Banterer

Launch your Ashes into Outer Space

5/23/2012

SpaceX made history on May 22, when the first ever privately owned vehicle was launched to dock with the international space station. Ever since NASA retired its last shuttle, they have been paying the Russians for a ticket space. SpaceX is hoping all will go well that they may win over NASA's future business.

While the shuttle is without astronauts, Star Trek's "Scotty" is on board. "Scotty" is one of the 308 memorial passengers who are aboard this historical mission. Another honorable mention is Leroy Gordon "Gordo" Cooper, Jr., whom was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts. "Gordo" piloted the Mercury Shuttle on May 15, 1963. They are aboard a second stage of the rocket, which separated from the main rocket, and will orbit the earth for a year before burning up on re-entry.

Celestis Memorial Spaceflight Services teamed with SpaceX to provide the ashes a trip to the heavens. Depending on how far one wants to send their ashes will determine the price. The Earth Rise Service, which will return the ashes to earth starts at $995. The Earth Orbit Service includes launching the ashes to orbit the earth, starts at $2,995. For those who wish to send their loved ones to the moon, they may prefer the Luna Service, starting at $9,995. For the truly adventurous, they may select the Voyager Service, launching their ashes into deep space. This service has starting rate of $12,500.

SpaceX launched the inaugural voyage of Falcon 9 on June 4, 2010, which proved successful. SpaceX has proven reliable with each new mission they accept. With their constant advancement in technology and Safety, we may eventually find ourselves with commercial flights carrying live passengers into space at the reasonable cost that ashes can board for. Currently a live space tourist is shelling out $20 million or more for the experience, while ashes can obtain a ticket for under a thousand.

As Scotty once said, "So, the Enterprise has had its maiden voyage, has it? She is one well-endowed lady. I'd like to get my hands on her "ample nacelles," if you pardon the engineering parlance." Farewell, Scotty!

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"He had his own room, and helped pay the bills"

5/9/2012

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Released by Federal Trade Commission on 11/29/2011: "The social networking service Facebook has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it deceived consumers by telling them they could keep their information on Facebook private, and then repeatedly allowing it to be shared and made public. The proposed settlement requires Facebook to take several steps to make sure it lives up to its promises in the future, including giving consumers clear and prominent notice and obtaining consumers' express consent before their information is shared beyond the privacy settings they have established." Facebook has made clear in their privacy policy as well as through their spokespeople that personal information is not for sell. Product placement throughout the users' individual page is where the money's at. The user themselves are not for sale, or are they?

Michael Grimes, managing director and Co-Head of Morgan Stanley, plays the wingman in the mergers of social technology and Wall Street. He is rated one of the top dealmakers in the conjoining of technology and investment banking, and has been in control of several large initial public offerings. These IPO's include Google, Ancestry.com, and Linked-in. Mr. Grimes has courted the idea of the Facebook IPO for some time, but he did not push the deal. His patience may bring a large profit, with a Facebook IPO in progress.

The Facebook IPO Roadshow is currently underway with CEO Zuckerman peddling profiles for cash. The Roadshow is meant to encourage investors to buy up the idea of marketing users for pennies on the dollar then sell them on Wall Street for a profit. Even those with few friends on Facebook may feel like a whore after learning how cheap they turned tricks for.

Facebook's timeline format can help marketers follow what a user's current likes are, as well as their immediate social circle. This allows marketers to know where to place their ads, so they can get the greatest return for their advertising buck. Does it really matter if the user hates it? Who is paying the bills here? As a social network that generates a large profit, Facebook is ready to offer a stock option. The majority of Facebook's earnings currently stem from advertisements, while the rest stem from payment business.

If they keep growing in the payment business, they may someday give PayPal a run for their money. How does Facebook make money in the payment business? They take a thirty percent cut from the purchase of games such as Farmland and Mafia Wars, or other apps that allow folks to purchase credits with real money. What they don't do, is sell user information to third parties. It's curious though when a user receives an email from Amazon, suggesting they purchase a "Faster Pussycat" CD, shortly after they comment on a facebook page "Faster Pussycat?" Is an email considered personally identifying information? Things that make you go Hmmm.

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Mr. Right

5/2/2012

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America has come a long way, even with the many bills that have hindered more than helped the forward movement of equality for all. The recent, "Don't Say Gay" bill was dead before it took its long journey to Capitol Hill. This bill wasn't going to be one of the lucky ones that became a law, because he was stopped while he was only a bill. Discrimination comes in all forms, and it's not always a bill.

The Republicans view of family first may have been damaged by the idea of an openly gay foreign policy spokesman. On his radio show, Sean Hannity mentioned the one who took the hardest hit by the Romney campaign was Newt Gingrich. It could be said that Richard Grenell also took a hard hit. He was on the Romney team for less than a month, and forced out of his position by right wing extremist.

Bryan Fischer of the American Family Association felt as though Romney had told the pro-family community to "drop dead," with his hiring of an openly gay man. Anti-discrimination laws may someday work in the favor of the LGBT community, but not today. Fischer believes Governor Romney has a much better shot at the evangelicals vote, with Grenell off the team. Bryan Fischer declared, "Huge win." He doesn't believe Romney will make the mistake again too soon of not discriminating against what one is as opposed to what they can offer.

Mitt Romney proved he wasn't antigay when he hired an openly gay representative to his staff. All who see this view may have their blinders on. One who is able to look past sexual orientation should have no problem defending their selection of those they add to their staff. Mr. Romney may have had stars in his eyes when he first considered the addition of Mr. Grenell to his team. Since Romney is openly Mormon, he should have known Grenell's place on his staff would be criticized. Money can buy a lot, but it can't buy him the LGBT and the Family Values vote at the same time.

Richard Grenell has a Masters degree from Harvard University's JFK School of Government. He served in the UN for six years, and has been in public relations and communications for roughly twenty years. Based on his qualifications, he appeared to be Mr. Right for the job. Richard Grenell had also thought he found his Mr. Right, when given the opportunity with Governor Romney. He was being given an opening to go up against Obama's policies. This relationship didn't work out, but hopefully neither will stay discouraged for long. Mr. Right's still out there, somewhere.

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Launch your Ashes into Outer Space

"He had his own room, and helped pay the bills"

Mr. Right

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