I usually agree with you guys\girls on most topics discussed on Slashdot. But one thing I just don't seem to get is spending so much money on what I see as a second-rate priority.

Now I know that NASA has the ability to improve out lives through their research. And personally, if they discovered other life-forms in space, it would be pretty darn exciting. And I know that scientists and astronomers get this argument all the time, but I think are much more important issues facing us.

I mean, look at the problems we have here on Earth. In western countries, we don't realise how lucky we are. Why can't the government allocate more money to international aid rather than spending it on projects that seem, to me, and many other people, a waste of time? I know that I couldn't have done it myself (and I commend the great scientists and physicists that work for NASA), but wasn't that Polar Lander just the biggest screw up? I don't know how much it cost NASA, but I wouldn't be surprised if it had run into the billions.

I think the US government should allocate more NASA money to international aid, and the great scientists should be used to find cures for disease, and erradicate world hunger.

Let's fix up our planet before we ruin another one. And ask ourselves, "Is it really worth it?"