[W. W. SMITH]

Small minded individuals with myopic vision please move to the corner and remain silent while the “MEN” advance the human species.

[JustSayNoToNannies]

Gingrich proposed to help spur spaceflight action by setting up a system of prizes. He would establish a $10 billion prize, for example, for the first company or entity to get astronauts to Mars. [...] He added that he would allocate 10 percent of NASA's budget to help fund the prizes he's proposing.

I've got a better idea: cut NASA's budget to zero, let the free enterprise system provide the "prizes," and keep the feds within their Constitutionally enumerated powers.

[9YearLurker]

Would be more than a little interesting to see Newt in hyperdrive trying to out-JFK JFK, out-FDR FDR, out-TR TR, out-LBJ LBJ, out-Wilson Wilson and out-Reagan Reagan all in a single administration.

I think Silent Cal would be the only 20th Century president that he wouldn’t attempt to resemble.

[isthisnickcool]

Don't mess with Newt! He is the honey badger!

Newt takes what he wants! Newt does not give a $hit!

[KoRn]

I like his thinking, but I believe it would take us 8 years to go back there, let alone establish a ‘base’. Then again, I suppose it depends on how one would define “base”.

[agere_contra]

a) Remove the current over-regulation of private space flight
b) Recognize that the treaty prohibiting the use of atomic propulsion in space was signed with an entity that no longer exists - the USSR. Then formally annul the treaty.
c) Allow private companies to own property and territory in space: and back up their property rights with earth-based force if necessary.
d) Do Not Add Subsidy.
e) Sit back and watch what happens.

[TWhiteBear]

I strongly support Mr. Gingrich and his goal for a moon base.
We just had a major snowstorm here. It was predicted, and prepared for. weeks in advance. In my county, no lives were lost attributable to the storm and property damage was minimal. This good outcome came from the space satellites, transistors, computer chips and computers, that were developed in the space program.
The space program will again create real jobs and the innovations will again spark business as before. TWB

[newgeezer]

A moon base? What a colossal waste of taxpayer money. And, Mars? Seriously?

When it comes to big government spending, some so-called “conservatives” wet their pants with glee whenever anyone suggests throwing taxpayer dollars into space, especially manned space exploration. There’s no valid reason for it.

Let the private sector do it. The armchair Captain Kirks among us are free to finance their own pipe dreams and hobbies.

(By the way, unless you honestly believe “Go forth and multiply” was intended to extend beyond Earth, spare me the strawman arguments, mm-kay? This planet is more than adequate to support all of humankind.)

[moviefan8]

It is a nice idea, but how are we going to pay for it?

We have no money.

[combat_boots]

Well, the Russians and Communist Chinese are planning this. Now, what do we suppose such bases will be used for by our enemies, hmmmmm?