SectionsObama makes 'uninspired' decision, NASA funding cut will slow technological advancement
Gabriel McLaughlin
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: Opinion
Technology is the crux of the space exploration issue. For centuries, technological advancements have been fueled by war. The need for stronger weapons brought us bronze and iron. The immediate need for guns and uniforms during the Civil War sparked the industrial revolution in America that soon followed. The fallout from World War II brought us nuclear energy, radar and microwave ovens. The Apollo program unleashed a flurry of technological breakthroughs without all of the calamities normally associated with war.
Gone is the leadership of John F. Kennedy who faced economic turmoil with tax cuts and ultimately opted to compete with the Soviets by pointing rockets at the moon instead of at Russia. In his place is President Obama who responds to economic turmoil by dumping taxpayer dollars down the drain and competes with China by conceding victory in a potential new space race (China plans to be on the moon by 2020) while standing firm in a squabble over tire tariffs. For a president who is so often cited as "inspirational," will this latest decision inspire anyone?
Gone is the leadership of John F. Kennedy who faced economic turmoil with tax cuts and ultimately opted to compete with the Soviets by pointing rockets at the moon instead of at Russia. In his place is President Obama who responds to economic turmoil by dumping taxpayer dollars down the drain and competes with China by conceding victory in a potential new space race (China plans to be on the moon by 2020) while standing firm in a squabble over tire tariffs. For a president who is so often cited as "inspirational," will this latest decision inspire anyone?
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Jim Zender
posted 2/09/10 @ 5:43 PM CST
Gabriel, I enjoyed reading your article but I suspect you may find this differing opinion intriguing. The redirection of NASA spending away from lunar missions to new technologies was hailed by Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin as "President Obama's JFK Moment" in an article he wrote for the Huffingtonpost on February 2. (Continued…)
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