Bush Opposing The Vision???

[explorer11]

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/28/AR2006012800967_pf.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/28/AR2006012800967_pf.html > http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/01/28/AR2006012800967_pf.html </a><br /><br /><b>President Bush’s Vision for Space Exploration was one of the few topics I agreed with him on. If the sources in this article are correct, it would mean that George W. Bush, the man who set NASA ‘back on track’ with his Vision for Space Exploration, would be the same man to end it. <br /><br />I always thought it would be Congress who would send NASA’s future down the tubes. They were always opposed to doing anything that gave NASA more money that might be wasted and they clearly didn’t want NASA cannibalizing itself. <br /><br />So here’s what seems to have happened: 1)The President proposes a bold plan for the unadventurous NASA 2) NASA gets onboard with enthusiasm and begins work on the new plan 3) Congress becomes convinced of the programs success and work’s with NASA officials to get the correct amount of appropriations money for the program without increasing NASA’s budget (as specified by the President). So President Bush has started something, everyone else has decided to follow and he’s thinking about reneging on his plan?!?<br /><br />If the president does decide to oppose his own plan, NASA and Congress better put up one hell of a fight.</b><br />

 

[mattblack]

That article is 'fishing' a bit to find something else to bash Bush about. The Washington post often does! However, Bush's State Of The Nation speech on Wednesday is the day before the Columbia anniversary and a few days after Challenger's 20th. I'm not expecting him to mark them, but it would be a good time and place to link these events to supporting the ongoing Vision For Space Exploration. I think it's time for Mr Bush to step up to the plate and give us all a sign that he is serious about being the first President since JFK to have a vision for the future that is positive.<br /><br />His vocal support for 'his own' spaceplan has been a bit conspicuous by it's absence these last couple of years.<br /><br />Come on Mr Bush: LET'S HEAR YOU!! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[explorer11]

I guess we'll have to wait and see. Also, the President's State of the Union is on Tuesday, not Wednesday. So I guess we'll know by wednesday. I really do hope he talks about The Vision.

 

[SpaceKiwi]

matt was probably speaking in NZ Time terms. It will be Wednesday arvo here by the time Bush delivers the State Of The Union over there.<br /><br />I agree though, I hope we do hear something about the VSE. However, I suspect it will be more pressing issues that dominate his address. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p><em><font size="2" color="#ff0000">Who is this superhero?  Henry, the mild-mannered janitor ... could be!</font></em></p><p><em><font size="2">-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------</font></em></p><p><font size="5">Bring Back The Black!</font></p> </div>

 

[yurkin]

I think we’ll have to wait and see till the budget is actually proposed in February, regardless of what is said Tuesday.

 

[mattblack]

You're right, Spacekiwi: The dateline is the reason for my day 'confusion'. Thanks. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">That article is 'fishing' a bit</font>/i><br /><br />I agree that the article is a bit of a fishing trip, but it does summarize issues that have been bouncing around for some time. Right now it seems that NASA has been given more requirments than it has budget for, and either more money will need to be found, or something will have to give.<br /><br />Furthermore, the federal budget is in a world of hurt -- especially for non-military and non-entitlement programs. In about 2010, when the Baby Boomer start retiring, the Social Security program quickly go into the red. In theory, a Social Security savings account will be tapped for the next decade or so, but that money has already been spent (there are only promisary notes), so the money to pay the IOUs will come out of the general budget. Translation -- more cuts in discreationary programs.<br /><br />In conclusion, I agree that the article is a fishing trip, but there are real budget issues (Federal and NASA) that must be addressed over the next 5+ years.</i>

 

[nolirogari]

I don't know about the rest of you but I live in the DC area and have been here since 88. In the lead the words Bush and Washington Post were put together- the two DO NOT mix... EVER. The Post is on the left- the Times is on the right, there ain't no in between in this town.

 

[cuddlyrocket]

The Administration simply prefers to be seen being talked into giving NASA more money by Congress rather than having to convince Congress for more money.

 

[explorer11]

I agree with you that Bush wasn't sincere when he presented his plan for the new VSE. I think he was simply trying to collect political gain and public appreciation. I do think, however, that the VSE is feaseable, as long as The white House (whoever's in it in the future) and Congress give it the go-ahead. They basically have the On/Off switch on their desks whcih can either doom NASA or let it do what it was created to do. Politics is EVERYTHING.

 

[BReif]

Politics is everything, and that is why is is absolutely imperative that those who support the Vision for Space Exploration write to the President, and to their Congressmen and Senators continuously, and frequently remind them of the importance of this program to the United States, and to our national aerospace industry, and the impact it can have for our future in technology and aerospace and engineering job creation. I try to write once per quarter to my two senators, my House representative, and to the President and Vice President. We have to be directly involved politically, or we have no reason to complain when the politicains take the VSE away from us.

 

[josh_simonson]

Bush did re-organize NASA under O'keefe, then put Griffin in to carry though the VSE. NASA's budget has also fared relatively well for the last few years. It doesn't seem to me that the VSE has been dropped at the executive level. Rather, there are much bigger issues going on than a few billion in spending at NASA over the next few years. NASA's activities are pretty low on the vote-getting agenda as well - it's probably best to fund it and be quiet about it.

