March 15, 2007
your tax dollars at work
Well, not YOURS, necessarily, unless you are my mom or dad, in which case, hello! This is where your tax money goes!
In August, the International Astronomical Union met in Prague and voted Pluto out of the solar system. Okay, what they REALLY did was redefine what made a planet, and Pluto doesn’t fit the new definition.
Whatever.
Not everyone was happy about this, and some were more unhappy than others, including people in the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, the home of Clyde Tombaugh, the guy who discovered Pluto. So to set things right with the universe (if you will) the New Mexico state legislature has declared Pluto to be a planet*. Again! But only when it passes over the state, apparently, which it doesn’t, really, because of where it is in space and how it orbits.
They also declared March 13 “Pluto Planet Day.” Mark your calendars.
(Oh, and the New Mexico legislature also passed a bill that will mandate HPV vaccines for girls entering the sixth grade. More about that here and here. Feel free to discuss. And also to admire how I snuck that in there. Impressive, yes?)
*Click that link and read the comments. Those astronomers are funny.
Posted by Susan @ 12:22 pm • Uncategorized
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March 15th, 2007 at 1:17 pm, Magpie Says:
I love the Pluto comments from the astronomers! Thanks for finding that.
March 15th, 2007 at 1:24 pm, Rebecca Says:
Ok so maybe I an understanding this wrong, because the media doesnt put things the way I understand it. This IS NOT a cancer vaccine. It is a vaccine to prevent an STD. Which could possibby in some cases cause cervical cancer. I dont really care either way. But I want them to stop acting like they are keeping your kid from getting cancer. They might, but only time will tell.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:21 pm, The June Cleaver Diaries Says:
I’m all for the vaccine.
Until we can come up with the technology that repels sleazy guys from drunk girls in bars (a force-field of some sort. Kind of like a reverse electric fence), I say thumbs up for the vaccine.
Everyone makes mistakes when they’re young— people shouldn’t have to potentially pay for them with their lives.
March 15th, 2007 at 9:30 pm, adria Says:
The government in New Mexico must have A LOT of time on their hands.
So silly and shocking.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:33 am, sarcastic journalist Says:
I love the part about it flying over the state. Ahhh, government. Gotta love them.
March 17th, 2007 at 5:21 pm, Tricia Says:
And did you know the vaccine is for boys as well- but nobody is forcing them- I mean I know they can’t get cervical cancer, but i believe it is just another symptom of our corrupt society/government, sexist, money grubbing…blah, blah, blah.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:04 am, Gidge Says:
Comments on the pluto thing were a riot.
Legislative Descartes indeed…….