GorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal expensive technology from the future and return it to the past for retroinvention. The profits from this pay all the Gormogons’ bills, including subsidizing this website. Some of the products he has introduced from the future include oven mitts, the Guinness widget, Oxy-Clean, and Dr. Pepper. Due to his immense cybernetic brain, GorT is able to produce a post in 0.023 seconds and research it in even less time. Only ’Puter spends less time on research. GorT speaks entirely in zeros and ones, but occasionally throws in a ڭ to annoy the Volgi. He is a massive proponent of science, technology, and energy development, and enjoys nothing more than taking the Czar’s more interesting scientific theories, going into the past, publishing them as his own, and then returning to take credit for them. He is the only Gormogon who is capable of doing math. Possessed of incredible strength, he understands the awesome responsibility that follows and only uses it to hurt people.
So our dear readers write in to a screaming Czar about mechanical efficiencies when they have access to a time traveling robot?!?! Go figure. Well, before I dive into it, I’ll let GorT, Sr. chime in: I believe [the Czar] … Continue reading →
This is making the rounds on the internet (most recently, I saw it on Gizmodo): GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal expensive technology from the future and return it to the past … Continue reading →
The news isn’t getting better – there are reports that the Egyptian police forces are no longer patrolling the border with the Palestine-controlled Rafah (معبر رفح). Reports also indicate that armed Hamas members are crossing into Egypt and coordinating with … Continue reading →
WASHINGTON (AP) – House Speaker John Boehner and Sen. Joe Lieberman are introducing legislation to revive a school voucher program for District of Columbia students nearly two years after Congress began phasing out the program. In a statement Wednesday, Boehner … Continue reading →
Courtesy of FotG Jonathan Last: JACKPOT! GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal expensive technology from the future and return it to the past for retroinvention. The profits from this pay all the … Continue reading →
If you haven’t heard, current projections have the address space for internet addresses (version 4 – IPv4) being exhausted in the next year (current “X-day” as they’re calling it is January 20th, 2011). The IPv4 address format is 4 octets … Continue reading →
There are a few hot stories in the tech industry that I’d like to touch on today: First, Apple’s monster quarter. Apple did an amazing job – even during a period where consumers were more cautious in spending, they were … Continue reading →
Yes, it’s me again with another “climate change” post. The National Weather Service reported today that 49 out of the 50 states (plus the District of Columbia) have snow on the ground. Currently, Florida is the only state without snow … Continue reading →
No, not the entertainer – the neutrino sensor array in Antarctica was finished last month. It’s comprised of 86 tubes drilled over 2,000m into clear ice with over 5,000 basketball-sized detectors placed in the tubes. The “telescope” will observe neutrino … Continue reading →
On January 2, 2011, Major Richard Winters passed away in Palmyra, Pennsylvania. If you’re not familiar with Maj. “Dick” Winters then you probably didn’t watch the impressive “Band of Brothers” mini-series on HBO (later re-aired on a number of cable … Continue reading →
Courtesy of Dr. J we have this report. Generally I think this is a bunch of speak-think from the White House. President Obama is putting plans in motion to give the Commerce Department authority to create an Internet ID for … Continue reading →
January 1st is not only New Year’s Day but it is also “Public Domain Day” – the day on which works whose copyright has expired enter the public domain. However, the U.S. law has changed over the years to lengthen … Continue reading →
Care of small dead animals and Fox News: 1. Within a few years “children just aren’t going to know what snow is.” Snowfall will be “a very rare and exciting event.” Dr. David Viner, senior research scientist at the climatic … Continue reading →
Yes, I went and saw Tron 2 over the Christmas break. As a kid, I thought the original Tron, while campy and cheesy, had a certain cool element to it – at least in terms of Science Fiction entertainment. It … Continue reading →
One of our favs, Dr. J, writes in with some holiday wishes: Dear Gormogon’s, Dr. J. wishes all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. Best,Dr. J. We wish the Royal Surgeon and his extended family … Continue reading →
Follow this one: 1. An iTouch requires iTunes version 10.x or better (which, from the store displays isn’t readily apparent)2. iTunes 10.x on PowerPC-based Mac requires the “Snow Leopard” version of the Mac OS. (Side comment: get off the cutesy … Continue reading →
A nice, slow and relaxing morning in GorT’s house after midnight Mass. We had some flurries (no accumulation). Presents are open, stockings emptied…legos are being built, mini fashion shows going on and a little Wii gaming (by the way, “Just … Continue reading →
