When Obama appointed former astronaut, Charles Bolden, as NASA admin last May, it barely registered a blip on the news meters. Bolden had also been a choice of Bush, but met with Pentagon resistance… the agency was determined to hang on to the then Marine General.
But NASA, the federal agency that rocketed the US to the top of space travel excellence with our lunar accomplishments, has turned out to be the unlikely messenger of Obama’s personal missives… and that is to ever find ways to “reach out” to the Muslim world. Byron York’s op-ed today has Bolden confessing that Obama tasked his NASA admin appointee with an unusual diplomatic task… as well as having that agency publicly admit the US is no longer “capable” of reaching beyond a low Earth orbit without the international community.
In a far-reaching restatement of goals for the nation’s space agency, NASA administrator Charles Bolden says President Obama has ordered him to pursue three new objectives: to “re-inspire children” to study science and math, to “expand our international relationships,” and to “reach out to the Muslim world.” Of those three goals, Bolden said in a recent interview with al-Jazeera, the mission to reach out to Muslims is “perhaps foremost,” because it will help Islamic nations “feel good” about their scientific accomplishments.
~~~
Bolden’s trip included a June 15 speech at the American University in Cairo. In that speech, he said in the past NASA worked mostly with countries that are capable of space exploration. But that, too, has changed in light of Obama’s Cairo initiative. “He asked NASA to change…by reaching out to ‘non-traditional’ partners and strengthening our cooperation in the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia and in particular in Muslim-majority nations,” Bolden said. “NASA has embraced this charge.”“NASA is not only a space exploration agency,” Bolden concluded, “but also an earth improvement agency.”
For now, let’s set aside that Obama now has dispatched our NASA administrator, trekking the globe, broadcasting the downfall … yet again… of American exceptionalism in our space endeavors. Instead, let’s examine Obama’s missive… that “reach out” to the Muslim world. For it’s impossible to deny that, in the year and a half of this POTUS reign, his attempts to “reach out” have accomplished nothing in getting the Muslim nations to be more inclusive, or benign, in the now renamed “war on terror”.
On the flip side, this administration can certainly proclaim success in alienating our traditional allies… from Britain to Columbia to Israel… with various events snubbing their respective leaders to his lukewarm support in their times of need. And then, of course, there was that most embarrassing incident when, following the Gaza flotilla, the WH was quick to let Netanyahu know that he would be less than welcome standing next to the US POTUS… and he should just skip the visit.
When the POTUS isn’t busy doing his own snubbing and arrogant gaffes to our allies, he sends his minions to do the same. Latest case in point, ol’ slow Joe Biden, in Iraq, lecturing our allies on Parliamentary stalemates. Quite the laugh when you consider the stalemate the US Congress enjoys at every turn… and even more embarrassing considering the chambers are comprised of an O’faithful supermajority. Oh the chutzpuh never ends.
But I digress. What, pray tell, has space technology advancements got to do with Muslim and Islam in general, I ask myself. Why should our federally funded agency specifically reach out to Muslims for our space endeavors? And why should that magically improve relations? Are we assuming that they have a leg up on this technology, strictly because of their religious choice? Well.. yeah… that is if you’re interested in advancing ways to pray in zero gravity, or eating space meals under Islamic rules.
But then, in a more honest vein, we have the more stellar example of Ahmad Mahmoud, the son of immigrant Eqyptian parents who attended public schools in New Jersey, went on to major in Aerospace Engineering at Rutgers University. Mahmoud was awarded first place for his design project, Multi-surface Adaptable Touch Sensor, from Rutgers. He went on to a NASA internship, and then offered a full time position with the Cryogenics department.
Because he’s Muslim? No… because he’s exceptional in his field.
Scientists of all faiths and nationalities bond together, across the span of political BS, because they share common goals. And, in fact, Islam Online has their own webpage devoted to Muslims and space. There has been no barrier to their contributions in the industry, and indeed their presence in space itself, since man’s first foray’s into that great frontier. The first Muslim to crew the Discovery shuttle was in 1985 – Prince Sultan bin Salman AbdulAziz Al-Saud from Saudi Arabia, who acted as payload specialist to deliver the ARABSAT 1-B communication satellite into orbit. He was not only the first Muslim in space, but was the first who was royalty.
