Could the large-billed reed-warbler spark peace & moderation, in Afghanistan?

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)









One would hope that the salvation of a tiny bird, could bring about the beginning of a new Society; devoid of strong-hold influence by radicalized groups... If not, I guess we'll know, which sanctuary we can find them.
-A little birdie told me.... (haha)
-Article Here.

Image:(l) Mustafa Zahir, director-general Afghanistan's National E.P.A. shows rare bird; Sun Feb. 28th, 2010; (r) a photo of a rare bird during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2010. (A.P)
(r) KABUL, Jan 06, 2009: Mustafa Zahir, E.P.A. head, briefs emergency committee for pollution; at Presidential Palace; PAJHWOK/Nilab Habibi


More Video: Here.

"On Friday, suicide attackers killed 16 people in Kabul, the capital, and thousands of Afghan and NATO forces are fighting to root out the hard-line Islamists from their southern stronghold.

But Zahir, who is the grandson of Afghanistan's former king, Mohammad Zahir Shah, said the discovery of the large-billed reed warbler provided some welcome positive news."Read.

What would a proven & fiscally responsible Pres. look like in 2012? Gov. Mitch Daniels

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

MONA CHARENwrites:
"This is a laboratory of successful conservative governance. As Daniels put it to NR, “Our health-care plan is health savings accounts for poor people. Our telecommunications policy is deregulation. Our infrastructure policy was the biggest privatization in state history.” And his spending policy was less is more." Read.
Image: Gov. of Indiana


"Daniels has successfully courted business investment and has welcomed "two Toyota plants, a Honda factory, a $500-million Nestlé facility, and a British Petroleum project that will bring $3.8 billion to the state." ##

Skilled at working with Int'l partners; he is also a grandson of Syrian immigrants; and was honored by the Arab-American Institute for his work in the community. Video: Gov. Mitch Daniels outlined his budget proposals for fiscal years 2010-2011...


The Progressives (formerly called Democrats) held Majority charge of U.S. purse strings, yet claim to have "inherited" their spending; but (still in Majority) have significantly "ramped it up."

But the truth is, they lack a correct formula...
In 2005, Governor Daniels led the state to its first balanced budget in eight years and turned the $600 million deficit he inherited, into a $300 million surplus in a single year. Governor Daniels used this surplus to repay hundreds of millions of dollars the state had borrowed from Indiana's public schools in previous administrations...Read.

Now, with his state's billion dollar reserves... America would look entirely different with a President Mitch Daniels...
Did I mention approval ratings hovering near 70%?" Freeps explains that he is a down to earth, smart, modest individual; no word if he will agree to run.

Region braces for possible Tsunami; from Magnitude 8.8 - Offshore- Maule Chile

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

-Tsunami info west coast.
-Hawaii under tsunami advisory after massive quake strikes off Chile.

Cick to [Enlarge]
Tsunami timings






Image: West Coast & Alaska Tsunami Warning Center
Earthquake preparations are hoped to reduce the effects of quake; and advisories often stay as such... Prayers for all in Chile; and those in harm's way from any potential tsunami activity. (more later)

-LIVE Stream: VIEW. Spanish: at -Faustasblog: HERE.



Asia Braces For Tsunami After Chile Quake: ##
Feb. 27, 2010
TOKYO (AP) - Wide swaths of the south Pacific, Asia and Australia braced for a tsunami after a devastating earthquake hit the coast of Chile on Saturday.

"Sea-level readings confirm that a tsunami has been generated which could cause widespread damage," the center said in a bulletin after the... more.

FLASHBACK 1960
WORLD’S LARGEST EARTHQUAKE (Also Chile)
On May 22, 1960 at 19:11:14 UTC, with the epicenter in Valdivia, about 700 kilometers south of Santiago, Chile the world’s largest recorded earthquake struck since measurements began in 1899, the Great Chilean Earthquake.

The magnitude: an Earth shaking 9.5 on the Richter Scale.
Chilean Volcanoes to go off on the next few days, as well, just as in 1960.
It also triggered a pacific-wide tsunami that killed 61 people in Hilo Bay,Hawaii, with 35 ft. waves..About.

