Tim Cummings writes:

>Boondoggle?
>
>The next time  you doubting listers needs an MRI, CAT scan, kidney dialysis
>or have heart problems, tell your doctor you would like to pass on using
one
>of these life saving technologies since the technology is worthless and
>wasn't worth discovering.

Tim makes a good case for the notion that funding research in science and
technology benefits society in many ways, some of which will be
unanticipated.  I don't think anyone on this list has argued against the
space program, however.  The argument is that NASA is squandering too many
of its resources on repeated flights of the shuttle, when it should be
concentrating on developing new technology and exploring new frontiers.  The
amount of money available for basic research and for more ambitious missions
is limited by the huge expenditures going to maintaining the shuttle fleet
and building the space station.

I think we all agree that the space program is worthy of as least some of
this country's resources.  The debate is on how best to apply those
resources.

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