Zap

I will freely admit I think a vast majority of my tax money goes to things that are either constitutionally suspect, generally worthless, or overpriced. However, if the government is going to spend my money on things, I expect results.

I'd say a megawatt class laser destroying a ballistic missile during boost in under 2 minutes qualifies. Besides, it's a megawatt class laser. That's cool in and of itself. For purposes of comparison, the little laser pointers everyone uses to annoy cats are in the milliwatt range. The laser they used on Thursday is a billion times more powerful. I'd like to think Ted Maiman would be impressed.

If that's not enough 'splodey goodness for the morning, somebody went and built himself a gauss pistol. (Thanks Tam!) A little unwieldy and a lot underpowered, but technology proceeds apace. I have confidence that someday we'll get the power density high enough for a smaller and more effective version. We may be building a dystopian nightmare after all, but we'll have some cool guns to enforce and/or revolt against the system.

Non-Interference

So, Leisure Suit Larry who just stole the election in Iran is running around telling everybody who will listen the US is interfering in the electoral process over there. Ahmadinejad apparently doesn't pay attention to his surroundings. It's been a long time since we were any good at the subtle approach. We've pretty much given the whole coup d'etat deal away in favor of a straight up punitive expedition.

In other words, you dumb bastard, when the JDAMs are taking the building down around your ears, we're interfering. Until then, not so much.

Get Bombed 3 Times

At the asscrack of dawn today, 63 years ago, the United States government ushered in the dawn of a new era by blowing the ever-loving crap out of a chunk of deserted New Mexico real estate. We understood the power of the atom and used it to turn some sand into radioactive glass. Yay, us.

In the 63 years since then, we have notably managed to not destroy all life on earth as we know it. The genre of post-apocalyptic sci-fi really dates from the Atomic Era, and so far very few of the bleak dystopias imagined have come to pass. Personally, I'm not at all disappointed.

Anyhow, in celebration of the glorious event, here's a drink recipe shamelessly pulled off the internet. I have modified it for easier understanding by non-metric drinkers.

Atomic Bomb

Take a double jigger of good beer.
Place in bottom of pint glass.
Fill remainder of pint glass with Aquavit.
Drink.

If you're a little less prone to drinking pints of mouthwash Aquavit you might try reversing the mix. That strikes me as a wee bit more palatable, but what do I know? Also, you won't end up passed out on the floor after 2 of them.

Musical suggestions to accompany the evening's libation:

Atom Bomb by Fluke
We Will All Go Together When We Go by Tom Lehrer
Atomic by Blondie

Similarly themed music may be substituted at your discretion, but these are what's on the NAS that come immediately to mind.

Now, go drink up and enjoy a Happy Trinity Day.