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Actually I'm probably with McCain on this one ... you know, in any bill like this, everything has opponents.
In the same article, the author even goes on to say that building a new bridge is pork. Well - tell that to the 500 construction workers that were laid off but now are being hired back for that project. Tell that to the 2 million motorists that waste an average of 3 hours per week in traffic (and gas, and pollution) in that area that would help be alleviated.
This is another example of an article that the author just contradicts themselves by going on to say the promotion of astronomy is more important than an infrastructure project. That is just silly. It seems the author just wants a "Republican" to say something that can be remotely skewed to be anti-science and then jump on it due to prior bias. Again, this is proven by the author's ridiculous statement that should have been left out about building a bridge being pork and not stimulating. I don't think you can find one person that says a bridge construction project (a) does not create jobs or (b) does not fit in the definition of stimulus. Come on.
Granted I actually do agree on a lot of what is said about the ignorance of science .. That other Republican who made fun of volcano monitoring - well that was just a stupid comment to make. Of course that's important.
But I would agree with McCain that money for "the promotion of astronomy" does not belong in a stimulus bill which is suppose to be for the absolute most important, job creating, economy stimulating projects. NOW - if this were for the construction of a new observatory in Hawaii - then YES! But as it's defined - spending money to increase people's interest in astronomy as a hobby and as learning does not belong in a bill such as this. If that money is strictly for job creation and/or keeping jobs, then I'm all for it. But I can only go on the definition provided. That's NOT saying it's not important - it's simply saying that this is not the appropriate place for it.
I'm all for science, and all for technology. I'm a technology nut. I love astronomy and always wanted to be an astronomer growing up. I have a gazillion original newspaper clippings of the landings on the moon. I've had tons of telescopes. As much as I love it, sometimes you have to make realistic decisions. You can break it down to your own household. If I'm in major debt - is it the right time to go spend money traveling to all the astronomy museums because I like it and/or it may spark my child's interest? No. It's time to save money or invest in things that will save me money. Let me get out of debt, or at least in the right direction, then let's talk about it.
Let's spend all of our resources to get the economy moving and get rid of our debt first. We went to the moon during a time of major economic growth - that's how it should work. When times are tough, perhaps Great Depression tough in the future, let's put some of those projects on hold until we get through it.
Peace.
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