Miles of former Antarctic freshwater; soon adrift, to a continent near you

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

Physorg posts: 2006 ice floe (C) where penguins drifted beneath a cathedral iceberg in (So. Ocean) in Australian Antarctic Territory.


An approx 1000 sq. miles x one mile thick iceberg; "tiny dot" compared with the 7.8 MILLION square miles and 2-3 miles deep Southern Ocean... Physorg says, "This iceberg's actual impact on anything is a tiny fraction of 1 percent (approx 2/100 of 1 percent) Even less when factored against the vast amount of water in the oceans."

VIDEO: of (near-by) French Research Dumont d'Urville: VIDEO.
Home of the emperor penguin colonies...

BBC writes: "The emblematic birds may be forced to travel further afield to find food." And: "If the area gets choked up (with ice) then they would have to go elsewhere and look for food." Read.

UH-OH... Reminds me of Sahara the Seal...
The adaptability of wildlife is greatly misunderstood by man...

Must view 2 min. Video:

Caption: In the Video, an Arctic seal was rescued from a North African beach; yet when "prepped" to return to its native waters; swam 1,000 miles (back) to get away from natural FREEZING habitat! Liked the hand-fed fish, too. :)

And also an update, examines the poss. threat of ocean current shifts...
However, the researchers say the changes to the region triggered by the formation of the new iceberg will not shut down the circulation system or affect the world's climate. BBC news

And point taken, here-in; at Physorg:
"Since it no longer is attached to Antarctica, isn't it now there for the taking?...all that fresh water...with changing rain patterns around the world and whole societies soon to be out of water, why couldn't we harvest the ice for our consumption?"
Dock a portion, make it a continual producer? :D
-IMAGE: From Earth’s Observatory: VIEW.

Still studying... Will post when I can...
Found several great Law points.. Will share when there's time.

UPDATE: 8.8... My prayers are with Chile, & neighbors!
-LIVE STREAM: VIDEO.

The Birthday Anniversary of President & General Washington... And yes, we know

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)


General Washington by ~azrainman on deviantART
That day they left the United States & Troops; to forge their own political Agenda...And began to give comfort and representation, to the enemy..






"The show trial antics, attacks, & insults, where bloody dolls were tossed in the courtroom; as the General sought to gain support for Iraqi tribal leaders, and troops on the ground...Known as, the surge...
"Trial of Gen Petraeus" (07)



-VIDEOS: Full History: VIEW.

"The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained"
-President and Gen. George Washington

NOTE: Finishing the last stretch of Law Studies; must prepare... Will post when I can... Keep positive, think good thoughts, & always make it happen.

Hezbollah rally in front of the Louvre Museum, Paris

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

A McDonald's was destroyed and several cars torched later that evening...
And (of course) traditional flag burnings...

(ht/gateway)


In front of Louvre... -UAC4America says:
I filmed this while on my trip to Paris in January 2009, but just finally got around to uploading it now...
-Hezbollah flags are seen throughout the rally.
-1:35 A banner proclaiming support of the Iraq resistance...


-AGENCE FRANÇAISE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT
France provides Palestinians with a 200 million euro contribution over 3 years. And France’s AFD also provides 75 million euros of support in the form of project aid over 3 years for Palestinian Government’s three-year Palestinian Reform and Development Plan (PRDP) for 2008-2010...

Improving infrastructure and financial systems, urban and rural development, education and health...Construction and renovation of schools, including eight schools in the West Bank and six schools in Gaza... Energy, water, Rural electrification, and sanitation projects financed by the AFD. All of which commitments in 2007 totalled 3.5 billion euros... [PDF]

Dr. Ron Paul at CPAC: “Liberty is an individual thing; & not a collective right”

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

In my view...
The best way to return the country to its people, is to stop making rapid and unconstitutional policy; and then slowly delegate the private sector to remove Government from control of it's old bankrupt policy...

VIDEO: Instead of blame & self-ridicule; we need National encouragement and Freedom from chains of Mass Government...
-Crankiness will not work!
NRO: Feel the "Ronmentum: Read.


