NASA

Granted, over the years NASA has had its share of critics. We've pumped a lot of money into the space program. And, there have been several heart-wrenching tragedies. But, is there another government agency or program that has been more successful? C'mon, nobody can put a man on the moon! Nobody can put up a laboratory in space that we can shuttle scientists to and from! Some might say, certainly I wouldn't, that this has been a colossal waste of money, good only for chest-pumping. Rubbish! Look at all of the advances that came out of the space program. Technical improvements and inventions, health advancements, hey, even Tang! Life is better today thanks to NASA.

So, why is the gov't shutting it down? Why has the President been so adamant about it? Hey, even W. Bush was cutting way back--and I never said he was a good President either! Why don't we shut down the programs and agencies that don't work????? We can start with the Dept of Education and go from there. The list in practically endless. And, we should also trim some of them back. The IRS comes to mind right off the bat, but there are many others.

Speaking of gov't agencies, flying last week brought me into contact with the TSA. It has, no doubt, a thankless job. Folks there, the rank-and-file, not the ding-a-ling leaders, can't win. They have to follow orders/procedures. They take the guff from people. But if something happens again at an airport, involving a plane, someone sneaking into the country, we'll all forget about how we complained about the searches and intrusions. OK, I am not a fan of the full-body scanner. I do think we can and should profile. And some common sense needs to be followed. Remember the 90+ year old woman whose Depends was searched???? I had a brief todo at the LV airport. I set off the metal detector/scanner. I didn't have any idea as to what it might be--I had no keys, no coins, etc. It was my glasses case!!!!! How many times have I walked through carrying it in my pocket and nothing happened? Well, I count at least three other times in the last month--nothing. This time--BUZZ! The TSA agent told me to do something and I complied with nary a wimper. Another agent snapped at me--I don't remember the exact words. But I wasn't pleased at her continued "snapping." Finally, I said, "Hey, I'm just doing what I was told to do," pointing at the other agent. The other one, to her credit, nodded. The second one just turned away, mumbling something. But, again, pretty much it's a thankless job.