[net.space] NASA

marla@ssc-vax.UUCP (Marla S Baer) (04/25/84)

In his article in net.space, Martin Minow (decvax!minow) says:

> 
> NASA is a good idea, but there are mundane needs that it cannot solve.
> 

So what? NASA has caused the production of many things that HAVE
solved many mundane needs!  What about computers?, remote
monitoring? Just because everything they do doesn't have IMMEDIATE
"mundane" applications, doesn't mean that they are not a valuable
research organization.  Sometimes, they have to inspire research
that advances their own aims.  NASA has done more to promote pure 
research than almost any other government group I can think of. 
(Except perhaps the NSA)

****************** FLAME ON ********************************

I really hate these "If they're not perfect, they're not worth
having" attitudes.  Unfortunately, there are a lot of people around
that think that because NASA hasn't solved their "favorite" problem,
it should be gotten rid of! BULL SH*T!!!!!!  NASA hasn't solved the
problem of world peace, hunger, cancer, or many other major problems
facing the world today.  But that doesn't mean that their
contribution isn't useful!  In fact, in some ways, they have made
contributions in many of these areas:  Internation cooperation,
tracking weather problems to help farmers, new pharmicuticals, etc!

************************ FLAME OFF *************************

(Whew!  That feels better!)

Marla S. Baer
ssc-vax!marla

tam@mi-cec.UUCP (Thomas A. Maier) (05/02/84)

ditto...and amen.