Stephen C. Smith
@wordsmithfl.bsky.social
Writing about space policy and politics, from the Space Coast of Florida. Now retired after ten years doing public education at Kennedy Space Center. You can also find me on Counter.Social at the same handle, and on Substack at TheSpacePundit.com. .. more
Writing about space policy and politics, from the Space Coast of Florida. Now retired after ten years doing public education at Kennedy Space Center. You can also find me on Counter.Social at the same handle, and on Substack at TheSpacePundit.com.
Business
25%
Philosophy
17%
Don Lemon taken into custody | CNN Politics
Journalist Don Lemon was taken into custody on Thursday night, according to his attorney.
www.cnn.com
#Politics #Trump #ICE
BREAKING from #CNN: The #DOJ has arrested journalist Don Lemon for covering the #Minneapolis protests.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/p...
BREAKING from #CNN: The #DOJ has arrested journalist Don Lemon for covering the #Minneapolis protests.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/30/p...
Court Martial (Episode 15)
The name Mankiewicz means you're Hollywood royalty. But it doesn't mean you can write Star Trek.
www.thewrittentrek.com
#StarTrek
My latest Written Trek #Substack is now online about the episode "Court Martial." Like many early Trek episodes, it had quite the tortured path to the TV screen.
Read for free at the link. Please consider signing up for a free subscription.
www.thewrittentrek.com/p/court-mart...
My latest Written Trek #Substack is now online about the episode "Court Martial." Like many early Trek episodes, it had quite the tortured path to the TV screen.
Read for free at the link. Please consider signing up for a free subscription.
www.thewrittentrek.com/p/court-mart...
I'm old enough to have lived through Watergate. Those Republicans were cowards too until the "smoking gun" tape was released proving Nixon was behind the coverup.
If that happened today, they'd call it "fake news" while most of the US electorate watched MMA and couldn't care less.
If that happened today, they'd call it "fake news" while most of the US electorate watched MMA and couldn't care less.
Technically the Declaration of Independence is not a law. It's a declaration. The Constitution is the foundation of US law.
But it doesn't matter. Congressional Republicans won't do anything so he's a dictator.
But it doesn't matter. Congressional Republicans won't do anything so he's a dictator.
Until the congressional Republicans show a spine and join the Democrats in impeaching him, there's not much hope until after the November elections.
FBI searches Fulton County elections office as it investigates alleged voter fraud | CNN Politics
The FBI served a warrant Wednesday at an elections office in Fulton County, Georgia, as it probes alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election.
www.cnn.com
#Politics #Trump
#CNN reports that the #FBI took all 700 boxes of 2020 election ballots from the Fulton County GA warehouse and is transporting them to an FBI central records complex in Virginia.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/p...
#CNN reports that the #FBI took all 700 boxes of 2020 election ballots from the Fulton County GA warehouse and is transporting them to an FBI central records complex in Virginia.
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/p...
Reposted by Stephen P. Smith
Fulton Co. Democrats allege FBI lacked authority for election center raid
“There is a case right now concerning this, trying to get these documents,” Commissioner Mo Ivory said. “They're under seal right now. Judge McBurney has not lifted the seal for them to be taken.”
www.democracydocket.com
🚨BREAKING: Two top Democrats in Fulton County, Georgia allege that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) lacked the authority for Wednesday’s raid of the county’s central election hub, in which the Feds seized 700 boxes of ballots and other election materials related to the 2020 vote.
Elon Musk says Tesla ending Models S and X production, converting Fremont factory lines to make Optimus robots
On Tesla's fourth-quarter earnings call, CEO Elon Musk said the company is ending production of its Model S and X vehicles.
www.cnbc.com
#Tesla
From #CNBC: Elon #Musk just announced that the company will end production of Models S and X to convert the Fremont factory into building #Optimus robots.
(Gee, where have we seen this before ... Cylons, Terminators ...)
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/28/t...
From #CNBC: Elon #Musk just announced that the company will end production of Models S and X to convert the Fremont factory into building #Optimus robots.
(Gee, where have we seen this before ... Cylons, Terminators ...)
www.cnbc.com/2026/01/28/t...
FBI conducting raid at Fulton County election hub tied to 2020 election
Fulton County confirmed through a statement that the FBI is seizing records from the 2020 election.
www.wsbtv.com
WSB-TV reports:
"Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey are expected to be at the facility around 6 p.m. on Wednesday."
This looks like a manufactured-for-MAGA-TV moment.
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/f...
"Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey are expected to be at the facility around 6 p.m. on Wednesday."
This looks like a manufactured-for-MAGA-TV moment.
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/f...
FBI conducting raid at Fulton County election hub tied to 2020 election
Fulton County confirmed through a statement that the FBI is seizing records from the 2020 election.
www.wsbtv.com
#Politics #Trump
WSB reporting on the #FBI raiding the Fulton County GA elections office.
There's this tidbit:
"Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey are expected to be at the facility around 6 p.m. on Wednesday."
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/f...
