Regarding NASA, Poverty and the beauty of rethinking an idea

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

Yesterday a thread began about the finding of a shallow sea bed on Mars. The subject line of the post read "NASA: evidence of shallow sea on Mars"

The subject of my reply was "ME: evidence of starving people in my town" and the body was "who gives a FUCK about Mars?"

Apparently a lot of people do. Three things happened then.

First - after shooting off my mouth, without really thinking, it kind of occurred to me that, if I see a starving person in my town, why don't I help them instead of cursing the money that goes to NASA. The gist of my thinking seemed deeply flawed. Simultaneously the second thing happened - people posted that instead of criticizing a program that does benefit humanity through scientific research I should look towards the failed policies of the Bush admin. and the bloated Pentagon budget, among many other societal ills.

Thirdly - after getting off work and going home I saw my latest copy of The Catholic Worker in my mailbox. I read a quick verse form essay about personal sacrifice. Now my musing after the initial blowback from my profane post had set me almost subconsciously thinking in this manner. In other words I was primed to take in this essay's message. It spoke about how in the 1st century of the church (this is not a thread about Christianity) the poor were fed and clothed at a great personal sacrifice to the alms giver. The Pagans saw this and it made a great impression on them. Now the poor are clothed and fed more through tax based programs and less on direct personal sacrifice.

This was exactly the thought that had hit me right after I hit the reply button with my post about starving people in my town. Why am I concerned about where the tax money is and isn't going when I could do something directly and personally, even if it is a personal sacrifice? Was the personal sacrifice something I didn't want to do? Was that the REAL issue in my post?

I in no way feel that we shouldn't use our tax money to improve society. Quite the contrary, I feel we need to look at the lopsided Federal budget and reassess our priorities as a Nation and as a Society. I also feel that this administration, so chock full of so called Christians, need to run this essay over their hearts and see where their consciences lie.

I am glad to have a forum in DU that allows me to have an impulse, be given an opposing viewpoint, and be free to have a change of thought and heart.

Thanks for indulging my long winded musings!

[trotsky]

1. Don't think your gut reaction has no place.

A reasonable investment in space exploration does provide benefits, but like everything, moderation is the key. *'s half-cocked plans for a moon base, and the literally astronomical costs involved, would put such a strain on the budget that more people would probably starve.

I'm a space nut, to be sure, but it's possible to overdo it when we have lots of problems down here yet to solve.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

2. I agree 100%

I think that alot of the Bush bullshit about Moonbases and Mars bases and such was the initial fuel for my outburst

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

5. I think I'm also really touchy about any distraction

or anything I see as a possible distraction. However, that's probably misguided here. The people here are intelligent enough to find the truth in this biased media landscape, keep their eye on the prize AND have interests in the scientific world. The average cubicle joskey doesn't seem to be interested enough to dig deeper that a fox news blurb while they're waiting for a sports highlight show.

[papau]

3. Moderation is the key - and congrats - you may be the first person on DU

to change their opinion on anything - at least based on a conversation on DU!

:-)

:-)

:toast:

:-)

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

4. LOL - I'm sure it happens more often than that.

But then again...

Thanks, here's to ya

:toast:

[xchrom]

6. i really love symmetry

thanks for the post -- nicely said.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

9. Thanks.

:toast:

[Vickers]

7. I think we have the dough for both

helping out folks AND some exploring.

But I feel the Mars thing is a wag-the-dawg opportunity for Georgie.

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

8. we definately have the funds for both

but we are so heavily invested in our military/industrial complex that society's needs are trumped.