Bush wants to go to Mars

He also wants to spend $1.5 billion to support marriage in America. Where he finds the money for this kind of BS (and I include the Mars project in that category) is anybody's guess.

But creating a national health insurance system, evidently, can't be done. Interesting choices are being made, no?

It cost $100 Billion adjusted dollars to send man to the moon. Was that worth it?

Good question!

I would refer this discussion to the somewhat older thread "Rover's On Mars" under "Science and Mathematics."

I will use the same arguments here that I did for the missile defence shield. Look at all the wonderful things we learn when we dare to attempt great things. Look at all the benefits to mankind when we push the boundaries of science in search of new horizons.

And once again I will post the 'List' so you can see the 'payback' we get for our investment in technology:

Breast Cancer Screening - An advanced digital sensor that detects infrared energy has been incorporated in a noninvasive diagnostic tool that screens for breast cancer.

Breast Biopsy - A non-surgical and much less traumatic breast biopsy technique, based on technology developed for NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, is now saving women time, pain, scarring, radiation exposure and money.

Computer-Aided Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Used in hospitals worldwide, these diagnostic tools came from technology developed to computer-enhance pictures of the moon for the Apollo program.

Cool Suits - Worn by Apollo astronauts to stay comfortable during moon walks, these suits today are used by race car drivers, nuclear reactor technicians, shipyard workers, people with multiple sclerosis and kids with a congenital disorder known as hypohidrotic ectodermal displasia.

Cordless Power Tools and Appliances - One of the most successful commercial spinoffs of space-based technology, these re-chargeable tools were developed to permit astronauts to do repairs in space.

Cardiac Pacemaker - First developed in the 1970's using NASA satellite electrical systems technology, the fourth generation of this unit incorporates space communications telemetry for noninvasive communication with the implanted pacemaker, as well as longer-life batteries from technology for spacecraft electrical power systems.

Fetal Heart Monitor - Technology originally used to measure airflow over aircraft wings has been used to develop a more affordable, portable, non-invasive, easy-to-use fetal heart monitor.

Firefighting Equipment - In response to concerns from the nation's fire chiefs, NASA designed a lighter, smaller, self-contained breathing apparatus that gave firefighters more mobility while working in smoke-filled structures.

Kidney Dialysis - Kidney dialysis machines were developed as a result of a NASA developed chemical process that could remove toxic waste from used dialysis fluid.

Insulation - Insulation barriers made of aluminum foil laid over a core of propylene or mylar, which protected astronauts and their spacecraft's delicate instruments from radiation, is used to protect cars and trucks and dampen engine and exhaust noise.

Insulin Pumps - Implantable and external insulin pumps, which is based on a design of the biological laboratory of the Mars Viking spacecraft, have aided insulin dependent diabetics. These computerized pumps can infuse insulin at a pre-programmed rate, allowing more precise control of blood sugar levels.

Temperature Pill - An ingestible thermometer capable of accurately measuring and relaying deep internal body temperatures non-invasively to an external receiver was developed from satellite communication techniques.

Surgical Probe - Special lighting technology developed for plant growth experiments on Space Shuttle Spacelab missions is now used to treat brain tumors in children. Doctors at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee use light emitting diodes in a treatment called photodynamic therapy, a form of chemotherapy, to kill cancerous tumors.

Water Purification - Water purification technology used on the Apollo spacecraft is employed in several spinoff applications to kill bacteria, viruses and algae in community water supply systems and cooling towers. Filters mounted on faucets can reduce lead in water supplies.

Artificial Heart - The technology used in Space Shuttle fuel pumps led to the development of a miniaturized ventricular assist pump by NASA and renown heart surgeon Dr. Michael DeBakey. The tiny pump -- 2-inches long, 1-inch in diameter and weighing less than four ounces -- is currently undergoing European clinical trials where it has been successfully implanted into more than 20 people.

Automotive Insulation - Materials from the Space Shuttle thermal protection system are being used on NASCAR racing cars to protect drivers from the extreme heat generated by the engines.

Balance Evaluation Systems - Devices built to measure the equilibrium of Space Shuttle astronauts on return from orbit are now widely used by major medical centers to diagnose and treat patients suffering head injury, stroke, chronic dizziness and central nervous system disorders.

Bioreactor - Developed for Space Shuttle medical research, this rotating cell culture apparatus simulates some aspects of the space environment, or microgravity, on the ground. Tissue samples grown in the bioreactor are being used to design therapeutic drugs and antibodies. Some scientists believe the bioreactor will routinely produce human tissue for research and transplantation.

Diagnostic Instrument - NASA technology was used to create a compact laboratory instrument that more quickly analyzes blood, accomplishing in 30 seconds what once took 20 minutes.

Gas Detector - A gas leak detection system, originally developed to monitor the Shuttle's hydrogen propulsion system, is being used by the Ford Motor Company in the production of a natural gas-powered car.

Identification System - Developed to track millions of parts used for the Space Shuttle, a digital data technology that allowed the parts to be scanned by machines has now been commercialized. The new system uses laser-etched markings that work on practically any surface, are invisible and virtually indestructible.

Infrared Camera - A sensitive infrared hand-held camera that observes the blazing plumes from the Shuttle also is capable of scanning for fires. During the brush fires that ravaged Malibu, CA in 1996, the camera was used to point out hot spots for firefighters.

