Ace of Spades HQ

July 17, 2011

Open Thread- Light Pollution in Your Area Map
— CAC

Meh, Open Thread.
Interesting to see how badly LP'd my "go to spot" back in Maryland has gotten.
Can't help but notice the most conservative congressional districts are all in black and blue zones, where all the most liberal ones are too bright to see Saturn...
Color code:
Black- Astronomers require fresh pants after looking up.
Grey- You have to be as blind as Obama's economic advisers to miss the Milky Way.
Blue- Decent night sky, Andromeda Galaxy and Orion Nebula obvious to the naked eye.
Green- Milky way visible, but in patches.
Yellow- Lesser constellations washing out, Milky Way barely visible.
Orange- Major constellations beginning to lose stars.
Red- Good luck seeing much of anything.
White- You are screwed.

(Click on map to zoom in)

I live in Zone Red, but only 30 minutes from a yellow zone (good evening for a telescope) and a 2 hour trek to Zone Black. I have a feeling most of you aren't nearly as lucky.

Posted by: CAC at 02:57 PM | Comments (300)
Post contains 179 words, total size 1 kb.

1 Faust!

Posted by: satan at July 17, 2011 03:01 PM (oUG6f)

2 Strange to get a political takeaway from this. My first thought is "Gee, yet another reason I don't live in the South or East." -Deep in the Colorado black zone

Posted by: Jordan at July 17, 2011 03:02 PM (4z6KA)

3
3st

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:03 PM (z96ra)

4 What's all that stuff up in Canada above guess Montana?

Posted by: Asa at July 17, 2011 03:04 PM (O3NJk)

5 Thank goodness, a new thread!

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:04 PM (5H6zj)

6 North-central PA is pretty good by eastern US standards. I'm always amazed at how much I can see at night when I go up there.

Posted by: forest at July 17, 2011 03:05 PM (9FWy4)

7 I grew up in a black zone, live now in a green zone, and visit the old homestead regularly so get to witness it all every year.

Posted by: The Great Satan's Ghost at July 17, 2011 03:07 PM (08Pe8)

8
the Oprah of presidents, cont'd...

Obama is the tv icon. He's the cool host. He talks about shit 'n stuff. He gives away cool prizes. And he teases us with...

"Next time on The President Obama Show...

Barack makes a personal announcement. Plus, a speech on debt and deficits, and Michelle stops by and tells us about her new diet. Tune it Monday at 9 am!"

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:07 PM (Q+bdr)

9 What's all that stuff up in Canada above guess Montana?
Our secret nuclear hockey player programme in action.

Posted by: andycanuck at July 17, 2011 03:08 PM (oUG6f)

10 I hear North Korea has very little light pollution, but the Norks will eat your telescope. I bought my son a small telescope in Chicago but you couldn't see much with it. Then we moved to Atlanta....that really helped.

Posted by: GnuBreed at July 17, 2011 03:08 PM (ENKCw)

11 What's all that stuff up in Canada above guess Montana?

Calgary and Alberta, rich off of oil-sands.

Oil which the fucking DoD finds too much of a "national-security" issue to buy.

Posted by: Waterhouse at July 17, 2011 03:08 PM (7c8Cd)

12 Light zones are racist.

Posted by: sifty at July 17, 2011 03:08 PM (ECjvn)

13 I mean Calgary and Edmonton. Jeez.

Posted by: Waterhouse at July 17, 2011 03:09 PM (7c8Cd)

14
it's personnel, not personal?

sonofa...

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:09 PM (Po8Ix)

15
sounds like Geithner is getting shitcanned

Biden's next

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:10 PM (WiLcs)

16 Actually, it's Alberta but I find it hard to believe that Calgary to Edmonton is that well lit up. Even the rural areas are pretty lit too. (The black spots to the left/west are mountaintops in the Rockies.)

Posted by: andycanuck at July 17, 2011 03:11 PM (oUG6f)

17 I'm barely in the green.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 17, 2011 03:11 PM (o2lIv)

18 Fresh Presidential poll up at Hot Air for those interested in registering their preferences.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:11 PM (5H6zj)

19 Wait, which is it? I thought it was "personal," in which case I could not care less. Personnel is more relevant.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:12 PM (5H6zj)

20 16 sounds like Geithner is getting shitcanned

Biden's next

I've read Geithner is leaving of his own volition sometime after the debt deal.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 17, 2011 03:13 PM (o2lIv)

21 I live in the colorado red zone. Some of which is not so liberal, scared of the dark. Maybe conservatives need to see to take care of stuff after dark in the winter time? I think it is a pity that farm lights do not come standard with a timer instead of just shining all night off the photocell switches.

Posted by: PaleRider at July 17, 2011 03:14 PM (ql12X)

22
maybe Boy Genius' exit is being expedited?

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:14 PM (APlKx)

23 20 Wait, which is it? I thought it was "personal," in which case I could not care less. Personnel is more relevant.

NBC says personal but it may be personnel.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 17, 2011 03:14 PM (o2lIv)

24 Light Credits available now! Get your Light Credits here! Now with "naturalfake Light Credits " (TM) you no longer have to worry about the terrible problem of "Global Glowing". Studies conducted by naturalfake prove that the Earth has started glowing at an ever increasing exponential rate! Without your purchase of naturalfake Light Credits, the planet will become 5000x brighter than the Sun within 5 years. Try sleeping when that happens! And you'll be sunburnt all the time! Buy now! Supplies are limited.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 17, 2011 03:14 PM (I49Jm)

25 Oops. Waterhouse beat me to it.

And I guess green and yellow aren't too, too bad although I'm surprised at the difference with Saskatchewan just next door.

Those colours look "hotter" than their descriptions kinda like NASA (IIRC) changing the colours on their temperature satellite photos to make them look hotter by shifting the colour bar over to the red-yellow end more by e.g. using lighter shades of blue to show cool areas than they formerly did.

Posted by: andycanuck at July 17, 2011 03:15 PM (oUG6f)

26
oooh, perhaps Obama's gonna pretend heads are rollin' on account of F'nF?

if so, mid-level Justice Dept officials are taking one for Team O.

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:15 PM (uDcUV)

27 26 Light Credits available now!

Get your Light Credits here!

Now with "naturalfake Light Credits " (TM)

----

Once we're all stuck with the CFLs (unless that vote they took last week actually has some teeth in it), we'll all be plunged into sickly blue-grey darkness. Except Texas!

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:16 PM (5H6zj)

28 One thing I'll always thank the Army for is sending me to places with little or no light pollution. It's really shocking to see the difference in the night sky.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at July 17, 2011 03:17 PM (9Lm5R)

29
all I know is that one of my several guesses is probably right

mark my words

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:17 PM (J0tQ5)

30 He's going to challenge Cantor to a duel, lawn darts at 20 paces.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:17 PM (Rbchp)

31
a dance off?

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:18 PM (/SNNX)

32 30,

Don't know if you were there but the sky in 'Nam was outstanding from the bush perspective (no Lights).

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:19 PM (Rbchp)

33
btw, it's not afternoon in the good part of America

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:20 PM (rFQmw)

34 No mid level official decided to keep congress in the black by not forwarded therocuments from the ATF, nor did one refuse Melson a government lawyer for his trip under Issa's hot lights.

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 03:20 PM (uekSI)

35 Central Virginia- nice and blue 15" away from me. Thanks, UVa, for the all night lights. And thanks, Charlottesville, for your all night lighting in the basketball courts in the ... diverse...part of town.

Posted by: museisluse at July 17, 2011 03:21 PM (4Lj43)

36 I'm in the heart of a white zone and an hour and a half from the nearest gray zone, which is in the middle of an alligator infested swamp.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 03:21 PM (piMMO)

37 btw, it's not afternoon in the good part of America

When do you think evening begins? I'd say 6.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:21 PM (5H6zj)

38
6p, yes

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:22 PM (z96ra)

39 The WH says it relates to personnel.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 17, 2011 03:22 PM (o2lIv)

40
unless it's winter and dark out
then it's 5

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:22 PM (oa3OW)

41 41,

Then he's cutting the michelle loose so he can eat.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:23 PM (Rbchp)

42 @41
So maybe it's just that Cordray (?) thing, the one Tapper was reporting on (per Hot Air).

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:23 PM (5H6zj)

43
Goolsby getting discharged?

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:24 PM (gb1X2)

44 If GW had misspelled personnel they would have called for impeachment.

Hope Holder is getting fired.

Posted by: sifty at July 17, 2011 03:24 PM (ECjvn)

45 Well, it's still afternoon in Utah, soothie.

Re the personnel thing. Does anyone here believe Obama would benefit from dumping Biden? If so, whom do you think he would pick?

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:24 PM (5H6zj)

46
not Goolsby, I meant Pluffe

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:24 PM (GiDKn)

47 I can get to a blue part with some driving. The good place to see the stars was Alaska: dry, cold, zero light pollution a mere one or two hours' drive from Anchorage. Gorgeous.

