MISSILE LAUNCH!!!! We Alarm, You Decide

I wrote yesterday about the collapse of all institutions of authority in America, especially the press. Well, here is another example of why. All day yesterday, cable news viewers–and online clickers–were treated to reports like the one above. Those who tuned into Glenn Beck’s ruminations about “puppetmaster” George Soros last night got treated to a full-blown news alert headline at the top of Special Report with Bret Baier, who even asked for listeners help on his blog to identify the mysterious missile. “They are saying they don’t know, whether they know or not,” Baier said of the Pentagon’s response, pushing those juicy conspiratorial anti-authority buttons. “Private rocketeer”? A secret submarine launch “to send a message”? (Fox News, of course, was not the only news organization to get caught in the contrail trap.) Good television. Bad journalism.

Physics, it turns out, can get in the way of a good story. After all, the earth is round, which can make horizontal contrails look vertical on the horizon. For an explanation of what actually appears to have happened, see here. This so-called “missile” was likely a flight from Honolulu to Phoenix, or a UPS cargo flight.

Related Topics: Uncategorized
  • Latest on Swampland

    Pete Souza / White House

    Obama’s Persuasive Powers on Gay Marriage Manifest in Maryland

    When President Obama endorsed gay marriage earlier this month, the media grappled with two basic political questions: Was his personal “evolution” a case of  a politician transparently following a national trend toward accepting same-sex unions (accelerated, perhaps, by his chatty number two), and would it hurt his re-election chances by alienating socially conservative voters like black churchgoers? Sure, there was a recognition that it marked a gratifying moment for gay marriage advocates—as well as some grumbling about the President’s view that it remains a state issue, not a federal one. But by and large, there were few suggestions that one man, even the President, would shift public opinion on the issue or affect public policy. Based on a new Public Policy Polling survey out of Maryland, it seems this possibility was underestimated.

    Lewis Eisenberg, Major Romney Donor, Accuses Obama Of Demonizing Wall StreetHuffPost Politics

    Cherokee Zero

    Apparently, Massachusetts voters don’t mind that Elizabeth Warren foolishly identified herself as a Native American early in her academic career–it was, apparently, a case of family pride and wishful thinking about a Cherokee ancestor. That’s good. Warren may be the best public figure when it comes to explaining the depredations of the financial industry and [...]

  • kevin

    How did Beck’s head not explode when he was talking about “puppetmaster” George Soros on real puppetmaster Rupert Murdoch’s own propaganda network?
    .
    Oh, right. You have to have a brain to understand irony.

  • hippooath

    ‘Be scurred’. That was the message yesterday everywhere. When I saw the image it looked like the trails from a airplane to me. I’m no expert but then I had my bladder in full control.

    What’s with the eternal mad/angry/scared foxes out there?

  • kbanginmotown

    I like how when you’re at the main Swampland page scanning the MISSLE LAUNCH!!1!! post, then scroll down quickly, you next see the photo of President Obama and Imam Yaqub looking up at the sky as if they heard Mark shouting all the way in Indonesia…
    .
    Obama: Damn, Yaqub, it sure does look like a missile from here.
    .
    Yaqub: No, no, no; eet eez a plane! Eef hyou eemagine hyou are lookeeng from the side, an’ thee plane eez heeere….

  • http://forgottenlord.livejournal.com forgottenlord

    The picture I saw on CNN made my think missile first because at first glance, it looked like the contrail spiraled a bit (which a lot of missiles do right after takeoff), shot up and then course corrected. A closer look reveals that the “spiral” was really just the water’s reflection so all it is is a plane with a course correction. *sighs* I got fooled.

  • Ivy_B

    The plane, the plane!!

  • hippooath

    If only superman could check it out for us.

  • grape_crush

    FNC is part propaganda mill, part Weekly World News.

    What you’re seeing in the sky over California is BatBoy’s flatulence, which was caused by eating one too many peanut butter and banana sandwiches made by an elderly Elvis, who is staying the West Coast love nest Hillary Clinton shares with her extraterrestrial lover, P’Lod.

  • newfreedomblog

    Students protest now in London. Imagine that.
    .
    Ireland is going down the tubes. Greece has already hit bottom. France is probably days away from collapse, now London England is added. Pretty much predicted not too long ago as this economy was worsening, not getting better.
    .
    http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/10/uk.protest/index.html?section=cnn_latest
    .
    So I was just wondering when the libtards in this country will take to the streets with their brand of domestic terrorism? Any of you libtards have a clue?

  • jsfox

    So I was just wondering when the libtards in this country will take to the streets with their brand of domestic terrorism?

    You really do need to stop listening to Glen Beck and the rants from his fevered brain.

  • newfreedomblog

    Oh never fear little jsfox. I make up my own mind and do my own research as well.
    .
    Here is a video you should watch. And, if you are a good little boy or girl, I just might write and ask Sarah Palin to give you a cookie too.
    .
    http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/09/palin-on-a-presidential-run-and-pushing-cookies/

  • grape_crush

    FreeDumbLog, cheerleader for failure.
    .
    Why do you hate America, Rusty?

