The KSC Freak Show

There was a slim chance I would be able to visit KSC on Friday. Out of
curiosity, I checked out the website to see what's new.

You can't go home again. It's been turned into a shameful freak show. A real
expensive one as well.

Over a decade ago, I was standing in line, waiting for the wonderful
Hildegarde to answer a question, when I overheard her tell a fellow in front
of me, with pride, that the Visitor's Complex was *free* because of NASA's
charter mandate. There was a fee for the IMAX show, and of course the bus
tours, but the museum, Astronaut Memorial, Rocket Garden, and so forth-
pretty much everything within walking distance, was *free*.

The last time I was there in August 1996, it was all still free. The Saturn
V complex had a fee, around $9, but there was still some stuff in the free
exhibition building next to the bus ticket office.

Bob Haller might appreciate the Disneyfication of NASA, but having seen it
back when it was treated respectfully, it's not the same.

Looks like I'll just kick back and enjoy the pool.