In Mississippi, NASA's $350 Million Tower of Pork

[ElNono]

Early this year, NASA will complete work on a $350 million tower to test rocket engines at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. When it’s finished, the 300-foot steel-frame facility will stand unused—because the agency doesn’t need it. The engines it was supposed to test were part of a Bush-era space program that was canceled in 2010. And NASA isn’t developing any new rockets that would require the A-3 tower for testing. You might think congressional leaders scouring the federal budget for fat would have welcomed such an obvious, painless cut. Instead, its funding survived thanks to Mississippi Republican Senators Roger Wicker, who wrote an amendment to a 2010 NASA bill requiring the agency to wrap up the work, and Thad Cochran, who advocated for the spending from his seat on the Appropriations Committee.

Read more:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-09/in-mississippi-nasas-350-million-tower-of-pork

[Nbadan]

I bet they got a buyer in mind...at a hugely discounted price of course...

[Wild Cobra]

Well, it isn't that easy to cancel legal contracts. Just think of all the people put out of work earlier than expected if the project isn't complete.

Just don't renew the maintenance contract when it ends.

[Wild Cobra]

Does this mean the Obama cancelled the constellation program, which was to replace the Shuttles?

[Wild Cobra]

Just think of all those jobs good paying jobs Obama killed in Mississippi supporting the new space launch program.

[Winehole23]

lol WC defending construction of an unnecessary rocket tower on the public dime.

[Winehole23]

and complaining about cuts in government spending

[Winehole23]

man, you couldn't write this . . .

[Wild Cobra]

lol WC defending construction of an unnecessary rocket tower on the public dime.

Am I?

If you sign a contract to do something, how can you justify just bailing out of it?

I don't know how necessary this tower is or not. I do know it is immoral to bail on a contract.

[boutons_deux]

Am I?

If you sign a contract to do something, how can you justify just bailing out of it?

I don't know how necessary this tower is or not. I do know it is immoral to bail on a contract.

you pay them off for the work done, and cancel.

since when does WC worry about killing jobs and spending taxpayer $Ms?

This is yet another irrefutable proof that govt spending CREATES JOBS and WEALTH

[Wild Cobra]

you pay them off for the work done, and cancel.

since when does WC worry about killing jobs and spending taxpayer $Ms?

This is yet another irrefutable proof that govt spending CREATES JOBS and WEALTH
Part of the contract is an $840 million annual maintenance contract. That's quite a few jobs. I'm OK with spending money in NASA. I'm not for privatizing all ventures. Some are large enough the government should be responsible.

Again, this was a project for the continuation of a shuttle type program. I would ask, why did this administration cancel it.

[Drachen]

Not sure if y'all have already discussed this elsewhere, but we're y'all aware that space x is one FAA approval away from building their space port in Boca Chica, TX (just east of Brownsville)? How cool is that?

[boutons_deux]

I would ask, why did this administration cancel it.

Repugs/VRWC/1%/Simpson-Bowles have been screaming "debt and deficit reduction or American collapses!" for years, after they have dramatically cut taxes on the wealthy and corporations the last 35+ years.

USA doesn't have a spending problem. It has a VRWC-instigated TAX REVENUE problem.

[Wild Cobra]

We have both a spending and a revenue problem. We spend far too much money everywhere, but especially in redistribution of wealth. We need to dramatically reduce subsidies, social programs, and start tariffing imports again. Everybody needs a "dog in the fight," and therefore, everyone should also pay a minimal amount in income tax. I propose a minimum 5% tax.

[Wild Cobra]

Not sure if y'all have already discussed this elsewhere, but we're y'all aware that space x is one FAA approval away from building their space port in Boca Chica, TX (just east of Brownsville)? How cool is that?
That is sweet. Maybe at some point private venture will replace the need for government involvement.

[ElNono]

man, you couldn't write this . . .

:lol yes he can

[boutons_deux]

That is sweet. Maybe at some point private venture will replace the need for government involvement.

Space X is of course standing on the shoulders of $Bs in taxpayer-funded R&D over the past 50 years, much like for-profit network operators trying to ripoff taxpayer-funded development of Internet.

Space X is a for-profit venture. What exactly are they selling? for how much? and to whom?

[Wild Cobra]

B-Shit...

Is there anything in life you appreciate, or must you dis' everything?

[ChumpDumper]

Just think of all those jobs good paying jobs Obama killed in Mississippi supporting the new space launch program.

Socialist.

[pgardn]

Well, it isn't that easy to cancel legal contracts. Just think of all the people put out of work earlier than expected if the project isn't complete.

Just don't renew the maintenance contract when it ends.

Instead, its funding survived thanks to Mississippi Republican Senators Roger Wicker, who wrote an amendment to a 2010 NASA bill requiring the agency to wrap up the work, and Thad Cochran, who advocated for the spending from his seat on the Appropriations Committee.

So what does the above say?

Sounds like Republicans wanted government funded jobs.
Unnecessary jobs. Fulfilling a contract? A contract written too... Spend more money in my state. That is not necessary?
Republicans should be outraged.

Get angry for chrissakes!

[boutons_deux]

B-Shit...

Is there anything in life you appreciate, or must you dis' everything?

I sure don't "appreciate anything" in this forum that you value so ridiculously.

Space X is 0.01%er's toy for the amusement of other 0.01%ers.

"Hey, y'all look at and listen to unDespicable Me. I blew $100K on a Space X joyride. Looking down at the planet I own and destroy was wonderful. You sorry mofos ain't never gonna be as rich as me."

They are ALL a bunch of motherfucking, self-congratulating, preening cheaters gaming the system in their favor and against everybody else. And of course a lot of this Space X costs is on the taxpayers' backs as "R & D" deductions, depreciation (accelerated?), etc.

[Wild Cobra]

Spend more money in my state. That is not necessary?

Actually, it seems to me the tower is a good project. But... that isn't a certainty with me.

[Wild Cobra]

I sure don't "appreciate anything" in this forum that you value so ridiculously.

Space X is 0.01%er's toy for the amusement of other 0.01%ers.

"Hey, y'all look at and listen to unDespicable Me. I blew $100K on a Space X joyride. Looking down at the planet I own and destroy was wonderful. You sorry mofos ain't never gonna be as rich as me."

They are ALL a bunch of motherfucking, self-congratulating, preening cheaters gaming the system in their favor and against everybody else. And of course a lot of this Space X costs is on the taxpayers' backs as "R & D" deductions, depreciation (accelerated?), etc.
This tower isn't about Space X. It's about the launch vehicle to replace the Shuttle crafts.

[boutons_deux]

This tower isn't about Space X. It's about the launch vehicle to replace the Shuttle crafts.

can't any more shuttles.

"We're broke!" (c) -- Repugs