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International Space Station: Canada to the Rescue?

Posted by chrisd on from the canada-going-to-bat-for-science dept.

Apostata writes "The following story from the Globe and Mail outlines a proposal of the head of the Canadian Space Agency to seek renewed funding for the recently stripped-down NASA budget for the ISS. He makes an interesting point that - contrary to the belief that the ISS is a NASA brainchild/braintrust - many countries have poured $billions$ into it's development and should thus have a say in whether there should be any cutbacks. Read all about it here."

3 of 300 comments (clear)

  1. Isn't this covered by contract? by pbryan · · Score: 1, Troll

    ... many countries have poured $billions$ into it's development and should thus have a say in whether there should be any cutbacks.

    It seems to me that no country, business, person, or other entity should be obligated to continue paying unless a legally binding contract is in place to enforce such payment. In some jurisdictions, termination clauses are manditory for the contract to be considered legally binding.

    What binding contract is in place that actually stipulates who is obligated to pay what amount for the ISS? Are contracts even relevant when the United States in concerned? For example, when was the last time the United States paid its membership dues in the United Nations? What about its compliance with greenhouse emissions agreements?

    It seems to me, engaging the United States in a debate about cutbacks would be much like an ant trying to playing a game of chicken with a rhino. Being the resident superpower has its perks.

    --

    My car gets 40 rods to the hogshead, and that's the way I likes it!

  2. Re:US vs. Canada by Drakin · · Score: 1, Troll

    Actually, to gain true independance, Canadians had to kill an awful lot of people, and a lot of Canadians were killed.

    It wasn't until WWI that Canada became truely accepted as an independant nation. (An Example of this is how Canada was pulled into the war without really having a say)

    And the war of 1812, while it's amusing (with the burning of part of the white hourse and all by British and Canadian troops), it was much more of a stalemate than a clear victory for either side.

    And yes, I'm Canadian.

  3. Quick Summary Of The Entire Thread For This Story by Angry+Toad · · Score: 1, Troll


    Canada sucks.
    America is great.
    Everyone else sucks.
    Fuck everyone else.

    Did I miss one? I only wish it was possible to bring up **any** freaking topic that doesn't involve the USA without this dimwit ranting starting up.