tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68991252024-03-14T00:46:28.947-04:00Digital IronyWelcome! My Blog focuses on security and political news, current events, and technology happenings.Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.comBlogger873125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-43680495743457464392011-03-14T08:46:00.000-04:002011-03-14T08:46:09.725-04:00Perspective On The Japan Earthquake | Patrick McKenzie | Kalzumeus | 13 March 2011<a href="http://feeds.thebrowser.com/%7Er/BestOfTheMoment/%7E3/v-cujcO8z6A/hRVvPI">Perspective On The Japan Earthquake | Patrick McKenzie | Kalzumeus</a><br /><div></div><div><div></div><blockquote><div>Japan's disaster preparedness 'one of the triumphs of human civilisation'. Millions survived because system worked perfectly. Even the nukes held up well. 'Every engineer in this country should be walking a little taller this week'<br /> </div></blockquote><br /></div>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-83824696399486228492011-03-14T04:28:00.000-04:002011-03-14T04:28:56.432-04:00Stunning New Footage Of Incoming Tsunami<a href="http://feedproxy.google.com/%7Er/zerohedge/feed/%7E3/98_zDbcTAUE/stunning-new-footage-incoming-tsunami">Stunning New Footage Of Incoming Tsunami</a>:<br /><p></p><span></span><p>As per the BBC, newly emerged footage shows the force at which the tsunami struck Japan's coast. In the fishing port of Miyako, in Iwate prefecture, boats<br />were overturned, while video from Kamaishi city shows cars being dragged<br />down city streets by the water. Footage courtesy of TV Asahi.</p><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/MBccBKQ0oLU" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="510" width="640"></iframe><br /><p>And even more disturbing, courtesy of EscapeKey:</p><p> </p><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/G3K1w7u04Zo" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/%7Er/zerohedge/feed/%7E4/98_zDbcTAUE" height="1" width="1" />"Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-51237915756476079272011-03-13T04:33:00.000-04:002011-03-13T04:33:27.925-04:00Horror: Before and After Pictures of Quake ZoneYou can donate to the American Red Cross <a style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank" href="https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052">Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2011/03/horror-before-and-after-pictures-of.html">Horror: Before and After Pictures of Quake Zone</a>: From <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/world/2011/03/12/nhk.japan.before.after.nhk">CNN</a>, via <a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php">Ace</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iTVNG9ldUZA/TXxN6E8GFgI/AAAAAAAAkac/_KNOaUnlZ3w/s1600/110212-japan-010.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d0FFa9PoU9M/TXxN5_gYi9I/AAAAAAAAkaU/5hEPvNNlYYM/s1600/110212-japan-020.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QRCweuK-eHc/TXxN5rBcoYI/AAAAAAAAkaM/GWk-2ts3J7Y/s1600/110212-japan-030.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3heDihWPV4k/TXxN0eKkaGI/AAAAAAAAkaE/yqRuDcmOyj4/s1600/110212-japan-040.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AlMqrdOa0sc/TXxN0DRzsSI/AAAAAAAAkZ8/S8AtV8PNvpA/s1600/110212-japan-050.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GRXrsqo91DA/TXxNzyyCjpI/AAAAAAAAkZ0/3k-d769XUPc/s1600/110212-japan-060.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zhSTT2eMIqA/TXxNzVuQssI/AAAAAAAAkZs/MWjrtp-i3hQ/s1600/110212-japan-070.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a><br /><a href="http://ace.mu.nu/archives/313291.php"><img style="display:block;margin:0px auto 10px;text-align:center" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dK2V21fSRmo/TXxNzMp0JqI/AAAAAAAAkZk/u7FOuV9wcvU/s1600/110212-japan-080.jpg" alt="" border="1" /></a>If you have a couple of bucks to spare, you can donate to the American Red Cross <a href="https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?idb=0&5052.donation=form1&df_id=5052"><b>Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund</b></a>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-13694439385222222502011-03-07T08:49:00.002-05:002011-03-07T08:52:15.918-05:00The next star wars battle has begun...They are currently fighting in space. So begins the next round of battles with the second launch of the X-37B unmanned space plane March 5th.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/T_9GaD9cv3I?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="510" width="640"></iframe>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-26047678494677695962011-02-24T15:14:00.001-05:002011-02-24T15:16:38.515-05:00Watch the last Discovery launch live - now!<iframe src="http://cdn.livestream.com/embed/spaceflightnow?layout=4&autoplay=false" id="iframeplayer" style="border: 0pt none; outline: 0pt none;" frameborder="0" height="340" scrolling="no" width="560"></iframe><div style="font-size: 11px; padding-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 560px;">Watch <a href="http://www.livestream.com/?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks" title="live streaming video">live streaming video</a> from <a href="http://www.livestream.com/spaceflightnow?utm_source=lsplayer&utm_medium=embed&utm_campaign=footerlinks" title="Watch spaceflightnow at livestream.com">spaceflightnow</a> at livestream.com</div><br /><br />Watch the live stream of the Discovery launch scheduled for 4:50pm EST today.Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-49564109553399005472011-02-24T04:37:00.000-05:002011-02-24T04:37:59.188-05:00Video: Sanicole Airshow 2010 Evening Display in 60 Seconds<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/qp4RJ08DGtk?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6498674929523264462-4852337478361804126?l=www.theospark.net" alt="" height="1" width="1" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.theospark.net/2011/02/video-sanicole-airshow-2010-evening.html">Video: Sanicole Airshow 2010 Evening Display in 60 Seconds</a></div>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-12639347696564917092011-02-16T07:28:00.000-05:002011-02-16T07:28:31.066-05:00Video: A Day Made of Glass... Made possible by Corning.<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6Cf7IL_eZ38?