2017年7月20日星期四

Yahoo! News: Terrorism

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Yahoo! News: Terrorism


The White House and Mitch McConnell’s office tell very different stories about the failure of the health care bill

Posted: 18 Jul 2017 06:37 PM PDT

The White House and Mitch McConnell's office tell very different stories about the failure of the health care billAs the dust settled following Monday night's collapse of the Republican effort to repeal Obamacare, a flurry of finger-pointing and competing narratives emerged with both the White House and the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell trying to minimize their own roles in the debacle. Some White House staffers threw McConnell under the proverbial bus, suggesting that the majority leader rushed the vote and limited President Trump's involvement. McConnell's allies denied he sought to dictate the process or have the president take a back seat.


News of John McCain’s illness broke during meeting to save GOP health care plan

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 07:40 PM PDT

News of John McCain's illness broke during meeting to save GOP health care planRepublican senators attempting to save their stalled effort to repeal and replace Obamacare in a late-night meeting Wednesday were interrupted with news of Sen. John McCain's brain cancer diagnosis. Sen. John Hoeven, R-N.D., told reporters that the senators learned of McCain's brain cancer diagnosis during the meeting and asked Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., to say a prayer for McCain. "It was very emotional, almost kind of stunned disbelief for a minute, then we asked James Lankford to lead us in prayer," Hoeven said.


Investigation Reveals Cop Who Shot Justine Damond Was Startled by 'Loud Sound'

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 12:59 PM PDT

Investigation Reveals Cop Who Shot Justine Damond Was Startled by 'Loud Sound'It's possible that the sound was fireworks in the area.


US police may have feared ambush in shooting Australian: lawyer

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 04:19 PM PDT

US police may have feared ambush in shooting Australian: lawyerThe lawyer for one of two Minneapolis police officers involved in the shooting death of an unarmed Australian woman said Wednesday that they may have feared an ambush. Justine Damond was killed Saturday night when approaching a police car, after she had placed an emergency call reporting a possible rape taking place near her home in Minnesota. One of the responding officers, Matthew Harrity, told investigators he had been startled by a loud noise just before the 40-year-old woman approached the car and his partner Mohamed Noor fired the deadly shot, authorities said.


U.S. should move bases away if it pursues sanctions -Iran guards

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 04:13 PM PDT

U.S. should move bases away if it pursues sanctions -Iran guardsThe head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday Washington should move its bases and avoid "miscalculations" over new sanctions against Tehran, Iranian agencies reported. The Trump administration imposed the new sanctions on Tuesday over Iran's ballistic missile program and said Tehran's "malign activities" in the Middle East undercut any positive contributions coming from the 2015 nuclear accord.


Swimming Robot Captures Underwater Images of Damaged Fukushima Nuclear Reactor

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 11:23 AM PDT

Swimming Robot Captures Underwater Images of Damaged Fukushima Nuclear ReactorThe reactor was destroyed by a massive March 2011 earthquake and tsunami


Brothers, 5 and 2, crash mom's car on way to see grandfather

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 08:30 AM PDT

Brothers, 5 and 2, crash mom's car on way to see grandfatherRED HOUSE, W.Va. (AP) — Authorities in West Virginia say a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old who wanted to visit their grandfather took their mother's car for a 3-mile (5 kilometers) ride on a curvy, winding road before crashing it and escaping unharmed.


Saudi woman in miniskirt video arrested after public outcry

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 08:04 AM PDT

Saudi woman in miniskirt video arrested after public outcryA Saudi woman has been arrested for defying the kingdom's strict dress code by walking around in a miniskirt and crop top in a video that sparked public outrage.


Democrats rolling out 2018 midterms message next week

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 12:15 PM PDT

Democrats rolling out 2018 midterms message next weekDemocrats will begin rolling out their message for the 2018 midterm elections next week, Rep. Joe Crowley, D-N.Y., the No. 4 House Democrat, told reporters.


Creative Cookout Menus For Summer Holidays And Events

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 09:58 AM PDT

Creative Cookout Menus For Summer Holidays And Events


Remains found likely is 10th victim of Arizona flash flood

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 07:05 PM PDT

Remains found likely is 10th victim of Arizona flash floodPHOENIX (AP) — Remains found Wednesday in a water- and debris-filled canyon in central Arizona are believed to be those of a missing 27-year-old man who's the 10th and final victim of last weekend's flash flood, authorities said.


