http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...30-oberg_x.htm

We the people are the ultimate authority over NASA. Should we get rid
of the pilots on the shuttle and the flightdeck and fly automated?
That would allow full escape systems to be installed for the mission
specialists. Should we just kill NASA now? The American Private Sector
hasn't put anyone in space either. Let's face it, 500 million to 750
million per flight is simply insane.

Of course sending 15 billion to Africa to fight AIDs is even more
insane. Just have the guts to tell them to stop the anal sex. Spending
80 billion in a war on Saddam may not be insane, but it is insanely
expensive. Just tell the american people that we should be energy
independent, and quit sending our cash to the middle east.

And all that is OUR money folks! Even Zubrin has said privately that a
single manned Mars mission should only cost 5 billion. A manned return
to the moon should cost 200 times less than that! That's 25 million.
Lunar Prospector was 60 million!

Private Invstors have a nasty habit of wanting to see a return for
their money. Pat Bahn had a great idea about going straight up 100
miles over Oklahoma and taking pictures of the crops to sell to
farmers. That does not require people however. Space tourism is a
great idea. So far we have had what? Two tourists? Is that market
really that big? Maybe when flights are down to $100k tourism will
erupt.

Man, I am starting to feel as depressed as Rand!