Re: Kerry on Bush Space Plan: At least he's in favor of Saving Hubble!

From: Jon Kickerston (none_at_nospam.com)
Date: 06/18/04 

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 2004 02:22:14 GMT

"JJK" <surpher@erols.com> wrote in message
news:40d24070$0$3027$61fed72c@news.rcn.com...
> "Jon Kickerston" wrote:
> > "Burden of proof". Well, let's see. I know of no illnesses that have
> been
> > cured through Hubble's studies. It hasn't benefited the needy in any
way
> > that I know of. It hasn't developed any forms of alternative energy.
In
> > fact, its efficiency is such that its worse then even a nuclear reactor
> > (which doesn't have terribly good efficiency to begin with) because the
> > amount of $ going into the old tin can with wings has been much more
than
> > anything it has returned, even if it has taken pretty pictures. Ok, so
we
> > see deeper into space. At what cost? For what purpose? We see more
> > galaxies. What good is it to know that? We're never going to get
there.
> > So what if we think we figure out the age of the universe. Will anyone
> > benefit?
>
>
> Your thoughts are uncorrelated, troll. If acted on, the same thoughtless
> arguments would have stopped Kepler, Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, etc.
from
> making discoveries that have made an enormous impact on virtually all of
our
> lives (to say nothing about understanding our place in the grand scheme of
> things). Without a lot of basic science that was done long before we were
> born, most of us would feel fortunate to have a 14 hour a day factory job
> that pays very little (or worse yet, bust our backs farming by hand) and
to
> live in excess of 50 years. In addition, we would not be in a position to
DO
> fundamental research in health sciences and more of us would lead
miserable
> existences.

So, you think our resulting overpopulation and more and more folks being
forced to work 12-14 hour days has been a direct benefit of Hubble? And
what about our youth- no one can find the time to be at home to raise them
anymore so drugs, sex, and rock&roll have run amok. These great benefits
and discoveries you speak of have actually had a backward effect on the
civilized world. No longer do we work a standard 8 hour day, but we "must"
work 12 hours or we'll be replaced (heck, air conditioned computers can do
it... why do we need to keep this person?). Simple as that. Oh, and folks
must have money for their "high tech" benefits like GPS systems, satellite
radio, million dollar homes, electric toilets, etc. etc. We must not forget
that. All in the name of "scientific discovery". Luxurize and spoil our
fellow man. You think our youth are in geat shape today as a result of this
great technology? Overweight, sluggish, epidemic diabetic, video game
addictees come to mind. And nothing to exercise the brain. It's sad.

> Everything else being equal, it is unlikely that your existence has made
(or
> will make) a significant difference to the human race (this is not a
> personal attack; fact is most of us contribute very little to making a
> monumental and positive change to our lot). Should we therefore ask you to
> stop sucking air? No.
>
> The Hubble was not designed to feed the poor, save energy, or solve the
> riddle of any human disease. It has done its intended job very well. There
> are existing Federal programs and private organizations that make some
> effort to help the needy. That is not to say we have done enough to
mitigate
> those problems. Far from it. If you're that concerned, pitch in to help
the
> less fortunate by donating your own cash and time. If you already do so,
> then give even more of yourself and ask others to help.
>
> The US has not restricted itself to doing good science of all types in a
> serial manner (e.g. only doing astronomy in one decade, health related
> science in another decade, etc.). There is no compelling reason to start
> doing so.
>
> Finally, the Hubble has been relatively cheap. Do the math on the cost of
> the Hubble (original cost, servicing missions, etc.) in comparison to
other
> Federal R&D programs (i.e., those funded by tax dollars by either the DoD,
> NIH, etc.) and to other aggregate amounts of dollars (e.g., the US GDP).
Can
> you say "dust"?
>
> Semi-useful fact: there are roughly 300 million people in the United
States.
> $3.65 from each person/year (a penny a day) adds up to more than
one-billion
> dollars.

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