President Obama is calling on NASA to cancel the program that was to return humans to the Moon by 2020, and focus instead on radically new space technologies.

Mr. Obama’s 2010 budget proposal for NASA asks for $18 billion over five years for fueling spacecraft in orbit, new types of engines to accelerate spacecraft through space and robotic factories that could churn soil on the Moon — and eventually Mars — into rocket fuel.

Andy Pasztor for the Wall Street Journal tonight:

The White House has decided to begin funding private companies to carry NASA astronauts into space, but the proposal faces major political and budget hurdles, according to people familiar with the matter.

The controversial proposal, expected to be included in the Obama administration’s next budget, would open a new chapter in the U.S. space program. The goal is to set up a multiyear, multibillion-dollar initiative allowing private firms, including some start-ups, to compete to build and operate spacecraft capable of ferrying U.S. astronauts into orbit—and eventually deeper into the solar system.

This year the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage was presented to Nelson Mandela, and his work to unite his country through love of sport.

(thx steph)

It’s history in real time. It’s a glimpse into one of the most open and most private homes in the world. And best of all: the photographs are made by official White House photographer Pete Souza who also shot the president during Regan’s years. He knows where to be, how to be there, and knows history when he sees it.

Great signature, too.

I know it’s hard after being “the man” for so many years, but you’re not part of our government any longer. Stay home instead of appearing on FOX news twice a week, and, please shut the eff up.

Regards,
The non-Republican citizens of the United States

And then on the other side of the bridge is Congo. The instant you cross, you’re hit by a riot of dazzling colors, loud music, drunken border policemen, and women hoisting just about every imaginable kind of fruit and vegetable onto their heads. The soil here is some of the most fertile on the planet. And then there are the minerals, Congo’s seemingly limitless supply of them — gold, diamonds, zinc, nickel, cassiterite, copper, cobalt and coltan, old-school and modern gems. But somehow, for the past 12 years and counting, Congo has been the theater of one of the worst civil wars in modern history, a truly continental disaster that has sucked in many of its neighbors and killed millions of people, a festering wound in the green heart of Africa.

Via The Times on a new book, “Africa’s World War” by Gérard Prunier.

Over the weekend, much was made of Obama’s first ride aboard Air Force One. His maiden flight on Marine One last Thursday also made headlines. And a few weeks ago, the National Geographic Channel aired specials titled “On Board Air Force One” followed by “On Board Marine One” which offered exclusive information and insight into the aircraft. Here’s a short preview of “On Board Air Force One” from NatGeo:

A squadron in the Marines called HMX-1 operate and maintain thirty five special helicopters to ferry the president. The Air Force has the Presidential Airlift Group at Andrews Air Force Base and manages two identical (and highly specialized) Boeing 747 jumbo jetliners. These are impressive machines and I highly recommend the NatGeo specials.

But, Obama’s got a big problem.

George W. Bush’s administration pushed to revamp the presidential helicopters, and the U.S. Navy awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for the new choppers as part of a program popularly know as “VXX.” The current Sikorsky helicopters have been flying for nearly 40 years, and in the post-9/11 world, the president needs something more secure. 

The original contract to Lockheed cost the Navy $6.1 billion but has since ballooned to more than $11 billion. Peter Baker, for The New York Times, wrote: “Divided by 28 helicopters, the overall cost works out to $400 million per aircraft, roughly the same as the $410 million that the government paid in 1990 for the latest two Air Force One jetliners plus a hangar.”

There’s no doubt these new VH-71’s are bad-ass helicopters.

After months of violence, negotiation, pressure and reluctant compromise, opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai was sworn in on Wednesday as the prime minister of a government in which his nemesis, President Robert G. Mugabe, still dominates the repressive state security forces. 

After months of resisting intense pressure from leaders across southern Africa, Zimbabwe’s opposition leader, Morgan Tsvangirai, announced Friday that he would do as they have insisted and join a power-sharing government as prime minister with his longtime nemesis, President Robert Mugabe.

…

The challenges are monumental, and the distrust of Mr. Mugabe is so deep that it is uncertain whether the United States and European nations will lift sanctions and infuse substantial new aid for the reconstruction of Zimbabwe until they have solid evidence that he will agree to sweeping changes in the country’s disastrous economic policies, the restoration of the rule of law and democracy.

Today we are releasing the new official portrait for President Barack Obama.

It was taken by Pete Souza, the newly-announced official White House photographer.

It is the first time that an official presidential portrait was taken with a digital camera.

