What the worlds thinks of George's Mars Mission

[funky_bug]

Okay... a little levity before we go back into battle...

From Slate

Palestinian Authority's Al-Hayat Al-Jadidah practically sneered: "The U.S. is preparing for the invasion of Mars and other planets. ... What are the other planets chosen for the US invasion? Are they an axis of planetary evil?"

Also from Slate

Britain's Guardian documented Mars' irrelevance to everyone but red rock aficionados and then turned its biting sarcasm directly at Bush: "Take-off is planned for the year 2020, or later if they let Dubya do the final countdown from 10 to lift-off."

[Doctor_J]

1. He's so embarrassing

The few in the world who don't despise him laugh at him.

[Kamika]

2. what's wrong with mars

I think it's good that we finally have a president again that wants to colonize mars and space.

[tom_paine]

3. If it only wasn;t the customary fraud

If only the nation wasn't going bankrupt.

I agree completely about the idea of colonization. If only it wasn't going to be a Potemkin Effort instead of a tremendous boondoggle to militarize space while at the same time banrupting the nation, both avowed Busehvik goals.

[arwalden]

4. I'm Guessing You Missed The Little Thing About

The Deficit

Remember that?

The romantic notion of a human on Mars is always fun to think about... but his timing is completely irresponsible. We simply don't have the money, and even if we DID have the money just lying around... social security and prescription drugs need attention. How about education, aids research, drug funding, foreign aid?

Then there's that old maxim: Cheaper. Faster. Better. Pick only TWO because you can't have all three.

He definitely wants to do this on the cheap. He's proposed a "vision" (not his own he's a script-reader) that will ultimately cost more than we can afford... yet he only increases the budget by pennies.

It's political showmanship... a photo-opportunity. He's insincere and unrealistic. Hell, if asked TODAY what he said when he gave that speech, he couldn't tell you.

I'm not quite sure why you're admiring him.

-- Allen

[Kamika]

5. I don't admire him

I just like the idea of colonizing space.

Imagine if we could have colonies on Mars and countries and everything.

And there's always money, I'm sure we could pay the deficit today if we wanted to.

[arwalden]

8. Imagine If We Could Feed Hungry Children, Cure Diseases "and everything".

Imagine if we could provide health care and drugs and security to the elderly.

Gee! Wouldn't THAT be "kewl"? I like the idea of taking care of our countries here rather than having colonies and countries on Mars.

>> And there's always money, I'm sure we could pay the deficit today if we wanted to.<<

Really? You think so? Awesome! Tell us more on how this might happen! --- I'm not really sure what to think of that statement of yours. It's hard to tell if it's a joke or if it was meant to be serious.

[Kamika]

11. It's easy

It would be painful but it would work, stop a bunch of federal nonsense programs, and cut military spending for a year or so.

[arwalden]

14. Wicked! That's ALL? Wow! Why hasn't anyone thought of this before??

So like, you mean we just "cut back" the military? Kewl! To like about what? Half? Close some more bases? Cut pay? Fire some generals? Awesome!

Since it's just a matter of cutting back, I'm wondering... specifically which "nonsense programs" did you have in mind? Certainly you must have an idea of what could go, otherwise you would not have thought that such a plan was feasible.

Seriously, please share your insight with us.

-- Allen

[Kamika]

16. lol

Well show me a list of all gov programs we got and I'm sure I can scrap a bunch :D


btw .. CHILL!

[funky_bug]

31. Then how about the 80,000 jobs he's going to cut to fund it?

Florida stands to lose 80,000 jobs when he cuts one part of the space program to fund his green-man-on-mars exploration.

Hey, ya think they got OIL in dem der hill?

[Frangible]

19. If everyone though that way

We'd still be living in caves worried about getting everyone their own cave and fig leaf.

The space program has stimulated the economy and created important advances in technology, even in fact medical technology.

As for where the money would come from? Hell, how about we just stop giving Irael money and use that cash for space exploration?

How about we stop giving tax breaks to companies who fire americans to outsource production to china?

Sounds like a plan to me!

[CanuckAmok]

21. I think we're pretty much saying the same thing...

Space exploration is good, yet expensive. We need to rethink how our wealth is spent before we cut a cheque for another large-scale space project. We haven't even learned all we can from the current probes and other research, and they're damned expensive...let's make the most of what we have, and take it from there, not rushing into some asshat scheme cooked up by spindoctors a couple of months before an election just to get people dreaming about 'what could be'.

[terrya]

6. Remember the $15 billion that was supposed to go to fighting AIDS

in Africa that the President proposed in last year's SOTU? That went nowhere.