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><a href="http://www.theospark.net/2011/02/video-day-made-of-glass-made-possible.html">h/t TheoSpark</a><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/6498674929523264462-1159793086439455019?l=www.theospark.net" alt="" height="1" width="1" />Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-14847937016298972612011-02-16T06:53:00.001-05:002011-02-16T06:55:23.133-05:00Is a U.S. Nuclear Revival Finally Underway?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdT7Q8-E8To/TVu7H8WQWlI/AAAAAAAABAk/H2c1RqtwdHc/s1600/new%2Bnukes.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 277px; height: 277px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pdT7Q8-E8To/TVu7H8WQWlI/AAAAAAAABAk/H2c1RqtwdHc/s400/new%2Bnukes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574254708934072914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=us-nuclear-revival-starting">Is a U.S. Nuclear Revival Finally Underway?</a>:<br /><p></p><blockquote>The first new nuclear reactor ordered in the U.S. in roughly three decades is beginning to take shape in the red clay near Augusta, Ga. Southern Co. and its partners have dug 27.5 meters down into that soil to reach bedrock and are now filling up the hole to provide a stable foundation for what is likely to be the first of a new generation of reactors in the U.S.: two new AP-1000 models at the Vogtle Electric Generating Plant that stand next to two older pressurized water reactors, which came online in the 1980s. <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=us-nuclear-revival-starting">[More]</a></blockquote><a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=us-nuclear-revival-starting"></a><p></p>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-39181964783947928842011-02-02T07:25:00.003-05:002011-02-02T07:33:46.726-05:00T-Shirt Worthy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TUlNms8EBpI/AAAAAAAAA_g/iciXtD1T30U/s1600/awesome.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 310px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TUlNms8EBpI/AAAAAAAAA_g/iciXtD1T30U/s400/awesome.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569067741513778834" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Pure <a href="http://qsprn.com/so-you-say">awesomeness</a>...Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-28827482289179912062011-01-26T07:20:00.005-05:002011-01-26T08:00:00.014-05:00Blogging at Doubletapper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TUAawfhDB8I/AAAAAAAAA-s/k1iAOGRJ8rY/s1600/DT_tavor.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 355px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TUAawfhDB8I/AAAAAAAAA-s/k1iAOGRJ8rY/s400/DT_tavor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5566478559826085826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In what I would call a promotion in my blogging career (yet the pay is still the same), I started co-blogging at <a href="http://doubletapper.blogspot.com/">Doubletapper</a>. I'll repost excerpts here, but for the full thing, check out <a href="http://doubletapper.blogspot.com/">Doubletapper's awe</a><a href="http://doubletapper.blogspot.com/">some blog</a>.Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-49572528066387321892010-12-28T13:20:00.001-05:002010-12-28T13:22:36.157-05:00Inspirational Beer FridgeThis video was an inspiration to me, and even brought a tear to my eye. It was so beautiful.<br /><br /><object height="390" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TVyLuosZ1rY&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TVyLuosZ1rY&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="390" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br />(via <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5719649/perhaps-the-best-beer-bot-to-ever-grace-a-dorm-room?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29">Gizmodo</a>: thank you, thank you, thank you.)Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-4097221350897091452010-12-26T02:02:00.002-05:002010-12-26T02:13:05.227-05:00X-Men - stop whining!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TRbqyUqP7MI/AAAAAAAAA9I/c4FhiEzOd14/s1600/x-men.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TRbqyUqP7MI/AAAAAAAAA9I/c4FhiEzOd14/s400/x-men.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554885340668357826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The immutable Frank J at IMAO rants (with a point) <a href="http://www.imao.us/index.php/2010/12/it-must-be-said-the-x-men-are-the-dumbest-superhero-concept/">against the X-Men and their whining</a>:<br /><blockquote>One thing, is the constant whining about how discriminated against they are, and you know how much everyone loves it when heroes whine! “People are so mean to us mutants! People say they don’t want their kids in the same school as mutants just because we’ve blown up classroom’s six or seven times!” So while we’re expelling kids for just drawing a picture of a gun, we’re supposed to feel bad that most people don’t want mutants around them who can touch things and cause them to explode.<br />...<br />And know who blows stuff up all the time and whines constantly about being discriminated against? Radical Muslims.</blockquote>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-25591038194922893392010-12-21T08:33:00.004-05:002010-12-21T08:43:57.494-05:00The sky's the limit.When you were a kid, your parents said you could do anything. Listen to your kid-parents. You actually can do anything.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TRCte2R9-TI/AAAAAAAAA8I/hYwK0XPWbmY/s1600/iss_tracydyson.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 610px; height: 406px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TRCte2R9-TI/AAAAAAAAA8I/hYwK0XPWbmY/s1600/iss_tracydyson.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Astronaut <a href="http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/caldwell.html" target="_blank">Tracy Caldwell Dyson</a>, team member of Expedition 24, on board the International Space Station. Floating in the cupola, she is wistfully gazing out on the Earth just a day before leaving space to come home once again. <span style="font-size:78%;"> (via: <a href="http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastronomy/2010/12/20/top-ten-astronomy-pictures-of-2010-runners-up/">Bad Astronomy</a>)</span></span>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-90194922014968439922010-12-17T05:28:00.004-05:002010-12-17T05:41:10.734-05:00I have seen the future, and it is now.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQs9x7kVpGI/AAAAAAAAA7k/ot8H54r_TPE/s1600/Word_Lens.