Every year since 1984, PNC Financial Services has compiled the “Christmas Price Index” (CPI). It measures the cost of each group* of items in the Christmas carol, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (a total of 78 items). They have a nice … Continue reading →
For those of you awake around 1:33am tomorrow morning (21st), there is a lunar eclipse. Eh, so what, you might say. Well, it is the first time in 372 years that the lunar eclipse falls on the winter solstice. Plus … Continue reading →
There is an article in the Tech section of the WaPo yesterday that points out that only 4-11% of the federal government allocated R&D funds are being applied towards individual agencies’ R&D efforts. This is yet another prime example of … Continue reading →
‘Puter is always right – yes, it’s been a while since we’ve thrown that phrase about. But let me supplement his post with one other aspect of the democrats’ argument for the Estate Tax – they will attempt to claim … Continue reading →
I read this and almost did a spit take on my keyboard. Nice! GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal expensive technology from the future and return it to the past for retroinvention. … Continue reading →
From the Dallas Morning News: Don Meredith died at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center, a hospital spokesman confirmed this morning. The Meredith family’s attorney, Lisa Fine Moses, said his wife, Susan, and daughter Mary were at his side.Meredith had … Continue reading →
Too good to even spoil this. read it (h/t Ed Driscoll – nice!) GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal expensive technology from the future and return it to the past for retroinvention. … Continue reading →
So liberals out in the Intranets are getting are riled up over the announcement by the GOP leadership that they plan on blocking all new legislation until two things are accomplished: (1) resolve the continuing resolution and (2) the tax … Continue reading →
First from our Royal Surgeon: “The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers,” Princess Leia. Your GorTness: Great post on how if the ‘rich suffer’ then everyone suffers. The Gormos are well … Continue reading →
First, let’s be clear, I’m not advocating the demise of any person here but when I came across this tidbit on the news (courtesy of MTV): If you see headlines this Wednesday about Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian giving up … Continue reading →
This debate continues to rage on, particularly in Washington, and sometimes in social circles where people of various political leanings mingle. Eventually, one will toss out a statement much like the title of this post, “Well, the rich can afford … Continue reading →
On November 22, 1783, John Hanson, died in his home state of Maryland. Who is John Hanson? Well, three of your Gormogons grew up and nominally call Maryland their home state so I found this tidbit to be of interest. Maryland is hardly … Continue reading →
Nice take on the woes in California and the future of that state as compared to others. Joel Kotkin, nice job. GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal expensive technology from the future … Continue reading →
We received this email in regards to airport screening: Here’s a solution to all of the controversy over the full-body scanners now being introduced at major airports. What is needed is a reinforced booth that you can step into that … Continue reading →
Well, it seems my post is generating some discussion. First, let me be clear that the point was that I don’t have issues with the body scanners. The pat-downs and other debacles that the TSA have engaged in, I do. … Continue reading →
Not that this is shocking news to our regular followers, but sometimes the Gormogons disagree with each other. Airport Security is possibly a case in point. While I fully agree that the government runs little well and shouldn’t be “in … Continue reading →
The Gormogons are remiss in celebrating the life of Stephen J. Cannell who passed away on September 30, 2010. Mr. Cannell worked hard (in his terms he strived for “over-performance”) to advance in a rough industry that he was interested … Continue reading →
According to a report released by UNESCO (the U.N. Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization – really? That’s a combination?) today, emerging ecnonomies such as China, India, and South Korea have increased their R&D spending as a percentage of their GDP. … Continue reading →
The “public trial” of sorts begins today for Charlie Wrangle (D-NY) for his alleged ethics violations – 13 counts. He has now asked the House Ethics Committee to postpone the trial as he has run out of money after paying … Continue reading →
Say it ain’t so, Joe Biden! In yet another example of (a) the failure of the Stimulus, (b) the failure of this administration creating those magical “green jobs” and (c) another example of the failure of this administration to deliver … Continue reading →
HuffPo decided to go after George W. Bush (he’s relevant politically now, right?) for plagiarism…of his own words! Dana Loesch over at Big Government does a nice job of taking it apart – check it out. The icing on the … Continue reading →
