Politics of space funding

--- In spacesettlers, "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.

There are groups for that. I feel that this is not one of them, but
see below.

> 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.

Except, of course, that this group is about space and living in space
and what is needed to accomplish that. Since many religions have
demonstrated a capacity for technological living (consider Rome, Salt
Lake City, Dubai, and Tokyo), it seems to me that a discussion of
whether Paul of Tarsus, Joseph Smith, Mohammad, or Buddha has the best
understanding of the Divine is irrelevant FOR THIS GROUP. That
doesn't mean it isn't splendidly irrelevant somewhere else. But here,
I can't see any difference between that and discussing which was the
best James Bond movie. It doesn't make any difference... here. But
see below.

> 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.

I don't care to win or lose this particular race HERE. I can't see
any purpose to running this particular race HERE. But see below.

> 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.

This is the "below" I've been asking you to see in this post.

OK, look, I twisted my ankle and have been cooped up in this little
apartment for most of two weeks. I'm a little stir crazy, and when
the Godtalk and political stuff set me off, well, it REALLY set me
off, more than it usually would. I realize that I am not the owner
nor the moderator of this group (nor do I wish to be), therefore it
isn't my call what is or is not "off limits" (nor should it be).
So if I was a bit over the top, I'm sorry. I'm not taking back any of
the content, but I'm sorry if I acted like somehow it was my place to
tell people what they could talk about. It isn't.