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 298px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQs9x7kVpGI/AAAAAAAAA7k/ot8H54r_TPE/s400/Word_Lens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551598893677257826" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Augmented reality iPhone applications have historically been nifty ways of viewing information, but has been nothing more than just cool. That is, until now. Word Lens is a new app which actually, well, <span style="font-style: italic;">augments reality</span>. It translates stuff you see through your camera, but <span style="font-style: italic;">live</span>. Watch this video. In it you will see the future, which you can buy today on iTunes.<br /><br /><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h2OfQdYrHRs?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h2OfQdYrHRs?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="640"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">(via <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5714462/translate-signs-and-menus-instantly-using-word-lens-crazy+amazing-iphone-app?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29">Gizmodo</a>)</span>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-19579750604633035172010-12-16T08:37:00.004-05:002010-12-16T09:03:10.147-05:00Digital Irony - Wikileaks Edition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQob5vcRMgI/AAAAAAAAA7c/XehRGCx4dWw/s1600/circle_arrows.png"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 253px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQob5vcRMgI/AAAAAAAAA7c/XehRGCx4dWw/s320/circle_arrows.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551280169489084930" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In an astonishing display of Digital Irony (or should I say <span style="font-style: italic;">Chutzpah</span>?) the man responsible for the publishing of hundreds of thousands of major diplomatic secrets, which have almost definitely cost lives, and whose secrets may yet start wars, has asked in court to keep his home address secret...<br /><br />Maybe it's Digital Karma?<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">From <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1338832/WikiLeaks-Julian-Assange-asked-judge-bail-address-secret.html">The Daily Mail</a> via <a href="http://jammiewearingfool.blogspot.com/2010/12/irony-wikidick-assange-doesnt-want-his.html">JammieWearingFool</a>:</span><br /><blockquote>WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange tried to hide his bail address from the public in an astonishing move for the man responsible for leaking thousands of diplomatic secrets.<br /><br />Assange's lawyers argued that the location - a 10-bedroom stately home - should not be disclosed on grounds of privacy during yesterday's hearing at City of Westminster Magistrates' Court.<br /><br />But the move was dismissed by District Judge Howard Riddle, who ruled not to reveal the address would conflict with Assange's commitment to open justice.<br /><br />The judge insisted the address - Captain Vaughan Smith's Ellingham Hall on the Norfolk/Suffolk border - was read out in open court as usual.</blockquote>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-44204841442156660502010-12-16T02:51:00.004-05:002010-12-16T03:28:02.461-05:00What Missile Crisis?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQnGwFuawjI/AAAAAAAAA68/G3hRtLrTIWo/s1600/McNamara_and_Kennedy.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQnGwFuawjI/AAAAAAAAA68/G3hRtLrTIWo/s400/McNamara_and_Kennedy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5551186545183736370" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">President Kennedy and Secretary of Defense McNamara.</span> <span style="font-size:78%;">(<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuban_Missile_Crisis">Wikipedia</a>)</span><br /><br />Elder of Ziyon remembers the news tidbit from two weeks ago regarding Iran installing medium range missiles in Venezuela, and <a href="http://elderofziyon.blogspot.com/2010/12/world-strangely-silent-on-iran-missiles.html">asks a poignant question</a>:<br /><blockquote>Why isn't this story on the front page of every major US newspaper?</blockquote>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-72289843865554030832010-12-15T08:20:00.004-05:002010-12-15T09:46:19.127-05:00A man cured of HIV<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQjCY4CwumI/AAAAAAAAA60/ncJvUqWb_QI/s1600/hiv.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQjCY4CwumI/AAAAAAAAA60/ncJvUqWb_QI/s400/hiv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550900273350752866" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The poor dude had both cancer and HIV. After the aggressive treatment for the leukemia, <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5713498/man-officially-cured-of-hiv">a funny thing happened</a>:<br /><p></p><blockquote><p>The treatment Brown underwent was aggressive: chemotherapy that destroyed the majority of his immune cells. Total body irradiation. Finally, a risky stem-cell transplant that nearly a third of patients don't survive—but that <a href="http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa0802905">appears to have completely cured Brown of HIV</a>.</p> <p>Doctors were savvy when they chose a stem cell donor for Brown. The man whose bone marrow they used has a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CCR5#CCR5-.CE.9432">particular genetic mutation</a>, present in an incredibly small percentage of people, that makes him almost invulnerable to HIV. With Brown's own defenses decimated by treatments, the healthy, HIV-resistant donor cells repopulated his immune system. The initial indications that the virus had abated <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122602394113507555.html?mod=googlenews_wsj">were promising</a>. But only just now, having taken no antiretroviral drugs since the transplant, and following extensive testing shows no signs whatsoever of HIV, have his doctors <a href="http://bloodjournal.hematologylibrary.org/cgi/content/abstract/blood-2010-09-309591v1">given the official word</a>:</p> <p>He's cured.</p></blockquote><p></p>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-16692977005385737632010-12-15T07:49:00.004-05:002010-12-15T08:09:52.695-05:00Where is the siege?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQi96S5VOxI/AAAAAAAAA6s/5TPnNDueAKY/s1600/nice_gaza.