Comments on: Afghanistan Heroes Offer to Colonize Moon, Mars and Beyond http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/ Your daily dose of science scuttlebutt ... Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:10:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: johncokley http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-60029 johncokley Thu, 01 May 2008 23:21:14 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-60029 For those inside the US, perhaps this sounds like an original and wise idea. outside the US, but among nations friendly to the US, it sounds a little creepy -- something like an advance scouting party to be followed by an army, not a civilian colony -- but probably not too bad if that's you're thing. of course, outside the Pax Americana tent it sounds decidedly scary, like the first of the new American invasions. but alas, for all that it's hardly original. shades of the Dirty Dozen and Armageddon ... or Lewis & Clark ... or Capt James Cook (reflected in the naming of the space shuttle Endeavour). It's now law in Australia that the invasion which the British performed in the 18th century was just that ... a land grab. Watch for the law suits after America invades / occupies an apparently "Terra nullius" planet and then someone wants it back. For those inside the US, perhaps this sounds like an original and wise idea. outside the US, but among nations friendly to the US, it sounds a little creepy — something like an advance scouting party to be followed by an army, not a civilian colony — but probably not too bad if that’s you’re thing. of course, outside the Pax Americana tent it sounds decidedly scary, like the first of the new American invasions. but alas, for all that it’s hardly original. shades of the Dirty Dozen and Armageddon … or Lewis & Clark … or Capt James Cook (reflected in the naming of the space shuttle Endeavour). It’s now law in Australia that the invasion which the British performed in the 18th century was just that … a land grab. Watch for the law suits after America invades / occupies an apparently “Terra nullius” planet and then someone wants it back.

]]> By: nmarrott@cea-ut.com http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59829 nmarrott@cea-ut.com Thu, 01 May 2008 18:29:58 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59829 Staying oblivious has been difficult to do. Fortunately, in the last 4 yrs I have been more aware and at least reading, listening and trying to understand what is going on. I have voted to the best to my knowledge and even written my congressman. I do get really worked up about all this and have to take a step back to calm down. Part of that is because of my lack of knowledge on a lot of the issues' history. There is such a disconnect happening in our country. I reread the Declaration of Independence and Constitution a yr ago - took awhile. I think others ought to read it periodically to reaffirm what we have here. We do, and willingly, help other countries find their footing in democracy but is this destroying ours? I agree and believe as you do that the mission to oust Taliban is important and necessary. And our soldiers deserve our support and I voice my opinion often and as loudly as I can when conversations arise. I am starting to figure out what I can do, as an American, to help. But I concede there is a lot I don't know and am in the process of learning. Staying oblivious has been difficult to do. Fortunately, in the last 4 yrs I have been more aware and at least reading, listening and trying to understand what is going on. I have voted to the best to my knowledge and even written my congressman. I do get really worked up about all this and have to take a step back to calm down. Part of that is because of my lack of knowledge on a lot of the issues’ history. There is such a disconnect happening in our country. I reread the Declaration of Independence and Constitution a yr ago - took awhile. I think others ought to read it periodically to reaffirm what we have here. We do, and willingly, help other countries find their footing in democracy but is this destroying ours?

I agree and believe as you do that the mission to oust Taliban is important and necessary. And our soldiers deserve our support and I voice my opinion often and as loudly as I can when conversations arise. I am starting to figure out what I can do, as an American, to help. But I concede there is a lot I don’t know and am in the process of learning.

]]> By: Anthony Duignan-Cabrera http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59705 Anthony Duignan-Cabrera Thu, 01 May 2008 15:44:54 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59705 For the sake of your brother and his fellow soldiers: Get involved. The problem we Americans face now, and have faced since 9/11, is the use of partisan hackery to define "patriotism". It has muddied the waters of rational conversation. I support our troops and whole-heartedly believe in the mission to oust the Taliban and instill order and democracy in Afghanistan. But I fear that some people in power used the events of 9/11 to lay the ground work for Operation Iraqi Freedom for purely ideological and economic purposes. So, while I have serious doubts about the reason we went into Iraq, I am not going to turn my back on our forces stationed there. I can vote here, I can support candidates and initiatives that will safeguard our rights at home, take care of our soldiers should they be harmed and hopefully ensure that the reasons for a show of military force in the future is truly warranted. For the sake of your brother and his fellow soldiers: Get involved. The problem we Americans face now, and have faced since 9/11, is the use of partisan hackery to define “patriotism”.

It has muddied the waters of rational conversation. I support our troops and whole-heartedly believe in the mission to oust the Taliban and instill order and democracy in Afghanistan. But I fear that some people in power used the events of 9/11 to lay the ground work for Operation Iraqi Freedom for purely ideological and economic purposes.

So, while I have serious doubts about the reason we went into Iraq, I am not going to turn my back on our forces stationed there. I can vote here, I can support candidates and initiatives that will safeguard our rights at home, take care of our soldiers should they be harmed and hopefully ensure that the reasons for a show of military force in the future is truly warranted.

