For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled.

Richard Feynman, from the Rogers Commission Report on the Challenger disaster

Thirty years ago, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds into its flight. Seven were killed.

This is perhaps the first memory where I remember where I was when I heard the news. I was in sixth grade, coming back from PE, when a teacher burst into the hall to tell us what happened. We watched the coverage for pretty much the rest of the day. A friend of mine was in Nature’s Classroom and actually saw the Y-shaped cloud.

  
Image is from CBS news.

The lead on this song is the singer from Edguy, who has been featured on Metal Tuesday previously. This is a damn decent song.

Lyrics:

Is this the view 

From fallen angel’s eyes 

It’s time to dry the tears 

Like something new 

Far better than the lies 

Of honor pride and fears 

I will return 

More stronger than before 

This is my chance 

To grow beyond the past 
I know i burn 

I burn for you much more 

I pay the price 

I know now it will last 
Sacrifice of that i had inside 

Shed it all, my senseless fate of pride 
Through the fires of the night 

From the ashes out of sight 

Wide away 

So i will ride 

On dirty wings 

Through the darkness of the night 

From the ashes to the light 

Wide away 

Now i will ride 

On dirty wings 

On dirty wings 
I never knew 

This choice was in my mind 

It never felt so right 

What cannot do? 

A man is sometimes blind 

Gimme a chance 

And be with me tonight

An idea that is not dangerous is unworthy of being called an idea at all.

Oscar Wilde

I know, it’s not cool to like Linkin Park or any of the Nu Metal bands. I really don’t give a damn. Hell, I’ll admit to liking Nickelback. Still, I liked Linkin Park’s debut album and I really enjoyed this one from Transformers.

Lyrics in the YouTube video.

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.

Dr. Martin Luther King

The US Supreme Court ruled Florida’s death penalty unconstitutional.

From Bay News 9:

The justices on Tuesday ruled 8-1 that the state’s sentencing procedure is flawed because juries play only an advisory role in recommending death while the judge can reach a different decision.

I oppose the death penalty. I’m not morally opposed to the concept, but I don’t trust those entrusted with the power. 

Primarily, I don’t trust the prosecutors. There’s been too much evidence that prosecutors have concealed exculpatory evidence during trials and commenced with all sorts of shenanigans during and after trials to ensure that they get they conviction for their record. No, it’s not all prosecutors, but it’s enough. Even more than bad cops, bad prosecutors are tolerated and promoted by their peers and superiors. That’s bad enough when they can take away years of a person’s life, but so much worse when they’re trying to take all of the person’s life.

So, I’m glad that the USSC struck down the death penalty, but I wish it had been to address prosecutorial misconduct.

I’ve got a couple of Undead Corporation’s albums. Shunsatu is decent death metal, but Flash Back has a much poppier feel to it. Like Baby Metal, but grown up and serious. So, here’s one of the ones I really enjoy. 

Lyrics in the YouTube video. Fortunately, they stay in English when the singers switch into Japanese.

As long as I am an America citizen and American blood runs in these veins, I shall hold myself at liberty to speak, to write, and to publish whatever I please on any subject.

E. Lovejoy

We start the new year with a new band. 

Lyrics:

Welcome brothers, sisters

I am your queen of hell

Come with me I’ll show you

The burning place we dwell
We will show no mercy

A nation of the cursed

So arm yourselves, join the cause

Satiate your thirst

We won’t be denied

We’ll conquer mankind
Follow me as we march forth

Do as I command

Red and black our banners wave

As we march across the land
Bow down before me the queen of hell

Be worthy of my chains

Know that to serve me means glory as well

Your queen of desire and pain
No man can defeat me

They’ve tried before and failed

They cower at my feet now

And tremble at my wail
We will show no mercy

I have no tears to shed

Only those of metal

Can wear the black and red
Don’t fear the dead

There’s blood to shed
Follow me as we march forth

Do as I command

Red and black our banners wave

As we march across the land
I know that you can hear me

I will not be ignored

My army of the damned will see

The metal age restored
Bow down before me the queen of hell

Be worthy of my chains

Know that to serve me means glory as well

The queen of desire and pain
Make your salute to the queen of hell

Join my ranks of steel

An army of metal to conquer mankind

And force the world to kneel