Let's Play Politics

> Okay, so none of you are willing to do much to help out with my idea
> of getting environmental groups involved in promoting space-based
> energy sources.

I would love to help with something like this, and think that it is a
good idea. I simply don't have the knolege, skills, or connections to
be anything more than a cheerleader. But please accept my "Rah! Rah!
Rah!!"

I don't think it is wise to simply assume that environmentalists are
EEEEEEEEVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLL and must be disregarded. It would
be good to make them decide which is most important: protecting the
environment or opposing technology. This could help to make it clear
who the real environmentalists are.

> How about this: our President (and I use the term with regret) has
> established this damn fool goal of a Mars landing.

A manned Lunar base AND a Mars landing.

> Perhaps the candidates in the next Presidential election--who, as we
> know, will start coming out of the woodwork and campaigning as early
> as later this year--

Democrats and Republicans alike. Term limits and all of that.

> could be persuaded that a different space strategy would pay more
> dividends for the planet we live on.
>
> I, at least, would like to try. In order to do so, I will need help
> from you technical brains in assembling a persuasive case. Let's
> start with the following: does anyone have a reasonable ballpark
> estimate of what the Mars trip will cost? And over how many years?
> What is the likely cost, and the likely time frame, if our
> government were to commit to developing space-based solar energy
> satellites? Could the latter be substituted for the former?

Good questions. Exactly the thing that I would be hopelessly inept in
working on.

> Something tells me that, if the numbers look good, John Edwards or
> Barack Obama or whoever else emerges in the Democratic race might be
> willing to listen. I have good contacts in the political world, and
> would be happy to be the face-to-face contact, but I will need help
> in getting to that point. Any takers?

Al Gore is a techno-geek, and also big on the environment. He's also
outspoken. Perhaps he would be a good one to talk to about this. He
may or may not run. But I don't know him, and wouldn't know how to
make a persuasive case to him (or anybody else).