We think: NASA and the Air Force should spare endangered wildlife

The approach of humanity toward other life forms on Earth is puzzling. We do back flips to save scrub jays and caribou to our own detriment at times. Yet as I write this comment there are humans seeking means to eradicate entire species. Jays don't have much to fear but Ebola virus, AIDS virus, and just about every other type listed on the back of a can of disinfectant sure needs to worry.
I don't advocate saving Ebola but in the context of preserving life on our Earth it seem hypocritical to champion for the jay and look the other way on Aids. I know an encounter with Aids can be lethal to humans, but also an encounter with a polar bear or lions could have the same result.
I guess the question needs to be asked. Do the groups opposed to building the launch facility really care about species or do they just oppose NASA.

i oppose nasa it's a waist of money and time.spend some time and money on the research of the ocean and not of some damn stupid planet that we can't do nothing with!!! what idiots!!!!!!

The spin-offs from our space exploits has paid massive benefits to everyone. The Nation that gets to space the soonest with the most will dominate Earth eventually with their superior technology and their dominant position "atop the hill" looking down. Stop and think how a rogue nation could establish total control over satellite launches, manned launches, and could rain terror from space at will from yet to be invented weapons. I don't know about you but of all the countries in this world, I'd rather that we be the ones to be "atop the heap" and not the Russians, the Chinese, or God forbid some of these BFN Islamic fanatics.

As far as Cape Kennedy goes, the last time I went on a tour there, they had more than a couple launch sites that they were preserving that were "historical" in nature and weren't being actively used. Take these sites and turn them over for active use by whomever. I'm not all that nostalgic to want to go to an old launch site and see it. I'd rather have someone level it and put something there that does this Nation some good for the future of America.

deepdiver-wgfl wrote:

i oppose nasa it's a waist of money and time.spend some time and money on the research of the ocean and not of some damn stupid planet that we can't do nothing with!!! what idiots!!!!!!

Spelling and grammar were apparently a "waste" of your time for you. Were you awake during those classes?

If the Scrub Jay cannot adapt too bad. The environmental groups always find a victim generally imagined. Thus I support NASA who will provide jobs for humans. How many newspapers do the Scrub Jay buy?

The Grinch wrote:

The spin-offs from our space exploits has paid massive benefits to everyone. The Nation that gets to space the soonest with the most will dominate Earth eventually with their superior technology and their dominant position "atop the hill" looking down. Stop and think how a rogue nation could establish total control over satellite launches, manned launches, and could rain terror from space at will from yet to be invented weapons. I don't know about you but of all the countries in this world, I'd rather that we be the ones to be "atop the heap" and not the Russians, the Chinese, or God forbid some of these BFN Islamic fanatics.
As far as Cape Kennedy goes, the last time I went on a tour there, they had more than a couple launch sites that they were preserving that were "historical" in nature and weren't being actively used. Take these sites and turn them over for active use by whomever. I'm not all that nostalgic to want to go to an old launch site and see it. I'd rather have someone level it and put something there that does this Nation some good for the future of America.

like Tang?

NASA has been a terrible steward of its land. Sure, they have some glitzy PR projects, like the camera on a Eagle nest, designed to BS the public into thinking they care about the land and the wildlife at the Center. In reality NASA is a major polluter and KSC is full of toxic sites. The USAF is not much better either. It's all about making it appear that they care while doing nothing meaningful to preserve the natural beauty of the place.

I have to wonder how the fragile scrub jay has managed to survive during all these years of launches.

deepdiver-wgfl wrote:

i oppose nasa it's a waist of money and time.spend some time and money on the research of the ocean and not of some damn stupid planet that we can't do nothing with!!! what idiots!!!!!!

Was winning the space race and defeating communism was a waste?

Do you realize that the Mission to Mars program, we may be able to develop and improve alternative energy solutions, growing food, and other challenges?

I agree, not all programs and projects that NASA pursue are winners, but it's a better return on taxpayer money than giving to the National Endowment of the Arts.

Gator4Life wrote:

<quoted text>
like Tang?

If the only thing you think has come as a benefit from our aerospace program was "Tang" you must have spent most of your life stoned or drunk. The fact that you are making comments most likely on a small, lightweight personal computer and not using a computer that fills two rooms with racks of equipment is one accomplishment.

Crusader Rabbit wrote:

<quoted text>
If the only thing you think has come as a benefit from our aerospace program was "Tang" you must have spent most of your life stoned or drunk. The fact that you are making comments most likely on a small, lightweight personal computer and not using a computer that fills two rooms with racks of equipment is one accomplishment.

Have any proof?

NASA scientists spent a decade and $12 million developing a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 300C.

When confronted with the same problem, the Russians used a pencil.

Crusader Rabbit wrote:

<quoted text>
If the only thing you think has come as a benefit from our aerospace program was "Tang" you must have spent most of your life stoned or drunk. The fact that you are making comments most likely on a small, lightweight personal computer and not using a computer that fills two rooms with racks of equipment is one accomplishment.

Your best example is something they did 40 years ago? What the heck have they done since then?

The Grinch wrote:

The spin-offs from our space exploits has paid massive benefits to everyone. The Nation that gets to space the soonest with the most will dominate Earth eventually with their superior technology and their dominant position "atop the hill" looking down. Stop and think how a rogue nation could establish total control over satellite launches, manned launches, and could rain terror from space at will from yet to be invented weapons. I don't know about you but of all the countries in this world, I'd rather that we be the ones to be "atop the heap" and not the Russians, the Chinese, or God forbid some of these BFN Islamic fanatics.
As far as Cape Kennedy goes, the last time I went on a tour there, they had more than a couple launch sites that they were preserving that were "historical" in nature and weren't being actively used. Take these sites and turn them over for active use by whomever. I'm not all that nostalgic to want to go to an old launch site and see it. I'd rather have someone level it and put something there that does this Nation some good for the future of America.

Dude, it hasn't been called Cape Kennedy for decades. You should visit more often.

I'm with the Sentinel. This is a potential old government boondoggle of the most aggregious type. Go to Google Maps and look at all the launch pads south of Kennedy Space Center at Canaveral Air Force Station. You're telling me that all of those Air Force pads are in active use, and Kennedy has no choice but to bulldoze wildlife refuge property? Unbelieveable! Sickening! Whoever the elected representatives are for even allowing money to be wasted for studies in the refuge - VOTE THE BUMS OUT!

http://maps.google.com/maps...

Wacko enviromentalist caused New Orleans to flood, prevented us from taking and refining our own oil and costs the taxpayer BILLIONS in stupid lawsuits.

AWESOME

The only reason I have ever supported space exploration was for the military benefits which could be gained from all those billions spent. Who cares what is out billions of light years other than a select few who have nothing else to do for man-kind. As for turtles and scrub jays, they will still be there long after NASA packs it in.

I hate sounding redneckish, but ain't nobody going round there but some nudist perverts and dumb and bored tourists. The nudists go there because it so desolete you have to bring your own drinking water. Tourists that have maxed out on the theme parks and can't find nothing else to do go there, but only once. Very few make a repeat visit, i.e. case in point the earlier post that called it Cape Kennedy.
The locals use the wilderness areas to dump their trash, when you live way out it's cheaper that way.
So what do people want? If NASA went away the developers would have field day and we'd see Walmarts and 7-11's all the way from 95 to Playlinda. If you leave it alone NASA will probably include some enviormental protection. They seem to be allies of the global warming community already.