Gongol.com Archives: July 2006
Brian Gongol


July 3, 2006

Threats and Hazards (2006.07.03)
North Korea says US spy flights "requires bolstering military deterrence"
One of their threats may be the use of nuclear weapons, and uncertainty about the effectiveness of a US missile-defense system doesn't help. Unfortunately, a review of likely outcomes suggests just two likelihoods: If North Korea has nukes, they have incentive to use them, and if they don't, they have incentive to keep threatening that they do until they get them. Also unfortunately, the potential consequences of a preemptive strike against the North Korean nuclear program aren't all that great, either. Meanwhile, other futurists see the threat of a preemptive strike on Iran as a possible catalyst of state failure in China.

Aviation News (2006.07.03)
Foam crack could prevent shuttle launch

News (2006.07.03)
Australian Treasurer wants more centralization
Seems like an odd direction to pick, since the rest of the world still seems to realize that decentralization is probably the way of the future

News (2006.07.03)
Total recount required to name next Mexican president

News (2006.07.03)
Poland to launch public-relations effort to improve image

Agriculture (2006.07.03)
Can the US follow the "Brazilian model" for energy independence?
Considering how much we use, probably not

Health (2006.07.03)
Heavy use of mobile phones may be linked to depression in teenagers
Whether the phone is causing the problem or is just a symptom of a different problem is unclear

The United States of America (2006.07.03)
The former porn star who wants to be governor of Nevada
She's a member of the NRA, is an immigrant from the Philippines, and is running as a Republican

Threats and Hazards (2006.07.03)
Women widely better-off, but other democratic reforms scarce in Arab countries

Health (2006.07.03)
Good recovered out of evil
Victims of the London train bombings last year turn out to be some of the first patients successfully treated with new approaches to replacement limbs and extremities, including the successful integration of metal prosthetics with their own skin, muscles, and nervous systems