He's a Senator which represents a bookmark for our Constitution... And although speaking of what most refuse to face, is not a bad thing... In my view, he discounts our foreign policy presence with huge inaccuracies; amidst an ever-dangerous world...

His son, Rand Paul, has an incredibly (newer & improved) grasp...Equal to that of which I do not agree here, is the idea that partisan Congress is free to obstruct the Constitution, just because it was done before... This has prevented us from staying on course with out Constitution...

Unconstitutional policy is delivered from "forced policy"; and explains our massive debt, and slow erosion of Liberties... "Urgent" has always lacked a Constitutional approach; because our Constitution is built upon the reality that balance is a gradual process.

There is caution, of "cause & effect" of all RAPID policy... Therefore "Dr. Ron Paul surgery" would not be without unintended consequence...
Again, Dr. Rand Paul, is worth a view...

The message of "end the Fed" was a popular one; and unfortunately his words of spending CUTS, are the least listened-to on Senate & House floor.

Community organizer legally forces banks into risky mortgages; later vilifies banks for making private investments

General Alexander Haig dies...

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

Gone today, is four star General, Commander, Sec. of State, & assistant (as it says) to 3 Presidents.
-AP.
-Wiki.


VIDEO: View. Some say his "I'm in control" was never lived down; but exercising protective instincts for our Country is to be admired... As the Military continues to play a significant role in Freedom and Liberty of our Nation...

Video: Remembering Alexander Haig...
"Crimes" of Watergate look rather silly about now...


Our thoughts are with the General's family and friends...

Vegas flight to visit rejected Harry; spurs a "local solutions" dole-out

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

From Drudge:
Obama Jackpot giveaway in Vegas:
$1,500,000,000 Housing Help. read.

Hotair
Obama: On second thought, I love Vegas.

Interest rates go up as Congress keeps spending. And as rates go up, property values fall.



OBAMA VISIT: Air tour operators must stay grounded: ##
More loss for Vegas... Obama shuts down heli and airplane tours, loosing companies $500,000 to $750,000 in business because of the 30-mile radius no-fly zone imposed on them by the FAA’s airspace restrictions... Read.

All to give a speech to the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to discuss his efforts to boost the sagging economy...

A stark reminder as to why we have state economies; and limited Federal Government...(Video Ht: gateway) But who can remember all that, right?



Today's Links...
The 'Stimulus' Actually Raised Unemployment ##
The issue of "fiscal stimulus" must not be confused with TARP or with the Federal Reserve slashing interest rates and pumping up bank reserves.

One might argue that those Treasury and Fed programs helped prevent a hypothetical depression, but it's impossible to make that argument about American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Read.

The Left media calls it a "policy wrinkle"... read.
But we (mortgage holders) have been outlining (for OVER a year) non-bailout ways to enable private sector to re-collateralize safe leverage; to balance and recapitalize our mortgage industry...

In my view... The Democrat's misapplied stimulus has led to a more lengthy recession; and their use of Freddie & Fannie groups, have led us to mass property devalues...

Had they listened to the GOP, they could have been on track toward stable equity in home, 401K, and IRA; and new buyers closer toward a 20% Mortgage Collateralization...

If you believe in the U.S. Constitution, you're already a descendant of a tea-party; but your industrial media complex must go

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)


ht: momma

37th CPAC in Wash. D.C. (best Rubio video)

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

Today was the 37th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 18, 2010 in Washington, DC.... -Inc. a few great videos.

Image: Hon. Romney & Sen Brown.
-VIDEO: HERE.




Marco Rubio, candidate for the U.S. Senate for the state of Florida, addresses Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC.) Great!



MORE VIDEO STREAM: VIEW.
Townhall CPAC: READ.
-Via phone

A quote:
"The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it; anarchy and tyranny commence... If `Thou shalt not covet' and `Thou shalt not steal' were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free."
-John Adams (A Defense of the American Constitutions, 1787)

From Ed Morrissey: w/ HOTAIR:
"Marco Rubio met with bloggers earlier today"... ##

Ed remarks:
"Pay attention to his insights on the changing political establishment." Read More.