From the AP and Politico: The White House rewrote crucial sections of an Interior Department report to suggest an independent group of scientists and engineers supported a six-month ban on offshore oil drilling, the Interior inspector general says in a … Continue reading →
Maybe Bradgelina and the rest of the Hollywood A-listers can help with this. Fromt the SFGate: With one in every eight workers unemployed and empty state coffers, California is borrowing billions of dollars from the federal government to pay unemployment … Continue reading →
Dealing another blow to the Big Environment crowd, the Chicago Climate Exchange will shutdown next month. Citing issues with this administration being able to put any regulation requiring carbon trading. “The bulk of the users have said to us that … Continue reading →
Let’s see – we have the New Black Panther Party issue in 2008 in Philadelphia and now we hear about the same organization planning on going to polling places in a Texas county around Houston. And as reported here earlier, … Continue reading →
When you let Sleestak come along on a time traveling trip? He drops his phone and next we have this. Clean up is going to be a mess. GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels … Continue reading →
I saw on the interwebs a blog posting entitled “Eight False Things the Public ‘Knows’ Before Election Day”. It is hosted on a liberal leaning site and the bent can clearly be seen. I thought, for fun, I’d do a … Continue reading →
From Slashdot and Got Geoint: Fast Company reports that Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Margaret Hinkle will soon issue a decision on an intellectual property-related lawsuit that could ground the CIA’s Predator drones. Intelligent Integration Systems (IISi) alleges that their Geospatial … Continue reading →
Tom Bosley passed away today at the age of 83. Best known as Howard Cunningham, the beloved father on Happy Days, Bosley also starred in Murder, She Wrote and Father Dowling Mysteries. He was a World War II veteran having … Continue reading →
A researcher in Slovenia is conducting an experiment aimed at identifying and controlling robot-human pain thresholds. How hard can a robot poke, grab, etc. a human? It’s a worthwhile experiment as more and more interaction is liekly in our future. … Continue reading →
There is much made in the political scene over what could be construed as envy. Specifically, I’m speaking about wealth, income and what people have or don’t have. The rich. The poor. The democrats consistently delve into this socio-economic class … Continue reading →
It is rumored that Ridley Scott is back on the TV adaptation of the 1962 Philip K. Dick novel, “Man in the High Castle”. It sounds like it’s going to be a 4-hour event. For those unaware, the Hugo Award … Continue reading →
For a long time people were pointing the finger at “climate change” for the decline in the bee population. The decline is concerning as the ecosystem relies upon them for pollination. There were minor side targets such as cell phone … Continue reading →
I came across this story a few days ago and sort of wrote it off. But it’s starting to get a bit more play. Gladwell (whose books are excellent) makes a great point that the next revolution isn’t going to … Continue reading →
… can remember better than the WaPo. A new scientific study is out that shows how researchers can rapidly create non-embryonic based stem cells from skin cells. Maybe all those in the country who condemned President Bush’s stance on embryonic … Continue reading →
Apparently it is not going well in Tehran, Iran if you’re a computer professional. Iran has reportedly become desperate and is reaching out to computer experts across the globe, offering handsome rewards for assistance in clearing out the Stuxnet worm. … Continue reading →
…this isn’t the future of our Space Shuttles. Rough translation for those who do’t read Russian: An unprecedented case. Seemingly abandoned spaceship on the streets of Moscow – it is something from the realm of fantasy. But alas, this is … Continue reading →
AFL-CIO President Trumka spoke as part of a panel entitled, “Which Way for the Working Class? Elections 2010 and Beyond” (h/t Jim Hoft over at Big Government) and had some jaw-dropping comments. First, though, notice how these folks link a … Continue reading →
The GOP is tracking where the stupid Stimulus Signs are being posted. They’ve estimated that $192 Million has been spent on these signs to date. Check out the site – if you see one that isn’t listed, send it in. … Continue reading →
From Dr. J: Dear Gort,I completely echo your sentiments regarding President Obama’s alleged poor choice of words. There is a more insidious and ominous aspect to this statement. The use of the word absorb, regarding a terrorist attack, reveals the … Continue reading →
..some of ‘Puter’s Brawny paper towels. According to Greg Gutfield, in Bob Woodward’s new book, “Obama’s Wars” our President upon being warned of possible future terrorist attacks on U.S. soil said that the country can “absorb” it. Right. Ok. Absorb … Continue reading →