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQi96S5VOxI/AAAAAAAAA6s/5TPnNDueAKY/s400/nice_gaza.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550895349936503570" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Gaza under siege<br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(pic from <a href="http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1145941">here</a>, by way of <a href="http://www.israellycool.com/2010/11/06/a-taste-of-concentration-camp-gaza-best-photo-collection/">Israellycool</a>)</span></span><br /><br />The following was quoted inside of a <a href="http://www.gloria-center.org/gloria/2010/12/gaza-going-to-be-well-off-islamist-republic">great article about Gaza</a> by Barry Rubin.<br /><blockquote>"There are a slew of products here, and beautiful restaurants. Is this the Gaza we have been hearing about?" asked a Sudanese official arriving there, as quoted by the Palestinian news agency Maan. "Where is the siege? I don't see it in Gaza. I wish Sudan's residents could live under the conditions of the Gazan siege."</blockquote><span style="font-size:85%;">(hat tip: <a href="http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2010/12/027912.php">Power Line</a>)</span>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-68169363492993753802010-12-15T02:53:00.008-05:002010-12-15T08:14:10.367-05:00Dear General Eisenkot,<img style="cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/RuALP4_UaAI/AAAAAAAAAGE/oL9xgvOP9T0/s400/Sderot.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5107094345062049794" border="0" /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">dis·com·fort</span> [dis-kuhm-fert] – noun<br />1. an absence of comfort or ease; uneasiness, hardship, or mild pain.<br />2. anything that is disturbing to or interferes with comfort.<br /><br />Dear General Eisenkot,<br /><br />As a resident of Israel, and having a strong command of the English language, I would like to help you with the use of the word 'discomfort'. Discomfort is when you are slightly irritated, or in very mild pain. Discomfort is being a little chilly, or slightly too warm. Discomfort is having an itch on the middle of your back, and not being able to reach it. However, discomfort is <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>watching high explosives rain down on your home. Discomfort is <span style="font-style: italic;">not </span>having a metal cylinder penetrate your cement living room roof and explode next to your sofa. Discomfort is not huddling beside a cement wall trying to cover your child while praying for his life. Discomfort is not having to <a href="http://digitalirony.blogspot.com/2008/02/singing-through-their-fear-sderot.html">teach your toddler 'boom-boom' songs</a> to defray the psychological trauma of those falling rockets.<br /><br />That is called <span style="font-style: italic;">pain</span>. Pain is what Israel went through in the past. Pain is what we would feel should it happen again. Don't belittle our suffering. Don't belittle our pain. Tell us the situation straight up, and don't mince words. Exalt our bravery and our sacrifice. Praise us for steadfastly manning the front lines of our wars. And lastly, damn those bastards who are aiming for our children, and send them all to hell.<br /><br />Thank you,<br />Yishai<br /><br />Excerpt from <a href="http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Israel_general_drops_missile_defense_bombshell_999.html">General Eisenkot's speech</a> delivered December 12, 2010:<br /><blockquote>The [missile defense] systems are designed to protect military bases, even if this means that citizens suffer discomfort during the days of battle.</blockquote>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-64487314813659148412010-12-14T06:14:00.006-05:002010-12-15T03:38:37.437-05:00Israeli Airport Security<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQdUqtXIyUI/AAAAAAAAA6k/KH3K9MVPxow/s1600/el-al-ticket-counter.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TQdUqtXIyUI/AAAAAAAAA6k/KH3K9MVPxow/s400/el-al-ticket-counter.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5550498158465304898" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I'm sure you've read the countless previous articles extolling the virtues of the Israeli method of airport security (you know, find the bad <span style="font-style: italic;">guys</span>, not the bad <span style="font-style: italic;">stuff</span>). This <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1336571/Terrorism-Can-really-stop-bomber-asking-Are-terrorist.html?printingPage=true">well-written one from the Daily Mail</a> is another of those articles, but it is updated with some new facts, introduces a funky new technology concept, and includes one startling tidbit which shocked me:<br /><blockquote>How many times <span style="font-style: italic;">in the history of aviation</span> have the scanners and security procedures that currently cause such huge anger and inconvenience actually found explosives in baggage or on a passenger? ...<br /><br />The answer, shockingly, is <span style="font-weight: bold;">zero</span>.</blockquote>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-71523001931571374262010-10-20T11:36:00.028-04:002010-10-20T18:21:39.598-04:00ISDEF 2010 - Part II<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL8w5kfMasI/AAAAAAAAA24/ISAgEGhL3QQ/s1600/IMG_1208.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL8w5kfMasI/AAAAAAAAA24/ISAgEGhL3QQ/s400/IMG_1208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530192633039448770" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Doubletapper with the M60 machine gun.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Guns, guns, and more guns.</span><br /><br />And so begins Part II of our trip to the <a href="http://isdef.co.il/">ISDEF 2010</a>, the Israel Defense Show that <a href="http://doubletapper.blogspot.com/">Doubletapper</a> so kindly invited me to. It begins with guns.<br /><br />We'll start with the big guns. The ones pictured above and below were made by <a href="http://www.usord.com/">US Ordnance</a> who make some very high quality products. We were most impressed with them importing in to Israel 6 fully functional automatic rifles through customs. Besides that feat, the uppers of the 5.56 were a single piece machining. Even the rails were all made from the same piece of steel. They also made floating barrels which were quick-change, that is with only a few turns of a torx-wrench, you can swap out different length barrels.