Posted by: joncelli at July 17, 2011 03:25 PM (Nvw83)

48 Best stars I saw were on the Big Island. 'Could see the Seven Sisters with my naked eye - all seven of them - in Texas. I can't recall exactly where we were, I think it might've been the Hill Country.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:26 PM (5H6zj)

49 Northwestern OK is excellent for star gazing. Go out on a long country road during a cold moonless night, stop and get out of the car and it seems you're stepping out into the universe. It's almost disorienting sometimes.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 03:26 PM (45Uzs)

50 Well, dang. Two hits on the "n" key instead of 1, and I wouldn't have been having as much fun as I had speculating about what the personal announcement could be.

I live in a pretty low LP area, but I also live near the Columbia River and there's often cloud cover.

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 03:26 PM (DX5lC)

51
Obama can't afford to keep Biden around.

For one thing, he's a gaffe machine and supreme buffoon.
Second, Obama needs a viable successor on the ticket.

Obama with a latino on the ticket (who will be sold as a moderate) will yield better results than having that old ninny on the ticket.

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:27 PM (Lgq0c)

52 50,

Yeah outside of Gruene in the pasture nice sky.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:27 PM (Rbchp)

53 On a trip through the west fifteen years ago, my daughter and I paused one night at the north unit of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, deep in the black zone. It was a moonless night, and the Milky Way was awesome - it literally cast a shadow. We could also clearly see the zodiacal light. We had a small telescope in the car, but never actually got it set up; looking at the glory of the night sky in true dark-sky viewing conditions was more than enough.

Posted by: Spartan79 at July 17, 2011 03:28 PM (5ZI7f)

54 drawing links between darkness of the sky and liberals and conservative districts? A bit of a stretch don't you think? In that case N. Korea must be a bastion of conservative thought.

Posted by: AndrewL at July 17, 2011 03:29 PM (c4RFJ)

55 44 @41 So maybe it's just that Cordray (?) thing, the one Tapper was reporting on (per Hot Air).

It's Cordray. BreakingNews just corrected their stream as well.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 17, 2011 03:30 PM (o2lIv)

56 @56
Yeah, I gotta agree with you there. Besides, the libs are the ones who want to take away our effective light bulbs and replace them with don't-work-for-shit bulbs.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:30 PM (5H6zj)

57 Exactly when do those savages in NK turn off the power? I count the days when those poor folks get liberated.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:31 PM (Rbchp)

58 @57
Professional writers who can't spell and editors who can't pick up spelling mistakes.
We are truly boned.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:31 PM (5H6zj)

59 He doesn't typically make announcements of personnel matters from the Rose Garden, right? So it has to be Geitner or Biden I'd say.

At this time, Geitner makes sense; Biden not so much. He'll also go before next year's election but to announce tomorrow? I don't see it.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at July 17, 2011 03:31 PM (bLFY5)

60
Krugman is sad. He wanted a radical such as Elizabeth Warren, not Cordray.

"...meanwhile Obama has passed up a chance to symbolically align himself with the public and against the banksters.

Sad. Really sad."

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:34 PM (uDcUV)

61 He's hired Tiger to be his personal instructor on the links at 500k a year suck it wingnutz!

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:34 PM (Rbchp)

62 Let's hope he drops Biden....and picks up Alan Grayson.

I hear he's looking to get back into the mix.

Oh please, God. Let him select Grayson.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 03:34 PM (piMMO)

63
hahaha @ "banksters"

is that how grownups talk, Paulie?

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:35 PM (y2sma)

64 The toxic thread is still going strong. Wow.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at July 17, 2011 03:37 PM (bLFY5)

65 Time for that old fool Bob Scheiffer to retire. He tries, but fails, to successfully hammer Marco Rubio.

Posted by: museisluse at July 17, 2011 03:37 PM (4Lj43)

66 Those in Utah - get out on the old Pony Express trail, any of those state routes west of 15, south of provo, or campgrounds in the uintas.

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 03:37 PM (uekSI)

67
the announcement is just cover for candidate Obama to take a few shots at Big Business

Posted by: soothie at July 17, 2011 03:38 PM (fWEL6)

68 @68 Gotta try that sometime. It's a nice drive even from Park City to Orem along for much of the way.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:39 PM (5H6zj)

69 Issa deserves credit for pressuring Warren and the Admin. Speaking of Issa, I think Holder's deadline for turning-over evidence is tomorrow.

Posted by: '80sBaby at July 17, 2011 03:39 PM (o2lIv)

He doesn't typically make announcements of personnel matters from the Rose Garden, right? So it has to be Geitner or Biden I'd say.

No president would be asking a VP (without a scandal) to step down at this time in their term. If it's anyone, it'll be Geithner. Or maybe the prez wants to announce that he almost, I mean almost, made par at the miniature golf course.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 03:39 PM (45Uzs)

71 Time for that old fool Bob Scheiffer to retire. He tries, but fails, to successfully hammer Marco Rubio.

Posted by: museisluse at July 17, 2011 07:37 PM (4Lj43)

Yep. I posted the link this morning but folks were too busy slinging shit at each other to notice. It's the most frustrated I've seen Rubio. He didn't get flustered, but he was clearly irritated with Scheiffer.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 03:40 PM (piMMO)

72 He's going to try out with the Yankees as a pitcher, c'mon wingnutz where are your priorities.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:40 PM (Rbchp)

73 Ynot - heard that was still snowed in this year

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 03:40 PM (uekSI)

74 Where has Slow Joe been lately?

Posted by: museisluse at July 17, 2011 03:40 PM (4Lj43)

I think Holder's deadline for turning-over evidence is tomorrow.

Is that what he's digging for?

Posted by: garrett at July 17, 2011 03:41 PM (qGgcC)

76 Crap, posted on the thread below, meant it for this one.

NLRB goes all "Weekend at Bernie's III" finding a dead man in violation of labor laws

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 03:41 PM (DX5lC)

77 Where has Slow Joe been lately?

Rolling his eyes and taking naps during the debt talks?

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 03:41 PM (piMMO)

78 @75
The Alpine Loop road (between Sundance and Alpine) was closed until a couple of weeks ago, but the main route from Park City to Orem (that runs through Heber City) was fine.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:42 PM (5H6zj)

79 The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.

Posted by: The Prophet of Peoria at July 17, 2011 03:42 PM (xcBkZ)

80 There's 'billions and billions' of your tax dollars being spent at this very minute.

Posted by: Carl Sagan, wishing he didn't believe in evolution at July 17, 2011 03:42 PM (aUS3D)

81 Yeah outside of Gruene in the pasture nice sky.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 07:27 PM (Rbchp)

I love that town. Visited a friend who works at Texas State.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 17, 2011 03:43 PM (73tyQ)

82 @81
heh heh

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:43 PM (5H6zj)

83 Where has Slow Joe been lately?

Camping out to see the last of the Harry Potter movies at the local multiplex?

_{Can't you just see him a pointy wizard's hat?}

Posted by: laceyunderalls at July 17, 2011 03:44 PM (bLFY5)

84 83,

Did you visit the oldest honky tonk in Texas and listen to the greatest country singers and drink the coldest beer?

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:45 PM (Rbchp)

85 The toxic thread is still going strong. Wow.

It's finally starting to slow up a bit. The troll-fu was strong today but that didn't stop the regulars from slinging shit at each other. Started on the Perry thread and just got worse as the day went on.

I'm proud of Jeff. He nutted up and hung in there despite the abuse.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 03:45 PM (piMMO)

86 @87
Which Jeff - chemjeff? Empire of Jeff? or JeffB?

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:46 PM (5H6zj)

87 Didn't Big F'in Deal Joe go with his wife and some other people to see the Womens' World Cup in Frankfurt?

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 03:46 PM (DX5lC)

88 Oh. Chemjeff!

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 03:46 PM (piMMO)

89 Front Range here. Looks like if I can just get west of Keystone and hit southern Utah, then I've got a wide patch of starlight.

Speaking of remote parts of southern Utah: 127 Hours. Guys, srsly. If you are at all interested in the outdoors, watch the damn thing.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at July 17, 2011 03:46 PM (OAig5)

90 and JEff B!

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 03:46 PM (piMMO)

91 I have a feeling most of you aren't nearly as lucky.

Ah, a full sentence in Californian. Aswan, those people would eat shit and feel smug about it. Everything's just so much better there!

Posted by: comatus at July 17, 2011 03:47 PM (W5ilH)

92 Chemjeff did great I almost backed him up but if I jumped in on that thread I would have been shot by Ace.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:48 PM (Rbchp)

Unfortunately, I could see Dick replacing Geithner with someone like Kanye West. Gotta keep that money from Hollywood and the entertainment industry coming in.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 03:48 PM (45Uzs)

94 Red zone is like a badge of pride in my world. Give me pollution or give me death.

Posted by: jimmah at July 17, 2011 03:48 PM (TfRqk)

95 NLRB goes all "Weekend at Bernie's III" finding a dead man in violation of labor laws

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 07:41 PM (DX5lC)

(a) That is amazing. It just shows they don't even pay attention to the complaints. The union just wins. Period.

