But Whitey’s on the Moon

September 13, 2007 by Avy.

I love the idea of space travel and intergalactic extravaganzas…

But what about Earth? The place that feeds us and provides shelter and all that good stuff? I was reading this article on CNN.com about how Britain is working harder to lead exploration the the moon and  whatnot. Then I saw how “inexpensive” it has become. Okay people. $500 million is not  inexpensive. Maybe in space terms, but look at how much that money could do to help Earth and her inhabitants right now. 

People are dying of diseases with no known cure. There’s funding going here and there, but not enough to starving kids in Africa (to name one majorly suffering place).  $500 million could feed the entire continent if I’m thinking correctly. It could create more efficient irrigation systems in areas where the environment is too arrid to grow fruit-bearing trees and other yummy crops. There could be up-to-date plumbing and waste management. That creates jobs, which creates a better economy. It’s not rocket science! Or maybe it is.

If we could ignore the effing moon exploration for just one year, we could use that money to do a lot of good for the earth right now. There shouldn’t be people like Sally Struthers on TV begging me for just 10 cents a day. That’s $36.50/ year; $500 million covers approx 13.6 million people… We can’t do that for one year? NASA, PParc, ESA, etc. couldn’t all for 1 time at least just use that money for the issues on Earth?

I love astronomy and the idea of some real life sci-fi styled action, but not more than the idea of people not starving and freezing or being eaten by hippos whilst doing the laundry in a dirty river where they also drink bathe and pee.

Posted in In The News, Rant, BioSci | 1 Comment »