[Liberty Tree Surgeon]

Given that you make the same comments on every Mars thread, perhaps everyone on this thread can acknowledge your remarks and agree to agree/disagree as they see fit, so that no more of these science threads will be hijacked by your political discussions and resulting flame fests. That way, people who want to discuss the latest pictures or data can do so, and people who want to argue about their tax dollars being wasted can look for your threads elsewhere. Sound good? Or do you believe in your right to dissent so much that you're willing to do so to the extent that you may be hardening others' views, rather than persuading anyone?

LTS

[from occupied ga]

your political discussions and resulting flame fests. That way, people who want to discuss the latest pictures or data can do so, and

1. First, my comments are on the economics rather than the politics.
2. Second. No one is forced to respond.
3. Third, although I do not claim to have a spotless record in starting flame, I think at least on this thread I only responded to insults with insults, and responded to reasonable argument with the best reasonable approach I could. I don't find flame fests as you so aptly named them particularly interesting. No where near as interesting as peoples' ideas on why private funding of space exploration is a bad idea
4. Fourth, It ain't much science. We see pictures of rocks and dirt. Granted rocks and dirt on Mars, but what did anyone expect to see? Green tentacled martians? Where are the mineral analyses?
5. Fifth since you can't divorce the economics of science from the science itself, since it all comes down to resource allocation, I see relevance in asking the question even if it is the same question.
6. Sixth you make the claim that I hijacked the thread. This is nonsense. Most of my posts were in response to other peoples' posts. I started a dialog with Frank_discussion, but most of the others jumped me for my views.
7. Seventh, I find your attempt to control the content of the threads somewhat annoying. I got the impression from reading the purpose of FR that this wsite was supposed to facilitate rolling back decades of government largess of something like that, not provide a platform for cheerleading a big government spending program - no matter how much you like science.
8. Ninth, I like science myself, I just like the idea of the free market determining whatscience gets funded.
9. Tenth, If you really remember what I said in other mars threads, you will remember I am not against space exploration. I just think it should be privately funded and keep giving the Keck telescope as an example of how much more gets done for the dollar when the funds are private

I've run out of things to say for now, so in conclusion - no If you don't like what I have to say, don't read it. If you don't like flame fests, don't start one. (and you didn't here) If you think that $820 million taxpayer dollars for Mars pictures is a good us of $820 million, then I disagree.