Same thing with this proposed Mars expedition. It's pure political showmanship. Interesting that he proposed this during an election year.

Plus...NASA is nowhere near ready to spearhead a project like this. They're still trying to cope with the space shuttle project after the explosion of Columhia.

[Kamika]

12. True

I'm sure nothing will come of it, but I do like the idea

[CanuckAmok]

7. Because you can't afford it.

How much satisfaction would you really have that you've spent billions putting three or four people on the surface of another planet, yet millions of your fellow citizens go without decent education, healthcare, medical attention, and security because "it's too expensive"?

Yes, going to Mars would be nice, but so would me buying a Bently Turbo. Neither are feasable or financially responsible.

Bush is running the government they way he ran those companies daddy managed to find him a job in; into the ground.

This Mars thing is just another pie in the sky distraction, to make Bush look like some visionary in an election year.

Don't believe the hype.

edit: blah blah blah!

[Westegg]

9. I've seen Mars...

...and it looks pretty damn dull, if you ask me. I agree the money's best spent elsewhere---you know, like here on earth?

Not that I didn't love reading Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles. Not that I wouldn't like to stand in awe before the mountain on Mars that's supposed to be three times as high as Mount Everest. That would be the hippest, as Jerry would say. But practically speaking, what's so great about this obviously dead planet that would make it worth the Do-Re-Mi?

[Kamika]

10. It would be the first step

If we would be able to colonize Mars it would be the first step out in space.

Also I think it would solve alot of stuff like over-population etc, it would be like what USA was for the poor and hungry in the 18th century

[CanuckAmok]

13. Except Mars...

...unlike the "New World" of North America, isn't a self-supporting ecosystem. There's no indigenous food, water, fuel, or even atmosphere. It's not as simple as bundling up the poor, tired, huddled masses and sending them across the Atlantic. Each trip to Mars will cost billions, maybe trillions of dollars we don't have, and trillions more would be required just to keep the settlers alive on Mars.

It's a money-pit of XFL proportions.

[arwalden]

25. "XFL Proportions" --- That pretty much says it all.

Funny!

Nicely worded!

[CanuckAmok]

28. Now that I think about it...

Here's an excerpt from the brochure the first Mars settlers will find in the seat-back, in the pouch with the space-sick bags...

"Dear American Patriot,

Congratulations! You are following in the footsteps of the Early Americans who came before us. The "huddled masses, yearning to breathe free", who chose to make a nascent America their new home.

Yes, they came from Many countries: England, Paris, Old York, and with a common dream--to live in America!

And, they were all of a hearty stock.

Yes!

For the America what greeted these heroic pioneers, these early Patriots, so many years ago was a far, far different place than the United States we all know and love today. It was a harsh, unfriendly environment, with nearly no fast-food outlets or even many paved roads. Many of these early settlers certainly got more than they bargained for in the way of disease or arrow wounds. But did they go crying to England and London to help them? To bail them out?

No!

They stuck it out, and it is that 'never-give-up' spirit of sticktuitiveness which now courses through the blood of every one of their descendents...today's Americans. That's you and me!

And, in the spirit of continuing this great American tradition of pioneering, this Administration will now cease all support of your endeavor. Sure, we'll get you to Mars, as promised, but that's where the buck stops! We're not here to hold your hands, you're expected to continue the American Dream unassisted, much as your ancestors did, some many years ago. It is hardly in this great nation's best interest to have our first interplanetary pioneers suckling at the public teet, is it? That's not the kind of person who built America!

So, upon reaching your destination, the Maris Jenna, you will be given a map to your allotment, forty of the finest acres of arable land Mars has to offer! You also get a mule! However, this Administration has had some difficulty securing the Congressional support for more Martian infrastructure funding, so the biosphere we have been planning has now been pushed slightly, to Spring 2116. Unfortunately, this means that you will not have the atmospheric support you were promised. Technically, the atmosphere is life-supporting, however, its life-supporting capability has somewhat side-shifted to 'currently theoretical' status.

The best thing for you to do in these tough times, is to knuckle-down, roll up your shirtsleeves, bite your tongue, and, most importantly, hold your breath!

We in the Administration are very, very proud of each and every one of you, and we look forward to seeing you soon. Well, probably not before 2116, but you get my point.

In fact, as many of you know, I had fully intended to travel to our great new State of Mars with you, but the Veep had a hell of a kegger this weekend, and I'm still trying to shake the bugs out. You know how it is--never mix gin and vodka, boy I'll tell ya!

But I digress...

