Obama may be an ephebe, an utter novice at the post of command, but it must be admitted that he is a consummate sorcerer who was able to seduce and enchant multitudes, especially the horde of grown-up children so ready and eager to be piped to. Unlike the Pied Piper, however, he did not work alone but arrived on the scene surrounded by a retinue of plutocrats, political mandarins, and clever enablers, and of course by the usual train of cavillers, pettifoggers, sybarites, and janissaries, that is, journalists, feminists, intellectuals and academics. This only facilitated his task which he would not have been capable of accomplishing on his own.
Nonetheless, he had the magic, the gift of bewitchment, and no hesitation in using it. It wasn’t long before he was able to spellbind a vast swarm of believers with the promise of auroral benefictions (if I may coin a term). The tune was irresistible but very few heard the infrasonic lyrics, which actually belied the melody. These poor dupes followed him willingly into the new dawn of mellifluous beginnings, only to find the bright morning of the future suddenly changed into the grim presentiment of the coming debacle. This is what inevitably happens when one invests uncritically in fairy tales and surrenders one’s intelligence and autonomy to the blandishments of a false messiah.
Read all.
I think thats the first piece of David’s that I’ve read. I love his playful, broad, and evocative use of language.
I think that it is more complex than this. Most democratic operatives could not stand the Clintons and the Clinton fatigue of the 1990’s was already haunting the party. Of course no one realized that today democrats and republicans alike are wistful for a president only as incompetent as Clinton. This goes to a lot of these recent stories of Clinton’s “rehabilitation”.
The stage is being set in the democrat operative class for Hillary sure as shooting.
[[[Nonetheless, he had the magic, the gift of bewitchment, and no hesitation in using it. ]]]
He sure did a good job bewitching the New Space community leading to the current train wreck on the NASA budget.
He sure did a good job bewitching the New Space community leading to the current train wreck on the NASA budget.
This is profoundly out of touch, even stupid. I’m not aware of anyone in the New Space community who favors the new direction because Obama sold them on it.
One minute he’s breaking out Ayn Rand quotes, the next he’s poo-pooing the most capitalist approach to space policy we’ve ever seen.
I’m confused?
To follow up Rand – most of us New Spacers favor the plan in spite of the fact it is from Obama’s administration.
We are being entirely objective about it.
I expect that the Ayn Rand quotes were a form of mockery.
“he had the magic, the gift of bewitchment”
He didn’t bewitch me. Really, it still astounds me that so many people are so easily taken in by someone who utters common platitudes in a smooth voice.
Ryan,
[[[We are being entirely objective about it.]]]
And that is why you are attacking Republicans who oppose it (and President Obama) as big spenders and folks who like pork. Attacking them on this issue just as if you were rabid Obama supporters…
President Obama has done the same with the rest of his agenda, which is to support policy by groups that were out of power, like the global warming crowd so they become his attack dogs.
The different groups don’t necessarily buy the entire Obama agenda, but fight hard for their piece of it. That is how Pied Pipers work. They give those out of power what they want on their hot button issue and so they follow them.
As a side note, and I know this is a bit complicated to some here who only see the world in black and white, but I am for private development of space. But I am against President’s Obama’s policy because it will have the opposite effect of bringing the private firms in the government and NASA’s sphere and destroy any chance they would have to succeed at developing private (i.e. REAL commercial) space markets.
Look at Elon Musk in Washington, lobbying for NASA contracts like, while a government contractor, while Robert Bigelow is waiting for a spacelifter for his private space stations. Yes, Robert Bigelow has given up waiting for Elon Musk which is why he’s partnering with Boeing of all firms. Hopefully Boeing will stay the course with him and not also be derailed from developing a commercial HSF capability by NASA’s so called commercial space program.
As a side note, consider where computers would be today if the government had a “commercial personal computer program” in the 1970’s to encourage firms like Apple to develop commercial personal computers by offering to buy them for government agencies. Do you really think the industry would have developed as quickly or competitively as it did?
