A possible reason for the * space announcement today

[randr]

I just received this report on the Apollo Project. This is what the nation needs to be concentrating on and investing in.
Check this out and decide what is the more heroic proposal.
http://www.americanprogress.org/site/pp.asp?c=biJRJ8OVF&b=19519

[ramapo]

1. Bush's proposal is lame

I'm all for revitalizing our space program. It'd be great for jobs and technology. I fault Bush's proposal on the basis that it is not agressive enough. It should not require 11 years to return to the moon.

I had read about the New Apollo project a few months ago. We really need to do this. It's a good 20-30 years late.

If Bush was a leader, he would've been out in front with this type program. Something like this would really give our economy a boost.

But the entrenched interests, headed by Bush, don't go for this sort of thing.

[TreasonousBastard]

2. No, they don't.

I don't know for sure why, but they dismiss it.

For many years I've been saying that we need new industries and technologies to maintain growth, and alternative energy sources are just one area of tremendous and sensible growth. Of course, going back to Csrter, who started some of it, strange forces did all they could to stop it.

As they did what they could to stop the enormous industry of environmental cleanup.

Go figure...

Anyway, I do like the idea of going to Mars, silly as it sounds. We are explorers by nature, and there is precious little to look for on the planet. There are no more oceans to cross or mountains to climb, and the planets are our next destination.

My problem is not that we think of doing it, but who is in charge. This administration has no interest in science or exploration, simply in staying in power. Efforts in exploration would be underfunded, politicized, mismanaged, and undoubtedly end in failure under this crew.

And, how the hell are we going to pay for a Mars mission with more tax cuts and deficits?

[Ready4Change]

3. Empty promises

My problem is with empty promises.

Reagan promised the Space Plane. Doesn't exist (or maybe does exist only in a secret militarized version.)

Bush I promised a Mars mission. Never funded, despite his failure to keep his "No New Taxes" promise.

Bush II promised no child left behind, then underfunded it. Promised US citizens wouldn't be subject to being labeled "enemy combatants. Oops twice (that we know of.) This forum is aware of plenty other examples.

I've no doubt that this administration will fail to fund NASA sufficiently for this endeavor.

It saddens me, since I'd also love for us to go.