THE DAILY GRIND 02.20.09 ( NASA, Obama and the Attack of the Shark Attacks)

Next month, NASA is planning to launch the Kepler spacecraft. With the biggest camera ever in space, scientists hope Kepler will allow them to find Earth-like planets in other solar systems. There's a binary-star system withe charming name of "HD 113766," where astronomers think there's an Earth-like planet is forming around one of the stars. Sounds good. With the way things are going on earth, we might ditch this popsicle stand and head for higher ground. Wait… A "binary-star system"? Maybe it's Tatooine!

Let's see... Since Obama has taken office, North Korea has announced that it plans to test a new Taepodong-2 missile capable of reaching the United States. Russia has gotten Kyrgyzstan to shut down a U.S. air base. Iran, meanwhile, met Obama's open hand of friendship with demands that the US "apologize for 60 years of crimes," and now the announcement that they have enough uranium to build an atomic bomb.

Are we sure the rest of the world loves us now that Bush is gone?

Shark attacks dropped to their lowest level in five years worldwide last year, Reuters in Miami is reporting. The study claims the recession has cut the time people spend at the beach, reducing the number of people getting bit. Except in Sydney, Australia, where environmental protection of beaches has created a cleaner environment that's attracting sharks and increasing attacks. Which seems like a pretty good argument for keeping beaches dirty.