I know is hard for the new space industry to start thinking beyond the government for markets, but that is the only way it will develop a viable commercial HSF industry.
Apples and oranges, sir. IIRC Boeing has said that without government money the business case doesn’t close for commercial.
And that is why you are attacking Republicans who oppose it (and President Obama) as big spenders and folks who like pork.
If the targets in question are big spenders and folks who like pork, then yes, being objective is consistent with that position.
I know is hard for the new space industry to start thinking beyond the government for markets, but that is the only way it will develop a viable commercial HSF industry.
I’ve heard a dated phrase that seems appropriate here. “Teach your grandmother to suck eggs.” Now, perhaps this hasn’t happened to you, but some people have had their competence questioned for utterly trivial reasons. Say you were speaking of federal budgets ten years in the future and someone goes “But you haven’t considered inflation, have you!” even though the money figures are all in 2005 dollars.
Elon Musk, for example, has for many years been on record as saying that his company is not about taking in government grants. Just because he’s trying for government contracts now doesn’t mean that SpaceX’s history got erased.
And that is why you are attacking Republicans who oppose it (and President Obama) as big spenders and folks who like pork. Attacking them on this issue just as if you were rabid Obama supporters… – Written by a man voting for Harry Reid.
Obama quoted Ayn Rand? Let me guess: “Il Dufe” quoted Ellsworth Toohey from THE FOUNTAINHEAD and Wesley Mouch from ATLAS SHRUGGED, thinking he was quoting the good guys.
The rats that followed the Pied Piper drowned. The children were never seen again.
The fates of the Democ rats and Obama Girl?
Karl,
[[[I’ve heard a dated phrase that seems appropriate here. “Teach your grandmother to suck eggs.” Now, perhaps this hasn’t happened to you, but some people have had their competence questioned for utterly trivial reasons. Say you were speaking of federal budgets ten years in the future and someone goes “But you haven’t considered inflation, have you!” even though the money figures are all in 2005 dollars.]]]
This makes no sense. What does it have to do with space commerce pursuing commercial markets instead of government one?
[[[Elon Musk, for example, has for many years been on record as saying that his company is not about taking in government grants.]]]
He may say anything he wants, but he sure is first in line when the government is handing money out, for space or for the auto industry. Not to mention how fast he was to sue Kistler when they got NASA money he though he should have a chance to get.
GClark,
[[[Apples and oranges, sir. IIRC Boeing has said that without government money the business case doesn’t close for commercial.]]]
So New Space advocates basically mislead Robert Bigelow. He spent his money developing the destinations for New Space, but now New Space advocates are claiming there is no way they will support them without government funding.
Leland,
If you love Palin’s puppet so much why not move to Nevada and vote for her? Or donate money to her since she hasn’t been raising much in state.
Again, Nevadans know her which you don’t. That is why even the state Republican leaders are endorsing Senator Reid.
Akatsukami,
[[[The rats that followed the Pied Piper drowned. The children were never seen again.
The fates of the Democ rats and Obama Girl?]]]
And the New Space Advocates perhaps.
If you love Palin’s puppet so much why not move to Nevada and vote for her?
Do you have evidence to support this bullshit?
You’re the one complaining about Palin ruining the chances of the GOP taking over the Congress. You’re the one saying everyone else is complaining about Republicans. Yet, you’re the one announcing your vote for Harry Reid.
So, you’re arguing with yourself and blaming others. You need to deal with it.
now New Space advocates are claiming there is no way they will support them without government funding.
Boeing is a New Space advocate? Who knew?
Tom, do you ever think before you post? But then, I guess it doesn’t take much thought to come up with straw men.
Oh, and by the way, thanks for dragging the comments so far off topic, this time as a result of your NSD.
This makes no sense. What does it have to do with space commerce pursuing commercial markets instead of government one?
