Several weeks ago, I watched with awe, with my wife and daughter in tow, the landing of Space Shuttle Atlantis at Edwards AFB. I have seen a launch, again with the same tandem in tow, from a rooftop in Orlando. It is all quite amazing. A great deal of pride and unrestrained curiosity overcomes me when I see such things. Alas, amazement and glee are not enough to prove an item's ultimate worth to society. It is even more important given the priorities that await us.
I speak of the space program. I understand that on many fronts the space program has created a great deal of good for mankind. The following page (http://techtran.msfc.nasa.gov/at_home.html) offers the many benefits gained from the space program here in the United States, which is primarily funded through NASA. I respect and honor those accomplishments. I also hope that we continue to fund the space program in such a way that enhances life on Earth and only for that purpose.
This wicked fascination with the far reaches of the galaxy, the water molecules on Mars or wherever, and the like do not, in my opinion, merit the expenditure and the waste we have seen over the years. The Hubble Space Telescope, which is estimated to cost $7 billion dollars over its life, is, according to some, a cost-effective space vehicle. $7 BILLION...say it with me, now. Humbug.
I recently read an article that described our new ascent to the Moon. Haven't we been there already? Isn't it dusty and devoid of life? Isn't Andy Kaufman the man on the Moon? Yes, I'm sure that millions of the world's denizens are enriched by the many space-age beds we sleep on each night, but our ancestors survived just fine on bit of straw or some cotton mattresses. Can't we try to conserve the water we have HERE instead of spending countless man hours and dollars trying to find it on barren planet?
Space provides a clear shot for our enemies or perhaps to our enemies. I think our pursuit of outer space is a misplaced game of cowboys and Indians or cops and robbers. We have been robbed of many other more precious things in life because of these silly expenditures. Because of our romantic enchantment with that which we cannot have, we've completely taken for granted what we do have. Stop the madness today.
As always, be thankful for what you have, buy only what you need, and work diligently for peace. I shall try to do the same. From that little corner where sanity meets craziness, I bid you all a good night.
