The Explorers Club
No. XLV - Sputnik 1, the first man-made object in space, launched 4 October 1957.





The launch of Sputnik 1 was a genuine triumph, but never doubt that the Soviet Union was a murderous abomination, a blight upon the face of the earth. And fifty years ago this week, a blight across the face of the heavens.




The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
They Might Be Giants, "Space Suit" from Apollo 18 (T.L.A.M.)

The Victors
I still didn't see yesterday's game; so, I still cannot bring you my personal views on how the valiant Wolverines acquitted themselves against the scholarly Wildcats. Damn the Big Ten Network. Having read today's newspaper and its sundry accounts, I am heartened by Chad Henne's return. In time, Ryan Mallett will blossom into a deadly weapon for our cause, but for the nonce he is just a lad and not yet grown into the role.

It is a testament to Mike Hart's grandeur that even on a bad day he still netted over one hundred yards rushing. You've got to have Hart!

Go Blue!

He Tasks Me
I wanted to leave the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University of Notre Dame alone with their misery, to stop making such a public spectacle of their misfortune, but Alistair insists that even at 0-5 the vile Fighting Irish are still "relevant." In the words of Khan Noonien Singh, "He tasks me. He tasks me, and I shall have him."

Notre Dame's football team, if it may be called such, is 0-5. Charlie the Whale has lead his boys to the first 0-5 start in school history and seven consecutive losses going back to last season. 0 and 5. This is Weis's third season as head coach at Notre Dame and he has lead his team to five defeats. In the previous coach's third season, he lead his team to five defeats (and six victories). That coach lost his job. Anyone think the Whale will lead the '07 vile Irish to six victories? Anyone think he will lose his job? I wonder what exactly that says about the University of Notre Dame.

This debacle could not have happened to a more deserving gang of braggarts and bullies. Bwa ha ha ha ha!