[Alter Kaker]

Oh please. that is way over the top. Go back and look at the federal budget graph I posted. IT is not incomprehensible at all what NASA spends. It is waaaaaaaay down on that list.

For the cost of a manned mission to Mars, you could buy every man, woman and child in my country their own private helicopter, although necessary modifications to the air trafic control infrastructure would be extra.

Ask yourself where would be without exploration. Probably exinct.

How will landing a man on the moon keep me or you or anyone else from becoming extinct?

But our constitution is flowery as well.

I've read your Constitution. It isn't flowery, nor does it suggest that the purpose of the United States Congress is to allocate vast sums for zero public benefit.

[RightWhale]

I've read your Constitution.

Good, now read Calhoun, Sec'y of War.

[Names Ash Housewares]

We simply will not agree on this.
But I can tell you this. People are going to explore. They are going to go sooner or later. The nature of exploration is fundamental part of what we are and is vital to our success as a species. I am very thankful President Bush understands this. He is thinking way beyond his own term. Both in the war on terror and this.