You gave near trivial advice to businesses and entrepreneurs that already know about commercial markets and have made public statements for years indicating that they already know about your advice.
He may say anything he wants, but he sure is first in line when the government is handing money out, for space or for the auto industry. Not to mention how fast he was to sue Kistler when they got NASA money he though he should have a chance to get.
So what if his approach isn’t pure enough for you? He’s also signed a big contract with Iridium. Not a sign of someone obsessively pursuing the federal dollar.
“Palin’s puppet”?! You ever notice how in the world of the State-fellators, nearly everyone who to any significant degree opposes their agenda is a “puppet” or “dupe”? Can I call Obama “Soros’ puppet”?
Rand,
[[[Boeing is a New Space advocate?]]]
So they are “old space” again?
[[[Oh, and by the way, thanks for dragging the comments so far off topic, this time as a result of your NSD.]]]
Just showing how Pied Pipers work….
Karl,
[[[So what if his approach isn’t pure enough for you? He’s also signed a big contract with Iridium. Not a sign of someone obsessively pursuing the federal dollar.]]]
But wasn’t the cry of New Space they didn’t need government subsidies, just for the government get out of the way. Now it seems they need them.
Leland,
[[[You’re the one complaining about Palin ruining the chances of the GOP taking over the Congress. You’re the one saying everyone else is complaining about Republicans. Yet, you’re the one announcing your vote for Harry Reid.]]]
Which is exactly how Palin is ruining it, by supporting fringe candidates so bad that Democrats look good by comparison, or at least rational.
But, to bring this back on topic, I guess she is the Pied Piper to the right just as President Obama is to the left. Sarah Palin at least is leading many of the folks here over the cliff with her tune 🙂
So they are “old space” again?
When were they ever not?
But wasn’t the cry of New Space they didn’t need government subsidies, just for the government get out of the way. Now it seems they need them.
No, they only need them if the government wants to use their services to close the gap sooner and more cost effectively than wasting time and money on government systems doomed to failure. The government needs New Space much more than New Space needs the government.
Along with what Rand wrote, the other issue is that government is not getting out of the way. They are remaining in competition.
The Fringe Puppet’s issues:
Repeal Obamacare
Tort Reform
Expand US energy sources including Oil and Natural Gas
Vote against tax and fee increases
Quit using Social Security money outside of Social Security
Support our troops and the war against terrorism
Improve TriCare
Secure the border and enforce current laws
Cut Spending
Reduce the National Debt
Protect individual property rights
Protect the rights guaranteed in the 2nd Amendment
Those are the first listed on the page. After that, I admit she starts moving away from popular view points…
Pass the Constitutional Protection of Marriage Act (Strong Republican position)
Pro-Life (Strong Republican position)
Let state and local governments run education (Strong Republican position)
Then there is that nutty McCain position, that I guess Matula supported in 2008 as a staunch Republican (so he claims) when he put up with voting for McCain despite picking Sarah Palin as a running mate:
Campaign Finance Reform (Incumbent Protection position)
I’m not following the Nevada race, because it is a Nevada race. But from what I know of the Republican platform; I’m trying to figure out where she’s a fringe person. Perhaps now that a list is provided for Matula; he can tell us which of the “puppets” issues he considers to be fringe.
So far, considering how upset Matula becomes when someone mentions Palin, Angle, or O’Donnell; I’m thinking when he means fringe, he really means they are women. Again, taking gender out of the issue, what from Angle’s position on the issues is fringe.
Rand Simberg,
[[[So they are “old space” again?
When were they ever not?]]]
When they were being pitched as the poster child for commercial crew.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rick-tumlinson/neil-armstrong—-right-s_b_537613.html
[[[he companies working on these systems are ahead of where the Constellation system was, and are doing it far more cheaply. Also, keep in mind these new kids on the block include some old kids.]]]
[[[But the proposed commercial carriers include Boeing and the Lockheed Martin, who aren’t exactly newborns when it comes to space systems.]]]
