So it's the 100th anniversary of manned spaceflight. Private companies and organisations all over the states marked today though some impressive acts, from building a perfect replica of the Wright flyer (http://www.wrightflyer.org/) to building and flying one of the first private spacecraft - and the first manned craft built by a small private company to break the sound barrier (http://www.scaled.com/projects/tierone/New_Index/news/121703.htm).

What did Bush do?

Well, he was rumoured to be announcing a new program to go back to the moon. NASA had plans left, right and centre, the moment people heard about it, there was nation-wide acclaim for the idea, and even I was left going "bugger - that's a damn good thing".

Why would he do it? Well, it would revitalise aerospace industries, it would give a civilian drive that equalled that of war during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, it would put mankind a step further forward, it would add to our body of knowlege immensely and it would probably be one of the few good things he's ever done. It'd even appease the right-winger in the US because it'd mean them darn chinese wouldn't be the first back to the moon. Heck, even Bush Sr. made the announcement that they'd be going back when he was president, and if Bush Jr. is going to keep doing what daddy did...

And what did he do?

Squat.

Nothing.

Nada.

Hell, Travolta actually talked about returning to the moon when introducing him! And what does that alcoholic/deserter/drug addict/corporate thief/chickenhawk/religious fundamentalist gob****e do?
He makes some platitudes about how great strides have been made, he jokes that the anniversary would have happened on the 13th except that the Wrights were good christians (no, I'm not joking, that's what he said), and then he ends with a build-up to the moon announcement and walks away without announcing it.

You know, this does indicate the general tone of the world we're living in because of this gimp. Want to bomb another country or bring in illegal trade practises or let corporate bodies run amok? No worries. Human rights getting in your way? Let Georgey-boy fix that for you. Problems with them pesky voters not wanting to elect you? Get your brother to fix the election, or just redraw constituencies to ensure your future election. But actually want to mount a program that would provide all the technological advances that a war brings without the casualties? That would help put the US back as a beacon for the rest of the world to follow? That would advance all of mankind in the long run?
Naw, not interested.

:mad:

Bush is incoherent, so it doesn't matter what he says. America should get Up again, but this administration most likely will leave us broke, divided, embattled, afraid, and bitter.

But all That, moon, beyond, and within- it will still be waiting when we're finally all done farking around and get to it. & we will!

So are you saying that he said we aren't going? Or that he said nothing either way? All I picked up today was the latter.

Btw, I was eager for a back-to-the-moon speech as well, and was also let down. That's one of my favorite things about Wesley Clark - he strikes me as a genuine scientific visionary.

EI_Sparks, the reports I've heard is he is holding back announcing it until the State of the Union address.

The rumors are flying that he actually will be announcing a new sweeping agenda to place man back on the moon, I've even heard that he has interest in a permanent base there. My real question is to the reason for that, I'd much rather see a push for a manned mission to Mars. Wouldn't that be cool.

On NPR the other day they interviewed a couple of experts (Dana Andrews, Wendell Mendell and Robert Zimmerman) regarding this possible new agenda. They had a good discussion.
http://www.kuow.org/weekday.asp?Archive=12-18

The crux of it was explained by Wendall Mendell. He stated 6 "tumblers" that have to fall into place for a successfull program to the moon.

1) The USA needs to decide that a human space program is a necessary thing.
2) The President and the Executive Branch must make a policy statement.
3) NASA administration must be receptive to the plan from the President.

His point is that the first three tumblers have fallen.

4) The NASA administration will not have a blank check (like Apollo) therefore they must be capable to work within a budget and a 5 year time plan. They must be competent.
5) NASA must discover if it has the correct management skills, this is a worry.
6) Technical knowhow.

The State of the Union is the correct place to make such an announcement.

:)

Because of his advisors:

Deputy Dick: There is no oil on the moon, so why bother?

Sheriff Rumsfeld: There are no arabs on the moon, so why bother?

Dad Bush: It would take serious tax-raises, bad for re-elections son, so why bother?


Meanwhile the chinese will try to scoop up all the valuable Helium-3 from the moon, every visit of consumer to Wal-mart buying cheap chinese product will bring them a step closer towards their goal...

It was said the first Chinese Emperor flew on a flying carpet to the moon and from there overlooked the earth, saw how vulnarable china was and decided to build the Chinese Wall.

If the Americans don't pick up the gauntlet it might well be that we have a new chinese emperor on a flying carpet.

But really would that be such a bad thing ? We could blame the influential chinese for all the bad things that happen in the world instead of the americans;)