The Halls Of Power

Black history has been a progressive climb from without the lowest echelons of society during slavery to the highest. When you think of black history, we often think of the civil rights movement, of John Brown’s violent protests, of the Underground Railroad. But black history doesn’t end with any one event. It is always in the process of being made every day. Even in the last ten years, huge steps forward have been made at the very top governmental positions by notable and highly qualified black Americans who are making all of us proud in the contributions they are making to America. Colin Powell was an accomplished general who demonstrated with quiet dignity and authority that he could lead many men into battle. He was rewarded for his valiant efforts finally reaching the very top levels of the government serving as President Bush’s Secretary of State in his first administration. Throughout the halls of government and anywhere Secretary Powell served, he was treated with respect and the honor that he deserved for serving his country so well. Following the honorable service of Colin Powell a just as distinguished public servant, a black woman by the name of Condoleezza Rice. It was a proud day when she stepped into that office showing how far America had come from the days when blacks could not eat in the same restaurants as whites or drink from the same drinking fountains. And her service has been just as distinguished, meeting with heads of state from Africa to Europe to the Middle East to South America and making great accomplishments throughout her career. These two black Americans are true examples of Doctor King’s vision of people who were recognized not for the color of their skin but the content of their character. Their excellence as leaders and their amazing resume’s they brought to their jobs provide tremendous inspiration to black boys and girls in school that they too can rise up in this society and go as far as they want to go if they let their natural gifts and skills come to the surface. They do not need a government program or special help to succeed. America has far to go but Dr. Rice and General Powell are examples that the system can reward black people of excellence and will not over look the contributions they can make to America’s future. And now we are on that part of black history that is yet to be. The future is a part of black history yet to be written. And we witness another black leader of excellence preparing to be considered for the very top position of power in the country, perhaps in the world, the presidency of the United States. And as with General Powell and Dr. Rice, Barrack Obama will not be judged as a black man or in the context of the racial struggle in this country. Already he is being admired and praised for his leadership, his eloquence and his ability to bring new vision to this country. It is a day of pride for all of black America to see Barrack Obama be considered for this position. He will have to work hard and be judged on his talents, skills, experience and ability to lead. But it’s a testimony to how far the country has come that he has just as much of a chance to win that election as any other candidate. And if he wins he will knock down one more barrier to black people and throughout African American society, children will be able to say, there is nothing I cannot do if I try hard. And that is the vision every civil right leader since the civil war has wanted for blacks in America.

The Replacements

By Wayne D. Shemwell, Sr.

I have been a fan of professional football since 1964. I've seen again change in many ways some good some not so good. I've enjoyed watching the game grow in popularity since the days of the old NFL and AFL. I watched the Super Bowl grow from an obscure novelty to one of the largest sporting events in the world.

I've also endured through the conflicts between owners and players and their contagious battles over and ever larger slice of the pie. I watch the game change, no holds bar gladiatorial slug-fest to where it is today evolving in its attempt to protect the players. That is why I am appalled and what is occurring on the field every time two teams play.

I know I'm not alone in my concern for the game of football today. What we are witnessing every Sunday, every Monday and Thursday nights would be laughable if not for the fact someone will eventually be hurt. These replacement referees have turned a noble sport into it unqualified joke. After witnessing what I can only classify as the most absurd and poorly refereed football game I've ever witnessed.

There were numerous missed call in the game between Green Bay and Seattle. There were calls made that were absolutely unjustified. Then there was the way the game ended that series of mistakes cost Green Bay the game. I am not a Green Bay Packers fan, but I am a football fan and I am a fan of Fair play. There was nothing fair about the way that game ended and for the league office to support such an obvious miscarriage of justice is beyond belief.

Commissioner Goodell and team owners need to resolve this referee lockout as expeditiously as possible before the integrity of the game suffers irreparable damage. There are always questionable calls when humans are involved but what we are seeing now is the dismantling of an institution. The integrity of the NFL brand is in danger if these replacements are allowed to continue the inept way they have been calling games.

The eyes of the world will be on the NFL Thursday night when the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns take the field. I know I like many other football fans will be watching closely how this game is being played and the calls made by these replacements. Should there be another debacle like last night I think the fans should boycott the games. If the Commissioner and the owners don't care about the quality of their product then we as consumers must impress upon them the fact that we do care about the quality of the product.

The Era Of Vicious Politics

 By Wayne Shemwell

I've been involved in politics for nearly 40 years in one fashion or another. I worked with my mother when she was involved in local politics. I actually worked at the polls for a number of elections and helped local alderman with their daily activities. Additionally in both high school and college I was involved in campus politics. So I'm no stranger to the antics and tactics politicians use to make a point.

My first presidential election was 1976 and yes I voted for Jimmy Carter. I don't think I've missed a presidential election since 1976 now I can't say the same for the local and state elections. But I am involved in politics in one form or another even today. I've had the opportunity to address state Senate committees on several issues of concern. I also ran for city Council when the county and city merged here in Louisville. The attempt was unsuccessful and it did get a bit contentious. But I understand that a certain level of animosity and clear competition are to be expected in a political campaign.

But what I see today is the lack of a better word is disgusting; it is the vilest form of mudslinging I have ever witnessed. Now don't get me wrong I know that this is big boy politics and to be fair President Bush took his share of insults when he was in office. But it seems to me that the level of animosity has reached a new high. It seems that the Republican Party is entrenched in opposing whatever president Obama suggests. Now we learn that during his inauguration the Republicans were meeting to form a strategy to make Mr. Obama a one term president.

