Newt Pledges Moon Base

[kpete]

Last edited Wed Jan 25, 2012, 09:33 PM - Edit history (2)

Newt Pledges Moon Base

JOSH MARSHALL JANUARY 25, 2012, 5:31 PM 38
Speaking in Florida moments ago, Newt Gingrich pledged to have a permanent US base on the moon by the end of his second term as president.

Speaking for myself, that sounds awesome. But I have to assume Team Romney will grab on to that and mock him like crazy. I don’t care how public/private you make it. The budgetary toll of a project like that would have to be massive. And I don’t think there are any strong near term business models for doing stuff on the moon.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/01/newt_pledges_moon_base.php?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Talking-Points-Memo+%28Talking+Points+Memo%3A+by+Joshua+Micah+Marshall%29



.............



Update from kos:
Mars, bitches!
bykosFollow
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/01/25/1058501/-Mars,-bitches!?via=siderec

[leeroysphitz]

1. And under MOON law open marriages will be mandatory. n/t

[11 Bravo]

3. Zero gravity adultery doesn't count.

[FarLeftFist]

86. He's planning on leaving our dying planet for a new one?! SHOCKED!

[louis-t]

2. I suppose he wants it named after him, too.

Moonbase Goofball.

[Motown_Johnny]

5. I went straight to "Moon Base Alpha"

Last edited Thu Jan 26, 2012, 06:40 PM - Edit history (1)

From "Space 1999"

We were expected to have moon bases by then. To bad there just isn't anything of value on the moon (unless Helium 3 counts). Newt is nuts.

[greytdemocrat]

9. LOL!!!

I loved that show!!

[Aviation Pro]

55. Helium 3 counts...

...and would put oil back with the dinosaurs.

[Motown_Johnny]

58. robotic mining would be far less costly

and not put any human lives at risk



A moon base is loony (both literally and figuratively).

[mike_c]

4. his SECOND term, huh?

[Angry Dragon]

6. It could be republican headquarters

[hunter]

39. And then we could cut government subsidies... to moonbases.

Perfect!

[hifiguy]

7. The Mooninites are not impressed

[Jello Biafra]

8. If you have read some of the non mainstream news sites like I have...

he's between 60 and 70 years too late.........

[ErikJ]

10. for Moon Bank--first "off-earth" bank accounts for the REALLY rich.

[muriel_volestrangler]

11. A history of the world, by Newt Gingrich

...
1995: The Best Speaker of the House of All Time takes office.

2013: President Newt Gingrich issues in a new era of peace, prosperity and moon colonies.

2045: Newt Gingrich is canonized, in what he describes as a “uniquely humbling experience for a great man of intellect and letters who has done what no other man in human history could have done because of his rare gifts.”

2060: Newt Gingrich defeats the Antichrist in a series of eight-hour marathon debates, issues in a new millennium of prosperity and revives entire economy on the strength of sales of his 19,568,020,836th book.
...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/compost/post/a-history-of-the-world-by-newt-gingrich/2012/01/25/gIQAuce8QQ_blog.html

[southernyankeebelle]

12. What about cleaning up our world before we go ruin another world. Right now

we can even help working people who families are starving. Where the F***k is this country's priorty? He needs to get his fat head out of his butt.

[Warren DeMontague]

24. Yes, because every dollar we've shaved off of NASA's already meager budget has gone straight into

the mouths of poor people.

Meanwhile, the DEA outfits SWAT teams with millions of dollars in equipment so they can drag cancer grannies off to prison for growing pot, and the US military gets more money than the militaries of every other nation on Earth combined., yet for some odd reason it's always the peaceful exploration of the universe we inhabit that somehow needs to be delayed, because it and it alone is responsible for poverty, hunger, and homelessness.

[southernyankeebelle]

38. Stop your whinning. Going to the moon isn't important now. That money can go into

healthcare for working poor. Help young people go to college thru PELL grants or maybe low income housing. There is alot of things that money can do now.

[LongTomH]

41. Don't worry, the next people on the moon will be Chinese!

The Chinese aren't saying when; but they're going. Watch the DragonSpace page on the Space Daily website for updates.

Just to show you how old I am: I remember when a young Liberal president committed the US to landing on the moon within the decade.

And during that decade:

• We also had a mostly successful poverty program, and
  
• we had the best job growth since the new deal, 3.9% per year during the years of the Apollo program, and
  
• the US was inspired to strengthen its education system, and
  
• young people were inspired to study harder and pursue careers like science and engineering.