Months Before Minneapolis Shooting Answers Expected

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 03:39 AM PDT

Months Before Minneapolis Shooting Answers ExpectedThe fatal shooting Saturday of Australia-born Minnesota woman Justine Damond by a police officer could go unanswered for months while Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the shooting "inexplicable."


'No more woe is me': Senator McCain vows quick return to Washington

Posted: 20 Jul 2017 04:27 PM PDT

'No more woe is me': Senator McCain vows quick return to WashingtonBy Richard Cowan and David Schwartz WASHINGTON/PHOENIX, Ariz. (Reuters) - U.S. Senator John McCain promised on Thursday he would return rapidly to Washington despite his newly diagnosed brain cancer, flashing the fighting spirit that has defined him since he was held in captivity as a Navy pilot during the Vietnam War. McCain, a veteran senator and former Republican presidential candidate known as a strong and sometimes fiercely independent voice on defense and security issues, was found to have an aggressive form of brain tumor, glioblastoma, after surgery last week for a blood clot above his left eye. The news, issued by his office late on Wednesday, drew a wave of support from across the political spectrum, and raised questions about how long McCain would be absent from the Senate, where Republicans have a narrow majority and are eager to notch up some legislative successes for President Donald Trump.


MH370 search reveals hidden undersea world

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 10:42 PM PDT

MH370 search reveals hidden undersea worldThe painstaking search for missing flight MH370 has uncovered a previously unknown undersea world of volcanoes, deep valleys and soaring ridges, according to detailed maps released by Australia. Although no trace of the Malaysia Airlines plane was found during the search in the southern Indian Ocean -- the most expensive ever of its kind -- large volumes of data showing a detailed picture of the sea floor had to be collected to guide the probe. "It is estimated that only 10 to 15 percent of the world's oceans have been surveyed with the kind of technology used in the search for MH370," Geoscience Australia's environmental geoscience chief Stuart Minchin said late Wednesday.


The Latest: British American Tobacco buying Reynolds OKd

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 09:20 AM PDT

The Latest: British American Tobacco buying Reynolds OKdRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on London-based British American Tobacco's purchase of Reynolds American Inc., the second-largest U.S. cigarette company (all times local):


This New Hot Sauce Is 20 Times Hotter Than Tabasco

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 02:33 PM PDT

This New Hot Sauce Is 20 Times Hotter Than TabascoYes, you read that correctly: it's 20 times hotter than Tabasco. If you're the type to vehemently shake the Tabasco bottle in hopes of upping its mild spiciness to something a bit more eye-watering, this brand new pepper sauce is probably up your alley. Tabasco recently released its hottest hot sauce yet—intimidatingly dubbed Tabasco Scorpion Hot Sauce—and it's nearly 20 times hotter than the Original Red Sauce!


Trump has changed his health care approach 3 times in 36 hours

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 01:03 PM PDT

Trump has changed his health care approach 3 times in 36 hoursPresident Trump hasn't been settling on a single strategy to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.


Small plane makes emergency landing on Long Island highway

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 09:03 PM PDT

Small plane makes emergency landing on Long Island highwayA Cessna plane pilot is being praised for his successful emergency landing on a Long Island highway that included flying under an overpass.


The Latest: Remains found believed to be missing Arizona man

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 06:33 PM PDT

The Latest: Remains found believed to be missing Arizona manTONTO NATIONAL FOREST, Ariz. (AP) — The Latest on deadly flash flooding in Arizona (all times local):


Married teacher jailed for sex with student on day of his 16th birthday

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 07:10 AM PDT

Married teacher jailed for sex with student on day of his 16th birthdayA former Nebraska teacher has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for having sex with a student on his 16th birthday. Emily Lofing, 27, was charged with debauching a minor as the boy was 16 years old, the age of consent in Nebraska. The married former teacher was working in Weeping Water at the time of the offence.


