Dano wrote:
> Mac Breck wrote:
>> Dano wrote:
>>> Mac Breck wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I am almost certain that the human race does not have the long term
>>>> *will* to plan that far ahead, to the point where it will be
>>>> distributed over many planets, and one mass extinction event at one
>>>> planet won't wipe out 100% of humanity. There are too many people
>>>> here who don't think about what's beyond their skin or five minutes
>>>> away from them, too many whose long term view borders on
>>>> *immediate*, and too many who think *only* of themselves and
>>>> certainly not of the human race as a whole, or something beyond
>>>> their own lifetime. Hey, if you like having all your eggs in one
>>>> basket, fine. Maybe humanity shouldn't survive. I suppose I don't
>>>> really care one way or the other, but even I can see that 14 cents
>>>> a day per person in the USA, for NASA, is a pittance.
>>>
>>> Until we can get our species advanced enough to quit our murderous
>>> tendencies...
>>
>> Yeah, like that's ever going to happen. Quit? That's highly
>> unlikely to ever happen. Get a better rein on it, maybe.
>>
>>
>>> or find the compassion to care for our own and the other
>>> lifeforms...right here on this planet...I see no purpose in
>>> infecting the rest of the universe. We don't even know that much
>>> about our own damn planet.
>>>
>>> We can't even live in peace with other humans. I can't imagine it
>>> going all that well, were we to encounter more advanced life.
>>>
>>> Here's an idea. If this is so im****tant to you, and holds so much
>>> value,
>>
>> From my above words "Maybe humanity shouldn't survive. I suppose I
>> don't really care one way or the other,...", what makes you think
>> it's im****tant to me? I'm just saying that going after NASA's 14
>> cents a day per person in the USA, is more than a bit ridiculous.
>>
>
> It all adds up. You have to start somewhere.
Yes, but you don't *START* with a relatively small budget like NASA's.
They (politicians like Obama) go there because NASA looks like an easy
target, *BECAUSE* there are soooo many people who think solely short
term and close to home.
> And I'm certainly *not*
> suggesting we *only* cut the funding of NASA. I'm not even
> proposing...nor is Obama that we disband the entire program...just
> delay this specific, very expensive one.
Hasn't NASA had its budget cut in the past, probably several times?
> We ARE fighting a war you
> know. In case you missed every daily paper for several freaking
> years! End *that* first and let's talk.
That's a bit of a strawman. It's not an either/or situation. NASA's
funding is not dependant upon the ending of the war. The NASA budget
and the war don't make up the entire budget.
>>> mount a private effort
>>
>> Ah, there's the usual.
>>
>
> Unfortunately, it's not done. Private enterprise could be much more
> cost effective...even profitable.
Business thinks short term, too. Nobody wants to take the risk. A
government agency has to pave the way.
>>> to profit from all the potential there
>>> is offworld.
>>
>> So, profit is a better motivator than survival?
>>
>>
>
> If you're talking imminent survival it might be...
If we were talking imminent survival, you can kiss your butt goodbye,
'cause were all as good as dead.
> but for the
> survival of the species a thousands years off? That's laughable.
> We'll blow ourselves up before that if we don't deal with the present.
And we can keep pu****ng NASA's projects off forever. There will always
be a reason to do that, and they'll always be an easy target.
>>> Meanwhile, I'd prefer my own taxes
>>
>> Your 14 cents a day.
>>
>
> Kep saying that like it doesn't matter.
It *doesn't* matter. The amount is too inconsequential *to* matter.
The thing is, the government can use everybody's 14 cents to do *big*
things, inspirational things, things nothing to do with war.
> Send me that 14 cents times
> 365. I could use it.
Yeah? Most people would probably use that $51.14 per person per year,
to go out to eat, once or twice.
>>> to go to more
>>> im****tant needs that aren't being met on our own world. If human
>>> life is really of such im****t to you, I suggest you worry about the
>>> here and now a bit more.
>>
>> That doesn't preclude spending a little now on NASA in hopes that
>> it'll pay off in the future.
>
> It does in this voters opinion. Again. Talk to me when we fix a
> myriad of terrestrial problems. That should provide incentive for
> you to work (and vote) to try to fix them.
If NASA's budget is up to op****tunistic politicians, bean counters and
voters like you, they might as well close up shop right now, because
pretty soon, they won't be able to afford coffee.
--
Mac Breck (KoshN)
-------------------------------
"The Dresden Files" (2007)
Harry Dresden: [re. Bianca] What is it about bad girls? They lie,
cheat, won't suck your blood even when you beg them to, and for some
reason, no matter how badly they treat us, we still can't walk away.
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