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Space Pork and Honeyfuggling
As I explained last week, when it comes to space, House Republicans like big government. Yesterday, the Institute for Liberty held a press conference on Capitol Hill yesterday to oppose the 2010 NASA Reauthorization Act, using a phrase I'm ashamed that I failed to think of on my own: Space pork.
"Pork is pork, as far as Americans are concerned," [said Institute for Liberty president Andrew] Langer. "While people continue to be enthusiastic about the nation's space program, they want that money spent wisely, on concrete and measurable goals that will be historic. But this bill, and the vision it endorses, go against all that. We say, 'No Space Pork!' and will continue to fight hard to ensure that!"
Sadly, the space pork metaphor probably works too well. When it comes to federal jobs, Republicans talk a big game (especially when they are out of power), but they'll only cut the cash to massive legacy space operations when pigs fly.
The Onion's Joad Cressbeckler put it best. If you read between the lines, I'm pretty such he's backing the private space flight industry.
Joad Cressbeckler: NASA Honeyfuggling America With Nonsense Space
Dreams
UPDATE: Post corrected to reflect the fact that the space pork blasters in question are the Institute for Liberty, not the Institute for Justice.
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|9.22.10 @ 2:53PM|#
What? No Pigs in Space video?
|9.22.10 @ 2:55PM|#
Oops. SugarFreed the link. Try this.
Dello|9.22.10 @ 3:19PM|#
Seriously, the government could learn a few things from the Muppets.
|9.22.10 @ 5:43PM|#
In the Meantime, I'll listen to a little Spacehog.
How did this one slip by for so long?
|9.22.10 @ 6:06PM|#
BTW, tell me that's not Glenn Beck at :29-:30 in that video.
He was going to Yale at the time.....coincidence?
cynical|9.22.10 @ 8:09PM|#
Thanks for helping me figure out what was bugging my subconscious about "space pork".
|9.22.10 @ 2:57PM|#
So space pork would be the same as regular pork, but freeze dried and vacuum-sealed, right?
Spencer Smith|9.22.10 @ 2:59PM|#
I know many, many people in Houston that got PISSED with a caps locked PISSED at the suggestion of cutting NASA funding. At the same time they seem to be deficit hawks on other subjects. They don't get their own hypocritical nature- or the answer questions about it with the ol' "yeah, but..."
|9.22.10 @ 3:08PM|#
Yeah, everybody is a deficit hawk until their road needs to be paved or little Johnny's school has to cancel the football team.
Actually no one's a deficit hawk.
|9.22.10 @ 3:07PM|#
Hey Katherine Mangu Hyphen Ward, it's the Institute for Liberty (whatever that is), not the Institute for Justice. You had me wondering for a sec WTF IJ was doing fighting pork.
Fiscal Meth|9.22.10 @ 3:25PM|#
I don't know what I like more, KM-W's lady'pinions or her pillowyparts
|9.22.10 @ 3:26PM|#
but they'll only cut the cash to massive legacy space operations when pigs fly.
Well, of course. The mission of launching pigs into orbit with legacy space operation will have succeeded at that point.
Mad Max|9.22.10 @ 4:04PM|#
'when it comes to ______, House Republicans like big government'
Just curious - what *wouldn't* fit into that blank space?
|9.22.10 @ 5:47PM|#
"Regulating crooked politicians" wouldn't fit for either major party.
Selfless Jerk|9.22.10 @ 4:17PM|#
KM-W's pillowyparts.
|9.22.10 @ 4:20PM|#
I'm not so sure that the GOP is pro-entrenched space industry so much as it is pro-defense industry. But this business shows its true colors, as the free(r) market approach is something they're trying to kill. Interesting.
|9.22.10 @ 4:50PM|#
I just flashed on Boehner et al. breaking into song:
"I like big gov and I will not lie . . ."
MNG|9.22.10 @ 4:53PM|#
I do think we can count on a Boehner controlled House to repeal the tanning tax...
|9.22.10 @ 4:56PM|#
It's one reason I'm not voting for Crist--I fear the tan.