EXIF data:

Canon EOS 5D Mark II, taken 2009:01:13 17:38:39

No flash, 105.0mm focal length, 1/125 exp, f/10.0, ISO100

(via DF)

The cholera outbreak I wrote about last week is actually much worse than anyone suspected. Estimates put the number infected well over 15,000 and the number dead near 600. The Zimbabwean government seems to think Britain is planning a military invasion under the cover of cholera and will use that guise to oust Mugabe from power. The economic situation, believe it or not, has worsened and the government is “cracking down” on illegal currency trade. Inflation is officially at 231 million percent but that figure was last updated in July!

Finally, Desmond Tutu, the Nobel Peace laureate and former Anglican archbishop of Cape Town, said:

“I think now that the world must say: ‘You have been responsible with your cohorts for gross violations, and you are going to face indictment in The Hague unless you step down.’”

It seems that the pressure is mounting.

The BBC:

The number of people being infected with cholera is rising and nearly 9,000 cases have now been confirmed, the United Nations says.

Aid agency Oxfam earlier called on Zimbabwe’s government to declare a national health emergency.

It said ordinary Zimbabweans were desperately short of food, health care, clean water and safe sanitation, and the crisis is set to worsen significantly in December.

The economy is in free fall, with inflation last listed in July at 231,000,000%.

“The situation is under control, there is no need to declare it [an emergency],” Zimbabwean Deputy Health Minister Edwin Muguti told AFP news agency on Wednesday. ”These are results of punitive illegal sanctions imposed on us by the West… I am sure they like what they are seeing from this outbreak.”

Zimbabwe Doctors for Human Rights believes many people are dying at home where they are not being treated.

President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who at 84 clings to power after 28 years in office, barred another famed 84-year-old, former President Jimmy Carter of the United States, from entering the country Saturday.

“It seems obvious to me that leaders of the government are immune to reaching out for help for their own people,” Carter said at a news conference in Johannesburg. Carter said Zimbabwe’s ambassador in Washington had advised him he would not be issued a visa after he applied for one several weeks ago.

(IHT)

Obama with two campaign constants: his BlackBerry and his chief strategist, David Axelrod (via NYTimes.com)

Last week, I wondered what Obama used his Blackberry for. The man has dozens of aides and more than enough to think about. The NY Times printed an article this morning suggesting that Obama, as the 44th president, might have to turn over his Blackberry by law. G.W. Bush had to cease using his AOL.com email account 8 years ago because of those out to embarrass.

My wife met Obama in South Carolina a year or so ago, and he “promised” Jude he would help Zimbabwe. I doubt very seriously Obama will open his arms to this asshole.

The Digital PhotoJournalist:

Four years ago Time photographer Callie Shell met Barack Obama backstage when she was covering presidential candidate John Kerry. She sent her editor more photographs of Obama than Kerry. When asked why, she said, “I do not know. I just have a feeling about him. I think he will be important down the road.” Her first photo essay on Obama was two and half years ago. She has stuck with him ever since. 

(via Kottke)

(via Matador)

And it’s not even over yet. It’s only Monday.

For years now, they’ve told us that we can’t afford — that the government providing healthcare to all people is just unimaginable; it can’t be done. We don’t have the money to rebuild our infrastructure. We don’t have the money to wipe out poverty. We can’t do it. But all of a sudden, yeah, we do have $700 billion for a bailout of Wall Street.

(via DF)

Etown is an exciting weekly radio broadcast heard from coast to coast on NPR, public and commercial stations. Every etown show is taped in front of a live audience and features performances from many of today’s top musical artists as well as conversations and information about the world around us. At Etown, we build community through music.

They usually record the show in the small Boulder Theatre but moved to Denver this week to participate in the DNC. The musicians in attendance for last night’s show included Irma Thomas, Ani DiFranco, Tom Morello, David Crosby, Graham Nash, and James Taylor. This was my first etown show and I’ve gotta say: I loved every minute.

The best half-hour was the interview with the weekly “e-chievement award” recipient. The host, Nick Forester, presented the award to Bobby Kennedy, Jr. This guy looks exactly like his late father, and it’s been a long time since I’ve been so flat-out floored listening to someone talk. Named one of Time’s “Heroes for the Planet” a few years back, Bobby told us about the environment and his super-active role in protecting it. From Riverkeepers to the Arctic, from the farce that is “clean coal” to Iceland’s already-complete 3 year transformation to energy independence.

Sidebar: This last piece is fascinating. Iceland has taken every fossil fuel-burning car off the road, shut down all their coal and nuke plants, and are now so energy rich, they’re the third wealthiest nation on Earth. And they did it in just 3 years. Kennedy also told us Denmark, the UK and Brazil have signed on to make their own transformations as well.

We were awed. And we also had no idea this guy is a master falconer.

