Send NASA To Nairobi

NASA’s abuzz with the possible discovery of water, and thus maybe, maybe—LIFE--on Enceladus, a tiny moon of Saturn. Predictably, their cry for more funding—“BILLIONS AND BILLIONS” as Carl Sagan was wont to say (but only in relation to the number of stars, not the money to visit them)—is now evermore urgent.


"It's startling," said Carolyn C. Porco of the Space Science Institute in Boulder, Colo., leader of the imaging team for the Cassini spacecraft that spotted eruptions of ice crystals from the moon’s surface. . "I wouldn't be surprised to see the planetary community clamoring for a future exploratory expedition to land on the south polar terrain of Enceladus…We have found an environment that is potentially suitable for living organisms.”

It is more than mere coincidence that I read this account just after hearing a fellow Rotarian speak of the utter horrors he saw on his mission to help orphaned children in Nairobi, Kenya. The pictures confirmed his woeful words describing the unfathomable poverty, the filth, the stench, the degradation of the living dead. Hordes of Kenyans just existing, barely, on and in the dirt—no dwellings, no goods, no medicines, little food and even less hope.

Gary McCormick’s big heart grew even larger when his eyes met those of the sickly child he was cradling, one of millions left orphaned either by Aids, war or starvation. “Touched my soul,” said Gary, who longs to go back. So much need, so much poverty and yet, those kids seemed content—“they did not know they had nothing, they had nothing to compare themselves to.”

I questioned the relevance of my do-good liberalism here at home in matters that seem so trivial when compared to those in much more dire need of humane intervention. The safe cocoon of America, with all the sedations of its Hollywood/Madison Avenue diversions, may shield our consciousness from the real horrors existing beyond our shores, but it does not negate them.

And the Universal laws of morality, of the yin and yang, of Karma, OF GOD, are as certain of occurrence as they are indeterminate in timing: what goes around comes around. It simply is in our own altruistic self-interest, self-PRESERVATION, to help those parts of the world in such dis-repair.

Of course, we certainly are doing much good through our foreign aid, through our volunteerism and through our involvement with international organizations. And the benefits from NASA have certainly been worth much of its cost, so I am not speaking of eliminating this incredibly successful program.

But why all the fuss and expense of searching for new life beyond our planet? All the life we need to know about, and care about, is right here on Mother Earth. Why not just assume there is life beyond and save the trillions of dollars needed to preserve and enhance life right here on earth.

Instead, send NASA to Nairobi.

RFD 3.14.06