[That Subliminal Kid]

If I "slammed you and your work" it obviously wasn't directed at you, so please stop feigning offense. None was intended. I think outer space is an utter waste of time and hasn't a damned thing to do with human goings on here on Earth. Is there some benefit to be had? Sure. Satisfaction of one's curiosity is a benefit to be sure. A few technological advances? Possibly. Are those essential to human survival? Maybe. I just don't care about it. You do, that's great. I don't, lots of others don't, and don't want our tax money spent on it. If I was wrong about the source of funding, so be it. I can admit when I'm wrong. Beyond this of course, I think the search for aliens and other tripe like that is a complete waste of time. Searching for "earth like" planets is a fun for kicks and giggles but doesn't really provide us with any tangible knowledge that has applicability. Oh! We'll know we're "not alone", or we'll have another tool to beat fundie Christians over the head with! There are a myriad of reasons people want to find space aliens, and I don't share any of them. Whether or not we are alone is totally and completely meaningless to me. I do not care at all. If you do, knock yourself out. Have a ball. Don't do it on my dime, that's all.

[RadioAstronomer]

I think we better end this conversation here. Obviously we are not even in the same ballpark as to our interests and what is important to the future of civilization.

[Brett66]

It would be better if we spent money on space exploration than wasting it on goverment social programs. NASA has support from almost every senator and representative in congress, it's not going away so this is a mere academic argument. You might as well be asking "wouldn't be great if the sky was purple?"

[TomB]

I just don't care about it. You do, that's great. I don't, lots of others don't, and don't want our tax money spent on it

Along with being mistaken about funding for SETI, you are also very wrong about the public's support for space exploration. In a Roper poll a year or so ago 55% of respondents said it was worthwhile while only 18% said it was "a waste of time and money".