Clean drinking water in Africa or a trip to the Moon?

[HereSince1628]

Both could be done by the US but Bush chooses war in Iraq, and moon shots as priorities.

I don't think O'Neill is a friend to Democrats but having learned via Suskind that the possibility of clean safe water for an entire nation was presented but rejected by Bush is disheartening.

I suppose it was too much like Jimmy Carter for W who would rather drill for oil than water. BushCo has so undervalued clean water, and so undervalued the lives of Africans.

[Muddleoftheroad]

1. It's not either or, never has been

We live in a democracy, still. If Congress supports a project, then it gets funding. If they do not, then it doesn't happen. There is no support for Africa in Congress, but the space program does indeed have support.

[HereSince1628]

4. Well, sort of...well intentioned leadership certainly seems in play

It takes an executive signature to make it happen. If the Congress knows there is a willing pen, things could happen, particularly if when the WH, House of R and the Senate are in the hands of one party.

[Muddleoftheroad]

8. Well, there isn't a willing pen, nor is there a willing public

We've got lots of troubles IN America. A lot of Americans, not just the GOP, would rather take care of Americans first.

They do, however, support something grand like space travel.

[Timefortruth]

2. Medicare and Social Security or a trip to Mars?

At current spending rates Social Security is in grave peril. Mars will take it out.

[HereSince1628]

5. ONeill suggested $24 million to give clean water to either

Uganda or Ghana...a cruise missle is worth $.8 million?

You can't fix SS with $24 million, but it would transform an entire nation. DOD loses track of more money than that in each budget.

[Muddleoftheroad]

9. Do you really think so?

I don't think the DOD loses that money whatsoever. I think they know precisely where it goes, they just don't tell us.

[cryofan]

17. correct...we need to think of ouselves before we think of Africa

There are plenty of people here who need help. Africa is going to have to help itself eventually.

[Sir_Shrek]

3. Congress ultimately does the spending....

.....

[corporatewhore]

6. Veterans benefits that el busho cut or mars

[RoeBear]

7. Is the shirt funny because...

...Kucinich is an atheist?

[OhioStateProgressive]

11. no

it's funny because Dennis created a youth movement in Cleveland...and I believe this is an older photo, but after he was outed he still had MASSIVE support amognst young people

[RoeBear]

16. Outed as in...

...gay? If that's right it means that I've really got to read more.

[cryofan]

18. I am curious, too? Gay or atheist?

DK is a catholic, right? And divorced twice....

[OhioStateProgressive]

21. yes, Catholic(nt)

[OhioStateProgressive]

20. outed as in lost election(nt)

[RoeBear]

22. And thus dies another...

...rumor.

[OhioStateProgressive]

23. i wasn't trying to start a rumor:)(nt(

[RoeBear]

28. But apparently I was...

...if you hadn't clarified.

[OhioStateProgressive]

29. it's all good, shit happens(nt)

[mars_clover]

10. Why?

Why should America be concerned with providing clean water for other countries?

Let's spend our resources on our economy and jobs here, thanks.

One side-effect of the renewed space program is at least it should provide some jobs for 15 years or longer.

Clover

[RC]

12. You have a problem with helping people making this a better world?

"Why should America be concerned with providing clean water for other countries?"

The space program is great, but let's help people on this planet for a change instead of killing them for their resources. Killing is expencive too, you know.

[mars_clover]

34. Well, yes...

You have a problem with helping people making this a better world?

I would rather spend our money making our country a better country before I worry about providing drinking water for people in other countries.

Clover

[camero]

13. How about clean water in America?

I guess we just like a little arsenic in our drink. Not that helping Africa is bad but we could use that here too.

[TheDalaiMama]

14. In the book..this was mentioned.....they can't put wells in because

water is a dwindling commodity and they have to prepare for the future....(or something to that effect)...the idea was that water is the "next oil" and we can't let the little people get take it all out of the ground... because we may need it.

Humanitarians...they aint!

[camero]

15. It's true.

That's why they are trying to privatize it so fast. The repub way. Steal it and then claim it as your own. Just the choices the original poster gave could also apply to our problems.

edit: I messed up.

[underpants]

35. From the book: How about this "thinking"?

If we do it and it doesn't work we look bad.

If we do it and it does work everyone will want us to do it.

That's some catch that catch 22.

[NavajoRug]

19. Personally, I wouldn't spend a nickel in Africa . . .

I've been there once, and it's the most backward place I've ever seen.

This may sound harsh, but keep in mind that "clean water" is the least of Africa's problems.

[wuushew]

24. How can you say that?

Water born disease is one of the biggest killers in the third world.

[NavajoRug]

26. What I'm trying to say is that . . .

. . . "providing clean water" for Africa won't accomplish anything. I've been to places in Africa where you can still see rusted railroad tracks and rusted trains sitting on them -- right where they happened to be sitting when the British left 50+ years ago.

There's a reason why most African nations have such a problem with water-borne diseases -- because the whole economic and social structure is in such bad shape that nobody would build a water treatment plant there even if they had the ability to do so.

[DrWeird]

31. Mmmhmmm

Yup. Bunch a lazy good for nuthins'. Stink too.

:eyes:

[NavajoRug]

32. Who said anything about lazy?

The place is just a mess. Without a stable government, a stable currency, and a stable legal system, you might as well build water treatment plants on Mars.

We take so much for granted, and assume that things "just happen this way."

[arewethereyet]

25. you know its just possible that better means of purifying water...

... could result from new research to support further space missions.

If you're going to send someone to Mars, they cannot take much with them and if its months back and forth the current technology probably won't do.

Maybe this is exactly what we need.

The last space program created millions and millions of new high paying jobs that lasted for decades. Many of those jobs have now become low-skilled ones and therefore are being shipped elsewhere.

Don't forget that America was founded partly to be a source of cheap labor as well as badly needed source of natural resources.

Just food for thought.

[Silverhair]

27. Why is it our responsibility to solve their water problem?

There are thousands of problems in the world, and each one seems to have a group demanding the USA solve it. Just as we can't be the world's policeman, we can't be the world's case worker.

[MrPrax]

30. Why Africa?

Why not fresh water and infrastructure for local ratepayers?

Maybe hire back the 660 Mass school teachers fired?

Why not fill potholes or agressively FULfil alterantive energy?

Why Africa? (for instance?)

Save Us and you save them...

[gate of the sun]

33. a trip to the moon of course

I mean well George Bush isin't noted too much for caring for his fellow man and hey a trip to the moon sound alot more entertaining then well drinking water in Africa....you know the footage for that probably wouldn't even touch the ratings for let's say a little moon walking!