22 Outrageous Poke Cakes

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 09:58 AM PDT

22 Outrageous Poke Cakes


Philippine police arrest 43 foreigners for kidnap of Singapore woman

Posted: 20 Jul 2017 12:51 AM PDT

Philippine police arrest 43 foreigners for kidnap of Singapore womanBy Karen Lema MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine police said on Thursday they had arrested 43 foreigners for kidnapping a Singaporean woman at a casino resort in the capital, highlighting security concerns that have scared high-stakes gamblers away from Manila. Police said the gang, including people from China and Southeast Asia, was believed to be a loan-shark syndicate targeting foreign high-rollers, with 11 similar cases reported since 2015. The Philippines is one of the fastest-growing casino hubs in Asia, after Macau and Singapore, with the opening of several resorts over the past two years.


India's ageing trains get green makeover with solar panels

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 08:19 AM PDT

India's ageing trains get green makeover with solar panelsIndia has added solar panels to the roof of a train in a national first as it tries to reduce its massive carbon footprint and modernise its vast colonial-era rail network. The lighting, fans and information displays inside the train -- once powered by diesel -- will run off the sun's energy after the panels were fitted to the carriage. The train has begun journeys around the capital New Delhi, helping move just some of the 23 million passengers who use India's rail network every day.


John McCain diagnosed with brain cancer as Trump and Obama lead outpouring of support for US senator

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 06:30 PM PDT

John McCain diagnosed with brain cancer as Trump and Obama lead outpouring of support for US senatorSenator John McCain has been diagnosed with a brain tumour after doctors removed a blood clot above his left eye last week, his office said on Wednesday. The news was met with shock in Washington and triggered an outpouring of support for the much-respected Republican lawmaker. "Senator John McCain has always been a fighter," President Donald Trump said. "Melania and I send our thoughts and prayers to Senator McCain, Cindy, and their entire family. Get well soon." The 80-year-old Republican has glioblastoma, an aggressive cancer, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. The senator and his family are reviewing further treatment, including a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. "On Friday, July 14, Sen. John McCain underwent a procedure to remove a blood clot from above his left eye at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix. Subsequent tissue pathology revealed that a primary brain tumor known as a glioblastoma was associated with the blood clot," his office said in a statement. His daughter Meghan McCain said the family were in "shock" at the news as she released a touching tribute to her father. Statement regarding my father @SenJohnMcCain: pic.twitter.com/SMte9Hkwkq— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 20, 2017 "It won't surprise you to learn that in all this, the one of us who is most confident and calm in my father," she said. "He is the toughest person I know. The cruelest enemy could not break him. The aggressions of political life could not bend him. So he is meeting this challenge as he has every other. Cancer may afflict him in many ways: but it will not make him surrender. Nothing ever has. "He is a warrior at dusk, one of the greatest Americans of our age, and the worthy heir to his father's and grandfather's name. But to me he is something more. He is my strength, my example, my refuge, my confidante, my teacher, my rock, my hero - my Dad." The Arizona senator and chairman of the Armed Services Committee had been recovering at his Arizona home. His absence had forced Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to delay action on health care legislation. Profile | John McCain In a statement, Mr McConnell said: "John McCain is a hero to our Conference and a hero to our country. He has never shied from a fight and I know that he will face this challenge with the same extraordinary courage that has characterised his life.  "The entire Senate family's prayers are with John, Cindy and his family, his staff, and the people of Arizona he represents so well." John McCain is an American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known. Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John.— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) July 20, 2017 Mr Obama hailed Mr McCain as  an "American hero & one of the bravest fighters I've ever known".  "Cancer doesn't know what it's up against. Give it hell, John," the former president tweeted. Sarah Palin, his running mate in the 2008 presidential election, described Mr McMain as "one tough fighter". About 20,000 people in the US each year are diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive type of brain tumor. The American Cancer Society puts the five-year survival rate for patients over 55 at about 4 percent. The tumor digs tentacle-like roots into normal brain tissue. Patients fare best when surgeons can cut out all the visible tumor, which happened with McCain's tumor, according to his office. That isn't a cure; cancerous cells that aren't visible still tend to lurk, the reason McCain's doctors are considering further treatment including chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors say Mr McCain is recovering from his surgery amazingly well and his underlying health is excellent, according to the statement. John McCain diagnosed with brain cancer, @DrSanjayGupta reports. "Truly sad and shocking news" --@AndersonCooperhttps://t.co/XjPImziHbf— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 20, 2017 With his irascible grin and fighter-pilot moxie, Mr McCain was elected to the Senate from Arizona six times, but twice thwarted in seeking the presidency. An upstart presidential bid in 2000 didn't last long. Eight years later, he fought back from the brink of defeat to win the GOP nomination, only to be overpowered by Mr Obama. Mr McCain chose a little-known Alaska governor as his running mate in that race, and helped turn Mrs Palin into a national political figure. After losing to Mr Obama in an electoral landslide, Mr McCain returned to the Senate, determined not to be defined by a failed presidential campaign. And when Republicans took control of the Senate in 2015, McCain embraced his new job as chairman of the powerful Armed Services Committee, eager to play a big role "in defeating the forces of radical Islam that want to destroy America." McCain: No desire to re-open wounds of Vietnam 01:23 Throughout his long tenure in Congress, Mr McCain has played his role with trademark verve, at one hearing dismissing a protester by calling out, "Get out of here, you low-life scum." Mr McCain stuck by the party's 2016 presidential nominee, Mr Trump, at times seemingly through gritted teeth – until the release a month before the election of a lewd audio in which Mr Trump said he could kiss and grab women. Declaring that the breaking point, McCain withdrew his support and said he would write in "some good conservative Republican who's qualified to be president." He had largely held his tongue earlier in the campaign when Mr Trump questioned his status as a war hero by saying: "He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured." Mr McCain said that was offensive to veterans, but "the best thing to do is put it behind us and move forward."