 

[j05h]

>The Administration simply prefers to be seen being talked into giving NASA more money by Congress rather than having to convince Congress for more money.<br /><br />I wish we had mod points here, Cuddly gets <br />+1 Right on the Money<br /><br />Josh <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <div align="center"><em>We need a first generation of pioneers.</em><br /></div> </div>

 

[radarredux]

> <i><font color="yellow">The Administration simply prefers to be seen being talked into giving NASA more money by Congress rather than having to convince Congress for more money.</font>/i><br /><br />My memory is a little fuzzy on the details, but I seem to recall when Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the House, the Pentagon would ask for X C-130s but Congress would allocate money for X+Y C-130s. It turns out that the C-130s were built in Gingrich's district.<br /><br />Thus, the Pentagon gets X+Y planes, but they only have to ask for X planes... and they knew it.<br /><br />Perhaps along a similar line, now that Congress seems to be onboard with Griffin's architecture for the VSE, the President doesn't need to ask for and fight for as much money for NASA because he knows Congress will allocate it.</i>

 

[spacester]

Or it could have been a campaign ploy all along, just as I said at the time. That theory seems to fit the observed facts better in my mind. Where's wvbraun now? <img src="/images/icons/wink.gif" /> <img src="/images/icons/laugh.gif" /><br /><br />I doubt that dubya ever expected strong support, and space flight is so off his radar that his people were completely unprepared for Congress to ask for more money. His people are never properly prepared for anything, why would this be different?<br /><br />The smart thing for dubya to do is to find the money and reap the political rewards. But doing the smart thing is not exactly a hallmark of this administration, so anything is possible.<br /><br />We'll find out within 2 weeks if I understand the process. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[explorer11]

<blockquote><font class="small">In reply to:</font><hr /><p> <font color="yellow"> it is absolutely imperative that those who support the Vision for Space Exploration write to the President, and to their Congressmen and Senators continuously, and frequently remind them of the importance of this program to the United States, and to our national aerospace industry, and the impact it can have for our future in technology and aerospace and engineering job creation. </font><p><hr /></p></p></blockquote><br /><br />I am sorry to say that I have never once written to any elected government official about anyting. But, breif, you are right. After reading your response, i've decided that I am going to write at least twice a year to the white house, starting with a response to the presidents state of the union address. I know he may not even mention the VSE, but that makes it all the more impoartant. I know many people already write to the president, but the more the marrier!

 

[explorer11]

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/space/">http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/space/ > http://www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/space/ </a><br /><br />I thought people interested in this thread might also be interested in this link. Check it out. I was surprised to find that the White House even had a web page didicated to NASA.

 

[explorer11]

Well, Bush just finished his speech and no mention of NASA or space exploration. He did take a few minutes to talk about the necessity for better education for american students in the way of science and math. He brought to light his newly unvelied plan for his Competitive Agenga for american in which americans are better educated in science and math.

 

[scottb50]

I think I said the same thing. Didn't I? <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[nolirogari]

Gadzooks! No mention of the VSE! <br /><br />That 's it- game over, it must be that the whole thing is done for...<br /><br />I figured I would just come out and say what all of the doom and gloomers who'll cling to this thread will spend several pages implying.<br /><br />Then perhaps I'll print it and hang it up inside my picket fence so the same doom and gloom spewers can read it through one slot with both eyes.<br /><br />Anyone got a copy of JFK's 1963 SOU speech? I'd sort of like to know if he mentioned going to the moon within the decade in it. Seriously... I'd like to know.

 

[spacester]

<font color="yellow">I think I said the same thing. Didn't I? </font><br />Uh, yeah, IIRC. Um, your point? Did I say I owned the theory?<br />***<br />The reason why I jumped on board VSE in spite of loathing dubya and being well versed in the ol' switcheroo and still being convinced it was no more than a campaign ploy is that this time there's gonna be a switcheroo played on top of a switcheroo. Simply put, the thing has taken on a life of its own, and it has a champion who will not be denied. The basic reason is that it is a very good plan in terms of political realities.<br /> <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> </div>

 

[mattblack]

True dream, true. I didn't actually expect anything, but it might have been nice. Actually, I'd like Mr Bush to attend the next launch of Discovery, instead of Mrs Bush, and then might be a good time to say something! <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[josh_simonson]

He did say that other than defence, space, and interest payments, the budget would be reduced. So he earmarked space as one of the very few things actually getting additional funding this year. <br /><br />Singling space out for a raise sounds like support to me.

 

[mattblack]

Oh! Where did he say that? That would be my policy, too, were I President in a time of big deficit. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p>One Percent of Federal Funding For Space: America <strong><em><u>CAN</u></em></strong> Afford it!!  LEO is a <strong><em>Prison</em></strong> -- It's time for a <em><strong>JAILBREAK</strong></em>!!</p> </div>

 

[BReif]

The FY 2007 budget request does not contain any cuts to NASA's current budget. Proposed cuts to the shuttle program, retiring one or two orbiters early, and other proposed slashes to the space budget that OMB recommended are not present. In this, President Bush is making a statement that human spaceflight is a national priority and a national interest.