Maybe you voted for Obama enticed by his campaign message of “Hope and Change”. Well, how about this hope and change moment: his Department of Justice under Eric Holder has failed again. First we had the case of voter intimidation … Continue reading →
Let’s frame this correctly – President Obama, VP Biden and the Democrats in Congress have continued to tout the successes of the Stimulus Bill. Yesterday we get the following: The Los Angeles City Controller said on Thursday the city’s use … Continue reading →
Operative BG writes in tonight with the following referring to this post: Talk about getting it everything wrong. Look at the top center of that Time cover. The center story says, “Beyond Detente: Why We Can’t Beat The Soviets.” If … Continue reading →
Someone at the White House must be reading us – now that the science is pointing at a possible future cooling in the next decade, they (yes, the infamous “they”) are renaming “Global Warming” to “Global Climate Disruption”. Yawn. This … Continue reading →
Solar scientists that montior the Sun’s activity levels are predicting that by 2016, there may be no sunspots and it may remaint hat way for a few decades. Ok, so what, you ask? The last time this happened was in … Continue reading →
On the heels of O’Donnell’s primary win in Delaware, DNC Chairman Tim Kaine said, “Today the Republican Party has shown just how far right it has moved. While Americans in Delaware and across the country are eager for both parties … Continue reading →
Let’s review a few key quotes here first: “Some time in the next couple of months we’re going to be creating between 250,000 jobs a month and 500,000 jobs a month,” Biden said, April 23, 2010, Pittsburgh, PA Vice President … Continue reading →
That’s the sound as we march towards one of the biggest tax hikes in history under a President who said: “I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses that create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow. I will … Continue reading →
I think one could say that one group is a do-what-I-say-not-what-I-do…but we’ve heard that here before. GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal expensive technology from the future and return it to the … Continue reading →
In Dr. J’s excellent letter, I saw the following fragment, “The creeping doom began with wage controls during WWII…” and it got me thinking with regards to ongoing debates about immigration, unions and the global economy. First, let’s dispell any … Continue reading →
Summer at the Castle is wrapping up. School supplies are being acquired, last minute getaways are almost done and order to the chaos that was the kids’ summer schedules is returning. Of course, we have to deal with this little … Continue reading →
Yes, I’m diving back into the whole Climate Change/Global Warming/Global Cooling swirl. Specifically, while I agree the climate is changing (it’s changing all the time) I remain unconvinced that humans have had a significant impact on it. While in the … Continue reading →
Courtesy of GorT, Sr. we have the following information about the President’s latest “ass kicking” of BP with regards to the Gulf Oil spill. 1. BP will establish a $20 billion fund, but will pay only a third ($7 billion) into … Continue reading →
If the HAMP [“Home Affordable Modification Program,” designed to make mortgages cheaper. —ŒV] program was a batter in the MLB, it would be batting about .320 – pretty good if you’re in the MLB as only 6 batters have a … Continue reading →
We’ve had a few operatives chime in on the electricity debate which I’ll get to in a minute. To respond to the Czar: Amperage is not how many amperes move through a circuit in a given time. Amperage is the … Continue reading →
GorT received the following from one of the followers (are you one, Herbert?) Oh Gort, the sandals of whose electrons, I am not fit to touch…I humbly suggest that some scurrlious, nay, heretical enemies of the Mechanissiah have crept into … Continue reading →
A few recent posts have touched on Keynesian economics here and here – well, for those who haven’t heard of the “broken window fallacy”, watch the following video.Maybe a few points from Wikipedia would help: Arguments for public works projects … Continue reading →
GorT is on a special mission to the Pacific Northwest. Had to take care of the faux vampires here and investigate the weather patterns. Finally, I might catch a bit of this. More reports coming soon. Of course, I have … Continue reading →
From the WSJ. The Obama Stimulus efforts aren’t working and spending (in government efforts) isn’t leading us out of this. We’re likely heading for a double-dip recession. So much for VP “Say it ain’t so” Joe Biden‘s Summer of Recovery. … Continue reading →
So it looks like the Horizon rig oil spill in the Gulf may not be quite the environmental disaster that environmentalists and even President Obama indicate. To set the stage, President Obama stated, “the worst environmental disaster America has ever … Continue reading →
The WaPo continues the lame expose series on the Intelligence Community and its workforce today. There is little to add (as it’s another 16 slides of the same stuff ‘Puter covered below) but I will dispute the following: The idea … Continue reading →
