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Happy 70th Birthday @CIA! pic.twitter.com/CU3gOZMf7J

We, me maties, Argh, otta due something for the Occasion! What with the current increase in "blow me downs" in the Carribean, we need to do our part to stem global warming! Avast there, me hearties! Who's with me!

"They're more like guidelines, you see." And so, on the 26th of September, once my moderation ban is over, I say we give the TMB the Black Spot! We spam mod him into oblivion, and take over the ship of SoylentNews! Argh! My parrot agrees with me. Who else wants to live as free persons on the high seas of the internets, instead of slaves to a crazed captain hunting for the DN? It is all there in Melville's novel, and the chapter on the "Whiteness of the Whale". Pirates, privateers, cannot afford to be racist.

Wakened from its latest hibernation, New Horizons may visit additional Kuiper Belt Objects

Fuel saved during the MU69 encounter could be used to send New Horizons to a third KBO, a move that would require yet another mission extension. In 2016, NASA approved an extended mission for the MU69 flyby through the year 2021.

On Sept. 6, Stern told members of NASA’s Outer Planets Assessment Group that mission scientists are already searching for an additional KBO target.

“We have a fighting chance of having a second [Kuiper Belt Object] flyby,” Stern said.

Approval of another mission extension will also provide more opportunities for New Horizons to continue its distant observations of KBOs, dwarf planets, and centaurs. Stern said that he intends to request a second extension once the MU69 flyby is completed and the data collected from it returned to Earth.

Even that might not be the mission’s end. Stern foresees additional extensions beyond the one that would take it to a second KBO.

“There’s fuel and power on board the spacecraft to operate it for another 20 years,” Stern said. “That’s not going to be a concern even for a third or fourth extended mission.”

The probe will be put into another hibernation period on Dec. 22, 2017, during which it will remain until June 4, 2018, when it will be woken up in preparation for the MU69 encounter, which will officially begin in August 2018.

(486958) 2014 MU₆₉

Size comparison to Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko (exact size and appearance of 2014 MU₆₉ are still unknown, but it is suspected to be a binary object or contact binary, like Comet 67P)

Folks, I know you've all been worried about #Irma and especially about my estate on St. Martin, Le Château des Palmiers. Well, you have nothing to worry about, because it's A-OK! And it's available starting at only $6000 per night. I'm also looking for a buyer. I've listed it at just $16.9 million! Believe me, that represents a very, very substantial discount. Formerly $28 million. Comes with 5 acres surrounded by an 8-foot wall. Also, here's a big hand for President Macron for visiting St. Martin. He loves to shake my hand. And 95% of St. Martin was leveled. But my house is OK. No problem there. Fabulous! And a big hand to the folks in my Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Georgia, and South Carolina. All my people in the path of #Irma. Good going, you made it!

Nun With A Chainsaw Becomes Symbol Of Post-Irma Cleanup: 'She Rocks'

New book by #CrookedHillary came out today. Huge embarrassment! Already getting very bad reviews on the Amazon. A lot, a lot of reviews with one star. Because they don't allow zero stars! "This book deserves as many stars as Hillary has Presidential Election wins." #WINNING

"What happened? I happened!" LOL, LOL, LOL. pic.twitter.com/o1x6X2qQdM

9/11: Never Forget

Previously:

• Harvey could be Ted Cruz’s time to shine. So far he hasn’t
• Is Ted Cruz human? An investigation
• Ted Cruz is now likeable, The New York Times wants you to believe

And then...

• Republican senator Ted Cruz caught liking pornographic video on social media
• For One Hot Second, Ted Cruz’s Official Twitter Account Liked a Porn Video
• Ted Cruz Likes Adult Movie On Twitter With Woman Who ‘Vaguely Resembles’ His Wife, Heidi
• Ted Cruz "Likes" Porn Video On Twitter
• Ted Cruz Just ‘Liked’ A Hardcore Porn Video On Twitter
• Why is US Senator Ted Cruz trending for porn?

Update: Somebody fell on their sword:

• Ted Cruz blames staffer for 'liking' porn tweet

Ted Cruz trivia:

• Ted Cruz helped defend Texas ban against sale of sex toys in 2007
• Snopes version of above
• Before Twitter porn controversy, Ted Cruz didn’t think masturbating was a laughing matter
• Even The National Review Doesn’t Think Cruz Needed To Pull Campaign Ad Featuring Porn Star

Having a fabulous September 11, remembering the terrible, horrible time when George W. Bush was President. The World Trade Center came down during his reign. He was President, OK? Blame him, or don't blame him, but he was President. When you talk about George Bush, I mean, say what you want, the World Trade Center came down during his time. Not one Trump Airlines plane was hijacked, that day or EVER! Very, very safe. And now I'm keeping America safe. Have a good time, everybody. #NeverForget911 pic.twitter.com/erycJgj23r

Japan Is No Place for Single Mothers (archive)

Much longer read:

The First White President (archive)