fly me to the moon, let me sing among those stars...

That last post reminded me of a story that I wanted to comment on, and that is George W. Bush's supposed plan to propose America's return to the moon. As a dreamer, I so hope he does this, and I hope that any such proposal fares better than those touting a battle on AIDS in Africa and rebuilding Afghanistan. I think it's a wonderful idea that could bring this nation together through a means that doesn't involve the death and destruction of people in far-flung places, but through peace.

As a left-leaning libertarian, there are few things outside of the role of protecting its citizens that I believe a government should take. Science and exploration are one of those exceptions. We as a human race will never get to the moon, mars, or to the stars without the government taking an active role and doing it itself. There is no profit in the early stages of such endeavors and so little chance of the private sector ever doing much to make the attempt. But there is potential for so much to be gained once a foothold is made outside of our atmosphere for everyone -- new technologies that bring us cheaper and cleaner energy, new and more efficient means of feeding the 6 billion of us left here on earth, and a host of technological surprises that we may not even be dreaming of. And that is more than enough reason to plant ourselves somewhere else.

But the biggest reason that I support this possible proposal and hope that Bush at least takes this promise seriously is that it will give us, not just our nation, but the world, a rallying point for pride. To look up at the moon on a night such as tonight and know that one or some of us are up there, living, breathing, and working for the betterment of humanity. It's a source of pride that need not balance on nationalism and war...but rather in tranquility and peace.