Why? Because he’s Muslim? Again, no. Because he’s exceptional in his field.
Gee… now how did that happen without this POTUS, exercising squatting rights in the people’s House? sigh… But still, this POTUS persists in playing the class warfare/”social justice” card, as if this is a pressing problem in our world’s aeronautical society. Yet how has this pathetic ploy of bowing, scraping and proffered olive twigs played in the Muslim world? Not much better than it has with our allies, whom this POTUS is busy alienating at every turn.
He’s viewed as “weak” by Syria’s President Bashar Assad, during a visit with another of Obama’s favored leaders, Hugo Chavez.
The Obama administration’s failure to facilitate change in the Middle East shows that it is weak, Syrian President Bashar Assad said Sunday during a visit to Latin America amid rising regional tensions over last month’s Gaza flotilla incident and increasing efforts to defuse the Iranian threat.
Assad was quoted Monday in the Argentine daily Clarín as saying that Washington did not “seem to be able to manage a peace process from beginning to end.” He added that while the US was capable of pulling “all its weight” to support a peace process, the current administration has so far proved to be impractical and unable to gain the backing of Congress.
“Afghanistan is worse than before,” said Assad, stressing that the situation in Iraq had not changed and ties with Syria remained stagnant despite US President Barack Obama’s announcement that he would dispatch a new ambassador to Damascus.
Another of those American foes that Obama has extended his olive trig to was Iran… while the past rebuffs have been well documented, and completely evident in their continued quest to possess nuke weaponry, now Ahmadinejad describes Obama as a dictator. American Thinker’s Rick Moran quotes The Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI) excepts of the Iranian President’s June 16th speech:
“Today, the harshest dictatorship is the one operating against the American nation, and the greatest pressure is exerted over there. They have no freedom of expression. No newspaper has the right to write anything about the crimes of the Zionists, or about the support given to them by the U.S. politicians. The American people do not have the right to demonstrate freely or to oppose the crimes of their politicians. Many Americans live in poverty. Eighty million people are poor. Some [leader] of that same America plundered hundreds and thousands of billions of dollars from the wealth of other nations.
“Mr. President, before thinking about other nations, think about your own. The action you took has forced us to declare that from now on, one of the main demands of the Iranian nation is to rescue the American people from its non-democratic bullying administration.”
So how’s that “reaching out” lip service bit working, Mr. Obama? So far it’s looking like Muslim dictators one, Zionists nothing from here. But I’m sure that “reach out” to Muslim space scientists will cure everything now…
Vietnam era Navy wife, indy/conservative, and an official California escapee now residing as a red speck in the sea of Oregon blue.
‘lil Liar johnnie ryan will be along any moment now to say we hate muslims, as he did at Pirates Cove. He also does not believe we can afford the Space Program / a decent future that would create millions of jobs as the infrastructure in space grew.
But what can one expect from a liberal.
btw, ‘lil Liar, you still haven’t posted a link to Absolute Proof that ‘thousands’ died when that levee burst in NO.
General Charles Boldin: Tool.
John Murtha.
John McCain.
Randy “Duke” Cunningham.
Wesley Clark.
Colin Powell.
etc.
In and of itself, having been an officer in the military doesn’t guarantee a thing in terms of honor or character in civilian life, does it?
The proof is in the pudding. It may very well be that the pool of ex-military contain a disproportionate share of the sort of civilian leaders that we need to turn this thing around. But, service is not a recommendation in and of itself.
Unfortunately.
Just when I thought the O’Bama Administration couldn’t possibly get worse…
While opening the door to all cultures and races for participation in the exploration of space might on the surface sound altruistic, . . . . what can NASA’s reaching out to Muslims possibly have to do with the priorities of this agency? Nothing.
