posted 05-16-2005 02:19 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by DavidH:
Wait... you mean the original question wasn't "How many times can you insult fellow collectSPACE board members in a single thread?"

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posted 05-16-2005 03:45 PM               

Just joking....my seriously better other half would at least have me doing the drying up

posted 05-16-2005 08:54 PM               

I've never felt insulted by anybody here, ever. I've been warmed up a couple of times, but never insulted.

Nobody's going to jail here and in 100 years who'll care?

posted 05-16-2005 10:43 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Duke Of URL:
I waiting for people to start swatting each other with purses or something.

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posted 05-16-2005 11:11 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Scott:

Funny you mention that. I was talking to a fellow collector on the phone once and he observed and laughed about how we in this hobby gossip and carry on like a bunch of old ladies. That was pretty funny - and a pretty accurate analogy. LOL.

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Oh, shut up or I'll spill my tea on you.

posted 05-17-2005 05:29 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by RMH:
are there any other astronauts that are married to each other that are both flight active?

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Dr. Smith and the robot?

(Actually, the guy who played Dr. Smith was a Brooklyn street kid who used that fruity manner only while acting. Otherwise he sounded like someone from Noo Yawk. Before becoming an actor he was a pharmacist. He married his high school sweetheart, had a few kids and remained faithfully married until his death in the 1990s. THERE'S some Outer Space trivia for you birds! And so much for appearances, huh?)

posted 05-18-2005 11:35 PM               

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Originally posted by Rob Joyner:
Since we are now AGAIN "discussing" topics not related to the original question...
Bill, why on Earth would you want or hope for jewelry made of 24kt gold? Unless you want the piece to fall apart, that's a bad idea. 24kt pure gold is too soft. I've found that most people who like to show off and say, "Yeah, that's right! It's 24kt gold, baby!" also have a few front teeth caps made of it too.
People who spend their money wisely on gold jewelry choose 14kt. Though that's just 58 1/2% gold, it is a stronger metal, thus more durable and workable because other metals like copper and silver are added to make the yellow gold mixture and copper, zinc and nickel for white gold.

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Hello Rob,

Thanks for the geology lesson. I was speaking figuratively, not literally. What I meant was that the moon rocks would have to be worth a great deal to make the Return to the Moon missions worthwhile. I know that they are not made of gold. However, I have been informed that there are many other reasons to return to the Moon and we have listed a few of them elsewhere on these threads. I am sure that there are many other reasons for the return missions that we have not thought of yet.

It will be the ultimate adventure and with today's communications technology we will be able to see every minute of it. I would like the missions to be very ambitious, but budget constraints and the design of the spacecraft may lead to a more subdued series of missions. Do you agree?

Bill

posted 05-22-2005 01:25 PM               

Apparently you are right. I stand corrected. Last night I asked one of my friends about the possibility of pharmaceutical companies interfering with the research process for cures to major illnesses in some manner. I said to him, "Can I ask you a question?" "Are pharmaceutical companies...?" He said "YES" even before I finished the sentence. He had mentioned that his wife had died of cancer a few years ago.

I asked for more details: "How are they doing this?" He told me that the Board of Directors of major hospitals (he even named several of them - all in NYC) have officers of pharmaceutical companies (also in NYC) on them. They treat the people who have a disease but they are not interested in finding cures. He agreed with you that a major part of all government researce grants are used for "administration", rent, computers, employee benefits, etc. and very little (perhaps 5%-10%) is actually used for research and they do not look for cures. They look for new ways to "treat" those who already have a disease. So you were right. I was very naive. He said, "No, you are not naive, just unaware of the facts."

I suggested that all government funds for research should be withdrawn. He said that the public would not allow such a thing.

What does this have to do with space travel? I had been questioning why we will spend $64-billion on a Return to the Moon project and suggested that the funds could be used on Earth to fight disease. I was informed that the NIH does fund medical research on an equal or better scale than NASA funding. Now I know that the funds are not being used and may NEVER be used. My friend said that NEVER is a long time and that some results (cures) may have to be revealed eventually to justify the government funding.

posted 05-22-2005 01:39 PM               

No need for an apology - but its very much appreciated.

One of the sayings my poor ol Pappy taught me was, to listen more than you speak. An analogy I need sometimes as well.

Hope youre feeling better.

Cheers,

posted 05-22-2005 10:12 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Astro Bill:
But Al, doesn't this mean that a good reporter should look into the relationship of pharmaceutical companies to hospital boards of directors and research labs? My friend mentioned that reporter Gabe Pressman of NYC investigated this matter 20 years ago but nothing came of it. Perhaps a renewal of the investigation is in order. Bill

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