# Bush to announce manned moon mission another fine example of bait and switch **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 9, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551 "2004-01-09T02:00:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TartPops](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c4cdca/32.png) [@TartPops](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TartPops)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/1 "2004-01-09T02:00:36Z")
[Link](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,107807,00.html) He also wants to build a permanent space station on the moon.:rolleyes: Why do I think that no word about how much this little scheme will cost will be brought up during his announcement. 'Of course, we know that over a decade ago, the cost was estimated to be over $400 billion. So I think it’s quite fair to assume that since this is a program that would pretty much have to start from the ground up, we are looking at a cost of at least $150 billion, and that is probably way, way, way on the low side Tell me, Shrub, where the fuck is the money for this going to come from? Yet another tax cut? And spare me the whole “it will be an international effort” crap. The way the rest of the world feels about the US these days, there is little to no chance they would chip in any monetary or scientific help. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/2 "2004-01-09T02:02:17Z")
God save us. Another One Trick Pony in the making. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/3 "2004-01-09T02:05:35Z")
Hurray! Hurray! What a wonderful thing to have happen! Now I can finally start my “good things about Bush” list: 1. Reinvigorated the exploration and exploitation of space resources. I’m serious. This is _great_ news! ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/4 "2004-01-09T02:20:47Z")
> [@](#): > > Why do I think that no word about how much this little scheme will cost will be brought up during his announcement. How about “pocket change compared to the rest of the national budget”, like it already is? Seriously, this is probably one of the best things Bush has done. Though I’m disappointed that he’s backed off on the nuclear rocket proposals (or has he? I haven’t heard anything in that regard since the shuttle lit up). Of course, sometimes I get the impression that some people would call Bush a monster no matter what he does. “That asshole! He bought girl scout cookies! He’s the worst President ever!” ---
**Author:** ![laigle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@laigle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/laigle)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/5 "2004-01-09T02:25:30Z")
Oh goody gumdrops. We’re what, a half trillion in the red? Good, let’s start building a space station on the moon, with no present or conceivable future purpose, at unimaginable expense. Then let’s send up supply shipments to it at a few billion a launch, every few months. Maybe if we’re really interested, we can start mining perfectily conventional ore up there, and send it back to Earth at a cost several million percent above market value. Next time I hear the phrase “tax and spend Democrat” somebody’s getting kicked in the nuts. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Long\_Road](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5a626/32.png) [@The\_Long\_Road](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Long_Road)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/6 "2004-01-09T02:30:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by TartPops \* > \*\*[Link](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,107807,00.html) > And spare me the whole “it will be an international effort” crap. > > The way the rest of the world feels about the US these days, there is little to no chance they would chip in any monetary or scientific help. \*\* I don’t see any reason why the international community would not want to be a part of this. They can ignore it and not be a part of it while the US moves ahead with a moon base on its own or they can share a small portion of the costs and be included in the project. Russia would probably jump on this to gain funding for its space program and boost its prestige. If other nations don’t want to participate because of bad feelings about what the US is doing in Iraq, that’s the perfect example of “cutting off your nose to spite your face”. If you think this is stupid, then Kennedy’s giving NASA the mission of putting people on the moon was idiotic. It has absolutely no long range goal besides putting having two guys walk on the moon and then coming back with some rocks. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/7 "2004-01-09T02:30:28Z")
> [@](#): > > We’re what, a half trillion in the red? Good, let’s start building a space station on the moon, with no present or conceivable future purpose, at unimaginable expense. “he envisions preparing for the mission **more than a decade from now** , one official said.” Learn to read, jackass. ---
**Author:** ![manhattan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manhattan/32/7_2.png) [@manhattan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/manhattan)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/8 "2004-01-09T02:33:16Z")
Yeah, but still. The last time we combined an unpopular war, expanding social spending and a big honkin’ space race it ended up in the seventies. First guy to try to sell me Barney Miller lapels is gonna get popped in the mouth. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/9 "2004-01-09T02:33:54Z")
Has **TartPops** paid his/her dues to the Brotherhood of Bush Bashers[sup]**TM[/sup]** yet? Post your membership card number, Sir or Madame, or the Brotherhood will submit us to abuse for reading unauthorized rants. There are several members of the Brotherhood here already, any one of which will be glad to accept your dues. ---