WSB reporting on the #FBI raiding the Fulton County GA elections office.
There's this tidbit:
"Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Deputy FBI Director Andrew Bailey are expected to be at the facility around 6 p.m. on Wednesday."
www.wsbtv.com/news/local/f...
Reposted by Nandita Sharma, Ken Caldeira, Stephen P. Smith
‘Five alarm fire for democracy’: Dems, voting advocates voice outrage at FBI raid of Georgia elections office
Outrage and grave concern about the midterm elections followed in the wake of the FBI’s court-authorized raid of the Fulton County, Georgia elections office.
www.democracydocket.com
🚨BREAKING: Outrage and grave concern about the midterm elections followed in the wake of the FBI’s court-authorized raid of the Fulton County, Georgia elections office Wednesday. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
FBI searches Fulton County election hub in connection with Trump's 2020 election loss
Last week, Trump once again falsely called the 2020 election "rigged" and said that "people will soon be prosecuted for what they did."
www.nbcnews.com
#Politics #Trump
BREAKING from #CNN: #FBI has raided the Fulton County GA elections office. Various media have reported that they've confiscated the ballots cast in the 2020 presidential election. As you know, Trump has claimed these are fraudulent.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
BREAKING from #CNN: #FBI has raided the Fulton County GA elections office. Various media have reported that they've confiscated the ballots cast in the 2020 presidential election. As you know, Trump has claimed these are fraudulent.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Challenger Accident One-Year Anniversary, Future Watch, KPFK, January 30, 1987 (?)
YouTube video by Space SPAN (Space Policy and News)
www.youtube.com
#Space #NASA #Challenger #STS51L
One last memory ... KPFK is a progressive radio station in Los Angeles. It used to have a periodic science / science fiction talk show on Friday nights called Future Watch.
This was one year after Challenger.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypc2...
One last memory ... KPFK is a progressive radio station in Los Angeles. It used to have a periodic science / science fiction talk show on Friday nights called Future Watch.
This was one year after Challenger.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypc2...
Brother calls Ilhan Omar suspect ‘right-wing extremist,’ has hated Somalis for years
Exclusive: ‘In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t,’ Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother told The Independent
www.independent.co.uk
NEW from @justinrohrlich.bsky.social:
“I’m not surprised this happened,” Ilhan Omar attacker Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother said. “Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists.”
"In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t," he added.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
“I’m not surprised this happened,” Ilhan Omar attacker Anthony Kazmierczak’s brother said. “Not at all. Unfortunately, he and my mother are both right-wing extremists.”
"In my mind, he’s a piece of s**t," he added.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
"January 28, 1986" | 60 Minutes Archive
YouTube video by 60 Minutes
www.youtube.com
#Space #NASA #Challenger #STS51L
This is #CBSNews #60Minutes on the 10th anniversary of the Challenger accident.
(Back when CBS News still had credibility ...)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsBF...
This is #CBSNews #60Minutes on the 10th anniversary of the Challenger accident.
(Back when CBS News still had credibility ...)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsBF...
As an aside ... NSS is now based here at KSC, in the Center for Space Education at the Visitor Complex.
CHALLENGER LAUNCH
YouTube video by CNN
www.youtube.com
#Space #NASA #Challenger #STS51L
To watch in real-time, start at 11:38 AM EST / 8:38 AM PST.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEvH...
To watch in real-time, start at 11:38 AM EST / 8:38 AM PST.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEvH...
Home | Challenger Center
challenger.org
#Space #NASA #Challenger #STS51L
The Challenger Center was founded by the family members of the lost Challenger crew. They raise money for Challenger Centers across the US that help teach space science education.
Please consider a contribution if you wish to honor their memory.
challenger.org
The Challenger Center was founded by the family members of the lost Challenger crew. They raise money for Challenger Centers across the US that help teach space science education.
Please consider a contribution if you wish to honor their memory.
challenger.org
AMF CSEThe Astronauts Memorial Foundation
The Astronauts Memorial Foundation honors and memorializes those astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the advancement of human spaceflight and inspires future generations of space explorers.
www.amfcse.org
#Space #NASA #Challenger #STS51L
The Astronauts Memorial Foundation was founded here after the Challenger accident. To this day, the AMF raises money for space education programs and maintains the astronaut memorial mirror at #KSCVC.
www.amfcse.org
The Astronauts Memorial Foundation was founded here after the Challenger accident. To this day, the AMF raises money for space education programs and maintains the astronaut memorial mirror at #KSCVC.
www.amfcse.org
#Space #NASA #Challenger #STS51L
The "extra" edition front page published by our local paper #FloridaToday after Challenger and its crew were lost 40 years ago today. The launch was at 11:38 AM EST. The implosion was 73 seconds later.
The "extra" edition front page published by our local paper #FloridaToday after Challenger and its crew were lost 40 years ago today. The launch was at 11:38 AM EST. The implosion was 73 seconds later.
