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The Wrong Stuff

July 5th, 2010

Just when you think the Obama administration can’t get things any more wrong…

This just in: NASA Chief’s Top Priority: Better Relations With Muslim World.

"When I became the NASA administrator — or before I became the NASA administrator — [Obama] charged me with three things. One was he wanted me to help re-inspire children to want to get into science and math, he wanted me to expand our international relationships, and third, and perhaps foremost, he wanted me to find a way to reach out to the Muslim world and engage much more with dominantly Muslim nations to help them feel good about their historic contribution to science … and math and engineering," Bolden said in the interview.

So NASA’s brief is no longer about advancing the human spirit, nor is it about inspiring all humanity to reach beyond our petty differences for a common goal, and neither is it about increasing knowledge and making technological advances that benefit the whole world. No. It’s not about such petty, parochial concerns.

Under this administration, space exploration is all about sucking up to the world muslim community.

Unbelievable. Friggin’ unbelievable.

Here are some questions: Why can’t space exploration be about… SPACE EXPLORATION? When did that simple goal lose it’s appeal? And when did NASA become an arm of the State Department’s Outreach Program?

You know, I’ve always had respect for people who just did what they did, eventually excelling at a task through sheer determination and all-consuming focus, often with little or no consideration given to what others thought of their obsession. I think of the proverbial kid down the street who loved to tinker and think strange things, and mess around with funny ideas and junk; you know, the kid who grew up to be Thomas Edison, Walt Disney, or Steve Jobs.

That used to be the United States.

We were the ones that went about our business, solely consumed with our work, our particular specialty, and doing it better than anyone else; and our imagination, our innovations, and our infectious enthusiasm became the envy of the world. We were the ones who led by example. We were the self-made whiz kid that everyone followed, not because he encouraged them, but because they saw the brilliance in his ideas, and in that vision, they caught a glimmer of a better future in which they might play a part.

We used to be that person. But who are we now?

When the head of NASA is kissing the muslim’s butts, it’s clear we’ve become just another obsequious nitwit for whom popularity is more valuable than achievement. We’re the fat rich kid in the neighborhood who thinks he can sacrifice his lunch money to avoid getting pantsed, but who winds up at the end of the day still hungry, and with his underwear wrapped around his forehead, Atomic Wedgie-style.

Obama is that guy. He’s so desperate to be liked by the world that he has become the world’s laughingstock. He has been given an enormous gift in the office of the most powerful man in the world and yet his bumbling, obsequious, and fawning policies will not only cost us in national greatness, but will undoubtedly allow the rest of the world (who – surprise! – are not really our friends) to give us all a collective national wedgie.

Not since Jimmy Carter has there been a president more obviously in possession of the Wrong Stuff.

We all need a Buddy in space

March 2nd, 2009

Now is the time to make your mark in outer space. I’m not talking about drinking Tang until you puke (though that would be really cool). I’m talking about a great leap for humankind and a small, small step for web surfers.

NASA is conducting an online poll to name the currently monikered “Node 3″ of the International Space Station. Even though it seems techy and nerdy, and despite the fact is also a personal nickname for my favorite body part, to some, “Node 3″ is not considered outer spacey enough.

But thanks to the efforts of Dave Barry, who has promoted a campaign among his dozens of readers, we now have a chance to give a truly inspiring name to Node 3. A name that is, unfortunately, unsuitable for minors, so instead we’ve decided on “Buddy”. At this time, Buddy is in the top ten. But we can do better.

Please, go to NASA’s web site and submit the name “Buddy”.

Together, we can leave a legacy that our children will truly be confused by proud of.

SIGMADog

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