Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com
So, I found myself watching another dismal "American Idol" last night; and just as I was about to let the sleepiness set in, I hear some lyrics that seemed very familiar to me.
I'll admit it; I was floored by David Cook's "Billie Jean" cover. To me that one performance should have earned him the title last night.
Now about the cover. If you were like me, and had never heard that version, and just assumed that David whipped it up just for the competition; then you may be surprised to learn that the arrangement was actually Chris Cornell's work.
Oh, and on another note, did anyone see Paula's arms as she was praising David? Go back and look on your DVR's. (If you're blessed to have one.) I couldn't understand why she would do this to her arms. I mean it hurts to turn your arms around like that. She looked like an intoxicated seal.
Anyway, that's all I have for now.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Here am I sitting in a tin can
I was just informed at work today that I will spend Friday afternoon riding in a WWII B-25 bomber. Weee! It sounds like fun, but I'm also a little nervous...I looked up a picture of a B-25 on google images, and it looks kind of like its made out of tin cans. Apparently it's also over 60 years old. Still, I'm sure I'll be in capable hands.
I definitely don't have as much right to be nervous as Star reporter Brian Livingston, who will be riding in an FA-18 Hornet, a.k.a. a "Blue Angel", on Wednesday, while the pilot does all kinds of crazy loop-de-loops and other scary things. Very exciting, for sure, but if it was me, I would probably pass out before I even hopped into the plane. I hope Brian has a strong stomach...
- Jennifer Jacob
Staff Writer
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
I definitely don't have as much right to be nervous as Star reporter Brian Livingston, who will be riding in an FA-18 Hornet, a.k.a. a "Blue Angel", on Wednesday, while the pilot does all kinds of crazy loop-de-loops and other scary things. Very exciting, for sure, but if it was me, I would probably pass out before I even hopped into the plane. I hope Brian has a strong stomach...
- Jennifer Jacob
Staff Writer
jjacob@themeridianstar.com
Talk about a major oopps!!!!
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
I found this today while browsing the wire and thought you guys might find it as interesting as I did. It's an Associated Press article that moved this morning. Wow. Talk about a mistake.
Pentagon says it mistakenly shipped ballistic missile parts to Taiwan
By ROBERT BURNS
AP Military Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced today that the United States mistakenly shipped to Taiwan four electrical fuses designed for use on intercontinental ballistic missiles, but has since recovered them.
The error is particularly disturbing, officials said, because of its indirect link to nuclear weaponry and because of the sensitivity of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which China regularly denounces as provocative. The Defense Department said an investigation of the incident is under way.
At a news conference, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said the misshipped items were four electrical fuses for nose cone assemblies for ICBMs. He also said they were delivered to Taiwan in 2006 and had been sent instead of helicopter batteries that had been ordered by Taiwan.
Wynne said the investigation is meant to sort out what happened and how.
The fuses were manufactured for use on a Minuteman strategic nuclear missile but contained no nuclear materials.
It is the second nuclear-related mistake involving the Air Force in recent months. Last August an Air Force B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and flown from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to Barksdale Air Force Base, La. At the time, the pilot and crew were unaware they had nuclear arms aboard.
Wynne emphasized that the mistaken shipment to Taiwan did not include nuclear materials, although the fuses are linked to the triggering mechanism in the nose cone of a Minuteman nuclear missile.
‘‘This could not be construed as being nuclear material. It is a component for the fuse in the nosecone for a nuclear system,’’ Wynne said. ‘‘We are very concerned about it.’’
Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered the investigation, putting Navy Adm. Kirkland H. Donald in charge and asking that he report an initial assessment by April 15.
Wynne said that Taiwanese authorities notified U.S. officials of the mistake, but it was not clear when the notification was made. He said the fuses had been in four shipping containers sent in March 2005 from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., to a Defense Logisitics Agency warehouse at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It was then in the logistics agency’s control and was shipped to Taiwan ‘‘on or around’’ August 2006, according to a Gates memo ordering Donald to investigate.
The Chinese Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Taiwan official said Tuesday that the island’s diplomats in Washington typically do not comment on Defense Department matters.
Ryan Henry, the No. 2 policy official in Gates’ office, said President Bush was notified of the mistake and the actions to recover the items. Henry called the mistake ‘‘disconcerting’’ and intolerable. He said the Chinese government has been notified of the error.
Henry said an examination of the site in Taiwan where the components had been stored after delivery indicated that they had not been tampered with. He said the components were ‘‘quite dated,’’ as part of a system designed in the 1960s.
Henry said the exact sequence of events that led to the mistake and the recovery of the items was unclear.
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are especially sensitive because China vehemently objects to U.S. defense assistance to the island that Beijing deems to be part of China.