Mata, thanks for pointing out this far-from-the-fawning-eyes-of-the-MSM yet significant address by Bolden. Obama’s request is another brick in the foundation of evidence proving that zero experience in managing anything is good enough reason to strike a candidate from the ballot chasing the White House.
Of three goals Bolden mentions, none have to do with space. This is so bizarro, it really seems like s0me0ne is definitely insane, around the corner, lost in la-la land, etc. I think that’s the meme to run with. Today this story made it to Fox. Bets on how long it takes to get on the MSM?
I agree with Patter #5. The goals Bolden mentions seem more like the work of a PR campaign than either diplomacy or the space administration — unless they are meant to mask the true objective. What worries me is the possibility that a Muslim/Iranian spy satellite or weapons payload will be sent into orbit by our very own space program in the name of diversity and “reaching out” to the Muslim world. I can just imagine this administration promoting such a program as the “solution” to peace in the Middle East. It would make the Muslims/Iranian regime “feel” so much better if they could interfere with/spy on Israel and the West with the latest in space technology don’t cha know? It would probably also speed up their estimate on the 13th Mahdi’s return, another “feel good” move — at least for Imadinnerjacket and the boys. If you think homocide bombers are bad, just wait until space is weaponized by these lunatics and others just as “unfriendly” to the civilized world as we know it. Some playing fields should not be “equalized.”
Space …. the final frontier. These are the voyages of NASA. It’s primary mission: to go out and kiss Muslim butt.
Brings a tear to your eye, doesn’t it?
Two thoughts come to mind:
First, the way Dr. Peter Venkman would describe this: MOTHER PUSS BUCKET ……
Second, any NASA employee with any b___, uh, guts, will quit this now-worthless government agency immediately. No budget, no space craft, no brains in charge. Disgusting.
AN even better reason to built that sattelite wih the mirror search attack missiles.
LOL, Muslims contribution to science? That’s like saying Obama had a proven track record of leadership leading up to his Presidency, it just doesn’t make sense.
I guess it’s affirmative action for the final frontier.
On a side note, according to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center’s Global Attitudes Project:
And what of Muslim countries? What do the populace make of President Obama by his second year in office? Based on this latest polling, it would appear the president has squandered any gains he might have made from his Cairo speech:
I think the decline in confidence in President Obama is occurring by those on both sides of the political aisle. He remains well-liked, but is not showing strong leadership skills.
What country doesn’t put their own self-interest ahead of that of other countries? Did France, Germany, and China oppose OIF due to taking “into account the interests of other countries”, including Iraq, or were they motivated by selfish self-interests?
I’d say the U.S., far more than any other nation, does take the welfare of other nations into account, even as it pushes ahead with what’s in its own best interests.
Ya know that nasty taste in the back of your mouth when ya barf a little?
Yea, like that.
The only thing that stopped it was wishing I could write like that.
*deep bow*
*sad tear*
@Patter: I am guessing it will get on the propaganda media right away, but it will be told as a positive story how we are trying to get along with Muslims.
I wonder what the new NASA emblem and uniforms will look like.
Muslims took over four planes and flew them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the fourth one was probably going to Washington DC. I wonder what they would do if they took over a space shuttle?
Let’s see now; how does that saying go? Not all Muslims are terrorists, but all terrorists are ???? I keep forgetting the rest of that saying.
WHAT is it to him? instead of helping AMERICA, he project to help thoses countrys sendings his
NASA peoples to them,to educate them, to get them aboard space future plan?. I think, he is looking for his future job at the UN, when this one will be out. on world
platform
And why in the hell do We the People want to help those muslim’s who invented suicide bombers, head loopers, the demon-god of the moon, hate whitey and the joooo’s franchises to feel good about themselves. Hell I feel real good about hating them for who they are, enemies of humanity. We don’t need a rocket scientist to show them or teach them any futher down the road to our own demise, o 😈 bam’s doing just fine in these regards.
(1) The State Department is supposed to conduct foreign policy. Doesn’t Obo trust Hillary?