Leland,
No, you don’t follow it so you just believe want is on her sanitized website, probably built by her out-of-state staff. Which is why no one in Nevada believes a word of it.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/06/five-ways-harry-reid-might-att.html
[[[She is running a skeletal campaign almost completely reliant on volunteers and outside conservative activists working for national tea-party organizations.]]]
But as for the reasons Nevadans hate her….
[[[Yucca Mountain: Angle supports the permanent storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste in this cavernous mountain 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas.]]]
Yes, she wants to turn Nevada into the nation’s radioactive garbage dump. I guess an out-of-stater like you would be for that.
She also wants to build a couple of big coal power plants for California, again, destroying rural Nevada for the benefit of out-of-state interests. If California want power, let them build their own power plants, not trash Nevada. But again, I guess an out–of-stater like you would vote for trashing Nevada.
While cutting money for education in the state she wants to fund Scientology programs in the state’s prisons. Yes, use government money to promote a cult. The legislators voted 42-Angle on that nutty idea. She then lobbied the U.S. Senate on it and most here expect it will be the first bill she introduces if elected Senator.
That is why she has to go to a John Birch Society sponsored event in Utah to raise funds and campaign, she is not welcomed in Nevada.
Example, a forum in Las Vegas this weekend.
http://www.thepoliticalcarnival.net/2010/09/if-sharron-angle-thought-a-forum-hosted-by-christian-groups-would-provide-her-with-a-friendly-audience-she-was-wrong/
[[[If Sharron Angle thought a forum hosted by Christian groups would provide her with a friendly audience, she was wrong.
The Republican U.S. Senate candidate got booed, heckled, mocked and interrupted during an hour-long question-and-answer session at Faith Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School in Las Vegas.]]]
And these are the folks that normally vote Republican here.
[[[But Angle looked nervous and flustered by the rowdy crowd. She stumbled on her words and looked down at the stage.
As Angle was leaving, she completely ignored a woman’s question about her mocking maternity coverage and health care for those with autism.
True to form.
It must be difficult to respond to a legitimate question when you are completely in the wrong and realize you’d only embarrass yourself.]]]
Sorry, Sharron Angle is seen a local nut case and out-of-state puppet which is why she tied with Senator Reid. Its just a question of which one Nevadan’s dislikes the most.
Meanwhile in the Governor’s race a legitimate Republican has a double digit lead over Senator Reid’s son. The question is not if the Republican will win for Governor, but if his margin will be in the teens or twenties over him. On recent poll showed a 31% margin. That would have been the current state in the Senate race if out-of-state interests didn’t use a divided primary to push their puppet on the state.
So no, you don’t understand the local issues, nor do you seem to care about Nevada just as long as you get what you want out of the election.
BTW I only put a couple hyperlinks so this doesn’t get hung up in moderation. But if you want to know why Nevada is rejecting her, this is why. At least Senator Reid respects the state and its lifestyle.
Geez Matula; couldn’t put the next paragraph from the Las Vegas Sun story?
If Sharron Angle thought a forum hosted by Christian groups would provide her with a friendly audience, she was wrong.
The Republican U.S. Senate candidate got booed, heckled, mocked and interrupted during an hour-long question-and-answer session at Faith Lutheran Jr./Sr. High School in Las Vegas.
So did Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. But he wasn’t there to hear it.
Harry Reid didn’t even participate live. He was, what’s the phrase? Out-of-State. And he got heckled just the same.
As Angle was leaving, she completely ignored a woman’s question
Again, Harry Reid wasn’t even there. But again, you decided not to give the context from the article:
Giant screens warned, “NO questions from the audience or the media allowed.”
Finally, also from the story:
Angle earned the biggest cheers when she said there’s nothing wrong with the health care system.
“We have the finest health care system in the world,” Angle said, noting that the problem is the cost, which “Obamacare” doesn’t address.
