We were almost hit...

...by a Winnebago!

http://news.discovery.com/space/asteroid-2011-md-near-miss-monday-110624.html

You can also find pictures of the asteroid (<--warning: have to watch an ad first) but don't get your hopes up about seeing something like Saturn's moons or that Armageddon rock.

The asteroid was discovered four days before non-impact and passed below the GPS satellites. Pretty cool.

Shortly after, the flyby was followed by an odd, plaid patterned aurora australis. And some southern radio telescopes report capturing data that sounded like "Looone Sssstaaaaar".

And we have another, larger, one coming by in November that is also supposed to miss, by a larger distance. Which is good because that one's 400 meters long.

http://neo.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news171.html

Snubbed, again

Once again the Skeptic Wire team has been left out of the list of leaders of the modern freethought movement. Check out this supposedly "complete" Periodic table of Atheists and Antitheists. I'm going to write my representative!



Original Link:
http://ext.yimg.com/ec?url=http%3a%2f%2f1.bp.blogspot.com%2f-Bay4lTZyHTE%2fTgYmEIFDbbI%2fAAAAAAAAAEM%2fuk50wWHaofw%2fs1600%2ftableofatheists150.jpg&t=1309203075&ttl=3888000&sig=NIFEWoUVFPSffgWDzvYErg--~B

Poe's Corner from Episode 011

Which one of these is fake?


1) The Life Force Inc. Frequency Alignment Device - How Does It Work?
The Earth has an electromagnetic field surrounding it. This field has a frequency. All matter within this field has it's own vibration frequency. From time to time this vibration frequency can become upset. The Life Force Inc. helps realign your body frequency. 
How does it work?
The Life Force Inc. works by applying very definitive bandwidths of frequencies in three specially created groups of waveforms.   One band contains all the frequencies pertaining to the pathogen (bacteria, viruses, fungi) range. We omit the frequencies of enzymatic bacteria and some floras, they are needed for our digestive functions and therefore need not be disturbed. Much research has been done in defining these frequencies and   research continues to define the frequencies of new strains of pathogens as they emerge; to date none have fallen outside of the over one million frequencies we employ in our devices. The wave shape and orientation instruct the cells of the body to open and release their pathogen content to the bloodstream, where they are more readily exposed to the frequencies contained in the perspective band we use to effect them. Each pathogen frequency then meets with its own frequency contained in the waveform; this sets up a strain on them, where it is impossible for each to vibrate at their own Life Frequency. They slowly self destruct. These now-dead pathogens are carried through the bloodstream to our filter organs to be processed out of the body. This is why we suggest, during the use of the technology, when you find it is time to urinate, consume some clean water before urination. What this does is to create pressure for the flush and to leave some fluid in the filter organs for the next batch of die-off to be suspended. This allows the filter organs to function with less strain. Please consume adequate clean filtered water or fluids! 
NOTE! You must maintain a fresh battery supply to ensure your device's effectiveness. Two 9-volt alkaline batteries are required for your initial 30-day application. The first battery will be used from day one to day fifteen, the second to day thirty 


2) G-Oyster™
Electromagnetic Stress is often an unrecognized and undiagnosed factor in many minor and serious illnesses, including slow recovery from illness. Contributing factors to Electro Stress include: mobile phone masts, substations, pylons, DECT phone systems, GSM and UMTS mobile phones, computer equipment, household appliances, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth systems. 
G-Oyster™: The conclusion of many years of research and development in miniaturising the unique Geomack Energetic Vitalising Technology™ has culminated in the release of a product that is totally revolutionary in personal energetic protection - both in terms of Electro Stress and Geopathic Stress - while at the same time being an amazing personal energy booster that can be carried right in your pocket! 
How does it work?
The products interact with the natural electromagnetic fields eminating from the earth and create a charging energetic field that has the following characteristics: it boosts the energy levels of the inhabitants of the relevant property and this vitalising field also neutralises the harmful effects of natural electromagnetic radiation – Geopathic Stress (GS)- which has become distorted by other electromagnetic fields such as underground running water, underground cavities, certain mineral concentrations or power cables. Also the energetic field emitted by the products very efficiently combats the effects of man-made Electromagnetic Pollution (also called Electro Sress) caused by, amongst others, electrical appliances, pylons, substations, mobile phone masts, computer equipment, mobile phones and DECT cordless phones.  A draining environment becomes revitalised. 