  • newfreedomblog

    Oh grapey, can’t answer the question, eh buddy? I don’t hate America, I just refuse to be an Obamabot libtard like you man.
    .
    Here to make you feel a fuzzy inside, I will play the theme song for all libtards.
    .
    Enjoy!!
    . :)
    .

  • newfreedomblog
  • ohiolibb

    I don’t hate America
    -
    I suppose that why you give thanks when Americans you disagree with die, take pleasure at the thought of killing Americans you disagree with, and hope bad things happen to America for political gain. Nope, nothing there at all that would be hateful towards America. Heck, if you were born in Iran instead, you’d be best buddies with OBL.

  • sciurini

    What the heck does the troll’s comments have to do with blog post?

  • grape_crush

    I just refuse to be an Obamabot libtard like you man.
    .
    I’m sure stuff like that plays well to those voices in your head that no one else can hear…
    .
    …and that other sound you just heard? That’s your rectitude, hitting rock bottom and coming to rest next to your believability.

  • grape_crush

    Agreed. My bad.

  • newfreedomblog

    Oh relax bubba. I am just playing with Michael Scherer and the rest of you libtards. When Michael posts as you say “Troll” blog postings like this, I think it is appropriate to return comment.
    .
    Enjoy butt-wipe
    . :)

  • newfreedomblog

    Seems Sarah Palin has some competition now.
    .
    Kristi Noem
    .

  • nflfoghorn

    Due to the holiday, maybe Troll-less Thursday should’ve been moved up a day.

    .
    BTW is butt-wiping a new experience for you, RustFreep?

  • nflfoghorn

    …since you suffer from verbal diahrrea and all….

  • newfreedomblog

    Surprise….surprise….surprise!!!
    .

    “WASHINGTON – The Interior Department’s inspector general says the White House edited a drilling safety report in a way that made it falsely appear that scientists and experts supported the administration’s six-month ban on new drilling.
    .
    The inspector general says the editing changes resulted “in the implication that the moratorium recommendation had been peer reviewed.” But it hadn’t been. The scientists were only asked to review new safety measures for offshore drilling.
    .
    The investigation is the latest in a string of incidents where the Obama administration has been accused of overstating the science behind official reports and political decisions made after the massive Gulf oil spill. In the wake of the April 20 disaster, the administration struggled to portray that it — not BP — was in charge of responding to the blowout, which killed 11 and spewed millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf.

    .
    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101110/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill

  • np042

    Rusty @ 6.2

    Oh never fear little jsfox. I make up my own mind and do my own research as well.

    When your main source of “news” is The Blaze and Glenn Beck, I don’t think you can claim that you make up your own mind. More like you go to a site that appeals to your preconceived ideas and confirmation bias and then attempt to pass it off as fact.
    .
    How many times do you try to link an article here that, upon reading the whole article and not just the first paragraph, actualy says the opposite of what you claim?

  • newfreedomblog

    Now why would any liberal “overstate science”?
    .
    Can you imagine that? Unbelieveable. A person might even get the impression that big fat Al Gore was overstating too!!
    .
    LOL

  • newfreedomblog

    Oh heck, npo, how many times? You might also ask me if I really give a big fat rat’s a$$ what you think too while you are at it. Just saying.

  • np042

    Wow, Rusty, getting a little defensive there, aren’t we? I was merely challenging the absurd notion that you are able to think for yourself and do your own research when just today you’ve shown that’s impossible.

  • grape_crush

    Now why would any liberal “overstate science”?
    .
    Foiled by your own link again, FreeDumbLog…you missed this part:
    .
    “The inspector general’s report, which was originally requested by Vitter and Rep. Steve Scalise in June, said the administration did not violate federal rules because the executive summary did not say the experts approved the recommendations, and the department offered a formal apology and had publicly clarified the nature of the expert review.

    The report also says the engineer that levied the concerns accepted Salazar’s explanation that the language was a mistake rather than an intentional attempt to use the peer-reviewers’ names to justify a political decision.”

  • Asharaxx

    No need to ask. Of course you do. You love the attention. That’s why you copy/pasted those two hilariously stupid posts in something like three threads.
    .
    ‘Look at me! Look at me!’

  • http://elvisberg.wordpress.com Elvis Elvisberg

    “Good television. Bad journalism.”
    -
    That is the thesis of this book: http://imgur.com/gallery/zP5fa
    -
    It would make a good slogan for Fox News. Or, to be fair, CNN.

  • newfreedomblog

    Oh Assraxx which two hilariously posts in three threads? The one about Obama’s transvestite Nanny? Or, the relax little libtards and sing along with Michael Jackson?
    .
    LOL

  • newfreedomblog

    Assrax is this you? Are you Mike Malloy?
    .

  • Asharaxx

    Aw. It’s following me now that I gave it some attention. But, I’m sorry, I’m not keeping you. You’re not worth the pet deposit.

