An artist's rendering showing how the Phoenix Mars Lander would touch down on its three legs.

“The Sunday landing on the Red Planet's arctic plains -- which ended a 296-day journey -- was right on target, a feat NASA's Ed Weiler compared to landing a hole-in-one with a golf ball from 10,000 miles.” Source :CNN

The problem that I have with NASA and its mind-boggling engineering feats is that why cannot the small hole-in-ones be replicated here on Mother Earth—were we need them badly.  

That said, I just don’t understand the zeal and quest for further space exploration when a multitude of social and environmental problems exist at home already.  

How about developing an effective early warning system for earthquakes, tornados or find a cure for AIDS, Cancer etc.

Does anyone have any thoughts or care about these issues?

This gaping “crack” in our criminal justice system treats a mere five grams of crack cocaine - roughly two cubes of sugar - the same as 500 grams of powder cocaine. Someone caught in possession of five grams of crack is subject to a mandatory five-year sentence. That’s nearly 2,000 days behind bars!

And for you out there that think this only happens to others, well think again for situations like this and other miscarriages of justice transpire to people like you and me more often than popular belief leads us.

For the full story click here. 

Alabama sheriffs feed inmates on $1.75 a day

Is this a corrupt system or not? Or should the prisoners and the public not complain for in other parts of the world millions live day to day on less. Or, according to County Sheriff Shaver "These people eat better here than they eat on the street, and they eat three times a day," offer a better reason to justify this aged old system.

For the full story click here

I originally posted this in November 2007.

Parents say fake online 'friend' led to girl's suicide - CNN.com

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• Nov 18, 2007

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Parents say fake online 'friend' led to girl's suicide - CNN.com

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/11/17/...

Story Highlights Family says teen was upset after "Josh" ended their friendship on MySpace "Josh" turned out to be the creation of a neighborhood family Parents want the people who made the fraudulent online profile to be prosecuted Girl's mother: Law enforcement officials say the case doesn't fit into any lawNext Article in U.S. »

1 comment

I believe that this story should be read by the entire Vox community. Should something be done? And if so, what?

7 comments Tags: myspace, suicide

Now it is time for the lasted update 16 May 08. And from my perspective, it looks like justice has been properly served.

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- The groundbreaking move by federal authorities to indict a Missouri mother on charges connected to the suicide of a 13-year-old MySpace user has sent a strong message to the online world: Internet impostors may be prosecuted

"The Internet is a world unto itself. People must know how far they can go before they must stop," FBI official Salvador Hernandez said Thursday as prosecutors unveiled a case that employs laws usually used against hackers to go after the alleged perpetrator of a false-identity hoax.

Lori Drew, 49, of suburban St. Louis, Missouri, was charged with conspiracy and fraudulently gaining access to someone else's computer. She allegedly helped create a MySpace account in the name of someone who didn't exist to convince young neighbor Megan Meier she was chatting with a 16-year-old boy named Josh Evans.

Megan hanged herself at home in October 2006, allegedly after receiving a dozen or more cruel messages, including one stating the world would be better off without her.

"They exploited a young girl's weaknesses," Hernandez charged. "Whether the defendant could have foreseen the results, she's responsible for her actions."

He called the case "heart-rending."

For full story, click here.

Woman cleared in killing questions prosecutors She spent two years in prison for husband's alleged arsenic death Denis Poroy / AP Cynthia Sommer talks to reporters after she was freed Friday. With no proof that Sommer was the source of the arsenic detected in her hubands's liver, the government relied heavily on circumstantial evidence of her financial debt and  spending sprees to argue that she had a motive to killer her husband.

Has justice been served?  I believe so, for our criminal justice system is not perfect. However, Ms. Sommer could have helped herself as far as not raising suspicion by maintaining a somewhat (reasonable) profile after the mysterious death of her husband.  

What Ms. Sommer needs is a few classes on impression management for one should wait until the dusk settles before undertaking questionable conduct.  Remember, regardless of what anyone believes, what others think about you REALLY does matter.

Original link: here