Through the Looking Glass

SPACE WATCH
NASA – The NASA logo on Bldg. 703 at the Dryden Aircraft Operations Facility in Palmdale, Calif., is reflected in the 2.5-meter primary mirror of the SOFIA observatory’s telescope.

SOFIA–the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy– is an airborne observatory, built to complement the Hubble, Spitzer and Herschel space telescopes, as well as major Earth-based telescopes.

SOFIA features a German-built 100-inch (2.5 meter) diameter far-infrared telescope weighing 20 tons mounted in the rear fuselage of a modified Boeing 747SP aircraft. It is one of the premier space science programs of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.

SOFIA is a joint program between NASA and the German Aerospace Center. Image Credit: NASA/Tom Tschida

File First, Invent Later?

By F. Scott Kieff – One central problem with the proposal is that while first to file may sound like an easy determination, it turns out not to be. The rest of the world follows essentially a first to file approach, but in every one of those patent systems there is a vast amount of highly evolved law on what counts in the question: first as compared to what? It’s very common to have thoughts before writing them down and to write them down before filing them with some patent office. It’s also very understandable, if not laudable, to want to test out inventions before drafting and filing patent applications on them. And it’s even more possible that while one person may be kicking around an idea in her own head or on her own drawing board, a different person might make it work and file a patent on it.

The America Invents Act would inject massive uncertainty into the patent system.

The patent bill now pending in Congress is a bill that a surprisingly coordinated set of large established companies can get behind. That alone is a reason to reject it—it will stifle, not foster competition. The bill also is one of those rare examples of legislation that has made it so far without much to commend it and lots to condemn it. more> http://is.gd/banrvF

related>

• Patent Reform or Patent Ripoff? ↑
• America Invents Act: Quo Vadis? ↓
• GOP, Dem members call for rejection of House patent reform bill, Pete Kasperowicz, Hill
• Will Tax Strategy Patents Be Outlawed? Robert W. Wood, Forbes
• Congress Happy To Knock Out Patents That Impact Financial Institutions… But Everyone Else? Mike Masnick, Techdirt
• What you need to know about Patent Reform . . . and Fast, Dana Rohrabacher, RedState
• Mr. Speaker, Stop the Sham Patent ‘Reform’, Capitol Confidential, Big Government
• Patent reform could stifle start-ups, Valerie Gaydos, Washington Post
• Take Action – Stop the job-killing Patent Bill! Eagle Forum

Tick, tick: Time’s up on debt limit

By Russell Berman – The can cannot be kicked down the road again. The deadline cannot be delayed. It’s now or … well, no one wants to contemplate what happens if there’s no sign of a debt-reduction deal by July 4. The dollar or capital markets, or both, could explode.

Both sides appear to recognize that the biggest hurdle will be persuading each party’s rank-and-file to accept whatever agreement the negotiators reach. Some conservatives adamantly oppose any increase in the debt limit, and those that are open to a deal have a long list of demands. more> http://is.gd/heInvj

related>

• Will an agreement be reached before the final-final deadline, Aug 2nd? Why agreement not possible before the final-final deadline? LinkedIn Discussion
• Debt Challenge Makes for Two Lonely Republicans, Julie Hirschfeld Davis, BusinessWeek
• White House adviser gets into squabble with debt panel chairman, Erik Wasson, Hill
• White House wants business to aid in debt cap fight, Rachelle Younglai, Reuters
• What a US Default, Downgrade Might Look Like, Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes
• Sputtering economy could complicate debt talks, Andy Sullivan, Reuters

A Cleaner Day Dawns On the Chicago River

By Michael Bryson – It’s a new day for the Chicago River.  In recent years, Chicago has been unique because of what it doesn’t do: fully disinfect its wastewater before pumping it into public waterways. “In virtually every other city in the nation,” Chicago Tribune reporter Michael Hawthorne wrote last year, “it would be illegal to pump out partially treated sewage teeming with the amount of disease-causing bacteria that churns endlessly into the Chicago River.” more> http://is.gd/7wQxtE

THOMAS Top Ten – compiled on Jun 12 2011

Library of Congress -

1. H.R. 1540 [112th]
   National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
2. H.R. 2017 [112th]
   Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2012
3. S.AMDT.392 [112th]
   To improve the regulatory structure for electronic debit card transactions, and for other purposes
4. H.R. 1473 [112th]
   Department of Defense and Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011
5. H.R. 3590 [111th]
   Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
6. H.R. 4173 [111th]
   Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act
7. H.R. 1380 [112th]
   New Alternative Transportation to Give Americans Solutions Act of 2011
8. H.R. 1249 [112th]
   America Invents Act
9. H.R. 1954 [112th]
   To implement the President’s request to increase the statutory limit on the public debt
10. H.R. 1351 [112th]
    United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011
11. H.R. 2112 [112th]
    Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2012