Using Disaster

Stan Shannon

The Earth first argument against space exploration is pathetically stupid. To wait until every child on the planet is fat and happy before we can go exploring is to say that we will never go exploring because every child will never be fat and happy. Still, I think the U.S. does need to totally rethink its objectives in space. As long as the government is running the space program it will probably continue to be a waste of money and lives. Private coorporations wishing to exploit and develope space based resources should be given sufficient tax incentives for doing so. If there are sound fiscal reasons for putting people into space, than private companies should assume the risks. If those 7 gallent public employees aboard Columbia had just been so many capitalists pigs coming back after raping the moon, nobody would have cared or noticed their deaths. Government sponsered space exploration will always be done for the wrong reasons. For example, to even consider sending people to Mars before we have established a functional lunar colony is ludicrous. Yet, the government would do that just to leave a foot print and a flag. For the expense we have poured into that stupid "space station" we could have already had people permanently on the moon. So I guess I come down on the defund NASA side, but I'm not at all "anti-spacer". I hope they defund it soon and let private enterprise take us into the next frontier. "Any clod can have the facts, but having opinions is an art." Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle

Anna Jayne Metcalfe

I don't blame you one bit for feeling that way Paul. :rose: I'd have told her what I thought of her. ;) Anna :rose: www.annasplace.me.uk

"Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia Graesch

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Stan Shannon

Konstantin Vasserman wrote: I am in Ohio Which part? I live in Indiana and have found it to be about the most religious place I have ever lived, and that includes Oklahoma, Alabama and Utah. I doubt Ohio would be much different. I thought Bush gave an appropriate speech. However, I can't help but be amused at how the press goes on about it. It wasn't that good. Although I'm not overtly religious, I don't have a problem with religion myself. I wouldn't think any seriously non-religious person would find the U.S. a comfortable place to live. Although I suppose its more comfortable than the former Soviet Union, antheism or not, eh? "Any clod can have the facts, but having opinions is an art." Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle

Konstantin Vasserman

Stan Shannon wrote: Which part? Cincinnati area. Stan Shannon wrote: I live in Indiana and have found it to be about the most religious place I have ever lived, and that includes Oklahoma, Alabama and Utah. I doubt Ohio would be much different. I haven't lived in other states for long periods of time, but from what I hear from others you are correct and Ohio and Indiana are about the same as far as religion concern. Stan Shannon wrote: I wouldn't think any seriously non-religious person would find the U.S. a comfortable place to live. Although I suppose its more comfortable than the former Soviet Union, antheism or not, eh? It all depends on what you are looking for. Personal belief or lack thereof were not one of the decisive factors for my move.

Stan Shannon

Konstantin Vasserman wrote: Cincinnati area. How is Cincinnati work wise? I live just up the road near Muncie, IN. I'm currently doing some contract work in the Knoxville, TN area, so I drive through Cincinnati on a regular basis (tomorrow, in fact). I've tried to land contract work in Cincinnati but haven't had much luck with it. If you don't like religion, you probably could not have picked a worse place to live. I've found that Southern fundamentalism blends into Northern puritanism in this area. Of the two, I'd take Southern fundamentalism anyday. Those damn puritans just can't take a joke. "Any clod can have the facts, but having opinions is an art." Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle

Konstantin Vasserman

Stan Shannon wrote: How is Cincinnati work wise? As far as I can tell, it is as bad as the rest of the country. There is no ads in news papers, for every ad we place there are hundreds of responses and so on. Stan Shannon wrote: I drive through Cincinnati on a regular basis I guess, I need to be careful and try not to piss you off here in the forums... :) Stan Shannon wrote: I've tried to land contract work in Cincinnati but haven't had much luck with it. Yes. It is tough finding work right now for small companies as well as for independent consultants. Stan Shannon wrote: If you don't like religion, you probably could not have picked a worse place to live. It could very well be. Stan Shannon wrote: I've found that Southern fundamentalism blends into Northern puritanism in this area. I am just trying to steer clear from all of them as much as I can.

Jorgen Sigvardsson

ROFLMAO! :laugh: -- Ignorant people upsets me.

