Last week, the International Astronomical Union ruled that Pluto was not a planet.
Obviously, they are wrong. Not one to sit around and stand for injustice, I was determined to protest this decision in public.
With help from Mister P. in making the large sign, Martin for help document, and my daughters, Zoe & Mira, for moral support, I made my protest.
I began my protest on the street corner of Fair Oaks and Mission in South Pasadena, near my home.
Martin makes a valid point. If Pluto is vulnerable, what's next?
I convinced this group of teenagers to help with the protest. They saw the truth in my message.
Next, Martin and I decided to spread the word into Downtown Pasadena, where there was a lot more foot traffic.
People were a little surprised but also happy and amused to see our public protest.
Overall, a hugely positive response to the protest. People were laughing and smiling constantly. Tons of horn honks, waves, and thumbs up. The one thing I didn't expect was how tired my arms got holding the small sign over my head. Next time, I need a headmounted sign...
Posted by michael at August 27, 2006 09:06 AMYou know, I bet you could get on KROQ for this if you wanted. Kevin, from the Kevin and Bean Show, loves Pluto. They have been talking about this quite a bit the past few days.
Posted by: Grant Henninger [http://grant.henninger.name/] on August 27, 2006 9:55 AMWell pluto was downgraded to a "dwarf" planet. So in reality it is still a type of planet. Just not one of the main planets which can and do clear objects from it's path.
I have to agree with the IAU for downgrading this object.
Problem was that other objects were being found larger than pluto, do you add them as planets?
The only reason to leave it be is for historical reasons. Clyde Tomboaugh was one hell of an astonomer. And while pluto may not have been the planet "X", it was the first discovery of an object in the Kuiper belt. Not so shabby.
Another reason might be the text books that need to be rewritten. Ouch!
I consider myself an amature astonomer, and have actually observed pluto.
Perhaps your protest is now Disney's Pluto (the dog) will now be less popular? Persoanlly I do not think you have anything to worry about.
No longer playing UO, and now living in Reno, NV.
Posted by: Darth [] on August 27, 2006 12:04 PMI will continue to visit enjoyed the reading thanks
Posted by: Alena [http://ruttt.com] on August 27, 2006 6:21 PMDude, you are just inches away from being the crazy guy that wears the tin foil hat and stands outside of the Whole Foods wearing flip flops in the rain. In all seriousness, it's nice to see you outside instead of camped out in front of WOW, at least for one afternoon.
Peace.
Posted by: Watson [] on August 27, 2006 8:00 PMCan't the S.P.P.D. do something to protect its citizenry?
Posted by: Otius Gojius [http://www.otigoji.com] on August 27, 2006 9:09 PMMike,
We are sorry we missed it, but we were camping.
Knowing that intersection in SouthPas, I'm surprised there weren't some counterprotesters on the opposite corner with signs like "End Planetary Entitlements" or "If You Can't Trust Me to Move Objects out of My Path, How Can You Trust Me With Planetary Status?" Or something.
Posted by: Ken [http://emmanate.org/wretch] on August 27, 2006 11:37 PMGORDIE: Alright, alright. Mickey's a mouse. Donald's a duck. Pluto's a dog. What's Goofy?
TEDDY: Goofy's a dog, he's definitely a dog.
CHRIS: He can't be a dog. Wears a hat and drives a car.
VERN: God, that's weird. What the hell is Goofy?
Posted by: Bribo [] on August 28, 2006 5:53 AMBTW, funny stuff. Someone needs to lock you up!
Posted by: Darth [] on August 28, 2006 11:03 AMSorry I couldn't make it! We got a late start on all of our chores and I was so tired >.
Posted by: nanny-Rachael [http://www.cyberlola.com] on August 28, 2006 12:24 PMHoly cripes, man, don't you have anything better to do?
Posted by: Len [] on August 28, 2006 12:25 PMThank you for helping us fight the scientific "community" and their so-called "knowledge." I know for a fact that my high school chemistry teacher had an affair with the Spanish teacher in eight grade! So much for their "high standards."
Posted by: Neil [http://www.citizenofthemonth.com] on August 29, 2006 11:22 AMI love the fact that you did this. The girls will always remember the fun experiences provided by their dad.
Posted by: Mom [http://momonthealert.com] on August 29, 2006 3:14 PMPluto is a large Kuiper Belt Object with a binary partner and an eccentric orbit and nothing more. You'll all get used to calling it a "dwarf planet" or "icy planetoid" in time, just the same way people got used to knowing that the Earth is round and that the sun is the center of the solar system.
Posted by: Demote Pluto [http://demotepluto.com] on August 30, 2006 10:49 AMAwesome, thanks for sticking up for the little guy!
Posted by: John [http://www.elec2.net] on August 31, 2006 8:08 PMNow you got our government worried about this!
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/hr_36_bill_20060824_introduced.html
Posted by: Darth [] on September 7, 2006 4:57 PM