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL84PFj3BDI/AAAAAAAAA3g/yH91yPnFMwM/s1600/IMG_1191.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 382px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL84PFj3BDI/AAAAAAAAA3g/yH91yPnFMwM/s400/IMG_1191.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530200699276035122" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">The floating barrel</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL83ZeRdzNI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/h4a4DCvY7c8/s1600/IMG_1203.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL83ZeRdzNI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/h4a4DCvY7c8/s400/IMG_1203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530199778196835538" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Note the torx screws in front of the magazine well for the quick change barrel.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL87J6NSS5I/AAAAAAAAA3w/YaQjwXXqPaI/s1600/IMG_1184.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL87J6NSS5I/AAAAAAAAA3w/YaQjwXXqPaI/s400/IMG_1184.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530203908864101266" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A real single piece machined upper.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Is that an M60 in your pocket...?</span><br /><br />For those select times when your party attire does not complement an M60, go with the more demure, yet quite lethal, fully automatic 5.56 Gilboa rifle. The recipe is: you take an M-16, take out all the stuff in the back end (the main spring becomes a "puller" instead of a "pusher" somehow), give it a 7" barrel (or if your party dress is really short, you can give it a 4.5" barrel), and presto! you have the new Gilboa rifle made by Silver Shadow.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL88ndYVnTI/AAAAAAAAA34/eVPrh_FtPfU/s1600/IMG_1213.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL88ndYVnTI/AAAAAAAAA34/eVPrh_FtPfU/s400/IMG_1213.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530205516033531186" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I can carry more ammo, I guess...</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL8-ho9QHTI/AAAAAAAAA4A/Z9TY9y24qxA/s1600/IMG_1216.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL8-ho9QHTI/AAAAAAAAA4A/Z9TY9y24qxA/s400/IMG_1216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530207615085190450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I didn't break it; it's a removable folding stock.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9AImMcPkI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/tmL4o_-aquM/s1600/IMG_1221.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9AImMcPkI/AAAAAAAAA4Q/tmL4o_-aquM/s400/IMG_1221.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530209383870119490" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Admit it, you were about to call it "cute".</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Reach out and touch someone</span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9JJ6OVrOI/AAAAAAAAA4w/vCUIjPqlRsQ/s1600/IMG_1260.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9JJ6OVrOI/AAAAAAAAA4w/vCUIjPqlRsQ/s400/IMG_1260.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530219302031305954" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We spent some time admiring the .50 caliber sniper rifle made by <a href="http://www.mcmfamily.com/">McMillan</a> . We weren't the only ones; many active IDF soldiers and snipers came to the booth and fawned over the guns and talked with the Navy SEAL sales rep. It was sorta like teenagers in a Ferrari shop, though, as they knew they'd never see them deployed (at least officially ;)<br /><br />Oh, and the official range of the .50 is over 2km. Now <span style="font-style: italic;">that's</span> a long distance relationship.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9IcfS5esI/AAAAAAAAA4o/C2GoeGuqYH4/s1600/IMG_1262.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9IcfS5esI/AAAAAAAAA4o/C2GoeGuqYH4/s400/IMG_1262.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530218521708559042" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">You talkin to me?</span><br /><br /><br />McMillan also makes a .338 which really impressed Doubletapper.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9EnLrdY2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/OfwqB-dEMJU/s1600/IMG_1270.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9EnLrdY2I/AAAAAAAAA4g/OfwqB-dEMJU/s400/IMG_1270.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530214307374916450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">I can see my house from here.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9DLzJhgrI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/o0UnBRGWT6c/s1600/IMG_1272.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9DLzJhgrI/AAAAAAAAA4Y/o0UnBRGWT6c/s400/IMG_1272.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530212737422033586" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">No caption needed for the nice .338 bolt action.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9Ksw2I1hI/AAAAAAAAA44/YCdm1SwQeZs/s1600/IMG_1266.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9Ksw2I1hI/AAAAAAAAA44/YCdm1SwQeZs/s400/IMG_1266.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530221000320931346" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A McMillan folding stock adjustable in three places.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Armor</span><br /><br />Now let's force-protect.<br /><br />There was a nice vehicle armoring company, <a href="http://www.highprotectioncompany.com/">HPC</a>, which makes full B6 level protection for vehicles, which is really light (and expensive). Made out of compressed plastic fibers, it is only about a half-inch thick, and it can stop an AK round. Holy lead pancakes, Batman!<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9O6dD79dI/AAAAAAAAA5A/In0D16l15mQ/s1600/IMG_1125.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9O6dD79dI/AAAAAAAAA5A/In0D16l15mQ/s400/IMG_1125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530225633574778322" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />From a different company, here is a bullet resistant door, with a nice 'peephole', that can be opened, to shoot back. The peephole swivels like a gimbal, to allow for better aiming.