(b) Second, it still goes to the enduring cultural legacy of the one-joke film Weekend at Bernie's. Everybody knows what it means.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 17, 2011 03:48 PM (73tyQ)

96 Krugman is sad.

Former Enron Financial Adviser Paul Krugman

Posted by: AoSHQ Stylebook at July 17, 2011 03:48 PM (GTbGH)

97 I live in the suburbs of a pretty heavily populated state (probably in the orange zone). I thought I knew about stars and such. Ha! But my parents lived in the mountains of northern Georgia for a couple years. When I visited them one time, I went out on their front porch with a pair of binoculars at night. It was like being in a planetarium. Unbelievable. (Mind you, where they lived was probably only in the green zone.) I can't imagine what the nighttime sky looks like to people in, say, southeastern Oregon or central Nevada. And people in LA or NYC just see a blob of grey, I suppose.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 03:48 PM (QjrRF)

Stars? Southern Pacific... 1000 miles from nowhere.. US Navy Destroyer at night, with darken ship set... New Moon....

Now those were stars...

Posted by: Romeo13 at July 17, 2011 03:49 PM (NtXW4)

99 And people in LA or NYC just see a blob of grey, I suppose.

They don't look up, that'd make them look like a tourist.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 17, 2011 03:50 PM (73tyQ)

100 Technically I live in a yellow area but the map is misleading. There are parts in that yellow area where there's no light pollution and late at night you can see everything. Its awesome.

Posted by: Christopher Taylor at July 17, 2011 03:50 PM (r4wIV)

101 Herman Cain is less than 20 away from 1K comments.

Sad.

Posted by: toby928™ at July 17, 2011 03:52 PM (GTbGH)

102 Middle of Montana. 1 minute to blue. At 100 mph.

Posted by: free tibet-with purchase of - aww- you know the rest at July 17, 2011 03:53 PM (e0TtL)

103 I'm out folks time to take another cold shower in this heat and watch the idiot tube, y'all be good to each other it's all we have left until 2012, and God Bless our Troops and their Families I do.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 03:53 PM (Rbchp)

104 @103
I don't think that's an indication of Cain's candidacy/relevance as much as it is just a reflection of how torn people are about how to protect ourselves from going down the same path much of Europe is vis a vis Islam.

Posted by: Y-not at July 17, 2011 03:54 PM (5H6zj)

105

Ulsterman has some recent posts on his facebook page about Gunwalker, Holder and other Obama corruption. There's some interesting discussion today in the comments section of the last post ("Back to Chicago Update") by someone who seems to know a lot. If you want to check it out, go to facebook, search Ulster Man to get to his page, then go to his Wall and you'll see the post.

Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 03:54 PM (TRgli)

106 95

Unfortunately, I could see Dick replacing Geithner with someone like Kanye West. Gotta keep that money from Hollywood and the entertainment industry coming in.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 07:48 PM (45Uzs)

Speaking of Hollywood, I saw in the WaPo that Kal Penn is leaving BO again. Not in a snit, I hope.

Posted by: museisluse at July 17, 2011 03:54 PM (4Lj43)

107 i didn't go on the herman cain thread....i didn't want to get banned

Posted by: phoenixgirl at July 17, 2011 03:55 PM (eOXTH)

108 Perry required sixth graders to get STD shots. What a dumbass

Posted by: PerryDREAMACT at July 17, 2011 03:56 PM (cNbYO)

109 101: Heh. I dated a gal once who later moved to Long Island, and I went up to visit her one time. She said we were going to go to NYC. And her main advice to me was, don't look like a stupid tourist. Act like you've been there before. Don't look up at the skyscrapers like some slack-jawed, mouth-breathing moron. She was a catch, she was.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 03:56 PM (QjrRF)

110 @108- Italics fail- sorry, don't know what happened.

Posted by: museisluse at July 17, 2011 03:56 PM (4Lj43)

111 Heh. Where I live in Cali you're lucky if you can see the moon.

Posted by: Ace's liver at July 17, 2011 03:57 PM (/gOMq)

112 BT Hobo, I had a dirt bike die in the Henry Mtns, thought I was truely screwed.

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 03:57 PM (46qC3)

113 I'm out folks time to take another cold shower in this heat and watch the idiot tube, y'all be good to each other it's all we have left until 2012, and God Bless our Troops and their Families I do.

Posted by: 'Nam Grunt at July 17, 2011 07:53 PM (Rbchp)

Weather service says the high pressure over the central plains causing all the heat will be moving to the lower Ohio valley at the end of the week. It'll be nice to be able to share the warmth. Suffer, bitches.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 03:57 PM (45Uzs)

114 And one more minute to black.

I denounce myself-

Posted by: free tibet-with purchase of - aww- you know the rest at July 17, 2011 03:57 PM (e0TtL)

115 Imagi e, if you will, a world without the letter " ." How would you u dersta d what someo e was posti g? Well, you would 't.

Nnnnow, imaginnnnnne a world with a surplus of "nnnnnnnn's" How would you unnnnnderstannnnnnd what someonnnnnnne was postinnnnnnnng. Well, you wouldnnnnnnnn't.

Now, before all of the PETON** folk get excited, we just want to cut down on the waste, we'll still leave you with some n's, just not as many. And, it'll make things like Tweeting more interesting, don't you think?

**People for the Ethical Treatment OF N**

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 03:57 PM (DX5lC)

116 And speaking of Hollywood, yet another celebrity was asked to the Marine Corps Ball....Betty White (!). She's funny as hell. I could certainly think of worse dates for that fine man.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at July 17, 2011 03:58 PM (bLFY5)

117 Don't look up at the skyscrapers like some slack-jawed, mouth-breathing moron.

I get that look when I'm in NYC. You can't smell the urine as much if you breathe through your mouth.

Posted by: Ace's liver at July 17, 2011 03:58 PM (/gOMq)

118 104: Middle of Montana you say? Are you one of those lucky duckies who got high-speed internet from the "stimulus" at a cost of a mere 7 million dollars per household?

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 03:59 PM (QjrRF)

119

She's funny as hell. I could certainly think of worse dates for that fine man.

...and no teeth!

Posted by: garrett at July 17, 2011 03:59 PM (qGgcC)

120

Obama strategy for veep: a gay, black woman.

Whoopi? Oprah? Moochelle?

Posted by: Marybel at July 17, 2011 04:00 PM (Hic+o)

121 I think the rose garden thing is a hiring, not a firing. Some fancy new czar, I'd wager. If Holder leaves in disgrace, it isn't going to be announced in a rose garden ceremony. Maybe Biden, but they'd want to make a big deal of that, full of ceremony and thanks for a loyal soldier.

Posted by: AmishDude at July 17, 2011 04:00 PM (73tyQ)

122

Is there another Montuckey Moron?

I think that makes 3.

Posted by: garrett at July 17, 2011 04:00 PM (qGgcC)

123 109 i didn't go on the herman cain thread....i didn't want to get banned

Same here, pg.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at July 17, 2011 04:00 PM (OAig5)

124
^*singing*
Rock and Roll ain't light pollution...

Posted by: AC/DC at July 17, 2011 04:01 PM (bDQmZ)

125

If you're going to take an astronomy class, make sure it's not held directly across from a football stadium.

Worst outdoor classes ever.

Posted by: soulpile is... at July 17, 2011 04:01 PM (afWhQ)

126

17Actually, it's Alberta but I find it hard to believe that Calgary to Edmonton is that well lit up. Even the rural areas are pretty lit too.

From my experience, most of the population of rural Alberta was pretty well lit after dark, and often after breakfast, IYKWIMAITYD.

Handy travel factoid: if a Canadian is "pissed", he or she is drunk. If they are "pissed as a rat", they are shitfaced.

Posted by: sherlock at July 17, 2011 04:01 PM (thr9V)

127 #122, I don't get the ghey vibe from Michelle (even bi) like I do from ... certain other prominent female politicians who might be married to other present or former Presidents

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at July 17, 2011 04:03 PM (OAig5)

128 i didn't go on the herman cain thread....i didn't want to get banned

I was like watching a bunch of monkeys on acid.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:06 PM (piMMO)

129 Looking at the image, the impression I'm left with is that almost everyone lives in the eastern half of the country.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at July 17, 2011 04:06 PM (v5/gq)

130 ...and viagra

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:06 PM (piMMO)

131 It'll be nice to be able to share the warmth. Suffer, bitches.
Yeah, it's heading northeast for Eastern Canada too, Soona.

It's been a good summer here so far with it sunny and warm in the days but with a cool breeze keeping it nice; and it's been so cool overnight that my 6" fan set on low has had me going under the covers in the middle of the night a couple of times.