**Author:** ![5-HT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/f19dbf/32.png) [@5-HT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5-HT)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/10 "2004-01-09T02:34:50Z")
Wow, I can’t stand Bush, but this rant is fuckin’ weak. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/11 "2004-01-09T02:36:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by laigle \* > \*\*Oh goody gumdrops. We’re what, a half trillion in the red? Good, let’s start building a space station on the moon, with no present or conceivable future purpose, at unimaginable expense. Then let’s send up supply shipments to it at a few billion a launch, every few months. Maybe if we’re really interested, we can start mining perfectily conventional ore up there, and send it back to Earth at a cost several million percent above market value. > > Next time I hear the phrase “tax and spend Democrat” somebody’s getting kicked in the nuts. \*\* Oh goody gumdrops. We’re what, a half million pounds in the red? Good, let’s start building a colony in Virginia, with no present or conceivable future purpose, at unimaginable expense. Then let’s send over supply shipments to it at a few thousand a ship, every few months. Maybe if we’re really interested, we can start chopping perfectily conventional wood over there, and send it back to England at a cost several million percent above market value. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/12 "2004-01-09T02:39:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by manhattan \* > \*\*Yeah, but still. The last time we combined an unpopular war, expanding social spending and a big honkin’ space race it ended up in the seventies. First guy to try to sell me Barney Miller lapels is gonna get popped in the mouth. \*\* The war is not unpopular, at least if we define unpoular as \>50% of the citizens against it. You might be able to avoid the lapels after all. Let’s just hope we don’t start hearing “stagflation”.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Gadfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/aeb1de/32.png) [@Gadfly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gadfly)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/13 "2004-01-09T02:45:08Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by This Year’s Model \* > \*\*Oh goody gumdrops. We’re what, a half million pounds in the red? Good, let’s start building a colony in Virginia, with no present or conceivable future purpose, at unimaginable expense. Then let’s send over supply shipments to it at a few thousand a ship, every few months. Maybe if we’re really interested, we can start chopping perfectily conventional wood over there, and send it back to England at a cost several million percent above market value. > > :rolleyes: \*\* Excuse me? Sorry, but the colonies in what is now the US and Canada were profitable, gave the Europeans contact with another civilization (for better or worse), and gave those who moved there freedom of belief. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/14 "2004-01-09T02:46:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by This Year’s Model \* > \*\*Oh goody gumdrops. We’re what, a half million pounds in the red? Good, let’s start building a colony in Virginia, with no present or conceivable future purpose, at unimaginable expense. Then let’s send over supply shipments to it at a few thousand a ship, every few months. Maybe if we’re really interested, we can start chopping perfectily conventional wood over there, and send it back to England at a cost several million percent above market value. \*\* Well, when the first Virginian colony didn’t prove profitable, England stopped sending supply ships. When somebody did finally get around to checking back on the colonists, they were all dead. I hope you are not suggesting this is what’s going to happen to the moon colony…we’re having a hard enough time recruiting astronauts as it is! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/15 "2004-01-09T02:54:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Gadfly \* > \*\*Excuse me? Sorry, but the colonies in what is now the US and Canada were profitable, gave the Europeans contact with another civilization (for better or worse), and gave those who moved there freedom of belief. \*\* No - excuse me? Read your history, pal, especially on the early years of Jamestown. The post after yours is more correct, though not entirely. My point, to all who are sarcasm-impaired, is that there is tremendous potential wealth in space, great opportunities for those who are so inclined to risk life and limb in the pursuit of fame and glory, and last but not least, we get the human race’s eggs out of one basket. Ah, the Age of Exploration all over again. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/16 "2004-01-09T03:33:23Z")
Let’s not count our chickens before they’re hatched. [UPI](http://interestalert.com/brand/siteia.shtml?Story=st%2Fsn%2F01080002aaa05132.upi&Sys=siteia&Fid=LATEBRKN&Type=News&Filter=Late%20Breaking) has a bit of information on how Bush wants to pay for this: > [@](#): > > Sources said Bush will direct NASA to scale back or scrap all existing programs that do not support the new effort. Further details about the plan and the space agency’s revised budget will be announced in NASA briefings next week and when the president delivers his FY 2005 budget to Congress. I’m waiting for all the shoes to drop before deciding whether this is a good thing or a bad thing. ---
**Author:** ![Duke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Duke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/17 "2004-01-09T03:34:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by This Year’s Model \* > \*\*The post after yours is more correct, though not entirely. \*\* I did stretch the Lost Colony story a bit there for comic effect. Still, I’m not so sure that you can compare colonization of the “New World” with space colonization, as you do. When the English, French, Dutch _et al_ began colonizing, they did so in the knowledge that the Spanish were bringing back boatloads of gold and silver, so there was ample evidence that colonization of the New World was potentially extremely profitable. We don’t have that evidence with space colonization yet. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/18 "2004-01-09T03:36:53Z")
Does this mean Dubya is Prince Henry the Navigator? ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/19 "2004-01-09T03:42:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duke \* > \*\*When the English, French, Dutch _et al_ began colonizing, they did so in the knowledge that the Spanish were bringing back boatloads of gold and silver, so there was ample evidence that colonization of the New World was potentially extremely profitable. We don’t have that evidence with space colonization yet. \*\* Well, that is true, and a good point. If I remember correctly, part of the reason Jamestown had such a hard time was because too many were looking for gold rather than planting corn. If this thread’s still active tomorrow, I’ll dig up some cites to counteract your last sentence, though. ---
**Author:** ![Ilsa\_Lund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a6a055/32.png) [@Ilsa\_Lund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ilsa_Lund)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551/20 "2004-01-09T03:46:53Z")
> [@](#): > > 'Of course, we know that over a decade ago, the cost was estimated to be over $400 billion. Hey, **TardPops** ; isn’t this eerily close to the figure you pulled out of your ass for a manned mars mission? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-to-announce-manned-moon-mission-another-fine-example-of-bait-and-switch/223551.md?page=2)