Space Love

Some people really like space; more than a few films have been made about people who saw their childhood dream of going to other parts of the universe fullfilled, possibly with a romance thrown inside. None, however, have been as absurd as this news story: Astronaut in "love kidnap" plot.

A US astronaut has been charged with trying to kidnap a woman she thought was a rival for the affection of a space shuttle pilot.
Navy Capt Lisa Nowak, 43, who flew to the international space station last July, was charged with attempted kidnapping, battery and other crimes.

She drove from Texas to Florida to confront Colleen Shipman, disguised in a wig and trench coat. Police said Capt Nowak, who was denied bail, used pepper spray on Ms Shipman.

The man in the love triangle was said to be Navy Cmdr William Oefelein, who was a pilot on the Discovery's mission to the space station in December.

I don't really know what "battery" means in criminal terms, so if anyone here does, please enlighten me. Mad stuff, anyway.

Also in the news, the formation of a new Dutch government is very close indeed, and looking to be a coalition between the Christian Democrats, Labour, and the Christian Union, in that order. It's looking to be a more conscientious coalition than the previous few, with €800m set aside for the environment. This can only be a good thing, as the former Balkenende governments cared little for that important aspect of our country, and so it's all being going down the drain. We have yet to see what the other parts of the government will be like, but it looks like it'll be generally agreeable, with a more positive attitude to the EU, I hope, and possibly a more critical attitude towards US behaviour - although this will become easier regardless as the US is lightning up.
However, perhaps these are just dreams and we'll have more shit for the next four years.