And now as the election gets closer the Republicans just seem angry. I watch all of the news channels CNN, Fox, and MSNBC so I can get a full picture of the political landscape. But watching Fox this morning all of the commentators seem so angry at President Obama. I remember some of the things said about President Bush, he was a C student and all of the jokes about his intelligence. But none of those attacks are as vicious and vile as the attacks president Obama has endured during his first term.

Right from the beginning there were those that questioned whether or not Mr. Obama was even an American citizen. And unfortunately there are those on the right who are still advocating that president Obama is not an American citizen. It doesn't matter that the Republican governor of Hawaii offered proof of Mr. Obama's citizenship, with an official Hawaiian birth certificate. Then you have the other faction that insists president Obama is a Muslim.

I don't want to raise the specter of race, but I do wonder if Obama was white with we have the same type of opposition. Washington has been mired for the past three years in partisan bickering. While the average American suffers in the worst economy as the Great Depression. Republicans refuse to work with President Obama on any issue. I recall the president Obama was giving the state of the union in someone from the gallery yelled liar. This is the level of contempt that exists between the parties in Congress today.

So what are we to do, we the people are suffering as our elected officials in Washington act like children? I do not have an answer just these observations, I hope the distinguished gentleman in Washington will wake up and realize they are there to help the people.

The House That Stood Alone

Life is fragile, life is fleeting and life will end. This is a fact that each of must face and it is inevitable that no matter how we try change will occur. In the bible the book of James 4:14 declares,” You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

My family and I moved into the west end of Louisville in 1966, we were among the first black families to buy property in this area of the city. My parents bought a home in the 500 block of south western parkway, The west end at the time was an area that was predominantly white. There were a few black families in the neighborhood, but foremost part it was still a white conclave. However, as a child in the second grade this didn’t matter much in my limited view of the world.

In short order I had made many friends in my new world and many of them didn’t have the same pigment. That was never a problem, we played and enjoyed the things that all the same games and things. But time moved on and things did change for us, it was not a racial change it was a change in the physical appearance of our neighborhood.
The Jefferson county school system needed to build new schools and the west end was slated to get some new schools. There was a plot selected for one of the new schools and it was located down the street from my home. It would entail the demolition of a number of homes that were located on south western parkway.

I as a child was not privy to the nature of the transactions that occurred but the results I am very clear of the results. The 500 block of the parkway was to be cleared for the new school and most of the home owners at the time agreed and sold their homes. I had a number of childhood friends who lived in that block and I watched as the packed up and moved away.

But there was one family that refused to give up their dream home and they fought and they stayed. That was the Elmore family and their home has stood as a testament to the fact that a man’s home is his castle and eminent domain has its limits.
So when I read in the paper today, that the school system had finally acquired the property after nearly fifty years of trying without success. I knew that there would not be any fanfair; there would probably not be any real notice that there will be a change in the landscape of the parkway.

The late reverend A.J. Elmore was a friend and his wife Mrs. Ann Elmore was my English teacher in high school. I played with and grew up with their children in a time when it was a village that raised the kids of our neighborhood. I know from personal experience that they were proud of the fact that they held on to their home and raised their children in the place that they had selected. The government and the powers that be could not move them, they fought and won the right to stay in the home that they had worked for and God was with them.

So when I read that the school system plans to demolish their home it felt as though another part of my childhood was being destroyed. But the bible I think says it best, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

They will eventually demolish the home but the principle will live on in the hearts of many of the house that stood alone on the Parkway.

Where have all the Statesmen Gone?

I think we all can agree that America is facing a serious economic crisis, one that is comparable to the great depression of the thirties. We see unemployment and foreclosures destroying the hopes and dreams of the middle-class.

We have a debit and deficit that are threatening the futures of our children and grandchildren. Underlying all this disparaging news is the fact that America is losing ground in every major category we use to measure the status of a nation on the world stage. We can no longer claim the title of number one in many extremely important areas. We have fallen behind in education, specifically in math and science.

The three-yearly OECD program for International Student Assessment (PISA) report, which compares the knowledge and skills of 15-year-olds in 70 countries around the world, ranked the United States 14th out of 34 OECD countries for reading skills, 17th for science and a below-average 25th for mathematics.

Although we still are ranked number one world –wide in GDP according to several sources the United States is still the number one producer on the world stage. However, the European Union and The People’s Republic of China are close on our heels.

With that said we can’t forget that China is the United States number one creditor holding over 900 billion dollars of U.S. bonds. This equates to approximately $3000.00 for every man woman and child in the United States. We arrived at this point because of numerous factors and the actions of both political parties.

So why now do we see our elected officials fighting as though they were children on the playground. We see petty political posturing and polarizing rhetoric. We have republicans politicians using terms like “let’s take our country back.” This is a blatant attempt to play the race card and cause even more division among the electorate. We have democrats wanting to raise taxes on the wealth as though it was the fault of the wealthy that we are in this predicament.

So how do we get beyond all the name calling and bitterness? What good does all of the political positioning do when it comes to addressing the serious problems we as a nation now face? What happened to working for the good of the people? What happened to compromise to move forward?

Why have we developed an all or nothing mantra toward each other? What happened to statesmanship? What happened to true leadership? Let’s face the truth we are all going to have to sacrifice if we are to solve our nation’s economic woes.

Look households across the country have to make hard decisions for their financial health. Basically the adults in the home make a plan that will bring the family finances back to a healthy status. In other words they live within their means.

Will the adults in Washington PLEASE STAND UP!!!

It July 2, 2011 and I am sitting here in my nice home, enjoying all the things those who have made the ultimate sacrifice have given me and all of us who live in this the greatest democracy the world has ever known.

