I jumped into a recent conversation online which took the position that money invested into NASA and space exploration was a waste and could be better spent elsewhere at this time. My reply:
"The return on investment from NASA and space exploration has rivaled or exceeded that of many private investment vehicles. But this is because the gov was wise enough to allow the contractors to use the discoveries extracted from space research as they saw fit. I grew up when all of America hovered around a grainy black and white picture a few inches across to watch Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walk on the moon. It was a very exciting time. The greatness and nobility of America is when we seek the dream - and then pull together to do it. The power of America lies in the ambition of our ideals, not in the fears of our hearts. The strength of America is when we dare the impossible and then do what it takes to get it done, not in worrying about the minutiae of roi or cash flow. The strength of the American people is the imagination to dream big and then stand on the moon. Mars is next. And we should do it.
America should put a crew on Mars because - as John Kennedy said, "not because it will be easy, but because it will be hard," we should put a crew on Mars not because it is something China would do, but because it is something America would do. America should put a crew on Mars not for any anticipated returns, but for the achievement of an ideal; America should put a crew on Mars not because it is what any nation would do, but because it is something that only a great nation can do, and America is a great nation. When we plant that American flag on the red sands of Mars, we do it not to prove to our enemies that we are a powerful nation that must be feared; we do it not to show to our friends and allies that we are a great nation, nor do we plant a flag on Mars to expand our territory or defend our status, no, we plant the red, white and blue on a far distant planet to prove that impossible dreams are possible to a people that dream big."
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
America, Down and Out?
by Perry Jones
Millions are out of work; the real unemployment rate stands at somewhat above 16%. Thousands of demonstrators occupy city streets and parks while unions throw in their support for the demonstrators. Congress is paralyzed into immobility while the people seem confused, divided and rooted in chaos. America is facing dark days; our economy teeters on the edge of a cliff and foreclosures continue forcing American families into the streets and shelters and to live with relatives and friends. Things could be better.
The cafe is better when it is full of happy customers instead of being cold and dark.
The store next door is better when the cash registers are ringing up sales instead of having a sign on a boarded up window that says "Out of Business."
The downtown company is better when it has chairs full of productive employees instead of a room full of empty seats.
America may be facing a challenge, but we haven't chosen defeat.
We may have fallen, but we haven't given up.
And although we may have fumbled the ball, we haven't quit the game.
We may have millions of people out of work, but there is plenty of work to do.
The question is not whether there is work, the question is will the Federal Government and big companies and the big banks with their big bailouts get out of the way so we can do what needs to be done? We aren't looking for a bailout or a handout, we just need you to get out of the way.
Congress may be as paralyzed and as frozen as a cow patty in a Minnesota winter, but the people are alive and kicking.
We may not agree on what direction we should take, but we do agree that the direction we have been on is wrong.
We may not see eye to eye on everything we must do, but that does not mean we can't stand shoulder to shoulder to do something.
To the outside world, and even to ourselves, it may appear that we are divided, confused and stuck in chaos. It may look like a dirty, grimy mess, but this is America and our history proves to us that this is simply how Americans get things done.
Things don't get done in Washington D.C. or in the halls of Congress or in Times Square or on Wall Street. Things get done over the kitchen table, things get done in cafes and diners, things get done in the hallways and around the water coolers of every great place in America. Things get done where it counts, not in places where high priced lawyers pulling million dollar salaries debate over where to place a comma; things get done in the Mean Streets where we're trying to decide how best to pour the cement.
This is America, we have faced dark times before, we have struggled under recession and depression and near relentless enemies. We have faced famine and flood and natural disaster of every kind. We have seen bridges fail and we have rebuilt them, we have seen levees break and we have reconstructed them, we have experienced tragedy that has brought us to our knees and we have grieved but we didn't stay down. We wept together, we embraced our neighbors, we have helped each other back up, we have pulled together and gotten back to work. We were not down and out, we were getting ready.
We are Americans and this is America. Things may appear dark and bleak right now, it may appear as if we are in the midst of a storm, but better days are coming.
We are Americans, this is America; we are proud and we are strong and we are coming back, bigger, better, bolder, prouder and stronger than ever. We are not bent over under the weight of grief and despair, we are lacing our boots. We are not clenching our fists in hopelessness, we are putting on our gloves. We may be at the bottom of the count, but we are at the top of our game. We may be bruised, bloodied and battered, but like Rocky, we won't quit until we've won!
