Comet Bombing

Don't know whether to be irritated or just laugh at this bit of stupidity.

The 45-year-old mother of two is so upset about the scientific assault on the celestial body that she has taken the unusual step of suing the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in Moscow courts. Her lawsuit seeks to block the launch of the probe and to recover $311 million in "moral" damages.

"Moral" damages. For hitting a comet with a 770 lb. copper projectile.

"Somewhere deep inside me a voice told me the whole mission had to be stopped," she said. "I fear that it could have an impact on all humanity." In court papers, Bai asserts that Deep Impact will "infringe upon my system of spiritual and life values, in particular on the values of every element of creation, upon the unacceptability of barbarically interfering with the natural life of the universe, and the violation of the natural balance of the universe." Dolores Beasley, a spokeswoman for NASA, said it would be "inappropriate" to comment.

So nobody can do anything that may infringe on her system of spiritual and life values. She must be suing the world for every little thing that hurts her feelings. Since NASA's spokesperson wouldn't say anything, I will. What a DINGBAT.

I think we should be suing her for violating the natural balance of intelligence in the universe. The black hole of stupidity coming from her is dragging the universal mean IQ down.

Plans call for Deep Impact to launch a 770-pound copper projectile at the 2.5-mile-wide comet on Independence Day. The 23,000 mph impact is expected to generate a force equivalent to almost 5 tons of TNT and could blast a hole in the comet's icy surface the size of the Colosseum in Rome.

Cameras and sensors on board the spacecraft will record the event in an effort to help scientists determine the structure and chemical composition of Tempel 1. Comets are thought to be bits of ice, dust and rock left over from the formation of the universe 4 billion years ago.

Scientists have dismissed fears that the collision might break up or divert the comet, comparing the impact to a mosquito striking a Boeing 747.

2.5 mile wide comet. Just a little thing. But get her fear:

But Bai says she fears the bombardment could disrupt mystical forces. More practically, she added, it might create an open season on celestial objects by the world's spacefaring nations.

"If the Americans can study comets with the help of bombs, why not the Chinese?" she asked. "Americans want to be ahead of everybody. And maybe that's good; but not in this case. It's a barbaric method, to study the universe with bombs." Bai's attorney, Alexander V. Molokhov, said the damage claim was calculated under Russian law, which allows plaintiffs to recover an amount equal to the cost of the undertaking that allegedly does the harm. No trial date has been set.

I'm really hoping that the US government is just ignoring this. I'd really hate to see them addressing this stupidity.