I am listen to the young people set off their fireworks and I wonder if they really understand why? Why do you really celebrate this day? Why is the fourth of July such an important day for our nation? These teenagers who are outside my home setting off these fireworks are doing this because they can. But the truth is they are doing this because of those have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

On July the fourth as we did with Memorial Day, there will be backyard barbecues and all sorts of fun. Will any one of us really consider what we are celebrating? There will be ribs and potato salad, and many other culinary delights. We will consume copious amounts of adult beverages. We will spend our time in a family oriented may lay that will not even find a moment to considered what the day is really about.

I am not trying to put a damper on any of the Fourth of July activities. I just think that there should be a moment when we all gather together. Before the meal, before the party when we say thank you. Thank you for allow us to be born in a country with options. Thank you for those who felt compelled to stand up and fight for our way of life.

No matter where you live or how you live, if look at the world, this is still the greatest nation on the planet. The world looks to us for just about everything. So as you do what you do on the fourth, remember it’s not about the department store sales. It’s really not about all the food you will consume.

It’s about the lives that were lost and continue to be lost so that you and I can have a day like the fourth of July.

The day Our Music Died

I don’t how many of you remember the movie “La bomba “ that highlighted the death of Richie Valance, the “Big Bopper and the legendary Buddy Holly. Don McCllean immortalized this incident in his iconic song “The Day The Music Died.”

That tragedy was the biggest tragedy of the original rock and roll era and for many of our parents and grandparents they can tell you where they were when the news broke. But we in our generation have had our day of tragedy as well on June 25, 2009 the world stood still and cried a collective cry.

Michael Jackson was dead, I personally can't believe that it has been two years but the facts are the facts. MJ is gone and despite what some may think of him and his personal life, he was the greatest entertainer that the world has ever seen.

This not just hyperbole on my part the numbers support the statement that he was the best this world has ever seen. In an earlier post I spoke of how was blessed to see him on two occasions. But what I have found the most remarkable is how the world embraced and loved this little boy from Gary, Indiana.

This morning while watching the news I saw where a grandmother in China who gets up every day and goes to the town square and with her boom box, dances for hours to Michael’s music. I forgot to mention that she is also dressed like Michael, leather jacket and glove.

Although I am sad that one talented is gone, I am glad there have not been any sighting of Michael as we have had with the late ‘Topuc shukur.” Michael the undisputed king of pop is gone but his musical legacy will remain forever.
He now forever enshrined in the pantheon of musical royalty. Yes he was just a man, but what legacy, rest in peace Michael, we will always LOVE YOU!!!

Breaking The Law?

This week I’ve been conducting an experiment, it’s not according to any of the scientific norms. There are no control groups or surveys. This is simply the observations of one man me. The experiment is very simple in scope and will not win any awards for originality.

The experiment was the result of a very innocent question posed by my 17 year old daughter, who is now learning to drive. It has been a great experience for me to spend time with her as she achieves this milestone in a young person’s life.
She has made it her duty to not only read but take to heart the regulations set forth in the driver’s manual.

A few weeks ago while we were driving on the expressway she asked “daddy isn’t the speed limit 55 miles an hour.” I told her yes it is then she replied “then why are you doing almost 70 miles an hour?” My response was “because everyone else is going 70 miles an hour.” Then she looked at me and said, “So everybody is breaking the law.”

I had no viable response, what could I say. She was right, we all were breaking the law. The says we are suppose to travel 55 miles an hour but no one travels on the highway at the speed limit. Why do you do this on regular basis, without thinking about the fact that we are breaking the law?

So this week I decided to do something radical, I traveled the speed limit. This was an eye opening experience. While travelling the speed limit I was the enemy of everyone I encountered. There were several drivers who gave me the international greeting know as the “bird.” I encountered one woman who let her window down and questioned whether my parents were married.

I also had several gentlemen who wanted to it seemed resurrect the age old custom of a duel, right there on the highway. In short by following the law I became public enemy number one. I can look at my daughter and try to stand up as a person of morals and law abiding when daily I am breaking the law every time I get in my vehicle, I break the law.

But I am defiantly not alone as my experiment, although not scientific showed. We watch the news every night and look at those persons who in court with disgust. But the fact is breaking the law is breaking the law, we are such Hippocrates. We choose to obey the laws that we feel are important, but the others we ignore because they are an imposition on are time.

I know this little experiment of mine won’t change any driving habits, but maybe, just maybe the next time you get behind the wheel that little voice we call our conscience will whisper, YOU ARE BREAKING THE LAW!!!

Are all Men are dogs?

Hello, wake-up America, men and women are sexual by design, and affairs don’t occur in a vacuum. I said it in order to have an affair a man must have a willing partner. Before I go any further, it must be said that an affair cannot occur if didn’t women enjoy an occasional roll in the hay. The sexual drive of human beings is the study of many social disciplines.

We seem surprised as a nation when our leaders are caught in a sex scandal. It makes the headlines and we sit back and enjoy every moment of the individual’s discomfort. It’s the same instinct that cases us to slow down at vehicle accident sites.
So now we move on to the next scandal, with Congressman Wiener and what the media has named “wiener gate” in an effort to take this mans indiscretion and turn it into a major issue. Does anyone remember that we are facing an economic crisis that rivals the great depression?

Does anyone look at the fact gasoline is nearly $5.00 a gallon. But seriously, I too would like to have people in congress who where perfect. However, there are no perfect people. We all struggle with the skeletons in our closets. Those things that if they came to light might make us and our friends ask questions about the way we live.

So what do we do? So how do we get beyond this situation?