  • hippooath

    It’s all hate. Facts prove him wrong, GOP have already put the break on the tea party movements transformation of DC and for all his shoot from the hip stuff we all laugh when he shoots himselfs in the foot..
    .
    I must say the trolls are on a roll. One poorly researched link after another – easy to refute talking points.
    .
    I mean they won – so why all the fear, misery and p!ssing pants? It’s almost like they realize that now they have to do all the things they promised and they have no fricken idea what to do.
    .
    They’ll soon realize just whay a fickle bunch the so called independent voters are.

  • earljr1

    Hippoignorant thinks he has independent voters figured out, but in his liberal fog, he has NO clue. Let me shed some light for you (as if that would matter) We elect people who stand by their word and give us transparency in government. We also elect those who govern according to the will of the people and are responsive to their constituents. We also ask for fiscal responsibility and honesty in government and guess what? We got NONE of the above from this administration and his democratic lackey’s. November 2nd was the first installment in what will be a total replacement of those who govern with disdain and contempt for the American public. THIS, hippoignorant, is what motivates independent voters.

  • apr2563

    I try to avoid the image of NewRusty at his computer desk surrounding by rotting remains of snacks, pictures of Glen Beck on which he has drawn hearts, timelines of his latest conspiracies, a list of those he hates, a book of racist and anti-gay screeds and down the hall an empty house.

  • apr2563

    Ah, Dr. earljr1: How’s that private health insurance and medical system helping this little boy and his chemotherapy costs? Maybe he should go to Canada.
    .
    http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/kansas-family-selling-five-year-olds-
    .
    Link to help Aiden Reed.
    .
    http://www.thesurvivorsclub.org/health/surviving-cancer/aidan-reed-draws-monsters-fights-leukemia

  • pintortwo

    We elect people who stand by their word and give us transparency in government. We also elect those who govern according to the will of the people and are responsive to their constituents. We also ask for fiscal responsibility and honesty in government
    .
    Sounds good Earl. But unfortunately, I don’t believe this is true. First, I don’t know why we should expect Republicans will lead to greater transparency– what gives voters that idea? And, if we governed according to the will of the people, we’d have a Public Option (early in the discussion three major polls, including one from Murdoch’s WSJ, found that roughly 75% of Americans wanted it, and similar numbers among physicians). Finally, how can anyone claim fiscal responsibility and honesty when they won’t treat defense as discretionary government spending subject to critical review.
    .
    Truth of the matter is business selects our leadership and writes our laws. HCR is an excellent example: in the first quarter of ’09, the ins industry set a record for lobby money spent (I believe it was $1.4 mil per day), initiated a media blitz to discredit reform and started playing lawmakers: “if you support reform, we’ll run adds against you and donate to your competition”. The result: a thoroughly unsatisfying law that mandates private insurance; a public that uses Frank-Lutz-approved talk-and-conclusions, as if they were legitimate; .. and a media-led republican revival.
    .
    It won’t change until election finance is reformed, including commercials– I’m doubting we’ll ever see it.

  • earljr1

    Reading crooksandliars is a complete waste of time, april, for the SIMPLE reason that it ONLY identifies miscreants from the right. The have never met a liberal they did not love and worship. As far as treating Aiden, I can assure you, he WOULD get treated, even if his parents were penniless. We treat charity patients every day of the week, april and money has never been a factor in scheduling whatever treatment was necessary…including heart and kidney transplants. You note in this article, his parents do have insurance, but with a high deductible. This is exactly the same kind of insurance that will be issued under Obamacare, so in what way do you see improvement being made?

  • herby002

    “disguised as a mild-mannered…” President, he died six years ago.

  • herby002

    14 –

    Here’s the transcript from your rightie site (note the deleted words here & in the video):

    “MIKE MALLOY (23:03): Now, of course Republicans are so goddamn stupid – so grossly stupid and ignorant – they think it’s a good thing! Oh, goody goody good, the government will be insolvent! YAY! This is what the Tea Baggers uh and – and the right wing Republicans and Libertarians have been pushing for for a long time. Well, you animals are going to get it, you really are, you’re going to get your wish!

    [...]

    MALLOY (25:06): Here are these late middle-aged cretins who are cutting their own throats because there’s a black man in the White House? Really? Is that all black folk had to do to pound the white race into oblivion – is get a black man in the White House and the white people will all stand up and commit suicide? Is that all it took?”

    Please explain: How is this inciting a race war?

  • Asharaxx

    “for the SIMPLE reason that it ONLY identifies miscreants from the right. The have never met a liberal they did not love and worship. ”
    .
    A failing, to be sure. But, ah, you’re not denying that they report on wrongdoings. So, it’d still be worth reading. Just read it in conjunction with other sources.
    .
    Unless, of course, you want to ignore that.

  • oohgordon

    If it looks like a Duck, walks like a Duck and quacks like a Duck then it must be a CONTRAIL!!!

blog comments powered by Disqus