Can You Remember . . .
NASA’s Goals Delete Mention of Home Planet
From 2002 until this year, NASA’s mission statement, prominently featured in its budget and planning documents, read: “To understand and protect our home planet; to explore the universe and search for life; to inspire the next generation of explorers ... as only NASA can.”
In early February, the statement was quietly altered, with the phrase “to understand and protect our home planet” deleted. In this year’s budget and planning documents, the agency’s mission is “to pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research.”
David E. Steitz, a spokesman for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, said the aim was to square the statement with President Bush’s goal of pursuing human spaceflight to the Moon and Mars.
I don't recall at all. It sounds familiar, but that's probably just because I first read the article on Sunday, and have been a lazy bastard (I wish!) about posting it. Sorry, but this is one that requires the Free version of registration to the online Times.
I really wanna recommend that you read the story though. It's pret quick, and I'm bettin' that, like me, you'll arrive at the same conclusion as ol' Doc Hansen.
Dr. Hansen said the change might reflect White House eagerness to shift the spotlight away from global warming.
“They’re making it clear that they have the authority to make this change, that the president sets the objectives for NASA, and that they prefer that NASA work on something that’s not causing them a problem,” he said.
Isn't it great that a religious freak has the power to determine the agenda of, and override the opinions of, the scientists at NASA?
ReplyDeleteIt's really the ideal situation, don'tcha think?
Almost Kevin. If instead it was a Noodly Nutter in the Office, of course I'd then agree entirely!
ReplyDeleteRAment
(i've no idea why I constantly add that stupid little "t" to the end of RAmen.)
ReplyDelete{shakin'head}
I joke about it in a sick way, but I do think there's a weird faction up there who have got some long-range plan in place to move humanity off-world -- not if but when this planet gets trashed. Paranoia strikes deep.
ReplyDeleteRAmentations!
THAT'S where the t is coming from!
ReplyDeleteThanks Blueberry!
RAment!!!
(though I'm hopin' yer wrong and not entirely convinced that you are.)
LOL Blueberry. I heard about this on NPR today. Gosh, I really really hate the current adminstration who are such losers. I read the Waxman Report last night about the lies they tell women about abortion. If they don't want to support it, that's one thing. However, don't tell lies about it.
ReplyDeleteRepublican'ts suck!
Addin' to my Ohioan disdain for that party, my boy Georgie V has indicated he'll support Bolton this time around. I'm pretty sure that he was the only R not to do so last time.
ReplyDelete{shakin'head}