1 year of regime threats & rules-change uncertainty; a closer look at the stimulus

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

An economy cycle where-by our Gov rewarded losers, and penalized legitimate business.
Image: WRONG DIRECTION!


And then created a financial stroking contest to build a loyalist Media... And it's all on tape.
-Focus shifts from first stimulus to second: Read.
-Rasmussen: Only 21% say Fed have Consent of Governed: View.

Anniversary of the stimulus finds MEDIA outlets with enormous benefit from the legislation; while millions of Taxable jobs are shed from the private sector; resulting in a smaller Taxed public; now on the hook to pay for tens of thousands of NEW Government employees...

-Ht: Story Balloon and more at: Hotair.
The Obama set of job numbers, that just don't add up...


Video sheds light on the contributing factors of stabilization, post econ-cycle.. This, after Federal Reserve & central banks inject 30 trillion into the economy.

Dems Refused Alternatives to Spending: GRAPH.
"New rules in the middle of the stream; as regime uncertainty creates a spiral of protectionist Job cuts... Leaving a huge 94% of our economy with a lack of confidence in GOV handling of the stimulus... I say cancel the unused portion, make deep cuts; and reduce Tax-pressure; to stabilize the dollar...

Today's Links...
VIDEO: Five Key Reasons to Reject Class-Warfare Tax Policy VIEW!
Must view distinctions that Obama Admin should View!

VIDEO: Stimulus II: A Sequel America Can't Afford: VIEW.
Another insightful Video, from Dan Mitchell of Center for Freedom & Prosperity -At the CATO.

After Obama Attacks the heart of Nevada State Economy:
Las Vegas Mayor Goodman rejects Obama invitation: Read.

USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) carries lumber supplies; conducts disaster relief, "Operation Unified Response" for Haiti

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)















Image: U.S. Navy M.C.S. 1st Class Rachael L. Leslie: [Enlarge]

-AWESOME VIDEO! VIEW!!
-USS Carl Vinson goes to save Haiti!
Nobody understands Hugo & Castro's bizarre theories...

-Dispatching the USS Carl Vinson, the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), amphibious dock landing ships USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) & USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) to conduct a Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR)." Carrier Strike Group (CSG); USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44) too...
-The United States of America, always there in times of need...

-VIDEO: Daily Haitian Update: VIEW.
-PHOTOS: "Operation Unified Response" VIEW.
-VIDEO, IMAGE, and NEWS: VIEW.

-Operation Unified Response, continues to provide military support capabilities to clear damaged drains...Read.


-22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit Assists U.N., Non-government Relief Organizations in Aid Distribution: Read.

Haitian citizens and Sailors assigned to the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) shovel rubble and debris from the roads in Grande Goave, Haiti.


-Great Medical progress for Haitians... Read.
Colombian Teams join Joint Medical Team to return Haitian patients from USNS Comfort, to their homes...

Image Caption Above Caribbean Sea, Haiti (Feb. 9, 2010) Landing craft mechanized boats from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, depart the amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) with relief supplies. Fort McHenry is conducting humanitarian and disaster relief operations as part of Operation Unified Response. -U.S. Navy M.C.S. 1st Class Rachael L. Leslie.

Conservatives to Unite at Mount Vernon w/ Statement... Video: Dems cheer passage of their $1.9 Trillion debt increase [divide]

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

Mount Vernon Statement:##.
The statement emphatically says no to the type of "change" pushed by political leaders who ignore the Constitution's limits on government power.
-More at: CNS NEWS.
Image: Historic

(CNS NEWS.) - The nation's top conservative leaders will gather Wednesday at Collingwood in Alexandria, Va.—a property that was once the site of George Washington’s - River Farm —to sign a document organizers are calling the Mount Vernon Statement.

It is designed to signal that a united and resurgent conservative movement is declaring philosophical war against the big government and moral relativism advanced by the nation’s liberal cultural, academic and political establishments. Read More. (ht/momma)

Time will tell if we can stop the Democrat wave of suicide for our nation:
IMAGE: VIEW DEM'S CHANGE!

