June 10th - 1500 days since the declaration of mission accomplished

Bush is such a Schmuck.

This is the 1501st day since the declaration of "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq. Yesterday, I celebrated by realizing that a "MudSlide" is probably the greatest alcoholic beverage of all time.

Still, the anniversary of "Mission Accomplished" represents an interesting moment in American history - a single moment, with a single two words, that reflect the irony of 1500 more days of tremendous failure.

I don't believe there are any two words that hold such an opposite meaning. Similar to how "military intelligence" was long held as that hilarious "oxymoron" joke.

I open up this post as a forum to anyone who can think of any two words that have the same affect. Any combination of words that, when uttered, bring to mind a colossally different state of events.

That is, of course, besides "President" and "Bush." That's a given.

Teddy Bear Robot to Rescue Injured Soldiers

Because nothing says "reassuring" when your chunks of your spleen are oozing out your bullet holes like a teddy bear... robot.

from BBC News:

The US military is developing a robot with a teddy bear-style head to help carry injured soldiers away from the battlefield.

At this point, wouldn't we all be more shocked if they weren't?

The Battlefield Extraction Assist Robot (BEAR) can scoop up even the heaviest of casualties and transport them over long distances over rough terrain.

New Scientist magazine reports that the "friendly appearance" of the robot is designed to put the wounded at ease.

It is expected to be ready for testing within five years.

While it is important to get medical attention for injured soldiers as soon as possible, it is often difficult and dangerous for their comrades to reach them and carry them back.

The 6ft tall Bear can cross bumpy ground without toppling thanks to a combination of gyroscopes and computer controlled motors to maintain balance.

It is also narrow enough to squeeze through doorways, but can lift 135kg with its hydraulic arms in a single smooth movement, to avoid causing pain to wounded soldiers.

While the existing prototype slides its arms under its burden like a forklift, future versions will be fitted with manoeuvrable hands to gently scoop up casualties.

The Bear is controlled remotely and has cameras and microphones through which an operator sees and hears.

It can even tackle stairs while carrying a human-sized dummy.

Daniel Theobald, the president of Vecna Technologies, which is developing the robot for the US Army, said: "We saw a need for a robot that can essentially go where a human can. The robot will be an integral part of a military team."

Gary Gilbert, from the US Army's Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Centre in Frederick, Maryland, said that the teddy bear appearance was deliberate.

"A really important thing when you're dealing with casualties is trying to maintain that human touch."

Vecna is working on other potential applications for the robot technology - including helping move heavy patients in hospital.

Curious about what makes this life saving mechanical stuffed animal so amazing? That's covered:

1. Teddy bear face designed to be reassuring

2. Hydraulic upper body carries up to 227kgs (500lbs)

3. When kneeling tracked "legs" travel over rubble. Switches to wheels on smooth surfaces

4. Dynamic Balance Behaviour (DBB) technology allows the robot to stand and carry loads upright on its ankles, knees or hips for nearly an hour

Wow...