America is here, we are coming and we are coming out swinging! The world thinks they have us where they want us, but they don't know us; we can't be held back, we don't give up and we don't quit. When things are falling apart, Americans are pulling together; when things seem the darkest, Americans see the coming of dawn; when the rest of the world has given up, Americans are getting ready.
We are Americans, we are coming together to get things done because that's what needs to be done. We may not see eye to eye but we can stand shoulder to shoulder, we are not down and out, we are just getting ready. America is coming, we are coming back big, bold, proud and strong. We are going to be bigger, better and bolder than ever before. We are not down and out, we are on the rebound, and the rest of the world had better step aside because America is stepping up!
Millions are out of work; the real unemployment rate stands at somewhat above 16%. Thousands of demonstrators occupy city streets and parks while unions throw in their support for the demonstrators. Congress is paralyzed into immobility while the people seem confused, divided and rooted in chaos. America is facing dark days; our economy teeters on the edge of a cliff and foreclosures continue forcing American families into the streets and shelters and to live with relatives and friends. Things could be better.
The cafe is better when it is full of happy customers instead of being cold and dark.
The store next door is better when the cash registers are ringing up sales instead of having a sign on a boarded up window that says "Out of Business."
The downtown company is better when it has chairs full of productive employees instead of a room full of empty seats.
America may be facing a challenge, but we haven't chosen defeat.
We may have fallen, but we haven't given up.
And although we may have fumbled the ball, we haven't quit the game.
We may have millions of people out of work, but there is plenty of work to do.
The question is not whether there is work, the question is will the Federal Government and big companies and the big banks with their big bailouts get out of the way so we can do what needs to be done? We aren't looking for a bailout or a handout, we just need you to get out of the way.
Congress may be as paralyzed and as frozen as a cow patty in a Minnesota winter, but the people are alive and kicking.
We may not agree on what direction we should take, but we do agree that the direction we have been on is wrong.
We may not see eye to eye on everything we must do, but that does not mean we can't stand shoulder to shoulder to do something.
To the outside world, and even to ourselves, it may appear that we are divided, confused and stuck in chaos. It may look like a dirty, grimy mess, but this is America and our history proves to us that this is simply how Americans get things done.
Things don't get done in Washington D.C. or in the halls of Congress or in Times Square or on Wall Street. Things get done over the kitchen table, things get done in cafes and diners, things get done in the hallways and around the water coolers of every great place in America. Things get done where it counts, not in places where high priced lawyers pulling million dollar salaries debate over where to place a comma; things get done in the Mean Streets where we're trying to decide how best to pour the cement.
This is America, we have faced dark times before, we have struggled under recession and depression and near relentless enemies. We have faced famine and flood and natural disaster of every kind. We have seen bridges fail and we have rebuilt them, we have seen levees break and we have reconstructed them, we have experienced tragedy that has brought us to our knees and we have grieved but we didn't stay down. We wept together, we embraced our neighbors, we have helped each other back up, we have pulled together and gotten back to work. We were not down and out, we were getting ready.
We are Americans and this is America. Things may appear dark and bleak right now, it may appear as if we are in the midst of a storm, but better days are coming.
We are Americans, this is America; we are proud and we are strong and we are coming back, bigger, better, bolder, prouder and stronger than ever. We are not bent over under the weight of grief and despair, we are lacing our boots. We are not clenching our fists in hopelessness, we are putting on our gloves. We may be at the bottom of the count, but we are at the top of our game. We may be bruised, bloodied and battered, but like Rocky, we won't quit until we've won!
America is here, we are coming and we are coming out swinging! The world thinks they have us where they want us, but they don't know us; we can't be held back, we don't give up and we don't quit. When things are falling apart, Americans are pulling together; when things seem the darkest, Americans see the coming of dawn; when the rest of the world has given up, Americans are getting ready.
We are Americans, we are coming together to get things done because that's what needs to be done. We may not see eye to eye but we can stand shoulder to shoulder, we are not down and out, we are just getting ready. America is coming, we are coming back big, bold, proud and strong. We are going to be bigger, better and bolder than ever before. We are not down and out, we are on the rebound, and the rest of the world had better step aside because America is stepping up!
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