While I'm working on my comics rant, a little screed on spaceflight

Something interesting happened today in Mainland China. While normally I wouldn't exactly wish the government in Beijing well unless they and I started seeing eye to eye on a great many things, this once constitutes a legitimate exception to my rule. Hopefully, it will also wake up a number of people in high places around the planet as to what else to do next.

Mainland China just launched its second live-crew spaceflight, Shenzhou VI. Details here via BBC and here via CBC. China's also planning for women to do some travelling in orbit and beyond as well, per this BBC item.

I wish them well in these ventures.

I also hope this serves as a kick in the back of the pants to the various other space players. To quote Gretzky: It's time!

Later for the comics rant.

If I WERE to buy a car tomorrow...

...I think it would be something like one of the models shown here at WorldChanging. Looks intriguing.

By the way...anyone who's already got a car like that in their personal-use fleet at home?

Thank you kindly. My lungs definitely appreciate it.