Jewelry Design - Jewelers no longer have to worry about inhaling dangerous asbestos fibers from the blocks they use as soldering bases. Space Shuttle heat shield tiles offer jewelers a safer soldering base with temperature resistance far beyond the 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit generated by the jeweler's torch.

Land Mine Removal Device - The same rocket fuel that helps launch the Space Shuttle is now being used to save lives - by destroying land mines. A flare device, using leftover fuel donated by NASA, is placed next to the uncovered land mine and is ignited from a safe distance using a battery-triggered electric match. The explosive burns away, disabling the mine and rendering it harmless.

Lifesaving Light - Special lighting technology developed for plant growth experiments on Space Shuttle Spacelab missions is now used to treat brain tumors in children. Doctors at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee use light emitting diodes in a treatment called photodynamic therapy, a form of chemotherapy, to kill cancerous tumors.

Prosthesis Material - A commercial derivative of the foam insulation used to protect the Shuttle's external tank replaced the heavy, fragile plaster once used to produce master molds for prosthetics.

Rescue Tool - Rescue squads have a new extrication tool to help remove accident victims from wrecked vehicles. The hand-held device requires no auxiliary power systems or cumbersome hoses and is 70 percent cheaper than previous rescue equipment. The cutter uses a miniature version of the explosive charges that separate devices on the Shuttle.

Vehicle Tracking System - Tracking information originally used onboard Space Shuttle Spacelab missions now helps track vehicles on Earth. The commercial spinoff of the tracking software allows vehicles to transmit a signal back to a home base. Municipalities today use the software to track and reassign emergency and public works vehicles. It also is used by vehicle fleet operations, such as taxis, armored cars and vehicles carrying hazardous cargo.

Video Stabilization Software - Image-processing technology used to analyze Space Shuttle launch video and to study meteorological images also helps law enforcement agencies improve crime-solving video. The technology removes defects due to image jitter, image rotation and image zoom in video sequences. The technology also may be useful for medical imaging, scientific applications and home video.

Go for the moon.

Go for Mars.

Damn the cost!

Damn skippy, Frank!

We're screwing up this planet with global warming, and the current administration refuses to deal with it. The same group wants to go to Mars. This does not inspire confidence...

I'm all for the trip if Bush goes by himself and stays there.

"Bush wants to go to Mars"

Let him.

Karl Rove
Rove told Dubya to push the Moon base and Mars trip, also the Immigration issue to have programs to talk about that will deflect all those other issues that are being talked about that aren't so great for the re-election campaign.

While programs are being cut that people need and the states on the verge of bankruptcy. Education,Health Care, Homeland Security are being gutted and these jerks are talking about billions for other things that we don't need right now just to get this failed regime re-elected.

With the US defeciet endangering the World balance does anyone think that these expenses can bear the weight?

Boy, I really hope that America NEVER becomes the socialist country that you want it too.

McG,
Thats because Pist and the rest of his cronies believe the propaganda that:

"Communism/socialism has only been a miserable failure because the right people didn't run it (namely themselves)"

or

"Communism/socialism would work fine if they tried it in the right country (namely this one)"

One only has to look at the wreckage that communism and socialism have left in Russia and the rest of Eastern Europe to know that it just WON'T WORK!

While I can't speak for pistoff, I do wonder why it's socialistic to support gov't programs that help people, but all-American for the gov't to send men to Mars.

Or do you guys, McG and fedral, just trust that the big biv't programs that Bush supports are acceptable?

Fedral, I gotta hand it to you. You are a master debater. I have a feeling that about half of the information you put up here is either untrue or embellished, but damn you're good!

I don't want ANY big government programs.

I pay my own way in life. I found a job that offers healthcare. I turned down a job that did not. I pay my student loan bill every month as I have for the past 10 years. I raise my family the best I can and have never required any help from any government agencies.

If I can do it, so can everyone else.

Oddly enough, McG, our patterns in life aren't so different. I also paid off my student loans and get my health insurance paid for.

But that doesn't mean I have no concern for those who don't, for example, have good fringe benefits from their jobs. Your theme, if I understand it, is "I can take care of my own needs. Everyone else should, too." I think the world is a bit more complex than that...

Really!

So let me get this straight....anything you can do, everyone else can do?

And everything Peyton Manning can do -- everyone else can do also?

How about everything Stephen Hawking can do -- everyone else can do?



For a bright guy, McG, you sure do say your fair share of very stupid things.

I don't know about the former (I have heard you can go blind from to much 'debating') but as to the second, my post about the payoff of investing in technology all came from the NASA website with no 'embellishment' from me. As to the rest of the posts, thats just the way I feel about 'Life the Universe ... and Everything'

Oh and D'artagnan,
I don't believe that it is as much socialist to support social programs, I just think it is a colossal, ever growing, ever more hungry moneypit in which we throw more and more of our GDP into for absolutely no return.

What has 40 years of welfare gotten us ?
Multiple generations of families on welfare.
Inner cities that resemble war zones.
No incentives to work or find work.
No incentive to form family units.
Generations that have grown up expecting the taxpayers to pay for everything.
A general 'entitlement' mentality (the only things the Constitution 'entitles' you to is Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness as well as those items specified as amendments to the Constitution)

Now lets take a look at what the money we have poured into the Space Program has given us.... (see my above post for a list) as well as the satellites that help us communicate, predict weather and a host of other things to make our lives better.

Looks like the Space Program wins by 15 lengths.