(2) How does this fit in with the librul cry of Separation of Church and State? Is Obo trying to establish and favor one religion over all others?
FRED BELOIT: hi, I say yes, many signs show that;and they are coming directly from him. bye 🙄
One of the problems I have with this is the White Elephant in the room. Islam frowns on scientific achievement, and inquiry. Most islamists will tell you flat out that the Q’uran is the ultimate scientific authority. Any discovery beyond that lunacy is considered to be blasphemous, and deserving of one of the sadistic tortures proscribed by its practitioners. Left to the scientific guidance of Islam, we would all be living in the seventh century.
Obama is shooting for the moon… the crescent moon. Maybe we could give every Muslim a gold medal for scientific achievement…. you know a kinda Nobel Peace Prize for the common Muslim. No need to earn it… it’ll be just like the Nobel awards.
RATDOG: hi, DO we have to conclude the NASA are doing it for what they get paid for?
I’m sure they could refuse that kind of participation in the propaganda of the leader now in power:
I think the position they have achieve to be now over the last glorious times, give them CLOUT enough to make their views credible to the public , and if they dont, the people will judge them very irresponsible. bye 🙄
I think many of you are forgetting ancient history. Anyone have memories of the advanced astronomy of the Muslim world circa 7th century? Or did you forget about the mixed myths and truths of the Egyptians and their advanced sciences?
And just as the Chinese are credited with gun powder, it was Arab Muslims who came up with cannons in the 14th century. It was thru Arabic manuscripts that Europe came to know rocket technology.
The point I believe I’m trying to make is that we don’t need Muslim affirmative action, as Wordsmith rightly pegs it in terminology, as a policy. Science generally shares and develops technology, and has their own circle that doesn’t function as much with political or religious boundaries…. except when they’re figuring out ways to abscond government money, like the AWG groups. 🙄
So while it’s absurdly incorrect – nay, downright offensive – to make direct entreaties to the Muslim world on space exploration, it is just as incorrect to assume they have contributed nothing over history.
@Mata
Science and scientific research, in particular, has been a funny thing where Muslims are concerned. Throughout there history(~1400 years of it) there have been leaders in the Muslim world who have embraced science and there have been many leaders who have rejected, and even hated, any scientific endeavors.
Much of the scientific discoveries and advancements spawned by Muslim scientists happened in the early to middle range of it’s history, while later years, and specifically the last century or so, have not seen any great advancements from Muslim nations in the realm of science. Why is this? Much of the reasoning as to why Muslims do not add anything to scientific debate leads to the idea that many of the nations which are predominantly Muslim have tended toward the past and have essentially outlawed queries which cannot be answered by the Quran. Authoritarian governments deeply rooted in Islamic fundamentalist ideology do not allow any questioning by it’s people beyond what they ‘know’ to be true based on teachings of the religious heads of the governments.
As for Bolden making his statements, what I find hysterical is that Obama and his admin have basically changed the mission of NASA from its roots of the exploration of space to something that is hard to pin down exactly. For Bolden to “reach out” to Muslims would be all well and good if the original mission of NASA itself was intact, and if, the Muslim world in general gave a crap about space exploration which in today’s times they have not shown any interest in. Other than that, this seems like another attempt at apologizing for American ingenuity at the expense of other nations and Obama’s attempts to bring the US down to the level of the other nations of the world.
@MataHarley:
This issue is well beyond the debate of scientific accomplishment of the Muslim world. It is well beyond the affirmative action component of this new mission. Apparently, Barak Obama has decided that the entire Muslim world needs therapy. He has decided that the U.S. tax payers are responsible to provide that therapy. He has generously donated the considerable resources of NASA to provide that therapy. Never mind that NASA is supposed to be our government’s agency charged with space exploration. Barak Obama has made the leap of purpose for our once proud space agency from actually exploring space to building the self esteem of people who are not U.S. taxpayers. Is this even an efficient way to provide therapy for the Muslim world? How many liscensed therapists actually work at NASA? Why not make this part of the socialised medical care we didn’t want?