Conservatives Vote NO, demand TRIMS of expenditures!
View Dem Majority Cheer after their Debt increase passes:


Across the pond...
UPDATE:
Sir Richard Branson: cut spending early to save UK economy:
Backs the Conservative call for early cuts in public spending as the best way to protect the British economy.

"Labor and entitlement backed 'Obama & Brown' will not stop until insolvency; as they will loose KEY "election backers" ... Labor Unions impact recovery inflexibility, and mass entitlement pay-outs create a decline in National productivity... We take the road to destruction, for a party's ELECTION??!

-Wake up people!

Today's Links...
-A new study shows that wealth flees after taxes rise: More.
-Audit finds US census preparations wasted millions: Read.
-Obama’s Misleading Jobs Rhetoric.: read wsj.
-Congress has not created one job in last six months...Read.
(Too busy running for office... Oh wait.. They are in office.)
-FAIL: Just 6% of Americans believe the $787B “stimulus” boondoggle created any jobs according to a recent New York Times/CBS poll. Gateway.

Suffocated by massive Federal Gov; we celebrate former President's Day (Videos)

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

It's likely that those of whom are honored today, never dreamt that special interests, pay-offs and bribes, aided by miles-high regulations; would lead our Gov to officially become, "no longer affordable."
Image: Founders gave us tools for reduction


We take a day to respect those of our History... But can't help but question, "How on earth did we reach minus 14 trillion?"

(View the Story of spending, below)


-VIDEO: The Story of Spending! VIEW! ht: Hotair.
"Politicians are engaged in reckless, unaccountable, out-of-control, spending.
The Story of Spending tells the true story of government gone wild."

Personal Note: Now that the price is "unlimited" on what they take of our freedom and quality of life, in order to further their bloated spending... They’ve suddenly got our attention...

Today, amidst Government sector's 14 trillion in debt & incompetence; Americans need to "tweak-back" to the Articles of Confederation; to actually dissolve & abolish the Federal Government... It is clear that they have shown us that the Federal Gov (not the people) is no longer affordable...

Today's Links...
-History of President's Day: Read.
-Presidents Day Secrets - Abe Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Read.
PR Web - February 15, 2010
-Ten Things You May Not Know About President's Day: Read.

Bouquets & Hearts in the Cosmos

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

A lovely magnetic bouquet, 19,000 light-years from Earth, pulsar PSR B1509-58 beckons from the small southern constellation of Circinus.

X-Rays & Circinus Pulsar
-Credit: B. Gaensler et al., MIT, NASA




-Oops! forgot the Rose: VIEW. -Image: by Rogelio Bernal Andreo
-Bouquet Caption: Like its cousin at the heart of the Crab nebula, the Circinus pulsar is a rapidly spinning, magnetized neutron star. Seen in this false-color Chandra Observatory image, the environment surrounding this cosmic powerhouse glows in high energy x-rays.

-From: NASA @Twitter:
-A Valentine from Soichi Noguchi!
-Soichi's ISS photography is admired: the world over.

-A Valentine Back at you!
Only 200 light-years away. IC 1805:
The Heart Nebula Credit &:
Image: Daniel Marquardt
(Copyright)




This deep view of the region around the Heart Nebula, cropped from a larger mosaic, spans about 2.5 degrees on the sky or about 5 times the diameter of the Full Moon.

Today's Videos... (New window)
-VIDEO: The Love You Song: VIEW.
-VIDEO: Scintillement de la Lune: VIEW.
(Will add more later)

BMW ORACLE Racing crosses the finish line ahead in Race Two... IT'S A WIN!

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

BMW/Oracle's "USA" wins the America's Cup; in deciding race!
From: America's Cup Examiner:
"This match-race series, the 33rd running of the America's Cup, is the first time two multi-hulled racers have fought for the Cup... The final delta at the finish was 5 minutes, 26 seconds"... Read.

VIDEO UPDATE: VIEW!
Image: View:
Examiner Slideshow



America's Cup returns to America! ##
TVNZ - ‎17 minutes ago‎
US challenger BMW Oracle has crossed the finish line to claim the 33rd America's Cup but Swiss holders Alinghi have lifted the protest flag...

