Politics of space funding

Janet, I do enjoy reading about many different topics, especially ones pertaining to space exploration, colonization and settlement. However from my own experience, not every related topic must be discussed inorder to solve a single problem. We could go into discussing what car Boeing's employees should all drive to save money, so that Boeing can sell slightly less expensive launch vehicles. However that is obviously not of immediate conscern to getting humanity into space, so I don't see that as being required discussion for a group like this. I don't consider anything off limit to discussion, but many things would be out of place for the -spacesettlers- yahoo group.

This group isn't here to discuss the betterment of humanity in general, but to help get humanity into space on a long-term baisis.

I hope that doesen't sound harsh, I'm not trying to be. I do enjoy reading the posts of everyone here on this list (well those who actually post of course).

Sincerly
-Michael P.

janet_baker76 wrote: One more small thing: Xenophile wrote, "What I don't care for is an
argument about who has the "best" political philosophy or the "best"
religion. If Jesus, Mohammad, and Buddha know how to get launch
costs down, then great, somebody quote me the chapter and verse."

The only reason to discuss religion/philosophy at all is to
determine if and how these disciplines can help (or hinder)mankind.
To discuss which one is "best" at that is as valid as to discuss
which launch procedures are best, or which solar collectors are
best, or any other question.

It is to be appreciated that these discussions can get ugly, but
every discussion of worth has that possibility, and always has. You
gotta run the race as if you wanted to win it, or you might as well
get out. That goes for every question that has bearing on our
future. You can't declare some of it off limits unless you want to
argue first, and win it,too, that the question of "does one religion
or another foster or hinder our quest toward the conquest of space"
is useless to our goals. You haven't won that argument at all, and
it is unscientific as well as illiberal in the classic sense to
simply declare some issues off limits.

Jan