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9akgYalOI/AAAAAAAAA5w/1gslUVvdUBM/s1600/IMG_1146.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9akgYalOI/AAAAAAAAA5w/1gslUVvdUBM/s400/IMG_1146.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530238450648388834" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">View from the outside. The bad-guy side.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9akIaPj2I/AAAAAAAAA5o/4VyyUONr-B4/s1600/IMG_1148.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9akIaPj2I/AAAAAAAAA5o/4VyyUONr-B4/s400/IMG_1148.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530238444213604194" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">View from the inside. </span><br /><br />There were a surprisingly small number of body armor companies. Ken Johnsen from <a href="http://www.gblmotion.com/">GlobalMotion</a> will be offering a new, light, crazy-good body armor - once he can get the damn export license. For now he has a really nifty gel cooling pack to go under your body armor, and it can cool you for six hours. He even makes a mini cooling pack to put under your helmet.<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9QlYtM9mI/AAAAAAAAA5I/n9-okLsT_F0/s1600/IMG_1057.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9QlYtM9mI/AAAAAAAAA5I/n9-okLsT_F0/s400/IMG_1057.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530227470651684450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Ken Johnsen of GlobalMotion - having a bad day. Half of his show display got taken overnight, he was missing his fridge for his cooling packs, and his A/V computer cables got snagged by customs. But he was still positive!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Remote control mania!</span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9S1tEXoLI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/UOt-yDIgGUk/s1600/IMG_1107.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9S1tEXoLI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/UOt-yDIgGUk/s400/IMG_1107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530229950018724018" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What do you get when you cross a bobcat digger with a expandable steel wall and then make it an R/C? That's right! Some rich guy's toy who should have played with more Lego as a child. That rich guy (who is from Slovakia) is marketing his toy as a riot control tool. I guess it might slow down a riot, but only because of the shock value (and also the bright blue color).<br /><br />The video below shows the big blue bobcat in 'action' and also an R/C car with a paintball gun.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/NSTs7kaDODk?rel=0&hd=1" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br />About that R/C paintball shooter - it uses a Playstation controller. Really. And the paintballs are not filled with paint. They're super hard and filled with CS liquid.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9X77YBkII/AAAAAAAAA5g/EeRf_StWr00/s1600/IMG_1109.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9X77YBkII/AAAAAAAAA5g/EeRf_StWr00/s400/IMG_1109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530235554496614530" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9W5pSMS2I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/24xmRFHWYw4/s1600/IMG_1110.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9W5pSMS2I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/24xmRFHWYw4/s400/IMG_1110.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530234415768947554" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vampire lights</span><br /><br />Figuring vampire stuff sells well, Surefire developed a new and awesome family of flashlights called Vampire lights. They are both super-bright flashlights and, with a flick of the wrist, become super 'bright' IR lights. All in the same package you know and love from Surefire.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9khCXyR_I/AAAAAAAAA6A/B6FEVlC3nXU/s1600/IMG_1275.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9khCXyR_I/AAAAAAAAA6A/B6FEVlC3nXU/s400/IMG_1275.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530249386169354226" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Surefire came all the way to Israel and saw that the IDF issued flashlights were their competitor's - Streamlights.</span> Doh!<br /><br />Here is a video of the Vampire Light in action. The purple glow of the IR was totally invisible to the naked eye.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/P-UPreoacJI?rel=0&hd=1" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All the rest...</span><br /><br />New NBC detectors from <a href="http://www.french-cbrn.com/">Proengin</a>. Hope nobody ever needs them. Ever.<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9f7qbJIgI/AAAAAAAAA54/2ISpgU8rYvY/s1600/IMG_1164b.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9f7qbJIgI/AAAAAAAAA54/2ISpgU8rYvY/s400/IMG_1164b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530244346039312898" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Also, there was an encrypted cell phone app by <a href="http://www.cellcrypt.com/">Cellcrypt</a>. You download the app on your Blackberry (iPhone is coming soon), and voila! your call is encrypted and secure. You need to pay Cellcrypt monthly for the service. (no picture taken)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9n4LMRZ_I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/51pYkqrAoHw/s1600/IMG_1179.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9n4LMRZ_I/AAAAAAAAA6Q/51pYkqrAoHw/s400/IMG_1179.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530253082208856050" border="0" /></a><br />Nice boots.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9n4Z7u3qI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/6LW2JmrY_I0/s1600/IMG_1128.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9n4Z7u3qI/AAAAAAAAA6Y/6LW2JmrY_I0/s400/IMG_1128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530253086166015650" border="0" /></a><br />This lady sold <a href="http://www.brms.info/">body-worn thermal reflectors</a> (note the poor sap in the background). We didn't care, we just listened because she gave us Snickers.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">No water for you!</span><br /><br />All the show had available to drink was free wine or beer. So what are the SWAT demo guys supposed to do after a hard day of pretending to storm stuff? That's right! Chug some beer!