I receive a monthly industry journal from a particular vendor in the geospatial software line of business. The most recent one had an article detailing the use of their product with regards to mapping out population and economic growth and … Continue reading →
Gormogon follower Ted writes in with the following (in response to this one): I loved your post on proposals to balance the budget. My own humble offering to increase the speed at which this is done is to cap Congressional … Continue reading →
So when the majority party (Democrats) in Congress fail to execute one of their core duties through their cowardly non-vote approval of a budget what do you do? Well, the Republican Study Committee (RSC) decided to work up one of … Continue reading →
A colleague recently pointed to a WSJ (subscription needed) interview with Liberty Media’s John Malone. Mr. Malone is normally a reluctant interviewee, but he came out of his shell with some choice nuggets. To summarize, Mr. Malone thinks this country … Continue reading →
Human Events reported on July 2nd the following: Last night, as part of a procedural vote on the emergency war supplemental bill, House Democrats attached a document that “deemed as passed” a non-existent $1.12 trillion budget. The execution of the … Continue reading →
The first clip is a bit long at 9 minutes and if you can’t stomach the whole thing, I’d recommend watching the first 2-3 minutes and then the last minute. What a clown. The second clip is from the POTUS … Continue reading →
Hmmm, maybe in some ways – we’re able to see right through them. Can you imagine if this were a different president from a different party? GorTGorT is an eight-foot-tall robot from the 51ˢᵗ Century who routinely time-travels to steal … Continue reading →
…made the statement against us becoming “a nation of bloggers.” Steve Jobs and Apple are now facing a number of lawsuits based on violations of the Federal Communications Act, defect in design, product liability related to negligence and breach of … Continue reading →
and then after a while, the wheels start falling off. Kudos to ABC News for reporting the following (h/t Jennifer Rubin at Commentary). This could really spell trouble if Obama gets tied closer to the Blago senate seat issue. And … Continue reading →
For many of us that grew up in the 70s and 80s, cartoons (both afternoon and Saturday morning) hold a special place. Whether it was Scooby Doo (pre-Scrappy), Jonny Quest (not sure I’m up for Zac Efron as Jonny) or … Continue reading →
So the ‘net is all a-buzz about the new iPhone4. AT&T stores are swamped this morning (seriously, I saw a line outside one as I drove into the office) as rumors circulate that new shipments of the phones have arrived. … Continue reading →
There’s been plenty of discourse about McChrystal and Petraeus and how this plays out with Obama’s prior comments about Petreaus but one thing that hasn’t been widely covered is the following: “courageous restraint”. Dr. J wrote in a few days … Continue reading →
The Volgi pointed me to this blog post via The Corner – there is a website where you can page thru an online catalog of RadioShack catalogs. For those of you too young or not in-the-know, these were thick, mailed catalogs … Continue reading →
Courtesy of Slashdot, I came across a EE Times article detailing why engineers don’t like Twitter. In their survey, 85% of engineers surveyed (albeit a somewhat small survey, in my opinion) don’t use Twitter. Some excerpts from the article/survey results: … Continue reading →
Apple updated its privacy policy yesterday with some troubling language that permits Apple to collect, store and share “precise location data, including the real-time geographic location of your Apple computer or device” with the caveat that the data is “collected … Continue reading →
President Obama has racked up 39 rounds of golf since taking office in January 2009. He had a (likely) record setting pace, reaching 24 rounds by the end of October 2009. A feat the much-maligned President Bush took over 33 … Continue reading →
Issue #1: Taxes Country #1 has a “13% flat tax” (albeit not a strict flat tax) and is doing away with capital gains taxes on long-term investments starting in 2011 – largely to attract more investment into domestic businesses. Country … Continue reading →
This morning, let me give you two examples of the utter failure of the “Hope and Change” administration. First, in yet another example of the Obama Amateur Hour, Secretary of State Clinton announced on an Ecuadorian television interview that the … Continue reading →
California spends about $60 million annually tracking 7,000 convicted sex offenders with GPS technology. However, even with $60 million, they are running a backlog of approximately 31,000 alerts. These alerts include severed straps (i.e. the device was removed), exclusion zones … Continue reading →
As a minor follow up on the soccer vs. baseball thread, I will point out that the GorT spawn first experienced a “fairness” rule in baseball. This was after they had a number of years of experience with soccer, lacrosse … Continue reading →