Onward and Upward, Patriots, to Eternity!

Yours belatedly but very truly,
George W. Bush, King of the United States of America/CEO Lockheed-Martin-McDonald-WalMart-Fox-Wendy's-Nike Co."

[arwalden]

29. "But Will We Get FOX News?"

-- Allen

[arwalden]

15. Yes.. Whole Families Will Be Booking Passage On Steamers Headed To Mars

after saving every penny and selling all their belongings for third-class below-deck accommodations.

Just like "what USA was for the poor and hungry in the 18th century".

I don't think that's a very realistic or plausible picture you're trying to paint.

[arwalden]

17. BTW: This does NOT solve overpopulation...

are you imagining that we simply ship-off the excess population? How will the eat during the journey. There would be no room for the passengers AND the food to keep them alive.

Even if we could send 100 at a time... even if... did you figure that more than 100 people will be BORN on earth during the amount of time it actually takes to reach a safe orbit?

The more pressing problems are here at home. Let's continue exploring space with rovers and probes and robots.

-- Allen

[Frangible]

20. we will always have "pressing problems"

Space exploration, even under Cowboy Dubya's proposal, is a laughably insiginficant portion of the budget. And I wouldn't worry about overpopulation, the earth can substain a lot, lot more people. Aside from immigration, the US is experiencing negative population growth.

Technology developed during the space program has directly contributed to food generation and health care, btw. Who knows what technology we are not developing by burying our heads in the sands of ignorance and not pursuing it further?

[Kamika]

22. yeah

you tell him! :D

[arwalden]

24. This Isn't A Boxing Match, Kamika. I Don't Really Understand...

... what that message accomplishes. But feel free to join in and play along in whatever way think is best.

To be honest, Frangible makes some interesting points. I like reading his polite and intelligent comments. Not every difference of opinion makes for a good flame fest. I'm sorry if that disappoints folks who were hoping for one.

-- Allen

[Kamika]

26. It's just a fun message..

You seriously need to lighten up.. I'm not out to get you or anything :D

Chill down

[arwalden]

23. I'm *NOT* Worried About Overpopulation... That Was Someone Else

We're experiencing negative population growth? I had not hear that. I wonder how that compares and what the net effect is for the global population though. Too bad our use of fossil resources isn't declining as well (but that's another topic entirely)

To be certain, Bush* is proving practically NO funding (for now) that will realistically move us toward these lofty goals in any meaningful way. --- Another concern is that it will divert us from other more realistic and affordable space science.

It paints Bush* as being some sort of JFK-like visionary for the history books.

Perhaps I misunderstand what you're driving at, but I would hardly consider my suggestion that we take a more fiscally responsible approach to space exploration the same as "burying our heads in the sands of ignorance".

If he's serious, then it's irresponsible. If he's not serious, then it's all for show and election year politicking.

-- Allen

[Westegg]

18. I thought the moon was the first step.

Anyway, it seems painfully clear to me (merely an earthling, I'll be the first to admit) that we aren't going to ever get very far in space because the laws of physics (at least as we now comprehend them) will prevent us from ever travelling faster than the speed of light. And even at light-speed, the closest star is more than four light-years away. I'm all for ripping off water from the lunar poles (what did the Man in the Moon ever do for us? Nada.). And sure, let's have a space station and do all kinds of great experiments on it. Let's live on the moon, for that matter. But I feel pretty strongly that the bottom line is, we're mostly stuck here on earth and should do all we can to improve this planet before we start galavanting around like a bunch of space cowboys. It's only logical, captain.

Spock out.

[Mrs. Venation]

27. This Mars Mission Is Not About Vision

It's about finding yet another way to direct money to Dubya's pals. The day after the Mars program was announced there was a full page ad in the Washington Post supporting the program; the sponsor was Lockheed-Martin. Add in some corporations who are always eating from the public teat, like Boeing and Grumman, and you'll see why this administration has come up with this idea. I wonder how many executives at these companies have given campaign money to Dubya and to the republican party.

It's all about payback.

[Frangible]

30. Oh, you're quite right

It's political grandstanding by Bush to be sure. Just like his illegal immigrants proposal -- vote whoring in what will be a close election. He's trying to save his own skin.

Still though, I'm a big fan of space exploration, and would like to see it pursued. If nothing else, hopefully the fact Bush supports it will make other candidates say "Oh yeah? I support NASA too!" instead of cutting its budget so low it can't even throw a frisbee.

I want to see a moonbase, a manned expedition to mars, and a robotic lander on europa. Oh yeah, I want sharks with frickin laser beams attached to their heads too :)