But hey, we know you’re a Reid supporter, so I’m sure you are happy with his vote for Obamacare, as long as he doesn’t support building more power plants.
But wasn’t the cry of New Space they didn’t need government subsidies, just for the government get out of the way. Now it seems they need them.
So what does that have to do with your original complaint that new space needs “to start thinking beyond the government for markets”? For example, just because SpaceX finds federal dollars useful now, perhaps even needed now, doesn’t mean that their previous history got magically unwritten. I think what you said above is a legitimate complaint, but that you have extended it to an illegitimate one of claiming that new space companies haven’t “started” to think about the problem of finding commercial markets, even though that is the place where many of them started from.
The thing to remember here is that by measures of spending and GDP, the US government spending covers something like 25-50% of all spending worldwide in space. They’re the number one customer by far. Even if down the not very distant road, there’s a huge commercial market, it still remains that this commercial market isn’t here yet. While SpaceX isn’t breaking new ground here with the US government, aside from possibly offering cheaper services than its competitors and relying mostly on fixed cost contracts, it’s still an opportunity for new space companies to build themselves while waiting for the new commercial markets to appear.
Leland Says:,
The discussion was about Sharron Angle. Also as I stated…
[[[why she tied with Senator Reid. Its just a question of which one Nevadan’s dislikes the most. ]]]
And yes, Senator Reid was not there, he was in Washington, working, since Congress was in session. That is why her folks set up this event at this time in a location and under conditions they thought would benefit her. But even under ideal conditions, under the rigid terms her out-of-state handlers demand, she gets this type of reception in Nevada.
The big question everyone in Nevada has now is if she will go through with the debate on October 14 when Congress is in recess and Senator Reid is able to actually be here.
She has already backed out of one debate at the last minute.
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2010/09/sharron-angle-cancels-debate-i.html
Sharron Angle cancels debate, infuriates reporter
[[[Sharron Angle’s last-minute decision to pull out of a planned debate has angered long-time Nevada political journalist Jon Ralston.
“Earlier today, Sharron Angle’s campaign agreed to accept our invitation to debate Harry Reid on ‘Face to Face’ in an hour-long live broadcast from Reno on October 21st. Within hours of Reid accepting, Angle’s campaign called to say, well, it’s backing out now,” Ralston said on the local news show “Face to Face” Thursday. He then played a clip of Angle saying she would like to have a debate on the show with Reid.
“I thought I had seen it all in this campaign. I guess not,” Ralson continued. “I had agreement from Angle’s deputy campaign manager for this debate, but soon after we announced Reid had agreed to the date and place, her campaign spokesman called to say there was no agreement. I’m not making this up, folks. A campaign spokesman overrules a deputy campaign manager? I really don’t understand the hierarchy in that campaign.”]]]
But then as you said, you don’t understand Nevada politics and only know Sharron Angle from the sanitized image shown on the national conservative media. So here is a primer on it from a Californian paper.
http://www.mercurynews.com/columns/ci_16147227?nclick_check=1
[[[You see, Reid, a Democrat, is the current Senate majority leader — and Nevada’s highest ranking politician ever. Yet there are signs all over the Silver State pleading, “Elect Anyone BUTT Harry Reid.”
BUTT Angle, a Republican, is wackier than any politician in California — or anywhere else.
She sought to eliminate the federal Department of Education, then retracted her position. She would phase out Social Security, and she attacked the unemployed during this recession as “spoiled.” She would have the U.S. withdraw from the United Nations, and she’s convinced that President Barack Obama is espousing socialism.
She favors privatization of Medicare and doesn’t think there is global warming. She is against same-sex marriage and abortion, saying she thinks that an abortion can cause breast cancer. She opposes legalizing marijuana, and is just as negative about alcohol, though she isn’t seeking to bring back Prohibition. She promotes Scientology, but not fluoridating drinking water.
