Is Bush's Mars Trip Proposal a Strategic Distraction?

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  • Thread starter Thread starter Loren Booda
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around President Bush's proposal for a manned mission to Mars, exploring its implications, motivations, and the broader context of space exploration and ownership. Participants express a range of opinions, from enthusiastic support to skepticism about the underlying motives and legality of extraterrestrial land ownership.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether Bush's proposal is a strategic distraction from domestic issues or a genuine push for space exploration.
  • Others express excitement about the prospect of a Mars mission, with some humorously suggesting aggressive intentions towards hypothetical Martian inhabitants.
  • A participant mentions the existence of private land sales on celestial bodies, raising questions about the legality and implications of such claims under international treaties.
  • Concerns are raised about the Outer Space Treaty of 1967, which prohibits national appropriation of celestial bodies but does not clearly address private ownership, leading to ambiguity in space law.
  • Some participants speculate on the potential for conflicts arising from differing national claims to extraterrestrial property rights.
  • There is a humorous exchange about the absurdity of buying land on the moon and the implications of discovering valuable resources on such plots.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit a mix of agreement and disagreement, with some supporting the idea of space exploration while others challenge the motivations behind it. The legality of private ownership of celestial bodies remains a contentious topic, with no consensus reached on the implications of the Outer Space Treaty.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the complexities of space law, particularly regarding private versus national ownership rights, and the varying interpretations of international treaties. Participants acknowledge the grey areas in legal frameworks governing outer space activities.

  • #61
Originally posted by jimmy p
my adopted mom isn't old!
SON! I knew you were just momentarily led astray by Andy!
 
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  • #62
Originally posted by Evo
SON! I knew you were just momentarily led astray by Andy!
Yes, Chopnik. Do not trust anyone who looks like George W. Bush!
 
  • #63
Originally posted by Evo
Are we off topic?
No, we're still talking about Bush...
 
  • #64
I was waiting in the shadows to see if I would set a personal record for replies - ironically almost all off-topic - to a thread that I started.
 
  • #65
Originally posted by Loren Booda
I was waiting in the shadows to see if I would set a personal record for replies - ironically almost all off-topic - to a thread that I started.
So did I blow your record by mentioning Bush again?:frown:
 
  • #66
aww mom, i was only joking! me n andy are still allowed to play together, right?











(STOP HAVING A DIRTY MIND PEOPLE [that does mean you too Tsunami])
 
  • #67
Ya sorta 'gotta' admit Loren, that your original entrance does allow for some latitude in the discourse... Your titular intro
Originally posted by Loren Booda
Bush trip to Mars a red herring *Notice* No question mark, it is a statement...but...[/color]
Followed by your postulate...
Originally posted by Loren Booda
What credit should President Bush receive for suggesting a manned Mars trip? Does he scheme to one-up Kennedy, evade failed policy, or nationalize the world (all for ~$500,000,000,000)?
Four questions, from which we seemed to have opted for the "Nationalizing the World" Well, our version according to the current scheme of 'legalisms' repsective of property Rights...so here's yet another responce to add to your search for a title in responcivness's...
 
  • #68
My original post was genuine but seemed to become hijacked. Basically, I thought most responses there just an exercise in lame humor rather than a discourse on "nationalizing the world."

What political motives do you think George W. Bush intended when he announced the program for a manned Mars mission? Do you think he has an unselfish interest in the science and humanity of the project?
 
  • #69
Loren Booda wrote:What political motives do you think George W. Bush intended when he announced the program for a manned Mars mission? Do you think he has an unselfish interest in the science and humanity of the project?
Purely cynical - how to get a few thousand more votes (esp in Florida and Texas) without really trying. Hey Loren, I posted my opinion earlier in this thread.

Later, based on something mouseonmoon (I think) said, somewhere in Astronomy, I revised my opinion: following Condie's counsel about how the US's star has begun to fade (China is the new big boy), Dubya wants a nice page in the history books, preferably better than JFK's (but without getting shot). So, what the Moon was to JFK (beat that Ruskies!), so Mars is to GW (in your face, Hu!).

