Science!
The European Space Agency is more timorous than temerarious, but with President Obama having quelled any near- or medium-term prospects for American manned spaceflight the Europeans are the only hope for a future of human spaceflight not dominated by the illiberal if not outright anti-democratic regimes in Moscow & Beijing. So, here's to hoping much is learnt from the I.X.V. & its test flight is followed up soonest with a scaled-up craft eventually to be manned: wedgelink.

Science!

Operation AXIOM
Yesterday marked the seventieth anniversary of the beginning of Operation BARBAROSSA, the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany, on 22 June 1941. BARBAROSSA was one of the genuine fulcrums on which the fate of the world turned, & I had the pleasure to spend part of the day in the company of another individual who also knew not only what BARBAROSSA was but when it took place. Most people are scandalously ignorant of history.

The Rebel Black Dot Songs of the Day
The Blues Brothers, "Going Back to Miami" from Made in America (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary: A hearty "welcome back" to Burn Notice!

Mittwoch, 22 Juni
Dressy Bessy, "Girl, You Shout!" from Dressy Bessy (T.L.A.M.)

Dienstag, 21 Juni
Ivy, "Thinking About You" from In the Clear (T.L.A.M.)