Posted by: andycanuck at July 17, 2011 04:07 PM (oUG6f)

132 My house is on a 4-acre lot which is also located on the highest spot in town.
But it gets better. I take that long drive home from work everyday because my lot is directly adjacent to the largest State Forest in the State, which encompasses over 200,000 acres.

The price of gas and dealing with winter storms really kicks people like me in the ass, but how many can say "Hey! I just bagged two months worth of meat for the German Shepherds by clipping a deer with the compound bow from the bathroom window after launching a torpedo!"
And sitting in the backyard at night and staring at the stars is priceless.
Heh!

Posted by: Nostradamus at July 17, 2011 04:08 PM (wdaKL)

133 I think the news might have something to do with Barry finding out that Joseph Robinette Biden actually died five years ago.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at July 17, 2011 04:09 PM (AF1jB)

134

#122, I don't get the ghey vibe from Michelle (even bi) like I do from ... certain other prominent female politicians who might be married to other present or former Presidents

She gives off more of a sexually-frustrated vibe.

Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 04:09 PM (TRgli)

135 I don't get the ghey vibe from Michelle (even bi) like I do from ... certain other prominent female politicians who might be married to other present or former Presidents

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at July 17, 2011 08:03 PM (OAig5)

You mean a lateral transfer for the Hill? I don't think she really wants any more to do with this regime. I'm surprised she hasn't resigned. Hey! I just had a strange thought. Maybe Hillary's resigning to run against Dick.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 04:09 PM (45Uzs)

136 Yeah, pissed is drunk but I've never heard pissed as a rat--it must be a Westernism.

Posted by: andycanuck at July 17, 2011 04:10 PM (oUG6f)

137 If any here want to read a great weekly synopsis of the political goings on of the week, go to the American Thinker site and read "Clarice's Pieces" by Clarice Feldman.

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 04:10 PM (DX5lC)

138 Obama will be hiring Huntsman and Crist for Outreach

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 04:10 PM (/FT0A)

139 Praying mantis vibe.

Nom nom nom.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at July 17, 2011 04:10 PM (bLFY5)

140 >>>Worst outdoor classes ever. Nope, worst is seeing 3 months later, how fucked up the whole "field trip" was...

Posted by: Deety says Wahoo! at July 17, 2011 04:10 PM (pGciH)

141 If you really want to see heads explode, head over there and play the concern troll bit.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:10 PM (piMMO)

142 I'm available to be Vice President. I have management experience and have won election as Sunnyvale Trailerpark Supervisor many times.

I also may or may not be ghey, if that helps.

Posted by: Jim Lahey at July 17, 2011 04:12 PM (eKuOw)

143 #136, bingo.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at July 17, 2011 04:12 PM (OAig5)

144 This is a tough one: Name five hot leftists (female). Exclude Hollywood and musical "artists." So basically I mean five hot leftist women who are in politics, media, academia, etc. It's hard to do.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:13 PM (QjrRF)

145 It'll be nice to be able to share the warmth. Suffer, bitches.

Posted by: Soona

We're tough ratty bitches. Bring. It. On.

Hot? Just they way we like it.

Posted by: Reader C.J. Burch writes...... at July 17, 2011 04:13 PM (sJTmU)

146 ^{138
Yeah, pissed is drunk but I've never heard pissed as a rat--it must be a Westernism.}

^{Posted by: andycanuck at July 17, 2011 08:10 PM (oUG6f)}

Mr Lahey pisses himself all the time.

Posted by: Randy at July 17, 2011 04:13 PM (eKuOw)

147 Well now we know what Chavez is really doing in Cuba, although the viewing from his country doesn't look too bad either.

Pretty stark how the Mississippi River seems to be the boundary.

Posted by: Just A Grunt at July 17, 2011 04:15 PM (Zg56g)

148 And Rachel Maddow doesn't count, because despite what some bi-curious Marxist college chicks say, she's not "hot."

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:15 PM (QjrRF)

149

^{She gives off more of a sexually-frustrated vibe.}

^{Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 08:09 PM (TRgli)}

I can't say what kind of vibe she gives me, but if you look at the pictures of her in the World Cup thread, her feet give off a very certain vibe.

Posted by: MrCaniac at July 17, 2011 04:15 PM (eKuOw)

150 Hardest astronomy related class: Celestial Navigation, taught by a retired chief - the practicals were just silly hard.

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 04:16 PM (/FT0A)

151 Kirsten Powers

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:16 PM (piMMO)

152 I used to think Janeane Garofalo was hot, until I realized she probably smells of cabbage and doesn't shave.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:16 PM (QjrRF)

153 Bad Juju on Roatan when it comes to "Property Rights". I don't think that the Anderson's agree with Tegucigalpa , when it comes go LAND

Posted by: Deety knows Some Things at July 17, 2011 04:16 PM (pGciH)

154 Just about every picture I've seen of MO, she looks downright mad, and she looks mean as hell. Mostly, though, I'm looking at her pics seeing what she's got on so I can laugh at her fashion sense

Hmmmm, 5 hot female leftists? Nope, can't even name 1. I'd say the female hotties are all on the conservative side.

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 04:17 PM (DX5lC)

155 "Kirsten Powers" She's not really a lefty, though. She's sort of a moderate Democrat. I'm talking hard-core feminist Marxist types who openly despise conservatives.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:18 PM (QjrRF)

156 Maybe Biden, but they'd want to make a big deal of that, full of ceremony and thanks for a loyal soldier.

Posted by: AmishDude

Maybe his hair plugs have gone into immune rejection mode and he needs to spend more time at home with a toupe' ?

Anyway, they are gonna announce that Richard Cordray (former Ohio AG) will be appointed new head of the Consumer Credit Bureau (pending Senate approval) or some such bunkum which was created by Dodd-Frank.

Cordray got unelected as AG last fall, and so in typical Democrat fashion of failing upwards, will get a Federal appointment. He couldn't really do his job as AG in Ohio, but made a lot of noise about Wall Street corruption (always good for the plebes), which he mistook as being a concerned State AG. Whatever.

Posted by: Reader C.J. Burch writes...... at July 17, 2011 04:19 PM (sJTmU)

157 I could probably hatefuck Kathy Griffin, in a pinch. But she's not anywhere near "hot."

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:20 PM (QjrRF)

158 ^{153
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it.
Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we
communicate?}

^{Posted by: Happy Birthday ibook at July 17, 2011 08:16 PM (a+Ut}

In English?

Posted by: MrCaniac at July 17, 2011 04:20 PM (eKuOw)

159 50 New Braunfels used to be a pretty good place for star gazing. It has been built up quite a bit over the last 20 years though. Might not be as great as I remember now.

Posted by: no good deed at July 17, 2011 04:20 PM (MZSfb)

160 I grew up in the black of northern Michigan, and now live in a yellow / orange area. Believe me, there are a LOT more stars up there than most people will ever know.

Posted by: Scott at July 17, 2011 04:21 PM (sk9Dl)

161 Praying mantis vibe.

Nom nom nom.

Exactly!

Posted by: Retread at July 17, 2011 04:21 PM (BO5ap)

162 I used to think Janeane Garofalo was hot, until I realized she probably smells of cabbage and doesn't shave.

I thought she was great in The Truth About Cats and Dogs, then I realized what a nutcase she is.

Oh, and she was great as the nutcase blind date with Randy Quaid in Bye Bye Love. So, who rubbed the crazy off on whom?

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:21 PM (piMMO)

163 I'm announcing my seperation from Michelle. She's the reason this country is finding itself in the shape it's in. Bitch set me up.

Posted by: Dick Obama at July 17, 2011 04:23 PM (45Uzs)

164 I'm talking hard-core feminist Marxist types who openly despise conservatives.

Michelle!

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:23 PM (piMMO)

165 That hot ginger who married Kucinich

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 04:23 PM (/FT0A)

166 i live in a red/orange zone with black about 45 min away. hurray for me.

Posted by: MD at July 17, 2011 04:23 PM (yMh4G)

167 I bet the tranny crowd could do wonders with Stephanoplis

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 04:25 PM (/FT0A)

168 I'm thinking about going back to the Cain thread and stirring the pot a bit. Maybe not.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 04:25 PM (45Uzs)

169 Big Bend National Park: Brilliant stars all the way down to the horizon.

Posted by: profligatewaste at July 17, 2011 04:26 PM (b3rrc)

170 Ive been avoiding it all day

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 04:27 PM (/FT0A)

171 That hot ginger who married Kucinich

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 08:23 PM (/FT0A)

And then there's Anthony's wife, Huma.

Posted by: Soona at July 17, 2011 04:27 PM (45Uzs)

172 167: I said "hot."

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:28 PM (QjrRF)

173 I'm thinking about going back to the Cain thread and stirring the pot a bit. Maybe not.

I tried. They were slowing down and I asked if they had run out of acid. It was a momentary lapse because they are back at it again.

The thing is, both sides have completely valid points hidden amongst the piles of manure, but it stinks so damned bad over there you can barely mine the gems. A thread such as that every now and then serves to remind us that not all morons are created equal. Despite the joviality of the ONT, some morons are just assholes in the making.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:29 PM (piMMO)

174 drawing links between darkness of the sky and liberals and conservative districts? A bit of a stretch don't you think? In that case N. Korea must be a bastion of conservative thought.

