Some of us were BORN over the edge.

On Friday, the commentators indicated that the “Ha” on Friday’s Oddball actually was Pee Wee instead of Tweety this time — that KO or the Countdown crew made the substitute as a joke.

I couldn’t tell - what do y’all think?

Finally had a chance to view Friday’s Countdown video podcast…

Here’s the scoop on the #1 story — Martian asparagus…

The Phoenix Lander on Mars took a soil sample and ran it through chemical analysis (it also heated it and saw water vapor meaning water has been there in the past). The soil’s chemical composition is alkaline which on Earth (and, therefore, probably on Mars) good to grow certain plants, namely asparagus, beans, turnips but not fruits, etc. Same reason why certain crops or plants or flowers cannot be grown naturally everywhere on Earth…because of the condition of soil make-up as well as weather and other environmental issues.

However, due to Mars’ thin atmosphere, it gets more ultraviolet radiation from the sun (even though it is farther from the sun than Earth). That ultraviolet radiation is a life killer — so any existing life on Mars would have to live below the surface and most likely be more bacterial or viral than what we have on Earth…at least now.

Why is this important? Besides the age-old question about life on Mars, if humans ever travel there, knowing that the Martian soil can grow plants could allow crews to grow food in it, provide it has proper protection from the radiation, perhaps in special greenhouse situations. That as well as possible water on Mars would mean humans could better live off the surface and not have to bring heavy (i.e. expensive) consumables with them.

Does that help?

I did think the Marvin Martian veggies were cute, however!

http://www.dayoopers.com

They’re from Upper Michigan, BTW.

The segue du jour was “The Cowpie Song” by Da Yoopers.

I don’t know what kind of “trap” KO could be wading in. He has his opinion, others have their own. Neither are necessarily “right” or “wrong.”

Keith has been discussing this over at Daily Kos. As for a “trap” I think KO’s comment says it all:

“Special Comment on FISA and Obama, Monday…
Not sure he’ll like it, not sure you’ll like it, not sure Mr. Greenwald will like it. But I’ll like it.”

As for my opinion — the FISA bill is a lousy law. It is poorly written, confusing and vague. However, it is a Catch-22 as we can see by all the discussion and controversy. Vote for it and you are supporting unConstitutional executive power; vote against it, you leave the USA vulnerable to “terrorists.” What to do in an election year?

Obama could lead the charge against the FISA bill…whatever positive points may have for security or not — he could vote for the flawed bill, get elected and change all that crap…or he could vote “present” and duck the issue (with resulting condemnation from all sides). What would you do if you were Obama

As for whether or not KO is focusing too much on what John Dean says — I thought Dean brought up several good points about the bill being flawed, about its dangerousness and about a possible way to get the telecoms if they get civil immunity. Whether those hold up in the real world remains to be seen.

But this shows the issues facing a politician during a Presidential election. I don’t think Obama is pandering to the right or rejecting his Left roots. Politics is too much a gray field. I just wish Obama would be a bit more open about his true thoughts on FISA and what he would do about it as president.

And as far as the Left blogosphere goes — I think they too often don’t see the forest for the trees. And as far as KO’s role in this — I think it is rather charming that he has so much hope that a way exists to “get” the telecoms if the bill does not.

http://firedoglake.com/2008/06/27/glenzilla-vs-olbermann-john-dean-weighs-in/

I sincerely hope Keith isn’t wading into some kind of a trap with his special comment on Monday.