Even weirder, she spoke last weekend at a Salt Lake City event sponsored, in part, by the John Birch Society. She asked those gathered to help her “take out” Reid — nice choice of words — and called the tea party movement — and equally right-wing Birchers? — “mainstream America.” Oh, boy.
Currently, she’s slightly ahead of Reid in the polls. If elected, she would make Nevada the laughingstock of the country.
One distinct difference between California and Nevada: We would never elect a dingbat like Sharron Angle.
Dave Newhouse’s columns appear Monday, Thursday and Sunday, usually on the Local page. Know any Good Neighbors? Phone 510-208-6466 or e-mail dnewhouse@bayareanewsgroup.com.]]]
As I noted, she is someone only the Palin wing of the Republican party would love.
Karl,
[[[The thing to remember here is that by measures of spending and GDP, the US government spending covers something like 25-50% of all spending worldwide in space.]]]
Actually the most recent figures are here.
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE63B40C20100412
Global space business grew 7 percent to $262 billion in 2009
By Andrea Shalal-Esa
WASHINGTON | Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:06pm EDT
[[[WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The global space business grew to $261.6 billion in 2009, expanding 7 percent from 2008 and 40 percent over the past five years at a time when other industries were slammed by recession, according to a report released Monday by the nonprofit Space Foundation.]]]
And space commerce already account for a huge percentage. Its only for HSF that NASA spending dominates.
Also you stated U.S. government spending, but I was referring to the constant focus of New Space on NASA HSF. As noted, NASA is not even the majority of U.S. government spending on space.
[[U.S. government space spending increased 11 percent to $64.42 billion in 2009, boosted in part by $1.23 billion in stimulus spending directed toward space activities.]]]
The key, and weakness, of New Space is its focus on HSF. I know for example that in sub-orbital flight the real commercial potential is for the Science, Research and Education (SRE) market, far more then for sub-orbital tourism. Yet New Space is just focused on the latter and not the former.
Case in point was Spaceshipone. Although handicapped by requiring a pilot it was sell suited to serving the SRE market. But was it used to pioneer those markets? No. Instead it was dumped in a museum and VG went chasing after a monster craft (SS2) its still flight testing.
Now granted, since it won the X-Prize SS1 probably belonged in a museum, but that shouldn’t have stopped Scaled from building a few more units to serve the SRE markets. But they just ignored them and went chasing after the most difficult, expensive and volatile market of all, tourists. Really, the sums of the basic problem with New Space. Its not about space commerce, if about finding ways to make money sending humans into space. That is what makes New Space more of a “religion” then a rational industry. Its also what keeps holding it back from both investment funding and escape from the need for government funding.
Thomas,
Also you stated U.S. government spending, but I was referring to the constant focus of New Space on NASA HSF. As noted, NASA is not even the majority of U.S. government spending on space.
None of the new space companies you have mentioned so far, such as SpaceX, Scaled Composites, and Virgin Galactic, have a constant focus on NASA.
The key, and weakness, of New Space is its focus on HSF. I know for example that in sub-orbital flight the real commercial potential is for the Science, Research and Education (SRE) market, far more then for sub-orbital tourism. Yet New Space is just focused on the latter and not the former.
Given that NASA is not in the suborbital tourism market, this is a different focus than the one above. Second, scientists are notorious for being difficult customers (not to mention unreliable long term business due to the quirks of how they are funded). It’s far easier for the launch provider to have the scientists adapt their experiment to the launch vehicle rather than attempt to adapt a science oriented vehicle to space tourism.
Case in point was Spaceshipone. Although handicapped by requiring a pilot it was sell suited to serving the SRE market. But was it used to pioneer those markets? No. Instead it was dumped in a museum and VG went chasing after a monster craft (SS2) its still flight testing.
Spaceshipone had very dangerous handling problems that may not have been worth VG’s money to fix. And the vehicle was not intended nor very useful for tourist applications (it doesn’t carry many people for one thing). SS2 is behind schedule, but not seriously so. It’s expected to be flight tested through the end of the year.