Ah, but you forgot to factor in the Coriolis effect.

Posted by: physics pep at July 17, 2011 04:30 PM (6TB1Z)

175 168: Okay, that's true, but since no one knows her name, I'm not sure it counts. What about that Democrat Congressional candidate last year who had some embarrassing photos exposed of her dressed up funny and making out with another chick at a party or something? And she had a funny name? Anyone remember? She was running in Virginia I think.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:30 PM (QjrRF)

176 Krystal Ball was her name! Pics here: http://tinyurl.com/27g4jzn

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:32 PM (QjrRF)

177 There are so many strawmen over there it's a virtual 5-alarm fire waiting to lit.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:33 PM (piMMO)

178 About the Ulsterman thing, you have to be friends with him to see his wall. Can we have a summary? Or another link?

Posted by: Barb the Evil Genius at July 17, 2011 04:33 PM (MyByM)

179 So we've got Krystal Ball, Huma Abedin, and the chick with the pierced tongue who married Dennis Kucinich. Three down, two to go...

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:35 PM (QjrRF)

180 Barb you don't have to be his friend to see his wall just click on wall at the left and it will take you right to it,I know because I just did it. lol

Posted by: TEE866 at July 17, 2011 04:36 PM (y+egb)

181 I may peek in to the political threads and threads like the barn burner below, but I won't comment. We're quite a politically diverse group of posters here even though there is much common ground opinion, and it's just not worth it to me to get into a pissing match on a site with a poster I've never met and likely will never meet.

It is fun, however, to play with the trolls. That is, if you can distinguish a troll post from a sockpuppet post.

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 04:36 PM (DX5lC)

182 183 reads like a setup awaiting a punchline, incidentally...

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:36 PM (QjrRF)

183

About the Ulsterman thing, you have to be friends with him to see his wall. Can we have a summary? Or another link?

I'm not friends with him either. On the left side of the page you can click on "Wall" to see it.

Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 04:37 PM (TRgli)

184 It is fun, however, to play with the trolls. That is, if you can distinguish a troll post from a sockpuppet post.

Today, it wasn't just the trolls who were losing their minds.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:39 PM (piMMO)

185 I read through last nights ONT and want to sincerely thank everyone for the prayers,condolences and well wishes.Thanks for making a tough time a little bit easier.Hang in there Gushka,your guy will be alright.

Posted by: steevy at July 17, 2011 04:40 PM (AGQ6G)

186 My thoughts on Cain: He never was a credible candidate. He got a lot of buzz for being the only black guy running for the GOP nomination, and for being a successful businessman, and for saying some red-meat stuff, and for his South Carolina debate performance (which I thought was overrated). But he was never a credible candidate, and now he's imploded over what could reasonably be called anti-Muslim bigotry. His poll numbers have collapsed and he needs some rationale to stay in the race. I suspect he's latched on to this Tennessee mosque issue in order to get some attention. But he's not a credible Presidential candidate. And he never really was.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 04:40 PM (QjrRF)

187 Krystal Ball, Huma Abedin, and the chick with the pierced tongue who married Dennis Kucinich all walk into a lesbian bar in San Francisco...

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 04:41 PM (DX5lC)

188 If you people arguing over Cain precipitated another banhammer thread, so help me God...

Posted by: Ace's liver at July 17, 2011 04:41 PM (/gOMq)

189

The stars at night

Are big and bright

ClapClapClapClap

Deeep in the heart of Texxassssss!

[belt it out! c'mon, you know you want to]

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 17, 2011 04:43 PM (4q5tP)

190 Cordray got unelected as AG last fall, and so in typical Democrat fashion of failing upwards, will get a Federal appointment. He couldn't really do his job as AG in Ohio, but made a lot of noise about Wall Street corruption (always good for the plebes), which he mistook as being a concerned State AG. Whatever.

I had to look it up, but I vaguely remembered that the Ohio AG was involved in the Joe the Plumber stuff and, lo and behold, from Instapundit via HotAir comments:

"Ohio Attorney General Richard CordrayÂ’s office is defending former state employees Helen Jones-Kelley, Douglas Thompson and Fred Williams....

"He [Cordray] acknowledged that there are exceptions to the requirement that the attorney general represent state employees. For those to come into play, a determination must be made that the employee was acting Â“manifestly outside the scope of his official employment or official responsibilities, with malicious purpose, in bad faith or in a wanton or reckless manner.Â”...

"Â“If I took the inspector generalÂ’s report at face value, including the conclusion, if I reached the same conclusion as the inspector general, then I would be inclined to say Â‘deny representation,Â’ Â” [U. Dayton law professor] Hallinan said. Â“At a minimum, I think the inspector general concluded that they were acting at least in a reckless manner.Â”"

Posted by: AmishDude at July 17, 2011 04:43 PM (73tyQ)

191 Today, it wasn't just the trolls who were losing their minds.

I started out on that thread, then gave it up after 200 or so comments. Minds aren't changed that far in, and it just deteriorates into a pissing contest that nobody wants to lose. I have better things to do with my time.

But Drew was still right.

Posted by: pep at July 17, 2011 04:44 PM (6TB1Z)

192 Hi, Steevy! Praying for you during this rough time. It does get better, and it helps to remember the fun times you two enjoyed together.

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 04:45 PM (DX5lC)

193 Can't Presadant Obama do something to prevent Light Pollution? How does this contribute to Global Climate Change ??

Posted by: LaQuisha Johnson at July 17, 2011 04:45 PM (qXGZK)

194 btw, my last was a feeble jest. Don't get all spooled up.

Posted by: pep at July 17, 2011 04:46 PM (6TB1Z)

195

Going to see the Palin movie at the Block in 1/2 hour the 7PM showing.

Posted by: KZnextzone at July 17, 2011 04:46 PM (ZUWaD)

196

The prairie sky is wide and high,

Deep in the heart of Texas.

ClapClapClapClap

Deeep in the heart of Texxassssss!

Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 04:46 PM (TRgli)

197 I live a mile and a half from a state prison - too much light around the prison for the stars to have a chance to shine through. But it's a short drive (and a bear of a hike) to one of the best lookouts on Mt. Pilchuck.

Posted by: Chinese Liver at July 17, 2011 04:47 PM (p6m0g)

198 Krystal Ball, Huma Abedin, and the chick with the pierced tongue who married Dennis Kucinich all walk into a lesbian bar in San Francisco...

How far back can we go, because IIRC, Katherine Hepburn was quite the lefty. Assuming she's your type, of course.

Posted by: pep at July 17, 2011 04:48 PM (6TB1Z)

199 He tried to get rid of the bright, energy sucking filiment light bulbs but the evil GOP stopped him. Screw in a light bulb, drown a polar bear.

Posted by: Oldsailor's poet at July 17, 2011 04:49 PM (ZDUD4)

200 [belt it out! c'mon, you know you want to]

okay. If you insist.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:50 PM (piMMO)

201 Huma Abedin doesn't strike me as "hot"- just scary and skinny. Sorry guys.

Harry Reid thinks Gillenbrand is hot

Posted by: Museisluse at July 17, 2011 04:51 PM (4Lj43)

202 May God bless you and your family, steevy.

Same well-wishes for you, Guska, and for your man; may God bless and keep all of you, along with everybody serving our country and their families.

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at July 17, 2011 04:51 PM (c0A3e)

203 huh - yeah haven't been stargazing in a long while, might be a good time to go to the country and check it out

Posted by: chemjeff at July 17, 2011 04:52 PM (s7mIC)

204 I've been out of the loop today?Why is there a war going on?

Posted by: steevy at July 17, 2011 04:53 PM (AGQ6G)

205 huh - yeah haven't been stargazing in a long while, might be a good time to go to the country and check it out

Posted by: chemjeff at July 17, 2011 08:52 PM (s7mIC)

Have you given a status report yet? The last I heard you were getting picked up by a woman at applebees.

Posted by: robtr at July 17, 2011 04:55 PM (MtwBb)

206 I am definitely bookmarking this page and sharing it with my friends.

Posted by: A Stolen Life Audio Book at July 17, 2011 04:56 PM (RBINN)

207 Couldnt resist, had to wade in

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 04:57 PM (/FT0A)

208 Chemjeff, that makes a decent date idea, just saying

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 04:58 PM (/FT0A)

209 I've been out of the loop today?Why is there a war going on?

Well, you see, about 10 years ago so some nasty bastards rammed some jets into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania. They were called Al-Qaeda....

Oh. you aren't talking about that war, huh?

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 04:58 PM (piMMO)

210 Yes, Chemjeff, like Jean said, that is a good date idea!

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 04:59 PM (DX5lC)

211 214 No,internecine MORON WAR.