Look deep into your heart and see if there is something there you need to overcome? This is the latest and believe me he won’t be the last person in a position of power who makes a mistake. Did congressman wiener put a dent in his reputation? Yes, unfortunately he did and now he has caused us to take the focus off the serious problems America faces and we Americans must deal with this crap despite who congressman Weiner sends text too. Who this man sent pictures too is not relevant to the stark economic problems we face.

Yes, in the long run, in his next election, he might be defeated. But anyone considering that challenge may won’t to consider their own personal demons.
The people he represents will have to make the choice of whether he will remain on the job.

Onward Christian Soldiers

Once again I am watching law and order and the lead characters is a pastor of a church and his son. They are characters that have been designed as greedy and ill moral. I am still amazed at how many times that Christians are portrayed in a negative light.

I understand that those of us who believe in Jesus Christ are not perfect people. But is concerning that Christians are fair game for those who do not share the Christian point of view. I have personally never seen a television program that portrays any other religion in such a negative way as they do Christian on network television.

The frequency with which Christians are made to look like hypocrites is alarming to me personally. Because this attitude of humanism is beginning to permeate the world view of our children and they are the leaders of tomorrow. We have already seen the constant assault on the institution of marriage. I have now anger or animosity toward any human being. But we have in our technologically advanced society but God on the back burner.

It has been almost fifty years since we took prayer out of schools and we are now reaping the harvest of that decision. Now we see in a recent study that marriage itself has become an undesirable state. There are several studies that show the number of people in our country that are married is less than those who just shack-up.

In the black community the stats are even more disheartening nearly 80% of all black children born in this country are born to single mothers. The number one killer of black women between the ages of 24 to 45 is AIDS.

Yet we see on television that Christians are somehow out of touch with reality, we need to get in line with the way things are today. We think this is something new and we are growing into some brave new world. So we have developed the attitude that everyman should do what is right in his own mind. Because there is no right and there is no wrong only shades of gray.

This type of thinking led to the down fall of the Roman Empire, when morality goes, society is not far behind. We debate until the proverbial cows come home but there are absolutes in life and a major one it that when a people turn their backs on God, God will do the same.

Lost With Out Space

My title today is of course a play on the tile of the sixties series “Lost in Space.” But it does ring true to the situation we find ourselves in regarding the American space program. I am a child of the space program and have followed it since May 5, 1961 when Allen Sheppard was the first American in space.

I watched the old black and white pictures as the late Walter Cronkite anchored the coverage of the launch. He recalled in a later interview that they weren’t sure if the rocket wouldn’t blow up on the pad. I however, watch with the amazement of a child and marveled at the possibilities.

I became fascinated with all things associated with the space program. I watched every launch I could from the Mercury program to the Apollo moon landings. When the shuttle program came along I even applied for a mission specialist position, knowing I had no hope but you can’t win if you don’t play the game. I still have a rejection letter from NASA somewhere I use to display proudly.

But I did manage to contribute to the space program in a small way. After leaving the Marine Corps I worked for a sub contractor that provided components for the shuttles orbital thrusters. I even had the honor of going to Edwards Air Force Base to watch the rollout of the shuttle Endeavor.

On Wednesday Endeavor will complete her final mission and a few weeks later the last shuttle Intrepid will make the final journey of the shuttle program. I know that there are a lot more important things that we need to be concerned about in America. But I recall a time when there was a national pride in our space program. There was a time when our eyes were glued to the television watching a Gemini space walk or a man walk on the moon.

We have seen and endured tragedy in our pursuit of overcoming the bounds of earth and venturing boldly into the unknown. However our pursuit was not in vain, the space program is responsible for a host of technological advances. The following is list of a few of the advances.

Computer Technology - NASA Spinoffs

GROUND PROCESSING SCHEDULING SYSTEM - Computer-based scheduling system that uses artificial intelligence to manage thousands of overlapping activities involved in launch preparations of NASA's Space Shuttles. The NASA technology was licensed to a new company which developed commercial applications that provide real-time planning and optimization of manufacturing operations, integrated supply chains, and customer orders.uu

SEMICONDUCTOR CUBING - NASA initiative led to the Memory Short Stack, a three-dimensional semiconductor package in which dozens of integrated circuits are stacked one atop another to form a cube, offering faster computer processing speeds, higher levels of integration, lower power requirements than conventional chip sets, and dramatic reduction in the size and weight of memory-intensive systems, such as medical imaging devices.

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS - This NASA program, originally created for spacecraft design, has been employed in a broad array of non-aerospace applications, such as the automobile industry, manufacture of machine tools, and hardware designs.

WINDOWS VISUAL NEWS READER (Win Vn) - Software program developed to support payload technical documentation at Kennedy Space Center, allowing the exchange of technical information among a large group of users. WinVn is an enabling technology product that provides countless people with Internet access otherwise beyond their grasp, and it was optimized for organizations that have direct Internet access.

AIR QUALITY MONITOR - Utilizing a NASA-developed, advanced analytical technique software package, an air quality monitor system was created, capable of separating the various gases in bulk smokestack exhaust streams and determining the amount of individual gases present within the stream for compliance with smokestack emission standards.

VIRTUAL REALITY - NASA-developed research allows a user, with assistance from advanced technology devices, to figuratively project oneself into a computer-generated environment, matching the user's head motion, and, when coupled with a stereo viewing device and appropriate software, creates a telepresence experience.

Other spinoffs in this area include: Advanced keyboards, Customer Service Software, Database Management System, Laser Surveying, Aircraft controls, Lightweight Compact Disc, Expert System Software, Microcomputers, and Design Graphics.

