The Daily Populous

Thursday July 13rd, 2017 evening edition

image for Mattis opposes plan to create new military branch for space

Defense Secretary James Mattis opposes a provision in the House’s version of the annual defense policy bill that would create a new military branch dedicated to space, a development congressional opponents of the move are hoping will bolster their position.

In a letter released Wednesday by Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio), Mattis argued now is not the time to create a new branch of the military.

“I strongly urge Congress to reconsider the proposal of a separate service Space Corps,” Mattis wrote in a letter to Turner.

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson has also voiced her opposition to the Space Corps plan, arguing it would add unneeded bureaucracy to the Pentagon.

The Space Corps would protect U.S. interests in space; deter aggression in, from and through space; provide combat-ready space forces; organize, train and equip space forces; and conduct space operations, according to the NDAA.

Those who support the creation of the branch say it’s needed to ensure national security threats in space get the focus they deserve.

Creating the Space Corps, he said, would be saddling a new Defense secretary and new Air Force secretary with a congressionally mandated new military branch before they have time to fully study the issue. »

Racing dogs land 2nd careers as blood donors

Authored by nbcnews.com

Greyhounds represent the bulk of the donors, and with good reason because they typically have a universal blood type that any dog can receive.

Greyhounds also have big neck veins that make drawing blood easy, said veterinarian Guillermo Couto, who works with the animal blood donor program at OSU.

Couto, who works with the animal blood donor program at OSU, said people are surprised to hear dogs — and even cats — donate blood. »

'Batman' Director Matt Reeves Has Dropped Ben Affleck's Script

Authored by hollywoodreporter.com

Matt Reeves is revealing more from his plans for his take on The Dark Knight.

The filmmaker, who stepped into replace star Ben Affleck as director on the project, recently revealed on MTV's Happy Sad Confused podcast that he scrapped the earlier script that Affleck, Chris Terrio and DC's Geoff Johns had worked on.

When asked if he would be working with Affleck's script, Reeves said, "No, it’s a new story. »

Join the Battle for Net Neutrality

Authored by battleforthenet.com

Net neutrality is the principle that Internet providers like Comcast & Verizon should not control what we see and do online.

In 2015, startups, Internet freedom groups, and 3.7 million commenters won strong net neutrality rules from the US Federal Communication Commission (FCC).

The rules prohibit Internet providers from blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization—"fast lanes" for sites that pay, and slow lanes for everyone else. »