Big agree – though the type of contracts the point. After all, all the spaceflight done in the last several decades was done by contractors who developed and operated all the ships and space centers under NASA contract — just very constrained contracts, with lots of NASAburacracy layered over the top.

“First of all, for someone who really dislikes almost everything I write, I wonder why you visit my webpage so often.”

Two points:
(1) I generally expend about 5 minutes on your website every couple of days, as I do several other websites (whether I agree with their point of view or not) – the reason is the links they provide to other often useful articles (you could even take that a complement).
(2) I do not “really dislike” almost everything you write. In fact I agree with most of what you have written on the Global Climate Change issue. I did not see the point in posting a bunch of “Yeah, what he said” comments when I agreed with what you wrote. If that would have made you feel better I apologize for the oversight.

“Second, please don’t put words in my mouth. I never said I disagreed with Cain, only that I found his statement shallow”

I am neither a supporter nor a detractor of Mister Cain, however, you have written:
– That he shows a “great deal of ignorance”
– That he shows “willingness” “… “to pander to his audience”
– That you wish he took a “more thoughtful approach”
– And now that you found his statement “shallow”

But no one should infer that you disagree with him. I would be enlightening to know what you would write about someone you actually do disagree with.

“Finally, just because you dislike my opinions doesn’t give you call to attack me personally each time I express them. I put no restrictions on comments to my webpage because I like it when people disagree with me and express those opinions. If you peruse the comments you will find many long and very interesting comments attacking my positions that I think are quite worthwhile to read.”

I have asked question, but to the best of my knowledge I have never attacked you. Other posters on your board have called me a Kool-Aid drinker and a Crack Head (for the record my hide is thicker than that, I could care less), but I have done no such thing to you or anyone else.

My problem with what I consider to be over the top rhetoric can be better explained by an earlier column you wrote about congressional skepticism about Commercial Crew Development. The skepticism expressed at the meeting concerned the business case for the commercial companies and whether or not they would really be cheaper than developing a government provided vehicle or even continuing to buy transport services from the Russians. That is (at least in my opinion) a valid concern. Rather than refute it, you dismissed it with the statement – “Let’s be honest: it’s all about pork and only pork.”

OK, now I have taken the time to explain myself (as best I can). Maybe you could explain why you dismiss the reservations expressed in that committee hearing as “pork and only pork”, rather than addressing the concerns.

“All the best” to you as well.

Hell we should be delighted he even stopped by Huntsville and said anything abut space.

First of all, for someone who really dislikes almost everything I write, I wonder why you visit my webpage so often.

Second, please don’t put words in my mouth. I never said I disagreed with Cain, only that I found his statement shallow, which bothers me. And if you read his words again, it is very clear that this is a fair description of those words. I also recognized in the very next sentence that this kind of shallow statement is par for the course for a campaign, which to me seems to give him a pass if anything.

Finally, just because you dislike my opinions doesn’t give you call to attack me personally each time I express them. You rarely make the effort to explain why you disagree, only to attack me for daring to have such opinions. I find this distasteful and, to use that word again, not very thoughtful.

I put no restrictions on comments to my webpage because I like it when people disagree with me and express those opinions. If you peruse the comments you will find many long and very interesting comments attacking my positions that I think are quite worthwhile to read.

Thus, I would much prefer it if you spent some time explaining why you disagree me instead of zipping off cute one sentence personal attacks time after time that explains nothing.

All the best.

Meaning, of course, one that agrees with you.

Can anyone be allowed to disagree with you and still be considered “thoughtful”?