Mars wasn't in the SOU address, so maybe Karl's focus groups weren't so maximum bullish on Mars?
 
  • #70
Originally posted by Nereid
Purely cynical - how to get a few thousand more votes (esp in Florida and Texas) without really trying. Hey Loren, I posted my opinion earlier in this thread.

Later, based on something mouseonmoon (I think) said, somewhere in Astronomy, I revised my opinion: following Condie's counsel about how the US's star has begun to fade (China is the new big boy), Dubya wants a nice page in the history books, preferably better than JFK's (but without getting shot). So, what the Moon was to JFK (beat that Ruskies!), so Mars is to GW (in your face, Hu!).

Mars wasn't in the SOU address, so maybe Karl's focus groups weren't so maximum bullish on Mars?

Both the initiatives that week, Mars and the immigration plan, were pitched to make the president look like a big historic figure in the eyes of the voters. Both of them backfired. Mars looks like a joke to everybody but a tiny sliver of space enthusiasts, and immigration has got the Republican core up in arms. Bummer for Rove.
 
  • #71
Originally posted by Loren Booda
My original post was genuine but seemed to become hijacked. Basically, I thought most responses there just an exercise in lame humor rather than a discourse on "nationalizing the world." Little bit of both, perhaps? [/color]

What political motives do you think George W. Bush intended when he announced the program for a manned Mars mission? Do you think he has an unselfish interest in the science and humanity of the project? Not an American, no point in 'opinion'(ing) on US politics so directly...[/color]
HUH?? WHAT?? You think my Humor is LAME? Thats LAMMO BUDDY! So At least Phuleeeeeeeeeease use the right WORD!


(P.S. try to remember here "Bud", I own the material Universe, a little courtesy pleaseHee-hee-heeeeeeeeeeeee! )
 
Last edited:
  • #72
Nereid,

I re-read and regard the "6 ways to Bushwhack the grassroots."
 
  • #73
I thing everything Shrub does and says in his speeches is purly politically motivated, designed to help him get re-elected - right down to using statistics from Kerry's home state during his state of the union address. These STATS were used to make Kerry look bad. Whenever he ad-libs, he generally ends up shooting himself in the foot, so he's usually good for at least a laugh about once a week. Didn't he just recently sign an environmental bill (clean-air, I think) and then 2-3 days later quietly sign another bill allowing his favorite corporations to continue their polluting practices for another 10 years or so?
 
  • #74
Originally posted by Tsunami
I thing everything Shrub does and says in his speeches is purly politically motivated, designed to help him get re-elected - right down to using statistics from Kerry's home state during his state of the union address.
...which makes him (gasp!) just like every other politician.

I don't judge politicians on their primary motive because they all have the same primary motive (get elected) otherwise they'd never be elected. The secondary motives are the ones that separate them.
 
  • #75
Originally posted by russ_watters
...which makes him (gasp!) just like every other politician.

I don't judge politicians on their primary motive because they all have the same primary motive (get elected) otherwise they'd never be elected. The secondary motives are the ones that separate them.
Too bad Bush has the destruction of the American way of life as a secondary motive, isn't it?
 
  • #76
Originally posted by Zero
Too bad Bush has the destruction of the American way of life as a secondary motive, isn't it?
Nice to see you back, Zero - its been awfully quiet for the past week.
 
  • #77
Zero reminds me so much of a guy I dated that was a leading member of the SDS and editor of The Rat, way back when...
 
  • #78
Bush is a loony.

Please just DON'T re-elect him!
 
  • #79
Just think if the failed Mars probe(s) had people's lives depending on them!
 
  • #80
yeah, and the manned missions to mars. Not a leader that fills you with hope is he? Which reminds me, talking of useless leaders, all the brits out there, don't vote Blair, vote Howard...or the Monster Raving Looney party!
 
  • #81
Originally posted by Shahil
Bush is a loony.

Please just DON'T re-elect him!

Says the guy with the Guevara pic as his avatar
 

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