Posted by: steevy at July 17, 2011 05:00 PM (AGQ6G)

212 Texas? Please. WTF is Texas good for? The only thing worth a crap about Texas the attitude of a majority of it's people, the food (breakfast in a tex mex dive, YUM), natual resources, national parks (Big Bend is my favorite) , Austins music scene, the Beaches, Texas state fair in dallas, the women, good looking women, Houston livestock show and Rodeo, Johnson space center and a few other things. But other than that, Texas aint worth a crap.

Posted by: Oldsailor's poet at July 17, 2011 05:01 PM (ZDUD4)

213 Screw in a light bulb, drown a polar bear.

How about a half dozen?

Deeep in the heart of Texxassssss!

Best night sky I saw was driving through Texas. Stopped on the side of the road and got out to stretch the legs and enjoy the sky. Within 10 minutes someone stopped to ask if we were broken down and did we need help. When we explained he just laughed and said 'it's true, everything's better in Texas'.

Posted by: Retread at July 17, 2011 05:02 PM (BO5ap)

214 Ah nevermind,I just peeked and all is now clear.

Posted by: steevy at July 17, 2011 05:02 PM (AGQ6G)

215 O/T We have our first tropical storm of the season, Brett. I guess it will keep threatening to quit and come back over and over again.

Posted by: Oldsailor's poet at July 17, 2011 05:05 PM (ZDUD4)

216

217 Texas aint worth a crap.

yep

everyone with a lick of sense knows that Chicago is the true center of the universe and the fountain of true greatness

Viva El CUBBIES!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: navycopjoe (baracudus maximus is coming) at July 17, 2011 05:05 PM (R7NIt)

217 "Light pollution" sounds like some made-up progg crisis. "Oh no!!! The peasants are allowed to light their hovels at night, just like us! We have to take this away from them!"

Posted by: HeatherRadish, Big Game Hunter at July 17, 2011 05:06 PM (0vDuM)

218 Back in the mid-70's before the clowns in Piedras Negras built that fucked up lignite plant that clogged the view, I was camping out in Big Bend by Boquillas Canyon, and I woke up in the middle of the night because of the brightness of the Milky Way on a moonless night.

Posted by: TexasJew at July 17, 2011 05:06 PM (RppX1)

219 <i>216214 No,internecine MORON WAR.

Posted by: steevy at July 17, 2011 09:00 PM (AGQ6G) </i>

THIS IS SPARTA!

Well, maybe not.

Posted by: joncelli at July 17, 2011 05:09 PM (Nvw83)

220 216 214 No,internecine MORON WAR.

I know, I know.

Drew post a bit earlier about Cain's statement on FNS today that a community in TN has the right to prevent the building of a mosque.

Then the waters parted: Constitutionalists vs the safety-first crowd.

Lots of name calling and shit-flinging. Straw men as far as the eye can see.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:09 PM (piMMO)

221 I've heard that in Ancient Times, before electric lighting, the night sky was absolutely astounding (compared to now), and that the constellations wouldn't have seem so far-fetched and ridiculous.

Can anyone who's been stargazing in the darker zones comment?

Though I'm willing to believe that the constellation-namers were all bored, stupid, and strung out on 'shrooms and Ye Old Acide.

Posted by: Lance McCormick at July 17, 2011 05:11 PM (/D8ux)

222 The future belongs to us.

Posted by: Straw man multitude at July 17, 2011 05:12 PM (6TB1Z)

223

Steevy, I'm sorry for your loss. I lost both of my parents to cancer, my mom 6 months ago. I hope you find comfort in the days to come as you grieve.

Strange as it may sound, I look back now at the last few months of my mom's life as a special time. It sounds trite to say you receive more than you give, but helping someone transition from life to death is rewarding in a certain way.

Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 05:12 PM (TRgli)

224

225 Constitutionalists vs the safety-first crowd.

President Cuda will bring both the constitutionalists and the safety-first crowds together

Posted by: navycopjoe (baracudus maximus is coming) at July 17, 2011 05:12 PM (R7NIt)

225 The best place to see the stars is about 300 miles offshore in the ocean. It's truly amazing.

Posted by: robtr at July 17, 2011 05:13 PM (MtwBb)

226 Steevy, you lost your mom?

I am so sorry. My prayers are with you and your family.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:14 PM (piMMO)

227

230 The best place to see the stars is about 300 miles offshore in the ocean

true that, one of the best part of being deployed in the navy

Posted by: navycopjoe (baracudus maximus is coming) at July 17, 2011 05:14 PM (R7NIt)

228

everyone with a lick of sense knows that Chicago is the true center of the universe and the fountain of true greatness

I dunno, it's kinda hard to take that claim serious like, considering the garden salad items with which the locals top their hot dogs.

j/k sorta

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 17, 2011 05:15 PM (4q5tP)

229 I learnt long ago not to post in controversial threads which Drew starts. When he comes up with an opinion, it is always the Good and True opinion, and everyone who disagrees is Evil and Ignorant.

Posted by: Boulder Toilet Hobo at July 17, 2011 05:15 PM (OAig5)

230

oh man, sorry to hear that stevey

prayers from me and mine

Posted by: navycopjoe (baracudus maximus is coming) at July 17, 2011 05:15 PM (R7NIt)

231

233 considering the garden salad items with which the locals top their hot dogs.

HEATHEN!!!!!!!

Posted by: navycopjoe (baracudus maximus is coming) at July 17, 2011 05:16 PM (R7NIt)

232 hmmm a stargazing date, hmmmm
not a bad idea
I can bring a picnic dinner & a big bottle of wine

Posted by: chemjeff at July 17, 2011 05:16 PM (s7mIC)

233

230 The best place to see the stars is about 300 miles offshore in the ocean

true that, one of the best part of being deployed in the navy

In my younger days I chartered sailboats from Miami to the Bahamas. You haven't lived until you are up at 3 am running with the wind, and with the stars above you and a biophosphorescent wake behind you.

Posted by: pep at July 17, 2011 05:16 PM (6TB1Z)

234 Deeply sorry about your loss, steevy. Know how it feels.

My prayers for your comfort and peace of mind.

Posted by: sifty at July 17, 2011 05:17 PM (ECjvn)

235 225 216 214 No,internecine MORON WAR. I took some time and read the whole thing. All 1000+ posts. When there is nothing left to add, I don't think one should add anything. It was a fun read.

Posted by: Oldsailor's poet at July 17, 2011 05:20 PM (ZDUD4)

236 It sounds trite to say you receive more than you give, but helping someone transition from life to death is rewarding in a certain way.

Not at all. Not to someone who's been there.

In the last few weeks of my mother's life, all the bullshit between us dissolved into the ether and it was nothing but pure love. I didn't sleep a wink for 4.5 days straight and was holding my mother's hand with my right hand and the pastor's hand with my left when she passed. There is nothing more precious in life than knowing that you were there for them. It granted me a peace that I would otherwise have ever known.

There's nothing trite about it.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:20 PM (piMMO)

237 May 1985. Yukon Territory. 3 hours west of Whitehorse. I saw the most impressive sky I ever saw or will ever see. Despite being a douchey 19-year-old, I knew I was seeing something unusual. No moon, no clouds, and the best Aurora show I'd ever seen, or likely ever will see. My buddy and I watched this, parked on the edge of the Al-Can. Maybe one truck passed the entire hour or so we sat there.

Posted by: Pug Mahon at July 17, 2011 05:20 PM (Wb1g8)

238 I took some time and read the whole thing. All 1000+ posts. When there is nothing left to add, I don't think one should add anything. It was a fun read.

You are a patient man. Or a sadist. I'm not sure which.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:21 PM (piMMO)

239

Posted by: pep at July 17, 2011 09:16 PM (6TB1Z)

I used to own a 45' Gulfstar. I took delivery in Fr. Lauderdale and and sailed it to St. Thomas via the Bahamas. I here ya.

Posted by: robtr at July 17, 2011 05:21 PM (MtwBb)

240 Thanks everyone for the sympathy and it is greatly appreciated.

Posted by: steevy at July 17, 2011 05:21 PM (AGQ6G)

241 I can bring a picnic dinner & a big bottle of wine

THAT is a date, sir.

Even better is there's a meteor shower.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:21 PM (piMMO)

242 241 Unfortunately it was sudden and I had no chance to do that.She died right before I was going to leave for a visit.

Posted by: steevy at July 17, 2011 05:23 PM (AGQ6G)

243 I learnt long ago not to post in controversial threads which Drew starts. When he comes up with an opinion, it is always the Good and True opinion, and everyone who disagrees is Evil and Ignorant.

I would say that Drew, Chemjeff and Jeff B. were the ones being condescended to today.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:23 PM (piMMO)

244 Chemjeff, stay true to thine self - a bucket of chicken and a telescope

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 05:23 PM (/FT0A)

245 hmmm a stargazing date, hmmmm

Get a copy of The Stars by H. A. Rey. It's a beginner's guide but even if you're beyond that the charts are simple so more easily remembered.

