What a Waste

In my first blog entry I discussed the much-needed increase in budget of space programs, and in this entry I find that it is being practically wasted. In Zaid Jilani’s “‘Fiscal Conservative’ Richard Shelby Forces NASA to Spend $1.4 Million A Day On Program It Doesn’t Want” The author pretty much bashes on republican Senator Richard Shelby and how hypocritical he is. From the get-go you can tell it is a left-wing article.

He quotes Shelby, “Washington must put its fiscal house in order. American taxpayers are rightly infuriated by the federal government’s disregard for the same economic principles that govern every household and business budget.” He then shows that Shelby later put in his own revision into the 2010 budget, the “Shelby provision.” Such provision, however, is going to force NASA to waste $1.4 million a day on its now-defunct Constellation moon program. Overall costing the company nearly $250 million on projects they do not want anymore since October 1st. Jilani feels that it is a crucial time to be careful with the budget, and he feels the “Shelby provision” is a horrible idea and Shelby himself is a hypocrite with making the provision in the first place. 

His presentation is viscous, the author seems to be really disgusted with Sen. Richard Shelby, stating that “Yet when it comes to pork barrel spending for his home state, he is willing to go extraordinary lengths to waste taxpayers’ money.” His audience is obviously left-wing for it is a left-wing blog and its basically a diss to the republican Senator.

Overall, I agree with Jilani. I believe that NASA shouldn’t be forced to spend money on what they do not want. I believe that the scientists over at NASA should have the final say on what they need the budget to focus on. I also believe that if you are going to criticize our nation’s fiscal spending, you are also going to have to be careful where your putting our taxpayers’ money as well, the “Shelby provision” is simply ridiculous.

Only a Matter of Time

Stephen Stromburg's article on The Washington Post, about the recent legalization of same-sex marriages in Maryland, expresses that this is no surprise. He hints that he is for the legalization and I feel his article is intended for people that are for it as well. Wether he is a credible source, he claimed to have grown up among out-of-the-closet gays and lesbians. Which makes him as credible as anyone else, for credibility is not of importance of a topic like this, but rather belief. His argument is that the overturn of anti-gay laws is inevitable. Stromburg states “Pockets of prejudice still exist in Generation Y. But decades of hard work in persuading gays not to hide who they are is producing a drastic realignment of public attitudes.” As legalizations slowly moves throughout the states people who are against it will have to become more  open-minded. Which will eventually lead to the acceptance by the remaining percentage. I agree with Stromburg on this, I believe that it is only a matter of time before most of the country legalizes same-sex marriage. As the older, more-prejudiced generation starts to go away and the younger, more-tolerable generation starts to move in, a dramatic change in public opinion will occur, it is only a matter of time. I feel that this article is a reassurance for those fighting for gay civil rights, and just like any previous battle with civil rights, acceptance will come with time.

Space Projects Get a Much-Needed Boost

An article that caught my eye while browsing The Wall Street Journal webpage, about how the Obama administration plans on raising the funds on military space projects. I found this surprising due to the recent NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) budget cuts from Obama’s administration. The increases are apparently part of a plan to save money over several years by giving them a chance to make satellites cheaper to make. I find this important because I feel the United States should not lose it’s grip on space. The satellite projects were unable to work with the past budget but with the fund increase the projects should be able to prosper. With better satellites the government will be able to extend its communications in space, we do not want to fall behind the other countries space programs after all. Space projects need to be well funded because we need to think about the future, I feel like space will be an essential part.