Another sign of how old I am: I actually remember when Americans actually looked forward to the future:

[southernyankeebelle]

78. I am being practical. Back then you had a parties that cooperated. Today we don't. You can't

get them to agree how the country is doing and what direction to take america in. Sorry somehow going to the moon isn't my priority. I want to see my grandkids be able to go to school and college that we can afford to help them with. We are destroying our earth and the republican party is taking the school system down and the safety nets down that is where my worry is. I am a senior citizen. I want better for my grandkids. Going to the moon isn't going to do it right at this time. I am not saying never. I just think not at this time. Maybe this country and europe can work together working on a space program along with the private sector.

[Warren DeMontague]

50. My "whinning" notwithstanding, What money are you talking about? The money NASA *isn't* getting?

How come we never consider taking, say, the 60 Billion we spend every year throwing pot smokers in prison, and using THAT to get healthcare for the working poor? Or the 700 Trillion that goes to the Military every year?

Funny how no one ever seems to see THAT as a direct affront to Pell Grants or Low Income Housing, but NASA can't fucking sneeze without someone bleating about the price tag and, ohmygodwhydoweneedmoneywasterslike, say, thehubblespacetelescopeohmygod when we have problems HEREONEARTH ohmygodohmygod!








Let me break it down for you: Unlike the literal boxcars full of money we piss away on idiotic shit like the drug war or our global empire, EVERY penny NASA gets is paid back many times over in terms of not just knowledge but also tangible, real-world benefits to you and me.

[southernyankeebelle]

77. Let the private sector invest in the program. Later on when the country is back on its feet then

we can get involved again. I just think there are other priorities right now.

[Odin2005]

51. The NASA-haters, right on cue.

[southernyankeebelle]

76. I don't hate NASA. I have a brother-in-law who use to work at a place that made parts

for their ships. I just think there are other priorities first. Let the country get back on it's feet then start again. None of us will ever go to the moon. If it is so important then let the PRIVATE sector build on it.

[Odin2005]

80. NASA is a drop in the bucket compared to the defense budget.

Complain about that, leave investment into pure research, including NASA, alone.

[southernyankeebelle]

84. You have not beef with me on that. I agree. I think we need to help the PEOPLE at home.

We need to build affordable housing. I think it would be nice that attending college should be very low cost or no charge. I think the people in the country pay taxes and at the end of the day they should be the ones how benefit.

[Ebadlun]

13. So this is what small government will look like then

[muriel_volestrangler]

14. Newt on zero gravity sex - no, really

And in his 1984 book, Window of Opportunity (and again in his 1994 book, To Renew America), he suggested that private space flight would open up business opportunities for space tourism—specifically for honeymooning couples. As he put it: "Imagine weightlessness and its effects and you will understand some of the attraction."

http://motherjones.com/mojo/2012/01/your-daily-newt-space-sex

[demtenjeep]

16. ewww

but then I imagined he needs weightlessness because of his size?

[jmowreader]

56. I'd think zero-gravity sex would be boring as hell

All sorts of thread-locking thoughts are going through my mind, namely that you couldn't actually HAVE sex in zero-G conditions.

[caraher]

70. There's been a lot written on the subject

including one piece I remember that claimed you really need 3 people to pull it off.

What some science fiction fans think about in their spare time, I guess.

[Ebadlun]

15. I think I can see how this will work

If Newt becomes president, there will be a lot of people wanting to leave the planet.

[HopeHoops]

17. Moon base? Why, he's already got one firmly lodged up his ass.

Oh, wait. Never mind. That's just his head.

[zappaman]

18. Does he know there are Nazis already there?

http://www.ironsky.net/site/

[stlsaxman]

63. of course he does- he wants to re-join his "party of origin" nt

[undeterred]

19. It will be the only base he can keep a commitment to

because there is nobody there.

[2Design]

20. he said it would happen jan or feb 2013 LOL

[quinnox]

21. Wow, the first time I actually like anything he said, a moon base would be

great. I don't understand the hostility to space exploration that has taken over in the 2000s, we need to start that up again, the sooner the better. We have tons of things to learn out there.

I just got a bright idea, how about instead of spending trillions on stupid wars, why don't we put that money towards a revitalized space program?

[Johonny]

29. I think it's the complete ignoring that we are exploring space

we just aren't doing it with manned programs for a lot of reasons.

Of course after the first moon landing, the first few shuttle missions people ignored manned flights too. Space exploration is costly and it's hard to grab the attention of the public. Most space missions by this country get very little press.

[WCGreen]

22. Rec just for the pictures....

[kpete]

34. WCGreen

here is another:






peace, kpete

[WCGreen]

36. Love it,,,

[lonestarnot]

44. OMG ROFLMAO!

[MrMickeysMom]

49. Stay PUFF!

That's it in a blob nutshell, kpete!

