To the Moon

I was really going to wait a day or two before I made any more comments about politics and the decisions that our government is making.  Really, I was!  However, my sister-in-law, Laura, called my attention to this article (so blame her!)  Please check it out here. 

In case you don't have time to read it, the headline is this:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- NASA unveiled plans on Monday to return humans to the moon by 2018 at a cost of $100 billion.

Announced YESTERDAY, on Monday of THIS week...the week that we are fighting a war in Iraq and trying to rebuild the Gulf Coast, the week that another hurricane is bearing down on the same area, the week that we are still coming to grips with the scenes of poverty we saw in the wake of Katrina.  I'm sorry, did you say $100 BILLION?!?

Ok, I know that astronauts are the quintessential American Hero.  There is no one cooler than these men and women who train for years for the privilege of riding a rocket into outer space.  Truly, I admire the discipline and courage these folks display.  But, and I am sure I am missing something essential to this discussion, exactly WHY is it so important for us to go to the moon or to Mars?  I mean, besides the COOL factor? Unless there is a cure for cancer up there, I just don't get it.  I am willing to be educated, really I am, but I just don't understand how we can make this a national priority right now.  How could this possibly make any sense?  Our current national debt is $7,925,674,741,437.25 (can anyone even SAY that number?) according to this website (probably more by the time you read this.)  Let's review; war in Iraq, rebuilding the Gulf Coast, 1 in 5 children in this country being born poor, millions of citizens with no access to affordable health insurance, our country deeply in debt...and I promise not to mention those tax cuts for us wealthy Americans...yes, it seems to me that we might have some other uses for that $100 Billion.

My friend, Neil, has the capability to set up a poll on his website.  Go there now to vote on whether you think our space program should be a top priority for this country.  And I would love to hear your thoughts here!

Comments

[Neil]

I'm with you on this one. I think a moon trip would be a wonderful distraction from the real issues in our world today. It sure would make us feel good to go to the moon or beyond.