<br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9n3YOuqpI/AAAAAAAAA6I/XhUjDCaHSY8/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TL9n3YOuqpI/AAAAAAAAA6I/XhUjDCaHSY8/s400/IMG_1281.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5530253068528954002" border="0" /></a>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-58745666386437583162010-10-18T14:16:00.029-04:002010-10-18T18:15:09.773-04:00ISDEF 2010 - Part I<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLzDhzYHOqI/AAAAAAAAA2w/aYyHtbiFHe0/s1600/IMG_1073.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLzDhzYHOqI/AAAAAAAAA2w/aYyHtbiFHe0/s320/IMG_1073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529509427998571170" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With thanks to <a href="http://doubletapper.blogspot.com/">Doubletapper</a>, I was invited to the Israeli Defense show this year (<a href="http://isdef.co.il/">ISDEF 2010</a>). It was an amazing show with a lot of heavyweight companies and technologies showing up to vie for a piece of the multi-billion dollar Israeli (and worldwide) defense industry. Below are a bunch of new and impressive products now available to keep our armed forces safer and more effective.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Super sight</span><br /><br />Vision-enhancing products this year ranged from super-high-def night vision to amazing thermal scopes, to seeing through walls.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyX2ow-R2I/AAAAAAAAA1I/oriLQU_tsTU/s1600/IMG_1037.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 303px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyX2ow-R2I/AAAAAAAAA1I/oriLQU_tsTU/s400/IMG_1037.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529461407415682914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">No, Doubletapper did not forget to remove the lens cap...</span><br /><br />There is a new monocle night vision scope from <a href="http://www.nivisys.com/en/">Nivisys</a> (one of many such companies at the show) which provides an extremely high resolution image using amplified light. Because of the amount of ambient light in the showroom, it worked with a pinhole in the lens cap, so you look kinda silly trying it out (see above), but it still works great with the cap on:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyZAryiTBI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/pNTOYFZjgW4/s1600/IMG_1040.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyZAryiTBI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/pNTOYFZjgW4/s320/IMG_1040.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529462679537863698" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The same company also makes a thermal imaging scope which can (of course) be weapon-mounted. It was one of many thermal imaging products at the show. This scope runs over $10,000.<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLydLwbDM0I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/dLQUMCMRnBI/s1600/IMG_1031.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 155px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLydLwbDM0I/AAAAAAAAA1Y/dLQUMCMRnBI/s400/IMG_1031.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529467267806606146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyd1mhXdBI/AAAAAAAAA1o/lLBze6pLDGM/s1600/IMG_1034.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyd1mhXdBI/AAAAAAAAA1o/lLBze6pLDGM/s320/IMG_1034.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529467986703250450" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">A snapshot through the Nivisys thermal vision scope. The real-life image was much sharper.</span><br /><br />We did not get to play with, but only got a brochure of, a new cheaper hand-held thermal imaging scope by <a href="http://www.digitalallyinc.com/">Digital Ally</a>. It is only (!) $4300.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyfbLHB7dI/AAAAAAAAA1w/NFZ2h28Wl-w/s1600/IMG_1284%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 198px; height: 264px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyfbLHB7dI/AAAAAAAAA1w/NFZ2h28Wl-w/s400/IMG_1284%5B1%5D.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529469731691687378" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Low-profile night vision goggles (NVG):</span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLywxf0otrI/AAAAAAAAA2A/Y5hyOc_DLMs/s1600/IMG_1231.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLywxf0otrI/AAAAAAAAA2A/Y5hyOc_DLMs/s400/IMG_1231.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529488806906476210" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Sure I may look silly, but at least </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >I</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> can see in the dark.</span><br /><br />These new NVGs from the <a href="http://www.ogarasensorsystems.com/">O'Gara Group</a> has low-profile, periscope style optics, and project the amplified light images onto translucent screens in front of your eyes. This results in less disorientation and the ability to see the actual world and whatever ambient light there is - with both eyes - all while being served a delicious entree of night vision.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy5-wkcEsI/AAAAAAAAA2I/dXPG_ZG-ARY/s1600/IMG_1240.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 334px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy5-wkcEsI/AAAAAAAAA2I/dXPG_ZG-ARY/s400/IMG_1240.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529498930344891074" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">An attempted photo of O'Gara's latest NVG offering - HUD style.</span><br /><br />Oooh, but there's more... One of these goggle's "eyes" can be replaced with a mini projector which looks just like the NVG component, and can project whatever you'd like in front of your eye - maybe you'd like some realtime intel, overhead imagery, or even friendlies' positions - and still have the other eye use night vision.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy6OpeLe9I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/iSyg0WUVhaI/s1600/IMG_1246.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 347px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy6OpeLe9I/AAAAAAAAA2Q/iSyg0WUVhaI/s400/IMG_1246.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529499203317496786" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Project whatever you like in front of your eyes - even the latest playoff scores...