Back to the Moon?

[boneygrey]

I don't know if there is a thread on this subject yet. If so, I'm sorry. I'm also sorry to link to National Review Online. It's the only place I've seen with this story. I'm a space geek and would love to see us back on the Moon. I hate that it's chimpy's idea. What do you think?

http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/powell200312030858.asp

[Cush]

1. With what money?

Haven't they been cutting NASA's budget?

And besides, I'm getting visions of the South Park ep "Starvin Marvin In Space", where Starvin Marvin & The Kids ends up on another planet and the Religiou Right follows them and tries to convert Marklarians into Christians

[boneygrey]

4. Money?

At 500 million per shuttle flight, it might be cheaper to scuttle the shuttle and go back to a rocket like the Saturn 5. Man that was awesome when they were flying.

[markses]

2. When I was young I told my mum

When I was young I told my mum
I'm going to walk on the Moon someday
Armstrong and Aldrin spoke to me
From Houston and Cape Kennedy
And I watched the Eagle landing
On a night when the Moon was full
And as it tugged at the tides, I knew that deep inside
I too could feel its pull

I lay in bed and dreamed I walked
On the Sea of Tranquility
I knew that someday soon
we'd all sail to the Moon
On the high tide of technology
But the dreams had all been taken
And the window seats taken too
And 2001 has almost come and gone
What am I supposed to do?

Now that the space race is over
It's been and it's gone and I'll never get to the Moon
Because the space race is over
And I can't help but feel that we've all grown up too soon
Now my dreams have all been shattered
And my wings are tattered too
And I still can fly but not half as high
As once I wanted to
Now that the space race is over
It's been and it's gone and I'll never get to the Moon
Because the space race is over
And I can't help but feel that we've all grown up too soon

My son and I stand beneath the great night sky
And gaze up in wonder
I tell him the tale of Apollo
And he says "Why did they ever go?"
It may look like some empty gesture
To go all that way just to come back
But don't offer me a place out in cyberspace
Cos where in the hell's that at?
Now that the space race is over
It's been and it's gone and I'll never get to the Moon
Because the space race is over
And I can't help but feel that we're all just going nowhere

- Billy Bragg

[boneygrey]

5. Great

Loved that post.

[mikehiggins]

3. To the moon, Alice! To the moon!

I think this would work. Just do the "repeal the tax cuts on the richest 2%" thing and invest some billions into space research. Put it under "national security" and keep all the jobs in the US.

No outsourcing of "proprietary" materials, tools or technology.

End run around the WTO.

[boneygrey]

6. Space jobs

I agree, keep them in the US. We're the best at space exploration.

[Maple]

8. Really?

Amazing how no one knows this but you.

[phaseolus]

7. Well, there was another thread

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=817548
...but it kind of turned stupid.

My feeling, going into space is cool, but I don't think I'll trust *this* bunch too much. Could turn into a weapons pork boondoggle rather than a search for knowledge with Bushistas at the helm... though I don't have any complaints about the current NASA chief yet.

[Rainbows]

16. Weapons in outer space

Very astute, the PNAC vision of controlling outerspace, knocking out other countries communication military and weather satelites and the such; needs a good excuse. Worry not about the funding, screw the debt, after we neutralize the worlds largest militaries who cares if we pay our debts or not. The debt is of no concern to the insane neocons, mirrored by actions of proceding with mini-nukes, star wars technology, pentagon spending on our faster more mobil military forces of the future, etc. ... I think you get the point. Who cares when we can nuke the hot spots of resistance, with no fear of retaliation. Sad world tis this a coming, if 04 goes south.

[newyawker99]

17. Hi Rainbows!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Rainbows]

19. Thanks newyawker99 !!!

Thank you for your welcome, Nice some one takes the time to say Hello and I rebound the same to you, though not with the same artistic abilities. I'm new to computers, just typing is a challenge. But, I'm not so new to politics and this site has a lot to offer, from breaking news to opinion to some pretty smart analysis by some obviously bright observors of history, politics, economics, science, literature and more. Nice to experience those who can show me how much I don't know. Brain food is an addiction and the internet is providing a steady diet, of both food and addiction. I'm now sorry I didn't break the computer barrier sooner. Hope to return as time allows and perhaps chat with you again. Cio, and again, Thank you. By the way, where did you dig up my baby picture from??? (:-)

[shooga]

9. CIA/DIA Operatives did such a good job at ....

.... at the phoney baghdad/ turkey day landing .... they figure what the hell - let's do another fake moon landing.


(Rove's story about the encounter with the Brit plane is starting to unravel)

[boneygrey]

10. I'm confused

Are you saying we never made it to the Moon?

[tinrobot]

11. Wondering....

For some reason, I'm wondering.... If Chimpy sends a bunch of brave Americans to that far-off dusty place...

Will he have a plan to bring them back?

[boneygrey]

12. Come on

Let's keep this serious. Should we go again or not? Forget the politics.

[Martin Eden]

14. Of course we should.

But not now.

For the first time in my life, I am of the opinion that we can't afford to make a major investment in space exploration. The deficit is growing to such an extent that it threatens our long term economic security. NASA should be maintained, but an exponential increase in funding at this time would be irresponsible.

Yes, I know that the Apollo program spurred scientific and technological innovations that yielded benefits beyond the space program. However, what we need now is a mission to planet Earth -- one that will cure us of our addiction to fossil fuels and other environmental destruction. We need new transportation systems and decentralized solar/wind/geothermal power generation. We need sensible building design and new urban infrastructure and more efficient appliances.

We need to redirect our economic engines towards a sustainable civilization and away from wasteful consumption.

We also need to go back to the moon -- and beyond. To think that humanity will never expand its horizons beyond the gravity of our home world would be to consign our future to diminshed dreams and curtailed aspirations.

But first we need to repair the launch platform, else our journey will be off course (like our country is now).

[tinrobot]

15. Seriously...

It would be nice to go back to the moon, but I doubt the seriousness of Chimpy's desire to go there.

It'll be just like everything else he does - nice words, great photo op, but nothing to back it up. Just another unfunded mandate.

[Rainbows]

18. OK Serious ... No Politics

Before we travel off our planet again:
1. Without a blue print for a break through in space based solar colection and transmission or other form of energy transmission to earth, our energy crisis here on our humble planet should reap the bulk of our monetary resources. Note: Peak oil and natural gas without a viable alternative to replace them as yet in the quantity to keep industrial societies productive to the needs of their people.
2. Other funds available should concentrate technology to reduce global warming if Thermal Depolymerization proves an alternative to depleting reserves of hydrocarbons. If not funds should be directed to solar, core taps, fusion, wind, and other replacements to CO2 forming (global warming) energy sources.
3. Developement and preservation of water sources world wide is the next crisis in line.
4. Feeding the six billion plus people on this planet and providing working economies in societies in need would be another crisis to be solved before further colonization attempts within our solar system.
5. Educating the earth's people in humanities to allow for elevated spiritual growth and conquering hate, greed, and war could use funding, our vary survival depends upon it.
6. In short, until we can stock, maintain, travel to and from, and learn to share our own nests, space travel and exploration without defined purpose is a human ego trip we cannot afford and do not deserve, unless it becomes an economically viable solution to one of the above concerns.
7. Otherwise we be become space cadets without purpose from a home we cannot inhabit for much longer, in the present status quo. All of this of course is ... IMHO

[alexwcovington]

13. Clear the launchpad! We're taking this baby TO THE MOOOOOOOOON!

http://homestarrunner.com/sbemail69.html