As for the music, Irma sang “Time is on my side” — a song she recorded well before the Stones. Ani told us about the church she’s renovating in downtown Buffalo and sang a few tunes, including “Evolving.” Tom Morello had only his acoustic guitar (and no other Rage Against the Machine bandmates) and sang a few songs. I never knew he went to Harvard. Crosby and Nash were, err, dare I say… boring. And James Taylor, who everyone wanted to see the most, wrapped up the taping. He did only two songs by himself — tunes from his upcoming “Covers” record to be released later this fall — then “When I’m Gone” with Crosby & Nash before inviting everyone back out for the grand finale: “This Land Is My Land.” Show started at 9 and wrapped up at midnight. I’m tired. Etown has a Flickr account, but there aren’t many photos there from last night. The show is set to be broadcast on the radio “sometime in October.”

Oh, on Larimer Street walking to dinner a few hours before the show, we bumped into a few hundred people, a dozen Secret Service SUVs and one rather well-known politician: Hillary Clinton. She was coming out dinner herself and raced off to the Pepsi Center for her “no way, no how” speech.

The timing of this year’s conventions poses a unique challenge for the Secret Service as well. Coming off protection details in China where U.S. dignitaries traveled for the Olympics, the agents and officers go straight to Denver for the Democratic National Convention and then have just three days before the Republican counterpart kicks off. In 2004, there were 32 days between the two conventions; and there were 11 days between the 2000 conventions.

We’ve been amazed by the number of people expressing interest in attending Barack’s acceptance speech on the final night of the Democratic National Convention here in Colorado. 

Unfortunately, there are only a certain number of seats in the stadium, and we cannot fulfill every Coloradan’s request to attend the event. 

Due to the high demand for Community Credentials, you have been placed on a wait list. 

We may be distributing more Community Credentials in the coming days, but we cannot guarantee that you will receive a credential. We will update you as we approach the beginning of the convention.

Bummer.

“People of Berlin, and people of the world, the scale of our challenge is great. The road ahead will be long. But I come before you to say that we are heirs to a struggle for freedom. We are a people of improbable hope. With an eye toward the future, with resolve in our hearts, let us remember this history, and answer our destiny, and remake the world once again.”

I like this guy.

His Excellency was perspiring, even though there was frost on the ground. In the palatial gardens of State House, the oak-panelled home of former British colonial rulers, Robert Mugabe’s face glistened with sweat as he was declared President of the Republic of Zimbabwe. He pulled at his cuffs and glanced over his shoulder.

After 28 years of bloody rule — and two hours before the election results were announced ‘live’ on state-controlled TV — Mugabe appeared anxious as he was sworn in for a record sixth term this week. His opponents had been killed or forced at gunpoint to vote in rigged elections.

Yet it wasn’t the international outcry over this that worried him. No, beneath the megalomania, what he must know is that he has already lost power, not to the persecuted opposition Movement for Democrat Change (MDC), but to a bloody — and secret — cabal.

The rest of the story is shocking, graphic, and so goddamned hard to believe. Read The Dirty Half-Dozen: The generals who are even more ruthless and bloodthirsty than Mugabe at the UK’s Daily Mail Online.

This represents a momentous turn around, especially for Russia which said previously it would not support sanctions. Some say stricter sanctions will lead to civil war; others say the “strict” sanctions already in place aren’t doing any good. But one thing is certain: something must be done.

For nearly a decade, Robert Mugabe has blamed the West for the country’s plight and exaggerated hyper-inflation. He has tried — and succeeded — in isolating Zimbabwe from the rest of the world by lambasting Bush, Blair and Brown calling them puppets or telling them to “go hang.” I find it ironic (and frankly quite stupid) that Zimbabwe’s Deputy Information Minister Bright was quoted as saying:

“It is the UK that is pushing for sanctions, but isolating and demonising Zimbabwe is not in the best interests of anyone. They should treat Zimbabwe as a partner rather than an enemy”

It’s almost comical. Sokwanele!

Mr. Mugabe was jostled unceremoniously by a crowd of reporters clutching tape recorders and cameras as he arrived at a cavernous conference hall in this Red Sea resort, where the African Union talks have been overshadowed by the Zimbabwe crisis.

At one point, according to African journalists who witnessed the incident, a British television reporter accused Mr. Mugabe of “stealing elections in your country.�?

Mr. Mugabe snapped back: “When are the British going to stop colonizing us? I am the president whether you like it or not.�?

via NYTimes.com

Supermarket chain Tesco has announced it will stop sourcing products from Zimbabwe while “the political crisis persists” there.

…

The retail giant buys around £1m ($1.9m) worth of goods, including vegetables, from Zimbabwe.