I'm sure "he" said, "one small step for mankind"...or did I miss a reference to "America" or "Wally World". This could cause problems with Native Moonies in a couple of hundred years....especially if we follow our old habit of signing then breaking treaties.

I really think the best use...I mean considering that it isn't all that nice a place to visit, it makes death valley comparatively into a tropical paradise..would be a number of B&B amateur astronomy inns. All you folks in the north country that have cold weather combined with crummy overcast sky conditions day in and night out - would have the same cold weather..but with clear dark sky viewing...on the dark side. You'd almost feel at home.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060209/ap_on_go_co/abramoff_reid

Can everyone be fired on capital hill...so we can start over? :S

My wife and I just happened to visit the N. Rim while this was starting...it was a very enjoyable unexpected addtion to our trip. Great job! and thanks! BW

Jim Mahon said:

Well, it's two weeks to GCSP and I am getting revved up! Who is going? (Other than Thom, Linton, and I...)

Thom: I'll BMOB.

Linton: My turn to buy breakfast.

In jokes aside, folks, this is a truly special event. The combination of the spectacular setting and the gathering of visitors and astronomers from all over the map is unique. The skies are dark, but you do need to work through the public hours - this is not for astronomers who don't enjoy outreach. Ah, but then you have time for some quiet personal observing if you can beat the late night fatigue. After eleven the buses stop running, things quiet down, and some nights the seeing settles down around midnight. A stone's throw from the edge of the canyon, you hear the familiar low murmurs and sounds of slewing scopes and ladders being moved in the darkness. You are out with a few good friends (some of whom you only see here each June, but good friends nonetheless!) under dark skies, and life is good...

As usual, I can't WAIT!

Jim

Jim
There are some things I'm sure we can agree on. I do believe the U.S. corporate tax should be taken from one of the highest in the world to zilch if we're going to turn this around.
However, I do agree with the W.H.'s policy in higher personal income tax for the wealthy (even though it effects me negatively), and attempts to decrease the financial load burden on the middle/lower class.
I have a significant difference of opinion on the direction the country should have gone over the previous few decades, especially the last eight years.
The Republican party was elected into control because the voters felt they would better manage the country. You can take the last election as a referendum on what their opinion was at the end of Bush's second term. The Dems will share the same fate if they fail to turn things around and you may not have to wait 8 years...Obama has only two years before congressional elections.

If I remember reading right...10 trillion dollars would pay off every existing morgage in the U.S..

YES! Science/Evidence based decision making! What a novel idea....

I built a new 10x12 ' split pitched roof observatory a year and a half back, to replace a smaller single roll off observatory that was no longer adaptable for my needs. The roof splits and rolls off north/south, I utilized redwood frame members for the roof because of the lighter weight vs doug fir, external roof and wall of metal, metal wall studs with interior of plywood paneling, each side loaded on low riding 4x 4 wheel (smooth ball bearing) sets, riding in garage door channel struts, supported by welded piers . I absolutely love the results. It takes very little effort to roll out the roofs. 
The roofs are locked in the channel struts, so NO unscheduled lift offs  , and as you've noted, I can leave either roof opened or closed. In my specific location, there is wind protection west and east, but north is entirely open and south is partially open to wind gusts. I've operated the observatory in 20 mph winds from the north and south with the appropriate roof closed, in complete protection. The observatory houses two different systems - based on two Byers Series II GEM ; on one mount I have a 16" RC with a smaller WO refractor atop, and the other the 11" RASA and a larger WO refractor atop that. I have two computers inboard, one for each setup. 

BW

+ I close the roofs and pin them together with two wood working clamps, one to a side....super fast and easy.