3) NRG Recalibration Module
The NRG Recalibration Module(tm) is a proprietary and new technology that stimulates and relaxes the bodies natural electromagnetic field causing a balancing of the bodies internal biorhythms. Years of testing have proven the NRG Recalibration Module(tm) technology to be 100% effective in correcting years of damage done by modern society's growing dependence on electro-magnetic wave emitting devices. 
How does it work?
The NRG Recalibration Module(tm) uses semi-passive Q-Crystalline(r) technology to alter incoming electro-magnetic waves and create a harmonious living or work environment. Dangerous artificial electro-magnetic waves induce vibrational energy into the 3-Dimensional Q-Crystalline(r) grid, which is tuned to the body's natural frequencies. The NRG Recalibration Module(tm) then absorsb and remodulates the waves to frequencies that are safe for humans and animals. By having one or more of the modules in your work area, it is possible to create a natural electro-magnetic safe zone, where your mind and body will perform most efficiently and without stress. 
The NRG Recalibration Module(tm) is even capable of protecting you from your personal computer or  laptop, by wearing it around your neck or placing it in a shirt, jacket, or pants pocket!

From The "Duh" Files: Don't Hit Your Kids

Being a sensitive new-age guy who grew up in the Northeast I always thought that the general cultural consensus in the U.S. now-a-days was that spanking is a bad thing. It only teaches the kids not to get caught and to think problems can be solved by violence. What starts with a spank can "slippery slope" into full on abuse. But it could be worse.

Then I saw this breif article:
http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/news/2011/06/21/texas-mom-gets-probation-for-spanking-her-daughter/

Probation? Sure. Parenting classes? Fine, OK, good. But losing custody?!? Unfortunately there is probably more to this story that we're not getting. You can see hints of it in the line "after the child's grandmother reported the injuries and took the child to a hospital." There was probably more than just spanking going on. But wow, for the judge to focus ONLY on the spanking surprises me.

So maybe that was a possible overreaction by the judge. But then I looked over at the poll listed with the short article:

Should parents spank their children?

Last I checked it was "Yes" at 94.36% and "No" at 5.64%. To quote Phil Plait: Holy Haleakalas!!! Even given that Fox News (this is Fox News Latino) consumers are more conservative and authoritarian, this is pretty sad. It shouldn't take the threat of jail time or losing your kids into foster care in order to realize that hitting a kid is not a good idea. I'll paraphase Plait: Don't be a dick...to your kids.

Episode 011 counts to three in base 2

Download it directly here or get it on iTunes




This week:
- Greg's return rant
- Happy post Summer Solstice
- Lightning Round
- Netherland Study shows IT employees have more children with autism
- Inattentional Blindness
- Poe's Corner (moved to separate post)

- James Arthur Ray is convicted of three counts of involuntary manslaughter
James Arther Ray was in the movie "The Secret", was on Oprah, and became a highly paid motivational speaker type person.


- NBC removes "Under God, Indivisible" from a television spot. Conspiracy or Accident?

Episode 010 has a bangin' stereo system doncha think?

Download it directly here or get it on iTunes

This week:
Intro things
- Mass grave psychic isn't even apsychic
- Wayne Christian nearly halts passing of legislation
Lightning Round
Terry Pratchett and Alzheimer's
Atheist Bus Ads cause consternation
Poe's Corner
- This week: energy and healing items

And the dogs make splashy drinky noises because that's the way they roll...drink.


Follow the blog at: http://skepticwire.blogspot.com
Follow on twitter: @theskepticwire
Write us at: skepticwire@gmail.com
Leave us a voice message through the iPhone podcaster app (coming to Android soon?)
Friend us on Facebook
Subscribe on iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skeptic-wire/id434251897
...leave a review, if you are so inclined!

Episode 009 makes a small nest in a 1943 Ford engine block

Download it directly here or get it from iTunes


This week:
Intro things
- Dan Savage vs. Jen McCreight
- R.I.P. Jack Kevorkian
Lightning Round
- KKK vs Westboro Baptist
- Autism App
- Mike Adams
- Dr. Sears' anti-vax removed
- Catholic church and homopathy
- Dolphins kill porpoises
- Photons created from nothing
Greg's surprise segment: Poe's Corner (see earlier post!)

Texas things:
- Medina Prayer
- Perry exhorts other Governors to pray
- "Psychic" gets it wrong
- No low pants on Ft Worth Buses

And the dogs execute a well-orchestrated performance art where-in they eat food at us and bark.


Follow the blog at: http://skepticwire.blogspot.com
Follow on twitter: @theskepticwire
Write us at: skepticwire@gmail.com
Leave us a voice message through the iPhone podcaster app (coming to Android soon?)
Friend us on Facebook
Subscribe on iTunes
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skeptic-wire/id434251897
...leave a review, if you are so inclined!