But at the risk of sounding very unpatriotic, is it right that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (US Government) spends something like $16.5 billion per year on exploration, science, space shuttle and space operations, and aeronautics. I'm a big fan of the "first things first" philosophy that, in this case, would hint that there might be ways to spend money much closer to home (Earth) and affecting a greater population. Here's what I'm getting at:
Instead of studying the world of ETs that--*Gasp!*--may not exist outside of Hollywood and top secret bunkers in Roswell, New Mexico, we should put effort towards improving the lives of humans...which do exist. There are poor people, wounded veterans, sick patients...and that's just scratching the surface in the United States. Help out our oppressed and AIDS-stricken brothers and sisters in Africa. Help orphans in Ukraine.
We spend all sorts of money to find out if we can ever live on the moon, Mars and other planets. Maybe we should invest in keeping our own planet Earth in good shape. Without spending a dime I can tell you that Earth IS quite suitable for life, and yet we aren't exactly doing a spectacular job maintaining it. And if we can't safely live on a planet with an ideal mix of water, earth elements and air composition, I'd say we're doomed on a sphere without any of the three.
I'm not saying the current research isn't important, because it probably is and it likely could help us. But let's be real. The discovery of another star by a multi-million dollar camera that we will never recover doesn't exactly do the greatest good for the greatest number here on Earth. And that earth-bound meteor the size of Texas isn't worth fighting either. Not unless Bruce Willis gets involved.