ENRICHED BABY FOOD - A microalgae-based, vegetable-like oil called Formulaid developed from NASA-sponsored research on long duration space travel, contains two essential fatty acids found in human milk but not in most baby formulas, believed to be important for infants' mental and visual development.

WATER PURIFICATION SYSTEM - NASA-developed municipal-size water treatment system for developing nations, called the Regenerable Biocide Delivery Unit, uses iodine rather than chlorine to kill bacteria.

SCRATCH-RESISTANT LENSES - A modified version of a dual ion beam bonding process developed by NASA involves coating the lenses with a film of diamond-like carbon that not only provides scratch resistance, but also decreases surface friction, reducing water spots.

POOL PURIFICATION - Space technology designed to sterilize water on long-duration spacecraft applied to swimming pool purification led to a system that uses two silver-copper alloy electrodes that generate silver and copper ions when an electric current passes through them to kill bacteria and algae without chemicals.

RIBBED SWIMSUIT - NASA-developed riblets applied to competition swimsuits resulted in flume testing of 10 to 15 percent faster speeds than any other world class swim-suit due to the small, barely visible grooves that reduce friction and aerodynamic drag by modifying the turbulent airflow next to the skin.

GOLF BALL AERODYNAMICS - A recently designed golf ball, which has 500 dimples arranged in a pattern of 60 spherical triangles, employs NASA aerodynamics technology to create a more symmetrical ball surface, sustaining initial velocity longer and producing a more stable ball flight for better accuracy and distance.

PORTABLE COOLERS/WARMERS - Based on a NASA-inspired space cooling system employing thermoelectric technology, the portable cooler/warmer plugs into the cigarette lighters of autos, recreational vehicles, boats, or motel outlets. Utilizes one or two miniaturized modules delivering the cooling power of a 10-pound block of ice and the heating power of up to 125 degrees Fahrenheit.

SPORTS TRAINING - Space-developed cardio-muscular conditioner helps athletes increase muscular strength and cardiovascular fitness through kinetic exercise.

ATHLETIC SHOES - Moon Boot material encapsulated in running shoe midsoles improve shock absorption and provides superior stability and motion control.

Other spinoffs in this area include: Dustbuster, shock-absorbing helmets, home security systems, smoke detectors, flat panel televisions, high-density batteries, trash compactors, food packaging and freeze-dried technology, cool sportswear, sports bras, hair styling appliances, fogless ski goggles, self-adjusting sunglasses, composite golf clubs, hang gliders, art preservation, and quartz crystal timing equipment.


Environmental and Resource Management - NASA Spinoffs

MICROSPHERES - The first commercial products manufactured in orbit are tiny microspheres whose precise dimensions permit their use as reference standards for extremely accurate calibration of instruments in research and industrial laboratories. They are sold for applications in environmental control, medical research, and manufacturing.

SOLAR ENERGY - NASA-pioneered photovoltaic power system for spacecraft applications was applied to programs to expand terrestrial applications as a viable alternative energy source in areas where no conventional power source exists.

WEATHER FORECASTING AID - Space Shuttle environmental control technology led to the development of the Barorator which continuously measures the atmospheric pressure and calculates the instantaneous rate of change.

FOREST MANAGEMENT - A NASA-initiated satellite scanning system monitors and maps forestation by detecting radiation reflected and emitted from trees.

SENSORS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL - NASA development of an instrument for use in space life support research led to commercial development of a system to monitor an industrial process stream to assure that the effluent water's pH level is in compliance with environmental regulations.

WIND MONITOR - Development of Jimsphere wind measurement balloon for space launches allows for making high resolution measurements of the wind profile for meteorological studies and predictions.

TELEMETRY SYSTEMS - A spinoff company formed to commercialize NASA high-data-rate telemetry technology, manufactures a high-speed processing system for commercial communications applications.

PLANT RESEARCH - NASA research on future moon and Mars bases is investigating using plants for food, oxygen, and water to reduce the need for outside supplies. This research utilizes Hydroponics (liquid nutrient solutions) instead of soil to support plant growth and finds applications for vegetable production on Earth.

FIRE RESISTANT MATERIAL - Materials include chemically-treated fabric for sheets, uniforms for hazardous material handlers, crew's clothing, furniture, interior walls of submersibles and auto racer and refueler suits.

RADIATION INSULATION - Aluminized polymer film is highly effective radiation barrier for both manned and unmanned spacecraft. Variations of this space-devised material are also used as an energy conservation technique for homes and offices. The materials are placed between wall studs and exterior facing before siding or between roof support and roof sheathing. The radiant barrier blocks 95% of radiant energy. Successful retrofit installations include schools and shrink wrap ovens.

Other spinoffs in this area include: Whale identification method, environmental analysis, noise abatement, pollution measuring devices, pollution control devices, smokestack monitor, radioactive leak detector, earthquake prediction system, sewage treatment, energy saving air conditioning, and air purification.
Health and Medicine - NASA Spinoffs

DIGITAL IMAGING BREAST BIOPSY SYSTEM - The LORAD Stereo Guide Breast Biopsy system incorporates advanced Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) as part of a digital camera system. The resulting device images breast tissue more clearly and efficiently. Known as stereotactic large-core needle biopsy, this nonsurgical system developed with Space Telescope Technology is less traumatic and greatly reduces the pain, scarring, radiation exposure, time, and money associated with surgical biopsies.

BREAST CANCER DETECTION - A solar cell sensor is positioned directly beneath x-ray film, and determines exactly when film has received sufficient radiation and has been exposed to optimum density. Associated electronic equipment then sends a signal to cut off the x-ray source. Reduction of mammography x-ray exposure reduces radiation hazard and doubles the number of patient exams per machine.

