Volcano Monitoring? Levitating Trains? The Heck?

[Wetzelbill]

It seems Bobby Jindal isn't having a good day. Here is another smackdown. -WB


Volcano Monitoring? Levitating Trains? The Heck?

Last night, Bobby Jindal gave the Republican Party's response to President Obama's speech on the flagging economy. Blogs aren't exactly glowing over Gov. Jindal's folksy monologue. But while Jindal's style of speech left many pundits panning his performance, much of what he said had people scrambling for the Search box.

Jindal went through a checklist of the unusual ways the government plans to spend taxpayer dollars in the controversial stimulus. Volcano monitoring and a "magnetic levitation" train route from Las Vegas to Disneyland were the two big examples he targeted as wasteful. Here's the scoop on those two projects:

Volcano monitoring
Among the various pieces of juicy, juicy pork in Jindal's speech, this one resonated the most in Search. Queries on the term immediately spiked as people wondered what the heck volcano monitoring really is. It sounds a bit like something Dr. Evil might use to take over the world, but LiveScience has the real answer and it's not that nefarious.

Volcano monitoring is simply research conducted by the United States Geological Survey that aims to help "geologists understand the inner workings of volcanoes as well as providing warnings of impending eruptions." Some of the equipment involved in this pursuit includes seismic and volcano monitoring systems. Scientists argue that the $140 million price tag is small when one considers it could help prevent a natural disaster.

Magnetic levitation
A levitating train running from Las Vegas to the land that Mickey built? Sign us up! Alas, it's not quite as unnecessarily awesome as it sounds. According to a buzzing blog, "the proposed train route is not some playground for the SoCal and Sin City heathens." Apparently, it's a proposed transit option for "working-class people who need jobs and transit options."

In Search, people were desperate to know more about the technology behind the proposal. Queries on "what is magnetic levitation" floated upwards. A popular article from HowStuffWorks explains the benefits of the technology. "Maglev" trains can travel up to 310 miles per hour, because instead of using old-fashioned tracks, the trains "float over a guideway using the basic principles of magnets." No friction = fast trains. Sounds revolutionary, but these things already exist in Korea, Germany, Japan, and China. And, in a few years, perhaps Las Vegas, too.

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92310/?fp=1

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Checking searches. What a great way to get a feel for how the speech connected with the public!

[classof56]

2. As someone who lives in the shadow of a Cascade peak

that might be considering a volcanic eruption in the not-too-distant future, I'm awfully glad that USGS is monitoring it and will give nearby residents some advance notice so we can flee for our lives.

Now if there were just a levitating train that would whisk us to safety!

Thanks for the info, Bill. I love this stuff!

Class

[Wetzelbill]

3. You're welcome!

Glad to post it. :)

[maxsolomon]

4. you effete & dissolute PNW urbanite

we refuse to allow science to help you run from god's fiery judgement.

:sarcasm:

[classof56]

5. Yeah, ain't that the truth. Sigh...

Serves me right for leaving Seattle to move to your neighbor to the south.

Keep yer eye on Mount Baker...I think she's gettin' ready to let fly with some o' that fire and brimstone aimed at ya.

Sometimes I really miss Seattle, where effete dissolutes abound.

Cheers!

:fistbump:

[QueenOfCalifornia]

6. Hmmmm....

Let's see... If I follow the logic of the people here who tell me constantly - Yes, CONSTANTLY - that living in Southern California equals I deserve to die in a wild fire and go without water due to San Diego being in a "desert" - I should be telling you that if you live near a known volcanic area, you will deserve to die because only the really dumb and stupid people live in the shadow of the mountain god. :eyes:

Since you are not either stupid, dumb nor have you ever told me that you hope my house burns to the ground you will figure out that this is sarcasm without that tag thingy.

It is so fun to hate us here in So. CA.

I am all for spending money on volcanic detection technology. It is necessary. Also, I want to see this whole country crisscrossed with mag-lev trains. Fucking dumbassed republican'ts.

[classof56]

12. You're right, I would never say you deserve to die 'cause of where you live.

In fact, I think SoCal is pretty great, except for the traffic, but that's just me. Had family members who lived in San Diego during the big firest of 2003--in fact, the flames came w/n a mile of their house and they were packed and ready to run. Fortunately, the winds shifted and they were okay. Next year, when I visited them, we took a drive up through Scripps Ranch and other areas to observe remnants of the devastation. They now live in the NW, sort of a return to your roots thing, but have many friends and a family member in SD, go there every year to visit. Frankly, I think SD is a gorgeous area, but I'm kind of a fan of the desert.

Be well, be safe and hey--I love the picture of Queen Cat. I have an orange fluffy cat who enriches my life more than I can say. When our mountain blows, fluffy cat in his carry case will be first to grab and load for our big escape. Thanks to the USGS volcano monitoring, we'll get plenty of advance notice. Or so I'm counting on!

Republican'ts. I like that, esp. the fucking dumbassed part! Right on!

[QueenOfCalifornia]

13. You are welcome to

visit us - seriously.

The cat is a he but he looked like a real princess in that crown. Orange cats are almost always "he" - Spike is the best cat ever... He is a menace to the birds and lizards and rats in the canyon but he is an absolute love with all of us people. :)

[davidpdx]

7. Thanks for posting that Bill

I saw that as well and wanted to make sure someone got that up. Jindal is an ASS for not checking his facts before opening his mouth.

[Wetzelbill]

10. or at least a Republican

And you're welcome. :)

[grantcart]

8. Jindal makes a worse Presidential candidate than Wetzelbill

Not a joke but an actual fact. It requires some deep thought.


Maybe Wetzelbill should consider changing parties in order to get a career boost.

[Wetzelbill]

11. I would make an excellent token

for the GOP. They are sorely lacking in all kinds of diversity but especially in Blackfeet Leprechauns.

[arcos]

9. I'm sure NO scientist would say monitoring can prevent a natural disaster...

It can prevent human and property loss though. The volcano will erupt regardless of whether it is being monitored or not, but if people can know a few days or even hours beforehand, lives can be saved.

[itsrobert]

14. They need the exact time to throw in the virgin

that will prevent the natural disaster. Silly.