'Hang in There.' Muslim Senate Candidate Gets Support From Republican Incumbent

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 01:45 PM PDT

'Hang in There.' Muslim Senate Candidate Gets Support From Republican Incumbent"It's unfortunate that this is the type of discourse that has become acceptable"


Helicopter carrying WWE exec makes emergency ocean landing

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 02:05 PM PDT

Helicopter carrying WWE exec makes emergency ocean landingGILGO BEACH, N.Y. (AP) — The son of World Wrestling Entertainment CEO Vince McMahon was rescued Wednesday from a helicopter that made an emergency landing in the ocean near a New York beach.


16-year-old from Minnesota ID'd as victim of John Wayne Gacy

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 04:55 PM PDT

16-year-old from Minnesota ID'd as victim of John Wayne GacyCHICAGO (AP) — After running away from his Minnesota home in 1976, 16-year-old Jimmy Haakenson called his mother, told her he was in Chicago, then disappeared forever.


Al Gore: There's Still Time To Solve Climate Change Crisis

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 03:02 PM PDT

Al Gore: There's Still Time To Solve Climate Change CrisisVice President Al Gore thinks there's still time to stop some of the catastrophes climate change might cause.


Biggest Loser Study Reveals New Findings About Low-Carb Diets

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 10:05 AM PDT

Biggest Loser Study Reveals New Findings About Low-Carb DietsStop falling for the hype.


India ready for talks with China on border standoff

Posted: 20 Jul 2017 08:57 AM PDT

India ready for talks with China on border standoffIndia said Thursday it is ready to hold talks with China if both sides pull back their forces to end a standoff along a disputed territory high in the Himalayan mountains.


Venezuelan business leader slams Maduro's congress plan

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 01:55 PM PDT

Venezuelan business leader slams Maduro's congress planBy Deisy Buitrago MARACAIBO, Venezuela (Reuters) - Venezuela's severe economic crisis will worsen if President Nicolas Maduro presses ahead with a controversial new congress that would further undermine investor confidence in the OPEC nation, the head of the country's biggest business guild said. Despite months of protests by the majority-backed opposition and widespread international condemnation, the ruling Socialist Party is holding a vote on July 30 to set up a legislative superbody known as a Constituent Assembly. None!" Carlos Larrazabal, 60, president of Fedecamaras told Reuters on Tuesday during its annual meeting in the sweltering western city of Maracaibo.


