Remember Kennedy's race to the moon. And how it inspired people to go into the sciences when

[applegrove]

they were kids. And all that science supremacy made America rich? That was great wasn't it. And now Obama tries to inspire the young with a lead weight, which is the GOP, around his neck. This anti science action of the GOP/religious right will make America poor. Not to mention how the GOP has tried and succeeded to get good information out of the hands of government to kneecap them (and thus not available to the public for free or to the government to take acton/regulate) and into the hands of corporations.

Used to be that kids were encouraged to daydream about going to the moon. If the GOP has its way kids will only be encouraged to dream about using guns and not paying taxes.

[mainer]

1. I was in the 5th grade during the Space Race

and I remember that era very well. There were special classes for the gifted, science was revered, and I was enrolled in "new math" classes that taught the binary system. It was an exciting time, and I was inspired to go into the sciences myself, eventually earning a doctorate. Every kid was excited about space, about math, about what the future would hold. Not only did everyone accept evolution as science, NO ONE I knew believed in creationism.

WTF happened?

[lunasun]

2. we watched Genetic Roulette this rainy day and commented on what a terrible time in

history this is to be a scientist...esp. bio or environment
truths are not
and they are silenced now one way or another

[loyalsister]

3. Obama's "moon launch" is closer to home

and may tells us a little about how we were able to make it happen. Understanding pathology leads to understanding how things work properly.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/02/science/obama-to-unveil-initiative-to-map-the-human-brain.html?_r=0

[applegrove]

4. For sure. But you can bet, like the scientologists, the gop does not want their base emotionally

honest and happy with themselves. They need a hook. People who are self actualized can't be controlled and told to vote against their own best interests. Only a matter of time before the right comes out against mental health.

[loyalsister]

6. Where talking about veterans, the AARP crowd

aging baby boomers, parents of kids with autism....

There are plenty of republicans in that crowd. And, our legislators are likely to know some of them.

There is also private funding. There are a lot of organized groups, as well as individual donors who are eager to learn about this.

[applegrove]

8. I hope you are right.

[loyalsister]

9. I hope so too

I try to look for positive potential where I can find it. It keeps me sane.

[applegrove]

14. Yes. If only the GOP wasn't in to making health care scarce for the poor or poor seniors.

Obviously they want the best for themselves and their families. But the 'little people', not so much.

[FSogol]

5. Check out the recent STEM programs. Schools are putting a big push

on science and tech. We need to move the country forward despite the GOP efforts to destroy progress.

[Stretch714]

7. +1 nt

[loli phabay]

10. one word. Mars.

[Savannahmann]

11. We won't go for one hundred years.

The ISS was supposed to be a stepping stone for a Moon base and then on to Mars. Now it's a destination unto itself. We shut down Human Space Flight. So other than hitching rides with the Russians, we are out of the human space flight business without any definitive plans on the boards. Just some vague ideas that corporate systems will eventually pan out.

[loli phabay]

12. we should be going now, our future as a species lies out there.

[Savannahmann]

13. Should be

But won't for another century at least.

[mountain grammy]

15. I was in 9th grade when Kennedy was elected. We were all inspired by our young president

The future was in the stars. It was all over before we finished high school.

[colsohlibgal]

16. All Out Assault On Science Now

It's sick that kids some places are being taught that the Flintstones was real, that people were living with Dinosaurs because the universe is only 6,000 years old. And that climate change is a hoax.

We're at critical mass here when there are enough insane zealots able to get this done anywhere. Our future may depend on how many kids get brainwashed by the nut cases out there.

Strange days are upon us.