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Originally posted by Kwicko:
Is this a legitimate function of government?

Aren't any number of corporations free to go to Mars? Why isn't private industry leading the way on this?

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Originally posted by Geezer:

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Originally posted by Kwicko:
Is this a legitimate function of government?

Aren't any number of corporations free to go to Mars? Why isn't private industry leading the way on this?

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Some presidents have pushed commercial space systems.

"On October 30, 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Commercial Space Launch Act.[6] This enabled an American industry of private operators of expendable launch systems. Prior to the signing of this law, all commercial satellite launches in the United States were restricted by Federal regulation to NASA's Space Shuttle.

On November 5, 1990, United States President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Launch Services Purchase Act.[7] The Act, in a complete reversal of the earlier Space Shuttle monopoly, ordered NASA to purchase launch services for its primary payloads from commercial providers whenever such services are required in the course of its activities."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_spaceflight

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Originally posted by Geezer:

Quote:

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Originally posted by Kwicko:
Is this a legitimate function of government?

Aren't any number of corporations free to go to Mars? Why isn't private industry leading the way on this?

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Some presidents have pushed commercial space systems.

"On October 30, 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan signed into law the Commercial Space Launch Act.[6] This enabled an American industry of private operators of expendable launch systems. Prior to the signing of this law, all commercial satellite launches in the United States were restricted by Federal regulation to NASA's Space Shuttle.

On November 5, 1990, United States President George H. W. Bush signed into law the Launch Services Purchase Act.[7] The Act, in a complete reversal of the earlier Space Shuttle monopoly, ordered NASA to purchase launch services for its primary payloads from commercial providers whenever such services are required in the course of its activities."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_spaceflight

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Originally posted by SignyM:
Yanno, if Obama were to decide on Mars mission, the same cretins who are criticizing his lack of vision would be criticizing his reliance on "big Government". Because it really doesn't matter what Obama does or doesn't do they will find fault with his policies no matter what simply because he is a black Democrat. And in twisting themselves into knots, advocating today what they would decry tomorrow, they miss many legitimate criticisms.

This belongs in the trash can with "Obama is a Kenyan Muslim". It is about as vacuous as the space between here and Mars, and not worth paying much attention to. IMHO it is a sign of desperation because there is a real possibility Obama may just get re-elected.

Call me when anyone interesting shows up.

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Originally posted by Kwicko:
Yes indeed - but there's still not much effort going on by private companies trying to get to Mars, the Moon, or the stars. There's a tiny "space tourism" industry springing up, but even that isn't really going anywhere, so to speak.

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Originally posted by Geezer:

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Originally posted by Kwicko:
Yes indeed - but there's still not much effort going on by private companies trying to get to Mars, the Moon, or the stars. There's a tiny "space tourism" industry springing up, but even that isn't really going anywhere, so to speak.

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Takes a long time to ramp up stuff like that, as witness the government's space program. Also, they weren't even allowed to play outside the government's playpen until 30 years ago, and not really encouraged until 20.

It took over 30 years to go from the Wright brothers to reliable trans-Atlantic commercial travel, and that's orders of magnitude easier and cheaper than a trip to Mars.

Not to say there's not folks out there planning private Moon and Mars flights, but it's gonna be a while.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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F.Y.I. Us cretins would say he's trying be like Kennedy in this election year. (get to know us better)

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Originally posted by whozit:

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Originally posted by SignyM:
Yanno, if Obama were to decide on Mars mission, the same cretins who are criticizing his lack of vision would be criticizing his reliance on "big Government". Because it really doesn't matter what Obama does or doesn't do they will find fault with his policies no matter what simply because he is a black Democrat. And in twisting themselves into knots, advocating today what they would decry tomorrow, they miss many legitimate criticisms.

This belongs in the trash can with "Obama is a Kenyan Muslim". It is about as vacuous as the space between here and Mars, and not worth paying much attention to. IMHO it is a sign of desperation because there is a real possibility Obama may just get re-elected.

Call me when anyone interesting shows up.

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F.Y.I. Us cretins would say he's trying be like Kennedy in this election year. (get to know us better) When we throw his skinny ass out of office this year he and his lobster loving wife will live on the public dole, money that could be used for a Mars mission, or buying food for poor liberal pro-choice, pro-gay marrage union members who oppose the Keystone pipe line.

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Originally posted by SignyM:

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F.Y.I. Us cretins would say he's trying be like Kennedy in this election year. (get to know us better)

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Why? Do you have anything insightful to say? If you do, so far you haven't said it.

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Originally posted by whozit:

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Originally posted by SignyM:

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F.Y.I. Us cretins would say he's trying be like Kennedy in this election year. (get to know us better)

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Why? Do you have anything insightful to say? If you do, so far you haven't said it.

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I may...as soon as I find out what "insightful" means, Duh.

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Originally posted by Kwicko:

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Originally posted by whozit:

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Originally posted by SignyM:

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F.Y.I. Us cretins would say he's trying be like Kennedy in this election year. (get to know us better)

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Why? Do you have anything insightful to say? If you do, so far you haven't said it.

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I may...as soon as I find out what "insightful" means, Duh.

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I think in your case it's spelled "inciteful". ;)

"Although it is not true that all conservatives are stupid people, it is true that most stupid people are conservatives." - John Stuart Mill

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Originally posted by whozit:
When I buy a dicktionary I'll make all of youz look relly dum.

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