Spacecraft Falling! Get Set to Duck? Anyone remember Skylab?

If you're the kind inclined to worry, here's a real hand-wringer for you: Sometime as early as February, 7,000 lbs. of flaming metal are going to start raining out of the sky, and nobody can say exactly where on Earth it's going to happen. The upside is, there's almost no rational reason you should give it a second thought.

In the 50 years since the launch of Sputnik, the world's first satellite, and Explorer I, America's first satellite, rocket builders from all over the world have fired so much heavy hardware into space that the planet is now surrounded by a belt of litter consisting of some 10,000 objects four inches or more in diameter and many tens of thousands of smaller ones. Taken together, they're estimated to represent more than 900,000 lbs. of flying — and possibly falling — rubbish.
In 2006, wreckage from a plummeting Russian spy satellite whizzed dangerously close to a Latin American Airbus carrying 270 passengers. That near-miss took place over the Pacific Ocean, which is considered among the safest places in the world to bring down satellites due to its unpopulated vastness. The worst uncontrolled reentry in history occurred in July 1979, when Skylab, America's abandoned, 78-ton space station — which had long since run out of maneuvering fuel — came down earlier than planned, raining debris across the Australian outback.

Manager: Spears has 'mental issues'

Really????

The US needs a leader like this

Prime Minister John Howard - Australia

Muslims who want to live under Islamic Sharia law were told onWednesday to get out of Australia, as the government targeted radicals in a bid tohead off potential terror attacks.

Separately, Howard angered some Australian Muslims on Wednesday bysaying he supported spy agencies monitoring the nation's mosques. Quote:'IMMIGRANTS, NOT AUSTRALIANS, MUST ADAPT. Take It Or Leave It. I am tired of thisnation worrying about whether we are offending some individual or theirculture. Since the terrorist attacks on Bali, we have experienced a surge inpatriotism by the majority of Australians.'

'This culture has been developed over two centuries of struggles,trials and victories by millions of men and women who have sought freedom'

'We speak mainly ENGLISH, not Spanish, Lebanese, Arabic, Chinese,Japanese, Russian, or any other language. Therefore if you wish to become part ofour society learn the language!'

'Most Australians believe in God. This is not some Christian, rightwing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, onChristian principles, founded this nation, and this is clearly documented. It iscertainly appropriate to display it on the walls of our schools. If Godoffends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world asyour new home, because God is part of our culture.'

'We will accept your beliefs, and will not question why. All we ask isthat you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.'

'This is OUR COUNTRY, OUR LAND, and OUR LIFESTYLE, and we will allowyou every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done complaining,whining, and griping about Our Flag, Our Pledge, Our Christian beliefs,or Our Way of Life, I highly encourage you take advantage of one othergreat Australian freedom, 'THE RIGHT TO LEAVE'.''

If you aren't happy here then LEAVE. We didn't force you to comehere. You asked to be here. So accept the country YOU accepted.'