LASER ANGIOPLASTY - Laser angioplasty with a "cool" type of laser, caller an excimer laser, does not damage blood vessel walls and offers precise non-surgical cleanings of clogged arteries with extraordinary precision and fewer complications than in balloon angioplasty.

ULTRASOUND SKIN DAMAGE ASSESSMENT - Advanced instrument using NASA ultrasound technology enables immediate assessment of burn damage depth, improving patient treatment, and may save lives in serious burn cases.

HUMAN TISSUE STIMULATOR - Employing NASA satellite technology, the device is implanted in the body to help patient control chronic pain and involuntary motion disorders through electrical stimulation of targeted nerve centers or particular areas of the brain.

COOL SUIT - Custom-made suit derived from space suits circulates coolant through tubes to lower patient's body/ temperature, producing dramatic improvement of symptoms of multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spina bifida and other conditions.

PROGRAMMABLE PACEMAKER - Incorporating multiple NASA technologies, the system consists of the implant and a physician's computer console containing the programming and a data printer. Communicates through wireless telemetry signals.

OCULAR SCREENING - NASA image processing techniques are used to detect eye problems in very young children. An electronic flash from a 35-millimeter camera sends light into the child's eyes, and a photorefractor analyzes the retinal reflexes, producing an image of each eye.

AUTOMATED URINALYSIS - NASA fluid dynamics studies helped development of system that automatically extracts and transfers sediment from urine sample to an analyzer microscope, replacing the manual centrifuge method.

MEDICAL GAS ANALYZER - Astronaut-monitoring technology used to develop system to monitor operating rooms for analysis of anesthetic gasses and measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen concentrations to assure proper breathing environment for surgery patients.

VOICE-CONTROLLED WHEELCHAIR - NASA teleoperator and robot technology used to develop chair and manipulator that respond to 35 one-word voice commands utilizing a minicomputer to help patient perform daily tasks, like picking up packages, opening doors, and turning on appliances.

Other spinoffs in this area include: Arteriosclerosis detection, ultrasound scanners, automatic insulin pump, portable x-ray device, invisible braces, dental arch wire, palate surgery technology, clean room apparel, implantable heart aid, MRI, bone analyzer, and cataract surgery tools.

Industrial Productivity/Manufacturing Technology - NASA Spinoffs
MAGNETIC LIQUIDS - Based on the NASA-developed ferrofluid concept involving synthetic fluids that can be positioned and controlled by magnetic force, the ferrofluidic seal was initially applied in a zero-leakage, nonwearing seal for the rotating shaft of a system used to make semiconductor chips, solving a persistent problem‹contamination due to leaking seals.

WELDING SENSOR SYSTEM - Laser-based automated welder for industrial use incorporates a laser sensor system originally designed for Space Shuttle External Tank to track the seam where two pieces of metal are to be joined, measures gaps and minute misfits, and automatically corrects the welding torch distance and height.

MICROLASERS - Based on a concept for optical communications over interplanetary distances, microlasers were developed for the commercial market to transmit communication signals and to drill, cut, or melt materials.

MAGNETIC BEARING SYSTEM - Bearings developed from Space Shuttle designs support moving machinery without physical contact, permitting motion without friction or wear, and are now used in electric power generation, petroleum refining, machine tool operation, and natural gas pipelines.

ENGINE LUBRICANT - A NASA-developed plasma-sprayed coating is used to coat valves in a new, ten-inch-long, four-cylinder rotary engine, eliminating the need for lubricating the rotorcam, which has no crankshaft, flywheel, distributor, or water pump.


INTERACTIVE COMPUTER TRAINING - Known as Interactive Multimedia Training (IMT), originally developed to train astronauts and space operations personnel, now utilized by the commercial sector to train new employees and upgrade worker skills, using a computer system that engages all the senses, including text, video, animation, voice, sounds, and music.

HIGH-PRESSURE WATERSTRIPPING - Technology developed for preparing Space Shuttle solid rocket boosters first evolved into the U.S. Air Force's Large Aircraft Robotic Paint Stripping (LARPS) system, and now used in the commercial airline industry, where the waterjet processing reduces coating removal time by 90 percent, using only water at ultra-high pressures up to 55,000 psi.

ADVANCED WELDING TORCH - Based on the Variable Polarity Plasma Arc welding technology, a handheld torch originally developed for joining light alloys used in NASA's External Tank, is now used by major appliance manufacturers for sheet metal welding.

Other spinoffs in this area include: Gasoline vapor recovery, self-locking fasteners, machine tool software, laser wire stripper, lubricant coating process, wireless communications, engine coatings, and engine design.
Public Safety - NASA Spinoffs

RADIATION HAZARD DETECTOR - NASA technology has made commercially available new, inexpensive, conveniently carried device for protection of people exposed to potentially dangerous levels of microwave radiation. Weighing only 4 ounces and about the size of a cigarette pack, it can be carried in a shirt pocket or clipped to a belt. Unit sounds an audible alarm when microwave radiation reaches a preset level.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE ROBOT - Remotely-operated robot reduces human injury levels by performing hazardous tasks that would otherwise be handled by humans.

PERSONAL ALARM SYSTEM - Pen-sized ultrasonic transmitter used by prison guards, teachers, the elderly, and disabled to call for help is based on space telemetry technology. Pen transmits a silent signal to receiver that will display the exact location of the emergency.

EMERGENCY RESCUE CUTTERS - Lightweight cutters for freeing accident victims from wreckage developed using NASA pyrotechnic technology.

