So it was highlighted in the second Presidential Debate - to much fanfare of Senator John McCain - but what does the earmarked $3 million (it actually was $2.5 million to be fair) planetarium projector really look? Well, this is no boring transparency slide lightbox.  It’s a carefully engineered piece of quality optics, calibration, and beautiful, nerdy spacegasm.

The Carl Zeiss Universarium Model IX was the much-mentioned 3.5 mil earmark - and, had it passed and the funds provided, it would have given Chicago quite a view of the night sky. Apparently Science and Technology is not high on the Republic earmark agenda - I guess bridges to nowhere and toxic trailers for Hurricane Katrina victims are, though.

Look on the bright side. The economy ain’t so bad. There’s always a bull market somewhere!

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Obama’s speech rivited the crowd at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, but what exactly did he say? Thanks to the latest in interwebz technology, you cans see exactly what was said in terms of proportion, thanks to this wordcloud of obama’s speech. Check it: Promise is a big word. Surprised? I know I’m not.