Will sticker shock about the price of waging war prevent America from taking on the next battle? Defense Secretary Robert Gates says it's possible that runaway military spending could make leaders think twice about waging another war like the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq that have cost nearly $100 billion a year. Gates wants more competitive contracts and other changes to help trim the $500 billion Defense Department budget. Source Link
Two Dutch companies have proposed building a massive dike off the Louisiana coast to protect the shoreline and wildlife from oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico from an offshore rig exploded three weeks ago. The plan presented to the Army Corps of Engineers calls for an artificial sand dune to be built offshore to keep the leaking oil from reaching land. Efforts to cap the underwater well have not been successful. Source Link
Is it life imitating art or the opposite? The Social Security Administration reports that among last year's top baby names were Isabella and Jacob, two characters from author Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series of books and movies. Moving up the list was the name Cullen, which is also from "Twilight." Officials point out that the name Jacob has been the most popular for 11 years, and that could have influenced Meyer's choice. Source Link
Is it life imitating art or the opposite? The Social Security Administration reports that among last year's top baby names were Isabella and Jacob, two characters from author Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series of books and movies. Moving up the list was the name Cullen, which is also from "Twilight." Officials point out that the name Jacob has been the most popular for 11 years, and that could have influenced Meyer's choice. Source Link
