jeffmcbride.net

Sam Harris has a Newsweek article up about Sarah Palin, and America’s apparent penchant for mediocrity in politicians. When McCain was nominated, I had decided that this was an election I could live with either way. There are some things to like about McCain. His choice of Palin changed that real fast. John McCain is 72 years old, can’t dress himself without help, and Sarah Palin as POTUS is a very scary prospect. Please, please, please, please America, do not elect her vice president. Any policy differences between McCain and Obama are completely mute points next to the possibility of Sarah Palin as president.

What is so unnerving about the candidacy of Sarah Palin is the degree to which she represents—and her supporters celebrate—the joyful marriage of confidence and ignorance. Watching her deny to Gibson that she had ever harbored the slightest doubt about her readiness to take command of the world’s only superpower, one got the feeling that Palin would gladly assume any responsibility on earth:

“Governor Palin, are you ready at this moment to perform surgery on this child’s brain?”

“Of course, Charlie. I have several boys of my own, and I’m an avid hunter.”

“But governor, this is neurosurgery, and you have no training as a surgeon of any kind.”

“That’s just the point, Charlie. The American people want change in how we make medical decisions in this country. And when faced with a challenge, you cannot blink.”

If the US presidential election was being held worldwide, it looks like Obama would be on course for an easy victory. At least according to a Pew Research Survey, in June. Perhaps republicans have good reason to resist immigration. Courtesty of Alex at The Daily Transcript, who discussed it as part of his “Let’s talk about facts this election” series.

USA Today: Space junk could hinder Hubble repair mission

One of every 300 shuttle missions to the space station could expect to be destroyed by space debris, Shannon said. By contrast, Atlantis faces a 1-in-185 risk of fatal damage, he said.

Wow. That’s scary odds, if you ask me.