Posted by: Retread at July 17, 2011 05:23 PM (BO5ap)

246 Unfortunately it was sudden and I had no chance to do that.She died right before I was going to leave for a visit.

You were with her constantly these last few months, Steevy. You may not have been with her at that very moment, but she knew your love and you hers. That is a blessing.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:24 PM (piMMO)

247 steevy, sorry for your loss. Prayers for you.

Posted by: Count de Monet at July 17, 2011 05:24 PM (4q5tP)

248 249 Chemjeff, stay true to thine self - a bucket of chicken and a telescope

And Val-U-Rite!

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at July 17, 2011 05:24 PM (c0A3e)

249 Posted by: Mayday

I guess it does sound somewhat strange, but I also found it to be true. The last few months before my mom died, and during the 2 weeks she was in Hospice, my close family grew even closer and there were some really special moments we shared together, and with her.

In the time since she passed we've laughed together about some of the goofy stuff that happened, like my uncle deciding he was going to fix a leaky faucet at my parents' house, which flooded the basement, which we madly and hurriedly cleaned up with rented shop vacs and every towel in the house, washed and dried the towels and put them away, all before my dad got home from visiting her in Hospice so he wouldn't find out, only to have one of the young kids tell Dad about it!

Posted by: Theresa at July 17, 2011 05:26 PM (DX5lC)

250 253 249 Chemjeff, stay true to thine self - a bucket of chicken and a telescope

And Val-U-Rite!

The hell with it Jeff, see if you can't convince her to run down a moving train and catch a ride on a boxcar with the hobos.

Show her who you really are!

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:27 PM (piMMO)

251 Kratos, a bottle and a bedroll in the trunk wouldnt be a bad idea

Posted by: Jean at July 17, 2011 05:28 PM (/FT0A)

252 That map is almost as confusing colorful as the election prediction maps.

Posted by: 7 Chinese Spammers at July 17, 2011 05:29 PM (xaCZY)

253 There is nothing more precious in life than knowing that you were there for them. It granted me a peace that I would otherwise have ever known.

Same here. As hard as it was at times I wouldn't trade that period of time for anything.

Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 05:29 PM (TRgli)

254 255 The hell with it Jeff, see if you can't persuade her to run down a moving train and catch a ride on a boxcar with the hobos. Show her who you really are! Just don't skin the hobo on the first date. Deal out your cheap parlor tricks slowly. That will impress her more.

Posted by: Oldsailor's poet at July 17, 2011 05:30 PM (ZDUD4)

255

225 216 214 No,internecine MORON WAR.

I took some time and read the whole thing. All 1000+ posts. When there is nothing left to add, I don't think one should add anything. It was a fun read.

I've been at the hospital with my mother the entire weekend, what did I miss?

Posted by: Ben at July 17, 2011 05:32 PM (DKV43)

256 from 225

Drew post a bit earlier about Cain's statement on FNS today that a community in TN has the right to prevent the building of a mosque.

Then the waters parted: Constitutionalists vs the safety-first crowd.

Lots of name calling and shit-flinging. Straw men as far as the eye can see.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:34 PM (piMMO)

257 Dang, I thought it was about over on the toxic thread, but just as they start to get out, it pulls them back in.

Posted by: Badly overacted Godfather sequence at July 17, 2011 05:34 PM (6TB1Z)

258 and, is your mother alright?

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:34 PM (piMMO)

259 Just don't skin the hobo on the first date. Deal out your cheap parlor tricks slowly. That will impress her more.

Great advise.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:35 PM (piMMO)

260 eh, advice

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:35 PM (piMMO)

261 Straw men as far as the eye can see.

It's straw men all the way down

Posted by: To Infinity And Beyond at July 17, 2011 05:36 PM (s7mIC)

262 Ben, how is your mother doing?

Posted by: chemjeff at July 17, 2011 05:37 PM (s7mIC)

263 I am very Sorry for your loss Steevy. My Dad died 10 years ago. We were not on speaking terms. I never even knew he was sick. I'm not sure if it was his final F-U to me or if he thought he was saving me from something. Anyway, much was left unsaid and that haunts me to this day. My point is this. While your parents are alive, work very hard to leave nothing unsaid. Cause you never know.

Posted by: Oldsailor's poet at July 17, 2011 05:37 PM (ZDUD4)

264 Oldsailor's poet good advice, yes

Posted by: chemjeff at July 17, 2011 05:39 PM (s7mIC)

265

Unfortunately it was sudden and I had no chance to do that.She died right before I was going to leave for a visit.

Steevy, I wasn't there at the exact moment my mom died either. That doesn't bother me because I was there for her over and over and over in the preceeding year. I was there when it counted and I know how much she appreciated it. No guilt, and I hope you don't have any either.

Posted by: Mayday at July 17, 2011 05:39 PM (TRgli)

266

om 225

Drew post a bit earlier about Cain's statement on FNS today that a community in TN has the right to prevent the building of a mosque.

Then the waters parted: Constitutionalists vs the safety-first crowd.

Lots of name calling and shit-flinging. Straw men as far as the eye can see.

hmm. I see. Glad I missed it as I'm becoming more and more libertarian with each passing day on domestic issues. However Drew has always seems to have a special dislike of Herman Cain.

Sometimes he and Gabe will hate someone for whatever reason and not let up. I remember when Rand Paul was running for Senate Gabe and Drew were puting up daily anti-Rand posts and I got into a spat with them. Now it looks like Rand is the only politician being totally honest. I feel vidicated.

Thanks for asking, I think she's alright. She got a fever Tuesday and we took her to the ER on thursday night because we thought it was dehydration, she's been in recovery since then with a non-stop fever. They gave her a CT scan, spinal tap, EKG, and chest x-ray. They can't tell us what's ailing her, they can just do a process of elimination and tell us what it isn't.

I spent the day with her again and her fever broke. She was at 98 degrees all day, but her biggest problems have been at night. So if she does well tonight, they might let her come home.

It's been a freaking scary experience, she's fairly young and 59 but doesn't leave a very healthy lifestyle. I am hoping if she makes it out of this okay that she changes her lifestyle by eating better and excising more.

Posted by: Ben at July 17, 2011 05:39 PM (DKV43)

267 We would be happy to help you with your light-pollution problem, infidels.

Posted by: Your Constitutionally-Protected Religious Pals at July 17, 2011 05:40 PM (Ve65I)

268 live not leave

Posted by: Ben at July 17, 2011 05:41 PM (DKV43)

269 It isn't the people who live in the country or even the exurbs who fuck things up with the light pollution. its a bunch of idiots who travel to the country and say, "gee I wish I lived out there" They buy stadium-style lighting to "feel safe" and a few hundred other of their friends follow suit. Soon a valley with a decent night sky looks like downtown Los Angeles. Funny, the people who lived all their life in the country had other forms of "defense" that didn't involve blotting out the moon.

Posted by: CAC at July 17, 2011 05:44 PM (JEVge)

270 Steevy. God bless you, brother. My best to your family. I still miss Mom.

Posted by: De-lurked for a short spell at July 17, 2011 05:45 PM (NK43V)

271 Been looking at property in Montana for a vacation/retirement home. Thankfully, it's deep in the heart of black.

Looks like I'll have to invest in a telescope.

Posted by: Zombie California Hybrid Driver at July 17, 2011 05:45 PM (P9cWA)

272 #276 Buy a dobsonian, and you can see shit out your window in Los Angeles. They're only $350 for a good 8" reflector these days.

Posted by: CAC at July 17, 2011 05:46 PM (JEVge)

273 Looks like I'll have to invest in a telescope.

And some nice klieg lights. Don't forget those.

Posted by: pep at July 17, 2011 05:48 PM (6TB1Z)

274 Ben, I'm happy her fever has broken. That's a good sign.

Posted by: As If... at July 17, 2011 05:50 PM (piMMO)

275 Really good news, Ben. Prayers still going up. Big hug to you, my friend.

Posted by: Peaches at July 17, 2011 06:05 PM (afUO8)

276 All I ask is a tall blonde, and a star to steer her by ...

Posted by: Capt. James T Kirk at July 17, 2011 06:10 PM (so1xa)

277 Not many stars visible here in SW FL, but compared to living in LA it's the Griffith Planetarium.

One night some years back I drove back to LA from SF along the 101 through the Central Valley. It was just right and I saw stars that I hadn't seen since camping in the Poconos

Posted by: kbdabear at July 17, 2011 06:13 PM (so1xa)

278 When I Lived in Two Nine, I used to drive out to josh, and sleep on the hood of my car. I would almost always show up to PT JUST as we were forming up. "Where's (my last name) my Plt Sgt would say all the time, and one of my friends would say "He's asleep in josh, he'll be here." And so I would come driving up, and then strip down in the middle of the deck/parking lot to get into PT Gear.

Being from where I am, near Chicago, I almost never saw hills or mountains, or stars, and going out to Josh and just sleeping on the hood of my car, It was like moving to another planet, a beautiful one.

