Re: [twuug] Space Shuttle Columbia blows up on reentry!

["Ethan O'Toole" <ethan@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I sure wish I could withdraw my support of NASA. Unfortunately this is 
> impossible because NASA is hugely subsidized by the taxes extorted from me. 

Heh, no where NEAR the sheer amount spent for DOD. And we can stomp out
most countries with age old weapons, without even using our biological or
nuclear weapons.

> We need to have seperation of space exploration and government.

Some things just aren't profitable. 

> Don't get me wrong, I believe that humans do have business in space. But I 
> believe that human need should be the reason for being there and not just the 
> glory of it. I quote Dan Rather "What does this trajedy do to our chances of 
> putting a man on Mars at whatever means it takes?". This is insane.

Hey man, we need to get to Mars! Don't you realize that the more advanced
we become, the more likely we are going to get a visit from other people
from other galaxies? And then the world will change into a better
place.... 

> Travel to space has given mankind great things, like communication across the 
> globe that is possible through satellites. I believe that endeavours in space 
> for reasons like this, driven by the market, are great. But I cannot support 
> sending a man to Mars, just for the sheer hell of it.

Well, there really should be a colony on the moon by now with some high
powered telescopes.... then worry about Mars.

> Maybe you think I'm wrong. You think like Dan Rather that this is something 
> that should be done. I will do nothing to stop you. Just stop picking my 
> pocket to make your dreams come true. I happen to have my own dreams and they 
> do not include Mars.

*shrug* If they are going to take our money I'd much rather it go to
something with hope other than so much of the other money spent.

NASA isn't perefect, FAR from it. But I gotta give alot of respect, cause
I know there are some divisions that work really hard and NASA does come
up with some groundbreaking stuff. Unfortunately the majority of the
people in our country are too stupid to even realize what NASA does,
unless you say "Land on Mars." Kinda like the press conference "Are you
going to get the black box flight recorder?"

NASA actually does alot of research on these missions. They don't just
joyride. They license technologies developed back to commercial companies
as well, but I believe that is a new project. There is a bunch of stuff in
the local news recently about cat. converter designs being licensed. There
is some materials stuff that came out of langley and I believe it is being
commercialized by some startups via the HR Technology Incubater. 

I do think they should allow companies to buy advertisement space on the
shuttle... If these companies are willing to waste 8 million for naming
rights to the Virginia Beach "we are too stupid to put it next to
i64" Amplatheater, then I'm NASA could score 10 million for a Nike swoosh
and 8 million for a FedEx on a cargo bay door.

Oh well, what can you do.

> James


+----------------------------------------------------------------------.
  Ethan O'Toole / 757 Technologies / (757)233-9460 / www.757tech.net   :
+----------------------------------------------------------------------'
                          


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