SitRep: Trump’s Secret Putin Meeting; Pentagon Gets New No. 2; NATO, Russia Square Off in War Games

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 04:38 AM PDT

SitRep: Trump's Secret Putin Meeting; Pentagon Gets New No. 2; NATO, Russia Square Off in War Games  With Adam Rawnsley Trump, Putin, alone: The White House failed to disclose a second, hour-long private meeting between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G-20 summit in Germany earlier this month. And the most remarkable bit? The only other person involved was Putin's Russian translator, a Russian government employee. No ...


Fruit With Huge Health Benefits

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 10:01 AM PDT

Fruit With Huge Health Benefits


Rising anti-refugee sentiment stirs concern in Lebanon

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 09:11 AM PDT

Rising anti-refugee sentiment stirs concern in LebanonAn attack on Lebanese troops raiding a Syrian refugee camp has stirred violent debate and polarised opinions, with rising calls to repatriate refugees but also warnings against racist rhetoric. The uptick in pressure comes after Lebanese soldiers were attacked as they stormed two refugee camps near the eastern border with Syria last month. The incident has produced a campaign of incitement against Syrian refugees on social media, with many Lebanese pushing back and warning against stereotyping refugees as militants.


Canada's Governor General touches Queen in breach of royal protocol 'to ensure she didn't slip'

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 11:36 PM PDT

Canada's Governor General touches Queen in breach of royal protocol 'to ensure she didn't slip'It is simply not the done thing. Or to put it another way, you can look but you can't touch. So much so that Canada's Governor General has felt the need to explained why he decided to breach royal protocol and touch the Queen, saying that he wanted to make sure she did not slip during an official engagement. David Johnston was spotted supporting the 91-year-old by gently touching her elbow as she climbed the steps at Canada House in Trafalgar Square, on Wednesday. The Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (C-L) attended a function at Canada House Credit: EPA/WILL OLIVER He did the same thing as she left the building, which she visited with the Duke of Edinburgh in honour of the 150th anniversary of the Canadian Confederation. Speaking afterwards he told Canadian broadcaster CBC News: "Well I'm certainly conscious of the protocol. I just was anxious to be sure that there was no stumbling on the steps." Mr Johnston, who as a student inspired a character in the bestselling 1970 novel Love Story, added: "It's a little bit awkward, that descent from Canada House to Trafalgar Square, and there was a carpet that was a little slippy, and so I thought perhaps it was appropriate to breach protocol just to be sure that there was no stumble." Queen Elizabeth is welcomed to Canada House by Canada Governor General David Johnston Credit: REUTERS/Stefan Rousseau/Pool In its advice on how to greet a member of the Royal family Buckingham Palace's website reminds people that there are "no obligatory codes of behaviour when meeting the Queen or a member of the Royal Family, but many people wish to observe the traditional forms". While touching the Monarch, beyond a handshake, is not explicitly mentioned it is generally accepted that members of the public do not do so. Not that Mr Johnson is the first to beach royal etiquette with displays of friendship. In 2009 Michelle Obama took the unusual step of putting her arm round the Queen, in response to the Monarch placing her hand on her back, while she attended a glittering reception at Buckingham Palace with her husband, ahead of the G20 summit. Buckingham Palace described it at the time as a "mutual and spontaneous display of affection and appreciation". Queen given tour of Canada House to mark country's 150th birthday 01:31 In 1992 the then Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating placed his arm around the Queen while introducing her to subjects during her visit in 1992, earning himself the nickname 'The Lizard of Oz'. And in 2014 the basketball star LeBron James put his arm around the Duchess of Cambridge while presenting her with a jersey after a game in New York. Buckingham Palace said it had no concern over the Governor's General decision to lend the Queen his hand in support. An aide said: "There's no issue here. It was a simple human gesture"


Officials: Australian woman shot after cops heard loud sound

Posted: 18 Jul 2017 08:35 PM PDT

Officials: Australian woman shot after cops heard loud soundMINNEAPOLIS (AP) — An Australian woman who called 911 to report a possible assault was shot and killed by a Minneapolis police officer after the officer's partner was startled by a loud sound near their squad car, the partner told investigators Tuesday.


Creationists Sell Christian Theme Park To Themselves To Avoid $700,000 In Taxes

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 01:10 PM PDT

Creationists Sell Christian Theme Park To Themselves To Avoid $700,000 In TaxesThe theme park owes the city of Williamstown approximately $700,000.