Posted by: Douglas at July 17, 2011 06:59 PM (YKOnu)

279 http://tinyurl.com/3n7pbzz

Posted by: Craig at July 17, 2011 08:17 PM (KkjvI)

280 I would love to live in a dark zone because I love the night sky. I saw the first shooting star of my life last year when we were driving back from dropping our daughter off at college. Falling asleep on the hood of my car while watching the galaxy spin by above me sounds like heaven.

Posted by: Gem at July 17, 2011 08:37 PM (zw+pb)

281 #285 The Eastern US looks even more fucked for stargazers from this view. Texas, just the eastern half.

Posted by: CAC at July 17, 2011 08:39 PM (JEVge)

282 Look at all the light comming from TENNESEE and AL GORES vast estate with its $30:000 a month electric bill

Posted by: Spurwing Plover at July 17, 2011 08:44 PM (vA9ld)

283 I can't imagine what the nighttime sky looks like to people in, say, southeastern Oregon or central Nevada.

Posted by: Thug4Life at July 17, 2011 07:48 PM (QjrRF)

Beathtaking. As has been mentioned about Alaska, that area's also very arid and, in addition, is high altitude desert. I live in Western Oregon (in that little pinprick of red light/blue politics called Little Berkel... um.. Eugene) but have spent time out in the eastern half, as well as up in the Cascades. What's interesting about htis map for me is that the light pollution for us reflects our physical geography as well as our political, especially in the western 1/3rd of the state. That big red-through green blob in the upper left (heh) is also roughyl the extent of the Willamette Valley. The pinprick of light just sout of Eugene is Roseburg, in the Umpqua Valley. The grey around it is mostly mountain ranges. In fact almost every single one of the enclaves of light in the whole state is found in a river valley or, along the coast, around harbors at the mouths of rivers. And the gray-black is almost all mountain ranges. The only exception is the darkest corner, the southeast, which does contain valleys, just not populated. I've read somewhere that corner of the state is farther from an Interstate freeway than any other part of the lower 48, but last time I tried to Google search that, I could find neither confirmation nor refutation, so YMMV.

And yes, the distribution of light also reflects our population (duh!) and political distribution. Rural Oregon is, for the most part, deep red. The Willamette Valley is disgustingly blue.

Posted by: B.B. at July 17, 2011 08:50 PM (wxjuR)

284 If my kids would turn off their freaking nightlights I'd be in an orange zone.

Posted by: pajama momma at July 17, 2011 09:30 PM (1lqnR)

285 My little town in the Texas Panhandle is green to yellow, yet on most nights I can go out my back door (or front) and see a truckload of stars. It helps that the only street lights on the outskirts of town are ones homeowners put in themselves. It's just 30 minutes to a black zone from where I live. Great place to see the meteor showers.

Posted by: TheLastDJ at July 17, 2011 09:39 PM (f7suR)

286 Hmph. My old Kentucky hometown is yellow to orange. Heck, even if there were no lights, you couldn't see the stars for all the trees.

Posted by: TheLastDJ at July 17, 2011 09:42 PM (f7suR)

287 funny this thread got a 2nd life after sundown. Appropriate, actually. Finding darker sites can be somewhat dangerous if your options are the high desert locations. I contacted a local business with a large parking lot off any major roads, and they were interested enough in letting me set up after their business hours. Yellow Zone so a dramatic improvement for me here- and the first time I will ever see one.

Posted by: CAC at July 17, 2011 09:44 PM (JEVge)

288 I think from now on, maybe, "Eric 'Booger' Holder." Or just "Booger Holder."

Posted by: rdbrewer at July 17, 2011 10:30 PM (UDDIy)

289 QL. I live in Bozeman, MT. I can walk 10 minutes from home and be blown away, and that's in summertime. When the living is easy. When it's cold and clear, you forget to come home.

The only way to do better is to live in the desert, maybe around Tonapah. Which is the northern terminus of the run from Tehachapi.

Yes, I can feel your envy. It gives you focus. It makes you stronger.

Posted by: Forger at July 17, 2011 10:46 PM (RPPhB)

290 Actually, Forger you could work winters on the north slope tundra between Barrow and Prudhoe Bay up in Alaska...nearest light was 60-80 miles away. Only time I could follow the northern lights from horizon to horizon, gaping in -30 weather from my vehicle. Like being on another planet, really.

Posted by: model_1066 at July 17, 2011 11:03 PM (2j/Mv)

291 I suppose it's all about the tradeoffs, MXLVI. What does it profit a man to gain the aurora borealis and lose Yellowstone?

Posted by: Forger at July 17, 2011 11:37 PM (RPPhB)

292 Sorry, MLXVI.

Dyslexics untie!

Posted by: Forger at July 17, 2011 11:41 PM (RPPhB)

293 Plenty of dark sky in the desert between L.A. and Phoenix. Desert Center, Quartzite, the high desert around Twentynine Palms and Joshua Tree as you head up towards Vidal Junction. UFO country. Not to mention Rt. 375 in Nevada between Area 51 and Tonopah.

Posted by: Airquote Sarctag at July 18, 2011 12:10 AM (PYscH)

294

"Dark sky" is in place as an ordinance In the county where I live. All exterior lights cannot shine up and must be shielded from the top.

The dark sky movement.

Posted by: Lemon Kitten at July 18, 2011 04:44 AM (0fzsA)

295 Most significant thing I noticed a few years back when I bought a house (after living in urban apartments for nine years) was the stars.

My wife and I would sit outside for hours in the lawn staring at the sky. Got a telescope and built a pergola that accommodates it.

Over the years, more and more stores have moved into the area. We bought the house expecting the area to boom because this is where a lot of California's jobs are fleeing to (in Texas).

It's definitely a little harder to see the night sky. Quite a shame. It's nice that the house hasn't lost value, but we are already looking for land somewhere in the middle of nowhere. You can't compensate for a lack of an awesome night sky, once you're accustomed to it.

Posted by: Dustin at July 18, 2011 05:53 AM (519+h)

296 I live in a "white" area on the map and have no problem seeing stars and the space station when it flies overhead. Is this the next thing our environmental overlords want to save us from? Or will CFL lightbulbs restore the balance for this also?

Posted by: Sluggo at July 18, 2011 06:28 AM (65MwI)

297 "Dark sky" is in place as an ordinance In the county where I live. All exterior lights cannot shine up and must be shielded from the top. The dark sky movement. Posted by: Lemon Kitten at July 18, 2011 08:44 AM (0fzsA) Luckily they have that up in Phelan/Wrightwood. The community supports it and why wouldn't they? What is the point of living in a rural area if all the bustle of the city is right up on your ass?

Posted by: CAC at July 18, 2011 08:33 AM (JEVge)

298 Late again to a yesterthread. Oh, but I have to. See, the old family ranch was really rural when I first moved there in '73. One red light on a tower far on the horizon, that was it. Sure was nice for the Mrs & me in the early years, but we had to leave for reasons too dumb to go into here, and lived in her native Chicago, where the orange phosphor glow blots out everything. Seventeen years ago when Mrs Webworker and the kids and I moved back, the county had put up ugly double street lights at the curves east and west of us and there were more neighbors with porch lights on. Still, it was rural. Then, just like #274 CAC said, the family across the road put up a streetlight-style light. Then they sold half their property and on top of the new big two-story house was a searchlight that beams across our place. Since we get some tree cover from the North and our home mostly faces South, it was still almost tolerable until, just in the last year, the neighbors in that direction built a new barn and put up yet one more dam' streetlight, and their kids leave all the rest of the place ablaze much of the night. Oh, how I would love to just use all those streetlights for target practice, but as Mr. Nixon once famously recorded himself saying, "We could do that.... But it would be wrong." Nor will I enrich lawyers by attempting to sue anybody to recover my darkness. That battle is lost. Three-quarters of a mile away, one of the old ranches suddenly turned into a housing addition practically overnight, and is still growing. The big city 50 miles (and shrinking) South looks like a great orange nuclear glow most nights, and the smaller local town North keeps blazing toward us, getting broader, longer, and brighter and brighter. So the ranch moved from gray to green-yellow in forty years without changing places. Can't leave. It's home. Must endure. Siiiiigh! Maybe after the Yellowstone Volcano, or the Mexican Holocaust, or the Obamageddon, or whatever the big doom is, we will see God's universe again as it was surely meant to be seen. Harsh, that. Somebody mentioned Korea. Here's the picture. Easy to spot the DMZ. And that only dot of light North of it is Kim Il Jong's big-screen TV.

Posted by: A Mindful Webworker at July 18, 2011 12:49 PM (g9gb0)

299 Wow. I didn't need another reason to love Colorado, but thanks anyway.

Posted by: A.M. at July 18, 2011 03:06 PM (9Q9S8)

300 CAC. Good timing. I am late to this party but want to brag... I'm leaving for a tour of observatories in Chile on Thursday. I think they are fairly dark sky...

Posted by: Morris at July 18, 2011 05:04 PM (vPixS)

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