[FUNALA]

The President of Upper Woopwoopistan announced today from the capital, Bustedarseabad, that their space program will take precedence over upgrading the nation's road network to bullock cart standard.

Already, a very long straight stick has been found and the search is on for a huge bottle. A factory has been set up to manufacture a huge cardboard tube, and the order has been issued for every adult male in the country to supply 1kg of gunpowder per month. The name of their first astronaut has yet to be announced, but it is rumoured that a ballot will be held among the country's many political prisoners.

A launching date has not yet been fixed.

[PickEmUp]

The President of Upper Woopwoopistan announced today from the capital, Bustedarseabad, that their space program will take precedence over upgrading the nation's road network to bullock cart standard.

Already, a very long straight stick has been found and the search is on for a huge bottle. A factory has been set up to manufacture a huge cardboard tube, and the order has been issued for every adult male in the country to supply 1kg of gunpowder per month. The name of their first astronaut has yet to be announced, but it is rumoured that a ballot will be held among the country's many political prisoners.

A launching date has not yet been fixed.

[geraint.faughn]

Both China and India will I'm sure press on regardless with their respective space programs and progress in general, knowing that doing so, will enable them tp eventually overcome their shortcomings.
Maybe the "bleeding hearts" and "do gooders" should look elsewhere first.
Political bias and criticism of countries because they are able to see the benefits of space endeavours, will be like water on a duck's back to those countries, and is certainly doing nothing for International relations.

Maybe one day this country will have a leader with vision who will initiate a space program we can be proud of and that will benefit us.
It will happen...just a matter of time.

[FUNALA]

"bleeding hearts" and "do gooders"

Sheesh, B.C. find some new cliches. These are becoming a bit tattered around the edges.

[PickEmUp]

Sheesh, B.C. find some new cliches. These are becoming a bit tattered around the edges.

Agreed, patronising and insulting those who disagree with your own personal opinion is not affecting only your own reputation.

[FUNALA]

It is interesting to reflect on what would have happened with, say, slavery if it weren't for bleeding hearts and do-gooders.

I would also love to be enlightened on how India's space program will destroy the caste system and improve the lot of the untouchables. Detailed explanation, please, with references.

[geraint.faughn]

It is interesting to reflect on what would have happened with, say, slavery if it weren't for bleeding hearts and do-gooders.

I would also love to be enlightened on how India's space program will destroy the caste system and improve the lot of the untouchables. Detailed explanation, please, with references.

To show your genuine concern with that system, maybe you need to do more personally yourself.
I'm sure those at the brunt of your claims will appreciate your input.


In the mean time, their efforts in space endeavours may one day see the complaints against that system that you list, finally disappear.

[FUNALA]

To show your genuine concern with that system, maybe you need to do more personally yourself.
I'm sure those at the brunt of your claims will appreciate your input.


In the mean time, their efforts in space endeavours may one day see the complaints against that system that you list, finally disappear.

As to the first part, I have spent quite a bit of my working life providing practical assistance to the rural poor to improve their living standards, and I know that it was very much appreciated because my work has been carried on by the people themselves long after I left.

The second part - reads that you are suggesting that the complaints against the caste system might disappear, not the utterly degrading system itself. I want to know from you just how you see the space program contributing to the destruction of the caste system in India, not vague and ambiguous hand waving.

[broksaksaak]

To show your genuine concern with that system, maybe you need to do more personally yourself. i would think geoff has done more to alleviate suffering in third world countries than you can imagine.

i think it would be more productive that instead of a multitude of countries having their own launch programs that they actually work together and divide the work up and the most able do what they are best at. if australia is good at building satellites then that is what they should concentrate on rather than trying, and wasting resources, to build launch vehicles. let another country which is good at that do it.

but i guess national pride comes first for some of these countries.

[geraint.faughn]

The second part - reads that you are suggesting that the complaints against the caste system might disappear, not the utterly degrading system itself.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Wrong...I mean what I said.




>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I want to know from you just how you see the space program contributing to the destruction of the caste system in India, not vague and ambiguous hand waving.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


LOL!
You wave to me and I'll wave back.


In the mean time, India will proceed with their space endeavours and I believe it will for the better in the long run.




ps:
I've done my part too

[Dokescoonse]

Captain Picard will sort out that caste system in no time.

Make it so, number 1.







Unfortunately, the untouchables all ended up with red shirts... d'oh!

[geraint.faughn]

Funny, I saw many people in the US in New York, New Jersey, and LA, who would be of the opinion that the money NASA spends should be funneled in their direction.
No system is perfect and it is just short sightedness for some to see the need to "highlight" a particular system when money is spent on progress.
The nitty gritty is of course it aint gonna stop [the space program that is] but at least heading in that direction does hold some hope for the more technically improved future and inevitable progress that stems from space endeavours.

As an example....Think of the incredible advantages we have with satellites and the improvements in meteorology, agriculture and probably many other fields of science