NASA being scrapped?

That opinion piece is short on details and citations. No way to verify that the writer has written an accurate story.

Taken at face value, my take is: Everyone wants to kill government spending until it comes to their sacred cow.

Beef. It's what's for dinner.

  I would hate to see NASA scrapped, but it could certainly go on a diet. But like you said, there are plenty of other programs that need trimming too.

 Oh, you want to hold the president accountable for something he said? Sorry, that made me chuckle.

 I want one of them jet pack thingys.

You'll shoot your eye out, kid.

Of course it is short in details.  So it is the selective quoting by people to support their punch lines.

Preceding that quote he asked if anyone had been in Beijing recently, or in the high-speed rail in Europe or Asia, and as someone who has been in those places recently (not Asia) I understand his point and agree that we are lacking in areas where we used to lead the world.  But once again, a single phrase of a speech is quoted because it supports the Obama is “Un-American” non sense.

It is bitter-sweet.  The space program has been dying for quite some time.  When Obama said "We", he meant "Our Government Programs"...not us in the US.  The technology in the shuttles is outdated by your iPod and the desire for the government to continue in something that doesn't generate revenue is pointless.

Unfortunately, unless there is some mineral found that is easily reachable and generates revenue...there isn't any point for the government to continue spending money.

But that doesn't mean that space travel is over for us.  There have been many private businesses building space craft that is modern and "fresh".  Because they aren't government programs, the new adventurers are not stuck with their hands tied.  They are not locked to the same boundaries or abilities as NASA was.

There are currently *23* private companies developing/testing crew and cargo vehicles, *6* private companies developing/testing space stations, *17* private companies developing launch vehicles, and *19* private companies building landing/rover vehicles.  But SpaceX is operational.  There are also 9 light rockets, 2 medium rockets, and 9 research space crafts that are currently operational and running.

...That is much better than depending on one "company" that is held by constrictions.  There will now be more competition and more creativity/enginuity in space programs.   Space travel has been handed over to the private sector, and there are many rich, adventurous people who want to fly to the moon and will do anything to get out there.

We just don't get televised "Liftoffs" any more...and will probably see a Microsoft Logo on the moon.... 

So Obama said we are not leading the world in these areas.  Yet (still unconfirmed but multiple sources say) NASA's budget is being cut.  How do those 2 jive?  I never said he's un-American.  I just think the hypocrisy is troublesome.

A list of things that were direct developments from NASA programs

1. Satellite TV

2. GPS

3. Google Earth

4. Dialysis process

5. MRI and CAT scans (did not invent but made them MUCH better than they were)

6. Water filtration

7. Bacteria that eat oil for oilspills

Lost more here: http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/index.html

While private compaines took the ideas and made them marketable most of the idea generation and R&D came from NASA.  Most compaines in the US do not have the ability to spend the money required to do the R&D to come up with these advances.

How much money do you think just these 7 things alone have brought into the US economy?  I'd say LOTS.

Ok, well let me try your line of thinking.  So we don't lead in educating our children.  Do you propose the government spend more money on education?  We don't lead in the quality of our transportation network (ie, high speed rail).  Do you propose the government spend more money on infrastructure?  We don't lead in the quality of our healthcare system.  Do you propose the government spend more money to increase the quality of our healthcare?  

I didn't think so.........

The cuts proposed to NASA are recommended by the House Appropriations Committee which is presided by an R (Hal Rodgers) with a majority of members from the R side.  So I wonder where the hypocrisy lies, or is this just being fiscally responsible because it comes from that side.

In addition my paragraph above wasn’t related at all to Nasa, just to the selective quoting and what implies.

Like I said, Bittersweet.  I don't think I said anything to discredit NASA.  In fact, I think my point was to the relationship between the government and NASA...and the governments (read: not mine) view on revenue generation of the PLANETARY EXPLORATION PROGRAM...which is what we are talking about here. 

They are not shutting down NASA as a whole.  They are shutting down the Planetary Exploration program...which has been handed over to the private sector which has much fewer regulations.

I don't see how you found my post discrediting of NASA's achievements.  I am discrediting the fact that it should be out of the government's hands at this point.

 Again, it stinks that the program is getting shut down but other people are more than willing to step up (and have been doing so for quite some time now).

These two items are very interesting....

As much as we would like to believe the government is there to "generate revenue", that is not why a government exist.  Government does not exist to make a profit.

It does need to raise funds to provide necessary (as deemed by the elected officials, which are elected by the taxpayers) programs and protection for it's citizens.

We can debate all day long about what is considered "necessary", but that's another thread.

No.  But I don't propose the government CUTS money to education.  At least we get something of value out of education (theoretically).  Just like NASA. 

High speed rail is a joke.  Many parts of the country are set geographically constructed to promote rail travel.  If rail was really a great idea you'd see Amtrack investing in it.  Where are they?  Oh yeah, looking for more governemnt money.

Besides you are comparing apples to coffee tables.  Healthcare is primarily taken care of by private businesses already.  Private businesses are not equipped to do what NASA does.  The first forays into private space exploration have been small and not super successful.

I was just responding to your "precious metal" comment.  NASA drives the economy in more ways that a lot of people think.