What the Frack?

Have you ever heard of fracking? It isn't a euphemism for something unmentionable on a family blog like mine. It is the name for a process used to release natural gas from once-thought-unprofitable deposits.

While at a meeting a few weeks ago, I heard an industry expert explain how a significant investment in improving the nation's natural gas infrastructure could significantly reduce our reliance on petroleum. This would have a tremendous impact on our economic and national security.

The method is not without its detractors, but as this WSJ editorial explains, the potential benefits appear to justify them.

The question for the rest of us is whether we are serious about domestic energy production. All forms of energy have risks and environmental costs, not least wind (noise and dead birds and bats) and solar (vast expanses of land). Yet renewables are nowhere close to supplying enough energy, even with large subsidies, to maintain America's standard of living. The shale gas and oil boom is the result of U.S. business innovation and risk-taking. If we let the fear of undocumented pollution kill this boom, we will deserve our fate as a second-class industrial power.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Love Letter

This man's post reads like a love letter...to the A10 Thunderbolt.

It is a remarkable airplane, and although I've admired it for a long time, I didn't know anything about it's history or the specifics of its giant Gatling gun.

It's a quick read, and worth the time if you have the slightest interest in military aviation.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Awesome Video Saturday CLXIX

I have been a lazy blogger lately. The AweVidSats have been the only thing I've been doing. I couldn't resist this video of an 8 month old baby hearing his mom for the first time with the use of a Cochlear Implant.



It is a beautiful moment.

Awesome Video Saturday CLXVIII

Two videos, one of a weird guy who walks into an interview, and the other demonstrating how creepy infomercials really are-

Awesome Video Saturday CLXVII

11:30 PM 6/11/2011- I'm not sure if this was some kind of sneaky marketing or something bogus. Either way, the videos are gone. I will try to find them later.

I am a sucker for all-things-Batman. The Dark Knight easily ranks as one of my all-time favorite movies. As a result, I am enormously excited about The Dark Knight Rises, due in theaters next year.

The following two videos are purportedly part of a viral marketing campaign for the movies, and both include a crowd chanting something. We'll see if and how they link up. Do I really have to wait another year?

Awesome Video Saturday CLXVI

I think this is one of the greatest videos that I've seen in a long time.

El Segundo Partido

Tonight the Heat have a chance to put Dallas into a difficult hole if they can win game 2. Here are some good reads about the series and the Heat themselves:

• Dan Le Batard has a great story about the members of the Miami Heat who are actually from Miami. I particularly like Udonis Haslem's story.
• Jason Whitlock is done rooting against LeBron James. It's not too late to get religion Tom Proctor!
• The WSJ's Jason Gay looks at Dwyane Wade, who is the kind of player and teammate who could draw, not just LBJ and Bosh, but Haslem and others to the Heat.

19-18 Heat with 3 minutes to go in the 1st. Go Heat!