Sean O'Keefe, the new NASA Administrator, is one of the people being rumored to take over the Department of Homeland Security. I hope that doesn't happen. If so, it will show just how inconsequential civil space is to this administration.

I always felt that from the very get go that Dubya never seemed really sincere about space transportation. I remember during one of the campaign debates someone asked the candidates about their positions on funding for space and technology and they both gave pretty much the same indentical answers but George just did seem genuine to me. When he narrowly won the election I had a sinking feeling that our space program was going to be dragged through the gutter.

Well, so far, he's done better than any previous Administration in memory, particularly with his selection of O'Keefe. But if he takes him away, it will be a big step backwards.