Estimated cost of NASA’s latest extravaganza, the Mars ‘Curiosity’ mission: 2.5 billion dollars.
English: Artist’s rendering of a Mars Exploration Rover. Français : Vue d’artiste d’un Mars Exploration Rover (litt. « rover d’exploration martienne »). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Estimated number of homeless children in the United States: over 1.6 million.
Do you think these kids care about Mars? Or for that matter, NASA?
Yes, this is a very simplified way of looking at things, but numbers don’t lie. When we’ve resolved the homeless situation, when we stop waging wars all over the globe and when we finish exploring the human condition, we can start exploring the universe.
Until then, we need to concentrate on terra firma.
Related articles
- More than a million homeless students in the U.S.! (cflhomeless.wordpress.com)
- More children facing homelessness as housing crisis deepens (guardian.co.uk)
This is a real concern.
Before we start saving the world, could focus money on people here? There are over 7,000 homeless in Houston; homeless children here has increased 14% this year. (at least 12,512 homeless kids trying to stay in school here)
And how many Vets?
Maybe if the IRS would stop sending out money to fraudulent income tax returns, and the feds stop rebuilding schools, libraries, and cities in other countries – stop “saving” other countries, we could fix this one. (and we could go on about fed. revenue sources…like all those trips and parties by departments…funding grants for stupid “soft” research studies like “fat kids generally have parents without college degrees”)
Science and space exploration does have concrete benefits and helps solve energy problems, improve medicine, create better materials, and provide solutions for communication and transportation here.
(oh, and using food sources as fuel is arrogant and wasteful when so many are hungry.)
NASA budget is very small compared to just about all the others – it’s just high profile. (and you can’t help but wonder every time you see a launch about the money…)
We don’t dare cut solid “hard science” research – it’s just about all we have left.
Great post Hook – and timely with school about to start. (after that they will be invisible again?)
Good job.
Thank you. I’m sure I’ll tick a few people off, but that’s what I’m here for…
and that’s why we adore you – sorry about the rant, but the kids need to be taken care of (there are stats on the runaways who usually are not in school – and also which ones live in shelters/ temporary housing/hot sheet hotels with their parents( this is data crazy here) – what a mess.
Write on dude! People need to think and we can all respect others’ thoughts
Bring on the rants! The longer the better!
You know, you have a few valid points here as does philosophermouseofthehedge.
I cannot wait till I get settled in Ethiopia (my fingers are still crossed!!!) so I can see what exactly is going on, or exactly how much TV lies.
I remember reading this quote a long while back, and it really struck home and makes lots of sense, “Why would you try to clean up someone’s backyard when yours look like crap?”
When it comes to going to Mars or something like a space program, I am all for it in any country. It brings hope and optimism and a sense of personal pride that is something that is needed for everyone. I’d never want these programs to end. But I do feel that they should be international projects not just one countries goal. It would not only share the cost, but promote global unity and working together and overcoming differences. And isn’t that what we should all be striving for anyways?
I wouldn’t mind seeing the silly studies of “if a child plays video games for more than so many hours a day, it leads to obesity, childhood diabetes and blah blah blah”. Or peoples hard earned tax dollars being spent on those women who pop out a kid each year because they don’t want their cheques to stop coming in. I wouldn’t mind seeing peoples hard earned money being spent on a politicians wardrobe allowance- I mean seriously. Most jobs I know of where they ask you to dress in a certain way you have to pay for those clothes and you declare it on your taxes why can’t they as well?
Or prisons. People who break the law should have little to no “rights” as we know them. Only the “basic” human rights. If a person takes away another persons right, in my opinion you loose yours. Prisons should not have fireplaces for the womens correctional facilities (Doon Heritage rings a bell here). I mean hell, my sister wanted to break the law so she could go to prison and get a free education.
But it also brings up the question of why are these kids homeless? I know when I was younger (and even here in China), there are quite a number of run away kids and many of them did not like the rules that their parents set out for them so they were told, “don’t like it? Tough while you are under my roof…” And the rest as they say… is history.
Ditto about the wardrobe – and a lot of things all the rest of us have to pay for while politicians/elected officials don’t.
You made solid nice points here.
You’re right about NASA bringing hope to people, Woman. I just wish we could afford NASA AND a home for everyone who needs it!
That poor little kid’s picture is breaking my heart. I’m going out on a limb by outing myself as a libertarian so my comment is probaly going to piss more people off. I think NASA as well as every government entity down to the lowest elected position should be PRIVATIZED. If we must play the election game, in this fiefdom you are the serf and I am the lord. In fact, I get to set your salary and you get to live in its means; you get a raise based on verified merits not your vote ins. Any extras come from your PRIVATE funds, held in another account, and that includes that fancy school your kid attends…hey, I’m your boss and my kid goes to the public…
How many people would line up under that setup? None? Then unfortunately, get ready for the SOS. /FNRANT.
Exactly.
If you look at “democracy” in the Western world… the people you govern are your employers and the politicians are the employees. Why does it seem the other way around? If the government answers to the people, why do they answer to those that gave them money to put them in office?
I am very confused at politics and perhaps I have it wrong. But if I have to pay taxes, and my taxes are your salary, you’re my bitch. Not the other way around.
Lol, I like you!
Perhaps our priorities are misplaced?
But wait! What if the boffins are right?! What if there *are* different life forms? Hostile creatures? Or a more sustainable planet?
BUT.
I agree with you, Hook.
This is just one example of many that I wish the ones in power would not invest as much time, talent and money in, and focus instead primarily on improving the quality of all forms of life right here on earth.
My wish (like me!) might be like Curiosity i.e. (too) out there.
Kate
At least NASA is doing something. Take a look at the war chests of the two guys we have to choose between for president on this side of the border. In July alone, Romney hawled in $101M to Obama’s $75M. And most of it will get pissed down a hole. I will throw away hundreds of mailers and mute zillions of political commercials. Think of the good that money could have done.
Good point, Jill! Thanks for the input…