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Author
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Topic: Who's to blame?
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astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-21-2004 02:51 PM
   
Friends,
By not having an ongoing program to develop the next generation of orbital spacecraft NASA has shot itself in the foot. Sure Congress rightfully takes the blame for not providing the needed funds, but NASA management is fully to blame for not forcefully presenting the case for it's future spacecraft needs. So here we sit with a dangerously outdated shuttle fleet (seems odd to call three machines a fleet) stuck on the ground.Who do I blame the most? You and me. Sure the American public's apathy toward manned space exploration is pathetic. But it's the space enthusiest's lack of vocal, and more importantly, written support of space exploration who's most at fault. How many of you can honestly say you've written your Senators and Congressman in the last year? Last five years? Ever? I'm willing to bet that at least 90% of the readers of this website have NEVER written their representatives in support of America's space program. How pathetic is that?!! So next time you want to point the finger of blame go look in the mirror. ------------------
Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-21-2004 04:24 PM
What you say is maybe true for some Wayne, but I don't fit that mold. I constantly send mail to my Senators and Congressman re: support for space issues........My Senators are none other than Ted Kennedy and John Kerry........ |
collshubby
Member Posts: 591
From: Madisonville, Louisiana
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-21-2004 04:32 PM
I wrote to both of my Senators, the Representative of my district, as well as the Space sub-committee voicing my support. I have even written to the President.------------------
Brian Peter
astronautbrian@hotmail.com |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 02-21-2004 04:37 PM
I write my congressman and senators two or three times a year. |
space-auction.co.uk
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 02-21-2004 04:46 PM
I have been writing to British politicians to try and get them to support the return to the Moon, it is like trying to ice skate up hill.Craig |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 02-21-2004 04:54 PM
Well let us certainly not forget the speech by Dr Robert ZUBRIN of the Mars-Society to the American politicians ( US Senate ) at the end of last year !!! |
Rodina
Member Posts: 836
From: Lafayette, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 02-21-2004 05:00 PM
Ten years ago, I was a legislative correspondant for a Congressman. That job meant I looked through all of the mail, tabulated the various interests and opinions, and drafted those silly form letters you get in return.In 1993, prior to the 1-vote victory of the ISS, I received... wait for it... 3 letters directly on the space station. Two were in favor, one opposed. From a constituency of six hundred thousand people. Three letters. |
Cindys_1
Member Posts: 192
From: Titusville, FL 32796
Registered: May 2001
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posted 02-21-2004 05:44 PM
Wayne,One of my senators *FLEW ON* the shuttle.
Bill Nelson.
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Cindy |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-21-2004 08:08 PM
Gang,
I'm pleased to read that at least some of you write your representatives. But the more telling post is Rodina's. I'm afraid to say but I'm sure that sampling is reflective of every Congressional district across the country and that's too bad. Your Senators and Congressmen and women DO listen. They know that the folks that take the time to write are also those most involved in the politics of this country. They know that to listen to these few, to serve their needs, goes the longest way in gaining their support in future elections. I brought this subject up today because this is an election year for all Congressmen and women and many Senators. This year they will listen closely to their constituents, more so than non-election years. So write those letters today. One each for your two Senators and your Congressman. Otherwise don't bitch as America's space program stagnates. President Bush has presented a bold vision for the future of manned space exploration, but if our representatives sense the apathy among NASA's biggest supporters, that's us, then his programs will go nowhere. And so will our space program. ------------------
Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 02-21-2004 08:16 PM
Amen....Wayne.As I said in another thread post...the politician is sometimes more powerful than the pen. |
BLACKARROW
unregistered
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posted 02-21-2004 10:00 PM
EJECTR mentions that one of his senators is JOHN KERRY. Since Senator Kerry wants to be the next President of the United States, and might possibly get the job, what are his views on the U.S. space programme in general, and manned spaceflight in particular? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-21-2004 10:12 PM
The following passage was entered by Kerry into the Congressional Record shortly after the loss of Columbia:"We must continue the exploration of space. I have always supported the space program because I believe it is in the best interests of mankind to unlock the mysteries of life on earth and beyond. The shuttle missions have helped us understand global warming, weather patterns, and the effects of weightlessness on the human body, aided in the understanding of disease, and exponentially increased our understanding of the universe. It would be impossible to quantify the knowledge we have gained from sending men and women into space. "Space flight brings out the best in us. It challenges us to think big, to strive for greatness, and to work together to achieve the most important goals. There is no doubt in my mind that we should continue these missions and prepare the next generation of astronauts for the challenges that lay ahead." |
BLACKARROW
unregistered
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posted 02-23-2004 06:13 PM
Robert,
Thank you for the quotation from Senator Kerry. Very encouraging, but has he said anything about President Bush's recent "back to the Moon" announcement? |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-23-2004 07:51 PM
Gang,
DavidH posted this about Kerry's views in regard to Bush's space initiative in another thread:"Still, Kerry said President Bush's proposal to establish a base on the moon and prepare for a mission to Mars isn't right for the times. 'Rather than sending Americans to Mars or the moon right now, these people would be better off trying to figure out how to get Americans back from Iraq,' he said." http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/1_16camp2.htm
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Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
Rick Boos
Member Posts: 851
From: Celina, Ohio
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 02-23-2004 11:49 PM
Wayne, I place the blame right on the shoulders of the Congress and the Senate. All too often I have tried to talk to my representatives and they have their "own agenda", and that INCLUDES John H. Glenn Jr. when he was our Senator. I guess it depends who your representatives are whether they will really listen. Glenn didn't give a darn about NASA when he was in office till his second flight. But to address your original question the blame is theirs, and also NASA's for not selling the program. You know I think Jake Garn answered it best right after the Challenger 51-L accident when he said that the ultimate blame (for the accident) is ours for not funding NASA appropriately. The GAME of politics is ugly and many programs never saw the light of day because of it. You can call our government a checks and balance system but I personally believe it is no longer that. It's all partisen politics that is ruining everything. We need to get back to the days when a politician stood on his own two feet and made intelligent decisions based upon his constituents of whom he or she represents and not based upon party affiliation. Don't get me wrong Wayne, I believe your right that we should all contact our representatives, but in some cases it falls upon deaf ears. |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 02-24-2004 08:17 PM
Rick,
I could agree with you more my friend. But that's why it's so important to let them know what WE expect of them. Then if they don't listen we work to support their opponents who'll support our agenda. Boot 'em outta office.But if we fail to at least try to get them to listen, if we don't write them again and again, it's our fault not theirs. ------------------
Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
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