Maelstrom: Martin's Musings

Shakin' All Around

Just had an earthquake in Alum Rock, CA not far from San Jose. It was about 5.6. A note here from the USGS.

Tags: earthquake, usgs

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The 'God' Particle

At the risk of offending the people, I find this article from the Guardian (or maybe more accurately the title) intriguing even though it does not really look at the issue of a 'God' particle, per se. But the idea of trying to recreate the conditions of the Big Bang, and seeing it as a search for a 'God' particle is thought provoking.

I have been seeing some interviews, articles, etc. from physicists that wonder/hope that it will reconcile some faith issue for themselves (and possibly for others). Not that science can help explain faith so much as where science leaves off and faith begins (that does not do justice to thinking but hopefully you get the idea).

Something or somebody had to get the whole thing (Big Bang) rolling....

Tags: faith, religion, big bang, God, science, physics

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Bill Clinton's Second Act

AOL seems to be having a couple of blogs / journals on Bill Clinton for their Citizen Journalism Daily Pulse Blog. The piece entitled, "Bill Clinton's Second Act" is trying in part to figure out his post-presidential impact and if it is changing peoples' minds. On the whole (so far) it seems that if you liked him before, you will like him now. And if you did not, you probably do not like him now. I think it might be a little while before we can know for sure.

On the whole, I think that Clinton was a good president. I think the positives out weigh the negatives overwhelmingly. Let's not throw out the baby with the bath water. Post-presidency he seems to have had better positive exposure than any president since Carter.  With some exceptions he seems to have been somewhat apolitical. Time will tell but after a relatively low profile he seems to be having some very positive impact. I think that he might be staying out of the political spotlight as to not overshadow any political ambitions that Hillary might have.

While he was a solid, progressive democrat he was also a consummate politician (and one hell of a campaigner). He would reach across the isle when needed. He wanted to build consensus and get things done. Now that he does not have a "personal" political agenda, it is much easier for him to partner with whomever makes the most sense. He still knows how to command the world stage. Recently, taking the stage with Laura Bush for "play pumps" in Africa (an initiative she is spearheading) at the kick-off for his Clinton Global Initiative roundtable. This is cause for which he is donating millions. He also partnered with President Bush, Sr. on post-Katrina clean up efforts. Let's not kid ourselves, he likes the spotlight. But he also seems to take that light and point towards areas of need.

Tags: president, play pumps, bill clinton, clinton, global clinton initiative, laura bush, bush, water, africa, katrina