This App Will Give You A Starbucks Gift Card Just For Using It

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 10:05 AM PDT

This App Will Give You A Starbucks Gift Card Just For Using ItYou aren't dreaming.


House panel approves budget measure that advances tax reform

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 07:49 PM PDT

House panel approves budget measure that advances tax reformBy David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives took a new step toward tax reform legislation on Wednesday by approving a fiscal 2018 budget resolution that would allow the Senate to pass a sweeping tax code overhaul without Democratic support. The House Budget Committee voted 22-14 along party lines to send the measure to the floor of the House for consideration by the full chamber, a day after the $4 trillion spending blueprint was unveiled. Democrats oppose the Republican budget and Republican plans for a tax reform bill that is likely to offer steep tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy.


By embracing Russia, Trump bumps up against top advisers

Posted: 20 Jul 2017 05:23 AM PDT

By embracing Russia, Trump bumps up against top advisersWASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's persistent overtures toward Russia are placing him increasingly at odds with his national security and foreign policy advisers, who have long urged a more cautious approach to dealing with the foreign adversary.


New study says 9 lifestyle changes can cut dementia risk

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 11:48 PM PDT

New study says 9 lifestyle changes can cut dementia riskOne third of dementia cases can be prevented with some basic lifestyle changes and better education during childhood, a study published in The Lancet said Thursday. Nearly 50 million people around the world suffer from dementia and Alzheimer's according to the latest estimates. The nine factors which damage the brain notably include hearing loss, obesity and smoking, the study found.


US accuses Lebanon's Hezbollah of weapons buildup

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 03:54 PM PDT

US accuses Lebanon's Hezbollah of weapons buildupUS Ambassador Nikki Haley on Wednesday accused Lebanon's Hezbollah of amassing weapons and said the world must turn its attention to the actions of the powerful paramilitary organization. Haley met with UN envoy for Lebanon Sigrid Kaag ahead of a Security Council meeting Thursday focussing on the UN peacekeeping force deployed in southern Lebanon. "Ambassador Haley expressed alarm over the build-up of weapons by Hezbollah, a situation that demands the international community's attention to prevent the further escalation of regional tensions," said a statement by the US mission.


Congressman asks NASA scientist about ancient Martian civilizations, and things get awkward

Posted: 19 Jul 2017 04:50 PM PDT

Congressman asks NASA scientist about ancient Martian civilizations, and things get awkward

Being an elected official means that you should probably have a working knowledge of whatever topic it is you're planning to publicly address at any given time. Many government talking heads fall far short of that requirement on a regular basis, and the latest example is Rep. Dana Rohrabacher of California. At a congressional meeting with some of NASA's top scientists to discuss the prospects of further exploration of planets and moons in our Solar System, Rohrabacher asked a question that would seemingly have been more fitting in the wake of the 1938 radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds. Rohrabacher asked about martians.

After praising the work NASA has been doing, as well as addressing the plans of a new rover on Mars by 2020, the Republican congressman had one last thing he wanted to ask. "You have indicated that Mars was totally different thousands of years ago," he told the researchers, who were no doubt already rolling their eyes. "Is it possible that there was a civilization on Mars thousands of years ago?"

https://twitter.com/Nate_Cohn/status/887406712671674369

The few silent seconds that followed, as NASA's Kenneth Farley of the Mars 2020 project pondered how to respond, are quite suspenseful. "So," Farley began, keeping a straight face. "The evidence is that Mars was different billions of years ago. Not thousands of years ago."

"Billions, well, yes," Rohrabacher brushed off the correction.

"There's no evidence that I'm aware of," Farley said, undoubtedly assuming that would be the end of that particular line of questioning, but Rohrabacher wasn't quite satisfied.

"Would you rule that out?" the congressman pressed.

"I would say that is extremely unlikely," Farley concluded.

A couple of mumbles later, Rohrabacher thanked the scientists for their work before passing the questioning to the next congressman. Rohrabacher's spokesperson would later suggest that the question was tongue-in-cheek, but if it was, it certainly didn't come across that way.


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