I once thought that Obama would be limited in the damage he would be able to inflict on the country. Sadly, I was wrong.
@johngalt and @Flyovercountry, you must know I don’t disagree. I do believe my posted article makes it clear that this cow towing BS is something that may make Obama feel good about himself, but it’s certainly not perceived that way by either friend or foe in the int’l community. And while I didn’t expound on the other part that bothers me… Obama’s observation that the US can’t make any future space advances without the help of others… his attempt to use NASA as ambassadors instead of their pure mission is unbelievably offensive. Just as offensive is Bolden, toeing the line.
My comment above was to caution some from swinging too hard to the other extreme… assuming that Muslims have contributed nothing to aeronautical science. Whether Muslim scientists are rare, or as common as blueberries in Maine, one cannot say they have not had their own accomplishments in time. In science, one man’s discovery opens doors for future discoveries. Scientific advancement becomes shared… despite religious or national boundaries.
@MataHarley:
Point taken.
@Mata
I understood your comment and intention and agree with it. My post was only meant as an addition and clarification on the subject of Muslims and science. The Islamic world hasn’t always been so backward looking in its ideology, and at one time, specifically in what is now Iraq, was the scientific learning center of the known world. That is all by the by however as religious authoritarian rule is the norm in most Muslim nations and the particular theology present is one of fundamentalist Qurannic teachings. In their view, God created man and man is not allowed to question him. They relate this to things scientific in nature and any information from a scientific standpoint learned in a Muslim nation is censored by the religious leaders, and as such, is in many cases represents nothing of what the original research entailed.
Taking a step back from the scientific part of this phenomenon one can see that it is all about controlling information to the people and only allowing that knowledge to them that neither threatens Islam nor their own iron-fisted rule over the people. By and far the majority of scientific research in Muslim nations today is the development of weaponry. Case in point is Iran’s nuclear aspirations.
When speaking in generalities, johngalt, the idea that Muslim nations concentrate on weaponry is valid. Or at least most of these being Muslim nations under dictators, i.e. Iran.
But when you remove the generalities, you have to come back to the 1985 Saudi payload specialist who was part of the Discovery shuttle crew, and their satellite. Then look at the US educated grad, Ahmad Mahmoud, that I referenced above in my post.
What may be derived from this is that the Muslim scientists that are most valuable in the aeronautical technology come from either our own or other western nations, or nations like SA that have some form of relations with the evil infidels. I doubt that NASA will be reaching out to Somalia for a rocket scientist, ya know…
In the case of Iran, Syria, etal… they outsource their students to the western free nations to get their education, and have them bring it home. Just like Obama has won no Muslim hearts and minds in our enemy states with all his olive twigs, NASA will win no help from Muslims of those nations that we can trust in our space program.
Algebra is a Muslim term. They did not invent “algebra” because it has roots to about 3000 BC.
Don’t forget the Chinese, Babylonians, Hindus, Ancient Egyptians( mostly Ptolomaic), and especially the Greeks(Geometric). The concept of zero is a Hindu afterthought.There’s plenty of spin for the Muslims which is of course, wrong. After the passing of Omar Khayyam, their algebra went in the tank.
The printing press caused the European explosian. Descartes, Gallois, and Newton are some I remember. Cartesian algebra is pure genius,in my opinion. Remember that there are about 7 or 8 types of Algebra.
oil guy from ALBERTA: hi, you seem to be good in algebra, I just touch a bit in my last class
and could not comprehend it, bye 🙄
@MataHarley:
Not to forget Aladdin. 😉
Just being silly, long eight hour drive day, home sweet home!
@Donald Bly: Obama was officially the president on January 20. Nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize have to be postmarked no later than February 1. That means he was president for only 11-12 days before the deadline. What an accomplishment in such a short time.
@MataHarley: The Muslims also gave us two zeros. When the world learned to count, the standard was 1-9. That made it hard to add up items because they added up the nines. The Muslims added another digit and the county was much easier.
