Rep. Dave Obey (WI) railed at congress and supported Barney Frank's ammendment to skip the trip to mars and support earth based science. However, he did indulge in framing the type of politician he would like to send to Mars.
Obey admitted exploring Mars is an exciting idea but he's more excited by clean water and competent teachers.
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He just couldn't support the "Mars $" while we are in the midst of the dumbest war since 1812, health costs are squeezing and law enforcement is being cut. He'd rather see the money going to the oceanic and earth based sciences.
The Republicans fuzzy arguments included that the ammendment would preclude trips to the moon, which it wouldn't; and get this: stopping mars funding would derail cancer research! O.K. THIS IS JUST WRONG. NO STEM CELL RESEARCH BUT IT'S IMPERATIVE TO STUDY CANCER IN MARS? These people need to come down to earth.
News paper quotes about the status of Mars $ follow:
Democrats plan to try to cut spending for the moon-Mars initiative, which would return U.S. astronauts to the moon by 2020 and to Mars after that, and spend the money instead on other NASA programs or grants to local police at a time when violent crime rates are rising.
Opponents of the Mars mission says it's too expensive and that unmanned space travel produces better science per dollar spent. Others say there are more pressing needs here on Earth.
"It's a complete and total waste of money," said Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass. "The manned shot to Mars is a pure boondoggle."