Wednesday, January 18, 2006

News You May Have Missed: Opportunities for the Mind, the Wallet, and Distinction

UPDATE: The $212 Million Stardust Mission (Stage I)
On which military base did the returning capsule land?
Landing site was the U.S. Air Force Utah Test and Training Range. A helicopter then flew the capsule to the U.S. Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. Later, they will transfer the capsule to NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
What might be the least startling discovery the stardust brings?
Perhaps, that stardust is no different than ordinary moondust.
What might be the most significant discovery the stardust brings?
Perhaps, that the atomic clocks of dust particles oscillate differently from observations to date.

Claim a Refund of Your Cell Phone Excise Taxes (3-year limit)?
Did you know you may clain a refund for up to 36 months of past taxes. However, a separate claim (Form 8849) is required for each calendar quarter of your phone bills. The process is cumbersome and time-consuming. The IRS continues collecting the 3% Federal Excise Tax from wireless users, despite the fact that nine federal courts have ruled the tax (dating from the 1898 Spanish American War) unlawful.

A Chance to Debate Big League Celebrity Bill O'Reilly?
Viewers will have the chance to debate Bill O'Reilly on his Fox News Channel talk show, "The O'Reilly Factor," next month. O'Reilly has announced the Great Factor Debate Contest, in which six winners will face off with the outspoken TV commentator on a topic of their choice. He warned viewers to "be careful what you wish for." Applicants may enter by e-mailing OReillyContest"at" foxnews.com. My question is, will the redoubtable Chapomatic enter?

Want Recognition for Your Cold War Service?
In the 1998 National Defense Authorization Act, the Secretary of Defense approved awarding Cold War Recognition Certificates to all members of the armed forces and qualified federal government civilian personnel who faithfully and honorably served the United States any time during the Cold War era, Sept. 2, 1945, through Dec. 26, 1991. Details here.
[Disclaimer: Molten Eagle is neither familiar with nor do I possess this certificate. There is something about the way it has been promoted that is still distasteful to me.]

2 Comments:

At 19 January, 2006 19:55, Blogger Chap said...

Oy.

I can see it now: "So, what's this about falafels? Why are so stinkin' abrasive? Hey, why don't we do this debate in Basra and Michael Yon can moderate?"

I don't think I could enter that one...

...and I didn't exactly jump to get the Cold War Recognition Certificate; hell, I'm uncomfortable with all this extra fruit salad given for breathing in the right place (NDSM, for instance)...

 
At 20 January, 2006 00:47, Blogger Vigilis said...

... for breathing, nay, for being counted upon where, when and if it counted.

 

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