Planet Envy

By now the news about Pluto being booted from the solar system's old-boys (plus token female Venus) club, is practically as old as the news that it became a planet in the first place - there are probably plenty of spry seniors around who still remember that fine day in 1930. But I was busy being on vacation from internet access last weekend, and as a space buff I feel duty bound to acknowledge this low blow to Pluto's self-esteem. Well, though tardy, at least I came up with a title that I hadn't seen anyone else use. My next favorite: "Eight is Enough".

What's really galling about this is the absolutely lame reason they gave for Pluto's demotion - it doesn't "clear the neighborhood around its orbit". So Pluto's a bit messy... big deal! It's a good thing those IAU guys never saw my kids' rooms. Talk about not clearing the neighborhood around your orbit.

Well, 994 years from now when Martinex comes to visit, we'd all better have a good explanation for this one!