Cue the obligatory "Ted Cruz Uranus" jokes in 5...4...3...2...1

[Miles Archer]

Ted Cruz, Longtime Foe Of NASA And Science, Will Oversee NASA And Science In New Congress

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/12/ted-cruz-nasa_n_6456270.html

Following the ratification of Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) as chair of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committtee last week, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) was named chair of the Subcommittee on Space, Science and Competitiveness, where he will oversee NASA and science programs.

Appointed Jan. 8, Cruz is expected to be confirmed to the new role by the end of the month as one of many changes to the new Republican-controlled Congress. But the Republican senator's words and actions during his time in office have painted him to be a far cry from an advocate for the sciences, leaving many concerned about the future of space and science funding.

Cruz's infamous hours-long speech in September 2013 led to a 16-day government shutdown barring 97 percent of NASA employees from appearing for work. Interns to the agency were temporarily displaced when the NASA-provided housing was closed during the shutdown, and many have said the agency suffered lasting damage due to the freeze.

And NASA wasn't the only agency hit by the shutdown: research programs run by the National Institute of Health suffered a blow when new clinical trials were suspended, affecting 200 new patients each week of the shutdown. Environmental Protection Agency programs were also compromised, with 90 percent of employees on furlough.

[KamaAina]

1. So Canada has a space programme now?

[NightWatcher]

2. No jokes, but WTF? I feel bad for the first guy who tells him the Earth is round

Ok, I guess there was a joke.

But who puts the science denier in charge of science?

[hootinholler]

5. Senator Myrtle the Turtle

That's who.

I mean how can we keep our technological edge in the military if we spend a lot of money on science and technology instead of just buying better bombs?

[Historic NY]

3. Heads up....

Uranus, Carnaval Cruz is in charge of the manned mission somewhere.

[NuclearDem]

4. Oh HELL no