He's the greasy version of the Stay Puff marshmallow.

[Amonester]

52. Yep. And they'll make great janitors too!

For free.

[Warren DeMontague]

23. Amazing that "triple the military budget" or "stiffer penalties for drug users" never seem to garner

the "THAT'S FUCKING CRAAAAAAZY!!!!" reaction that, say, promoting manned space exploration does.



CRRRAAAAAAZY!! YA HEAR ME? CUCKOO!!! CRRAAAAAAZY!!!


Personally, I think establishing a manned presence around the solar system is not just a good idea, it's an inevitability. Newt's an ass, but on this one particular point, he's on target.

[LongTomH]

42. I'm with you entirely on this

But it seems we're in the minority on this forum, sadly.

[Amonester]

53. Problem is, he is lying through his teeth, pandering for the gullible votes...

and if he wasn't, him for prez (puke) would be a disaster for US and the Earth long before anyone would reach the moon.

[Warren DeMontague]

87. You'll get no argument from me, there.

And if a "Moon Man Newt" helps us get 4 more years of Obama, I will gladly promote the meme myself.

[Motown_Johnny]

59. I disagree

robotic explorers are far less expensive than manned exploration.


The only reason to put humans on the moon is to put humans on the moon, same as it ever was.

[Warren DeMontague]

85. Actually, there was solid science done by the Apollo astronauts.

There is a benefit to having human beings on the scene.

Also, it is in our nature to go. To explore. Not just with our mechanical proxies, but ourselves.

Beyond that, long-term, I think we will cease to be a one planet species. I think it's inevitable.

I fully support BOTH manned and unmanned space exploration. With a recalibration of our budgetary priorities, we could do both.

[Motown_Johnny]

88. oh come on

first of all you are asking astronauts to evaluate their own worth

then you are comparing the robotics of the 70's with that of today


For the foreseeable future I think humans should be limited to near earth orbit and robots should explore the rest. I just don't buy into the argument that we should send people because we should send people.

[Warren DeMontague]

89. Robots can- and should- do amazing shit.

But it's not 'astronauts evaluating their own worth'; having a trained geologist like H. Schmitt on site as opposed to making decisions from the ground- there's a real argument that a human presence makes a difference, even compared to today's technology.

Yes, the first couple missions were exercises in "we can do this", but by the end of the program real science was on board.

People are going to go, mark my words- it may not be for 100 years, but people will be living on the moon & mars IMHO.

[nanabugg]

25. Maybe the wealthy GOPers will leave earth! Good! nt

[Initech]

26. We're whalers on the moon, we carry a harpoon...

[Johonny]

27. at the same time he's going to balance the budget and lower taxes

you can see how all the works out in his second term

[Fuzz]

28. How soon after it's habitable would the missionaries go there to convert the savages that live there

[IDemo]

30. "Open the White House door, HAL."

"That would be counterproductive to the nation, Newtser."

[pinboy3niner]

67. "I'm sorry, Dave. I'm afraid I can't do that."

[dogknob]

54. Maybe YOURS! n/t

[rucky]

32. All the cheese you can eat.

[powergirl]

33. I guess he needs a place to send all of his ex-wives

[upi402]

35. ? - To prove the earth revolves around it? n/t

[Proles]

37. Under ordinary circumstances, I would consider such a proposal

as a daunting, scientifically exciting event.

But he makes it sound so lame, and... weird. Is it going to be like his secret lair or something?

We definitely need renewed energy put into our space program, but I'd much rather see a focused effort to put people on Mars by 2030.

[Gore1FL]

40. This might be the first time I agree with Gingrich.

the helium-3 prospecting alone would make it worthwhile.

[lonestarnot]

43. lunaticanati

[lpbk2713]

45. Sorry Noot.

There's no Tiffany's on the Moon.

[Javaman]

46. Fine. Send all the repukes there. nt

[marasinghe]

47. what's newt? another delusional &/or lying fucker, trying to sucker the Alzheimer's vote.

asshole should retire already & rep. the AARP at Star Trek conventions.
or take over as crypt-keeper at the Reagan Library.

[mia]

48. Oh goodie!

Now the Republicans can be the "moonbats".

[SaintPete]

57. THank GOD!

I was beginning to think Newt had learned to shut his mouth and play it safe.

Not this time...I feel better knowing that somethings just don't change,

[99th_Monkey]

60. Does this mean I can MOON The Neut any time I want now? Please

let it be so.

[JHB]

61. Something along those lines is actually worthwhile, but Newt...

...in every other statement he makes says he wants the kind of government that could not pull that off.

