Rants on MikeRoberto.com
Class of 2000: The Final Boarding Call Before the Chaos
"Timing is everything!"
Decades ago, as I was stumbling into young adulthood, I used to roll my eyes at the above phrase. It was usually dispensed -- unsolicited -- by older women reflecting on their marriages, real estate, child-rearing, or careers. Regardless of circumstance, "timing" was unfailingly a major deciding factor in their lives' outcomes.
"Whatever", I'd mutter to myself. "I'll create my own timing."
And while I did, at least to some extent, … Read the rest →
What the SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Success Means to America
Yesterday morning, SpaceX successfully launched their Falcon 9 rocket and accompanying Dragon capsule into orbit, and safely brought Dragon back home. This was COTS Demonstration I, which means they are proving to NASA that they are capable of launching and maneuvering cargo (and eventually astronauts) into orbit and to the International Space Station.
This mission is paramount because the Space Shuttle program is being decommissioned and we're going to have to rely on Russian Soyuz … Read the rest →
The Great Unamerican Beer
This past Friday, I was asked to buy some beer for a party. On my way to the grocery store, I deposited my Stimulus Check, then used some of that to buy a case of Bud Light. A few hours later, I realized that this seemingly normal sequence of events was an ironic microcosm for the economic disaster that this country faces, and I was part of the problem.
Over the past decade, our government … Read the rest →
Regarding This Week's Shark Attack in San Diego
Before I begin, I'd like to send my condolences out to the family of Dr. David Martin, who was killed by a great white shark in Solana Beach earlier this week.
I've recently received a good number of concerned messages after Dr. Martin's death, since I've been swimming and surfing a lot lately. While I appreciate your concern, I am here to publicly state that I am not going to stop swimming or surfing due … Read the rest →
Fed Cuts Interest Rate to 0% In Emergency Effort
August 5, 2008 -- The Federal Reserve cut the benchmark interest rate by 1.5% to a new target lending rate of 0% yesterday, the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement in Washington. It's the largest reduction since the Fed began using the rate as primary tool of fiscal policy around 1990.
"Broader financial market conditions have continued to deteriorate and credit has tightened further for some businesses and households,'' the Fed said in … Read the rest →
Florida Shows Off That Southern Speed in 2007 Bowl Season
Wow, just look at that SOUTHERN SPEED we keep hearing about from the media!! Let's see how our good friends down in Florida did this year:
- Florida
Despite losing four bowl games in a row, Michigan takes the hated Gators out 41-35. Florida bounces off of their National Title with a glamorous four-loss season.
And who was the last team Michigan beat in a bowl game? Drumroll... The Gators! (2003 Outback Bowl).
Read the rest →