Stan Shannon

Konstantin Vasserman wrote: As far as I can tell, it is as bad as the rest of the country. There is no ads in news papers, for every ad we place there are hundreds of responses and so on. Ohio is a hot bed of technology compared to Indiana. Moving here was a big mistake for me, but my wife and kids are happy, so I quess thats something. I've actually been finding more work than I expected when I quit my last job in disgust. I'm just not finding it in this area. I would like to finish out my career as an independent consultant. If that doesn't pan out though, I'll be just as happy to work at WalMart. Konstantin Vasserman wrote: I guess, I need to be careful and try not to piss you off here in the forums... I always take the 275 bypass around the South end of town, so you're probably safe enough. Besides, you would need to be up early. I'm usually clear of there by 5:00 a.m. Konstantin Vasserman wrote: I am just trying to steer clear from all of them as much as I can. I grew up in this environment, so I find all the religion to be highly amusing. As a kid, I used to make all the bible thumpers mad by argueing with them about evolution. They took it well enough, but it was always a real hoot for me. Believe it or not, back in my hometown, I'm considered to be quite the liberal renegade. :) "Any clod can have the facts, but having opinions is an art." Charles McCabe, San Francisco Chronicle

Jorgen Sigvardsson

Stan Shannon wrote: For example, to even consider sending people to Mars before we have established a functional lunar colony is ludicrous It all depends on what the goal is. If finding life or evidence of previous life is the main goal, then going to Mars is of higher priority. To me, the thought of finding evidence of extraterrestial life is exhilarating. Colonizing the moon isn't that shabby either, but there's not much magic in it. Stan Shannon wrote: For the expense we have poured into that stupid "space station" we could have already had people permanently on the moon. Really? I disagree. There are several factors which makes it a lot harder to build a lunar station than an orbital station. First of all, the distance to the moon (approx 240,000 mi) compared to the distance to ISS (between 210 and 250 mi) is much bigger. The climate of the moon is also a tough cookie - you'd be in total darkness and utter coldness (-338F/-205C) for two weeks give or take a few days. We're not ready for a lunar station just yet - at least not economically. Stan Shannon wrote: I hope they defund it soon and let private enterprise take us into the next frontier. That would be excellent. But I doubt it'll happen this first half of the century, unless they find a cheap and reasonably safe way to fly into space. Otherwise, there won't be much profit in it. And giving space exploring companies tax breaks won't do it I think. The difference between 30 billion dollars and 20 billion dollars is 10 billion dollars, but all figures are extremely high! I think the government would not only have to give tax breaks, they'd have to subsidize. (Note, these figures are made up. I have no idea what it would cost to go to the moon and build something there). I think it would be far best if we could all just stop killing eachother and explore the heavens together. But that's just wishful thinking/dreaming. :| -- Ignorant people upsets me.

Marc Clifton

I always wanted to create a website on the lines of "what do you think about...", where you could put whatever your thoughts were regarding someone else--your idiot boss, your cheating spouse, your wonderful friend, etc. Wouldn't it be great to do this with somebody like this? Put an RSS feed on the thing, and think of the entertainment value alone! Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka
Microsoft deliberately adds arbitrary layers of complexity to make it difficult to deliver Windows features on non-Windows platforms--Microsoft's "Halloween files"

Konstantin Vasserman

Stan Shannon wrote: I would like to finish out my career as an independent consultant. I don't have the guts to go independent. Well, actually at this point I don't really have the need ether. :) Stan Shannon wrote: I'm usually clear of there by 5:00 a.m. That is very early.

