There are many scientific, military, medical and commercial laser applications which have been created since the invention of the laser in 1958. It has a number of properties that make it largely applicable in numerous industries these include its coherency, high monochromaticity, and ability to reach extremely high powers.
(more…)

It is my opinion that taxes are nothing more than extortion. The income tax is especially heinous. I see no difference between the government demanding money from me and telling me if I don't pay a band of armed men will come into my house, kidnap me and throw me in a cell (or perhaps kill me if I resist), or a group of armed thugs representing a mobster organization coming into my business or home and telling me if I don't pay X amount for protection than something "terrible" might happen. The similarities between these to situations is obvious, the differences are subtle. Force in used in both cases, but with the mobsters it is more blatant than with the government. One would say that with the mobsters the money taken is used solely to enrich themselves and that with the government the money goes to the "greater good." But do you truly believe that politicians don't use tax money to enrich themselves? If nothing else, what do you think pays their salaries? And do you mean to say that if the mobsters were to build a playground or a park nearby, or put up streetlamps, or fix the roads in front of the businesses they just ripped off, or provide a place for some homeless folk to stay, are you suggesting that these things would somehow make their extortionist activities ok?
(more…)

Back in 2002 Valentine, my coworker and friend, and I would often have discussions about whether or not the United States should invade Iraq. Valentine was against any action in Iraq and I was on the fence. Valentine explained to me that he felt there was no reason to invade Iraq. He felt that Saddam Hussein was afraid of us. After all, we had the most powerful military in the world. We had already beaten the snot out of his military in an earlier war. He was allowing weapons inspectors into his country. We had effectively defanged and declawed the tiger. Valentine would often argue that he felt Saddam had already gotten rid of all his weapons of mass destruction due to his fear of the U.S. There was no evidence he had weapons of mass destruction, he would argue, and he would do so fairly vehemently and with much certainty. When talking about the threat Iraq posed to the U.S. Valentine would often tell me with a chuckle that Iraq’s navy was a huge threat to ours and that he was certain their military was raising an invasion force that would soon attack us. Those two men in a rowboat could – without a doubt – cause great upheaval in these United States and change our way of life. When I would argue that the U.S. military should go into Iraq simply to liberate its people, he would argue that the citizens of Iraq would fight our soldiers. He explained that we would do the same if some foreign power was to invade us to force a regime change. Time proved he was right on all counts.
(more…)

Many people want to know the answer to the question. Knowing the American flag's meaning lets the citizens comprehend the symbols, colors and the design represent. It is also a reminder to the people how the country started.
(more…)

Why did Kmart file bankruptcy? Kmart is a popular chain of stores in the United States. It also has branches in other countries; so people wonder about the answer to the question, why did Kmart file bankruptcy in the year 2002. The problem of Kmart was almost the same as to the troubles of Enron because it had experienced several highs and severe low points in its business.So why did it file bankruptcy?
(more…)

A reader asked what instantly enters my head when I hear the words "Electoral College."
(more…)

The Federal Reserve has determined that household net worth–all the things of value a person has like houses and checking accounts–dropped nine percent in the last three months. This is the biggest quarterly decline in over fifty years. Things seem bad for the average American these days, but nine percent is nothing compared to the 25% drop in wealth of Dell Inc. CEO Michael Dell.
(more…)

Rep. Dean Heller recently led local newspapers to believe that he is considering not running against Harry Reid in 2010. Heller seems pretty happy with his spot in the first district and is even fonder of his seat with the Ways and Means Committee. Who could blame him, it's the most influential financial committee in politics. He's served his district well after winning the seat in 2006 by a narrow margin.
(more…)

When Sarah Palin recently resigned as Governor of Alaska, most commentators wrote her political obituary. Without a power base in the statehouse, it was said, she would have no chance at a national role. Her somewhat stumbling resignation speech was taken as a proof that the Palin phenomenon was fading away.
(more…)

There is a provision in the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that allows first time home buyers the ability to receive a credit on their taxes of up to $7,500 for purchasing a home. There is also a provision in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 that expands this tax credit for qualified first time home owners. The provision is called the first-time homebuyer credit.
(more…)