Neil Armstrong - Support Bush Space Initiative

(CNN)
HOUSTON , Texas (AP) -- Former astronaut Neil Armstrong says
Americans should support President Bush's plan for renewed
missions to the moon and beyond.

Armstrong said the plan was economically sustainable and that the
country must accept the risks associated with space exploration
in order to reap technological rewards.

"Our president has introduced a new initiative with renewed
emphasis on the exploration of our solar system and expansion of
human frontiers," Armstrong told a crowd of nearly 600 people
Thursday.

"This proposal has substantial merit and promise."

He was in Houston to receive the Rotary National Award for Space
Achievement.

Armstrong, 73, commanded NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969,
becoming the first person to walk on the moon.

In 1971, he left the space program to pursue a teaching career in
aeronautical engineering in his native Ohio.

Armstrong said the success of the Bush's space plan depends on
whether the government, aerospace industry, researchers and
others can unite behind it.

The Bush White House wants to return to the moon and eventually
send astronauts there by 2020, and to Mars -- an effort that
would cost hundreds of billions of dollars. Some lawmakers have
questioned proposed costs and risks.

"Our economy can certainly afford an effort of this magnitude,
but the public must believe the benefits to society deserve the
investment," Armstrong said in Friday's edition of the Houston
Chronicle. "To limit the program in the name of eliminating the
risk is no virtue."

President Bush has proposed that the space shuttle stop flying in
2010 and that the remaining shuttle flights concentrate on
completion of the International Space Station and research.

.. . . . .

Our "space program" has been literally orbiting around
in circles for WAY too long now. Time to DO something
with what we've learned. A permanent, expanding, ultimately
profitible presence on the moon and beyond is the next
step. We were gonna spend the money anyway, so let's
spend it on something better than orbiting tomato seeds
and token foreign-nationals. The costs will be spread-out
over the next 25 years or so. We CAN afford the moon, so
long as it's on the installment plan.

Of course, I'm sure the libbies will claim Armstrong
is getting payola from Halliburton ...