Chilling text sent by man to neighbor before attacking Ilhan Omar
Anthony Kazmierczak, 55, was arrested for third-degree assault Tuesday after he allegedly used a syringe to squirt a strong, vinegarlike smelling liquid at Rep. Ilhan Omar.
www.dailymail.co.uk
#Politics #Trump
From the UK Daily Mail: A deep dive into the suspect who assaulted Rep Ilhan Omar last night in #Minneapolis.
* He's a Trumper.
* He told a neighbor he might get arrested at the Omar event.
* He was heavily medicated due to a spinal injury.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
From the UK Daily Mail: A deep dive into the suspect who assaulted Rep Ilhan Omar last night in #Minneapolis.
* He's a Trumper.
* He told a neighbor he might get arrested at the Omar event.
* He was heavily medicated due to a spinal injury.
www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article...
The Written Trek | Stephen C. Smith | Substack
This publication studies the written Star Trek. We'll go episode by episode, starting with TOS. We'll discuss how the writing evolves, decisions that were made, characters who were added, characters...
www.thewrittentrek.com
#StarTrek
I have a #Substack called The Written Trek about the writing behind the original Star Trek series. We look at how the writing for each episode evolved.
The Substack is free but please consider signing up for a free subscription.
www.thewrittentrek.com
I have a #Substack called The Written Trek about the writing behind the original Star Trek series. We look at how the writing for each episode evolved.
The Substack is free but please consider signing up for a free subscription.
www.thewrittentrek.com
Reposted by Stephen P. Smith
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota answered questions after a man rushed the podium and sprayed a substance at her during a town hall in Minneapolis.
Read more: https://cnn.it/3LSj8RE
Read more: https://cnn.it/3LSj8RE
Idaho Public Television Specials | Barbara Morgan: No Limits
Idaho teacher Barbara Morgan's odyssey to fly in space.
www.pbs.org
#Space #NASA #Challenger
Barbara Morgan was the backup to Christa McAuliffe on #STS51L. She finally flew in 2007 after she was trained as a mission specialist.
This #PBS documentary about Barb is an inspiring counterbalance to the sadness we feel on this anniversary.
www.pbs.org/video/idaho-...
Barbara Morgan was the backup to Christa McAuliffe on #STS51L. She finally flew in 2007 after she was trained as a mission specialist.
This #PBS documentary about Barb is an inspiring counterbalance to the sadness we feel on this anniversary.
www.pbs.org/video/idaho-...
You went right at him. Good for you.
STS-51L Challenger Accident Investigation
YouTube video by Space SPAN (Space Policy and News)
www.youtube.com
#Space #NASA #Challenger #STS51L
40 years ago today, just after launch at 11:38 AM EST, the crew of Challenger were lost over the Atlantic Ocean just east of the #SpaceCoast.
This is a 30-minute NASA documentary detailing the causes of the accident.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh8a...
40 years ago today, just after launch at 11:38 AM EST, the crew of Challenger were lost over the Atlantic Ocean just east of the #SpaceCoast.
This is a 30-minute NASA documentary detailing the causes of the accident.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vh8a...
After town hall attack, Ilhan Omar condemns ‘terrorizing’ immigration push and criticism from GOP | CNN Politics
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar ignored staffers’ pleas to end a town hall early and get a medical check Tuesday after a man rushed the podium and sprayed a substance at the Democratic congresswoman.
www.cnn.com
#Politics #Trump
The latest from #CNN on the Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) attack last night in #Minneapolis:
* Suspect has been charged with third-degree assault
* Unknown yet what the substance was
* Trump falsely claims she staged the event
www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/p...
The latest from #CNN on the Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) attack last night in #Minneapolis:
* Suspect has been charged with third-degree assault
* Unknown yet what the substance was
* Trump falsely claims she staged the event
www.cnn.com/2026/01/27/p...
Archive.ph
#Politics #Trump
BREAKING from the #Minneapolis Star Tribune via Archive.ph:
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) was attacked tonight at a Minneapolis town hall. A white man sprayed her with an unknown substance. The suspect was tackled to the ground and led from the room.
archive.ph/wSpFP
BREAKING from the #Minneapolis Star Tribune via Archive.ph:
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) was attacked tonight at a Minneapolis town hall. A white man sprayed her with an unknown substance. The suspect was tackled to the ground and led from the room.
archive.ph/wSpFP
Return to Launch
The rise of Cape Canaveral’s “second space age” and the nation’s expansion of spacefaring initiatives in the twenty-first centuryReturn to Launch is ...
floridapress.org
#Space #Florida #NASA
Only three days left on the preorder discount for my book, "Return to Launch."
Preorder before Jan 31 for $25 through the University of Florida Press store at the link and use the promo code 31AU126.
Without the promo code the price is $38.
floridapress.org/978168340656...
Only three days left on the preorder discount for my book, "Return to Launch."
Preorder before Jan 31 for $25 through the University of Florida Press store at the link and use the promo code 31AU126.
Without the promo code the price is $38.
floridapress.org/978168340656...
The link I sent you shows the other two are down for maintenance.