Defending the moon - 2010-02-02 12:06:03 Here is a list of six reasons why the United States should make it a national goal to establish a laboratory on the moon, similar to our Antarctic South Pole Station:
1. National prestige. Many decisions are made in other countries based on how they perceive us . Are we young and dynamic and growing or are we old, lethargic, and dying? If we are considered the latter, we will be attacked in both overt and subtle ways.
2. Growing our economy based on technological and scientific leadership. If we accomplish great engineering and scientific tasks, such as going to the moon and staying there, we will attract the best and brightest minds in the world to not only help us on the moon but to keep us advancing in all technologies. This equals a dynamic, nimble, robust, long-term economy.
3. Teaching our young people how to succeed. Anytime a great technological project is taken on by the United States with clear purpose, resolve, and defined goals, the result is success which inspires all Americans, especially our youth.
4. Energy. Space is awash in energy resources. The moon is a place to take advantage of that.
5. Fighting terrorism. To stop the ideology of terror from taking hold in young minds, we must provide those minds with a grand new perception of the universe. Imagine a young person stepping outside a mud hut and looking up at the moon and knowing there are people there accomplishing great tasks. His heart will soar and he will want to join us, not them.
6. The X Factor. What we don't know, we don't know. The moon holds secrets, perhaps to our very survival.
Hope this helps everyone interested in defending our moon program.
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