Nice quote.

__________________
One day, I will sneak across the border into Canada and be an illegal alien. It will be fun.

So we need to go to space because it is hard?

__________________
A federal judge ruled today that graphic pictures of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison must be released over government claims that they could damage America's image.

Someone should tell them that bad press can be prevented by not abusing prisoners in the first place. Censorship is only needed to preserve the good reputation of those who have tortured and/or murdered already.

That's not what Kennedy said...

__________________
Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":

You are reading Kennedy's words too literally.

Kennedy also said:

”If we are to go only half way, or reduce our sights in the face of difficulty, in my judgment it would be better not to go at all.”

The Decision to Go to the Moon: President John F. Kennedy's May 25, 1961 Speech before Congress

In other words, Slon, he was saying that the fact that it is difficult should not be what stops us and that, in taking the challenge of what is difficult, we progress.

Tethys

__________________
-- Harry S. Truman

I'm a little jealous.
First, let me say it's great to meet another NASA fan. A lot of people I talk to online seem to be in the "NASA is a waste of money" club.
As for memorabilia, I have something I think you'd like. It's an actual press kit from NASA about the Apollo missions. It's SO old it was put out before the Saturns were even built. If you'd like, I'll try to take some pix this weekend. I'll put them on my site and link to them for you or e-mail them to you.
No, I was using the movie as a possibility. The actual film concerned the fact that trees were nonexistent on the planet Earth for some reason, and they had whole forest ecosystems in these domes. I think an idea like that could be used to transport a piece of Earth to our destinations along with the travelers.

It's an interesting, albeit depressing movie. It stars Bruce Dern and I'm sure it's available somewhere. I highly recommend it.

__________________
Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.

Okay, I'll look out for it. I'm also glad to meet another NASA fan. Yes, it's really hard to convince people the benefits of space exploration outstrip the costs in so many ways.

I'll PM you with my email address tomorrow. I'm a bit tired now but I'm supposed to go write something prophetic on metalted's "The science of prophecy thred in the Humanities forum. It's mad, but it's a great escape from the daily political debates, which will help to unwind me before going to sleep shortly. That and a mug of licorice tea.

Good night from Sydney one and all.

Tethys

__________________
-- Harry S. Truman

It shouldn't be the only reason, but combined with a lack of a reason to do it in the first place (at least from what I've seen in that quote), I'd say it should matter.

__________________
A federal judge ruled today that graphic pictures of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison must be released over government claims that they could damage America's image.

Someone should tell them that bad press can be prevented by not abusing prisoners in the first place. Censorship is only needed to preserve the good reputation of those who have tortured and/or murdered already.

Focusing in on it being "hard", and disregarding the rest of the quote, makes you look petty and silly.

I'm not judgin', I'm just sayin'...

__________________
Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":

So why don't you tell us which part of the quote details the justification for doing it in the first place?

__________________
A federal judge ruled today that graphic pictures of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison must be released over government claims that they could damage America's image.

Someone should tell them that bad press can be prevented by not abusing prisoners in the first place. Censorship is only needed to preserve the good reputation of those who have tortured and/or murdered already.

If I thought there was a snowball's chance in Hell of you grasping the meaning, I would.

But you'll be far better off just dwelling on why we did it because it was difficult.

I bet you're a "take the easy way" kinda' kid anyway...

__________________
Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":

I'm more of a "take the logical way out" type of guy. But I'm glad you're giving up early, given that you don't have a "snowball's chance in Hell" of putting forward a rational argument, according to my previous experience with you.

__________________
A federal judge ruled today that graphic pictures of detainee abuse at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison must be released over government claims that they could damage America's image.

Someone should tell them that bad press can be prevented by not abusing prisoners in the first place. Censorship is only needed to preserve the good reputation of those who have tortured and/or murdered already.

What's there to argue? Kennedy said he wanted us to go to the moon, and that we shouldn't let difficulty be the one thing that stood in our way.

Do you think we should've not done it? What's your position? Why have you reached such a conclusion?

This is another example of your childish "debating" techniques. You'll not fully state your position and present why you believe as you do, but you're quick to demand that of others.

Let's discuss it. As you've posted in this thread that there was a "lack of reason" to do it, please explain why you believe that...

__________________
Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":

I have a slightly different take on this great "because it is hard" debate. I think it was a cross between what Steve said above, meaning stereotypical Americans don't shrink from a tough job, but it's also the fact that there is enormous satisaction from succeeding at something tough (not to mention bragging rights), and demonstrating the so-called "can do" attitude we Americans are supposed to possess.

"It's a tough job? No sweat, we LIKE it tough!" Kind of like that.

__________________
Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.

Exactly.

It's nice to see that the obvious is only lost on some people here...

__________________
Obama's New "57 State Patriotic Pin":

Kennedy was an eloquent speaker, but he wasn't in the least ambiguous in his speeches.
In fact, ambiguity is the LAST thing you want in a speech aimed at a general audience.

And there's context as well. The snippet of that speech that always gets played, is the one where he says "We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard,"
It's much clearer when BOTH paragraphs are read in their entirety.

__________________
Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.