The carbon fibre and kevlar American boat hit speeds of up to 33 knots, incredibly more than four times the speed of the wind, as it surged away on the second leg to lead by more than 2km. BMW Oracle won Saturday's first race equally easily. Read.

Seen here, in this nice little pre-race send off...
Waltzing to their victory...

Astronomer's Eyes to the Universe; Observatory Videos

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)









Images: (videos below)
(l) Red Dome Under the Big Dipper; Etscorn Observatory of New Mexico Tech; Credit: M. Gino : NASA [APOD]; (r) astrosurf: Paranal Skies/Laser



Today's Links: (All open in new window)

VIDEO: The Lick Observatory (2,000 Lb Telescope) VIEW

VIDEO: Royal Observatory Greenwich London VIEW.
And so it’s Charles....

VIDEO: Observatory di Monaco (Astronomers EP1 5) VIEW!
"Nearly 90% of the universe's mass is undiscovered. Prominent scientists aim to solve the mystery of the missing cosmos."









Images Above:
(l) astrosurf: Zodiacal Light and Milky Way
(r) astrosurf: Sagittaire Paranal

Update: 33rd America's Cup: ORACLE: From sunrise on sails to Win (Race One)

-Posted by D.C. Worth, for Barbay (France & US)

BMW ORACLE Racing has started the 33rd America’s Cup Match in style, with a convincing victory over the defender, Alinghi.

RACE DAY: VIEW LIVE STREAM.
Image: BMWOracleRacing

"But then 'USA' started to simply outpace 'A5' by sailing higher (closer to the wind) and slightly faster. The 600-meter deficit was soon erased, and 'USA' went on to lead by 3:21 around the top mark.

Downwind, the advantage to the American boat was even more pronounced. 'USA' continued to add to its lead all the way to the finish line." (FULL).
View Race: HERE!


Today's Links...

-VIDEO: EXTREME SAILING (you will like this) VIEW!

-ORACLENAUTS: RACING TEAM.

-BMW ORACLE CREW LIST:
NOTE: Will update... Depending upon weather at start time...
-More crew may be added.
-Brad Webb (NZL) Bowman
-Simone de Mari (ITA) Pitman
-Ross Halcrow (NZL) Jib Trimmer
-Dirk de Ridder (NED) Wing Sail Trimmer
-Joey Newton (AUS) Wing Sail Caddy
-John Kostecki (USA) Tactician
-James Spithill (AUS) Skipper/Helmsman
-Matteo Plazzi (ITA) Navigator
-Thierry Fouchier (FRA) Aft Pit
-Matthew Mason (NZL) - Mast

NASA -STS-130: First Spacewalk complete; Tranquility Node-install (Cupola)

-Posted by D. C. Worth; for M. Barbay (France & US)

DAY FIVE of the STS-130 mission focused on the first spacewalk and robotics work to install the Tranquility node. Spacewalk completed Fri at 3:49 a.m. EST.

Image Credit: NASA TV
(Mission Specialist Bob Behnken)
A CLOSE-UP! Soichi on ISS


Fantastic Italian Craftsmanship on the CUPOLA... Given a hand by "Dextre" (Canada)... And View Image of Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC; from Astro Soichi on ISS: "Let the game begin"...



More of Soichi's Artistic ISS photography: on Twitter.

VIDEO CAPTION: STS-130 mission overview animation depicting mission events from heat shield surveys, approach, rendezvous pitch maneuver, docking, tranquility installation, spacewalks, undocking and late inspection.

FIRST WALK: Spacewalkers Nicholas Patrick and Bob Behnken prepared Tranquility for its removal from Endeavour’s payload bay and installed avionics cabling once the new module was in place. Pilot Terry Virts and Mission Specialist Kay Hire operated the station’s robotic arm to install Tranquility with the cupola.

The spacewalkers also removed a tool platform from the station’s special purpose dexterous manipulator, or DEXTRE, while Tranquility was being maneuvered. Station Commander Jeff Williams and Hire began a leak check of the interface to Tranquility.

PS: Hoping America's Cup will race today. Wind was kicking up in Spain. (More later)