Obviously this is tongue-in-cheek. It would surely get Patrick's license revoked and probably more jail time for the vigilantes than the idiots spotting aircraft with their laser. In retrospect, perhaps libel is too strong a word. But it is irritating that I am the subject of such jokes, when clearly I have not spent as much money on my laser pointers as others on this list, have used them at star-parties but twice- briefly-, have always gone to great lengths to use them safely, and even tried for almost 2 years to test a batch in order to gain some real, usable data for the prospective purchaser. Tests that only a handful of others have ever taken seriously and expressed an interest in participating or helping. There's a mistake I won't make again. So excuse me if I just don't find any humor in bringing up my name when some moron spots an aircraft. Those tin-foil-hat UFO seeking imbeciles are out playing with lasers more than astronomers anyway- and from the hills above Bountiful, coincidentally. Lets think of them next time this happens, OK? Thanks to the times we live in, some things just aren't funny anymore. There's a real chance that a joke will bring a visit from Homeland Security. On 5/1/07, diveboss@xmission.com <diveboss@xmission.com> wrote:

I would be willing to ride shotgun with you Patrick. We could fly across the Wasatch front and put the kibosh on some rude laser users with water balloons, bowling balls or... ;) And, I would condone it! :)

Quoting Bob Moore <BMoore@commercecrg.com>:

...

I am thinking a good supply of water balloons in the passengers seat might deter that problem.

First, my apologies to Chuck for mentioning him. If it helps any my first thought was to mention another member here and his 50 mW laser. On 01 May 2007, at 12:24, Chuck Hards wrote:

Tests that only a handful of others have ever taken seriously and expressed an interest in participating or helping. There's a mistake I won't make again. I hope you'll reconsider, Chuck. While the laser tests may not have gone as hoped, I'm sure I'm not the only one here that now owns a green laser thanks to your Utah-Astronomy posts and personal recommendations. Keep up the reporting. It is much appreciated.

There's a real chance that a joke will bring a visit from Homeland Security. That's a statement the hit home for me. Last Sunday I flew to Wendover to visit the editor of the local paper. As I've always done I tied down the airplane and proceeded to walk across the flight line (for those not familiar with Wendover Field, it is HUGE, having been used during WWII as an Army Airfield for B-29s). My walk in one direction went without incident but walking back to my plane I suddenly found myself being stopped and being told I had violated a restricted area.

After showing ID, my ramp pass, much talking (and pointing out I've been doing those walks for years, that there are no signs or markers, nothing in the Airport Facilities Directory or on the aeronautical charts) I was allowed to get in my aircraft an leave. But now I guess my name's in a Homeland Security file somewhere that could one day come back and bite me... Again, my apologies, Chuck. I meant no offense. Now (at the risk of trying to end this on a lighter note) I don't want anybody mentioning me if a bowling ball comes crashing to Earth in someone's backyard... pw

We of the Department of Bowling Ball Security take such matters very, very seriously. -- Be warned ....

Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>:

I don't want

...

anybody mentioning me if a bowling ball comes crashing to Earth in someone's backyard...

*67 You have abused and offended bowling balls for the last time buster!

Mr. Annonymous!

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There's a bright moon out, what do you expect? ;) Quoting Bob Moore <BMoore@commercecrg.com>:

I never realized in would need hip waders to participate in these high level discussions

Bob

Bob Moore Commerce CRG - Salt Lake City office 175 East 400 South, Suite 700 Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Direct: 801-303-5418 Main: 801-322-2000 Fax: 801-322-2040 BMoore@commercecrg.com www.commercecrg.com

-----Original Message-----

From: utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.com [mailto:utah-astronomy-bounces+bmoore=commercecrg.com@mailman.xmission.c om] On Behalf Of Joe Bauman Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 5:17 PM To: Utah Astronomy Subject: Re: [Utah-astronomy] Re: Libel to get interesting... :)

We of the Department of Bowling Ball Security take such matters very, very seriously. -- Be warned ....

...

Quoting Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com>:

I don't want

...

anybody mentioning me if a bowling ball comes crashing to Earth in someone's backyard...

*67 You have abused and offended bowling balls for the last time buster!

Mr. Annonymous!

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No sweat, Patrick, I'm not quite as tired and testy today. Been burning the candle at both ends for a month on yet the latest hot project at work, all other activities and projects set-aside as is typical. Got the air-conditioning running last night and slept MUCH better. Hope to have some project updates on the 17.5" project soon. Also hope to get my solar prominence viewer done soon, that's the one I mistakenly called a "coronascope" in yesterday's post. A home-built alternative to a pricey commercial H-a scope. Based on Jack Newton's design from 30 years ago. For those of you who don't know me, I am a lot like Bruce in that I prefer to build as much of my own equipment as possible. Eight years ago I had a series of ATM articles in S&T (has it really been eight years??) No apology necessary, but I must point out that while I have NEVER aimed a laser at an aircraft, you HAVE dropped a bowling-ball from an aircraft...and in management school they taught us that the best predictor of future performance is past performance! ;o) On 5/1/07, Patrick Wiggins <paw@wirelessbeehive.com> wrote:

First, my apologies to Chuck for mentioning him. If it helps any my first thought was to mention another member here and his 50 mW laser.