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Most people who use communications every day don't pay much attention to satellites. But, since I work for a company in the industry we are aware of how many years and how much money goes into designing, building and launching a satellite. It's heartbreaking for the hundreds of techies who worked for so many years to watch it explode. I don't have the U-Tube link showing the explosion, but if anyone is interested - it's on there somewhere. "Dear Colleagues, As you are aware, we experienced a launch failure resulting in the total loss of the NSS-8 satellite. NSS-8 was designed to provide replacement and expansion capacity for our satellite fleet in the Indian Ocean Region. Despite the set-back, the launch failure will not alter our capacity to provide services to SES NEW SKIES' customers, using the existing fleet in orbit. Existing services will suffer no interruption. NSS-703 will now stay at 57° East to ensure continuity of services to its customers. And we have a contingency plan for the period beyond the end of life of NSS-703: we have begun construction of NSS-9, which is intended to free up NSS-5, which in turn will then be relocated to 57° East to replace NSS-703. And there is no change to our commitment to expand our fleet in this orbital arc. Over the coming weeks, we will review our options in order to decide on a replacement craft for NSS-8 to ensure growth in this region. Financially speaking, the launch failure will have a marginal impact on our expected revenues in 2007. However, as NSS-8 was a major plank in our ambitious capacity expansion plan, the launch failure is reducing growth potential for the period 2008-2009. On the cost side, the fall-out is also limited. As SES NEW SKIES had concluded an 'in-orbit-delivery" contract with the manufacturer, the spacecraft was planned to be financed over its lifetime, based on its successful operation. And as the spacecraft was insured by the manufacturer, we neither had to bear insurance premiums, nor will we be entitled to insurance payments. At this point in time, it is needless to speculate on the possible technical causes of the launch failure. An investigation commission will be set up, and preliminary results are not expected before the end of this week. More information will be shared with you as soon as they become available. The launch of NSS-8 was supposed to mark the culmination point of a long procurement and construction programme for one of the most powerful and versatile communications satellites ever built. I share the pain and frustration of all of you and would like to thank the colleagues involved in the NSS-8 programme for their efforts to deliver the satellite. However, I would also like to echo Rob Bednarek's earlier note to all SES NEW SKIES colleagues and say that now is not a time to despair, but a time to display the character of our organization, get back to the planning boards and create a new version of our plan to grow our exciting business in the region".

It's getting about as bad as trying to buy an "American Made" car.

Well said!

Unexposed film needs to go into your carry-on.

There aren't many "real" fans at the SB any more. Mostly celebrities, sponsors and coporate giveaways, team's families etc. And they hardly tailgate anyway.

It will be tough to get tickets. You should plan WAY ahead.

Yep - you look like kind of a swashbuckler.

It's actually some kind of condition. Barbara Bush has it as well. Can't remember....have to google it.

One could only hope

' I was shocked. Couldn't believe that he didn't congratulate the Colts. When you're in the public eye like that you must have the class to lose graciously and keep a game face no matter how pissed off you may be. Once again, another example of how difficult it is to raise your children with good sportsmanship. I remember Marv's post game interviews. What a true gentleman. Had to suffer the humiliating loss of 4 Super Bowls in a row and still did it with class.

Might be a nice change to have a President with balls.

So sorry Tom. But they can't take away all the memories. Those are what will give you strength and help you cope with your loss.

Thought you guys might want a sneak peek at such a cute body and booty. The Australian Open on ESPN

What about the "sexy" daughter and her mother? Damn, could they have hung any lower?

Sorry, can't seem to locate those Jamaica photos!

Why did he get a new one?

A man wanted to get married. He was having trouble choosing among three likely candidates. He gives each woman a present of $5,000 and watches to see what they do with the money. The first does a total make over. She goes to a fancy beauty salon gets her hair done, new make up and buys several new outfits and dresses up very nicely for the man. She tells him that she h as done this to be more a attractive for him because she loves him so much. The man was impressed. The second goes shopping to buy the man gifts. She gets him a new set of golf clubs, some new gizmos for his computer, and some expensive clothes. As she presents these gifts, she tells him that she has spent all the money on him because she loves him so much. Again, the man is impressed. The third invests the money in the stock market. She earns several times the $5,000. She gives him back his $5,000 and reinvests the remainder in a joint account. She tells him that she wants to save for their future because she loves him so much. Obviously, the man was impressed. The man thought for a long time about what each woman had done with the money he'd given her. Then, he married the one with the biggest boobs

Yes, they often are.

Glad you had a great time. And so true...if you stay in the City/French Quarter, you'd never know there had been a Katrina. But to anyone who is planning a trip there - I can recommend a drive through the 9th ward just to see how bad it was. Many of the streets STILL don't have any power. Tourist $$$ are definitely needed down there. "

Best advice!

LOL - I don't know about the rest of the oldies on this board - but I look and smell pretty good!

Actually, I'm praying that they will. It would make a great "away" game.

25 SIGNS YOU HAVE GROWN UP 25. Your houseplants are alive, and you can't smoke any of them. 24. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question. 23. You keep more food than beer in the fridge. 22. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed. 21. You hear your favorite song in an elevator. 20. You watch the Weather Channel. 19. Your friends marry and divorce instead of "hook up" and "break up." 18. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14. 17. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as "dressed up." 16. You're the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won't turn down their music. 15. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you. 14. You don't know what time Taco Bell closes anymore. 13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up. 12. You feed your dog Science Diet instead of McDonald's leftovers. 11. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt. 10. You take naps. 9. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one. 8. Eating a basket of chicken wings at 3 AM would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach. 7. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests. 6. A $4.00 bottle of wine is no longer "pretty good sh--." 5. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time. 4. "I just can't drink the way I used to" replaces "I'm never going to drink that much again." 3. 90% of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work. 2. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking "What the hell happened?" And the number one sign you are getting old is: 1. You read this entire list looking for one sign that doesn't apply to you and can't find one to save your sorry old ass. Then you forward it to a bunch of old friends 'cause you know they'll enjoy it.

Well, all this being said.....if the Bills were going to have to be moved...I'd much rather they end up in Toronto than in LA. At least it would be in the same area.

I would agree with him about that downtown area around the HBC arena. It's awful. But then, many other cities have the same problem. Sounds like sour grapes to me.