We are going to Mars

[Northwest Slobovia]

it hasn't made it out of the senate. It has to go through the house. the house that cant even find money to fight ZIKA.

so how are they going to pay for it, take $19bil out of food stamps?

The bill pays for all of NASA for next year, not just Mars mission planning. NASA's budget for this year was ~$18billion, so this is hardly a big increase.

[The Portland Territory]

Wait, would it even be possible to terraform because it's just outside the Goldilocks Zone?

[Uxupox]

Take the $147 B from obesity bullshit. Easy.

you think we spend money on obesity bullshit?

CDC states so yes.

[Ochea]

Instead of taking the money from food stamps or anything that helps people, why not take it from military spending? The military isn't helping anyone. We don't need to be killing each other. I would rather have increased spending go to space exploration than to the military.

[Geilinor]

you think we spend money on obesity bullshit?

CDC states so yes.

What?

[Gauthier]

I wholeheartedly applaud this effort, although I don't think it goes far enough. Space colonization will allow us to eventually achieve developed world-esque living standards for all of humanity while at the same time achieving a total restoration of nature. Consider, for example, how asteroid mining can allow for both a massive influx of minerals and the like to humanity, while at the same time ending mining on Earth and its associated environmental impacts.

It'll just probably be swept under the proverbial rug and covered up in a portrait of corruption straight out of Red Faction.

[MERIZoC]

and the White Race.

Uhhh...what?

you know....the race between the white things....back in the 1960s

[Esternial]

Uhhh...what?

you know....the race between the white things....back in the 1960s

But it has a brown...ehh...fuel tank.

Look at the size of that thing.

[New Grestin]

and the White Race.

Uhhh...what?

The Space-Man's Burden.

The White Man must spread to the stars and bring civilization to the savage Martians.

Obviously.

[MERIZoC]

you know....the race between the white things....back in the 1960s

But it has a brown...ehh...fuel tank.

Look at the size of that thing.

White ship's burden

[Trumpostan]

I wholeheartedly applaud this effort, although I don't think it goes far enough. Space colonization will allow us to eventually achieve developed world-esque living standards for all of humanity while at the same time achieving a total restoration of nature. Consider, for example, how asteroid mining can allow for both a massive influx of minerals and the like to humanity, while at the same time ending mining on Earth and its associated environmental impacts.

You seem to be quite sure that mining Mars etc will not have any negative consequences.

The Federation of Planets might look unkindly on our invasion of a sovereign planet.

[Socialist Nordia]

Uhhh...what?

The Space-Man's Burden.

The White Man must spread to the stars and bring civilization to the savage Martians.

Obviously.

Little did they know that it was all an elaborate plot to get whites to willingly allow themselves to be deported to space, and have their former lands dominated by various minority groups.

[Imperial Union of America]

Okay, technically the moon is not a planet. But what I'm trying to say is that it will be the first time the white race has ever landed on a celestial body other than earth.

No need to prod me with technicalities -- I'm not a scientist.

[Gauthier]

you know....the race between the white things....back in the 1960s

But it has a brown...ehh...fuel tank.

Look at the size of that thing.

Much thicker and longer than the white tanks on its sides.

[New haven america]

NASA doesn't only send things to space you know. Any material NASA creates almost always has a practical purpose to the general public.

Also, considering we've hit the point where climate change is now nearly irreversible, we're going to need a new place to live.

Then by all means, lets have NASA continue making those things.

Climate change is pretty much irreversible, yes. That does not mean the effects cannot be mitigated if we act against it.

And those things usually result from trying to find new ways to get to or survive in space. So yes, funding space programs helps pretty much everyone.

No, there is no possible way humans can mitigate climate change (Unless we stop using everything that requires fossil fuels and natural gas, and convert to renewable and nuclear energy.... Good luck with that). The best option we have is to leave and let the Earth heal itself.

[Uxupox]

CDC states so yes.

What?

CDC confirms that we are spending that money on the obesity epidemic.

[Ashmoria]

In all seriousness I'd rather this money go to something, you know, actually important.

NASA doesn't only send things to space you know. Any material NASA creates almost always has a practical purpose to the general public.

Also, considering we've hit the point where climate change is now nearly irreversible, we're going to need a new place to live.

I'm pretty sure that no matter how terrible climate change ends up being it will still be easier to live on earth than on mars--all that cold temp and scant air.

[The Portland Territory]

Instead of taking the money from food stamps or anything that helps people, why not take it from military spending? The military isn't helping anyone. We don't need to be killing each other. I would rather have increased spending go to space exploration than to the military.

I would support that, but with the rise of ISIS and such, we need to maintain our spending. But not raise it. Regardless, I would promote cutting spending to the NSA, which is around 75 Billion if I recall

[Gauthier]

What?

CDC confirms that we are spending that money on the obesity epidemic.

Solving the economic imbalance would go ways towards fighting the obesity epidemic. Most cases of obese are lower income people who can only find prepackaged junk food in food deserts.

[New haven america]

Okay, technically the moon is not a planet. But what I'm trying to say is that it will be the first time the white race has ever landed on a celestial body other than earth.

No need to prod me with technicalities -- I'm not a scientist.

What if the crew that goes to Mars doesn't have any white people on it?

Does it still count as a Mars landing?

What will happen to the future of the white race?

[Imperial Union of America]

http://futurism.com/its-official-were-going-to-mars/

I think this wonderful. We haven't been to a new planet since 1969. This is a brave new step and will allow the greatest country on earth to lead once again.

Stephen hawking once said that man's future -- if we are to continue to exist as a species -- lay in space travel and colonization. I agree.

Let's plant the flag on Martian soil and claim the red planet for the United States and the White Race.

Do you think we'll eventually colonize the red planet? Do you think this will make America an enthusiastic forward looking nation? Will we all gather to watch on TV as the White Race takes another giant leap?

I really hope that the first person to step foot on mars is a black man. Actually I really hope for the whole team of astronauts to be all non-whites.

Me too. Mars landing is dangerous business.

[Kingdom of Kong]

Okay, technically the moon is not a planet. But what I'm trying to say is that it will be the first time the white race has ever landed on a celestial body other than earth.

No need to prod me with technicalities -- I'm not a scientist.

This is quite evident.

[New haven america]

NASA doesn't only send things to space you know. Any material NASA creates almost always has a practical purpose to the general public.

Also, considering we've hit the point where climate change is now nearly irreversible, we're going to need a new place to live.

I'm pretty sure that no matter how terrible climate change ends up being it will still be easier to live on earth than on mars--all that cold temp and scant air.

Dome cities. *Nod*

[Northwest Slobovia]

CDC states so yes.

What?

You'll have to pardon me for a moment, because somebody had a massive reading comprehension problem:

OK, end of levity.

The medical care costs of obesity in the United States are high. In 2008 dollars, these costs were estimated to be $147 billion.

Nobody actually writes a check for "obesity" in the amount of $147B.

[New Grestin]

Okay, technically the moon is not a planet. But what I'm trying to say is that it will be the first time the white race has ever landed on a celestial body other than earth.

No need to prod me with technicalities -- I'm not a scientist.

Ok. Dude. Seriously.

Why does this have to be a race thing?

You do know that NASA also employs other races, right?