Friday, 23 November 2001

1. MISSILE DEFENSE: THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH EARLY DEPLOYMENT.
The space-based infrared systems that are supposed to detect the launch of missiles aimed at the U.S., currently under development by Lockheed, are over cost and three years behind schedule. The interceptor made by Raytheon and the booster rocket developed by Boeing both have problems. According to the Wall Street Journal, a Ballistic Missile Defense Organization spokesman shrugged that, "We'll make do with what we have." Meanwhile, officials from the Air Force and Lockheed are said to be looking at "restructuring the contract" to make sure Lockheed doesn't lose any money.

2. REMOTE VIEWING: OSAMA BIN LADEN CAN RUN, BUT HE CAN'T HIDE.
According to The Sunday Times (UK), investigators at the FBI and CIA were told to "think outside the box in tracking down Bin Laden". They did. They reactivated the CIA's "remote viewing" program, which was abandoned as useless in 1995 after 20 years (WN 1 Dec 95). At one point during the cold war the viewers were asked to help locate Soviet nuclear subs. They could see them in the water, but couldn't tell which ocean. Nor were they ever quite able to read documents they said they could see on Kremlin desks. What would you bet they can see Bin Laden in a cave?

3. SELF-CARE: THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION PICKS A NEW CHIEF.
Michael Maves previously headed the Consumer Healthcare Products Association, a lobbying organization for nonprescription medicine and dietary supplement producers. That a long-time lobbyist for the self-care industry should be picked to head the organization of those who write the prescriptions is a major irony.

4. THE WAR ON TERRORISM: THE HOUSE TAKES STRONG ACTION.
The House has passed a resolution expressing the sense of Congress that, during this time of struggle against the forces of international terrorism, sufficient time should be set aside by schools to allow children to pray for the Nation.

5. MASS MEDIA FELLOWSHIPS: APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR SUMMER 2002.
The public must know we live in an orderly universe governed by natural laws that cannot be circumvented by cleverness or piety. To this end, APS supports a ten-week summer fellowship to allow physics students to work full-time as reporters, researchers or production assistants in a mass media organization. Priority will be given to graduate students in physics or closely related fields. The deadline is 15 January 2002. Details at http://www.aps.org/public_affairs/

6. NASA: MAYBE DAN DOESN'T READ WHAT'S NEW?
Dan Goldin just sent me an American flag that's been on the ISS, to thank me for all my help. Maybe my writing isn't clear enough.



Bob Park can be reached via email at whatsnew@bobpark.org
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
Opinions are the author's and are not necessarily shared by the University, but they should be.