FIREMAN'S AIR TANKS - Lighter-weight firefighter's air tanks have been developed. New back-pack system weighs only 20 lbs. for 30 minute air supply, 13 lbs. less than conventional firefighting tanks. They are pressurized at 4,500 psia (twice current tanks). A warning device tells the fireman when he or she is running out of air.

PERSONAL STORM WARNING SYSTEM - Lightning detector gives 30-minute warning to golfers, boaters, homeowners, business owners, and private pilots.
SELF-RIGHTING LIFE RAFT - Developed for the Apollo program, fully inflates in 12 seconds and protects lives during extremely adverse weather conditions with self-righting and gravity compensation features.

Other spinoffs in this area include: Storm warning services (Doppler radar), firefighters' radios, lead poison detection, fire detector, flame detector, corrosion protection coating, protective clothing, and robotic hands.

This is the short list of the spin-offs we can contribute to NASA on Wednesday the shuttle I like to take pride in building will be put out to pasture in some museum. On that day a part of me will grieve because of my personal connection. But in a few weeks it will all come to an end and that will be a sad day for America

Lest We For Get

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day.

There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920).

While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen. Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all.

I spent six years in the United States Marine Corps I served at the tail end of the Vietnam era. I was not drafted I volunteered and was proud to serve. It was without a doubt one the defining moments in my life. But what I recall about Memorial Day in those times was how divided the nation was and how the returning veterans were not given the respect they so richly deserved for the service.

Those images of citizens disrespecting those the veterans has stayed with me and shaped my attitude toward those who choose to enter the military. I have made it a custom to shake the hand of anyone I see in a military uniform, I have passed this tradition on to my children as well.

The young men and women who have now been engaged in conflict for more than ten years are all volunteers. They stayed in the gap for you and I, many have made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our way of life. I know many of us have grown weary of war and the resulting loss of life and the devastating injury to so many young people. But the bible in the book of Galatians say it best:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

But what we must do is not minimize what these young people have done for this country. Whatever the political debate, one thing is definite and unequivocal they are HEROES and are owed are respect and gratitude. God bless and have happy, health and safe Memorial Day.

Yesterday Today and Tomorrow

I am a member of the group we call the “Baby boomers.” We are the children of the post world war two era. I don’t feel that I and my siblings really fit into this group because my father never fought in the war. He was not opposed to the war. But he was born in 1932 so he was not eligible to go and fight.

When Japan attacked us at Pearl Harbor he was only 9 years old. So he missed what was called the war to end all wars. When we then got involved in the Korean War in the early 1950’s he got a college deferment.

However, my father did do his patriotic duty for his country. My father did something that my years of service cannot even compare too. He went to work at naval ordnance plant here in Louisville Kentucky. The plant was one of the major manufacturers’ and reconstruction units of naval gun. I remember when he started as a machinist and when he retired he was the number two man at the plant.

There were those who hated him both black and white because as he told me once, “when you have a job you do your job to the best of your ability.” He did that job for 41 years and retired from the only job he had ever had. I olve my dad and I am so grateful that those were the last words we shared.

What my father experienced was the way things use to be, I sometimes wonder what he would think of how many jobs his son has had? But that was yesterday and we now face a serious job crisis there are no more employers that you can work can establish a long-term relationship.

There will be problem and lay off and no jobs are guaranteed.
I have personally experienced this modern flux in the job market. This is the reality we face and there are options, if we are willing to take a chance and embrace the new reality. The future lies in technology there are many way for us to take advantage of this new job market.

The internet allows everyone to connect with hundreds of millions of potential customers looking for all ids of products and service. The key is to find your niche and do the marketing to drive customer to your website. Is this going to be one of those get rich schemes no, you must do work and you must be patient.

Yesterday was about getting a job, going to work and in 40 years you retire like my father did, today we are on the cusp of a technological revolution and tomorrow holds a brave new world of opportunity for those who have the skills and knowledge to take advantage of what this historic paradigm shift means in terms of financial freedom.

So what about tomorrow, what does it have in store and how can you be ahead of the cure? The next wave that is occurring now is mobile marketing. There are over 5 billion cell phone in the world the dwarfs those who are on the internet by more than two to one.

So what must you do to get involved in the mobile marketing craze? If you want to do what I have done to bring in nearly $3000.00 per week on a regular basis CLICK HERE!

A Poet is Gone

You won’t see any breaking news. You probably won’t see it on the news at all. But nonetheless we have lost a brilliant social activist, song writer, musician and intellectual.

Today I learned that Gill Scott-Heron passed away May 27, 2011 at the age of 62 at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City. Scott was as well known for his music, as he was for his performances of the spoken word. He and his writing partner Brain Jackson wrote some memorable songs.

He said that his influence were wide-ranging from Richie Havens, John Coltrane, Otis Redding , Jose Feliciano, Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, Malcolm X and his long time collaborator Brian Jackson. Scott never received his undergraduate degree, however in held a Master degree in creative writing.

He had been labeled a black activist because of some of more provocative works such as “The Revolution Will Not be televised,” or "Whitey on the Moon.” I think he did some of his best work in the late 70’s and 80's with his album “Secrets” with song like “Angel Dust” or “shut em’ down” a song about the hazards of nuclear power plants, this is relevant to today’s problems.

Before there was Hip-Hop there with Gill, in the early 1990 he said the regarding Hip-Hop, “They need to study music. I played in several bands before I began my career as a poet. There’s a big difference between putting words over some music, and blending those same words into the music. There’s not a lot of humor. They use a lot of slang and colloquialisms, and you don’t really see inside the person. Instead, you just get a lot of posturing.”

Some did however call him the “Father of RAP.” In his later years he did have what some would call a substance abuse problem, specifically with arrest for cocaine possession. He had a couple of stints in prison but had managed to continue to tour and produce music until very recently.

