Political Commentary, Science And Society, Space

Some Actual Romney Space Policy

51 Comments

Here’s an interesting discussion. I’ll doubtless have a lot more to say about this (I’m pitching Popular Mechanics to do a piece) but for now I’ll just note this:

Focusing NASA

A strong and successful NASA does not require more funding, it needs clearer priorities. I will ensure that NASA has practical and sustainable missions. There will be a balance of pragmatic and top-priority science with inspirational and groundbreaking exploration programs.

If I were an SLS supporter, I’d read those words and mess my pants. There are actually a lot of other interesting, and encouraging tea leaves in it. I think that our educational effort may be starting to pay off.

[Early evening update]

For whatever reason, the link to the “debate” is FUBAR. I hope they’ll fix it, but I have it on another machine, and I’ll repost if I can. But the above is a cut’n’paste from it.

Business, Economics, Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Social Commentary

American Character

14 Comments

…is at stake:

A half-century of unfettered expansion of entitlement outlays has completely inverted the priorities, structure and functions of federal administration as these were understood by all previous generations. Until 1960 the accepted task of the federal government, in keeping with its constitutional charge, was governing. The overwhelming share of federal expenditures was allocated to some limited public services and infrastructure investments and to defending the republic against enemies foreign and domestic.

In 1960, entitlement payments accounted for well under a third of the federal government’s total outlays—about the same fraction as in 1940, when the Great Depression was still shaping American life. But over subsequent decades, entitlements as a percentage of total federal spending soared. By 2010 they accounted for just about two-thirds of all federal spending, with all other responsibilities of the federal government making up barely one-third. In a very real sense, entitlements have turned American governance upside-down.

It’s not just a fiscal problem, or a governance problem. It’s a moral problem, when so many think that they are literally entitled to live off the productivity of others. It can’t go on, so, one way or the other, it won’t.

Media Criticism, Political Commentary, Social Commentary

Antonio Villaraigosa

7 Comments

…”is the Hispanic Obama”:

Clean, articulate, well spoken, and full of shit beyond reckoning.

Though as another commenter points out, he’s not actually all that articulate or well-spoken. Of course, neither is Obama, when off teleprompter.

Fortunately, he’s only been Peter Principled to a position where he can just wreck Los Angeles, instead of the whole country, as Obama was. It is amazing that they made this clown head of their convention. Everyone I know in LA split a gut when they heard about his new role. As is noted, unlike the Republicans, with Rubio, Cruz, Martinez, etc., he’s the best the Dems can come up with as their token Hispanic.

Of course, in fairness to Dr. Peter, the Donkeys seem to have a knack for promoting hacks to far above their level of incompetence.

Biting Commentary about Infinity…and Beyond!