Food for Thought Friday

Despite the fact that REM has just broken up, it isn't in fact, "The End of the World as we Know It."

My fellow Americans -- In case you were planning on hiding out under your bed today, counting your blessings and saying goodbye to your loved ones, let me put your fears to rest. NASA has now confirmed that any remaining fragments from the satellite set to fall to earth today will not hit North America.

Apparently, the space agency has somehow determined that the debris (which they say could be as heavy as 300 lb chunks) will likely land in the ocean when it likely falls to earth sometime around 6:30pm ET. Most of the remnants of the ailing satellite will burn up once it enters our atmosphere, but nearly half-a-ton could hit the ground or sea. Witnesses to falling debris will likely see something akin to a fireworks display and NASA officials say that in the entire history of the agency, nobody has ever been injured by falling satellite debris.

So, you can safely go ahead with your weekend plans. It's official -- the world will NOT be coming to an end -- at least not today.

Phew!