Excellent options for line by line coding are the many STAMP based robot kits. Also excellent are the Lego Mindstorms robotic kits. These options give the added benefit of physical feedback--the robots DO something!

Using dandelions for the Memorial makes for a deep and multi-layered message.

1. It recognizes the fragility and transitory nature of life, consider Psalm 103: "As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more." (NIV).

2. Pride gets humankind into a lot of troubles, yet we need to remember we are as the flower (even the leaders in high places). Consider Isaiah 40: "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them." (NIV)

3. Dandelions, while having a beautiful yellow flower, typically have low regard. Lifting them up as a memorial symbolizes lifting up the lowly individual and giving greater value to the lives lost.

Personally, I think Opus' look was more a sacrastic reaction to the "Paddlings of Our Fathers" comment.

Perhaps my math is off, but if a standard bulb is 5% efficient and a flourescent bulb is 3X as efficient, then the flourescent bulb would only be 15% efficient. This would mean the flourescent bulb would only save 10% not two thirds as stated in the article.

Either the flourescent bulbs are more than 3X as efficient or they save less than two-thirds. I'd be curious to know which is true.

In my signature is a link to a youtube "video" (it's just audio). The controller just about completely loses Situational Awareness and then regains it over several minutes.

It's amusing to say the least (plus a bit illuminating).

Here's the link (it's also in my signature):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyO-bWGxWBU

I remember my flight instructor informing me early on that every landing is an aborted go around.

His point was that the pilot never relaxes until he/she's home. His point was also reinforces the notion of a go around as a normal maneuver.

Your description of what we could end up with reminded me of the Simpson's episode (Oh Brother Where Art Thou?) where Homer designed a car. The idea was he'd design one acceptable to people like him. You can imagine the $82,000 result!

One thing I noticed in the article was the statement that Smith notices a "pattern of pilot error."

When looking at accidents, other pilots gravitate towards blaming the pilot. I think this is because of the "it won't happen to me" sentiment.

Basically, they are saying, the pilot made a mistake, given the same set of circumstances, I wouldn't have made the same mistake and I wouldn't have crashed.

On the other hand, families of pilots tend to blame equipment, procedures, etc. (Hence the big liability lawsuits filed by families of pilots killed in accidents.) I think there's a big sentiment to not want the blame placed on their loved one.

The NTSB gravitates towards blaming elements it can influence: training, procedures, equipment.

There are always cultural overlays when determining the cause of an aviation accident.

Wasn't the 1987 turboprop accident in Detroit caused by in flight reverse thrust (Beta pitch)?

I learned PA etiquette very early on in my flying career: When I took my first bona-fide passenger for a ride after earning my PPL.

On the climb out I inadvertently passed my target altitude. When I noticed my "mistake", I let out an audible "oops" over the intercom.

I learned very quickly that passengers aren't enamored of hearing their pilot say "oops" at any phase of flight!

I had to spend a considerable effort to reassure my passenger that all was well!

We were recently stationed in Japan. We could always tell the new people because they'd inadvertently turn on their windshield wipers instead of their turn signals! Also they would be timid drivers.

The difficulty for me was returning to the States on various trips--many times when I was slightly distracted, I'd find myself on the wrong side of the road. It was especially difficult in parking lots. (On the road I simply kept myself next to the line!)

Other drivers give the most interesting looks to someone going down the wrong way! Usually they'll also pull over and get out of the way. I often wondered how they shared with others the account of me going the wrong way!

Our first assignment after Japan was Los Angeles--That was nerve wracking driving for awhile! Not only does Japan drive on the left, but the national speed limits are much, much lower. (Most highways top out at 60 kph!)

I'm now proud to be an ambidextrous driver!