Goobieman

So, to all the people that whined and cried about Bush "militarizing space" with the NMD (and if you don't remember who you are, I do)...

What do you think about this?

Bloomberg.com: Worldwide

Wait... let me guess...
This is different.

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Always remember:
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All other things are secondary. ALL other things.

Ikari

Why the **** do we even need to go back to the moon. Been there once, ain't **** there. China can go look for themselves if they want. The moon is worthless. It would only be good for maybe longer maned flights since you don't need to break free of the earths gravity fully. But there's nothing there, no resources of any kind. So regardless, things would have to be shipped from Earth to the moon.

I think NASA needs to be divorced from the Executive branch.

__________________
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

Goobieman

I think you missed the point...

__________________
Always remember:
Everything the left does is designed to gain/retain as much political power as possible.
All other things are secondary. ALL other things.

shiznit770

Two similar technologies operating completely separate from one another, that seems....wasteful. As long as he doesn't weaponize space (something he campaigned on) I see this as a good, logical change.

It is also a good way to match China's space initiatives without having to increase NASA's funding.

I see this as the difference between weaponizing space and preparing for weaponized space. If China continues with plans to target satellite warfare I expect Obama to respond as any reasonable person would.

Goobieman

Oh.... so, this IS different, as "Weaponizing" space and "militarizing" space are not the same thing.

Apparently, its OK to militarize space so long as that doesn't include weapons.



Of course, this then begs the question:
How does the NMD weaponize space?

__________________
Always remember:
Everything the left does is designed to gain/retain as much political power as possible.
All other things are secondary. ALL other things.

Ikari

No I got the point. I just see a bigger fundamental problem. That being NASA is controlled by the Executive. If the President says "I want a manned mission to Mars", NASA must work on a manned mission to Mars, regardless of the scientific credibility or feasibility of the project. Thus I think NASA should be divorced from the Executive and let the scientists worry about what to study. We'd get more done.

I think that combining NASA and the military would be horrible and couldn't lead to anything good. Plus I don't really think we should weaponize space. In the end, I think this is an effort for Obama to try to get back into some sort of race, in this case manned moon missions with China. But on that front, I don't see a point. There's nothing of value on the moon and we've already been there.

__________________
WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH

shiznit770

To use your phrase...

"I think you missed the point"

Allowing two organizations using similar technologies to share is not the same as militarization/weaponization. I did not mean to distinguish between the two or create a separate terminology for Obama.

JMak

Hmmm, so we just wait until after China develops technologies to weaponzie space and then we respond...with developing similar technology presumably? And that is rational how?

Why wait? What? China's going to get mad and do what? Exactly what they were planning to do anyway?

JMak

Um, no. The president cannot simply direct NASA to start conducting research on whatever he likes. As you should already know, NASA cannot conduct such research unless it has the funding to do so. The President cannot and does not have the authority to reprogram appropriations made by Congress. Hence, Congress would have to authorize the expenditure of dollars on such a program and then appropriate the actual funding.

That you didn't know this kinda wrecks your credibility here.

Uh, your inability to think is irrelevant.

Why do you think Obama is pursung some race to the moon? Or are you just, you know, talking off the cuff, again?

shiznit770

Some people realize that the Cold War has lapsed and there are opportunities for diplomacy and peace.