Kudos to Deoliver47 for the excellent piece on the real story behind that "$3 million dollar overhead projector". (Please take a minute to read it.)
As soon as I heard it last night, I thought there was something fishy about McC's "overhead projector" remark. (No disrespect to fish intended.)
Geezus Haploid K. Riced on a fuckin' crutch! The only person whose head this went over is John McC.
Three million for the main display projector for a planetarium in a major American city? That's gotta work out to... what? maybe a dollar a head for the greater Chicago area? In a single year?
How are we supposed to inspire the next generation of young scientists? Give them comic books with pictures of humans riding on dinosaurs? Astronomy classes where they just count the 49 stars left on the flag (after Palin's Secessionist pals get their way)? Are we going to have to start training all of our would-be astronauts (if any) in Chinese? Has McC started making provisions for that?
I hope the Adler Planetarium puts out a bold new series of ads:
-- "Come See Our Three Million Dollar 'Overhead Projector'!"
-- "At Three Million Dollars, This is Some 'Overhead Projector'!"
-- "Fourteen Billion Years for only Three Million Dollars! Come see for yourself!"
They should shove the thing down McC's throat and dance on the part that sticks out.
Please please please: I want to see Obama make a speech from the Adler, to school kids and their teachers, about the importance of science education, the excitement and opportunities of careers in science in a free country that respects free inquiry. "The American people paid for this, because we think your talent and education is the best investment we can make in our country's future."
I've refrained from giving my "advice" to the Obama campaign because it's clear to me that they're inspired professionals who know what they're doing, and are better at this than I could ever be. But just this once: if anyone reading this is in a position pass that suggestion along, I'd be grateful. It'd be a helluva speech, and a fine kick in the pants to a cranky old man who deserves it.