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I wonder what we all would have said about President Kennedy's
preposterous announcement that we would put a man on the moon by the end
of the decade...

While I agree that this move is political, I think we'd have a hard time
finding anything done in this day and age that is not. I also think it's
unfair to assert that the money we spend on such an initiative is wasted
money. If I understand my "International Space Station: The Earth Tour"
correctly, money invested by NASA typically returns $2 in usable
products for every $1 invested. I don't think I have to remind this
group of all the technological advances that have been catalyzed by
research into the space program - including how to put humans on the
moon and on the ISS.

The average American pays $8 in taxes every year to support NASA.
Perhaps this new initiative will up the ante to $10 a person. I'm
willing to forego the extra cup of Starbucks for a chance to witness the
incredible scientific discovery that awaits us on the moon and beyond
when humans inhabit space again.

It's 7:00, and I'm still at work debating the pros and cons of sending
humans to the moon again. As much as I love my job, I think I'll leave
now and get a life.

Bill

Bill Watson
Education Director
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
Mobile, AL
(251) 208-6851

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Visit the all-new permanent exhibit MINDS ON HALL, featuring
cutting-edge technology exhibits and the Ciba Hands-on
Science Lab. Get in on the action starting January 9, 2004!

And coming soon to the Gulf Coast's only IMAX Dome
Theater: SHACKLETON'S ANTARCTIC ADVENTURE
and Disney's YOUNG BLACK STALLION.
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