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46 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 26, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 18, 2004 Since We Asked: To the moon ... and beyond Responses to our space travel question were all over the map, with more that a few folks believing President Bush should be "first in war, first in peace and first on Mars." Read on and see what folks from Hawaii to South Dakota had to say about this question: What do you think about President Bush's plans to send people to Mars and establish a space station on the moon? Advertisement I’m all for it, as long as Bush is the first one on board. (Wait, um ... would we be going in order to "liberate" Mars?) — Rick Marshall, Ashland Ludicrous and irresponsible. Our president should be focusing on Earth and its inhabitants who could better use the exorbitant funds for such a project. — Christina S., Medford Not until we have the technology, should we even attempt this. Our love of fossil fuels will cost this nation billions to propel us there. — DS, Medford Let’s fix problems here before we go out and ruin another planet. We have more things to worry about on Earth than if there may have been life on Mars. Our school are going down the drain, elderly people cant pay for prescriptions. Sure, I’m interested in if there ever was life on Mars, but I would rather see that money go to the schools and to other things that need it right now, then to be spent on space exploration. — Sandra, Phoenix Great leadership!!!! During the 60s, a space goal was accomplished while we were fighting an expensive war against communism. States have responsibility to finance education. — Bill Hartley, Medford As much as I’d like to believe that the President is doing something in the interest of science, I think we can be fairly certain that the only reason he is doing this is because some advisor told him it would be a good move in an election year. — Maria, Central Point Why a man? To kick-start stalled robots, and chuck rocks out of their way. ‘Scientists’ disparaging men in space are visionless boys playing ‘cars’. — Clyde & Susan Johnson, Hot Springs, South Dakota It is a necessity for humans to explore and discover the world around us. President Bush is showing vision and foresight that has been lost on the American people since the days of the Apollo program. It is time for us to view our world as more than just the planet to which we are gravitationally bound, but instead view it as all that we see and have the capacity to explore. — Michael Andrus Before he spends all that money on Mars exploration, I think he should get our economy going. — Jane, Medford We have better things to spend our money on. How will we ever send people to Mars if they aren’t getting the schooling they need to get them there? — JP, Medford I think he should go first. — Kathy, Medford Sure. We haven’t found Iraq’s WMD or Osama on this planet. Maybe they are all hiding on Mars? — Matt C., Medford The only thing that could make such a colossal expenditure cost-effective would be sending Bush. Otherwise there is no earthly reason. — Michael Steely, Medford Why would we want to do that when our government can’t pay its bills now? It is pure election year pie in the sky. — Larry Laitner, Ashland The travel season begins early this year ... G. Dubya Bush is going to Mars, and Levi Straus is going to China! — Guy Parker, Prospect Bad idea. Unmanned probes yield better scientific payoff for less money and emotional stress. Also, aliens landing here will go after the robots first. — Ginny Casale Along with the enormous scientific benefits we have the potential to gain from Mars, I believe that continued exploration is a part of the American spirit. — Danielle Ebnother, Jacksonville This one is easy, this has to be the most ridiculous waste of our tax dollars I have ever seen in my life!! — Lori Naaaah, let’s just give more tax cuts to the rich. — Chuck Casale If Mr. Bush is going to be on that rocket, then okay, I’m all for it. The money is better spent on better schools and educating our young! — Valerie McCracken, Pahoa, Hawaii Flight duration to Mars is nine months out, nine months return. Send Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld & Rove. Planet Earth would be safer for 18 months. — Ron Blood, Hyatt Lake Leadership and financial commitment in our own planet is the most important need. Robotic technology can provide the science for space exploration. — George Tipton, Medford I wish we could send people to Mars. Don’t know why, but I feel like we would be going home. — Rikki Cuozzo, Medford Bush should be first to go ... at his own expense. USA money used for USA needs ... health, schools, get troops home. "Our own" before rest of world and outer space. — La Vohn W. Waddell, Jacksonville Next week’s question The economy is on everyone’s mind as Oregon heads into the final weeks before the Feb. 3 vote on Measure 30. Whether you support the surcharge or not, take a moment to answer this week’s Since We Asked question: What do you want to see from the state’s leaders as they try to turn around the economy? As always, answers should be kept to 25 words or less and sent by e-mail, either through the link on our Web site ( www.mailtribune.com ) or directly to [email protected] Please include your name and hometown. The deadline for answers is 5 p.m., Friday. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times