pcmcgeer (11/30/82)
Are you turning into a functionalist in your old age, Brad? In any case, Brad (watmath!bstempleton)'s suggestion should be rejected on both moral and practical grounds. Supporters of the space program are not a cohesive and well-organized lot: that's why the program has been kicked around by Proxmire and friends. If we can't organize a letter-writing campaign, how in the devil are we going to organize a nationwide strike behind the vague objective of more space funding? People may be behind the program, but it's a low-priority item for most of them, and not something they'd strike for. Second, such an action would damage the United States. I don't think that any supporter of NASA or the program would willingly do that - certainly I wouldn't, and I don't think I'm unique. Finally, Brad's suggestion is ugly. Even if such a strike could be called, the winning of it would tarnish the program forever. The great strength of the space program is that it is an idealistic crusade. The innocence of the program - and of its supporters - is therefore its greatest asset, and is a prize that must not be risked. Rick.