So sorry, I thought you were directing that… well somewhere other than where you were

Greg, did we really have to read your leftist propaganda in Space News, too? First you said your values told you you had to vote against space and for Kerry. Now, you try to deny that the only president who has said anything of interest about space in a decade really doesn’t mean it? He just lied to win the votes of the vast untapped pool of space activist voters? Bush can do no right!

Oh, and Sam Dinkin, do you have to bring up Imperial hubris? Please, leave the MoveOn cliches at home! International relations isn’t your strong suit.

That is rich. Any and all manner of lies can be told of the Bush administration and it’s policies but as soon as someone from MY side of the aisle counters it’s deemed to be “sniping”.

Cowing hit the head square on the nail, many are “clearly suffering from sour grapes”.

“Bigger picture, I hope that we Americans can learn to discuss these issues without making personal attacks or fueling personal animosities.

If I have ever attacked anyone personally, I apologize and will resolve not to do it again. If any one seeks to attack me personally because my views differ from their views, well, I am sorry but I am an SOB with strong opinions. But I will still buy the beer if asked nicely enough even if we disagree.”

Well said Bill. I ditto that.

The election is over and now we just have to work with the circumstances at hand. Neither complaining nor gloating seems functional or becoming. I for one think the VSE is a huge step up from the space policy that existed previously, and we should all try to unite to ensure it gets funded.

If we are to become a two planet species spreading American values (and babies) out into the solar system, full speed ahead. If not, or if becoming a two planet species is more than a century away, send robots and end ALL humans in space funded at US taxpayer expense.

Branson wants to pay? Hey, no problem mate, its a free country.

That’s my position in a nutshell.

Langeweische is also correct that people on all sides of space advocacy debates tend not to argue fairly.

Not many IMHO.

Frankly, I very much do hope Congress enacts the VSE as it is the only game in town for the next four years, maybe longer, despite it flaws. As far as current voting in the House and Senate, I have and will continue to support FULL FUNDING for the VSE in FY’05 and FY ’06.

But if Congress does not enact the VSE then VSE will not be “America’s space policy” and it won’t be anyone’s space vision, it will only be “what might have been” – – and to seek to squelch debate and discussion to push the VSE through as a fait accompli merely creates resentment that will resurface in the future.

While Zubrin versus Spudis ain’t good for anyone telling Zubrin to just “shut up” won’t work since Zubrin won’t just dry up and go away, especially after General Worden (for example) has now started calling for privately funded one way human trips to Mars, ASAP.

= = =

Bigger picture, I hope that we Americans can learn to discuss these issues without making personal attacks or fueling personal animosities.

If I have ever attacked anyone personally, I apologize and will resolve not to do it again. If any one seeks to attack me personally because my views differ from their views, well, I am sorry but I am an SOB with strong opinions. But I will still buy the beer if asked nicely enough even if we disagree.

Neither Zubrin or Spudis (or their followers) are going to disappear from the scene. Therefore we need to find a way to share our disagreements without letting it get personal or feeling the need to shout the other guy down.