[BushCountry]

No, he is a conservative. Conservatives don't glory in flashy things purchased with money taken from other people at gunpoint.

Haa, haa, haa... Rolling on the floor. Dang, you're good. You should take this show on the road. Better yet, really think through your position.

Conservatism is not a regelion with strick political conformity. I can still be a conservative even if I believe in the human spirit and its need to explore. The esence of human kind is that of an explorer and its need to face insurmountable odds. Do I believe in fisical responsibility, welfare reform, tort reform, lower taxes, stricter abortion laws, etc... yes to all. However, I will not give up SPACE and our need to grow as a race.

[from occupied ga]

even if I believe in the human spirit and its need to explore

Nothing here says you shouldn't explore. It's who's paying for it that is in question. By all means let your spirit soar (whatever that means), but do it on your own dime. Ie Make space exploration dependent on voluntary contributions.

[Batrachian]

It's strange how your point about the human spirit, and destiny, and the future of the human race in space, which are points I always try to make, are completely lost on some people. They are two-dimensional types, flatlanders I call them, who never look up and have no imagination whatsoever. Dust and rocks, they say. If you looked at California 150 years ago all you would have seen is dust and rocks.

The difference between the space program and many other government programs is that this is worth doing. NASA's budget should be $100 billion a year, not $15 billion. Take the money from the new prescription drug welfare entitlement. They could be sending probes to other stars by now with today's technology.