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NASA balloons take off, HOPE NASA DOESN'T FLOAT AWAY

By Mark Wienshienk

Real Estate Agent with MarkW Realty/ Agent for Keller Williams

November 01, 2010 02:40 AM

Hot Air Balloons

Yesterday I was leaving work and drove by all the onlookers waiting to see the hot air balloons ascend into space with the grandeur that only can be called spectacular. I have seen this site in Washington state and other places but what happens here at NASA, in Clear Lake, is beyond beautiful it is almost a religious experience. I just hope NASA doesn't end up only as a launching pad for hot air balloons but can stay the important local, state, country and worldwide leader into space.

I know we are hurting as a nation and we need to cut corners. Maybe congress should cut out all the fat they tack onto so many bills or have to live by the same rules they make for us. I don't know maybe that would make them better legislators, maybe it would make them think about the consequences of their actions. I believe in the American system, it's still the best but it has flaws that need to be rectified.

I was getting off the subject. I feel and think that NASA is too important to mankind to just start stripping away their programs and leadership role in the world. Yes it takes billions and we could sure use those billions but they also produce benefits beyond exploration. We have so many medical advances that originally came from NASA, These have saved and prolonged many lives and no price tag can be too costly in comparison to the countless lives saved. Beyond the medical applications NASA has pioneered many other advances that have improved all our lives. NASA is a vital part of our national pride that doesn't just take without giving back, it has given us much more then many of us know about and I hope will be able to do so into the future. In this short blog I have only touched lightly on the benefits of keeping NASA strong and a vibrant resource not just for Clear Lake but for the entire world.

Blast Off

We want to explore and challenge ourselves that's why there were so many people sitting out along the roads. They sit in awe not just because of the beauty but for a few minutes they can share the act of rising above the ground, on an adventure not many take, but we all feel exhilarated by.

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Jason Channell

Diadem Property Inspections - Serving Southeast Michigan - Troy, MI

The House Sleuth

NASA has been responsible for some incredible innovations (Velcro is one of my favorites... Tang definitely is NOT!), but they have departed from the path of scientific exploration. I don't know if their current mandate deserves any funding, in that other agencies are already geared to do the same thing. From an interview with NASA Administrator Charles Bolden:

"When I became the NASA administrator -- or before I became the NASA administrator -- he charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science ... and math and engineering," Bolden said in the interview.

If that is their reason to exist, defund NASA. Other agencies do a better job educating or reaching out to others. NASA's goal should be space exploration.

Nov 01, 2010 03:01 AM

Anonymous

Mark Wienshienk

I agree the mission shouldn't be to reach out to the Muslim world. I can not throw all the other things they do away because of one goal that I disagree with. Under that scenario there is probably no one who we should have do anything, there are always things we agree and disagree with, people or organizations. I do believe inspiring our youth is a major goal we need a better educated youth especially in math and science. The education in this country has for years been slipping in a downward spiral and this will eventually, if not stopped, lead to us loosing our leadership role in the world. I also believe we should do everything we can to expand our international relationships, in a positive way that leads to mutual understanding and respect.

When I say we shouldn't reach out to the Muslim world, I don't think we should single out just one group of people. All ethinic, religious and racial groups have those who are good and then those who are not. There are those who want to improve the world we live in and those who prefer to destroy.

Nov 01, 2010 03:53 AM

I think we both basically agree.

NASA says the exist to "pioneer the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research."

If we compare the energy from the 1960s and the race to the moon (and the support given by President Kennedy and his administration), they understood their mission statement. They understood why they existed.

But to listen to the current powers-that-be, it sounds like NASA leadership has no idea why they exist, other than the public service function.

That's wrong. Sure, they can re-inspire children in math and science education... but that comes out of their primary work in exploration and discovery. Sure, they can serve as ambassadors to cultures that have made important scientific discoveries throughout history... but that is secondary and a function of accomplishing their mission.

So if our government is going to neuter NASA and keep them from pioneering the future in space exploration, scientific discovery and aeronautics research, then NASA doesn't have a reason to exist.

That doesn't mean I want NASA gone. I simply want NASA to do what it was created to do, what it does best. And to get some of that 1960s determination back.

Nov 01, 2010 07:26 AM

I didn't see your first comments the ones at the top and so I would agree we do basically think along the same lines. What is the real problem is the government whether on top or congress. They live in an unreal world apart from the rest of the country and then wonder why they aren't respected the way they feel entitled to be.

Nov 01, 2010 08:05 AM

NASA balloons take off, HOPE NASA DOESN'T FLOAT AWAY

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