Roger Wright

Absolutely, especially if we could name names!:-D Nobody wants to read a diary by someone who has not seen the shadow of Bubba on the prison shower wall in front of them!
Paul Watson, on BLOGS and privacy - 1/16/2003

Stan Shannon

Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: I think it would be far best if we could all just stop killing eachother and explore the heavens together. But that's just wishful thinking/dreaming I find it exhilarating also. But even I could find cheaper ways to be exhilerated. If there ultimately is no profitable use of space, we will never go. Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: Really? I disagree. There are several factors which makes it a lot harder to build a lunar station than an orbital station. First of all, the distance to the moon (approx 240,000 mi) compared to the distance to ISS (between 210 and 250 mi) is much bigger. The climate of the moon is also a tough cookie - you'd be in total darkness and utter coldness (-338F/-205C) for two weeks give or take a few days. We're not ready for a lunar station just yet - at least not economically. But it would still be a far more practical goal compared to a Mars mission. This would be especially true if there turns out to be significant ice deposits at the poles. That could be converted into fuel which would make a lunar outpost more eonomically practical than a low orbit station. The large amounts of Helium3 available on the moon could make nuclear fusion a more practical possiblity also. Other materials on the moon would provide building materials for trully significant L5 stations. Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: That would be excellent. But I doubt it'll happen this first half of the century, unless they find a cheap and reasonably safe way to fly into space. Otherwise, there won't be much profit in it. And giving space exploring companies tax breaks won't do it I think. The difference between 30 billion dollars and 20 billion dollars is 10 billion dollars, but all figures are extremely high! I think the government would not only have to give tax breaks, they'd have to subsidize. (Note, these figures are made up. I have no idea what it would cost to go to the moon and build something there). Obviously, companies would have to unite their resources. They would also have to be given inducements for their effort beyond just tax breaks. Private opwnership of space resources would have to be part of the bargain, so it would take international coorporation. Jörgen Sigvardsson wrote: To me, the thought of finding evidence of extraterrestial life is exhilarating. Colonizing the moon isn't that shabby either, but there's not much magic in it. Agr

Rohit Sinha

Paul Watson wrote: I don't hit women When it comes to hitting, I don't make a distinction between men and women. :) I don't hit anyone. Try not to, atleast, and so far I have been successful, ever since I grew up. To me, when a person hits another person, it means he/she has lost control. Glad to see you were able to keep yourself in control. But when/if I do lose control, I won't see if it's a man or a woman. I'll go for it. It takes all kinds, remember, so just smile, shurg, growl, do whatever it takes, and then move on. :)
Regards,

Rohit Sinha

Paul Watson

Rohit Sinha wrote: When it comes to hitting, I don't make a distinction between men and women. I get your point, it is logical. But I have been brought up not to ever hit a woman, it is just not cricket. I once threw a ball at my sisters head, but I was 12 and she was running around the garden yelling that I threw like a girl. :rolleyes:

Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South Africa

Roger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!

Rohit Sinha

Paul Watson wrote: But I have been brought up not to ever hit a woman, it is just not cricket. Me too. But what I meant was, I don't hit anybody, man or woman. :)
Regards,

Rohit Sinha

Character is like a tree, and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing.
- Abraham Lincoln

The whole world steps aside for the man who knows where he is going.
- Anonymous

ColinDavies

Michael A. Barnhart wrote: NASA has actually made more revenue for the US than it cost. I agree. But its difficult to really calculate what the output has been and easy to calculate what the input is. It's similar to tertiary (or any) education programs. You can easily see what they cost but the returns are impossible to see. Regardz Colin J Davies

Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin

I'm guessing the concept of a 2 hour movie showing two guys eating a meal and talking struck them as 'foreign' Rob Manderson wrote:

Megan Forbes

On a similar note - I heard on the news this morning that some website was shut down late last night for selling pieces of the shuttle over the internet X| Sick world.

A pack of geeks, pale and skinny, feeling a bit pumped and macho after a morning of strenuous mouse clicking and dragging, arriving en masse at the gym. They carefully reset the machines to the lowest settings, offer to spot for each other on the 5 lb dumbells, and rediscover the art of macrame while attempting to jump rope. -Roger Wright on my colleagues and I going to gym each day at lunch

Marc Clifton

Absolutely, especially if we could name names Why not? Get sued for defamation of character, or something like that? The posters would be anonymous. Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka Muraoka
Microsoft deliberately adds arbitrary layers of complexity to make it difficult to deliver Windows features on non-Windows platforms--Microsoft's "Halloween files"

David Wulff

Rob Graham wrote: Stupidity Transmitted Disease? Children? :suss:

David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk