Lets go to the moon!

[jon@af]

Space: A vast wasteland of stars and planets; solar systems yet to be discovered, and other areas that have not yet been explored by mankind. What are my thoughts? Let it stay that way…for now at least.
I have a bit of a problem with President Bush as of late, and it is due to his proposed space plan, announced earlier in January. Now, I have no doubts in my mind that the United States and other countries will make new missions into space, or that the United States will again land on the moon. However, now is definitely not the time to be asking for the money to do it.
Lets look at things in perspective, shall we? The United States economy is, and has been, in a rut and is only now starting to slightly improve. The value of the U.S. dollar is lower than it could/should be, as well as rising interest rates and lowering stock values. Honestly, it is amazing people actually support this new space plan at all.
Now, don’t think I’m just looking at the things taking place here in the U.S., our interests are more widespread than that. The war in Iraq is under less control than it should be, and it appears now that there may be a civil war breaking out because of ethnic tension. I’m sorry, but asking for money to support a $50 billion dollar moon mission, and more money for the NASA budget seem a tad bit inappropriate at the moment, given the situations in which we, as a country, are currently involved.
I know it seems as though I am doing nothing but bantering on because I can, but there is a method to my madness. As of late, so much focus is being put by President Bush on space, and other planets, and the moon; what about Earth? At this very moment, there are two machines on the surface of Mars that none of us will ever see; these machines are worth millions of dollars. Back here on Earth, my very own school is looking at the possibility of teacher cuts, and/or the removal of some, or even ALL of the extracurricular activities. Moreover, it’s my just our school that has to worry about this, there are many other schools in many different states with the same issue—lack of funding. Education…no, who needs that, we should fund the space program instead. Give me a break.
Ya know, I said Vote Kerry in another thread, but I dont know now. I could care less anymore, just so long as someone besides G-Dub is in the White House. Kevin, Dave(Toksin), do either of you have any room at your place for me to chill for a while?

[Toksin]

Yeah, we got a spare bed. Come on over any time. Don't feed the kiwis.

[zebrathree]

And ignore the guy Commandoing Daves house.

Its a regular occurance sometimes.

[taranaki]

Yeah,come on over.I'll sleep in the car,you can stay for as long as you can share a bed with the dragon...

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by J_Swigz

Space: A vast wasteland of stars and planets; solar systems yet to be discovered, and other areas that have not yet been explored by mankind. What are my thoughts? Let it stay that way…for now at least.

Please read your history. The US economy was a whole lot worse when Kennedy put us on a path to the moon. The amount of additional money needed is only 5-10% more then NASA already has in its budget. In case you haven't been paying attention (and given your post - you have not) federal agencies grow at over two times the rate of inflation. Thats where the term run away discretionary spending comes in.

You are not alone in thinking that the money could be spent someplace else, but don't use the condition of the economy as the justification. The economy is running quite well. Purchasing power, employment, wages, borrowing rates and inflation are among the best in the world. Could they be better? Sure. Do you know someone who is looking for work? Everyone always will. I wish more jobs were being created, but the government has little to do with creating those jobs. Their effects are limited to the level of taxation on businesses and borrowing rate for capital investments.

I am excited about finally getting back into space. No more of this low level space station business. Its been over thirty years since we were on the moon. Its about damn time to head back.

[BP2K2Max]

doesn't china have plans for their first manned moon mission sometime this year? We always have to try and steal other people's thunder.

[TexasF355F1]

I've actually heard a lot of discussion on the deficit lately. And it seems all of the financial people predict the deficit to go up and then in a few years level out to a 'normal' level after all is said and done.

Sorry to hear your school is talking about cutting teachers and programs. It doesn't really seem that way down here. Many of my friends are graudating in May as education majors. And none of them have been told it will be hard to find a job. Everyone said they'll be able to find jobs quite easily.

[taranaki]

Can't we fix what we've fucked up on this planet before we start lookig around for somewhere else to ruin?

[taranaki]

Can't we fix what we've fucked up on this planet before we start looking around for somewhere else to ruin?

[YogsVR4]

Originally Posted by BP2K2Max

doesn't china have plans for their first manned moon mission sometime this year? We always have to try and steal other people's thunder.

Actually they want to do it either by the end of the decade or within ten years (I don't remember which). They have a ways to go yet, they've only just put someone into orbit.

[justacruiser]

Originally Posted by taranaki

Can't we fix what we've fucked up on this planet before we start lookig around for somewhere else to ruin?

We would never, EVER, get anywhere in space if we waited until this planet was just fine. This world will never be fine, so long as we're on it. With how much bickering people like to do, there's always going to be someone who's poor, someone who's lost something dear to them, someone whos hungry and someone who's spiteful enough to inflict all of these things on someone else for a personal gain in power or wealth. (Yes Taranaki, we know your feelings about Bush, no need for the, 'you mean the way Bush does to everyone?' comments, m'kay? We get it.)


There are good reasons for going to Mars. The space program has been running around like a chicken with its head cut off for nearly 30 years now. Once the Moon walks happened, it seemed as though everyone gave up and said, 'wow, looky what we did! We went to our planets own moon!' Yeah, then didn't do a damn thing OTHER than walk around on it. With the Mars mission and a possible Moon base the space program will finally have something to shoot for, it will finally have a mission again! The 60's were a lot like today when you think about it. The world wasn't nearly as unified in the 60's as it was a few years ago, (before the tensions built to a fevered pitch between countries), our economy was in a whirl because kids weren't certain what to do with their lives, Vietnam was still going on, (sound familiar?).

What we needed then and succeeded in getting, was a unifying incident. Something everyone could be proud of, they could say, 'WE, Humans, have been to the moon and back!' and it worked pretty damn well. I don't know if the reaction will be the same now, but it will probably be a good thing. Also, with the amount of technologies that have been developed and tested by the space program in the past, I think that not only will every penny be well spent on the morale front, but in new technologies being developed as well.

We've been needing a new big mission for years now and Mars is the perfect destination. Now we have the technology to do it relatively inexpensively, (considering that the original Moon mission cost the U.S. 4% of its entire yearly budget for the entire time it was in development) it won't be nearly as expensive this time.

Sure some programs out there could possibly use a bit more cash, but if it's one thing that is true about the U.S., throwing more money at ANY program will get you nothing but more useless spending. Education hasn't improved here in Cali. despite skyrocketing costs, so I doubt it would be any different in many other states. More money isn't the solution, better management of the money already there is.

[2strokebloke]

I agree with justacruiser space travel is a stupid waste of money. You still want to waste all that money? Give it to me.

[MR2-AW11]

Originally Posted by taranaki

Can't we fix what we've fucked up on this planet before we start looking around for somewhere else to ruin?

Exactly my thoughts, why further screw up other places too..

[justacruiser]

Originally Posted by 2strokebloke

I agree with justacruiser space travel is a stupid waste of money. You still want to waste all that money? Give it to me.

huh? Are.... you being sarcastic..? I didn't say space travel was a waste of money! I like the idea actually. I figure my money would be better spent on space then a war or neverending social programs.

[2strokebloke]

Yeah, it was sarcasm. But I figure once we've got other countries into space, we're just going to have wars there too. why bother? We've already got robots on Mars, and they seem to be doing a good enough job, why send people there anytime soon?