]]> By: nmarrott@cea-ut.com http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59679 nmarrott@cea-ut.com Thu, 01 May 2008 15:13:04 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59679 What an interesting story. When I read a story like this I am torn between being "involved" in political issues or "oblivious" to them. I am truly worried for America. Colonize the MOON? From what I see of the moon (which is a distant picture) i see no real benefit in venturing into space to live. I want to give a "shout-out" to SGT Ruth and his troop and especially my brother, SGT Marrott. On this subject of you volunteering to go to the moon; first, this just confirms my opinion that you all are brave and rough worthy. Secondly, I think you all need to really think about this next "vacation". First Iraq, then Afghanistan and these are pretty dismal compared to where you come from. Talk about Man vs Wild. What if there are huge insects - o yeah you have those there. What if there is no water - o yeah you have that there... hmm.. Maybe the moon IS an option for life. What an interesting story. When I read a story like this I am torn between being “involved” in political issues or “oblivious” to them. I am truly worried for America. Colonize the MOON? From what I see of the moon (which is a distant picture) i see no real benefit in venturing into space to live.

I want to give a “shout-out” to SGT Ruth and his troop and especially my brother, SGT Marrott. On this subject of you volunteering to go to the moon; first, this just confirms my opinion that you all are brave and rough worthy. Secondly, I think you all need to really think about this next “vacation”. First Iraq, then Afghanistan and these are pretty dismal compared to where you come from. Talk about Man vs Wild. What if there are huge insects - o yeah you have those there. What if there is no water - o yeah you have that there… hmm.. Maybe the moon IS an option for life.

]]> By: Anthony Duignan-Cabrera http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59542 Anthony Duignan-Cabrera Thu, 01 May 2008 12:01:53 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59542 Dinoland -- Thanks for your comment. I have surprise for you. This morning I received this e-mail from Sgt. Ruth and he wanted me to share it with you: "Thank you for forwarding this, SGT Marrott was not only surprised but overwhelmed by seeing his mother respond to this blog. I think sometimes people forget that we are family men, our wife's miss our touch, we miss our children growing up. And our mothers worry about losing their sons. If you could, can you post this response on the blog so that SGT Marrott's mother and others can see these words. Thank you." Thanks again. Dinoland — Thanks for your comment. I have surprise for you. This morning I received this e-mail from Sgt. Ruth and he wanted me to share it with you:

“Thank you for forwarding this, SGT Marrott was not only surprised but overwhelmed by seeing his mother respond to this blog. I think sometimes people forget that we are family men, our wife’s miss our touch, we miss our children growing up. And our mothers worry about losing their sons.

If you could, can you post this response on the blog so that SGT Marrott’s mother and others can see these words. Thank you.”

Thanks again.

]]> By: Weekendwillie http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59330 Weekendwillie Thu, 01 May 2008 01:57:23 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59330 Dinoland, I've got a stepson in the group, Lt. Cyle Alden. They are indeed the best and brightest, but Mars is just too far, as is Afghanistan. This is Cyle's third deployment and damn well better be the last. Or it won't be to Mars, but, like Jackie Gleason used to say, "to the moon, Alice!" Safe home to them all. Dinoland, I’ve got a stepson in the group, Lt. Cyle Alden. They are indeed the best and brightest, but Mars is just too far, as is Afghanistan. This is Cyle’s third deployment and damn well better be the last. Or it won’t be to Mars, but, like Jackie Gleason used to say, “to the moon, Alice!”

Safe home to them all.

]]> By: dinoland http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59106 dinoland Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:18:26 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-59106 I found this very interesting since one of the soldiers is my son SGT Steven R Marrott Jr--I am still thinking about the Moon idea--would there be snail mail, e-mail or phone calls? I truly love each and every soldier there for the sacrifice (I know of first hand) they make for this country and ALL AMERICANS---Thanks for the picture it made my day-- I found this very interesting since one of the soldiers is my son SGT Steven R Marrott Jr–I am still thinking about the Moon idea–would there be snail mail, e-mail or phone calls? I truly love each and every soldier there for the sacrifice (I know of first hand) they make for this country and ALL AMERICANS—Thanks for the picture it made my day–

]]> By: spsquirrells http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-58700 spsquirrells Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:57:01 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-58700 Thank you to the troops of 101st Airborne Division, and all others in the service of this country. With dedicated souls such as theses, I have no doubt we will touch the soils of other alien worlds before we know it. Bless you all for all you do. Thank you to the troops of 101st Airborne Division, and all others in the service of this country. With dedicated souls such as theses, I have no doubt we will touch the soils of other alien worlds before we know it. Bless you all for all you do.

]]> By: artglick http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-58651 artglick Mon, 28 Apr 2008 22:41:54 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-58651 Bless this man for his bravery and selflessness! From what I've heard, being on the Moon or Mars is likely to be safer (and nicer) than being in Afghanistan! Bless this man for his bravery and selflessness! From what I’ve heard, being on the Moon or Mars is likely to be safer (and nicer) than being in Afghanistan!

]]> By: Darnell Clayton http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-58585 Darnell Clayton Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:43:53 +0000 http://www.livescience.com/blogs/2008/04/25/afghanistan-heroes-offer-to-colonize-moon-mars-and-beyond/#comment-58585 If it weren't for the fact that sending the military would be alarming (towards other countries who would spin this as another "American evil") I think this would be a good idea for NASA. Unfortunately, NASA is a civilian agency, and they may shy away from anything even hinting that they are a military operation. ~Darnell If it weren’t for the fact that sending the military would be alarming (towards other countries who would spin this as another “American evil”) I think this would be a good idea for NASA.

Unfortunately, NASA is a civilian agency, and they may shy away from anything even hinting that they are a military operation.

~Darnell

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