AlanBarber.Org
Friday, January 09, 2004
Mission to the Moon? - Part 2
As I commented on back on December 5th it appears that President Bush plans to pull a JFK like move at the state of the union.I figured at the time it was just a possibility. Writing State of the Unions take months and they usually try to have some big exciting part for each one. So they'll think up stuff and start making inquiries into the possibilities. So something big like starting up a major space mission would obviously get leaked to the press.
However, I really didn't think it would end up being a reality, until today that is. I just happen to be flipping through the stations when I saw a story on Fox News then later on MSNBC. They talked about how he might make an announcement at the State of the Union and possible actions. They're talking about raising NASA's budget drastically and maybe even including passing a provision to increase the budget ever year.
Anyways, as I said before I really don't think it's a good idea. While on one side as a tech geek and a person fascinated with space and astronomy I get all excited about the prospects. The moon landings were an amazing event and I would give anything to have been there to witness it firsthand. The prospects of a new "space race" starting and me being here to witness it is wonderful.
However, I'm just afraid this will backfire on the President. With everything going on it's just not a good idea. I think the guy needs to play it safe and focus on terra firma. Get things cleaned up in Afghanistan and Iraq, work productively with Libya who seems to want to play nice, see what you can do with Iran, and do some good here back in the good old US of A. Not just security and safety, I'm talking about things like healthcare and the economy. That's where the focus needs to be right now.
It'll do more good for the average man and for the election year than anything a mission to the moon or mars could do!
on 01/09/2004 at 10:01 PM