I found his use of words to be inspiring and thought provoking and as a young man growing up in America Gill Scott-Heron made me appreciate the beauty of words. Rest In Peace!!!

Lessons Learned At Fifty-Four

I know that fifty-four is not normally one of the so-called milestones in ones journey thorough life. But for some reason this morning as I awoke, have gone through another night of storms. I felt like sharing a few words; I won’t be so arrogant to call them words of wisdom just as my title simple states, “Lessons Learned At Fifty-Four.”

There is on major lesson that I have learned and that is it’s o.k. to not know the answers. I use to be a very arrogant young man; I can admit that now and not feel self-conscious. I mean when I look back on some of the things I did in order to impress people with my extensive knowledge base of useless facts. I am amazed that I didn’t get my little butt kicked. I unfortunately enjoyed being the one in the room who thought he knew everything about everything.

But life has taught me the importance of listening. This is a dying art in the ever increasing violent rhetoric that is passing for civil discourse in or society. I have special appreciation for the art of the interview being that I spent eleven years doing interviews on television. At the beginning I use to have a list of questions that I would mechanically walk through. As I began to study the tapes I saw a very disjointed and uninteresting interview. It wasn’t a true conversation the best interview is not an interview at all but a conversation.

And the art of conversing requires a give and take a ying and yang. This is what I think is missing in the American political arena. Politicians really don’t listen to what the people have to say, they have fallen in love with the sounds of their own voices. Believe you me, if there was a recovery group for diarrhea of the mouth, I’d be chairing the meetings.

Another lesson I have learned is that life is truly a gift from God and we should treasure each day and make the most of it, because the present is truly a gift. No I am not going to proclaim that I have even come close to perfecting this one. But as the comedian Steve Harvey said,” Don’t trip, God’s not done with me yet.”

But the most important lesson for me has been staying away from poison people. You know what I mean the people who just radiate negativity from every pore of their being. These people can show up at a picnic and turn a sunny day into an all out thunderstorm. These people will steal your energy with their constant negative response to any and everything you are trying to accomplish. My advice to you regarding theses type of people is very simple, when you see them coming turn and run like your butt was on fire.

No matter the subject they will find some way to put the conversation in a bad light. These people must be avoided at all cost. Well I don’t normally write very long articles. I heard an old preacher say,” it don’t gotta be long to be strong.” My birthday present to you, God Bless!!!

The End Of An Era

Well did you hear it? It occurred at about 4:00 PM today, ladies and yes, some men all began to cry as there companion of the last 25 years called it quits.

Yes, the Oprah Winfrey era ended today, with the long time Television icon giving her viewers a one women last show. Oprah was her usual eloquent self as she proclaimed mixture of reminiscing and life lesson she has gained as a result of her twenty-five years of coming into our homes every day.

Winfrey, spoke of her humble beginnings and how amazing she found it that she had come so far and that her life has been touched by “God’s amazing Grace.” My seventeen year-old daughter was almost in a panic the lasts few days. First, she kept me abreast of the number of days remaining and she would run out of her room into my office telling who was now performing and what they were doing.

I have to admit that the last few years, I would catch the program from time to time but I was never a hardcore fan sitting at home waiting for four o’clock. But I did and do respect the heck out of this media icon. When I had my program I actually tried to get her as an interview. I failed, I got tony brown instead. Do get me wrong we were a PBS based program, and Brown was a great interview, but he’s no Oprah.

Wifrey spoke most poignantly about we here audience gave her the courage to face some her personal demons. Specifically the fact that she had been molested as a child, but the audience gave her the strength to face it for the first time. Oprah took thorough so much and we have changed her and she has changed us and in my humble opinion for the better.

Oprah not sure where you go next but Thank you and may God Bless You!!!

The Spring Of Fury

I will be 54 on May 26, 2011 and I have never seen such a violent season of tornado's. My wife thinks I am crazy when I get all worked up whenever the weather men report severe weather coming are way. I bought a generator a few years ago because I wanted to be prepared. We have a storm kit and my daughter and I check on a very regular basis.

I lived in Los Angeles when the Whittier earth quake shook L.A. and the surrounding area for nearly one minute. It was the longest minute of my life and has made me very safety conscience. Some might say a bit paranoid, but I say prepared.
I grew up in Louisville and lived through the April 1974 tragedy when tornadoes broke out across a wide path of the mid-west.

It was a terrifying experience. I can recall the way the sky looked a mass of whirling gray and black as I ran home from fountain ferry Park. I equate my heightened sense of preparedness to the experience of those people who lived through the great depression and their need for thriftiness.

But in my life there has never been a year like we are seeing this year. There have been over 400 people killed in storms this year. This has not occurred since 1953 according to weather statistics.

We lost over three hundred souls in the storms that went through the south. I was blessed that my niece a physician and her husband in Birmingham lived through the devastation in there city. Now we have the tragedy in Joplin. We have lost over 100 souls and we must pray for their families.

I am not sure why this year has been the year of the deadly storms. But one thing I know is that we now have the most sophisticated weather systems that we have ever had and yet over 400 people have lost their lives. Mother Nature has shown us that she is still in control no matter how sophisticated are technology we are still no match for her rage.

I have no answer or words of wisdom, just an observation. Life is a very precious gift and it is finite we never know when it will end. But it will end, so tonight when you go to sleep, no matter what your loved has done or how you feel tell that special one “ you love them. “ I know those over 400 people who have died this year suddenly wish they had that opportunity, just one more time, to tell those they left behind, I LOVE YOU!!!