The other zero the Muslims gave us is in the Oval office.
Since we are talking about Obama and Muslims I am passing on some information I just got in an email. Those of you who are patriotic to the USA and its flag had better sit down first. We know why the propaganda media didn’t jump on what Senator Obama said:
#######################################
The following is a narrative taken from a 2008 Sunday morning televised “Meet The Press’.
The author (Dale Lindsborg) is employed by none other than the very liberal Washington Post!!
From Sunday’s 07 Sept. 2008 11:48:04 EST, Televised “Meet the Press” THE THEN SenatorObama was asked about his stance on the American Flag.
General Bill Ginn’ USAF (ret.) asked Obama to explain WHY he doesn’t follow protocol when the National Anthem is played. The General stated to Obama that according to the United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, Sec. 171…During rendition of the national anthem, when the flag is displayed, all present (except those in uniform) are expected to stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Or, at the very least, “Stand and Face It”.
NOW GET THIS!! – – – – –
‘Senator’ Obama replied:
“As I’ve said about the flag pin, I don’t want to be perceived as taking sides”. “There are a lot of people in the world to whom the American flag is a symbol of oppression…��� “The anthem itself conveys a war-like message. You know, the bombs bursting in air and all that sort of thing.”
(ARE YOU READY FOR THIS???)
Obama continued: “The National Anthem should be ‘swapped’ for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song ‘I’d Like To Teach the World To Sing’. If that were our anthem, then, I might salute it. In my opinion, we should consider reinventing our National Anthem as well as ‘redesign’ our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love. It’s my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren. If we, as a Nation of waring people, conduct ourselves like the nations of Islam, where peace prevails – – – perhaps a state or period of mutual accord could exist between our governments.”
When I become President, I will seek a pact of agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity, and a freedom from disquieting oppressive thoughts. We as a Nation, have placed upon the nations of Islam, an unfair injustice which is WHY my wife disrespects the Flag and she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past”.
“Of course now, I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put my hatred aside. I will use my power to bring CHANGE to this Nation, and offer the people a new path. My wife and I look forward to becoming our Country’s First black Family. Indeed, CHANGE is about to overwhelm theUnited States of America ”
WHAAAAAAAT, the Hell is that!!!
Yes, you read it right.
I, for one, am speechless!!!
Dale Lindsborg , Washington Post
This left me sick at my stomach. What the hell did we put in the White House??
##############################################
“…I don’t want to be perceived as taking sides.” (You’re supposed to be on OUR side)
“The National Anthem should be ‘swapped’ for something less parochial and less bellicose. I like the song ‘I’d Like To Teach the World To Sing’. If that were our anthem, then, I might salute it.” (Evidently Coke donated a bunch of money to his campaign)
“…redesign’ our Flag to better offer our enemies hope and love.” (Maybe a white flag with a Coke bottle on it)
“It’s my intention, if elected, to disarm America to the level of acceptance to our Middle East Brethren.” (Remember how he was going to use the powerful weapon of EMBARRASSMENT and reduce our nuclear weapons and other countries would be embarrassed and reduce theirs too?)
“…my wife disrespects the Flag and she and I have attended several flag burning ceremonies in the past”. (A flag burner in the White House)
“…I have found myself about to become the President of the United States and I have put my hatred aside.” (He just admitted he HATES America)
If George Bush or any other republican would have said just one of those statements, just think what the propaganda media would have said, but nothing was said about it by them.
@Smorgasbord: I just found out that the story about Obama is false. The person I got it from is usually reliable, but I still USUALLY check stuff like this out first. I should have this time too but didn’t.
John Dickey
@Smorgasbord: I got the same email forward a few days ago and didn’t even have to fact check to know it was false. Falsified crap like that only undermines our side and makes us look like deranged tin-foil hat-wearing fools, no different than the hysteria on the left over George Bush.
There’s plenty of things to criticize Obama over without letting our imaginations run wild and hyperbolize every little thing he does as diabolical and part of some nefarious conspiratorial plot. Get a grip, people!