The No History Channel

This is another one of those times that I have finally gotten frustrated enough to write on a particular topic.

Why is it that there is rarely if ever actual history on "The No History Channel?"

"Ice Road Truckers," "Mountain Men," "Mud Cats" and "Swamp People" do NOT qualify as history in my book and neither do "Ancient Aliens!"

There was a time, not that long ago, when one could count on being able to turn on the TV on a Friday night, tune into "The No History Channel,"  and watch a documentary on the Revolution, or perhaps the Presidents of the United States, or even about "How the States Got Their Shapes."  To be fair, in the not to distant past, I did know some people who referred to  "The No History Channel"  as "The World War II Channel" because of the number of WWII documentaries, but at least that was History!  And also to be fair, "Pawn Stars" does discuss the History of the items that people are coming in to pawn or sell, but that seems to be the only current History show.  One would think that with a channel named,  "The No History Channel,"  one could turn to that channel at any point in time, and see something about, well, History!

I am not the only person who has noticed.  Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA), after "tweeting" about the lack of history on  "The No History Channel," responded to an inquiry by the Washington Examiner on the subject:

“I love history,” Grassley wrote. “A better understanding is going to strengthen our country. It’s going to strengthen patriotism.” Plus this non-history programming represents an unfulfilled promise by the network. “When I signed up for the History Channel on my satellite service, I expected to get history,” he said. “Instead, all I see are people chopping wood or driving trucks on an icy road.”

Worse still for "The No History Channel"- Matt Parker and Trey Stone noticed.  When the change is significant enough that "South Park" makes fun of you, you have really accomplished something!

The No History Channel

MTV 30th Anniversary

The first few minutes of MTV-- August 1, 1981 12:01 AM. Video may not have "killed the radio star", but the technology that many in the 1980's said would fail, has certainly succeeded.

MTV 30th Anniversary

Live Feed From BP Gulf ROV

These are live feeds from one of the BP ROV's working in the gulf. Feeds may be unavailable from time to time.

Live Feed From BP Gulf ROV

Obama to Open New KOREAN Plant- at US Taxpayer Expense

The Korean press is reporting that President Barack Hussein Obama will be attending the groundbreaking for an LG Chem Battery Plant in Michigan. This plant is used to create batteries for hybrid cars.  What is important to note, is that this is a Korean business that received $280 million in cash and tax incentives to build the plant to create only 400 jobs.

The $280 million works out to over $700,000 PER JOB! Senior Management will be S. Korean, so that will likely leave only 380 jobs actually created.

Why not give the money to an AMERICAN company?  OR just give 400 people $70,000 per year for 10 years of 4000 people $70K for 1 year.

If should also be noted that it is VERY rare for a US President to attend the opening of a plant belonging to a foreign country- even if they are allied with us. 

I am not opposed to creating jobs, but I am opposed to supporting foreign companies with US Tax Dollars when there are American Companies that could use the support.
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Obama to Open New KOREAN Plant- at US Taxpayer Expense

Laws Banning Cellphone Use While Driving DON'T work

Imposing laws to protect people from themselves are nothing new. The issue is what happens to those laws once it is found that they don't work. For example- researchers have found that laws that ban cellphone use while driving DO NOT prevent car accidents.

From the New York Times: "Laws banning cellphone use while driving apparently haven’t reduced crashes, according to a study released on Friday that compared the number of total crashes before the ban with the number after. The study found virtually no difference in the numbers, a finding that had the researchers scratching their heads."

Now the question is, will the laws be repealed? Probably not. After all, there is still a lot of money to be made selling headphones and devices to "make us safe." In fact, I am willing to bet that communities will continue to propose "no talking while driving laws" despite the evidence the laws are a failure.

Laws Banning Cellphone Use While Driving DON'T work

Obama to Kill NASA Exploration

After spending his State of the Union talking about how important education is, it looks like President Obama will kill off a government program that is 100% about discovery, education, learning and exploration.

It appears the White House will zero out the Constellation Program at NASA.

When the Shuttle Program ends this year, NASA will be without a launch vehicle or a goal. The plan had been, build Constellation and go back to the Moon then on to Mars...

Instead, NASA will be directed to have "other governments" - namely the Russians- fly our Astronauts to the space station. NASA's mission will be to stop ManBearPig Global Warming. Apparently the President does not realize that the best way to stop ManBearPig Global Warming, is to get scientists to report factual data, instead of making up numbers to create a fictional crisis.

Ending manned exploration of space will hurt every American. Since 1976, NASA's manned exploration of space has provided over 1400 inventions that affect our daily lives. These inventions include everything from medical scanners to self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA's) used by fire-fighters to save lives. Smoke detectors (originally deployed in Sky Lab) and ear thermometers are other examples of how NASA "tech" has filtered down to every day lives.

Yes, the United States is in a recession. However, our manned space exploration program does not need to be ended because of it. The history of mankind is the history of discovery. We have been leaders in discovery for over the past 100 years or more. We must not give it up now.

From Amazon.com: When We Left Earth - The NASA Missions (4-Disc Set) [Blu-ray]

Obama to Kill NASA Exploration

New Site URL

I have added a new URL for this site. You can now reach The Carden Chronicles at http://www.CardenChronicles.com.

You can now email me at Editor at CardenChronicles dot Com and news tips can go to News at CardenChronicles dot Com.

The original URL of http://mcarden.blogspot.com will continue to work indefinately.

New Site URL

REALLY cool Technology

This is incredible. There are a lot of possibilites for this Technology and it is CERTAINLY a lot cheaper than Microsoft Surface!

REALLY cool Technology

Christmas List: Flight Simulator X: Acceleration

It's the time of year to start compiling a Christmas list. Generally, every year, when I asked what I want, I always say, "I don't know." This year I can definitely say Acceleration for Flight Sim X. This package looks awesome—especially head to head internet aircraft races… Of course, the new throttle quadrant from Saitek would be good too, but I don't wish to appear greedy.

From FSInsider.com:

Developed by ACES Studio, "Flight Simulator X: Acceleration" adds a wealth of new content and features, allowing gamers to race against each other in amazing, highly-detailed locations around the world. Aviators are able to test their skills and heroism in many new missions while enjoying three exciting new aircraft and the ability to share rewards, photos and videos with friends and the broader flight simulator community.

Christmas List: Flight Simulator X: Acceleration