Random Thoughts 2/2/10

• Ground Hog Day was a much bigger deal when I was in grade school.
• Look at this graph. It shows child abuse (physical, sexual, emotional), broken down by type of family structure. Not surprisingly, all types of abuse are rarest in families with both biological parents. In fact, it's not even close. Likewise, the most dangerous environment for a child, hands down, is "single parent, w/ partner". The abuse rates here are off the charts.
• More here on the new Boeing 747-8, the longest airliner ever.
• The general in charge of the F-35 program got sacked this week. Hundreds of millions in performance bonuses have also been pulled. Like most major weapons programs, it's over-budget and over-due. Meanwhile, the Russians have flown the lastest version of the Su-27, the F-22-looking T-50. It's not an F-22 but it's fairly close, as Russian planes go. The Su-35, another evolution of the Su-27, is also a top contender–probably just half a step behind the F-22.
• I go to Bing everyday just to look at the pictures.
• Why do I still watch "Heroes"? The last couple of episodes I've been reading my email while it plays in the background. That show flopped in it's first season finale and never really recovered.
• Have you seen my cute kids? Here's Graham with his train hat and Anneliese looking for trouble.