</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">But can it see through <span style="font-style: italic;">walls</span>?</span><br /><br />Enough talk of these cool but outmoded ways of seeing things. How about seeing people through walls? While the <a href="http://www.camero-tech.com/">Camero</a> system is not quite new, it will never cease to amaze me. Their large (and quite unwieldy) 3D version is simply amazing. You set up the Xaver 800 up near a wall, and it shows on the screen a 3D model of the room with its occupants, that can be spun around and analyzed. Awesome.<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy8ffauVFI/AAAAAAAAA2g/Yfvnfr1X3Mw/s1600/XAVER800m_0.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 232px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy8ffauVFI/AAAAAAAAA2g/Yfvnfr1X3Mw/s320/XAVER800m_0.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529501691699680338" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Stock photo. Sorry!</span><br /><br />Camero's smaller version of Superman envy, the Xaver 400, is their more famous model which can see and track man-sized objects through walls, and show the people and their movements in 2D on the screen.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyjWoNWYLI/AAAAAAAAA14/5M90ndl8QRY/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLyjWoNWYLI/AAAAAAAAA14/5M90ndl8QRY/s400/IMG_1155.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529474051649986738" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Doubletapper playing with Camero's sick see-though-walls toy.</span><br /><br />In what may be <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0EId7Bbs0Q">a world-wide exclusive</a> (I have seen no mention of this product anywhere else), below is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0EId7Bbs0Q">a video</a> of a Camero representative showing us their newest model, the Xaver 100, in action. This model is still in beta testing, which means that only a few lucky special forces units worldwide get to play with it while Camero works out any bugs. The Xaver 100 is small enough to fit in a double mag pouch, and it can detect the presence of a person through a wall (yet not plot and track in 2D).<br /><br />I want one.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/v0EId7Bbs0Q?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sensing shots</span><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy92RDEq8I/AAAAAAAAA2o/BrXj3HO2kUU/s1600/IMG_1174.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__bXcoBLlLcQ/TLy92RDEq8I/AAAAAAAAA2o/BrXj3HO2kUU/s400/IMG_1174.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529503182491003842" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Battlefield shot sensing - on a stick. <span style="font-size:78%;"> (See that silver pencil thingy mounted next to the guy's barrel?)</span></span><br /><br />Here is a company (<a href="http://www.microflown.com/">Microflown Technologies</a>) that is developing a 3D acoustic sensor that is rifle-mounted and can detect the location of shots fired at you. It feeds information to the rifle sight and can point you (with a constantly updated red arrow) towards those fiends who dared shoot at you!<br /><br />It is amazing technology which uses sensitive sensors mounted on three different axes to pinpoint the location of the shot to within a <span style="font-style: italic;">1 degree accuracy</span>. Check out this demo video below. There were simulated shots coming from two computer speakers, and I was testing the sensor out with snaps.<br /><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" class="youtube-player" type="text/html" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/d2oSwFls_kM?rel=0" frameborder="0" height="390" width="640"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">But where are the guns, for dang's sake?!</span><br /><br />Sorry to keep you hanging, but tune in to Part II, coming soon, to see new guns, accessories, and more awesome new technologies displayed at the ISDEF 2010.Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-63077760435103327922010-08-10T08:24:00.002-04:002010-08-10T08:44:54.796-04:00Sound the Great ShofarFrom the <a href="http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/867674/jewish/Translation.htm">Jewish Prayer service</a> we say three times a day:<br /><blockquote>Sound the great shofar for our freedom; raise a banner to gather our exiles, and bring us together from the four corners of the earth into our land. Blessed are You Hashem, who gathers the dispersed of His people Israel.</blockquote>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-84557730529573846072010-08-03T16:55:00.002-04:002010-08-03T17:26:30.306-04:00On Saying GoodbyeSo we're leaving tomorrow to New Jersey on our way to <span style="font-style: italic;">Eretz Yisrael</span> - the holy land of Israel. After much pushing off and denial, the time arrivesto say goodbye to various family members. We say we'll see each other soon. Not sure that it will be soon, but we say it anyways. I don't cry, but it is probably because I don't see the future as well as my wife does.<br /><br />We're going to a good place for us and our children, but the pain of loss, absence and uncertainty causes me to second guess our decision. Friends of ours in Israel look back on their move and on being in Israel and can't imagine living in any other place in the world.<br /><br />It is my ferverent prayer and hope that we will be feeling the same way, and soon.Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6899125.post-67149927113355503792008-12-18T06:58:00.003-05:002008-12-18T07:03:16.075-05:00Happy HolidaysIn these seemingly troubled times, we all should learn from <a href="http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/">Matt</a>, who looks on the bright side, and just <a href="http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/videos.shtml?fbid=n4zQ6XoH6TW"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">dances</span></a>.<br /><br />Happy Holidays.<br /><br /><object width="630" align="middle" height="380"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zlfKdbWwruY&ap=%2526fmt%3D22"><param name="wmode" value="window"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zlfKdbWwruY&ap=%2526fmt%3D22" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" wmode="window" width="630" height="380"></embed></object>Yishaihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08808892929936275662noreply@blogger.com1