Taiwan, which split from China amid civil war in 1949, potentially is the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own and has threatened to attack should the self-governing island make its de facto independence formal. Washington has hinted that it would go to war to protect Taiwan.
While Washington switched its recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, it remains the island’s most important foreign backer, providing it with the means to defend itself against a possible Chinese attack.
editor@themeridianstar.com
I found this today while browsing the wire and thought you guys might find it as interesting as I did. It's an Associated Press article that moved this morning. Wow. Talk about a mistake.
Pentagon says it mistakenly shipped ballistic missile parts to Taiwan
By ROBERT BURNS
AP Military Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon announced today that the United States mistakenly shipped to Taiwan four electrical fuses designed for use on intercontinental ballistic missiles, but has since recovered them.
The error is particularly disturbing, officials said, because of its indirect link to nuclear weaponry and because of the sensitivity of U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which China regularly denounces as provocative. The Defense Department said an investigation of the incident is under way.
At a news conference, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne said the misshipped items were four electrical fuses for nose cone assemblies for ICBMs. He also said they were delivered to Taiwan in 2006 and had been sent instead of helicopter batteries that had been ordered by Taiwan.
Wynne said the investigation is meant to sort out what happened and how.
The fuses were manufactured for use on a Minuteman strategic nuclear missile but contained no nuclear materials.
It is the second nuclear-related mistake involving the Air Force in recent months. Last August an Air Force B-52 bomber was mistakenly armed with six nuclear-tipped cruise missiles and flown from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., to Barksdale Air Force Base, La. At the time, the pilot and crew were unaware they had nuclear arms aboard.
Wynne emphasized that the mistaken shipment to Taiwan did not include nuclear materials, although the fuses are linked to the triggering mechanism in the nose cone of a Minuteman nuclear missile.
‘‘This could not be construed as being nuclear material. It is a component for the fuse in the nosecone for a nuclear system,’’ Wynne said. ‘‘We are very concerned about it.’’
Defense Secretary Robert Gates ordered the investigation, putting Navy Adm. Kirkland H. Donald in charge and asking that he report an initial assessment by April 15.
Wynne said that Taiwanese authorities notified U.S. officials of the mistake, but it was not clear when the notification was made. He said the fuses had been in four shipping containers sent in March 2005 from F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., to a Defense Logisitics Agency warehouse at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. It was then in the logistics agency’s control and was shipped to Taiwan ‘‘on or around’’ August 2006, according to a Gates memo ordering Donald to investigate.
The Chinese Embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A Taiwan official said Tuesday that the island’s diplomats in Washington typically do not comment on Defense Department matters.
Ryan Henry, the No. 2 policy official in Gates’ office, said President Bush was notified of the mistake and the actions to recover the items. Henry called the mistake ‘‘disconcerting’’ and intolerable. He said the Chinese government has been notified of the error.
Henry said an examination of the site in Taiwan where the components had been stored after delivery indicated that they had not been tampered with. He said the components were ‘‘quite dated,’’ as part of a system designed in the 1960s.
Henry said the exact sequence of events that led to the mistake and the recovery of the items was unclear.
U.S. arms sales to Taiwan are especially sensitive because China vehemently objects to U.S. defense assistance to the island that Beijing deems to be part of China.
Taiwan, which split from China amid civil war in 1949, potentially is the most sensitive issue in U.S.-China relations. Beijing claims Taiwan as its own and has threatened to attack should the self-governing island make its de facto independence formal. Washington has hinted that it would go to war to protect Taiwan.
While Washington switched its recognition from Taipei to Beijing in 1979, it remains the island’s most important foreign backer, providing it with the means to defend itself against a possible Chinese attack.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Watch out for an early McCain visit
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
We reported a few weeks ago that Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain was scheduled to visit Meridian on March 31. I've been hearing unconfirmed reports for a few weeks that McCain may surprise us by visiting the area much sooner ... not missing the stage that the Blue Angels' "Wings Over Meridian" performance at Naval Air Station Meridian will provide this weekend. Keep in mind that McCain has a rich history here. Reporter Brian Livingston wrote a piece about the connection in our final Profile edition (McCain field was named after the Senator's grandfather). McCain himself had a short stay here.
From all indications, McCain may show up a day early to take advantage of the hundreds of folks expected to be on base this weekend. It will be interesting to watch. We'll keep you updated as soon as we have confirmation on his weekend travel plans. This we know: McCain will be visiting Meridian ... March 31 at least if not sooner.
editor@themeridianstar.com
We reported a few weeks ago that Republican presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain was scheduled to visit Meridian on March 31. I've been hearing unconfirmed reports for a few weeks that McCain may surprise us by visiting the area much sooner ... not missing the stage that the Blue Angels' "Wings Over Meridian" performance at Naval Air Station Meridian will provide this weekend. Keep in mind that McCain has a rich history here. Reporter Brian Livingston wrote a piece about the connection in our final Profile edition (McCain field was named after the Senator's grandfather). McCain himself had a short stay here.