But they just ignored them and went chasing after the most difficult, expensive and volatile market of all, tourists.
As I indicate above, I don’t believe that tourism is that difficult, expensive, or volatile compared to SRE. But given that there’s a lot of people, it’ll eventually be a huge market, unlike SRE.
Since I’m on a roll here, I should point out that neither Scaled Composites nor Virgin Galactic’s business models are helped if a SS1-based SRE flight fails with loss of life. Given the risks and the paltry return, it’s not a surprise that they aren’t considering SS1-based SRE missions. We can call this decision a “religious” one, but I think it’s pretty rational when you look at it.
Karl,
Yes, pass up a billion dollar plus annual market to protect one that may be worth only a few hundred million a year at most. That makes sense.
Also what is going to kill your business model more? A crash with only a daring rocket pilot on board, or one with a bunch of celebrity tourists?
Yes, pass up a billion dollar plus annual market to protect one that may be worth only a few hundred million a year at most. That makes sense.
SS1 wouldn’t do more than to slightly touch that market. And I don’t buy that the SRE market is larger than the space tourism market. At least with space tourism we know there’s a lot of people who want to go into space.
Also what is going to kill your business model more? A crash with only a daring rocket pilot on board, or one with a bunch of celebrity tourists?
A crash with a daring rocket pilot on board. Because it means you wasted your resources on a diversion and got the bad publicity of a crash. Keep in mind also that the crash of the SS1 is more likely.
Thomas, one of these days you’re going to have to take off those glasses with the spinning spirals. The more you talk about Angle the more I like her positions even as you attempt to paint them as wacko, let’s just take one…
Angle supports the permanent storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste in this cavernous mountain 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas
You’d probably support shooting it off into the sun, which is one of the nuttiest ideas there ever was.
Humanity has to get over this ‘radiation is sooo scary’ and realize it’s just what it is… useful and necessary for life. Ten feet of dirt will handle most radiation pretty well so putting it under a mountain sound like a good plan. 100 miles away? They could put it right in Vegas if they had a seismically safe place for it or even if not.
When Nevadans here her full quotes rather than the snippets Reid sent out, they have been moving in her direction. You do realize that voting for Reid destroys any credibility you might otherwise have, don’t you?
Saying that some other candidate would be far ahead of Reid misses a very important point… the go along, to get alongs are the problem we need to fix. The people only having a choice between the democrats and the RINOs are no choice at all. Angle will finally represent them. Your slander, strawmen and imputing of motives are just stupid.
Not to mention, if one day we decide that radioactive waste has other good uses, having it handy will look like genius. How are we ever going to become spacefaring if we don’t deal with radioactivity?
Karl,
[[[SS1 wouldn’t do more than to slightly touch that market. And I don’t buy that the SRE market is larger than the space tourism market.]]]
I suggest you do some market research. It usually shocks folks to find out just how much is spent annually on sub-orbital SRE activities a year. The numbers are buried and you do need to dig a bit, but it makes even the most optimistic sub-orbital tourist estimates pale in comparison. And its a lot cheaper to serve. And they are looking for cheaper alternatives – the demand curve is very elastic in contrast to suborbital tourism.
[[[A crash with a daring rocket pilot on board. Because it means you wasted your resources on a diversion and got the bad publicity of a crash.]]]
The longer New Space thinks SRE is a diversion the longer it will take to build a viable sub-orbital industry. The focus on sub-orbital tourism is perhaps the greatest tragedy of the X-Prize. Tourists are a very fickle market, especially at the high price range. The other tragedy of the X-Prize was to focus on spacecraft with pilots. The SRE markets don’t really need spacecraft with pilots. Low cost reusability is the key to the SRE market, the pilot is just excessive baggage and complexity, which again is why I suspect the HSF focused New Space folks ignore it.
The longer New Space thinks SRE is a diversion the longer it will take to build a viable sub-orbital industry.
