Kerry: Bush should focus on Iraq, not Mars

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry said Thursday that the Bush administration should consider how to bring Americans back from Iraq rather than how to send them to the moon or Mars.

With the campaign for the Iowa caucuses tightening, Kerry urged his supporters to focus on issues and avoid talking about polls and politics as they prepared to caucus Monday night. Still, Kerry said President Bush's proposal to establish a base on the moon and prepare for a mission to Mars isn't right for the times.

"Rather than sending Americans to Mars or the moon right now, these people would be better off trying to figure out how to get Americans back from Iraq," he said. Kerry said as president he would not immediately end U.S. involvement in Iraq but would work to bring in European and other international help.

<snip>

Kerry reviewed his proposals for protecting the family farm and uncovering new energy sources. He set a goal of having 20 percent of the nation's electricity from solar, wind, hydrogen and other renewable sources by 2020.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/01/15/politics1426EST0632.DTL

I am actually a big fan of space exploration, but it is not hard to see that Bush's proposals are nothing but a sham to divert attention from the mess he's made and win votes in Florida.

[sandnsea]

1. It is so the wrong time for that

Go to Mars or invent new energy technologies. Gee, hmmm, what a tough choice. Bush is such an idiot.

[Monte Carlo]

2. I'd be lauding Bush for his ambitious plans for Mars...

... if I wasn't so confident that it's all just a ploy to control the headlines, get himself some good press, divert the national attention away from his embarassments, suck more money away from NASA and divert it to his friends and allies, and make himself look like he has any curiosity or understanding about science.

Quick Mr. Bush... what are the names of Mars' two moons?

[poskonig]

3. I know!

Bush promises to get people on the moon by 2015. It is a promise he is not responsible for, which is why he made it.

I'm also worried about space funding, since everytime Bush praises a program, he cuts it.

[Monte Carlo]

5. I heard rumors that its also about getting Star Wars again...

... developing the technology, under the cover of NASA and a mission to Mars, needed for his precious missile shield and the militarization of space. It makes too much goddamned sense. Cut funding from legit science exploration programs and divert it to military programs? Bush? Abso-friggin'-lutely.

[blm]

7. It's about MILITARIZATION of space.

Kerry opposes militarization of space. Bush will use the space program as an extension of Star Wars while receiving accolades from those who really believe his newfound vision for the space program.

Kerry can make this case. He wants to cancel Star Wars first thing.

[phillybri]

6. Bush's answer:

Number 1 and number 2?

[Killarney]

4. As the Daily Show said... Mars Distracts!

Good for Kerry for calling him out. Most will agree with him on that point. :)