On Fox 5 morning news this morning, a reporter interviewed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) chief engineer about bridge safety, in light of the apparently-spontaneous Interstate bridge collapse yesterday in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that killed at least four and injured more than 60 commuters. The reporter asked (paraphrased), ‘Given the Minneapolis bridge was inspected in 2005 and 2006, should we be worried about the validity of our bridge inspections?’ The useless reply from VDOT was (also paraphrased), ‘We inspect over 11,000 bridges in Virginia annually, and our inspection process is reviewed by the federal government. Bridges in Virginia are safe.’
Attorneys, Investigations, and Moral Consistency (Updated: Gonzales Resigns)
On December 7, 2006, seven United States Attorneys were dismissed by President George W. Bush (R). This has spun into a controversy because many political opponents of the president believe the attorneys were fired for political reasons. Frankly, it doesn’t matter. Even if they were fired for political reasons, the president can fire his appointees for any reason he sees fit—whether political, personal, performance-related, or silly (e.g., ‘he wears green ties too often’). Further, under Executive Privilege, the president and his staff can refuse Congress’s requests that they explain themselves—internal affairs of the Executive Branch are none of Congress’s business.
Fixing the American Auto Industry
Introduction
I thank God nearly every day because I am blessed to be in the United States. I buy lots of foreign products—after all, international trade benefits all—but I take pride in buying from American businesses when I can, especially for larger purchases. Even if my Apple computer was built by a firm in Shanghai, it was designed and engineered by Americans and much of the software it runs was coded by American programmers. There’s something refreshing about finding a quality product invented, designed, and engineered by your own countrymen.
Robert A. Heinlein’s Legacy
My favorite author is Robert A. Heinlein, so it was a real pleasure to see him discussed in the pages of today’s Wall St. Journal. Heinlein’s work, for those of you haven’t read it, is incredible. While his earliest novels were published in the 1940s, they have stood the test of time are are—with rare exception—as-good or better reads today than when originally released. He predicted many technologies we consider commonplace today (like wireless phones) decades before they became reality. Though sometimes controversial or offensive, Heinlein’s books never fail to make you think—even if you’re not a fan of science fiction.
- Robert A. Heinlein’s Legacy (Wall St. Journal; free email subscription may be required).
On the Move (In September)
Those of you who know me probably know that I’ve been in the same apartment for about five years now. I moved into the apartment (just outside of the city of Fairfax) as I was entering my junior year at George Mason University in August 2002. The original two roommates moved out in December 2003 and I shared the place with a new roommate until he left in July 2004. Then I had the place to myself—except Melissa’s stuff, which slowly migrated in—until May 2005 when we got married.
Scott Bradford is a writer and technologist who has been putting his opinions online since 1995. He believes in three inviolable human rights: life, liberty, and property. He is a Catholic Christian who worships the trinitarian God described in the Nicene Creed. Scott is a husband, nerd, pet lover, and AMC/Jeep enthusiast with a B.S. degree in public administration from George Mason University.