Tom, what kind of drugs create these fantasies about what “New Space” thinks? Is “New Space” your version of Mark Whittington’s imaginary “Internet Rocketeer Club”?
Ken Anthony,
[[[Angle supports the permanent storage of highly radioactive nuclear waste in this cavernous mountain 100 miles northwest of Las Vegas]]]
[[[Humanity has to get over this ‘radiation is sooo scary’ and realize it’s just what it is… useful and necessary for life. Ten feet of dirt will handle most radiation pretty well so putting it under a mountain sound like a good plan.]]]
Hmmm, the usual black and white approach I see. I worked around radioactive material when I was at N.M. Tech so I understand exactly what it is. And have no fear of it, just the respect necessary to handle it safely. Have you worked around it?
The reason I am against the idea of burying it is different then most. The reason is that in perhaps a generation or so at the latest the technology will exist for transforming it into useful isotopes, or a least ones that are not as radioactive. The theory is sound, its the application of it that is being worked one. And yes, advances in nano technology will likely be part of the solution.
That is why it makes little sense to spend billions to bury it where its safe for “thousands of years” and then spend billions more to dig it up again for transmutation in 25-30 years. Plus now you also have to pay to clean up the dirt and storage units you buried it in. Nuclear storage in places like Yucca Mountain may have made sense 40 years ago, but its a out-dated solution to the problem. The least expensive and most practical is to just leave the stuff where its been sitting safely for the last 40-50 years for another 20-30 and then process it on site.
BTW here is a background sheet on one proposal for it.
http://www.science.doe.gov/np/homeland/posters/TunlHowellTrans.pdf
As a side note, in the 1950’s the solution was to dump radioactive wastes at sea. Now one of the challenges is finding those old dump sites and recovering the material, at great expense. We should learn from history.
Of course most folks, like you, don’t understand where the research is going, or fear radioactive materials are, which is why they are so against turning the state into the nation’s radioactive dump site. To me its an out-of-date solution that wastes billions of taxpayer dollars that could be put to better uses. To others it is irrational fear. So yes, it a major negative against Sharron Angle, one that shows she is out of touch with Nevada and one of the things folks feel that Senator Reid did right, stopping Yucca Mountain.
Rand Simberg,
So there is no New Space? or has it worn out the use of that term as well…
I see you’re avoiding the question. I’ll try again. You wrote:
The longer New Space thinks SRE is a diversion the longer it will take to build a viable sub-orbital industry.
Why do you think that “New Space” whatever it is, thinks this? Are you unaware of the CRuSR program and “New Space” enthusiasm for it? Are you unaware of Masten Space Systems?
I suggest you do some market research. It usually shocks folks to find out just how much is spent annually on sub-orbital SRE activities a year.
According to this Department of Commerce report, the majority of suborbital research conducted by the US (including private sources as I understand it) is done by a NASA program, the NASA Sounding Rocket Program Office, which has a budget around $30-40 million a year. We seem to be at least an order of magnitude shy. Where’s your estimates coming from?
I should have clarified that previous post. The US spends a lot more than that on suborbital, but this is the part that would be considered “SRE”.
Rand,
[[[Why do you think that “New Space” whatever it is, thinks this? Are you unaware of the CRuSR program and “New Space” enthusiasm for it? Are you unaware of Masten Space Systems?]]]
Yes, finally, after decades of neglecting those markets to chase after tourists. And only because VG is being so slow to ramp up.
Karl Hallowell,
[[[According to this Department of Commerce report, the majority of suborbital research conducted by the US (including private sources as I understand it) is done by a NASA program, the NASA Sounding Rocket Program Office, which has a budget around $30-40 million a year.]]]
Once again, focused on NASA. Its a global market, and extends well beyond NASA.
Yes, finally, after decades of neglecting those markets to chase after tourists.
I will take that to be an agreement with me that your comment was utter nonsense.