From all indications, McCain may show up a day early to take advantage of the hundreds of folks expected to be on base this weekend. It will be interesting to watch. We'll keep you updated as soon as we have confirmation on his weekend travel plans. This we know: McCain will be visiting Meridian ... March 31 at least if not sooner.
Meet the candidates
By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
I was out of town at the end of the week and I totally forgot to plug our upcoming YPM event on the blog. So here's a plug, even if it is a bit shameless:
Want to meet the candidates of the Third Congressional District – Democrat Joel Gill and Republicans Charlie Ross and Gregg Harper — and hear what they have to say about the issues? The Young Professionals of Meridian will host "Meet the Candidates" on Tuesday beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 109 U.S. Highway 11 & 80. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light appetizers and a cash bar. Each candidate will speak and answer questions; they will also mingle with the crowd. The event will last until about 7 p.m.
For more information, e-mail ypmeridian@gmail.com, or call (601) 938-0087.
Radio news
In making radio rounds to promote this event last week, I was fortunate to be a guest of Meridian's newest talk show on 910 A.M. Longtime community leader Bill McBride and Roger Burke have taken over the show as hosts. If you get a chance, listen in and give them a call. It's always good to have more local perspectives and I think you'll enjoy the new show. We will be on WMOX 1010 A.M. in the morning at 7:15 a.m to do more promotion, though I have to warn you that listening to me ramble is quite boring. And I tend to no talk and talk ... and talk and talk. But you can tune in to listen to Brandon Pratt; he's always entertaining. It's always a pleasure to sit and talk with Bill and Dumpster — and the regular callers like Ruth and "Old Man on the Mountain. I can't wait.
So, please come out to the Hilton on Tuesday. It's important that we show these candidates East Mississippi cares. Join us Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. And hey, you can always come for the free food.
editor@themeridianstar.com
I was out of town at the end of the week and I totally forgot to plug our upcoming YPM event on the blog. So here's a plug, even if it is a bit shameless:
Want to meet the candidates of the Third Congressional District – Democrat Joel Gill and Republicans Charlie Ross and Gregg Harper — and hear what they have to say about the issues? The Young Professionals of Meridian will host "Meet the Candidates" on Tuesday beginning at 5:15 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 109 U.S. Highway 11 & 80. The event is free and open to the public. There will be light appetizers and a cash bar. Each candidate will speak and answer questions; they will also mingle with the crowd. The event will last until about 7 p.m.
For more information, e-mail ypmeridian@gmail.com, or call (601) 938-0087.
Radio news
In making radio rounds to promote this event last week, I was fortunate to be a guest of Meridian's newest talk show on 910 A.M. Longtime community leader Bill McBride and Roger Burke have taken over the show as hosts. If you get a chance, listen in and give them a call. It's always good to have more local perspectives and I think you'll enjoy the new show. We will be on WMOX 1010 A.M. in the morning at 7:15 a.m to do more promotion, though I have to warn you that listening to me ramble is quite boring. And I tend to no talk and talk ... and talk and talk. But you can tune in to listen to Brandon Pratt; he's always entertaining. It's always a pleasure to sit and talk with Bill and Dumpster — and the regular callers like Ruth and "Old Man on the Mountain. I can't wait.
So, please come out to the Hilton on Tuesday. It's important that we show these candidates East Mississippi cares. Join us Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. And hey, you can always come for the free food.
Cooler Racing: the next competitive sport
Hey everyone [that's been waiting],
I recently attended the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Jackson, and stumbled across a racing event like no other...cooler racing. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s quite entertaining to watch. I'll have the videos and details up soon. I know the parade was a week ago, but this is good stuff.
Thanks,
Chris
cstewart@themeridianstar.com
I recently attended the Saint Patrick's Day parade in Jackson, and stumbled across a racing event like no other...cooler racing. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s quite entertaining to watch. I'll have the videos and details up soon. I know the parade was a week ago, but this is good stuff.
Thanks,
Chris
cstewart@themeridianstar.com
Friday, March 21, 2008
What?!?
Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com
I stumbled onto this video over at YouTube, and I just have to say this scares the crap out of me.
Does this mean we'll be plugged into the matrix in a few years?
blockridge@themeridianstar.com
I stumbled onto this video over at YouTube, and I just have to say this scares the crap out of me.
Does this mean we'll be plugged into the matrix in a few years?
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