We're going to Mars (Yawn!)

[ochazuke]

JFK was the only one who did it right, but so many politicians since the moon landing seem compelled to try their hand at setting some goal in space.

As far a Mars is concerned, it was Sprio Agnew who first set his beady little eyes on the red planet. (I think we were supposed to be there by the year 2000. Hey, remember that Sunday afternoon show with Walter Cronkite about the year 2000? We were supposed to have colonies on the moon by now -- Bush would be going for crater-top removal.)

No one listened to Spiro. Nattering Nabobs.

Daddy Bush said we're going to Mars, too. Who freaking cared!?

This latest joke will be forgotten in a matter of days, but for one possibility: we hang it around shrub's neck like the $87 billion for Iraq.

If the December jobs report is the shape of the coming economy, just the mention of a mission to Mars (Hey, Bill Nye the Science Guy thinks it's goofy) will ilicit howls of derision.

Unleash the God of War and behold the Burning Bush!

[Ksec]

1. Were already there

Not real exciting once youve done it before. I remember the moon landings became routine and there was no interest after so many. This is stupid. Maybe if he set his sites to go somewhere not already explored. How long would it take to go to Venus?

[pmbryant]

19. We've already been to Venus too

Though we've never sent a rover.

The few spacecraft that have managed to successfully land on Venus get destroyed in a matter of hours or less by the tremendous atmospheric pressure (around 90 times Earth's, IIRC) and the super-intense heat (around 900 degrees Fahrenheit, IIRC).

Venus is not a particularly hospitable place. ;-)

--Peter

[xxqqqzme]

2. squatter just wants

to strut around in an astronaut suit w/ the bubble helmut. Whatever happened 2 that squatter paper doll project anyway?

[loftycity]

3. We are already on Mars?!?

We should put Space Cowboy and crew on the moon. Now that a space program even We could love.

[Ksec]

5. Yes we are

You havent been watching Rover?

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

16. I smell a photo-op coming up

When Bush* called JPL to congratulate their safe landing, the mission director invited him to come down and drive the rover for awhile. Rove must be drooling -- the first president to land on an aircraft carrier AND drive on another planet? It's a political strategist's wet dream.

[ochazuke]

18. Drunken Fratboy Drives Nation's "Spirit" into Crater,

Proposes moon colony to cover it up.

[stumblnrose]

4. Bush smoking moon rock

eom

[Elwood P Dowd]

6. Bush to also announce we're going to Mercury

When a reporter asked Bush about the extreme heat due to
Mercury being close to the sun, Bush said, "Uh, well, uh,
you know that's a good question. Uh, but I figured out a
way, uh, around that. We're going to go at night".

[Hippo_Tron]

7. LMAO, funniest thing I've seen all day n/t

[Elwood P Dowd]

12. Thanks

The beer made me post that ole' joke with a few of W's
usual "uh" words in there. In the real world, he wouldn't
know Mercury's location from Uranus.

[DS1]

8. We're funding AIDS medication in Africa - No we're not!

Don't believe this asshole until the check has been cashed. That being said, baby steps. Earth won't sustain us forever, it can't exactly expand.

[lapauvre]

9. I have to go with Michael Moores's take

on this. You want to see alien life forms, visit our American slums. You want to learn about life, check out an emergency room in any major city. You want to discover new truths, go find a place where the lobbyists don't exist.

What a country. Sigh.

[lapauvre]

10. PS:

I would be happy to pay part of Bush's fare from Crawford, TX to mars. Shall we take up a collection?

[Printer70]

11. Reaction

The reaction to this proposal is predictable:

If you're a Republican: It's pioneering, visionary.

If you're a Democrat: It's a serious mistake, waste of money.

--
This, unfortunately, is the way form judgments about the news.

[ochazuke]

17. Do this thought experiment

Imagine this news headline: "Dean proposes Shots to Moon, Mars"

(Dean may be substituted with the name of any Democratic candidate for the purpose of this experiment.)

Now, what would the reaction be from the media, the political opposition, other Democratic candidates, talk radio...?

I think it might sound like this:

"What a total idiot! He now has absolutely no chance of getting the nomination! I can't believe anyone in his right mind would say such a stupid thing!"

(also heard: hearty, derisive and gleeful laughter. In fact, no one would be able to say the candidate's name without laughing and smirking, and giving him nicknames like "Moon Boy" and "Uncle Martin".)

[Printer70]

21. Absolutely

But I'm also disappointed that too many on the Left, who would support this in a heartbeat if Clinton proposed it, are discrediting this idea.

[ming]

13. A *real* Moon/Mars goal would be good

If the U.S. were to really set it's sights on a permanent, manned moon colony and a manned Mars mission it would be terrific.

Aside from withdrawing from NAFTA and re-establishing fair trade (not free trade), there are two things that would turn our economy around and a serious space effort would be one of them. Something like this would generate an amazing amount of good, well-paying jobs and require real innovation that would put the U.S. back at the forefront of science and technology.

If at the same time, we put in place a similar program to develop alternative energy sources, then we might just see a return of the pre-1973 standard of living.

However, I am so cynical when it comes to this administration. Whatever they say, it is reasonable to just assume the opposite. Everything they touch turns to shiite.

What I really believe is going on here, is the Bushies looking for a way to funnel money into the militarization of space and will benefit nobody except the military-industrial complex.

[newyawker99]

24. Hi ming!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[corporatewhore]

14. Maybe he wants to out source our jobs to mars for cheap labor

[Elwood P Dowd]

15. MAFTA - Mars American Free Trade Agreement

They've discovered little green people underground who will work
for one penny a month.

[corporatewhore]

23. And with no oxygen

[Rebel_with_a_cause]

20. Instead of going to Mars, I'd prefer an exit plan from Iraq

Which do you you think will happen faster?

[AndyTiedye]

22. End The War, Go to the Moon and Mars

We'd have plenty of money for space exploration if we ditch this bloody war.
Create lots of good jobs too.

Much better than spending the last of Earth's resources fighting over the last of Earth's resources,
which seems to be the PNAC way.