The absolute scam that is USAID

Discussion in 'Politics' started by Tsing Tao, Feb 4, 2025.

  1. Tsing Tao

    Tsing Tao

    Wherever waste and corruption is, cut it. No matter who the beneficiary.

    We can argue whether going to the moon makes sense or not, but that's not exactly "waste and corruption". It might not be something we should prioritize, but that's a different argument.
     
    #511     Feb 18, 2025
  2. Tsing Tao

    Tsing Tao

     
    #512     Feb 18, 2025
  3. ElCubano

    ElCubano

    if it’s not needed it’s waste and if there is a conflict it’s fraud to me. :D
     
    #513     Feb 18, 2025
  4. Tsing Tao

    Tsing Tao

    If it's not "needed". I'm sure you're being sarcastic here, but just about everything the Federal Government does isn't needed, if you want to press the definition of the word "need" hard enough.

    Going to the moon probably isn't needed when you can't balance your budget. But wasteful? I don't think so, as the resource acquisition effort alone could be something we'd want to go after. But again, if we can't balance our budget, then we shouldn't be doing these types of things.
     
    #514     Feb 18, 2025
  5. ElCubano

    ElCubano

    there are 2 Ifs in my reply above. Just saying
     
    #515     Feb 18, 2025
  6. Tuxan

    Tuxan

    What the people don't get is that Musk's Mars colony plans require civilization level resources so he has to hijack the government, not just in America. They need multi-government-level infrastructure, logistics, and legal restructuring. A private entity alone can't establish a self-sustaining off-world colony; it needs taxpayer money, regulatory allowances, and possibly military backing. Essentially, he has to co-opt entire national resources, of a few nations, not just private investment.

    Neil DeGrasse Tyson roasted him over this and he was unable to respond coherently. Just some ranting about Mars being critical for the survival of consciousness.

    The sheer scale of what’s required with Musk's current tech, something on par with the Apollo Program, but much bigger and sustained over decades. Musk’s argument about "the survival of consciousness" is more philosophical than practical.

    Musk's vision is bold, but he's essentially trying to brute-force it with technology that isn't ready. If he really wants Mars to be a serious prospect, he should be pushing for nuclear propulsion development instead of doubling down on Starship as the final answer. It is at best a first step to orbit for better Earth-Mars systems, I expect he knows this.
     
    Last edited: Feb 18, 2025
    #516     Feb 18, 2025
  7. Tuxan

    Tuxan

    It wasn't Valentines day here, that's third Saturday of every September. I have two actor's guild names and all.

    You yourself have a prior nic you said? I didn't know that. See? We are sharing secrets like lovers.
     
    #517     Feb 18, 2025
  8. Tsing Tao

    Tsing Tao

    I was once a moderator here, and it made sense to switch names so that people didn't associate my personal views with that of the site. So I did the right thing and switched, well over 16 years ago. And unlike you, I was always honest about it, and never misled anyone.
     
    #518     Feb 18, 2025
  9. Tuxan

    Tuxan

    Honestly, I immediately told a couple of friends it was me in PM and that I was curious to see which on team evil would figure it out. Given right wing characters like NY_Hood popping back up like weeds, I figured there was licence.

    At the time I was feeling considerable relief after medication for long covid made me feel less cranky. I wanted to see if I was actually improved. It's a bit like walking back into a bar you frequent wearing a false nose and glasses as a prank. What was awkward was simply that it took so long for anybody to twig and I had to make it more and more blatent.

    Dest of course spotted me quick without help. You were a distant second.
     
    #519     Feb 18, 2025
  10. Tsing Tao

    Tsing Tao

    I typically ignore nonsense outright, and you provide a plethora of it. It wasn't until you engaged me personally that I paid any attention, at which point it was obvious.

    Didn't you say you were done here after you were outed or something?
     
    #520     Feb 18, 2025