Happy Christmas Greetings

Happy Christmas Greetings, White House hopefuls are taking a Christmas break from campaigning, but many left holiday greetings. Here’s a round-up: Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann, Appearing in a web video with some of her children, Bachmann encourages viewers to remember the “reason for the season.” In an accompanying message, Bachmann writes: “At a time when Christ is all too often lost in Christmas, it’s more important than ever to draw near to our family and friends, praising and thanking God for the ultimate Christmas gift: His Son.”

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, Romney and his wife Ann taped a video greeting in New Hampshire. Romney made special mention of Americans serving overseas: “I’d like to particularly thank the men and women who are serving our nation overseas. We are thinking of you, we care for you, and we hope to have you home soon.”

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, Perry appears in a photo on his website with his family, with the greeting: “From our home to yours, Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Rick, Anita, Sydney, Meredith, and Griffin Perry.”

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, Gingrich taped a television ad, running in Iowa, with his wife Callista. The two sit together and wish viewers Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Callista says, “Is there anything more inspiring than towns and neighborhoods brightly lit for the holidays?”

Texas Rep. Ron Paul, The candidate’s son, Sen. Rand Paul, taped a television ad promoting his father’s presidential campaign and wishing viewers a Merry Christmas.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, The staunch social conservative sent a message to supporters urging reflection on the season, but also sending specific greetings to Jewish backers.

“As we settle in to the upcoming weekend, Karen and I want to wish you a very Merry Christmas. May you and your family take some time to remember the real meaning of the Christmas season and reflect on the miracle of the birth of Jesus Christ.”

2012 End Of The World

2012 End Of The World, The predictions of doom and gloom have been coming quickly for some time. Hollywood blockbusters, History Channel documentaries, and a plethora of websites and books of all tell us of dire things that might happen on December 21, 2012.

The day is considered astrologically significant for two reasons. First, it is the winter solstice when the sun appears at its lowest point in the southern sky. The solar nadir is it expected to align the Earth and Sun with the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It also roughly coincides with the solar maximum — a period of peak activity on the sun.

Second, it is the most popular and accepted date for the end of the Mayan Long Count calendar. Many people involved in astrology, numerology, and other such practices believe that the Maya were possessed of a secret knowledge that foretold when the end times would be.

Of course, astronomers explain that all this is nonsense.

First, there is no secret cosmic energy which radiates any differently between the center of the galaxy, the Sun and Earth, when they appear to be in some sort of alignment. In fact, the very alignment itself is an optical illusion caused by the orientation of the planet, (axial tilt) and the ultra-slow wobble of the Earth on its axis, a phenomenon known as “procession.”

As for the solar maximum, the Sun appears to have a natural 11 year cycle of activity during which sunspots and solar flares become common, then virtually nonexistent.

Interestingly, the Sun’s average activity is now substantially less than what scientists believe it has been in the past. Some even believe that the sun is experiencing what is known as a “minimum” in its cycles. Such minimums have happened before, and they may last decades or even hundreds of years. They are perfectly natural. So in 2012, the Sun isn’t even expected to be as active as it has been in decades past; no need to worry about solar flares engulfing the Earth (they cannot do so anyway–Earth is much too far away).