Go ahead, start writing the eulogy for NASA ...

[stebo0728]

Sad day indeed ...

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2010/07/ ... y-improve/

Short article I promise ... wonder where this discussion will go ...

[mattblancarte]

Must... not... have... knee jerk... reaction...

Charles Bolden legitimately said that foremost, the President wants him to reach out to the Muslim world so that they feel as if they are playing a large part in our space program.

At face value, this makes me want to puke. This can't be the whole truth, though. Need more context.

[stebo0728]

As priority #1? So screw a new shuttle, screw the moon, screw the ISS (we already said screw that I think)? And since when is NASA responsible for anyones feelings about their involvement, thats a diplomatic issue, not scientific in nature at all. Everytime I see something new like this come out of the Caucasian House, it only firms my opinion that Obama is our generations version of Carter.

[AZhitman]

I'm gonna give everyone the benefit of the doubt and assume (or hope, I guess) that what he MEANT was, "Let's get some more top scientific minds from predominantly Islamic nations involved in our space program."

After all, a lot of great doctors, scientists, educators, researchers, and attorneys come from the Middle East.

HOWEVER....

I'd need to see / hear more of this story to pass any judgement on it. Recent experiences with this Administration lead me to believe there's probably something idiotic afoot - I just don't have enough (yet) to go on.

__________________

EDIT: Oh dear... Not looking good...

http://www.associatedcontent.com/articl ... tml?cat=15
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/polit ... 17909.html
http://www.sfexaminer.com/opinion/blogs ... 58404.html

I guess I'm perplexed as to WHY in the world Obama has to politicize, of all things, NASA? What about making the Buddhist world feel better about their contributions to science? Or the Catholic world? Or the Pagan world? Atheist world? Why even INVOKE Islam in this discussion?

Yeah, something's stank in the White House, and it ain't Michelle's perfume.

[IBCoupe]

I'm a little fuzzy on history. Wasn't NASA originally used as a political tool in the Cold War?

Getting involvement in NASA from the Islamic world isn't necessarily a bad thing, as Greg has pointed out the benefits. And if the country continues to get cheaper oil/military bases/cooperation in our Middle East adventures in exchange, all the better, right?

[SILVIAJayS]

Fox news = not valid. You know why the article's short? That's all they could find on google so far.

[stebo0728]

Hmm I sorta prefer FOX news to the Clinton News Network. But I do like to consider multiple sources, this story is still shaping up as it appears ...

[mattblancarte]

I'm a little fuzzy on history. Wasn't NASA originally used as a political tool in the Cold War?

Getting involvement in NASA from the Islamic world isn't necessarily a bad thing, as Greg has pointed out the benefits. And if the country continues to get cheaper oil/military bases/cooperation in our Middle East adventures in exchange, all the better, right?

NASA was formed because the Soviet Union created the first ICBM. The significance of NASA's use was to build us some awesome rockets to blow the "other guy" to smithereens. Political linkage, sure. Original intent, no. National Security was the name of the game.

From there, we entered into what is known as the Space Race. Yes, politics were at play. More importantly, our international dominance was at stake.

I would like to know what kind of technology we will be sharing with the Muslim world in exchange for their contributions to science, math, and education.

I sure as hell don't want us to accelerate the creation of ICBM's in that region, even if it is in exchange for lower gas prices.

There was all kinds of "peaceful" technological sharing going on prior to WWII. NASA = rocket science, among a slew of other technologies.

[mattblancarte]

Fox news = not valid. You know why the article's short? That's all they could find on google so far.

Wrong forum for a post like this.

[IBCoupe]

Maybe they'll be happy to settle for tempurpedic and to leave it at that.

[mattblancarte]

[AZhitman]

Fox news = not valid. You know why the article's short? That's all they could find on google so far.

Fail. Can't blame the source when the report is factual.