Research, both general and ones like this which have a tangible goal, are a form of national infrastructure, an investment in our future. Planting new seeds, so to speak. But it also costs money, and requires a "socialist" government like WE had during the Cold War.

Newt wants gravy on his icing, hold the cake and meat.

[stlsaxman]

62. and what about Jetpacks???

[stlsaxman]

64. If Newt were Talkie Toaster from Red Dwarf...

I would react as Lister did!

[Tommy_Carcetti]

65. I didn't know Hugo Drax was running for president. nt

[mfcorey1]

66. This is bats*** crazy. A colony on the moon... Castro was right about these

candidates being ignorant. LOL

[RoccoR5955]

68. Come on Noot, surely there are better ways to get votes

Than to exploit the people of the Space Coast with the promise of jobs.
Sure, we need to spend more money on NASA, we spend less on the entire 50+ year budget than we spend in one year in Iraq.
We have to do it with PUBLIC funds. These discoveries that are made by NASA are then passed to the private sector FOR FREE. If we get the private sector involved, things will cost more. Think microcomputers, scratch-resistant lenses, memory foam (the kind you sleep on), ear thermometers (the kind they use on kids), rumble strips on the Interstate, cordless drills, water and air filters. These, and many more would not be possible without NASA research. (and don't forget Tang!).
It would be great if the money we spend on defense went to NASA, to make everyone's life better, but Noot ain't doin' it. He's just doing this to get votes.

And if the moon is the 51st state, my bung hole will be the 52nd state!

[erpowers]

69. No Sane Person Can Vote For Newt Gingrich

First, that is a stupid idea. Second, how does he plan to pay for a U.S. base on the moon? Someone really needs to ask Gingrich how he plans to reduce a trillion dollar deficit, reduce the $14 trillion debt (even to Bush era levels of about $10 trillion at the end of Bush's presidency) while cutting trillions of dollars in taxes and possibly increasing military spending. I do not think anyone can begin to discuss getting the national budget to the Clinton era levels of $5 trillion at the end of the Clinton presidency when an idea like a moon base is being mentioned.

[Gore1FL]

91. I would argue this is a good idea.

Science drives the economy.

Not only is this science, it's good science. It also puts us in a position to harvest the He-3 on the moon, and set up a place to more easily launch interplanetary missions.

Additionally, it drives the dreams of a nation. They called the space program expensive and offered similar criticism, yet it is the reason we can come together and agree about how Newt Gingrich sucks on all other topics, and disagree on this one.

As far as how to pay for it, it'll pay for itself. In the short term let's pay for it by returning to the tax rates of the 1960s--which is when we actually did things as a nation.

The true criticism of this plan as far as Newt is concerned is that he'd fuck it up.

[Phoonzang]

71. About the only thing I agree with him on

Besides, the sky is blue. Assuming he actually thinks the sky is blue of course.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

72. I'm still waiting for my jetpack Newtie

That was one of your Contract with America promises.

[bonzotex]

73. To the Moon! bitches!

To better understand Newt, simply add "on the moon" to his wackier statements. They will make much more sense that way.


From DemfromCT on Kos

[joeglow3]

74. Seriously people, just because a Rethug supports something, we don't HAVE to oppose it

This is not a bad thing. Admitting that doesn't make you dirty and a Republican.

[Phoonzang]

75. SHHHHHH

*whisper* They'll eat you alive. *whisper*

What are you talking about?! Of course we do! They just want to spread the evil corporate *something something* to the moon! We should fix every single problem EVER here on earth before we even think about going into space. Blarg!!

[Jester Messiah]

79. HAHAHAHA!!!

This "space" bullshit didn't work for Bush and it won't work for Newt. Remember how Bush said we'd have a base on Mars by now? I swear, it seems like the last resort for a repub politician who is out of ideas is "remember the space race? Wasn't that great?"

We got plenty of problems on THIS planet, Newt. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that you and your disgusting party are one of them!

[montanto]

81. Newt for POTM

I'd vote for that.

[Broken_Hero]

82. A moon base?

Bruce Wayne is going to be pissed, he all ready has one up there...not sure the JLA is going to like having to share real estate on the moon....

[hue]

83. Newt's face does resemble the "Man in the Moon"! Lunatics!! k&r

[white_wolf]

90. Romney is the only one making sense on this issue.

What kind of private business wants to build a base on the moon? I don't see much potential for profit there. Of course, this is why you need a government, though I have to say,the moon base idea sounds really silly, though awesome.

[Gore1FL]

92. He-3 n/t

[Gore1FL]

93. Here is Neil Degrasse Tyson's take on it

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/neil-degrasse-tyson-sympathizes-with-newt-gingrichs-moon-mission/

As usual, spot on.